USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > Watertown early town records, vol 5-6 > Part 44
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Watertown Records.
any thing Relating thereto as the town may think proper - (6) To Hear the petition of a number of perfons praying the town to allow the Singers two pews in the Gallaries for ye Reafons Setforth in their petition. (7) To know the minde of the town whether they will purchafe the Estate of John Stearns, and to act any thing Relating thereto they think Necefsary - (8) For the town to agree how they will Dispofe of the pews that are Building the Gallaries, and to do any thing Relating thereto they think best. (9) To know the minde of the town whether they will purchafe a New Bell for the Meeting House out of the money arifeing by the Sale of pews, and to act thereon as they See fit. (10) To appropriate any Sum or Sums of money be- longing to the town that Remain unappropriated (11) For the town to finde out any peices of Land that belong to ye town, and agree how they Shall be Improved and to act thereon as they See fit (12) To know the minde of the town whether they will Sell Samuel White a Small peice of Common Land, & to act thereon as they think best. -
(13) To act on the Several articles in the warning for March meeting that were Refered over to this meeting.
Warrants were Issued out accordingly Pr: Jona: Brown. Town-Clerk
At a Gen' Publick Town Meeting of ye freeholders & other Inhabitants of Watertown Regularly afsembled at the Publick Meeting Houfe in Said Town on Monday the Sixteenth Day of may Anno: Domini 1774 -
for the Choice of a Representative Capt: Jonathan Brown was Chofen to Reprefent the town in the Great & General Court appointed to be held & kept at the Court-Houfe in Boston on Wednesday the 25th Day of this Inftant month of may .-
Watertown May ye: 16th 1774 mifsrs: David Sanger & Joseph Coollidge were Sworn to the office of Constables and mifsrs William Chenery to the office of Howard and also Abraham Whitney.
By Jona: Brown Town-Clerk
[103]
At a Gen' Publick Town Meeting of the freeholders & other In- habitants of Watertown who are Quallified to Vote in Town affairs Regularly afsembled at the publick Meeting Houfe in Sd:
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Watertown Records.
Town on monday ye: 16th : Day of may A: D: 1774- to transact the affairs as Setforth in the Warning of meeting
They Voted and Chofe Dea": Sam": Fisk moderator
Then Voted and accepted of the Report of ye Comtte appointed to Examin The Town-Treafurer accounts
The Voted and accepted as list of Jurours which was prepared by the Selectmen Except mifsrs Nathaniel Stone and Samuel Cook who are Excufed from Serving
Voted & Chofe m: David Sanger to be Constable in ye Room of m' Sam1: Sanger & m': Joseph Coollidge in the Room of m": Samuel Nutting
Then Voted & Granted ye Sum of £ 40 pounds to be Improved in widening and Repairing the Great Bridge over Charls-River in Watertown
Then the petition of William Bond & others praying that two pews in the front Gallary might be allowed to ye Singers was Read and after Debate thereon, they Voted & Granted ye prayer thereof & allowed the use of two pews During the towns Pleafure
The 7th article in the warning being Read and after Debate thereon the Question was put whether the town will purchafe the Estate of John Stearnes if it is like to be Sold under the Value thereof
and it paft in the affirmative
Then Voted to Choofe a Committe with power to purchafe Said Estate for the use of the town if they think proper
Voted and Chofe for Said Committe -
m' Jonas White Jona: Brown m' Mofes Stone
Then Voted and Appropriated as much money as is due to the town on Bond or Note of Hand as will purchafe the Same - Then Voted that the pews now a Building in the Gallaries Shall be Sold to Highest bider under the Same Regulations as thofe that were first Built
Voted that the Same Committee that were Appointed to Build the pews Shall have power to Sell the Same.
