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 23
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[167.] Voted, That the Town Clerk procure a trunk or tin box to contain all original deeds & important papers belonging to the Town, and that such papers be placed therein and deposited in the vault of one of the banks .-
Voted, That Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell & Silsby be a Committee to consider what order shall be taken for the deposit and appro- priation of monies received for licenses-and of fines received by the officers of police .-
Mr. Phillips produced a receipt from the Town Treasurer acknowledging to have received from him the sum of one thou- sand dollars, being the balance paid by John Odin for land on Dock Square-&-144-dollars for rent of the house near Green Dragon tavern to 1st Sep" last.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 1st. 1817. -Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Lovering, Austin, Phillips, Bass, Dorr & Silsby .-
Application was signed to [the ] Judge of Probate, stating that Robert Wright, by excessive drinking and idleness, is spending and lessening his estate, and exposing himself to become a charge upon the town : therefore requesting that measures may [168.] be taken for appointing a guardian over his person and property .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
Mr. Edward Tuckerman, Junr. having represented that the increased number of tenements in that part of Cornhill, between the arch bordering on Nº. 1 Market street & Dock square would occasion an irregularity & confusion of numbers to the several shops & stores in Cornhill, besides an expense to make the alterations that will become necessary ;- therefore voted-That the buildings extending from the Arch leading to Brattle street to Dock square easterly-be hereafter called Market row.
The Market Committee reported the following terms & con- ditions of lease for the stalls west of Faneuil Hall, which were considered and accepted .-
The Market Committee to whom was assigned the duty to con- sider and report the terms & conditions of lease of the stalls in the Market west of Faneuil Hall, at public auction agreeably to a vote of the town. Report-
That they find on inquiry of the Clerk of the market that there is now 35 stalls let, which produce 52 dollars per annum each, amounting to 1820 dollars. that a portion of the stalls are double & might be divided into two, by which the number [169.] would be increased to 56 .- they therefore recommend that alteration & propose that the stalls be numbered from 1 to 56 inclusive, that the rent be fixed as follows 16 at one dollar per week & 40 at 75 Cents per week they will then produce 2392 dollars making a difference in favour of the town of 572-dollars pr. annum .-
Your Committee propose that they be exposed for lease for one year on the following conditions, viz .-
That they be put up at the appraisement and the bidder will bid for the choice which is to be added to the weekly price already fixed. That the rent be paid to the Clerk of the Market weekly.
That if the lessee, or any person acting for or under him, her or them, shall be convicted before a Justice of the peace of fore- stalling, or selling by false weights or measures, he, she or they shall forfeit their lease : and if he, she or they shall be in arrears for rent more than two weeks, the Clerk of the market shall have the right of leasing the stall to some other person .-
That the stalls shall be under the inspection of the Clerk of the Market and if the lessees shall refuse or neglect to keep them clean they shall forfeit their lease. And if the lessee or any person acting for or under him, her or them, shall use any abusive language to or threaten the Clerk of the market [170.] while in the discharge of his duty, the board of Selectmen on
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receiving satisfactory proof of the same, shall have the right to deprive them of their lease.
The lessees of stalls Nº. 1 & 56 are to have the charge and care of the small scales and weights as hertofore.
All necessary & reasonable repairs of the stalls be done at the expense of the town.
Application was received from the abutters on Carver street, requesting that it might be paved. Voted that the gentlemen be informed that so much work is already done or contracted for that it will not be in the power of the board to comply with their request the present season .-
Passed the Monthly accounts .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 8th. 1817. -Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Austin, Phillips & Dorr.
