Grave matters

Descendants of Roger Conant who plan a visit to East Budleigh sometimes ask if any graves of family members exist in All Saints’ Churchyard. Sadly there are none, although there is a Conant family grave in Sidmouth, not too far away.  

As for Roger Conant himself no grave has been found in the town that he founded, although according to the excellent Find A Grave website it is thought to have been in  Salem’s Burying Point Cemetery, also known as Charter Street Cemetery and Old Point Cemetery.

Roger died in 1679. Sadly, only two of his ten children survived him. Their burial details are either unknown or there is no trace of a grave, except for the tenth, the oddly named Exercise Conant, who died in 1722 at the grand age – for that time – of 83.  But what a distinctive and well preserved grave! 

With his wife Sarah, daughter of John and Anne Andrews, Exercise had six children born in Beverly, where Roger Conant had settled.  Later, with at least two of his sons, he moved to what became the town of Mansfield in Connecticut, where his splendid headstone can be admired in Mansfield Center Cemetery. 

Stone carving was a flourishing craft in New England and Mansfield Center Cemetery with its  18th-century gravestones, decorated with cherubim, geometric designs, and a variety of funerary symbols, is considered to be illustrative of the rich artistic tradition of funerary stone carving  in early America.  

More than 180 stones have been attributed to identifiable stone carvers, including such 18th-century masters of the craft as John Hartshorne, Obadiah Wheeler, Benjamin Collins and his son Zerubbabel, Gershom Bartlett,  John Huntington, the Manning Family, Jonathan Loomis, Aaron Haskins, Stephen Spaulding, Elijah Sikes, and John Walden.

Pictured here is Exercise Conant’s headstone in Mansfield Center Cemetery.  It is shown alongside that of Josiah Baker, who died in 1726. Made by Obadiah Wheeler, described as perhaps the most talented gravestone carver in Connecticut during the first half of the 18th century, Baker's headstone is located at Trumbull Cemetery in Lebanon, Connecticut, but resembles Exercise Conant’s in style. Could they be from the same hand? 

Photo credits: Exercise Conant headstone by Jon/Find A Grave; Josiah Baker by K. Carlini (KC)/Find A Grave.

For examples of other headstones see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Center_Cemetery

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

The ‘Conant Family Tree’ - East Budleigh’s 2024 Christmas Tree Festival

The ‘Conant Family Tree’ was on display as part of East Budleigh’s 2024 Christmas Tree Festival.

Salem Chapel, a former Dissenters’ place of worship, lies on the edge of East Budleigh, the village where Roger Conant was born. 

For many years, the building has hosted a Christmas Tree Festival. The first Festival proved so popular that the tradition grew rapidly, progressing from around a dozen trees to over 50 in 2016.  

The 2024 Festival’s contribution from the Roger Conant Club included a tree devoted to Roger and his descendants in New England, with ‘baubles’ showing their names and dates based on Budleigh artist John Washington’s painting ‘The Petition, 1673’.

For more about John's work, click on his website  at https://www.johnwashingtonartist.com/

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

From salters to bomb-makers

It’s nothing unusual to find Roger Conant described as a salter when you think of the tradition of salt-making in coastal areas like East Devon. Woodbury Salterton and Budleigh Salterton are just two names of places near his birth place of East Budleigh.

In fact, by the time of his birth in 1592, salt-making by the process of evaporating sea water was on the decline in England. By 1619/20, Roger gives his occupation as ‘salter, of London’, indicating membership of the ancient London-based trade association or livery company known as the Worshipful Company of Salters. His brother Christopher had joined the Worshipful Company of Grocers.

Salt was used not only in the preservation of food but included any operation where chemical action was required, such as cleaning, dyeing fabric, bleaching, degreasing, dehairing and softening leather and in the formulation of medicines and ointments.

Because of the range of substances used in such processes the Salters’ Company would find itself closely associated with chemistry and science, and in recent years, the Company has developed strong military relationships. It has supported the South West London Army Cadet Force (ACF) since 1987, and is also affiliated with the King’s Royal Hussars and with the Royal Navy's Vanguard-class submarine, HMS Vengeance.

