USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the Selectmen's meetings, from 1811 to 1817 and part of 1818 > Part 11
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Warrant was signed for Town meeting for choice of Represen- tatives.
Mr. Eliot to print notifications .-
Rev. Mr. Huntington to be requested to open the Meeting with prayer.
·
Mr. David Greenough appeared, and the following were pro- posed and agreed to, as the conditions on which he should pur- chase part of the land of the school house lot on West street .- That Mr. Greenough and his associates should build a brick
115
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1814.
school-house 32 by 62 feet outside, and of the height of the Haw- kins street school house; the front according to a plan proposed and approved by the board. that they finish the lower apartment suitably for a school, and finish the upper story plain, without benches or forms .- That the roof be slated,-the materials of the old school house to belong to [242.] Mr. Greenough, except the benches and forms, which will be wanted for a temporary school while the new one is building. That they give a bond to execute the work in two years & four months-and may have possession of the land immediately-but not to receive the deed until the school house shall be completed. The land to be conveyed is described on a plan, which is certified by the Chairman & M". Greenough & is on file .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 16th. 1814. Present Mess. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lover- ing & Austin .-
On the application of Mr. Francis Amory, Messrs, Oliver & Foster were desired to view Hawley street and Hawley place, to consider whether any lamps should be put up there and in what situations.
Mr. B. Joy having stated that he was about to relay the side walk round his building, in Cornhill square, & that the paving was much out of repair-it was agreed that the same should be [243.] paved, the abutters to be notified to lay the foot walks .-
The Board now met the other members of the Trustees of Neck lands, on the petition of Deacon Field, referred to them by the Town .- the subject was considered, and Judge Dawes & Mr. Thacher were chosen to view Dea. Fields lot on the Neck previous to making up the report .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 18th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lov- ering, Austin & Williams .-
In pursuance of a precept from Hon. Judge of Probate inquisi- tion was made into the circumstances of James Cole, and return was made to the Judge that he was a person, non compos mentis, and it was recommended that a guardian should be appointed for him.
Mr. Daniel Adams has liberty to make use of the land on the easterly side of Fort hill to bore a few logs.
. Warrant was signed for Town Meeting for transacting the money concerns of the Town.
116
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
[244.] Recommendations were read from a number of very respectable citizens-of the ability and good character of Mr. Sam1. Holmes ; The Chairman stated from the great number of Spanish sailors now in town, and also the sailors from our own ships of war, it became necessary to employ at least one faithful man at West Boston, to preserve order; it was agreed to employ Mr. Samuel Holmes for this purpose, until further orders, & that he be allowed one dollar per day for his services.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 1st. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lov- ering, Austin & Williams.
Passed the Quarterly & Monthly Accounts.
Mr. Nathaniel Brintnall was approved as an Auctioneer .-
An application for repairs of paving in Kilby street, and another for paving part of Battery March street, near Rowe's wharf, where both referred to Mr. Hunnewell.
[245.] Mr. Oliver was desired to direct some repairs on the unpaved part of Common street .-
Messrs. Weld & Foster a committee to see Stephen Higginson Esq. respecting a letter which he had received from the assignees of Lane, Frazer & Boylston, reported that it was advisable to consent to the proposals of the said assignees for the purpose of closing their concerns .- The Chairman was desired to prepare a letter to be signed by the board for this purpose.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 8th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
The Chairman reported a letter to the Assignees of Lane, Frazer & Boylston-which he had shown to Stephen Higginson Esq .- the same was approved and signed, & duplicates ordered .-
Mr. Nath1. Glover was chosen Measurer of Wood .-
6 Jurors were drawn to serve at the U. S. District Court .---
[246.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 15th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Weld, Lovering & Austin.
Duplicates of the letter to the Assignees of Lane &c were signed-Also a Power of Attorney to Samuel Williams Esq. to receive from them all papers and monies in their hands .-
117
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1814.
Mr. Francis Wilby was approved as an Auctioneer.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen at the Adjutant Generals Office in State House. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
The board met to confer with the Commissioners appointed by the Governour to direct suitable measures of defence, and in company with Brig. Gen1. Wells.
