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 3
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Mª Daniel Wild approved as an Auctioneer.
Mr. Weld a committee to superintend paving the street between Exchange building & D. D. Rogers, through to State & Congress streets.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 31st. 1811. Present Mess's Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright, May, Foster, Webb & Weld.
It was agreed to allow Interest on the money due the N. E. Insurance Company, from [50.] the first day of May last.
Passed other Accounts.
Messrs. Hunnewell, Wright & Weld, were appointed a committee to procure a dinner & make all other arrangements for the annual visitation of the Public Schools .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Mr Christopher Barker & Mr. Samuel Bridge were approved as Auctioneers. -
Voted, That the Town Clerk be ordered and directed to take two creditable witnesses with him, & see what persons sell goods at auction without license & report to the board the next meeting .-
Voted, that M' Porter and Mr Hunnewell be a committee to make such repairs in the streets and high ways at South Boston as may be thought absolutely necessary and no more-and that the Town Clerk be directed to notify the Collector immediately to demand of the South Boston Association their delinquent taxes.
[51.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 7th. 1811 Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
MI Lot Whitcomb's application for a loan from the Franklin donation fund, was approved .-
A proposal was received from John Lowell Esq that the Street leading from Common street, at the south end of land lately sold by the Town, should be so altered as to make the lot which he has purchased square on the south line; by his giving land into the street on the west end, and taking land into his lot at the east end ; the opposite proprietor MI Amory conforming his land to the street in the same manner, so as to leave the street 30 feet wide as at present .- The proposition was agreed to and Voted that M' Lowell he desired to prepare the necessary papers to establish the alteration according to law .-
Mr. Porter was desired to confer with workmen respecting the paving of Hollis street .-
The Chairman was desired to advertize for proposals for con- tracts for repairing the sides of the Neck.
[52.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 14th 1811. Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
The indentures of Henry Nile, a minor, of the City of Amster- dam to Joseph Starr, mariner, were approved of-to continue in force until the 1st. of Sept. 1815.
Upon a precept received from the Honourable Judge of Probate, inquisition was made into the circumstances of Benjamin Not- tage, & return was made to the Judge that said Benjamin was non compos mentis and incapable of taking care of himself, and recommending that a Guardian should be appointed for him .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
Messrs. Crane & Sohier having given up their office in the Town house .- to be notified to settle their back rent with the Treasurer .-
Messrs. Hunnewell, Wright & Weld, a committee to view the upper part of Bulfinch street, to determine what repairs are neces- sary & to direct the workmen thereon .-
Mr Weld was requested to advise with the other Gentlemen, appointed by the [53.] General Court on the valuation-respect- ing the provisions of the law on that subject .- that the Assessors may be informed of their duty.
The Chairman, Mr. Oliver & M'. Weld a committee to consult Mr. Jackson in addition to Mr. Thacher, upon the state of the executions levied on the estate of John Coates-to take effectual measures to have the validity of the proceedings ascertained, by taking possession of the property, or obtaining the opinion of the Supreme Court, as shall be considered proper by said counsel. -
Boston ss. At a Meeting. of the Selectmen August 21st. 1811. Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell. May, & Weld .-
On the application of Col. Messenger in behalf of the proprietors on Sheaffes lane ; the Chairman called the attention of the board to consider the expediency of continuing said Lane through Mr. Amory's land westerly to Common street .- plans of the ground were exhibited; and the Chairman, Mr. Oliver & Mr. Weld appointed a committee to confer with the late purchaser of Mr. Amory's land, and to ascertain whether any alteration of the streets in the neighbourhood could be made to the [54.] satis- faction of the abutters, to meet the wishes of the applicants, without expence to the 'Town .-
Mr. Wright being present-proposals were presented from Mr Nath1 Tucker & Seth Mann for the complete repair of the unpaved part of the Neck .- the subject was considered, when it appear- ing to be the opinion that an extension of the time for receiving proposals would bring forward other contractors; it was agreed to advertise anew for proposals to be made about the 1st. Sep. next.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 26. 1811. Present Messrs Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, & Weld. -
Passed the quarterly Accounts.
