History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

38 •
HISTORY
OF AMESBURY.
Feb. 8th. The Prudential men ordered all fences set up by
the i st of April. For years the matter of fences has been taken
in hand at the meetings held the latter part of February, and
it is a little remarkable that the time fixed for complete repairs
was much earlier than at present.
Feb. 24th. The Prudential men repealed the order about
candlewood, but forbid any one from burning "any kelne " of
it under ^5 fine.
Goats were very generally kept and were very troublesome,
so that it became necessary to fine the owners, who allowed
them to run at large, 12 d. for every one taken in any "garden,
corne or orchard, winter or summer."
Richard North was allowed "fivetie shillings for ringing the
bell two yeare & a half past and twenty shillings to ring it one
yeare more." Most of the early meeting houses were built with
a hopper roof and cupola suitable for a bell, and the sound of
"the church-going bell" was heard from the first churches erected.
Sept. 27th. John Hoyt sold to Willi. Holdred his house and
two-acre lot, but reserved the commonage. He, no doubt,
removed to the west side of the Powow at this time.
March 25th. Anthonie Colbie sold to Willi. Sargent,* seaman, his
house and two-acre lot lying between the house-lots of Jarrett Haddon
and Henry Browne, and, probably, removed west of the Powow.
Dec. 2 1 st. John Severance sold to Thomas Bradbury "his
new and old house and house-lot adjoining on both sides of
y e street on N. W. side of y e road running into a great swamp
y e middle of it."
In an old deed dated this year, John Harrison is described
as "Cordish maker of Boston."
"Ralph Blasdell is alowed to draw wine at Salsberry, pays y e
rent appointed by y e last ord r of Co r te."
Prudential men :
Christopher
1648.
Batt, Thomas Bradbury, Edward
French, Isaac Buswell, Richard Wells.
Constables : Edward French and Samuel Winsley.
Fence viewers : Richard
Surveyors of highways : John
North and Samuel Fellows.
Dickinson and John Clough.
*See 164S.