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 28
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Mr. Hunnewell & MT. May a Commee. to view the situations of the houses on the north side of Lynn Street, & to direct in which course a Common Sewer shall be dug to drain their waters-
Mess's : Hunnewell Wright & Chapman a Commee. to obtain of the Assessors the number of ratable polls in the several wards also particularly to ascertain the number between the age of 16 & 21 Years-
Mess's : Oliver, Hunnewell & Wright a Commee. upon the appli- eation of John Lowell Esq. for a passage way from School Street -to confer with the Commee. of Court of Sessions respeeting the probable future appropriation of the Land belonging to the County South of the Jail-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Seleetmen Mareh 30. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright Chapman, Kettle,
Passed upon Accounts-
Mr. Chapman was desired to pay attention to the Ladder kept in the wall opposite Concert hall, to have the same properly seeured
Mr. Wright was desired to apply to Mess's : James & Thomas Lamb, to request of them to import for the use of the Town about 300 feet of Hemp Hose from Holland, of the length & dimentions agreeable to the Fire-wards-
The Board came to the choice of a Superintendent of Police for the Current Year by ballot ; the Votes being taken it appeared that Charles Bulfinch Esq. was chosen-
The Chairman Mr. Wright & Mr. Hunnewell a Committee to consider the subject of poliee & the execution of the By Laws, & to Report a plan for more effectually carrying them into effeet -
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES. 1807.
[335.] Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 8th. 1807 Present Mess" : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Oliver, May, Hunnewell Chapman Kettle Wright-
MessTs : Hunnewell May & Kettle a Commee. on the application of Mr. Wilkinson for liberty to place steps to a House lately built by him in the Alley leading from Prince Street to North Bennett Street
The Chairman & Mr. Hunnewell a Committee to confer with Mr. Parkman respecting the building which he proposes to creet at the corner of Federal Street & Milk Street-to see what addi- tion ean be made to the Street without injury to the lot-
The Chairman Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Wright a Committee to meet the Claiments of Land in Beacon Street to examine their Claims & to Report-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 14. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, May Chapman, Wright & Kettle-
The present Meeting called in consequence of a venire recd. from the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Jurors- proceeded to draw 28. Jurors for that Court-as will appear entred & posted in the Jury Books-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 15. 1807- Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Wright, Oliver, Kettle, Tilden, May,
Mr. Thomas Briggs laid before the Board the Will of Mr. Godfried Kreuger, whereby it appeared that he had left the Poor of the Town of Boston, to be paid to the Selectmen ; one moiety or half part of his Estate : after the payment of certain debts & legacies. Mr. Briggs exhibited his Accounts as Executor to the said Will, which had been settled at the Probate Office, by which it appeared that the amount of 803 Dollars 84 Cents was due to the poor of this Town, under the management of the Selectmen.
Mr. Briggs then exhibited a Bond to be signed by the Selectmen. to bear him harmless from any future Claims-which was signed by a major part of the Selectmen, being all that was present-Mr. Briggs then paid to the Chairman a check upon the Bank for [336.] 803D-84C-and communicated a letter from Capt. Clapham dated at Demarara relative to other property of the late MI. Kruger, and wished the advice of the Board, upon the best mode of obtaining such property from that Country-
After Mr. Briggs had withdrawn, some discussion took place relative to the disposal of this bequest, how the generous design
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
of the Donor might be best carried into effect, & it was agreed to add it to Mr. Brookers Donation, the Interest to be applied annually to the Relief of Poor Widows & sick Persons the Check was then handed to Mr. Tilden who with Mr. Oliver was chosen a committee to vest the same in the most productive & safe publie funds-Mr. Tilden was also desired to exhibit a statement of the Persons holding any property of Mr. Brookers donation, & of the amount, that the Board might Judge of the cxpedieney of vesting the same in the public funds-
An application from several frce black men was made to the Board for advice & assistance relative to the school room in the new meeting house built by subscription for the blacks-the papers were read & the subject referred for further consideration-
The Chairman was desired to enquire into the circumstanecs of an application from Dr. Jennison, who has recovered Judgment for possession of a piece of land near Grove Street, & wishes the line of that Strect to be asecrtained
