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 14
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An application was received from the commanding officers of the three Boston regiments requesting that provision should be made to supply the militia with rations and baggage waggons for the review directed by the Major General at Dedham on the 11th. October next. It was agreed to postpone the decision on this application [322.] to the next meeting, in the mean time to ascertain the requisitions of the law & what had been done here- tofore on such occasions .-
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Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen September 25th. 1815 .-- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
A very violent gale of wind having on Saturday last, done great damage to the Town in general, but particularly to the Common, by rooting up thirteen large trees in the Mall & eleven on the line of Beacon street, & three by the burying ground in Common street. The Chairman informed the board that he had employed a number of labourers, to replace them-they approved his proceedings & appointed the Chairman & Mr. Hunnewell to superintend the work .-
Certificate was signed, approving the theatre in Federal street, & the company under Messrs. Powell & Dickson for theatrical entertainments, the ensuing year .-
[323.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 27th. 1815. Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld & Lovering.
4 Grand & 4 petit Jurors were drawn for Circuit Court of the United States .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
The buildings being now completed on the land near the front of the new Court house, and Mr. Sullivan the proprietor of them requesting that an appropriate name should be given to the space between the buildings & leading to the Court house .- it was agreed that it should be called Court Square ; the Chairman was desired to have this name painted & placed on each side of the entrance from School street .-
Information having been given to the board, that Major Gen. Crane had issued orders for all the militia of the first division to be reviewed at Dedham on the 11th. October next-The Chair- man was desired to represent to Gen Crane the circumstances of the Town, & of the people in general especially since the ravages of the late storm, and to solicit a recall of his orders, that the review of the Boston troops [324.] may take place within the Town, as of late years .-
Agreed to allow 400 dollars towards paving the southerly end of Broad street, leading to Rowe's & Fosters wharves.
Petition was received from a number of gentlemen resident on Beacon street &c, stating that the fences of the estate, late of Governour Hancock, having been much damaged by the storm & requiring expensive repair-it appeared to them a favourable opportunity to make an improvement by widening the street in front of that estate-& praying that measures should be taken to that effect, before any repairs should be commenced .- The same was considered & committed to Mr. Weld, to confer with the peti- tioners-and to understand from them what assistance they would give to enable the board to make the desired improvement .---
[325.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 2ª. 1815 .- Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld & Austin.
Application was received from the officers of Militia of the Town, that a Town meeting should be called, to request that rations & waggons for conveyance of baggage should be furnished at the expence of the Town, to the militia who are ordered to parade at Dedham on the 10th & 11th instant .- Warrant was signed for a Meeting on the 5th. instant .-
In pursuance of the powers, granted to the Selectmen by the act in addition to the act respecting boats & lighters employed to transport stones, gravel or sand within this commonwealth-it is hereby ordered
That the person regularly appointed to inspect and mark boats and lighters in this Town shall receive and demand for his ser- vices as follows, in addition to the cost of the marks required by law .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
1st. For weighing and marking each boat and lighter, the sum of six dollars, when [326.] the same does not exceed the burthen or capacity of twenty four tons, and also twenty five cents in addition for each & every ton exceeding that number .-
2ª. For inspecting annually the marks on any boat or lighter, and giving a certificate of their correctness, One Dollar .-
3ª. When the Inspector shall be of opinion, that the burthen or capacity of any boat or lighter has been diminished or increased by any repairs or otherwise, he shall give notice thereof to the owner, and that the same requires to be marked anew-that the owner may state his objections, if any he have, to the Chairman of the Selectmen : who shall direct the Inspector to proceed as circumstances shall-appear to require .-
The fees for marking a boat or lighter, after the same shall have been altered, shall be the same as for weighing and marking in the first instance, whenever it shall be necessary to weigh and mark the same entirely. But when the alteration shall affect the marks of such boat or lighter in part only, the fees shall be in proportion to the time expended in making the necessary altera- tions.
[327.] Whereas it has been represented to the Selectmen that Mr. A. Woodward, proprietor of a store in Newbury street, and Messrs. David Greenough, Moses Wheeler, and Thomas Wil- liams, proprietors and occupants of the new houses on Common street, have each of them laid a drain from his cellar to connect the same with the common sewer which leads through Mason street & Newbury street southerly ; It is hereby determined that each & every one of the persons above named should be assessed for the use of said common sewer-the same amount as was paid by each proprietor of said common sewer at the time of the last general repair of the same in October 1812, and they are accord- ingly assessed as follow viz.
A. Woodward 5.53 Moses Wheeler 5.53
David Greenough 5.53 Thomas Williams 5.53
And we hereby authorize and empower Mr. Charles Roe to de- mand and receive the same & to give discharges therefor .-
CHS. BULFINCH
EB. OLIVER
JON . HUNNEWELL
JOSEPH FOSTER
BENJ. WELD
JOSEPH AUSTIN
Selectmen of Boston.
