Our History: Boxford MA
Europeans first settled in Boxford, Massachusetts in 1646 and when the town was officially incorporated in 1685, about forty families resided there. Nearly 300 years later in 1975 some of the residents came to Boxford, Suffolk in search of their heritage. They now believe that their forefathers originated here and emigrated to New England to form the first colonies in the Americas, founding Boxford MA in the process.
The residents of Boxford, Suffolk were subsequently (and very generously) invited back to Boxford, MA. This was in 1976 and was reported at the time by BBC in a special documentary, which you can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=397665027609053
Below we list a few of the hardy Suffolk folk who put their faith in the New World, 4 centuries ago:
John Winthrop (1588-1649) was a wealthy puritan lawyer from the nearby village of Groton who led a large group of colonists to New England in 1630 and was instrumental in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony serving as governor and lieutenant-governor for 18 years before he died.
15 minutes from the White Hart at an easy walking pace is Groton Church. Many visitors to Boxford walk the Winthrop’s Circle, a 4.7 mile hike that starts in Boxford and visits this church on the way. Inside the church you can see many inscriptions relating to the Winthrop family, including John Winthrop himself.
Groton Church
Groton Church at sunset
In 1634 Robert Coe travelled from this area to the Americas, taking part in the Puritan migration to New England. He was a wealthy clothmaker and had been elected as "Overseer of Cloth" in 1625. Clearly from the best Boxford stock, Robert Coe married his third wife when he was 80 years old. His descendants include George W. Bush and Winston Churchill.
Franklin D. Roosevelt & Winston Churchill
Churchill and Roosevelt. By Priest, L C (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer. This photograph A 4815 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums. Public Domain, Link
Around the same time John Kingsbury, who was born in Boxford but had moved to Dedham, travelled to Massachusetts and became a listed representative of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts in 1647. His brother Joseph Kingsbury and their wives Margarett and Millicent emigrated with him. The Kingsbury’s family were engaged in the building trade in Boxford, Suffolk from the 17th century to the 1980’s.