1. Interesting Places, People and Stories From Ipswich’s Past

2. Interesting Places Town Wharf Main town wharf built in mid-1600’s
Shipbuilding and fishing dominated the early economy in Ipswich
Many wharfs have been built along the river over the years

3. Interesting Places Whipple House
Ipswich is home to more 17th century homes than any other American town
Whipple house is one of the oldest standing buildings in the country
Built in 1640 by John Fawn
Bought by Elder John Whipple in 1642
Originally built as a two-story, two-room structure

4. Interesting Places Choate Bridge
Oldest Stone structured arched bridge in the country
Built in 1764 by Colonel John Choate
Choate wasn’t an engineer and many in town didn’t think the bridge would support any weight
Choate proved the bridge was sound and was the first to ride his horse across

5. Important Places County Jail
Ipswich was home to the country’s first Jail
In 1652 the Mass. Bay Colony built the prison by the River
It housed pirates, those accused of witchcraft, and British loyalists
It was rebuilt in 1806 and sold to Eastern Railroad in 1866, and is now private condominiums for the elderly

6. Interesting People John Heard
Heard owned a successful trading business in the 1750’s
Heard traded dried cod for molasses
He was also Ipswich’s only known privateer and used the ship the John Brig

7. Interesting People John Heard Continued
Heard owned and operated Ipswich’s first distillery
He used his shipping business as part of the operation
Heard traded salted fish in exchange for molasses and produced rum

8. Interesting People John Heard Continued
The distillery was located between the Green Street Bridge and the Great Cove on Turkey Shore Road.

9. Interesting People/Stories
Presidential Visits
What two Presidents visited this town?

10. Interesting People/Stories
George Washington
On his tour of New England, our first President spent some time at Treadwell’s Tavern (2 Poplar Street) in 1789
Washington had dinner and enjoyed a “cold collation” before touring Newbury

11. Interesting People/Stories
John Adams
As a young lawyer, Adams spent a lot of time in Ipswich attending court proceedings
Adams spent many nights at Treadwell’s Tavern before becoming America’s first Vice President

12. Interesting People/Stories
Colonel John Appleton
In colonial times families were taxed based on the number of floors of their homes
Appleton had the town’s only 3-story home and therefore, paid the most in taxes
He protested and was arrested by British soldiers on September 21st, 1687

13. Interesting People/Stories
John Wise
In January 1687 Ipswich leaders (including John Appleton) under the direction of John Wise met to protest the hire of a new tax collector in town
Wise (who was arrested with Appleton) is known as the leader of the first protest against taxation with representation
Many believe that is event was the first spark to the American Revolution

14. Interesting People/Stories
Harry Maine
For Homework: Read the legendary Ipswich story of Harry Maine. Using one paragraph (no more than five sentence), summarize the story.