Then Voted that the purchafers Shall pay Six Dollars dow [n] earneft money on Each pew, & the Remainder in one m[onth]
[104]
The 12th article being Read and after Consideration thereon they Voted to Choofe a Committe to view ye peice of land which
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Watertown Records.
m': Samuel White Desired to purchase of the town and that they Report to the town at the adjournment of this meeting what is proper to be don thereon
Voted and Chofe for Said Committe -
m': Nath! Stone m': Sam": Soden m' Simon Whitney
Then Voted that this meeting with the Remaining bufinefs be Adjourned to monday next at two of ye Clock afternoon and it was Accordingly adjourned
The following is the Report of the Committe on the Treafrs accounts which has been accepted
Watertown may ye 13th 1774 - We the Subscribers being appointed by the town to Examin the Treafurers accounts having attended Said Service and find Said accounts Well Vouched & Right Cast
Nath1: Harrington
-
Sam": White Comtee
At a Gen' Town meeting of the freeholders & other Inhabitants of Watertown who are Regularly afsembled at the publick Meeting House in Said Town on monday the 23d Day of may AD 1774 - by adjournment the meeting being Opened,
The 9th article being Read and after Some Debate thereon the vote was put whether it be the minde of the Town to Choofe a Committe to Inquire at what lay they can purchafe a new Bell and make Report at the adjournment of the meeting and it paft in the affirmative
Voted & Chofe for Said Committee
m' Josiah Capen m' Wm Hunt m' David Sanger
The 11th article being Read and after Debate thereon they then Voted & Choofe Dean. Samuel Fisk to be a Committe man in the Room of John Hunt Esq': who is out of ye Province they to Endeavor to finde out what peices of Land belong to the town, and Inquire further Relating to a peice of Land which m' Samuel White desires to purchafe and make Report [a]t the adjournment of this meeting
[105]
Then ye 14th article in the warning for march meeting being Read They Voted and abated Samuel Jenifons jurs. Rates in m'
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Watertown Records.
Isaac Sandersons Lists and Granted 1 : 4 : 6 to make it good. - Then Voted & abated sd: Jenifons Rates in Joseph Coollidges list provided he will give his note of hand to ye Same at Such time as the Selectmen Shall Call upon him for ye Same and Granted ye Sum of to make it good
Voted & abated John Reads Rates David Sangers lists & Granted ye Sum of 0 : 13 : 6 : 2 to make it good
also Voted & abated morgan mº: Conners Rate in sd: Sangers list for 1773. & Granted ye Sum of 0 : 8 : 4 to make it good
Voted & abated Tom Humphry s Rates in sd Sangers lists and Granted 0 : 8 : 6 - to make it good
'Then the town Voted that the Selectmen Should purchafe fire- wood for the Schools out of the Grants that were made to Sup- port them.
Then it was put to vote whether the Committe appointed to Build & Sell the pews Should pay the workmen out of the money arifing by ye Sale of them
and it pafsed in ye affirmative
Then it was Voted that this meeting Should be adjourned to ye last monday in June next at 4 of ye Clock in ye afternoon and it was accordingly adjour'd
At a meeting of ye Selectmen at the House of m" : Bez": Learned on Monday ye 23d Day of may AD 1774.
They agreed with m': Convers Spring to take & Board the wido: Tabitha Learned till ye last monday in June next, he to have 3/ pr week
They also agreed with m': Mofes Stone to take the Care of and Board Ruth maddox three months from this time he to have 6/6 old Tenor Pr week
at this meeting m': Samuel Cook was Sworn to the offices of Tything man & Cullar of Hoops Staves &c
By Jonª : Brown Town- [Clerk]
[106]
At a Gen"1: Publick Town-Meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of Watertown who are Quallified to Vote in Town affairs Regularly Afsembled at the Publick meeting House in Sd: town on Monday the 27th. Day of June Anno: Domini 1774. by Adjournment.
Dean Samuel Fisk being Moderator. the meeting being opened
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Watertown Records.
