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 17
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The Chairman, Messrs. Wells & Loring, were appointed a sub-committee, to apply to the Legislature for such altera- tions in the law as may be necessary to unite the offices of town & county treasurer, agreeably to a vote of the town 22d. June last.
[76.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen January 17th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board,- except Mr. Baxter.
The Chairman reported a form of a warrant for the con- stables of the town watch, also the form of a certificate for the watchmen; which were accepted .-
The committee to whom was referred the subject of remov- ing the east section of the watch, reported, that it is inex- pedient at present to do any thing on that subject.
The committee on guide boards, was discharged from the further consideration of that subject .-
The committee appointed to inquire respecting the quality of the oil purchased for the town lamps, reported, that the oil is of a quality that is satisfactory to them - report accepted .-
[77.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 24th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
Voted, that the Chairman make up the assessment on the common sewer in Prince street, repaired by Jacob Hall, after deducting & paying for the town's proportion twenty per cent.
181
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
Voted, that the Chairman make up the assessment on the common sewer in, & contiguous to Atkinson street, which was repaired by William Whall and others, after deducting and paying five hundred dollars for the town's proportion. Mr. Wells dissented from the vote relating to the payment of the sum of $500 .-
Mr. Neddy Curtis was appointed a constable, being recom- mended by persons residing at South Boston.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen January 31st. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board, except the Chairman.
The application of E. H. Robbins Jr .- stating that he was by a vote of the Selectmen of 16th. Feb. 1820 - entitled to receive five hundred dollars on certain conditions, which con- ditions he had complied with & requesting payment [8.] was referred to the Chairman, Messrs. Loring & Wells.
The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter and Child, were appointed to confer with a committee of the Selectmen of Roxbury on the subject of repairing the gutter on the Neck between the two towns.
Voted, that the committee of each section be requested to obtain all the accounts against the town in their respective sections .-
The application of Samuel D. Parker for a reduction of rent - was referred to the committee of the Town House .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen February 7th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board.
The committee to whom was referred the application of Saml. D. Parker, reported, that the rent of the office occupied by Mr. Parker in the Town house, ought to be reduced from 175 to 150 dollars per annum, in consequence of part of the office being taken into the stair way .-
Report accepted .-
[79.] The committee appointed on the application of Edward H. Robbins Junr. have attended to that service and report .- That he has erected the buildings proposed in Congress street, on the ground where the Exchange Coffee House formerly stood agreeable to the requirement of the Selectmen Feb. 20th. 1820 .- they therefore recommend that the Chairman
182
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
be instructed to make a draft on the Treasurer for five hundred dollars for land to widen that street after obtaining a deed of the same.
submitted by order of the committee, Eliphalet Williams, Chairman. Feb. 7. 1821 .-
The foregoing report was read & accepted.
The Chairman was instructed to inform Mr. George G. Channing that the Selectmen had appointed him director of the company of firemen, and request him to associate with himself any number of persons not exceeding thirty, & return their names for the approbation of the Board.
The application of William French & Jacob Tidd Junr. That the Selectmen would straighten the line on Ivers street where the buildings were recently consumed by fire, was referred to the whole Board .-
The Chairman was requested to give Mr. Caleb Hayward a certificate of his appointment as captain of the watch .-
[80.] Messrs. Kilvert & Randall laid before the Board the model of a ladder which they conceived would be useful at fires; -- The Chairman Messrs. Loring & Fennelly were appointed a committee to procure one of the ladders, provided the expense does not exceed fifty dollars.
On the application of William Prescott and others to change the name of Pond street, the Board voted to discontinue that name and insert the name of Bedford street.
On the application of Saml. S. Wheeler that the Board would continue the town's drain in Pleasant street. The committee of section No. 4, were empowered to continue and complete said drain .-
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen Feby Sth. 1821 .- Present the Chairman Messrs. Loring, Babcock, Child, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
The Board proceeded to Ivers Lane and agreed with the proprietors to straighten the line on the South side, com- mencing at Hawkins street where the lane is twenty one feet seven inches wide and running a straight line to Merimack street, the lane being then thirty feet wide, (see plan of streets) permitting Messrs. French & Tidd to include within their line as much of the town's land, and leaving in the lane as much of their own land as shall be found necessary to make the line straight.
