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 17
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That a trench be dug in a situation agreed upon by the Com- mittees of the Selectmen & Board of Health, in which the contents of the carts shall be deposited.
That one person shall be employed by the Board of Health, to cover said dirt & filth with clean earth or gravel : and when the ditch first dug shall be filled, that another shall be dug where directed by the Committees, and the same method observed in filling it .-
That the drivers of the carts & the person employed to cover the trenches be enjoined [27.] not to suffer any of the filth to be laid on the surface of the ground.
That in case this mode of disposing of the dirt should be found displeasing to the inhabitants, or in any wise objectionable by the Selectmen-that the board of health will immediately desist from placing it there .-
That it be recommended that Mr. Phillips the hay weigher be employed to superintend the work .-
On the application of Messrs. William Wyman & Benjamin West, they have liberty to open the ground in Orange street for the purpose of extending the common sewer to their houses.
Messrs. Williams & Stone having engaged in building a new store at the corner of Flagg Alley on State street, Voted, That they have liberty to shut up the alley until their building shall be raised one story from the ground, and also to enclose the foot walk in front of their building & the alley, for depositing their building materials.
Return was signed of the gentlemen chosen by the Town on the 16th. instant to represent them in the General Court .-
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting for transactions of money concerns .-
[28.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 22d. 1816-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin & Bray .-
The Committee appointed to view the mill pond respecting the bridges over the creek, reported that they had viewed the creek & were of opinion that one bridge was necessary to be erected immediately in the situation leading from Cross street toward Union street ; and that the same bridge should be forty feet wide, to answer the necessity of the public convenience at the present moment .-
185
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1816.
The report was accepted & the Chairman desired to communi- cate the same to the Directors of the Mill pond Corporation .-
Several complaints having been made against the practice of firing India crackers and other small fire works in the streets ; the Chairman was desired to insert an advertisement in the papers, calling upon the citizens to give their aid in stopping these dan- gerous practices-& also to offer a reward for the detection of persons who wantonly disfigure houses & fences.
The form of an arbitration bond between the board & the directors of the new Cornhill [29.] Corporation relative to the proportion of Mrs. Scollays land & building to be paid for by the Town, was presented as prepared by Mr. Thacher & approved.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen May 27, 1816. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Phillips.
Passed the Quarterly Accounts .-
List of names of gentlemen proposed as referees to value Mrs. Scollays land and building, was received from the New Cornhill Corporation. The Chairman was desired to hand the list to M'. Codman that Mrs. Scollay might select two-and that she might propose a list of twelve for their selection of two .-
Next Wednesday week was assigned for coming to the choice of such officers as may be wanting.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 5th. 1816- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
· A majority of the board not being present at this meeting, no business was transacted .-
[30.] Boston ss At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 7th. 1816 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Wil- liams & Phillips .-
5 Jurors were drawn for the U. S. District Court.
Mf. Melcher applied for liberty to open & repair the common sewer in North street; & the proprietors having been notified thereof ;- liberty is given to proceed to open, cleanse or new Jay the same, as shall be found necessary .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 12th. 1816 .- Present
-The Whole Board --
186
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
34 Jurors were drawn for Court of Common Pleas .-
In pursuance of two precepts from [the] Hon. Judge of Pro- bate for [the ] County of Suffolk-inquisition was made into the circumstances of William Jackson-and of John White; & return was made that they were persons non compos,-and rec- ommendation that guardians should be appointed for them .-
[31.] The Committee chosen to consider the expediency of providing a fair copy of the 1st. Vol : of Town records ; reported their opinion, that they would advise, that the copy of that volume lately made by Mr. Shaw should be purchased, and kept with the other Town Records, if it could be obtained for one hundred dollars .- the report was considered & accepted.
In consequence of a law passed at the last session of the legis- lature, directing the choice of weighers of beef &c M'. Lemuel Spear was chosen to that office for South Boston.
