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 13
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Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feb. 27. 1815 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Webb, Lovering & Austin.
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
It is thought proper here to record, that arrangements proposed on the 15th instant were carried into complete effect on 22d. ex- cepting the illuminating of the places of public worship, which was dispensed with, as being considered hazardous .- The per- formances were gratifying & the day and evening passed in the utmost good order & harmony, suitable to the joyful occasion .-
[295.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 1st. 1815-Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb, Lov- ering, Austin & Williams.
23 Grand Jurors & 30 traverse Jurors were drawn to serve at the Supreme Judicial Court .-
A Deed was signed, conveying a piece of land ten feet wide to Deacon Joseph Field, adjoining his land on the Neck agreeably to the vote of the town.
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting on the 13th. instant for choice of Town Officers. Mr. Eliot to print the notifications .-
Mr. Austin to request Dr. Baldwin to open the meeting with prayer .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 8th. 1815- Present, the whole. Board.
Six Jurors were drawn for the District Court of the United States .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
[296.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 17th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Austin, Williams & Hartt .-
The Oath of Office was administered to Mr. Edmund Hartt, one of the Selectmen for the present year, by the Town Clerk.
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting for choice of Gover- nour, Lieut. Governour & Senators .-
Mr. Eliot to print Notifications, & MT. Channing be requested to open the meeting with prayer .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 22ª. 1815. Present, the whole Board.
The Board came to the choice of a Chairman; the votes being taken by ballot-Charles Bulfinch Esq. was unanimously chosen.
Mr. Samuel Phillips was chosen Hay weigher-The Town Clerk to prepare a new bond as last year .-
Mr. Nath1. Merriam was chosen Clerk of the Market .-
[297.] It was voted to choose only one sealer of weights & measures for the present, And Mr. Richard Austin was unani- mously chosen.
Messrs. Lemuel Capen & Caleb Loring JunT. were chosen sealers of lighters bringing sand, gravel & stones.
Voted, That the compensation to the Superintendent of Police be the same as in the year past .-
Votes being taken for a Superintendent of Police, Charles Bulfinch Esq. was declared to be chosen .-
Thomas Battelle & William Barker having applied and being well recommended, were appointed Auctioneers .- The Town Clerk to give each of them a certificate.
David Sears Esq. being about to take down the wooden build- ing opposite his dwelling house in Beacon street, & to erect two brick houses on the lot, made application to know what part of the land would be wanted to widen that street .- The plans were delivered to Mr. Hunnewell to view and report.
[298.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 29th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Hartt .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
The Board came to the choice of a gentleman to deliver an oration befere the Town on the 4th day of July next-and Lemuel Shaw Esq. was unanimously chosen .-
The Chairman was desired to notify Mr. Shaw of his appointment.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 11th. 1815- Present the whole Board .-
Messrs. Dupee & Badger having applied for license to use their stable as a livery stable-examination was made, & it being found that the stable was situated back of their houses in Distill house square, and open to the vacant land in the mill pond, it was voted that the said stable should be licensed and approved for the pur- pose requested.
[299.] Messrs. David Marston and Harvey Nolen were approved as Auctioneers .- each to have a certificate .-
An application was received, signed by all the members of the Town Watch, praying for an increase of wages-the same having been considered-Voted that it was not expedient to make any alteration in their pay .- and that if any persons should withdraw from the watch, Mr. Brewer should propose names of others to fill the vacancies-to be approved by the board .---
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 19th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Hartt .-
32 Jurors were drawn for the Court of Com. Pleas.
Mr. Frederick W. Ingraham was approved as an Auctioneer.
On the application of Mr. Veazie, Voted to approve of his building a bakers oven at the house, corner of North Federal Court-if the Firewards have no objection .-
[300.] An application from the deputy Collectors for further compensation for collecting the tax of 1813, was read & the con- sideration thereof was referred to the Committee of finance.
