USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Narrative of the town of Machias, the old and the new, the early and late > Part 8
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In Seante, 23d of June, 1784.
This Bill having had two several readings passed to be enacted.
SAMUEL ADAMS, President.
Approved, JOHN HANCOCK.
True copy attest : JOHN AVERY. JR .. Secretary.
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Lincoln, ss: To George Stillman, Esq., one of the prin- cipal inhabitants of the town of Machias :- Whereas the Town of Machias is by an act of the Legislature incorpo- rated into a Town by the name of Machias, and invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities that Towns in the Commonwealth have and enjoy, according to the Laws and Constitution of the same, and whereas by the said act, the subscriber is empowered to issue his warrant to some principal Inhabitant of the said town. requiring him to call a meeting of the inhabitants thereof, for the purpose of choosing such officers as by law, towns are empowered to choose in the month of March annually.
You, the said George Stillman, are therefore required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, to meet at the Meeting House, at the Western Falls, in said town, on Mon- day the nineteenth day of this instant July, at ten o'clock before noon for the purpose above mentioned .- Given under my hand and seal at Machias, this eighth day of July, Anno Domino, Seventeen hundred and eighty-four.
STEPHEN JONES, Justice of the Peace.
Agreeable to the above Warrant to me directed, the Inhab- itants are hereby notified to meet at the time and place and for the purpose therein mentioned.
GEORGE STILLMAN.
Machias, July 19, 1784.
Agreeable to the above Warrant the inhabitants met at the time and place therein mentioned, and made choice of Stephen Jones, Esq., Moderator; after which the Inhabitants made choice (by written vote) of the following Town Officers, viz :- James Avery, Town Clerk. Seleetmen, Stephen Jones, Esq., Capt. Stephen Smith, Benjamin Foster, Esq., Mr. David Gardner and Deacon Joseph Libby. Voted, that the Selectmen be Overseers of the Poor. Assessors chosen, Mr. James Noble Shannon, Mr. Jonathan Pineo and Mr. Amos Boynton. Mr. Shannon declined serv- ing and was excused and Capt. Peter Talbot was chosen in his room. Collectors Mr. Woodin Foster and Captain
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
JOHN G. AVERY,
Son of James, who was first Town Clerk of Machias. John Avery. Jr., brother of James, was Secretary of State of Massachusetts several years during and preceding the Revolution. Robert, another brother of James, was killed on the Margaretta.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Longfellow. Town Treasurer, George Stillman, Esq., The following officers were nominated and chosen by hand vote: Constables, Mr. William Albee and Mr. Ephraim Chase; Surveyors of Highways, Mr. Jonathan Pineo, Mr. Daniel Meservey, Mr. Nathan Longfellow, Mr. David Gard- ner, Jr., Col. Benjamin Foster, Mr. Samuel Holmes and Mr. Aaron Hanscom. Surveyors of lumber, Mr. Amos Boynton, Mr. Nathan Longfellow, Capt. Gideon O'Brien, Mr. Jonathan Pineo, Capt. Peter Talbot. Capt. Ephraim Chase and Capt. Joseph Seavy: Fence Viewers, Messrs Benjamin Gooch, George Seavey, Joseph Getchell and Nathan Longfellow, Jr. ; Hog Reeves, Messrs. Benjamin Foster, Jr., Amos Boynton, Enoch Waterhouse and Aaron Seavy. Haywards or Field Drivers. Messrs. John Foster Jr., and John Scott. Sealers of Leather, Messrs. Samuel Scott, Amos Boynton and Daniel Hoit; Sealers of Weights and Measures. Mr. Woodin Foster and Capt. Jonas Farns- worth ; Wardens, Deacon Joseph Libby and Col. Benjamin Foster.
Voted : That the collectors be allowed five per cent on all money they may collect, for taxes the ensuing year. Voted : That hogs be permitted to go at large the ensuing year. The meeting was then dissolved.
NOTIFICATION.
The free holders and other inhabitants of the town of Machias, qualified as the Law directs, are hereby notified to meet at the meeting house, at the eastern Falls, on Mon- day the sixteenth day of August next. at ten o'clock before noon, for the purpose of choosing some suitable person to represent this town in the Great and General Court of this Commonwealth.
By order of the Selectmen. JAMES AVERY, Town Clerk.
Machias, July 20, 1784
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Machias, August 16, 1784.
Agreeable to the above Warrant, the Freeholders and other inhabitants qualified by Law, met at the time and place above mentioned ; the Selectmen presiding at said meeting, when the votes being brought in for representative and counted, it appeared there was for James Avery, Esq., 38 votes; George Stillman, Esq., one; Stephen Jones, Esq., one and Enoch Waterhouse one ;- On which James Avery Esq., was declared by the Selectmen to be duly elected to represent this town in the General Court of this Commonwealth. The meeting was then dissolved.
