Merrimac Town (part 6 of 9)

'I'he subject of raising Minute men came before the meeting, but it was deferred to the annual town meeting. A couunittee <:(msisting of Capt. John Sawyer and Fphraim Weed was chosen to join with the selectmen to proviile a "town stock." It was found that some of the stock in the West parish was missing, and an "investigating committee" was chosen, or rather this same committee was instructed to " in(|uire into it and to decide and detemiine whether the whole town or the West parish shall make it good."

At the annual meeting, held March 13th, eighty pounds were raised to repair the highways. The treasury was again guarded by ordering tin* constables to pay the money to such persons as the town might designate.

The course pnrsueil by the town was virtually a complete revolution, so far as it could l)e accomplished without bloodshed. No su]>port was ])ermitted to be given to the royal government.

A colonial government was already organized and assuming coiUrol of ])ublic affairs, an<l to this government the town had pledged itself by sending a representative to participate in its proceedings. In short, no support or countenance whatever has been accorded to Hritish rule from this 13th day of March '775 *'^ ^'^^' present time. Throughout the struggle which "tried men's souls" and Ixwlies, t(K>, we find every act of Amesbiiry true to the cause of the patriots.

The annual meeting was adjourned to the 20th instant, when it was " voted to raise fifty able bodyed men including officers for minnit men and to enlist them for one year if not disbanded before and that each man shall have one shilling for exercising four hours in n fortnight and that the commanding officer of said Minnit men shall exhibit an account of them that shall exercise to the Selectmen for to reteive their pay for exercising, and it was further voted that said Minnit. men shall upon their own cost be well equiped with arms and aminition according to law fit for a march." The meeting was now adjotirned "to the third Monday in May next at two of the clock aftern(X)n."

In the meantime (juestions came very unexpectedly before the board of selectmen, retiuiring instructions from the town, and on the 7th day of April a warrant was issued calling a meeting on the 17th of said month, "to pass an order for to pay the money raised in the town for the l^ovince use for the year 1774 to Henry (lardner Ksi\ of stow he lioing ai>))ointed 'IVcasuror by die Provincial Congress," "and to do any other iHisiness the town shall think proper."

At this meeting it was "voted to ]>ay the money raised in 1774 and also that raised in 1773 to the Provincial 'IVeasurer." It was, also, "voted to give the minit men one shilling each for exercising four hours in a week in the room of one shilling in a fortnight as voted last meeting."

" At the same meeting it was voted that each minit man shall have two dollars bounty ])aid them at their first marching of provided they are called for by the Congress or a Ceneral officer they may appoint."

This |)atriotic meeting was just two days before the fight at I^xington. On the 24th instant a town meeting wxs held and Doctor Nehemiah Ordway was chosen moderator.

"At the same meeting it was voted to send a man ui)on the town's cost to Cambridge to the Minit men to see whether they wanted their bounty or any part of it."

June 6th. A town meeting was held, when it was voted to join with Newburyjiort in sinking a pier at the mouth of the river. This measure was considered of so much importance that the meeting was called by (fnc of the selectmen, the others being away from town attending to matters relating to the anny. and with but two day's notice. Josiah Sargent, the only selectman in town, had no scruples what course to take, when suplK)ited by the " Committee of Safety," who requested the meeting.

wliich the former received ^,'10, 13 s., 4 d. and the latter ;^8. NMiat good resulted from this measure can hardly l)c told ; btit liritish war vessels, although frecjuently lying outside, were not anxious to enter the river, nor did they.

Inunediatcly after the fight at Lexington, active measures were taken by the Provincial Congress to defend the rights of the people hy organizing troops through the colony. In Amesbtiry enlisting i)apers accompanied with proper instnictions were received by Capt. John Ctirrier, who proceeded forthwith to recruit a company. Having Capt. Currier's papers at hand, and judging that they may be interesting to all, they are co[)ied entire : -

" We the Subscribers do hereby solenmly and Severally engage and inlist ourselves as Soldiers in the Massarhtisctts Service, for the Preservation of the Liberties of America, from the Day of our Inlistment, to the last day of December next, unless the service should admit of a Discharge of a Part or the Whole sooner, which shall be at the Discretion of the Committee of Safely, and we hereby promise to submit ourselves to all the Orders and Regulations of the Anny, and faithfully to olwerve antl obey all such Orders as we shall receive from Time to Time, from our superior officers."

**You are not to Knlist any Deserter from the Ministerial Army, nor any Stroller, Negro or Vagabond, or Person suspected of being an ICnemy to the Liberty of America, nor any under Kighteen years of Age.

As the Cause is the best tliat can engage Men of Courage and Principle to take up Anns ; so it is expected that none but such will be accepted by the Recruiting Officer; The Pay, Provision, &<: being so ample, it is not doubted but the Officers sent ui)on this Service, will without Delay com pleat their respective Corjys, and March the men forthwith to Camp.

You are not to ICnlist any Person, who is not an American lx)rn, unless such Person has a wife ami lamily, and is a Settled Resident in this Country.

Under Capt. (Itnrier, Lieut. Wells Cliase was appointed reiniiting officer. It will be noticed that the instructions were very particular, re<nnring the greatest caution against engaging bad characters or even negroes to fight for the "best cause thai can engage men.'* It was believed that when such ample provision had been made in regard to " Pay and Provisions," that good men would readily be obtained. Could they have l)een ]>crmitted to look into the fiiture, little would have been sai<l about negroes, vagabonds, or " ample Pay." Capt. Currier was willing that negroes should fight in a good cause and forthwith enlisted Sipeo Cray "slave to Benjamin Barnard," nnd " Robert Negro Man Servant to Kliphalet Currier." Sipeo was a yoimg man aged twenty-one years, and very probably interested in the good cause choosing to join the army rather thnii remain with his master and hoe corn, etc.

The rations ordered by the Provincial Congress were "ample" when obtained but failed in a short time - long before the terrible struggle was over. The following document accompanied the enlisting papers :

'Hie proposed rations were really better than most [people enjoyed at home and if it hail l)een ]X)ssible to continue them all through the war, an immense amount of suffering would have been avoided. Ragged, shoeless and hungry soldiers were no uncommon sight long before the close of the war. And yet all this was endured with a great deal of patience by those brave patriots. Nearly every family in town sent forth a delegation to share the burdens of this almost hopeless struggle.

To provide clothing for the soldiers the IVovincial Congress issued a call upon the towns for 13,000 coats. 'I'he pro|X)rtionate share of Amesbury was sixty-nine coats. .As the selectmen had no authority to act without the consent of the town, a meeting was called .August i5thy and a committee consisting of Capt. John Hoyt, Capt. John Sawyer and Cornet John Barnard was chosen to procure the re(|uired number of coats.

After the fight at l^exington a |)ermanent organization of the amiy was resolved upon and soldiers were enlisted for sj^eci- Ae<l periods, generally three years, but fre({uently for shorter time. Capt. Currier's company was enlisted till the ist. of August. The following document will be of interest as it furnishes considerable information in regard to this company.

Your petitioner further prays that there was a Number of his Soldiers who in the Engagement at Charlestown Ix)st some f)f there (Southing and other particulars that the same may be made good to them he having taken from under Conoll Fryes Hand to make it appear his C^ompany being in s** Fryes Regiment and your petitioner who as in Duty l)ound Shall ever pray.

It is reinarkabic that in the hasty retreat after the supply of amunition had been exhausted, so little loss should have been made. The (position occupied by this company must have been favorable or tin* cnsualtics would have been far greater. A son of Capt. Currier, the late David Currier, related to me his recollections of thai day, June 17th. He was then a boy some five years old, and the excitement in the neighl)orhood of the Pond hills was so great that it made an impression upon him never to be forgotten. 33

It was a warm day with south-west wind and the guns were distinctly heard, forcing all to the conclusion that a battle was going on. Never before had the big guns of an enemy been heard at Amesbury. All were wild with fear and excitement, for it should be remembered that almost every family was represented on that battle ground. The women gathered at some neighbors to sympathize, as well as express their deep anxiety as to the result. Would more than half be killed? Some thought not, others thought there would. But their fears could not be dispelled for some days, as there were no lightning trains or telegraphs then, and anxious hearts must retire to bed, but not to sleep. What will the British do ? Will they kill us all? Such were the questions asked, which no one could answer. From other sources I have had like narratives, and in this manner local tradition has preserved valuable information.

" To Capt. Currier^ Colo. F, Regiment General Washington's Com])limcnts to Capt. Currier. Kec|uests his Company at Dinner to day half after 2 o'clock bills were paid for court expenses and also a lawyer's bill. 'Iliere seems to have been a lawsuit but the record throws very little light on the affair.

May 20th. A call was issued by the selectmen for a town meeting on the 25th inst. to choose representatives, and it is worthy of note that it was called " In observance of the Resolves and Recommendations of the Provincial Congress." Already had the town rejected " His Majesty's " authority and it never more appears in town records.

('apt. William Hudson Mallard from the Ferry was in the service during a part of the war btit how long or at what period is not (juite certain. From the account book of Jonathan Hlaisdell it would seem that he was at Cambridge soon after den. Washington assumed command. Mr. Blaisdell was a gunsmith and was evidently at Cambridge repairing the guns for Washington's army. The account book contains nearly two hundred charges embracing guns from nineteen regiments and fortyfour companies. There is no date to dx the exact time, but the heading reads " Cambridge iune 25," and one later charge is as follows: "David Boyd to menden a gun, o, 15, o. Abraham Miler C!aptn in genaril wosenton regiment."

