History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

354 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
mediately commenced a suit in behalf of the " Inhabitants of
the Town Amesbury against Jacob Gove and others, Selectmen
of Amesbury," to recover the money. Thus stood matters at
the close of 1837.
The selectmen were authorized to purchase two hearses for
the use of ^he town, and also to provide suitable houses.
By request of Peter S. Eaton, pastor of the 2d church, a
council was held May 10th to consider his request for a dis-
mission. Mr. Eaton's request having been granted an invita-
tion was extended by the church to Rev. Lucius W. Clark, which
was accepted, and he was installed Nov. 1st.
The West Amesbury Universalist Society was organized this •
year, and Rev. E. G. Brooks was ordained pastor.
Rev. Charles C. Taylor was called to supply the pulpit of the
Episcopal society, and retained till 1840.
The manufacture of shoes at Haverhill having become an
extensive and lucrative business, employment was given to a
very great number of workmen in the adjoining towns. The
work employed a large number of shoemakers in this town, and
also binders, and seemed to be one of the chief branches of
industry. The town was literally dotted with shoe shops, and
it had really come to be an age of shoemakers. For some
years it had been a very profitable employment, but during the
latter part of the year a financial crash came which swept away
this branch among others for a season. General bankruptcy
prevailed among the manufacturers.
1838.
The old contest in regard to the disposition of the surplus
money was again renewed at the annual meeting, and, the anti-
division party being in the ascendency, it was decided to appro-
priate it to school purposes. The interest was to be paid annu-
ally to the prudential committees of the districts. This was a
wise measure, but destined to come to naught.
i\.pril 2d. The divisionists called a meeting which was nearly
equally divided. The opposing parties marshalled their forces
on the choice of moderator and William Nichols, Esq., received
one hundred and fifty-six votes, which was just the required