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 15
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[23.] The application of Josiah Knapp Esq. to have bye laws passed, for the better regulation of Boylston Market, was referred to the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Babcock & Wells.
The Chairman reported, that the land on which the engine house No. 13, at present stands was sold, & that it was neces- sary that the house should be removed immediately - Messrs. Fitch & Wells were appointed a committee to procure a piece of land for the engine house .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen June 1st. 1820 .- Present the whole board .-
Voted that the committee who were authorized to procure a piece of land to place the engine house, of engine No. 13 - upon, be limited to the sum of two hundred dollars for the purchase of the same .-
Voted,- That so much of the bye-laws for regulating the stands for carts, trucks & sleds in the town of Boston, passed
155
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
the 19th. day of May, 1820 - placing on the east end of Milk street (five trucks) next to Broad street, and ten trucks in Commercial street, be repealed - and the same five trucks placed in Milk street, be authorized to stand in Commercial street, [24.] between Broad and Battery March streets, and the same ten trucks permitted to stand in Commercial street, between Broad & India streets.
By order of the Selectmen.
(Copy) (Copy) Attest
Elipht. Williams, Chairman. Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.
Selectmen's Room Boston, June 1st. 1820 -
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen June 7th, 1820 Present the whole Board .-
Ordered, That from and after the first day of July next, no cart, waggon, or sled, with beef, mutton, or vegetables for sale, shall be allowed to stand in either Orange, Newbury, Boylston or Essex streets. No carriages, containing provisions of any kind, nor any empty carriage shall be allowed to stand in Boylston street.
Carriages containing provisions, other than beef, mutton, and vegetables, 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 three spaces for entrances to the market house, to be designated by the Clerk of the Market.
[25.] And it is hereby Ordered, in pursuance of the authority vested in the Selectmen, that if any person shall offend against either of the above rules and orders, he shall forfeit & pay the sum of five dollars upon conviction of every breach thereof .-
And it is further Ordered, that so much of the bye laws regulat- ing the stands of carts, wagons, or sleds, at the Boylston Market, passed 22d. July, 1812, be and they hereby are repealed. By order of the Selectmen, Eliphalet Williams Chairman. Attest, Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.
The application of the First Baptist Church to (occasionally) occupy a piece of land at the west end of Charter street, which is daily covered by the tide, for the purpose of administering the rite of baptism; - was referred to the committee of Section No. 1. -
The committee of the Market, reported, that the rents of the stalls in the vegetable market, be as follows - viz per week
156
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
Stalls in the building by the engine house - No. 1. $2 -- Nos. 2. 3. 4 & 5. $1.50 - No. 6. $3.
Stalls in the vegetable row -
No. 1 - $1.12}
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9- $0.87} cents
Nos. 10 & 11.
$1.12} cents
Nos. 12, 13, 14 & 15
50 cents.
[26.] Nos. 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 . $1.12} -
Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25 62₺ cents
Nos. 26, 27 & 28 - 372 cents
No. 29.
. 50 cents
Nos. 30 & 31 . $1.123
Nos. 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 & 39 - 75 cents.
Nos. 40 & 41. $1.12} -
Nos. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, & 49. 75 cents
Nos. 50 & 51. $1.12}
No. 52. 50 cents
Nos. 53, 54, 55, 56 & 57 37₺ cents
No. 60. . $2 .- Nos. 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 & 67 37₺ cents
x Nos. 68 & 69. x
x x
75 cents
Nos. 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 & 77 622 cents
No. 78. x x 75 cents
x. - Vacant stalls.
The foregoing report was read & accepted.
Ordered, that the drain in Atkinson street be laid with two inch plank crosswise and the sides built with ranging timber 6 by 12 inches, and covered with the same.
The arrangement of the watch was committed to Messrs. Wells & Fitch.
The Chairman was requested to instruct the police officer to call on owners of hackney carriages to renew their licenses.
Messrs. Babcock, Billings, Wells, Baxter & Child a commee. to select persons to pave the streets
Thos. K. Jones & Co. & Tho' Brewer to be notified to repair their side walks in front of Merchants Hall .- see page 30 - for Mill Pond drain -
[27.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen June 14th. 1820 - Present, the whole Board .-
David W. Child Esq. having been chosen a member of the Board, at the last town meeting, appeared & took his seat .-
157
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
The oath of office was administered to Mr. Child, by the Town Clerk .-
The application of the African Society for liberty to form a procession & march through the streets of the town, on the 14th. July next, their annual celebration of the abolition of Slavery; - was granted .-
Aaron Pollard was licensed as a common cryer, during the pleasure of the Board.
