Merrimac Town (part 5 of 9)

His first appearance as a preacher was in Newbury, where he preached and, also, at the Shoals, before coming to Amesbury. Thoroughly educated and possessing brilliant talent, his first appearance evidently made a very favorable impression. Nor did his record during his long pastorate disapix)int his admirers. On his first appearance in town, Mr. Hubbard was popular, giving excellent satisfaction by his labors, and not a word of complaint was heard from any. But the young preacher's eloquence was too powerful for the people to withstand - they followed enchanted by the wonls which fell from his li[)s. They went about repairing and finishing the minister's house, gave him the minister's land and several other lots, and seemed to work with a will hitherto unknown.

In Newbury he married a lady by the name of Parker and was blessed with seven sons and three daughters. His pastorship extended through many trying times, when his people could hardly raise salary enough to support him. Indian wars, citi7ens murdered and carried into captivity, unfruitful seasons and many other trials were not uncommon. He was obliged to preach when it was dangerous to travel to church, especially so far as " Jamaco." All these troubles prevented the people from raising sufficient crops at times to supply their wants ; but, under these trials, he was ever ready to suffer with his ])cople, and more than once voluntarily abated part of his salar)'. At times vexed with the peculiarities of his church, yet he was ever ready to bear and forbear. He was, however, prompt to s])cak his mind in regard to their course as well as his own. The times in which he lived, although not particularly noted for free speech, were somewhat remarkable for plain language, and, in answer to a vote of the town touching his continued services, he conuncnccs thus : " I had a great deal rather you would su|)ply yourselves better," and closes by charging them to never let him hear more from them unless they accept his terms, signing "Just as you please I am your humble servant."

For many years he kept the book of births and deaths, and his penmanship was good, plain and Iwld. It is presumed that he was settled according to the custom of those times, which was for life ; and yet the town seldom failed to vote on continuing his lalx)rs another year. In fact, more than once it was voted that the town was free from him and he from the town.

He was not wholly dependent upon his salary for his living, as his good management had enabled him to become quite a land-holder. He lived in his own house nearly the whole of his long ministry. He kept a horse and some other stock. In 1694 he had a white horse; in 1708 and 1709 he had a black, white-faced mare; in 17 10 he had a -brown-bay horse; in 1711 a blackish mouse-colored horse, and in 1712 "a brown-bay horse, grisdy crooked Blase on his forehead and right eye walled." Judging by the description it might seem that his judgment was not qtiite as good on horses as on other matters, since it rather looks as if his "white horse" of 1694 was worth more than the comical "Walled eye" of 1712. He is said to have lived on the premises now owned by the heirs of the late Capt. William Ikirtlett, just south of the Academy lot on the nmin street, where the lilacs still mark the spot.

During the last few years the Rev. lulmund March was his assistant, as age had unfitted him to some extent for the perfonnance of all the reijuired duties. At what time Mr. March came to Amesbiury we are imable to state ; but a meeting was held in 1722 for the pur|)ose of taking measures to secure the service of an assistant, but nothing was done. He was in town in 1728 and bought ten acres of land of Nathaniel Weed, where he afterwards built his. house.

At the re([uest of more than thirty of the princiial citizens the town voted to join with Newbury in petitioning the court of sessions to establish a ferry at Savage's rock. The selectmen were chosen a committee to work in concert with the selectmen of Newbury for that pur|>ose. They were not successful and the town again applied to the quarter court in September at Newbury, John Blasdell being employed as agent.

Capt. Hook was still holding the ferry anil annoying the town by his law cases. He had recently commenced an action against Batt Moulton and Edmund Cottle, which was soon to be tried at Newbury, 'i'he town made choice of John Hlasilell to defend its interests, but he was not successful, the town losing the cose. An appeal was taken to the superior court and Ensign Thomas Rowell and William Moulton were chosen to manage the case for the town. In the mean time a committee was chosen to treat with Capt. Hook, but nothing was accomplished. He was an obstinate fellow and bound to have his way.

Oct. 13th. A meeting was held and it was "voted to have our county of Essex divided into two counties," and Representative hlasdell was instructed to present the matter to the (Jeneral Court.

Henry Flood was very poor and had a son who was a cripple and nna1)1c to work, and lo prevent his ever being a paiil>er he presented the following petition to the annual meeting : -

The father and town acted wisely : the one to provide for tlie future welfare of his son, the other to prevent his becoming chargeable to the town for a long series of years, as would most certainly have been the case.

Ichabod Coll)y was now inn-holder at lkirtlett*s corner, and the meeting of October 13th adjourned to his house. He was the husband of the famous Fsther Colby, who continued the tavern for many years.

June 2fii. Jacob ^terrill died. Tradition says that he was accidentally shot, although the record does not mention the fart. About 1722 Abraham Merrill, then in Newbury, opi^osite Pleasant valley, and his three sons, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and two daughters, sold his fiirm and came across the river to

The following is a list of "y« people called Quakers in y« east parish that are exempt by y^ court from paying any tax towards y* support of ministers in this province :

This year we find Dr. Hale taxed for a farm in the West parish, on which Mr. Mitchell lived, but find no tax after 1 736, when he probably was in town.

The most noted event of the year was the new road from the road at Clapboard landing to the road at Cottle's landing. To o|)en this two rod way along the river, the owners agreed lo give the land, their object being " to incourage trade and for the conveancy for traveling was the subscribers prone to lay open a highway of two rods wide forever for the town's use." One of the pleasantest drives in Amesbury and Merrimac is along the banks of the river where up to this time there was no road, and through Pleasant valley not till half a century later.

It seems to have been sickly this year, more deaths than usual being recorded. Jacob Jones died June 2d. Thomas Fowler lost two children, and Rev. Pain Wingate his two oldest.

A new move was made this year looking to the erection of a house for the reception of iille persons by several towns in this section of the county. It was designed to answer the same purpose as the present house of correction at Ipswich. The stocks so hastily built in 1730 hardly answered all ])uri)0ses, and hence this move, which failed to meet the views of other towns. Orlando liagley and Thomas Rowell were chosen to consult with other towns in regard to the matter.

The schoolniaster was annually provided, but there is no mention of female teachers at this date. The trustees of the First bank were ordered to pay the schoolmaster for "y« use of y^ town fifteen pounds ten shillings."

Wolves were again getting troublesome and the selectmen were authorized to pay- ** forty shillings for killing of a wolf for as many as shall be killed in s«» town and y« heads brought and so sartifycd to y*^ Selectmen of s^ town by y« person or persons so killing them."

A road recently laid out through William Moulton's land in the West parish occasioned a great ileal of trouble for a couple of years. He had been awarded ^15 damages by the town, which was not satisfactory, and an addition of jQio was made, which did not satisfy him.

To get rid of this dispute a meeting was called August ist, and it was "voted to allow and pay to Capt. Thomas Hoyt one hundred pounds of money for an open way or Road of two rods in width through his l.nid whereon his son Jacob now dwells, beginning at y*^ Northwest corner of Hannah Grant's land near her dwelling house and so through said Capt Hoyts land to y^ highway near y* ould Fort."

Thus ended this troublesome, affair. The exact location of this road can hardly be determined by the record, the bounds of it being "a red oak tree" or "a stump and stones." It was, however, in the vicinity of the old fort, which, probably, meant Capt. Foot's.

" In y^ spring of y* yeare in 1737 was an extrordenry seaseinn for hay by which reason maney chatell in y« countrey wear lost and many others brought very low.

have the whole matter adjusted, and, accordingly, the Clreat General Court acconi|>anied by the governor and council passed through Newbury and Salisbury on their way to the disputed territory near Hampton. Perliaps the incident cannot be better described than by quoting the clTusion of some witty iK)et, who thus sings : -

" Dear paddy you never did behold such a sight. As yesterday morning was seen before night Vou in all you born days saw nor 1 didn't neither So many fine horses and men ride together At the head, the lower house, trotted two in a row 'llien all the high house pranced after the low Then the Governor's coach galloped on like the wind And the last that came foremost were troopers behind But I fear it means no good to your neck and mine, For they say 'tis to fix a right place for the line." "^

'Hiis famous cavalcade was fonncd at Hoston on the loth of August and proceeded to Hampton Falls where they met the New Hampshire assembly and proceeded to discuss matters preparatory to a settlement of the line. From here the Massachusetts assembly adjourned to Salisbury, where they were in session until the 7th of Se])teml>cr. Tradition points out the old house near the meeting house at ICast Sulisi>ury ;ts the one in which the General Court was held. The Anal decision was adverse to the interests of Massachusetts, cutting off a large tcrritority from her jurisdiction. Sfiutliampton was a portion of this territory lost.

At the annual meeting a lx)unty of ^^5 was votetl for each '^woulf that shall be killed.'* A l>ounty of 20 s. was offered in 1687 and repealed in 1696; but now, forty-two years later, it was found necessary to again offer this bounty in order to save their sheep from these ravenous beasts.

Iiistorv Of Ameshury

Some cncroachnieiiLs were found on the land set aside for the ministry, and the town " voted to prosecute any person who should improve any part of the parsnage lands by fencing or plowing or any other ways."

A committee was, also, chosen " to see to y« observation of y« law or acts relating to killing of Deer." The design of this law was to ])rotcct the deer which occasionally strayed into this colony from a more northern latitude.

At the annual meeting it was "voted to give unto David HInsdcll ours y« towns Meeting house Well." ]')avid was a clockmaker, and may have used it for casting clock bells. There may be a history to (his bell, which, if known, would Ih? interesting. It was, |>robably, a giH and not purchased by llu* town, otherwise the record wouhl have ma<le some mention of it. It was sent from ICngland.

