USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 7
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Edward Proctor Esq. John Sweetser Esq. Jonª. L. Austin Esq. Mr. Edward Edes Henry Hill Esq William Smith Esq
80
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
William Phillips Esq. M. Oliver Brewster Arnold Welles Jun" Esq Doct Redford Webster Thomas Perkins Esq.
were chosen Overseers of the Poor for the year ensuing.
The Inhabitants brought in their votes for 24 Firewards when it appeared that
Thomas Melvill Esq Edward Edes
Amasa Davis Esq
Samuel Parkman Esq.
Russell Sturgis Esq
Henry Jackson William Scollay
Joseph May - Esq
Capt. Robert Gardner
John May
William Brown Esq
Nathaniel Fellows Esq
Samuel Bradford Esq
Mr. Joseph Head
Thomas H. Perkins Esq John Winslow Esq
Capt. Joseph Howard
Benjamin Jay [Joy ?]
Stephen Codman Esq
Andrew Cunningham Esq
John Bray Thomas Dennie Esq
Gen'l Simon Elliot Esq
[144.] Mr. Gorman Parsons were chosen Fire-wards for the year ensuing.
Voted that the thanks of the Town be given to Mr. Samuel Cobb who has resigned as a selectman, for his good services while in that office - Also to Jabez Hatch Esq. Joseph Russell Esq who have declined serving as firewards for their good services in that Office a number of years past, and to Rev. Doct Stillman and Dr. Spooner who declined serving as a school committee, for their good services a number of years past.
Samuel Clap Esq
was chosen Town Treasurer for the year ensuing.
Votes for a treasurer for the County of Suffolk brought in and counted by the moderator and Town Clerk, when it appeared that the whole number [was] 208 all of which were [for] Ebenezer Sever Esq a suitable person & a freeholder and resident in said County
81
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
Voted that in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall now be chosen as a school committee and the votes being brought in and assorted it appear'd that the following Gentlemen were chosen - Viz
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. Sam1. West DD. Joseph Eckley DD. Revd. Mr. Kirkland Doct Thomas Welsh Doct Aaron Dexter Mr. William Smith
Mr. Arnold Welles Jun
Edward Gray Esq David Green Esq Rufus G. Amory Esq Josiah Quincy Esq.
[145.] Voted that the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly with the Selectmen are termed the School Committee be and hereby are directed to carry the new system of Education which has been adopted by the town into operation by said com- mittee [and] are also authorized & impowered conjunctly to manage and regulate the Officers & government of the Schools and in future to exercise all the power relating [to] the Schools and School masters, which the Selectmen or such Committees were authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth or the Votes of the Town to exercise ; any former vote of the Town to the contrary notwithstanding.
Voted, that the Assessors be and hereby are directed to set for such abatement of taxes as they shall judge reasonable two days in such weeks, after the delivery of the tax books to the collectors, for the space of six weeks and no longer, saving they be allowed to sit the last week in February, (Lords days excepted) for the abatement of the Taxes of such persons as had not an oppor- tunity of applying in the above limited time by reason of their being out [of] the Commonwealth, or any other unavoidable hindrance, and that the Assessors determine on the said two days, which is to be voted on, the tax bills to be delivered the Inhabitants
The Votes being brought in for assessors & counted and assorted it appeared that Messrs. -
John R Sigourney Caleb Blanchard Ebenezer Sever Esq John Hurd Esq Mr. Benjamin Hammatt Junior
were chosen assessors for the year ensuing
Voted that Five per cent be and hereby are allowed to the Col-
82
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
lectors of taxes for the year ensuing for all such sums of money and public Securities as they shall collect & pay in to the several Treasurers of the sums committed to them to collect. also that such Collectors shall give bond with sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful discharge of their duty in said office and [146] complying with this vote, and that they will not receive any premium or gratuity for discounting any orders & notes on receipts from the Treasurer of this State or the Treas- urer of this Town -
The Votes being brought in for four Collectors of Taxes it ap- peared that
Messrs. Benjamin Henderson Thomas Bayley James Thompson Benjamin Jepson
were chosen Collectors of Taxes for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Shubael Hewes Thomas Stevenson Amos Lewis Jirah Holbrook
Samuel White Enoch May Abraham Tuckerman
Noah Butts
John Trench Samuel Gridley
Andrew Townsend Joseph Ingraham
were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.