The Committe appointed to See at what price a Bell might be procured at, Reported that they had not made any Inquiry Then the Committe Appointed to Sell the pews made Report of their doings in Said affair which is as follows (Viz)
We the Committe Appointed by the Town to Dispofe of the pews lately Built in the Galleries in the meeting House have attended that Service and Sold Said pews to the Highest Bidders under the Same Regulations that the other Pews wer Sold (Viz)
Nº. (1) was Sold to m' : Bezaleel Learned in old £
Tenor for 64: 0:0
Nº (2) To m' Josiah Capen for
59: 0-
Nº (3) To m' Samuel Sanger for
63 : 0-
Nº (4) and (5) not Sold
Nº (6) To m'. Samuel White for
77:0-
Nº (7) To m': David Coollidge for
56: 0-
Nº (8) To m' David Stone for
53 : 0-
Nº (9) To m' Joseph Coollidge for 50 : 0-
Nn (10) To m' David Sanger for 55 : 0-
Nº (11) To m' John Draper for 60: 0-
O: T: 537 : 0:0 in L: M 71:12:0
By Cash Received of the purchafers - 32 : 4 :- By ye purchafers notes payable to ye Treafurer 39 : 8 :0 -
71 :12:0
By Cash paid for Building ye pews 13: 4:0
58: 8:0
By the Expence of ye Sale &c
1: 0:0
By the Ballance Remaining due to ye town
57 : 8:0
William Bond Bezaleel Learned Jedidiah Leathe Samuel Sanger
Then the Committe appointed to purchafe John Stearnes's Estate Reported that they had agreed for sd: Estate for the use of the
£
town, and were to give
269 : 6 : 8 for the Same, then the
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Watertown Records.
Question [was] put whether it be the minds of ye town to accept Said [Re]port and it paft in the Affirmative
[107]
The Selectmen Informed the town that there not being a Sufficient Stock of ammunition belonging to the town they had purchafed four half Barrils of powder & purpofe to purchafe Some Balls & Flints, and after the town had Confidered the matter they Voted and Appropriated the Sum of £ 20 pounds out of ye money arifeing by the Sale of the pews to pay for sd: ammunition Then they Voted and appropriated the Remainder of the Said pew money (after the purpofe'd Repairs of the Meeting-house are finifhed) to help pay for John Stearns's Estate
At a Meeting of ye Selectmen at the House of m' Bezaleel on monday the 27 Day of June AD 1774. - They Agreed with m': Thomas Learned to take and Board the wido Tabitha Learned 8 weeks for which he is to have 21/ Shillings old Tenor Pr week - at this meeting they Sold Some old plank which belonged to the three towns Concerned in the Support of the Great Bridge to m': Josiah Capen for 15/ -
At a Meeting of ye Selectmen at the Houfe of my Thos: Welling- ton on Tuesday ye 28th Day of June A. D. 1774. - They Signed £ an order on the town-Treafurer to pay m': David Sanger 1 : 3 : 1 for what he had Disbursted for the Support of the poor &c
At a Meeting of the Selectmen on monday ye 4th. Day of July AD. 1774. at the Houfe of m': Thomas Wellington. They agreed to have a publick Town-meeting at the Publick meeting Houfe in sd: town on monday ye 18th Day of this Inftant month of July at Six of the Clock afternoon. And ordered the Clerk to Issue out Warrants Directed to the Constables to warn all the freeholders & other Inhabitants who are Quallified to Vote in town affairs to afsemble at Said time and place to act on the following Articles (Viz) -
First to Choofe a moderator for sd: meeting. (2) To agree how the Estate which was purchased that belonged to John Stearns Shall be Improved. (3) To agree where the Ammunition that
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Watertown Records.
has lately been purchafed Shall be kept, and to act thereon as they See fitt.
