History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 3
committee to lay out six hundred acres of land to Mr. Ward
near Pentucket.
At the May session of the General Court the fine imposed
upon Salisbury for not having a watch-house was remitted, as the
town had provided one. The danger from the Indians was such
that every town was required to keep watchmen with their head-
quarters at the watch-house.
An order was passed by the General Court requiring every
town to take measures to make " salt peeter," and a commis-
sioner was appointed to see to it that the order might be obeyed.
Sergt. Challis was appointed for Salisbury, Sept. 27th, 1642, but
it seems was a little negligent, as this year the Court gently
reminded Salisbury as follows :
—
" It is conceived fit the order established about salt peeter should
be observed at Salsberry."
The order provided that " Every house or some two or more
houses to join together for the breeding of salt peeter in some
out houses for poultry or the like," under penalty of 12 d. fine
for each month's neglect. Such families were to be paid a due
price for the same.
April 5 th. Jarrett Haddon sold his house and lot of two
acres on the circular road to Samuel Felloes and, also, a plant-
ing-lot ; and, probably, removed west of the Powow at this
time.
Prudential men :
John
1645.
Sanders, John Ralfe, John Stevens,
John Elsley ; Ralfe Blaisdell, constable. The "five men" were
empowered to order all town business except giving out lands.
Richard Goodale was again employed to hunt, with a salary
of ,£13. He was "to hunt 1 day everie week whether there
be anie occasion or noe, & as often as there be occasion, & to
have 1 s. for everie fox & woulf, according to County order,
and not to hunt in any other towne and to have his pay at a
week's warning." He was, no doubt, an expert in the business,
and the town was determined to secure his services at home.
It might have been interesting to have listened some of those
long winter evenings to his stories of wonderful shots and mirac-
1