USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Andover Massachusetts town meeting records 1709-May 21, 1776 > Part 11
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The question being put whether said report be accepted, it passed in the affirmative.
The town had a meeting the seventeenth day of March 1774 at 12 o'clock continued by adjournments since the seventh of March' and the question being put whether the town will accept of the alteration of part of the way that leads from the Holbrooks to Malones Ferry as bounded in the Warrant for this meeting (see the 20th article of the same) It passed in the negative.
Voted to accept of a way laid by Ebenezer Rand's to Tewksbury line (see the records of roads)
Voted to allow Mr. Rand two years to open the road through his land accepted in this meeting.
The question being put whether the town will accept of the altera- tion of a way that was viewed and measured by the selectmen in the year 1771, the road leading from John Campbell's Cove and so on to Boston Road (sme record of roads) it passeth the affirmative.
The question being put whether the town will be at the whole or any part of the charge of supporting the wife and children of Salem, servant of John Poor 3wd is passed in the negative.
Voted that all persons be, and that they hereby are prohibited catching any fish in any of the fish gutters near the Mills on Shaw- sheen River, and also in all the parts of Quochechoque Brook, except that between the bridge and Dr. John Kittredge dwelling house and Mr. James Parker's Mill Dam, and also in that part of Blanchards and Brook between the upper side of Mr. David Abbotts Mill Dam and the Merrimack River and also in the fish gutter by the Mill on Foster's Brook.
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The following Warrant was directed to Messrs. Job Foster, David Abbott, Benjamin Poor and Peter Carleton, constables for the Town of Andover.
In His Majesty's name, you are hereby required to warn all the Freeholders and other inhabitants of said town within your district qualified for voting in town meeting as the Law directs to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Monday the eighteenth day of April instant at one o'clock in the afternoon to act on the fol- lowing articles;
Istly; To choose a moderator.
2ndly; To see if the town will concur with what their agent hath done in refering the affair depending in the Court of General Ses- sions of the Peace for the County of Essex to the Hon. Caleb Cushing, Benjamin Greenleaf Esq and Capt. Michael Farley, requesting two private ways petitioned for by Capt. Isaac Osgood and others whose judgment on the same is to be final.
3rdly; To see if the town will pas any other voters requesting the ways above petitioned for.
4thly; To see if the town will accept of the alteration of the road leading by Lt. Henry Abbotts and Thomas Wardwells bounded as follows; beginning at a stake and stones by Boston Road, then running easterly by the southerly line of said Abbotts House and barn about forty five poles to a stake and stones standing by the forementioned road easterly of said barn.
Hereof fail not and make timely return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to some one of the selectmen given under our Hand and Seal at Andover the eleventh day of April A. D. 1774 and in the fourteenth year of His Majesty's Reign.
Asa Abbot Benj. Stevens 3rd Selectmen of Zebed. Abbot Andover
Henry Abbott Jr.
At a legal meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover (qualified for voting as the Law directs) at the North Meeting House in said town on Monday the eighteenth day of April 1774 (the several constables before mentioned having duly returned their Warrant).
Col. James Frye was chosen moderator.
Voted that the town do hereby ratify and confirm the agreement made by their agent Mr. Asa Foster at His Majesty's Court of General Sessions of the Peace held at Ipswich in March last (or by the record of said Court may appear ) and that the report of said committee named in saïd agreement and the rule of Court thereon be final and conclu- sive accordingly.
Voted to choose a committee to wait on the committee mentioned
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in the last article»when they shall proceed upon the business therein refered to in behalf of the town, that it consists of seven, viz:
Hon. Samuel Phillips Esq. Capt. Asa Foster Mr. Moody Bridges Col. Geerge Abbott Col. James Frye Ens. Ens. Joshua Holt Philimon Chandler.
The question being put whether the town will accpet of the al- teration of the road leading to Lt. Henry Abbott's to Thomas Ward- well's bounds as in the 4th article of the Warrant for this meeting. It passed in the affirmative.
Voted to adjourn to the next May meeting 5 o'clock P.M. Then met and adjourned the meeting.
.
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The town had a meeting on Tuesday the 27th of May 1774 at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, it having been continued by sundry ad- journments from the 7th of March last.