A committee of safety and corres|X)ndence was chosen consisting of Lieut. John Barnard, Winthrop Merrill, Christopher Sargent. Knoch Rogers, Peleg Challis, Ezra Worthen and Obadiah Colby. This was an important committee and very wisely c()ni|x>sed of some of the most substantial and influential citizens. The duties of this committee were to hold corresi)ondence with the committee at head-quarters, and of other towns, and of deciding upon measures for the public good and safety. Theirs was the duty of directing the proper course to be taken, an<l the people and authorities were ready to tmrry out the measures advised. Forty i)ounds were raised to repair the highways and the selectmen allowed four |K)unds for their serxices.

April 2 2d. Major David Merrill was chosen a delegate to a county convention to be held at Mr. Treadweirs tavern in I|>swich. The object of this convention we are unable to state.

'Vht council organized a new regiment in the towns of Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury to be designated as the Second Regiment. Amesbury was dis.satisfied with the proportion of commissioned officers assigned to her and voted that '*they thought they had not had their proper pro|K)rtioii of field offl cers."

''At the same meeting Capt. William liayley, Lieut. John Iku^nard and Christopher Sargent were chosen a committee to draw a petition or memorial and send to the honorable council and house of representatives in behalf of the town praying their honors to consider whether a second major is our full proportion of field ollicers, and redress us if they think we are agrieved."

Each regiment was provided with three important officers, viz. Colonel, paid ^15 per month, Lieut. -Col., paid j£i2 per month, au<l Major, paid j^io per month, and neither of these officers liad been taken from .Amesbury, but simply a " Second Major." Those determined men who were watching every interest of the town were not to be slighted in any manner, without an attempt at redress. 'I'he elVect of this petition is not known.

British vessels were fre<|uently seen off the Bar, and Coffin, in his history of Newbury, gives an account of several that were taken and brought into Newburyport as prizes, viz. Jan. 15th the ship Friends, Feb. 16th, a bark of three hundred tons, March ist., brig Nelly; and supposing that war vessels might attempt to enter the river to burn the town it was detennined to \}\\\U\ a fort on I^lum Island. Hy recjuest of Newbury|X)rt and Newlniry, a town meeting was held April 30th to consider the matter. 'I'he meeting declined to assist in building the fort as this town was in very little danger from that cause. Ncwhuryport had appopriated ^4000 and Newbury ;^200.

Although few decisive battles had been fought and the proj*- pect for independence was anything but flattering, yet Massachnsctts was fully determined to press fonvard in the cause of freedom and the (ieneral Court advised holding town-meetings throughout the colony to consider the subject of indei)endence, and to give instructions to the representatives.

July I St. 'I'he town assembled agreeable to a call to consider the propriety of instructing the representatives to press forward the declaration of independence. The vote was "that thry will abide by and Defend the Members of the ('ontinen lal Congress with their Lives and fortimes if they think it expedient to declare the Colonies Independent of Great Briton.*' This was no hasty resolution of the people, but the result of long contimied and calm consideration. Heartily tired of British rule they were willing to sacrifice property and even life itself, if need be, for liberty. And there was at this time a native son of Amesbury in the Continental Congress, fearlessly advocating this bold measure, and by his influence greatly assisting in its adoption. Dr. Josiah Bartlett l)om at the Ferry in 1729 was now a resident of Kingston, N. 11. and meml)er of C!ongress. He was a man of more than ordinary talent, a fine scholar, successful physician and determihed patriot. Popular with the people of his adopted state, he had l)een entrusted with their interests at a most critical period, and well did he execute that trust.

While the people at Amesbury were pledging their all to the c-.ause of freedom, he was urging forward the l)old measure ( ah'ulnted to separate the colonies from the mother country. When the fearless document was completed he l)oldly steps forward and places his name at the he.id of the Declaration. ( )f such heroic conduct Amesbury may well Ije proud. In 1790 he was chosen (iovernor of New Hampshire, an office which he filled with credit to himself and honor to the Si«c. A fitting memorial of him wuiilil lie a |)m]KT iiioniiinunt on the s|>ot of his birth.

July 3d. A meeting was notified to meet on the 4th to Tai&c money to encourage enlistments. A call had just been made for thirty-seven men to reinforce the army at Canada.

The colony had offered bounties but the men were not easily obtained and it became necessary for the town to make some addition. " It was voted to give unto each man the sum of twenty dollars to the amount of thirty-seven men, and in proportioning the tax to raise the money, the selectmen shall (-onsider them men that have done anything in the service the year past and allow it imto them according to what they have <lone."

'* At the same meeting it was voted that each man that shall enlist shall have the whole of his bounty from the town at their passing muster and that the Selectmen shall procure the money upon the town's credit to pay the Soldiers."

It was also voted to join the Newburyport regiment. After eleven days experience in recruiting it was found that the men <-.ould not be raised with the present bounty, and a meeting was called July 15th, and an addition of twenty dollars voted, thus giving forty dollars. It was a dangerous expedition, one in which no one wished to engage even for money. The men, if enlisted, were not sent to Canada, as the army of inva.sion was already on their retreat, a mere handful of worn-out soldiers when they arrived at Ticonderoga.

Nearly every one of the above were citizens of Ainesbiiry, ami to pay them the selectmen hired on the 17th inst. ^^538, 5 s.y 8 d. of the inhabitants, who readily loaned their money in liehalf of the cause, which evinced their patriotism, and faith in its final success.

'llieir lives and fortunes were pledged to Congress unci now they are nobly redeeming both. Robert Hoyt and Timothy Hoyt, after enlisting, loaned the town ^* 12 each to assist in paying the large bounties.

Scarcely was the excitement of this call over before another demand was made for every twenty-fifth man, being nine men. To meet this call a meeting was held on the 221! inst. and a Ixiunty of ^12 offered.

Another retpiisition was receiveil for six men, and a townmeeting held Aug. 2d, when it was *' voted that the town will make y* pay of the Soldiers in the present recpiisition to the sum of ten dollars |3er month during the time of their service with what shall Ikt paid by the Province."

William Williams and Lieut. John Iktrnaril were chosen to enlist the men. The selectmen were instnicted to hire the money and on the 8th the six men received ^^,'4 bounty as their own signatures attest.

On the 23d of September a meeting was held to l;ike meas ures to raise men to reinforce the army at New \ork and a homity of ^6 was offered in lawful money.

Namks Of Thk Men

The army was now reduced to 18,000 men and of tliat number 3,000 were sick and hence the resolute attempt to send forward strong re-enforcements.

Dec. 2(1. A meeting was held when it was "voted to give $20 to each man that shall inlist or be draughted," and Capl. Barnard lloyt and ('apt. Timothy Barnard were appointed to enlist the men.

'I'his meeting was held at the "Church" which stood on what is now known as the "old church yard" opposite where the late Town Mouse stood at Pond hills.

The meeting was adjourned to the 9th inst., and again to the house of David lloyt, jr., who then lived where the family of the late 1^. M. Huntington now lives. The present house is of more modern date and was built by the late Moses Hoyt. I'he church could not be wanned ])roperly and was imfit for town meeting cm a cold December day.

An addition of ^10 was made to the fonner bounty, making it 530. The able-bodied men were now reduced to 1 20, according to the best information to be obtained, and to enlist 30 out of this number was no easy tiisk. Upon this increa.sed

At a meeting held I )e(:eml)er 30th .it was *' voted to raise eight hundred pounds lawful money, in addition to what is already voted, which is to make a tax of twelve hundred |iounds to defray the charges of the town the present year."

Thus closed the year 1776, full of starding events and measures of which time only could enable the world to judge. It was glorious in principles and aspirations if not in the success of its arms. The town was called to meet sixteen times ami (ince, so great was the necessity that but a single day's notice was given, and in another instance the call was made by one of the selectmen only. In no year during the (ireat Rel>ellion was one half as many meetings held.

In addition to the continued excilcment in war malters ihe small-pox prevailed to some extent, which was in those days more to be dreaded than an army with banners.

**Amesbury, Sept. 1776. Then received of Capl. John Currier the .sum of two )K)unds fourteen shillings and three pence lawful Money which I received as being due for my negros service in the last years campaign

The census of the population at this thne, as taken by the ' colony, only gave one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five inhabitants, and in 1 790, some fourteen years later, the increase was but six. In 1800 there was found a decrease of population from 1776 of thirty-eight, and in 1820, after the la^^se of forty-four years, the town had gained but one himdre«l and six ty-one in numbers, although two or more factories had Ixien built :m«l put in operation during that period.

I'hc following persons were chosen a conmiittee of corres|Hmdence and safety : John Patten, ('apt. John Sawyer, Capt. Matthias Hoyt, John Hoyt, jr., Major David Merrill, John Bagley and Capt. Caleb Filsbury.

The fre<iuent calls for men last year had severely tried the town and its resources, but this year opens mider no very fav orable prospects to encourage renewed effort in the good cause. So many able-bodied men were in the army that provisions were scarce and high. The town was under the neces.sit}' of supplying the soldier's families, and frequently bought com for that puq)ose. The people were not fed on pie and cake then. Guns, amunition and shovels for the soldiers and army were l)ought by the town.

There were continual calls on the town for clothing and almost every variety of needed articles, and to aild to the other pressing burdens, the Continental money was rapidly depreciating and large quantities were required to purchase the needed articles.

To illustrate this depreciation, we cite the case of Daniel Hoyt: He gave a note March 3d, 1775, for ^^3, 2 s., 2 d., to Mr. Peleg Challis for the benefit of his brother Jacob's children. On September 25th, 1777, he paid it, and the amount including interest was ;^,20, 16 s.

