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 20
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Voted; the Chairman cause a plan to be drawn, and advertise for proposals in writing from any person disposed to contract to build the same.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen September 12th. 1821 .- Present The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly & Fitch.
34 Traverse jurors were drawn for the Court of Common Pleas .-
A certificate was signed approving of Mrs. Elizabeth Powell and James A. Dickson with their associates to act or carry on for profit, gain or valuable consideration, stage plays, inter- ludes, and other theatrical entertainments at the theatre in Federal street, the year ensuing.
[148.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sep- tember 19th. 1821 .- Present the whole Board, except Mr. Wells.
Wendell R. Barker was appointed a constable for the present year .-
The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter and Loring a Committee to purchase the military stores required by law ;- for the in- spection of the Brigade Quarter-master.
Voted, to discontinue the name of Lendell's Lane to a pas- sageway leading from Congress street to Kilby street; - and that the said passage way shall in future be known only by the name of Lindall street.
Warrant was issued for a Town Meeting to be holden on Tuesday next at 10 o'clock, A. M. -
A plan of a vegetable market was exhibited ;- and the Chair- man, Messrs. Loring & Billings were appointed a committee to contract for building the same agreeable to the plan .-
The Chairman was instructed to have the clock on the church in Hollis street repaired .-
[149.] The Chairman, Messrs. Loring & Baxter a committee [to] fit up the town armoury .-
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
The committee on the Market was instructed to inquire if any improvements can be made in Faneuil Hall so as to increase the income to the town, without injuring the building.
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen September 26th 1821 .- Present the whole Board .-
An application from Lemuel Shaw Esq. agent to the heirs of Watson Freeman, deceased, claiming indemnity for land given by the Town to J. L. & B. Austin, in exchange for some of their land 'taken to make Derne street, and afterwards sold to said Freeman, which land is now claimed by one of the heirs of Gov. Hancock, was read, and committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Loring & Babcock.
The committee to whom was referred the petition of A. Quincy & others reported that it is inexpedient to take any measures on the subject of removing vegetable carts from Broad street.
The application of J. & D. R. Griggs on the subject of land, corner of Charles street & Mill Dam, was referred to the com- mittee of the Common .-
[150.] The application of Col. Fairbanks and Mr. C. C. Nichols in behalf of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, for the use of Faneuil Hall, at their triennial anniversary, was granted .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen October 4th. 1821. -Present the whole Board .-
The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer of the Franklin Fund, reported, that they had exam- ined the accounts & found them correct,-and that there remained in the hands of the Treasurer the sum of eight hundred & forty three dollars two [cents?] not on interest .-
The subject of fencing in the lots on the Mill Pond, was referred to the committee of Sections No. 1 & 2. who were instructed to cause two of the lots to be fenced immediately.
The Board on further consideration of the subject of opening Northampton street, agreeable to the wishes of Mr. Dorr & Mr. Davis, appointed the Chairman, Mr. Billings, & Mr. Baxter a committee, with instructions if they should judge it expedient, to make a contract with Messrs. Dorr & Davis to open [151.] and complete the street above named to the satisfaction of the Selectmen provided the whole expense to the Town of Boston shall not exceed six hundred dollars .-
219
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
The Chairman was requested to advertise for proposals for painting the outside of Faneuil Hall - applications to be received until the 13th. instant .- Also to communicate with Rev. John Codman on the subject of the Town dock .-
The committee of Section No 4. were requested to fence in the Town's land on the north side of the street leading from Washington street to South Boston bridge, provided the expense should not exceed one hundred dollars; - They were also instructed to have the streets at the South part of the Town repaired: - the expense not to exceed one thousand dollars .-
In consequence of the numerous applications for licenses to retail spirituous liquors - It was voted:
That the Board will approbate no person for a license as an innholder, victualler or retailer of spirituous liquors, prior to the first day of January next.