1S3
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
[81.] - Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen February 14th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
The application of John Thayer & others for an engine house to be erected in Lynn street, & a suitable engine placed therein, was committed to Messrs. Loring, Fitch & Wells .-
The Application of Evans & Colron for permission to erect two stoves for the purpose of cooking & baking at No. 125 Broad street,- was referred to the committee of Section No. 2 .-
The application of John Tuckerman for some repairs to be made on Charles street, was referred to the committee of Section No. 4 .-
The Chairman, Messrs. Wells & Fennelly were appointed a committee to examine the law regulating the weight of bread, and report what measures in their opinion are necessary to be adopted by the Board to carry that law into effect .-
The Chairman, Messrs. Babcock & Billings were appointed a committee to dispose of the manure that accumulates in the streets.
[82.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen February 21st. 1821 .- Present the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
On a precept received from the Hon. Thos. Dawes Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk, inquisition was made into the circumstances of Henry Cushing; - and return was made that in the opinion of the Board, said Henry Cushing was a person non compos mentis, and incapable of taking care of himself.
An application from a number of citizens to change the name of Southack's Court - was read - whereupon it was voted that it is inexpedient to alter the name of that street for the present .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen February 28th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
The subject of altering the name of Southacks Court was referred to the. committee of sections No. 2 & 3 .-
The Chairman was authorized to instruct the police officer to commence prosecutions against the owners of hackney
184
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
[83.] carriages that are not licensed according to law ;- provided that not more than one suit be brought on any one day .-
The whole Board were appointed a committee to meet at the house of Mr. Baxter next Friday at half past 3. o'clk P. M. -to attend a reference between the town & Mr. Baxter for land taken from him to widen Harvard street. (Referrees appointed June 2d. 1819) - see Selectmens minutes) .-
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen March 3d. 1821 .-
Present the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Child and Fennelly.
Warrant was signed for the annual March meeting, to be holden on the 12th. instant.
Rev. Mr. Lowell to be requested to open the meeting with prayer.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen March 7th. 1821-
Present a majority of the Board .-
John H. Schaffer & others were approbated to be licensed for the purpose of carrying on stage plays &c at the Washington Gardens, Common street.
[84.] Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen March 9th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
Moved and voted unanimously. That the thanks of this Board be given to Eliphalet Williams Esq., for the able, faithful, diligent and impartial manner in which he has dis- charged the duties of his office as Chairman the past year .-
Voted unanimously. That this vote expressive of the full approbation of the board be recorded on the records of the board.
To which the Chairman replied as follows .-
Gentlemen,
I fully appreciate your liberality in appoint- ing to me the honor of presiding over your deliberations the year past.
If I have in any considerable degree succeeded in the dis- charge of that duty to your satisfaction, I must attribute my success to the advice and support you were kind enough to afford me.
185
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
The unity of sentiment which has prevailed at this board the past year, [85.] and the vote which you have just now passed demands and receives my warmest acknowledgements .- it will be ever recollected as a high source of gratification .-
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen March 14th. 1821 .- Present,- Eliphalet Williams, Daniel Baxter, Jonathan Loring, Abram Babcock, Samuel Billings, David W. Child, Robert Fennelly, Jeremiah Fitch, & Samuel A. Wells, Esquires.
This being the first meeting of the Board since the annual meeting for the choice of town officers; - It was voted to pro- ceed to the choice of a Chairman.
Ballots being taken, it appeared that Eliphalet Williams Esq. was unanimously chosen .-
The oath of office was administered to all the members of the Board, by the Town Clerk.
34 Jurors were drawn for the Boston Court of Common Pleas .-
[86.] Voted: That hereafter no proposals shall be received from, nor any contracts entered into with, any member or members of the Board of Selectmen, nor from or with any person or persons for or on account of any member or members thereof or in which any such member or members shall be either directly or indirectly concerned in whole or in part; for the performance of any work, for the furnishing of any articles or materials of any name or nature for or on account of the town :- to the end, that no person, while in office. shall have a vote, or influence, or be enabled to act on any moneyed question, or concern, in which he may be personally a party, and in the determination of which his individual interest may be involved.