An application was received from John W. Folsom Esq. requesting a license for selling spirituous liquors at a shop under his office in George Street : the same was considered & Voted unanimously in the negative."
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
. Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 26th. 1815 .- Present the whole Board .-
4 Grand & 4 Petit Jurors were drawn for the Circuit Court of United States .-
The monthly accounts were passed.
Mr. David Greenough made a proposal to exchange the lot of land on which the schoolhouse stands in West street for a piece of land on Mason street-to build the new school house thereon.
Mr. Saunders applied for license to sell spirits at his shop in Grove Street-recommended by Hon. H. G. Otis & others .- the same was considered & Voted unanimously in the negative .-
[301.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 3d. 1815-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Hartt .-
Mr. William Tucker, having been well recommended, was approved as an Auctioneer .-
It was agreed that liberty be granted to the Artillery company on Fort Hill, to level the land in front of their gun house .- MT. Nath1. Brewer to superintend the digging, under the directions of Messrs. Hunnewell & Williams .-
The Town Treasurer attended, and made a statement of several outstanding orders on old drafts of former years, which had not beer claimed; and requested that measures should be taken to cancel them, for his convenience in keeping his books-upon consideration it was agreed to pass an order for the Treasurer to receive said sums and credit the Town with them .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 10th. 1815 .- Present-the whole Board .-
Warrant was signed for Town meeting, for choice of Repre- sentatives on the 18th-instant-Rev. Dr. Gardiner to be requested to open the meeting with prayer .-
[302.] The Town Clerk made return of the amount of fees for Auction licenses, received by him and paid into the Treasury being one hundred and twenty six dollars .-
The Town Treasurer was present and requested that an order should [be] passed in favour of Josiah Bradlee for the cost of the oil supplied for the present season, to enable him to close his books before the May meeting-ordered that a draft on the books
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
be made for the amount, being eight thousand three hundred and forty-six dollars sixty-two cents.
The Proprietors & abutters on Bread & Well streets made a statement of the state of those streets, that being very flat and not paved, they were extremely muddy, and could not be kept in order, although they had been spread with gravel during the past season : they stated that they had made estimates that the whole cost of paving them would be $570-of which they would pay one half provided the Town would pay the remainder .- The subject having been considered, it was agreed, to pay two hun- dred and eighty-five dollars, upon Bread & Well streets being completely paved, to the satisfaction of the board .-
Proposals were received on the 8th instant from Wm. Sullivan Esq. to purchase the land in front of the new Court House on the east side of the opening .- and an offer made of one thousand pounds ; the same was considered and it was agreed to take $3500-for said land reserving a piece of 20 feet square on School street for an Engine house. [For the transaction of the board on this subject see the last page.]
[303.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 17th. 1815-Present-The whole Board .-
Mr. Stephen Thayer was approved as an Auctioneer .-
Messrs. Austin & Hartt were desired to direct the necessary repairs on the head of the dock, bottom of North Street.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 18th. 1815- Present-The whole Board .-
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting the 29th. instant .-
Return was made by Mr. Thomas Foster of the expence of repairing the drain in White Bread 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 & 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 White Bread Alley conformably to the directions of the Select- [304.] men, the whole expence whereof amounts to one hundred & fifty 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 Boston certify that having considered the same expence & by whom and in what manner it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
the same be paid in the proportion following and by the persons hereafter named-viz.
Thomas Foster, Elizabeth Bradlee, William Pool, each $7.17.
Thomas McClure, Benjamin Jarvis, William Daker, Estate of Nabby Howard decd., Samuel Bartlett, Joshua Burr, Capt Lord, James Lamb, Josiah Rainsford, each $10.75.
Elijah Turner Esq., $32.25.
And We hereby empower Thomas Foster to demand & receive the same & to give discharge therefor .-
(Signed) . CHS. BULFINCH EBEN. OLIVER JONA. HUNNEWELL
JOSEPH FOSTER
JOSEPH LOVERING
JOSEPH AUSTIN
EDMUND HARTT
Selectmen of Boston.