It may be thought ironic that Roger Conant the peacemaker should be linked to an organisation with such strong military links. Even more ironic is the fact that a descendant through his son Lot was James Bryant Conant, who played a key role in overseeing the Manhattan Project towards the end of World War II.

But then, many would claim that the atomic bomb brought peace in 1945 and continues to do so. You can read more about the Salters’ Company at https://salters.co.uk/

Pictured is Budleigh Salterton artist John Washington's painting 'Blessed are the Peacemakers' above the arms of the Salters' Company.

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

An invitation to Roger Conant’s birthplace

The August/September edition of East Budleigh with Bicton Parish News has revealed the news that the Mayor of Salem in Massachusetts would like to forge ‘an official connection in some way’ with East Budleigh.

This follows the visit of a delegation from Salem, hosted by East Budleigh’s Roger Conant Club.

On Wednesday 25 June, 2025, a letter from the Mayor of Salem, Dominick Pangallo, was delivered to Cllr John Tresidder, Chairman of East Budleigh and Bicton Parish Council in the light of the forthcoming 400+ celebrations in the American city.

It was, wrote Mayor Pangallo, ‘an invitation for our two communities to become “Sister Cities”, united by the story of Roger Conant, who was born in your historic village in 1592 and became a pivotal figure in the founding of Salem in 1626’.

For the Mayor, the link between Salem and East Budleigh was ‘a connection that transcends centuries and continents’.

He added: ‘The timing – again coinciding with our 400th anniversary – makes this opportunity particularly meaningful and poignant.’

Pictured is the seal of the city of Salem below an image of the village of East Budleigh which highlights its rural setting. The motto on Salem’s seal ‘Divitis Indiae,vsque ad vltimvm sinvm’ has been translated as ‘To the farthest port of the rich East’.  It reflects Salem's historical connection to maritime trade and its ambition to reach distant markets. 

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

East Budleigh's 'Roger Conant Duck Race'

East Budleigh’s Scarecrow Festival would not be the same without the ‘Roger Conant Duck Race’. Hundreds of little yellow ducks take part in this fierce competition on Budleigh Brook, racing  from ‘East Budleigh’ to ‘Salem’ to win a cash prize for their owners. Profits from the event go to help maintain the fabric of the village’s All Saints’ Church. And if your little duck doesn’t make it on Saturday, don’t worry, another little duck might win you the prize the next day!

Among the visitors to East Budleigh’s 2025 Scarecrow Festival on 7/8 June was a figure from the distant past. Born in the village over four centuries ago in 1592, a generation later than its other historic figure Sir Walter Raleigh, Roger Conant was very different from Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite courtier. Sailing across the Atlantic to America in around 1623, he founded the Massachusetts city of Salem.  Today, he is seen as a more modest and peace-loving character than many of the country’s European pioneers. 

And so, ‘Roger Conant’ had come to the 2025 Scarecrow Festival to preside over its Duck Race, now named after him. Many visitors to the American city are struck by the sight of Roger Conant’s statue with its tall hat and long cloak, sited next to the American city’s Witch Museum. Understandably they think that its founder must have dabbled in the black arts. Some of East Budleigh’s visitors at the weekend probably thought the same. 

So ‘Roger Conant’ was keen to tell his own story. To some of them he voiced his concerns about the present state of the country of which he is seen as one of the Founding Fathers. And beside the village brook at the start of the Duck Race he addressed the crowds, revealing his role as a peacemaker in troubled times:

 

The Salter’s Song

In sixteen hundred and twenty-three,  

A yeoman’s son from East Budleigh  

Did wish his family ‘Au revoir!   

I’m off to find America.’

 

In London town he’d learnt his trade:  

As salter he had made the grade. 

Now Roger Conant was his name; 

We think he needs a bit more fame.

 

His wife called Sarah joined the ship 

With baby Caleb on the trip.

They sailed across the ocean deep. 

I don’t suppose they had much sleep.

 

And finally at Plymouth Bay, 

Where previous Pilgrims showed the way,  

The Conant family came ashore. 

The year was sixteen twenty-four. 

