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 5
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Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 4th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster & Webb.
The Chairman stated to the Board, that pursuant to summons he had attended the Court of Sessions on the application of Cockayne & Jacobs for licenses to retail spirits at their shops in Southack street, that they had been indulged with a hearing by counsel & the [99.] proceedings of the board had been ex- plained by Peter Thacher Esq .- when the Court unanimously confirmed the proceedings of the board and refused the licenses prayed for .-
The committee to consider & report on the alterations and repairs of the Town house, presented a plan for the divisions of the room lately occupied by Mr. Park into small offices, with an estimate,-the same was approved & the committee was desired to proceed to execute the plan .-
A communication was received from the Assessors respecting the list of voters to be prepared for March next-the same was read and referred to the next meeting .-
An application was received from the Directors of the Boylston market Association requesting some regulations might be passed for carts in the neighbourhood of the Market house. - The Chair- man was desired to prepare suitable regulations agreeably to the wishes of the gentlemen and conformable to the powers of the board.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 9th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright, Foster & Webb.
46
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
[100.] A special Meeting-to draw 15 Jurors for Supreme Court.
M' Hunnewell & M' Foster were empowered to agree with D. Sargent Esq. by purchase or otherwise for his land on Essex street ; the same being advertised for sale, and necessary to widen that street.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 11th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster & Webb. -
In compliance with a precept from the Hon. Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk. inquisition was made into the circum- stances of Polly May, and return was made that she is non com- pos mentis, and that it is expedient that a Guardian should be appointed for her.
In consequence of the arguments lately urged before the Court of Sessions relative to licensed houses on the hill, south of Cam- bridge street; the question was considered whether ,it be advis- able in the opinion of the board that they reconsider their former resolution, and grant licenses for sale of liquors to persons inhabiting houses or keeping shops in Southack street & the streets immediately [101.] adjacent .- Voted. That in the opinion of the Selectmen, no advantage would arise from grant- ing licenses for retailing liquors in the part of the Town above referred to, and that the board adhere to their former resolution .--
Voted. That the constables who have been employed to keep order on the hill at West Boston, be dismissed for the season .-
The communication from the Assessors relative to lists of voters having been considered, Voted. That the Assistant Assessors be requested to meet, together with the Assessors and a committee of this board to consider & adopt measures to obtain correct lists for April next .-
The committee appointed Sep. 18. respecting streets through land north of Cambridge street, reported that they had viewed the plan of the land to be sold by Mr. I. S. Colbourn, and find that the proprietors have marked out the streets through said land to conform to and continue the streets leading from Cambridge street .- Upon conferring with the residents in that part of the Town, they find it to be an important object to them to lay open the communication through at least one of these streets from Cambridge street to Leverett street; [102.] An estimate has been made of the expence of completing the most westerly street- including the building a piece of head wall at the bottom of Allen street, filling in the same & levelling the lower part of Allen
47
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
street crowning Bridge street fit for use-which amounts to 1275 dollars-An exertion has been made by those interested, & they have obtained subscription for 700 dollars ; and if the board will appropriate any sum for this purpose, will endeavour to collect the balance that may be wanting. The subject having been con- sidered. Voted. That the Chairman be empowered to promise a sum on the part of the Town, not to exceed 300 dollars, to be paid when the street shall be finished to the satisfaction of the Selectmen .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 18th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb & Weld.
28 Jurors drawn for Court of Com. Pleas.
Return was made by Mr. William Todd of the expence of laying a common sewer in Temple street, the account whereof being duly examined by the Selectmen was by them allowed ; they being informed at the same time, [103.] that all persons con- cerned 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 Temple street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to Seventy two dollars sixty eight cents -which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein and receive benefit thereby: Wherefore, we the sub- scribers, 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 pro- portion following and by the persons hereafter named-viz.
Thomas Dennie, Samuel Jepson, J. S. Eaton, James Sumner, William Jepson, Matthew Nazro, Abijah Norwood, Oliver Holmes, William Lancaster, Asa Payge, [104.] Ruggles Whiting, An- drew Green, Joseph Powers, Charles Coffin, Samuel Parkman, George Homer, - -- Hodgskinson, Thomas Redman, Matthew Bailey, William Homer, at 3.16 each. William Breed (3 houses ), 9.48.
And We hereby empower Mr. William Todd to demand and receive the same, and to give discharges therefor .-
(Signed)
CHARLES BULFINCH JONA. HUNNEWELL Jos. FOSTER NATHAN WEBB BENJA. WELD
Selectmen.
Agreed to employ two persons as a patrole watch the ensuing season .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Approved the indentures of James Hazard, a black boy, to Daniel & Eliza Oliver-to serve as a domestic servant until the 21st. day of March 1817.
