USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 1
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BOSTON
AT
IN
SOCIETY
MARINE
D.1754
NEW ENGLAND
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01897 4474
GC 974.402 B65BMSA
75 12
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/gleaningsfromrec00bost 0
GLEANINGS
From the Records of the
Boston Marine Society,
THROUGH ITS FIRST CENTURY,
1742 TO 1842.
Compiled by Nath'l Spooner.
BOSTON :
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.
1879.
Press of C. W. Calkins & Co. Boston.
Records
of the
Boston Marine Society.
T HE following pages contain an abridged account of the Boston Marine Society through its first hundred years of effort, trial, and success, gathered from the Records. Only items of the greatest probable interest have been reproduced. In all such, the original con- struction and orthography of the sentences have been pre- served as literally as possible. The work has been, from its nature, slow and tedious, but if in its result it awakens in the members or others a greater interest in the Society, all that was sought will have been accomplished.
The first book of records is marked No. I, and on its first few pages is a list of members' names, with dates attached, commencing in June, 1742, and reaching to June, 1788. There have been some alterations and interlineations, and the dates are somewhat confused. It is proper to state here, that from 1742 to 1751, inclu- sive, the old style, in which the year began on the 25th . of March, was kept up. In 1752 the new style was adopted.
From the records, and a printed list of names pub- lished with the laws of the Society, coming down to
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
1769, we learn that Wm. Starkey was first on the list. his time of entry, June 9th, 1742; Edward Cahill and Isaac Freeman signed 25th October, following. Rich'd Humphreys and Edward Freyer, 24th Nov., and for the rest of the year we have Moses Bennet, Jonathan Clarke, John Cullum, Joseph Prince, and Abraham Remmick,-in all, ten members the first year. . Malachy Salter and four others appear to have joined in 1743. In 1744 but two members joined, and in 1745 but three ; none in 1746, and in 1747 but two, so that at first start- ing very slight headway was made. Innovations seem to have been as great bugbears then as now.
The list of names and dates continues, as stated, to June, 17SS, when it abrubtly stops, and after several blank leaves, we find written, "Here Followeth the Transactions of the Fellowship Club began 7th Jany. 1752." showing the foregoing list was kept up long after the organization of the Club.
The first entry is as follow : " Voted the 7th Janry. 1752 That Capt. Jonathan Clark be Regulator for the year ensuing."
"Voted also this 7th Janry. 1752 that Capt. Wm. Starkey be paid out of the Box Twenty-one pounds Ten shillings Old Tenor, being all the Cash at present in the Box & that he shall be Relieved further according to the Abilty of the Box & that the present Clerk G. Tidmarsh Forward the same to him at Newbury his Dwelling place, & that the said G. Tidmarsh Write him a letter on ye same in Behalf of the Society." At this meeting seventeen members are reported present, thirty-six mem- bers absent, showing their whole number at that time fifty-three.
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At the next meeting, 4th February, 1752, the only min- ute of proceedings found is as follows : "Voted Capt. Isaac Freeman, Joshua Loring, Joseph Prince are Chose a Committee to Wait on the Widow Sarah Salter, Relict of Jona. Salter & make a report to the next monthly Meeting." At this meeting twenty-one members were present. At the meeting of 3d March, 1752, a commit- tee of five was appointed "to Review the Articles & Votes & prepare for the press New Articles to be Reprinted & lay the Same before this Society at their Next Meeting," etc., and at the next meeting, on the 5th April, it was "Voted that the Articles with the Amendments Made by the Committee Chosen last month for the same purpose be Reprinted & Charged to the Society with all the Members Names on the Back."
On the 5th May, 1752, we have the first evidence that the Club had any funds as such, when it was " Voted that Fra. Wells, Esqr. Capt. Jona. Clarke & Giles Tidmarsh, Inform Mr. Abiel Richardson that the Society have Order'd them to Notify him they Expect he pays his Bond to the Society as soon as it becomes due, if not they are hereby Directed he shall be Sued to the Next July Court." But at the next meeting, on the 2nd June, we find it " Voted, That as Mr. Abiel Richardson as been waited upon & Informed of the Above Vote by the Persons appointed the Above Vote to be Void & the Money Yet to Remain with him upon his Giving a Further Collaturall Security Such as the Persons Viz. Fra. Wells Esqr. & Jona. Clarke & Giles Tidmarsh shall think sufficient for the Bond already Given & he to have What more Money the Company shall have to Let to the Amount of One Thousand pound Old Tenor Including
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
the Sum already Lent to the said Abiel Richardson." So it appears the threat of suing Mr. Richardson was only a bit of harmless clap-trap to bring him to terms.