Votes for 12 Surveyors of boards and shingles were brought in, when it appeared that
Messrs. Joshua Bentley Benjamin White Benjamin Page James Blake John Cogswell Edmund Ranger
William Clouston
William Darracott
William Ellison James Robbins William Andrews Daniel Ingersoll were chosen Surveyors of boards & shingles for the year ensuing.
[147.] Voted tha Herman Brimmer Esq Joseph Russell Esq Samuel Brown Esq
83
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
be and hereby are appointed a Committee to audit the accounts of the Town Treasurer and also the accounts of the Selectmen, Over- seers of the Poor and board of Health, and said Committee are also directed to report the sum necessary to be raised for the services of the present year.
On motion Voted that
Joseph Russell Esq William Parsons John C. Jones Esq
be a committee to consider what number of Cullers of staves and hoops shall be chosen for the year ensuing
Adjourned to 3 oClock P. M.
At three oClock P M the Town met according to adjournment.
Messrs. Thomas Bradlee David Hollis Nathaniel Loring Thomas Sullivan
were chosen Sealers of leather for the year ensuing
Messrs. Benjamin White Moses Ayers Daniel Ingersol William Darricot
were chosen Fence viewers for the year ensuing
Messrs. George Hamlin Barney Connor William Wheeler
were chosen Hogreeves for the year ensuing
Messrs. George Hamlin Barney Connor William Wheeler
were chosen Haywards for the year ensuing
Messrs. Jeffry Richardson Isaac P. Davis were chosen Surveyors of Hemp for the year ensuing
[148.] Edward Tuckerman Esq. Mr. Edward Edes
were chosen Surveyors of wheat for the year ensuing
Messrs. John Wells William Cooper Hunneman
were chosen Assay Masters for the year ensuing.
84
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of Highway for the year ensuing
Messrs. Roger Barlett Jonathan Cushing Joseph Doble William Late
were chosen cullers of dry fish for the year ensuing
Mr. Edward Rumley was chosen Inspector of Stone lime for the year ensuing.
The article in the warrant. viz "To act upon the petition of Nathaniel Patten of Roxbury that the Town would sell or lease to him a spot of ground adjoining the Ropewalk on Boston Neck, and to consider what measures shall be taken to improve the Towns property there," was read : Whereupon Voted that the Gentlemen Selectmen be a committee to take said Petition and the Subject of the Towns lands on the neck into full considera- tion, and to report at May meeting
The petition of Mr. John Kuhn in behalf of himself and William Kempton that the Town would remit their proportion of the Fine incurred by them for erecting a building contrary to law, in conformity to a resolve of the Honble. Legislature passed for their relief was read and considered - and the question being put viz Whether the prayer of this petition shall be granted passed in the affirmative.
The article in the warrant viz "To consider whether any and what measures shall be taken to endeavour to effect the permanent establishment of a Dock Yard [149] for the continental navy within the limits of the town was read, whereupon Voted that
Messrs. William Parsons Edmund Hart John Coffin Jones Esq Samuel Brown Esq Henry Jackson Esq be a committee to consider this article and report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting
The article in the warrant viz Whether the Selectmen shall be empowered to carry into effect a vote of the town passed in 1791 for erecting new stalls in market square to accommodate the per- sons frequenting the market and to remove the great number of carts and horses from the streets in that neighborhood " read and considered - whereupon Voted that the Gentlemen Selectmen be directed to proceed in this business agreeable to the vote passed in 1791 - and as they shall judge will be most for the interest of the Town
Adjourned to Wednesday the 19th. inst. 10 °Clock AM.
85
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
Wednesday March 19, 1800-10 °Clock AM met according to adjournment
Revd. William Emmerson chosen one of the School committee in the room of Rufus G Amory who has resigned, and to whom a vote of thanks was given for his good services while of that committee
Samuel Adams
chosen into the office of a Hayward, also that of a Hogreeve for the year ensuing.
