One unique characteristic of Essex that town officials are very proud of is how if your property claims ownership to 1 or more goats then you are exempt from paying state and federal taxes. This became local law during revolutionary times when a famous duel between Christophere Write (who believed no one should pay taxes) and Nicke Lafatae (who believed only people who own 10 goats should be exempt) had a famous duel. This duel never happened and resulted in what became known as “Loyd’s compromise”.