USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Narrative of the town of Machias, the old and the new, the early and late > Part 11
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Voted : That a Committee be appointed to examine the Treasurer and Collector's books and accounts, Stephen Jones, Peter Talbot, Joseph Libbee were appointed.
Voted: That George Seavy be Collector to collect the deficiency that is due on the tax which was voted to be raised for the salary of Rev. James Lyon and not collected by David Longfellow late Collector deceased. Voted : That the fourth article in the Warrant be dismissed.
Voted on the fifth article: To see if the town will now make an allowance of fifteen pounds to Col. Benj. Foster for loss on boards and passed in the negative. The meeting adjourned without delay.
At two o'clock, p. m., of the same day the Selectmen presiding : votes were taken as follows :
His Excellency, John Hancock Esq., for Governor, 77 Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, for Lieut. Governor, 73 Hon Waterman Thomas for Senator, 72
The votes were then sealed up according to law and the meeting dissolved.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
April 29, 1788. The inhabitants of the town of Machias, qualified as the Law directs, are hereby notified to assemble at the meeting house at the Western Falls in said Machias on Friday the ninth day of May next, ten o'clcok before noon to make choice of some suitable person to represent this town in the General Court of this Commonwealth the ensuing year.
Then to choose a Moderator, and see if this Town will raise a sum of money for the support of the poor and to defray the town chargs the ensuing year; and also to see what steps are necessary to be taken to obtain a County in this Eastern District. By order of the Selectmen.
RALHP H. BOWLES, T. C.
The same day a meeting was held at which the Selectmen presided : James Avery, Esq., was chosen to represent the
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town in the General Court of this Commonwealth. James Avery was then chosen Moderator to the meeting. Voted : That the sum of ten pounds, ten shillings be raised for the support of the poor child now at JJohn Crocker's for ensu- ing year.
Voted : That ten pounds be raised to defray the necessary town expenses this currant year.
Voted : That the Selectmen be empowered to give such instructions to their Representative in behalf of the town as they shall judge requisite.
RALPH H. BOWLES, T. C.
May 9, 1788, Eben Gardner's mark for cattle, sheep and hogs. "Smooth crop off top right ear and a slit in left." Benjamin Pettegrew's mark for farm stock-"slit in right ear." Jacob Palmer's mark for creatures-"Smooth crop off right ear and half penny on the upper side and slit in the left ear."
The following Oath of Allegiance was administered :- I do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and de- clare, that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is. and of right ought to be, a Free, Sovereign and Independent State; and I do swear that I will bear true Faith and allegiance to the said Commonwealth: and that I will defend the same against traitorous conspiracies and all hostile attempts whatever; and that I do renounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection and obedience to the King of Great Britain and all other Foreign Powers whatsoever; and that no foreign Prince, person, Prelate, State or Potentate hath, or ought to have, any jurisdiction, superiority or pre-eminence, authority or other power in any matter civil, eccelesiastic or spiritual, within this Commonwealth, except the authority or Power that is or may be invested by our Constituents in the Congress of the United States; and I do farther testify und declare that no man or body of men hath or can have any right to dissolve or discharge me from the obligation of this Oath, declaration or affirmation, and that I do make
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this acknowledgement, profession, testimony, declaration, denial, renunciation and abjuration heartily and truly according to the common meaning and acceptation of the foregoing words, without any equivocation or mental reservation whatever. So help me God.
JAMES AVERY, 1 JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, Selectmen and PETER TALBOT, J Assessors.
GEORGE STILLMAN, Treasurer.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
EPHRAIM CHASE, WILLIAM ALBEE, Constables.
JOHN FOSTER, NATHAN LONGFELLOW, JR. S
Collectors.
GEORGE SEAVEY, collector for year 1788.
The seventh day of July, 1788, the inhabitants met at the meeting house in Eastern River, at ten o'clock in the forenoon for the following purposes; 1st. To choose a Moderator. 2d. To see what measures the town will agree upon respecting the collecting the State tax for the present year, and to con- sider whether the same may be collected in lumber; also, to see if the town will have the former State tax collected and if necessary to choose Collectors .; and to vote what com- missions shall be allowed the Collectors for the present year. Signed : JAMES AVERY, JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, Selectmen.
The voters assembled agreeable to the foregoing warrant. George Stillman was elected Moderator.
Voted: That Amos Boynton be Collector for the present year to collect the State tax.
