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 8
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[168.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, Novem- ber 25th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
79
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1812.
6 jurors were drawn for Supreme Court.
On special application & recommendation the following persons were appointed Auctioneers, on condition that they shall not occupy offices in Market or Dock Square or State street.
Mr. Silas Field Mr. William L Reaney
Approved the indentures of George Allen, a minor to Israel Cook, to continue in force until the 22d. December 1816, when the said George Allen will arrive at the age of nineteen years.
A memorial was received from a great number of inhabitants, remonstrating against the execution of the two persons now under sentence of death for piracy, being permitted to be had at the bottom of the Common. - The subject was considered, and it was voted unanimously that the board could not consent that any part of the Common should be used for that purpose.
The Chairman was desired to communicate [169.] to the Marshal, the vote of the board ; and at the same time to inform him of their readiness to aid the officers of the United States in executing the law ; that a committee should accompany him to South Boston, to select the most convenient and suitable place, it being their opinion that the execution in a situation open to the view of the harbour will be best calculated, to answer the end of punishment, the prevention of similar crimes, by the display of their awful consequences.
Mess's. Hunnewell, Foster & Weld were appointed a committee for the above purpose.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, December 2d. 1812 .-
Present the whole Board.
Whereas M' James Freeman & others upon application to the Selectmen obtained liberty to lay a common sewer in Mason street, and it having been made to appear to the Board that the said work has been properly executed and the expence of the same being ascertained to amount to five hundred & eighteen dollars, twelve cents .- It is hereby ordered and adjudged by the Select- men that the several persons who have laid their cross drains into said common sewer or main [170.] drain or receive benefit there- from shall be assessed their proportion of the above expence as follows viz .- '
John Welles, Isaac P. Davis, Mrs _ Lowell, Isaac Stevens, Benja Rich, George Bethune, James Freeman, David Greenough, Ebenezer Parker, - Tarbell, David Higgins, Mrs Smith, Will-
80
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
- iam Wetmore Esq., John Lowell, John Bellows, Charles Barrett, Benja Wiggin, Winslow Lewis, John T. Apthorp, Doct. Erving, 25.90 each.
And we hereby authorize & empower Mr. James Freeman to demand & receive the same & to give discharges therefor .-
CHARLES BULFINCH
EBENR OLIVER
JONA HUNNEWELL
JOSEPH FOSTER
NATHAN WEBB BENJ WELD JOSEPH LOVERING
JOSEPH AUSTIN
ROBT WILLIAMS
Selectmen of Boston.
[171.] Passed the Quarterly Accounts.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, December 9th. 1812. Present the whole Board.
Jurors were drawn for the Court of Common Pleas.
Return was made by Osgood Carleton & William Taylor who had been employed by the committee to survey Merrimack street, stating the height of the same compared with Pond street. - Agreed to meet on said street tomorrow P.M .- to view & decide upon the completing the same .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen December 14th. 1812 .-
Present the whole Board .-
The board met for the purpose of drawing four jurors for Dis- trict Court-and to confer respecting Merrimack street .- Jurors being drawn, it was agreed that Mr. Hunnewell should direct the workmen to raise & dress off a certain portion of the street, as he should think the same ought to be completed for [172.] accept- ance-Mr Weld & Mr. Austin joined with Mr Hunnewell as a committee to inspect the same after it shall be completed .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 16th. 1812 .- Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
24 jurors were drawn for Supreme J. Court.
On application of Mr. Francis Amory, it was unanimously agreed that he should be appointed an Auctioneer .-
81
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1813.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 28th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Lov- ering, Austin & Williams.
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 30th. 1812. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
Closed the passing of Accounts.
[173.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Jan- uary 6th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
A letter was received from the proprietors of Green Dragon Tavern, stating the appointment of a committee to meet the board on the subject of widening that street :- In consequence of the above-The Chairman, Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Weld were chosen a committee to meet the committee of proprietors.