[108]
(4ly) To take into Confideration the Difficult and Diftrefsed State to which this province in perticular as well as America in General are brought into by any late acts of ye Britifh Parlement. and to Agree upon Some proper meafures that will have a tendancy to Relieve us under the prefent Burdens Occationed thereby - (5) For the town to agree upon Some way to pay their part of the Expence of the purpofed Congrefs. and to do any thing thereon they think proper - (6) For the town to act any thing Relating to the Settlement of the line between Water- town and Newton as may be thot: best - (7) For the town to act any thing Relating to the widning and Repairing the Great Bridge they think proper. - - (8) To know the minde of the town whether they will Sell Some peices of Land that belong to the town and to act thereon as they See fitt. - (9) To know the minde of the town whether they will grant Some Releif to the town of Boston under their present Diftrefsed Circumftances and to Do thereon as they See fitt- - (10) To hear the Report of any Committes that have been Appointed by the town and act thereon as they think proper - (11) To grant any Sum or Sums of money as may be thought Necefsary, and to act on any matters and things that may be thot : proper at this meeting -
Warrants were Issued out Accordingly
By Jona : Brown Town-Clerk
At a Gen": Publick town meeting of the freeholders & other In- habitants of Watertown Quallified to vote in town affairs Regularly afsembled at the Publick meeting in sd: town on monday ye 18th Day of July Anno: Domini: 1774. to Transact the Several affairs as Set forth in the Warrat &c Voted and Chofe m': Nath": Stone for moderator
Then Voted that the Selectmen Should have power to Lease out and Improve the Estate that was John Stearnes as they Shall think will be most for the benefit of the town * that the ammunition that has lately been * be kept in the meeting Houfe
* torn
The
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Watertown Records.
[109]
The (4) article being Read together with a Covenant purpofed to be Signed and after Some Debate thereon it appeared that the Form of the Covenant was not altogether agreable it being moved V & Seconded that a Committe Should be Chofe to make a new Draft of what will be proper for the Inhabitants to Sign
Voted and Chofe for sd: Committe
m' : Mofes Stone Dean : Sam": Fisk Jona: Brown mr Josiah Capen mr Nath11 Stone
Voted that they make Report at the adjournment of this meet- ing -
Then Voted & Granted the Sum of 1 : 13 : 8 towards ye Intended Congrefs as their part of the Expence
Voted that this meeting with the Remaining bufinefs be adjourned to the fourth monday in august next at three of the Clock after- noon at this place and it was Declared Accordingly adjourned. -
At a Meeting of the Selectmen at the House of m' Bez": Learned on Wednesday the 18th Day of August AD 1774.
They agreed to have a meeting with the Selectmen of Weston and Waltham on Thursday ye first day of September Next at three of ye Clock afternoon to adjust ye Charge of the Repairs of the Great Bridge in Watertown that has arifen Since ye Last adjustment and Directed the Clerk to Send notifications to ye Selectmen of sd: Towns to Inform them of ye time and place of the meeting - which was Accordingly don
By Jona Brown Town-Clerk
[110]
At a Publick Town-Meeting of the freeholders and other In- habitants of Watertown Quallified to vote in Town affairs Reg- ularly afsembled at the Publick meeting House in said Town on Monday the 22d. Day of August Anno: Domini 1774.
By adjournment m': Nath1. Stone being moderator -
The meeting being Opened the (6) article being Read Relating to ye line between Watertown and Newton it was Voted that the Selectmen be a Comtte with full power in Behalf of ye town to
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Watertown Records.
Settle Said line with Such perfons as may be appointed in Behalf of Newton
at this meeting it was Voted that the Selectmen are Desired to meet with Such perfons as may appear at at a purpofed meeting to be held at Concord on the thirtieth day of this present month which may be Sent from the Several towns in this County to Confult what may be proper to do in order to preferve our Charter Rights -
also voted that the Selectmen Shall have Reafonable pay for their time and Expence while in Said Service
Then it was Voted that this meeting Should be adjourned with the Remaining businefs to the first monday in Sep' next at this place at 4 of ye Clock afternoon.
