The Towns’ History

“Make use of what I leave in love . . .” ???

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Her words, composed centuries ago

Are still ignored by too many today

The universality, the connection of her wish

A wish to celebrate

Creativity

1612 — Anne Dudley was born 

in Northampton, England

1628 — Anne marries Simon Bradstreet

1630 — the Dudley and Bradstreet families

are aboard the Arbella with John Winthrop

June 12 all land in Salem Harbor

1634 — land set aside south of the Merrimack River

 by the Massachusetts General Court

1642 — Cochichewick Plantation set out 

by the General Court and 

the first permanent settlement in the Andover area, 

established by John Woodbridge 

1646  — on May 6, Rev. Woodbridge purchased

Andover Parish (now North Andover)

His sister-in-law, Anne Bradstreet

and her husband Simon

was one founding family   

1650 — the poetry of Mistress Bradstreet

was taken by Rev. Woodbridge

to London and was successfully published there

1672 — Anne Bradstreet, in her 60th year

died in North Andover 

and was buried three days later

Centuries ago, Andover Paris was founded by many English men and women, one of whom was ANNE DUDLEY BRADSTREET, America’s first published poet of the English language.

Thus, the VALLEY of the POETS was established on the banks of the Merrimack Rover.

We continue to enjoy the benefits of her works and all who have come after.

Come to this special place, North Andover to understand the words of Mistress Bradstreet …

                                                   “Make use of what I leave in love . . .”