Tlie great event of this year was tunnelling the pond ridge. This singular geological formation in the shape of sharp ridges extending in one continuous and nearly unbroken line from the Ferry hill far into Newton, N. H. (and, some have asserted, a great deal farther,) has always been to the student of nature a great curiosity. Its general course is northwest and stretching along through the great swamp ; passing the i>ond it still continues its well-defined course, slightly broken by nature or some l)owerful prehistoric current, near Thomas Colby's, so as to afford the pond the only outlet which it originally possessed, and then ])asses on to Newton, N. H. On the earlier records we find this break tenned the "terrormost end of y* pond ridge." The most favorable section was chosen, some fifty or sixty rods from the pond's mouth, where the base of the ridge contracts somewhat and allows the tunnel to open into a low meadow on the easterly side, through which the water passes into the Powow river. Orlando Hagley, Esq., and Capt. Caleb

Pillsbury obtained leave of the town, on the 19th of May, to commence and complete this work, which at once greatly improved the large tract of meadow in the vicinity, i'revioiis to this the meadow was full of stagnant water and the coarse grass cut there was not obtained without much labor of no very desirable kind. Tradition says that two men - Mr. Ring and Mr. Nutter - perfomied the labor on the tunnel for "a barrel of rum," and from the best information we have been able to get, there seems but little doubt that such was the fact.

" I have been at y* dwelling house of Samuel Gould, in order to notifie him to appear this day to make oath to y* office of a constable, and cannot And him, nor understand where he is gone, and I have l)een at y« house of Samuel Colby, jr., to notify him to take the oath to y« office of a hogreef, and cannot find him."

Thomas Hoyt was Captain of one military com|)any, and John Bagley, clerk. Jonathan Currier was captain of the second company, and John Currier, jr., clerk.

The 1 lampion line was not dcfuicd and run to the satisfaction of the town, and it was decided to petition "y« King's most excellent Majesty in l)ehalf of this town" for its rectification, and Mr. Thomas Hutchinson was constituted agent for that purjwse.

'I'he road and landing at the river were l)ounded out and described as away and landing given to the town in 1737 by Capt. John Sargent, Dea. lliomas Stevens and others. Capt. Sargent and Dea. Stevens lived in the vicinity, the road passing their houses.

The subject of building a house for ix)or and idle persons was again before the town and approved by the meeting. A vote was passed requesting Newbury and Salisbury to join in carrying the measure into effect, but nothing was done by those towns.

Orlando and Jonathan Bagley i)etitioned for leave "to build a wharf fifty feet in width on the piece of flats between Mr. Lowell's wharf and Timothy Currier's, about midway between them, from the bank to the channel of Powow river," and was allowed to do so.

John Fowler has for years been allowed ^^5 per year to assist in maintaining his diseased or non compos daughter. This year he asked for ^fo and was aHowcd jQG in provisions, to be ordered by the selectmen.

Capt. Thomas Rowell, I^ft. John Hoyt and Abner Whittier were chosen to hire a school-master for the town and direct "y* time and place where y« school shall be kept at the west ^\\i\ of the town," and Orlando Bagley, Stephen Bartlett and Jacob Bagley were chosen to order the place at the east end.

The following is a ropy of the assessors' certificate, filed in 1 74 1, the original being now in the clerk's office, giving a complete list of the Quakers in the Kast parish.

"A list of the Names of those persons called quaikers In the ICast parish in Amesbury given out In compliance with an act of (!ourt Directing there to be ])ut on Record by the Town Clark are as fi)llowelh

The winter of this year seems to have been a very cold one according to Richard Kelley's diary, which we qtiote, as follows: "febuary 28, 1740-41 then I went down to newbury with my team & carried a load of wood for Mr Joseph Dow & sume other teams with me, we went on to y* River at Sweats ferry & I went of down at newbury a letel above the great meeting house and i saw no hole open all the way as we went no not so big as to put ons foot in & m' Wells Chase cut a hole through y^ ice at deare island in y* strongest place of y* tide & measured the ice and found it to be two foot and a halfe thick and people had sleded down on y« River for about two months before this - the like i never heard of in aney winter before."

'llie plan of building a common workhouse with other towns having failed, it was determined to carry out the plan at home. Accordingly a meeting was held in February, when it was agreed to hire a house, and that of John Rartlett was selected for the purix)se. Mr. Ikurtlett was chosen master, to take charge of the establishment and keep those entrusted to him at work. According to the following, Edward Goodwin and wife were the first to grace this new institution : -

"At y* same meeting voted that luiwani (lOodwin and wife and daughter is committeti to s<* house and under y« custody of y« s** Ikirtlett as Master to be put to labor."

The old subject of a workhouse was again revived, and in February a committee was chosen to " trate with y« town of Newbury and Salisbury" and reix)rt at the annual meeting. No report is to be found.

"Ordered to ('apt. John Currier for hoarding Mr. OdIin and keeping his hors, and troble, from y« 22 of July to y* 22 of l^'cbruary, twenty ])ounds, old tenor."

Rev. I'ldmund March, the r(>lle.ngue of Mr. Wells from 1723 or near that timr. was dismissed in the early |)art of the year by a council hcM at his house. The parish was in debt to Mr. Marc!h, and in I'ehruary, 1744, paid him ^300, old tenor, which partially settled his account. A note of ;^86 was also paid about this time, and it looks as though the parish was badly in debt during the last of his ministry.

"March 10, 1745. The brethren of the church l)eing desired to stop after divine service, the pastor first mentioned the death of good old Deacon Merrill."

Fie must have been at this time more than eighty years of age. He was frcfpiendy sent as messenger to other churches, and served as selectman in 1726.

To |>ay the expense attending the ordination of Mr. OdIin last year, a rate of ^42, 13 s., 4 d., old tenor, was assessed upon the parish February 8th. This was rather expensive for a parish already somewhat in debt.

''Deac Stephen Bartlett for service done for the |>arish as assessor and couimitty relating to the uffare Betwixt Mr March and the parish 05 12 04

As already noted, Mr. Marrh had built a costly house on land bought of Nathaniel Weeil in 1728, perhaps expecting to spend his days in town, as Mr. Wells had done. He, however, removed to Newbury soon after his dismission, and in 1746 sold his farm of thirty and one-lialf acres to Isaac Merrill, Esq., for ^950 in bills of credit, old tenor. The cottage house of Lewis B. Davis now stands on the spot where Mr. March built his nice house.

Ahner Phill)rick appeared in the monthly meeting held January 19th, 1744, and "declared that his first coming amongst friends wns by reason of prejudice against y« Presbitcrians and his desiring to be under the watch and care of y* meeting was only covetousness to save himself from paying y« ministers and that what he hath clone and said amongst friends pretending to be one with them in the truth they make profession of was hipocrisy and deceit." He was unanimously dismissed.

Fiannah IVttel applied to the town for help, when her father's I'stalc was sullirienl to maintain her. The town "voted that y* estate of her father ought to do it, and past on y* affermetive that y* estate ought to do it, an<l thai y« town proceed in y* law for to see who ought to do it," and the selectmen were api)ointed to test the matter at the town's cost. 'ITie town was willing to indulge in the luxury of a lawsuit and seldom avoided one in old times, but the expense was light in comparison with modern suits.

When the Rev. lOdmund March was ilismissed, the parish owned no house for the minister to live in, and from the records it appears that one was built this year. Numerous orders are recorded for labor and material, amounting in all to ^65, 17 s. 6 d. Repairs were also made on the meeting-house, amounting to ^17, 1 s. 7 d.

It is well known that the churchmen built a meeting-house at the Pond hills, on the lot now known as the "old rhurrh-yard," but the exnct d:ite cannot be ascertained. The private records of Rev. Matthias Plant, however, contain the following, written that I have a pretty church at Amesbury, on the other side of the Merrimack river. I gave a calf towards a dinner for the men who raised it, and ^5 this currency for nails towards shingling it. I was going to send for glass to Kngland for it; the notice of that venerable body. I have preached there for many years, in a house, before the church was built, and since in the church, where I also had a numerous congregation."

As early as 1716 Samuel Weed and William Pressey are mentioned on his record, and Oeorge Worthen in 1722. Rev. Matthias Plant built and owned the house near the chain bridge, since owned and occupied by the town of Newbury for a p>oorhouse. His church, known as Queen's chapel, stood on the plain now occupied as a cemetery. There was strong opjxjsition to the building of this chapel, and the night after it was raised (1711) it was pulled down by a mob. Thus it seems that there were no Episcopalians in town till 1716. It is worthy of note that Mr. I'lant descril>es the Amesbury house as a "pretty church," which seems to conflict with the idea formerly held - that it was but partially completed. The Weeds and several other wealthy men were of this order, and were abundantly able to build and complete the house.

On Mr. Hackett's old account book the following is found, which may serve to illustrate, to some extent, the customs of the times. The items are for raising a vessel which Mr. Hackett built: - "To 1 gallon rhum and shugar for raiscn, 01 08 00

Deacon John Tuxbury, Thomas Rowell and Orlando IJagley were chosen to exchange .some land on Bailey's hill for Iwo pieces at the landing. 'ilie old road running through Mr. Lowell's, on the hill, was given up in consideration of land on the river to enlarge the landing.

The town voted that they would not be "at any charge for y* support of Hannah Bettel.'* Nothing was said of the lawsuit commenced last year. At a meeting later in the season people seem to have changed their minds, as it was "voted to allow Jonathan Farrcn and Thomas Dettel four potmds and ten shillings, old tenor," for her support.

The first by-law. Some persons were in the habit of cutting trees on the highways, and to prevent such infringements of the town's rights a stringent law was passed March 9th. The reasons given for this course were - "which practice, if continued in, will be very detrimental to many of his Majestie's subjects, and perticulerly to the inhabitants of said town of Almsbury.'*

"Voted and it is hereby voted and ordered by y* Inhabitants of s^ town of Amesbury at s^ meeting that if any person or persons Inhabitants of s** town shall from and after y« tenth day of April in 1747 until y« tenth day of April 1748, cut down any tree or trees standing on y* countrey road or any of y« highways in s«* town of Amesbury ( without leave first obtained from one or more of y* Selectmen of s*^ town ) and shall thereof be convicted before a Justice of the Peace or Court of record every person or persons so offending shall forfit and pay to y« use of y*^ poore of s** town of Amesbiuy y« sum of twenty five shillings for every such tree by him or them cut down as afore s** to be sewed for and recovered by y« town Clerk or Selectmen respectively.'*

The selectmen and commissioned officers were ordered to divide the town's stock of amunition and " take care of y« same that it in;)y be well secure<l."

