USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
January Ist. 1765, voted " that A. Craigie, J. Prince, W. D. Cheever and J. Homer, wait on Jereh. Gridley Esqr. to present a petition to the Genrl Court. to ob- tain Liberty to errect a Light House on Nantuckett."
November 4th. 1766. Forty-two members present at the British Coffee House. it was "Voted. That the Treasurer see all the arrears paid and no money Let till further orders." December 2d, 1766, "Capt Job Prince offers the use of his Vessel Gratis to go on a survey for Two months." Voted "The thanks of the Society to Capt J. Prince & accept of his offer & next may will send her for that purpose."
July 6th. 1768, seventeen members present. "Whereas the Marine Society has been applyd to by a Committee from the General Court to take a survey of Plymouth Harbour in order to give directions for Sailing in and out by a new Light House, which is to be erected there, Voted that Job Prince. Moses Bennett, Thos. Allen, Wm. Vernon. Members of this Society go on said ser- vice and if they are not allowed by the Court for their Expenses Their case shall be laid before the Society at the Annual meeting in order for payment. NB Those Gentn. that are appointed and cannot go are at
19
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
liberty to chuse any of the members that will go." At the November meeting, 1768, it was voted that . the Society remove their meetings from the British Coffee House to the House of Capt. Wm. Rhoads," and voted "That the sum of £19 17s 6d O Tenor be appropri- ated to release the Waiter from prison." It does not appear for what purpose the waiter was imprisoned, but certainly does appear as if the Society was not so chary of expenditure as it has since become. The British Coffee House was upon King Street, now State, and according to Drake, on the site now occupied by the marble building No. 66 State Street.
Under a "Record of Monthly Votes from Novr. 68 to Novr. 69" we find as follows : Ist, "Never to propose the removal of the Marine Society from one House to another but on the Annual meeting, and then two of the principal Officers of the Society present, unless upon some Emergency or unexpected Turn of Affairs, such as Ill treatment, bad attendance or any other impedi- ment not agreeable to ye Gentlemen."
4th, " To admit some worthy gentleman a member who is well acquainted with the Law, in particular . the Laws of the province, and have a vote in the Society That for his Advice he shall be free from the Societys Expences."
6th, "That the Three principal Officers be a Com- mittee to wait on Mr. Adams and invite him to be a member of this Society." What Mr. Adams, does not show, but probably John Adams, the future President of the United States.
Sth, "That the Master write a letter to the present Husband of the Wife, which was the Wife of Capt.
20
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Wm. Starkey decd. to know if he will pay his Wifes former Husbands Arrears, that is due to the Society."
December 6th, 1798, voted ". That all the Charges on the Plymouth Survey be paid out of the Box, amount- ing to Thirteen pounds fifteen shillings 3 pence Lawful money - to be pd Capt. Job Prince. and upon the General Court reimbursing the money the same to be again put in the Box."
From time to time relief is voted to needy members or their families. They seem to have soon tired of meeting at private houses, for on the 4th April, 1769, only five months after leaving the British Coffee House, and in non-accordance with their vote then passed, it is voted .. That the Society removes their meetings from Capt. Willm. Rhoads to the British Coffee House the next meeting."
October 3d, 1769, it was voted, that three more " be added to the former Committee to See to the forward- ing of Capt. Blakes picture," but as no previous no- tice on the subject is to be found, we are left at a loss to know what circumstances attended it or what the picture was.
December 5th. 1769, voted " That from this present time. every person who becomes a member of this Soci- ety shall pay one Guinea for his Entrance."
March 6th, 1770, it appears "By a report of the Com- mittee appointed to Collect the Arrears calling on Capt. Potts, it was his desire, he said to be Voted out of the Society, for neither he nor his Heirs shall want any Benefit from the Society, and as to what he had paid in. the Society where welcome to ; Voted accordingly that Capt. Potts be no longer a Member."
2I
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
April 3d, 1770, " a Committee was appointed to wait on Capt. John Blake, for the purpose of having his pic- ture drawn," which is somewhat explanatory of the "picture " recently alluded to, and at the meeting of May Ist, we find " the Treasurer Capt. Wm. Mackay recd of Capt. John Blake Thirty-Six pounds L. My, on account of a donation by said Blake to the Society," thus telling us the whole story. At this meeting it was voted " That on the Death of any member of this Soci- ety, If the members present in Town do not attend his Funeral, they shall pay a fine of one shilling sterling for the Benefit of the Society, unless a reasonable excuse be given."
