Merrimac Town (part 3 of 9)

lliere was some opposition to this liasty measure, as the vote reads "mayger part" of the meeting. No doubt Mr. Hubberd had some friends who began to think ^tis hasty work. Nevertheless the friends of Mr. Wells were <letermincd to do sonicthing nice for him, and in November voted to build him a house, as follows : " Votted that there shall be a house bilt u])on the towns land next (>oodman Sargents for the youse of the ministry."

"At the same metting they have voted that the house above menchened shall be bilt fower and forty foot long or there abouts and twenty foot wide and thirteen foot and a half stood."

"Goodman Osgood, (Joodman Challis, (loodman Weed and Goodman Rowell" were to build the house. Hut, as in other <:ase.s, the mutter was (lclaye<I through the year and \U) house was built. The town had already one house, bought of John Hoyt, and, on further consideration, did not care to build a second for the minister, llesides, Mr. Wells may not have l)een married at this time.

At the annual meeting the town made an exchange with Robert Jones of land, giving hiu) ten acres at Whitlicr*s hill antl taking ten acres south of William Sargent's, called the Fane or Vane lot, having been once granted by Salisbury to one Henry Vane. We shall find this lot l)ecoming a historic spot in the future. Robert Jones was the ancestor of the families of that name in town for many generations, but now represented only by Philip lones, the well-known farmer of ** Lion's Mouth."

Wells a piece of land adjoining William Sargent's and also a piece at T'ack river, and gave him the honsc bought of John Hoyt for the minister's use, and jC20. And to crown their generosity, offered to hanl the house to the spot where he should build, j)rovided he shouM release the town from building certain roads. Mr. Wells i\'u\ not accept the house, but built to suit himself, lie boiight fifty-five rods of William Sargent on the north and the deed bears date July i, 1673. '^^^^ lilacs still mark the s]>ot where his house stood, and bloom as beautifully and are as fragrant as they were more than two hundred years ago. This was the Vane lot spoken of last year, of which the old academy once (>< cupicd a part.

The town having some misunderstanding with Phillip Watson Challis, commenced a .suit against him, but was beaten and, as he says, "upon tryal of case nothing did appear." It was claimed that he agreed to give up to the town a fifty-acre lot for the use of the ministry in consideration of other grants, which fact did not appear on the trial, but *'y* land was granted to me without any reservation of any such engagement whatever was intended" the deed acknowledged this year states. He seems to have been willing to give the land for the use of the ministry, but was not to be driven to it. The tract is now known as the "parsonage" near the late Acpiilla Martin's, and the following is taken from the deed : -

"Know y^ that 1 y*^ s*' I'hilii) CMiallis w*^ y* consent of Mary my wife, for divers gootl iK: lawful considerations us thereunto moving but more especially of o' great desire & affecon towards a (lodly ministry to be settled & upheld in y« s** town of Amesbury have given * ikr without |)ay or satisfaction to the pul)lic use of the ministry in y* aforesaid town " " Provided i^ it is always my declared intention y* it shall not be ye power of y* s^ town as feoffees in trust nor in y* power of y* Minister at any time in being y* shall have y*^ same in pos.session use or ()ccu]>ation to aleniate or dispose of y« same or any

|)art thereof to y^ selves or any of them or either of them nor to any minister or ministers or any other p'son or ji'sons w* soever hut only for y* publitiue ouse of the ministry as aforesaid & if any sliall so doe it is hereby decbred voyil & null.

Notwithstanding the strong language of the deed to prevent its being sold, a sale was made in 1746 and the writer now owns most of the tract.

The first act was to choose I'homas Currier town clerk, and it was really a wise move. He was the oldest son of Richard Ciurier, and for several years past the record or jxirtions of it are in his hand writing. Richard was growing old and his [penmanship and wording rather i)oor. In fact, he never was a good penman, although a smart business man. Under his son's clerkship the record is greatly improved. He was allowed "one shilling p' day for every towne meeting for his paynes."

"Volcil y* the errors in the Towne l)ook olT recorils shall be corrected And I^ift Challes, Richard Currier, William Barnes, Thomas Wells, (jeorge Martyn, John Weed sen, Samuel Foot, 'i'homas Sargent & Thomas Barnard sen. were chosen for a committee y' they should prosecute y« s** vote to effect by reviseing & drawing over the towne l>ooke off Records anew and y* every error therein should l)e corrected & amended by y« joynt act or consent off them or y« major part ofl' them and y' any such act by them concluded shall be accounted fimie & valid in order to y* s** enil, w^*» comitee have likewise ix)wer granted them iff they shall see cause to chuse two or more p'^sons off another towne not concerned or inter-

History Ok Ammsiuirv

This committee consisted of nine, two of whom made their marks on the Articles of Agreement signed in 1654. What part the two who could not write were to take in revising is not (|uite clear. This new move was in keeping with the new ministry, and possibly may have l)een suggested by Mr. \\*ells or his special friends. How such a thorough revision was to be made, and in what respect, is difficult to imagine. No doubt the substance of all votes was truly recorded, and if not, any alteration could hardly be made twenty years afterwards. If the granunatical construction of the language was Ixid, any alteration would be difficult without liability to alter the sense. Mr. Wells could have given it a smoothing touch, but the majority of the town were of opinion that it had better be let alone, and accordingly a meeting was called January 25th, 1675, the doings of which will be found under the head of that year.

John Hoyt, sen., was chosen constable, but, not wishing to serve,* hired his son John, jr., to serve in his stead, and the town accepted the substitute.

Jan. 25th. A meeting was held at which the^ December meeting of 1674 was declared illegal. The meeting, however, chose Thomas Ctirrier clerk and confirmed some of the votes then passed.

I .eft. Challes, John Hoyt, sen., and (leorge Martyn were chosen to show Mr. Wells the bounds of the land given for the use of the ministry by lA.'ft. Challes.

The business of the town at this time was farming, fishing, making staves and building a few small vessels. These occupations recpiired a few tradesmen, such as blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers and tailors, who, very likely, did a good business, taking barter pay for their services. Fishing in the river and harlK)r was from the first of great importance to the little col- ony, and finally became an extensive business. But the chief reliance was on cattle, sheep, corn and the small grains which were extensively raised, according to ancient inventories. Potatoes were unknown at this time.

At the annual meeting it was voted to pay the Prudential men "reasonable satisfaction for their time/' and this is the first instance which appears on the record of their receiving pay.

William Sargent, one of the eighteen, died this year, aged seventy- three years. He was born in Kngland and was the son of Richard Sargent, an officer in the Royal navy. It is believed that he came to Virginia at an early date with William Ibrnes, John Hoyt and others. He married Judith Perkins, who died about 1633, when he and his daughters Lydia, Sarah and Mary came to Ijtswich, where he settled with John Winthrop, William C>'lark, Robert Coles, Thomas Howlett and others. When leave was given for a plantation at Newbury, he came with others an<l helped form the settlement there. A few years later he went to 'I lampton with those couiposing that setUement, and when the pkmtation at "Merrimack " was begun, he was found there located beside Mr. Bradbury on the south-west bend of the circular road.

March 25th, 1^47, he bought Anthony Colby's house and lot lying next Jarrett Haddon's, butting \\\)ot\ the Circular and Ferr)' roads, and just one year later sold the same. He was then called a mariner. Whether or not he came across the Powow at this lime is not certain, but it is probable that he did not remain in Salisbury long.

He lived near the residence of Hon. (leorge W. Morrill, .as various facts pretty clearly show. In 1673 he sold Rev. Thomas Wells fifty-five rods of land, aiid the description in the deed mentions his house near by. He never lived at " Jamaco," but died where he first built near the Academy lot. Living near the meeting, it was a convenient place for the minister to stop, and in 1666 the town voted to "satisfie him for entertiining Mr Woodbridge," who was a candidate .for settlement in the ministry.

He was Prudential man in 1667, but never was chosen to much office, owing partly or wholly to his age at the settlement of Amesbury. His will was proved April 13th, and his son Thomas and daughter Siirah were appointed executors, but the daughter declined serving.

The animal meeting "Voted that every ward shall produce a load of fire wood for y« watch and ward while they have, gone all round and y* ward to be fined five shillings that neglect it." Indians were at times troublesome and the garrison houses, then called forts, were in the various sections of the town, to be kept at all times in good order.

One of these forts was located on the plain near the I), (tordon l^stes place, one at the Pond hills, one on the plain at -'Jamaco,*' near the burying ground, one at Hirch meadow and, probably, one at the Highlands. People were afraid to go into their fields to work without their gims, and portions of the time resorted to the garrison at night for protection.

The (leneral Court was obliged to take every precaution to check the plundering, burning and murdering of the people by these nightly skulking enemies. Even friendly Indians were hardly to be trusted, and all felt constant alarm.

In addition to other troubles a dispute had arisen in regard to the line between this colony and New Hampshire. False representations had been made to the King and it became necessary to send a commission and address to pacify his Royal Majesty.

So that with the watches which the constables were obliged to keep nights from May to the end of September, in which all over sixteen years of age were obliged to take their turns or hire a substitute, there seemed but little chance for a happy or easy life. No ]>ersons were allowed out after ten o'clock at night without being arresteil and taken to the watc^h house, unless a good account could be given, l.ights were to l)e put out at ten and all noises stilled in the streets. I low strictly these regulations were enforced we cannot say, but judging from the character of the Puritans, must lean to the side of strict discipline. All of these measures were, no doubt, required to guard against suq)rise and the complete destruction of the colony, as the history of 1677 will very dearly show.

