Merrimac Town (part 2 of 9)

llie constable was onlered to collect a fine of 2 s. 6 d. from Willie Partridge " for putting in a contrary name in writing for a constable." 'fhr office of constibic was, at this early period, a very important one ami not very <lcsirable. Mr. Partridge had refused to serve in that capacity, and now votes against the regidar candidate, who was getting nearly all the votes, and is fined. This was Puritan freedom such as occasionally cropped out in the colony. At this meeting the fines of all who had neglected to attend town meetings were abated.

A general meeting was held February i8th and "Steven Flanders " was admitted a townsman " on condition that he constantly keep the town heard of cows." A tract of land was granted him beyond "Willi. Allen's house, near Samuel HalVs." It was but an acre and a half for a house-lot.

'llie matter of fencing was wholly regulated by the town, even to the number of rails in the difierent sections. For instance : From John Dickenson's ( ffitts his corner) to Little river, it was ordered " to be sett upp with 5 rails," and the range of i>lanting from John Dickinson's to y*^ farthest ('orner towards y* mill, shall l)e sett upp w*** a fence of fouer rayles, and from the comer to the l)oggie meddow w**» three rayles." It was built according to what herd was pastured against it.

March 25th. Christopher Batt, Samuel Winsley, Samuel Hall, Kol>crt i^ikc aud 'lliomas Hradhury were authorized to coiifinn all grants of land not previously confirmed.

Nov. 23d. The town gave William Osgood lil)erty to use all the pine trees on the common west of the |>ath that goes from the house of John llayly imto lOxeter, on condition tliat he set up a saw mill before the last of May, 1652, and, if not finished then, the lil)erty to he void. Tor this privilege he was to pay the town (ifly feet of merchantable l>oards or planks for every thousand feet he sawed. Other townsmen were allowed to "make use of any pine trees either for canoes or to saw w'** y^ whipsaw, or for any other saw mill, but not to fall any pine trees and let them lay two months." Where this second mill was to be located does not appear, but it is hardly prol^able that the fCast S;ilisbury people would grant any favors to a second mill on the Powow. It is more probable that Little river was its location, if ever built. 'I'he affidavit of Richard Currier in 1682 mentions the old mill, but makes no reference to a second.

April 1 2th. George Martin bought Anthony Sadler's house and land west of the Powow, described as follows : " Between lands of John Hoyt and Willi. Osgood butting ujxin the river, running 60 rods upwards from y* river side next to John Hoyt's unto a stake within 3 rods of Josiah Cobham's fence, & then by Osgood's land to the river." Anthony's wife, Martha, had previously notified the Court of her objections to his selling, but she signed the deed at this time. Tradition fixes the home of John Hoyt where Robert W. Patten, lCs(|., now lives, and the Sadler lot was, probably, the next north. It is believed tliat John was a brickmaker as well as planter, and, probably, was the first manufacturer of tliat article in town. In l)eceml>er of this year, Haverhill offered him three-quarters of an acre of land and, also, some clay pits, to remove there, which would seem to indicate pretty strongly that he was a liricknuiker. (leorge Martin was, at this time, living on his Macy lot, south of John Hoyt's and not far from ICast (Ireenwootl street.

owning a house-lot nearly opi)osite Mr. Stevens' on the circular road, and twelve acres near the meadow. Eleven days after selling his Amesbnry farm he was drowned ; but how or where the record docs not state.

Sept. 29th. Christopher IJatt sold his homestead next to Mr. I5radlmry*s to Isaac Huswell and his son Willi, for j£$2. It included four acres of upland and six acres of meadow adjoining, which may be known by " two islands of upland lying in the same.'* 'Ilic eastern l)oundary was the drift-way to the '1 own creek. He is said to have been a tanner, and was a large landholder in the various divisions. Hatt's hill, near Kdmund and Robie Morrill's, has served to hand down the name for more than two centuries. He removed to Boston, where he was acci- <lently shot some ten years later. By the Salem records we find that he solil s(*vcrnl large tracts of land at Salisbtiry.

At a meeting held February 3d, the record mentions "Salt- |)anns," and it is a matter of tradition that salt was made from the salt water at this early day to su[)ply the wants of the settlement. The loc:ation of these "salt panns" or salt works was at or near Hook's creek.

Feb. loth. A committee consisting of Samuel Winsley, Thomas Bradbury and Phillip Challis was chosen to settle the bounds next to Hampton, and were allowed 2 s. 9 d. per day for their services.

Richard Batt and Anthonie Nuland were granted six acres at Ring's island, with the right reserved for the town to " set up a stage and flakes for fishing" on the same.

April nth. George Martyn sold his house and land to Philip (^hallis. It is dcscril>cd as follows: ''His dwelling house & Lott belonging thereunto, being seven score rodd of ground over & above the one full and compleat half of that lott w<^^ was given by y* Town of Salisbury unto Thomas Macy, & sold by hiin unto the sayd George Martyn. The said land licing and lying upon the west side of the Powas river, between y* lotts of Willi. Sargant & John Hoyt, one end butting upon the river & the other upon land of I'hoinas Barnard." Martyn bought this lot of Macy October 3d, 1649, and built a house thereon, or already owned one on the ''seven score rodd" adjoining. It was half of Macy's twenty-acre lot, and Thomas Barnard owned the west end. The above is, in all probability, the date of the removal of Philip Challis to the new town.

''9 mo., 1651. John Baily, living here and his wife in England, is sentenced by Court that he is injoined to return unto his wife by next summer or send for his wife to come over to him." * But she never came, as Mr. Bayly died soon after this order.

Jan. 26th. ''Ordered that the old meeting house shall be repaired w**» an addition of a new frame of twelve foot," and " it is left to lildward French & John Severance to agree w'*» any Caq)enter or joyners for the speedy finishing of the same w**» convenient seats & w* else is necessary to y* sayd house." A rate was made to meet the expenses, but at a meeting held February 2d, it was decided to add sixteen feet instead of twelve. The addition was frame work, and the fact that it was specially designated as such woukl rather seem to indicate that the old house was built of logs and, if built previous to the completion of William Osgood's saw mill in 1641, there can be little doubt that it was.

time, but it was not deemed prudent to hurry matters, and a vote was passed "that there should be nothing done at any meeting without notice left at every house, and then not imtil agitated att three several Towne meetings." Meetings were not called by warrants, as at present, but by the Prudential men upon such notice as they saw fit to give. This order was intended to check even the Prudential men by recjuiring special notice and three meetings before common lands could be given out.

Feb. 1 2th. ICdward Cottle was made a townsman " upon condition that he shall make a resignation of w* rite of commonage l)elongs to Willi. Holdred to y* itse of y« Towne." He received a grant of two .-ktcs in the new meadows.

Thomas Macy was given all the meadow left at the new meadows ( or some particular part thereof) after Edward Cottle got his in lieu of a fonner grant.

In the division of meadows, the right to pass over was reserved to those o>^'ning lots joining the shore, and " Anthony Colbie & Jarrett Haddon were api)ointed to stake out the paths three rods wide."

'llie great neck was ordered to be laid out as an ox common, but to continue an ox and cow common this year as l)efore. Also, the meadow towards the Merrimac river, begining at the bridge at John Sanders', at the upper end of the meadow. There was some opposition to this order, and Phillip Challis, Willi. Osgood, Willi. Allin, Willi. Sargent, Vallentine Rowell, John Moyt, Anthonie Colbie, Steven Manders, Samuel (letchell, John (]yll, (leorge Martyn and John Clough entered their " contre descent." It was decided to give up "Flder's Cove" to the row-f!onunon which lay north of the Little river townnl Hampton.

The l)oundary line between Pentucket and Salisbury seems to have l^een in dispute, as Lieut. Pyke was ordered "to returne to Pentuckett answer that for the p'^sent the Towne sees no reason to alter the lyne, but shall l)e willing to attend any rensonable motion farther about it."

John l^yly, sen., died this year, and his will was proved April 13th. He gave his house at Sahslmry to his son Jolui (hiring his Hfetime, and then to John, jr., .son of Joseph, he i)aying the widow ^6 if she came over to Nui)erryiand. lie gave to his daughter Joannah, wife of William Huntington, and her husl)and, his house and land which he lx)ught of Vail. Kowell west of the Powow.

Dec. I St. William Huntington deeded to John Bayly, weaver, *' his dwelling house and 5 acres lying l>otween John Weeds and John Bayly's, sen., deceased, joining to Jarrett Haddon's land ; also, a 20 acre lot of upland, next Richard Wells, butting on river south and common ground north."

Jan. 4th, 1653. John Bayly deeded these same lots, his wife lOlenor joining in the deed, to Joannah Huntington and her .son John and daughter Mary. It may be a ()uestion whether the house and land si>ecified in the will of John Bayly, sen., is the same deeded to John Bayly, jr., by William ; but it is certain that Williiuii and his wife sold the house and five acres in 1662 to John Maxfield. This house and lot was, probably, located at tlie ferry, as it joined Jarrot Haddon's land and is not described as bounded by the river at all. It is probable that he removed to Pleasant valley at the time he sold this house.

From the following deposition it would seem that ship buikling was carried on at this early date on the Merrimac river, and that the first saw mill was doing a good work.

