USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Report of the record commissioners of the city of Boston, containing the Boston records from 1700 to 1728 > Part 18
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m" Samuel Avis is Chosen to Serve as one of the Constables the Remaining part of this year.
Voted that this meeting be adjorned until fryday the Eleventh of Augst Curraut at five of the Clock after noou, then to Receive the Comittees proposals for Instructions. And to finish the afair of a Constable.
[402.] Anno 1721 August the Eleventh.
The Inhabitants According to Adjornment being assembled.
The Comitte presented as followeth vizt.
To John Johu Clark, Elisha Cook Esq' m' William Clark and William Hutchinson Esq™
Your known Loyalty to King George & Sincere attachment to the Succession in the Illustrious House of Hannover your Hearty Loue to your native Country, your Singuler value for the Liberties & Properties of this People, your Chearfull and unauimous Con- currence to promote our best Iutrest, and your approved Integ- rity in those Publick Statious wherin you haue bin Employed having fixed the Eyes of this Town on & Determined their choice off you as proper persons to Repcsent them in the next General
157
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721.
Assembly, wherin they Expect that you behaue your Selves with your wonted zeal and Courage in Prosecuting those good Designes which may tend to the Peace and welfair of these his Majesties good Subjects and Secure those Rights & Priviledges which by the Royal Charter we haue a Just Claim to, and as true men doe of Right appertain unto us, and agreeable there unto we Recomend unto you in an Espesial Manner.
That you Peruse the late Instructions given to our Representa- tives at the Last Choice, And Endeavor to promote what is there Recomended to them, that has not bin passed upon in the late Assembly.
That you vigorously endeavor that an act made to prevent the Importation of any goods from any place Infected with the Pestilence or Plague that may convey that deadly distemper and that whoever Imports or Receives any goods from any Ship or Vessell that may arive from an Infected and dangerous place be deemed a felon & Suffer accordingly.
That you be not deterred by any frowns or threats from main- taining what in you lyes our Charter priviledges as well as the Honour, Dignity & Priviledges of the Honourable House of Rep- resentatives and Preserving the Just & Laudable usages & Cus- toms of Reserving the allowances & Gratuities untill the Acts, Elections &c. be fully Compleated & Signed by his Excellency.
That you Readily Joyn with the House in taking the best Method to Curb the Insolencies of the Eastern Indians, and en- courage the Inhabitants to return by protecting our Infant Settle- ments from their Barberous Insults.
That you continue to pay a due Regard to his [403.] Excel- lency our Governour and thankfully acknowledge his good Ser- vices for this people that may come to your knowledge, and withal when you come to grant allowances that you doe not forgett the growing Difficulties that we at this day labor under, and that poverty is coming upon us as an armed man.
If any missunderstanding Should happen between the Honour- able the Councel & the House of Representatives we Recomend a fair and free debate & friendly Conferance (when you find it proper) as the best way for an accommodation according to the practice of our Nation, where It worthy of Observation and Imi- tation that the usual practice in the Debates between the Lords & Comons Is for the King to be absent or behind the Curtain that So non may be Influenced or awed to Interrupt that freedom of Speech whis is so highly approved by them.
Since it is Asserted in the Governors Speech to the last General Assembly that french Silks & Stuffs are Comonly brought into this Province, we desire that there may be a Discouery made of al Such Persons as Import them If any there be that they may be prosecuted according to Law, and this People in General Vindi- cated from Such an Aspersion as Seems to be cast upon them.
The foregoeing Proposals presented by the Comitte were Sundry times Read over and each of them voted to be Instructions to the Representatives of this Town (to whom they are directed) at the General Court or Assembly at their approching Sessian in August Currant.
158
CITY DOCUMENT No. 137.'
Being Put to Vote whether the Instructions foregoeing Should be printed at the Charg of the Town.
Passed in the Negative.
At a meeting of the free holders Inhabitants in the Town of Boston duly qualified & Regulerly Assembled in a Publiek Town Meeting at the Town House on fryday the Twenty Second of Sept Anno Dom 1721
Elisha Cook Esq' is Chosen to Serve as Moderator for this meeting.