STEPHEN JONES, Chairman of the Selectmen.
Attest : JAMES AVERY, Town Clerk.
The Freeholders and other inhabitants of Machias qualified by law, to vote in town meetings, are hereby notified to meet at the Meeting House, at the Western Falls, in said Machias, on Monday the sixteenth day of August next, at eleven o'clock before noon to act upon the following articles, viz: 1st, to choose a Moderator; 2nd, to grant such sum or sums of money as shall then be thought necessary for making and mending and building Pounds; also for one year's salary for the Rev. James Lyon from the time the last tax was made; likewise to grant such further sums of money as shall be necessary for defraying such other public expenses as has or may arise within the course of the present year; 3d, To choose a Committee for settling all accounts, that are due from or to the town; 4th, To invest the Selectmen with sufficient power to lease out the public marsh lots.
By order of the Selectmen.
JAMES AVERY, Town Clerk.
Machias August 10, 1784.
Agreeable to the foregoing Warrant the inhabitants met at the time and place therein mentioned and made choice of Stephen Jones, Esq., Moderator. Adjourned to two o'clock in the afternoon. Met according to adjournment. Voted that the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds be raised for the purpose of laying out and making roads and highways
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
within this town and for making one or more pounds. And that nine shillings the day be allowed each man and six shillings per day for each yoke of oxen, that may be employ- ed on said work., and that said sum of money be assessed and raised on the Poles and Estates of the inhabitants of the Township. Voted : That eighty-six pounds be assessed and raised for one year's salary for the Rev. James Lyon from the last assessment was made up. Voted : That a committee of three be appointed to settle all accounts due to or from the Town, and be and are hereby invested with full power for the purpose and that said Committee consist of Mr. James Noble Shannon, Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien and Stephen Jones, Esq. Voted : That the Rev. James Lyon have the use of the public marsh lots three ensuing years. The meeting was then dissolved.
Attest : JAMES AVERY, Town Clerk.
Each owner of cattle and sheep were required to have some recorded mark usually on the ears of the animals,- hence it is recorded that "John Scott's mark for his cattle, hogs and sheep, viz :- crop ent off of the left ear and a half taken off of the forward of the right ear.
Attest : JAMES AVERY, Town Clerk.
NOTIFICATION.
The inhabitants of Machias are hereby notified to assemble at the Meeting House, at the Western Falls in Machias on Saturday the 2nd day of October next at two o'clock in the afternoon to choose a Moderator, and then to see if this town will agree to permit the small pox to spread through the town by Inoculation and to act thereon as shall be thought expe- chent.
By order of the Selectmen.
STEPHEN JONES, Chairman. Machias Sept. 28th, 1784.
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Machias agreeable to the above Warrant, at time and place above mentioned, made choice of Deacon Joseph Libby, Moderator,
GEORGE STILLMAN, Clerk, pro tem.
Voted: That the inhabitants will not suffer the small- pox to spread through the town by Inoculation. Voted: that the Selectmen endeavor that the small-pox be prevented from spreading by Inoculation.
GEORGE STILLMAN, Clerk, pro tem.
Machias, March 5, 1785. To Wm. Albee and Ephraim Chase, Constables of the town of Machias, Greeting :-
You are hereby required to notify and warn the inhab- itants of the town of Machias qualified by Law to vote in town meetings, to assemble at the meeting house, at the Western Falls, in said town, on Monday the 28th of this instant March, at eleven o'clock before noon-1st, To choose a Moderator to said meeting; 2nd, To choose a Town Clerk, Selectmen and all other officers, that Incorporate towns in this Commonwealth of Massachusetts, are required by Law to choose in the month of March annually; 3d, To see if the town will agree to exchange land belonging to the town, now enclosed in Samuel Rich's field, the lower side of the road for a certain piece of land belonging to said Rich and lying in his pasture the upper side of the road, for the purpose of a burying ground, and thereon to place a meeting house and school house, to appoint a committee, to give and receive deeds in behalf of the town; 4th, To see if the town will agree to build one or more meeting houses and school houses in this town, where they shall be built and the method they will pursue and to appoint a committee for that purpose ; also to consider the Petition of James Noble Shannon pray- ing the town to sell him about ten square rods of land on the landing near Esquire Jones barn at East River, and to appoint a committee to agree for the price and give a deed on behalf of the Town.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
5th: To know whether the town will accept the Report of the Proprietors' Committee for laying out roads and land- ings as per their returns. 6th, To know whether the town will authorize their committee of accounts, to take Notes of hand from those that are indebted to the town. 7th. To grant such sums of money as shall be necessary for the sup- port of a school and for highways and for other charges.
