USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Report of the record commissioners of the city of Boston, containing the Boston records from 1700 to 1728 > Part 17
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Voted a Grant of the Sd Prayer & that he the Sª Burges be in- vested wth the Fee of Sd Land he paying in to the Town Treasury Such a Sume as it Shall be valued at by Indifferent men chosen to
146
CITY DOCUMENT No. 137.
apprize the Same, the which purehace money is to be Invested, in Some Real Estate for the use of this Town. And that Collo Stephen Minot, m' Ezekiel Lewise, & Mr. Eben" Clough be a eomittee to Value ye Same.
In answere to the Petition William Webster Praying that yo Select men may be impowered to sell unto him the Fee of a peiee of Land formerly Leased by the Town to his predecessors and now in his Tenure, Abutting on ye Mill Pond at the Lower end of Sudbury Street in Boston.
Voted. A grant of the Sª Prayer & that he the Sª Webster be invested wth the Fee of Sª Land, He paying for the Same into ye Town Treasury, Such a Sume as the Same Shall be valued at by by Indifferent men chosen to apprize the Same The weh purehace money to be Invested in some Real Estate for the use of this Town. And that Collo Stephen Minot, m' Ezekiel Lewise, & m" Eben" Clough be a comittee to apprize the Same.
In ansere to the Petition of Sam" Barret, John Jackson & Thomas Jackson, Shewing that a Small peice of Land, of the Townes, Abutting on the said Barret's House and Land at the end of the High way there, Abutting on the Mil Creek nigh the Water Mill in Boston is become very dangerous for Passengers as well Strangers as Inhabitants, and that the wharfe against the Same is wholly decayed and Washed away. And that the Sª Petitioners do propose to make a good and Substantial Wharfe before & against the Same, and alwayes to Keep it in Repair, Provided the Town will allow them the use and benefit of it for ever.
[391.] Voted That from and after their haveing so made & Erected a wharfe there. The town doth grant unto them the Sª Samuel Barret, John Jackson, and Thomas Jackson the use and benefit of the afore said Peice of Land for and during So long time as they Shall Keep the Same in good repair to the Satisfae- tion of the Select men.
In answere to the Petition of Collo Joshua Lamb.
Granted to the Sd Collo Joshua Lamb Assignee to m' John Aleoek deceaced. all that the marsh formerly Leased to the Sª John Aleoek, upon his paying unto the Town Treasury for the purehace there of, the Sume of Seventy pounds. And the Sª money to be invested in Some Real Estate, for the use of the First Free Gramer School in Boston.
Voted. That it be left to the Sel: men to consider abt the Im- provem of that peice of the Townes marsh next to Roxbury, for- merly Lett to Dorman Morean and to make Report to the Town at their next meeting of what they Shall think proper relating thereto. and also abt Lessening the breadth of the H. way be yond the Salt Pond.
In the room and Stead of m" John Colman & m" Benja Bream who refuse to Serve.
Mesures John Dixwell & m" John Edwards are chosen to Serve as two of the Assessors of the Rates & Taxes for ye year ensuing.
M' Samuel Jones, Blacksmith, is chosen to Serve as one of ye clerks of the market for ye year ensuing, in ye Room of m" Bin- ning who fin'd.
147
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1720.
At a meeting of the Free holders & other Inhabitts of the Town of Boston, duly qualified, being Regularly Assembled in a Publick Town Meeting, at the Town House, on Fryday the 10th of June 1720.
Elisha Cook Esq' is chosen to Serve as Moderator for this Meeting.
Voted. That the Town will proceed to the choyce of four Representitves to Serve for and Represent them in a Great and Gen" Court or Assembly appointed to be held an Kept upon Wendnsday the Thirteenth of July next and So De Die in Diem &c. according to a Warrant or Precept dated the 31th day of may Last.
The Honble John Clark Esq" Elisha Cook Esq" Oliver Noyes Esq' & m' Will™ Clark
are chosen to Serve as Representitives.
At a Meeting of the Free-holders and other Inhabit's of the Town of Boston, duly qualified, being Regularly Assembled at Je Town House ye 28th of Sept 1720.
