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History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

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HISTORY OF AMESBURV. $?,<br />

Feb. 5th. A meeting was held, and it was ordered that all<br />

fences be made by "y e 20th <strong>of</strong> y e next month to keep out all<br />

cattle, but not goats & they to have a keeper."<br />

" All swine above 4 mos. old shall have libertie to goe about<br />

y e towne free, and w l<br />

sufficient p r<br />

p r sons shall neglect to make their fences<br />

y e time to be fined 2 s., & for everie 12 foote so<br />

found to pay 2 s. 6 d., this order to stand in force 1 yeare."<br />

There were very few seasons in those times when the frost<br />

would allow <strong>of</strong> fence building by the 20th <strong>of</strong> March. It would<br />

seem that the springs were earlier then than now, but this order<br />

was extended to April nth, at a meeting <strong>of</strong> the commoners'<br />

committee April 4th, " y e wether disabling men for y e same."<br />

It was ordered that no cattle but calves should be put on<br />

the lands between Mill river, on the west <strong>of</strong> the bridge, to the<br />

great swamp, under penalty <strong>of</strong> 5 s.<br />

" Further ordered, that if any person put his cattle to any<br />

heard but the towns, or such as the 5 men approve, they shall<br />

not be allowed their milch cows in the town heard."<br />

For many years cattle went in herds with keepers, and not<br />

in small pastures as at the present day ; and it was quite a priv-<br />

ilege to have them under their care.<br />

The remainder <strong>of</strong> the rate made to defray the "digging up<br />

y e creek" was ordered to be taken to pay town debts.<br />

April 8th. At a general meeting, Jarrett Haddon was chosen<br />

grand juror for the year.<br />

April 2 1 st. At a general meeting it was ordered "y l no p r son<br />

shall imp r ve or make use <strong>of</strong> any candle wood or pine trees<br />

for y e making pitch or tarr, or Rosen to sell or carrie out <strong>of</strong><br />

y e Towne upon y e penaltie <strong>of</strong> 20 s. for everie loade, & according<br />

to y e same rate for any lesser p r portion."<br />

May 1 st. A general meeting chose Samuel Winsley deputy<br />

" for y e Court <strong>of</strong> Election, and, moreover, it was ordered that<br />

he shall have 8 s. p r week while he attends y e Court, alloAving<br />

him for 2 days going & 2 days returning att y e same rate."<br />

Mr. Winsley, probably, rode on horseback, and as far as Salem<br />

the first day, and arrived at Boston the afternoon <strong>of</strong> the sec-<br />

ond day.<br />

5

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