An application was received from a number of the occupants of the Town house, praying for a reduction of their rents .- the
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
same was referred to Mr. Wright & Mr. Weld, the committee formerly appointed on this subject.
The Board came to the Choice of a Superintendent of Police, and the Votes being [55.] taken Charles Bulfinch Esq. was declared to be chosen .-
Voted, That the sum of Four hundred dollars be allowed & paid unto the Superintendent of Police, in addition to his salary of six hundred dollars for the present year commencing in March last.
On application of Mr Jeremiah Bridge Assistant Officer of Police, Voted, That his salary for the present year be at the rate of Five hundred Dollars, the same to commence in March last .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen September 2ª. 1811. Present Mess's Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell & Wright .-
This meeting was called, at the request of the Town Treasurer, to consider the amount of bonds to be given by the Deputy Col- lectors, and to act upon the names of persons proposed by them for their sureties .-
The law on this subject was examined ; but there not being a sufficient number of members present no business was transacted but it was agreed to invite the Chairman & Secretary of the Com- mittee on the pecuniary concerns of the Town to meet the board on Wednesday next, to explain some of the provisions of the Report of that committee relative to collection of taxes; which has been adopted by the Town .-
[56.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sept. 4, 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster & Weld .-
An application was made by the Clerk of the Mill Pond Cor- poration, in writing, to request the board to appoint a time for meeting the Directors, in order to view the land in the Mill Pond, filled in for the next dividend .- After viewing the Plans & refer- ring to the former votes of the board, to locate the Town's proportion of the section now to be divided-it was agreed that the board would meet the Directors tomorrow at 1 o'Clock to view the land filled in, and to determine whether it was completed agreeably to the contract.
No new proposals having been offered for repairing the Neck- The Chairman, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Hunnewell, Mr. Porter, & Mr. Weld were chosen a committee to examine into the state of the Neck ; to confer with any person who may offer to supply materials & to execute the work; and to report what they should consider expedient to be done.
.
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
On the application of David Tilden & Joseph May Esqrs. for liberty to open [57.] the Common Sewer in Federal street, for the purpose of repairing or new laying the same .- Ordered, that the applicants notify the proprietors according to law, and that they proceed with the work .-
Messrs. Oliver, Wright & Weld a committee to consider the request of Mr. Frothingham, that he may alter the position of the old Gun house, on the Town's land near the South Writing School .-
James Bowdoin Esq. has liberty to open the common sewer in Kilby street, for the purpose of cleansing & repairing the same ; he being directed to notify the proprietors according to law .-
On the application of Ebenezer Hancock Esq. and Mr. William Cleland, they have liberty to proceed to open the ground in Mid- dlecot street for the purpose of cleansing and enlarging the com- mon sewer-the proprietors having been notified by them .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen September 11th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
28 Jurors were drawn for the Court of Common Pleas.
The Committee appointed to view [58.] the Neck-reported that the proprietors of 1400 feet of lots, should be immediately called upon to put that portion of the street in order agreeably to contract-& that a portion of the east side nearest to Roxbury of about 500 feet in length should be proceeded upon to be put into complete repair-as a means of ascertaining the rate of ex- pence .- & the Chairman, Mr. Porter and Mr. Hunnewell were desired to direct and superintend the same .-
A number of applications for Auction Licenses were received- & being fully considered the following persons were approved- on condition that they should not transact business in Market or Dock Square or State Street .-
John Perkins Henry White Daniel Oliver
John A. Parkman
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem". 18th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch. Porter, Oliver, Wright, Webb & Weld.
5 Jurors were drawn for the Court of Common Pleas.
Return was made by Capt. 'Tristram Barnard of the expence of repairing the common sewer in Green street, the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed :
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
they being informed [59.] at the same time that all persons con- cerned in said drain had been notified according to law, and no objection had been made; assessment was now made, an order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows vizt.
Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in Green street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen the whole expense whereof amounts to Four hundred and Twenty four Dollars. Which expense is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby :
Wherefore We, the Subscribers, Selectmen of said Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expence and by whom & 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.
