USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 12
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John Winslow, Chairman.
145
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1803.
The above Report having been read & considered the question was put viz whether this report shall be accepted; passed in the affirmative
Voted that all matters which shall remain unfinished at this meeting be referred over for consideration to May meeting
Voted that the thanks of this meeting be given to Joseph Rus- sell Esq. for his good services as Moderator.
THEN the MEETING WAS DISSOLVED.
At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston of twenty one years of age & upwards qualified as the Constitu- tion prescribes and legally warned in public town meeting assem- bled at Faneuil hall on Wednesday the fourth day of April Anno Domini 1803 11 oClock AM -
Prayer made by Revd. Samuel Stilman DD
Warrant for calling the meeting Read.
[230.] Paragraph of the Constitution or frame of Govern- ment relative to the choice of Governor & Lt. Governor & Senators Read
It was then declared by the Selectmen that no vote should be received but such as were unfolded and that they propose the poll should be closed at three o'clock PM. the votes to be received at the table and the bells to begin ringing & past two o'clock and to continue for half an hour
Persons voted for as Governor with the number of votes for each person viz
Votes
His Excellency Caleb Strong Esq 1864
Honorable Elbridge Gerry Esq. 881
Persons voted for as Lieu. Governor with the number of votes for each person Viz
Honble. Edward Hutchinson Robinson Esq 1661
Honble. James Bowdoin Esq. 1093
Persons voted for as Senators for the County of Suffolk with the number of votes for each person viz
Votes
. Honble. Oliver Wendell Esq
2735
Honble. William Tudor Esq 1680
Honble. John C Jones Esq 1698
146
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
John Codman Esq 1679
Honble. Jonathan Mason Esq
1653
Honble. James Bowdoin Esq 1036
Honble. Benjamin Austin Esq
1076
David Tilden Esq
1078
Nathaniel Fellowes Esq
1056
Samuel Brown Esq
5
William Smith Esq
28
Charles Jarvis Esq
19
Theophilus Parsons Esq
12
[231.] Attested Copies of the persons voted for as Gov- ernor Lt Governor & Senators of the County of Suffolk sealed up in Town meeting (after the votes had been declared) and trans- mitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth superscribed as follows
For John Avery Esq Secy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The number of Votes of the Town of Boston for Governor, Lieut. Governor & five Senators for the County of Suffolk certified within & sealed up in town meeting.
Then the Meeting was dissolved.
[232.] At a meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the town of Boston of twenty one years of age and upwards qualified as the Constitution prescribes & legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the eleventh day of May Anno Domini 1803 11 °Clock A M
Prayer made by Revd. [Blank]
Warrant for calling the meeting [Read]
That part of the Constitution or frame of Government which relates to the choice of Representatives [Read]
The town having determined by a vote to choose seven persons to represent them in the general Court of Massachusetts to be holden in the State house in Boston on the last Wednesday of May current agreeable to the constitution or frame of Govern- ment for Massachusetts. the Inhabitants were directed by the Selectmen to withdraw and bring in their votes for seven Repre- sentatives and then it was declared by the Selectmen that no votes would be received by the Selectmen but such as are unfolded, and until the Persons entering shall be marked on the list by the Gentlemen, who assist for that purpose, from the several Wards, and that they propose the poll shall be closed at } past two
147
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1803.
o'clock, the Bells to begin tolling at two o'clock and to continue until an half hour, is expired
The votes being brought in for seven Representatives the whole number of the same was found to be 2,060, and upon assorting them it appeared that the following seven Gentlemen had obtained a majority of Votes Viz
[233.] Honble Harrison Gray Otis Esq 1175
John Lowell Esq
1152
Samuel Parkman Esq. 1163
Jonathan Hunnewell 2031
William Smith Esq. 1208
William Brown Esq. 1197
John Phillips Esq. 1243
The votes given for such as did not obtain were for
Hon James Bowdoin Esq - - 873
David Tilden Esq - - 875
Russell Sturgis Esq
- 884
Abiel Smith Esq
- 905
Nathaniel Fellows Esq
- 842
Charles Paine Esq -
- 815
The choice of Representatives being over & declared by the Selectmen,
Then, the meeting was dissolved.