"'Hie de|X)sition of Natlian Gould, aged 68 years or thereabouts, Testyfyeth and sayth that in y* yeare 1652, in September, he came into this Country and Town, and the saw mill at Salesbury was then built and going and had gone that somer as did appear by the heapes of Bord then at the s^ Mill, of w^^ boards this deix)nent had some to build his Shedd. He further sayth that folks told him that it ilid saw the plank for Mr. Greaves vessel that was gone, and he this de)K)nent saw her in lk)ston and further sayth not.

this rle|)osition describes the work it had done. It was ordered in 1641, and the price of sawing fixed; and it is certciin that it was built by William Osgood, who had the first grant.

This year a mint was established at Boston, and John Hull np|)ointed mint master. ITie famous pine-tree shillings were «!oined at this date.

'llie records of the first church in Boston mention the appearance of a comet, as follows: "December ninth, a large star with a long blaze nppcarcd. It grew less and less till the twentysecond, when it disappeared. 'ITie reverend John Cotton died the twenty-third of December."

Scmn nfter the mill was completed, a bri<lgc was built across the Powow to enable those having land on the west side to haul in logs and pass to and from their premises.

Feb. 28th. A meeting was held and "Anthony Colby and Richard Currier given power to lay out a road from y* mill bridge to y* plain that goeth to y* Lyons mouth." It would be impossible to designate the exact location of this ancient road, which was to l)c four rods wide and, no doubt, intended for a ))ermanent highway.

John Ilsley was ap]>ointed to keep the town's powder, bullets and match. This was an important matter at this time and required constant care. The importance of the "town stock" will be seen by the fact that the Salisbury Court was this year broken up by Indian troubles.

In September. Mr. Batt sued the town for a division of meadow and the case was tried at the Salisbury Court and decided against him. He appealed to the Court of Assistants and the decision was reversed ; but, on being carried up to the Ceneral Court, was again decided in favor of Salisbury.

At what precise time tl)e settlement of Ainesbiiry commenced or how many crossed the Powow at a time and erected their log cabins near its lx)rders can never be known. Tradition has it that first came nine and subsequently eight more families, but there is little if any proof of such lx,Mng the fact. It is more probable that a few ventured across after several families had settled near the mill in Salisbury.

Jarrett Haddon sold his house in Salisbury April 5th, 1644, and there is no record of any purchase again in the old town, and it is probable that he came over at that time.

William Sargent sold his house and lot in Salisbury March 25th, 1648, and George Martyn bought of Thomas Macy a tenacre lot west of the Powow October 3d, 1649, on which he built a house.

At an earlier date (1645) a committee was chosen, consisting of John Sanders, John Stevens and Thomas Macy, to "appoint where the highways shall lie beyond y® Pawwaus River from y* mill to y^ houses where they shall think most convenient.*' It is by no means certain, however, that houses were already built here, as the order may very properly l>e construed to mean where they were to be located. The most prominent men were certainly east of the Powow at this time. Richard Currier had just bought a new house there, Thomas Macy was there and so was John Hoyt. There were now, however, enough to organize and adopt certain articles of agreement, defming the rights of the new and old town, as follows : -

'^ Articles of agreement covenanted, made and concluded u|X)n y^ 14th of y^ I St mo. one thousand six hundred fifty fower l)etween the inhabitants of the old towne of Salisbury & the inhabitants of that which is commonly the new town, witnessing, as followeth, viz. :

First : It is concluded and agreed upon between the aforenamed inhabitants that the whole common shall l)e divided l)etween them, as followeth, viz. : that the inhabitants of y^ new lowne shall heave for their full part and portion of the said common all those lands which lie upon the west side of the pawwaus river up to Haverhill bounds & the said river to divide the bounds between the new town and the old town of Salisbury, viz. : that branch of the sayd river on which the mills now stand and all the remaynder of the common besides what is before expressed is agreed and concluded upon by both parties aforesaid to bee the full i)art and portion of the inhabitants of the old towne for their bounds.

2ly : It is, also, concluded & agreed upon between the aforesaid inhabitants of each towne that all the lands in the p^sent possession of either parties shall be rated unto y* towne only wherein the proprietors now dwell, as also the saw mill shall be rated to that towne wherein the owners Jive, according to their |»arts nn<l proportion of the said mill provided the owners live in one of the said townes.

3ly : It is further agreed upon by the said inhabitants of each towne thnt three parts of the ycnrly rent of the p^sent saw mill shall belong unto the inhabitants of the old towne and the other fourth ]>art of the yearly rent of the said mill unto the inhabitants of the new towne forever.

4ly : It is also concluded and agreed upon by y* inhabitants of y* new towne that the inhabitants of the old town shall have full power & libcrtie to feed the nftcr grass of all the meadows or marshes that doe or shall belong tmto the said inhabitants of y* new towne in that tract of ground meadow or marsh which lies from the hog house to Merrimack Rivers mouth & so to y* extent of y bounds to Hampton Rivers mouth, and the said inhabitants of the new towne them their heirs & assigns shall not at any time any ways lett or hinder or interrupt the inhabitants of the old town from feeding the said meadows or marshes as aforesaid.

5ly : It is also agreed upon by the inhabitants of the new towne that \\'illiam Osgood a present inhabitant of the old towne shall have lil)ertie for himself his heirs and successors to keep eight cows u|)on the new town common with their cowheard allowing to their heardsman the like p(iy that the said inhabitants doe both for quantity and qaulitie according to their order and agreement & to |xiy rates for the said cows during the time of their going with the said beards.

61y : It is also agreed and concludetl u[)on by the inhabitants of each partie as aforesaid that the inhabitants of the new towne shall have their full proi)ortion of all the common stock of ammunition and the drum which is in their p'sent i)ossession and the inhabitants of the old town shall have their proportion of the said amunition and the new dmm, as also the Colors.

7th : It is further agreed and concluded by cache |Kirty thai the said inhabitants of the new towne shall contribute to the mayntenance of the ministry of the old town untill such tymc as the said inhabitants of the new towne do call one to exercise among them in the work of the ministry, & allow him mayntenance from which time the said inluibitants sliall be freed from contributing any longer towards the mayntenance of the ministry of the old towne as aforesaid.

81y : Last of all it is fully concluded and agreed upon by the inhabitants of each towne that the said townes upon the -issignment of the aforesaid articles of agreement shall bee absolutely dismist of themselves & liave no farther to meddle with the affairs of each other in any towne matters whatsoever, in witness whereof the inhabitants of each towne aforesaid have to these present articles of agreement enterchangably put to their liands the first of the third month one thousand six hundred fifty fower :

Tho. Bradbury, Tho. Macy, Ant. Colby, 'i'he t niark of Joseph Moyce, The J J mark of Kdw. Cottle, John Weed, William Barnes, his 7 marke (ieo. M. Martin,

Richard Currier, Jaret Hadon, The r marke of Vail. Rowell, The T marke of Tho. Carter, The R marke of John Rolf, John Katon, Phillip Challis, 'ilie F marke of Isaac Buswell,

It is worthy of note that notwithstanding tlie virtual sei)aration by agreement, part of the old town's officers were annually chosen from the new town up to the legal incorporation in 1666. The new town ha<l a (-()m])lctc set of town officers for their own munici- |Kil matters, but ns they were taxed for certain iMiqioses in the okl town, officers were there chosen for the new as well as old.

The territory thus set apart for a new town was large, extending to "y« great country |X)nd" or further and embracing a large amount of territory now within the bounds of New Hampshire. The soil is generally good and the territory is dotted with numerous hills which give a great variety of scenery. Near the renter of the town is KimbalFs pond, the Indian name of which is Attitash. This is a beautiful sheet of water about one mile in diameter, widi the noble Pond hills on the south and north, and Hear hill on the west. The western section is diversified by numerous hills which speck its surface to the river's banks which in several places tower high above the tide. The principal plains are "Pond plain" near the center burying ground and extending south nearly to the river; the large plain at West Amesbury ; "Pen Merrill's" plain near 5>andy hill meeting-house, and the plain nt "Martin place."

"At a meeting of the Inhabitants y^ 19th day of y*' ist month 54 and 55 it was agreed and concluded that these men here after mentioned are accounted present Inhabitants an<l Commoners here in v* new town."

a combination for y^ carrying on of all matters that do concern the town or plantation according to tcnns hereunto written." '''iliat all matters of publicke concernment be ordered by the major part of the whole company of the inhabitants, provided that the matters they do act on shall be carryed on according to law, provided also that each man of y* aforesaid company have notice of all bisness according to law and all including what y* bisness or all y« gen' bisness is that is to be transacted at any meeting to be warned as Alowed."

''Also it is agreed that three men of y' Inhabitants when they judge it needful for y« public concernment shall have power to assemble the Inhabitants at any time provided that one of the three men so agreeing be a ffreeman ffer y^ full manifesting of our consent and agreement."

The meeting having fixed the number of commoners and passed upon various other matters, it was important that a clerk should be chosen to make the record ; and the following order was passed : -

"At the same meeting it was ordered that 'lliomas Macy shall record the orders of the Company & to this end shall have 3 d. a meeting allowed to him and also apointed to record all & every the Articles of Agreement made between the old town & us."

"At the same meeting it was agreed that what staves are made upon the common by the tyme the articles between the old town and us were agreed upon that whoever has made pipestaves hogshead staves Ixirrel staves or heading shall pay to the

*Made their marks. The above signatures were on the original book made and used by Thomas Macy till his flight to Nantucket, and were the names of all legal townsmen at this date.

town half a hundred upon every thousand and deliver them nnto the men a|>|)ointed by the town as soon as they are brought to the water side & this order extends to all which are already solde for y« ends.*'

"Also William Frames and Richard Currier are appointed to take accoimt of all staves due to the town and examine them for the town ^' to give account to s** company when they shall call for it. Also the same men are appointed to take accompt of y« saw mill wh^** doe saw for ye use of y* town."