The Brig". Gen1. having requested that a number of men should be ordered into service to guard the islands and exposed situa- tions, inquiry was now made of the [247.] Commissioners if provision would be made for paying them, from the appropriation of money by the Legislature. The Commissioners were decided in opinion that the men to be called into service, must be victualed according to the provisions of the Militia law, by the Selectmen .- and their pay would be settled at a future meeting of the General Court, which had been the invariable practice .- The Board then informed the Brig". Gen1. that they would attend to any communications from him relative to provisions and camp equipage & adjourned .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 22d. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams. -
32 Jurors were drawn for the Com. Pleas Court.
In pursuance of a precept received from Hon. Judge of Pro- bate, inquisition was made into the circumstances of John Lamb, and return was made that he was a person non compos mentis, and recommending that a guardian should be appointed for him.
[248.] Adjourned to meet in Convention for choice of Town Treasurer & Collector.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 27th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
The Convention not having come to a choice of Treasurer at the last meeting-The Boards now met in Convention and com- pleted their choice of Treasurer & Collector-after which the · Convention being dissolved, the Selectmen-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
A general sensation of alarm prevailing, respecting the designs of the ships of war, near our harbour, The Chairman & Mr. Wold were desired to confer with Com. Bainbridge upon the expediency
118
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
of sinking or preparing hulks to sink in the channel to prevent the approach of an enemy .-
[249.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 29th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
The Committee appointed at the last meeting to confer with Commodore Bainbridge respecting necessary measures of defence, reported that they had seen him and after conversing fully with him on the state of the harbour and fortifications, had agreed with him that it would be expedient to prepare some large hulks to be sunk in case of alarm in the narrow part of the channel between Castle Island and Governours Island. - The Committee had also a conference with the Commissioners appointed by the Governour to provide means of defence .- those Gentlemen had explained the state of the preparations which they had made-that artillery, ammunition, platforms for artillery use, boats, horses & drivers were ready at the shortest notice, and orders were given . to ten companies of artillery in the neighbouring towns to proceed to Boston upon the first alarm .- [250.] with those men and the detachment now made from the Boston militia, who would be immediately trained in the use of heavy artillery, The Commis- sioners considered the Town in a proper state of defence against any force which might be expected to be brought against it .- But as it might tend to satisfy the feelings of the public, the Adjutant General was of opinion that hulks should be provided, but not on any account to be sunk, until the actual approach of an enemy .- This report being made, it was voted unanimously that Benjamin Weld Esq. be empowered to contract with the owners of three vessels of a suitable size, to be taken for the use of the Town, and to be moored afloat near Governours Island, to be sunk in the channel in case of necessity. and that the owners should be compensated at a fair appraisement for all injury or damage done to such vessel, or for their total loss in case they should be sunk for the public security .-
[251.] List of Innholders & retailers-examined and ap- proved and certificate signed to the Court of Sessions .-
Ordered that the bells be rung for one half hour on Monday morning next, being the anniversary of the declaration of Ameri- can Independence-to begin at 7 O'Clock .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 6th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams. -
2 Jurors were drawn for District Court .-
1
.
119
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1814.
Application was received from Col. Osgood, commanding the detachment of Militia on the Common for the following articles-100 Kettles
200 pans
100 pint pots
32 Axes
32 Spades-for straw and wood according to law .- Ordered the above articles be furnished, such as are on hand immediately, & that the others be procured as soon as possible- That the Chairman apply to [252.] Col Osgood for a receipt for what may be delivered, and he be informed that the board expect he will take measures for the preservation of the articles .-
An application was received from Stephen Codman Esq. Chair- man of a Committee chosen by the Town to consider the expediency of commencing prosecution against the late Town Treasurer or his Bondsmen, for his delinquency in collecting taxes of several past years .- requesting information on the sub- ject .- The Town Clerk was desired to furnish the Committee with the annual reports on the Town's money concerns for five years past-Also to deliver to M'. Codman one of the Treasurer & Collectors bonds-and to obtain from the present Treasurer's office the folio book of abatements of the taxes of past years- these being all the documents in the power of the Selectmen .-
[253.] The following list of Auctioneers was approved. viz.