The following rules & orders for regulating carriages in the streets near the Boylston Market house-having been prepared by vote of December 4th. are now recorded and ordered to be printed.
[105.] Whereas the Boylston Market Association have erected a large, elegant and convenient Market House, for the better accommodation of the inhabitants of the south part of Boston, and have requested the Selectmen to form such regula- tions as should appear to them necessary to prevent the streets in the neighbourhood of the market from being incumbered by carts :- the following.
Rules and Orders
are now established, to be in force from & after Wednesday the first day of January next, viz
No Cart, Waggon, or Sled, with Beef or Mutton, for sale, shall be allowed to stand in Orange, Newbury, Boylston or Essex streets.
No empty Carriage, or Carriages containing provisions of any kind, shall be allowed to stand in Boylston street.
Carriages containing provisions, except Beef or Mutton, shall be allowed to stand in Orange street in front of the Market house, in one line on the west side of the street, leaving two spaces for entrances to the Market House, to be designated & limited by the Clerk of the Market .-
And it is hereby Ordered, in [106.] pursuance of the authority given to the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Boston, by law of this Commonwealth, That if any owner or driver of any Cart, Waggon or Sled, with or without provisions for sale, shall stand in any other place, with his Carriage or load, in the streets near the Boylston Market House, than those described by these Rules and Orders, after the first day of January next, he shall forfeit & pay the sum of Five Dollars, upon conviction of every such breach of these Rules & Orders .-
By Order of the Selectmen (signed) CHARLES BULFINCH, Chairman.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 26th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, May, Foster & Webb .-
A special meeting for draft & selection of 20 jurors for Supreme Court-Also jurors for Court of Common Pleas, to supply deficiencies in former list.
49
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1812.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 30th. 1811. Present Messs Bulfinch, Porter, Wright, Foster & Webb.
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Jany 17. Regulations of Hackney Carriages.
July 22. Ditto- General for wood, hay, Carts &c &c
Aug. 31. New Watch organized.
[107.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 8th. 1812. Present Messrs Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright, Foster & Weld .-
Mr Tukesbury applied for a lease of Deer Island for three or more years-at the same time represented that he could not afford the present rent of three hundred dollars unless he could be privileged to employ one lighter in taking ballast from the Island.
It was determined that it was improper to grant any allowance or taking off ballast-but that a lease for three years be granted to Tukesbury at a rent not under two hundred dollars " annum- The Chairman was desired to prepare the papers.
Statement was handed from the Treasurer of the sums received & paid since May last under the operation of the new mode of collection-and is on file-He also stated that so large a propor- tion of the tax had been paid, that in his opinion the three Deputy Collectors now qualified, would be sufficient to collect the balance .- it was agreed that the Treasurer should use his discre- tion in this respect .-
The Chairman was empowered in case of any heavy falls of snow to employ persons to clear or level the streets leading to the South Burying Ground.
[108.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 17th. 1812. Present Mess's Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Foster, Webb & Weld.
Twelve Jurors were drawn for Supreme Court.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 22d. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster & Weld.
In consequence of the complaints against hackney carriages standing in Common street, and petitions from inhabitants of Milk street & Marlborough street, urging the removal of the wood from those streets ; the attention of the board had been of late called to these subjects and several plans had been proposed to remove the just causes of complaint-it was now suggested
50
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
that if the hackney carriages were distributed at their stables & in the streets immediately opposite to them-Common street would be left unoccupied, and might be appropriated as a stand for wood carts .- The owners of the hackney carriages had been sounded, and it was found that a large proportion of them would be pleased with the arrangement proposed .- After considering the subject, it was agreed to adopt the measure, and the Chair- man was desired to prepare suitable rules & orders for publica- tion ; and that the change should [109.] take place on the first Monday of March next.
The Chairman reported that he had attended, in behalf of the Board, at the trial of the indictment against the Town for a nuisance occasioned by the wharf for emptying the filth of the Town. into the river by the canal bridge; and that the jury had found the Town guilty of a nuisance-sentence had not yet been passed, and was delayed for the opinion of the whole Court, & to give the Town an opportunity of obviating the cause of complaint, either by wholly removing the wharf, or so altering and guarding it as to prevent nuisance in future.
A billet was read from Mrs. Swan, informing that she should order to be taken down so much of the shed by the Hay scales as stood on her land, but should not think proper to fence the Towns' land-Agreed that if Mr. Frothingham would put up a suitable fence he should make use of that part of the shed which stands on the Towns' land .- On Mrs. Swans request for the removal of the Hay scales, the Chairman was desired to have the new scales built as soon as the season would allow.
[110.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen January 29th 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Foster, Webb & Weld.
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Mr Jolm Winslow Jun". & Mr David Webb having been recommended as Auctioneers-license is granted to each of them accordingly.