April 2 1 St. A call for fourteen men having been made, it was found necessary to hold a town meeting to decide on the manner of raising them. "The question was put whether the town would pay any bounty to the men now to lie raised and it passed in the negative."

It is evident that the people were a little discouraged, nor is it any wonder that they should l)e. It was difficult even by the help of the wonien to rai.se provisions enough to supply all. The fare was coarse and scant, and money hard to get.

The people, however, soon rallied from their depression, (.ailed a meeting on the 28th and "voted to pay three |)ounds each to fourteen men, who shall enlist as private soldiers and .serve two months as private soldiers or non-commissioned officers agreeable to die order of Court."

This bounty was sufticient to secure in two days the recpiired nuniber of men, who were paid with money In^rrowcd, a.-> usual, from the citizens. They were all .Vmesbury men, as follows : - in some portions of New I'^ngland, and Oen. Washington's array amounted to but a few hundred. An effort to fill up the rank and file became absolutely necessary to sustain the desperate cause.

The scarcity of amis was, also, telling against the Americans. All the old guns were repaired by local gunsmiths in the various towns, so ns to pa.ss muster. In Amesbury, David HIasdell repaired the lorks nnd guns, as his father had done in the old I'Vench and Indinn wars. Fortunately, however, a French vessel arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., with eleven thousand guns and other war material. One or two chests of these were brought to Amesbury and distril)ute<l by Isaac Merrill, Escj.. two of which the writer now has in his possession, now known as "old French guns."

To the amazement of all, in seven days from filling the last call the town was threatened with a draft. A warrant for a town meeting was immediately issued, containing the following article : -

** To see if the town will take some proper method to complete our full seventh part of all the male inhabitants of this town front sixteen years old and upwards to serve as Soldiers in the Continental Army agreeable to an act of this State of A|)ril y« 30th to enlist or draft the men that are wanting to complete said seventh part on or before the 15th day of this present May." That the people might be awake to the importan<:e of the meeting, the selectmen added "It is desired the good people of this town will give their attendance at time and place above mentioned for the business is urgent and will not admit of delay."

The citizens assembled on the 12th, and under the excitement of the moment voted a bounty of Jioo to each man who should enlist. The meeting was then adjourned to meet at the house of lienjamin Hodge on "Thursday Next."

At the adjourned meeting, the previous vote was reconsidered and ;^5o substituted for sei-ving till "the tenth of January next," a little more than seven months. This arrangement was not satisfa( tory. however, from some cause and was reconsidered.

At the adjourned meeting, Capt. John Hoyt, ICnsign Matthias Hoyt and Lieut. John Barnard were chosen to enlist the men on the best teniis they could obtain for three yciurs or during the war. At this time one-seventh of the able-bodied men was twenty- two. This number was obtained for ^^30 each, which was paid by the town from money borrowed of the citizens. The noble-hearted women fre(|uently loaned the town money on these occasions.

Aug. iClh. A call for one-sixth of the able-lnxlicd men hav ing been made, a meeting was held this day and a bounty of ;^4, 10 s., per month was offered to each of thirty men.

It recjuired constant effort to fill the calls so rapidly made at this critical period, and the only wonder is that it was possible to (inil mc/i an<l money enough to comply with them, 'lliere appears to have been but one mind in town, and that was patriotic in the extreme : loyalty to the cause of freedom. Not a line appears on the mass of records, which have been laboriously searched, which could possibly be construed into anything like "Toryism."

On the 26th of August a town meeting was held to take nuMsures to raise seven men just called for, and Capt. I*ilsbury and Lieut. John llarnard were chosen to hire the men on tlie most reasonable terms "they can." Lieut. Barnard proceeded to the eastward and was successful in obtaining six^ men, to whom l)ounty was paid, as follows : - "'.

\bner Cofiln Lunt and Isaac Smith ^^33 each; Nathaniel Voung, Mark Merrill and William Stevens ^^^43 each ; Nathaniel Coffin Liuit jQ^o, and Abraham Young X43-

Nov. 6th. The town voted to raise ;^20oo to defray the charges of the town the present year, and, also, to make up the wages of the soldiers, now to be raised to six pounds per month.

It was, also, "Voted to give Mrs. (ioodridge widow of Capt. I'izekiel Coodridge," who was killed at the taking of Burgoyne, "twelve poimds as a bounty for hist year's service."

Capt. Cioodridge was originally from Haverhill, but moved to Amesbury, and his stone in the East parish burying ground gives the date, et<-., of his death.

The gloomiest and most trying period of the war ended with this year. At its close, prospects were brightening. Burgoyne had been captured with his whole army, and the .\merican army hail gained niany advantages. (Ireat mmibers of soldiers had been added to the various commands, and even the British generals were seriously thinking of giving up all as lost.

'I1ie several calls made upon the town during the year amounted to seventy- three men, exclusive of the Noveml)er call for men to supply the places of those whose term expired with the month.

June 16. At the same meeting voted to build a place in " Deac" Orlando Sargent's corn house on the towns cost to put the towns .'Stock of amunition and tools in."

Jan. 26th, 1778. A meeting was held at which Thomas Rowell, Esq., was chosen moderator and then it was adjourned to the house of Isaac Whittier forthwith. It was there voted to chose a committee of seven men to ilraft instructions for " our Representative consierning the Confederation and lay them before the town at the adjournment of their meeting."

The selectmen with the addition of Thomas Rowell, ICsij., C'ol. Jonathan Hagley, Stephen Kelley and (apt. John Currier were chosen for the alK)ve pur(H)se, and then the meeting was adjourned to meet February 3d, at the church meeting house at the Pond hills. The report of this committee, composed of the most prominent men in town, is well worth perusal, as it clearly sets forth the views and ideas of the people at the time the government was being formed. Their opinions were by no means favorable to a strong central (K>wer that should control

History Ok Amksiiuky

Sir : The Inhabitants of Amesbury being assembled this 3d day of February, 1778, took into consideration the Articles of Confederation and perpetual union betwixt the United States of America, the Honorable the House of Representatives looking ujwn it as a matter of the greatest im|X)rtance by their Resolves have reconunended it to the consideration of the several towns in this state to instruct their Representatives to act and do as they shall judge most for the advantage and security of this and the other Uniteil States, relative to that matter, the inhabitants of this town are most humbly of their opinion, and sinrerdy obliged to that Honorable Assembly whereof you have the honor to be a member, for the great care they have taken in order to collect the whole wisdom of the States before they come to a determination upon a matter where the lives, the liberties, the property, the safety and the future well being of this Continent so much depends, after reading the several articles, and considering the same the inhabitants upon mature deliberation and with the most earnest solicitude recommend the following amendment in the several articles hereafter mentioned.

In the 8th article where the proportioning the Continental charges upon the several states, it be proportioned according to the value and income of personal as well as real estate.

And in the ninth article the Congress not to have the sole and executive right and power of determining (m peacx* ami war wilhoiit first consulting the Ixjgislative authority of every one of the Unileil Slates, and the Ix'gislative authority of nine of the United States consenting to the detennination of war, and to every article of all Treaties of Peace and allian<*e, then the United States in Congress to have power to declare war ami grant letters of Man pie and Reprisals and to ratify i)eace and not without such consent first had &c.

money or emits Bills on the credit of the United States transmitting every half year to the res|)ective States on account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted then add together with an account of the expenditure of the same. The inliabitants of this town are unanimously of opinion that all Communitys of people out in justice and have an undoubted right to know the expendure of their public money.

Consider Dear Sir that the Articles of Confederation are perpetual and not to 1)e altered without such alteration l>e agreed to in Congress and afterwards confirmed by the i/^gislative authority of every State, the obtaining of which will l>e next to an impossibility therefore it highly behooves every state, every town and every indevidual to summons up their Power and exercise their whole wisdom and see their way is clear before they bind themselves and thousand and ten thousands yet unl>orn in a perpetual covenant never to be altered.

The other Articles in the proposed Confederation the inliabitants leave to the great wisdom of the Cencral Assembly together with our ardent prayers that they may be directed from above to do that which may make the inhabitants of the United States ever happy."

'I'he presentation of these instructions was the last important act of Capt. Pilsbury's life, lie dieil before the close of the year, having led a useful and honorable* life. He commenced his public life in 1728 as juror, and held almost every office within the gift of the i>eople. He was selectman in 1757 and 1764, and Representative to (jeneral Court and to the provincial Congress in 1775. ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ those who pro{X)sed iliggiiig through the Pond ridge, which he and the venerable Orlando Bagley successfully accomplished in 1 740, thus opening a short cut from the pond to Powow river. For this act he will long be remembered.

-* Voted that the Selectmen pay those men that went to guard the prisoners taken by (leneral Gates their wages agreeable to the vote of the town."

'Inhere are no lists or record of the men who were furnished at the several < alls during the year, and all the clue we have been able to find is the record of the few orders drawn for their pay during the latter part of the year or first part of 1779. 'I'he following men received pay for service at Rhode Island : " Moses Huswell, John SJargent,

The reason of this sudden change in the record cannot Ik: imagined. The little book called the "Witch Book" gives a very good acrotmt of the men up to 1778, when no more can be found.

At the adjourned mecling it became necessary to adopt some measures to raise more men, another call having been made, and it was "Voted to make up their wages to seven pounds per month with what they have from the Continant and State."

The committee was instructed to go to the "Kastward" to hire the three years* men now called for, as it was very difficult finding men in town who could be spared, or were willing to continue in the service all of the time, away from their families.