Francis Amory, James A. Allen, William Alline, Samuel L. Abbot, Samuel Blagge, Joseph Bumstead, Horatio Bass, James Bourguin, George Bond, Stephen Brown, George Burroughs Jr, Nathaniel Brintnall, Thomas Clark, Cornelius Coolidge, George G. Channing, Samuel F. Coolidge, Gilman Collamore, William Cochran, William Dehon, Jeremiah Draper, David M. Eaton, Charles Edwards, Richard Edwards, David Forsaith, William Gridley, William Gridley Jun., Caleb Hayward, Richd. H. Hough, Daniel Hersey, Charles Head, Thomas K. Jones, Abraham Jones, John Jutau, Phillip Marett, John Minchin, George Noble, Henry J. Oliver, Elisha Parks, Luther Parks, Asahel Plimpton, x Jo- seph Ripley, Jacob Rogers, Wm L Reaney, Frink Stratton, Benja. Tucker, John Tyler, Daniel Wild, Samuel Whitwell, George Wheeler, John Winslow Jur., Nath1. H. Whitaker, Fran- cis Wilby, xx Henry White, x Joseph H. Pierce, xx John White.
[254.] The following persons were chosen Constables for one year, & their Bondsmen approved-viz. -
-Bondsmen .-
Thomas Stevenson Theo Stevenson Jr & Wm Stevenson
Henry Lane - Caleb Whiting & Is1. Munroe
Elisha Copeland John Perry & John Gibson
.
120
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
Moses Thayer John Minchin & Jas. Liswell
Solomon Twist Wm Simonds & Amos Penniman
William Tupper
John Gibson & John Howe
Benja. B. Leeds Jeremiah Gore & S. H. Babcock
wm Brooks Moses Wallach & Lem1. Babcock
James Perkins . James Williams & Henry Lane Wm Cochran & D. S. Eaton
William Dinsmore
John Barnard & Rob. Barber
Thomas Holden
Bradh. Billings & P. Dickerman
Wendell R. Barker Benja. C. Stevenson
Shub1 Bell & Theo. Stevenson Jr.
David Rixford
W. P. Whiting & Thompson Miller
George Jackson
Bobt. New & Caleb Whiting
George Reed
Peter Bicknall & Martin Burr
Benja Horton Jr Benja. Horton & Wm Lovering
Walter Crosby. Israel Munroe & Jnº. French
Andrew Sanborn Horace Dupee & Jas. Burchstead
[255.] An application was received for a Town Meeting from a number of the militia now on duty, -- praying for an addi- tional compensation .-
The Board were unanimously of the opinion that it was not expedient to call such meeting at present .-
It was agreed that the sum of three hundred & seventy five dollars be appropriated for having Friend street, agreeably to the petition of the inhabitants thereof-and Mr. Hunnewell was desired to view the street in company with the abutters & agree with them relative to the side walks .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 13th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
Mr. Jabez Wilson being recommended by the inhabitants of South Boston, was appointed a Constable for that District .-
Mr. Thomas Christie was chosen [256.] a measurer of wood on the Neck, to be associated with Mr. Glover.
A memorial was received from a number of persons against the practice of bathing at the bottom of the Common on Sunday's ; it was ordered that the Constables forbid all persons from bathing in that place from the hour of nine in the morning to seven in the evening on Sundays, and in case they should persist in so doing- to complain of them to a magistrate for prosecution .-
A number of papers were handed to the Board from Mr. Weld, containing the results of his enquiries respecting hulks, and the expediency of preparing them-by which it appeared that a large
Jonª. Prescott
Silas Harvey & Jnº. Williams
121
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1814.
