History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

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HISTORY OF AMESBURV.
pit, for which he paid 1 s., 4 d., and Samuel Blasdell made a
"settle at the pulpit for the hour glass to stand in."
Nathaniel Weed, belonging to the society of Friends, enlisted
this year and was denied by them.
1763.
Again the subject of a union workhouse was brought up, and
the selectmen were ordered to consult with Salisbury in regard
to the plan, but met with no encouragement in that direction.
The long-cherished union workhouse of Amesbury met with no
encouragement from adjoining towns, although it deserved a bet-
ter fate. Finding no other resource, the selectmen were
instructed to hire a house for the town poor. The system of
selling the poor had evidently come into bad repute, and the
people were determined to abolish it. To obtain a house was,
however, no easy matter, and in September the meeting chose
a special committee to procure a location in some convenient
place and remove the frame of the pest-house from Red Oak
hill to that spot, for a poor-house.
It does not appear, however, that even this plan was carried
into effect.
Feb. nth. The Second church, having but one deacon,
chose Thomas Rowell, Nathan Currier and John Hoyt,
deacons.
1764-
At the annual meeting it was decided to remove the ferry
from Savages' rock to Sargent's creek, and Robert Sargent who
lived close by, was chosen ferryman.
The meeting raised ^"200 for town expenses and to meet a
deficiency in the county tax of 1763.
An attempt was made to get a road laid out from near Peter
Sargent's to the Merrimac river, but the committee sent to view
the way reported unfavorably, and the town refused to grant
the petition. This way was substantially the same as the way
now known as School street, from Sargent's hall to Merrimac-
port.
1765.
This year the selectmen were to be assessors and treasurers
with a salary of £4. Willis Patten and Joseph Goodwin were