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 22
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240
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
the new hospital at West Boston. It was agreed that the board would meet the Trustees, to view the situation &c on Monday next at 11 o'clock and that the trustees be informed thereof .-
The Market Committee reported that they had examined all the places which had been proposed for a fish market-and at present could find none more convenient [145.] than the building occu- pied for vegetable stalls at the west side of the market square .- A memorial was received from the proprietors of stores bordering on the place proposed by the committee for a fish market-after some conversation, it was agreed to refer this memorial & recom- mit the subject to the Market Committee, to confer with a new committee of the board of health and report.
Mr. Ridgway appeared and stated his intention to remove the steps from his house, which now inc umber the foot walk in Cam- bridge street provided the Town would pay part of the expense. Voted, That Mr. Phillips examine the situation and make such agreement for the removal of the steps from the street, as he may think reasonable .-
Mrs. Dix having had an opening made to the drain from her house, as was proposed some time since-Messrs. Oliver, Hunne- well, & Bass were chosen a committee to view the same & report.
Application having been made to widen & pave Griffins lane at the southerly end of Pearl street. Voted, that the Chairman in- form B. Weld Esq a principal proprietor that the board will allow one thousand dollars for the [146. ] improvement and paving of that street. provided it be widened by drawing a line on the west side from the corner of Mr. Richardsons house to range with the east side of Mrs. Cottons house on Purchase street-removing the school house & the shop now at the corner of the lane :- the east side to range on a line as nearly parallel to the above line as pos- sible-and making the street about twenty eight feet wide and the pavement to be completed to the satisfaction of the Board .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 13. 1817- Present the Board except Mr. Dorr.
Mr. Rowe to be informed that unless he immediately proceed to lay the side walks in Essex street, agreeably to the last votes of the board : that workmen will be employed to do the same according to law .-
The Market Committee reported that they had again attended to the location of the Fish market, and had agreed with the com- mittee of the board of health, that the easterly end of the vege- table market on the south side would be the most suitable place,
241 '
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
and would accommodate twelve stalls. The report was accepted & the committee empowered to proceed in removing the present occupants & building the stalls .-
[147.] An answer was received from Benjamin Weld Esq. to the proposals of the board for improving Griffins Lane-in which he declines to undertake it wholly-but accedes to the former proposal of the board-to remove his fences, if the board will have the street paved as far as his land extends, both in the centre and in the foot walk .- Mr. Welds proposal is agreed to and the committee of that district empowered to proceed with the pavement.
The Board having viewed the streets at West Boston which the directors of the General hospital have applied to have closed for the benefit of that institution-Voted-that as the Lechmere point Corporation subscribed in 1812 part of the expense of forming a communication from Leverett street to Cambridge street, through Bridge street, part of which it is now proposed to inclose-The Chairman inform the President & Directors of that Corporation that another street called Blossom street will be immediately opened, a little to the east of the one now shut up, which will make good the communication between Allen & Cambridge streets-That by this means an important accommodation may be given to the hospital establishment without interrupting the travel, or interfering with the convenience of the neighborhood.
[148.] The Committee of the Market empowered to make . such repairs to the pavement south of Faneuil Hall as they find necessary.
Boston ss. At a Meeting [of] the Selectmen August 19th. 1817-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Austin, Phillips, Bass & Dorr.
Return was made by Mr. Thomas Barnes of the expense of opening and repairing a drain in Middle 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 payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows viz-
Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in Middle street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expense whereof amounts to seventy six dollars and ninety one cents-which expense is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby-Wherefore We the Subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expense and by whom and in what manner it
242
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid [149.] in the proportion following and by the persons hereafter named- viz .-
Anthony Otheman, Joseph White, Samuel Parkman, Ezra Dyer, Sam1. Beals, Prince Snow Agent, Heirs of M. M. Hayes, each $4.82.
