SEPARATION OF AMESBURY FROM SALISBURY

According to the agreement of 1654, the new town was to be formally separated from the old when it could secure and maintain a minister. Unsuccessful efforts were made in 1660 to obtain Mr. Shubael Dummer, and in 1665 to obtain Mr. Showell, Mr. Woodbridge, and Capt. Robert Pike, to serve the new town as minister. In 1666 the new town was incorporated by the General Court. The town voted to adopt the name Amesbury in 1667, and the name was confirmed by the General Court in 1668. Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge served as minister for two or three years, 1666-69. Mr. Hubberd,* or Hoberd, of Kittery, was minister, 1669-72. Rev. Thomas Wells, the first settled pastor, began his pastorate of sixty-two years in 1672 or ‘3.

Between 1654 and the formal separation, the two towns were distinct in matters pertaining to land, and some other town affairs; but the inhabitants of Amesbury were expected to attend divine service in the old town, and support its minister. This they often declined to do, and held meetings of their own, under the lead of Peasley, Macy, and others, for which they were fined.*

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*Perhaps Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, or Hubbard, b. ab. 1630 or ’32, who grad. H. C. 1650, was called from Lynn to Wells in 1667, but remained there only a few months. He was the son of Rev. Peter Hobart of Hingham, and brother of Rev. Joshua Hobart. Rev. Jer. Hobart was ordained and settled in Topsfield, Mass., Oct., 1672; settled in Hempstead, L. I., in 1683, and in Haddam, Ct., in 1691. He d. in 1715.

Taken from pages 17-18 of "The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts" By David W. Hoyt Providence, R. I. 1897. Transcribed by BSW 10/06

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