[152.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen, October 10th 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
Voted, That the Town Clerk inform all persons who may apply to be approbated for licenses to retail spirituous liquors; - That their applications will not be acted upon until after the 1st. January next .-
The application of George Bond and William Sturgis on the subject of widening Summer street, was referred to the com- mittee of Section No. 4, with instructions to pay such sum as they may think expedient; - not exceeding twenty per cent of the value of the land taken into the street.
The Chairman informed the Board that he had conversed with Mr. Codman on the subject of improving the Town's right in the Town Dock; - but from some suggestions of Mr. Codman, he was of opinion that it would be well to consult counsel before any further measures were taken on that sub- ject: - The Board appointed the Chairman, Messrs. Babcock & Wells, a committee for that purpose .-
The time having elapsed for perambulating the lines between this town and the towns of Roxbury & Dorchester; The Board [153.] requested the Chairman to give notice to the Selectmen of those towns, that they proposed to meet them on Thursday the 25th. instant for that purpose .----
Complaint having been made that Thomas Thompson and others had incroached on Common street by placing the steps
220 1
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
of their houses on the side walk; - The Chairman was requested to give notice to Mr. Thompson, that he would be prosecuted, unless the incumbrance was removed within five days.
The Chairman to inform the Treasurer of the Franklin Fund; that he was desired to collect all delinquent bonds due to that Fund.
The committee of Section No. 2 reported that it would probably be necessary to lay a drain from Parkman Market in Cambridge street to the sea; - The committee were authorized to proceed to lay a drain if they found it to be necessary.
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen October 13th. 1821 .- Present the Chairman, Messrs. Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
The following persons made proposals for painting the outside of Faneuil Hall, viz. James Fullick, [154.] Edward Somerby & Jeremiah P. Smith The Board preferred the proposals of Mr. Smith, and appointed the committee of the Market, with the addition of Mr. Billings, to proceed in painting the Hall the present season if they think it expedient .-
The Chairman stated to the Board, that several inquiries had been made of him on the subject of filling the vacancy at this board occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Child. - after discussing the subject, taking into consideration that the principal part of [the] labour for the present year was com- pleted or contracted for; - It was voted, that in the. opinion of this board it is inexpedient that the vacancy should be filled.
[155.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen October 17th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board. --
22 Grand jurors, and thirty five Traverse jurors were drawn to serve at the Supreme Judicial Court.
The Chairman, Messrs. Loring & Fitch were appointed a committee; - again to meet the committee of Brattle Street Church on the subject of the land on the South side of their meeting house.
The committee who were instructed to cause the outside of Faneuil Hall to be painted, reported, that they had employed a carpenter to examine the building, and find that considerable repairs will be necessary previous to painting; as those repairs will cause delay, and the season being far advanced, they recommend dispensing with the painting until the next spring. - Report accepted .-
221
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
A communication from Mr. Thompson, requesting the sus- pention of a prosecution against him for an incroachment on Common street, until his side walk was laid, was read, & his request granted.
The application of A. Peabody on the subject of a drain in Bowdoin St .- was referred to the committee of Section No. 3. -
[156.] The police officer reported that Chas. C. Nichols had incroached on Williams street, by placing steps in the street in front of his house: - Ordered that the Chairman notify Mr. Nichols to remove from the front of his house all that part of the steps which project into the street within five days, or that measures would be taken to enforce their removal as the law requires.
The committee of Section No. 4, reported, that they had made an agreement with George Bond and William Sturgis, to draw a line on Summer street from the outside face of Col. Thorndikes stone post, to the front corner of Mr. Henry Hill's house, being twenty five feet six inches at the east end, and sixteen feet eight inches at the west end (making 4322 feet of land) for which the town will pay five hundred dollars, on receiving a deed .- Report accepted.
[159.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen October 24th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board, except Mr. Loring.
A communication from Charles C. Nichols, requesting the suspension of a prosecution against him for an encroachment on Williams street; - was referred to the committee of Section No. 3.