'ITie town claimed tribute from those persons who cut trees to make staves and trees to be sawed at the Salisbury mill on the common. It was all common land which had not been given out.

"At a meeting y* same day (March 19th, 1655,) of y« Inhabitants it was agreed and voted that the number of Inhabitants that shall be commoners shall not exceed the number of twenty six without the consent of every Inhabitant of y« plantation.**

"ITie same day it was ordered that James (George have the privilege of a townsman and commoner on this condition, that if he leave the place l)efore he is settled on his own land or land of the aforesayd grant, that then the aforesayd privilege shall again return to the plantation.**

It appears by the Massachusetts records, vol. i, that the following of the first settlers took the oath of freemen before the (Jeneral Court, as follows, viz.: "Jarret Haddon and Anthony Colby, May 14, 1634; Willie Sargent, 3d mo., 1639, 2 2d ; Thomas Masie, 6th day of the 7th mo., 1639; William Barnes. 2(1, 4th mo., 164 1 ; John IJayly, May 19, 1669** - but the others do not api)ear on the Court records. The first eighteen exerirised fiill authority and limited the number of Commoners to twenty-six, but accessions were gradually made to the inhabitants and alio well all the rights and privileges of the original settlers.

At a meeting May ist " It was ordered that all the dry cattel that should not Im? payd for being kept in the heard In? turned into thf town pitsture the 2 of May 55."

** ffurther it was ordered the same day that if any man suffer his cattel that are put away as aforesayd to go with the heard three days together having notice of it he shall pay for y^ keeping halfe the summer & for y^ last halfe it is ordered in like manner."

The man who watched the herd was hired, and each person who turned in must pay ; hence those cattle not in the herd must not be suffered to mix in and thus reap all the advantages of those {KXid.

'i1ie com|xiny was now organized and em|X)wered to transact all business which related to its own territorial matters, but still held to Salisbury for the support of the minister and common defence. The inhabitants were not freed from rates assessed by the old town for the purpose of repairing roads and all like improvements. It was customary, however, to choose one or more of the new townsmen on the board of Prudential men that they might not be subject to taxation without representation. This custom continued till the final separation in 1666.

Soon after the settlement of Salisbury, the business of splitting staves from the numerous oaks growing in the dense forests was begun and soon became an important item in their means of support. The record mentions an agreement of one man to deliver 30,000 staves. Small vessels were built on the river, principally at Carr's island, by George Carr, and used to ship these staves to the West Indies. 'I'he town claimed fifty of every thousand for the privilege of cutting on the common. It is probable that most of these staves were boated from the dock at town creek to Newbury, where they were shipped, and the many loads lying in numerous piles around the doitk in early spring must have given that section a business-like ap|>earance. The wanton destruction of the forests was forbidden under penalty of twenty shillings j^er tree. The yellow pines were preserved for the manufacture of tar, and even this was placeil under certain restriction.

hc<\ to build a saw mill, with the privilege of using all the timl)er on the common not included in the grant to the former mill, "excepting oak & the right of the people to make canoes."

For this privilege they were to pay the town j£6 per annum for ten years, in boards at current prices. "No logs were to be carried to the powwaus river to be sawed, on penalty of ten shillings." 'llicy agreed to saw all the logs on shares, as the following extract from the record shows : -

"So the said Thomas Macy and Richard Currier dowe ingaieg to saw what lagges the' towns men bring to the Mill for their own use, to saw them to the halfes within a month aftier they are brought to the mill if there be watier the first Kigges that comes to be first sawne and so the rest in order as tliey are brought."

This new mill was built on the west side of the Powow at the falls and was greatly needed, and, no doubt, looked upon as quite an achievement. Beside the stately buildings at present occupying the location, it would hardly be noticed. The sentence " if there be water " seems to indicate that the river somelimes grew dry in those days, and their small dams did not enable the mill to run through much of a drouth. The deposition of Richard Currier in 1682 also confinns this fact.

From the 19th of March, 1655, to January nth, 1657, no general division of land was made, although several persons received special grants. At a meeting July 27th, 1656, Joseph Peaslee was made a townsman and granted twenty acres of upland l)ought of 'ITiomas Macy, and ten acres of meadow at the pond, for which the town agreed to pay j£6 to Thomas Macy. William Sargent, also, had three acres granted him in consideration of land he had laid down, and it was to be laid out in any |)art of the ix)nd meadow he might choose, after ten acres were laid out for the town. This Joseph Peaslee, which the commoners received and gave land to quite liberally, was a selfconstituted preacher, as well as farmer, and eventually proved troublesome on that account. He took the oath of freeman June 2 2d, 1642.

At a "generall inietea'* of the inhabitiints held Noveinl>er 20th, there was granted to Nathan Gold eight acres of land lying next mill river, adjoining ^Mand to lie laid out to Joseph Peaslee, on condition that if he leave town before he have made improvement of the said land he shall lay it down to the town freely, and if he make improvement of the land and after leave the town ore sell the land, that then the town shall have liberty to |M>rchase the same, giving the siime price that a nothcr shapman will."

-*0n the 29th of Noveml>er another "ginerall miting" was held and a ''township was granted unto Nathan (jold on the same condition which the land was granted unto him as is above recorded." 'i1ie idea seemed to be that Nathan wouhl not stop long in town, and so they made his grant conditional. Natlian Gold remained in town, and a long line of descendants after him. Kdward (bottle also received a grant of an acre of land in satisfaction of a 'Miiy way** taken out of his lot, and Richard Currier and " Antony ** Colby were to lay it out. In December the selectmen of " Hafriell** viz.: "Goriey Brown and llieophiaus Shatinwell,'* joined with the Salisbury selectmen to lay out the bounds between the two towns, according to the order of the General Court.

Oct. 14th. The line between Hampton and Salisbury was run by John Appleton, Joseph Medr^lf, Will llartholomcw and Daniel Perse, by order of the Court.

Jan. I St. "Thomas Ikiniard and John Weetl were chosen for ordering the pnidential affairs of the Company, and the extent of their power is according to the prudential men chosen last year the men lieing chosen for y' yeare iusuing.*'

"The same day it was ordered the great swamp shall l>e given out to all the Inhabitants in the i)<^|)ortion hereafter mentioned and these seven men hereafter mentioned shall have ton acres every man lulward C'ottle (ieorge Martyn, William Howntinton, John Coll)y, H inrcy Ulasdal James ( icorge and all y^ rest of y« inhabitants shall have every man three acres and so accord- ing to the same? pro|)orcion every man shall have of the inhale itants to y* full qtiantity of the swamp aforesayd, reserving fonrty ro<l at y* end of the swamp next y* Pawwas river for the pnhlic use of the plantation the s^ fonrty rode to lye in the lengh of the swnmp joining y« River i\f also it was ordered that Thomas Harnard John Hoyt & John Weed shall measure the sayd swnmp &- lay it out by lots after the aforesayd p'portion arcording as they think necessary t^ then the inhabitants are to cast lots for every mans p^jiortion also the men al)ovc mentioned shall be payd two shillings & six pence p*^ day for their worke to l)e pnyd by those that have y*^ land."

This order was not carried into eflfcct this year, nor until 1664, as we find by a sul)se<|uent record. It was purely wood lots, and there was no hurry about it ; all had wood enough and more thnn enough.

Jan. 25th. A general meeting was held and Thomas Macy received a grant of one-half of a piece of meadow near Haverhill line, nnd Richard Currier and Kdwnrd Cottle the remainder. C'teorge Martyn was not pleased with this arrangement, and entered his "Contra dissent."

At this meeting there was granted to John Weed ten acres of land for a highway taken out of his land, and, by the description giv(?n and a renewal of its IxMmdaries by the committee in 1694. it seems to have been on the comer of the Button wood road, where Mr. Thomas Page's barn now stands. 'Phere was, also, given Thomas Barnard a strip of land three rmls wide the length of his house-lot on the north side of his house.

May 26lh. Sergeant John Hoyt and Sergeant Stephens petitioned the Cfcneral Court that Philip Challis might be confirmed "Ixift to y« foot Comy in Salisbury," and it was referretl to the next county court.

To John Baily, forty acres. 'Iliis year an attempt was made to obtain a legal sefxiration from the old town, the inhabitants feeling that they could suplM>rt preaching nearer home, this being the test ([uestion with the General Court. Accordingly, on the 26th of May, the new town of Salisbury |)etitioned the General Court "to be a distinct town & make provision (or the maintenance of public worship ;" but the Court liaving '^ heard what the inhabitants of the old towne & new Salisbury by their Deputy and Attorney <:ould say, the Court judged it not meete to grant y^ inhabitants of the new town of Salisbury their |)etition, but doe declare and order ffor the present, that they shall attend the worship of (rod together in the old toune and that they contribute their several pro|X)rtions for the maintenance and continuance of the same amongst them.*' The op|X)sition from the old town came witli rather an ill grace after having nearly forced the settlement of the new town under articles of agreement, which virtu- ally established a separation. They could hardly spare the tax paid by the new town for the support of preaching, and this was, no doubt, the cause of their op|)osition. The contest was a sharf) one. The new town ap[)earcd by their counsel and the old town by their deputy.

