USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston containing miscellaneous papers > Part 7
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Province of Massachusetts Bay Subscribed and Sworn before the Governor & Coun- cil this 29th day of November 1760
Attest A. OLIVER, Secy
Jos. TURELL, Jr.
103
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1760.
At a Meeting of the Committee appointed by virtue of an Act of the Great & General Court passed at their late Session relating to the Rebuilding where the late Fires were in Boston - at the Council Chamber in Boston - Tuesday April 1. 1760.
Present.
Honble Thos Hutchinson, Esq. Thos Hancock, Esq. Thos Hubbard, Esq.
John Osborne, Esq.
Jacob Wendell, Esq. Joshua Henshaw, Esq.
Samuel Watts. Esq. Joseph Jackson, Esq.
Andrew Oliver. Esq. Mr Thomas Cushing.
Joseph Pynchou, Esq.
Mr Samnel Hewes.
Stephen Sewall. Esq.
Mr John Scollay.
John Erving, Esq.
Mr Benj Austin.
James Bowdoin, Esq.
Upon the Petition of Benjamin Hallowell, Esq. Liberty was granted him to build a Dwelling house on the Land where his former Dwelling house stood provided he build the same with Stone or Brick and Cover the same with Tile or Slate agreeable to Law.
Application being made by M' Thomas Read for liberty to build with Wood or Timber a Shop or Workhouse for to carry on the Blockmakers business on the wharf near Olivers Dock - The Question being put whether the Comtee. can consistent with the Law as it now stands - grant such Liberty? It passed in the Negative.
Upen Application made by M' David Spear - Liberty is granted him to rebuild his Dwelling house ir. Leveretts Lane, provided he build the same with Stone or Brick and Cover with Slate or Tile agreeable to Law.
Application being made by M' Sampson Salter to rebuild his Dwelling house and Brewhouse in Leveretts Lane - Liberty is granted him to rebuild his Brewhouse where the former One stood, provided the same be Built with Brick, except the Windows & Doors & Door Posts, and Covered with Slate or Tile agreeable to Law.
Sam Johnson was appointed Clerk to the Committee and Ordered that a Book be provided and the proceedings of the Committee entred therein.
Adjourned to Friday next 4 o'clock P. M.
104
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 100.
At a Meeting of the said Committee, April 4. 1760. Present. His Honour thic Lieut. Gov'.
Capt. Osborne. Mr Hancock.
Mr Cushing.
Colo. Wendell.
M' Hubbard.
Capt. Hewcs.
Major Watts.
Mr Henshaw.
M: Scollay.
M' Oliver.
Major Jackson.
M' Austin.
D' Pynchon.
M' Oliver, Jun".
Upon Application made by M' John Powell Liberty is granted him to rebuild his Dwelling house in Maccarty's Court fronting King Street, provided the same be built with Briek or Stone and Covered with Slate or Tile agreeable to Law -
Application being made by ME Joseph Calef for liberty to build a Wooden Workhouse for to grind his Bark in, to Secure his Stock of Hides, Leather &c-if it can be tollerated only for a few Months - The Question being put, whether it be the mind of the Committee that such liberty be granted him? It passed in the Negative.
The Committec agreed that it is necessary that Pudding lane be widened opposite to. Mr Phillips's Brick Wall and so continued through the same
Voted that Mr Hubbard, Mr Austin & Mr Oliver junr be a Committee to view the same make Enquiry and report how much and at what places it will be necessary to Widen the same, - and that the said Committee be also desired to enquire of the Abutters on Joyliffs lane whether that Lane may not be also Widened.
The Committee agreed that Leveretts Lane should be widened and that it be continued in the most convenient manner to Milk Street, so as to open at or near Atkinson Street.
Voted that Capt. Osborne, Major Watts and Mr Cushing be a Committee to view the same and make report.
Voted that Mr Seer'y Oliver, Mr Hancock, Mr Henshaw, Major Jackson and Mr Seollay be a Committee to consider the most con- venient place for to open a Street into King Street below Mackrel Lane - View the same - Enquire how it will affect the Abutters and make report.
