History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

2l8 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
Rev. Elisha Odlin died in the early part of the year and his
widow, Judith, was appointed administratrix of his estate. The
parish voted her a present of ^20, which was paid in May.
Mr. Odlin's ministry continued for about eight years.
March 26th. The Second church gave letters of dismission
to John Sargent and wife to Methuen.
The funeral expenses of Rev. Mr. Odlin were paid by the
East parish and amounted to £16, 3 s., 3 d.
Rev. Mr. Wiburd supplied the pulpit most of the present
year, Mr. Adams preaching a few times only.
Josiah Bailey and John Hickey were school-masters this year.
1753.
The town voted that the schools might be kept in each par-
ish where the inhabitants directed. For many years the town
employed two male teachers, ( one for each parish ) but no
mention is made of female teachers. If any were employed,
it was, probably, in private summer schools.
Another effort was made to recover the ferry "called Ames-
bury Ferry," and Orlando Bagley was chosen to search the
records in order to ascertain the condition of affairs in regard
to it. Abner Whittier was chosen to petition the court of ses-
sions to appoint some one to " keep y e Ferry near y e Powous
rivers mouth and take bond of y e same person there being no
person now licensed to keep s d Ferry."
The landings were always carefully watched to prevent all
encroachments, and this year Capt. Thomas Rowell, Orlando
Bagley, Esq., and Capt. Jonathan Barnard were chosen to
bound them anew and report the incumbrances thereon to the
next meeting. These landings were important for lumbering,
boating and fishing in these days.
William Whittier was making bricks at the Buttonwood on
the western end of the landing, and asked the town for an
additional rod to dig clay on, and was granted his request dur-
ing the pleasure of the town. By the present appearance of
the premises, there must have been made a very great quantity of
bricks in this yard, which were, probably, boated down river.