The several measurers of wood from the country having petitioned to be appointed sealers of wood brought by water, for reasons set forth in their petition-it was Voted, that the present measurers viz Mr. Nathaniel Glover, Moses Hadley Jur, Thomas Christy, James Wilson & Joshua Butters should be appointed sealers of wood on the wharves, to be ready to attend to that duty, whenever called for, by the purchaser or seller of wood and not otherwise.
An order of notice having appeared in the public papers respecting some alterations of the Charter of the Boston [3%.] and Roxbury Mill Corporation. The Town Clerk was directed to hand a copy of the vote of the Town to the Committee chosen by the Town to attend to its rights in this respect; that they may appear before the Committee of the General Court in behalf of the Town.
Mr. Lovering having reported, that Mr. Isaac Spear had offered $300-for the materials of the house on the Neck lately recov- ered by execution from the assignees of John Coates .- Mr. Lov- ering was empowered to make a bill of sale of the same and take a note from the purchaser payable in one year with interest, to be delivered to the Town Treasurer .-
Great complaints having been made of the irregularity in the time of the clocks of Boston, Cambridge & Salem, the Chairman was desired to invite Hon. Mr. Bowditch and Professor Farrar to agree upon a mode of drawing accurate meridian lines in those three places, that their time may, in future, be uniform : and that public meridian lines may be drawn in one or more suitable places in this Town, open to the view of the citizens.
187
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1816.
[33.] Mr. Alexander H. Gibbs was approved as an auc- tioneer.
A number of the inhabitants of Federal street, having exper- ienced great inconvenience from the water in heavy rains being discharged from that street and Franklin place through the sink in front of the theatre, and having proposed that the pavement should be raised to convey the water over ground into Milk street ; The Chairman reported that he had employed correct workmen to take the levels of the street : and they had found that to raise the street, to give it a descent of half an inch in ten feet would raise the pavement 3 feet 12 inches above the top of the stone sink ;- that this measure would compel the abutters to descend by steps to their yards, and would prevent the water running from them into the street, and therefore the proposed alteration was not practicable .-
The Board having been called to view Beacon street to deter- mine the line of the new fence on that street on the side of the Common-referred the subject to Messrs. Austin & Phillips, to confer with the abutters [34.] and report .-
The Committee now reported that they had agreed with the abutters that the fence should be set in a line to make the street fifty feet wide, not to include the land which they had given to the street in front of their houses-The Chairman was desired to direct the workmen to place the fence fifty feet from the columns of the houses of Messrs. Cotton, Benjamin & Tuttle .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 19th. 1816- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bray & Phillips .-
Sealed papers were received from the Cornhill Corporation & from Mr. Codman, agent to Mrs. Scollay, being opened it appeared that Mrs. Scollay had made choice of Daniel Sargent Esq. & Richard Sullivan Esq. & that the Directors had chosen Joseph Head and Allen Crocker Esqrs. and the Board having agreed to Thomas H. Perkins Esq. The Chairman was desired to inform these gentlemen of their nomination & to request them to attend on Monday next at half past 4 o'clock .-
A Petition signed by all the occupants [35.] of stores in State street was presented by a Committee requesting that measures might be taken to regulate the trucks in that street, & to prevent the street being crowded by the great number that now stand there .- The gentlemen having withdrawn, the law regulating trucks was read & considered sufficient & the Chairman was desired to take measures that the rules should be strictly complied with.
188
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
A complaint was presented against the state of the sink in Prince street, being subject to be choked in heavy rains, which occasioned the street to be overflowed ; and proposing that some person should be employed to keep the grates clear for delivery of the water .- It was agreed that Mr. Charles Lincoln should be employed to attend to the sink & to keep it clear-and that he be paid five dollars a year for this service-until the further order of the board .-
[36.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 24th. 1816. Present Mess Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Thomas H. Perkins Esq. being obliged to be absent on a journey, declined serving on the reference respecting Mrs. Scollay's land-It was agreed that Daniel D. Rogers Esq. be requested to act in his place.
