USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Andover Massachusetts town meeting records 1709-May 21, 1776 > Part 12
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Whereas the Provincial Congress have recommended it to
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To the people that there be no disorderly behavior among us unbecomming the character of American citizens or Christians, therefore resolbed that
There be a committee of safety whose duty it shall be to en- deavor to maintain peace and harmony ththerto so happily continued among us --- that they use their influence to suffer all in warrant- able mobs and riots, and that they promote as much as in them lies goodwill, and affection one toward another, more especially for their life and conversation as well as by their prudent and season- able advice, they recommend a reformation in life and manners, so much to be wished for and earnestly supplicated by all good men after reading and examining the above, paragraph by paragraph-
Veted to accept the first and third article in the report, then adjourned to Monday the second day of January next nine o'clock A.M.
The following warrant was directed to Messrs Job Foster, David Abbott, Benjamin Poor and Peter Carlton, constables for the town of Andover.
Greetings; You are hereby required forthwith to warn all the Free- holders and other inhabitants within your district that have an estate of freehold in land within this province or territory of forty 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 Monday the twenty sixth day of December instant at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to elect and depute one or more pessons (if they see cause) being freeholders and resi- dent in said town, to serve for and represent them in the great and general Congress to be held at Cambridge on the first day of Feb- ruary next ensuing and to be continued by adjournment as they shall see cause until the Tuesday next preceeding the last Wednesday in May next and no longer. You are likewise required to warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants within your district qualified fer voting in town meetings as the Law directs, to meet at the time and place above mentioned, to act on the following articles.
Ist; To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2nd ; To see if the town will choose a committee of Inspection to to observe that the resolves of the grand American Continental and Provincial Congress be strictly adhered to.
3rd; To see if the town will give any instructions to Thomas Bragg Deputy Sheriff respecting the executions he has received from the Province Treasurer, the Hon. Harrison Gray Esq.
Thereof fail not and make timely return of this warrant to some one of the selectmen. Given under our hand and seal at Andover the nineteenth day of December A.D. 1774 and in the fifteenth year of his Majesty's Reign. Asa Abbott Benj. Stevens Jr. Zebed Abbott
Sam'l Osgood Jr. Henry Abbott Jr.
Selectmens
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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 twenty sixth day of December 1774, the several constables having duly returned their warrants.
The Hon. Samuel Phillips Esq. moderator.
Voted to adjourn to Monday the second of January next, eleven o'clock. A.M.
The town, at a meeting held the second of January 1775 at nine o'clock in the morning (having been continued by Friday adjournment from November 14th 1774 voted to choose a committee of sixteen for the purpose specified in the first article of the report and at the last meeting, Mr. Moody Bridges, Sam'l Johnson, John Barker, Oliver Peabody, Asa Abbott, Beac. Hezekiah Ballard, David Abbott, James Frye, Asa Foster, John Farnum, Benj. Farnum, Joshua Holt, Isaac Csgood, David Abbott and Nehemiah Abbott were chosen for said committee.
Voted to pass over the second article in the report of the com- mittee for the present.
Voted that the constables be directed to collect the Provinee taxes as soon as possible.
Voted that a committee be chosen to appoint the constables in collecting the Province taxes as soon as may be -- that it consist of twelve; Sam'l Chickering, Eben. Poor, Thos. Poor, Philimon Chandler, John Abbott, David Abbott, John Ingalls, James Frye, John Adams, Joshua Chandler, Sam'l Phelps, Zebediah Abbott, were chesen a com- mittee for the purpose last mentioned.
Voted to accept the fourth resolve in the report made by the town committee the 26th of December last.
Voted to choose a committee for the purpose therein mentioned, that it consist of sixteen which were chosen for the purpose above referred to.
Adjourned to the second Monday in February next at one o'clcok P.M. The town being met January 2nd 1775 at. ten o'clock in the morning on adjournment from December 26th 1774.
The question was put whether the town will give any instruc- tions to Thomas Bragg, deputy sheriff respecting the executions he has received of the Province Treasurer, the Hon. Harrison Gray Esq. and it passed in the negative. The meeting was then adjourned to Monday the 23rd instant one o'clock P.M. Then met and voted to choose a committee of inspection to observe that the resolve of the grand American Provincial congress be strictly adhered to.
The meeting was then dissolved.
