USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the selectmen's meetings, 1799 to, and including, 1810 > Part 11
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Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decemr. 16-1801 Present Mess : Bulfineh, Tileston Sturgis, Porter Sherburne Tilden Oliver Hunnewell,
This Morning between the hours of 2 & 3. o.' Clock a Fire broke out in this Town, beginging at the Wharff of Mr. Gardner & after consuming the Buildings on that Wharff, spread to the Neighbouring Houses in Fish Street & threatened destruction to the whole of that quarter of the Town, but by the unceasing exertions of the Inhabitants was providentially & happily arrested in its progress after consuming about 16. Houses-As the Cir- cumstances attends. this fire gave [88.] reason to suppose that it was the effect of design from some abandoned Ineendiary, either for the purpose of plunder, or devastation-the Selectmen for the ease & security of the Inhabitants have determined that each Constable of the Watch should employ five Men in addition to his number for two succeeding nights for the purpose of patroling the Streets from the hours of 10 to 6 in the Morning ; & have agreed to allow each of such Men, one Dollar p Night for
128
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
his services. It is also agreed that one Man from each Watch house give constant attendance at the ruins of the late fire during the present night to guard against any further spread of the same ; which men shall be relieved by others of the Watch as occasion may require
The Chairman is requested to give the several Constables of the Watch the Instructions conformably to the above
Voted, that an Advertizement be inserted in the Papers offer- ing a reward of 500 Dollars for the discovery of any person guilty of setting fire to the buildings consumed last Evening to be paid upon conviction, also engaging that the Selectmen will use their influenee to obtain the pardon of any one concerned in this transaction who shall deliver over the Offenders to Justice-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Seleetmen Deer. 17. 1801 Present Bulfinch Tilden Sturgis Tileston Sherburne, Oliver Howard Hunnewell Porter
After a conference with a number the Fire Wards & others lately chosen by the Inhabitants to devise means to secure the Town from the danger of fire, it was agreed-that the several Constables of the Wateh be directed to proeure 5 Men in addition to each Wateh, untill further orders, the same to be paid at the same rate of wages as the other Watchmen-
The Chairman is desired to give Instructions to the Constables of the Watch for their direction in going their rounds &e-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decem". 23. 1801 Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden Sturgis Howard, Tileston Porter, Sherburne Oliver, Hunnewell
[89.] Messrs : Tilden Sturgis Hunnewell, a Commee. to wait on the Gentlemen, who are said to have first observed the Fire in Fish Street, & to enquire of them any particulars relative thereto, which have come to their knowledge
Agreed to have a Town Meeting on Thursday the 31st Inst. at 9. o. 'Clock A : M : and the Town Clerk is desired to prepare a Warrant for signing on Monday next-
On application from Commee. of Long Wharff Proprietors that the Lamps on the Wharff, might be lighted at the charge of the Town-read and considered & ordered to lay for further con- sideration-
The Chairman was desired to Advertize a Meeting of the Board on Wednesday the 6th. of January next, to take measures for
in
P
129
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1801.
ascertaining what compensation, if any, should be paid by the Town for Land taken into Fish Street, for the purpose of widen- ing the same. & for parts of Buildings to be taken down for that purpose. & to request the attendance of all Persons concerned-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decem". 28. 1801 Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden Sturgis Howard Tileston, Porter, Sherburne Oliver Hunnewell
Passed upon Accounts-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decem'. 31. 1801
Passed upon other Accounts-also
Passed upon Licenses for Retailers & Inholders
See [Blank] for pro- ceedings in laying out and widening Fish Street after the Fire
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 6. 1802
The Meeting on the subject of Fish Street Claimants being postponed by public Advertizement untill the 13 Inst. no business was done
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 13, 1802- Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden, Sturgis, Howard, Porter, Tiles- ton, Hunnewell
The Chairman & MT. Tileston a Commee. to adjust the Accots. of Mr. Gooch to the 1st. of January last & to take his Note on demand upon Interest for the balance that may be due-
[90.] The Board came to the choice of a Clerk of the Market to be in Office from the 1st. of January Inst. to the 15t of March next-when a new choice must be made according to the By Laws of the Town-M'. [Blank] accordingly chosen
Upon representation of Ebenezer Smith & others who have been at the expence of erecting Stalls at the West End of Faneuil Hall-that the charge of raising the roof of the same has considerably increased the expence-it was agreed to allow them the use of said Stalls, free of Rent, untill the 1st. day of March 1803-The said Occupants & Contractors agreeing to com- pleat the same by plastering the ceiling, painting the Posts & Gutters, finishing the pavement & otherwise conforming to the former Vote of the Board-
130
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
The Board had a conference with the Proprietors of Land taken into Fish Street, who proposed the following Gentlemen any five of them they consented should be Referees to ascertain the damage if any, sustained by them for the loss of their Land, taken to widen said Street, or for portions of Buildings to be taken down for that purpose, & that the Award of such Refcrees shall be final-
