History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

I l8 • HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
then received a "town shiep for on of his daughters." In
1662 Edmond Elliott, by vote of the town, took that right,
and at a later date his grant of 20 acres west of the pond is
said to lie "next his Father Hadden lot." He married Eliza-
beth Haddon, which explains the whole matter. He served on
various committees :
was
commissioner to end small cases in
1673, prudential man ini6y6, '79 and '80, and was a large landholder.
His inventory footed up ^181, 5s. His residence is not
known, but he lived at the east end of the town and some
of his land is described as running from the country road to
Powow river, lying probably in the vicinity of the road to
Weare point, mostly south of it. He took the oath of freeman
May 14th, 1634, his name being spelled "Terad Hadden" on
the record.
His children were, so far as known :— Sarah, born January
15th, 1640. Mary, (date not known) married Henry Blaisdell
and Elizabeth, who married Edmond Elliott and was executrix
to his will in 1684.
1689.
The town's management in religious matters was very singu-
lar, especially as regards the minister. Although Mr. Wells was
settled, according to the custom of the times, for life, yet the
town annually voted on the question of keeping him another
year, sometimes voting that they were clear of him and he
them. In October a meeting was held at which they did nothing
but to vote on this question. The first vote after choosing
moderator was "At y e same metting it was voted y l we desire
to have a minister among us." Second vote— " Voted that we
would send to Mr. Wells to know his mind, whether he would
still continue in y e work of y e ministry among us." Third vote
"Voted y l
— ;
y e towne was cleare from Mr. Wells, and Mr. Wells
from y e towne." They repudiated the idea of having settled
Mr. Wells for life. Thus the matter rested till December 26th,
when a meeting was held and it was " Voted that the Minister
that carrys on y e worke of y e ministry amongst us shall have for
his pains fifty pounds a yeare."
"Att y e same metting y e towne made choyce of Mr. Wells to
be their Minister."