USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Records of the town of Braintree, 1640-1793 > Part 30
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The Town being convened to considr the request of Capt John Wendall (of Boston) respecting the Colony Line, upon Meture consideration of that affair, The Town finding by publick Records that the said line has been fully settled, by the Great and General Court, Therefore, Voted, that it's unnecessary For them to Peti- tion Said Court further thereupon, vizt. the sd Vote so put, and it passed in the affirmative.
1747 March 7th.
The Anniversary Town Meeting for the Choice of Town Officers For the year 1748 &c
Moderator. Chose for Cler. Warrants. 1747 March 7th Note ye Moderator & Clerk entered before The Freeholdrs and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualified for voting in Town affairs, Being assembed Proceeded and chose Majr Wm. Hunt, Mod- erator, & then Proceeded and chose vizt. Nominated & voted Richard Faxon Cler. (Note Here comes in the Warrants thro' oversight omitted above) for the Transacting such affairs of sd Town The perticulars Whereof as they were Inserted in the war-
283
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1747.
rants were as follows. First, To chuse all such Town officers sd Town for the year ensuing as The Laws of this Province Direct &c. Secondly, To chuse a County Treasurer. Thirdly, To con- sider of the request of several of the late Constables of sd Town respecting some persons that have not paid their rates. Fourthly, To consid' if a premium shall be allowed for the keeping of Bulls & boars, and for killing of Birds and Squirrels Fifthly, To consid' of building a small Dwelling House for such poor person or per- sons [124] as ye sd Town shall appoint on some part of ye land Commonly known by ye name of ye Town Commons. Sixthly, To considr. of the reporte or reports of any Comttee or Comttees of said Town and to act thereon as shall be thought proper. Seventhly, To considr of Chusing of such Comttee or Comttees as shall be neces- sary In any of the affairs of said Town. Eighthly, To Consider whether there shall be an allowance to those persons The said Town in the office of Constables for the year ensuing.
Voted, that five Select men this year & no less Selectmen - And then voted that there be five men chose to serve in the office off Select Men for the year ensuing, & then on a motion made to sd meeting, Voted, that there be two Sellect Men chose to the North precinct, and two in the Middle precinct & one in the South precinct, and when the Votes were collected it appeared, That the persons chosen Select Men were as Follows. In the North precinct Select Men, Maj' Joseph Crossby L' John Adams. In ye Middle pret. Selectmen, M' Sam" Niles jun". & William Penniman. In the South Precinct Select men, Capt Thomas Wales
Chose for Constles accepted by vote of the Town. Benja Thayer Joseph Hayward & Benja. Owen. ye meeting adjournd. And then proceeded to that of Constables and when the Votes were Col- lected and sorted it appeared that the persons chose were Nathan Spear, Moses French, & John Niles, Cooper, For Moses French accepted by the Town Benja. Thayer, For Jnº Niles accepted by the sd Town Joseph Hayward. Brought back from ye adjournment on the 21st Instant March For Nathan Spear accepted by the Town viz' Benjamin Owen, and then the Moderator with consent of the Meeting adjourned The Meeting unto Monday the 21st. Day of this Instant March, at one of the Clock in the afternoon.
1747 March 21st.
The Town assembled on ye adjourn' The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree assembled (by ad- journment from the seventh of This Instant March) & being as- sembled as aforesd and the Moderat that was chose on ye sd sev- enth of this Instant being absent & by his Information (under his hand) being gone to Boston, The lines by him sent to sd meet- ing were as follows.
Braintree March 21st. 1747.
To the Clerk. Maj' Hunts. Letter &c
L. Richard Faxon Town Clerk. Sir, I desire you would In- form The Town at their meeting this day, that I am obliged To
284
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1747.
be at Boston to day at twelve oth Clock and cant be at meeting - I desire the Town to proceed and chuse a Moderat" and go on with the affairs of the Town.