For several yexm> past the Indians have been growing uneasy, evidently intending mischief on the first good op|K)rtunity. Tn fact, numerous raids had lieen made along the settlements and murders committed in various places. The people lived in constant fear and were obliged to keep constantly on their guard ; but, notwithstanding their vigilance, the savages fell u|)on the town and murdered several |)ersons before relief was at hand.

Secretary Rawson, in his letter to (lovernor Andros, of New York, says: "As for damage done us by the eastern Indians, mentioned in our letter dated July 28th, was in taking our fishing catches about Cai>e Sable, and a notorious murder committed upon some men women and children at Amesbury alnuit the micUlle of July, but not known to us or y*^ (\)mnussioners at Pemacjuid until after the peace was concluded between some of the eastern Indians & Capt. Brockles." The above would seem to convey the impression that the murders here were by eastern Indians, but it is a well known fact that there were Indians roaming up and down the lx)rders of the Merrimac river quite as treacherous as those farther east. There was one Symon, of considerable influence, who had lived with the Knglish settlers and was professedly very friendly to them. But in his breast rankled all the hate and revenge which generally characterized the race, and there is little doubt that he was the instigator of many of the raids in this vicinity.

Drake, in his Indian Biography, says of him: *' Symon, a troublesome fellow, who continued to create considerable alarm to the inhabitants upon the Merrimack river, in the vicinity of

Newbury and Amesbury, about which part seems to have been his residence as late as the month of July, 1677. On the 9th of July six Indians were seen to go into the bushes not far from the garrison of Amesbury. 'I wo days before, several men had been killed in the neighl)orhood and one woman wounded* whose name was Quimby. Symon was the alleged leader of the party which committed the depredation. Mrs. Quinby was sure that it was he who 'knocked her on the head,* and she knew many of the names of the rest with him, and named Andrew. (Jeoffrcy and Joseph. She begged of Symon not to kill her. He replied : * VVhy, goodwife Quimby, do you think that I will kill you?* She said she was afraid he would, because he killed all I'jiglish. Symon then said : * I will give (piarter to never an luiglish dog of you all,* and then gave her a blow on the head - which did not happen to hurt her much - at which, being a woman of great courage, she threw a stone at him. He then turned upon her and struck her two more blows, at which she fell and he left her for dead. Before he gave her the last blow she called to the garrison for help. He told her she need not do that, for, said he, *I will have that, too, by and by.* Symon was well known to many of the inhabitants, and especially to Mrs. Quimby, as he had fonnerly lived with her father, William Osgood.**

Mrs. Quinby was a brave woman, and had she been with Mrs. Dustin at a later period, would, no doubt, have assisted her in despatching those sleeping savages.

Who the murdered men were we have no means of knowing, but Mrs. Quinby*s husband, Robert Quinby, died or was killed about this time, and very likely may have been one of those s|)oken of as being killed on the 7th of July.

Administration on his estate was granted to his widow VAh abcth August Qlh, which would seem to favor that theory. Tra ditlon has handed down the story of the murder of part of a Weed family at an early date, and it may have been at this time. This Weed family lived near the late F.phraim Merrill's, his farm being part of the homestead of Nathaniel Weed and his ancestor John.

For the first twenty years of the town's cor|)orate existence no records of births, marriages or deaths are to be founit, and no information can be obtained from that source ; consequently the names of those who fell during this fearful raid must remain unknown.

Mr. (^uinby was not one of the first eighteen, but, |)rol)ably, came to town in 1658, when he and his father Osgood bought the farm of Roger ICastman, near William Sargent's, which was, perhaps, within calling distance of the garrison on the plain, lie married IClizabedi Osgood, daughter of William Osgood, in 1641 and was admitted a townsman here in 1660. He received land in several divisions, the first lot being at the river in 1659.

His inventory contained "house and lot jC4^t ^ acres at Whitters hill ;£io, land at Hugsmore ^3, at Birchin Meadow hill ;^'20, 7 neat cattle ^22, 6 swine ^3, two mares ^4, 6 sheep ^2, bed & bedding & household stuff j£6, 10 yards doth £2."

In the Lion's Mouth division Robert drew a lot on the north side of the road, which is now owned by Philip Jones. On this lot a house was built by some of his descendants, and for a long period it was owned by the Quinbys. The cellar, partially filled in, may yet be seen near Mr. Jones' gate. The old house, which was well lined with bricks to the chaml)ers to guard against the Indians, was torn down more than a century since and some of the bricks used in Mr. Jones' chimney. And even here the fluuily were not s;ife, for a boy was carried into captivity and held for some time, being scantily fed so that he was quite willing to gnaw the bones thrown away by the Indians, a habit which he retained long after returning home.

There was some controversy with Mr. Wells in regard to the land granted him and an exchange of land which the town wished to make. A large committee was chosen to settle the matter and their decision was to be entered in the town book. A road had been reserved through his land, prol)ably with the agreement to make it passable. The grant was the lot then known as the Vane lot and lay south of William Sargent's house and lot, and was the A(*ademy lot with a portion of the field owned by the Into C'apt. William Ilartlelt. To get rid of building this highway, the town once offered him the minister's house to move on to this spot and ;^20. The report of the committee is not found on the records according to order, and we cannot tell how the matter ended.

Sanuicl Colby was chosen "to keep a public house of entertainment." This seems lo l>e the first public house aiithorized by the town, and was located on the corner of the Haverhill and "Mill" road, now known as Rirtlett's corner. The house stoo<l a little to the west of Mr. 'I'liornell's grocery and just Ixick of the large elm. This vi( inity seems to have been the home of the Colbys.

Hiomas Fowler commenced a law-suit against the town and Ca[)t. Siunuel I'oot was ordered " to poce(|uet the case in the behalf of y^ town from court to court till y« case be ended and lykwise to make youce of any y* may be helpfull to him in y« case."

The town added ten poimds to Mr. Wells* salary "so long as he continues to carry on the work of the ministry among us." Thus in the eight years of his ministry he had proved faithful to his trust and retained the confidence of his people.

'Vhe bounds of land was ordered to l)e renewed this year and a complete return made in the book of records; and had the l)Ook l)een carefully preserved, it would have Ih-'cu very valuable at the present time. Hut the careless treatment iluring two hundred years, which it has evidently received, has resulted in the loss of portions of valuable record.

At this period it was ditficult to fnul |>crsons willing to serve as selectmen. 'l*he first board chosen this year declined, and at an adjourned meeting, Richard Currier was fined i s. for refusing to serve, and several others when chosen declined. What the real cau.se of this singular course was, we have, no means of knowing ; but it is certain that the pay of town officers at this time was mere nothing.

An ancient plan found in the commissioner's ot!ice at Salem, made in 17 15, shows that the "peeke" was not then wholly laid out. This plan, also, shows that there was a regular system of lotting the town from the first. All farms and lots were laid with right angles, making scjuares or rectangles.

'*'rhe deposition of Rirlurd (^lrricr, aged aUnu sixty -si.\ yeares, testyficth that i kep a Sawe Mill at .Amesbury neare unto the Sawe Mill that do belong unto Salsbury upon the seam river and I have sawin this Spring al>out five or six thousand foot of bord a weeke for three months together, and doe Swere that y* Sawe Mill that do l)elong unto Sal.sbury is no waies inferior to the mill at Amesbury and have ben as well improved, and further saith that the Saw mills did sett al>out four month but had not a full hed of water.*' exchange with Thomas Colby, who owned land adjoining. There was yet some common land belonging to the town, and the design was to give him a sufficient tpiantity of this to make an even trade. How mnch addition was made we have nb means of knowing.

Me gave his wife, Sarah, all his proi>erty during her lifetime, and after her death two shares to his son Valentine. He was a farmer and had two oxen, five cows, three two-year olds, fourteen swine, one horse, three calves, sixteen sheep and lambs.

The inventory amounted to ^{,275. He probably lived at the ea.st end of the town, but the exact location is not known. He received the grant of a township when he was but sixteen years old; was selectman in 1673 *'^"*^ '^79» -'^"^^ was nn various committees.

In a return made by the lot layers of the bounds l)etween the town's and John Pressy's land is found the following : " it is to be understood y* y« above said l^essy bounds shall run from y« Harn of John Pressy to y^ north end of his new house as y* fence now stands and from y* corner of y* said fence to a stump of a white oak tree near James (leorges house. Dat may y« first 1684." 'I'his location was, ])robably, between Pressy's creek and that at the River village, but it would be impossible to (}x the exact spot.

The death of "lulman ICllcat" occurred in the early part of this year or latter part of 1683, but the date is not definitely known. He was not a signer of the Articles of Agreement, and the first we find of him in this town is on the list of the River lots, having drawn No. 4.

In 1 66 1 or 1662 he was granted a common right or township wliich was voted to Jarret Haddon's daughter. He married Wwftbt^th, daughter of Jarret Haddon, and that accounts for his grant of the township.

