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 2
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Edward Flood, Benjamin Jarvis, Jared Lincoln, Joseph Homer, Ebenezer Farley, Benjamin Goodwin, Sweet & Fletcher, Peter Dickerman, Joshua Ary, $7 each, Total $63.
12
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
And We hereby authorize and empower Mr. Joshua Ary to demand and receive the above sums from the persons abovenamed & to give discharges therefor .-
(Sign'd)
CHARLES BULFINCH - EBENR OLIVER JONA HUNNEWELL F. WRIGHT
Selectmen of Boston. BENJA WELD -
Mr. Wright made a statement to the board of the expence that would arise from procuring the quantity of balls which are wanted to complete the Towns supply-being about 700 Dollars .-
Voted, That as the expence is necessary to comply with the requisition of the law [27.] of the Commonwealth, that Mr. Wright be authorized to proceed & procure the necessary quan- tity of balls .-
Mr Weld having represented that the common sewer which crosses Green street & passes through land of Capt. Barnard is now or will soon be stopped by filling the Mill Pond, and that Capt. Barnard is desirous of removing the same from his land- Voted, that measures be taken for turning the course of the said sewer westerly in Green street, until it shall join the common sewer in Gouch's lane-& that Capt. Barnard be desired to undertake the same.
M' Tukesbury appeared & was questioned respecting the state of Deer Island, particularly relative to the shifting of a sand bar at the westerly point, opposite to Long-island: = and it was Voted that the Chairman should notify Gen1. Dearborn, Collector of this port, of the change made in that bar by the storms of the past winter & request him to order a buoy-to be fixed, for the information of Vessels coming into the harbour .-
On the application of M' Hazard of Nantucket, who supplied the oil for Town use in 1809 the amount of which was drawn for in Oct. last, & which he has not yet received from the Treasury. -Voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized & empowered to give his note to Mr. Josiah Bradlee in behalf of Mr. Hazard for the amount of the draft in his favour for oil, and also that he pay the discount at the Bank.
[28.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen April 17th. 1811 Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
On an application from a Committee of the Board of Health, Messrs. Hunnewell, Weld & Foster were chosen a committee in conjunction with the Committee of the Board of Health to view
13
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
the various places where wharves can be built for the emptying of the night and day carts, with the smallest inconvenience to the inhabitants .-
Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Weld, were chosen a committee to meet the Directors of the Mill Pond Corporation, & conformably to their communication of this day, to agree with them upon some suitable person to superintend the laying of all common sewers in future in the Mill pond :- and the same committee is empowered to agree upon the compensation which such person shall receive for his services and upon the proportion thereof which shall be paid by the Town .-
Mr. Lewis the constable was questioned, relative to a charge against him for neglect to execute a warrant given to him by one of the Overseers of the Poor : upon [29.] considering his state- ment, and the circumstances of his family, of the sickness & death of his son at the time-his reasons for not fully executing the duty assigned him, were considered satisfactory by the board .-
Mr. Wright-being present-
The Town Clerk was directed to prepare a bond for the Town Treasurer, & the Chairman desired to have the same executed immediately.
Mr McNeill exhibited his account of the hay scales for the quarter ending April 1 .- whole amount received being 316.66- from which 2/3ds for his services 211.11 - 105.55 after deducting for expences & repairs 12.68
leaves balance to the Town $92.87 which he is directed to pay to the Town Treasurer.
A Remonstrance or complaint against Mr. McNeill in his office of hay weigher was read-and agreed that the first signer should be notified to appear on Wednesday next to explain his cause of complaint .-
[30.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen, April 24th. 1811., Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
On a new venire from the Clerk of the Court of Com. Pleas-4 Jurors were drawn ro serve at the present session of that Court .-
Mr. Samuel Perkins having in conformity to an order of Notice given him on the 18th instant notified by a constable all the pro- prietors of the common sewer in Water Street: applied now in person for liberty to open & repair the same, which was accord- ingly granted.