[404.] Voted to take out the Towns Proportion of the fifty Thousand Pounds.
Voted that the Sum of five hundred pounds of the Nine Thou- sand One hundred Sixty-five pounds which is the Towns propor- tion of the fifty Thousand pounds be forth with put into the hand of the Town Treasurer for One year to answar the Draughts which Shal be made upon him by the Overseers of the Poor and then to be paid in to the Trustees.
Voted that the Towns Proportion of the abov said money Except the five hundred pounds before mentioned be by Trustees put forth upon Intrest.
Voted that Said Money be let out at five Per Cent. Pr. Annum.
Voted that the Said Money Shal be Let out upon Real Seeurity Only.
Voted that in the Letting out of the Said Money no one Person Shal hane more then One hundred pounds, nor less then the Sum of Twenty five pounds.
Voted that the Security which Shal be taken for the Said Sums Shal not be less then duble the value of the Sum taken up.
Voted that the Estates which Shal be morgaged for taking out the Said Sums Shal be Such as are within the Town of Boston, and no Regard Shal be had to the buildings upon them.
Voted that the Trustees to be Chosen to Manage the aforesaid money Shal haue for their Service one fifth part of the Neat produce of the Intrest of it.
Voted that in Chuseing the Said Trustees, the five persons that haue the most Votes Shal be the Persons Chosen.
m' John Ruck Thomas Palmer Esq"
m' William Clark William Payn Esq' &
m' Ezek" Lewis
Are Chosen by the majar Votes & all Sworn.
Voted that the Trustees pay in to the Town Treasurer four fifth parts of the Neat Profits of the Intrest of the Said money from time to time.
[405.] At a Meeting of the freeholders & Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly qualified & Regulerly assembled in a Publiek Town Meeting at the Town house on fryday the Twen- tieth Oeto' 1721.
m' Jonas Clark was Chosen & Sworn to Serve as a Constable in the Room & Steed of m' Joshua Loring Deeeaced.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721. 159
At a Meeting of the freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly quallified & Regulerly assembled in the Town house On Saterday the fourth of Novemb' 1721.
mª Ezekiel Lewis was Chosen to Serve as Moderator for the Present Meeting.
Voted that that whosoever Shal come into this Town of Boston from any other Town Presumpteously to bring the Smal Pox on him or her selfe, or be Inoculated, Shal be forthwith Sent to the Hospital or pest house, unles they See cause to depart to their own home or if any Person be found in Town under that opera- tion, which may be an Occasion of Continuing a malignant Infec- tion and Increacing it, among us, that they be Remoued Imediatly Least by alowing this practis the Town be made an Hospital for that which may prove worse then the Smal pox, which has already put So many into mourning, And that the Justices & Select men be desired to put the Method abouesaid in practis without Delay as the Law Directs.
Voted that the aboue vote be forth with printed at the Charg of the Town.
Voted that the Select men be Desired to Return the Thankes of this Town to those Several Towns that manifested their kindness and Christean Compasion to this Town in what they Sent for the Releif of the Distrest here.
[406.] 'At a Meeting of the freeholders, Inhabitants in the Town of Boston duly qualified & Regularly Assembled in a Pub- lick meeting at the Town House on fryday the 19th of January Anno Dom. 1721.
Addington Davenport Esq' is Chosen to Serve as Moderator for the present meeting.
Voted that the Trustees which were chosen for the Letting out the Towns Proportion of the fifty Thousand pounds Haue Liberty to let out greater Sums to One person then they had by the former Vote.
That they haue liberty to let out any Sum not Exceeding One hundred pounds to one person upon Personal Security.
That they haue Liberty to let out greater Sums to Persons Either upon Real or personal Security then they had before.
That they haue Liberty to Let out cither upon Real or per- sonal Security any Sum not Exceeding five hundred Pounds to One person.
That the Trustees Shal give their atendance the two next weeks, to take the names of Such persons that offer to take up the money and the Sums they desire.
