Tucker
Arkansas
Town of Ipswich
The land on which the Town of Ipswich was founded was originally inhabited by Indian tribes who called the area "Agawam." Little has been known about these people until recently. But now, studies have shown that tribes had been living along these coastal and riverine areas for thousands of years. One of the most important discoveries about Indian history was made in 1951 at our own Bull Brook site. Carbon dating proved that artifacts found at this site belonged to inhabitants of the Paleo-Indian period, about 9000 B.P. (Before Present). Other collections discovered at Great Neck and along the river banks have been analyzed as they belong to the later Archaic (8000-5000 B.P.) and the Woodland (2000 B.P.) Periods. Thus we have come to realize that we are only the latest in a long history of peoples who have lived in this special place.
One of the first descriptions of Ipswich was made by Captain John Smith in 1614 - a description which is still appropriate today: "...there are many sands at the entrance of the Harbour... Here are many rising hills, and on their tops and descents are many corn fields and delightful groves... plain marsh ground, fit for pasture, or salt ponds. There is also Oakes, Pines, Walnuts, and other wood to make this place an excellent habitation, being a good and safe harbour."
Agawam remained an uncolonized part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1633 when Governor John Winthrop sent his son, John, to establish a settlement to be called Ipswich. With his hearty band of twelve men, John sailed up the Ipswich River in his shallop on a cool March day and began his settlement on the banks of the river near the present wharf. Some earlier explorations must have informed the new settlers that the banks of this tidal river would provide an ideal place for a new community to be established. Here they would enjoy the advantages of fresh water, water power, good fishing, and an easy means of transportation.
It was an extraordinary group of settlers who came to Ipswich - men of substance and education, who were among the key founders of the Puritan Commonwealth: Thomas Dudley, Deputy Governor; Magistrates Simon Bradstreet, Richard Saltonstall, and Samuel Symonds; and Ministers Nathaniel Ward, John Norton, William Hubbard, and Nathaniel Rogers.
The town became the Birthplace of American Independence when, in 1687, Ipswich citizens protested a tax that English Governor Sir Edmond Andros attempted to impose on the colony. Ipswich residents, under the leadership of Reverend John Wise, led the protest, arguing that as Englishmen they could not abide taxation without representation. The citizens were jailed and fined for their action, but in 1689 Andros was called back to England and the Colonists received a new charter from the new sovereigns, King William and Queen Mary.
Recent News
Town of Ipswich - Real Estate Tax Bills Due February 1, 2023
The Ipswich Treasurer/Collector reminds citizens that fiscal year 2023 Real Estate and Personal Property bills were mailed out on December 30, 2023 with payment stubs for third and fourth quarters. The third quarter bills are due by February 1,…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Mattress and Box Spring Recycling
Mattress and Box Spring Recycling Mattresses and box springs have been banned from the trash in Massachusetts and must be recycled. Follow these steps to learn how to recycle your mattress or box spring. Then visit Tough Stuff Recycling to…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News : View Town Manager Reports from Stephen Crane On the Town Manager Webpage
The Town Manager is the chief administrative officer of the town and is responsible to the Select Board for the proper operation of town affairs for which the Town Manager is given responsibility under the Charter, the By-Laws, the General Laws, or…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News : Ipswich Mills Dam Drop-In Event Scheduled Wednesday, December 14th
Click here to View the Information About Town of Ipswich News : Ipswich Mills Dam Drop-In Event Scheduled Wednesday, December…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News Curbside Leaf Pickup Is November 14-18 On Your Trash Day!