General John Winslow
Deacon Daniel Wild
Mr. Elisha Sigorney
Capt. Francis Green
Colº. Edward Proetor
Benjamin Piekeman Jun". Esq
Mr. Daniel Tuttle
Mr. Nathaniel Bradley
Mr. Samuel Stutson-
The Selectmen then made choice from the above number of the following Gentlemen- Vizt-
General John Winslow
Colº. Edward Proetor Mr. Nathaniel Bradlee Capt. Francis Green Mr. Daniel Tuttle-
declines see next side-
The Chairman was desired to inform the above named Gentlemen of their appointment & to request their acceptance of the charge also to desire the Town Attorney to draw a proper Instrument to be signed by the Parties
Voted, that the Chairman be desired to inform the Assessors that the new law regulating Elections will be in force [91.] on the 1st. of March next, when it will be necessary they should return a list of qualified Voters, & to ask their attention thereto-
A number of Jurors were drawn at a Meeting called for the purpose on this Day as entred & posted in the Jury Books, and the Meeting then Adjourned to this day fortnight for filling up vacaneies that may immediately happen
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Seleetmen Jany. 20-1802 Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden, Tileston, Porter, Hunnewell, Oliver-
On the application of the Captain & Members of Engine Company Nº. 4-for liberty to have a Chimney in their Engine House-Mr. Tileston & M". Hunnewell were desired to view the situation of the Engine-house & to have a Chimney built if it can be done with safety to the Neighbours-
Mr. Robert Williams Jun"
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1802.
The Chairman & MT. Tileston a Commee. to have the Pumps on Fort Hill repaired in the best manner; with the new patent improvement of Mr. Perkins-
Mr. Daniel Tuttle one of the Persons named at the last Meeting as a Referree upon the claims of the Abutters on Fish Street declining that trust, The Board made choice of Colo. John May in his Room-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Jany. 25-1802 Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Tileston, Tilden, Oliver, Hunnewell, Porter, Howard
Passed upon Accounts-
Agreed to have the roof of the Wood house at Latin School repaired-
A Communication from the Fire-Wards was received & read as on file-whereupon
Voted that Mr. Sturgis & MI. Howard, make enquiries of the Fire wards what quantity of Hose & of what dimensions may be wanting for the Engines-also to enquire the costs of Mr. Per- kins's moveable Pumps-
Voted, that the Engine Men be informed that it is the opinion of the Selectmen & Fire-wards-that it would tend to produce [92.] order & other good effects at Fires, if they would always wear their Caps & Badges-and to request them to do so in future-
The Chairman is desired to communicate the above Vote to the Capt. of each Engine-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen Jany. 27. 1802 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tileston, Porter, Hunnewell, Oliver, Tilden
Passed upon Accounts
Mr. Hartshorn who has purchased a piece of Land of the Town on the North side of Beacon-hill, applies for liberty to dig a Well so far into the Street in part of his lots as that the Pump shall stand outside of the Building-Liberty is granted to him on con- dition that he convey the Waste Water under Ground from the Pump into the Common Sewer either into Temple Street or Mid- dlecot Street-
Mr. Benjamin Hall & Asa Hatch apply that their Names should [be] entred in the plan of the Granary burying Ground on Tomb Nº. 11, formerly owned by Webster[,] MT. Hale being the
132
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
legal Heir, under Webster, & having sold one half of said Tomb to M'. Hatch
Voted that the several Captains of the Watch be directed to discharge the extra number of Men now attached to their Watch, after this Month-
Philip Cartwright is approved & licensed as a Chimney Sweeper in this Town-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 3d. Present Messrs : Hunnewell, Tileston, Porter, Bulfinch, Oliver, Sturgis, Tilden,
A Meeting notified to meet at 5. o Clock to consider the Appli- cation of Mr. Samuel Bridge for his being appointed an Auch- tioneer for this Town -
At a special Meeting for the above purpose, Mr. Samuel Bridge was appointed an Auchtioneer, for this Town-
The Law passed this present Session of the General Court was received, impowering the Selectmen to appoint & regulate Watch- Men in the Town of Boston-whereupon the Chairman was directed to Advertize for any Person who may incline to under- take the duty of [93.] Head Constable of the Town Watch, to make application with suitable recommendations on or before Wednesday next-
Pursuant to a Vote of the Town at the last Meeting the Board made choice of the following Persons to inspect the several Wards of the Town, to make a Weekly return of the Names of all Vagrants & disorderly Persons, & Strangers of suspicious characters-
John May, Ward Nº. 1
Daniel Johnson - - Ward Nº. 7
Amos Boyington 2 Jnº. Trash 8
Joseph Smith 3 Capt. Haddaway [Hathaway] 9 John How 4 William Cluston - 10
Palfrey Collins - 5
Capt. Jones - 11
Thomas French -
6
Samuel Moore
12
the Chairman was desired to inform the above named Persons of their appointment & duty-
The Board came to the resolution to appoint two Persons as Inspectors of Chimnies in the Town for six months in two divisions of the Town to be called the North & South Districts- the North Districts to include all that part of the Town Nº. of State Street & Court Street with the northerly side of said Streets and all West Boston-The South District to comprehend all that
138
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1802.
