USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 33
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Askebell Kinnicum,
Francis Smiley,
David Heath,
Askebell Forsh,
John Smiley,
James Heath, Jur,
Thomas Davison,
Heugh Smiley,
Richard Heath,
Holbert morrison,
Capt Christopher Bartlet,
Jonathan Hutchens,
William Hogg,
Nathaniel Bartlet,
Thomas hall,
Walter Mackfortin,
Jonathan Bradlee,
Benjamin heath,
John Stinson,
John Bradlee,
Zacariah Johnson,
Thomas Horner,
Joseph Beartoe,
Micael Johnson,
Alexander Kelcy,
Obadiah Clements, Abraham Chase,
Stephen Johnson,
Micael Gorden,
Roberd Mackcurdy,
Thomas Cheney,
Stephen Johnson, Jur, John Kent,
Peter Christy,
Josiah Copp,
Jonathn Kimball,
William Callis,
Timothy Dow,
Nathaniel Knight, John Kezar,
John Miller, Robert Reddel,
Peter Dow,
Jonathan Merrill,
Thom Christy, William Gilmore,
David Emerson,
Nathaniel Merrill, James Mills,
Paul Mackfarten,
Ephraim Emerson,
Joseph Page, Jonathan Page,
James Macfarten,
Timothy Emerson,
James Adums,
Heugh Pike,
Caleb Page,
Timothy Page, Benjamin Richards, Samuel Stevens, John Stevens, Nehemiah Stevens, Samuel Stevens, Jur, William Stevens, Jonathan Stevens, Jur,
Joseph Stevens, Jur, Samuel Worthen, Jur, Jonathn Whitiker, James White, Israel Webster,
Daniel Mackcafee, Heugh Mackcafee, John Mackcafee, James Gilmore, Samuel Patterson, William Chambers, Samuel Graves, James Graves, Moses Tucker, William Hancock,
Nathll Heath,
Lemuel Tucker, John Hunkins, John Atwood,
Thomas Pope,
Caleb Heath,
Roberd Gilmore,
Joseph Earwine,
James Adums, Jur,
John Dow,
John Dusten,
312
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Samuel Eaton,
Leonard Harriman, Jur, Nathaniel Smith,
Thomas Follensby,
Mathew Harriman, Thomas Worthin,
Dannel Gile, Joseph ~Heath,
Joseph Herriman,
John Pollord,
Nehemiah Heath,
Henry Haseltine,
Nathll Tucker,
John Heath, Jur,
Edman Hale,
Samuel Brown,
Samuel Heath,
Jonathan Johnson,
Benjamin Stone,
Joseph Heath, Jur,
Wid mary Kimball,
Nathaniel Johnson, Jur,
William heath,
Samuel Kimball,
moses Jackman,
Josiah heath,
Jonathan Roberds,
Benjamin Pettingall,
Bartholomew heath,
Jonathan Stevens,
John French,
John Herriman,
Moses Stevens,
Nathll Gatchell.
Leonard Harriman,
Samuel Smith,
Following the list, is a certificate, signed by Joshua Bayley, Justice of the Peace, setting forth that the selectmen were duly sworn to perform the duty assigned them, on the 9th of December, 1741.
The relative extent and value of the portion which fell to New Hamp- shire on the settlement of the boundary line, may be seen from the following, which we copy from the last page of the above document : -
Heads.
Houses.
Mills.
Mowing.
Planting.
Pasture.
Orchard.
Negroes.
Oxen.
Cows.
Horses.
Swine.
Withont New Hampshire Line,
346
214
7
1126
751 308
723 1252
10
266
540
184
128
Within the Line, ...
215
158
9
458
152 19
2|
239
346
135
20
The following list of names, includes all in that part of the town south of the new State line, and east of the West Parish line ; or, in other words, all those in what is now the First, the North, and the East Parishes. They are copied from a document, entitled
" The Town Rate for the East Part of Haver hill a List of That Part of the Tax made By the Assessors of Haverhill on December ye 10 1741 for Benjamin Gale Constable and Collector of said Part of the town to Collect and pay into The Town Treasury"
James Ayer, Joseph Badger,
James Black,
John Ayer, Coll Joshua Bayley,
John Boynton,
David Ayer, Isaac Bradley, Jur,
Timothy Ayer, Daniel Bradley,
Obadiah Belknap, Andrew Bryant,
Samuel Ayer, William Bradley,
Ebenezer Buck,
Samuel Apleton,
Joseph Bond,
Jonathan Buck,
William Otterson, Ebenezer Belknap,
Joseph Badger, Jur,
John Ayer, Jur, James Bradbcry,
Barnabas Bradbery,
William Ayer,
Moses Belknap,
Samuel Clements,
Abner Herriman,
Samuel Worthin,
313
HISTORY OF IIAVERHILL.
