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 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The Board then Voted unanimously to attend the State Cele- bration of the Day agreeable to invitation previously received from the Governour & Council-
Voted, that application be made to the Commee. of the old south church, requesting the use of their house for the accom- modation of the Town at the delivery of the Oration-& that the Rerd. Dr. Lothrop, being the senior Clergyman of the Town be requested to perform the religious service of prayer & thanks- giving previous to the delivery of the Oration & MT. May & MT. Kettle were desired to wait on him with this request-& MT. Wright is desired to invite a suitable choir of Singers & to pro- vide musick proper for the occasion-also that the following named publick Officers be invited to attend at the Representatives Room at 12. o Clock to form a procession to the Old Sº. Church- Vizt.
342
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
[348.] The Members of Congress of this District- Senators of the County of Suffolk-
Representatives of the Town-
The Clergy The Overseers of the Poor
Fire-wards Board of Health-
School Committee
Secretary & Treasurer of the State
County Treasurer
Judges of Supreme, Federal & Municipal Courts The masters & Ushers of the Town Schools-
Mr. Oliver was desired to subscribe for 12 Seats at the publie dinner to be given at Faneuil Hall, for the Selectmen Town Clerk Chaplain & Orator of the Day-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 1st. 1807- Present Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, Chapman, May Kettle-
Passed Accounts-
Signed a number of blank eertficates of approbation for Auch- tioneers-the Town Clerk is directed to renew the licenses of those of the past year-
The consideration of the Report of the Committee upon regu- lating Poplar Street was now resumed, upon the application of William Paine Esq-and was accepted as follows-That the cor- ner of the hill to the eastward of the heads of the late Rope- walks be dug away to the depth of 4 or 5 feet beginning at a level of Mr. David Wests land, at his baek gate, & that a regu- lar descent be made from the east end of Poplar Street to Spring Street, nearly opposite the Almshouse, & as far as practicable to the water .- and as two houses abutting on the Street will be affected by digging away the street, this liberty is granted to the Applicants upon condition that they make good to Mr. Par- minter & to Mr. Roulstone any damages their houses may receive & make such alterations as may be necessary in consequence of their proceedings-and that the whole be done under the direction & to the acceptance of the Seleetmen free of expences to the Town-
[349.] M'. Chapman was ordered to apply to Capt. Maehet to know on what terms & conditions he would consent to the Towns taking off part of his house in Ship Street on a line with Mr. Godfreys-
Mr. Tilden Wright & Oliver a Commee. to consider the applica- tion of a number of young men for liberty to give certain
343
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
exhibitions in the Hall over Woods Museum North of Market Square-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 8. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden Oliver. Wright Chapman, Kettle, Porter.
Mess™: Grigg & Eastie applied for liberty to usc the Stable occupied by them in Beacon Street. for the purpose of a Livery Stable-
The planking over the Bridge in Ann Street being represented as hazardous & requiring repairs, Mr. May was desired to have the same now planked & the Chairman to notify the Mill Pro- prietors that they are expected to pay two thirds the expence according to established custom
Passed upon a number of applications for licenses to sell spirituous liquors-
The Chairman communicated a circular letter received by Post from Norfolk in Virginia. enclosing printed copies of the trans- actions of the People of that place on occasion of the late outrage upon the flag of the United States, by the attack of the British Frigate Leopard upon the United States Frigate the Chesapcak- the same was committed to the Chairman. Mr. Tilden & Mr. Oliver. to Report the proceedings proper to be had thereon-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 13. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, May. Wright, Oliver
This Meeting was called to consider the report of the Commee. upon the communication from Norfolk in Virginia-when the Chairman presented a draft of a letter which he had prepared to the Commee. of Correspondence at Norfolk-this letter being read & considered, it was determined to be most expedient on the present occasion that a Town Meeting should [350.] be called to act upon the communication, & a warrant was drawn & signed for a Meeting on Thursday next the 16 Inst .-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen the 16th. of July. 1807-Present MessTs : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Oliver May, Wright, Chapman, Kettle-
The Town having directed the Selectmen, at the Meeting of this day to transmit the Resolves which had been passed to the Committee of Correspondence of the City of Norfolk-the Chair- man was desired to prepare a suitable letter & at this meeting
344
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
