USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 8
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On motion Voted that the Thanks of the town be given to the Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. for his good services as moderator
Adjourned to 3 Clock P M
At Three Clock PM the Town met according to adjournment, Colº. Dawes the moderator, being necessarily absent on public business
David Tilden Esq.
was chosen moderator by a hand Vote.
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw & bring in their votes for an assessor, and the same being brought and counted it appeared that the whole number was 708, and that
Mr. Jedidiah Parker
was chosen an assessor for the year ensuing 469 votes
Voted that all matters and things which remain unfinished be referred over to the next General Town meeting that shall be called.
Then the Meeting was dissolved.
[161.] 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 Friday the fourth day of July Anno Domini 1800
94
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Warrant for calling the meeting - . - Read William Cooper, chosen Moderator
The Committee appointed last year to make choice of a Gentle- man to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Independence, Reported, That they had made choice of Joseph Hall Esq. who has accepted the appointment,
On motion, adjourned to Old south Church, when agreeable to the information of the Chairman of the Selectmen
AN ORATION
To commemorate the Independence of the United States was delivered by Joseph Hall Esq. at the Old South Church
On motion voted that the Selectmen be a Committee to wait on Joseph Hall Esq. and in the name of the Town to thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration this day delivered by him at the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of the Independence 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. -
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 1801, that day being the Anniversary of the Indepen- dence of the United States of America wherein the Orator is to consider the feelings manners and [162] principles which led to this great national event; as well as the important and 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 and legally warned in public Town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday 27 Augt. AD 1800, 10 oClock - AM-
Warrant for calling the mecting - - Read
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq.
chosen Moderator of the mecting.
The article in the warrant relative to the right of the town in the Old State House read & considered whereupon Voted that Joseph Russell Esq. and John Lowell Jun Esq be and they
95
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1800.
hereby are appointed Agents and Attornies in behalf of the town to appear at the Supreme Judicial Court now sitting in this town, and defend in the name of and hehalf of the town against a peti- tion for partition of Old State house in Boston filed by the Attorney General in behalf of the Commonwealth, and upon which Persons who were interested were directed to appear at the pres- ent term And the said Agents and each of them are hereby authorized to appear in said cause and to represent the Town and to do every needful relative thereto until a final determination of the same.
[163.] The article in the warrant viz "to consider the expediency of enlarging the South burying ground" was read - whereupon voted that the consideration of this matter be referred over to the next general town meeting.
Then this meeting was dissolved.
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on the third day of November Anno Domini 1800 -10 °Clock A. M. -
Prayer was made by Revd. Joseph Eckley D. D.
Warrant for calling the meeting - Read
Paragraph of a Resolve of the General Court for the choice of one Representative for the first middle district of this Common- wealth in the Congress of the United States, read
It was then declared by the Selectmen that the Poll would be closed at half past 1 oClock
Persons voted for as a Representative of the first middle dis- trict of this Commonwealth in the next Congress of the United States Viz.
William Eustis Esq. 1819
Josiah Quincy Esq
1959
Oliver Everett Esq
2
An attested Copy of the persons voted for as above was sealed up in Town meeting after a declaration had been made by the Selectmen of the Persons voted for as a Representative of the first middle district of this Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States - and the same was put into the hands of the Secretary of this Commonwealth [164] subscribed as follows Viz for John Avery Esq.
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Then the Meeting was dissolved.
96
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
1801.
[165.] 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 ninth day of March Anno Domini 1801. nine oClock AM -
Prayer was made by Revd. Thomas Baldwin
Warrant for calling a meeting - - Read.
