USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Records of the town of Braintree, 1640-1793 > Part 49
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That for blocking up the Harbour of Boston.
That for altering the charter & Government of the Massachusetts Bay, and that which is entitled, For the better administration of Justice, and that for the extending the limits of Quebec : are re- pealed
The foregoing association being Determined upon by the Town of Braintree very unanimously at a full meeting of the inhabitants March 15th. 1775 was ordered to be recorded in the Towns Book, and that every householder within sª Town be supplyd. with a printed copy thereof by Elisha Niles.
Attest, Elisha Niles, Town Cler.
The Committee appointed to consider relating to minute men offerd. their report as follows
Comtee Report respecting Minute Men. The Committee ap- pointed to consider what encouragement it will be proper for the Town to give to Minute men to be raised in this Town ; Report as their opinion that it is proper for this Town to make Provision for three Companies of Minute Men each to consist of Forty one men including officers one Company to be raised in each Precinct, & that each man in these Company's be allowed by the Town, one Shilling & four pence a Day for one day in every week during the pleasure of the Town, Provided he shall attend the exercise under arms from two to six o'clock, and that the Clerk of the company & the captain shall certify that he was present at the calling of the Roll at two o'clock & at six o'clock in the afternoon of the exer- cising Days ; and upon this condition also that he shall be com- pleatly provided with arms & ammunition according to the recom- mendations of the Provincial congress.
Signed by order of the Committee John Adams Chairman.
[292] 1775 March 15th.
Anno Dom' 1775.
The Report of the Committee respecting Minute Men was voted accepted.
Minute Men Allowed. Voted, That the Selectmen in the Several Precincts in this Town, be desired & directed to supply the officers of the Minute Men in their respective Precincts with money to pay off sd Men day by day ; and in case there shall be no publick monies which may without prejudice be applied to sd purpose, that they Borrow money on the Towns Credit to effect it, also to dis- charge the Tax for 1774.
adjourned. Then the meeting was adjourned to the last monday in April next at one o'clock P.M. at this Place.
462
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1775.
April 24th. 1775.
The Town of Braintree being assembled by adjournment from the 15th. of March last
The Moderator being necessarily detained Mr Wm Penniman was chosen Modr.
Comtee report respecting the Treasury. The Comtee appointed 11th. of March 1774, to settle accots with the Town Treasurer offerd their their report to the Town which was voted accepted and stands recorded in the Treasurers Book Voll 11 folio 158.
Grammar School Dismissed. Voted, The Selectmen be directed to dismiss Mr Rice their Grammar School Master as soon as their present engagements are expired.
Voted, That the Collectors of the Province Taxes be directed to collect & pay their respective dues with all possible expidition to Henry Gardner Esqr.
A Comtee appointed by the North Precinct of sª Town to con- sider & determine upon some means preventive of Danger that otherwise might ensue to the common cause from those that have appeard in opposition, offerd to the Town a draught they had pre- pared to be offerd to such persons for signing, which was approved by the Town and ordered to be committed to Norton Quincy Esqr. for that design
adjourned Then the Meeting was adjourned to Monday the eighth day of May next at three o'clock P.M. at this Place.
1775 May 8th.
The Town of Braintree being assembled by adjournment from the 24 of april last, Voted, said meeting be adjourned to the 29th inst at three o'clock P.M. at this place.
1775 May 29th.
The Town of Braintree being assembled by adjournment from the 8th inst
Voted, To send one Delegate only to attend the Provincial con- gress, the ensuing year. Then Collo Joseph Palmer was chosen for that purpose.
Voted said Meeting be adjourned to monday the 12th. of June next at three oclock, P.M. at this place.
1775 June 12th.
The Town of Braintree being assembled by adjournment from the 29th. of May last
Voted, there be six Persons viz. Two in each Precinct, added to the present Comtee of correspondence in this Town. Then Messrs. Edmund Billings, James Clark, William Penniman Nath1. Wales, Jona Bass & Elihu Adams were chosen for sd purpose.
On a motion relating to the Highways &c.
Voted, The several surveyors of Highways be directed to take care of the same as usual till further orders from the Town.
Then the meeting was adjourned to Monday 26th inst at three o'clock P.M. at this place.
463
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
[294] 1775 June 26th.
The Town of Braintree being assembled by adjournment from the 12th inst.