September 4th, 1770, the " Treasurer recd of Capt. John Blake Twelve pounds L. M. on account of his Donation," and on the 2d October following, another ' Twelve pounds " on the same account. On February 5th, 1771, a further sum of "Twelve pounds " from Capt. Blake is acknowledged.
Various notices occur at the meetings, that delin- quent members be stirred up, and be sued for their arrearages unless paid, though no such action appears to have been taken. Officers are re-elected or new ones chosen, and relief to the needy voted, at almost every meeting. We find likewise it was a common occurrence, when new members were proposed, to suspend the rules, and vote them in at the time, if they were about going to sea, or if there was other reason for immediate action. Votes were taken often as to the investment and disposal of the Society's funds. Most of the funds seem to have been let on mortgage.
22
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
On November 5th. 1771, the annual meeting, a further donation from Capt. Blake of £12 is acknowledged. On the 3d December, 1771, their account showed £755 17s rod at interest, and on hand £78 4s 63d, in all ES34 25 42d At the meeting June Ist. 1773, a Committee was appointed "to wait on the General Court with a memorial of the disbursements expended by the Society on the Survey of Plymouth Harbour for the purpose of erecting a Light House."
At the annual meeting held at the British Coffee House, 2d November, 1773, it was voted that Prince, Cobb, Blake, Hopkins, and Jarvis, " Be a Committee to look out for a House that will be convenient for the Marine Society to purchase, and make a report next meeting," showing at that early day the desire was con- ceived which is still held in gestation.
December 7th, 1773, " That Mr. Romans draught to the Southwd" - probably of this coast southward from here - " is worthy of recommendation." No report is recorded of the Committee on purchase of a house, but at the meeting of 5th February, 1775, a Committee of six, including four of the former Committee, was voted, " to look out for a suitable House to purchase for the Marine Society situated any way between the Mill Bridge and the Old South Meeting House or between Consort" Concert? " Hall and this place (the British Coffee House) and make report next meeting." At the meet- ing held 21st February this Committee report " That they have attended to that business and found one situ- ated at the South Side of the Town House, suitable as they think for the Society - and their report was received." A Committee of seven was then appointed
23
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
" with full power to purchase the said House provided they do not exceed Five hundred pounds Sterling," and on 7th March, 1775, they report, "That the price of the House is so high they have not as yet purchased," show- ing we stand now where they did then. On 5th April, 1775, this record is made, "none present but the Clerk."
No meetings were held from November, 1775. to November, 1776, at which time the annual meeting was again held at the British Coffee House. This remiss- ness on the part of members seems to have stimulated them to action on the matter, for we find they then voted, " That the Clerk agree in the most reasonablest manner with some Printer, to strike off one Thousand notifica- tions to warn the members to all proper meetings." At the same meeting they voted, "That the Clerk be authorized to hire a Waiter to attend occasionally for five shillings each time."
At the Annual Meeting, November, 1777, a Commit- tee of Henderson Inches, Job Prince, William Mackay, were chosen " to purchase a House as soon as they can and make a report of the amount they Pay for the same."
Relief to the necessitous, foregoing the arrears of members unable to pay, and stirring up the delinquent ones, are the only matters mentioned, to 3d February, 1778, when it was voted " That the Society remove to some private House in order to save expenses." and voted, " That at each Meeting the Room, Fireing and Candles be paid by the Society, and the Liquors be paid by the members present, at each meeting." Likewise voted, " That our next meeting be at Mrs. Claphams."
24
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
March 7th. 177S. " The Committee appointed to pur- chase a House make report that they have not been able to procure one agreeable to Vote." " Therefore Voted That all the paper money in the Treasurers hands (except Fifty pounds) be Let on Continental or State Security as soon as it can possibly be done."