'ITie command was entirely disregarded, Joseph Peasley continuing to preach and the people refusing to attend meeting at the Salisbury church. Finally, at the October term of the (General ('ourt, it was ordered " that the recorder for the County of Norfoike, (forthwith issue out his warrants requiring Joseph Peasley, & the rest of the inhabitants of the new toune, being masters of families, or at their owne dispose, to make theire pcrsonall appearances before the next Comity C'otirt to be held at Salisbury, to answer for their disobedjence to authorjtie in not complying w»*» sajd order ; and the sajd County Court is hereby impowered, authorized, & required to proceede ag' all such of them as in their appearaiK:e shall not fully make it cleare they haue, since the sajd order, performed theire duty and repajred to the public worship of (lod on the I/ord's day at the ould toune, to fine them for every days absence there, five shillings.**

William Osgood and Robert Quinby bought of Roger Eastman a house and ten acres of land west of the Powow for jQi6 sterling, adjoining William Sargent's land and west of the road to the mills. The deed bears date February 28th, 1658. Robert Quinby married I'^lisabcth Osgood, daughter of William Osgood, sen., and the farm was for the use of Robert, who was a ship car])enter.

Aug. 20th. Thomas Macy mortgaged to Rodah (Jove of Roxbury "1-3 of all his part of saw mill at y« new towne \* all utensils t'^ privileges iV his dwelling hotise in said new town in the precincts of Salisbury with 3 acres of upland thereto adjoining with the orchard, garden, l>arn out house more or less bounded by Pawwaus river east, the street west & the land of Richard Currier south,** and, also, several other pieces.

At a general meeting of the inhabitants h'elmiary 14th "a grant was made to I^vetenent Robert Pike of common right amongst us upon condition he com to dwell among us." It would seem from the foregoing that Lieut. Pike had sonic thoughts of coming across the Powow to settle - but he never came. At this meeting the road from Daniel F. Morrill's to the river was ordered to be laid out six rods wide, and was afterwards known as the six rod highway. It was laid l>etwei'n C^apt. Pike's land and the Indian ground.

'Inhere was yet plenty of land in town not disposed of, and it was concluded to give the children a section, as the following vote shows : -

*'At this metin ther is given to the children under mentione<l five howndried acres of land upon the north west of the pond a miell and halfe of the said great pawnd."

It may be proper to remark that the word "children" include<l but one in each family, and the following is the list so far as given by the record : - John, son of Wm. Huntington, Thomas, son of Val. Rowell,

.At a meeting held November 1st, Walter Taylor was made a commoner, with liberty to use what timber he wanted for building vessels so long as he lives in town. He proluibly located where "Uncle John Davis" lived at a later period.

"Thomas IJarnard, (Jeorge Marting and Samuel Foot these three are appointed to lay out the land upon the river and arc to have two pence an acre for laying it out."

No. 12, Hcnr)' Blasdill, No. 25, Widow Peasly, No. 13, J;irril lIaddon« No. 26, iMlward Cottle. These lots commenced on the west side of the Buttonwood road, and extended westerly along the river; but how far it is difficult to tell. We find these lots defined at a later period, and one of them is described as being sixteen rods wide. 'ITie nmnbering commenced at the six rod (Buttonwood) road, and all but the first three were Ixjunded southerly on the river. John Weed's ten-acre lot extended across the south end of the first three lots. Joseph Feaslee, already mentioned as a self-constituted preacher, seems to have (continued his obnoxious labors, notwithstanding the formal warning from the (ieneral Court to desist, and was (his year fined 5 s. per week for his disobedience and again ordered not to preach, as his preaching "was very weak and unfit." He gave the Salisbury church a good deal of trouble by his jHfrsislenI «-ourse. He was undoubtedly honest in his intentions, and thought it his duty to preach, but the church thought his simple labors were calculated to do more harm than g<K>d. That he met with encouragement from the new town people there is little doubt : and his disobedience must have had a damaging effect on the petition for the incorporation of the new town last year. The ministry was strictly guarded in those days, and all who were not ordained according to the regular usage were excluded from the pulpit.

There seemed to be a settled determination on the part of the new town not to cross the Powow to attend meeting, and finally an arrangement was made for Mr. Worcester to preach every fourth "I^ord's day" in the new town. The |>eople here were to make due provision for his accommodation. This plan was laid before the General Court in May and was approved. One-half of the fines was resi)ited until the next (icncral Court.

'ITie old town had very nearly driven off these western i)ioneerh« and obliged them to settle in the wilderness, a long way from church, and still required them to help supix)rt the minister. Numbering less than a hundred freemen in both towns, eighty pounds was ((uite enough for all to pay.

The compromise here, however, did not insure peace, for no sooner was this settled than the old town was embroiled in a local ({uarrel far more bitter than the last. The majority took occasion to reduce the salary of Mr. Worcester by voting him thirty pounds instead of forty for his six month's salary. The minority were greatly incensed at this, as they deemed it an unjust measure, and appealed to the General Court, complaining that they had been wronged, that lej^al notice of the meeting had not been given, &c. There was strong opposition to obliging Mr. Worceslcr to go to the new town to preach, and determined opiX)sition on the part of the new town to attending church at Salisbury. Hut the Cieneral Court finally ordered all to attend at Mr. Worcester's meeting till they obtained " an able minister" in the new town.

At the October term of the General Court Joseph Peasley was again forbidden to preach, and some little diss;itisfaction expressed at the fine imposed by the Salisbury court.

"The Court, having considered of & given ans^ to the petition of the inhabitants of Salisbury, calling to minde the affront that Joseph Peasley put on this Corts judgement & order in the yeare fifty eight, by not only continewing his preaching auKingst the inhabitants of the new toune o( S;disbury, not w*'* stamling this courts injunction to the contrary, but refusing to come to ans' for his contempt of the Courts order, & understanding the County ('ourt at S;ilisl)ury only fuied him fivr shillings for his absence, weekly, as they did others Sz still that he conlinews preaching there as frequently as before the courts order, & that also as we have been informed against the advice of the church whereof he is a member, and that his ])reachini( ( Inring very wc-ck & unfitt for so great a work ) doth rather encrease then lessen the contentions there, i\ot order, that the said Joseph Peasley be forthwith by order from this Court forbiden to preach any more in any part of this jurisdiction, till he give full snlisf:i(-liou to ihis Court for what have been past.*'

The early history of the church in New lOngland is very much mixed with dissentions and divisions, notwithstanding the strong hand of the Ceneral Court. Htit the trouble occasione<l by Joseph Peasley was of short duration, as he died previous to 1662 in Haverhill. He made his will November nth, 1660, and gave his house at Salisbury, new town, to his daughter Sarah. It was, probably, on that part of the territory now embraced within the bounds of Newton, N. H. His children were Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jane and Mary. Phillip Challis and Thomas Barnard witnessed his will. The inventory of his estate footed up jQ^66. On the inventory was found two guns, one sword, two Hibles, yarn, wool, flax, hemp, forty bushels of wheat, sixty bushels of Indian corn, three cows, two heifers and two hundred acres of land. His widow, Maria, settled the estate. If he was " very weak and unfit " for preaching, he was a successful farmer, and left his son a good property.

'iliomas Macy, one of the first settlers in Salisbury and a signer of the Articles of Agreement, also luimbering among the first eighteen eommoners, probably left town this year or the early part of 1660. He was chosen the first clerk in the new town to record the orders of the company, and, probably, made his lx)ok of record, it being simply a pamphlet of note paper size, and without the ancient parchment covers. It is yet in the clerk's office, although badly worn and mutilated. He was a good penman and, no doubt, had a good education. He was overseer of schools in Salisbury in 1652, deputy to the (leneral Court in 1654, and chosen clerk in 1655. His occupation is not definitely known, but in ancient deeds he is called ''Merchant" and "Clothier." The record is in his hand-writing until the first of November, when a meeting was held to grant Walter Taylor a commoner's right in town. The next March meeting is recorded by Richard Currier, who was a poor penman.

In some part of this year he was so unfortunate as to harbor two or three Quakers for a few minutes in a severe rain stonii, which act brought the wrath of the General Court down upon him, accompanied with a fine of "thirty shillings" and "be admonished" by the governor.

In May, 1657, a very stringent law was passed against harboring "any of the cursed sect of Quakers," and attached was a tine of 40 s. for every one that should be entertained or concealed." Macy was quickly complained of and included in the following order from the Court : -

"Hie Court, understanding that severall inhabitants of this jurisdiction have lodged the Quakers now in prison, doe order, that the Secretary issue out a warrant to the severall persons & send the same by a messenger of pur|>ose to bring them all with speede to this Court, to ans' for their offence therein."

'Hie neighbors of Mr. Macy reported his generous act to a brother in need to the pious but horror-stricken members of Mr. Worcester's church, and it quickly reached the great (ieneral Court, which was determined to punish with " speede " all such terrible sins.

llius for years was this harmless, quiet peoi)1e persecuted, hunted from town to town as criminals and offenders against (jod and man, and unworthy of the common courtesies of* life, [n fact, no more heinous sin could be committed than that of liarboring or in any way administering to the wants and comforts of these peaceful sectarians. They openly violated the plain commands of that Gospel which, in their blindness, they were trying to uphold : " If thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink."

Macy did not appear before the General Court, as summoned, either from inability to do so or from the wish to avoid the wrath of his enemies, whom he well knew were greatly exasperated against him. He sent the following conciliatory letter, which he, no doul^t, thought a sufficient acknowledgement in the case : -

"This is to entreat the honored court not to be offended l>ecause of my nun appearance. It is not from any slighting of the authority of this honored court nor from feare to answer the case but I have bin for some weeks past very ill, and am so at present, and notwithstanding my illness, yet 1 desircous to appear have done my utmost endeavor to liire a horse but can not procure one at present. I being at present destitute have endeavored to purchase, but at present can not attaine to but shall relate the truth of the case as my answer should be to y« honored Court, and more cannot be proved nor so much.