On the 3d October, 1752, it was "Voted this Night that the Next Meeting be at Mr. Bourrough's the Crown Tavern." this being the first mention of any place where the meetings were held.
At the meeting of 7th November, 1752, it was "Voted the S following persons be a Com'ittee from this Society to prefer a petition to the Genl. Court of this province that this Society be made a Corporation, viz. Jona. Clarke, Joseph Prince, Fra. Wells Esqr. Joshua Loring. Isaac Freeman, Thos. Aston, Giles Tidmarsh, Wm. Coffin." Written on the margin beside this list, "N B before the Court sits." "Added 4th Septr. '53 to the Above Com- mittee. L. Turner, Jona. Snelling, Richd. Humphreys, Jona. Collomb." "Added 4th Decr. 1753, Andrew Craig. Joseph Dummet."
On the 5th December. 1752. "Voted that the Bill Ex- hibited by Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. this Evening & filed be presented to the Generall Court for the Societys being Incorporated be accepted by the Society & preferred accordingly to the Genl. Court for the Obtaining a Char- ter from this Government."
At the meeting of 2nd January, 1753, " Voted this Night that Capt. Joseph Prince be Regulator to this Society for the Year Ensuing." "Voted also that all the Money the Society has Now in Stock be Let Out as soon as possible to Mr. Abiel Richardson with the Interest Money now due on Mr. Richardson's Bond. the sd. Richardson Getting two sufficient Bondsmen for the Same, by the former Committee, Fra Wells, Esqr .. Jona.
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Clarke, Giles Tidmarsh." Mr. Richardson, it seems, was now in high favor, however much he might have been mistrusted formerly.
On the 6th February, 1753, it was voted, "That a Standing Committee of 5 Members of this Society be Appointed by this Society to Relieve any person belong- ing to it that shall be in any Immediate Necessity in the Interim of the Societys Monthly Meetings & that they Give an Account to the Said Society of their Actions to Eveng. & the next Monthly Meeting following viz. Joseph Prince & four others."
The 6th March, 1753, finds the vote recorded "That Mr. Giles Tidmarsh"-who seems to have acted as Clerk or Secretary from the first,-" Return'd Francis Foxcraft Esqr. thanks for the Society For his Gift in Reg- istering Abiel Richardsons mortgage Free of Charge."
On the 7th of August, 1753, it was voted " That the Society be Warnd for the Future by printed Tickets for their Monthly Meetings & that the present Clark Giles Tidmarsh is hereby Directed to Get the Same printed at the Societys Charge."
The 4th September, 1753, it was voted that "Capt. Joshua Loring Wait on His Excellencey Govr. Shirley to congratulate him on his Arrivall & know When the Society shall Wait on him to Inform him of our Societys Design to Wait on him to Favor our Design & Desire of being Incorporated & pray his Favour for the Same." " Voted for Officers that the Society have Master, Depy. Master, Treasurer, Clerk. Voted also that every person appearing to become a Member of this Society shall Withdraw out of the Company While the Vote for him is passed."
S
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At the meeting held 4th December, 1753, we find this minute :
" Voted, this 4th December 1753, that Jona. Clark, Jos. Prince. Fras. Wells, Esq., Joshua Loring, Isaac Freeman, Thos. Auston, G. Tidmarsh, Wm. Coffin, Lewis Turner, Jona. Snelling, A. Craig, Joseph Dom- mett, Wait on the Gov. and Sign the Petition of this Society for being incorporated."
.. Voted, also, that every member of this Society upon his arrival from Sea give in to this Society to be recorded, his observations on the Variations of the Needle, the Soundings, Courses, Distances, and all other things remarkable upon this Coast, and that it be inserted in the Petition of this Society to the Gen- eral Assembly, and be read at every meeting of this Society."
Also, "Voted £20 be paid to Sarah Salter, Jere. Salters Widow, Voted also that Cap. Joseph Prince and Capt. Mathew West lay out the Said £20 as they shall think best for her advantage."
" Voted that Capt Edmund Morton be according to his own Desire voted out of this Society and accordingly he is hereby voted out."