Capt. Ezekiel (loociridge l>efore his death had taken a very active part in the war, and his services to the town 1>y way of enlisting recruits liad been very valuable. His lal>on> were duly appreciated, and his widow received $16 by vote of the town, in addition to a bounty of ;^i2 last year.

"Voted, also, to make up the wages of the Soldiers that went to guard the prisoners taken by Cien dates to six ix)unds per month besides the twenty shillings the Court gave for sauce money or wages."

Another call for sokliers obliged the selectmen to issue their warrant for a meeting May 4th, when it was "Voted that each man tliat shall inlist into the Continental service for nine months sliall be entitled to the thirty ]X)unds each which the Court allows the town and also thirty pounds more to each man as an additional bounty from the town."

"At the same meeting voted to give each tluU shall inlist for eight months to serve as Sokliers on Hudson River thirty l)ounds each as a bounty from the town."

Continual effort and large l)Ounties were required to meet ihc fretjuent calls for men to reinforce the army ; in fact, it was a very discouraging task for any committee, however efficient, llie people were poor and ncetled at home to till the ground to keep their families from starving ; but those who had money freely lent it to the town, taking notes as security. Old persons who could remember those days have described the fare as "boiled beef, corn breati and i:i«ler."

The poor of the town were kept l)y those who would kei;|i them the cheapest, and many times the pay was in provisions, as were some ca.ses this year : *' Capt Worthen a bushel of

June 25th. A town meeting was held to take measures to raise ten men now called for, and the committee was "to procure the men on the towns cost on the most reasonable terms they can. Also to replace the guards under General Heath when called for on the towns cost, the Committee not to have any pay for their own time ami expense."

"And Mr F.phraim Weed appeared in said meeting and entered his decent against said vote." Whether Capt. Weed was c)|)pf)scd to raising men or not paying the committee for their ser\'ices does not appear, but at a subsecpient meeting we shall fiml him opposing the whole proceedings.

July 13th. A town meeting was held to take measures to clear the town from a presentment at the Salem court. " Isaac: Merrill ICs(| and Capt William Hayley were chosen a committee to appear at the Salem court in behalf of the town on account of their being presented for not having a Grammar school."

This was a most singtilar affair and, probably, the work of some evil minded person, for ihe town had provided schools in both parishes. Samuel lirooks kept school three months ending March 6th in the ICast parish and Thomas Clark in the West parish, and there can be but little doubt of their ability to teach the recpiired branches. It cost the town for the committee's services jC^A^ 1 1 s., gi\. However, there was a master in town whose (pialifications no one was able to gainsay, and on the 8th of September he was employed to open a school in which all legal branches could be taught. Jacob Merrill, the new master, was said to have been an excellent I^tin and Greek scholar.

A town meeting was held July 30th to raise men to fill the fall jnst made, and a committee was chosen "to procure the men on the towns cost."

I''.phraim Weed again appeared in the town meeting "and entered his decent against the whole proceedings of said meeting." The cause ()f this solitary opposition on the part of Mr. Weed is singular and cannot be explained. Until this instance

Sept. 14th. A meeting was held and a committee chosen '* to raise the men that are wanted for Soldiers on the best terms they can get them and on the town's cost." The men, however, were not obtained on such terms as the committee felt authorized to offer, and on the 23d inst. another meeting was held and further instructions given, as follows : -

''At the same meeting voted to make up the wages of each man that inlists or be drafted to twenty-four p>ounds per month with what they shall receive from the Continant and State."

"Voted that the Selectmen and Committee of Safety l>e ordered to draft the men if the Committee cannot inlist them on the towns encouragement."

'Iliis is the second threat to draft in c^se the men were not fortlicoming ; but it is probable that the men were enlisted, as no more meetings were held until December 14th, and then simply for the usual town business.

Thus closes the year 1778. It has been a very trying one to the people, who had little time to think of anything but l>attles and recruits, and it becomes us who enjoy the blessings secured by the hardships and sufferings of these noble ]>atriots to pause and consider their cost. Wc «an never know the anxiety and distress which filieil the hearts of those noble matrons, who so freely sent forth their husbands and sons to fight for their country. We may, however, to some extent express our gratitude by perpetuating their memory and handing down to succeeding generations their )>aticnt toil and valorous deeds.

Cnpl. VVillinm Ibglcy, Obadiah C^olby, Willis Tatten, Wells Chase and John Hnrnard were the committee of correspondence, inspection and safety.

"Greenbacks" had sadly depreciated since the war began, and the evil was assuming huge proportions, almost endangering the patriot's r^use. The large appropriations show the worthlessness of Continental money and the rapid decline it was making.

"Voted to make a grant of one hundred dollars to each Solflier thai is gone from this town int6 the three years Continental service ihal have not left families, towards making up their wages on a( <(Muit of the depreciation of the money."

May 17th. /\ meeting was held for the choice of a representative, and other purposes, and to consider the necessity for a "new Constitution or form of (government." 'ITie vote " passed in the affirmative, thirty-three in the affirmative, one in the negative." This vote not only shows the unanimity of the town, but, also, the size of the town meetings at this time. How many voters there were in town is not known, but only a minority were generally present.

June 17th. A town meeting was held and T^nsign Simeon Hartlett and Seth Kendrick were chosen to hire the men called for, and ])ay them in money or produce "as they can agree." At this meetin;^ ^^3000 were raised "towards defraying the <:harges of the town the present year." Money had depreciated \ery much and large sums were required for ordinary puqK)ses. Aug. 5th. In town meeting this day, John Hamard was chosen to attend the Constitutional convention. At this meeting

"At the same meeting voted that the Committee of correspondence be a Committee to regulate prices of Inholders la1)or and other things not i)articular regubted by the Convention in July last." A futile attempt was this while the currency was every day becoming more worthless. Regulate the currency first and then less regulation would be required for other inatters. Our ancestors were famous for regulating everything by law, but this was a difiicult subject. It was soon found that the committee was too small, and a meeting was called August nth to enlarge it, and Moses Chase, Deacon Orlando Sargent, l^noch IJagley, Lieut. Rol>ert Rogers, Daniel (*urrier, Seth Kendrick and Josiah Sargent were added.

At an adjourned meeting August i6th, it was found that the committee was still too small, and Thomas Rowell, Mphraim Weed, the three selectmen, Capt. Robert Sargent, Thomas Person and Capt. John Sawyer were added. This committee, probably, succeeded. At this meeting Ca[)t. William liayley was chosen selectman.

"At the same meeting voted to give Mr John Ikigley six dollars per week for supporting Mary Fowler for six months." It w;ls (mly one year ago that Mr. Haglcy agreed lo keep her for 8 s. per week, showing a depreciation of more than 400 per cent.

"At the same meeting voleil that ('apt Ikunard Hoyt, Capl John Sawyer and ICnsine Josiah Sargent be a Committee to see whether there is a convenient place at Cottle's laniling on the towns land for Marchel Stocker to sett a house without l)eing a public damage and make re))ort at next meeting." Mr. Stocker was a soldier enlisted under the call of December 1776 for every fourth man. It seems he was poor and imable to buy land to put his house on.

Sept. 27th. At a town meeting held this day, it was "Voteil to raise Weven thous«md three himdred and twenty ]>ounds" tor town charges, making in all ;^ 14,320. At this meeting Matthias Hoyt, William Moulton, Ste|)hen Kelley, Thomas Pernisrokv of amesmury. 281

At the same meeting Deacon Orlando Sargent, Peleg Challis and C'apt. John Currier were chosen a committee to see if there is a convenient place on the higliway below Charles Weed's shop, against the land of Feleg Challis, for Charles Weed to set a honse on, and make report at the next meeting.

Oct. 13th. More men having been <*allcd for, the meeting held this day chose NVilliam Williams and ('apt. William liayley to procure the men.

'I'he committee of safety was still continued, and consisted of ICzra Jewell, David lUnisdell, ICnoch Rogers, Stephen Kellcy and Robert Rogers. This committee have had large powers during the war and, no doubt, rendered valuable service to the town.

The depreciation of paper money is well shown by the following vote: "Voted l^noch Rogers nine i)ounds, ten shillings a week for keeping Widow Hookley."

May 4th. A meeting was called to consider the new Form of Cfovernment and the following vote was passed: "Voted to choose a committee to peruse the form of (Jover* for amendment and report at the adjournment of this meeting.** Five persons were <*h()seu for the purpose, viz.: Col. Jonathan Hagley, Simeon Hartlelt, Christopher Sargent, Timothy Baniard and NN'illis Patten. This was an able orthodox committee, and it i<? pretty certain thai no part of the Fonii of ( government escaped a critical examination.

May 2 2d. We find no report of the foregoing committee, but the matter was referred to an adjournment of this meeting to be held on the 29th instant. At the adjournment, the third article of the Hill of Rights was rejected by thirteen yeas to fourteen nays. The remainder was approved by eight yeas to two navs. 36

The vote on the adoption of the Form of (lovernnieiit stocni twenty-one yeas to nineteen nays. So it seems that Ameslwiry people were not much pleased with the new government, esiHJcially the third article of Rights, which allowed "ever)' denomination of C'hristians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the Commonwealth protection under the law." Although for nearly a century the town had l)een obliged to tolerate other denominations, yet it was never allowed willingly or deemed necessary for the public good. This new move was hardly in accordance with public feeling.

June 12th. A town meeting was held to take measures to raise the men called for as soldiers for the army. The committee of safety and the selectmen were authorized to hire the men, and the meeting was adjourned for one week.