The same committee were empowered to confer with the pro- prietors of land bordering on Charles River between West Boston bridge and Canal bridge, for obtaining their consent to the contin- uation of Charles street to Canal bridge, agreeably to the appli- cation now before the General Court .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 8th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Webb, Weld, Lovering & Austin.
This meeting was specially called to draw 24 jurors for Supreme Judicial Court. which were drawn & return made thereof .-
Several members of the Board having viewed Merrimack street, were of opinion that it was necessary for the [174.] security of that street, that a quantity of gravel should be placed in two coves or exposed parts of the borders of the street, to prevent the washing of the tide; it was agreed that two hundred loads would be sufficient .- The above to be communicated to the Directors of Mill Pond Corporation .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 13th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Weld & Austin.
Complaint was made by Mr. William Callender against George Jackson, constable for exacting illegal fees .-
82
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
Ordered. that Mr. Jackson be notified to attend on Wednesday next.
In pursuance of a precept received from Hon Thomas Dawes Esq., Judge of Probate, inquisition was made into the circum- stances of Lydia Heath, and return was made that she was non compos mentis, and it was recommended that a guardian be appointed for her .-
The Committee having reported that the Directors of the Mill Corporation had complied with the request of the Board, and had put two hundred loads of gravel on the most exposed parts of the margin of Merrimack street, to guard it from the tide .- The Chairman was directed to signify to the Directors, that the Board were ready to accept said street.
[175.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 20th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, & Austin .-
Mr. George Jackson appeared & in presence of Mr. Callender gave satisfactory answers to the charge brought against him .-
Mr. Nathaniel Brewer was appointed to measure charcoal baskets used in this Town by the sellers of that article and directed to destroy all such as should not be of the dimensions required by law.
On the application of the officers of a new raised company, called the Rangers, an armory on the south side of the military hall is assigned for their use .--
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 25th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Weld, Lovering & Austin .-
Passed upon the Monthly Accounts.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 27. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Lovering & Austin.
The Clerk of the Market having represented that one of the scale beams in the Market [176.] house, was much decayed, and incapable of repair, ordered that a new beam & scales be pro- cured to replace it .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 4th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb, Weld, Lovering & Austin.
83
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1813.
Several reports from committees were made, relative to open- ing the westerly end of Union street : proposals had been made to the various proprietors of land and buildings. which they now have under consideration .- The committees were requested to pursue the business.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 17. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
22 grand jurors & 35 traverse jurors were drawn for the next term of Supreme Judicial Court.
Agreed to proceed to make sale of the wooden school house in School street. on Thursday 25th. instant.
A petition was received from a number of persons requesting that measures should be taken to have all meal sold by weight in this Town .- It was agreed to refer this [17 7.] petition to the Representatives of the Town in the General Court, that they might act thereon as in their Judgement should be thought most expedient .-
Mr. William Cleland was appointed as Auctioneer. -
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 24th. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Weld & Williams.
Passed the Quarterly & Monthly Accounts.
Warrant was signed for the annual March meeting.
M . Eliot to print the notifications-and Rev. Mr. Eaton to be invited by Mr. Foster to open the meeting with prayer .-
Mr. Weld reported that Mr. Green agent and guardian to the proprietors of the small house next to the Green Dragon tavern had agreed to terms of sale for said house ; but proposed that an appraisement should be made thereof in regular form of law, as of land taken to widen the street .- this proposal was agreed to, & Messrs. Redford Webster, Samuel Snelling & William Mackay were chosen referees ; the other party having expressed his con- sent to them .-
The Chairman was directed to pay to M'. James Green for the above house and land One Thousand dollars, from the amount to be [178.] received from Mr. Odin : and it is further agreed that Mr. Green shall have the use of said house & receive the rents for six months, and for any longer period, not to exceed one year, unless the board should see fit to have the house taken down after
84
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
the six months, in which case Mr. Green agrees to have the same taken down, & the cellar filled to the level of the street, he to have all the materials of the said house. -
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 3ª. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Weld & Williams.