Committee of the Marine society, whom he had consulted, had given their opinion that such mode of defense was not to be recommended, as it involved a risk of material injury to the har- bour .- The papers preserved on file for future reference .-
[257.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 20th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
Return was made by Mr. Caleb Wilson of the expense of repair- ing the drain in North Federal Court, the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed; they being informed at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been notified according to law & that no objection had been made-Assessment was now made, an order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows viz-Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in North Federal Court conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to sixteen dollars & fifty cents, which expence is to be born by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby-Wherefore We the Subscribers Selectmen of the said Town of Boston Certify that having considered the same expense & by whom & in what manner it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion [258.] following & by the persons hereafter named-viz .-
Seth Johnson, Luther Bixby, Eleazer Homer, Anthony Chapouil, Widow Derby, Dea. John Simkins Agent, at 2.80 each.
And We hereby empower Mr. Caleb Wilson to demand & receive the same and to give discharges therefor .-
Signed CHARLES BULFINCH JONA. HUNNEWELL BENJ. WELD JOSEPH LOVERING
JOSEPH AUSTIN ROBT. WILLIAMS -
Selectmen of Boston.
Several of the abutters on Friend street having represented that they are unable to meet the expence of paving the foot walk in front of their estates, as they have been notified to do- Voted, that the Chairman inform Mr. Farnum & the applicants for paving that street-that the board will [259.] not con- sider it expedient at the present time to enforce the laying of the side walk of such abutters. But expect that the street shall be completed with one side walk on the south side thereof-and that the Town shall be at no other expence than the sum appro- priated of 375 dollars .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 25th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
122
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
Mr. Farnum appeared in behalf of the inhabitants of Friend street, who applied for the paving of that street; the subject of the objections to laying the side walks from several of the abut- ters was considered ; - and it was agreed that Mr. Farnum would take upon himself the expence of that part of the side walk which came upon Mrs. Rogers' front, and would also pay towards the cost of Richardson's side walk the amount of the bills that would exceed Thirty dollars .-
[260.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Augt 3d. 1814-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lover- ing, Austin & Williams.
On the application of Mr. George W. Eustis, of Newton a representation was signed to the Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk-That Moses Eustis of this Town, housewright, was an intemperate person, & in danger of wasting his property and becoming a public charge ;- and therefore praying that inquiry might be made, and a guardian appointed for him if the complaint should appear well founded-
A recommendation was signed, in behalf of Mr. William Clous- ton, to enable him to have a female minor bound to him.
A letter was received from MY Minot, Clerk of the Mill Pond Corporation-in which they propose to build a bridge 40 feet wide across the canal, in the direction of Cross street-and propose that it [261.] should be done at the joint expense of the Town & Corporation .- The Chairman was desired to reply that the Board did not think it expedient to put the Town to any expence for that object at present .-
An application was received from the officers of the Company of New England Guards-and from the officers of a new raised company of Sea Fencibles, requesting that a piece of ground, south of the Gun house on the Common might be appropriated to them to build a new Gun house upon, at the expense of the State. -Several of the officers were present, and other situations were proposed, which were not considered by them suitable for the purpose .- It was agreed that Mr. Hunnewell should be a Com- mittee to select a spot of ground for the purpose, south of the present Gun house; on condition that the building that should be placed there, should remain during the continuance of the war, and to be removed in ninety days after its termination, free from any expence to the Town.
[262.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August
17th. 1814. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Weld, Austin & Williams .-
123
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1814.
Return was made by Mr. Jeremiah Bumstead Jun". of the expense of repairing a Drain in a passageway leading South from Milk street, the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed; they being informed at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been noti- fied according to law, and that no objection had been made. Assessment was now made an order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows, viz. Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in a passageway leading South from Milk Street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to fifty dollars & fifty cents, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter there- in and receive benefit thereby-Wherefore We the Subscribers, Selectmen of the said Town of Boston Certify that [263.] having considered the said expence and by whom and in what manner it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the pro- portion following and by the persons hereafter named-viz.
Jeremiah Bumstead Jr. 12.621/2 -
Joseph Coolidge Esq 12.621/2
William Payne Esq - 12.621/2
Caleb Hiorns - 12.621/2
And We hereby authorize Mr Jeremiah Bumstead Jun" to demand and receive the same & to give discharges therefor.