Sundry laws to be read at this meeting were accordingly Read
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. was chosen Moderator by a hand vote
The inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their votes for a Town Clerk, and the same having been brought in and counted it appeared that
William Cooper
was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing, and the Oath of Office administered by Mr. Justice Sherburne
The inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their votes for nine Selectmen, the same being brought in and sorted it appeared that only eight were chosen viz
Charles Bulfinch Esq David Tilden Esq Russell Sturgis Esq Capt. Joseph Howard William Porter William Sherburne Esq Mr. John Tileston Mr. Ebenezer Oliver
The votes having been brought in for the one wanting it ap- peared that Mr. Jonathan Hunnewell was chosen a Selectman in the room of Mr. Hancock
[166.] On motion voted that the thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto Ebenezer Hancock Esq for his good services as a Selectman a number of years past
Votes for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk were brought in and counted by the Moderator and Town Clerk when it ap- peared that the whole number was 285, all of which were for Ebenezer Seaver Esq a discreet suitable person, and a Freeholder and Resident in said County.
Votes for a Register of deeds for the County of Suffolk were brought in and counted by the Moderator and Town Clerk when it appeared that the whole number was 223, all of which were for William Alline Esq a discreet suitable person and a Freeholder and Resident in said County .-
97
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
Samuel Clap Esq was chosen Town Treasurer for the ensuing year.
Voted that in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall be appointed, chosen as a School Committee and the votes being brought in and sorted it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen viz
Honble Thomas Dawes Esq
Revd Samuel West D.D.
Dr. Thomas Welch
Revª. Joseph Eckley DD
Revd. J. T. Kirkland
Dr. Aaron Dexter
Mr. William Smith
Mr. Arnold Wells Jun.
Edward Gray Esq.
David Greene Esq
Josiah Quincy Esq
Revd. William Emmerson
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, and said Committee [167] are also authorized and empowered conjunctly to manage & regulate the officers & government of the schools, and in future to exercise all the power relating to the Schools and Schoolmasters, which the Selectmen or such Committees were authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth or the votes of the Town to exer- cise, any former vote of the town to the contrary notwithstanding.
The inhabitants brought in their votes for 24 Fire wards, when it appeared that
Thomas Melvill Edward Edes Amasa Davis
Samuel Parkman Russell Sturgis Henry Jackson William Scollay Joseph May
Esquires
Capt. Robert Gardner John May
William Brown Esquires
Nath1. Fellows Samuel Bradford Mr. Joseph Head
Thomas H. Perkins Esq.
John Winslow Esq. Capt. Joseph Howard Mr. Benjamin Joy
98
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
Stephen Codman Esq. Andrew Cunningham Esq. Mr. John Bray Mr. Thomas Dennie Gen1. Simon Elliot Mr. Gorham Parsons
were chosen Fire wards for the ensuing year.
Adjourned to 3 oClock P.M.
At three oClock P M the Inhabitants accordingly met, & were directed to bring in their votes for a town advocate for the municipal Court, and the same having been brought in it
appeared that John Phillips Esq. was chosen.
[168.] Voted that the assessors be and hereby are directed to sit for such assessments of taxes, as they shall judge reason- able, 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 set the last week in February Lords days excepted for the abatement of the taxes of such persons as had not an opportunity 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 noted on the tax bills to be delivered to the inhabitants
Voted that Five percent be and hereby are allowed to the collectors of Taxes for the year ensuing for all such sums of money and public securities as they shall collect and 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 complying with this vote and that they will not receive any premium or gratuity for discounting any Orders and notes or receipts from the Treasurer of this State or the Treasurer of this town.
The votes being brought in for twelve Overseers of the poor it appeared that
Edward Proctor John Sweetser Jonª. L. Austin. Mr. Edward Edes Henry Hill William Smith William Phillips Stephen Gorham, Mr. Oliver Brewster Arnold Welles JJun Esq Dr Redford Webster Thomas Perkins Esq.
