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Understandably, some people may think that the sisterhood link between East Budleigh and Salem, Massachusetts, came about because of Salem Chapel, the 18th century Dissenters’ place of worship seen here, built on the outskirts of the village in 1719.
The Chapel has no connection with the Massachusetts city. Salem just means Peace.
Actually the building does have an indirect American link. It was built with the help of local landowner and lord of the manor of Otterton Richard Duke VI, who apparently supplied stone for its construction.
One might well ask why. After all, you’d think that a lord of the manor would be a pillar of the Establishment and a supporter of the Church of England rather than non-conformist types who rejected the Book of Common Prayer.
In fact Richard Duke has been described as a possible Dissenter. What is certain is that in 1686 – a dangerous time for non-conformists and opponents of King James II after the Battle of Sedgemoor – he visited his friend the philosopher John Locke who had fled to exile in Holland.
Locke was working at that time on his Letter concerning Toleration, supporting the radical idea of freedom of religious worship. It is likely that the pair discussed such matters, especially as both men had spent time in France where they would have witnessed persecution of Huguenots.
In 1689, a year after the Glorious Revolution and the fall of King James II, Richard Duke would approve the appointment of Daniel Caunieres, a Huguenot refugee from France, as vicar of East Budleigh!
But back to John Locke. The philosopher’s Second Treatise of Government, published in 1689, is thought to have influenced the wording of the 1776 American Declaration of Independence.
If you are interested in the history of early America,
and Roger Conant as a peacemaker in troubled times you can join the Devon
Peacemaker Festival Facebook group at
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