On complaint of errors made by the measurer of wood brought by land, it was agreed to employ Mr. Carlton to measure a num- ber of loads, measured by the different measurers & compare the contents of such loads with the tickets given of them .-
Mr. Aaron Bean having presented a deed signed by Elizabeth Welsh for her proportion of the land sued for by Leveretts heirs under the Alms house, an order for the amount was entered on the draft to the Town Treasurer-being 127 dollars 14% see min- utes of Selectmen
51
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1812.
Boston ss : At a meeting of the Selectmen February 5th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell & Foster.
On the application of Messrs. George G. Channing & Henry Sturgis, in company, and of Mr. Henry W. Richards for licenses [111.] to sell at Auction,-they having produced satisfactory recommendations-it was agreed to grant licenses as requested .-
Agreed to lease the cellars under the Town-house for three years at six hundred dollars per annum, to B. Foster, Josiah Siders & Edward Flood, each of them to give security for the rent of that part which he shall occupy .-
On a complaint of errors in the tickets given by the measurers of wood coming over the neck Mr. Porter was desired to examine into their mode of measuring wood to inform them of the com- plaint and enjoin on them the strictest care and attention.
Boston ss : At a meeting of the Selectmen Feby 19. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster & Weld.
Twenty two-grand jurors and thirty traverse jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court .-
Application was made by several gentlemen as a committee from the Republican Convention of the County of Suffolk, for the use of Faneuil Hall on the evening of the first Thursday of March next.
The consideration thereof was referred to the next meeting.
[112.] An application was received from John Lowell Esq. respecting the execution of the contract entered into by him & the Justices of the Sessions & [the ] Selectmen relative to removal of the school house & opening the passage way to the new Court House-The chairman was desired to call on ME Lowell to inform him that attention should be paid to the subject of his communi- cation as soon as the season should admit & when the town should determine whether to open the passage only, or to remove the school house entirely from that situation.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby 24 1812. Present Messrs Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Foster & Weld.
Passed upon Accounts.
On the application of a number of gentlemen styling themselves a committee from the Republican Convention of the County of Suffolk, requesting the use of Faneuil Hall on the first Thursday of March next.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Voted. That the Selectmen are not acquainted with the existence of any such public body ; and as the Hall was built & enlarged for the use of the Town, they cannot consent that it should be occupied for any purposes, which in their opinion would not meet the approbation of the Town .--
[113.] Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby 26. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Foster & Weld.
Passed the remainder of the Monthly Accounts.
Warrant was signed for Town meeting for the 9th. March next for choice of Town officers. Mr. Elliot to print notifications- and Rev. Mr. Thacher to be requested to open the meeting with prayer.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 4. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Porter, Hunnewell, May and Foster.
Return was made by Messrs. Western & Bliss of the expense of repairing the common sewer in Kilby 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 from the proprietors therein having 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 Kilby street, conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expense whereof amount to one hundred & [114. ] eight dollars, which expense is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein and receive benefit thereby : wherefore we, the subscrib- ers, Selectmen of said Town of Boston certify that having con- sidered the same expense & by whom & in what manner it ought to be paid Do adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion following viz.
Thomas Winthrop Esq for heirs of James Bowdoin Esq, James Lloyd Esq, Heirs of John Codman Esq, Joseph Cooledge Esq, $27.00 each ; total $108.
And we hereby empower Messrs. Weston & Bliss to demand & receive the same, and to give discharges therefor.
(Signed) (Signed) (Signed) WM PORTER (Signed) JONA HUNNEWELL
CHARLES BULFINCH EBENR OLIVER
(Signed) JOHN MAY
(Signed) JOSEPH FOSTER
53
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1812.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 11. 1812. Present Mess's. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Foster, Webb, Weld & Lovering.
Whereas Robert Cunningham upon application to the Select- men obtained liberty to lay a common sewer in Poplar [115.] street & it having been made to appear to the board that the said work has been properly executed & the expense of the same being ascertained to amount to one hundred & fifty seven dollars, fifty cents. It is hereby Ordered & adjudged by the Selectmen that the several persons who have laid their cross drains into said com- mon sewer or main drain or receive benefit therefrom shall be assessed their proportion of the above expense as follows. vizt.
Robert Cunningham, Christ". Gore Esq, Mr - Dorien, Mr Sigourney $26.25 each.
Sam1 Dana Esq 2 houses $52.50.
And We hereby empower Robert Cunningham to demand and receive the same and give discharges therefor.
Signed CHARLES BULFINCH EBENR OLIVER JOHN MAY JOSEPH FOSTER
NATHAN WEBB
BENJN. WELD
JOSEPH LOVERING
[116.] The oath required by law was administered to the members present by the Town Clerk.