Margarit & Robert Pulsifer, George Creighton, Charles Pook, Heirs of Jas. Robbins, J. Rice Agt, Miss - Barker, Heirs James Cary, Loring Sargent, Mr. - Dutch, Michael Corne, Thomas Capen, Heirs of Bowlings, B. Smith agt, Capt. Seth Webber, Aaron M. Peasley, Mary Slater, William Daley, William Abrams, Mr. - Wise, Sam1. Wheeler, each $2.41.
And We hereby authorize & empower Mr. Thomas Barnes to demand and receive the same and to give discharges therefor.
Signed by a Majority of the Board.
[150.] Return was made by Capt. Michael Homer of the expense of opening and repairing a drain in Milk street-the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed ; they being informed, at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been notified according to law and that no objection had been made-Assessment was now made, an order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows-viz-
Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in Milk street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expense whereof amounts to two hundred & thirty seven dollars & fifty seven cents, which expense is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein and receive benefit thereby-Wherefore We the Subscribers Selectmen of the Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expense 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 .-
Deacon Salisbury, $36.60, Josiah Quincy, Alex". Young, Bancroft, Estate of Abram Edwards, William Keith, each $18.30, Robert Williams, Capt. Peters, Oliver Wendell, John Phillips, Hubbard Oliver, John Holland, [151.] Mrs. Swan, Nath1. Howland, George Homer, Wm. Clough, S. Stanford, Cogswell, each $9.15.
And we hereby authorize and empower Capt. Michael Homer to demand and receive the same and to give discharges therefor.
Signed by all the members present.
A letter was received from Joseph Rowe Esq. stating that the work in Essex street, bordering on his lots, will be commenced directly & prosecuted with all diligence.
243
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
The committee appointed to examine the state of the drain from Mrs. Dix's house to the common sewer, reported that Mrs. Dix had consented to pay the late assessment, provided she should not be at any future charge for the common sewer, leading down Harvard street: the committee had agreed to her proposal and had ordered the entrance of her drain into the Harvard street sewer to be closed-report accepted.
[152.] The abutters on the south side of Market square, having subscribed one hundred & fifty dollars towards the expense of new regulating and paving that part of the square south of Faneuil Hall, the committee were empowered to proceed to new pave the same wholly, instead of repairing, as formerly ordered .-
An application was received from a number of the abutters on Lynde street, requesting that it should be dug down and regu- lated, & gutters paved .- Referred to Mr. Phillips with power to proceed on the work, unless any material objection was made by the other abutters.
On the report of the committee to consider Mr. Hathaway's application for [an] auction license, voted not to grant a license.
Complaint having been made by the Clerk of the market against the conduct of the hand-cart men in Market square ; ordered that all the hand-cart men be forbidden to stand in Market Square until further orders .- and that the Clerk of the market be desired to see to the observance of this order .-
-
[153.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 28th. 1817-Present the Board-except Mr. Oliver.
6 Jurors were drawn for District Court of United States .-
On a representation from Mrs. Dix, that a very offensive nuis- ance had been occasioned by the stoppage of her drain from its connection with the common sewer in Harvard street. Voted that Mrs. Dix be informed that the board has no objection to her renewing the connection of her drain with that sewer if she find any ill consequences to follow from cutting it off.
Representation having been made by the Spanish Consul that a vessel belonging to Messrs. Prince & Higgins had landed a num- ber of Spanish sailors, which were put on board said vessel at sea, by the commander of a South American privateer, and requesting that provision should be made for them in their present destitute condition : or that the person who brought them should be obliged to maintain them .- Voted That the Spanish Consul be informed that it is not in the power of the Selectmen to make such provision
.
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CITY. DOCUMENT NO. 60.
as he requests, [154.] nor do we find that the captain or owner of any vessel is liable to the charge of maintaining any persons that may be brought from foreign countries : but recommend to him to apply to the Overseers of the Poor for such assistance as may be necessary-to be defrayed on State account. -
A petition from the tenants of the Old State House and from the proprietors of adjoining estates, requesting that the building should be wholly painted-referred to the committee to obtain estim ates.
