USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1880 > Part 5
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15. 16. 17. 18 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. City well, Market square. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. Frog pond. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. Flood gate at Pearson's wharf. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. Well at Caldwell's distillery. 51. Creek at head of Caldwell's wharf.
79
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
53. Cistern at residence of John Gorwaiz, High street.
54. Reservoir junction of Congress and Buck streets.
55. on High street opposite Johnson street.
Cistern at T. H. Cutter's, High street.
56. 57. 58. 59. Reservoir at Ocean mill.
at residence of Charles Peabody, Johnson street.
William Ashby's. head of Kent street.
Reservoir, junction of Monroe and Dove streets.
60. 61. Merrimac river.
62. Cistern, north-east corner of Arms factory.
Cistern at house corner of Broad and Merrimac streets.
Reservoir, junction Broad and Munroe streets.
Reservoir, junction of Toppan and High streets.
63. 64. 65. 66. Reservoir, junction of California and Walnut streets. Well at corner of Merrimac street and Merrimac court.
67. 68.
Well rear of Choate's planing mill, Merrimac street.
69. Reservoir corner Monroe and Oakland streets.
Cistern at residence of Mrs. Hale, High street.
70. 71. near barn of 66 Cistern at No. 234 High street.
72.
73. Reservoir at the head of Ashland street.
Cistern at residence of Mrs. Josiah Little, High street.
Reservoir on High street, head of Woodland street.
74. 75. 76. 66 on High st., between house and shop of J. B. Lord. 77. Cistern at Savary's tan yard, Belleville.
78. Reservoir at No. 7 engine house.
HALE FUND.
For the information of the City Council and other persons inter- ested I transmit a copy of the rules and regulations adopted by the Fire Department October 24th, 1846, relating to the care and cus- tody of the Hale Relief Fund.
The Board of Engineers, as trustees, have deposited the dona- tions, received from time to time, in the Institution for Savings in Newburyport and its vicinity, and the total amount, with the accu- mulated interest, now on hand, is $2366.82.
In compliance with the conditions imposed by the regulations. aid is granted to firemen only, who are injured while in the discharge of
80
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
their duty. The fund has proved of great value in relieving the want and suffering of many members of the department in years past, and it now needs a more liberal endowment in order to in- crease its usefulness and extend its influence. Dr. Eben Hale of this city, in the fall of 1846 made the first contribution to this fund, which with its many accessions and accumulations has since been knowh as the " Hale Fund." A full and complete list of the do- nors up to this date, is as follows :-
(October 24, 1846. Received from Dr. Eben Hale.
$100.00
April 21, 1852. 66
Capt. Philip Johnson 50.00
June 7, 1852.
Newburyport Mutual Fire Ins. Co .. 100.00
January 30, 1860. . . Eastern Railroad Co. 25.00
August. 7, 1861.
.. Newburyport Mutual Fire Ins. Co .. 200.00
June 3, 1863. 66 66 James and Sarah Caldwell 20.00
April 26, 1865. 66
Michael Titcomb 100.00
October 30, 1869.
66
66 Josiah L. and Joshua Hale 100.00
October 4, 1-71.
Moses L. Hale.
50.00
February 22, 1872.
Josiah L. and Joshua Hale 100.00
September 22. 1873.
66 Charles H. Coffin 50.00
October 8, 1874.
Charles Tyng
10.00
November 4, 1874.
6.
A Friend
50.00
November 5. 1874.
66
Ocean Steam Mills Corporation 50.00
July 12, 1875. .6
.6
Thurston & Colman 50.00
August 2, 1875.
Joseph B. Morss 100.00
April 24, 1877.
..
66 David Hale 50.00
January 8, 1879.
6.
Stephen Peabody 10.00
April 30, 1880.
.. Dr. Frank A. Hale 12.00
August 7, 1880.
Estate of the late John Osgood 50.00
I heartily commend the object for which this fund is provided, to the liberal minded and public spirited citizens of this community, and trust that this brief recital of facts will call their attention to the claims it has upon them for future donations and bequests.
His Honor the Mayor and the city council. the committee on fire department, the city marshal and members of the police force, will please accept my grateful acknowledgments for encouragement shown, and services rendered, during the past year. To my assis- tants on the board, my thanks are also que ; and last, but not least, to the officers of the fire department, I return my thanks for the prompt and cheerful manner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN S. FROST, CHIEF ENGINEER.
66
81
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
RELATING TO
THE "HALE FUND,"
Adopted by the Fire Department of Newburyport, October 24, 1846.