Boston mill Corporation by agreement with their Directors, $100 Nath. P. Russell, Tho8. Hopkins, Nehem" : Freeman, Dan1. D. Rogers, John Parkman, Thos. K. Jones [60.] Benjamin Cooledge, Tho8. W. Sumner, William Homer, William Cleland, Eben". Hancock, Ozias Goodwin, Jona : Chapman, Benjamin Weld, Samuel Parkman, Mrs : Merritt, Jonas Cooledge, Estate of B. Hall, each 1 Cellar, 1 Pump, at $12,70.
- Buxton, 2 Cellars at $12.70.
Andw : Ritchie, William Dehon, Thomas Cushing, - Matchet, John R. Miller, Mrs. Peirce, each 1 Pump, at $6.35. Joseph Cooledge, 3 Cellars, at $19.05
Thos. Melville, 2 Cellars, 2 Pumps, at $25.40.
And we hereby empower Mr. Adam Rupp to demand & receive the same & give discharges therefor
Sign'd CHARLES BULFINCH
JOSEPH FOSTER
EBENR OLIVER
NATHAN WEBB
BENJA WELD
of the Major part Selectmen.
[61.] Return was made by Mr. Samuel Perkins of the expense of repairing the common sewer in Water 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 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 Water street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expense whereof amounts to two hundred and nine dollars seventy three cents. which expense is to be borne by such persons whose
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
drains enter therein and receive benefit thereby. Wherefore We the subscribers, Selectmen of said 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,
Samuel Perkins, Thomas Marshall, Andrew Brimmer, William Whitwell, Bill Vose, Dr. Fleet, Joseph Rowe Esq., Eben". T. Andrews, Samuel Spear, Peter R. Dalton Esq. Richd. D. Tucker, William English, Mr. Kendall, Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Watts, Mrs. Howe, Water Street, each 1 Share at $3.18.
[62.] Rufus G. Amory, Water Street, 4 Shares at $12.72.
Abiel Smith, Mrs. Stevens, Devonshire Street, each 1 Share at $3.18.
Shubael Bell, Mr. Driscol, Mrs. Minot, Mr. Loring, Mr. Ash- ton, Spring Lane, each 1 Share at $3.18.
William Stackpole, Spring Lane, 2 Shares at $6.36.
Samuel Elliot, William Phillips, James Bowdoin, Daniel D. Rogers, O. Brewster, John Parker Esq. David Hinkley, Beacon Street, each 1 Share at $3.18.
David Sears, Beacon Street, 2 Shares at $6.36.
David Greenough Estate, School Street, 3 Shares at $9.54.
[63.] Joseph Foster Esq., Benja. B. Leeds, Augustus Hunt, J. Bright, Majr. Dean, Samuel Thayer, Dr. Wests Estate, Gen Arnold Welles, Samuel Thayer, Dr. Warren, School Street, each 1 Share at $3.18.
Messrs. Kilham & Mears, School Street, 2 Shares at $6.36. Abm. Wild, School Street, 3 Shares at $9.54.
Adam Babcock, Mr. Bumstead, Mrs. Hubbard, Francis Barrett, Abm. Tuckerman, Mrs. Scott, D. D. Rogers or A. Richards, Common Street, each 1 Share at $3.18.
Mr. Ashton, Jnº. Joy, Cornhill, each 1 Share at $3.18.
Mr. Boylstons Estate, School Street, 1 Share at 3.18.
And we hereby empower Mr. Sam1. Perkins to demand & receive the same & to give discharges therefor
Signed CHARLES BULFINCH WM. PORTER
EBENR. OLIVER
NATHAN WEBB
BENJA. WELD.
Selectmen of Boston.
[64.] The Chairman & Mr. Weld, a committee to confer with the proprietors of land at West Boston, now advertized for sale, lying north of Cambridge Street, relative to continuing the cross streets from Cambridge street through said land .-
Mr. Foster added to the committee to consider the Town house rents, particularly with regards to a proposal from the Aqueduct corporation to hire a room for their clerks &c.
