History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

2 2 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
The fishing at this time was carried on in the Powow by
means of dams or "wyers," and was a very successful business.
The town claimed a certain part of the fish taken, and it seems
that John Bayly had not come up to his agreement, either by
failing to render to the town its share or some neglect in regard
to his "wyers." The right was, however, soon restored, and a
reprimand given at the same time, as follows :•—
"John Bayly, sen 1 "., is granted y e sole fishing in y e Pawaw
river two years on condition that he shall not join any but
townsmen, so that y e fish shall not be carried out of towne ; and
he is not to have more than his share of alewives, and is to
make '
y e wyers ' to be full hight, so that the town may not suf-
fer by fish escaping."
The rivers were full of fish and afforded the settlers a large
amount of provisions, which were very much needed. The price
was fixed at "3 s. per 1000 in work, corn, cattle or merchant-
able commodities."
" Agreed to let John Harrison cut trees enough to make 2000
pipe-staves, and free him from all town & contre rats to keep
an ordinarie two years." At the present time there are plenty
of persons ready to keep an "ordinarie" with no inducement
but the profits.
Jan. nth. Willi. Sargent received a grant of six acres next
the mill for a planting lot, butting upon " Pawaws river."
Jan. 14th. Henrie Mundy and Thomas Bradbury were author-
ized to bargain with a man to hang the bell on the meeting house
This bell was brought from England by order of Rev. William
Worcester, according to tradition. It is probable that the little
log church was built in 1640, as the hurry of 1639 would hardly
admit of its being built then ; and it is hardly probable that it
was delayed beyond the above time. This roughly- constructed
church was built on the open green, on the easterly corner, now
owned by Mrs. Buswell. It stood a little to the south of the
present road, and quite a large common or green was then left
open for public use there. It was simply a log house with the
outside cracks daubed with clay to keep out the cold and
storms.