On the 2nd February, 1754, the Society was incorpo- rated, as we are informed in very large letters, "by the Name of the Marine Society by William Shirley Esqr. Govr. of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England," and by a memorandum note we are in- formed "the said Charter was Read to the Society ye 5th February 1754." At the same meeting sev- eral rules were adopted for the government of the Society, and Giles Tidmarsh, Clerk ; Jonathan Clarke,
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Master ; Joshua Loring, Deputy Master ; Jonathan Snelling, Treasurer, were elected to serve in their several capacities the ensuing year. Five members were appointed to "Examine and adjust the min- utes of observations upon the Coast" etc., and it was voted " That Jeremiah Gridley be Presented with the freedom of this Society for his Good Services to the said Society." What those "good services" were, does not appear.
At this same meeting of 5th February, 1754, a com- mittee consisting of Isaac Freeman, Jere. Gridley, Esq., Jona. Snelling, Giles Tidmarsh, Lewis Turner, were appointed " a Committee To devise a Seal for the Society and make a Report to ye Society ye next Tues- day Ensuing," then after a vote as to all members, on arrival from sea, furnishing information as to variation of the needle, soundings, courses, etc., it was voted " That the four officers named in the Charter Join'd by Isaac Freeman, Wm. Coffin, Thomas Auston, John Bradford & Wm. Patten be a Committee to wait on his Excellency William Shirley Esqr and return him the thanks of the Society for his Favour in Granting us a Charter & Pray his Favour in recommending it To his Majesty and ministry at home." Another committee was appointed to " Revise, Correct and add to the Old Rules of the fellowship Club such Rules as they shall think to the advantage of the Society and lay before the Society for their approbation." It was likewise voted, " That the Clerk of the Society Pay J. Willard the Sec- retary of the Province for his Good Services & Engross- ing ye Charter for this Society two Guineas and three Dollars to Each of his Clerks."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
After this we find a copy of the Charter occupying several pages, and on the 26th February, 1754, it was voted .. That the Silver Seal cut by Mr. Nathaniel Hurd and now presented to the Society by the Committee ap -. pointed for that purpose representing a Ship arriving at the light House from a storm and the Sun breaking out of the Clouds with the Inscription Marine Society at Boston in New England A D 1754 be the Seal of this Society." Then follows a vote that " the draught of the Laws presented this day by Jeremiah Gridley Esqr be accepted " and another appointing a Committee to relieve any necessitous member at intervals between the monthly meetings. Then several rules for the govern- ment of the Society were adopted by vote, among others, one that, " one Shilling Sterling be paid to the Clerk for every Instrument that the Seal of the Society be affixed to, excepting when the Freedom of the Society is vol- untarily presented."
After this follows the " Laws," which are the original of our present By-Laws, the latter having been modified as time and experience have suggested. Among other provisions is one that " such Member or Members as shall go a Voyage to sea and shall Return Successfull, without being Cast away, taken by the Enemy or meet- ing with any other Misfortune shall pay Sixpence Sterlg into the Box for the use of the Society for each and every month that he shall have been absent." In case of the exceptions provided for, such payment is not de- manded. Among other provisions is one against playing " of Cards, dice or any other Gaming whatsoever as it is probable the same may be of Damage to themselves or some other of the Society who may be Ingaged in play."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
" That the Society shall & will Avoid all Quarrells, Fighting, Chalenging each other to fight & all Needless Contentions and debates, that may tend to Create any fighting or Quarrelling" etc., "and in Case two or more of the Society shall happen to quarrell or begin a Quarrell they shall Immediately be put out of the Com- pany for that meeting in order to avoid making the Rest of the Company Uneasy, or encouraging them to enter into a generall Quarrell." Other regulations are made for proper discipline of the Society, and Wardens appointed for Marblehead, Nantucket, Newbury, and Plymouth, whose duties were to "Negotiate any Business" that "might happen" in these several places, they evidently then filling more responsible posititions than now. The next matter of interest is a letter to Capt Malachy Salter, Boston, March 3rd, 1754, and is as follows :
" SR : - Providence has been so favourable to the late fellowship Clubb now by Charter from this Gov- ernment Establisht by the name of the Marine So- ciety 2 February 1754, by which we are Incorpo- rated into a Body Politick in numbers S9 among whom is your name Enrolled to Aye, on which give me leave to Congratulate you, the Society is now in high Esteem & we have now no less than ten mem- bers waiting to Enter the next Tuesday. The En- trance is now made Two Dollars, the Society in order to Obtain this Charter have laid themselves under an obligation to the Governmt. that every Member of this Society shall Render in to the Society his observa- tions on the Coast Relating to the Variation of the needle, Courses and Distances of Capes, Soundings on Banks &c., & all other things Remarkable to be Given
