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 27
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The Chairman was instructed to apply to Benja. Whitman Esq". to attend, on behalf of the Town, at the S. J. Court to be holden at Taunton on the 14th of July next and use all fair and justifi- able means, that the report of the Commissioners appointed by the S. J. Court " to set off a burial ground at South Boston " may be accepted and confirmed by the Court .-
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Voted. To pave one half of Leverett street the present season.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the selectmen Wednesday July 1. 1818 .- Present Messrs. Phillips, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Farnam .-
Passed the monthly accounts .-
The remonstrants against the stable in Scotts Court and Mr. Pollard appeared before the Board with their attorneys and were heard. The Board Voted to postpone the further consideration of the subject until Wednesday next, when the whole Board would view the premises, and thereby be enabled to form a more correct judgment of the nuisance complained of and of the pro- priety of granting permission to D. D. Rogers Esqr. to erect a livery stable in that court.
The Chairman informed the Board he had been applied to by Mr. Foster in behalf of Mr. Hubbard [253.] who was erecting a building on Common street for permission to bring his building so far forward as to make it range on a line with the other build- ings on that street : that the Chairman and Mr. Farnam had viewed the premises & being of opinion it would add to the beauty of the street if the buildings were on a line with each other, gave their consent he should come forward, on the following conditions, Vizt. that he should pay for the land taken, and if the Board should differ with them in opinion he should remove the cellar wall to the former limits, which terms were consented to on the part of Mr. Hubbard. The Board taking the subject into consid- eration confirmed the doings of the Chairman & Mr. Farnam and requested them to ascertain the quantity of land taken from the street .-
Application having been made to the Board to purchase a part of the building belonging to Mr. Motley, that projected into Elm street, the Board having viewed the same were fully of opinion,
296
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
it would be a great improvement to the street and that the public good, and convenience required it, and after conferring with Mr. Motley who estimated the damage he would sustain at $800 authorized the Chairman to inform him [that] the Board on the part of the Town would give $300 toward, the improvement.
The Board having received a complaint that a great many naked men & boys (principally the former) were in the practice of bathing at the bottom of Beacon street and near Charles street on Sunday mornings & evenings, which was [254.] excessively disgusting to the inhabitants of the houses in the neighbourhood and to the Society worshipping at the Baptist Church in Charles street : it was Voted, that the Chairman be authorized to employ a constable to prevent this indecent exhibition in future. €
At a meeting of the Selectmen July 8th. 1818. Present the whole Board except Mr. Silsby. The Board agreeably to assign- ment viewed the livery stable in Scotts Court, occupied by Aaron Pollard, and were of opinion, it was not a suitable place for such a stable and there being no evidence of its having been licensed, it was voted, that the Chairman be instructed to give notice to Mr. Pollard to desist from using it for that purpose as he would avoid the penalty of the law .-
It was also voted, that Dan1. D. Rogers Esqr. be allowed to erect a livery stable in his court, provided he has no door that opens from it into Scotts Court, and also that no carriage or team from his stable be allowed to stand in Union street .-
The Committee of section Nº. 3 to whom was referred the application of H. G. Otis Esqr. for permission to fill up a gore of the flatts from the bottom of Beacon street by the dam now mak- 1 ing, reported, that it would not be for the interest of the Town to dispose of any ground or any privileges, which they now possess at or about the bottom of Beacon street until [255.] the dam now making be completed ; report accepted.
Mr. C. Callender having applied for the privilege of printing the Town oration delivered on the 4th. instant by F. C. Gray Esqr. it was voted, that Mr. Callender's request be granted on consideration of his employing Mr. Buckingham as the printer .-
An action having been brought against the Capt. of the north watch for their conduct in quelling a riot, application was made to the Board to employ counsel for them. The Board taking the subject into consideration, were of opinion, it was incumbent on them to defend the watch in the discharge of their duty, and Voted, that Mr. Thacher be employed in their defence & that his
297
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.
fees would be paid by the Town, provided they discharged their duty in this instance, agreeably to law .-
The Board proceeded to the choice of Auctioneers for the year ensuing and their being no complaint against any that were licensed the last year, their licences were all renewed .-
The approbation of sundry persons to be licensed by the Court of Sessions, as innholders and retailers of spirits was signed by the Board.
The Town Clerk informed the Board, that he had paid one hundred & ten dollars into the Town Treasury, money collected for auction licenses the past year .-
[256.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen Wednes- day July 15th 1818. Present Messrs Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr, Silsby & Farnam.