The Town having voted to choose four cullers of hoops and staves and the votes having been brot. in accordingly it appeared that
Messrs. Henry Purkitt Lemuel Gardner Thomas Barber James 'Eunson
were chosen Cullers of hoops and Staves for the year ensuing
[150.] The committee appointed to consider whether any and what measures shall be taken to effect the establishment of a national dockyard within the limits of this Town; have attended to the object of their commission and after [having] duly con- sidered the vacant lands in the north part of the town between Winnisimmet Ferry and the lower bridge, on Noddles Island the latter being within the limits of the town are convenient for a public Dock Yard but if the former of these situations is pre- ferred, the Town way must be included within the limits of the yard; but as the United States will have jurisdiction over all places ceded to them the Committee prefer Noddles Island as a place where there will be less danger of a clashing of Jurisdiction and when [where ] the people employed in the Dock Yard will be kept more easily under control of the national laws and have less intercourse with the other Inhabitants of the Town therefore the Committee have concluded to report that measures be taken to endeavour to effect the permanent establishment of a dock for the Continental Navy within the limits of this town and further propose that the board of Selectmen with William Parsons Henry Jackson John C Jones and Edmund Hart be authorized & re- quested to correspond with the Secretary of the Navy on this Subject, and further to take all prudent and reasonable measures that may be necessary to effect the contemplated establishment William Parsons Henry Jackson John C Jones Edmund Hart
The aforegoing report having been read & amended the ques- tion was put viz. Whether the same shall be accepted - Passed in the affirmative .-
86
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
Voted that all matters which shall remain unfinished at this meeting, be referred over to May meeting.
[151.] Voted that the thanks of the town be given to the Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. the moderator of this meeting for his good services in the dispatch given the business which came before them.
Then the Meeting was dissolved.
At a meeting of the male Inhabitants of the town of Boston of twenty-one years of age and upwards, qualified as the Constitu- tion prescribes, and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the seventh day of April Anno Domini 1800, 9 °Clock A M -
Prayer was made by Revd. Doct Thatcher
Warrant for calling a meeting was - - Read
Paragraph of the Constitution or Frame of Government rela- tive to the choice of Governor Lt. Governor & Senators - Read
It was then declared by the Selectmen that no Votes would be received but such as were unfolded, and that they propose the poll should be closed at half past One 'Clock the votes to be received at the table and the bells to begin ringing at one oClock, and to continue for half an hour
Persons voted for as Governor, with the number of votes for each person Vizt.
Votes.
His Honor Moses Gill -
8
Hon ble Elbridge Gerry Esq
1555
Honble Caleb Strong Esq - 1531
Honble Edward Hutchinson Esq 2
Honble William Heath Esq
1
*Persons voted for as Lt. Governor, with the number of votes for each person, Vizt.
His Honor Moses Gill - 3,035
Honble Wm. Heath Esq.
26
Hon ble Sam Phillips Esq. - 9
Honble [Theophilus ? ] Cushing Esq. 3
Honble Caleb Strong Esq. -
5
Honble Fisher Ames Esq.
4
Honble Elbridge Gerry -
2
Honble Edw. H. Robbins Esq.
1
Hon ble James Bowdoin
1
* This list of candidates and voters was omitted from these records, and has been taken from the return filed in the Archives Department of the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
87
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
[152.] Persons voted for as Senators with the number of votes for each person Vizt.
Votes
Honble Thomas Dawes Esq
3000
Honble Oliver Wendell Esq
3064
Hon ble John C Jones Esq -
3067
William Eustis Esq
1553
Honble Jonathan Mason
1534
Charles Jarvis Esq -
20
Hon ble James Bowdoin Esq
12
John Codman Esq -
41
Honble Benjamin Austin Jun Esq
19
William Smith Esq
7
Hon ble Theophilus Cushing Esq
3
Samuel Brown Esq -
1
George Blake Esq -
2
Attested copies of the persons voted for as Governor Lt Governor and Senators for the County of Suffolk were committed by the Town Clerk to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the inclosures sealed up in Town meeting subscribed as follows Vizt
For John Avery Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The number of votes for the Town of Boston, for a Governor Lt Governor, and four Senators for the County of Suffolk, certi- fied within and sealed up in Town meeting
Then the meeting was dissolved.
[153.] 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 Tuesday the eighth day of April A D 1800, 10 °Clock A M
Warrant for calling the meeting - - Read
Honble Thomas Dawes Esq
was chosen Moderator for this meeting by a hand vote
The article in the warrant relative to compensation to Judge of Municipal Court, and to choose a suitable person learned in law to appear as advocate in said Court and to grant him compensation was read, whereupon it was moved and voted that
Joseph Russell Esq General Elliot Honble Thomas Dawes Esq Josiah Quincy Esq Mr Ebenezer Oliver Charles Bulfinch Esq
88
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
be a committee to take the matter of compensation into considera- tion and report in this meeting
The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for a suitable person to appear as advocate in the Municipal Court, and the votes being brought in & assorted it appeared that
John Phillips, was chosen.