Esquires
were chosen Overseers of the poor for the year ensuing
99
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
The votes being brought in for four collectors of taxes it appeared that
Messrs. Benjamin Henderson Thomas Bayley Benjamin Jepson Christopher Marshall [169.] were chosen Collectors of Taxes for the year ensuing
The votes being brought in for five assessors and counted and sorted it appeared that
Messrs. John R. Sigourney Ebenezer Seaver John Hurd Benjamin Hammatt Jun Jedediah Parker
were chosen assessors for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Shubael Hewes Jirah Holbrook Samuel Gridley Amos Lewis Enoch May Abraham Tuckerman
Samuel White
Andrew Townsend
Noah Butts Thomas Stevenson John Bosson Willard Lane
were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Benjamin White Moses Ayers Daniel Ingersol William Darricot
were chosen Fence viewers for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Barney Connor William Wheeler
were chosen Hogreeves for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Barney Conner William Wheeler
were chosen Haywards for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Jeffry Richardson Isaac P Davis
were chosen Surveyors of Hemp for the year ensuing.
[170.] Edward Tuckerman Esq. Mr. Edward Edes were chosen Surveyors of Wheat for the year ensuing.
100
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Messrs. John Wells William Cooper Hunneman were chosen Assay masters for the year ensuing.
The Selectmen were chosen surveyors of high ways for the year ensuing
Messrs. Roger Bartlett Jonathan Cushing were chosen cullers of dry fish for the year ensuing.
Mr. Edward Rumley was chosen Inspector of Stone Lime for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Henry Purket Lemuel Gardner Thomas Barber James Eason were chosen Cullers of Hoops & Staves for the year ensuing.
Votes for twelve Surveyors of Boards & Shingles, brought in when it appeared that
Messrs. Joshua Bentley Benjamin White Benjamin Page James Blake John Cogswell Edmund Ranger
William Clouston
William Darricott
William Ellison James Robbins William Andrews
Daniel Ingersol
were chosen Surveyors of boards & Shingles for the ensuing year
Voted that Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. Joseph Russell Esq. Samuel Brown Esq.
be and hereby are appointed a Committee to audit the accounts [11] of the Town Treasurer, and also the accounts of the Selectmen, Overseers 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.
The article in the warrant, to wit " To consider the expediency of a revision and new edition of the By Laws " was read where- upon Voted that
the Honble. George Richards Minot John Phillips James Prince
be a committee to take up this article and report at May meeting.
101
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
The petition of James Pratt praying liberty to erect a Fish stall on the Mill Creek was read.
Whereupon Voted that the consideration of this petition be referred to the Board of Health who are desired to make report thereon at the Adjournment.
The Report of the Selectmen relative to the improvement and disposal of the lands on the Neck was read and the further con- sideration of this important matter was referred to the May meeting ; and the said report to be printed in the public news- papers for the information and consideration of the Inhabitants
And this meeting was then adjourned to Wednesday the eighteenth day of March inst at 10 oClock A M-
The Inhabitants met on Wednesday 18th. March according to adjournment
Arnold Wells Jun. Esq having declined serving any longer as an Overseer of the Poor, On motion voted unanimously that the thanks of the Town be given unto Arnold Welles Jr. Esq. for his good services as an overseer of the poor a number of years past.
The choice of an Overseer was referred to May Meeting
[172.] The committee on James Pratts petition for a fish stall not having reported it was left to said Committee who are the board of health to act thereon as they shall judge best.
The votes for a Constable in the room of Mr. Bosson who declines serving being brought in it appeared that Mr. William Crosby was chosen Constable for the year ensuing.
Voted that all matters which shall remain unfinished at this meeting be referred over to May meeting
Voted unanimously 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.
[173.] 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 and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 6th. day of April Anno Domini 1801, nine oClock A M. -
102
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Freeman
Warrant for calling the meeting Read
Paragraph of the Constitution or frame of government, relative to the choice of Governor Lt. Governor and Senators Read.
It was then declared by the Selectmen that no vote would be received but such as were unfolded, and that they propose the poll should be closed at half past one oClock the votes to be received at the table and the bells to begin tolling at ¿ past one oClock 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. - 1851
Honorable Elbridge Gerry Esq. 2078
Persons voted for as Lieut. Governor with the number of votes for each person viz
Hon ble. William Heath Esq. 2062
Honble. Samuel Phillips Esq. - 1841
Hon ble. Edwd. H. Robbins Esq. - 14
Persons voted for as Senators for the County of Suffolk with the number of votes for each person viz.