The fire department of Newburyport, having been presented with one hundred dollars, by Dr. Eben Hale, to be used as a relief fund, agree that said fund. and all additions that may be made to it, shall be governed by the following articles of compact :
ARTICLE 1. This fund shall be called the " Hale fund."
ARTICLE 2. The same shall be under the direction of a board of trustees, consisting of the chief engineer and the engineers attached to the several engines and hook and ladder companies, and shall be invested as they may direct. This board shall continue as trustees so long, and no longer, as they remain the engineers of said com- panies ; when removed by the companies, and others chosen to fill their places, if approbated by the selectmen, they shall become members and compose the board of trustees as herein provided.
ARTICLE 3. A majority of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum for doing business, and no money shall be drawn without the consent of a majority of the board. The chief engineer shall be ex officio chairman of the board.
ARTICLE 4. Should the present chartered fire department be given up by the town and any new mode substituted, the members of the department as now in use- shall meet, by order of the trus- tees, and by their votes provide for the distribution or safe keeping of whatever fund may then remain.
ARTICLE 5. When any member of the department is injured while in the discharge of his duty, in such a manner as to entitle him to relief, he shall make application to the board of trustees, stating the extent of his injuries, the company to which he belongs. and the time and place where the injury was received.
ARTICLE 6. When an application for relief has been made to the trustees, the chairman shall, within one week, call a meeting of the board, and, after an examination of all the circumstances con- nected with the application, shall, in their best judgment, award such a sum or sums as the case demands.
82
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
ARTICLE 7. It shall be the duty of the trustees to keep an ac- curate account of the state of the fund, and make a statement an- nually, in one of the papers of the town, naming the amount, if any, appropriated.
ARTICLE &. The trustees shall have power to call a meeting of the department at any time when they choose to submit a case for their consideration rather than abide by their own judgment.
ARTICLE 9. The present articles of compact shall not be altered or amended unless at a meeting of the department called for that purpose.
ARTICLE 10. No meeting of the department shall be called by the trustees for any purpose except those provided for in articles fourth and eighth, unless petitioned for by five members of each company.
TRUSTEES OF THE HALE FUND,
DECEMBER 1, 1880.
JOHN S. FROST, (Chief Engineer) Chairman and Treasurer. GEORGE B. HICKEN, (First Assistant Engineer
SELWYN C. REED, (Second Assistant Engineer) . Secretary. EBEN S. DOLE, (Third Assistant Engineer).
JOHN H. CURRAN, (Fourth Assistant Engineer).
ALPHEUS G. KNIGHT, (Fifth Assistant Engineer)
WM. H. B. CURRIER, (Sixth Assistant Engineer)
REPORTS
OF
CITY SOLICITOR,
AND
CITY MARSHAL.
1880.
REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR.
CITY SOLICITOR'S OFFICE, December 1880.
To His Honor the Mayor, and the City Council of the city of Newburyport:
In compliance with the ordinance I have the honor to submit the following report :
The duties of this office, which has been supposed by some to be a sinecure, have the past year been more diversified and onerous than ever before. Indeed, as the office becomes better known, its advantages are more appreciated and its services more frequently brought into requisition. The word "onerous" is used in no offen- sive sense, for only courtesy and kindness have been extended by all having occasion to seek its aid.
During the year advice has been sought by and given to the mayor, city treasurer, city marshal, committee on claims, committee on public property, committe on fuel, committee on water supply, wa- ter commissioners, overseers of the poor, board of health, sealer of weights and measures, and many others connected with the admin- istration of city affairs. Many contracts have been written and more than the usual number of actions have been before the court.
Cambridge vs. Newburyport was an action brought in Middlesex county to recover expenses for support and removal of a pauper, and was settled by payment of the claim without costs.
Smith vs. Newburyport was an action of Scire Facias brought in Essex county, to charge the city as trustee of Mr. Joseph H. Cur- rier. The action was dismissed by the court and judgement ren- dered for the city.
B. W. Cole vs. Newburyport, and C. W. Cole vs. Newburyport, were actions in tort, brought in Essex county, to recover damages. In the former case for damage to horse and wagon, and in the lat-
86
REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR.
ter case for personal injuries. These are better known as the "sa- cred ox" cases. The superior court gave judgment in favor of the city on demurrer. An appeal was taken to the supreme judicial court which sustained the demurrer, and affirmed the judgment in favor of the city.
Newburyport vs. Worthington was an action brought in Essex county to recover from the town of Worthington expenses for sup- plies furnished an insane pauper. This action was brought under the law giving military settlements, stat. of 1878, chap. 190, sec. 1, clause 10. It was taken up to the supreme judicial court on an "agreed statement of facts," and has been heard by that court, but the decision has not vet been made.