Voted: That the Assessor's bills for the former State tax be delivered to the Collectors, who are to collect the present State tax, and if any persons are about to leave the town
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they are to call upon them, and demand and receive the sum they are assessed for in cash or good mechantable boards at eighteen shillings per thousand.
Voted: That the Collectors for the present year who collect the taxes be allowed five per cent for all such moneys or lumber so received as taxes. Voted: This meeting be adjourned.
RALPH H. BOWLES, T. C.
On March 18, 1789, James Avery, Peter Talbot, Jeremiah O'Brien, Selectmen, issued their Warrant for a town meet- ing to be held at the Western Falls, on Monday, the sixth day of April next, for the purposes hereafter mentioned.
1st. To choose a Moderator.
2nd. To choose a town clerk and all other town officers as the Law directs.
3d. To raise a sum of money for the Minister's salary the ensuing year, and for other necessary town charges.
4th. To vote for a sum of money necessary for the sup- port of schools.
5th. To consider the request of John Roberts who, un- fortunately was very much hurt by the fall of a tree and to know if this town will grant him some relief'.
6th. To receive the returns of the roads laid out and to see if this town will accept the same.
7th. To see if the town will excuse John Foster and Amos Boynton from collecting the State tax for 1786 and have other persons to collect the same.
Sth. To see if the town will agree to pay the expenses arising in consequence of a number of persons being landed near Machias by a Captain Napier, out of the the State tax for 1786
9th. To appoint suitable persons to inspect the Fisheries and to appoint the time for taking fish and regulating the same.
The same day at two o'clock in the afternoon the in- habitants were notified to give in their votes for usual town officers. The meeting was held as duly warned by the Con- stables. Hon. Stephen Jones, Esq., was chosen Moderator:
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Ralph H. Bowles, Town Clerk -; James Avery, Esq., Capt. Stephen Smith and Capt. Peter Talbot., Selectmen and Assessors ; George Stillman, Town Treasurer. Benjamin Gooch and Enoch Waterhouse, Collectors. Ephraim Chase and Wm. Albee, Constables. Gideon O'Brien, Deacon Joseph Libbee, Stephen Munson, George Seavey, Wm. Emerson, Jesse Scott, Surveyors of Highways. Wm. Chaloner, Wm. Albee, Gideon O'Brien, N. Longfellow, Jr., Amos Boyn- ton, Tilley Howe, Capt. Talbot, John Foster, Jonathan Pineo, Ephraim Chase, Moses Foster, Benj. Gooch, Israel Andrews, Surveyors of lumber. Amos Boynton and Capt. Peter Talbot, fence viewers. Aaron Sevey and Job Burnham, Field Drivers. N. Longfellow, Jr., Benjamin Gooch, Sealers of leather.
The same Oath of Allegiance was subscribed to as before done by the town officers. James Avery was elected Sealer of Weights and Measures. Moses Elsmore, Jonathan Seavey, Jonathan Woodruff, Jacob Longfellow, Hog Reeves. Capt. Sevey, Aaron Hanscom, Wardens.
Voted: That the sum of eighty-six pounds be assessed upon the Polls and estates the ensuing year for one year's salary for the Rev. James Lyon and that the sum of "twenty pounds be raised for contingent town charges.
4th. Voted : that not any money should be assessed this year for the support of schools.
The 5th article was some time under consideration and not anything conclusive was determined upon. Voted: on the 3d article, (which should have been inserted above, ) that the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds be assessed upon the inhabitants the ensuing year for the service of the High- ways and that two days be assessed upon each of the Polls and the remaninder on the Estates.
6th, Voted : that the roads as laid out by the Selectmen are acceptable, agreeable to their return; the return put on the town files.
The 7th, 8th and 9th articles in the Warrant were by vote of the town adjourned to the May meeting. The meeting was
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adjourned and the inhabitants assembled to vote for State officers.
His Excellency, John Hancock, Esq., had 50
James Bowdoin for Govenor, 22
His Honor, Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., for Lieut. Gov'r. 72
Alexander Campbell, Esq., for Senator had, 72
RALPH H. BOWLES. Town Clerk.
The inhabitants were called together at East River, Mon- day the eleventh day of May, at ten o'clock before noon to make choice of a Representative to the General Court; the Constables were also called to give notice at the same time, that the last April meeting was adjourned to the May meet- ing.
Assembled as per notification. The Selectmen presided. James Avery was elected for town Representative. This meeting then closed, and Stephen Jones, Esq .. as Moderator, opened the meeting as by the adjournment from April. Voted: . That the 7th and Sth articles in the April Warrant be dismissed.
