Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the Selectmen's meetings, from September 1, 1818, to April 24, 1822, Part 1

Author: Boston (Mass.). Registry Dept
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Boston : City of Boston Printing Dept.
Number of Pages: 312


USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the Selectmen's meetings, from September 1, 1818, to April 24, 1822 > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29



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A VOLUME


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RECORDS


RELATING TO THE


EARLY HISTORY OF BOSTON


CONTAINING


MINUTES OF THE SELECTMEN'S MEETINGS


FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1818, TO APRIL 24, 1822


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REGISTRY DEPARTMENT


OF THE


CITY OF BOSTON


RECORDS RELATING TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF BOSTON


(Formerly called Record Commissioners' Reports)


This volume, which is the thirty-ninth in the series formerly issued under the direction of the Record Commissioners, con- tains the minutes of the Selectmen's Meetings from September 1, 1818, to the final meeting of April 24, 1822, after which date the town government ceased to exist. This book completes the twenty-second and twenty-third volumes of the original records of the Selectmen's Minutes.


EDWARD W. McGLENEN, City Registrar.


OLD COURT HOUSE, BOSTON.


CONDITA AD.


1630.


-


SELECTMEN'S MINUTES.


BOOK TWENTY-SECOND.


Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen September 1st. 1818 - Present all the members of the Board except Mr. Silsby.


Passed the quarterly & monthly accounts.


The Chairman reported that Mr. Thacher informed him he had sent a note to the President of the South Boston Associa- tion, requesting that some person or persons might be appointed to meet and confer with committees from this Board and the Board of Health on the subject of locating a lot of land for a burial ground at South Boston; to which he had not received any reply .-


The committee of Section No. 3 reported they had viewed Summer street and were of opinion it was necessary to pave that street from Beacon street to the cross pavement now laid there. report accepted .-


They also reported they had viewed Bowdoin street but had not decided what repairs were necessary, they requested the whole Board would view it previous to any decision on the subject .--


The Chairman reported that agreeably to the vote of the Board the 25th ultimo he had notified Col. Badger, and that he had also written Messrs. David Nickerson & Barzillia [2.] Hud- son Guardians to- Nickerson on the subject of said slip of land; in consequence of which Mr. D. Nickerson had called on him and disputed the right of the town to any land which he held as guardian to said Nickerson. - The Board after some conversation on the subject, voted, to refer the business to the committee of Section No. 1. who were author- ized to employ Mr. Taylor as a surveyor if they found it neces- sary.


The Board agreeably to assignment again considered the request of Mr. Greenough to lower Court street, after consid- erable debate on the subject, it was asserted, that if the request was granted a cross gutter would be necessary to ascertain this, it was moved & voted, that further consideration of this sub- ject be referred to the next meeting of the Board .-


2


CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.


The following Rules & Orders for the regulation of trucks, carts & sleds were passed and ordered to be printed. - viz .-


Notice to owners of trucks, carts & sleds.


It is hereby ordered, That from & after Monday the 14th instant the trucks & carts owned by any inhabitants of the town of Boston, shall be allowed to stand in the following streets.


Twenty trucks with two horses harnessed [3.] to each, shall be allowed to stand in State street, to extend from Merchants- row to Long wharf on the north side; and from Kilby street to Broad street, on the south side, ten on each side of the street, in the following order .-


The trucks numbered from 1 to 20 to have the privilege of that stand for one week; those numbered from 21 to 40. to stand there the second week; those numbered from 41 to 60. to stand there the third week, and those numbered from 61 to 80. to stand there the fourth week in succession. After which they shall begin again the rotation. and no truck will be allowed to stand in State-street that does not belong to the class of the week .-


Six trucks and four carts may stand in Custom House street .-


Eight carts may stand in Liberty square. - All other carts not accommodated as above shall stand in Adams street .-


No truck nor sled with one horse shall be permitted to stand in State street .-


Such trucks and carts as have lately been allowed to stand at the east end of Faneuil Hall, shall be permitted to continue there for the present, under the direction of the Clerk of the Market .-


All other trucks not accommodated as [4.] above, shall stand in Broad street, from Center street southerly, one half the num- ber on cach side of the street, with their horses' heads and the ends of the trucks at two feet distance from the flag stone.