The Annual Meeting for 177S was held at Mrs. Clap- ham's, and after the choice of officers, and other business was finished, it was voted. " That the Society do dine at Mrs. Cambells next Tuesday - Dinner at 2 O'clock." This is. we believe. the first mention of " Dinner :" what they styled their previous entertainments does not appear, though they unquestionably had them. At the Annual Meeting. November. 1779. it was voted, that " The Society dine together at the American Coffee House on Wednesday next." May 2d. 17So. a vote was passed. " That each Member pay Seven pounds Ten Shillings to defray the expencis now due by the Society to Mrs. Clapham for Firing. Candles & Room for the Winter past, and what may be over shall remain in Stock for the expencis the Society shall be at in future." and voted, "The Waiter in future be paid Nine pounds." It is probable this was " old Tenor" money, though not so stated, which was at 90 per cent. discount, that is. a pound was worth two shillings sterling or hard money.
At the Annual Meeting, November, 17So, held at Mrs. Clapham's, it was " Voted on the petition of Mary Har- per Widow of Capt. Wm. King, that the Committee of Relief wait on her and enquire into her circumstances and should they find her an Object of Charity agreeable to sd petition that they do order her immediate Relief by any Sum not exceeding Ten. Hard Dollars." Here
25
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
we see the money of the country changing from pounds to dollars.
A Committee having been appointed in 1782 to revise the "Laws of the Society," it was voted at a meeting, 7th January, 1783, "That the above Committee be & they are hereby directed to bring in their Report at the next monthly meeting & that the Clerk specially notify every member in Boston to attend as very special business relative to the Laws and the Essential Interest of the Society is to be debated & determined on."
At the meeting on February 4th, 1783, among other matters it was voted, "That a Committee of Five Members be appointed to prepare an emblematic print, and to agree with some engraver to cut the same on Copper together with a Certificate to be signed by the Master and Countersigned by the Clerk respecting the admition of members - The expence to be paid out of the General Stock." The revised laws were similar in intent and meaning to those at present in use.
March 4th, 1783, "Whereas Capt. Robert Robbins has sent word to the Society that he does not wish to receive any assistance from, or to lend any to the Society, Therefore Voted That he be dismissed."
At the meeting of 3d June, 1783, held at Mrs. Clap- ham's it was voted, "That Mr. Tudor be desired to draught a petition to the General Court now sitting. offering our service in the Choice of pilots & care of the Lights, similar to that already presented"-of which there is no record - " with this difference, that we will give our time for one year gratis." The Mr. Tudor here mentioned is subsequently spoken of as Judge Tudor, and appears to have been the legal adviser of the Society.
26
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
April 5th. 1785, voted that "the Treasurer Settle with Mr. Brimmer for a Ten pound Note as it was Consolidated which sd Brimmer overpaid to the late Treasurer. being the property of Henderson Inches deceased."
At the October meeting, 1785, a petition was received "from Masters & Mates of vessels belonging to this State." though it does not appear on what subject : it was referred to a Committee with instructions "to consult with Mr. Tudor on the Business."
October 3rd. 1786. "The Treasurer laid before the Society the following extract from the Will of the Late Hon. John Erving Esqr. 'I give & bequeath to the Marine Society in Boston for the benefit of the poor Widows and Children of distressed Seamen. the sum of Fifty pounds Sterling or Five hundred pounds old Tenor.' And also informing the Society that the Execu- tors of sd Will stood ready to discharge sd Legacy immediately."
Voted "That the above extract be recorded in the books of the Society, that the members gratefully receive the same to be appropriated agreeably to the Intentions of the generous donor and that the thanks of the Society be given to his Excellency Governor Bowdoin. Wm. Erving & Oliver Wendall Esqrs. Exectrs. of sd Will for their promptitude to pay the same & Capt. Patten the Treasurer communicate this vote to sd Exectrs. & give a ret. to them for the money when paid. in discharge of the Legacy aforesaid."
This appears to be the first legacy to the Society.
November 7th, 1786, another Committee is appointed. "to look out for a suitable House for the Society to
27
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
purchase and make report as soon as possible." At the same meeting it was voted that "a Dinner be provided on Wednesday next the 15th inst. at the American Coffee House * * and all the members of the Society that are in Town desired to attend." A Committee of five was appointed to "manage the same," " And also to invite such Gentlemen to the Feast as they may think proper."
