History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

362 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
porating the territory as far west as the Kimball road into a
separate town.
To check and defeat this measure, a town meeting was called
December 9th and the following resolutions passed almost
unanimously :
—
" Resolved, That the citizens of the town of Amesbury in
their collective capacity do agree that they cannot under' exist-
ing circumstances consent to allow any portion of their territo-
rial limits to be assumed or surrendered for the creation of any
new town within her original borders."
"Resolved, That having met in town meeting pursuant to a
notice from the State Legislature in reference to a petition to
that body from some of our citizens asking for a new town to
embrace a considerable portion of our territory and likewise to
embrace the most densely inhabited part of it—we do solemnly
protest against the measure as uncalled for on the part of the
petitioners and in direct opposition to the feelings and views
of a very large proportion of our citizens."
"Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to go
before the committee of the Legislature at the time and place
appointed and have such a hearing as may subserve the cause
and import of the foregoing resolutions."
"Voted That the Committee employ counsel if they deem
it expedient."
Patten Sargent, \
Abner L. Bailey,
William Nichols, )
,- Committee.
The measure was defeated and the good old town saved
from mutilation.
Rev. Henry B. Smith of the Congregational church at West
Amesbury was dismissed by a council held September 29th.
Rev. S. C. Hewitt was this year installed as pastor of the
Universalist society at the Mills.
1848.
A code of by-laws was adopted regulating the police affairs
of the town, and, also, a stringent dog law requiring every owner
to pay $2.00 for a license each year.