In the early 17th century, a cohort of determined Englishfolk crossed the Atlantic and built towns and villages on the east coast of North America.
One such settlement, in the blossoming colony of New Hampshire, was named Plaistow – presumably by a nostalgic traveller from Essex.
Nestled as it is between Epping, Hampstead and Kensington, it seems the homesick colonist was not alone in bringing a piece of London and Essex to the New World.
“I have always loved the history and connection between our two communities,” Sean Fitzgerald, town manager of Plaistow, New Hampshire, says of Plaistow, Newham.
“I often discuss Plaistow’s history and connection to England with town residents and local youth.”
As readers are no doubt now aware, New Hampshire Republicans yesterday nominated the fox-fur-headed populist everybody loves to hate as their candidate for the nation’s presidential election.
Alongside Mr Trump’s success is the failure of Hillary Clinton, who faces defeat by the socialist Bernie Sanders, who visited Plaistow last week.
Mr Fitzgerald, though, explains that his community is increasingly “purple” – a mix of Red Republicans and Blue Democrats – and cannot predict who his town will back in the final vote on November 8.
But Plaistow is much more than its politics.
“Plaistow is unique and serves as a gateway community to the Granite State,” Mr Fitzgerald says, using New Hampshire’s nickname. “While our population is relatively small, we are the regional hub for Southern New Hampshire.”
One of the town’s most famous sons is Daniel George, a Medal of Honor-winning seaman who showed heroism in battle against the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
Also among the town’s military heroes is Second World War veteran Thomas Law – one of a number of British-born residents who make up the community.
And Mr Fitzgerald hopes the British connection can be strengthened further – particularly Plaistow to Plaistow relations.
He said: “I have always hoped that we could have an exchange of Plaistow, England, and Plaistow, USA, citizens that would act as ambassadors and help celebrate the shared history of the USA and Great Britain.”
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