Honble. Oliver Wendell Esq.
3643
Honble. John C. Jones Esq 1759
Honble. William Tudor Esq 3071
Honble. James Bowdoin Esq 2069
Honble. John Codman Esq.
1738
Honble. Benjamin Austin Esq.
102
[174.] Charles Jarvis Esq.
92
Jonathan Loring Esq. -
2069
Honble. Harrison Gray Otis Esq.
1
Mr. Samuel Norton
1
Capt. James Prince
78
George Blake Esq. -
1
Attested copies of the persons voted for as Governor, Lieut. Governor and Senators for the County of Suffolk were committed by the Town Clerk to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the enclosures sealed up in town meeting, [and superscribed] as fol- lows vizt.
For John Avery Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The number of votes of the town of Boston for a Governor Lieut. Governor & four Senators for the County of Suffolk certi- fied within and sealed up in Town meeting.
Then the meeting was dissolved.
103
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
[175.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the thirteenth day of May Anno Domini 1801, 10 °Clock A M -
Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Emmerson
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 were accordingly - . 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 in 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 Representatives and then it was declared by the Selectmen that no votes would be received but such as are unfolded, and that they propose the Poll shall be closed at & past One oClock. the assessors to attend at the delivery of the votes, and the bell to begin tolling at 1 oClock, and to continue tolling untill half an hour is expired.
The votes being brought in for seven Representatives, the whole number of the same were found to be 2745, and upon sorting them it appeared that the following seven Gentlemen had obtained a majority of the Votes viz
Charles Jarvis Esq. 1474
David Tilden Esq. 1467
Benjamin Austin Jun. Esq 1456
Nath'. Fellowes Esq 1460
George Blake Esq. 1467
1455
Capt. James Prince
Russell Sturgis Esq. 1469
The votes given for such as did not obtain were for
Honble. John C. Jones Esq
1281
Joseph Russell Esq 1272
Sam1. Parkman Esq. 1277
[176.]
William Smith Esq. 1276
Samuel Cobb Esq. -
1267
Mr. Jonathan Hunnewell
1253
John Phillips Esq -
1269
Josiah Quincy Esq.
besides, a few scattering votes
21
104
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
The choice of Representatives being over and declared by the Selectmen. The Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq. was chosen Mod- erator of this meeting by a hand vote that the town might pro- ceed in transacting the other business mentioned in the warrant
Adjourned to Four oClock P M.
At Four oClock P M the inhabitants met according to adjourn- ment -
The votes being brought in for one Overseer of the poor in the room of Arnold Welles Esq who had resigned, and received a vote of thanks for his good services while in that office it appeared that Stephen Codman Esq. was chosen an overseer of the poor for the year ensuing.
The petition of a number of inhabitants for widening the Street from Common Street to the new State house was read, and after large debate
Voted that said petition be referred for further consideration to the adjournment of this meeting, and that the Selectmen be requested that previous to said adjournment they view the same, consider the expence that will attend the proposed alteration of the Street and report their opinion on the Subject
The article in the warrant viz " To act upon the report of the Selectmen respecting the improvement and disposal of the Towns land on the neck" read, whereupon Voted that this matter be referred for the further consideration of the Selectmen, and that the following Gentlemen be added to that Committee Viz
[17].]
the HonD'e. Thomas Dawes Esq George R Minot Esq Joseph Russell Esq Thomas Edwards Esq Benjamin Austin Jun Esq Mr. Elisha Sigourney Samuel Brown Esq
and they are requested to consider this matter at large and report thereon at the adjournment.
The petition relative to a new street near Beacon Hill, was read whereupon, Voted that this matter be referred to the Gentlemen Selectmen to report thereon
Messrs. Tilden Fellowes & Sturgis letters purporting their resignation as representatives received and read to the Inhabi- tants.