The question being put whether the town will accept of a way laid out from Nehemiah Abbotts to the rough meadow (so called) bounded as in the 21st article of the Warrant for this meeting. It Passed in the negative.
The question being put whether the town will accept the road laid out from Nehemiah Abbetts to the Country road leading to Obediah Foster's, Passed in the affirmative. (see record of roads) Then ad- journed to September meeting next at 4 o'clock P.M.
The following Warrant was directed to Messrs Job Foster, David Abbott, Benjamin Poor and Peter Carleton constables for the town of Andover.
Greetings; In His Majesty's name, you are hereby required forwith to warn all the Freeholders and other inhabitants within your district that have an estate of Freehold in land within this province or Ter- ritory of forty shillings and enumerate the cash or other estate to the value of forty pounds sterling, to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Tuesday the seventeenth day of May instant at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to elect and deputize one or more persons being Freeholders and resident in said town to serve for and represent them in a great and general Court or assembly appointed to be convened, held and kept for His Majesty's service at the Court House in Boston upon Wednesday the twenty fifth day of May instant at nine o'clock in the morning, and you are alike required to warn all the Freeholders and other inhabitants within your district qualified for voting in town meetings as the Law directs, to meet at the same place on the above said day at five o'clock in the afternoon, to act on the following articles;
Ist; To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2nd; To see if the town will accept of an alteration of the road leading by James Barnard's house beginning at a Cherry Tree standing near the road southwesterly of said Barnards house, then running northeasterly through said Barnard''s orchard and southerly of his house thirty poles to a stake and stones by the road, westerly of said Barnard's barn, so ming out said way two poles wide on the northerly side of the bounds above gaid.
Hereof fail not and make timely returns of this Warrant with your doings on the same to one or more of the selectmen. Given under our hand and seal at Andover, the ninth day of May Anno Bomino one thous- and seven hundred and seventy four and in the fourteenth year of His Majesty's Reign.
Asa Abbott Benj. Stevens 3rd
Sam'l Osgood Jr. Henry Abbott Jr.
Selectmen of Andover.
フ
5242-continued.
At @ legal meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover ( qualified for voting as the Law directs) at the North Meeting House in said town on Tuesday the twenty seventh day of May 1774 (the several constables before mentioned having duly returned thejr Warrant)
Col. George Abbott was chosen moderator.
The question being put whether the town will accept an alteration of the road leading to Mr. James Barnard's house and voted that it be accepted provided it be not attended with any charge to the town.
?
.
5240-continued
Voted that no fish be taken in any part of said River and Brooks oftener than three days in a week, the days to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.
Voted to adjourntto next May meeting 4 o'clock P.M.
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any charge to the town. The meeting was then disolved.
The following Warrant was directed to Messrs Job Foster, David Abbott, Benjamin Pooraand Peter Carlton constables for the town of Andover. Greetings.
You are hereby required to warn all the Freeholders and other in- habitants within your district qualified for voting in town meetings as the Law directs, to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Wednesday the twenty ninth day of June instant at 4 o'clock in the afternoon to act on the following articles, viz:
1; To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2; To see if the town will make an addition to their stock of amnu- nition.
3: To see if the town will take into their serious consideration the distressing difficulties to which this province is already reduced and others that are impending over it, and if the above articles pass in the affirmative, then
4; To see if the town will enter into such measures as may then ap- pear best calculated for the preservation of the Liberties of His Majesty's loyal subjects in this province.
Hereof fail not, and make timelyrreturn of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the selectmen. Geven with our hand and seal at Andover the twenty thirddday of June A. D. 1774 and in the fourteenth year of His Majesty's Reign.
Asa Abbott Zeb. Abbott Sam'l Osgood Jr.
Benj. Stevens
Henry Abbott Jr.
Selectmen of Andover.
At a legal meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover qualified for voting as the Law directs at the North Meeting House in said town on Wednesday the twenty ninth day of June 1774 (the several constables having duly returned their warrants) Col. James Frye was chosen moder, tor.
The question being put whether the town will direct the selectmen to make inquiry into the town stock of Ammunition, and if found deficient, to make such addition as the Law requires. It passed in the affirmative.