The following named persons were chosen constables for the current year who were directed to leave the names of their sureties with the Chairman to be approved by the Board at their next meeting .- Viz
Bondsmen.
Thomas Stevenson - - Thos. Stevenson Jr & Wm. Stevenson
Elisha Copeland John Perry & John Gibson
Solomon Twist Wm. Simonds & Amos Penniman
Willm Tupper - Jason Braman & Jnº. Blanchard
Willm Brooks Moses Wallach, Sam1. Hastings & Thos. Peabody
James Perkins - James Williams & Henry Lane.
Jonª. Prescott - John Barnard, Robt. Cunningham & Robt. Barber Willm. Dinsmore Josiah Gilmore & John Aiken
Geo. Read -
Francis Garaux & Martin Burr
Thomas Holden
Augustus O. Barton & Oliv". Downing
Wendell R. Barker - Elijah Stedman & Thos. Darling
Benja. C. Stevenson - Andrew Sanborn Leach Harris Jothm Barnes
Sam1. Holmes Adam French & Jas. Farrar
David Rixford Wm. P. Whiting & Eph. Whitney
Josiah Baldwin Peter Mackintosh & Christ". Lincoln
Thomas Wallace - - Daniel & Ignatius Sargent
Martin Smith - Martin Cushing & Jnº. Comerais Lincoln Mitchel appointed July 29-
Horatio Bass
H & G Bass
Elisha V. Glover Daniel Baxter & Colvin Howe-
Job Drew - John R. Gould & Thos. Redman-
Mr. Austin was requested to make enquiry on what terms the town lamps taken down and now laying in one of the rooms of' the old Town House can be repaired.
298
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
[257.] Application having been made to the Board for a further sum in aid of paying for a part of Mr. Motley's house in Elm street, the Board taking the same into consideration voted that they would not extend the sum beyond $300 .-
The Board having been served with a notice of the taking the deposition of Alex". Orrock at Augusta at the request of the heirs of Lendall Pitts decd. the Chairman was instructed to apply to P. O. Thacher Esqr. and desire him to request some gentlemen to attend on that occasion, if necessary.
Messrs. Oliver & Hunnewell were appointed a Committee to confer with Mr. Cotting respecting the land taken from him on Beacon street and agree with him for the price of the same, pro- vided Mr. Cotting (in their opinion) does not value it too high .-
Mr. Greenough having made certain offers to indemnify Messrs. Gore & Bridge for the damage they would sustain by lowering that part of Court street opposite their buildings and to be at the whole expence of lowering the street & give in the land in front of his (Mr. G.) stores also the land in front of Willm. Smith's garden. The Chairman was instructed to furnish Messrs. Gore & Bridge with a copy of the same & inform those gentlemen, the Board would on Wednesday next hear any objec- tion they may think proper to make against the acceptance of those offers.
Messrs. Bordman & Pope & S. Parkman have permission to plank the side walk in front of their vacant lots on Purchase street .-
[258.] List of persons appointed auctioneers. viz
Wm Alline
Philip Marett
Sam1. L. Abbott
John Minchin
James A. Allen
David Marston
Francis Amory
Elisha Parks
James Bourguin
Luther Parks
Stephen Brown
Alexr. Plimpton
Lemuel Blake
Jacob Peabody
George Bond
Warren Pennyman
Horatio Bass
John Perkins
John Brown Wm S. Brooks
Joseph Ripley
Thomas Clark
Frink Stratton
Gilman Collamore George G. Channing Wm Cochran
Benj. Seaver
John Tyler
Wm. Tucker
Sam1. Whitwell
Sam' F. Coolidge Martin Clap
Frink Roberts
Nath1. H. Whitaker
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.
Joseph L. Cunningham Wm Dehon
Benj. Winslow
Francis Wilby
George L. Deblois
John White
Peter Dickerman
Charles Willis Jr.
Jeremiah Draper
Henry White
Richard Edwards
Wm Gridley Jun"
David M. Eaton
Reuben W. Gerry
David Forsaith
Alexr. H. Gibbs
Silas Field
Caleb Hayward
William Hartwell
Charles Head
David Hale Jun".