Agreed that Mr. Frothingham should have liberty to remove the old Gun house on to the Towns land, provided he can first
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
obtain the consent of the firewards to remove the building ; and shall give an obligation to pay a reasonable ground rent, & to take the building & all other incumbrances off the ground, when- ever required by the Selectmen .-
The application of the Treasurer respecting the bonds to be given by the Deputy Collectors was considered ; and the Chairman was desired to hand the votes of the Town to Charles Jackson Esq. to ask his opinion concerning such bonds, and the course the Collectors should pursue to carry the late votes of the Town into effect.
[65.] Mr. Thomas Dennie handed in a petition from the abutters on Wiltshire street, West Boston, praying for an altera- tion of the name for reasons set forth in their petition, -where- upon Voted. That the short street now called Wiltshire street shall be added to Chambers street, & that in future said Cham- bers street shall extend from the southerly end thereof on Cam- bridge street to the northerly end thereof on Poplar street.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen September 25. 1811. Present Mess Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright Webb & Weld.
Mr Vose of Westford complained of damage sustained by his horse breaking through a plank of the bridge in Pond street .- he was requested to present an account of the damages and expences incurred .-
The Committee to consider the rents of the rooms in the Town house reported-that a deduction of 100 dollars be made from the rent of Mr. Rea, Mr Barry & Mr. Gilmore and of 50 Dollars from the printing office occupied by Mr. Clap to commence at the beginning of next quarter .-
[66.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 30th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Webb & Weld.
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
Messrs. David Taylor and Nath1. Gammage were approved as Auctioneers, while they shall continue in partnership-& condi- tioned not to occupy any store in Market or Dock Squares or State street .-
On the application of M' Dan1. Oliver, he is licensed to use the brick stable of the house he now occupies at the corner of Court & Tremont streets, for keeping horses for the accommodation of the boarders in his house. agreeably to the terms of his applica- tion .-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
M' Daniel Greenleaf Oliver, having been suitably recommended is approved & licensed' to keep a private school to teach the English, Latin & Greek Languages .-
Return was made by David Tilden Esq. of the expence of repair- ing the common sewer in Federal street, the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed : [ 67.] they being informed at the same time, that all persons concerned in said drain, had been notified according to law, & 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 Federal street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to Two hundred & Six dollars 55/100; which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby : Wherefore, we the subscribers, Selectmen of said Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expence & by whom & in what manner it ought to be paid, Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion follow- ing & by the persons hereafter named .- viz. 4
Stephen Hull and John Ashton, 2 shares 8.26, cross drain 1.60, 9.86 each. .
James F. Dickinson and Wm Hunt, 2 drains 8.26, cross drain 1.20, 9.46 each.
John F. Williams, J. B. Borland, John Heard for Thos. Neill, Sam1. H. Hewes, Widow Blanchard, [68.] William Bird, Mar- tin Blake, Widow Powars, Benja. Johnson (for Emmerson), Benja. Hanners, David Tilden Esq., Joseph May Esq., Widow Sarah Fox, and Thomas Tileston, one drain, 4.13 each.
William Turner, - Cushing, David W. Child, Charles Walley, Jonathan Amory, Francis Welsh, Thomas Parsons, Stephen Deblois, Benja. Whitman, Joseph Foster, and Charles Miller, 2 drains, 8.26 each.
Sam1. G. Perkins and Timothy Williams, 3 drains, 12.39 each.
And we hereby authorize and empower David Tilden Esq. to demand & receive the above sums from the persons above named and to give discharges therefor .-
[69.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, October 2ª. 1811, Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Webb & Weld.
On the application of Mr. Snelling Powell & James Dickenson, they and their associates were approved, to act & carry on stage plays, interludes & other theatrical entertainments, for one year from this date, in the Theatre in Federal street .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
The Chairman & Mr. Foster are desired to direct repairs to be done to the passage way under the arch in Franklin place-by paving the same if necessary, & taking suitable measures for conveying off the water from Arch street .-
A letter was received from the Town Treasurer, in answer to the communication from the board to him relative to the mode he intended to pursue in collecting taxes-according to the late votes of the Town-The papers were handed to Mr. Oliver & Mr. Weld and they were desired to confer with the Treasurer on the subject, & report at the next meeting.