the same was read & considered, & being approved was signed by all the Members of the Board, to be forwarded by this days mail together with the resolutions of the Town-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Seleetmen July 22d. 1807- Present Messrs : Bulfineh Tilden Porter, May, Chapman, Oliver, Kettle Ilunnewell, Wright-
Approved the Indentures of John Rowland a Minor born in England to Riehard Cammett, as a Mariner to continue in foree to the 1t. day of July 1810-
Voted, that the Gentlemen Fire-wards be requested to provide a suitable number of Axes & Saws for the use of the Engine Compys. according to the late regulation & to eertify the Amt. thereof to the Seleetmen for payment-
Mr. Hunnewell & Mr. Chapman added to the Commee-of the Northern Distriet, to view Unity Street & Sheaffe Street, & report the expedieney of paving either or both these streets, &
Mr. Tilden Oliver & Hunnewell a Commee. to view Bromfield lane & Winter Street, for the like purpose
The Chairman from the Commee. to examine the state of the Treasury made a partieular Report; with Statements of the Treasurers mode of proceeding in eolleeting the Taxes & a return of all the persons who now owe taxes above the amount of 30 D. each-these papers were examined & the same Committee was desired to eonsider what effeetual mode could be adopted for the Collection of the Outstanding debts-
[351.] Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Seleetmen July 27. 1807 Present Messrs : Bulfinch Tilden Porter, Hunnewell May Wright Chapman, Kettle Oliver
Passed upon Aecounts-
The Commee. to view Unity Street reported that it was expe- dient the same should be paved & the Abuttors to lay a narrow side walk on each side under the direction of the Commee. of that Distriet-
Agreed to the above report, also that a gutter be paved in the eenter of Hull Street leading to the burying ground & that the Street be gravelled & regulated-
On the report of the Commee. to view Bromfields Lane agreed that it should be paved upon the payment of the sum subseribed & the Abuttors to pave a side walk on the south side, & the
345
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
opening necessary to be left for entrance to the stable of Simons & Fisher to be paved with flat stones-
Agreed to have Congress Street, between Milk Street & Water Street paved-
The Chairman & MT. Oliver to view the Dam on the Neck & generally to inspect the Streets of Ward 12-& report the re- pairs necessary to be done-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 29. 1807- Present MessTs : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Kettle, Oliver, Wright, May.
A communication was received from the Commissioners chosen to treat with the Mill Pond Corporation, informing the Board that they had agreed upon terms & had signed the Instruments with an abstract of the Condition of the Agreement-Voted to issue notifications for the Adjournment of the Town Meet- ing for Monday next, the papers then to be laid before the Town-
Very general complaints having been made of the disturbances occasioned at the places of Worship on Sundays by Persons driv- ing Carriages by them in a rapid manner; The Chairman was desired to prepare a hand bill to be distributed to the owners of carriages & the keepers of livery Stables to caution them against such practice ; & to send one to such Religious Societies, re- questing them to appoint some person in their several churches to notice any who may break the law in this respect, & to return their names to the Chairman for prosecution-
[352.] The Chairman was desired to inform Mr. Seth Thayer the Proprietor of a Building in Ann Street, that the use of his Hall for Theatrical Exhibitions was against the law of March 1806 & that he was subject to a penalty of 500 Dollars, & to caution him against such use of his Room in future-
Mr. Hunnewell being absent from Town Mr. Chapman was added to the Committee of Broad Street-and Mr. Oliver Chap- man & Wright a Committee on the subject of poliee in general
The Committee to view the Neck Reported, that a repair in the Dam at the Northerly end was necessary on the Easterly side for about 300 feet-and that from 150 to 200 loads of Chips be spread on the sides of the Neck to the north of the Square-The Abutters to be called upon to repair their proportion of the Towns former Grant of 1,400 feet-
346
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Sclectmen August 6. 1807 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, Chapman, Kettle-
The Chairman communicated to the Board, that the Directors of West Boston Bridge wished to have the linc of the westerly end of Cambridge Street described & revised previous to their filling up under a part of the Bridge -- the plan of the Street was exhibited, & the following was agreed upon by the Board-
Whercas the proprictors of west Boston bridge have it in their con- templation to fill up with Earth & Gravel a portion of the flats at the west end of Cambridge Strcet which are now covered by said Bridge; and as the direction in which West Boston bridge extends westerly is not a continuation of the straight line of Cambridge Street, but bends at the present abuttment of the bridge in a northerly direction. It is hereby agreed by the Selectmen for the purpose of determining the rights of the Town & the bounds of the Abutters; that the continuation of Cambridge Street from the present abutment. of the bridge westerly, shall be in the direction of the north side of said bridge & shall be 50 feet wide from the said north line, [353.] southerly, & may be extended as far westerly as the Proprietors of the Bridge or the Abutters shall incline to fill up & make solid provided that all such additions which shall be made to Cambridge Street shall be 50 feet in width & filled to such a level as the Selectmen shall approve; that the common sewer shall be extended of its full dimensions, & that the whole expence shall be borne by the proprietors or the Abutters without any charge to the Town
