Records relating to the early history of Boston ..

OF THE

i "d Co mmlssioners.

Ucs,

BOSTONIA§7

•STON TOWN RECORDS,

: 742 + .
i i

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

NOT TO BE TAKEN AW

A REPORT

BECORD COMMISSIONERS

CITY OF BOSTON,

CONTAINING THE

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742 TO 1757.

BOSTONIA

CONDITA.AD.

1630

BOSTON:

ROCKWELL AND CHURCHILL, CITY PRINTERS,

No. 39 ARCH STREET.
1885.

ro^>

PUBLIC

'

Y/'

[DOCUMENT 170 — 1885.]

CITY OF i 9 BOSTON.

A REPORT

RECORD COMMISSIONERS,

The present report, the fourteenth in number, is a con-
tinuation of the Town Records, and is continuous with the
Twelfth Report. The entries cover the period from March
14, 1742-3, through November 1, 1757, comprising the third
and fourth of the manuscript volumes.

The Tenth Report is still in the press, but will appear in a
few months.

The Fifteenth Report will continue the Selectmen's Records,
and a portion is already in type.

WILLIAM H. WHITMORE,
WILLIAM S. APPLETON,

*

Record Commissioners.

CITT HALL, BOSTON, December, 1885.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS.

Anno Domini: 1742-3

[5O9.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston in Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil
Hall on Monday the Fourteenth Day of March, A. D. 1742.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Charles Channcey D. D.

The Honourable John Jeffries Esqr. Acquainted the Town that
this being the first time of Meeting in Faneuil Hall since the Death
of Peter Faneuil Esqr. the Founder of the same, The Select Men
having Determined that same proper Respect should be paid to his
Memory, had Appointed & Desired Mr. John Lovell Master of the
South Grammar School to do the same, And then the said Mr.
Lovell having taken the Moderators Seat, which was hung in
Mourning Cloth made an handsome Oration on the Death of the
said Peter Faneuil Esqr.. to the great Acceptance of the Town.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
handy Vote) and,

The Honble. Thomas Gushing Esqr. was Unanimously Chosen.

Sundry Laws Read.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was Chosen Town Clerk for the Year ensuing
by a very great Majorit}*, and Sworn into that Office by the Honbl*
Anthony Stoddard Esqr.

Sundry Petitions Read Vizt.

Of Sundry Inhabitants for Paving Green Lane.

for a Bowling Green on Fort Hill.
relating to Faneuil Hall Market
for a Publick Market at the North and
South ends of the Town.

Of Mr. Nathaniel Emrnes for a Lease of Land at the head of the
Town Dock

Of the Engine Men to be Excused from other Service and to
have the Premium continued.

Of Mr. Nathaniel Wardell relating to the Hay Market

Of Mr. Abia Holbrook, to be Appointed Master of the North
Writing School.

Of Mr. Zechariah Hicks, for the same.

[51O.] Of Mr. Samuel White, Usher of the North Grammar-
School, for Addition to his Salary.

Of Mr. Peleg Wiswall, Master of the North Grammar School,
for Addition to his Salary.

A Motion made by Mr. Robert Rand that as the respective Fines
and Forfeitures arising to the Town from those Persons who refuse
to Serve in the Offices to which they are Chosen, were fixed & Set as

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

he Apprehends in Bills of the Old Tenor, that it would be best for
the Town to Determine whether the same Sums mentioned in said
Laws shall be in Lawful Money or Bills of the Old Tenor.

Motions made by the Select Men for Regulating Bakers, Trucks,
Carting, Wood, Coaches &c. Mending the Neck &c.

A Motion made by Mr. Jeremiah Belknap for keeping the Gran-
ary open every Day in the Forenoon.

Voted, To proceed to the Choice of Seven Select Men.
The Votes being accordingly Collected & Sorted it Appeared
that the following Gentlemen were Chosen to that Office for the
Year ensuing, Vizt.

The Honble. John Jeffries Esqr.
Capt. Alexander Forsyth
Jonas Clarke Esqr.

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. j- Select Men.

Mr. Thomas Hancock
Mr. Middlecott Cooke
Capt. John Steel
Adjourned, to Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Afternoon, The Inhabitants being Assembled.
The Motion made by Mr. Rand in the Forenoon relating to Finos
&c. now came under Consideration and after some Debate
thereon

Voted, That any Person or Persons Chosen to any Office in the
Town for the Year ensuing who in Case of refusing is Obliged to
Pay any Fine or Penalty shall be Excused from Serving Provided
he or thej- shall Pay their respective Fines in Bills of tiie Old Tenor as
the Several Persons did who were the last Year Elected and refused
to Serve.

[511.] A Motion made by Mr. Joseph Marion that the Thanks
of the Town be given to Mr. John Lovell for his handsome Per-
formance in the Forenoon in Pronouncing the Oration desired of
him by the Select Men on Occasion of the Death of Peter Faneuil
Esqr. & that the same be Entred on the Records of the Town &
that a Copy thereof be desired for the Press.

Voted, To Choose Twelve Constables distinct from Collectors of
Taxes, accordingly

Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Excused
Pay

• Constables.

Mess". John Lane Junr.

Caleb Joseph Gray
Job Coit
David Webb
Ezekiel Lewis
Ralph Inman

Caleb Lyman Pay

John Bennett Pay

Nathaniel Thayer Pay

James Butler Pay

William Fletcher Pay

John Thwing Excus'd.

were Chosen Constables.

Mr. Caleb Lyman Appeared & Said that he was drawn at the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742-3. 3

last Town Meeting to Serve as a Petit Juror at the Superiour
Court of Judicature &c8. now Sitting & Expected to Pay
a Fine of Forty Shillings for not Serving there, & Prayed to be
Excused from Serving Constable, The Question being put, Whether
he should be Excused for the Reasons given, Voted in the Neg-
ative.

The following Gentlemen were Chosen Overseers of the Poor
for the Year ensuing, Vizt.

The Hon. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
William Tyler Esqr.
John Hill Esqr.
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.

Mr. Edward Bromfield , Overseerg of Poor

Col°. William Downe
Mr. Samuel Hunt
Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Deacon John Phillips
Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. George Rogers
[512.] Voted, That the Town proceed to the Choice of a
County Treasurer Tomorrow at Eleven o'Clock, & then take into
Consideration the Affairs of the Markets, and the Petition for a
Bowling Green on Fort Hill.

The Petition of the Engine Men to be Excused from Duty and
to have the Premium of Five Pounds Old Tenor to the Engine that
shall be first brought to Work upon any Building on Fire — Read,
and

Voted, That the Prayer of the Petition be granted, Provided
they carry with them their Axe and Hook to the Fire.

On the Motion made by Mr. Joseph Marion relating to Mr.

Lovells Oration

Voted Unanimously, That the Select Men be desired to give the
Thanks of the Town to the said Mr. Lovell for his handsome
and ingenious Oration Pronounced by him in the Forenoon
on Occasion of the Death of Peter Faneuil Esqr. and that they
desire of him a Copy for the Press the same to be published at the
Expence of the Town and Entred with the Records thereof.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Town Treasurer and
upon Collecting and Sorting the Votes it Appeared that

The Honble. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. was Chosen by a very
great Majority.

Voted, That the Choice of a School Master for the North
Writing School be Tomorrow at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon.
Mess™. William White Pay ")

Samuel Phillips Savage Pay
Benjamin Green Pay

William Cowell Pay

Nathaniel Richardson Sworn
Henry Perkins Pay _

were Chosen Constables.

4 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Then the Town Adjourned to Nine o'Clock Tomorrow Morning.

Tuesday, March 15. 1742. the Town being Assembled.
Mess™. Seth Coburn Pay "^

Daniel Marsh Pay |
Samuel Eliot Pay }• Constables.
Kenelm Winslow Pay |
John Gutteridge Pay J
were Chosen Constables.

[513.] According to the Vote of Yesterday the Town pro-
ceeded to the Choice of a Schoolmaster for the North Writing
School in the room of Mr. John Procter who has resigned that
place and upon Collecting and Sorting the Votes it Appeared that
Mr. Zechariah Hicks was Chosen by a very great Majority.

According to the Vote of Yesterday the Town now proceeded to
the Choice of a County Treasurer, and the Votes being brought in
they were Sealed up by Mr. Constable Lane, and Delivered to
him, to be by him kept and returned to the next Court of Quarter
Sessions.

According to the Vote of Yesterday the Town now proceeded to
take into Consideration the Affairs of the Markets, according to the
Petition of Sundry Inhabitants, And after a long Debate, For the
better Regulation of Fanenil Hall Market, It was

Voted, That the Select Men be desired to Shut up the Market
at Faneuil Hall, Three Days in the Week, Vizt. Mondays, Wednes-
days and Frydays, and that the same be Opened the other Three
Days, Vizt. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until Twelve
o'Clock, and then be Shut up and Continue so doing until the next
General Town Meeting, And in the mean time the Select Men are
desired to Consult what is farther Necessary to be done for the
better Regulating of said Market and make Report thereon at the
said next General Town Meeting.

Voted, That the Sura of Sixty Pounds Bills of the Old Tenor be
Allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury unto Mr. Thomas
Jackson Clerk of Faneuil Market in full for his Service and all
Expences he has been at in Sweeping the same and Ringing the
Bell.

Mess™. Ephraim Bound
John Welch Pay

Gammon Stevens Pay

iTT-ii- ot -n> » i r Constables.

W ilbam Story Excns d

Neal Mclntire Sworn

Jonathan Bryant Excus'd

were Chosen Constables.

[514.] Voted, That the Consideration of the Petition of
Sundry Inhabitants relating to the Opening the North & South
Markets be refer'd to the next General Town Meeting.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Clc>rk for Faneuil Hall
Market for the Year ensuing and upon Collecting & Sorting the
Votes it Appeared that Mr. John Stanilord was Chosen by a great
Majority.

Voted, That the Select Men give such Orders & Directions to the

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1742-3. 5

Clerk of the Market from time to time for the Regluation thereof
until the next General Town Meeting as they shall think proper.

Voted, That the Petition of Sundiy Inhabitants relating to the
having a Bowling Green on Fort Hill be taken into Consideration
at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Adjourned to Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Afternoon, the Town being Assembled according to Adjourn-
ment.

Mess". Caleb Ray. Pay ")

Joseph Butler Sworn

John Comrin Sworn ^ Constables

Sampson Sheafe Pay

John Gould Excus'd
were Chosen Constables.

According to the Vote of the Forenoon, the Petition of Several
of the Inhabitants for a Bowling Green on Fort Hill was taken
into Consideration, and after a Long Debate thereon, A Question
was put, Whether any part of Fort Hill should be Appropriated
fora Bowling Green according to the Prayer of the Petitioners?
And itpass'd in the Affirmative. But the Matter remaining doubt-
ful Seven of the Inhabitants desired the same 'may be decided by
a Poll, which was accordingly done & thereupon it appeared to
be a Clear Vote by a great Majority, and then it was

Voted, That the Select Men be & hereby are Impowered to
Lease out unto such Persons & for such term of time and at such
Rent as they shall think proper, such a part of the said Hill as
they think Necessary for a Bowling Green with this Restriction
that the same shall be Quitted by the Lessees & given up to the
Town when ever they require it.

[515.] Voted, to Choose Seven Assessors for the Year ensu-
ing, and

Mess™. Richard Buckley

Joshua Blanchard

Jacob Parker

Daniel Pecker }• Assessors.

Nathaniel Barker

William Fairfield

Jospeh Roby J

were Chosen accordingly.

On a Motion made by Several of the Inhabitants relating to
David Webb who was Chose & Sworn in a Constable Yesterday,
that he was really unable to Attend the Duty of that Office being
in a Bad State of Health &c. and he Appeared and prayed the
Town to Consider thereof, & after some Debate thereon, Voted,
That he be Excused accordingly, and that another be Chosen in
his Room.

Mess". William Simpkins Pay ~\

James Morris Sworn >- Constables

John Whittemore Sworn J
were Chosen Constables.
Adjourned till Tomorrow Morning Nine o'Clock.

6

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Wednesday, March. 16. 1742. the Town being Assembled
Mr. Joseph Roby who was Yesterday Chosen an Assessor
Appeared and Prayed that the Town would Excuse him from
Serving in that Office, for that his Business will not Admit of it,
and he is a Standing Grand Juror for the present Year, The Ques-
tion being put, Whether he should be Excused? And it pass'd in
the Affirmative.

The Town then proceeded to the Choice of another Person to
Serve in that Office in his room, and upon Collecting the Votes it
Appeared that Mr. Nathaniel Gardner was Chosen.

Mess". Jeremiah Allen Excus'd ) n

> Constables.
Robert Breck Pay j

were Chosen Constables.

[516.] Mr. Jeremiah Allen Appeared & Moved that he might
be Excused from Serving as a Constable, for that he hath had the
Honour of Sitting in the Honourable House of Representatives as
a Member of said House, and that it had not been the Practice of
the Town to Choose any such Person to be a Constable, The Ques-
tion being put, Whether he should be Excused for the reason
given, And it passed in the Affirmative, and he was Excused
accordingly.

Mr. John Wells was Chosen a Constable & Sworn.

Voted, That there be Sixteen Viewers of Shingles &ca. Chosen,
and that they be Chosen by a handy Vote, and

Mess™. Thomas Foster

Capt. John Indicott
Edward Moberly
Edward Richards
John Ruddock
William Paine
Benjamin Russell
Joseph White
Matthew Barnard
Moses Eayres
John Lewis Vintenon
James Barnard
John Simpson
Samuel Hood
Moses Tyler

Sworn "

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn >• Viewers of Shingles &c.

Pay

Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn

Samuel Brown Engine Man. ,

were Chosen accordingly.

On a Motion made, It was Voted, That the Selectmen be and
hereby are desired and Impowered to make such Agreements and
Allowances to the Clerks of the Market for the better Enabling
them to Discharge the Duty of their Office as shall be thought
proper and Necessary by the said Select Men.

Voted, That Twelve Clerks of the Market be Chosen and

Mess". Ebenezer Simpson Sworn

Benjamin Goldthwait Sworn Clerks of the Market
Samuel Jackson Sworn

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742-3.

[517.] John Mc.Neal
Samuel Service
Holmes Simpson
Edward "Winter
John Collson
David Jenkins
Benjamin Babbidge
Thomas Eades
John Scolley
William Pattin

were accordingly Chosen.

Mess". Daniel Coney
James Nichols
were Chosen Constables.

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Pay

Sworn

Pay

Pay

Clerks of the Market.

1 Constables.

Fence Viewers.

Mess™. Joseph Russell Sworn

James Tileston Sworn

Hopestill Foster Sworn

William Bastow Sworn
Joshua Thornton
Onesiphortis Tileston Sworn

William Thwing Sworn

John Adams Sworn

were Chosen Fence Viewers for the Year ensuing.

Capt. Andrew Sigourney Pay ") n , ,
Mr. Samuel Gooding, Cooper Pay j L

were Chosen Constables.

Mess™. Benjamin Barnard

John Helyer Sworn

Harvey Thomas Sworn

John Hobbs Sworn

David Kent Sworn
Samuel Gooding

Thomas Hake Sworn

> Cullers of Staves

were Chosen Cullers of Staves for the Year ensuing.

Mr. Isaac Gridley was Chosen Surveyor of Hemp and Flax for
the Year ensuing.

[518.] Mess™. Nathaniel Hodgdon Sworn
Thomas Inches Sworn
John Allen

William Nesbett Sworn
William Brown Sworn I
William Darrington Sworn |
John Lawson

Sealers of Leather.

were Chosen Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.

Scavingers.

8 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mess™. John Holyoke
John Collson
William Salter
Ebenezer Holmes
Thomas Boucher
Joseph Bradford
George Skinner
Thomas Fleet
Richard Salter
James Griffin (Cordwainer)
Thomas Simpkins
Thomas Lee

were Chosen Scavingers for the Year ensuing

Mr. John Sowden was Chosen a Constable. Sworn.

Mess™. Richard Hubbard Sworn ) r ~ ut -r^

KT *u • i n _« f Informers ab'. Deer.

Nathaniel Gardner j

were Chosen to inform against & Prosecute the Violaters of the
Act for the better Preservation and Increase of Deer within this
Province.

Mr. Richard-Carter Cowell was Chosen Haward for the Year
ensuing.

Voted, That the Select Men be Surveyors of the High Ways.

Mess™. Harrison Gray "1

Jacob Emmons Sworn ! TTOOTPVPC.
Joseph Webb Sworn f J
John Harris Sworn j

were Chosen Hogreves for the Year ensuing.

A Question being put, Whether they would Choose Tything Men ?
And it passed in the Negative.

[519.] The Petition of Mr. Peleg Wiswall, Master of the
North Grammar School, for an Addition to his Salaiy, Read at
the Opening of the Meeting, now came under Consideration & after
some Debate thereon,

Voted, That the Town will not at present make any Addition to
his Salary, but in Consideration that the Necessarys of Life have

been very Scarce and not Purchased but at a great Cost That

the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Bills of the Old Tenor be paid
out of the Town Treasury unto Mr. Peleg Wiswall.

The Petition of Mr. Samuel White, Usher of the North Gram-
mar School, praying for an Addition to his Salary, now come
under Consideration and after some Debate

Voted, That the Sum of Forty Pounds Bills of the Old Tenor be
Added to his Salary.

The Petition of Mr. Nathaniel Wardell relating to the Ha}'
Market, now came under Consideration and after a Debate thereon

Voted, That the Affair of Weighing of Hay at the said Market

be refer'd to the Select Men who are hereby Impowered to Agree
with the said Nathaniel Wardell the Son or any of his Relations

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742-3. 9

for Weighing of Hay, provided be or they give Sufficient Security
to the Satisfaction of the Select Men that the Duty of that place
shall be well performed.

The Petition of a Number of the Abutters & Proprietors of Land
in Green Lane, for Paving the said Lane, now came under Consid-
eration and after some Debate thereon

It was Voted, That the Prayer thereof be so far Granted, as
that the Town shall repay their proportionable part of the Charge
of Paving the said Lane at the times mentioned in the said Peti-
tion, Vizt. One third part thereof in the Year, 1743. Another
third in 1744. And the other third part thereof in the Year, 1745.
the same to begin and extend from the Pavement before Doctor
Bulfinch's House to the Corner of Mr. Barrett's Land, the same
to be done by the Direction and to the Approbation of the Select
Men.

Adjourned to Four o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Afternoon, the Inhabitants being Assembled.
Voted, That the Choice of Collectors of Taxes be refer'd to the
next General Town Meeting.

[52O.] Whereas the Collectors of Taxes have Represented
to the Town that there are many Persons still in Arrears for
their Taxes, Praying the Advice of the Town thereon there-
upon

Voted, That the said Collectors Exhibit to the Town at their
next General Meeting, a List of the Names of all such Persons as
have not paid their Taxes due from them by that time.

The Report of the Select Men on the Visitation of the Publick

Schools Read and is as follows, Vizt.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Boston in Town
Meeting Assembled, March. 14. 1742.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Annual Meet-
ing the Eighth of March last past, Desiring the Select Men to Visit
the Several Publick Schools in the Town, & to desire such Gentle-
men to Accompany them therein as the}" should think proper, and
to Report thereon.

We the Subscribers accordingly Attended that Service on
Wednesday the Twenty third Day of June last, Accompanied by
the following Gentlemen, Vizt.

His Pixcellency William Shirley Esqr.
The Hon. Ezekiel Lewis Esqr.
The Hon. Nathaniel Ilubbard Esqr.
The Hon. John Read Esqr. •

The Hon. Samuel Waldo Esqr.
The Revd. Joseph Sewall D.D.
The Revd. Mr. Samuel Checkley
The Revd. Mr. William Hooper
Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. and
Doctr. Thomas Bulfinch.

And found the said Schools under good Regulation, The Number
of Scholars in each School were as follows, Vizt. In the South
Grammar School Ninety four, In the South Writing School Seventy

10 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

three, In the Writing School in Queen Street Seventy three, In the
North Grammar School Sixty five And in the North Writing School
Two Hundred and Thirty.

JOHN JEFFRIES ~]

ALEXANDER FORSYTE c , , ,,
JOHN STEEL Delect Men.

THOMAS HANCOCK J

[521.] Voted, That this Report be Accepted, and that the
Gentlemen the Select Men be desired to Visit the Publick Schools
the Year ensuing, and that they desire such Gentlemen to Accom-
pany them therein as they shall think Convenient & that they
Report thereon :

The Report of a Committee appointed the Twenty fourth Day
of May last, to Audit the Town Treasurers Accounts for the Year
past, as Entred in the Treasurers Books, Read, Accepted and

Voted, That the Treasurer be (so far) accordingly Discharged.

The Select Mens Report OH Mr. Francis Willoughbys Account
of the Granary for the Year past, and as Entred in his Book Read,
and Voted, That the said Report be Accepted, and accordingly
that Mr. Willoughby be farther Accountable to the Town for Four-
teen Hundred & Ninety Nine Bushels of Corn, Thirty five Bushels
of Rye, and the Sum of One Hundred & Thirty Nine Pounds, Five
Shillings & Seven pence in Bills of Credit of the Old Tenor, the
whole of which Amounts to Nine Hundred and Nineteen Pounds
Nineteen Shillings & a penny Old Tenor, which remains in his
Hands Exclusive of Mr. Willoughbys Salary for the year past,
Vizt. One Hundred Pounds Old Tenor, which is hereby also Al-
lowed

Voted, That The Hon. Edward Hutchinson Esqr.
Joshua Winslow Esqr.
Francis Borland Esqr.
Mr. John Wheelwright, and
Mr. Thomas Greene

be a Committee to Audit the Town Treasurers Accounts for the
year ensuing and make Report as Usual, and that they also Audit
the Accounts of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the Alms-
house And also the Work house and to Attend the Affairs at the
Usual place of the Overseers Meeting, and said Accounts being
Audited, the Committee to make Report thereon at the next Gen-
eral Town Meeting, And the Overseers are desired to lodge the
particular Disbursements in reference to the Almshouse, and also
a Summary Account respecting the Work house in the Town
Clerks Office.

The Petition of Nathaniel Emmes, Setting forth That the Vacant
Peice of Ground at the Head of Dock Square behind the [522.]
Watch house is intirely Useless to the Town as it now is & little
better than a Sink of Filth & Dirt which is very Offensive to the
Inhabitants that live thereabout, Proposing to the Town that if
they would Lease out to him for such a term of Years as shall be
thought proper that part of the Head of said Dock that belongs to
the Town at a Small Quit Rent, he at his own Expence would
Build a Substantial Hollow Wharfe & a Small Shop or Shed thereon

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742-3. 11

for Carrying on the Business of a Stone Cutter & at the End of
said Lease deliver up the said Wharfe & Building to the Town free

of all Charge & Expence for Erecting the same being Read and

after some Debate thereon

It was Voted, That the Select Men be desired to Consider of the
Prayer thereof & Report what is proper for the Town to do thereon
at the next General Town Meeting.

A Question was put, Whether the Town will Choose a Commit-
tee for Purchasing Grain &c. by a handy Vote? It passed in the

Affirmative and

Mess™. Jeremiah Belknap In tee e

John Salter, and f- ^ot ' .

Deacon Samuel Bridgeham) Purcha^g Grain,
were Chosen accordingly, and they are hereby Impowered to give
All Needful Directions to the Master of the Granary respecting the
Quantities of Grain to be Sold and Setting the Price thereof from
time to time.

On a Motion made, Voted That the Committee for Purchasing
Grain be desired to give Orders to the keeper of the Granary that
he keep open the same Three Days in a Week Vizt. Mondays
Wednesda3Ts and Frydays, and that he give his Attendance there
accordingly.

On a Motion made, Voted That the Select Men be desired to
prepare a By-Law for the regulating the great Inconveniences and
Disorders that Attend the driving of Coaches Chaises &c. on Lords
Days, Also

Voted, That the Representatives of this Town be desired to get
a Law passed the Great and General Court as soon as may be to
Irnpower the Select Men to Regulate Trucks, Carts &c. and
Setting the Prices for any Service they may do.

[523.] On a Motion made by the Honourable Thomas
Gushing Esqr. the Moderator that the Report of a Committee
Appointed the Nineteenth of May last to Draw up and Set forth
to the General Court the distressing Circumstances of the Town
and to Pray for Relief as to their proportion of the Province Tax,
be Entred in the Towns Book of Records.

It was Voted, That the Town Clerk take Care that the same be
done accordingly.

The Select Men having presented the List of Jurors taken the
last Year for the Superiour and Inferiour Courts, the same is refer'd
to the next General Town Meeting, the Town then to Act upon
the same.

Voted That the Consideration of Raising Money be refer'd to
the next General Town Meeting, Also

Voted, That the Several Motions made by the Select Men at
the Opening of the Meeting relating to the better Regulation of
the Bakers, Carting Wood and Mending the Neck be refer'd to the
next General Town Meeting.

Voted, That the Thanks of this Town be given to the Honour-
able Thomas Gushing Esqr. the Moderator for his great pains in
Regulating and giving Dispatch to the Business of this Meeting.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

12 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Boston March. 16. 1742.

The following Report of the Committee appointed the Nineteenth
of May last, to draw up and Set forth to the General Court the
distressing Circumstances of the Town and to Pray for Relief as to
their proportion of the Province Tax, was Ordered to be here Re-
corded by Vote of the Town of this Day, Vizt.

To the Honourable Thomas Cushing Esqr. and other the Rep-
resentatives of the Town of Boston.

Gentlemen,

As the Town of Boston has Chosen us a Committee to Represent
to You the Distressed State thereof at [524.] This Day in Order
to be laid before the General Court for their Consideration and to
Obtain a very large Abatement in the Apportioning of their Share
in the Province Tax for the future, so to Shorten the Representation
We take leave to refer you to the Memorial laid before the General
Court Anno Domini, 1735. and shall only Observe upon the
Material Difference between the State of the Town at that time
Compared with this Day.

Our Trade in general at this Day (by the best Light which can be
had) is not above One half that it was in 1735. and so much upon
the Decline that there is great danger of its being reduced to the
greatest Extremity and Consequently renders the Town unable to
Pay such a verj" large Proportion of the Province Tax as the}7
have Usually stood Charged with in time past.

Our Distilling which at that Day was much upon the Decline is
much more reduced at this Occasioned by the great Demand for
Rom at Jamaica to Supply the Fleet which has Encouraged the
Inhabitants of that Island to Distill most of their Molasses into
Rum which otherwise would have been brought hither as usual to
be Manufactured, Also the great Demand for Rum in Ireland and
other places in Europe has Encouraged the Distilling in Our
Windward Islands That We have little Molasses from thence so
that the Quantity of Molasses Distilled at this Day does not Amount
to above Two thirds of what there was in 1735. So that We Suffer
exceedingly in that Branch of Trade Compared with time past.

Our Cod Fishery, the difference between that Article as Com-
plained of in 1735. and this Day Stands thus that altho' Our En-
couragement was very small at that Day Yet Our Navigation and
Trade was kept up by Sending the Fish abroad in Our own Vcssells,
and Paying for Fish in the Course of Our own Trade which We
are now almost entirely Stript of and both Fish and Supply is
Confined to the Fishing Towns who generally Send it abroad in
their own Vessells Especially Marblehead Salem and Plymouth
which has rendered them much Abler and Us much less to Support
Our Usual proportion of the Province Tax.

Our Trade to the West Indies, Compared with 1735. has grown
so much Worse as at this Day as to be almost reduced to Nothing
and Our Discouragement so great as that We [525.] Are Obliged
to lay up Our Vessells not knowing where to Emplo}' them to the
least Advantage.

Our Trade to London the Variation between 1735. & this time
is exceedingly Altered for the worse, as a Town it was then Al-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742-3. 13

lowed that the greatest Advantage this Town reaped from that
Trade was by Ship Building which Employed most of Our Trades-
men, But that is now reduced so that whereas in 1735. Orders
might arrive for Building Forty Sail of Ships, there has been as
yet but Orders for Two, by which means this most Advantagious
Branch of Trade to Our Mother Countrey being lessened to so great
a degree must Necessarily Oblige a great many of Our Useful
Tradesmen to leave the Town as many have already done, so that
this Town will Suffer exceedingly for want of that Branch of Trade
being properly Supported and thereby rendered much less Able to
Support a large Tax, thnn from the decline of all the other
Brunches of Trade together by reason that Branch Emplo}"ed more
Men than all tlie rest.

The Charges of the Town are exceedingly increased upon Us, We
shall Add no more than to Shew the Difference of Charge from

1735. to this time, The Charge 1735. for the Poor was £2069

1736 to 1740. above £3300 Annually 1740. the Charge

was £4800. and this Year its Apprehended £5000 will but

bearly Support the Charge.

The whole Town Rate Stands thus for the last Years. 1738.

£8600. 1739. £8600. 1740. £8600. 1741. £11000.

1742. £11000.

The Decrease of Polls Stands thus.

1738 Polls Rated 3395.

1739 . . 3231.

1740 . . 3043.

1741 . . 2972.

So that in Four Years the Decrease of Polls is 423. almost One
Eighth part of the Number of Rated Inhabitants And therefore
Nothing can be a greater proof of the Towns inability to Pay so
large a proportion of the Province Tax as in times past that Our
Rateable Polls are Yearly decreased and like to be more so, Our
Trade very much decayed and Our Poor & Town Charge exceed-
ingly increased when at the same time it cannot be denyed But
that the Province as such is much increased [526.] Settlements
of New Towns made & other Towns daily filled with Inhabitants
and much improved and great part of Our Useful Trade gone to
other Towns which upon the whole renders them much Abler to
bear a larger and this Town a much smaller Tax than in time past.
Again the Excessive high price of Provisions for Two Years
past has exceedingly Impoverished this Town whilst the Coun-
trey Towns in general have raised their own Provisions and been
free from such a Calamity which in the Winter Season, 1740.
very much distressed Our Inhabitants & had it not been for the
extended Charity of Able & well disposed Persons amongst Us
a great many must have Suffered exceedingly & some did Notwith-
standing all the Care to prevent it ; All which has reduced this
Town & increased the Countrey by Our paying a most Extravagant
price to them for Wood and Provissions which We were Obliged to
Buy of the Neighbouring Towns, by reason the Winter Set in
early, Closed the Harbour with Ice, and Shut out Our Wood and
Provissions which We were wont to be Supplyed with at Easy Rates.

14 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

In the Town Moreover there is a great man}' Polls which :irc not
Rated and are Supported b}' Charity not included in the Charge of
the Towns Poor.

The Support of the Ministry is increased £4000 a Year since
1735. for whereas it was but £8000, then, its now £12000.

Upon the whole its Apprehended this Town ought not at this
Day to Stand Charged with more than One Tenth or at most One
Eighth part of the Province Tax.
We are

Gentlemen,

Your most Obedient humble Servants.

NATHL. CUNNINGHAM

Boston Dec. 2. 1742. THOMAS HOTCHINSON [ Committee.

Jos. MARION

[527.] The Oration Pronounced by Mr. John Lovell at the
Opening of the Meeting, on Occasion of the Death of Peter
Faneuil Esqr. is here Recorded by Order of the Town, and is in
the Words following, Vizt.

I Stand in Ibis place, my Fellow Townsmen, and my worthy
Patrons, at the Call of those to whom you have committed the
Direction of }-our Publick Affairs, to condole with 3*011 for the Loss
of your late generous Benefactor, The Founder of this House.
Certain I am, there are Numbers in this great Assembly, who could
upon this Occasion have clone more Justice to his Memory, and
and have better Discharged the Office that is enjoin'd me. But the
Commands of those (for such I must alwa}'S esteem their Desires)
who have devolved this Charge upon me, and the Veneration I
have for the Vertues of the Deceas'd, oblige me to bear what little
Part I can, in a grateful Acknowledgement of the just Regard due
to the Memor}' of a Man, whose Name, I'm sure will never be for-
gotten among us.

How soon, alas ! is our Joy for having found such a Benefactor,
chang'd into Mourning for the Loss of him ! But a few Months
are pass'd, since we were framing Votes, and consulting the best
Measures to express onr Gratitude for his unexampled Favours ;
and this first Annual Meeting within these Walls that were rais'd
by his Bounty, finds us Assembled in the deepest Sorrow for his
Decease

Instances of Mortality are never more affecting than in those
whose Lives have been Publick Blessings. Surely then every
Breast must feel a more than common Distress, for the Loss of
One, whose Largeness of Heart equal'd, great as it was, his Power
to do Good. Honest Industry must mourn, for which the Exercise
of his Bounty found an almost constant Employment : And they
that know how to Pity the Calamities of human Nature themselves,
will mourn for him that always reliev'd them.

[528.] So soon as he arriv'd to the Possession of his large
and plentiful Estate : instead of fruitlesly hoarding up his Treas-
ures, tho' no Man managed his Affairs with greater Prudence and
Industry; instead of wasting them in Luxury, tho' Plenty always
crovyn'd his Board ; instead of Neglecting the Wants of his Fellow-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1742-3. 15

Creatures, an unhappy Circumstance too often attending the Pos-
session of Riches, he made it manifest that he understood the true
Improvement of Wealth, and was determin'd to pursue it. It was
to him the highest EnjO3rment of Riches, to relieve the Wants of
the Needy, from which he was himself exempted, to see Mankind
rejoicing in the Fruits of his Bounty, and to feel that divine Sat-
isfaction which results from Communicating Happiness to others.
His Acts of Charity were so Secret and unbounded, that none hut
they who were the Objects of it can Compute the Sums which he
annually Distributed among them. His Alms flow'd like a fruit-
ful River, that diffuses it's Streams thro' a whole Country. He fed
the Hungry , and he Cloath'd the Naked, he comforted the Father-
less, and the Widows in their Affliction, and his Bounties visited
the Prisoner. So that Almighty God in giving Riches to this
Man, seems to have Scattered Blessings all abroad among the
People.

But these private Charities were not the only Effects of his Pub-
lick Spirit, which, not contented with Distributing his Benefactions
to private Families, extended them to this whole Community.
Let this Stately Edifice which bears his Name Witness for him,
what Sums he expended in Publick Munificence, This Building
Erected by him at an immense Charge, for the Convenience and
Ornament of the Town, is incomparablj" the greatest Benefaction
ever yet known to Our Western Shonr. Yet this Effect of his
Bounty, however great is but the first Fruits of his Generosity a
Pledge of what his Heart, alvva3's devising liberal Things, would
have done for us, had his Life been Spar'd. It is an unspeakable
Loss to the Town, that he was taken away in the midst of his
Days, and in so Sudden a manner, as to prevent his making Pro-
vission for what his generous Heart might [529.] Design. For I
am well Assur'd from those who were Acquainted with his Purposes,
that he had many more Blessings in Store for us, had Heaven pro-
long'd his Days.

But he is gone ! The Town's Benefactor, the Comforter of the
Distress'*!, and the poor Man's Friend.

He is gone ! And all his Plans of future Bounties with him,
they are Buried in the Grave together. lie shall be rai.s'd to
Life again : And his intended Charities, tho' they are lost to tfs,
will not be lost to him. Designs of Goodness and Mercy, prevented
as these were, will meet with the Reward of Actions.

He is gone ! . . . And must such Men Die ! Die in the midst of
their Days ! Must the Protectors and Fathers of the Distressed be
taken away, while their Oppressors are continued, and increase in
Power ! . . . Great God ! How Unsearchable are thy Ways ! . . .
We Confess Our Sins, but just and righteous art Thou.

To express your Gratitude to your generous Benefactor, you.
have pitss'd the most honourable Resolves, and to preserve his
Memory, you have call'd this House by his Name. But in vain,
alas, would you perpetuate his Memory by such frail Materials !
These Walls, the present Monuments of his Fame, shall Moulder
into Dust: These Foundations, however deeply laid, shull (>e for-
gotten. But his Deeds, his Charities, shall survive the Ruins of

16 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Nature. And to have reliev'd the Miseries of the Distress'd, to
have still'd the Cries of Orphans, and to have dry'd the Widow's
Tears, are Acts that shall embalm his Memory for many Gener-
ations on Earth, and shall follow him beyond the Limits of Mor-
tality, into those blissful Regions where endless Charity dwells.

What now remains, but my ardent Wishes (in which I know }*ou
will all concur with me) That this Hall ma}- be ever Sacred to the
Interests of Truth, of Justice, of Loyalty, of Honour, of Liberty.
May no private Views nor party Broils ever enter within these
Walls ; but may the same publick Spirit that glow'd in the Breast
of the generous Founder, influence all your Debates, that Society
may reap the Benefit of them.

[53O.] May Liberty always spread its joyful Wings over this
Place : Liberty that opens Men's Hearts to Beneficence and gives
the Relish to those who enjoy the Effects of it. And may Loyalty
to a King, under whom we enjoy this Libert}', ever remain our
Character. A Character always justly due to this Land, and of
which our Enemies have in vain Attempted to rob us.

May those who are the Inheritors of the large Estate of our
Deceased Benefactor, inherit likewise the Largeness of his Soul.
May the Widow, the Orphan, and the Helpless, find in them a
Protector, a Father, & a Support. In a Word, to Sum up all, May
Faneuil live in them.

May Charity, that most excellent of Graces, that Beam from the
Breast of the Father of Mercies, which so soon as ever it enters our
Bosoms begins our Happiness, Charity, the Joy of Men, of Angels,
of Almighty God ; which Compleats the Felicity of Earth and
Heaven : May Charity more abound among us. May it warm the
Hearts of those who are like to Our departed Friend in their For-
tunes, to resemble him too in his Bounties; May there be rais'd up
some new Benefactors in the room of him we have lost, who shall,
if possible, rival Faneuil'a Spirit. And may there always remain
in this Town the same grateful Sentiments, the same verluous
Dispositions, to remember their Benefactors with Honour.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston in Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on
Wednesday the Fourth Day of May Anno Domini, 1743.

Prayer was made by the Reverend Mr. Andrew Eliol.

The Precept and Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

The Honourable John Jeffries Esqr. One of the Select Men in
their Name proposed to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to
the Choice of a Person or Persons to Serve for and Represent them
in a Great and General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston
upon Wednesday the Twenty fifth Da}- of May instant, And in
Order thereto to Consider and Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen
to be Elected, accordingly

[531.] Voted, to proceed to the Choice of Four Representa-
tives, and it was declared that the Poll be closed at Twelve
o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743. 17

bo Four Hundred and Fifty One, and upon Sorting the Votes it
Appeared that the following Gentlemen were Chosen, Vizt.

No. of Votes.

The Honble. Thomas Gushing Esqr 438

Mr. Timothy Prout 287

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. ...... 422

Andrew Oliver Esqr. 309

The Election of Representatives being Ended and the sama being
declared by the Select Men

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator b}- a hand}*
Vote, and the Hon. Thomas Gushing Esqr. being Nominated, the
Que>tion was put, Whether they would Choose the said Thora;is
Cushing E*qr. for the Moderator of this Meeting, And it Uiiani-
mousl}' passed in the Affirmative.

Sundry Petitions and Reports, Read, Vizt.

Of Mr. John Lovell, Master of the South Grammar School, for
an Addition to his Salary.

Of Mr. Abia Holbrook, Master of the South Writing School, for
an Addition to his Salaiy.

Of Mr. Samuel Gibson, Usher of the South Grammar School
for an Addition to his Salary.

Of Mr. Benjamin Church for a Grant of Wheelers Pond.

Of the Collectors of Taxes, for the Assessors to Sit on Abate-
ments.

The Select mens Report about Fancuil HalJ Market. on

Mr. Nathaniel Emmes's Petition refer'd to th.yn the last General
Town Meeting.

A Motion made by Jacob Wendell Esqr. that the Committee
appointed by the Town in May last to Prosecute such Persons
as have Incroached on the Towns Lands, ma}' make some
Report, how far they have proceeded in that Affair.

A Motion made by Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. on behalf of Mr.
Peleg Wiswall, Master of the North Grammar School, that the
Town would make an Addition to his Salary.

A Motion made l>y the Honble. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. Treas-
urer of the [532.] Town, Setting forth that Whereas many Per-
sons, Pa}r a Quit Rent to the Town for Lands by them Possessed
belonging to the Town, the Sums mentioned in their Leases or
Agreements in Bills of the Old Tenor, and many of 'em being of
an Ancient Date he Apprehends the respective Sums by the
Assessors Agreed to be paid are now equal to the same Sum in
Lawful Money, Praying the Advice of the Town thereon, and that
he may have Directions what he shall receive for the future.

A Motion made by Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham, that a Plan be
taken of all the Lands & Rights belonging to the Town, and
hung up in Faneuil Hall, and that a particular Entry of all
said Lands & Rights may be made for the better Information
of the Inhabitants.

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. One of the Select Men Informed
the Town that the Select men look upon themselves Obliged at all
times to Acquaint the Town with all their Affairs & he therefore
Informed the Town that the Select men had received Information

18 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

from London that Mess™. Abraham Francis & John Jones had
Petitioned His Majesty in Council for another hearing of their
cause with the Town by them Prosecuted for Possession of some
Lands & Buildings on Dock Square, and that they hud Liberty
granted them according!}', and that the Select men Expected very
soon to be Served with an Order from His Majesty to make An-
swer to the same, but Supposed the Town would do nothing upon
this his Information.

Voted, That the Meeting be Adjourned to So'Clock Afternoon.

Afternoon, the Town being Assembled.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Constable and upon
Sorting the Votes it Appeared that Mr. Nicholas Fessenden was
Chosen and Sworn accordingly.

The Petition of Mr. John Lovell Master of the South Grammar
School for an Addition to his Salary, Read at the Opening of the
Meeting, now came under Consideration and after some Debate

thereon It was Voted, That an Addition of Fifty Pounds p

Annum in Bills of the Old Tenor be made to his Salary to Commence
from the next Quarters Payment.

The Petition of Mr. Samuel Gibson Usher of the South Gram-
mar School, for an Addition to his Salary, Read at the Opening of
the Meeting, now came under Consideration & after a Short Debate
thei'eon.

[533.] It was Voted, That an Addition of Twenty five
Pounds Old Tenor be made to his Salary to Commence from his
next Quarters Payment.

The Petition of Mr. Abia Holbrook Master of the South Writing
School, for an Addition to his Salary, Read at the Opening of the
Meeting, now came under Consideration & after a Short Debate
thereon

It was Voted, That Mr. Abia Holbrooks Salary as Master of the
said School be Two Hundred Pounds Old Tenor to Commence the
Twenty Second of March last being the time he was Inducted into
said School.

The Motion made by Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. in the forenoon,
for an Addition to be made to Mr. Peleg W is walls Salary now
came under Consideration and after some Deba'e thereon

It was Voted That an Addition of Fifty Pounds iu Bills of the
Old Tenor be made to Mr. Wiswalls Salary to Commence from
his next Quarters Payment.

The Petition of Mr. Benjamin Church, praying the Town would
make him a Grant of Wheelers Pond & the Lund thereto belonging
for reasons therein mentioned, as read in the forenoon now came
under Consideration, and ai'ter some Debate thereon, The Question
was put, Whether the Prayer of the Petition be Granted? And it
passed in the Negative.

A Letter from Christopher Kilby Esqr. to the Select Men Dated
London February. 18. 1742. .informing them of Mess™ Francis &
Jones having Libert}' of another hearing of their causes with the
Town was Read.

Voted, That the Sum of Two Hundred & Fifty Pounds Bills of

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743. 19

the Old Tenor be Allowed and paid to the Honble. Joseph Wads-
worth Esqr. out of the Town Treasury for his good Services as
Town Treasurer the Year last past.

Whereas the Treasurer hath represented to the Town that their
Tenants are very backward in Paying the respective Rents from
them due.

Therefore Voted, That when any Person or Persons shall hire
any Lands Houses Warehouses &ca. belonging to the Town, shall
fail or Neglect paying the Rent from them respectively due within
Tw< nty Days after the same is become due, the Town Treasurer
for the time being shall be and hereby is Obliged immediately upon
the Expiration of the said Twenty Days to prosecute in the Law
all & every such Person or Persons as [534.] Shall be in Arrear
for said Rent, and whenever the said Treasurer shall fail herein,
he shall be Obliged to Pay the Debt himself.

Voted, a Grant of Twelve Thousand Pounds Bills of the Old
Tenor be raised by a Tax, upon Polls and Estates within the Town
of Boston for Relief of the Poor and defraying other Necessary
Charges arising within & for said Town the Year ensuing.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Fryday the Twentieth
instant, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

May the 20th. 1743. The Town being met according to Ad-
journment.

The List was returned b\- the Collectors of Taxes of the Names
of Persons who are still Indebted for their Taxes & the reading
over the same was refer'd to the next General Town Meeting.

The Honble. Edward Hutchinson Esqr. One of the Committee ap-
pointed at the General Town Meeting in March last to Audit the
Town Treasurers Accounts for the Year ensuing and the Accounts
of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the Altnshouse & also the
Workhouse, Informed the Town that the said Committee had At-
tended that Service but had not Compleated the same so as to be
Able to make a Report at this Meeting thereupon

Voted, That the said Committee be desired to Compleat the
Auditing said Accounts and make a Report at the next General
Town Meeting, Also Voted That the said Committee be desired to
See that the Draughts made upon the Treasury and said Overseers
be Agreeable to Law & the Votes and Orders of the Town.

The Report of the Select Men relating to the further Regulation
of Faneuil Hall Market was Read & is in the Words following, Vizt.

To the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled, May. 4th. 1743.

The Select Men having been appointed by the Town to Consider
what further Regulations are Necessary for Faneuil Hall Market

and having had a Short time onl}- to Consider thereof Report,

That they are of Opinion it will be Convenient to keep the Market
open till One o'Clock Three Da3's in the Week and that during the
Summer Season it continue open on Saturdays [535.] In the
Afternoon till Sunset.

The Select men further Report, That the Assessors under Colour
of the Province Law enabling the Several Towns to Tax all Per-

20 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

sons who Trade & Traffick in any One Town and are Inhabitants
of another for the Use of such Town where they Trade, have Rated
a Considerable Number of the Countrey People who bring Proviss-
ions to Market, which Practice the Select Men Apprehend tends
to Discourage People from bringing Provissions to Town and so
disserves the Town more than the Rates they Pay can be of Ad-
vantage And that therefore the Assessors be directed to Discon-
*inue the said practice.

All which is humbly Submitted.

by JOHN JEFFRIES ")

ALEXB. FORSYTH
THOMAS HANCOCK ! Select
THOMAS HDTCHINSON [Men.

MlDDLECOTT COOKE

JOHN STEEL

Upon that part of the Select Men's Report relating to the further
Regulation of Faneuil Hall Market

It was Voted, That the same be not Accepted.

And after a long Debate on the other part of the said Report
relating to the Assessors Taxing the People who bring Provissions
to Market, a Motion was made that the further Consideration of
this matter may be refer' d to the next General Town Meeting, and
the Question being accordingly put, It passed in the Negative, &
then the Town Voted, That the Assessors be & hereby are di-
rected to Reconsider the Taxes they have laid on such Persona
as bring Provissions to the Market in Order to Abate the same and
that they discontinue the practice of Taxing them for the future.

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. One of the Committee appointed the
Fourteenth of May last to Examine the Treasurers Books and get
a Set of New Books & Settle some proper Method for the Treas-
urer to State his Accot", &c. for the future, Reported, That the
said Committee had Attended that Service and been at Considera-
ble Trouble and Expence of time in Compleating the same and
now produced the said New Books &c. and that they had Emplo3-ed
Mr. William Brock to Write & Assist in said Affair, praying the
Town would make a [536.] Reasonable Allowance to the said
Mr. Brock for the same.

Voted, That the Select men be desired to make such an Allow-
ance to the said Mr. Brock for the same as the}- shall think just
and reasonable.

The Petition of the Collectors of Taxes Praying the Assessors
may be Allowed to Sit upon Abatements until the last Day of
October next, now came under Consideration and after some De-
bate thereon It was Voted, That the Assessors be Allowed to

Sit upon Abatements until the last Day of September next and no
longer.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of Three Collectors of the
Rates & Taxes for the Year ensuing, the Votes being Collected it
Appeared that only two Gentlemen were Chosen into that Office,
Vizt.

Mess™. John Staniford & ) ^ ,,

Jacob Sheafe {Collectors.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743. 21

And then the Town proceeded to Choose another, and upon
Collecting and Sorting the Votes it Appeared that Capt. John
Goldthwait was Chosen into that Office.

The Consideration of the Allowance of the Collectors of Taxes,
now came on, and after a Short Debate

It vvas Voted, That Twelve pence on the Pound (Old Tenor)
be and hereby is Allowed to be paid to the Several Collectors
of Taxes within this Town for the Year ensuing, Provided they Pay
in to the Town Treasurer One half part of the Sums to be by them
respectively Collected within Six Months from the time they shall
receive the Books from the Assessors, and the other half part in
Six months after, and in Case they or either of them shall fail
Paying the Town Treasurer in the above manner the said Col-
lectors shall forfeit the aforesaid Allowance of Twelve pence on
the Pound for the Sum they were to Collect in the said Six
Months wherein they so fail, Provided also that they give Bond with
Sufficient Suretj's for the faithful Discharge of their Office to the
Satisfaction of the Select Men.

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. One of the Select men Acquainted
the Town that the Select men had received further Information
from London relating to the Petition of Mess". Francis & Jones
[537.] For a Rehearing of their Causes with the Town, that the
Gentleman who had been so good as to give them this Information
out of regard to the Town and their Interest had been so kind as
to Use his best Endeavours to Oppose the hearing of said Petition
and acting any thing thereupon, that lie had undoubtedly been at
some Expence in this Affair and that the Select men as they have the
Management of the prudential Affairs of the Town, think it but just
and Honourable that the said Gentleman should have a reasonable
Allowance made for his Disbursements and Trouble in this Affair,
to which there was no Objection made.

Voted, That all the Motions made, and Matters remaining un-
finished, be refer'd over to the next General Town Meeting for
Consideration.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[Here ends the book of the Town Records. — W. H. "W".]

22 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[Here begins the & book of the Town Records. — W.H.W.]

[1 .] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
the Town of Boston in Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall,
on Friday the Eighth Day of July Anno Domini, 1743.

The Warrant for Calling the Meeting Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
handy Vote) and thereupon the Honorable Thomas Gushing Esqr.
was Unanimously Chosen.

A Petition of Mr. John Staniford Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market
Praying that a Convenient Fire Room may be Assign-ed him in said
Market was Read.

The Act of the Great and General Court passed at their Sessions
the Seventeenth Day of June last, Impowering the Town of Boston
to Impose and Collect a Tax or Duty on Coaches Chaises &c. for
the Use and Service of the said Town now came under Considera-
tion pursuant to the Directions of said Act, and after long Debates
upon the same, A Motion was made and Seconded, that the Con-
sideration of Imposing the said Tax pursuant to said Act, ma}- be
referred to the General Town Meeting in March next, And the
Question was accordingly put, Whether the same be refer'd? And
it passed in the Affirmative.

Voted, That the Prayer of Mr. John Stanifords Petition for a
Fire Room in Faneuil Hall Market, be referred to the Select men
to Act thereon as they shall think proper.

Voted, That all the other Matters and things referred over from
former Meetings to this time be further Continued to the next
General Town Meeting for Consideration.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[2.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
the Town of Boston duly Qualified and Lawfully Warned in Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the Fifth Day of
August, Anno Domini, 1743.

Prayer being made by the Rev4. Joseph Sewall D.D.

The Warrant for Calling the Meeting, was Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
handy Vote) and thereupon Thomas Gushing Esqr. was Unani-
mously Chosen.

The Selectmen Communicated to the Town the Copy of the Order
that had been Served upon them the 28th. of July last, of His Maj-
esty in Council bearing Date at the Council Chamber at Whitehall
the 27th. of April last, granting a hearing upon the Appeal of
Abraham Francis and others in the late Causes between them and
the Town in November next, And the same being Read and long
Debates had thereupon, A Question was put, Whether the Town
would now proceed to the Choice of a Committee to Consider what
is best and most proper for the Town to do in this Affair? And
it passed in the Affirmative, and that the said Committee Consist
of Seven Gentlemen : — and thereupon

BOSTON TOWN KECORDS, 1743. 23

Voted, That Samuel Welles

Edward Hutchinson

James Allen }• Esqr".

Thomas Gushing &

John Read

Capt. Nath1. Cunningham &

Mr. Charles Apthorp
be the said Committee for the purposes aforesaid, and they are
desired to Report hereon at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

Then it was Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Friday
the Nineteenth instant, at three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Friday the Nineteenth Day of August, 3 o'clock in the After-
noon. The Town met according to Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the Fifth instant, to Consider what is
bjst and most proper for the Town to do on the Order of His
[3.] Majesty in Council granting a hearing upon the Appeal of
Abraham Francis and others in the late Causes between them and
the Town in November next, Read a Report they had drawn up,
and after long Debates thereupon, It was Voted, That the same
Committee be desired more particularly and Specially to draw up
Arguments on the Several heads & things mentioned in their
Report, and Enlarge thereupon in such manner as they shall think
proper and Report hereon at the Adjournment of this Meeting

Then

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Monday the Twelfth.
Day of September next at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon.

Monday, the Twelfth Day of September, 10 o'Clock in the Fore-
noon. The Town met according to Adjournment.

And after a Considerable Debate, Whether the Town would now
proceed to determine what they shall do relating to the Causes
between the Town and Mr. Everills Heirs or that the same be
referred to a further Adjournment.

It was Voted, That the Consideration thereof be referred to the
next Adjournment of this Meeting — Also

Voted, That the Selectmen be desired to Order & Direct the
Several Constables of the Town to Notify the Inhabitants that the
said Affair with Mr. Everills Heirs is then to be taken into Con-
sideration & determined upon how the Town will Act in the same,
and that every Inhabitant of the Town be desired to give his
Attendance, and the Committee are desired then to make their
Report then

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Thursday next at
Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Thursday, the Fifteenth Day of September, 3 o'Clock in the
Afternoon, The Town met according to Adjournment.

And after very long Debates had upon the Affair of Francis &
Jones's Petition to His Majesty in Council relating to their Causes
with the Town, A Question was put, If the Town would now deter-
mine Whether they will proceed to a tryal of the Merits of the said
Causes with Francis & Jones before His Majesty in Council? And

24 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

it passed in the Affirmative, And that it be determined by a handy
Vote, And accordingly upon a Motion made and Seconded the
following Question was put, Whether the Towns Agent be In-
structed to insist by his Council learned in the Law on the pleas
[4.] Against His Majesty in Council his taking Cognizance of
Mess™. Abraham Francis John Jones & Hannah his Wife their
Claim against the Town and thereon finally Rest.

And it passed in the Affirmative. Then

Voted That Samuel Welles Esqr. and the other Gentlemen of
the Towns Committee in this Affair now Subsisting be & hereby
are desired and Impowered to prepare as Speedily as may be full
and Ample Instiuctiors fcr the Agent that shall be hose by the
Town for his Direction & proceedings in this Affair and Report
the same to the Town for their Acceptance as soon as may be
Then

Voted, That the Town will proceed to the Choice of an Agent
or Agents to Appear for them in this Affair before His Majesty
in Council, Tomorrow at Five o'Clock in the Afternoon, and also
that the Town shall then take into Consideration what Sums of
Money it will be proper for the Town to Raise in this Affair.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Tomorrow at Five
o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Friday, the Sixteenth Dav of September, 5 o'Clock in the After-
noon, The Town met according to Adjournment.

And according to the Vote of Yesterday, the Town having
Voted that they'l Choose but One Agent to Appear for them
before His Majesty in Council on the Affair of Mess". Francis &
Jones's Petition proceeded to the Choice of a Person for that pur-
pose & were directed to bring in their Votes and upon Sorting the
same it Appeared that Christopher Kilby Esqr. was Chosen by a
very great Majority.

Mr. Peter Luce of Boston Merchant after the Choice made a
Motion that some Papers he had received from S* Christophers
relating to Mr. Kilby might be Read and being Seconded, A
Question was put, Whether the said Papers should be Read, And
it passed in the Negative.

Then the Town proceeded to take into Consideration what Sum
of Money it will be proper for the Town for the Town to raise in
Order to Enable Mr. Agent Kilby to pursue this Affair & after
some Debate thereon, It was Voted That the Sum of Three Hun-
dred Pounds Sterling Money of Great Britain be & hereby is
granted in Order to Enable the Towns Agent to prosecute the
Affair. Afterwards

A Motion was made & Seconded by Several that the said [5.]
Vote granting Three Hundred Pounds Sterling might be Recon-
sidered ; And the Question being put, Whether the Town would
Reconsider the same, It was Voted in the Negative.

Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby arc desired and Im-
powered to borrow the said Sum of Three Hundred Pounds Sterling
as the same shall be found Necessary & Remit it to Mr. Agent
Kilby as soon as may be.

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1743. 25

Voted, That the Selectmen be & hereby are desired to Writ to
Mr. Agent Kilby by the first Ship to Inform him what Votes the
Town have passed & how far they have proceeded in this Affair
&. therein Let him know that in Case the Papers and Instructions
of the Town should not Arrive to him by the Day of hearing he
is desired to pray for further time till he receives them and
Strongly Urge and Insist that the Town have not as yet
Appeared before His Majesty in Council in this Affair, but that he
daily Expects a proper Power from the Town fully Authorizing
and Impowering him to Appear and pursue the same.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Wednesday next at
Four o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Wednesday, the Twenty first Day of September, 4 o'Clock in
the Afternoon, The Town met according to Adjournment.

And upon a Motion made & Seconded by Several, A Question
was put, Whether this Meeting shall be further Adjourned in Order
to receive the Report of the Towns Committee relating to the
Affair of Francis & Jones and the Instructions they have prepared
for Mr. Agent Kilby concerning the same, And it passed in the
Affirmative then it was

Voted That this Meeting be Adjourned till Tomorrow, Three
o'Clock in the Afternoon, and the Selectmen are desired to direct
& Order that the Several Bells Usually rung for the Town Meet-
ings be rung Tomorrow at Two and Three o'Clock, and that the
Selectmen put an Advertisement into the Morrows News Paper to
inform the Inhabitants of the Town of this Adjournment.

Thursday, the Twenty Second Day of September, 3 o'Clock in
the Afternoon, The Town met according to Adjournment.

And upon a Motion made & Seconded by Several that the Votes
already passed by the Town relating to the Petition of Francis &
Jones [6.] Might be read, and no Objection made thereto, the
same were Read accordingly.

Samuel Welles Esqr. and other the Gentlemen of the Towns Com-
mittee now Subsisting appointed to Consider what is best & most
proper for the Town to do on the Petition of Francis and Jones,
presented their Report & the Instructions they had drawn up for
the direction of the Agent & the same were Read. And then

A Motion was made & Seconded by many Members that some
Person might be joined with Mr. Agent Kilby to Appear for the
Town before his Majesty in Council in the Affair of Francis &
Jones's Petition to His Majesty, and after some Debate thereon,
A Question was put Whether the Town will Reconsider the Vote
they passed determining that they would Chose but One Agent,
And it passed in the Affirmative. And then a further Question
was put Whether the Town will proceed to the Choice of some
other Person to be joined in the Agency with Mr. Kilby to Appear
before His Majesty in Council in the Affair of Francis & Jones's
Petition to His Majesty, And it passed in the Affirmative. And
the Town then proceeded to bring in their Votes accordingly and

26 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

upon Sorting the same it Appeared that Eliakim Palmer Esqr. was
Chosen by a very great Majority.

Voted, That Christopher Kilby & Eliakim Palmer Esqr. be and
hereby are fully Authorized and Impovvered Jointly and Severally
to Appear for the Town by their Council learned in the Law before
His Majesty in Council in the Affair of Mess™. Abraham Francis
John Jones & Hannah his Wife's Petition to His Majesty in
Council for a hearing of their late Causes with the Town.

A Motion made & Seconded by Several Members that the
Vote passed by the Town the 15th. instant Vizt. that the Towns
Agent be Instructed to Insist by his Council learned in the Law on
the pleas against 11 is Majesty in Council his taking Cognizance of
Mes-s". Abraham Francis John Jones & Hannah his Wife their
Churn against the Town and thereon finally Rest, may be Recon-
sidered, and after very long Debates thereon.

It was Voted in the Negative.

[7.1 Voted, That the Committee be desired to Compleat the
Needful Instructions for the Agents in this Affair and Commit
them to the Selectmen to be forwarded to the Agents as soon as
may be.

Voted, That the Fee to be given to the Council for the Town in
London be left to the discretion of the Agents.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified und lawfully Warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Mondav the Twelfth
Day of iMarch, A.D. 1743.

Prayer being made by the Reverend Mr. Thomas Prince.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator

The Votes being Collected, it Appeared that

The Honble. Thomas Cushing Esqr. was Unanimously Chosen.

Sundry Laws Read.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was Unanimously Chosen Town Clerk for the
Year ensuing, and sworn into that Office by Daniel Henchman Esqr.

Sundry Petitions Read, Vizt.

of Sundry Inhabitants for a Way from Sudbury Street.

for Paving Winter Street.

for an Engine at the South End.

. * for a Publick Market at the North End.

of John Swinnerton to keep a School for Reading & Spelling.

of Mr. Abia Holbrook for Inlargernent of his Salary.

of Mr. John Procter Junr. for an Addition to his Salary.

of Mr. Francis Willoughby keeper of the Granary for Addi-
tion to his Salary.

of Sundry Bell-ringers for a further Allowance for ringing the
Bells.

of the Engine Men to be Excused from other Service, and to
have the Premium Continued.

[8.] of Mr. Moses Deshon that the Town would Accept of the
Arms of Peter Faneuil Esqr. and make him an Allowance for them.

. BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1743. 27

The General Courts Grant of Six Hundred & Sixty Six Pounds
Thirteen Shillings & lour pence for Fortifications Read

The Report of the Committee appointed to Prosecute En
croachers on the South Battery Lands Read.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Schools
Read.

A Motion made by Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. to Consider of an
Application to be made to tlie General Court that the Selectmen
may be Vested with power more Effectually to put the By-Laws of
the Town in Execution.

A Motion maile by Mr. Thomas Hancock that the Rails in the
Common be Continued as far on Beacon Street as shall be thought
Necessary to preserve the Herbage on the Common, and kept in
repair at the Expence of the Town.

A Motion made Whether the Fines arising on a Persons
refusing to Serve in any Office to which he is Chosen shall be
paid in Bills of the Old Tenor, or the same Sum in Lawful Money
that is mentioned in the Law.

A Motion made by the Town Treasurer that the Town would
determine Whether the Quit Rents due to the Town shall be Dis-
charged by receiving such a Sum in Bills of the Old Tenor, as is
mentioned in the Agreement.

A Motion made by Deacon Jonathan Williams that the Moder-
ators Seat may be removed into the Middle of Faneuil Hall.

A Motion made by Mr. Robert Rand that some more Effectual
Method may be taken to prevent the firing of Chimneys.

A Motion made by Col°. Benjamin Pollard that the Town
would take Effectual Method to prevent the Desti'uetion & Loss
of Fire Buckets, after Fires are Extinguished.

A Motion made Whether the respective Fines & Forfeitures
arising to the Town from those Persons who refuse to Serve in
the Offices to which they are Chosen & fixed & Set in Bills of the
Old Tenor are to be now paid the same Sums in Old Tenor Bills
or Lawful Money.

[9.] Voted, to proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen.

A Doubt arising Whether by Law the Selectmen & other Officers
Chose at the Annual Town Meeting in March, must have a Major
part of the Votes brought in for such Choice, or Whether the
Persons who have the greatest Number of Votes are not legally
Chosen, The Law of the Province relating to the Choice of Town
Officers &c. was Read, and after some Debate thereon, It was
determined by a Vote that the Town Apprehends the true Sense
& meaning of said Law to be, that every Person Voted for to any
Office must have a Major part of the Votes brought in, & that
otherwise he is not legally Chosen.

The Votes being brought in and Sorted it Appeared that Five
Selectmen only were Chosen, Vizt.

Capt. Alexander Forsyth "^

Jonas Clarke Esqr.

Mr. Thomas Hancock i- Selectmen.

Capt. John Steel

Mr. William Salter

28

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Capt. Alexander Forsyth One of the Selectmen informed the
Town that he had Served in that Office for about Ten Years past
and was Obliged to the Town for the Respect shewn him in Con-
tinuing him so long in said Office & prayed the Town would Excuse

him from serving any longer Voted That the Thanks of the

Town be & hereby is given to Capt. Alexander Forsyth for his
great Care & Assistance in Transacting the Affairs of the Town as
One of the Selectmen for Ten Years past, & that he be Excused
accordingly.

The Town then Adjourned to Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.
Afternoon, The Town met according to Adjournment.
The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their Votes for the
Choice of Three Selectmen, and they being accordingly brought
in & Sorted, it Appeared that only One Selectman was Chosen,
Vizt.

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr.

Then the Town proceeded to the Choice of Two Selectmen &
having brought in their Votes and Sorted 'em, One Selectman
only was Chosen. Vizt.

Samuel Adams Esqr.

The Town then proceeded to bring in their Votes for One
more [1O.] Selectman and upon Sorting them it Appeared that

Mr. Middlecott Cooke, was Chosen.
Upon a Motion made & Seconded by many Members,
It was Unanimously Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be
and hereby is given to the Honourable John Jeffries Esqr. for the
great & faithful Services by him done for the Town in Transacting
and Managing the Affairs thereof as One of the Selectmen for
Twelve Years past.

The Motion made in the Forenoon relating to Fines &c. now
came under Consideration and after some Debate thereon,

Voted, That any Person or Persons Chosen to any Office in the
Town for the Year ensuing who in Case of refusal is Obliged to
pay any Fine or Penalty shall be Excused from Serving in such
Office provided he or they shall Pay their respective Fines in Bills
of the Old Tenor as the Several Persons did who were the last
Year elected and refused to Serve.

Voted, To Choose Twelve Constables distinct from Collectors of
Taxes, accordingly

Mess™. Nathaniel Allen Pay
Joseph How Pay

Stephen Apthorp Sworn
John Dennie Junr. Pay
Stephen Hall Pay

James Perkins Pay

Josiah Fessenden Sworn
Thomas Speakman Sworn
John Rowe Pay

Lemuel Gowen Pay
George Bethune Excus'd
Isaac Savage Sworn

were Chosen Constables.

Constables.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743-4.

29

Voted That the Town proceed to the Choice of a County
Treasurer Tomorrow at Twelve o'Clock.

Then the Town Adjourned till Tomorrow Nine o'Clock A.M.

Constables.

Tuesday March. 13. 1743.

The Town being Assembled according to Adjournment.

The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their Votes for [11«]
Six Constables, accordingly

Mess™. Samuel Gardner Pay ^

Joseph Grant Junr. Pay
James Monk pd. in 1 740
Josiah Quincy Pay

Joseph Ballard Pay

Jonathan Tilden Excused J
were Chosen Constables.

A Motion was made by Col°. Jacob Wendell that the Town
would immediately proceed to the Choice of a Town Treasurer
which was accordingly Voted, and the Inhabitants directed to
bring in their Votes, which being Collected & Sorted it Appeared
that

The Honble. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. was Chosen by a great
Majority & was accordingly Sworn in to said Office by the Honble.
Jacob Wendell Esqr.

The following Gentlemen were Chosen Overseers of the Poor
for the Year ensuing, Vizt.

The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.

William Tyler Esqr.

Col°. John Hill

Thomas llubbard Esqr.

Daniel Henchman Esqr.

Mr. Edward Bromfield

Col°. William Downe

Andrew Oliver Esqr.

Capt. John Phillips

Mr. Isaac Walker

George Rogers Esqr.

Mr. Ebenezer Storer

Mess™. Jonathan Simpson JunT. Pay

Overseers of the Poor.

Pay
Pay
Pay
Pay
Sworn

Constables.

Ezekiel Lewis Junr

Samuel Sewall

John Gore

Albert Dennie

John Ridgaway
were Chosen Constables.

Voted, That the Town proceed to the Choice of Three Collectors
of the Rates and Taxes for the Year ensuing [12.] And upon
bringing in the Votes & Sorting them it Appeared that,

Capt. John Goldthwait ")

Mr. John Stamford, and V Collectors of Taxes.

Mr. Jacob Sheafe )

were Chosen Collectors of Taxes accordingly.

30

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Samuel Gerrish
William Codner
Samuel Service

Pay
Pay
Pay

Constables.

were Chosen Constables.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer which being Collected were according to Law Sealed up
by Constable Savage by him to be kept & returned to the next
Quarter Sessions to be held for the County of Suffolk.

Voted, That the Several Collectors of Taxes within this Town
bring in Lists of the Names of all such Persons as have not paid
in their Taxes at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

Then the Town, Adjourned to Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Afternoon, The Town being Assembled according to Adjourn-
ment.

The Petition of the Engine Men praying they may be Excused
from Duty & have the Premium of Five Pounds Old Tenor
Allowed to the Engine that shall be Orst brought to Work upon
any Building on Fire may be still Continued, Read & Voted That
the Prayer of the Petition be Granted, provided they Carry their
Axe & Hook with them to the Fire.

Also Voted That all such Persons as now do or hereafter shall
belong to any of the Fire Engines in this Town be & hereby
are Freed and Exempted from all such Dutys and Service (during
such time as they shall belong to any Engine) as the Town hath
Excused them from for Several Years, & that the Premium of
1 ive Pounds Old Tenor be Allowed to the first Engine that shall
be brought to & Work on any Building on Fire, provided they
carry their Axe & Hook with them to the Fire.

This Order to Continue & be in force until the Town shall See
fit to Alter or Disannul the same.

[13 1] Mess". James Tileston Pay
Samuel Adams Pay
Benjamin Harrod Excus'd
James Alexander Pay
Daniel Williams Pay
Richard Atkins Sworn
were Chosen Constables.

Mesa"1. Onesiphorus Tileston Pay

Constables.

Constables.

Constables.

Michael Homer Sworn

John Williams Sworn

Joseph Grouard Excused

were Chosen Constables.
Mess™. William Baker Pay

Samuel Emmes Sworn
Thomas Coverly Pay

Richard Hughes refuses, Appeal to the Semlons

were Chosen Constables.

An Act or Law of this Province made and passed at the Session
of the Great and General Court in May last Entitled An Act for
Im powering the Town of Boston to Impose & Collect a Tax or
Duty on Coaches Chaises &c. for the Use and Service of said

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743-4. 31

Town, refer'd over to this time for Consideration, now came under
Debate and after a long time Spent thereon A Question was put
Whether the Town will now Dismiss this Affair without any
further Consideration

It pass'd in the Affirmative.

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants relating to the Opening
of the North Market as Read at the Opening of the Meeting now
came under Consideration and after some Debate thereon, It was
Moved that the same may be refer'd to the next General Town
Meeting for Consideration, And a Question being put Whether the

same be refer'd accordingly It passed in the Negative

And then a further Question was put, Whether the Selectmen be
desired to take down the Building formerly Improved for the North
Ma'-ket & dispose of it in such a manner as shall be most for the
Advantage of the Town? And it passed in the Affirmative.

[14.] The Motion made by Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. at the
Opening of the Meeting that the Town would Consider of an
Application to be made to the General Court that the Selectmen
may be Vested with power more Effectually to put the By Laws
of the Town in Execution, now came under Consideration & after

some Debate thereon It was Moved & Voted That the same

be refer'd to the next General Town Meeting and that in the mean
time the Selectmen be desired to prepare a Draft of a Law for the
purposes aforesaid and present the same at said Meeting for the
Consideration of the Town.

The Motion made by the Town Treasurer at the Opening of the
Meeting concerning his receiving of the Quit Rents due to the
Town, now came under Consideration A.nd it was

Voted That the same be refer'd to the General Town Meeting in
March next.

The Selectmens Report on Mr. FrancisWilloughbys Account of

the Granary for the Year past & as Entred in his Book Read

and Voted That the said Report be Accepted and accordingly that
he be farther Accountable for Three Hundred & Thirty Bushels of
Corn & Thirty three Bushels of Rye and the Sum of Six Hundred
& Twenty One Pounds Nineteen Shillings & three pence in Bills
of Credit of the Old Tenor which remains in his hands Exclusive
of Mr. Wtlloughbys Salary for the Year past, Vizt. One Hundred
Pounds Old Tenor which is hereby also Allowed.

The Petition of Mr. Francis Willoughby keeper of the Granary
Read at the Opening of the Meeting, Praying an Allowance may
be made him for his Extraordinary Attendance of One Day in a
Week at the Granary pursuant to the Towns Vote, now came
under .Consideration, and after some Debate thereon

Voted That the Sum of Fifty Pounds Old Tenor be Allowed to
Mr. Francis Willoughby for his Extraordinary Attendance the
Year past Also Voted That for the future the Granary be
Opened only on Tuesdays & Fridays and that he then give his
Attendance accordingly.

The Committee appointed by the Town the Fourteenth Day of
May A.D. 1742. to Prosecute Encroachers on the South Battery
Lands, made Report, which was Read & is as follows, Vizt.

32 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[15.] The Report, of the Committee appointed by the Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston at their Adjournment on the Fourteenth
Day of May 1742. to End the Controversy between the Town and
such Persons as they should find had Incroached or Trespassed on
any of the Lands or Flatts where the Guns were formerly Mounted,
at the South Battery, having Attended that Service do Report as
follows Vizt.

The said Committee having found by many Evidences that the
Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr. doth Improve about One Hundred &
Fifty feet of the Ground where the Line of Guns was formerly
Mounted, and has Erected or Built a Wharfe and "Warehouses on
said Ground and Flatts before it, and now Claims the same, as
his own property, In Order to Recover the same for the Use of
the Town, to be Improved as formerly the said Committee did
Advise with Gentlemen learned in the Law who assured them that
as the King had for many Years Improved that same Land and
Flatts for a Fortification, and had never Released it or given it up
that the said Committee could do nothing on the part of the King,
by way of Reference or Accommodation with the said Jacob Wendell
Esqr. for that the King referr'd none of his Affairs, but that His
Majesty's Title, must be Tryed in the Law, before any thing could
be done on the part of the Town, the said Committee therefore
Employed John Overing and Jeremy Gridley Esqrs. for their
Council who filed an information or Complaint against the said
Jacob Wendell Esqr. at the Superiour Court of Judicature, Court
of Assize &c. held at Boston in February. 1742. for not removing
those Incumbrances from off said Battery Ground, which Com-
plaint was Continued to the Superiour Court in August following,
when aTryal was had on the Information aforesaid, before a Jury
of Non Residents who went and Viewed the Premisses, and altho'
there was a Cloud of Evidence to prove the Facts, And the said
Jacob Wendell Esqr. Acknowledged before the Jury, that he had
Built upon part of the Towns Ground and Flatts, Yet the said
Jury brought in their Verdict that he was not Guilty, and accord-
ingly the said Complaint was Dismissed by the Court on the part
of the King, which made many People think that it went at the
same time also against the Town, and that the Committee ought
not to proceed any further in this Affair, but the Committee
knowing that the Way [16.] Was now Clear for coming to an
Accommodation with the said Jacob Wendell Ksqr. in the behalf of
the Towns Right to the aforesaid Land, They did desire by their
Chairman that he would give them a Meeting in Order to Referr
or Accommodate the Dispute between him and the Town, but he
utterly refuses to Transact any Affair with this Committee (for
reasons best known to himself) The Committee therefore Seeing no
Prospect of Settling the Towns Rights, with said Jacob Wendell
Esqr. without going further into the Law, which they are unwilling
to do, without the Towns Especial Order, They therefore think it
proper to Acquaint the Town that they have proceeded thus
far and Submit it to the Inhabitants for their further Considera-
tion.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743-4. 33

Boston March 10th. 1743. John Steel • ]

Shem Drowne >• Committee.
Jona. Williams )

And after a long Debate had upon the said Report,

It was Moved and Voted That the Selectmen be & hereby are
desired to Conferr with the said Jacob Wendell Esqr. in Order to
come to an Accommodation relating to the Lands in Dispute
between him and the Town at the South Battery and Report of
their Doings herein as soon as may be.

Whereas Mess™. John Goldthwait John Staniford & Jacob
Sheafe Collectors of the Publick Taxes in this Town are Indebted
Considerable Sums of Money to the Province Treasurer for Taxes
due to the said Treasurer from this Town & Committed to them
to Collect from the Inhabitants of the Town Therefore

Voted That the said Collectors be & hereby are Obliged to
make up & Compleat the Payment of all such Sums as are now
due from them or either of them to the Province Treasurer in Six
Months time from this Day, And in Case either of the said Col-
lectors shall fail Paying into the Province Treasurer by that time,
the whole Sum he is now Indebted to him, such Collector so failing
shall not be Entitled to any part of the Allowance that may be
Voted him for Collecting such part of the Taxes of the Town for
the Year. 1743. as shall be Committed to him to Collect.

Then the Consideration of the Allowance of the Collectors of
Taxes came on and after a Short Debate.

[17.] It was Voted, That Twelve pence on the Pound be &
hereby is Allowed to be paid to the Several Collectois of Taxes
within this Town for the Year ensuing, they paying into the Town
Treasurer One half part of the Sums to be by them respectively
Collected within Six Months from the time they shall receive the
Books from the Assessors, & the other half part in Six Months
after, and also make up & Compleat the Payment of the whole
Sum due to the Province Treasurer (Saving One Thousand Pounds
Old Tenor in the whole, to be Accounted in proportion to the Sums
they are to receive) in Twelve Months time from their receiving
the said Books from the Assessors, And in Case either of them
shall fail paying the Province and Town Treasurer in the above
manner the Collector so failing shall Forfeit the aforesaid Allow-
ance of Twelve pence on the Pound for the Sum he was to Collect
and Pay in manner as aforesaid, Provided also that the said Col-
lectors give Bond with Sufficient Suretys for the faithful. Discharge
of their Office to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen.

Also Voted, That the said Collectors & each of them return to
the Annual Town Meeting in March next, a List of the Names of
all such Persons as may not then have paid their Taxes

Then the Town Adjourned till Tomorrow at Nine o'Clock A.M.

Wednesday March. 14th. 1743.
The Town met according to Adjournment.
The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Publick
Schools Read, and is as follows, Vizt.

34 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Boston, in Town
Meeting Assembled, March 12. 1743.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Annual Meet-
ing the Fourteenth of March last past Desiring the Selectmen to
Visit the Several Publick Schools in the Town & to Desire such
Gentlemen to Accompany them therein as they should think proper

and to Report thereon We the Subscribers accordingly

Attended that Service on Wednesday the Twenty Second Day of
June last, Accompanied by the following Gentlemen, Vizt.
The Hon. John Read Esqr.
The Hon. Thomas Gushing Esqr.
[18.] The Hon. Nathaniel Hubbard Esq1.
The Revd. Charles Chauncy D.D.
The Revd. Mr. Samuel Mather
The Revd. Mr. Andrew Eliot
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Timothy Prout
Andrew Oliver Esqr.
James Bowdoin Esqr.
Joshua Winslow Esqr. and
Henry Frankland Esqr.

and found the said Schools under good Regulation, The Number
of Scholars in each School were as follows, Vizt. In the South
Grammar School about Ninety, In the South Writing School One
Hundred & Sixty, In the Writing School in Queen Street about
Seventy, In the North Grammar School Sixty five, And in the
North Writing School upwards of Two Hundred.

JOHN JEFFRIES
ALEX*. FORSYTH
JONAS CLARKE

Tno8. HOTCHINSON j- Selectmen
THOMAS HANCOCK

MlDDLECOTT COOKE

JOHN STEEL }

Voted That this Report be Accepted, & that the Gentlemen
the Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools the Year
ensuing, and that they desire such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein as they shall think proper, and Report thereon

Mess™. Thomas Sherburn Sworn

Richard Humphreys Excused
were Chosen Constables

Voted That the Selectmen Wait upon His Excellency the Cap-
tain General to desire of him that he will be pleased to give Orders
to ihe Commanding Officer of the Troop of Guards to Return into
the Secretarys Office a List of the Names of all such Persons as
belong to said Troop and do Duty therein that so the Town may
know what Persons are Exempted from Serving in the respective
Offices to which they are Chosen.

Mr. George Gerrish was Chosen Constable. Sworn.

[19.] On a Motion made and Seconded, that some Suitable
time may be Allowed the Assessors to Sit upon Abatements

(• Constables.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743-4.

35

It was Voted, That the said Assessors be Allowed to Sit upon
Abatements until the last Day of September next, and no longer.
Voted That the Consideration of Mr. John Stamford's Allow-
ance for Officiating as Clerk of the Market for the Year past be
refer'd to the next General Town Meeting.
Mess". Joseph Russell

Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn

Fence Viewers.

James Tileston

Francis Wardell

Hopestill Foster

Caleb Ray

Thomas Foster

William Bearsto Sworn

Joshua Thornton Sworn

William Thwing Sworn

Stephen Willis

John Adams Sworn

Samuel Sprague Sworn

were Chosen Fence Viewers for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Benjamin Renken

John Ruddock

William Young (Retailer)

Thomas Lee

Nathaniel Barber

Joseph Goldthwait

Nathaniel Gardner J> Scavingers.

Joseph Jackson (Hatter)

Nathaniel Thayer

Ellis Wilson

Edward Winter

Bartholomew Cheever

John Taylor
were Chosen Scavingers for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Joseph Bradford Sworn *|

Thomas Newman Sworn „

Edward Jennings Sworn f

Phillips Chamberlain Sworn J
were Chosen Hogreves for the Year ensuing.
T2O.] Mess". William Nesbitt Pay

William Browne Excused
Samuel May Sworn

Josiah Carter }•

Nathaniel Hodgdon Sworn
Robert Williams
John Allen Sworn

were Chosen Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Richard Backley Sworn "

Peter Thomas

Joshua Blanchard Sworn

Jacob Parker Sworn ^ Assessors.

Daniel Pecker Sworn

Nathaniel Barber Sworn

William Fairfield Sworn
were Chosen Assessors for the Year ensuing.

Sealers of
Leather.

36 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mr. Isaac Gridley was Chosen Surveyor of Hemp and Flax for
the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner Severn 1 informers a

Richard Hubbard Sworn }
were Chosen to inform against & prosecute the Violators of the
Act for the better Preservation and Increase of Deer within this
Province.

Mr. Richard Carter-Cowell was Chosen Haward for the Year
ensuing -- Sworn --

Voted That the Selectmen be Surveyors of the High Ways for
the Year ensuing. --

A Motion was made, Whether the Town will Choose Tything
Men, but nothing done in the Affair. --

On a Motion made that the Town would now proceed to Choose
the Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market for the Year ensuing, it was
Voted and the Inhabitants were directed to bring in their Votes
accordingly, And upon Collecting & Sorting the same it Appeared
that Mr. John Staniford was Chosen to that Office.

The Petition of the Abutters and Proprietors of Land in Winter
Street, Setting forth, That the Town at their Meeting the Thir-
teenth of March. 1731. Voted That the Selectmen take Care that
the Towns part of the said Street be repaired at the Cost and
Charge of [21.] The Town, the Several Abutters paying
their proportionable part as is Customary, That the Abutters on
the said Street could not then Accomplish the Paving thereof
by reason the Hon. Adam Winthrop Esqr. Deced who was an
Abutter upon near One quarter part of the said Street would
Subscribe thereto, but now Mr. Thomas Oxnard who hath
Purchased Col°. Winthrops Estate there, and all the Abutters are
ready to pay their proportionable part of the Charge of Paving
the said Street provided the Town will pay their part thereof The
Petitioners therefore Prayed the Town would Revive their said
Vote & Engage to Pay the Towns part of Paving the said Street,
upon the Abutters paying their proportionable part thereof as is
Customary -- now came under Consideration And after some
Debate thereon -

It was Voted That the same be refer'd to the Selectmen who
are hereby desired to View the said Street and Report the Cir-
cumstances thereof at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Memorial of Moses Deshon read at the Opening of the
Meeting, Setting forth, That he by the Encouragement of Several
Gentlemen about Fourteen Months since began to Cut the Anns
of their Late Generous Benefactor Peter Faneuil Esqr. and soon
after his Death the same was Compleatly Finished & Gilt, And
the Memorialist Waited on the Selectmen to know if they would
Accept of the same to be fixed in Faueuil Hall at the Expence of
the Town, but they Apprehended it was a Matter they could not
do without the Consent of the Town, The Memorialist therefore
informed that he was at a Considerable Expeuce of Time and
Money to Cut & Gild the said Arms, and as the Fixing of it in
Faneuil Hall will not only be a great Ornament to the Room but a
means of Perpetuating the Memory of the Worthy & Generous
Donor - The Memorialist therefore prayed the Town to Accept

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743-4. 37

of the same & Order it to be placed in such part of the Hall as
they shall think proper, making him such an Allowance for the

same as shall by the Town be thought reasonable was now

taken into Consideration and

Voted That the Selectmen be desired to Purchase the said Arms
of the said Mr. Deshon at the Expence of the Town on such Terms
as shall be thought reasonable & Fix them up in Faneuil Hall in
such part thereof as they shall think most proper.

On the Motion made by Mr. Thomas Hancock One of the
Selectmen at the Opening of this Meeting that the Rails in the
Common be [22.] Continued as far on Beacon Street as shall
be thought Necessary to preserve the Herbage in the Common &
kept in repair at the Expence of the Town now came under Con-
sideration

And after a short Debate, It was Voted That the Selectmen be
desired to Continue a Post and Rail Fence extending from the
Alms House Westward so far as they shall think proper for the
Preservation of the Herbage &c. in the Common, and Repair the
same from time to time as shall be thought Necessary.

The Petition of a Number of the Inhabitants of the Town Read
at the Opening of the Meeting, Setting forth, That inasmuch as
the Petitioners the better to Commode the Town and render
the more Easy carriage of the Necessaries of Life did some time
since lay out a Peice of Land of Twenty feet Wide from Sudbury
Street running on a Line along by the Mill Pond to Capt. Wells's
Sugarhouse and from thence to Hawkins's Street so Called which
has been and still is of great Advantage & Benefit to the Town &
as the same is Convenient & fit to make a Publick Street off, they
prayed the Town would be pleased to Accept of the said Peice of
Land for a Publick Street and give it the Name of Still house

Square The said Petition was now taken into Consideration

And after some Debate thereon,

It was Voted That the Selectmen be desired to View the Land
Petitioned for to be a Highway & Report the Circumstances
thereof at the next General Town Meeting, And also make an
Estimate of the Costs that may Accrue to the Town in repairing
it if they Accept of the same as a Highway.

The Petition of Isaac Peirce, Thomas Williston, Nathaniel Band,
Joseph Simpson & John Roulstone Sextons & Bellringers in the
Town as Read at the Opening of the Meeting, Setting forth That
the Petitioner Peirce Rings the Bell of the Old North Church at
the Hours of One o'Clock at Noon, Nine in the Evening & Five in
the Morning, for which he is Allowed by the Town Four Pounds
Ten Shillings Old Tenor for a Quarter of a Year, The Petitioner
Band Rings the Bell of the New South Church at the Hours of
Nine in the Evening & Five in the Morning for which he is Al-
lowed Fifty Shillings Old Tenor a Quarter, The Petitioner Simp-
son Rings the Bell of the Revd. Mr. Byles's Church at the Hours of
Nine in the Evening, Five in the Morning & One o'Clock at Noon,
for which he is Allowed Three Pounds Fifteen Shillings Old Tenor
a [23.] Quarter, That the Petitioner Roulstone Rings the Bell of
the Old South Church at One o'Clock for which he is Allowed

38 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Thirty Shillings Old Tenor a Quarter, That the Petitioner Willis-
ton Rings the Bell of the Old Brick Church at the Hours of Five
in the Morning, Eleven in the Forenoon and Nine in the Evening,
for which he is Allowed Four Pounds Ten Shillings Old Tenor a
Quarter, That the Petitioners would Represent to the Town that
the aforesaid Allowance for the Service aforesaid is so very small,
being but about Three pence Old Tenor for each Ringing, that the
Petitioners Apprehend they are not by any means Recompenced
for their Time & Service and as the Petitioners Allowance is no
greater now than has been for about Thirty Years past and Pro-
visions & all Necessarys of Life more than twice as Dear as they
were Thirty Years since, they Apprehended the Town would think

it reasonable to Increase their Allowance They therefore

Prayed the Town to take the Premisses into Consideration and
make them such further Allowance for the aforesaid hervices as

shall be thought reasonable which Petition was Read again &

after some Debate thereon,

Voted That the Selectmen be desired to Consider thereof, as

also what further Regulation is proper to be made as

to the Ringing of the Bells, and of the Allowance to be made to
the Sextons for the same.

Upon a Motion made & Seconded, That the Town would Con-
sider of some Effectual means to prevent Frauds in the Measure
of Cord wood.

Voted That there be a Committee Chosen specially to Consider
this Motion, and that the said Committee Consist of Five Persons

Voted That Mess™. John Darrell
John Ruddock

Robert Rand j- Committee.

Joseph Bradford &
Jacob Parker

be a Committee for that End, who are desired to make Report
herein at the next General Town Meeting.

Upon the Motion made by Mr. Robert Rand at the Opening of
the Meeting, that some more Effectual Method may be taken by

the Town to prevent the frequent Firing of Chimneys

[24.] Voted, That the Committee already Chosen to Consider
of some Effectual means to prevent Frauds in the Measure of
Cord wood, be also a Committee to Consider what Method the
Town shall take to prevent the frequent Firing of Chimneys and
Report hereon at the next General Town Meeting.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Thursday the Twenty
Second Instant, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Thursday March. 22d. 1743.

The Town being Assembled according to Adjournment.

The Honble. Thomas Gushing Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting
Sent Word that he could not Attend the Business of this Meeting
this Afternoon being Obliged to Attend the Honourable House of

Representatives Whereupon the Town proceeded to Choose

a Moderator in his room And the Honble. Edward Hutchinson

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1743-4. 39

Esqr. being Nominated he was accordingly Chosen as Moderator of
this Meeting.

Mr. Benjamin White was Chosen Constable. Sworn.

The Selectmen informed the Town that the Lease of the South
Market hired of Mr. Willis will Expire the Twenty fifth instant,
desiring the Directions of the Town relating to the Disposal of the
Buildings on it, after some Debate thereon, the Town Apprehend
that as the prudential Affairs of the Town are Committed to the
Care and Management of the Selectmen they will do herein what
will be most for for the Advantage of the Town either by removing
the Buildings that are upon the said Leased Land or Disposing of
the same as they now Stand.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Petition of Sundry Inhabi-
tants for the Paving of Winter Street, Read and is as follows, Vizt.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Boston in Town
Meeting Assembled by Adjournment, March. 22d. 1743.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town the 12th. instant desiring the
Selectmen to View Winter Street Petitioned for by a Number of
Proprietors & Abutters to be Paved &c. and Report thereon.

We the Subscribers accordingly Attended that Service and are
of Opinion that it is Necessary the said Street should be Paved and
the. Town pay their Part there of according to Custom [25.] Which
We Apprehend will be about Two Hundred and Sixty Pounds Old

Tenor All which is Submitted by

Boston March. 21. 1743. SAMUEL ADAMS ^

JONAS CLARKE c i

THOMAS HANCOCK \ Sele<*men

MlDDLECOTT COOKE J

Voted, That this Report be Accepted, and that the Selectmen do
accordingly take Care for the Paving the Towns part thereof, pro-
vided the Petitioners or Abutters or some of them become Obliged
to the Selectmen for Defraying the other Two thirds parts thereof,
the said Work to be performed according to the Directions of the
Selectmen.

Voted, That the Petitions of Mess™. John Swinnerton, Abia
Holbrook and John Procter Junr. Read at the Opening of this Meet-
ing be refer'd to the next General Town Meeting for Consideration.

The Vote of the Council and Representatives of this Province
the Eleventh of November last, Desiring His Excellency the
Captain General, to give Orders that within Twelve Months there
be Erected within the Town of Boston Another good and Sufficient
Brest Work and a Platform Built and not less than Twelve Guns
Eighteen Pounders or others Equivalent Mounted and all Suitable
Warlike Stores procured and that the Sum of Six Hundred & Sixty
Six Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence be Granted and
Allowed to be paid out of the Publick Treasury to the Order of the
said Town of Boston they giving Security to the Province Treasurer
for the Erecting said Works and procuring said Stores, and that
the same shall be from time to time Maintained or on the failure
either of their performing said Works or Maintaining them, the
Money thereby granted to be repaid by said Town into the Province
Treasury Read, & after some Debate thereon

40

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted That the Selectmen be & hereby are Appointed a Com-
mittee to take the aforesaid Grant into Consideration & Report
at the next General Town Meeting what they Apprehend will be

most for the Advantage of the Town to do in this Affair.

It being Represented to the Town by some of the Inhabitants
that there is Considerable Sums of Money clue from the Several
Collectors of the Publick Taxes of the Town to the Province
Treasurer.

[26.] Voted, That a Committee be Chosen to Examine what
Sums are now due from the said Collectors and each of them to
the Province Treasurer, and also that the said Committee Examine
the said Collectors Books in Order to know what Sums are due to

them from the Inhabitants of the Town

Voted, That the said Committee Consist of Three Persons &
that,

Mess™. Isaac Walker ~|

ThomasGreene& >• Committee.
Jeremiah Allen )

be a Committee for the purposes aforesaid, and the said Committee
are desired to make Report of their doings herein at the next
General Town Meeting.

Mr. William Brown who was Chosen a Sealer of Leather at this
Meeting desires to be Excused, he being Bound to Great Britain

with his Family in about Two Months time

Voted, That the said William Brown be Excused accordingly.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded

Voted That Three more Sealers of Leather be Chosen for the
Year ensuing, and

Mess™. James Griffin

Andrew Eliot & \- Sealers of Leather.
Thomas Salter
were Chosen accordingly.

Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn

Mess™. Nathaniel Barber
Jeremiah Belknap
Thomas Salter
Nathaniel Gardner
Joseph Fitch
William Merchant
John Darrell
Robert Rand
Thomas Stoddard
Daniel Pecker
Joseph Bradford
Samuel Parkman

Sworn
Sworn

Sworn

• Clerks of the Market.

Sworn
Sworn

were Chosen Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Jeremiah Belknap ")

John Salter, and > Com16*, for Purchasing Grain.

Deacon Samuel Bridgham )

[27.] Were Chosen a Committee for Purchasing Grain, and
they are' hereby desired and Impowered to give all Needful Direc-
tions to the Keeper of the Granary respecting the Quantities of
Grain to be Sold and Setting the Price thereof from time to time.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744.

41

• Viewers of Shingles &c.

Mess". John Helyer Sworn

Harvey Thomas Sworn

John Hobbs Sworn

David Kent

Thomas Sargent Sworn I c u f g

Richard Barnard Sworn j

Barratt Dyre

John Marshall

Isaac Dafforne

Richard Hubbard

were Chosen Cullers of Staves and Hoops for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Thomas Foster Sworn

Edward Moberly Sworn

Isaac Vergoose Sworn

Edward Richards Sworn

William Paine Sworn

Benjamin Russell Sworn

Joseph White Sworn

Matthew Barnard Sworn

John Lewis Vintenon Sworn

James Barnard Sworn

Samuel Hood Sworn

William Parkman Sworn
were Chosen Surveyors of Timber Boards Shingles &c. for the
Year ensuing.

Deacon Jonathan Williams desires to Withdraw his Motion
made at the Opening of the Meeting relating to the removing of
the Moderators Seat into the Middle of Faneuil Hall, which was

accordingly Allowed him.

Voted, That the Consideration of Raising Money be refer'd to
the Next General Town Meeting. — Also

Voted, That all the Business and Matters of this Meeting now
Unfinished be refer'd to the next General Town Meeting for Con-
sideration

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[28.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duty Qualified and lawfully Warned in
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the
Sixteenth Day of April. A.D. 1744.

The Warrant for Calling the Meeting Read.

The Town proceeded to Choose a Moderator by a handy Vote
And the IIonble. Edward Hutchinson Esqr. being Nominated he
was accordingly Chosen Moderator of this Meeting.

The Committee appointed the last General Town Meeting to
Examine what Sums are due from the Collectors of the Publick
Taxes and each of them to the Province Treasurer, And Also to
Examine the Collectors Books in Order to know what Sums are
due to them from the Inhabitants of the Town, Informed the
Town that upon Enquiry they found there was due from the said
Collectors to the Province Treasurer for the Years, 1741 and 1742.
about Nineteen Thousand Pounds Old Tenor, but that they were

42 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

not yet ready to make Report having not had time to Examine the
Collectors Books.

The Selectmen Acquainted the Town that they had received
from London by the last Ship Two Letters, One from Christopher
Kilby Esqr. the other from Eliakim Palmer Esqr. Agents for the
Town of Boston relating to the Towns Causes with Francis, Jones
&c. which they were ready to -Communicate if the Town thinks
proper.

The Committee appointed by Commission from His Excellency
the Captain General the fourteenth of June A.D. 1742. to repair

the Butterys or Fortifications within the Town of Boston

Reported how far they had proceeded therein and the present
State of the same, which was Read and is as follows, Vizt.

The Report of the Committee appointed the Fourteenth of June,
A.U. 1742. to Repair the Batterys or Fortifications within the
Town of Boston, how far they have proceeded therein and the
present State of the same Vizt.

The said Committee at the North Battery have Built a New
Front with large Flat Stones about Two Hundred feet in Length
Eleven feet high, Ten feet Wide at the Bottom running up Bat-
tering to the Top to about Seven feet in Wedth, At the North-
east Corner a head Carried out to the Channel of about Fifty four
feet, with a Wall about Thirteen feet high to join the other Work ;
The Old [29.] Wharf e Wood of which the Battery was Built
being Worm Eaten & Rotten was taken up to the Foundation in
part And the whole laid down Anew with large Ton Timber well
loaded with Stones about Fifty four feet Wide : Upon the Stone
Work the Work is carried up with large Ton Timber Seven feet
high well Dovetail'd and joined together, and a Platform for the
Guns laid upon large Timber with good Sound Pine Plank of
Three inches thick Cut on purpose, and from thence a Brest Work
Carried up with Ton Timber of Five fret Wide and about Two
feet and an half high, the Old Wharfe leading to the Battery being
broken up by the late Storm is Rebuilt from the Foundation.
This Batiery when finished will Accommodate Twenly Guns Fifteen
of which will point directly down the Chnnnel; the Charge of
Carrying on the Work so far as is done Amounts to about Kight
Thousand Two Hundred & Eighty Seven Pounds Seven
Shillings & four pence Old Tenor, of which is already paid to the
Workmen & for Materials Seven Thousand Four Hundred &
Eighty Seven Pounds Seven .Shillings and four ponce. And there
still remains due to Sundry Persons about Eight Hundred Pounds
Old Tenor.

The Work still to be done, Vizt the Brest Work to be Carried up
about Four feet higher which will take about One Hundred Ton
of Timber, Ports to be made, A Covering over them to be Miingled,
the Front of the Brest Work to be Boarded the Northerly part to
be raised which will take about Fifty Ton of Timber, besides
Stone & Plank, A Fence to be made, A Small house for the
Stores with a Gentry Box. All Sorts of Stores, Vizt. Shot &c.
New Trucks for the Carriages with other Jobbs which will Amount
to about Two Thousand Pounds Old Tenor.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 43

At the South Battery, the Committee have thoroughly repaired
the Sconce by carrying up the Stone & Brick Wall which was
decaj'ed and broken down, New Covering & Shingling the House,
Making New Windows Doors & Floors, Fit to receive Stores &
preserve the Shot &c. that is now there, Mounting the Guns on
the Carriages, the which Cost & is paid Five Hundred & Nine
Pounds One Shilling & Eight pence Old Tenor

To Carry on the projected Battery its judged it will Cost about
Eight or Ten Thousand Pounds Old Tenor for which the Province
has granted Two Thousand Six Hundred & Sixty Six Pounds
Thirteen Shillings and four pence Old Tenor, and which now lyes
before the Town for their Acceptance upon the Conditions men-
tioned in the said Grant.

All which is humbly Submitted by

THOMAS HANCOCK JOHN JEFFRIES ~)
MIDDLECOTT CooKE ALEX'. FoBSYTH > Committee.
JOHN STEEL JONAS CLARKE )

Boston April. 16. 1744.

[3O.] The Vote of the Council and House of Representatives
of the Eleventh of November last Desiring His Excellency the
Captain General to give Orders that within Twelve Months there
be Erected within the Harbour of Boston Another good and Suffi-
cient Brest Work & a Platform Built and not less than Twelve
Guns Eighteen Pounders or others Equivalent Mounted and all
Suitable Warlike Stores procured, and that the Sum of :Six Hun-
dred & Sixty six Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence be
Granted and Allowed to be paid out of the Pnblick Treasury to
the Order of the said Town of Boston they giving Security to the
Province Treasurer for the Erecting said Works and procuring
said Stores, and that the same shall be from time to time Main-
tained or on the failure either of their performing said Works or
Maintaining them, the Money thereby granted to be repaid by
said Town into the Province Treasury again — And to which His
Excellency Consented being Read.

The Town immediately proceeded to take the same into Consid-
eration and after long Debates thereon.

A Motion was made and Seconded that the Town would Recon-
sider a Vote by them passed at the last General Town Meeting
appointing the Selectmen a Committee to take the said Grant into
Consideration and Report what they Apprehend will be most for
the Advantage of the Town to do in this Affair, the said Committee
having yet done Nothing thereon

And it was accordingly Voted That the same be Reconsidered,

Then a Motion was made & Seconded that the Town would im-
mediately proceed to Vote, Whether they will Accept of the afore-
said Grant of the General Court on the Conditions therein men-
tioned, And a Question being accordingly put,

It was Voted That the said Grant be & hereby is Accepted oh
the Conditions therein mentioned Also

Voted That the Selectmen be desired on the behalf of the Town
to give Security to the Province Treasurer in the manner required
by the Grant of the General Court & thereupon receive the said

44 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Money of the said Province Treasurer and pay the same unto the
Town Treasurer to by by him kept and paid out unto such Persons
as the Selectmen shall Order upon Drafts by them made for that
purpose.

[31.] A Motion was made and Seconded that the Sum of Ten
Thousand Pounds Old Tenor may be raised by a Tax upon the
Inhabitants in Order to Carry on the Batterys or Fortifications
within the Town, but the same being Opposed by Several of the
Inhabitants who Moved that only the Sum of Six Thousand
Pounds Old Tenor may be Raised for that purpose, A previous
Question was put, Whether the Town will now proceed to raise
any Certain Sum of Money for Fortifying the Town, And it passed
in the Affirmative Then

Voted That the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Old Tenor be
raised by a Tax on the Inhabitants of this Town the same to be
Applyed for Building of the Batterys and Fortifications in said
Town and no other Use, And that the Assessors Set forthwith to
make and Apportion the said Assessments upon the Inhabitants,
And that the same be paid in to the Town Treasurer on or before
the Tenth Day of August next, to be by him paid out to such Per-
sons as the Selectmen shall Order.

Votedi That Mess". John Goldthwait Daniel Pecker, Nathaniel
Barber, Jeremiah Belknap, Sampson Salter, William Ireland, John
Williams, John Tudor, Daniel Ballard Samuel Bass Jonathan
Williams and Joseph Roby be and hereby are Appointed to Collect
the aforesaid Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds and that they pay in
the same to the Trown Treasurer on or before the said Tenth Day
of August next accordingly.

Voted That the Selectmen in behalf of the Town Petition the
Great and General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston on
Wednesday next praying them to make a further Grant to the
Town of such Sum as they shall think proper in Order to Enable
them to Carry on the Building and Compleating the Batterys or
Fortifications within the Town.

The Letters of Christopher Kilby & Eliakim Palmer Esq". Dated
at London the Eleventh & Eighteenth of February last mentioned
at the Opening of the Meeting were Read and the Town Appre-
hending by Mr. Kilby's Letter that he is under some very great
Mistakes relating to Several particular Matters by him mentioned
in his Letter therefore

Voted That the Selectmen be desired to take the Several Matters
in Mr. Kilby's Lette'r Complained of into Consideration & Report
at the next General Town Meeting what they think may be proper

for the Town to do thereon.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[32.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the
Fourth Day of May. A.D. 1744.

Prayer was made by the Reverend Mr. William Welsteed

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 45

The Precept and Warrant for Calling the Meeting Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

Jonas Clarke Esqr. One of the Selectmen in their Name proposed
to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of a Person
or Persons to Serve for and Represent them in a Great and Gen-
eral Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the
Thirtieth of May instant, And in Order thereto to Consider and
Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected.

Accordingly, Voted to proceed to the Choice of Four Represent-
atives, And it was declared that the Poll be closed at half an hour
alter Twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to
be Five Hundred & Thirty two, And upon Sorting the Votes it
Appeared that the following Gentlemen were Chosen, Vizt.

No. of Votea.

The Honble. Thomas Cashing Esqr 500

Mr Timothy Prout 434

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr 302

Andrew Oliver Esqr 296

The Election of Representatives being Ended and the same being

declared liy the Selectmen

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by a handy
Vote, And the Honble. Thomas Gushing Esqr. being Nominated, The
Question was put, Whether they would Choose the said Thomas
Cushing Esqr. to be the Moderator of this Meeting — And it Unani-
mously passed in the Affirmative.

Voted That this Meeting be Adjourned to Three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Afternoon, The Town being met according to adjournment.

Sundry Petitions Read, Vizt.

of Ebenezer Berry that he may be Released from pay-
ing his Taxes for Three Years past.
[33.] of George Tilley for leave to take Gravel from Fox hill

in the Common,
of Samuel Holyoke Writing School Master for an

Addition to his Salary,
of Sundry Inhabitants to have the New Brick Church

Bell rung at Eleven o'Clock.

of the Grave diggers that some place may be provided
to bury Strangers in.

Several Reports Read, Vizt.

of the Committee appointed to Consider of Frauds in

Cord Wood, and Firing of Chimneys.

of the Committee appointed to See what Sums are due
to the Province Treasurer and Examine the Col-
lectors Books.

of the Selectmen relating to Accepting a Peice of Land

near Sudbury Street for a High Way.

of the Selectmen, on Mr. Kilby's Letter read at the last

Meeting.

relating to the Selectmens applying to the General
Court for a Law to Impower them to Execute the
By-Laws of the Town.

46 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Sundry Motions made, Vizt.

Mr. Edward Bromfield, that the Merchants Watch upon
the Dock may be put under the Care of the Select-
men.

Mr. Robert Rand praying he may Excused from paying
his Fine for not Serving as a Clerk of the Market, to
which Office he was Chosen in March last.
Mr. Middlecott Cooke, that the Writing School in the
Common, whereof Mr. Abia Holbrook is Master may
be Enlarged, the same not being Sufficient to
Accommodate the Scholars that there Attend.
Andrew Oliver Esqr. that the Town would Grant a foot
of Land or thereabouts to his Brother Peter Oliver to
be Added to his Estate in Purchase Street out of the
Passage Way leading before the same, and in Lieu
thereof Accept of the same Quantity of his Land
on the other Side said Street And that the Selectmen
may be Impowered to lay out the same accordingly.
Samuel Adams Esqr. on behalf of himself and the other
Persons that Petitioned for Purchase Street, praying
the Town to Accept of said Street as now laid out.
Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. that the Moneys granted by
the General Court and also the Moneys Voted by the
Town the Sixteenth of April last to be raised by a
Tax on the Inhabitants for Carrying on & Compleat-
ing the Fortifications may be paid into the hands
of some particular Person as may be Chosen to
receive the same, to be by him paid out unto the
Committee (or their Order) appointed to Erect
Fortifications.

[34.] The Assessors informed the Town that the Tax of Ten
Thousand Pounds Old Tenor Voted the last Town Meeting for
Fortifications was Apportioned praying the Direction of the Town

as to their Delivering the Books to the Collectors.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Motion made
by Mr. Robert Rand praying he may be Excused from paying his
Fine for not Serving as a Clerk of the Market, and upon hearing

Mr. Rand & the reasons by him given.

Voted That Mr. Robert Rand be Excused from paying his Fine

accordingly.

