USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the Selectmen's meetings, from September 1, 1818, to April 24, 1822 > Part 13
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Mr. Buckingham to print notifications.
The representation of Samuel Torrey & others, owners or occupiers of stores on the north side of Dock Square, com- plaining that the scales in front of store No 4 - was, from the side walk being narrow, and a great crowd about the scales, a very great annoyance, and requesting that they might be removed - was committed to the market committee .-
The rules & regulations of engine company No. 13 were submitted to, and approved by the Board.
129
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
The application of George Sullivan Esq. in behalf of the proprietors of St. Pauls church, was referred to the committee of Section No. 4 .- who were authorized to grant the request if they should judge it expedient .-
[248.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 8th. 1820. Present . Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hunewell, Lover- ing, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Shaw .-
The Chairman was desired to wait on the Rev. Mr. Sharp, and request him to open the meeting on Monday next with prayer.
The Chairman communicated a note he had received from Lemuel Shaw Esq. declining the honor of being a candidate at the approaching choice of Selectmen .-
The committee of Section No. 3 were requested to have the necessary repairs done on the town's pump, near Fort hill wharf.
The inspector of police was authorized to grant Mr. John Wilson, the privilege of taking all the manure from the follow- ing streets during the present year. Vizt .- that portion of Cambridge street extending from Belknap street to Bowdoin Square, all that square, Court street, & from thence down to Dock Square; Exchange street, Merchants Row, Ann street to the bridge, Union street to Hanover street, up that street to Court street, and Elm street .- For which privilege Mr. Wilson is to pay the town treasurer twenty dollars ;- to keep those streets &c clean, by sweeping, (when they are free from snow & ice), to sprinkle the same sufficiently with water, so as to prevent the [249.] dust from incommoding the citizens who occupy houses or stores in those streets while sweeping; and in case Mr. Wilson should neglect to keep the streets clean as aforesaid, the police officer is to have it done at the expense of Mr. Wilson .-
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 17th. 1820. Present Messrs. Benjamin Austin, Daniel Baxter. Jonathan Loring, Eliphalet Williams & Jeremiah Fitch.
The oath of office was administered to all the above namedl gentlemen, by the town clerk .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 21st. 1820 .- Present - Messrs. Austin, Baxter, Loring, Williams. Fitch, Samuel Billings, Abram Babcock, Robert Fennelly & Samuel A. Wells.
Voted to proceed to the choice of a Chairman.
1
130
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
Messrs. Wells & Fitch were appointed a Committee to receive, sort & count the votes .-
Ballots being taken it appeared that Eliphalet Williams Esq. was chosen .-
[250.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 22d. 1820. Present Messrs. Williams, Austin, Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
The Town Clerk informed the Board, that he had adminis- tered the oath of office to Messrs. Billings, Fennelly, Babcock & Wells .-
34 jurors were drawn for the Boston Court of Common Pleas .-
Voted, That the Board be divided into committees as fol- lows. viz.
Section No. 1. to be assigned to Mess. Babcock & Fennelly - Wards No. 1. 2 & 3.
Section No. 2. to Messrs. Billings & Fitch, & to consist of Wards No. 4. 5 & 9.
Section No. 3 to Messrs. Austin, Loring & Wells ;- to consist of Wards No. 6. 7. 8 & 10.
Section No. 4. to Messrs. Baxter & Wells to consist of Wards No. 11 & 12 .-
Messrs. Williams, Fitch & Babcock, Committee of the Market.
Mr. Loring Committee of Hay Scales.
Messrs. Fitch, Loring & Wells, Committee on the Town House .-
[251.] Messrs. Austin, Loring & Wells, Committee on the Common.
Messrs. Baxter & Wells, Committee on the Neck .- ยท
The police officer was authorized to dispose of the manure in the streets, under the direction of the Chairman .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 24th, 1820 - Present the whole Board.
On the application of Benjamin Russell, William Sullivan & Stephen Codman Esqrs. in behalf of the Federal Citizens of this town for the use of Faneuil Hall on the evening of the 2d. April next .-
It was voted, unanimously, that the request be granted .-
131
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 29th, 1820 .- Present the whole Board .-
A communication was received from David Sears Esq. offer- ing the town a portion of his land in Elm street, for the pur- pose of widening that street, which being read, was committed to Messrs. Austin, Loring & Billings.