Moses Clements, Ruben Currier, Caleb Currier, Jacob Chase, Abner Chase, Richard Colbey,
John Gage, William George,
Benjamin Gale,
John Green,
James Pearson Jur, Robert Peaslee,
Gideon George,
Robert Hunkins, Jur,
Amos Peaslec,
David Hutchens,
Cornelius Page,
Robert Hastins,
Nathaniel Peaslee,
Nathaniel Cogswell,
Richard Hazzen,
Moses Hazzen,
Jeremiah Page,
John Clement, Jur, Elexander Camball, Ebenezer Colbey,
Robert Hunkins,
Robert Toney,
John Bradbery, Samuel Dow, Josiah Chandler,
William Handcock
Joseph Palmer,
Isaac Dalton,
William Davis,
Jonathan Haseltine Jur, Wid Hannah Roberds,
Daniel Davis,
Timothy Haseltine,
Col Richard Saltonstall,
John Davis, Jun,
Benjamin Haseltine,
James Sanders, Samuel Smith Jur,
Moses Davis,
John Haseltine, Daniel Herrick,
Nathaniel Sanders,
Robert Davis,
Stephen Huse,
John Sanders,
Samuel Davis, Jur,
Samuel Hunt,
Jacob Sanders,
Thomas Duston,
Thomas Hunkins,
John Sweat,
John Duston,
John Heuston,
Henry Springer,
David Dodg,
Thomas Johnson,
Jonathan Springer,
Thomas Diamond, John Edwards, Timothy Eaton,
Marverick Johnson,
Samuel Shepard,
John Eaton,
Nathaniel Knolton,
Jonathan Simons, Nathan Simons,
Moses Eaton, Israel Ela,
Joseph Kelley Jur,
John Simons,
John Ela, Samuel Ela,
Abraham Kimball, '
George Sanelar,
Jacob Ela,
Ebenezer Kezer,
Philip Stanwood,
Nathaniel Edwards,
John Kezer, Jur,
Samuel Simons,
Richard Emerson,
John Howard, Jonathan Lufkin,
Jonathan Tyler,
Abiel Foster,
Thomas Little,
Joseph Tyler, Samuel White,
John White, Samuel White Jur,
Samuel Gile,
William Morse,
Bradbery Morrowson,
Ebenezer Whittier,
Jonathan Marsh,
David Whiting,
Capt John Pecker,
John Whiting,
40
John Morrowson
Nathan Merrill,
John White Jur, Joseph Whittier,
Joseph Grelee, Jur, Peter Green,
Benjamin Grelee,
Daniel Johnson,
John Sawyer,
Samuel Johnson,
Jonathan Shepard,
Joseph Kelley,
Abner Kimball,
Nathan Simons Jur,
Edward Thompson,
Daniel Ela,
Edward Flynt, William Follensby, John George, James Gile,
James Mchard, David Marsh,
Nathaniel Page, Abraham Page James Pearson,
Isaac Colbey, Ezra Chase, John Cogswell,
Robert Hastins, Jun,
Lewes Page, Abraham Page Jur,
Jonathan Haseltine,
Joshua Page,
James Holgate,
Ezekiel Page,
Zachariah Hanniford, George Hastins,
Philip Rowel, Rowland Rideout,
Ephraim Davis,
314
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL
Joseph Willson,
Thomas Cheney,
Edmand Hale, William Johnson,
Ezekiel Willson,
Josiah Copp,
William Willson,
Benjamin Clements,
John Willson,
Timothy Dow,
John Dow,
Grant Webster, Benjamin Wooster, John Wells,
Peter Dow,
John Davis,
Jacob Woodward,
Joseph Emerson,
Daniel Johnson Jur,
Nathaniel Woodman,
David Emerson,
Nathaniel Walker.