The application of Mr. Stockwell for liberty to extend his wharf, late Barrett's, about ten feet-referred to Mr. Austin.
The Committee of the South district empowered to repair Nassau Street with gravel-in front and near the school house.
Mr. Hunnewell added to the Committee of the Neck, for the pur- pose of viewing the same & to report what paving is necessary to be done and what measures shall be taken to put the unpaved part in order.
An answer was received from the directors of Lechmere point corporation in which they object to the closing of the part of Bridge street for the use of the hospital-the subject was con- sidered, but no decision had thereon .-
[155.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem". 2ª. 1817 .- Present the Board except Mr. Silsby .-
The Indenture between the Cornhill Corporation and the Select- men whereby Belknaps Alley from Court street to Brattle square is cancelled and the land conveyed to the Corporation, on condi- tion of their making a new street at least thirty feet wide, direct from Court street to Brattle square-having been examined and corrected by Mr. Thacher-was executed by the Chairman & President of the Cornhill Corporation .-
The Committee appointed to view the Neck reported, that it was necessary to repair some of the pavements, and to spread gravel on the whole of the east side. Voted. that the Committee procced immediately to make these repairs to [the] amount of one thousand dollars .-
The Committee on Boylston street were desired to continue the paving of that street as far as the westerly side of Carver street .-
An application was received from the officers of the New Eng- land Guards and the company of Sea Fencibles-requesting that
245
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
the new gun house might [156.] be allowed to remain on the common, for the use of those companies .- The Chairman was desired to inform the gentlemen in that neighborhood of this request that they may have opportunity to show cause why the petition should not be granted.
The Committee of the third district was desired to pay particu- lar attention to prevent the steps to the new meeting house in School street from projecting to incommode the foot walk .-
Return was made by Col. Freeman of the proprietors of trucks & carts usually standing east of Faneuil Hall-Voted, that the Clerk of the market be consulted respecting the number that may be allowed to stand there with convenience to the public, and to propose regulations for the trucks, carts & hand carts. -
The Committee of the second district reported that they had viewed the westerly end of Green street, beyond Leverett street for the purpose of widening the same, and were of the opinion that a piece of land about six feet wide on Leverett street, and to run in a direction to make a gore one foot wide on Chambers street would be a sufficient addition-making the street thirty feet wide throughout .- That they could obtain that part of this [157.] land belonging to Mr. French for seventy five cents pr. foot .- they stated also that Mr. French considered that he had a claim for land taken some years since to widen Back street, for which he had not received compensation .- Voted to accept the report of the Committee, to allow Mr. French seventy five cents pr. foot for the land to widen Green street, and Fifty dollars in full for the land in Back street .- and that the Com- mittee apply to Mr. John Odin respecting the remainder of the land wanted in Green street.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sepr. 10th. 1817. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Phillips, Silsby & Dorr .-
Return was made by Mr. Samuel Snelling of the expence of repairing the common sewer leading from Back street to Mill pond, the account whereof being duly examined by the Select- men was by them allowed ; they being informed at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been notified accord- ing to law and that no objection had been made .- Assessment was now made, an order of payment was passed by the Select- men as follows viz. Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in a street leading from Back street to Mill pond-con- formably to the [158.] directions of the Selectmen the whole expense whereof amounts to seventy dollars, which expense is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein and receive benefit thereby-Wherefore We the Subscribers Selectmen of the
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expense 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 per- sons hereafter named-viz .-
Samuel Snelling, Henry Atkins, D & A. Sigourney, Shubael Bell and John Bishop, at $14 each
and We hereby authorize and empower Mr. Samuel Snelling to demand and receive the same and to give discharges therefor .-
signed by the members of the Board present.