The Chairman informed the Board that he, with Mr. Wells. had applied to the Legislature of the Commonwealth, and requested them to co-operate with the Selectmen in improv- ing Sumner street .-
The application of Henry J. Oliver Esq, to have the bell of the Second church rung at 7. o'clock, A. M .- was granted - & the Chairman was requested to give orders accordingly.
[28.] The application of Loammi Baldwin Esq. in behalf of the Boston & Roxbury Mill Dam Corporation, to know on what terms they can obtain a quantity of gravel from Fox Island (or hill) was referred to Messrs. Loring, Wells, Bab- cock & Child .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen June 21st. 1820 Present the whole Board, except Mr. Fennelly.
The Chairman reported that he had received a deed from David Sears Esq. of land taken by the town to widen Elm street, the consideration expressed in said deed was two hun- dred & thirty dollars, which sum the Chairman was authorized to draw out of the treasury & was also requested to have the deed recorded .-
The application of William Dodd & others to have Fish street new paved was referred to the committee of Section No. 1 .-
The application of Samuel Hammond & others to have a well dug at the east end of Faneuil Hall to accomodate their estates .- was ordered to remain on file .-
[29.] The committee to whom was referred the selection from those persons who made application to do the paving of the town, have attended that duty & ask leave to report - That Mr. Sprague
Sargent & Hart
Hart & Tuttle, and
E & S Bell, shall each do part of the paving for the town
158
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
of Boston, at thirty cents per square yard for old, and sixty cents for new paving .- all which is respectfully submitted, Abram Babcock, Chairman.
The foregoing report was read & accepted - and the Chair- man was requested to make contracts accordingly .- see Con- tract Book .-
.
A complaint against a stable in Hawkins street, owned by the Heirs of David Pierce deceased .- was committed to Messrs. Billings & Fitch.
An application from John Tuckerman & others to have a fence built on the town's land at the head of the rope walks was referred to the committee of Section No. 4 .-
The Chairman was requested to apply for the use of the Old South Church on the 4th. July .- the request was granted .-
[30.] The Chairman was instructed to cause to be carried into effect a bye-law for the regulation of the market passed the tenth day of March 1817 - particularly as it respects Washington Munroe.
The Chairman was requested to notify the abutters on Prince street to pave their side walks .- see police officers return on file .-
The Chairman informed the Board, that Mr. Tewksbury, the occupant of Deer Island, had stated to him, that it had been customary for the Selectmen to visit the Island at this season of the year - that some repairs were necessary on the buildings, &c - Whereupon it was voted, that the Board will visit Deer Island on Monday next - & the Chairman was requested to make the necessary arrangements .-
The following should have been entered June 14 see page 26 .-
The Chairman informed the Board, that he with Dr. Fen- nelly had proceeded to the Mill Pond, met the directors of that corporation and agreed on the manner of laying the drain from Gooch street to Merimac street -- the sides to be of ranging timber 6 inches thick - top & bottom with good square edged plank spiked crosswise six inches .-
[31.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen June 28th. 1820 -
Present the whole Board .-
The Chairman was authorized to contract with Urban Rice & Charles Bates of Weymouth for a quantity of gravel for the Neck .- see contract book .-
159
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
The committee to whom was referred the application of the First Baptist Church, reported in favor of granting their request - which report was accepted .- see permissions.
On the application of William H. Prentice & others, for permission to open & repair the common sewer in South street, notice was ordered to be given, in the form prescribed on the 12th May last, to Wm Whall and others, proprietors of the common sewer in Atkinson street .-
The Chairman reported, that Mr. Allen Pollack had presented the Board, a thermometer.
The Chairman informed the Board, that he had received for them, an invitation from A. H. Quincy Esq. secretary to the committee of arrangements, to partake of a collation at Faneuil Hall on the 4th July [32.] next, as also to attend the oration at the Methodist Chapel at 9. o'clk on the same day :-
Ordered, that the Chairman reply - that the first part of the invitation cannot be accepted; but that the Board will attend the oration - see letter book.
