Calling All Endicotts: Family Reunion To Be Held This Summer

Descendants of the First Governor of Massachusetts Bay in 1629 – John Endecott (1588-1665) - will gather at Endicott College in Beverly, MA from June 17-22, 2012. Governor Endecott was also the First Major General in the Colonial Militia 1645 and as historically written, the Father of New England.

In addition to the celebration of the life and legacy of Governor Endecott, Endicott Cousins and “Friends” will also be celebrating the tenth Anniversary of the Endecott-Endicott Family Association, Inc.

The Endicott family name is one of the most ancient in America, stemming from when John Endecott arrived here from Devon, England in 1628 to be the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay. The family has thus not only lived through the entire history of the United States, but taken a significant role in shaping it. The family has been active in every facet of American life including Massachusetts and national politics through members such as William Crowninshield Endicott of Danvers who was the Secretary of War in the first Grover Cleveland Administration and Endicott Peabody who was Massachusetts Governor from 1963 to 1965.

Endicott Cousins from around the United States will conduct Endicott tours in Boston, Salem and Danvers to visit and enjoy the many historical sites and objects of the legacy of John Endecott.  These events will be from Monday, June 18 through Tuesday, June 19th.  

During this time, there will be several events open to the public:

Monday, June 18

• 11:00 am Governor’s Tomb at the Old Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street (Freedom Trail)
• 1:30pm  Boston State House underneath the Governor’s Commonwealth Portrait
• 3.30pm  Shaw Memorial across from the State House. Henry C. Endicott, an African American, was a member of the 54th Massachusetts during the Civil War, the regiment depicted in the 1989 movie “Glory”
• 4:30pm  Governor Endecott’s Statue near the Boston Fine Arts Museum

Tuesday, June 19th   

• 6:30pm    This will mark a special celebration at (102 Endicott Street) in Danvers – location of the historic and famous Endicott Pear Tree planted by Governor Endecott ca. 1632 on his Orchard Farm. According to the U. S Department of Agriculture, the Endicott Pear Tree is the oldest cultivated fruit tree in all of North America.

Wednesday June 20

The Association will sponsor the free Endicott Lecture Series on the campus of Endicott College. The public is invited to attend. The lecture series will feature:

• 11:00am What it Meant to be a Puritan – The Case of John Endecott  Francis Bremer, Ph.D.  Professor Emeritus, Department of History, Millersville, University of Pennsylvania, Millersville, PA
• 12:00pm Luncheon – Endicott College Dining Hall
• 1:00pm John Endecott and the Quakers Professor Dane Morrison, Ph. D. Department of History, Salem State University, Salem, MA
• 2:00pm John Endecott and the Pequot War Samuel Endicott, Hampton, VA
• 2:45pm Break
• 3:00pm: Governor John Endecott’s Pursuits in Early American Horticulture Rachel Lovett, Graduate Student, Harvard University and BA History, Endicott College, 2010
• 4:00pm Endicott Pear Tree, Richard Trask, Archivist, Town of Danvers                                                                                           

Lectures are free to the public. Reservations are requested to insure seating. For the optional luncheon, the cost is $21.00 (inclusive of pm break refreshments. Local commuter to Endicott College for the Lecture Series Luncheon may pay at the door (based upon availability). It is recommended to send advance payment for the optional luncheon to: Cindy Endicott Levingston – Endicott Family Association, Inc. Treasurer - 1097 Derby Lane – Howell, MI 48843 c.l.levingston@sbcglobal.net

On Wednesday evening, at Endicott College, Endicott Cousins and invited guests will enjoy a New England Clam Bake at the home of Dr. Richard Wylie, President of Endicott College.

Thursday, June 21 will be a day to enjoy some of what historic Boston and New England has to offer. On this day, the Salem Ferry to Boston will highlight the likely route Governor John Endecott traveled to Boston, the seat of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Council where he served more terms as Governor in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

More information about the National Endicott Cousins Reunion can be found on the Association’s web site at www.endecott-endicott.com