That the Trustees at their next meeting may proceed to Lett out the money not Exceeding One hundred pounds to one person, But that no greater Sum be Lett out untill the Expiration of a fortnight from monday next.
That in Letting out the moncy Either the Principal or One of the Sureties Shal haue a Real Estate in this Town to that value.
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160
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137. '
[407.] At a Meeting of the frecholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly qualificd being Regulerly assembled in a publick Town Meeting at the Town-house March the 12th 1721. Voted, that Elisha Cook Esq' be Moderator for this meeting.
Voted that the Town will Chuse Asscsor distinct from Select mcn.
Voted the Town will Chusc Seven Sclect men. Elisha Cook Esq™ m' Thomas Cushing Capt Nathan" Green mª Ebenezer Clough mr William Clark m' John Marion & mª Isaiah Toy,
are Chosen to Serve as Select men for the year ensuing.
Samuel Checkley Esq' is Chosen to Serve as Town Clark (& Sworn).
Cap Joseph Wadsworth is Chosen to Serve as Town Treasurer. Votes for County Treasurer Sealed up and Comitted to Con- stable Jonas Clark were 170 Votes.
Voted that this Meeting be adjorned to Three of the Clock after noon, and then being assembled.
Voted that the Select men be Desired to goe to Rumny Marsh and Vew the place proposed to Set a Corn mill upon, and make Report thereof the next meeting.
Voted that the Present Select men together with mr Joseph Belcher an Inhabitant of Rumny Marsh be the Surveyers, of the High wayes for the Town of Boston the year ensuing.
Voted for Officers for Rumny Marsh vizt
mª Elisha Tuttle Chose Constable (& Sworn). Sam" Watts Tho. Pratt Sen"
Chosen fence Vewers.
John Whittemore Jun" Thomas Pratt Jun"
Chosen Hoggreeves.
Messues Giles Dulak Titmash Sworn James Watson Excused
francis Gatcom paid
Thoas Ammery paid James Pennyman Paid
John Stone Sworn
Will™ Knock appeald John Richards Sworn
are Chosen to Serve as Constables for the year ensuing.
James Watson appeared and declared he was quickly bound to Sea.
Voted that James Watson is Excused for this year as Constable. Voted that the Town will Chuse Seven Overseers of the Poor for the year ensuing. [408.] Daniel Oliver Esq™ Timothy Clark Esq"
161
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721.
m" John Ruck mª James Gouch mª Jonathan Woldo mª Timothy Prout mª John Legg
are Chosen to Serue as Overseers of the poor the year ensuing. Messues Daniel Pouning
John Sundarland David farnum Jonathan Louring John Edward John Dixwel John floyd of Rumny Marsh
are Chosen Assessors. Messues Jacob Mason Jona" farnum Silence Allin William Gipson Ezekiel Walker
are Chosen Sealers of Leather. Messues Roger Stainer Thomas Jackson Joseph Rix John Endicott Thomas Barnett Thomas foster
are Chosen fence Vewers. MessLes Thomas Gooding Job Coite John Hillier Sampson Dure John Tyler paid John Johnson, Carpend" Joseph Russell, Carpend" John White, mariner Charles Morris
are Chosen Clarks of the markett Daniel Chever Thomas Lesenbee John Clark, Chandler Alexander fullerton
Chosen Hoggreeves. Voted that this Meeting be adjorned to Tuesday the 13th at Eight of the Clock forenoon, & being Conveined Voted that the Consideration of Raising Money be Refered to the Next Meeting for Chose of Representatives. [409.] Messues Joshua Henshew Zecha Thare William Young Phillip Bongarden Benja Emmans Andrew Tyler
162
CITY DOCUMENT No. 137.
Benjam Brunsdon Elias Parkman
Are Chosen to Serve as Seavengers.
Roger Staincr Elezer Starr Willm Pain Joyner Thomas foster William Brown
Joseph Russell
Joseph Parmiter Moses Eyres
are chosen for Vewers of Shingles & mesurers of Boards & Tim- ber etc.