"Voted to raise the sum of forty eight thousand four hundred pounds by a lax on the polls and estates for the use of the town." This large sum really imioimted to but little, owing to the depreciation of the paper money.

M this meeting M/.ra Jewell and Seih Rendrick were chosen to procure the beef "as cheap as they can." Mr. Kendrick was a butcher at the landing.

ineeting house, hut " voted to adjourn the present meeting at \M(lo\v Ksther (Colby's Innholder immediately." It was, no flouht. a f*ol<1 day, and having no means of warming the large meeting liouse. it was tliought best to adjourn to more comfortable cjuarters. When they had again assembled, it was "Voted to raise the sum of forty eight thousand four hundred i)ounds by a tax on the polls and estates within this town a sum sufficient to purchase 199 12 lbs of beef called for for the use of the army lo be drawn out of said ;{,' 48,400 the remainder to defray the charges of the town."

**.\t the same ineeting voted to raise two thousand |K>unds in hard money or paper money ecjuivalent to hire the men called for." Twenty-one men had just been called for to serve three years or during the war. I'his vote was subsequently reconsidered an<l the matter left to the selectmen to hire the money.

This uioney was hired of townsmen mostly, and on the list are the names of several women who loaned money to the town for war puq)oses, viz. : Rebecca Kelley, ^75 ; Widow Hannah Kelley, /.128; Widow Tabitha IJarnard, ;^28o. 'ITie noble wives and mothers of tho.se days were devotedly patriotic and contribute*! in every possible way to the support of the cause and the comfort of the poorly paid soldiers.

C'ol. Jonathan Magley died December 28th. He was one of Amesbury's most prominent men and had been of great sen'ice during the war in obtaining men for the army. His first appearance in public affairs was as a juryman in 1 740, but his progress was raj>id. for iu 1 743 we find him chairman of the selectmen. In 175S he was elected re|>resenlative and eleven limes afterward. There was hardly an oflice which he did not fill and that very <Te<libly. He was in the old French war and was (|uite a military mau. At his death he was a large landholder aiwl gave away in his will nearly a thousand aires. He owne<l the farm at the Tond hills, where his father, Orlando r»agley, the clerk, lived, and gave it to his son, Orlando lJ«igley, who held it until his death. He was, probably, a great grandson of Orlando IJagley. who came with the first eighteen in 1654, and signed the first record l)ook with thein. He lived at the Ferry in llie house near Ikiiley's wharf, having al)out lialf an acre of land under and about his buildings. He was a meinl)er of the (General (.'ourt while the new government was being fonned, anil was again elected in Octolier as first representative under that government. His age was sixty-three years, nine months, five days.

** feb 18 ordereil to Lt John Iknrnard for hoi-se hire and for his time and expense in attending the Convention at Cambridge and Boston ui>on the fomi of government and for 100 of three inch plank for a bridge ^357 - 14 - o."

This was a year of discouragement to the American cause. Scarcity of provisions, worthlessness of paper money and very general defeat by the Colonial forces cast a gloom over the whole land. The south was overrun by the enemy and, to crown all, Arnold came near delivering West Point, the only strong place of connection between New luigland and the Miildle States, to the British at New York. The government had no means of f^^eding the army and was obliged to call on the towns for large (juantilies of beef, and the amount furni.shed this year by Amesbury amoimted to Ihirty-lhree oxen weigh ing nine hundreil pounds each, not a very small tax on this little town. In addition heavy taxes were levied, amounting to ^112,800 in bills and ;^3ooo in hard money or its etiuivalent.

The winter of 1780 is said to have been unusually severe, no lierceptible thaw being seen for forty days, and most of this lime was in March. The snow was very deep and hard, so that loaded teams could pass over the fences in any direction.

''On the morning of the i9lh the sim wa:; visible for a short time very early, but was soon over cost, and very black clouds were seen to rise suddenly and very fast from the West, the wind what there was of it at South West. The aforementioned riouds mixing with the vast quantities of smoke, occasioned by a general burning of the woods, caused, in the opinion of many this unusual alanuing darkness, which began twenty minutes before eleven O. clock a. m. and lasted the whole day, tho' not equally d:irk the whole lime.

Joshua Coffin says : "In the memoirs of the American Academy I fin<l the following" : "Candles were lighted up in the houses, the birds having sung their evening song disappeared and became silent, the fowls retired to roost, the cocks were crowini^' nil around, as at break of day, objects could not be distinguished but a very little distance and everything l)ore the appearance of gloom and night."

"Voted, also, that the Selectmen be and hereby are ordered that they keep a fair account of their time and expense in the service of the town and at the close of I he year lay the same before the town for their allowance together with the accounts of the several other expenditures before they draw any orders on the Collector in their own favor." 'This seems. to be ordering n town report, which custom has since prevailed.

"Voted to give Daniel Chase jr 50 dollars per week for keeping Lydia ()rd\Vay until May Meeting." 'This vote shows the value of Continental money at this time.

Jan. iith. .\ town meeting was held, at which the vote of last December was so far reconsidered as to order the selectmen to procure the twenty-one men called for on the best terms "thoy can." Two thousand dollars in hard money were voted, but it would have been very iliflicult, if |)ossible, to colleft a tax in hard money, and hence the change.

"At the same meeting voted that a number of the inhabitants of the town may have liberty to build a SrluM)l house wluTi- Doctor Ordway's liake house formerly stooil on their own cost for the benefit of the town."

An effort was made at this meeting to find out the indebtedness of the town, the whole expenditure since the l>eginning of the war and a proper account taken of their depreciated value. C'apt. William liayley, luioch Rogers and Mr. Samuel Onhvay were chosen a committee for that purpose.

May 1 6th. A meeting was held and a committee chosen ''to look over the Selectmen's account for the year 1780 for their services and make report to the town at the next meeting ;** and also a committee was chosen "to look over Josiah Sargent's account for lK>arding the School Master and also on account of his being rated for Jacob Hoyt after he was twentyone years old and. make report at next meeting." 'ITiis seems to have been an age of investigation, somewhat resembling the present.

June 28th. \ meeting was held to take measures to hire the three men called for to serve in Kho<le Island for (\\c months, and a committee \ras chosen to procure the men at the town's cost. The selectmen were instructed to assess the sum of nine hundred and twenty- four pounds in hard money.

July loth. Another meeting was held and further nieasures taken to ol)t«iin the men, and the sele( tmcn wen- authorized to lM>rrow the uioiiey. l)ea«:on John lloyt and Iszra Jewell were chosen to purchase the beef called for, and then the meeting was adjourned to the 17th inst.

July 17th. ''Yoteil to allow Mr. Jewell the 630 dollars that was counterfeited of the money that was sent to pay for the l>eef," and the meeting was adjourned to August 2d.

Aug. 2d. At this meeting it was "Voted that the Constables be ordered to collect iuiniediately the one- half the town rate committed to them in hard money."

History Of Amrsruky

It was a trying time : pco|)le had lost all confulcncx* in pa|K:r money ; it had depreciated to ahnost nothing and was counterfeited even at that, and neither men nor beef could be obtained for it. Farmers had rather keep their oxen, and soldiers were not inclined to serve for nothing and starve their families. To obtain hard mf)iu'y was a diflicnit thing, as there really was but lillle in the slate, and those possessing it were not inclined to part lightly with it, and hence the necessity of giving notes payable in hard money at some future time.

Aug. 2ist. A meeting was held an<l Capl. William l^iyley was <*hoscn moderator. Measures were taken to raise the three three-months men now called for, and it was "Voted that the conunittce appointed to hire the three months men proceed to hire them on the same terms that those have been already hired viz, ten hard dollars bounty and twenty bushels of corn per month for each man." No lalK)rer at home could eani such pay ; but the cause was at this time in a critical condition, much more so than two months later, when C'ornwallis had been compelle<l to surrender to Cien. Washington, amid the universal rejoic ing of the people. The war was considered virtually ck>sefl and the hopes of the people were greatly revived.

Since the settlement of the town the |X)pulation of the various localities has been continually changing. At first nearly all the settlers were near the Powow river ; a little later the mill had gathered a little village at the falls ; later still fishing and shipbuilding built up «|uite a village at the Ferry ; and again the establishment of factories suddenly called a village into existence at the mills. While these changes were going on at the east end of the town, the west end had been steadily gaining in population and wealth, numl>ering among its people some of the most talented an<l enterprising citizens. The Pond-hills even had in some portion of the early histor)' of the town a much larger )K>|)ulation than at present, as the following document will show : *'Sir Whereas l>v a Recommendation of the Provencial Con- gress in the year 1774 Did form a Company of Mallitia in thai part of Amesbury called the i)ond hills to come so far east as that Brook called the Cireat Swamp Hrook and Did appoint officers in said Company and actually march several times for the relief of the State when attacked and as your Company has been omittetl in the Notification to meet and api>oint your officers - this Day we Desire that you would meet at some convenient place to morrow to appoint officers according to the New Mallitia Law. Amesbury April 25th 1781

So the Company organized by Capt. Currier as minute men in 1774 or 5 is yet to be preserved, and it ought to be for its prompt defence of the ** State when alla( kcd."

At the annual meeting it was " vote<l to put in a ferry boat at Amesbury Ferry and to agree with some |>erson to tend it." A committee was chosen to purchase a boat and procure a |)erson to tend it and report to the town. William Hudson lialkird was engaged to furnish boat and lend the ferry for a rea sonable compensation.