The Committee agreed that Mackrel lane should be made Wider and that it be continued near upon a Strait line to Milk Street by Mr Parrots Land - so as to open Oliver Strect leading up to Fort Hill.
Voted that the same Committee be desired to View and consider of this Street, as is appointed for the New Street below.
Voted that Mr Bowdoin, Capt Hewes and Mr Oliver jun'. be a Committee to View and consider what is necessary to be done with regard to the Wedth & extending of Water Street and the lower part of Milk Street and make report thereon. -
The Committee agreed to meet at the Council Chamber every Thursday at 3 o'clock in the Afternoon.
Adjourned to Thursday next 3 o'clock P. M.
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MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1760.
At a Meeting of the said Committee, April 10. 1760. Present. His Houor the Lieut Gov.
Capt. Osborne.
Capt. Erving. Mr Cushiug.
Colº. Wendell.
Mr Bowdoiu.
Capt. Hewes.
Mr Oliver.
Mr Hancock. Mr Scollay.
Dr. Pynchon.
Mr Hubbard.
Mr Austin.
Judge Sewall.
Mr Heushaw.
Mr Oliver, juur.
Colº Jacksou.
Thomas Hubbard, Esq. from the Committee appointed the 4th instant ou Pudding lane and Joyliffs Lane gave in the following Report - Viz'.
The Committee on Pudding & Joyliff's Laues, report That they have taken a careful View of both, and find a Number of the abutters on the West side of Pudding lane are willing to give iu some of their Land for the benefit of a good Street; but as they are much put to it for room would chearfully allow any reasonable sum towards the Purchase of Laud on the East side of that Lane, if it could be done ; whereupon the Committee applied to the Owners of the Land on that side, aud find them iu general very willing to accommodate their Neighbours with an haudsome Addi- tion of their Land to Pudding lane, on condition they might have an adequate Allowance for it.
The Committee find some Difficulties in wideuing Joyliffs Lane, for although an Addition of 9 or 10 feet might possibly be made on the West side to run Paralell with a line on the West side of Pudding lane yet by reason of Capt. Comrius Brick Building at the Corner, the Lines of those two Laues would not run alike ou the Lands lying on the East side. - And therefore having no regard to Joyliff's Lane, the Committee are of Opinion, that a South Line be run from the S. W. Corner of Mr Gridleys office over to Water, near parallel with the Line on the West side of Pudding Lane. so as to make it 25 feet (at least) wide at the Entrance thereof at Water Street.
THOS HUBBARD. BENJA AUSTIN. A. OLIVER, JUNE.
Which Report being read - The Committee agreed that Pudding Lane should be widened on the East side thereof agreeable to the said Report. - And the same Committee are desired to see the said Street staked out according to their Report, and that they return a Plan thereof to this Committee.
John Osborne, Esq. from the Committee appointed the 4th. instant on Leveretts Lane, made the following Report. - Vizt.
We may go in upon Deacon Salter's Ground so as to make the Street between him and Mr Lindalls Buildings about 28 feet and from thence may carry the Wedth into Atkinson Street 28 feet, which is the Wedth between Treasurer Gray's and Mr Bourn's. - indeed to come with this proposed Street to meet Atkinsons Street will make something of a Curve, but no great - which Method it's judged much better than to run the Street quite strait from
106
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 100.
Mr Salter's into Milk Street and then to him quite short or rather Rank up Milk Street to get into Atkinson Strect.
J. O. S. W. T. C.
Which Report being read and considered
The Committee agreed to Widen Leveretts Lane according to the said Report - that the same run upon a Strait line to Atkin- sons Street - that it be made 28 feet wide at Deacon Salter's (or 30 feet if Mr Salter shall be consenting to it) and from Mr Salters to be 35 feet wide to Milk Street, - and that the same Committec be desired to stake the same out accordingly.
Andrew Oliver, Esq. from the Committee appointed the 4th instant on Mackrel Lane ; made the following Report Vizt.