"Voted also that the selectmen shall enquire of Capt. John Currier how that he disposed of y* sixty pounds he received of y*^ town for parchising town stock."

Oct. 6th. A town meeting was held to authorize the selectmen to make a rate to pay town debts and ^150 rising charges, 'llie town debt was ;^200 at this time.

By leave of the General Court the West parish, by their committee, consisting of John Hoyt, John Sargent and 'iliomas Rowell, sold the parsonage land assigned to it after the division of the town, to Isaac Merrill, Esc)., whose great grandson now owns it.

John Collins continued to l>e so troublesome in the Friend's meeting that, at a monthly meeting held in Amesbury February 21st, they chose a committee to appeal to the governor for help, and another committee to " carry him out " if he refused to go.

Fphraim Hunt was chosen *Uask Master for to receive into his house and care and well to imply all such |)oore and indigent or idle persons of s** town that shall l>c sent to him by y« Selectmen or overseers of y* poore of s** town and his account to be allowed by y* Selectmen of sd town."

There were, no doubt, several persons who could not or would not earn their living, and the town very wisely concluded that they should work as well as eat. The necessity for a |X)orfann is very apparent, although it did not occur to the town. A union workhouse had long been contemplated, but a town establishment was not considered. Kphraim Hunt lived on the Hunt road, which leads lo the Huttonwood district fn)m near John H. lUackstock*s.

Isaac Merrill, Ks(|., had leave to fence in the road between the parsonage, which he bought of the West parish last year, and the Pleasant Valley lots. This old road, laid out in 1669 anil now mostly covered with wood, was never worked and very little used. It was fenced up without "bars" contrary to common usage, which shows it to have been worthless to the public.

History Of Amksrukv

Rev. Matthias Plant received ^15, 11 s., 2d., from the parish rate on account of the churchmen, of whom the following is a list: John Hartlett, Rhod Bartlett, Frank Bartlett, William Currier, John Huntington, Samuel Huntington, Jonathan Huntington, CJideon Jewell, Samuel Ix)well, John Hook, and Batt Moulton. Their lax was ^,20, 3 s., 6 d., out of ^897. The foregoing is the first list found.

Among the items of expense this year was "^15 for keeping Worrcns r.la<:k child for y*-* lime ]>asl." ('apt. S;irgcnt kept her and agreed to keep her till she was eighteen years of age for ;£20.

'I'his brick-yard was just west of the Buttonwood road at the bank of the Merrimac river, near the house of Thomas Page. How long Mr. Whittier occupied this yard is not known ; but, probably, for a number of years. On this Buttonwood road, about half way up to Daniel F. Morrill's, are the sights of two more l)rick-yards, where many bricks were once made. The "Button tree" here si)oken of is named in the records of 1703 and has been a very noted tree for a century and a h.ilf. ft was the eastern bound on the river of the landing, as defined at that date.

Mr. Daniel Kelley was greatly afflicted this year by the death of five children in fourteen days, as follows : October 1 7th, Marcy C, aged ten years; October 19th, Lydia, aged six years;

October 20th, Mary, aged eight years; October 29th, Deborah, aged four years; Octol)er 30th, Moses, aged two years. \Vhat this fatal disease was, the record does not state ; but seldom has it fallen to the lot of any family to be thus afflicted.

'Hie |>oor were lioardcd out as usual to the IhtsI advantage. Samuel Shepherd kept Mary Fowler for 1 7 s. per week ; George VVorthen kept Widow Hookly for 1 1 s. 6 d. per week, and Hannah llettel for 12 s. |>cr week.

David Blasdell, a descendant of Henry, sen., made two footstoves for the tithing men, and received j£i, 4 s. These stoves were about eight or nine inches scjuare and six inches high, made of tin and wood, with a cup inside to be filled with coals, to keep the feet warm. When meeting-houses had no stoves to warm them, these were a great comfort. Some of them are yet in existenee, kept as curiosities - mementos of the past.

At the annual meeting Thomas Rowell, Orlando Bagley and John Tuxbury were chosen to make an exchange of the road over Hailey*s hill for a landing at Powow river*s mouth. The exchange was made and ratified by the town, giving Mr. Oideon Ix)well all of the road through his land over the hill and receiving two pieces of landing at I'owow river, viz. : " One piece lying near y« mouth of s** river, being in wedth aboute seven rods from y* northwest corner of Timothy ('urrier*s house, joining to a highway westerly till it comes to rainge with y* lower cap piece of Mr. (lideon I/Owcirs wharfe as y« wharfe now stands from s** highway to s** Powow river, abutting upon Powow river to low water mark easterly, and to said Currier's land southerly. And also one other piece of land adjoining y* s** highway westerly, tAventy-two rods in length, having a stone fixed in y* ground at y* southwesterly corner next y« s** highway, thence running easterly to Powow river to low water-mark, six rods up said river in distance from y« northwest corner of ('apt. Currier's ware house, and having at y* northwest corner next s** highway another stone fwal in y* ground ; so running from s** stone near as y« course of Ciideon Ix)well*s, jun., fence now stands, to low water mark to that part of Powow river thai lyes to y* west of an island in s** river which takes in y« cove, high hank and flats to y« line first mentioned, from s** rock at s** highway to >'* six rod distance from s** ware house afore mentioned."

This land has heen nearly or quite disposed of, so that the town has no landing, tmless there may be a small one at the foot of the lane hy Mr. Cowdcn's house.

This lot inclu<le«I the spot where Mr. Alfred Bailey's mill now stands at ihr l»utlon Kalis, and the deed refers to "an old dam " as then being there, so that the spot was one of the oldest mill privileges in town, if not ///^ oldest.

It was also "voted to raise y« sum of eight himdred pounds, old tenor, for y* defraying of necessary charges heretofore resin and may arise for y« present year in s** town.**

For many years the old paper money has been growing of less value, and now it becomes neces.sary to designate what money is meant in all grants and contracts. Prices have been constantly rising as the money depreciated and the times were getting rather hard. Farming and ship-building were the two principal bran<hes of business and main stay of the people.

Dec. 8th. Isphrnim Hunt sold to Isaac Merrill eight acres of land on the corner "near y« meeting-house,'* and also "y* frog pond,'* in consideration of ^358, 15 s.

The first-named lot is now the homestead of Oeo. VV. IJartlett, whose house stands on the spot where Edward Hunt lived when the meeting-house was built in 17 15. Around this church were more houses than can be found in the vicinity now.

The selectmen were allowed ^'4 for tlieir services, which w;is to be lawful money, and was, probably, equal to the j£^o of depreciated currency allowed last year.

For several years the town has carefully guarded the treasury, not even allowing the selectmen to order out money without calling a town meeting, and this year passed the following vote : -

"Voted that y* Selectmen of last year sliall render an account of their doings at y* next meeting on atljoumment." It is probable that their account was satisfactory, for, at the adjourned meeting, they received leave " to order out sums not to exceed 8 s. to any one person," and were, also, made town treasurers.

Jonathan Ikigley having purchased the house and wharf at the Ferry, of Timothy Currier, asks the town to exchange the fifty feet of land granted him in 1741 for fifty feet next his wharf, and his request is granted.

For a long time the need of a briilge across the I'owow river at the Ferry had been very apparent and this year the subject seems to have received special attention. At the annual meeting a petition was presented to the town, stating the great need of a bridge there and offering to build one without any exjHinse to the town, should leave be granted. The following names were attached to the petition, viz : -

Joseph Bartlett petitioned for " three or four rods of the Hank at the lower end next to Fow river for to Build a Lime Kiln in order to bum lime," anil his petition was granted. Nearly or quite all the lime used was made from clam shells boated from near the mouth of the river and burnt in several places

Ijistory Of Amksbury. 21 7

The Kast parish records contain the following: "1750 then received of Ephraim Weed Eight pounds five shiHings old tenor for the spindle of the meeting house." What this spindle was, there is nothing further to show.

William (liallis being chosen constable, as he thought, before his turn, refused to take the oath and was fined ^'4. He gave his note, but his friends thotight he had been badly treated and applieil to the selectmen to call a town meeting to consider the matter, but were met with a refusal. Application was then made to a justice, who issued a call for a meeting. This meeting ordered the note given up, and the unpleasant affair was ended.

The great event of the year was the change of the calendar by Parliament. The first day of January was made the beginning of the year in all fiiture time. In the old style reckoning, January was the eleventh month and Febniary the twelfth.

Moses Sargent is captain of the second company and Richard Kelley, lieutenant. The commission of the latter was signed by Lieut.-Ciovernor Shirley July i8th, and is now in the possession of Mr. (]ilcs M. Kelley, a descendant.

Theodore Hoyt and Thomas Colby petitioned the town to grant them a piece of land near Mr. (Jiddeon Lowell's wharf for a ship-yard and to set a workshop on. The other yards were occupied, no doubt, and here was a convenient place. The petition was granted.

Rev. Elisha Odlin died in the early part of the year and his widow, Judith, was appointed administratrix of his estate, llic parish voted her a present of jC20, which was paid in May. Mr. Odlin's ministry continued for about eight years.

The town voted that the schools might l>e kept in each parish where the inhabitants directed. For many years the town employed two male teachers, ( one for each parish ) but no mention is made of female teachers. If any were employed, it was, probably, in ]>rivate summer schools.

