History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 49
this deposition describes the work it had done. It was ordered
in 1 64 1, and the price of sawing fixed; and it is certain that
it was built by William Osgood, who had the first grant.
This year a mint was established at Boston, and John Hull
appointed mint master. The famous pine-tree shillings were
coined at this date.
The second prison was built at Ipswich this year.
The records of the first church in Boston mention the appear-
ance of a comet, as follows : " December ninth, a large star
with a long blaze appeared. It grew less and less till the twenty-
second, when it disappeared. The reverend John Cotton died
the twenty-third of December."
• All
comets were believed to be omens and attended by some
marked event, generally of evil.
Hugh Parsons, of Springfield, was tried for witchcraft, but,
owing to disagreement between the jury and magistrates, was
acquitted.
Soon after the mill was completed, a bridge was built across
the Powow to enable those having land on the west side to
haul in logs and pass to and from their premises.
Feb. 28th. A meeting was held and "Anthony Colby and
Richard Currier given power to lay out a road from y e mill
bridge to y e plain that goeth to y e Lyons mouth." It would be
impossible to designate the exact location of this ancient road,
which was to be four rods wide and, no doubt, intended for a
permanent highway.
1653.
John Ilsley was appointed to keep the town's powder, bullets
and match. This was an important matter at this time and
required constant care. The importance of the "town stock"
will be seen by the fact that the Salisbury Court was this year
broken up by Indian troubles.
In September, Mr. Batt sued the town for a division of
meadow and the case was tried at the Salisbury Court and
decided against him. He appealed to the Court of Assistants
and the decision was reversed ; but, on being carried up to the
General Court, was again decided in favor of Salisbury.
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