part of the Town, South of State Street. Court Street & Southac's Court-Voted, that each Inspector to be appointed, enter into the following Agreement-
1st. That he will immediately engage & continue to employ three or more persons, as may from time to time be required by the Selectmen, who are able of Body & suitably instructed in the business of sweeping Chimnies
2ª. That on application of any Inhabitant, the Inspector shall within 12 hours send some Person to sweep his or her Chimney or Chimnies, & shall follow & inspect the same to see that the same be carefully & effectually done-
3ª. Upon information of any Chimney, that from neglect of sweeping, is in danger of taking fire, or from any defect or from age has become hazardous the Inspector shall immediately give notice to the Super Intendent of Police that legal measures may [94.] be taken to compel the Proprietor of the same to have it swept, or repaired as the case may be-
4-Each Inspector shall keep a Book in which he shall Register the Chimnies swept under his direction, with the Name of each Person employing him to sweep the same & the date of the time when the same was swept-and for the encouragement of the Persons so to be appointed Inspectors, the following Rates of sweeping are agreed upon
Kitchen Chimnies
50 Cents
Smoke Jack
50. do.
Parlour Chimnie with Stoves 50- d°. Parlour Chimnies 40- d°.
Chamber Chimnies
33- do -
Mr. Samuel Cartwright was chosen for the Nº. District M. [Blank ] Winter, for the South District- and the Chairman is directed to publish the purport of the above in the Papers-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby. 6. 1802 Present Mess™s : Bulfinch Tilden, Sturgis, Porter, Tileston Oliver & Hunnewell
Voted, that Mess : Tilden Tileston & Oliver be a Commee. on the part of the Board to sign the Agreements before the Referrees, relative to the Claims of those Persons, whose Lands or Buildings have been taken to widen Fish Street-also that the same Comme. be desired to attend the Meeting of the Referrees to state to them such circumstances as the interest of the Town may require
134
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby. 10. 1802 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Sturgis, Tileston, Oliver Hunne- well
Voted, that the Chairman, Mr. Sherburne & Mr. Hunnewell be Commee. to consider a plan of Organization of the Watch for this Town, to Report at the next Meeting ; also the rates of pay to the head Constable, Capt. & Privates of the Watch in their opinion competent to insure a faithful discharge of their impor- tant duties-
[95.] Application recived from sundry Persons for the Office of Head Constable of the Town Watch,-the choice re- ferred to next Meeting-
Voted, that the Tombs in the South Burying Ground, be numbered by numbers cut upon the Stones, & that a plan of the Ground be taken previous to the Certificates being given to the Persons who have built Tombs therein-& the Chairman & Mr. Hunnewell are desired to attend to the same-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby. 17-1802 Present Mess : Porter, Tileston, Bulfinch Tilden, Oliver, Hunne- well, Sturgis,
Agreed to have a Notification for a Town Meeting on Monday the 1st. of March, & Mr. Edes to have the printing of the same-
The Town Clerk to prepare the Warrant accordingly-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Sclectmen Feby. 22d. 1802 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden, Sturgis, Tileston & Hunne- well-
Passed upon Accounts-
On application of Thomas Boyle now confined in Prison, upon sentence of the Municipal Court, for suffering gaming in his House which he was licensed to retail Spirits in-praying that he may be released from the fine he was sentenced to pay, being totally unable to pay the same, & being now at the charge of the County-the Selectmen agree that the Officer may return the [Blank ]
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby. 24. 1802- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Porter Tileston, Howard, Oliver,
Passed upon other Accounts-
Town Clerk to prepare a Warrant for March Meeting on Mon- day the Eighth of March next. 9. o Clock. A : M-
- ---
-
135
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1802.