So I remain the Towns Humble Servant,
A true record of the original Willm Hunt.
y Richard Faxon Town Clerk
Moderator. The Freeholders &c being as above sd The Town Clerk then put the Question whether the meeting would proceed To chuse a Moderat' the Question being put it past in the affirma- tive, and then nominated & chose Dea. John Holbrook Moderat". &c.
Town Treasurer. And then proceeded nominated & chose the persons named in the Three Colloms following, to the respective offices noted on the back of each Inclusive. Town Treasurer Richard Faxon, & then Nathan Spear, made a motion to the meeting to accept Benja. Owen to serve Constable in His room put to vote and it passed in the affirmative, see above.
Surveyers of Highways. Joseph Neal Thomas Faxon Sam Penniman Eleazer Thayer. Jonathan Baxter. David Holbrook Jun'. Jonathan Rawsson Zachah Marquand Nathaniel Thayer Daniel Thayer. Ens" Sam" Wild Benja. Spear. Thomas Allen. Elijah Jordon. Jonathan Hayden. John Hayden Corp1
Tything men Eben' Adams Isiaah Thayer Es. Napth Thayer
[125] 1747 March 21st.
Brought over of Town Officers as follows in two Colums as Here First
Fence Viewers. Christopher Webb Samuel Ruggles, Samuel White jur Joseph Ludden Secdus Seth Porter, & Samuel Clark.
Hogreives. Benjamin Orcate James Nash, Thomas Fenton junr. John Field, John George, Ephraim Hunt, Thomas French jun'. Samuel Chesman.
Surveyors of Timber &c. Thomas Vinton Joseph Neal John Clark.
Deer-reives. Joseph Porter & William Whitmarsh.
Sealers of Leather Micajah Allen & Jedadiah Bass.
Fire Wardens. Athurton Wales & Daniel Thayer jun™
Voted Collected for &c a County Treasurer And then proceed- ed and Collected votes for a County Treasurer
Benja. Owen accepted for Nathan Spear Benja Owen to be allowed Ned Willson Town & province rate, in his list Joseph Hayward To be allowed Gordans Town & province rate in his list And then Nathan Spear made a motion to the meeting that Benja. Owen might be accepted in his room as Constable put to vote & it past in the affirmative that sd Benja. Owen be accepted Consta- ble in the room of sd Nathan Spear. And then Voted that Benja. Owen be allowed one pound & Eight Shillings old tenor on the Town & province Rate in his List for Edward Willson, & then Voted that Joseph Hayward be allowed one Pound thirteen shil-
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BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
lings old tenor on Gordans Town & province Rate in his list if it be so much.
Benja. Porter, also To be allowed sd Gordens Town & province rate in his list John Clark to be allowed Christopher Dyer's Town & province rate in his list Benja. Thayer to be allowed in his list Voted, also That the Selectmen allow to Benja. Porter sd Gordans Town & province Rate in his List & Voted, that the Selectmen allow John Clark, Christopher Dyer, The Town & province rate in His list, & then Voted, that the Selectmen allow Benja. Thayer His Town & province rate in his list.
The premium for Birds & Squirrels as last year but until Oct. 15th And then Voted, that the premium for birds & Squrrels be as that was last year, vizt nine pence per head for grown black Birds, two pence per head for young black birds heads, & six pence Per head for Ground Squirrels all in old tenor, from this time, until October fifteenth
Negative vote on ye affair of building a House on ye Comon. The Question was then put Whether there shall be a small House Built, on some part of the said Towns Comon for such poor as must be provided for by the said Town, put to vote and past in the Negative.
Voted 7 lbs to each Constable &c And then Voted that the Constables that shall serve the sd Town, in the office of Constable the year coming be allowed seven Pounds each in old tenor at.
[126] 1748 May 16th.