The Honble Samuel Sewall Esq' is chosen to Serve as Moderator for this Meeting.
Voted. That the Town will proceed to the choyce of a Comittee to Consider ab promoting of a Spinning School or Schools for the Instruction of the children of this Town, in Spinning. as is exprest in the warrt for the calling of this meeting to be 7 in number.
Abijah Savage Esq' Daniel Oliver Esq' William Payn Esq™
Mesues Francis Thrasher Abraham Blish John Colman Benjamen Fitch to be the Sª Comittee.
Voted. That the Sª comittee be desired to make report of what they Shall think proper relating thereto to ye Town ye mecting wch Shall be called for the choyce Jurors for next Jan'y Court.
[392.] Voted. That m' Nathan" Williams® Additionall Sallery be further continued for one year Longer, expireing the 23th of June next.
At a Meeting of the Free-holders and other Inhabit's of the Town of Boston, duly qualified being Regularly Assembled at ye Town House the 27th of Dec' 1720.
Voted. that the Town will choose a Moderator by a handy vote.
Voted. that Elisha Cook Esq' be ye Moderator for this present meeting.
The return of the comittee for Spining Schooles being read as followeth.
The Comittee for Setting up a Spinning School in the Town of Boston do propose to the Inhabitants.
148
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
1. That if they See cause to eneourrage so good a worke, It may be convenient to build a house proper for it, on the waste Land before Capt Southaeks, because part of it is already built, a Cellar almost made, and a Well in Belknaps yard belonging to the Town, all wch will Save a great part of the charge.
2. That if the Town do not See eause to build, they may Hire a house for that use, and employ Some Sutable person that is a Weaver, haveing a wife that ean Instruct Children in Spinning flax, to take care of the School. The Town Supplying them, with money for a time on good Security ; that they may be provided with flax for the use of Such Children as Shall be Sent to them by the Overseers of the Poor.
3. That Such Children as the Town Sends to Learn the Art of Spinning the Town pay for their Subsistance the first three moneths, and the Master have the benefit of their worke, but from that time they be allowed by the Master of the House what they Shall Earn for their Support.
4. That if any Poor People will of themselves Send their ehil- dren to Learn, the Master be obliged to teach them on the Same terms as if they were Sent by the Overseers of the Poor.
5. That the Town provide twenty Spinning Wheels for Sueh children as Shall be Sent on the Townes Aecot, wch may be alwayes Kept for that number, and if after they have been fully Instrueted, their Parents take them home, they Shall there Spin for the Master of the School at a Sett priee.
6. That a Premium be allowed by the Town of five pounds for the first peiee of Linnen Spun and Wove here (provided it be worth four Shilling p'yd) as adjudged by the Overseers.
7. That if the Town do not See eause either to build or Hire a house, they may yet give eneourragement to Such as Will Sett up Such a School by allowing them two or three hundred pounds on good Security without Intrest, that they may be enabled to pro- mote So good an Undertakeing, which wee eoneeive will be a very great advantage to us.
Subseribed by Daniel Oliver, Benja Fitch, Abram Blish, Franeis Thresher, John Colman, Wm Payn.
At the above Sd Meeting of the Inhabitts of Boston, This report of the eomittee being read, and after Some dehate.
Voted. That the matter be continued for consideration untill the Annuall Meeting in Mareh next, and that eopies be printed for the use and perusall of the Inhabitts of the Town.
[393.] Voted. That if the Honble the court of Gen" Ses- sions of the Peace See eause to to Ereet and Establish a House of Correction in the Town of Boston for the County. That the Se- leet men & the Over seers of the Poor for the time being or the Major part of them, together wth the Town Treasur, be Empow- ered to agree for a place to Ereet the Same, by the Almes House or Else where on ye Townes Land.
At a meeting of the freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly qualified, being Regulerly Assembled at the Town House in a Publiek Town Meeting the 13th of March 1720.
149
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1720.
Elisha Cooke Esq' is Chosen to Serue as Moderator for this Meeting.
