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 37
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The Selectmen upon hearing this representation, have consid- ered the peculiar [469.] situation of the proprictors on this street, and are of opinion that by the Contract with Mill Corpora- tion. the old drains must be continued, or a new common sewer must be laid for them in the street, to connect at each end with the sewers that lead through the Pond.
I am desired to call the attention of the directors to this sub- ject. that they would take immediate measures to rid those cellars of water in either of the modes above pointed out : as a condition of the contract with the Town, & as [an] indispensable necessity for preserving the health of that neighbourhood .-
Fr Obt. Servt
.June 5th. 1810.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 13th 1810. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell. May, Wright & Weld .-
Jurors were drawn for the District Court-& another list for the Court of Common Pleas .-
A number of the Abutters on Distill hill square appeared on the subject of their Cellars being filled with water .-
From their representation it appeared, that their drains into the Mill Pond had [470.] been stopped by the filling of the Pond ; that the board of health had ordered a drain to be dug in the street to communicate with their cellars, & had informed them that the expence thereof must be paid by the abutters. - The ap- plicants complained of being deprived of their old drains, & of the hardship of being compelled to pay the cost of a new one. -After much discussion, they withdrew ; & the board requested the Town Advocate to attend : who gave his opinion; that the board of health could proceed to lay the new drain, but must of necessity assess the expence upon the persons on whose property the nuisance existed : but such persons would have a right to prosecute the Mill Corporation as having occasioned the difficulty in the first instance .-
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
A petition on a similar subject from the inhabitants of Prince street, was read ; complaining of the overflow of their cellars .- The board being informed that the Directors of the Mill Corporation had appointed a Committee to confer with the Selectmen upon this, & other subjects relative to their proceedings in the Pond : it was agreed to meet on [4 71.] Saturday next at noon : to receive any Communications from such Committee .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 16th 1810. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
The board had a conference with the Committee from the directors of Mill Corporation-the subject of drains & common sewers was discussed-& it was agreed to take no further measures relative to the houses in Distill house square untill the new drain now laying by order of the Board of health should be compleated-the Petition from Prince street was committed to M' Webb, who was empowered to employ some judicious person to examine into the cause of the stoppage, and remove the same if it could be done at moderate expence ; or otherwise to report to the board .-
The Chairman informed that the workmen were now ready to lay the corner of the New England Office, building, on Exchange Lane, and had received orders to lay the corner Stone [472.] in such a manner as would reduce the Street three inches from the intended width .- the Gentlemen present proceeded to the spot and directed the workmen to lay the wall so as to leave the street 23 feet 11 Inches wide according to the Plan .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 20th 1810. Present Messrs Bulfinch, Hunnewell, May, Wright Webb & Weld .-
Jurors were drawn to supply vacancies in the list for tl:e Common Pleas.
The Chairman laid before the board a plan of house & land at the southerly end of Kingston Street, lately purchased by Mr. Nath1 Goddard from the heirs of John Rowe-for the purpose of ascertaining, at the request of M" Goddard what compensation should be allowed him for any land that may be taken from said lot to widen Kingston Street & Pond Street .- Having examined the plan & considered the subject, it was Votcd. that it was not expedient to take any measures relative thereto, at the Expence of the Town .-
[473.] On the application of Sam1. Dexter Esq. he has per- mission to open part of Beacon Street in front of his house to repair the arch built under that Street .-
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439
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1810.
A petition was presented by a number of residents in Dock Square, complaining of the inconvenience occasioned to them and the publick, by the noises at a Museum Kept by MT Woods .- it was directed to be handed to the Town Advocate, to take such measures respecting the complaint as may be conformable to law .-
The Chairman. M' Oliver. M' Wright & MT. Weld were chosen . a Committee to wait on his Excellency the Governor, to request the honour of his company & that of the Hon. Council at the oration to be delivered on the 4th July next at the request of the Town.