Passed upon the annual list from the Court of Sessions of Inholders & Retailers --
Mr. Chapman was added to the Committee of the Market-
A return was made by the Chairman of the survey made by him of the part of Milk Street from Oliver Street across Battery March Street, by which it appcared that by raising the pavement from Oliver Street on a regular line, the water could be carried thro'. the new part of Milk Street over ground into the dock- It was agreed that the pavement should be raised from Oliver Street across Battery March Street, to remove the water that now settles & stagnates by Mess's ; Colton & Marstons shop-
A Petition of Mr. Michacl Homer having been several times before the Board for liberty to build Tombs in the Granary bury- ing ground, reference was had to the doings of the Town in the Year 1795, when it appeared that the Town ordered that no new grave or tomb should be built in the Chapel or Granary burying grounds ; in consequence of this vote the Board deter- mined that it was not in their power to give liberty as requested
347
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 12. 1807- Present Mess" : Tilden Porter, Oliver. May, Chapman, Kettle,
Mr. Porter a Commee. on the request of Mess's : Thomas & Andrews & others respecting the Towns Drain between Carver & Pleasant Street. and he is desired to comply with the wishes of the [unfinished ]
[354.] M'. Tilden & MT. Oliver were desired to wait on his Excellency the Governour & acquaint him with the order of the Visitations of the Schools on Friday next-
Agreed that M'. Tilden & Mr. Tileston should furnish the Wood for the Schools the ensuing season
At the last Meeting on the 6. Inst. a Certificate was sign'd by the Members of the Board then present to appropriate the use of the Theatre in Federal Street for the purpose of exhibiting theatrical entertainments for one year from the 11. of Sepr. next- also another certificate to license the company under the man- agement of MIT. Snelling Powell for the same period of time
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Augt. 19-Present Mess : Bulfinch. Tilden. May. Chapman, Wright. Kettle,
An application from MIT. Benjamin Willis committed to the Chairman & MT. Chapman to view the course of a Drain in a street next east of Copper Street, which is complained of by him
The Account of the Expences of a new Common Sewer laid in Broad Street by MIT. Samuel May, was handed to the Board by Mr. Tilden, to whom it had been committed-
The Expenee amounted to three hundred eighty one Dollars & twenty cents. which was adjudged to be paid by the follows Persons-
Thomas Dennie
1 share
54,, 50
Nath1 : Saltonstall
3 ditto
163,, 50
Alanson Tucker
1 ditto - 54,, 50
John Grew
1 ditto
54,,50 Samuel May
1 ditto 54,, 50
the Account & the Receipts for the above payments are on the file of mixed papers-
A Certificate having been presented by Mr. Patrick Scholley that he had been appointed Sexton to the Roman Catholic Church -he was approved of as a Funeral Porter, to conform himself to the regulations of the Selectmen in following that employment
348
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
The Chairman was desired to procure a survey of the Streets contiguous to the entrance of the North Square, where [355.] several houses were burnt last evening, to asecrtain the expedi- ency of widening the Streets in that neighbourhood-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Seleetmen August 31. 1807 Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Wright, Chapman-
Passed upon Accounts-
In pursuance of a precept from the Honble. Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk inquisition was made into the cireum- stanees of Arnold Wells Jun". & a return made to the Judge that he was non compos & unable to take charge of his property & the Board recommend that a Guardian should be appointed for him-
Approved of the Indentures of Polly Morey a black Girl of the age of 13 Years to Mrs. Mary Turell as a domestick Servant untill she come to the age of 18 Years-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sepr. 2ª. 1807 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Hunnewell May Chap- man
Passed upon other Aecounts-
Complaint was made against the conduct of Thomas Davidson who was represented as wasting his property by habits of drunkenness & idleness-his Wife with her Mother & several of her Neighbours stated the circumstances of his conduct after inquiring particularly into the same, it was determined to lay the complaint before the Judge of Probate & to request him to appoint a suitable Person Guardian over the said Thomas David- son
The Chairman represented a survey which had been taken of Fish Street, Ship Street & the entrance of Nº. Square; after considering the most eligible mode of widening the Streets where the late Fire happened ; the plan was committed to Mr. Chapman to confer with the Proprietors of the Land laid waste relative to the terms on which they would agree to add three feet to the width of the Street-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Scleetmen September 9th. 1807 Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Wright, May, Chapman, Kettle,