At a meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public Town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the twelfth day of May Anno Domini 1803 at 10 o'clock AM .-
Warrant for calling the meeting Read
Joseph Russell Esq.
was chosen Moderator of this meeting by a hand vote
On motion, the Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for three Selectmen, and half past eleven o'clock assigned for closing the Poll.
On counting the votes it appeared that the whole number was 523 - and that the following [234] Gentlemen were chosen Vizt.
John May Esq. 428 votes
Francis Wright Esq. 428 “
Jonathan Chapman Esq. 428 44
The following Gentlemen are added to Selectmen who conjunctly are to manage & lease the lands on Boston neck, by a unanimous vote, Viz
148
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. William Brown Esq.
William Tudor Esq. Mr. Joseph Knapp
John Winslow Esq. Mr. Joshua Davis Jun".
Article in the Warrant viz Whether the Town will impower Agents to maintain and defend any suits that may be brought, or to compromise with the Proprietors of the Roxbury Canal, for a piece of Marsh Land on the neck claimed by them " was read and considered, whereupon
Voted that the Agents for the neck be and hereby are ap- pointed Agents for this purpose
The request of Isaac P Davis that he may have a deed of the land on which his Rope walk stands at the bottom of the com- mon " was read - Whereupon, Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Committee to confer with the Proprietors of said Land, fully to consider this matter & report to the town at the adjournment.
The article in the warrant viz whether the Town will think it expedient to become interested in the proposed new Bank, read whereupon Voted that
The Honbie. John C Jones Esq Harrison G Otis Esq Thomas Dawes Esq John Codman Esq Joseph Russell Esq Charles Bulfinch Esq John Q Adams Esq
[235] be a Committee to consider this matter and to report thereon at the adjournment the 23ª of May instant
On the petition for an increase of the present surveyors of Board & shingles, it was voted that two more persons should be added to the present number of surveyors, and the choice of this addition referred to the adjournment
The Committee to consider the expediency of reconsidering a former vote of the town for building a bridge from the South part of the town to Dorchester, and also the Petition of Edward Tuckerman and others for leave to build a wharf at the South part of the Town on Towns land - Report, That having attended the business assigned them and heard the several parties, are fully in opinion that the erection of a Bridge from the South part of Boston to Dorchester would be very injurious to the interest of the Town, they therefore recommend a reconsideration of a former vote of the Town, granting leave to the Petitioners for that pur- pose - That it is fully the opinion of the Committee (as they consider no real advantage can be derived from it to the Town)
149
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1803.
that the prayer of the Petitioners for leave to build a wharf on the Towns land should not be granted.
Per Order Josiah Snelling Chairman
The aforegoing Report having been read & considered the Ques- tion was put whether said Report shall be accepted - passed in the affirmative
Voted that the other matters in the warrant not acted upon be referred to the adjournment and that the Inhabitants be informed of the same and of the business then to be acted upon - and the meeting is adjourned to Monday the twenty third day of May instant, 10 °Clock A M
[236.] Monday the twenty third day of May at ten o'clock A M the Town met according to adjournment
The inhabitants having brought in their votes for 2 surveyors of boards it appeared that
Mr. Nathaniel Bradlee Jun". Nehemiah Doggett Junr. were chosen.
The Committee to audit the Town Treasurers Accots. and also to examine the accounts of the late Treasurer & to balance his Books, Report - that they find the late Treasurer Samuel Clap Esq. charges the Town with monies paid from May to September 1802 as follows
To overseers drafts 7092.34
To Selectmens do 19908.30
To Board of healths drafts 1653.50
28654.14
To Samuel Brown Esq. balance of his Acco for New alms house - 23533.32
To ditto agreeable to a vote of the town 800.
To Thomas Dawes do 800.
To estate of G R Minot Esq. decd. 800.
To amount of Interest paid since May last 1640.88
$56228.34
The late Treasurer also credits the town By old accº. for balance
23231.36.5
By cash received of Treas". Commonwealth to sup- port the State poor
3792.38
By amount of rents received 815.50
By William Gooch at sundry times 137.40 By Abel Wild being an error in a draft of June last 100. By a fine of J W Bayles by order of the Selectmen 50. 28,126.64,5 By balance due to the Town 28,101.69.5 $56,228.34
150
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
The Committee further find the following Statement as the Trial balance in the late Treasurer accots. Books. viz
[2377.] Wherein he charges to Towns Powder 1041.94.5
To notes receiveable -
754.13.