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At a meeting of the freeholders and other qualified voters on Monday the thirteenth of February 1775 at one o'clock P.M. it having been continued by Sunday adjournment from the fourteenth of November 1774, to accept the second article in the report made by the committee on the twnety sixth of December last.
Voted that the enlisted soldiers be furnished with bayonets at the expence of the town.
Voted that a committee be chosen to collect the bayonets now in the hands of individuals in this town that belong to the public, and procure such a number of new ones as will be sufficient to supply the minute men, That the committee consist of five;
Sam'l Johnson, Sam'l Phelps, Nat. Lovejoy, Philemon Chandler, and Asa Abbott.
Voted to adjourn to Monday the twenty seventh at one o'clock P.M. The met and --
That those who deliver the bayonets belonging to the Province to the committee chosen to receive them, shall be indemnified by the town, provided the Province shall ever call for the return of said Bayonets that the committee chosen last meeting to procure Bayonets, collect as many as they can of them belonging to the Province by next Wednesday two o'clock P.M. That they procure one hundred more to be made as soon as possible and supply the firelocks that are effective which belong to the minute men with good bayonets as soon as may be voted.
Voted that those persons who part with their bayonets belonging to the Province that the minute men be sooner equipped, if they de- sire it that shall have them replaced out of the number the above committee are ordered to get made. Then adjourned to the Friday next after the first Monday in March at four o'clock P.M.
The following warrant was directed to Messrs Job Foster, David Abbott, Benj. Poor dad Peter Carlton constables for the town of Andover. Greetings; In his Majesty's name you are hereby required warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants of said town within your district qualified for voting in town meetings as the law directs, to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Monday the sixth day of March next at nine e'clock in the morning to act on the following articles;
Ist; To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2nd ; To receive an account of the selectmen of Andover how they have disposed of the town money the year past.
3rd; To choose a town clerk, selectmen and other town officers to serve the town the ensuing year.
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4thly ; To see what sum of money the town will raise to defray the charges of a grammar school the ensuing year.
5thly; To see if the town will raise any sum of money to hire reading and writing schools in the outskirts of said town the en- suing year .
6thly; To see what sum the town will raise for said outskirts
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7thly; To see what sum of money the town will raise to defray the other charges accruing in said town the year ensuing.
8thly ; To see in what method the town will mend their highways the ensuing year .
9thly; To see what sum of money the town will raise to mend their highways the ensuing year.
10thly; To see if swine may go at large if yoked and ringed as the law directs.
llthly; To see if sheep may go at large from the fifteenth day of March next to the first day of May next, or any part of that time as the law directs.
12thly ; To see if the town will choose a committee to inspect the fisht courses for the fish called alewives, which committee shall be requested to use every rational method to preserve the same, and to hire out so many barrels of said fish as they shall judge not to be detremental to the course of said fishes, the said committee to be accountable to the town for the sum or sums of money arising from the sale of said fish.
13thly; To see if the town will appoint the places where the fish called alewives may be taken, and prohibit the places where they may not be taken, and appoint certain days for taking the same.
14thly; To see if the town will point out a direct the committee of inspection what their duty shall be.
15thly; To see if the town will vote for a county reasurer.
16thly; To see if the town will allow the selectmen to daaw an order upon the treasurer in favor of Mr. Thomas Holt to enable him to pay Mr. Jacob Dana for keeping an outskirt school.
17thly; To see if the town will vote that rams shall be kept in the custody of the owners from the first of September to the tenth of November, or any part of that time.
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 twenty first day of February Anno Domino 1775 and in the fifteenth year of His Majesty's Reign.
Asa Abbott Benj. Stevens 3rd. Zebed. Abbott Sam'l Osgood Jr. Henry Abbott Jr.
Selectmen
5252-continued Andover, March 6th 1775.
At a legal meeting of the freeholders and other qualified voters of said Andaver on the above written day at nine o'clock in the morning (the several constables aforementioned having duly returned their warrant) The Hon. Sam'L Phillips Esq chosen moderator.
Then were chosen the persons hereafter mentioned to serve in the several offices annexed to their name.
Samuel Phillips Jr. Town Clerk.
Messrs Benj. Stevens 3rd, Asa Abbott, Nathaniel Lovejoy, Messrs Zebed. Abbott and John Ingalls, Selectmen;
Messrs Daniel Page, John Martin, Benj. Moore and Daniel - Poor, Wardens.