The question being put whether the town will take into their con- sideration the depressing difficulties to which this province is already reduced, and other that are impending over it? It passed in the af- firmative.
Voted to choose a committee to take into consideration present embarassment and propose that a form of covenent to be subscribed by the people of thos town as may be judged most salutary, and that it consist of nine, viz;
-
$243-continued
Moody Bridges John Farnum Asa Abbott
Samuel Phillips Joshua Holt Nehemiah Abbott
Samuel Osgood Asa Foster Henry Abbott
Voted to adjourn to Monday the 18th July next 4 o'clock P.M. Then met and the committee ehosen last meeting reported a draught of their own and at the same time laid before the town, a form that had been used by the town of Newbury with a small alteration.
The town accepted the Newbury form as presented with the ad- dition of the fifth article on the committee draught.
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Daaught amended.
The Town and the town of Newbury as presented is as follows;
As there is a general congress of the Colonies by their deputies in whose wisdom and fidelity we place great confidence propose to consider and advise on the present difficult situation of our civil and commercial affairs, we the inhabitants cannot think it expedient to go into any decisive binding engagement previous to said congrees. But to spare our brethren through the continent as our hearty good wishes to the common cause of liberty and our country, do now testify that we can with the utmose cheerfulness agree to discontinue all commerce with Great Britain and with all importers of goods from thencem or those who shall refuse to comply with these or any other measures which shall be generally esteemed sane and salutary that may be determined on by said congress so long and in such manner as shall by them be judged expedient and necessary for the in Boston Harbor and recovering and perpetuating our just rights of liberties.
The aforementioned fifth article subjoined to the above as follows; and in order to promote an immediate reformation, we hereby engage to pay regard to the following committee viz;
Mr. Moody Bridges
Samuel Phillips
Samuel Osgood
Capt John Farnum
Joshua Holt
Capt Asa Foster
Asa Abbott
Nehemiah Abbott
Lt. Henry Abbott
Deacon Jos. Abbott
Capt. Sam'l Johnson
Jonah Blanchard
John Barker
Nathan Chandler
George Abbott Benj. Poor
Capt. Isaac Osgood
Dr. Jos. Osgood
David Abbott
Lt. John Ingalls
Baracius Abbott
Stephen Holt
John Abbott 4th
Sgt John Abbott
Wm. Foster
Ebenezer Poor
Deacon John Dean
Benj. Farnum
Samuel Frye.
Whose duty it shall be (till there may be a meeting of the town in consequence of the result of the Continental Congress ) to embrace all convenient opportunities by precept and example, to inculcate and urge on the inhabitants the importance and necessity that each individual employ his influence to discountenance every practice that may appear unfriendly to the prosperity of the Community and equally exert himself to encourage those of a contrary choosing and will give him that attention which the nature of their office may require. The meeting was then dissolved.
The following Warrant was directed to Messrs Job Foster, David Abbott, Benjamin Poor, Peter Carlton, constables for the town of Andover.
5244-continued
Greetings : in his Majesty's name, you are hereby required forewith to warn all the Freeholders and other inhabitants within your district that have an estate of freehold in land within the province or territory of forth shillings per annum at the least, or other estate to the value of forty pounds sterling, to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Thursday the fifteenth day of September at 3 o'clock
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in the afternoon, then and there to elect and depute one or more per - sons being Freeholders and resident in said town, to serve for and represent them in a great and general Court or Assembly appointed to be convened, held and kept for His Majesty's service at the Court House in Salem upon Wednesday the fifth day of October next ensuing at nine o'clock in the morning. And you are likewise required to warn all the ratable inhabitants belonging to your district to meet at the place above mentioned at 4 o'clock in the afternoon on said day to give in a true and perfect list of their poles and ratable estate and income by travel or faculty and gain by money at interest. Hereof fail not and make timely return of this Warrant with your doings on the same to one or more of the selectmen.
Given under our hand and seal at Andover the eigth day of September A. D. 1774 and in the fourteenth year of His Majesty's Reigh.
Asa Abbott Benj. Stevens 3rd Sam'l Osgood Jr.
Zebed. Abbott Henry Abbott Jr. Selectmen.