To Andrew Tewksbury
127.51
To estate of James Thompson
645.78
To Benjamin Henderson 4868.96
To Christopher Marshall 7883.31
To Benjamin Jepson - 9826.24
To Thomas Bayley
7777.58
30358.9
To Cash
26.65
To Town of Boston
- 28101.69.5
$61055.80
Wherein he credits the town of Boston, by notes payable viz
By Ezekiel Prices estate £220.15.4
By B Barkers 463.5
By Elizabeth Partridge
231.12.6
By Selectmen of Boston
369.
By Benjamin Waldo's Estate
800.
£2084.12.10 Lawfl My
which sum is equal in dollars
6948.80
By Union Bank -
53210.
By ditto
790.
By estate of John Gray
107.
61055.80
Boston September 25, 1802. signed, Samuel Clap.
The Committee also find the aforementioned drafts from the Overseers Selectmen & Board of Health to have been paid & receipted for, and they appear to be well vouched and right cast, all which will more fully appear from the accounts exhibited to which reference will be had
Thomas Dawes
Samuel Brown
Com
Joseph Russell mittee
The Committee appointed to audit the Accots. of the late Town Treasurer Mr Storer, Overseers of the poor & Board of health and the sum necessary to be raised the present year. Report.
[238.] The town of Boston as Dr to Ebenezer Storer Treasurer and Collector from October 1802 to March 1803 in Accº.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1803.
To Union Bank in part Notes
" Ditto for interest 1893.26
Interest on a Town Note - 73.80
1967.6
To Thomas Edwards on Thompsons debt -
16.45
" Counterfeit Bills received of Persons unknown 75.
" Ebenezer Seaver County Treasurer Jonª. Jackson Esq State Treasurer
11380.92 9412.
36851.43
To Selectmens drafts Nº 1
3140.4
Ditto
2
2750.27
Ditto 66
3
5635.59
Ditto
4
5968.62
Ditto 66
5
1853.80
Ditto
66
6
7009.1
Ditto
66
7
405.60
To Peter Jarvis -
2.
26764.93
deduct abatemt. in Nº 3
3
26761.93
To Overseers Drafts Nº 1. 3789.24
" DO -
2
1115.33
D° - -
3
673.76
Do
4
1480.11
Do -
5
927. 1
Do
6
1648.31
9633.76
To Board of health Nº 1.
517.16
Dº - -
Nº 2
516.14
Dº -
3
712.85
1746.15
To balance in the Treasury -
38141.84 3109.25
$78,102.52
Cr
By tax cancelled 5 pr ct
55,527.68
Premm. 2776.40
52751.28
ditto
3 pr ct
6538.75
196.14
6342.61
ditto
2 pr ct
1619.81
32.36
1587.45
63686.24
3004.90
60681.34
151
14000 .-
152
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
[239.] By Cash of Collectors viz
Benjamin Henderson 2945.78
Christopher Marshall 3595.59
Benjamin Jepson - 5434.97
Thomas Bayley 4460.94
16,437,28
By estate of James Thompson -
645.78
By William Grant, Rent of Stalls 100.
By Benjn. White do of Market - 20.
By George Trott Hayweigher -
218.12
338.12
78,102.52
Here follows a trial balance March 14,1803, taken from the Books. of Eben". Storer late Treasurer and Collector with this memo. The above balance of 3109.25/100. was paid to Benjamin Sum- ner the new Treasurer April 12, 1803, and the Chest with the books and papers were delivered to him
The Committee find the aforementioned drafts from the Over- seers Selectmen & Board of health to have been paid & receipted for. and they appear to be well vouched and right cast, all which will more fully appear from the accounts exhibited, and from the books and papers with the chest, and balance of three thousand one hundred & nine dollars and twenty five cents delivered over to Mr. Benjamin Sumner the present Treasurer, April 12, 1803. Thomas Dawes Joseph Russell - Committee Samuel Brown
There was annexed to the above Report an estimate of appro- priation for the present year together with several suggestions for the consideration of the Town which will more fully appear by said Report, which having been distinctly read - after some debate - the question was put viz. whether these Reports shall be accepted by the Town, and it passed in the affirmative
[240.] Voted that the sum of Eighty eight thousand dollars be raised by a tax to be assessed on the Polls and estates of the Inhabitants of the town to defray the expenses of the current year.