[356.] Certificate being received from the Commee. of the first Baptist Society, that Mr. Samuel Winslow had been chosen a Sexton to that Society : the Board agree to appoint him a
349
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
Funeral Porter. with the priviledges annexed to that office-he to conform himself to the present & future regulations of the Selectmen
A conference was had with some of the Proprietors of land on Fish Street relative to widening said Street & Mr. Wright & M. Chapman appointed a Commee. to treat with Dr. Sinith respecting his land at Mountforts Corner so called-
Mr. Porter handed an estimate of the expence of raising & paving part of the Neck which is subject to be over flowed by high tides-referred to MIT. Hunnewell to examine & Report
An estimate for raising the Dyke on the Neck was also referred to Mr. Hunnewell to examine & report-
MessTs : James Lloyd & others have liberty to enter a new Common Sewer from Somersett Street into the Sewer in Southacks Court-now Howard Street
The Chairman was desired to advertize the two Easterly Cellars under Faneuil Hall to be leased at Auchtion on Thursday the 17-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sept. 14. 1807- Present Messrs : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, May, Wright Chapman Kettle-
The Plan of Poplar Street at West Boston & the Lots border- ing thereon, which are advertised for Sale at Auchtion on the 17. Inst. was laid before the Board for consideration whether any measure should be taken to widen & straighten the Street, before the Proprietors should proceed to the Sale of the Land- A Commee. from the Proprietors was present & the subject was discussed, & it was determined that they should proceed to sell according to their plan, as it was not expedient for the Town to purchase land to widen the Street-
The Chairman exhibited the plan of the southerly part of Battery March Street, where Pollys Distill house & other [357.] Buildings are now taking down, that the Board may determine whether any measures should be taken to widen the Street in that part or suffer the new buildings to be erected on the old line- after full consideration it was determined [not] to alter the line, as the Street was of convenient width, & any alteration would lead to great expence
The Board being informed that the Heirs of Gov. Hancock had signified their intention to enter into the inclosed part of Beacon hill to morrow morning to dig away the earth & take
350
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
possession-the Chairman Mr. Oliver & Mr. Wright were appointed a Commee. to repair to the Hill, with Peace Officers & proper Witnesses to maintain the Towns rights & prevent any encroach- ments thereon-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sepr. 16. 1807- Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Oliver, May, Porter, Wright, Chapman, Kettle, Hunnewell
The Chairman Reported that on the 15 Inst. agreeable to the direction of the Board, the Commee. had repaired to Beacon hill, & there met with Eben". Hancock Esq. & John Hancock & M. Samuel Spear who appeared to claim & enter upon the enclosed part of the Hill in behalf of the Heirs of the late Governour Hancock-Mess : Hancock & Spear each of them took a Shovel full of Earth & threw it into the Cart of Mr. James Bird- The Chairman then forbid them to proceed & ordered them to with- draw in the name of the Town & the Commee. taking each of them by the Arm led them from the enclosed part of the Hill into the Street, & orderded them not to enter again for any such pur- pose-Mr. Rufus Tower, Mr. Levi Joy & MT. Thomas C. Dillaway, were present & were desired to take such notice as would enable them to be Witnesses of the transaction if called upon in future
An application was received from a number of persons residing in Fish Street, praying that a patrol might be organized, & other measures adopted to guard them from fire-The Chairman was desired to inform the applicants that the Watch should [358.] be particularly directed to guard & visit the Streets near the place where a late Incendiary attempt was made, & to give every assistance in their power to a patrol that may be organised among the Gentlemen of that Neighbourhood-
Mess : Daniel & Ignatius Sargent having applied for a Deed of a Tomb in the Granary Burying Ground lately rebuilt by Mr. Michael Homer, it was agreed that upon Mr. Sargent paying three hundred dollars for said Tomb, the Chairman should be authorized to give a certificate as proposed by them; & Mr. Homer to exhibit to the Board his account of expences for allowance-
Voted, that in future, when any Tombs are gone to decay from the neglect of the Owners or from the want of any proprietors thereto, that they shall be advertised in the public papers, for any one who has a legal claim to appear & make the necessary repairs, & in case no such person is to be found, that the Board would employ workmen to rebuild or to repair the same, and sell them for the advantage of the Town .-
On the application of Mess : Gore & Payne for liberty to make openings thro'. the west wall of the Granary Burying
351
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1807.