The Chairman was appointed a Committee to sign the arbitra- tion agreements respecting said land & building, on the part of the board .--
Boston ss. As a Meeting of the Selectmen June 26th. 1816- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Phillips .-
Closed the monthly draft .-
Whereas liberty has been granted to Messrs. William Wyman & Benja. West, to lay a new drain or common sewer in Orange street : and they having made return that the same has been com- pleted [37.] and having exhibited the accounts thereof which amount to one hundred & fifty one dollars-the same having been found correct are allowed and assessment ordered on the several persons whose private drains are connected with said common sewer in proportion as follows
William Wyman 1, Benj West 1, Mess Cheevers 1, Estate of Hopestill Foster 1, Mr. Downey 1 share, each $30.20, and Messrs. William Wyman and Benjamin West are hereby empowered to demand & receive the same & to give discharges therefor .-
CHARLES BULFINCH 7 EBENE. OLIVER
JONA. HUNNEWELL JOSEPH LOVERING JOSEPH AUSTIN
ROBT. WILLIAMS
JOHN BRAY
TURNER PHILLIPS
Selectmen of Boston.
189
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1816.
Several persons having applied for the privilege of printing the oration to be delivered on the 4th. July, it was agreed that the same be granted to Mr. Stebbins .-
[38.] The Chairman was desired to employ the constables to preserve order in the Common on 4th. July, and to direct the bells of the several places of public worship to be rung from half past 6. o'clock to 7 in the morning of that day.
A Committee from the proprietors of [the] Old South Church attended to complain of the disorderly passing of carriages dur- ing the time of service on Sundays .- The Chairman was desired to publish the law in this respect; and the gentlemen were assured, that if they would return the names of offenders with proper evidence, prosecution should be entered against them .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 3ª. 1816 .- Present the Whole Board.
Return was made by Mr. Levi Melcher 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 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 [39.] sewer has been laid in North street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to four hundred & three dollars and thirty five cents, 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 and by the persons hereafter named .- viz .-
James Sherman, Lewis Leland, N. C. Bangs, John D. Howard, Jur., Stephen Shelton, Amos Binney, - Cogswell, John Tuckerman, Capt. Benja. Smith, William Late, Mrs. Holland, Levi Melcher, John Ripley, Joseph Adams, Edward Oliver, [40.] Henry J. Oliver, Samuel - , William Trefrey, Mrs. - - Adams. Capt. Webber, Sam1 Hastings, Louis Lincoln, William Marsh, William Collins, - Low, Andrew Drummond, Wm Woodward, William Bell Ju, Moses Grant, Noah Lincoln, Nath1. Bishop, Josiah Snelling, Lincoln & Gillespie, Benja. Fullerton, Jacob Hiler, William Collier, John Howe, Estate of - Leach, Estate of Jas. Harrison, Redford Webster, Mr. Adams agent to Cartwright, - Callender, Sam1. Hastings, Edward Whit- man, Sam1. Winslow, each, $5.53.
190
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Benjamin Jarvis, Samuel Parkman, Josiah C. Rainsford, Mrs. Ward, Wm. Fales (Agent), Joseph Chandler, Estate of Capt. Simmonds, John Leatherbee, Joseph Batson, each, $11.6.
Benja. Fuller, John D. Howard, each, $16.59.
Daniel Malcolm, $8.30.
Jonathan Fowle, $13.83.
And we do hereby empower Mr. Levi Melcher to demand and receive the same and to give discharges therefor.