[252.] A remonstrance was received from a number of the inhabitants occupying stores in Broad street, against trucks &c. being allowed to stand in that street - which was read & committed to the Chairman, Messrs Baxter, Babcock, Billings & Wells.
An application from the proprietors of St. Pauls church for a portion of the street - was committed to the Chairman, granting liberty on condition they build a substantial board fence, lay a plank walk & leave the street thirty feet wide until their building shall be completed.
Allan Pollock was chosen sealer of weights & measures.
James Wilson was appointed Town Crier, during the pleas- ure of the Board.
Caleb Loring Junr. was chosen sealer & weigher of boats & lighters.
The application for liberty to use the Boylston school house on Fort hill for a Sabbath school by the Society for "Moral & Religious Instruction of the Poor" was granted under restric- tion of the committee of section No. 2 .-
[253.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 29th, 1820 - Present the whole Board .-
The application of Henry Chapman & Co., praying that the rent of the land leased by the town to them may be remitted in consequence of the late fire - voted, that the last years rent be remitted .-
The application of the School Committee, to have twenty fire buckets placed in each of the public school houses, was granted & Mr. Loring requested to procure the same.
The Chairman was requested to have a dinner provided for the Board on the 3d April & to invite the Selectmen of the past year, the Secretary & Treasurer of the Commonwealth, the Hon. John Phillips, County & Town Treasurers, Sheriff of Suffolk, Rev. Mr. Sharp & Rev. Mr. Dean, to dine with them .-
132
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
Recommendation was signed to the Overseers of the Poor in favour of Jacob Amee to obtain Mary Langdon as an appren- tice from the alms house .-
Passed upon a number of applications for approbation of victuallers &c.
The application of the occupants of vegetable stalls in the market for repairs, was committed to the committee of the Market .-
[254.] At a Meeting April 5th, 1820 - Present the whole Board.
Application of Turner Phillips Esq. to deliver up papers &c to persons authorized by this Board,- was committed to Messrs. Wells, Austin & Fitch .- with full power to adjust the account & receive the papers from Mr. Phillips.
Application of a committee of the Fire Wards, to appro- priate land for the use of the fire men - was referred to Messrs. Loring, Fitch & Wells .-
Application of Samuel Parkman Esq. & others, to erect a portico at the east end of Faneuil Hall, was referred to the committee of the Market-
Special Meeting - Present the whole Board - April 7th, 1820-
Voted, that we will exercise the power vested in us by law, restraining certain streets from the incumbrance of auctions.
Voted, That the Chairman be instructed not to grant a license for an auction office in State street .-
Voted, That Caleb Hayward be appointed police officer; captain of the watch, & tythingman: - and his salary for those three offices be fixed at the rate of nine hundred dollars per annum - during the pleasure of the Selectmen .-
Mr. Samuel Phillips was chosen hay weigher.
Voted, that Nathaniel Meriam be appointed Clerk of the Market - and that his salary be fixed at and after the rate of [255.] eight hundred dollars per annum, exclusive of any commissions for collecting rents &c. during the pleasure of the Selectmen .-
Application of Noah Brooks relative to extending road at South Boston. Referred to committee of section No. 4 .-
133
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 12th, 1820. Present the whole Board .-
The overseers of the poor having applied to this Board for their assistance in carrying into effect a law of this common- wealth passed the 25th. day of February last, on the subject of paupers, &c. - And the two Boards having met, it was pro- posed that each Board should appoint two persons, who with the Chairman of the Selectmen should be a committee to examine the law and report what was necessary to be done on the subject. - Messrs. Austin & Wells, were chosen on the part of the Selectmen .-
Voted, that the Chairman instruct the superintendent of lamps to discontinue lighting after Saturday next, to place the ladders burners &c in Faneuil Hall & let the lamps remain . in the streets-
Voted, That the Chairman & Mr. Austin be a committee to superintend the regulation of the clocks .-
[256.] The application of a number of citizens for con- tinuing Sumner street to Bowdoin street was referred to the committee of section No. 3 .-
Voted, that the Town Clerk be instructed to furnish the Chairman of every committee appointed by this Board with the names of the committee & the subject committed to them .-
The committee appointed to take into consideration a pro- posal made by David Sears Esq. "to purchase a portion of land belonging to him situated in Elm street, in order to enlarge that street," report, that as the boundary of this land drawn in a straight line from the adjacent buildings, would only widen & enlarge the street immediately within the bounds of said Sears, and would give no additional width, or extent to the street either above or below, they are not disposed to take any measures upon that subject
Benjamin Austin, pr. order.