A Representative chosen. Pursuant to the Precept Directed to the Select Men of Braintree, To assemble the Freeholdrs and other Inhabitants of the sd Town that are Qualified for voting for a Representative &c (and by sd warrts Directed Also) To assemble the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of sd Town Qualified for voting in Town affairs &c) The said Freeholders and other Inhabitants of said Town Qualified for voting for a Representative &c being assembled Major Joseph Crossby one of the Selectmen put the Question to the meeting Whether there should be but one Representative chose to represent In the Great and General Court &c put to vote, & it past in the affirmative, and then after the votes were Collected & sorted Major William Hunt was De- clared (by L' John Adams one of the Selectmen) to be chosen ye Representative for sª Town of Braintree &c.
And then on the day above said The freeholders and other Inhabitants of sª Town of Braintree Qualified For Voting in Town affairs, being assembled for the Transacting of such perticular affair's as were contained in the Warrants which were as follows.
After a Moderator chosen, First to considr of raising money to Defrey the Towns Charges this present year. Secondly, To Chuse Town Officers if any are wanted. Thirdly, To conside of Chusing a Committee to settle accompts with The Town Treas- urer. Fourthly, To consid' & Determine about New building or repairing Iron works Bridge. Fifthly, To know the mind of the Town with respect to the School or Schools. Sixthly, To consid"
286
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
whether it is necessary to take (some further action) care about Passage of the Fish up Manatiquod River. Seventhly, To con- sider whether the Town will doe anything further respecting the Old Stone Meeting House. Eighthly, To conside of the necessity of Building of a small House for the Town's Poor &c to Ord' the building one if it shall be agreed to or concluded Necessary. Ninethly, To consider (& ord'. ) where the Town Meetings shall be for the Future or the present year
Moderator chose And the proceeded and chose the Honble John Quincy Esqr. Moderator.
Raising money Suspended - And then the Question was put whethr the raising of money be suspended at present by this meet- ing & after some Debate put to vote & it past in the affirmative - signifying that it might be proper to refer it to an other meeting &c
Disents entered against ye proceed of ye meeting And then sundry persons whose names are as follows appearing Declared there Disent against the proceedings of this meeting, and Desired the same to be entered viz' M' Moses Belcher Wilson Marsh, Gregory Baxter, & John Marsh.
Voted to proceed on ye remaining perticulars in the Warrants And then the Moderator askd. the Question Whether the meeting will act on all the perticulars in the Warrants (for the calling of this meeting) except the first already suspended, put to Vote and it passed in the affirmative (as was after some Debate consented to. And then on a motion made by the meeting passed to the Seventh article.
Voted to act no farther on ye affair of the old Stone Meeting House And then the question was put whether they would act further on the affair of the Old Stone Meeting House, put to vote and it past in the Negative.
Surveyers of Highways &c And then went to that of chusing Surveyers of High Ways, (some failing) Reestablished Zach Mar- quand, and then Nominated & chose Ensign Jnº Bass, Ens" David Bass, & Eliphelet Sawing.
& then a Comttee chose to settle accompts w ye Town Treasurer Nominated & Seperately Voted the Honble Jnº Quincy Esqr. Jos Crossby Esqr. & Dea. John Holbrook a Comttee to settle accompts with the Town Treasurer
Chose ye Selectmen a Comttee to petition ye Court again &c And then Voted That the Selectmen be a Comttee again to prefer a Petition to the Court of Quarter Sessions that the Iron works Bridge (so called) may be made a County Bridge &c.
Voted that the Representative of this town prefer a petition In ye affair of ye Fish And then Voted that the Representative of this town, Put in a petition to the General Court that something may be obtained to prevent the unreasonable meathod, that some- time since have been used, whereby it is conceived That the smal Fish have been fritened & prevented in their passing up the Iron works alias Manatiquod River, that all such practices & De- vices may be prevented for the future &c
287
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
Voted yt ye Town Meetings be in ye Middle prec And then went to that of Determining where the Town Meetings shall be held for the future or this present year, and then after some Debate thereon Voted That the Town Meetings be held in the Middle precinct the present year.
