In a newspaper in 1770, the following news was printed. "Last Thursday about Noon, was consumed by Fire, at Salisbury, the House of Mr. Abel Morrill, with almost all of their Household Furniture and Wearing-Apparel, a considerable Quantity of Grain, etc. to the value of 250 l. lawful Money , at least: The House was newly repaired, at more than 100 l. Expence. It was set on Fire by the Wind, blowing the Fire into some light, combustible Stuff, which lay on the Corner of the Kitchen Chimney, which, the Doors being all open, soon communicated to the whole House; and every Thing being very dry, all was involved, in a few Moments, in one devouring Flame." [6]

In his will written six months before his death, Abel Morrill of Salisbury, yeoman, gives his wife Sarah half of all real estate, and his son Samuel the other half. He mentions his eldest daughter Molly Smith who receives 3 pounds, and second daughter Eunice East[man] who receives 3 pounds. He indicates that his granddaughter Sally Stevens should be taken care of by the executor, and then names Samuel Morrill as the executor. The will was witnessed by Belcher Dole, Abraham Morrill, Aaron Clough, and Reuben Morrill.

[1][Anonymous], Vital Records of Salisbury, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849 (Topsfield, MA: Topsfield Historical Society, 1915), 162.

[2]Salisbury VR (published) [note 1], 590.

[3]County Clerk, Essex County Probate (Microfilm of original papers, Massachusetts Archives, Boston), 365: 404.

[4]Salisbury VR (published) [note 1], 424.

[5]ibid.

[6]Boston Post Boy (Boston, MA), September 10, 1770, p. 3.

[7]Salisbury VR (published) [note 1], 175.

[8]ibid.

[9]ibid., 174.

[10]Joan Baptiste, Tombstone Inscriptions of Mount Prospect Cemetery, Amesbury MA (E-mail message to author, 27 May 2003).

[11]Salisbury VR (published) [note 1], 172.

[12]ibid.

[13]ibid., 176. "Unice"

[14]ibid.