The foregoing report was read & accepted.
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
[257.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 19th, 1820 - Present Messrs. Williams, Baxter, Loring, Bab- cock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells.
134
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The Application of Luther Ellis, in behalf of himself & David Hinckley, on the subject of land taken into Blossom street, by the town - was referred to Messrs. Wells, Loring & Fitch .-
Mr. David Jones was licensed as an auctioneer at No. 6. Ann street .-
The committee chosen to take into consideration the appli- cation of sundry persons residing on Mount Vernon and its vicinity, requesting that a new street may be opened which will unite Sumner with Bowdoin street, &c. have attended to the duty assigned them, and report; - that, in their opinion, it is inexpedient to unite the two streets as the advantages to be gained thereby, as stated in their application, may be equally well obtained by reducing the summit of Sumner street to a level with that of Bowdoin street, commencing at the junction of Hancock street with the former, levelling it to the same height as Bowdoin street, from thence to land owned by D. D. Rodgers Esquire and from thence giving a gradual and easy descent to Beacon street, by which, the access to Mount Vernon may be made equally safe and commodious, as it would be by the proposed communication .- The com- mittee therefore recommend this measure to be adopted and that the gravel which will thereby be obtained [258.] be applied to the repairing of the public walks in and about the Common .-
S. A. Wells, per order.
Boston April 18th, 1820 .-
The foregoing report, was read & accepted .-
Application of Thomas K. Jones & others on the subject of a drain under Merchants Hall, was committed to Messrs. Lor- ing, Fitch & Wells.
The application of Mr. Joy for allowance for expence on Beacon street, the last year, was referred to the committee of section No. 3 .-
Voted, that the Chairman be requested to make arrange- ments with Mr. Copeland, for the regulation of the Mall & Common, on election and other public days .-
The application of Edward Tuckerman Esq. & others on the subject of widening Brattle street, was committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Fitch, Loring & Billings .-
The Board came to the choice of a gentleman to deliver an oration on the 4th. of July next; - And voted, that the Rev. Edward Everett be requested to deliver the annual oration, before the town on the next anniversary of American inde-
135
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
pendence on the 4th. day of July next, and that the Chairman be requested to communicate notice thereof to Mr. Everett .-
[259.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Satur- day 22d, 1820. - Present the whole Board, except Mr. Austin .-
The Chairman communicated a letter from Rev. Mr. Ever- ett, wherein that gentleman declines accepting the appoint- ment of orator for the 4th. of July .- Whereupon the Board came to the choice of a gentleman to deliver an oration on the 4th. July next ;- and voted unanimously, that Theo- dore Lyman Junr. Esq. be requested to deliver the annual oration, before the town on the next Anniversary of American Independence on the 4th. day of July next, and that the Chair- man be requested to communicate notice thereof to Mr. Lyman.
Eliphalet Williams Esq. was chosen treasurer of the Board of Selectmen.
The committee appointed to superintend the town clocks, reported, that they had agreed with Messrs. Adams & Eaton to take charge of them (four in number) the present year for the sum of one hundred & ten dollars .-
The Chairman was requested to advertise for a messenger for this Board; that his salary be fixed at the rate of three hundred & sixty five dollars per annum, & that he be elected during the pleasure of the Board .-
[260.] Voted, that the Chairman be authorized to fur- nish the family of Saml. Champney with such necessaries as he may think proper, not exceeding the amount of one month's pay .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 26. 1820. Present the whole Board, except Mr. Austin.
An application to pave Common street from Hamilton Place to Winter street, was referred to the committee of sec- tion No. 3.
The application of Mr. S. Hyde to lease lots of land on the Neck was referred to the committee of section No. 4.
An application to open a street from Merimack street to Leverett street - was referred to the whole Board.
The application of a number of the inhabitants, that the easterly part of Prince street may be new paved the present season was referred to the committee of section No. 1. to view & report.
136
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
[261.] At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 3d. 1820 .- Present the whole Board except Mr. Austin.
The Chairman reported, that he had leased the bull pasture to Mr. William Fiske for one year at the rent of thirty dollars.