The Assessors handed to the board a new list of qualified voters in the several wards .- the same were examined, & it was ordered that Mr. Eliot should print them.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 10. 1813. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Foster, Webb, Weld, Austin, & Williams.
This being the first meeting of the Selectmen since the annual March meeting of the Town ; they now proceeded to organize the board, by choosing a Chairman-the votes being taken, Charles Bulfinch Esq. was declared unanimously chosen .-
Jurors were drawn to serve at the Circuit Court of Common Pleas.
[179.] Mr. Mc.Neill, hay weigher, having exhibited his accounts to January 1st. the same were examined, it however appeared that he had not paid to the Treasurer the balance of the year 1811, or any portion of the proceeds of 1812-it was ordered that the Chairman inform Mr. Mc. Neill that unless those sums are paid before the next meeting his bondsmen will be informed of his delinquency & he will not be considered a candi- date for a new choice .-
On the application of Mr. Rea it was agreed that he should occupy the room in the old Town house adjoining his shoe store (which was lately let to M'. Donnison, and which he now gives up) on a lease of three years at seven hundred dollars per annum.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 17. 1813. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Weld, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
Warrant was signed for Town meeting for the choice of Gov- ernour, Lieutenant Governour & five Senators .-
Mr. Eliot to print notifications.
Voted. That the sum of one thousand dollars be allowed to the officer of Police as his salary the ensuing year .-
Charles Bulfinch Esq. was unanimously chosen Officer of the Police for the ensuing year.
85
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1813.
[180.] Voted. That the sum of five hundred dollars be allowed to the Deputy Police Officer as his salary the ensuing year .-
Mr. Jeremiah Bridge was chosen Deputy Police Officer for the year ensuing .-
Mr. Richard Austin was chosen sealer of weights and measures for the south district, & Mr. Timothy Green for the north district in this Town, for the present year .-
Messrs. Caleb Loring Jun". & Lemuel Capen were chosen seal- ers & weighers of lighters & boats, bringing stone, gravel & sand to this town.
Voted. To proceed to the choice of a Hay Weigher for one year, and the person chosen to continue in office until another is chosen in his stead-that he give bonds in the sum of one thou- sand dollars with two sureties for the faithful performance of his duty, & that his accounts be settled & all monies in his hands belonging to the town paid into the Town Treasury quarterly.
Mr. Samuel Phillips was chosen Hay Weigher, and John Parker & Joseph Lovering Esqrs. were approved as his bondsmen .-
Mr. Abraham Jones was approved as an Auctioneer.
[181.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 24th 1883. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Lover- ing Austin & Williams .-
Return was made by Henry Hill Esquire of repairing the drain from a passage leading into Blossom street, the account whereof being 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 a passage leading into Blossom street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to ninety seven dollars, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby. Wherefore we the subscribers Selectmen of the said town of Boston certify that having considered the same expence & by whom & in what man- ner it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion following & by the persons hereafter named. viz
Captain - Carver, John Mycall, - Homer, 1 Share, $16.16 each.
86
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
[182.] Henry Hill Esq., 3 Shares, $48.48.
And we hereby empower Henry Hill Esq. to demand & receive the same, and to give discharges therefor .--
Signed
EBENR. OLIVER r
JONA. HUNNEWELL
JOSEPH FOSTER
NATHAN WEBB
JOSEPH LOVERING
JOSEPH AUSTIN
ROBT. WILLIAMS
Selectmen.
14 Jurors were drawn for Circuit Court Com. Pleas.
A committee from the Board of Health appeared and produced a Vote of that board, proposing that the notifications for the choice of Assistant Assessors be issued on the same paper with those for the choice of members of the Board of Health-The Board agreed to the proposition & ordered that the notifications be . printed by Mr. Loring, with those issued by the Board of Health.