Aeted upon a list of Persons applying for approbation for licenses to Retail Spirits &-
Mr. John P. Orcutt Mr. John H. Shaffer
were approved as Auchtionecrs, within this Town
At a special Meeting of the Selectmen April 20. 1807- The Board was assembled to view the lot belonging to S. Park- man Esq. at the north east corner of Federal Street-present Mess's : Bulfinch Oliver Porter, Hunnewell May, Wright Chap- man & Kettle
After viewing the easterly side of that Street, & measuring [337.] the width in several parts, it was determined to reduce Mr. Parkmans Land to 30 feet wide on Milk Street, which will make the entrance to Frederick Street, thirty three feet wide- the said land to continue the same width of 30 feet, to the southerly side of the House proposed to be built thercon-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selcetmen April 22ª. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, Wright, Chapman, Kettle-
A Petition was handed in by a Commee. from the Owners & Occupants of Stores on Broad Street, praying that measures should be taken for paving that Street-after conferring with the Gentlemen, they retired & Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Wright were appointed a Commee. to consider the subject & Report-
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
The Chairman ME. Hunnewell & Mr. Chapman a Commee. to view Poplar Street, with the Proprietors of the Land where the Rope Walks lately stood-to determine what quantity of Earth may be taken from that Street to regulate the descent & level of the same
The following divisions of the Town were assigned to the care . of the following Gentlemen-
All west of Middle & North Streets, from Winnesimit Ferry to Mill Bridge - to Mr. Kettle
All East of the same. to Mr. May to Mr. May
Wards Nº. 6 & 7 -
to Mr. Bulfinch
Ward Nº. 4 & 5
to Mr. Chapman -
Nº. 8 -
to M'. Hunnewell to Mr. Tilden
Nº. 9 -
Nº. 10 -
to Mr. Wright
Nº. 11 -
to Mr. Oliver
Nº. 12 -
to Mr. Porter
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 27. 1807- Present Mess" : Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Wright, Chapman, Kettle,
Passed on Accounts-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 29 1807- Present Messrs : Bulfinch, May. Tilden, Chapman, Oliver, Kettle, Wright, Hunnewell,
Passed upon other Accounts-
[338.] The Board came to the choice of two Sealers of Weights & Measures according to law, by ballot, & chose Mr. Richard Austin for the South District & Mr. Timothy Green for the North District of the Town-
On the application of Christopher Gore William Paine & Mr. Fletcher for liberty to build a number of Tombs on their Land adjoining on the West Wall of the Granary Burying Ground, with liberty to enter such Tombs through the Brick Wall-the Chairman Mr. Oliver & Mr. Chapman were desired to examine the state of the Ground ; to consider the subject & to Report-
The former application of the Sextons was agreed to after consideration. that the Perquisites & Emoluments arising from the care of the Burying Grounds should be given to them in aid of a Fund for their use-and the following Persons were appointed to the particular care of the Burying Grounds-Vizt
Levy Skidmore
at the South Ground
Allin Locklin
at the Granary
James Baker
- at the Chapel
Henry Lane
at the North Ground
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
On the application of the Committee of the Universal Church Mr. Comfort Clafin the Sexton of that Society is licensed as a Funeral Porter-
Warrants issued for Town Mectings on the 13th. & 14 of May for choice of Representatives-and for transacting the usual affairs of the Town at May Meeting-
Mr. Spcar to have the printing of the Notifications for said Meetings-
Mr. Kettle to request Dr. Eliot to open the Town Meeting with prayer-
Upon a representation of the proceedings of Mr. Cotton [Cotting] & others laying a drain with Wood in Battery March Street-the Chairman was desired to inform Mr. Cottings [Cotton ] that the Board would not consent that any part of said Drain should be made [339.] of Wood, & expected that he would immediately order his Workmen to take up the Wood already laid & to build it with Brick & cover with Slate-
On the application of Adam Babcock Esq & others that they might have liberty to make use of Faneuil Hall on the Evening preceeding the Election of Representatives ---
Boston ss : At a Meeting of Selectmen May 6th. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Hunnewell, Chapman, Kettle, Oliver, May, Wright
This time being assigned for the choice of Constables Certifi- cates were read from the Town Treasurer, that all the Constables had accounted & settled with him for the Taxes collected by them-It was Voted to make choice of twelve Constables for the present year-after some consideration of the subject, agreed to proceed to the choice of eleven out of that number, at this Meet- ing
The Votes being taken the following persons were chosen, and the persons proposed by them as sureties, were approved-Vizt.
