History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 371
Pleasant Valley, Buttonwood and other places on the shores of
the river, fishing grounds were owned, which were valuable
during some three months of the year. But the erection of
the Lawrence dam was destined to damage, if not wholly
destroy this valuable privilege, unless a good and sufficient fish-
way was built.
From the days when old John Bailey had the exclusive con-
trol of fishing in the Powow till the present time, the spring
fishing in the Merrimac has afforded a good supply of shad to
the adjacent country.
Jan. 20th. Hezekiah Challis, a well-known resident of the
Ferry, died at this date. He was born at the Buttonwood
April 13th, 1778, and the house now owned and occupied by
Miss E. C. Trussell, was built by him and his brother Timothy.
He was a skillful mechanic, and, when manufacturing first commenced
at the Mills, he was employed in constructing looms
and other machinery. He will long be remembered for his
sterling integrity and faithful devotion to duty. After his death
there were but two male descendants of Philip Watson Challis
in town bearing the family name.
The " Salisbury Mills Co." was organized this year, the whole
property of the former company being purchased by the new
company for $225,000. Work was again resumed and con-
tinued prosperous through the war, the stock ranking very high
in the market.
A post-office was established at South Amesbury in February
and Mr. Ebenezer Fullington appointed postmaster.
1858.
Rev. Calvin Damon was this year settled as pastor of the
Universalist society at West Amesbury.
Rev. A. C. Childs was dismissed from the pastorate of the
Congregational chnrch and society at the Mills August nth.
Rev. D. G. Estes was elected rector of St. James church and
retained till 1872.
On the 27th of February, Robert Patten, Esq., died, aged
eighty-one years and four months. He was born at South
Amesbury October 28th, 1776, when the great struggle of Inde-