[328.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 3ª. 1815 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Lovering & Williams .-
152
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Representation having been made to the board that the cellar walls of a tavern or hotel were now laying on Milk street & Bat- tery march street, which would project the walls of the buildings further westerly than the other buildings to the southward thereof -a meeting was called at this time & Mr. Cotting was invited to confer with the board upon the subject .- the ground was visited and examined, and after full consideration-Voted, That in the opinion of the Selectmen, the convenience of the inhabitants requires that the west line of the building proposed, to be built on Battery march street, should range with a line drawn from the south west corner of the store of Andrew Brimmer to the north- west corner of the store of George Odiorne, and that all the land to the westward of said line to the old pavement should be added to the highway.
The Chairman was desired to communicate the above to Mr. Cotting the proprietor of said land .-
[329.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 5th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Lover- ing, Austin & Williams.
Mr. Cotting being present it was agreed to refer the considera- tion of the damage done to his land by the proceedings of the Board of the 3d. inst, to the following gentlemen-they to view the cellar and land in its present state, & to view it again after the alteration shall be made-before they make up their judg- ments .-
JOSEPH HEAD PERRIN MAY TRISTRAM BARNARD WILLIAM FOSTER, JUNR. JOHN OSBORN, ESQUIRE.
The Chairman & Mr. Lovering were appointed a Committee to carry into effect the votes passed in Town meeting this day- authorizing & empowering the board to furnish rations &c. to the troops who would be on duty at the review at Dedham on the 10th & 11th instant. The Chairman then invited the colonels & Brigade quartermaster to meet them at the Selectmens room. They held a conference on the most eligible mode of providing rations etc. It was [330.] agreed that the Colonels & quarter master should make estimates of the quantity wanted, and of the number of waggons &c that would be necessary, & adjourned to tomorrow 10 o'clock .--
Friday October 6th.
The Committee met-when Major Shimmin made report-That the captains of the several companies would undertake to provide rations, & that they should make return of the number actually on
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
duty by certificate of the proper officer. That there would be required-51/4 tons of straw
3 Baggage waggons, to each regiment-9
1 D° __ DO __ to battalion of artillery 1 - 2 D° -- Do- for conveyance of 300 tents 2 12 A quantity of forage for artillery horses &c.
The brigade & regimental quarter masters would undertake to provide the waggons-and contract for forage and straw .-
The report was accepted .-
[331.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Octo- ber 18th. 1815-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
Messrs. Bulfinch & Hunnewell, a Committee to direct the prun- ing of the trees in the Mall & Common .-
The Chairman was directed to employ Mr Samuel Holmes in the streets to regulate the carts from the country, bringing cyder & wood for sale-he to be allowed one dollar each day while employed.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 25th. 1815 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering & Williams.
On the application of John L. Sullivan Esq. he is permitted to place a fence on the westerly part of Pond street, where it turns into Prince street, to enclose the inner angle on the side towards the water in a curve line, in such a manner as that the street shall measure forty five feet wide in every part opposite said fence .- and on condition that the fence shall be removed [332.] whenever it shall be required by the selectmen, and free of expence to the Town .-
A Petition was presented by a number of gentlemen residing in Beacon street, and the streets adjacent, stating the advantages that would arise to the public, if the street in front of the estate of the late Gov. Hancock, could be widened, and also that such improvement could be made at the present time with peculiar con- venience, owing to the shattered & ruinous state of the fences occasioned by the late storm .- The subject was considered and voted, That in the opinion of the board, it would be a great pub- lic improvement, to widen Beacon street from the southerly corner of the State House yard to the corner of Belknap street opposite to [the] estate of John Joy Esq. deceased .-
154
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Voted. To meet tomorrow 11. o'clock at said part of Beacon street, to view the premises and consider where the lines of the street should run .-
The board met according to agreement, the same members present as yesterday, and viewed the land proposed to be taken into the street; after various propositions for running the lines for the new front on the street. a number of stakes were placed in a straight [333.] line commencing six feet from the State House wall to the corner post of John Joy's estate on Belknap street. It was agreed to meet at Faneuil hall tomorrow 27th. 12. o'clock to determine upon the subject-that absent members should be notified to attend, and a plan of the street be there laid before the Board.