Thomas Stevenson-his Sureties Dudley Walker Thomas Stevenson Jun".
Amos Lewis
Thomas Lewis
Joshua Ellis
Elisha Copeland
Abraham Gibson
Moses Thayer - - John Perry
Nath1. Frothingham Samuel Sanger
Henry Lanc
Caleb Whiting Josiah Danforth
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
335
Benja. B : Leeds
Samuel White -
Jeremiah Gore Junt. Benjamin Bass Jun". Abraham Babcock Ebenezt. Clough Jona. Merry Edward Staples
Jirah Holbrook
Levi Joy
Edward Wentworth Joseph Bennet
Solomon Twist
Moses Gardner
Jonas Twist
James Sumner -
George Homer Thomas Howe
[340.] And the Town Clerk is directed not to administer the oath to either of the Constables now chosen untill they shall produce certificates from the Treasurer, that he has executed his bond to him-
The Chairman, MT. May, & MT. Chapman a Commee. to stake out the slip from Lynn Street to the Sea which lies in the direction of Fosters lane. and to procure all the evidence that can be had respecting the Towns right there-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 12. 1807 --- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell May, Wright, Chapman Kettle
On the yesterday the Chairman & several Members of the Board agreeable to advertizement attended to the sale of the Towns land near the South Bridge : a number of the Gentlemen of the Neighbourhood being anxious to have the street leading to the Bridge made wider than has been proposed, the Sale was postponed. for the consideration of any propositions that may be made by the Abutters or others-
Mess : Curtis appeared & requested to know the terms on which the Lands near the Sº. Bridge & the flatts on the north side of the Bridge were to be sold, making the street 50 feet wide-after consultation, it was agreed to ask the sum of thirteen thousand Dollars, and they were desired to give their answer to morrow 3. o'. Clock-
A billet was received from Deacon Brown stating the terms on which he would consent that the south side of that Street should be continued in a straight line from the Bridge to Orange Street through his land --
Boston ss : After the business of the Election of Representatives was completed-the Board being together received an answer from [the] Mess's : Curtis wherein they offer 10.000 Dollars for the land & flatts provided the street be continued straight through Deacon Browns Land-
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
The Chairman was dirceted to reply, that the Board would accept the sum offered & agreed to the terms of [341. ] payment, but on the condition that the street should not go upon Deacon Browns land, but should be wholly taken from the towns land- this was sent & their answer expected to morrow
Boston ss :- After the Town Meeting another billet from [the] Mess : Curtis was laid before the Board, deducting 800 Dollars from their former offer in consequence of the street being carried in the direction proposed by the Board-The Chairman was desired to reply that the Board adhered to terms & conditions proposed on the 13th.
Boston ss : At a special Meeting of the Selectmen present- Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, Hunnewell Wright, May Chap- man Kettle
The Board was summoned to hear the request of the Pro- prietors of India Wharff that measures should be taken to eon- tinue the width of Broad Street through land of ME. Tilden- After much conversation agreed to mect on Monday next, 5. o Clock P. M. & MT. Cotton to be desired to attend the meeting. Mr. Tilden was also desired to consider the terms on which he would eonsent to the proposed improvement-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Scleetmen May 18. 1807 Present Mess : Bulfinch Tilden, Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright, May, Chapinan, Kettle
Mr. Tilden handed to the Board his proposals to accept the sum of 5000 Dollars for his land necessary to widen Battery March Street-After Mr. Tilden & Mr. Cotting had withdrawn- the subject was discussed, but no determination was had whether the Town should pay any proportion of said sum-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 20. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Wright, May, Chapman
Approved of sundry persons to retail spirituous liquors-
The Chairman & M'. Chapman a Commee. to view several Cellar doors making to a new building in Devonshire Street & to take measures to prevent their incumbering the foot walk-
On application from a great number of persons respceting [342.] the custom of selling horses in State Street, & propos- ing the establishing of a market for horses-the Chairman & Mr. Oliver a Commee. to consider the subject & report-
337
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
Mr. Porter & MT. Hunnewell a Commee. to view the easterly end of Pleasant Street, to prevent any incroachment from a Building now preparing to be erected & to consider the best means of discharging the over ground water from that part of the street
On the application of Rerd. Dr. Lothrop & Revd. Dr. Eliot it is agreed that the Clergy shall make use of Faneuil Hall on the Day after the General Election for a public dinner-
On application of the Captain of the Anct. & Honourable Artillery Company, that Company has liberty to use the Hall on their anniversary for a public dinner-
An application was received from a large number of the Inhabitants praying that the Board would take measures to widen Battery March Street through Mr. Tildens Land at the expence of the Town-several members of the Board being absent, agreed to postpone this business to Friday next 4. o.'Clock and that absent Members be desired to attend-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 22d. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, May, Hunnewell, Chap- man, Kettle.
