USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Town records of Brookline, Massachusetts, 1838-1857, v. 1 > Part 16
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1st. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
2d. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
3d. To receive the reports of any Committees, or Town Officers, that are prepared to report, and act thereon.
4th. To bring in their Votes for County Treasurer.
5th. To grant and appropriate such sums of money as may be neces- sary to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
6th. To bring in their Votes for Register of Deeds for the County of Norfolk.
7th. To see if the town will make an appropriation for a Sign & a Bell for the Engine House.
8th. To see if the town will cause a well to be dug & a pump supplied, for each school house in town where necessary.
9th. To act upon the request of the government of the " Brookline Total Abstinence Society" respecting the sale of Ardent Spirits in this town.
10th. To act upon the request of Mr. Hoyt and others, respecting Ringing the Bell, morning, noon, and evening-during the ensuing year, and to make an appropriation for the same, if the town deem it advisable.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon at the time and place as above named.
Given under our hands & seals this Twenty-Third day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
DANIEL SANDERSON, Selectmen MARSHAL STEARNS, JAMES BARTLETT, of Brookline.
NORFOLK, SS.
BROOKLINE, Feb. 26th, 1846.
By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the within named per- sons to appear at the time and place within mentioned, by leaving a notice at the houses of the same.
A true copy.
ELISHA STONE, Constable of Brookline.
Attest : ARTEMAS NEWELL, Town Clerk.
180
Brookline Town Records.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 2, 1846.
In conformity with the foregoing warrant the annual meeting was held at the Town Hall on the first Monday in March.
The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, Mr. Otis Withington, and the meeting was organized by the choice of ---
Mr. Daniel Sanderson, Moderator.
Prayers were offered by the Rev. John Pierce, D. D., after which the Town proceeded to organize by the choice of officers to serve for the ensuing year.
Artemas Newell was elected Town Clerk, and was imme- diately qualified by taking the oath required by law, which was administered by the Moderator.
The report of the Treasurer and Auditing Committee of Town Accounts was read by the Chairman on accounts, Dr. Charles Wild, and will be found recorded on the 187 page.
Said report was accepted and ordered on file.
The report of the School Committee was made by the Rev. William H. Shailer, and was unanimously accepted and will be found recorded on page 199. [See page 191.]
It was then voted to proceed to the choice of three Select- men to serve the town the ensuing year.
Proceeded to ballot for Selectmen, which resulted in the choice of-
Marshal Stearns, James Bartlett and Hugh M. Sanborn for Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor.
Voted, To choose Three Assessors.
Re-elected Charles Stearns, Junr., Isaac Cook and Jesse Bird, for Assessors for the ensuing year.
Voted, To choose a Treasurer and Collector.
Re-elected Artemas Newell, and
Voted, That the office of Treasurer & Collector be united in one person.
Voted, That the School Committee consist of five for the ensuing year.
181
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1846.
Proceeded to ballot for School Committee, which resulted in the choice of-
Rev. Doct. John Pierce, D. D.,
Rev. William H. Shailer, Samuel Philbrick, Esq.,
Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Jun., and
William I. Bowditch, Esq.
Prudential School Committee. By nomination-Chosen for-
North School District, Charles Stearns, Jun.
South Middle District, George W. Stearns.
South West District, Simon W. Clifford.
Proceeded to the choice of 10 Surveyors of highways-as follows :
1. Charles Stearns, Junr., Harvard St. Dis.
2. James Bartlett, Washington St. District.
3. Jesse Bird, Walnut Street District.
4. John W. Warren, Warren 66
5. Royal McIntosh, Heath 66
6. *William J. Hyde, Clyde 66 66
(Geo. W. Goldsmith chosen. See Page 193.)
7. Thomas N. Woodward. Newton Street
8. Simon Warren, Boylston Western District.
9. William White, Brigliton District.
10. Huglı M. Sanborn, Boylston Eastern
Voted, To choose two Fire Wards.