Sam'l Phillips Jr, Town Treasurer
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Messrs David Chadwick, Abraham Moore, Peter Carlton and Samuel Frye, constables.
Messrs Darius Abbott, Ezekeial Carlton jr, David Abbott, Joseph Holt,. Josiah Blanchard, Jonathan Cummins Jr. Solomon Wardwell, Nathan Towne Jr. Isaac Farnum and Asa Abbott, Tithing men.
John Adams, Leathernealer.
Thomas Bragg, Clerk of the Market.
Capt Nat'l Lovejoy, Capt Isaac Osgood, Benj. Moore, Capt John Farnum, Dan'l Kimball, Isaac Chandler, Timothy Osgood, Isaac Blunt, Moses Abbott, Thomas Bragg, Asa Barker, John Abbott 4th, Sam'l Osgood, Jacob Holt, Michael Carlton, Thomas Austin, Samuel Blanchard, Abiel Holt, Obediah Johnson Jr. Josiah Osgood, John Bridges, Lt. Zebediah Chandler, Col James Frye, Thos Abbott, Joshua Holt, Philimon Chandler, Ephraim Abbott, Zebediah Holt, Ebenezer Poor, Joseph Faulkner Jr. Joseph Holt, Nathan Town Jr. John Kimball, John Frye, Abiel Barker, Joseph Burt, Sam'l Jenkins, Jacob Foster, Surveyers of Highways.
Messrs Jacob Tyler, John Martin, Lt. Sam'l Phelps, Cullers of - Lumber.
Capt Thos. Poor, Jos. Blanchard, John Peabody Jr. Benj. Poor, Jonathan Abbott Jr. John Wood, Philomon Chandler and Stephen Mason Sueveyers of Lumber.
Capt Henry Ingalls, John Frye, Nathan Abbott, Philomon Chandler, Fence Viewers.
Obediah Johnson Jr. David Holt Jos. Batchelder Jr. Ebenezer Foster, Nathan Abbott, John Abbott 3rd, Nathan Chandler Jr. Wm. Ballard, Andrew Foster, Wm. Clark and Moses Abbott, Field Drivers.
Robert Davis, Thomas Levy, Timothy Setevns, Ebenezer Ingalls, Nathan Town, Jacob Holt, Thomas Manning, Jacob Johnson, Timothy Holt Jr. Daniel Batchelder, John Merrill, James Parker Jr. Andrew Peters and Jonathan. Abbott 4th, Hog and Beeves.
John Abbott, Sam'l Chickering Jr. Joshua Phelps, Lt. Sam' 1 Phelps, John Abbott 4th, Thomas Spofford, Moses Bayley, Cliver Peabody: Jacob Tyler, Capt. Thos. Poor and Nathan Abbott, to clear the fish courses and to see that laws relating to the fish called alewives be duly observed.
Adjourned to Friday the tenth instant one o'clock P.M. Then met and; voted to raise the sum of forty pounds lawful money to defray yhe charge of a grammar school the ensuing year .
5253-continued
The question being put whether the town will raise any sum of money to hire reading and writing schools in the outskirts of said town the year ensuing. It passed in the affirmative.
Voted to raise the sum of twenty five pounds for the purpose last mentioned.
The question being put whether the town will raise money to pay their late delegates at Provincial and County Congress. It passed in the affirmative.
Capt. Asa Foster, Capt John Farnum and Col George Abbott were appointed a committee to examine the
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charges that might be brought for the services above mentioned.
Voted to mend the highways the year ensuing as in the last year .
Voted to raise the sum of two hundred pounds to mend the highways the ensuing year.
Voted that swine may go at large if yoked and ringed as the law directs. The question being put whether sheep may go at large from the fifteenth day of March next to the first day of May next or any part of said town as the law directs. It passed in the negative.
The question being put whether the town will choose the se- lectmen for a committee to hire out so many barrels of the fish called alewives as they shall judge not to be detrimental to the course of said fish; the said committee to be accountable to the town for the sum or sums of money arising by the sale of said fish. It passed in the affirmative.