He held fewer offices than most of the eighteen, Inil was occrasionally chosen, ami was IVuclcntial man in 1680. Me was a soldier in the fierce Indian wars that raged in 1675 and for some ytam later, and made his will l>erore marching away, and it is now on file in the Prol3ate office at Salem, and is as follows : -

"Kdman Klleat The last will of lulman KUeat being wall & in p^fitt memory is a followeth that after my descase my honest deats being payd y* remainder of my l«lstate I doc leave w*** my wife to be at her dis|)Osing tell my son comes of age & then I doe give y* an half of my estate to my wife duering her life & y* other halfe of my Estate to my son John l^lleat & after my wife decease I do give my whole Estate to my son & if my son dyes l^efore he comes of age then after my wifes deseace the remainder of my estate that is left I do give to my nerest relatives that are in England. And I doe also make my wife my sole Execiitres as witness my hand. Dat y« 26 day of feabewary 1675.

At court Richard Currier and his son Thomas made oath that they heard s;iid Elleat declare to them the alxive will " when he was going unto the waers," when it was proved March 17th, 1684. The will, written by Uichard Currier, is on file endorsed '' luhnond IClliat will 1684." The inventor) amounted to jQ^^o 11 s. 3 d.

'*Y" dwelling house & outhousing & land they stand u|)on playns : A lot by meeting house ; A lot by (Goodman Martins ; A lot by y« back River ; A lot at Whitch* hill ; A lot at Red oak hill ; 'Hiree lots of meadow at y*-' black rock creek ; A lot of meadow near to Fox island ; One lot in y* Lyons Nfouth ; .A Great swamp lot ; A lot of meadow in y* cow common ; A great lot ; Two lots of meadow at bnish island ; A lot of meadow in y* new meadows."

this fact when speaking of his buildings, by saying " they stand upon playns.** Me was a large land owner and left a large property to his only son, who, at the time he made his will, was a minor. His wife was, however, to retain possession of the whole till his son became of age, when she was limited to the income of one-half.

The }\\:\\\\ Ihivdhill ro;id through AmcslMiry was laid out anew this year, although there was a " jnith,'* as sometimes mentioned, that led to Ha\ erhill long since. The following is the record : -

"We whose n.uues are subscribed being chosen and appointed by the Selectmen of Maverhill and Amesbury according to their order have laid out and sulliciently ujarked out a country highway betwixt Haverhill and Amesbury of four rods wide lying from Amesbtiry meeting house to the Widow Hettels lot as it is now bounded out and have been formerly marked out which l)ounds are now marked and were made and so from the Widow Betters lot to the ('ountry Hriflge at the east ineadows which is laid out as h;Uh been formerly marked out and runs thence to the east cm\ of the town and so to the Meeting house.

It was inteuiled to make a broad, permanent road through out, and such has been the result with the exception of encroachments made from time to time. The road is given on the plan of 1715 entire. It was "marked out" in 1642, but there was, probably, very little fence on the whole route fronj the meeting house to the Haverhill line, even at this day.

as well as provisions, and after making this generous grant the town was not in favor of enlarging his s;ilary. In June, however, a meeting was held for the s|>ecial puq>ose of re[)ealing this vote, and it was "made of no effect.**

The record of births, marriages anil deaths commences this year. Mr. Wells was chosen register of births and burials (as he hath it) and commenced a new liook, which is the oldest one now in the clerk's office. If there ever was an earlier one it is lost, and its loss can never be supplied. Richard Currier was "Clark of the writs** from 1662 to the time Parson Wells or his son lliomas was chosen. It may be proper to state that the town clerk was not necessarily "Clark of Writs,** as the offices were separate.

The first law in regard to the registration of births, marriages and deaths was enacted in 1642, and allowed 3 il. to the "('lark of the writs** for recording and returning to the "(^ort Recorder.** All magistrates were rei|uired to make due return of all marriages solemnized before them. One |>enny each was to be sent to the recorder, thus rediuing the * " C'larks ** \my to 2 d. Thus, in a book not as. large over as common sized note paper, began registration which, in its more perfected form at the present time, requires two lines across two pages of a very large book.

The death of Ccorge Martin, it is believed, took place this year, as his name appears no more on the record after the March meeting, when he was chosen on the committee to show men their bounds. He held office almost continually till his death. His line of services seemed to be in laying out land and roads and bounding lots. He must have been very familiar with the various lots and their bounds. He was one of the earliest pioneers in this western territory, crossing the Powow in 1649 ^^ which time he bought half of a twenty-acre lot of Thomas Macy adjoining that river. Here he built his house and lived till the nth, 12th mo., 1650, (February nth, 165 1 ) when he sold his farm to Philip Challis. He now removed a short distance to the farm which he bought of Anthony Saddler, also on the Powow. This place he sold to Richard C'urrier in 1660 and removed to the west side of Ring's hill on the old Hunt's lane, where he lived till his death. In 1667 the town ordered a "brcgh" near his hotise, and the road across the swamp may yii l»c seen nnd the brook over which the bficlgi* was laid.

He was, probably, bom in Kngland and came to this country when (|uite young. He was first married in 1643, ^"^^ again in 1646 to Susanna North, daughter of Richard North. His children were

A committee was chosen to "rectifie all y* highways" "ami to return all botmds of lots according to y* grant upon reconi into y^ town book of Records," but the record is very imperfect and it is doubtful if the business was properly attende<l to.

At this meeting ** Left. Foot, Insine Weed and Thomas Sargent were placed at y* tal)le ; and they three or y« mag' part of them ware to seate those y* are not seated or to remove any persons into seats in y* meeting house as they shall sec case." The town has always exercisetl the right to seat people where they thought pro|)er, and, no doubt, somewhat according to rank or wealth.

It seems that wolves were yet troublesome, and this year a bounty of 20 s. was offered for every one killed. It was no uncommon thing for parlies to engage in hunting wolves, as it was rather dangerous business for one alone. Whole neighbor-

The Indians were at this time very troui)lesome, especially at the eastward, and the troop of horse commancied by Capt. l*ike was hardly sufficient to protect the inhabitants. He failed lo get assistance from the (icneral (!ourt as <lcsircd< but, providentially, this section escaped serious harm.

Richard Currier died February 22(1. He was one of the first settlers and a very prominent man, and, evidently, a very ca|)able one. He was early in Salisbury, as we find him buying Joseph Moyce's "new house and all things thereto belonging" in 1644. In February, 1652, he was chosen with Anthony Colby to lay oiit a road fi-om "Mill bridge to y« playne that goeth to Lions Mouth," and he was with Thomas Macy in building the first saw mill, and received land in most of the divi.sions, l>esides many special grants. He was chosen clerk in 1662 and ordered to get a new book for records, and held the office twelve years. He was, also, "Clark of the writs." He served on the l)oard of selectmen twelve years, the la.st of which was in 1683, only tour years before his death, whic:h shows that he was still ca|>able though aged. It was, however, against his will and he declined serving and was fined i s. Several others were chosen and declined, but, finally, on being rc-choscn, he consented to serve. In 1665 he was on the committee to build the first meeting house and was chosen to go to ** Mr Showell or Mr \V(K)dbridge son to sec if he couKl obtayn them lo be helpfiil in the work of the Ministry." When the people decided to |ietition the (ieneral Court for a separation from the old town, he was chosen lo manage iho matter, riding to Boston, probably, tin luirsebuck, and reluming with ihc news of perfect success. No doubt he was joyfully receiveil by the people. He was one of the ** Commissionei*s to end small cases" many years.

.\fler Mr. Woodbridge i^lo.sed his labors he was again chosen with Philip Challis to go to Kiltery to obtain the services of Mr. Hubberd in the ministry. He was sometimes joined with the selectmen to make the -* Country rates."

He was a great land owner some |)ortion of his life, owning lots in every section of the town and frequently buying and selling, as the old deeds at Salem show. He testified in 1682 that his mill was still in good order and sawing about " fwt^ or six thousand per week," when there was water. He led a very busy, useful life and was a man of much dignity and sound judgment. It is believed that he gave his son Thomas a large portion of his land while living, as there is no record of much properly left at his death. During the latter part of his life he married Joanna Rowell, widow of Valentine Rowell, and at his death lived with her son Philip. His homestead was, no doubt, near the mills, as "his work'* spoken of must have meant lending the mill, and he had a lane that led from the road to "his work." He sold, in 1662, a house and one hundred acrc*s of laud, near Haverhill, to Williauj llsley for ^'55 sterling. .After his death his widow gave his l)ed to Sarah Rowell, her daughter-in-law, and on her putting it out doors to air, the Widow ViHyX ( R. ('urricr's daughter) <ame down and took it. Sarah Rowell complained before Worshipful Maj. Pike and the case was tried and decided against her. A petition is on file at Salem saying that "Richard Currier lived with her several years before his death, and that she ought to have his bed which he left." She appealed from the decision of Maj. Pike to the county court.