Voted. that the Assessors for the year 1720, be further Im- powred for the Space of Three Moneths next Insueing to make Such further abatements of the Rates by them apportioned as they Shal think needfull.
Voted. That the Town will chuse Assessor distinct from the Select men.
Samuel Checkley Esq' is Chosen Town Clarke (and Sworn).
Voted. that the Town will Chuse Seven Select men. Elisha Cooke, Esq Oliver Noyce Esqrr
Mesues John Marion Isaiah Tay William Clork Thomas Cushing Ebenezer Clough
are Chosen to Serve as Select men for the year Ensueing.
Vote for a Regester of Deeds & 207 Votes were Sealed up Com- mitted to Constable Joshua Cheever.
Cap® Joseph Wadsworth is Chosen to Serue as Town Treasurer for the year Ensueing.
Voted for a County Treasurer, 189 votes were Sealed up & Comitted to Constable Joshua Cheever.
Officers chosen to Serve for the District of Rumny Marsh for the year Ensueing are as follows vizt.
Joseph Bill as Constable & Sworn.
John Brintain William Heasy
as fence Vewers.
Jacob Heasy Isaa Lewis
as Hoggreeves.
William Hutchinson Esq' is Chosen to Serue as Select man for the year Ensueing in the Room of m' Isaia Tay who refused.
Messues Benjamin Hutchinson - Refusª John Yemans appeald
William Jones Andrew Siggorney Jun'
Job Lewis Joshua Langdon Benning Wentworth Jonathan Sewall
are Chosen to Serve as Constables for the year Ensuing.
[394.] Voted. That the Constables be allowed Three pence on the pound for Collecting the Rates, Provided they pay in the first halfe of the Sumes Comitted to them unto the respectiue Treasurers by the first day of februy next and also compleat & pay in the whole by the first day of June from thence next following. And that only, Such of the Constables, who Shal pay according to the times of payment as aforesaid are to be Intitled to the. Said allowance of three pence on the Pound.
150
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
Mesues Daniel Pounding John Sundarland David farnum Jonathan Louring John Edwards John Dixwell William Heasy for
Rumny Marsh, are Chosen to Serue as Assessors of the Rates & Taxes for the year ensuing.
Voted. That the Select men be Surveyors of the Highwayes for the year Ensuing.
Daniel Oliver Esq" Timothy Clark Esq" Mesues John Ruck James Gouch John Legg Timo Prout Co" John Alford
1 are Chosen to Serue as Overseers of the Poor.
John Orne Wm Jepson James Pennyman Jacob Mason Elisha Storer
Chosen Sealers of Leather.
James Barnet John Endicott James Tileston Thomas foster
Roger Stainer John Jackson
are Chosen fenee Vewers.
Voted an Adjornment of this meeting to tomorrow the 14th Currt at Eight of the Clock in the Moring.
14. March
The Inhabitants according to Adjornment being now Assemd.
Mesues John Endieott, Wm Pain Thomas ffoster, Thomas Cham- berlin, Willm Brown, Samll Whitwel, Joseph Russell, John Par- miter are Chosen to Serue as Vewers of Shingle, & Measurers of Boards, Plank & Timber for the Year Ensuing.
[395.] Sam" Mattock Jun', John Hillier, Joseph Calf, John Dupee were Chosen to Serve as Hogg Reeves for the year ensue- ing. .
Mesues Nicholas Morecoek Wm Parkman Jun" Andrew Tyler Wm Shipreeve Jeramiª Belknap John Walley merce Zech1. Thare John Briggs
151
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1720.
are Chosen to Serve as Scavengers for the year Ensuing. Mesues Henry Emms Josiah franklin Nathaniel Ayres Willm Maycock Sam" Bill Jeremiª Bumstead
Joseph Bass John foreland
are Chosen to Serve as Tything men for the year ensuing. Mesues Elias Parkman
Thomas Brocks
Hopestill foster
Sam" Gibbons
Samuel Blunt Thomas Thatcher Brazier Jacob Royall Michael Shauler
are Chosen to Serve as Clarkes of Market for the year Ensuing.
Voted that the Select men and Such as they Shal desire to Assist them be Inspectors of the Gramer & Wrighting Schools for the rear ensuing.