At a later meeting a committee was t:hosen to collet.t all the papers relating to the original gram and lay them before learneil Counsel to see if the ferry belonged to the town. This ferry has occasioned a good deal of trouble ; it was in law for many years previous to 1 766, and now ihe tjuesllDn couies up again for settlement. The tuiginal grant was rather iutlelinite, some of the " inhabitants" petitioning anil not the town authorities. Under these i:ircumslances the obstinate Capt. I look being appointed to tend it, refused to give it up, coiuending that the town had nothing to do with it.

Another call is made upon the town for soldiers and the committee of safety was instructed to assist the selectmen in classing the town preparatory to a ilraft in case it should he found necessary. piXO^

At the state election in April, JijtnTOrne, Ksc]. received sixteen votes for (lovcrnor, and the Senators one vote each. Not very popular candidates.

May 1 6th. A town meeting was held. At the meeting it was " voted to <hoosc a Committee to settle with all the Selectmen and beef Conunittcc thai have served since the present war and to see what is become of the town's steel and guns."

July 2 2(1. A town meeting was culled to day in answer to the urgent dcmancl from the Slate for money forthwith, and it was " voted thai the Selectmen collect as much money as they can and so dismist the meeting." The demands for money came thick and fast, and the im|)ossibility of meeting them was apjKir-. cut to all, and under such circumstances the people were willing to trust the matter to their Selectmen.

ICarly in the year the town's representative was instnicted to use his influence in the (jencral Court for an application to Congress that in any negotiations with (ireat Britain for peace, the right to fish to be an indispensable article in the treaty.

During the early days of the town, and even to a later date, the Ashing was an im|)ortant branch of business, furnishing a large amount of provisions for consumption and exportation, and many vessels were owned in town which were sent to the eastward on fishing voyages. At the close of the war they very naturally looked fonvard to the time when a large fleet would be employed in the fisheries, and were careful to see that their rights were secured in that respect.

\ meeting was held January 2 2(1 to see if the town would raise any money for town expenses, and it was " Voted not to raise any money." It was very hard times and, although the town was in debt and needing money for many pur|)oses, yet it was almost im]>ossible for the people to obtain hard money, anil there is little wonder that they were disposed to put off all payments.

The selectmen laid their accounts before the town, as ordered, and had them allowed. For their services they received : " Ephraim Weed J£^ 4 s - Enoch liagley ^Y^ 1 s - Matthias Hoyt ^7 8 s and expense and paper."

The town had on liand at this time two law-suits : one with Capt. Timothy Ikirnard and the other with Jacob Worthen. The nature of these suits are not staled, but the selectmen were instnicted to "ilefend compromise or refer" them as they thought proper.

At the April meeting the vote for governor stooil : John Hancock, nine ; Azor Orne, twelve ; James Bprdwain, five ; Capt. William Bayley, two, thus making twenty-eight votes cast. The senatorial vote was unanimous at seventeen. There were not less than four hundred polls in town, and )-et but a very small fraction of them were generally present at town meetings.

History Of Amesbury. 29 1

attributed it to toryism or want of patriotism ; even on the 1 3th of March, 1775, when the town voted not to raise any minute men, the act of adjourning to the 20th inst. shows that further time was needefl for consideration only. If there was a particle of doubt, it must forever be dispelled on the passage of the following unanimous vote this year : -

"Voted that this town will at all times as they have done to the utmost of their power oppose every enemy to the just rights and liberty of mankind aiul after that so wicked a conspiracy against those Rights and liberty by certain Ingrates most of thetn natives of Slates and who have been refugees and declared Traitors to their C'oimtry, it is the opinion of this town that they ought never to be suffered to return but l)c excluded from having lot or i>ortion among us."

Thus lK)ldly spoke Amesbury concerning tories. FCvery possible exertion had been made duringjlie ahnost hopeless struggle to raise men to fill the numerous calls. More than sixtyfive thousand dollars had been hired to pay l)ounties and outfits, and very large indebtedness had been incurred. The war now being ended, it was proper that some of its burdens should be borne by posterity, for they were to reap its benefits.

I'he price fixed for labor on the highway was "three shillings per day," and j^^o were raised to repair the highways. A committee was chosen to look out the location for a road from the Kerry to Clapboard landing at South Amesbury, with instnictions to report at an adjourned meeting, and then made the following re|K)rt : -

"Amesbury March i8th 1784. We the subscribers being appointed by the town at their meeting on the eighth day of this instant to view the way petitioned for by Samuel Follingsbee and others from the way by Elijah Flanders by or near Merrimack River to the way near Mr Stephen Patten's on to ('laplK)ard Landing. Have attended said service and are of opinion that saifl way would be of general service and that it would accommodate some persons very much, therefore are of opinion that if said way can be opened without any cost to the town as petitioned for are of opinion that the prayer of said petition should be granted and doubt not but that a considerable will be done by way of subscription to make the way passable. Ens Simeon Bartleti,

The above road commenced at Elijah Flanders' house, which adjoined Flliphalet Martin's at the Kerry, and was to l>e laid out through Pleasant valley to South Amesbury.

April 5th. A meeting was held and the petition of Joseph Wingatc and others for a highway from Moses Sargent's to Thomas Rowell's, Esq., without any cost to the town, was accepted ; but the petitioners were re(]uired to lay it out two rods wide. It was found that the land would not be given for the River road, as was expected by the conunillce, and an article was inserted in the warrant of September 16th to see if the town would buy the land ; but no vote appears to have l>een taken, and the petition was presented to the court of sessions for a committee to view and lay out the way.

Nov. 1 2th. A meeting was held and a committee chosen '* to attend on" the court committee al Stephen Patten's on the 30th inst., but no instructions were given and it does not appear whether this committee were to oppose or approve the pkui.

There was some difficulty between the town and Rev. Thomas Hibl)ert about his taxes, which he was compelled to pay, he being, as he saith, a Presbyterian minister. He commenced a suit against the selectmen for the recovery of the tax, and the town chose a committee to defend the same. Mr. Hibbert addressed a letter to the selectmen, to be communicated to the meeting, of which the following is an extract : -

" And on the other hand. That the town discharges me from all obligation to pay any Town Rate or Rates after that to which The lawsuit refers during The Time I shall be Minister in the F*resbyterian Society to which I belong. If the town consents to the above proposal I hereby unite with Them and engage to let drop the suit. Amesbury Nov 3, 1786."

Mr. Hibbert's long-continued intemperate habits had finally occasioned his discharge from the First church, but, as usual in such cases, a minority adhered to its former pastor. A new society was organized, a new meeting house built and Mr. Hibbert installed as pastor. Mr. Fiibbert now styles himself a Presbyterian and the society takes that name. The town, however, had taxed him, and it was to get rid of these taxes that the suit was commenced.

Previous to the building of the new church, the town called 1} meeting to remonstrate against its erection, for the following reasons : " Whereas this meeting are infonned that Messers David Tiixbury. Tlumias Hoardman and Joseph Adams all of Siilisbmy iV others arc al>out to erect a house for public Worship in this town and as the Meeting houses are sufficient to accommodate all the inhabitants for public worship therefore Voted that the Selectmen remonstrate to the said David Tuxbury and others against their erecting said house for public worshij) ;is illegal and lending to disturb the peace and goo<l oriler of the regular and legal religious society in this town and as we apprehend contrary to peace of the Commonwealth."

Whether the Commonwealth was in peril from David Tuxbury (»r not, the contest is not yet settled, for Mr. Ilil>bert*s friends are determined, and we shall again find them troubling the town.

At the annual meeting ^150 were raised to repair the highways, and 3 s. per day for " man and ox" were allowed. The selectmen were allowed j£6 each for their services.

The (|uestion of making the Merrimac river the dividing line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, seems to have been c ontemplated and the town " voted to choose a Committee to Join with Salisbury and the other towns to see what method to lake to be set off to the Stale of New Hampshire/* 'I'he river would form a very natural boundary and should have been the original line, but no change was effected by this effort.

. Rarly in the year a meeting was held at the house of ** Mrs. Widow Kaslher (^olbys" to organize the militia of the town in the ICast parish. ll was decided to make two com|>anieK, divided as follows : '' All south of the country road to the parish line from widow ICsther Colby's to belong to the south company, and all that lies on each side of the country road alK)ve Mr. BelKs meeting house, including die families of ICph raim Weed and Isaac Weed, all the rest of the parish to the north of said country road belong to the north comi>any."

Samuel Rlaisdell was chosen captain, Nathaniel White first lieut. and Thomas Worthcn second licut. of the south company, but they resigning, Nathaniel White was chosen captain, Samuel Follansbee first lieut. and John Hlaisdcll second lieut. John Barnard was chosen captain, Isphraim Weed jr. first lieut. aud ls;iac liaruard second lieut. of the north comiKUiy. The companies were known as "Mills" and "Kerry" companies.

lOlder Moses Chase and William Ikigley were this year returned to the Assessors of llie Kast parish as ** Antipedo Baptists at Southampton, N. H."

At this time the yoimg minister Hell was very popular and it wiLS thought advis;il)le to give him better accouunodations, and a lot wfUi bought opposite the store of the late William llarllett, and the erection of a parish house and barn commenced. This house, which many well remember, and which is yet standing, cost the parish ^236, 2 s., 9 d. The barn cost X2»« 14 s., 5 d. They were not completed this year, hut were so far finished as to be occupied.

