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 21
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1804.
249
Samuel Hastings -
2 Shares
$28., 32
S Hastings & E. Cushman -
1
14,, 16
Elkanah Cushman
1
14.,16
Martin Brimmer Estate -
2
28,, 32
Joel Crosby
1
14,, 16
William Wyman -
1
14,,16 14,, 16
Joseph Fowle -
1
14,, 16
John Rowlstone -
1
14,, 16
Daniel Messenger
1
14,, 16
David Sawyer - -
1
14,,16
Joel Hager & Thoms. Hill 1
14,, 16
John Avery
1
14,, 16
Jeremiah Bumstead
1
14,, 16
John Langley Sam : Morse Clark & Billings 1
14,, 16
John Langley -
2
28,, 32
Mr. Durivage -
1
14,, 10
Stephen Thayer
2
28.,32
Moseley's Estate
1
14., 16
Samuel Welles
3
42., 50
Thomas Williams
2 28., 32
1
14,,16
John Callahan -
1
14,, 16
Israel Cook
1
14,, 16
Benjamin Green
1
14., 16
Newhill 1
14,, 16
Henry Wainwright
1
14,, 16
John Haskins -
1 14,, 16
Widow Russell
1
14,, 16
Hannah Row
1
14,, 16
MI. Ray & Robert Hews
1
14,, 16
Andrew Cunningham
2
28 .. 32
Mr. Merret -
2 28,, 32
[236.] Mr. Sweetser
1
14,, 16 14,, 16
John Lucas
1
John Jarvis
1
14,, 16
Abraham Adams
1
14,, 16
Woods
1
14,, 16
[John ] Bellowes
1
14,, 16
And we do hereby appoint Elisha Copeland to receive of the Persons before named the Sums affixed to their Names, and to give discharges therefor-
CHARLES BULFINCH ) DAVID TILDEN WILLIAM PORTER JOHN TILESTON EBENR. OLIVER - FR. WRIGHT
ectmen o Boston
Josiah Fowle & W.m. Wyman
1
Polly Lowder -
250
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decem'. 12. 1804 Present Mess : Bulfinch, 'Tilden, Tileston, Oliver, Wright, Chapman,
A Committee from the Mechanic Fire Society waited on the Board to inform them, that they had at their expence procured four Ladders for the security & use of the Inhabitants in case of Fire-The Thanks of the Sclectmen in behalf of the Town were presented to the Gentlemen, and it was agreed that they should be placed as follows-one on the west side of the Court house one the Revd. M. Murrays Meeting house, one the west Boston Meeting, [House] & onc on Mr. Eatons fence Eaton Street, & the Chairman was desired to notify the Inhabitants of this liberal proceedure of the Gentlemen ; & to caution them from making use of the Ladders for any other purpose, than that for which they have been furnished
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Decem". 26. 1804 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tileston Hunnewell, Wright, Porter, Oliver, Chapman, May,
Approved of the Indentures of Ann Batchelder, a Minor to Reuben Allen to be in force untill the 5th. of Decem". 1809, as on file-
In [237.] consequince of a Precept from the Honble. Thomas Dawes, Judge of Probate-inquisition was made into the circum- stances of Sarah Mulberry, & made return that she is incapable of taking care of herself, & that a Guardian ought to be appointed for her-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Sclectmen Decem". 31. 1804 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tileston, May, Wright, Hunnewell, Chapman, Oliver,
Passed upon Accounts
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen Jany. 2. 1805 Present Mess's : Bulfinch Tilden, Porter, Wright, Tileston, May Hunnewell, Chapman,
Passed upon other Accounts-
School Commee. attended upon business
Boston ss : At a Meeting of Selectmen Jany. 9. 1805 Present Mess's : Bulfinch Tilden, Tileston Hunnewell Wright ---
The attention of the Board was occupied by the subject of the Streets & public Lotts in Sº. Boston ; after viewing the plans of the Streets drawn conformably to the principles adopted at the
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251
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1805.