The committee relative to Town By-laws reported a number of By laws, and the further consideration of the same was referred to the adjournment
105
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
Then the town meeting was (relative to Representatives) ad- journed to Friday next being the 15 inst 10 Clock A M. And the May meeting to Friday next at 1 oClock being the 15 instant.
On Friday 10 °Clock AM the Town met according to adjourn- ment, The Selectmen presided.
The letters of Messrs. Tilden Sturgis and Fellowes purporting their resignation as Representatives as also their joint letter pur- porting their acceptance of that trust were read and after debate thereon Joseph Russell Esq. moved and was seconded by Dr. Jarvis that this meeting be dissolved, and the question being accordingly put passed in the affirmative almost unanimously and the meeting was then dissolved.
On Friday May 15, 1801 at one oClock PM the Town met
Thomas Dawes Esq. in the seat
The Board of Health a Committee on Mr. Pratts Petition rela- tive to a Fish Stall over Mill Creek, reported, and their report was referred over for consideration to the adjournment of this meeting
[178.] Adjourned to Friday next being the 22d. instant at eleven oclock A M.
Friday May 22 the Town met according to adjournment
The report of the Committee on the petition of James Pratt read and accepted
The report of the Committee relative to widening Centre Street, read : and after some debate the question was put viz " Whether said report shall be accepted " which passed in the affirmative.
The report of the joint Committee relative to the lands on the Neck with respect to their improvement and disposal, was read and considered, and the question being put viz whether the same shall be accepted -it passed in the affirmative and on motion Voted that 12 °Clock be the time appointed to come to the choice of six Agents agreeable to the report of said Committee, - the time arriving and the votes having been brought in and counted it appeared that
The Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq George Richard Minot Esq John Winslow Esq William Tudor Esq Deacon William Brown Mr. Josiah Knapp
were the persons added to the Selectmen who conjunctly are to lease and manage said lands in such a manner as shall appear to them for the interest of the Town
106
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
The report of the Committee on the petition for a new Street near Beacon Hill was read and accepted
The petition of Mr. Edward Howe that a deed may be given him &c was read, and on motion the petitioner has leave to with- draw his petition.
The committee on Town Treasurers accompts &c Report
The selectmens drafts amount to 41,257.99
Overseers of the poor - 15499.74 Board of Health 4731.52
Total from May 1800 to May 1801- 61489.25
The Treasurer charges money paid S Brown for 1500.
new Almshouse - -
Counterfits Receivd for Taxes
20.
[179.] Amount of abatements on Assessors certifi- cates
3224.73
Ditto for ditto James Thompsons Estate - 559.50
Amount of Andrew Tukesburys account 228.91 Interest paid from December 1795 to March 1801 6099.23
New account for ballance
21601.90
The Treasurer gives credit by balance of old a/c - By cash received for States poor - 4610.73
By cash of Hopestill Foster for hay engine paymt. By cash of William Gooch for Market 4 paymts. By Samuel Hastings
235.10 5. 1.
By G R Minot -
By Charles Bulfinch .
110.
By error in July draft
1.50
By O Ballard -
11.50
By A Tukesbury three years Rent
500. 169.
By T W Folsom -
By amount of Rents
1487.25
By amount of Tax
60000.
94723.57
The Treasurer also exhibits a trial Balance
and charges Powder
1041.94.5 Cr. Notes payble 29962.15.3
Andrew Tukesbury 290.25 Estate of John Gray 107.
Benja. Henderson 10010.77 Board Healths draft 733.53
Thomas Bayley 17763.59 Town of Boston 21600.90
Ben ja Jepson
21966.73 Overseers drafts 1442.35
Estate I Thompson 1316.78
Selectmens do 5217.46
C Marshall 2338.78 13905.29 16244. 7
59064.35.5
$59064.35.5
.
94723.57
27450.36
143.13
107
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
Amount of Notes due from Town of Boston to Union Bank
To E Price £220.15.4
22000.
B Barker
463.5
E Partridge
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