 

Now Roger’s skill was salting fish  

To make a decent kind of dish.

For, just in case you have forgotten, 

No fridges meant your food went rotten.

 

Just north of Plymouth is Cape Ann. 

West Country merchants had a plan  

To make the Cape a fishing port,  

And maybe even build a fort. 

 

And Roger was named supervisor.  

They said of him ‘There is none wiser!’  

It was of course a job promotion  

With splendid outlook on the ocean.

 

A major problem did occur,  

For Plymouth’s Pilgrims furious were.

Their Captain Standish did arrive.  

The year was sixteen twenty-five.

 

This man was noted for his ire. 

‘Be gone!’ he said. ‘I’ll open fire!

That fishing stage is ours by right.  

We will not hesitate to fight!’

 

The fishermen denied access.  

It could have been a bloody mess.

But hero Roger saved the day.  

His words of peace made all ok. 

 

Conciliation, then and now,   

Is always better than a row.

Diplomacy, a path to peace,  

Will cause all stupid wars to cease. 

 

In Massachusetts he’s renowned,  

For this East Budleigh man did found

A city, which has earned a name

Which matches Roger’s statue’s fame.

 

It’s also known, I’ve heard it said,

And in biographies I’ve read,

That Roger Conant’s peaceful vibe

Impressed the Massachusett tribe.

 

So Roger Conant, worthy chap,  

Deserves, we feel, a special clap.

These verses do indeed attest:  

‘Peacemakers are most surely blest.’

 

PS. If you go to All Saints’ Church in East Budleigh you can see local artist John Washington’s painting of the scene in 1625 which shows the celebrated confrontation between Roger Conant and Captain Myles Standish. The painting is entitled ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’.

PPS. Salem’s terrible ‘Witch Trials’ took place many years after Roger Conant’s death.

PPPS. There is no connection between East Budleigh’s Salem Chapel and the city of Salem. The word simply means ‘Peace’, as in Hebrew ‘Shalom’ and Arabic ‘Salaam’.

Photo of ‘Roger Conant’ at the start of East Budleigh Scarecrow Festival’s Duck Race. 

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

More photos at https://www.eastbudleigh.org/scarecrows.htm

To conform or not to conform? The case of Richard Conant (1622-1688)

That was the big question for 17th century English people in matters of religion, including the inhabitants of the village of East Budleigh, if they wished to avoid being persecuted for their beliefs.  

Whether to accept the ritual and beliefs of the Established Church of England, or to follow a non-conformist route and be known as a Dissenter. Such was the route chosen by the separatist Plymouth Pilgrims of 1620 when they sailed away from England to America on board the Mayflower.

The historian Clifford K. Shipton wrote that in his religious beliefs Roger Conant, baptized at East Budleigh’s All Saints’ Church in 1592, was far from being a non-conformist like the Plymouth Pilgrims.

Roger would have found ‘the simple ceremonies at Plymouth lacking in the religious consolation he had experienced in the ritual of the old church at East Budleigh’, wrote Shipton in his biography of Salem’s founder. ‘He would have been deterred by their radical religious tenets which were foreign to his upbringing in the church.’

So the case of a 17th century vicar of that East Budleigh church is interesting, especially as this was Richard Conant, Roger’s nephew. Born in 1622, the son of Richard Conant and his wife Jane, née Slade, he studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, famous as a hotbed of religious non-conformity. In 1644, during the English Civil War between the King and Parliament, he replaced the royalist vicar of Otterton, Richard Venn, ejected by parliamentary officials.

With the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660, it was the turn of Richard Conant the non-conformist to be ejected as vicar. However, from 1672 until his death in 1688, we find him as vicar of East Budleigh. He had apparently agreed to conform to the Established Church.

But had he really? Two books from his study, entitled A Saint or a Brute and The Life of Faith and mentioned in his Will, stand out as indicating perhaps that his religious sympathies still lay with Dissenters. The author was the English theologian Richard Baxter, who, having been expelled from the Church of England, became one of the most influential leaders of the non-conformist movement. Nowadays he is commemorated by the Church of England on 14 June.