The Board approved & signed [an] indenture between John J. Hollis a minor, and Levi Whitcomb, house carpenter to serve as an apprentice until he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, which will be on the first of January, 1828 .-
Whereas, William Havard Eliot of Boston in the County of Suffolk, attorney at law, having become the proprietor of several lots of land situate on the easterly side of Union street, the buildings upon which were recently destroyed by fire, proposes to widen the street in front of the block of buildings he is about to erect upon the said land, so that a line drawn along the front from a point in the said block in a southerly direction will strike the corner of Ann street, and one drawn in the oppo- site direction along the front from the same point will range with the block next beyond the Avenue to Creek Lane [158.] a small bend being made in the center of Salt lane, all which will
222
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
fully appear by reference to the above plan drawn by William Taylor Esqr .* And, whereas such a location of the said block will be a valuable improvement of the street & it is highly desirable that the line should be extended on the south side to Ann street and on the north side to said avenue whenever this can be effected without material inconvenience to the pro- prietors of the adjoining estates, - Now, therefore in. con- sideration of the premises it is agreed and understood by the Selectmen and said William Havard that whenever by casualty or otherwise the buildings adjoining said William Havard's estate fronting on said Union Street shall be destroyed, the said street shall be widened so that the front line of buildings on the east side of said street shall be continued in a north and south direction as the said William Havard has commenced the improvement, and further that until this is effected, said William Havard may at any time use and occupy the land in front of his said block and now a part of his estate in as full and perfect a manner as if it were now fenced in and built upon. In Witness Whereof the Selectmen have caused this agreement to be signed in their [159.] behalf by the Town Clerk, and a copy thereof recorded this twenty fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty one.
* The plan referred to, is in the hands of William Havard Eliot Esq. with an attested copy of the foregoing agreement .-
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
Perambulation of the Line between Boston & Roxbury October 25th. 1821 .-
Pursuant to agreement, we the subscribers, agents for the towns of Boston & Roxbury met at the time and place appointed on Thursday 25th. October one thousand eight hun- dred & twenty one, and perambulated the line and renewed the bound marks between the two towns as follows - vizt .- Beginning at the mouth of the creek which opens into the bay leading to Cambridge, and as the said creek runs until it comes in a range with the fence and trees between the lands of the heirs of Capt. Aaron Davis, deceased, and the land of the heirs of Samuel Wells Esq .- then across the street or highway until it comes to a large stone standing endways in the fence on the easterly side of said [160.] street or highway, and from thence south 43 degrees east, to a large stone standing endways in the ground, two hundred & fifteen feet from said street or highway, marked B on the easterly side and R on the westerly side - from thence the same course, five hundred and forty two and half feet to a stone post marked B on the easterly side and R on westerly side - From thence turning & running north fifty eight degrees east by a straight line until it comes to a stone in
223
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
Lambs Dam so called, and from thence to the creek, and as the said creek or channel runs into the bay where it strikes the point between the towns of Dorchester, Boston & Roxbury .-
Ebenezer Seaver
Eliphalet Williams )
Abijah Draper
Daniel Baxter
Jacob Allen
Saml. Billings
of
Jona. Loring
Boston.
Saml. A. Wells
[161.] Perambulaton of the line between the towns of Boston & Dorchester Ocr. 25th. 1821 .-
Agreeably to notice the Selectmen of the aforenamed towns met on the line this day at the south east boundary on the beach at Old Harbour, commencing at a stone post marked on the south side D and on the east side B - thence running west. north west to another stone of the same description standing on the margin of the old road, - thence crossing the old road and the marsh in a straight line from the first named bounds to another stone of the same description on the Dorchester turnpike, thence in a straight line to the channel in the bay lying between the said turnpike and Boston Neck .-
Henry Gardner Thos. Crehore Stephen Wales of Dorchester Selectmen
Elip. Williams Danl. Baxter Saml. Billings Jona. Loring Robt. Fennelly S. A. Wells
of Selectmen Boston.
[162.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen October 31st. 1821 .-
Present, The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Babcock, Billings & Fennelly.