Voted, that the Chairman be instructed to appropriate one hundred & fifty dollars towards the expence of fireworks to be exhibited on the Common on the evening of the 4th. July ;- that he provide a collation for the singers under the direction of Mr. Joseph Bailey, and that he employ Mr. Penniman to suitably decorate the Old South Church for the occasion.
Complaint having been made that the pump at the corner of State and Kilby streets was out of repair, voted that the committee of that section of the town be authorised to make such repairs as may be found necessary.
Ordered, that the Chairman be authorized to pay Sargent & Hart, three hundred dollars on account .-
Ordered that the committee of Section No. 3 with Mr. Child, estimate the sum that will be necessary to be [33.] laid out in repairing Brighton street the present season & report .-
Ordered, that the committee of Section No. 2 examine Bangs Alley, and report what repairs are necessary at that place the present season .-
Ordered, that the committee on the Town House be autho- rized to complete the contract with the Freemasons agrecably to a vote of the town .- F. J. Oliver's communication, referred to the same committee .-
160
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The Chairman to notify the abutters on Common street - see police officers return .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen July 5th. 1820 .- Present Messrs. Williams, Baxter, Babcock, Billings, Fitch & Child .-
The application of Wm. H. Sumner Esq. respecting Olive street, was referred to the committee of Section No. 3.
The Chairman communicated a letter he had received from the Mayor of the city of Troy - the subject committed to the whole Board .-
The Chairman laid before the Board Mr. Tewksbury's calcu- lation of the expense [34.] of repairing the barn &c on Deer Island, amounting to $175 - The Chairman was instructed to authorize Mr. Tewksbury to proceed in the repairs provided the whole expense does not exceed that sum.
The application of George Murdock & others for closing the arch in Franklin place, was committed to the whole Board.
A complaint against hackney coach No. 25 - was committed to the Chairman.
The Chairman informed the Board that he had received from Joseph Hall Esq. Sheriff of the County of Suffolk, a law of this Commonwealth, directing a town meeting to be held on the third Monday of August next ;- at which meeting the inhabitants are to give in their votes by ballot, on this question "Is it expedient that delegates should be chosen, to meet in convention, for the purpose of revising or altering the Con- stitution of Government of this Commonwealth."-
A communication from Alden Bradford Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth on the subject of paupers, was ordered to be transmitted to the Board of Overseers of the Poor .-
[35.] Mr. Loring was instructed to build a fence on the side walk of Sumner street.
The Chairman was instructed to employ Samuel Hubbard Esq. in conjunction with Samuel K. Williams Esq. to defend the town against the suit of David Hinckley & Luther Ellis .-
The Chairman Messrs. Babcock & Fitch were appointed a committee to consider what number of constables it will be necessary to appoint the present year & report.
161
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen July 12th. 1820- Present the whole Board .-
The application of Utley & Heath to pave Portland street was referred to committee of Section No. 2 .-
The order from the Board of Health to remove a nuisance from the town's land on Mill Pond, was referred to the same committee.
The application of Robert Williams Esq. to pave a passage- way from Milk street to Liberty Square; referred to same com- mittee.
[36.] The committee appointed to enquire what number of constables it will be necessary to appoint the ensuing year - Report -
As near as they can ascertain the whole number appointed last year was twenty two - they recommend the appointment this year of any number of suitable persons to that office, not exceeding twenty five .-
Your committee further recommend, in order that the Board may not be troubled with constant applications for appointments the following order be passed - viz.
Selectmens Room July 12. 1820.
Ordered that the Chairman advertise that the constables for the town of Boston the ensuing year will be appointed on Wednesday the 19th. day of July instant, and that any person who may wish that office must apply in writing at the Select- men's room on or before that day .-
Eliphalet Williams pr order,
Read & accepted .-
The Chairman reported that the complaint of Mr Ward against the owner of hack No. 25. did not come under the cognizance of this Board .-
Accepted.
[37.] The following notice was ordered to be published by the Police officer.
NOTICE
All licensed victuallers, retailers, confectioners, and soda shops, must be closed in future on Sundays .-
All barber's shops must be closed on Sunday mornings at or before 11 o'clk. A. M.
All shoe-blacks must close their shops on Sundays at or before 11. o'clock A. M.
162
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
Any person who may hereafter offend in either particular aforenamed will be immediately prosecuted by the subscriber. By order of the Selectmen.