Walter Taylor died February nth. He was not a signer of the articles adopted in 1654 nor among the first eighteen, but was early made a townsman. He received land in 1659 and was granted liberty to cut timber on the common for building vessels. He drew lot No. 2 in the river lots. He, no doubt, lived near the river and, probably, where the late John Davis lived, near the Merrimac hat factory. After his death the land granted to him was given to Francis Davis, ancestor of the late John Davis, 'i'his fact would seem to fix his residence there, and his ship-yard may have been in front of his premises, near the present elm on the river's bank. An ancient bounding

He was said to have been a turbulent, noisy man, frequently l>efore the courts for his violent abuse and profane language. The Norfolk county records contain the following : -

The name of Jewell is first found in town this year. Thomas Jewell and his wife, Susannah (Uiilford Jewell, removed from Hingham, where they first settled ; and tradition has handed down a bit of romance in regard to them. Thomas was hostler to lx)rd (luilford, an ICngiish nobleman, and by some means won the love of his daughter, and knowing that the consent of the noble Lord could never be obtained to the marriage of his daughter with any but of equal rank, they planned and carried out an elopement. Quitting I'higland, they arrived safely in the new world and took up their residence at Hingham. Hut this was rather a public town, and they were afraid of detection by the enraged Ix^rd; and young JewelL with his accomplished wife fled to the wilds of Amesbury, where there could be but little chance of being discovered. In the mean time the father had taken a very rational view of the atlair, and sent out a ves.sel laden with presents and articles for the enjoyment and comfort of his lost daughter. But no trace of them could Ik.' found, and the presents were never delivered. Mr. Jewell purchased a tract of land north of "Whitchers" hill in a perfect wilderness, where the name is yet found and a portion of the homestead yet owned by a descendant.* When the long disputed line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts was adjusted, a i>ortion of the homestead was found within the former province. .After the incorporation of South Hampton, Joseph, son of Thomas and Susannah Jewell, l)ecame very )>rominent in town affairs, filling every important ofiice.

History Ok Amrshurv. Ii7

Acrording to thr custom the town again voted to continue Mr. Wells* maiulrnnnce, "as formerly agreed upon," although Samuel C'ol1)y, Joseph Large and Samuel Weed dissented.

The most prominent event of this year was the death of Sergt. John Hoyt, sen., February 28th. Among those entrusted with office by the new town, he was prominent. He, probably, was from ICngland, but the precise location is not known. He was in Salisbury in 1639 ^^ 1640, but was not made a freeman till Oct. ^d, 1650. He served as selectman eight years, was on die conunillee to lay out the CJreat Swamp, to pur- <hase a house for the minister, to treat with Capt. Pike, to build the meeting-house, and wjis constable and grand juryman. He served as moderator of a town meeting held April 27th, 1687, which would show that he retained his faculties remarkably well. He was a military officer in Norfolk county. He married two wives by the .name of Frances, but it does not appear who they were.

John Coll)y. January 14th, 1656, and John Barnard, December i7th, 1676. She died Jantiary 2d, 1721. John, born 1638: married Mary, daughter of William Harnes. Thomas, born Jannary ist, 1640; married Mary Hrown. (leorgie, born Jamiary I St, 1641 ; died January ist, 1642. ICIizabeth, born February 23d, 1643.

Children of second wife: - Sarah, lK)rn January i6th, 1645, died February 26th. Mary, born Febniary 24th, 1646. Joseph, born May 13th, 1648, died young. Joseph, born November 27th, 1649. Marah. born Novemlier 24th, 1653. Naomi, bom January 23d. 1655. Dorothie, born April 13th, 1656.

Jarret Haddon «lied this year, but the date is n(»t known, as his death is not found on the Amesbury record. The inventory of his estate bears date June ist, 1689. He was one of the signers of the Articles of Agreement, and received land in nearly every division. At the time when the town was granting "townships'* to the children, in 1660, he had no son and then received a **town shiep for on of his daughters." In 1662 Edmond Elliott, by vote of the town, look that right, and at a later date his grant of 20 acres west of the iK>nd is said to lie "next his Father Haddcn lot." He married Eliza- " Ijeth Haddon, which explains the whole matter. He served on various committees : was commissioner to end small (*.ases in i673,pnidentialman in 1676, '79 and '80, and was a large landholder. His inventory footed up ;^i8i, 5s. His residence is van known, but he lived ^t the east end of the town and some of his land is described as running from the coimtry road to Powow river, lying probably in the vicinity of the road to Weare point, mostly south of it. He took the oath of freeman May 14th, 1634, his name being spelled "Jerad Hadden" on the record.

His children were, so far as known : - Sarah, lK)rn Januar)- 15th, 1640. Mary, (date not known) married Henry lihisdell ; and Elizabeth, who married Edmond Elliott and was executrix to his will in 1684.

The town's management in religioiis matters was very singular, especially as regards the minister. Although Mr. Wells was settled, according to the custom of the times, for life, yet the town annually voted on the (piestion of keeping him another year, sometimes voting that they were clear of him and he them. In October a meeting was held at which they did nothing but to vote (»n this ({ucstiun. The first v(»lc al'liT choosing moderator was **.'\t y*^ same mctting it was voted y* we <lesirc to have a minister among us." Second vote - ** Voted that wc would send to Mr. Wells to know his mind, whether he would still continue in y* work of y* ministry among us." Third vote - '* Voted y* y* towne was cleare from Mr. Wells, anil Mr. Wells from y* towne." They repudiated the idea of having settled Mr. Wells for life. Thus the matter rested till December 26th, when a meeting was hekl and it was ''Voted that the Minister that carrys on y* worke of y« ministry amongst us shall have for his pains fifty pounds a yeare."

** At y* s;\ino inrlting it wns voted that Mr. Wells shall have his fire-wood l>ro!i,y;ht home two him for this yeare insiiing and y« yea re to begin y« 20 day of noveml)er last 89." So in their own peciilinr way they came aroimd all right, giving Mr. Wells a good salary, his fire- wood hanlcd to his door, and dating back the beginning of his year.

In ijf86 the king sent a royal commission to take pos.session of the government of Massachusetts Bay, which was strongly opjiosed by the General Court and by the people, but withotit effect, as will be seen by Vol. V. Mass. Records. This year the town volrd **that y*^ govennnent <*hosen in y* yeare 1686, (lovernor. Deputy (Jovernorand assistance to gether with y^ debutys according to charier Riles should be resumed and to that eiv\ we have sent our tristy frinds Capt Foot and Samwell C\)lby as otn* Representilives to act in our behalfs : it is also our desires that such magistrates as may be thought convenant may be added to y* former atilhority.'*

The course ptirsued by the king was considered usurpation, and ihe ])eople were very jealous of their rights and never failed to express their minds pretty clearly.

Lieut. John Weed, sen., died March 15th, after a long and useful life. He was one of the signers of the Articles of Agreement and received land in nearly every division. Was selectman nine years, was commissioner, constable, one of the committee to lay out the (Jreat swamp, on the committee to rectify bounds, one of the committee to find a minister in 1669. ^^^ served the town in various capacities. He was chosen to treat with C'apt. Pike in regard to his land in Amesbury, and also to treat with the **(Jenllemen of y*^ old towne.** He \Vas place<l by the town at the " tabell" in 1687 with authority to place others, which shows to some extent the estimation in which he was held. * He li\ ed in the neighl)orhood of the late l^phraim Merrill, and when the bounds of the road over Hailey*s hill were defined, he owned lanrl between the hill and Haverhill road. I^phraim Merrill's homestead was originally part of l.ieut. Weed's homestead farm, which was vahied at ^^280 when he <lied. The following is a copy of his inventory, filed June 4 th. 1690: -

Homestead, X^^o Marsh, 50 Land at Fox Island, 80 Two forty-acre lots behind pond, 60 I lot behind ix)nd, 15 Land at Brandy Brow, 80 Land at Birchin plain, i lUigsmore lot, 3 (ireat Swamp lot, 5 l^nd at rckc, 4 Marsh near hog house, o 15 65 sheep, I horse, 17 lambs, 8 swine, 4 pigs sucking, hemp and flax - 20 lbs., 6 cows, 5 yearlings.

It is probable that William Huntington died this year, although no record is found of his death. His name does not appear on the Articles of Agreement in 1654, but he was one of the first eighteen who organized the town in 1655, ^"^^ ^^1^^' sc(|ucnlly drew lots in nearly all of the divisions. At wluit datr he came across the Powow is not known, but John Ikiyly, sen., by will gave him.sclf and wife a house and live acres of land at the Ferry, and also a twenty-acre lot at the river in 1652, being the premises which he bought of Valentine Rowell. December 1st, 1652 this property was deeded to John Bayly, jr., and re-deeded to William, his wife and two children, January 4th, 1653. The house and live acres was s(»ld April 2d, 1662, to John Maxlield, for ^£5. His first residence in town seems to have been at the Ferry. He also sold, July 20, 1662, a twenty-acre lot west of the Buttonwood road (the lot which he drew originally) to Robert Pike, for ^^5 sterling. About the same time he sold to Walter Taylor six acres on the river end of a lot which he owned. July 2d, 1662, he l)ought a twenty- acre lot on the river, of Robert Fitts, which was bounde<l easterly by his own land. In 1663 he sold his thirty-acre lol at Cobler's brook, which butted southerly on the Haveirhill road, to Morris Tucker. In 1664 he bought a twenty-acre lol of John Hoyt, on the river, lying between the original lots of William Holdred (now his) and Joseph Parker's. He was an extensive land holder, and a very <nuct, industrious and valuable n»LMnbcr of the con^pany. Whether the present Huntington house at Pleasant Valley was built and occupied by him is a matter of doubt as his son John was married in 1665 and very likely built this house. This theory is strengthened by the remains of an old cellar a few rods away, but on the same original lot.