Voted, The Chairman advertise for two sealers of weights & measures; one to be appointed for the northern, and the other for the southern section of the town .-
The application of William Sullivan Esq. & others for the use of Faneuil Hall on the evening preceding the first Monday in April, was granted.
Messrs. Child, Billings & Babcock a committee to examine the qualifications of applicants for the office of sealers of weights & measures .-
186
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
[87.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen March 21st. 1821. Present the whole Board.
The petition of the inhabitants of South Boston, to have an engine placed in that section of the Town, was committed to Messrs. Loring, Fitch & Wells .-
The Chairman having informed the Board that. frequent applications were made to him for orders of notice for the repair of common sewers, which required immediate attention; - It was voted, that the Chairman be authorized to issue orders of notice for the repairs of common sewers, when the parties would be liable to injury from delay, and report to the Board at their next meeting .-
Warrant was signed for Town Meeting on 2d Apl. for choice of Governor, &c - Rev. Mr. Wisner to open the meeting with prayer .-
Boston ss. At a special meeting March 23d. 1821 .- Present a majority of the Board .-
35 Traverse Jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court .-
[88.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen March 28th. 1821 .-
Present a majority of the Board.
The committee to whom was referred the subject of recom- mending to this Board suitable persons to be appointed sealers of weights and measures, for the year ensuing, have attended to the same & beg leave to report .-
That Messrs. Samuel Beals whose place of business is in Ward No 8. and James Henley in ward No 12. are conveniently located, and well qualified, to fill said offices, if two sealers are to be appointed for the Town, but if one only, is thought to be necessary, they would recommend Mr. Beals, all which is submitted .-
D. W. Child, Ab. Babcock, Committee. Saml. Billing,
Report accepted.
And Mr. Samuel Beals was appointed scaler of weights and measures for the year ensuing.
[89.] A communication was received from Nath. R. Sturgis, on the subject of a drain in Bulfinch street,- which was laid in 1810- as there appeared some informality in the papers re- lating to said drain, the Board declined acting on the subject .-
187
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
The petition of John Longley and others, to hire a piece of land on the Mill Pond, was committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Babcock & Loring.
The Chairman informed the Board, that he had required bonds, in the penal sum of one hundred dollars from Leavett Barnes, master of the schooner Four Sisters, the condition of the bond, is, that four passengers landed by him from that vessel. shall not become a charge to the Commonwealth within three years .-
[90.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen April 4th. 1821 .-
Present a majority of the Board .-
The Chairman communicated a letter from Mr. George G. Channing, in which he declines taking command of the Fire Hook & Ladder company .-
The Chairman was instructed to address the Fire & Marine, the Merchants, American, and Mutual Fire Insurance Com- panies, and inquire if they feel disposed to grant a premium to the Fire Hook & Ladder company .-
The petition of Saml. Gore Esq. respecting Pitts street, was referred to the committee of section No. 2 .-
On the application of Winsor Fay, to have John Hewitt put under guardianship,- ordered, that the chairman consult the Judge of Probate on that subject, and report .-
The Chairman communicated a letter from William Minot Esq. on the subject of the Franklin Fund - stating that the County Treasurer proposed paying his note :- whereupon it was voted, that the treasurer of the Franklin Fund be authorized to loan to the county of Suffolk, any sum not exceeding five thousand dollars, at an interest of five per cent, per annum.
[91.] Voted, that a committee be appointed to inquire into the duties of the police officer, and report .-
The Chairman, Messrs. Wells, Child & Babcock, were chosen on the committee .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen April 11th. 1821. Present the whole Board .-
An application to have North Russell street paved - was referred to the committee of section No. 2 .-
188
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The application of Oliver Hatch & others to have Mill Pond street paved, was referred to the committee of section No. 1 .-
The application of Ebenezer Smith to purchase or hire a piece of land on Mill Pond - was committed to the Chairman, Mess Babcock & Loring.