The same Committee was desired to consider what arrange- ments were proper for the celebration of that Anniversary of American Independence .- Also to subscribe for 13 Seats, for the Selectmen. Town Clerk. Town Treasurer, Orator & Chaplain of the day, to dine at Faneuil Hall .-
[414.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Sclectmen June 25th 1810. Present Messrs Bulfinch. Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
The following named persons were chosen Constables for one year next ensuing. & those whose names are annexed were approved as sureties .-
*Thomas Stevenson-Dudley Walker & Thos Stevenson Jr
* Amos Lewis-Joshua Ellis & Thomas Lewis
*Henry Lane-Caleb Whiting-Josiah Danforth
*Elisha Copeland-John Perry-John Gibson Moses Thayer-John Minchin-Ja8 Liswell Jirah Holbrook-Jona Merry-Edwd Staples *. Ja. Sumner Jr .- Thos. W. Sumner-Ja8 Ridgway *Levi Joy-Eze1. Brown-Joseph Bennett
*Solo. Twist-Wm Simonds-Amos Penniman * Willm Tupper-John Gibson-Jnº. Howe
*Benja. B. Leeds-Jeremb Gore Jr-Sam H. Babcock
*Win Brooks-Lem1. Babcock-Sam1. K. Glover & Moses Wallack *. James Perkins-Timº Greene-Ja8. Williams *George Reed-Martin Burr-Ja® Farrow
* Willm Dinsmore-Wm Cochran-David S. Eaton
*Jonª. Prescott-John Barnard-Oliver C. Wyman
*Robert Rixford-Ed Frothingham-Tho8. Redman
*Sworn
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
[475.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen June 27th 1810. Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Weld & Webb .-
Passed the remainder of the Accounts.
Approved the indentures of Lovina Danley, a female minor, as a servant to Michael Mc Bride, to continue untill the first day of May 1817-when she will be fourteen years of age .-
A proposal from Mr Robert G. Shaw was received, and eon- sidered, relative to making an appropriation of a sum for taking down part of Capt. Matehet's house in Fish Street .- Now, in consideration that Mr. Godfrey had been induced by the direction of the Seleetmen to carry the front of his new building baek from the Street ;- & as the board had formerly offered one Thousand Dollars for that part of M' Matchet's house & land wanted to widen the Street-it was agreed to allow to M' Robert G. Shaw, the present owner of the estate formerly Godfreys the sum of one thousand Dollars for which the Town Treasurer will be empowered to give his promissory Note payable in two years, after the building shall be removed, & a proper conveyance given to the Town of the land added to the street from Godfreys & Matehets Estate .-
[476.] The Committee chosen on the 20th Inst. to wait on the Governour-Reported that they had performed the duty assigned them : and had requested his Excellency, with the honourable Couneil to honour the Town's celebration of the 4th July with their presenee, That the Governour had replied to them ; that the Supreme Executive had determined to pursue the same mode for that oceasion which had been adopted by Gov. Sullivan, and in conformity with the resolve of the Legislature direeting religious serviees to be performed by the Chaplains ;- that he thought it would not be in liis power to attend the Town Oration from want of time .- but would communieate the request of the Selectmen to the Council at their next Meeting .-
[47%.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Seleetmen July 11th. 1810. Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Wright Foster, Weld & Webb .-
On the application of a Committee of Directors of the Exchange Coffee house-The Chairman, Mr. Oliver & MT Wright were appointed a Committee to take measures for widen- ing half Court square & to lay out a new Street therefrom into Congress Street agreeably to the plan presented, & free of expence to the Town .- The same Committee to notify Mr. Har- rison the owner of the land to be taken for the above purpose and to determine with him upon the mode ascertaining the Damages .-
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441
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1810.
