History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 279
one, and the assistance of France was, to say the least, timely.
The fees for the committee who hired the soldiers from x'Vpril
3d to September 28th were ,£36, 9 s., 4 d.
Jacob Merrill, Thomas Clark and Samuel Brooks were school-
masters this year.
1779.
Seth Kendrick received 3 d. per pound for collecting taxes.
Capt. William Bagley, Obadiah Colby, Willis Patten, Wells
Chase and John Barnard were the committee of correspondence,
inspection and safety.
"Voted that the Selectmen be allowed forty pounds for their
services the ensuing year."
"Greenbacks" had sadly depreciated since the war began,
and the evil was assuming huge proportions, almost endanger-
ing the patriot's cause. The large appropriations show the
worthlessness of Continental money and the rapid decline it
was making.
"Voted to make a grant of one hundred dollars to each Sol-
dier that is gone from this town into the three years Conti-
nental service that have not left families, towards making up
their wages on account of the depreciation of the money."
May 17th. A meeting was held for the choice of a repre-
sentative, and other purposes, and to consider the necessity for
a "new Constitution or form of Government." The vote
" passed in the affirmative, thirty-three in the affirmative, one in
the negative." This vote not only shows the unanimity of the
town, but, also, the size of the town meetings at this time.
How many voters there were in town is not known, but only a
minority were generally present.
June 17th. A town meeting was held and Ensign Simeon
Bartlett and Seth Kendrick were chosen to hire the men called
for, and pay them in money or produce " as they can agree."
At this meeting ^3000 were raised "towards defraying the
charges of the town the present year." Money had depreciated
very much and large sums were required for ordinary purposes.
Aug. 5 th. In town meeting this day, John Barnard was
chosen to attend the Constitutional convention. At this meeting