The application of Robert Williams and others, for the repair of, & setting out trees up on Fort Hill - referred to committee of section No. 3.
An application was received from William Minot Esq. Secretary to Mill Pond Corporation [92.] requesting the accept- ance of the common sewers lately built by that corporation was referred to a committee of the whole Board.
The application of Loammi Baldwin in behalf of the Boston & Roxbury Mill Dam Corporation to hire a piece of land for the purpose of placing a tollhouse thereon -was committed to the whole Board .-
The application of Josiah Knapp and others to have a part of Front street paved - was committed to the whole Board .-
The application of B. V. French, in behalf of the proprietors of Boylston Market, to have some alterations made in that place - was referred to a comee. of the whole Board .-
The application of Joel Shipley & others to have David Jones appointed to repair the common sewer in Garden street, instead of Walter Russell, was read and considered; - and Mr. Jones was appointed.
An application was received from Elijah Morse and others,- stating that Southacks court had long since become a street, and that it was the wish of the inhabitants in that court and its vicinity to have the same designated as such; - The Board took the subject [93.] into consideration - and it was voted, That the place formerly called Southack's court shall hereafter be called by the name of Howard street.
The following report was received from the referrees appointed on the claim of Danl. Baxter Esq. for land taken from him in Harvard street.
The subscribers, who were requested by the Selectmen of the town of Boston and Mr. Daniel Baxter to determine and declare what sum of money ought to be allowed him for adding to Harvard street a strip of land adjoining his other land, and so widening that part of said street: and also to describe the line which is to be hereafter deemed and held as the southerly
189
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
limit of that part of said street; having met and heard a com- mittee of the Selectmen, and the said Baxter, on the subject and viewed the premises, award that the town should pay Mr. Baxter sixty dollars; and that the southerly side of that part of Harvard street which lies between Mr. Baxter's house and Front street shall henceforth be considered as bounded and running as follows, vizt. on a straight line beginning at the north east corner of the north east corner stone of said house and extended thence easterly in the direction of his board fence, as it now [94.] stands, to Front street, at a point where said fence and his other fence join cornering on said streets: this point is by measure one hundred ninety three feet & three inches north of a point at the corner of Front and Bennett streets found by a line drawn along the southerly side of a brick house built and owned formerly by Mr. Joel Smith deceased, and extended in a direction with said side of Smiths house to Front street, being the point where said line so extended would strike Front street .- This award is not to affect the boundaries of either party lying to the east of Front street .-
Boston March 2d. 1821. (Signed) John Howe Jabez Ellis John Knapp
The foregoing report was accepted; & the Chairman was requested to have the amount awarded Mr. Baxter paid in the next draft on the town treasurer.
[95.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen April 18th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
The application of Abraham Biglow respecting a drain in Poplar street, was committed to the Chairman.
The application of Thomas Dennie and others, to have a part of Chambers street paved, was committed to the whole Board.
An application was received from Henry Farnam, on the subject of a passage way from Spring street to Brighton street; - committed to the whole Board .-
The whole Board agreed to meet on the Boston & Roxbury Mill dam on Monday next at 3. o'clk P. M .- on the subject of Beacon street .-
The Chairman informed the Board, that agreeable to their instructions, he addressed a letter to the President and Directors of the Fire and Marine, the Merchants, and the Mutual Fire Insurance offices on the subject of a premium for the fire men
190
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
attached to Hook & Ladder company .- The two former offices have replied, they were willing to pay each, one third part of an annual premium of twenty dollars to that [96.] company, provided the town would pay ten dollars .- Conditioned that the company produce annually in the month of March or April a certificate from the Firewards,- Stating they have performed their duty as firemen, satisfactorily to them for the past year and are entitled to the premium. - The directors of the Mutual office will meet early in May, when we should probably receive a reply from them .-
The Board proceeded to appoint a Master and twenty four firemen, to take charge of the hooks & ladders. viz.