As most of the time Indian wars were harassing the colony, it became necessary to keep armed bodies of men to guard against stirprise, and the towns were obliged to contribute men for that pur|)osc, unless so situated jls to make it unsafe for them to spare any part of their people, in which case they were denominated "frontier towns," and excused from contributing to the common safety. Amesbury being thus situated chose a committee consisting of "Mr Wells and y* Militia and y« Selectmen or y« mager part of them two draw up a petition to present to y* Court that we may be accounted a frountere towne and for severall other pHicklers that they shall think needful! to petision for."

It is probable that this petition was granted, as it was well known that Amesbury had suffered severely from Indian raids. Edward Cottle, one of the first eighteen, moved to Dukes comity on account of being burnt out by the Indians. His house was burnt once by accident and once during an incursion of the Indians into the western part of the town. Cottle lived at Jamaco, as it was then called, and one of the landings near his premises was named for him. Others at "Jamaco" had their houses plundered about this time. John Hoyt mentions in a petition to the Ceneral Court about having his house plundered by Indians.

The last three years have been remarkable for the deaths of proYiiinent men, who did noble work for the town in its early history, and this year records the death of another pioneer, who has been conspicuous on nearly every page of the record.

C^apt. Samuel Foot died July 7th. He was not a signer of the Articles, but came to town about 1658, when he was chosen one of a committee to lay out the river lots. He drew lot No. I, which lay along the western side of the Huttonwood road, but cut off from the river by John Weed's ten-acre lot. He was made a townsman December loth, 1660, and afterwards received numerous grants of land. He held many offices, was Representive in 1689 and was one of the favored three who were seated at the "tabell" in church in 1667. He lived at Jamaco and it is very probable that his house was a "garrison house," several times spoken of as "Capt. Foots fort." Judging from his frecpient services, he must have l)een specially fitted to presiile over town meetings, and was, no doubt, a man of more than ordinary decision and ability.

Dr. Parish, in his History of New I^lngland, says: "Ame^jbury was assaulted, three persons killed, and three houses burned, and Capt. Foot was tortured to death." liut no men lion is made of such (iicX on the Amcsbury re(*ords.

John Hoyt, jr., grandson of the first John and son of John, id, died August 24lh, 1691. He lived at the west end of the town, his house, as des(.ril)ed in the inventory of his estate, l)eing "House & land at Jamaicoe jC^o.** He had a meadow lot, lot in the children's land, two lots at Lion's Mouth and lot at Country |M)nd. The inventory footcti up Xi53» "^^ ^-

Thomas Hoyt, son of John Hoyt 1st, died January 3d ami the inventory of his estate was returned to Probate court March r9th by John Hoyt (then sen.) and Henry Hlasedell, sen., his son Thomas being administrator. .\s a curiosity, showing to some extent the spelling and tools of the age, we <|uote from the record the items on the inventory : -

The Indians were now causing very general alarm by their raids on the settlements at the eastward, and soldiers were called for to protect the people and their crops. A treaty was made in May with some of the principal chiefs, but soon broken. Major Pike, of Salisbury, was the chief officer in command and directed the movements against the enemy, and Capt. Iliomas I larvey conunanded the Amesbury forces. lUit little was accom plished against the treacherous foe during the year.

In 1670 a road was laid out over H<iyly*s hill and damages awarded to Joshua liayly and others ; but from some cause the matter had not been settled and this year the town voted to make Mr. Bayly "satisfaction for the road laid out over his hill by Newbury men.** It was laid out by a sheriffs jury, perhaps against the wishes of the town. This year a brigantine

At the March meeting the question of employing Mr. Wells was again discussed, not really with the intention of dismissing him, but more especially to establish that long-contested |)oint : that the town was not holden for his support. For many years the town had rather grudgingly voted his salary, thus wounding the feelings of the patient minister. As Mr. Wells had, evidently, been settled according to the usual custom of the time, it was a little vexing to find the vote year after year: "we arc willing to have Mr. Wells settle among us." Nevertheless at this meeting the town voted "y' we ware willing to have Mr. Wells to be our Minister two settell amongst us and to alow him fifty pounds a yeare for the present and more when we are able." This rather cool invitation to remain, if it was an invitation, Mr. Wells did not seem to relish very much, and forwarded a commimication to be read in the meeting, which is copied entire : To y* Inhabitants of y* town of Amisbury,

2 I would have you understimd y* 1 am not unsensible of your low estate nor unwilling to take share w*** you or to comply w**» you under your sufferings by reason of y* publi(|ue calamity, the reason why many think so and have said so is ( as I take it ) l)ecause every one feeleth their own sufferings and not mine ; If I should adict myself to be as strict w*^ many as I might I could verify their words.

3 As to y« principal matter in hand 1 comply w»^ you and your act upon these conditions and terms viz : i That all acts votes and agreements respecting my settlement in y' worke of y* Ministry amongst you and my maintainance for y* same before that date Oct 25 : 89 before y* time unrepealed shall stand good and in full force virtue and ef)icacy to all true intents constructions and pur|X)ses w'soever. 2**ly That of y* bove men- tioned date and all other since shall stand repealed and made voyd. 3''ly That as to yearly maintainance i I will abate either my fire wood or ten pound p' ann : at my own choyce according as I shall see cause to propound to y« Selectmen of y« towne from yeare to yeare about Michaelmus ; and y' during y« continuance of these wars and so long after untill y' y« publifiue extraordinary charges there of shall be defrayed in y* irountry and y* after y* time ten pounds more p' ann shall be iidded to my maintainance beside my fire wood in equal contlition w**» y*-* fonner; 4ly If it should please God afterward (luring my service in y* kind to visit us with further calamities n( y* nature I promise to make such fiiturc abntcmcnts as shall in ccjuity or honesty be desired or as may be by any rational Indifferent honest man be judged suitable. 5ly That if you comply w*'^ these proposals y* y« substance of this my 3d and last answer unto you especially y* conditions propounded be entered upon record in y« town book as y* final and last conclusion betwixt you and I iff you are not disposed to comply w*^ y« tc-nns above propotuided I only recpiest you never to trouble mee more with proposals upon this account Just as you l)lease I may be you Serv* Tho Wells."

**Att y* same metting it was votted they would comply with Mr. Wells in y* severall pertickelers as he sent it in writing to us." Thus summarily ended a controversy that had continued for many years.

'I1ie most noted event of this year was the accusation, trial and conviction of Susanna Martin as a witch. Most people were, at this lime, believers in witches, and strange events were generally accounted for in that way. Whatever could not be explained readily was attributed to the agency of witchcraft, and there is but little doubt that persons thus accused, or commonly thought to be in league with the devil, were in some instances shrewd enough to take advantage of such superstition to obtain their ends by way of help or some other benefit. The public were credulous and superstitious, and the wonderful stories about witches riding through the air in tunnels and on broomsticks, happy and joyous on their nightly missions of evil, was just as much believed as the Good Book, which they so greatly reverenced. In fact, within the memory of some now living, these wonderful feats were credited and witches feared. It afforded a very effectual way to punish an enemy or vent one's spite upon a neighbor. From all that we can learn after much research and careful consideration, the conclusion is reached that Susanna was above the average in intellectual and moral courage, being an outspoken, fearless woman, but very far from being a hypocrite. She was the daughter of Richard North, one of the first settlers in Salisbury, and was married to (]eorgc Martin as second wife in 1646. At the time of her trial she was a widow, her husband having been dead some six or seven years. Her children were all of age and, as a natural consequence, the whole management of the farm fell upon her at a dme when woman's rights were but little respected. She was to some extent dependant upon her friends for labor, and thus came in contact with rough and sometimes uncivil persons, who would not have ventured to treat their male friends so ill.

I'he complaint came from Salem, but John Allen says, in his deposition before Robert Pike, that James Freez* was the instigator of it. She lived on the south-west side of the hill, a little east of the late A(|uilla Martin's, on the old ''Himt's lane,'* where John l*ressy (who will figure somewhat conspicuously in the trial) would pass on his way from the Ferry to his home near South Amesbury.

Judging that the reader will l>e interesteil to know al)out this fatal delusion and the summary process pursued in the trial of suspected persons, we have taken pains to copy the court file of the arrest and trial, and give it entire, as follows : - you are in their Majes^" names hereby required forthwith or as soon as may be to apprehend and bring ( before vs ) Susanna Mertin of Amsbury in y* county of Essex Widdow at y*' house of L' Nathaniel Ingersalls in Salem village in order to her exam- ination Relating to high suspicion of sundry acts of Witchcraft donne or committed by her upon y« Bodys of Mary Walcot, Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam and Mercy IvCwis of Salem village or fnrmes whereby great hurl and damage hath beene donne to y* bodys of said persons according to comp'* of Capt. Jonathan Wakot & Serg Thomas putnam in behalf of their Majes'* this dny exhibited before us for themselves and also for several of thcirt* neighbors and here you are not to fail at your peril.

according to this Warrant I have ap|)rchended Susanna Martin Widdow of Amsbury and have brong or caused her to \y^ brought to the place appointed for her examination p' Me Stile m village this 2(1 May i6g2.

