History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 249
The people were organizing throughout the colony to be in
readiness for any emergency, and on the 21st of July a town
meeting was held and £,2, 8 s., 7 d. were raised for the com-
mittee of correspondence, and a committee was chosen "to
inquire into the affaire of the towns stock." Clouds were gath-
ering and it was evident that they must break, deluging the
land in blood. Governor Gage finding the assembly determined
to have their own way, had dissolved that body and commenced
fortifying Boston. People were not disposed to leave affairs to
the royal governor, and a call was issued for representatives to
re-assemble under the name of "Provincial Congress." This
body reflected the will of the people and their measures were
respected. The sum of ^20,000 was voted to arm and train
Minute men throughout the colony. Amesbury showed her
patriotism by choosing Isaac Merrill, Esq., a member of this
Congress, which was to meet in October.
Thus matters were hastening to a crisis, the people every-
where arming for the inevitable conflict, determined and united
against the common enemy, as the British government was then
thought to be.
Even the taxes were not paid into the royal treasury, and to
secure the selectmen the town held a meeting and "Voted that
the town indemnify the Selectmen for the Constables not mak-
ing a return of the money raised to Harrison Gray Esq."
The custom of warning out new comers, who might become
chargeable to the town, was yet in being, and this year Christopher
Sargent, Esq., warned out Christopher Davis, Elizabeth Fling,
Sarah Colby and Joseph Giles, who were supposed to be inhab-
itants of Chester, N. H., and, also, Elizabeth Hunt and two
children, of Newbury, who had been in town about six months.
The warrant was returned to the court.
Capt. Richard Kelley died June 18th, aged 70 years. He
was born at West Newbury March 8th, 1 704, and came to Ames-
bury in April, 1727, having purchased the farm at Birching
meadow, on which his descendants now live. His house stood
on the spot where the house of the late Joseph B. Kelley now
stands. He was captain under the royal governor and long
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