Selectmen &c directed respecting the Estates of Martin Esqr. & others. Voted, The Select Men & Comtee of corree in this Town be desired & directed to examine into the interest of Wm. Martin Esqr. or others, lying in this Town, that fall particularly under their care agreable to the resolve of the Provincial congress of the 21st. instant & conform themselves to the order of sd congress rela- tive thereto.
adjourned. Then the meeting was adjourned to the Day the meeting should be appointed for the choice of a Representative, at this place & to immediately succeed sd meeting.
1775 July 10th.
Representative. The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualifyd. to vote in the choice of a Representa- tive being assembled Pursuant to the recommendation of the Continental congress &c.
Voted, To send one Representative only to the Gen11. Court at Watertown, Then Collo Joseph Palmer was chosen for that purpose.
The Town Meeting by adjournment from 10 inst was further adjourned to monday 31st. inst three o'clock P.M. at this place.
1775 Augst. 14th.
Warrants The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, Qualifyd. to vote in the choice of Representa- tive, also those Qualifyd. to vote in Town affairs being assem- bled at the Meeting House in the Middle Precinct of sd Town Pursuant to the warrants for sd Meeting which were as follows. To elect or depute one or more Persons to serve for & Represent them in a Great & Gen11. Court or assembly appointed to be held at Watertown on the nineteenth of July last & still continued, and for said person or persons so chosen forthwith to join said Gen11 assembly & attend the same during their session or sessions.
Also after a Modr. chosen.
To raise money to defrey the charge of the Town the currant year.
Representative Being assembled as aforesaid made choice of Eben'. Thayer Esqr. to Represent them in said Gen11. Court or as- sembly.
Modr. Then made choice of Sam11. Niles Esq'. Mod".
Money raised £150 -Voted, To raise one Hundred & Fifty Pounds to be assessed on the Polls & rateable Estates within said Town to defrey the charge of the Town the currant year, Exclusive of the charge of the Militia.
[295] Anno Domi 1776.
The Anniversary Town Meeting for the choice of Town Officers &c. March 4th. 1776.
Warrants. The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town
464
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
of Braintree Qualifyd. to vote in Town affairs being assembled at the Meeting House in the Middle Precinct of said Town Pursuant to warrants to transact the affairs of said Town the particulars whereof as inserted in said warrants are as follows, viz. after a Moderator chosen.
First, To choose all such Town Officers for the ensuing year as the Law directs. Also a County Treasurer & a County Register and a Committee of safety agreable to the resolves of the Gen1. Court.
Secondly, To see if the Town will Prefer a Petition to the Gen11. Court for an augmentation of Capt Turner's Company
Thirdly, To consider and Determine respecting the Towns vote in January 1775, with relation to paying the train band soldiers, for their exercises in February & March last.
Fourthly, To Determine respecting the repairing the Highways within said Town the ensuing year.
Fifthly, To determine whether Hoggs may run at Large within said Town the ensuing year.
Sixthly, To see if the Town will Petition the Gen" Court that Braintree may be the shire Town for reasons to be offerd.
Seventhly, To Hear the report of any comtees or choose any Comtees that may be necessary.
Modr. Assembled as aforesaid, Proceeded & chose Sam1. Niles, Esqr. Modr.
adjournment. The Town being Musterd. on an alarm & thereby the attendance at said Meeting inconsiderable it was judgª. impro- per to proceed on business and said meeting was adjourned to Monday the eleventh inst. at Nine o'clock A.M. at this place.
1776 March 11th.
The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town being assem- bled by adjournment from the 4th. inst.
Nominated and chose Elisha Niles Clerk, also Treasurer for the ensuing year.
The Warden act being read Proceeded to the choice of Wardens, Joseph Brackett, Elisha Niles, Sam11. Jones. Voted to have three only.
Constables chosen Capt. Peter B. Adams, Maj'. Benja. Hayden & Tho'. Penniman Esqr.
Constables allowance. Voted, To allow each Constable that serve the ensuing year Forty Shillings. Then the aforesaid Tho'. Penniman presenting Joshua Hayward jun' to the Town to serve in said office in his the said Pennimans place & stead.
Joª Hayward accepted. Voted, said Hayward be accepted to serve in the office of Constable, Provided said Penniman give Bond for the Town's security, as usual.
[296] Selectmen Voted to choose seven Selectmen for the ensuing year who may serve the Town as Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor & assessors, and that they serve gratis, except as assessors, and to be chosen two in each Precinct and one at large. Then the following Gentleman were chosen, Norton Quincy Esq'.
