History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 1
"That a Moderator shall be chosen at each meeting to keep
order, and that every ffreeman when speaking in meeting shall
take off his hat and rise when speaking and put it on when
done, and that no ffreeman shall be allowed to depart the
meeting before done without license under penalty of i s."
Such a rule would hardly be considered consistent with present
ideas of free government.
The "Green" and its highways round about, were carefully
guarded from encroachments, as here they expected to build a
nice little village including their church, court house and garri-
son house. "Voted that no one shall be allowed to fell anie
tree on anie highway or street in or near about y e towne or on
the green" under a penalty of 20 s.
There was no wanton destruction of trees allowed, notwith-
standing the wide-spread forests which covered a large portion
of the territory. Their conduct was far above the custom which
now prevails in new settlements.
Oct. 7th. The General Court changed the town's name from
Colchester to Salisbury. How this change was brought about
has been a matter of speculation, but the most probable theory
is that it was brought about by Christopher Batt. He is said
to have resided in Salisbury previous to his emigration from
England. He came over in the ship Reuvis, in May, 1638,
aged 37 years, with his wife Anna aged 32 years, and five
children under 10 years of age, also a sister Dorothy aged 20
years. He immediately joined the party crossing the Merrimac
and was chosen on the first committee to order the affairs of
the little colony. He served the colony continually until 1650
when he removed to Boston. He was an influential member of
the company and was no doubt the author of the name "Salis-
bury."
He was appointed to train the company at Colchester during
the year. The militia were required to be in constant readiness
to repel any sudden attack of the Indians as they were becoming
a little troublesome at this time. A watch of two persons was
kept nights, as the people were afraid to retire without sentinels
to give the alarm.
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