Mr. Newell to have the printing of the Notifications
MessTS : Bulfinch & Sturgis-a Committee to wait on Revd. Mr. Popkin & to request his opening the Meeting with prayer-
The Commee. appointed the last Meeting to consider the sub- ject of [96.] the Town Watch, made the following Report-
That there be employ'd as a Town Watch every night 2 Con- stables of the Watch & 30 Watch- men-
That there be two Guard-houses in central situations One in State Street one in Market Square
That 14 Stations or Stands, be determined upon in the various parts of the Town for one Watchman each-
That one Captain & 15 Mcn assemble Nightly at 10. o'Clock at each Guard-house. & from thence proceed to place 7 Men at their different Stands-that the stands be number'd & the Men take their Stations every night by Lot or in rotation-after the Capt. shall have thus stationed his Men he shall return to the Guard-house, & proceed from thencc with 7 Men, who have been at rest, to relieve those who are upon duty, once every two hours in succession thro'. the Night untill Day break-
The Constable in setting or relieving the Watch, shall be care- ful to pass thro'. as many Streets as possible & [vary ] his walks that a thorough observation may be made of all parts of the Town-
Each Man shall be accommodated at his Stand, with a house or Box to shelter him occasionally from the inclemency of the Weather-it shall be his duty, to walk in various directions to & from the Station but no further than to be within call of the Officer of the Watch, when he shall come to the Stand to place the relief-
That the Stations be as follows-1st. Division at the Engine house Washington Street-Engine-house Essex Street corner of Orange Street .- Engine-house Purchase Street-
On B[e]acon-hill On Fort-hill Engine-house .- Liberty Square 1 Engine-house, School Street
Main Guard Watch-house State Street-
136
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
2ª. Division
Main Guard Watch house at Market Square
Watch-house Bowdoin Square
Powder-house Watch-house West Boston-
Engine-house Mill Creek, Hanover Strect Enginc-house Mill Creek Ann Street Engine-house North Street by Dr. Eliots Watch-house-Ship Street- Cops-hill-
That Watch Boxes 3 feet Square be placed in cach of the Hills, & that [9%.] the Men stationcd there be each furnished with a Bell of sufficient size to be rung as an alarm at the first appear- ance of fire in any part of the Town-
That the pay be as follows-
2 Constables at 30 Dollars p month
$720-
30 Watehmen - at 15 Dollars - - do 5400-
6120
Expences - 130
$6250-
The aforegoing Report being read & amended, was accepted & the Chairman was directed to publish the substance of the Report for public information, and to invite suitable Persons to under- take the duties pointed out-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 5. 1802- Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden Howard, Porter, Tileston Oliver-
Approved of the Indentures of Jupiter a black Lad to John Salter as on file-
Voted, that the Treasurer be directed to take a Note from Thomas Boyle now confined in Jail for 50 Dollars, at 6 months date, being the amount of the fine for which he is committed & to discharge him --
The following are the proceedings of the Selectmen in laying out & widening Fish Street where it was desolated at the Fire of the 15. of December-& the parts adjacent. Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Sturgis, Howard, Sherburne Oliver & Hunne- well. Decem™. 21. 1801-
The Board proceeded to Fish Street on that part which had been laid waste by the late Fire & the parts adjacent, viewed the Ground & staked out the line of the Street in future & its bounds which are as follows-
137
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1802.
On the Easterly side
beginning at the North West Corner of the House of Philip Wentworth the Street being there 29 feet wide. to run Northerly through Land of Samuel Hitchborn & Amasa Stutson to the South West Corner of Stoddards Cellar Wall. thence Northerly along the former line of the Street, in a straight line to the North West Corner of the Cellar of [98.] Samuel Swett ; thence to the Corner of Moores Wharff as the Buildings now stand & through an old Building of Dr. Simeon Howard, 9 feet on the South side & 4 feet on the North line thereoff measuring on the Easterly side as follows-From the Corner of E. Wells Store upon the Shop adjoining to Clarks Wharff, the Street to be in width 35 feet ---
From the Door of Babcocks Store to Clarks old Building occu- pied by Emes, & upon the same - 35 feet From the Corner of Swetts Cellar to & upon R. G.