On a Motion made that the Foundation of I he Grant of the Sum
of Ten Thousand Pounds Old Tenor for Fortifying the Town
passed at the General Town Meeting in April last, may be Recon-
sidered, after long Debates thereupon

The following Question was put, Whether the Matters inserted
in the Warrant for calling the Town Meeting the Sixteenth of
April last, was a Sufficient Foundation for the Inhabitants of the
Town to Raise the Tax of Ten Thousand Pounds then Voted for

carrying on the Fortifications in the Town.

Voted, in the Negative And then another Question was put,

Whether there is a Sufficient Foundation in the Warrant for call-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 47

ing this present Meeting to proceed to Raise Moneys for Fortifying
the Town, And it passed in the Negative.

The Report of the Selectmen to whom it was refer'd to Con-
sider of a Motion for Applying to the General Court for granting
further powers to the Town for the Executing the By-Laws, Read

at the Opening of the Meeting, was now Read again And

after a Considerable Debate thereon

It was Moved and Voted That the Consideration of this Report
be refer'd to the next Town Meeting.

The Report of the Selectmen consisting of a Draft of a Letter
by them made in Answer to a Letter of Christopher Kilby Esqr. of
the Eleventh of February last Read at the Opening of the Meet-
ing, was now Read again and after some Debate thereon the

same was Amended, And then Voted that the Selectmen be &
hereby are desired to Sign the said Letter in the Name of the
Town & forward it to Mr. Kilby by the first Opportunity.

which Letter is in the Words following, Vizt.

[35.] Boston May. 4th. 1744.

Christopher Kilby Esqr.
Sir

Your Letter of the 11th. of February with the Two Annexed
Copys of Your Letters to Mr. Palmer were duly received by the
Selectmen & by them Communicated to the Inhabitants of the
Town.

We Observe with great Concern that You have declined Engag-
ing for the Town in their Cause with Francis & others and We
cannot think You can be Justified in Your Severe Expressions &
the Resentment You have shewn which have proceeded from Mis-
takes or Misinformations.

We cannot Answer for the Views or Prejudice of every Inhabi-
tant but We are well Assured it was far from being the design of
any Considerable Number much less of the Majority of the Town
in joining Mr. Palmer to put any Slight upon You or shew the
least Distrust of Your Capacity or Fidelity in Pursuing the Interest
of the Town, but it was Used as an Argument with the Inhabitants
that the Appointing Mr. Palmer and You by a joint Vote would
have the Appearance of thte being the beginning of the Town's
inserting themselves in the Affair and so any Objection that might
be made that they had already by You their Agent Acknowledged
the Jurisdiction of the King in Council would be Removed, what-
ever Weight there might be in this Argument Yet it was the pre-
vailing One.

We are Sorry for the unlucky Circumstance of the Papers being
Sent You by Mr. Palmer under a Wrong Cover both the Original
& Duplicates that went from the Selectmen were Superscribed by
the Town Clerk & by him put in the Bag or delivered the Captains
of the Ships they Went by, And Mr. Palmer Undoubtedly is Ca-
pable of Satisfying You of his Mistake.

You Mention a Letter being received by You Signed by Six
only of the Selectmen, the Seventh was not then in Town, if he

48 CITY DOCUMENT No. T70.

had been he would readily have Signed it & he joined with the
rest in Voting the Letter to be Sent You.

As these Circumstances which were a great reason of Your re-
fusal & in the light they Appeared to You must seem extraordinary
are thus Explained & Cleared, We hope You will still engage in
this Affair which We look upon to be of very great Importance to
Us and in which We very much desire Your Assistance, And as
there was no design the Three Hundred Pounds Sterling should
fall into the hands of One Agent any more than the other, We
expect & doubt not that it will be Applied for the Service of the
joint Agency in proportion to the Charge either of You have been
or may be at.

We are, in the Name & by Order of the Town.
Sir, Your very humble Servants.

[36.] Mess". John Greenough Sworne ^

Samuel Holland Sworn £ Clerks of the Market.
William Palfrey Sworn )
were Chosen Clerks of the Market lor the Year ensuing.

Voted, That all the Matters and Things now remaining Unfin-
ished be refer'd over to the next Town Meeting, to be then Con-
sidered and Acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the
Ninth Day of May A.D. 1744.

The Warrant for Calling the Meeting Read.

Voted That the Town proceed to the Choice of a Moderator by
a Written Vote, the Votes being Collected it Appeared that the
Honourable Thomas Gushing Esqr. was Unanimously Chosen.

Sundry Laws Read.

The Petition of Edward Gray & others relating to Purchase
Street, was Read.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Affair of
further Fortifying the Town, and after a long Debate thereon,

It was Moved & Seconded that the following Question might be
put, Whether the Town will now further enter into the Considera-
tion of Finishing the North Battery and the same being put ac-
cordingly It was Voted in the Affirmative Then

Voted That the Sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pounds
Bills of the Old Tenor be granted and raised by a Tax upon the
Inhabitants of the Town for finishing the North Battery, and that
the Assessors Set forthwith to Apportion the said Tax and when
finished Commit the same to the Standing Collectors of Taxes &
that they be Obliged to pay the same into the hands of the Town
Treasurer on or before the Tenth Day of August next to be by
him kept and paid out unto the Committee already appointed to
Erect Fortifications or their Order.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 49

The Town Apprehending the Vote pass'd by them the Sixteenth
[37.] of April last whereby they Accepted of the General Courts
Grant of Six Hundred & Sixty Six Pounds Thirteen Shillings &
four pence for Erecting another good and Sufficient Brest Work
&c. to be Invalid and illegal, proceeded further to Consider of said
Grant and after some Debate thereon

Voted That the Town will not Accept of the same on the Con-
ditions therein mentioned, the said Vote of the Sixteenth of April
Notwithstanding.

Then Voted That the Town will not at this time take any Steps
further to Fortify the Town.

Voted, Th;it the Selectmen be and the}' hereby are desired in the
Name of the Town to put in a Petition to the Great & General
Court or Assembly at their Sessions in May next praying them to
Alter the aforesaid Grant of Six Hundred & Sixty Six Pounds
Thirteen Shillings & four pence in such manner as that the same
may be Applied towards Compleating the North Battery, Supply-
ing it with Stores &ca

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Afternoon, The Town being met according to Adjournment.

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants praying the Bell at the New
Brick Church at the North End may be rung at Eleven o'Clock in
the Forenoon and such Allowance be made to the Sexton therefor

as shall be thought proper Voted, That the said Petition be

refer'd to the Selectmen, they to Report thereon, as also on the
Sextons Petition refer'd to them in March last, at the next Town
Meeting.

The Report of the Selectmen made at the Meeting the fourth
instant, on the Motion for Applying to the General Court' for
granting further powers to the Town for the Executing the By
Laws was now Read again, and is as follows, Vizt.

To the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled May. 4th. 1744.

The Selectmen to whom was refer'd to Consider of a Motion for
Applying to the General Court for granting further powers to the
Town for the Executing the By-Laws, make this report.

That they are of Opinion that Application be made to the
General Court humbly praying, That as this Town is grown much
more Populous [38.] Than under the Old Charter when they
had power of making Laws with the Penalty of Twenty .Shillings
Annexed, their power may be now by an Act of the General
Court increased, so as to make By Laws with the Consent of
the Court of Sessions with a Penalty not exceeding Forty
Shillings.

That the Selectmen for the time being or the Major part of them
be Constituted a Court of Record & Vested with Powers Sufficient
to try & Determine all Offences against the By Laws of the Town,
their Courts to be held the last Monday of every Month under such
Regulations as the General Court shall think proper, Provided an
Appeal lyes from the Judgment of said Selectmen to the Court of

50 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Suffolk to be held

next after said Judgment.

All which is humbly Submitted.

THOB. HUTCHINSON ")
THOMAS HANCOCK
MIDDLECOTT CooKE }» Selectmen.
JOHN STEEL
WILLIAM SALTER j

And after a long Debate upon the said Report, The following
Question was put, Whether the Town will Accept of said Report
and Apply to the General Court for the purposes therein men-
tioned, And it pass'd in the Negative.

The Petition of John Swinnerton praying that he may keep a
Free School for the learning of Children to Spell & Read refer'd
over to this Meeting now came under Consideration And after
some Debate thereon

Voted, That the same be Dismissed.

Voted That the Overseers of the Poor be & hereby are desired
in the most prudent & frugal manner to take Care that the Poor
Children within their respective Wards be put to such Schools as
are proper for teaching them to Read & that the Town be at the
Expence of the same.

Mr. Treasurer Wadsworth presented an Estimate of what may
be proper for the Town to Raise for defraying the Charges of the
Current Year.

Voted, That the Several Petitions of Samuel Holyoke, Abia
[39.] Holbrook & John Procter Junr. Schoolmasters in the
Town praying for an Addition to be made to their S alary s, be
refer'd over to the General Town Meeting in March next for Con-
sideration.

Voted a Grant of Fifteen Thousand Bills of the Old Tenor to to
be raised by a Tax upon Polls & Estates within the Town of Bos-
ton for Relief of the Poor and defraying other Necessary Charges
arising within and for the said Town the Year ensuing.

Voted, That the Sum of Seventy five Pounds Bills of the Old
Tenor be Allowed & paid out of the Town Treasury unto Mr.
John Staniford being for his Salary as Clerk of Faneuill Hall Mar-
ket the Year past ending in March last.

The Petition of Ebenezer Beny refer'd to this time, praying
for an Abatement of his Taxes for Three Years past for reasons
mentioned in said Petition, now came under Consideration, And
after some Debate, Voted That the said Petition be Dismissed.

The Hon. Edward Hutchinson Esqr. from the Committee
appointed to Examine the Accounts of Mr. Treasurer Wadsworth,
to Audit the Accounts of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the
Almshouse, and also to Audit their Accounts relating to the
"Workhouse, presented their Several Reports thereon which were
Read and are as on file

Voted That the said Reports be Accepted.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Tomorrow, at Three
o'Clock in the Afternoon.

±JOSTON Towx RECORDS, 1741. 51

Thursday May 10th. — The Town being met according to Ad-
journment.

The Motion made by Mr. Edward Bromfield at the last Town
Meeting that the Merchants Watch upon the Town Dock may be

put under the Care of the Select men was now Considered,

and

Voted That the Selectmen be desired to take the whole Care of
said Watch, that the same be kept up and Maintained at the
Expence ol' the Town, until the Town shall Order otherwise.

The Motion made by M*. Middfecott Cooke the last Town Meet-
ing that the Writing School in the Common whereof Mr. Abia
Holbrook is Master may be Enlarged the same not being Sufficient
to Accommodate the Scholars that there Attend, was taken into
Consideration, & thereupon

[4O.] Voted That the Selectmen be & hereby are desired to
Enlarge the said School in such manner as they shall think Need-
ful for the Convenience & Accommodation of the Scholars.

The Motion made by Andrew Oliver Esqr. the last Town Meet-
ing, that the Town will grant a foot of Land or thereabouts to his
Brother Peter Oliver to be Added to his Estate in Purchase Street,
out of the Passage Way leading before the same & in Lieu thereof
Accept of the same Quantity of his Land on the other Side said
Passage Way now came under Consideration

And thereupon Voted That the same be refer'd to the

Selectmen, who are desired to Act & do therein as they shall
think proper.

The Memorial of Edward Gray & John Hill in behalf of them-
selves & others Proprietors & Abutters of Land on Purchase Street
so Called laid out through Bartons Rope Walk Read at the Open-
ing of the Meeting & now Read again Setting forth, That the
Town at their Meeting in May. 1741 on the Report of the Select-
men then made upon the Petition of the Memorialist's relating to
said High Way Voted That their Report be Accepted & that upon
the Petitioners Compleatiug the Street from Summer Street to
Sconce Street of Twenty One feet in Length & levelling a part of
the hill to the Eastward of said Street to the Approbation of the
Selectmen & Convey over said Land to the Town for a Common
High Way free from any Demand of the Proprietors, that then the
Town Allow to the Memorialists One Hundred & Fifty Pounds
& Accept of it as a High Way.

That the Memorialists pursuant to said Vote have Com pleated
the whole of said Street Saving a Small part thereof towards the
Sconce belonging to the Honble. Col°. Wendell & which the Me-
moriali8". were in hopes they should prevail with Col°. Wendell to
Release but as yet have not been able to do, That the Memorial-
ists have Levelled the Hill to the Eastward of said Street to the
Approbation of the Selectmen & done every thing the}' can to
Comply with said Vote & are ready by a good Deed to Convey
said Laud to the Town. And as they had been put to Consider-
able more Cost Expence & Trouble than the}' at first Appre-
hended They prayed the Town would be pleased to Accept of said
[41.] High Way as it now is, altho' they cannot yet Obtain from

52 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Col°. Wendell his Land which would Enable them fully to Comply
with the Towns Vote & thereupon Order the said Sum of One
Hundred & Fifty Pounds to be paid them out of the Town
Treasury.

And after some Debate thereon

Voted That the Prayer of the Petition be granted, & that upon
the Petitioners & their Associates giving a good and Lawful Deed
of the said Street to the Town as it now is, the Town Accept of
the same as a High Way and that the Sum of One Hundred &
Fifty Pounds Old Tenor be paid them out of the Town Treasury
accordingly.

The Motion made by Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham at the Meet-
ing in That a Plan be taken of all the Lands & Rights be-
longing to the Town and hung up in Faneuil Hall, & that a par-
ticular Entry of all said Lands & Rights may be made in the

Towns Books for the better Information of the Inhabitants

now came under Consideration, & thereupon

Voted That the Selectmen be and hereby are desired in the most
frugal manner they can to take or cause to be taken a Plan of all
such Rights as do in any manner belong unto the Town, and Re-
port their Doings hereon at the next General Town Meeting.
• Voted That the Sum of Two Hundred & Fifty Pounds Bills of
the Old Tenor be Allowed and Paid ou'; of the Town Treasury
unto the Honourable Joseph Wadswortli Esqr. for his good Services
as Town Treasurer for the Year past.

The Report of the Selectmen relating to a Peice of Land, Peti-
tioned for by a Number of Inhabitants to be laid out for a High

Way leading from Sudbury Street to Hawkins Street was

Read & is as follows, Vizt.

To the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of Boston in Town
Meeting Assembled May the 4th. 1744.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town the 14th. of March last desiring
the Selectmen to View a Peice of Land leading from Sudbury
Street to Hawkins's Street Petitioned for by a Number of Pro-
prietors & Abutters to be Accepted by the Town for a High Way.

We the Subscribers accordingly Attended that Service & are of
Opinion that the said Peice of Land be Accepted of by the Town
[42.] For a Publick High Way provided the Abutters & Proprietors
thereon Level the said Land to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen.

All which is humbly Submitted, by

SAMUEL ADAMS

JONAS CLARKE

THOMAS HANCOCK ^ Selectmen

MlDDLECOTT COOKE

JOHN STEEL
WILLIAM SALTER

And thereupon Voted That the said Report be Accepted pro-
vided the sd. Proprietors & Abutters will Pave the said Street at
their own Expence & Charge the same to be under the Direction of
the Selectmen, and that the same be called and known by the
Name of Still house Square.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 53

The Petition of George Tilley refer'd over from the last Meeting
unto this time, praying the Town would give him Liberty to take a
few Load of Gravel from Fox hill or Beach Stuff, from of the great
Beach at the Bottom of the Common to Cover a hollow place in a
High Way by him fenced in Order to lay out for the Service of the

Town, near the bottom of the Common was now Read & after

some Debate thereon

Voted That this Petition be & hereby is refer'd unto the Select-
men who are desired to Act & do therein what they Apprehend
will be most for the Advantage of the Town.

The Petition of Thomas Moulin & others Grave Diggers Setting
forth that the South Burying place is so full that they cannot Bury
the Dead without Disturbing them, praying the Town to take it
into Consideration & that they will provide some place to Bury
Strangers & Negroes was now Read & thereupon

Voted That the same be refer'd to the Selectmen, they to Consider
of the said Petition & Report at the next Town Meeting what they
Apprehend may be proper to do thereon.

The Committee appointed in March last to Consider of some
Effectual means to prevent Frauds in the measure of Cord Wood
presented their Report which was Read & is as follows, Vizt.

Boston May. 3d. 1744.

We the Subscribers being appointed a Committee to Consider of
some Effectual Method to prevent Fraud in the Measure of [43.3
Cord Wood, accordingly have Couvers'd with divers People relat-
ing to this Affair and do find that in times past some Wharfs have
been Omitted as to the having a Sealer which has been a discour-
agement to those that have been Sealers, & and many Coasters
have gone from those Wharfs where there have been faithful
Sealers to those where there has been none, Upon all which We
are of Opinion That no Wharf where any Wood is Landed for Sale
should be Destitute of a faithful Sealer, and that for his Encour-
agement he should be Allowed Four pence Old Tenor for every
Cord of Wood he Seals & that no Wood shall be Carried of from
any Wharf without it be Sealed by One of the Persons so Chosen
& Sworn, & that no One Sealer shall have the Charge of more than
Two or Three Wharfs at the most All of which is Sub-
mitted

JOHN DAKRELL
ROBERT RAND
JOSEPH BRADFORD
JACOB PARKER

Voted That this Report be Accepted & that the Selectmen be
desired to Act in Conformity to said Report.

The Committee appointed in March last to Consider of some
Effectual means to prevent the frequent Firing of Chimneys, pre-
sented their Report which was Read, & is as follows, Vizt.

Boston May. 3d. 1 744.

We the Subscribers being appointed a Committee to Consider of
some proper Method to prevent the Firing of Chimneys, have Con-

54 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

sidered of that Affair & and do find lhat many fires has been
Occasioned by the Neglect of Sweeping of Chimneys, Therefore are
of Opinion that if the Town could find two Suitable Persons that
would Undertake to Effect the Sweeping of all the Chimneys in the
Town of Boston they having a proper Encouragement for so doing,
in such Case if the said Undertakers shall be duly Notified to
Sweep any Chimney & shall not Attend his or their Duty within
Forty Eight hours shall pay a fine of Ten Shillings for every such
Neglect, And if any Inhabitant shall Neglect to Notify One of
the Undertakers, & by such Neglect his Chimney shall take Fire
so as to Blaze out at the Top, shall for every such Neglect pay the
aforsaid Fine, And for the Encouragement of the Undertakers no
Person shall Employ any other Person to [44.] Sweep their Chim-
ney or Chimneys without paying the aforsaid Fine All which is

Submitted by Your humble Servants.

JOHN DARRELL
ROBERT RAND
JOSEPH BRADFORD
JACOB PARKER

Voted, That the said Report be refer'd to the Selectmen they to
Consider thereof & Act therein as shall be most for the Security

and Advantage of the Town

Voted That Mr. John Wheelwright
Mr. Jeremiah Allen
Mr. Thomas Greene
Mr. Harrison Gray &
Nathaniel Balstou Esq'.

be a Committee to Audit the Town Treasurers Accounts for the
Year ensuing and make Report as Usual, and that they also Audit
the Accounts of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the Alms-
house, and also the Workhouse, and to Attend doing the same at
the Usual place of said Overseers Meeting, & said Accounts being
Audited the said Committee are desired to make Report hereon at
the next General Town Meeting.
Mess™. Benjamin Ballard")

Joseph Ballard >• Cullers of Staves & Hoops.
Benjamin Sault )

were Chosen Cullers of Staves & Hoops for the Year ensuing.
Mr. Thomas Hayes was Chosen a Sealer of Leather for the Year

ensuing. Sworn.

Voted That the Thanks of the Town be given to the Honble.
Thomas Gushing Esqr. the Moderator for his great Pains in regu-
lating & giving Dispatch to the Business of this Meeting.

Voted, That all the Matters & Things remaining Unfinished be
refer'd over to the next Town Meeting for Consideration.
Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[45.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and Lawfully Warned in
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Thursday
the Twenty Fourth Day of May, Anno Domini, 1 744.

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1744. 55

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

The Town proceeded to Choose a Moderator by a handy Vole,
And the Honourable Edward Ilutchinson Esqr. being Nominated,
was accordingly Chosen Moderator of this Meeting.

Samuel Adams Esqr. One of the Selectmen, Informed the Town
that Mr. Francis Willoughby keeper of the Granary the last Week
broke his Leg, whereby he is rendered Unable to Attend that Bus-
iness, and the Granary has not been since Opened, He therefore
desired the Town would give Directions to the Selectmen how they
should Act in this matter.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Business of
this Meeting, which is to Determine Whether it will be proper to
give any Instructions to their Agents relating to the Controversy
between them and Abraham Francis and others differing from what
has already been Determined by the Town, And after very long

Debates thereupon It was Moved and Seconded that the

following Question might be put, Whether the Town will now
come to a Determination of this Affair, And it being accordingly
put

It was Voted in the Negative.

Voted, That there be Adjournment of this Meeting further lo
Consider & Determine upon the Business thereof, and that when
the same is Adjourned it be to Thursday the Fourteenth Day of
June next.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Thursday the Four-
teenth Day of June next at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, And
that the Selectmen give Directions to the Constables that the In-
habitants of the Town be Specially Notified of this Adjournment
and the Business that is to be then Acted upon.

Thursday, June. 14 1744. Three o'Clock in the Afternoon

The Town met according to Adjournment.

And it Appearing that the Constables had not Warned the
[46.] Inhabitants as they were directed, and few of the Inhab-
itants being present, it was Moved that the Meeting should be
Adjourned to some further Day and that the Selectmen be desired
to give Orders in Writing to the Several Constables of the Town
that they Notify the Inhabitants to meet at said Adjournment,
and that Printed Tickets expressing ihe business of the Meeting
be left at the Houses of the Several Inhabitants at some Seasona-
ble time before the said Adjournment, which Motion being Sec-
onded by Several, it was accordingly put, and Voted in the Affirm-
ative Then

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday the Twenty
Sixth Day of June instant, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Tuesday June. 26th. 1744. Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.
The Town met according to Adjournment.

The Honble. Edward Ilutchinsou Esqr. the Moderator of this
Meeting being out of Town upon his private Affairs, It was pro-
posed that some other Person be Chosen in his room. And James
Allen Esqr. being Nominated, he was accordingly Chosen.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Business of
the Meeting which is to Determine Whether it will be proper for

56 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Town to give any Instructions to their Agents relating to the
Controversy between them and Abraham Francis and others differ-
ing from what has already been Determined by the Town

And after some Debate thereon, A Question was put, And it waa
accordingly, Voted, Nemine Contradicente that the Town will
not give any Instructions to their Agents relating to the Contro-
versy aforesaid differing from those already given them.
Voted, That Samuel Welles ^

Edward Hutchinson

James Allen v Esq™.

Thomas Gushing &

John Read

Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham &

Mr. Charles Apthorp

be a Committee to draw up a Letter proper to be Sent to the
Agents to Inform them what the Town have now done relating to
this matter, and Report thereon at the next Meeting.

Upon a Motion made by Mr. Middlecott Cooke

[47.] It was Unanimously Voted, That the Thanks of the
Town be given to Capt. Edward Tyng Commander of the Province
Snow for the great Service he has done in taking and bringing in
to this Harbour a French Privateer Sloop belonging to Cape
Briton Mounting Sixteen Guns and Mann'd with Ninety four Men
Commanded by Capt. Delabroitz, which has been Cruising in Our
Bay for several days past ; and that the Selectmen desired to
present the same to him accordingly.
Then the Meeting was Dismist.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified & lawfully Warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the Four-
teenth Day of August, Anno Domini, 1744.

The Warrant for Calling the Meeting Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by a
written Vote, and the Votes being collected it Appeared that James
Allen Esqr. was Cliosen.

The Committee appointed the Twenty Sixth of June last, to
prepare the Draft of a Letter proper to be Sent to the Agents to
Inform them what the Town have further done relating to their
Controversy with Abraham Francis and others, Reported that,
they had accordingly prepared the same which was Read & is to
Stand in the Words following Vizt.

Boston August. 1744.
Gentlemen,

Upon Receipt of Mr. Palmer's Letters of the 18th. of
February & 9th. of March last, the Selectmen Warned the Town to
meet, specially to Consider of the Affair of Mr. Francis and others,
their Controversy with the Town, in its present Situation and
Circumstances, and according. ; the Town met, as You See (by
the Votes now Sent) Once and again, and after large Debates

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 57

& long Deliberation, they came to the Resolution jf Adhering to
their former Instructions, without so much as One Vote to the
Contrary, when the Negative was put, which You See is particu-
larly exprest in the Record of the Vote.

We Observe what Mr. Palmer Says, that the Lords of Council
[48.] Refused to hear any pleading upon the Petition of the
Council & Assembly of the Province, It is possible it might be
tho't Needless or improper to Argue a point that a particular
Cause then depending, wou'd be much Affected by, before that
cause came on, but however that may have been, We must press
You, that in a decent humble manner, You insist on Our being
heard on Our pleas in Bar, because, if We are refused, there are
Several pleas beside those from the Charter, which respect the false
representations & Abuses put upon the Town, in the Petition, that
bro't on the Order for an Appeal, which wdl escape being heard
also, and which, if they are heard, will, We doubt not, prove
very clearly, that there is Nothing in the last Petition, that was
Accepted different from the former, that was rejected, but False-
hoods.

We hope the light, in which We Set the Affair of Chusing You
Agents for the Town, jointly & Severally & their other proceed-
ings, has Satisfied Mr. Kilby, that he had not Occasion given him
by the Town, for so much Resentment and such harsh Expressions
in his Letter of the Eleventh of March last, or to refuse the Agency,
and therefore that he will readily do all in his power, to Serve Us
in this important Affair.

And after a Short Debate thereon

Voted, That the same be Accepted & that the Selectmen be and
hereby are directed to Sign the same in behalf of the Town & for-
ward it to the Agents by the first Opportunity.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration. the Petition of a
Number of the Inhabitants of the Town to the Selectmen Setting
forth, That the Taxes Assessed upon the Town are so very Bur-
thensome, that many, even of the Richest of the Inhabitants are
groaning under the Weight of them & they Apprehended with
great reason That the Middling Sort of People are daily de-
creasing many of them Sinking into extream Poverty That

not only the Trade is visibly decreasing, but many honest Trades-
men are without Employ, the Trade of Building Houses being

in a manner Stagnated, as well as that of Building Ships

That in the last Supply Bill made by the General Assembly, the
Funds are laid within the Year. 174G, and the Taxes made for the
same, whereby they Apprehend the [49.] Succeeding Assemblys
are foreclosed granting the People any Relief, as in the Year.
1741. when the Burthen was so great (Occasioned by the Expedi-
tion to the Spanish West Indies) as that the General Court looked
on themselves bound in Compassion to their People, to Postpone
the Funds to some further time, which, had the Taxes been made

as now, could not have been done Wherefore this being a

Matter of the greatest Consequence to the Province in general,
& the Town of Boston in particular, the Petitioners prayed the
Selectmen would grant a Warrant to Convene the Town to give

58 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Instructions to their Representatives relating to the next Supply
Bill, or any other Articles of Importance, if the Town See cause.
And After a Considerable Debate, thereon, It was
Voted, That a Committee be Chosen to Draw up Instructions
for the Representatives of the Town relating to the Several Mat-
ters mentioned in said Petition, and that said Committee be
directed therein Strongly to Urge that the Representatives Use
their best Endeavours to have the Funds put beyond the Year. 1 746.
Also that the Taxes be not laid at the same time the Treasury
is Supplyed. but that it be left to Succeeding Assemblys to do the
same, and that it be an Article in said Instructions that the Re-
presentatives also Endeavour that We have some Relief as to Our

proportion of the Publick Taxes and then

Voted, That the said Committee Consist of Five Persons, And
accordingly,

Ezekiel Lewis ")

Samuel Welles

James Allen . ]• Esqrt.

Samuel Adams &

Abiel Walley J

were Chosen to be the said Committee for the purposes aforesaid,
and they are desired to make Report of their doings herein at the
next Meeting.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[5O.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in Pub-
lick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the
Twenty fifth Day of September, Anno Domini, 1744.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

James Allen Esqr. was Chosen Moderator (by a written Vote)

A Petition of Sundry Inhabitants praying That Faneuil Hall
Market may be Opened on Saturdays in the Afternoon & on the
whole of those Days proceeding Thanksgiving and Fast Davs
Read.

A Motion made by Mr. Jeremiah Allen that a Committee may
be now Chosen by the Town to Audit tlie Accompts of the Com-
mittee that were Appointed for Building the Batterys.

The Committee appointed the fourteenth of August last to draw
up Instructions to be given to the Representatives of the Town of
Boston, having Attended that Service, now made Report of a
Draft they had prepared, in tlie following Words, Vizt.

To Thomas Cushing Esqr. Mr. Timothy Prout

Thomas Hutdiinson & Andrew Oliver Esq™.
Gentlemen,

We have in Confidence of your firm Attachment to
the Interest of the Province in general & of this Town in particular,
Chosen You to Represent & Act for Us, this Critical Year in the
Great & General Court, and as We hereby put Our Lives & Estates
into your hands and do You the highest Honour in Our power, by
placing in You the highest Trust, We Apprehend it Our Duty,

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 59

according to the Example of Our Mother Countrey & frequent
Practice of this, to Let You know Our Sentiments and Inclinations
in some Affairs of great Importance to the Province, but particularly
to this Town.

[1.] We would especially Recommend to Your Care, the
manner of Supplying the Treasury, We need not Observe how
much the two Succeeding Years are loaded with Taxes, already
laid, & therefore how Oppressive it will be to increase the
Burthen, already almost insupportable by laying any of the
extraordinary Charges of the War on those Two Years, for either
it must be Concluded, when You make the Promise, to Neglect and
break it, or to ruin the [51.] Province, both which. We trust you
would be far from, & therefore We direct & Urge that you would
take the third and only practical Method of laying the Funds, on
some future Unincumbred Years ; and this is Agreeable to the
Usage of all Wise States, so to Order their Affairs, that the great
& Excessive Charge of War, may be defrayed and paid in the
Days of Peace, when the People are at Leisure to Till the Ground,
and may with Safety, Suck of the Abundance of the Seas : and
not make Grim and Savage War, look yet more terrible, by Volun-
tarily & Wantonly Adding the Ghastly Visage of Hunger & Naked-
ness.

2. We would further press You to Use your best Endeavours,
that the Taxes be not laid when the Supply of the Treasury is
made, but that future Assemblys (who will best know the Circum-
stances and Ability of the Province) may have the Opportunity of
Consulting the Safety and Weal of the Publick, of which right,
they ought by no means to be debarred, We are Sensible that in
times past, there have been some Mistakes made, from which
Inconveniences have arisen, which might have been prevented, had
the Taxes been laid irrevocably when the Funds were Agreed on ;
but We had not then the Experience We. now have, of the Nature
and operation of Bills of Credit ; Nevertheless howsoever that
might have been, We cannot Suppose, because in some extraordi-
nary times, when a Party Spirit has run high, there have been
some Abuses of Our Liberties and Priviledges that therefore AVe
should in a Servile manner give them all up. And have Our Bread
& Water measured out to Us by those Who Riot in Luxury &
Wantonness on Our Sweat & Toil and be told perhaps by them,
that We are too happy, because We are not reduced to Eat Grass
with the Cattle.

3. We must further direct You, to Use your Interest, that this
Town be Abated in their proportion of the Publick Taxes as now
Assessed ; As Trade and Navigation abroad & Ship building
ashore are the business of the Town and means to enable them to
pay, when these fail, as it is visible they all do, since the French
War : especially Building of Ships which is almost wholly Ceased,
Our Proportion of the Taxes must Abate & Cease accordingly, or
we must make Brick without Straw.

4. We further expect, as You regard the good of Town 01
Country, that you will be very watchful, and do all in your power,
that none [52.] Who have a Visible Temptation to • Prostitute

60 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Publick Interest and Treasure, to Serve their own, may be im-
proved or have Opportunity given them for it ; We also desire You
carefully to Avoid men, Who from a Mean & Servile Complaisance
to those in power, would Complement away Our Estates & Liber-
ties nor let these despicable Tools, from the Supple & Contemptible
figure they make, be tho't below your Care or Notice, Remember
that great Mischief may arise, from the deceitful Cringing &
fawning of the Spaniel, as well as from the Polluted and Rapacious
Jaws of the Mastiff.

The aforewritten Draught, is what We Apprehend the Town
inclines, should be given the Representatives as their Instructions ;

All which is humbly Submitted,

by EZE: LEWIS
SAMUEL WELLES
JAS. ALLEN
SAMUEL ADAMS
ABIEL WALLET.

The said Report having been Read Several times.

After some Debate thereon, Voted That the same be Considered
of Paragraph by Paragraph, And thereupon the First Paragraph
was Read & Voted that the same be Accepted ;

Then the Second Paragraph being Read

Voted, That the same be Amended by having the "Words at the
Close thereof Vizt. ''And have Our Bread & Water measured out
to Us by those who Riot in Luxury & Wantonness on Our Sweat
& Toil and be told perhaps by them that We are too happy,
because We are not reduced to Eat Grass, with the Cattle." en-
tirely Obliterated.

And then the Third Paragraph was Read.

Voted, That the same be Accepted.

And then the Fourth Paragraph was Read and Voted, That

the whole thereof be Obliterated

And then the said Draft (as Amended) was Read & thereupon,

Voted, That the Town Clerk be and hereby is directed and
Ordered to Deliver an Attested Copy thereof to each of the Gentle-
men the Representatives of the Town of Boston as the Instructions
of the said Town.

[53.] The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants praying that
Faneuil Hall Market may be Opened on Saturdays in the After-
ternoon & on the whole Day before the Thanksgiving & Fast
Days, was Read again, And after some Debate,

Voted, That the said Petition be Dismissed.

Mr. Jeremiah Allen desired to withdraw the Motion he made at
the Opening of this Meeting, for having a Committee Chosen to
Audit the Accompts of the Committee appointed to Build the
Batterys, being Informed that the said Committee had not as yet
received in all the Accou. for Building the same.

The Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants, of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified & lawfully Warned in Publick Town

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1744. 61

Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the Thirty first
Day of January, A.D. 1744.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

James Allen Esqr. was Chosen Moderator (by a handy Vote.)

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Petition of
a Number of the Inhabitants to the Selectmen for Calling this
Meeting, Setting forth that the Inhabitants labour under a great
Load of Taxes which on the Acco'. of the War is like to be En-
creased, that the Collectors are greatly in Arrear with the Province
Treasurer, & are Sollicking that the Tax Books for the Year. 1744.
may be put into their hands, praying the Selectmen would not
deliver 'em said Tax Books until the Town should Advise thereon,
And after some Debate thereon, the Treasurer inform'd the Town
th&t he Apprehended the Several Collectors had paid off (including
their own Fees) the whole they were Indebted to the Town, that
he now had Draughts made upon him by the Selectmen and Over-
seers of the Town for Several Thousand Pounds Old Tenor, & that
there is no Money in the Treasury to Discharge them, And if the
Town would not deliver to the Collectors Elect, the said Tax Books
for the Year. 1744. they would take some other Method to have the
Treasury Supplyed in Order to pay off said Draughts.

Whereupon it was Moved and accordingly Voted That the

Assessors Deliver the Tax Books to the Town Treasurer, & that
such of [54.] The Inhabitants as shall pay to said Treasurer their
Tax for the Year. 1 744. at any time before March Meeting shall
be Allowed at the time of Payment Five Pounds on the Hundred
& so in proportion for any greater or less Sum he shall pay in and
that the Treasurers Receipt for said Tax shall Sufficiently Dis-
charge the Person paying the same.

Afterwards Several of the Inhabitants (Apprehending great
Inconveniences may Arise by this Method) Moved That the said

Vote may be Reconsidered, which was Voted accordingly And

that this Meeting be Adjourned for a few Days & that the Town
then take into Consideration the said Motion, & Act thereon as
they think proper

Also Voted That the Several Collectors bring in at the said
Adjournment a List of the Names of all such Persons as have not
paid in their Taxes for the Year. 1743.

Voted That this Meeting be Adjourned to Thursday the Four-
teenth of February next at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

February 14th. 1744. Thursday Afternoon at Three o'Clock. The
Town met according to Adjqttjnpent.

And immediately procwidea to take into Consideration the
Motion made at the beginning of this Meeting & refer'd over to
this time to be Acted upon, Vizt. That such of the Inhabitants as
shall pay to the Town Treasurer their Tax for the Year. 1744. at
any time before March Meeting shall be Allowed at the time of
Payment Five Pounds on the Hundred & so in proportion for any
greater or less Sum that shall be paid in &c. And after a long
Debate thereon

The Town Apprehending That Difficulties would Attend Com-

62 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

mitting at this time the Tax Books to the Collectors for the present
Year but yet that it is of Necessity a Considerable Sum of Money
Sho'd be immediately raised for defraying the Expenccs of the
Town.

It was Moved & accordingly Voted That any Person or Persons
Taxed the present Year who will Lend the Town Treasurer at any
time before the Twentieth of March next any Sum or Sums of
Money to Answer the present Exigencies shall be Allowed Five
p Cent on the Sum so Lent, The Principal & Premium to be Dis-
counted by the Collectors out of their said Tax when Committed to
them.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[55.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualifyed and lawfully Warned in Pub-
lick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the
twenty fifth day of March Anno Domini 1745.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. John Webb.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon Collecting the Votes it appeared that The
Honble. Thomas Gushing Esqr. was unanimously chosen, then

Ezekiel Goldthwait (by a written Vote) was unanimously chose
Town Clerk for the year ensuing, and sworne to the faithful dis-
charge of his Duty in that Office by Daniel Henchman Eeqr.

Sundry Laws. Read.

Sundry Petitions. Read Viz'.

Of Isaac Peirce, for an additional allowance for ringing the Old
North Bell.

Of Benjamin Church's, praying Wheelers Pond may be recon-
vey'd to him.

Of John Fenno, that he may be appointed Master of the Gran-
ary.

Of John Roulston, praying he may have the priviledge of dig-
ing Graves with other Sextons.

Of Mr. Abia Holbrook, Master of the South Writing School,
praying his former petition for an Addition to his Salary may be
now Considered, and Acted upon

Of Mr. Samuel White, Usher of the North Grammar School,
praying for an Addition to his Salary.

[56.] Thomas Hubbard Esqr. a Motion made by him that
some Method may be taken to prevent Negroes keeping Hogs.

A Motion made by Mr. Joseph Marion, that as the Old Brick
Church Bell which for many years past has been rung at five and
eleven a Clock in the forenoon, and nine in the Evening is now
broke, the Town would now direct that the old South Church Bell
shall be rung at those hours.

A Motion made by Mr. Hopestill Foster, that another place for
the Burial of the Dead may be provided at the South part of the
Town.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745. 63

A Motion made by Mr. Jonathan Willis, that some Method may
be taken to prevent the firing of Chimneys.

A Motion made by Mr. Robert Rand ; That the Town would de-
termine whether the Fines arising on any persons refusing to Serve
in the Office to which he is chosen, shall be paid in bills of the
old tenor, or the same sum in lawful money.

A Motion made by the Selectmen, that the Town would Con-
sider of some Method to Improve the Marsh at the bottom of the
Common in such manner as will be most for the Advantage of the
Town.

The Selectmen Informed the Town that the Lease made to
Stephen Minot Esqr. of certain Lands on the Neck is now Expired
and as the Selectmen cannot (by a Vote of the Town) Lease out
any Lands for any longer space than Seven years, they apprehend
it will be a great disadvantage to the Town if they are Confin'd
to Lease out these Lands for no longer term praying the Towns
Consideration thereof.

Thomas Htitchinson Esqr. one of the Selectmen Inform'd the
Town that he was much Obliged to them for the Honour [57.]
Done him in choosing him a Selectman for several years past, that
he found his own private affairs would not permit him to Serve the
Town in that Office any longer, and therefore desired that when
the Town proceeded to the Choice of Selectmen for the ensuing
year, his name may not be put into the List. then

Voted to proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen The Votes
being accordingly brought in and sorted, it appeared that Six
Selectmen only were chose. Viz'.

Samuel Adams Esqr.
Jonas Clarke Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Hancock

Mr. Middlecott Cooke

Selectmen.

Cap*. John Steel
Mr. William Salter

Whereupon the Inhabitants were directed to bring in their Votes
for another Selectman, and they being accordingly brought in, &
Sorted it appeared that.

Cap'. Henry Atkins, was chose.

The Motion made by Mr. Robert Rand relating to the Fines
to be paid by those persons who refuse to Serve in the
respective Offices, to which they are chosen, now came under
Consideration, and after some debate, Voted, that any person or
persons chosen to any office in the Town for the year ensuing,
who in case of refusal is obliged to pay any Fine or penalty ; be
Excused from Serving in such Office, provided he or they pay
their respective fines in bills of the old tenor, as the several
persons did, who were the last year chose, and refused to Serve

Voted, that a number of persons be chose specially to Collect
the Taxes, separate from the Constables.

Voted, that this Meeting be Adjouru'd to three a Clock in the
Afternoon.

[58.] The Town being mett according to Adjournment.

64

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Constables.

Voted, to choose twelve Constables distinct from Collectors of
Taxes, accordingly.

Mess™. James Perkins paid last year.

William Molineaux paid in 1741.
Daniel Willard Pay.

William Bowen Sworne.
Thomas Flucker Pay.
Moses Deshon Sworne.

Simeon Skilling Sworne.
Gamaliel Wallis paid in 1736.
William Wait Wallis Excus'd.
Dean Osgood Pay.

Tuttle Hubbard Pay.
Benjamin Bagnal junr Pay.
were Chosen Constables.

Voted, that the Town proceed to the Choice of County Treasurer,
— and Collectors of Taxes to morrow at Eleven a clock.

The following Gentlemen were chose Overseers of the Poor for
the year ensuing — Viz*.
The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
William Tyler Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.

Mr. Edward Bromfield I Twelve Overseers of the

Col°. William Downe I Poor.

Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Cap4. John Phillips
Mr. Isaac Walker
George Rogers Esqr.
Mr. Ebenezer Storer
were chosen Overseers of the poor. &c.

[59.] Mess™. Andrew Hall Junr. Excus'd. 1
Farr Tolman. Pay.

James Gough. Pay.

Thomas Kimball. Sworne

Prince Sturgis. Pay

William Vintenon. Sworne

were chose Constables for the year ensuing.

Mess™. Richard Buckley
Joshua Blanchard
Jacob Parker

Daniel Pecker V Assessors.
William Fairfield
Nathaniel Barber
Joseph Fitch
were chose Assessors for the year ensuing.

The Petition of John Roulstone Sexton of the old South Church
praying that he may have the Right & Priviledge granted him of
diging Graves in the South Burying places as Mess™. Moulin
Band & Williston Sextons of the other Churches have ; now came

Constables.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745. 65

under Consideration and after some debate thereon, Voted That
Liberty be & hereby is granted unto the said John Roulston to dig
Graves in said Burying Places accordingly.

The Petition of Benjamin Church praying that the Pond comonly
called Wheelers Pond at the South End may be Conveyed to him
by the Town, was read, and thereupon Voted That the Selectmen
be & hereby are desired to take the Subject matter of said Petition
& the Circumstances of the same into Consideration, and report
what they think proper for the Town to do thereon, at the next
General Town Meeting.

The Petition of Isaac Peirce Sexton of the old north Church
praying an Additional Allowance may be made him for ringing
[GO.] The Bell there, was read, and thereupon Voted that the
prayer of the said Petition be rcfer'd to the Selectmen, they to Act
thereupon as they shall think proper.

The Motion of Mr. Joseph Marion made at the Opening of the
Meeting, that the Old South Church Bell may be rung at the hours
of 5. 11 & 9 a Clock instead of the old Church bell which is now
broke, came under Consideration, and after some debate thereon
Voted that the said Bell be accordingly rung at those hours until
the Bell of the old Church be mended and that the Selectmen
give directions accordingly.

The Petition of Mr. Abia Holbrook Master of the South Writ-
ing School (referr'd over to this time) Setting forth that his Salary
which is now but Two hundred pounds a year old tenor, is not
sufficient for his Support and maintenance, and as it is his main
dependence he prays the Town would Consider the same and grant
him such a Competency for his Subsistence as may Encourage him
further to Serve the Town in the Station he now Sustains ; was
now Read and after a short debate thereon Voted that the Sum of
One Hundred Pounds old Tenor bills p Annum be added to Mr.
Holbrooks Salary, the same to Commence on the Twenty second
instant, and that the Selectmen be desired to give drafts on the
Treasury for the same from time to time accordingly, to be paid
him quarterly.

The Petition of John Procter junr. Usher of the North Writing
School praying for an Addition to his Salary was read and after
some debate Voted that the sum of Thirty pounds p Annum old
tenor bills be added to his Salary the same to Commence on the
Twenty second day of February last, and that the Selectmen be and
hereby are desired to give drafts on the Treasury for the same from
time to time accordingly, to be paid him quarterly.

[61.] The Petition of Mr. Samuel Holyoke Master of the
Writing School in Queen Street (refer'd over to this time) praying
for an addition to his Salary was now read, & after some debate
thereon, Voted that the same be further refer'd to the next Gen-
eral Town Meeting.

The Petition of Mr. Samuel White Usher of the North Grammar
School (referr'd over to this time) praying for an addition to his
Salary was now read, and after some debate thereon, Voted the
same be further referr'd to the next General Town Meeting.

Upon a Motion made & Seconded by Several of the Inhabitants

66

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

It was Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired to
Visit the several Schools in the Town, and particularly Enquire
into their State & Circumstances, and the proficiency of the
Scholars that attend at said Schools, and report thereon as soon
as may be.

Upon the Motion made by the Selectmen at the Opening of the
Meeting relating to leasing out the Lands & Marsh on the Neck
&ca.

Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired & Impow-
ered to Lease out the Towns Lands and Marsh on the Neck to such
Person or Persons, at such Rents, and for such time as they shall
think most for the Interest and Advantage of the Town not ex-
ceeding twenty one years, and that they also Lease out the Marsh
Land at the bottom of the Common for a term not exceeding Forty
years, the Town Vote or Order made & pass'd the 13th : of March
A.D. 1732. to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd till tomorrow morning 9.
a Clock.

Tuesday Morning, 9. a Clock, the Town Mett according to Ad-
journment.

The Petition of John Fenno praying he may be chosen or ap-
pointed Master or keeper of the Granary, read at the Opening of
the Meeting was now read again, and thereupon the Selectmen
Inform'd the Town that Mr. Willoughby the present Master of the
Granary who had the Misfortune the last Summer to break one of
his Legs, [62.] Was in hopes he should be able to attend the
Service again in May next, Whereupon It was Voted that the
Choice of a Master of the Granary be referr'd to May Meeting.

Upon a Motion Made & Seconded, It was Voted That no

person that has been chosen a Constable within Ten years past
shall be now chosen again.

Mess™. William Clough Pay

Simon Eliot Sworne
Eneas Mackey Excus'd
Elias Thomas Sworne

Constables.

Nathan Simpson Sworne.

Peter Roberts Sworne
were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.
Mess™. Nathaniel Barber Sworne

Thomas Salter Sworn.

Nathaniel Gardner Sworn

William Merchant Sworne

John Darrell

Thomas Stoddard Sworn

Joseph Bradford Sworn

Samuel Parkman Sworn

John Greenough Sworn

Samuel Holland Sworn

William Palfrey

Alexander Sears Sworn,
were chose Clerks of the Market for the year ensuing.

}• Clerks of the Market.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745.

fi7

Scavingera.

Mess". Josiah Carter "^

Samuel Hastings
James Dawson

William Currier }• Sealers of Leather.
John Allen
Nathaniel Hodgdon
Robert Williams
were chosen Sealers of Leather for the year Ensuing.

[63.] Mess™. James Tilestone ")

John Lewis Vin tenon |
Francis Warden ! „ ,T.

William Bearsto pence Viewers.

William Moore
Joshua Thornton J

were chose Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
Mess™. Jonathan Payson

Daniel Ray

John Harris

Knight Leverett

Jabez Hunt

Nicholas Salisbury

John Hunt junr.

John Cravath

Joseph Roby

Ellis Wilson

John Tayler

Henry Newell
were chose Scavingers for the year ensuing.

Mr. Isaac Gridley. Surveyor of Hemp.

Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner )

Richard Hubbard j
Mr. Samuel Cowell. Hayward.
The Selectmen. Surveyors of Highways.
Mess™. John Scottow "]

Joseph Webb

George Skinner \ Hog^ves.

Robert Wlliams J Baker
were chose Hogreeves for the Year ensuing.
Nothing done thereon.

[64.] Mess™. Harvey Thomas
John Hobbs
Thomas Serjeant
Benjamin Ballard
Isaac Fowles
Sendal Williams
Benjamin Sault
James Alexander
Joseph Dyer
Joseph Ingraham
were chose Cullers of Staves for the year ensuing.

Informers of Deer &c*. .

Cullers of Staves

68 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Messri. Jeremiah Gushing

John Adams N°. End
Thomas Craft
Edward Moberly
Joseph White

ards ^wers of Boards,
William Brown jun'. Shm«les &c '

James Barnard
Isaac Vergoose
William Parkman
Ebenezer Gushing
Thomas Warden
were chose Viewers of Boards Shingles &e". for the year ensuing.

Mess™. Jeremiah Belknap") , Comtee. for Purchasing

Samuel Bridgham [• w e ^J? .' 1

John Salter )

The said Committee are desired and Impowered to give all need-
ful directions to the Keeper of the Granary, respecting the Quan-
titys of Grain sold, and Setting the Price thereof from time to time
as occasion shall require.

[65.] The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Clerk
of Faneuil Hall Market, and upon Collecting 'em, it appeared that
Mr. John Staniford was Unanimously Chosen. --

Upon a Motion made & Seconded, It was unanimously Voted
that the Thanks of the Town be given to Thomas Hutchinson
Esqr. for the great and faithful Services by him done for the Town
in Transacting and managing the Affairs thereof as one of the
Selectmen for Several years past.

The Selectmen Informed the Town that the Two hundred & Fif-
teen Fire Arms given to the Town by the honble. Col°. Thomas Fitch
decd. were lately Impressed by the Government for the Service of
the present Expedition against Cape Breton ; and then laid before
the Town a Letter they had received from the Committee of War
relating to said Fire Arms, & their Answer to the same, as also a
Memorial they had preferr'd to his Excellency the Captain General
praying said Fire Arms may not be Impressed &ca. - desir-
ing the direction of the Town as to their further proceedings in
this Matter, Whereupon after some Debate It was Voted that the
Selectmen be & hereby are desired forthwith to Apply to the
Government or the Committee of War to obtain of them the full
Value of said Fire Arms and upon receiving the same they are also
desired to purchase a like Number of good Fire Arms & Bayonets
in the best & cheapest manner they can.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer which being Collected were according to Law sealed up
by Constable Thomas to be by him kept & returned to the next
Quarter Sessions to be held for the County of Suffolk.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town
Treasurer and upon Collecting of 'em it appeared that the Honble.
Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. was chosen by a great Majority, and he

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745. 69

was accordingly Sworne to a faithful discharge of his Duty in that
Office.

[66.] Upon a Motion made, It was Voted that twelve Collectors
be chose to Collect all such Rates and Taxes as shall be Committed
to them the ensuing year, but this Vote being at the desire of the
Inhabitants immediately Reconsidered, It was thereupon Voted
that Six persons only be chose for Collecting all such Rates and
Taxes as shall be Committed to them the ensuing year. Also
Voted that nine pence on the pound be and hereby is Allowed to be
paid to such Collectors as shall be chosen, for the sums they shall
Collect the year ensuing they paying unto the Town Treasurer one
half part of the whole Sum they shall be respectively Obliged to
pay him within three Months from the time they shall receive the
Tax books from the Assessors, and the other half part in three
months after ; And also paying to the province Treasurer one half
part of the whole Sum they shall be respectively Obliged to pay
him in six Months from the time they shall receive the said Books
from the Assessors, and the other half part in Six Months after,
and in case either of the said Collectors shall fail paying the
Province and Town Treasurers in the above manner, the Collector
so failing shall not be Entitled to the aforesaid Allowance of nine
pence on the pound for Collecting but wholly forfeit the same,
provided also that the sd. Collectors give bond with sufficient
ISuretys to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful Dis-
charge of their Duty in said Office.

Then the Town proceeded to the Choice of Six Collectors accord-
ingly, and upon Collecting and sorting the Votes it appeared
that

Mess™. Joseph White Esqr. sworne. Harrison Gray. Excus'd.
Elias Dupee. sworn. Joseph Birch. Excus'd.

Benjamin Edwards sworn. Joseph Prince. Excus'd.
were chosen. Adjourned to 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon.

[67.] Tuesday, 3 a Clock in the Afternoon, the Town met
according to Adjournment.

Mr. Edward Bromfield gave the Town to Understand that he
was Informed that Several persons who are lyable by Law to serve
as Constables had given money to the late Constables if they would
not put their names into the List when the Choice came on. —
Whereupon it was Voted that said Constables should be sent for
and they being heard thereupon, it appeared that the Information
given to Mr. Bromfield was groundless.

Upon a Motion made & Seconded by Several that the Vote
pass'd yesterday for ringing the old South bell at 5. 9. & 11 a
Clock may be Reconsidered, it was Voted accordingly & then it
was moved and Voted that the Bell at Faneuil Hall Market be
rung at those hours (instead of the old South Church Bell) until
the Bell of the old Brick Church be repaired.
Mess™. Jacob Emmons ) Sworne.
William Story } Sworne.
were chose Constables for the year ensuing.

Voted that the Consideration of raising Money be referr'd to
the General Town Meeting in May next.

70 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted that all the Business and Matters of this Meeting re-
maining unfinished be referr'd over to the next General Town
Meeting, to be then Considered of, and Acted upon.

Then the Meeting was dismiss'd.

[68.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly qualifyed & warned in public Town
Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the Eighth day of
April Anno Dom. — 1745.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read, and then, The In-
habitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator and
upon Collecting 'em it appeared that the IIonble : Thomas Gushing
Esqr. was unanimously chosen.

Upon a Motion made, the Warrant for calling this Meeting and the
Constables Return thereon was read again, and thereby it appeared
that William Wait Wallis (who at the last Meeting was Chose a
Constable but upon Application by him then made was Excus'd)
sign'd as one of the Constables certifying that he had warn'd the
Inhabitants living in Ward N°. 3. but Several of the Inhabitants
objecting to the legality of the warning, and the said Wallis being
heard thereupon said, that notwithstanding he was Excus'd by the
Town he apprehending he might serve as a Constable if he in-
clined went before a Justice of the peace who swore him into said
Office, & therefore it was that he warned N°. 3. but upon searching
the Records of the last Town Meeting, it appeared that after he
was Excus'd, another person was chosen in his room, Whereupon
it was determin'd that the said Wallis had not legal power to
warn the Inhabitants of said Ward of this Meeting, and so the
Meeting was dismissed for insufficient Warning.

[69.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly qualifyed and legally warned in
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the
twelfth day of April Anno Dom. — 1745.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moder-
ator and upon Collecting' em it appeared that the Honble : Tho".
Cushing Esqr. was unanimousl}1 chosen.

The Petition of Mess™. John Goldthwait, John Staniford and
Jacob Sheafe Collectors of Taxes &ca. praying the Assessors may
be directed to deliver them the Tax books for the year 1744. &ca.
was read, thereupon the Selectmen informed the Town that the
Assessors were under some difficulty relating to their power in de-
livering the Tax Books to said Collectors, praying the Town
would take the same into Consideration, and give directions
therein to the Assessors accordingly.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of three Collectors of
Taxes in the room of Mess™. Joseph Prince Harrison Gray &
Joseph Birch who were chose the last Meeting, but refuse to serve,
accordingly Mess": John Goldthwait John Staniford & Jacob
Sheafe were chose Collectors of all the Taxes that shall be com-
m'.tted to them to Collect the ensuing year, they to have the same

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1745. 71

Allowance for Collecting the Taxes as was made to the Collectors
by the Town Vote of the 26th. of March last and upon the same
Conditions and Limitations as to their paying in to the Province &
Town Treasurers the Sums they are to gather in, and no otherwise,
and to give bond &c*. to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen.

Upon a Motion made & Seconded by divers of the Inhabitants.

Voted, that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired to Repre-
sent to the Honble. General Court that the Assessors of this Town
for the year 1744. were Interrupted in delivering the Assessments
of [7O.] That year to the Collectors then chosen, and apply that
the said Assessors may be impowered (notwithstanding the year
be expired) to commit the said Assessment to the Collectors
chosen for the present year^ and in case any Objection should be
made to it, that it be Recomended to the Representatives of the
Town to Explain & Enforce the Petition with the proper reasons.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Monda}' the 22d. inst.
at four aClock in the afternoon in order to receive an answer from
the Collectors now chosen whether they will Serve or not.

Monday the 22d. of April, four aClock in the afternoon, the
Town mett according to Adjournment.

Mess". John Goldthwait & Jacob Sheafe who were chose Col-
lectors of Taxes at the last Meeting refusing to serve, the Inhabi-
tants proceeded to bring in their Votes for two Collectors in their
room, and upon Sorting 'em it appeared that Messrs. Andrew Cun-
ningham & William Larrabee were chose Collectors of all such
Taxes as shall be Committed to them to Collect within the ensuing
year, they to have the same Allowance for Collecting the Taxes
as was made to the Collectors by the Town Vote of the 26th. of
March last, & upon the same Conditions and Limitations as to
their paying in to the Province and Town Treasurers the Sums they
are to gather in, and no otherwise, They to give Bond &ca. to the
Satisfaction of the Selectmen.

Voted that this Meeting be adjourned to Wednesday the 24th.
inst. at four aClock in the afternoon, in order to receive an Answer
from the Collectors now chose whether they will Serve or not.

Wednesday, the 24th. of April, four aClock in the afternoon the
Town mett according to Adjournment.

The Honble. Thomas Gushing Esqr. the Moderator of this Meet-
ing being So indisposed as that he cannot attend the Business of
the Meeting [71.] Voted that the Honble. Joseph Wadsworth
Esqr. be Moderator in his room and then the Selectmen Inform'd
the Town that Joseph White Esqr. Mess™. Elias Dupee, Benj*.
Edwards, John Staniford, Andrew Cunningham & William
Larrabee, who have been chose Collectors of all such Taxes as
shall be Committed to them to Collect in the ensuing year, have
Accepted of that Office upon the Conditions mentioned in the Town
Vote of the 26th. of March last, and had Each of 'em given bonds
for the faithful discharge of their duty in said Office accordingly.

Upon a Motion made & Seconded that the three Collectors of
Taxes Viz'. Joseph Prince Harrison Gray & Joseph Birch who
were chose into that office at the Town meeting in March last and

72 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

refus'd Serving may be Excus'd from paying the fine arising upon
their refusal.

Voted that said Joseph Prince, Harrison Gray & Joseph Birch
be Excused from paying said fiue accordingly.

Then the Meeting was dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualifyed and lawfully Warned in public
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the third day
of May A.D. 1745.

Prayer was made by the Rev4. Mr. Samuel Checkley.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting . . . Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

Samuel Adams Esqr. One of the Selectmen in their name pro-
pos'd to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the choice of
[72.] One of more persons to Serve for and represent them in a
Great & General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon
Wednesday the Twenty ninth day of May instant, and in order
thereto to Consider & Ascertain the Number to be Elected, ac-
cordingly Voted to proceed to the Choice of Four Representatives,
and it was declared that the Poll would be Closed at twelve
aClock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to
be Three hundred and forty two & upon sorting 'em it appeared
that the following Gentlemen were chosen. . Vizt.

Votes.

The Houble. Samuel Welles Esqr 175.

The Honble. Thomas Cushing Esqr 326.

Thomas Hutclnnson EsqJ 186.

Andrew Oliver Esqr. . 218.

The Election of Representatives being ended, and the same
being declared by the Selectmen.

The Inhabitants proceeded to choose a Moderator, & the Votes
being Collected it appeared that the Hon. Edwd. Hutchinson Esqr.
was chosen.

A Petition of Francis Willoughby keeper of the Granary Setting
forth that in May last, when in the Service of the Town at said
Granary he had the Misfortune to break his Leg by a Fall,
whereby he has Endured much pain, and been put to great Ex-
pence for Doctors Medicines &ca. praying the Towns Considera-
tion thereof and that some Allowance may be made him in his
melancholy Circumstances &ca. Read.

A Petition of John Staniford, John Goldthwait & Jacob Sheafe
Collectors of Taxes for the year 1743, praying that the Assessors
may be Allowed & Impowered to Abate the Taxes of all such
persons as Enlisted in the late Expedition to Cape Breton that
did not pay before, for reasons given in said Petition Read.

[73.] Mr. Jeremiah Allen moved that Instructions may be
given to the Representatives chose this day that they Use their
utmost Endeavours that the Resolve of the General Court prolong-
ing the time for drawing the Government Lottery and disposing
the Tickets be repealed, and the Money paid to the Managers for

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745. 73

the Tickets sold ma}" be returned to the possessors or purchasers
of said Tickets.

Mr. Jonathan Williams moved that an order may be passed for
ringing the old South Church Bell at the hours of 5. 11. & 9
aClock.

Mr. Middlecott Cooke moved that the Town would make some
Consideration to the old Brick Church for their Bell which was
lately broke as he apprehends in the Service of the Town.

Mr. Samuel Parkman moved that the Town would appoint some
suitable place for all lost Goods to be carryed when found.

Capt. John Steele moved that the Town would give Orders that
the Sconce at the South Battery be Repaired.

Joseph White Esqr. one of the Collectors of Taxes moved that
the Town would determine how long time the Assessors should sit
upon Abatements.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock this after-
noon.

Afternoon, The Town being assembled according to Adjournment.

Isaiah Barret. Sworne.
was chose a Constable for the year ensuing.
John Holyoke. Sworne.
was chose one of the Clerks of the Market for the year ensuing.

The Selectmeus Report on the Visitation of the public Schools,
Read, And Voted that this Report be Accepted, and that the
Gentlemen the Selectmen be desired to Visit the public Schools
tho Ensuing 3*ear and that they desire such Gentlemen to Accom-
pany them therein, as they shall think proper, and report thereon.

[74.] The Selectmen having mentioned in said Report that
they Apprehend the Number of Scholars in the North Grammar
School so small as that there is no Occasion for an Usher, It was
thereupon Moved that the Petition of Mr. Samuel White Usher of
said School prefcrr'd last March Meeting & Continued to this time
may be now Read, and the same being accordingly done It was
Voted That the said Usher Mr. White be Continued in said School
until his next Quarter is compleat and be paid as heretofore, &
then be discharged, and that there be Allowed him the Sum of
Thirty pounds old tenor over and above his Salary, as a Gratuity
for his Services in said School, and that the Selectmen give him a
Draft for the same on the Treasury accordingly.

The Petition of Mr. Samuel Holyoke Master of the Writing
School in Queen Street preferr'd at the Town Meeting in May last
& Continued to this time, praying for an Addition to his Salary
was now taken into Consideration and after Some Debate thereon
A Question was put, Whether any Addition should be made to
Mr. Holyoke's Salary, And it pass'd in the Negative.

The Petition of John Staniford, John Goldthwait & Jacob
Sheaf e Collectors of Taxes for the year 1743. read at the opening
of the Meeting, now came under Consideration, and after some
Debate thereon It was Moved & Seconded by Several of the In-
habitants that a Committee may be appointed to take from said
Collectors a List of such persons as they Apprehend were not able
to pay their Taxes that year, and present the same to the Town at

74 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

their next Meeting for Consideration, And a Question being put,
Whether such a Committee should be appointed. Voted in the
Negative. and that said Petition be dismissed.

[75.] The Petition of Francis Willoughby read at the Opening
of the Sleeting praying some Allowance or Grant may be made
him for the Misfortune he mett with in breaking his Leg in the
Service of the Town, was now taken into Consideration, and after
some debate thereon, A Question was put, whether the prayer of
his Petition should be granted, And it pass'd in the Negative, and
that said Petition be dismiss'd.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a keeper of the
Granary in the room of Mr. Francis Willougbby who has resigned,
and upon Collecting the Votes it appeared that Mr. John Feuno
was chosen, he to give bond with good Suretys to the Satisfaction
of the Selectmen for his good behaviour in that Office.

Mr. Jeremiah Allen mentioned to the Town that he would post
up the Treasurers new books, and that he does not desire any
premium or Allowance for the same, the Town accepted of his
kind offer, and Voted that he be desired to hike said Books and
post 'em up accordingly.

The Motion of Mr. Jeremiah Allen made in the forenoon that
Instructions be given to the Representatives this day chose that
they use their utmost Endeavours to have the Resolve of the
General Court prolonging the time for drawing the Governments
Lottery and disposing of the Tickets repealed, and that the Money
paid to the Managers of said Lottery for the Tickets sold be
return'd to the Possessors or Purchasers of such Tickets, was now
taken into Consideration, and after some debate thereon

Voted that a Committee be chose to draw up Instructions for the
Representatives relating to said Lottery accordingly, also Voted

that James Allen Esqr.

Ezekiel Lewis Esqr. &
Mr. Jeremiah Allen

be the said Committee [76.] Who are desired to lay the draft of
their Instructions before the Town for their Consideration at the
intended Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Motion of Joseph White I^sqr. that the Town would deter-
mine how long time the Assessors should sit upon Abatements was
Considered of, and Voted that the Assessors be and hereby are
allowed to sit upon Abatements until the last day of September
next and no longer.

The Motion of Cap*. John Steele one of the Selectmen, for
repairing the Sconce at the South Battery was Considered of, and
thereupon Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired to
repair the same in the best manner they can.

The Motion of Mr. Samuel Parkman that the Town would
appoint some suitable place for all lost Goods to be carryod when
found was considered of, but nothing done thereon.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Friday the 17th Instant,
at four a Clock in the forenoon.

Friday, the 17th of May 1745. four a clock in the afternoon, the
Town mett according to Adjournment.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745. 75

Voted, That the Sum of Seventy five pounds bills of the old tenor
bills be and hereby is allowed to be paid out of the Town Treasury
unto Mr. John Staniford in full for his Service as Clerk of Faneuil
Hall Market the year past.

Voted that the Sum of Two Hundred & Fifty pounds old tenor
bills be and hereby is allowed to be paid out of the Town Treasury
unto the Honble Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. in full for his Services as
Town Treasurer the year past.

Mr. Treasurer Wadsworth presented an Estimate of what may
be proper for the Town to Raise for Defreying the Charges of the
Ensuing year.

[77.] Voted a Grant of Fifteen Thousand Pounds old tenor
bills to be Raised by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the
Town of Boston for Relief of the Poor, and defreying other neces-
sary Charges arising within and for said Town the year ensuing.

The Committee appointed to Ex^unine the Treasurers Accou.
now made their Report which was Read & Accepted, and by ordei
put on file.

James Allen Esqr. Ezekiel Lewis Esqr. & Mr. Jeremiah Allen
a Committee appointed the third instant, to draw up Instructions
for the Hepresentatives relating to the Lottery now presented a
draft of Instructions they had prepared, which being read, A
Motion was thereupon made, & Seconded by Several of the In-
habitants, and a Question put, whether the Town would Accept of
said Draft of Instructions, and it was Voted in the Negative.

Mr. Jonathan Williams's Motion made the 3d. instant and
Referr'd to this time for ringing the Bell of the old South Church
at the hours of — 5, 11, & 9 a Clock was taken into Consideration,
and after some debate thereon, Voted that the said Bell be rung
at the hours of five and nine a Clock, until the Town shall order
otherwise.

The List of Jurors for the Inferiour & Superiour Courts being
prepared by the Selectmen according to a late Act of this Prov-
ince, Voted that it referr'd to the Selectmen to put into the
respective Jury boxes of said Courts, the Names of such persons
as they shall Judge qualifyed to Serve as Jurors at said Courts.

The Selectmen reported on the Accompt of Mr. Francis Wil-
loughby late keeper of the Granary, that he had in his hands as
the Towns Stock there Two hundred & twenty four Bushels of
Indian Corn, & eighteen Bushels of Uye amounting to One hun-
dred & nine pounds Sixteen Shillings, & in Cash Five hundred &
twenty four pounds nineteen Shillings & three pence, being in the
whole Six hundred & thirty four pounds fifteen Shillings and
three pence old tenor — , which they have delivered to Mr. John
Fenno, the present keeper of the Granary, who is now accountable
to the Town for the same,

[78.] Voted that Joshua Winslow Esqr. Mr. Thomas Oxnard,
John Wheelwright Esqr. Mr. Ebenezer Holmes and Mr. Joseph
Marion be a Committee to Audit the Town Treasurers Acco*'. for
the year ensuing and make Report as usual. — And that they also
Audit the Acco1'. of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the
Almshouse, and the Workhouse, and to attend doing the same at

76 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the usual place of said Overseers Meeting, and said Accounts
being Audited the said Committee are desired to make report
thereon as usual.

Then the Meeting was dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualifyed and legally warned in public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the tenth day of
[September A.D. 1745.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator
and upon Collecting the Votes it appeared that the Honble. Thomas
Cushing Esqr. was unanimously chosen.

The Inhabitants then proceeded to Consider of the Affair men-
tioned in the Warrant for calling this Meeting, which was to take
some Method to prevent Dr. Sylvester Gardners making a Hospi-
tal of a house he lately purchased of Andrew Oliver Esqr. situate

in Purchase Street in said Boston. but they being Informed

that said Dr. Gardner had reconveyed said house to Mr. Oliver
again since the issuing of said Warrant and that he did not design
to make a Hospital there as has been Suggested, the Inhabitants
proceeded no farther herein.

[79.] Whereupon a Motion was made that the Town would
now Consider of some Method to prevent any person or persons
building or .Improving any house for the future for an Hospital or
Hospitals in this Town for the reception of persons sick of infec-
tious and Epidemical diseases, and after some Debate thereon, It
was Voted That the Representatives of this Town be and hereby
are desired at the next Session of the Great and General Court
to Use their best Endeavours that a Law or Act may be pass'd to
prevent or prohibit any House or Buildings being Erected or Used
as an Hospital for the reception of persons sick of infectious and
contagious distempers within any Town or Towns in this province
without Licence first had and obtained therefor from the Selectmen
of the Towns where such Buildings are propos'd to be Erected and
Used.

Then the Meeting was dismiss'd.

At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in Public
Town Meeting Assembled, at Faneuil Hall on Monday the tenth
day of March, Anno Domini 1745.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Mather Bjrles.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon collecting the Votes it Appeared that the
Honble Thomas Cushing EsqT. was chosen by a great majority and
an officer was ordered to wait upon at his house to Inform him
thereof, who returned and brought word from Mr. Cushing that he
was much indispos'd and could not Attend the Business of this
meeting, and thereupon the Inhabitants were directed to bring in
their Votes for A Moderator in his Room and they being collected

BOSTON TOWN RKCOEDS, 1745. 77

it Appeared that the Honble James Allen Esqr. was Chosen by a
Considerable Majority.

[8O.] Ezekiel Gold th wait was unanimously chosen Town
Clerk for the year ensuing, & Sworne to the faithfull Discharge of
his Duty in that Office by the Honble Jacob Wendell Esqr.

Sundry laws Read.

Sundry Petitions. Read.
Viz4.

John Osborne Esqr. & others relating to the Pavement at the

Lower End of Milk Street, Mr. John Staniford that the

Assessors for 1745. may be impowered to make him an Abatement

of former Taxes Committed to him to Collect. James Allen

Esqr. for Liberty to remove his Gap at the Outwharves the wedth
thereof northward. Mr. Samuel Gibson under master of the
South Grammar School for an Addition to his Sallary. Mr Abia
Holbrook, Master of the South writing School in the Common for
an Usher in his School, and that he may be Reimburs'd what he
has already paid for Assistance in his School.

Sundry motions made,
Viz'.

John Fayerweather Esqr. that the Town would consider of
Repairing the South Battery, and otherwise better Fortify the
Town than now it is.

Mr. Jeremiah Allen, that a Committee may be chosen to Audit
the Accounts of the Committee appointed to build Fortifications
&ca. within this Town and make Report &ca.

Mr. Jacob Parker that Fox hill in the Common may be Appro-
priated and disposed of in such a manner as will be most for the
Interest of the Town.

Joseph White Esqr. on behalf of himself and the other Collec-
tors of Taxes for some further allowance to be made them for
Collecting of Taxes.

Mr. Robert Rand, that the Town would determine whether
the Fines arising on any persons refusing to Serve in the Office
to which he is Chosen shall be paid in Bills of the old tenor, or the
same Sum in bills of the last tenor.

Jacob Wendell Esqr on behalf of the overseers of the Poor
that the Town would purchase Bridewell house &ca. for a mad
house.

[81.] Samuel Adams Esqr. that the Town would consider
whether it be not necessary to Erect another Powder house, and
Act thereon accordingly.

Mr. Jeremiah Allen, that a Committee may be Appointed to lay
before the Honbl* House of Representatives (who are the Guardians
of the Rights and Liberties of the people) the Grievances this
Town Labour under by reason of the arbitrary and illegal pro-
ceedings of the Governour and Council in repeatedly granting
press warrants, as also the male behaviour of some of their
Officers.

Capt. John Steol, that some Method may be taken, to prevent
Negroes keeping Hogs.

78 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Jacob "Wendell Esqr. that the Town would purchase 500 Ton of
Timber for their use as there sho'd be Occasion.

Mr. Isaac White, That the Selectmen be desired to wait on his
Excellency the Captain General, desiring of him that three Vessells
may be purchased, in order to be sunk in such places in the
Channel as shall be thought best in Case the Town sho'd be
attacked by an Enemy.

Capt. John Steel one of the Selectmen Informed the Town that
their Shops on the North Side of Faneuil Hall market were very
much out of Repair and gone to Decay praying the directions
of the Town concerning 'em.

Capt. John Steel informed the Town that the Selectmen had
reced the Sum of Six hundred & Sixty six pounds thirteen shil-
lings & six pence being a Grant made by the General Court for
purchasing of Cannon and other Warlike Stores for the use of the
north Battery and pray'd the Direction of the Town relating to the
same.

Voted to proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen.

And the Votes being accordingly brought in & Sorted it appeared
that the following Gentlemen were Chosen. Viz'.
Samuel Adams Esqr.
Jonas Clarke Esqr.
Mr. Tho'. Hancock

Capt John Steel

Selectmen.

Capt William Salter
Capt Henry Atkins, &
Abiel Walley Esqr. j
[83.] Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock
P.M.

Three oClock in the Afternoon the Town met according to Ad-
journment.

The following Gentlemen were chosen Overseers of the Poor for

the Year ensuing, Viz'.

The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
William Tyler Esqr.
Col. John Hill
Tho'. Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfield
Col°. William Downe
Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Capt John Phillips
Mr. Isaac Walker
George Rogers Esqr.
Mr. Ebenr Storer

The Motion made by Mr. Robert Rand relating to the Fines to
be paid by those persons who refuse to Serve in the respective
Offices, to which they are Chosen now came under Consideration,
and after some Debate.

Voted that any person or persons chosen to any Office in the
Town for the Year Ensuing, who in Case of refusal is obliged to
pay any Fine or penalty, be Excused from serving in such Office

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745.

79

provided he or they pay their respective Fines in Bills of the old
tenor as the several persons did who were the last year chose &
refused to serve.

Voted that twelve Constables be Chose distinct from Collectors
of Taxes, accordingly.

Mess™. Samuel Welles junr.

Peter Chardon

Thomas Hawding

Capt Nath1. Allen

John Hammock .

James Atkinson .

[83.]

Pay

paid in 1735.

paid in 1735

paid in 1743

paid in 1736.

Pay

Robert Jenkins Appeals to Sessions

Ezekiel Lewis junr. . paid in 1743,

John Jones

Thomas Raymond

Andrew Hall junr.

Jonathan Simpson

Constables.

paid in 1735.
Excused
Pay

paid in 1743.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Treas-
urer and upon Sorting 'em it appeared that The Honble Joseph
Wadsworth Esqr. was chosen by a great Majority & Sworn into
that Office by the Honble. Samuel Welles Esqr.

The Freeholders then proceeded to bring in their Votes for a
Register of Deeds and Conveyances for the Count}- of Suffolk, and
they being Collected were according to Law, Sealed up by mr.
Constable Story to be by him kept & Returned to the next Quarter
Sessions, to be held for this County.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer which being Collected were according to Law Sealed up
by Constable Story, to be by him kept and returned to the next
Quarter Sessions, to be held for this County.

Mess". Story Daws Sworne

Joseph Dyer Pay

William Winter Sworne

Eneas Maccoy pay

John Indicott Junr pay }• Constables.

Thomas March pay

Joseph Clark junr pay

Oxenbridge Thacher junr. . . pay
Daniel Williams paid in 1743.
were Chose Constables for the year ensuing.

Mr. Jeremiah Allen's motion made at the opening of the Meeting
Viz1. That a Committee may be appointed to lay before the Honble.
House of Representatives who are the Guardians of the Rights
and Liberties of the people the Grievances this Town Labour under
by reason of the Arbitrary and illegal proceedings of the Govern-
our and Council in repeatedly Granting press Warrants as also
the male behaviour of some of their Officers, was now taken [84.]

Into Consideration, and after a Short debate thereon Voted

that a Committee be chosen to draw up a Petition to the Honble.
House of Representatives relating to the said Grievances men-
tioned in said motion, And that Mess™. Jeremiah Allen,

80

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Thomas Green, John Jonet», John Gooch, and Samuel Adams
Esqr. be the said Committee who are desired to make Report
hereon as soon as may be.

Voted that the Consideration of the present Fortify cations, and
otherwise better Fortifying the Town than now it is come on to-
morrow in the forenoon at Eleven o'Clock.

Adjourned to, Tomorrow morning nine aClock, A.M.
The Town met according to Adjournment.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be & hereby is given to the
Clerks of the Market that served in that office the last year for
their good Services done the Town.
Mess™. Nathaniel Barber .... Excus'd.

Thomas S alter Excus'd.

Nathaniel Gardner . . . Excus'd.
William Merchant .... Excus'd.
Thomas Stoddard .... Excus'd.
Joseph Bradford .... Excus'd.
Samuel Parkman .... Excus'd.
John Greenough .... Excus'd.
Samuel Holland .... Excus'd.
Alexander Sears .... Excus'd.
Ephraim Copeland .... Sworne.

John Kneeland Pay.

were chose Clerks of the Market for the year ensuing.
Mess™. Josiah Carter . "^

[85.]

Sworne.

Excus'd.

Sworne.

Sworne.

Sworne

Sworne

Sworne
Sworne
Sworne
Sworne
Sworne

Sam1. Hastings .
Robert Williams .
Nathaniel Hodgdon
James Dawson
John Allen . .
Wm. Currier . .
Mess™. James Tileston
Francis Warden
Nathaniel Vial
William More
William Bearsto
James Barnard
were chose Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
Mess™. John Taylor
Joseph Savel
John Nowell
Jonathan Payson
Joseph Jackson
John Harris
David Cutler
William Hall
Benja. Fitch
Cap*. Nathaniel Vial
Moses Tyler
John Ruddock
were chose Scavingers for the year ensuing.

}• Sealers of Leather.

Fence Viewers.

Scavingers.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745.

81

Informers of Deer.

Cullers of Staves.

Mr. Isaac Gridley, Surveyor of Hemp.
Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner )
Richard Hubbard j
Mr. Nathaniel Band, Hayward.
The Select Men, Surve}7ors of Highways.
Mess™. George Skinner "I

John Lee, Blacksmith
Robert Williams, Baker
Joseph Grouard

Nothing done thereon, Tythingmen.

[86.] Mess". Harvey Thomas
Benjamin Ballard
John Hobbs
Joseph Ingraham
Sendal Williams
Isaac Fowle
Peter Cotta
Benjamin Sault
James Alexander
Thomas Serjant

were Chose Cullers of Staves for the year Ensuing.
Mess™. Edward Moberly . . Sworn
Edward Richards . . Sworn
William Paine Sworn

William Parkman Sworn
Joseph White Sworn

Isaac Vergoose Sworn

James Barnard Sworn

Thomas Warden Sworn

Moses Eayres Sworn

Andrew Sy names Sworn

were Chosen Viewers of Boards Shingles &ca. for the year ensu-
ing.

Mess™. John Ball .... Sworne ")
Benjamin Renkin Pay

Viewers of Boards
Shingles.

Sworn ^Constables.

Sworne

Pay

John Coles
John Sweetser
Thomas Mower

were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.
Mess™. Jeremiah Belknap 1

John Salter >• Committee for Purchasing Grain.

Thomas Tyler )

were chosen Committee for purchasing Grain for the year ensu-
ing.

The said Committee are desired and Impowered to give all
[87.] Needful directions to the keeper of the Grainnary re-
specting the Quantitys of Grain to be Sold, and setting the price
thereof from time to time as occasion shall require.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Clerk of
Faneuil Hall Market, and upon Collecting 'em it Appeared that
Mr. Abijah Adams was chosen into that Office.

82 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted that Seven Assessors be chose for the j'ear ensuing and
upon Collecting the Votes it appeared that.
Mess™. Richard Buckley Sworn
Joshua Blanchard
Jacob Parker Sworn

Daniel Pecker Sworn

Assessors.

William Fail-field Sworn
Nathaniel Barber Sworn
Joseph' Fitch Sworne j

were chosen Assessors for the year ensuing.

The Petition of Mr. Abia Holbrook master of the South writing
School in the Common, read at the opening of the Meeting,
setting forth that his School in the Common 220 Scholars which is
near 50 more than were there last march meeting and finding it
impossible to tend and Instruct such a number of Scholars himself
was obliged to appoint his Brother to tend one part of the Scholars
and to pay for his Board Seven months past otherwise a great
number of Scholars must inevitably have been turned off without
any Learning. — He therefore prays that the Town would be
pleased to take the premisses in Consideration and Grant him
such assistance as may be requisite to enable him to Discharge
his Duty to the Children with that Care and Fidelity which may
justly be expected from him, and also that he may be reimbursed
the Charge which he has paid for his Brothers Board as above
mentioned now came under Consideration, and it was thereupon,
Voted that the said Abia Holbrook be Reimburs'd the sums
he has paid for his Brothers Board as above and the Selectmen
is desired to give him a Draft on the Treasury for the same —
Also Voted that there be and hereby is allowed an usher for
said School until the [88.] Town shall otherwise order, and
that his Sallary be one hundred & Fifty pounds old tenor Bills
p Annum to Commence from the time he shall enter into that
Service and paid Quarterly.

The Motion of Mr. Jeremiah Allen " That a Committee may be
chose to Audit the Accounts of the Committee appointed to Build
Fortify cations &Ca. within this Town, was now taken into Consid-
eration and after some Debate thereon, Voted that

Mr. Thomas Green

James Allen Esqr. &

John Fayerweather Esqr.

be a Committee to Audit the said Accounts accordingly, and the}r
are desired to make Report hereon as soon as may be.

The Selectmens Report on Mr. John Fenno's Account of the
Grainary for the year past as entred in his Book (and on file in
the Town Clerks 'Office) Read & Voted that the said Report be
accepted, and accordingly that Mr. John Fenno be further account-
able to the Town for Two hundred and Sixty two Busliells & a half
if Indian Corn, Eighteen Bushells & |ths of Rye, and the Sum of
Four hunded and Seventy four pounds eight shillings and ten pence
in Bills of Credit of the old tenor the whole of which amounts to
Six hundred and Thirty pounds, fifteen shillings and three pence
old tenor, which remains in his hands Exclusive of his Salary to

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745. 83

the third instant being Eighty three pounds Six Shillings and
Eight pence old tenor, which is hereby also allowed.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the motion made
at the opening of the meeting by John Fayerweather Esqr. that the
Town would effectually repair the South Battery, and otherwise
Better Fortify the Town than now it is, and after some Debate
thereon, Voted that a Committee be chose to View the several
Batterys and Fortifications in the Town and report the State and
Circumstances they are in and also what they Judge necessary for
the Town further to do, to put themselves in a better Posture of
Defence, and also that the said Committee consider of the motion
made by Samuel Adams Esqr. whether it be not necessary that
another powder house be Erected in Town, of the motion made by
the Honble. Col Wendell that Five hundred Ton of Timber may be
purchased for the use of the Town, and the motion made by [89.]
Mr. Isaac White that three or more Vessells be purchased in order
to be Sunk in such places in the Channel as shall be thought best
in Case the Town shou'd be Attacked by an Enemy, and report

what they think proper to be done on said motions.

Also Voted that.

John Fayerweather Esqr.

Alr. Isaac White

Col°. John Hill

The Honble. Col°. Wendell &

The Honble. Samuel Welles Esqr.

be the Committeee for the purposes aforsaid, and they are desired
to make report hereon at the Adjournment of this meeting.

Mr. Hancock one of the Selectmen Informed the Town that he
had received of the province Treasurer the Sum of Six hundred and
Sixty Six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence bills of the last
Tenor, being the Grant made by the General Court the thirtieth
day of May A D 1744. for purchasing of Cannon & other Warlike
Stores for the use of the north Battery and that he had also
received of the Committee of War Twenty one hundred & Fifty
pounds old tenor bills being for the Two hundred and fifteen Fire
Arms press'd by the Government for the Service of the late Ex-
pedition against Cape Breton against Cape Breton so desiring the
direction of the Town where he sho'd lodge the same being un-
willing to Run the Risque thereof in his house Whereupon he was
desired to keep it till further orders of the Town.
Mess". Benjamin Church .... Sworne ")
Joseph Belle nap .... Pa}'

John Bowden Sworn J- Constables.

Joshua Pickman juur. . . . Sworn

George Eustice Sworne

were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.

Tuesday three a Clock in the afternoon the Town met according
to Adjourrment.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of Ten Firewards
the Votes being Collected & Sorted it appeared that the following
persons were Chose. Viz'.

84 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[9O.] Mess". Isaac White
Robert Breck
John Carries
John Scolley

Joseph Jackson Hatter

Firewards.

Col°. Wm. Downe
Capt. Henry Berry
Col°. Benja. Pollard Excusd
Col°. John Hill
Capt. William Salter
were chose Firewards for the year ensuing.

The Committee Appointed yesterday to prepare a Draft of a
Petition to the Honble. House of Representatives relating to the
Grievances this Town Labour under by reason of the proceedings
of the Governour and Council in repeatedly Granting press War-
rants &Ca. now made Report of a Draft they had prepar'd in the
words following Viz'.

The Committee, appointed to draw up a Petition to the Hon-
ourable House of Representatives relating to the Grievances by
Impress Warrants &Ca. have attended that Service and Report
the following Draft, Viz*.

To the Honourable the House of Representatives.
Shew.

The 'Inhabitants of the Town of Boston in Town meeting legally
Assembled.

That your Petitioners, labouring under great & insupportable
Grievances by means of the late Repeated Warrants to impress
Seamen for his majesty's Ships, us also the male behaviour of the
Officers are Constrain'd to lay the same before your Honours, who
are instructed to your Constituents with the Sacred Depositum of
their invaluable Rights and priviledges, of which by the Constitu-
tion you are the natural Guardians, and with all Dutiful Respect
your Petitioners would Say, They have chearfully complied with
all the Injunctions of Government, altho their Taxes which are
daily increasing have been [91.] A Burthen under which they are
almost ready to Succomb, But this notwithstanding, as also the
present melancholy Stagnation of Trade and Commerce which is
like to be continued during the War, yet your Petitioners have
lately been distress'd by no less than three several Warrants for
Impressing Seamen which (altho we apprehend 'em to be illegal)
have been executed in an oppressive manner, before unknown to
Englishmen, and attended with Tragical Consequences. By which
means the numbers of Seamen Impress'd for his Majestys Ships
and those who have fled to the neighbouring Governments for Pro-
tection from Impresses, added to those who went in the Sea
Service to Cape Breton amount to more than Three Thousand ;
whereupon the neighbouring Governments have not only had a
sufficient number of Seamen to navigate their Trade with but also
so large a Surpluss of men as to enable them to man within the
province of New York & Colony of Rhode Island near Thirty sail
of Privateers, exclusive of those fitted out from the other Govern-
ments, when the once Cherish'd now Depress'd, once Flourishing

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1745-6. 85

now sinking Town of Boston, have been so far from being able to
man any privateers, that she has wanted men to man the merchant
Vessells, some of whom have had their Cargo's much Damnified,
by having them long Ship'd before they could get men to navigate
their Vessells, and all these Grievances are greatly aggrivated,
when it is considered that Boston is the metropolis of that province
who has been the principal in the Reduction of Cape Breton, which
added to her former Millitary Atchievements for Loyalty justly sets
her at the head of his majestys provinces, and that those other
Governments (New Hampshire and Connecticut Excepted) have
bore no part of the Burthen of the War, nor had any hand in the
Expedition, but have been reaping unknown advantages by our
misfortunes in having seamen to Carry their Vessells to the best
markets, while ours with their Cargos perishing on Board lay by
the Walls, for want of navigators, But the Injury is still heightened
by the Behaviour of the Officers, who with their Lawless Rabble,
like ruffains entered the Houses of some of the Inhabitants in the
night to their great Terror, and acted Tragical Scenes, which was
closed in the inhumane murder of two brave men, who had beeo
employed in the hotest Service during the Expedition and with
their Fellows had Quitted themselves like men, This Tragical
Scene seemed to have so little Effect upon the Sheriff of the County
of Suffolk (who by his Office is the Grand Conservator of the
peace) that when a Warrant was issued by the Honble. Samuel
Dan forth Esqr. & Thomas Hubbard Esqr. against the offenders
which was by one or both of those Gentlemen delivered to him he
delivered the same into the hands of Nathaniel Hasey then a
Depty Sheriff, and the second named Criminal in said [92.]
Warrant to be executed by him, instead of Executing it upon him,
as by his Oath and Office he was Bound to do.

All these matters your Petitioners Apprehend proceed from the
Warrants to Impress Seamen, which they conceive are Breaches
of Magna Charta, The Charter of the province, and an act of Par-
liament Subjecting any Captain of a man of War to the Penalty
of Twenty pounds Sterling Fine for every Seaman such Captain
shall impress in the plantations, and they also Conjecture that
under pretext of Executing those Warrants the faith of the Gov-
ernment plighted to those brave men, who engaged in the Expedi-
tion has been notoriously Violated.

Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray your Honours as ten-
der Fathers, would take our most pitiable and most deplorable
Circumstances into your wise Consideration, and Assert our In-
vaded Rights and priviledges by Remonstrating to the Governour
and Council against such Warrants, as also against the unjusti-
fiable Conduct of their officers.

The foregoing Draft is Submitted by,

JER. ALLEN
JOHN JONES

Boston March 11. 1745/6. SAMUEL ADAMS

Which being Twice read over, after some Debate thereon.

It was Voted that the said Draft be Accepted and a fair copy
of the same be prepared & signed by the Town Clerk, and that the

86 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Selectmen present the same to the Honble. House of Represent*
now sitting as the Petition of the Town.

Mess™. John Ting .... Excus'd.

Hezekiah Usher . . Sworne. J- Constables.
William Whitwell . . Excus'd
were Chose Constables for the year ensuing.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Petition of
Mr. Samuel Gibson read at the opening of the Meeting praying
for an Addition to his Sallary, and alter some Debate thereon,

Voted that the Sum of Fifty pounds old tenor p annum be
Added to Mr. Gibsons Sallary to Commence from his last
Quarter.

Mess". Daniel Tuckerman, Sworne, Samuel Sellon Sworne, were
chosen Constables for the year ensuing.

[93.] Voted that Mess". William Torrey ")

David Collson & y Committee.
Robert Rand )

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to View the Wooden
Shops belonging to the Town on the north Side of Fanenil Hall
Market consider what necessary Repairs are Wanting and Report
what they think proper for the Town to do thereon at the Adjourn-
ment of this meeting.

Voted that this meeting be Adjourned to Monday the 24th.
Instant 9 aClock in the Forenoon.

March 24. 1745. monday 9 aClock in the Forenoon, The Town
mett according to Adjournment.

The Inhabitants entred upon the Consideration of some method
for the better Regulation of Funerals and thereupon, Voted that
the Selectmen be and hereby are desired to Consider what may be
necessary to be further done in this Affair, and report hereon at
the next meeting.

Col. Pollard who was chose a Fireward at the beginning of this
meeting sent his Letter of Excuse which was Accepted and there-
upon Voted that the Town proceed to Chuse another in his Room
& the Votes were accordingly brought in & it Appeared that
Capt. Joseph Russell was chosen.

The Inhabitants proceeded to Consider of some method to pre-
vent the great Fraud that is frequently committed in the Sale of
Hoops in Town, And Voted that a Committee hereof accordingly
Voted that,

Mess™. Bryant Parrott ")

Joshua Cheever Esqr. >• Committee.
Mr. Thomas Lee )

be the said Committee who are desired to Report hereon at the
next meeting.

A Motion was made by Mr. Middlecott Cooke & seconded that
the Town would reconsider the motion of Mr. Jeremiah Allen at
the opening of this meeting the 10th. Instant and the Petition Con-
sequent thereupon relating to preferring a Petition to the Honble
House of Representatives concerning the Grievances this Town
Labour under by reason of [94.] The frequent Press Warrants

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1745-6. 87

Granted by the Governour and Council to Man His Majesty's

Ships &Ca. and a large Debate was had thereon which

continued till after one aClock, when it was moved and seconded
by several that this meeting be adjourned to three aClock in the
Afternoon, then to reassurae the Consideration of Mr. Cooks
motion which was Voted accordingly. Then Voted this Meet-
ing be Adjourned to 3 aClock P.M.

Monday 3 aClock in the Afternoon the Town mett according to
Adjournment.

Mess™. Thomas Greenough .... Pay
Deacon John Eliot refuses to
Serve his fine is Remit4

Thomas Baxter Sworue

John Gardner Shopkeeper . . Pay

Daniel Marsh Sworne

John Flower Sworne

Jona. Gushing Pay

Powers Mariot Pay

Nathaniel Thayer Sworne

Phillip Audebert Sworne

Thomas Hill Pay

James Day Sworne

were chose Clerks of the Market for the Year Ensuing.

Mr. Thomas Hartly a Sealer of Leather was chose a Sealer of
Leather for the year ensuing.

The Town reassum'd the Consideration of the motion made by
Mr. Cooke in the Forenoon and after a long Debate the following
Question was put Viz*. Whether the Town will now proceed to
Act on the said motion of Mr. Cooke for Reconsidering the said
motion of Mr. Jeremiah Allen and the Petition to the Houble House
Consequent thereon, and it was Voted in the Affirmative, and
thereupon the Inhabitants were directed to bring in written Votes,
and those that were for reconsidering said Aliens Motion and the
said Petition to write Yea, and those that were against it to
write Nay, and the Votes being brought in & Sorted it appeared
that the number of Voters were 378 whereof 224 were Yeas and
154 Nays

Then it was Voted b}' a vast majority " That the said Petition
[95.] and the motion whereon it was Grounded contains Ex-
pressions disrespectful and reflecting upon his Excellency the
Governour, and the Council, and so far as it relates to the disre-
spectfulness the Town disavow the same.

Upon a motion made and seconded, It was Voted that the
Thanks of the Town be given to the Honble James Allen Esqr. for
his dispatch given to the Business of this meeting.
Then the meeting was dismissed.

At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in Public
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the Thirty
first day of March A.D. 1746.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

88 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon Collecting the Votes it appeared that the
Honble. Edward Hutchinson Esqr. was unanimously chosen.
Voted, That Mess". Robert Rand ")

William Torrey & >• Committee.
David Colson )

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to View the Wooden
Shops belonging to the Town on the north Side of Faneuil Hall
Market, Consider what necessary Repairs are wanting and Report
what they think proper for the Town to do thereon as soon as may
be.

Voted that the Honble Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Samuel Welles Esqr.
John Fayerweather Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Mr. Isaac White &
Col°. Wm Downe,

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to Wait upon his Ex-
cellency the Captain General to ask his Liberty to View the present
Batterys in the Town and see what Stores & Repairs are wanting
and also to Consider what they Judge necessary for the Town
further to do to put themselves into a better Posture of Defence
and Report hereon as soon as may be.

[96.] Voted That the Honble. James Allen Esqr. }

Samuel Welles Esqr. & >• Committee.
Mr. Thomas Greene )

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the Accounts
of the Committee appointed in June 1742. to Build Fortifications
in this Town and Report hereon at the next General Town Meeting.

The Petition of James Allen Esqr. setting forth that he has an
Interest in the Out.wharves butting northward on the middle Gap
leading into the Bason and not to be come at by Land which
renders it incommodious for improvement, praying he may have
Liberty to Remove the said Gap the Wedth of it Northward at
his own Cost, was now read and after some Debate thereon,
Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to take the said Petition into Consideration and Report
what they think proper for the Town to do thereon.

The Proposal of Gillam Phillips Esqr for making the Lane called
pudding. Lane near the Town house more Strait than now it is by
taking in part of his Land on the Westerly Side of his Lane which
he is willing to give to the Town.

If in Consideration thereof the Town would Allow him so much
of said Lane as shall be Agreed upon on the Easterly side thereof,

Was now taken into Consideration, and thereupon Voted that

the Selectmen be and they are hereby fully impowered to Straiten
said Lane, and settle the same with said Phillips in such manner as
they shall think best.

The Petition of Mr. John Stauiford one of the Collectors of
Taxes for this Town, setting forth that many People in his list have
dyed beyond Sea, and notice thereof has been after the time was
Elapsed for making Abatements, & many men have died at home

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. S9

so poor that nothing could be obtained Praying that the Assessors
may be Impowered at the time of their making up the Taxes for
the year 1745, to make such Abatements as in their Judgment

they shall see meet. Was now read, and thereupon Voted that

Samuel Welles Esqr. Joshua Cheever Esqr. Mr. Edward Bromfield
James Allen Esq . and Mr. Jonathan Loring be a Committee to
Consider of said Petition and Eeport what they think proper for
the Town [97.] To do thereon, as soon as may be.

Voted that the Town take into Consideration the State & Cir-
cumstances of the Several Fortifications within the Town and also
whether they will farther Fortify the same at four a Clock this
Afternoon.

The Motion of the Overseers of the Poor that some proper house
may be provided for distracted persons was taken into Considera-
tion, and thereupon Voted that the said officers be and hereby are
appointed a Comm"6 to enquire into the Circumstances of Bride-
well house adjoyning to the Work house, and the Convenicncy
thereof for the Reception of Distracted persons and report hereon
as soon as may be.

Voted that the motion of the Collectors of Taxes for a further
Premium or Allowance as also the Choice of a Committee to Visit
the Schools and a Committee to Audit the Accounts of the Treas-
urer and Officers be referr'd over to the General Town Meeting
in may next.

Voted that nine pence on the Pound be and hereby is Allowed
to be paid to such persons as shall be chosen to Colleet the Taxes
within the ensuing year on all such Sums as they shall Collect they
paying unto the Town Treasurer one half part of the whole Sum
they shall be obliged to pay him within Three months from the
Time they shall receive the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the
other half part in three months after and also paying to the Prov-
ince and County Treasurers one half part of the whole Sums they
shall be obliged respectively to pay them in Six months from the
time they shall receive the said Books from the Assessors, and the
other half part in Six months after and in Case either of the said
Collectors shall fail paying the said Treasurers in the above manner,
the Collector so failing shall not be entitled to the aforesaid Allow-
ance of nine pence on the Pound for Collecting but wholly forfeit

the same. Provided also that the said Collectors give Bond with

sufficient Suretys to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faith-
ful Discharge of their Duty in said Office.

Then the Town proceeded to the Choice of Six Collectors
accordingly and upon Collecting & Sorting the Votes it Appeared
that.

Mess™. Capt John Goldthwait Elias Dupee

Joseph White Esqr. William Larrabee &

Capt. Benja Edwards Capt. Andrew Cunningham,
was chosen Collectors for the year ensuing.

[98.] Then the Town Adjourn'd to 3 a Clock P.M.

Monday, 3 a Clock in the Afternoon, The Town mett according
to Adjournment.

The Motion of several Inhabitants for disposing of Fox hill in

90 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Common for the Interest of the Town was taken into Con-
sideration, and thereupon, Voted, That the Selectmen be a Com-
mittee to View the same and Report what they think will be most
for the Advantage of the Town to do with said I- 1 ill,

Voted that the Assessors be and hereby are allowed to sit upon
the Abatements of Taxes until the last day of September next and
no longer.

The Committee appointed to View the Wooden Shops on the
North Side of Faneuil Hall market, now Reported, That they had
Viewed the same and found the Foundation of several of the
middle Shops next the Dock Rotten and given way, the Shops
setled down about Nine Inches, and some of the Floors want
Repairing and the Shingling to be mended, and that repairing the
same would not Cost one hundred pounds old tenor both for work
and Stuff, Whereupon it was Voted that the Selectmen be and
hereby are desired to Repair the said Shops in the best and cheap-
est manner they can.

The Petition of John Osborne Esqr. and several other Inhabi-
tants of this Town setting forth that the Pavement at the lower
end of Milk Street from Horn alley to Col°. Hatch's Gate is very
much broken and out of Repair and great Number of Loaclen
Carts &Ca. do daily pass it praying the Selectmen may be im-
powered to cause said Pavement to be taken up & laid anew and
that a sum of money may be granted for that purpose, and that
some effectual method may be taken to Carry off the Water which
in great Rains or Sudden Showers renders the way unpassable
Occasioned by the Defect of the Common Sewer &ca. Read. —
and thereupon Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired
to View that part of said Street propos'd to be new paved Con-
sider the Circumstances of the same & what the Town had best
do there upon, as also of some method for Carrying off the Water
that often renders said Way unpassable, & make a Computation
of the whole Charge, thereof and Report hereon at the General
Town meeting in may next

[99.] The Committee appointed in the forenoon to Wait upon
his Excellency the Captain General to ask his Liberty to View the
present Batteries in the Town and See what Stores & repairs are
wanting, and also to Consider what they Judge necessary for the
Town further to do to put themselves into a better Posture of De-
fence, now made their, Report which was read, and after some
Debate thereon the following Question was put Vize. Whether the
Town will now proceed to raise money for Putting themselves in a
better Posture of Defence, and it was Voted in the Affirmative,
and then the Report was read again, and the first Paragraph Viz1.
That the Eight Field Carriages in the Gunhouse on the Common
should be increased to Twenty fit for Guns which will Carry four
and Six pound Shot to be Transported from place to place as they
shall be occasion, was accepted, and then the Second Paragraph
was read, and the Town not approving of the whole thereof It was
moved & Voted that the said Report be Returned to the same
Committee who are desired to make such alterations and amend-
ments therein as they shall think proper, and the said Committee
are also desired to make an Estimate of the whole Cost & Expence

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 91

of Repairing and Fortifying the Town, and Report hereon at the
intended adjournment of this meeting, then, Voted that this meet-
ing be Adjournmen Tuesday the 8th. of April next at 3 a Clock in
the Afternoon.

Tuesday, April 8. 1746. Three a Clock in the Afternoon — The
Town mett according to Adjournment.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration some more
effectual method to prevent Negro's keeping Hogs & after a Short
Debate thereon Voted that a Committee be chosen to consider what
will be best for the Town to do hereon, accordingly
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfield &
James Allen Esqr.

were chosen a Committee for that purpose, and they are desired
to make Report hereon at the next General Town meeting.

Mess1"'. Ebenezer Holmes . . Sworn "^
William Taylor . . . Sworn

Harrison Gray . . . Pay f Clerks of the Market.
William Cooper . . . Sworn j
John Boylestone . . Sworn J
were chose Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.

[10O.] The Committee appointed at the opening of this
meeting the 31st. of March last to wait upon his Excellency the
Capt. General to ask his Liberty to View the present Batteries in
Town and see what Stores and repairs are wanting and also to
Consider what they Judge necessary for the Town further to do to
put themselves into a better Posture of Defence Now Reported,
That they had carefully Viewed and Sounded the Channel from the
narrows up to the middle Ground a little Eastward of Castle
.William, and found that at this lower middle Ground, the Channel
is Two hundred and forty feet wide of the Depth of Twenty four
feet, that for Nine hundred and Sixty feet more it is from Eighteen
to fifteen feet Deep the remainder being about Six hundred feet is
tweivo feet deep ; and they are of opinion that it would be a great
Security to the Town to sink Hulks across the Channel here on the
Approach of Ships of War to Attack us that five will be Sufficient,
two of about one hundred & fifty Tons & three of about one hun-
dred Tons ; and that they be got ready & fixed, ready to sink on
the Shortest Warning and with Bridles to weigh them when the
Danger is over, and that they be mored near the place, and that
Buoys be fixed where they are to be sunk that the Channel may be
stopt in a few hours time on the Approach of an Enemy.

They have also viewed the several parts of the Town more es-
pecially the South Battery & apprehend a Line of about Twenty
Guns before the Sconce, extending about North from the upper or
Western End of Col°. Wendells Wharffe two hundred and Sixty
four feet thirteen feet high and Thirty feet Wide with a proper
Brest work and Platform would be a Considerable Security, which
by Consultation with masons and carpenters they find may be made,
either wholly of Square Timber with Boxes filled with Ballast or
by a front Wall of about Ten feet thick and Eleven feet high,
Strong Built, with a good face the Room behind to be filled with

92 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Timber and Stone or with dirt as may be found Cheapest or most
Expeditious.

The Committee find thirteen Guns wanting in the North Battery
and many necessary Stores diffident both there and at the South
Battery.

The}- apprehend a Battery of Eight Guns on the End of the long
Wharff and another of Four on the End of darks Wharffe would be
very necessary in a time of Danger,

That they had carefully considered the Cost of the most mate-
rial of the above mentioned Particulars, and are of the opinion that
the [1O1.] Hulks if new with the Charge of Sinking them, Cor-
dage anchors Labour &Ca. will amount to Five Thousand pounds
new Tenor, that the Wharff at the South Battery if of Stone in the
Front as proposed will amount to fifteen hundred pounds, if of
Woed and Ballast Twelve hundred and fifty pounds, both new
tenor, Gun Carriages £7,, 10/ each.

They ar a further of opinion that in some proper way, the Town
endeavour that the province should be at the above mentioned
Charge or at least lend the money to be paid in future years by the

Town without Interest And the same being twice read over

and a considerable Debate had thereon, It was Moved and Voted
that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto the said
Committee for the great pains they have taken in this affair. — And
then it was,

Voted that the Honble. Jacob Wendell and Samuel Welles Esq™.
John Fayerweather Esqr. Col°. John Hill, Col°. William Downe
and Mr. Isaac White be a Committee to wait on his Excellency the
Captain General and Represent to him that in pursuance of the
Leave he was pleased to Grant to View and Consider what might
be further needful for the Security of the Town in a time of
Danger, they have Viewed the Channel near the Castle and
humbly apprehend that it may be Stopped by Hulks sunk across
it so as to Render it Impracticable for any Ships of War to
Approach so near the Town as to annoy it, and the Committee are
directed humbly to request his Excellency if in his Wisdom he
thinks well of the proposal to use his Influence that this may be
Effected at the province Charge or that his Excellency would take
such other methods as in his paternal Care and Goodness he may
Judge best for the Towns Security.

Voted that all matters and Things that remain unfinished be
Referred over to the next General Town meeting to be then acted

upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[1O2.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in
Public Town meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday
the fourteenth day of May. A.D. 1746.

Prayer was made by the Rev*1. Mr. Mather B3rles.

The Precept and Warrant for calling the meeting. Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

Samuel Adams Esqr. One of the Selectmen in their Name pro-
pos'd to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of a

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 93

person or persons to Serve for and Represent in a great and Gen-
eral Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the
Twenty eighth day of May instant and in order thereto to consider
and Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected , accord-
ingly Voted to proceed to the Choice of Four Representatives, and
it was declared that the Poll be Closed at twelve a Clock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Votes were found to
be 443, and upon Sorting the Votes it Appeared that the following
Gentlemen were chosen Viz'.

No. of Votes.

