 Ipswich Road was from an early date the principal road between Ipswich and Andover, two early colonial settlements.Thomas Perley purchased land along the road and built a tavern in 1684 to serve passing travelers.The site of his tavern is where what is now known as the Asa Perley House stands; it was either built about 1760, or is a substantial alteration of Thomas Perley's original house.