Witnesses : John Pressy and wife and John Kimball and wife of Amesbury, Jc)hn Allen, Harnard Peach, Jos. Ringg, William Urown, Jarvis Kingg and Mary, wife of Nathaniel Whitcher, of Sjilisbury, James Freeze,* Joseph Knight, John Atkinson, wife and son, of Newbury.

But the afflicted falling into fits when she did but look upon them, she was asked the Reason of it, and answered she could not tell, it may be the devil lK)re her more malice than another.

So she was committed, and being brought to her Tryal the following Witnesses appeared to support the Charge of Witch i:raf\ against her, besides the Accusation of the Afflicted.

John Allen, of Salisbury testified, that he refusing, because of the weakness of his oxen, to cart some staves at the request of this Martin, she was displeased at it, anfl said, it had been as good that he had, for his oxen should never do him much more service. VVhereuix)n this deponent said, Dost thou threaten me, thou old Witch? 1*11 throw thee into the brook; which to avoid she flew over the bridge, and escaped. But as he was going home, one of his oxen tired, so that he was forced to unyoke him that he might get him home. He then put his oxen, with many more, upon Salisbury-beach, where cattle used to get flesh. In a few days, all the oxen upon the beach were found by their tracks to have nm unto the mouth of Merrimack river, and not returned ; but the next day they were found come ashore upon Plum Island. They that sought them used all imiginable gentleness ; but they would nm away with a violence that seemed wholly diabolical, till they came near the Mouth of Merrimack-river when they ran right into the sea, swimming as far as they could be seen. One of them then swam back again, with a swiftness amazing to the beholder, who stood ready to receive him, and help up his tired carcass ; but the beast ran furiously up into the island, and from thence through the marshes, up into Newbury-town, and so up into the woods ; and after a while was found near Amesbury. So, that of fourteen good oxen, there was only this saved : the rest were all cast up, some in one place, some in another, drowned.

John Atkinson testified, that he exchanged a cow with a son of Susannah Martin, whereat she mutterd, and was unwilling he should hnve it. (loing to receive this cow, though he hamstringed her, and haltered her, she of a tame creauture grew so mad, that they could scarce get her along. She broke all the ropes that were fastened unto her ; and though she was tied fast unto a tree, yet she made her escape, and gave them such fiirther trouble, as they could ascribe to no cause but witchcraft.

saw Susanna Martin come in, and jiunp down upon the floor. She took hold of the deponent's feet, and, drawing his Ixxly up into an heap, she lay upon him near two hours ; in all which time he could neither s|)eak nor stir. At length, when he could begin to move, he laid hold on her hand, and pulling it up to his mouth, he bit three of her fingers, as he judged, to the l)one ; whereupon she went from the chamber down stairs, out at the door. This deponent then called u|X3n the people of the house to advLse them of what passed ; and he himself followed her. The people saw her not ; but there l)eing a bucket at the left hand of the door, there was a drop of blood on it, and several more drops u|>on the snow, newly fallen abroad. There was likewise the print of her two feet just without the threshold ; but no more sign of any footing further off.

At another time this deponent was desired by the prisoner to come to husking of com, at her house ; and she said, " If he tlid not come, it were l)etter that he did." He went not ; but the night following, Susanna Martin, as he judged, and another, i:ame towards him. One of them said, " Here he is ;" but he, liaving (|uaterstaff, made a blow at them ; the roof of the barn broke his blow ; but, following them to the window, he made another blow at them, and struck them down ; yet they got up, and got out, and he saw no more of them. .About this time, there was a rumor about town that Martin had a broken head ; l)ut the deponent could say nothing to that. 'i1ie s;iid I'eache also testified, the bewitching of cattle to death, upon Martin tli.scontents.

Robert Downer testified, that this prisoner being some years ago prosecuted at court for a witch, he then saiil mUo her " he believed she was a witi:h." Whereat she being . diss;itislied, said, "that some she-devil would shortly fetch him away;" which words were hearil by others, as well as himself. The night following, as he lay in his bed, there came in at the window the likeness of a i:at, which flew upon him and took fast hold of his throat, lay on him a considerable time, and almost killed him ; at length he remembered what Susanna Martin had threatened the day before, and with much striving he cried out. "Avoid, thou she-devil; in the name of (lod the Father, the Son, and the Holy (Ihost, avoid;" whereupon it left him. leaped on the floor, and flew out at the window.

And there, also, came in several testimonies that before even I )owner spoke a word of this accident, Susanna Martin and her fcmily hati relatc<l how this Downer ha<l been handled.

John Kimball testified that Susanna Martin, u])on a causeless disgust, had threatened him about a certain cow of his^ that she should never do him any more good, and it came to pass accordingly, for soon after the cow was found stark dead on the dry ground, without any dislem])er to be discerned upon her; upon which he was followecl with a strange death upon more of his cattle, whereof he lost in one spring to the valve of ;^*30. Hut the said John Kimball ha<l further testimony to give in against the prisoner, which was truly admirable.* Being desirous to furnish himself with a dog, he applied himself to buy one of this Martin, who had a bitc:h with whelps at her house ; but she not letting him have his choice, he said he would sup])ly himself then at one Hlazdel's. Having marked a pupy which he liked at lilazdel's, he met (ieorge Martin, the husl)and of the prisoner, going by, who asked whether he would not have one of his wife's puppies, and he answered no. The same <lay one Kdmund ICliot, being at Martin's house, heard (leorge Martin relate where this Kemball liad been and what he had said, where upon Susanna Martin replied, ** If I live I'll give him puppies enough." Within a few days after this, Kemball coming out of the woods, there arose a little black cloud in the north-west and Kemball immediately felt a force upon him which made him not able to avoid running upon the stumps of trees that were before him, although he had a broad, plain cart-way before him ; but though he had his axe on his shoulder to endanger him in his falls, he could not forbear going out of his way to tumble over them. When he came below the Meetinghotise there appeared t(» him a little thing like a ptippy, of a darkish colour, and it shot backwards and forwards between his legs. He had the courage to use all |K>ssible endeavors to cut it with his axe, but he could not hit it ; the puppy gave a jump from him, and went, as to him it seemed, into the ground. Going a little further, there appeared unto him a black puppy, somewhat bigger than the first, but as black as a coal. Its motions were quicker than those of his axe. It flew at his belly, and at his throat, so over his shoulders one way, and then over his shoulders another way. His heart now l)egan to fail him, and he thought the dog would have tore his throat out ; but he recovered himself, and called upon God in his distress, and naming the name of Jesus Christ, it vanished away at once. The de|K>nent spoke not one word of these accidents for fear of affrighting his wife. But the next morning, Edmund Eliot going into Martin's house, this woman asked him where Kimball was. He replied, "At home, a-bed, for ought he knew" she returned, "They say he was frighted last night." IClliot asked "With what?" She answered, "With puppies." Eliot asked where she heard of it, for he had heard nothing of it. She rejoined, " Al)out town ;" although Kimball liad mentioned the matter to no creature living.

William Brown testified, that Heaven having blessed him with a most pious and prudent wife, this wife of his one day met with Susanna Martin ; but when she approached just unto her, Martin vanished out of sight, and lef\ her extremely affrighted. After which time the said Martin often ap{>eared unto her, giving her no litde trouble ; and when she di<l come, she was visited with birds, that sorely pecked and pricked her ; and sometimes a bunch like a pullet's egg would rise on her throat, ready to choke her, till she cTicd out, ** Witch, you shan't choke me!" While this good wourm was in this extremity, the church appointed a day of prayer on her behalf; whereupon the trouble ceased ; she saw not Martin as formerly ; and the church, instead of their fast, gave thanks for her deliverance. Hut a considerable while after, she being summoned to give in some evidence at the court against this Martin, quickly this Martin came behind her, while she was milk- iiig her cow, and said unto her, " For thy defaming nie at court, I'll make thee the miserablest creature in the world." Soon after which, she fell into a strange kind of distemper, and became horribly frantic, and uncapable of any reasonable action ; the physicians declaring that her distemper was preternatural, and that some devil had certainly bewitched her ; and in that condition she now remained.

Kirnh Atkinson testified, that Susanna Martin came from Amcsbury, to their house at Newbury, in an extraordinary season, when it was not fit for any one to travel. She came all that long way on foot. She bragged and showe<l how dry she was ; nor could it be perceived that so much as the soles of her shoes were wet. Atkinson was amazed at it, and professed that she should herself have been wet up to her knees, if she had then come so far ; but Martin replied " she scorned to be drabbled." It was noted that this testimony, upon her trial, cast her into a very singular confusion.

John Pressy testified, that being one evening very unaccountably bewildered near a field of Martin, and several times as one under an enchantment, returning to the place he had left, at length he saw a marvelous light, about the bigness of an half bushel, near two rods out of the way. He went and stmck at it with a stick, and laid it on with all his might. He gave it near forty blows, and felt it a palpable substance. But going from it, his heels were struck up, and he was laid with his l)ack on the ground ; he sliding as he thought, into a pit ; from whence he recovered, by taking hold on a bush ; although afterwards he could find no such pit in the place. Having after his recovery gone five or six rods, he saw Susanna Martin standing on his left hand, as the light had done before ; but they exchanged no words with one another. He could scarce find his house in his return ; but at length got home, extremely affrighted. The next day it was upon inquiry understood, that Martin was in a miserable condition, by pains and hurts that were u|)on her.

she gave him foul wonts about it, and said '*he should never prosper; and more |>articular]y that he should never have more than two cows : that though he were ever so likely to have more, yet he should never have them ;" and that, from that ver)- day to this nainely for twenty yeani together, he could never exceed that numlter, hut some strange thing or other slill prevented his having any more.