Another effort wixs maile to recover the ferry "called Amesbury Ferry," and Orlando Ikigley was chosen to search the records in order to ascertain the condition of affairs in regard to it. Abner Whittier was chosen to petition the court of sessions to appoint some one to "keep y« Ferry near y« Powous rivers mouth and take l)on(l of y^ s;une |)ei'soa there being n(» person now licensed to keep s** Ferry."

The landings were always carefully watched to prevent all encroachments, and this year Capt. Thomas Rowell, Orlando Ikigley, 10.s<j., and Capt. Jonathan Barnard were chosen to bound them anew and report the incumbrances thereon to the next meeting. These landings were important for lumbering, l)oating and fishing in these days.

William Whittier was making bricks at the Huttonwood on the western end of the landing, and asked the town for an additional rod to dig clay on, and was granted his request during the pleasure of the town. Hy the present appearance of the premises, there must have been made a very great (juantity of bricks in this yard, which were, probably, lx)ated down river.

Dr. Robert Rogers died April 28th, and was buried at the Plain cemetery. He lived in the West parish and, probably, at the River village, and it may have been in the house owned and occupied for, many years by the late David Sargent.

At this time there were several families of Kimballs living at the Pond, auil wo fnul the names of Abraham, Joseph, John and Widow I lannah on the tax list. The name in that vicinity has long since become extinct, but several old cellars are yet to be seen where they may have lived.

The Friends have been greatly annoyed by the Brentwood people since the meeting was allowed there, and this year a complaint is made that "several persons, men and women are speaking at (»nc time in your meetings also s;iluting each other men and women, old and young pretending it to be a kiss of charity - which will j)rove of ill consequences if you continue therein." The directing spirits of the meeting at Amesbury and Hampton were devoted to plain, sincere worship, and labored most faithfully to keep the order free from all corrupt influences. Hut theirs was a hard duty to perform, recpiiring great patience and much sound judgment. They were, however, increasing in numbers and establishing meetings in all the surrounding towns. Hut HrentwoocPs meeting was taken away for a while and, also, Stratham's.

A new clerk was chosen this year, probably from inability on the part of Orlando Bagley, Escj., who had served so faithfully for nearly forty-two years.

Thomas Rowell, Esq., Capt. John Sargent and Jacob Bagley were chosen " to deliver the town books and other papers belonging to the town to the s<* Thomas Bagley, without any cost to y* town."

The town "voted to allow Capt. (leorge Worthen, David ('lough and Isaac Merrill fore and twenty shillings for looking over the lowti books and settling with y« ould constables."

certain excise duties, which was vetoed by the governor. The matter was laid before the annual meeting and the following appears on the record : -

''At the same meeting y^ bill was read intitled an act for granting to his Majesty excise upon wines & spirit distilled and sold by retail or consumed within this province, & upon limes, lemons and oranges, passed by the two houses in their session in May last & not consented to by y^ governor when laid before him, & his excellency's speech thereon being read, and also after some dispute had thereon y' (juestion was put whether it was y« minds of y* town y* afore s** bill should i>ass into a law, & it passed in y« negative ; also voted y« thanks of this town to his Excellency y« (aovernor for not giving his consent to y* aforesaid bill when laid before him."

The Hast parish having been without a settled minister for a while after the death of Mr. Odlin, were untler the nei:essity of employing various ministers, but for some little time, Rev. Anthony Wibird. He was the first minister after Mr. ()(llin*s death, and though no account is found of his settlement, yet we find that it cost four pounds to dismiss him. He boarded with Mr. Odlin, according lo two orders on the parish order l)ook in 1752. The following is from the record: -

This order closes the reconl of Mr. >Vibir(rs ministry, and it is probable that Mr. Hibbert was now in town, as in the latter part of the year he received an order as follows: -

"l)eceml)er y« 26th, 1754. Ordereil to Mr. Thomas llibbert the sum of sixteen pounds, it being in fiill for his preaching with us till his ordination."

Iiis-Iorv Ov Amksiuiry

an able young minister. The following ministers were employefl subsecjuent to Mr. Odlin's death, and may have been candidates, viz. : Joscpli Adams, Rbenezer Adams, Mr. Upham, Mr. AVhite, Solomon Page, M. l*arepaynt, Benjamin IJutlcr and Mr. Keverycar. The price of a day's preaching was j£i.

On the 1 8th of November there was a shock of an earth- (piake, but there seems to have been but litde damage done. Capt. Richard Kelly, in his diary, thus describes it : -

"1755 November y* 18, it being Tuesday, about 4 o'clock in the morning was an exceeding shock of y« earthquake which shook nerc as mtieh as that in y* yere 1727, October 29, but y« noise was not so loud ; it continued a great while, I think the longest that ever I herd in all my life, & just as y*^ day brake there was nnother but nothing so hard as y« fonner, & I have herd it every day since to y* 2 2d day of s<^ month."

The following men enlisted and went to Kennebec : - John Martin, Robert Ring, Bartholemew Perkins, Epliraim Hodgkins, Joseph Iiirrel ; and to Oswego, Bartholemew Perkins, Robert Ring, Rphraim Hodgkins, Samuel Colby, Jacob Challis, jr.

The following persons enlisted and went to "Minis :" - Timothy Sargent, jr.. Benj. Ordway, Stephen Ordway, Isaac Foot, Ephraim Sargent, Peter Stevens, Joseph Burril, John Blasdell, Thomas Chase.

The French and Indians have grown troublesome on the western border, and continued calls are made for soldiers to recruit the army. The captains under the royal governors were fre(|uently ordered to impress men when wanted, and this year Capt. George Worthen took such men as he pleased. There were a few Quakers in town and the following in his company mostly. In filling the ranks of his comjxiny he did not spare even Quakers. He said these were **m exact projiortion for two to be impressed " : -

Captain Worthen and his company were in the service at Lake George and several of the men died there. John Currier, (afterwards captain at Hunker Hill) learning that Capt. Worthen was intending to impress him, volunteered as lieutenant and served through the campaign.

The following men enlisted for I^ke George from the Second foot company : Lieut. Thomas Stevens, Ensign Josiah Sargent, Bradbury Morrison, Charles Sargent, John Harvey, Sanders

Orlando Bagley died May 3d. He was born Deceml)er 14th, 1682, as appears by a certified copy of his birth in his own hand-writing, dated 1749. The same paper contains his father's marriage to Sarah Sargent on the 2 2(1 of December, 1O81. He was tlie grandson of Orlando Bagley, who married Sarah, daughter of Anthony Colby in 1653, probably. He was a schoolmas- tcr and was chosen to keep the town scliool in September, 1 71 2, and on the i3tli of October following was chosen town clerk in place of Thomas Currier, deceased, and served in tliat capacity for nearly forty-two years. He possessed fine business talent and grew in popularity as age came on. He served several years as selectman and held courts, officiating as trial justice on many occasions. Wills and deeds of his ^vriting are numerous, and his marriages for several years far exceeded those of the minister's, numbering one hundred in all.

His i)enmanship was very good and easily read. He lived at the Pond liills, near the pound, as, no doubt, his father did. At his death, his farm passed to his son, ('ol. Jonathan Bagley, and by his will to his son Orlando, who may be remembered by some now living. He was nearly ten years of age when his father arresletl and carried to "Salem village or farmes" Susannah Martin to be tried for her life.

I" '755 (^»eneral Braddock was sent out from England as commander-in-chief, with two regiments of troops, to plan and carry on the war between the colonies and French and Indians. Three [)rincipal expeditions were planned, one of which was destined against the settlements at the head of the Bay of Fundy. Col. Monston assumed command of the united troops at the scene of operations. Two forts were the only obstacles to be met, and these were soon reduced, thus throwing into the hands of the British the entire territory in that section. Hut now came a strange scene, which the world never witnessed before. The ])eaceable inhabitants were led to assemble in various places under false pretences to the number of twelve thousand, and some seven thousand of them were hurried on ship board and brought to the colonies. The country was nearly depopulated. These inoffensive people were, by order of the General Court, scattered among the towns to be by them supported. Hundreds of cjniet homes were broken up at Arcadia, families separated to be united no more - many of these French people dying here. Several of them were quartered at Amesbury for some years, and provided for by the town. A house was hired for them and other expenses incurred, and among the items this year, Widow Esther Colby received lo s. on their account. Probably but few of them ever reached home again. It was a black-hearted crime without the least justification.

The town was presented for not having a grammar school, acconling to law, and Thomas Rowell was chosen to api)ear "at y* next Court of General Sessions of y« peace to be holden at Salem," to answer in the case.

Petitions for new roads seem to have troubled the town at this time. No doubt they were needed, and generally, after much opposition, were obtained.

July 2d. The East parish bought one acre and a half of land at Sandy hill, of Col. Jonathan Ragley, for a meeting-house lot. The price was jCiZt 6 s. 8 d. Since 1715 the meetinghouse had stood on the corner near Geo. W. IJartlett's, ( lulward Hunt's, then,) but a move was now made for its removal to the new lot at Sandy hill, which was more convenient for the Ferry and Mills. This measure was not carried into effect till 1 76 1.

David Blasdell died this year, aged forty-six. Fie was a ralhcr )>ron)incnt man, nu)rc, perhaps, on account of his mechanical genius than otherwise. Mis clocks are still in existence. He lived near (!harlcs lUasdcH's, at Kendrick's lane, and his shop was in Mr. Hlasdell's front yard. His business was really a little of everything : he made and repjiired <;U><:ks, made and repaired augers, andirons, steelyards, gun locks, repaired tin and brass ware, shod horses, nm spoons, forged iron-work for vessels, sold groceries, dry goods, meat, wood, made tow coml)S, owned cider mill, and made all kinds of nails, from shingle to double tens. He was selectman (chainnan) in 1754, and several times assessor in the F^ast parish. He was son of Jonathan and grandson of Henry, sen., and a more industrious or useful man is seldom found. His son, David, continued his business at the same location for many years.