Voted on the 9th article : That the Selectmen be the persons to inspect the fishery and to see that the Laws made and provided by the late Act of the General Court respect- ing the fish in the County of Lincoln he complied with, and that they regulate themselves accordingly.
Voted: That James Gooch, Nathaniel Phinney, Enoch Sanborne be Harbor Masters the ensuing year.
Voted: That Joseph Getchell. Jr., Job Burnham be Sur- veyors of High ways in addition to those already chosen. Voted : That the swine run at large the ensuing year.
Votes were then brought in and counted by the Moderator. for choice of County Treasurer; and it appeared there were for Nathaniel Thwing Esq., forty-five votes.
Voted : That the road from Eastern River to the Western Falls, by the road as it now runs round Middle River, bo left open and that sufficient gates be made by the pro- prietors where necessary, and that the road from East River
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
mills to Benjamin Foster's be left open and gates provided as above mentioned in lien of bars.
Voted: That the road be left open from Dublin mill to Nathaniel Phinney's and that sufficient gates or bars be provided by the proprietors of such lands where necessary.
Voted: That this meeting be dissolved.
RALPH H. BOWLES, T. C.
May 7th, 1789: John Crocker from Barnstable with his family come to reside in this town and live at Capt. Peter Talbot's house. This report made by Peter Talbot one of the Selectmen.
R H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
The Selectmen notified a town meeting to be held at the meeting house, Western Falls, in Machias on Tuesday the fifteenth day of September, 1789; after choosing a Moderator -to see what the town will determine upon. respecting the State tax for 1786 not yet collected, and if necessary to choose Collectors for the same also, to agree upon what instructions the town will give their Representative to the General Court and make provision for him to be paid.
A few persons only assembled upon the date before stated and this meeting adjourned to Monday, the 28th of Sep- tember, at ten o'clock before noon.
The meeting assembled as by adjournment and voted to "further adjournment" to Saturday the 3d of October next at two P. M.
At a town meeting of the inhabitants of Machias agree- able to the before mentioned Warrant and "continued by adjournment to this third day of October, Stephen Jones was chosen Moderator :- voted, that measures be taken to collect the State tax No. 5.
The meeting after long debating upon the subject and fully considering upon the measures voted, that James Avery and Ralph H. Bowles, as by their proposition here- after mentioned be appointed Collectors with full power to
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colleet said state tax No. 5. Agreement as proposed :- that. they receive good merchantable boards, at thirty shillings per thousand feet and be allowed five per cent for collecting the same and indemnify the town from said tax: the in- habitants agreeing to pay one half by the fifteenth day of November next and the other half the first day of July, 1790, and if not then paid the sum assessed, to be paid them in cash only by the delinquents."
Voted: that an order be given by the Selectmen on the town treasurer for the sum of twelve pounds, to be delivered to James Avery, Esq .. on account of his expenses as Representative to the General Court this winter sessions now approaching, and that the said Representative to account for the same to this town.
Voted : that the Honorable Stephen Jones, Esq., R. H. Bowles, Stephen Parker. Captain Jeremiah O'Brien be a committee to give instructions to and for his government at the General Court. Voted: that this meeting be adjourned without day.
RALPH H. BOWLES, T. C.
To James Avery. Esq., -You being chosen to represent the town of Machias in the General Court of this Common- wealth for the present year. it is expected by your con- stituents, that you attend the next sessions, and for the government of your general conduct. would recommend to you, that in all questions that should arise wherein either the Federal or State Government may be effected, that you never give your voice or vote in favor of any motion, that shall have a tendency to impair the Constitution of either. You are sensible that the inhabitants of this town were well pleased with the Constitution of the Federal Government in its present form, but as this Commonwealth, and some other of the principal states, have prepared amendments, and the present Congress have originated several articles, which are to be recommended to the different state Legislatures for their approbation, and if approved to be considered a part of the Constitution, and as those articles appear to have a
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
general tendency operating equally throughout the Union, you are therefore at liberty to give your vote in favor of those being adopted, should they be laid before the Legis- lature. You are to use your best endeavors to support Public Credit and never to give your vote to defraud any person of his honest dues. .
You are particlarly requested to use your endeavors to obtain a Compensation for the heavy expenses the in- habitants of the town incurred in supporting the Irish people that were thrown upon us in the year 1786.