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
Several complaints having been received of errors made by the hay weigher in his tickets of hay, compared with the tickets for the same loads weighed in Dearborn's patent platform balance- Mr Oliver was desired to employ some suitable person, with the sealer of weights to examine the Towns Scales, & have them made correct .-
A Vote was received from the Clerk of the Mill Pond Corpora- tion in which they propose to give their note to the Town Treas- urer for the amount of M' Hynes' bill for laying drain in the Mill Pond, payable in six months .- it was agreed to withdraw the suit & accept the note proposed provided it should [31.] be upon interest from the time the draft was passed in favour of Mr Hynes .-
On the application of P. C. Brooks, President of the N. E. Insurance Company-Voted, That the Treasurer be directed & empowered to give his note to said President & Directors for the amount of the award in their favour, for their land taken to widen Exchange lane .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 29th. 1811. Present Mess18. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright, Foster & Webb .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Mr Wright & M' Foster were desired to inspect that part of the Common Sewer now open in Water Street, and direct the work- men how far to proceed in opening the remainder & in relaying the same .-
The Board made choice of James Savage Esq. to deliver an Oration on the 4th day of July next being the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. -
Also made Choice of Rev. Mr. Cary to officiate as Chaplain on that day .-
Mr Richd Austin was chosen sealer of weights & measures for the Southern District of the Town & M' Timo. Greene for the Northern district .-
[32.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 1st. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
Finished the draft for monthly accounts.
The Chairman & Mr. Weld a committee on the application of M' Nickerson to ascertain the bounds between his land and the
15
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
land of the Town opposite Snow Hill street, where the drain & sink formerly passed through-and from which it has been lately removed .-
Notice was received from the Directors of the Mill Pond Cor- poration-that they should find it necessary to make an opening immediately through the Causeway for the purpose of admitting lighters with stone, to build the walls of the Canal .-
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting for the 16th. Instant- for choice of Representatives.
Rev. Mr. Mitchell to be requested to open the meeting with prayer .-
Mr. Park to print notifications.
[33.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 8th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb & Weld.
The following was handed to the board by a Committee from the Board of Health.
In Board of Health Boston, May 6th. 1811.
Voted, That a Committee of this Board be raised to confer with the Selectmen, and inform them that the Board of Overseers, considering the alms house wharf solely under their control, refuse their concurrence with the determination of the Boards of Select- men & of Health, respecting the building of a wharf from the Alms House wharf for the use of the night & scavengers carts- & to confer with them on a proper method to effect that object
Voted. Messrs Robinson, Sigourney, Lovering & Jonª. Loring be this Committee .-
attest, Nat Greenough Secretary .-
Voted, That Messrs Hunnewell, Weld & Foster be a committee to confer with the committee of the Board of Health, upon the subject of the removal of nuisances from the night & day carts .- and that they recommend to the joint committee a conference with the committee of the Board of Overseers .-
A communication was received from the Board of Health signify- ing their consent [34.] that the Gun House should be placed on the land lately added to the North burying ground .-
The committee formerly appointed-Mr. May & Mr. Webb- were desired to have the Gun House removed as soon as practi- cable .-
16
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 11th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, May, Wright, Weld.
Return was made by the Assistant Assessors of the number of rateable polls taken since May 1st .- Ordered that the same be printed in the Boston Gazette, & Independent Chronicle, for the information of the Inhabitants .-
A petition was received from the inhabitants of Cambridge street, requesting that measures should be taken to remove carts &c with provisions for sale from that & the adjacent streets- Voted, that the Chairman prepare an order to that effect pursuant to the powers vested in the Board by the law of the Common- wealth-which order is as follows .-
Whereas a spacious, elegant & convenient Market-House has lately been erected in Cambridge street, and directly opposite to Grove Street for the accommodation of the Westerly part of this Town ;- The following [35.] Rule & Order is established, in pursuance of the powers vested in this Board by the Act of the Legislature of this Commonwealth, entitled "an Act in addition to the several Acts now in force," to regulate the paving of the streets in the Town of Boston, and for removing obstructions in the same."
From and after Monday, the 20th day of May, Inst. no per- son shall be allowed to stand in Cambridge street, or either of the streets branching therefrom, with their waggons, carts, sleds or horses, having meat, vegetables, or other articles of provisions for sale; nor shall any person be allowed from and after the day aforesaid, to place any stalls, bench or block in said streets, to exhibit any such provisions for sale .-
And it is hereby ordered, in pursuance of the authority above named, that if any person shall offend against the above Rule and Order, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of Five dollars upon conviction of every such breach of this Rule & Order.