Samuel Welles Esqr 403.

Tho1. Hutchinson Esqr 249.

Andrew Oliver Esqr 413.

Thomas Hubbard Esqr 267.

The Election of Representatives being over and the same being
Declared by the Selectmen.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator &
upon Sorting the same it appeared that the Honbl° Edward Hutch-
inson Esqr was chosen by a great Majority.

Then the Meeting was Adjourned to three aClock in the After-
noon,

Wednesday 3 a Clock in the Afternoon, the Town mett,
The Petition of Mr. John Lovell master of the South Grammar
[1O3.] School praying for an Addition to his Salary for reasons
mentioned &Ca was Read and after some Debate a Question was
put, Whether the Town will now make any Addition to his Salary,
and it was Voted in the Affirmative, Then Voted that an addi-
tion of Fifty pounds old tenor p Annum be added to his Salaiy to
Commence from his last Quarter, and the Selectmen are desired to
make Drafts on the Treasury from time to time accordingly.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Publick
Schools Read and is as follows Viz'.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Boston in Town
Meeting Assembled May 14. 1746.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Annual Meet-
ing the third day of May A. D. 1745. desiring the Selectmen to
Visit the Several Publick Schools in the Town and desire such
Gentlemen to Accompany them therein as they should think proper
and to Report thereon,

We the Subscribers accordingly Attended that Service on Tues-
day the Twenty fifth day of June last, Accompanied by the
following Gentlemen Viz'.

The Hon John Osborne Esqr.
The Hon John Jeffries Esqr.
The Hon Jacob Wendell Esqr.
The Hon Thomas Berry Esqr.
The Hon Eliakm Hutchinson Esq*.
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
The Gentlemen the Representa-
tives of the Town of Boston,
The Revd. Dr. Joseph Sewall
The Rev Dr. Charles Chauncey
The Reva. Mr. William Welsteed

94 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Rev. Mr. William Hooper
The Rev. Mr. Samuel Mather

and found the South Grammar School wherein were one hundred
& Twenty four Scholars all in very good order, the South writing
School in the Common, consisting of one hundred and Sevenff one
Scholars in like good order, the Writing School in Queen Street hav-
ing Sixty eight Scholars in good order, the North Grammar School
of Forty [1O4.] Scholars in good order, and the North writing
School wherein were Two hundred and Fifty nine Scholars in very

good order,

JONAS CLARKE
THOMAS HANCOCK
JOHN STEEL \- Selectmen

WILLIAM SALTEB
HENRY ATKINS

Voted that this Report be Accepted, and that the Gentlemen
the Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools the Year
ensuing and that they desire such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein as they shall think Convenient, and that they Report

thereon,

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in
the Warrant of a Desire of a number of the Inhabitants that Faneuil
Hall market may be shutt up & Appropriated to some other use as
shall be most for the Interest of the Town and after some Debate

thereon, It was Voted that the said article be Dismiss'd,

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in
the Warrant, That the head of the Dock may be filled up and a
street laid out from Union-street to Faneuil Hall Market and after
some Debate thereon, Voted that the same be Dismissed.

The Committee appointed the 31st. of March last to Consider of
the Petition of Mr. John Staniford one of the Collectors of Taxes
Praying that Sundry Abatements may be made of Taxes com-
mitted to him to Collect &Ca. for reasons mentioned, Now Re-
ported that they find the following persons Assessed in his List
these Sums Viz'.

Joseph Morse £7,, 10. 9

Francis Grimes 1. .11. 5

Robert Black 1. — 9

Henry Graham 2. ... 9

Richard Walker 1 Tax 1. 14. . .

Edward Eayres 1. 17. 4.

Charles Mullins 1. 14. 0.

Benja. Kenny 1. 19. . .

Ephr1". Bosworth 1. 10.

[1O5.] George Baith 2. 9. 6.

Gideon Ball 1. 10. ...

Samuel Ellis 4. 10. . .

£31,, 6,, 5.

John Pain 1. 16. . .

Gideon Ball 1. 10. . .

£34,, 12,, 5.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 95

The Committee appointed as aforesaid do further report that
they are humbly of opinion that the several Rates above written
be abated by the Town, amounting in the whole to Thirty four
pounds twelve shillings and five pence old tenor ; The persons
Taxed having been almost universally at Sea before the Rates
came out and never Return'd,

All which is Submitted by,

SAMUEL WELLES
EDWARD BROMFIELD
JOSHUA CHEEVER
JAMES ALLEN.

Voted that the said Report be Accepted and that the Selectmen
give a Draft on the Treasurer to Mr. John Staniford for Thirty
three pounds one shillings and 9d old tenor being for the Taxes of
several persons mentioned in said Report. The Tax of Mr.
Rouse not being Abated him being £1.10.8.

The Committee appointed the 31st. of March last to Audit the
Accounts of the Committee that was appointed in June 1742 to
Build Fortifications &Ca. now made Report in the words follow-
ing,

Boston May 12th. 1746.

The Committee appointed to Audit the Accounts of the Com-
mittee appointed in June 1742 to Build Fortifications &Ca within
this Town have Attended that Service, and find the accounts right
cast and well Vouch'd, The Ballauce due to the Town Seventy one
pounds Six shillings old tenor, Outstanding as also Sundry Bills

not paid, which is humbly Submitted,

JAMES ALLEN
SAMUEL WELLES
THO". GREENE
which was Read and Accepted

The Town proceeded to raise a Committee to lay out the sum
of Six hundred and Sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four
pence granted by the General Court for Compleating the North
Battery and purchasing Stores &Ca. and after some Debate
thereon Voted that the Sum of Six hundred and [1O6,] Sixty
six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence now in Mr. Hancocks
hands be put into the Town Treasury, and that the Honble John
Jeffries Esqr. Capt. Alexander Forsyth, Jonas Clarke Esqr. Mr.
Thomas Hancock, Mr. Middlecott Cooke and Capt. John Steel
the Committee appointed in June 1742 for Erecting Fortifications
in this Town lay out the same according to the said Grant of
the General Court, they to be accountable for their doings
heroin,

Voted that the Honble Jacob Wendell & Samuel Welles Esq™.
Col John Hill Col°. William Downe John Fayenveatber Esqr. and
Mr. Isaac White be a Committee to get the Twelve Gun Carriages
made and finished that were Voted the last meeting.

Voted that the Honble. Samuel Welles Esqr. Mr. Jeremiah Allen
Mr. Thomas Paine Samuel Adams Esqr. William Tyler Esqr. and
Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. be and hereby are Appointed a Com-
mittee to draw up a Memorial or Petition to the Great and Gen-

96 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

eral Court, that this Town may be Relieved as to their Propor-
tion of the publick Taxes, and the said Committee are desired
therein to Represent (in the most full and Particular manner) the
deplorable Circumstances of the Town and the many Difficulties
we labour under and lay the same before the Town at the Ad-
journment of this meeting.

The Selectmen appointed the 31st. day of march last as a Com-
mittee to Consider of the Petition of John Osborne Esqr. and others
relating to the Pavement at the lower end of milk street &ca. as

- set forth in said Petition now made Report as follows Viz'. That
they had View'd that part of milk Street propos'd by said Peti-
tion to be now Paved and Considered the Circumstances of the
same and Reported that if the Pavement be taken up from Horn
Alley to the lower end of Col. Hatch's Land it will Cost little more
than to mend it as it now lyes provided the Abutters will do their
part or proportion of the same they further Reported that the
Common Sewer that Conveys the water from the Streets &ca. above

|into the Sea be cleans'd & kept open, which was Read & thereupon
Voted that the Sum of One hundred and Twenty five pounds old
tenor Bills be Allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury towards
New paving the said Street from [1O7.] Horn Alley to the lower
end of Col°. Hatch's Land, provided that the Abutters pay the re-
maining part of the Charge, and that the same when paved shall
be under the Direction and to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen.
Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Frvday the 23d. inst.
10 a Clock. A.M.

Friday the 23d. of May 1746. The Town met according to Ad-
journment at ten a Clock in the forenoon.

Voted that Mess-™. Thomas Green
John Colson &

Capt. Wm. Salterbe and hereby are appointed
a Committee to Consider of some effectual method to prevent the
pernicious practice of forestalling the market and Report hercon.

The Committee appointed the 8th. of April last to take into Con-
sideration some more effectual method to prevent negro's keeping
hogs now made Report of the Draft of a By Law they had prepared
for that purpose in the words following Viz'.

At a meeting of the Freeholdors and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned .in Public
Town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the four-
teenth day of may A.D. 1746. and from thence continued by Ad-
journment until Fryday the 23 of said month.

Whereas great Damage arises to the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston by negro's and Indians keeping Hogs, not only by
Occasioning very great Wast in the several Family s, they respect-
ively belong to, but as it Exposes them to great Temptations to
Steal and purloin from their several Masters, provisions and other
of their Substance and especially as it Occasions great Loss of
time, and gives them an opportunity of Meeting and conferring
together, whereby great Injuries have been done to the Inhabitants
of said town.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 97

For the Prevention of so great an Evil

Ordered that no Indian negro or molatto shall be permitted to
[1O8.] Keep any Hog or Swine whatever within the Town of
Boston either with or without the privity or Consent of his said
Master or Mistress, under the Penalty of Twenty Shillings to be
paid by the Master or Mistress of any Indian, negro or rnolatto
so offending for the use of the poor of said Town, upon due con-
viction of any such Offence before any one of His Majesty's Jus-
tices of the Peace for the County of Suffolk.

And if any person shall hire or let to hire to any Indian Negro
or Molatto, any Sty or Penn, or peice of Ground whereon to Erect
the same, or that shall suffer any Indian Negro or Molatto to keep
any Swine on any .of their Ground. Ordered that every person so
Offending on due Conviction thereof as aforesaid shall also forfeit
and pay the sum of twenty shillings for the use aforesaid.

Which being read three several times, Voted that the same be
Accepted, and that the Selectmen be desired to present it to the
next Court of General Sessions of the peace for their Approbation.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Fryday the 30^.
Instant three a Clock in the Afternoon.

Fryday the 30th. of May, the Town met according to Adjourn-
ment.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was Voted, That the
Raising of Money and all the other matters and things mentioned
in the Warrant for calling this Meeting (now remaining unfinished)
be refered over to the next General Town Meeting to be then Con-
sidered of and Acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned in Public
Town Meeting Assembled in Fanuel Hall on Tuesday the third
day of June A.D. 1746.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Checkley.

[1O9.] Sundry Laws Read.

A Precept under the hand and seal of the Honble. Thomas
Hutchinson Esqr. Speaker of the Honble. House of Representatives
directed to the Selectmen requiring them to Assemble the Free-
holders and other Inhabitants, to make choice of and Depute (if
they see cause) a person to serve for and Represent them in the
Great and General Court or Assembly, now Convened held and
kept for His Majestys Service at the Court house in Boston, in the
Room of the Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr. who is Chosen into His

Majestys Council. Together with the Warrant for calling the

Meeting Read.

The Question was put Viz'. Whether the Town would proceed
to Choose a person to serve for and Represent them in the Great
and General Court or Assembly now Convened in the Room of
Mr. Oliver.

Voted in the Affirmative.

And the Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for one Repve-

98 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

sentative accordingly being in Number 293 but upon Sorting em it
Appeared there was no choice then the Selectmen directed the In-
habitants to withdraw & bring in their Votes again which they
accordingly did to the number of 292 upon sorting 'em it appeared
again that there was no choice, and it being One a Clock, it was
propos'd that the Meeting be Adjourn'd to 'A a Clock in the After-
noon then to proceed to the Choice of a Representative, which was
accordingly Voted in the Affirmative.

Three a Clock in the afternoon, The Town met according to
Adjournment.

And the Selectmen directed the Inhabitants to bring in their
Votes for a Representative which they accordingly did to the
Number of 404 and upon Sorting the same it Appeared that
Samuel Adams Esqr. was Chosen having 238 Votes.

The Election of a Representative being ended, the Selectmen
Declared the same, and the Town proceeded to the Choice of a

[11O.] Moderator and the Honble. Edward Hutchinson Esqr.

was Chosen.

The Houble Samuel Welles Esqr. from the Committee appointed
the 14th. of may last to draw up a Memorial or Petition to the Great
& General Court or Assembly, that this Town may be relieved as
to their proportion of the Publick Taxes now Reported and Pre-
sented a draft they had prepared in the words following Viz'.
Province of the ")

Massachusetts Bay } To his Excellency "William Shirley Esqr.
Captain General and Governour in Chief
the Honourable the Council and House of
Representatives in General Court Assembled
May 28th. 1746.

The Petition of the Town of Boston in the Province afore-
said.

Humbly Sheweth,

That your Petitioners Apprehend what they

are obliged to pay of the province Tax is very much beyond their
proportion ; by this they would by no means suggest any the least
injustice or partiality in this high and Honourable Court, but hum-
bly conceive it arises from the want of a proper Representation and
knowledge of the particular Circumstances of this Town which the
said Town of Boston now beg leave humbly to lay before your
Excellency and Honours.

It is very obvious that it cannot be the Share or the quantity of
the Land of the Province, which the Town of Boston contains that
Subjects them to this large proportion for their Land is but a Pit-
tance scarce one third so much as the least Town in the Province,
but it must be some adventitious and peculiar Advantage they have
from their Navigation, Commerce Manufactures Numbers or Wealth
[111,] Of the People Inhabiting here ; and if it shall appear that
in all these things there is a great alteration to the Disadvantage of
the Town we doubt not but agreeable to your Excellencys and
Honours known Justice and goodness you will alter their proportion
of the publick Charges.

As to our Navigation, the French War brought the Kings Ships

BOSTON TOWN EECOEDS, 1746. 99

here to man, which raised the Sailors wages to such an Extravagant
height and has totally banisht so many from us, that very often our
Ships have been kept so long in port that their Cargo have been
almost or quite Ruined.

Our Trade & Commerce has consequently gone to other Maritime
places in this province where it is very well known foreign Com-
merce and Navigation are greatly increased they being at more
Liberty to sail and Return as their Interest requires then we are
and for that very reason able to get hands and carry on their
Affairs much Cheaper and to far greater profit, and this has again
enabled them to take from us the Supplys for this Fishery here,
and also to take to themselves the Benefit of carrying the fish to

foreign Ports. The same may be said as to Shipbuilding

the ancient and almost the only Manufacture the Town of Boston
ever had, diverse places in the province (more especially the Town
of Newbury) are under Advantages beyond Boston and have taken
from the Town a large proportion of this Business.

And for some years past there has been a new method of Sup-
plying the Town of Boston with Flesh of every kind, this hereto-
fore was principally by Butchers who dwelt in this Town & killed
almost all the meat this people had both large and small but es-
pecially all large meat almost without a Single Exception this
naturally Supplied & employed Tanners Curriers and a large
number of Shoemakers and a great many others dependents
and Appendages to these Occupations, whereas our Butchers who
used to be Thirty in number are now Reduced to four or five and
but one of them that has Business of any Consequence and he so
discouraged as to be about removing into the Country ; Sundry
of our tanyards are thrown up and others dwindled to almost
nothing, Our Curriers are gone out of Town or live Idly for want
of Business ; Our Shoemakers are without Leather & Employ
Boston being Supplied by Shoemakers living out of Town where
Leather is to be had.

And all those Butchers, Tanners, Shoemakers with their [113.]
Attendants, now living in the Towns round about Boston, formerly
dw-elt in Town and supplied the Country as well as Town almost
universally with Leather and considerably with Shoes, But now
our Tanners Curriers & Shoemakers cannot Supply the Town alone
with either.

These things the said Town of Boston dont mention as griev-
ances in themselves, for it as well or better for the Individuals living
iu Boston to buy their meat of a Roxbury Butcher as of a Boston
Butcher if as cheap or cheaper, But then if the Town be consid-
ered as an aggregate Body and a great Number of the parts which
constitute this Body, be taken away and the same weight of Taxes
continued as before, the Remainder must Suffer more in such Case
then they did when the whole were together.

This being so Apparent from the Reason & nature of Things
and impressed and confirmed by a very Sensible and powerfull
Argument the unavoidable increase of the Taxes of the Remaining
Inhabitants has reduced & driven many others both of the Supe-
riour and middling Sort to Remove into some of the neighbouring

100 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Towns where they could Exercise their Faculties and many of
them in this Town too every Day, and only Sleep a few Rods or
miles out of the Town o night and pay but a fifth or tenth part of
the Taxes they were Obliged to pay as their proportion while they
lived in Boston, and by these means the Town is Reduced in the
Number of their Rateable Inhabitants from near 34UO to about
2600 in a very few years time, and in this Loss some men of large
Estates are gone, who professedly left the Town because they
thought Boston was Assessed a larger proportion in the province
Tax then the neighbouring Towns to which they Removed, This
which gives our Brethren removing from us ease, leaves the Burthen
most necessarily heavier on the Remainder (if the Towns propor-
tion continue the same) and their deliverance & Joy become our
greater Thraldom & Sorrow.

This has also Multiplied our poor to such a great number that in
a very few years the Charges for them only are risen from little
more than One Thousand to above five Thousand We might add
that the Distilling Business which for Twenty or Thirty years past
has employed a considerable Number [113.] Of People, is now
under great Discouragements there not being molasses to be had
to employ them half their time and what we have is Chiefly Im-
ported by merchants and Traders living in Salem Charlestown
Newbury Marblehead Plymouth Bristol and other Maritime places,
where their Navigation is free and Cheaper :>t most, if not at all
which places especially at Charlestown the Distilling Business is
carried on largely and Distilling is also carried on at Watertown
Medford and Nantucket from the last of which places a great
Trade is managed abroad by this means to Newfoundland and
elsewhere ; all this Business not many years past was carried on
at Boston, and was doubtless one great consideration by which
their share of the publick Charges was Uegulated. That there are
great Numbers of Dwelling houses Warehouses and other Build-
ings the Annual Rents of which would amount to several Thousand
of Pounds empty & unoccupied.

And that the Losses of this Town by Sea for the last year only
amount to about £200,000 old tenor.

Wherefore your humble Petitioners pray that as our Number
Navigation Commerce, Manufactures and every thing else, for
which we can be Taxed, are very much decreased, our Province
Tax ma}' be lessened in proportion, or that such other Relief may
be granted as to \-our Excellency and Honours, in your great Wis-
dom and Equity shall seem meet.

And your Petitioners (as in Duty Bound) shall ever pray
&Ca.

The aforegoing Draft is Submitted in the name and by order of
the Committee. — Samuel Welles in behalf of the Committee.

Which said Draft was three times Read over and thereupon

Voted that the same be Accepted and that the Town Clerk be
and hereby is directed immediately to prepare a fair Copy thereof
and sign it on behalf of the Town, and the Selectmen are desired
to present it to the General Court as the Petition of the Town ac-
cordingly.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 101

Voted that a Committee be raised to endeavor to obtain a Sub-
scription for building or purchasing a House proper the Reception
of Distracted persons, & Voted, that
Mr. John Jones
Mr. Joseph Sherburne &
Mr. John Staniford.
be the said Committee.

[114.] Voted A Grant of Sixteen Thousand pounds old tenor
Bills to be Rais'd by a Tax on Polls and Instates within the Town
of Boston, for Relief of the Poor and defreying other necessary
Charges arising within and for said Town the year ensuing.

Voted that the Sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds old tenor
Bills be allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury to the Honble.
Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. for his Salary as Town Treasurer the
year past.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred pounds old Tenor be allowed
& paid out of the Town Treasury to the Honble Joseph Wads-
•vvorth Esqr. in full for his Extraordinary Services in his Office as
Town Treasurer to this Day (excepting the Services he has done
in his Office relating to the Batterys in the Town).

Voted that the Sum of Eight}* pounds old tenor Bills be allowed
& paid out of the Town Treasury unto Mr. John Staniford in full
for bis Services as Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market for the year 1745.

Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are directed to fill up
the "Wharffe at the South Battery, and Build a Glacis there and
take what Dirt they shall want for doing the same from the Top
of Forthill.

Mr. Nathaniel Wardells Lease in the Engine Erected at the
Southend for the weighing of Ha}' being Expired the Town entred
upon the Consideration of said Engine and after some Debate,
Voted that the further Leasing of said Engine or Erecting of
another Engine in the Town for the weighing of Hay be and
hereby is referr'd to the Selectmen who are fully impowered to Act
and do in this Affair whatever they shall apprehend to be most for
thq Advantage and Interest of the Town.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the Thirty first of march
last on the Petition of James Allen Esqr. praying for Liberty to
Remove his Gap at the Outwharves the [115.] Wedth thereof
Northward at his own Cost and Charge, now Report that they
had Viewed the premisses therein mentioned & apprehended the
granting the prayer of the Petition Will be attended with many
Inconveniences & be a considerable Disservice to the Town which
w:is read and accepted, and Voted that the said Petition be Dis-
missed.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 31st of march last to
consider of a motion then made by several of the Inhabitants for
disposing of Fox Hill in the Common for the Interest of the Town
Now Report that they had Viewed said Hill and considered the
Circumstances of the same & apprehend that at present it will not
yield any thing to the advantage of the Town to Dispose of it,
but that it remain as it now is, which being Read, Voted that the
said Report be Accepted.

102 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The following Gentlemen were Chosen a Committee for Audit-
ing the Town Treasurers Accounts for the Year ensuing Viz'.

John Wheelwright Esqr.

Mr. Thomas Greene

Joshua Winslow Esqr.

Mr. Ebenezer Holmes &

Mr. Thomas Oxnard,

And they are desired to make Report as usual, and the said
Committee are desired to Audit the Accounts of the Overseers of
the Poor respecting the Almshouse and the Workhouse, and to
Attend doing the same at the usual place of said Overseers meet-
ing & make Report hereon as Usual.

Voted that all matters and things whatsoever that were to have
been considered of at this meeting, and now Remain unfinished be
and hereby is referred over to the next General Town Meeting to
be then Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Honble Edward Hutchinson Esqr the Moderator of this Meet-
ing for Dispatching the Business thereof.
Then the Meeting be Dismissed.

[116.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned in
Public Town Meeting assembled in Faneuil Hall on Monday the

twenty second day of Septem1". A.D. 1746.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Dr. Joseph Scwall.
The Warrant for calling the Meeting was Read.
The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
handy Vote) and the Honble. Samuel Welles Esqr. being Nominated
was Accordingly Chosen.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Affairs men-
tioned in the Warrant Viz4. To Consult what may be done for the
Defence and Safety of the Town against an Enemy either by Re-
pairing the present Fortifications, or Erecting any others, or doing
whatever else may be thought necessary and after a long Debate
thereon, It was Voted that

The Honble. Edward Hutchinson

Ezekiel Lewis

James Allen &

John Jeffries Esqrs.

Col William Downe J-

John Fayerweather

Daniel Henchman &

Thomas Hubbard Esq™. &

Mr. Thomas Green
Be a Committee to wait upon His Excellency the Governour pray-
ing that inasmuch as the Town of Boston Petition'd the Great &
General Court to provide Hulks at the Province Charge to Stop
the Channel on the Approach of an Enemy which Petition the
House of Representatives so far favour'd as to Appoint a Commit-
tee to make an Estimate of the Cost thereof but said Committee
have not yet Reported and the General Court not now Sitting,

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 103

Wherefore the Town humbly [117.] Pray that his Excellency
the Governour and the Honble. the Council in the imminent Danger
to which his Majestys good Subjects are now Exposed, & would
please to provide Hulks to be Sunk as proposed at the province
Charge and also would provide Fireships if they shall Judge them
needfull.

Also Voted that the Honble Jacob Wendell ^

James Bowdoin &

Samuel Welles Esq™.
John Fayerweather &

Commit-
tee.

William Downe Esqrs.
Capt. John Steel and
Mr. Isaac White

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider what is
necessary for the Town immediately to do for their better Security
and Defence against an Enemy besides Sinking of Hulks and pro-
viding Fire Ships and Report hereon as soon as may be,

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to 3 o Clock in the After-
noon.

Monday 3 o Clock in the Afternoon The Town mett according to
Adjournment.

Whereas it is suggested that there are several persons Roman
Catholicks that now dwell and reside in this Town and it may be
very Dangerous to 'permit such persons to Reside here in Case we
should be attack'd by an Enemy, Therefore Voted that Mr. Jere-
miah Allen Mr. Nathaniel Gardner and Mr. Joseph Bradford be
and hereby are appointed a Committee to ta!*e Care and prevent
any Danger the Town may be in from Roman Catholick residing
here by making Strict Search and enquiry after all such ami pur-
sue such Methods relating (o em as the Law directs.

The Committ.ee appointed in the forenoon to Consider what is
immediately necessary for the Town to do for its further Security
& Defence now Reported That the}' Apprehended the Ditch or
mote be Cleared and Guns be provided for the [118.] Ports in the
Breast Work on the neck, that there be a platform made to Trav-
erse the Guns on.

That four Guns be planted on the End of Mr. Welles's Wharfe,
Four guns on Mr. Hills Wharfe, Five on Mr. Marions Wharffe,
Four Guns on Mess". Jones and Griffins Wharffe, Four on Mr. Hub-
bards Wharffe, Four on the End & two on the South Side of Col°.
Wendells Wharffe, Eight on the Long Wharffe, four on darks-
Wharffe and four on Capt. Cheevers Wharffe, & Eight Guns more
for the North Battery, the Breast Works to be made with timber and
plank on each Side filled up with Sods or Dirt, or with hogsheads
filled with Dirt as the Circumstances of the place may require.

That they had also carefully observed what provision there is of
Cannon, and find a great quantity and a large number of Carriages
and humbly proposed that all Utensels & everything necessary be
forthwith provided for them.

Which Report was Read & Accepted and thereupon Voted that
the said Committee Viz'. The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr. Samuel
Welles Esqr. and James Bowdoin Esqr. John Fayerweather Esqr-

1(H CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Col. William Downe Capt. John Steel and Mr. Isaac White wait
upon His Excellency the Captain General for his Leave to do the
several Things mentioned in said Report, and if they Obtain it,
that then the said Committee and .Joshua Cheever Esqr. Mr. John
Euddock Mr. Samuel Hunt Capt. Jeffry Bedgood Mr. Thomas Lee
Mr. Shem Drown Capt. John Wakefield and Majr. Daniel Hench-
man be and hereby are Impowered as a Committee to do and
Effect the same.

Voted 'that the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds bills of the old
tenor be rais'd by a Tax upon the Polls and Estates within the
Town of Boston for defraying the extraordinary Services of the
Current year,

Whereas the Town Apprehending it to be much for their Safety
& Security in this time of War with the French Nation, that the
several persons belonging to that Nation who are daily passing the
Streets of the Town should be Confiu'd, desired the [119.]
Selectmen to make application to two of His Majestys Justices of
the peace (Quorum unus) for a warrant to Apprehend and Commit
them to Prison pursuant to a Law of this province, which they
accordingly did & the Constables by Wartue of said Warrant took
about One hundred French persons & carryed 'em to His Majesty
Goal in Boston, but Benjamin Pollard Esqr. High Sheriff of this
County would not receive 'em nor suffer 'em to Remain there but
has permitted 'em to go at large again and by this extraordinary
Behaviour and Conduct of the said Sheriff the Inhabitants Jude
themselves to be in great Danger of their Lives and Estates, more
especially since it has been proved that some of these French
persons have declared that they would set this Town on fire in
several parts as soon as it shall be Invaded by an Enemy upon a
motion Therefore made and Seconded, It was unamiously Voted
that the Gentlemen the Representatives of this Town be & hereby
are desired at the next Session of the General Court to make a
motion in the Honble. House of Representatives that they would lay
before His Excellency the Governonr and the Honble. the Council
the said Extraordinary behaviour and Conduct of the said Sheriff,
and desired that such Methods may be taken with the said Sheriff
as that the Town may be preserved and he not have it in his power
to distress this, or any other Town in like Circumstances for the
future that they'l be pleased to Grant such other Relief as may be
necessary.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, Voted that the Honble
Samuel Welles, James Allen & Ezekiel Lewis Esq™. Mr. Edward
Bromfield and Mr. Hugh Vans the Selectmen of the Town Hugh
Hall Esqr. Thomas Hubbard Ksij1". & John Fayerweather Esqr. be
and hereby are appointed a Committee to wait upon his Excellency
the Governour, and the Honble the Council to Inform them that the
Town apprehending great Danger arising to em by such a number
of persons Subjects to the French King, being allowed to pass and
Repass the Streets as they now do, desired the Selectmen to Apply
to two of His Majestys Justices of the peace (Quorum Unus) to
Grant a Warrant to Apprehend & Secure 'em in prison pursuant
X) a law of this province, which the, Selectmen accordingly did,

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 105

and the Constables of the Town by Virtue thereof apprehended
about one hundred French Persons & Carried 'em to his Majestys
Goal in Boston, but the High Sheriff of this County treated the
said Warrant in a very Contemptious manner & [ISO.] Would
not receive the said persons therein mentioned, nor suffer 'em to
Remain there and so they again go at large, which gives great
uneasiness to the Inhabitants, praying his Excellency and the
Honble. the Council will give such orders relating to the said
French Prisoners as shall be most for the Safety & Security of
the Town, and also give such Orders to the said Sheriff as may
preserve the Town and those that Act for them from such Rude
and 111 mannerly treatment from him for the future.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tomorrow Morning five
a Clock in the Afternoon.

Tuesda}7 Septemr. 23d. The Town met according to adjournment,
& Voted that this Meeting be immediately Adjourned to Thursday
next the 25 Inst. at 5 o Clock in the Afternoon.

Thursday Septemr. 25th. The Town mett according to Adjourn-
ment.

The Committee appointed the 22d. Instant to wait upon His Ex-
cellency the Governour and the Honble. the Council with a Copy' of
the Vote and desire of the Town relating to the Behaviour of the
High Sheriff in Refusing to Receive the French Prisoners into
Goal now Reported that they had so done, and that his Excellency
and the Council desire the Town would draw up in Writing the
Particular Matters the}7 have to Alkdge against the said Sheriff
Pollard relating to said Affair, Whereupon It was Moved and
Voted that Samuel Welles Abiel Walley & Samuel Adams Esqrs*
be a Committee for that purpose, and the Constables of the Town
who Served the Warrants are desired to Attend the said Commit-
tee & give them all the Information they can said Committee to
Report at the Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 22d. instant to take Care and pre-
vent any Danger the Town may be in by Roman Catholicks re-
siding here, Reported that they had found the Laws now in force
relating to such persons to be insufficient [121,] To Enable them
to Effect the same and therefore could do nothing hereon altho
they suspected a considerable number of Roman Catholicks to be

now in Town, Whereupon it was moved & Voted that the

Represeetatives of tin's Town be and hereby are desired to En-
deavour at the next Session of the General Court to get a Law
pass'd that shall be effectual to Secure the Town from any Danger
they may be in, by Roman Catholicks Dwelling here,

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Saturday 11 o Clock
A.M.

Saturday Sept. 27th. 1746. The Town met according to Adjourn-
ment.

The Committee appointed the 25th. instant to draw up a Memor-
ial to his Excellency the Governour and the Honble. the Council

106 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

relating to the behaviour and Conduct of the High Sheriff of this
County in refusing to receive Sundry french Persons into His
Majestys Goal in Boston sent thither the 22d. instant by Warrant
from two of His Majestys Justices of the Peace now make Report
of a Draft they had prepared in the words following Viz'.

To His Excellency William Shirley Esqr. Governour in Chief
and the Honble. His Majestys Council.

The Memorial of the Town of Boston, Humbly Sheweth,

That his Majestys good Subjects the Inhabitants of said Town
are greatly concerned that the Care and pains taken by their
Selectmen, at the motion of the Inhabitants in Town Meeting
Assembled on the twenty second instant are frustrated & Rendered
ineffectual by the illegal and contemptous refusal of the Sheriff of
the County of Suffolk to Obey and Execute the warrant & mit-
timus of His Majestys Justices of the peace granted according to
Law, on the Complaint of their Selectmen for Committing Sundry
French Persons now in this Town to prison, and the said Inhabi-
tants Apprehend this proceeding of the Justices & Selectmen of
the more Importance and necessity for as much as there is a Dec-
laration on Oath of two persons, that sundry of the said French
persons have [122.] Very lately threatned to set the Town on
fire.

Wherefore your Memorialist humbly pray and doubt not but
your Excellency and Honours will take such Methods as to your
known Wisdom and Justice shall seem meet and be effectual to
prevent such proceedings for the future and preserve the Authority
& Laws from being brought into Contempt by the Irregular
behaviour of the said Sheriff or any other Officer.

Which being Read it was thereupon Voted that the said Draft
be Accepted and that a fair Copy of the same be prepared &
signed by the Town Clerk, and that the Honble Samuel Welles
James Allen and Exekiel Lewis Esqrs Mr. Edward Bromfield Mr.
Hugh Vans, The Selectmen of the Town, Hugh Flail Esqr. Thomas
Hubbard Esqr. and John Fayerweather Esqr. be a Committee to
present the same to His Excellency the Governour and the Honble.
the Council as the Memorial of the Town.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified & lawfully Warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the Ninth
day of March A.D. 1746.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Mather.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon collecting the Votes it Appeared that there
was no choice, and the Inhabitants were then directed to bring in
their Votes again, which they accordingly did, and they being
Sorted it Appeared there was no Choice, and the Inhabitants then
brought in their Votes a third time and upon sorting 'em it
Appeared that the Hon°. James Allen Esqr. was chose by a great
Majority.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746.

107

[123.] Ezekiel Goldthwait was unanimously chose Town
Clerk for the Year ensuing and Sworn to the faithful discharge of
his Duty in that Office by the Honoble. Edward Hutchinson Esqr.
Sundry Laws. Read.

Then the Town proceeded to the Choice of Officers &c*.
Voted to proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen.
The Votes being accordingly Brought in & Sorted it appeared
that the following Gentlemen were chose to that office for the
Year ensuing. Viz'.

Samuel Adams Esqr. ^

Cap4. John Steel
Cap4. William Salter

Cap4. Henry Atkins declines Serving J- Select Men.
Abiel Walley Esqr.

Thomas Hubbard Esqr. declines Serving
Mr. John Tyng

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to three o'Clock this
Afternoon.

Afternoon, The Town mett according to Adjournment.
Voted to chuse twelve constables distinct from the Collectors of
Taxes. accordingly —

Mess™. William Nichols
David Drowne
Joseph Foye
Elisha Foster
Elisha Dyre
William Gray

Constables.

Sworne.
Excus'd.
Excus'd.
Excus'd.
Excus'd.
Excus'd.

James Cunningham Sworn. f
John Green Excus'd.

Edward Foster Excus'd.
Joseph Coit Excus'd.

Jonathan Cary Sworne

John Procter Excus'd.

were chosen constables for the Year ensuing.

[124.] Cap4. Henry Atkins and Thomas Hubbard Esqr. who
were chose Select Men in the forenoon having declared that their
private Affairs will not permit 'em to serve in that Office, and that
they desire to be Excused, Voted that they be Excus'd ac-
cordingly and that two other persons be chose in their room
Accordingly

Mr. Jeremiah Belknap &
Mr. Samuel Grant
were chose & Accepted.

Voted that any Person chose into the Office of a Constable for
the Year ensuing be Excus'd from Serving provided he Pay the
Sum of Twenty Pounds old tenor Bills.

Voted that any Person or Persons chosen into any office in the
Town for the Year ensuing who in case of Refusal is Obliged to
Pay any Fine or Penalty be excus'd from serving in such Office
provided he or they Pay in Bills of the last tenor one half the Sum
mentioned in the Law to be paid as a Fine for their Refusal.
Voted unanimously that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby

108

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

is given to Jonas Clarke Esqr. Mr. Thomas Hancock and Cap'.
Henry Atkins for the faithfull Services they have done for the
Town in the Office of Select Men for several Years past.

The following Gentlemen were chosen Overseers of the Poor for
the Year ensuing Viz'.

The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr. "|
William Tyler Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfield
Col°. William Downe
Audr. Oliver Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
George Rogers Esqr.
Mr. Ebenr. Storer

[125«] Mess™. Samuel Ballard Sworne
Richard Surcomb Sworne
Samuel Clough
Edward Baker
Phillip Freeman
Daniel McKean
William Bowles Sworne
Daniel Bell junr. Sworne
Phillip Virbert Sworne
Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned 'till to Morrow Morning
9 o'Clock.

Sworne

Sworne

Excus'd }* Constables.

Sworne

Tuesday Morning Nine o'Clock, The Town being Assembled.
Mess™. Nathaniel Hodgdon Sworn

Thomas Hase Sworn

Josiah Carter Sworn

John Bowden Sworn

John Allen Sworn

James Dawson Sworne

Samuel Hastings Sworn
were chosen Sealers of Leather.
Mess™. William Moore Sworn
Story Dawes Sworn
Francis Warden Sworn
James Barnard Sworn
Samuel Brown Engine man
William Bearsto Sworne
were chosen Fence Viewers.

Mess™. Joshua Pickman

Gillam Phillips Esqr.
Joseph Edwards
Thomas Newman
Henry Newman
John Colson

• Sealers of Leather.

Fence Viewers.

Scavengers.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746.

109

Scavengers.

Informers abt Deer
Al

Cullers of Staves Hoops &C*.

Mess™. Aeneas Mackey
Richard Hubbard
Dean Osgood
John Dixwell
Ellis Wilson
Jonathan Bowman

Mr. Isaac Gridley was cbosen Surveyor of Hemp. Sworn.
Mess". Nathaniel Gardner Sworn

Richard Hubbard Excusd f
Mr. Nathaniel Band, was Chosen Haward for the Year ensuing.
Voted that the Selectmen be Surveyors of Highways.
Mess™. Thomas Gushing Pay ^
Leonard Jarvis

Joseph Calef Excus'd > Hogreeves.
David Jenkins Sworn
John Shaw Sworn J

were Chosen Hogreeves for the Year ensuing.

Mr. Benjamin Harrod was chosen Constable for the Year ensu-
ing, Sworn.

Mess™. Harvey Thomas

Benjamin Ingraham
Benjamin Ballard
Benjamin Barnard
Isaac Fowle
Thomas Sergeant
Benjamin Sault
Peter Cotta
John Hobbs
Sendall Williams

were chosen Cullers of Staves Hoops &C'. for the Year ensuing.
[127.] John Phillips Esqr.

Cap'. Joseph Russell
Cap*. Isaac White
Mr. Joseph Jackson Hatter
Mr. John Scolley
Mr. James Day
John Hill Esqr.
Cap*. John Carnes
Cap1. Henry Berry
Mr. Robert Breck

were chosen Firewards for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Edward Moberley Sworn
Joseph White Sworn

Edward Richards Sworn
Thomas Warden Sworn
William Pain Sworn

Isaac Vergoose Sworn

William Nichols Sworn
Josiah Waters Sworn

James Barnard Sworn

Andrew Symmes
were chosen Viewers of Boards Shingles &ca. for the Year ensuing.

Firewards.

Viewers of Boards Shin-
gles &Ca

110

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mr. Michael Dennis
ing, — Excus'd

Mess1

was chosen Constable for the Year ensu-

Richard Buckley Sworn

Jacob Parker Sworn

Joshua Blanchard Sworn
Cap*. Nath1. Barber Sworn !>• Assessors.
Mr. William Fairfield Sworn
Cap1. Daniel Pecker Sworn
Cap'. John Goldthwait Sworn
were chosen Assessors for the Year Ensuing.

Voted that the Town proceed to the choice of a County Treas-
urer at four a Clock this Afternoon.

[128.] Mr. John Gould was chosen Constable for the Year
ensuing, Excus'd.

Mr. Sampson Sheaffe was Chosen Constable for the Year ensu-
ing, Paid.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Treas-
urer and they being Collected and Sorted it Appeared that the
Hon°. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. was Chosen by a great Majority
& Sworn.

Mr. Thomas Milliken was Chosen a Constable. — Sworn.
The following Gentlemen were chosen a committee for Auditing
the Town Treasurers Accounts for the Year ensuing Viz'.
Mess". Edmund Quincy ")

William Cooper

Thomas Greene }• Auditors.

Joshua Winslow Esqr.
Harrison Gray J

and they are desired to make Report as usual, and the said Com-
mittee are desired to Audit the Accompts of the Overseers of the
Poor respecting the Almshouse and the Workhouse, and to Attend
doing the same at the Usual place of the said Overseers Meeting
and make Heport hereon as Usual.
Mess". Isaac Casno Sworn

Sworn
Excus'd
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn

Sworn }• Clerks of the Market.
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn
Sworn

Thomas Edwards

Thomas Hill

James Allen

Richard Billings

Samuel Gerrish

Nathaniel Thayer

Thomas Baxter

Thomas Newman

John Smith

William Baker

Samuel Adams junr. Sworn

Stephen Whiting Sworn
Were Chosen,Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, That the Town would

[129.] Proceed to the Choice of a Clerk for Faneuil Hall Market,

It was Voted that the Town will not choose any person to be

Clerk of said Market.

Upon Reading the Petition of the Watchmen of the Town for

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. Ill

an Addition to their Wages and Allowance for that Service, Voted
that the said Petition be referr'd to the Selectmen, they to consider
thereof & Report thereon at the next General Town Meeting.

The Selectmen's Report on the Account of Mr. John Fenno
keeper of the Grainary for the Year past as Entred in his Book
{and on File in the Town Clerks Office) Read & Voted that the
said Report be Accepted and accordingly that Mr. John Fenno be
further accountable to the Town for nine bushels of Meal at 20/ p
Bushel, and One hundred & twenty Bushels of Corn at IS/ p
Bushel, being One hundred & Seventeen pounds, & also for the
sum of Seven Hundred & twenty three pounds five Shillings &
Seven pence, the whole of which amounts to Eight Hundred &
forty pounds five shill8. & Seven pence old tenor, which remains
in his hands, exclusive of his Salary, which is One hundred pounds,
& for Assistance thirty pounds, to the third instant, which is
hereby also allowed him.

The Town brought in their Votes for a Com1**, for purchasing
Grain, & it appear'd that

Mess™. John Gardner J

John Salter >• Committee for Purchasing Grain.
Robert Watt )
were chosen a Committee for Purchasing Grain.

The said Committee are desired & Impoweredto give all needful!
directions to the keeper of the Granary respecting the Quantity's
of Grain to be Sold and setting the Trice thereof from time to
time as occasion shall require.

The Town entred upon the Consideration of that article in the
Warrant for Purchasing a Quantity of Cord Wood in the Summer
for the Relief of the Poor in Winter and after some Debate there-
on Voted, that.

Mr. Robert Rand
Mr. Rufus Greene
Mr. David Colson
Joshua Cheever Esqr.
Mr. Natli'. Greenwood

[13O.] be and hereby are appointed a Committee to consider
what is best for the Town to do in this Affair and the Method for
Effecting the same and Report hereon at the next General Town
Meeting.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock Afternoon.

Three o'Clock Afternoon, The Town being melt according to
Adjournment.

The Town Entered into the consideration of that article in the
Warrant whether they will fence in that part of the Common or
Training field from Mr. Stephen Greenleafs to Mr. Jacob SheafFs
and after some Debate thereon, Voted that the same be dis-
missed.

Voted that the Assessors be and hereby are allowed to sit upon
Abatements until the last day of July and no longer.

The Town Entered upon the consideration of that part of tin
Petition of Mess™. Joseph White Benjamin Edwards William
Larrabee and Elias Dupee Collectors of Taxes & Ca. praying the

112 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Town would be pleased to Augment the allowance made 'em for
collecting the Taxes in the Year 1745 and 1746, for reasons therein
mentioned and after some Debate thereon, A Question was put,
whether the Town would make any further Allowance to said
collectors over & and above the 9d. on the Pound already Voted

'em, and it Pass'd in the Negative. and then.

The Town Entered into the consideration of the other part of
their Petition Vizt. that as many of the Inhabitants of the Town in
the Years 1744 and 1745 were gone beyond Sea and never returned
and many other Collectors the Taxes were delivered to said Col-
lectors and no Abatement has as yet have been made 'em. The
Town at the same time took into consideration the Petition of Cap'.
John Goldthwait and Mr. Jacob Sheaffe late Collectors of Taxes
for this Town setting forth that for several Years past they were
Collectors of the Taxes in said Town and during that time had
committed to them by the Assessors of said Town the Taxes of
sundry Persons to Collect that were abroad at Sea at the time
when they received the Books of the Assessors many of whom
Your Petitioners never saw they not having returned since [131.]
and other Inhabitants during the time dyed so extremely Poor
that the Petitioners notwithstanding all their Care and Pains could
not get any part of the Taxes of such Poor, and it is not now in
the Power of the Assessors to make 'em any Abatements praying
a committee may be appointed to enquire and make Report of all
such Taxes as they in Justice apprehend the Pet™, ought to be
abated after some Debate Voted that

Cap*. Jeffery Bedgood

Mr. Thomas Greene

Mr. Edmund Qnincy ^ Committee.

Mr. Stephen Boutineau & j

Carnelius Waldo Esq™. j

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to take into consideration
the said Petitions, hear the Petitioners thereon and Report as soon
as maybe what Taxes they apprehend the said Petitioners ought to
be Abated.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer which being collected were according to Law Sealed up
by Constable Bell to be by him kept and Returned to the next
Quarter Sessions for this County.

The Town Entred into the consideration of the Petition of a great
Number of Inhabitants living in and frequenting the Street called
Atkinson Street bounded Northerly on Milk Street and Southerly
on Cow Lane, That there has been for some Years past much Pains
as well as Money expending in the Planking, gravelling and drain-
ing said Street in order to make it more commodious, but to so
little purpose hitherto that it is Notor ons to every Passenger in
the Spring Summer and Fall of the Year, that it is scarce passable
with Carts Trucks or any heavy Carriage, in somuch that the
urgent necessity of its being paved has Exhibited the memorialists
several of them to contribute to their utmost, and as they humbly
Conceive generously towards it, praying the Town to order and
direct that the said Street be Accepted and Registred as one of the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1746. 113

Common Streets of the Town, and paved as soon as may be and
what the Cost thereof shall amount to, more than Subscriptions
already obtained being about Eleven Hundred pounds old tenor
to be paid out of the Town Treasury, After some Debate upon
said Petitiqn, It was Voted that the sura of Six Hundred Pounds
old tenor Bills be and hereby is Allowed to be paid out of the
Treasury towards paving the said Street, provided the Abutters
[132.] or others on their Behalf will undertake to Pay the remain-
ing of the charge for paving the same, The Paving thereof to be
under the direction of the Selectmen, and when the said Street
shall be compleated Paved and finished, Voted that, the said Street
be and hereby is Accepted, and that the same be Registered as one
of the Common Streets of the Town by the Name of Atkinson
Street.

The Petition of a Number of Inhabitants neighbours to &
Dwellers in Water Street, setting forth, That the said Street after
great Rains & in the Spring and Fall of the Year has a considerable
Stand of Water in it near the coach house of the late Col°. Fitch,
and notwithstanding the Street is Paved, there is for the greatest
part of the Year a Slough of Dirt and Filth so that the way is
almost impassible whereby the Inhabitants of the Town as well as
Passengers are greatly impeded, and those that dwell near greatly
Injured, praying the Towns Consideration of the premises, and
that some proper Methods may be taken to Remove the said Incon-
venience and Nusance that the Inhabitants suffer by said Stand of
Water, and also the Incumbrance on the Towns Land thereabout,
and after some Debate thereon, Voted that
Mess™. Joshua Blanchard ")

Thomas Paine & >• Committee.
Joseph Calef )

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to take the said Petition
into consideration, Enquire into the Nusances & Incumbrances
Complained of, and Report as soon as may be what Method is
best for the Town to take in order to Remove the same, and pre-
vent the like for the future.

The Inhabitants proceeded to consider of the article in the
warrant for further Fortifying the Town, and after a Short Debate
Voted that nothing further be done hereupon, and dismissed the
same.

Mess™. William Procto

Samuel Proctor

William Owen

Isaac White

John Breck
[133.] Thomas Boucher

Robert Rand

John Barrett

Henry Berry

John Welch

Nathaniel Thwing

John Simpson Brazier
were chosen Tythingmen for the Year ensuing.

114 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted that nine pence on the pound be and hereby is allowed to
be paid to such persons as shall be chosen to collect the Taxes
within the Ensuing Year on all such Sums as they shall collect they
Paying unto the Town Treasurer one half part of the whole Sum
they shall be obliged to Pay him within three months from the time
they shall receive the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the
other half part in three months after, and also Paying to the Prov-
ince and County Treasurers one half part of the whole sums they
shall be obligee? to pay them in six months from the time they shall
receive the said Books from the Assessors and the other half part
in Six months after, and in case either of the said Collectors shall
fail paying the said Treasurers in the above manner, the collector
so failing shall not be intitled to the aforesaid allowance of Nine
pence on the Pound for collecting but wholly Forfeit the same.
Provided also that the said collectors give Bond, with Suffi-
cient Suretys to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful
Discharge of their Duty in said office.

Then the Town proceeded to the Choice of Six Collectors of
Taxes accordingly, and upon Collecting and Sorting the Votes it
Appeared that

Mes's™. John Staniford

Benjamin Edwards

William Larrabee

Andrew Cunningham

Elias Dupee &

John Ruddock
were chosen to that Office.

Voted that all matters and Things that remain unfinished be and
hereby are Referred over to the next General Town [134.] Meet-
ing to be then considered of and Acted upon.

Voted that Thanks be given to the Hon°. James Allen Esqr. the
Moderator of this meeting for his Care and Pains in Managing the

Affairs thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and legally warned in Public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the third day of
April, Anno Dom — i 1747.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

The Petition of a great Number of Inhabitants for calling the
Meeting also Read.

Voted that a Moderator be chose by a handy Vote and the
Honble. James Allen Esqr. being Nominated he was accordingly
Chose.

A Motion was made by Mr. John Ruddock & Seconded, that
Faneuil Hall Market be shutt up on every Day of the week, except
Monday in the Forenoon until the Town shall order otherwise and
after a considerable Debate thereon, Mr. Ruddock desired to with-
draw his Motion which was granted and the same was withdrawn
accordingly, then

A Motion was made by Mr- Daniel Pecker that said Market be

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 115

shut up until the second Tuesday of September next which being
seconded by several Inhabitants, A Question was put, and it was
accordingly Voted that Faneuil Hall Market be not again Opened
until the second Tuesday of September next any By-Law of the
Town to the Contrary notwithstanding also.

Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired to [135.]
Call a Town Meeting for the Inhabitants to Assemble on the first
Tuesday of Septemr. next to take into consideration what the
Town will further do with respect to opening said Market after the
second Tuesday of September.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the twelfth day
of May A.D. 1747.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Ellis Gray.

The Precept and Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

Sundry laws Read.

Samuel Adams Esqr. one of the Selectmen in their Name pro-
posed to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the choice of a
person or persons to serve for and Represent them in the Great and
General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday
the Twenty seventh day of May instant, and in order thereto to
consider and Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected
accordingl}', Voted to proceed to the choice of four Representatives
and it was Declared that the Poll be closed at Twelve a Clock.

The Votes being collected the Number of Votes were found be
Four Hundred and fifty one, and upon Sorting the Votes it Ap-
peared that the following Gentlemen were chose Vizt.

No. of Votes.

The Honble. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr 292.

The Hon°. James Allen Esqr 270.

Thomas Hubbard Esqr 416.

Samuel Adams Esqr 281.

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same being
declared by the Selectmen.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator and
[136-] Upon Sorting the same it appeared that the Honble. Jarnes
Allen Esqr. was chose by a great Majorit}7.

Then the Meeting was Adjourn'd to three a Clock in the After-
noon.

Three a Clock in the Afternoon, The Town mett according to
Adjournment.

The Petition of Mr. Zachariah Hicks master of the North Writing
School setting forth that four Years ago he had Two hundred &
Eighty Pounds old tenor Bills granted him by the Town for his
Support which at that time was to his full content and Satisfaction,
but within that course of Years the currency of the province has
sunk in its Value to that Degree that the aforesaid Sum is become
very far Short of Answering the purpose for whic-h it was designed,
find he is thereby Exposed to such Difficulties as are too great an
Jncumbrance to him in the faithful Discharge of his Trust, Pray-

116 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

ing the Town to Grant him such further an allowance as the}- shall
think proper, was now read & after some Debate thereon.

Voted that the Sum of one hundred Pounds old tenor Bills be
Added to Mr. Hicks's Sallary for the Year ensuing, the same to be
paid him Quarterly, and to Commence the 22d. of March last.

The Petition of Mr. John Proctor junr. Usher of the North Writ-
ing School praying for an Addition to his Salary was taken into
Consideration and after some Debate thereon.

Voted that the Town will not at present make any Addition to
Mr. Proctors Salary, but that said Petition be dismissed.

The Petition of Mr. Joseph Hubbard setting forth that the Peti-
tioner sometime since laid open a part of his pasture situate on the
South side of Forthill in Boston for his own convenience which way
is Twelve feet wide and two hundred and forty feet in Length
being opposite to Olivers Lane leading up to the said Hill, and runs
from Cow Lane down to Purchase Street late Harrisons Ropewalk
and inasmuch as the Petitioner freely Advanced and paid the Sum
of one hundred and ten Pounds to Compleat the Purchase of said
Street for the [137.] Publick Benefit, and also laid out away of
Twenty two feet in Wedth thro the Petitioners Pasture land leading
from Purchase Street aforesaid to the South Battery which he freely
gave the Town and is on the Town Book, And as the Town has
Land Adjoyning to the Petitioners pasture Land on the Northwest
and Northerly sides thereof, he therefore Prays the Towns considera-
tion of the premisses and that the Town would be pleased to grant
him a Strip of Land in Lieu thereof the same Length and wedth
with the said Twelve foot way, or as wide as the Petitioners shall
enlarge said way, or the Selectmen shall think proper, was Read
and thereupon Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are ap-
pointed a Committee to consider of this Petition hear the Petitioner
thereupon and Report what they apprehend will be best for the
Town to do as to the granting the prayer thereof, and Report
hereon.

The Petition of Samuel Bass and Kezia Harvey both of Boston,
Setting forth, That the Town of Boston stand Seized in Fee of
and in a certain Peice or Parcel of Land with a Stable Shop and
Shed thereon standing situate in Boston aforesaid Bounded North-
erly on water Street one hundred feet, Easterly on said Bass's Land
about Twenty nine feet, Southerly on said Bass and Harvys Land
about one hundred feet, and Westerly on Joyliffs Lane Twenty
seven feet which Land fetches in but a small Rent to the Town,
but being near unto Land of the Petitioners and more convenient
for them than any others they are desirous of Purchasing the same,
provided they can have it at a reasonable Price, & therefore desired
the Town would pass a Vote fully Impowering the Selectmen to
pass and Execute a good Deed or Deeds of such Lands to your
Petitioners in such manner and for such a Sum of Money as shall
be agreed upon, was Read, and thereupon It was Voted that
Mess™. Joshua Blanchard Samuel Hughes, Daniel Pecker, William
Palfrey and William Fairfield be and hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to consider of said Petition, .View the Premisses and Report

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 117

to the Town whether they Apprehend it will be for the Benefit and
Interest of the Town to grant the Prayer thereof & Report hereon.

The Petition of Mr. Thomas Paine praying the Town would Lease
or Lett to him a peice of Land forty feet Square or thereabouts to
sett a Warehouse upon on the North Side of the Market and East-
ward of Mr. Billings's Shop was Read and Voted that the

same be dismissed.

The Petition of several Freeholders and Inhabitants praying the
Town would take some effectual Method to prevent the great
Oppression they Labour under by the Millers Engrossing the Grain
from time to [138.] time; and that Application be made by
the Great and General Court or Assembly for Relief herein, —
was Read and after some Debate hereon It was Voted that the
Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town be and they are hereby
desired to use their utmost endeavours to get a Law passed tlio
said Great and General Court that the Town may be redressed in
this matter as soon as ma}' be.

The Committee appointed the Ninth of March last on the Peti-
tion of Joseph White, Benjamin Edwards, William Larrabee and
Elias Dupee Collectors of Taxes for the Town of Boston now Re-
ported that they had mett the Petitioners and Examined into the
Circumstances of the several Persons whose Taxes they have Peti-
tioned for an Abatement of, and are of opinion that the Sum of Fifty
eight Pounds one shilling and eight pence be Abated Mr. Collector
White, that the Sum of Twenty one pounds seventeen shillings be
Abated Mr. Collector Edwards, and that the Sum of Thirty two
Pounds seventeen shillings and four pence be Abated to Mr. Col-
lector Dupee, the whole Sum amounting to one hundred and ten

Pounds twelve shillings & four Pence old tenor. which Report

was Accepted and thereupon, it was Voted that the Selectmen be
and hereby they are desired to give a Draft on the Town Treasury
to said White, Edwards, and Dupee for the respective Sum Abated
'em as mentioned in said Report.

The Committee appointed the Ninth of March last on the Peti-
tion of John Goldthwait and Jacob Sheaffe late Collectors of Taxes
for the Town now Reported that they had mett the Petitioners
& Examined into the Circumstances of the several Persons whose
Taxes they have Petitioned for an Abatement of, and are of Opin-
ion that the sum of Two hundred seventeen Pounds two shillings
and Eight Pence old tenor be Abated Mr. Collector Sheaff and
that the Sum of Three hundred sixty seven Pounds Eighteen shil-
lings old tenor be Abated Mr. Collector Goldthwait which Report
was Read & accepted, and it was thereupon Voted that the Select-
men be and they hereby are desired to give a Draft on the Town
Treasurer to said Goldthwait and Sheaff for the respective Sums
Abated 'em as mentioned in said Report.

The Committee appointed the ninth day of March last [139.]
to consider of the Petition of the Watchmen of the Town for their
Pay or allowance Reported that they apprehend the Sum of Seven
pounds ten shillings old tenor Bills ought to be allowed unto each
able bodied Watchman of the Town for every Month they shall
faithfully Discharge their Duty, and follow such orders and Direc-

118 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

tions as they shall from time to time receive from the Selectmen
for the time being, which was Accepted, and it was thereupon.

Voted that the Sum of Seven Pounds ten shillings old tenor Bills
be :i Mowed to each Able Bodied Watchman p Month accordingly
and that the same Commence when the Selectmen think proper.

The Town being informed that the Selectmen on the Eighth
Instant presented their Petition to His Excellency Charles Knowles
Esqr. Governour of the Island of Cape Breton (now residing here
requesting him to Grant Liberty and Protection to the Inhabitants
of this Town to fetch Sea Coal from Cape Breton and that he gave
them a very favourable answer to the same.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Gentlemen the Selectmen for their great care of the Town in
Applying to Governour Knowles in that manner.

Also Voted that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town
be and hereby are appointed a Committee to draw up a Letter of
Thanks to Governour Knowles for his Kind Reception of the
Selectmen when they waited upon him with the above Petition
and the great encouragement he gave 'em that he would grant the
P raver thereof, and the great Regard he expressed to have for the
Town &Ca.

The Committee appointed the ninth day of March last to con-
sider of the Petition of several Inhabitants relating to the Nusances
and Inctimbrances in Water Street complained of in said Petition
and what method is best for the Town to take in order to remove
the same and prevent the like for the future, now Reported that
having considered of said Petition and Viewed the Incumbrances
therein mentioned find that the Antient and Natural course of the
water or Creek which belongs to the Town is Stopped by several
Buildings being Erected over it Viz1, the Coach house in the Pos-
s 'ssion of James Allen Esqr. the [14O.] Buildings of James
Beighton, John Walley Esqr. John Hunt Esqr. Mrs. Katha. Noyes
and Mr. John Norton on the South Side, and Mr. Edward Brom-
field Mr. Christopher Tilde n and Mr. John Dupee on the North
sid • thereof, all of whom they Apprehend have encroached upon
said Creek and then-by occasion'd the obstruction of said Water
e nirse, and that thoy judge the only effectual way for to be taken
for Removing said Nusances and Incumbrances and Preventing
the same for the future is to prosecute all such Persons as have
mode said Encroaehments in case they shall refuse to remove 'em
and thereby the Town will have restored to 'em said Water course
or Creek which will be a very great Benefit to the Town, which
was Head and Accepted, and it was thereupon

Voted that the same Committee Viz1. Mr. Joshua Blanchard Mr.
Thomas Paine and Mr. Joseph Calef or any two of 'em be and they
h"reby are Appointed a Committee for and in behalf of the Town
to bring forward any Suit or Suits in the Law, against any Person
or Persons whatsoever that have made or cause to have made
any Encroachments on the Towns Lands situate in Water Street
or near to Olivers Dock or adjoyning upon the same in this Town,
and in the Name of the Town to Appear in any of His Majesty's
Courts of Record, and Pursue such Suit or Suits until final Judg-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 119

ment and Execution and Act and do whatsoever they or any two
of 'em shall Judge necessary to be done in and about the Premisses.
Voted a Grant of Seventeen Thousand Pounds old tenor Bills to
be raised by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of
Boston for Relief of the Poor, and defreying other necessary
Charges arising within and for said Town the Year ensuing.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Publick
Schools Read and is as follows Viz'.

To tlie Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled Ma}7 12. 1747.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
fourteenth of May last desiring the Selectmen to Visit the several
[141.] Publick Schools in the Town, and Invite such Gentlemen
to accompany them therein as the}* shall think proper, and to
Report thereon.

We the Subscribers Attended that Service on Wednesday the
Twenty fifth day of June last Accompanied by the following Gen-
tlemen. Viz'.

The Honble. Edward Hutchinson Esq'.
The Hon°. John Jeffries Esqr.
The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
William Tyler Esqr.
John Hill Esqr.
The Gentlemen the Representatives

of the Town of Boston.
The Revd. M*. Thomas Prince
The Revd. Mr. Thomas Foxcroft
The Revd. Mr. Ellis Gray
The Revd. Mr. Andrew Eliot
The Revd. Mr. William Cooper
The Hon°. Joseph Wads worth Esqr.
Joshua Cheever Esqr.
Dan1. Henchman Esqr.
Francis Borland Esqr.
Mr. Middlecott Cooke
Mr. Edmund Quincy
Mr. Edward Bromfield
Col°. William Downe
Mr. Thomas Greene
Cap*. John Wendell and
Mr. Thomas Oxnard

and found the South Grammer School wherein were one hundred
and nine Scholars in very good Order, the South writing school in
the Common consisting of Two hundred & forty scholars in like
good order, the Writing School in Queen Street of Sixty one
Scholars in good order, the North writing School wherein were
Two hundred and fifty Scholars in very good order & the North
Grammar School of 35 Scholars in good order.

SAMUEL ADAMS ^

JOHN STEEL

W« SALTKR f Selectmen.

ABIEL WALLET J

120 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[142.] Voted that this Report be Accepted and that the
Gentlemen the Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools
the Year Ensuing & that they Invite such Gentlemen to Accom-
pany them therein as the}7 shall think convenient & Report
thereon.

The Report of a Committee appointed to Audit the Town Treas-
urers Accorapts for the Year past, as entred in the Treasurers
Books — Read — Accepted, and

Voted that the Treasurer be (so far) accordingly Discharged.

Voted that the Sum of Three hundred Pounds old tenor Bills be
allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury unto the Hon°. Joseph
Wadsworth Esqr. for his Salary as Town Treasurer the Year
past.

Voted that the Sum of one hundred pounds old tenor bills be
allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury unto Mr. Abijah Adams
in full for his Service as Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market for the
Year 1746.

Mr. David Jenkins chose one of the Clerks of the Market for

the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Nathaniel Martyn ( „

John Wendell, Ship Chandler ) *

The Committee appointed to prepare a Draft of a By Law for
the better Regulation of Funerals now Reported the same as fol-
lows Viz'.

For Preventing the Spreading of Infection in Burying Persons
Dying of Malignant Distempers and Rendering the Attendance of
the Corps of the Deceased to the Grave less offensive to Paul
holders and Under bearers.

And to the Intent there may be stated fixed Prices for digging
and carrying to the Grave tolling of Bells &ca.

Therefore Voted that for the future no Person whatsoever shall
Presume to break up the Ground in any of the Publick Burial
Places but with the Consent of the Selectmen or the Persons
[143.] Appointed by the Selectmen to the charge of such
Burial Place, and for such Prices for opening Tombs and digging
of Graves as the Selectmen from time to time shall order and
appoint on Pain of Forfeiting Twenty Shillings for every such
Offence.

That for the future every Person djMng within the Town of
Boston that is not carryed in a coach or by hand shall be carryed
to the Grave on a Bier to be provided by the Town for that Pur-
pose, and every under bearer that shall presume otherways to carry
any Deceased Person or Persons to the Grave each and every of
them shall forfeit Twent}- shillings for every such Office.

That no Person shall presume to take the care of or serve as
under bearers at Funerals within the Town of Boston but such as
shall be Approved by the Selectmen of the Town on Pain of For-
feiting the Sum of Twenty shillings for every Offence. •

And all Persons Approved as aforesaid shall duly Attend said
Business (if required thereto) and shall receive for their service
such Reward only as shall be ordered by the Selectmen to be paid
bv the Person or Persons employing them on the Penalty of Twenty
shillings for every Offence.

BOSTON TOWN EECOEDS, 1747. 121

And every under bearer refusing to give his or their Attendance
as aforesaid or demanding or Receiving for his Fees more than
shall be ordered as aforesaid shall forfeit and Pay Twenty shil-
lings.

That for the Burial of any Person within the Town of Boston
there shall not be more than the Bells of two Churches toll'd and
that but twice at each Church on Penalty of Twenty shillings for
each Bell more that shall be Toled at one and the same Funeral to
be paid by him that shall order Procure or Tole the same.

The second or Passing Bell not to exceed one hour and half after
the first on Penalty aforesaid.

That any Person demanding or Receiving any more than the
Selectmen shall allow for twice Tolling said Bell at one Funeral
shall forfeit the Sum of Twenty shillings.

All Fines and Forfeitures arising from the Breach of the afore-
said orders upon Conviction before any Justice of the Peace for the
County of Suffolk to be to the use of the Poor of the Town of
Boston.

The above order or By Law to continue and be in Force till the
Town shall see cause to Alter the same.

And after some Debate thereon Voted that the same be accepted
and that the Gentlemen the Select Men be and they [144.] hereby
are desired to present said By Law or order for the better Regulat-
ing of Funerals to the next Court of General Sessions of the Peace
to be hcli I for the County of Suffolk for their Allowance and
Approbation.

Voted that all matters and Things that remain unfinished be
referr'd over to the next General Town Meeting to be then consid-
ered of and Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be given to the Hon°.
James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting for dispatching
the business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned in Public Town Meet-
ing Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the twenty ninth day of
June A.D. 1747.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by a handy
Vote and Abicl Walley Esqr. being Nominated was accordingly
chosen.

The Selectmen Communicated to the Town a Letter they received

from his Excellency Governour Shirley which was Read and is

in the Words following Vizt.

To the Selectmen of the Town of Boston,

Boston June 23d. 1747.

Gent"1.

I send You the Inclos'd Extract from Governour
Knowles Letter, that You may Communicate it to the Town in

such manner as You shall think proper. And as I have reason

to Apprehend from Accounts I have receiv'd that the Fuel already

122 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

bespoke in some Country Places for the Supply of this Town in
the present Year will be rais'd before the winter [145.] is over to
a most Excessive Price unless it is prevented by the Importing a
considerable Quantity of Wood from the Eastern parts which may
be very Ruinous to the Poor of this Town in particular I would
recommend it to you to consider of some method for the Encourage-
ment of bringing in a large Supply of wood from the Eastern parts
at as moderate a Rate as mav be in which if I can Assist you by
granting Protection for safe guarding the Men that shall be
employed in carrying the Wood to the Vessells & loading it on
board of 'em I shall be very ready to do it, or anything else in my
Power that may be propos'd to me for the forwarding of this Affair.
Your most Assured Friend

and Servant

W. SHIRLEY.

The Paragraph of Governour Knowles Letter in Governour Shir-
leys is as follows Vizt.

Extract of Governour Knowles's Letter to Governour Shirley
dated at Annapolis Royal May 25th. 1747.

kt I desire you will be pleased to Acquaint the Town of Boston
that I will order 'cm to be supplyed with Coal without staying 'till
the Garrison is first provided, beiitg glad of an Opportunity to
oblige your Excellency, and Serve the Province."
And after some Debate thereon,

Voted that John Fayerweather Esq .
The Hon°. James Bowdoin Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Greene
Mr. Thomas Paine
Mr. Joseph Marion
The Hon°. Samuel Welles Esqr. &
The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to consider what method
will be most Effectual for the Town to take in order to Supply
themselves with Cord Wood from the Eastward part of this Prov-
ince upon the Encouragement given by Govemour Shirley and
Report hereon to the Town as soon as ma3* be.

And the said Committee are also desired to draw up a Letter
[ 146.] Of Thanks to Governour Shirley for the early und sea-
sonable Care of the Town he has been pleased to take in this
Affair, and the Readiness he has expressed in this Letter of doing
every thing in his Power to forward the same, and Report hereon.
Also Voted that the Gentlemen the Selectmen and the Repre-
sentatives of the Town be and hereby are appointed A Committee
to consider what will be the best method for the Town to take in
order to support themselves with Sea Coal from Cape Breton upon
the Encouragement given by Governour Knowles and Report
Jioreon as soon as may be.

And the said Committee are also desired to draw up a Letter
of Thanks to Governour Shirley for the Encouragement given in
his Letter that the Town shall be supplyed with Sea Coal from
Cape Breton, and the tender Regards he has otherwise Expressed
for the Town & C*. and Report hereon.

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1747. 123

Then Voted that this meeting be adjourn'd to Fryday next at
nine a Clock in the forenoon.

Fryday July 3d. 1747, The Town raett according to Adjourn-
ment.

The Committee appointed the 29th. of June last to consider
what method will be most effectual for the Town to take in order
to Supply themselves with cord wood from the Eastern parts of
this Province upon the Encouragement given by Governour Shirley
and to Prepare a Draft of a letter of Thanks to Goveruour Shirley
now made Report as follows Viz'. " That they Apprehend it will be
most Adviseable for the Town to Address his Excellency the
Governour to put in Execution his kind purposes towards the
Town as Expressed in his Letter to the Selectmen respecting the
Protection to the Cutting Carting & Loading the Wood for the
Inhabitants, and that he would be pleased to give Notice thereof
in the Publick Prints, which when effected may answer the End
designed."

The said Committee also Reported a Draft of a Letter of
Thanks to his Excellency in the words following Viz*.

[147.] May it Please Your Excellency,

The Town of" Boston with great Thankfulness acknowledge
Your Paternal Care and Goodness in Your Letter of the 23d. ult°.
to the Selectmen Shewing your concern and desire the Inhabitants
may be comfortably and Reasonably Supplyed with Fuel. — It is
therefore with a very pleasing hope of Success that we Apply and
pray Your Excellency to give orders to the Forces Eastward, to
guard the People in cutting wood and carting it to the several
Landings and the Coasters in Loading it, and if Your Excellency
thinks proper we farther Pray that it may be Publisht in the weekly
Prints, that Your Excellency has given such orders that those who
cutt the Wood and the Coasters and carters may carefully engage
in their respective Business being Assured of Protection therein.

We gratefully acknowledge Your kind and generous Proposal as
an Addition to the many Obligations we are under to pray and En-
deavour that Your Administration may be as easy to Your Excel-
lency as it is beneficial and agreeable to us.

Which being Read, it was thereupon unanimously Voted that the
same be Accepted, and that a fair Copy thereof be prepared and
Signed by the Town Clerk, and that,

The Hon°. Edward Hutchinson Esqr.
John Osborne Esqr.
Joseph Wadsworth Esqr.
Ezekiel Lewis Esqr.
The Representatives and the
Selectmen of the Town &
Mr. Edward Bromfield.

be and hereby are appointed a Committee to wait upon his Excel-
lency Governour Shirley with the same and present it in the Name
of the Town.

The Committee appointed the 29th. of June last to consider what
Method will be best for the Town to take in order to Supply them'

124 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

selves with Sea Coal from Cape Breton upon the Encouragement
given by Governonr Knowles, Reported that they are of Opinion
that it will by no ways be for the Benefit of the Town for them
to hire Vessels to fetch Coal from Louisbourg but that the Trade
be left open between that [148.] Place and this whereby they
Apprehend this Town will in time be supplyed at an easy Rate.
— And in order to effect the same have drawn up a Letter of
Thanks to G-overnour Knowles to be forwarded to him by the first
Opportunity and they Apprehend it will be a means of Removing
any difficulty the masters of Vessels ma}* meet with in loading
their Vessel!^ with Coal if the Selectmen will give such as go to
Louisbourg a Letter to Governour Knowles desiring his favour
and Assistance to 'em therein. — Voted that the same be Accepted
and that fair Cop}*s of said Letter of Thanks be prepared and
Signed by the Selectmen, and forwarded to Governour Knowles as
soon as may be.

The Letter prepared by the Committee is as follows Viz'.

Boston July 3, 1747.

Sr.

His Excellency Governour Shirley has Communicated to the
Town Extract of a Letter from Your Excellency, wherein You
desire that he will be pleased to Acquaint that You should Order
them to be supplyed with Coal without staying till the Garrison at
Louisbourg was first provided, This Repeated Expression and
Proof of your favourable Regards for this Town and Province
require a repeated acknowledgement and we take this Opportunity
in behalf of the Town and pursuant to their unanimous Vote this
Day pass'd to Render our hearty thanks to Your Excellency for
the same, and to desire Your Excellency's good Will and Affec-
tionate Regards towards us.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned in Public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the first day of
September A.D. 1747.

The warrant for calling the meeting Read.

[149.] Voted that a Moderator be choose by a handy Vote
and John Steel Elsqr. being Nominated was unanimously chosen.

It being Suggested by many of the Inhabitants that the Bells at
the North part of the Town has not been Rung this Day for the
Notification of the Inhabitants to Attend this Meeting as has been
usual, It was moved and Seconded by several that this meeting be
therefore immediately Adjourned to three a Clock this Afternoon
and Orders given by the Selectmen that the Bells be rung through-
out the Town, and the Question being put It was accordingly Voted
in the Affirmative.

And the Meeting was accordingly Adjourn'd to that time.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, The Town met according to
Adjournment.

And Entred upon the consideration of Faneuil Hall Market as
to opening the same after the second Tuesday of September instant

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 125

and after a considerable Debate thereon, It was Voted that said
Market be not again opened until after the third Tuesday of March
next, any By Law or order of the Town to the contrary notwith-
standing.

The Town considered of the Request of several of the Inhabit-
ants that the head of the Town Dock or so much thereof as may be
thought proper be filled up and after some Debate thereon, It was
Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are desired and Im-
powered to fill up the head of said Dock from the Corner of the
Towns Wharffe as far as the Bend of Mr. Anstrams Wharffe as soon
as may be provided it does not incroach upon the Right or Liberty
of any Private Persons.

The Affair of Olivers Bridge as to making some Alterations there
was Considered of and Voted that the same be Dismissed.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a weigher of
Hay at their Engine at the South end and upon Sorting the same
it Appeared that Mr. John Wardell was chose into that Place.

Voted that the Selectmen for the time being make such an
Allowance to said Wardell for his Service in said Place as they
shall [15O.] think just and proper.

Voted that the Selectmen be a Committee to prepare a Draft of
a By Law for the Regulating the Towns Engine Erected at the
South End for the weighing of Hay brought to Market and Report
hereon at the intended Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the twelfth of May last
to consider of the Petition of Mr. Joseph Hubbard, Reported that
they had Viewed the Premisses therein mentioned, and heard the
Petitioner upon his Petition and Apprehend it will not be for the
Advantage of the Town to Grant him the Prayer thereof, which
being read Voted that said Report be Accepted and said Petition
dismissed.

The Committee appointed the twelfth of May last, to consider
of the Petition of Samuel Bass and Kezia Harvey praying the
Town would Sell them a Peice of Land in Water Street, now
Reported that they had Viewed the premisses mentioned in said
Petition and fully considered of the Prayer thereof, and apprehend
it will be more for the Benefit of the Town to Sell the same to such
person or Persons as will give most for it than to improve it any
longer in the manner it now is, — which being Read Voted that
said Report be Accepted, and that said Committee be desired to
enquire of the Petitioners what Sum of Money they will give for
the same, and Report hereon as soon as may be.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday the fifteenth
day of September instant at three a Clock P.M.

Tuesday the Fifteenth day of September three o'Clock P.M. the
Town met according to their Adjournment, and upon a Motion
made and Seconded, It was Voted that this Meeting be immediately
Adjourned to Wednesday the 30th. Inst. at four a Clock P.M.

Wednesday the thirtyeth day of September 1747. at four a
Clock in the Afternoon, the Town met according to Adjournment.

126 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[151.] And the Selectmen a Committee appointed the first
Instant to prepare a Draft of a By Law for the Regulation of the
Towns Engine Erected at the South end for the weighing of Hay
brought to Market Now Reported their Draft of the same which is
as follows Viz1.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the first
day of September Anno Domini 1747 and from thence continued
by several Adjournments until Wednesday the 30th. day of th
same month and then mett.

Whereas the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston have heretofore
Laboured under Difficulty's and hardships in respect of the weight
of Hay brought to market by reason whereof Disputes have often
arisen between the Buyer and Seller, and as a Remedy therefor
for the future an Engine at the Southend of the Town convenient
for weighing of Hay has been latety Erected by the Town.

Its therefore Ordered.

That from and after the first day of November next, all Carls
and other Carriages of Hay as they come into Town shall be
weighed at said Engine, and a Certificate of the weight of the Cart
and Hay be then given, and the Cart or Carriage upon its Return
be Taxed, and the weight thereof Markt on it,

That a suitable person be appointed by the Selectmen for the
time being for such Term of Time as they shall think convenient
to take care that the said Engine be kept in good Repair and to
See the weight of all Hay thus brought to Market and give Certifi-
cates of the same, and mark the carriages on their Return as
aforesaid, and that the said Person shall be under Oath to do
Justice between Buyer & Seller, and attend on each day of the
week except Lords Days from Sunrising to Sunsetting and make an
Entry in a Book he shall keep for that Purpose of all the Hay he
weighs, and that he have such an allowance for his Service as
the said Selectmen for the time being shall think reasonable.

That there be allowed and Paid for every Load of Hay so
weighed one Penny in Bills of the last Emission for each Hundred
of Hay by the Person who Buys the same, & in case of his absence
at the time of weighing then to be paid by the Importer who shall
1)6 Reimbnrs'd by the Buyer.

That if any Person Inhabitant of the Town of Boston aforesaid
[153.] shall after the said first day of November buy or receive
either by him or herself or Servant or any other Person under him
or her, any Hay thus brought to market without the same be first
weighed as aforesaid he or she shall forfeit and Pay the Sum of
Twenty shillings for every Load or Parcel so bought or received as
aforesaid.

The aforegoing By Law having been read three several times It
was Voted that the same be Accepted and that the Selectmen be
and they hereby are desired to present it to the next Court of
General Sessions of the Peace to be held for the County of Suffolk
for their Approbation and Allowance.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 127

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfull}' warned in Public Town
Meeting Assembled at Fancuil Hall on Fryday the Twentyeth day
of November A.D. 1747.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting. — Read.

The Honble. Edward Hutchinson Esqr. was chosen Moderator.

Whereas great Disorders for several days past have been com-
mitted within this Town and Insults and Abuses offered to his
Excellency the Governour and the Honble. His Majesty s Council
when sitting by a Number chiefly Strangers) who this week As-
sembled together and Committed great outrages and Disorders
putting the Inhabitants of the Town in great Terror of their Lives
&c*. the Inhabitants now Assembled together in order to consider
what is necessary for them to do to Evidence their Disavowing and
Detestation of this unjustifiable Affair and after some Debate
thereon, Voted that a Committee be chose to prepare a Vote proper
for the Town to Pass concerning the same, and that

[153.] The Honble. Samuel Welles Esqr.
The Hon°. Tho8. Hutchinson Esqr.
The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Greene &
Mr. Josiah Quincy,

be the Committee for that Purpose, who are desired to withdraw
to the Selectmens Chamber and Report as soon as may be, the
said Committee withdrew and about an hours time returned into
the meeting with the following Draft of a Vote, which was Read
Accepted and accordingly Voted Viz'.

It being Represented that the Town had been charged or the
generality of the Inhabitants with Abetting or Encouraging the
late Tumultuous Riotous Assembly which Insulted his Excellency
the Governour and the other Branches of the Legislature, and
committed many other heineous offences, Resolved as the unanimous
opinion of the Town in this large Meeting of the Inhabitants, That
the said Riotous Tumultuous Assembly consisted of Foreign Sea-
men, Servants Negroes and other Persons of mean and Vile Con-
dition, that this Town have the utmost Abhorence of such Illegal
Criminal Proceedings and will to their utmost Discountenance and
Suppress the same, and will at the same time encourage by all ways
and means whatsoever any of their Inhabitants in making a Reg-
ular orderly Application to the proper Power for redressing all and
every Grievance which the Town is under from the Impressing of
their Inhabitants on Board his Majesty s Ships of War which may
have occasioned the said Tumultuous disorderly Assembling.

Also unanimously Voted that the Town Clerk prepare fair Copys
of this Vote or Resolution of the Town, and that the Hon°. Edward
Hutchiuson Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting and the Select-
men of the Town be and hereby are appointed a Committee to
wait upon his Excellency Governour Shirley The Honble. His Maj-
esty's Council and the Honble. House of Representatives, and in
the Name of the Town present 'em with the same.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

128 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[154.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned
in Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Fryday
the Eighteenth da}r of December A.D. 1747.
The Warrant for calling the Meeting — Read.
The Town proceeded to choose a Moderator by a written Vote
and they being brought in and Sorted it Appeared that the Honb!e.
James Allen Esqr. was Chosen.

The Town proceeded to take into consideration the Petition of a
Number of Inhabitants setting forth, That it is with uncommon
concern they observe in the post 603* of the 14th. Instant two
Letters from his Excellency the Governour to Mr. Secretary Wil-
lard, wherein are some Paragraphs which have a tendency to put
the Town in a disadvantageous light with his Majesty, notwith-
standing the repeated Instances at all times shewn by her Inhabi-
tants that they Apprehend the Inhabitants are greatly Affected in
their Characters by these Letters, praying the Town would consult
upon proper measures to Vindicate their Injur'd Characters and
secure their Invaluable Priviledges, and after a very long Debate
thereon — It was Voted that a Committee be raised for that Pur-
pose and that said Committee consist of five Persons and be choose
by a written Vote and the Votes being brought in and Sort'd it
appeared that.

Abiel Walley Esqr.

Mr. Jeremiah Allen

Mr. Josiah Quincy

Mr. Thomas Paine &

Mr. Harrison Gray

were Chose to be said Committee, and they are desired to make
Report hereon at the intended Adjournment of this Meeting.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Thursday [155.] The
Twenty fourth Instant at three o'Clock Afternoon.

Thursday the Twenty fourth of December, three o'Clock in the
Afternoon. — The Town met according to their Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the Eighteenth Instant to consider
what Methods are necessary to be taken by the Town to Vindicate
their Injured Characters & Secure their Invaluable Priviledges,
now Reported what they Apprehend ought to be done thereupon,
which was Read and is on file and after a very long debate had on
said Report, It was Voted that the same be referr'd at the Ad-
journment of this Meeting for consideration, and that said Report
be lodged with the Town Clerk for the Perusal of the Inhabitants
that shall desire it.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday the Twenty
ninth Instant at nine o Clock in the Forenoon.

Tuesday the Twenty ninth of December, nine a Clock in the
Forenoon. The Town met according to their Adjournment.

And it being moved and seconded that the Report of the Com-
mittee made the 24th. Instant may be Recommitted to the same

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 129

Gentlemen for Amendment a long Debate was had thereon, and it
was.

Voted that said Report shall not be Recommitted to said Com-
mittee.

And then it was Moved and Seconded and accordingly the
Question was put? Whether the said Report of the Committee be
Accepted.

And it pass'd in the Negative by a very great Majority.

Voted that said Report be Dismissed.

And then it was moved and Voted that Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
The Honble. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. Mr. Edward Bromfield, The
Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr. and Mr. Josiah Quincy be a committee
to draw up a Petition to his Excellency the Governour desiring that
lie will be pleased to consider the Disadvantageous light he has set
the Town in to the World by the Publication of his two Letters in
.the Boston Weekly Post Boy of the 14th. Instant, and that he would
use his Endeavours to Remove the same and Report their Draft
thereof this Afternoon,

Voted That this Meeting be Adjourned to four o'Clock P.M.
£ 156.] to Receive the Report of said Committee.

At four a Clock in the Afternoon the Town met according to
their Adjournment. and

The Committee appointed in the forenoon to prepare a Petition to
the Governour now Reported a Draft of the same which was Read
and is as follows Viz*.

May it Please Your Excellency.

The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston Assembled in General
Town Meeting, Apprehending Their Character & Reputation
greatly Affected by the Publication of two Letters in the Post Boy
of the 13th Instant, Signed by Your Excellency dated at Castle
William and directed to the Secretary of the Province, beg leave to
lay this their Humble Representation of the Affair those Letters
relate to so far as Respects this Town before Your Excellency.

It having been reported that the Town of Boston or the Inhabi-
tants in general, had Abetted and Encouraged the Riotors who In-
sulted Your Excellency and the General Court, and who Committed
many other heinous offences ; the said Inhabitants as soon as they
could do, Assembled in Town Meeting, and notwithstanding it Ap-
peared that the Rights and privileges of the Town have been invaded
by the unwarrantable Impress that has been made of several cf their
Inhabitants, Yet being always sensible that this was by no means
sufficient to Justify the great disorders that were consequent there-
upon, They unanimously pass'd such a Vote as Vindicated the Town
from the charge made against them, and a Committee of the Town
waited upon Your Excellency at the Castle with a Copy of the Vote,
and You werepleas'd very favourably to Receive the same, and to
Express Your Satisfaction therein ; and as a further Proof of the
desire of the Inhabitants to Remove all Pretence for this Imputation
a greater Number of them Appeared in Arms to Attend Your Ex-
cellency on your Return to Town., than has been known in any
Regimental Muster, for diverse Years past.

Notwithstanding which the Two Letters aforesaid wrote as Ap-
pears [15 7.] by the Dates, before the time of Passing this Vote

130 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

and of the other proceedings of the Town, were more than three
weeks after made Publick, and the Town as We Apprehend was
thereby represented in a light very much to their Disadvantage, and
altho the further Account of the Riot, and the proceedings there-
upon as Published in the weekly News Letter of the Seventeenth
Instant tends to clear up the Character and Reputation of the Town
Yet as it must be presumed that these Letters were Published by
Your Excellency's order, and the other Account does not appear
to have been so, it cannot be conceived sufficient to Remove any
Impressions which the Publishing of said Letters may have made
against the Town.

Wherefore from a just concern that all the Actions of the Town
may be fairly Represented and that the Character of the Town as
loyal and Dutiful may always be preserved, the Inhabitants lay
this State of their case before Your Excellency praying Your con-
sideration of the same and that they may receive such Redress as
that the Character of the Town may be made to appear to the world
in a favourable light as if the Letters aforesaid had never been Pub-
lished.

Boston Decemr 29th 1747.

Thereupon it was unanimously Voted that the same be Accepted,
& that said Committee immediately wait upon his Excellency
with a fair Copy thereof and Report to the Town his Excellency^
Answer which they accordingly did, and Reported that his Excel-
lency was pleas'd to give the following Answer in writing Viz1.

Gentlemen,

In Answer to Your Petition I must in the first
Place say that I am sorry for the Occasion I had to write the two
Letters to Mr. Secretary Willard, which You refer to.

As to the Publication of 'em since I find it has given a general
Concern to the Town, I most readily take this Opportunity to As-
sure You that it did not in the least proceed from an inclination to
prejudice the Carecter and Reputation of the Inhabitants, but was
wholly occasioned by an insinuation in a late Pamphlet, which
appeared to me to have a tendency to set part of my own Conduct
upon that Occasion in a wrong light ; and which I apprehended my
Publication of those two Letters would Vindicate it from, and I
can't but hope that my acquainting you that the Account of Your
Proceedings on Fryday the 20th of November in a Town Meeting
at Faneuil Hall and [158.] On the Day following, were Published
by my directions in the weekly News Letter of the 17th. Instant,
will be sufficient to Show that I had no desire to Represent the Be-
haviour of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, in a disadvan-
tageous light and consequently remove all concern which may have
occasioned by the publication of my Letters three days before,
especially when I declare to yon that this Affair appears to me in
a favourable light.

Boston Decemr. 29. 1747. W. SHIRLEY.

After Reading the same It was unanimously Voted that his
Excellencys Answer to said Petition is fully Satisfactory to the
Town.

Also Voted that the Thanks of the Town be given to his Excel-
lency for his Answer to their Petition, and that the Hon°. James

BOSTON TOWN KECORDS, 1747. 131

Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting, the above named
Committee and the Selectmen of the Town be a Committee to wait
upon his Excellency, and Return him the Thanks of the Town
accordingly.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in Public
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the four-
teenth day of March, A.D. 1747.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Cooper.
The Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.
Sundry Laws. Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon Collecting the Votes it Appeared that the
Hon°. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. was chose.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was unanimously chose Town Clerk for the
Year Ensuing & Sworn by the Hon°. Edward Hutchinson Esqr.

[159.] Voted to proceed to the Choice of seven Selectmen, and
the Votes being accordingly brought in, the Select Men declared
there was '224 Voters but upon Sorting 'em there Appeared there
was was 226 Votes for one Gentleman and 229 for another, it was
thereupon determined by the Town that the choice was not legal
aud the Inhabitants agreed and Voted that this Meeting be Ad-
journ'd to three o'Clock in the Afternoon, then to proceed to the
Choice. of seven Select Men.

And the Meeting was Adjourn'd to that time accordingly.
Three o'Clock Afternoon, The Town mett according to Adjour-
ment.

The Inhabitants brought in their Votes for seven Selectmen and
upon Sorting the same it Appeared that the following Gentlemen
were Chose Viz'.

Thomas Hancock Esqr.
Mr. Middlecott Cooke
John Steel Esqr.
Cap'. William Salter
Mr. John Tyng
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill

The following Gentlemen were chose overseers of the Poor for
the Year ensuing Viz*.

The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esq*.
William Tyler Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Tho'. Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esq*.
Mr. Edward Bromfield
Col°. William Downe
Andrew Oliver Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. Ebenezer Storer
Mr. John Barrett

132 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Upon a Motion made and seconded Voted that the Thanks of
the Town [16O.] be and hereby is given to Mr. Jeremiah Belknap
for the Service done by him as oue of the Select Men the Year past.
Voted that the Town enter upon the Consideration of that Article
in the Warrant, to determine upon some effectual Method to pre-
vent the Pernicious Practice of forestalling the Market and the
exorbitant Demand of Country Butchers & others in the Price of
Provisions & whether Faneuil Hall Market shall continue shutt up
after the third Tuesday of March instant, to Morrow at Eleven

o'Clock in the forenoon, Also Voted that the Town proceed

to the Choice of a County Treasurer the same time.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Treasurer,
and they being Collected and Sorted, it appeared that the Hon°.
Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. was Chose by a great Majority, & Sworn.
Voted that the Town enter upon the Consideration of the Choice
of Collectors tomorrow at ten o'Clock in the forenoon.
Mess™. Richard Buckley Sworn

Jacob Parker Sworn

Joshua Blanchard Sworn

Nathaniel Barber Sworn V Assessors

William Fairfield Sworn

Cap'. Daniel Pecker Sworn
Cap'. John Goldthwait Sworn J
were chose Assessors for the Year ensuing.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Tomorrow, nine o'Clock
in the forenoon.

Tuesday Morning, Nine o'Clock, Town being met according to
Adjournment.

Mess™. Nathaniel Hodgdon
Josiah Cartel-
John Allen \- Sealers of Leather.
James Dawson
Thomas Hase
were chose Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.
[161.] Mess". William Moore "\
William Russell Sworn

Benjamin Russell Sworn ^ T7.

T J m-i o r Fence Viewers.

James Tilestone Sworn [

Onesiph — , , Tilestone Sworn
James Barnard
Mr. John Gray, Surveyor of Hemp. Sworn.

Mess™. David Colson junr. Sworn ) T r

-r, . . Tj > Informers of Deer

Benjamin Harrod Sworn j

M*. Nathaniel Band was chosen Hay ward for the Year ensuing.

The Selectmen, were chosen Surveyors of Highways, for the

Year ensuing.

Mess™. William Hall Pay

Joseph Treat Sworn
William Winter Excus'd }• Hogreeves.
Thomas Lawlor Sworn
Holmes Simpson
were chosen Hogreevea for the Year ensuing.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747.

133

y Cullers of Staves.

Mess™. Isaac Fowle

Benjamin Ballard Sworne
Harvey Thomas Sworne
Benjamin Sault
Joseph Dyer Sworn

Benjamin Barnard
Peter Cotta
Thomas Sergeant
John Hobbs
Joseph Savel junr.
Sendall Williams Excus'd
were chosen Cullers of Staves for the Year ensuing.

John Phillips Esqr.

John Hill Esqr.

Cap'. John Carnes
[162.] Cap4. Isaac White

Cap*. Joseph Russell

Cap'. Henry Berrj'

Mr. Joseph Jackson

Mr. James Day

Mr. Robert Breck

Mr. John Scolley

were chosen Firewards the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Isaac Vergoose ")
William Payne
Edward Moberley
James Barnard
Thomas Warden
Andrew Symms
John Grant
William Browne
Josiah Waters
William Nichols
were chosen Viewers of Boards Shingles &C

> Firewards.

Mess™. Nathaniel Thayer
Thomas Baxter
Timothy Newell
Samuel Adams
Benjamin Russell
Malachy Salter
John Edwards
Samuel Gerrish
Cap'. Solomon Davis
John Kneeland jr.
Isaac Smith
John Ridgaway
Seth Coburne
Daniel Marsh
John Dixwell
Aaron Boardman

Excus'd.
Excus'd.
Sworn.
Sworn.
Excus'd.

Sworn.
Excus'd.

Sworn
Sworn.
Sworn.
Sworn.
Excus'd.
Sworn.
Sworn

>• Viewers of Boards. — Shingles &C*.

for the Year ensuing.

Clerks of the Market.

Oxenbridge Thacher jr. Sworn
were chosen Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.

134 . CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[163.] The Town Entred upon the Consideration of the
Choice of Collectors of Taxes distinct from Constables, and alter

some Debate thereon, Voted that the Town will not choose

Collectors of Taxes distinct from Constables.

Upon a Motion made and seconded It was Voted that Collectors
of Taxes be chose distinct from Constables the above Vote not-
withstanding.

Voted that any Person chose into the Office of a constable for
the Year Ensuing be Excused from serving provided he pay the
sum of Twenty Pounds old tenor bills.
Mess™. Thomas Cushing Pay.

Nathaniel Wheelwrigbt Excus'd.
Samuel Gerrish Pay'dinl743.

John Dixwell Excus'd.

Joseph Scott junr. Pay.

Joshua Blanchard junr. Pay.

Constables.

William Dennie Pay. |

David Jenkins Excus'd.

Timothy Newell Excus'd.

Henry Johnson. Pay.

James Perkins Paid in 1743.

Thomas Boylestone Merch'. Pa}-,
were Chosen Constables the Year ensuing.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes fora County Treas-
urer, which being Collected were according to Law Sealed up by
Constable Bell to be by him kept and Returned to the next Quarter
Sessions for this County.
Messr>. Thomas Johnson Pay.
Nathaniel Proctor Sworn.
William Lowder Excus'd. i r<
Thomas Ethridge Sworn. Constables.
William Muckelroy Sworn.
John Cotton Excus'd.

were Chosen Constables the Year ensuing.
Adjourn'd to 3 o' Clock in the Afternoon.

[164.] Three o' Clock, .Afternoon, The Town being mett
according to Adjournment.

The Petition of Mr. John Lovell Master of the South Grammer
School praying for an Addition to his Salary, now came under
Consideration, and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that
the sum of Two hundred Pounds old tenor bills, be Added to Mr.
Levels Salary to commence from the last Quarter, & Continue for
one Year.

Also Voted that the sum of Two hundred Pounds old tenor bills
be allowed and paid out of the To'wn Treasury unto Mr. John
Lovell in consideration of his extraordinary charge for two Years
past.

The Petition of Mr. Peleg Wiswall, Master of the North
Gramer School praying for an Addition to his Salary now
came under consideration, and after some Debate thereon, It

was.

Voted that the sum of Two hundred Pounds old tenor be

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 135

Added to Mr. Wiswalls Salary to commence from the last Quarter
and to continue for one year. And also that the Sum of Seventy
pounds old tenor bills be allowed and paid out of the Town Treas-
ury unto Mr. Wiswall for Paying his House Rent for one Year.

Also Voted that the sum of Two hundred Pounds old tenor
Bills be allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury unto Mr.
Peleg Wiswall, in consideration of his extraordinary Charge for
two Years past.

The Town Entred into the consideration of that article in the
Warrant Viz1. Whether Faneuil hall Market shall continue shutt
up after the third Tuesday of March instant, and what is necessary
to be further done for the better Regulation thereof, and also
what method the Town shall take to prevent the pernicious Prac-
tice of forestalling the Market, & the exorbitant demand of Country
Butchers and others in the Price of Provisions ; and after some
Debate thereon, It was Voted, that.

[165.] The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
The Hon°. Samuel Welles Esqr.

Benjamin Faneuil Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Greene
The Hon°. Jacob Wendell EsqT.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. Jacob Parker
Mr. Benjamin Pratt
be and hereby are Appointed a Committee to take the Premisses
into Consideration & Report to the Town at the Adjournment of
this Meeting what is best for the Town to do thereupon, Also
Voted that Faneuil Hall Market continue Shut up until said Ad-
journment.

Voted that The Hon°. Samuel Welles Esqr. ^

Mr. John Smibert [ r

M'. Jonathan Williams &
Cap'. William Salter J

be and hereby are Appointed a Committee to consider what will
be most for the Advantage of the Town to do with the Dirt in
the Streets and Report thereon at the Adjournment of this Meet-
ing-
Voted that the Money now lying in the Treasury receiv'd for
Quit Rents be Added to the Towns Present Stock for Purchasing
Grain, and also that such a further Sum beRais'd and paid out of
the Treasury as shall make said Stock, Three Thousand Pounds
old tenor in the whole.

The Petition of the Minister, Church Wardens & Vestry of
Kings Chappel in Boston, in behalf of themselves, and the Con-
gregation that usually Attend the Publick Worship of God there,
Setting forth that said Chappel which has been constantly Im-
proved for the Public Worship of God for about Sixty Years past
is in many parts of it Rotten and greatly decayed, and almost
rendered unfit for that Service [166.] any longer, and said
Congregation out of Regard to the Honour of God and for their
o\vn Edification being very desirous that the Publick worship of
God should be still supported and carryed on in said Place have

136 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

determin'd to Rebuild said Charg, and make it some what larger
and more Commodious than it now is, but apprehend they shall be
greatly Streightened for want of a little Ground at the East End
of said Church that leads into the Burial place, the Pet™, pray the
Town will be pleas'd to Grant to said Church so much of their
Land Eastward as will make the same Regular & Commodious, or
if the Town think best, that they would Appoint a Committee to
consider of this Petition, View the premisses & Report to the
Town what is best to be done as to granting the Prayer thereof,

was Read. And after some Debate thereon, It was Voted

that the Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr. Thomas Hancock Esqr. Mr.
Jeremiah Allen, Mr. Middlecott Cooke, the Hon°. Jacob Wendell
Esqr. Mr. Thomas Greene, & Mr. John Tyng be & hereby they
are appointed a Committee to consider of said Petition, View the
Premisses, Consider the Circumstances of the same and Report to
the Town at the Adjournment of this Meeting whether it will be
best for the Town to Grant the Prayer thereof.

Mess™. Joshua Blanchard, Daniel Pecker & William Fair-field a
Committee appointed the first day of September last to Enquire of
Samuel Bass & Kezia Harvey the most they will give for a Peice
of Land they Petitioned the Town to Sell 'em in Water Street
with a Shop and Buildings thereon, now Reported that they had
met said Bass and Harvey & Conferr'd with 'em as to the consid-
eration Money of said Land and they offer to give five hundred
Pounds old tenor Bills for the same but the Town Apprehending
that Sum to be much less than the Value of said Land, It was
Moved & Voted that the Select Men be and they hereby are fully
Authorized and Impowered to make Sale of said Land and Build-
ings thereon, or so much thereof as they Apprehend may be for
the Convenience of the Town to such Person or Persons as will
give most for the same the said Selectmen to give Public Notice
of such Sale in the News papers a Suitable time before they shall
dispose thereof and to give and pass a good & Sufficient F167.]
Deed or Deeds in the Law for the same.

Voted, that this Meeting be Adjourn'd till tomorrow nine o'Clock
in the forenoon.

Wednesday March 16th. 1747 Nine o'Clock in the forenoon, The
Town being met according to Adjournment.

Mess™. John Southack Sworne

William Young Excus'd

William Nichols Sworne

Robert Ford Sworne f Constables.

John Symmes Excus'd

Ellis Bennett Excus'd

were Chosen Constables the Year ensuing.

It was Moved That Mr. Nichols a constable now chose, serv'd
in that Office, the last Year, and it was doubted whether he could
by Law serve again, and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted
by the Town that they Apprehend it not to be against Law,
for any person chosen into the Office of Constable to serve

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 137

again within Seven Years provided such person consents to the
same.

Mess™. Thomas Foster junr. . Sworn ) . Masters

David Cutler .... Sworn } Assay J
were chosen Assay Masters the Year ensuing.

The Selectmens Report on the Account of Mr. John Fenno
Keeper of the Grainary for the Year past as Entred in his Book
(and on File in the Town Clerks Office) Read & Voted that the
said Report be Accepted, & accordingly that Mr. John Fenno be
farther accountable to the Town for sixty two bushels Rye unsold
at 33/ p Bushel, one hundred & two pounds six shillings, & Cash
in his hands, Nine hundred & Sixty one pounds seven Shillings &
four pence, amounting in the whole to One Thousand & Sixty
three pounds thirteen Shillings & four pence old tenor, all which
remains in his hands, exclusive of his Salary being One hundred
pounds, & Thirty pounds, allowed him for Assistance, to the third
instant

The Town brought in their Votes for a Committee to purchase
Grain, & it appeared that.

[168.] Mess". Robert Watt ~) ACom*»forPurch«xs-

Samuel Bridgham
Joseph Jackson Hatter )
were chosen a Committee for Purchasing Grain the Year ensuing.

The said Committee are desired and impowered to give all need-
ful direction to the keeper of the Granary respecting the Quantitys
of Grain to be sold & setling the Price thereof from time to time
as occasion shall require.

Also Voted that the said Committee be and hereby are fully im-
powered to borrow of any Gentlemen such Sum or Sums of Money
as they shall want for the Purchasing of Grain when they Appre-
hend it for the Advantage of the Town until they receive it out of
the Treasury the sum Voted at this Meeting to be Added to the
Stock for Purchasing Grain, the said Committee not to borrow
more than with what they already have shall exceed the Capital
Stock of Three Thousand Pounds old tenor bills.

The Petition of Thomas Johnson praying for Liberty to Build a
Shop on the North Side of Faneuil Hall Market was Read, and
after some Debate thereon, A Question was put, whether the
Prayer of the Petition be Granted and it pass'd in the Negative,
and that the same be dismissed.

The Petition of William Daws praying for Liberty to Erect a

Shop on the Towns land at the head of the Dock. was Read.

and thereupon Voted that the Gentlemen the Select Men be

and hereby are appointed a Comtee. to consider of said Petition,
View the Premisses, and Report what they Apprehend it will be
best for the Town to do as to Granting the Prayer thereof.

Voted that Col°. John Hill Cap'. John Indicott and Mr. Joshua
Blanchard be a committee to Enquire after some Suitable Peice
of Ground at the South End for a Burial place and Report thereon
at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

Voted that the Assessors be allowed to set upon Abatements of
Taxes until the first day of June next and no longer.

It was Moved that the Assessors may have Liberty to sitt upon

138 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Abatement of the Taxes of all such Persons as are at Sea, or
out of the Province and shall continue so till after the first of June
next till some time in the month of November next, and thereupon
it was Voted that the Assessors be allowed to sitt the last week in
November next upon the [169.] Abatement of the Taxes of such
persons accordingly.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of Six Collectors of
the Taxes for the Year ensuing.

Voted that no Person shall be now choose into said office that
has heretofore Served in it, and has not paid to the several Treas-
urys the full Sum he was obliged to pay 'em and can produce
their Receipts in full for the Year 1746.
Mess™. Benjamin Edwards
William Larrabee
John Grant n „

John Ruddock 1 Collectors of Taxes.

John Welch
Hopestill Foster

Voted that nine pence on the pound be and hereby is allowed to
be paid to the Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing on all such
Sums as they shall Collect, provided they pay unto the Town
Treasurer one half part of the whole Sum they shall be obliged to
pay him within three months from the time they shall receive the
Tax Books from the Assessors, and the other hnlf part in three
months, and also pay to the province and County Treasurers one
half part of the whole sums they shall be obliged to pay 'em in
Six months from the time the.y shall Receive said Books from the
Assessors, and the other half part in Six Months after, and in
Case either of said Collectors shall fail paying the said Treasurers
in the above manner, the Collector so failing shall not be intitled
to the aforesaid allowance of nine pence on the Pound for Collect-
ing but wholly forfeit the same provided also that the si id Col-
lectors give Bond with Sufficient Suretys to the Satisfaction of
the Selectmen for the faithful Discharge of their Duty in said
Office.

The Petition of Samuel Hunstable praying an allowance may be
m-tde him for Ringing the Bell of the Meeting house at the \ve.st-
erly part of the Town at the Hours of nine and one o Clock for one
Year, and five o'Clock for Six Months past was now considered of,
and thereupon it was Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are
Impowered to make such an Allowance to said Samuel II unstable
[17O.] for Ringing said Bell at the above hours as the other Bell
Ringers of the Town have made 'em, Also Voted that sairl Bell be
rung at the hours of five and Eleven o'Clock in the forenoon, and
one and nine o'Clock in the afternoon, until the Town shall Order
otherwise.

Mess™. Augustus Hale Sworn

John Clough junr. Sworn
George Ray Excus'd i Constal]

William Wheeler Sworn

Timothy Green Excus'd

Benjamin Eustus junr. Pay
were chosen Constables the Year Ensuing.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 139

Voted that John Philips Esq™.

Mr. Thomas Green &
Col°. John Hill

be a Committee to consider whether it will be for the Benefit of the
Town to Sell a peice of Land near Mr. Alexander Hunts near Fort
hill or in what manner Improve the same and Secure the Towns
Interest at Windmill point and make Report of their doings at the
Adjournment of this Meeting.

Voted that the Selectmen be desired to Repair the Towns Ware-
houses on the Dock Improved by Mr. Dennie and Mr. Gray and
also Rebuild Swing Bridge in such form and place as they shall
think most convenient and best.
Voted that Mess". John Phillips Esqr.

Mr. Thomas Greene &
John Hill Esqr.

be a Committee to consider whether it will be for the Benefit of
the Town [171.] to Sell a Quit Rent due on Mr. Frarys Lease
of a peice of Land at the South part of the Town, or do any thing
concerning the same and make Report thereon at the Adjournment
of this Meeting.

Mess™. Abijah Adams Excus'd. ")

Benjamin Andrews Sworn. > Constables
William Wait Wallis Sworn. . )
were chosen Constables the Year ensuing.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Monday the 28th. Inst.
at Nine o'Clock in the forenoon.

Monday March 28th. 1747. nine o'Clock in the forenoon the
Town mett according to their Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 14th. Instant to consider of the
Petition of William Dawes for building a Shop at the head of
the Dock now Reported that they had Viewed the premises and
maturely considered of the Prayer of said Petition and Apprehend
it will not be for the Benefit of the Town to Allow such a Shop or
Building as is Petitioned for to be Erected on said Land the Persons

in general that live thereabouts objecting to the same. AVhich

was Read &

Voted that the said Report be Accepted, and that said Petition
be Dismissed.