[127] 1748, Aug. 22d.
The Fre-hold's & other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualified for Voting in Town affairs being assembled, Proceeded on the affairs Hereafter expressed, as they were expressed in the Warrants which were as Follows First, To considr of raising Money for the Defreying of the Charges of the said Town this present year. Secondly, To conside of calling in Such part (or the whole) of the sd Town's Money now at Interest to pay the Debts of the sd Town, now on demand, with the extraordinary Demands (on ye sd Town) as ye sd Town shall think reasonable. Thirdly, To Consider further what may be necessary to be done by the said Town Respecting the Iron work Bridge. Fourthly To Considr of an allowance to ye South precinct as of Late has been done, in ye affair of ye School. Fifthly, To bring in their Valuations as the Law Directs.
Moderator. The sd freeholdre &c being assembd. as above sd proceedd & Chose ye Honble Jnº Quincy Esq' Moderator
A Negative vote on ye adjourning ye meeting before further pro- ceedings. And then on a motion made by some of the meeting that the sd meeting might be adjourned and not to proceed further at this time in ye affair of this meeting, and after some Debate thereon, the Question was put whether this meeting shall be adjournª to some other time without any further proceeding on the affairs mentioned in ye warrants at present, put to vote & it past in ye Negative.
An affirmative Vote for calling in the Towns Money at interest & ye Town Treasurer to pay ye Ordre therewith as they shall be Drawn on him &c And then proceeded to that of calling in the sd Towns Bonds vizt Money on bonds now at Interest, and then after some Debate thereon, ye Modr put the question whether the said Towns Money now at Interest shall be all called into the Treasury of the sd Town by the present Treasurer (of sd Town) and Improved by the sd Treasurer in paying such ordre as shall be drawn on him (ye sd Treasurer,) by the Selectmen of said Town from time to time put to vote & it past in ye affirmative.
& then Voted, That four hundred pounds old tenor be assessed on the poles & other Ratable Estats of the Inhabitants of this Town, also for the Defreying the Charges of sd Town &c.
A Comttee chose who with the Selectmen To view & reporte on ye affaire of ye Bridge Then Voted That a Committee of five men be chosen to, and that they with the Selectmen go and view manatiquod vizt ye Bridge Called the Iron Worke Bridge and Report to ye Town at ye adjournment of this meeting, What may be best to be Done in ye affair of sd Bridge at Present, & then seperately Voted that the Honble Jnº. Quincy, M' Eph™. Thayer,
288
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
Maj' Will™ Hunt, Lt Richard Thayer, & Richard Faxon, Be a Comttee & with the Selectmen to view & report in ye affair of sd Bridge as afore sd
ye South pret allowed The meeting adjourned & then Voted, That the South Precinct be allowed a proportionable part, of the School Money, and then the Moderator with ye consent of ye meet- ing adjourned ye meeting to Monday the Twenty ninth of Augt. Currant at five of ye clock in ye afternoon at this place Those that were then present being Desired to inform others.
1748, Augt 29th.
The Comttee reporte. L' Richard Thayer untertaking to mend the Iron work Bridge for £30 -old tenor L' Richard Thayer, allowed £30 he finding Timber & doing ye work of the Bridge.