Boston 'ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 27th. 1815 .-
Present the whole Board. -
A plan of Beacon street was exhibited, and several proposals were made by members of the board, to alter the direction of the line of the street-to reduce the quantity of land necessary to be taken .- At this time Ebenezer Hancock, John Hancock & Samuel Spear Esqrs acting for, and representing all the heirs of late Govr. Hancock, were admitted at their request-they had a conference on the subject with the board, in which they objected to the pro- ceeding altogether, but expressed a wish, that if the board per- sisted in their determination, they would alter the line, to take a smaller quantity of land, and in their opinion [334.] make it less injurious to the estate; after they had retired. Voted, that Mr. Weld be desired to view the ground again in company with Mr Spear, and to consider if any alteration of the lines could be made, to effect the desired improvement, and meet the wishes of the heirs of the estate .-
The Chairman was desired to obtain the opinion of William Sullivan Esq. whether the heirs of Gov. Hancock, could make any present claim for land to be taken ; and how the proceeding would affect the rights & claims of Mrs. Scott, the present possessor, in right of dower of said estate .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 30th. 1815. -Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Foster, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
[335.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Novem". 1st. 1815.
Present the whole Board.
155
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
The subject of widening Beacon street again considered-Mr. Weld made report that he had viewed the ground in company with M _. Spear, but found that to conform to the proposals of the heirs in drawing the line, would not make such an improvement of the street as would be satisfactory to the public-but gave it as his opinion that by deviating in a small degree from a straight line, and by widening the street on the opposite side by a small portion from the Common, the views of the heirs might be met in a considerable degree-the quantity of land taken from them would be lessened, and the street would be opened commodiously & handsomely .- It was now proposed by some members of the board to postpone any further proceedings, in consequence of the lateness of the season-this being put to vote did not obtain. - The Chairman, Mr. Weld & M". Lovering were empowered to alter the direction of the new line of the street, according to their judg- ment, to exhibit the plan to the petitioners for their approbation.
[336.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Nov. 8. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
Grand Jurors & Traverse Jurors were drawn for Supreme Judicial Court .-
Messrs. Jonathan Heath & Elijah Utley-apply for liberty to build a livery stable on land purchased by them for that purpose on Portland street, late Cole lane-Committed to Messrs. Weld & Lovering .-
The Committee on the subject of widening Beacon street reported, a written opinion from William Sullivan Esq. that the heirs of the estate of late Gov. Hancock would have no claim to compensation for land taken until they should come into posses- sion of the estate .-
A plan of the street was also exhibited showing the lines as they had been run by the Committee-this plan had been laid before the petitioners for the improvement, and was approved by them, and they had agreed to defray the expence of removing the old fences, and of building a handsome new fence in front of said estate .- [337.] The plan being also approved by the board, it was determined to widen the street according to it, and that it be recorded as follows .-
At a Meeting of the Selectmen, Boston Nov. 8th. 1815.
Whereas in the opinion of the Selectmen, the safety and con- venience of the inhabitants of the Town of Boston-require, that the portion of Beacon street between the wall of the State House yard and Belknap street should be widened, and the board having
156
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
repeatedly viewed and measured the land lying between the aforementioned bounds, to determine in what manner the public improvement could be effected, with the smallest damage to private property. It is now determined to widen that portion of Beacon street as follows-beginning at a point-four feet three inches from the southwesterly corner of the wall of the State House yard, there measuring seventeen feet on land of the heirs of the late Gov. Hancock to Beacon street; then from the first mentioned point to the easterly wall of the front yard of the mansion house now occupied by Mrs. Dorothy Scott, there meas- uring seventeen feet four inches, thence to the westerly wall of said front yard, there measuring nineteen feet, thence to a point opposite to the present bend in said Beacon [338.] street, there measuring twenty feet, thence to a point on Belknap street, four feet from the corner of said street & Beacon street. And the same is ordered to be recorded as the line of said Beacon street, for the extent above described, and all the land lying between said above described line and Beacon street is hereby declared to be added thereto, and to be made part of the public highway .-
The Chairman was desired to have the deposition of William Taylor Esquire the surveyor who made the plan, taken in per- petuam, that it might be used in evidence, if necessary, in future.
Voted, That the Chairman and Mr. Lovering be empowered to agree with some person for the removal of the earth which may be necessary to level the street, and dispose of it on those parts of the Common where it will be most useful. that part of it be placed along the bank from the north westerly corner of the Common, to widen the street on that side in a gore from the corner to the first bend in the fence .-
[339.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Novr. 15th. 1815. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
A remonstrance against a license being granted to build a livery stable on land on Portland street was received, and read ; also particular recommendations of Mess's. Utley & Heath who apply for the license .- the subject was considered-and the Committee appointed to view the situation reported, that it was safe from danger of fire-it was Voted. That license be granted to Messrs. Utley & Heath to build a brick stable in the place applied for, on the following conditions, that they should take down the three story wooden house which stands on the front of the lot on Portland street, that the stable should be built on the back line of the lot-contiguous to the garden of William Board- man Esq. who consents thereto and which will leave an open yard between the stable and Portland street of sixty feet from said street-also that the fence should be removed so far back
157
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1815.
