Norwichtown in New London County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Lowthorpe Meadows

Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 3, 2017

1. Lowthorpe Meadows Marker

Inscription.

Lowthorpe Meadows. . Lowthorpe Meadows . Of this 18-acre meadow, the manor portion was deeded to a trust in 1907 by Emily Serena Gilman and Louisa Gilman Lane “in consideration of their love and goodwill to the inhabitants of Norwich, and in memory of their sister, Maria Perit Gilman, and of their Lathrop ancestry...to be kept as a free open space for the public good, to be unencumbered by dwelling houses, barns, or any nuisance whatever." Thinking that their emigrating ancestors, the Rev. John Lothropp and his son Samuel, had been born in Lowthorpe, England, source of the family name, the sisters chose “Lowthorpe” for the meadows. In fact, John Lothropp's baptism was recorded in Etton, Yorkshire, on Dec. 20, 1584. After attending Cambridge University, he served as a clergyman in the Church of England in Kent. Later, while minister of the first independent church in Southwark, London, he was imprisoned for his religious beliefs and activities. Upon his release, he, along with family and followers, sailed to Boston on the Griffin in 1634. He was pastor at Scituate and then Barnstable, Plymouth Colony, where he died on November. 8 1654. Samuel (ca. 1620-1700), a builder and judge in Pequot (now New London), settled in Norwich in 1668 and was later listed as "Constable" and "Townsman,“ substantial local offices. These lands were held by his descendants for 150 years. An account of 1659 alleges Lowthorpe Meadows to be a "dark and dolorous swamp… the haunt of wolves and venemous serpents from whence it is said, often at nightfall, low howlings issued and phosphorescent lights were seen, very fearfyl and appalling to the early planters.” Though the veracity of the description can be questioned now, the meadow was once considered a blight in Norwichtown. Bounties were offered at annual rattlesnake hunts held from April 1st to May 15th until 1764. In 1721 alone, 160 bounties were claimed. The town also encouraged wolf hunts; the last bounty was paid in 1718 to a later Samuel Lothrup for a wolf likely taken in this vicinity. The Lowthorpe Association, a group of interested Norwichtown citizens, manages the care of this beautiful meadow. They hope that all will enjoy this most worthwhile of gifts, as the Gilman Sisters wished. Marker courtesy of the Lothropp Family Association.

Lowthorpe Meadows Of this 18-acre meadow, the manor portion was deeded to a trust in 1907 by Emily Serena Gilman and Louisa Gilman Lane “in consideration of their love and goodwill to the inhabitants of Norwich, and in memory of their sister, Maria Perit Gilman, and of their Lathrop ancestry...to be kept as a free open space for the public good, to be unencumbered by dwelling houses, barns, or any nuisance whatever."
Thinking that their emigrating ancestors, the Rev. John Lothropp and his son Samuel, had been born in Lowthorpe, England, source of the family name, the sisters chose “Lowthorpe” for the meadows. In fact, John Lothropp's baptism was recorded in Etton, Yorkshire, on Dec. 20, 1584. After attending Cambridge University, he served as a clergyman in the Church of England in Kent. Later, while minister of the first independent church in Southwark, London, he was imprisoned for his religious beliefs and activities. Upon his release, he, along with family and followers, sailed to Boston on the Griffin in 1634. He was pastor at Scituate and then Barnstable, Plymouth Colony, where he died on November. 8 1654. Samuel (ca. 1620-1700), a builder and judge in Pequot (now New London), settled in Norwich in 1668 and was later listed as "Constable" and "Townsman,“ substantial local

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offices. These lands were held by his descendants for 150 years.
An account of 1659 alleges Lowthorpe Meadows to be a "dark and dolorous swamp… the haunt of wolves and venemous serpents from whence it is said, often at nightfall, low howlings issued and phosphorescent lights were seen, very fearfyl and appalling to the early planters.” Though the veracity of the description can be questioned now, the meadow was once considered a blight in Norwichtown. Bounties were offered at annual rattlesnake hunts held from April 1st to May 15th until 1764. In 1721 alone, 160 bounties were claimed. The town also encouraged wolf hunts; the last bounty was paid in 1718 to a later Samuel Lothrup for a wolf likely taken in this vicinity.
The Lowthorpe Association, a group of interested Norwichtown citizens, manages the care of this beautiful meadow. They hope that all will enjoy this most worthwhile of gifts, as the Gilman Sisters wished. Marker courtesy of the Lothropp Family Association

Erected by Lothropp Family Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Environment • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 32.833′ N, 72° 5.297′ W. Marker is in Norwich, Connecticut

Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 3, 2017

2. Lowthorpe Meadows Marker

, in New London County. It is in Norwichtown. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street and Lathrop Lane, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norwich CT 06360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lathrop Manor (within shouting distance of this marker); East District School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leffingwell Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Norwichtown Green (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Green (approx. 0.4 miles away); Benedict Arnold (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Dedication Stone (approx. 0.7 miles away); Everlasting Vigilance (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norwich.

Also see . . . Lowthorpe Meadows. Backyard Road Trips website entry (Submitted on February 26, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Lowthorpe Meadows image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 3, 2017

3. The Lowthorpe Meadows

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 634 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.