By Beth David, Editor
You may not know it, but Fairhaven’s connection to Jolly Old England is still quite strong. There is even a peerage, a barony, to be exact, that is named after our little burg. And, it is probably no surprise to you that it all goes back to Henry Huttleston Rogers.
HHR’s daughter, Cara Leland Rogers, married Urban Hanlon Broughton and they lived in England.
Mr. Broughton became a member of Parliament, but died before he could “be raised to peerage.”
The title then went to his and Cara’s son, Urban Huttleston Rogers Broughton. He was the “1st Baron Fairhaven, of Anglessey Abbey.” When he died “without male issue,” his brother, Henry Rogers Broughton, became the 2nd Baron Fairhaven.
And this week, a direct descendant who is in line to become “Lord Fairhaven” one day, visited Fairhaven and toured the famous buildings of his grandfather great grandfather, HHR.
Did you get all that?
L-R: Fairhaven Selectboard member Bob Espindola, Fairhaven High School Alumnus Bob Foster, Millicent Library Director Carolyn Longworth, Sarah Broughton, George Broughton, Frances Stanley at the Pasta House for lunch on the occasion of Mr. Broughton’s first visit to Fairhaven. He is in line to become “Lord Fairhaven,” and is a direct descendant of Henry Huttleston Rogers. Photo by Beth David.
Our visitor, George Broughton, puts it simply: “My grandfather is Lord Fairhaven of Anglesey Abbey. He is the great grandson of Henry Rogers.”
It’s easier than trying to count out all those “great-greats.”
Young Mr. Broughton took a nine-week bicycle tour of the northern United States with Cycle America, raising money for a children’s hospice in England. The ride started in Seattle and ended in Boston.
Mr. Broughton then made his way to Fairhaven to see the place that his family’s title is named for.
It is, according to family members, the only English title that is named after an American town.
The 19-year-old Mr. Broughton, who is studying at the University of Edinburgh, said he was looking for a challenge and to raise money for the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice. He enjoys cycling and saw it as an opportunity to see America.
He camped out and slept on floors for his first trip to the States.
“You see such a diverse range of things,” said Mr. Broughton. “The people, landscape, and culture change drastically.”
He said traveling by bicycle is slow, and “allows you to appreciate it.”
“Biking, I find, is the very best way to tour,” said avid cyclist and Selectboard member Bob Espindola at a lunch on Monday that included Mr. Broughton’s mother Sarah, his godmother Frances Stanley, Fairhaven High School Alumnus and tour master Bob Foster, and Millicent Library Director Carolyn Longworth.
“In a car you can’t see every little thing,” said Mr. Espindola.
Mr. Broughton agreed, although his Fairhaven tour was even slower: On foot. That morning he saw the Unitarian church, the town hall, the library and Fort Phoenix, which was a gift from Cara Broughton, aka “Lady Fairhaven,” his great-great (great?) grandmother.
Mr. Broughton said he had a “rough idea” about the HHR buildings, but…
“You can’t beat seeing it,” he said.
“It is incredible what [HHR] has done,” said Ms. Stanley.
They all said that the Unitarian church reminded them of the countryside in the United Kingdom.
“The amount of care and detail he put into it is amazing,” said Ms. Stanley.
“It has been amazing,” agreed Mr. Broughton. “To see what he did for the town. It’s living proof of his generosity.”
Mr. Broughton listens intently as Mr. Foster explains a detail of the FHS building as they get ready to tour the building, which was a gift from HHR. Photo by Beth David.
As for the cross country trip, Mr. Broughton said he did have an idea of what he would see.
“I kind of knew it. But knowing is not the same as experiencing it first hand,” he said. “It’s such a large country, it can change so dramatically.
After lunch, the group toured the high school.
“It’s quite amazing,” said Ms. Stanley standing outside. “It’s Disneyland.”
To learn more about the peerage of Lord Fairhaven, visit http:// thepeerage.com/p23399.htm
To read Mr. Broughton’s blog about his cross country trip, visit https:// georgebroughton.wordpress.com
L-R: Ms. Broughton and Ms. Stanley read the documented that gifted the FHS building and grounds to the town. Photos by Beth David.
To learn more about Cycle America, visit https://www.cycleamerica.com
To learn more about the gifts of HHR, visit http://fairhaventours. com/henry-h-rogers/
To read coverage of Mr. Broughton’s trip by his local newspaper, visit www. buryfreepress.co.uk/news/local/ latest-news/bury-st-edmunds-teen-prepares-for-usa-coast-to-coast-ride-in-aid-of-children-s-hospice-1-7430051
Click to download the entire 8/18/16 issue: 08-25-16 AnimalOpenHouse