The Freeholdrs & other Qualified Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree &c Being assembled by adjournment from the twenty second of Augt. Currant (to here the reporte of the Comttee & Select mens report &c. the reporte being to this purpose that they were of the mind that it might be best for ye Town speed- ily to cause Something to be done to strengthen the sd Iron Work Bridge which they, they the sd Comttee were of the mind might be done by placing two good pieces of Timber under the spring peices - viz one at end within the wharf work, or butments next ye water course, the sd pieces of timber to be not less than ten inches square, with three posts to under prop each piece, sd posts to be not less than eight inches square, all to be well placed & fastened in sd pieces By good & Strong tenones, with four braces or gurts from the sª under Layers vizt. to be well framed in, fromn one of ye sd under layers into ye other, and then after some further Debate L' Richard Thayer then present in sd meeting presented to ondertake to find the timber & todoe the Worke & to Compleat the same in a months time from ye aforesd Twenty ninth day of Augt Currant, vizt To find & bring good Timber of the Dimensions aforesd vizt two pieces of ten inches squar for under layers, and six posts of eight inches Square with suitable Timber for the braces, or gurts, and to doe or procure the whole to be done, vizt well done by the time afore sd. vizt in a months time from the afore sd 29th day of Augt Currant, for & in consideration of Thirty pounds old tenor (to be paid him when the work is done, he finding meterials & doing or Causing ye sd work to be Done by the said [128] Time, The Moderat' put the Question wheth' L' Richard Thayer shall be allowed thirty pounds old tenor, Provided he shall find the Timber, vizt cause all such Timber to be brought to place & doe the work by the time vizt within one month from the 29th. day of Augt Currt aforesd. put to vote & it passed in the affirmative
1748 Febry. 21st.
The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualified By Law for voting in Town Affairs, being assembled for the Transacting such affairs of sª Town the perticulars whereof as they were Inserted in the Warrants were as follows, vizt. After a
289
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
Moderat' chosen. First, To Take some proper method to prevent the extraordinary Wast Committed on the Town's Common Sec- ondly, To conside of Chusing a Comttee to prosecute such as Have or Shall Trespass by cutting or Carrying off wood, or stones from said Town's Common's. Thirdly, To Consider & Determine whether said Comttee shall have Liberty To Draw money by orders out of the Town's Treasury to carry on such prosecutions, or to sell Stones off from said Common to Defrey said charge. Fourth- ly, To Consider & Determine Whether all the Legal Inhabitants in said Town that have arived to the age of Twenty one years shall share in the profits that shall arise on said Common.
Moderator. The freeholdrs & other Qualified Inhabitants assem- bled as above sd Proceeded and chose ye Honble John Quincy Esq' .. Moderator, &c.
A Negative vote on ye cutts & Carrying of wood or Stones And then proceeded, the Moderator (on a motion made by sd meeting, Put the Question whether any limits or Restrictions shall be Laid, to prevent the Cutting & carrying of wood, or the getting & car- rying off of Stones from the Town's Commons. put to vote and it passed in the Negative.
1748 March 6th.
The Anniversary Town Meeting for the choice of Town Officers, for the year 1749 &c.
1748 March 6th. The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualified for voting in Town Affairs being as- sembled for The Transacting such affairs of the sd Town, The per- ticulars whereof as they were Inserted in the warrants were as follows. First To chuse all such Town officers as the Law Directs to be chosen annually &c Secondly, To Here and Consider of the Report of the Selectmen concerning any Town Ways Laid out by the Select men, or the request of any other person concerning any way or ways. Thirdly, To Consid' of & Determine of some suitable place or places for the erecting of a pound or pounds for the Towns use. Fourthly To considr of what may be further necessary to be done & of some suitable method in Regulating the School or Schools In this Town &c. Fifthly, To consider of taking some effectual method to prevent any unnecessary charge being expended on the Town ways. Sixthly, To considr whether a pre- mium shall be allowed to any Number of Persons that shall keep Bulls or Boars. Seventhly, To conside of allowing a premium for the killing of birds & Squrrells. [129] Eighthly, To here & Determine concerning the Lists of Jurors Drawn by the Selectmen. Ninthly, To consider of any accompt that may be exhibited to ye Towns consideration. and then the freeholders &c proceeded to that of chusing a Modr.
Moderator And then on sundry motions made & the method of Chusing for sometime Debated the (Selectmen) called for their votes for a Moderator, the votes being collected & sorted, Majo" William Hunt was Declared Moderator being chose by a majority of votes.
290
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
Town Clerk. And then after some further Debate on the meth- od of chusing a cler, the Moderator Called for their votes for a Cler, which being Collected & sorted Richard Faxon was Declared to be chose Town Cler. &c.