George Stoddard and Seth T. Thayer were re-elected Fire Wards.
Voted, To choose two Fence Viewers.
Caleb Clark and *John Gibbs were accordingly chosen.
For Pound Keeper *Simon Warren was chosen.
Constables : Elisha Stone & A. H. Clapp.
Voted to choose 10 Field Drivers, as follows :
Oliver White, Abraham H. Lambert, *Samuel Clark,
William J. Griggs, John Gibbs,
Samuel A. Walker, George Griggs,
*Samuel Philbrick, Charles Smith, and George Stoddard.
The following gentlemen were re-elected as committee on Town Accounts : Dr. Charles Wild, Dea. Elijah Corey, and Mr. A. W. Goddard.
* See page 193-4.
182
Brookline Town Records.
Cemetery Committee re-elected, viz. : Jesse Bird, Augustus Aspinwall & Caleb Clark.
Surveyors of Wood & lumber : Jeremiah Lyon and Elisha Stone.
For County Treasurer : There were One Hundred and Two Votes Cast, viz .- John Bullard, Esq., of Dedham, received One Hundred & One, and Artemas Newell of Brook- line, One.
For Register of Deeds : There were Ninety-Eight Votes cast. Enos Foord, Esq., of Dedham, received the whole number.
On motion of Dea. Thomas Griggs a unanimous Vote of Thanks was passed to Mr. Daniel Sanderson, for his faith- ful services for several years past as one of the Selectmen of this town.
The following preamble and vote, was offered by Dea. Thomas Griggs, and was unanimously adopted by the town :
WHEREAS, At a meeting of this Town in November last, at the close of which, when many, if not most of our citizens had retired, the report of the building Committee, of this our beautiful Town Hall, was pre- sented, on examining the same it appears, that your committee has made no charges for the arduous services rendered by them, in procuring, and preparing the site, maturing the plan, having a constant oversight of the house, during its progress, furnishing the same at its completion, and at last, Grading, Fencing and ornamenting, the beautiful plot in front. In view of so valuable services rendered by the Committee gratuitously, many of our citizens have felt desirous of having an oppor- tunity, publicly, to express their gratitude.
It is therefore moved that an unanimous Vote of Thanks be presented by this town to the said Committee, Samuel Philbrick as Chairman, Bela Stoddard and Charles Stearns, Junr., as Colleagues, for the untiring and faithful manner in which they have performed those duties which have devolved upon them in the erection of this house and with which they have so cheerfully and generously presented this town.
The following report, made by the Chairman Dea. Thomas Griggs, was accepted, To wit :
The committee appointed at the March Meeting 1845, upon the subject of the Wood Lot which was conveyed to the Town in the year 1759, " for the use of the Minister or Ministers" of said town in order that the rights of the several Parishes in the Town to the benefit of said lot and its pro- ceeds may be permanently established, would report :
1
183
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1846.
That on examining the Town records it appears that in the year 1834, a committee of the town consisting of four persons, two from each Parish, were appointed to define the interests of the town and the First Parish ; said committee after having fully investigated all those interests with which the Town and First Parish were concerned and among others the Wood lot refered to above, which it appears by the original deeds was bought by the Town of Samuel White for the sum of forty Pounds in the year 1759, as expressed in the deed for the use of Brookline for a Wood lot to supply the Minister or Ministers that may be settled in said Town from time to time.
It also appears that the above named Committee in view of all the facts and considerations presented before them did recommend to the Town to pass the following Vote, as embracing all the measures which appear necessary or expedient to be taken in the premises.
Voted, That the town Treasurer be and he is hereby authorized and directed to pay the interest of Daniel Colby's note as the same hereafter inay become due and be received the one-half thereof to the treasurer of the First Parish, and the other moiety to the Treasurer of the Baptist Society, for the use of the respective Ministers thereof until the further order of the Town, as Trustees, but further arrangements to be made as soon as may be to insure to the Ministers of said Societies respectively the income of the Wood Lot, and the Selectmen are requested to take measures accordingly.