Dec. y\. William Rowell, David Sargent and wife, I'homas Fowler and wife, Henry Bagley and \vife, Reuben Hoyt and wife, Christopher Rowell and wife, Widow Sarah Bartlett, Eliza Ikirtlett, Snrah Juell, Widow Ruth Merrill and Mary Juell were granted loiters of dismission by the Second church, "in order to their being gathered with others into a church state at Newtown, N. H."

Richard Kcllcy was commissioned as captain of the "second foot company" in Amcsbury, by f.ieut.-Oovemor Phip|)s, March 2 1 St. The commission is yet in good state of preservation, in the hands of Mr. (nles M. Kelley.

'I'o obtain recruits for the army jimder the Earl of Jx)udon was no easy task for Ca]>t. (icorge Worthen, and he fotmd himself under the necessity of using all the |)ower conferred u|>on him by the royal governor. Accordingly he pressed into service such persons as he chose.* 'I'he following were accepted as substitutes for those who had been impressed, viz. : Jacob Challis for Stephen l*atten and I'^.noch Rogers, Philip Wells for (lideon Davis and his brother bVancis, Isaac Cliallis for himself and Samuel Short, William Warran for Sergt. John Hoyt and

Stone for Henry Rlasdell, he being one-half for Samuel Silver, jr., and Abner Whittier the other half. John Currier (enlisted) as lieutenant. Jacob l*ressy for himself and Benjamin Pilsbury. The foregoing were accepted by Col. Greenleaf, March 25th.

Aug. 15th. The following persons were drafted from the second foot company, viz. : John Kelly, Joshua Sargent, Joseph ('olby, Sargent Huse, Roger Colby, Thomas Williams, Stephen Sargent, jr., Jonathan Moulton, Daniel Hoyt, Jonathan Clements, Enoch Chase, jr., Ephraim Currier, jr., Benjamin Morse, Wells (^hase, jr., Jonathan Kelly, 3d, David Currier, Enoch Nichols, Joseph I larvey, jr., Elliott Colby, Nathan Hoyt, Joseph Dow, jr., John Kendrick, Nehemiah Hadley, Christopher Sargent - 24. This was a very large draft from the West parish, and the Flast imrish fared no l)etter in this matter. Some of I he foregoing [Jrocured substitutes. Wells Chase took the place of his son, Isaac Foot served for John Kendrick, Gideon Colhy for Joseph Dow, jr. ; Orlando Sargent agreed to serve for Christopher Sargent, but hired Thomas Munt ; and one Sidway served for Benjamin Morse.

Aug. 1 6th. 'lliese men marched away to join the main army which Lord Jx>udon had l>een collecting to fight the French and Indians at the lakes. When arriving at Marlboro', near Worcester, they received news of the surrender of Fort William Henry to the French under Montcalm, and as all further oi>erations were suspended for the season, they were allowed to march home, where they arrived on the 20th.

'Hic alann on the approach of the hVcnch spread like wildfire through the C^olonies, and great preparations were made early in the season to avoid the threatened danger. Col. (Ireenleaf issued his instnictions to his regiment (or the several (*a|)- tnins) to. have their companies ready to march at a minule's warning. Amunition was procured for each company. ('a|)t. (leorge Worthen's company was supplied with i barrel of powder, 3400 bullets and 200 flints, and Capt. Kelley's with i barrell of powder, 3500 bullets and 200 flints. Although those precautionary measures wore taken in May, yet liul litlle was done until .August, and then it was too la(e to prevent the success of the French. Soldiers, as already stilted, were again called and pressed into the king's service, but without retrieving the losses already sustained.

William Bayley having contracted to build a large ship at the I'crry, a.sked the town for a grant of some land near " the stern of his ship of one rod," and his recjuest was readily granted. The reason which he gave for asking this favor was that "from his yard is sumthing difficuh to launch."

Hisi-Ory Ok Amrshury

The I'^rench ])eopie mentioned in 1756 were now living in C'apl. Jon«ithan Ibrnarcrs house, but were ordered to remove to some place in tlic West parish. These persecuted people were strangers in a strange land, and their lives were little better than wasted, but the town was compelled to keep them.

The boundary line between Amesbury and Haverhill was perambulated, and the ancient l)ound at Holt's rock and at Brandy Hrow found and renewed.

Ix)rd lx)udon again collected his forces to subdue the French, and was furnished with seven thousand men by Massachusetts. Capt. Kelley's company by enlistment furnished Matthias Hoyt, Mnoch Chase, jr., Sargent Htisc, Jacob Hoyt, John Harvey, jr., Charles Sargent, jr., JOzra Hoyt, Kiliot Colby, John Blaisdell, Philip Sargent, Isaac Challis, Thomas Sargent, 3d, Isaac Sargent, Hcnj. Sargent, David Ring, Stephen Sargent, jr., Fasky P'oot, Henry Williams, Roger Colby and IClijah Hlaisdell.

Dec. y\. The following persons received dismission from the Second church to form a church at Newlon, N. H., viz. : William Rowell, David Sargent and wife, Thomas Fowler and wife, Henry Bagley and wife, Reuben Hoyt and wife, Christopher Rowell and wife. Widow Sarah Bartlett, Eliza Bartlett, Sarah Jewell and Widow Ruth Merrill.

The roads were to be repaired by a rate, and the wages were to be "for each man two shillings a day - for each man and yoke of oxen three shillings and six pence - and for each man, yoke of oxen and cart or plow, four shillings." The sum of ^40 was raisetl for this purpose. ICvery man was to have the |)rivilege of working out his tax.

The French and Indian war continued to l>e a source of trouble, and quite a large delegation of Amesbury men went to Lake George, either as soldiers or lal>oren>.

As soldiers, were Nathan Kimball, Richard Currier, 1*jio(:h Klanders, Daniel Klanilcrs, William lloyl, Page Ring, Jonathan Hunt, Moses Molton and a son of Abner Currier. These were in Capts. Sikes and Bayly's companies.

William Whittier petitioned for leave to set a house on the Button wood landing, asking for a strip three rods wide to the river, for that purpose, stating that but little lumber was now brought there. A committee was chosen to view the premises and lay out the lot as they might think proper, he paying them for their trouble. The committee, after viewing the premises, rei)orted that it was attended with so much difficulty that it be referred to the next annual meeting. Mr. Whittier had leave in 1747 to set uj) a brick-yard there, and had no doubt done so, making more or less bricks every year, as the large excavation shows, and now wishes to build on the ground. The final result is not known.

For the first time the selectmen were required to make out a list of jurors and lay it before the town for accej^tance. From this list the meeting selected such names as were thought Inist for the Superior Court, and placed them in a box. Another selection was made for the Inferior Court, and placed in a second box. These boxes were locked, and when a juror was wanted the clerk took them to town meeting and one of the selectmen drew out, as wanted, one or more.

The small |><)x made its ap])enrance in town, causing very general alarm among the pco|)ie. Precautionary measures were taken by providing two pest-houses, one at the west end and one at the east end of the town. Widow Sarah ('urrier's house was taken at the West parish, and Daniel Martin's at the East parish. lehabod March was chosen special constable at the west end and Fliphalet Martin at the east end, " to take good care and see to the people that have the small pox and to press nurses necessary for the help and supi)ort of those sick, if need be, and to remove them into houses that the town have provided for that purpose."

Daniel Martin lived on a "little knowl" near Martin's bridge, and probably the Widow Currier lived in some retired spot in the West ])arish.

Dec. 1 6th. A town meeting was held, and after choosing David Merrill, moderator, adjourned "to y^ Widow Ivsther Colby, Innholder in Amesbury." This was a famous resort, and business always seemed to go better after being refreshed by some of the widow's excellent flip. On this occasion ^i 6 were added to the sum raised for town expenses.

A separate tax was assessed, by order of the (General Court, on the (Quakers, nnioiiiUing lo ^76, 13 s. 4 d., and the follow* ing is a list of those taxed : - Kbenezer Currier, Peleg Challis, David Challis, Gliomas Challis, John Huntington, Abner Jones, Kzekiel Jones, Aaron Rowell, Joseph IVessy, Jacob Weed, John Fluntington, jr., Jonathan Reed, Daniel Hoage.

"Amesbury, March 17th, 1760. We, the subscribers, have each of us Respectively Received In full of our wages for service as Soldiers in Cap* Sikes' Company and Cap' Bayly's Companys, In the year 1759. Recv^ the same of Leu' John Currier, as witness our hands.

Jonathan Hunt,* Moses Molton, Page X Rif^gmark. The following deposition may be of interest as throwing some light on the treatment of soldiers in the old l«Vench anil Imlian war : -

"'l*he Dei)osition of li^noch flanders of Ame:»l)ury ami Daniel flanders of Salsbury both in y' County of Essex & province of y' Massachusetts bay, of Lawful! age, testifieth & saith that we Inlisted our selves as Soldiers in y* year 1759, uniler Capten Richard Seiks that we went up to lake george at Albany we each of us Received a province arme h we went up to y« forte at y* narrows & did Duty under General Amherst, & on our Return home when we came to Still waier we hatl each of us our armcs with us but by the order of y' chief offisser of y« forte at y* s** Still water, Each of our armes wear taken from us s** offisser as we wear told wius a leu' c^ we wear told his name w;is meiuiins \: he gave us no Receipt tor siiid annes & further says not.

Cioveinment had agreed to find the soldiers guns, which they were to retain on leaving service, and the above was a breach of trust. Many others received similar treatment.

The representative was instructed to petition the (teneral (!()urt, in connection with other towns, for the removal of the July term of the court from Salem to Ij^swich, and one of the Ipswich courts to Newbury.