Curbside leaf pickup is the week before Thanksgiving (November 14-18) ON YOUR TRASH DAY. Put your leaves in paper leaf bags and have them at the curb by 6 AM so you do not miss your one-day curbside pickup. Please note: This is a town pickup done…
Read More »Clothing And Other Textiles Banned From Trash
As of November 1, 2022, textiles (clothing, bedding, towels, etc.) are banned from the trash and need to be recycled. This is a statewide ban affecting all Massachusetts cities and towns. Bring your textiles to the Ecosmith box at any of…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News -High Street Bridge Dedication Held at Town Hall, Saturday, October 15, 2022
Click Here To View The Town of Ipswich News -High Street Bridge Dedication Held at Town Hall, Saturday, October 15, 2022
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Real Estate Tax Bills Due November 1, 2022
REAL ESTATE TAX BILLS DUE NOVEMBER 1, 2022 The Ipswich Treasurer/Collector reminds citizens that fiscal year 2023 Real Estate and Personal Property bills were mailed out on June 29, 2022 with payment stubs for first and second quarters. The…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News : Flu Clinic for Residents Ages 65 and Older
The Ipswich Public Health Department, in conjunction with the Council on Aging, will hold a free flu clinic for residents ages 65 and older by appointment only on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Council on Aging Cafeteria, Town Hall, 25…
Read More »Come Vote In The State Primary Election At The YMCA On Tuesday, September 6th
Elections; Town Meetings & Voter Registration Vote by Mail Application - Vote by Mail Application Town Meeting & Elections The results of Town Meetings & Elections may be viewed here. Click Here For Ipswich Early Voting Hours.…
Read More »Submit Town Manager Finalist Feedback Three Ways
If you'd like to provide Town Manager finalist feedback, paper forms will be available to attendees of the August 23rd (click link to meeting packet with resumes and references) and August 24th Select Board meetings. Unique Google Form links below…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Submit Town Manager Finalist Feedback via Google Form
Submit Town Manager Finalist Feedback via Google Form If you'd like to provide Town Manager finalist feedback there are two ways. Paper forms will be available to attendees of the August 23rd (click link to meeting packet with resumes and…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Ipswich Board of Health Announces Syringe Services Program
The Board of Health announces that a syringe services program for town residents will begin next week on August 2, 2022. The Board authorized the services program in June after public meetings with representatives of North Shore Health Project and…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Water Ban: No Outdoor Watering Due to Severe Drought
Click here to View More About Town of Ipswich News - Water Ban: No Outdoor Watering Due to Severe Drought
Read More »Town of Ipswich - Real Estate Tax Bills Due August 1, 2022
REAL ESTATE TAX BILLS DUE AUGUST 1, 2022 The Ipswich Treasurer/Collector reminds citizens that fiscal year 2023 Real Estate and Personal Property bills were mailed out on June 29, 2022 with payment stubs for first and second quarters. The first…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News : Market St Crosswalk Painting Next Week
The Town has contracted with Felix A. Marino Co., Inc. for the installation of brick and cobble facade on Market Street. This work is scheduled to take place between Tuesday July 19th and Friday July 22nd. Work will start at 7 am each day. …
Read More »Veteran Service Officer, Karen Tyler, Selected for Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans
Ipswich Veteran Service Officer, Karen Tyler, has been selected and sworn in as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Ms. Tyler is committed to represent and advocate for female Veterans in the Commonwealth with…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News Personal Property Inspection
The Assessor's contractor, Patriot Properties, will be conducting inspections for Personal Property (businesses) from July until the end of August.
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - NO Trash Delay June 20 to June 24
Although Monday is a holiday, JRM will be working so there is no trash delay for the week of June 20-24. Please be sure to have your recycling and trash at the curb by 6 AM on your regular trash day.
Read More »Town of Ipswich - Ipswich Board of Health Authorizes Syringe Service Program
The Board of Health wished to inform the community that it has authorized a syringe service program for the Town of Ipswich at their June 6, 2022 Board of Health meeting. As of July 1, 2016, the local board of health in a Massachusetts city or…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Town Hill Water Storage Tank Project
Town Hill Water Storage Tank Project This project consists of constructing a 3,000,000 gallon concrete prestressed water storage tank to replace the existing 2,840,000 gallon welded steel tank that currently serves Ipswich’s Main Downtown…
Read More »Town of Ipswich News - Drought Status Moderate - Mandatory Water Restrictions
Drought Status Moderate - Mandatory Water Restrictions Due to continued drought conditions the Water Department is moving the Drought Status to MODERATE. This imposes MANDATORY water restrictions effective June 6, 2022. Additional…
Read More »