Voted, that a number of constable's poles be provided sufficient to make the whole number twenty four .- Also that a suitable badge be provided for the police officer .- The Chairman, Messrs. Wells & Loring a committee to procure the same .-
On the application of Thomas Badger, John Brazer & Wm. Ingalls Esqrs. in behalf of the Republican Citizens of Boston, for the use of Faneuil Hall on the 4th. July next,- It was voted, unanimously that the request be granted .-
The application of Josiah Knapp Esq. on the subject of the south watch house, was committed to the whole Board.
Voted, that the Chairman be instructed to have the Select- men's room repaired, by painting, papering &c .-
[262.] The application of the Board of Health on the subject of a drain in Gooch street was committed to Messrs. Loring & Fitch.
The application to open a new street, from Orange street to Front street, was committed to the whole Board .-
An application from a committee of the Board of Fire Wards to appoint a company of firemen, was referred to Messrs. Loring, Fitch & Wells.
Boston ss. At a Special Meeting of the Selectmen May 4th. 1820. Present Messrs. Williams, Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fitch & Wells.
The Chairman having announced to the Board, that Hon. Benjamin Austin, a member of this Board, had deceased this morning.
It was voted, as a testimony of respect for the memory of Hon. Benjamin Austin, deceased, our late associate at the Board of Selectmen, we will attend the interment of his remains on Saturday next. and that the members of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, of the School Committee of the Board of Health, the Firewards, and other Town Officers, be also requested to attend.
Attest, Thomas Clark. Town Clerk.
N. B. the above was inserted in the public papers.
137
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
[263.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 10th, 1820. Present Messrs. Williams, Baxter, Loring, Bab- cock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
The application of Jabez Wilson & others on the subject of a road at South Boston, was referred to the Committee of section No. 4 .-
Sealed proposals were received and opened, for building a fence on the Common; when it appeared that, Ebenezer White's proposals were seventy cents per foot, Edward Gray sixty cents, & John Cushing & Elijah Hunt's fifty cents per foot, the latter of which proposals was accepted by the Board, & the Chairman authorized to make a contract with Messrs. Cushing & Hunt; the work to be done under the inspection of the committee of the Common .-
A communication was received from the justices of the Court of Sessions, on the subject of opening a street, from Merimack to Leverett streets, requesting this Board to meet them at the grand jurors room in the New Court House on Friday afternoon next; The Board voted to attend.
The application of Henry Sargent Esq. for the use of Faneuil Hall, for the purpose of exhibiting his painting of the landing of the Fathers, was granted, under such regulations & restric- tions as shall be required by the Chairman .-
[264.] The subject of regulating the watch was committed to Messrs. Wells, Loring & Fitch.
The Chairman was instructed to provide a dinner on the 15th instant for the Board and to invite as guests the follow- ing gentlemen, viz. the members of the former Board of Select- men, the Hon. John Phillips, Rev. Messrs. Sharp, Dean & Ware and the Town Treasurer .-
The committee to whom was referred the request of Messrs. T & E. Motley for permission to receive and deliver goods outside of their store &c. have attended to their duty & ask leave to report. - That it is the opinion of your committee. that very little danger or inconvenience will occur to the inhabitants of this town by permitting Messrs. Motley's to receive & deliver goods agreeable to their petition- your committee would therefore recommend that their request be granted - all which is respectfully submitted
Saml. Billings, Chairman.
The foregoing report was accepted by the Board.
138
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
[265.] Boston ss. At a Special Meeting of the Selectmen May 12th, 1820 - Present Messrs. Williams, Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
Whereas William Whall and others, residing in Atkinson street, have represented to the Selectmen that the drain or common sewer in that street has gone to decay, and prays the same may be opened and repaired at the expense of the proprietors .-
Ordered, That said William Whall notify all the proprietors of said drain or common sewer by advertising in the Boston Daily Advertiser, & Boston Patriot & Daily Mercantile Adver- tiser, six times in each, the last advertisement to be at least three days before the 25th. day of May instant, to all persons interested or who may be benefited by such repairs, to appear at the Selectmen's room, Faneuil Hall any day previous to said twenty fifth day of May, from 12 to 1. o'clock, and shew cause, if any they have, why the said drain or common sewer should not be opened and repaired, and the expense thereof assessed according to law
By order of the Selectmen Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
(Copy of) Notice
All persons who are proprietors in the drain or common sewer leading from Otis place Marlboro', Franklin & High streets, Round Lane Federal & Sister streets, Federal Court, Berry, Atkinson, Milk, Broad & Commercial streets, are [266.] hereby notified to appear at the Selectmen's Room any day from 12 until 1. o'clock, Sundays excepted, previous to the 25th. instant, and shew cause, if any they have, why the subscriber should not be authorized to open, cleanse and repair said drain or common sewer, and the expense be assessed on all the proprietors who may be benefited, in propor- tion as their drains connect therewith, according to law.