Jurors were drawn for the Circuit Court.
Mr. Wright and Mr. Foster were chosen to consider what arrangements were expedient to be adopted for the sweeping of [70.] chimneys-& to confer with Mr. Vinton on that subject .-
Agreed to proceed to perambulate the bounds between Boston & Roxbury, & between South Boston & Dorchester on Thursday next. The Chairman to notify the Selectmen of the Towns of Roxbury & Dorchester .-
The following was presented by John Lowell Esq. agreeably to the request of the board of the 7th August last and is now entered a record of the street leading from Common street to Mason street at the south end of land lately sold by the Town.
Upon the application of John Lowell, praying that the street. leading from Common street into Mason street might be so altered as that it might be at right angles with Common street, preserving however its present width, & the said John Lowell & Mr. John Amory the only abuttors on said street having con- sented for this purpose to make mutual exchanges with the Town, -Therefore Voted, That it is expedient and for the interest of the Town, that the direction of said street should be so far altered as that it shall take in two feet and an half of the lot sold to said John Lowell on Common street giving him [71.] in exchange five feet and an half on Mason street, so that his lot in future shall measure only twenty-six feet & an half on Common street instead of twenty-nine feet as sold by the Town-and that said John Amory shall have a right to take into his land two feet six inches on Common street giving in the rear five feet six inches- the said Lowell & Amory having agreed to said exchanges, and having further agreed to ask no compensation of the Town for the same-And the Selectmen do therefore in pursuance of the authority vested in them by law widen the street leading from Common street to Mason street at the westerly end thereof by taking in two feet and an half of the land of John Lowell Esq. and by allowing the said Lowell to take in compensation therefor
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
five feet and an half of the Towns land on Mason street-and they do further widen the easterly end of said street by taking into the said street five feet & an half of Mr. John Amory's rear land giving him in compensation therefor two feet & an half of land on Common street-the said exchange being in the opinion of this body for the convenience of the inhabitants of this Town, & contributing to straighten one of the public streets.
[72.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 9th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Wright, Webb & Weld.
M' Benjamin Rand, having produced recommendations from the Government of Harvard College & from Artemas Ward Esq. of this Town, was approved to keep a private school to instruct in the Latin, Greek and English languages .-
4 Jurors drawn for Com. Pleas to supply vacancies.
On application from the committee of the third Baptist Church -Agreed to loan that society the benches belonging to Faneuil Hall, while their house is repairing on condition that they agree to repair any damage that may happen to them.
The Chairman was desired to apply to the Assessors for a list of inhabitants qualified to serve as jurors-that the board may proceed to select suitable names for the boxes .-
The subject of the Collection of Taxes according to the late votes of the Town, & the bonds to be required of the Deputies were particularly considered. The Treasurers' answer to the communication from the board was read-which not appearing to be sufficiently [73.] particular-The Chairman was desired to lay before the Treasurer the opinion received from Mr Jackson, and to request an answer conformably thereto before the next weekly meeting.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 10th. 1811. Present the whole board except Mr. Hunnewell. Agreeably to assignment the Board proceeded to the line between Boston & Roxbury & also to the line between South Boston & Dorchester, perambulated the bounds in company with the Selectmen of those Town's-and agreed that Mr. Porter should be a committee in conjunction with Mr. Brewer of Roxbury, & that Mr. Hunnewell should be a committee in conjunction with Mr. Withington of Dorchester to affix permanent land marks where they should think necessary on the bounds of the respective Towns .- their reports to be presented to be signed by the Selectmen when completed.
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
[14.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 16th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Webb and Weld .-
Return was made by Mr William Cleland & Ebenezer Hancock Esq. of repairing the common sewer in Middlecott 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 & 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 Middlecott street conformably to the direction of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to five hundred & thirty three dollars, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby. Wherefore; We the sub- scribers, Selectmen of the said Town of Boston certify that hav- ing considered the same expence & by whom & in what manner it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion following and by the [775.] persons hereafter named- viz .-
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