signed by the whole board .-
[41.] A number of the abutters on Beacon street attended, respecting the position of the new fence between that street and the Common; after conversing on the subject, it was agreed, that the new fence should be continued in a straight line with that already set to the south of the steps fronting Belknap street ;- provided that the proprietors of land on Beacon street would agree to give one hundred dollars towards the expence of filling the street to the fence, & would engage in writing to widen their side walk & complete the same in two years, to the satisfaction of the Selectmen ; and also pave a gutter along the same, without expence to the Town .-
The following persons were approved as auctioneers-viz .-
Sam1. L. Abbot, James A. Allen, Francis Amory, Sam1. Blagge, George Bond, Elam Bliss, James Bourguin, Joseph Bur- dakin, Stephen Brown, Lemuel Blake, Thomas Battelle, Thomas Clark, Cornelius Coolidge, Gilman Callamore, Geo. G. Channing, Wm. Cochran, Sam1. F. Coolidge, Phineas Capen, Martin Clap, Charles Cleaveland, Jos. L. Cunningham, Sam1. Cabot, Joseph Cabot, Wm. Dehon, Geo. L. Deblois, Richd. Edwards, [42.] Charles Edwards, David M. Eaton, David Forsaith, Silas Field, William Gridley Jur., Alex". H. Gibbs, Daniel Hearsey, Caleb Hayward, Richd. H. Hough, Charles Head, Wm. Hartwell, John Jutan, Tho. K. Jones, Chs. H. Jones, Fredk. W. Ingraham, Charles Lerow, Philip Marett, John Minchin, David Marston, George Noble, Jacob Peabody, Elisha Parks, Luther Parks, Asahel Plimpton, John Perkins, Sam1. Prince, Henry J. Oliver, John P. Orcutt, Joseph Ripley, Frink Roberts, Frink Stratton, Benja. Seaver, Wm. Tucker, John Tyler, Joseph Titcomb, Sam1. Whitwell, Nath1. H. Whitaker, Benja. Winslow, John White, John Winslow Jr., J. Chas. Willis Jur. Henry White.
[43.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 10th. 1816-Present Mess Bulfinch, Lovering, Austin, Williams & Phillips .-
Return was made by Mr. John Gore of the expence of repair- ing the drain in Park 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
191
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1816.
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 Park street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to sixty two dollars & seventy five cents, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drain 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 & in what manner it ought to be paid, Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion following & by the persons hereafter named-Vizt
Townsend (Estate occupied by Mrs. Jenks, $7.85
Estate of Sam1. Dexter Esqr. decd. 7.85
Ditto lately occupied by T. O. Selfridge Esqr. decd. 7.85
R. G. Amory Esq". 7.85
William Payne Esq". 7.85
Christopher Gore Esq. (occupied by Mr. Hubbard 7.85
Miss Payne's - 7.85
Jonathan Amory 7.85
[44.] And We do hereby authorize & empower MT. Samuel Dennis to demand and receive the same & to give discharges therefor .-
Signed by all the members present .-
A number of Innholders appeared with S. D. Parker Esq. to object to any innholders license being granted to small dealers or occupants of cellars, upon principle of injury to the public, and particular damage to them, who are obliged by law to be provided & furnished for travelers & others .-
The occupants of the building of Mrs. Scollay, lately deter- mined to be taken down, appeared & stated that they had been warned to leave said building in one week .- they stated that the notice was too short to allow of their obtaining other places con- venient for their business-and also that they had claims for compensation for the unexpired term of their leases & for the damage and inconvenience which they would sustain by remov- ing .-
Adjourned to meet tomorrow .-
At a Meeting Thursday-
The Board met according to Adjournment, and several of the directors of Corhnill Corporation were present. it was agreed by them, that in order to have the building of Mrs. Scollay taken down without delay they would give two hundred dollars which
192
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
they were to receive from G. Greene Esq. that they would relin- quish all [45.] claim to the building & would pay two-thirds of such other expence of removing the tenants as the Selectmen should find unavoidable. Mr. Oliver & Mr. Hunnewell were appointed a Committee to agree upon terms with the tenants- and it was directed that the building be advertised for sale on Thursday next 18th. instant, to be removed without delay.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 17th. 1816- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Williams, Bray & Phillips .-
A remonstrance having been received, signed by a large num- ber of the manufacturers of hats in this town, objecting to the appointment of Frink Roberts as an auctioneer; the subject was considered at this time ;- Mr. Roberts & his counsel were present to answer the objections against him .- It having appeared to the board that no unfair or improper conduct was imputed to him in prosecuting his business, but that the objection arose wholly from his selling hats by retail .- It was determined to renew his license for the present year .-
[46.] Objections having been made, at the last meeting by a number of Innholders against licenses for sale of mixed liquors being given to occupants of small shops and cellars .- a number of persons of that description now appeared, and by their counsel stated the necessity of such licenses being granted, particularly about the market-and to such persons as bad conducted with good order .- A respectable Committee was also present from the Society to check the progress of intemperance ; who requested that the board would use their utmost caution in granting licenses, and not extend the privilidge of selling spirits to improper persons .-