An application was presented from John Winslow Esq. in behalf of himself & others and Addressed to the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, praying that the old road in South Boston lving west of Dorchester Street might be discontinued, being rendered useless from the new Streets having been made- Also praying that certain portions of the Streets laid out formerly by the Selectmen might be altered to conform to a continuation of Dorchester Street laid out by the proprietors -the plans were examined & the subject considered, and a certificate was signed by the Selectmen that they approved of Prayer of the petition .-
[4}S.] The Chairman presented to the board the deeds & papers relating to common Sewer & drain that conveys the water from Prince Street into the Mill Pond : and suggested an altera- tion in the course of the drain & sewer, if it could be done with- out expence to the Town .- Mr. Webb, MIT. Wright & Mr Weld were desired to examine the situation-to confer with the owners of the adjoining land, to consider what was expedient to be done and to report .-
Conformably to a precept from Hon. Thomas Dawes Esq Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk, inquisition was made into the circumstances of Mrs. Frances Bruce and return was made that she was non compos mentis and that it was need- ful to have a guardian appointed for her .-
Approved of the Indentures of Sally Leonard a minor & mulatto to M' Catharine Vose. as a family servant to continue untill the 29th April 1816 when she will arrive at the age of 14 years .-
It was agreed unanimously that the front of the new buildings about to be erected on Dock Square, should be on a line drawn from the N E Corner of Wilsons Lane to the N. W. Corner of Exchange Lane-and the Chairman was desired to notify the owners of the same .-
M' Capens proposal to supply Wood to the schools was agreed to. at 5₺ dollars pr. Cord .-
[479.] Boston ss At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 18th. 1810. Present, MessTs : Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, May, Wright & Webb .-
MIT Wilby appeared. on the part of the proprietors of land proposed to be taken for a Street, north of the Exchange build- ing : and expressed his readiness to leave the consideration of damages to the three gentlemen who formerly appraised the land to them .- viz. Gen. John Winslow, Joseph May & William Stevenson Esquires in conjunction with any two gentlemen from
442
CITY DOCUMENT No. 93.
the three following-George Cabot, William Parsons & John Parker Esq's. and in case this proposal is not aceepted, the pro- prictors of the land would expect to leave it to a Jury .-
The Chairman was desired to communicate the above to the Direetors of the Exchange building .-
Return was made by the Clerk of the Court of Com. Pleas of the names of persons licensed as Innholders & retailers the past year, the same being read, examined & corrected ; was approved & signed according to Law .-
Agreed to meet on Monday next ; & to invite W. N. Boylston Esq to be present on the subjeet on an adjustment of the claims of the Town upon him. -
[480.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 23ª 1810. Present, Mess's Bulfinch, Porter, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
Mr Boylston & his eounsel met the board on the proposed conference; the Town's Counsel being also present-after a general conversation on the elaims upon the estate of Thomas Boylston Esq. it was agreed that a Committee of the board should meet MI Boylston to inspect the documents in his hands & to receive of him certain statements-to give the necessary informa- tion, previous to offering or receiving proposals for compromise. -M' Wright & MT Weld were appointed on that Committee .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 25th 1810. Present, Mess's : Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
A Petition was presented respecting the new regulations of the burying grounds-A warrant was signed for a Town Meeting to consider that & other subjects .-
Col. May & M' Webb-a Committee to employ workmen to remove the Gun house from its present situation on Copps hill to the south west corner of the land lately purchased, adjoining the burying ground .-
Charles Jackson Esq & M' Benja Leverett, in behalf of the heirs of Leverett were [481.] present at the opening of the award of the referees chosen to deeide upon their claims upon the Town for part of the land on which the Alms house stands .- the award being opened it appeared that the sum of $303 -3 Top Was allowed to John Leverett for 5 parts & an additional sum of 24.22. for interest on the same .- at which rate the whole demand would amount to the sum of Two thousand, one hundred & Four dollars 10% .-
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443
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES. 1810.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen July 30th 1810. Present Mess's : Bulfinch. Porter. Oliver, May, Foster & Weld-
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 1st. 1810. Present-Messis Bulfinch. Porter. Oliver. May, Foster. Webb & Weld .-
M' Brazier objected to the encouragement that had been given to Mr. Sargent, that he might build arches under the new part of Exchange Lane. in front of his Stores now crecting-the subject was considered-but no decision had thereon-
The Gentlemen were desired to view the ground [and] to be prepared for a decision at the next Meeting .-