ground to obtain entrances to Tombs which they intend to build on their own land-Voted, that they have the consent of the Board to their request provided they shall obtain a like consent from the Persons who own Tombs adjoining to that wall ; which consent shall be expressed in writing & signed by said proprietors, & put upon the Town files-
Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem". 23ª. 1807 Present Mess" : Bulfinch. Tilden, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright, Chapman. Kettle.
Jurors drawn for the C. C. & C. C. Pleas, & entred & posted in Jury Books-
The Commee. on the application of Benjamin Wells Esq relative to the Drain in Copper Street, reported a state of facts [359.] And it was agreed that he could not be allowed to fill up or cut of any part of said Drain, it having become the property of the persons who laid it; but that he might have liberty to open the Street for the purpose of boxing his Cellar to prevent the tide from flowing therein-
The Commee. to view Round lane on the petition for paving that Street-reported the measure of it to be 675 yards and probable cost 550. dollars. agreed to allow $260-towards paving the centre part. the Abuttors to do the rest & complete the side walks-
The Chairman & Mr. Porter a Commee. to view the lands & flatts Sonth of the Sº. Bridge to determine which part is most suitable for the Engine-house, now standing on Mr. Dolls land
An application was received from the Citizens in the neighbour- hood of the late Fire in Fish Street, praying for an increase of the North Watch,-the Chairman was desired, to examine into the present state of that watch & to Report-
The Board having at several Meetings considered the expe- diency of widening the streets near the ruins occasioncd by the late fire-the subject was now resumed & two Petitions from that quarter of the Town were read; the Board being convinced of the necessity of the measure determined to widen Fish Street 2₺ feet & the passage to Nº. Square 5 feet, Deacon Hunter the owner of one of the lots having expressed in writing his readiness to give his land on Fish Street MIT. H [Blank] another of the Proprietors appeared & consented to give his land on Fish Street provided the passage to the Square should be widened as proposed-It was then agreed to give seven hundred dollars to Dr. Nath1. Smith for so much of his land as should be taken, & the Chairman &
352
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
Mr. Chapman were desired to confer with the other proprietors & to ascertain what assistance could be had from the subscriptions of the Neighbourhood-
Approved the Indentures of Samuel Scott a Minor to Richard Cope Cordwainer to be in force untill the 1st. of Septem". 1814
[360.] Boston ss : At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sepr. 28 Present Mess : Bulfinch, Tilden, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright, Kettle,
Passed upon Accounts-
Boston ss: At a Meeting of the Selectmen Sepr. 30. 1807 Present Messrs : Bulfinch, May, Wright, Chapman, Kettle, Porter,
Passed upon other Accounts-
An application having been received from Mungo Mackay Esq. dated the 20th. of May last relative to the compensation which he should be entitled to receive from those persons who have or may hereafter convey Drains into the Drain laid by him from near his dwelling house to West Boston Bridge-The same was referred to the Chairman & MT. Chapman for enquiry-they now Reportd that the cost of said drain by Mr. Mackays Account-was 500 D paid by him, besides labour done by his Distill house workmen which he had not charged. That Drains to accommodate 15 Houses, had been laid into the main drain, for 4 of which he had received 10 D. each. The Board having considered this Report Voted, That the owner of each & every house which was accom- modated with a drain into the main drain of Mr. Mackay, should pay the sum of 10. D. for each house, whether the drain was laid separately from the houses, or whether they were connected together & entered his drain by one pipe for two or more houses, and that those persons who have made use of said drain be assessed as follows-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.