Meeting of the Proprietors & the Selectmen, it was agreed to notify the Proprietors of the Land to meet the Board on Monday next to consider the most eligible situation for the public Lotts-
M. Hunnewell was desired to enquire into the complaints respecting neglects of the present Sealer of Wood, coming over the Neck-and to enquire respecting a suitable Person for that Office-
The Chairman was directed to the same subject relative to Wood brought in over the Bridges-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 16th. 1805 -Present Messrs : Bultinch. Tilden, Porter. Tileston, Hunnewell, Wright, May, Chapman,
Mess's : Rufus G. Amory B. Bussy, & Will Cotting appeared in behalf of themselves & Associates. & represented that they had it in contemplation at their own expence to form a spacious Street from State Street to Battery March Street, principally thro'. Land of which they are Proprietors : they exhibited a plan of the proposed Street [238.] and requested that the Board would take measures to lay it out according to law ;- The Gentle- men having retired, the subject was considered & it was unani- mously agreed. that the proposed Street would be a great public improvement, it was determined to lay out the Street as follows- To continue the west line of Battery March Street untill it shall meet a line in the direction of Milk Street, thence to run in a straight line to the westerly corner of Stone [Store?] Nº. 36- in State Street-that the said Street shall be 70 feet wide easterly of the above described line on State Street, & from 65 to 70 feet wide on Battery March Street, it being understood that the Town should be at no expence for any land or building taken for said Street. nor for filling up or making it: & that the Town shall not be considered as pledged or under obligation to widen the remainder of Battery March Street-
Voted. that the Chairman MT. Tilden & Mr. Wright be a Comme. to meet the Applicants on this subject & to carry the proposed improvement into effect --
Messra : Steven Hall & Moses Hadley were chosen measurers of Wood brought into Town over West Boston Bridge
Mr. Josiah Holbrook was chosen measurer of wood brought over Charles River Bridge
Mr. [Caleb?] Coolidge was chosen Measurer of Wood brought over the Neck .- the Chairman was desired to Notify the above
252
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
named Persons of their appointment & to enjoin upon them to see the law put in execution respeeting Wood brought into Town by Land-(Memº. he declined see Jany. 28)
Boston ss : At a Meeting of Seleetmen Jany. 23. 1805 Present Mess : Bulfineh, Tilden, Porter, Wright, Hunnewell,
Had eonferenees with several of the Proprietors of Sº. Boston & the Mill Proprietors; and Adjourned further consideration untill Fryday next -- 12. O Clock-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of Seleetmen Jany 25. 1805-Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Tilden, Tileston, Wright, May, Chapman, Hunnewell, Oliver, Porter
see under Jany. 28
[239.] Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Seleetmen Jany 28t. 1805 Present Messrs : Bulfineh, Tilden, Tileston, Oliver, Hunne- well, Wright, Chapman
Passed upon Aeeounts-
On January 25, being a special Meeting on application for a Town Meeting, it was agreed to issue a Warrant for Town Meeting on Monday the 4. of February next 10. O'. Cloek A: M :
Mr. Coolidge having deelined the Office of Measurer of Wood & MT. John Hall residing in Washington Street, being reeom- mended by a number of Gentlemen in that quarter, he was ehosen measurer of wood brought into Town over the Neek & Mr. Porter was requested to notify him of this appointment-
Approved of several Persons as Innholders & Retailers of Spirituous Liquors
The following Resolution passed the Board-viz-
Whereas a Bill is now pending before the Legislature of this Commonwealth explanatory of the Aet entitled an Aet to regulate the paving of Streets in the Town of Boston & for removing obstruetions in the same-Voted, that it is the opinion of this Board, that if the said Bill should pass into a Law, it ought to have no effeet upon the question in dispute between the Seleetmen & Mess's : George Blanchard & Bryant P. Tilden relative to proceedings in High Street; but that said question shall be considered upon the construction of the existing laws at the time of said proceedings in November & Deeem". last.
O
253
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1805.
The following are the proceedings alluded to above & are here entred together to afford a complete view of the subject
Record of proceedings relative to High Street
On the 14th of November last MIT. George Blanchard & M". Bryant P. Tilden waited personally on the Selectmen then in Session at their room & complain'd that Dr. Aaron Dexter had given orders to his workmen to build the Sº. Wall of his Cellar in High Street in Land which the former Proprietor of said land had given into the Street : that if that is allowed the Town would suffer by having the Street reduced, in width, & that Mr. Blanch- ard & Tildens houses would be much injured by Dr. Dexters advancing in front of the line which they had considered the line of the Street. & in which they had accordingly built their Houses
[240.] After acting upon other business the Board Ad- journed to High Street to view the Premises, and to determine the line of the Street. being there assembled they determined that the northerly line of the Street from the westerly fence of George Blanchards Garden to the east end of Deacon Wrights Land should be along the front of Messrs . Blanchard & Tildens houses & continued in a straight direction in front of land of Dr. Dexter to the lamp post at the end of Deacon Wrights ground and that all the land south of this line which had been formerly part of Whites Garden so called should in future be considered as high war.