The application of Hezekiah Thorndike & others that the new street leading from Court to Brattle street may be paved, was referred to the whole Board .-
The application of Abram Babcock that Middle street may be widened where Andw. Betterly is building a new brick house was referred to the whole Board .-
[38.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen July 19th. 1820.
Present the whole Board.
The committee appointed to examine a nuisance complained of by Samuel Snelling & others existing in and about the livery stable occupied by Edward Dearborn in Sudbury street, have attended to the duty assigned them, and ask leave to report - That in their opinion the premises are kept in good order (and were particularly so on the day they examined them) as livery stables generally are, & that there is no just cause of complaint of a nuisance being there more than there is usually in stables of that description, all which is duly submitted.
Jer. Fitch Saml Billings
Read & accepted.
The application of John E. Tyler & others, for leave to place a chain across Park street during the time of divine service on Sundays,- was ordered to lay on file .-
On the application of the committee of the third Baptist Society, [39.] Thomas Francis was appointed to ring the bell of that church at the usual hours, in place of Noah Hill .-
The Chairman communicated a letter he had received from Henry A. S. Dearborn Esq. proposing improvements on the Neck .-
The Chairman, Messrs. Child & Wells were appointed a com- mittee to make arrangements for the dinner at the annual visitation of the schools, on the twenty third of August next .-
Turner Phillips Esq. & other gentlemen having recom- mended taking water from a spring in Market street to form a reservoir near Faneuil Hall Market house, the subject was referred to the committee on the Market .-
163
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
The committee to whom was referred the subject of the drain under Merchants Hall - Reported,- that they have examined the premises, & have also noticed the report of the committee of the former Board of Selectmen of the twenty second September last, & recommend the confirmation of that report - which was accepted by the Board .-
[40.] A letter was received from Col. Trumbull requesting permission to exhibit a painting in Faneuil Hall,- The subject was referred to the Chairman.
The Chairman communicated a request from the President of the Board of Health to extend Dorchester street at South Boston .- referred to committee of Section No. 4 .-
The committee to whom was referred the application to pave the new street leading from Court to Brattle street, reported that the same ought to be done - report accepted, & Hart & Tuttle to commence paving immediately.
The following persons were appointed constables for the year ensuing - viz.
Elisha Copeland,
James Perkins,
Solomon Twist,
William Brooks,
Jonathan Prescott,
William Dinsmore,
Thomas Holden,
Andrew Sanborn,
Samuel Holmes,
Josiah Baldwin,
Thomas Wallace,
Horatio Bass,
Elisha V. Glover,
Job Drew,
Jason Braman,
Jonas Ames,
Elisha Smith
Ebenezer Shute
Appointed October 4th. 1820-
William Tupper George Reed
Wendell R. Barker & Henry Lane
Octr. 18th. Mitchell Lincoln. (25) Jedediah Sawtell
[41.] At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 26th. 1820. Present Messrs. Williams, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Wells & Child.
The application of Abijah Crane, Payson Perrin and others to pave a part of Nassau street, was referred to the committee of Section No. 4 .-
The application of B. Beckford to have charge of the new clock in Park street was ordered to lay on file .-
A return from the police officer complaining of a cellar door built by Mr. Robert Hews - was committed to the Chairman .-
The application of John Bradford & others on the subject of hand carts, was committed to Messrs. Babcock & Billings.
164
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The application of the committee of Section No. 1. to have a part of Middle street paved, was referred to the whole Board .-
The account of Nathaniel Emmes Jun. for taking care of, & cleaning the arms belonging to the town the last year, was committed to the Chairman, who was authorized to settle with Mr. Emmes.
[42.] The Chairman was requested to call on Mr. Bumstead to make his cellar door in Cornhill conformable to law .-
The committee of Section No 4 reported, that it is inexpedient to extend Dorchester street, at South Boston, the present season. Report accepted .-
The Chairman informed the board that he had notified Col. Trumbull, that he might exhibit his painting in Faneuil Hall .-
On a complaint made by the police officer; - The Chairman was instructed to cause prosecutions to be instituted against every person who shall violate the orders of this Board of the twelfth instant, by keeping open their shops, or other places of business on Sundays .-
The Chairman was requested to advertise for a contract to relay the abutment in Brighton street .-
[43.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen August 2d. 1820 .- Present the Chairman, Messrs. Loring, Babock, Fennelly Wells & Child.