This town having incurred heavy expenses in supporting a Gospel Ministry, building meeting houses, supporting schools, clearing roads, building bridges and many other charges that are incident to new townships; also meeting with heavy fire in the burning of our mills last Fall, and the loss of our logs last Spring, you are therefore to sup- plicate an abatement of a part or the whole of tax No. 5.
There was also a very considerable expense arose to in- dividuals in this town, the year 1785 in taking and receiv- ing three pirates; you are requested to have their accounts passed and paid. You are further to procure an addition to an Act made for the preservation of the fish in the Counties of Cumberland and Lincoln; that it may be ex- tended to the different rivers as far East as the St. Croix.
In general matters we would not wish to control you, as you will be present and hear what is offered for and against the questions proposed, and therefore leave it to your good sense to decide.
Signed, STEPHEN JONES, RALPH H. BOWLES, STEPHEN PARKER, JEREMIAH O'BRIEN. J
Committee.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled. --
The Petition of the Selectmen of Machias humbly showeth -- That the General Court in the year of our Lord, 1786,
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
taxed the town of Machias the sum of 302 pounds, 10 shil- lings towards paying the debts and the support of Govern- ment.
The inhabitants of this town were always ready and stood foremost in this Country during the late War in defending the same, and since Peace have exerted themselves to the utmost in the support of Government, and to pay their just proportion of all just taxes for that purpose: but from their great embarrasments and late misfortunes, they are under the necessity of appealing to your Honor for relief and beg leave to lay before you facts.
This town several years before the late war had a minister regularly settled, whom they paid 86 pounds per annum. When the War commenced and their lumber trade was entirely cut off they were unable to pay him yearly, and when Peace took place, they found themselves indebted for the delinquency of his salary the sum of 930 pounds which they were obliged to raise and pay, besides his yearly salary since. 200 pounds raised for building and repairing meet- ing houses. 80 pounds a year for schools together with taxes for the poor and other charges, with taxes for roads etc., amounting to no less sum than 2,032 pounds. 15 shill- ings, which the town has been necessitated to raise since the Peace, exclusive of their State and County taxes.
Add to this the last year we had the misfortune to have two double saw mills and one grist mill destroyed by fire with a large quantity of boards near them: and this spring a high freshet carried away the boom across the river by which three thousand logs went over the dam. The loss by these misfortunes, at the lowest estimation cannot be less than 600 pounds.
We are informed that the Honorable Senate and House have been pleased to abate two thirds of the tax laid the same year on several plantations Westward of this town provided they do the same in support of a Minister and a school. which this town has had and continues to do.
Your petitionsers therefore humbly request your Honors will be pleased to take their distressed condition into your
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
wise consideration and be pleased to grant them such relief as you in your Wisdom may think fit. And as in duty bound will ever pray.
Machias, 16th Dec'r. 1789. . STEPHEN SMITH, PETER TALBOT. Selectmen.
On the 29th of January. 1790 Consider Drew has record made of his mark for Cattle, sheep and hogs as follows : Square crop off the left ear and swallow's tail off the right ear.
In April 1790, Stephen Smith, Peter Talbot. James Avery as Selectmen; R. H. Bowles, Clerk; Daniel Meserve, Collector; Geo. Stillman, Treasurer; Wm. Albee, James Gooch, Constables subscribed to the oath of Allegiance.
April 5, 1790, the following were chosen town officers :--- Ralph H. Bowles, Clerk: Stephen Smith, James Avery, Peter Talbot, Selectmen, also appointed Assessors; George Stillman, Treasurer; Stephen Parker, Daniel Meserve, Collectors; Ephraim Chase, Wm. Albee, Constables; Gideon O'Brien, Marshall Thaxter, Nath'l Phinney, James Gooch, Benj. Foster, Esq., Wallace Fenlason, Joseph Getchell Jr., George Stillman, Surveyors of Highways; Samuel Holmes, Stephen Jones, Benjamin Foster, Com- mittee to inspect the Fishery; N. Longfellow, Jr., Daniel Hoit, Inspectors of Leather.
Motion was made to grant to the Rev. James Lyon four teen pounds in addition to his salary the last year; a vote was taken and passed in the Negative.
Voted : That eighty-six pounds be granted for the Salary of the Rev. James Lyon the ensuing year.
