History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 93
the west side of the pond brook. These divisions embraced a
very large portion of the town's commons, and the measure was
very important. The lot layers were to receive "three hapence"
per acre for their services.
Mr. Carr's grant of four hundred acres, made by the old
town, was confirmed.
Cattle were to be taxed one shilling, six pence for going on
the common.
A private way was laid out from Mill river to the country
highway for the accommodation of the new saw mill, and the
owners were to purchase the land and keep the way in repair.
This way was discontinued in 1694.
John Pressy was made constable this year.
1609.
James Frees, William Sargent, jr., Josue Goldsmith, Thomas
Stevens and Jossef Lankester granted common rights.
Jan. 28th. " It was granted unto that minister that do come
and live and inhabit with us, ffifty akers of land lying in that
part of the common between fox island and Georg Martyns
house."
"At y e seam metten William Osgood sen and William Barens
and Samuel ffoot was chosen and impowered to purches in the
behalf of the town any howssen or lands ffor the yous of the
ministrey and to despoes of any common land for the purchis-
ing of the said howsin or land or to pay by reat provided it
do not exseed one hundred and ffifty pound."
It seems that Mr. Woodbridge made a short stay—but little
more than two years—and the town was again without a min-
ister. No complaint appears as to his services, and it is prob-
able that he left for a more liberal call. It was now thought
best to purchase a house for the better accommodation of the
minister, which was a move in the right direction.
The custom of "boarding round" was anything but agree-
able, and not desirable to the people. In fact, with all the
inducements offered, it was no easy task to find a minister will-
ing to come into this wilderness, as the territory north of the
Merrimac was then called.