January 2nd, 1787, we find this record : "The Revd. Mr. Clarke, Docr. Warren, & Docr. Dexter, a Com- mittee from the Humane Society being introduced, Com- municated the design of sd Society to erect Three Huts in such most exposed Parts in & adjacent to the Har- bour of Boston, for the preservation of such unfortunate persons as may be Shipwrecked on the Shore within or near sd Harbour, likewise a request that this Society would be so kind as to point out the most eligible Situa- tions for placing such proposed Huts, and also that they should be much obliged to this Society for any further Communications on the Subject as may conduce most effectually to answer the purpose intended." "Which Communication being taken into Consideration." voted, " That this Society being in a degree the Representative of the Maritime part of the Community, feel a very warm Sense of the Benevolent design of the Humane Society & return their most cordial thanks for their truly Humane attention to so exposed & valuable a part of the Citizens of the State, as the Seamen most certainly are, And the members of this Society will with great cheer- fulness contribute any Aid & information in their Line to advance so good a design." Voted, "That the Opinion of this Society is, That the most Eligible places to Erect
28
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
said huts are, one on Marshfield Beach. one on the Beach back of Nantasket, & one on Lovells Island, and in case the Humane Society thinks proper to Erect a fourth. That it should be on Lynn Beach."
February 6th, 1787. "The petition of Capt. Phillip Bass not being agreeable to the Society," therefore, " Voted, That not any notice be taken of it." Certainly brief and to the point.
November 6th, 1787, the Society met at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, so far as appears, for the first time. This was then at the corner of King Street and Mack- arel Lane. now corner of State and Kilby Streets, the New England Bank building occupying the ground where the Tavern then stood. No matters of impor- tance appear for several meetings. March 4th, 17SS, at the Bunch of Grapes, it was voted, "to dispose of the Land at. Framingham in a legal manner and to the best advantage possible." This had been secured to the Society by Mortgage, for money loaned. It was likewise voted at this meeting, "to employ a person to set the Marine Societys Books in a proper and regular manner."
May 6th, 17SS, at the Bunch of Grapes. " Whereas it has been represented to this Society that the post Master would allow one penny Sterling for each Letter which may arrive from Sea into this Port on its being brought to his office, and a fund might be raised from which great Benefits might Accrue to the Society should a person be appointed to Collect the Letters which may arrive into this Port from Sea. Therefore Voted, Capt. Mungo Mackay, James Magee, Samuel Dunn be a Committee to appoint some suitable person of the
29
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Society or elsewhere to receive and collect all Letters and to convey the same to the post Master and take his Receipt, and that they make such terms with the person so appointed as will best carry the Designs of the Society into Execution." Wm. Erving, Esq. and Capt. Samuel Dunn, jr., were "added to the Committee appointed to prepare a Copper plate for the Society, as proposed by their Vote, Febry. 3rd, 1783, and that they be Directed to carry said Vote into immediate Execu- tion." Upon the petition of Capt. James Kirkwood, the sum of two pounds, two shillings, was voted to "pay his Landlord," if the same was found to be due. This same James Kirkwood appears to have attended and waited on the Society at the meetings about this time.
September 2nd, 1788. Two hundred letters in legal form given by Wm. Tudor, Esqr., were ordered to be printed, for the purpose of reminding delinquent mem- bers of their obligations. October 7th, 1788, voted, "That Capt. John Callahan be authorized to receive the ballance of those Members which are in London who are in arrearages to this Society as he will have a Letter with their accts. & his Receipt shall be their Discharge." These were probably members before the Revolution. who had gone home to the Mother country.
" The Committee appointed to form a design of an Engraving for a Certificate to New Members, Report one, on which, Resolved, The said Committee be authorized and directed to compleat the same, making such alterations as they think proper, and they agree with some Engraver to engrave it, and to have it done as soon as Possible."
30
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At the Annual Meeting, in November. 17SS, assist- ance in a very wordy manner was rendered the Widow North. The Treasurer was " Empowered to Execute a legal Deed of the Societys Land in Framingham to Anne Johnson complying with the Terms of purchase agreed upon by the Committee." Twenty dollars was voted to Capt. Welsh "as Clerk to the Society." A Committee was appointed " to agree for a Dinner." and it was voted that " the above Committee invite three of the Clergy to dine with the Society on Wednesday next."