Voted that the sum of Six hundred & sixty six dollars be allowed & paid unto William Cooper for his services as Town Clerk the ensuing year, the same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due and to commence the first of March last.
Voted that the sum of Three hundred dollars be allowed to John Phillips Esq. for his services as Town Advocate the year ensu- ing.
153
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1803.
Voted, That the Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. Joseph Russell Esq. Charles Jarvis Esq. James Prince Esq. General Winslow
be a Committee for the purpose of enquiring generally into the state of the affairs of the County of Suffolk from the time the County of Norfolk was taken off and to report as soon as may be, and also what savings may be made.
On the Report of the Committee to consider the expediency of the Town being interested in the proposed Bank
Voted that the Selectmen together with the Town Treasurer & the County Treasurer be and hereby are appointed a Committee to confer with the Trustees of the proposed new Bank to obtain their consent that a right should be secured to the Town to sub- scribe at any future period to the said Institution a sum not ex- ceeding Two hundred thousand dollars, and to agree upon such terms of Subscription as to them may appear for the interest of the Town
[241.] The Committee relative to the Ropewalks not having been able to make report, it was moved and voted that the Gentlemen Selectmen together with the Honorable Thomas Dawes Esq. Mr. Josiah Knapp Joseph Russell Esq. Mr. Ebenezer Larkin & Deacon Brown be and hereby are appointed a Com- mittee with full powers to effect a settlement with the Proprietors of the Ropewalks, and to give them deeds of the Lands on which they stand either upon the terms originally conditioned by the town or on such others as in their opinion will be for the Interest & advantage of the town. -
The article in the warrant viz. " What measures shall be taken for the disposal and management of the Old State House, was read, and on motion Voted that the Committee chosen in the several Wards in April last to assist the Assessors, be appointed a Committee to consider this article in the warrant, and to report their opinion thereon at the Adjournment.
Then the meeting was adjourned to Monday the 13th of June next 10 clock A M. -
Monday June 13, 1803, 10 oclock A M. The Town met accord- ing to adjournment.
The Moderator being out of Town, on motion the Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. was chosen Moderator pro. tem. -
The Committee relative to the Old State house Reported - after some debate it was moved that the sense of the Town be taken as to the expediency of leasing the same-and the
154
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
question being put it passed in favour of its being leased. The report was again [242] taken up amended and accepted by the town, and is as follows viz.
That in the opinion of the Board of Assistant Assessors, the Committee for the purpose, it would be for the interest of the Town to lease the Old State house for a term of time not less than ten nor to exceed fifty years, and the rent to be paid quar- terly or annually ; and that it be a condition of the Lease that the house be put into good repair and kept so during the term for which it may be leased by and at the expense of the Lessee and shall be occupied for public or private offices and such other pur- poses only as the Selectmen for the time being shall approve of, and that no alteration be made in the external form of the build- ing without their approbation the Lease containing a clause pro- viding that if the Rent shall not be punctually paid, according to the terms of the lease, or if the Lessee or Lessees their heirs or assigns shall not occupy the estate according to the approbation or orders of the Selectmen as before expressed ; or shall suffer it to go to waste for want of repairs, that then the Selectmen or the Town shall have a right to reenter, and by the reentry to render the Lease void after such an entry - providing however that the right of reentry be no bar to an action on the Lease against the Lessee or Lessees, their heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns if the Town consider such mode to be most eligible - and that it would be best to dispose of the lease at public Auction William Walter Tristram Barnard Secretary Chairman
[243.] Voted, that the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed Agents in behalf of the town to carry the aforegoing Report into execution. -
The Committee relative to the clause in the warrant respecting County expenses. Reported verbally and were desired to report again in writing, and that when ready to report the Selectmen are requested to call a special meeting for the consideration of the same. - Also, Voted that
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. John Phillips Esq.
be added to said Committee.
Moved & voted that the consideration of the request of the Town Treasurer, Collector and Assessors for an augmentation of their respective salaries be referred for consideration to the meeting that may be called relative to County matters.
Voted that the thanks of the Town be given unto Joseph Russell Esq. and the Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. for their good services in the Moderators chair
Then the meeting was dissolved.
155
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1803.
[244.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of the town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public Town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the fourth day of July Anno Domini 1803, 9 oclock AM
Warrant for calling the meeting - Read
William Cooper, chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Inde- pendence, Reported. that they had made choice of William Sulli- van Esq. who has accepted the appointment.