Jarvis Ring testified, ihat al>out seven years ago he was oftentimes grievously oppressed in the night, but saw not what iroublcd hiu), until at length he, lying perfectly awake, plainly saw Susanna Martin approach him ; she came to him, and forcibly bit him by the finger ; so that the print of the bite is now, so long after, to be seen u|)on him.

But besides all these evidences, there was a most wonderful account of one Joseph Ring produced on this occasion. This man has been strangely carried alx)ut, by daemons, from one witch-meeting to another, for near two years together ; and for one (|uarter of this time they made him and kept him diunb. though he is now again able to speak.

There was one T. H.* who, having, as 'tis 'judged, a design to engage this Joseph Ring in a snare of ilevilism, contrived to bring this Ring two shillings in debt unto him. Afterwards this |KK>r man would be visited with imknown sha|)es, and this T. 11. sometimes among them ; which woukl force him away with them, unto unknown places, where he s;iw meetings, feastings, danctings ; and after his return wherein they hurried him along through the air, he gave demonstrations to the neighbors that he had been so transported. This man athnned that he saw Susanna Martin at several of these hellish meetings.

Joseph .Ring's testimony was nothing but the foolish story of one who was trying to outdo everybody by telling the big gest lie, and should have had no weight at all. Such men took advantage of the credulity of the times. John Kiml>all was a prominent man in town but full of the superstitions of the times and had been for many years her enemy and now saw a good opportunity to punish her.

John I'ressey's srene on the night that he came from the Kerry and crossed her land on his way home, was very much like one on another occasion when on his way home from the same ])lace. He came home some time in the night very much the worse for wear - clothes badly torn and neck-handkerchief entirely gone - in short, he was in a bad condition. He said he had had a serions fight with wolves when half way home, and thought he would have been killed, but barely escaped with his life, bleeding and sadly scratched. P'arly next morning the neighbors were n roused to go down and examine the locality and perha|)S find a dead wolf or two. They proceeded in the usual path, which was easily found in daylight, and soon found a large thorn-bush with his neck-hamlkerchief finely intertwined aroinid the branches and thorns. Here was the scene of his clark fight with the wolves, and narrow escape with his life. This story, as handed down by tradition, has more of reality in it than any witch testimony ever offered.

John Allen was a rum-seller, being an innholder in Salisbury, antl his evidence was warped by his interest, hate and prejudices ; and so with other witnesses ; although believing firmly in witch<Taft, yet they selected those they disliked as pro|)er persons to deal in that black art. Hut there are no witches now to trouble peoj)le - there were none then, and people generally were greatly deceived in this matter. lUit this dial)olical work went on until the accusations reached the relatives of Cotton Mather and the governor's wife, when it came to an abrupt termination.

At the session of the court, January 3d, 1693, the grand jury brought in *' I«iu»ir:unus" in thirty <ascs ;ind twenty-six other bills were disnusscd, while only three persons were convicted, and immediately pardoned by the governor. The reaction pursued the Rev. Mr. Paris, in whose house the thing first c!om nienced, till he was removed from his charge at Saleni.

When the humbug exploded there were one hundred and fifty in jail awaiting trial and two himdred more accused. The fearfiil evil it might have wrought, had it been allowed to continue, ran hardly be imagined. The idea of snatching this hard-work ing, honest woman from her home to be tried for her life by those who never knew her, and witnesses who were prejudiced against her, some of whom had been instructed, no doubt, how to act their part at the trial, is almost too much for belief. Enemies had watched their op|K>rtunity, secret informen> had rc|X)rtcd her to the junta at Sulcni, which held the lives of all in their bloody hands. Allowed no counsel, she was her own lawyer, and her answers are remarkable for inde|)endence and clearness. Slie showed herself to be a woman of more than orilinary talent anil resolution.

When she saw Orlando Bagley approaching on the morning of her arrest, little did she dream of his errand. He was a personal friend of long standing, and we can but faintly imagine her surprise when he made known his errand by reading the warrant, 'llie mental anguish and suffering of the two and a half months while she lay in Salem jail, previous to her execution, is beyond our power of description, and we leave the subject with the reader to draw his own conclusions.

At this early day the office was not wliat it became at a later period : merely for the regulation of mischievous lK>ys in meeting, but was, really, an imjxjrtant one, with clearly defined ix)wers. In 1698 a statute was enacted more clearly defining the duties, and from that is quoted, as follows : -

*' Whose duty it shall be carefully to inspect all licensed houses and to infonn of all disorders or misdemeanours which they shall iliscover or know to be committed in them, or any of them, to a justice of the peace, or sessions of the peace within the same county, as also of all such as shall sell by retail, without license, and other disorders or misdemeanours committed in any such house, and in like manner to present or inform of all idle and disorderly |>ersons, profane swearers or cursers, sabbath breakers, and the like offenders.**

Their duties were somewhat similar to those of state constables of the present clay. As an inducement to faithfulness they were to receive the benefit of informers, that, no doubt, meaning a certain portion of the fines. Their badge of office was "a black staff of two feet long, tipt at one end with brass about three inches, as a badge of their office, to be provided by the Selectmen at the charge of the town." It was an office of the times, peculiarly adapted to the regulation of church and state, but destined to die out under the march of improvement. The last tithing men were chosen in 1833, viz. : Daniel P. Locke and Knos RcndnVk.

Francis Davis lived at the river, near the house of the late Ira Miles, a little to the west of the ice house built a few years ago. The old house I well remember, but, with most of the ancient houses, it has been torn down.

John Martin, son of George Martin, sen., died this year, aged forty-three years. He was a blacksmith and, probably, learned the trade of his father. His shop and tools were appraised at ;^55 and his homestead at X8o- ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^.t Brandy brow, and at the old pines at Goodale*s hill. His stock consisted of two oxen, three cows, two yearlings, two calves and fifleen sheep. He lived at the west end of the town, in the vicinity of Red Oak hill.

The Indians were very troublesome at this time, notwithstanding Sir William Phipps, the governor, had tried every means to bring them' over to the English. Es|)ecially after his death, which took place at Ix)ndon ( whither he liad been summoned by the king to answer to the accusation of his enemies ) on February 1 8th, 1694 or 1695. These eastern Indians now made descents upon nearly all the towns, committing murdeni, carr)'- ing off the inhabitants into captivity not much better tlian death, and burning and destroying wherever they went.

"Sept. 4. Mr. Joseph Pike of Newbury Deputy Sheriff of Essex travelling with one Long between Amesbury and Haverhill in execution of the duties of his office fell into an ambuscade of the enemy, and both he and his companion were murdered." lliis murder was said to have been committed on the ridge near Oilman Merriirs, a little west of the brook which crosses the road.

It may have been at this time that one Roweil, who was a mail carrier between Newbury and Portsmouth, was killed in Patten's hollow. The date of the murder is uncertain, as our only authority is tradition.

ITie bounds of John Weed's ten-acre lot at the "Indian ground " was defined this year, as follows : " East by the town highway, on y« south Merrimack river, on y« West with y« land of ICdmond r2liot, on y« North with y** lots of Samuel Foot, Walter Taylor and William Huntington." I'his lot is now owned by Thomas Page, where his Imrn sets, and here the famous Indian mortar was found worked out in a rock that would weigh a ton or more, and large enough for the use of the whole Indian village.

Town meetings npon legall warning given them at a reasonable time of y^ clay and for their non appearance shall pay as a fine two shillings a day to be disposed of for the youse of the towne." 'I'he fine was about the same as the pay for a day's work, so that nothing was gained by staying away.

Persons were prohibited from cutting timber on the common at the i>ond plain, joining the road from the burying ground to Tappan ICmery*s, under penalty of two shillings per tree.

Thomas Fowler and Thomas Stevens were chosen to take care of this common land, with the privilege of planting part of it, and were to set "apletrees" upon it for the town's use and were, also, allowed the fallen wood for their "payns."

Mr. Wells was chosen "to be a school Master for y* Town of Amesbury for this year insuing" and "I^ft Sargent Jjed Barnard and Orlando IJaglcy" were to adjust the terms.

'I1ie Indians were again on the war-path, and Sergt. John Hoyt, son of John Hoyt, sen., and a Mr. Peters were killed by them while in Andover, on the road to Haverhill, August 7th. He had held various offices in town : was constable, lotlayer, committee to return the bounds of land, etc.

His experience as constable was not of a very pleasant nature owing to some arrears of taxes which he had collected but not paid over. In short, he was a defaulter on a small scale and, in consequence, found himself in Salem jail, from which he had no means of escai)e, unless the General Court thought proper to release him. Accordingly he sent the following petition to the (Jeneral Court : -

"To the Hon^Mheir Maj»'*^« ('.rent and (^enerall Court of the IVovince of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, now sitting in Boston by adjourn mcnt March 6th 1694-5.