Daniel Hersey
Thos. K. Jones
[259.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen July 22d. 1818. Present the whole Board-
Benin Whitman Esqr. employed by the Board as counsel for the town to attend at the S. J. Court holden at Taunton on the 14th instant (see proceedings of the Board 26th ultimo) appeared before the Board and reported, that the judges of the Supreme Judicial Court had not confirmed the report of the com- missioners appointed to set off a burial ground at Sº Boston on the ground that the commissioners had set off a larger portion of land than the act of the legislature annexing a part of the town of Dorchester to the town of Boston would justify and directed the commissioners to meet again on that business at such time as the Selectmen should think proper .-
Agreeably to the notice given by the Chairman Samuel Gore Esqr. attended the Board and stated his objection against the offers made by Mr David Greenough for permission to alter Court street, a letter was also received from M' Joseph Bridge stating his objections to the proposed alteration-the Board after consid- erable debate on the subject were of opinion it was of such importance to the town & the parties as to require further delib- eration, it was therefore Voted-that the subject be referred to the next meeting of the Board .-
Application having been made by Mr. Eben". Hancock to the Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk stating that Thomas Hancock of Boston, gentleman is non compos mentis and inca- pable of taking care of himself. The Board agreeably to the direction of the Honble Judge of Probate took inquisition thereof and were of opinion [260.] that the said Thomas Hancock was non compos mentis and incapable of taking care of himself and recommend that a guardian should be appointed for him .-
Voted that the bondsmen offered by the following constables be approved Viz. Thomas Stevenson. James Perkins. Willm. Dinsmore. W. R. Barker. George Reed. Andw. Sandborn. Sam1.
299
300
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Holmes. David Rixford. J. Bal[d]win. Thomas Wallace. Thomas Holden. & Wm Brooks and that the Town Clerk be directed to have their bonds executed without delay-
Passed on a number of licenses for innholders. retailers, victu- allers & confectioners-
Mr. Eph™ Lock was approved as an auctioneer on condition his place of business was unexceptionable-
Complaints having been made against a bow window erected at Nº 63 State street by Mr. David Felt as exceeding the limits of the law, voted, that the Superintendent of Police be directed to notify Mr. Felt to have the projection of his window reduced so as to conform to the law .-
[261.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 29th. 1818-Present Messrs. Phillips, Hunnewell, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Silsby & Farnam .-
The sureties of the following constables were approved by the Board, Viz. Solomon Twist, William Tupper, Jonathan Prescott.
The Board agreeably to assignment again considered the propositions & offers of Mr. David Greenough for permission to lower that part of Court street opposite the buildings of Mess. Gore & Bridge, a communication from Mr. Gore on this subject was received and read. After considerable debate on the subject, there appearing to be a diversity of opinions, some gentlemen wishing further information and there not being so full a Board as when previously considered it was voted to postpone the further consideration of it until Wednesday next when the Board would come to a final decision, the Chairman was authorised, in the mean time to give notice to the Honble. Mr. Lloyd that he might attend the Board on this occasion if he thought proper.
The complaint of Mr. Wood of the inconvenience &c of the carts standing in Central street was referred to the committees of Sections Nº 2 & 3 who were requested to consider the subject at large of the present arrangement of the trucks & carts, and propose such alteration of their distribution as to them shall appear expedient & proper.
The application of Col. Henry Sargent and all the owners and occupiers of houses in Franklin place " to close the arch in that [262.] place, by a gate or otherwise as may be thought best so far as to prevent its continuing to be so complete a thorough- fare, as it now is, to the great annoyance of its inhabitants, and not without the risk of lives, particularly those of young children " was read, and the Board after maturely considering the subject
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.
were of opinion the request of so respectable a body of citizens ought to be granted if it could be done consistent with the public good ; but the arch complained of had been open as a public highway for a number of years and that the accommodation of the public required it should remain so .-
Mess Dana & Brooks were appointed auctioneers on the follow- ing conditions, that they be licensed during the pleasure of the board, that no flag shall be shown on State street or in front of Rodgers Buildings, that no bales of goods or casks shall be allowed to lay in the street, that the entrance to the auction office shall be at the south end of the building & public sales shall be in the back part of the store .-
The application of Daniel Hawes & William Foster Jr. for per- mission to place posts & a flight of stone steps across the middle of a certain lane leading from Purchase street to Battery March street (about ninety feet long) so as to confine it to foot passen- gers, said Hewes & Foster to be at the expense and to keep them in repair, was referred to the committee of Section Nº. 3 .-
Mr. Hunnewell of the committee appointed the 15th inst to con- fer with Mr. Cotting respecting [263.] the price of the land taken from him on Beacon street reported that the Committee had agreed with Mr. Cotting at one dollar fifty cents pr. square foot, report accepted.