35 feet Amory -
From the Corner of A. Wild to & upon the portion between Martin & Loring - 35 feet-
Street -
From the Corner of Stoddards Cellar up Cross 35 feet From the Stake at Stutsons Cellar up Cross Street on the North side of House of John C. Jones - 33- and thro'. the said House of J. C. Jones to a point in the South Line thereof in said Fish Street
At all the intermediate Stations & through the whole length of the Street from Cross Street to the Brick house of the Heirs of Dr. William Clark the Street to be 35 [ft. ] wide-
The Chairman was requested to have an accurate survey of the Street made conformable to the above-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 10-1802 Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Porter, Howard, Hunnewell, Tileston Oliver.
The Chairman & MT. Oliver a Committee to employ one or more Persons to compleat the Lists of qualified Voters agreable to the Returns from the Committees of the different Wards-The same Commee. is desired to have the same Lists printed agreable to the Vote of the Town-
The Chairman Mr. Tilden & Mr. Sturgis a Commee. to agree upon a Referree on the part of the Town to decide upon the Claims of the Town & State to the old Town-House, in con- junction with such other Referrees, as shall be chosen by the Attorney General & the Judges of the Supreme [Court] agreable to the Resolve of the Legislature-the above Commee, is to con-
138
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
fer with Mr. Lowell who has been employ'd as Attorney to the Town in this case, for his [99.] advice & Assistance therein-
A Copy of the Census lately taken in this Town, was presented by Mr. Charles Storer, Assistant to the Marshall of this District -Voted, that the Thanks of the Board be presented to Mr. Storer, for his communication, & that he be informed, the same shall be carefully preserved among the Town Records-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 12. 1802 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Sturgis, Howard, Tileston, Porter, Tilden,
Voted, to publish the following Advertizement respecting the Lists of qualified Voters-
The Selectmen hereby inform their fellow Citizens that in pur- suance of the Law of the Commonwealth, on Monday next March 22d. there will be posted up at Faneuil Hall, on the Floor of the Old Townhouse, & at the Office of the Board of Health, complete Copies of the Corrected Lists of Persons in the Town of Boston qualified to Vote in the choice of Governor, Lt. Governor, Senators, Representatives in the General Court & Representatives in Congress-
Copies of the Lists are also deposited in the hands of the several Committees who corrected the same by order of the Town. Notice is also given that the Selectmen will be in Session at their Room from the hours of 9 to 11. on the Morning of the 5t. Day of April next. previous to the Election of Governor Lt. Governor & Senators for the purpose of receiving evidence of the qualifications of Persons whose Names have not been entred on the Lists publish'd
That each Member of the Commee. appointed by the Town to Correct the Lists be furnished with ten Copies of the same, for the use of his Ward-
Voted, that the Gentlemen of the above Committees be requested to attend at the ensuing Election of Governor &c. to assist the Selectmen-that the Benches at the West end of the Hall be appropriated for the Commee. of the Wards-and that the Numbers [100.] of the Wards, be painted in large characters in front of the Scats-
Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Howard are desired to attend to have the Seats prepared & the proper numbers painted.
· The Chairman Mr. Oliver & M". Porter a Commee. to view Belknap Street, to ascertain the line of said Strect where the same is laid through M": Austins Rope-Walks-
139
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1802.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 24th. 1802 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Sturgis, Tileston, Hunnewell, Porter. Oliver. Howard.
A Meeting warned at 5. o Clock to act upon the application of Mr. Isaac Eaton JunT. for an appointment as an Auchtioneer-
A Warrant this Day issued by the Selectmen for Convening the 1st Monday of April next being the 5th. Day, for the choice of a GOVERNOR. LT. Governor & 4 Senators for County of Suffolk as by Law directed-
Voted, that Mr. Newell -. have the printing of the Notifica- tions-
Mess's : Howard & Sherburne a Commee. to wait on the Revd. Mr. Haskel - with the request of the Selectmen to open the Meeting with prayer-
At a special Meeting for the purpose ; the Application of MT. Isaac Eaton Jun .. for being appointed an Auchtioneer was taken up, and he was according[ly] appointed
Application made by a Commee. from the Fire-wards, propos- ing that an Engine should be built in the room of the Extin- guisher Nº. 7-and that it be upon the same construction-
Application. by a Commee. of New North Church to ask a Rent in future for the use of their Land on which an Engine house stands & which the Town has occupied gratis for a number of Years
[101.] The Board came to the choice of two Constables of the Watch-and Mess : Jonathan Trask & MT. John Spear were unanimously chosen
M. William Gooch was chosen Clerk of the Market he to give security to the satisfaction of the Board from the 1st. of January last-
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