By order of the Selectmen,
(Signed) CHARLES BULFINCH, Chairman.
At a Meeting May 13. 1811. Present Mess Bulfinch Hunnewell, May, Wright, Webb & Weld .- This Meeting was called upon a precept from the Clerk of the Circuit Court-and 6 Grand Jurors & 8 petit Jurors were drawn for said Court .-
[36.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 18th. 1811, Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb, and Weld .-
This Meeting was held to complete the return of Representa- tives-and issue warrant for Town Meeting for the usual May
17
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
meeting-the business was adjourned to Monday next 4 o'Clock- & the Town Clerk was desired in [the ] mean time to inform the Board of Health of the adjournment, that they might have an opportunity to insert in the warrant any article that they might wish to lay before the Town .-
Upon a representation that a number of houses were now build- ing on the east side of Purchase street, the floor of which was raised so high as to make it probable the steps would interfere greatly with the foot walk-the Chairman was desired to notify Mr. Tileston, the proprietor, of the apprehension of the board in this respect, & to ask him to take suitable measures, before the houses were further advanced, to prevent the incumbrance of the street .-
[37.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 20th. 1811. Present Mess. Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
Warrant was signed for the May Meeting.
A communication was received from Capt. Barnard respecting the stopping of a common sewer, passing through his land in Green street to the Mill Pond .- the same was committed to Messrs. Hunnewell & Weld, who have already been appointed a committee to confer with the directors of the Mill Pond Corpo- ration on the subject of drains .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 22d. 1811. Present Mess-Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb & Weld.
A number of Gentlemen applied to request copies of the lists of rateable Polls lately taken by the Assessors in the several Wards .- the Gentlemen were informed that the board would consider their request at a fuller Meeting & communicate their answer .-
A large number of gentlemen, proprietors & occupants of buildings at the east end of State street applied in person to complain of the great inconvenience [38.] experienced from the number of trucks standing in that street & to request that some effectual measures might be taken for their relief .-
after they had retired, the Chairman was desired to prepare rules and regulations for the trucks to be laid before the board at the next meeting for consideration.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 28th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Wright, May, Foster & Webb .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Mr. Wilby, agent for James Harrison Esq & Capt. Gam1. Brad- ford, Treasurer to the proprietors of [the] Exchange Coffee house appeared to inform the board, that the claim of Mr. Harri- son for the street north of the Exchange had been settled by pay- ment of the sum awarded by verdict of the jury .- and the amount of nineteen thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars 44 being indorsed on the bond given by said proprietors to the Select- men-the Chairman was directed to make a certificate on the bond, that the endorsements for the above named sum, are con- sidered by the Selectmen as on account of said bond-A receipt from James Harrison was also received for the above amount endorsed on the bond : & it was ordered that this receipt [39.] be recorded in the Registry of Deeds of the County of Suffolk .-
Notice was received from the Secretary of the Fire Wards that complaint had been made against the removal of the Gun house to Copps hill .- The Chairman was desired to inform the Firewards that such removal had been done conformably to a vote of the Town, and to request a committee of the ward to examine the situation in which it is placed, with the hope that they would find no well founded cause of complaint .-
Mr. Caleb Loring Jun" was chosen sealer of Boats and Lighters bringing stone and gravel for the present year.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 5th 1811. Present Messrs Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, May, Foster & Weld .-
Mr John Leverett presented a deed executed by him in behalf of his minor children-and in consequence of a Resolve of the General Court empowering him for that purpose-for their pro- portion of the land claimed by heirs of Leverett under & con- nected with the Alms house-The Town Treasurer was authorized to give his note to said Jobn Leverett for the sum of One hun- dred & Eighty two dollars 84/100 in full consideration of the above mentioned conveyance.
[40.] The Chairman was desired to repeat the Notice to Mrs Wheeler to pave the foot walk in front of her house in Sea street.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 12th 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, May, Wright, Foster & Weld.
Jurors were drawn for the Circuit Court and also for the Court of Com. Pleas, July term.