Land in front of Court House see last page.
[305.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 29th. 1815. Present a Majority of the Board.
Passed the Quarterly Accounts.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 30th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Weld, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Hartt.
Warrant was signed for a Town Meeting to be held on the 7th. June next.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 7th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Hartt.
On the petition of Mary Alexander wife of William Alexander, cabinet maker, confirmed by several of the neighbours ; applica- tion was signed to the Judge of Probate, representing to him that said William Alexander was [306.] a man of intemperate habits, and in danger of becoming chargeable to the Town, by wasting his property ; therefore requesting that a Guardian should be appointed over him.
Complaint having been made of a dangerous place in Olive street, Mount Vernon, the Chairman was desired to notify the abutters on the street to build a wall & fence to support the gravel necessary to level the street.
The Chairman was desired to obtain from J. W. Folsom Esq. Coroner, the evidence respecting the murder of Frederick Hart on
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
the 3d. instant, and communicate the same to the Governour & Council, with a request that they would direct such measures as to them should appear proper for the detection of the murderers .-
The Committee to view Beach street reported that Messrs. Thomas & R. Haskins be informed that the board think it expedi- ent for the improvement of that street-that the fence on their land should be removed back on a line with the new brick house .-
[307.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 13th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
Application having been made by Mr. William Foster Jun". to the General Court, for liberty to build a wharf on the flatts, east of the channel and in front of Foster's wharf-it was now agreed, that the time allowed by the order of notice was too short for due consideration of this proposal, and therefore Voted That the Committee of [the ] General Court should be requested to report to refer it to the next session .-
Representation having been made that some persons acting under the direction of Messrs. Hancock & Spear, were digging & carting away the gravel where the steps lately were situated on the north side of Beacon hill, Voted. That the Chairman & MT. Weld be a Committee to take measures to prevent this encroach- ment on the Town's land & to prosecute the persons concerned in it -
[308.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 14th. 1815 .- Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Lovering, Aus- tin & Williams .-
4 Jurors were drawn for Circuit Court of United States.
32 Jurors drawn for Boston Court of Com. Pleas.
On the application of Mrs. Peak & on evidence of Mr. Jepson & Lummis her neighbours -- an application was signed to the Judge of Probate, representing that Mr. William Peak, pump maker, was a man of intemperate habits, in danger of wasting his prop- erty, & thereby bringing himself & family to be chargeable to the Town-and praying that a Guardian should be appointed for him .-
Mr. Samuel Cabot Jun". & Joseph Cabot were approved as Auctioneers.
The Chairman was requested to employ a surveyer to examine the Town's passage way between Rowe's & Foster's wharves, &
144
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
to stake out the Town's bounds on the north & south sides & make a correct plan thereof .-
[309.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 5. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
List of Auctioneers approved during the past year was exam- ined & the following approved for the year ensuing .- viz.
Samuel L. Abbot, James A. Allen, Francis Amory, George Bond, George Burroughs Jr., Stephen Brown, Lemuel Blake, Thomas Battille, Horatio Bass, James Bourguin, George G. Channing, Cornelius Coolidge, Thomas Clark, William Cochran, Sam1. F. Coolidge, Martin Clap, Joseph L. Cunningham, Samuel Cabot Jun"., Joseph Cabot, William Dehon, George L. Deblois, Richard Edwards, Charles Edwards, David M. Eaton, David For- saith, Silas Field, William Gridley Jr., Caleb Hayward, Richd. H. Hough, Daniel Hearsey, Charles Head, William Hartwell, Joseph Hollis, Tho8. K. Jones, John Jutau, Abraham Jones, Cha8. H. Jones, Fredk. W. Ingraham. [310.] Philip Marett, John Min- chin, David Marston, Charles Nolen, George Noble, John W. Nance, Samuel Prince, Henry J. Oliver, Elisha Parks, Luther Parks, Asahel Plimpton, Joseph Ripley, Frink Stratton, William Tucker, John Tyler, Joseph Titcomb, Samuel Whitwell, Nath1. H. Whitaker, Francis Wilby, John Winslow Jr., Charles Willis, Henry White, John White.