One rainy morning there came to my house Kdward Wharton and three men more ; the said Wharton spoke to me saying that they were travelling eastward and desired me to direct them in the \v:iy lo Hampton and askr<l me how far it was to

I never saw any of y* men afore except Wharton, neither did I require their names, or who they were, but by their carriage I thought tliey might be quakers and told them so and therefore desired them to pass on their way, saying to them I might jk>ssibly give offence in entertaining them and as soon as the violence of the rain ceased ( for it rained very hard ) they went away and I never saw them since.

The time that they stayed in the house was about three quarters of an hour but I can safely affirme it was not an hour. They spnke not many words, in the time neither was I at leisure to talke with them for I came home wet to y* skin immediately afore they came to the hotise, and I found my wife sick in bed.

If this satisfie not the honored* Court 1 shall subject to their sentence. I have not willingly offended. \ am ready to serve juul ol)cy you in the \Am\. Tiio. Macv."*

Whether or not this letter satisfied the (General Court we have no means of knowing; but the fact that Mr. Macy flctl seems to indicate that he did not consider it safe to remain, and, taking his family into his open l)oat, sailed away to Nantucket, where he spent the remainder of his life.

At the time of this occurrence he lived not far from the mills, on a place which he mortgaged to Rodah Gove, of Roxbury, August 20th, 1658, already noted in that year. It was bounded easterly by Powow river, westerly by the street, and southerly by land of Richard Currier. He sold to Anthony Colby his homestead near the burying ground in 1654 for ^^38, to be (uiid as follows : " by a mare fole at ten |>ounds, jC^ in l)ourds and in courne, ^'12 or 14 in money, rest in pipe-staves or hogshead staves, cattle all at prices current ; Indian corne at 3 s., wheat & Barley 5 s." Dated the 23d, 2d mo. in 1654. This place was l>ounded westerly by land of Kdmund Klliott and the burying grotnid and easterly by the street. These premises were near the residence of the late Joseph Ikirtlolt, and extended southwest to the vicinity of Mrs. Killam's.

hi 1664 there was some dilVuailty between Macy and the widow of Anthony Colby in regard to the title, and John, son of Anthony, testified that Macy did sell the place where his mother then lived in the new town. Thomas Ikirnard also testified ''that he heard Macy say that he sold house & Ixim \' orchard to Co\hy & that it was paid for." This testimony was given at Salisbury court 12th, 2d mo., 1664. I'he occasion of this law suit is not very clear, but rather looks as if Macy denied the title of the Colby's. Macy was the owner of many tracts of Umd in the new town and sevenil in the old and, prolxibly, built subsequent to this s;ile on the lot mortg;igecl to ( iove.

Mr. Whittier has written a beautiful |X)em entitled, *'The Exiles," descriptive of Macy's encounter with the priest and his flight, which by permission of the audior is (|uoted entire : -

The Exiles

*' Now out upon thee, canting knave ! *' And strong hands shook the door ; Believe nic, Macyl " c|uoth the priest. Thou'lt rue thy conduct sore."

At a meeting held March loth, John Hoyt, sen., Anthony C^olby and Richard Currier were chosen Pnidential men, to order all affairs given them in writing.

At this meeting the manner of allowing cattle to go on the commons and in the herds which were kept by a ** l<!ardsman,'* was decided upon and the price fixed, etc.

The only way in which a right to all the privileges and immunities of " fireemen " was ac(iuired - that is, the right m vote and take part in the town meetings, was by grant from the commoners, who were already in |)ossession of the township in fee simple. In this way some twenty were added to their number at one meeting.*

At the sam meling it is granted Jnmes (Jeorg a towns .shiep for his son when he hies had him." This was, no doubt, designed as a joke on Mr. (leorge by some wag in the meeting : but it provcfl all right, for five yenrs afterwards, viz. : 25th i2mo., 1665, his son Simiuel wjis born, and was entitled to the *' town shiep."

This was really a "town shiep" meeting, no other business being done. It must have been a i)leasant time, as they grante«l their favors almost entirely among themselves.

Wolves were growing more troublesome, and the 30 s. botmty of 1652 was increased to 50 s., if not killed by Indians. The reason of this exception was that the (icneral Court had ordered the constables in each town to pay Indians for wolves killed three quarts of wine and a bushel of Indian corn per head. The temperance principles of the General Court would, at the present day, l)e subject to severe criticism if pursuing a like t:ourse. It was, however, deemed right and proper then, as the following from the Court records shows : -

"The Court apprehending y* it is not fit to deprive y« Indians of any lawful comfort w*^^ God aloweth to all men by y* use of wine, do ordi^ y' it shall l)e lawfull for all such as are or shall be alowed licence to retaile wines to sell also to y* Indians so much as may be fit for their needfuU use or refreshing."

Philip Challis and Anthony ("olby petitioned the (icncral (Jourt in belialf of the new town to be made a distinct town, stating that they had obtained Mr. Shubael Dumer to be helpful to them in the work of the ministry. The petition bears date May 27th, 1660. To this petition was appc*nded the vote of the church uf Salisbury, as follows : -

"Whereas certaine articles have binn mutually agred on betwixt the old toune, and the one which was to this effect, that when the new toune were at charged to mainteine one to {ierforme y* worke of the ministry amongst them, they should be free from i)aying to the ministry of the old toune, in reffcrence to which article the l^retheren that live at the new toune have lately signified to the Church that they were in hand with Mr. Shubael Dumer for this end, desiring the churche's advice and furtherance Uicrein, the chunh hereupon doe voate, lliat diey app'hend Mr. Dumer may be a man suitable for that worke amongst them ; they further declare, that if fower bretheren seeke to y** honored (len ('ourt, who only have power to make us distinct tounes, they shall not at all hinder them in theirc suite ; ami further, if the honored Cen Court doe free them from us, they shall not only submit thereto, but also further, wliat lies in them» their obteining of Mr. Dumer or any other meete man. This is a tnie copie of the churches vote, w*^*» was deerely passed in the affinnative.

"The Court judg it meet to concurre w*'» Mr Worcester \* y« church in the paper hereto affixed, juilging that the person in nomination for the heipe o( the new toune may be a man meete for that worke."

Notwithstanding these favorable circumstances, nothing came of the movement. Mr. Dumer could not be obtained from some catise unknown, and the new town people continued tc» contribute to Mr. Worcester's su|>port several years longer.

.At a general meeting P'ebruary 26th, the ten-acre grant to John Weed was reaffirmed as being on the side of James creek and the Indian ground east of that.

Philip Challis was granted the Frog pond at the north side of Robert Ring's hill. I'his hill is where the late Joseph Merrill lived, and received its name in consequence of a large tract of kind owned on the south end by Robert Ring, the same whose name was given to "Ring's Island." This frog pond was subset juently owned by the Hunt family, and was sold in 1749 to Isaac Merrill, Ksq., who tunneled the ridge between it and the Great swamp, being the second instance of ridge tunneling in town.

ThoiUtis Ilaynes received a grant of five acres u|K)n the "north side of salt brook." This grant was near Whittier's hill, on the southerly side, as later descriptions give it, and "salt brook," which is sometimes called "slate brook," may have been the one near Samuel Cammett's.

'I'he town granted Capt. Robert Pike sixty acres east of James* creek on condition " that he come and inhabit with us." This land was ever after designated as his "Indian ground," and in 1700 was the occasion of his famous letter, which was ordered to be kept in the town book forever. It is now one hundred and se\enty eight years old, in a good state of preservation, and will be found in its af)propriate j)lace. Mr. Pike claimed the land, although never complying with the conditions on which it was granted.

The tract of land from 'lliomas Page's to John Huntington's was very pro|)erly named Indian ground, as it was evidently the seat of an Indian village at some period of time. Many implements used l)y Indians have been found in this vicinity, some of which were de|X)sited witli the Natural History Society. On the south side of the river, opiK)site the Indian ground, is a small creek long known as Indian river. And when we take into consideration the fact that here is the best sliad grounds of the river, we may safely conclude that it was a favorite resort of the red men.

Anthony' Coi.Iiv

He is said to have left England with Winthrop and others, coming to Boston in 1630. He is number ninety-three on the list of church members, and was made Freeman, May 14, 1634, with Jerad Haddon and some eighty others. He is thought to have lived at Cambridge in 1632, from whence he moved to .S;ilisbury previous to 1640, with his wife Susanna. He was not a very young man, probably, when he came to Salisbury, as will be seen by the following : -

Isaac lived in Salisbury with his wife, Martha, and was designated on early deeds as a planter ; but it is said he moved to Rowley, and the records of deeds mentions a person of tluit name in Rowley as owning land in Amesbury. He held office several years in Salisbury and, in 1653, was one of a commission to run the line between Haverhill and Salisbury. He was also one of a commission to lay out the road from Mill bridge to the plain that ^'goeth to Lions Mouth." He was a fanner and owned 1-8 of the ''old saw mill,*' and, probably, lived near

IN)\vo\v river. He was an active, hard-working man, and the worst thing that we find against him is that he was once fined for heing disorderly in town meeting. He died in the early part <»f February, 1661, and his inventory hears date of March 9th, 1662, - taken hy Samuel Hall, 'I'homas Hradhnry and 'lliomas Ikirnard. It amcMmtcd to jCiS9* 19 s., 4 d., and among theartirles entnnorated nre "old swords, 2 old mnskets, new mill saw ;ni<l an old ono ^1, o, o, 6 Oxen, an old long cart & wheels, 2 canoes iK: 1-2 a canoe, 6 cows, 23 year okl steer ;^io, o, o, S sheep 7 swine, 1 mare & colt ^£20, one horse ;^io, Dwelling house, barn Si. 14 acres of land ^^70, 30 acres pasture ;£20, II lots at y* which is called Mr. Halls, 18 acres fresh Meadow ^/*4o, 2 lots swecpagc i\: i higgle piggledee lot j£4, 60 acres upland towartls Pentucket bounds with meadow to be laid out jC\o, y* 8th part of the saw mill ^30, 40 bushels wheat ^g, 10 bu of barley iV 3 of rye, 60 bu of Indian corn jCg" ^^y'ng before the great division of land was made, he had not received s<» much land as those who died at a later perio<l. His widow reteivecl gninls in nearly all subsecpient divisions.