I 2
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
into the Society & Examin'd by a Committee appointed by the Society for that purpose, and after Examination to be put upon the Records of the Marine Society so that in time a new and Correct Draught of this Coast may be made for the advantage of the Publick. Going through this affair has Cost the Society all thee Money they Got in Stock Last Year but the advantages we hope will in a little time Ballance the Charge, we have got in to our Society Capt. William Patten of this Town Grocer who with Capt. Bedgood & Deacon Boutineau has been Improved by the admiralty for all Surveys &c which has amounted to £1000-Old Tenor pr Annum we hope Quickly to have that Privilege Center with our Society the Judge having given us already Expecta- tion of it some time ago as soon as the Old men now Employ'd should Drop off. our Present Stock is now about £900 Old Tenor & had not this Charge Accrued would have been £1000 this year. I hope you will Excuse my Detail of this affair as I flatter myself you Still Retain a Good opinion of the Society as your past actions Manifest. Excuse me yet a little further and Give me leave to inform you of the Present officers of the Society Chose according to Charter viz Johna. Clark Master, Joshua Loring Deputy Master, Johnathan Snelling Treasurer, Giles Tidmarsh Clerk, Wardens Viz Andrew Craigee Jona. Cowley for the port of Boston, Isaac Freeman for Marblehead, Christr. Gard- ner Nantucket, Jna. Jones Newbery, Richard Waite Plymouth. I find your Monthly dues from 5 June 1751 & your Favour would be of Service to the Society. I also here Inclose you an Impression in Wax from the Seal of the Society, & as soon as the New Laws are
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
printed which are going to the Press shall remit you them-May Health & Success attend you & your Family In the name of the Marine Society Yr. H. Servt. Giles Tidmarsh, Clerk."
These Surveyors, as Mr. Tidmarsh expresses it, being "got into the Society," is no doubt full explanation of how the Society first had appointment of the Port Wardens ; and the anxiety manifested that "the Old men now Employ'd should Drop off," shows that human nature in 1754 did not differ much from human nature in 1879.
It may not be amiss here to say, that there seems, from the records, no good ground for the laudation bestowed on Capt. Wm. Starkey in the sketch of the Society now given in the By-Laws. His time of entry bears the earliest date, the 9th of June, 1742, but there is no other entry till the 25th of October following. His name appears first in the Charter, to be sure, and the first for relief, but excepting at two of the meetings when he is among the list of " absent," it is not found, after very diligent search. Nor does he appear to have held any office, or been on any Committee. The state- ments made in the sketch referred to may be strictly accurate, but the ground for them is not in the records.
The next entry of importance is as follows: "A List of Members Dwellers & Residents in the Town of Boston Rendered into the Admiralty Office this 15th April 1754 out of which List, Surveyors are to be Appointed. Jona. Clark, Jona. Cowley, Job Prince, Joseph Dummett, Thos. Auston, Wm. Coffin, Andr. Craige, Jona. Snelling, Wm. Pattin, Nicho. Ferretter." .
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
On the 7th May following it was voted, "that the Sixpence Sterling or 5s Old Tenor fine for being Absent at the Monthly Meetings be for the Future Appropriated to the Discharge of the Societys Monthly Expenses."
No item of special interest now appears till the Ist October, 1754, when it was voted, " That a Committee be Chosen and Appointed In the name of the Marine Society to Inquire and Engage a room which shall be Convenient without being Interrupted (as has been always the case) for the future meetings of this Society." and Coffin, Hewes, Patten, Tucker and Craige were accordingly appointed.
The " Annuall Meeting in Nov. 1754 was held at the house of Mr. Joseph Ballard," officers were chosen and the first "Committee of Relief" appointed, consisting of five members. This meeting was adjourned till the 19th of the same month, when it was " Voted that £2 Lawfull money be given to Elizabeth Salter the Widow of Johnathan Salter, and that the Committee of Relief lay it out in Wood and Pork and send her." It was likewise "Voted that Capt. Roger Passmore having been Notified to make his appearance to give his Reasons for his not meeting the Society and paying his arrears, and did not, the Society accordingly Disfran- chized him."
At the March meeting in 1755, we find this memoran- dum : "No Collection it being so Stormy the Members could not attend." It appears now and for a long time after, 5s was paid by members present at each meeting. with arrearages if they had been absent at former ones.
No matter worthy of note till the "Annuall Meeting" in November, 1755, which was " held at the house of
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Mr. Stephen Deblois." Officers for the ensuing year were chosen, and a resolution passed that absent members be notified to "give their reasons for their non appearance."