The above report was accepted and the vote passed.
It further appears that in November, 1836, the Town did appoint the Selectmen a Committee to make sale of the Wood standing on said lot which. was accordingly done. It also appears on the records of the Town that at the March Meeting in 1838-It was voted that the proceeds of the Wood lot be equally divided between the two Parishes which was also done. It is the opinion of your present Committee that the result to which your former committee came, and which the town have so repeatedly confirmed was just and equitable, and would therefore recom- mend that the Selectmen be authorized to make sale of the said wood land and divide the proceeds, one-third to each of the religious Societies now existing in Brookline to be paid over to their respective Treasurers.
Signed : THOMAS GRIGGS. SAMUEL CRAFT. A. W. GODDARD.
A True Copy of the Report.
Attest : ARTEMAS NEWELL, Town Clerk.
Voted, That the Selectmen be and are hereby authorized and empowered, to sell and convey by quit claim deed at private sale, or at public auction, as they may judge best, the wood lot lying in Needham purchased by this town in the year 1759, of Samuel White "for the use of Brookline for a wood lot to supply the minister or ministers that may be
184
Brookline Town Records.
settled in said town from time to time" and pay over the proceeds thereof, one-third part to the Treasurer of each of the religious Societies now existing in Brookline.
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
The cemetery committee of the Town of Brookline respectfully ask leave to report.
That they have effected sales of three lots for interments during the year. The three different Parishes have selected lots granted them by a former vote of the town, and the deeds are ready for delivery when the conditions of said grant shall have been complied with. The proceeds of said lots, together with balance in the Treasury, have enabled your committee to replace decayed trees with new ones, and to distribute others in such spots as required them, also to grade Cedar Avenue, placing granite steps at its commencement and to that of Larch Avenue. They have recorded all deeds heretofore given with the exception of two given for small lots in the old ground. Your committee would respectfully recommend the passage of a vote by the Town, to the effect that no lots shall be disposed of to non-residents, as applications have been made by strangers for the purchase of lots, which requests, in the opinion of your committee could not consistently be complied with, as there are but 23 lots now remaining unsold. By the returns of the Sexton, it appears, there have been twenty-seven deaths within the town during the year, of which number sixteen have been interred in our cemetery and three additional brought from other places. The Treasurer's account is as follows :
BROOKLINE CEMETERY IN ACCOUNT WITH JESSE BIRD, TREAS.
Dr. 1845.
Mar. 29. To cash rec'd from former Treasurer
$96 08
Aug. 9.
Cash rec. of D. Whitney 66 J. Dustin
5
Dec. 12.
66 J. Davenport
12 50
66 66 66 B. Stoddard
12 50
Lambert & Hersey
25
Cr.
April 13. Cash paid J. A. Kenrick
66
J. Wild
80
June
66
J. Gallagher .
16 38
Blank deeds
38
D. Whitney
6 75
F. Clement
10 75
15 Sep.
66
W. Carr
2 00
J. Gallagher .
6,75
April.
66
66 E. Page
2
Fch.
A. Newell for recording & acknowledg- ing deeds
10
Cash to balance
81 22
All which is submitted
$156 08 by order of the Committee,
JESSE BIRD.
5
$156 08
16 05
. .
66 C. Smith
3
185
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1846.
Voted, That the recommendations contained in the report of the Cemetery Committee respecting restrictions in the sale of burial lots be adopted, and that hereafter, no lot in the Cemetery shall be sold by the Committee to a non- resident.
Mr. Charles Stearns, Jun., Chairman of the Trustees of the Brookline School Fund, made the following report :
TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL FUND REPORT.