Mr. Thomas Edes was chosen Constable the Year ensuing.

The Committee appointed the 16th. Instant to enquire after some
suitable Peice of Ground at the South end for a Burial place, Re-
ported that they had considered of the premisses and were of opin-
ion that a peice of Ground at the lower end of the common
adjoyning to the pasture belonging to the Honble. James Allen Esq'.
is a place the most convenient for a Burying Ground which being
Read after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that said Report be
Recommitted, and the said Committee are desired to cause a plan
to be taken of the Land proposed by them for a Burial place, and
also consider whether it will not be best and most convenient that
a Highway should be laid out between said Land of Mr. Allen and

140 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Common and they are desired to Report hereon at the next
General Town Meeting.

[172.] The Committee appointed the 14th. Instant to Consider
of the Petition of the Minister Church Wardens and Vestoy of
Kings Chappel in Boston, for Granting 'cm a peice of Land to

enlarge said Chappel, Reported, That they had met the Pet™.

but done nothing thereon, they being desirous to withdraw their
Petition, and several of the Pet™, being now present and moving
that they may have Liberty to withdraw their Petition, It was
Voted that they may have Liberty to with draw their Petition
accordingly.

The Committee appointed the 14th. Inst. to consider whether it
will be for the Benefit of the Town to Sell the Quit Rent due on
Mr. Frarys Lease of a peice of Land at the South part of the Town,
or do any thing concerning the same, Now Reported that they had
met several times considered of the Premisses, and are of Opinion
it will be most for the Benefit of the Town to dispose of said Land
which being Read, after some Debate, It was Voted that the same
be Recommitted and said Committee are desired to Enquire into
the Towns Interest in said Lands or on either Side thereof, and
take a plan of the same and Report to the Town their doings
thereon at the General Town Meeting in Ma}7 next.

The Committee appointed the 14th. Instant to consider what will
be most for the Advantage of the Town to do with the Dirt in the
Streets Reported that they Apprehended it would be proper for the
Town to Impower the Selectmen to make Sale of the Dirt in the
Streets either to some Person or Persons who will hire or Farm it
by the Great or by the Load as the said Selectmen shall find best or
most practicable previous notice being seasonably given of their
intention in the weekly Prints, and to the End the Dirt may be the
more Regularly and effectually Raked into heaps in the several
parts of the Town, the Committee apprehend it will be very con-
venient to chuse Scavengers living in each respective Ward, and
that they be under Oath to the faithful Discharge of their Trust,
and that the heaps of Dirt Raked up be at the disposal of the
Selectmen, except what is Raked up by the Abutters and laid on
their own Land within Twenty four hours after its being Raked into
heaps which being Read Voted that the Gentlemen [173.] Select-
men Act and proceed according to the same, Also

Voted that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town of
Boston be desired to use their Endeavours that a Law be passed
in the General Court obliging all persons that shall hereafter be
chose Scavangers to be under Oath to the faithful discharge of
their Duty in that place.

The Committee appointed the 14th. Inst. to consider whether it
will be most for the Benefit of the Town to have Faneuil Hall Mar-
ket continue Shutt up, or have it opened. and if opened what

is necessary to be further done for the Regulation thereof, also
what Method the Town shall take to prevent the pernicious
practice of forestalling the Market and the exorbitant Demand of
Country Butchers & others in the Price of Provisions now made
Report in the words following Viz'.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1747. 141

1st. That a Subscription be Offered to some of the principal In-
habitants of the Town in order to Raise a Sum not exceeding Ten
Thousand Pounds old tenor to be put into the hands of the Select-
men by way of Loan for one Year without Interest and that they
be Authorized to give Security to the Subscribers for the same.

2<uy. That the Selectmen agree with a Number of Town Butchers
for a Term not exceeding one Year, to purchase Cattle for the
Supply of the Inhabitants to be sold in Faneuil Hall Market on
three days of the week Viz'. Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays
at such Prices as the Selectmen shall fix from time to time ; said
Market first to be Opened on Saturday the 2d. day of April next
and that it be Recommended to the Inhabitants to Buy no Beef of
the Country Butchers in the mean time, nor at any time after said
market shall be opened.

3dly. That some meet person be appointed to Attend the Market
constantly on Market day into whose hands the money raised as
aforesaid shall be put in order to Pay for the Cattle purchased who
shall likewise receive all money for Beef Hydes and Tallow sold
in the Market and pay for all Cattle afterwards purchased for this
Purpose which Person so Appointed shall give Security to the
Selectmen for the money so received and be always accountable to
them for the faithfull Discharge of their Trust.

4thly. That the Contracting Butchers be allowed five p Cent in
the whole (to be Computed on the Sale of the Creatures) for Buy-
ing, Selling, Killing and Dressing the Creatures they finding all
necessnry help for the Business and Engaging to Sell no Beef
during the Contract but in the mtirket.

gthiy That the Tanners of the Town have the preference in pur-
chasing the Hydes which shall be set at Reasonable Rates, they
agreeing to Sell their Leather [174.] Proportionably. — . —

6th. That the Selectmen agree with other Butchers to Supply the
Market with small meat, and Advance suitable Sums of Money to
them upon giving good Security for it (if the Sum Subscribed will
Admit of it) and that the preference be given to Town Butchers
or such as will Remove into Town and be Subject to the Regula-
tions of the Selectmen, and that no other persons be admitted into
the Market with Butchers Meat except of their own Raising which
shall appear to the Satisfaction of the Clerk of the Market and
that said Market be free and Open for all other Provisions brought
in by such persons.

7thly. The Committee having been likewise appointed to consider
of some method to prevent the Pernicious Practice of forestalling
the Market, do herewith offer the form of a By Law which they
Apprehend may have a good Tendenc}' that way if the Town
should see meet to pass the same.

But inasmuch as Doubts may arise which of the Laws respecting
this matter are now in force, or respecting the construction of them
the Committee are rather of Opinion, That all the Regulations
necessary under our present Circumstances relating to Butchers,
Hucksters forestalling Sale of Provisions, and concerning the
market, should be Comprized in one Bill or Draft for a general By
Law touching these things, and Repealing and Vacating all former

142 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

By Laws Votes and Orders Relating to these things and that the
same be Voted and passed by the Town, and upon Approbation
thereof by the Sessions, that it be published in the Publick News
papers,

All which is Submitted by

ANDB. OLIVER

in the Name of the Committee,
and the same being Read and a long Debate had thereon,

It was Voted that said Report be considered of Paragraph
by Paragraph, and thereupon the first Paragraph being again
Read,

It was Voted that the same be Accepted with this amendment
only Viz*. That a Subscription be Offered to some of the Principal
Inhabitants of the Town in order to Raise a sum not exceeding
Fifteen Thousand Pounds old tenor instead of Ten Thousand
Pounds old tenor.

The Second Paragraph being Read,

Voted that the same be Accepted.

F175.] Then the Third Paragraph was Read and

Voted that the same be Accepted.

Then the fourth Paragraph, was Read and

Voted that the same be Accepted.

Then the fifth Paragraph was Read and

Voted that the same be Accepted, with this Amendment and
Addition Viz'. That the Leather-dressers of the Town have the
preference in purchasing small Skins, which shall be set at Reason-
able Rates they Selling their Leather proportionably.

Then the Sixth Paragraph. was Read and

Voted that the same be Accepted.

Then the seventh Paragraph was Read, and thereupon it was
Voted that the said Committee be and they hereby are desired and
impowered to prepare a Draft of a general By Law to be pass'd
the Town therein particularly expressing every thing they shall
apprehend to be necessary for the Regulation of Butchers, Huck-
sters, Forestallers, Sale of Provisions, and the Market, and make
Report hereon at the General Town Meeting in May next.

Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are desired and
Impowered to Appoint some Suitable person for the several Pur-
poses mentioned in the third Paragraph he giving Security as is
thereby required.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of a Clerk for Fan-
euil Hall Market by a written Vote — And the Votes being brought
in and Sorted it Appeared that Mr. Abijah Adams was chosen.

The Committee appointed the 14th. Inst. to consider whether they
Apprehend it for the Benefit of the Town to Sell a Peice of
Land near Mr. Alexander Hunts by Fort Hill, or in what
manner Improve the same and also consider of the best
Method for Securing the Towns Interest in their Land near "Wind
Mill Point so called in Boston, now Reported that they had Ex-
amined the Records Viewed the Lands above mentioned and got
what Insight they could relating to said Lands and [176.] were
of opinion, That a peice of Land of Eighty six foot upon the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748. 143

Sea Side, & about the same Breadth across the foot of Forthill
between the Land formerly Granted to Mr. Gibbs (now in the
Possession of Mr. Joseph Ilubbard) and the Grant made to Major
General John Leverett of Sixteen Rod long belongs to the Town,
and that Mr. Alexander Hunt has built a House on the same, and
said committee think it most for the Interest of the Town to get

Possession of the premisses and then Sell the same. and they

having been at Windmill Point and Examined the Records and
neighbours do think it most for the Towns Interest to Build two
Wharffs of Eight foot Square each, and have one of them fixed on
the Towns Land next Mr. William Wheelers Land and the other
on the Northeast part of the Point, in order to preserve their right
which Report being Read, it was

Voted that, that part thereof which Relates to the Land on
which said Alexander Hunt has Built a House be accepted, Also

Voted that the said Shem Drowne, Thomas Greene & Jacob
Parker be and hereby are Appointed a Committee for and on behalf
of the Town to prosecute in the Law any Person or Persons that
now are in possession of said Land, or any part thereof, or that
have made any Encroachments thereon, that so the Town may
obtain possession of their said Lands and Dispose of 'em as they
shall think best, on the other part of said Report relating to the
Towns Lands near Windmill Point, Voted that the same be Re-
ferr'd over to the next General Town Meeting for consideration,
and said Committee are desired then to lay before the Town all the
Records and Papers that Relate to this Affair.

Voted that all Matters & things whatsoever that Relate to the
Business of this Meeting & remain unfinished be Referr'd over to
the next General Town Meeting to be then considered of & Acted
wpon.

Voted Unanimously that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby
is given to the Honble. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. the Moderator of
this Meeting, for the great Dispatch he has given to the Business
thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[177.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned in
Publick Town Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the
fourth day of April A.D. 1748.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read

Mr. Joseph Marion was chosen Moderator by a written Vote.

This Meeting being called to consider of the Petition of the
Minister, Church wardens, & Vestry of Kings Chappel for granting
'em a peice of Land at the East end of said Chappel on part
whereof the Latin School now stands in order to Enlarge the
same, and of the proposals of said Pet™, for Purchasing a peice of
Land & Erecting a New School house at their Expence in consid-
eration of said Grant : — The Gentm. who Petitioned for this
Meeting being present, desired the Town would not at this time
proceed thereupon, but prayed they might have Liberty to with-
draw their said Petition for the Grant of said Land &Ca. where-

144 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

upon It was Voted that the Petitioners have Liberty to withdraw

their said Petition, and they accordingly withdrew the same.

And then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified & lawfully warned in Publick
Town Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the Eleventh
day of April A.D. 1748.

The "Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

The Hon°. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. was chosen Moderator of
this Meeting (by a written Vote.)

The Affair mentioned in the warrant for Regulating Faneuil
Hall Market was taken into consideration, and after some Debate
thereon, It was Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are
desired to Execute a Counterpart of the Contract made with the
Butchers that have undertaken to purchase kill and Sell Cattle
for the Supply of Faneuil Hall Market upon the Terms they have
already agreed to do the same.

[178.] Also Voted that over and above the five p Cent
allowed tne Butchers therefor, the Offel be allowed them tho the
same is not mentioned in the Agreement they signed and give the
Committee. Also

Voted that the Selectmen be desired to give Orders that Faneuil
Hall Market be opened every Day in the week (Lords days ex-
cepted) the whole Forenoon, and such afternoons as they shall
think necessary, besides Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays.

Voted that the consideration of the further Regulation of Faneuil
Hall Market be referr'd to the next General Town Meeting.

The Petition of the Minister Wardens and Vestry of Kings
Chappie in Boston in behalf of themselves and the Congregation
that usually attend the Publick worship of God there, setting
forth

That said Chapel which has constantly been Improved for the
Publick worship of God for about Sixty Years past is in many
Parts of it Rotten & greatly decayed. & almost rendered uncapable
for that Service any longer, and said congregation out of Regard
to the Honour of God and for their own Edification being very
desirous that the Publick worship of God should be still Supported
and Carried on in said Place, have determined to Rebuild said
Church and make it some what larger more Comodious and Regular
than it now is but apprehend they shall be greatly Straitned for
want of Ground at the East End of said Church to Effect the

same. Your Petitioners therefore pray the Town would be

pleased to Grant to said Church 34 foot Eastward for the Body of
said chapel and 10 foot for a Chancel in order to enlarge the same
into a Regular and Commodious Building and whereas the
Town has a School house upon part of the Land which your
Pet™. Request, It is therefore humbly proposed in consideration of
the Grant hereby Request, That the Pet™, do Purchase and make
over to the Town a Peice of Ground at the upper End of the Lane
or Passage fronting the present School house of like Dimensions
with the present, the said Petitioners not to dig or [179.] open

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748. 145

any Ground which the Additional Building shall cover, excepting
to lay the Foundation, nor at any time to exclude those who have
vaults or Tombs within the requested Limits to have free access to

them.

Your Pet", apprehend that the said Grant will be no detriment
1o the Town as the present School house is much decayed in many
parts defective, and will in a Short Space of time require to be
New Built, and as the place now proposed for the School, neither
has nor can possibly have any Contiguous Building being Eighty
eight foot long, and Seventy seven foot wide, has a free Air, a
l>lcasaut Assent & Capable of a Southeily Highway to it from
Bromfiekls Lane which if it be thought necessary the Petitioners
have a reasonable Prospect of Obtaining, is very near to School
.Street, and yet agreeably Retired, The Town will have a larger
P -ice of Ground to Accommodate the School, The Chapel afore-
said and other Neighbouring houses will be less in danger from
Fire and such accidents The Town Receive a New Ornament in
the Buildings proposed, and all to be effected at the charge of the
Petit'*, and others such well disposed persons as shall think proper
to contribute to the same, for a clearer View of what your Pet™,
hereby Request we Refer to the Platts of the Ground and the
Buildings annexed, Hoping the Town upon the considerations

abovesaid will grant the said Petition. was Read, and after

some Debate thc>reon.

It was Moved, Seconded & Voted that
The Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr.

John Steel Esqr.

Thomas Hancock Esqr.

M*. John Tyng

Mr. Edward Bromfield

John Fayerweather Esqr. &

Mr. Hugh Vans

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to prepare the
form of a Vote in answer to the said Petition with such Conditions
and Reservations annexed to it as said Committee shall think nec-
ossary and proper and they are desired to Report hereon at the
intended Adjournment of this Meeting.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Monday the 18th. Inst.
at nine o'Clock in the forenoon.

Monday 18th. April 1748. The Town Mett according to their
Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 11th. instant to prepare the form
[18O.] of a Vote, in answer to the Petition of the Wardens &

Vestry of Kings Chapel, praying for a peice of Ground in

order* to Enlarge the Church, Reported that they had Maturely
considered the Affair, and agreed to Offer the following Draft to
the Town, Viz1.

That the Selectmen be Impowered to make a legal Conveyance in
behalf of the Town to the Petitioners of the several Peices of Land
and of the Priviledge hereafter mentioned upon their first Com-
plying with or Satisfying the Selectmen with Respect unto the

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Terms and Conditions herein Required of them Viz', a Peice of
Land Fronting on School Street extending Thirty feet on said Street
from the East end of Kings Chappel and includes the Passage way
into the Burying Ground, and the westerly part of the School
house and of the Yard thereto belonging measuring Thirty Seven
feet back from the said Street together with the old School house
and other Buildings belonging to it, being partly on the premisses
and partly on the Towns Land Adjoyning to be Removed when
the Town shall Require it at the Expence of the Pet™., Also a Strip
of Land Thirty feet in Length and fou«r feet wide extending from
the Northeast Corner, of the old Chappel upon a Line with the
North Side of said Chappel in order to Erect thereon part of the
"Walls of the proposed New Church, also another Strip of Land of
said Wedth Adjoyning to and turning upon a Right Angle with
the former, thence running until it meets the larger Peice herein
first proposed to be granted saving a passage way of Six feet wide
in the last mentioned Strip, thro the Walls of the New Church in
some convenient Place between the Northeast Corner and the
Chancel herein after mentioned which Entrance shall be at least
Six feet high leading into a Peice of Burying Ground belonging to
the Town which Peice measures twenty five fret North and South
and twenty feet East & west, also another Peice of Land in form
of half Oval Adjoyning Easterly upon the beforementioned pro-
posed Grants and extending fifteen feet North, and as much South
from the Middle of the Eastermost Line thereof, and to extend
ten feet further East in its extreme distance from said Middle
Point being for the proposed Chancel, provided there shall be Still
left a Passage way of at least Eleven feet in the Narrowest part
between said Chancel & Mr. Cookes Line into the Burying Ground ;
provided also that the Bodys of those who shall be known to lye
in the said Strips of Land, or within the [181.] said half oval
Peice shall be decently taken up and buryed in some other part of
the Burying Ground with the consent of their Friends, and in such
manner as they with the Selectmen shall agree to and direct or
where no Friends shall appear they shall be Removed as they shall
be removed as the said Selectmen shall direct at the charge of the
Petitioners.

Also a priviledge to Extend their New Building over the aforesaid
peice of Burying Ground lying to the Northward of the present
School house and measuring '25 feet by 20 as before Expressed :
provided they do not carry the floor of the Church or otherwise
Incumber the same within eight feet of the Surface of the Earth as
it now lyes, and that no Monuments or Grave Stones either within
or without the Building be destroyed or if accidently broken in
carrying on the work be repaired at the charge of the Petitioners :
unless they shall agree with the Friends of those who may lye
Buryed in said Peice of Ground, or where no Friends Appear with
the Selectmen to Remove the Bodys in manner as is herein pro-
vided for the other Dead Body's before mentioned then and in such
case that the Selectmen be Impowered likewise to convey to the
Pet™, said Peice of Burying Ground and the Entrance into it herein
before Reserved.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748. 147

That in consideration of the proposed Grants before mentioned
the Petitioners shall procure and cause a legal Title to be made to
the Town of a Certain Peice of Land over against the present
Grammer School now in the Occupation of the Widow Green and
others measuring 34£ feet or thereabouts on School Street and run-
ing 97 feet back more or less, bounded on the West by Col°.
Wendells Land, and Easterly on a passage way leading to the house
where Mr. Guntor now dwells, together with the priviledge of said
Passage way forever, saving to the Petitioners a Liberty of Remov-
ing if they see good the Buildings now upon said Land, when
Required by the Selectmen, — said Petitioners likewise to Erect
upon said Land a New School house of like Dimensions and
accommodations with the present and finish the same in like decent
manner to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen unless the Pet™, should
propose a Sum of money to the Acceptance of the Town, instead
of Erecting the said Building.

All which is humbly Submitted in the Name and by order of the
Committee.

Boston 18th. April 1748. AND*. OLIVER.

Which Report being Read and a long Debate had thereon, It was
Moved and Seconded that the following Question may be put Viz',
whether the Town have Power in this Meeting to Appropriate or
Dispose of the Land on which the South Latin School stands to
any other use than for a School, the Vote of the Town of the 14th.
lmo. 1655 as Entred in the Towns Records notwithstanding, and
the same being accordingly put, It was Voted in the Affirma-
tive.

And then on a Motion made and Seconded the following Question
was put [182.] Viz1. Whether the Town have power to Accept of
the said Report of the Committee, the province Laws of the fourth
William and Mary, Entitled an act for Regulating of Townships,
choice of Town officers and setting forth their Power and the Twelfth
of Queen Ann, Entitled an act directing how Meetings of proprietors
of Lands lying in common may be called, which have been now Read
notwithstanding, and it was Voted in the Affirmative. And then it
was proposed & seconded, that the following Question may be put
Viz'. Whether the said Draft of a Vote as prepared by the Com-
mittee be Accepted, Whereupon, It was Moved that the Vote

of Acceptance of said Draft may be Determined by a written Vote
and that those persons that are for Accepting said Draft & passing
it as the Vote of the Town be directed to write Yea, and those that
are not for it write Nay and the Question being put, Whether it
should be thus determined by a written Vote, ... It passed in

the Affirmative. And thereupon the Inhabitants were directed

to bring in their Votes in writing, and such of 'em as were for Ac-
cepting of Said Draft of a Vote as prepared by the committee and
passing the same as the Vote of the Town in Answer to said Pe-
tition were desired to write Yea, and such as were not for Ac-
cepting it to write Nay, And the Inhabitants proceeded to bring in
their Votes, & when the Selectmen were Receiving 'em at the Door
of the Hall they observed one of the Inhabitants Viz*. John Pigeon

148 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

to put in about a dozen with the word Yea wrote on all of 'em and
being charged with so doing he acknowledged it, & was thereupon
ordered by the Moderator to pay a Fine of Five Pounds for putting
in more than one Vote according to Law, and the Moderator there-
upon Declared to the Inhabitants that they must withdraw and bring
in their Votes again in manner as before directed, and the Inhabi-
tants accordingly withdrew, and the Votes being brought in and
Sorted it appeared that there was Four hundred and two Voters
and that there was.

Two hundred and five Yeas &

One hundred & Ninety seven Nays

Whereupon, it was declared by the Moderator, that the said
Form of a Vote was Accepted and Passed by the Town accordingly.
Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[183,] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned in Public
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the tenth
day of May A.D. 1748.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Checkley junr.

The Precept and Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

Thomas Hancock Esqr. one the Selectmen in their name proposed
to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of a Person
or persons to Serve for and Represent 'em in a Great and General
Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the
Twenty fifth day of May instant, and in order thereto to consider
and ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected, accordingly
It was Voted to proceed to the Choice of four Representatives and
it was Declared that the Poll be closed at twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected, the Number of Voters were found to
be 723, and upon Sorting the Votes it appeared that the following
Gentn. were chose. Viz1.

The Honble. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. . . N°. of Voters 406.

The Honble. James Allen Esqr 389.

Thomas Hubbard Esqr 704.

Mr. John Tyug 369.

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same being
Declared by the Selectmen.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator
and upon Sorting the same it appeared that the Honble. Thomas
Hutchinson Esqr. was chosen.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to three a Clock, After-
noon.

Tuesday, 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon, The Town met according
to their Adjournment.

[184e] The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the
Publick Schools. Read and is as follows Viz'.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Bos-
ton in Town Meeting Assembled May 10. 1748.

Pgrsuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at then- Meeting the
12th. of May last, desiring the Selectmen to Visit the several Pub-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748.

149

lick Schools in the Town, and Invite such Gentlemen to Accom-
pany them therein as they should think proper, and to Report
thereon.

We the Subscribers accordingly Attended that Service on Fri-
day the Nineteenth of June last, accompanied by the following
Gent". Viz'.
The Hon°. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr.

John Jeffries Esqr.
Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Samuel Welles Esqr.
Edward Winslow Esqr.
George Cradock Esqr.
John Fayerweather Esqr.
Jonas Clarke Esqr.
John Hill Esqr.
Thomas Hancock Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.

The Gentn the Representa-

The Hon°. John Jeffries Esqr. tives of the Town of Bos-

The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr. ton.

The Hon°. Samuel Welles Esqr. The Revd. Dr. Joseph Sewall

Mr. Samuel Checkley
Mr. WiUiam Welsteed
Mr. Samuel Mather
Mr. Middlecott Cooke
Cap'. Henry Atkins
Mr. Rufus Greene
Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. Ebenr. Storer
And found the South G rammer School wherein were 110 Scholars
in verj' good Order, the South writing School in the Common
wherein were 265 Scholars in like good order, the writing School
in Queen Street wherein were 62 Scholars in very good order, the
North Grammar School of 40 Scholars in good order, & the North
writing School wherein were 271 Scholars in very good Order.

THOMAS HANCOCK
JOHN STEEL
WM. SALTEK
JOHN TYNG
SAM GRANT.

[185.] Voted that Report be Accepted, and that the Gentle-
men the Selectmen be desired to Visit the publick Schools the
Year ensuing, and that they desire such Gentlemen to Accompany
them therein as they shall think convenient and that they Report
thereon.

Mess™. Joseph Belknap

Nathaniel Gardner
Knight Leverett
Joshua Pickman jr.
John Maverick
Benjamin Frothingham
John Colson ^ Scavengers.

David Evans Excused
John Taylor
Michael Dennis
Gillam Phillips Esqr.
Benja. Harrod
James Hill
were chosen Scavengers the Year Ensuing.

Ths Petition of Mr. Zachariah Hicks master of the North writing
School Praying for an Addition to his Salary now came under con-
sideration and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that the

150 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Sum of Two hundred and Twenty pounds old tenor be Added to
Mr. Hicks Salary for one Year to commence from the last Quarter.

The Petition of Mr. John Proctor junr. Usher of the North
writing School, praying for an Addition to his Salary now came
under consideration and after some Debute thereon It was Voted
that the Sum of One hundred and fifty Pounds old tenor be Added
to Mr. Proctors Salary for one Year to Commence from the last
Quarter.

The Request of the Committee of the Proprietors of the long
Wharffe or Pier at the lower end of King Street that the Breast
work lately Erected at the End of said Wharffe may be Removed
was taken into consideration, and after some Debate thereon, It
was Moved and Seconded that the following Question may be put
Viz'. Whether the Prayer of the Petition be Granted and it being
accordingly put, It was Voted in the Negative and [186.] then
Voted that the Petition be Dismissed.

The Gentlemen the Overseers of the Poor prayed the following
Articles containing Alterations and Additions to the orders and By
Laws now in Force for Regulating and Governing the Work house
may be considered and approved of by the Town, which being
Read are as follows Viz'.

1st. That the General Meeting for Overseers of the Poor at the
Work house to Inspect the Affairs of the House and Advise about
such further Rules and Methods as may be for the Advantage of
said House which Meeting is now fixed to the third Tuesday be
chang'd to the first Wednesday of each month and accordingly
held on said Day at four of the Afternoon.

2. That instead of the Committee of three to take the more
immediate inspection of the House for each month as the Law now
stands ; there shall hereof ter be appointed by the overseers at their
monthly meeting so many of their Number for a committee as
shall correspond with the Number of weeks that may happen until
the next monthly meeting, two of whom shall be a Quorum & meet
on every Wednesday except the day of the monthly meeting for
Advising and Assisting the master in the Affairs of the House :
and one of said Overseers shall have the more immediate Over-
sight of the House for one Week who shall Endeavour to Obtain
some Suitable person to preach on the Lords day in like manner
as has been usual for some Years past and shall Visit the House
as often as may be, at least three times in each Week for inspecting
the management of it & the behaviour of the persons in it, But
in important cases the Committee for the month or if need be
the Body of Overseers shall be called together to Advise there-
upon.

3dly. That the Overseers at their monthly meeting or the Committee
of Overseers be further Impowered to Punish such Persons as shall
be legally Committed to the House and who shall threaten or at-
tempt to make their Escape therefrom, or such as having Escaped
shall be again so committed by fixing a Wooden Clog with an
Iron Chain to one of the Legs of such Offenders.

And after the same was Read a Question was put "Whether

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748. 151

[187.] the Town do Approve and Accept of said three articles

for the better Regulating of the work house. And it passed in

the affirmative. — Also

Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be and hereby are desired
to proceed to Regulate and Govern the work house accordingly
until the Town shall order otherwise.

The Petition of Thomas Fleet praying the Town to Sell or
Lease to him for a term not less than fourteen Years, a small
Peice of Land in Water Street at the Rear of the Estate of the
late Jonathan Furnass decod, it being at present wholly unimprov'd
and of no use to the Town ; was now taken into consideration &
after some Debate thereon ; It was Voted that the Selectmen be
and hereby are appointed a Committee to consider of this Petition
& Report at the next General Town Meeting what they apprehend
the Town had best do thereon.

The Town entred upon the consideration of the Petition of sev-
eral Freeholders that the Town would reconsider their Votes
Pass'd the 18th. of April last ; Relating to the Acceptance of the
Report of a Committee then made for granting a Peice of Land to
the Minister Church Wardens & Vestry of Kings Chappel : and
after a long Debate thereon the following. Question was put Viz'.

Whether the Town will Sustain the said Petition, and it pass'd
in the negative by a great majority.

The Petition of Joseph White, & Benjamin Edwards, Collectors
of Taxes within this Town setting forth that they being Collectors
of Taxes in the Years 1744, 1745, & 1746, had committed to 'em
by the Assessors of said Town, the Taxes of sundry Persons to
Collect that were abroad at Sea at the time when they receiv'd the
Books of the Assessors, many of whom the Pet™, never saw, they
not having return'd since, and others of the Inhabitants have died
so extremely Poor, that the Pet™, notwithstanding all their Care
& Pains could not get in their Taxes, & as it is not now in the
Power of the Assessors to make 'em any Abatements, the Pe-
titioners, therefore pray that a Committee may be appointed to
enquire & make Report of all such Taxes as they in Justice ap-
prehend the Pet™, ought to be abated in those Years : was Read
& thereupon It was Voted that the present Assessors of the Town
be & hereby they are appointed a Committee to Consider of this
[188.] Petition hear the Petitioners thereupon, and Report
what Taxes they apprehend ought to be abated the Petitioners.

Mr. Treasurer Wadsworth presented an Estimate of what may
be proper for the Town to raise for defraying the Charges of the
Ensuing Year.

Voted a Grant of Twenty seven Thousand Pounds old tenour
Bills, to be Rais'd by a Tax upon the Polls & Estates within the
Town of Boston for Relief of the Poor and defraying other neces-
sary charges arising within and for said Town the Year ensuing.

Voted that, John Wheelwright Esqr.
Joshua Winslow Esqr.
Mr. Ebenezer Holmes
M*. Thomas Greene &
M*. William Coffin

152 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

be a Committee to Audit the Town Treasurers Accounts for the
Tear ensuing and make Report as usual And that they also Audit
the Accounts of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the Alms-
house & the Workhuuse, and to attend the same at the usual place
of said Overseers Meeting, and said Accote. being Audited the
said Committee are desired to make Report thereon as usual.

Voted that Col°. John Hill

Mr. Thomas Greene &
Mr. William Coffin

be and hereby they are appointed a Committee to Consider of the
best Method the Town can take to supply themselves with Fuel &
Report hereon as soon as may be.

The Committee appointed the 28th. of March last to prepare a
plan of the Peice of Land they propos'd for a Burial place now
made a Report of their doings thereon, and the same was Read
and is as follows Viz*.

We the Subscribers agreeable to the desire of the [189.]
Town have Caus'd a plan to be taken of the Land propos'd for a
Burial place, which is herewith presented, said Land being bounded
Easterly on that part of the Common called the mall there meas-
uring ninety feet & ten feet more on said mall for an highway,
Southerly on the heirs of the Hon°. Col°. Fitch there measuring
Four hundred & Eight feet, Westerly on the Common One hun-
dred & fifty eight feet, Northerly on said Common Three hundred
& ninety Six feet & an half, and we apprehend it will be much best
for an highway to be lay'd out between said propos'd Burial place
& the land of the heirs of said Fitch, provided said heirs will allow
ten feet more in wedth for said highway, the whole length thereof
the ten feet of the Towns Land above mentioned being reserv'd
for to make said Highwav Twenty feet wide. Witness our hands
may 9, 1748.

JOHN INDICOTT
JOHN HILL
JOSHUA BLANCHARD

and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that the said Report
be not Accepted.

The Committee appointed the 28th. of March last to prepare the
Records & Papers that relate to the Towns Interest near Wind
mill Point, Reported that they had procur'd Copy's of all the
Records & papers that they could find relating to the Towns Inter-
est near Windmill Point, & now present them to the Town for
their consideration and after some Debate thereon, Voted that
said Report be further Referr'd over to the next General Town
Meeting.

Voted that all matters & Things that remain unfinished be re-
ferred over to the next General Town Meeting, to be considered
of & acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[19O.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhab-
itants of the Town of Boston duly qualify'd and lawfully Warned

BOSTON TOWN EECOEDS, 1748. 153

in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday
the Twenty first day of September A.D. 1748.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

The Honble Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. was chosen Moderator by
a written Vote.

The Town proceeded upon the Business of the Meeting men-
tion'd in the Warrant Viz', to consider what they wjll further do
as to the Regulation of Faneuil Hall Market and after some De-
bate thereon, It was Moved & Seconded, That the following
Question might be put Viz*. Whether the Town would continue to
supply Faneuil Hall Market with Provisions as heretofore, and
the same being put it pass'd in the Affirmative by a great Major-
ity.

And then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualify'd & lawfully warn'd in Public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the twenty sixth
day of December 1748.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Ellis Gray.

Sundry Laws, Read.

Thomas Hancock Esqr. one of the Selectmen in their Name pro-
'pos'd to the Inhabitants Assembled [191.] Whether they would
proceed to the Choice of a person to serve for and Represent them
in the Great & General Court in their Session & Sessions the
present Year in the Room of James Allen Esqr. who for his con-
tempt of the orders of the Hon°. House of Representatives is Ex-
pelled that House, and thereupon, It was Voted to proceed to the
choice of a Representative accordingly, and it was declar'd by the
Selectmen that the Poll Sho'd be clos'd at twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected the number of Voters were found
to be 473, and upon sorting 'em it appear'd that James Allen Esqr.
was chose, having 346 Votes.

The Election of a Representative being over, and the same de-
clar'd by the Selectmen.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator
and upon sorting 'em it appear'd that the Hon°. James Allen Esqr.
was unanimously chosen

The Town brought in their Votes for a Collector of Taxes in the
Room of Mr. John Welch who Refuses to Serve and upon sorting
'em it appear'd that Mr. John Staniford was chose by a great
Majority.

Upon a Motion made & seconded, It was Voted that the Thanks
of the Town be & hereby is given to the Hon°. James Allen Esqr.
the Moderator of this Meeting for dispatching the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[192.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully Warned in public

154 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the thirteenth
day of March A.D. 1748.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Dr. Joseph Sewall.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the choice of a Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon Collecting the Votes it appeared that the
Honble. James .Allen Esqr was chosen.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was chosen Town Clerk for the Year Ensuing,
and sworne to the faithful Discharge of his Duty in that Office by
the Hpnble. Edwd. Hutchinson Esqr.

vroted that (he Town proceed to the choice of Seven Selectmen,
and the Votes being accordingly brought in and sorted, it appeared
that only Six were chose Viz1.

Thomas Hancock Esqr.
Mr. Middlecott Cooke

John Steel Esqr.

>• Select-Men.

Cap4. William Salter
Mr. Samuel Grant &
Mr. Thomas Hill

then the Inhabitants withdrew and brought in their Votes, but upon
Sorting 'em it appeared that there was no choice, Whereupon they
withdrew again and brought in their Votes and upon Sorting 'em it
appeared that

Mr. John Gardner was chose
Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was
Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and [193.] hereby is
given to Mr. John Tyng who served as a Selectman the last Year,
for his faithful Discharge of that Trust.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to three o'Clock, in the
Afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, the Town met according to
Adjournment.

Voted to proceed to the choice of twelve constables distinct from
the Collectors of Taxes.

Upon a Motion made and seconded It was Voted that any Person
chose into the Office of a constable for the Year ensuing shall be
excused from serving provided he Pay to the Town Treasurer the
sum of Twenty Pounds old tenour Bills.
Mess™. James Gridley Sworne

Willliam Blair Townsend Pay
William Nichols Sworne

Augustus Hail Sworne

Joseph Belknap Paid in 1746.

John Southack Sworne

Benjamin Hammet Excused

George Featherstone Sworne
Timothy Newell Excused

William Pitman Pay

Stephen Whiting Pay

John West Pay

were chosen Constables for the Year Ensuing.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748.

155

}• Overseers of the Poor.

J

The following Gentlemen were chose Overseers of the Poor for
the Year Ensuing Viz'.

The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Andrew Oliver Esqr.
William Tyler Esq'.
John Hill Esqr.
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Mr. Edward Hromfield
[194.] Daniel Henchman Esqr.
William Downe Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. Ebenezer Storer
Mr. John Barrett
were chose Overseers of the Poor for the Year Ensuing.

Voted that the Town proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer,
and upon bringing in and Sorting the Votes, It appeared that the
Honoble. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. was chose by a very great Ma-
jority and Sworne into that Office by John Steel Esq'.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County Treas-
urer, which being Collected were according to Law Sealed up by
constable Featherstone, to be by him returned to the next court of
Quarter Sessions.

The Town proceeded to consider what is best to be done with
their Lands and Buildings at the head of the Dock formerly
Leased to Mr. John Dolbeare (now deceased) and Thomas
Hubbard Esqr. their Term therein being Expired as mentioned
in the Wan-ant, and it appearing by Papers produced by Mr.
Benjamin Dolbeare son of the aforesaid Mr. John Dolbeare
that his Fathers Term in the Buildings & Lands Leased him is not
yet Expired that Article in the Warrant so far as it relates to him
was Dismissed, then

Voted that the Selectmen be and hereb}" are desired to consider
what is best for the Town to do with their Buildings and Land in
Possession of Thomas Hubbard Esqr. and Report at their Meeting
.in May next.

Voted that the Town proceed to the choice of Seven Assessors,
accordingly the Votes were brought in, and upon sorting them it
appeared that

[195.] Mess™. Nathaniel Barber
Jacob Parker
William Fairfield
John Goldthwait ^ Assessors.
Daniel Pecker
Joseph Fitch
Thomas Foster
were chosen.

Voted that the Affair of Faneuil Hall Market be taken into con-
sideration tomorrow at Eleven o'Clock.

Voted that the sum of nine Pence on the Pound be and hereby
is allowed to be paid to the collectors of Taxes for the Year ensu-
ing for all such Sums as they shall collect, provided they Pay unto
the Town Treasurer one half part of the whole sum they nre

156 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

obliged to Pay him within three months from the time of recieving
the Tax Books from the Assessors and the other half part of the
whole sum they are obliged to pay him within three months from
the time of Recieving the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the
other half part in three months after, and also Pa}' to the Province
and County Treasurers, one half part of the whole Sums they
shall be obliged to pay them respectively in Six months from the
time they recieve the Books from the Assessors as aforesaid, and
the other half part in six months after, and in case either of the
Collectors shall fail Paying the said Treasurers in the above
manner the Collector so failing shall not be intitled to the aforesaid
Allowance of nine pence on the pound for Collecting, but wholly
forfeit the same, provided also that the said Collectors give Bond
with sufficient Suretys to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the
faithful Discharge of their Duty in said Office, and complying with
this Vote.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned till to Morrow Morning
9 o'Clock.

Tuesday March 14th. 1748, nine o'Clock, The Town met accord-
ing to Adjournment.

[196.] Mr. John Gray was chosen Surveyor of Hemp for the
Year Ensuing & Sworn.

Mess". David Colson Jun'. ) Informers of Deer.

Benjamin Harrod Sworn f
were chosen Informers of Deer for the Year ensuing.

Mr. Nathaniel Band, was chosen Hayward for the Year Ensuing.
The Selectmen were Chosen Surveyors of Highways for the
Year Ensuing.

Mess". Isaac Vergoose Sworn

William Pain Sworn

John Grant Sworn

Thomas Warden Sworn

Andrew Symmes Sworn
Edward Moberly

William Brown Sworn

John Eustus Excus'd

Moses Eayres Sworn

Edward Edes Excus'd ,
were chose Viewers of Boards, Shingles &C*.

Mess". William More Sworn

William Russell Sworn

Viewers of Boards, Shin-

gles &C°

Benjamin Russell Sworn

Fence Viewers.

James Tilestone Sworn

Onesiphorus Tilestone Sworn

John Indicott Sworn

were chosen Fence Viewers, for the Year Ensuing.
Mess". Nathaniel Hodgdon Sworn. ^

Josiah Carter Sworn.

John Allen Sworn \- Sealers of Leather.

Thomas Hase

Thomas Hartley Sworn j
were chosen Sealers of Leather for the Year Ensuing.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748.

157

[197.] Mess™. Harvey Thomas Sworn
Benjamin Ballard Sworn
Joseph Dyar
Benjamin Sault
John Hobbs
Peter Cotta
Thomas Serjeant
Joseph Savel junr. Sworn
Edward Potter Excused
Edward Cowell
were chosen Cullers of Staves for the Year Ensuing.

Mess™. William Scott Sworn

Samuel Green Sworn
Benjamin Renkin Sworn
Samuel Emmes
were chosen Hogreeves for the Year ensuing.

» Cullers of Staves.

Hogreeves.

Mess™. Joseph Edwards
Jonathan Payson
John Ridgaway
Thomas Greenough
Benjamin Hammet
Joseph Gardner

William Cowell
Stephen Apthorp
Ellis Wilson
Timothy Win ship
Thomas Boucher
Ebenezer Lowell

Scavengers.

were chosen Scavengers for the Year Ensuing.

Mess™. Joseph Jackson ~\

Thomas Savage > Purchasers of Grain.
Thomas Greene j
were chosen purchasers of Grain, for the Year Ensuing.

The said Committee are desired and Impowered to give all
needful Directions to the Keeper of the Granary [198.] respect-
ing the quantities of Grain to be sold, and setting the price thereof
from time to time as occasion shall require.

Mess™. Thomas Foster junr. ) A ,,

David Cutler } Assay Masters.

were chosen Assay Masters for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Elisha Dyre

Thomas Newman
Alexander Hill
Timothy Newell
Thomas Gushing
Oxenbridge Thatcher junr.
Samuel Adams
John Edwards
Samuel Edwards
Royal Tyler
John Ridgaway
Daniel Marsh
John Dixwell
Thomas Jackson junr.
were chosen Clerks of the Market for the Year Ensuing.

Excus'd. "

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Clerks of the

Market

Sworn

Excus'd

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

Sworn

158 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mess™. David Wheeler Sworn ")
John Langdon Pay
Thomas Palfrey Sworn

Constables.

William Lowder Excus'd
Robert Ford Sworn
William Thwing Excus'd
were chosen Constables for the Year Ensuing.
Mess™. Thomas Greene
Thomas Oxnard
Jeremiah Allen }• Committee for Auditing Acco".

Harrison Gray
Joshua Winslow Esqr.
be a Committee to Audit the Town Treasurers Accompts for the
Year Ensuing and make Report as usual, and that they also Audit
the Accompts [199.] of the Overseers of the Poor respecting
the Workhouse, and to a'ttend the same at the usual place of said
Overseers Meeting, and said Accompt being Audited the said Com-
mittee are desired to make Report thereon as usual.
John Phillips Esqr. ")
John Hill Esqr.
Cap4. John Games
Cap'. Isaac White

Cap*. Joseph Russell

Firewards.

Cap4. Henry Berry
Cap'. Joseph Jackson
Cap'. James Day
Mr. Robert Breck
Mr. John Scollay
were chosen Firewards for the Year Ensuing.

Voted that the Assessors be, and they hereby are allowed to sit
upon the Abatement of Taxes to the first day of June next, saving
that they have Liberty to sit the second Week in November next,
to Abate the Taxes of such persons as shall appear to be dead or
out of Town, and could not have made application to them therefor
before the said first day of June.

The Town Enter'd upon the consideration of that article in the
Warrant Viz'. What method is best to be taken to Improve their
Lands & Salt Ponds on the neck and after some Debate thereon It
was Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired and Im-
powered to Advertize the Leasing of said Lands, recieve proposals
concerning the same, and Report their Doings herein at the Town
Meeting in May next.

Voted that the Selectmen be, and hereby they are Impowered to
fix the Stalls at the Fish Market near Scarlets Wharffe in such
places as they think proper, provided the Town be at no Expence
in doing the same.

Voted that the Sum of One Thousand Pounds in [2OO.] Bills
of the old tenor be and hereby is allowed unto Jeremiah Allen
Esqr. in full for his Paying the Towns Moneys for the Cattle pur-
chased for the supply of Faneuil Hall Market, recieving the
Money for Beef Hydes, & Tallow, sold in said Market, and his
attendance there on Market days, and other Services by him done

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1748-49. 159

at said Market since the 28th. of March last, he Paj-ing such
Persons as he has employed to Assist him therein.

The Question was put, "Whether the Town will continue to Sup-
ply Faneuil Hall Market in the same manner as they did the last
Year.

Voted in the Negative.

Voted that the Gentlemen who lent the Town Money for the
Supply of Faneuil Hall Market with Provisions the last Year, be
allowed Interest for the same after the 30th. Instant until they are
paid, and the Selectmen are desired to give them Drafts on the
Treasury payable to them or their order for such sums as are due
to them respectively when they recieve such Draft.

Voted that Faneuil Hall Market be continued an Open Market
under the Regulation of the Selectmen for the time being, until the
Town shall otherwise Order.

A Motion was made and seconded that the Town would proceed
to the choice of Tything men for the Year Ensuing, but nothing
done thereon.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for the choice of a
Clerk for Faneuil Hall Market & upon Collecting the same it
appeared that Mr. Abijah Adams was chose.

The Selectmens Report on the Accompt of Mr. John Fenno
Keeper of the Granary for the Year past as Entered in his Book
(and on file in [2O1.] the Town Clerks Office) Read and Voted
that the said Report be Accepted and accordingly that Mr. John
Fenno be further accountable to the Town for two hundred Eighty
three Bushels & an half of Indian Corn at 23/ p Bushel being
£396 .. 18 . 0 & eight bushels of Wheat at 60/ p bush, being

£24 aud for Cash Two Thousand one hundred & fifty

six pounds and nine pence, the whole of which amounts to Two
Thousand five hundred and Seventy six pounds, eighteen shillings
& nine pence, old tenor bills, which is now in his hands, exclusive
of One hundred pounds for his Salary, and Thirty pounds for
Assistance, both which sums are allowed him in his Accompt.

Voted that the sum of Fifty Pounds bills of the old tenor be
allowed and paid out of the Treasury unto Mr. John Fenno Keeper
of the Granary for his Extraordinary services at the Year past,
and also that the further Sum of Twenty Pounds old tenour Bills
be paid him for hiring persons to Assist him in that Business.

The Petition of Mr. John Fenno Keeper of the Granary Praying
for an Addition to his Yearly Salary was Read, and after some
Debate thereon.

Voted that the same be continued to the Town Meeting in May
next.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Tuesday three o'Clock in the Afternoon, The Town being Assem-
bled according to Adjournment.

Mess". Thomas Allen Pay

John Amelee Excus'd

Benjamin Gyles Excus'd 3table9'

Cap'. Isaac Freeman Appeal to Sessions

160 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted that no Person be chose as a Collector of Taxes for the
Year ensuing that has been heretofore chose into that Office and
Served unless he can produce Reciepts in full from the respective
Treasurers of the Town, County, and Province that he has [2O2.]
Paid the whole sums due to them for the Year 1747.

Voted that the Town proceed to the choice of Six Collectors of
Taxes for the Year Ensuing, and the Votes being brought in, it
Appeared that •

Joseph White Esqr. ^
Cap*. Benj*. Edwards

Mr. William Larrabee n ,, „

•»,rr T u -n jj i r Collectors.

Mr. John Ruddock

Mr. John Grant
Mr. Hopestill Foster )
were chose by a great Majority.

Mess™. William Muckleroy Sworn ) ^

JohnClough Sworn } Constables.

were chosen Constables for the Year Ensuing.

The Assessors appointed a Committee the tenth day of May
last to consider of the Petition of Joseph White, Benjamin
Edwards, and Andrew Cunningham late Collectors of Taxes in
this Town praying, for an Abatement of sundry Taxes committed
to them to Collect ; Reported that the}' had attended that Service
heard the Petitioners and Enquired into the circumstances of
several Persons (a List of whose Names are on file & the Years
they were Taxed) whose Taxes they Apprehend ought in Justice
to be Abated, the Petitioners, said Names being Read over, after
a short Debate thereon, Voted that said Report be Accepted, and
that the sum of Seventy eight pounds Eleven shillings bills of the
old tenour be allowed and Refunded out of the Town Treasury
unto Joseph White Esqr. — the sum of Fifty five Pounds two shil-
lings bills of the old teuour be allowed and Refunded out of the
Town Treasuiy unto Mr. Andrew Cunningham, and the sum of
ninety six pounds five shillings and nine pence Bills of the old
tenour be allowed and refunded out of the Town Treasury unto Mr.
Benjamin Edwards, and the Selectmen are desired to give them
Drafts for the same.

[2O3.] Voted that all matters and Things that remain unfin-
ished be continued to the Town Meeting in May next, to be then
Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto
the Honoble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting for
Dispatching the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned in Public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the ninth day of
May A.D. 1749.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Jon*. May hew.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749. 1(>1

Thomas Hancock Esqr. one' of the Selectmen in their Name pro-
posed to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the choice of a
person or persons to serve for and Represent them in a Great and
General Court or Assembly to be. held at Boston upon Wednesday
the thirty first day of May inst. and in order thereto to consider and
Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected, accordingly it
was Voted to proceed to the choice of four Representatives, and it
was then Declared that the Poll be clos'd at twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to be
684 & upon sorting the Votes it appeared that the following Gentle-
men were chose Viz1.

The Hon°. James Allen Esqr 543

Thomas Hubbard Esqr 678

Mr. John Tyng 513

The Hon°. Samuel Waldo Esqr 539

[2O4.] Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to three o'Clock
in the Afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the afternoon the Town met according to
Adjournment.

The Inhabitants proceeded to the choice of a Moderator by a
written Vote, and having brought 'em in it Appeared that the
Honoble. James Allen Esqr. was chose.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Publick
School was Read, and is as follows. Viz1.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled May 9th. 1749.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
10th. of May last, desiring the Selectmen to Visit the Several Pub-
lick Schools & Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them therein
as they should think proper and to Report thereon.

We the Subscribers accordingly, attended that Service on Tues-
day the 28th. of June last, Accompanyed by the following Gent".
Viz'.

The Honoble. John Osborne

Joseph Wadsworth
Ezekiel Lewis
Josiah Willard
William Foye

Samuel Waldo , 7 .

Andrew Oliver
John Wheelwright
Joshua Winslow
William Stoddard
Charles Apthorp
John Erving
The Revd. Mr. Prince
Mr. Byles
Mr. Gray
Mr. Eliot
Mr. Cooper
Mr. Peter Chardon
Mr. James Pitts

162 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mr. William Bowdoin

Mr. Jereinh. Belknap

Mr. Jereh. Allen

Mr. Joseph Sherburne

Mr. Thomas Goodwell

and found the South Grammar School wherein where [2O5.] one
hundred and twenty scholars in very good order, the South Writing
in the common, wherein were Two hundred and seventy scholars
in good order, the writing school in Queen Street of Fifty seven
scholars in good order, and the North Grammar School of Thirty
eight scholars in good order, and the North Writing School wherein
were Two hundred and seventy Scholars in good order.

THO". HANCOCK *)

MlDDLECOTT CoOKE j

WM. SALTER 0 , , ,,

JOHN STEEL > Select Men

SAMUEL GRANT
THO". HILL

Voted that this Report be Accepted, and that the Gentlemen
the Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools the Year
Ensuing, and that they desire such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein as they shall think convenient & Report thereon, also

Voted that the Selectmen for the time being, be and hereby
they are desired to Recommend to the Masters of the Schools that
they instruct their Scholars in Reading & Spelling and the Select-
men are desired to provide suitable Books for that Purpose at the
Charge of the Town, to be given to such Poor Children as they
may think proper.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the thirteenth of March
last, to consider what will be most for the Interest of the Town to
do with the Lands & Buildings at the head of the Town Dock in
the Possession of Thomas Hubbard Esqr. now reported as follows
Viz1.

That on the nineteenth of April last they Joyned with Mr. Hub-
bard in the choice of five Freeholders to Value and Apprize the
Buildings on said Land Erected by said Hubbard agreeable to the
Lease made him by the Town who afterwards Viewed said Build-
ings and Agreed that the Town ought to Pay Mr. Hubbard Twenty
One hundred & Sixty pounds old tenor in full for the Value of
said Buildings over and above the Thirty pounds formerly paid
him for part of the Wall on the North [2O6.] side and that
they said Selectmen on behalf of the Town had since taken Pos-
session of said Lands and Buildings, & they Apprehend it will be
most for the Interest of the Town to Pay Mr. Hubbard the said
Sum of Two Thousand one hundred and sixty pounds for said
Buildings.

Which Report was Read & Voted that the same be Accepted,
Also Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby they are fully
impowered to Lett or Lease said Lands and Buildings to
such Person as will give the greatest Rent for the same and
advance the aforesaid Sum of Two Thousand one hundred and
sixty pounds due to Mr. Hubbard such person to hold the premisses

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749. 163

until the sum by him advanced is paid him in his Rent, as the
same shall be agreed on by said Selectmen, and the Selectmen
when they shall have so agreed are desired to Execute Leases
accordingly.

The Town Enter'd into the consideralion of that Article in the
Warrant Viz', what is best to be " done with the several Law
suits now Depending in the Superiour Court between the Town
and Mr. Edward Bromfield & others concerning Oliver's Dock"
and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that Mr. John Tyng,
Mr. Thomas Greene, Mr. William Fairfield, Mr. Jeremiah Belknap
and Mr. William Palfrey be and they hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to confer with Mr. Bromfield or any other persons that are
Abutters on said Dock, or pretend any Right or Interest therein
as also such of the Inhabitants as are Injured by the filling up of
said Dock hear what proposals may be made to them for an ac-
commodation of said affair, and Report the same to the Town at
the Adjournment of this meeting.

The Petition of Thomas Gunter of Boston merchant setting
forth, That the Petitioner being informed that at the Building the
late School house in School street no provision was made for a
Cellar under the said School he therefore thinking that so good
an opportunity [2O7.] ought not to be lost to the Town in not
having a good Cellar under the said School which will preserve
said School from Rotting made Application to the Selectmen of
the Town to Build a Cellar at his own Cost and charge depending on
the known honour and Justice of the Town to give him such a term
of Years in said Cellar, as shall be adequate to the Expence of
Building the same he therefore with the Approbation of the Select
men has Compleated Built and Bluished the said Cellar which Cost
him Three hundred Sixty eight pounds sixteen shillings old tenour
bills, and so prayed the Town will be pleased to allow him so many
Years in the said Cellar as may be a sufficient Recompence for the

same was Read & thereupon It was Voted that the Selectmen

be and they hereby are Impowered to give and Execute a good Lease
of said Cellar unto said Thomas Gunter, To hold the same for
the Term of Twenty one Years from this Day (any Vote or order
respecting the Power of the Selectmen in leasing out the Towns
Lands notwithstanding) which shall be in full Satisfaction for the
Expence he has been at in building said Cellar, provided that he
or any that any that may hold under him shall not put therein any
Pitch, Tarr, Oyl, or Combustible Things the whole Term, and also
that he Pay to the Treasurer of the Town for the Time being, the
sum of Five shillings new Tenour Bills Yearly and every Year
until the Expiration of said twenty one Years.

The Petition of Thomas Greene, & Henry Johnson of Boston
Merchants, was Read, Setting forth that the Gun house in the
common stands close to the Rear part of their Lands and is not
far distant from the Dwelling house of one of the Petitioners which
makes the same very detrimental to them and greatly Incoinodes
their Estates that the same may be removed to another place,
more for the Benefit and Convenience of the Town, & they are
are willing to be at the Expence of Removing it praying the Select

164 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Men may be Impowered to remove it at their Expence to such
place as they [2O8.] may think best whereupon it was Voted
that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired to Remove said Gun-
house (at the Pet". Charge) to such other place as tliey shall Judge
best.

The Petition of Mr. John Lovel Master of the South Grammar
School praying for an Addition to his Salary was Read, and there-
upon It was Voted that the same Salary he reciev'd the last Year
Viz'. Six hundred pounds old tenor be allowed him for this Year.

Also Voted the same Salary that was given to the several School-
masters & Ushers of the Town the last Year be continued to 'em
for this Year.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the tenth of May last to
consider of the Petition of Thomas Fleet relating to a peice of Land
in Water Street now Reported that they had viewed said Lands
and searched the Records relating to it, and find that the Town
have a peice of Land there belonging to 'em, which is bounded &
measures as follows Viz*. Westerly on the Land of the heirs of
Mr. Samuel Greenleaf & Mr. Jona. Furnass there measuring Thirty
feet six Inches then Northerly on Water Street there measuring
Ten feet, Easterly, on said Street there measuring twenty feet six
inches, then Southerly on Spring Lane on a curv'd Line to the
Bounds first mentioned, which being Read was Accepted and there-
upon Voted that the said Peice of Land be added to said Writer
Street for the use of the Town as loug as the Town shall think
proper, provided the neighbours or Abutters will Pave the same.

Mess". Alexander Young Sworn } ronHtfthipq

Josiah Waters Pay j l
were chose Constables for the Year Ensuing.

[2O9.] That Article in the Warrant relating to the Pavement
of the Lanes leading to the church in Brattle Street was taken into
consideration, and after some Debate thereon

It was Voted that the Town will not give any thing toward
repairing Dassetts Lane it being the property of Private Persons,
and that the repairing the Pavement of the other Lanes be referr'd
to the Selectmen to do what they think proper.

The Town Entred upon the consideration of that Article in the
Warrant Viz1. " Whether it be practicable for the Inhabitants to
form a List of the Valuation of their Estates agreeable to the late
Act of the province " and after a long Debate thereon. It was Voted
that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Friday the Twelfth instant in
order to give the Inhabitants time duly to consider of this Affair.

And the Meeting was Adjourn'd to Friday the twelfth instant at
nine o'Clock in the forenoon.

Fry day the twelfth of May at 9 o'Clock in the Forenoon, the
Town met according to Adjournment.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and Fifty pounds old tenor
Bills be paid out of the Town Treasury unto Mr. Abijah Adams in
full for his Service as Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market, and for cleans-
ing & Sweeping the same Ringing the Bell & Ca. for the Year past.

Voted that the Sum of Four hundred and Fifty pounds old tenour

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749. 165

Bills be paid out of the Town Treasury unto the Honoble. Joseph
Wadsworth Esqr. in full for his Service as Treasurer for the Year
past.

Voted a Grant of Thirty six Thousand Pounds old tenor bills to
be Rais'd by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of
Boston for Relief of the Poor and defreying otber necessary
Charges, arising within and for said Town the Ensuing Year.

[21O.] The Article in the Warrant about taking a List of the
Valuation of the Estates of the Inhabitants which came under con-
sideration at the opening of this meeting and then largely Debated,
and continued to this time was now again considered of, and after
a very long Debate thereon, It was unanimously

Voted that the Town judge it to be impracticable for the Inhabi-
tants to form a List of the Valuation of their Estates agreeable to
the late Act of the Province.

The Petition of Mr. John Fenno Keeper of the Grannr}* Read
at the Opening of the Meeting and continued over to this time,
Praying for an Addition to his Salary, was considered of, and
thereupon it was Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are Im-
powered when they settle Accompte with said Fenno at the End of
the Year to Allow him the sum of one hundred & fifty pounds old
tenor bills for his Service the Curr*. Year, or in proportion for the
time he shall continue in that place.

Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are Impowered to
Lease the Lands & Buildings late in Possession of Thomas Hub-
bard Esqr. at the head of the Dock for such a Term over & above
Seven Years as they shall think proper, the Vote now in force
notwithstanding.

Mr. John Larrabee. Pay. Constable
was chosen Constable for the Year Ensuing.

Voted that all matters and Things that now remain unfinished
be continued over to the Adjournment of this Meeting to be then
considered, and Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto
the Honoble James Allen Esqr. [till.] the Moderator of this
Meeting for dispatching the Business thereof.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Tuesday the 27th. day
of June next nine o'Clock in the forenoon and the same was Ad-
journ'd accordingly.

Tuesday June 27th. 9 oClock in the Forenoon the Town met
according to Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 9th of May last to Confer with
Mr. Bromfield or any other persons that are A butters on Olivers
Dock or pretend any Right or Interest therein as also such of the
Inhabitants as are injur'd by the filling up of said Dock, hear what
proposals may be made to them for an accommodation of said
affair and make Report &Ca. now Reported that they had met and
Conferr'd with Mr. Edward Bromfield & Christopher Tilden several
times, that they propose to the Town for an accommodation that
upon the Towns discontinuing their Actions now depending in the
Superiour Court against them, and paying them their Costs they

166 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

will permit the Town to have a Watercourse through said Dock,
the Town maintaining the same, and also that the, neighbours who
have drains thro' the Dock shall have liberty at all times to Repair
'em, paying all Damages that may arise thereby. A Question was
put Whether the Town will accept of said Report, Unanimously.

Voted in the Negative.

Voted that Mr. Thomas Greene, Joseph White Esqr. & Mr.
William Fail-field be and hereby are Added to the Committee
appointed by the Town the twelfth day of May A D 1747 for
bringing forward any Suit or Suits in the Law against any person
or persons whatsoever that have made any Encroachments on the
Towns Lands Situate in Water Street or near to Olivers Dock or
adjoyning to the same in this Town, and in the Name of the Town
to Appear in any of His Majestys Courts of Record and pursue
such Suit or Suits until final Judgment and Execution, and Act
and Do [312.] whatsoever they or the major part of them shall
judge necessary to be done in and about the premisses, and espe-
cially if they see cause to referr the several Actions relating to said
Dock that are now depending in the Superiour Court of Judicature
&Ca. in Boston to the Determination of such persons as shall be
Agreed upon by the said Committee and Parties concerned.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 14th. of March last
to Advertize the Leasing of the Lands and Salt Ponds on the
Neck, recieve proposals concerning the same &C*. Reported that
they had Advertiz'd that said Lands were to be Leased, but that
no Person would take a Lease thereof for Seven Years being the
Term to which the Selectmen are Confin'd by a Vote of the Town,
and that they apprehended it would be for the Interest of the
Town to Enlarge the term of Years for which said Lands are to be
Leased. Thereupon It was Voted that the Selectmen be and they
hereby are fully Authoriz'd and Impowered to Lease out said
Lands & Salt Ponds on ttiQ best Terms they can and to such
Person or Persons as they shall judge proper, for any Term of
Time not exceeding Twenty one Years, the said Town Vote of
seven Years notwithstanding, and they are desired in the Name
and Behalf of the Town to Execute Leases accordingly.

Mr. John Wells was chosen Constable for the Year Ensuing and
Sworn.

Mr. William White was chosen Clerk of the Market.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully Warned in
Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the
Eighth day of December 1749.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting was Read.

John Phillips Esqr. was chose Moderator by a handy Vote.

The Moderator directed the Inhabitants to withdraw and bring
in their Votes for four Collectors of Taxes for this present Year,
in the Room of four persons who were chose into that Office in
March last and refuse to serve, the Inhabitants accordingly with-
drew and brought in their Votes, and upon Collecting 'em it

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749. 167

Appeared there was Twenty seven Voters, and that the following
Gentlemen were chose by a very great Majority. Viz*.
Samuel Welles Esqr. ^j

Andrew Oliver Esqr. Collectors of Taxes

Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. & f
Mr. Edmund Quincy

the choice being Declar'd the Moderator inform'd the Inhabitants
that the said Samuel Welles Andrew Oliver & Thomas Hutchinson
Esq™. were not Obliged by Law to serve as Collectors of Taxes,
and Mr. Edmund Quincy refusing to serve, the Moderator desired
the Inhabitants to withdraw again and bring in their Votes for four
other persons as Collectors of Taxes, the Inhabitants immediately
withdrew and brought in their votes accordingly, and upon Collect-
ing and sorting 'em it appeared that.
Mess™. Josiah Quincy "1 Excus'd

William Bowdoin refuses to serve r « .
James Pitts f refuses to serve

John Comrin J Excus'd
were chose.

Then the Meeting was Adjourn'd to three o'Clock P. M.
Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, The Inhabitants met.
[214.] Mess™. Josiah Quincy and John Comrin appear'd and
inform'd that within seven Years past they had been chose into
the Office of Constables, and so were not Obliged by Law to Serve
as Collectors of Taxes, they were thereupon Excus'd and Mess™.
William Bowdoin and James Pitts declared they would not serve
as Collectors of Taxes, Whereupon the Moderator directed the In-
habitants to withdraw and bring in their Votes, and upon sorting
'em, it Appeared that
Mess™. Thomas Oxnard
James Boutineau
Isaac Winslow
Nicholas Boyleston
were chosen, and they being inform'd thereof by a Constable sent
their Answer to the Moderator that they would not serve in said office.
Whereupon it was Moved and Seconded that this Meeting be
Dismissed, and that the Selectmen be desired to call another Meet-
ing of the Inhabitants, as soon as may be, desiring in the Notifica-
tions that the Inhabitants in General would give their Attendance
in order to consult upon the best Method that can be taken to
choose such persons for Collectors of Taxes as will serve, which
was Voted accordingly.

And the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duty qualified and lawfully warn'd in publick Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the Eighteenth
dajr of December A.D. 1749.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

John Phillips Esqr. was chose Moderator by a handy Vote.

[215.] The Town proceeded to consider of that Article in the
Warrant Viz*. Whether any Addition shall be made to the Allow-

168 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

ance or Premium Voted in March last for collecting of the Taxes
of this Year and after some Debate thereon. Voted in the Negative.
The Town then brought in their Votes for four Collectors of
Taxes and upon sorting 'em it Appeared that
Mess". Thomas Greene Excus'd

John Spooner refuses to serve
John Gooch refuses to serve
Jonathan Clarke Excus'd.
were chose.

Then a Motion was made & seconded by many of the Inhabit-
ants that the Vote pass'd this forenoon relating to the Allowance
or Premium for Collecting of Taxes may be Reconsidered Voted
in the Affirmative by a great Majority, then It was Moved & Voted
that the sum of three pence on the pound be & hereby is Added to
the nine pence on the pound Voted in March last for Collecting
the Taxes of this Year, the Collectors to Pay the respective
Treasurers & give security according to said Vote.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjournd to 3 oClock P.M.
Three oClock the Inhabitants met & Voted that this Meeting
be further Adjourn'd to Friday next 10 o, Clock A.M.

Friday 10 o'clock in the forenoon the Town met and were
directed to bring in their Votes for four Collectors which they
accordingly did, and upon Sorting 'em it Appeared that
Mess™. John Grant "|

Joseph Russell I Collectors.

James Day &
Thomas Downe junr. J

•were chose all of whom Appeared & Accepted.
Then the Meeting was Dimissed.

[216.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned iu
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the
twelfth day of March A.D. 1749.

Prayer was made by the Rev4. Mr. Thomas Prince.
The Warrant for calling the Meeting . . . Read.
Sundry Laws. Read.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by a written
Vote, and upon sorting 'em it appeared that the Houble. James
Allen Esqr. was chosen.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was unanimously chose Town Clerk for the
year ensuing and Sworne to the faithful Discharge of his Duty in
that Office by the Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esquire.

Voted, That the Town proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen
and the Votes being brought in and sorted, it appeared that
Thomas Hancock Esqr.
Mr. Middlecott Cooke
John Steel Esqr.

Cap1. William Salter }- Select Men.
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill &
Mr. John Gardner
were Chose by a very Great Majority.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749-50. 169

The following Gentlemen were chose Overseers of the Poor
Viz'.

The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
William Tyler Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.

[217.] Mr. Edward Bromfield

Col°. William Downe

Overseers of the
Poor.

The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Cap*. Ebenr. Storer
Mr. John Barrett

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, Voted that the Person
chose into the Office of Town Treasurer shall hereafter be Obliged
to give Bonds for the faithful Discharge of his Duty in that
Office, to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the time being.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of a Town Treasurer,
and the Votes being accordingly brought in and Sorted it appeared
that there was no Choice, whereupon the Inhabitants withdrew,
and brought in their Votes again, & upon Sorting 'em it appeared
that Mr. David Jeffries was Chose, and he was accordingly sworn
in, by the Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer, which being Collected, were according to Law sealed
up by Mr. Constable Featherstone to be by him kept and returned
to the next Quarter Sessions.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded Voted unanimously that the
Thanks of the Town be and hereby is Given unto the Hon1*1".
Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. late Treasurer of the Town for his long
and faithful Services in that Office.

Voted that no Person that has been chose into the Office of a
Constable within Seven Years past, shall be again chose to that
Office for the Ensuing year.

Voted tliat this Meeting be and hereby is Adjourned to three
o'Clock in the Afternoon.

[218.] Three aClock in the Afternoon, The Town being As-
sembled.

Voted, That twelve Constables be chose, distinct from the Col-
lectors of Taxes.

Voted, that the Person chose into the Office of a Constable for
the year ensuing, be Excused from serving provided he Pay to the
Town Treasurer the Sum of Twenty Pounds old tenor bills.

The Selectmens Report on the Accompt of Mr. John Fenno
keeper of the Granary for the Year past, as Enter'd in his Book
(and on file in the Town Clerks Office) Read and Voted that the
said Report be accepted, and accordingly that Mr. Fenno be
further Accountable to the Town for four hundred & thirty
bushels of Indian Corn at 24/ p bush1, being £516 . . . and 67
bushels of Rye at 34/ shillings p bushel being £113,, 18 . 0 & also
for Cash £1908.. 13.. 7. all which amounts to the Sum of Two

170 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Thousand five hundred & thirty eight pounds Eleven shillings &
Seven pence old tenor bills, & which is now in his hands, exclusive
of his Salary of One hundred & fifty pounds, and for assist-
ance Fifty pounds, which is hereby allowed to the said John Fenno,
as p his Accompt.

Henry Bromfield Pay

Timothy Fitch Pay

Ephraim Green Sworne

Royal Tyler Pay

William Greenleafe Pay

Francis Archbald Pay

John Phillips Junr Pay

John Burroughs Pay

John Ryder Sworn

John Kneeland Junr Pay

Isaac Smith Pay

Phillip Bennest Excus'd

were Chosen Constables for the year ensuing.

Mess". Robert Trail Pay

Thomas Lawlor Sworn

Tim0. Newell Pay

John Erving Sworn

James Trench Sworn

John Henly Excus'd

[219.] John Barker Sworn

Abraham Tuckerman .... Sworn

Cornelius Tileston Excus'd

Jonathan Greenleafe Excus'd

Edward Gushing Pay

Adjourn'd to nine a Clock tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, March 13th. The Town met according to Adjournment.
Mess". Nathaniel Hodgdon . Sworn
Josiah Carter

James Dawson . . Sworn
John Allen . . . Sworn
Thomas Hase

Thomas Hartley . . Sworn

were Chosen Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.
Mess". "William Moore . . . Sworn
Benjamin Russell . . Sworn
James Tilestone . . . Sworn , „ Viewers
Onesiphorus Tilestone . Sworn

Caleb Ray Sworn

Thomas March . . . Sworn
were Chosen Fence Viewers, for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Isaac Vergoose . . Sworn ^
William Pain . . . Sworn
Clement Collins . . Sworn ,r. *

John Grant . . . Sworn J> Vie*era . of
William Merchant .
Andrew Symmes . . Sworn
John Low .... Sworn

Sealers of Leather.

BOSTON TOWN KECORDS, 1749-50.

171

William Nichols . . Sworn ^

Moses Eayres. . . Sworn viewers of

John Greenough . . I

John Simpson . . Shingles &C«.

Henry Allen . . j

were Chosen Viewers of Boards, Shingles, &C*., for the Year en-
suing.

[22O.] Mess". John Cotton . . . Sworn

Edward Whittemore . Sworn

Samuel Greene . . Excus'd

John Kilby . . . Sworn

Pearn Cowell . . . Sworn

were Chosen Constables, for the Year Ensuing.

Mess™. Sam1. Phillips Savage . . Sworn

Thomas Allen .... Sworn

Joseph Palmer .... Sworn

Wm. Blair Townsend . . Sworn

Royal Tyler Sworn

Samuel Edwards . . . Sworn . Clerks of the
Joseph Edwards .... Sworn f Markets.
Arthur Savage .... Sworn
Thomas Newman . . . Sworn
Timothy Newell .... Sworn
Aaron Boardman . . . Sworn
Thomas Etheridge . . . Sworn
were Chosen Clerks of the Market, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Nathaniel Band

Hugh Paul

were Chosen Hawards, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Harvey Thomas
Benjamin Ballard
Joseph Dyer
Benjamin Sault
Joseph Savel Junr.
John Hobbs .... Sworn
Peter Cotta
Thomas Sergeant
Edward Cowell . . . Sworn
Samuel Treat

were Chosen Cullers of Staves, for the Year ensuing.
[221.] Mess™. John Brocas . . . . ^

Peter Jenkins Sworn TT

William Green Sworn H°greeves-

William Todd Sworn J

were Chosen Hogreeves, for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Joseph Edwards
Benjamin Harrod
Edward Winter

Belcher Noyes \> Scavingera.
Nathaniel Thwing
David Wheeler
John Potter

Hawards.

Cullers of Staves.

172 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

David Jenkins
David Cutler

Ellis Wilson ^ Scavingers.
William Baker
Joseph Belknap

were Chosen Scavingers , for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Thomas Greene ~\

Joseph Jackson >• Purchasers of Grain.
Thomas Stoddard )
were Chosen Purchasers of Grain, for the Year ensuing.

The said Committee are desired and Impowered to give all need-
ful Directions to the Keeper of the Granary respecting the Quan-
titys of Grain to be Sold, and Setting the Price thereof from time
to time as Occasion shall require.

Mess™. Thomas Foster junr. Sworn ) A

David Cutler Sworn f Assay master8'

were Chosen Assay-masters for the Year ensuing.

Mr. John Gray . . . Sworn ^ Surveyor of Hemp.
vas chose Surveyor of Hemp, for the Year ensuing.
Mess". David Colsbn . . .

Benjamin Harrod Sworn

were Chosen Informers of Deer, for the Year ensuing.
[222.] Nothing done thereon ^Tythingmen.
The Selectmen of Boston \ Surveyors of highways.

Mess™. Henry Newman Pay

Robert Rand junr Pay.

Mess™. John Phillips Esqr.

> Informers of Deer.

John Hill Esqr.
Cap'. John Carnes
Cap1. Isaac White
Cap'. Joseph Russell

Cap'. Henry Berry
Cap'. Joseph Jackson
Cap'. James Day
Mr. Robert Breck
Mr. John Scolley
were Chosen Firewards, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Joseph Russell
James Day

• Firewards

Benjamin Edwards
John Grant

were Chosen Collectors of Taxes, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Edmund Quincy Pay ) ^ rT n

William Rand Pay j Constables. [In margin.]

Mr. Abijah Adams
were Chose Clerk of Faneuil Hall Mark for the Year ensuing.

Mr. William Holmes — Excus'd

Voted that the Sum of twelve pence on the pound be and hereby
is allowed to be paid to the Collectors of Taxes for the year ensu-
ing for all such sums as they shall Collect provided they Pay unto

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749-50. 173

the Town Treasurer one half part of the whole sum they are
['423.] Obliged to pay him within three Months from the time
of receiving the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the other half
part in three months after, and also pay to the Province and
County Treasurers one half part of the whole Sums they shall be
obliged to pay them respectively in six months from the time they
receive the Books from the Assessors as aforesaid, and the other
half part in six months after ; and in Case either of the said Col-
lectors shall fail paying the said Treasurers in the above manner,
the Collector so failing shall not be Entitled to the aforesaid allow-
ance of twelve pence on the pound for Collecting, but wholly for-
feit the same provided also that the said Collectors give Bond with
sufficient Suretys to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faith-
ful, Discharge of their Duty in that Office, and Complying with
this Vote.

Mess™. Nathaniel Barber Sworn

William Fairfield Sworn

Jacob Parker Sworn

Joseph Fitch Sworn

>• Assessors.

Thomas Foster Sworn

John Winslow Sworn

Joseph Bradford Ex.
were Chosen Assessors, for the Year ensuing.
Mr. William Lowder Sworn
Mr. John Welch Ex'cus'd.

The Petition of Mr. Middlecott Cooke of Boston Gentn. setting
forth, that since the removal of the South Latin School house from
off the Towns Ground adjoyning to the old Burial place several of
the Inhabitants of the Town have made a range of Tombs on the
lower side of said Ground with a Brick Wall whereby a small peice
of Land is left out of the Burying Ground abutting on your Petitr.
which can be of no use to the Town, but would be of some Bene-
fit to him in order to make the backway into his yard somewhat
more convenient, and as your Petitr. in order to straiten and widen
the passage way leading into the Burying place gave in some of his
Land notwithstanding it was before very narrow [224:.] Just in
that place, the Petitr. praying the Town to take the same into their
Consideration, and in lieu thereof give him the whole, or so much
of said Land as they shall think proper wns Read, and thereupon
Voted that the Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr. Abiel W alley Esqr. &
Mr. Thomas Greene be and they hereby are appointed a Committee
to Consider of this Petition, View the Lands therein mentioned
and Report »t the Adjournment of this Meeting, what is proper for
the Town to do thereon.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying that the Sum of
Fifty Pounds new tenor bills ma\- be allowed to Christ's Church
for cleaning fitting and fixing the Clock there, that the same for
the future be maintained by the Town, and that the great Bell
there be rung at one o'Clock, now came under Consideration, and
after some Debate thereon, the question was put, whether the
prayer of the Petition be granted, It pass'd in the Negative, and
that said Petition be disiniss'd.

174 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted that the Honble. John Wheelwright Esqr.
Mr. Joseph Green &
Mr. Thomas Greene

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Examine and
Adjust the Books and Accompts of the Honbie. Joseph Wadsworth
lale Treasurer of the Town, and if they think best, Transferr said
Accompts into new Books or take such other Method as they think
proper, and Do whatsoever they shall Judge necessary for a final
Settlement of the Towns Accompts with said Joseph Wadsworth
Esqr. and he is desired to attend said Committee from time to
time, as occasion shall require. — And said Committee are desired
to Audit the Accompts of the Overseers of the Poor respecting the
Workhouse and Almshouse at the usual place of said Overseers
meeting, and when they have Compleated the Business aforesaid,
are desired to make Report thereon to the Town.

Voted that the Honble. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr.
the Honble. S:imuel Welles Esqr.and

Benjamin Prat Esqr. be and [225.]

they hereby are appointed A Committee to Revise all the By-Laws
and Orders pass'd by the Town that are now in force, and Correct
the same as they think proper, they are also desired to prepare a
By Law for preventing Negroes and Servants purchasing provisions
&c. and also any other By Laws that they may Judge necessary
for the better Regulation of the Town, and make Report of their
doings hereon at the General Town meeting in May next.

The Petition of William Bowen praying that the Town will make
him such an allowance as they shall think proper for the Damages
he has sustained in being prosecuted in the Law by Nathaniel
Wardell was now read and after some Debate thereon, the Ques-
tion was put, whether the Prayer of the Petition should be granted,
And it pass'd in the Negative, and that said Petition be dismissal.

The Petition of Mr. Samuel Gibson Usher of the South Grammer
School, praying that an additional allowance may be made him for
his Services, and that an Increase may be made to his Salary for
the future, was now read and after a short debate thereon, It was
Voted that the Sum of One hundred pounds old tenor bills be and
hereby is allowed unto Mr. Gibson in full for past Services, and
that the Consideration of the other part of his Petition Viz' for an
addition to be made to his Salary be referr'd to the General Town
Meeting in May next.

Voted that the Assessors be and they hereby are allowed to sit
upon the Abatement of Taxes to the first day of June next and
no longer, saving that they have Liberty to sit the second and
third Weeks in November next to Abate the Taxes of such persons
as shall appear to be dead, or out of Town, and could not have
made application to them therefor before the said first day of
June.

The Memorial of John Hill Esqr. Mr. Samuel Wentworth and
Mr. Sutton Byles was now read, setting forth that the Memorial-
ists have on certain Terms hired of the Selectmen in [226.] Be-
half of the Town, sundry parcels of the Towns Lands 'and Marshes
on Boston Neck for twenty one Years, which term they conceive

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1749-50. 175

is much too short for them to reap Advantages adequate to the
Labour Expence & Hazard that will attend a faithful Discharge
of the Ingagements they are under to the Town, and said Me-
morialists being inclined to Effect their Obligations to the Town
in the best and amplest manner, pray the Town will extend the
term of their Leases for Ten Years, over and above the twenty
one Years aforesaid, and that the Selectmen may be directed and
impowered to give and Execute Leases to them for said ten Years
accordingly wliich will the better enable the Memorialists to
Accomplish their very large Expensive & hazardous undertaking
and thereupon It was Moved that the Leases made and Executed
by the Selectmen to the Memorialists bearing date the first day of
March Inst1. might be now read, which was accordingly done, and
then the Memorialists being heard, and the affair fully Debated
and Considered, It was Voted that a further Term of Ten Years
be, and hereby is granted unto the said John Hill, Samuel Went-
worth and Sutton Byles in the said Lands and Premisses to them
respectively leas'd by the Selectmen on the first of March instant
they to hold the same for that time upon the Conditions and Terms
of the former Lease ; which makes their whole term therein Thirty
one Years from the first of March Instant. Also Voted that the
Selectmen be and they hereby are fully Authorized and Impowered
to give and Execute Leases to the said Memorialists of said Lands
and Premisses, for said Additional ten years accordingly.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Wednesday the 21rt.
inst. to three o'Clock in the afternoon, and the same was Ad-
journ'd accordingly.

[227.] Wednesday the 21st. of March, the Town met accord-
ing to their Adjournment.

Cap'. John Goldthwait was chose an Assessor for the Year en-
suing in the Room of Mr. John Welch who was Excus'd.

The Committee appointed the 12th. inst. to Consider of the Peti-
tion of Mr. Middlecott Cooke, now reported that they had
attended that Business, Viewed the Land mention'd in said Peti-
tion, and that it is their Opinion that the Town allow the Prayer
of the Petition, that the Lands therein mentioned be granted to
Mr. Cooke upon his paying to the Town One Hundred and twenty
Pounds bills of the old tenor. — which Report being Read, It was
Voted that the same be accepted. — and that the said Land be &
hereby is granted unto the said Middlecott Cooke for the Considera-
tion aforesaid also Voted that the Selectmen or a Major part
of them be and they hereby are fully Authorized and Impowered in
behalf of the Town to Execute unto the said Middlecott Cooke a
good and lawful Deed of said Land, upon his paying the aforesaid .
Sura of One Hundred and twenty pounds.

Voted that all Matters and Things that remain unfinished be
referr'd over to the General Town Meeting in May next to be then
considered of and Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto
the Honble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting, for
transacting the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

176 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warn 'd in Public Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the fifteenth day
of May A.D. 1750.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Sam1. Checkley senr.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

[228.] Sundry Laws Read.

Thomas Hancock Esqr. one of the Selectmen in their name pro-
pos'd to the Inhabitants assembled to proceed to the Choice of a
person or persons to Serve for & Represent them in a Great and
General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday
the thirtieth day of May instant, and in order thereto to Consider
& Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected, accordingly
it was Voted to proceed to the Choice of four Representatives, and
it was then declared that the Poll be clos'd at twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to
be 541, and before they were Sorted, a Motion was made by Mr.
Thomas Greene & Seconded by many of the Inhabitants that a
Question should be put to the Town " Whether it is Expected by
the Inhabitants that the Persons that shall be now Chose for
Representatives, Serve in that place without being paid for the
same, And the Question shall be accordingly put, It was Voted by
a very great Majority, that the Town do not expect that the
Persons chose as Representatives receive any Pay. And then
the Votes were Sorted and it thereupon appeared that the follow-
ing Gentn. were chose Viz'.

The Hon°. James Allen Esqr. ?65.

The Hon°. Tho9. Hubbard EsqT. 520.

Mr. John Tyng 348.

Mr. Harrison Gray 296.

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same being
Declared by the Selectmen.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator,
and upon sorting the same it appeared that the Honble. James
Allen Esqr. was chose.

Voted that the Meeting be Adjourn'd to three o'Clock in the
afternoon.

Three a'Clock in the Afternoon the Town met according to Ad-
journment.

[229.] The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the
Publick Schools, Read and is as follows Viz4.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston in Town Meeting Assembled May 15th. 1750.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
ninth of May last, desiring the Selectmen to Visit the several
publick Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein as they should think proper, do now report,

That on the 28th of June last, We attended that Service, accorn-
panyed with the following Gentlemen Viz1.
The Honble. Jacob Wendell "]

Samuel Danforth [ -p, „
Andrew Oliver
Tho8. Hutchinson j

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750. 177

The Rev*. Dr. Joseph Sewall

Mr. William Welsteed
Mr. Samuel Mather
Mr. Samuel Checkley Junr.
Mr. Edmund Quincy
Mr. Thomas Greene
Dr. Sylvester Gardiner.

and found that in the South Grammer School there were 120
Scholars, in the South Writing School 278 Scholars, in the Writing
School in Queen Street 72 Scholars, in the North Grammer
School 45 Scholars, in the North Writing School 250 Scholars
all in very good order.

THOMAS HANCOCK

JOHN STEEL

WILLIAM SALTER

SAMUEL GRANT ^ Selectmen.

THOMAS HILL
JOHN GARDNER

Voted that this Report be Accepted, and that the Gentn. the
Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools the Year ensu-
ing, and that they Invite such Gent", to Accompany them as they
shall think Convenient, and Report thereon.

The Petition of Dr. William Rand, praying for an Abatement of
sundry Taxes, committed to him to Collect in the Years 1734,
1735, 1736 & 1737, as in said Petition is set forth, was now
read, [23O.] And thereupon Voted that the Assessors of the
Town be and hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of
said Petition here the Pet™, and report to the Town what Taxes
ought to be Abated him.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the Town praying that
the Pavement in Wood lane at the Northerly part of the Town
may be taken up and laid Anew, was read, and thereupon it was
Voted that the said Pavement be taken up, and laid anew, at the
Expence of the Town, the same to be under the direction of the
Selectmen.

The Town Enter'd upon the Consideration of the Pet0, of Mess™.
Joseph White, John Staniford and William Larrabee, praying they
may be abated the Taxes they had paid for Harvard College and
the Artillery Company, as the same were remitted by the General

Court &ca. and it was thereupon Voted that the Taxes

aforesaid be abated the Petitioners, and that the Selectmen be
and hereby are desired to give Drafts on the Treasury to the
Petit™ for the respective Sums they have paid for the aforesaid
College and Company.

Voted a Grant of Four Thousand pounds lawful money, to be
rais'd by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of Boston
for relief of the Poor & defreying other necessary Charges,
arising within said Town the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Selectmen be & hereby they are desired to
Enforce the Payment of all such Taxes as became due, (and are
still unpaid,) to the Town before the Year 1748.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and twenty Pounds lawful

178 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

money, be allowed and paid to Mr. John Lovel for his Salary, as
Master of the South Grammer School for the ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due and to Com-
mence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the sum of One hundred and twenty [231. J Pounds
lawful money be allowed and paid to Mr. Peleg W is wall for his
Salary as Master of the North Grammer School, for the ensuing
Year, the same to be paid him quarterly, as it shall become due
and to Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

The Article in the Warrant viz*, to determine whether applica-
tion shall be made to the General Court to repeal the Law lately
pass'd laying a Duty on Tea, Coffee, Coaches, Chaises &ca. or
what may be proper to be done concerning it, was taken into
Consideration and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that

Abiel Walley Esqr.
The Hon°. 'Samuel Welles Esqr.
Charles Apthorp Esqr.
Thomas Hancock Esqr. &
Mr. John Smith, be and they hereby are

Impowered and desired to prepare the Draft of a Memor.al to
to the Great and General Court or Assembly, praying them to
repeal said Law, and if this cannot be obtained, that the same
may be so far alter'd, as that the Town of Boston may receive
the Benefit of the Duties arising on the several Commodities men-
tioned in said Law and on Coaches, Chaises &c*. that are paid by

the Inhabitants of Boston, and said Committee are desired to

make report of such Draft at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Article in the Warrant relating to the removing the Powder
house in the Common, came under Consideration, but the Town
will do nothing concerning it.

Voted that the Sum of Fifty Pounds, lawful money be allowed
and paid unto Mr. Robert Treat Paine, for his Salary, as Usher
of the South Grammer School, for the Year ensuing, the same to
be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence
fiom the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, that the Sum of One hundred pounds lawful money, be
allowed and paid unto Mr. Abia Holbrook for his Salary as
Master of the South Writing School in the Common, for the ensu-
ing Year, the same to be paid him Quarterly, as it shall become
due, and to Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

[232.] Voted that the sum of One hundred pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid unto Mr. Zachariah Hicks for his
Salary as Master of the North Writing School, for the ensuing
Year, the same to be paid quarterly as it shall become due, and
to commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the sum of Eighty pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid out to Mr. Samuel Holyoke for his Salary as Master of
the Writing School in Queen Street, for the ensuing year, the
same to be paid him quarterly as it sliall become due, and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Fifty pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr. Samuel Holbrook for his Salary as Usher of the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750. 179

South Writing School in the Common for the ensuing Year, the
same to be paid quarterly as it shall become due, and to Com-
mence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Fifty Pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr. John Procter junr. for his Salary as Usher of the
North Writing School for the ensuing Year, the same to be paid
him quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence at the
Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that a Sum not exceeding Fifteen pounds lawful money
be allowed for repairing the North Battery and that John Steefe
Esqr. Captain of said Battery, take care that the same be repaired
accordingly.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the Town, praying that
further Provision may be made for the Education and Instruction
of the Children in Writing, more especially those that live at the
South part of the Town, either by Enlarging the Writing School
in Queen street or otherwise as the Town shall think proper.
Read and thereupon It was Voted that Mess™. Jeremiah Belkrap
[233.] Zachariah Johonnot and Thomas Foster be and they
hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of this Petition,
and they are desired to View the School house in Queen street
under the care of Mr. Samuel Holyoke, and see if it can be En-
larged, and in what manner, or what else they may Judge proper
to be done for the Relief of the Petitioners and Report hereou at
the Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in
the Warrant viz', what Method is best to be taken to Secure their
Marsh Lands at the bottom of the Common, & whether thev will
Lease out the same, and after some Debate thereon. It was Voted
that the Selectmen be and hereby are desired & Impowered to
Advertize in the publick prints that said Lands are to be leased,
and receive proposals concerning the same, and Report thereon,
to the Town.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Friday the 25th. inst.
at three o'Clock in the afternoon.

Friday the 25th. May, three o'Clock, the Town mett.

A Motion was made and Seconded by many that this Meeting
be immediately Adjourn'd to further day, and it was thereupon
Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday the 5th. of June
next at three o'Clock in the Afternoon, and the same was Ad-
journed to that time accordingly.

June 5th. 1750. Tuesday three o'Clock P.M. the Town mett
according to their Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 15th. day of May last to Consider
of the Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying that further Pro-
vision may be made for the Education & Instruction of Children
in Writing, as is therein fully set forth, now made Report, that
they had attended that Service and found that there is Room on
the Towns Land to Enlarge the School house in Queen street, at
the Southerly End about Twenty two feet in length, and about
Eighteen feet in wedth, and that it was their Opinion that said
Sciiool will then Accommodate about One hundred and sixty or

180 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

seventy Scholars, whereas it will now [234.] Accommodate
but about Eighty or Ninet}', and if the Town sees cause to
comply therewith, they Judge it will answer the prayer of the
Petitioners." — which Report being read, and a short Debate had
thereon, It was Voted that the same be accepted, and also that
the Selectmen be and hereby are I in powered and desired to
Enlarge said School in Queen street, as soon as may be, and that
they Extend such Enlargement as far beyond the Towns land into
the street as may be without any Inconvenience to said street.

The Committee appointed the 15th. of May last, to prepare the
Draft of a Memorial to the Great and General Court or Assembly,
praying them to repeal the Law lately pass'd by said Court, laying
a Dut}* on Tea, Coffee, Arrack snuff and China Ware, and also on
Coaches, Chaises &c*. now made Report of a Memorial they had
prepar'd which is in the following words Viz'.

To the Honourable Spencer Phips Esqr. Lieu1. Governour and
Commander in Chief of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Assembled May 30th. 1750.

The Memorial of the Town of Boston, Humbly Sheweth,

That the Inhabitants of said Town readily & chearfully acknow-
ledge their Confidence in the Wisdom Justice & Goodness of the
Great and General Court, and obligation to submit and pay obedi-
ence to their Acts, nevertheless they humbly beg leave to represent
some of the great Difficultys they apprehend, attending and con-
sequent upon the Tempory Act pass'd in the last Sessions of the
late General Assembly, Entitled an Act for Granting to his Majesty,
an Excise upon sundry Articles hereafter Enumerated, for and to-
wards the support of his Majesty's Government of this Province.

Whereupon the}" pay liberty humbly to observe, That as Tra'le
and Commerce are the great Business and support of the Town of
Boston and almost the only means to enable them to pay between
a fifth & a sixth part of the Charge of the whole Province, if their
[235.] Trade sho'd fail, it is not possible they should pay any
such proportion of the publick Expence, and that Trade is in a
very languishing Condition, and almost ready to leave them, is
very apparent from the almost Constant bad Voyages made, even
when the Ships and other Vessels go and come in Safety, to add
a further weight and burthen to that which is almost ready to sink
with its former Difficulties, affects the Town very much in this
Critical Conjuncture, when there is a profess'd design of some in
the Neighbouring Governments, to strip them as far as possible of
the trade they have had from their Foundation.

The Town would further humbly observe, that the Business of
retailing Tea, Coffee &c. is mainly carried on by Widows and
persons in low Circumstances, who generally, very hardly get a
poor subsistance and sho'd this Act continue and take place, there
will be danger of their becoming a Charge and burthen to the
Town.

The Town begs leave further humbly to suggest to your Honours,
whether this Act may not bring on the displeasure of those two
great and powerful Corporations the East India & Turkey Com-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750. 181

panys in our mother Country, & whether the little profit which
may arise by this Act is not much over balanc'd by the Risque of
their Resentment.

The Town are also much affected, with the danger of multiply-
ing Excises, which if made effectual, will probably bring on a
multiplication of Officers with very large & arbitary power, how
Consistent these things will be (sho'd they come to pass) with the
natural Rights and Libertys of Mankind and especially of English-
men, has been abundantly discuss'd and very clearly evidenc'd in
our mother Country on a late famous occasion.

They are moreover very apprehensive, that these Excises will
dispose many among us to remove into the Neighbouring Govern-
ments, where they may trade upon and improve these Commodities
without Duties, and it is very probable that many of the Inhabit-
ants of this Province will mainly supply themselves from the Re-
tailers of those Articles, who dwell in the other Governments, in
which case the profit of selling them, will go out of the Province
and nothing at all be paid into the Treasury here, & whether when
these Retailers of Tea &CTS. can with such superiour and apparent
advantage trade in these things out of [236.] The Province and
supply us, they will not be tempted to Sell and our people to buy
of them, other Commodities also, the Inhabitants of this Province
are under some natural & almost inevitable difficulties, by their
being a barrier to his Majestys Subjects and Interest in North
America, which has greatly increased the Taxes of this Town, as
they pay so large a proportion as has been mentioned, and thinn'd
their numbers, both by the Wars, and the removal of diverse of
our people to the Southern Governments, the Town humbly begs
leave to enquire, whether it would not greatly discourage auy, even
the Richest County in England, if a considerable Duty should be
laid on their Consumption, when nothing at all was paid by their
fellow subjects all round them.

The Town are also much Concerned that there should be laid
by this Act, such a duty on Coaches, Chariots, Chaises &ca. this
. will fall principally on Boston which by your Honours Judgment,
paid their proportion before, between a fifth and a sixth part of
the Charge of the whole Province, but in this, they will pay much
more than all the Province beside.

Wherefore as well as for many other reasons your Memorialists
humbly pray your Honours to repeal the above mentioned Act. or
allow the Duties paid by the Inhabitants of Boston to be paid into
the Town Treasury for the Town's use, or grant such other Relief
as to your Honours known wisdom and Justice, and paternal care
and goodness shall meet and suitable to the declining and distress't
state of this sinking Town.

Which being Read and Debated upon, It was Voted that the
same be accepted, and that the Selectmen be and hereby are de-
sired to prepair a fair Copy of said Memorial, Sign the same in
behalf of the Town and present it to said General Court, at their
next Sessions.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Friday the 29th.
instant at three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

182 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Friday the 29th of June 1750, three o'Clock in the Afternoon the
Town met according to Adjournment.

[237.] Voted, that the Sum of Twenty pounds lawful money
be allowed and paid out of the Town Treasury unto Abijah
Adams in full for his Service, as Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market,
for the year past.

The Committee appointed to Audit the Accompts of the late
Town Treasurer Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. now made Report as
follows viz', that they had attended that Service, and find the
several Draughts made on him by the Selectmen and Overseers of
the Poor, are right cast and well vouch'd, and that there is re-
maining unpaid of the several Draughts on him Twelve thousand
three hundred and ten pounds, seventeen shillings and nine pence
old tenor, which the new Treasurer Mr. Jeffries is to pay by
virtue of the Orders given by the Selectmen and Overseers of the
poor to the late Treasurer, said Committee also find that the
Hon°. John Wheelwright Esqr. has Setled and Transferr'd the
Several Ballances from the late Treasurer Wadsworths books, into
a Sett of new Books for Mr. Jeffries ; who was lately chosen
Treasurer for the Town of Boston : and also that there is remain-
ing due from the said Wadsworth unto the Town of Boston Eight
hundred Seventy seven Pounds and five pence old tenor, except-
ing what may be granted him for his Service the Year past.

which Report being Read, It was Voted that the same be accepted,

And it appearing by the Accompts of the late Treasurer

Wadsworth that the sum of Six hundred and Sixty six pounds
thirteen shillings and four pence bills of the new tenor
granted by the General Court in the Year 1742 for Compleating
the North Battery and purchasing Stores &ca. which was put
into Mr. Treasurer Wadsworths hands by order of the Town, to
be by him kept until it was drawn out for that use, had been ap-
plyed by him for payment of the Towns Debts, which he ought
not to have done. In order therefore to replace the said Sum for
the use aforesaid, It was Voted that the Town Treasurer be & he
hereby is directed to replace the said Sum of Six hundred and
Sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence in the Town
Treasury again, for the use aforesaid, as soon as he conveniently
can, out of the moneys he shall receive belonging to the Town,
and that he always keep the same distinct and seperate from the
Towns other mone}', in order that it may be applied for paying
the Expence of Compleating the said North Battery, & purchaseing
Stores &ca. for the same, agreeable to the Design of the General
Courts Grant, and that the Treasurer when he shall have so re-
placed said Sum, do not apply it to any other use whatever,
[238.] Without particular directions from the Town.

Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Gentlemen the Committee aforesaid for their great pains and
care in Auditing the Accompts of the late Treasurer Wadsworth.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Honble. John Wheelwright Esqr. for his great Pains, Care and
Labour in Settling the Accompts of the late Treasurer Wads-
worth and transferring them into new Books.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750. 183

Voted that the Sum of Sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and
four pence lawful money be allowed and paid out of the Town
Treasury unto the Honble. Joseph Wadsworth Esqr. late Treasurer
of the Town in full for his Salary for the year past as also for
the Expences in his Office and all other Services he has hereto-
fore done for the Town.

The Town having at their last Meeting agreed upon a Memorial
to be presented to the Great and General Court or Assembly
praying that they would be pleas'd to repeal an Act they lately
pass'd laying a Duty on Tea Coffee, Snuff, Arrack and China
Ware, and on Coaches Chariots Chaises &ca. for the reasons in
said memorial mentioned, and Voted that the same be presented

by the Selectmen accordingly. The said Selectmen now

inform'd the Town that they presented said Memorial to the
General Court at their present Sessions, but that the same was

Dismiss'd by said Court. Whereupon the Town proceeded

to Consider of that other Article in the Warrant relating to said
Act viz1, what may be thought proper for the Town now to do
concerning it, And after a long Debate thereon, It was Voted that,
the Town will make application at home, in order to prevent
said Acts being Confirm'd by His Majesty, Also Voted that

Abiel Walley Esqr.
The Hon°. Sam1. Welles Esqr.

Charles Apthorp Esqr.

Thomas Hancock Esqr.

Mr. John Smith

Benjamin Pratt Esqr. &

Mr. Benjamin Kent

[239.] Be and they hereby are appointed a Committee, to Con-
sider of the best Method the Town can take to prevent said Acts
being Confirm'd at home, either by presenting a humble petition
to His Majesty, or taking such other Steps as they shall Judge
best, and said Committee are desired to prepare whatsoever they
may think necessary for Effecting the same, and make Report of
their doings hereon at the Adjournment of this. Meeting.

Voted that Mr. David Jeffries Treasurer of the Town be and he
hereby is desired and fully Impowered to borrow upon Interest of
any person or persons a Sum not exceeding the Sum of two hun-
dred and Fifty pounds lawful money, for the present supply &
Relief of the Almshouse, and give his Bond or Bonds as a Security
for the payment of the same with the Interest thereof which Bond
or Bonds the Town do hereby promise and Engage to discharge
when the same shall become due.

Voted that Mr. David Jeffries Town Treasurer be, and he is
hereby directed to put in Suit at the Inferiour Court to be held at
Boston in October next the Bonds that were given to the late
Treasurer Wadsworth by the several Collectors of Taxes that have
not paid in all such Taxes, as were Committed to them to Collect
for the Year 1 748 or any time before.

The Committee appointed to Consider of the Petition of Dr.
William Rand, praying for an Abatement of Sundry Taxes com-
mitted to him to Collect in the Years 1734. 1735. 1736 & 1737.

184 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

now made Report thereon (as on file) and the same being read a
Question was put whether said Report be accepted, and it pass'd
in the Negative, and thereupon It was Voted that said Petition be
dismiss'd.

Voted that the Assessors proceed forthwith in making the Taxes
of the present year.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Friday the 6th. of July
next, three o'Clock in the afternoon.

Fridaj* the 6th. of July 1750, three o'Clock in the afternoon, the
Fowu met according to Adjournment.

[24O.] The Committee appointed the 29th. of June last, to
Consider of the best Method the Town can take to prevent an Act
lately pass'd the Great and General Court, laying a Duty on Tea
Coffee Arrack Snuff and China Ware, and on Coaches Chariots
Chaises &ca. being Confirmed at home, now reported " that they
had mett and maturely considered the Affair, and were of Opinion,
the best method the Town can take in order to prevent the afore-
said Act being Confirm'd is, that the Town should desire some of
the Principal Gentlemen here to write to their Freinds in London
to Use their Interest to procure the Disallowance of said Act"

And after a long Debate thereon, a Question was put,

Whether said Report be accepted, and it pass'd in the Negative,
but soon after upon a motion made and Seconded, a Question was
put, Whether the Town will Reconsider their Vote last pass'd, and
it was Voted in the Affirmative. And then a Question was put,
Whether said Report shall be accepted, And it was thereupon
Voted that said Report be Accepted with the following Amend-
ment, viz', that an Agent be also Chose by the Town to appear in
their behalf at home in order to prevent said Acts being Confirm'd
by His Majesty, and that he be properly Instructed by a Commit-
tee, to be chose by the Town, as to his Conducting this Affair.

Voted that the Town immediately proceed to the Choice of an
Agent accordingly. — And the Votes being brought and Sorted, it
appeared that Christopher Kilby Esqr. of London was chose.

Then

Voted that, Abiel Walley Esqr.

The Hon°. Samuel Welles Esqr.

Charles Apthorp Esqr.
Thomas Hancock Esqr.
Mr. John Smith
Benjamin Pratt Esqr. &
Mr. Benjamin Kent,

be a Committee to draw up Instructions for the Conduct of Mr.
Agent Kilby accordingly, and they are desired to forward the same
to him as soon as may be.

[£41.] Voted that the Thanks of the Town be given to the
Honourable James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting for
managing & Dispatching the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of tho
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned, in public!*.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750-51. 185

Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the seventh
da\- of January Anno Dom. 1750.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting .... Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of the Moderator (by a
written Vote) and upon Sorting the Votes it appeared that John
Phillips Esqr. was unanimously chose Moderator.

The Town proceeded to Consider of the Business mention'd
in the Warrant viz1, whether they will preferr a Petition to the
Great and General Court at their next Sessions, praying the Town
may be Exempted from paying any greater or other part of the
Expence for rebuilding the Court house in Boston, than their pro-
portion thereof, that is included in the province & County Tax.

and after some Debate thereon A Question was put, and it

was unanimously Voted that the Town do preferr a Petition to the
General Court at their next Sessions for the purposes aforesaid
accordingly. Also

Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are appointed a
Committee to prepare a Draft of said Petition, and report the
same to the Town for their acceptance, at the Adjournment of this
Meeting.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to "Wednesday the 9th.
instant, three o'Clock P.M.

[242.] January 9th. 1750. Wednesday 3 o'Clock P.M. the
Town met according to Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 7th. instant to prepare a Draft of a
Petition to be presented to the General Court, now reported the
same in the words following Viz'.

Province of the . 1 To the Hon°. Spencer Phips Esqr. Lieut.

Massachusetts Bay j Govr. & Commander in Chief, the Honble.

the Council and Rep™, of the Province

aforesaid in General Court Assembled the

ninth day of January 1 750.

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, in Town
Meeting regularly Assembled January 7th. 1750.
Most Humbly Sheweth,

That your humble Petitioners have been inform'd that by a Vote
of the Great & General Court in the Year 1747 It was Ordered
that the Court house in Boston should be rebuilt, and that the
charge thereof should be born one half, by the Province, one
Quarter part by the County of Suffolk and one Quarter by the
Town of Boston, and that by a Vote of the Honble. house of Repves.
pass'd the present Year, it was Ordered that the aforesaid Vote
pass'd in 1747, sho'd be carried into Execution, and that the In-
habitants of the Town of Boston should be assess'd accordingly,
but the Vote of the Honble. House was not passed by the Hon .
Board. — As your Petit™, humbly Apprehend that they would be
greatly aggreiv'd and Injur'd if the Vote of the Honble. Court in
1747 sho'd ever be pursued to Effect, they beg leave to make a
short Representation of their Case to your Honours, and to lay
before you their Exceptions against the said Vote.

And your Memorialist accordingly Represent that it appears

186 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

probable from the ancient Records of the Town that about th?
Year 1657 a House was built on the Towns Land for the immediate
Use and Service of the Town, & that the [243.] Charge thereof

was born by a Subscription of the Inhabitants. It further

appears from the Province Law made in the Year 1693. that the
said House had some time before been made use of both by the
Province and County as well as by the Town, and it was therefore
by the then General Court thought reasonable and determin'd
that the Charge of repairing the same should be born, one half by
the Province, one quarter by the County of Suffolk and one quarter
by the Town. — : — In the Year 1711, by the Providence of God the
said House was Consumed by Fire Soon after which the General
Court were pleas'd in their Wisdom to appoint a Committee to
Con (err with the Town upon proposals made for rebuilding said
House, and upon the Proportion which the Town should bear of
the Charge thereof, The Town being then destitute of any House
for publick Meetings, and other publick uses, agreed to the pro-
posals made by the General Court, with some Amendment or
Alteration, and Expressed their Consent by a Vote at a General
Town Meeting, and then appointed two of their own Inhabitants
viz'. Thomas Brattle Esqr. and Mr. William Payne to join with the
Committee of the General Court in carrying on the work ; and
certain parts of said house were destin'd and appropriated to the
Immediate use of the Town ; and the Town continued to Improve
the same until October 1742. when Peter Faneuil Esqr. gen-
erously caused to be Erected, at his own Charge a commodious
Building for the publick Use and Service of the Town, to which all
the Papers and Records of the Town were soon after remov'd, &
where all publick Meetings have ever since been held. And those
Rooms in the Townhouse which had been appropriated to the im-
mediate use and Service of the Town were then Improved for the
Service of the General Court, and the Town have ever since been
wholly Excluded from any benefit thereof, except by the Rents of
the Cellars only, till it was lost Consumed, and had it continued
in the state it was in the Town would probably before this time
have applied to your Honours to have freed them from their propor-
tion of Charge they had before paid towards the constant Repairs
thereof, But it pleas'd God in his providence in the month of
December 1747. to Suffer the Townhouse to be again Consumed
by Fire, and this while in the immediate use and Service of the
General Court. Soon after which a Committee of the General
Court conferr'd with the Selectmen of the Town concerning the
Disposition of the Inhabitants as to their part of the Charge of re-
building the same, but the Selectmen then did [244.] Not and
declared to said Committee that they could not give any Encour-
agement that the Town would consent to any greater part thereof
than their proportion of the Province Tax ; and had the IIonhle.
Court been pleas'd to make their proposals to the Town as was
done by the General Court in 1712. the Town would undoubtedly
have declin'd a Complyance therewith

Now your Petitioners humbly hope, that when this their Case is
Considered in all its Circumstances, your Honours will Judge

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750-51. 187

favourably concerning it, they humbly Conceive that if the Town
had not been provided with another House, the Compelling them
to Rebuild & Improve this, whether they inclined to it or not,
would have distinguished them from all the other Towns in the
Province, who are at Libert}' to Erect their publick Buildings vvhen
and where the}' please, and it is Evident that the General Court iu
1712. thought the Town ought not to be compell'd, but that their
Consent should be given ; Must it not then appear to your Honours
a much greater hardship that the Town should be held to pay more
than their proportion in common with the rest of the Province for
the Charge of building a House, which they have no manner of
Use and Occasion for & when those Rooms the Town formerly had
in it for several years past have been and still are wholly Improved
by the Province.