Siter et al. vs. Newburyport is an action brought in Suffolk coun- ty, to recover payment for plans for an almshouse, said to have been. furnished the city. It was entered at the October term and an an- swer has been filed.
This latter is the only unfinished case now in court to which the city is a party.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN N. PIKE, City Solicitor.
REPORT OF THE CITY MARSHAL.
To His Honor the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Newburyport
GENTLEMEN : The whole number of arrests during the year 1880, for offences committed within the city of Newburyport was 841, of which 468 were of foreign birth, 363 were born within the limits of the United States ; 82 were females, and 102 were minors.
The arrests were for the following causes, viz :
Assault and battery . 54
Assault on officers. 3
Tramps . 4
Felonious 1
Adultery . 7
Rude and disorderly 22
Bastardy 5
Burglary
2
87
REPORT OF THE CITY MARSHAL.
Breaking and entering .
10
Common drunkard.
3
Carrying concealed weapons.
1
Drunkenness
552
Drunk, second offense. 12
Disturbing the peace
35
Rape
1
Fornication
1
Defaulted on bail bond
2
Receiving stolen property 1
Highway robbery. 1
Insane
11
Escaped prisoners
2
Larceny ..
41
Stubborn children
7
Lewd and lascivious
6
Malicious mischief.
10
Stealing rides
2
On suspicion
6
Truancy
5
Vagrancy .
9
Violation of city ordinances
19
Embezzlement .
1
Violation of liquor law
3
Cruelty to animals .
2
Total 841
Disposed of as follows, namely :
Appealed 8
Bound over to Superior Court. 17
Cases continued. 14
Clases setteled without trial 25
Committed for non-payment of fine 97
Committed to State Reform School
4
Committed to Danvers Hospital.
4
Discharged without complaint
339
Discharged by court
46
Fined and paid. 212
House of Correction. 34
14
Ordered to pay cost.
3
Placed on file.
7
Put under bonds to keep the peace 4
6
Sent to jail
Turned over to other officers 7
Newburyport workhouse
Total 841
88
REPORT OF THE CITY MARSHAL.
Miscellaneous :
Amount of property recovered $28,554.70
Assisted other officers 392
Buildings found open and secured. 61
Cases of truancy investigated. 62
Complaints investigated. 1653
Defective places in streets reported .
72
Dogs killed
Disturbances suppressed without arrest. 336
Fire alarms given ..
8
Fires extinguished without alarm. 2
Injured persons assisted . 15
Intoxicated persons helped home 207
Lights furnished for dangerous places 48
Lost children restored to parents. 41
Nuisances investigated. 114
Persons provided with lodgings. 766
Search warrants for liquor served
8
Street obstructions removed . 283
Ordered snow removed. 145
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. DEROCHEMONT, City Marshal. City of Newburyport, Dec. 31, 1880.
2
REPORTS
OF THE
CITY CLERK,
BOARD OF ASSESSORS, 1
INSPECTOR OF MILK
AND
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
1880.
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, Newburyport, Feb. 10, 1881. S
To the City Council:
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor to submit the following annual report of births, marriages, and deaths in the city of Newburyport for the year ending December 31, 1880.
BIRTHS.
The number of children born alive during the year 1880, was 334, an increase of 69 over the year 1879, and a greater number than has been returned since 1875, as may be seen by reference to the following table :
Births in the year 1875 .350 Births in the year 1878. 284
.6 1876 302
1879 265
66
1877 299
1880. .334
Perhaps the increase may be attributed in part to the admirable working of the law of 1880, requiring physicians and midwifes to return certain facts in relation to births monthly to the city clerk. Even the incomplete return of the past year has greatly facilitated the registration, and secured some that would otherwise have been lost.
Of the births 174 were males, and 160 females ; there were three pair of twins ; in two instances both were males, and in one instance both were females ; seven are returned as illegitimate, and two were colored.
Births by months and quarters can be seen by the following ta- bles :
1st quarter. 2d quarter.
January .... 30
April .... 19
3d quarter. July . ... 27 August 13 Sept .. .27
4th quarter. October. ... 27 November .42
February . . . 30 May ... 27
March .. .. 35 June .23
December 34
95
69
67 103
92
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
The nativities of the parents of the children born are as follows :
Father.
Mother.
Born in the United States
190
205
Ireland
93
85
Provinces and Canada
23
24
66
England
16
13
66
Scotland
4
4
66
other foreign countries
3
1
66
at sea
1
0
66
unknown
4
2
Total
334
334
MARRIAGES.