The committee of Section No. 3 .- reported, that Mr. Charles C. Nichols had altered the steps in front of his house on Williams Street, so that they do not project more than fourteen inches into the street; and recommend that the steps be permitted to remain .-
Report accepted .-
The Chairman reported that he had examined the accounts of Mr. Phillips, Hay weigher, for the quarter ending 1st of October, and found them correct: - The balance in his hands amounting to one hundred & thirteen dollars 2% was ordered to be paid the Town Treasurer.
The committee of Section No. 3, was authorized to make a contract with Wm. H. Bordman for building a wall back of
Selectmen
Elijah Lewis
of Selectmen Roxbury.
Robert Fennelly
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
Boylston School house on a line between his land & that of the town of Boston, and make such allowance towards the expense as they shall judge to be equitable.
Applications for supplying oil for the town lamps, were received from [163.] Josiah Bradlee & Co., William Lovering Jr. & Joseph P. Bradlee .- After consideration, the whole sub- ject was committed to the Chairman Messrs. Billings & Bab- cock, who were authorized to complete a contract with either of those gentlemen if they think it expedient .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen November 7th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board, except Mr. Fitch.
A communication was received, stating that Pitts street was out of repair; - The committee of Section No. 2. was requested to have such repairs made on that street, as they should find to be necessary.
The Chairman was requested to obtain proposals from Mr. Hunneman, & Messrs. Thayers', stating on what terms they would contract to build a new engine .-
The application of H. G. Otis & others, on the subject of Olive, Walnut & Chesnut streets, was read, and after discussing that subject, the Board agreed to view those streets to-morrow morning at S. o'clock.
The Chairman was requested to procure two dozen lamps for the use of the town.
[164.] On the representation of Mr. Babcock, that it was necessary to purchase some land to widen Fleet street, he was authorised to purchase the same, at a rate of not more than twenty per cent of the value of the land thrown into the street .-
The Board visited South Boston, at the request of Messrs. Rice and Henshaw, & laid out and continued Dorchester street from Broad Way, running a line north 48 east until it comes the easterly side of First street, thence turning northwesterly on First street at a right angle and continuing until we came to Lot No 86. each of said streets being laid out fifty feet wide, agreeable to a plan of a part of South Boston surveyed by Stephen Badlam 30th. June 1809 .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen November 14th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board, except Mr. Loring .-
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
A return was signed to the Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk stating that George S. Jackson, was a person non compos mentis, & recommending that a guardian should be appointed for him .-
[165.] The application of Ebenezer Robbins to be appointed a measurer of wood, was committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Wells and Babcock, to consider the whole subject and report.
The application of Ward Jackson and others, to see if the town would lay a side walk in Charles street - was referred to the committee of that section, who were authorized to lay a side walk with plank at the expense of the proprietors .-
The application of Mrs. Paine to have some repairs made on Olive street, was referred to the committee of Section No. 3.
The committee who had under consideration the subject of oil, lamps &c - Reported, that they had contracted with Mr. William Lovering Junr. for winter strained oil for five lightings, say about twenty six hundred gallons, at one dollar & seven cents, to be delivered in such quantities as the overseer of the lamps may wish; - and that they had appointed James Morgan overseer of the lamps, for which service they had agreed to allow him twenty five dollars per month, during the pleasure of the Board. Report accepted .-
The committee on the subject of dividing the lands on the Mill Pond, reported, [166.] That they had selected one eighth part of the lands which were proposed to be divided at the present time by the Mill Pond Corporation; - The plan of the lots selected was exhibited and examined by the Board: The report was accepted and the Chairman requested to inform the corporation of the lands selected.