On motion adjourned to Old South Church, where agreeable to the information of the Selectmen
AN ORATION,
to commemorate the independence of the United States was delivered by William Sullivan Esq. at the Old South Church
On motion voted that the Selectmen be a Committee to wait on William Sullivan Esq. and in the name of the Town to thank him for the elegant & spirited Oration this day delivered by him at the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America ; in which according to the Institution of the Town he considered the feelings, manners & principles which led to that great national event, and to request a Copy thereof for the press
On motion voted that the Gentlemen, Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Committee to apply to some one able and learned Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the fourth day of July A D 1804 that [245] Day being the Anniversary of the Independ- ence of the United States of America wherein the Orator is to consider the feelings manners and principles which led to this great national event; as well as the important & happy effects whether general or domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch
Then the meeting was dissolved
At a meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the twenty first day of December Anno Domini 1803 - 10 °Clock A M .-
Warrant for calling the meeting Read
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. chosen Moderator in the room of Judge Sullivan first chosen, who declined serving.
156
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
The Committee relative to the County of Suffolk Reported, and after considerable debate thereon it was moved & voted that this Report be printed and the Selectmen are requested to furnish each of the Freeholders with one of them, and that this meeting be adjourned to next Monday week, 10 oclock A M, and the meeting was accordingly adjourned.
1804.
The Town met according to adjournment, on Monday January 2ª. 1804 - at 10 oclock A M.
The article in the Warrant relative to a Turnpike on the neck on Lords days read & debated [246] and the question being put whether it be sense of the town that a Turnpike be estab- lished, it did not obtain
The Report of the Committee to consider what savings could be made in the County expences &c was taken up and largely debated, whereupon motion was made and the Question accord- ingly put viz Whether the Town will attempt to procure any alteration in the County & Town Government, which passed in the affirmative by a great majority .-
It was then moved & voted that a Committee of Twenty four Gentlemen [be appointed], and that two out of each Ward be chosen as the Committee to consider & report on this matter, and that said Report be given into the Selectmen, and when thus given in, that the same be printed & dispersed among the Inhab- itants for their iuformation, and the Selectmen were desired to call upon the Clerks of the Respective Wards to provide in the meetings of the Wards for that purpose -
Voted that any business unfinished, mentioned in the warrant be referred to next general town meeting.
Then the meeting was dissolved.
[247.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 16th day of January Anno Domini 1804 at 10 oclock A M .-
Warrant for calling the meeting Read
Mr. James Prince chosen Moderator by a hand vote
On motion voted to adjourn this meeting to the Old South Church.
157
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1804.
The town being assembled at the Old South Church, the Warrant for the meeting, Petition &c being read, after some debate it was moved & seconded That the Town commit the proposal of William Tudor & others, (that the Lands on Dor- chester Neck be annexed to the Town of Boston on certain con- ditions) to a Committee to be chosen for that purpose - a debate on this question ensued which continued until two oclock, when on motion the meeting was adjourned to 3 oclock P. M.
At three oclock PM The town met agreeable to adjournment, and the debate was again taken up which continued until 6 oclock when on motion the Meeting was adjourned to the next day 10 oclock AM.
January 17. 10 oclock AM the Town met, when the debate was renewed and continued until One oclock ; the question of commit- ment was then taken, and it passed in the negative.
It was then moved & seconded, That the town will consent that the lands on Dorchester neck agreeable to the Petition of the Owners shall be annexed [248] to and incorporated with the Town of Boston provided it can be done on such conditions as the Town shall hereafter agree to. The question being accord- ingly taken passed in the affirmative -
It was then moved & voted that a Committee be chosen in the Wards consisting of two persons from each Ward to consider the conditions on which the Lands on Dorchester neck shall be an- nexed to and incorporated with the town of Boston, and that the Selectmen be requested to take measures to assemble the Wards for this purpose.
Adjourned to Monday the 23ª instant
Monday 23d January instant at 10 oclock AM The town met according to adjournment, when the Chairman of the Selectmen reported that the Inhabitants of the several Wards had met and chosen the Committee agreeable to a vote of the town of the 17th instant, that the Committee had entered upon the business assigned them but were not yet ready to make report and pro- posed that the meeting should be adjourned to Monday the 30th instant, whereupon voted that this meeting be adjourned accordingly.
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