The Trustees of the Brookline School Fund having performed all the duty required of them, would now submit their final report. The balance of the Fund at the last report of the Trustees, uncollected, was $1865 37
which has been increased by the interest the past year, amounting to
97 26
to the sum of
$1962 63
All of which, agreeable to the vote of the town at the annual meeting, 1844, has been collected, and of the amount there has been paid into the Treasury of the Town the sum of
1962 13
And for discharging mortgages
50
Making as above .
$1962 63
The Trustees have carefully investigated the books and accounts of the Treasurer, Deacon Thomas Griggs, and find them in excellent order and accurately kept, and the interest of the several securities in all cases correctly cast, and they deem it a duty, and one in which they take great pleasure, in attesting to the fidelity and ability with which he has so long and faithfully performed gratuitously the duties of Treasurer of the Brookline School Fund. The Trustees, agreeably to their instructions, having collected the funds, by transfer of the securities or otherwise, and the same having been invested for the promotion of education, in the erection of a Town Hall, in which some excellent school rooms have been provided, believing that the objects for which a part of the fund was originally given are as fully attained as they would have been under any other circustances, would now most respectfully ask to be dis- charged. All of which is most respectfully submitted.
MARCH 2, 1846. CHARLES STEARNS. JUN .. Trustees of The Brookline School Fund.
DANIEL SANDERSON, JAMES ROBINSON, ABIJAH W. GODDARD,
It was then-
Voted, To accept the report of the Trustees of the School Fund, and that they be from this time discharged from any further duty.
On motion of Samuel Philbrick, Esq., it was-
186
Brookline Town Records.
Voted, That the sum of Seven Thousand one hundred dollars be raised in this town the present year by Taxes to be law- fully assessed for defraying the expenses of the Town, and that the same be applied to the several purposes named in the estimate annexed to the Treasurer's report, with an addition of Three hundred dollars to be made for support of schools, agreeably to the report of the School Committee.
Voted, That a committee of three persons be chosen to finish a School room off in the Town House by and with the advice and concurance of the School Committee, and to have the same ready for occupancy at the commencement of the next term of the Schools.
The following gentlemen were chosen to attend to the duty, viz. : Samuel Philbrick, David Coolidge, and Thomas Griggs.
Voted, That the same committee be authorized to make such alteration in the Town Hall as they may deem expedi- ent that will effectually ventilate the same.
Voted, That the School Committee be authorized to carry into effect the several recommendations contained in their report the present year.
Voted, That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow such sum as may be needed to meet the expenses of the Town the present year, not exceeding One Thousand dollars, to be paid from the taxes as soon as collected.
On motion of Mr. David R. Griggs, the following pream- ble and vote of instructions were passed, to wit :
" In view of the increasing and alarming extent to which the sale of intoxicating drinks is openly and fearlessly prose- cuted in the neighborhood-
" We hereby authorize and instruct our Selectmen to pros- ecute every person that shall continue to sell Spirituous liquors in this Town without license."
The 7 Article in the warrant was taken into consideration, and the subject (that of procuring a Bell & Sign for the Engine House) was debated at some length by several gen- tlemen, both for and against it, and was finally decided by the following vote-
Voted, That the sum of One Hundred & Fifty-Five dollars be appropriated from the sum already granted for Engine
187
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1846.
Expenses, in the estimates annexed to the Treasurer's report, for the purpose of providing and placing on the Engine house a Bell and a Sign.
The subject of the 8 Article in the warrant respecting providing wells & pumps for the several School houses in town where necessary, It was-
Voted, To submit to a committee of three, who are to make the necessary examinations and enquiry, and report at the adjourned meeting.
Daniel Sanderson, Samuel Philbrick and Marshal Stearns were chosen to attend to the duty.
Upon the subject of the 10 Article in the warrant respect- ing Ringing the Bell three times a day, there was consider- able discussion, there being questions raised in regard to the legal right of the town to make an appropriation for that purpose, it was finally settled by the passage of the follow- ing Vote :
Voted, That the sum of Sixty-Five Dollars be appropri- ated for the purpose of Ringing a Bell in this Town three times a day during the ensuing year, the whole details as to what bell, time to be rung, person to ring it, and the amount of compensation, to be submitted to the control of the Selectmen .- Vote 21 to 16.