The Chairman being desired to communicate the above to Dr. Dexter a billet was sent him the same evening containing the substance of the above & his workmen desisted from laying stones on the front line ; Dr. Dexter afterwards called personally on the Chairman to express his readiness to conform to the de- cision of the Selectmen but expected as that he was not allowed to advance into the Street Mess. Tilden & Blanchard would not be permitted to encumber the Street with the steps to their houses, the foundation to which was now laying to extend nearly 30 feet along the foot walk-
At the Meeting of the Selectmen the 21st. of November Dr. Dexters representation was laid before the Board & Mcss's : Bul- finch Tileston & Oliver were appointed a Commee. to see Messrs : Blanchard & Tilden to state the objections that had been made & to propose another mode of entring their houses by steps within side-This Comm. waited on the Gentlemen at M. Blanchards dwelling house and pointed out a mode by which the Street might be kept clear of encumbrance from steps, & they might conve- niently enter their houses under cover, at much less expence than any Stone steps & Iron Railing as proposed in the Street. The Gentlemen agreed to consider the proposal & to communicate
254
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
their decision to the Chairman which they did verbally the next day in State Street, that they " could not think of altering their plan ; " the workmen then proceeded to level the foundation and to lay the first step, upon information of which the Chairman on Friday Morning the 23rd. measured the foundation & the step already laid & found they would extend 29 feet along the front of ye. houses to project 3 feet 6 inches in the narrowest part & four feet in the center for an extent of 13 feet 9 inches. he im- mediately wrote to Mess's : Blanchard & Tilden informing them that their steps would exceed the limits allowed by law & advis- ing them to desist before they had incurred any further expence
A special Meeting of the Selectmen was held the next day Feby. 24 at Noon present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden Tileston, Hunnewell Oliver May & Wright, when the Chairman informed the Board what had been done since the last Meeting, which was approved by the Board. It was then considered whether the former proccedings [241.] should be reversed, & all the Claim- ants be allowed to advance into the Street it was again deter- mined to continue the North line of High Street as it had been laid out the 14 Inst .- that the proposed steps would be an incum- brance & encroachment on the Street & that the Chairman should take measures to remove them. The above was communicated to Mess : Blanchard & Tilden by billet, copy on file --
At the regular Meeting of the Selectmen on Monday the 26 of November a letter from Mess's : Blanchard & Tilden was read stating the circumstances of their land & what they considered their claims for indulgence, claiming as their own the land which in their first application they had called part of the Street, the following billet was agreed upon to be sent by the Chairman-
" I have laid before the Selectmen your last statement respect- ing the line of High Street in front of your Houses & your claims of indulgence in the liberty of building the steps as pro- posed. The Board has again considered the subject & after full deliberation have Judged it their duty to adhere to their first determination, that the land south of your houses is part of High Street & that the steps being an incumbrance should be removed, they consent to your having two steps into the Street, paralell with the front of your houses ; being in equal indulgence with that to Mr. Sergeant & Higginson & hope for your ready com- pliance with their determination "
The workmen notwithstanding the above proceeded to lay & complete the steps ; the Chairman gave orders to Mr. Sergeant & Hart to take down the same, and on the 7t. of December went with them and removed the upper step & a few days after the workmen took down the remainder & earefully piled them away.
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255
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1804.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 20. 1805 -Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tileston. May, Wright, Oliver,
No matter for entry
Boston ss : At a Meeting of Selectmen Feby. 25 1805 Present Mess Bulfinch. Tilden. Porter. Tileston, Wright, Chapman, Oliver, Hunnewell
Passsed upon Accounts
[242.] Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby. 27. 1805 Present Messrs : Bulfinch Tilden Tileston, Chapman, Wright, Porter, May, Oliver.