The Superintendent of the lamps reported that according to order he had examined the lamps & found that to put them in complete repair there would be 184 squares of glass wanted, 144 tops want repairs and about 50 new tops, the old ones being too bad to repair-Mr. Austin was authorized to employ some per- sons to do tin work at the following rates, for new tops painted one dollar each, for those that wanted repairing one shilling each .-
The following persons were added to the number of constables for the year ensuing Horatio Bass, Elisha N. Glover and Job Drew. The bondsmen offered by Mr. Glover were Daniel Baxter & Calvin Howe, those by Capt. Drew were John R. Gould & Thomas Rodman all which were accepted by the board.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 5th. 1818- Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hunnewell, Bass, Silsby & Farnam.
The Board agreeably to assignment again considered the sub- ject of lowering Court street opposite the stores of Messrs. Gore & Bridge .- The Hon. Mr. Lloyd was present and stated his objections to it .- [264.] after considerable debate on the
302
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
question whether it would be of public utility, the Board not uniting in opinion, it was voted, (as there were not so many gentlemen present as when this subject was discussed at a former meeting) that the decision be postponed to Wednesday next.
Mr. Silsby was appointed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer of the Franklin fund for the year past .-
Martin Cushing & John Comerais were approved as sureties for Martin Smith and Henry Bass & George Bass as sureties for Horatio Bass, appointed constables for the present year.
The application to pave Mason street was taken up, but it appearing on enquiry, that the amount already expended on the streets, together with the engagements the Board had already made to pave and repair streets, in which there is much more travel, had so far exhausted the amount granted by the Town for this purpose, that it could not be done the present year .-
The Chairman, Mr. Oliver & Mr. Bass (who were joined by Mr. Lovering) were appointed a committee to examine the applica- tions for licenses, and to have such as they should approve placed on the list .-
[265.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 12th. 1818-Present Messrs. Phillips, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Silsby & Farnam .-
The subject of lowering the pavement in Court street opposite the stores of Messrs. Gore & Bridge, was agreeably to assign- ment taken up, but there being several members of the Board absent, the consideration of it was (without debate) again post- poned .-
Mr. Silsby who was appointed at the last meeting of the Board to examine the account of the Treasurer of the Franklin Fund reported, that he had attended that service, and that there was now in the Manufacturers & Mechanic's Bank in addition to the bonds in the hands of the Treasurer eighteen hundred & sixteen dollars 58 cents-and a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of one hundred & ninety eight dollars, eighty two cents.
The Chairman reported that the committee appointed the 5th. instant to examine the applications for licenses had attended that service, and had placed on the approbation list such as in their opinion ought to be approved.
The Chairman was instructed to request Mr. Thacher to apply to the President of South Boston association to have some person or persons appointed to meet and [266.] confer with committees
,
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818.
from this Board and the Board of Health on the subject of locat- ing a lot of land for a burial ground at South Boston.
On the application of Lemuel Shaw Esq. (one of the Firewards ) that a brick building should be erected in Milk street for engine Nº. 14 .- Voted, That it would be for the interest and to the credit of the Town to have their engine houses built of brick- and that Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Lovering be a committee to contract * * with some person to erect a brick building for the engine No 14 (the Cataract) provided the land on which the engine house now stands is owned by the town.
Mr. Lovering was requested to purchase as much powder for the Town as was wanting to complete the quantity required by law.
The committee for Section Nº. 3 was requested to view Chest- nut street and ascertain if it was necessary to pave a gutter in that street, so far as to prevent the water from running over the side walks of Messrs. S. F. Coolidge & Charles Thacher, & if in their opinion it was necessary to have it done .-
Mr. S. B. Ford was appointed an Auctioneer .-
The Chairman was instructed to notify the proprietors of estates on [267.] Beacon street to have their sidewalks laid without delay agreeably to contract, the sidewalk from the cor- ner of Walnut street to the bottom of Beacon street to be twelve feet in width.
A communication from H. G. Otis Esq. respecting the flats at the bottom of Beacon street, was committed to the Chairman, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Hunnewell.