'Hiat yo^ Petition^ is now in Prison unci' an b^xcculion for the Nonsatisfaction of the arrears of the rates comitted to him to collect whilest he was Constable of Amesbury. That your Petition*^ has Lately mett with great losses, haveing had his house plundered by the Indians, and has been visited with much sickness through the holy afflicting hand of god upon him, besides sundry of the persons from whomc many of s^ arrcarcs Ik: clue are Ix^th dead & removed out of y« Towne. Now forasmuch as yo' poore petition^ by the providence of God is reduced to a necessitous condition, and wholly uncapacitated, by reason of his confinement, to doo any thing for himself & family or y« paym* of s** arreares for y* present, he therefore humbly entreats the favor of this high & hon*»*« Court to Consider the premisses, by being pleased to grant unto him two or three yeares space for paym' therof, as also for areleasm' from his confinem*.

"Voted upon Reading the Petition, above s<* that s<* Petition' is granted his Request provided he give security to m' Treasurer to pay s<* money within two years into the Treasury, March 8th 1694-5 past in the affirmative by the house of Representatives & sent up to the hon'abie \X Governor & Council for consent. Nehemiah Jnvctt, Speaker ^

The probability is that he never paid ihe arrears, as he was killed within two years of his release, on returning from a visit to his daughter Dorothie, living in Andover.

This year is, also, noted for the famous descent made upon Haverhill, in which thirty-nine persons were carried olT or killed, and among the prisoners was Hannah Dustin, whose heroism has been handed down to us in history. Her memory will be perpetuated by the monument which has been erected near the spot where the massacre occurred.

house,** and, at the brow of the hill, next the river, it was to 1)e forty rods broad. There was a small brook running into the river in the middle of this road and landing. The exact termination is not known, as it was never worked or fenced, in all probability.

'I'he little chur(*h built some thirty-two years ago was now hnnlly larp[c cnoiii^h to accommodate all with convenient seats, and Mr. Wells, (whose family should have been well provided for, as a matter of courtesy) sent a petition to the town meeting for liberty to build a pew on the outside of the house, opening into the congregation. Such an addition might be convenient, but could not improve the looks of the meeting-house much.

These request you to grant mee y* liberty to build a place fcr y*^ use of my family on y*^ outside of y* meeting house betwixt y* south doore & south wast corner thereof & to make a convenient opening to y* congregation not damnifying y*^ meeting house nor any room or seat or place therein upon the forfeiture of treble damages & in so granting my request I relinquish all my interest that I have in an old grant of liberty to take in half of that seat \v^^ my wife now sits in for that end I remain your servant Thomas IVeils^

It is now more than thirty years since the meeting house was built - small at first - and the increase of population, though not rapid, must have been enough to more than fill it, provided all attended regularly. His petition was granted on his own conditions.

William J^arnes died March 14th, and was, no doubt, the last of the first eighteen who organized the town in 1655. He was one of the most prominent of the number, holding the office of selectman twelve years, was moderator at sixteen meetings, commissioner to end small cases five years, juror, constable, chosen to assist in correcting the clerk's l)ook, one of the committee to purchase a house for the minister, and served the town in many other ways. He is said to have come from England in 1635 ^^ ^^^ ''(jlobe Jeremy Blackman Mr/' at the age of twenty- two, with iiassengers for Virginia. 'ITiis would make him eighty-five years old at the time of his death. His trade was that of a house-carpenter. His wife, Rachel, died Febniary 9th, 1686.

Hannah, bom January 25th, 1643 or 1644, married John Prowse, died May 27th, 1688; Deborah, born April i, 1646, married Samuel Davis December 19th, 1663 ; Jonathan, bom April ist, 1648, died young; Rachel, bom April 30th, 1649, married

.Again we find the meeting house loo small to acconuntxlate the people, and the only remedy found practicable was to build galleries. An appropriation of j£^ was made to meet the exjien-

"Att y* same meeting it was voted y* Robert Quenby, Sam" Currier, Sam" Jones, Jonathan Hlasdell and William Hoyt jr shall have liberty to have so much room in y« north side of y* meeting house as Joseph I^nckester sen an Orlando Hagley think convanant to build them a seat provided they do maintain y« north window well glast."

At times considerable trouble had been experienced in regard to the boundary line between Amesbury and Haverhill on account of the large meadows in the vicinity, which yielded a large amount of hay annually. Fresh meadows were valuable in the early days of the settlement and hence we find all such tracts Uiken uj>. At this time (May 29th) no line had been established and the patience of the people being exhausted, it was "Votted y* y* town would complaine and prosecute y* town of Haverhill for refusing to preambulate y* line between them i^ us with us."

Tradition has handed down the story of a fight over the grass growing on these disputed meadows. Haverhill people were in the linbit of cutting this grass, coming with a large gang of hands, who were instructed to drive off Amesbury men, which they effectually did for a while, but this year Amesbury was not to be foiled and resorted to the meadows with a strong gang ready to stand their ground. A fight with scythes and forks could hardly be a very pleasant affair, and yet it is said that such a battle ensued. The list of killed and wounded has not been handed down to us, and it may be sufficient to say that Ameslniry maintained her rights in such a manner that there were no more infringements.

At a general meeting, held March 20th, " it was voted to leave it to y« Selectmen to procure a School Master or school Dames that may suj)ply the town." At a subsetjuent meeting, held May 29th, "it was voted y* y* town wouUl alow six i>ounds a year towards y*" niainlay nance of a Sc:hooI Master."

We have now seen during the last half century the beginning of n sell lenient west of the " Powawas River" in a wilderness which had lain desolate for an unknown period, inhabited only by savages and wild beasts. The unbroken forest had sent aloft its waving boughs to catch the early beams of the morning sun, which the unscared birds were wont to greet with their cheerful notes; but there was no one to admire this grand old scenery or enchanting songs. Nature had very nearly had its way, and not a single trace of civilization was any where to be found. All was rough and wild, requiring patient labor to fit this territory for comfortable homes.

'i'he poineers were, however, men of strong frames and iron wills, well fitted to subdue the forest and lay the foundations of a town or state. And well did they perfonn their part. Although not highly educated, yet they were good, practicable business men and honest in their convictions of right and wrong.

The little band ordered away from Salisbury organized into a community for the common good. Scarcely a decade passes ere a church is built and a minister obtained to teach them in spiritual things. Their number increases, sons and daughters are l>om, and general prosperity attends their efTorts. In the midst of a savage and relentless foe they have exjiericnced a remarkable preservation, for which their thanks went forth to that kind Providence, of whose signal favors they were fully sensible.

Most of the land had been divided into lots and freely given to the pennanent settlers. Nor had new comers been excUiiled, but received "townships" and were at once granted all the rights enjoyed by the original eighteen. All contributed to the common expense of the plantation, which was very light at first.

There was great change in this half century, greater than thousands of years had witnessed up to the present. The civil authority, church and school were as yet but faintly marked out, although shadowed forth in an encouraging light. Science, in the form of machinery, had been called in and agriculture had drawn firom the earth food for man and beast. Wheat, com, rye and barley yielded abundantly on the new and fertile soil. The colony is now permanently established and nothing but the hand of Providence can blot it from the earth.

gather in social meetings, and the regular service on Sundays was about all that was held. No doubt this proposition met with a hearty response from the faithful minister.

'ITiis year is es]>ecially noted for the controversy with that spicy old gentleman, "Maj' Robert Pike'* of Salisbury. From the laying out of the town at East Salisbury to the present, he has taken a very prominent part in affairs : preacher, major and associate for holding courts in Norfolk county, of which Salisbury was a shire town, he had a wide field for displaying his |>eculiar talents. Honest he was, but not over winning and gentlemanly in his manners.

In 1665 a committee was chosen to obtain him "to be helpful to us in the work of the Ministry,'* but he wisely dcclineil the invitation, choosing a course more in accordance with his tistes and incliuntions. When, in 1659, he received a grant of sixty acres of land on condition that he "come and live in Amesbury,** it is possible that he was expected to preach. The condition he never complied with, but sul)sc<|uently l)ought sevcnil lots at the In<lian groiuid. A tier of twenty-six lots was laid out at the river in 1659, beginning at the Buttonwood road and extending northerly from the river. Mr. Pike bought lots Nos. I, 2 and 3 at different periods and, also, John Weed's ten -acre lot on the corner where Mr. Page's bam now stands, and, also, the six-acre lot on the opposite comer where Mr. Page's house is located, originally granted to William Sargent, and a lot of an Indian woman named Jane, lying north of the corner one and extending up the hill, so that he owned land on both sides of the road. At this time and, perhaps, for some years his great ngc prevented him from often visiting his lan<l here, and he was obliged to trust to the reports of others, however incorrect they might be. He had just learned that the town had laid out a road forty rods wide through his Indian ground without notifying him or making him any recompense. Although the re|)ort was without the least foundation, it drew from him a very spicy letter, (to use no harsher term) which may be worth perusing, and is inserted entire. The town voted that it should be kept in the town l)ook, no doubt deeming it a great curiosity : - 19

GentUmen: I presume you do not forget that about this time twelve month at your then asemhly I presented you with my sence of tlic abuse lion unto nic in tlic laying my ImUkI at the Indian ground coman.

first a highway of forty rode wide and bounding the same ICst upon coman anil the same recorded in your town lMM)k all without any knowlig of mine thereby recording falsly my l^nd to be yours a thing of the like was hardly ever heard of among sober men.