On February 3d, 1756, the Society meeting was held "at Concert Hall," and voted a "Committee of the fol- lowing members be a Comtt. to wait on the Governour to Compliment him on his return to his Government."
The names of nine members forming the Committee follow. Next in interest is the following: "On the 29th May 1756 William Ballou Esqr. Agent of this Province wrote to the Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives, that the Act of the Province upon which the Charter of this Society is founded had passed his Majes- ties Approbation."
At a meeting on January 4th, 1757, .it was "Voted That whereas the Sum of Three pounds was order'd to be paid to Elizabeth Rand by the Treasr. last meeting but on information that said Eliz. Rand would make a bad use of the Money the Treasurer having inform'd the Society that there still remained in his hands thirty- Six Shillings Voted the 36s be appropriated to the use and benefit of the Children of said Rand."
The meetings appear now to have been held with regularity, and relief given to needy persons according to circumstances, officers chosen, etc., but nothing of moment till, at a meeting held at Concert Hall on the 4th September, 1759, it was "Voted that Capt. Danl. McCar- thys Observation on St. Georges Bank be Recorded in this Book and that the Society Return him their thanks for the same" and "Voted that Capt. Daniell McCarthys observations be Printed in each of the
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Papers of Publick news, as a Publick Benefit at the Expense of the Societys money." Thus showing at that early day, with their limited means, they did not hesitate to expend such amounts as might seem for their interest or the " Publick" good.
At a meeting at Concert Hall. December 4th, 1759; " Voted that the Petition of Mrs. Rand be Dismis'd she not being a Proper Object of Charity.
The 4th March. 1760, at Concert Hall, "Voted that the Committee for Supply " - probably relief - " visit Mrs. Agnes Gordon and give her what they think fit."
The Society seems to have met so far, from time to time, at private houses, Concert Hall, and on December 2d. 1760, at the British Coffee House. On February 3d, 1761, at this place it was voted "That Mr. John Leach School Master. of Boston shall be a Member of the Marine Society, On the following Conditions That he shall from Time to Time, as the Society shall have occa- sion Record what remarks that shall be delivered to him by said Society for that purpose, Also to make all Plans & Views fair and clear in the Book, as from time to Time shall be requested, for which he shall be Exempted of all charges but his Charity money, which he is to pay, to say six pence Sterling money per month and Two Dollars at his Entrance - which Two Dollars we Allow him for a plan of The Isle of Sables now in the Book of records."
At the Annual meeting, held at the British Coffee House 3d November. 1761, officers were chosen, and it was among other things, " Voted that Every New Mem- ber pay to this Society Twenty shillings lawful after this night."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
" These are about all the items of interest in Volume No. I, of sufficient importance to preserve, or rather to reproduce. Several leaves are cut or torn out from the latter part of this volume, which may or may not have been of value. A condensed summary of the entire con- tents remaining is carried into the next volume of Records marked A, and the first new entry following bears date 2d November, 1762, when the annual meeting was held at the British Coffee House. This has only the list of officers chosen for the year, of which Benj. Hallowell Esqr. was Master, Wm. D. Cheever, Deputy Master, Samuel Hews, Treasurer, and John Leach, Clerk.
At the meeting January 4th, 1763, fourteen members present, it was voted, "That each member of the Society have a Certificate signed by the Master or Dpy Master certifying his admittance &c If he requires it." "That each Certificate have the Societys Seal affixed, and that the Clerk have half a pistareen for each Certificate." Under the same entry, date of April 5th, it was voted, " That the Certificates be printed and executed."
November Ist, 1763, the meeting was held at the British Coffee House, 35 members present. The same four principal officers' names appear with this statement : "Leaf of the Old Book on which was the transactions of the meeting in November is torn out & gone, conse- quently could not find out who the other officers where."
On April 3d, 1764, ten members were present, and Mungo Mackay, who afterwards became a rather im- portant member, was voted into the Society. Dates seem to be somewhat mixed, but under this same heading, on April 5th, 1762, it was voted, "That the Schooling
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
of Capt. James' Child be paid amtng to £4 13s Old Tenor, agreeable to the petition of his Wife." .
June 5th. 1764, voted "The Compliments of this Society to J. F. Wm De Ranes Esqr his majestys Engi- neer at Halifax & to assist him with all the Knowledge of this Coast that we know." Voted Clarke, Prince, Cheevers and Hatch, "a Committee to write a letter to W des Ranes, now surveying No. Coast of America" and voted " The said Des Ranes a member of this Society."
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