Rev. Mr. Channing to be requested to open the Town Meeting with prayer .-
Mr. Tewkesbury appeared, & requested to know of the Board, what deduction they intended to make from his rent the two last years, in consequence of his being denied the privilege of taking ballast from Deer Island-referred to next meeting .-
[183.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 31st. 1813. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Weld, Lovering & Williams .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
Mr. Weld reported, that Mr. Odin had paid one thousand dol- lars on account of land sold him, which sum had been paid over to M'. James Green agreeable to a vote of the board the 24th. ultimo-and that he had received of Mr. Odin his note of hand for one thousand dollars payable the 9th. November next-being in full for Mr. O's. purchase .- Mr. Weld was requested to keep Mr. Odins note until the further orders of the board.
On the application of Mr. Tewkesbury-the board agreed that he should pay at the rate of two hundred dollars per annum for the two last years-& that Deer Island be leased to him at the same rate & under the same restrictions with regard to ballast the present year-Mr. Tewkesbury being present assented to the above terms .-
87
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1813.
On the application of Mr. Francis Amory the 17th. instant for liberty to build a livery stable on land situated between Marl- borough street & Hawley street .- It was agreed that the situation was suitable for the proposed building, & was more remote from any place of public worship than was required by law-Voted, to approbate the intended livery stable, provided the same should be built of brick & made conformable to law .-
[184.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 14th. 1813. Present Messrs. Oliver, Foster, Webb, Lovering, Austin & Williams.
Messrs Jeremiah Draper & Benoice Johnson Jun. were ap- proved as Auctioneers in company.
Pursuant to a precept received from Hon. Thomas Dawes Esq. Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk-inquisition was made into the circumstances of Ann Marshall, single woman- and return was made that she was non compos mentis & that it was advisable that a guardian be appointed for her.
On the application of a number of persons for liberty to place a fish stall at the bottom of Harvard street-Voted. that the request be granted under the superintendence of Mr. Lovering.
The board agreed to appoint Mr. Perkins Reed & B. Stevenson to attend at West Boston hill, Saturday nights & all Sundays, for which they are to be allowed two dollars each-weekly, until the further orders of the board.
Messrs. Jonathan Stodder and Joseph Stodder-were approved as sureties for Mr. Lawson Dench appointed as Dept. Collector by the Town Treasurer.
[185.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, April 21st. 1813. Present Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Lovering, Austin & Williams .-
Messrs. Oliver, Hunnewell & Foster, were appointed a com- mittee on the application of Gen. Brooks, to meet the general at the Selectmens Room tomorrow at half past 12 O'Clock.
Voted. That Mr. Foster be a committee to Confer with the Town's Counsel respecting the Bond given by Mr. McNeill & report at the next Meeting .--
Voted, That Messrs. Hunnewell & Williams be a committee to report the necessary expence for repairing Fort Hill .-
88
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Messrs. Lovering & Austin a committee to confer with the Board of Health respecting a place to deposit the filth of the Town .-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 28 1813. Present Messrs. Ebenr. Oliver, Jona. Hunnewell Joseph Foster, Nathan Webb, Benj Weld, Joseph Lovering, Joseph Austin, Robert Williams.
Return was made by Thomas Thorp of the expence of repair- ing the common sewer in Sheafe street, the account whereof being duly examined [186.] by the Selectmen, was by them allowed ; they being informed at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been notified according to law and that no objection had been made-Assessment was now made, an order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows, viz. Whereas a certain drain or common sewer hath been laid in Sheafe street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen, the whole expence whereof amounts to forty dollars and fifteen cents, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein, and receive benefit thereby : Wherefore. we the subscribers, Select- men of the said Town of Boston, certify that having considered the same expence, and by whom and in what manner it ought to be paid, do adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion fol- owing and by the persons hereafter named, viz.
Wm Thomkins, Thos. Whitman, Sarah Waters, Mary Jepson, Dan1. Oliver, Gardner Hammond, Francis Green, each $5.74.
And we do hereby authorize & empower Mr. Thomas Thorp to demand & receive the same & to give discharges therefor.
EBENR. OLIVER JONA. HUNNEWELL
JOSEPH FOSTER NATHAN WEBB BENJN WELD JOSEPH LOVERING
Selectmen.