At a legal meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover (qualified for voting as the Law directs) at the North Meeting House in said town on Thursday the fifteenth day of September 1774 (the several constables having duly returned their warrant ) Mr Moody Bridges was elected to serve for and represent said Town in a great and general Court or Assembly appointed to be convened and held for his Majesty's service at the Court House in Salem upon Wednesday the fifth day of October next ensuing at nine o'clock in the morning.
Voted that Mr. Moody Bridges be and hereby instructed to join with the other members of said House in resolving themselves into a pro- vincial Congress, if when assembled they -shall deem it necessary or expedient, in order to consult and determine on such measures as they judge will tend to promote the true interests of his Majesty and the Peace, Welfare and Prosperity of this Province.
The meeting was then dissolved.
The following Warrant was directed to Mr. Job Foster, David Abbott, Banj. Poor and Poter Carlton, constables for the town of Andover.
Greetings; in His Majesty's name you are hereby required to warn all the Freeholders and other inhabitants of said town within your disctict qualified to vote in town meetings as the Law directs, to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Monday the fourteenth day of Novem- ber at one o'clock in the afternoon to act on the following articles;
Ist; To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2nd; To see if the town will give directions to their former con- stables or collectors to have or may have the whole or any part of the Province tax or taxes in their respective hands or possession, thay they immediately pay the same for the use of said Province to Henry Gardner
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Esq, appointed Receiver General by the Provincial Congress, and that the town signify and expressly engage to such constables, collectors or other persons as shall have their said monies in their hands, that their paying the same to Henry Gardner Esq aforesaid and producing his receipt therefor, shall ever hereafter operate as an effectual discharge to such persons fer the same to act in every other respect agreeable to the resolves of the Provincial Congress and also to enter into any plan that may not appear to be inconvenient with the esntiments of said Congress as it is conveyed in their Resolves.
4thly; To see if the town will concur with the extracts of certain voted and proceedings of the American Continetal Congress.
5thly; To see if the town will vote any consideration to the soldiers that may ve enlisted in this town agreeable to a Resolve of the Pro= vincial Congress, who are to equip and hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice; if the above mentioned article pass in the affirmative, then-
6thly; To see what sum the town will raise for said purpose. To see if the town will allow Joshua Holt one pound ten shillings which sum said Holt saith is due to him from said town.
Hereof fail not and make timely return of this warrant with your goings thereon to some one of the selectmen. Given under oug hand and seal at Andover the 9th day of November A.D. 1774 and in the fifteenth year of his Majesty', Reign.
Asa Abbott Benj. Stevens 3rd
Zebed Abbott Henry Abbott Jr
Selectmen.
At a legal meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover (qualified for voting as the law directs) at the North Meeting House in said town, on Monday the fourteenth day of November 1774 at one o'clock in the afternoon (the several constables having duty returned their warrants)
The Hon. Samuel Phillips Esq. was chosen moderator for this meeting.
Upon. a voted to choose a committee to determine on such measure agreeable to the second, third, fourth and fifth articles cont tffed in the warrant for this meeting.
.
Voted.this enpists of eleven-
Voted that the meeting be adjourned to Monday the 5th day of Decem- ber next at one o'clock P.M. then met and the committee chosen the last meeting acquainted the town, they were not fully ready to report, whereupon the town voted it would be expedient for the several military companies in the town to meet half a dayein every week, and then ad- journed to the 26th instant one o'clock P.M.
