History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 267
under the command of s d Capt. Currier if it should hereafter
be so ordered that the said Capt. should be obliged to pay the
money to the negro I promise and engage to pay said sum of
money back again as witness my hand.
Benjamin Barnard."
The census of the population at this time, as taken by the
colony, only gave one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five
inhabitants, and in 1790, some fourteen years later, the increase
was but six. In 1800 there was found a decrease of popula-
tion from 1776 of thirty-eight, and in 1820, after the lapse of
forty-four years, the town had gained but one hundred and six-
ty-one in numbers, although two or more factories had been
built and put in operation during that period.
1777.
The following persons were chosen a committee of correspond-
ence and safety : John
Patten, Capt. John Sawyer, Capt. Mat-
thias Hoyt, John Hoyt, jr., Major David Merrill, John Bagley
and Capt. Caleb Pilsbury.
The frequent calls for men last year had severely tried the
town and its resources, but this year opens under no very fav-
orable prospects to encourage renewed effort in the good cause.
So many able-bodied men were in the army that provisions
were scarce and high. The town was under the necessity of
supplying the soldier's families, and frequently bought corn for
that purpose. The people were not fed on pie and cake then.
Guns, amunition and shovels for the soldiers and army were
bought by the town.
Aug. 23d. An order was drawn for " 14 guns with Bayonets
at 72 s. each and ten gun locks at 18 s. each and 288 pound
of lead at 10 pence per pound and 240 flints ,£72 4— 10."
"Paid to Benjamin Sargent for 4 shovel woods o— 8— o."
"July paid for 2i6 lb of powder bought for a Town Stock for
this town ^64— 16— o."
The town purchased steel of the board of war at Boston to
the amount of ^18.
"May 6th Ordered to Roger Colby in full for shewing 24
shovels £2, 14— o."