Return having been made from the Clerk of the Court of Ses- sions of the names of persons licensed for [the ] sale of spirituous liquors during the past year, the same was examined and corrected by erasing the names of such as were deceased, had left Town or had conducted disorderly [places]-and the usual certificate signed for the remainder.
[311.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 12th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Hartt .--
Return was made by William Mackay Esq. of the expence of repairing the drain in Sudbury 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 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 Sudbury street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to sixty three dollars, which expence is 10 be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
benefit thereby-Wherefore We the Subscribers Selectmen of the said Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expence and by whom & in what manner it ought to [312.] be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion follow- ing and by the persons hereafter named-viz.
John Heard Esq. Agent, Samuel Parkman Esq., Abraham Bazin, William Taylor, Elizabeth Gale & Moses Bass, Heirs of Josiah Bradlee, William Mackay Esq, John Kennedy, Heirs of John Codman Esq, Widow Storer, Foster Swift, Thomas Furber, Heirs of David Peirce, Samuel Snelling, Thomas' D. Moore, Joseph Phipps, Jacob Tidd, Jacob Eustis, Leonard French, Wil- liam Gray, each 1 share, $3.
Thomas Lee, 2 shares, $6.
And We hereby Authorize & empower William Mackay Esq. to demand and receive the same, & to give discharges therefor.
(signed) CHARLES BULFINCH
EBEN OLIVER
BENJ WELD
JOSEPH LOVERING
JOSEPH AUSTIN
EDMUND HARTT
Selectmen of Boston.
[313.] Application was made by Messrs. Jacob & Charles Tidd to purchase a piece of land on Merrimack street, mill pond which borders on their Distill house yard .- It was voted that it was not expedient to make sale of any part of that land at present .-
William Minot Esq. Secretary & Treasurer to the Franklin donation fund, presented his books and accounts, which were examined & approved by a Committee .- he was then chosen to the office of Secretary & Treasurer for the year ensuing .-
William King (a black Man) having been well recommended, was approved & licensed to sweep chimneys, and to employ his son as an apprentice in the same business during the pleasure of the board .-
This time having been assigned for coming to the choice of Constables for one year-The following persons were chosen, with the same bondsmen as in the last year, or any change of sureties to be approved by the Chairman .-
Thomas Stevenson Thos Stevenson Jr. & Wm Stevenson
Elisha Copeland -
John Perry & Jolin Gibson
[314.] Moses Thayer
John Minchin & James Liswell
Solomon Twist Wm Simonds & Amos Penniman
William Tupper John Gibson & John Howe
James Perkins Jas. Williams & Jonas Green
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- CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Wendall R. Barker S. Bell & Peter Dickerman
Benja. C. Stevenson Shubael Bell & Thos Stevenson Jr.
George Jackson Caleb Whiting & John Loring
George Reed Martin Burr & Frans. Garaux
Andrew Sanborn Jas. Burchstead & Horace Dupee.
William Dinsmore
Thomas Holden
Wm Cochran & David S. Eaton
and for South Boston
Silas Harvey & John Williams Jabez Wilson .-
July 19. William Brooks-Moses Wallach & Lemuel Babcock.
[315.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 19th. 1815 Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
Inquiry having been made into the conduct of Mr. William Brooks, in his office of Constable, & the report being satis- factory to the Board, it was agreed to reappoint him the present year.
Application was received for paving Fosters lane leading from Charter street to Lynn street; referred to Messrs. Austin & Hartt to view & report.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 31st. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
The Clerk of the markets account, for the quarter ending the 1st instant, examined and approved.
Passed the Monthly accounts.