On the application of the abutters on Walnut street, Voted that the gutter be continued on the north side of said street to Beacon street & that gravel be spread on the middle of the street, to make it convenient for use .-
Liberty is granted to Mr. - to dig a well in front of his house in Portland street, at his expense, & to place a pump therein subject to the orders of this board :-
[171.] The following regulations were adopted for the hand carts to stand in Market square
That ten hand cart men with their carts be allowed to stand at one time in Market square, east of the new fish market, and if there are any more than that number, that they be allowed the use of that stand in rotation weekly .-
That the regulation of that stand shall be under the orders of the Clerk of the market, that no person shall stand there without permission first obtained of him; and that the occupiers of such stand shall never exact or require of any person any fee, or grat- ification for liberty of standing there .-
That no person who has formerly occupied that stand, be allowed to return there, until he has paid to the Clerk of the market his proportion of the damage done to Mr. Lawrence in the loss of his cart.
That any person who shall not conform to these regulations or any other that may be adopted by the board and directed to be carried into effect by the Clerk of the market, shall be immedi- ately deprived of his stand.
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
The Committee who had under consideration, the numbering of the shops in Marlborough street, report that they are of opin- ion that most of the occupiers of [172.] shops would object to an alteration, having their numbers, in a great degree in perfect order-therefore propose that the range of buildings lately erected by Mr. Greenough on land leased by him from the direc- tors of the General hospital-be called Province house row, and numbered from 1 to 5 accordingly .- the same was accepted. -
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 16th. 1817 -Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Lovering, Austin, Bass & Silsby.
Report was made of the proceedings of the Committee in leas- ing the stalls west of Faneuil hall, from which it appeared, that the sum agreed to be paid by purchasers, for right of choice amounted to $4846 ; 4º & the entire proceeds for the year would be $7241.40.
The Market Committee was desired to consider & report what measures should be taken respecting the stalls inside of the building and the cellars .-
Proposals were made by Mr. Francis Southack to widen the westerly end of Southacks Court, if the Town would purchase the land lying between the house belonging to his family & the present line of the street .- Mr. Oliver, Mess Hunnewell & Bass were desired to view the street & report.
Mr. Greenough appeared in behalf [173.] of the new Corn- hill Corporation, to state the upper half of Market street would be ready for paving in a few days-it was agreed that the com- mittee should employ workmen to proceed immediately to com- plete it.
Capt. Thomas Wallace having been well recommended, was appointed a constable for the same term as those already chosen .-
The proposal of Mr. John Spence, book binder, for a loan from the Franklin fund, was approved, sureties Benja. Hurd & Daniel Kidder.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 224. 1817 Present the Board except Mr. Phillips.
Mr. Tukesbury from Deer Island appeared to receive directions respecting work to be done on the island ; it was agreed he should proceed to build a sea wall with such stones as he could take from the beach-on the south easterly point of the Island .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
The Committee on the appropriation of money received for licenses & fines-reported as follows ; which was accepted .-
Voted, That all the money received belonging to the Town of Boston, that [174.] has arisen from fines, licenses or any other source, now in the hands of the Selectmen or either of them, or in the hands of the Town Clerk, and all sum or sums of money that may hereafter come into the hands of said Selectmen & Town Clerk or either of them, shall be immediately paid over to the Town Treasurer.
Voted, That the Police officer shall pay over to the Town Treasurer all the money that he may now have or that may here- after come into his hands, belonging to the Town of Boston, arising from licenses, fines or any other source : and that said Police officer shall be ordered to make quarterly returns to this Board of all sum or sums of money received by him for fines foreitures and licenses, and of his proceedings .-
Voted, That no fine or fines, shall be remitted by any person or persons, without the assent of a majority of this Board .-
Capt. Gibbens made a statement to the Board of a deficiency in the quantity of powder delivered for the use of his company at the late review and also last year-after considerable conversation on the subject-it was agreed that Mr. Lovering should direct Mr. Jennings to furnish the quantity wanted.