At this date. the Society appears to have had in land, sundry loans, and investments. £1377 25 3d, and the Treasurer, Nathaniel Patten. had cash on hand £96 75 5d. in all. £1473 95 Sd. At the December meeting a committee was appointed. " to settle the Debt due from Capt. Job Prince on the best terms and Conditions that Circumstances will admit of, either by Compounding the Debt or Otherwise, as they shall think most for the Interest of the Society."
At the meeting January 6th, 1789. at the Bunch of Grapes, it was voted. and a committee was appointed "to dispose of. and Execute' a Deed of the Societies Land in Little Cambridge."
February 3d. 1789. " The Impression of a Copper plate for a Certificate of Members was laid before the Society and it being represented that a Number of Mem- bers would go to Sea before the next Meeting," voted. " That the Committee appointed to agree for the Plate with Mr. Callender have a Number of Impressions directly struck off and delivered to the Master, who is requested to Sign the same. Countersigned by the Clerk and delivered to all such Members as desire them."
31
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At the meeting, March 3d, it was voted "That the Secretary be directed to discharge Mr. Callenders Bill for Engraving a Plate for the Society." This appears to show conclusively, that the copper plate engraved for the certificate was not done in England, as has been thought by some to be the case.
In May, 1789, it was voted, " That the Portrait paint- ing of Capt. John Blake, be delivered to the President who will take Charge of it for the Society." It would be curious to know what has become of this " Portrait painting," and the idea suggests itself, if none of the present members, especially the Ex-Presidents, may not be induced to give a "Portrait painting," or at least a large sized photograph of themselves to the Society, to help adorn and beautify the room ?
At this meeting it was voted, " That a Committee be appointed to Communicate to the different Marine Soci- eties in Salem and Newbury Port, the intention of this Society to Survey Georges Banks and Nantucket Shoals, and request their Assistance in Carrying the Design into execution." One cannot fail to notice what a favorite word " Execution " has become of late with our worthy ancestors.
At the next meeting, in June, the matter assumes a somewhat different phase, for we find it then voted, " That a Committee be now appointed to write to the Marine Societys at Salem and Newbury on the Propri- ety of representing to the General Court the Dangers Attending Trade and Navigation from the incorrect Drafts of St Georges Bank and Nantucket Shoals, and to request that Measures may be taken the ensuing year to effect a Survey, and in Case they shall approve of this
32
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Plan, that this Committee in conjunction with Such as the Other Societies may appoint, present a Memorial for the purpose."
At the meeting of August 3d, 1789, " a Motion was made to appoint a Committee to examine into the Merits of Mr. Burgis's intended publication of improve- ments upon the Seamans Daily Assistant and if found worthy the Attention of the Society to report accor- dingly, and the question being put it passed in the Negative, as Mr. Burgis has produced no Recommend- ation of his Character and Scientific Abilities which are Necessary before this Society can with Propriety attend to applications of the kind stated in Mr. Burgis's Letter."
.. A Printed Advertisement signed Bartholomew Bur- gis being read, in which Appears the following clause, viz, . That His Charts of the coast of America would be approved of and signed by a Member of the Marine Society before delivered,'" which being considered, thereupon voted, "That the said Mr. Burgis had no authority for inserting such a clause in his advertisement, he being altogether unknown to this Society, and that this Resolution be published." The Society evidently did not mean to be trifled with by Mr. Burgis, or any other man, in those days.
Sad to say, at the October meeting, this year, John Blake, who gave the .. Portrait painting" in May, peti- tions for relief, and " Twenty dollars" is voted for that purpose. Truly, judging from the records, there was full as much unthrift among the master mariners then, as now, and the rolling stones of that day gathered no more moss than at the present.
33
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At this meeting they appointed a Committee to consider a letter of Mr. Matthew Clark, "respecting a Sett of drafts of the Coast intended to be published by him, and that they examine said drafts and report what shall in their opinion be proper to be done by the Society."
The Annual Meeting, November, 1789, was held at the Bunch of Grapes : officers for the ensuing year were chosen. It was voted, and a Committee appointed, in "Case of Accident happening to the Treasurer " - " to take the effects & money into their own hands & account with the Society for the Same." It was also voted, " That Capts. Dunn, Hatch, Deblois, Jones and Howes be recommended to the Hon Jons. Lowell Esqr Judge of this district to be Surveyors, for the Port of Boston, and that a Copy of this Vote be presented him for his approbation."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.