History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 307
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Fhe presidential election was held November 2d and only
fourteen votes were cast, which were unanimous for George
Washington. It was a very small vote for such an occasion.
The town raised ^"200 for town expenses the current year.
The Essex Merrimac bridge, chartered last year, was completed
during the month of November. Its length is one thousand
and thirty feet and the highest arch is thirty- seven feet above
high water. It was seven months in building, and was under
the superintendency of Timothy Palmer.
The town granted Ebenezer True leave to set up a mill on
the stream now occupied by the Merrimac Hat Company. This
grist mill was standing in a dilapidated condition as late as
1825. The stones were brought across the river from near
Annis' rocks, where a mill was in operation some years previ-
ous.
Two hundred
1793.
pounds were raised for town charges the pres-
ent year.
The small-pox made its appearance again in town, and in
October a meeting was held and measures taken to build a
house "to receive those persons in that shall have the misfor-
tune to be taken with the small pox." The matter soon
became so alarming that a second meeting was called Novem-
ber 15th, when it was decided to set up a hospital to receive
those who should be inoculated for the small pox, provided a
suitable place could be found which would not damage any
one. The selectmen, assisted by Capt. Joseph Hoyt, Peleg
Challis, Deacon Orlando Sargent, Christopher Sargent and Capt.
Robert Rogers, were authorized to establish rules and regula-
tions in regard to the management of the hospital.
Various petitions for roads were laid before the town, but
none were granted, with the exception of the change of loca-
tion at or near John Sawyer's, jr., to the bank of the river.
Dec. 15th. Rev. Francis Welch died, aged twenty-eight
years, having spent about four years in the ministry at the West
parish.