Charles Leighton, Master .-
John Babbit,
John Reed,
Isaac Butterfield Elisha Goodnow
George Tucker,
Adison Davis
James Denton,
Arthur Burnham
Leonard Darling,
Alanda Wright
John Kittredge,
Jonathan Chamberlain
Levi L. Cushing,
William Ayers,
Saml. S. Crocker William Church
Benjamin Adlington,
Warren Lathrop
Levi L. Warrick,
Timothy Fessenden
Robert Hayden,
Peleg Hayden
Samuel Chase,
& William Snowdon.
Firemen .-
[97.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen April 25th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
4. Grand, and 4. petit jurors were drawn for the United States Circuit Court.
Eliphalet Williams Esq. was chosen treasurer of the Board of Selectmen, for the year ensuing .-
On the application of John Loring and others for permission to open and repair the common sewer in Middle street; - An order of notice was issued in the usual form - notice to be given personally .-
A communication was received from Gorham Parsons Esq. on the subject of his land in Sumner street; - The Board agreed to meet him on the premises, on Monday next at 11 o'clock A. M .-
The application of George Tucker & others to have the hand carts removed from the side walks on Greens wharf, was referred to the committee of section No. 2 .-
191
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
A communication from the police officer on the subject of removing gravel &c from Cambridge street - was referred to the committee of section No. 2 .-
[98.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen April 25th. 1821 .- -
Present the whole Board .-
On the application of the assessors, they were authorized to repair their room in such manner as they think proper, & present their bill to this Board for allowance .-
The Chairman was instructed to inform Harrison G. Otis Esq. and others, that the Board have no objection to their filling up the gore of flats adjoining the Boston & Roxbury Mill Dam; on condition that the town retain all their rights to the ground after it is filled up .-
The committee on the petition of John Longley & others, reported, that Warren street ought to be paved the present season; - Report accepted .-
The committee on the petition of Henry Farnam Esq, reported, that it is expedient to open a passageway from Brighton to Spring street; on condition that Mr. Farnam give a bond that the expense to the town shall not exceed the sum of one hundred & sixty dollars .- Report accepted .-
The committee to whom was referred [99.] the petition of Thomas Dennie & others, reported that it is inexpedient to pave any part of Chambers street, the present season .-
The committee on the application of Benja. V. French, reported, that his request for altering the sidewalk in front of Boylston market, be granted under the direction of the committee of section No. 4 .-
The committee on the subject of Mill Pond lands, reported that a stone monument be placed at each corner of the several lots belonging to the town .- and the Chairman was requested to employ William Taylor Esq. to perform that service imme- diately .-
The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the treasurer of this Board, have attended to the subject, and find them correct and would recommend that the same be entered in the Selectmens records; - The committee find that the sum received for auction licenses by the treasurer amounts to one hundred & eighteen dollars, and that sixty dollars has been expended for the clock in the Selectmen's room, leaving a balance of fifty-eight dollars at the disposal of this board
192
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
which they recommend should be retained in the hands of the treasurer subject to the future order of the Board; - all which is respectfully submitted. Ap 21. 1821. David W. Child, Abram Babcock, committee.
Report accepted, & the treasurers account ordered to be recorded .-
[100.] Dr. Selectmen of Boston in % with
1821 Jany. 1st. April.
To Cash pd. for clock To Cash pd. Town Treasurer pr. receipt .
60
109
50
To Cash on hand being the bal- ance of the auction licenses in the hands of the Treasurer carried to new %
58
227
50
Fund of Abiel Smith Esq. deceased.
1820 June 3.
To Cash paid Master of the African School To - do do do
75
Sep
6.
Dec
7
do do. do
75 75
1821
March
3.
66 do -- do. - do
75
66
do pd. Baxter & Prescott for wood
5
12
April
4.
Cash on hand to new ac
59
34
$364
46
The following property is on hand and credited in new % - vizt. 30 Shares in Newb. Turnpike 20 Do in 2d N. H. Turnpike 17₺ Do Kennebeck Bridge 5 Do R. I. Bridge
1 do - Boston Theatre
1 do - Boston Bath House 4 do - Suffolk Bank 4000 - U. States 3 pr. ct. Stock 200 do - 6 pr. ct. Stock.
$169
50
193
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
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