The Committee appointed to view Mackrel Lanc and consider how it may be made wider & carried to Milk Street so as to open Oliver Street, are of Opinion that the same be made forty feet wide, that what is necessary in order to make it of that Wedth be taken in, from King Street to the Bridge, upon the East Side, and from the Bridge to Milk Street be taken in upon the West side, which method of laying it out will make the least Angle and will likewise make the best Opening to Oliver Street leading to Fort Hill.
The committee further propose that on the East side of Oliver Street a Line be run from the End of Colo Wendells Wall stand- ing before his House to a point opposite to the South end of the Garden Wall of Andrew Oliver junr. so as to keep the Street of the Wedth of about 243 feet in that Space and that from the point aforesaid a line be run to the Southwest Corner of Mr Powells Brick house And that the Chimneys or the Walls standing in the Way of said Streets be taken down, and the Cellars or other hol- low places filled up as soon as may be in order to render the said Streets passable ; And that a Jury be appointed to ascertain the Value of any persons Land or Estate so taken according to Law.
A. OLIVER. pr order Which Report being read and considered
The Committee agreed to Accept the same.
Andrew Oliver, Esq. from the Committee appointed the 4th in- stant, to consider the most convenient place to open a New Street into King Street to the Eastward of Mackrel Lane, made the fol- lowing Report. - Vizt.
The Committee appointed to consider the most convenient place to open a Street at the lower end of King Street, and view the same, are of Opinion, That there be a Street opened there of Forty feet wide, seven feet thereof to be taken off the East end of Mr Wheatleys House Lot, and the remainder from the Land adjoining thereto formerly the Estate of Elisha Cooke Esq, deceased, in order to make the Opening into King Street ; and that a Jury be ap- pointed to Ascertain the Value of the same according to Law ; and that a Street be laid out of that Wedth from King Street on a
107
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1760.
Strait line till it meets The Street leading to the House of Benja Hallowell Esq which Street the Committee propose should be like- wise made forty feet wide ; Provided that neither the Town nor any of the Abutters shall be compelled to be at any Expence in filling up any low places in said Street or paving the same uutil the Town of Boston shall see fit to give order concerning it, but that it may be lawful for any Persons notwithstanding, voluntarily to fill up said Street and make it passable without being molested or hindered in so doing ; and as said Street will cross a Dock (the wharf of the North side of which is occupied by Mr Benja Phillips) it may be also lawful for. any Persons to fill up so much of said Dock on the South side thereof as to leave it of a Wedth sufficient for Boats to pass, twelve feet wide at the least, and from thence to lay a Bridge across said Dock sufficient for Carts to pass over, and that said Bridge be laid on the most Westerly side of said pro- posed Street so as least to incommode the Dock below : And the Proprietors on either side of the Dock above the Bridge may at any time fill up their respective parts of said Dock ; Saving that when it shall be wholly filled up, they shall lay the Common Sewer from the present mouth thereof to the Bridge aforesaid in the same manner as it is laid above.
P order of the Committee A. OLIVER.
Which Report being read and considered
The Committee agreed that a New Street of forty feet wide should be laid open from King Street to the Eastward of Mackrel Lane to run to Mr Hallowells House in Battery March, agreeable to the said Report, And that the same be Accepted as it now Stands.
Voted that the Committee appointed for the New Street from King Street to Mr Hallowell's House - be also desired to View and consider the Street called Battery March leading from Mr Hallowells to the South Battery - and report thereon -
James Bowdoin, Esqr. from the Committee appointed the 4th. instant upon Water Street and Milk Street made the following Report - Viz *.
The Committee appointed to consider what Alterations were proper to be made in Water Street and Milk Street have taken a View of said Streets - and find.
That Water Street where Pudding lane strikes it, is thirty nine feet wide ; from whence it runs of different Wedths to Quaker lane ; the North side being a curve line or making an Elbow to said Quaker lane Between the Easterly side of said Lane and the corner of Mr Torreys Land the said Street contracts of a sudden being there but thirty one feet wide and continues contracting to the lower end of it at Mr Parrotts in Mackrel lane where it is Seven- teen feet and an half wide.