In the room & Stead of messues Hutchinson, Yeammans, Joncs, Siggorney, Langdon, & Sewal who have Refused to Serve as Constables.
Mesue Christo Taylor Joshua Wrow John Mallet Phillip Demerick Jacob Calwell Adam Leyland
are Chosen to Serve as Constables for the Year ensuing.
Voted that the Select men Enquire into the State of the Ames House and make their Report to the Town the May meeting.
Voted That Thomas Palmer Esq', Wm Harris Esq Anthony Stooddard Esq', Cap' Nathanicl Green & m' John Colman, or any three of them are Impowered to Audit The Treasurers acco" for the year Ensuing.
In the Room & Stead of mesn" Christo Taylor, Joshua Wrow, John Mallet, Phillip Demarick, Jacob Calwell, & Adam Leyland who have Refused to Serve as Constables
mesure James Pocker Sworn
Jonathan Armitage Sworn
William Spikeman Refuscd North Ingham Sworn .
Isaac Lopez Refused William Enges Sworn
are Chosen to Serue as Constables for the Year ensuing.
[396.] Voted That the Treasurer Capt Joseph Wadsworth be allowed and payed out of the Treasury the Sum of Thirty pounds for his Service in that office the year Past
Whereas through the Extream Scarcity of Publick Bills of
152
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
Credit both Publick and private affairs of this Town arc & will be more and more Imbarrassed, and perplexed, & the Inhabitants hereof being Let into Lamentable Strcights & Difficultics to Raise & pay into the Treasury Such Sums of Money as will necessarily be Demanded to Discharge School masters Salaries, maintain the Poor, and Defray all other the Contingent Charges of the Town for the ensuing year, unless Some Suitable means be found out to facilitate the Same And in as much as there is to be a Sessian of the Great & General Court or Assembly this week.
Wherefore Voted That the raising of money for Towns use, for this present year be deferred till the next Towns meeting for the Choice of Representatives, in hopes that that Honorable Assem- bly will at their approaching Session in their great Wisdom and Zeal for the good and Tranquility of the People whom they Repre- sent, take Such Measures as will best Releiue them from their present growing Distress occasioncd as aforesaid, and that it may now be given as an Instruction to the Gentle men that Represent this Town, to haue an especial Regard to that matter ; and that they Joyne with the rest of that Honourable House in repeating their Endeavors with all diligence to accomplish the Same.
The above Written was Twice distinctly Read & Unanimously voted & ordered to be forthwith Printcd.
In the Room and Stead of Will™ Spikeman & Isaac Lopez who Refused to Serue as Constables
Mesurs Jonathan Simpson Sworn
francis Parnel Refused
are Chosen to Scrue as Constables for the year ensuing.
In the Room & Stead of mr francis Parnell who Refused to Serve as Constable.
m' Joshua Louring is Chosen to Serue as Constable for the Year ensueing was Sworn.
Voted. that if m" James Barnes make oath to his Accott that he has Received but fourteen pounds & one Shill. and that he made no more of the Dock & wharfage, that then he be discharged from what was due for Rent of the Town Dock and wharf, untill the first day of march Currant. He paying the Said Sum to the Treas- urer.
[397.] Voted that the Proposal for Leather Buckets be Refered unto the meeting in May. That Anthony Underwoods Petion for Releif be Refered to the Overseers of the Poor.
Voted that the Select men be Impowered to Let by Leace not Exceeding the term of Twenty one years a parcel of the Towns marsh with upland adjoying, upon the South ward of the Creek which runs up to the South east Corner of the Salt pond on the East Side of the Country Road on Boston neck as by a Coinittes Report march the 8th Currant.
Voted that Two good & Sufficient Watchmen bc added to the Watch in Boston and that there be Two of the Watchmen every night Imployed to watch the South ent of the Town and more Espesially at the fortification.
Voted that m" Benjamin Gibson be allowed & Paid out of The Treasury the Sum of fifty Pounds for his Services as Usher of the
153
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721.
Granier School (wherof m' Nath" Williams is master) Ending the Second of may next.