On application of M' Caswell Beal, representation was made to the Hon. Judge of Probate, that David Jacobs, an inhabitant
19
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
of this Town, had become intemperate and wasteful of his prop- erty, and was in danger of being a Town charge; and requesting that he would take legal measures to have a guardian appointed for him .-
Applications were received from each of the Constables of the past year, and also from a number of new applicants-offering themselves for the place of Constables- their names being read, the choice was postponed to a fuller meeting .-
A remonstrance was received against the reappointment of Mr George Reed-and the Chairman was desired [41.] to notify the subscribers thereto and also MT Reed to appear before the board on Wednesday next, when the complaint would be examined into .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 19th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
Jurors were drawn to supply deficiencies in the lists for Dis- trict & Com : Pleas Courts .-
The remonstrants against Mr. George Reed appeared & stated several charges and accusations of oppressive conduct-Mr. Reed being present, with counsel, replied to the same .- no decision was had, but it was agreed to proceed to the choice of Constables on Wednesday next .-
The Chairman having been desired to prepare regulations for the trucks & sleds-presented the following, which was accepted & ordered to be printed.
TOWN OF BOSTON.
At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 19th. 1811.
In pursuance of the powers vested in this board by the Act of the Legislature of this Commonwealth, entitled " an Act in addi- tion to the several Acts now "in force [42.] to regulate the paving of Streets in the Town of Boston, and for removing obstructions in the same" the following
RULES AND ORDERS
are established for the regulation of Trucks and Sleds, in the Streets of said Town : to be in force from and after Monday the 8th. day of July next .-
1st. All Trucks owned by any inhabitant of the Town of Bos- ton shall be registered in a book, to be kept by the Selectmen for
20
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
that purpose; and shall be numbered from Nº. 1 in succession ; and said numbers shall be distinctly painted on both shafts of said Trucks, in black letters & figures, at least three inches in length, on a white ground.
2ª. After such Trucks shall be registered and numbered, if any owner thereof shall sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of his property therein ; the same shall be registered anew in the name of the person purchasing or otherwise owning the same- and the numbers shall be renewed as often as they shall become defaced or indistinct .-
3ª. From and after Monday the 8th. day of July, Twenty Trucks, with two horses harnessed to each shall be allowed to stand in State street; to extend from Merchants row to Long Wharf on the North side; and from Kilby [43.] street to Broad street on the South side, in the following order.
The Trucks numbered from 1 to 20 to have the privilege of that stand for one week; those numbered from 21 to 40 to stand there the second week; and those numbered from 41 to 60 to stand there the third week in succession-after which they shall begin again the rotation .-
4th. Such Trucks as have usually stood in the street at the east end of Faneuil Hall, shall be permitted to continue there for the present .-
5th. All other Trucks not accommodated as above, shall stand in Broad street from Milk street, southerly ; to. be arranged in one line near the foot walk on the east side, for one week, and in the same manner on the west side on the second week ; and shall change their stands on the east and west sides of the street weekly .-
6th. All Sleds drawn by two horses, owned by any inhabitant of this Town shall be registered and numbered, and shall take their stands, in the season when they shall be in use, under the same regulations as are already pointed out for Trucks.
7th. No Truck or sled with one horse, shall be permitted to stand in State street.
[44.] And it is hereby Ordered, in pursuance of the authority before named, that any person who shall offend against either of the above rules and orders, after the 8th day of July next shall forfeit & pay the sum of Five dollars upon conviction of every such offence.
By order of the Selectmen (Signed)
CHARLES BULFINCH, Chairman.
21
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 26th. 1811.
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 3d. 1811. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright & Weld.
The Chairman being absent, Mr Oliver was chosen Chairman Pro. tem. by ballot
The Following persons were Licensed as auctioneers for the year ensuing-viz
Samuel Blagge, George Bond, George Burroughs Jr., Joseph Bumstead, William Belcher, Cornelius Coolidge, [45.] Abraham Carter, Thomas Clark, Samuel F. Coolidge, Richard Edwards, William Dehon, William Gridley, Robert Gardner, Caleb Hayward, Richd H. Hough, Thos. K. Jones, John Jutan, Ezek1. P. Greenleaf, Frederick Beck, Stephen Brown, Samuel Prince, Elisha Parks, Jacob Rogers, Jesse Sanger, Joseph Ripley, Nath1. Tucker, William Thomas, Abel Wheelock, Sam1. Whitwell, George Wheeler, Benja Tucker.