465
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
Capt Peter B. Adams, Deac. James Penniman, Maj' Edmund Soper, Collo Jonathan Bass, Thomas Penniman Esq". & Sam11. Niles Esq'.
Comtee to prefer a Petition to Gen11. Court relative to the shire town. Voted, To raise a Comtee to Prefer a Petition to the Gen11. Court, praying that Braintree may be made the shire Town of the county for reasons that may be adduced sª Comtee to consist of Nine.
Then the following Gentlemen were chosen for that purpose, viz.
Norton Quincy, Elisha Niles, Jonathan Bass, Edmund Soper, & Thomas Penniman Esqrs. Capt. Peter B. Adams, Capt. Edmund Billings, Mr. Sam1. Holbrook, & Doct. Ephraim Wales, & it is expected sª Comtee serve the Town gratis.
Comtee of Safety. Voted, To choose a Comtee of Safety, to take under their inspection & care the publick affairs relative to the unhappy struggle & war we are involved in; agreable to the re- solves of the Gen" Court sd Comtee to consist of nine and to serve the Town without any demands therefor.
Then Capt Edmund Billings, Mr. James Clark, Deac. Daniel Arnold, Collo. Eben'. Thayer, Capt. Nath11. Wales, Elisha Niles, Capt. Eliphalet Sawen, Mr. Nath11. Belcher jun' & Doc' Ephraim Wales, were chosen by Ballot, a Comtee for the purposes afore- said.
adjourned. Then the Meeting was adjourned to Monday the eighteenth inst. at one o'Clock P.M. at this place.
1776 March 18th.
The inhabitants being obliged to guard the shores to prevent the threatened damages from the ships which lay in the Harbour, with the troops aboard, the meeting was adjourned to 25th. inst. one o'Clock, P.M.
1776 March 25th.
The Freeholders & other inhabitants of this Town being assem- bled by adjournment from the 18th. inst proceeded to the choice of Town officers by Nomination, and the Persons hereafter named were chosen to the respective offices Prefixt to their several Names, viz.
Assizors of Bread. Seth Baxter, capt. Moses French, Lt. Nath11 Belcher jun'. James Brackett jun'. Capt. Thos. White, Thomas Penniman Esqr.
Tythingmen. Sam11. Bass, Sam11. Arnold Capt Joseph Hay- ward.
Surveyors of Lumber. Ebenezer Field Capt Tho". White Lt Nath11 Belcher jr.
Fence Viewers. Dea" Eben'. Adams, Micah Wild, Ephraim Thayer 2d. James Brackett j'. John Holbrook jr. Elisha Wales.
Fire Wardens. Moses Adams, James Thayer, Seth Man jun". Cullers of Staves. Capt. Thos. White, L' Nath11. Belcher j'.
Sealer of Shingles. Capt. Thomas White.
466
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
Sealers of Leather. Joseph Baxter, Abijah Allen.
[297] Voted, That the High ways in said Town be repaired in the same manner as last year viz. one days work to a single Poll & the Estates proportionably.
Surveyors of Highways Dea". Eben". Adams, James Clark Capt Peter B. Adams, Thompson Baxter, Josiah Veasey, Pearson Hayward, Jona. Thayer, Capt. Moses French, Sam11. Holbrook, Thomas Hollis, jun' Deac. Penniman, Jeremiah Thayer, David White Simeon Thayer, Sam11. Belcher, Peter Thayer j' & Moses Spear.
Hoggreaves. Newton Baxter, Eben'. Penniman 2ª. Oliver Thayer, Adam Thayer, Josiah French, Nehemiah Holbrook, Wil- liam Thayer, Richard Spear, Nehemiah Hayden jun". Joshua Clark.
Comtee for Fish. Voted, That Capt. Moses French, Nath1. Wales & Jona. Thayer be a Comtee to take care and prevent obstructions by dams or otherwise to the fish in their season of running to & from the Ponds and that said Comtee are directed not to allow any Person to disturb said Fish by fishing for them in the rivers except Mondays, Wednesdays & Frydays of each week
Comtee for Purchasing Field peices. Voted, Majr. Edmund Soper, Capt. Peter B. Adams & Tho8. Penniman Esqr. be a Comtee to join the comtee of the Towns belonging to this Brigade in purchas- ing three Field peices for the use of the Shores, Provided the whole join in sª purchase.
Comtee on Politicks. Voted, That Collo Joseph Palmer, Sam11. Niles Esqr. & Tho". Penniman, Esqr. be a Comtee to engage some suitable Gentleman to deliver at our meeting for the choice of a Representative in May next a Political discourse, relative to our natural rights civil & Religious.