At the Marc:h meeting, Richard C'urrier was chosen to keep the l)ook of records and to record all meetings, and to be allowed twelve pence for each meeting. He was authorized to get a new l)ook and the town to pay the cost, (leorge Carr was granted a rommon right when he or any of his sons came to live in town. .Also, the right to cut timber on the common for building vessels. A large tract of land l>etween the pond, I'inc hill and fVnvow river was ordered to be laid out, also the laml between James* creek and the Haverhill line, and the path ihat goeth to Haverhill, and given to all that had a *' conunon right.'* "Vallintine Rowell and Sammuel Foote *' were granted twelve acres of land on "Whichers' hill for six years. (Joodman M carting, (loodman Hoyl and Goodman Rowell were appointed to lay out the land in the Lion's mouth and (^reat swamp." Several other grants were made at this meeting. The record of the great lots is here given, it being the greatest division made t luring the early days of the town : -

May 17th. Valentine Rowell, one of the first eighteen, and a signer of the Articles of Agreement, died. He was, probably, son of Thomas, who received land at the first division of Salisbury in 1639. He seems to have been one of the first who crossed the Powow, as previous to 1652 he sold his house and land to John Bayly, sen., which fact Bayly mentions in his will made in 1651. Bayly gave this house and five acres of land to his daughter Johanna, wife of William Huntington, and .\pril 2d of this year they sold the same to John Maxfield for ^5. By the description given in die deed it seems to have been at the Ferry near Bayly's hill.

Rowell received land in all the divisions up to the time of his death, and was chosen to lay out the Lion's mouth lots with "goodman Mearting & goodman Hoyt." He was made a townsman in Salisbury in 1650.

His wife's name was Joanna, and, sul>se(]uent to her husliand's death, she married Ricliard Currier, whom she outlived and was a second time a widow.

Rev. William Worcester died this year. His first wife died in 1650 and he soon after married Mrs. Rebecca Hall. He was a fine scholar and of great piety. C'ottt)n Mather calls him *'the revered, learned, and holy by whose evangelical ministry the church was iUuminated.*'

The death of Abraham Morrill, one of the most prominent men of the old town, may with pro|)riety be mentioned here, as his descendants have largely helped to people the new town. He died previous to October 14th, when his will was proved. He was among the first to settle the new territory, and his house-lot was near the residence now occupied as a parsonage at Kast Salisbury. His occupation was that of a blacksmith, and his work, no doubt, in good demand at that time.

In 1642 he and Henry Saywood built a corn mill on the Powow river, which changed to some extent his business in after years, although he never gave up his farm, but, like some of his decendants who now occupy the same premises, retained his love for cattle, horses and live-stock generally.

His wife was Sarah Midgett, sister to Thomas Midgett, who hired the ship-yard of William Osgood at the landing for many years. He died before his last child was born, and, in all probability, was not very aged. Isaac, his elder son, received two shares of his estate, and his wife, Thomas Midgett i^ Isaac were cxec:utors t)f his will. The whole estate amountetl to ^507. At his death his children were Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, Sarah, Moses and Lydia - mostly young. The inventory contained "3 horse kind ^ mare iV fole, 5 oxen, 4 cciws, 7 young catlle, .S sheep, 1 1 swine, new house & 56 acres of land, 3 parts of corn mill, part of vessel, 4 guns, 3 pots & blacksmith tools.*'

This was the eastern part of the cemetery next the late Joseph Bartlett's, and here the oldest stones may be found, dating far back in the past. Up to this time Ciolgotha had l>een (he only burying ground in town.

On the 1 6th of March a town meeting was held for the dislX)sition of land, and five hundred and twenty acres were given out to the inhabitants. 'Vo scatter the grants judiciously wouhl be likely to occupy the time of the meeting pretty closely, but in this instance the doings were not satisfactory ; and seven who received no land entered "their contrary desent to the giving out of the land which is dis[>osed on above."

Ezekiel Wathen* who was probably one of the ancestors of the Amesbury and Salisbury Worthens, first appears as townsman this year by a grant of land near his house. In 1644 Widow Wathen's estate was settled, and Kzekiel, then a boy eight and a half years old, was "put out apprentice to 'I'hos. Abie" till twenty years old. The next that is known of him is in 1661, when he married Hannah, daughter of George Martyn. It seems that after completing his apprenticeship he came to .Amesbury, married, and purchased land at Pleasant valley where his descendants still live. In 1665 George Martyn gave to "ICzekicl Wathen my well beloved son in law ^ unto Hannah his now wife my dearly & well l)eloved daughter" eight acres of lan<l ai the " Lyons Mouth." The ancestor of lO/ekiel is not fully known, but on the County Court records is found the name of (ieorgc Wathen in a case of " Wm. Peturs vs. George Wathen bringing into court a contract whereby about an acre of land a garden & s** court agreed y' 2 indifferint men shall judge betwixt them w* satisfaction Mr. Peters is to give y« s** Wathen & if Mr. Peters can prove ag* he may recover of him 5 m. 1640." (jeorge has been a family name, and it is very probable this person was the father of Kzekiel, or, perhaps a brother.

A general meeting was held January 4th and "CJeorg Marting was chosen with Thos. Barnard Joh. Hoyt and John Weed to lay out the griet swamp and also either of them have power to lay otit the grict swamp and to be payd three shillins a day by I hem thai have land.**

'lliomas Barnard, nicnth." Widow Peaslee " lOxactitor to Joseph Piesly" received twenty acres of land in exchange for six acres of salt marsh formerly granted her husband.

'ITiis meeting ordered all the common land to be given out. highways only excepted. The children were exchided from any share in this division. This arrangement was not satisfactory t(» a i>ortion of the meeting, and William Sargent, Thomas Barnard. John Weed, Edward Cottle, William Huntinton and George Martin entered their "contree dicent."

It was a sweeping distribution of land, and thotight by the dissenters to be an impnident measure. The land was not needed, as all had more than they could improve.

A general meeting was held Jan. i8th, and twenty-six lots next Hampton line were ordered to the inhabitants, by <lrawing lots among the commoners.

^'Att y*' same mithig it was voted that this tract of land above ritting shall not be disposed of this twenty yeare to these men above ritting." So the whole matter rested quietly for two years.

April 1 2 th. William Barnes sold to Richard Currier six acres of land "bounded with y* west with y* hollow highway", which would locate the tract in the vicinity of Winthrop Collins'. The S;m(ly Hollow roail is therefore a very ancient one, and was probably laid out among the first in town.

John Pressy bought two river lots this year - lot No. 9 of (reorge Martyn and No. 10 of Nathan Gold, 'ilie Pressy families were located west of Pressy's creek mostly at first, and these lots were between the two creeks in that vicinity.

The most im|)ortant event this 'year was building a meeting house in the new town, which ' was very much needed for the convenience of the people.

Jan. 4th. A town meeting was held at which " it was votted y' there shall be a meeting house bilt in the new towne by y* next midsomer insuing y® date here of w^^ house is to l>e bilt thirty foot long, five and twenty feet wide and sixteen foot stood or there abouts."

" Att y^ same meeting there was chosen Thomas liarnard senr and John Hoyt sen and Ricliard Currier for y* caring on of y« above said menchened metting house and also they are imi>owcred to hire workmen for y« earring on of y« worke for y* building of y* above said house and also they are furder im|X)wered to see w* y* new town will give in way of contribution for y* building of this metting house and w^ doth fall shorte of pay by contribution then to make a ratt for y« carrying on of y* worke."

"Att y* same metting 'I'homas Barnards and Richard Currier was chosen to go two Mr Showell or Mr Woodbridgs son to see if they can ataine either of them to be helpful two us in y« worke of ye ministry."

The people were tired of going to Salisbury to meeting and were now in earnest about the matter. For years the feeling had been in favor of this measure, but they were hardly able to sup|)ort a minister or numerous enough to render such a step necessary. When the first attempt was made in 1658 the i)rospect was not sufficiently encouraging to induce the Gen^ eral Court to grant their petition ; but on full consideration they were ordered to worship with the old town. 'I'he old town harilly felt able to support Mr. Worcester without their help, and hence their opposition to the measure. In 1660 there seemed to be no opposition, and yet they failed to get Mr. Dumer, probably for the reason that the prospect was hardly bright enotigh. Having continued with the Salisbury church four years longer and increased in numbers aqd ability, they now move with a determination which does them much credit. They were fully aware that the General Court would refuse them a township until they had obtained a minister, nor were they dLsjx)sed to ask any such favor. Wherever the Puritans went» the meeting and school were sure to be found.