Ephraim Emerson,
Wid Elizabeth Whittier Robert Emerson,
Thomas Whittier, Timothy Emerson, Heugh Pike,
Israel Young,
Joseph Earwine,
William Townsend,
Jabesh Emerson,
Thomas Worthen,
Stephen Dow,
Thomas Follensby,
Samuel Worthen,
Samuel Duston,
Daniel Gile,
William Whitiker,
widw Mchitebal EmersonJoseph Heath,
Nehemiah Emerson,
Nehemiah Heath,
Thomas Mingo,
John Heath Jur,
Samuel Brown,
Capt Nicolas White,
Joseph Heath Jur,
John Steward,
Joseph Mulikin,
William Heath Jur,
Benjamin Stone,
Timothy Hardy,
Josiah Heath,
Nathaniel Johnson Jur,
Francis Smiley,
Bartholomew Heath,
John Chase.
John Smiley,
John Herriman,
Humphrey Chase, Moses Morgin,
Capt Christopher BartletLeonard Harriman Jr
Joseph Johnson,
Nathaniel Bartlet,
Matthew Harriman
Moses Jackman,
Jonathan Bartlet,
Richard Harriman, Abner Harriman,
John French,
Joseph Beartoe,
Joseph Harriman,
Nathall Gatchell,
John Clements, Stephen Harriman,
Nathan Haseltine,
Obadiah Clements
Nathaniel Green,
Abraham Chase,
Joshua Harriman, Henry Haseltine,
Nathaniel phersen.
We have not been able to find a list of the Polls in the West Parish, in 1741. The nearest we can get, is 1745. But as, in all probability, very few changes were made in that part of the town in the interim, and as we are desirous to complete, as near as may be, a list of all the Polls in the town at this period of its history, we give below the names in that parish for 1745. They are as follows : -
Decon Peter Ayer, Doct William Ayer, Simon Ayer, Jacob Ayer,
Lut Thomas Bayley, Dec Joseph Bradley, Amos Bayley, Ebenczar Brown,
Neamiah Bradley, William Bayley, Ebenezer Bayley, John Buck,
Thomas Johnson, Nathaniel Johnson, John Johnson, Cornelius Johnson, Jonathan Johnson,
Wid Mary Kimball, Samuel Kimball, Jonathan Roberts,
John Willson Jur,
Jonathan Stevens, Moses Stevens, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Smith,
James Bly,
Samuel Eaton,
David Whitiker, John Pollord, Nathaniel Tucker,
Benjamin Moody,
Samuel Heath,
Heugh Smiley,
Leonard Harriman,
Benjamin Pettingall,
John Bradlee,
315
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Jeremiah Bayley, Humphrey Bayley, William Borman,
Joseph Emerson 4th,
Ithamor Emerson,
Samuel Gage,
Stephen Gage,
Capt Philip Hasltine,
Timothy Messer, Benjamin Hilton,
James Nimock,
Thomas Corliss,
Josepli Haines,
Edward Ordiway, Thomas Page,
John Corliss Jr,
Samuel Hutchings,
Samuel Currier,
Joseph Hutchings,
Thomas Page Jr,
Nathaniel Clement Jr,
Nathan Hutchings,
Beniamian Patce,
Nathaniel Chase, Samuel Clement, James Cook,
Joseph Heseltinc, Samuel Hutchings Jr, Jeremiah Heseltine,
John Silver,
Joseph Corliss,
Jonathan Haines, James Haseltine,
Samuel Silver,
Jonathan Duston,
Nathaniel Haseltine,
John Smith,
Nathaniel Duston Jr,
John Haseltine,
Thomas Eatton,
Eldad Ingalls,
John Stward, Nathan Webster,
James Eatton,
John Kezzer
Thomas Webster,
Joshua Emery,
Ens Daniel Ladd,
Jonathan Webster,
Timothy Emerson,
Ens John Ladd,
Stephen Webster, tr
Samuel Emerson,
Daniel Ladd Jr,
Samuel Webster,
Joseph Emerson jr,
Timothy Ladd,
Nathaniel Webster,
John Emerson,
Nathaniel Marble,
Stephen Whiteier,
Mical Emerson,
Epheram Marsh,
Samuel Whiteier,
Joseph Emerson tr,
Samuel Marble,
Samuel Watts,
Jonathan Emerson,
Jonathan Marble,
Stephen Webster,
Stephen Emerson,
John Marble,
Ebenezer Webster,
Jonathan Entton,
Joseph Merrile,
Daniel Williams,
Jonathan Emerson Jr,
Wido Ruth Merriel,
John Watts Jr,
Obadiah Emerson,
Andrew Mitchel,
Stephen Webster Jr,
Peter Emerson,
Cap James Mitchel,
Baracrah Varnon.