Treasurer's Report as accepted, as pr. entry on page 180 :
TREASURER'S REPORT.
In compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth requiring Trea- surers of Towns to render true accounts of their receipts and payments and other official doings annually, the Treasurer now submits the follow- ing report :
At the last auditing of the accounts of the Treasurer there was a bal- ance in the Treasury of $701 40
By authority of the Town by their Votes at sundry times, the follow- ing sums of money have been borrowed by the Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, at such times as it was wanted by the chair- man of the building committee of the Town Hall, and for other necessary expenses of the Town, to wit :
March 12, 1845, of Benjamin Goddard, Esq.
$1056 76
April 9, 1845, “ Samuel Philbrick,
1000
May 12, 1845, " John Goodnow,
500
May 29, 1845, " John Goodnow,
1000
. Aug. 7, 1845, " Caleb Clark, 66
500
Amount borrowed
$4056 76
188
Brookline Town Records.
A part of which principle and interest that has fallen due, has been paid, as will be shown in another part of this report.
There has been paid into the Treasury by Dea. Thomas Griggs, Treasurer of the Brookline School Fund, at sundry times, the balance of said fund, principle and interest, amounting to 1962 13
Received the amount of the Taxes assessed for the year 1845 exclusive of 172.51 abatements by assessors . 7183 73
Received of Samuel Philbrick, Esq., chairman of the build- ing committee of the Town Hall, the proceeds of Sales of Gravel, Loam, Trees, &c., amounting to · Received of the State Treasurer for the Support of a State Pauper one year . Received from State Treasury the Town of Brookline's pro- portion of the income of the Massachusetts School Fund for the past year ·
55 73
25 55
46 14
Received of the overseers of the Poor of this Town, it being the proceds of the estate and effects of Mrs. Sarah Kenrick, deceased, amounting to
611 71
Mrs. Kenrick has been chargeable to the town of Brook- line as a pauper, for about twelve years, and at her death, which took place last September, there was found deposited to her credit, at the Savings Bank in Boston, and in money, among her effects, with a small amount received by the sale of furniture, &c., the aforesaid sum of six hundred & eleven dollars & 71 cents.
Received of Mrs. Samuel Philbrick for the expense of warming, lighting the Town Hall two evenings for lectures. . .
3 50
Received of Mr. Elijah C. Hoyt his collections for ex- pense of warming and lighting town hall and for
the use of the same for sundry concerts, &c. . 32 82
Received of Mr. Benj'n B. Davis for the expense of warming and lighting the Town Hall for Singing School, 20 evenings @ $2 40 00
Received of Mr. Daniel Sanderson for the expense of lighting and warming the Town Hall for Lyceum Lectures, &c. 34 00
Making the expense of lighting and fuel, &c., as paid by sundry individuals that have used the Town Hall . 110 32
Received of the Town of Watertown for assistance ren- dered to James Whitney, a pauper of that Town who was sick with Small Pox in Brookline 36 50
Received for sale of map, to Feb. 1 34 50
Received of Mr. Stephen S. C. Jones the proceeds of the Hay Scales one year to Feb. 1 . 83 00
Making the whole amount received into the Treasury from all sources
$14907 47
189
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1846.
There has been paid from the Treasury, by orders of the Selectmen, as follows, to wit :
For Support of Paupers-Viz :
George Thompson & his wife
142 99
William C. Aspinwall
252 99
Lewis Crehore & wife
79 12
Calvin Shed, with his funeral charge .
57 87
Anna Dana
76 29
Jonathan Cook Jackson
39 00
Sarah Kenrick, with her funeral charges
93 82
Eliza Thompson
62 00
Amy Louisa Redding Thompson .