All sleds owned by any inhabitant of this town shall be regis- tered and numbered, and shall take their stands in the season when they shall be in use, under the same regulation as arc above pointed out for trucks and carts .-


And it is hereby ordered, in pursuance of the authority vested in the Selectmen by a law of this Commonwealth, passed


3


SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.


June 19th, 1809, That if any person shall offend against the above rules, orders and regulations, he shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding five, nor less than two dollars upon convic- tion of every breach of the same .-


It is further ordered, that so much of the rules and orders of the Selectmen, passed on the 22d. day of July A.D. 1812 - as relates to the stands of trucks, carts and sleds, belonging to the inhabitants of the town of Boston, is hereby repealed.


By order of the Selectmen, Turner Phillips, Chairman. Attest. Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.


[5.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen September 9th, 1818 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Austin, Bass, Dorr, Silsby & Farnam.


The subject of lowering Court street was taken up and re- ferred to the next meeting of the Board.


The Board at the request of Daniel D. Rogers Esq. again con- sidered the subject of his application to erect a livery stable near Scott's Court, and, voted, That the vote of the Board passed July. 1, 1818, granting permission to Danl. D. Rogers Esq. to erect a livery stable on his land adjoining Scott's Court so called, on certain conditions be rescinded, and that they adhere to their vote (on the subject) of the 25th of August last .-


The application of Artemas Ward Esq. for permission to dig a well & place a pump in the same in Park street was committed to the committee of Section No. 3 .-


Mr. John Vinton was appointed Superintendant of the chim- ney sweeps.


The Chairman and Mr. Lovering were appointed a committee to take measures for procuring oil for the town lamps .-


It being suggested that the town [6.] had an interest in the Town Dock, the emoluments arising from which have for a number of years been received by Messrs. Codman & Miller and it being apprehended that they would shortly establish a right from quiet possession; and the Board being of opinion it was important to ascertain the town's right therein it was voted, that the Chairman be requested to employ Benjamin Whitman Esq. as an attorney for ascertaining the interest the town of Boston now have in the Town Dock or any part thereof, and that said attorney be directed to report on the same imme- diately .-


4


CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.


The application respecting repairs on Mason street was committed to the committees of Sections No. 3 & 4 .-


Mr. Isaac Bowers having applied to be licensed to sell at auction, household furniture, real estate, goods taken by execution &c - was licensed as an auctioneer; his office when located to be approbated by the Selectmen .-


A certificate was signed approving of the theatre in Federal street, and of the company under Messrs. Powell & Dickson for the exhibition of stage plays & other theatrical perform- ances during the ensuing season .-


[.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen September 16th, 1818 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hunewell Lover- ing, Austin, Bass, & Dorr.


46 jurors were drawn for the Boston Court of Common Pleas .-


The Board agreeably to assignment again took into con- sideration the request of Mr. David Greenough for permission to lower Court street, when after duly considering the subject it was


Voted, That in the opinion of the Selectmen the lowering of Court street at the head of the new street leading to Brattle street meeting house, or in front of Mr. Greenoughs stores. would not be of public utility, and that no sufficient reason has been offered to them, to induce them to reconsider their former vote on this subject.


The committee of Section No. 3 to whom was referred the application of Artemas Ward Esq. reported, that Mr. Ward have permission to dig a well in Park street in front of his estate and place a pump in the same on the following condi- tions, viz. That the well be dug at such a distance from the rail fence as the Selectmen shall direct, that the pump be well finished and painted, that there be a good shoe to the same, that the waste water from it be conducted under ground to the common shore & that he oblige himself, his heirs & the estate to keep the whole of the same in good repair & that it shall not at any time hereafter become a charge to the Town.