[482.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 3ª. 1-10. Present Messrs. Bulfinch. Porter, Oliver, May, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
After the Town Meeting was dissolved-the board assembled, and agreed to proceed & vicw the land on the neck, agrecably to the directions of the Town-on Monday next 10 o' Clock for the purpose of selecting a suitable spot for a burying ground .-
Mr. Sargent informed the board that his workmen were now waiting for their decision upon his application for liberty to build arches in Exchange Lane-having retired the question was considered & Voted unanimously by all present, except Mr Porter. that Mr. Sargent have liberty to use the part of Exchange lane lately added on the east side of his intended buildings, to build Vaults or arches under that part of the Street, upon condition that the work should be donc to the approbation of the Selectmen. & that he should give a suitable obligation to kecp the street over the said Vaults forever in repair, at his expence .-
[483.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 8th. 1810. Present Mess™8. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May. Wright & Webb .-
MI Weld the proprictor of the only house now left to be taken away for the improvement of Exchange Lane appeared; and several overtures were made for deciding upon the sum of damages which he should receive for his house & land taken for that purpose-after much consideration, it was agreed to refer the subject to the following Gentlemen
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
Hon. Timothy Biglow Esq of Medford Josiah Bartlett Esq of Charlestown Robert Murdock Esq of Newton William Hammatt
Andrew Cunningham 5 Esqrs. of Boston
The Chairman was desired to notify the Gentlemen and request them to meet on Monday next 10 o'Clock to proceed upon tlie business .-
A plan of the proposed burying ground on the neck was pre- sented by the Chairman ; and estimates for fencing the same .-
M' Porter & M' Hunnewell were desired to confer with work- men & Contract for the fence on proper terms .-
Mr Oliver & M' Wright were [484.] desired to provide dinner for the Company invited to visit the Schools the 17th In- stant.
The Directors of the Exchange Coffee house not agreeing to the proposed referees to estimate the damage done to Messrs Harrison & Wilby by taking their land to form a new Street on the north side of their building; The Chairman, Mr Wright & Mr Webb were chosen a Committee to lay out the street, & remove the buildings, as the parties prefer having the damages estimated by a Jury .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen August 15th 1810. Present Mess's : Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May, Wright & Webb .-
The award of damages for land taken from M' Weld to com- plete the widening of Exchange Lane was opened, the proprie- tor of the land being present, when it appeared that the referees had estimated the damage at 510 dollars and the expences of reference at $25 dollars. - it was agreed to give orders on the Treasurer for these sums in the next Monthly draft.
The Chairman & M' Hunnewell a Committee to stake out the ground for the new Gun house on the east side of Fort hill.
[485.] The Livery Stable at the corner of Milk Street & Hawley Street having been lately damaged by fire, and it being observed that workmen were engaged in repairing it; the Chair- man was desired to notify the owner that the same had never been duly licensed according to law; and that the board would think it their duty to prosecute any person who should use it for a Livery Stable after the Month of September next .-
445
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1810.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Augt. 27th. 1810. Present MessTs : Bulfinch, Porter. Hunnewell, May, Wright, Fos- ter, Webb & Weld .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts .-
A representation was made by the Committee of the India Wharf Association. that they had agreed to pave India Street at their own expence. & now made offer to the board to pay half the expence of paving two cross streets leading from Battery march to India Street .- viz Custom-house Street & Wharf Street .- It was agreed-in consideration of the great accommo- dation to business done in that quarter, by having the above steeets paved. to defray half the [486.] expenee of the said two cross streets : and also to pay half the expenee of Milk Street, between Broad and India Streets, if the proprietors or abutters would pay the other half .-
The Committee to view Beacon street-reported that it was their opinion. the street in front of the State house & late Gov- ernour Hancocks house should be dug away to form a gradual slope towards the Common, & covered with hard gravel-& that a gutter should be paved from the north end of Mr. Otis' sidewalk to the water. provided the abutters will form their sidewalks, with suitable edge stone abuttments to pave against-The above report was accepted, & the Committee authorized to proceed .-
[48.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 5th. 1810. Present Messrs Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster & Webb .-
A Bond of Indemnity was presented from the Directors of the Exchange Coffee house signed by their President, by which they engage, under a penalty of Twenty thousand Dollars to indemnify the Town from all expence which may arise for or by reason of laying out a Street north of their building, and widening half Court square.