Voted that all persons be, and they are hereby prohibited catching any fish in any of the fish gutters near the mills in Shawsheen River and within two rods of said gutters; and also in all parts of Quochecchoque Brook except that between the bridge near Dr. John Kittredge's dwelling house, Mr. James Parker's Mill Dam, also in that part of Blanchard Pond Brooke between the upper side of Mr. David Abbott sawmill dam and Merrimack River, and also in the fish gutters by the mills on Foster's brook.
Voted no fish be taken in any part of said river and brooks, oftener than three days in the weak, the days to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.
The question being put whether the town will point out and direct the committee of inspection what their duty shall be. It passed in the affirmative.
Voted that Capt. Peter Osgood, Benj. Stevens 3rd, John Abbott 4th be a committee. to bring in a report for this purpose.
The question being put whether the town will allow the se- lectmen to draw an order on the town treasurer in favor of Mir. Thomas Holt that he may be enabled to pay Mr. Jacob Dana for keeping an outskirt school. It passed in the affirmative.
The question being put whether rams shall be confined in the custody of their owners from the twentieth of August to the first of November. It passed in the affirmative.
Voted that for every time any ram shall be found going at large, the owner thereof shall forfeit and pay the sum of five shillings to the person by whom such ram shall be taken up.
5254-continued
Mr. Thomas Bragg was chosen constable to serve in the room of Mr. David Chadwick and Mr .. Thomas Abbott in the room of Mr. Samuel Frye.
Adjourned to Monday the twentieth instant two o'clcok P.M.
The meeting continued by Sunday adjournment from the four- teenth of November to this day, is again adjourned to Monday the twentieth instant at four o'clock P.M. then was further ad- journed to the thirdy Monday in May next at two o'clock P.M.
5255
At a legal town meeting on Monday the twentieth of March at two o'clock P.M. continued by Sunday adjournment from the sixth instant. The committee chosen the last meeting to direct the com- mittee of inspection in their duty, made the following report-which was read and accepted.
The committee appointed to draw instructions for the committee of inspection for the town of Andover, report as follows, viz; That said committee (agreeable to the third article of the asso- ciation of the Continental Congress) use their utmose endeavor that the non consumption agreement therein mentioned be strictly adhered to by the inhabitants of this town.
That the committee encourage the people of this town strictly to comply with the seventh article of the Association of said Congress to improve the breed of sheep and the greatest possible increase of the same as recommended by the Provincial Congress of the eighth of December last.
That said committee encourage frugal economy and industry and promote agriculture, and manufactures of this Province so far as their influence and endeavors can extend, and discountenance and discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation, gaming and other expensive and discommendable diversions ( as except in the eighth article of the Continental Association) and that they recommend to the people of this town that they (on the death of any near relative) go into no further mourning dress than a black crepe or ribbon on the arm or hat for men and a black ribbon or necklace for women.
traders
That said committee inspect the merchants and in this town and give information to the public of all such persons who shall violate the ninth article of the Association of said Congress by advancing the price of their goods.
That said committee in conformity to the resolve of the Provin- cial of the fifth of December last apply to all the merchants and traders in this town immediately after the tenth day of October next, the Acts of Parliament referred to in said resolve and take a full inventory of all the goods, wares and merchandise which shall then be in the hands of these merchants or traders, and shall require them to offer no more of those goods for sale until the act referred to as aforesdid shall be repealed, and if any merchants, traders, or others shall refuse to have an inventory taken, or shall offer for sale after the tenth of October aforesaid, any such goods, wares or merchandise, the committee is hereby directed to take the goods into their possession at the risk of the proper owners until the repeal of the act referred to, and publish the names of such refrac- tions, merchants or traders that they may meet with the merits of and to their country and the town doth hereby to assist and support said committee in the discharge of their trust.
5255-continued
And it is expected that said committee inspect the conduct of every person in said town touching the aforesaid Association that if any person or persons shall willfully violate said Association that a majority of said committee cause the name of any such person or persons
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forthwith to be published in the Gazette to the end that all such foes to the rights of British America may be publicly known.
That all manufactures of this country be sold at reasonable prices so that no undue advantage be taken of a future scarcity of goods agreeable to the thirteenth article of the aforesaid Association.
And it is further recommended to said committee that they act in every respect as it shall appear to them to be their duty as a committee of inspection whose duty is more fully pointed out in the Continebaal Association and Provincial resolves.
Peter Osgood Benj. Stevens 3rd. John Abbott 4th. Committee.