Your Memorialists could Enlarge upon the unequal Proportion
they Imagine they Pay to the Province Tax upon the Decrease of
the Polls, Buildings and other Estate of the Town, and the declin-
ing State of their Trade, but they humbly Apprehend that without
this, your Honours will be Induc'd to think favourably of this their
Application, and that you will not Suffer the aforesaid Vote by
which they apprehend themselves to be aggrevied, to take Perfect,
or that you will otherwise releive them, as to your Wisdom shall
seem meet.

And your Petit™, as in Duty bound shall pray &c*.

By order of the Town . .

Which being Read, it was unanimously Voted that the same
[245.] Be accepted, and that a fair Copy thereof be prepared
and Signed by the Town Clerk in behalf of the Town and that the
Selectmen be and they are hereby desired to present it to the Great
& General Court accordingly.

Then the Meeting was dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston legally Qualified, and duly warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled, at Faueuil Hall on Monday the Eleventh
day of March, A.D. 1750.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. William Welsteed.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by a written
Vote, and upon Sorting 'em, it appeared that the Houble. James
Allen Esqr. was chose.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Clerk,
and upon Collecting of 'em, there was 398 Votes, and upon sort-
ing 'em, it appeared that Ezekiel Goldthwait was chosen by a very

great Majority, having 377 Votes. and be was accordingly

sworn in by John Steel Esqr. and he also took the Oath required
by the Act of the 22d of George the second relating to Bills of Credit.

The Petition of several Inhabitants praying the Town would
Consider of the great Expence occasion'd by the Publick Schools,
and determine whether one Grammer School, and two Writing
Schools are not sufficient for the Education of the Children of the

188 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Town. — was Read, and thereupon a Motion was made by the
Petitioners, and Seconded, that they may have Liberty to withdraw
said Petition, and the Question being put It was Voted in the
Affirmative, and said Petition was withdrawn accordingly.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of seven Selectmen,
[246.] And the Votes being brought in and Sorted it appeared
that

Thomas Hancock Esqr.
John Steel Esqr.
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill
Mr. John Gardner
Joshua Hens haw EsqT. &
Mr. George Holmes, were chose.

Voted that the person chose into the Office of a Constable for
the Year ensuing be excused from Serving provided he pay to the
Town Treasurer Three Pounds Lawful Money.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Treas-
urer and upon viewing 'em, it appeared that Mr. David Jeffries was
unanimously Chose and sworn in by John Steel Esqr. to a faithful
Discharge of his Duty in that Office, and took the Oath relating to

Bills of Credit &ca.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto
Mr. Middlecott Cooke and Cap'. William Salter, who for several
Years past have Served as Selectmen, for their many & faithful
Services done for the Town while in that place.

Voted that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town be
and hereby they are desired to use their Endeavours at the next
Sessions of the General Court to get a Law pass'd, that the Town
may have Liberty to choose (if they see cause) any greater Num-
ber of Firewards, than the Number they are already confin'd to by
Law.

Voted that twelve Constables be Chose distinct from the Col-
lectors of Taxes.

Mess™. John Watt Sworn

John Doane Sworn

George Bethune Paid

Jon*. Simpson Paid in 1743

John Amiel Excus'd

Uriel Rea Sworn

Benja. Harrod Excus'd

Gilbert Deblois Excus'd

John Crosley Sworn

[247.] Voted that no person that has been chose into the
Office of a Constable within Seven Years past, shall be again chose
to that Office the ensuing Year.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock in the after-
noon.

Monday 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon, the Town met according to
Adjournment.

The following Gentlemen were chose Overseers of the Poor fbr
the Year ensuing Viz*.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750-51. 189

The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
William Tyler Esqr.
Col°. John Hill

The Hon°. Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfleld
Col°. William Downe
The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Cap1. Ebenezer Storer
Mr. John Barrett

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County Treas-
urer, which being Collected, were according to Law Sealed up by
Mr. Constable Doane to be by him kept, and returned to the next
Quarter Sessions.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Register of
Deeds and Conveyances for the County of Suffolk, which being
Collected, were according to Law Sealed up by Mr. Constable
Doane to be by him kept, and returned to the next Quarter Ses-
sions.

John Hill Esqr.
John Phillips Esq*.
Cap'. John Carnes
Cap*. Joseph Russell
Cap*. Henry Berry
Cap*. James Day
Cap*. Joseph Jackson
Mr. John Scollay
Majr. Nath'l Thwing
Mr. Royall Tyler

[248.] The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for seven
Assessors and upon sorting 'em it appeared that

Mess™. Jacob Parker Sworn

Nath1. Barber

William Fairfield

Thomas Foster

John Winslow

Peter Oliver ....>...... Sworn

John Kneeland
were Chosen.

Mess". John White Pay

Timothy Prout Pay

Alexr. Hill Pay

Benj". Hammett Pay

John Erving Junr Pay

Jon*. Williams Pay

Voted that this Meeting be adjourned till tomorrow morning,
nine o'Clock.

Tuesday Morning, 9 o'Clock, the Town met- according to Ad-
journment.

Mr. Joseph Curtis \ Hay ward.

190

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Cullers of Staves.

Hogreeves

Mess". Benj*. Ballard, Sworne
Joseph Dyre
Benja. Sault
Joseph Savel Junr.
John Hobbs
Peter Cotta
Tho". Serjeant
Edward Cowell
Samuel Treat
Isaac Fowle

Mess™. John Roger Sworn
Isaac Vergoose Sworn
James Barnard Junr.
John Lee Blacksmith
[249.] Mess™. William Maccarty
Joseph Edwards
Belcher Noyes
Daniel Pecker
Jonathan Pay son
Robert Ford
William Pritchard
John Potter
Daniel Jones
Jabez Hunt
William Torrey
Benj*. Fitch
Mess™. Thomas Greene 1

Joseph Jackson v Purchasers of Grain.
John Scollay )
were chose Purchasers of Grain.

The said Committee are desired and impowered to give all need-
fol Directions to the Keeper of the Granary respecting the Quan-
titys of Grain to be sold, and setting the price thereof from time
to time, as Occasion shall require.

Clerks of the Market.

Mr. John Gray Sworn \ Surveyor of Hemp.
Mess". David Collson ) Informerg of Deer>

Benj: Harrod j

The Selectmen of Boston, Sworn \ Surveyor of Highways.
Nothing done thereon \ Tythingmen
Mess™. Nathaniel Hodgdon •

Josiah Cartel-

John Allen

Thomas Hartley

James Dawson

Thomas Hase

Sworn

Sealers of Leather. [In margin]
[85O.] Mess™. Benj". Russell
James Tileston
Onesiphorus Tileston .
Thomas March

Sworn
Sworn

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750-51.

1Q1

William Moore Sworn

Caleb Ray Sworn

Fence Viewers. [In margin]
Mess". William Nichols

Henry Allen Sworn

Clement Collins Sworn

John Grant

Isaac Vergoose Same

William Paine •

John Greenongh Refuses to Swear

Andrew Simms Sworn

Moses Eayres Sworn

Joseph Giddings Sworn

John Simpson Sworn

John Low Sworn

were chose Viewers of Boards Shingles &ca. for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Sam1. Phillips Savage

Thomas Allen .... Sworn.

Royal Tyler

David Jenkins .... Sworn.

Henry Atkins junr. . . Sworn.

Will1". Blair Townsend

Henry Laugliton junr. . Sworn. I Clerks of the

Henry Newman ... Excus'd. f Market.

Samuel Edwards . . . Sworn

Joseph Edwards . . . Sworn

Arthur Savage .... Excus'd

Thomas Ethericlge . . Sworn

Tim0. Newell .... Sworn

Thomas Gray

Clerks of the Market. [In margin]
Abijah Adams . . . Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market.
The Selectmen's Report on the Accompt of Mr. John Fenno
keeper of the Granary for the year past, as Enter'd in his Book
(and on File in the Town Clerks Office) Read & Voted that the
said Report be accepted and according!}' that Mr. Fenno be further
accountable to the Town for 156 bush. Corn & 334 bush. Rye
being £(36: 17: OJ & Cash £321: 16: 10. being in the whole
£388: 13: 10J. lawful money, all which is now in his hands,
Exclusive of £20. for his Salary, & £6 : 13 : 4. for Assistance,
which is hereby allowed him.

[251.] Voted that the sum of Twelve pence on the pound be
and hereby is allowed to be paid to the Collectors of Taxes for the
year ensuing, for all such Sums as they shall Collect, provided
they pay unto the Town Treasurer one half part of the whole Sum
they are obliged to Pay him within three months from the time of
receiving the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the other half
part in three months after, and also Pay to the Province and
County Treasurers one half part of the whole Sums they shall
be obliged to pay them respectively, in Six months from the time
they receive the Books from the Assessors as aforesaid, and the
other half part in Six Months aft'er ; and in case either of the said

192 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Collectors shall fail paying the said Treasurers in the above
manner, the Collector so failing shall not he Entitled to the afore-
said allowance of twelve pence on the Pound for Collecting, but
wholly forfeit the same. provided also, that each of said Col-
lectors give Bond with sufficient Suretys to the Satisfaction of the
Selectmen for the faithful Discharge of their Duty in that Office,
and complying with this Vote.
Mess™. Benjamin Edwards
John Gfant

Joseph Russell

>• Collectors of Taxes.

James Day
John Ruddcok
Thomas Downes junr.
were chose Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Shrimpton Hunt .... Pay ^

John Fillis Pay I

John Waldo Pay j

John Nichols Pay }• Constables.

William Husbands . . . Pay
William Hyslop .... Pay |
William Powell .... Pay J
were chose Constables for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. William Cunningham . . . Pay ")

Obediah Curtis Sworn

Daniel Collins Sworn

>• Constables.

Jere: Belknap junr Excus'd

Nath1. Wales Excus'd.

Benja. Eaton Excus'd.

Edwd. Sanders Excus'd.

Sam1. Procter Sworn J

were Chose Constables for the Year ensuing.

[25 '4.] Mess™. Samuel Bass . . . Sworn "^

Richard Fisher . . Excus'd

Joseph Payson . . Sworn I Constablps

Nathaniel Rogers . Excus'd [

David Bell . . . Sworn

John Norton . . . Excus'd j

Beniamin Sumner . Excus'd. ) /-,

T • u r\r 4. v c Constables.

Josiah Waters . . Sworn j

Voted that Mr. Thomas Greene

Andr. Oliver Esqr.

Tho'. Hutchinson Esqr.

John Hill Esqr. &

Mr. William Cooper

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to make a full and
particular Enquiry into the present State of the Town, and what
are the Causes of the great Expence thereof, and Consider what
Method the Town can take in order to prevent or reduce the same,
and said Committee are desired to make their report hereon at the
Town Meeting in May next.

The Petition of Elias Dupee was read, setting forth that he was
one of the Collectors of Taxes in this Town for the Years 1744,

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1750-51. 193

1745, 174G & 1747, and took the utmost Care & Pains in Collect-
ing such Taxes as were committed to him, notwithstanding which,
by means of the great poverty of many of the Inhabitants, and
others being absent at Sea, who never returned, there were con-
siderable Sums that he could not get in, tho he has paid and satis-
fied the Town, County and Province for the whole of 'em, and
having made no application before, now, that the Taxes of such
poor and absent persons may be Abated him he prays the Town
would appoint a Committee to Enquire into the Circumstances such
persons were in the beforemeutioned Years whose Taxes he could
never get, hear the Petr. and report to the Town what they ap-
prehend ought in Justice to be abated him, And it was thereupon
Voted that the Assessors of the Town be a Committee to Consider
of said Dupees Petition, hear him thereupon, and report to the
Town what Taxes ought to be abated him. Also Voted that the
Selectmen give a Draft on the Treasury to said Dupee for the
Premium due to him for Collecting the Taxes [253.] For the
year 1747.

The Petition of Cap'. Benjamin Edwards praying for an abate-
ment of Sundry Taxes committed to him to Collect in the Years
1748. & 1749. was Read, Voted that the same.be dismiss'd.

The Petition of William Rand, praying for an Abatement of
sundry Taxes committed to him to Collect in the Years 1734. 1735.
1736. and 1737. was Kead, Voted the same be dismiss'd.

Voted that the Assessors be and they are hereby allowed to Sit
upon the Abatement <>f Taxes to the first day of June next and no
longer, saving that they have Liberty to Sit the second and third
Weeks in November, to Abate the Taxes of such persons as shall
appear to be dead, or out of Town, and 'could not have made
application to them therefor, before said first day of June.

The Town Entred upon the Consideration of that Article in the
Warrant viz1. Whether any more effectual Method than is already
prescrib'd by Law can he taken, to prevent the Disorders that are
frequently committed by Negroes in the night, and thereupon
Voted that the same be referr'd to Thomas Hutchinson, Samuel
Welles & Benjamin Prat Esq™. the Committee appointed the 13th.
of March last, to revise all the By Laws and Orders of the Town
now in force, and they to make Report thereon.

Voted that the Province Law made and pass'd in the first Year
of the Reign of her late Majesty Queen Anne, Entitled an Act to
prevent Disorders in the night, be printed in all the publick
Newspapers for the better Information of the Inhabitants.

The Petition of Alexander Hunt of Boston Shipwright setting
forth, that the Town are possess'd of a small Peice of Laud near
to Forthill in Boston, adjoyning to the Petit™. Land in part, which
has not for many Years been of any benefit to the Town, and it's
likely from the Situation of it never will be, but as it is somewhat
commodious to him he is willing to purchase the same of the Town
and give such a Consideration therefor as they shall Judge rea-
sonable, praying the Town would take the premisses into Consid-
eration, and sell him the small peice of Land aforesaid for what it
may be Judged worth, the same being read it was Voted that

194 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mess™. Jonathan Williams [254.] Thomas Greene and Major
Nathaniel Thwing be a Committee to take said Petition into Con-
sideration, View the peice of Land petition'd for to be Sold, and
Report to the Town at their meeting in May next, whether they
apprehend it will be for the Interest of the Town to Sell it.

The Article in the Warrant viz1. " To Consider whether the Town
will have an Engine Erected near the middle part of it, for the
weighing of Hay brought in by Water." was taken into Consider-
ation, and thereupon, it was Voted that the Selectmen be desired
ta receive proposals from any persons that may offer 'em for the
weighing of Hay in the middle part of the Town and report 'em to
the Town at their Meeting in May next.

Voted that this Meeting be adjourn'd to three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon the Town met according to their
Adjournment.

Voted that the Honble. John Wheelwright Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Greene
Mr. Harrison Gray
Mf. Sam1. Phillips Savage &
Mr. William Cooper
be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the

Accompts of Mr. David Jeffries, Treasurer of the Town. and

also the Accompts of the Overseers of the Poor, for the Year past,
and they are desired to make Report thereon at the Meeting of the
Town in May next.

Voted that all Matters and Things that remain unfinish'd, be
and hereby are referr'd over to the Meeting of the Town in May
next, to be then Considered of, and Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Honble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting, for
managing the Affairs thereof.

Then the Meeting was dismiss'd.

[255.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, duly Qualified and Lawfully warned iu
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the
14th. day of May A.D. 1751.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Mather.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting . . Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

Thomas Hancock Esqr. one of the Selectmen in their Name pro-
pos'd to the Inhabitants assembled to proceed to the Choice of a
person or persons to Serve for and Represent them in a Great and
General Court to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the twenty
ninth day of May instant, and in Order thereto, to Consider and
Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected, accordingly it
was Voted to proceed to the Choice of four Representatives, and
it was then declared that the Poll be clos'd at twelve o'Clock.
The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to be
4G3. and before they were Sorted, A Motion was made by Mr.
Thomas Greene, and Seconded by many of the Inhabitants, that a

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1751. 195

Question maybe put, "Whether it be the mind of the Town to
Enquire of the Gentlemen that Served as Representatives the last
Year, if they had received or intended to receive any Pay for Serv-
ing as Representatives the last Year," and the same being put It was
Voted in the Affirmative by a very great Majority, and those Gen-
tlemen being present, Enquiry was accordingly made of 'em, to
which they answered Viz1. James Allen Esqr. That lie had not re-
ceived any Pay, & was not determin'd in his own mind, whether he
sho'd or not. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. "That he had not taken
nor been to the Treasury for any Pay, but as the not taking Pay,
was an Affair that may be attended with ill Consequences, he is
inciin'd to Submit the Consideration thereof to the Town. — Mr.
John Tyng" That he was determin'd to receive his Pay, and dis-
pose of it as he tho't proper. — Mr. Harrison Gray that he was de-
termin'd to receive his pay. — and then the Votes were Sorted &
it thereupon appeared that three Gent", only were Chose Viz'.
The Honble. James Allen Esqr. 253.

Mr. John Tyng 263.

Mr. Harrison Gray 300.

and then the Inhabitants withdrew and brought in their Votes for
[256.] Another Representative, and upon Sorting 'em. it appeared
that the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. was chose by a great
Majority.

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same de-
clared by the Selectmen.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator,
and upon Sorting 'em it appeared that the Honble. Thomas Hub-
bard Esqr. was chose by a great Majority.

Voted, That this Meeting be adjourn'd to three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon the Town met according to Ad-
journment.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Publick
Schools Read, and is as follows viz'.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Bos-
ton in Publick Town Meeting Assembled May 14th. 1751.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
15th of May last, desiring the Selectmen to Visit the several Pub-
lick Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein, as they sho'd think proper, do now Report.

That on the 22d. day of June last, We attended that Service
accompanied with the following Gentlemen Viz'.

The Hon°. Edward Hutchinson Esqr.
The Hon°. John Osborne Esqr.
The Hon°. Ezekiel Lewis Esqr.
The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
The Hon°. Samuel Watts Esqr.
The Hon°. John Wheelwright Esqr.
The Hon°. Thomas Hutchinson Esqr.
The Gentlemen the Representatives of Boston.
The Revd. Mr. Thomas Prince
Tliu Revd. Mr. Samuel C heckley

196 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Revd. Dr. Charles Chauncey
The Revd. Mr. Ellis Gray
The Revd. Mr. Andrew Eliot
[257.] William Tyler Esqr.

Henry Atkins Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Mr. Josiah Quincy
Mr. Thomas Flucker
Mr. James Bowdoin
Mr. David Jeffries

And found that in the South Grammer School there were 117
Schoolars, in the Writing School 260 Scholars, in the Writing
School in Queen Street 93 Scholars, in the North Grammer School
43 Scholars, in the North Writing School 267 Scholars, all in very
good Order.

THOMAS HANCOCK "|

SAM1-. GRANT 0 ,

T 8 JJILL f Selectmen of Boston.

JN°. GARDNER

Voted that this Report be Accepted, and that the Gentlemen
the Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools the Year
ensuing, & that they Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them,
as they shall think convenient, and Report thereon.

The Petition of George Lamott of Boston Fisherman, setting
forth, that for several Years he has sold fresh Fish at the Market
at the head of the Town Dock, which place has been improved for
that use for a long Course of Years, & has been found greatly con-
venient to the Inhabitants, but there being no House or Shed to
Skreen the Fish from the Heat in Summer, great Quantitys of it
are often spoil'd, a considerable Loss is thereby occasional to the
Petit1", as well as to the Publick. The Petitr. therefore proposes
to the Town to Erect a small Building at his own Expence on or
near the place where the Fish have heretofore been sold, as the
Town shall think proper, which will be a means of preventing any
Loss of Fish in Summer, and Securing the Inhabitants that come
there to buy Fish from the Inclemencys of the W heather in Winter,
and as he shall carry off every thing that may be offensive, he prayed
the Town would give him Liberty to Erect said Building accord-
ingly — said Pet0, being Read, It was thereupon Voted that said
Petition be referr'd to the Selectmen, & they be & hereby are im-
powered to give Liberty to said George Lamotte (if they see
cause) to Erect a Building on such a place at the head of the
Dock as they shall Direct, for the purposes mentioned in his Peti-
tion, the same to Continue so long, as the Selectmen for the time
being shall Judge proper, and to be under their Regulation.

[2558.] The Petition of James Fairservice praying the Town
would Regulate the Market for the Sale of Hay & Sand, was
Read &

Voted that the Town will not Sustain said Petition.

The Town Enter'd upon the Consideration of the Petition of
sundry Inhabitants praying that the Encroachment's made on the
highway leading from Hudson's point Southwesterly to the Mill

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1751. 197

Stream by Mr. Gee's Building- yard called Ferry-way may be
removed, and said way repair'd, and after some Debate thereon It
was Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to Consider of said Petition enquire particularly into the
circumstances of said way, what the Expence of repairing it will
amount to, and receive proposals from any of the Inhabitants, as
to their paying any part of the Charge of repairing the same, &
Report hereon at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

Voted, a Grant of Four Thousand Pounds lawful money, to be
rais'd by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of Boston
for relief of the Poor, and dei'reying other necessary Charges, aris-
ing within said Town the year ensuing.

The Honble> John Wheelwright Esqr. & others a Committee ap-
pointed the 12th. of March last to Audit the Accompts of Mr.
David Jeffries Treasurer of the Town, now reported, that they
had attended that Service and found the Accompts right cast and
well Vouch'd, and the said Treasurer Charges himself with what
was remaining due from the several Collectors last Year, with the
Stock of Grain, Powder &ca. & what he had received from the late
Treasurer Wadsworth as also for a new Tax for the Year 1750,
with Several Fines received from the Justices &ca. & Rent's, all
which Amount to £8782,,10,,6f & the said Treasurer discharges
himself with the Draughts remaining unpaid in the late Treasurer
Wadsworths time, also for what he has already paid of Draughts
from the Selectmen and Overseers, & with several abatements,
made the Collectors &ca. all which amounting to £6421, ,10, ,2£ by
which it appears that when all the Taxes and Rent's are paid in,
the Ballance will be twenty three hundred & sixty one pounds &
four pence half penny due to the Town, which the said [!£59«]
Treasurer further is to account for as appears by the Trial Ballance
on the other side of said Report, which is on File, all which is
humbly Submitted &ca. — Which being Read, Voted that the same
be and hereby is accepted.

The Committee appointed the 12th. of March last, to mnke
Enquiry into the present State of the Town, and the Causes of the
great Expence thereof, and Consider what Method the Town can
take in order to prevent or Reduce the same, now reported, that
they had met ands attended that Service & having particularly
Inspected the Accompts both of the Selectmen and Overseers of
the Poor, agreed upon the whole to Report as follows Viz'.

1st. That the Charge of supporting the several Publick Schools
amounted the last Year to more than -£ part of the whole Sum
drawn for by the Selectmen ; but altho. this Charge is very Con-
siderable, & the number of Schools is greater than the Law requires,
Yet as the Education of Children is of the greatest Importance to
the Community ; the Committee cannot be of Opinion that any Sav-
ing can be made to Advantage on that head ; except the Town
should think it expedient to come into Methods to oblige such of the
Inhabitants who send their Children to the Publick Schools and are
able to Pay for their Education themselves, to ease the Town of
that Charge by assessing some reasonable Sum upon them for that
purpose.

198 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

2dly. There are one or two Lesser Articles in the Selectmeng
Accompts in which the Committee apprehend there be some Sav-
ing, as in Reducing the Number of Bells d:iily rung, and at different
hours of the day, the Committee being of Opinion that two Bells
rung iu different parts of the Town viz' at 5 in the morning, one at
noon, & nine in the Evening, together with the Bell at the Open-
ing of the Market would be sufficient.

3d!y. And the Charge of Purchasing and Supporting Bulls, the
Committee are of Opinion ought not to lie upon the Town in gen-
eral, but upon such Inhabitants only as keep Cows therein.

4thly. The Committee have likewise Considered the several Arti-
cles of Charge in the Accounts of the Overseers of the Poor, but
know of no Reduction that can be well made therein, except it be
in the Doctors Accompts, in which they apprehend there might be
considerable Saving if a Box of Medicines were laid in at the
Almshouse put up and bought at first hand, out of which the
Towns Physician should Administer to his Patients [26O.] With-
out Doors as well as those within.

5thiy> -pke Overseers having likewise laid before the Committee
a List of persons confin'd in the Workhouse & made a State of that
Account, the Committee are of Opinion that the Draughts made
upon the Treasurer for the Support of that House is occasioned by
the number of distracted, helpless & infirm people supported
therein, who must otherwise have been a Town Charge, and that
Exclusive of these Subjects the Workhouse is of little or no Ex-
pence to the Town

But considering the great Charges the Town is at, the Committee
humbly move that it be Recommended to all who have the disposal
of the Town's moneys to be as frugal as the nature of the respec-
tive Services, and the Interest of the whole will admit.

All which is humbly Submitted.
THO". GREENE in behalf and by
desire of the Committee.

Which being Read, Voted that each Paragraph of said Report be
taken into Consideration seperately, and by it self, and thereupon
the first Paragraph was Debated, and the following Question put
Viz'. Whether the Town will come into any Alteration or other

method than they now have relating to the Schools Voted in

the Negative, & that, that Paragraph of said Report be not
Accepted.

Then the Second Paragraph in said Report, was Debated, and
Voted that the same be accepted, and that no Bells be rung for
the future but the Bell at the old North Church, the Bell at Dr.
Sewall's Church Viz', at the hours of five, one and nine o'Clock,
and the old Brick Church at the hour of Eleven.

Then the third Paragraph was Debated, & Voted that the same
be Accepted, and that the Charge of purchasing and supporting
the Bulls, shall be paid by such of the Inhabitants only as keep
Cows, and the Selectmen are desired to take such Methods as
may be necessary for obliging the Inhabitants aacordingly.

Then the fourth Paragraph was Debated, & Voted that the
same be Accepted, and that the Overseers of the Poor be & hereby

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1751.

they are desired to provide a Box of Medicines for the use of the
Almehouse &ca. and also take any other method they shall Judge
necessary for reducing the Expences of the [261.] Town in
Supporting the Almshouse.

Then the fifth Paragraph was Read & Voted that the same be
Accepted

On a Motion made and Seconded, Voted that the several
Masters of the Publick Grammer Schools and Writing Schools in
the Town be directed not to refuse taking into their respective
Schools, any Child or Children that may be brought to 'em for
Education, in case Enterauce money (so called) is not paid said
Masters, and also that they shall not demand any Pay or Allow-
ance for Instructing such Children, as belong to the Town, and
that attend in School hours only.

Also Voted that the Selectmen for the time being give Direc-
tions to said Masters what money they' may receive from the
Scholars, for defreying the Expence of Firing.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and twenty pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid to Mr. Peleg Wiswall for his Salary
as Master of the North Grammer School for the ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Com-
mence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and twenty pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid to Mr. John Lovel for his Salary as
Master of the South Grammer School for the Ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due, and to
Commence from the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the sum of Eighty pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr. Samuel Holyoke for his Salary as Master of the
South Writing School in Queen street for the ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due, and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the sum of One hundred pounds lawful money be
allowed and paid to Mr. Abia Holbrook for his Salary as Master
of the South Writing, School, for the ensuing Year, the same to be
paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence at
the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One Hundred pounds lawful money be
allowed and paid to Mr. Zachariah Hicks as Master of the North
Writing School, for the ensuing Year, the same to be paid him
quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence at the Expira-
tion [262.] Of the last Quarter.

Voted that the sum of Fifty pounds lawful money be allow'd
and paid to Mr. Nathaniel Gardner as Usher of the South Gram-
mer School for the ensuing Year, the same to be paid him quar-
terly, as it shall become due, and to Commence at the Expiration
of the last Quarter.

Voted that the sum of Fifty pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr. Samuel Holbrook as Usher of the South Writing
School for the ensuing Year, to be paid him quarterly as it shall
become due, and to Commence at the Expiration of the last
Year.

200 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Town being inform'd that William Tyler and William
Downe Esq". & Mr. Isaac Walker who for several Years past
have been Overseers of the Poor, and into which place they were
chose the Eleventh of March last, decline Serving any longer,
Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
those Gent", for their faithful Services to the Town while they
continued in that Office.

Voted that three other Persons be chose in their Room, & the
Votes being brought in and Sorted, it appeared that
Mess™. John Frankly n

Joseph Sherburn, &
John Tudor, were chose.

The Petition of William Larrabee and John Ruddock praying
for an Abatement of sundry Taxes committed to them to Collect
in the Years 1747. 1748. 1749. was Read, and thereupon It was
Voted that the Assessors be a Committee to Consider of said
Petition, hear the Petitioners and Report to the Town what Taxes
they apprehend ought in Justice to be Abated 'em.

The Committee appointed the Eleventh day of March last to
Consider of the Petition of Mr. Alexander Hunt, now reported,
that they had Viewed the Land in said Petiti0. mentioned, and
were of Opinion that said Pet0, ought to be dismiss'd, for that the
said Hunt has set his House on the two rod way belonging to the
Town, and has also in possession Fifty three feet of the Towns
Land making in the whole Eighty six feet in wedth, and Two hundred
and fifty eight feet in depth, besides the Flatts which [263.]
Is Two Hundred feet more in depth, for which said Committee

apprehend the Town ought to have Satisfaction for. Which

Report being Read.

Voted that the same be Accepted, and that said Petition be
dismiss'd.

Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby they are appointed a
Committee to Consider the State of the Ferry called Winnisimet
Ferry, Report the same to the Town as soon as may be.

The Article in the Warrant viz', whether the Town will choose a
Committee to prosecute any person or persons that have made any
Encroachment's on their Lands near Fort hill or any other part of
the Town, was taken into Consideration, and after some Debate

thereon, It was Voted that

Mr. Jonathan Williams
Mr. Thomas Greene &
Majr. Nath1. Thwing

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee, and fully Author-
ized and Impowered for and in behalf of the Town to prosecute in
the Law any person or persons that have made any Encroach-
ments on the Towns lands near to, or adjoyuing upon Forthill so
called, that so the Town may obtain Possession of their Lands,
unless said Committee can Accomodate and Settle the same with
such persons as have made said Encroachment's, and if so, that
then said Committee report to the Town, at the Adjournment of
this Meeting, the proposals made 'em for such an Accomoclation.

Andrew Campbell was chose a Constable & .... Sworn.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1751. 201

Voted, That Thomas Gray who was chose a Clerk of the Market
in March last, be Excus'd from Serving in that Office the P^nsuiug
Year.

Voted that John Mico Wendell, serve as a Clerk of the Market,
in the room of Thomas Gray who is Excus'd.

The Article in the Warrant viz*.

" To Consider the State of the North Granary house, & what is
best to be done concerning it, was taken into Consideration, and
thereupon Voted, that the Selectmen be and hereby they are
Jmpowered to Sell said House or otherwise dispose of it as they
shall apprehend will be most for the benefit of the Town.

The Committee appointed the Eleventh of March last, on the
[264.] Petition of Elias Dupee, made their Report, which was
read, *and after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that said
report be recommitted to said Committee, and they are desired to
make particular Enquiry into the Circumstances of such persons
whose Taxes they have now reported, ought to be abated, and
further Report hereon at the Adjournment of this Meeting

Voted that the Sum of Sixty six Pounds thirteen shillings and
four pence lawful money be allowed and paid out of the Treasury
unto Mr. David Jeffries, as Treasurer out of the Town for the
Year past, Also Voted that the further Sum of Thirty Pounds be
allowed and paid to Mr. Jeffries for his extraordinary time Care
and Trouble in Setling and Transferring the Accompts, Books
&ca. of the Treasury, since he has been in that Office.

Voted that the Sum of Twenty Pounds lawful inoney be allow'd
and paid to Mr. Abijah Adams for his Services as Clerk of
Faneuil Hall Market the Year past.

Voted that this Meeting be adjourn'd to Friday the 14th. of
June next at three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

The fourteenth day of June at three o'Clock in the afternoon
the Town met according to Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 14th. of May last to reconsider the
Petition of Elias Dupee praying that sundry Taxes may be
Abated him, now made their Report, that the Taxes of sundry
persons who are therein particularly named, ought, in Justice to
be Abated the Petitioner, and after some Debate on said Report,
It was Voted that the same be accepted, and that the sum of
forty six pounds fifteen shillings lawful money, be abated to the
Petitioner and the Selectmen are directed to give said Dupee a
Draft for that Sum on the Treasury accordingly.

The Committee appointed the 14th. of May last, to Consider of
the Petition of William Larrabee and John Ruddock praying that
Sundry Taxes may be abated them, now made their Report that
the Sum of Six pounds three shillings & a penny lawful money
be abated to Mr. Larrabee, and the sum of twelve [265.] Pounds
two shillings and ten pence lawful money be abated Mr. Ruddock
which being read, Voted that the same be Accepted, & that those
Sums be abated the Petitioners accordingly, and the Selectmen
are directed to give 'em Drafts on the Treasury for the same
accordingly.

The Committee appointed the 14th. of May last, to Consider of

202 CITT DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying that the Encroach-
ments made on the highway leading from Hudson's point South-
westerly to the Mill stream by Mr. Gee's Huilding Yard called
Ferryway may be removed and said way repair'd, now reported,
that they had attended the Services therein mention'd, and found
that in the account taken of the Streets and Lanes within the
Town, as Enter'd in their Book of Records in 1708. there is a
street called Ferryway and is there said to lead along the Shore
from Hudson's point, Southwesterly to tha Mill stream by Mr.
Gees Building Yard, and that in the same Year, they found by
the Selectmens Minutes that they ordered said Way sho'd be of
the Breadth of Lynn street being two rods wide, and which is all
they could find relating to said way. They also Reported that
they had View'd said Way and found it much out of Repair,1 and
that by a Computation made (and with said Report presented) it
will Cost about Two hundred and Sixty six pounds thirteen shil-
lings and four pence lawful money to repair it. That several of
the Inhabitants have subscrib'd a considerable Sum towards re-
pairing the same, and said Committee Judge that if the same was
repair'd it would be very beneficial to the Inhabitants of the
Northerly part of the Town, and also that it will be a great
Encouragement to the Petitioners and Subscribers to proceed in
repairing said Way, if the Town would assist them, and grant
them such a Sum of money as may be tho't proper towards Corn-
pleating and Effecting it, which Report being Read, after some
Debate thereon It was Voted that the same be Accepted. Also
Voted that Twenty four feet in wedth of said Way be repaired
(the several Subscriptions 'for paying part of the Charge for re-
pairing be made good) Also Voted that the Sum of One hundred
and thirty three pounds six shillings and eight pence lawful money
be paid by the Town towards repairing the same way, the Peti-
tioners and Subscribers paying the remainder of the whole Charge
of repairing said way, Also Voted that there be a Committee
chose; distinct from 'the Selectmen to repair it, and that Cap1.
Tho: Ja*. Gruchy, Cap'. Nath1. Greenwood, Mr. John Ruddock,
Cap*. Jonathan Snelling, M. Gammon Stevens, Cap*. Alexander

Sear-i & Mr. Newman Greenough he the said Committee. Also

Voted that if any part of said Sum of One [266.] hundred and
thirty three pounds six shillings and eight pence sho'd be paid to
said Committee before said way shall be fully repaired and Corn-
pleated, they shall give Security to the Town to refund and pay
back the same to the Town in case said repairs shall not be made
and Compleated to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen.

Voted that all Matters and Things that remain unfinished be re-
ferr'd over to the next town Meeting to be then acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned in Pnblick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the fourteenth
day of June A.D. 1751. at four o'clock P.M.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1751. 203

The Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. was chose Moderator for
this Meeting.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Business of
this Meeting as mentioned in the Warrant viz'. " Whether the
Town will preferr a Petition to the Great and General Court now
sitting praying that the sum of nine hundred twenty- six pounds
seven shillings and ten pence being a Quarter part of the Charge
of repairing the Court-house and which the}T are ordered to Pay by
said Court may be remitted, and after some Debate thereon, It
was Voted that the Town will preferr such a Petition accordingly
And the Selectmen thereupon Informing the Town that they had
prepar'd a Petition for that Purpose, the same was Read, and is in
the words following Viz'.
Province of the )
Massachusetts Bay j To the Honourable Spencer Phips Esqr,

Lieu'. Governour & Commander in Chief.

the IIonble. the Council and Represent™.

of the Province aforesaid in General Court

Assembled June 1751.

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston in Town
Meeting regularly Assembled June 14th. 1751.
[267.] Most humbly Sheweth,

That your humble Petitioners have been inform'd by their
Assessors, that they have received a Warrant from the Province
Treasurer, requiring them forthwith to Assess on the Polls and
Estates within this Town the Sum of nine hundred and twenty six
pounds seven shillings and ten pence being one Quarter part of
the Charge of Building the Townhouse in Boston, Sett on said
Town by order of the General Court, that this Information gave
great Concern to your Petitioners who had made their application
to the General Assembly of the last Year, praying that said Order
might not pass but they were so unhappy as to fail of the desired
Success, Their apprehensions of the Difficulty and Distress that
must come upon them by so heavy, and with all deference to the
Wisdom of the General Court they beg leave to Say, unequal
Assessment, are very much iucreas'd, and it would be a failure in
point of Duty to themselves if they should neglect any means in
their power for their Relief. They therefore again with one Voice
intreat your Honours they may be free'd from this Burthen, that
the Petition they preferr'd the last Year may be reviv'd for the
Reasons which were then offer'd in said Petition and such addi-
tional Reasons as may be now offered by their Representatives
may be duly Considered by your Honours and such Relief afforded
your Petitioners as to your Justice and Goodness shall seem mete.
And thereupon it was Voted unanimously that a fair Copy of
said Petition be prepar'd and signed by the Town Clerk in behalf
of the Town, and that the same be Represented by the Represent-
atives of the Town to the General Court accordingly.

Voted that all Matters and Things contiuu'd to this Meeting be
rtferr'd further to the next Town Meeting to be then Considered
of, & Acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

204 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

[268.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned in
Publick Town Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the
fifteenth day of November A.D. 1751.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting was .... Read.

John Phillips Esqr. was chose Moderator.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was Voted that this
Meeting be adjourn'd to Wednesday the 20th. inst. at three o'Clock
in the afternoon.

Wednesday the 20th. day of November 1751 3 o'Clock P.M. the
Town met according to their Adjournment.

The Town proceeded to the Business of the Meeting as men-
tion'd in the Warrant viz', to Choose Collectors of the Taxes of
the present Year in the room of such persons as were chose in
March last and refuse to Serve, and upon bringing in & Sorting
the Votes it appeared that the following persons were chose viz'.
Mess™. Jabez Hunt

Joseph Bradford
Jonathan Payson

Mr. Hunt and M . Bradford being present desired the Town would
Excuse them for reasons by them given to the Town whereupon
It was Voted that they be Excus'd accordingly.

Then the Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for two other
Collectors, and upon sorting 'em it appeared that.

Mess™. John Jones of Treamount Street &

Josiah Quincy, where chose

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday the 26th. instant
at ten o'Clock A.M. to receive the answers of the Collectors now
chose.

Tuesday the 26th. of November 1751, at ten o'Clock A.M. the
Town met according to their Adjournment.

Josiah Quincy, appeared and prayed the Town would [269.]
Excuse him for Reasons he gave, Voted that Mr. Quincy be Ex-
cus'd accordingly.

John Jones sent word by the Constable that he would not Serve
as a Collector of Taxes in the Town.

Jonathan Payson, Accepted of said Office.

Then the Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for two Col-
lectors of Taxes and upon Sorting 'em it appeared that,

Mess". Hopestill Foster &

James Scutt, were chose.
And they Declaring their Acceptance of said Office,

The Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully Warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the ninth
day of March A.D. 1752.

Prayer was made by the Reverend Mr. Andrew Eliot.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by a written

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 205

Vote, and upon Sorting 'em it appeared that the Honble. James
Allen Esqr. was chosen.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was unanimously chose Town Clerk for the
Year ensuing, and was Sworn into that Office by John Steel Esqr.
having first taken the Oath required by the Act of the 22d. of his
present Majesty, relating lo Paying and Receiving Bills of the other
Governments.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of seven Selectmen
and the Votes being brought in and Sorted it appeared, That,
[27O.] Thomas Hancock Esqr.

John Steel Esqr.
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill
Joshua Ilenshaw Esqr.
Mr. George Holmes &
Cap'. Joseph Jackson, were chose.

Voted, That the Town proceed to the Choice of twelve Constables
distinct from the Collectors of Taxes.

Voted, that any Person chose into the Office of a Constable for
the Year ensuing be Excus'd from serving provided he pay into the
Town Treasury Three Pounds Lawful Money.

Messrs. Nathaniel Parkman Excus'd.

James Pike Excus'd.

John Giles Excus'd.

John Mico Wendell Excus'd.

Nathaniel Barber junr Pay.

Isaac Walker junr Pay

Ebenezer Storer junr Pay.

William Cooper Pay.

Timothy Marrow Excus'd.

Joseph Waldo Pay.

William Dennie Paid in 1747.

Cornelius Thayer Pay

were Chose Constables for the Year Ensuing.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Treas-
urer, and upon V iewing of 'em it appeared that Mr. David Jeffries
was unanimously chose. And he was Sworn to the faithful Dis-
charge of his Duty in that Office by John Steel Esqr. having first
taken the Oath required by the Act of 22d. Year of his present
Majesty relating to Paying or Receiving Bills of Credit &c*.
The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr.

Col°. John Hill

[271.] The Hon°. Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfield
The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.

John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Cap*. Ebenr. Storer
Mr. John Barrett
Mr. Ebenezer Storer
Mr. John Tudor
were Chose Overseers of the Poor for the Year ensuing.

206 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Voted that the Town Enter into the Consideration of the Article
in the Warrant relating to the Shutting up of Faneuil Hall Market,
at five o'Clock this Afternoon.

The Committee appointed in March 1749, Viz'. Thomas Hutch-
inson, Samuel Welles and Benjamin Prat Esq™. to revise all the
By-Laws and Orders pass'd by the Town that are in force, and
Correct the same as they think proper &ca. now reported that
"having spent some time in Revising the By-Laws and having
agreed upon a great number of Alterations and Additions which
they had not then been able so far to settle or compleat as was
necessary in order to there being laid before the Town for their
acceptance ; and before the Report was perfected, the Committee
thought it convenient to propose to the Town two Points for their
Determination First, That inasmuch as the penalty of Twenty
Shillings which is the Greatest Sum that can be annex'd to the
Breach of any By-Law, was in some cases insufficient, application
should be made to the General Court at their next Sitting praying
them to enable the Town to pass Laws with a Penalty not exceed-
ing Forty shillings Lawful money. Secondly, That as a Body of
By-Laws however well adapted to the Circumstances of the Town
will be of very little Service unless they are more duly Executed
than the By-Laws have been for many Years past, therefore that
further Application should be made to the General Court [272.]
Praying them to Jmpower the Selectmen of the Town for the time
being or the Major part of them, at their Weekly Meetings to Judge
and Determine upon all Offences against the Laws of the Town,
which priviledge the Town enjoy'd from their first Settlement during
the Charter of the old Colony of the Massachusetts Bay and the
Committee were of Opinion this would be a probable Means of a due
Execution of the Laws which for many Years past has been very
much neglected. All which is humbly Submitted to the Town.

THOS. HUTCHINSON
SAMUEL WELLES
B. PRAT

Read and Voted that the same be accepted, & said Committee are
desired to prepare a Bill for the purposes mentioned in said
Report, and give It to the Gentlemen the Representatives of the
Town, who are hereby desired to use their Endeavours to get the
same pass'd into a Law.

Col°. John Hill

John Phillips Esqr.

Cap1. John Carnes

Cap1. Joseph Jackson

Cap*. Henry Berry

Cap*. James Day

Mr. John Scollay

Mr. Royal Tyler

Mr. John Tudor

Cap*. Isaac Freeman
were chose Firewards for the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Representatives of the Town be and hereby are
desired to use their utmost Endeavours to get a Law pass'd the

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1752. 207

General Court at their next Sessions, that the Town may for
the future be Enabled to choose twelve Firewards.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock this After-
noon.

[273.] Monday 3 o'Clock in the afternoon the Town met
according to their Adjournment.

Messr". Israel Eaton Sworn

William Gray Pay

John Armstrong Sworn

John Durant Pay

John Pattin Sworn

John Barber Excus'd

Edward Gyles Pay

William Thomas Sworn

John Bridge Sworn

William Shepard Excus'd

Thomas Hunt Pay

Abraham Rogers Excus'd

were chose Constables for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Joseph Edwards Sworn

Tbomas Allen Sworn

John Mico Wendell Sworn

Cornelius Thayer Sworn

John Phillips junr Sworn

Charles Deming Sworn

William Davis Sworn

John Morley Sworn

John Gore Sworn

John Leverett Sworn

Daniel Oliver Sworn

Jonathan Mason Sworn

were Chose Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.
N°. 1. Cap1. Tho9. James Grnchy

Cap1. Hemy Pigeon Excus'd
N°. 2 Cap1. Jona. Snelling

Mr. Francis Archbald
N°. 3. John Breck
N°. 3. Joseph Gardner
N°. 4. Nathaniel Holmes.

Nathaniel Loring
N°. 5. John Wells

James Adams
[274.] N°. 6. Benjamin Dolbeare

Joseph Green, in Hanover Street.
N°. 7. John Welch

Ephm. Copeland
N°. 8. William Story

Joshua Blanchard
N°. 9. John Hunt

John Beacham
N°. 10. Samuel Hill

William Torrey

208 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

N°. 11. Thomas Gushing

Edward Winter
N°. 12. John Eliot

Benjamin Greene
were Chose Tything Men for the Year ensuing.

Voted that a Porch be built at the South Entrance of the
Grammer School whereof Mr. John Lovel is Master, and the
Selectmen are desired to Effect . the same in the best manner
they can.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying the Town would
determine whether the way leading from Orange street between
the Dwelling house of Cap'. Craister and Mr. Clough to the high-
way leading to the Common is a publick highway, was taken in-
to Consideration, and after so Debate thereon,

Voted that said Petition be Dismiss'd.

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants praying that the Bell at the
Revd. Mess™. Weelsted & Gray's Meeting house at the North end
of the Town may be rung at Eleven o' Clock in the forenoon, as
has been heretofore practised, was Considei'ed of, and thereupon
Voted that the same be accordingly Rung at that hour until the
Town Order otherwise.

The Town considered of the Petition of Dr. Sylvester [275.]
Gardiner praying that the Town would Lease to him for the term
of thirty three Years, the Marsh & Sunken Lands at the bottom of
the Common upon the Terms he therein proposes Viz'. That he
will Damm out the Sea from said Marsh and Lands, so that the
whole ma)1 become dry and good Ground, the Town allowing him
to Set the Fence near the Brow of the Hill, adjoyning to said
Marsh, running from South to North, and across a little Ridge or
Hill that divides the North part of the Marsh from a Sunken
pond below the powder house, so as to include said Pond in the
Lease, all which he will perform in three Years, otherwise said
Lease shall be Null and Void, and the Land revert to the Town,
and after some Debate thereon, Voted that said Petition be Dis-
miss'd.

On the Petition of Nathaniel Barber as Admor of the Estate of
Cap'. Benjamin Edwards deced, and of John Grant, praying for
an Abatement of Sundry Taxes committed to said Edwards to
Collect in the Years 1747. 1748. 1749. 1750. and to said Grant, for
the Years 1748. 1749. 1750. as in said Petition is set forth, Voted
that the Assessors of the Town be & hereby they are appointed a
Committee to Consider of said Petition, hear the Petitioners, and
Report what they Apprehend ought in Justice to be abated the
Petitioners ; At the General Town Meeting in May next.

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants, praying that Faneuil Hall
Market may be Shut up for so long time as the Town shall Judge
to be for their Interest, was Considered of, & after some Debate
thereon, It was Voted that said Market be Shut up until the Gen-
eral Town Meeting in May next.

Also Voted, That Samuel Welles Esqr. Mr. William Cooper,
Mr. Harrison Gray, Col°. John Hill & Mr. Ezekiel Goldthwait, be
a Committee to Consider what Method is best for the Inhabitants

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1752. 209

to take in order to Reduce the present Excessive price of Provi-
sions, and to prevent the persons, that bring Provisions for Sale
to Town, Incumltering the Lands & [276.] Highways about and
near to Faneuil Hall Market and the Nusances on Dock Square,
and Report as soon as may be.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to, To-Morrow morning
nine o'Clock.

Tuesda}' 9 o'Clock in the forenoon, the Town met, according to
their Adjournment.

Mess™. Joseph Dyre

Robert Treat

Samuel Treat

Benja. Ballard

Jonathan Jenkins

Isaac Fowle

Joseph Savel Junr.

Edward Potter Junr.

John Hobbs &

Benjamin Sault

were Chosen Cullars of Staves & Ca. for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. John Lee

Isaac Vergoose

Story Daves & ... Sworn.

Clement Collins . . . Sworn,
were Chosen Hogreeves, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. William Maccarty

James Cunningham

Daniel Coney

Arthur Savage

Henry Perkins

After Stoddard

Alexander Hill

Moses Deshon

Richard Billings

Nathaniel Loring

John White &

James Gridley

were Chosen Scavingers for the Year ensuing.
[277.] Mess™. Joseph Jackson

John Scollay &

Thomas Greene,
were Chosen Purchasers of Grain for the Year ensuing.

The said Committee are desired and Impowered to give all
Needful Directions to the Keeper of the Granary, respecting the
Quantitys of Grain to be Sold, and setting the price thereof from
time to time as Occasion may Require.

Mess™. Thomas Foster &

David Cutler
were Chosen Assaymasters for the Year ensuing.

Mr. John Gray, was Chose Surveyor of Hemp, for the Year
ensuing.

210 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner &

Benjamin Harrod
were Chosen Informers about Deer, for the Year ensuing.

The Selectmen of Boston.

Mess™. Jacob Parker

Nathaniel Barber . . . Sworn.

William Fairfield

Thomas Foster

John Winslow

Peter Oliver, &

John Kneeland
were Chosen Assessors, for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Samuel Hastings . . . Sworn.

John Allen

Josiah Carter

Thomas Hartley

Eliakim Blackman & . . Sworn.

Nathaniel Hodgdon . . Sworn,
were Chosen Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Thomas March .... Sworn.

Caleb Eay

Francis Warden

William Moore

Onesiphorus Tilestone &

James Tilestone,

were Chosen Fence Viewers for the Year ensuing.
[378.] Mess™. Robert Ford .... Sworn

William Nichols

Clement Collins . . . Sworn

Henry Allen

Story Dawes .... Sworn

William Paine

Andrew Simmes . . . Sworn

John Grant

Moses Eayres

John Low

Isaac Vergoose & . . Sworn

John Greenough

were Chosen Viewers of Boards, Shingles &ca. for the Year ensu-
ing.

Mr. Joseph Curtis was chosen an Haward, the Year ensuing.
Voted that Twelve pence on the pound be and hereby is allowed
to be paid to the Collectors of Taxes for toe Year ensuing, for all
such Sums as they shall Collect, provided they pay unto the Town
Treasurer, one half part of the whole Sum they are obliged to
pay him within three Months from the time of receiving the Tax
Books from the Assessors, and the other half part in three Months
after, and also pay to the Province and County Treasurers one
half part of the whole sums they shall be obliged to pay them
respectively in six months from the time they shall receive the
Books from the Assessors as aforesaid and the other half part in
six months after ; And in Case either of the said Collectors aball

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 211

fail paying the said Treasurers in manner as above, the Collector
so failing shall not be Entitled to the aforesaid allowance of
twelve pence on the pound lor Collecting, but wholly forfeit the
same, Provided also that each of said Collectors give Bond with
sufficient Suretys to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faith-
ful Discharge of their Duty in that Office, and complying with this
Vote.

[279.] Mess". Thomas Ramar . . remov'd out of Town
Luke Roberts . , . Sworn
Robert McNeil . . . Sworn
Thomas Gyles . . . Excus'd
Richard Walker . . Sworn
John Edwards . . . Excus'd
Bartholomew Rand . Excus'd
were Chosen Constables, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. John Ruddock
Hopestill Foster
Joseph Russell
Thomas Downe junr.
James Scutt

Jonathan Payson .... Sworn
were Chosen Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing.
Mess". John Provence .... Sworn
John Shepard .... Excus'd
William Roberts .... Sworn

Samuel Burt Excus'd.

Ebenezer Walk's .... pd. in 1747.
Samuel Ridgaway . . . Excus'd

Mess™. Joseph Kent Sworn

William Todd .... Sworn
Constables. [In margin]

The Selectmen's Report on the Accompt of Mr. John Fenno
Keeper of the Granary for the Year past, as Enter'd in his Book
(and on File in the Town Clerks Office,) Read, and Voted that
the said Report be Accepted, and accordingly that Mr. Fenno be
further accountable to the Town for forty bushels of Indian Meal,
& thirty bushels of Rye, am0, to £!),, 18,, 8 & also for Three
hundred & Seventy Pounds nineteen Shillings & five pence half
penny, being in the wholo Three hundred & Eighty pounds, eigh-
teen shillings & one penny half penny lawful money, all which is
now in his hands, exclusive of £26,, 13,, 4. for his Salary, and
Assistance, which is hereby allowed him.

The Committee appointed to Audit the Accompts of Mr. David
Jeffries Treasurer, now reported, that they had attended that
Service, & find the same right cast and well Vouch'd, and [28O.]
The said Treasurer charges himself with sundry Justices Fines,
with the Rent's and Incomes of the Town and with the Taxes
committed to the Collectors, amounting in all to £6943,, 16,, 3£,
and the said Treasurer Discharges himself by sundry Abatements
made the Collectors, by what he has already paid of the Select-
mens and Overseers Draughts, and by what remains unpaid of
said Draughts amounting in all to £4046,, 2,, 2 by which it

212 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

appears that when all the Taxes, Rents &ca. are paid in, the
Ballance will be twenty eight hundred and ninety seven pounds
fourteen shillings & one penny which the said Treasurer is further
to accompt for, as appears by the Trial Ballance of said Accompt,
given in by said Committee, and on file. Which Report being
Read, Voted that the same be Accepted.

The Selectmen having prepared a List of all such of the Inhabi-
tants as are Qualified by Law to Serve on the Petit Jury of Trials
at the Superiour and Inferiour Courts, presented the same to the
Town, and after they were Sorted for the respective Boxes, Voted
that their Names be put into said Boxes as now Sorted to serve as
Jurors accordingly.

Voted, That the Assessors be and they hereby are Im powered
to Sit upon the Abatement of Taxes to the first day of June next
and no longer, saving that they have Liberty to Sit the second and
third Weeks in November next, to Abate the Taxes of such per-
sons as shall appear to be Dead, or out of Town, and could not
have application to them before said First day of June.

Voted, that the Hon°. John Wheelwright Esqr. .
Joshua Winslow Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Greene,
Mr. Harrison Gray, &
Mr. William Cooper.

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the
Accompts of Mr. David Jeffries Treasurer of the Town [281.]
And also the Accompts of the Overseers of the Poor, & they are
desired to make Report thereon as soon as they have done the
same.

Voted that this Meeting be adjouru'd to three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the afternoon, the Town met according to
their Adjournment.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and twenty Pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid to Mr. Peleg Wiswall for his Salary
as Master of the North Grammer School for the Ensuing Year,
the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and twenty pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid to M*. John Level for his Salary as
Master of the South Grammer School for the Ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of Eighty Pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr. Samuel Holyoke for his Salary, as Master of the
Writing School in Queen Street for the Ensuing Year, the same
to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence
at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Lawful money be
allowed and paid to Mr. Abia Holbrook for his Salary as Master
of the South Writing School the Ensuing Year, the same to be
paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence at
the Expiration of the last Quarter.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 213

Voted, that tbe Sum of One Hundred Pounds lawful money be
allowed and paid to Mr. Zacbariah Hicks for ['28'4.] his Salary
as Master of the North Writing School the Ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr Nathaniel Gardiner for his Salary, as Usher to the
South G rammer School, tho ensuing Year, the same to be paid
him Quarterly as it sin 11 become due, and to Commence at the
Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful money, be allowed
and paid to Mr. Samuel Holbrook for his Salary, as Usher of the
South AVriting School, for the Ensuing Year, the same to be paid
him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence at the
Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds lawful mon<>y be allowed
and paid to Mr. John Procter junr. for his Salary, as Usher of the
North Writing School, the Ensuing Year, the same to be paid him
Quarterly as it shall become due, and to Commence at the Expira-
tion of the Uist Quarter.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration that Article in
the Warrant Viz'. " What reasons should be given to the General
Court ; why the Bridge leading over Neponsit River , ought not to
be Declared a County Bridge, and maintain'd by the County." and
after some Debate thereon, Voted that the

Honble. Samuel Welles Esqr.
Richard Dana Esqr.
Mr. Benjamin Kent
Col°. John Hill &
Mr. Thomas Greene

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of
this Affair, and draw up such Reasons as they shall [283.]
Judge proper ; why the aforesaid Bridge ought not to be a County
Bridge and maintain'd by the County & said Committee are desired
and Impowered to preferr the same to the General Court at
their next Sessions, in the name & behalf of the Town.

The Town Considered of what was best to be done with the
Lands and Buildings at the head of the Dock formerly Leas'd to
Mr. John Dolbcare, whose Term therein is Expired, and after
some Debate, Voted that this Affair be referr'd to the Selectmen,
who are hereby desired and Impowered to proceed and act hereupon
as they shall Judge most lor the Interest of the Town.

The Committee appointed Yesterday to Consider what Method
is best for the Inhabitants to take, in order to Reduce the present
Excessive price of Provisions, and to prevent the persons that
bring Provisions for Sale to Town, Incumbring the Lands and
highways about and near to Faneuil Hall Market and the Nusances
on Dock Square, now made Report (as on File) which was Read
and Accepted, and thereupon it was Voted that as many of the
Principal inhabitants, as can be conveniently applied to, be desired
to Agree and Sign to a Subscription now laid before the Town by
a Committee to be for that purpose appointed for to prevent the

214 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Extravagant Price of Provisions, more particularly of Flesh, and
that the Selectmen after the Expiration of Five Weeks, the time
propos'd to Subscribe for, be desired to make a Judgment or
Apprizal of the Common Necessarys of Life at their Weekly
Meetings, and publish the same from time to time in the Weekly
prints.

Also Voted, that inasmuch as there are great numbers of Carts,
Drays, and other Lurnbersome Instruments for Conveying Loads,
frequently gathering & long continuing in Dock Square so called,
many times for greater part of the Day, to the great Annoyance
not only of those whose Dwellings border on said Square, but
also to others His Majesty's good Subjects, who frequently pass

and repass therewith much Difficulty & Danger Therefore the

Selectmen are hereby [284.] Desired to take the most Effectual
Methods for clearing and pi-eventing Obstructions and Nusances
as aforesaid in said Square, and that the Expenee the Select-
men are at, be born by the Town.

Also Voted that Mess". Nathaniel Barber, William Cooper,
Royal Tyler, William Bowdoin, Thomas Gushing, Robert Watt
and William Blair Townsend be a Committee to obtain a Subscrip-
tion of the Inhabitants, relating to the price they will give for
Provisions &ca.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Monday the Six-
teenth Instant, 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Monday the Sixteenth day of March 1752. three o'Clock in the
afternoon, the Town met according to their Adjournment.

The Several persons that were chose the ninth instant to Serve
as Tythingmen appeared and said they were ready to Serve in that
Office, if they could do it with out taking the Oath, declaring they
cou'd not take it with a good Conscience, and for that reason
pray'd the Town would Excuse 'em, and after some Debate thereon.
It was Voted, the said persons be and hereby the}' are Excus'd
from Serving as Tythingmen for the reason they have given,
Viz'. " that they could not with a good Conscience take the Oath
of a Tythingman as required by Law.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded by a great number of In-
habitants, that the Town would reconsider the Vote of Dismission
pass'd on Dr. Silvester Gardiner's proposals for taking a Lease of
the Marsh Land at the Bottom of the Common, It was Voted, that
the same be Reconsidered, and after some Debate upon said Pro-
posals, It was Voted that the Selectmen be & they hereby are
appointed a Committee to take such Method as they shall think
bust for informing the Town, what [285.] Land it is, that Dr.
Gardiner would take a Lease of, either by st-ikiug out the same,
or taking a Plan thcTeof . & Report thereon at the General Town
Meeting in May next, that so the Town may proceed thereon as
they shall Judge most for their Interest.

Voted that the Sum of Twenty Pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid out of the Treasury to Mr. Abijnh Adams in full for his
Services as Clerk of Faueuil Hall Market the Year past.

The Committee appointed at this Meeting to obtain Subscrip-
tions of the Inhabitants for reducing and setliug the Price of Pro-

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1752. 215

visions, return'cl their Lists, and it thereby appeared that upwards
of three hundred persons had Subscrib'd, & then It was Voted that
all such as have Subscrib'd, or that shall hereafter Subscribe be
and they hereby are desired not to purchase any provisions upon
or near Dock Square.

Voted that all Matters that remain unfinish'd be referr'd to the
General Town Meeting in May next, to b^- then Considered of, and
acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to
the Honble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting, for
managing and Conducting the affairs thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismissal.

[286.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston legally Qualified & duly warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the twelfth
day of May A.D. 1752.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Cooper.

The Precept cc Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

Thomas Hancock Esqr. one of the Selectmen in their Name pro-
pos'd to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of a
person or persons to Serve for & Represent them in a Great and
General Court or Assembly to be held at Concord on Wednesday
the twenty seventh day of May current, and in order thereto, to
Consider & Ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected,
accordingly It was Voted to proceed to the Choice of four Re-
presentatives and it was then declar'd that the Poll be clos'd at
twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected, the Number of Voters were found to
be 827 and upon Sorting' em it appeared that the following Gentle-
men were Chose, Vizf.

The Hon°ie. James Allen Esqr 202

The Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. ....... 270

Mr. John Tyng 1 75

Mr. Harrison Gray 204

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same being
Declared by the Selectmen,

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moderator &
upon Sorting the same it appeared that the Honble. James Allen
Esqr. was (.hose.

Voted, that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

[237.] Afternoon, the Town met according to their Adjourn-
ment.

The Report of the Selectmen on the Visitation of the Publick
Schools, Read, and is as follows,

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled May 12th. 1752.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
14th. of May last, desiring the Selectmen to Visit the Several pub-

216 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

lick Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein, as they should think proper, do now report,

That on the 19th. day of June last, we attended that Service
accompanied by the following Gentlemen Viz1.
The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.

John Wheelwright Esqr.
Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Thomas Ilutchinson Esqr.
Stephen Stewall Esqr.
The Gent", the Repve8. of Boston
The Revd. Dr. Joseph Sewall
Mr. Thomas Prince
Mr. William Weelsted
Mr. Samuel Mather
Mr. Mather Byles
Mr. Samuel Cooper
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Middlecott Cooke
Cap1. William Salter
Mr. Edward Bromfield
Mr. James Boutineau
Mr. John Barrett
Mr. David Jeffries
Cap1. Hugh McDaniel

And found that in the South Grarnmer School there were 120
Scholars, in the South Writing School 270 Scholars, in the Writ-
ing School in Queen Street there were 90 Scholars, in the North
Grammer School 49 Scholars, and in the North Writing School
265 Scholars, all in very good Order.

JOHN STEEL "j

SAML. GRANT 0 i

THOMAS HILL f Selectmen of Boston.
JOSHUA HENSHAW J

Voted that this Report be Accepted, and that the Gent", the
Selectmen be desired to Visit the Publick Schools, the Year
[288.] Ensuing and that they Invite such Gentn. to Accompany
them as they shall think convenient & Report thereon.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying that some Method
may be taken to prevent so great a Number of persons selling
strong Drink in Town as now do, was Read and after some Debate
thereon It was Voted, that Thomas Hubbard, William Tyler,
Samuel Welles, John Phillips and Jacob Wendell Esqr". be and
they hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of said Petition,
and Report what is necessary for the Town to do thereupon.

Voted a Grant of Five Thousand pounds lawful money to be
rais'd by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of Boston
for the Releif of the Poor, and defreying other necessary Charges,
arising within said Town the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred pounds lawful money be
allowed and paid to Mr. David Jeffries in full for his Salary &
Services done as Treasurer of the Town the Year past.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 217

Whereas the Right Honourable Alexander Lord Colvill, Com-
mander of His Majesty's Ship Sucess has upon all Occasions dur-
ing his Station here, for about three Years past, discovered the
utmost readiness to do every tiling in his Power for promoting the
Interest of the Province, and of this Town in particular, and by
his Conduct and good Services has given great Satisfaction to the
Town, and the Freeholders and the Inhabitants taking the same
into Consideration, propos'd & thereupon unanimously Voted that
the Thanks of the Town be, and hereby are Given lo his Lord-
ship for his aforesaid Services & good Conduct during his Station
here, and the Gent", the Selectmen are desired to wait upon his
Lordship, and in the Name of the Town present him with their
Thanks accordingly.

[289.] The Petition of Isaac Dupee, Solomon Kneelaud and
others relating to their Lands near Oliver's Dock, was He;id &
thereupon It was Voted that Joshua Heushaw Esqr. Mr. Joseph
Lee, & Isaac Gridley Esqr. be and they hereby are appointed a
Committee to Consider of said Petition, and the Matters therein
Contain'd and Report to the Town at the Adjournment of this
Meeting what they apprehend will be best for the Town to do on
the Affair.

The Petition of a great Number of the Inhabitants, praying that
the Town would now Consider and Determine whether Faneuil Hall
Market shall be open'd, or further shut up, was Read, and after a
long Debate thereon, It was Voted that said Market be Continued
shut up until the further Order of the Town.

The Petition of James Fairservice relating to the Sweeping of
Chimnies was Read, & he thereupon desired Liberty to withdraw
it, which was allow'd him & he withdrew it Accordingly.

The Town proceeded to Consider of that Article in the Warrant
Viz*. " What application is necessary to be made to the General
Court to Relieve the Town under their present Distressing Circum-
stances," And it was thereupon Voted, that,
Samuel Welles Esqr.
Abiel Walley Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
John Hill Esqr. &
John Phillips Esqr.

Be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of this
Affair, and are desired to prepare a Draft of a Petition to the
General Court, therein representing in the strongest Terms the
present distressing Circumstances of this Town, on every Account,
as they shall Judge proper, praying for Relief &ca. & make Report
thereof at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Committee appointed by the Town at their Meeting in
March last, to Consider of the Proposals made by Dr. Sylvester
[29O.] Gardiner of taking a Lease of the Marsh belonging to the
Town at the bottom of the Common, now made their Report as
follows Vil'.,

Boston ss. To the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston in General Town Meeting, Assembled May
12th. 1752.

218 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

We the Subscribers being appointed a Committee by the Town
at their Meeting in March last, to Consider of the Proposals made
by Dr. Sylvester Gardiner of taking a Lease of the Marsh be-
longing to the Town at the bottom of the Common, do now report
us i'olloweth, Viz'.

That we have Viewed said Marsh & duly Considered of the
Affair to us referr'd, and are of Opinion that it will be for the Ad-
vantage of the Town to Lease to said Dr. Gardiner for the Term
of Thirty one Years that part of said Marsh and Land that is
contain'd within the following Bounds viz1, the same to begin at
the Westerly Corner of Pleasant Street and to run from thence to
a Knowl that is about the middle of the pasture of the late Col°.
Thomas Fitch, at about twenty feet distance from the Marsh,
from thence running on a Line to a Rock that is at the North-
easterly End of Ridge Hill, and from thence running on the South-
erly bottom of the Hill, into the Sea, said Gardiner to have Liberty
of going to and from the same thro, the publick Streets only.
The Town reserving thereout tlie Hill called Fox Hill for their
own use and Benefit, with free & full Liberty of passing and
repassing to and from the same at all times during the Lease
with Carts, Teams &ca. as they may have occasion, the said
Gardiner to hold the same during the Term aforesaid, upon the
Condition & Consideration of his Paying to the Town Yearly and
every Year during the Lease Five Shillings, and also Erecting &
Compleating within Seven Years a strong sufficient Bank or Sea
Wall for keeping out the Water to the Satisfaction of the Select-
men, & on failure hereof that said Marsh return to the Town, &
that at the Expiration of the Lease he deliver up the same to the
Town in good Repair.

THO". HANCOCK

JOHN STEEL

SAML. GRANT V Selectmen of Boston.

JOSH. HENSHAW

Josn. JACKSON

[291.] And after some Debate thereon, It was Voted that
the Consideration of said Report be referr'd to the Adjournment of
this Meeting.

Mess™. John Grant

Samuel Edwards &
Benjamin Church

were Chose Assessors of Taxes for this present Year, in the Room
of Mr. Thomas Foster deced, — Mr. Jacob Parker gone out of
Town, & Mr. John Winslow, who declines Serving, they being
Chose to that Office in March last.

The Committee appointed the ninth of March last to Consider
of the Petition of Cap*. Nathaniel Barber as Admr. to the Estate
of Cap1. Benjamin Edwards deced, — and of Mr. John Grant, late
Collectors of Taxes &ca. now Reported that they Judg'd the sum
of £29,, 0,, 10 lawful money ought to be abated to said Edwarcls's
Estate, and the sum of £7, ,15, ,2£ lawful money ought to be
abated to said John Grant, Which being Considered of, It was
Voted that said respective Sums be abated them accordingly ; and

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 219

the Selectmen are desired to give them Drafts for the same on the
Treasury.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Friday the 22d. inst.
at three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Friday the 22d. of May 1752. 3 o'Clock P.M. the Town met
according to their Adjournment

The Selectmen Inform'd the Town, that agreeable to their Vote
the 12th. inst. they had waited upon the Right Honble. Alexander
Lord Colvill, and return'd him the Thanks of the Town as Ex-
press'd in said Vote, and at the same time gave him a Copy of
the Vote, to which his Lordship gave the following Answer in
writing Viz'.

Gentlemen,

I am extreamly sensible of the Honour done me by the Metropolis
of America, and had I known six months ago, how well the Free-
holders and other Inhabitants of this great Town were affected
towards me, I Would have applied to the Lords [293.] Com-
missioners of the Admiralty, to be continued on this Station ;
Hut as 'tis now too late, I can only say ; that whenever the Amer-
ican Stations are to be releived, I ^ shall think myself happy if I
can return to a Country which has alread}' given me such Marks
of ISsteem and Regard.

Boston May 18. 1752. COLVILL.

Voted that his Lordship's answer be Enter'd upon the Records
of the Town.

The Committee appointed the 12th. Inst. to Consider of the
Petition of Isaac Dupee Dupee, Solomon Kneeland & others, now
Reported, That they had met the Petrs. aforesaid and fully heard
'em on behalf of themselves ; and the other persons who claim the
Lands in said Petition mentioned and also fully heard Mr. William
Torrey the Original Def. and upon the whole do Report as oar
Opinion that the said Petitioners and Claimers, had not sufficient
notice given 'em of the Law Suit aforesaid, and for want thereof
could not defend their Right & Interest in said Lands (if they had
any) therefore, that Justice may be done in the premisses and to
prevent unnecessary Expence either to the Town, or said Claimers.
We apprehend it will be best to referr the Claim of each to the
Determination of such persons as may be mutually chose, they to
hear, and finally Judge upon the same, as th6. no Action had been
brought, or Judgment given in favour of the Town and Claimers
to enter into Bonds to abide by such Determination, all which is
humbly Submitted by,

JOSHUA HENSHAW
JOSEPH LEE

ISAAC GRIDLEY

And after some Debate thereon It was Voted that the Consid-
eration of said Report be referr'd to the General Town Meeting
in March next. v

The Committee appointed the 12th. Instant to Consider of the
Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying that some method [293.]
May be taken to prevent so great a number of persons selling
Strong Drink as now do, Reported, That in their Opinion. The

220 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Number of Liceiis'd House are too many, more than are either
necessary or convenient, and mauy of them (as they are now used)
are nothing but Common Nusances, and unless suppressed, threaten
the utter Distinction of the morals of this People, and that if
Twenty persons were approbated to be Innholders, and Sixty
persons more for Retailers of strong Drink within the Town, it
would be fully sufficient, or Convenient And

Whereas there are at present 36 innholders & 126 Retailers
within the Town, but the Persons thus Licens'd are constantly
dying, The Committee further Report, that if the Selectmen were
desired not to grant any new Licenses nor approbate any in the
Room of those who may die, until their Number be Reduc'd to
what is hereby reported to be either necessary or convenient, it
would in time effectually remedy the Evil complained of, & in the
End be of great Service to the Town, more especially, if in their
approbations they would have regard thnt the persons thus Licens'd
be of the best Characters & so situated in the Town as best to
answer the uecessitys thereof.

THOMAS HLBBAIID ")
WILLIAM TYLER ! ~ ee
SAMUEL WELLES j
JOHN PHILLIPS J

And after some Debate thereon, It was Unanimously Voted that

said Report be accepted, and that the Selectmen for the time being

be and the}' hereby are desired to Conform to the Method proposed

in said Report so far as they shall Judge it to be for the Conve-

\nience and Interest of the Town.

The Committee appointed the 12th. Instant to prepare the Draft
of a Petition to the General Court representing the present dis-
tressing Circumstances of the Town, praying for Relief &ca. now
Reported, a Draft that they had prepared, being in the words fol-
lowing

To the Honourable Spencer Phips Esqr. Lieu'. Governour
[294.] And Commander in Chief, The Honble. the Council &
House of Representatives in General Court Assembled May 27th.
1752. The Petition of the Town of Boston. —
Humbly Sheweth,

That the Inhabitants of said Boston are in great Distress on
many Accounts, & beg Leave to open and lay before your Honours
their Calamitous Circumstances ; And,

That which is most apparent & Pungent, is the present prevail-
ing, contagious and mortal Sickness, which God in his righteous
Providence, hath sent among them, the Number of such as have
been sent to their graves by it, have pass'd thro' it, and been
rais'd up, and of those who now Labour under it, is, about six
thousand & about Three or Four Thousand more in all probability,
will be Visited with it, This Expence only, if there be allowed but
thirty shillings lawful money to each person, for Physicians
Apothecarys, Nurses, Watchers and other Attendants, extraor-
dinary Fire, Candles and other unavoidable Charges, will amount
to an Hundred Thousand pounds old tenor, and perhaps about a
Thousand persons have moved out of Town on account of this

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 221

infectious & dangerous distemper, whose Charges at the lowest
computation must also be considered at thirty shillings lawful
money each head, which adds above Ten Thousand pounds old
tenor to the Gross Sum, divers of which persons, may probably
never return, but Settle out of Town, as was the Case in the last
time of the Small Pox, and if it should be thus, the Loss to the
Town, will be much greater ; and with this Raging Sickness and
Losses by Death and Desertion, there is almost a total decay and
Extirpation of Trade & Commerce, the only means of the Town's
Subsist ance.

These Considerations, These Complicated Afflictions are the
more distressing, because they found the Town in very unhappy
circumstances, occasioned by Great & Growing Difficulty's, they
struggled under before, particularly,

The great Decay of Ship-Building, & the Distilling Business,
these are almost the whole Manufacture, the [295.] Town of
Boston ever pretended to carry on, and till of Late, almost all
Ships, especially of large burthen, were Built in this Town;
Whereas lor some Years past, Two Tonne of Shipping have been
built out of Town, to one in Town, and at Newbury, Five times as
much as in Boston in proportion to the bigness of the Two Towns.

As to the Distillery, six Still Houses are wholly unoccupied and
there is not one in the Town, fully & steadily Employed and most
of them not half improved, owing not only to the great increase of
Still Houses at Rhode Island, and to great Numbers very lately
erected at New York and Philadelphia, but also too many set up
in this Province, at Chaiiestown, Plymouth, Nantucket, Salem,
Newbury, Watertown, Haverhill and Medford, and from Nan-
tucket a considerable Trade is thereby carried on, abroard, to
Newfound Land & elsewhere, which Island of Nantucket was not
long since wholly supply'd from this Town of Boston with Rum and
the other things too, which they now import themselves ; And by
means of the Fishery, a considerable European Trade is carried
on from Marblehead and elsewhere, and the very men in Boston,
who heretofore supply'd the Fishery and Traders is at Marblehead
and elsewhere, now buy great part of their Supply of English
goods of those, to whom, but a very few Years since they used to
Furnish all the English or P>urope;m Goods those persons had,
but it is however a considerable Ease to the Town of Boston to
observe, that although so much of their Trade and Manufactures
be gone from them, they are not gene out of the Province.

The Town would humbly pray Liberty further to observe, that
the Excise on Tea, Coffee &ca. in a charge peculiarly lying on
them, where almost the whole of the Publick Revenue is raised,
out of the easiest, readie-t, and cheapest refreshment, the Inhabi-
tants of Boston, can take in a Morning.

They Cannot but further take notice, with your Honour's leave,
that the late practice of Killing the Meat used in the Town of
Boston, in the Town's round about them, has greatly thinned
and weakned their Inhabitants, insomuch, [296.] That Whereas
heretofore and not long since, this Town had above Thirty
Butchers, many of which carried on very large Business ; Those

222 ' CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Town Butchers kill'd much of the small meat, and all the large
Beasts, almost without a single Exception, Whereas now Boston
has but two or three of this Occupation, to kill either great or
small meat, and they all put together, dont carry on so much Bus-
iness, as some one of the thirty Butchers did formerly, and with
these Butchers, the Town has lost in a great measure, the Tann-
ing, Currying and Shoemaking Business, in which they formerly
supply'd themselves and much of the Country, but now have not
enough for themselves, but receive Hides, Tallow, Skins, and Shoes
from other Towns.

The Town of Boston would beg leave finally to observe, that
great Difficulty has risen in the Commerce of the Town, by the
late Change of the Medium, the Inhabitants of Boston would by
no means object against or find fault with the Act and Order of the
Great and General Court, but how necessary and wholsome soever,
this mia;ht be to the Province in General, it is most certain, that
since this Change, The Town of Boston has almost wholly, lost
their Trade to Connecticut and Rhode Island.

These things as they have lessened their number of Rateable
Inhabitants about a Thousand, from between three and four Thou-
sand, to between two and three Thousand, so they have greatly
increas'd their Poor to such a Degree, that the Charge of the Poor
has risen from a Thousand or Fifteen Hundred Pounds, to Ten.
Thousand Pounds old tenor, in but a short time ; Ten Thousand
Pounds was raised last Year for the Poor, & this Year much more
will be wanting, beside private Charity, which is tho't to be as
much or more than the Poor's Tax.

Upon the whole Considering how much our numbers are lessened,
the great Loss and Stagnation of Trade, the consequent ami
necessary increase of our Poor, the universal Distressing, and Ex-
pensive Sickness, the Cost of which only [297.] Must this Year
be much above an hundred Thousand pounds old tenor, The
Town humbly pray and hope, your Honours will Compassionate
their Case, and make them some Grant out of the Province Treas-
ury, Remit or Lessen their Tax, or some other way grant them re-
lief, as to your Honours great Wisdom, Equity and Goodness,,
shall seem meet, and your Petitioners, the Inhabitants of the Towr.
of Boston, as in Duty bound,

vShall ever pray &ca.

Which was Read, and thereupon It was Unanimously Voted that
a fair Copy of said Petition be prepar'd & Sign'd by the Town
Clerk, and that said Committee present the same to the Great and
General Court now Sitting.

The Committee appointed the ninth day of March last to draw
up Reasons to the General Court why the Bridge leading over
Neponsit River ought not to be declared a County Bridge, and
maintain'd by the County, Inform'd the Town that they had drawn
up such Reasons as they Judg'd proper, and presented 'em to the
General Court, and desired Liberty to Read a Copy of said
Reasons given in to the General Court, which were Read, Voted

that the same be Enter'd upon the Records of the Town. the

same being as follows Viz*.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1752. 223

To the Honourable Spencer Phips Esqr. Lieu*. Govr. & Com-
mander in Chief, The Honble. the Council, and House of Repre-
sentatives in General Court Assembled at Cambridge April 2d.

1752. The Answer of the Town of Boston, to the Petition of

the Town of Dorchester, praying that the Bridge over Neponsit
River, near the Paper Mill may be the Charge of the County of
Suffolk,

Humbly Slieweth,

That your Respondents readily acknowledge the said Bridge to
be of great use & benefit, & that considerable Repairs are now
much wanting, But they apprehend that this Bridge ought from
time to time to be built and repaired by the Town of Dorchester
& Milton, between which Towns it is situate, for in this manner,
[298.] The other Bridges in this County and thro, the Province
are generally erected and maintain'd ; Nor can we find, after Dili-
gent enquiiy, that any Bridge in any other County, thro, the
whole Province, is or has been built or repaired at the Charge of
the County.

The Building and maintaining Bridges over the Water in Rivers,
is very much of the same nature and for the same purpose of
accommodating Travellers and other passengers, as the putting in
order and repairing highways upon the Land, and by the General
usage of the several Towns thro, the Province, are at the Charge
of each Town, where such highways and Bridges, are, and if this
be reasonable in General, it is peculiarly so, as to this particular
bridge, for it is between the two considerable Towns of Dorchester
and Milton, & therefore as the Cost is divided, it cannot ly heavy
upon them especially, if we remember the advantage of such a
number and variety of Mills, such a plenty of Fish & such con-
venient water carriage to and from Market as they are accom-
modated with, by the River, this Bridge Crosses.

Your Respondents would beg leave, humbly to observe that the
Town of Boston is at much more Charge in proportion to their
Numbers, as to Bridges, Causways and Streets or highways, than
the Towns of Dorchester or Milton ; the Cost of the Draw Bridge,
the Bridge in Middle street and the long and difficult Causways
over the Neck with the paving and Repairs of other Streets, is out
of all proportion beyond the Charge of Dorchester and Milton as
to this and all other Bridges and Highways in those Towns, and
the Case seems to be considerably the same with most if not all
the other Towns in the County of Suffolk ; It will be found by a
strict Observation and Comparison that scarce any Town in the
County have so little Charge lying on them in proportion to their
Circumstances, as the two Towns of Dorchester and Milton, with-
out considering their ;idv:intage of Mills, Fish, and Water Carriage
to Market, as abovcmentioned. [299.] It is probable, that it
will be alledg'd, that this Bridge has been a Charge to the County,
& it cannot be deny'd ; But it was not built at first by the County,
but by the Towns of Dorchester and Milton, with the Assistance
of some particular Men ; when or how it came to be a Charge to
the County is more easy to Guess than to Affirm ; But Certain it
is, that for Sixty Years past it could not legally be made a Charge

224 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

to the County ; For the Law has given the Court of General Ses-
sions of the Peace no such power, and if there was any such power
under the former Constitutation, the present Legislature's taking it
away, or not renewing it is a sufficient Intimation that it ought not
to Exercised and it seems high time now, to observe the Direction.

It is also objected, that this Bridge is not of such peculiar
Service to Dorchester, being at the extremity of the Town were the
Inhabitants more seldom pass, but your Honours will Consider that
this is the Case of many other bridges which yet other Towns
Erect and Repair, & Dorchester Inhabitants when they have occa-
sion pass over them, & no reason can possably be given why other
Towns should provide Bridges and keep them in repair, Circum-
stanced as this Bridge is, for Dorchester Inhabitants, and the
Town of Dorchester not be obliged to provide in the same manner
for the Inhabitants of those other Towns.

Upon the whole, The Town of Boston humbly begs your Honour's
leave to move, that as it appears to be neither Legal nor equitable,
that the County should be charg'd with the repairs of this Bridge ;
That the Petition of the Town of Dorchester may be Dismiss'd,
and the Towns of Dorchester and Milton be obliged to repair their
Bridges, and keep them always in good order as other Towns, much
less able are necessitated to do.

And your Respondents shall ever pray &ca.

The Report of the Committee made the twelfth Instant on the
proposals of Dr. Sylvester Gardiner for taking a Lease of the
Marsh Lands at the Bottom of the Common was now Read again,
and after a short Debate thereon [3OO.] It was Voted that said
Report be and hereby is accepted.

Also Voted that the Selectmen or a Major part of them be a'nd
they hereby are Impowered to Execute Leases to said Sylvester
Gardiner of such part of the Marsh and Lands at the Bottom of
the Common as are particularly mention'd and bounded in said
Report, & upon the same Terms mention'd in said Report, and in
case said Gardner shall refuse to Accept thereof on those Terms,
Voted that said Selectmen be and they hereby are Impowered to
Lease out the said Lands for the same Term, to any other person
or persons that will Accept thereof upon the Terms aforesaid.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to
the Honble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting for
transacting the Affairs thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston legally Qualified & duly warned in Publick Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the twenty eighth
day of August A.D. 1752.

The Warrant For calling the Meeting, Read.

Sundry Laws, Read.

The Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. was Chose Moderator of
this Meeting.

The Town took into Consideration the Business of this Meeting
mentioned in the Warrant Viz'." Whether Faneuil Hall Market

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 225

shall be now open'd, or Continue shut up," and after a long Debate
thereon, It was Moved [#<)!.] And Seconded by many, That the
following Question may be put, viz'. " In what manner the Town
will Determine whether Faneuil Hall Market should be now open'd
or Continue Shut up," and the same being put to the Town It was
thereupon Voted, That it be determin'd by a written Vote, and that
such of the Inhabitants as are for opening said Market write, Yea,
and such as are against it write, Nay, and thereupon the Inhabit-
ants were directed l>y the Moderator to withdraw and bring in their
Votes in that Manner, and the Votes being accordingly brought in
& Sorted, it appeared that the Numbers of Voters were 231. and
that there were 102 Yea's, & 129 Nays.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes, for two Firewards
and upon sorting 'em it appeared that

Mr. Thomas Jackson junr. &

Mr. Newman Greeuough, were chose.

Then the meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly Qualified and lawfully warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the twelfth
day of March Anno Dom. 1753.

Prayer being made by the Revd. Dr. Sewall.
The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

Sundry Laws Read

The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Mhderator by a written
Vote, and the Votes being brought in and Sorted it appeared that
the Honble. Jamos Allen Esqr. was chose.

Kzekiel Goldthwait was chose, Town Clerk for the ensuing year
and was sworn into that Office by the Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
having also taken the Oath required by the Act of the 22d. Year
[30SJ.] Of his present Majesty, relating to paying and receiving
Bills of the other Governments.

Voted, that the Town proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen,
and the Votes being brought in and Sorted, it appeared that,
Thomas Hancock Esqr.
John Steel Esqr.
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill
Joshua Henshaw Esqr.
Cap1. Joseph Jackson
Mr. Joseph Green, were chose.

M1. Joseph Green chose a Selectmen, refuses to Serve.
The Petition of many Inhabitants praying that the Town will
determine upon a certain hour, when they will take into Considera-
tion the Sum to be rais'd for defreying their publick Charges ; Also
that for the future the Overseers of the Poor annually Exhibit to
the Town, a List of the names of such persons as receive any part
of the Towns moneys, or any Support from them ; and that the
Committee who shall be chose to Audit the Accompts of the
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Town Treasurer, be ex-
pressly directed and impowered to Inspect every particular account

226 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

of the moneys Expended for the use of the Almshouse, and every
other Branch of the publick Charges, and that the same be printed,
that so those who pay the Taxes may see how the extraordinary
charge of the Town arises Was read — And after a long Debate
thereon, the following Question was put " Whether the Prayer of
the Petition should be granted ? " and it pass'd in the Affirmative.
Voted that this Meeting be adjourn'd to three o'Clock in the
afternoon.

Monday 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon, the Town being Assembled.
[3O3«] Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of a Se-
lectman in the room of Mr. Joseph Green who refuses to Serve,
and the Votes being brought in and Sorted it appeared that,
Mr. Thomas Gushing, was chose.
The Hon°. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
The Hon°. Tho'. Hubbard Esqr.
Dan1. Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfield
The Hon°. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
' John Philjips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Cap4. Ebenr. Storer
Mr. John Barrett
Mr. Joseph Sherburne
Mr. John Tudor
were chose Overseers of the Poor for the Year ensuing.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was Voted unanimously
that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to the
Gent", the Overseers of the Poor for the last Year, for their good
Services done the Town.

Mr. David Jeffries was chose Town Treasurer, and took the Oath
required by the Act of the 22d. of his present Majesty, relating
to receiving or paying Bills of the other Governments, and also
took an Oath for the faithful Discharge of his Duty in that Office.
Voted that the Town proceed to Choose Twelve Constables
distinct from the Collectors of Taxes.

Voted that any Person that shall be chose into the Office of a
Constable for the year ensuing, be Excus'd from Serving provided
he pay into the Town Treasury Three Pounds lawful money.
Constables [In margin]

Mess". William Davis Pay

Benj. Davis Pay

Will1". Mitchell inisnam'd

Henderson Inches Pay

Sam1. Waterhouse Excus'd

Joseph Tyler Pay

James Richardson Pay

James Boies Excus'd

John Coburn Pay

John Cotton Pay

Andw. Oliver junr Pay

John Dupee Excus'd

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 227

[3O4.] Col°. John Hill

John Phillips Esqr.
Cap1. John Games
Cap*. Joseph Jackson
Cap1. Isaac Freeman
Mr. John Scollay
Mr. John Tudor
Mr. Royal Tyler
Mr. Newman Greenough
Mr. Thomas Jackson junr.
Mr. Nathaniel Thwing
Mr. Hopestill Foster
Were chose Firewards for the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Affair of opening Faneuil Hall Market be taken
into Consideration tomorrow at Eleven o'Clock in the forenoon.

Voted that the Petition of the Inhabitants at the Southerly end
of the Town, praying that a Water Engine may be provided and
assigned for them, and that the Bell at Mr. Byles's Meeting house
maj' be rung as heretofore, be taken into Consideration as soon as
the Affair of opening the Market is determin'd.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd till tomorrow morning at
9 o'Clock in the forenoon.

Tuesday morning the Town met according to Adjournment.
Voted that Fancis Borland & John Wheelwright Esq™. Mr.
William Cooper, Mr. Harrison Gray & Mr. Thomas Oxnard be
and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the Accompts
of Mr. David Jeffries, Treasurer of the Town, & also the Accompts
of the Overseers of the Poor, & the said Committee are hereby
directed and Impowered to Inspect every particular Account of
the moneys expended for the use of the Almshouse and every
other Branch of the publick Charges, & they are desired to make
Report thereon as soon as they have done the same.

Mr. John Gray

was chose Surveyor of Hemp for the Year ensuing.
[3O5.] Mess™. Robert Ford

Cap'. Isaac White
Andrew Symmes
John Grant
Benja. Andrews
William Nichols
Clement Collins

Isaac Vergoose Sworn

William Paine
John Greenough
Joseph Butler
Moses Eayres

were Chosen Viewers of Boards, Shingles, &c. for the Year
ensuing.

Mess™. John Hiller

Benja. Ballard
Edward Potter
Isaac Towle

228 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Robert Treat
Samuel Treat
Joseph Dyre
Benja. Sault
John Hobbs
Jona. Jenkins

were Chosen Cullers of Staves &c. for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Augustus Hail
Neal Mc.intire
Nath1. Bird

William Wheeler (Set work Cooper)
were Chosen Hogreeves for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Jacob Parker

Nathaniel Barber
William Fail-field
Peter Oliver
John Kneeland
Samuel Edwards
Benjamin Church

were Chosen Assessors for the Year ensuing
[3O6.] Mess". Moses Deshon
Richard Billings
Joshua Bently
Ebenezer Simpson
Jacob Holyoke
Thomas Sherburne
Bartholomew Gedney
Ephraim Copeland
Timothy Newell
William Torrey
Samuel Adams
Thomas Snow

were Chosen Scavingers for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Caleb Ray

William Moore
Onesiphorus Tilestone
Samuel Warden
James Tileston
Samuel Ruggles

were Chosen Fence Viewers for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Samuel Hastings
Josiah Carter
John Allen
Nathaniel Hodgdon
William Currier
Ebenezer Wallis

were Chosen Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. David Colson junr.
Nathaniel Gardner
were Chosen Informers about Deer for the Year ensuing.

Mr. Joseph Curtis, was Chosen Hayward for the Year en-
suing.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 229

The Selectmen were Chosen Surveyors of High "Ways for the
Year ensuing.

Mess". David Cutler

Thorn;) s Foster
were Chosen Assay masters for tho Year ensuing.

[3O7.] Mess". Jonathan Amory Excus'd.

John Amory Pay

John Bridge Serv'd last Year so . Excus'd.

Samuel Phillips Pay

Arnold Welles Pay

Edward Scott Pay

were Chosen Constables for the Year ensuing.

Mr. John Wendell Tert8. was Chosen a Constable for the Year

ensuing Sworn.

Mess™. Joseph Jackson
John S col lay
Thomas Greene
were Chosen Purchasers of Grain for the Year ensuing.

The said Committee are desired and Impowered to give all
needful Directions to the keeper of the Granary respecting the
Qtiautitys of Grain to be sold, and settling the Price thereof from
time to time as Occasion may require.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants for Opening Faneuil Hall
Market \\as taken into Consideration, and after some Debate
thereon Voted That the said Market be now Opened accord-
ingly- Also Voted, That the Selectmen be and they hereby are
directed to Lease the Stalls in Faneuil Hall Market to such
Persons only as will bring in for Sale here at a reasonable Price,
the Hides and Tallow of all such Cattle as they shall kill, and that
tliey give Security to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for their so
doing.

Voted, That Mr. Moses Deshon be Clerk of Faneuil Hall
Market, for the Year ensuing.

Mess". Abraham Rogers .... Sworn.
AVilliam Boardman .... Pay
Thomas Maccarty .... Pay
Abraham Savage .... Excus'd

Joseph Man Pay

Jeremiah Belknap . refuses to Serve or Pay.
Edward Lad Sanders . . . Sworn
James Mc.millian .... Excus'd.
were Chosen Constables for the Year ensuing.
[3O8.] Mess". William Gray
John Gore
Daniel Oliver
Jonathan Mason
Cornelius Thayer
John Morley
Charles Deming
John Leverett
Isaac Cazneau
Andrew Oliver Jeweller

230 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Josiah Waters
William Homes

were Chosen Clerks of the Market, for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Christopher Banks . . . Excus'd

Henry Snow Excus'd.

John Griffith Excus'd

James Bailey Excus'd

Thomas Mitchell .... Pay

Edward Davis Excus'd.

were Chosen Constables for the Year ensuing.

The Selectmen's Report on the Accompt of Mr. John Fenno,
keeper of the Granary for the Year past, as Entred in his Book
(and on File in the Town Clerk's Office) Read and Voted, That
the same be Accepted, & accordingly that Mr. Fenno be further
Accountable to the Town for One hundred & Seventy four bushels
of Indian Corn, and thirty bushels Rye am0, to Thirty Seven
pounds eighteen Shillings & four pence three farthings, & also for
the Sum of Three hundred & Sixty three pounds fifteen Shillings
& nine pence half penny Cash, amounting in the whole to the sum
of Four hundred & one pounds fourteen Shillings & two pence one
farthing, lawful money, exclusive of the Sum of Twenty Six
pounds thirteen Shillings & four pence, for his Salary and Assist-
ance, which is charg'd in said Accompt, & hereby allowed him.

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants at the Southerly part of tlie
Town praying that a Water P^ngine may be provided and Assign'd
for them, and that the Bell at the Revd. Mr. Byles's Meeting house
maybe Rung at such hours as shall be jndg'd necessary, was Read

& taken into Consideration and after some [3O9.] Debate

It was Voted, That the Selectmen be and they hereby are directed
to provide a good Water Engine at the Expeuce of the Town and
keep it in such a place at the Southerly part thereof as will best
Accommodate the Inhabitants living there, and that a Master for
said Kngine, and such a Number of other Persons be appointed,
by the Selectmen to take the Care and Charge of said Engine, as
they shall judge necessary.

Also Voted That the Bell at the Rcvd. Mr. Bj-les's Meetinghouse
be for the future Rung at such hours, as the Selectmen shall direct
and think necessary-
Voted, That the Assessors be and they hereby are Irapowered
to Sit upon the Abatement of Taxes to the first Day of May next
and no longer, saving that they have Liberty to Sit the two last
weeks in November next to Abate the Taxes of all such Persons,
as shall appear to them to have Died, or been out of Town, and
so could not have made Application to them before the said first
Day of May.

Also Voted, That the Assessors be and they hereb}' are directed
and required to begin to Sit and make the Taxes of the current
Year the first Week in September next, and so continue sitting de
Die in Diem, until they have Compleated the same, Provided they
shall then have receiv'd the Warrants from the Province Treasurer,
and from the Court of Sessions for the Province and County Tax.
The Petition of Abiah Hoi brook Master of the South Writing

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 231

School praying for Additional Assistance in Instructing the
Scholars, and that an Allowance may be made him for Supplying
them with Ink, was taken into Consideration, and thereupon it was
Voted, that

Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Greene
Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Joshua Winslow Esqr. and
Samuel Welles Esqr.

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to take said Peti-
tion into Consideration, and Report to the Town what they think
necessary to be done thereupon, and said Committee are [31O«]
Also desired to Consider in what place it will be most convenient
for the Town to Erect another Writing School for the better Edu-
cation and Accomoclation of Children, and Report thereupon.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded.

It was Voted, That Mr. John Tudor, Mr. John Ruddock Mr.
Samuel Adams, Foster Ilutchinson Esqr. Mr. Harrison Gray, Mr.
Oxenbridge Thacher, and Mr. William Cooper, or the Major part
of them, be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Visit
the Publick Schools in the Town the Year ensuing at such times
as they shall think proper, to See what Number of Children are in
each School, to Enquire into their behaviour and Attendance, and
the Government and Regulation they are under, and they are de-
sired to make Report hereon at the General Town Meeting in
March next.

Tything-men Nothing done thereon.

The Votes for a County Treasurer being brought in were Sealed
up by Constable Wendell, to be by him kept and return'd to the
Court of General Sessions of the Peace in April next.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjourn'd to Three o'Clock in the
Afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, the Town met according to Ad-
journment.

Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby they are directed to
Provide and Maintain Three Bulls to go on the Common at the
Expence of the Town.

Voted, That Twelve pence on the Pound be & hereby is Allowed
to be paid to the Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing, for all
such Sums as they shall Collect, Provided they pay unto the Town
Treasurer, One half part of the whole Sum they are Obliged to pay
him within four Mouths from the time they receive the Tax Books
from the Assessors, and the other half part in Three Months after,
and also pay to the [311.] Province and County Treasurers, one
half part, of the whole Sums they shall be Oblig'd to pay them re-
spectively in Seven Mouths from the Time they shall receive the Tax
Books from the Assessors, as aforesaid, and the other half part
in Five Months after, and in case either of the said Collectors shall
fail paying the Treasurers in manner as aforesaid, the Collector so
failing shall not be Entitled to the aforesaid Allowance of Twelve
pence on the Pound, but wholly forfeit the same. Provided also
that each of Said Collectors give Bond with sufficient Sureties to

232 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful Discharge of
their Duty in said Office, and Complying with this Vote.

Voted, That the Town proceed to the Choice of Six Collectors

of Taxes the Votes being brought in it appeared that

Mess™. John Ruddock

Joseph Russell

Hopestill Foster

Thomas Downe junr.

James Scntt and

Jonathan Payson
were chose

The Article in the Warrant Viz1. What Application is necessary
to be made to the General Court, that the Town may be " Abated
such Taxes as have been usually paid by those of its Inhabitants
that the last Summer remov'd into the Countrey Towns to avoid
the Small pox and paid Taxes there ", was taken into Considera-
tion, and thereupon it was Voted that

Samuel Welles Esqr.

Abie I Walley Esqr.

Mr. Edward Bromfield

Mr. William Cooper, and

Mr. Thomas Greene,

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to prepare the
Draft of a Petition to the General Court thereupon, and Report
the same to the Town at the Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Petition of David Wheeler praying that the Town would
Sell or Lease to him the Pond at the South End called Wheeler's
[312.] 1'ond, was Read, and thereupon Voted, That the Town
Clerk be and he is hereby directed to look into the Deed or Grant
of said Pond made by Gyles Dyer Esqr. to the Town and Report
at the Adjournment of this Meeting upon what Conditions it was
granted.

The Town proceeded to Consider of some Method for raising
Moneys to pay the Heirs of Mr. John Dolbeare Deced, — for the
Brick house he built on the Towns Lands near the Dock, agreeable
to the Lease thereof formerly made him, and now expir'd, and
after some Debate thereon, Voted that the Selectmen be and they
hereby are impowered to Advertise the Leasing of said Lands,
receive proposals concerning the same, and make Report thereof
to the Town at their General Meeting in May next, that so the
Town may Act thereon as they shall think proper.

Voted, That this Meeting be and hereby is Adjourn'd to Friday
the 23d. instant, at Nine o'Clock in the Forenoon.

Friday the 23d. of March 1753. the Town met according to their
Adjournment.

Mr. Moses Deshon inform'd the Town that he was Chose Clerk
of Faneuil Hall Market, but that his Business will not allow him to
Serve in that Office & desired to be Excus'd.
Voted, That he be Excus'd accordingly.

Voted, That the Consideration of raising Money for the defreying
the Publick Expences be refer'd to the General Town Meeting in
May next, and that the Town then Determine upon a certain hour

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 233

when they will raise the same — Also Voted that the making
Grants to any Person in the Service of the Town be refer'd to said
May Meeting.

Mess™. Alexander Lebloud Sworn

Daniel Bass Sworn

Sanderson West Sworn

Daniel Eveleth Excus'd

Samuel Trott Sworn

Robert Williams Sworn

John Bridge Sworn

chosen constables

[313.] Samuel Haley Sworn

Samuel Ridgaway junr Sworn

Joseph C:indish Excus'd

John Edwards Excus'd

were Chosen Constables for the Year ensuing.

Mr. John Pattin was Chosen a Constable . . . Sworn.
The Committee appointed the 13th. instant, to Visit the Publick
Schools, See the number of Children in each School ; Enquire into
their behaviour and Attendance &c. appeared and pray'd they
might be Excus'd from that Service, Whereupon It was Voted That
said Committee be Excus'd from that Service accordingly.

Voted, That the Selectmen be & they hereby are desired to Visit
the Publick Schools more frequently than has been hitherto
Practical and Enquire into the behaviour of the Scholars and the
Government and Regulation they are under, and give such Direc-
tions to the Masters of Said Schools concerning them, as they
shall judge needful.

The Committee appointed the 13th. instant, on the Petition of
Mr. Abiah Hoi brook Master of the South Writing School, now
Reported, That they had taken the same into Consideration, and
were of Opinion that Two Hundred and Ninety Six Scholars are
too manv for any School even, if there were three Persons appointed
to have the Instruction and Government of it, and thereupon Re-
ported that it would not bo for the Benefit of the Town to place
another Usher there, but rather to determine on some other part
of the Town for another School, which will undoubtedly have a

tendency to lessen this And as it would be much for the Ease

of the Master as well as benefit of the Scholars, constantly to have
good Stationers Ink in Use they further Report that the said
Masters have Liberty to find the same at the Charge of the Town,
provided he will do it for Four Pounds p Annum.

The Committee have likewise viewed several parts of the Town
represented to them as suitable to Erect another School-house
upon, As also the School house that Mr. Holyoke now keeps, and
finding the same will Admit of an Addition of about Twenty four
[314.] Feet, which when done will be as large as the South
Writing School in the Common, and will conveniently hold Two
Hundred Scholars (a Number in the Committee's Opinion full
enough for any two Persons to have the Care of) and as this
Addition may be made for about One Hundred and Twenty Pounds,
they Report that at this time it is the best thing for the Ease and

234 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

benefit of the Town that such an Addition be made as soon as
may be.

And after some Debate thereon A Question was put,

Whether said Report be Accepted, and it pass'd in the Affirma-
tive.

Also Voted, that the Selectmen be and the}' hereby are desired and
Impowered to Enlarge the Writing School in Queen Street as soon
as may be, in the manner mentioned in the said Report.

Also Voted, That Mr. Abiah Holbrook provide the Scholars
under his Care with Ink as be requests in his Petition, provided he
will do it for Four Pounds Lawful Money a Year.

The Committee appointed the 12t:i instant to prepare a Draft of
a Petition to the General Court, "• that the Town maybe abated such
Taxes as have been usually paid by those of its Inhabitants that
the last Summer removed into the Countre}7 Towns to avoid the
Small Pox and paid Taxes there " Reported a Draft they had pre-
pared, and after some Debate thereon It was Mov'd and

accordingly Voted That the Power of said Committee be Enlarg'd
and that they not only Consider of the particular Affair above
mentioned, but also that they take into Consideration the present
distressing state and Circumstances of the Town on every Account,
and prepare a Draft of a Petition to the General Court, therein
representing the same in as full and particular a manner as may
be, praying for Relief &c. and make Report of said Draft to the

Town at their General Meeting in May next Also Voted

That Dr. William Clark be Added to said Committee for the pur-
poses aforesaid.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was Unanimously Voted,
That the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town give the
Thanks of the Town to the Great and General Court [315.]
Or Assembly of this Province at their next Sessions, for their
great Goodness in making a Grant of Six Hundred Pounds Lawful
Money, for the Relief of such poor Inhabitants of this Town, as
were the last Summer visited with the Small Pox.

The Petition of David Wheeler, praying that the Town would
Sell or Lease to him the Pond at the South End called Wheeler's
Pond, was Read, and after some Debate thereon

Voted, That the said Petition be Dismissal .

It being represented to the Town, that part of their Land near
and about Wheeler's Pond is greatly Encroached upon, and by
some Persons bordering thereon taken into their own Lnuds.

Voted, That the Selectmen be and they hereby are desired to En-
quire into such Encroachments, and remove the same, and Settle
and Stake out the Bounds of the Towns Lands there that so it
may for the future be known how far the same extend.

A Motion was made by I)r. William Clark & Seconded by
several of the Inhabitants, that the Town would Give or Lend to
the Linnen Manufactory Company the Sum of Twelve Hundred
aud Ninety One Pounds.

Old tenor Bills of the Neighbouring Governments, which for a
considerable time past, has lain useless in the Treasury," and
after some Debate thereon A Question was put, Whether the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 235

Town will now proceed to Act on said Motion? And it pass'd in
the Affirmative. And then another Question was put, Whether
the Town are willing Mr. Treasurer Jeffries should Lend the
aforesaid Moneys to said Company to be improv'd by them for the
Benefit thereof, until the Town should call lor the same? And it
pass'd in the Affirmative.

Mr. Abijah Adams was Chose Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market for
the Year ensuing.

