History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 223
ter and was chosen to keep the town school in September,
1 712, and on the 13th of October following was chosen town
clerk in place of Thomas Currier, deceased, and served in that
capacity for nearly forty-two years. He possessed fine business
talent and grew in popularity as age came on. He served sev-
eral years as selectman and held courts, officiating as trial jus-
tice on many occasions. Wills and deeds of his writing are
numerous, and his marriages for several years far exceeded
those of the minister's, numbering one hundred in all.
His penmanship was very good and easily read. He lived
at the Pond hills, near the pound, as, no doubt, his father did.
At his death, his farm passed to his son, Col. Jonathan Bagley,
and by his will to his son Orlando, who may be remembered
by some now living. He was nearly ten years of age when his
father arrested and carried to "Salem village or farmes" Susan-
nah Martin to be tried for her life.
In 1755 General Braddock was sent out from England as
commander-in-chief, with two regiments of troops, to plan and
carry on the war between the colonies and French and Indians.
Three principal expeditions were planned, one of which was
destined against the settlements at the head of the Bay of
Fundy. Col. Monston assumed command of the united troops
at the scene of operations. Two forts were the only obstacles
to be met, and these were soon reduced, thus throwing into
the hands of the British the entire territory in that section.
But now came a strange scene, which the world never witnessed
before. The peaceable inhabitants were led to assemble in various
places under false pretences to the number of twelve thousand,
and some seven thousand of them were hurried on ship board
and brought to the colonies. The country was nearly depopu-
lated. These inoffensive people were, by order of the General
Court, scattered among the towns to be by them supported.
Hundreds of quiet homes were broken up at Arcadia, families
separated to be united no more—many of these French people
dying here. Several of them were quartered at Amesbury for
some years, and provided for by the town. A house was
hired for them and other expenses incurred, and among the