History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. IOI
ested in y e towne off Amesbury to assist them in y e
worke." This work was to be done before the next annual
.town meeting.
This committee consisted of nine, two of whom made their
marks on the Articles of Agreement signed in 1654. What
part the two who could not write were to take in revising
is not quite clear. This new move was in keeping with the
new ministry, and possibly may have been suggested by Mr.
Wells or his special friends. How such a thorough revision
was to be made, and in what respect, is difficult to imagine.
No doubt the substance of all votes was truly recorded, and if
not, any alteration could hardly be made twenty years afterwards.
If the grammatical construction of the language was bad, any
alteration would be difficult without liability to alter the sense.
Mr. Wells could have given it a smoothing touch, but the
majority of the town were of opinion that it had better be let
alone, and accordingly a meeting was called January 25th, 1675,
the doings of which will be found under the head of that year.
1675.
John Hoyt, sen., was chosen constable, but, not wishing to
serve, hired his son John, jr., to serve in his stead, and the
town accepted the substitute.
Jan. 25th. A meeting was held at which the December
meeting of 1674 was declared illegal. The meeting, however,
chose Thomas Currier clerk and confirmed some of the votes
then passed.
Left. Challes, John Hoyt, sen., and George Martyn were
chosen to show Mr. Wells the bounds of the land given for the
use of the ministry by Left. Challes.
Mr. Wells' rate was ordered to be made annually at Mich-
aelmas.
The business of the town at this time was farming, fishing,
making staves and building a few small vessels. These occu-
pations required a few tradesmen, such as blacksmiths, carpen-
ters, weavers and tailors, who, very likely, did a good business,
taking barter pay for their services. Fishing in the river and
harbor was from the first of great importance to the little col-
s d