[8.] A complaint being made to the Selectmen, That William Trefry of Boston, cooper, was in the daily habit of indulging in the excessive use of ardent spirits, the consequence of which was a neglect of his business, squandering and miss- aplying his property, neglect of the duties of a husband, a parent & that of a good citizen, & in consequence of the above indulgence is mentally deranged at times, and the welfare of


5


SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.


good citizens put at hazard and in jeopardy; praying that the Selectmen would take the conduct of said Trefry under con- sideration & cause such measures to be taken as are agreeable to law & justice; and further stating that said Trefry to the best of their belief has property sufficient to afford him and his family a suitable maintenance provided a proper applica- tion thereof be made, and requesting that seasonable measures may be taken for appointing some trusty person to take charge of his effects, to the end that they may not become an expense to the town. - The Board having made inquisition of the above and being satisfied that facts stated were true, certified the same to the Hon. Judge of Probate requesting that a guardian might be appointed for said Trefry .-


The application of James T. Austin that the Selectmen would take a passage way between Hancock & Temple streets as a Town's street or public passage way, was referred to the committee of Section No. 3 .-


[9.] The application of Samuel Parkman Esq. that a pump placed by him in Cambridge street, should in future be kept in repair at the expense of the Town, was committed to the committee of Section No. 2.


Mr. Jesse Churchill was appointed a constable; to name his sureties for the approbation of the Board .-


The committee of Section No. 1. to whom was referred the papers respecting the land on a passageway leading from Prince street to the Mill Pond land, formerly leased to Jonas Welsh and now in the possession of David Nickerson & Barzillai Hudson - Reported, That they were fully satisfied the land belonged to the town .-


John Johnson was appointed one of the chimney sweeps.


Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen September 23d, 1818 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Lovering, Austin, Bass & Dorr .-


The Chairman reported that he had communicated to Mr. Greenough the vote of the board of the 16th instant respecting the lowering of Court street, & requested he would (agreeably to a notification sent him long since) have his side walk made to conform to the street.


[10.] A report was made on the application of James T. Austin Esq. That Ridgways Lane be taken as a town street or public passageway on condition that he, or the abutters cause a gutter to be paved in the centre of the whole street, or other-


6


CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.


wise put in such order as will be acceptable to the Selectmen. Report accepted .-


A Report was also made (on the application of Samuel Parkman Esq. that a pump erected by him in Cambridge street might be kept in repair at the town's expense) that it was found on enquiry that he had erected said pump for the benefit of his estates on that street, and that Mr. Stone who is now a tenant of Mr. Parkman's, says he considers it as belonging or attached to the store, and that he has the control of it during the remainder of his lease. It was therefore, voted, that the request cannot be granted .-


The sureties offered by Mr. Churchill viz. Benj. B. Leeds & Hazen Morse, were accepted by the Board.


On the application of Luther Farwell for permission to lower Southack street near George street - Voted, That Mr. Farwell be permitted to lower the street, he doing it at his own expense and under the inspection and direction of the Selectmen.


[11.] Mr. Augustus Storey was appointed an auctioneer, his place of business to be in Court street nearly opposite to the gaol .-


On the representation of a number of citizens that Mary & Catharine Byles residents in Nassau Street were utterly unable from age & other circumstances to pay the expence of erecting the side walk in front of their estate, and the Board being fully convinced that this was the fact - Voted, that the expense be paid by the town .-


The representation of the state of Beacon street by H. G. Otis Esq. was referred to the committee of the Common with power to do what they should think necessary .-


The committee for repairing Bowdoin street were requested to proceed on that business and make such repairs as they should deem necessary.


The application of H. G. Otis Esq. for permission to have a bakers oven erected at No. 67 Broad street was referred to the committee of Section No. 3 .-


It being thought necessary the Board should view and give directions respecting the work now carrying on at Deer Island, it was voted, that the Board will on Thursday the 1st October (if the weather is suitable) visit that island .-


7


SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.


[12.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 30th, 1818 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Silsby.


Passed the monthly accounts.


4 grand & 4 petit jurors drawn for the United States Circuit Court.


The committee on Section No 4 who were appointed the 25th May last to ascertain the bounds of Harvard street, and who reported the 17th June, made a further report as follows, which was read and accepted .- viz.