And then proceeded to that of Selectmen the vots being Collect- ed and sorted it appeared that the several persons named in The first Collom at the Left hand were chosen.
Selectmen. vizt. Lt. John Adams, L' Benja. Beal, Mr Sam11. Niles jun" William Penniman, and Aaron Hayward
Treasurer. and then proceeded to that of Town Treasurer chose Richard Faxon.
Constables chose And then proceeded to chuse Constables & the votes being collected & sorted it appeared that, Sam11. Baxter James Penniman, & Aaron Hayward were chosen &c
after The Town accepted viz. by vote as follows, for James Pen- niman, viz in his room Benja. Thayer, and Benja. Owen in ye room of Sam11 Baxter
A premium to be allowed as usual &c And then proceeded to that of a premium to be allowed to those that shall serve the Town in the office of Constable, For the ensuing year. The Moderator then put the Question whether seven pounds old tenor, as usual shall be allowed To each person that shall serve the sd Town in the sd office The year ensuing put to vote & it passed in the affirmative.
Aaron allowed &c Aaron Hayward allowed to give answer at the adjournment.
The meeting adjourned to the 7th Currt And then the Moderator put the vote whether the meeting shall be adjourned to the seventh day of March Currant, at ten of the Clock in the forenoon, put to vote and it passed in ye affirmative.
1748 March 7th.
The Freehold's. being assembled by adjournment from the sixth currant &c proceeded to chuse the person to the respective offices as follows, by nomination & vote &c. vizt First Surveyers of Highways.
Surveyers of Highways Seth Bass, Moses Pain Charles Baxter William Adams, Benja. Savel, Edward Faxon, Thomas Vinton, L' Thomas Hollis Nehemiah Hayden, John Holbrook Jun'. James Faxon, Joseph Arnold L' Samul Vinton Amos Stetson, Joseph Hayward Ephraim Hunt Samuel Clark.
And then on an objection made against
and the objection made against chusing by hand Votes Since they had urged written votes &c the Quest" was put whether the rest of the Town Officers shall be chosen by written votes put to vote and it past in ye Negative.
Tythingmen Seth Copeland Eben". Copeland & Nath Belch"
Fence Viewers, Jos. Nightingal Sam" Hayward Cornt Caleb Ho- bart John Wild Cornt. Jnº Hayden Deering Spear.
Survey's of Timber Benja. Baxter, Thos. Vinton, Jnº Clark Seal's of Leathr Mica. Allen
291
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1748.
Deerreives Jnº White & Jonath Wild junt. Fire Wardens Benja. Silvest Dan1 Thayer.
[130] 1748, March 7th
And then proceeded to that of Chusing Hogreives & chose Hog- reives John Sanders, Moses Penniman, Jonath" Thayer, Benja. Thayer Secdus Willm Linfield Jr & Jnº Spear Terus.
The affair of a way Into ye Comon by ye wid. Capen's Dismist. And proceeded to that of Town ways and after a paper read about a way Into the Town Comon Leading Down by the Wid. Ruth Capens Debated on it & Dismist that affair.
That thro. Benja. Frenches Land accepted, see ye report entered after ye other affairs of ye Meeting Compare this with that page 112 And the Debated the affair of the Town way Thro. Benjamin Frenches Land, the said return read & accepted vizt put to vote and It past in the affirmative. see said report enterd after ye other affairs of sd meeting.
And then took into consideration that parragraft of the Town way thro. Benja. Haywards & the Crans Lands heretofore acted upon in part see Back page 112 read also accepted - see the towns act on page 112 back viz' Said parragraft put to Vote and it past in the affirmative.
This referred to May meeting & ye affair also of ye School re- ferred And then went to that of erecting a Town pound, Debated on it & refered it to May Meeting, Desiring the Selectmen to view the old pound & report at May Meeting.
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