Previous to taking leave of our friends on the north of the line, who were thus suddenly, and without their consent, transferred to another State jurisdiction, we can do no less than insert a brief sketch of their subsequent history.º We commence with
Hampstead .- This town is made up of two segments, one from Haver- hill, the other from Amesbury, being cut off from those towns by the State line in 1741. It was originally called Timberland, or Timberlane, on ac- count of the abundance of its timber.
The Indians never made it a place of abode, if we except one or two who lived temporarily at " Angly Pond," in the northeast part of the town.
" Those portions of llaverhill and Amesbury which fell to the north of the new line, were soon after incorporated by the General Court of New Hampshire into a District, under the name of " Haverhill District," and continued to be known by that name until finally divided and incorporated into towns.
Phillip Mitehel, William Mitchel, Jolin Mitchel,
Nathaniel Merriel,
Cor Edward Carleton, Peter Carlton, Nathaniel Clement, John Corliss,
Dee Samuel Hasltinc, Thomas Haines,
Samuel Standley,
Mathew Standley,
John Silver Jr,
Nathaniel Duston,
316
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
The first families of white settlers were Ford, Heath, and Emerson. The latter was from Haverhill, and settled near a brook in the south part of the town, where his descendants still reside.
From a petition of Richard Hazzen to the General Court of New Hamp- shire, under date of May, 1748, " in behalf of that part of Haverhill District commonly called Timberland," we learn that " two thirds of Rev. Mr. Cushing's hearers (exclusive of Timberland) live on the north side of the Boundary line," and that in November, 1747, the district voted that those on the north side should pay two hundred pounds as their pro- portion of Mr. Cushing's salary, but at a legal meeting held afterward, the inhabitants of Timberland were set off from Mr. Cushing's parish. He therefore prayed for power to levy a rate for their own minister, which was granted.
A meeting-house was built, and a minister settled" the same year, (1748). Rev. Mr. Barnard, of Haverhill, preached the ordination ser- mon. The first article in Mr. True's agreement, was, " That he should have the parsonage lands, allotted by Haverhill to Timberlane, which was sometimes called Haverhill District, but now Hampstead, for the first set- tled minister."}
The town was incorporated by its present name, January 19, 1749.
Among the principal men of the new town, may be named Richard Haz- zen, Daniel Little, and Captain John Hazzen, all of whom were originally from Haverhill. Richard Hazzen, as will be seen from his petition in the preceding chapter, removed to Hampstead during the border troubles. He became one of the leading men of the town. In 1750, he surveyed, and made a map, of the whole of the eastern coast, from the Merrimack to the St. Croix rivers. After his death, his widow petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts for aid. From her petition, we learn that Hazzen did not receive the money previously voted him by that body. He died, suddenly, on the road from Haverhill to Hampstead, in October, 1754.
Daniel Little was also a prominent man in the town. By the act of incorporation, he was designated as the person to call the first town meet- ing under the charter. Rev. Daniel Little, the first minister at Kennebunk, Maine, was a son of the above.
Captain John Hazzen, was a nephew of Richard, and a man of great enterprise. After living several years in Hampstead, he went, as leader
Rev. Henry True.
t The Church was not organized, however, until June 3, 1752. Sixty-eight persons united in its forma- tion, fifteen of whom were from the first church in Haverhill.
317
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
of a company, to settle a new town in northern New Hampshire, on the Connecticut, and had the address to have the town named for his own place of nativity - Haverhill.
.
Captain Hazzen was an officer in the old French War, and stood high in the estimation of government. Expecting a charter of a township in the " Coos," if he made a settlement therein, he, in 1761, sent on his cat- tle, with two men, Michael Johnston and John Pettie, (both also of Haver- hill, Massachusetts,) to commence such a settlement. In the spring of 1762, Captain Hazzen went on himself, with hands and materials for build- ing a saw-mill and a grist-mill.º
It appears that Kingston claimed that part of Hampstead called Ames bury Peak, and, in 1760, writ after writ was served upon them to recover. It was finally settled in 1764, by giving Kingston "$1000 old tenor," and a grant of a new township near the Connecticut, which was called Unity, as it made Peace.
Plaistow .- This town, a large part of which was originally a part of Haverhill, was incorporated as a town, February 28, 1749. Among its first settlers, who were nearly all Haverhill men, may be mentioned Cap- tain Charles Bartlett and Nicholas White, Esq., both of whom were men of considerable prominence. Its first church was that of the Rev. Mr. Cushing, which fell a few rods to the north of the State line in 1741.