Messrs. Lovering, Austin and Silsby were appointed a commit- tee to examine the remaining applications for licenses & place on the approbation list such as they may approve .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 25th. 1818- Present all the members of the Board, except Mr. Hunnewell .-
6 Jurors were drawn for the U. S. Court .-
The Chairman reported that agreeably to the instructions of the Board at their last meeting he had requested Mr. Thacher to apply to the President of the South Boston association to have some person or persons appointed to meet and confer with [268.] committees from this Board and the Board of Health on the subject of locating a lot of land for a burial ground at South Boston.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
The Chairman, Messrs. Oliver & Hunnewell were now appointed the committee on the part of this Board for the above purpose .-
The Committee appointed the 12th instant to erect a brick building for engine Nº 14. on land belonging to the town in Milk street reported, that they had examined the land and found that it would not only be very difficult but very expensive, to get a foundation, on which a brick bullding could be erected-they had therefore contracted with Mr. Seth Thaxter to build one of wood .- The Report was accepted.
Mr. Lovering reported, That he had purchased the gun powder necessary to complete the quantity required for the Town .-
The Chairman reported, that he had notified the proprietors of estates on Beacon street to lay the side walk agreeably to con- tract, and that he had requested those who had not contracted to have theirs laid to coform to the others .-
The Committee appointed the 12th. instant to examine the remaining application for licences reported, they had attended that service.
[269.] The Committee on accounts were authorized to allow Nathaniel Brewer forty dollars for extra services as Superin- tendent of the lamps .-
A summons having been left with the Chairman for the inhab- itants of the Town of Boston to appear at Dedham in the County of Norfolk on the third Monday of September next to answer to the heirs of Lendall Pitts for land at the bottom of Butlers Row, - (alleged) to have been unlawfully taken from them .- The Chair- man was instructed to retain Peter O. Thacher Esq. to appear at said court and defend the suit .--
The application of Thomas J. Eckley & others for repairs on Bowdoin street was referred to the committee of Section Nº 3 .- The same committee were requested to view Sumner street & take measures for repairing the same,
The standing committees for the schools were requested to pro- cure the necessary wood for the schools .-
On the application of Daniel Dennison Rogers Esq. for per- mission to erect a livery stable adjoining Scott's Court, it was- voted, That Daniel D. Rogers Esq. have permission to erect a livery stable on his land adjoining Scott's Court, provided he does not open any door from the stable into said court, and that no carriage, carriages or team, to or [270.] from said stable, pass
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1818. 305
up or down the said court, and that no empty carriage, carriages or team from said stable be placed in such a situation as to encumber the court-And also, that no carriage, or team from his stable be allowed to stand in Union street.
The application of B. Humphry & others that the bottom of Portland street be paved-was referred to the committee of Section Nº. 2-who were authorized to have it paved if they should judge it necessary .-
The committee of Section Nº 1. appointed to make inquiry respecting a slip of land belonging to the Town leading from Prince street to the Mill Pond land, which slip was leased to Jonas Welsh August 25th. 1788 .- Moved by way of report the following vote, which being read was passed by the Board .-
Voted, That the Chairman be requested to notify Col. Thomas Badger to pay to the Town Treasurer the rent of a lot of land occupied by him, leading from Prince street to the Mill Pond land (near the cross gutter so called) and formerly occupied by Nickerson, said land having many years since been leased to Jonas Welsh for the term of twenty years on certain conditions. -
I certify that the foregoing [271.] is a true Record of the proceedings of the Selectmen of the Town of Boston from March 13th. 1816 to September 25th. 1818-both days included-
THO' CLARK, Town Clerk.
END OF BOOK TWENTY-ONE.
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INDEX.
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INDEX TO PLACES AND SUBJECTS.
Abbot, Samuel, 62. Samuel L., 119, 144, 190, 235, 298. Abrams, William, 242.
Abutters, Market square, subscription of, for paving, 243. notified to relay sidewalks in Corphill square, 115. of streets leading from Com- mon to Mason, 32.
on Lynde street, petition for repairs to, 243.
Accounts, 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 21, 25, 30, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 59, 62, 69, 72, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 91, 93, 97, 99, 10], 102, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 122, 125, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 139, 140, 142, 146, 148, 149, 154, 158, 161, 165, 173, 175, 180, 185, 188, 194, 195, 196, 200, 203, 205, 206, 208, 209, 211, 213, 222, 231, 236, 239, 252, 255, 260, 268, 275, 283, 288, 291, 295.
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