The abutters on Boylston street having been notified to pave the side walks in front of their property-a statement was made that [175.] three of the abutters were unable to go to the expense required, this fact being well ascertained, Mr. Lovering was desired to have the same completed at the expense of the town .-
A claim having been made by Deacon Morrill, agent to the heirs of John Pitts, to a portion of the land which workmen are proceeding to pave at the bottom of Butlers row, as a public street : the Chairman was added to the Committee of that section in the absence of Mr. Phillips, to look into the title and act as the Committee should find expedient .-
A communication was received from P. O. Thacher Esq. stat- ing that the new law to regulate streets, required a distinct book of records for all proceedings on streets and suggesting measures proper in his opinion to be adopted .- Voted, That Messrs. Oliver Hannewell & Dorr be a Committee to consider the subject of this communication and report .- Voted that the same Committee con- sider & report what measures they would recommend relative to
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printing a new edition of by laws, and state laws regulating the Town of Boston.
Mr. Nathan Jones applied for a license as auctioneer, his request was not granted .-
A Communication from the Superintendent of lamps was handed to Mr. Lovering & Mr. Austin to consider & report .-
[176.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 29th. 1817 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lover- ing, Austin, Dorr & Bass .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Return was made by Mr. Hunnewell that he had examined the accounts of the hay weigher for the quarter ending October 1st. the whole amount of the proceeds were $294.90 and the balance due to the Town was $93.55. Report accepted .-
The Committee to which was referred Mr. Southack's proposal to widen the westerly end of Southacks Court, reported, that they had viewed the place, but recommend that information be obtained of the probable expense of the improvement, to enable them to decide on its expediency .- The Chairman was desired to enquire of Mr. Southack what he would expect for his land .-
An application was made by ME. Treadwell for liberty to use a brick stove or oven on a new construction in a building on Park- mans wharf. Messrs. Hunnewell, Lovering, & Austin were appointed a Committee to view the place & report .- which they did as follows.
The Committee appointed to view the building on Parkmans wharf, on the application that the [17].] same may be occupied as a bakery, have examined the same and are of the opinion that it is an improper place for such a building, and that the oven now erected would be unsafe to that and the neighbourhood-therefore report, that Mr. Treadwells request cannot be granted .-
The Committee appointed at the last meeting to consider the claim of Deacon Morrill-to a piece of land which the workmen are now paving in the cross passage east of Butlers row, reported, That Deacon Morrill as agent of the heirs of John Pitts claims a small piece of land, from having long occupied or covered the same with barrels, hoop poles &c. The Committee consider that this occupation of the ground while it was in an obscure situation and not wanted for public use, would give no title to said heirs, and that the paving the passage would be of great benefit to their estate-they have therefore given orders to the workmen to pro-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
ceed-but at the request of Thomas Welsh Esq. Attorney of the heirs of Pitts have agreed to insert on the record, that on the twenty fourth instant he made his claim and objected to the work- men's proceeding-that the heirs might be considered to retain the right of proving their title in future .-
[178.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, Nov- ember 6th. 1817-Present Messrs Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Silsby.
A Precept was received from the Governour & Council direct- ing a Meeting of the inhabitants to be called on the 17th. instant for choice of a member of Congress in place of Hon. James Lloyd Esq. resigned .-
Warrant was accordingly signed for Town meeting. Mr. Buckingham to print notifications.