Whereas upon the twenty eight day of August last, agreement was made and concluded with the New Cornhill Corporation of the Town of Boston for the discontinuing of the passage way or alley, leading from Court street to Brattle Square, called Bel- knaps Alley, and for the opening and laying out a new street from said Court street to Brattle Square in lieu thereof, the same being in the opinion of this Board for the convenience and safety of the inhabitants of the Town : [159.] It is thereupon-voted that, the said passageway called Belknaps Alley be and the same is hereby discontinued throughout the extent of the same; and that the said Corporation, being proprietors of the estate lying and being on each side of the said alley, be, and they hereby are permitted to appropriate the said alley to their own use, and they and their assigns are to be forever free from any claim or disturbance therefor on the part of the said town of Boston :- it being under- stood however, that the rights of all and any individuals having any rightful claim to said passage way, if any such there are, are not to be in any wise affected by this vote.
Indentures were approved & signed between Peter Ballard a minor and Abel Whitney of Cambridge, cabinet maker, the said Ballard to serve as an apprentice until April 4th. 1823.
Voted, That Mr. Reuben Ramsdell shall have a lease of the land at the bottom of Poplar street on which the porch to his house now stands .-
On the petition of a number of persons residing in Leverett place & Prospect street, West Boston; the Committee of 2d district was desired to have a gutter paved there as far as they should find expedient .-
[160.] A subscription paper being presented of sums sub- scribed to assist in paving Hamilton street : it was voted, That four hundred dollars should be appropriated to that street, to be paid when the same shall be completed to the satisfaction of the board .-
Mr. Green who has been constable of one division of the watch for several years past having resigned from ill health-the
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
applications of candidates were considered, and Voted that M". William Gardner be appointed constable of one division of the Town watch .-
The Committee appointed on the part of the board to meet and consult with a Committee of the Brattle Street Society, & the proprietor of certain stores on Market street for the purpose of regulating Brattle street, have attended that service and report, that they met the parties on Tuesday the 9th. instant, and now recommend to the board, there being no objection to it on the part of the society, that the street be lowered and paved, on the following conditions : that the expense attending to it be paid, one half by the Town, and the other half by the proprietors of the stores, and that one or more of them bind themselves to this effect; and that the gravel or dirt be sold and accounted for ; the proprietors of the stores paying one half the expense of carting. The width of [161.] the sidewalk to be regulated by the Select- men .-
This report was considered and accepted & the Committee desired to proceed on the work .-
A memorial was received against the Gun House on the Common being permitted to remain. The same was read, together with the records of proceedings in 1814-when the consent for the gun house was first given-after consideration voted, that we consider it our duty to refuse the request. And the Chairman is desired to communicate the same to the officers of the companies who make the application.
the letter was as follows .-
Gentlemen,
Upon receiving your application of the 29th. August, requesting, in behalf of the members of the Companies of New England Guards & Sea fencibles, that the Gun house erected in 1814 may remain on the Common for the use of those companies ; The Selectmen had recourse to the records of the time when the first application was made, and find that the consent of the board and of the neighbourhood to its erection, was on the express condition that the building should be removed in ninety days after the termination of the war, and free of expense to the Town .- They also find in a [162.] letter from George Sullivan Esq. of August 15th. 1814. " that the officers of these corps have no views to the occupancy of the place after the war .-
The Selectmen have also received a memorial from a number of the inhabitants, against the continuance of the building on general principles of preventing encroachment of public ground,
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
but particularly as it would be directly contrary to the agreement and contract by which consent was first obtained. -
The Selectmen feel every wish to accommodate gentlemen who volunteer their services, and devote their time to attain any branch of exercise or discipline which may be serviceable in time of danger; but in the present instance they consider it their duty to refuse the request made to them by the officers of the N. E. Guards and of the intended company of Sea fencibles, for whom they entertain sentiments of respect & esteem.
By order of the Board.
CHS. BULFINCH, Chairman.