By order of the Selectmen.
STEPHEN JONES, Chairman
Pursuant to the foregoing Warrant to me directed the inhabitants of Machias are hereby notified, to meet at the time and place and for the purposes therein mentioned.
WILLIAM ALBEE Constable.
Machias, March 23th, 1795 :- Agreeable to the foregoing Warrant, the inhabitants met at the time and place therein mentioned and made choice of Stephen Jones, Esq., Mode- rator. The meeting then adjourned 'till they could assemble at Mr. Job Burnham's house. Met according to adjourn- ment, and made choice of the following officers for the ensu- ing year: Ralph H. Bowles, Town Clerk: Selectmen. Stephen Jones, Esq .. Benjamin Foster. Esq .. Deacon Joseph Libby and Captain Stephen Smith: Assessors. Capt. Peter Talbot. Jonathan Pinco. Amos Boynton: Treasurer. Geo. Stillman. Esq ... Collectors. Capt. Joseph Seavey and Nathan Longfellow, Jr.
The following officers were nominated and chosen by hand vote : Constables JobBurnham and Ephraim Chase : Surveyors of Highways, Benjamin Foster. Nathan Longfellow. Samuel Holmes and Aaron Hanscom: Surveyors of Lumber. Amos Boynton. Peter Talbot. Joseph Seavy. Ephraim Chase. Jonathan Pineo, Gideon O'Brien. William Albee. Fence Viewers, JJoseph Mmison, Joseph Getchell. senior. Japhet Hill. Benjamin Gooch. Hog Reeves, JJames N. Shannon. Peter Talbot. Capt. Stephen Smith, Capt. Gideon O'Brien, Deacon Joseph Libby. Nathan Longfellow. Jr .. Stephen Munson; sealers of Leather, Sammel Scott, Jr. Amos
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Boynton, Daniel Hoit ; "Haywards" or Field Drivers, John W. Foster, Enoch Waterho: se, Obadich Hill, Stephen Munson : scalers of Weights and Measures, Woodin Foster. Gideon O'Brien; Wardens. Dea. Joseph Libby, Col. Benj. Foster.
Voted: That the selectmen have power given them to prevent the destruction or injury to fish which come in the river and give their directions accordingly. Voted also that the time limited for taking fish be from Monday morn- ing 'till Friday sunset; and no fish to be taken but in the aforesaid limited time; That no person be suffered to fish or dip for salmon above the Deep Hole at the bridge at the Western Falls. Voted : On the third. article in the Warrant, that a committee be appointed to agree with Mr. James Rich, respecting the land to be exchanged as therein men- tioned to give and receive deeds on behalf of the town: elected George Stillman, Stephen Jones and Woodin Foster, as a committee for that purpose. Voted on the fourth article in the Warrant: That there be two meeting houses built, one at the Western Falls and one at East River. and that, that part of the article with respect to building school- houses be dismissed; and that a committee be chosen to determine how and in what manner the meeting houses shall be built, and make their report at the May meeting next. Accordingly the town made choice of Dea. Joseph Libby, Stephen Jones, James N. Shannon, Capt Stephen Smith, Capt. Peter Talbot, George Stillman and Benjamin Foster. Esquires for that purpose. Voted, that a committee he appointed to consider the merits of James N. Shannon's request for the sale of a piece of land, at East River Land- ing and to make report at the time this meeting shall be ad- journed to. Accordingly choice was made of Dea. Joseph Libby, Capt Joseph Seavy, Mr. Woodin Foster, David Gardner, Jr., and Benjamin Foster as a committee for that purpose. Voted : That the fifth article in the Warrant be left under consideration, 'till the next meeting of this town. Voted: That the sixth article respecting the committee of accounts shall be as follows: That they are duly authorized
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
to take Notes of hand from those inhabitants, who are in- debted to the town, at the close of their accounts, payable in three months. Voted for adjournment 'till the next meeting of the town. The town then voted that the meet- ing be adjourned 'till the first Monday in April, next at 2 o'clock p. m.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
The inhabitants of the town of Machias, met according to adjournment, whereof Stephen Jones, Esq .. was Mod- erator. The badness of the weather prevented the committee from reviewing the piece of land that Mr. Shannon requested to purchase, therefore could not make Report at this meet- ing. Voted, that the request be adjourned 'till May meet- ing, at which time the committee are desired to make a re- Fort. Voted that the fifth article in the Warrant which was adjourned 'till this meeting be continued 'till May meeting next. Votel also, that the seventh article be adjourned 'till the May meeting. The meeting was then dissolved.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
Enoch Waterhouse's mark for his cattle, cheep and hogs, "swallow tail in each ear"
Lincoln. ss: To the Selectmen of the Town of Machias. Greeting: Agreeable to an Act of the General Court om- powering the inhabitants of the said County of Lincoln, Eastward of Union River, to choose a Register of Deeds. whose office is to be holden in the Town of Machias, you are hereby directed and required, in the name of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, to notify and call a legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said town of Machias, qualified as the Law directs to vote in town affairs. that they assemble and meet together in said Machias, as soon as may be. for the purpose of choosing a Register of Deeds for the said District, Eastward of U'nion River aforo- said, whose office is to be holden in said Machias, and the Clerk of said Town, is hereby directed and required, to take
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
due return on oath. to the subscriber at No. 6, of the names of the persons voted for and the number of votes which each person had set against their names respectively, that the same may be transmitted to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, next to be holden in Pownalborough, in and for the said County.