The number of intentions of marriage recorded and issued for 1880 was 145; 34 more than the preceding year, and a greater number than any year since 1875, which exceeded the present year by 14. Of the 145 issued all bnt three have been returned for rec- ord, the marriages having been solemnized here or elsewhere. The number of marriages recorded during the year was 154, nine more than certificates issued. The number of marriages solemnized in this city was 140, and 14 additional marriages were returned here for record one or both of the contracting parties having a residence in this city.
The marriages in each month and quarter as follows :
1st quarter. 2d quarter. 3d quarter. 4th quarter
January. . .. 13
April .... 10 July. . .. 15
October .... 20
February . . 8 May .. 7 August . 10 November .. 16
March .. . 11 June . .18 Sept'r. .. 16 December .. 10
- 32
-
35 41 46
Marriages were solemnized by the following named clergymen : Congregationalist :-
S. J. Spalding 27
D. T. Fiske. 10
James H. Ross 3
Charles P. Mills 2 Methodist :-
W. M. Ayres 10
W. Silverthorne 10
W. J. Hambleton 1 Catholic :-
A. J. Teeling 29
J. T. Gormley 4
93
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
Episcopal :-
Edward L. Drown.
10
Samuel M. Emery ... 4
Christian :- Daniel P. Pike 14
Unitarian :- G. L. Stowell 4
Baptist :- John T. Beckley
5
Justice of Peace :- Edward F. Bartlett.
1
By non-resident clergymen ...
17
NATIVITY OF BRIDEGROOMS AND BRIDES :
Bridegrooms.
Brides.
Born in the United States. .120 Born in the United State. 122
66 Ireland. 15
66
Ireland 16
Canada and provinces 10
Canada and provinces 11
66 England 7
England
3
Scotland
1
..
Scotland 2
66 Denmark
1
154
154
In the marriages recorded for the year, it was the first marriage with 125 grooms ; 28 a second marriage, and 1 the third marriage. Of the brides, the first marriage of 138, the second of 15, and the third of one. In 120 cases the first marriage of groom and bride ; in ten cases the second marriage of both. . But five brides were un- der the age of 18 years, one being 15, three 16, and one 17 years of age. The oldest couple married were 65 and 62 years of age. it being the second marriage of each ; the oldest groom married at 74 years of age-his third marriage, to a blooming maiden of 31 summers.
DEATHS.
The deaths in Newburyport for 1880 were 283, not counting four still-births. The number of deaths entered on the books of the city for the year was 362, of which 74 occurred in other places and were brought to this city for interrment, in most cases being natives of this city, or by former residence owning lots in the ceme- teries or public grounds of the city.
The actual number of deaths in the city was 15 less than for the year 1879. Males, 142; females, 141.
Deaths by months and quarters as follows :
1st quarter.
January .. .. 27
February .... 23
2d quarter. April . ... 23 May . . . . . 17 June ... 23
3d quarter. July . . . 26 August . 25 Sept'r. 26
4th quarter. October ... 22 November .. 21 December .. 22
March .... 28 78 63
77 65
13
94
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
Two hundred and eleven were natives of Massachusetts, thirty- two of other states, forty-four of foreign birth, and one unknown.
The united ages of the deceased in the city during the year was 10,919 years which divided by 283 gives the average age for this city of 38.58 years.
For other information on this subject, reference may be had to the tables prepared by the board of health and city physician.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
ASSESSORS' OFFICE, CITY HALL, Dec., 1880. S
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
GENTLEMEN :- The board of assessors herewith submit a few facts relating to the taxation of real and personal property in this city for the past financial year ; the estimated value of property, taxable and non-taxable ; the number of inhabitants as returned by the enumerators of the national census for the year 1880, and oth- er items that may prove of interest to the public.
Assessed value of property for taxable purposes. $7,466,677 50
Real estate. $4,815,800 00
Personal property as follows:
Shipping $471,700 00
Resident bank shares .. .. 674,677 50
Other personal property .. 1,504,500 00 $2,650,877 50
$7,466,677 50
Rate of taxation $15.60 on $1000. Poll tax $2.00. Single polls, 2158.
Tax on $7,466 677.50, is $116,480 17
Total polls assessed 3384 6,768 00
Whole amount raised $123,248 17
95
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
For the following purposes :
Appropriated for city expenses $107,200 00
City's proportion of state tax ... 6,555 00
66 66 county tax 7,135 54
Overlay, or surplus from taxes 2,357 63
$123,248 17
Population, 1880, June census.
. 13,570
Number of dwelling houses, May 1st
2080
66 horses 570
COWS
337
sheep.