[340.] from the line of the street as that all carriages standing in front should leave the whole width of the street clear and unincumbered. (N. B. Mr. Utley consented to the above con- ditions .- )
The bell of the Old South church, being at present useless- The Chairman was desired to request of the Committee of the Park street society, that their bell should ring at the hours of 8 in the morning, 1 P.M. & 9. in the evening-and in case they should not consent, to apply to the Committee of Federal street society for the same purpose .-
A complaint was entered by Mr. Wm. Hynes against George Reed constable, for detaining in his possession stolen goods, after advertising them and Mr. Hynes proving his property .- they were both present, when it appeared that Mr. Reed had kept the property while search was making for the thief & during the ses- sion of the Grand Jury-after which he had delivered it up, upon payment of charge of advertising only ; Mr. Reeds conduct was approved by the board .-
Mr. Phinehas Capen was approved as an Auctioneer.
[341.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Novr. 22d. 1815-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
Jurors were drawn for the District Court of United States.
On the representation of the Captain of engine house in Lev- erett street, of the want of a fire place & separate room for the Company-the Chairman was authorized to direct all repairs that were necessary-and to have a partition placed to make a meeting room & furnished with a stove & kettle for heating water for clearing the engine from frost & ice .-
Joseph Knapp Esq. presented a memorial & remonstrance against the continuance of the watch house on the present situa- tion in Orange street : it now occupies a room in his dwelling house-over a water course belonging to the Town of six feet wide-and was many years since used for that purpose by his consent-the building was then [342.] used as a store, but, being of late years made into a dwelling house has become incon- venient, and as he states a great nuisance .- Messrs. Oliver, Fos- ter & Lovering were desired to view the watch house, to ascertain the town's .rights, and to confer with Mr. Knapp respecting another situation for a watch house-& report.
Mr. John P. Orcutt was approved as an Auctioneer.
.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
M' Jonathan Prescott applied to be restored to the office of Constable-passed in the negative .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 13 h. 1815 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
32 Jurors were drawn for the Court of Com. Pleas.
Messrs Augustus Moore & Joseph Burdekin were approved as Auctioneers .-
M' Samuel Holmes having been recommended, was approved & appointed a Constable, to continue in office until July next-the period of the annual choice of constables-Bondsmen-Peter Bicknell & James Farrar .-
[343.] Deacon Brown having expressed his wish to come to a settlement with the Town for a gore of land lying north of his estate in Orange street .- The plan of the same was viewed, and it was agreed to offer the same to Deacon Brown at the rate of one dollar the square foot. -
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen Decr. 20th. 1815- Present Mess. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
20 Jurors were drawn to serve at the Supreme Judicial Court at the present term.
A statement was received from the Treasurer of the rents of the various rooms in the old State House .- the same was commit- ted to Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell & Lovering to consider whether any advance could be made thereon, in consequence of the revival of business .-
At a special Meeting of the Selectmen Decr. 26. 1815. Pres- ent Messr. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster & Williams .-
Ten jurors were drawn to supply vacancies in the list, last drawn for Sup. Judicial Court in consequence of the decision of the Court that, they had served within three years.
[344.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decem- ber 27th. 1815-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Weld, Williams, Lovering & Austin .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
159
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1816.
Mr. Prescott's application to be reappointed a Constable was considered-and it was agreed to reinstate him in that office-to continue until the period of annual election in July next .-
Mr. Charles Lerow was approved as an Auctioneer .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 3ª. 1816- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Foster, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
Messrs. Hall & Weld, occupants of the old store at the corner of Elm street on Union street, presented a plan of said store, and represented that being about to repair or rebuild on that spot, they wished to know the opinion of the board respecting widening said Elm street and what quantity of land would be required for that purpose. The board desired the Chairman to inform Mess. Hall & Weld that in their opinion seven feet ought to be added to the street at the corner, [345.] and that they would name twelve disinterested inhabitants out of whom the proprietors might select five to consider the damage done to the estate & determine the amount that should be paid .-
Mr. Greenough presented a plan of a piece of land in Mason Street, corner of Sheaffs Lane, which he offered to exchange for the lot on which the school house stands in West street. - the same' ordered to lie for consideration .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 10th. 1816- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
20 Jurors were drawn for Supreme Judicial Court now in Session.
Agreed to meet tomorrow in Mason street to view land offered for school house-absent members to be notified .-
January 17th. 1816-no quorum for business.
[346.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 24th. 1816 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Hartt.
The following Letter and communication was received & read .- viz
Boston January 1816.
To the
Selectmen of the Town of Boston
Gentlemen
I annex hereunto an extract from the last will & testament of my brother Abiel Smith late of Boston deceased in which he bequeathes to the Town of Boston certain property
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
therein specified should the Town accept the said bequest on the conditions & for the purposes expressed in that instrument, I shall be prepared to transfer the same conformable to the benev- olent intention of the donor .-
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