Given under my hand and seal at No. 6, this 27th day of February, Anno Domini, 1785.
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, Justice of Peace.
To William Albee, one of the Constables of the town of Ma- chias, Greeting :- You are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of Machias to assemble at the Meeting House at the Western Falls in said town on Monday the 28th day of March this instant, at four o'clock afternoon for the pur- pose of choosing a Register of Deeds for that part of the County of Lincoln Eastward of Union River, whose office is to be held at said town of Machias; by order of the Select- men.
STEPHEN JONES, Chairman.
According to the above requisition I hereby notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Machias to meet at the above mentioned place and time for the purpose aforesaid.
WILLIAM ALBEE. Constable.
Agreeable to the foregoing Warrant, the inhabitants met at the time and place therein mentioned and made choice of Stephen Jones, Esq., Moderator. Votes was then, agree- able to the requisition aforesaid, taken for Register of Deeds, and were as follows :
Col. George Stillman. 13 votes. Stephen Jones, Esq .. 9 votes.
Mr. James N. Shannon, 7 votes. Mr. William Tupper, 2 votes.
The meeting was then dissolved.
1. of C. RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
A town meeting legally called and warned was held at Western Falls, Monday, April 1th, 1755, for the choice of Governor, Lieut. Governor and one Senator for the ensuing y ar. The Selectmen presided. Votes were taken as follows :
Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq .. 28.
Hon. Azor Orne, Esq .. 1.
Hon. Thomas Cushing. Esq .. for L. G .. 29. Hon. William Lithgow. Esq .. for Senator, 29.
To Ephraim Chase and Job Burnham Constables of the Town of Machias. Greeting You are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants, qualified by Law to vote in town meetings, to assemble at the Meeting House at the Western Falls in said Machias, on Wednesday the eleventh day of May next. at ten o'clock before noon, to make choice of some suitable person to represent them in the Assembly the ensuing year. Then to choose a Moderator and act upon the following articles which were adjourned from March meeting to that time viz-To hear the report of the Committee appointed to consider the merits of Mr. James N. Shannon's request for the sale of a piece of land at East River Landing. 2nd, to know whether the town will ac- cept the report of the Proprietors' Committee for laying out roads and landings as per their returns. Also, to see if the town will approve of such roads and landings as shall have been laid out by the Lot layers or Selectmen and returns thereof made at that time. 3d, To grant such sums of money, as shall be necessary for the support of a school. for highways and other charges. Also, to choose a Surveyor of highways in lien of Mr. Nathan Longfellow, who declines serving. By order of the Selectmen.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk, Machias, March 25th, 1785.
Having been duly warned the inhabitants or legal voters. met at the time and place. Stephen JJones was chosen Mod- erator. Benjamin Foster and David Gardner, Jr., of the
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Committee to consider the merits of Mr. Shannon's request made report to the town meeting, that it was their opinion that the land requested for sale by said Shannon, may be disposed of without any injury or disadvantage to the town. Voted: That the piece of land requested by James N. Shannon be disposed of at a reasonable price, and that the Selectmen be empowered to sell and give a deed of a certain piece of land at East River Landing, to said Shannon and the money to be appropriated to the good of the town. Voted that the 2nd article in the Warrant be adjourned 'till next meeting.
Voted on the third article, that sixty pounds Lawful money be raised and levied as a tax on the town for the support of a school the ensuing year and that the Selectmen have power to divide the town into as many Districts, and in such manner as they may think necessary, and that each District be entitled to the money raised in it, provided it is applied for the support of a school, and not to be drawn from the Treasurer for any other purpose, but remain in his hands for the good of the town.