The Committee chosen to consider what sum would be an ade- quate compensation to the Judge of the Municipal Court, and to the Advocate for the Town in the said Court report,
That in the year 1797 the Town voted that such a Court was expedient and necessary, and directed an application to be made to the legislature for its establishmt.
[154.] This application has been several time under consider- ation in the General Court and at the last session of the Legislat- ure received their sanction and was established by law -
The committee in proposing a sum as compensation to the Judge and Advocate which are to be appointed are desirous of naming what would be honorable to the Town and would insure the services of Gentlemen of abilities and respectability, at the same time they wish to pay a proper regard to decent economy
The committee would suggest that by the law the salary now to be voted cannot be reduced during the continuance of the Judge in his office but may be increased at the pleasure of the Town if upon experience it should not prove adequate to the services per- formed ; the Committee therefore propose that the sum of Five hundred dollars Pr Annum be allowed as salary to the Judge of the Municipal Court, and that the sum of Two hundred dollars Pr Annum be allowed to the Town Advocate - these Officers to account respectively to the Town Treasurer for the Fees and Fines arising in their respective offices -
Joseph Russell Pr Order
The aforegoing Report having been read and considered - the Question was put, Viz. shall it be accepted - passed in the affirmative.
Then the Meeting dissolved.
[155.] At a meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the town of Boston duly qualified, and legally warned in pub- lic town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the thir- teenth day of May AD 1800 10 Clock AM -
89
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
Prayer was made by Revd. Doct. Elliot
Warrant for calling the meeting Read
That part of the constitution or frame of government which relates to the choice of Representatives Read
The law relative to mourning, * and extracts from several laws to be read in Town meeting
The Town having determined by a vote to choose seven persons to represent them in the General Court of Massachusetts to be held 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 but such as are unfolded, and that they pur- pose the poll shall be closed at half-past One Clock - the assessors to attend at the delivery of the votes, and the bell to begin tolling at One oClock, and to continue tolling until a half an hour is expired.
The votes being brought in for seven Representatives the whole number of the same were found to be 2449, and upon assorting them it appeared that the following seven Gentlemen had obtained a majority of the votes Vizt.
Votes
Joseph Russell Esq. 2417
William Smith Esq.
2429
John Lowell Jun Esq. -
Mr. Samuel Cobb 1552
2361
Samuel Parkman Esq. - 2405
Joseph Hall Esq. 1559
Nathan Fraser Esq.
1552
The votes given for such as did not obtain a majority were for
William Tudor Esq 882
William Eustis Esq 911 James Bowdoin Esq 886
besides a few scattering votes.
[156.] The choice of Representatives being over and de- clared by the Selectmen
The Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq.
was chosen Moderator of this meeting in order that the town might proceed in transacting the other business mentioned in the warrant
Adjourned to 4 °Clock PM
See foot-note on page 69.
90
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
At 3 [4?] oClock PM the town met according to adjournment.
On motion Voted that the choice of an assessor in the room of Mr. Blanchard lately deceased be referred over to the adjourn- ment - Also
Voted, that the Selectmen request the Committee relative to cullers of Staves to report suitable persons for that office, if they should think a further number to be necessary.
The memorial of the Board of Health was read but it was the sense of the Town that it should not be acted upon until the Committee on money matters report.
The article in the warrant viz Whether the Town will empower the Selectmen to sell part of a piece of land at the head of Middlecot street so called lately bought of Thomas Dennie" read ; whereupon, Voted that the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and they hereby are authorized and impowered to dispose of said piece of land for the most it will fetch, and to apply the proceeds thereof to defray the expences of the new street, and the neces- sary repairs for Beacon Hill.
