History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 4
p r thousand, & hogshead staves ^4 p r thousand, and barrel
staves ^"3 p r thousand—any kind of heading stuff 40 s. p r thou-
sand, and this to continue for three years, and not to be altered
but by consent of every freeman in town." The woods were
carefully guarded, although there must have been an immense
amount of growth on the hills and valleys.
Thomas Whitcher had leave to make three barrels of tar
two for Mr. Carr and the other for the town's use.
Isaac Buswell and George Carr were chosen to call on Newbury
to lay out the "contry roade from the Island to Mr. Clarks farme."
Samuel Winsley and Willie Partridge were chosen Constables
and fined 20 s. each for refusing to serve, and William Barnes
was chosen.
Beach common was between the creek and the sea.
Mr. Cobham was fined 1 s. for refusing to serve as juror.
Nov. 2d. Thomas Pettitt was admitted a freeman on condi-
tion that he "live here, and he shall have libertie to dwell in
the watch house till May day next ensuing."
Oct. 8th. Thomas Macy sold to George Martyn one-half of
a twenty-acre lot west of the Powow, for the sum of ^3, 10 s.
Martyn owned a small lot adjoining this, on which he had built
— 1
a house recently.
The following bill of sale may serve to illustrate the customs of
the first settlers to some extent. It is taken from the ancient
records at Salem :
—
"In consideration of y e q r ter vessell y l I y e s d George Carr
have made over unto William Hilton, as is in writing expressed,
have delivered unto y e s d George Carr James my Indian and
all y e interest I have in him, to him or to his assigns forever,
& I y e s d William Hilton doe binde myselfe, heirs & assigns to
George Carr & his assigns to make good y e sale of James the
Indian w ch I have sold unto y e said George Carr his servant
forever or to whom y e said George Carr shall assigne.
Witness this 29 December, 1649.
Signed and delivered in y e presence of
Abraham Tappan, William Hilton,
John Bonde, James y e Indian.
Edmond Greenlief. his m marke doth
manifest his consent.