Comtee on Mr. James Thayers motion. Voted, That Elisha Niles Capt. Nath1 Wales, & Majr. Hayden, be a Commtee to attend Mr. James Thayer and consider the utility & propriety of his proposal respecting the stopping the water in the great Pond in order to serve the Grist Mills in a time of drought, and report to the Town.
Article referd. Voted, The article in the warrant relating to paying the Militia for their exercises be referd. over to the next Town meeting.
1776 May 20th.
The Freeholders & other inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualifyd to vote in the choice of a Representative, also those Qualifyd. to vote in Town affairs being assembled at the Meeting House in the middle Prect. of sd Town for the choice of Repre- sentatives & also for the transacting other affairs of said Town the particulars whereof as inserted in the warrants are as follows, viz. To elect or depute one or more persons to serve for & repre- sent them in the Great & Gen". Court or assembly appointed to be convened held & kept for the Governments service at the Meet- ing House in Watertown, on Wednesday the Twenty ninth day of May next to attend the Governments service on sd day & so de
467
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
Die in Diem during their session or sessions. Also after a Mod- erator chosen &c To raise money towards defreying the charge of the Town the currant year.
Also to hear the report of any comtee or choose any comtee that may be necessary. Assembled as aforesaid.
Representatives. Voted, To send three Representatives to the Gen11. Court, (viz) one from each Precinct. Then Joseph Palmer, Eben". Thayer & Jona. Bass were chosen.
Then Thos. Penniman, Esqr. was chosen Modr. and the Meeting was adjourned to monday the tenth day of June next at two o'clock P.M. at this place.
[298] 1776 June 5th.
Warrants The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualifyd to vote in town affairs being assembled at the Meeting House in the middle Precenct in said Town, Pursuant to Legall Warrants, the particulars are as follows, (viz.) After a Moderator Chosen &c.
First, to bring in their votes for a Register of Deeds within said County of Suffolk, also to choose any Town Officers that may be necessary.
Secondly, To act on any thing proposed at the last meeting which now stands adjourned if the Town think proper.
as also, the affair of the Militia referd. to sd meeting from march last.
Moderator. Assembled as aforesaid, Mr. William Penniman moderator.
Votes for Register of Deeds. Then the votes were brought in for a Register of Deeds for the County which was sealed up & de- livered to a Constable.
Surveyor of Highways Capt" Eliphalet Sawing was chosen Surveyor of Highways.
Surveyor of Lumber. Gaius Thayer was chosen Surveyor of Lumber.
Comtee to wait upon the Revd Mr. Wiburt. Voted, That Dea". Daniel Arnold Samuel Niles Esqr. Thomas Penniman Esqr. be a committee to return the thanks of this Town to the Revd. Mr. Anthony Wiburt for the suitable discourse delivered by him at our meeting in may last.
Treasurer allowance £3 - Voted, To allow the Treasurer three pounds & annum for two years past
Accept Mr. Clark as Constable in stead of Maj. Hayden. Voted to accept Mr. Hobart Clark as Constable in the stead of Maj. Bena. Hayden provided he gives Bonds to indemnify the Town from any Damage they shall sustain by any default of sd Clarks in sd office.
Money raised £150- Voted, That One Hundred and & fifty pounds be assessed on the Polls & rateable Estates within said Town towards defreying the Town's Charges this Currant year.
Comtee to settle with the Treasurer. Voted, That Dea". Daniel Arnold, Capt. Wales, & Capt Penniman, be a Committee to settle with the Treasurer.
468
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
[299] 1776 July 15th.
Anno Domini 1776.
Warrants. The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualify'd to Vote in Town Affairs, being assembled at the Meeting House in the middle precinct in said Town, pursuant to legall Warrants, the Particulars are as follows, viz. after a moderator chosen &c.
First, to choose a Town Clerk.
Secondly, to choose a Town Treasurer.
Thirdly, to consider & determine what further Incouragement the Town will give to such persons as shall inlist in the present Expidition against our avowed Enemys in the Government of Canada.
Moderator. Assembled as aforesaid, Samuel Niles Esqr. Mod- erator.
a motion was made to choose the Town Clerk by ballot, past in the affirmative.
Treasurer to serve Gratis. Then a motion was made that if the office of Town Clerk & Treasurer shall fall into one mans hands he shall not make any Demands on the Town for his Service as Treasurer, past in the affirmative.