Signed CHARLES BULFINCH
EBENR. OLIVER
BENJ. WELD
JOSEPH AUSTIN
ROB. WILLIAMS
Selectmen of Boston.
The Chairman reported that he had examined the accounts of the hay weigher to 1st. July last-that they were correct, and that a balance of $77.28 was due to the Town .- the report was accepted and an order passed that the Treasurer should receive the balance & give receipt in full to 1st. July .-
[264.] The accounts of the Clerk of the market to May 1st. were reported and approved, the balance of $228.76 having been paid by him to the Town Treasurer as by receipt from him.
The following rules and orders for the regulation of the stands of Wood & Hay were adopted by the board and ordered to be printed as the law directs .-
Rules and Orders .--
are established for the regulation of Carts and other Carriages with Hay ; and also Carts and other Carriages with Wood, brought by land, for sale, into this Town .-
From and after Thursday the first day of September next, all waggons, carts & sleds with Hay or Straw for sale, shall stand
124
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
in Charles street, in one line on the northerly side of said street ; beginning at the easterly end thereof, by the hay scales, and to extend as far westerly as should be found necessary to accommo- date the numbers.
From and after Thursday the first day of September next, waggons, carts [265.] and sleds, with wood for sale, shall stand in Common street ; from the burying ground gate southerly, as far as shall be found necessary to accommodate the numbers ; and they shall stand in one line along the westerly side of the street, leaving the entrance to Park street and the foot passages into the Mall clear and unincumbered .-
One row of such Waggons, Carts & Sleds with Wood shall be allowed to stand on the westerly side of the new Street over the mill-pond, called Merrimack Street, leading from the cause-way to Union street, in such a manner, as to leave the passages to said street free and unincumbered .-
And one row of such Waggons, Carts' and sleds with wood shall be allowed to stand on the easterly side of the Street over the Mill-pond, called Pond Street, leading from Charles River Bridge to Hanover street, in such manner as to leave the passages to said street free & unincumbered.
It is hereby ordered, in pursuance of the authority above named, that if any person shall offend against either of the above rules & orders, by standing with his [266.] Waggon, Cart or sled with Hay, Straw, or Wood for sale in any other place in the Town of Boston, than those above described, such person so offending, shall forfeit & pay the sum of Five dollars, upon con- viction of every such breach of said rules & orders .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 29th. 1814-Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lover- ing & Williams. -
Return was made by Mr. Noah Lincoln of the expence of repairing the drain in Robinsons Alley, the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed, they being informed at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been notified according to law, and that no objec- tion had been made .-
Assessment was now made, an order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows, viz .- Whereas a drain or Common Sewer has been laid in Robinsons Alley conformably to the directions [267. ] of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to eleven dollars, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby- Wherefore We the Subscribers Selectmen of the said Town of
125
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1814.
Boston Certify that having considered the same expense and hy whom and in what [manner ] it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion following and by the persons hereafter named .- viz .-
Cts.
Cts.
Robert Gillespie 70
Moses Grant 70
John Day Howard 70
Negres Violet
70
Seth Lathrop
70
Jacob Hyler
70
Josiah Snelling
70 William Collier 70
Estate of Jas. Harrison 70
Jas. Williams 70
Tho8. Lambord 70
Joseph Batson 70
Noah Lincoln 70
Hannah Cartwright 70
Abigail Larabee 70
John Jackson
70
And we hereby empower M": Noah Lincoln to demand & receive the same & to give discharges therefor.
Signed
CHS. BULFINCH
EBER. OLIVER
JONA. HUNNEWELL
BENJ. WELD
JOSEPH LOVERING
Selectmen of Boston.
ROB. WILLIAMS
[268.] The following proceedings of the Board on the 24th. Inst. should have been recorded at that date .- viz .-
A Petition was presented, signed by a number of the Inhabit- ants, requesting that a Town Meeting should be called forthwith, to take into consideration the expediency of providing for the immediate defence of the Town & harbour .-
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