and the moderator Declared it was Accordingly adjourned
At a Meeting of the Selectmen of Watertown Weston & Waltham on the First Day of Sepr: AD 1774 at the House of m' Isaac Gleafon Inn-holder in Waltham The accounts for the Repairs of the Great Bridge in Watertown which has arifen Since the Last adjustment which was on the thirtieth Day of August anno: Domini 1773. amounting to ye Sum of £ 8 :9 :0 was adjusted & proportioned and Signed by the Selectmen of each town
Watertown s Part being 3: 0:0
Westons D° is 2:16:0
Walthams Do is 2:13:0
8: 9:0
the Settlement at Large in ye Second Book in ye Treafury [pag]e (70)
[111]
At a Publick Town Meeting of the freeholders & other In- habitants of Watertown Quallified to vote in town affairs Regularly afsembled at the publick Meeting House in Said on monday the 5th d Day of September AD: 1774. By adjournment. m': Nathaniel Stone being Moderator. - The meeting being opened & the Refolves Entered into by the members of the County meeting held at Concord being Read. The Question being put whether they be agreable to the minde of the town and it paft in the affirmative - and it was ordered that they be Recorded in the town Book
* torn
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Watertown Records.
upon a motion made & Seconded, it was Voted that it is ye minde of the town the officers of the Melitia Company that Refide in the town Should Exercife all Such perfons as belonge to the towns &
all others that Refide therein two Hours in each & every week in armes &c. during the three fall months alfo take a view of the armes & ammunition of all the perfons borne on the alarm list and Report the State thereof to the town at the adjournment of this meeting. - also Voted that all perfons that are borne on the alarm & Training band list be provided with armes & ammunition accordingly by the First monday in October next - Voted that the Selectmen Secure the town Stock of ammunition in the best manner they Can
Then it was Voted that this meeting with the Remaining Bufinefs be adjorned to the first monday in October next at one of ye Clock afternoon at this place, and it was accordingly adjourned. At a meeting of ye Selectmen on monday the 5th Day of Sepr: AD 1774 at the Hous of m': Bez": Learned - They agreed with m': Thomas Learned to keep the wido Tabitha Learned four weeks for three Shillings pr week, and with Convers Spring to keep Ruth maddox 4 weeks for nine Shillings pr: week old Tenor the Said Learned & Spring to have their Labour
[112]
At a Meeting of the Selectmen men on monday ye 12th day of Sep" : AD 1774. at the House of m': Bezaleel Learned They Approved of the following Perfons Renewing their licences (Viz) Thomas Wellington Bezaleel Learned, Edward Richardfon, and the wido Dorothy Coollidge - Inn-holders Ezekiel Hall, Amos Bond, Josiah Capen, & Abner Craft to be Retailors
At a Meeting of ye Selectmen on Tuesday ye. 13th. Day of Sepr 1774 at the House of m' Thomas Wellington, They having Received a Precept from the Sheriff of ye County of middlefex Requiring them to afsemble ye freeholders and other Inhabitants of Watertown who are Quallified to vote in the Choice of a Reprefentative
They ordered the Clerk to Issue out warrants Directed to the Several Constables to warn all the freeholders &c Quallified accordingly to law to vote in in that affair to afsemble at the publick meeting House in Said town on monday ye third day of
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Watertown Records.
october next at twelve of ye Clock at noon for Said purpofe Warrants were Issued out accordingly ~ By Jona: Brown Town-Clerk
At a Gen": Publick Town Meeting of the freeholders & other Inhabitants of Watertown Regularly afsembled at the Publick meeting House in Sd: Town on monday the 3d: Day of October Anno: Domini 1774. for the Choice of a Representative the votes were Called for, & being brot: in & Numbered it appeared that Capt: Jonathan Brown was unanimously Chofen to Represent the town in the Gen11. Court that was appointed to be held at Salem on the fifth day of this Inftant month of October.
Then the town Voted to Choofe a Comtte to Draw up Some In- ftructions to give their Representative and Dean: Sam": Fisk mr John Remington & m': Josiah Capen were Chosen for sd Comtte [Th]en the meeting was adjourned to 5 of ye Clock afternoon
[113]
At a General Publick Town-Meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of Watertown who are Quallified to vote in Town affairs Regularly Afsembled at the publick meeting House in Sd town on monday the third Day of October Anno: Domini 1774. by Adjournment m': Nath11. Stone being moderator
a motion was made & Seconded & it was put to vote whether it is the minde of the town that Jonathan Brown who is this day Chofen Representative Should joine with the Representatives of the Several towns in forming a Provincial Congrefs and it paft in the afirmative
Then it was put to vote whether the town will Choofe one or more perfons to joine with the Reprefentative in forming the Said Congrefs and it paft in ye afirmative
Then they voted & Chofe for Delegates to joine Sd Congrefs at Such time and place as may be appointed m': John Remington and m': Samuel Fisk
Then a Motion was made to know ye. minde of the town Whether it is advifable for the Collectors of Tax's to pay any more money into the province Treafury at prefent and they voted that it was their opinion that they Should not till further orders from the town, and that the town will Save the Collectors harmlefs from all Charges that may arife by their So doing
The it was voted that the Collectors Should proceed to Compleat their Collections as Soon as may be and pay the money into the town Treafury till further orders of the town
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Watertown Records.