The Board proceeded to the choice of a Chairman, the ballots being taken, it appeared that Charles Bulfinch Esq. was chosen.
Wednesday next was assigned for coming to choice of Super- intendent of Police & deputy.
The Chairman, Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Weld a committee to consider the expediency of appointing a suitable person to assist the messenger of the board in his duties ; & also to report their opinion of the compensation to be allowed him.
Ordered that the new lists of voters presented by the Assessors be immediately printed-& that Mr. John Eliot be employed for that purpose.
Mr. Lovering was desired to view a place in Front street, in the range of Castle street, said to be breaking away ; & to report what is necessary to be done there on the opening of the season.
The Chairman & Mr Weld, a committee to attend to the suit with W. N. Boylston which is expected to be brought to trial at the present term of the Supreme Court.
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
The Chairman was desired to notify the heirs of Govr. Han- cock, to take measures to ascertain the bounds between their land [119.] and that of the Town, on the north side of Beacon Hill. -
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 18th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Foster, Webb, Weld & Lovering.
This time being assigned for choice of Police officers .- it was voted that the compensation to these officers should be the same as was allowed the past year-Votes being taken-Charles Bulfinch Esq. was declared to be chosen Superintendent, & Mr. Jeremh. Bridge assistant Police officer .-
The Committee chosen to consider the subject of assistant messenger and door keeper, reported, that it was necessary to employ some careful and discreet person for that purpose, and that for his services of opening & closing the building, keeping the same clean, making fires in the Selectmen's and Assessors rooms, and assisting the Messenger in his duties, he be allowed one dollar per day throughout the year-Also that he have the care of the military hall and be entitled to receive from the com- panies exercising there, the premium for his attendance & light- ing the hall which has been usual.
[118.] The above report having been considered was accepted and Mr. Champney was chosen door keeper accordingly.
1
The following persons were chosen sealers of weights and measures for one year ensuing.
Mr. Timothy Green, for Northern district-
Mr. Richard Austin for Southern district-agreeable to the division which has been observed by those officers for several years past .-
Mr. Caleb Loring Jun". & Lemuel Capen were chosen sealers & weighers of lighters and boats, bringing stone gravel & sand to this Town.
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting for choice of Governour, Lieut. Governour & Senators. Mr. Eliot to print the notifi- cations-D' Lathrop to be invited to open the meeting with prayer.
Notifications were also directed to be printed for choice of Assistant Assessors the first Wednesday of April.
55
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1812.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 25th 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Foster, Webb, Weld & Lovering.
On the application of the Board of Firewards, that a number of new staffs should be procured-Messrs. Hunnewell Webb & Lovering [119.] were desired to have the same made .-
Approved the indentures of William Saul, a minor, to Capt. John Hodgskins, mariner, to continue in force until the 24th. December 1818 .-
The Chairman, Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Foster, a committee to review the regulations of carriages in the streets which have been passed at various times, & to prepare and report one general view of the same, to be printed for public information .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 30th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld & Lovering .-
passed the Monthly Accounts.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 8th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Webb, Weld & Lovering.
Jurors were drawn for the Common pleas Court April term .-
Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell & Foster were desired to view the ground about the vegetable market, to consider whether an addi- tional number of stalls could be made, [120.] and if an arrangement to remove the carts & horses from the market place. The same committee was desired to consider the subject of the removal of the filth of the Town.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 15th 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Foster, Webb, Weld & Lovering .-
The Chairman was desired to attend to the repair of the drain across the Mall and Common.
Agreed that Mr. Lovering should procure two boat loads of clay to repair the holes in Front street & 100 cart loads of gravel to level the street where necessary .-
Mr. Hunnewell, a committee to view Fort hill, to consider the best mode of securing the center of the hill & the trees, & to make an estimate of the expence .-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
A committee from the Board of Health, waited on the Select- men to inquire, if the Town could provide any place of deposit, for the filth of the Town, the ensuing season. It was agreed that the Chairman, Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Foster should be a committee to confer with the committee of the Board [121.] of Health, on this subject-to endeavour to procure suitable places for depositing the filth, or to devise a mode of removing it .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 21ยช. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Weld & Lovering.
The Board in conformity to the institution of the Town, came to the choice of a gentleman to deliver an oration on the 4th July next, being the anniversary of the declaration of the Indepen- dence of the United States; & Benjamin Pollard Esqr. was unanimously chosen .-
The committee upon Market regulations reported in favour of removing the carts & horses wholly from the square between Faneuil Hall & the vegetable stalls, and that 20 new stalls should be made in that square, on the south side of the present stalls- The report was accepted & the committee impowered to proceed immediately to carry it into effect .-
Agreed to appropriate 225 dollars to regulate and form Allen Street & the southerly portion of Copper street; the same to be paid when the work shall be completed to the satisfaction of the board .-
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