The location of this meeting house was on the acre bought of "Kdman IClleat" for a burying place. It was the prevailing custom in early days to make such locations. It probably stood just back of the Hoyt tomb, near the shop of the late Joseph Hartlett, and hither the scattcrecl |>opulation resorted on each returning Sabbath, fn this little hop|)er-roof church at toll of bell, the old, middle aged and young quietly took the seats assigned them and listened to the word as expounded to them by the eloqtient young minister whom they had chosen.

'ITie committee chosen to go to Mr. Showell and young Woo<lbridge were not sticcessful in obtaining either of them, and April 3d, at a meeting then held, Lieut. Challis and John floyt, sen., were chosen " to treat with Capttin Pyke to see if they can obtaine him to be helpful to us in the work of the

Ministry." Capt. Pike, if a preacher, could not be obtained, having plenty of secuiar business in the old town. It is probable that meetings were held and occasional preaching had, although no minister was found to settle with them. The meeting house was, no doubt, completed as ordered, and it served their purpose for fifty-two years.

llie cows still went on the common under the care of a herdsman, who was paid by a rate, each person paying according to the number of cattle put into the herd. James George was herdsman this year, and was authorized to prosecute those who refused to pay.

" At the same metten William Osgood and George Martyn sen and John Colby sen weare chosen to few the bounds of the to ranges of lots that the hi way do laye l)etwcen them tliat doo run to Meremack River and in case they doo find ani fence standing uix)n the hi way al>ove retten thay are imi)owered by the new town to pull it up i>ovided they give the perte or pertes notis of it six days before they pull it down."

The minutes of a deed from John Bayly, 2d, to Edward Goodwin, who for some lime kept the ferry near Mrs. Ikibb's, may be of some interest, as showing the condition of Water street at the Ferry two hundred and fifteen years ago : -

Mr. Bayly sold Mr. (joodwin four acres lM)unded south-easterly by the river, north-easterly by a little run, south-westerly by a highway, and north-westerly by land of Mr. Bayly ; and it was to extend back from the river seventeen rods in width. This strip which extended from the landing, near the late Capt. John Martin's, to the little brook at Miss E. C. Trussell's, was wide enough to include the houses on both sides of the street, and has, since that first deed, been a noted place for ship building, and especially for being the landing place of Washington when crossing the Merrimac on his northern tour.

"At the same metten it was voted by the mager parte of the metten to pay unto the man that is helpfull to us in the work of the ministry forty pound a year so long as hee do rontinuee in the work of the ministery among us."

'I'iiis was a very important move and calculated to insure success. At least it was an important item to go before the (General Court in connection with their petition.

"At the same meetten it was agreed to send to the General ( !ourt for the oblayning of Mr. IJciigcmen VVoodbricdg to be helpfull to us in the work of the ministery and also to see if wee can obtain to l)C a township of ourselves."

This was a very judicious course, for, having fixed the salary, they very humbly asked the General Court to assist them in getting a minister and to allow them a township. All this was in [»erfect accord with the agreement made with the old town twelve years before.

"At the same metten Richard Currier was chosen to go to the General Court to maneg the bisnes conserning the petission the new town sends to the Generall Court."

'ITie first session commenced May 23d. The petition was duly presented by Mr. Currier and the grant made early in the session, as follows : -

"In answer to the peticou of the inhabitants of New Salisbury, this Court doelh grant them the liberty of a touneship, according to the agreement with the ould toune & that upon their providing a minister approved off according as the law provides, they then to be taken of from contributing to the minister of y« old toune."

'ITie effort of the new town people was crowned with perfect success, 'lliey obtained their "township" and their minister, and henceforth will take rank religiously and |)olitically among the townes of Massachusetts Bay.

'*At a generall melting of the inhabitants of y< towne new Sulisl)ury y* 8"* of June" "(Soodnian S;irgciit was c:hoscn Uj entertain Mr. Benganian Woodbrag and the towne to satisiic him in provision what hee is ought about it." 'I'his completes the arrangement so far as church matters are concerned and it only remains to organize the town by choice of officers which was made at a meeting held June 15th.

Thus in about one month from the first move on the 14th of May, the town was organized and in running order. The tirst juror chosen to attend Hampton court was Robert Jones, and the first grand jurors were John Hoyt, sen., and Jarret Haddon.

Grants of land were made to Thomas Haines, John Hoyt, jr., John Colby, Robert Jones, Nathan Gould, 'llionias liarnard, jr., James George, Rol>ert Quinby, Edmund Elliott and John Foot, in all amounting to two hundred and 6ve acres.

The inventory of Richard Goodale, the famous hunter of the colony for several years during the first settlement, was filed this year, and he probably died during the year. His property amounted to ;^8o, including the "8th i)art of a Ibrke," which was appraised at ^20. His farm was appraised at jCOo, including the personal property, which consisted in part of five cows, three calves and four swine. In his will which was made June 7th, he gave his son Richard one-half of his pri>i)erty, anil t(» his servant, Cornelius Connor, his clothes. The rent of his property was to be divided between his son, and daughter Ann, wife of William Allen. No account of any outlands is found on the inventory, although he received land in the several divisions with other settlers. One or two of his lots were located at Pleasant valley, but sold l>efore his death. George Martin l)oiight one lot of him in 1662, and subsequently sold part or all of it to Ezekiel Worthen, his son in law. This lot contained the excellent spring long known as " Goodale's spring," and now owned by Peter F. Swett. The hill, also, at the foot of which this spring bursts forth, was for more than half a century known as " (loodale*s hill," and was rendered somewhat famous by the wanderings of John Fressy over and around it one evening in 1692. This location remained in the Worthen family for alx)ut one hundred and seventy-five years from 1670.

At the annual meeting the division of the land set apart for the children in 1659 was further considered and ordered o be divided "to every child according to his father's estate given in to the makin of Mr. Woodbridges first reat at the new town.*' **)ohn Hoyt sen do enter his contri dcscnt to this vot."

Ss History Of Amksbury

At this meeting (January 25th) it was voted "that the town shall make a brcgh over the swamp at Gorg Martins house." The remains of this bridge or rather the causeway and road each side are still visible in Mr. David Currier's pasture near Mooily Merrill's. It was a small bridge, perhaps six feet wide* in the center of a causeway built over a meadow some six or eight rods broad. I'he bank on the south side was dug and carted into the meadow to raise the grade aliove the bogs. Al>out one hundred years ago a second bridge was built farther to the north across this same meadow, and the road changed to where we now find it by Aquila Martin, who then owned the land in that vicinity. The town allowed a short piece of the old road to be discontinued in exchange for the new.

There was trouble with Haverhill about the bounds and William Osgood and Samuel foot were chosen to join with the Prudential men to demand satisfaction for " there ungoust molestation about our l)ounds to demand our charges of them and in case of refusal to i)rosocute at law for the obtaining of it."

Whether the committee ever obtained redress to their satisfaction we are not able to state ; but the line was settled Max 15th by the General Court, as it now stands.

"At the scnm mctten I.iftcn C'hallcs John Hoyt sen and Cieorge martyn weare apointed to lay out two hundred akers of land for the yous of the Ministry wherever thay shall find it most convenient."

A portion of this land was laid out near the late Joseph Merrill's and is now kn6wn as the " j)arsonage." It is l)ounded by roa<ls <m all sides : northerly by the Pond hill road, westerly by the Hunt road, southerly by the old road over Clough's hill, and easterly by the Martin road, embracing al)OUt one hundred arrcs.

July 9th. A general meeting was held for the inirjjose of seating the peoj)le in the new church, and " Liften Phillip Challes, Richard (furrier, William Osgood, Rober Jones William Harnes, John Weed, ITiomas Barnard sen Nathan Gold, Georg Martyn thes men above retten " to apoint every man and woman in the towen there pertecular seate to set in in the metten house acording to there best judgment, excpt thes men wich the town themselves have plased."

Samuel Foot, John Hoyt jr Thomas Uarnard jr ThouKis SiU'- genty William lioyt Isa Colby Thomas Kowell is to set in the first seat in the nor est si<le in the metten house.

The record is very much worn and it is probable that a few more may have been seated. \\'illiam Ikirnes was moderator of the meeting and, of course, had a prominent seat assigned hin). Forty or more were seated and these constituted the principal inhabitants at this time, excepting children. The seating seems to have been satisfactory, with a single exception. Those seated at the table may have been deacons, but we do not find the term used. 'I'hey were, no doubt, seated somewhat according to their standing in town. The seats were rudely constnicted settees or benches, and the whole outfit of the house was very simple and plain.

At a town meeting held in the early part of the year (date wanting ) a targe amount of business was transacted and, among other things, the new town was named.

'Inhere is little doubt that a large number of the original settlers of Salisbury and Amesbury came from towns of the same nnmcs in lOngland. In fact, the two towns arc as closely connected there as here, and are said to be very pleasantly located. Salisbury is specially noted for its elegant cathedral of ancient build, jind Amesbury for its Druid temple or anointed stone, erected by the Druids at a very early period.

Hy the kindness of Mr. J. (I. Whittier, we arc enabled to give a brief sketch of the ancient town of Amesbury in England, and the origin of the name. The following is Mr. Whittier's letter: -

"Amesbury derives its name from Amesbury or Ambresbeery in Wilts, lOngland, on Salisbury plain, and near the great Druidical temple of Stonehenge. The ancient (Cymric name of these stone circles was l^mrys Avee, Ambres or Ambrosius, signigfying immortal or anointed stones.

