In 1635, a ship named Elizabeth arrived at the Charlestown dock in Boston, MA. It was carrying a twenty-two year old man named John Clough.

Several previous Clough Societies had been organized-each making a contribution to the genealogical work of the Clough family. However, in 1939, Walter Cluff and a group of amateur genealogists (including Mrs. Franklin Rogers, Percy Cluff, Hilda Clough Lincoln, Samuel Clough and others) gathered in Exeter, NH and organized The John Clough Genealogical Society (JCGS).

The first official meeting was held in 1940 at the Exeter Inn and the Society has been active ever since. In 1943, “The Story of the Family of John Clough of Salisbury, MA” was published by The John Clough Genealogical Society and printed by the Courier Printing Company in Littleton, NH. This was an important step in piecing together the history of the various branches of the family and connecting it to the settlement of this country. As Cluff (1943) noted:

As an organization, philanthropic, uplifting and highly beneficial to every member of our family, our Society has reached the status of full manhood. It gives dignity, culture, refinement, humanitarianism, and particularly, family pride, to everyone who partakes of its spirit. (p. 3)

In 1952 (with a second printing in 1988), the Society published “The Genealogy of the Descendants of John Clough of Salisbury, MA” covering the first seven generations. Volume II, covering the eighth through tenth generations, was published in 1966.

In 2009, the Society published a two-volume Genealogy revision with corrections and additions collected since the 1960’s. All four volumes are available in the Clough Store and would make a handsome addition to your library that will be treasured for generations to come.

The family reunion is an annual highlight for many who travel far to attend. By developing relationships and friendships, we hope to better understand our family history and meet our cousins in an environment that embraces the family pride envisioned so many years ago.