The Town took into Consideration the Eeport of a Committee
(appointed the 12th. of March last) on the Petition of Isaac Dupee
Solomon Kneeland and others made at the Town Meeting in
[316.] May last, and there Recorded at large, and which was
refer'd over to this time, and after some Debate thereon

Voted, That said Report be and hereby is Accepted. Also
Voted, That Mr. William Fairfleld, Mr. Thomas Greene and Mr.
Joseph Calef be and they hereby are appointed a Committee and
fully Authorized and Impowered for and in behalf of the Town to
join with the Petitioners and any other Persons that Claim any
Right or Interest in the Lands mentioned in said Petition, in re-
ferring their respective Claims to such Persons as shall be by them
mutually Chose, and said Committee are also Impowered to Sign
& Execute such Bonds as may be judg'd necessary to Oblige the
Town to Abide by the Award or Determination of said Referees
or a Major part of them provided the other Parties also give suffi-
cient Security for Abiding by such Determination, and whatsoever
said Committee shall do or cause to be done in the Premisses, the
Town hereby Promise to Ratify & Confirm.

The Committee appointed the 12th. of March last, to Audit the
Accompts of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries now Reported that they had
Attended that Service and find the same right Cast and well
vouch'd ; and the said Treasurer charges himself with sundry
Fines receiv'd from Justices of the Peace, with the Rents and
Incomes of the Town and with the Taxes committed to the Col-
lectors, Amounting in all to £8465,, 18,, 7,, And the said Treas-
urer discharges himself by sundry Abatements made the Collectors,
by what he has already paid of the Selectmens and Overseers
Drafts, and by what remains unpaid of said Drafts &c. Amounting

in all to £4374,, 15,, 10^ By which it appears that when all

the Taxes Rents &c. are paid in, the Ballance will be Forty hun-
dred and Ninety One Pounds Two Shillings and Eight pence
farthing, which the said Treasurer is further to Account for, as
appears by the Tryal Ballance of said Accompt given in by said
Committee and on File, which Report and Accompt being Read
Voted That the said Report be and hereby is Accepted.

Voted, That all the Business and Affairs of this Meeting
[317.] That still remain uufinish'd, be refer'd over to the Gen-
eral Meeting of the Town in May next, to be then Considered of
and Acted upon.

Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Honble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator, for Managing the
Affairs of this Meeting.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

236 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston, duly qualify'd and lawfully warn'd in publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil IJall, on Tuesday the 15th.
day of May A.D. 17o3.

Prayer was made by the Rev". Mr. Samuel Checkley.

The Precept and Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

John Steel Esqr. One of the Selectmen propos'd in their name
to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of a Person
or Persons to represent them in a Great and General Court OL
Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the Thirtieth
Day of May instant, and in Order thereto, to Consider and Ascer-
tain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected, accordingly it was
Voted to proceed to the Choice of Four Representatives and it
was then declar'd that the Poll be clos'd at Twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected, the number of Voters were found to
be 445. and upon sorting 'em it appeared that the following Gen-
tlemen were Chose. Viz'.

Votes

Thomas Hubbard Esqr 411.

James Allen Esqr 282.

Samuel Welles Esqr 266.

Mr. James Bowdoiu 249.

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same
declar'd by the Selectmen.

[318.] The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for
a Moderator, and upon Sorting 'em, it appeared that the Honble.
Thomas Hubbard Esqr. was Chose by a great Majority.

The Town then proceeded to bring in tlieir Votes for One
Selectman in the room of Thomas Hancock Esqr. who declines
Serving, and upon sorting 'em, it appeared that Mr. Samuel
II ewes was chose by a great Majority.

The Petition of Henry Atkins, Ezekiel Goldthwait, James Pitts,
John Rowe, Thomas Goldthwait, Nathaniel Holmes John Baker
and Thomas Mitchell, setting forth, that they have Purchased a
Tract of Land in the Township of Chelsea at a place called Pulliu
point for Carrying on the Fishery there, praying the Town will
Lease to them Deer Island (which belongs to the Town) for such
a Time and on such Terms as the Town shall judge proper, for
the better Enabling the Petitioners to carry on said Fishery, said
Lease to Commence upon the Expiration of the Lease made by the

Town to Mr. Henry Lloyd, .was now Read and Considered of

and after some Debate thereon It was Voted That the Prayer

of the Petition be granted, and that the Selectmen be and they
hereby are fully Authorized and Impowered to give and Execute
a Lease of said Island, and the Appurtenances thereof unto the
said Petitioners and their Heirs &c. they to hold the same for the
term of Seven Years at the Rent of Twenty Shillings p Annum,
provided there is Yearly and every Year during that time Twenty
Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Boston Employed in the
Fishery at said Pullin point, and that upon Failure thereof said
Lease shall be then void, and said Island and Appurtenances

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 237

revert to the Town, as tho' said Lease had never been made, the
Petitioners keeping said Lands in good heart, and keep the Build-
ings & Fences in good repair during the Lease, and at the Expiration
thereof deliver it up in like good repair, the Petitioners also paying
all such Taxes as shall be Levyed on said Premisses, the above
said Vessells to be of the Burthen of Forty Tuns, One with the
other.

[319.] Voted, That the Consideration of raising Moneys be
icfer'd to Six o'Clock this Afternoon.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 23d. of March last, to
View the Pond called Wheeler's Pond at the South part of the
Town, to Enquire into the Encroachments there made, and after-
wards Settle and Stake out the Bounds of the Towns Lands there,
now Report, that they had done the Business Assign'd 'em, and
that it was their Opinion that said Pond is of no benefit to the
Town, but a considerable Nusance, and like to Continue so, and
that it will be best for the Town to dispose of it for the most it
will fetch, there now being several Persons who are ready to

Purchase it, After some Debate thereon Voted, That

said Report be Accepted, Also

Voted that the present Selectmen or a Major part of them, be
and they hereby are fully Authorized and Impowered to Sell said
Pond and the Town's Lands around it, for the most they can, and
to give and Execute for and in behalf of the Town, good and legal
Deeds therefor to the Purchaser, said Lands to be first Advertis'd,
and then Sold to the highest bidder, and that the Produce of such
Sale be Applyed to the Payment of the Heirs of Mr. John
Dolbeare Deceased for the Buildings he Erected on the Towns
Lands at the head of the Dock.

The Petition of the Committee of Kings Chappel, praying that
Liberty may be granted them to Erect three Pillars of Stone on the

Towns Land at the Easterly End of said Chappel w:is Read,

and thereupon, It was Voted that Thomas Hubbard Esqr. Henry
Atkins Esqr. Mr. James Pitts, Mr. Stephen Greenleaf and Mr.
Jacob Parker be a Committee to View the place where it is pro-
pos'd said Pillars shall be Erected, and whether said Pillars will
incommode or Obstruct a convenient Entrance into any of the
Tombs near there, and make Report at the Adjournment of this
Meeting.

The Petition of Mr. Samuel Holyoke praying he may be con-
tinued Master of the Writing School in Queen Street, was Read,
and thereupon it was Moved that the Petitions of Mr. John Procter
junr. and Mr. Samuel Holbrook praying that they [32O.] May be
appointed Master of said School, in Case One should be there
wanted, may be Read, which were Read accordingly and after a
considerable Debate thereon, It was Voted that the Prayer of Mr.
Holyoke's Petition be so far granted as that Mr. Holyoke be con-
tinued Master of said School on such Terms and Conditions as
shall be Agreed upon by him and the Selectmen, to whom it is
refer'd.

The Town Enter'd upon the Consideration of raising Money
for the Relief of the Poor, and defraying other necessary Charges,

238 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

and after some Debate thereou It was Moved and Voted that the
same be refer'd to the Adjournment of this Meeting, and that in
the mean time the Treasurer be directed to prepare the must exact
Account he can of the particular Expenees of the Town, and how
they arise and lay the same before the Town at said Adjournment.
The Committee appointed the 23d. of March last to prepare a
Draft of a Petition to the General Court, now Reported a Draft of
the same, which is as follows, Vizt.

To the Honourable Spencer Phipps Esqr. Lieutenant Goveru-
our and Commander in Chief of the Province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay, The Honble. the Council and House of Represent-
atives in General Court Assembled, May 30lh. 1753.
The Petition of the Town of Boston,
Humbly Sheweth.

That they readily Acknowledge it, a great favour of divine
Providence that they live under a Government, to which the}7 may
freelv apply, and from which they may Obtain relief under any
pressing difficulties, of which they have had a recent instance, by
the gracious Grant out of the Province Treasury in the late distres-
sing time of the Small Pox, which bounty they mention with a very
humble and grateful sense.

[321.J This Encourageth the Town in their present Case, to
lay open before your Honours their Circumstances and distresses ;
It is very obvious that the Extent of Land in Boston, is the least
of any Town in the whole Province and of consequence, that their
great proportion of Taxes, may be founded on some adventitious
circumstances which must be the Commerce or Manufactures
carry'd on there, in which it is very certain and plain, that the
Town of Boston, heretofore had very greatly the Advantage, it
being almost the sole Seat of Foreign Trade, receiving and export-
ing almost all the Commoditys produced by this and the neigh-
bouring Governments, and supplying them with such Foreign
Goods as this Town imported and as the others stood in need of;
There was also, from the earliest days of the Town a great and
growing benefit by Ship-building, not only for their own Use and
Navigation which was formerly all that went abroad from New
England, but also for Sale in Our Mother Countrey, in the whole
not less than Five or Six Thousand Tons of Shipping were Built
Annually in the Town, and the larger sorts of Ships till lately were
almost wholly built there ; This necessarily Employed and brought
into Town a great number of Shipwrights, Blacksmiths Ship-
joyners Ropemakers, Blockmakers, Sailmakers, Riggers, and other
Labourers as well as Sailors, all which mainly resided in Boston,
and added to their numbers and Wealth, and help't to pay the
Towns proportion of Taxes ; whereas, now, three quarters of the
Shipping are built out of this Town and more especially at New-
bury ; and about Forty Years since, begun a considerable branch
of Business by Distilling Molasses or Treacle as it is call'd at home,
and refining Sugar; These Manufactures for near Twenty Years
were wholly confined to the Town of Boston, and there was
scarcely a Still house or Sugar house any where else, in this or any
of the Neighbouring Governments; This bro't on a large Trade

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 239

not only in importing the Molasses and Raw Sugar, from which
the Spirits and Loaf Sugar were made, but also in exporting the
Rum and other Spirits Distilled and the Sugar refined to New
York, Pensilvaiiia, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina,
for Wheat, Bread, Flour, Indian Corn, Pork, Beef, Pitch, Tar,
Turpentine, Tallow, Furs, Skins and other things too many to be
particularly named, as well as to Newfoundland and Nova [322.]
Scotia for Fish, Train Oil and Bills of Exchange ; whereas for
divers years lately, the Distilling is not only spread and carried on
in various parts of this Province, as Plimouth, Salem, Charlestown,
Newbury, Nantucket, Watertown and Medford, but also exceeding
largely in Newport & Providence in Rhode Island Government,
and there are also many Still houses and Sugar houses in New
York and Philadelphia and also considerable of the Distilling Busi-
ness carried on at New London, Norwich, Newhaven, and Middle-
town in Connepticut, insomuch, that now this Town has but a
small Share of Supplying, even the home consumption, for beside
what the Distillers in the other Towns of the Province, Sell, very
large quantities are bro't into this Province, by Land and Sea
from Newport and Providence in Rhode Island Colony ; The Trade
of the Town of Boston is also exceedingly lessened in English
Goods, for whereas, for a great number of Years they Supply'd
this Province, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island
wholly, they now send but little to Connecticut, and hardly any
thing at all to Rhode Island, and as to this Province, divers Persons
now Inhabitants of Boston are Supply'd with English Goods very
largely, from the very men in other Towns, who but a few years
since had their whole Supply of English and almost all other Goods
out of this Town, and of these very men.

There has been also lately introduced another practice, that, of
the common Victuallers or Butchers living in other Towns and
there generally killing the Meat for this Town, both great and
small, whereas formerly the greatest part of the small Meat was
killed by Town Dwellers and the large Beasts almost without a
single exception, The Hides & Skins were then almost wholly
Tanned, Curryed & Manufactured in Town, the Shoemakers in the
Country were mainly Supply'd with Leather from hence, and great
numbers of Shoemakers in Boston, had large Employ in making
Shoes for People living in the other Towns of the Province ; But
the very reverse is the Case now, hardly a single Bullock is killed
by an Inhabitant of Boston, nor is One quarter if an Eighth part
of the Hides belonging to the [323.] Meat consumed by the
People in Boston, Tanned & Manufactured here, Our Shoemakers
what few We have, are Obliged to go into the Countrey for their
Leather, and a great number of Shoemakers who live in the
Country, have large Employ from Boston.

These things the Removal of Ship-building, sinking of the Dis-
tillery & Sugar Works here, the killing the Meat and Manufactur-
ing the Hides and Skins out of Town, have thinned Our Numbers
above a Thousand Rateable Men, carried from us many of Our
most Industrious, frugal and provident Inhabitants, who have left
us a number of thoughtless, Idle and Sottish Persons, who have

240 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

very soon of course, come to be the charge and burthen of the
Town, Insomuch, that in a few Years, the Poor's Tax has risen
from about a Thousand or Fifteen hundred Pounds Old tenor, to
above Ten Thousand Pounds a year, and the sum given, in
quarterly Meetings, Monthly Contributions, half Yearly Collections
on the Anniversary Fasts and Thanksgivings and private Charitys
are tho't to Amount to as much, and many think more ; And the
Expence of this Town of Boston for the Poor is tho't by the most
Industrious, to be more than the whole Province beside, on that
Occasion and some say than all the Governments of New England
put together, exclusive of Boston : so that the most Observing and
best Acquainted are very positive, that the Poor's Tax in Boston,
is double (if not more) to what it is, in any Town of it's bigness,
upon the face of the whole Earth.

This Excessive Charge has begun and is likely very much to
increase, another great and ruinous Mischief, the. driving Our
Wealthy and most able Inhabitants out of this Town, to Dwell
and be Rated in the Countrey. It is a known and settled point
that about a quarter of a fifth part of what they pay in this Town
of Boston, is the extent of what they will ordinarily be Rated,
in almost an}* Town, they can Move into, in the Countrey ; It must
be a strong temptation, to be able to Sleep quietly a few Miles out
of Boston, and Escape paying Five Hundred or a Thousand Pounds
a Year, This is the Case, numbers are gone already, more are
going, others are preparing to go, and unless there be some
remedy the Town must be depopulated and the Poor perish by
themselves.

[324.] These are Our Circumstances 3'et we cannot but hope,
that by the interposition of Your Honour's Equity and Goodness
this Once flourishing but now siuking Town, may be saved from
ther dismal prospects and their hopes (as they humbly conceive) are
founded on Justice, their proportion in the Province Assessments, is
much the same as in their most prosperous state, when the Province
was little more than half so Numerous in the other parts of it, and
scarce a quarter so Able in point of Wealth, It is impossible the
same proportions should be equitable, when One part is undeniably
Sunk very much below what they were, and the other part more
than doubled in their Ability, this must be Acknowledged to be
the Case in comparing the present and past state of the Countrey ;
Boston has most certainly Sunk, and is by a Thousand Rateable
Inhabitants, less, the other parts of the Province are most certainly
risen, become more flourishing, their Lands better Subdued and
made more profitable their numbers of Rateable Inhabitants in-
creased by many Thousands, their Trade, especially that which is
Foreign, more that ten times greater than it was a very few Years
ago; We need only name the Countys of Essex, Middlesex and
Worcester to shew the Increase of Inhabitants and Husbandry, and
the Towns of Plimouth, Salem, Maiblehead, Newbury, Glocester,
Nantucket York and Falmouth in Casco Bay, to evidence the great
and flourishing Foreign Trade carried on, which formerly wholly
cordered in Boston, but is, now gone from it, to these several grow-
ing & flourishing Towns, if a Fifth or a Sixth part of the Tax, was

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1753. 241

Boston's Proportion formerly a Tenth or a Twelfth part, is much
more than their proportion now.

Wherefore, your humble Petitioners pray your Honours to Settle
the proportion of the Town of Boston in the Public!* Assessments,
according to the present state of the Town and Countrey, or in
some other Way, according to your known Wisdom and Justice

give them relief And your Petitioners (as in Duty bound)

shall ever pray &c.

After the same was Read, It was Unanimously Voted That it be
Accepted, also Voted That the Town Clerk [325.] Prepare a fair
Copy thereof, and Sign the same in the name of the Town, and
that the Gentlemen the Representatives be and hereby are desired to
present it to the General Court at their next Session, and Use their
utmost Endeavours that the Prayer thereof be granted.

Voted, That this Meeting be Adjouru'd to Monday the 28th.
instant at three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Monday the 28th. of May 1753, three o'Clock in the Afternoon,
the Town met according to Adjournment.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was unanimously Voted,
That the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to Thomas
Hancock Esqr. for the many faithful and generous Services by him
done for the Town during the time he Acted as One of their
Selectmen.

Voted, that the Selectmen be and they are hereby directed to
give to Thomas Hancock Esqr. a Draft on the Treasury for the Sum
of Eight Pounds Seven Shillings & Six pence Sterling Money,
being so much Expended by Christopher Kilby Esqr. in London, to
prevent the Allowance of an Act of (his Province relating to the
Excise laid on the Sale of Tea, Snuff, Arrack, Coffee and China
Ware.

Upon a Motion made by Ezekiel Goldthwait Esqr. and Seconded
by many of the Inhabitants, It was Unanimously Voted, That the
Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto Christopher Kilby
of London Esqf. for his great pains taken and close Attendance
upon the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, and also
a Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable
Privy Council, in order to get repealed An Act lately pass'd by this
Government, laying an Excise upon Tea, Coffee, Snuff Arrack and
China Ware, Sold here, which the Town apprehended to be a great
Prejudice to it, and which the said Christopher Kilby Esqr. by his
Assiduity and Care got repealed accordingly.

[326.] Voted, That the Selectmen be and they hereby are
desired to Write a Letter to Christopher Kilby Esqr. and the Ex-
ecutors of Eliakim Palmer Esqr. Deceas'd, desiring them to send
an Account to. the Town, how much they have Expended of the
Three Hundred Pounds Sterling, received by said Kilby and Palmer
on a Bill of Exchange drawn for that sum by Andrew Oliver Esqr.
in Order to enable them as the Agents of the Town to Defend a
Suit brought by John Ludgate, and others, against the Town, and
lately depending before His Majesty in Council, and that they
would Remit the Balance now in their hands, to the Town, as
soon as may be.

242 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Town took into Consideration the Article in the Warrant
Viz'. " To determine upon some Method for raising Moneys to pay
to the Heirs of Mr. John Dolbeare Deceas'd for the Buildings he

Erected on the Towns Lands at the head of the Dock " and

after some Debate thereon

Voted That Mr. David Jeffries Treasurer of the Town be and
he hereby is desired and fully Impowered to borrow upon Interest
of any Person or Persons such a Sum of Money as he shall find
necessary to pay off said Heirs, over and above the Sum that the
Sale of Wheeler's Pond will Amount to, and that said Treasurer
give his Bond for the Payment of the same, which Bond or Bonds
the Town hereby Promise and Engage to Discharge when the same
shall become due.

The Committee appointed by the Town the 15th. instant, on the
Petition of a Committee of Kings Chappel praying that Liberty
may be granted them to Erect three Pillars of Stone on the Towns
Lands at the Easterly End of said Chappel now Reported that they
had Attended that Service, and find that the three Pillars Peti-
tioned for, may be so placed as not to Incommode any Person,
and that the Proprietors of the Tombs, and the Relatives of those
buryed thereabouts are consenting to the same, also Report as
their Opinion that the Prayer of said Petition be granted, and that
the Petitioners have Liberty to Erect said three Pillars, provided
they set them in the places propos'd by the Committee the Souther-
most of [327.] Which to be at least, Six feet from the first step
leading down into Mr. Fairfield's Tomb, and the whole three not
exceeding Ten feet from the Body of the Church, and that when
they proceed to build them, that they notify the Proprietors of the
Tombs, and the Persons who have their Relations buryed there-
abouts to be present, which the Committee apprehend will be a
proper Expedient to maintain Peace and give Satisfaction, pro-
vided also that if in breaking up the Ground, they find the Bones
of any Deceased Persons, they put them into a distinct Box, and
bury them in some other place, provided also that the Land in-
cluded between the Church and the three proposed Pillars, shall

not be Inclosed which Report being Read, after some Debate

thereon, Voted, That said Report be and hereby is Accepted,
and that the Petitioners have Liberty to Erect said three Pillars,
in the manner and on such Terms as are mentioned in said
Report.

Voted, a Grant of Four Thousand Pounds Lawful Mone}*, be
rais'd by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of Boston
for Relief of the Poor and defreying other necessary Charges
arising within said Town the Year ensuing.

Voted, That the Sum of One Hundred and Twenty Pounds
Lawful Money, be Allowed and paid unto Mr. Peleg Wiswell for
his Salary, as Master of the North Grammar School for the Ensu-
ing Year, the same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due,
and to Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of One Hundred and Twenty Pounds
Lawful Money be Allowed and paid unto Mr. John Lovell for his
Salary, as Master of the South Grammar School for the ensuing

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1753. 243

Year, to be paid quarterly as it shall become due, and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Lawful Money
be Allowed and paid to Mr. Abiah Holbrook, Master of [328.]
The Writing School in the Common for the ensuing Year to be
paid quarterly, as it shall become due and to Commence at the
Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Lawful Money be
Allowed and paid to Mr. Zacheriah Hicks, Master of the North
Writing School, for the ensuing Year, to be paid quarterly as it
shall become due, and Commence at the Expiration of the last
Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful Money be Allowed
and paid to Mr. Nathaniel Gardner, Usher of the South Grammar
School for the ensuing Year, to be paid him quarterly as it shall
become due, to Commence at the P^xpiration of the last Quarter.

Voted, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful Mone^y, be
Allowed and paid to such Person as shall be appointed by the
Selectmen Usher of the Writing School in the Common to be paid
him quarterly, as it shall become due.

Voted, That the Sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful Money, be
Allowed and paid to such Person as shall be appointed by the
Selectmen Usher of the North Writing School, to be paid quar-
terly as it shall become due.

Voted, That the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Lawful Money
be Allowed and paid to Mr. David Jeffries for his Services as
Treasurer of the Town for the Year past, and for all his Expences
in his Office.

Voted, That the Selectmen be and they hereby are desired to
Visit the Publick Schools as Usual, and Invite such Gentlemen to
Attend them, as they may think proper.

Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to
the Honb;e. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting,
for transacting the Business thereof, and Thanks were given him
accordingly.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[329.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and Warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall, on Friday the Sixteenth
Day of November, A.D. 1753.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, was Read.

The Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. was chosen Moderator.

The Town proceeded to Consider of the Business mentioned in
the Warrant for calling this Meeting, Vizt. " To Choose two Col-
lectors of Taxes for the present Year, in the room of Mess".
Joseph Russell and Hopestill Foster who were chose in March
last but refuse to Serve," and the Town being inform'd that the
four other Collectors who were then Chose were willing to Collect
the whole Tax. Voted, That the Town will not Choose any more,
but that the said four Collectors, Viz'. John Ruddock, James
Scutt, Thomas Downe junr. and Jonathan Payson be and hereby

244 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

are Impowered to Collect the whole Tax for the Year. 1753, the
Vote pass'd in March last, that there should be Six Collectors not-
withstanding, the said four Collectors to give Bond and to Collect
and pay in their Taxes in the same manner as is particularly
mentioned in the Vote pass'd in March last.
Then the Meeting was Dis-miss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and lawfully warned in Publick
Town Meeting Assembled in Faneuil Hall on Monday the Eleventh
Day of March, A.D. 1754.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Dr. Charles Chauncey.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

[33O.] The Town proceeded to the Choice of a Moderator by
a written Vote, and the Votes being brought in and Sorted, it
appeared that the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. was chose and
he accordingly took the Oath required by the Act of the 22d. year
of His present Majesty, relating to paying & receiving Bills of the
other Governments.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was chose Town Clerk for the Year ensuing,
and having taken the Oath required by the Act of the 22nd year
of His present Majesty, relating to paying and receiving Bills of
Credit of tlie other Governments, took the Oath of Office, which
were Administred to him by John Steele Esqr.

The Petitions were Read.

Voted That the Town proceed to the Choice of Seven Selectmen,
and the Votes being brought in and Sorted, it appeared that
Mr. Samuel Grant
M r. Thomas Hill
Joshua Henshaw Esqr.
Capt. Joseph Jackson
Mr. Thomas Gushing
Capt. Samuel Hewes
Mr. John Scollay
were chose.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded, It was Voted that the
Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto John Steele Esqr.
for the good Services he has done the Town for many Years past,
as a Selectman.

Voted, That the Town proceed to the choice of Twelve Con-
stables distinct from the Collectors of Taxes.

Voted, That any Person that shall be chose into the Office of a
Constable for the year ensuing, be Excus'd from Serving pro-
vided he pay into the Town Treasury, Three Pounds Lawful
Money.

Mr. David Jeffries was chose Treasurer of this Town for the
ensuing year, and took the Oath required by the Act of the 22d. of
His present Majesty, relating to his paying or [331.] Re-
ceiving Bills of Credit of the other Governments, and then took an
Oath for the faithful Discharge of his Duty in that Office.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying the Town would

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 245

reconsider the Vote pass'd in March last, relating to the Overseers
annually exhibiting a List of the Names of all such Persons as
have received any part of the Towns Money, or any Support from
them, was taken into Consideration, and after some Debate thereon,
It was Voted that the said Vote in March last be reconsidered ac-
cordingly.

Mess™. William Clark Apothecary . Excus'd
Charles Ward Apthorp . . Pay
Thomas Leverett .... Excus'd

Samuel Osborne Pay

Thomas Parker Excus'd

William Stow Pay

Edward Wigglesworth . . . Pay
Samuel Waterhouse . . . Pay

Thomas Games Excus'd

Daniel Boyer Excus'd

Samuel Hughes Queen Street Pay
Thomas Greene junr. . . . Pay
were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to 3 o'Clock P.M.
Monday, the 11th. of March 3 o'Clock P.M. the Town met ac-
cording to Adjournment.

Mess™. William Rand paid in 1750.

Isaac Decoster .... Sworn

John Pattin Sworn

Jonathan Rogers . . . Excus'd
Thomas Bailey .... Excus'd
Thomas Symmes .... Pay
William Scott .... Pay
William Homer .... Excus'd

Samuel Burt Excus'd

Joseph Bass Sworn

James Boyes Excus'd

William Edes .... Excus'd
were chose Constables for the year ensuing.
[333.] The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.

Col°. John Hill

The Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr.
Daniel Henchman Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfield
The Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Capt. Ebenezer Storer
Mr. John Barrett
Mr. Joseph Sherburne
Mr. John Tudor
were chose Overseers of the Poor for the year ensuing.

Mess™. Charles Henley Excus'd

Alexander Leblond . . . . . Sworn

John Bridge Sworn

John Edwards Excus'd

246 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Oliver Wiswall Pay

Thomas Raymond Excus'd

were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer, and they being Collected were Sealed up by Constable
Pattin, to be by him kept and return'd to the Court of General
Sessions of the Peace in April next.

The Town having in the forenoon Voted to Reconsider the
Vote pass'd in March last, relating to the Overseers annually ex-
hibiting a List of the Names of all such Persons as have receiv'd
any part of the Towns Money, or any Support from them, won
took the same into Consideration, and thereupon Voted that
the said Vote in March last be and hereby is declared null and
void and that the Overseers proceed as was usual before said Vote
pass'd.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for Seven Assessors,
and they being Sorted it appeared that
Mess™. Jacob Parker

William Fairfield
John Kneeland
John Winslow
[333.] Peter Oliver

Samuel Edwards, and
Benjamin Church- were chose.

Voted that the Meeting be Adjourn'd to 9 o'Clock tomorrow
morning.

Tuesday, nine o'Clock in the forenoon, the Town met according
to Adjournment.

Mr. John Gray
was chose Surveyor of Hemp for the year ensuing.

Mess™. Robert Ford Sworn

Isaac White
Henry Berry

Clement Collins Sworn

Andrew Symmes .... Sworn

Isaac Vergoose Sworn

John Grant

William Paine Sworn

William Nichols
Benjamin Russell

Moses Eayres Sworn

Benjamin Bicknell .... Sworn

were chosen Surveyors of Boards, Shingles &c. for the year en-
suing

Mess™. Isaac Fowle
David Spear
Edward Potter
Robert Treat
Samuel Treat
Peter Cotta

Benjamin Ballard .... Sworn
John Helyer Sworn

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 847

Joseph Dyer
Benjamin Sault
were chosen Cullers of Staves, Hoops &c for the year ensuing.

The Selectmens Report on the Accompt of Mr. John Fenno
keeper of the Granary for the year past, as Knter'd in [334.]
His Book (and on File in the Town Clerks Office) Read and Voted
that the same be Accepted, and accordingly that Mr. Fenno be
further Accountable to the Town for Eleven hundred and Fifty
bushels of Corn remaining unsold amounting to One hundred and
Sixty one Pounds, and also for the sum of One hundred & ninety
Pounds eight Shillings & one penny farthing, •"'ash amounting in
the whole to the sum of Three hundred & fifty one Pounds eight
Shillings & one penny, farthing lawful money, exclusive of the
sum of Twenty six Pounds thirteen shillings & four pence, for
his Salary, & Assistance, as charg'd in said Accompt, which is
hereby allow'd him.

Mess™. Robert Clark Sworn

John Glen Sworn

William Andrews . . . Excus'd

Thomas Price Sworu

John Askins Excus'd

were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.
John Hill Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. John Scollay
Capt. Joseph Jackson
Capt. Hopestill Foster
Mp. Thomas Jackson Distiller
Mr. Newman Greenough
Mr. Royall Tyler
Capt. Thomas James Gruchy
Mr. Joseph Jackson Truckman
Capt. Solomon Davis
Major Nathaniel Thwing
were chose Firewards for the year ensuing.
Mess™. Nathaniel Bird

William Stukely .... Sworn

Joseph Candish Sworn

Samuel Smith Cordwainer . Sworn
were chosen Hogreves for the year ensuing.

Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner .... Sworn

David Colson junr Sworn

were chosen Informers about Deer for the year ensuing.
[335.] Mess". Daniel Evelcth
Samuel Torrey
Powers Mariot
Joshua Blanchard
Jacob Holyoke
David Wheeler
James Sherman
Samuel Bass
Joshua Bentley

248 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Eobert Pierpont
Robert Williams, Baker
John Welch

were Chosen Scavingers for the year ensuing.
Mess™. Caleb Ray

William Moore Sworn

Onesiphorus Tilestone

Samuel Warden Sworn

Story Dawes Sworn

Samuel Ruggles Sworn

were Chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing..

Mess™. Samuel Hastings .... Sworn

Thomas Hase Sworn

Thomas Hartley

William Currier Sworn

John Allen

Nathaniel Hodgdon . . . Sworn
were chosen Sealers of Leather for the year ensuing.

Mr. Joseph Curtis was chosen Hayward for the year ensuing.
Sworn

The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of Highways for the year
ensuing.

Mess™. David Cutler

Thomas Foster

were chose Assay-masters for the year ensuing.
Capt. Joseph Jackson")

Mr. John Scollay >- Com16*, for Purchasing Grain.
Mr. Thomas Greene )

[336.] were chose Purchasers of Grain for the year ensu-
ing The said Committee are desired and Impowered to giv«

all needful directions to the keeper of the Granary respecting the
Quantity s of Grain to be Sold, and setting the Price thereof from
time to time as Occasion may require.

Mess™. Isaac Cazneau Sworn

Daniel Oliver Sworn

Cornelius Thayer Sworn

Charles Deming

Jonathan Mason Sworn

William Homes

Josiah Waters Sworn

Andrew Oliver Jeweller Sworn

William Gray . Sworn

John Deming Sworn

Daniel Boyer Sworn

John Winslow, Hatter Sworn

were chosen Clerks of the Market for the year ensuing.

Tything-men Nothing done thereon.

Voted, that Cap'. Joseph Jackson, Mr. Thomas Greene and Mr
John Scollay be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to
Enquire into all Breaches of the Act of this Province relating to
Millers in this Town, and Prosecute all such as shall be guilty of the
same, by not Conforming to the Particular directions of said Act.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 249

Voted, that the Assessors be and they hereby are Impowered to
Sit upon the Abatement of Taxes to the first day of April next,
and no longer, saving that they have Liberty to Sit the two last
Weeks in November next to Abate the Taxes of all such Persons
as shall appear to them to have Died, or been out of Town, and
could not have made Application to them before said first day of

April Also Voted that the Assessors have Liberty to sit in

said two Weeks in November to Abate the Taxes of all such Per-
sons which shall then appear to them have become Bankrupts
between the first day of April and said time of Sitting, and which
the Collectors have Endeavour'd to get in, but could not.

[337.] Voted, that Twelve on the Pound be and hereby is
allowed to be paid to such Persons as shall be chose Collectors of
Taxes for the year ensuing, for all such Sums as they shall Collect,
Provided they pay unto the Town Treasurer, One half part of the
whole Sum they are Obliged to pay him within four Months from the
time they receive the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the other
half part in three Months after, and also pay to the Province and
County Treasurers, One half part of the whole Sums they shall be
Obliged to pay them respectively in Seven Months from the time
they shall receive the Tax books from the Assesors as aforesaid,
and the other half part in Five Months after, and in Case either of
the said Collectors shall fail paying the Treasurers in manner as
aforesaid, the Collector so failing shall not be Entitled to the afore-
said Allowance of Twelve pence on the Pound, but wholly forfeit
the same, Provided also that each of said Collectors give Bond
with sufficient Sureties to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for
their faithful Discharge of their Duty in said Office and Complying
with this Vote.

Mess™. John Ruddock

Thomas Downe jun*.
James Scutt
Jonathan Payson
were chosen Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Thomas Chapman , . Sworn

Richard Richardson Excus'd

William Jackson Excus'd

James Bailey Excus'd

Mess™. Augustus Hail Sworn

were chosen Constables for the Year ensuing.

Samuel Procter Sworn

Roger Stayner Sworn

were chosen Constables for the year ensuing.

Voted, That Mr. Thomas Greene, Thomas Hancock Esqr.
Mr. William Coffin, Mr. Isaac Walker and Mr. William Cooper be
and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Enquire what Fines
have been paid into the Town Treasury for several years [338.]
Past when they were are paid, by whom, and the respective
Sums so paid, the said Committee are also desired to Consider what
Method they apprehend the Inhabitants had best take to recover
such Fines as they judge may be now due to the Town, and make
Report hereon at the General Town Meeting in May next.

250 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants, Abutters on Beacon Street,
and many others, setting forth the necessity of Paving said Street,
and that in case the Town will Allow Fifty Pounds towards doing

the same, the Abutters will pay the remainder Read & Voted

that the Sum of Fifty Pounds lawful money be paid out of the
Treasury towards paving said Street, to be paid when the same is
done, the Abutters undertaking to be the remaining part of the
Charge for doing the same.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants praying that part of Anne
Street may be Widened, it being now so narrow thnt it is danger-
ous to pass and repass the same, and in order to do it, there will
be a necessity to take down part of a House belonging to the Heirs
of Mr. Jeremiah Allen DecOd, and part of a House belonging to
One Mr. Haddocks Read, and

Voted, that the Selectmen prefer a Petition to the General Court
praying the Town may be Enabled to Widen said Street, by taking
down so much of said Houses, as may be necessary therefor,
allowing such Consideration for the same, as the General Court
shall judge reasonable.

The Petition of Thomas Hubbard Esqr. Setting forth that in the
year 1737, when the Town had Concluded on Building a Work-
house, and in order to have the same Erected in some Commodious
part of it, it was judged by a Committee of the Town necessary
to remove the Granary from the place it then stood in, to where it
now is, and the Petitioner (being One of that Committee) finding
that the Granary had till then been without a Cellar, thought it
very inconvenient that so good a Building should remain so any
longer, and thereupon proposed the things being done, after it was
removed, upon this the Towns Committee proposed to the Peti-
tioner that he should have a term of time in it, if he would under-
take it himself, to which he suddenly [339.] Agreed for Sixteen
years, immediately went about & Accomplished it, at the Cost of
more than Two Hundred Pounds, the then Currency, altho' he was
afterwards Enjoined by the Committee to Lath and Plaister under
the lower Floor of the Granary, which he never Expected to do,
when he agreed for that term of time, but so it is that notwithstand-
ing he hath had the Sixteen years in it, the 12th. of December last,
yet during that whole time he has had Opportunity to hire it out
but 2£ years at the rate of Thirty Pounds Old tenor p. Annum,
and about 2^ years more at the Rate of Sixty Pounds, the other
part of the 16 years, it hath lain mostly Unimproved, unless it be
by his sometimes housing Pitch and Tarr in it, at a very consider-
able Expence — — The Petitioner therefore humbly Conceives that
as it was his real Intention to Serve the Town in what he did, so
the Town will not suffer him to be a Looser thereby, which he In-
evitably must be, unless he hath a longer time allowed him therein
or be otherewise relieved by the Town, which he humbly submitted

to their Consideration ; said Petition being Read Voted that

for the Considerations mentioned, and reasons given in said Petition,
the said Thomas Hubbards term in said Cellar be and hereby is ex-
tended Ten Years longer to commence the 12th. of December last, and
that the Selectmen Execute a Lease thereof to him accordingly.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. , 251

The Committee appointed the 12th. of March last, to Audit the
Accompts of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries now reported, that they had
attended that Service, and find the same right cast & well
Vouched, in which A ceo', he Charges himself with sundry Fines,
Rents and other Incomes of the Town, as also with the Tax of
£4,000 committed to the Collectors, all which Amounts (including

the Ballance of Old Acco*. to the Sum of £8575,, 3,, 9| And

the said Treasurer discharges himself by sundry Abatements made
the Collectors, by Drafts made by the Selectmen Am0, to £2525,,
4,, l£ and by Drafts made by the Overseers of the Poor, which
contain the Charges of the Almehouse and Workhouse, Am0, to
£1316,, 11,, llf which said Com1*6, inspected in a very particular
manner by Examining every particular Voucher, produced by the
Overseers for the Amount of that Sum, and every other branch of
Publick Charge, all Am0, to £5142,, 5,, ll£ [34O.1 By which
it appears that when all the Taxes Rents & Incomes of the Town
are in, the Ballance will be £3432,, 17,, 10£ which the said Treas-
urer is further to Account for, as appears by the Tryal Ballanoe
of said Accompt, given in by said Committee and on file, which
Report and Accompt being Read,

Voted the same be Accepted.

Voted, that Mr. William Cooper, Mr. Thomas Tyler, Thomas
Greene John Wheelwright and Thomas Oxnard Esq™. be and they
are appointed a Committee to Audit the Accompts of Mr. Treas-
urer Jeffries, and also the Accompts of the Overseers of the Poor,
and the said Committee are hereby directed and Impowered to
Inspect every Particular Acco'. of the Moneys expended for the
Use of the Almshouse, and every other Branch of the Publick
Charges, and they are desired to make Report thereon, as soon as
they have done the same.

The Committee appointed the twelfth clay of March last, on the
Petition of Isaac Dupee, Solomon Kneeland & others, relating to
their Claim of Lands mentioned in said Petition, now Reported
that on the twenty sixth of December last, pursuant to the power
given them, they Executed Bonds of Submission on behalf of the
Town unto Isaac Dupee, Solomon Kneeland and Thomas Walley
on behalf of themselves and others that Claim the Lands & Prem-
isses in Dispute, who likewise Executed Bonds to said Committee,
whereby was refer'd their Right Claim and Demand, as also the
Right Claim and Demand of the Town, to said Lands unto the
Determination of Samuel Danforth Esqr. of Cambridge James
Russell and Samuel Bradstreet of Charlestown Merchants ; who
accordingly met and fully heard the Committee & the other
Claimers upon the Premisses, and on the twenty eighth day of
February last, gave in their final Award and Determination there-
upon which Bond and Award the said Committee Read and

presented to the Town for their Confirmation, and said Committee
further Reported that they apprehended it to be best that said
Bonds and Award be Enter'd upon the Towns Record, to prevent

any Disputes relating to said Lands for the future thereupon It

was Voted that said Report be Accepted, and that the Lands given
and Assigned to the Petitioners and other Claitners by said Refer-

252 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

rees be and hereby [341.] Are Confirmed unto them and thier
Heirs forever as is mentioned in their Award. Also Voted that
the said Bonds of Submission and said Award be Enter'd at length
on the Towns Records to prevent any Disputes relating to said
Land for the future.

Which Bond and Award are as follows. Viz1.

Know all Men by these presents that We Isaac Dupee Mariner
and Solomon Knecland Leather dresser and Thomas Walley
Merchant all of Boston in the County of Suffolk (for Ourselves
and such other persons as shall or do claim the Lands and Prem-
isses hereafter described) are holden and stand firmly Bound and
Obliged unto William Fairfield Bricklayer, Thomas Greene Mer-
chant & Joseph Calef Tanner all of Boston aforesaid (as they are
a Committee of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston aforesaid specially appointed and Impowered by them
at their Meeting the 23d. of March last to Settle the Claim of said
Town to the same Lands) in the full and just Sum of Five Hun-
dred Pounds lawful money, to be paid to said William Fairfield,
Thomas Greene and Joseph Calef their Exc6r*s Admor's or Assigns
to and for the only Use and benefit of said Town, To the true
Payment whereof We Bind Ourselves Our heirs Excor's and
Admor's jointly and severally firmly by these presents, Sealed
with Our seals. Dated the twenty sixth day of December, One
Thousand Seven Hundred & Fifty three.

Whereas the Inhabitants of the said Town of Boston at the
Superiour Court of Judicature held at Boston within and for said
County of Suffolk on the Eighth day of March 1749 Recovered
Judgment against William Toirey of Boston aforesaid Baker for
the Possession of a Peice of Land Situate in Boston aforesaid
bounded Northerly Seventy eight feet on a Street or Lane that
leads from Water Street to Olivers Dock Easterly Sixteen feet of
Land of Christopher Tilden and Thirty feet & an half Easterly on
Land of Mr. Hunt and others, Southerly Thirty feet on Water
Street, Westerly Thirty feet on Land in Possession of John Shaw,
Northerly twenty six feet on said Land in Possession of said Shaw
Westerly twenty seven feet on said Land in said Shaws Possession,
Southerly fourteen feet on Water Street, Westerly twenty six feet
on Land improved by James Beighton, Northerly twenty four feet
on said Land in the improvement of said Beighton & Westerly,
Sixteen feet on Land in the improvement of James Allen Esqr.
with the Appurtenances, And afterwards had Possession thereof
delivered to their [342.] Selectmen accordingly. And Whereas
the above Bounden Isaac Dupee and Solomon Kneeland for them-
selves and other Claimers of the above said Lands preferr'd a
Petition to the said Town at their Meeting in May 1752. Setting
forth (among other things) that they apprehended they have a just
and legal right and Title to the Lands aforesaid, and they were
never Informed of the aforesaid Action or Suit brought by the
Town for . . . Possession of the same Lands, which they would
have Defended and that they could have made out their Title to
the same, if they had proper Notice given 'em thereof, praying the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 253

Town that said Affair may be Amicably Settled by Referring the
Claims of the Town and the Petitioners to such Persons as may be
mutually chose by them to Determine the same, or that it be other-
wise settled as should be judged best ; and thereupon the Town
appointed a Committee to Consider what they apprehended was
best for the Town to do in said Affair, who Reported that they
had fully heard said Claimers and said William Torrey, relating to
the matters suggested in said Petition, and that Justice might be
done and Unnecessary Expence in the Law either to the Town or
the Claimers prevented they judged it would be best to Refer the
Claims of each to the Determination of such Persons as should be
Mutually chose, they to hear and finally judge of the same, as tho'
no Action had been brought or Judgment given in favour of the
Town, which Report was Read, and Accepted by the Town at
their publick Meeting the 23d. of March last, And it was then
Voted that the said William Fairfield, Thomas Greene and Joseph
Calef be a Committee for said Town, and were fully Authorized
and Impowered for and in behalf of the Town to join with the
Petitioners and any other Persons that Claim any Right or Interest
in said Lands in referring their respective Claims to such Persons
as shall be by them Mutually Chose, and said Committee were
also Impowered to Sign & Execute such Bonds as may be judged
necessary to Oblige the Town to Abide by the Award or Determi-
nation of such Referees or a Major part of them provided the
other Parties also give sufficient Security for abiding by such De-
termination, and whatsoever said Committee should do or cause
to be done in the Premisses the Town promised to Ratify and
Confirm, And Whereas the said William Fairfield Thomas Greene
and Joseph Calef a Committee impowered as aforesaid, and the
said Isaac Dupee Solomon Kueeland and Thomas Wnlley for
themselves and the other Claimers to said Lands, have Mutually
[343.] Chosen and Appointed Samuel Danforth of Cambridge
Esqr. and James Russell and Samuel Bradstreet of Charlestown
Merchants Referrees, to hear them relating to their respective
Claims Title and Interest in said Lands, and finally to Judge and
Determine upon the same as though no Action had been brought
or Judgment of Court given in favour of said Town.

The Condition therefore of the aforewritten Obligation is such,
that if the said Isaac Dupee & Solomon Kneeland & 'Thomas
Walley and the other Persons who Claim any Title or Interest in
said Lands their respective Heirs Excors, or Admors shall and
do stand to Abide by, and in all respects fulfill and perform the
Award Arbitrement or Determination of the Referrees aforesaid or
of a Major part of them ; relating to their Title and Interest in the
Lands & Premisses aforesaid and not any ways depart from the
same, Provided it lie delivered, or be ready to be delivered to such
of the Parties as shall desire it, under the hands and Seals of said
Referrees or a Major part of them, on or before the tenth day of
March next ensuing, And in the mean while Attend said Referrees
or a Major part of them, with their Papers and Evidences at such
times and places as they shall Appoint, and all without fraud or

254 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

delay then this aforewritten Obligation shall be void, otherwise
shall be in full force.

Signed Sealed and Delivered

in presence of Us, ISAAC DDPEE & a Seal

EZK1". GOLDTHWAIT SOL°. KNEELAND & a Seal

JOHN SAVEL THOMAS WALLET & a Seal.

We the Subscribers Referrees chosen and appointed in and by
the aforewritten Bond of Submission, have met and heard the
respective Parties in said Bond named and fully Considered of such
Evidence as they produced relating to their several Claims to the
Lands therein described, and do Award that the Judgment afore-
said, recovered by the Inhabitants of said Town of Boston for
Possession of said Lands and the Writ of Facias habere Posses-
sionem granted thereupon, be and hereby are made Null and void,
and in Consideration thereof, We the said Referrees (b}* and with
the full and free Consent of the said Parties) do hereby Assign
unto the said Town of Boston part of the same Lands, Viz'. Out
of the Lands of the said Solomon Kneeland thirteen feet two inches
in length, and Five feet three inches in breadth from the Middle
of the Pav'd Gutter, Out of the Lands of [344.] The Heirs of
John Walley Esqr. Deced, Forty seven feet and an half in length
and Five feet three in breadth (both of which Lands are on the
South side of said Gutter) and out of the Lands of said Isaac
Dupee Seventy Nine feet & Eight Inches in length, and Four feet
Nine Inches in breadth from the Middle of said Gutter (said
Dupee's Land being on the North side of said Gutter) which said
Lands the said Town of Boston are to hold as an Estate of Inherit-
ance in Fee Simple forever, and are hereby deem'cl to be said Towns
full proportion of the Lands whereof they had recovered possession
by force of the Judgment aforementioned. Witness Our hands
and Seals the twenty eighth day of February, One Thousand Seven
Hundred & Fifty four.
Signed Sealed & Delivered

in the presence of us. SAMUEL DANFORTH & a Seal

JOHN SAVEL JAMES RUSSELL & a Seal

EzEK1-. GOLDTHWAIT SAMUEL BRADSTREET & a Seal.

Capt. Isaac Dupee was chose Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market for
the year ensuing.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants for Paving Moon Court
Street Read.

Voted, That the same be Dismissed.

Voted that the Assessors be and hereby are directed and re-
quired to begin to Sit and make the Taxes of the current year
the first Week in August next, and so continue Sitting de Die in
Diem, until they have Compleated the same, provided they shall
then have received the Warrants from the Province Treasurer, and
from the Court of Sessions for the Taxes.

Voted that the Committee this day chose to Audit the Accompts
of the Treasurer and Overseers of the Poor, be desired when they
Attend that Service, to prepare a List of the Names of all such
Persons as Receive Charity from the Town out of the House, and
Present it to the Town with their report, and that the same be

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 255

lodged in the Town Clerks Office for the Inspection of any of the
Inhabitants that shall desire it, Also Voted that said Committee
be desired to prepare an Acco'. of the general Articles in the Se-
lectmens, and Overseers Drafts, and lay the same before the
Town.

[345.] Voted, that all Matters that remain unfinished be and
hereby are refer' d over to the Meeting in May next to be then
Considered and Acted upon.

Thanks was Voted the Moderator.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston legally qualified and Warn'd in Publick Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the fifteenth
day of May A.D. 1754.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Mather.

The Precept and W arrant for calling the Meeting Read

Sundry Laws Read.

Mr. Samuel Grant one of the Selectmen propos'd in their Name
to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of One or
more Persons to represent them in the Great and General Court or
Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the twenty ninth
day of May current, and in order thereto, to Consider and Ascer-
tain the Number of Gentlemen to be Elected, accordingly It was
Voted to proceed to the Choice of four Representatives, and it was
then declar'd that the Poll be clos'd at twelve o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected the Number of Voters were found to
be 603. and upon sorting 'era it appeared that the following Gen-
tlemen were chose Viz'.

Votes.

Samuel Welles Esqr 392

James Allen Esqr 549

Thomas Ilubbard Esqr 586

Mr. James Bowdoin 430

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same de-
clared by the Selectmen.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moder-
ator, and upon Sorting 'em, it appeared that the Honble. Thomas
Hubbard Esqr. was chose by a great Majority.

[346.] Sundry Petitions Read.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 15th. of May last to
Visit the Schools, now made the following Report, Viz'.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled May 15. 1754.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
15th. of May last, desiring the Selectmen to Visit the several
Publick Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them
therein, as they should think proper do now Report.

That on the 29th. day of June last, We Attended that Service
Accompanied by the following Gentlemen, Viz'.
The Houhle. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Richard Bill Esqr.

256 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Judge Sewall
The Gentn. the Representatives

of Boston.
The Revd. Dr. Sewall

Dr. Chauncey
Mr. Prince
Mr. Eliot
Mr. Cooper

Daniel Henchman Esq'.
Charles Apthorp Esqr.
Thomas Hancock Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
John Hill Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. John Barrett
Mr. Ebenezer Storer
Mr. James Pitts
Mr. Joseph Sherburn
Mr. John Tudor
Mr. Peter Chardon
Mr. David Jeffries

And found that in the South Grammar School there was 120

Scholars, in the South "Writing School 320 Scholars, in the Writing

School in Queen Street there were 85 Scholars, in the North

Grammar School 43 Scholars, and in the North Writing School

280 Schdlars, all in very good order.

SAMUEL GRANT

THOMAS HILL

JOSHUA HENSHAW \- Selectmen of Boston.
JOSEPH JACKSON
SAMUEL HEWES J

Read and Accepted, and Voted that the Gentlemen the Select-
men be and hereby are desired to Visit the Schools this present
year, & Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them as they shall
think proper.

[347.] The Committee appointed tne 11th. of March last, to
Enquire what Fines have been paid into the Town Treasury for
several years past, when they were paid, by whom, and the re-
spective Sums so paid, and to Consider what Method the Inhabi-
tants had best take to recover such Fines as they judge
may be now due to the Town, now Report, That the Fines paid
into the Town Treasury from the 13th. of June 1739, to this day,
by several of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace and Sheriffs
Am0, to £539 „ 12 „ 8. Old tenor, & £43 ,, 8 ,, 6. lawful money,
as by a particular Acco'. thereof, and of the Names of the Persons
who paid the same, which said Committee exhibited to the Town
appears, and as those Justices who have paid, did never render
legal Accompts, and as many others have never yet paid any Sum
into the Treasury, and from whom said Committee apprehended
there is considerable due, they further report as their Opinion that

BOSTON TOWN KECORDS, 1754. 257

the best Method, the Town can take to Obtain what is due to them,
is to direct the Treasurer of the Town to Prosecute such Justices
as are living, and the Heirs Excors or Admors — of such as are
Deced — in the manner the Law directs at the next Inferiour Court
to be held for this County, in case they don't by the tenth of June
next, render a legal Acco'. to him and pay the Sums that shall
thereupon appear to be respectively due from them to the Town,
which Report being Read and Debated, Voted, that the same be
Accepted with the following Amendment, Viz1. That the Treasurer
be directed to wait, on such Justices of the Town as are living,
and the Heirs Excors — or Admors — of such as are Deced, — and
require of them an Acco'. of the Fines they have not paid, and
those that do not render to him a legal Acco1. and pay the Fines
thereon due, to the Town by said tenth of June, said Treasurer is
hereby directed to prosecute in the Law for the same, at the
Inferiour Court of Common pleas to be held at Boston in July
next.

Mr. Nathaniel Barber was chose an Assessor in the room of Mr.
John "Winslow, chose in March last, who is Excused.

Mr. Henry Allen was chose Surveyor of Boards, in the room of
M . Benjamin Russell, chose in March last, and Excus'd.

The Petition of James Allen Esqr. and Mr. Andrew Oliver junr.
praying a Road may be laid out adjoining to their Lands in the
Common, was read, and after a short Debate thereon.

Voted that said Petition be Dismissed.

[348.] The Petition of a great Number of Inhabitants living
at the Southerly part of the Town, setting forth, that the two
Southerly burying places in the Town, are, and for many years
past, have been so crowded with Dead bodies, that it is scarcely
possible for the Sextons to dig a Grave as it ought to be Dug, but
what they must necessarily disturb the Ashes of two or three or
more, and it is very often the Case that fresh Corps are dug up,
that have not been long interr'd, which sight is scarcely decent,
And forasmuch also as many of the Inhabitants of the South end
have a great way to carry their Dead, which renders it very incon-
venient &c. said Petitioners pray that the Town will be pleased to
take the Affair into their Consideration, and appoint a meet num-
ber of Persons to fix upon a suitable place for a Burying place at
the South End, and make return of their doings therein as soon as
may be, or otherwise as the Town may think most convenient, by
which many difficulties and Inconveniences may be avoided, said
Petition was Read, and thereupon

It was Voted that Thomas Hancock & Thomas Greene Esq™.
Mr. Jacob Parker, John Hill and John Phillips Esq™. be and they
hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of said Petition,
and view such places at the South part of the Town, as they shall
judge best for a Burial place there, and Report their Opinion of
the same to the Town as soon as may be.

The Petition of Thomas Pearson pra}dng an Allowance may be
made him for his House blown up, to stop the great Fire that
happen'd in the Year 1690, was read and Voted that the same be
dismiss'd.

258 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Petition of James Fairservice relating to the Sweeping of
Chimmes, was Read

Voted that the same be dismiss'd.

Voted, that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town be
and hereby are desired at the next Session of the General Court,
to move that they ma}" have liberty to bring in a Bill, that some
Method be taken so far as may be to prevent the frequent Firing
of Chimnies.

[349.] Voted, that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the
Town be and hereby they are desired to Use their utmost Endeav-
ours and Influence in the General Court, to prevent a Bill now de-
pending there, for granting certain Liberties and Immunities to the
Company of Cadets, under the Command of Col°. Pollard, being
pass'd into a Law.

Voted, A Grant of Three Thousand Pounds lawful money, be
rais'd by a Tax upon Polls and Estates within the Town of Boston,
for Relief of the Poor, and clefreying other necessary Charges
arising within the Town the year ensuing.

Voted, That Charles Apthorp, Thomas Hancock, Samuel Welles
Thomas Greene and John Erving Esqr. Mr. William Cooper and
Dr. William Clarke, be and they hereby are appointed a Commit-
tee to Consider of some Method of lessening the Publick Taxes of
the Town, and particularly the Charge of the Poor at the Alms-
bouse, which the Committee are desired fully to Enquire into, as
also whether there can be some easier Method found for raising
the Moneys necessary for paying the Publick Charges, than by the
common way of Taxing the People.

Voted, that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town be
and hereby are desired to move to the General Court at their next
Sessions, that a general Valuation of Estates in the Province may
be taken this year, and that they Urge that the Inhabitants of this
Town, ma)- be allowed to bring in a Valuation of their Estates in
the same manner as the Inhabitants of other Towns do.

The Petition of Gilbert and Lewis Deblois was read, Setting
forth, that the Petitioners about two or three years since Purchased
a Peice of Laud in Boston bounded on One side on Hanover
Street, and on another on Queen Street, that they have since
Erected a Brick Dwelling house on said Land, & finding
the Streets there to be very narrow, they took out of their own
Land about Three feet in Wedth, and about Sixty nine feet in
length and added it to Hanover Street, so that two Carts or Car-
riages may now pass with safety, that Queen Street where the
Petitioners House stands is very narrow, and two Carts can't pass
at the same time without great danger, that there are several
Shops or Buildings [35O.] Belonging to the Town that are
the other side of said Street, and now very much out of repair,
and as the}7 must soon be repaired, the Petitioners would be very
glad if the Town would then take off such a part thereof as may
be judged necessary for Widening said Street, which the Peti-
tioners apprehended would save some Expence in the repairs,
and make the Shops so much more convenient, as they will fetch
equal Rent to what they now do, they being now very deep and

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 259

dark, but if the Town should not incline to repair said Buildings,
and make this Addition to the Street, which the Petitioners can't
but think they will, considering what they have already done
for Widening Hanover Street, the Petitioners proposed that
the Town would grant to them a Lease for Twenty or Thirty years
of the Lands and Shops belonging to the Town there, upon such
terms as shall be agreed upon by a Committee chose by the Town,
and the Petitioners they having the liberty in repairing to make
such Alterations in said Shops as they and said Committee shall
judge to be best both for Widening said Street and the Conven-
ience of the Shops, and as this must be a manifest advantage to
the Town, the Petitioners prayed the same might be now taken

into Consideration and Acted upon accordingly and after

some Debate thereon It was Voted that the Selectmen be and they
hereby are appointed a Committee to Consider of this Petition, and
Report as soon as may be, what they apprehend it best for the
Town to do thereon.

Voted, that the Sum of One Hundred & twenty Pounds lawful
money be Allowed and paid unto Mr. Peleg Wiswall for his Salary
as Master of the North Grammar School for the ensuing year,
the same to be paid him quarterly, and to Commence at the Ex-
piration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One Hundred & twenty Pounds lawful
money, be Allowed and paid unto Mr. John Lovell for his Salary
as Master of the South Grammar School for the ensuing year, the
same to be paid him quarterly, and to Commence at the Expi-
ration of the last Quarter.

Voted, that the Sum of One Hundred Pounds lawful [351.]
Money be Allowed and paid unto Mr. Abia Holbrook Master of
the Writing School in the Common for the ensuing year, to be
paid him quarterly and to Commence at the Expiration of the last
Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One Hundred Pounds lawful money be
Allowed and paid unto Mr. Zechariah Hicks, Master of the North
Writing School for the ensuing year, to be paid quarterly and to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds lawful money be Allowed
to Mr. Samuel Holyoke Master of the Writing School in Queen
Street for the ensuing year, to be paid him quarterly, and to Com-
mence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Fifty Pounds lawful money be Allowed
to Mr. Nathaniel Gardner Usher of the South Grammar School for
the ensuing year, to be paid him quarterly, and to Commence at
the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Seventy Pounds lawful money be Allowed
to Mr. Samuel Holbrook as One of the Masters of the Writing
School in Queen Street for the ensuing year, to be paid him quar-
terly, as it shall become due.

Voted that the Sum of Fifty Pounds be Allowed to Mr. John
Procter junr. as Usher of the North Writing School for the ensuing
year, to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due.

Voted that the Sum of Thirty four Pounds lawful money be

260 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Allowed to Mr. Abia Holbrook Master of the South Writing
School in the Common for such Usher as he shall Employ in said
School.

Voted that the Sum of One Hundred Pounds lawful money be
Allowed to Mr. David Jeffries for his Services as Treasurer of
the Town for the year past, and for all his Expences in that
Office.

Voted that the Sum of Twenty Pounds lawful money be Allowed
to Mr. Abijah Adams, for his Services as Clerk of Faneuil Hall
Market, the year past.

Voted unanimously, that the Thanks of the To^n be and hereby
is given to the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. Moderator of this
Meeting for transacting the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[352.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston legally qualified and warn'd in Pub-
lick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the 7th.
day of August A.D. 1754.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting, Read.

The Honble. James Allen Esqr. was chose Moderator by a handy
Vote.

That Article in the Warrant, Viz4. " To know the minds of the
Inhabitants with regard to a Bill now depeuding in the General
Court laying an Excise on the private Consumption of Wines and
Spirits distuTd," was taken into Consideration, and the Abstract of
said Bill, and Governour Shirley s Speech relating to it, being
read a long Debate thereon was had, and it was unanimously
Voted

1st. That it is the sense of the Town that, that part of the Excise
Bill contain'd in the Abstract now read, is contrary to those Prin-
ciples upon which Our happy Constitution is founded, as well as
destructive of those Priviledges which it Warrants and Defends,
that it is Vexatious and Oppressive and tends to Weaken the just
Authority of an Oath, and to prejudice the Morals of the Com-
munity.

2ly. Voted unanimously that Thanks be returned to His Excel-
lency the Governour, for his Paternal Goodness and wise Conduct
in relation to said Bill, & that his Excellency be requested still to
continue his Care for Us in this respect.

3ly. Voted unanimously, that the Thanks of the Town be and
hereby is given to the Gentlemen the Representatives of the Town
for the strenuous Opposition they made to said Bill, and that they
be desired still to Use their utmost Endeavours to prevent said Bills
being pass'd into a Law.

Thomas Hancock Esqr. Informed the Town, that a considerable
number of Gentlemen, Merchants and others Inhabitants of this
Town waited upon His Excellency Governour Shirley in December
1745, with their Address of Congratulation to him upon his safe
Arrival from Louisbourg [353.] And requested of him to permit
'em to have his Picture drawn at their Expence, with a design of
preserving it in this Town as a Memorial of his Excellency s publick

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1754. 261

Services ; which mark of their respect his Excellency wns pleas'd
to Accept ; And as His Excellency among other Instances of his
Paternal Care of the People of this Province, hath lately given a
most signal proof of his tender regard for their Civil rights by
interfering in favour of them, on Occasion of the Bill of Excise
pass'd by both Houses of the Great and General Court in June
last, and of his Vigilance and unwearied Attention for securing
the Province against the repeated Ravages of the Eastern Indians,
and Incroachmeuts of the French in his late Successful Expedition
for that purpose into the Eastern parts, The said Gentlemen and
Merchants now offer to make the Town a present of the said

Picture to be hung up in Faneuil Hall. It was thereupon

unanimously.

Voted that the aforesaid Offer be Accepted, and that His Excel-
lencys said Picture be hung up in Faneuil Hall as a Memorial of
Publick Respect and Gratitude to him for his aforesaid Services.

Also Voted unanimously, that the Thtmks of the Town be and
hereby is given to those Gentlemen and Merchants who were at
the Expence of having his Excellency Governour Shirleys Picture
drawn, now Ordered to be hung up in Faneuil Hall.

Voted unanimously that an Address of Thanks be presented to
his Excellency the Governour upon his return from the Eastern
parts of the Province, and that the Selectmen be a Committee to
prepaie an Address accordingly, and lay it before the Town at the
Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Affair of appointing a Master for the Writing School in
Queen Street, in the room of Mr. Samuel Holbrook who has

resign'd, was taken into Consideration and Voted that the

Selectmen have the Appointment of a Master for said School for
the remaining part of the present year.

Voted that the Sum of Twenty Shillings be Allowed and paid
out of the Treasury to Mr. Samuel Holbrook for Supplying the
Scholars with Ink during the Time he was Master of the School in
Queen Street.

[354.] Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday the
17."'. of September next, at Nine o'Clock in the forenoon, and the
same wns Adjourn'd accordingly.

September 17. 1754. The Inhabitants met according to Adjourn-
ment.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 15th. of May last on
the Petition of Gilbert and Lewis Deblois, now reported that they
had Viewed the Street mentioned in said Tctition and the Towns
Shops there and conferr'd several times with the Petitioner, and
judge that it will not be for the Interest of the Town to grant a
Lease for any term of said Shops, but thick it best, that the Street
there should be Widened by taking off about three feet of the
Shops, but as the Expeuce of doing it, will Amount to about
Twenty Pounds more than repairing them as they now stand, over
and above the loss of part of the Towns Shop in Mr. Tuckermans
Possession, in the length of it, they leave it to the Town to Act
therein, as they shall apprehend best, which Report being read,
Mr. Gilbert Deblois One of the Petitioners desired to be heard

262 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

thereupon, and he being accordingly heard, a debate ensued there-
upon, & afterwards said Gilbert Deblois made the following Pro-
posal to the Town Viz1. That if the the Town will take off about
three feet from said Shops in order to Widen said Street, as it will
for the future better Accommodate his House, the Petitioners will
in Consideration thereof give to the Town Thirteen Pounds Six
Shillings & Eight pence lawful money. Whereupon It was

Voted that upon said Petitioners paying that Sum the said
Street be Widen'd, by taking off about three feet from said Shops,
which three feet is forever hereafter to remain open and part of
said Street.

The Committee appointed the 15th. of May last, on the Petition
of sundry Inhabitants living at the South part of the Town for a
Burying place there, Reported that they had Viewed several places
at the South part of the Town in order to have a Burial place there,
and find the most suitable and Commodious to be that part of the
late Col°. Fitch's Pasture at the bottom of the Common that now
belongs to Mr. Andrew Oliver junr. and upon Conferring [355.]
With him, the Committee find, that to Accommodate the Town he
will Consent to dispose of it, on such terms as shall be Agreed
upon, between him and the Town, said Report being Read,

It was Voted that the Same be Accepted, and said Committee
are desired and Impowered to Treat with Mr. Oliver relating to the
Price of Said Land, and to Report the same to the Town, as soon as
may be, for their Confirmation.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 7th. of August last,
to prepare an Address of Thanks to his Excellency Goveruour
Shirley, now Reported a Draft of the same, which was Read, and
is as follows. Viz1.

To 1 1 is Excellency William Shirley Esqr. Captain General
Governour and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.

The humble Address of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of
the Town of Boston.
May it please your Excellency,

His Majesty's most Loyal & Dutiful Subjects the Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston in General Town Meeting Assembled, beg
leave to Express their sincere Joy at your Excellency's safe and
happy Arrival from the Eastward.

We Congratulate your Excellency upon the Success with which
the Execution of that Plan which you have laid to Attach the
Indians in those parts to His Majesty's Interest, and to prevent
the Encroachments of the French has been hitherto attended.

Your Excellency's late seasonable Interposition in favour of the
Natural Rights of Englishmen, so greatly, tho' We trust not wil-
fully, affected by the late Excise Bill, affords us the most convincing
proofs of the Rectitude of your Excellency's Sentiments and the
Affection of your Patriot heart for that Constitution, which sweet-
ens, improves and Exalts every other blessing of Life.

We cannot feel the decay of Our Commerce, and the many
Burdens which this Town labour under, without the most Melan-
cholly Impressions, but these admit of some Alleviations from your

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1754. 203

Excellency's wise and vigorous Endeavours to preserve Our dearer
Liberties neither is it in Our power to relish that Relief with
regard to the former which must necessarily grow out of [356.]
Those Methods which tend to destroy the Latter.

We would hope that the Honourable Court may upon mature
Consideration find reason to alter their Judgment respecting this
Affair, which if they should renew and insist upon, We humbly
apprehend will be attended with the most Mischievous Con-
sequences, unless your Excellency should finally refuse your Sanc-
tion to it.

The Noble Pattern your Excellency has in this Affair held up to
Our view, highten'd by your Situation in Government and Aug-
mented by your Connection with the Prerogative, convinces us of
the tender regard you have for the Liberties of this People, and
will not we hope be ever forgotten,

And as this particular Instance of your Excellency's Goodness
added to Our past Experience of your known Abilities has in-
creas'd Our Confidence in your Administration, it shall be Our
study to Afford your Excellency all those Demonstrations of Duty
and Affection, which Truth and Justice require, and your Excel-
lency's wise & good Conduct will, we doubt not, Secure and Per-
petuate.
Boston Sepf. 17th. 1754.

And thereupon.

It was unanimously Voted that the same be Accepted, and that
a fair Copy thereof, be prepared and Signed by the Town Clerk
and that the Honble. James Allen Esqr. the Moderator of this Meet-
ing, and the Gentlemen the Selectmen be and they hereby are
appointed a Committee to wait upon His Excellency, and in the
xs'ame of the Town, Present the same to him.

Voted that all Matters and Things that remain unfinished be
refer' d over to the next Town Meeting, to be then Considered of
and Acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[357.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston legally qualified and Warned in Pub-
lick Town Meeting Assembled, at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the
17th. day of September, A.D. 1754.

The Warrant for callii g the Meeting, Read.

The Honhle. James Allen Esqr. was chose Moderator.

The Article in the Warrant for which this Meeting was called
Viz1. " To Determine whether the Town will take upon them the
Defence of a Suit brought against the Assessors by Andrew Oliver
Esqr. and Mr. William Phillips, and also any other Suits that may

be brought against them of the like nature," was taken into

Consideration, and after some Debate thereon

It was Voted that the Town will Defend them in the Suit afore-
said, and all other Suits that shall hereafter be brought against
them of the like nature.

Voted that this Meeting be and hereby is Adjourn'd to Friday
the 11th. of October next, at nine o'Clock in the forenoon.

264 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Friday the 11th. of October, the Town met according to Ad-
journment.

The Committee appointed the 1 7th. of September last, to present
the Address of Thanks to his Excellency the Governour, Reported
that they had done the same, and that his Excellency was pleas'd
to give them the following Answer, Viz*.
Gentlemen,

I Thank you for this Address ; The sense which you there
Express of my Attention to His Majesty's Service, and the pres-
ervation of the rights and liberties of his People within this Gov-
ernment, give me a solid Satisfaction ; nor can I pass over in
Silence your late Vote for placing my Picture in Faneuil Hall,
with which your Selectmen acquainted me, without Acknowledging
the pleasure, I feel from that publick mark of your respect for me.

Whenever it may be in my power to contribute towards reviving
the decay'd Trade, and easing the Burthens of this Town, which
you mention in your Address, I shall gladly [358.] Embrace the
Opportunity, and you may be assur'd, that my Duty to the King,
and the Welfare of his good People within this Province shall ever
be the Rule of my Administration.

W. SHIRLEY.

To the Freeholders & other Inhabitants,
of the Town of Boston in General Town
Meeting Assembled.

Province-house

SepF. 19th. 1754.

Voted that His Excellency's Answer be Euter'd upon the Records
of the Town.

The Committee appointed the 17th. of September last to Confer
with Mr. Andrew Oliver junr. relating to the Purchase Considera-
tion of a Peice of Land belonging to him at the bottom of the
Common for a Burial place — Reported, that Mr.Oliver was willing
to Sell the same to the Town for Two Hundred Pounds lawful
money, which Sum said Committee apprehend to be a very reason-
able price, which being read It was Voted that the same be

Accepted also Voted that upon said Andrew Olivers Executing

a good and legal Deed of said Lands to the lown, the Selectmen
be and hereby are directed to give Mr. Oliver a Draft on the
Treasury for the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds lawful money, and
in case it should so happen that the Treasurer cannot Discharge
said Draft in three months, that he then be find hereby is Impow-
ered to take up, on Interest s:iid Sum, or such part thereof as he
shall want, and pay the same to Mr. Oliver for said Lands accord-
ingly.

Voted that all Matters and Affairs that remain unfinished be
and hereby are refer'd over to the next Town Meeting for Con-
sideration.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

[359.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, legally qualified and warned in Publick

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 265

Town Meeting Assembled, at Faneuil Hall, on Friday the third
day of January &.D. 1755.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

John Phillips Esqr. was chose Moderator of this Meeting by a
written Vote.

The Petition of a great Number of Inhabitants for calling this
Meeting was Read.

The Act of the Province lately pass'd, Entitled An Act for
granting unto his Majesty an Excise upon Spirits distill'd, and
Wines, and upon Limes Lemmons and Oranges was read.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in
the Warrant for calling this Meeting, Viz'. "To Consider and
Determine what may be proper for the Town to do, in relation to
An Act lately pass'd the General Court, Entitled An Act for grant-
ing unto his Majesty an Excise upon Spirits distill'd, and Wines,
and upon Limes Lemmons &. Oranges." and after some Debate
thereon, It was unanimously

Voted that the Town will make Application at Home in order to
prevent said Acts obtaining the Royal Assent.

And then It was Voted that an Agent be chose by the Town to
appear in their behalf at Home, in order to prevent said Acts ob-
taining the Royal Assent.

Voted unanimously, that Christopher Kilby of London Esqr. be
and hereby is appointed Agent for the Town, and he is hereby
fully Authorized and Impowered to appear on behalf of the Town,
and to Use his utmost Endeavours to prevent said Acts obtaining

the Royal Assent Also Voted unanimously that the said

Christopher Kilby Esqr. be and hereby is appointed Agent for the
Town in any other Matters and Affairs that the Town are con-
cerned in, or may hereafter have depending in London, said Agent
to Conduct himself according to such directions and Instructions
as he may from time to time receive from the Town relating to
said Affairs.

[36O.] Voted that John Phillips Esqr. the Moderator of this
Meeting, the Gentlemen the Selectmen, Charles Apthorp Richard
Dana and Thomas Greene Esqr. Mr. William Cooper Mr. Royal
Tyler and Mr. Isaac Walker be and hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee forthwith to forward the Letter now read to Mr. Agent
Kilby, and to make such further Additions thereto as they may
judge proper. Also Voted that said Committee transmit to the
Agent, Governour Shirleys Speech made by him the 1 7th. of June
last, relating to said Act, and such other Papers as they shall judge
requisite.

Voted that Christopher Kilby Esqr. be paid all such Expence
and Charge, as he shall be at from time to time, in transact-
ing the Affairs of the Town as their Agent, and that he also have
an honourable Allowance made him for his Care and Trouble.

Voted that the Committee aforesaid be and they hereby are
desired to Apply to the Clerk of the House of Representatives for
the Copy of a Letter by them Wrote to Mr. Agent Bollan relating
to the Act aforesaid.

Voted that if any of the Towns in the Province shall desire a

266 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Copy of the Votes now pass'cl, and of the proceedings of this Meet-
ing, it be given to them.

Voted that all Matters that remain unfinish'd be refer'd to the
next Town Meeting, to be then Acted upon.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston, legally qualified and warned in Publick Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the 17th. day of
January A.D. 1755.

The Precept and Warrant for calling this Meeting, Read.

Voted that the Town will proceed to the Choice of some suitable
Person to Represent them in the General Court, in the room of
the late Honble. James Allen Esqr. Deced — .

[361.] The Selectmen having declared to the Inhabitants
that the Poll would be clos'd at twelve o'Clock The Inhabi-
tants withdrew and brought in their Votes for a Representative,
and upon sorting 'em it appeared there was in all 523 Voters, and
that Mr. John Tyng had 347 Votes, Whereupon it was declared
by the Selectmen that said John Tyng was duly Elected.

The Town then chose John Phillips Esqr. for the Moderator of
this Meeting.

The Town then proceeded to take into Consideration that
Article in the Warrant Viz1. " To Determine what Instructions the
Town will give to their Representatives respecting a general Plan
for Uniting the several Governments on the Continent, now under

the Consideration of of the General Court." And an Extract

of said Plan as agreed upon by the Commissioners of the several
Governments on the Continent at Albany in June last, and a Re-
port of the Committee of the General Court of this Province, being
Read, and a long Debate had thereupon,

It was Voted that this Meeting be Adjourn'd to half an hour
after two o'clock this Afternoon, and that this Affair be then
further Debated and Considered of, and the Meeting was Adjourn'd
to that time accordingly.

Afternoon, The Town met according to Adjournment.

The Debate in the forenoon relating to the Union was resum'd
and the Extract of the Plan aforesaid, and said Report of the
Committee was read, and after a very long Debate

It was Voted that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the
Town be and hereby are Instructed to Use their utmost Endeav-
ours to prevent the Plan now under Consideration of the General
Court for an Union of the several Governments on the Continent

taking Effect, And that they also Oppose any other Plan for

an Union that may come under the Consideration of said General
Court, whereby they shall Apprehend the Liberties and Priviledges
of the People are Endangered.

Voted that all Matters refer'd over to this Meeting that remain
unfinish'd, be further refer'd to the next Town Meeting, to be then
Acted upon.

Thanks were Voted the Moderator.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 267

[361^.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & warned in Public
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the tenth
day of March A.D. 1755.

Prayer was made by the Reverend Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton
The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.
Sundry Laws Read.

The Town proceeded to the choice of a Moderator by a written
Vote and the Votes being brought in and sorted it appear'd that
the Honble. Thomas Ilubbard Esqr. was unanimously chose, and he
accordingly took the Oath Required by the Act of the 27th. Year
of His present Majesty relating to receiving & paying Bills of the
other Governments.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was chose unanimously Town Clerk for the
Year ensuing and having taken the Oath required by the Act of
the 27th. Year of His present Majesty's Reign relating to receiving
and paying Bills of Credit of the other Governments, took the
Oath of Office which was administred to him by Joshua Winslow
Esquire.

The Petitions were Read.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of seven Selectmen
and the Votes being brought in and sorted it appeared that.
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill
Joshua Henshaw Esqr.
Cap4. Joseph Jackson
Mr. Thomas Gushing
Cap4. Samuel Hewes
Mr. John Scollay
were chose unanimously.

[362.] Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of twelve
Constables distinct from the Collectors of Taxes.

Voted that not more that two Constables that served the last
Year should be now chose for the ensuing Year.

Voted that any Person that shall be chose into the Office of a
Constable for the Year ensuing be excused from serving in that
Office provided he pay into the Town Treasury Four Pounds
lawful money.

David Jeffries was chose Treasurer for the ensuing Year and
having taken the Oath Required by the 27th. of his present Majesty
relating to his receiving and paying Bills of the other Govern-
ments, took the Oath of Office for the faithful discharge of his
Duty, which were administred to him by Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Mess". Thomas Child Refuses to serve.

Alexander Cunningham Excused

James Boies Sworn

Andrew Campbell . . . Sworn
Joseph Calef junr. . . . Excused
Thomas Carnes .... Excused

John Pigeon Pay

William Thompson . . . Excused
Ebenezer Lowell Senr. . Pay

268 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

John Pattin Sworn

Thomas Pemberton . . Excused
Conuelius Durant . . . Excused
were chose Constables

The Honble Jacob Wendell Esq :
John Hill Esq :

The Honble Thomas Hubbard Esq :
Daniel Henchman Esq :
The Honble Andrew Oliver Esqr.
Mr. Edward Bromfleld
John Phillips Esq :
Mr. Isaac Walker

[362^.] Cap'. Ebenezer Storer

Mr. Joseph Sherburne
Cap'. Nathaniel Greenwood
Mr. Royall Tyler
were chose Overseers for the Year ensuing.

Voted that the thanks of Town be and hereby is given unto
Mr. John Barrett and Mr. John Tudor for their good Overseers as
Overseers of the Poor for several Year past.

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a County
Treasurer, and they being Collected were Sealed up by a Consta-
ble Boyes to be by him kept and returned to the Court of General
Sessions in April next.

Mess". James Bailey Sworn

Michael Burn Excused

Augustus Hail Sworn

John Wells Sworn

Samuel Smith Sworn

Samuel Barret Excused

were chose Constables.

Mess™. William Fairfeild
Nathaniel Barber
John Kneeland
Peter Oliver
Samuel Edwards
Benjamin Church
Isaac White
were chose Assessors for the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Town proceed to the Choice of twelve Firewards
for the Year ensuing and the Votes being Collected and sorted it
appeared that the following Persons were chose Viz'.
John Phillips Esqr :
John Hill Esqr :
Cap*. Joseph Jackson
[363.] Mr. John Scollay

Majp : Nath1 Thwing

Cap'. Hopestill Foster

Mr. Royall Tyler

Cap'. Thomas James Gruchy

Mr. Newman Greennough

Mr. Joseph Jackson Truckman

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 269

Mr. John Howe
Mr. William Cooper

Voted that this Meeting be and hereby adjourned to three
o'Clock this afternoon.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

John Gray. Surveyor of Hemp.
Mess™. Robert Ford

Clement Collins

John Grant

Isaac Vergoose

William Pain

Isaac White

William Nichols

Joseph Butler

Andrew Symmes

Onesyphirus Tilestone

Moses Eayres

Henry Alline

[In margin] Surveyors of Boards & O.
Mess". David Spear

Isaac Fowle

Joseph Dyer

John Helyer

Peter Cotta

Edward Potter

Robert Treat

Edward Co well
[363£.] John Hobbs

Samuel Treat

[In margin] Cullers of Staves & C*.
Mess™. Holmes Simpson

John Aish

Abraham Rogers

David Scudder
[In margin] Hogreeves.
Mess™. Belcher Noyes

John Forsyth

Jacob Holyoke

Nathan Simpson

John Billings

Thomas Dawes

Thomas Wheeler

After Stoddard

Alexander Hill

Benjamin Fitch

Daniel Jones

Benjamin Harrod
[In margin] Scavingers.

Mess™. John Coverly Sworn

Abijah Adams Sworn

Joseph Gandall Excused

Samuel Harris Sworn

[In margin] Constables.

270 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mess™- Story Dawes
Caleb Ray
William Moore
Benjamin Russell
Henry Evans
Nathaniel Wales
[In margin] Fence Viewers
Mess". Thomas Hase
John Carter
Samuel Hastings
[In margin] Sealers of Leather.
Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner

Joseph Belknap

[In margin] Informers of Deer.
[364.] Mr. Joseph Curtis

[In margin] Hay ward.
Surveyors of Highways. [In margin]
The Selectmen
Mesa™. David Cutler

Thomas Foster
[In margin] Assaymasters.

The Selectmen's Report on the Account of Mr. John Fen no
keeper of the Granary for the Year past as entred in his Book
(and on file in the Town Clerk's Office) Read & Voted that the
same be accepted and accordingly that Mr. Fenno be further ac-
countable to the Town for 224£ Bushells of Corn ahd 12£ Bushells
of Rye remaining unsold amounting to twenty two pounds fifteen
shillings and eight pence three farthings, and also for the Sum of
Three Hundred and fifty eight Pounds eleven shillings and five pence
one farthing Cash, amounting in the whole to three hundred & eighty
one pounds seven shillings and two pence exclusive of the Sum of
of twenty six thirteen shillings and four pence for his Salary and
Assistance as charged in said Account which is hereby allowed him.
Thomas Greene Esqr. Cap1. Joseph Jackson, & Mr. John Scollay
were chose purchasers of Grain for the Year ensuing. The said
Committee are desired and impowred to give all needful directions
to the keeper of the Granary respecting the Quantities of Grain to
be sold, & settling the Price thereof from time to time as occasion
may Require.

Mess™. Cornelius Thayer
John Deming
John Winslow, Hatter
Daniel Boyer
Samuel Austin
Samuel Dexter
Moses Peck
Joseph Waldo
Joseph Winslow
Samuel Downes
Daniel Eveleth
William Gray
[In margin] Clerks of the Market.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 271

[364 J.] Nothing done thereon. Tythingmen. [In margin]

Voted that the Sum of Twenty pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid out of the Treasury unto Cap'. Isaac Dupee for his
Services as Clerk fo Faneuil Hall Markett for the Year past.

Cap'. Isaac Dupee. Clerk of Faneuil Hall Markett. [In margin]

Mess™. Peter Barker Excused

Thomas Barker .... Pay

Mess™. Isaiah Barret Sworn

Joseph Shed Sworn

[In margin] Constables.

Voted that the Sum of twelve pence on the pound be & hereby is
allowed to be paid to such persons as shall be chose Collectors of
Taxes for the Year ensuing for all such Sums as they shall Collect,
provided they pay into the Town Treasury one half part of the
whole Sum they are obliged to him within four months from the
time they receive the Tax Books from the Assessors, and the other
half part in three months after and also pay into the province and
County Treasury one half part of the whole Sums they shall be
obliged to pay them Respectively in seven months from the time
they shall receive the Tax books from the Assessors, as aforesaid
& the other half part in five months after, and in case either of
said Collectors shall fail paying in manner as aforementioned, the
Collector so failing shall not be intitled to the aforesaid Allowance
of twelve pence on the Pound but wholly forfeit the same pro-
vided also that each of said Collectors give Bond with sufficient
Surety's to the satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful dis-
charge of their Duty in said Office, and complying with this
Vote.

Mess™. John Ruddock
James Scutt
Thomas Downes jun*.
Jonathan Payson
[In margin] Collectors of Taxes.

Voted that Mr. Tyng Mr. Oxenbridge Thacher & Thomas
Greene [365.] Esqr. be and they hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to revive all the By Laws of the Town now in force, and
alter and correct the same as they shall think proper, they are also
desired to prepare any other By Laws that they shall judge neces-
sary for the better Regulation of the Town, and they are desired
to report their doings thereon to the. Town as soon as may be.

Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are desired to Ex-
amine the Powder belonging to the Town, and all such as they
shall find damaged they are directed to cure or dispose of it.

Voted that the Assessors be and they hereby are impowred to
make an Abatement of Taxes to the first day of April next and no
longer, saving that they have liberty to sit the two last weeks in
November next, to abate the Taxes of all such persons as shall
appear to them to have dyed, or been out of Town, & could not
have made Application to them before said first day of April.

Also Voted that the Assessors have liberty to sit in said two
weeks in November to Abate the Taxes of all such persons as
shall appear to them to have become Bankrupts between said first

272 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

day of April, & said time of sitting, & which the Collectors have
endeavored to have got in, but could not.

The Petition of several Bellringers of the Town praying that an
Addition be made to their Allowance for ringing the Bells, Read
and thereupon Voted that the Sum of forty shillings p Annum be
allowed them in the whole for each time said Bells shall be rung.

The Petition of Hopestill Foster praying that the Taxes of
William Pitman, Elias Delarue, & Peter Oliver who were taxed in
the Year 1752 may be abated him for reasons therein mentioned,
was read, and said Foster was heard thereupon, Voted that the
Taxes of said persons amounting in the whole to eleven pounds
five shillings & eleven pence be abated and the Selectmen are
hereby directed to give said Foster a Draft for the same on the
Town Treasury accordingly.

Voted that the matters and things that now remain [365 £.]
unfinished be referred over to the next General Town Meeting for
Consideration, to be then Acted upon.

Voted Unanimously thanks of the Town be & hereby is given
unto the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. the Moderator of this
meeting, for transacting the Business thereof.

Then the meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston legally qualifyed and warn'd in Publick Town
Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the sixteenth day of
May A D 1755.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Andrew Eliot.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

Mr. Samuel Grant one of the Selectmen proposed in their Names
to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the Choice of one or
more Persons to represent them in the Great and General Court
or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the twenty
eighth Day of May current, and in order thereto to consider and
ascertain the Number of Gentlemen to be elected, accordingly it
was Voted to proceed to the Choice of four Representatives, and
it was then declared that the Poll would be clos'd at twelve
o'Clock.

The Votes being Collected, the Number of Voters were found to
be 492 and upon sorting them it appeared that the following
Gentlemen were chose Viz'.

Thomas Hubbard Esqr. . . . 373.

Mr. John Tyng 367

James Bowdoin Esqr 411

Mr. William Cooper .... 259

[366,] The Election of Representatives being over & the
same declared by the Selectmen.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Mod-
erator, and upon sorting 'em, it appeared that the honourable
Thomas Hnbbard Esqr. was chose by a great Majority.

Sundry Petitions Read

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 273

the "Warrant Viz1, what Instructions shall be given to the Repre-
sentatives relating to such Matters as may come under the Con-
sideration of the General Court and after some Debate thereon
Voted that.

Richard Dana Esqr.

Mr. Samuel Grant

Thomas Greene Esq :

Mr. Royal Tyler &

Mr. Oxenbriage Thacher

be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to prepare a Draft
of such Instructions as they shall judge necessary to be given to
the Representatives for their Conduct relating to such Matters as
may come under the Consideration of the General Court this Year
and they are desired to report the same at the adjournment of this
Meeting.

The Petition for paving Long Lane was considered and after
some debate thereon, a Question was put, Whether any part of
said Lane shall be pav'd at the Expence of the Town, upon the
Abutters paying such a part for paving the remaiuder as the Select-
men shall determine, Voted iu the Negative, and thereupon said
Petition was dismis'd.

The Committee appointed the 12th. March last to Audit the
Accompts of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries now Reported that they had
attended that Service and found the same right cast'd & we'll
vouch'd, in which he Charges himself with Sundry Fines Rents and
other Incomes of the Town, as also with the Tax of £3000 com-
mitted to the Collectors all which amounts [366^.] (including the
Ballance of old Accompt) to £7078,, 5,, 4., And the said Treas-
urer discharges himself b}- sundry Abatements made the Collectors,
by Drafts made by the Selec'men amounting £2177,, 2,, — 1,, — £•
and by Drafts made by the Overseers of the Poor which contain
the Charges of the Almshouse & Workhouse amounting to £1454,,
— 16,, — 9^ &c. which we have inspected in a very particular man-
ner by examining every particular Voucher produced 03- the Over-
seers for the amount of that Sum, and every other Branch of the
public Charge all amounting to £4254,, — 1,, — 2,, f by which it
appears that when all the Taxes Rents & Incomes of the Town
are in the ballauce will be £2824,, — 4,, — 1£ which the said Treas-
urer is further to Account for, as appears by the Tryal Ballance of
said Account given iu by said Committee and on File which Report
and Accompt being read, Voted that the same be Accepted.

And Whereas it is represented by said Committee that there has
been for several Years part small Sums of money due to the Town
from Persons that are dead or become Bankrupts which have been
bro't forward in the Treasurers Books for several Years, and that
there is no prospect of ever getting any part of them, Therefore
Voted that the Treasurer be and hereby is directed not to transt'crr
such Accompts any farther but that he ballance the same.

The Town took into Consideration the Petition of Jacob
Wendell Esqr. praying the Town would make him a Grant of so
much Lands in the rear of his Lands near Fort hill as may be
judged adequate to the Lands he has given the Town for widening

274 CITT DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Street there, as in said Petition is sett forth, Voted the Select-
men and John Steele Esq : and Jonathan Williams be & they
hereby are appointed a Committee to consider of this Petition and
also of the Reports made by Committees heretofore appointed by
the Town relating to the Disputes the Town have had with the
said Jacob Wendell Esq : concerning the Lands &ctt. near the
South Battery and Report to the Town the Circumstances thereof
and what they judge proper to be done thereupon, at the annual
Meeting it March next.

[367.] The Town considered the Petition of John Steele and
Jeremiah Greene Esq™. for repairing the North and South Batter-
ies, and after some Debate thereon, Voted that the Selectmen be
and they hereby are directed and impowered to make such Repairs
at the North & South Batteries as they shall judge necessary not
exceeding the Sum of Four hundred Pounds in doing the same.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants for paving the highway
called Still house Square was Read & thereupon Voted, that the
Sum of Twenty six Pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, be
and hereby is granted towards paving said highway to be paid
when the same is finish'd provided the same is pav'd from Bells
Corner to Sigourney's Corner, & to the satisfaction of the Select-
men And it is to be understood that notwithstanding this

Grant, the Town do not accept the same as a publick highway and
that they will not be at any future Expence for repairing the same.

Voted a Grant of Four Thousand Pounds lawful money be
rais'd by a Tax upon Polls & Estates within the Town of Boston
for relief of the Poor and defreyiug other necessary Charges aris-
ing within the Town the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Sum of one hundred and twenty Pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid unto Mr. Peleg Wiswali for his Salary
as Master of the North Grammar School for the ensuing Year,
the same to be paid him quarterly, at to commence at the Expira-
tion of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of one hundred and twenty Pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid unto Mr. John Lovell for his Salary
as Master of the South Grammar School for the ensuing Year the
same to be paid him quarterly, and to commence at the expiration
of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sura of one hundred Pounds lawful money be
allowed and paid unto Mr. Abia Holbrook for his Salary as Master
of the writing School in the Common the ensuing Year to be paid
him Quarterly, & to commence at the Expiration of the last
Quarter.

[367£.] Voted that the Sum of one hundred Pounds lawful
money be allowed and paid unto Mr. Zachariah Hicks for his Salary
as Master of the North writing School the ensuing Year to be paid
him Quarterly, and to Commence at the Expiration of the last
Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds Lawful money be allowed
and paid unto Mr. Samuel Holyoke Master of the Writing School
in Queen Street the ensuing Year to be paid him Quarterly & to
Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 275

Voted that the Sum of Sixty Pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid to Mr. Nathaniel Gardner for his Salary as Usher of the
South Grammar School the ensuing Year to be paid him Quarterly,
and to commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds lawful money be allowed
and paid unto Mr. John Procter junr. for his Salary as one of the
Masters of the Writing School in Queen street the ensuing Year to
be paid him Quarterly and to commence at the Expiration of the
last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of one hundred Pounds lawful money be
allowed to Mr. David Jeffries for his Services as Treasurer of the
Town the Year past a*nd for all Expences in that Office.

Voted that the Committee appointed to draw up Instructions for
the Representatives particularly Urge it upon them to get such
part of the Excise Act pass'd the General Court the 21st. of De-
cember last as relates to the private Consumption of Liquors & C*.
repealed, and also that they use their Utmost Endeavours that a
General Valuation of rateable Estates throughout the Province
may be taken this Year.

Voted that is the Opinion of the Town that if the Inhabitants
will give in to the Assessors a Valuation of their rateable Estates
that so the same may be laid before the General Court it may be a
means of their obtaining releif as to their paying [368.] so large
a proportion (as they now do) of the Publick Taxes, Also Voted
that the Inhabitants be, and they hereby are desired to give in to
the Assessors such a Valuation according.

Voted that this Meeting be adjourn'd to Monday the 26th. instf.
at 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Monday 26 of May 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon the Inhabitants
mett according to their Adjournment.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 15th. May last to
visit the Schools now made the following Report Viz*.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled Ma}* 16 : 1755.

.Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
15th. of May last desiring the Selectmen to Visit the publick
Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to accompany them therein
as the}7 shall think proper do now Report,

That on the 5th. of July last we attended that Service accompa-
nied by the following Gentleman Viz*.
The Hon : Josiah Willard Esqr.
Richard Bill Esqr.
Joseph Pj'ncheon Esqr.
John Erving Esqr.
The Gentn. the Representatives
of this Town.

The Revd. Dr Sewall

Mr. Pemberton
Mr. Mather
Mr. Eliot
Mr. Checkley

276 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Gentlemen the Overseers
of the Poor

Thomas Hancock Esqr.
John Steele Esqr.
Mr. David Jeffries

and found that in the South Grammar School there was 120
Scholars, in the South Writing School 220 Scholars, in the Writing
School in Queen Street 180 Scholars, in the North Grammar School
40 Scholars, and in the North writing School 240 Scholars, all in
very good Order.

SAMUEL GRANT
THOMAS HILL
JOSHUA HENSHAW

Jos : JACKSON

> Selectmen of Boston.

THOMAS GUSHING
SAMUEL HEWES
JOHN SCOLLAY

[368^.] Read and Accepted and Voted that the Gentlemen the
Selectmen be and they hereby are desired to Visit the Schools this
present Year, and Invite such Gentlemen to accompany them as
they shall think proper.

Voted that John Wheelwright Esqr. Jeremiah Greene Esquire
Stephen Greenleaf Esqr. Mr John Ruddock and Mr. John Winslow
be and hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the Accompts of
Mr. Treasurer Jeffries, and also the Accompts of the Overseers
of the Poor, and the said Committee are hereby directed and
impowred to inspect every particular Accompt of the moneys
expended for the use of the Almshouse, and they are desired to
make report thereon as soon as they have done the same.

The Town considered of the Article in the Warrant Viz', how
farr Olivers Dock shall be fill'd up and thereupon Voted that the
Selectmen be and they hereby are desired to fill up said Dock so
farr, and in such a manner as they shall think best.

It being proposed that some Method may be taken to supply the
Town with Powder, the Act of the Province concerning it was
Read, and it was judged by the Town that the Law referrs it to
the Selectmem to supply the Town, & so nothing was done upon it.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants for paving a Street near the
North Meeting House leading into Ship street was read, & there-
upon It was Voted that the Sum of Thirteen Pounds six shillings
and eight pence lawful money be allowed & is hereby granted for
paving the South side of said Street, the same to be paid when it
is finished, provided the Abutters pay the whole Cost of paving
the remainder, and it be done to the Satisfaction of the Select-
men.

A Motion was made and seconded, that the Town would recon-
sider the Vote pass'd the 16 : instant relating to the paving
Long Lane and after some debate thereon a Question was put
whether the Town would reconsider said Vote and the [369.]
Moderator declared that he judged it pass'd in the Affirmative,
whereupon a Poll was demanded, but before the same was decided,
the Petitioners moved that may have liberty to withdraw theh

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1755. 277

motion for reconsidering which was granted, and the Town pro-
ceeded no further.

The Committee appointed the 16th. ins', to prepare Instructions
for the Representatives of this Town reported a Draft the}" had
made which was in the words following Viz'.

To the honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. Mr. John Tyng James
Bowdoiu Esqr. and Mr. William Cooper
Gentlemen

Although our Choice of you to represent this Town of Boston
in the next General Assembly of this Province be such a Proof
of our Confidence in your Abilities prudence & integrity, that even
any Instructions, whatsoever, may by some Persons, be tho't need-
less or impertinent, yet as it is our undoubted right ever to give
our Representatives particular Instructions for their Conduct, in
the General Assembly, and very expedient too touching such Points
especially as most nearly concern the natural rights & liberties of
the People in general, as well as the Interest of this Town in
particular, so far at least as is Consistent with the General Good
of the community, and inasmuch as the famous Excise Act made
here, the last Winter (which was apprehended by us to be so
grevious & burdensome that we with one Consent and as soon as
possible made our Application to our most gracious Sovereign for
his royal disallowance thereof) hath not yet been presented to his
Majesty (as we know of) and therefore, doth and will abide in full
force untill his disallowance thereof be duly Signified, or it be
repealed here ; We your Constituants do therefore in justice to
ourselves, as well as in Testimony of our settled & hearty Aver-
sions to all Attacks and Incroachments upon our natural Rights
think it very expedient and even necessary at this time to instruct
you Gent"., And we do accordingly hereby instruct and give it you
in special Charge

1 . That 3'ou do exert yourselves to the utmost of yonr Abilities
in all suitable ways to procure a repeal of that Act, so far as it
concerns the Excise upon the private Cousumption of Wine Spirits
&C : in private Families as soon as possible ; and likewise to
prevent any such like Act, or any Act whatsoever being made in
destruction or derogation of our natural rights & liberties, if any
such Attempt should be again made either in the House of Repre-
sentatives (where the other originated and was so warmly carried
on to effect) or by either of the branches of the Legislature.

[369£.] 2. That 3*ou likewise earnestly endeavour to procure
an Act to be made for the exclusion of all Farmers of Excises and
their Deputies and all secret or open contractors therefor from a
seat in either House of the General Assembly for the future.

3. And for as much as the Inhabitants of this Town for a long
time past have been and still are laboring and groaning under a
burden of Taxes, far beyound our equal proportion with the other
Inhabitants of this Province, and which are now become insupport-
able even to every rank of Men amongst us, we do therefore
recommend to you and expect, that you also do your utmost to
procure a just Valuation of all the rateable Estates within this
Province to be made this Year, that we may no longer be taxed so

278 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

farr beyound our just proportion towards defreying the Charges
of the Government, as now are and have been for these many
Tears past.

4. As to all other matters which may come under Consideration
in the Approaching Assembly we leave them at present to your
prudence & discretion, not doubting of your Fidelity to us your
Constituents and to the publick, but would have you ever keep in
your mind, that in Case any new attempt should be made against
our liberties & Charter- Privileges in this ensuing Year it is expected
by us, that 3'ou not only seasonably and vigorously oppose it, but
also give us j'our Constituents timely notice thereof that you may
receive our further Special Instructions thereupon, if it shou'd be
thought expedient. And the same being read & considered of.
Voted unanimously that the same be Accepted, and the Gentlemen
the Representatives are desired to govern themselves according to
said Instructions and the Town Clerk is hereby directed to give a
fair Copy thereof to each of them.

The Committee appointed the 14th. of May AD 1751 Viz*. Mr.
Jonathan Williams Mr. Thomas Greene and Mr. Nath1 Thwing to
proscute any persons that have made Incroachments on the
Towns Lands near to or upon Fort hill, now Reported that by
virtue of the power to them given they had used their utmost en-
deavours to accommodate & settle with Middlecott Cooke Esqr.
and others relating to the Encroachments made on the Towns Land
near Fort hill in the Occupation of [37O.] Mr. Alexander Hunt,
but not being able to accommodate the same they brought forward
an Action against said Hunt, which after divers continuances was
fully heard at the Superiour Court in August last when the Town
recovered judgment for the possession of a strip of Land next ad-
joining to Mr. Joseph Hubbard's Land, as will fully appear by said
Judgment, which Strip of Land the Gentlemen the Selectmen of
the Town of Boston have received possession in behalf of said
Town, which being read Voted that the same be accepted and
that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given to said Com-
mittee for the great Pains they have taken in this Affair.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be & hereby is given to
the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting
for transacting the Business thereof.

The Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston legally qualify'd and warned in Public Town
Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the eighteenth day
of July AD 1755.

The "Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

John Phillips Esq ; chose Moderator by a handy Vote,

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in
the Warrant Viz1, to determine whether the Town will make an}>-
Addition to the South Battery for the better Defence of it, besides
the Repairs voted in May last, and what may be necessary for
effecting the same, and after some Debate thereon, It was moved
and seconded that the following Question may be put, whether any

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1756. 279

Addition shall be made to the South Battery, It was Voted in the
Negative by a very great Majority.
Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd

[37O£.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston legally qualify'd & warned in publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the 4
day of February AD 1756.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

John Phillips Esqr. chose Moderator by a handy Vote.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Article in
the Warrant Viz*, whether the Town will immediately proceed to
raise by a Lottery orLotteries the sum of Three Thousand Pounds
lawful money for paving Boston Neck pursuant to the Power
granted by an Act of the Great and General Court lately pa«s'd
for that purpose, and the Act of the Province relating to it being
read. And some Debate thereon, the following Question was put
Viz', whether it be the Minds of the Town that the Managers who
are by said Act appointed to carry on said Lottery or Lotteries
shall proceed as soon as they conveniently can, and in such a
Method as they shall think proper to raise the aforesaid Sum of
Three thousand Pounds lawful money in order to pave the Neck
according to the Directions of said Act, the same to be paved of
such a Wedthandin such manner as the Selectmen for the time being
shall judge best, and also do such other Repairs as shall be found
necessary. And it was voted in the Affirmative by a great Majority.

The Town then proceeded to consider, the other Article in the
Warrant Viz', whether the Town will now make Application to the
General Court that a General Account and valuation of all Polls
& rateable Estates throughout the Province may be taken this
Year, and after some debate thereon, It was voted unanimously
that the Town will make Application accordingly, and then voted
that a Committee be chose to prepare a Draft of a Petition to the
General Court for that purpose, Voted that the said Committee
consist of 5 Persons, Voted that Benjamin Prat Esqr. Samuel
Welles Esqr. Tho8. [371.] Greene Esq : M'. Thomas Cushing and
Richard Dana Esq ; be the Committee and they are desired to make
Report of their Draft to the Town at the Adjournment of this Meet-
ing on Wednesday the 11th. ins*, at 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Voted that this Meeting be adjourn'd to Wednesday the llt!l
instant at 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Wednesday February 11th. 1756 3 o'Clock P.M. the Inhabitants
mett according to their Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the 4th. ins*, to prepare a Draft of a
Petition to the General Court now reported that they had prepared
a Draft which was read as in the Words following. Viz*.

To his Excellency William Shirle}* Esquire Captain General and
Governour in Chief, the honourable the Council and House of Rep-
resentatives in General Court Assembled February 11 : 1756.

The Inhabitants of Boston in Town Meeting legally convened.
Humbly Shew

280 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

That their Difficulties are become so great and pressing that they
cannot forbear repeating their Greviances, which the}' humbly beg
leave to lay before your Excellency and Honours, that as their
Ability is exceedingly and apparently lessned their Share of the
Province Charge (which is now nearly the same as in their most
flourishing State) may be made proportionable to their present
diminish'd & decayed Circumstances.

That their Condition and Ability are thus weakued will abun-
dantly appear by comparing their past, & present State & Bussiuess
heretofore there were near four thousand Polls who paid Taxes,
now there are but few more than two thousand.

But a short time since the Town often had 30 or 40 Vcssells at
a time on the Stocks, mostly large, now there are but six Vessells
of all sorts agreed for.

Not many Years since they had the whole Business [371^,] of
Distilling Molosses and refining Sugar with which they supply'd
the Inhabitants of this Province, Newfoundland Nova Scotia, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, & Providence Plantations, Counecticutt,
New York, the Jerseys, Maryland Virgiunia, North and South
Carolina, in return for which they had Wheat, Flower, Peas, Pork,
Beef, Fish, Train Oyl, Pitch, Tarr, Turpentine, Furrs, Hides,
Skins Tallow & many other valuable Commodities, & frequently
especially from Nova Scotia, & Newfoundland, Bills of Exchange
on our Mother Country, this necessarily employed a great number
of Vessells & Sailors to Import the Molasses, & Haw Sugar, &
export their produce when Ma nu factored, as also what we barter'd
them away for abroad as well as brough among us and found
Bussiness for a great Number Tradesmen as Coopers, Bakers,
Hatters, Tanners, Tallow Chandlers Truckmen, and Porters, all
which having full employ chearfully paid their part of the Taxes,
whereas now we are wholly deprived of supplying the most of the
neighbouring Governments, there being many Distilling or Sugar
Houses in Rhode Island, New York, and Pensylvaniu to the
Southward, as well as in Nova Scotia to the Northward, besides
the Great number in other Towns of this Province Viz1. Plymouth,
Salem, Newbury, Haverhill, Marblehead, Charleslown Watertown
Medford & Nautuckett, insomuch that the Town of Boston now
does not half supply the home Consumption.

Within a little more than twenty Years the Inhabitants of this
Town imported and almost entirely supply'd not only this Province
but all the other Inhabitants of the several Governments in New
England with the Manufactures and Goods of our Mother Country
now they have almost wholly lost the supply of Rhode Island
Government, and in a great measure that of Coiniecticutt and
New Hampshire, and not so only but several of our considerable
Shops & whole Sale Traders are now supply'd by those very Mer-
chants in other Towns of this Province whom they or their Fathers
or Massters largely or almost wholly supply'd with the same, Sort
of Goods, but a few Years since.

And within a very Short time almost [372.] All our victuallers
or Butchers living in the Town who were thirty or forty in Number,
and kill'd not long since all the large Meat & much the Greatest

BOSTON TOWN KECORDS, 1756. 281

part of the small, are now reduced to three or four who all put
together, don't kill so much as one who lives out of the Town, this
lias almost broke up our Tanners Curriers & Shoemakers and altered
the Case of the Town from supplying the Country, with Leather,
and a great part of their Shoes to be supply'd very largely with
both, from the Country.

These Things have of Course and almost unavoidably brought
a great number of our Inhabitants of the lower sort to great Poverty
and Indigence, insomuch that the Charge of onr Poor has increased
from about one Thousand or Fifteen hundred Pounds a Year old
tenor to ten or twelve Thousand, besides the Collections for them
in the several Churches & other Charitable Meetings and Societys
which are thought by the most knowing to amount to as much more,
which great excesive Charges has also brought on another growing
& heavy loss to the Town, that of the removal of several of our
Men, wealthy inhabitants, it being a known & settled Point that
about a fifth part of what they pay for Taxes in Boston will dis-
charge them in any other Town, it must be a strong temptation to
remove a few miles out of this Town if a man can save five hundred
or a thousand Pounds a Year by it.