Deacon William Moulton, Capt. Jonathan Barnard and Lieut. Timothy Hoyt, with the selectmen, were chosen to ex<aminc the accounts concerning the "small pock."

f'he small-pox still lingered in town, and Ichabod March and !''li|)lKilet Martin were again chosen special constables to have charge of this department. At a meeting held in May it was "voted to provide a house to receive such persons as may or shall have the small pock in said town." And it was, also, "voted to erect a house immediately on Coll Hagleys land near Red Oak hill so called to receive those sick."

Obadiah Hadger having a blacksmith's shop standing partly on the road and partly on the land of Aaron Rowell at Rowel I's corner, and bcin^ obliged to move it, asked leave to move it a little farther into the road, he buying land of -Tristram Harnard on the opj^osite side for the road, and was allowed to do so "during the towns ])leasure." This location was on I'Viend street, near Isaac Barnard's,

The most im])ortant event of the year was the pulling down of the meeting house at the parsonage, which was built in 1715, and its removal to Sandy hill, where, as already stated, a lot was bought in 1757. Having stood forty-six yeant, it was destined to be enlarged and improved in its internal and external parts. As built in 1715, it was forty-five by thirty-five feet, a plain structure, probably without much ornamental finish. When rebuilt this year it was very much larger, and although a plain building, with the exception of a \x)tc\\ on the west end, yet, no doubt, it was of a better finish than formerly. It was no small job to build a large house when every nail, bolt and hinge was made by hand, fi-om the spike to the fine nails that fastened the shingles to the roof. It was barely i)ossil)le for a smart workman to make five hundred small nails in a day. David Blasdell, who made many of the nails, in his diary says he made that number one day. The church was very heavily timbered, as those who used to listen to the preaching there will remember. Many times, when a boy, I have wondered where the trees could come from, some fifty feet long and fifteen inches square, which supi)orted the galleries on three sides of the house. Such oaks are seldom found in this vicinity now.

'llie sounding-board al)ove the pulpit was then to me a great curiosity, especially the eagle which surmounted it with his widespread wings. Tradition says that when taken down some of the timl)er was split into smaller dimensions, which alarmed some of the people so that they hardly dared to go to meeting. Had they lived at the present day their fears might have been reasonable, but a building so faithfully timbered as the old church could hardly blow down.

We give, Ijelow, the bill of I3avid Blasdcll, who assisted in pulling down the old house and building the new one : "What I have Dun towards the meeting house - by half a Days work going to Newbry, 00 lo o to two Days work a hording, 02 oo o to three Days work building the stages and shing., 03 00 o to Oliver HIasflclls D.iys work, 01 02 6 to a thousand and a half of shingle, 06 00 o to hundred and a half Duble tenes, 00 18 o to one Days work of shingling, ot 00 o to one Days work shingling, 01 00 o to rash to git sinn paint, 01 02 6 to two- thirds of Days work, 01 00 o to half a Days work a making stages, 00 10 o to a thousand clabords nales, 02 00 o to fwe Days work of Oliver Blasdell, 05 12 6 to five hundred of Duble tens, 02 15 o to cash to git som glas, 04 10 o to Ribits for the outer Dour, 00 16 o to forty springs for the windows, 07 00 o to two Days work a puling Down the old meeting house, 02 00 o to half a Days work making the seats, 00 10 o to a Days work a puting the gise in, 01 00 o to mend a chane, 00 03 o last year a committee was chosen to consider what should be done with poor, idle and lazy persons. The need of an almshouse or some similar establishment had long been felt, the custom of boarding at the cheapest place giving very poor satisfaction to all parties. On the i9lh day of Febniary the committee made the following TC\x)Ti to the town : -

** After some consideration on s^ affair, wc are unanimously agreed that it is best for the town, as soon iis may lie, to Provicic some proper place for the reception of all such i)oor, idle, or lazy persons as in the judgment of the overseeni of the iK>or of s** town shall judge ought to l)e sent there ; and they are also further of opinion that there he overseers of the )>oor yearly chosen ; and are further of opinion that some one |>erson or persons be chosen and apix)inted as master or overseer of s** house, and there be received under his care all such |)arsons as shall be sent to him by the overseers of the |KK)r, and to take care that such parsons l)e well imployed in such business as he shall think proper ; and are also of opinion that the overseers of the poor provide such materall as the master or overseer of s** house shall judge necessary for imploying all such parsons as shall be committed to his care, he giveing a receipt for all such materialls as he shall receive, and likewise that he yearly render particubr account to the s** overseer of each an<l every one of there joining, as well as an account of what charge he has been at ; also that the overseers of the |>oor lay there accounts of the whole before the town yearly. All which is most humbly submitted."

'iliis report was accepted, but was never earned out further than to choose some citizen to receive those persons named in the report. It was a well-digested plan, submitted by some of the most prominent men in town, and ought to have been put into operation.

i\ committee was chosen to view the town's landings ami renew the bounds, an<l, also, to view a piece of land petitioned for by Theodore Fioyt for a ship-yard on Powow river. The committee bounded out a strip four rods wide to high water mark, and the town confirmed their action, he paying ^6 lawful money and keeping the l)ank wall in repair.

Mr. Hoyt was a ship-buiklcr and had many years previous buill the house (about 1736) now occupied by his descendant, Mr. Knoch Hoyt, at the Ferry. This is one of the oldest houses in town.

After making ]>rovision for several of the poor, it was "voted Ihnl liic Staled nuMi have llio care of the Widow Mattes and to <lis|H)se of her in sickness and in health at the cheapest rate." No doubt sometimes the poor fell into selfish hands and receivL'tl rough treatment.

Widow Timothy (!olby offended the town by some means, anil it was '* voted that Mr. Ikirnabus Hradbury, Lieut. John Hoyt and John Siiwyer be a Conun" to go to y* widow of Timothy Colby, now wife of Isaac Colby, and notcfye her to lake of that house that stands on y*= landing place called Cottells 1 binding emedately or to show her strength in order for a trial in y* law and make ref)ort of their and her proceedings at the May meeting."

The l>oimds of the Perry roatl were rectified as follows : **Commen<ing ai the corner at land formerly owned by John Uartlett (recently owned by the late Joseph Bartlett ) and thence southerly to the land of Aijuila Worthen, thence to a stone by Obadiah (,'olby's land, thence to an elm tree near the north-west <:orner of a shop belonging to the heirs of Joseph r»artlett, thence to a stone eight feet southerly of Stephen llartlett's shop, thence to the south-easterly corner of Jacob Bagley's barn, them 0 to a stone two rods and six feet from the house built by James Herbert, thence to a stone one rod and a half from (lideon l^well's house, thence to a stone where was the easterly corner of a log house, and thence from where the block house was to a stone two rods and two feet from the south-east corner of Timothy C'urrier's house, and from there to the river."

Again the subject of a union workhouse was brought up, and the selectmen were ordered to consult with Salisbur)' in regard to the plan, but met with no encouragement in that direction. 'I'he long-cherished union workhouse of Amesbury met with no encouragement from adjoining towns, although it deserved a l)etter fate. Finding no other resource, the selectmen were instructed to hire a house for the town poor. The system of selling the |X>or had evidently come into l)ad repute, and the people were detennined to alx>lish it. To obtain a house was, however, no easy matter, and in September the meeting chose a special committee to procure a location in some convenient place and remove the frame of the i^est-house from Red Oak hill to that spot, for a })oor-house.

At the annual meeting it was decided to remove the ferry from Savages' rock to Sargent's creek, and Robert Sargent who lived close by, was chosen ferryman.

An attempt was made to get a road laid out frou) near Peter Sargent's to the Merrimac river, but the committee sent to view the way reported unfavorably, and the town refused to grant the petition. This way was substantially the same as the way now known as School street, from Sargent's hall to Merrimacport.

"Voted to give William Moulton 13 s. per week old tenor for keeping KIizal)cth Nichols one year coming he to find her clothing and move her to his house.'*

"Voted to give Josiah Sargent {^17 to keep Jacob Hoyt, son of Jacob hoyt dis<* to the age of twenty one years and learn him a wavers trndo." There were persons who made it a s|>erinl business to weave to supply the wants of those who eitlier had no looms or did not wish to make their own " home spun " rioth, and it wns fjuile an object to l)c a good weaver.

The town voted to take care of Peter Dulosh and wife, living at the Highlands, where he had a small house and a few acres of Innd. lie was, |>robnbly, a French Canadian, and may have been taken prisoner in the l«>ench and Indian wars, although tliat is not certain. He married Sarah Davis in 1730, and in his oUl age was unable to support himself and wife. He professed to having some knowledge of the mining business, and on examining the premises of Moses Tuxbury, sen., at the Pond, said there was **n (piarter of an acre there very valuable" for minerals.

"Whereas the sleds that are generally used in this town are so Narrow that many Inconveniences attend the same upon many accounts which those that are used to Sleding Know very well and that if they were four feet & two inches in wedth and the Town would agree to make them that wedth it would be better for many & a Damage to None and many have been Desirous in other towns as well as this that the sleds may be mad wider.

Therefore we the Subscril)ers Inhabitants of the Town of amesbury Desire the Moderator of this annual meeting a.sscmbled this Eleventh Day of March 1765 that it may be put to vote that the Town might shew their minds whether the sleds for the future be four feet i^' two inches from outside to out-

Theophilus (iould was a blacksmith at the Kerry ami owned a house, but had no land for his shop to stand on, and so petitioned the town for a piece near Col. Jonathan l^gley's *Mimc kiln." The exact location of this lime kiln cannot be deternuned, but there was one or more on the banks of the Powow river, where clam-shell lime was made U) sup|»ly the wants »)f the early settlers.

The annual meeting w;ts adjourned from the Sandy II ill meeting house to Widow lOsther Colby's, to meet on the next Friday. The widow's inn was an attractive j)lace from some cause, and an excellent place to transact business.

