History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

24O HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
ing of the towns right to the Ferry called Amesbury Ferry."
The income of this ferry must, at this time, have been consid-
erable or there would have been no such fierce contention for
its control. It was in a direct line from Kingston and other
neighboring towns, when en route for Newbury, and was, no
doubt, doing considerable business. The town has always
claimed and rightfully, without doubt, the ownership of this
ferry.
Jacob Weed and his son Nathaniel, living at the Buttonwood
and owning the farm since owned and occupied by the late
Jonathan Morrill, Esq., sold and removed to Oblong, N. H.,
this year. They were Friends and removed to join the new
settlement there. The farm was sold to William Bayley for
,£390, and was subsequently known as the "Bayley farm" for
nearly three-fourths of a century.
1767.
Sixty pounds were raised to repair the highways and two
shillings per day were allowed for work.
At the annual meeting it was "Voted to fence the Burying
ground near the middle of the town with a good stone wall
and to give three shillings a rod and Isaac Merrill Esq, Orlando
Sargent and Ephraim Weed is a committee to see that it be
done." This wall was thoroughly re-built about thirty years
ago, and since the division of the town has received a nice
cap piece, making a good, substantial fence.
The ferry again seems to give the town some trouble, and a
committee was chosen "to petition to y e Gen 11
Court for a
explanation of a grant of a Ferry over Merrimack River near
Mr Goodwins house made to the town of Amesbury by y e Gen-
arall Court in 1668."
This year it was decided to send the French people back to
Canada, and fifteen dollars were given them to help them on
their way. They had been kept prisoners for eleven years, to
the shame of the colony.
Moses Chase petitioned for a piece of the town's land under
the bank, near the Powow river at the Ferry, and a committee
was chosen to consider the matter.