Passed upon Accounts-
In compliance with the directions in the 3d. Section of the Act of the Legislature of this Commonwealth entitled an Act to set off the Northwest part of the Town of Dorchester, & to annex the same to the Town of Boston, the Selectmen having viewed the land described in said act & having conferred with the Pro- prietors thereof relative to laying out such Streets & lanes thro'. the said Tract as in their Judgement may be for the common benefit of said Proprietors & of the Town of Boston; the Select- men have determined & agreed to lay out the Streets through the whole of the said Tract, now called South Boston, according to a plan drawn by Matthew Withington Surveyer dated October 4-1804 & signed by him which plan is preserved among the records of the Town of Boston ; the Streets agreed upon & laid out are described as follows-One principal Street to begin on the line which divides Sº. Boston from Dorchester at the place where the present road over the Marsh & Causeway crosses said division line. thence running North sixty three degrees E. the distance of 42 chains 20 links being eighty feet wide & to be called-
Dorchester Street
From the northerly end of said Dorchester Street, another principal Street to run Southerly 841/2 degrees East to the Sea & Salt Water & northerly 24 degrees west untill it meets the line of the turn pike, the above described Streets to be 80 feet wide & to be called
Broad Way
Also to the northward of Broad way & parallel thereto; three Streets all of them 50 feet wide, the one nearest to Broad way being 31034 feet distance therefrom on the western branch and 250 feet distance on the Eastern branch-
The next Street northerly to be 220 feet distant from the last mentioned Street on the westerly part & 250 feet distant from the same on the easterly part
256
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
The other Strect North of the above to bc 250 fect distant from the last described Street-
Also on the westerly side of Dorchester Street & Southward of Broad way are 4 Streets each 50 feet wide running parallel to Broad way all of them commencing at Dorchester Street & continuing to the Turnpike thence bending in a direction parallel with ye. line of Sº. Boston bridge to the Sea-
The Street
next South of Broad way to be 276 feet distance therefrom & all the others to be 250 feet apart ; on the Easterly side of Dorchester [243.] Street beside the Streets above described are 6 Streets lying South of Broad way, all of them 50 feet wide & parallel to Broad way at the distance of 250 feet from each other-
And
it is determined that all the above described Streets shall be named & called as follows-
The Street on the Northern Shore on Boston Harbour to bc called
First Street East & West
The Street next parallel thereto - - Second Street - do.
The Street next parallel
Third Street - do.
The Street next parallel
Broad way -
do.
The Street next parallel
Fourth Street do.
The Street next parallel
Fifth Street - do.
The Street next parallel
Sixth Street - d°.
The Street next parallel
Seventh Street - do.
The Street next parallel
Eighth Street do.
The Street next parallel
Ninth [Street]
do.
The Cross Streets upon the said Tract are described as follows- Vizt ___
One Street 500 feet from the westerly end of Broadway & from the Turnpike to run exactly at right angles across Broad way to the westerly end of 5th. Street, where it unites with the Turnpike-said Street being 50 feet wide-
Also five other Streets West of Dorchester Street, all at right angles with West Broad way & parallel with the first described Cross Street, the first of them to be 500 feet therefrom, & all the others to be 500 feet apart, each of these Streets to be 50 feet wide & all of them running from the boundary line to the Sea .-
Also on the Easterly side of Dorchester Street, are ten Cross Streets each of 50 feet wide, & at right angles with East Broad- way all of them running from the Salt Water on the South to the Harbour of Boston on the north of said Tract, & described as follows-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1805.
257
The first Street East of Dorchester Street as laid out so that the division line between land of Champney & Land of Jonathan Bird shall be in the division of the middle of said Street-
The next Street east of the above to be 680 feet distant therefrom
The next Street easterly to be 376 feet distant from the above- The next Street easterly to be 624 feet distant from the last mentioned & the others to be 500 feet apart-
Also one
other Cross Street in the same direction as the above laid out equally on each side of the line which [244.] divides the land of [Blank ] Champney from land of Thomas Birds heirs. & of the Widow Mary Clap. said Street being 50 feet wide-also one other Street leading from the South end of Dorchester Street at right angles with the last mentioned Street & terminating in the same-
And it is determined by the Selectmen that the Cross Streets above described shall be known & designated by the letters of the Alphabet as follows-
Beginning at the most easterly eross Street which shall be called - -
- A Street
The second to be called -
B Street
The third to be called
C Street
The fourth to be called
1) Street
The fifth to be called
E Street
The sixth to be called
F Street
The 1. Street east of Dorchester Street do.
The second to be ealled -
G Street H Street
The third to be called
I Street
The 4th. to be called -
K Street
The 5th. to be called -
L Street M Street
The 7th. to be called -
N Street
The 8th. to be called -
O Street
The 9th. to be called -
P Street
And the 10th. to be called
Q Street, near the water The short Street parallel with the Cross Streets-Old Harbour Street & the Street at right angles with the same
Telegraph Street
The 6th. to be called -
-
And it is determined that all the Streets which extend to the Sea or Salt Water, or any part of the said Tract of Land called South Boston, shall be considered as continuing in the same directions & of the same width as far upon the Flatts or into the Sea as the right of the Proprietors shall extend through whose land the same Streets shall be laid out-
258
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feby. 6. 1805 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Wright, Chapman, Oliver, May
Deacon Wright from the Commee. to view & ascertain the [245.] course & boundaries of a passage way leading from Fish Street to the sea near Dr. Mountfords corner, reported that the Commee. had viewed the Premises, & found that there was sufficient land in possession of the Abuttors to give to each Person the quantity which he had a right to by deed, & also to make an additional width to the passage way; that they had laid [out] the passage way formerly four feet wide as follows-At the distance of 86 feet from Fish Strect said Passage-way measures feet
in width 5-3 In.