.\ new mtetmg-iiouse was imni tiiis year ai kockj- mil m Salisbury, which is yet in a good state of pre^rvatioi), as will 111; seen by the cngraviiw. At |ircscnl there arc few lieloiiifiDi' report to the town at an adjourned meeting. This was a strong committee, and their report was well drawn and presented the strongest points of objection in the clearest light. 'Hie re|)ort was accepted, but its length must exchide it from this work. It set forth very plainly the fact that the two |)arishes had in past times as well as at present maintained teachers of piety and religion, complying with every obligation of duty laid upon them. It further set forth the sufferings of the Mast parish in consequence of Mr. Hibbert's long continued habits of immorality, until January 14th, 1783, when, as many times before, he became guilty of "gross immorality" and the people were compelled to stand up for their rights which had been invaded so long. This lengthy and able report was forwarded to the General Court by Peleg Challis, the representative.

Specific charges were, also, made and sworn to and the whole matter brought before the Presbytery. Mr. Hibbert, after promising to ac(|uit the |>arish on certain conditions, agreeing not to disturb it by attempting to preach in the meeting-house, had, after very inconsistent manceuvering, utterly failed to keep his promise, 'iliat after several parish meetings it was found that two to one were against him, and yet that he chimed that a majority of the church was in symi^athy with him and tliat he was the legal pastor still ; but that he knew better, and an ecclesiastical council had so decided against him. Tliat they had settled an able minister, that their house was large enough to hold all the people, and that the experiment of granting every new s(M*icty would prove a very dangerous one, dividing tht: public into nimierous sects ; that there would have been no trouble if Salisbury people had not interfered in the matter ; that said meeting-house is no more than sixty-two rods from the parish meeting-house. Various other objections were urged and reasons given why the society should not be incorporateil. It, also, sets forth that a remonstrance was made by the town before the house was raised, June 7th, 1 784.

The house was built on Kerry street, between the house of Daniel Huntington and the late I^zekiel liarnard's, and is now occupied by Mr. Huntington for a barn. It is a hopper-roof

Mr. Ilibhcrt owned the farm at Whitehall recently known as the "(loodhue farm," and lived there until his death. He was an able preacher and sound in the doctrine of those times, and but for his habits of intemperance, would have been very popular. He had the name of being harsh in his sermons, denouncing the use of spirituous li<|uors in even rash terms; but it was under the infhicnce of this curse that he did so. He was a man of strong will, but, unlike Rev. Thomas Wells, he was not apt to control it properly. His bad habit made him oblivious to promises mndi* with the parish in good faith. The last of his days could not be said to have l>een "his l)est." He owned a slave by the name of "Scipio," who was, prolwbly, very black, which gave rise to the t oumum a<lage : "black as Scip nibl)ert." Scip was one of those cunning, sly negroes, who understood perfectly how to play the shirk and get along easily. ( )ccasi()nally he was intentionally so careless that his ma.ster had to drive him out of the field for cutting up corn instead of weeds.

The subject ol a \\\\'m))\ workhouse has several limes been before the town and always approved, \)\\t other towns failed to join in the measure.

A family of negroes, by the name of Mingo, were living in town at this time and needed some assistance. The town ** Voted that the Selectmen ])Ut out the on Nigar Boy for 2 s., 6 d. a week." This was, probably, one of the family.

A movement was nude in 1784 towards 0|>ening a road along the river side from Eliphalet Martin's, through Pleasant valley on to Clapboard landing. This road woukl scein indispensible to us at the present day, but not so to many people a century .ago. It was strongly opj)osed by the town, and, to defeat the measure, a town meeting was held June 26th, when it was ** Voted that the town will show cause why the prayer of the petition should not be granted."

It was thought to l>e a very expensive undertaking, as well as difficult to make a road along those precipitous banks, over creeks and marshes for several miles, and a majority were determined to stop the proceedings.

A committee was chosen, consisting of Nehemiah Davis, ('apt. John Barnard, Knoch Rogers, Capt. Matthias Hoyt and Isaac Merrill, lC.sc|., to report at an adjourned meeting the reasons why the road should not l>e laid out.

The report, which contained but few sound reasons against the road, was made and accepted. The first reason against its being built was the inability of the town on account of the large town debt. This was the best and only reason offered by the committee which could have weight.

Second : That it would do more hurt than good to landholders in that vi( inily, as they now have as good privileges as the town in genera), has ing a road at one end of their lots and .1 river at the other mul, with ihrei* c ross-roails within thelength of the proposed road.

Third : The plea that it was needed iu encourage ship building was fallacious, for there was no \\Ci:(\ of more ship-yards or i.arpenters, as one-half the ship-yards were idle at present. That a plan which had been made of the old road from Havhill showed that this road was but thirty-three rods nearer and. also, that the main road was a mile nearer than this one ; that both of said roadh were open and in gooil repair.

and the low, soft land must be raised, re(|iiiring bank walls, and the steep hlufTs will wash down, filling the road at every storm which, with the causeways needed, will swell the expense to a very great sum.

Fifth : One hundred and sixty rods of interval land is overflowed in the Hradstrect farm occasionally, and must be raised and sloncs ami wood must be brought for that purf)ose at great expense.

The conunitlec took the \\'o\y>\ possible view of the route, as the facts subse(|uenlly showed. Instead of crossing the intervale on the hradstreet farm, it was located on the high ground where il was easily worked without sioncs and timber. In fact, many diflicult points were shunned, an<l the road proved less expensive than was anticipated, and more desirable.

Aug. 2r)lh. A town meeting was held and Deacon Orlando Sargent was engaged to keep I'anny Mingo*s son, who wjts about five years old, till twenty-one ycai-s of age for nine pounds, and the boy was bound to him by the town.

Nov. ^i\. At a town meeting this day the trouble with Mr. Hibbert was settled by his abating his writ and the town abating his tmpaid taxes.

The following are the principal supporters of Mr. Hibbert under the name of Presbyterians, viz. : Henjamin Lurvey, William I.urvey, Henjamin Merrill, Joseph Moyt, Timothy Currier, Harnard Currier, ICnoch Currier, Daniel Tuxbury, Daniel Quinby, I'lliphalet Lowell, Timothy Challis, ICbenezer Tnie, Oliver Titcomb. Richard Morrill, Thomas Moody, Djivid 'Tuxbury, Isaac TiiNbuiy, Daniel Wait, Moses Tuxbury and Marchant ( leaves.

It is possible that some of Mr. Hibbert's followers had been induced to leave the old society in consideration of his preaching without ])ay, which he had agreed to do. It was known as the " I'^ee Society," which feature sustained it for a while. 'The old society could not afford to lose so many paying members, anci this fact added to the bitterness of the contest.

The famous Shay's rebellion happened in the latter part of the year and caused great excitement. A call was made for soldiers and the town responded by enlisting sixteen men, viz. : Samuel Merrill, Samuel Barnard, Simeon Bartlett, jr., Ichal>od Titcomb, Thomas Colby, Samuel Foot, Barnard Ixiwell, John Colby, Kphraim (Jale, David Currier, Knoch Ikirtlett, Jacob Sargent, Robert Sargent, Moses Sargent, Nathaniel I*roctor and Jacob Hoyt.

In a petition for pay, they stated that they had a hard time by reason of cold and night marches. It was in winter time and, no -doubt, they spoke the truth.

The West parish refused to pay the Rev. Mr. Wingate his salary in 1784 and he commenced a suit which was kept in court till this year, when he obtained judgment and an execution against it.

Mr. Wingate was quite aged, having preached to the people for fifty-eight years, only four years less than Mr. Well's long pastorate in the ICasl parish, and il may have been that his services were not as acceptable as in his younger days.

The pasture land near Maj. lUirnard Hoyt's was sold to Thomas l^nckester fur ^27. The marsh owned with the ICasl parish was sold to Deacon Orlando Sargent for ^15, 18 s., and the ** acer Peace of Marsh to Christopher Sargent for ^^8, 8 s."

It was decided that the money arising from the sale should be laid out by the connnittee ** for the School Hou.se lx)te sii called containing al)oul eighteen acers to be kept for the use of the Ministry of said Parish for ever hereafter which Umd cost the sum of 51 - 6 - o."

The parish changed their minds very suddenly, however, and the next meeting decided to sell the "School house lot " and, also, the *' small pox house " which they owned, and take the money to pay Mr. Wingate. Deacon Orlando Sargent bought the pasture for ^^51, 6 s., and Robert lioyt the "small pox house" for ^^13, 10 s.

History Of Amesbury. 3Oi

" Voted that the Soldiers which have been in the service the winter past shall have the dollar each which they received of the Selectmen as a l)Oiinty from the town, and that it shall not be deducted from their wages." These soldiers had been called out to assist in ()nclling the Shay reljellion. The condition of the c:()untry at this time was anything but satisfactory, and the rebellion sin^|)ly showed the ill feeling which very generally prevailed. ' In fact, the times were believed to be so critical that a town meeting was called for the purpose of instructing the representative-elect, Mr. Pelcg Challis ; and T.ieut. Ezra Worthen, Doctor Aaron Sawyer, Moses Chase, Capt. Hcnjamin Lurvey and John Kelley were rhosen to draft the instructions. They were reported al an adjourned meeting, and as they embody a large amount of pra< tiral. common-sense doctrine, they will 1)C given entire : -

You being chosen to represent this town in the great and (leneral Court for the year 1787 and as the said court is to lie convened and held at Hoston on the 31st of January 1787 therefore the following instructions are presented to you from this town as part of the Rule of your conduct in said General Court during your continuing a member of said Court : -

First : You are not to act nor consent to anything against the present constitution as we look upon it to be the basis or foundation of security to every individual for life, liberty, prosperity and character.

Secondly : For obvious reasons we recommend and desire you to use your influence to have the (ieneral (^ourt removed from the town of IJoston.

