Hezekiah  CONANT

'CONANT, Hezekiah, may justly be said to be the leading manufacturer of Pawtucket. By his energy, foresight and ability the great thread mills, so long known by his name, were originated and developed, until to-day they form the largest industrial establishment not only in Pawtucket but in Rhode Island. The Conant family is descended from a John Conant who lived in Devonshire, England, during the time of the Reformation. He was the grandfather of Roger Conant, who was the founder of Salem, Mass., in 1626, and the first governor of the colony until the arrival of John Endicott late in 1628. Roger Conant came to America about July, 1623, it is supposed in the ship Anne, the third vessel to arrive at Plymouth. He is said to have been 'a pious, sober and prudent gentleman'. His descendants have been substantial, honest, hard-working people, of a modest retiring disposition. As pioneers, merchants, manufacturers, and occasionally as clergymen or physicians, they have filled their placed in