The Chairman was appointed to wait on Rev. Mr. Dwight to request him to open the meeting with prayer .-
Messrs. Hunnewell & Lovering were added to the market Com- mittee to consider the rents of the cellars & inside stalls .-
The Chairman reported that Mr. Southack had proposed to add the strip of land lying between his house on Southack's Court & the street, and extending the whole front of the lot for two hundred dollars ; he to be at the expense of taking down and rebuilding his fences and laying the side walk .- the report was accepted, & agreed to pay that sum when completed to the satis- faction of the board .-
An application was received from the proprietors & occupants of Central Wharf, requesting that a suitable number of lamps [179.] might be affixed to the stores & lighted at the expense of the Town .- The same was considered & Voted, that the gentle- men be informed that the board think it proper to conduct with respect to that wharf on the same principle as they ever have with the Long wharf & other wharves, which have always been lighted by the proprietors : and therefore the request cannot be granted .-
M'. Felt having lately built a bow window to a shop occupied by him in State street, and the same having been complained of to the Police officer as exceeding the projection allowed by law : - now applies for liberty to suffer it to continue .- Voted that it is not in the power of the board to grant such indulgence after com- plaint entered of a breach of the regulations of a state law .-
Mr. Hunnewell informed, that he had received a letter from the person who had agreed to furnish flag stones for the square
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
market, and was informed by him that the stone could not be supplied till spring. Agreed that the Clerk of the market should have some plank laid down where necessary during winter .-
Mr. Treadwell renewed his application that the board would approve of a place for building a bakers oven of a new construc- tion at a house in Ship street. Messrs. Austin & Silsby were appointed a committee to view any situation that may be pointed out for this purpose, & to approve of such an one as they may think suitable .-
[180.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Novem- ber 12th. 1817-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lov- ering, Austin, Bass & Dorr .-
Grand Jurors and Traverse Jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court. -
Application having been made for liberty to open the common sewer in Charter street to cleanse and repair the same, the Com- mittee of that district was requested to examine into the circum- stances of that neighbourhood .- that this work should not be undertaken at this advanced season unless found to be absolutely necessary.
Mr. Greenough having informed the Chairman that the position of his new store on Court street and the opening of the new street to Brattle square would require an alteration of the pave- ment of Court street & digging down said street, which he was willing to do at his expense, - Mr. Hunnewell, Mr. Lovering & MT. Dorr, were desired to view the street & direct the manner in which the alteration should be made if found to be necessary .-
It having been represented that Mr. Benjamin Gray is about to remove a wooden building to a lot of land bounding on North Allen street, and that said building would project several feet forward of the other buildings [181.] in that street. The Chairman was desired to view the place & to forbid any building projecting forward of the general line of the other buildings .-
Mr. Dorr added to the Committee on lamps, to regulate those in Pearl street.
Application having been made some time since by the officers of the company of Sea Fencibles, for liberty to place their gun house over the water near the westerly end of the rope walks, and also praying for a grant to assist them in defraying the expense of removing & repairing the same-the subject having been frequently conversed upon-it was now determined, that the board would approve of the position of the gun house, and
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
voted to allow four hundred dollars towards the expense; the Town to have the right of occupying or using the same in the pro- portion of the amount granted .-
The Committee chosen to consider the expediency of printing a new edition of the bye laws of the Town and of such State laws as particularly affect the Town of Boston-also the proposal of Peter O. Thacher Esq. usually employed as attorney for the Town, that all the proceedings relative to streets, either in the Town meeting books or in the books of the Selectmen, should be collected and copied into one volume-reported that they had attended to the duty assigned them and had found that the bye laws could be printed free of expense to the town, except [182.] for such number of copies as the board might think proper to procure .- and that the record of streets was required by a late law of the Commonwealth, and would be of great use & conve- nience .- The Committee therefore reported that the Chairman be employed in preparing a copy of the laws for the press and revis- ing the same and in forming a complete record of the proceedings on streets, with such indexes of the records as are wanting ;- for which services he shall be allowed the sum of two hundred & fifty dollars-The Chairman having retired, the above report was considered & accepted unanimously .---
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November 19th. 1817. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Phillips, Bass, Dorr & Silsby .-
Jurors were drawn for District Court of the United States .-
On the recommendation of the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk & the Justices of the Court of Sessions .- Mr. Martin Smith was appointed a constable for the particular purpose of attending on the courts-and having charge of the Court House .-
The Committee of the first district reported that the circum- stances attending the common sewer in Charter street did not render it necessary to open the same this season [183.] and they had agreed with the proprietors to postpone it .-
The application of the Trustees of the General hospital was read and considered, in which they request for the benefit of that institution that the portion of Bridge street which crosses the land lately purchased by them should be discontinued .- Voted that the Chairman inform the Committee that the board will consent that the Trustees shall enclose that portion of the street upon their agreeing to pay seven hundred dollars to the Lechmere point corporation, which sum was advanced by them for opening said street .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
The Committee on Court street requested that the whole board would view that street to determine on Mr. Greenough's proposal to alter the pavement. agreed to meet there tomorrow noon.