Mr. Stunuel Shepherd receivcil the thanks of tin- town '*for his good service he did the town in respect of the |)oore." .Mr. Shepherd hail relieved the town in some measure of tare al)Out the |>oor, by keeping ((uite a number of them on his farm at White Hall, a little south of Joseph M;ison's residence. The old house was standing since the memory of some now li\ ing, although a very ancient building. It was of the oUl style, lioarded without and within, (no plastering) lined between with l)rirks to stO|) the lialls of the Indians. There were no windows above, but boards to take down when needed. Its huge chimney presented a faint attempt at ornamentation in the shape of fluted work or imitation of pillars, which was something un\isual in those days. It had, no doubt, served the family for se\eral generations. The location was a very pleasant one, nn()rding a fine view of the surromiding country for many miles. The old gentleman was somewhat peculiar, and at one time rnlcrlnined the singular notion that he was not taxed sufficiently. Mud so informed the selectmen. He told them that he owned a large tract of land running to the f'owow river, and it was undervalued. The result of the com]>laint is not known.

Ship building on the river was now an important branch of business, and many of the small crafts were employed in fishini; :H Ihc eastward <n trnding in tlu* West Indies. To show the terms upon which hands were engaged, the following agreement is inserted : -

That Jona Uagley i\: Isaac Randall Doth hereby Agree with and hir David Hlasdell to goe a fishing voyage on the Schooner Dolly & .Ann at and for the wages of six Doller per Month and Ten Dollar p*" Fach thousand of Coddfish caught by him on the Outer banks and Ten Doller for every Twenty four quanties caught FJse where. Said Ragley i^ Randall to find said hlasdell Boots Barrel Lines hooks Leads provisions &c and one gal Rum Fach fair.

At the May meeting the old bone of contention was again introduced, which had occasioned so much trouble with ('apt. Hook. A committee was chosen to inquire in regard to the ferry.

At a meeting held in Septeml>er, *' it was voted that the town would proceed to recover the l'*erry at law ;" but the matter was left without such action as would enforce its detennination.

ing of the towns right to the Ferry called Aniesbury Ferry." The income of this ferry must, at this time, have l>een considerable or there would have lieen no such fierce contention for its control. It was in a direct line from Kingston and other neighboring towns, when en route for Newbury, and was, no doubt, doing consideral)le business. The town has always claimed and rightfully, without doubt, the ownership of this ferry.

Jacob Weed and his son Nathaniel, living at the Huttonwood and owning the farm since owned and occupied by the late Jonathan Morrill, Est]., sold and removed to Oblong, N. H., this year. They were Friends and removed to join the new settlement there. The farm was sold to William Bay ley for ^390, and wiis subsequently known as the " Ikiyley farm " for nearly three-fourths of a century.

At the annual meeting it was "Voted to fence the Burying ground near the middle of the town with a good stone wall and to give three shillings a rod and Isaac Merrill Rsc^, Orlando Sargent and Ephraim Weed is a conmiittee to see that it l)e done." This wall w;is thoroughly re-buill aliout thirty years iigo, and since the division of the town has received a nice cap piece, making a good, substantial fence.

The ferry again seems to give the town some trouble, ami a committee was chosen "to petition to y* Oen" C'ourt for a explanation of a grant of a Ferry over Merrimack River near Mr Goodwins house made to the town of Amesbury by y« Oenarall Court in 1668."

'I'his year it was ilecided to send the l«'rench people back to Canada, and fifteen dollai-s were given them to help them on their way. They had been kept prisoners for eleven years, to the shame of the colony.

Moses Chase petitioned for a piece of the town's land under the bank, near the Powow river at the Ferry, and a committee was chosen to consider the matter.

The committee reiwrtei! favorably and he was granted a piece thirty feet scpiare, for which he agreed to pay 30 s. and keep the bank wall in repair. He was a hatter by trade and stated that he could not get a suitable place to build a shop on. This is the first intimation of the manufacture of hats ui Amesbury. At present the business is of vital importance to this section of the town.

Merchant Cleaves, who was a tiilor living at the mills near the Dr. Sparhawk place, also, petitioned for a lot next that granted Moses Chase to set a tailor's shop on, and his petition was granted. 'I'he Ferry was much the largest place at this time on account of ship building, fishing and the West India trade. A century has reversed the order of things and very nearly annihilated the business of those days.

June 24th. A tax was laid on paper, glass, painter's colors, leas and various other articles by Parliament, which caused very great dissatisfaction in the colonies and fmally led to open resistance. Of course this act was even more obnoxious than the act of the (Jeneral Court in 1754, laying an excise duty on certain articles, when the town thanked the governor for his veto.

A school-house had been built at the Ferry and tlie town ** Voted that y« building set up for a school house near Capt. William Hayleys bam may stand there during y« towns pleasure." This location was, probably, near the spot on which the brick school-house was subsecjuently built.

William Challis, late collector, seems not to have paid over all the taxes, and the selectmen were instructed to see to it immediately. It was a difficult matter to collect taxes in these (lays when money was scarce, and no wonder that the collectors were always behind in their accounts.

March 28th. A town meeting was held to consider various matters, but without proceeding to business adjourned to "Widow l^sther Colbys immediately." This was a good place to hold meetings, especially when an animated discussion was recjuired to settle some knotty (]uestion. And there seems to have been one i)eculiarly hard of solution l)efore the meeting : At this time a widow Mariner had turned up, causing ifuite an excite* ment, some pitying her, some holding her as a nuisance, and the (Question was how to get rid of her. Some proposed treating her as a ''vagerbond/' others thought l>etter of her and deemed that rough treatment. She evidently had friends and determined enemies in town, as the following shows : -

"It was put to vote whether y^ Widow Martlu Merener now being in this town Ik prcxeeded with as a vagerl)ond and i>assed in the negative - and it was put to vote whether that vote should be reconsidered and pa.ssed on the affirmative.'*

"And it was put to vote whether y* town would sup|)ort her as one of the poor of the town and passed on y« negative. The last vote on Record reconsidered."

"Voted that the town take care of y« Widow Marraner and support her as one of their own |)oor then the Meeting adjourned by a vote to Tuesday y* 5th day of April next at three of y* clock in y*= afternoon at the Kast Meeting house in said town."

'Vhe meeting assembled on the appointed day and " It was put to vote whether the last vote on record be reconsidered and passed on y« affirmative."

" And at y* same meeting it was voted that y« Selectmen proceed with y* said Widow Marraner as a vagerlK)nd." So the poor woman was condemned and the excitement died away.

At the representative meeting in May it was "Voted to give Henry Hlasdell twenty four dollars to keep and support that melotee child now at Deacon C'urriers while she arrives to lawful age and to clothe her and to learn her to re.id and to have the said twenty four dollars within three yeais that is to s;iy eight dollars per year three years."

age where the oltl meeting house stood, and the town granted the petition. 'Iliis was on the comer of the Martin road opposite the house of the late Joseph Merrill, and the house was standing within the memory of old persons now living. The cellar is now but partially filled up.

Vallentine Colby petitioned for and was allowed his school money to hire his children schooled, lie lived within a few rods of the house of the late Peter Colby, and there was no school within several miles in town.

The subject of sending n "<(mimittee to set on the C!onven lion at Boston '* was l)efore the September meeting, and "after reading and considering the papers and disputed on it was voted in the negative."

This <(invenlion was calle<l to (onsull upon constitutional measures to obtain redress of the numerous grievances. The convention petitioned the governor, assured him of their loyalty, although deprecating standing annies, etc., and recommended patience ancl good order to the |>eople.

Amcsbnry, after due < onslderation, was of the opinion thai but Utile, if anything, would be accom|)lished by this move, an<l declined taking any p.irt in the convention.

There were very few school-houses in town and private houses were often used for that purpose. 'Iliis year the town voted that each parish should designate the places where the schools should be kept.

A sad event occurred on the i6th of April, or the night of the 15th, by the upsetting of two boats on the bar. From the settlement of the town to the present time, fishing in open boats had been largely practiced and had supplied an important article of diet. At this time, four men went down the river and over the bar, thinking to obtain a good fare during the moonlight evening, as the people had always done before ; but what their success was we shall never know, as in company with another boat on their return they were swam|)ed on the Iwr. It is probable that a sudden change of weather had taken place, rendering the bar rough and impassabie. Philip (]ould, John Gould, Samuel Blaisdell and Moses Currier were drowned and thus suddenly cut ofT from friends and homes.

Philip Gould was the son of Philip and Hannah Gould and was about thirty-two years old ; John (jouUI was the son of Elihu and Martha Gould and was about thirty-four years old ; Samuel Blaisdell was the son of Samuel and Hannah Blaisdell and was about thirty-five years old, and Moses Currier was, probably, the son of Moses and Rhoda Currier and was about thirty-one years old. Of these young men little is known ; but, no doubt, they were industrious, hard-working persons, leaving many friends to mourn their loss.

then Received of lx;ut John Currier y« thorteen Doler which is for our Bileten from the time of our inlistment until the Dat a lk>vc we Say Receiver 1

Peter Dulosh, the aged Frenchman already mentioned, was this year chargeable to the town, and the selectmen t(H>k the income of his land at the llighbnds for his support.

Capt. Jonathan Barnard died before the close of the year and Jonathan Bagley was chosen representative in his stead. Capt. Barnard had filled many imi)ortant offices in town, having been selectman eight years and chairman the first year he was chosen. He was the son of Samuel and Aim Barnard and was bom July 8th, 1702. It is prol>able that he was a grandson of Thomas and Helen Barnard.

The tax of Amesbury imposed by the colony was j£g^t 4 s., 3 d., this year. The warrant of the royal treasurer, Harrison Oray, was sent to "John Currier Constable or Collector of Amesbury/' and is now among his papers in a good state of preservation. The great seal of the "Province of Massachusetts liay" is attached, and it is really an imposing document.

