History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

448 HISTORY OF MERRIMAC.
improved by substituting saddle bags for the hat, and, finally,
the two-wheel chaise was called into the service and continued
for several years. Mr. Stephen Patten was the next incumbent, and
his successor was Col. Stephen Bailey, who held the office until
Buchanan's administration, when Mr. J.W. M. Hunt was appointed,
who held the office until the appointment of Mr. Bailey Sar-
gent in 1 86 1. Mr. Sargent held the office about two years and
then resigned to enter the army, when his sister, Miss Jane
Sargent, was appointed, aud held the office until the close of
the war. Mr. John S. Poyen was the next postmaster, hold-
ing the office until the appointment of Capt. Joseph W. Sar-
gent. In 1876 Capt. Sargent resigned on account of failing
health, and Mr. George E. Ricker, the present incumbent,
was appointed. The office is now permanently located in the
Town Hall.
POST-OFFICE AT MERRIMACPORT.
This office was established in 1857, Mr. Ebenezer Fulling-
ton being the first postmaster. After about two years Mr.
Fullington resigned, and Patten Sargent, was appointed post-
master, holding the office six years, when he resigned and
Charles E. Rowell, Esq., was appointed, who still holds the
office.
STATISTICS OF THE CARRIAGE BUSINESS IN MERRIMAC FOR I