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting 13th. Inst.
[187.] A communication was received from the Clerk of the Mill pond Corporation proposing that Mr. Andrew Sigourney should be employed at the joint expence of the Town & of the corporation to superintend the work on the Mill pond .-
Voted, that the Board approve of Mr. Sigourney as superin- tendent of the work, and will engage to pay one half of his expences for inspecting the laying of the common sewer, the building of the canal walls & any other work in which the Town shall be interested .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 30. 1813. Present the whole Board, excepting the Chairman.
89
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1813.
The committees appointed by the Boards of Selectmen and of Health, to consider on the best method to dispose of the filth of the Town and designate proper places for depositing the same, have attended to the business assigned them, and recommend, that the wharf on Lynn street (heretofore used as a place of deposit) be enlarged by making an addition of fifty feet, and improved as one place of deposit, and that a piece of land on the Neck be appropriated by the Selectmen, on which a vault of fifty [188.] square and six feet deep shall be dug, to be covered with a tight roof, for the deposit of what is termed the night dirt .-
BENJA. WELD per Order.
The foregoing report was read & accepted by the Board.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 5. 1813. Present the whole Board except the Chairman.
The committee appointed to consider the necessary expence of repairing Fort Hill-Reported, a mode of improvement-the expence estimated at 500 dollars-Voted. to accept the report & to appropriate five hundred dollars for this object, if the abutters will agree to pay whatever sum it may amount to over the estimated amount of $500.
Messrs. Hunnewell & Lovering a committee to locate a piece of land on the Neck for depositing the night carts .- & the filth of the Town.
On the application of Dea. Warren Mr. Webb & Mr. Austin were appointed a Committee to examine the state of the Town's lot of land on the Mill pond, & report at the next Meeting.
On the application of Ebenezer Smith leave was granted him to improve the brick building on Mill Pond (formerly the Chocolate Mills) as a livery stable .-
Mr. Lovering to request Rev. Mr. Holley to open the meeting on the 13th Inst. with prayer.
[189.] A Petition from Mr Thurston and others respecting Bowdoin street, was received & read.
Voted. that Wednesday next be assigned to take the same into consideration & that Mr. Thurston be requested to notify all per- sons interested in said street to attend if they see cause .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 12th. 1813. Present the whole Board excepting the Chairman .-
90
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Mr. Webb & Mr. Austin were appointed a committee to dis- pose of the lumber that remains on the inclosure on the Mill Pond .-
The committee on the application of the New England Guards -Reported, That a room in the south east corner of the upper hall be fitted up in the same manner as the other armories for their use .-
The committee appointed to locate a piece of land on the Neck for depositing the filth of the Town-reported, that they had laid out a piece of land adjoining the shed appropriated for the night carts .-
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting for the 24th. Instant
[190.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 19th. 1813. Present Messrs. Hunnewell, Foster, Webb, Weld, Lovering & Austin.
On the application of Mr. W. W. Clapp Voted. that ME. Clapp be employed to do the printing of the Town until it shall amount to the sum of sixty dollars, the sum he is indebted to the Town for rent .-
Voted. that the Chairman notify the owner of hack Nº. 6. that his license is suspended until the further order of this board, on account of the driver's receiving unlawful fees of Benjamin Pollard Esq .-
Voted. That a reward of twenty dollars be offered for detect- ing persons guilty of defacing buildings, fences &c .-
On the application of Mr. Harrington for a reduction of rent of the office Nº. 16 old State house-Messs. Austin & Lovering were appointed a committee to inquire into the propriety of com- plying with Mr. Harringtons request & report .-
The board in conformity to the institution of the Town came to the choice of a gentleman to deliver an oration on the 5th. July next, being the anniversary [191.] of the Declaration of the Independence of the United States: and Edward St. Loe Livermore Esq. was unanimously chosen .-
Mr. Minot settled his accounts as Treasurer of the Franklin Fund .-
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