At a meeting of the town on Monday the twenty sixth of December at one o'clock P.M. it having been continued by adjournment from the fourteenth of November last. The committee who were chosen at the opening of the meeting to take into consideration the second, third, fourth
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fourth and fifth article of the warrant reported as follows; The committee appointed by the town to take into consideration the Re- solves of the Continental amd Provincial Congress, beg leave te re- port by way of Resolve as follows;
Resolved first, that it is the indispensable duty of this town strictly to conform and firmly adhere to the association of the grand American Continental Congress and to the resolve of the Pro- vincial congress of the 5th of December thereto relating, and in order that this may be thoroughly executed, that the inhabitants of the town of the age of twenty one years upward subscribe the following agree- ment (viz)
We, the subscribers having attentively considered the association of the grand American Continental Congress, requesting the non importa- tion, non exportation and non consumption of goods and signed by the delegates of this and the other Colonies on the Continent, and the resolve of the Provincial Congress of the 5th December thereto relating, do hereby approve the same and every part of them, and in order to make said association and resolve our own personal act do by their presents under the sacred ties of virtue, honor and love of our country, firmly agree and associate fully and completely to observe and keep all and everyaarticle and clause in the association and resolve contained ac- cording to the true interest meaning and letter thereof, and. will. duly inform, and give notice of every evasion or contrariness of either, as far as we are able, and we further covenant that if any person or. per- sons of the age of twenty one and upward shall neglect or refuse to subscribe to this agreement when tendered to him or them, that we will withdraw all commerce trade or dealing from such, so long as they shall continue this enimical to the public good and that their names shall be entered on the records of this town and published in the Essex Gazette as enemies to their country. Witness our hand this day of December Anno Domino 1774 -- and it is further resolved that there
Be a committee whose duty it shall be to see the above accordingly signed and to take all possible care that the same may be completely fulfilled.
2ndly; In compliance with certain recommendations of a resolve of Provincial Congress of the twenty eighth of October, and from an apre- hension that we are necessarily obliged for our own preservation, to accept those me sures, therefore, resolved that the several constables who may have any part of the Province tax of this town in their hands or possession in consequence of any order or direction of the town, that they immediately pay the same to Henry Gardner Esq, Receiver General of the Province, for the use of the Province. The town likewise directs and order the several constables, to whom any assessment may be hereafter committed by the of the town, of the tax ordered by the great and general Court at their last Nay session, upon the receipt of such assessments with all possible speed to collect and pay the same to the said Henry Gardner Esq. for the purpose aforesaid. The town also re- constables aforesaid to comply with any other recommendation to them, contained in the aforementioned resolve of the 20th of October and do hereby expressly engage to every such
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such constables as shall have any such monies in their hand, that their paying the same to Henry Gardner Esq aforesaid and producing his receipt therefor, shall every hereafter operate in an essential dis- charge to such person for the same. Resolved further that-
Be a commitee whose business it shall be to offer all needful aid and assistance to the several constables aforesaid, to enable then to levy and collect the rates on assessments aforesaid and to comple the said constables to pay in their collections to Henry Gardner Esq. as before directed.
Whereas the welfare, strength and security of any people depend in a great measure under God on their having a regular well disciplined militia, therefor ****** Resolved that one quarter part of all the train- ing soldiers in this town, consisting of able bodied men enlist them- selves as soon as may be, pursuant to the resolve of the Provincial Congress of the 25th of October last, and for their encouragement, each soldier be entitled to receive out of the treasury of this town (from the time of their enlisting to the 30th day of March next the sum of eight pence for each halfdday they shall be exercised in the military, agreeable to said resolve, provided they equip themselves according to a direction of said Congress, their address to the Province on the temth instant, except only the article of a bayemet with the use of which each enlisted soldier shall be provided by. the town, and that from and after the said 30th day of September - next; each of the said enlisted soldier be entitled to the sum of ome shil- ling for each half day they shall be exercised, agreeable to said re- solve of the 36th of October and in case each soldier shall be called to rendezvous, and shall be in actual service, that they be entitled te reserve out of the Province treasury or out of the treasury of this town, thirty six shillings per month (exclusive of their billeting) on each a consideration as shall be adequate to their merttfor so long as they shall continue in actual service, provided also they sub- scribe the following contract, viz;
We the subscribers taking into consideration the distressing state ef our public affairs, do hereby voluntarily enlist into the service of the Province promosing to obey the command of the officers whom we shall elect, as also those of the Field Officers and other superior officers that may be apppinted over us, and that we will conform to the Acts and Laws of the Province so far as they have relation to the duty of soldiers when engaged in military service for the defence of their country, as fully and amply in all things as we should have been obliged had we engaged in said service in consequence of laws by the general assembly agreeable to the charter of the Province direction, the same measures agreed upon by the Provincial Congress and that we will conform to the orders of directions of any future Congress or assembly of this Province, and we further engage that we will continue to discharge the duty we have above engaged for the term of one year from the time of our enlisting unless regularly dismissed before the expiration of said town form.
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