Atkinson was set off from Plaistow, in 1767, and incorporated September 3d of the same year. It was named in honor of the Hon. Theodore Atkin- son, a large landholder in the town, and one of the principal men of the
" Among those who accompanied him at this time, was Colonel Joshua Howard, of this town. then twenty-two years of age. (1) Johnston was drowned the same season, while descending the Connecticut,
(1) He died in Haverhill, N. H., in 1839, aged ninety-nine years.
on a visit to his friends, and was buried on a small island, since known as Johnston's Island." Colonel Charles Johnston, (brother of the above,) Jesse Harriman, Thomas Johnson, David Merrill, and Ezekiel Ladd, all of Haverhill, were also among the earlier settlers of the new township. The latter afterward became one of the principal men of the place, and occupied the most responsible positions. He married Ruth Hutchins, also of Haverhill, and died in 1818, aged eighty years.
The wife of Mr. Ladd had seen and tasted some of the refinements of life, and in after years she often related her extreme mortification on the first Sabbath she attended meeting at her new home. She had been recently married, and thinking she must appear as well as any of her neighbors, she put on her wedding silks, with muffled euff's, extending from the shoulder to the elbow, and there made fast by bril- liant sleeve buttons. She wore silk hose, and florid shoes. Her husband, also, appeared in his best, and they took their seats early iu the sanctuary. But, as she said, " they went alone, sat alone, and returned alone; " for it was not possible for her to get near enough to any of the women to hold conversation with them. They were actually afraid of her, aud kept at a safe distance lest they should spoil her dress. The next Sabbath she appeared in a clean check-linen dress, with other articles in accordance, and found no difficulty in making the acquaintance of her neighbors, who proved to be sociable and warm hearted friends. Mr. Ladd afterward hecame widely known as "Judge Ladd," and was highly respected and beloved.2
2 Hist. Sketches Coos Co. p. 45.
318
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
province. Previous to its incorporation, it was sometimes called New Castle. Settlements were made within the town's limits as early as 1727 or 1728. The first permanent settlers were Jonathan and Edmund Page, and John Dow,-all of Haverhill.
Nathaniel Cogswell, who for between thirty and forty years was a mer- chant in Haverhill, was among its first principal men." The land for the first meeting-house was given by him. He was born in Ipswich, in 1707, and married Judith, a daughter of Joseph Badger, of Haverhill. Out of his nineteen children, he gave eight sons to the service of the Revolution, who performed collectively thirty-eight years of service, and all survived the war ! All of his children were baptised in the first church at Haver- hill .¡ Mr. Cogswell was a man of large means, as well as patriotism, and loaned much money to his town to expend for the American cause.
The first minister in Atkinson was the Rev. Stephen Peabody, of Ando- ver, Massachusetts, who was ordained November 25, 1772, at which time a church was formed .¿ He died in 1819, aged seventy-eight.
Stephen Peabody Webster, of Haverhill, was the first person who en- tered college from Atkinson Academy. He was afterward Clerk of the Courts of Grafton County ; a Representative, Senator, and Councillor. He for many years taught the Academy at Haverhill, N. H., and died there.
Ezekiel Little was born in the West Parish of Haverhill, in 1762; graduated at Harvard College, in 1784; taught school in Boston for many years; was author of an arithmetic called The Usher, published at Exeter, in 1799 ; and during the latter part of his life resided at Atkinson, where he died in 1840, aged seventy-seven years.
The first couple published in Atkinson were David Clement of Haverhill, and Dilley Ladd of Atkinson, in October, 1767.
° He was a descendant of John Cogswell, a merchant of London, who came to Ipswich in 1635, and was made a freeman in 1636. On his passage to this country he was wrecked, at Pemequid, Me. He died November 29, 1669, leaving a wife and seven children.
Joseph Cogswell, who died at Tamworth, N. HI., in 1851, was the last survivor of this large family of children.
# Rev. Mr. Peabody married, first, Polly Haseltine, of Bradford, and second, Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Rev. John Shaw, of Haverhill. The latter was sister of the wife of the first President Adams. She mar- ried Shaw in 1777, and Peabody in 1793. There is a generally credited tradition, that Mr. Peabody had consulted Mrs. Shaw, but a short time before her first husband's death, in regard to his own "lone " con- dition, and asked her advice a's to the most suitable person to "share his joys and his sorrows." A par- ticular candidate for such a partnership was recommended and agreed to, but before sufficient time had elapsed to consult the third party, Mr. Shaw suddenly died, and, in his zeal to console the bereaved widow Mr. Peabody entirely forgot the claims of the original candidate, and was so soon announced as the " happy man," that it was even whispered that the previous decision was revised on the day of the funeral.