The Committee appointed to ascertain the south line of Har- vard street, have viewed the same and ascertained the bounds to their satisfaction; which appears to be twenty one inches north of the corner of Mr. Baxter's fence - they further would state that in your committee's opinion that part of the land lying between the above bounds and Mr. Baxters fence should be taken for the benefit of the street - which will add to the lower part of said street twenty one inches running to nothing at the upper part of said street.


Boston Sep. 28, 1818.


Jona. Hunewell Joseph Lovering Committee


[13.] The Committee of the Neck were authorized to employ some person or persons to dike the Salt Marsh on the east side of the Neck.


The Chairman reported that (in behalf of the Committee of Section No. 2) he had agreed with Messrs. Binney & Lincoln, to pay them fifty cents per square foot for the land to widen Green street - Accepted .-


In consequence of the continual passing of trucks & carts through the Market, to the annoyance of persons hiring stalls at the west end of the market house & on the vegetable market; and the danger arising therefrom to the citizens; voted, that the Committee of the Market be authorized to have a chain placed across the passageway at the west end of the vegetable market during such hours of the day as they shall think nec- essary.


The Committee of Section No. 2. were authorized to pave a gutter on the southerly side of Gooch street .-


The Committee of the Market were requested to determine on the price to be demanded for the stalls at the west end of the market house for the ensuing year, to commence from the first of November next, and also whether it would be expedient to


8


CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.


charge the lemon sellers for their stand in Market square & report to the Board.


[14.] Mr. Thomas Bordman was approved as an auc- tioneer; his office to be in Broad or India streets .-


The Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Police Officer presented their quarterly returns of fines &c .-


Boston ss. October 1st. 1818 .-


The Board agreeably to assingment visited Deer Island; present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hunewell, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Silsby.


The object of this visit was for the purpose of superintending the barrier that is now erecting against the inroad that the sea is making on the island, which the Board with regret observe is very great; altho there is no sum granted by the town for this purpose the Board are unanimously of opinion the import- tance of the island for the security of the harbour is so great that they consider it a duty incumbent on them to use their best endeavours for its preservation; they therefore cannot doubt the public will approve of their expending the whole income of the island for this object, even this is so very small it obliges them to confine their expenditures to that part which claimed their attention the last year, where they caused a wall to be built, & although [15.] this wall was in a great measure demolished the last season by an uncommon heavy sea, they have the gratification to find, that, (in the opinion of those who are competent judges) it prevented the sea from making a breach through the island. - The agreement with Mr. Tewksbury for building this wall was twelve and one half cents per ton for carting the stones - but the Board being now of opinion that a range of heavy stones placed in a line will answer the same purpose and be less expensive have given directions accordingly .- Mr. Tukesbury having stated that it will require more labor to collect the stones in future, he having now to dig them out of the upland, the Board agreed to pay him for those he shall cart after this time twenty five cents for each load containing one & one half tons, he to spread them according to directions. - The Board also examined the state of the buildings, and finding the roof of the hall in a decayed state, and Mr. Tukesbury representing the great want of lodging rooms to accommodate persons that from stress of weather are driven on the island and others that wished to board there during the summer season and that from the profits arising from the latter he should be enabled in future to pay punctually a higher rent. - The Board giving these subjects their due weight and taking into consideration that


9


SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.


Mr. Tukesbury owed the town for back rent a sum sufficient to erect a story over the hall for bed rooms, which from loss of sheep and other circumstances he was unable to pay [16.] in money; - Voted, that the Chairman, Mr. Oliver & Mr. Hune- well be a committee to contract with Mr. Tukesbury to add a story over the hall to be appropriated for bed rooms provided he will do it on reasonable terms, to be paid for by him and deducted from the sum he now owes the town. - It was also found that the chimney wants repairing & that the south end of the house leaked and wants repair .-


Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 7th, 1818. - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Farnam .-


Mr. William Adams having applied to lease a lot of the Town's Mill Pond Land near Pitt's street; - The Board agreed he should have it for twenty dollars per annum, with the privi- lege of placing a carpenters shop thereon, he to remove the same when directed by the Selectmen so to do .-


The Committee of Section No. 2 were desired to take meas- ures to remove an incroachment on Brighton Street, if found to be such .-


Ordered, that the Treasurer be requested to send J. P. Davis Esq. a bill for the rent of [17.] flats at the bottom of the common, over which he has erected a platform from the end of his rope walk .-


The Chairman was authorized to employ some person to copy the records respecting the Town Dock.