Then adjourned to the third Monday in May next at one o'clock P.M. Then met and adjourned to the twenty ninth instant at one o'clock P.M.
At a meeting of the town on Monday the fifteenth of May 1775 at twelve o'clock P.M. it having been continued by adjournment from the fourteenth of November 1774.
The question being put whether the town will direct the se- lectmen to draw upon the town treasurer for the payment of the Minute Men for the time they spent in military discipline before they were called to rendezvous. It Passed in the affirmative.
Voted to adjourn to the twenty ninth instant at two o'clock P .M. Then met and adjourned to the first Monday in September next three o'clock P.M.
The following Warrant was directed to Messrs Thomas Bragg, Peter Carlton and Abraham Moors, constables for the town of Andover.
Greetings : You are hereby required in his Majesty's name forthwith to warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants be- longing to the South Parish in said town that have an estate of freehold in land within this province or territory of forty shillings per annum at least or other estate to the value of forty pounds sterling, to meet at the North Meeting House in said town on Monday the fifteenth day of May instant at two o'clock in the afternoon then and there to elect one and depute one or more persons being feeeholders and resident in said town, to serve for and represent them at the great and general court or assembly appointed to be convened, held and kept for his Majesty's service in the town house at Boston upon Wednesday the thirty first day of May instant during their session and sessions. You are also required to warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants belong- ing to your Parish qualified for voting in town meeting as the law directs, to meet at the place above said at three o'clock in the afternoon on said day to act on the following articles, viz;
5256-continued
To choose a moderator for said meeting.
To see if the town will appoint a watch to be kept and how to be regulated for the safety of said town.
To see if the town will take into consideration a letter to the selectmen of Andover by a gentleman
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gentleman of Marblehead respecting Benjamin Berry Jr. Thereof fail not to 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 fourth day of May 1775 in the fifteenth year of his Majesty's reign.
Benj. Stevens 3rd Asa Abbott Nathaniel Lovejoy Zebed. Abbott John Ingalls Selectmen of Andover.
Andover, May 15th 1775.
At a legal meeting of the freeholders and others qualified voters of said town on the day above written at three o'clock P.V. Nr. Moody Bridges was chosen moderator for said meeting.
The question being put whether the town will appoint a watch to be kept in the town. It passed in the affirmative.
Capt. Josbaa Holt and Samuel Phillips Jr were chosen a com- mittee to prepare rules for the gocernment of the committee with whom is instructed the appointment of the town watch, and likewise the duty of individuals when called upon guard.
The meeting was then adjourned to the twenty ninth instant 4 o'clock P.M.
Thettown being met on Monday the 29th of May 1775 at 2 o'clock P.M. an adjournment from March 6th 1775. Mr. Nehemiah Abbott and Asa Lovejoy were chosen surveyers of highways in the room of Col. James Frye and Mr. Thomas Abbott, deceased.
The question being put whether the town will choose a constable in the room of Mr. Thomas Abbott, deceased. It passed in the af- firmative.
Mr. John Foster Jr. Was chosen to serve the town as a constable the year ensuing in the room of Mr. Thomas Abbott, deceased.
The meeting was then adjourned to the first Monday in September next at 2 o'clock P.M.
The meeting of the town on Monday the 29th of May 1775 at 4 o'clock P.M. on adjournment from the 15th instant. The committee was chosen last meeting to propose rules respecting a town watch. Reported as follows;
The committee directed to propose rules for the government of the committee with whom is instructed the appointment of the town Watch, and otherwise the duty of individuals when called upon guard, desire leave to offer the following report. It is expected of the committee for conducting thw town watch, that each within the limit whereto he is appointed, call upon such inhabitants therefor of the age of 16 years and upward and under 60 who dwell within 1+ miles of their respective meeting houses in such order as
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as to them shall appear most agreeable to justice and will best observe the design of this watch to take their turn on the guard unless some particular circumstances shall satisfy the committee.
2nd; That the committee give notice to each individual at least forty hours before guard specified, or causing such certificate to be left at the place of his abode which will be sufficient warning.
It is expected of the sentries that they meet at the hour of nine in the evening at such places as the committee above mentioned shall appoint and watchfully guard the respective limite appointed them by said committee through the night season till one hour after the first appearance of daylight.
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