The application of John L. Sullivan in behalf of himself and Sarah Russell a minor, that the Town would accept a Street lead- ing from Summer Street to Pond Street through lands of the late Thomas Russell in the words following viz "The Subscriber requests that a Street may be laid out from Summer Street to Pond Street, through land of Thomas Russells' Esq. deceased and now the property of the Subscriber and of Sarah Russell a minor, as follows beginning at a point 154 feet east [157] of the east- erly side of Arch Street - thence running South westerly to land of the heirs of John Rowe Esq 260 feet, and being thirty five feet wide - thence four feet Northeasterly on said Rowes Land - then Southwesterly on said Rowes brick house to Pond Street said Street to be thirty feet wide at the North corner of said brick house, thence Northeasterly thirty five feet wide to Summer Street. The Subscriber engages that the Town shall be at no expence for the land so laid out into a Street, or for the fences that may be necessary to enclose it; that he will put the said Street into good order for the convenient passing of carriages, and will not expect any expence laid out thereon by the Town, until in the judgement of the Selectmen, the interest of the town or the claims of persons resident there, shall make it necessary that the same shall become a Town charge"
signed John L Sullivan
Therefore be it Known, that on the thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred, The Selectmen, hav- ing considered the premises, do hereby lay out the aforedescribed
91
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
piece of land as a public Street or Town way and it is accordingly appropriated as a Street or way for the said Town forever by the name of Plymouth Street subject to the approbation and acceptance of the Town
Charles Bulfinch
David Tilden Joseph Howard
Wm Porter
Wm Sherburne
John Tileston
Ebenr. Oliver
Russell Sturgis
Selectmen.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston legally warned and assembled May 13, 1800 .- The above described Street was accepted as a public Street
Att William Cooper Town Clerk
[158.] The warrant at the request of the School Committee relative to the expediency of establishing a new School, was read and a further consideration of this request is to subside
The petition of a number of Blacks was read and after debate, they had leave to withdraw their petition.
Adjourned to Wednesday 21 May inst 10 °Clock AM .-
Wednesday May 21. 1800, The Town met according to ad journ- ment
The Committee appointed to audit the Town Treasurers Accounts have attended that service and report, that they find the Selectmen's drafts amounts to 37230.82 Overseer drafts 1549.90
Board of Health drafts 5039. 4
x53819.76
Committee for Building Almshouse A/C
18500
$72319.76
Your Committee found his accounts well vouched & right cast and there was due to the Town the 30th Ultº. by the books after all the drafts are paid - - 27450.36.3 From which must be deducted
Towns powder 1041.94.5
Accº. Interest paid 4480.71.1
Abatemt. "99 Tax suppose - 5000.
Collectors Commissions - - 4000.30.4
14523.
leaves a balance of
$12927.36.3
92
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
There is due to the Town from Collectors on '99 Tax
Benjamin Jepson 13645.43
Benjamin Henderson - 10267. Thomas Bayley - 18539.93
James Thompson 14139.89
56592.25
[159.] And there is due from the Town To the Union Banks -
20,500
To several persons pr Notes 7962 .. 13 .. 3
28462 .. 13 .. 3
Your Committee are of opinion that the same sums as above will be necessary to pay the Selectmen's Overseers & board of healths drafts for the year ensuing which amounts to
53819. 76 Also one years interest on the 28962 .. 13 .. 3-1710. 24 55530 .
And they recommend a tax to be laid for 60,000 .-.
Annexed to the Treasurers general accounts a trial balance of his books - also the Board of Healths account - all which is respectfully submitted.
Herman Brimmer -
Joseph Russell
Samuel Brown
Committee
The aforegoing Report having been read and considered by the Town, the same was accepted, whereupon.
Voted that the sum of Sixty thousand dollars be raised by a tax to be assessed on the Polls, and estates of the Inhabitants of the Town to defray the expences of the current year.
Voted that the sum of Six hundred & sixty six dollars be allowed and paid unto Samuel Clap Esquire for his services as Town Treasurer the present year, the same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence on the first of last March
Voted that the sum of Six hundred & sixty six dollars be allowed and paid unto William Cooper Esq. for his services as Town Clerk the present year, the same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence on the first of March last.
93
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
Voted, That the sum of Four hundred & thirty three dollars be allowed and paid unto each of the Assessors for their respective services the present year, the same to be paid them quarterly, as it shall become due and to commence the first of March last.
[160.] Voted that the further sum of One hundred dollars be allowed and paid the assessors respectively in the manner aforesaid, in consideration of the rise of Provisions
Voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized and empowered to borrow on lawful interest for the use of the Board of Health as there may be occasion a sum not exceeding Four thousand dollars
On motion, Voted that the thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to the Board of Health for their eminent service in the discharge of the duties of their Office the last year.
The votes were brought in for one assessor in the room of Mr. Blanchard lately deceased - there being no choice the afternoon was assigned for that purpose
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