An application was signed to the Judge of Probate, that William N. Lowe, from habits of gaming and intemperance was in danger of wasting his property and becoming chargeable to the Town- and requesting that legal measures might be taken for appointing a guardian for care of his person and property .-
[163.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 17th. 1817-
Present the whole Board .-
A certificate was signed, approving of the Theatre in Federal street, and of the company under Messrs. Powell & Dickson for the exhibition of stage plays and other theatrical performances during the ensuing season.
It was agreed that Mr. Nath1. Brewer have the superintendence of the lamps on the same terms as last year. he to take measures to employ capable lamp lighters and to get the lamps in order immediately .-
Mr. Lovering was desired to procure oil .-
On the application of Mr. Benjamin Dearborn, it was agreed to allow him seven dollars, on the average cost of lighting each lamp through the season, for the supply & lighting of his lamp in Theatre alley-it being necessary for the public service to have a lamp there, and Mr. Dearborn preferring to take charge of it himself .-
Return was made by the Clerk of the market of a statement of the number of trucks and carts that could [164.] be allowed to stand at the east end of Faneuil Hall without incumbering the street : It appearing that there was room for ten trucks & ten carts, and that permitting this number would not deprive any person of a privilege which he has enjoyed. It was voted that ten trucks & ten carts be allowed to stand there owned by the following proprietors .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
Bartlett
2 Trucks & 1 Cart
Wentworth
2 do. & 1 Do.
Fuller
1 do. & 1 Do.
Terrill 1 do. & 1 do.
Hartwell 1 do. & 1 do.
Snow
1
do.
Henry & Leonard 1 do. & 1 d°.
Leonard
1
do. & 1 d°.
Ingersol
1 do.
Adams
do. 1
Stockwell 1 d°., and that they be arranged by the Clerk of the market and police officers and con- form to the orders of the board communicated by them .-
The Committees was authorized to proceed on the paving of the street from Butlers row to Parkmans wharf-and Lendals lane from Congress street to Kilby street .-
Mr. Lovering was desired to procure a sufficient number of car- tridges to be made for the review early in October. [165.] and to call on the Brigade Inspector, for an inspection of the Town's · powder, & camp equipage .-
It was agreed in addition to the sum appropriated for paving Hamilton street, to allow one hundred loads of the earth to be dug from Brattle street, to fill the hollows & prepare for paving.
The Committee of the first district was empowered to procure two hundred loads coarse gravel to be spread on Pond street .-
Mr. Phillips was requested to pay to the Town Treasurer the money deposited in his hands, being the balance received from Mr. John Odin for land on Dock square, and rents received from the small house near the Green Dragon Tavern .-
Complaint having been made by Nehemiah Freeman Esq. against David Fullam for improper and threatening behaviour to the assistant police officer, Voted that Mr. Fullam be informed that he will be deprived of his licenses for hacks Nº. 14. 36. 37. from Friday morning next, until further order of the Board.
A letter was received from Mrs. Howard remonstrating against paying the expense on her estate in Lynde street-occasioned by digging away the street-The Committee was desired to have the side walk laid, & report what further expense was necessary.
[166.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 24th. 1817 .-
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Lovering, Austin, Phillips, Dorr, Bass & Silsby.
4 Grand & 4 Petit Jurors were drawn for Circuit Court of United States-also 34 jurors for Boston Court of Common Pleas.
Voted, that agreeably to the vote of the Town, the meat stalls west of Faneuil Hall be advertised to be leased at auction for one year, on Thursday 9th. October next-and that the market Com- mittee be desired to consider and report at the next meeting the terms & conditions of lease .-
Mr. French having applied to have his claim for land formerly taken into Back street further considered, Mr. Hunnewell was added to Committee of first district : they were desired to view the place in company with Mr. French and report their opinion to the Board.
Mr. Curtis of South Boston having applied in behalf of the persons residing there, to have certain repairs made on their streets. Mr. Lovering & Mr. Bass were desired to view those streets in company with Mr. Curtis, and take such measures for their repair as they should judge proper.
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