History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF MERRIMAC.
1876.
One of the marked events in the history of Amesbury was
the incorporation of a new town, embracing that portion of
the old one commonly known as the West parish. Several
attempts had previously been made to change the limits of the
town, but without accomplishing the desired result. Generally
the West parish had been unfavorable to any change, but within
a few years various questions of much importance to this sec-
tion had arisen, which had met with little favor at the east end
of the town. One of the most prominent measures was the
construction of a railway from the Mills through the western
part of the town, and connecting with the Boston & Maine
railroad. The town refused its credit to this measure, fearing
to assume so heavy a responsibility in that direction. After the
burning of the Town House, the meetings for town business
were held alternately at the East and West ends of the town,
which was somewhat inconvenient. These and other considera-
tions, in connection with the very generous offer of William P.
Sargent, Esq., of Boston, but a native of West Amesbury, to
build the new town an elegant Town Hall, united the people
in favor of a new town.
A public meeting was held at Coliseum Hall January 18th,
to consider the matter, which kindled much enthusiasm in its
favor. A mass meeting was, also, held at South Amesbury on
the 26th inst. for consultation with citizens there, which resulted
in the determination to proceed without delay for the incorpor-
ation of the new town of Merrimac. Immediate action was
taken by the presentation to the legislature of petitions numer-
ously signed.
Strong opposition, however, was shown in the East parish,
most of the citizens disapproving of any change in the limits of
this ancient town. Wanting one month and thirteen days only
of two hundred and ten years had the town remained intact,
and the associations of more than two centuries had grown to
be very strong upon the minds of many people. But the meas-
ure was now in the hands of the legislative committee for inves-