Voted. That the Select men with the Committee formerly ap- pointed by the Town haue power to Let out, without Interest a sum not exceeding Three hundred pounds not excecding Seven years (Out of the fifteen hundred pounds of the Towns money appropriated for the buying of Grain) to Such Person or Per- sons as Shal give good Real Security for it, and to Imploy it for Carrying on Spinning in this Town. And then to Return to the Town for the use aforesaid.
Voted That the Committe appointed to meet with a Comittee of the Sessions about Selling a peece of Land for a House of Correc- tion for the County, are further Impowered to Sell fifteen or Twenty foot more if it be needed the County paying for it.
Voted that the Select men are Empowred to Let a Peice of the Towns Land upon the South-East Side of fort Hill (which Capt Hatch Petitioned to Hire) to him or any other.
At a Meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly quallified being Regulerly Assembled in a Publick Town meeting at the Town House on fryday the Twelfth day of May 1721.
Elisha Cooke Esq' is Chosen to Serve as moderator for this meeting. €
Voted that the Town will proceed to Chuse 4 Representatives to Serue for and Represent them in a great and General Court or Assembly appointed to be held & keept upon wensday the 31th day of May Instant &c.
[39S.] Number of Voters Present being 247.
votes.
John Clark Esq™ 235 Elisha Cooke Esqr 233 mr Will™ Clark 233 Wm Hutchinson Esq" 223
were Chosen to Serve as Representatives for this Town in the Great & General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wensday the 31th of May Currant and during their Sessian & Sessians.
Capt Nathaniel Green is Chosen to Serve in the Room of Oliver Noyce Esq' Deced a late Select man.
Wm Parkman Jun', Chosen to Serve as Constable for the year ensuing in the room of Bining Wentworth who Refused to Serve.
Voted that the Select men be desired to take Care of the Storcs belonging to the Town of Boston in the South and North Batterys &c.
Voted an adjornment of this meeting untill Three of the Clock this afternoon & then Assembled.
Voted that the Motion about Lether Buckets be dismist.
Voted that a Comitte be chosen to draw up Instructions for the Representatives of this Town in the Sessians of the General Court in may Currant and present them to the Town at the Adjornment of this meeting.
.
154
·
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
m' Ezekiel Lewis Wm Pain Esq" m' John Marian m' Thomas Cushing M' Ebenezer Clough Capt Nath" Green Edward Hutchinson Esq" Are Chosen for the Comitte Aforesaid.
Voted a grant of Two Thousand & Seven hundred pounds be Raised on the Inhabitants & Residents of this Town for defray- ing the Necessary Charges of the Town for the Year Ensuing.
Voted that the Sum of One hundred pounds of the aforesaid money be Improved towards paving in the Town.
[399.] Voted that it be left with the Seleet men to Act on the Petition of Sundry Inhabitans about Paving in Prince Street, to Aet as they Shal find proper, Provided they doe not alow them more then One third part of the Pavement.
Voted that the Seleet men be Desired and Directed to wait upon His Exeelleney the Govornor and pray him to Call a Couneell in Order to Advise about the Sea-horse man of war, being Sent down to Speetaele Island and, Pursuant to a Law of this Provinee to prevent (God willing) the Spreading of the Smal Pox in this Town & Provinee, Two or three men being Siek of that Distemper on board the Said Ship now in the Harbor.
Voted that this meeting be adjorned untill Monday the 22 th day of may Currant.
May the 22th The Inhabitants According to the Adjornment being now Assembled.
The Comitte appointed to draw up Instructions for the Rep- resentatives of the Town of Boston 'met at the Town house. of Boston the 16th, 18th, & 19th Dayes of may 1721. And Propose 1. That they Indeavor to maintain all our Civel Rights and Prop- erties against any Ineroehments upon them.
2ly. That they Promote the Passing Such Aets & Laws as may Encourage the Trade, Husbandry and manufacture in the Province as by continuing out Such a number of Bills as may be necessary for the trade of it.
By eneoraging the raising of Good winter wheat & allowing a Premium to those that Shal bring it to markitt.