John Clough Wm Cowel
Robert Patishal
Corne8 Thare
John Pitts merct
David Edwards
Edward Pell
Tho Townsend Sen"
Sam" Adams
Wm Wheeler
Jonª Jackson
John Hunt
John Conibal
John Maverick
John Burt
John Goldthwait are Chosen to Serve as Tythingmen.
Voted that Capt Joseph Wadsworth Treasurer of the the Town be alowed and paid out of the Town Treasury the Sum of fifty pounds for his Service in that offiee in the year past. Messu's Thomas Downs payd
John Brown Excused
James Alford paid
John Bruster Excusd John Albertnet appeld
are Chosen Constables for the year ensuing.
Voted that Mess's John Colman, Cornelius Waldo, Edward Hutchinson Esq", Capt Henry Deering and William Welsted Esq" be a Comitte to Audit the Treasurers aceott for the year Insuing.
Voted that the Select men with Such others as they Shal desire to goe with them be the Inspectors of the free Schools.
Voted that the Select men be Impowred to Remoue the obstruc- tions of the way at the Lower End of milke Street.
Voted that the Graineryes be continued to be hired as formerly.
[410.] Voted that the three hundred pounds granted to be let upon Real Security, (out of the apropriated money to be Im- proved for Spining, may be Lett upon Personal Security Such as is to the Satisfaction of the Select men.
Voted that the Remaining Twelve hundred pounds appropriated
163
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721.
for Purchasing grain be all of it Improved for that use and at Such Seasons as the Select men se best.
In answer to the Petition of the Constables of the Towu Set- ting forth the Difficultys of their Gathering in the Rates by Reason of the Distressing Circonstances of Sundry Pesons as Set forth iu their Petition.
Voted that Three months be further alowed to the Said Con- stables for their Collecting Said Rates on the Inhabitants So Circonstanced, And that the Assessors be alowed to make abate- ments three months longer, then before As also the Three pence on the pound to the Constables for the Same time for Collecting Said Rates.
Mesu's Jonathan Bull payd
John Harwood Payd Jeram Clemans Excusd Bryan Parrott Pay'd Wm Greenleif Payd
were Chosen to Serue as Constables.
Voted that Capt Eleazer Darby, m' Benja Gallop, & m" John Marion be a Comitte to Consider that part of the Petition about Wood & Cole and Lay their proposals before the Town the next meeting.
Voted that that part of the Petitions about providing Sisterns to Keep water for time of fire. Dismist.
The Petition of m' Timothy Thornton for further abatments being Read And the question being put whether the Town would further Consider it.
Voted in the negative.
Upon Reading the Several Petitions about the South School and mr Anger.
Voted that the Select men with Such others as they Shal take with them doe visset the Said School and Enquire into that affair and make Report thereof at the next Geneal meeting.
In answer to the Petition of Thomas Giles for abatment of the Rent of Winny-Simmet ferry for Reasons there Set down.
Voted that the Said Thomas Giles be abated thic Sum of fifteen pounds of the Said Rent and that the Treasurer alow it him accordingly.
mes" Grafton fever" Sworn Elias Parkman Excud Gilbert Warner Sworn
were Chosen Constables.
[411.] Upon Reading of a Petition of Sundry Inhabitants for the Inlarging of a Part of Ann Street.
Voted that the Select men be Desired to make Enquiry into that - afeir whether it be an Incrochment and make Report therof at the next meeting.
Upon Reading of a Petition or Memorial of Sundry of the In- habitants about Repairing or Securing the South Battry.
Voted that John Clark, Esq' Timothy Clark Esq", Habj Svage Esq', Cap® John Charnock & m' Owen Harris be a Comitte to Enquir into that afare and also into the Circonstances of the
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164
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
North Battry and make Report therof the next General Meet- ing.
Mess™ª Sam" Torry Sworn James Howard Sworn John Barton appeald Thomas Priee Excus'd
were Chosen to Serve as Constables.
Voted that the Seleet men be Desired to Enquire into the Quitt Rents belonging to the Town & make Report to the next General Meeting.
mª Moses Pearee was Chosen Constaple and he Declared he would pay.
m" John Done was Chosen Constable & Sworn.