And while this Town has in these visible ways been sinking and
inf cabled many parts of the said Province have flourished & in-
creased apparently, the Count3's of Essex Middlesex & Worcester,
have done so in their Husbandry, and the Towns of Plymouth,
Sherburne or Nantucket, Salem, Marblehead, Newbury, York, and
Falmouth in Casco Bay, have also in their Trade & Commerce both
foreign & domestick ; these things which are easy to be verified and
put beyond all Dispute, point out, and as we humbly apprehend
justice seems to require, that a new Valuation of Estates be made
throughout the Province, and alth6 ; this Town have not given in
a List or Valuation of their Estates heretofore, yet it appears now
so necessary that they have unanimously agreed. & voted to do it,
and they do with the same unanimity humbly request your Excel-
lency & Honours (as soon as may be) to order a Valuation to be
made of all the rateable Estates in the Province, upon which we
hope the Inhabitants of Boston will with all Chearfullness exert
themselves to pay what shall be found their just Share & Proportion
[372£.] And thereupon it was imanimonsly Voted that the same
be accepted and that the Town Clerk prepare a fair Copy of said
Petition and that the Selectmen in the Name of the Town Sign the
same and preferr it to the General Court accordingly.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be & they hereby are given
to the Committee for the Pains they have took in preparing the
Draft aforesaid.

Voted that Joshua Winslow Esqr. ) ,, ,

& Thomas Greene Esq } Merchants

John Hill Esq — Distiller & Sugar baker

Benja : Hallowell Esqr. . . Shipwright

Nath1. Thwing Esqr. . . . Baker

MT. Samuel Bass .... Tanner

Mr. John Breck .... Cooper

Mr. Joseph Belknap . . . Leather dresser.

282 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Be & they hereby are appointed a Committee to make the most
Exact & particular Enquity what Bussiuess was done and carry'd
on by Persons of their respective Occupations in this Town in the
Year 174G, or thereabouts and also in what proportion the same
has been since declining to this time, and they are desired to
reduce the same to writing, and return such Accompts thereof to
the Selectmen, they to deliver the same to the Gentlemen the Rep-
resentatives of the Town who are to make such use thereof as the
shall judge necessary in the Application the Town have made to the
General Court for taking a Valuation this Year of all Polls & rate-
able Estates throughout the Province.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto
John Phillips Esq : the Moderator of this Meeting for transacting
the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[373.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston duly qualifyed and legally Warned in
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the
eighth day of March AD 1756.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Samuel Cooper.
The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read,
Sundry Laws Read.

John Phillips Esqr. was unanimously Choose Moderator by a
written Vote, and he took the Oath respecting his paj'ing & receiv-
ing Bills of Credit of the Governments of Connecticut, New Hamp-
shire and Rhode Island, as required by the Act of this Province.
Ezetael Goldthwait was chose Town Clerk for the Year ensuing,
and having taken the Oath required by the Act of the 26th. Year
of His present Majesty's Reign respecting the paying and receiving
Bills of Credit of the other Governments, took the Oath of Office,
which were administred to him by John Phillips Esqr.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of Seven Selectmen and the
Votes being brought in and Sorted it appeared that,
Mr. Samuel Grant
Mr. Thomas Hill
Joshua Henshaw Esqr.
Cap'. Joseph Jackson
Mr. Thomas Gushing
Cap*. Samuel Hewes
Mr. John Scollay,

were chose, and they were accordingly Sworn respecting to their
receiving and paying Bills of Credit of the neighbouriuf Govern-
ments.

The Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr.
Col°. John Hill
Daniel Henchman Esq'.
Mr. Edward Bromfield

[373J.J The Honble. Andrew Oliver Esq'.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Cap'. Ebenezer Storer

BOSTON TOWN KECORDS, 1756. 283

Mr. John Barret

Cap4. Nath1. Greenwood

Mr. Royal Tyler

Mr. Thomas Flucker
were Chose Overseers of the Poor for the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby is given unto
the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. and Mr. Joseph Sherburne for
the good services they have done in the Office of Overseers of the
Poor for several Years past.

The Town proceeded to take into Consideration the Petition
of Mr. John Hill and Samuel "Wentworth Esquires that a further
Term may be granted them of the Town's Lands on the Neck
already Leased to them, and after some Debate thereon, the said
Hill & Wentworth being heard in support of their Petition, It was
mov'd and seconded that said Petition be Dismissed, and the
Question being put, It was Voted that said Petition be dismissed
accordingly.

The Petition of Francis Wells Esqr. of Cambridge in the County
of Middlesex setting forth that for thirty Years past he chearfully
paid large Taxes towards defreying the Charges of the Town, and
was always willing to bear his part of the Burthens of the Town
whilst he continued amongst them and was able so to do ; But it is
so for the last four Years of the Petitioner's residence in the Town
he met with very Considerable Losses in his Trade and Bussiness,
which reduced him greatly in his Circumstances and rendered him
unable to discharge the Taxes laid on him, but the Petitioner
neglected applying to the Assessors for abatement of his Taxes
on Account of his great and heavy Losses, which if he had done he
is well satisfied they would have taken off more than the Sum now
due from him, but for his negligence he must [374.] Unavoidably
be thrown into a Cold and filthy Prison, unless the Town according
to their usual kindness and Charity will be pleased to Release him
from the demand the Collector hath against him for the remainder
of his Taxes being the Sum of £28,, 16,, 10, and the Petitioner
humbly Conceives the Town will not take any Advantage of his
Latches in omitting to apply to the Assessors in Season when they
Consider his present difficult and distressed Circumstances ; He
therefore most humbly prays that the Town would be pleased to
give Orders to the Assessors to abate him the said Sum of £28,,
16,, 10, the time limited by the Town for application being elapsed
notwithstanding or that he may have such Relief afforded him in
the Premisses as the Town in their great goodness see meet. — And
after some Debate thereon, Voted that the same be dismissed.

Voted that any Person chosen in the Office of a Const*, for the
Year ensuing be excused from serving in that Office upon his paying
to the Town Treasury the Sum of Four Pounds Lawful Money.
Mess". Joseph Rhodes Pay

Samuel Simpson Excused

Henry Atkins jun*.

Benjamin Loring Excused

Thomas Dawes junr. Excused

Samuel Osborne Paid in 1 754.

284

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Peter Barbour Sworn

Sam1. Hardcastle Pay

Tho". Pavel-weather Pay

Moses Peck Excused

John Pattin Sworn

John Coverley Sworn

were Chosen Constables for the Year ensuing

The Town proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Town Treas-
urer, and they being sorted it appeared that Mr. David Jeff ries was
unanimously chose into that Office, and he accordingly took the
Oath respecting his receiving and paying Bills of the other Gover-
nments as required by Law, and then was sworn to the faithful
discharge of his Duty in that Office.

[374:^.] The Inhabitants brought in their Votes for a County
Treasurer, and they being Collected were Sealed up by Constable
Patten to be by him kept and Returned into the Court of General
Sessions of the Peace in April next.

The Freeholders brought in their Votes for a Register of Deeds
and Conveyances for the County of Suffolk, & they were Sealed up
by Constable Patten to be by him kept & returned into the Court
of General Sessions of the Peace in April next.
Colonel John Hill

John Phillips EsqT.

Cap'. Joseph Jackson

Mr. John Scollay
Colonel Nathaniel Thwing, Excus'd

Mr- Royal Tyler

Cap*. Hopestill Foster

Mr. John Rowe

Cap'. Newirin Greenough

Mr. William Cooper

Mr. Joseph Jackson

Nath1. Wheelwright Esqr.

Cap'. Thomas Savage
were chose Firewards for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. Samuel Phillips Paid in 1753

Samuel Hewes junr. Excus'd

John Cunningham Excus'd

Edward Tyng Excus'd

Aggustus Hale Sworn

John Wells Sworn

were chose Constables for the Year ensuing.

Mess." John Joy Excus'd

Barnabas Clarke Excus'd

Nath1. Ridgway Excus'd

Obadiah Low Excus'd

were chose Constables for the Year Ensuing.

[375.] Mr. John Gray.

was chose Surveyor of Hemp for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Robert Ford

Clement Collins

Isaac White

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1756. 285

William Nichols
"William Welch
John Grant
Isaac Vergoose
Andrew Symmes
Henry Allen
William Paine
Moses Eaj'res
Joseph Butler Excus'd
Samuel Warden

were chose Surveyors of Boards for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Samuel Treat
Joseph Dyer
Edward Potter
Isaac Towle
David Spear
Benja. Ballard
John Hobbs
Edward Cowell
Robert Treat
John Helyer

were chose Cullers of Staves for the ensuing Year.
Mess™. Thomas Coverley
Nathaniel Bird
Samuel Smith
Ambrose Vincent

were chose Hogreeves for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Belcher Noyes
John Forsyth
John Lee
John Leverett
[375£.] Alexr. Sears

William Blair Townsend
Benjamin Davis
Benjamin Fitch
Daniel Jones
Joseph Candish
John White
Aftar Stoddard

were chose Scavingers for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Story Dawes
Caleb Ray
Thomas Crafts

Benj*. Russell *

Onesiphorus Tilestone
Francis Warden

were chose Fence Viewers for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Joseph Carter
Thomas Hase
Samuel Hastings
were chose Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.

286 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mess™. Joseph Belknap

Nath1. Gardner
were chose Informers of Deer for the Year ensuing.

Mr. Joseph Curtis

was chose Hay ward for the Year ensuing.
Selectmen, Surveyors of Highways.
Mess™. David Cutler

Thomas Foster

ivere chose Assay Masters for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. William Gray

Corn1. Thayer

Samuel Downe
[376.] John Deming

John Winslow

Daniel Bowyer

Samuel Austin

Samuel Dexter

Moses Peck

Joseph Waldo

John Winslow

Daniel Eveleth

were chose Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Nathaniel Barber

William Fairfield

Peter Oliver

John Kneeland

Samuel Edwards

Benja. Church

Isaac White
were chose Assessors for the Year ensuing.

Mess™. David Greenleaf Sworn

Michael Burn Sworn

Henry Snow Excus'd

Andrew Boardman Excus'd

were chose Constables for the Year ensuing.

Cap'. Isaac Dupee
was chose Clerk of Fanueil Hall Market for the Yoar ensuing.

Voted that the Sum of Twenty Pounds be allow'd and paid out
of the Town Treasury unto Cap1. Isaac Dupee for his Service as
Clerk of Faneuil Hall Market the Year past.

Voted that no person shall now be chose for a Collector of Taxes
who has heretofore served in that Office that cannot produce
Receipts in full from the several Treasurers whom he was obliged
to pay for the Year 1754.

[376£.] Voted that the Sum of twelve pence on the Pound
be and hereby allowed to be paid to such Persons as shall be chose
Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing, for all such Sums as
they shall Collect, provided they pay into the Town Treasury one
half part, of the whole Sum they are obliged to pay him within four
Months from the time they receive the Taxbooks from the Assessors,
and the other half part in three Months after, and also pay into the
Province and County Treasuries, one half part of the whole Sums

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1.756. 287

they shall be obliged to pay them respectively in seven Months
from the time they shall receive the Taxbooks from the Assessors
as aforesaid, and the other half part in five Months after, and in
case either of said Collectors shall fail paying in manner aforesaid,
the Collector so failing shall not be Entitled to the aforesaid Allow-
ance of twelve pence on the Pound, but wholly forfeit the same
provided also that each of said Collectors give Bond with sufficient
Sureties to the satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful dis-
charge of thier Duty in said Office, and complying with this -Vote.
Mess". John Ruddock
Jona. Payson
James Scutt
Samuel Adams
Collectors [In margin.]

Mess". Edward Gray junr. Sworn

Earth0. Band Excus'd

Tho". Barton Simpkins Excus'd

Mess". Isaac Bates Sworn

Joseph Miller Excus'd

Richard Hunniwell Sworn

Benjamin Adams Excus'd

David Gleason Sworn

were chose Constables for the Year ensuing.

The Selectmen's Report on the Account of Mr. John Fenno
keeper of the Granary, for the Year past, as Entr'd in his Book
(and on File in the Town Clerk's Office) . Read and Voted that
the same be accepted, and accordingly [377.] that Mr. Fenno be
further Accountable to the Town for 120 Bushels of Rye, remain-
ing unsold, and also for 60 Bushels of Corn unsold, amounting
to Twenty seven Pounds eight shillings, and also for the Sum of
Four hundred and forty Iwo Pounds & six pence exclusive of the
Sum of Twenty six Pounds thirteen shillings and four pence for
his Salary and Assistance as Charged in said Account, which is
hereby allowed him.

Thomas Greene Esqr. Cap'. Joseph Jackson and Mr. John Scollay
were chose Purchasers of Grain for the Year ensuing, the said
Committee are desired and impowred to give all needful directions
to the keeper of the Grainary respecting the Quantities of Grain to
be Sold, and setting the Price thereof from time to time as occa-
sion may require.

Voted that the Assessors be and they hereby are impowred to
Sit to the first day of May next and no longer, for making an
Abatement of the Taxes of such Persons as they shall judge reason-
able, saving that they have liberty to sit the two last Weeks in
November next, to abate the Taxes of all such Persons, as shall
appear to them to have dy'd, or been out of Town, and could not
have made Application to them before said first Day of May.

Also Voted that the Assessors in said two "Weeks in November
may if they see cause, abate the Taxes of all such Persons as
shall then appear to them to have become Bankrupts between said
first of May & said time of Sitting, and which the Collectors shall
have endeavor'd to have got, but could not.

288 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Tythingmen Nothing done thereon.

The Petition of sundry Inhabitants setting forth that inasmuch
as 'tis thought necessan' and of advantage to the Town in gen-
eral, and to the Souther!}* part thereof in particular, that the Bell
belonging to the Meeting House of the Revd. Mr. Byles be rung
at five o'Clock in the Morning ; they the Subscribers therefore
prayed that the same might be [37 7£.] Accordingly Rung, and
that the Expence thereof be paid by the Inhabitants, as has been
accostomed for the ringing of the other Bells in the Town, which
being Read Voted that the same be Dismiss'd.

Voted that the Selectmen be, and they hereby are Impowred
to direct and order what Bells in the Town shall be rung and at
what hours.

The Town took into Consideration the Article in the Warrant
Viz4. " whether any more effectual Method than is always pres-
cribed by Law can be taken, for promoting a more general
Reformation of Manners."
and thereupon Voted that

The Honble. Judge Sewall
The Honble. Tho8. Hubbard Esqr.
Abiel Walley Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr. &
Mr. Willm. Cooper,

be and they hereby are Appointed a Committee upon this Affair,
and they are desired in the most particular manner to Consider of
the same, and Report to the Town at their Meeting in May next,
what Methods they shall judge best to be taken for a more general
Reformation of Manners.

Voted that all Matters and Things that were to be transacted
this Meeting, & remain unfinished, be and hereby are Referr'd
over to the Town Meeting in May next, to be then Considered of
and Acted upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be & hereby is given to
John Phillips Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting for transacting
and dispatching the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[378.J At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston legally qualifyed and warned in
Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the
eleventh day of May AD 1756.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Mr. Sam1. Checkley junr.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

Mr. Samuel Grant one of the Selectmen propos'd in their Name
to the Inhabitants assembled to Proceed to the Choice of one or
more Persons to Represent them in the Great & General Court or
Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the 26th. of May
current, and in order thereto to consider & ascertain the Number
of Gentleman to be Elected, accordingly. It was Voted to proceed
to the Choice of four Representatives, and it was then declared
that the Poll will be clos'd at twelve o'Clock.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1756. 289

The Votes being Collected, the Number of Voters were found to
be 533 and upon Sorting 'em it appear 3d that the following Gen-
tlemen were chose Viz'.

Votes.

Samuel Welles Esqr. 301

Thomas Hubbard 362

Mr. John Tyng 347

Mr. Thomas Flucker 459.

The Election of Representatives being over, and the same being

declar'd by the Selectmen,

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moder-
ator, and upon Sorting them it appeared that the Honble. Thomas
Hubbard Esqr. was Choose.

The Petition of Samuel Wentworth Esqr. setting forth that he
is a great Sufferer by a Lease he has of the Town's Lands on the
Westerly side of Boston Neck, not only from the [378|-.] Un-
expected Costs he has been at for the Compleating a Sea Wall
Buildings and Fences, but more particularly from the Effects of a
late Storm, in which said Sea Wall has sustained very great Dam-
age, the Tempest having made several Breaches in the most ex-
posed parts, and in general so weakned and reduced the Bank,
that th6 repairing it will be attended with an Addition Expence
of near half the first Cost.

Wherefore he humbly prayed that the Town would so far sustain
the Memorial as to chuse a suitable Committee to inspect the Prem-
isses, and make such Allowances as shall appear just and reason-
able, reporting the same to the Town at their then next Meeting,
or that the Town would fall into any Method for the Relief of
their Memorialist that shall Result from their Consideration, And
their Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray.

SAMUEL WENTWORTH.

which being Read and after a short Debate Voted that the same
be Dismiss'd.

John Downe was chose Constable.

Voted that the Meeting be Adjourn'd to 3 o'Clock in the After-
noon.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon the Town meet according to
Adjournment.

Voted a Grant of Three Thousand five hundred Pounds Lawful
money be rais'd by a Tax upon Polls & Estates within the Town
of Boston, for relief of the Poor & defreying other necessary
Charges arising within the Town the Year ensuing.

Samuel Wentworth Esqr. mov'd that the To« n would be pleas'd
to Consider the Vote pass'd in the forenoon on his Petition, and
after some Debate thereon, a Question was put, whether said Vote
shall be Reconsidered, and it pass'd in the Negative ;

The Town proceeded to Consider what Method is best to be
taken for the Revisal of the several By Laws [379.] Now in
force, and what Alterations are necessary to be made therein, and
thereupon Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are desired
to employ some Persons learned in the Law to revise and alter
said By Laws in such Manner as they shall judge most bene.3ci.al

290 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

to the Town, and also prepare the Draft of a By Law to prevent
the frequent firing of Chimneys, and Report the whole that shall
be done hereupon so soon as may be ; And the Selectmen are im-
powred to allow and pay such Persons as they shall Employ in
this Affair what they shall judge reasonable for their Service.

Upon a Motion made and Seconded it was unanimously Voted
that the Thanks of the Town be & hereb}^ is given to James
Bowdoin Esqr. for the good Services he has done the Town as
their Representative for several Years past.

Also unanimously Voted that the Thanks of the Town be and
hereby is given unto Mr. William Cooper for the good Services
he has done the Town as their Representative the Year past.

The Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. & Mr. Ja". Pitts Overseers
of the Poor in the room of Daniel Henchman Esqr. & Mr. Edward
Bromfield who were chose in March last, but decline Serving in
that Office, and said Hubbard & Pitts being present pray'd the
Town to excuse them as their Bussiness will not permit them to
Serve ; Voted that they be Excus'd accord7
Whereupon, Mr. John Tudor &

Mr. William Phillips
were chose in -:heir Room and Accepted.

The Article in the Warrant Viz', what Application may be neces-
sary to be made to the General Court for the better Securing the
Powder House in the Common came under Consideration, and it is
thereupon Voted that the Gentlemen the Representatives of the
Town be and they hereby are desir'd to Apply to the General
Court at their next Sessions, that they wou'd take effectual Care,
that said Powder House may be better Secured, than it now is.

[379^.] Voted that the Sum of one Hundred & Twenty Pounds
Lawful money be allowed and paid unto Mr. Peleg Wiswall for his
Salary as Master of the North Grammar School for the ensuing
Year, the same to be paid to him quarterly and to Commence at
the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred & twenty Pounds Lawfull
money be allowed and paid unto Mr. John Lovell for his Salary as
Master of the South Grammar School for the ensuing Year, the
same to be paid him quarterly, & to Commence at the Expiration
of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Lawful money be
allowed and paid unto Mr. Abia Holbrook for his Salary as
Master of the Writing School in the Common the ensuing year to
be paid him Quarterly, and to Commence at the Expiration of
the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful money be
allowed and paid unto Mr. Zachh. Hicks for his Salary as Master
of the North Writing School the ensuing Year to be paid him
Quarterly, and to Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds be allow'd and paid unto
Mr. Sam1. Holyoke Master of the Writing School in Queen Street
the ensuing Year to be paid him Quarterly and to Commence at
the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that Jie Sum of Sixty Pounds Lawful Money be Allowed

BOSTON TOWN EECORDS, 1756. 291

& paid unto Mr. Nath1. Gardner for his Salary as Usher of the
South Grammar School, the ensuing Year to be paid him quarterly
& to Commence at the Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds Lawful Money be allow'd
and paid unto Mr. John Procter junr. for his Salary as one of the
Master of the Writing School [38O.] In Queen Street the ensu-
ing Year to be paid him Quarterly and to Commence at the
Expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful Money be
Allowed to Mr. David Jeffries for his Services as Treasurer of the
Town the Year past, and for all his Expences in that Office.

The Committee appointed the 26th. of May last to Audit the
Accounts of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries now Reported that they had
attended that Service, and found the same right Cast, and well
Vouched, in which he Charges himself with sundry Fines and
other Incomes of the Town, as also with the Tax of £4000 com-
mitted to the Collectors, all which Amounts (including the ballance
of old Account) to £7546,, 16,, 8£ — And the said Treasurer
discharges himself by sundry Abatements made the Collectors, by
Drafts made b^y the Selectmen am0, to £2746,, 6,, 7f, and by
Drafts made by the Overseers of the Poor which contain the
Charges of the Almshouse and Workehouse amounting to £1483,,
19,, 4 & which we have inspected in a very particular manner by
examining every particular Voucher produced by the Overseers
for the amount of that Sum, and every other Branch of the Pub-
lick Charge all amounting to £4254,, 1,, 2f ,, by which it appears
that when all the Taxes Rents and Incomes in the Town are in,
the ballance will be £2794,, 7,, 7,, $ which said Treasurer is
further to Account for, as appears by the Tryal Ballance of said
Account given in by said Committee and on File ; which Report &
Account being Read, Voted that the same be accepted.

The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 16th. of May last to
Visit the Schools now made the following
Report Viz*.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled May 11 : 1756.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
16 : of May last desiring the Selectmen to Visit the Publick
Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them therein
as they should think proper, do new Report.

[38O£.] That on the 27th Day of June last, We attended that
Service Accompanied by the following Gentleman Viz'

The Houbl°. John Jeffries Esqr.

The Honble. Richard Bill Esqr.

The Gent", the Representatives of the Town

The Gent", the Overseers of the Poor

The Revd. Mr. Samuel Mather

The Revd. Mr. Samuel Cooper

John Steele Esqr.

Thomas Greene Esqr.

Mr. James Pitts

292 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Mr. Oxenbridge Thacher

Mr. Treasurer Jeffries

and found in the South Grainmer School there was 125 Scholars,
in the South Writing School 216 Scholars, in the Writing School
in Queen Street 180 Scholars, in the North Grammar School 28
Scholars, and in the North Writing School 210 Scholars, all in
very good Order.

Samuel Grant

Thomas Hill
Joseph Jackson

• Selectmen.

Thomas Gushing
Samuel Hewes
John Scollay

Read & Accepted, and Voted that the Gentlemen the Selectmen
be and hereby are desired to Visit the Schools this present Year,
and Invite such Gentlemen to Accompany them as they shall think
proper.

Voted that Thomas Greene Esqr. the Honble. Samuel Welles
Esqr. Mr. John Spooner, Mr. John Rowe & Mr. Wm. Cooper Be
and they hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the Account
of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries, and also the Accots. of the Overseers of
the Poor, and the said Committee are directed and impowred to
Inspect every particular Account of the Monies expended for the
use of the Almshouse and make Report thereon, as soon as they
have done the same.

[381.] The Town pass'd upon the Lists of Persons qualifyed
to Serve as Petit Jurors for the Superiour and Inferiour Courts
for the County of Suffolk, and Court of Sessions and proceeded to
Act thereupon as the Law requires.

Voted that all Matters and things that remain unfinished be
Continued over to the next General Town Meeting, to be then
Considered of, and Acted upon.

Voted Unanimously that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby
is given to the Honble. Thomas Hubbard Esqr. the Moderator of
this Meeting, for transacting the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismissed.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in publick
Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil-Hall on Monday the four-
teenth day of March AD 1757.

Prayer was made by the Revd. Dr. Joseph Sewall.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

Sundry Laws Read.

John Phillips Esqr. was chose Moderator by a written Vote and
he took the Oath respecting his paying and receiving Bills of Credit
of the Governments of Connecticut^ New Hampshire and Rhode
Island, as required by the Act of this Province.

Ezekiel Goldthwait was unanimously chose Town Clerk for the
Year ensuing, & having taken, the Oath required by the Act of the
26th. of hi3 present Majesty's Reign respecting the paying and re-
ceiving Bills o:! Credit of the other Governments [38l|»] Took

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 293

the Oath of Office which were administred to him by John Phillips
Esqr.

Sundry Petitions Read.

The Town proceeded to the Choice of seven Selectmen and the
Votes being brought in and Sorted it Appeared that
Samuel Grant Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Hill
Joshua Honshaw Esqr.
Joseph Jackson Esqr.
Mr. Thomas Gushing
Mr. Samuel Hewes
Mr. John Scollay

were unanimously chosen & took the Oath respecting their paying
and receiving Bills of Credit of the neighbouring Governments as
required by the Act of this Province of the 26th. of his present
Majesty.

The Town brought in their Votes for 12 Overseers of the Poor, &
being Sorted it appeared that.

the Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr.
John Phillips Esqr.
Mr. Isaac Walker
Ebenezer Storer Esqr.
Mr. John Barrett
Mr. John Tudor
Mr. Royal Tyler
Thomas Flucker Esqr.
Mr. William Phillips
James Pitts Esqr.
Peter Chardon Esqr. Refuses.
Mr. Benja. Dolbeare
were chose Overseers of the Poor for the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be & hereby is given to :he
Honble. Jacob Wendell Esqr. and John Hill Esqr. for the faithful
services they have done the Town as Overseers of the Poor for
twenty Years past, and to Captain [382.] Nathaniel Greenwood
for two Years past.

The Town brought in their Votes for Town Treasurer, & upon
viewing them it appeared that Mr. David Jeffries was unanimously
chose to that Office, and having taken the Oath relating to his pay-
ing and receiving Bills of Credit of the other Governments, was
sworn to the faithful discharge of his Duty in that Office.

Voted that the Town proceed to the choice of twelve Constables
for the Year ensuing, distinct from the Collectors of Taxes.

Voted that any Person chose into the Office of a Constable shull
be excused upon his paying a Fine of Six Pounds.

Voted that not more than one Person that has heretofore Served
as a Constable in this Town (within the time he was obliged by
Law to serve) shall be chose this Year.

The Town brought in their Votes for 12 Constables and upon
sorting them it appeared that

Mess". Nathan Spear Sworn

Nath1. Thayer Sworn

294

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Benja. Adams Sworn

Thomas Raymand Sworn

John Joy Excused

Hugh Moore Excused

John Pattin Sworn

Jacob Thaver Sworn

Tho9. Bell," Taylor Sworn

Thos. Hubbard Hatter Sworn

Benjamin Edes Sworn

Daniel Pecker Sworn
The Town brought in their Votes for a County Treasurer & they

were Sealed up by Const*. Patten to be by him kept & returned to

the next Quarter Sessions to be holden for this County.

[383J.] Mess™. William Gray Sworn
' John Leverett
John Demiug

Corn8. Thayer Sworn
Samuel Downe

John Winslow Hatter Sworn

Henderson Inches Sworn

Daniel Boyer Sworn

Samuel Austin Sworn
Samuel Dexter
Moses Peck

Joseph Waldo Excused

Joseph Winslow Sworn

were chose Clerks of the Market for the Year ensuing.

Messr*. William Welch Sworn

Isaac White Sworn

Isaac Vergoose Sworn

William Paine Sworn

John Greenough Excused

William Nichols Sworn
John Grant
Clement Collins
Eobert Ford

James Clark Sworn

Andrew S.ymes Sworn

Benja. Bicknell Sworn

Moses Eayres Sworn

were chose Survej-ors of Boards &c. for the Year ensuing.
Mr. John Gray

was chose Surveyor of Hemp for the Year ensuing.
Mess™. Benjamin Russell
Nathaniel Wales
Onesiphorus Tilestone
Thomas Crafts

Obadiah Low Sworn
Caleb Ray

were chose Fence Viewers of the Year ensuing.
[383.] Mess™. Nathaniel Gardner
Joseph Belknap

were chose Informers of Deer for the Year ensuing.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 2S5

Joseph Curtis Sworn

was chose Ha}'ward for the Year ensuing.
Mess". David Cutler

Tho'. Foster
were chose Assaymasters ibr the Year ensuing.

Mess". Henry Rhodes ' Sworn

John Child Sworn

James Downing Sworn

were chose Sealers of Leather for the Year ensuing.

Mess". Benj". Wheeler Excused

John Pulling

Nath1. Bird

John Bennet Excused

Thomas Parker

Seth Pond Sworn

were chose Hogreeves for the Year ensuing.

Belcher Noyes

Ambrose Vincent

John Forsyth

John Moffatt

Joseph Edwards

David "Wheeler Excused.

Benja. Hodgdon

Nathan Simpson

Benja. Harrod

Benja. Fitch

Thomas Adams

John Harris

Elisha Foster

were chose Scavingers for the Year ensuing.
Selectmen }
Surveyors of > [In margin.]

Highways )

[383-^.] Tyihingmen. [In margin.] Nothing done thereon.
Mr. Isaac Smith was chose an Overseer of the Poor in the Room
of Peter Chardon Esqr. who declines serving.

John Phillips Esqr.

Joseph Jackson Esqr.

Mr. John Scollay

Mr. Royal Tyler

Cap'. Hopestill Foster

Mr. John Rowe

Cap4. Newman Greenough

Cap'. Thomas Savage

Nath1. Wheelwright Esqr.

Mr. Joseph Jackson

Mr. William Cooper

Thomas Flucker Esqr.
were chose Firewards for the Your ensuing.

Mess". Eliphalet Parker Sworn

William Warland Sworn

Constables. [In margin.]

296 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

The Selectmen Report on the Account of Mr. John Fenno keeper
of the Granary for the Year past, as is entred in his Book (and on
File in the Town Clerk's Office) Read & Voted that the same be
accepted and accordingly, Mr. Fenno be further accountable to the
Town for 1840 Bushels of Corn, & 460 Bushels of Rye remaining
unsold amounting to £289 ,, 16 ,, 0, and also for the Sum of £191 ,,
4 ,, 5 Cash now in his hands, exclusive of the Sum of £26 ,, 13 ,, 4
for his Salary and Assistance, as charged in said Accompt which
is hereby allowed him.

Thomas Greene and Joseph Jackson Esqrs. and Mr. John Scollay
were chose Purchasers of Grain for the Year ensuing and they are
desired & impowred to give all needful directions to the keeper of
the Granary respecting the Quantities of the Grain to be sold &
setting the Price thereof from time to time as occasion may require.

[384.] The Article in the Warrant viz', whether the Town
will give " any additional Bounty for the Encouragement of Persons
to iulist in the Service of the Province in the present Expedition "
was considered of and after some debate thereon, it was Voted that
said Article be dismissed.

Voted that Benjamin Prat, Charles Apthorp, Thomas Greene
Richard Dana Joseph Lee and James Boutineau Esq™. Docter
William Clarke Mr. John Rowe, Mr. John Ruddock Mr. Oxenbridge
Thacher Mr. Royal Tyler Mr. Thomas Gushing Mr. Isaac Walker
Mr. Nathaniel Bethune & Mr. Samuel Adams, be & they hereby
are appointed a Committee to apply to the General Court to enable
the Town to Raise by Tax on the Inhabitants such a Sum of Money
as will be needful to make up the Deficiencies of the Years 1755 &
1 75G occasioned by an Abatement of the Taxes of Persons unable
to pay them, and also for any other Relief that said Committee
shall think necessary.

The Committee appointed the 1 1 of May last to Audit the
Accompt s of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries, now reported, that they had
attended that service & found the same right cast & well vouched ;
in which he charges himself with sundry Fines Rents, and other In-
comes of the Town, as also with the Tax of £3500 committed to the
Collectors all which amounts (including the Ballance of the old Ac-
compt) to £0807,, 19,, 9,, £. Andthe said Treasurer discharges him-
self by sundry Abatements made the Collectors, by Drafts made by
the Selectmen amounting to £2321,, 7,, 5, And by Drafts made by
Overseers of the Poor, which contain Charges of the Alms-house
and Workhouse amounting to £1769, ,6, ,11 and which they had
inspected in a very particular manner by examining every partic-
ular Voucher produced by the Overseers for the amount of that
Sum, & ever}' other Branch of publick Charge all amounting to
£5591,, 17,, 2 £ by which it appears that when all ye. Taxes Rents
and Incomes of the Town are in, the Ballance will be £1216,, 2,, 7,, J
which the Treasurer is fur! her to Account for, as appears by
the Tryal Ballauce of said Account given in by said Committee &
on File, which Report and Account being Read

Voted that the same be accepted.

[384£.] Voted that Mr. John Rowe Thomas Greene Esqr.
Mr. Nicholas Boylstone Mr. William Cooper & James Boutineau

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 297

Esqr. be & they hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the
Accompts of Mr. Treasurer Jeffries and also the Accompts of the
Overseers of the Poor and the said Committee are desired & im-
powred to inspect every particular Account of the Monies ex-
pended for the use of the Alms-house and make Report thereon to
the Town as soon as they have done the same.

Voted that the Sum of £'20 be allowed and paid to Cap1. Isaac
Dupee for his Salary as Clerk of Faneuil-Hall Market the Year
past.

Voted that the Meeting be adjourned 'till tomorrow morning 9
o'Clock.

Tuesday Morning 9 o'Clock the Inhabitants met according to
Adjournment.

Mess™. Samuel Treat

Joseph Dyer

Edward Potter

Isaac Fowle

David Spear

Edward Cowell

John Hobbs

Robert Treat

Benja. Barnard Sworn

Jonathan Jenkins

were chose Cullers of Staves &ca. for the Year ensuing.
Mess". William Fail-field Sworn

John Kneeland Sworn

Peter Oliver Sworn

Benja. Church Sworn

Samuel Edwards

Isaac White Sworn

Daniel Marsh Excused

John Goldthwait Sworn

were chose Assessors for the Year ensuing.

[385.] On a Motion made & seconded, Voted unanimously
that the Person that shall be choose Clerk of Faneuil-Hall Market
for the ensuing year be & he hereby is forbidden to buy any Prov-
isions in said Market other than for his own Family, and if such
Clerk of the Market be Convicted of the breach of this Order before
the Selectmen he shall forfeit & loose his Salary from the time of
such Breach.

Voted that Mr. Thomas Gushing, Mr. Oxenbridge Thacher
Thomas Greene Esqr. Mr. Royal Tyler and Mr. Benja. Kent or a
Major part of them be & they hereby are appointed and impowred
as a Committee to accommodate in such a manner as they shall
judge best the Action now depending in the Law between the
Assessors and the Honble. Andrew Oliver Esqr. & others which the
Town former!}7 Voted to defend at their Cost, and Report their
doings thereon to the Town.

Voted that the Auditors of the Accompts of the Overseers of the
Poor chose this Meeting be and they hereby are directed and im-
powred when they shall Audit said Accompts to allow to said Over-
seers or such of them as shall hereafter advance Monies for the

298 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

support of the Poor, Interest on all Sums from the time advanc'd
till the day of payment.

The Town passed upon the List of Persons qualified to serve as
Petit Jurors at the Superiour and Inferiour Courts for the County
of Suffolk and Court of Sessions and proceeded to act thereupon
as the Law requires.

Voted that no Person shall be chose a Collector of Taxes for
the present Year who has heretofore served in that Office, and
cannot produce Receipts in full from the several Treasurers whom
he was obliged to pay for the Year 1755.

Voted that the Sum of twelve pence on the Pound be and hereby
is allowed to be paid to such Persons as shall be chose Collectors
of Taxes for the Year ensuing for all such Sums as they shall Col-
lect provided they pay into the Town Treasury one half part of
the whole Sum they are obliged to pay [885^.] Him within four
Months from the time they receive the Tax Hooks from the Asses-
sors, and the other half part in three Months after, and also pay
into the Province & County Treasuries one half part of the whole
Sums they shall be obliged to pay them respectively in seven
Months from the time the}' shall receive the Tax Books from the
Assessors as aforesaid, and the other half part in five Months
after ; and in case either of said Collectors shall fail paying in
manner aforesaid, the Collector so failing shall not be entitled to
the aforesaid Allowance of twelve pence on the Pound but wholly
forfeit the same ; provided also that each of said Collectors give
Bond with sufficient Sureties to the satisfaction of the Selectmen
for the faithful discharge of their Duty iu said Office and comply-
ing with this Vote.

The Inhabitants brought in their Votes for four Collectors of
Taxes, and upon sorting them it appeared that
Mess". John Ruddock
James Scutt
Jonathan Pay son
Samuel Adams
were chose in',o that Office for the Year ensuing.

The Petition of John Tilestone setting forth that he had served
a regular Appi enticeship in one of the Publick Writing Schools in
this Town, and has for two Years & a half had the favour of being
appointed Usher in one of them where he now is ; and he having
at this time just entred on the Stage of Life for himself, finds his
Board & Expences in it exceed your Grant that was allowed him
in his Apprenticeship, & humbly praying that the Town would
allow him what further support they in their Wisdom shall think
needful, was Read, and thereupon it was Voted that the Sum of
Fifty Pounds p Annum be & hereby is allowed to said John Tiles-
ton during the time he shall Officiate as Usher in said School, the
same to commence from the 12th da}' of February last and to be
paid him quarterly as it shall become due.

Cap*. Isaac Dupee was chose Clerk of Faneuil-Hall Market for
the Year ensuing.

[386.] Voted unanimously that the Assessors be and hereby
are impowred to sit 'till the first day of April next and no longer

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 299

for making an Abatement of the Taxes of such Persons as they
shall judge reasonable ; saving that they have liberty to sit the
two last Weeks in November next, to abate (if they see cause)
the Taxes of all such Persons as shall appear to them to have
been out of the Province, and so could not have made Application
to them for an Abatement before said first day of April.

Ordered that this Vote be immediately Printed, and that the
Constables leave the same at the Dwelling Houses of such of the
Inhabitants as are within their respective Wards, that none may
plead ignorance thereof.

Voted that the Assessors Report to the Town at the intended
Adjournment of this Meeting what Abatement of Taxes they
shall then have made.

Voted that the Assessors may sit the two last Weeks in Novem-
ber next to abate (if they see cause) the Taxes of such Persons as
shall appear to them to have become Bankrupts or have (lied
between the said first day of April and said time of Sitting, and
which the Collectors shall have endeavour'd to have got in but
could not.

The Town considered of sundry Proposals offered in Writing
relating to the Dirt in the Streets which are as follows Viz'. Pro-
posals offered to the Town of Boston relating to the Street Dirt
March 14: 1757.

1st. That the Town do pass a Vote that no Person do carry
away the Street Dirt unless by the Order of the Selectmen.

2^. That the Selectmen be directed to divide the Town into
several Wards & to Farm the same Wards to the highest Bidder
for one two or more Yearrs.

3'7. The Farmer to be under Obligation to carry away all Dirt
in his Ward within 24 hours after the same is rak'd up by the
Abutters.

4thly. In case he neglect that he forfeit the Sum of for

such Default, & the Abutter may procure another Cart to carry
away the same Dirt at the expence of the Farmer.

[386 J. ] And after some Debate thereon, Voted that Mess".
Qxenbridge Thacher Samuel Adams & William Story be & they
hereby are appointed a Committee to take the same into Consider-
ation and prepare a By-Law for the better Regulation & Sale
thereof in such a manner as they shall judge most for the Advan-
tage of the Town, & Report thereon at the intended Adjournment
of this Meeting.

The Petition of a great Number of the Inhabitants setting forth,
that there is a vacant Peice of Land belonging to the Town in Water
street that for many Years was occupied only for a Tann heap, as
it was judged to be of some small advantage to the Poor, Tan
being brought there from the several Tan Yards that were then near,
but as those Places are now mostly improved for other uses, .scarce
any Tan has been put on said vacant Peice of Land for a long
time, but the same now is and for a considerable time past has
been a Publick Nusance, many Persons having put quantities of
Filth, and some emptied their Vaults there, that it is not only very
inconvenient to the Inhabitants that dwell near, but extreamly

300 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

offensive especially in the Summer Season, when they have no
comfort or satisfaction in their own Houses, occasioned by the
disagreeable Stench arising from this Nusance. The Petitioners
therefore pray the Town will now take the same into Considera-
tion, and Order that said vacant Ground be added to Water-Street
as no other use can be made of it and that the same may be paved
at the Expence of some of the Inhabitants that live near it ; the
Petitioners being Inform'd there are some who are willing for their
own Convenience & Comfort to be at that expence rather than it
should lay as it does, and by this means the Petitioners apprehend
said Nusance will be removed, and thereby an Expence saved the

Town who are liable to be Presented therefor. said Petition

was Read, and the same being Consider'd of & Debated upon, It
was Voted that the Prayer of the Petition be granted, & that the
said Lands heretofore improved as a Tanheap be & hereby is added
to said Water Street, & for the future to be accounted part
thereof, provided that it shall appear to the Selectmen that the
same is the Property of the Town, and also that Cap1. James
Dalton one of the Petitioners give a legal Quit Claim to the Town
of all his Interest therein (if any he has) and in any [387.]
Other Lands he has added to said Street ; as also that some of the
Petitioners or any other Persons give Security to said Selectmen
that the Land hereby added to said Street shall be soon Paved at
their expence and to the satisfaction of the Selectmen.

Samuel Grant Esqr. Mr. Thomas Hill Joshua Henshaw and
Joseph Jackson Esq". Mr. Thomas Gushing Mr. Samuel Hewes
and Mr. John Scollay appointed by an Act of the General Court
Managers of Boston Lotteries for raising Monies to Pave & Repair
the Neck, presented their Account for Lottery Number one drawn
in August last being as follows viz'.

To Samuel Grant for timespent in Signing & Numbering Ticketts,
selling ditto, rolling up the Numbers Blanks & Prizes drawing said
Lottery, & paying the benefit Ticketts . . . . £18.

To Thomas Hill for ditto 18,, 12.

To Joshua Henshaw for ditto 17,, 11.

To Joseph Jackson for ditto 17,, 8.

To Thomas Gushing for ditto 18,, —

To Samuel Hewes for ditto 17,, 8 —

To John Scollay for ditto 17,, 13,, 9

£124,, 13,, 9.

which Account being Read, It was unanimously Voted that the
same be and hereby is accepted.

The Petition of John Wardel setting forth that he for nine Years
last past has been employed by the Town as Hayvveigher and as
such has annually paid into the Town Treasury twenty Pounds
Lawful money as also the Rent and Repairs of the Hay-Market
during which time the Petitioner has acted with Fidelity as far as
he knows ; but of late an Advertisement was put into the public
Points setting forth in purport that the Petitioner had not done
justice in weighing of Hay &ca. as in said Print is more fnlly men-
tioned ; upon reading of which the Petitioner immediately applyed

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757.

himself to the Selectmen of the Town and told them that the Scales
were right as ho apprehended, excepting that the weights by reason
of their being wore were something too light; whereupon the Gen-
tlemen Selectmen Ordered him to carry them to the Sealer to have
them Bectifyed which Orders were immediately obeyed and the
wantage in the whole number of weights was a pound and three
ounces for which the Petitioner was wont to make [38 7^.] Al-
lowance but the Gentlemen Selectmen directly dismiss'd the Peti-
tioner as Hay-weigher and took the keys from him . . . Now
in as much as the Petitioner has for many Years past got his Live-
lihood by Acting as Hay-weigher and has ever Acted with Integrity
in said Office, begs that he may not be turned out without having
the least Notice, and only by means of an Advertisement zealously
Worded for the good of the Town or rather of the Advertizcr, that
the Petitioner did not know that it was his Buisness to get
the Weights Sealed but that the Gentlemen the Selectmen would
direct and inspect into that Affair as occasion might Offer ; but if
the Petitioner had been guilty of any inadvertancy (which he is
ignorant of) he hopes to be more Attentive for the future and in
all Respects comply with the directions and injunctions of the
Town or Selectmen touching the said Hay-maker, wherefore he
prays the Town to take the Premisses into their wise Consideration
and restore him to the Office of Hay-weigher again, and if upon
Tryal he does not the reasonable expectations of the Town he will
chearfully submit to their determination, was Read, as also the
Petition of sundry Inhabitants to prevent uny Person's Engrossing
of I lay bro't to Market for Sale ; and the Town took said Petitions
into Consideration, and after some Debate 'thereon, Voted that the
Selectmen be and they hereby are directed & impowred to appoint
such Person as they shall think proper to weigh Hay at said
Engine, & on such Terms as they shall judge best & from time
to t;me give all necessary directions and orders concerning it, and
take such Security from the Hay weigher as shall by them be
thought reasonable. Also Voted that no Person that shall be ap-
pointed by the Selectmen to weigh Hay at said Engine, shall pur-
chase or engross any Hay brought to Market for Sale either by
Land or Water but for his own use, and when it shall appear to
the satisfaction of the Selectmen that he has so done they are
desired immediately to dismiss him.

Voted that this Meeting be and hereby is Adjourned to Friday
the 15 : of April next at nine o'Clock in the forenoon.

The Town met according to their Adjournment & upon a motion
made & Seconded Voted that this Meeting be further Adjourned
to Wednesday the '20th. Instant at 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon.

[388.] Wednesday April 20: 1757 The Town met according
to their Adjournment.

Benjamin Prat Ksqr. and the other Gentlemen appointed a Com-
mittee the 14 : March last to apply to the General Court &c pre-
sented to the Town a Copy of the Petition the\- preferr'd to said
Court & is as follows viz'.

To his IIon-.;ur Spencer Phips Esqr. Lieu*. Governour and Com-
mander in Chief of said Province the Honble Council and House

302 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

of Representatives in General Court Assembled March 30th.
1757.

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston. Hum-
bly shews.

That the Power of the Assessors to ease Persons by abateing
their Taxes seems by a paragraph of the Province Act of the
fourth of George the second, Chapter the first to be restrained to
only such cases as where such Persons are Rated more than their
Proportion with others.

That besides a great Number of Poor in Boston who are either
wholly or in part maintained by the Town, & so are exempt from
being Taxed, there are many who are Rateable according to Law
either for their Polls or Tenements that they occupy or both, who are
yet in such poor Circumstances that considering how little Buisness
there is to be done in Boston they can scarcely procure from day
to day daily Bread for themselves and Families, at the same time
so heavy are the Taxes in Boston that each of such Persons pro-
portion thereof for the Tenement wherein he lives will amount to a
sufficiency to pay not only all Taxes but Rent too for a Tenement
of equal goodness in most of the other Towns in this Province.
These peculiar Circumstances have induced the Assessors of the
Town of Boston to ease many of such persons by abateing their
Taxes, th6 realy they were not assessed at more than their legal
proportion, and their Abatements for the Year 1755 amounted
to £1460, and such Abatements for the Year 1756 already
amount to £1950 more : that these Abatements in these two Years
amount to much more than was at all expected, and some Con-
tingent Town. Charges have also unexpectedly happened so that
the Fund appropriated in the Town Treasury for making good
Abatement's is outrun, and the Town on [388J.] It's own Ac-
count much in Debt even exclusive of these Defficiencies this
situation is peculiarly alarming to your Petitioners as by means
thereof there is not any fund in the Town Treasury for paying the
Town Charges, all the Servants of the Town are unpaid, & many
of them greatly suffering for want of their Dues ;

The Poor suported either wholly or in part by the Town in the
Alms-house and out of it will amount to the Number of about one
thousand cannot longer be supported, as in Effect both the Money
and Credit of this Town by the means abovementioned gone ;
And may it please your Honours your Petitioners apprehend
that without your Honours Aid they can never be releived,
for on the one hand it seems to be doubtful whether the Town has
legal Power to Tax the Inhabitants to make good the present
Defficiences arising upon Abatements if not Warranted by Law,
especially the amount being so large, and the great Mischiefs of
making so large a Tax as these Defficiences amount to that is
open to disputes and altercations your Honours will readily see. &
on the other hand such a Tax would be an escesive Burthen on a
Town that by loss of its Trade, loss of its People and increase of
its Poor and load of Taxes is brought to the brink of utter Ruin ;
For, may it please your Honours, 'tis notorious that the Province
exclusive of this Town is greatly increased in Numbers Trade and

BOSTON TOWN KECORD, 1757. 303

Rateable Estates within 20 Years last past ; while in the mean
time the Trade and Rateable Polls of this declining Town within
that Period are reduced near one half, and yet its proportion of
the Tax is nearly the same as in its flourishing State ; and as this
Malencholly situation of this Town has been often Remonstrated
to your Honours, your Petitioners confide in your goodness that
they shall obtain Releif in that respect as soon as a Valuation can
be taken through the Province, and be intitled to a considerable
Allowance at the least for the Year 1756 pursuant to the Resolve
of your Honours on the ninth day of April last Viz*.

'•That the proportion of the several Towns and Districts to-
wards the Tax for the Year 1756 or any other Year, before a new
Valuation shall be compleated shall be finally adjusted & settled
according to the Proportion which the several Towns and Districts
within this Province shall be set in the next valuation."

[389.] And as the Valuation is not yet taken, & that Allow-
ance cannot be adjusted, and your Petitioners distresses call for
immediate Relief Your Petitioners humbly pray your Honours
would be pleased to authorize the Town by Vote in Town Meeting
to raise by a Tax on the Polls & Estates of the Town the Sum of
£3410 or more if necessary to supply the defficiency arising from
the Abatements aforesaid, and that your Honours in order to
supply the present Necessities and give your Petitioners present
Relief would further please to indulge the Town with the benefit
and use of the like Sum of £3410 out of the Province Tax appor-
portioned to this Town for the Year 1756 and dispence with their
paying the same to the Province Treasury untill the Valuation
shall be taken & this Town's Proportion be thereupon adjusted, or
otherwise releive your Petitioners as your Wisdom & Goodness
shall direct, which was Read.

Upon a Motion made and seconded, It was Voted that the Com-
mittee appointed the 14 of March last to apply to the General
Court to enable the Town to raise by Tax on the Inhabitants such
a Sum of Money as should be needful to make up the Defficiencies
of the Years 1755 & 1756 occasioned by an Abatement of the
Taxes of Persons unable to pay them ; and also for any other Re-
lief the said Committee shall think necessary, be & they hereby are
further impowred to consider of any other Methods that they may
judge proper in order to obtain Relief as to the proportion of the
Publick Taxes, and to prefer any Pclitiou or Petitions to the Gen-
eral Court 1'rom time to time as the said Committee may think
effectual for those Purposes.

Also Voted that the; Article in the Warrant relating to this Affair
be & hereby is rcferr'd to the Meeting in May next for further
Consideration.

The Committee appointed the 14th of March last to Consider of
sundry proposals offered in Writing relating to the Dirt in the
Streets, & prepare a By-Law for the better Regulation & Sale
thereof, Report that they have considered of said Proposals & are
of Opinion thnt they are beneficial to the Town, and that the
Method therein propos'd will both contribute to keep the Streets
cleaner than heretofore they have been., and also produce some

304 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Monies by the [389£.] Dirt, but as the Town have already Voted
to Revise all their B^-Laws, and the Committee who have them
under Consideration will (as they are Informed) be ready to Re-
port thereon at the next May Meeting, and as the subject matter
of said proposals may be easier comprized among other By-Laws,
then by a single By-Law, for these Reasons they have not drawn
a By-Law but report that the Town do Instruct said Committee
for revising their By-Laws to Insert among them one for the pur-
pose abovementioned. which being Read, Voted that said Report be
accepted, and that the Committee appointed for revising the By-
Laws of the Town be and hereby are Instructed & directed to pre-
pare & Report a By-Law relating to the Dirt in the Streets and
for the Regulation and Sale thereof.

Voted that all Matters & Things that remain unfinished be &
they hereby are referred & continued over to the Meeting of the
Town in May next to be then taken into Consideration & Acted
upon.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be & hereby is given to
John Phillips Esqr. the Moderator for transacting the Buisness of
this Meeting.

Then the Meeting was dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston legally qualified & warned in Public Town Meet-
ing Assembled at Faneuil-Hall on Tuesday the tenth day of
May A D 1757.

Prayer was made by the Rev'd. Mr. Thomas Prince.

The Precept & Warrant for calling the Meeting. Read.

Sundry Laws. Read.

Samuel Grant Esqr one of the Selectmen proposed in their Name
to the Inhabitants Assembled to proceed to the [39O.] Choice of
one or more Persons to represent them in the Great and General
Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the 25th
day of May current, and in order therto, to consider & ascertain
the number of Gentlemen to be elected, accordingly It was Voted
to proceed to the choice of four Representatives, and then it was
declared by the Selectmen that no Votes should be received after
twelve o'Clock, but the Poll then closed.

The Votes being Collected, the Number of voters were found to
be 528, and upon Sorting them it appeared that the three following
Gentlemen only were chose viz1.

Votes

The honble Thomas Hubbard Esqr. 444

Thomas Flucker Esqr. 500

Benjamin Prat Esqr. 447

Which being declared the Inhabitants were directed to bring in
their Votes for one Representative, which they accordingly did, &
it appeared there were 491 Voters, but upon sorting them there was
no Choice. The Selectmen then directed that this Meeting be
Adjourned to three o'Clock in the Afternoon for the choice of
another Representatives, at the same time informing the Inhab-
itants that the Poll would be closed precisely at four o'Clock and

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 305

no Votes received after, and said Meeting is adjourned accord-
ingly.

Three o'Clock in the Afternoon, the Inhabitants Assembled and
brought in their Votes for one Representative and upon Collecting
them it appeared there were 754 Voters, & that

Mr John Tyng

was chose by a Majority of Votes having 401

and Samuel Welles Esqr had 349

The Election of Representatives being over the same was de-
clared by the Selectmen.

The Inhabitants proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Moder-
ator, and upon Sorting them it appeared that Benja Prat Esqr was
chose, & he having taken the Oath required by an Act of this
Province relating to his receiving and paying Bills of Credit of the
Governments of Connecticut New Hampshire & Rhode Island ;
took his Seat.

[39O£.] The Petitions Read.

The Petition of sundry Freeholders and Inhabitants setting
forth that about thirty Years ago the Town erected several wooden
Shops on the North side of Faneuil Hall Market and have ever
since Rented them out, during which time large Sums of Money
have been expended to keep them in Repair, that they are now so
much gone to decay as to be scarce tenautable, and as your Mem-
orialists are informed, there must be immediate & thorough Re-
pairs made of them, which if done will amount to a very consider-
able Sum of Money & its probable in a few Years after, will want
other Repairs so that the Rent thereof will not be equal to the
Repairs ; which all must allow to be a very bad Estate as upon the
whole it will bring the Town in Debt as long as said Shops are
there

Your Memorialists would also inform that the open Dock behind
said Shops is become very nauseous & offensive to all the Inhabi-
tants that live near, & to the Merchants and others who have
AVarchouses on the Dock, and obliged to do their Business in them ;
and aa the keeping of said Dock open, is not of the least benefit
(that your Memorialists know of) to any Inhabitants, but if fill'd
up will remove the disagreeable Stench arising from it ; as also by
this means there will be :i large commodious Square to accomodate
the Market People who have tor some Years so fiT.ed up the Streets
and every other Place round the Publick Market that it is become
an intolerable Grev'muce to the Inhabitants, & has been & still is
Matter of just Complaint ; it may also be of great benefit in case of
Fire to receive any Goods the Inhabitants may have occasion to
remove there and in many other Respects will be a great service
to the Town.

Your Memorialists therefore upon the whole pray that the Town
will take the Premisses into Consideration and Ordsr that said
Shops may be removed or demolish'd & said Dock fill'd up so far &
in such a manner as shall be judged best, without any prejudice to
the Proprietors that have a right of Drains &ca. to said Dock ;
[391.] Was Read, and after some debate thereon it was mov'd
that a Committee be chose to consider of said Petition & Report

306 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

thereon, and the Question being put it was Voted in the Negative,
and then a Question was put whether said Petition so far as it
relates to demolishing the Shops or Buildings be dismissed, and it
passed in the Affirmative ; And then it was mov'd & seconded that
a Question be put, whether a Committee shall be chose to enquire
into the Rights of the Town to the Dock, and the Right of the
Abutters thereon, and whether it is expedient to fill up any part
of the Dock, and how much thereof, and the Question being accord-
ingly put it passed in the Affirmative, & thereupon It was Voted
that Thomas Greene Esqr. Mr. Benja. Kent, Cap'. Isaac White &
Mr. William Fairfield and Jeremiah Greene Esq". be a Committee
for those Purposes, they are desired to Report thereon as soon as
may be.

The Petition of John Hill Esqr. setting forth that he hired of the
Town the East side of the Neck by a Lease commencing the first
day of March AD 1749 and for the Term of Thirty one Years upon
certain Conditions on his part as set forth in said Lease, all of
which he has hitherto faithfully complyed with.

And upon the Petitioners first undertaking this Affair he com-
puted the Cost and then apprehended it would amount to about
two hundred Pounds L. M. in which he had the concurring Opinion
of his Friends and many other Gentlemen of undoubted good judg-
ment in those Affairs. — however after he had engaged in Building
the Dam he was soon convinced that the expence would arise to a
much higher Sum, but was then obliged to go on or lose what he
had by that time laid out upon it.

The Petitioner look'd upon himself bound in honour to the
faithful performance of this weighty Contract however expensive
it might prove & therefore spared no necessary Cost in Building
the Dam so as that it might not only serve to his own Advantage
during the Lease, but also to the Town forever after, this he did
with the more chearfullness as he would not possibly allow himself
to [391£.J Think they would suffer him to be greatly hurt much
less Ruin'd by an undertaking in which he was sincerely consious
of his having at heart not barly his own private benefit but theirs
too. The Dam is now compleat and the Petitioner presumes is as
well finished as is possible, it has stood the Shocks of two Winters,
the last perhaps as Stormy as any one can remember and yet remain
undisturbed — the Expence is very near £650 lawful money which
boing so much mere than the Original Calculation has drawn away
that Stock which the Petitioner should have reserved for his Capital
Buisness & compleated his Misfortunes.

The Petitioner has further to say, that in Building this Dam he
has taken in double the Quantities of Land be was by Contract
obliged to which any one will easily perceive will hereafter be ot
Advantage to the Town in proportion to his extraordinary Expence
& Trouble.

And upon the whole it is the prayer of the Petitioner that the
Town would candidly consider his unfortunate Circumstances and
as he is now out of ail Capacity of fullfilling the remaining Condi-
tions of his Bargain, that they would release him & allow him such
a Sum for his Expence as shall be thought adequate to it,

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 307

The Petitioner has it not in his power now to serve the Town as
he has for a course of Years heretofore chearfully done yet for
their best prosperity he ever prays, was Read & thereupon It was
Voted that Thomas Flucker Esqr. Mr. Royal Tyler and Doctor
William Clark be and they hereby are appointed a Committee to
consider of said Petition and Report what is best for the Town to
do thereon.

The Article in the Warrant viz', whether the Assessors ma}* be
allowed to sit to make Abatement of Taxes at any other time than
they were impowred to do by the Vote passed in March last, was
taken into Consideration & thereupon It was Voted that the Asses-
sors do not sit to make Abatement of Taxes at any other time than
that mentioned in the Vote passed in March last.

[392.] Voted that the Sum of Five Thousand Pounds Lawful
money be raised by a Tax upon Polls & Estates within this Town
for the Relief of the Poor, and defreying other necessaiy Charges
arising within the Town the Year ensuing.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred and twenty Pounds be
allowed & paid unto Mr. Peleg Wiswall for his Salary as Master
of the North Grammar School for the ensuing Year the same to be
paid him quarterly, and to commence at the expiration of the last
Quarter.

Voted that the Sum or One hundred & twenty Pounds be allowed
& paid unto Mr. John Lovel for his Salary as Master of the South
Grammar School the ensuing Year the same to be paid him quar-
terly, & to commence at the expiration of the last quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred Pounds be allowed & paid
unto Mr. Abia Holbrook for his Salary as Master of the Writing
School in the Common the Year ensuing to be paid him quarterly
& to commence at the expiration of the kst Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred Pounds be allowed & paid
unto Mr. Zacha. Hicks for his Salary as Master of the North Writ-
ing School, to be paid him quarterly, and to commence at the Ex-
piration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds be allowed and paid unto
Mr. Samuel Holyoke for his Salary as one of the Masters of the
Writing School in Queen Street the ensuing Year to be paid him
quarterly & to commence at the expiration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Eighty Pounds be allowed & paid unto
Mr. John Procter for his Salary as one of the Masters of the Writ-
ing School in Queen Street the ensuing Year, to be paid quarterly,
& to commence at the expi ration of the last Quarter.

Voted that the Sum of Sixty Pounds be allowed and paid uoto
Mr. Nathaniel Gardner for his Salary as Usher of the South Gram-
mar School, the ensuing Year to be paid Quarterly & to commence
at the expiiation of the last Quarter,

[393$.] Voted that the Sum of Fifty Poundc be allowed &
paid unto Mr. John Vinal for his Salary as Usher of the Writing
School in the Common for the ensuing Year to be paid him Quar-
terly & to commence the first day of June next.

Voted that the Sum of One hundred Pounds be allowed & paid

308 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

unto Mr. David Jeffries for his Services as Treasurer of the Town
the year past, & for all his Expeuces in that Office.

The Committee appointed the 14th. of March last to accomodate
in such a manner as they should judge best, the Action now de-
pending in the Law between the Assessors & the Honble. Andrew
Oliver Esqr. and others which the Town formerly Voted to Defend
at their Cost, now reported that they had attended that Service
and have met the Assessors and plaintiffs aforesaid, and on the
whole have agreed with Andrew Oliver Esqr. & others that at the
sitting of the next Superiour Court the Order of the General Court
made respecting the Action between the said Andrew Oliver and
others & William Fairfield & others shall be complied with &
the said Andrew Oliver & others are then to become Nonsuit
and are to be refunded the Sum taken from them by distress being
Two Pounds five shillings for which this Action was brought and
each Party bear their own Costs ; And we further Report that we
are of Opinion that to prevent any dispute of the like kind with
the said Oliver and others that the Sum of Twenty one Pounds
seventeen shillings and eleven pence being the amount of what
they were Rated for on Account of William Thompson Esqr. for
the Years 1746, 1747, 1748, 1749, 1750, 1751, 1752, be refunded
to said Oliver and others ; which was Read & Accepted and Voted
that the said Andrew Oliver Esqr. be refunded & paid the several
Sums mentioned in said Report accordingly.

Voted that Andrew Oliver junr. Esqr. be & hereby is Added to
the Committee appointed the 14 : of March last to apply to the
General Court to enable the Town to raise by a Tax such a iSum
as will be necessary to make up the Defflciencies of the Years 1 755
and 175G and for other Relief & Ca.

[393.] The Selectmen appointed a Committee the 11th. of
May last to Visit the Schools now made the following Report
Viz'.

To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
in Town Meeting Assembled May 10th. 1757.

Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Boston at their Meeting the
11th. of May last desiring the Selectmen to Visit the Public
. Schools, and Invite such Gentlemen to accompany them therein
as they should think proper, do now Report.

That on the 25th day of June last, We attended that Service,
accompanied by the following Gentlemen.
The Honble. John Osborne Esqr.
Richard Bill p:sqr.
Stephen Sewall Esqr.
Joseph Pyncheon Esqr. &
John Erving Esqr.

The Gentn. the Representatives of the Town of Boston.
The Gentlemen the Overseers of the Poor.
The Rev4. Dr. Sewall

Dr. Chauncey
Mr. Pemberton
Mr. Mather
Mr. Eliot

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 309

Mr. Checklej

Mr. Treasurei Gray

Joshua Win slow "*)

Dan1. Henchman

John Steele I F _

Tho9. Hancock

James Bowdoin &

Tho8. Greene J

Mr. John Rowe

Mr. John Spooner

Mr. Will™. Cooper &

Mr. Treasr. Jeffries.

And found in the South Grammar School there was 128 Scholars,
in the South Writing School 224 Scholars, in the Writing
School in Queen Street 180 Scholars, in the North Grammar
School 32 Scholars, & in the North Writing School 225 Scholars,
all in very good Order.

Read & Accepted, & Voted that the Gentlemen the Selectmen ba
and they hereby are desired to Visit the Schools this present Year,
& invite such Gentn. to accompany them as they shall think
proper.

Voted that this Meeting he & hereby is Adjourned to Wednes-
the 22d. of June next at three' o'Clock in the Afternoon.

[393-i.] Wednesday June 22d. three o'Clock in the Afternoon,
the Inhabitants met according lo their Adjournment, and upon a
Motion made and Seconded ; It was Voted that this Meeting bo
and hereby is Adjourned to Monday the first day of August next,
at three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

Monday the first day of August three o'Clock in the Afternoon
the Inhabitants met according to their Adjournment.

The Committee appointed the tenth of May last, on the Memo-
rial of sundry Freeholders & Inhabitants for filling up the Town
l-oc-k &ca. Reported that they had Examined the Town's Right in
the Dock aforesaid, and also of the Abutters thereon ; and find
that the Town has a good Right in & unto the said Dock, and
that the Abutters thereon, have a Right to Dockage Wharffage
and Moorage there ; so that the Town has no Right to fill up said
Dock, and if the Town have that Right, they are of Opinion lhat
it will not be for the Interest of the Town to fill up said Dock,
either in the whole or in any part; which Report being Read, It
was Voted that the same be, and hereby is Accepted.

Whereas the Town at their Meeting the eleventh of May 1756
Voted that the Selectmen be desired to Employ some Persons
learned in the Law, to Revise and alter all the By Laws of the
Town then in force, in such manner as they should judge most
Beneficial to the Town &ca. The Selectmen now Reported that Pur-
suant to said Vote they had Employed Benja. Prat Esqr. and Mr.
Oxenbridge Thacher, two Gentlemen learned in the Law on that
Service, and that they had accordingly gone through the Revisal of
all the By Laws and Orders of the Town, and made sundry Altera-
tions and Additions to them, all which the Selectmen, were now
ready to present to the Town ; Whereupon said By Laws and

310 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Orders as Revised & Altered were distinctly and seperately Read,
and some further Alterations being made by the Town : The Free-
holders and Inhabitants after mature Consideration thereof, Voted
that said By Laws and Orders be and hereby are Accepted &
[394.] Passed as the By-Laws and Orders of the Town for the
future Regulation and Government thereof.

The By-Laws & Orders as now passed & Voted, being as fol-
lows. Viz1.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

For preventing Danger by Fire, in the Town of Boston.

It is Voted and Ordered that the Selectmen for the time being,
upon Complaint to them made or otherwise upon their own knowl-
edge, of any defective Chimuies in this Town, shall from time to
time take effectual Care to have the same Viewed and Surveyed by
proper Persons, by them for that purpose to be appointed, and if
upon the view & survey, said Chimnies shall be found so defective,
as in their Judgment to be dangerous to be used on Account of
Fire ; the Selectmen shall make a Record thereof, and of the par-
ticulars of the Defect or Defects, and give to the Occupier of the
House or Tenement to which the Defective Chimney belongs a
Copy of said Entry, with Warning not to make any Fire in such
Chimney, 'till said Defect or Defects are curved either by Amend-
ing repairing or rebuilding said Chimney, thereupon if the Occu-
pant of such Tenement shall suffer a Fire to be made and kept in
said Chimne}7, In-fore said Chimney be cured of such Defect or
Defects, such Occupant shall forfeit and pay the Sum of five shil-
lings for every day in which a Fire shall be so made and kept.

And if the Occupant of auy House or Tenement shall neglect or
refuse for the s[>ace of twenty four hours after Request, to suffer
such persons appointed as aforesaid, to vievv & survey any Chim-
ney suspected of being defective as aforesaid, such Occupant shall
forfeit & pay for such Offence the Sum of fifteen shillings, and so
from time to time the same Sum for every such Offence as often as
the same shall be Committed.

And it is further Ordered that the Selectmen of the Town for
the time being be hereby directed & impowred from time to time
to appoint one or more suitable Persons to be Sweepers of Chim-
nies within this Town whose Wages for their Work and Service
shall not exceed the Rates hereafter mentioned Viz'.

[394:|«] For each Chimney of live Stories high one shilling
& four pence.

For each Chimney of four Stories high one shilling & two
pence.

For each Chimney of three Stories high one shilling.

And other Common Chimuies eight pence.

And all Kitchen Chimnies that are above the Tops of the House
they belong to in proportion to the heighth of the Mouse at the
Rate above.

And it is further Ordered that if any Person who is not so ap-
pointed as aforesaid, shall presume either by himself or Servant,

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 311

to undertake the Sweeping of any Chimney in this Town, except
such Chimney or Chimnies as as are under his or their own Im-
provement, such Person shall forfeit & pay the Sum of ten shil-
lings for every such Offence.

And it is further Ordered that all Persons so appointed by the
Selectmen to be the Undertakers of Chimney Sweepiug shall be
Obliged within forty eight Hours (after Notice given, either by
themselves, or some other proper Person) duly to attend the
Sweeping of such Chimney on Penalty of forfeiting ten shillings
for every such Neglect.

And it is further Ordered that upon Complaint made to any of
the Selectmen, either by the Chimney Sweepers, or by any other
of the Inhabitants of this Town, against any Person or Persons
neglecting to have their Chimnies Swept being foul, that in every
such Case, the Selectmen, or any two of them, are hereby Im-
powred to inspect and view such Chimney Complain'd of as afore-
said ; And if they judge the said Chimnies or any of them unsafe
to make or keep Fire therein, by reason of their being foul and
want of Sweeping, and signify the same to the Person or Persons,
then in possession of the Tenement to which such Chimney doth
belong, that then and every such Case the Occupier of every such
House or Tenement shall forfeit & pay the Sum of five shillings
for every day in which Fire shall be kept in such Chimney untill the
same shall be sufficiently Swept; and if the Occupant of any House
or Tenement shall neglect or refuse for the space of twenty four
Hours after Request to suffer the Selectmen aforesaid to view and
survey any Chimnies suspected of being foul as aforesaid ; such
Occupant shall forfeit and pay for such Offence the Sum of fifteen
[395.] Shillings, and so from time to time, the same Sura for
every such Offence, as often as the same shall be Committed.

And it is further Ordered that if any Chimney shall take Fire
and blaze out at the Top, through foulness, 01 for want of Sweep-
ing, the Occupier of the Tenement shall forfeit and pay the Sum
of twenty shillings ; unless it shall happen within forty two days
after said Chimney shall have been swept, & then, and in such
Case, the Person who last Swept the same, or in case of his being
a servant or a Slave, his Master or Owner shall forfeit and pay the
aforesaid twenty shillings.

And it is further Ordered that no Persons shall presume here-
after, to carry Fire in this Town abroad, or in and through the
open Air, from any House or Place, to any other House or Place,
but in a Warming Pan or other safe Vessell well Covered, so as to
secure the Fire from the Wind, and from being Scattered by the
Way, or in the Streets and Lanes, or on the Buildings, on the
Penalty & forfeiture of two shillings.

And it is further Ordered that whoever shall kindle or make, or
be aiding and assisting in making or kindling, in the Open Air
within two Rods of any House Warehouse Wood- Pile or any other
Combustible Matter, subject to take Fire (except in Shipwrights
Building Yards, Coopers and Ropemalcers Works, a careful Person
standing by to watch the same) shall forfeit and pay the Sum of
twelve shillings.

312 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Provided the Order last aforesaid shall not be understood to de-
bar any Tradesman or others from kindling Charcoal in a Pot or
Pan out of Doors near his House or Shop at any time during the
day light, in Case some careful Person shall stand by the same to
watch it, as long as it shall continue in the open Street, but not
otherwise.

And it is further Ordered that no Coopers within this Town shall
fire or burn their Casks in any shop Warehouse or other Place, than
hi a sufficient Brick or Stone Chimney made convenient for that
-se on Penalty of forfeiting the Sum of ten shillings for every
Offence contrary to this Order.

And it is further Ordered that no Person shall henceforth make
and fire any Lime Kiln, or erect or burn any [395|-.] Brick Kiln,
but in such Place and Places as the Selectmen for the time being
shall approve and allow of, on Penalty of twenty shillings to be
paid by every Person transgressing this Order.

CHAPTER THE SECOND.

Concerning the Streets and Lanes Nusances therein, and the Dirt

thereof.

It is Voted and Ordered that no Person henceforth shall break
or digg up the Ground in any of the Streets and Lanes of this
Town on an_y occasion, without the leave & approbatoin of two at
least of the Selectmen for the time being, and whoever shall offend
herein, shall forfeit the Sum of twenty shillings, and whoever shall
obtain such leave shall cause the Holes in the Ground, to be every
Night carefully covered, so as no Person walking the Streets may
be in danger of falling in, and shall also within such time as the
said Selectmen shall appoint cause the whole to be repaired and
amended, on Penalty of either of those two last mentioned Offences
of the like Sum of twenty shillings, these several Penalties to be
forfeited by the Person by whose direction the Ground is so broke
up.

And it further Ordered that no Person whosoever shall carry
any Dirt, Dung, Garbidge, Dead Carcass, Carrion, Shavings, Soil
or Rubbish from their Houses Shops or Yards to lay the same in
the Streets or Lanes of this Town on Penalty of four shillings for
every dead Carcass or Carrion so laid, and three shillings for any
other Dirt or Annoyance that shall lye above the space of six
Hours.

And it is further Ordered that when any of the Inhabitants of
this Town shall be Building or Repairing their Houses or digging
Cellars Wells or Vaults, they shall carefully lay their Timber and
other Materials, so as they shall be no Obstruction to Carts and
other Conveyances passing by & shall remove all the Rubbish and
Dirt brought out: And no Timber so brought, or Dirt or Rubbish
so carried out, shall in any Case remain above the Space of twenty
four Hours, in any part of the Street, without leave from two
Selectmen at the least nor longer [396.] Without the leave of the
Major part of the Selectmen : And the Person Building or Repair-

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 313

ing or Digging shall be deemed the Offender in any of these Par-
ticulars, and shnll for each Offence forfeit Ihe Sura of ten shillings.

And it is further Ordered that henceforth no Cart Dray Trucks
or Sled, drawn by either Horse or Horses, Horse & Oxen, shall be
suffered to pass through any of tho Streets or Lanes of this Town,
but with a sufficient Driver, who shall during such Passage, keep
with his said Cart Dray Trucks or Sled, and carefully observe aud
attend such Methods, as may best serve to keep said Horse or
Horses or Oxen under Command, and shall have the Thill Horse by
the head ; and whatsoever Carter or others, undertaking to drive
any Cart Dray Trucks or Sled shall during such passing through
the Streets and Lanes as aforesaid, either Ride in said Cart Dray
Trucks or Sled, or otherwise neglect to observe and attend the
Rules prescribed in this Order ; such Carter Driver or Owner of
such Cart Dray Trucks or Sled shall forfeit and pay the Sum of
eight shillings for every such offence.

And it is further Ordered that no Slay shall be drove in the
Streets of this Town without Bells fastned to the Horses that
draw the same, and whoever shall offend herein shall forfeit the
sum of ten shillings for every Offence.

Great Dangers arising oftentimes from Coaches Slays Chairs
and other Carriages on the Lord's days, as the People are goir.g
to, or coming from the several Churches in this Town, being
driven with great Rapidity, and the Publick Worship being often-
times much disturbed by such Carriages driving by the sides of the
Churches with great forte in time thereof

It is therefore Voted and Ordered that no Coach Slay Chair
Chaise or other Carriage shall at such times, be driven at a greater
Rate than a foot Pace, on Penalty to the Master of the Slave or
Servant so driving the Sum of ten shillings.

And it is further Ordered that no Person whatsoever shall
hereafter erect or set up any House of Office or Easement, within
this Town (or suffer the same to continue being already standing
or set up) within forty foot of any Street Lane or Highway, or the
Dwelling House Shop or Well of any Neighbour unless the same be
vaulted six fc-et deep, and sufficiently enclosed, or otherwise
[396-^.] Secured on Pain of forfeiting the Sum of twcnt}'
shillings for every transgression of this Order, and the like Sum
ol' twenty shillings for every three Months it shall to continue ; nor
sliall any Person keep any Hogg or Swine it any Hoggsty within
i wenty foot of any Highway Street or Lane or Alley, or the Dwelling
House or Shop of any Neighbour, on Penalty of ten shillings for
every Month such Hogg or Swine shall be k< pt and continued in
such Sty, unless in such Placrs where the Dung or Filth runs into
the Sea or Saltwater.

And it is further Ordered that whoever shall nt any time here-
after use the exercise of playing or kicking of Foot- Ball within
any of the Streets or Lanes within the Body of this Town
shall forfeit and pay the Sum of four shillings for every
such Offence ; nor shall any Person throw or heave any Snow-
Balls or Stones or any other thing at any Person in the Streets
Lanes ov Alleys of this Town or into or against: any House or Shop,

314 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

on Pain of forfeiting not more than five shillings, nor less than two
shillings for each Offence, at the Discretion of the Justice before
whom the Conviction shall be.

And it is further Ordered, that no Person whatsoever shall at
any time hereafter Ride, or drive a Gallop, or other swift Pace,
within any of the Streets Lanes or Alleys of this Town on Penalty
of forfeiting the Sum of five shillings for every such Offence, and
it shall be lawful for any Inhabitant of this Town to stop suoli
Horse until the Name of the Offender be known.

And it is further Ordered that whoever shall drive through any
of the Streets or Lanes of this Town any Trucks whose sides
exceed the length of sixteen feet, shall forfeit and pay a fine often
shillings for every such Offence.

And it is further Ordered that every Driver who in his Cart or
Trucks shall carry more than one Ton weight at a Lo;td, through
any of the aforesuid Streets or Lanes shall pay a Fine of five
shillings for every such Offence.

And it is further Ordered that the Tire of Wheels of all Carts
and Trucks, that shall be drawn by more than one Horse shall be
full four inches in breadth, & the Nails of the Tire to be flatt on
Pain of the forfeiture of the Sum of ten shillings for every time
the said Cart or Trucks shall be improved in this Town, [397.]
To be paid by the Owner of the said Cart or Trucks, who shall be
deemed the Offender in any of the cases aforesaid.

For the more effectual keeping Clean the Streets for Lhe time to
come.

It is Voted and Ordered that the Selectmen for the time to come
do Farm the Dirt in the Streets, divided into several Wards, to the
highest bidder, for i. term not exceeding two Years, such Farmer
to pay such Sum as shall be agreed on between him and the Se-
lectmen, said Farmer to enjoy the Privileges, and be subject to
the Duties and Penalties respecting the same Dirt herein after-
mentioned.

And it is further Ordered, that in Places where the Dirt shall be
Farmed, no other Person than the Farmer or his Servants shall
carry off the Dirt or Mud from such Streets, unless as hereafter
provided, on Penalty of the Sum of ten shillings to the respective
Farmers to be paid by every Person offending.

And it is further Ordered that the Abutters shall be obliged on
Notice from the Scaviugers to rake up the Dirt before their Doors,
and to the middle of Street within four hours tifter Notice on
Penalty of the Sum of four shillings for every Breach of this
Order.

And it is further Ordered that the Farmer shall be Obliged to
carry such Dirt out of the Street within twenty fours Hours after
it is so raked tip, in default thereof he shall forfeit the Sum of ten
shillings to the Abutter whose Dirt is not carried away, and the
Abuttcr may on such Default, cause the same Dirt to be carried
away, by any other Curt, nt the Kxpence of the Farmer.

An.l it is further Ordered that in such parts of the Streets where
there is no Abutter, the Faimer shall at his own Kxpence, cause
the Dirt to be raked up r.nd carried away, under the like Penalty

BOSTON lowx RECORDS, 1757. 315

as is before provided for not carrying away the Dirt, raked up by
the A butters.

And it is further Ordered that in Case no Person shall appear to
Farm the Dirt as aforesaid, then the Scavingers shall order as often
as they shall think requisite, the Abutters on the Streets to rake
up the Dirt before their Doors to the middle of the Streets, and
may Sell the said Dirt so Raked up, to such Person as they shall
think proper, and pay the Sum they [397£.J Shail receive therefor
to the Town Treasurer for the use of the Town ; in case they can't
otherwise procure the Dirt to be cai'ried away they shall hire Carts
at the Expence of the Town to carry the same away.

CHAPTER THE THIRD.

To prevent Mischief and Danger from Indian Negro and Molatto
Slaves and Servants.

It is Voted and Ordered that no Indian Negro or Molatto Servant
or Slave shall stroll unnecessarily abroad or be loitering and idling
in any of the Streets or Lanes, or iu the Common during the time
of divine Service on the Lord's day : or after nine o'Clock at Night
on any day of the Week, upon the Penalty of five shillings for each
Offence to be paid either by such Indian Negro or Molatto, or else
by his or her Master, at the Discretion of the Justice before whom
the Conviction shall be.

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
To prevent Nusances on the Common and to Regulate the same.

It is Voted and Ordered that no Person shall lay any dead Car-
cass, Carrion, Ordure, Filth, or Rubbish of any kind, on any part of
the Common, or elsewhere in this Town, not being on such Persons
own Land, except in such Places only as shall be by the Selectmen
Cor the time being allowed for that purpose, on the Penalty of not
less than ten shillings, nor more than twenty shillings, at the Dis-
cretion of the Justice before whom such Conviction shall be.

And it is further Ordered that no Person shall digg any Turf,
Gravel. Sand, or Loam, on the Common or other Town's Land unless
in such Places, and under such Limitations and Restrictions us the
Selectmen for the time being shall appoint and order, under the
Penalty for each Offence of not more than twenty shillings, nor less
than ten shillings at the Discretion of the Justice before whom
such Conviction shall be.

[398.] And it is further Ordered that no Person shall cut break
down, girdle, kill or destroy any Tree, that is or shall be set out or
growing on the Common, or any Land belonging to this Town, on
the Penalty of twenty shillings for each Tree so cut broke girdled
kill'd or destroyed.

And it is further Ordered that whoever shall presume to throw,
rowl or fling the Bullet or any such like Instrument, whether made
of Lead Iron Brass Stone Wood or anv other matter or substance

316 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

that may endanger the Lives or Limbs of any of His Majesty's
Subjects in the Common, Training Field Highways Lanes Streets
or Alleys in the Town, shall forfeit and pay a Sum not less than
five shillings, or more than twenty shillings at the discretion of the
Justice before whom the Conviction shall be.

And it is further Ordered that whoever shall keep any Cow or
Cows going at large shall pay into the hands of such Person or
Pei-sons, as the Selectmen shall from time to time appoint to receive
the same, the Sum of two shillings per Annum for each Cow, to be
employed as follows viz', one shilling & two pence thereof towards
providing three Bulls to go at large on the Common from the first
day of April, to the first day of November following yearly, and
every year ; and two Bulls to go on the Common (or as the Select-
men shall Order) from the first of November to the first of April
following yearly, and every year ; seven pence more thereof for
paying the Cow Keeper, and the remaining thi'ee pence for paying
the Person, that shall be appointed by the Selectmen, to give forth
Certificates to the Owner of each Cow, shewing that they have paid
the said two shillings per head, for each Cow, and any Cow that
shall be found going on the Common as aforesaid, whose Owner
shall not have a Certificate as aforesaid, shall be by the Cow
Keeper (or other Person appointed by the Selectmen for that end)
Impounded, and the Owner shall pay three shillings per head to
the Impounder before the Cow or Cows be discharged, and the said
Cow or Cows shall not be suffered to go on the Common untill the
Owner shall have paid the said three shillings, and gained a Cer-
tificate as aforesaid.

It is also Voted and Ordered that no Ox Steer Horse Sheep or
Goats shall be suffered to go at large on the Common or in the
Streets (except such as are under the Care of some Person and
driving to Market) on Penalty that the [398^.] Owner thereof
shall forfeit and pay the Sum of three shillings for every Ox Steer
Horse Sheep or Goat, that shall be found going at large as
aforesaid.

And it shall be lawful for the Cow-Keeper aforesaid or any other
Inhabitant to Impound and detain such Ox Steer Horse Sheep or
Goat untill the Penalty aforesaid be paid.

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

Concerning the Market and Buying and Selling Provision in the
Town of .Boston.

It is Voted and Ordered that Faneuil-Hall Market being open
shall be under the following Regulation.

1st. That a Clerk thereof be constantly chosen Annually by the
Town in March ; whose Business and Duty shall be to see that the
several Rules and Orders of the Town be observed and kept.

2ly. That he shall suffer no unwholsome or putrid Meat, or
otherwise unfit for Sale, to be Sold there ; and if any such be
Offered to Sale, in the said Market, he shall be obliged to prefer a
Prosecution against the Offender.

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 317

3Iy. That the said Clerk shall not buy any Provision in said
Market other than for his own Family use ; and on the Conviction
of the Breach of this Order, the Selectmen shall displace him, and
appoint another in his Room, which Person so appointed shall con-
tinue in his said Office untill the next Town Meeting.

4thly. That every day in the year except Lord's-days and days
set apart by the Government for Religious Service, shall be a
Market day, the Market shall be opened by the Ringing of the Bell
which shall beat Sunrise, and from the Ringing of the Bell, untill
one o'Clock in the Afternoon, and every Saturday Afternoon, and
every other Afternoon preceeding any day set apart by the Govern-
ment for Religious Service as aforesaid untill Sun-set, shall be es-
teemed Market Hours.

5ly. That no Steelyards shall be allowed in said Market, nor any
other than Sealed Weights.

6ly. That no Cart Team Horse Wheelbarrow that [399.] May
incommode the Market shall be allowed to stand or be near the
Entrance of the Market Place, but shall be immediately removed
upon the direction of the Clerk of the Market to the Owner or Occu-
pier of the same, under the Penalty of ten shillings.

7ly. That the Selectmen for the time being are impowred to ap-
portion the size Marks, and number of the several Stalls, and to
letthem out to such Persons, and on such Terms as they shall agree.

8Iy. That all Disputes arising in the Market between Buyer
and Seller, concerning things bought and sold in the Market, shall
be determined by the Cleik.

9Iy. That no Meat shall be left in the Market after it is shut up,
if am7 be, it shall be forfeit to the Clerk of the said Market ; And
if the Clerk shall wittingly Connive at the Breach of this Order he
shall for every such Connivance forfeit the Sum of ten shillings.

10ly. That no Person shall buy any Provision in the said Market,
with Intent to sell the same again at a greater Price before one
o'Clock in the Afternoon, nor Sell any Provision so bought at a
greater Price, on Penalty of the Sum of twenty shillings.

llly. That no Huckster or other Person shall in any part of the
Town buy any Provision, bro't to the Town by Land for Sale, with
Intent to sell the same again before one o'Clock in the Afternoon
under the like Penalty last mentioned.

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

It is Voted and Ordered that all Carts and other Carriages of
Hay as they come into Town, shall be Weighed and a Tally with
the weight of the Cart & Hay be then fixed upon it, and that the
Cart or Carriage upon its Return be tared, and the Weight thereof
marked on it.

And it is further Ordered that a suitable Person be from time to
time appointed by the Selectmen, as the}' shall think fit to take
Care that the Engine for weighing of Hay be kept in good Repair,
and to see the weight of all Hay thus brought to Market, and tc
Tally the same, and mark the Carriages on their Return as aforesaid.
And that the sd. Person [399j.] Shall be under Oafhto do Justice

318 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

between Buyer and Seller, & shall Attend from Sunrising to Sun-
setting, and shall make an Entry in a Book to be by him kept for
that purpose of all the Hay he weighs.

And it is further Ordered that there be allowed to the Person for
every Load of Hay so weighed eight fifteenths of a penny for each
hundred of Hay to be paid by the Person who buys the same, or in
case of his Absence at the time of weighing then to be paid by the
Importer, who shall be Reimbursed by the Buyer.

And it is further Ordered that if any Person Inhabitant of the
Town of Boston aforesaid, shall buy any Hay thus brought to
Market, without the same be first weighed as above, he or they
shall forfeit and pay the Sum of twenty shillings for every Load
or Parcel so bought.

It is Voted and Ordered that the Selectmen of the Town shall
from time to time appoint one or more Common Cryers. And no
Person except so appointed shall presume to Act as Cryer for others
on the Penalty of five shillngs for each Offence, and every Person
appointed Cryer shall keep a true and perfect List of all things by
him Cried and the Names of the Persons who ordered him to cry
the same, and give in a true Copy thereof to the Town Clerk once
a Month, on the Penalty of ten shillings for each Offence. And the
Selectmen shall from time to time appoint the Fees of the said Cryer,
which he shall not exceed on Penalty of five shillings for each
Offence.

Great Complaint b?tng made of man.y Persons Washing them-
selves in Publick & frequented Places to the Great Reproach of
Modesty and good Manners.

It is Voted and Ordered that no Person whosoever above the Age
of twelve Years, shall in less than an Hour after Sun-set undress
themselves and go into Water within ten Rods of any Dwelling
House in this Town, at that time Inhabited, nor shall any Person
being in the Water, swim to such parts of the Town, as to be plainly
within Sight of any Dwelling House, Inhabited as aforesaid, on pain
of [4OO.] Forfeiting for each of these Offences the Sum of ten
shillings, and for a second Offence the Sum of twenty shillings.

It is Voted and Ordered that every Householder or others, who
are commonly known to make use of any of the Pumps Wells or
Cisterns standing or being in any Ground Streets or Highways be-
longing to this Town, for their supply of Water for their ordinary
Occasions, every such Person shall allow and pay unto such of the
Neighbourhood, whom the Selectmen shall appoint to receive the
same such proportionable Sum or Sums of Money as the Selectmen
for the time being shall assess him or her to pay, for keeping such
Well Cistern or Pump in Repair, and to be Employed to the said
Use ; on Pain, that every Person who shall neglect or refuse the
payment thereof for the space of six Days after the same is de-
manded, shall forfeit and pay double the Value of said Sum, to the
use of the Poor of this Town.

It is Voted and Ordered that all Penalties and Forfeitures aris-
ing by the beforegoing By Laws, not otherwise expressly dis-
posed of shall be as the the Law directs to the use of the Poor of
the Town ; and whoever shall prosecute to Effect any of the Breaches

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 319

thereof, shall be intitled to receive one half as much as shall be re-
covered for the use of the Poor, out of the Treasury of the Town
to his own Use.

It is Voted and Ordered that where any Negro Indian or Mollatto
Slave, shall be the Offender against any of the foregoing By-Laws,
his Owner shall pay the Fine or Forfeiture, unless he shall choose
to deliver up his said Slave to be Corrected ; in which Case the
Justice before whom the Conviction shall be, shall Order such Slave
to be Whipped at the House of Correction not exceeding twenty
Stripes, nor less than five according* to the nature and aggravation
of such Offence.

It is hereb}1 Voted Ordered & Declared that all By-Laws hereto-
fore made in this Town, not at this present Meeting Voted, be and
hereby are Repealed and made Void.

[4OO£.] Voted that the Selectmen be, and they hereby are
desired and Impowred to present all the By-Laws & Orders of the
Town now passed, to the next Court of General Sessions of the
Peace, to be held for the County of Suffolk, for their Allowance
and Approbation.

Voted that the Selectmen be desired to Print said By-Laws and
Orders, after they are Approved of by the Court of Sessions, on the
best Terms they can.

Voted that the Thanks of the Town be, and hereby is given to
Benjamin Prat Esqr. the Moderator of this Meeting, for transacting
the Business thereof.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston legally qualifyed and warned in Public Town Meeting
Assembled at Faneuil-Hall on Tuesday the first day of November
AD 1757.

The Warrant for calling the Meeting Read.

Benjamin Prat Esqr . was chose Moderator of this Meeting

The Town took into Consideration the Article in the Warrant,
viz', to determine what may be futher necessary to be done relating
to the B}--Laws and Orders of the Town, and thereupon Voted
that Thomas Greene Esqr. Mr. Oxenbridge Thacher & Mr. William
Story be & they hereby are appointed a Committee to enquire into
the Exceptions taken by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace
to the By-Laws and Orders of the Town pass'd at their Meeting the
first of August last, and presented to sd. [4O1.] Court for^heir
Approbation, consider of said Exceptions and Report their Opinion
thereon at the intended Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Committee appointed the 10th. of Ma}' last on the Petition
of John Hill Esqr. made Report that they had fully heard the
Petitioner, and gave it as their Opinion that it will not not be proper
for the Town to grant the Prayer of said Petition or do any thing
concerning it, but that said Petition be Dismissed, which being
Read, Voted that said Report be Accepted, and that said Petition
be Dismissed.

The Town took into Consideration the Article in the Warrant
viz', whether the Town will Purchase the Tickets in Lotterv N°. Thru*

320 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

that remain unsold as the time allowed by Law for drawing the same
is near expiring, and after some Debate thereon, the following
Question was put, "whether the Town will take to their Account,
and at their Risque all such Tickets in said Lottery as shall remain
unsold the 28th. of November instant at Night," and it Passed in the
Affirmative.

Samuel Grant Esqr. Mr. Thomas Hill Joshua Henshaw & Joseph
Jackson Esq". Mr. Thomas Gushing Mr. Samuel Hewes & Mr. John
Scollay appointed by an Act of the General Court Managers of
Boston Lotteries for raising Monies to Pave & Repair the Neck,
presented their Accounts for Lottery Number Two, drawn in Feb-
ruary last & thereupon It was Voted that Mr. Royal Tyler, Mr.
William Cooper & Thomas Greene Esqr. be a Committee to examine
said Accompts and Report thereon as soon as may be.

The Petition of Alexander Hunt of Boston Gent", setting forth,
that the Town stand seized of a Peice of Land of two rods wide
adjoining to the Petitioners Land near Fort Hill, which at present
is of very little benefit to the Town, nor is it probable that it will
ever be any great Advantage, and as it bounds on the Petitioner's
Land he would purchase the same if the Town incline to Sell it.
on such reasonable terms as may be agreed upon, which being
Read. It was Voted that the Selectmen be & hereby are fully au-
thorized and impowred to Sell said Land to such Person as will
give most for the same & in the [4Ot^.] Name and behalf of the
Town to give and execute a good and legal Deed thereof to the
Purchaser.

Voted that this Meeting be and hereby is Adjourned to Monday
the 12th. day of December next at nine o'Clock in the forenoon.

Monday December 12th, 1757 The Town meet according to Ad-
journment.

The Committee appointed the first of November to examine the
Accompts of the Managers of Boston Lottery N°. Two Reported
that they had Examined said Accots. & find them just and right
Cast, whereupon It was Voted that said Report be accepted, and
that said Managers be paid the Sums mentioned in their respec-
tive Accompts.

The Committee appointed the first day of November last to
consider of the By-Laws of the Town, and of the Exceptions made
by the Court of Sessions thereto, Reported that they have attended
that Service, and Mr. Justice Dana was so kind as to Communicate
to the Committee the several Exceptions aforesaid. The Com-
mittee began with the Consideration of said Exceptions where the
Town left off at their Meeting, and have Agreed to sundry Amend-
ments in the same, and have desired the Town Clerk to draw a
fair Copy of the same By-laws, with the Alterations made by the
Town and those since agreed to by the Committee, which
Copy they now presented, and Report that the same be pdss'd
upon anew at this Meeting. Whereupon said Laws as altered were
openly and distinctly Read over, and after due Consideration
thereof, the same was Voted Chapter by Chapter to be observed
and kept by all Persons inhabiting within this Town (untill the
same or any of them shall be repealed, and made void) under the

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 321

several & respective Pains & Penalties to them or any of them
annexed and prescribed.

The sd. By- Laws and Orders as now Voted and Pass'd are as
follows Viz'.

[4O2.] CH>P: I8t. For preventing Danger by Fire in the
Town of Boston.

1. It 1: Voted and Ordered that the Selectmen for the time
being upon Complaint made to them, or otherwise upon their own
knowledge, of any defective Chimnies in this Town shall from
time to time, take effectual Care to have the same viewed and
surveyed by proper Persons by them for that purpose to be ap-
pointed, and if upon the view and survey said Chimnies shall be
found so defective as in their Judgment to be dangerous to be used
on Account of Fire, the Selectmen shall make a Record thereof,
and of the Particulars of the Defect or Defects, and give to the
Occupier of the House or Tenement to which the Defective
Chimney belongs a Copy of said Entry, with warning not to make
any Fire in such Chimney 'till said Defect or Defects are cured,
either by amending repairing or i-ebuilding said Chimney, there-
upon if the Occupant of such Tenement shall suffer a Fire to be
made & kept in said Chimney, before said Chimney be cured of
such defect or defects, such Occupant shall forfeit and pay the
Sum of five shillings for every day in which a Fire shall be so
made and kept.

And if the Occupant of any House or Tenement shall neglect or
refuse for the space of twenty four hours after request to suffer
such Persons appointed as aforesaid to view & survey any Chimney
suspected of being defective as aforesaid such Occupant shall
forfeit and pa}* for such Offence the Sum of fifteen shillings, and
so from time to time the same Sum for every such Offence, as
often as the same shall be committed.

2. And it is further Ordered that the Selectmen of the Town
for the time being be hereby directed and impowred from time to
time to appoint one or more suitable Persons to be sweepers of
Chimnies within this Town, whose Wages for their Work shall not
exceed the Rates hereafter mentioned viz'.

For each Chimney of five Stories high one shilling & four
pence.

For each Chimney of four Stories high one shilling & two pence.

For each Chimney of three Stories high one shilling.

And other common Chimnies eight pence.

All all Kitchen Chiranies that are above the Tops [4O2£.] of
the House they belong to in proportion to the heighth of the House
at the Rate above.

3. And it is further Ordered that if any Person who is not so
appointed as aforesaid shall presume either by himself or Servant
to undertake the Sweeping of any Chimney in this Town, except
such Chimney or Chimnies as are under his or their own Improve-
ment, such Person shall forfeit and pay the Sum of ten shillings
for every such Offence.

322 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

4. And it is further Ordered that all Persons so appointed by
the Selectmen to be the Undertakers of Chimney Sweeping shall
be obliged within forty eight hours, after notice given either by
themselves, or some other Person, duly to attend the Sweeping of
such Chimney on Penalty of forfeiting ten shillings for every such
neglect.

5. And it is further Ordered that upon Complaint made to any
of the Selectmen either by the Chimney Sweepers, or b}r any other
of the Inhabitants of this Town against any Person or Persons ne-
glecting to have their Chimnies swept being foul, that in every
such Case the Selectmen or any two of them are hereby impow-
red to inspect and view such Chimnies complained of as afore-
said, and if they judge the said Chimnies or any of them unsafe to
make or keep Fire therein, by reason of their being foul & want of
Sweeping, and signify the same to the Person or Persons then in
possession of the Tenement to which such Chimney doth belong,
that then and in every such Case the Occupier of every such House
or Tenement shall forfeit and pay the Sum of five shillings lor
every day in which Fire shall be kept in such Chimney until! the
same shall be sufficiently Swept. And if the Occupant of any
House or Tenement shall neglect or refuse for the space of twenty
four hours after request to suffer the Selectmen aforesaid to view
and survey any Chimnies suspected of being foul as aforesaid,
such Occupant shall forfeit and pay for such Offence the Sum of
fifteen shillings and so from time to time the same Sum for every
such Offence as often as the same shall be Committed.

[4O3.] 6. And it is further Ordered that if any Chimney
shall take Fire & Blaze out at the Top thr6 foulness or for want
Sweeping the Occupier of the Tenement shall forfeit & pay the
Sum of twenty shillings ; unless it shall happen within forty two
days after said Chimney shall have been swept, and then and in
such Case the Person who last Swept the same, or in Case of his
being a Servant or Slave, his Master or Owner shall forfeit & pay
the aforesaid twenty shillings.

7. And it is further Ordered that no Person shall presume here-
after to carry Fire in this Town abroad, or in & through the open
Air from any House or Place, to any other House or Place, but in
a warming Pan, or other safe Vessell well Covered, so as to Secure
the Fire from the Wind, and from being Scattered in the Way ; or
in the Streets & Lanes, or on the Buildings on the Penalty and
Forfeiture of two shillings.

8. And it is further Ordered that whoever shall kindle or make
or be aiding and assisting in making or kindling in the open Air
within two Rods of any House Warehouse Wood-Pile or an}- other
Combustible matter, subject to take Fire (except in Shipwrights
Building Yards, Coopers & Ropemakcrs works, a careful Person,
standing by to watch the same) shall forfeit & pay the Sum of
twelve shillings.

Provided the Order last aforesaid, shall not be understood to
debarr any Tradesman or others from kindling Charcoal in a Pot
or Pan out of Doors near his House or Shop at any time during
the daylight, in case some careful Person shall stand by the Bame

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 323

to watch it as long as it shall continue in the open Street but not
otherwise.

9. And it is further Ordered that no Coopers within this Town
shall Fire or burn their Casks in any Shop Warehouse or other
Place than in a sufficient Brick or Stone Chimney made convenient
for that use on Penalty of forfeiting the Sum of ten shillings for
every Offence contrary to this Order.

10. And it is further Ordered that no Person shall henceforth
make or fire any Lime Kiln, or erect or burn any Brick Kiln but in
such Place & Places as the [4O3£.] Selectmen for the time being
shall approve and allow of on Penalty of the Sum of twenty shill-
ings for every transgression of this Order.

CHAP : 2. Concerning the Streets & Lanes Nusances therein,

and the Dirt thereof.

1. It is Voted and Ordered that no Person henceforth shall
break or digg up the Ground in any of the Streets & Lanes of this
Town on any occasion without the leave & approbation of two at
least of the Selectmen for the time being, and whoever shall offend
heroin shall forfeit the Sum of twenty shillings : and whoever
shall obtain such leave shall cause the holes in the Ground to be
every Night carefully Covered so as no Person walking the Street
may be in danger of falling in, and shall also within such time as
the said Selectmen shall appoint cause the whole to be repaired
and amended, on Penalty of either of those two last mentioned
Offences, of twenty shillings, these several Penalties to be for-
feited by the Person by whose direction the Ground is so broke
up.

2. And it is further Ordered that no Person whoever shall carry
any Dirt Duns Garbidge Carcass Carrion Shavings Rubbish or
Soil from their Houses Shops or Yards to lay the same in the streets
or Lanes of this Town on penalty of four shillings for every dead
Carcass or Carrion so laid, and three shillings for any other Dirt
or Annoyance that shall lye above the Space of six hours.

3. And it is further Ordered that when any of the Inhabitants
of this Town shall be building or repairing their Houses, or dig-
ging Cellars Wells or Vaults, they shall carefully lay their Timber
anil other Materials so as shall be no obstruction to Carts and
other Conveyances passing by and shall remove all the Rubbish
and Dirt brought out ; and no Timber so brought or Dirt & Rub-
bish so carried out shall in any Case remain for the space of twenty
four hours in any part of the Street without leave from two Select-
men at the least, nor longer without the leave of the major part of
the Selectmen, and the [4O4.] Person building or repairing or
digging shall be deemed the Offender in any of these Particulars,
and shall for each Offence forfeit the Sum of ten shillings.

4. And it is further Ordered that henceforth no Cart Dray
Trucks or Sled, drawn by either Horse or Horses, Horse & Oxen
shall be suffered to pass through any of the Streets and Lanes of
this Town but with a sufficient Driver, who shall during such Pas-
sage keep with his said Cart Dray Trucks or Sled, and carefully

324 CITY DOCUMENT No, 170.

observe & attend such Methods as may l>est Serve to keep said
Horse or Horses or Oxen under Command, and shall have the
Thill-horse by the head ; and whatsoever Carter or others under-
taking to drive any Cart Dray Trucks or Sled, shall during such
passing through the Streets and Lanes as aforesaid either ride in
said Cart Dray Trucks or Sled, or otherwise neglect to observe and
attend the Rules prescribed in this Order, such Carter Driver or
Owner of such Cart Dray Trucks or Sled shall forfeit and pay the
Sum of eight shillings for every such Offence.

5. And it is further Ordered that no Slay shall be drove in the
Streets of this Town without Bells fastned to the Horses that draw
the same, and whoever shall offend herein shall forfeit the Sum of
ten shillings for every Offence.

Great Dangers arising oftentimes from Coaches Slays Chairs
and other Carriages on the Lord's days as the People are going to
or coming from the several Churches in this Town, being driven
with great Rapidity, and the Public Worship being oftentimes
nuch disturbed by such Carriages driving by the sides of the
Churches with great force in time thereof.

6. It is therefore Voted and Ordered that no Coach Slay Chair
Chaise or other Carriage shall at such time be driven at a greater
rate than a foot pace, on Penalty of the Sum of ten shillings, to
be paid by the Person driving, or if he be a Servant or Slave by
his master or Mistress.

7. And it is further Ordered that no Person whatsoever shall
hereafter erect or set up any House of Office or Easement within
this Town (or suffer the same to continue being already standing
or set up) within forty foot of any Street Lane or highway or the
Dwelling House Shop or Well of any Neighbour, unless [4O4£.]
The same be vaulted six feet deep and sufficiently enclosed or
otherwise secured on Pain of forfeiting the Sum of twenty shillings
for every transgression of this Order, and the like Sum of twenty
shillings for ever}' three Months it shall so continue, nor shall any
Person keep any Hogg or Swine in any Hogsty within twenty foot
of any Highway Street or Lane or Alley, or of the Dwelling House
or Shop of any Neighbour on Penalty of ten shillings for every
Month such Hog or Swine shall be kept or continued in such Sty ;
unless such Sty be within twenty foot of the Saltwater, and the
Filth thereof runs directly through the Keepers own Land into the
Salcwater.

8. And it is further Ordered that whoever shall at any time
hereafter use the exercise of playing or kicking of Foot-Ball within
any of the Streets or Lanes within the Body of this Town shall
forfeit and pay a Sum not more than four shillings, nor less than
one shilling for every such Offence, nor shall any Person unneces-
sarily throw or heave any Snow Balls or Stones or any other
thing in the Streets Lanes or Alleys of this Town on Pain of for-
feiting not more than four shillings nor less than one shilling for
each Offence at the discretion of the Justice before whom the Con-
viction shall be.

9. And it is further Ordered that no Person whatsoever shall at
any time hereafter Ride or drive a Gallop or other swift Pace

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 325

within any of the Streets Lanes or Alleys of this Town, on Penalty
of forfeiting the Sum of five shillings for every such Offence.

10. And it is further Ordered that whoever shall drive through
any of the Streets or Lanes of this Town any Trucks whose sides
exceed the length of sixteen feet, shall forfeit and pay a Fine of
ten shillings for every such Offence.

11. And it is further Ordered that every Driver wbo in his Cart
or Trucks, shall carry more than one Ton weight, except the same
be one Cable, at a load, through any of the aforesaid Streets or
Lanes shall pay a fine of five shillings for every such Offence.

[4O5.] 12. And it is further Ordered, that the Tire of Wheels
of all Carts and Trucks that shall be drawn by more than one
Horse shall be full four inches in breadth, and the Nails of the
Tire to be flatt, on Pain of forfeiting the Sum of ten shillings for
every time the said Cart or Trucks shall be improved in this Town,
to be paid by the Owner of said Cart or Trucks, who shall be
deemed the Offender in any of the Cases aforesaid.

CHAP : 3d. For the more effectual keeping clean the Streets

for the time to come.