The Committee are of Opinion that from Pudding Lane East- ward this Street should be forty feet wide; and to make it so, they propose that the North side of it as far down as Quaker lane
108
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 100.
should be bounded by a Strait line to run from the Corner of said Quaker lane up to Pudding lane so as to take in one foot of said Pudding lane. This line would cut off the Elbow aforesaid and no way incommode the Abutters.
Between Quaker lane and Mackrel lane they propose that the Street should be widened on the North side, and in such a man- ner as to take in nine feet of the West side of the most Western Lot ; and Twenty two feet and an half of the East side of the most Eastern Lot whieli will make this part of the Street 40 feet wide and perfectly strait. Some of the Abutters on this part of the Street should have a suitable Compensation for the Land taken from them.
The Committee also find that Milk Street where Treasurer Gray lives is 28 feet wide, and at the South East Corner of Colo Wen- dell's Land 22 feet ; thence it immediately widens to 27 feet, and continues that Wedth to young Mr Oliver's Corner; thence it contracts to 18 feet & runs of different Wedths to the End of it where it is 22 feet wide.
The Committee think it would be proper that this Street from Mr Grays Eastward should be at least forty feet wide, and that so mueh of the Abutting Land on both Sides be taken into it, as will make the Street of that Wedth. Said Abutting Land to be taken wherever it will best serve to make the said Street mnost uniform and regular. JAMES BOWDOIN.
SAM. HEWES.
A. OLIVER, JUNR.
Boston April 8. 1760.
Which Report being read and considered after some Debate thereon.
Voted, That that part of said Report which relates to Water Street be accepted.
And on that part of the Report respeeting Milk Street -
Voted, That the said Committee be desired to perfect their Re- port as to the running of the Lines.
Also Voted, That the said Committee be desired again to take a View of the lower part of Water Street, and further consider and report thereon.
Adjourned to tomorrow afternoon 3 o'clock.
At a Meeting of the said Committee April 11. 1760.
Present. His Honour the Lieut Govr.
Capt. Osborne. Capt. Erving. Mr Cushing.
Colo Wendell. Mr Bowdoin. Capt. Hewes.
Mr Hubbard. Mr Austin.
Major Watts.
Mr Oliver.
Mr Henshaw. Mr Oliver jun".
Colº. Jackson.
James Bowdoin, Esq. from the Committee on Water Street and Milk Street - made the following further Report - Vizt.
With regard to Water Street the Committee are further of Opinion that it should be continued from Maekrel lane Easterly to the New proposed Street; the North side of it to be run from Mackrel lane on a line with the Southerly end of Mr Wheelwrights
109
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1760.
Brick Warehouse : and the South side to run Parallel with said line at 30 feet distance which will make this part of the Street 30 feet wide aud perfectly strait.
With regard to Milk Street, the Committee find there must be a . small bend in said Street to the Eastward of Mr Gray's, Vizt. on the West side of Mr Dowse's Land at feet distance from his Corner. From this Point (where a Stake is driven) to a burnt Post on the North side of the Street, near the Mouth of a Common Shore where the Angle will be, is 40 feet. The Committee propose that 12 feet be taken from the Abutting Land on the North side opposite to Mr Gray's ; and from thence that a strait line should be run to the burnt Post aforesaid near the Mouth of the Common Shore aforesaid, and from thence another strait line to the Corner at the East end of the Street on the North side which will com- plete the north side of the Street.
With respect to the South side of the Street they propose that a line should be run from Mr Gray's on a range with Mr Bourn's house to the Stake aforesaid on the West side of Mr Dowse's Land : and from thence to Battery Marchi Street, to strike said Street at 40 feet distance from the Corner aforesaid on the North side of said Milk Street.
