History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

20 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
cient for
e
y use of e
y towne before e
y ioth of e
y 7th month
next ensuing." This "upland" lay along down the Powow
river to the " Landing." The town agreed that no other mill
should be built so long as his did the required work. It was
a saw mill and the price of sawing was fixed at " 3 s. 6 d. p r
hundred." The mill was built and performed service for the
town for many years before others were built in addition.
It was, in all probability, the first mill ever built on the Powow
river. To be sure, it would hardly be seen along beside the
stately buildings of the Hamilton mills, but it was, neverthe-
less, a great acquisition to the little band who needed shelter
from the severity of those dreary winters.
A more intelligent race had turned the elements to account,
and the first water-wheel ever turned by the ripling " Pawaw
was now busily at work for the benefit of these hardy settlers.
The "boarded frame " may now replace the log house.
May ioth. A general meeting.
Cattle forbidden being kept on the neck " till corne be reaped,
except calfes."
Robert Pyke, Luke Heard and John Harrison appointed fence-
viewers.
Persons were forbidden cutting trees along the river, as they
infringed on lots already granted ; but Samuel Winsley was allowed
on condition that he pay "toward y e buying of or drawing
20 miles so manie as shall accomplish his bargain of 30000
pipe-staves." Manufacturing pipe-staves in the early years of
the settlement was an important branch of business, furnishing
the means to purchase West India goods, etc.
Richard North and John Rolph were appointed to mend the
roads, with power to order men to work or, if refusing, to take
their goods.
" Ordered, that everie townsman shall send a sufficient man
to work one day towards y e making of a way to carrie corn to
mill."
"Also, ordered, yat yere shall be three hundred acres of
upland inclosed for an ox common near y e Little river."
Sept. 20th. A general meeting and a large amount of land
laid out, and no other business done.
"