The same bond being approved ; it was agreed to lay out said Street and widen said square as follows .-
The Selectmen of the Town of Boston, having observed since the removal of several of the public offices to the Exchange Coffec house, that the entrance to the north side thereof is exceedingly crowded & inconvenient, in consequence of the narrowness of the passages leading thereto; and application having been made to them to exercise the powers vested in them by Law to lay out & widen said passages : they have accordingly considered the subject, and have determined that, in their opinion, the safety & convenience of the Inhabitants require that holf Court Square, so called, [488.] should be widened; and that a Street should
446
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
be laid out on the north side of said building to lead from Congress Strect to Devonshire Strect : and they do accordingly lay out said Street & widen said square as follows .- Said Strect to begin on Congress Strect; and to extend in width Thirty fect from the north wall of the Exchange Coffee house, and to continue of the same width of thirty feet westerly to half Court square ; reserving to the Proprictors of the Exchange Coffee house, the liberty to continue the present portico at the north side of their building, provided the steps shall be removed from the front thereof, and be made to ascend on each side, within the compass of the present platform : And the said half Court square to be widened, by adding to the present street or high way, all that triangular picce of land partly covered with a wooden building, and which lies North of the street last described, and west of a line to be drawn from the southwesterly corner of the brick house belonging to John Lowell Esquire to the easterly side post of the door of the Exchange Coffee house :- said line passing through a point on the north side of the first [489.] described Street, nineteen feet east of the present line of half Court square-The above description being intended to conform to a plan of said street & square, drawn by Mr Thomas W. Sumner; and the land taken for said Street measures 1830 square feet; and the land taken to widen said square measures 5032 square feet; as appears by the same plan .-
A proposal was received from ME Leverett to convey to the Town, the right of the heirs to a piece of Land 20 by 80 feet square, lying immediately under the new Almshouse, and for which they have commenced a suit in the County of Norfolk :- for the sum of 70125 . dols payable in one year from the date of the former Award :- The subject was considered, & the proposal was agreed to, & the Chairman was desired to have the decd pre- pared Accordingly .-
A Committee from the board of health communicated a remon- strance from a great number of the Inhabitants of West Boston, against the use of the wharf adjoining the Canal Bridge for the purpose of emptying the Board of health Carts & the night Carts ; the Committee requested the Selectmen to point out suit- [490.] able places where such Carts might be emptied in future .- The Chairman Mr. May & Mr Weld were chosen a Committee to examine & Report .-
The following Persons were approved as Auctioneers for one Year from 1st July 1810. viz.
John Jutau -
Thomas K Jones
William Dehon
John Perkins
Robert Gardner
- John W. Quincy
Daniel Wild
Caleb Hayward
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1810.
Joseph Ripley -
Samuel Bridge
Samuel Blagge -
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Benjamin Tucker
Cornelius Coolidge
Richard Edwards
George Burroughs Ju
Samuel Prince
Joseph Bumstead
William Gridley jr
Samuel Parker
Sam1. Whitwell
George Bond
John W. Blanchard
Elisha Parks
Abraham Carter
David Beaman
Abel Wheelock
Thomas Clark
.John Kennedy -
William Belcher
x Jesse Sanger
Jacob Rogers
Richard H. Hough
x Sept. 19th.
[491.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Septem- ber 12th. 1810. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Hunnewell, Wright, Webb & Weld.
Jurors were drawn for the Court of Com. Pleas, & the Meet- ing adjourned to this day week to fill such vacancies as shall happen in the list .-
A communication was received from the board of health rela- tive to the system adopted by them for the regulation of the burving grounds and upon the proceedings of the Town on that subject. at the last Town Meeting .- The same was read, and ordered to lay for future consideration.
On the application of MIT Joseph Noyes for liberty to open the common sewer in Prince Street, for the purpose of cleansing and repairing the same : Ordered that the applicant notify all the persons whose drains enter therein, or who receive benefit thereby, to appear at the selectmens room on Wednesday next, to shew cause why such repair should not be undertaken and Assessment made on them generally according to Law .-
Voted. that the Town Treasurer be requested, and he is hereby authorized & impow-[492.] ered, to borrow at the Union Bank, the sum of Five hundred & ten Dollars, being the amount of the award of referees to be paid to M' Nathaniel Weld, for his land taken to widen Exchange Lanc .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selcetmen Sept. 19th. 1810. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Wright, Webb & Weld.
A Petition was presented from the proprietors of houses on Fort hill, surrounding the circular walk, in which they request that a distinct & appropriate name should be given to that place,
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 93.
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