The committee of Section No. 4 wish leave to report that they have attended the subject referred to them - and it is their opinion that the prayer of Abijah Crane & others, respecting paving part of Nassau street, is reasonable & ought to be com- plied with - Report accepted -
The committee to whom was referred the petition of John Bradford & others, report that the police officer be directed to remove the incumbrance complained of in said petition - report accepted.
A complaint of W. Faxon & M. Grant, against the occupants of a stable on Scott's Court was referred to the committee of Section No. 2 .-
The application of Saml. Curtis Esq. respecting lighting the lamps - was ordered to lay on file -
The application of Andrew Betterley, was committed to Messrs. Babcock, Loring & Billings.
165
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1820.
[44.] The Town Clerk was ordered to publish a list of the constables appointed for the year ensuing, who are qualified according to law .-
The Chairman was instructed to publish an extract from a law of this state passed the 7th. February 1820 - authorising the appointment of firemen. Also to give notice that the fire wards have provided a convenient carriage, with ladders, axes, hooks, &c, and that the Selectmen are now ready to receive applications from such persons as may wish to be appointed to conduct the same .-
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen August 4th. 1820 - Present The Chairman, Messrs. Loring, Babcock, Wells & Child.
On the application of Thomas Powers, to open & repair the common sewer in Federal street; - An order of notice was passed agreeably to the form adopted in the case of Atkinson street. see records May 12th .-
On the application of Henry Farnam Esq. to open a com. sewer in Pond st. a similar order was passed .-
[45.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen (special) August 5th 1820- Present The Chairman, Messrs. Loring, Babcock, Wells & Child .-
On a complaint from a number of citizens, that Charles B. Simpson, tailor, was a person who by excessive drinking & idleness, was wasting his estate, and thereby exposing the town to a charge for the support of said Simpson & family .- Representation was made to the Hon. Judge of Probate requesting that a guardian may be appointed for him .-
Pursuant to an order from the Hon. Judge of Probate. &e. inquisition was made into the circumstances of Mary Bently, & a return signed, certifying to the Hon. Judge, that the said Mary Bently is a person non compos mentis, and incapable of taking care of herself .-
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen August 7th. 1820 .- Present the Chairman, Messrs. Babcock, Fennelly. Fitch, Wells & Child .-
This meeting was called in consequence of the death of Andrew Sigourney Esq. [46.] Town Treasurer & Collector.
Messrs. Childs, Wells & Babcock, were appointed to wait on Mrs. Sigourney and ascertain if it was the wish of the family that the funeral of Mr. S. should be attended as a town officer.
166
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The committee reported, That at the particular request of the late Mr. Sigourney, there would be no public funeral .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 9th. 1820. - Present the Chairman, Messrs. Loring Babcock, Fennelly, Fitch, Wells & Child .-
The application of Otis Tileston & others to have West Center street repaired, was referred to the committee of Section No. 3 and Mr. Babcock .-
Messrs. Wells, Loring & Childs a committee on the application of Isaac Rand and others respecting the common sewer in Federal street - and on the subject of drains generally.
Warrant was signed for the town meeting in the 21st. instant, on the subject of revising the Constitution of this state.
[47.] The Chairman, Messrs. Loring &'Wells were added to the committee of Section No 4 on the subject of repairing Front street.
A complaint of Samuel Parkman Esq. & others, "that a range of hog pens have been erected on the town's land, between George and Charles streets, that in these pens are kept a number of swine, to the annoyance of the families in the vicinity," was referred to the committee of Section No. 3 .-
The committee to whom was referred the complaint of Moses Grant & others; - complaining of a nuisance from a stable in Scott's court, owned by D. D. Rogers, have attended to that subject, & report .- They find by reference to the records of the Selectmen's proceedings on the 25 August 1818 - That the following vote was passed, Viz. Voted "That D. D. Rogers Esq. have permission to erect a livery stable on his land adjoining Scott's Court, provided he does not open any door from the stable into said court, and that no carriage or team to or from said stable pass up or down said court, and that no empty carriage or team from said stable be placed in such situation as to incumber the court"- Your committee find that all the con- ditions or stipulations under which the stable was licensed are set at defiance [48.] by the present occupant, and that the stable is undoubtedly with its present occupancy a very great nuisance to the persons living in Scotts Court.
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