The Proposals of Mr. Thayer to build a new engine, was referred to the committee who have that subject under con- sideration .-
The committee of Section No 1. reported that they had fenced in two lots of land on the Mill Pond; they [were ?] further instructed to fence the remaining lots belonging to the town if they should judge it expedient .-
The Board being informed that John C. Jones Esq. was erecting some buildings on Mill Pond street; - The Chairman was requested to notify Mr. Jones to desist and remove his buildings immediately .-
The Chairman informed the board that the water had failed in the well at Adams' school, that it would probably be neces-
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
sary to take up the well & sink about seven feet deeper. The subject [167.] was referred to the committee of Section No. 4. to do what they should judge expedient .-
The Chairman was instructed to ascertain if Mr. Marsh had complied with the directions of the board relative to the side walk in Beacon street: - and if he has not, to adopt such measures as may be necessary to enforce a compliance.
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen November 16th. 1821 -
Present The Chairman, Messrs. Babcock, Fennelly & Fitch.
10 Traverse jurors were drawn to serve at the present term of the Supreme Judicial Court .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen November 21st. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board, except Mr. Loring .-
The Chairman reported, that he had made a communication to John Coffin Jones Esq., agreeably to the instructions of the Board; - Mr. Jones had replied that he did not wish to remove his buildings [168.] from Mill Pond street at present, but that he would take a lease of the land, during the pleasure of the Selectmen, and pay a reasonable rent for the same .- The subject was referred to the committee of Section No 1. & the Chairman to adjust the business with Mr. Jones .-
The cap-sill of Hancocks wharf having gone to decay, The committee of Section No 1. was authorized to pay such propor- tion of the expense of repairing the same, as belongs to the town.
The committee of Section No. 4. was authorized to repair the damage done by the tide on the wharf in Front street .-
The Chairman stated to the board, that the committee of the 3d Baptist Church wish a plank sidewalk laid in Charles street, & proposed to find the materials, if the town would pay the expense of laying the same: - The board assented to the proposal, excepting Mr. Wells .-
The application of Thomas Baldwin and others to continue the pavement in Pitts street, was referred to the committee of Section No. 2 .- .
The Chairman was instructed to notify Mr. Eckley & Mr. Eliot to place the side walk in front of their houses in Beacon street, in the manner in [169.] which Mr. Marsh was instructed to lay them the last year.
227
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
The committee of Section No. 3. to whom was referred the application of Harrison G. Otis Esq. & Augustus Peabody Esq. requested to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject of those application; - The committee was discharged.
The committee of Section No. 1. was instructed to pay any sum, not exceeding twenty dollars towards the expense of improving Fleet street .-
The subject of granting permission for private patrole watches, was committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Fitch & Billings.
The Board agreed to meet the Selectmen of Roxbury & Brookline tomorrow at 3 o'clock P. M. on the subject of the boundary lines between the towns .-
[170.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen Nov- ember 28th 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
6 Petit jurors were drawn for the U. S. District Court.
The committee who were appointed to consider the subject of widening the street from Brattle Church to the Market - have met the parties concerned, consulted with them on the the subject and report .-
If the society in Brattle street will take their porch from the street on the south side of the church, widen the street on a line with the church (reserving six feet in front for their own use so long as they shall occupy that building as a house of public worship, for the purpose of erecting a fence on that line should they think it expedient) - And if David Sears or the persons in interest will convey to the town the land in front of the build- ings now erecting, and of the Market on the same line for the purpose of a street: - and farther, if David Greenough will permit his side walk to be taken off about two feet on the same line where Brattle street enters Dock Square; then your com- mittee recommend that the Town of Boston should pay to the parties in interest for their own use one thousand dollars. submitted by order of the committee.
Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
[171.] The foregoing report was read and accepted .-
Voted, that the Town Clerk be directed to make out a return to the Court of Sessions of the names of such persons as have been approbated since the 1st. July last, & who have neglected to take out their licenses, and against whom there has been no complaint.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The committee to whom was referred the subject of an encroachment on Mill Pond street by Hon. J. C. Jones, have attended that subject & report .-
That it is the wish of Mr. Jones that those buildings may be permitted to remain during the pleasure of the Board, and that he will take a lease to that effect, and pay the rent annually: - your committee therefore recommend that the Chairman be authorized to sign a lease to Mr. Jones of this land at the rate of twenty dollars per annum during the pleasure of the Select- men.
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