Voted that the Constables be alowed three penee upon the Pound for Collecting the Rates provided they pay the first halfe of the Sums Comitted to them to Colleet unto the Respective Treasurers by the first day of february next and also Compleat and pay in the wholl by the first day of June thenee next Ensuing.
Voted that there be new Books procured for Entring Jurors Names & who Serves at the Several Courts.
At a Meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly quallified being Regulerly Assembled in a Publiek Town meeting at the Town House in Boston upon Tues- day the 15th of May 1722.
Voted that Elisha Cook Esqr be Moderator for this present meeting.
Voted that the Town will proceed to Chuse 4 Representatives to Serve for and Represent them in a great and Genneral Court or Assembly appointed to be held and Keept upon Wednesday the 30th day of May Currant &.c.
Number of Voters Present being 205 John Clark Esqr votes 188 Elisha Cook Esq" 177 m' William Clark 158 m" Isaiah Tay 155
were Chosen to Serve as Representatives.
[412.] The Return of the Comitte about m' Ames Anger &
the South Sehool vizt
Persuant to the directions of the freeholders & Inhabitants of the Town at their Annual meeting in March last.
Co" Pen Townsend, Jeramiah Allen Esq', & m' John Edwards together with the Select men. Vissitted the wrighting School at the Southerly End of Boston on Thirsday the 24th ap" 1722. and Examined the Scholars under m" Ames Angers tuition as to their profieieney in Reading writing Seyphering & the masters ability of teaching & Instrueting youth & his Rules & methods therefore. And are of Opinion That it will be no Service to the Town to Continue, mr Anger in that Employ.
ELISHA COOK Pr order.
The question being put whether m' Ames Anger Should be eon- tinued School master in the Said South Sehool.
165
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1721.
Voted in the Negative.
Voted that the aforesaid Committe be desired and Impwred to provide for the Present an able & Sutable master for Said School.
Voted that a gard be forthwith Set at the House of mr Joseph Hubbard Blacksmith to prevent the Removal of m' Sam" Sewal and Sundry others at Said House without orders & Direction of of the Select men they having bin Inoculated for the Smal Pox.
Voted also that there be a gard Set at the House of Co" John Alford for the Same Reason m" Joana Alford being there and having Inoculated.
Voted that this meeting be adjorned untill Three of the Clock after noon. at which time they again Assembled.
In answar to the Petition of the Inhabitants of Rumny Marsh for Liberty for a corn mill.
The Select men by their Committe, having Vewed the place petioned for Erecting a Corn mill.
Are of Opinion that the Petitioners haue liberty to Erect a Corn mill there. Provided they or the Under takers of Said Mill Indem- rifie the Town of Boston, from any Damage don, by Setting up damms or any other works belonging to the mill, to any propriety, or lands either below at aboue the place asigned for the Mill.
Voted that the Report of the Committe be accepted and that the inhabitants haue Liberty accordingly.
Voted that a message be Sent to Coll John Alford (by Doctr Byleston & Constable Titmarsh) to acquaint him that the Select men Doe Assigne Spectakle Island to be [the] place his Sister be forthwith Remoued unto.
[413.] Sam" Mattock Jun™
Robert Williams.
were Chosen for Clark of the market in the Roome of Thomas Gooding & Charles Morris who payd their fines.
In answar to the Petition of Jonathan Williams and Joshua Wroe Execut's of the Last will & Testament of Willm Webster Late of Boston, deceaced. Praying that the Slip of Land petioned for by them may be Sold to them upon Reasonable termes as m' Webster in his life time obtained his Leased premises.
Voted that the Select men be Impowred to agree with Said Williams & Wroe and Execute Deeds for Said Land.
Voted that what money the Said Land sels for be Invested in a Real Estate for the Town.
In answar to the Petition of Sundry Inhabitants for the Inlarg- ing Some part of Ann Street as ther Setforth.
Voted that there be alowed and payd out of the Treasury the Sum of One Hundred pounds for the Said End when and So soone as the work is finished & Perfected.