Messrs. Hall & Weld requesting that some repairs should be made to the pavement of Elm street abutting on their new stores, the Committee of that district was desired to take measures to make such repairs as they should think proper on examining the same
The Trustees of the General hospital having agreed to tlie conditions proposed for closing part of Bridge street, the same is recorded as follows. Whereas the Trustees of [184. ] the General hospital have agreed to pay to the Town Treasurer the sum of seven hundred dollars, to reimburse the expenses formerly paid by subscription for making Bridge street, it is thereupon Voted, that so much of Bridge street as extends from the Southerly line of land purchased by said Trustees, from the heirs of Prince, passing through said land unto North Allen street be, and the same is hereby discontinued throughout the extent of the same, and that the said Trustees being proprietors of the land lying and being on each side of said street above described be, and they hereby are permitted to appropriate such portion of said street to their own use, in their corporate capacity, and they and their assigns are to be forever free from any claim or disturb- ance therefor on the part of the Town of Boston .-
The above proceedings were in consequence of the follow- ing communication, which is ordered to be entered upon the records .-
To the Selectmen of the Town of Boston
Boston Oct. 29. 1817
Gentlemen
The Massachusetts General Hospital have lately purchased a piece of land for the purpose of erecting a building to carry into effect the object of their institution; they have been informed that the town have opened a street over said land which has been called " Bridge street"; the Trustees think this street will be very inconvenient to remain open, they [185.] have appointed as a Committee to request your board would discontinue said street : The Trustees have stipulated with the heirs of Mr. J. Prinee that a street at least forty feet wide shall be opened on the east side of the land purchased by them which will be in a straight line with Blossom street and probably as convenient as the street now used .-
It is the intention of the Trustees to commence the building early in the Spring, of course [it] will be necessary to prepare
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immediately, they must therefore request your attention to the subject as soon as convenient.
we are very respectfully Your Obedient Serv. TRISTRAM BARNARD EBEN. FRANCIS.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November 26th. 1817-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Silsby.
Passed the monthly & quarterly accounts.
6 Grand Jurors were drawn for Supreme Judicial Court.
The Board having viewed Court street in that part where Mr. Greenough proposes to [186.] have the street dug down for the accommodation of his new buildings and to improve the entrance into the new street leading to Brattle square-the subject was now considered and it appeared to be the opinion of the board that the street could not be dug as low as is proposed without great injury to the proprietors of houses & shops on the opposite, side .- And that Mr. Greenough be advised not to finish his shops with the floors on the present level, with expectation of the street being made to conform to them.
Mr. Walter Morse applied for liberty to carry on a distillery of spirits of turpentine at a building on land adjoining Mill pond street .- the same was considered, but being of opinion that it would be offensive to the neighbourhood, Voted that it could not be allowed. -
1
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 3d 1817-Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin, Dorr, Phillips & Silsby.
John E. Scarlet, a coloured man, was approved as a chimney sweeper .-
Mr. Lovering & Mr. Silsby a Committee to determine what number of lamps should be put up in Market street, whether of the common kind, or those on a new construction proposed by Capt. Winslow Lewis.
[187.] Papers were offered by the Chairman for considera- tion, on the subject of laying out and recording Blossom street as a public highway ; the same were read & considered, the decision was postponed until it could be ascertained whether the consent of the abutters could be obtained.
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1817.
The following is a list of deeds & other papers of importance deposited in a trunk in the vault of the Massts. Bank by order of the board .-
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