Voted: That no money be raised for repairing the high- ways and other charges this year.
Voted: That Mr. Nathan Longfellow, Jr., be Surveyor of highways this present year in lieu of N. Longfellow who declined serving. The meeting was then dissolved.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
Nathan Longfellow, Jr., -his mark for sheep, cattle and hogs, "Slope in under side of near ear and slit in the end of the off ear."
Machias, March 1. 1786.
The annual Town meeting was called by the Selectmen and the inhabitants duly notified by Ephraim Chase and Job Burnham, Constables, to assemble at the meeting house at the West Falls on Monday, the 27th day of this instant March, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, for the following pur- poses, -1st. to choose a Moderator. 2nd, to choose all such
1
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
town officers as Incorporate towns in this Commonwealth are by Law authorized to choose in the month of March annually. 3rd, to grant money for making and repairing highways and to build two pounds, and for the support of schools and other town charges that may arise. 4th, To choose one or more committees for settling the town ac- counts. 5th, To see if the town will accept such roads as have been laid ont. 6th. To see if the town will agree to build or procure suitable houses for public worship at the Western and Eastern Rivers and to grant money for that purpose. 7th, to know if the town will grant Dr. Parker Clark sufficient land to erect a dwelling house upon, on the side of the hill, by the North side of the old mill at the Western Falls.
By order of the Selectmen.
STEPHEN JONES, Chairman.
Job Burnham attended to his duties as Constable and made due return and the meeting was held, "agreeable to the foregoing Warrant. George Stillman, Esq .. was chosen Moderator; Ralph H. Bowles, Town Clerk ; Hon. Stephen Jones, Deacon Joseph Libby. Capt. Stephen Smith. Benjamin Foster and Morris O'Brien, Selectmen: Capt. Peter Talbot, Gideon O'Brien and Capt. David Longfellow, Assessors : George Stillman, Town Treasurer: Nathan Long- fellow, Jr., and John Foster Collectors: Win. Albee and Ephraim Chase, Constables; Amos Boynton, Jonathan Pineo, Daniel Meserve, George Seavy. Benjamin Gooch. Wm. Emerson and James Brown, Surveyors of Highways; Nathan Longfellow, Jr., Win. Albee, Amos Boynton, Gideon O'Brien, Peter Talbot. Ephraim Chase, Jonathan Pineo, Jude H. Morrill, Joseph Getchell. Jr., Surveyors of lumber. Obadiah Hill, Stephen Munson, Enoch Waterhouse and Eben Gardner. Fence Viewers: Job Burnham, James Gooch. Daniel Stone. Field Drivers: Amos Boynton, Daniel Hoit, sealers of leather: Dea. Joseph Libby, Capt. Peter Talbot. Sealers of weights and measures; Amos Boynton, David Longfellow. Gideon O'Brien John Archer,
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Benjamin Foster, Jr., Abijah Foster, Hog Reeves; Benj. Foster, Joseph Libbee and Amos Boynton. Wardens.
Voted: That the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds be raised the ensuing year to repair and make highways: That the wages for a man be nine shillings per day and for one yoke of oxen seven shillings per day. Voted: That two days work be levied upon each of the poles and the remain- der upon the estates. Voted: That there should be one pound built in the town where the Selectmen shall think the most convenient, and as large as they judge proper. and that they agree with some person or persons to erect and finish the same, and that the sum of fifteen pounds be raised to pay for said pound. Voted: That the sum of eighty pounds be raised the ensuing year for the support of a school: and that the Selectmen have power to divide the town into as many Districts, and in such manner, as they may think necessary, and that each District be entitled to the money raised in it. provided it is applied for the support of a school, and not to be drawn from the Treasurer for any other purpose but remain in his hands for the good of the town. Voted that the sum of twenty pounds be raised for the payment of Collectors. and other expenses for the ensuing year. Voted: that James Avery and William Tupper be an addition to the committee heretofore appointed to settle the accompts of the town. . 5th, -Voted : that the roads laid out by the Selectmen and lot layers, as by William Tupper's survey. and not laid before this meet- ing be accepted : except the road which is laid out between James Avery, and Job Burnham, lot, which. with the other road not yet accepted are to be under consideration and the article continued to the May meeting. Voted that a com- mittee be appointed to agree with Samuel Rich for the use of his house at East River, if they shall think it suitable, for a place for Public worship. and what repairs will be necessary : and that they converse with the proprietors of the meeting house at the Western Falls, to know upon what terms, they will let or sell the same, and make report at May meeting next. Voted That the Committee be Benjamin Foster.
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