The Commee. chosen to stake out & take possession of the Towns Slip in Lynn Street, running along the east side of Edward H. Robins to the Sea, Reported that they had attended to the business, had heard the representations of several aged persons who had long resided at that part of the Town & had found no cause to relinquish the Towns right to the slip-& accordingly had staked it out 18 feet wide & had forbid Mr. Holbrook & MT. Whitney from trespassing upon it-The Commee. also measured the land on Lynn Street & found that after measuring the quantity conveyed by the Union Bank to Ingersol & from him to Holbrook [and] Whitney of 123 feet, there remained 29 feet 4 Inches, claimed by the Heirs of Benjamin Andrews to the bounds of M'. Alley & from that line 15 feet to Alleys house
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 25. 1807 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Wright, Kettle
[343.] Passed upon Accounts-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen May 26. 1807- Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Kettle
The Board came to the choice of a Constable to complete the number required for the Year & chose MT. John Deverell-and
338
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
approved of the Bondsmen of the past year, to renew their Bonds for the present season-
The attention of the Board was occupied by the Report of the Commee. on Poplar Street, who advised that the Abutters should have liberty to dig away & regulate said Street, under certain conditions-this report being considered it was voted to postpone acting thereon, untill next Wednesday four weeks; as the inter- ferenee of the Selectmen might have an influence on the location of Canal Bridge-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 3d. 1807- Present Mess8 : Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Wright, Chapman, Kettle, Tilden, Hunnewell,
Approved of the Indentures of James Powell a Minor to William Dorr Jun". the term of Apprenticeship to July 4. 1812-
Mr. Nath1. Emmes Bell, being recommended by the Commee. of the New Brick society is approved as a Funeral Porter-
On a petition from a number of persons chiefly Owners & Residents on the Neek requesting that measures should be taken to remove the Candleworks from the situation at present occupied by that Manufactory-the Chairman was desired to apply to Mr. Thomas Blake Agent to the Proprietors to notify them to remove their works from the Towns Land as soon as possible-
On the application of Michael Homer for liberty to build a number of Tombs on the North side of the Granary Burying Ground-The Chairman Mr. Oliver & Mr. Chapman, were desired to view the ground & Report their opinion of the expedieney of the measure & the general state of the ground-
[344.] Jolin Heard Esq appeared & entered a complaint against the Driver of Hackney Carriage Nº. 12. Owned by Andrew Morton ; M". Morton & the Driver were also heard, & after full consideration-Voted, that the Chairman inform M". Morton that the license for his Carriage Nº. 12-will be sus- pended for one month from Monday next, unless before that time his Driver shall make such apology & concession to M'. Heard as shall be satisfactory to the Board-
The Abutters on the Easterly side of Haneock Street having regulated the side walk and paved the same with Stone & brick- the Chairman has been authorized to have a gutter paved 42 feet wide along the edge stones-
An application being read from the Proprietors of Land in Poplar Street & considered-the Chairman was desired to com-
339
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
municate to the Gentlemen the proceedings of the Board on that subject. which was had at the last Meeting-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 10. 1807 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright, Kettle,
A number of Jurors drawn to serve at the Court of Common Pleas in July next-
A letter was read from John Heard Esq. stating that the driver of Hackney Carriage Nº. 12-having ealled upon him and regretted his misconduct: he was perfectly satisfied that the complaint should be withdrawn & the license of the Carriage should be restored-whereupon Voted, that the Owner & Driver of said Carriage had complied with the order of the Board of the 34. Inst. & that the license should be restored-
Mr. Parker appeared & entered a complaint against Mr. Simons & Fisher the Owners & Joseph Stone the Driver of Hackney Carriage Nº. 49, for demanding two Dollars for earrying three Persons to & from the Theatre, & for abusive language, upon his refusal to pay the sum demanded .- The Owner & Driver being also present were heard-& the parties having withdrawn, it was determined that the license of Carriage Nº. 49 be suspended for one month, & the same be published in the Papers
[345.] Approved of the Indentures of Henry Benneen a Minor of the Age of ten Years a Native of the Sandwich Islands to David Nve of Wareham Mariner, to be in force untill the 1st. Day of June 1811-