Town Clerk. Clerk took the oath required by law. Then the Votes were called for, for a Town Clerk, when collected and ex- amined it appeared that Ebenezer Thayer tertius was chosen, and then sworn into ye office.
Then the votes were called for, for Town Treasurer when Col- lected & examined it appeared that Ebenezer Thayer tertius was. chosen.
Treasurer The Treasurer being asked by the moderator whether he would serve the Town Gratis, he answer'd in the affirmative.
Polls Exempted from paying. Then a motion was made and seconded to exempt the Polls from paying any part of the money that shall be Voted to day as an Encouragement to those that shall inlist in the present expidition to Canada. The Question being putt it past in the affirmative.
Encouragement. Voted, to give to each non Commission Officer & Soldier that shall inlist in the present Expidition to Canada Six pounds six shillings eight pence in addition to the bounty allowed by the Court, to be paid to them upon their receiving Orders to march out of this Colony.
Selectmen to procure the money. Voted, That the Selectmen procure the money & pay the men upon their Receiving the Orders as aforesaid.
Commee to Transfer the Books &c Voted to choose a Com- mittee to Transfer the Book &c into the Clerks & Treasurer's hands, accordingly, Dec" James Penniman Cap. Nathaniel Wales, Colº Jonathan Bass, & Dea" Daniel Arnold was chosen.
August 19th.
Warrants. The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree Qualifyd to vote in Town affairs being assembled
469
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
at the Meeting House in the middle precenct in said Town, pursuant to legall Warrants, the particulars are as follows (viz)
After a moderator chosen &c.
First to Consider & Determine whether the Town will raise money in addition to the Court Bounty, sufficient to hire the men that are ordered by the General Court to be Raised in this Town to go on the present Expidition to Canada.
[300] Secondly, to choose any Committee or Committees that the Town shall think proper.
Moderator. Assembled as aforesaid, Samuel Niles Esqr. Mod- erator.
Money raised. Voted, that one Hundred & Twenty six pounds, thirteen shillings & four pence be assessed on the Polls & Rateable Estates within said Town for the purposes hereafter mentioned
Reimbursed to those persons that advance money to the troops. Voted, to Reimburse the money to those persons that Imbursted it to forrow'd the Troops on the present Expidition to Canada, for the North & middle precencts in sd Town.
South precenct allowance. Voted, that the South precenct be allow'd 6/19 out of the above sum which is equal to fourty pounds, for the use & expense of Hiring men to go on the aforesaid Expi- dition to Canada, out of the sd. South Precent in sd town.
Selectmen to settle with the persons. Voted, that the Selectmen be a Committee to Settle with those persons that have Imbursted the moneys to pay the Troops aforesaid.
Com. to Hire men Voted, to Raise a Committee to procure the first Levy of every Twenty fifth man in this town agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court, when call for upon the Reasonable Tearms they can & lay their accots. before the Town.
Committee Voted, That this Committee consist of three, viz. Capt. Edmond Billings, Decn'. James Penniman, & Deac". Peter Thayer.
Those in Con11. army, Polls exempted. Voted, to Exempt those persons from their Poll Tax that are in the Contenantel Army, that marched out of this Town before the first Day of June last.
September 23ª.
Warrants. The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, Qualify'd to vote in Town affairs being assembled at the meeting House in the Middle Precent in said Town Pursu- ant to Legall Warrants, the Particulars are as follows, (viz)
After a moderator chosen.
First, To Consider and determine what Incouragement each man shall have that shall engage in the General service against our unnatural enemies, in consequence of the Last Requesition from the Continentiel Congress, & agreed on by the Great & General Court of this State.
Moderator. Assembled as aforesaid Samuel Niles Esqr. mod- erator.
Encouragement to the Soldiers. Voted, That each soldier that
470
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1776.
shall engage to go to New York, in Complyance with the Requesi- tion of the Continentiel Congress, shall have six pounds a month including what is allow'd by the Congress during the time of his being in the service.
Advance pay Voted, to advance to each soldier that shall engage as above, Two pounds, to be paid him previous to his marching.
Selectmen to pay ye advance money. Voted, That the Select- men procure the money & pay -to each man the aforesaid sum of Two pounds.
[301] Declaration of Independence.
In Congress July 4th. 1776, A Declaration by the Representa- tives of the United States of America In General Congress Assembled.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the Earth, the Separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Cause which impel them to the separation.
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are Created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute New Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be Changed for light and Transient causes ; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right them- selves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colo- nies ; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of Government.
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