A letter was received from Mr Gorham Parsons respecting setting his fence in Summer Street-committed to Messrs Wright & Weld .--
Leave was granted to a committee from the gentlemen who celebrate the 4th July in Faneuil Hall, to make use of the Select- mens Room on that day. -
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 10th. 1811. Present Messrs. Oliver, May, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
Mr. John L. Sullivan applied for leave to put up a fence at the bottom of the passage way leading from Leverett Street to the Alms house wharf-the same was committed to Mr. Weld .-
[46.] Mr. Jacob Eustis appeared & handed a complaint in writing against Mr Eben". Wells-representing him as an in- temperate person, who wasted his estate, & praying the board to inquire into the circumstances-the same was committed to Mr. Weld & Mr. Webb .-
The following named persons were chosen Constables for one year next ensuing, and those whose names are annexed were approved as. sureties. -
Thomas Stevenson-Thomas Stevenson Jr. & Wm Stevenson Amos Lewis -- Jona Merry & Thomas Lewis
Henry Lane-Caleb Whiting & Israel Munroe
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Elisha Copeland-John Perry & John Gibson Moses Thayer-John Minchin & Jas. Liswell Jirah Holbrook-Jona Merry & Edwd. Staples James Sumner Jr .- Thos. W. Sumner & Jas Ridgway Solomon Twist-Will™ Simonds & Amos Penniman William Tupper-John Gibson & John Howe Benja. B. Leeds-Jeremiah Gore Jr. & S. H. Babcock William Brooks-Lemuel Babcock & M. Wallach James Perkins-Timº. Green & Jas. Williams William Dinsmore-Wm. Cochran & David S. Eaton Jonathan Prescott-John Barnard & O. C. Wyman Robert Rixford-Eben Frothingham & Tho' Redman John P. Orcutt-Charles Willis & Larkin Snow Nath1. Phillips Jur .- John Parker & Jos. Lovering
The Town Clerk was directed to inform Mr. George Reed that he is not reelected a Constable .-
[47.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 17th. 1811. Present Messrs. Oliver, Wright, Webb & Weld.
Mr. Wright & Mr. Weld were appointed a committee to meet the committee appointed by the Town 27 May last on the subject of removing the filth of the Town &c.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 24th. 1811. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
Return was made by the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the names of persons licensed as inn-holders & retailers the past year, the same being read, examined and corrected ; was approved & signed according to law .-
On the application of Mr. Eustis Representation was made to the Hon Judge of Probate that Ebenezer Wells of Boston sail maker, had become intemperate & wasteful of his property, was in danger of becoming a Town charge & requesting that a Guardian or Guardians may be appointed over him.
M' Jireh Holbrook resigned his office as constable for the year ensuing .-
[48.] Voted, That no auctioneer be allowed to sell any horses or carriages in State street, or which shall be rode for show in said street, while any auctioneer may have such horses com- mitted to them for sale. - -
The following notice was directed to be sent to M'. Ed. Sav. age-viz.
23
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
Mr. Edwd. Savage
Sir The Selectmen view with regret your inten- tion expressed in this days Centinel to open & illuminate the Museum in Boylston Hall on Saturday Evenings, they hope you will make it convenient to alter that arrangement.
By order of the Selectmen
EBER. OLIVER Chairman P. T. (Signed)
Mr. Wright & M' Weld were appointed a Committee on the application of W. D. Sohier & others respecting lowering their rents in the old State House. -
The Town Clerk was directed to furnish the Town Attorney with a copy of the vote of the Town respecting Chimney Sweepers, in order that the same may be laid before the Justices of the Court of Com. Pleas for their approbation.
[49.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 29th. 1811. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Webb and Weld.
Passed upon Accounts .-
The Committee to whom was referred the application [of ] W . D. Sohier & others respecting reducing their rents in the old State House-Reported-that the rent of John H. Crane & Wm D. Sohier occupants of Nº 3 be reduced to two hundred dollars per annum-& that the rent of Mr. John Park in said house be four hundred dollars per annum both to be reckoned from the first instant .- Dr. Park to give up the small room at the head of the stairs .-
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