Voted that there be a Committe Chosen to draw up Instructions for the Representatives and lay them before the Town for their approbation at the Adjornment.
Will™ Payne Esq™
mª Ezekiel Lewis m' John Marion
m' Thomas Cushing
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
m™ James Gooeh m" Eben" Clough & Capt Nathaniel Grcen
were chosen for the Said Committee.
Voted that this meeting be adjorned to fryday the 18th of May Currant at Threc afternoon.
At which time they again Assembled.
Voted that the Select men are Impowered to Sell the Quitt Rents belonging to the Town of Boston, Such of them as are for per- petuity, provided they can Sel them for not less then thirty years purehass to be paid unto the Treasury, The produce to be Invested in a Real Estate for the Towns use.
The Report of the Committe to Consider of the Cireomstanecs of the South & north Battryes being Read.
Voted that the Seonee be Shingled & otherwise Secured from the wethers beating in and from Theives breaking in to Steal and wast the Powder and other Stores of War Lodged there of Considerable value.
Voted that the Iron and other things belonging to the Carages of the Gunns &e be Seeured in the Sconce, [414.] to prevent their beiug Stolen or lost, and that the Great Gunns be Seeured upon Skids &c.
Voted that the Seleet men be Desired & Impowred to Remoue the Incumbranees & Anoyances which are upon the Towns Land before m' Gales Land and home to the Seonee.
Voted for the North Battery, That the fenee be Set upright and that the Gates thereof be Hang'd and that it be Clapboarded, where the Clapbords are torn off.
Voted a grant of One hundred pounds for paving in the Street in Such plaees as the Select men Shal appoint.
Voted that there be the Sum of Two thousand five Hundred pounds Raysed and paid into the Treasury for defraying the Necessary Charges of the Town for the year Ensuing.
The Committe for Instructions Presented as follows vizt
To John Clark & Elisha Cook Esqrs Messrs Willm Clark & Isaiah Tay Gent™
The Town of Boston, liauing made choice of you to Represent them in the next great & General Assembly.
Confidiug in your fidelity & Diligence to promote the best good and well fair of this People, Doe therfore Recommend to you the Perusal & prosccution of the Instructions that were given to their Representatives the Last year, Such of them as haue not bin passed upon by the Late General Assembly.
We also iu a Special manner Recommend to your Concideration what Refers to the preventing the Spreading of any Contagious Distemper And wheras the Iuoeulating or Transplanting of the Smal pox has of late biu practised among us to the Terror of mauy of the Inhabitants.
We desire you to use your best Endeavor that it may be under a propper Regulation, and not practissed in any Town or place without the approbation of the Seleet men of Such Town. And
167
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1722.
in as much as there has bin some late Dispute about the meaning of the Law that Refers to preventing the Spreading of the Smal pox &c. Whether the Selectmen haue full power to doe what is needfull to prevent the Spreading of any contagious distemper and Remoue persons that may be Infected. It is therefore proposed that the Select men of Every Town may be Clothed [415.] with full power to obtain the great End & Designe of that Law, which is for the Preservation, Health, and Safty, of the Inhabitants.
Boston May 17th 1722
By Order of the Committe
Wm. PAYNE.
The foregoeing proposals presented by the Committe were Sun- dry times Read and Voted to be Instructions to the Representa- tives of this Town (to whom they are Directed) at the Genneral Court or assembly at their approching Session in May Currant.
At a Meeting of the free holders & Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Duly quallified being Regurly Assembled in a Publick Town meeting at the Town House in Boston upon fryday Octobr the 19th 1722.
Voted Elisha Cook Esq' be moderator this meeting. Mess's Jonathan Brown & Erasmus Stephens.
Are Chosen to Serue as Constables for the Remaining part of this year in the Room of m' John Richards & John Done who are gone to Sea.
Upon a Representation to the Town made by the Select men that they had vissitted the Sconce According to the Towns Vote May the 15th And they find it So much out of Repair and the foundation and Stone work So bad, and that it would cost So much to Repair, That it would be best that a Committe be Chosen to Vew it and Compute the Charge before they further proceed.
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