10
66
oxen. 12
Assessors' valuation of property exempt from taxation : Religious societies, real estate. $201,500 00
Invested fund. 47,600 CO $249,100 00 '
Benevolent and charitable institutions :
Real estate. $ 6,000 00
Invested funds
. 133,600 00 $139,600 00
Literary institutions :
Putnam Free School, real estate . $29,000 00
Iinvested funds. ยท 45,500 00
$ 74,500 00
Free Public Library :
Real estate. .$14,000 00
Invested funds.
26,000 00
$ 40,000 00
$503,200 00
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. BROCKWAY, C. C. DONNELL, ASSESSORS. G. W. JACKMAN, JR. S
96
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
GENTLEMEN :- The inspector of milk reports the following as his work for the year ending January, 1881.
The number of persons licensed to sell milk from wagons and ve- hicles is fifty-eight.
Twenty-five reside in Newburyport, selling daily 108 cans of ten quarts each. Twenty-three belong in Newbury, selling 218 cans of ten quarts each daily. Seven belong in West Newbury, delivering eighty-two cans. Two come in from Salisbury with nine cans dai- ly, and one from Hampton Falls with 15 cans ; a total of 1080 gal- lons distributed daily in this city.
The largest number of cans brought in by any one dealer is twen- ty-seven cans.
These men are producers, and nearly all own their milk farms and are above suspicion of bringing adulterated milk to market. I think no city of the commonwealth is supplied with better and purer milk than Newburyport. By numerous tests made by me I have found the milk unusually good and have failed to find any that would warrant suspicion of adulteration with one exception, and this was milk furnished by a person who refused to state where the milk came from. consequentlw I could not investigate the case.
Besides the licensed dealers mentioned there are forty-eight regis- tered dealers who sell from stores or dwellings. Those selling from stores are mainly supplied by the owners of milk routes, while those selling from dwellings have usually only a portion of the product of one cow, which they own and keep for their own con- venience and profit, to dispose of.
I have no hesitation in saying the people of Newburyport can, as a rule, rely on the quality of the milk sold in this city.
C. R. SARGENT, Inspector of Milk.
Newburyport January, 1, 1881.
97
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
NEWBURYPORT, January 1, 1881.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
GENTLEMEN :- The following report of my work for the year end- ing January, 1, 1881, is respectfully submitted :
There are eight coal and hay scales located in this city all in good working order. Three of these required adjusting and were put in order by me the past year.
There are four dormant scales, two of which required adjusting before they could be sealed Nineteen platform scales have been sealed, six of which required adjusting and overhauling before seal- ing. Eleven balances and beams, four of which were incorrect, were sealed. Nine counter scales were sealed, four needing adjust- ing.
Of steel-yards seven have been sealed, two adjusted, and several condemned. Eighty-nine weights have been sealed, eighteen re- quiring adjusting. Of wine or wet measures, 118 have been sealed, eighteen adjusted, and a large number condemned. Dry measures, twenty-two sealed, four adjusted.
The people have been very negligent in the matter of dry meas- ures, as you will see by the above.
Charcoal baskets ; three have been sealed, and a number inspect- ed and fonnd correct having been previously sealed.
It is not for me in this report to advise by what means the people shall be made or induced to have weights and measures sealed, but it is evident from the above that many scales, measures, etc , must be constantly used that have never been sealed, and I can but hope our legislature will pass some wise and effective act to cover the case.
C. R. SARGENT, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORTS
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS
ON
ATKINSON COMMON,
SINKING FUND,
AND
HORTON FUND.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF ATKINSON COMMON.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN :- The commissioners of Atkinson common would respectfully report that their labors have not been arduous or ex- haustive during the past year, from the fact that they have had no funds at their disposal to expend. A reasonable sum of money could have been used to advantage early in the spring, for the plant- ing of trees and the general improvement of the grounds ; but not having an income sufficient to warrant the expenditure, the commis- sioners have not felt authorized to undertake the work. They would not be unmindful or ungrateful to the city, however, for the twenty-six maple trees that were planted late in the spring (toward the hot days of an early summer) although it is feared they may never put forth their buds to gladden the eyes of the frequenters of the broad avenues of the common. Fully conscious of the deplet- ed condition of the city treasury, the commissioners, by great per- sonal effort and the use of extraordinary influences to restrain the cattle in the neighboring pastures from testing the strength of the frail and unsubstantial fencing that surrouuds the outermost bounds of the common, were able to secure a light crop of hay valued at twenty-five dollars, which sum when collected was ordered to be placed in the hands of the city treasurer.
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