319
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Salem was incorporated as a District soon after the State line was run, in 1741, and as a Town, in 1750. In our search among the papers in the State Archives of New Hampshire, we found several interesting documents relating to the incorporation of that town. The first is a petition (with- out date, but probably 1746,) from thirty-one of the inhabitants of the west part of Haverhill District, praying to be set off into a new parish or town.º Following the above. is a petition from thirty-four of the inhabi- tants of the same locality, praying that they may not be set off, as above. They say there are sixty or seventy families settled in the district referred to; that they have been to a very great expense in building a meeting- house, and settling a minister ; and though they do not object to a new town, they pray not to be disturbed as to their parish concerns .; After this comes a petition from fifty-nine of the inhabitants of the Haverhill District, praying for the new town, or parish. This evidently turned the scale and an act of incorporation was granted soon afterward.
The first church formed in that part of Salem once belonging to Haver- hill, was organized in 1740, and before the State line was run. Rev. Abner Bailey was the first minister, and was ordained the same year. He died in 1798.
Policy Pond, which lies partly in Salem and partly in Windham, was formerly called " Haverhill Pond." A tract of land granted to Rev. Mr. Higginson, by the General Court, in 1715, began " upon said pond," and ran south " upon Haverhill Line," 730 poles to a tree " standing in Hav- erhill Line."
" Among the names of the petitioners we noticed those of Thomas, Samuel, Caleb and Obadiah Duston.
t Among these petitioners were eight by the name of Page, six named Knights, and four named Noyes.
320
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
CHAPTER XX.
1742 To 1765.
WE have already noticed, under date of 1734, the unsuccessful attempt of the inhabitants of the casterly part of the town to be set off into a sep- arate parish. We do not find that a second effort was made until 1743, when they were more fortunate than on the previous occasion, as will be seen from the following, which we copy from the original documents in the Archives of the State : -
" To his Excy Wm Shirley Esq. Captain Genl & Govr in Chief over his Majesty's provence of the Massachusetts Bay in New Engd. and to" the honble his Majesty's Council, and to the honble House of Representves in Genl Court assembled May 25. A D 1743.
The petition of Us the Subscribers being Freeholders & Inhabitants of the Easterly part of the oldest or first Parish in Haverhill, humbly shew- eth - That the Meeting House now standing in said Parish was built in the year 1699, & then set suitable to accomodate the whole Town, for then the whole Town were but one Parish & about the year 1723 or 4 this Court was pleased to set off the Westerly part of the Town of Haverhill with divers of the Inhabitants into a Town called Methuen, & about the year 1730 this Court was pleased to set off a Parish on the Northerly part of the Town of Haverhill, & about the year 1734 this Court was pleased to set off a parish at the Westerly End of the then remaining or oldest Par- ish in Haverhill.
And now, please your Exey & Honrs, the Meeting House now in the old Parish stands but a mile at furthest off the West Parish Line, & the said Meeting House stands near six miles from the East End of said Parish, & we have petitioned to the said Parish for some Ease in this affair, & no help can be obtained as your Excy & Honrs may plainly see by Copies herewith exhibited - Therefore your poor Petrs pray that this honble Court would appoint a Committee to go & view the whole Parish, & make Report to this Court whether it be not just & proper to divide the whole Parish into two equal halves or distinct Parishes by themselves, & to affix a Line between them, or otherwise to provide for the Ease & Relief of your poor Petrs in the Case as your Exey & Honrs shall
321
IHISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
in your Wisdom & wonted Goodness think best, so shall your poor dis- tressed Petrs ever pray as in duty bound &e.
Nathaniel peaslee,
John Morrison,
John Sanders,
Joseph Grele,
Green whicher,
James Bradbury,
Thos Cottle,
Benjamin Davis,
Robert Hunkins,
John George,
Jacob Sanders, Abner Ches,
Reuben Currier,
Humphrey Chas,
Antony Colby,
George Santeler,
John Chase,
Daniel Ela,
Joseph Tyler,
Robert Hunkins Jun,
Benjamin page,
Peter Green,
Thomis Hunkins,
Ezekiel page,
Nathaniel page,
Ebenezer Colby,
James holgate,
Timothy Eaton,
Richard Colby,
William Georg,
Moses Eatton,
Isaac Colby,
Gideon George,
Abraham page,
Samuel Ela,
Jonathan Tyler
Samuel Smith,
Israel Ela,
Jonathan Tyler Jr.
Zechariah Hannaford,
James Sanders,
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