History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

PREFACE.
In presenting the following volume the writer does not claim
that a full and perfect account of the town is given, as at this
late day it would be impossible to do so. The main object
has been to preserve all that is now known in regard to the
history of the town. To gather from all available sources facts
and items relating to the progress and doings of the town from
the first few who crossed the Powow river to the present day.
This has been no easy or hasty task, but has required patient
labor for long years. For a quarter of a century we have been
slowly but steadily pursuing this work. The town records and
documents, which have been in our custody for nearly forty
years, have been carefully examined, and many private papers,
diaries, account books and documents of various kinds. The
old Norfolk county records, also, have been thoroughly exam-
ined, affording much valuable information. The work is not
an enticing novel, (although some of it is "stranger than fic-
tion") but a simple narrative of events as they occurred. Those
pioneers are allowed to speak for themselves in their own pecu-
liar language, thus illustrating the early days of the town better
than modern language could do. We have endeavored to give
a truthful version of all subjects treated ; but, should errors
be found, we can truly say that they were not intentional. A
map of the location of the town at East Salisbury in 1639 is
given to show the regularity and system with which the colon-
ists set about their work.
To the many friends who, by the loan of documents, books,
diaries and records of various kinds have kindly aided in the
work, we tender sincere thanks. The interest which they
manifested has afforded the encouragement which was greatly
needed.
Our thanks are especially due to John G. Whittier, Rev. P.
S. Boyd and Dr. H. G. Leslie, the committee chosen by the
town to examine the manuscript, for their very favorable report
and subsequent assistance and encouragement.
[oseph Merrill.