'ITie practice of anointing sacred stones is as old as history or tradition. The Druidical stones in Cornwall were called Dina*5 Emrys or the 'Anointed City.* In (icnesis, chapter 28, we are told that Jacob set up a stone in IJethel and i)oure<l oil u|K)n it. It is probable that Amber (French Ambre) means Ambrosial or sacred, as it was used by the Druids, (iridley, in his work on Stonehenge, says : * It seems tolerably clear diat the nncicnt nnme of Stonehenge is preserved by the neighl)oring town of Amesbury or Ambresbeery, as it was fonnerly called.'

'I'he old l^nglish town is venerable in appearance - the little church, one of the oldest in that region. Here are situated the abbey of Amesbeery, one of the first religious houses in (Ireat Britain. Tennyson, in his Idyls of the King, makes the faithless (jueen of King Arthur, after her disgrace in connection with Sir I>ancelot, fly for refuge to *the holy House of Amesbury.'

Well may the people of the town cling fondly to the name which has come down to them from the pre-historic time of tlie Druids, Arthur and the Round Table, and which the great |>oet of the century has cmlKilmed in his immortal verse."

Although the town had been int:or|>orated two years, yet no name had licen passed u|>on uiUil the April session of the (leneral Court, when the name voted in 1667 was confirmecl and ''Kmesbury" made the legal name.

The town i>etitioned the (leneral Court for leave to keep a ferry over the river, "about Mr. (jooilins house,"* and had leave to do so ; but the appointing of the ferry-man and price was left to the county court, which decided as follows : -

"The County Court held at Hampton y« 13th of y« 8th mo 1668 Mr. Edward Coodwin being presented by y« Selectmen of y« town of Ame.sbury to y^ dnwi to kcei) y« ferry over Merrimack river above y* mouth of y« i*owous river where y* s** (ioodwin now dwelleth this Court do allow & approve of y« s** person for one year next following and until y^ Court sliall take further orders there in and for y^ prices to be as followeth so for every single (xissenger, two pence, for a horse and man six pence and for all great cattle four i)ence per head & for shee]) and other small tattle under two years old two pence p^ head."

On the i8th of February a meeting was held which may with proi)riety be designated as the ^rea/ land meeting. One hundred lots were disposed of in four divisions of twenty-five lots each. The first division was on Whittier*s hill, the second was in the vicinity of the pond ridge, the third was between the pond and " Horcheng medow," and the fourth was to l)egin the west side of the pond brook. These divisions embraced a very large |M)rtion of the town's commons, and the measure was - very imjiortant. The lot layers were to receive "three hapence" per acre for their services.

A private way was laid out from Mill river to the country highway for the accommodation of the new saw mill, and the «)wners were to purchase the land and keep the way in rei)air. 'I'his way was discontinued in 1694.

Jan. 28th. " It was granted unto that minister that do come and live and inhabit with us, ffifty akcrs of land lying in that part of the common between fox island and (leorg Marlyns house."

"At y*-' seam metten William Osgood sen and William Harens and Samuel (foot was chosen and impowered to purches in the behalf of the town any howssen or lands (Tor the yous of the ministrey and to desjwes of any common land for the purchising of the said howsin or land or to i)ay by reat provided it do not exseed one hundred and fllfty pound."

It seems that Mr. Woodbridge made a short stay - but little more than two years - and the town was again without a minister. No complaint api)ears as to his services, and it is probable that he left for a more liberal call. It was now thought l»est to purchase a house for the better accommodation of the minister, which was a move in the right direction.

The custom of "boarding round" was anything but agreeable, and not desirable to the peoj)lc. In fact, with all the inchicements offered, it was no easy task to find a minister willing to come into this wilderness, as the territory north of the Merrimac was then calleil.

''At the seam metten it was agreed to send to Mr. Hobberd of Kettre to see if we can obtayn him to be helpful to us in the work of the ministry."

"At the seam metten Rober Jones and Richard Currier was chosen to goo to see if they can obtayn Mr hubberd to be helpfull to us in the work of the Ministry."

This Committee do not seem to to have been successfiil in obtaining Mr. Hubberd, as on the 19th of March Robert Jones and John Weed were chosen to see if they could find a Minister. This committee met with no better success, and May 7th Robert Jones was again chosen to hunt up a minister and to invite him to make a visit. Mr. Hubberd was finally induced to come the latter i^irl of the year, and 1 )ecembcr 3d the town voted him the fifty acres of land granted to the minister on condition that he live in town four years ; but if he leave l)efore that time, having made improvements upon it, then to 1>e (xiid for the improvements.

The committee chosen January 28th had not, August 27th, purchased a house, and, at a meeting on that day, John Hoyt was put ui)on the committee in place of Samuel Foot.

The town, at a meeting held June 7th, ordereil a highway l)etween the river lots and minister's land, commencing near Martin's bridge and extending westward, the north side of Clough's* hill, to the road that leads to the Indian ground, now known as Button wood road.

Mr. Cioodwin to keep a ferry near the mouth of the "Powows river," and petitioned the General Court this year for a hearing, whicli was granted, and, it appearing that he was cfHcicnt and liad kept his bridge in good repair, tending faithfully to his duties, it was decided that "he ought to have his covenant made good according to Salisbur)' Court order 9th 3 mo 1650." So Mr. Can* was given full control of the ferries.

At a meeting held April i8th, the town voted that they would have but three pnidential men, virtually dismissing those chosen A f arch loth, and proceeded to choose Tliomas l^arnard, sen., Richard C'urricr and Ccorgc Carr, jr.

" We whose names are under written -being chosen to lay out }-* highway to y« Ferry place -in Amesbury, do hereby these presents manifest that we have layed it out in manner as followeth : At )'* water side next Merrimack River over against Newbur)' Landing i)lace from Mr Cloodings bound tree to a white oak stump about nine or ten rods and so runeing up y* hill on y« lower side to a walnut tree marked with A over against a small white oak marked with an A about four rods wide ranging up y« hill between two small black oaks marked al)Out four rods apart and so ui)ward to a great rock on y* lower side in ]iailey*s hill two rods wide & so to y« town ward two rod wide through y« land of y* s** liayley being one hundred and ten rods i^ one half in length so through y« land of John Weeds belween two great rocks about fifty three rods i\: half in length two rod wide and so to y*^ land of (loodman lladdens next ye street as witness our hands the 17th 1670.

"The land taken out of Mr Goodings land fer y« conveniency of y* highway we find to l)e 2 7 rods & a half prized at o [4 o, taken out of Goodman Bayleys one acre & 61 rods prized at 3 o o taken out of John Weeds land one hundred & seven rods, prized at i o o as witness our hands.

By way of compensation for this road, which seems not to have been paid for according to the Court order, the town a few years later defined the bounds of Mr. Hayley's lot in such a manner as to satisfy him for the damage done, and, in course of the description, a bound tree is mentioned near the house of " Abraham Morrill," whic:h fai:t actcounts for one of the cellars on the hill. Mr. Morrill's house was, no doubt, built soon after the road was hid out.

Jarret liaddon sold to Richard liartlett, of Newbury, his ** great lot of 200 acres as laid out to mc 18 lot." The fact that his lot contained two hundred acres shows him to have been one of the most wealthy townsmen, as only such receive* 1 those large lots.

In 1661 Richard Currier gave his son-in-law, Samuel Foot, and wife Hannah (daughter of Richard) the place he bought of George Martin, anil this year he bought it back again by way of exchange, giving him thirty acres at Cobler's brook. It was descrilied as "Westerly on the street, southerly by John Iloyt jr., his land N. l^aslcrly i\: l*owow River, with a jirivilcgi: to the landing place to set hay on." This seems to (w his residence in the vicinity of William D. Ihrtlett's.

History Of Amesbury

At the annual meeting March 2 2d, 'ITiomas IJamard, sen., John Colby and John Weed were chosen to "hier men for the finishen of the howscn where Mr hoberd now dwell."

Mr. llubbcrd was evidently giving good satisfaction, yea, even more than that, he was very |)opular and well beloved by his little church in the wilderness, and all gladly went in for making him comfortable and happy. His house was to be finished and made comfortable, he was to have a larger salary and fire wood and hay. What better evidence could he want of the fact that his scnices were duly appreciated. Every omen now pointed to a long term of useful service with his people here.

Hut the "fashion of this world changeth," and our highest hopes are sometimes suddenly dashed to the earth and we are dumb with amazement. So in this case : in less than a month the public miml, fickle as the wind, had changed and Mr. Hubberd had not, apparently, a friend in town.

This was ecpu'valent to a dismission and, probably, Mr. Hubl)erd so understood it. Whether Mr. Hubberd asked for more salary we do not know, but we know that a yoimg man of great ability and promise had recently graduated from Harvard, had studied for the ministry, and was occasionally preaching at Newbury and the Shoals. No doubt the people had seen and heanl him. This yoimg minister was no other than Kev. Thomas Wells. He had captivated the hearts of the people, and in less than two months a committee was chosen "to see if they can obtain Mr Wells to be helpfull to us in the work of the Ministry."

Wells was ready to come and accepted the invitation at once, no that in twenty days the town voted hiin his lire-wood in addition to his jC40, They also gave him the whole improvement of all the land reserved for the use of the ministry, ''and in case he die and leave his Widdo or children with us to alow her or them fifty iK)un<l."