Mr. John Perkins was licensed as an auctioneer.


Mr. Phinehas Capen was approved as an auctioneer, his place of business to be at Mr. Simpson's north side of the Market .-


Mess Austin & Bass were appointed a committee to pass on the applications for licenses .-


The proposals for supplying oil for the Town lamps for the ensuing season were now opened and it appearing that Messrs. Josiah Bradlee & Co. offered it on the most advantageous terms, it was decided that their offer be accepted .-


[18.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, October 14th, 1818. Present Messrs. Phillips, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Farnam.


10


CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.


The committee of the Market agreeably to a request of the Board of the 30th. ultimo - have attended the service assigned them and report, That the stalls at the west end of the Market house be leased for one year (to commence on the first day of November next) on the following conditions. - viz .-


1st. All back rent to be paid before a new lease is given.


2d. The Town shall be at all reasonable expense in keeping the stalls in repair .-


3d. The lessee on receiving his lease shall pay in advance to the Clerk of the Market thirteen dollars taking his receipt therefor, which sum shall be repaid the lessee by deducting twenty five cents a week from his weekly rent .-


4th. - The rent of the stalls shall be paid weekly to the Clerk of the Market .-


5th. The lessee is prohibited from letting his stall to any person without the consent of the Committee of the Market .- 6th. The lessee is not to throw any animal substances, scrap- ings, or any kind of dirt about his stall, but shall deposit the same in a basket or tub, to be disposed of as the Clerk of the Market shall direct .-


[19.] 7th. - No lessee allowed to have in his or her posses- sion any lighted cigar or pipe in the building to which his stall is attached .-


8th. - For the violation of any of the above conditions, as well as all other laws for regulating the Market, the lessee shall forfeit the money advanced & the lease of his stall .-


9th. - If the lessee or any person acting for or under him shall be convicted before a Justice of the Peace of forestalling he shall forfeit his lease and the money advanced .-


10th. - And it is further stipulated that all persons occupying stalls shall be subject to obey all general rules and regulations adopted, or which may be adopted by the Committee of the Market, on penalty of the forfeiture of his stall and cash advanced.


The Committee being of opinion that the stalls were leased the last year at too high a rate, recommend the following prices be fixed to them, which is a reduction of about 33 per cent. - viz .-


Stalls No. 1, 6, 7, 16, 25, 26, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 52 & 55 - two dollars per week.


No. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 30, 40, 41, 46, 49, 50, & 51, one dollar & fifty cents.


No. 8, 11, 12, 20, 21, & 48 .- one dollar & twenty five cents.


No. 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 37, 42, 44, 45, 53 & 54, one dollar & seventy five cents.


No. 5, 38, 39 & 47, one dollar, and No. 56, two dollars & fifty cents pr. week.


The foregoing report was read and accepted .-


11


SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.


[20.] The Committee appointed the first instant made the following report .-


That they had conferred with Mr. Tukesbury on the subject for which they were appointed, and received from him the following conditions on which he will have the work com- pleted, viz .-


I will agree to put a story on the building at Deer Island, fifty feet long & sixteen feet wide, seven feet in clear height, hipped roof, eight windows, six doors and a flight of stairs, to lath and plaister, clapboard, shingle and paint; and complete the buildings to the satisfaction of the Selectmen, for six hundred dollars; five hundred of which is to go towards the debt I now owe the Town, and one hundred dollars to be advanced by the town. - said story to be made into five rooms and an entry according to the plan on the other side hereof .--- signed Wm. Tukesbury.


Boston, Octr. 12, 1818 .-


The committee taking into consideration the sum Mr. Tukesbury owes the town, which in their opinion there is no prospect of his paying in any other way, and that the Island will rent for (at least) as much more as will pay the interest of the cost of the addition to the building, recommend that the terms offered by Mr. Tukesbury be accepted.




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