(Signed) William Whall
Boston May 12th, 1820.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 17th, 1820. Present the whole Board .-
Whereas Jonathan Wright has represented to the Selectmen of Boston that the drain or common sewer in Jarvis' Row has gone to decay and prays that the same may be opened and repaired at the expense of the proprietors .-
Ordered, that said Jonathan Wright notify all the pro- prietors of said drain or common sewer, by giving personal notice of this order, or leaving a written copy of the same with each proprietor, at least seven days previous to the 27th. of
139
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
May, instant, to all persons interested or who may be benefited by such repairs, to appear at the Selectmen's room, Faneuil Hall, any day (Sunday excepted) previous to the said 27th. day of May instant between the hours of 12 & 1. o'clock, and shew cause, [267.] if any they have, why such drain or common sewer should not be opened & repaired, & the expense thereof assessed according to law.
By order of the Selectmen. (Signd) Elip Williams Chairman.
The application of John D. Howard Jur. to be authorized to raise a company of firemen was referred to Messrs. Loring, Fitch & Wells.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the claim of Luther Ellis & David Hinckley Esqrs. to land alleged to have been taken by the town, and forming a part (of Blos- som street at the westerly part) of the town, have attended to that service and report :-
That after as full an investigation & examination of the subject as its nature would admit the committee were unani- mously of opinion, that no right exists in the said Ellis & Hinckley to any part of the land composing the said street, and that their claim has no foundation in equity.
Respectfully submitted S. A. Wells pr. order.
Boston May 16, 1820 .-
The foregoing report was read & accepted.
The Chairman was authorized to employ Mr. Taylor to survey that part of Elm street near the building erecting for a new tavern; and [268.] requested to meet such members of the board as could attend tomorrow morning at 9. o'clock at that place & take possession of the land belonging to the town .-
The Chairman & Mr. Baxter were authorized to ascertain whether the Rev. Mr. Lowell can legally hold his seat as one of the School Committee .-
The Chairman was instructed to advertise for sealed pro- posals to do the paving of the streets the present year - application to be made prior to the 1st. June.
The subject of the south watch house near Mr. Knapps land, was committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Bab- cock & Wells.
The Chairman was authorized to make a contract with
140
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
Messrs. John Cushing & Elisha Hnnt, to build a fence on the east side of the new Mall, at the rate of fifty cents per foot running measure.
Attest, Tho Clark, Town Clerk.
Boston ss. At a Special Meeting of the Selectmen May 20th, 1820 .- Present Messrs. Williams, Baxter, Babcock, Billings & Wells. -
Warrant was signed for town meeting on the 29th. instant .-
[269.] The Chairman reported, that (accompanied by Messrs. Babcock, Fitch & Wells,) he has proceeded to Elm street with Mr. Wi liam Taylor, and measured from the corner of the store belonging to the heirs of Samuel Torrey deceased, in a straight line leading westerly to the corner of the stable belonging to Mrs. Bray, late the property of Samuel Eliot Esq. deceased, nineteen feet six inches on that line, being the town's property taken from Paine & Gurley September 29th 1801 .- then continued the same line thirteen & one half feet further to the corner of the building now erecting for a tavern house attached to the new market being thirty three feet in all from the corner of Torrey's buildings - The width of the street will now be from this corner to Pattersons house opposite, twenty six feet and six inches - possession was taken of the same in behalf of the town .- Report accepted.
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen, May 24th, 1820. Present the whole Board.
On the application of Stephen Fairbanks a complaint was made to the Judge of Probate against John David, & requesting a guardian for him - see letter book .-
The Chairman reported that he, with Mr. Baxter had vis- ited South Boston, & had agreed with Joseph Woodward Esq. to oversee the making the new road as laid out by the Board; expense estimated about $130 .-
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