Proposals were handed in by the Clerk of the market for digging a well in market square, with a subscription paper to the amount of 450 dollars-the subscription appearing to be conditional, it was determined [316.] to take no measure respecting the well, unless the money subscribed should be paid and given toward the object, in which case the board would agree upon the part of the Town, to pay what should be necessary in addition.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 2ª. 1815- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Austin, Williams & Hartt .-
The Accounts of Mr. Phillips hay weigher for the quarter end- ing JJuly 1st. examined & found correct; the balance ordered to be paid to the Treasurer .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
Messrs. Whitwell & Bond apply for liberty to place stage poles in Kilby street, to erect staging necessary for their new building- Voted. That they may be allowed to use as much of Kilby street as may be necessary for their staging : they being careful to incommode the occupants of the adjoining lots as little as possible .-
[31,] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 9th. 1815-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Weld, Williams & Hartt .-
Return was made by M". James Sherman of the expence of repairing the drain in North 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 notified according to law & that no objection had been made .- Assessment was now made, an order of pay- ment was passed by the Selectmen as follows viz .-
Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in North street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen the whole expence whereof amounts to five 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 Boston certify that having considered the same expence and by whom and in what manner it ought to be paid- Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion following & by the persons hereafter named-viz .-
Lewis Leland 2 shares, $1.25. [318.] James Sherman, John Eliot, Redford Webster Esq., Capt. Bangs, Capt. - Ward, Joseph Callender, each 62₺ cents.
And we hereby authorize & empower Mr. James Sherman to demand & receive the same & to give discharges therefor .-
Signed CHARLES BULFINCH BENJ WELD
ROBT. WILLIAMS.
EDMUND HARTT
JOSEPH AUSTIN
Selectmen of Boston.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 16. 1815 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
Whereas Mess's. Whitwell & Bond upon application to the Selectmen obtained liberty to lay a common sewer in Kilby street, and it having been made to appear to the Board that the work has been properly executed ; the accounts also having been ex-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
hibited, and examined, by which it appears that the whole expence of building the same & admitting therein the drains of three estates, amounts to the sum of two hundred [319.] & eleven dollars .- It is hereby adjudged by the Selectmen that the several persons who by using the said common sewer & connecting drain therewith have become proprietors thereof, shall pay their pro- portions of the expence of building or laying the same as follows-
Messrs. Whitwell & Bond 75
Thomas L. Winthrop Esq. for Jas. Bowdoin Esq. 75
Mrs. Borland - 61
$211
And We hereby empower Messrs Whitwell & Bond to demand & receive the same and to give discharges therefor .-
signed CHARLES BULFINCH Chairman of Selectmen
Estimates having been made for two stone sinks to be made in North Russell street, amounting to 183 dollars .- it was agreed to employ MT. Woodbury to proceed to build them .-
The proposals for digging a well having been renewed, & the subscribers having agreed to the terms proposed by the Board the following vote was ordered to be communicated to the Conduit Corporation-
Voted. That the Selectmen will cause a well to be dug near the north east corner [320.] of the market house, and have two pumps placed therein .- On condition that the Conduit Corpora- tion will consent to pay to the Clerk of the market who is hereby authorized to receive the same, the sum of one hundred dollars subscribed by them towards the expence of the same : they to join with the Town in the chance and risk of the undertaking to the amount of the above sum .- Also that the said Corporation shall agree, in case a liberal supply of good water can be obtained, to relinquish their right of using the conduit pipes, and of taking up the streets to repair them .-
N. B. The officers of the Conduit Corporation signified their consent to the above by their vote which is on file .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 28th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lovering & Austin .-
Passed the Accounts.
6 Jurors were drawn for District Court of United States.
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
[321.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 13th. 1815-Present, Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering & Austin.
Jurors were drawn for the Court of Common Pleas .-
It was agreed to allow two hundred & fifty dollars for paving Foster street, the same to be done under the direction & to the satisfaction of Messrs. Austin & Hartt.
Mr. Joseph Grafton was approved as an Auctioneer.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen September 20th. 1815 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering.
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