By Eneoraging the Raising of flax & a Premium for it.
By Promoting the manufacturing of the flax raised in the Provinee, and giving a Reward to those that Shal make the best peeees of Linnin in Each County.
31y. That they promote the Passing of an Aet to Prevent the Destruetion and wast of the woods and Timber Growing or Lying on the Lands beloning to the Province not appropriated.
4ly That they Promote a Law for the Reguler raising of Soul- diers when there is Occasion for them and for Preventing all false musters.
5ly That they Labor to haue the Right of this Provinee in and to the River, Comonly called Piseataqua River, asserted and Main-
1
M
155
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721.
tained. to hinder the unreasonable Impositions. Exacted by the Naval Officer of the Government of New Hampshirerom the In- habitants of this Province.
6Wy. That if the Payment of the Thousand pounds Starling ad- vanced by the Agent & m" Belcher be again moved for payment, they use their utmost Indeavor that the Same be not granted, be- cause Such a Presedent [400.] will be Attended with many in- conveniences.
71. That whereas in the late printed remarkes on the Bills against Riots &e The Town of Boston Seems to be asperced as if they were inclined to Riots & Tumults where as we presume. that the people of this Town & Province may Justly Claim the title of being as Loyal. Peacable and Desirous of good order as auy of his Majes- ties Subjeets whatsoever. It is therfore Recomended that they use their Intrest to prevent the Passing of any Such Bills if they Should be brought forward, and take care to vindicate this People from any unjust aspersions that are or may be cast upon them.
817. That in all Elections they chuse those that haue Shown a tender regard for our Charter Priviledges & Prefer the publick be- fore their Privat Intrest.
9'y. That they promote Some further Law Effectually to enable the Select men of Each Town, to prevent the Spreading of any Infectious Sickness among them.
10. That they Oppose the granting any more of the Publick lands either to any perticuler Persons for their own use or to a Nomber of Persons for A Township, till the Town of Boston and other Towns that haue not had their Proportion be Allowed an equivalent or till the Assembly come to a genral Division of the wast Lands of this Province.
Eze. Lewis Wm Payne Nath" Green John Marian Thomas Cushing
The ten foregoeing Proposalls were Several times Read over and each of them voted to be Instructions to the Representatives at the Genneral Court at their approching Sessions in may Currant.
Voted that the Petition of m' Timothy Thornton, about the Town wharf Hired by Him be Refered to the Select men and they are Impowered to Ishue that whol affare, and of the Rent of it with him.
m' Timothy Thornton then Ingaged to Stand to and abide by what they Should Determinc.
Voted that the Commitee which drawed up the Instructions hane Thanks.
[401.] At a Meeting of the freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly qualified & Regurly Assembled in a Publick Town Meeting at the Town-house on Wednesday the Second day of August 1721.
Elisha Cook Esq' is Chosen to Serve as Moderator for this Present meeting.
Voted that the Town will proceed to the choyce of four persons to Represent them at the Great and Gen" Assembly.
156
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
Number of Voters Present being 322
Votes.
John Clark Esq™ 261
Elisha Cook Esq' 262
mr William Clark 259
William Hutchinson Esq" 265
were Chosen to Serve as Representatives for this Town in the Great and Gen" Court or assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the Twenty third day of August Currant & during their Sessian & Scssians.
Voted that there Should be Instructions given to the Represent- atives.
Voted that the Same Persons that that were the Comitte Chosen for that Service may the 12th last past be the Comitte vizt.
m" Ezek" Lewis m' John Marion
m" Ebenezer Clough Wm Pain Esq'
m" Thomas Cushing
Capt Nath" Green & Edward Hutchinson Esqr.
Voted that Capt Nathaniel Jarvies Late Constable Shal haue the alowance of Three pence on the pound for his Collecting the Rates the year past.
In the Room of Capt Phillip Demerick who is gon to Sea John White Marrener is Chosen as one of the Constables for the year ensueing.
m" John White Came and made his Excuse to the Town that he had Received Several wounds by Gun Shot in Sundry parts of his Body.
Voted that the Said John White is Excused Serving Constable for this year.
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