History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 245
The tax of Amesbury imposed by the colony was ^93, 4 s.,
3 d., this year. The warrant of the royal treasurer, Harrison
Gray, was sent to " John Currier Constable or Collector of
Amesbury," and is now among his papers in a good state of
preservation. The great seal of the "Province of Massachu-
setts Bay " is attached, and it is really an imposing document.
The Second church this year proposed using the "new ver-
sion of the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts now annexed."
1771.
An address to the governor was ordered at the May meeting
and Jonathan Bagley, Esq., Thomas Rowell, Esq., and Isaac
Merrill, Esq., were chosen to prepare the document. What
purpose this address was designed to answer, the record does
not show ; but it, no doubt, was to set forth some complaint
and ask redress of the royal governor. The beginning of stir-
ring times is at hand ; the people are heartily tired of British
rule and every new encroachment upon their rights calls forth
a determined remonstrance.
Eli Gale petitioned the town for a "place to set me a Black
Smith Shop on "near taylor Cleaves' shop, very handy to my
house," upon the bank of " Powwo " river. The matter was
referred to a committee and reported upon favorably. He was
allowed twenty-five feet on the road, beginning six feet from
Merchant Cleaves' shop and extending back sixty feet, he pay-
ing the town 4 s. annual rent.
Timothy Barnard was allowed to build a wharf at the land-
ing at the mills on the flats at the foot of the falls, opposite
the saw pit, to lay lumber on. It is probable that he was a
ship- builder and needed this extra room to deposit his timber
and plank.
William Hudson Ballard 'is captain of the Ferry military com-
pany. He built the house now owned by John Huntington at
the Ferry.
Rev. Joseph Currier, of Amesbury, was this year ordained
over the church at Goffstown, N. H. He is, probably, the
one who kept school in town in the years 1764-5.
A complete invoice of the West parish taken this year has