10 Jurors were drawn for Sup. Jud. Court.
The Committee appointed for the purpose reported that they had agreed with the occupants of Mrs. Scollays building upon the terms on which they would immediately leave the rooms occupied by them-And the Treasurer having informed the board that the Treasurer of the new Cornhill Corporation had agreed to pay him the amount awarded to be paid by them-The Chairman & Mr. Phillips were chosen a Committee to arrange with the Town Clerk the draft on the Treasurer in favour of Mrs. Scollay & others, previous to the sale of the building advertised to take place tomorrow .-
[47.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 24th. 1816 .-
Present the whole Board .-
193
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1816.
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 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 Robinsons Alley con- formably to the directions of the Selectmen the whole expence whereof amounts to one hundred & sixty five dollars and fifty cents, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby .- Wherefore We the Sub- scribers Selectmen of the said Town 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 pro- portion following and by the persons hereafter named .- viz .-
Isaac Fowle, William Collier, John Jackson & Wife, Joseph Batson, John Howe, Jacob Hiler, John Jarvis, for Mrs. Larabee, Moses Grant, Noah Lincoln, Mr. Bishop, Josiah Snelling, John Howard, Robert Gillespie, Thomas Holt, Christopher Lincoln, each $9.20.
[48.] Hannah Cartwright, $18.40.
Ebenezer White, 3ds $6.13.
Seth Lathrop, 3ª $3.7.
And We hereby authorize and empower Mr. Noah Lincoln to demand and receive the same & to give discharges therefor .-
Signed by seven members of the Board.
The Chairman was empowered to propose to the Court of Ses- sions, that the steps in front of the Court House should be taken down, & other steps built inside the door, at the expence of the Town, provided they would give the materials of the present steps, to be used in the mall or otherwise at the disposal of the board .-
[49.] The following persons were appointed Constables for the year ensuing, and their sureties approved .- viz.
Thomas Stevenson Tho' Jr & Wm Stevenson
Elisha Copeland John Perry & Jnº. Gibson
Moses Thayer
John Minchin & James Liswell
Solomon Twist
Wm Simonds & Amos Penniman
William Tupper
John Gibson & John Howe Nº 2.
James Perkins
M. Wallach & Lem1. Babcock
Jas. Williams & Jonas Green
Jonathan Prescott John Barnard & Francis A. Foxcroft Wm Dinsmore Wm Cochran & David S. Eaton
William Brooks
George Reed Fra. Garaux & Martin Burr
George Jackson Caleb Whiting & John Loring
Thomas Holden Augustus O. Barton & Oliver Downing
194
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Wendell R. Barker Shu1. Bell & Peter Dickerman
Ben. C. Stevenson Sh. Bell & Tho Stevenson J
Andrew Sanborn Jas. Birchstead & Horace Dupee
Samuel Holmes Peter Bicknell & Jas. Farrar
David Rixford W. P. Whiting & Eph Whitney David Rixford was appointed Sepr. 11th .-
[50.] Mr. Bray was desired to call on William Minot Esq. Clerk of Mill Corporation to enquire what measures have been taken for building the bridge over the Mill Creek to lead from Cross street to Union street, and to urge the necessity of its being done immediately .-
On the applcation of the abutters on the street near Rowes & Fosters wharves- Mess Oliver; Hunnewell & Lovering were appointed a committee to view the street for regulating the foot walks, and determine the extent to be paved, according to the appropriation of four hundred dollars, granted last year for that purpose. -
Messrs. Hunnewell & Williams a committee to view the oyster house near the place where Olivers Dock formerly terminated, to determine the right of the present owner to build any addition to the westerly end of said building .-
Messrs. Bulfinch & Lovering a committee to view the land on Court street now owned by Thos. Welsh Esq. to consider his request for liberty to build arches under the hill-& to report the particulars of the extent of his ground &c.
[51.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 29th. 1816 .-- Present
The whole Board. -
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