These lines compleat the Street and make it perfectly Strait from Mr Gray's to Mr Dowse's, and from Mr Dowse's to the End of it: and forty feet wide through that whole length, agree- able to these Lines the Committee liave Caused the Street to be staked out.
The Committee are also of Opinion that a Lane should be made from Milk Street to Water Street in the direction of Horn lane to open into Water Street through the Land belonging to Mr Beigh- ton & Mr Walley and that it should be strait and twenty one feet wide. - Horn lane from Milk Street will make a part of this pro- posed lane till it turns Westward; this Western part of Horn Lane is proposed to be shut up.
Boston April 11. 1760.
JAMES BOWDOIN. SAM. HEWES. A. OLIVER, JUNE.
Which Report being read, after some Debate thereon, Voted. That that part of the said Report which relates to Water Street be accepted.
Voted. That the whole Committee go upon the Ground and take a View of the lower part of Milk Street before they come to a determination upon the Committees Report respecting the said Street, and that the same be attended this afternoon at 6 o'clock.
Upon Application made by Francis Borland, Esq. Liberty is granted him to rebuild his Warehouse on the wharf to the East- ward of Mackrel Lane near Olivers Dock; provided the same be built with Brick or Stone and Covered with Slate or Tile agreeable to Law.
At a Meeting of the said Committee, April 12. 1760.
Present.
Capt. Osborne. Capt. Erving. Mr Cushing.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 100.
Colº. Wendell. Major Watts. Mr Oliver. Dr. Pynchon.
Mr Bowdoin.
Capt. Hewes.
Mr Haneock.
Mr Scollay.
Mr Hubbard. Mr Austin.
Mr Henshaw.
Mr Oliver, juu".
Colº. Jackson.
The Committee appointed the 10th instant, to Stake out Lev- eretts Lane - make the following Report, - Vizt.
The Committee for Widening Leveretts Lane agreeable to directions have Staked it out and find it will be Crooked if it run as agreed upon. And therefore would propose that the East side of Leveretts Lane keep a strait Course till it meet with Water Street, that it be 30 feet wide against the Northerly part of Deacon Salter's Land, and that it be 35 feet wide where it meets with Water Street.
It is further proposed to Open a Street of 35 feet wide through Mr Dalton's Land to Milk Street as near as may be upon a line with Leveretts Street.
J. OSBORNE.
SAMI WATTS.
THOS CUSHING.
Which Report being read and considered
The above Proposals were approved of and the said Committee are desired to Conform themselves accordingly.
The Committee having Viewed the lower part of Milk Street according to appointment yesterday now entered into the further Consideration of the Committees Report relating to the same - as entred yesterday, and after a Debate thereon - The Question was put, whether the Committee's Report be Accepted ? It passed in the Affirmative.
Upon that part of the said Committee's Report respecting Horn Lane as entered yesterday. Voted, That the Report be Accepted according to the proposed Alterations - and the Committee are desired to Amend their Report accordingly. - Also - Voted That the said Committee be desired to make Provision for the Com- mon Shore now lying within Mr Calefs Land in Milk Street, that the same may not be hereafter Obstrueted.
Adjourned to Tuesday next at 3 o'clock p.m.
At a Meeting of the said Committee April 17. 1760. Present, His Honor the Lient Gov.
Capt. Osborne. Judge Sewall. Mr Cushing.
Colº. Wendell.
Mr Bowdoin. Capt. Hewes.
Mr Oliver.
Mr Hancock. Mr Seollay.
Dr Pynehon.
Mr Hubbard. Mr Oliver, jun".
Mr Henshaw.
Upon Application made by Capt. Bartholomew Cheever, Liberty is granted him to rebuild his Warehouse in King Street, provided the same be built with Stone or Brick and Covered with Slate or Tile agreeable to Law.
Andrew Oliver, Esq. from the Committee appointed to ascertain the Lines of Mackrel Lane, aud of the Street leading from the
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MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1760.
lower end of King Street to Battery March make the following Report - Vizt.
The Committee appointed to ascertain the Lines of Mackrel Lane, and of the Street leading from the lower end of King Street to Battery March have cansed the same to be staked out, (each of them to be forty foot wide) as follows - Vizt.