at 120 feet
7-6
at 164 feet
6,,10
at 251 feet 4 feet
which is at the lower end of old wharff & corner of Mr. Levi Lanes Sail loft-the Commee. also stated that Mess's : Levi Lane & John Gordon the Abutters, had agreed to remove their build- ings and fenees at their own expenee, to make the Passage-way of the above deseribed width-the above Report was accepted, & ordered to be recorded-
On the application of William Tayler Esq that the Board would consent to release the House in Sudbury Street formerly mortgaged by his Grandfather George Minot Esq for the sum of two hundred pounds of Mr. Brookers Donation, & take a new mortgage for the same amount upon his land & buildings in Cambridge Street, it was agreed that Mr. Tilden should make this exchange of security, provided he shall find by certificate from the Register of Deeds that the estate proposed for security is clear of all incumbranees-
Mess's : Blanchard & Tilden having again proceeded to rebuild their steps to their Houses in High Street, of the same dimen- sions & projection as those removed by order of the Board- Voted, that the Town Attorney be desired to eommenee prosecu- tion against them for encroachment on the Highway-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of Selectmen March 13t. 1805 Present Mess's : Bulfinch Porter, Oliver, Chapman, Wright,
The list of qualified Voters presented by the Assessors according to law were examined & the Chairman was desired to have [246.] such of them reprinted as are eouched with names & to have complete lists posted, as the law requires-
The following Advertizement to be inserted in the papers Monday the 18th .-
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259
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1805.
List of Voters in the Towu of Boston
The Selectmen hereby inform their fellow citizens that in pursuance of a law of the Commonwealth there are posted up at Faueuil hall & at the Office of Board of Health complete copies of the corrected lists of persons qualified to vote in the choice of Governor Lt. Governor. Senators & Representatives in Congress-
Notice is also giveu that one or more of the Selectmen will be in session at their room from the hours of 12 to 1. every day previous to the Election of Governour & Senators (Suudays excepted) for the purpose of receiving evidence of the qualificatious of Persons whose names have not been entred on the lists published
The Inhabitants are particularly reminded that these Lists are from a new return made by the Assessors according to law, every person is desired to examine whether his name is iuserted in the list of the ward in which he resides
By order of the Selectmen
The application of MIT. Josiah Knapp to the Town for part of their Flatts. having been referred to the Selectmeu with powers to convey the same to him upon conditions that should be thought for the advantage of the Town-Mr. Porter & MIT. Wright were chosen a Comme. to view the Premises, & confer with Mr. Knapp on the subject-and to make Report
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 20, 1805 Present Mess" : Bulfinch, Porter. May, Wright, Oliver, Tilden, Chapman. Hunnewell.
The Board came to the choice of a Chairman for the Year ensuing by ballot when it appeared that Charles Bulfinch Esq. was unanimously chosen-
Proceeded to draw Jurors for Court Common Pleas in April next & adjourned the Meeting to this Day fortnight, to fill such vacancies as may occur-
Ordered that Notifications be printed & dispersed for a Meeting of the Wards on Wednesday the 34. day of April for the [247.] choice of Assistant Assessors-The Chairman was desired to furnish each of the presiding Officers of the Ward Meetings with a printed extract of the law directing the choice of assisting Assessors-
Warrant signed & issued for a Town Meeting for the choice of Governour Lieu. Governor & 5 Senators-
Mr. Newell to have the printing of Notifications-
260
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
Colº. May & Mr. Chapman a Cominee. to request Dr. Eliot to open the Meeting with prayer
Upon the request of H. Gray Otis Esq. & a number of other Gentlemen, liberty is granted them to make use of Faneuil Hall on the Sunday Evening preceeding the Election for Govern" &c_
Mr. Wade & MT. Jacobs have liberty for themselves & a num- ber of persons residing in a new Street near the Almshouse to dig up as much of Copper Street as may be necessary to lay a common Sewer therein to convey the Water from their Cellars .&c. to the Sea, at the west end of Leveret Street-and upon con- sideration of the difficulty of getting a solid foundation for a brick drain in Copper Street, the same being new made land ; & also the drain will be filled with Salt water at every tide, it is agreed that the Applicants may build said Common Sewer of wood-to be made not less than 18 Inches wide & covered with Slate or 4 inch Timber
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