Interesting for American descendants of the Conant family is that the bequest of both books was made to his ‘dear sister Mrs Mary Veren of Salem in New England’. Both Mary Conant and her sister Jane had followed Roger Conant to New England, crossing the Atlantic in 1635.

A further point of interest is that Richard Conant’s appointment as vicar of All Saints’ Church had been supported by Richard Duke, the MP and lord of the Manor of Otterton who held the advowson of East Budleigh – the right to appoint Anglican clergy. He has been described by historian Eveline Cruickshanks as a possible Dissenter, and has been noted as providing stone for the building of Salem Chapel, a place of worship for non-conformists on the outskirts of East Budleigh.

By the time of the 1744 Episcopal Visitation Returns – the process by which bishops of the Church of England gathered information about their diocese – East Budleigh seems to have had more than the average number of dissenters. The vicar, Matthew Mundy declared that there were ‘About a Hundred Families in the Parish; thirty of which, or near that Number, are Dissenters of the Presbyterian sort’, along with ‘one woman in the Parish supposed to be a Roman-Catholick’. 

Pictured here is a page from Richard Baxter’s A Saint or a Brute alongside the list of East Budleigh’s vicars.

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

Author Joseph Bolton on Roger Conant

Today, in America, there are thousands of admirers of East Budleigh-born Roger Conant, with many of them researching his life and writing about him and his fellow-settlers in 17th century New England. 

Joseph Bolton, pictured here, is a US Army veteran from Massachusetts, author of the illustrated series Old Grandmother’s Tree — a celebration of French-Canadian folklore and intergenerational wisdom. 

In this section from his Augustine’s Alley blog he writes of Roger Conant and his contemporaries, including John Oldham and Roger Williams, both of whom incurred the enmity of leaders of the Plymouth Colony who had travelled to America on the Mayflower in 1620: 

‘Plymouth’s colonists, under pressure from starvation and uncertain leadership gave in to fear and that fear lead to fanaticism and intolerance,’ he writes. ‘The slightest offense was punished with beatings, the most infamous being when John Oldham was compelled to run a gauntlet of his fellow Plymouth neighbors hitting him with their muskets. 

'Roger Conant, much like his philosophical fellow traveler Roger Williams, found the fanatical intolerance of his fellow Puritans distasteful. Like Roger Williams, he chose not to add to the civil strife by confrontation but instead left to start a new colony built on peace and nonviolence. 

'For Roger Conant, it was a move north along the shore to Nantasket and Cape Ann. There he and his fellow settlers found a community based on civil cooperation, not confrontation. It also was where everyone was free to worship as they pleased.’

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

Peacemaker cider

Back in 2018, Budleigh Salterton’s Fairlynch Museum marked the 400^th anniversary of the death of Sir Walter Raleigh, born like Roger Conant in the little village of East Budleigh.  Many toasts were drunk in Raleigh 400 ale, specially made by Dartmoor-based Black Tor Brewery which was honoured with a visit by ‘Sir Walter’ himself.  It’s good to discover this 4.6%  ‘Peacemaker’ medium dry cider, made by Napton Cidery, but sadly in Warwickshire rather than Devon. 

You can read about the visit to Black Tor Brewery made by ‘Sir Walter’ in his own words at

 https://raleigh400.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-merrie-tale-about-ale.html

Peacemaker cider is in what Napton Cidery describes as its award-winning signature range. https://www.naptoncidery.co.uk/

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 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079

 

 

The evolution of ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’: June 2020 – Aug 2021

Between June 2020 and August 2021, when his painting was unveiled at All Saints’ Church in East Budleigh, Budleigh artist John Washington carried out much research into the background of the events of 1625 involving Roger Conant and Myles Standish at Cape Ann, Massachusetts. 

His research included online study of the actual landscape, as well as taking account of descriptions by people of the time. Standish, for example, was noted for his small stature. A contemporary, Thomas Morton, referred to him as ‘Captain Shrimp’. 

In these images you can see how John’s painting progressed, including the moment when he decided to scrub Roger Conant and start again. 

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   https://www.facebook.com/groups/700424602802079