Since we are nearing Methuen’s 300th anniversary (March 2026), here are three plaques given to me by the late Methuen sculptress Mrs. Mary Ann Normandin in 1976.
Lord Paul Methuen (shown) was originally from Scotland, but he became friendly with Queen Anne and she invited him to live in England (even though Scotland and England were not getting along) in the early 1700s. He lived at Corsham Court, outside of London, and was also ambassador to Portugal. He is credited with introducing port wine to England.
When our community broke off from Haverhill in 1724-25, there was no name given. Gov. Dummer had to process the charter (drawn up by someone else) and it’s believed that when he came to the blank spot in the charter where the new community’s name was to go, he wrote in “Methuen” (I have a copy of the actual charter and the name is done in a different handwriting). Dummer and Lord Methuen were good friends in England before Dummer relocated to Massachusetts. The original “Lord Methuen” never came to the Bay State.
The title of “Lord Methuen” was passed down through generations.
When the town of Methuen celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1976, the last of the direct line of Lord Methuens was in attendance. He died in the 1980s.
My two Lord Paul Methuen plaques are made of plaster on the left and wood on the right. The middle plaque is the Methuen family coat of arms and is made of plaster. When the artist gave me the plaques, Methuen was celebrating the country’s bicentennial and Methuen’s 250th anniversary with various events throughout the year, including the town’s largest parade at that time. These plaques mean a lot to me, and I treasure them immensely.
Joseph G. Bella is vice president/historian of the Historic Methuen and has an extensive collection of local memorabilia.