An address to the governor was ordered at the May meeting and Jonathan Haglcy, ICsq., Thomas Rowcll, Ivsq., and Isaac Merrill, Estj., were chosen to prepare the document. What purpose this address was designed to answer, the record does not show ; but it, no doubt, was to set forth some complaint and ask redress of the royal governor. The beginning of stirring times is at hand ; the people are heartily tired of British rule and every new encroachment upon their rights calls forth a determined remonstrance.

Eli Gale petitioned the town for a "place to set me a Black Smith Shop on "near taylor ('leaves* shop, very handy to my house," upon the bank of " Powwo '* river. 'ITie matter was referred to a committee" and reported upon favorably. He was allowed twenty-five feet on the road, beginning six feet from Merchant Cleaves' shop and extending back sixty feet, he paying the town 4 s. annual rent.

Timothy Barnard was allowed to build a wharf at the landing at the mills on the flats at the foot of the falls, opposite the saw pit, to lay lumber on. It is probable that he was a ship- builder and needed this extra room to deposit his timber and plank.

Rev. Joseph Currier, of Amesbury, was this year ordained o\er the church at Ooflstown, N. H. He is, probably, the one who kept school in town in the years 1764-5.

been preserved, and is valuable, as showing to some extent the amount of i>roi)erty and industrial interests. 'Hie total valuation was ^2201, 10 s. 'Inhere were two hundred and seventeen acres of tillage land, 'flie largest amount cultivated by any one was seven acres, and the following are the mimes of the largest farmers : Isaac Merrill, l^sc)., seven acres ; Knsign Orlando Sargent, six acres; Nathaniel Davis, 6ve acres; liamalias Bradbury, four acres ; Iku^illa ( 'olby, four acres ; Ebenezer Farrington, four and a half acres ; Benjamin Morse, four acres ; Joseph Moody, four acres; Samuel Sargent, four acres; l)ea. Stephen Sargent, four acres ; 'ITiomas Sargent, jr., four acres, and Christopher Sargent, four acres.

The number of acres in orcharding was twenty-four and a <|uarter, and the largest orchard was that of Isaac Merrill, l^si|., containing one and three-iiuarters acres ; Kbenezer Karri ngton owned the next largest orchard, of one anil one-tjuarter acres. Although it is probable that all owned some apple trees, yet less than one-half had any regular orchard.

Four Negroes were owned, viz. : Isaac Merrill, Fst]., two ; Benjamin Morse, one; Wells Chase, one. There were fifty-one horses, one hundred and seventeen oxen, two hundred and seventy-four cows owned, and C29, 15 s. at interest.

Jacob Harvey owned two mills, which were located on Cobblers brook, near the wheel factory. Isaac Merrill, Kstj., kept nine cows, *Ens. Orlando Sargent seven, Isaac Sargent six, Kbenezer Farrington six, Barnard Hoyt fwe, and others from one to four, and there were fifty who had no cows.

History Ok Amkshurv

I'hc town pound having become old and dilapidated, it was decided to build a new one. It was, probably, located on the lot given by Orlando !5agley, Ksc|., for school purposes, where the present one stands. It seems from the record that Col. Jonathan Hagley had given the town a stmi of money, and it was "V()tc<l thni }-* money Coll Ri^jjlcy give to y« town bo Mppropriatctl to btiihling the |M)un<l." A ronnnitlcc consisting of Pclcg Challis, Orlando S;\rgenl an<l Timothy Ikirnard was chosen to carrj* the vote into effect.

A tax of £140 was voted to defray town (charges at a meeting held in September, and then an adjournment was ordered to meet at " y« house of the Widow Hester Colby in half an hour," and nothing farther is known abotit it.

In portions of Amesbury and Salisbury on the 14th of August occurred one of the most violent tornadoes ever known in this vicinity. Although not lasting more than three mintites, it damaged or entirely prostrated about two hundred buildings. Two vessels were removed twenty feet IVom the stocks, (me of which was about ninety tons. One C'ai)t. Smith was killed. It swept along about a * (juarter of a mile in width and a mile and a half in length near the river. The damage at the Ferry was David Blasdell's blacksmith shop blown down, Kphraim niasdell's house wrecked, Levi l^rtlett*s house half imroofed, Stephen HlasdelPs house, much glass broken and workhouse blown down, Theophilus Foot's new house blown down. Widow l»nrtlett's barn partly unroofe<l. David Hartlelt's house and Imrn damaged, Peltiah lloyt*s and Humphrey Hook's houses half imroofed and barn blown down, Nathan Hartlett's bam blown down, Theodore Hoyt's house damaged and bam half unroofed. Richard Currier's barn, mill house and blacksmith's shop blown down and hotise damaged, Philip White's house damaged, Isaac l^jwell's hcMise damaged, (lideon lx)weirs hotise wrecked and unroofed and barn blown down, Moses Chase's house unroofed. his hatter's shop partly unroofed and both chimney's blown down. KH dale's blacksmith shop blown down, Daniel and

James Bayley's houses partly unroofed and one chimney partly blown down, Enoch Bagley's house unroofed, wrecked and bam blown down, two vessels blown from the stocks, apple trees uprooted, Nicholas Bartlett's new house frame partly l>oar(led jjlown down, ICliplialet lx)wcirs house wrecked and liarn unroofetl Capt. Lurvey's house damaged, barber's shop <lamaged, Capt. Rayley's house considerably damaged, two barns, large store and workhouse forty by twenty feet, each two stories high, blown down, Joseph Hoyt's house partly unroofed, David Ix)weirs new house unroofed and old house \xuri\y so, h^liphalet Swett's house half unroofed and bam moved do>vn into a gully, Humphrey Currier's house partly unroofed and two small Imms blown down and one unroofed, William Hudson Ballard's house somewhat wrecked and workhouse wrecked and moved, 'ITiomas I'earson's house damaged, blacksmith's shop parUy unroofed and chimney blown down, Levi Hoyt's house west end beaten in by a falling house and chimney, partly unroofed and l>arn blown down, one end of Ezra Worthcn's house blown down and the rest much damaged, also chimney and barn blown down, ICliphalet Martin's house i>artly unroofed and large l)arn blown down, Adonijah Colby's barn blowji down, Timothy Colby's Iwurn blown down, and Isaac (ioodwin's barn blown* down.

'ITie above account was given by Kev. Sanuiel Webster, of Salisbury, together with a longer account of the damage done there. No such time has ever been known since the white man first set foot on this Western wild.

John Bagley, after serving the town as clerk fifteen years, closes his official life this year. His penmanship was inferior to that of Orlando Bagley, l^s(i., or Thomas Ikigley, who pre- <:eeded him, and for clearness an<l correctness his record is l)elow mediocrity. It is probable that he was a nephew of the Orlando Bagley who served so long. He lived some twenty rods to the westward of Davis Mason's place, on the old road. The office was held by the Bagley family sixty-five years.

History Ok Amesbury

The i>cople were organizing throughout the colony to be in readiness for any emergency, and on the 21st of July a town meeting was held and ^2, 8 s., 7 d. were raised for the committee of correspondence, and a committee was chosen "to in(|uire into the nfTnire of the towns stock." Clouds were gatliering and it was evident that they must break, deluging the Innd in blood. Ciovcrnor Cage fmtling the Jtssembly deteniiincd to have ihcir own way, had dissolved thai bo<ly and commenced fortifying l»oslon. People were not disposed lo leave affairs to the royal governor, and a call was isstied for representatives to re-.issemble under the name of "l^ovincial Congress." 'ITiis body reflerte<l the will of the people and their measures were respected. The sum of ^^20,000 was voted to arm and train Minute men throughout the colony. Amesbury showed her patriotism by choosing Isaac Merrill, Ks<|., a member of this Congress, which was to meet in October.

Thus matters were hastening to a crisis, the people everywhere arming for the inevitable conflict, determined and united against the conunon enemy, as the Hritish government was then thought to be.

I'Acn the tixes were not paid into the royal treasury, and to secure the selec:lmen the town held a meeting and "Voted timt the town indcnmify the Selectmen for the Constables not making a return of the money raised to Harrison Gray Escj."

The custom of warning out new comers, who might become chargeable to the town, was yet in being, and this year Christopher .Sargent, lss<]., wnrned out Christopher Davis, Elizabeth Fling, Sarah ('olby an<l Joseph (liles, who were stipposed to be inhabitants of Chester, N. II., and, also, Elizabeth Hunt and two children, of Newbury, who had been in town about six months. The warrant was returned to the court.

Capt. Richard Kelley died June 18th, aged 70 years. He was born at West Newbury March 8th, 1 704, and came to Amesbury in .April. 1727, having purchased the farm at Ih'rching meadow, on which his descendants now live. His house stood on the spot where the house of the late Joseph 13. Kelley now stands. He was ca])tain under the royal governor and long connected with the militia of the town, and held the office of selectman four years. His book of accoimts, from the time he became twenty-one years of age to February, 1774, contains much infomiation in regard to the times, lie was a <:onstant attendant at church, and had a system of short hand by which he was enabled to take down the sermons for many years. He was a very even-tempered man, and it has been said of him that he was never known to do a rash act. Most of his public acts, as connected with militar)' affairs, were during the I'Vench and Inilian wars.

At a meeting held January 24th, Isaac Merrill, l^sc)., was again chosen to represent the town in the "Proventcll Congress" to be holden at Cambridge on the first of February. Meantime a Continental Congress had, on the 4th of Septeml>er, 1774, assembled at Philadcl))hia to deliberate \\\xm the state of the country and measures to be adopted fi)r armed resistance, if nc(css;u'y. The matter was discussed at this meeting in regard to tlie propriety of acknowledging the acts of Congress by recording their votes, and it was decided to do so.

"It was put to vote whether the town wouhl chuse a i\m\~ nuttee for see to it that y« votes of the Continental Congress shall be put on record and voted on y^ aflirmative.** Daniel Quinby, Willis Patten, Winthrop Merrill, John Siiwyer and Kzra Worthen were chosen this committee.