Then voted that this meeting be adjourned to next Fryday at 4 of the Clock afternoon at this place.
At a Legal Town meeting at the Publick meeting House on Fryday ye 7th Day of October 1774 - it Appearing to be a thin meeting and the Clerk not being present, it was voted that the meeting Should be adjourned to monday ye 17th Inftant at 3 of ye Clock afternoon at this place
[114]
At a Publick Town meeting of ye freeholders & other Inhabitants of Watertown who are Quallified to Vote in town affairs Regular- ly afsembled at the Publick meeting House in Sd: Town on monday the 17th Day of Oct': AD: 1774. by Adjournment m' : Nath1: Stone being moderator
The meeting being Opened. & the (7) article in the warrant £
being Read, it was Voted that the Sum of 4 pounds be afsest towards the Repairs of the great bridge this prefent year & ye Remainder of the grant be left till further order of the Town. - Then the Question was put whether the town will mount & Equip two peices of Cannon now Lodged in the Town at their own Charge and it past in the affirmative. Then it was Voted to Choofe three perfons as a Committe to git Said work don
Voted & Chofe for Sd: Committe - m': David Sanger m': Jonas White m' : Abner Craft
Then Voted that the meeting Should be adjourned to Fryday the 28th Day of this prefent month of October at 3 o Clock afternoon And on ye Said 28th Day it was further adjourned to monday ye 31th Inftant.
At a Meeting of the Selectmen at the House of m' Thomas Well- ington on Thursday the 17th : Day of Nov': Anno: Domini 1774 They Agreed to have a publick Town-Meeting on monday the 21th : Day of this present month of November at one O: Clock afternoon at the Publick meeting House and ordered the Clerk to Issue out Warrants Directed to ye Several Conftables to warn the Inhabitants who are Qualified to to vote in town affairs to afsemble at Sd: time and place to act on the following articles (Viz)
First
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Watertown Records.
[115]
First to Choofe a moderator for Said meeting. Second to Grant money to pay for the two Carriages to the two peices of Cannon that were ordered to be procured at the Expence of the town (3) To give the Selectmen Some Inftructions Relating to the Schools and to act any thing Relating thereto as the town may think proper. (4) For the town to Grant money to hire Preaching for the prefent or appropriate Some money for that Service and to act any thing Relating thereto that the town may think proper (5) For the town to do or act any thing that they may Judge Nefsecary for to Carry the Refolutions of the Continential and < Provincial Congrefs's into Execution by any Grants of money or otherwife as they think proper.
Warrants were Issued out accordingly Pr: Jona: Brown Town-Clerk
At a General Publick Town Meeting of the freeholders & other Inhabitants of Watertown who are Quallified to Vote in town affairs Regularly Afsembled at the Publick meeting House in sd Town on monday the 21th Day of November Anno: Domini 1774 -
They Voted and Chofe Dean: Samuel Fisk moderator of sd meeting.
Voted and Granted £ 20 pounds to pay for the Carriages for the Cannon
They then Voted that £ 15 pounds only Should be Improved out of the money granted for Supporting Writting Schools this present year.
Voted that the money be Improved in manner as ufual
Then Voted the Remainder of the Grant made for Writting Schools be Improved for hireing Preaching if Nefsecary
Then Voted that the Selectmen together with Dean Sam1 Fisk take care to provide preaching for the prefent.
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