The West side of Mackrel Lane to run npon a Line with the East end of the House occupied by Mr James Gooch to a point npon a Line with the Front of Mr Lindalls Brick Buildings, and from thence to run on a strait line till it touches young Mr Oliver's Brick Wall before his House at Seven feet distance from his North East Corner : The East Line will then come Seven feet on MIr Powells Corner opposite so as to open Mackrel Lane and Oliver Street fairly into each other.
These Lines secm most convenient as they will take in as much of the Old Street as can be taken in. in any other direction, and the Bend being near the Middle will be less perceptible than if it were made in any other part of the Street.
JOSHUA HENSHAW. JOHN SCOLLAY.
A. OLIVER. THOS HANCOCK.
The Committee have likewise cansed the lower Street to be marked ont, the North West Corner thereof to be thirty eight feet from Mr Cooke's Brick Warehonse which he is now repairing (formerly occupied as a Dwelling house by the Widow Checkley) the Western Line of said Street to run from thence to a point twenty feet distant from the Middle of the South end of the Pave- ment near to Mr Hallowells late Dwelling house ; the Eastern Line to run paralell with it; and that no Buildings be set up within said Lines.
A. OLIVER. Tnos HANCOCK. JOHN SCOLLAY.
Which Reports being read and considered -
Voted, That the same be Accepted, with regard to both said Streets. - -
A Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bos- ton, praying that liberty may not be granted to any Tanners Cur- riers or Tallow Chandlers to Erect any Buildings or Workhouses to carry on their said Business's on quy of the Places laid desolate by the Fire. but that they be obliged to carry on their said busi- ness in such parts of the Town as will not be Offensive to the In- habitants. - - Read.
James Bowdoin, Esq. from the Committee on Horn Lane and the Common Shore in Milk Street as entred the 12th instant, made the following Report. Vizt. The Committec propose that this Horn Lane should be widened on the East side of it, by taking into it - feet of the Sontherly line of Winter Calefs Land where it bounds on Milk Street ; and to run from thence on a Strait line through said Calefs Land and Thomas Walley's Land so as to take in - feet of said Walleys Front upon Water Street. The West side of
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 100.
said Lanc to run Northerly from Milk Street on the same line as heretofore till it strikes the Rear of Mr Beighton's Land ; then to run through said Beighton's Land on the same strait course to Water street where it will take in - feet of said Beighton's front. These lines will make the said Lane strait and twenty one feet wide.
The Committee propose also that the Mouth of the Common Shore before mentioned on the North side of Milk Street, lying within the aforesaid Land of the aforesaid Winter Calef should be feneed off and be no longer within private Property ; that it may be come at more readily to be Cleansed when necessary ; and for this purpose that there be taken from said Calefs Land a peiee measuring 12 feet on said Milk Street and running back of that Wedth fourteen feet.
Boston April 14. 1760.
JAMES BOWDOIN.
SAML HEWES.
A. OLIVER, JUNR.
Which Report being read and considered. Voted, That the same be Accepted.
Adjourned to Thursday next 3 o'eloek P. M.
At a Meeting of the said Committee, May 1. 1760. Present, His Honour the Lient Governonr.
Capt .: Osborne. Mr Hubbard.
Colº. Wendell. Mr Cushing.
Mr Henshaw.
Capt. Hewes.
Mr Oliver. Colº. Jackson. Mr Seollay. Mr Anstin.
Mr Bowdoin.
A Memorial of Franeis Borland, Esq. remonstrating against the laying out of Leveretts Lane so as to run into Milk Street through his Land in the Oeeupation of Joseph Calef - and also against the Widening of Milk Street and bringing it Nine feet upon the same Land as is proposed. Praying that these Matters may be again taken into Consideration. Read.
The Committee appointed to lay ont the New Street from King Street to Mr Hallowells in Battery March. Presented a Plan of the said Street in the manner they proposed the same should be laid out.
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