26 00
Harriet King
76 00
James Whitney
36 50
Samuel Walcott
109 41
Margarett Miller
10
Stephen King
13 44
Michael Morrison
7 67
Making the amount paid for paupers Paid for the Repairs of Public Buildings
1082 80
For the Support of Schools
2036 24
Viz. : High School
$1144 65
North District School
438 91
South District School
205 81
Middle District School
188 87
School Committee & printing report 58 00
Repairs of Highways
Viz. : Harvard Street district, C. Stearns, Jr. 110
Washington “
J. Bartlett 188 28
Walnut
J. Bird 70
Warren
J. W. Warren, 115
Heath 66 T. C. Quimby 121
Clyde 66 66
A. Loker .
60
Newton 66 66 C. Craft, Jr. 100
Boylston Western, S. Warren
90
Boylston 66
Eastern H. M. Sanborn 125
Brighton District D. Sanderson 40
Repairs of Bridges on Washington St. 109 89
To Geo. W. Goldsmith & R. McIntosh for breaking roads in Winter 9 90
For assessing and collecting Taxes 268 90 .
Viz. : To the Assessors for the Expense Assessing & casting 85
of
A. Newell for Collecting
183 90
For Town Hall :
To building Committee 5157 32
" Expense of dedication, shelves, platform, &c. 61 27
Paid for Town House in all 5218 59
236 20
1139 07
190
Brookline Town Records.
$137 76
Expense of Fuel, Taking care of Town Hall, &c. .
Viz. : Paid Mess. Seamans for oil, &c. $42 20
Mr. J. Davenport, Mats, &c. 4 73 .
66 " E. C. Hoyt for his services as sexton, &c. 58 33
Paid Cephas Brackett his bill for Coal . 32 50
Paid sundry Bills as per Vote of Town, for publishing maps 278 63 Paid bills for Expense of Survey of Cemetery 7 32
Paid Sundry bills expenses of Fire Engine and Engine Com- pany
291 29
State, County & Needham Taxes
596 98
Town officers
189 74
Paid Charles Stearns, Jun., Benj. B. Davis and James Rob- inton as pr. Vote 1056 76
Paid John Goodnow principal and Interest 542 33
Paid Caleb Clark principal and Interest . 505
Paid Samuel Philbrick and Thomas Griggs Interest 32 17
Paid Sundry bills for Contingent Expenses, legal Advice,
Rent of Lyceum Hall, Stones for boundary monuments, Blank Books for Hay Scales, Postage, Stationery, Print- ing, Room for Selectmen and Assessors, Expense of transfering School Fund Mortgages, and Sundry other small bills for necessary Expenses, as pr. orders of Selectmen
213 65
Making the whole amount paid from the Treasury the past year
$13833 43
And leaving a balance on hand (including a small amount of Taxes uncollected) of 1074 04
Which makes the sum of 14907 47 Being a corresponding Amount with receipts into the Treasury.
The debts of the Town, with the interest computed to the 1st of Feb- ruary, 1846, are as follows, Viz. :
There is due to Benj. Goddard, Esq. 1112 77
" Samuel Philbrick . 1018 50
66 " " John Goodnow 1010 33
3141 60
Making the outstanding debts of the Town on the first of February, 1846, $3141.60, which may be reduced by the balance in the Treasury to about $2100.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. NEWELL, Treas'r. BROOKLINE, March 2d, 1846.
The Auditing Committee have the pleasure to report that the foregoing account current of the Treasurer is characterized by his usual fidelity and accuracy ; that it is fully avouched and precisely cast; and that the cash balance was duly tendered to the committee. It will be perceived,
191
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1846.
that in consequence of building, unusual repairs, &c., the amount of collections & expenditures for the past year has been unprecedented & has involved the town officers in unusually laborious and responsible duties. These duties the Committee are happy to say, appear to have been discharged with the closest regard to the best interests of the Town in accordance with your votes and appropriations.
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