Thirdly : The court of Connnon Pleas is viewed by many to be rather a burden than a public benefit therefore we desire you to use your influence in case this subject should come before the (lencral Court to have them set aside.

I'^ourthly : Another thing calls for your attention that is the scarcity of cash and the low ebb of trade and the want of employment for Mechanics of almost every branch and the heavy taxes that wc now labor under arc grievous and hurden- Nomc, therefore it is the opinion of many we might s:iy of most all that the Salaries of some of the principal Officers of («overnment having l>een granted at a time when the circulation of cash was vastly greater than at present, therefore they now l)ecome excessive and disproportionate to the ability of the |)eople to pay therefore we think ought to be reduced which we think may be done without infringing on the Constitution by voting all (lOvernment salaries on the last sittings of the (General Court for the next insuing year therefore you are to use your best endeavors to have them salaries voted at the next sitting of the General Court and that they are reduced to a reasonable sum.

I*'ifthly : And we could wish that a system of laws might be adopted as wouUl tend to diffuse virtue and imlustry, and the cultivation of our own manufactures of every kind as much as possible, as we conceive that this is the only means of extricating us out of our present diMiculty and embarrassed situation.

Sixthly: In the present dangerous mm\ critical situation of affairs we feel ourselves under the most sacred obligations of duty to enjoin on you that you use your utmost endeavor that the difficulties that has arisen in this State may and that if |)ossible brought to a happy conchision without the shedding of blood we depricate the unhappy situation of this Slate when v,'c fmd many of our fellow citizens in amis in a most tumultuous manner which we fear may be our ruin.

Seventhly : We apprehend that the present mcxle of appropriating the import and cx( isc is not the most eligible but was it to be applied towards the discharge of the foreigi\ debt it would answer a much more necessary and important purpose.

ICighlhly : Another thing calls for your attention that is lor you to use your inHuence that all petitions that may l)e presented or brought before the (General Court may be duly attended to.

Hut sir we relying on your good condu<:l make no doubt bm that you will |)ay the utmost regard to these our desires so as may lay in your ))owcr and loncest with the spirit of the constitution."

*' Voted that the Selectmen look up the town ginis and if any person refuse to deliver dieni up when called for to proceed to j>rosecution."

'Ihe guns were lent during war time, to those who had none. Most f)f them came in chests from France, and were distributed through the towns, and one or more chests were liad and distributed in Amesbury, some of which may still be found in families and one or more at the Natural History rooms at the Mills.

Dec. loth. The river road having become a Cwtd fact the town instructed the selectmen to settle the damages for land, but they were unable to do so and the receipts show that the Court of Sessions made the award. Congress made a grant for lights on Plum Island this year.

West Parish. A new meeting house has been built this or last year, as we find on the ])arish record, " Nov. 19 ordered to Stephen Clemens for making provision for the dedication of the Meeting House j£i - o - o."

July 7th. /\ meeting was held in regard to a new valuation, and the selectmen were onlered to lake a new vahiation, and allowed 2 s. 6<l. per day, 6 d. less than for work on the road.

Bell's meeting- house, but before proceeding to business an adjournment was ordered to widow 1«2sther Colby's. It may have been a cold day and a little of her warm flip would be very acceptable and comforting. The few in attendance thought it advisable to adjourn again, and this time to meet on the 22(1 at the West meeting house. Strange as it may seem the privilege of voting for the first president did not awaken much enthusiasm, and the meeting was again adjourned back to Mr. Heirs meeting house on the 23d. With all this accommodation the two electors only received 22 votes each, and the representative to Congress 24.

The West parish meeting house dedicated last year but not wholly completed, was painted this year, and it re(|uired 33 2-3 bushels of flax seed to make the " oyl." Deacon Orlando Sargent and Capt. Robert Rogers made the oil and received;^ i , 4 s. 6 d. for their services. At this time there were oil mills in town and linseed oil w;is made at home. It was customary for every fanner to raise (lax, and lew if any neglected to do so.

This year is si>ecially noted for the visit of l*resident Washington to Amesbury while on his northern lour. On leaving Newburyport he passed up High street to the ancient ferry opposite Amesbury, where he iTossed the Merrimac, landing at the loot of the court between the houses of Nathan Nutter and Jonathan Morrill ( the latter then being the tavern of l\benezer Pearson ) and passed up to the main street. The north side of the street, where the block now stands, was then an open field and was lined with soldiers to receive his h'.xcellency. .According to tradition there was a foreign vessel lying in the stream with her flag floating above t)ie stars and slri|)es, which was noticed by Washington. Numbers immediately rushed to their boats and in a few moments the flag was hauled to the deck, leaving the .American flag above all, as it should have l>een at first. From the Kerry he crosseil the Powow river, passing through the Point to Rocky Hill, where several companies of soldiers were drawn up to receive him. .A soldier who stood in the ranks that day informed me "that he passed through the MildieiN filed on either side, with his hat in his hand, a tall nohle looking man." Many of the soldiers who had served under him were living at this time and were, no doiiht, eager to see this great chief, (apt. Currier, who dined with him at ( amhridge. was, no doubt, there to pay his respects.

On the ,v^ ^^^ June the Rev. Francis Welch was ordained pastor (»r the Second church in Auieslnuy. The services were conducted ns follows: Prayer by Rev. Mr. Cummings ; sennon by Rev. Mr. Merrill ; second prayer by Rev. Mr. Noyes ; charge by Rev. Mr. Webster; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Adams ; concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Peabody ; benediction by the |>astor.

Sine c the termination of Mr. Wingate's pastorate the following ministers supplied, vi/. : Messrs. Noyes, llradford, Allen, Parish, Parker, True, Marsh, Porter, Wilder and Welch. Mr. Welch was a young man, being only twenty-three years old when ordained pastor of this church.

I'or the repairing of highways it was "Voted to raise a Uxx of one shilling and six pence on a jK)le and the estates in proportion as other town taxes is made to repair the highways."

The selec tmen were ordered to provide timber and complete the bridge over (Wiodwin's creek "as soon as may be." So it would seem that the Pleasant Valley road was not yet passable, though it was now three years since the first attempt to locate a public road there. There ought to have been a road by the river side a c entury before.

Abraham Morrison, a very original and eccentric: |HTson. applies to be admitted a member of the Society of Friends at Ameslniry, U\\\ is not at present successfiil. He lived in Salisbury and at a later period became somewhat noted, for his oddities.

" Voted that the Selectmen l)e impowered to let out the town's ferry that is kept acrost Merrimac River near Sargent's ( reek so called for a term of time as they shall ihink proi>er to the highest bidder."

** Voted to choose a committee to inspect and regulate the Schools in the town of Ameshury this present year, and the following persons were chosen : Rev. Francis Welch, ( apt. John liarnard, (apt. Joseph lioyt, lOns. Simeon Ikirtlett, l''phraim Weed, jr, Willis Patten, Matthias lloyl and John Kelley."

During the latter part of this year the (|uestion of a bridge .uross the Merrimac was agitated and the town called a meeting to oppose the project. .\ committee was crhosen to draw up a renionstrance against an act of incorporation, which the representative " was to present. Shouhl this bridge be built, it would render useless the ferry, which had for more than a centiuy been the general resort of all, and about which ('apt. HtK)k i^ave so n)uch trouble to the town.

The petition for leave to build the bridge at Deer island was iViHU Nathaniel Carlii an<l eight others, and they were suc<es.s t'ltl in obtaining a charter.

The canal across the meadows, connet ting Mlack Kot k creek and a creek from Hampton river, was dug this year and is one mile and a (ptarter long.

The presidential I'lection was heM November ad and only fc^urteen votes were cast, which were unanimous for George Washington. It was a very small vote for such an occasion.

The I'sscx Merrimac l)ridge, chartered last year, was completed < luring the month of Noveml)er. Its length is one thousand and thirty feet and the highest arch is thirty-seven feet .nbove high water. It was seven months in building, an<l was under the su])erintendency of Timothy Palmer.

The town granted lObenezer 'IVue leave to set up a mill on the stream now occupied by the Merrimac Hat Company. 'ITiis grist mill was standing in a dilapidated condition as late as 1.S25. The stones were brought across the river from near Annis' rocks, where a mill was in o[)eration some years previ-

The small-pox made its appearance again in town, and in October a meeting wns held and measures taken to build a house "to receive those persons in that shall have the misfortune to be taken with the small j)ox.*' The matter soon became so alarming that a second meeting was called November 15th, when it was decided to set up a hospital to receive those who should be inoculated for the small pox, provided a suitable place could be found which would not damage any one. The selectmen, assisted by Capt. Joseph Hoyt, Teleg (!hallis. Deacon Orlando Sargent, Christopher Sargent and C'apt. Robert Rogers, were authorized to establish niles and regulations in regard to the management of the hospital.

Various petitions for roads were laid before the town, but none were granted, with the exception of the change of 1<m aticm at or near John Siiwyer's, jr., to the bank of the river.

The small-pox still prevailed and the selectmen took the house of Klijah Jones, situated on the east side of the Kimball road, midway lielween the houses of Oaviil Currier ami Moses Tuxlniry for a |)est-housc. The cellar may yet l>e seen |>artially filled with sniali stones. A few years later the house was l>ought by the late Joseph Merrill and removed to the corner of the Martin road, where (leorge \V. liartlett now lives.

Mr. Maslings then lived in the house t(»rn down a few years ago by David (^irrier, and his pasture joined Mr. Jones' land, so that he was sometimes obliged to go within some thirty or forty rods of the pest-house for his cows. In doing this he caught the di.sease and died with it.