History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

72 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
1660.
At a meeting held March ioth, John Hoyt, sen., Anthony Colby
and Richard Currier were chosen Prudential men, to order all
affairs given them in writing.
At this meeting the manner of allowing cattle to go on the
commons and in the herds which were kept by a " Eardsman,"
was decided upon and the price fixed, etc.
TOWNSHIPS.
The only way in which a right to all the privileges and
immunities of "ffreemen" was acquired—that is, the right to
vote and take part in the town meetings, was by grant from
the commoners, who were already in possession of the town-
ship in fee simple. In this way some twenty were added to
their number at one meeting.*
"The tenth day of the 10 month 1660.
At a generall meting of the inhabitants of the new town, It
is granted to John Hoyt in a coman right in the new town to
be a towns man.
At the same meting it was grantied to Thomas Barnard a
town ship for one of his sons.
At the same meting it is granted to Jarrit Hadien a towns
shiep for one of his doughters.
At the same mieting it is granted Samuall Foot to be a
towns man.
At the sam meting it was grantid to Samuall Colby to be a
towns man.
At the sam mieting it was agried on that John Weed shall
have a townes shiep for on of his sons Samuell Weed ( 9 yrs
old).
At the sam mieting it is agried on that William Sargent shall
have a towns shiep for on of his sons (Thomas 17
yrs old).
At the sam meting it is grantied to Thomas Rowell a towns
shiep ( 1 6 yrs old )
.
At the sam meting it is granted to Henry Blasdell a towns
ship for his son (Ebeneza 3 yrs old).
* When old enough to vote.