The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, having at the Town Meeting on Monday 8th. Inst. impowered the Selectmen to nominate & appoint seven Commissioners to treat & negotiate with the Proprietors of the Mill Pond, as fully expressed in their Vote of that date-The Selectmen proceeded to execute the trust reposed in them by the Town, & after mueh deliberation, unanimously made choice of the following Gentlemen-
William Parsons Esq. Honble. John Davis Esq Honble. William Brown Esq Honble. John Adams Esq John Jay Esq Redford Webster Esq
Tristram Barnard Esq
and the Chairman was desired to Notify the Gentlemen of the appointment
340
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
The Chairman Mr. Tilden & Mr. Wright a Committee on the application of Mr. Samuel Torrey to direct in the laying of his steps & the side walk & regulating the sink in front of his new Houses in Atkinson Street-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 18th. 1807- Mess's : Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Chapman, Kettle-
On the application of Mr. Samuel Todd-the building formerly used as a Spermacti work at the bottom of Friend Strcet is approved & licensed as a Livery Stable-
The application of a number of the Inhabitants residing near Wheelers Point for a new Engine-and the petition of a number near Pleasant Street, to have an Engine placed in their Neigh- bourhood ; having both been referred to the Gentlemen Fire- wards for their consideration, a Report was handed from their [346.] Secretary ; whercin they state that it was not expedient to procure another engine & give their reason for their opinion & refer to this Board the right of placing the Engine houses, as they may Judge for the public benefit & convenience-It was then voted to accept the Report to be put on the file of mixed papers-
A letter from William Foster Esq. respecting a passage way between his Wharf & Powers Wharf, was read & committed to Mr. Tilden & MT. Wright to view & report-
The Commee. to regulate Broad Street, are empower'd to have as many sinks of Stone constructed as may be necessary to convey the over ground water into the Common Sewer & to proceed to cover the Street with gravel, provided the Abuttors or any of them shall make the necessary advances of money to be repaid in Decem". next-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 24. 1807- Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Kettle, Tilden,
Dr. James Lloyd informed the Board that by consent of Mr. Shrimpton Hutchinson he had sold the Tomb in the Granary Burying Ground belonging to Mr. Hutchinson to Deacon Nye & Son & wished it to be so entered upon the Selectmen's Books, agreed that such communication should be entered on the Records
Agreed that Mr. Nicholas Peirce should undertake the new laying the Common Sewer in Nassau Street previous to paving the Street-the expence of said Common Sewer to be paid by the Proprietors-also that Mr. Peirce should proceed to pave Nassau
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
Street from the present pavement to Eliot Street-he contracting & agreeing to pave anew any part of the Street over the Common Sewer, free of expence to the Town. if the same should settle & become necessary in the Judgement of the Selectmen
The attention of the Board was called to propose suitable arangement for the celebration of the 4. of July next-The Chairman M'. Tilden & MT. Wright were chosen a Commee. to consider the subject and Report-
[34 ;. ] Boston ss : granted by the Selectmen June 28- 1807 Present Mess . Bulfinch Tilden, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Chapman. Kettle
The Committee ehosen at the last Meeting to consider of arangements proper to be adopted for celebrating the 4th. of July. Reportd-previous to considering the Report it was agreed to send a Comme. of Mess : Bulfineh Tilden & Oliver, to wait on the Governor to request the honour of his Company & that of the Honbie. Council at the delivery of the Town Oration : and to enquire whether he had assigned any place for the delivery thereof-
The Commee. immediately waited on his Excelleney, and returned to the Board & informed them, that they had conversed with the Governour on the subject of their commission, & were informed that he had made an arangement for the celebration of the 4ª. of July on the part of the Commonwealth at an early hour of that day, that the performance might be over before the celebration of the Town should commence, that he feared from the number of his engagements for that day he should not be able to attend the Town Oration-but would direct a military escort for the Selectmen & afford them the use of the State house to assemble in if they should think that the most convenient place to proceed from-
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