History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

358 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
spring and was liberally patronized by the public. For several
years this school had languished, sometimes being discontinued
altogether for a season, and again being revived under some
transient teacher. Mr. Davis proved a popular teacher, and
continued his labors during the summer seasons until 1850, some-
times having more than seventy scholars.
The population of the town is 2,471, as given by the last
census.
The new road from the
1841.
pound winding along under the hill
to Orlando Sargent's was built this year. The old one over the
hill past Davis Mason's had been a source of great expense
on account of being blocked with snow every winter. By this
new route the hill and snow were both avoided.
The Universalist society at West Amesbury settled the Rev.
J. J. Locke as pastor the present year.
Rev. Silas Blaisdell was engaged as minister by the Episcopal
society this year and retained till 1844.
A sad accident occurred on the 13th of January which
resulted in the death of Mr. Enoch Wells, a highly respected
resident of this town. Mr. Wells was standing in front of a
picker machine which he was tending in the large mill of the
Salisbury Company, when it suddenly burst, killing him instantly.
Mr. William Foot was leaning against the side of the machine
at the time, but escaped urihurt. Mr. Wells was 53 years of
age, and by trade a hatter, but entered the service of the Sal-
isbury Company soon after the completion of the large mill on
High street. He was a descendant of the Rev. Thomas Wells,
the faithful pastor for more than sixty years.
1842.
The report of the committee chosen in 1840 to consider the
propriety of selling the poor-farm was received and accepted
and the committee was authorized to execute a deed of sale. It
was subsequently sold to John Evans, Esq., of Salisbury, who
occupied it till his death. Having disposed of the farm, it
became necessary to return to the old system of putting out
the poor to the "best advantage" for the town.