Voted : That the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds be raised for the repairs of the Highways, Man's labor six shillings per day yoke of oxen four shillings per day. Voted : That the sum of sixty pounds be raised for support of schools Voted: That the remainder of the articles in the Warrant be adjourned 'till Wednesday, May 5 next, at two o'clock afternoon and that this meeting be adjourned to
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that day, then to be held in the meeting house, at the Western Falls.
Voted That swine run at large this year.
The remaining articles were adjourned 'til Wednesday the fifteenth day of May, at two o'clock afternoon the meet- ing adjourned to that date and to be held at the Western Falls.
Assembled as by adjournment. selectmen presiding and the votes were received and counted
For John Hancock, for Governor, 62
Samuel Adams. Lieut. Gov'r. 62
Alexander Campbell, for Senator, 62
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
At a meeting same date a vote was passed Not to choose a Representative the ensuing year. A statement of the town accounts was laid before the town by the Selectmen also the town treasurer presented his accounts, copies of which are on the files.
Voted: that the sum of thirty pounds be raised the en- suing year to enable the selectmen to cause the township lines to be perambulated, and for other necessary town charges.
Voted: That this town be divided into Districts for the benefit of a school or schools.
The West District to include all the inhabitants at West Falls including Consider Drew and Daniel Meserve.
Middle District to include Henry Griffith, Daniel Hoit, Aaron Hanscomb, George Sevey. George Stillman, James Avery. B. Slingley, Joseph Libbee, Samuel Cates, Jacob Palmer.
Eastern District to include the inhabitants at East River. including Benjamin Foster, Jr., and all the inhabitants up the river.
North District to include Benj. Foss and all the in- habitants on Middle river, as far as to include the widow Hannah Hill's.
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
South District to include James Gooch's and all the in- habitants down the river on both sides.
Voted; That there be a Committee appointed, as by an Act passed by the General Court-'Intitled an Act to pro- vide for the Instructing of the Youth etc., and William Chaloner, John Foster, Joseph Libbee, John Scott, Stephen Parker were nominated and chosen as said School Com- mittee.
Voted That the rate in John Scott's tax bill against John Roberts be abated. Meeting then adjourned without day.
Attest R. H. BOWLES, Town Clerk. May 5, 1790.
On the eleventh day of June, 1790, the Selectmen called a meeting to determine whether the town will consent, that the Court of Common Pleas and the Court of the General Sessions of the Peace may be held in the meeting house at the Western Falls, till buildings are erected. To appoint a Committee to settle with the Representative of this town for his attendance at the General Court.
To choose a Collector in lieu of Mr. Stephen Parker, who has declined acting in that capacity.
The inhabitants assembled on the twenty-first day of June, Stephen Jones, Moderator.
Voted That this town give their consent for the Courts to occupy either of the Meeting Houses in this town 'till, County buildings are erected.
Voted That a Committee of three be appointed to settle with James Avery, Esq., this town's Representative for the year 1789. Stephen Jones, Geo. Stillman, Marshall Thaxter were chosen said Committee.
Voted; That James Gooch be Collector the ensuing year in lieu of Stephen Parker who declined serving.
Voted; That this meeting be adjourned 'till Monday. June 28, at ten o'clock before noon, at the meeting House, Eastern River.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
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Benjamin Harmon's mark for cattle, etc., Crop off each ear. July 25, 1790.
A meeting was called at the Western Falls, July. 27, to choose by ballot ten suitable persons as Grand Jurymen for the Court of the General sessions of the Peace.
To choose in manner the Law directs ten persons as petty jurors in the Court of Common Pleas, and in General sessions of the Peace.
To choose by ballot six suitable persons as Grand Jurymen for the Court of Common Sessions.
To consider the Petition of John Scott and others for some allowance for clearing at their own expense. the town road through their lands.
To choose a suitable number of Tything men for the present year. To see if this town will accept of the roads as laid out.
The inhabitants assembled on July 27; George Stillman, Esq., was elected Moderator. By ballot they made choice of Benjamin Foster. George Stillman, Joseph Seavy, Jeremiah O'Brien, Stephen Parker, Enoch Waterhouse as Grand Jurymen the ensuing year.
The following persons was drawn from the Box for Petty Jurors : Joseph Getchell, Jr .. John Berry, Eleazar Hathe- way, Jesse Scott, John Kelly, Wm. Emerson, Gideon O'Brien, Daniel Stone, Stephen Monson, Benjamin Berry. The fourth article in the warrant was dismissed.
Voted : That three Tything-men be appointed: Wooden Foster, Nathaniel Phinney, Amos Boynton were nominated and elected.
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