1. It is Voted and Ordered that the Selectmen for the time to
come do Farm the Dirt in the Streets divided into several Wards
to the highest bidder for a Term not exceeding two Years, such
Farmer to pay such Sum as shall be agreed on between him and
the Selectmen, said Fanner to enjoy the Privileges, and to be sub-
ject to the Duties and Penalties respecting the same Dirt herein
aftermentioned.

2. And it is further Ordered that in Places where the Dirt shall
be Farmed, no other Person than the Farmer or his Servants shall
carry off the Dirt or Mud from such Streets unless as hereafter
provided on Penalty of the Sum of ten shillings to the respective
Farmers to be paid by every Person offending.

3. And it is further Ordered that the Abutters shall be obliged
on Notice from the Scavmgers to rake up the Dirt before their
doors, and to the middle of the Street within twenty four hours
after Notice on Penalty of the Sum of four shillings for every breach
of this Order.

4. And it is further Ordered that the Farmer shall be obliged to
carry such Dirt out of the Street , within twenty four Hours after
it is so raked up, in default thereof he shall forfeit the Sum of ten
shillings to the Abutter whose Dirt is not carried away, & the
Abutter may on such Default cause the same Dirt to be carried
away by any other Cart, at the Expence of the Farmer.

5. And it is further Ordered that in such parts of the Streets
where there is no Abutter, the Farmer shall at his own expence
cause the Dirt to be raked up and carried away under the Penalty
as is before provided for not carrying away the Dirt raked up by
the Abutters.

[4O5£.] 6. And it is further Ordered that in Case no Person
shall appear to Farm the Dirt as aforesaid, then the Scavingers
shall order as often as they shall think requisite, the Abutters on

326 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

the Streets to rake up the Dirt before their doors to the middle of
the Street, and may Sell the same Dirt so raked up to such Person
as they shall think proper, and pa}r the Sum they shall receive
therefor to the Town Treasurer for the use of the Town ; and in
case they cannot otherwise procure the Dirt to be carried away
they shall hire Carts at the expence of the Town to carry the same
away.

CHAP: 4th. To prevent Mischief and Danger from Indian

Negro & Molatto Slaves & Servants.

It is Voted and Ordered that no Indian Negro or Molatto Slave
or Servant shall stroll unnecessarily abroad or be loitering and
ideling in any of the Streets and Lanes or on the Common on the
Lord's day, or after nine o'Clock at Night on any day of the Week,
upon the Penalty of five shillings for each Offence to be paid either
by such Indian Negro or Molatto, or else by his or her Master or
Mistress, at the discretion of the Justice before whom the Con-
viction shall be.

CHAP : 5th. To prevent Nusances on the Common and to

Regulate the same.

1 . It is Voted and Ordered that no Person shall lay any dead
Carcass, Carrion Ordure Filth or Rubbish of any kind on any part
of the Common, or elswhere in this Town not being on such Per-
sons own Land, except in such Places only as shall be by the
Selectmen for the time being allowed for that purpose on the Pen-
alty of not less than ten shillings, nor more than twenty shillings
at the discretion of the Justice before whom the Conviction shall be.

2. And it is further Ordered that no Person shall digg any Turf
Gravel Sand or Loam on the Common or other Town's Land, un-
less in such Places, and under such Limitations & Restrictions,
as the Selectmen for the [4O6.] Time being shall appoint and order
on the Penalty for each Offence of not more than twenty shillings
nor less than ten shillings, at the discretion of the Justice before
whom the Conviction shall be.

3. And it is further Ordered that no Person shall cut break
down girdle kill or destroy any Tree that is or shall be set out or
growing on the Common or &ny Land belonging to this Town on
the Penalty of twenty shillings for each Tree so cut broke girdled
kill'd or destroyed.

4. And it is further Ordered that whoever shall presume to
throw rowl or fling the Bullet or any other such Instrument, whether
made of Lead Iron Brass Stone Wood or any other matter or sub-
stance that may endanger the Lives or Limbs of any of His Majes-
ty's Subjects, in the Common Training Field Highways Lanes
Streets or Alleys in the Town shall forfeit and pay a Sum not less
than five shillings nor more than twenty shillings at the discretion
of the Justice before whom the Conviction shall be.

5 And it is further Ordered that whoever shall keep any Cow

BOSTOX TOWN RECORDS, 1757.

or Cows going at large shall pa_y into the hands of such Person or
Persons as the Selectmen shall from time to time appoint to receive
the same, the Sum of two shillings p Annum for each Cow to be
employed as follows viz' one shilling & two p^nce thereof towards
providing three Bulls to go at large on the Common from the first
day of April to the first day of November following yearly and
every Year, and two Bulls to go on the Common (or as the Select-
men shall order) from the first of November to the first of April
following yearly and every Year ; seven pence more thereof for
paying the Cow Keeper, and the remaining three pence for pay-
ing the Person that shall be appointed by the Selectmen 1o give
forth Certificates to the Owner of each Cow, shewing that they
have paid the said two shillings per head for each Cow, & any
Cow that shall be found going on the Common as aforesaid whose
Owner shall not have a Certificate as aforesaid, shull be by the
Cow Keeper (or other Person appointed by the Selectmen for that
end) Impownded, and the Owner shall pay three shillings per head
to the Impownder before the Cow or Cows be discharged, and the
said Cow or Cows shall not be suffered to go on the Common untill
the Owner shall have paid said 3/ & gained A Certificate as
aforesaid.

[4O6£.] 6. It is also Voted and Ordered that no Ox Steer
Horse Sheep or Goats shall be suffered to go at large on the Com-
mons or in the Streets (except such as are under the Care of some
Person and driving to Market) on Penalty that the Owner thereof
shall forfeit and pay the Sum of three shillings for every Ox Steer
Horse Sheep or Goat that shall be found going at large as
aforesaid.

7. And it shall be lawful for the Cow Keeper aforesaid, or any
other Inhabitant of this Town to Impownd and Detain such Ox Steer
Horse Sheep or Goat untill the Penalty aforesaid be paid.

CHAP: 6th. Concerning the Market and Buying & Selling

Provision in the Town of Boston.

It is Voted and Ordered that Faneuil-Hall Market being open
shall be under the following Regulation.

1. Tbat a Clerk thereof be constantly chosen Annually by the
Town in March whose Buisness and Duty shall be to see that the
several Rules & Orders of the Town be observed and kept.

2. That he shall suffer no unwholesome or Putrid Meat or other-
wise unfit for Sale to be sold there ; and if any such be offered to
Sale, in the said Market he shall be obliged to preferr a prosecution
against the Offender.

3. That the said Clerk shall not Buy any Provision in said Market
other than for his own Family use, and on the Conviction of the
breach of this Order the Selectmen shall displace him, and appoint
another in his Room, which Person so appointed shall continue in
his said Office untill the next Town Meeting.

4. That every day in the Year, except Lord's days, and days set
apart by the Government for Religious Service, shall be a Market
day, the Market shall be opened by the Ringing of the Bell, which

328 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

shall be at Sunrise, and from the Ringing of the Bell untill one
o'Clock in the Afternoon & every Saturday Afternoon, and every
other Afternoon preceeding any day set apart by the Government for
Religious Service as aforesaid, untill Sunset, shall be esteemed
Market Hours.

5. That no Steelyards be allowed in said Market or other than
[4O7.] Sealed Weights.

6. That no Cart Team Horse Wheelbarrow that may incommode
the Market shall be allowed to stand or be near the Entrance of
the Market place, but shall be immediately removed upon the direc-
tion of the Clerk of the Market to the Owner or (X-eupier of the
same under the Penalty of ten Shillings.

7. That the Selectmen for the time being are impowred to appor-
tion the Size marks, and Number the several Stalls & to let them
out to such Persons & on such Terms, as they shall Agree.

8. That all Disputes arising in the Market between Buyer and
Seller, concerning things bought and Sold in the Market shall be
determined by the Clerk.

9. That no Meat shall be left in the Market after it is shut up,
if any be it shall be forfeit to the Clerk of the said Market, and if
the Clerk shall wittingly Connive at the Breach of this Order, he
shall for every such Connivance forfeit the Sum of ten shillings.

10. That no Person before one o'Clock in the afternoon shall buy
an}* Provision in the said Market with intent to Sell the same, at
a greater Price nor Sell any Provision so bought at a greater Price
on Penalty of the Sum of twenty shillings for each Offence.

11. That no Huckster shall before one o'Clock in the Afternoon
in any part of the Town buy any Provision bro't to Town by Land
or over the Ferries for Sale, with intent to Sell the same again un-
der the Penalty of twenty shillings for each Offence.

CHAP : 7th. 1 . It . is Voted and Ordered that all Carts and
other Carriages of El ay as they come into Town shall be weighed
& a Tally with the weight of the cart and Hay be then fixed upon it,
and that the Cart or Carriage upon it's Return be Tared, and ihe
weight thereof marked on it.

2. And it is further Ordered that a suitable Person be from
time to time appointed by the Selectmen as they shall think fit to
take Care that the Engine for weighing of Hay be kept in good
Repair, & to see the weight of all Hay thus bro't to Market and
to Tally the same, and mark the Carriages on their Return as
aforesaid : and that the said Person shall be under Oath to do
Justice between Buyer & Seller, and shall attend from Sunrising
to [4O7£.] Sunsetting, and shall make an Entry in a Book to
be by him kept for that purpose of all the Hay he weighs.

3. And it is further Ordered that there be allowed to the
Person for every Load of Hay so weighed eight fifteenths of a
penny for each hundred of Hay, to be paid by the Person who
Buys the same, or in case of his Absence at the time of weighing
then to be paid by the Importer who shall be reimbursed by the
Buyer.

4. And it is further Ordered that if any Person Inhabitant ot
the Vcwn of Boston aforesaid, shall Buy any Hay thus brought

BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1757. 329

to Market, without the same be first weighed as above, he or they
shall forfeit and pay the Sum of twenty shillings for every Load
or Parcel of II ay so bought.

5. It is Voted and Ordered that the Selectmen of the Town
shall from time to time appoint one or more Common Cryers, and
no Person except so appointed shall presume to Act as Cryer for
others on the Penalty of five shillings for each Offence ; and every
Person so appointed Cryer shall keep a true & perfect List of all
Things by him Cried, and the Names of the Persons who ordered
him to Cry the same, and give in a true Copy thereof to the Town
Clerk once a Month on the Penalty of ten shillings for each neglect :
and the Selectmen shall from time to time appoint the Fees of the
said Cryer which he shall not exceed on Penalty of five shillings
for each Offence.

Great Complaint being made of many Persons washing them-
selves in public an I frequented Places to the Great Reproach of
Modesty & good Manners.

6. It is Voted and Ordered that no Person whosoever above
the Age of twelve Years shall in the daytime, or in one hour afte.
Sunset undress themselves and go into Water within ten rods of
any dwelling House in the Town at that time Inhabited, nor shall
any Person being in the Water Swim within ten rods of any Dwelling
House Inhabited as aforesaid on Pain of forfeiting for each
Offence the Sum of ten shillings, and for a second Offence the
Sum of twenty shillings.

[4-O8.] 7. It is Voted and Ordered that every Householder
and other Persons who are commonly known to make use of any
of the Pumps Wells or Cisterns standing or being in any Ground
Streets or Highways belonging to this Town for their supply of
Water for their ordinary Occasions, every such Person shall allow
& pay unto such of the Neighbourhood whom the Selectmen shall
appoint to receive the same such proportionable Sum or Sums of
Money as the Selectmen for the time being shall assess him or her
to pay for keeping such Well Cistern or Pump in Repair, and to
be employed to the said use, on pain that every such Person
who shall neglect or refuse the payment thereof for the space
of six days after the same is demanded shall forfeit and
pay double the value of said Sum to the use of the Poor of
this Town.

8. It is Voted and Ordered that all Penalties & Forfeitures
arising by the beforegoing By-Laws not otherwise expressly
dispos'd of shall be as the Law directs to the use of che Poor of
the Town ; and whoever shall piosecute to effect any of the
Breaches thereof shall be intitled to receive one half as much as
shall be recovered for the use of the Poor out of the Treasury cf
the Town to his own use.

9. It is Voted and Ordered that where any Negro Indian or
Molatto Slave shall be the Offender against any of the foregoing
By-Laws, his Owner shall pay the Fine or Furniture unless he
shall choose to deliver up his said Slave to be Corrected, in which
Case the Justice before whom the Conviction shall b*., e.ha" Order
said Slave to be Whipped at the House >vf Correction ^?t exceed-

330 CITY DOCUMENT No. 170,

ing twenty Stripes nor less than five, according to the Nature &
Aggravation of such Offence.

Voted that the Order or Vote passed by the Town at their
Public Meeting the first day of August last, for Repealing and
making Void all By-Laws made & pass'd by the Town before
that time, be and hereby is Repealed disannulled & made Void.

Voted that the Selectmen present the aforegoing By-Laws and
Orders of the Town, as they are now passed Chapter by Chapter,
to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace to be held at Boston
within & for the County of Suffolk on the first Tuesday of Janu-
ary next, for their Allowance & Approbation.

Then the Meeting was Dismiss'd.

[This point is taken as a convenient one for closing the
present volume, although it does not complete the fourth book
of the Town Records.

W. H. W.]

ro^

INDEX OF NAMES,

Adams, 7, 28, SO, 35, 39, 46, 52, 55, 58, 60, 63,
68, 72, 77, 78, 80, 81, 83, 85, 02,95, 98, 105,
107, 110, 115, 119, 120, 133, 139, 142, 157,
159, 164, 172, 182, 191, 201,207, 214, 228,
231,235, 260,269, 287, 294,295, 290, 298,
299.

Aish, 269.

Albany, 266.

Alexander, 30, 67, 81.

Allen, 6, 7, 23, 28, 35, 40, 54, 65, 56, 58, 60,
61, 67, 72, 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 85, 86, 87,

. 88, 89, 91, 95, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 108,
110, 114, 115, 118, 121, 128, 131, 132, 136,
139, 148, 153, 154, 156, 158, 159' 160, 161,
162, 165, 16S, 170, 171, 175, 176, 184, 1-7,
190, 191, 194, 195, 205, 207, 210, 215, 224,

225, 228, -.35, 236, 248, 250, 252, 255, 257,
260, 263, 266, 285.

Allinc, 269.
Alley, Horn, 90, 96.
Amclee, 159.
America, 219.

North, 181
Amicl, 188,

Andrews, 139, 227, 247.
Annapolis, Royal, 122.
Apthorp, 2:i, 28, 56, 157, 161, 178, 183, 184,

245, 256, 25S, 265, 296.
Archbald, 170, 207.
Armory, 229.
Armstrong, 207.
Aakins, 247.
Atkins, 30, 63, 78, 94, 107, 108, 149, 191, 196,

236, 237, 283.
Atkinson, 79.
Audebert, 87.
Austin, 270, 286, 294.

Babbldge, 7.

Bagnal, 64.

Bailey, 230, 245, 249, 268.

Baith, 94.

Baker, 30, 108, 110, 172, 236.

Ball, 81, 94.

Ballard, 29, 44, 54, 67, 81, 108, 109, 133, 157,

171, 190, 209, 227, 246, 285.
Balston, 54.

Band, 37, 64, 81, 109, 132, 156, 171.
Banks, 230.
Barber, 35, 40, 44, 64, 66, 80, 82, 110, 132, 155,

173, 189, 205, 207, 208, 210, 214, 218, 228,

257, 268, 286.
Barbour, 284.
Barker, 5, 170, 271.
Barnard, 6, 7, 41, 68, 80, 81, 108,109, 132, 133,

190, 297.

( Barret, 73, 268, 271, 283.
j Barrett, 9, 113, 131, 155, 169, 189, 205, 216,

226, 245, 256, 268, 293.
Bastow, 7.

Bass, 44, 116, 125, 136, 192, 233, 245, 247, 281.
Bates, 287.
Battery, The, 42.

North, 42, 48, 49, 78, 83, 92, 95, 103,
179, 182, 274.

South, 32, 33, 43, 73, 74, 77, 83, 91, 92,
101, 116, 274, 278, 270.
Baxter, 87, 110, 133.

Bay, Casco, 240, 281.

Massachusetts, 206.
Beacham, 207.
Beorsto, 35, 67, 80, 108.
Bedgood, 104, 112.
Beighton, 118, 252.

Belknap, 2, 11, 40, 44, 68, 81, 83, 107, 131, 14l>,
15i, 162, 163, 172, 179, 192, 229, 270, 281,
288, 294

Bell, 108, 112, 134, 192, 269.
Bennest, 170.

Bennet, 295

Bennett, 2, 136.

Bemley, 247.

Bently, 228.
Berry, 45, 50, 84, 93, 109 113, 133, 158, 172, 189,

206, 246.

Bethuno, 28, 188, 296.
Bicknell, 2)0,294.
Bill, 255, 275, 291, 308.
Billings, 110, 117, 209, 228, 269.
Birch, 69, 70, 71, 72.
Bird, 228, 247, 285, 295.
Black, 94.
Blackman, 210.
Blanchard, 5, 35, 64, 82, 110, 113, 116, 118,

132, 134, 136, 137, 152, 207, 247.
Boardman, 133, 171, 229, 286.
I Boies, 226, 267.
} Boyes, 245.
Bollan, 265.
Borland, 10, 119, 227.
Bosworth, 94.
Boucher, 8, 113, 157.
Bound, 4.

Boutineau, 112, 167, 216, 296
( Bowden, 83, 108.
( Bowdoin,34, 103, 122, 162, 167, 196, 214, 2Se>

235, 272, 277, 290, 309.
Bo wen, 6», 174.
Bowles, 108.
Bowman, 109.
Bowyer, 286.
Boyer, 245, 248, 270, 294.
Boyes, »<?« Boies.

Boylestou, 167.

Boylestone, 91, 134.

Boylstone, 298.
Bradford, 8, 35, 38, 40, 53, ?4t 66, 80, 103, 173,

204.

Bradstreet, 251, 253, 254.
Brattle, 186.
Brazier, 113.

Breck, 6, 84, 109, 113, 133, 158, 172, 207, 281.
Bridge, 207, 229, 233, 245
j Bridgeham, 11.
/ Bridgham, 40, 68, 137.
Bridge, Draw, The, 223.
Olivers, 125.
bwing, 139.

Bridgham, see Bridgeham,
Bristol, 100.
Brocas, 171.
Brock, 20.

Bromfleld, 3, 29, 46, 51, 64, 69, 73, 89, 91, 05,
104, 106, 108, 118, 119, 123, 129, 132, 145,
155, 163, 165, 169, 170, 189, 205, 216, 226,
832, 245, 268, 282, 290.

332

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

I Brown, 6, 7, 40, 63, 108, 156.

) Browne, 35, 133.
Bryant, 4.

Buckley, 5, 35, 64, 82, 110, 132.
Bulfiiic'h, 9.
Burial place, Old, 173.
Burn, 262, 286.
Burroughs, 170.
Burt, 211,245.

Buryingplace, South, 53, 64.
Butler, 2, 5, 227, 269, 285.
Byles, 37, 76, 92, 161, 174, 175, 216, 227, 230, 288.

Calef, 109, 113, 118, 235, 252, 253, 267.

Cambridge, 223, 251, 253, 283.

Campbell, 200, 267.

C'andisn, 233, 247, 235.

Cape Breton, 68, 72, 83, 84, 85, 118, 122, 124.

Briton, 56.
Carnes, 84, 109, 133, 158, 172, 189, 206, 227,

24o, 267.

Caroliua, Xorth, 239, 280.
Krrith, 239, 280.
Carter, 35, 07, 80, 108, 132, 156, 170, 190, 210,

2J8, 270, 285.
Cary, 107.
( Casno, 110.
I Cazneau, 229, 248.
Castle William, 91, 129.
Cazneau, nee Casno.
Chamberlain, 35.
t Chapel, King's, 145.
I Chappel King's, 135, 139, 143, 146, 151, 237,

24'J.

Chapman, 249.

Chappel, King's, see Chapel, King's.
Chardon, 79, 16), 256, 293, 295.
Charlestown, 100, 221, 239, 251, 253, 280.
( Chauncey, 1, 93, 196, 244, 256, 308.
j Chauucy, 34.
Checkley, 9, 72, 97, 148, 149, 176, 177, 195, 236,

275, 283, 309.

Cheever, 35, 86, 89, 95, 104, 111, 119.
Chelsea, 236.
Child, 267, 295.
Church, 17, 18, 62, 65, 83, 218, 228, 246, 268,

236, 297.
Church, New Brick, 45, 48.

South, 37.
Old, 65.

Brick, 38, 62, 69, 73, 198.
North, 37, 65, 198.
South, 37, 62, 64, 65, 73, 75.
Clark, 79, 234, 245, 247, 294, 307.
| Clarke, 2, 27, 34, 39, 43, 45, 62, 63, 78, 94,

P5, 108, 149, 168, 258, 284, 29".
Clou-h, 60, 1<>S, 138, 160, 208.
( Coburn, 4, 226.
J Cohurae, 133.
Codner, 30.
Coffin, 151, 152, 249.
Coit, 2, 107.
Coles, 81.

College, Harvard, 177.
Collins, 170, 191. 192, 209, 210, 227, 246, 269,

284, 294.

( Collson, 7, 8, 86, 190.
} Colson, 88, 96, 108, 111, 132, 149, 156, 172,

2-23, 247.

Colvill, 217, 219.

Common, The, 27, 37, 45, 46, 61, 53, 63, 66,
77, 82, 90, 94, 101, 111, 119, 139, 140, 149,
152, 102, 163, 178, 179 208, 214, -.'17, 218,
224, 231, 233, 243, 257 259, 260, 262, 264,
274, 290, 307, 315,316; 323, 327.
Comrin, 5, lc/.
Concord, 215.
Coney, 7, 209.

( Connecticut, 85, 222, 239, 282, 305.
j Conneclicutt, 2SO, 292.
i Cook, 87.

Cooke, 2, 20, 28, 34, 39, 43, 46, 50, 51, 62, 56,
63, 73, 86, 87, 95 119, 131, 136, 146, 149,
152, 162, 168, 173, 175, 18", 216, 2"8.

Cooper, 91, 110, 119, 131, 161, 192,194, 205,
208,212, 214, 215,216, 227,231,232, 249,
251, 256, 258, 265, '269, 272, 277, 282, 284,

285, 290, 291, 292, 295, 296, 309, 320.
Copeland, 80, 207, 228.

Cotta, 81, 109, 133, 157, 171, 190, 246, 269.
Cotton, 134, 171,226.
County of Essex, 240, 281.

Middlesex, 240, 281, 283.
Suffolk, 30, 60, 68, 79, 85, 97, 106,
121, 126, 185, 186, 189, 223, 252,
284, 292, 298, 319, 329.
Worcester, 240, 281.
( Coverley, 284, 285.
| Coverly, 30, 269.
Cowell, 3, 8, 36, 67, 157, 171, 190, 269, 285,

297.

Cradock, 149.
Craft, 68.
Crafts, 285, 295.
Craister, 208.
Cravath, 67.
Crosley, 188.,
Cunningham, 14, 17, 23, 52, 56, 71, 89, 107,

114, 160, 192, 209, 2fl7, 284.
Currier, 67, 80, 228, 248.
Curtis, 189, 192, 210, 2-J8, 248, 270, 286, 295.
Gushing, 1, 11, 12, 17, 22, 23,26, 34, 38, 45, 48,
54,56, 68, 62, 68,70, 71, 72,76, 87,109,
134, 157, 170, 208, 214, 226, 244, 267, 276,
279, 282, 292, 293, 296, 297, 300, 320.
Cutler, 80, 137, 157, 172, 190, 209, 229, 248, 270,

286, 295.

Dafforne, 41.
Dal ton, 300.

Dana, 213, 265, 273, 279, 296, 320.
Danlorth, 85, 176, 251, 253, 254.
Darrell, 38, 40, 63, 54, 66.
Darrington, 7.
Daves 209.

Davis, 133, 207. 226, 230, 247, 285.
I Dawes, 103. 139, 210, 248, 269, 270, 283, 285.
| Daws, 79, 137.

Dawson, 67, 80, 108, 132, 170, 190.
Day, 87, 109, 133, 158, 168, 172, 189, 192, 206.
Deblois, 18S, 258, 261, 262.
Decoster, 245.
Delabroitz, 56.
Delarue, 272.

Doming, 207, 229, 248, 270, 286, 294.
Dcnnle, 28, 29, 134, 139, 205.
Dennis, 110, 149.

Deshon, 20, 36, 37, 64, 209, 228, 229, 232.
Dexter, 270, 286, 294.
Dixwell, 109, 133, 134, 157.
Doane, 183, 189.

Dock, The, 46, 90, 94, 137, 139, 155, 165, 166,
196, 213, 232, 237, 242, 305, 300, 309.

Olivers, 118, 163, 165, 166, 217, 252,
276.

Town, 1, 51, 125, 102, 196, 309.
Dolbeare, 155, 2U7, 213, 232, 237, 242, 293.
Dorchester, 223, 224.

Downe, 3, 29, 64, 78, 84, 88, 92, 95, 102, 103,
104,108,119, 131,155, 168, 169,172, 189,
200, 211, 202, 243, 249, 286, 289, 294.
Downes, 192, 270, 271.
Downing, 295.
( Drown, 104.
) Drowne, 33, 107, 143.

Dupee, 69, 71, 89, 111, 114, 117, 118, 192, 193,
201, 217, 219, 226, 235, 251, 252, 253,
254, 271, 286, 297, 298.
Durant, 207, 268.
"Dyar, 157.
Dyer, 67, 79, 133, 171, 232, 247, 269, 285,

297.
Dyre, 41, 107, 157, 190, 209, 228.

Eades, 7.
Eaton, 192, 207.

Eayres, 6, 81, 94, 156, 171, 191, 210, 227, 248,
269, 285, 294.

INDEX OF NAMES.

333

Edes, 139, 156, 245, 294.

Edwards, 69, 71, 89, 108, 110, 111, 114,117,
133,138, 151, 157, 100, 171,172,
190,191,192, 193, 207, 208, 211,
218, 228, 233, 245, 246, 268, 286,
295, 297.

Eliot, 4, 16, 34, 40, 66, 87, 119, 161, 196, 204,
208, 256, 272 275, 308.

Ellis, 94.

Eraraes, 1, 10, 17, 30, 157.

Emmons, 8, 69.

Erving, 161, 170, 189, 258, 275, 308.
I Etheridge, 171, 191.

) Ethridge, 134.

Europe, 12.

Eustice, 83.

Eustus, 138, 156.

Evans, 149, 270.

Evelcth, 233, 247, 270, 286.

Everill, 23.

{Fairfeild, 268.
Fairtield, 5, 35, 64, 82, 110, 116, 132, 136,
155, 163, 166, 173, 189,210, 228,
235, 242, 246, 252, 253, 286, 297,
306, 308.

Fairservice, 196, 217, 258.
Falraouth, 240, 281.
Fnneuil, 1, 2, 3, 14, 26, 36, 135, 186.
Fayerweatber, 77, 82, 83, 88, 92, 95, 102, 103,

104, 106, 122, 145, 284.
Featherstone, 154, 155, 169.
Fenno, 62, 66, 74, 75, 82, 111, 137, 159,165,
169, 170, 191, 211, 230, 247, 270, 287,
296.

Ferry- way, The, 197, 202.
Ferry, Winnisimet, 200.
Fessenden, 18, 28.
Fillis, 192.
Fisher, 192.
Fitch, 40, 64, 68, 80, 82, 152, 155, 170, 173, 190,

218, 262, 269, 285, 195.
Flatts, The, 200.
Fleet, 82, 151, 164.
Fletcher, 2.
Flower, 87.

Flucker, 64, 196, 283, 289, 293, 295, 304, 307.
Ford, 136, 158, 190, 210, 227, 246, 269, 284,

294.
Forsyth, 2, 10, 20, 27, 28, 34, 43, 95, 269, 285,

295.

Foster, 6, 7,35, 41, 62, 107, 137, 138, 155, 157,
160, 172, 173, 179, 189, 190, 204, 209,
210, 211, 218, 227, 229, 232, 243, 247,
248, 268, 270, 272, 284, 286, 295.
( Fowele, 109.

{ Fowle, 81, 133, 190, 209, 246, 269, 297.
( Fowles, 67.
Foxcroft, 119.
Foye, 107, 161.
Francis, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 42, 47, 55,

56.

Frankland, 34.
Franklyn, 200.
Frarys, 139, 140.
Freeman, 108, 159, 206, 227.
Frothingham, 149.
Furnass, 151, 164.

Gandall, 269.

Gardiner, 177, 208, 213, 214, 217,218, 224.

Gardner, 6, 8, 29, 35, 36, 40, 66, 67, 76, 80, 81 ,
87, 103, 109, 111, 149, 154, 157, 168, 177,
188, 196, 199, 207, 210, 224, 228, 243, 247,
259, 270, 275, 286, 291, 294, 307.

Gedney, 228.

Gee, 197, 202.

Gerrish, 30, 34, 110, 133, 134.

Gibbs, 143.

Gibson, 17, 18, 77, 86, 174.

Giddings, 191.
( Giles, 205.

| Gyles, 159, 207, 211.

Gleason, 287.

Glen, 247.
Glocester, 240.

Goldthwait, 1, 6, 21, 26, 29, 33, 35, 44, 62, 70,
71, 72, 73, 77,89, 107,110, 112, 117, 131,
132, 154, 155, 168, 175, 187, 205, 208, 220,
236, 241, 244, 254, 267, 282, 292, 207.
Gooch, 80, 168.
Gooding, 7.
Goodwell, 162.
Gore, 29, 207, 229.
Gough, 64.
Gould, 5, 110.
Gowen, 28,
Graham, 94.

( Grainary, The, 82, 111, 137, 287.
\ Grainnary, The, 81.

( Granary, The, 2, 10, 11 , 26, 31 , 40, 55, 62, 66,
68, 72, 74, 75, 111, 137, 157, 159, 165, 161),
172, 190, 191, 209, 211, 229, 230, 247, 248,
250, 270, 287, 296.

Grant, 29. 107, 131, 133, 138,149, 104, 156,160,
162, 16S 170, 172, 177, 188, 191, 192, 196,
205, 208, 210, 216, 218, 225, 227, 244, lUG,
2J5, 256, 267, 269, 272, 273, 276, 282, 285,
288, 292, 293, 294, 300, 304, 320.
Gray, 2, 8, 48, 51, 54, 69, 70, 71, 72, 91, 107,
110, 115, 119, 128, 132, 139, 153, 156, 15.S,
161, 172, 176, 190, 191, 194, 195, 196, 201,
207, 208, 209, 212, 215, 227, 229, 231, 246,

248, 269, 270, 284, 288, 287, 204, 309.
Great Britain, 40.

Green, 3, 80, 82, 96, 102, 107, 138, 139, 147,
157, 170, 171, 174, -207, 225, 226.

Greene, 10, 40, 54, 88, 95, 102, 110, 111, 112,
119, 122, 127, 135, 136, 13'J, 143, 140, 151,
152, 157,158, 163, 166, 168, 171,172, 17:;,
174, 176, 177, 190, 192,194, 198, 200, 208,

209, 212, 213, 229, 231 , 232, 23-1, 245, 248,
219, 251, 252, 253, 257, 258, 265, 270, 271,
273, 274, 276, 278. 279, 281, 287, 291, 292,
296, 297, 306, 309, 31H, 320.

( Greenleaf, 111, 164, 237, 276, 286.

( Greenleafe, 170.

( Greennough, 268.

| Greeuough, 48, 66, 80, 87, 157, 171, 191, 202,

210, 225, 227, 247, 284, 294, 295.
Greenwood, 111, 202, 268, 283, 293.
Gridley, 7, 9, 32, 36, 67, 81, 154, 209, 217, 219.
Griffin, 8, 40.

Griffith, 230.
Grimes, 94.
Grouard, 30, 81.

Gruchy, 202, 207, 247, 268.

Gunter, 163.

Guntor, 147.
Gutteridge, 4.
Gyles, see Giles.

I Hail, 154,228, 219, 268.
I Hale, 13S, 284.

Hake, 7.

Hale, see Hail.

Haloy, 233.

Hall, 28, 64, 79, 80, 104, 106, 132.

Hall, Faneuil, 1, 4, 16, 17, 22, 26, 27, 36, 37, 41,
44, 48, 52, 54, 06, 58, 61, 62, 70, 72, 76, 87,
92,96, 102, 106, 114, 115, 121, 124, 126, 127,
128,130,131,143, 144, 148, 153, 154,160,
166, 167, 16d, 176, 185, 187, 194, 202, 204,
215, 224, 225, 236, 243, 244, 255, 260, 261,
263, 264, 265, 2G6, 267, 272, 278, 279, 282,
288, 292, 304, 319.

Hall, Fanuel, 97.

Hallo well. 281.
J Harnmet, 154, 157.
) Hammctt, 189.

Hammock, 79.

Hancock, 2, 10, 20, 27, 34, 37, 43, 50, 52, 63,
78, 83, 94, 95, 108, 131, 1:'.6, 145, 148, 149,
153, 154, 161, 162, 168, 176, 177, 178, 183
184, 188, 194,196, 215, 218,225, 236,241

249, 256, 257, 258, 260, 27rt, 309.
Hardcaetle, 284.

Harris, 8, 67, 80, 269, 295.

334

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Harrison, 70, 71, 72.

Harrod, 30, 109, 13'2, 149, 156, 171, 172, 188,

190, 210, 269, 295.
I Hartley, 156, 170, 190, 210, 248.
} Hartly, 87.
Harvey, 116, 125, 136.

Ilasc, 108, 132, 156, 170, 190, 248, 270, 285.
Hascy, 85.

Hastings, 67, 80, 108, 210, 228, 248, 270, 285.
Hutch, 90, 96.
Hatter, 137.
Ilaverhiii, 221, 280.
liawdiug, 79.
Hayes, 54.

lloher, 7,41, 246, 269,285.
Henchman, 3, 26, 29, 34, 62, 64, 78, 93, 102,
104, 108, 119, 131, 155, 169, 189, 205, 216,
217, 226, 245, 256, 268, 282, 290, 309.
( Henley, 245.
} Henly. 170.
Henshaw, 188, 205, 216,217, 218, 219, 225,244,

256, 267, 276, 282, 293, 300, 320.
Hewes, 236, 244, 2o6, 267, 276, 282, 284, 292,

293, 300, 320.
Hughes, 30, 116, 245.
Hicks, 1, 4, 115, 116, l-!9, 150, 178, 199, 213,

243, 259, 274, 290, 307.
Highway, The, 202.

Hi'll, :!, 29, 51, 64, 78, 83, 84, 87, 88, 92, 95, 108,
10U, 110, 119, 131, 133, 137, 139, 149, 152,
154, 155, 157, 158, 162, 168, 169, 172, 174,
175, 177, 188, 189, 192, ]96, 205, 206,207,
203, 209,213, 216, 217,225, 226, 227,244,
245, 247, 256, 257, 267, 268, 2>>9, 276, 281,

282, 283, 284, 292, 293, 300, 306, 319, 320.
Hiller, 227.

Hill Fort, 1, 3, 5, 101, 116, 139, 142, 143, 193,

200, 273, 278, 320.
Fox, 45, 53, 77, 89, 101, 2J8.
Ridge, 218.
Ilobhs, 7, 41,67, 81, 109, 133, 157, 171, 190,

209, 228, 269, 285, 297.
Hodsdon, 7, :i5, 67, 80, 108, 132, 156, 170, 190,

21U, 228, 248, 295.

Holbrook, I, 17. 18, 26, 3?, 46, 50, 51, 62, 65,
77, 82, 178, 199, 212, 213, 230,233,234. 237,
243, 250, 260, 261, 274, 290, 307.
Holland, 48, 66, bO.
Holmes, 8, 75, 91, 102, 151, 172, 188, 205,

207, 236.
Homes, 230, 24$.
Holyoke, 8,45, 50,65, 73,178, 179, 199, 212,

228, 233, 237, 247, 259, 269, 274, 290, 307.
Homer, 30, 245.
Homes, nee Holmes.
Hood, 6,41.
Hooper, 9, 94.

House Alms, 10, 19, 37, 50, 54, 75, 102, 110,
152, 174, 183, 198, 199, 226,
227, 251, 258, 273, 276, 291,
292, 296, 297, 302.
Bridewell, 77, 89.
Court, 97, 185, 203.
Gun, 90, 163, 164.
North Granary, 201.
Meeting, 276.
of Correction, 319, 329.
Powder, 77, 178, 208, 290.
Province, 264.
Town, 88, 186, 203.
Watch, 10.

Work, 10, 19, 50, 54, 75, 89, 102, 110,
150, 151, 152, 158, 174, 198, 251,
273, 296.
Worke, 291.
How, 28.

Hubbard, 3, 8, 9, 29, 34, 36, 41 , 62, 64, 67, 78,
81, 85, 91, 93, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109,
115, 116, 125, 129, 131, 143, 148, 155, 161,
162, 165, 169, 176, 189, 195, 203, 205, 215.
216, 220, 224, 226, 231, 236, 237, 243, 244,
245, 250, 255, 260, 267, 268, 272, 277, 278,

283, 288, 289, 290, 292, 294, 304.
Jugbes, see Hewes.

Humphreys, 34.

Hunniwell, 287.

Hunstable, 138.

Hunt, 3, 67, 104, 118, 139, 142, 143, 190, 192,
193, 200, 204, 207, 252, 278, 320.

Husbands, 192.

Hutchinson, 2, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20. 21, 23,
27, 28, 31, 34, 38, 41, 45, 46, 50, 55, 56, 58,
63, 68, 72, 8S, 93, 95, 97, 98, 102, 107, 115,
119, 123, 127, 129, 131, 143, 144, 148, 153,
164, 167, 174, 176, 192, 193, 195, 206, 216,
231.

Hyslop, 192.

Inches, 7, 226, 294.
Indicott, 6, 79, 137, 152, 156.
Indies, Spanish West, 12.

West, 12.

Ingraham, 67, 81, 109.
Jnman, 2.
Ireland, 12, 44.
Island, Deer, 236.
Islands, Windward, 12.

Jackson, 4, 6, 35, 80, 84, 109, 133, 157, 158, 172,
189, 190, 205, 206, 209, 218, 225, 227, 229,
244, 247, 248, 249, 256, 267, 268, 270, 276,
282, 284, 287, 292, 293, 295, 296, 300, 320.

Jamaica, 12.

Jarvis, 109.

Jeffries, 1, 2, 10, 16, 20, 28, 34, 43, 93, 95, 102,
119,149, 169, 182, 183, 188, 1«4, 196, 197,
201, 205,211,212, 216, 226, 227, 235, 242,
243, 244, 251, 256, 260, 267, 273, 275, 276,
284, 291, 292, 293, 296, 297, 308, 309.

Jenkins, 7, 79, 109, 120, 134, 171, 172, 191,
209, 228, 297.

Jennings, 35.

Johnson, 134, 137, 163.

Johonnot, 179.

Jones, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 42, 79, 80, 85,
101, 190,204, 269, 285.

Joy, 284, 294.

Kenny, 94.

Kent, 7, 41, 183, 184, 211, 213, 297, 306.

Kilby, 18, 24, 25, 26, 42, 44,45, 47,57, 171, 184,

241, 265.
Kimball, 64.
Kneeland, 80, 133, 170, 189, 210, 217, 219, 228,

235, 246, 251, 252, 253, 254, 268, 286, 297.
Knowles, 118, 121, 122, 124.

( Lamott, 196.
/ Lamotte, 196.
Lane, 2, 4.
Lane, Bromfield's, 145.

Cow, 112, 116.

Dassetts, 164.

Green, 1, 9.

JoyJiffs, 116.

Long, 273, 276.

Olivers, 116.

Pudding, 88.

Spring, 164.

Wood, 177.
Langdon, 158.
Larrabee, 71, 89, 111, 114, 117, 138, 160, 165,

177, 200, 201.
Laughton, 191.
Lawlor, 132, 170.
Lavrson, 7.
Leblond, 233, 245.
Lee, 8, 35, 81, 86, 104, 190, 209, 217, 219, 285,

296.

Leverett, 67, 143, 149, 207, 229, 245, 285, 294.
Lewis, 2, 9, 29, 58, 60, 74, 75, 78, 102, 104, 106,

123, 161, 195.
Lloyd, 236.

London, 12, 18, 21, 26, 42, 184, 241, 265.
Loring, 89, 207, 209, 283.
Louisbourg, 124, 260.

INDEX OF NAMES.

335

I Level, 134, 164, 178, 196, 208, 212, 242, 307.

\ Lovell, 1, 2, 3, 14, 17, 18, 83, 134, 259, 274,

( 290.

Low, 170, 191, 210, 284, 294.
Lowdcr, 134, 158, 173.
LoweH, 157, 267.
Luce, 24.
Ludgate, 241.
Lyman, 2.

Maccarty, 190, 209, 229.

Maccoy, 79.

Mackey, 66, 109.

Maddocks, 250.

Man, 229.

Marblehead. 12, 100, 221, 240, 280, 281.

March, 79, 170, 190,210.

Marion, 2, 3, 14, 62, 65, 75, 122, 143.

Mariot, 87, 247.

Market, Kaneuii, 4.

F?Jieuil Hall, 1, 4, 17, 19, 20, 22, 36,
50, 58, 60, 68, 69, 75, 78, 81, 86,
88, 90, 94, 101, 110, 114, 115, 120,
124, 132, 135, 137, 140, 141, 142,
144, 153, 155, 158, 159, 164, 172,
182, 191, 201, 20fi, 208, 209, 213,
214, 217, 224, 225, 227, 229, 232,
285, 254, 260, 297, 298, 305, 316,
327.

Fish, 158.
North, 4, 31.
South, 4, 39.

Markett Faneuil Hall, 271, 286.
Marrow, 205.

Mnrsh, 4, 87, 133, 157, 297.
Marshal], 41.
Martyn, 120.
Maryland, 239, 280.
Mason, 207, 229, 248.
Mather, 34, 94, 106, 149, 177, 194, 216, 255, 275,

291, 308.
Maverick, 149.
May, 35,
5! ay hew, 160.
McDaniel, 216.
Mclntire, 4, 228.
McKean, 108.
Mcmillian, 229.
< McNeal, 7.
} McNeil, 211.
Medford, 100, 221, 239, 280.
Merchant, 40, 68, 80, 170.
Middletown, 239.
Miller, 287.
Milliken, 110.
Milton, 223, 224.
Minot, 63.

Mitchell, 226, 230, 236.
( Moberley, 109, 133.
} Moberly, 6, 41, 68, 81, 156.
Moffatt, 295.
Molineauz, 64.
Monk, 29.
Moore, 67, 108, 132, 170, 191, 210, 228, 248,

270, 294.
j More, 80, 156.
j Mower, 81.
Morley, 207, 229.
Morris, 5.
Morse, 94.
Moulin, 53, 64.
Mower, gee More.
\ Mucbclroy, 134.
/ Muckleroy, 160
Mulling, 94.

( Nantucket, 100, 221, 239, 240, 281.

) Nantuckett, 280.
Neck, 174.
Neck, The, 2, 11, 63, 66, 103, 158, 166, 223,

279, 283, 300, 306, 320.
Boston, 279, 289.

4 Nesbett, 7.

t Nesbitt, 35.

Newbury, 100, 221, 238, 239, 240, 280, 281.
Newell, 67, 133, 134, 154, 157, 170, 171, 191,

228.

New England, 238, 240, 262, 280.
Newfoundland, 100, 221, 239, 280.
New Hampshire, 85, 239, 280, 282, 292, 305.
New Haven, 239-
New London, 239.

Newman, 35, 108, 110, 157, 171, 172, 191.
Newport, 239.
New York, 84, 221, 239, 280.
Nichols, 7, 107, 109, 133, 136, 154, 171, 191,

192,210, 227, 246, 269, 285, 294.
Norton, 118, 192.
Norwich, 239.
Nova Scotia, 239, 280.
Nowell, 80.
Noyes, 118, 171, 190, 269, 285, 295.

Oliver, 3, 17, 29, 34, 45, 46, 51, 58, 64, 72, 76,
78, S3, 07, 108, 119, 122, 127, 129, 131, 135,
136, 142, 145, 147, 155, 161, 167, 169, 176,
189, 192, 205, 207, 210, 216, 226, 228, 229,
241, 245, 246, 248, 256, 237, 262, 263, 264,
268, 272, 282, 18«, 293, 297, 308.

Osborne, 77, 90, 93, 96, 123, 161, 195, 245, 283,
308.

Osgood, 64, 109.

Overing, 32.

Owen, 113.

Oxnard, 36, 75, 102, 119, 158, 167, 227, 251.

f Pain, 94, 109, 156, 170, 269.

J Paine. 6, 41, 68, 81, 95, 113, 117, 118, 122,

1 128, 178, 191, 210, 227, 246, 285, 294.

I Payne, 133, 186.
Palfrey, 48, 66, 116, 158, 163.
Palmer, 26, 42, 44, 47, 56, 57, 171, 241.
Parker, 5, 35, 38, 53, 54, 64, 77, 82, 110, 132,

135, 143, 155, 173, 189, 210, 218, 228, 237,
245, 246, 257, 295.

Parkman, 40, 41, 66, 68, 73, 74, 80, 81, 204.
Parrott, 86.

I Patten, 284, 294.

I Pattin, 7, 207, 233, 245, 24«, 268, 284, 294.
Paul, 171.
Payae, *ee Paine.
Payson, 67, *0, 157, 196, 192, 204, 211, 232,

243,249,271,287,298.
Pearson, 257.
Peck, 270, 284, 286, 294.
Pecker, 5, 35, 40, 44, 64, 82, 110, 114, 11«, 132,

136, 155, 190, 294.
Peiree, 37, 62, 65.
Pemberton, 267, 268, 275, 308.

| Pcotulvania, 239.
j Pensylvania, 280.
Perkins, 3, 28, 64, 134, 209.
Philadelphia, 221, 239.
i Philips, 139.

| Phillips, 3, 29, «4, 78, 83, 198, 109, 131, 133,
139, 149, 155, 158, 166, 167, 169, 170, 172,
185, 189, 204, 205, 206, 207, 216, 217, 220,
226, 227, 229, 245, 247, 25«, 257, 263, 265,
266, 268, 278, 279, 282, 284, 288, 290, 292,
293, 295, 304.
Phipps, 238.

Pbips, 180, 185, 203, 220, 223, 301.
Pickman, 83, 108, 149.
Pierpont, 248.
Pigeon, 147, 207, 267.
Pike, 205.
Pitman, 154, 272.

Pitts, 161, 167, 236, 237, 256, 290, 291, 29*.
I Plimouth, 239, 240.
I Plymouth, 12, 100, 221, 280, 281.
Point Windmill, 139, 142, 143, 152.
Hudson's, 196, 202.
Pullin, 236.

Pollard, 27, 84, 86, 104, 105, 258.
Pond, 295.
Pond Mill, 37.

Wheeler's, 17, 18, 62, 65, 232, 234, 237,
242.

336

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Potter, 157, 171, 190, 209, 227, 246, 269, 285, 297.
Powell, 192.

Prat, 174, 193, 206, 279, 296, 301, 304, 305,

309, 319.

Pratt, 135, 183, 184.
Price, 247.
Prince, 26, 69, 70, 71, 72, 119, 161, 168, 195,

216, 256, 304.
Prltehard, 190.
Procter, 4, 26, 39, 50, 65, 107, 179, 192, 213,

237, 249, 259, 275, 291, 307.
Proctor, 113, 116, 134, 150.
Prout, 17, 34, 45, 58, 189.
Provence, 211.
Providence, 239, 280.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 98, 180,

185, 203, 238, 262.
Pulling, 295.
Pyncheon, 275, 308.

Quincy, 29, 110, 112, 119, 127, 128, 129, 167,
172, 177, 196, 204.

Ramar, 211.

Rand, 1, 2, 27, 38, 40, 46, 53, 54, 63, 77, 78, 86,
88, 111, 113, 172, 177, 1»3, 193, 211, 245,
287.
Ray, 5, 35, 67, 138, 170, 191, 210, 228, 248, 270,

285, 294.
I Raymand, 294.
| Raymond, 79, 246.
Rca, 188.

Read, 9, 23, 34, 56.
i Kenken, 35.
t Renkin, 81- 157.
Rhode Island, 85, 221, 222, 239, 280, 282, 292.

305.

Rhodes, 283, 295.
Richards, 6, 41, 68, 81, 109.
Richardson, 3, 226, 249.
( Ridgaway, 29, 133, 157, 211, 233.
j Ridgway, 284.
River Neponsit, 213, 222, 223.
Roberts, 66, 211.
Roby, 5, 6, 44, 67.
Roger, 190.
Rogers, 3, 29, 64, 78, 108, 192, 207, 229, 245,

269.
Ropewalk Barton's, 51.

Harrisons 116.
| Roulston, 62, 65.
j Roulstpne, 37, 64.
Rouse, 95.

Rowe, 28, 236, 269, 284, 292, 295, 296, 309.
Ruddock, 6, 35, 38, 80, 104, 114, 138, 160, 172,
192, 200, 201, 202, 211, 231, 232, 243, 249,
271, 276, 287, 296, 298.
Ruggles, 228, 248.

Russell, 6, 7, 35, 41, 86, 109, 132, 133, 156, 158,
168, 170, 172, 189, 191, 192, 211, 232, 243,
246, 251, 253, 254, 257, 270, 285, 294.
Ryder, 170.

Salem, 12, 100, 221, 239, 240, 280, 281.
Salisbury, 67.

Baiter, «, 11, 27, 40, 44, 50, 52, 63, 66, 68, 78,
80, 81, 84, 94,96, 107, 111, 119, 131, 133,
135, 149, 154, 162, 168, 177, 188, 216.
Sanders, 192, 229.
Sargent, 41.
Sergeant, 109, 133, 171.
Serjant, 81.

, Serjeant, 67,157, 190.
Sault, 54, 67, 81, 109, 133, 157, 171, 190, 209,

228, 247.
Savage, 3, 28, 30, 157, 171, 191, 194, 209, 229,

284, 294.

Savel, 80, 133, 157, 171, 190, 209, 254.
School, North Gramer, 134, 135.

Grammar, 1, 8, 10, 17, 34, 62,
65, 73, 94, 119, 149, 162, 164,
242, 259, 274, 276, 290, 292,
807, 309.

School, North Grammer, 177, 178, 196, 199,

212, 216.

Writing, 1, 3, 4, 10, 34, 65, 94,
115, U6, 119, 149, 150, 162, 177,
178, 179, 196, 199, 213, 216,
243, 259, 274, 276, 290, 292, 307,
309.
South Grammar, 1, 9, 17, 18, 34, 77,

93, 94, 162, 242, 243, 259, 274, 275,
276, 290,291,307,309.

Grammer, 119, 134, 149, 174, 171, 178,

196, 199, 212, 213, 216, 292.
Latin, 147, 178.
Writing, 9, 17, 18, 34, 62, 75, 77, 82,

94, 119, 149, 162, 177, 178, 179,
199, 212, 213, 216, 230, 233, 260,
276, 292, 309.

The Latin, 143.

The Writing, 46, 51, 94, 119, 149, 162,
177, 178, 179, 196, 212, 216, 234,
237, 243, 259, 261, 274, 275, 276,
290, 291, 292, 307, 309.

iScollay, 158, 189,190, 206, i!09, 227, 229, 244,
247, 248, 267, 268, 270, 276, 282,
284, 287, 292, 293, 295, 296, 300,
320.
Scolley, 7, 84, 109, 133, 172.
Sconce, The, 43, 51, 73, 74, 91.
Scott, 134, 157, 229, 245.
Scottow, 67.
Scudder, 269.

Scutt, 204, 211, 232, 243, 249, 271, 287, 298.
Sears, 66, 80, 202, 285.
Sellon, 86.
Sergeant, J

Serjant, > see Sargent.
Serjeant, )
Service, 7, 30.
Sewall, 9, 22, 29, 93, 102 149, 154, 177, 198,

216, 225, 256, 275, 288, 292, 308.
Shaw, 109, 252.

( Bheafe, 5, 20, 29, 33, 70, 71, 72, 73.
{Sheaff, 111,117.
( Sheaffe, 110, 112, 117.
Shed, 271.
Shepard, 207,211.
Sherburn, 34, 200, 256.
Sherburne, 101, 162, 226, 228, 245, 268, 281,

283.

Sherman, 247.
Shirley, 9, 98, 106, 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 130,

260, 261, 262, 264, 265, 279.
Sigourney, 7, 269.

{Simmes, 210.
Simms, 191.
Symes, 294.
Symmes, 81, 109, 136, 156, 170, 227, 245, 246,
269, 285.
Symrng, 133.
Simpkins, 5, 8, 287.
Simpson, 6, 7, 29, 37, 66, 79, 132, 171, 188, 191,

228, 269, 283, 295.
Skilling, 64.
Skinner, 8, 67, 81.
Smibert, 135.
Smith, 110, 133, 170, 178, 183, 184, 247, 268,

285, 295.

Snelling, 202, 207.
Snow, 228, 230, 286.
Snowden, 8.
Southack, 154.
Southouck, 136.
Speakman, 28.
Spear, 246, 269, 285, 293, 297.
Spooner, 168, 202, 309.
Sprague, 35.
Square, Dock, 10, 18, 209, 213, 214, 215.

Still House, 37, 52, 274.

Stamford, 4, 20, 22, 29, 33, 35, 36, 50, 68, 70,
71, 72, 73, 75, 77, 88,94, 95, 101,
114, 153, 177.
Stayner, 249.
St. Christophers, 26.

INDEX OF NAMES,

337

{Steel, 2, 10, 20, 27, 33, 34, 43, 50, 52, 63, 77,
78, 94, 95, 103, 104, 107, 119, 124,
131, 145, 149, 154, 155, 162, 168, 177,
187, 188, 205, 216, 213, 225, 236.
Steele, 73, 74, 179, 244, 274, 276, 891, 309.
Stevens, 4, 202.
Stewall, 216.

Stoddard, 1, 40, 66, 80, 161, 172, 209, 269, 285.
Storer, 29, 64, 78, 108, 131, 149, 155, 169, 189,

205, 226, 245, 256, 268, 282, 293.
Story, 4, 69, 79, 207, 299, 319.
Stow, 245.

Stream Mill, 196, 202.
Street, Anne, 250.

Atkinson, 112, 113.
Beacon, 27, 37, 250.
Brattle, 164.
Hanover, 207, 258, 269.
Hawkins, 37, 62.
King, 150.
Lynn, 202.
Middle, 223.
Milk, 77, 90, 96, 112.
Moon Court, 254.
Orange, 208.
Pleasant, 218.

Purchase, 46, 48, 51, 76, 116.
Queen, 10, 34, 65, 73, 94, 119, 149, 162,
177, 178, 179, 180, 196, 199,
212, 216, 234, 237, 245, 258,
259, 261, 274, 475, 276, 290,
291, 292, 307, 309.
School, 145, 146, 147, 163.
Sconce, 51.
Ship, 2V6.

Sudbury, 26, 37, 45, 52.
Summer, 51.
Treamount, 204.
Union, 94.
Water, 113, 116, 118, 125, 136, 151,164,

166, 252, 299, 300.
Winter, 26, 36, 39.
Stukcly, 247.
Sturgis, C4.
Sumner, 192.
Surcomb, 108.
Swooteer, 81.
Swinncrton, 26, 39, 60.
Symcs, 1

Symmes, | see Simmea.
Symms, )

I Tayler, 67.

Taylor, 35, 80, 91, 149, 294.

Thacher, 79, 133, 231, 271, 273, 292, 296,
\ 297, 299, 309, 319.
< Thatcher, 157.
Thayer, 2. 35, 87, 110, 133, 205, 207, 229, 248,

270, 286, 293, 294.
Thomas, 7, 35, 41, 66, 67, 68, 81, 109, 133, 157,

in, SOT.

Thompson, 267, 308.

Thornton, 7, 35, 67.

Thwiug, 2, 7, 35, 113, 158, 171, 189, 194, 200,

227, 248, 268, 278, 281, 284.
Tilden, 29, 118, 165.
Tileston, 7,30, 80, 170, 190, 228, 298.
Tilestone, 67, 132, 156, 170, 210, 228, 248,

269, 285, 294, 298.
Tilley, 45, 53.
Ting, 86.
Todd, 171,211.
Tolman, 64.
Torrey, 86, 88, 190, 207, 219, 228, 247, 252,

253.

Towle, 227, 285.

Townsend, 154, 171, 191, 214, 285.
Trail, 170.

Training Field, The, 111, 326.
Treat, 132, 171, 190, 209, 228, 246, 269, 285,

297.

Trench, 170.
Trott, 233.

Tuekcnnan, 86, 170, 261.

Tudor, 44, 200, 205, 206, 226, 231, 246, 2t«,
268, 290, 293.

Tyler, 3, 6, 29, 64, 78, 89, 91, 95, 108, 119, 131,
155, 157, 169, 170, 171, 189, 191, 196,
200, 206, 214, 216, 220, 226, 227, 247,
251, 265, 268, 273, 283, 2S4, 293, 295,
296, 297, 807, 820.

Tyng, 58, 107, 131, 136, 145, 148,149, 154, 161,
163, 176, 195, 215, 266, 271, 272, 277,
284, 289, 305.

Usher, 8fl.

Vans, 104, 106, 145.

Vergoose, 41, «8, 81, 109, 133, 156, 170, 190,
191, 209, 210, 227, 246, 269, 285,
292.

Vial, 80.
Vinal, 307.
Vincent, 285, 295.
Vinteuon, 6, 41, 64, 67.
Virbert, 108.

* Virginia, 239.

I Virginnia, 280.

Wadsworth, 3, 17, 19, 29, 50, 52, 68, 71, 75,

79, 101, 110, 119, 120, 123, 132, 149, 151,

155, 161, 165, 169, 174, 182, 183.
Wakefleld, 104.

Waldo, 9, 112, 161, 192, 205, 270, 286, 294.
Wales, 192, 270, 294.
Walker, 3, 29, 40, 64, 78, 94, 108, 131, 135, 149,

155, 169, 189, 200, 205, 211, 226, 245, 249,

256, 265, 268, 282, 293, 296.
Walley, 58, 60, 78, 105, 107, 118, 119, 121, 128,

173, 178, 183, 184, 217, 232, 251, 252, 253,

254, 288.

Wallis, 64, 70, 139, 211, 228.
; Wardel, 300.

\ Wardell, 1, 8, 35, 101, 125, 174.
Warden, 67, 68, 80, 81, 108, 109, 133, 156, 210,

228, 248, 285.
Warland, 295.
Watch, Merchants, 46,51.
Waterhouse, 226, 245.
Waters, 109, 133, 164, 192, 230, 248.
Watertown, 100, 221, 239, 280.
Watt, 111, 137, 188, 214.
Watts, 195.
Webb, 2, 5, 8, 62, 67.
Wellsted,208,216.
Welch, 4, 113, 138, 153, 173, 175, 207, 248,285,

294.

{Welles, 23, 24, 25, 56, 58, 60, 72, 79, 83, 88,
89, 92, 93, 95, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,
122, 127, 135, 149, 167, 174, 178, 183, 184,
193, 206, 208, 213, 216, 217, 220, 229,231,
232, 236, 255, 258, 279, 289, 292, 305.
Wells, 6, 37, 166, 207, 268, 283, 284.
Welsteed, 44, 93, 149, 177, 187.
Wendell, 3, 17, 29, 32, 33, 51, 52, 64, 77, 78,
83, 88, 92, 93, 95, 103, 108, 119, 120, 131,
135, 136, 147, 149, 155, 168, 169, 173, 175,
189, 195, 201, 205, 207, 216, 225, 226, 229,
231, 245, 255, 267, 268, 273, 274, 282, 293.
Wentworth, 174, 175, 197, 283, 289.
West, 154, 233.
Wharf, Hills, 103.
Old, 42.
Welles's, 103.
Wharff, Long, 92.
Wharffe, Anstram's, 125.
Cheever's, 103.
Clark's, 92, 103.
Griffin's, 103.
Hubbard's, 103.
Jones, 103.
Long, 103, 150.
Marion's, 103.
Scarlet's, 158.
Town's, 125.
Wendell's, 91, 103.

338

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Wheeler, 138, 143, 158, 171, 228, 232, 234, 247,

269, 295.
Wheelwright, 10, 54, 75, 102, 134, 151, 161,

174, 182, 194, 195, 197, 212, 216, 227, 251,

276, 284, 295.
White, 1, 3, 6, 8, 39, 41, 62, 65, 68, 69, 71, 73,

74, 77, 78, 81, 83, 84, 88, 89, 92, 95, 103,

104, 109, 111, 113, 117, 133, 151, 158, 160,

166, 172, 177, 189, 209, 227, 246, 268, 269,

284, 285, 28 J, 294, 297, 306.
Whitehall, 22.
Whiting, 110, 154.
Whittemore, 5, 171.
Whitwell, 86.
Wigglesworth, 245.
Wiliard, 64, 128, 130, 161, 275.
Williams, 27, 30, 33, 35, 41, 44, 67, 73, 75, 79,

80, 81, 109, 133, 135, 189, 194, 200, 233,

248, 274, 278.

Willis, 35, 39, 63.

WilliBton, 37, 38, 64.

Willoughby, 10, 26, 31, 55, 66, 72, 74, 75.

Wilson, 35, 67, 109, 157, 172.

Winship, 157.

Winslow, 4, 10, 34, 75, 102, 110, 149, 151,

158, 161, 173, 189, 210, 212, 218, 231,

246, 248, 257, 267, 270, 276, 281, 286,

2a4, 309.

Winter, 7, 35, 79, 132, 171, 208.
Winthrop, 36.
Wiswall, 1, 8, 17, 18, 134, 178, 199, 212, 246,

259, 274, 290, 307.
Wiswell, 242.

York, 240, 281.
Young, 35, 136, 164.

INDEX OF PLACES AND SUBJECTS,

Abbreviations : A. house ; 1. land ; w.h.

Ablutions in public, complaint of, 318, 329.
Accounts, auditing of Treasurer's, 10, 19, 20,
60, 54, 75, 110, 120,
152,158,174,211,212,
225,227,251,254,273,
276,291,292,296,297.
lotteries, 320.
batteries, 58, 77.
selectmen's, 198.
granaries, 10, 75, 191.
Overseers of the Poor,
10,19, 50,54,75,102,
110,152,174,225,226,
227,251,254,276,291,
292, 296, 297.

Admiralty, Lords Commissouers of the, 219.
Agents, 67.

choice of, to represent the Province

at London, 184, 265.
instructions to be drawn up for, 184,

265.

papers, etc., transmitted to, 265.
Albany, agreement of commissioners at, 266.
Aliens. (See Foreigners, or aliens.)
Almshouse, 37, 198, 199, 254, 302.

loan for, authorized, 183.
accounts of 10, 19, 50, 54, 75, 102,
110, 152, 174, 225, 226,227,251,
273, 276, 291, 292, 296, 297.
(See alto Workhouse.)
America, 219.

North, 181.
Anne street, 250.
Arms, presented to the town, 68.
Arrack, tax on. (S«eTax.)
Artillery company, the, taxes of, to be re-
mitted, 177. (Seeal-io Taxes.)
Assembly or General Court, 11, 12, 16, 22, 27,
3D, 31, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50,
57,71, 72, 74, 76, 8'?, 93,95,97,
98, 100, 102, 115, 117, 148, 153,
161, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183,
184, 185, 186, 187, 194, 203, 207,
213, 215, 217, 220, 222, 223, 234,
236, 238, 241, 250, 255, 258, 261,
263, 266, 272, 273, 275, 277, 278,
288, 290, 296, 300, 301, 302, 304,
308.
reference to memorial of 1735, 12,

95-6, 98, 183.

memorial to be presented to, 178,
180-81, 185, 187, 203, 220-22, 234,
238, 275, 279, 280, 301.

Assessors, 19, 20, 21, 44, 46, 48, 70, 71, 114,
151, 177, 184, 193, 200, 203, 208,
254, 268, 275, 283, 298, 302, 307.
appointed, 5, 6, 35, 64,82,110, 132,
155, 173, 174, 189, 210, 228, 246,
257, 286, 297.

to sit upon abatements, 20, 34, 35,
72, 73, 77, 89, 90, 111, 112, 137-8,
158, 160, 174, 193, 212, 218, 230,
249, 271-2, 287, 298-9.
books, 33,40, 41,42, 45,46, 61,69,
70, 89, 114, 138, 151, 156, 173, 191,
210, 231, 249, 271, 288-7, 298.
suit between, and Oliver et at.,

263, 297, 31)8.
Atkinson street, 112,

bounds of, 112.

Bakers, 280.

regulating of, 2. (See also Tradesmen.)
Ballot-boxes, 212.
Barton's Ropewalk, 61.
Batteries, 44, 46, 48, 49, 88, 89, 90, 91, 101.

encroachments on lands, 27, 31 , 32.

33,
to be erected, 44.

within twelve months,

39,43.

repairs of, 42, 43, 91.
accounts of builders of, to be au-
dited, 58, 77.
Battery, south, 51, 91, 92, 101, 278-9.

lands. 27, 31, 32, 33, 116, 274.
repairs of, 43, 73, 77, S3.
north, 42, 48, 49, 78, 83, 92, 95, 103,

170, 182, 274.
captaiu of the, 179.
stores for, 182.
Beacon street, 27, 37.

abutters on, 250.
Beef. (See Trade, imports.)
Beef hides, and tallow, etc., 222, 229, 239, 280.
sold in Faneul 1 market,
monies for, 141,158-9.

Bells, ringing of, 4, 25, 26, 45, 49, 62, 65, 69, 73,
75, 138, 164, 173, 198, 208,
227, 229, 272, 288, 317.
allowance for, 26, 38, 272.
ringers, petition of, 37, 38, 272.

allowance, 49, 272.
tolling of, at burials, 120, 121.
the passing-bell, 121.
failure to ring, as notification of town

meeting, 124.

order concerning sleigh-bells, 313, 324.

Bills, of credit (old tenor) , 2, 4, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19,

21,27,28,30,31,48,50,52,59,

63, 65, 75, 77, 79, 82, 83, 101,

104, 107, 113, 115, 116, 117,

118, 120, 135, 136, 137, 142,

151, 154, 159, 160, 164, 165,

170, 175, 182, 187, 188, 234.

(new tenor) 77, 107, 163, 173,

182.

of other governments, 205,
225, 226, 234-5, 244, 267,282,
284, 292, 293, 305.
of the last emission, 126.
Connecticut, 305.
New Hampshire, 305.
Rhode Island, 305.
of Exchange, 239, 280.
Books. (See Records, etc.)
Boston, 1, 12, 16, 19, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 33, 34,
41, 42, 43, 44, 48, 49, 60, 64, 56, 57, 58, 60,
62, 70. 72, 75, 76, 85, 87, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98,
99, 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 114, 115,
116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 124, 126, 127,
128, 130, 131, 135, 140, 142, 143, 144, 147,
148, 151, lt,2, 153, 160, 161, 163, 166, 167,
163, 173, 176, 178, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185,
187, 190, 194, 195, 197, 202, 203. 204, 215,
216, 217, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 236,
238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 252, 254,
255, 256, 258, 260, 262, 263, 264, 266, 267,
272, 274, 275, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282,
288, 292, 302, 304, 308, 310, 318, 319, S20,
821, 330.

340

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Boston Neck. (See Neck, the.)
Boston Weekly Post Boy, (newspaper) let-
ters of the Governor to Sec. Willard,
128, 129.

Boundaries (See Lands, etc.)
Bounties for inlistment, 296.
Brattle street, paving of lanes leading to

church in, 104.
Bread, 239.
Breadstuff's, 10, 31, 75, 82, 111, 137, 159, 169,

211, 130, 239, 247, 270, 280, 287, 296.
Brick or lime kilns, law concerning, 312, 323.
Bridewell. (See House of Correction.)
Bridge, Oliver's, 125.

swing, to rebuild, 139.

over Neponset river, 213, 222, 223,

224.

draw, 223.

in Middle street, 223.
Bristol, 100.
Bromfteld's lane, 145.
Building, petition to erect, 137, 196.
permit to remove, 147.
erected, 162.

Bulls, town. (See Cattle.)
Burial-places, 257, 264.

petition concerning burial of
strangers and negroes, 45, 63.
(Ste also Sextons, etc.)
to be provided at the south

part of the town, 62.
south, 64, 137, 139.

digging graves, 64, 65.
crowded condition of,

257.
price for digging graves to be

fixed, 120.
King's Chapel, 136, 145, 146,

237, 242.
bodies in, to be
removed, 146.
monuments in,

146.
on the Common, boundaries

of, 152.
old burying-place, 173.

tombs bnilded in,

173.
burials, to better regulate, 86,

120, 121.

Butchers. (See Trade.)
By-laws. (See Orders, town.)

Cadets, company of, bill granting certain

liberties to, to prevent, 258.
Cambridge, 251, 253, 283.

general court held at, 223.
Cape Briton (Breton), 56, 68, 72, 83, 84, 85,

122.
Island of, governor of, 118, 122.

sea coal from, 118, 122,

124.

Carts, trucks, etc. (See Truckage and Cart-
age.)

Casco Bay, 240, 281.
Castle, the, 91, 1'Jft.

Island. (See also Fortifications.)
William. (See Castle, the.)
Catholics within the town to be subject to

surveillance, 103, 105.
vote on law concerning, 105.
Cattle, 229, 231, 316.

agreement for purchase of, 141, 144.
purchase and support of, 198.
at large, 316, 326-27.

Channel, the, hulks of vessels to he purchased
and sunk in, in case of attack on town,
78, 91, 92, 102.
Charities, 222, 240, 28t.
Cbarle»town, 100, 261, 253, 280.

distilleries, 221, 239.

Chelsea, Township of, purchase of land
called Pullin Point, 230.

Chimneys, concerning, 27, 38, 45, 53, 54, 63,
217, 258, 290, 31'),
321, 322.

sweepers of, 310, 321-
22.

allowance,

310.

surveyors of, 310.
China, tax on. (5eeTax.)
Christ Church, cleansing, etc., of the clock

upon, 173.
Clocks,

on Christ church, cleansing, etc., of,

173.
Coaches, chariots, chaises, etc., tax on. (See

Tax.)

Codflshery. (See Fisheries.)
Coffee, tax on. (See Tax.)
Commerce. (See alto Trade.)
Commissioners of the several governments.

(See Albany.)

Common, the, *7, 140, 208, 315-16, 327.
rails (fencing), 27, 37.
herbage of, to be preserved,

27, 37, 315.
Fox hill on, 45, 53, 77, 89, 90,

101, 218.
powder-house on, 178, 208,

290.
proposition to fence in certain

part of, 111.

training field, 111,316, 326.
burying-ground on, 139, 152,

262.

cattle on, 231, 316, 326-27.
road adjoining lands in, peti-
tion for, 257.
nuisances on, to prevent, 315-

16, 326.

school on, 46, 51 , 77, 82, 94, 119,
149, 178, 233, 243, 260, 274,
2frO, o07.
marsh at bottom of, 63, 179,

208, 214,217-18, 224.
gunhousu on, 90, 163-4.
Common sewer. (See Drains.)
Companies. (See Corporations.)
Concord, court at, 215.
Connecticut, 85.
Connecticut, distilleries, 239.

bills of credit on, 282 292, 305.

(See alxo Hills.)
Coopers. (See Tradesmen.)
Corn. . (See Breadstuff's.)
Corporations : —

India, East, and Turkey Com-
pany, 180-1.

Linen Manufactory Com-
pany, 234, 235.
trade between, and Boston,

greatly decreased, 222, 280.
Council, members of, 39, 43, 87, 97, 9«, 103,
104,105,106,127,180,
185,203,220,223,238,
279, 301.
complaint against action of, 77, 79,

84, 87.

County sheriff. (See Suffolk county.)
Court, General. (See Assembly.)

Superior. 3, 11, 32, 75, 166, 212, 252,

278, 292, 2t*8, 308.

Inferior, 11, 75, 183, 212, 257, 292, 298.
of general or quarter sessions, 30, 49,
60, 68, 79,97, 104, 105, 112, 121, 126,
169, 180, 181, 183, 18S, 189, 213, 224,
230, 231, 241, 246, 254, 258, 268, 284,
292, 294, 298, 319, 330.
of Assize, 32.
of Record (pro tern."), 49.
house, 97.

rebuilding, 185.
consumed by fire, 186.
repairs of, 203.
Cow lane, 116.

INDEX OF PLACES AXD SUBJECTS.

341

Cowkeepers, appointed, 8, 36, 81, 109, 132,
156, 171, 189, 210, 228, 248,
286, 295.
allowance, 316, 327.

Cryers, town, appointing, 318, 329.

Dassett's lane, 164.

Deer, law for the preservation of, informers
against breach of, 8, 36, 67, 81, 109, 132,
156, 172, 190, 210. 228, 247, 270, 286, 294.
Deer Island, lease of, 236-7.
Diseases, infectious and epidemical, 76, 220-

21, 234, 238.

to prevent spread of, 120.
nurses, physicians, etc.,

employed, 220.
necessaries provided, 220.
(See also Hospitals.)
Distilleries and distilling, 12, 100, 221, 238-9,

280.
Dock, the, land at, sale of, 237.

lease of, 1, 10, 155, 162,

163, 165, 213.
petition to erect shop on

137.
watch at (called Merchants'), 46,

51.

shops next, 86, 88, 90, 305-6.
head of, to be filled in, 94, 125, 309.
market (fish) at head of, 196.
Dock Square, 209, ai3, 215.

land at head of, 10.

and buildings on, 18.
encumbered by carts, etc., 214.
Dorchester, petition of town of, respecting
bridge over Neponset river,
223, 224.
repairs of, 223.
Drains, 96, 166.

(common sewer) , 90.
(See also under the several streets.)
Driving, fast, 313-14.
Duties on various articles. (See Tax.)

Emigration to the South, 181.

Engine, water. (See Fires.)

England, 181.

Essex county, 240, 281.

Estates. ( See Polls and Estates.)

(Also, Lands, buildings, etc.)
Europe, 12.
Excise. (See Tax.)
Excise BUI, or Act, 262, 275, 277.

(See also Tax.)

Falmouth, 240, 281.

Faneuil hall, 1, 17, 22, 26, 27, 41, 44, 48, 52,
54, 56, 58, 61, 62, 70, 72, 76,
87, 92, 96, 97, 102, 106, 114,
121, 124, 126, 127, 128, 130,
131, 143, 144, 148, 153, 154,
160, 166, 167, 168, 176, 185,
186 187, 194, 202, 204, 215,
224, 225, 236, 243, 244, 260,
263, 265, 266, 267, 272, 278,
279, 282, 288, 292, 304, 319.
portraits in, 261, 264.

Faneuil market, 1, 4, 17, 19, 20, 22, 50, 58, 60,
86, 88, 90, 94, lul, 110, 120,
124, 125, 137, 141, 155, 159,
182, 201, 209, 213, 214, 2^5,
227, i29, 235, 260, 271,297,
305, 316.

(See also Market.)

choice of clerk for, 4, 36, 68,

81, 142, 159, 172, 191, 2->9,

232, 235, 254, 286, 297, 298.

regulation of, 4, 5, 19, 20,

142, 144, 153, 159, 316-17,

belf aC 4, 69, 1P4, 317, 327-28.
proposition to close, 94, 114,

115, 132, 135, 140, 206, 208,

217, 224-5.

Faneuil market, lease of stalls in, 229, 317,

328.
Faneuil, Peter, proposition to erect arms of,

in Faneuil hall, 26, 36, 37.
Fees, 26.

Ferry way street (so called), 197, 202.
Fines and forfeitures, concerning, 1, 2, 27,
28, 46, 49, 63, 72, 77, 78, 79, 85, 97,
107, 120, 121, 126, 138, 148, 156, 197,
205, 211, 226, 231-2, 235, 244, 249, 251,
256, 267, 271, 273, 283, 287, 291, 293,
296, 297, 298, 299, 311, 312-14, 310-
19, 321-30.
not otherwise appropriated to go to the

poor, 318-19, 329.
Fire, water engines at South End, 26, 227,

230.

men, 1, 3, 230.

premium for services, 3, 26, 30.
buckets, 27.
town bouse consumed by (1711), 188.

again in 1747, 186.
of 1690, petition to be reimbursed for

house, 257.

concerning bonfires, order, 311, 322.
town order for preventing danger by,

310, 311, 321-22.
relative to conveyance of,

in streets, 311, 322.

Fire-wards, choice of, 83, 84, 86, 109, 133,158,
172, 188, 206, 207, 227, 247, 268-9, 284,
295.

Fish. (See Trade, Imports.)
Fisheries, 99, 236.

cod, decrease in, 12.
fish, sale of, 196.
(See also Trade.)
Flour. (See Breadstuffs.)
Foreigners or aliens, 127.
Fort hill, 101, 116, 142.

bowling green on, 1, 3, 5.

land on, belonging to town, 139,

342, 193, 200, '^73-4.
near, taken by town, 320.
Fortifications, 27, 39, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49,
77, 80, 82, 83, 88, 89, 91, 92, 95, 102, 103,
113,278.

For hill. (See Common, the.)
France, reference to war with, 98.

subjects of, to be imprisoned, 104,

105, 106.

privateers belonging to, 56.
incroachments of the French, 261,

262.

French war. (See France.)
Funerals, better regulating of, 120, 121.
Furs and skins. (See Trade, Imposts.)

Gaol (Jail), 104, 105.

Governor, the, 87, 98, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,

123, 127, 128, 129, 130.
(Lieut.-gov.), 301.
complaint against action of, 77, 79,

84, 87.
memorial to, concerning French

subjects, 106.
address to bo presented to, 261,

262-3, 264.
reply to, 264.
papers, etc., transmitted to agents,

265.

letter from, 121-22, 130.
address to, 260.

to Secretary Willard, 128,

129, 130.
to, 123.

portrait of, 260-1.

Grain, 11, 31, 75, 82, 111, 135, 137, 197, 209.
committee for purchasing, 11, 4U, 81,
111, 137, 157, 172, 190, 209, 229, -J48,
270, 287, 296.
price of, 11, 40, 68, 81, 111, 157, 209,

22H, 287, 296.
engrossment of, 117.

342

CITT DOCUMENT No. 170.

Granaries, 2, 10, 11, 26, 31, 40, 55, 62, 66, 68,
72,74,75,81, 82,. Ill, 137, 357, 159, 165,
169, 190, 191, 201, 209, 211, 229, 230,247,
248. 250, 270, 287, 296.

Grave-diggere. (See Sextons, and Bell-
ringers.)

Green lane, 1, 9.

Guards, order to the commanding officer to
return list of names-, 34.

Hanover street, 207, 258-.
Harbor, the, 43.

capture of French privateer in,

56.

soundingnear Castle Williarn,91.
Hatters. (See Tradesmen.)
Harvard College, taxes paid for, to be re-
mitted, 177.
Haverhill, 280.

distilleries, 221.

Haward (Hoy ward.) (See Cbwkeepers.)
Hawkins street, 37, 52.
Hay, market, I, 8, 125, 300.

weighing of, 8, 9,. 125, 126, 300r 317-18,

328-29.

engine for, 101, 194, 328.
at South end,

125,126.

to prevent engrossing, 301.
book of entries of, 126> 318.
Hemp wnrfFlax, surveyor of, 7, 35, 67, 81, 109,
132,156, 172, 190, 209, 227, 246,269, 284,
294.

Hogreeves. (See Swine, regulating of.
Hollis-street Church (Rev. Mr. Byles'). 37,
227, 230,288. (See also Meeting-houses.)
Horn alley, 90, 96.
Hospitals, proposition to turn private house

into, 76.

town to prevent such a step, 76.
(See aluo disease, infectious.)
House of Correction, proposition to purchase,
Jor a mad house, 77,
89. (See also Insane.)
whipping of slaves at,

319.

Hudson's Point, highway from, to mill
stream, 196-7, 202.

Idle and disorderly persons, influx of, 239-40.
India, East, and Turkey companies, 180-1.

(See also Corporations.)
Indian corn. ( See Breadstuff's.)
Indians, 97, 262.

Eastern, depredations of, 261.
Innholdcrs and retailers of strong drink, 220.
Insane, 198.

hospital for, to purchase Bridewell

for, 77, 89.

subscription to purchase honse for,
101. See also House of Correction.)
Ireland, great demand for rum in, 12.

Jamaica, (Island of.)

concerning supplies of rum at, 12.
Jerseys, the, 280.
Justices, 97, 104, 106, 121, 235, 256.

failing to pay in fines, to prosecute,
257.

King street, 150.

King's Chapel, 135, 136, 140, 143, 144, 151, 237,

242.

rebuilding of, 144. (See
also Nfeeting-houses or

Churches.)

Lands or buildings, town's, 98, 117, 136, 139,
142, 143, 155, 164, 166,
173, 180, 186, 187, 193-
4, 196-7, 200, 202, 208,
209, 217, 218, 224, 234,
235, 237, 242, 254, 258,
261, 2'. 3-4, 278, 299,
805, 315-16.

Lands or buildings, purchase of, 258, 264.
boundaries, 164, 203, 237,

252 258
at the dock, 1, 139, 162-3,

232, 305-6, 309.
on the Keck, 2, 11,63 66,
166, 279, 283, 289, 306.
In Green lane, 9.
at Fort hill, 1, 3, 5, 139,
142, 193, 200, 273-4, 278,
320.

the flats, 200.
leases of, 5, 17, 39, 63, 66,
139,140, 155,158, 162-3,
165,166, 174-5, 179,208,
213, 214, 218, 224, 232,
234, 236-7, 250, 259, 261,
305-6.
rents, 19, 31, 100, 135, 211,

258.
of cellars in Court

house, 186.

about and near Wheeler's
Pond, staked out, 234,

237.

head of Dock square, 10.
formerly at the North

market, 31.

land tendered town for
public street. 37, 45, 52.
South market, 39.
at South battery, 27, 31,

32, 33, 274.
North battery, 274.
encroachments on, 17, 27,

143.

encumbrance on, 113.
plan of, to be taken, 17, 52.
quit-rents for, 17, 27, 139,

140.
Dock square, 10, 18, 209,

213, '^14.
in vicinity of "Wueeier's

Pond, 18, 62, 65.
claims on, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26,32,217,219, 235,251-
2, 253, 254.
quit-claim, 300.
the Common, road adjoin-
ing, petition for, 257.
on Purchase street, 46, 51.
plans of all rights to, to
be hung up in Faneuil
hall, 17, 52.
marsh lands on Common, 63, 179, 208,

217-18.

boundaries, 218.
to improve, 63, 158.
lease of, li>*.

Fox hill (on Common), 77, 89, 90.
burial-place, boundaries (on Com-
mon), 152.
eastward of King's Chapel, 136, 143,

144, 145, 146, 147.
sale of, authorized, 136.
near Windmill point, 139, 142.
warehouses on, to improve, 139.
south end of town, 139.
land exchanged, 144-5, 146-7.
land and marsh on the Neck, 66, 158.

lease of, 158.
deeds of, 116,237, 264.
conveyance of, 145, 146.
cellar (in School street), lease of, 163.
House (town), built in 1657, 186.
•wooden shops north side of Faneuil
market, 86, 88, 90, 305.
open dock, nuisance, 305.
ofler of land, to straighten Pudding

lane, 88.

desired in exchange, 116.
desire to purchase, 116, 125, 136, 151,

320.
boundaries, 116.

INDEX OF PLACES AND SUBJECTS.

343

Lands or buildings : Owners —

Allen, James, b., 118, 1., 139.
Allen, Jeremiah (late), b.,
250.

Anstram, , whf., 125.

Atkins, Henry, et at., 1., 236.

Barrett, , 1., 9.

Bass, , 1., lie.

Heighten, James, b., 118.

Bell, , 1., 274.

Billings, , b., 117.

Bromfleld, Edward, b., 118.
Bulflnch, , h., 9.

Cheever, , whf., 103.

Clark, , whf., 103.

Clougb, , h., 208.

Craister, Capt. , h., 208.

Deblois, Gilbert and Lewis,

1. and h., 258.
Dolbeare, John (late), h.,

232, 237, 242.
Dupee, Isaac, 1., 254.
Dupee, John, b., 118.

Edmands, Capt. BenJ. (late),
1., 208.

Fitch, Col. Thomas (late),

b., 113.

heirs of, 1., 152, 218.
Furnaas, Jonathan (late),
1., 151, 164.

Gardner, Dr. Sylvester, h.,

76.

Gee, , 1., 197, 202.

Gibbs, , 1., 143.

Greene, Thomas, 1., 163.
Greenleaf, Samuel (heirs of),

1., 164.

Greenleaf, Stephen, 1., 111.
Griffins, , whf., 103.

Harvy, , 1., 116.

Hatch, Col. , 1., 90, 96.

Hill, , whf., 103.

Hubbard, Joseph, 1., 116,

143,278, whf., 103.
Hunt, Alexander, 1., 139,142,

193, 252, h., 200.
Hunt, John, b., 118.

Johnson, Henry, 1., 163.

Jones, , whf., 103.

Joyliff, , 1., 116.

Kneeland, Solomon, 1., 254.
Leverett, John, 1., 143.

Haddocks, , h., 250.

Marion, , whf., 103.

Norton, John, b., 118.
Koycs, Mrs. Katherine, b.,
118.

Oliver, Andrew, h., TO, 1.,

262, 264.

Oliver, Peter, 1., 46, 51.
Oxuard, Thomas, 1., 36.

Phillips, Gillam, 1., 88.

Sheaffe, , 1., 111.

Sigourney, 1., 274.

Tilden, Christopher, b., 118,
1., 252.

Walley, John, b., 118.
heirs of, 1., 254.

Lands or buildings : Owners —

Welles, , whf., 103.

Wells, Capt. , w. h., 37.

Wendell, Col. , whf., 91,

103, 1., 147.

Wheeler, William, 1., 143.
Winthrop, Adam, 1., 36.
Laws, decency, sobriety, etc., breach of, to

be punished, 318, 329.
Leather, 281.

sealers of, 7, 35, 40, 54, 67, 80, 87,
108, 132, 156, 170, 190, 210, 228,
248, 270, 285, 295.
nupply of, 239.
curriers, 99, 222, 252, 281.
tanners, 99, 141, 222, 252, 280, 281.
(See alao Tradesmen.)
Letters, 45, 47, 48.

reference to, from Christopher Kilby

and Eliakim Palmer, concerning

suit with Francis & Jones, 42, 44,

47.

to Christopher Kilby and executors

of Kliakim Palmer, 241.
to the agents (Kilby and Palmer),

56, 57.
to Agent Bollan, 265.

Gov. Shirley, 262-3.
from Gov. Shirley, 264.

Gov. Knowles, 122.
to Gov. Knowles, 118, 124.
from Alexander, Lord Colvill, 219.
from the Gov. to Sec. Willard, 128,

129, 130.
Limes, lemons, and oranges, tax on. (See

Tax.)
Linen Manufactory Company, 234, 235. (Set

also Corporations.)
Liquors, etc., excessive sale of, to prevent,

216, 219-20.

London, 12, 21, 26, 42, 184, 241, 265.
Long lane, 273.

Long wharf, 92. (See also Wharves.)
Lord's Day, 126, 144, 317.

concerning travel upon, 11.
preaching at the workhouse on,

150.

driving upon, 313.
Negroes and Indians abroad on,

315.

Lotteries, government, 72, 74, 75.
tickets, 72, 74, 319-20.
State, 279.
Boston, 300, 320.
Louisbourg, 124.

garrison at, 124.

address of congratulation to
Gov. Shirley on his arrival
from, 260-1.
Lynn street, 202.

Magna Charta, 85.

Manners, reformation of, consideration for

promoting, 288.
Manufactures. (See Trade.)
Marblehead, 100, 240, 280, 2*1.

fishing interests of, 12, 221.
Market, 3, 4.

at North end, 1, 4, 26, 31.

South end, 1, 4, 39.
Faneuil, 1, 4, 17, 19, 20, 22, 50, 68,
60, 62, 8fi, 88, 94, 101, 110,
114, 115, 120, 124, 125,
137, 141, 155, 159, 182,
201, 213, 214, 225, 227,
229, 235, 260, 271, 297,
305, 316-17, 327-28.
regulations, 4, 5, 19, 20,
142, 144, 153, 159, 316-17,
327-23.

to close, 94, 114, 115, 132,
135, 140, 206, 208, 224-5.
stalls in, to lease, 229, 317.
flail, 196.

344

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Market, hay, 1, 8, 300.

forestalling the, 96, 132,135, 140, 141.

142.

loan for purchase of cattle for, 141.
beef, bides, and tallow sold in, 141,

158-9.

regulating sale of bay and sand, 196.
water carriage to and from, 2J3.
clerks of the, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, 35,36, 40,
46, 48, 66, SO, 81, 87, 91, 110, 120,
133, 141, 142, 157, 159, 171-2, 181,
190, 191, 201, 20J, 214, 229-30, 232,
235, 248, 254, 260, 270, 271, 286, 294,
297, 298, 316-17, 327-28.
Maryland, 239, 280.

Massachusetts Bay, Colony (or Province) of,
98, 122, 129. 160, 180, 181 , 185,
203, 206, 217, 221, 222, 223,
238, 239, 240, 248, 261, 2rt2,
264, 266, 275, 277, 280, 281,
282, 292, 293, 296, 299, 301,
303, 305.
town-house (1657) used by,

186.
reference to old charter of,

206.
Medford, 100, 280.

distilleries, 221, 239.
Meeting-houses or churches, 37, 281, 313.

Old North, 37, 62, 65, 198, 208,

276.
Old South, 37, 62, 69, 73, 75,

198.

New South, 37, 64.
Hollis-street church, 37, 227,

230, 288.

Old brick church, 38, 62, 198.
New brick Church, 45, 49.
King's Chapel, 135, 136. 140,
143,144,151,
237. 242.
rebuilding of,

144.

on Brattle street, 164.
Christ church, 173.
Dr. 8e wall's. (See Old

South.)
Revs. W. Welsteed and Ellis

Gray. (See Old North.)
Mr. Byles'. (See Hollis-

street Church.)
Middle street, bridge in, 223.
Middlesex County, 240, 281, 283.
Middletown, distilleries, 239.
Milk street, 77, 90, 96.

common sewer in, 90.
Mill pond, 37.

stream, highway to, from Hudson's

Point, 196-7, 202.
Mills, 223.

Milton, bridge at, repairs of, 223-24.
Moon court street, 254.

Nantucket, 100, 240, 280, 281.

distilleries, 221, 239.
Navigation. (See Trade.)
Negroes and Mulattoes, 53, 315, 328, 329-30.
keeping hogs, to prevent, 62,

77, 91, 96-7.
whipping of offending, 319, 329-

30.

riotous, 127, 193.
idle, loitering in the street, 315,

326.
Neck, the, paving, 279, 300, 320.

mending, 2, 11, 300, 320.

lease of lands on, 63, 66, 166, 174-

5, 283, 289.
fortification on, 103.
causeways over, 223.
Neponsit (Neponset) river, bridge over, 213,

222,223. (See also Bridges.")
New Brick Church, 45, 49. (See also Meet,
ing-houses.)

New England, 238, 240, 262, 280.

New Hampshire, 85, 239. 280, 282, 292, 305.

New London, distilleries, 239.

New South Church, 37. (See alto Meeting.

bouses.)
New York, 84, 239, 280.

distillery at, 221, 239, 2SO.
Newbury, 100, 240, 280, 281.

ship-buildina at, 99, 221, 238.
distilleries, 221, 239.

of molasses, 238.
Newfoundland, 100, 280.

distilling trade with, 221.
Newhaven (New Haven), distilleries, 239.
Newport, 239.
Newspapers. (See Boston Weekly Post

Boy.)

North America. (See America, North.)
North Carolina, 239, 280.
North End, market at, 1, 26.

church at (New Brick), 49.
bells at, 124.

Norwich, distilleries, 239.
Nova Scotia, 280.

Oath, refusal to take, 214.

Oil, train. (See Trade, imports.)

Old Brick Church, 38, 62, 69, 198. (See also

Meeting-houses.)
Old North Church, 37, 62, 65, 198, 208, 276.

(*fealxo Meeting-bouses.)
Old South Church, 37, 62, 64, 65, 69, 73,75, 198.

(See. also Meeting-houses.)
Oliver's dock, 118, 163, 163, 166, 217, 219, 235,

251-2, 253-4.
filling up of, 165, 276.
bridge, 125. (See also Bridge.)
Oliver's lane, 116.
Orange street, 208.

Oration, Memorial, Peter Faneuil, 1, 2, 3, 14-
16.

entered on Records, 3.
Orders, town, 31, 125, 141-2, 310-30.

revision of all the, 174, 193,
206, 271, 289, 304, 309-19,
321-30.
penalties for breach of, 2u6.

297, 310-19, 321-30.
selectmen to determine upon

offences, 206.
for preventing danger by fire,

310,311,312,321-22.
concerning bonfires, etc., 311,

322.
brick or lime-kiln,

312, 323.

warning of inhabitants of town-
meetings, 55, 70, 124.
concerning the guards, 34.
law to execute, 45, 47, 49.
streets, digging or breaking

up, 312-14, 323.
concerning cbimnies, 290, 310,

312, 321-22.
sweepers, 310, 321-
22.

allowance, 310.
to be printed, 319.
regulating carts, etc., 312-14,

32:3-24, 325.

fast driving. 313-14, 324, 325.
concerning hucksters, 317, 328.
erecting buildings, 313.
throwing stones or snow-balls,
or other missiles, 313-14,315-
16, 324, 326.

concerning vaults, 313, 324.
sleigh-bells, 313, 324.
regulating swine, 313, 324.
keeping streets dean, 314, 315,

325-6.
nuisance on the Common, to

prevent, 315-16, 326.
cattle at large, 316, 326-27.

INDEX OF PLACES AND SUBJECTS.

Orders, town, concerning weighing of hay,

126, 126, 317-18, 328-29.
about scavengers, 140, 314,

315, 325-26.

regulating butchers, 141, 142.
Negroes and Indians (servants)

Idling in the streets, 315, 326.
Negroes and servants not to

purchase provisions, 174.
street refuse, 299, 303-4, 312,

314, 315.

constables, reelection of, 66.
keeping of hogs by negroes

and Indians, 97.
closing of Faneuil market, 114.
concerning funerals, 120, 121.
concerning millers. 248.
regulating the market, 4, 5, 19,

316, 317, 327-28.

clerks of market not to buy
provisions for others, 297,

317, 327.

concerning travel on the Lord's
Day, 11, 324.

concerning steelyards In mar-
ket, 317, 328.

concerning town criers, 318,329.

laws of decency, etc., breach
of, 318, 329.

public bathing, 318, 329.

concerning wells, cisterns, etc.,

318, 329.

owners held responsible for
misdemeanors of their slave*,

319, 329.

concerning trees on the Com-
mon, 315, and town lands, 326.
Ordnance, 32, 39, 42, 43, 66, 78, 83, 90, 91,
92, 95, 103.

Pensllvanla (Pennsylvania) , 239, 280.

Philadelphia, distilleries, 221, 239.

Pitch, tar, and turpentine. (See Trade, 1m-

ports.)

Pleasant street, 218.
Plymouth, 100, 240, 280, 281.

fishing interests of, 12.
distilleries, 221, 239.
Polls and estates, ratable, 13, 14, 100, 122,

210,279,280,302,303.
tax levied on, 19, 75, 151,
165, 177, 197, 203, 216,
242, 258, 274, 289, 307.
valuation of, 165, 258, 277,
279, 281, 282, 303. (See
also Taxes.)
Poor, 274.

appropriation for, 19, 50, 76, 101, 119,
151, 177, 197, 216, 222, 234, 237-8,
242, 258, 307.

fines to be used for, 97, 121.
Increase of, 100, 222.
purchase of wood for, 111.
tax, 239-40.
list of names of, annually exhibited by

overseers, 245, 246, 254. .} ^ ;7
charges of, 13, 281, 289, 302.
Overseers of, 89, 150, 151, 182, 197, 198,
205, 211, 225, 235, 245,
246, 251, 255, 273, 276,
290, 291, 296, 298. 308,
to send children to school,

50.

loans from, to poor, 297-8,

choice of, 3, 29, 64, 78, 108,

131,155,169,188-9,200,

205, 225, 245,283, 282-3,

293, 295.

accounts to be audited,
10, 19, 50, 54, 75, 76, 102,
110, 152, 158, 174, 194,
212, 225, 227, 251, 264,
276, 292, 297.
petition of, 77, 80.

Pork. (See Trade, Imports.)
Porters. (See Tradesmen.)
Portraits (in Faneuil hall.)

Gov. Shirley's, concerning, 260-1,

264.

Powder and ammunition, 39, 42, 43, 49, 78,
83, 90, 92, 95,
197.

examination of, 271 .
supply town with, 276.
house, 77, 83, 290.

(See also Common.)

Printing, advertising in the prints, 25, 123,
130, 140, 142, 179, 193,
214, 232, 300-1.
tickets, 55.
notice of sale of land, etc., 136, 237.

of street refuse, 140.
lease of lands (marsh) at
bottom of the Common,
179.
act " to prevent disorders

in the night," 193.
vote concerning taxes, 299.
weighing of hay, 300-1.
Property, lost, to be carried, when found, to

a given place, 73, 74.

Province, the. (See Massachusetts Bay, Col-
ony of.)
house, 264.
tax, 11, 13, 100. 185, 186, 187.

(Seealso Tax.)
treasurer, warrant from, 203.
Snow (vessel), 56.
(See also Ships, vessels, etc.)
Provisions, 13, 9d, 141, 142, 280, 316-17, 327-

28.
persons bringing to town, taxed,

20.
to prevent, incumbrance,

209, 317, 328.
exorbitant price of, 132, 13o, 140,

209, 213, 214.
loan to purchase, 141.
to supply Faneuil maiket wilb,

153, 159, 317.

apprisal of necessities of life, 214.
subscriptions to regulate price
of, 214-15.

(See also Trade, imports.)
clerk of the market forbidden to
buy for othur than his own
family, 297, 317, 327.
unwholesome, to prevent eale of,

316, 327.

Providence, 239, 280.
Pudding lane, 88.

1'ulliu point. (.See Chelsea, Township of.)
Purchase street, 48, 76.

exchange of land in, 46.

Queen street, 10, 258, 259, 261, 262.

school in, 10, 34, 65, 73, 94, 119,
149, 162, 177, 178, 179, 180, 196,
216, 234, 237, 259, 261, 274,275,
290-1, 292, 307, 309.
(See also Schools.)

Rates, collectors of, 70, 77, 79, 117, 155, 160,
169, 172, 177, 183, 191-
2,193,197,210-11,218,
226, 231, 230, 244, 249,
251, 267,271,273,286,
287, 296, 298.
choice of, 20, 21,29,69,
70, 71, 112, 114, 134,
138, 153, 154, 160, 165-
7, 8, 192, 204, 232, 243,
249, 298.

tax payers evade, 240.
assessed upon Bailors, to abate, 95, 112,

138, 151, 193.

unpaid, list of persons to be i»»ued, 9,
80, 33, 73.

346

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Records and papers, town, 186, 201.

entered on, 2, 3, 137, 142-3, 147, 169,
191,202, 219, 222, 230, 247, 252, 264,
270, 296.

book of, 11, 182, 211.
book of, hay, 126.

Registrar, County, choice of, 79, 189, 284.
Rents and incomes, 19, 197, 211, 212, 235, 251,

258, 273, 291, 296.
of cellars in court-house, 186.
quit-renu, 27,31, 139, 140.
Representatives, 58, 71, 74, 76, 93, 104, 115,
117, 119, 123, 127, 140, 148,
149, 185, 188, 194, 195, 196,
203, 206, 216, 241, 255, 256,
258,266, 273, 275, 278, 290,
291, 308.

petition to, 79, 87.
address to the, 12-14, 58-60,

277-8.

copy to each mem-
ber, 60, 278.

house of, 6, 38, 39, 43, 77, 79,
84, 86, 98, 102,
104, 180, 220,
223, 238, 279,
302.

clerk of the, 265.
speaker of, 97.
choice of, 16, 17, 45, 72, 93,
97-8, 115, 148, 153, 161,
176, 195, 215, 226, 255, 266,
272, 288-9, 304, 3C5.
salary of, 176, 195.

Rhode Island, 84, 239, 280, 282, 292, 305.
distilleries, 221,239, 280.
trade between, and Boston,

f reatly decreased, 222, 239,
80.

Ridge hill, 218.

Riots, concerning, 127, 129, 130.
Roxbury, 99.

Rum, trade in. (See Trade.)
Rye. (See Breadstuffs.)

Sailors. (See Ships, vessels, etc.)
Salaries allowed, Thomas Jackson, 4.

Peleg Wiswalt, 8, 18, 134-5,

178, 199, 212,242, 259, 274,

290,307.

Francis Wllloughby, 10, 31.
Zachariah Hicks, 116, 150,

178,199,213,243,259,274,

290, 307.
John Lovell, 18, 93, 134,

164,178,199,212,242,259,

274, 307.

Samuel Gibson, 18, 86, 174.
Abia Holbrook, 18, 65, 82,

178, 199, 212, 243, 259,
260, 274, 290, 307.

Abijnh Adams, 120, 164,

182, 201, 214, 260.
Robert Treat Paine, 178.
Samuel Holyoke, 178, 190,

212, 274, 290.

Samuel Holbrook, 178, 259.
Hon. Joseph Wadworth,

19, 52, 75, 101, 165, 183.
John Stanlford, 35, 50, 75,

101.
John Proctor, Jr., 65, 150,

179, 213, 259, 275, 291,
307.

John Fenno, 82-3, 111, 137,
159, 165, 169-70, 191, 211,
230, 247, 270, 287, 290.

Ellas Dupee, 193.

Nathl. Gardner, 199, 218,
243, 259, 275, 291, 307.

David Jeffries, 201, 216,
243, 260, 275, 291, 308.

Thomas Hancock, 241.

Isaac Dupee, 271, 297.

Salaries allowed, John Tileston, 298.
John Vinal, 307.
(See also Representatives,
Schools, Sextons, Fire,
men, the Watch, etc.)
Salem, 100, 240, 280, 281.

fishing interests of, 12.
distilleries, 221, 239.
Scavengers, 314, 315.

choice of, 8, 35, 67, 80, 108, 109,
140, 149, 157, 171-2, 209, 228,
248, 269, 285, 295.
School street, 145, 146, 147, 163.
Schools, 60, 147, 187-8, 197, 198, 199, 298.

South Grammar, 9, 34, 94, 119, 149,
162, 177, 196, 199,
208,210,256,276,
292, 307, 309.
master of, 1, 17, 18,
93, 134, 164, 199,
208, 212, i42, 259,
274, 290, 307.
usher of, 17, 18, 77,
174, 178, 199, 213,
243, 259, 275, 291,
307.

North Grammar, 10, 34, 73, 94, 119,

149, 162, 196, 216,

276, 292, 309.

master of, 1, 8, 17,

18, 134, 178, 199,

212, 242, 2o9, 274,
290, 307.

usher of, 1 , 62, 65.
writing, 46, 179, 180, 187, 196, 199,
231,233,237,243,298,307.
North, 10, 34, 94, 115, 119,

149, 162, 177, 196,
216, 266, 276, 292,
309.

master of, 1, 3, 4,
115, 149, 178, 199,

213, 243, 259, 274,
290, 307.

usher of, 65, 116,

150, 179, 213, 243,
259, 275, 291, 307.

South, 9, 17, 34, 94, 119,
149, 162, 177, 178,
199, 216, 256.
addition to, 233-4.
master of, 18, 62, 65,
77, 212, 23o-l, 233,
234, 260.
usher of, 199.
in Queen street, 9, 34, 65,
73, 94, 119,
149, 162, 177,
178, 179, 180,
196, 216, 234,
256.

master of, 178, 199,
212, 237,
259, 274,
275, 290,
307.

resignation of, 261.
appointment of new,

261.

on the Common, 48. 51,77,

82, 94, 119, 149, 178, 233,

243, 260, 274, 290, 307.

visitation of, 9, 27, 33, 34, 65, 66, 73,

89, 93, 94, 119, 120,

148, 161, 162, 176-7,

195, 196, 215-16, 231,

233, 243, 255, 250,

275-6, 291,292,308-9.

statistics, 9-10, 34, 94,

119, 149, 162, 176-7,

196, 197-8, 216, 266,

276, 292, 309.

permit to keep, desired, 26.
free, petition to keep, 60.

INDEX OP PLACES AND SUBJECTS.

347

Schools. Latin (school-house), 143, 144. 145,

147.

house on School street, 163.
books for the poor children, 162.
Ink, to supply, 231, 233, 234.
south Latin, 173.

expense to town, to consider, 187-8.
Sconce street, 51.

Seamen, impressing of, action of governor
and council in granting press •warrants,
77, 79, 84, 87.

Selectmen, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,74, 76, 78, 86, 88,
89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 100,
104, 106, 109, 113, 114, 115, 118,
119, 120, 123, 124, 125, 126, 132,
136, 1ST, 138, 140, 141, 145, 146,
147, 148, 149, 153, 156, 158, 159,
161, 162, 173, 175, 176, 177, 181,
186, 187, 191, 194, 195, 196, 197-8,
199, 202, 203, 208, 211, 213, 215,
216, 218, 224, 229, 230, 231-2, 234,
235, 236, 237, 241, 251, 255, 256,
259, 262, 263, 264, 265, 271, 272,
273, 274, 275, 276, 278, 281, 282,
287, 288, 290, 291, 292, 295, 298,
299, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 316,
318 327

choice of,' 2, 27, 28, 63, 78, 131,
154, 168, 188, 205, 225, 236, 244,
267, 282, 293.

more power to be vested in, 27.
letter from the governor to, 121,

122.

Sextons and Bellringers, petition 'of, 37, 38,
63,65.

(Sff also Bells, ringing of.)
allowance to, 37.
petition of grave-diggers, 45,
53, 62, 64, 65.
(See also Burial-places.)
Sherbnrne, 281.

Sheriffs. (See Suffolk County.)
Ship street, 276.
Shipping. (See Ships, etc.)
Ships, vessels, etc., 12, 53, 56, 99, 103, 122, 123,

124, 180, 217, 2:21, 238.
fire, 103.
building, 13, 57, 59, 99, 221, 238, 239,

280.

seamen, riotous, 127.
prize (French privateer) 56.
seamen, grants to impress, 77, 79,

84.

privateers, 56, 84.
merchant, 85, 99, 189. (See also

Trade.)
to sink, in the harbor aa protection,

78, 91, 92, 101?.
of war, 91, 92, 98-9, 127.
seamen, 238.

taxes of, to abate, 95, 112, 138.
shipwrights, 238, 311, 322.
twenty forty-ton vessels to be em-
ployed in fishing at Pullin's Point,
236-7.
Shipwrights, etc. (See Ships, vessels, etc.)

(Also Tradesmen.)
Shoemakers. (See Tradesmen.)
Small-pox, 221, 238.

(See also Disease, infectious.)
Snuff, tax on. (See Tax.)
South Carolina, 239, 280.
South end, 233, 234, 237.
market at, 1.
writing school at, 179.
engine at, 26.
burial-places at, 62, 137, 139, 262.

overcrowded, 257.
weighing of hay at, 125, 126.
land at, 139, 140.
pond at, 65.

Spanish West Indies, 57.
Spring lane, 164.
bt. Christopher's (West Indies), 24.

Still House square, 37, 52, 274.

not accepted as a public

way, 274.

Streets, paving, 1, 9, 26, 36, 39, 52, 77, 90, 96,
113, 164, 223, 250, 273, 274, 276,
279, 300.

alteration in Purchase street pro-
posed, 46.

tender of land for, 37, 45, 46, 51, 52.
refuse, 135, 140, 299, 303-4, 312, 314,

315, 323, 325-26.
repairs of, 223.

money for, voted, 202.
widening, 250, 258-9, 261-2.
encumbered, 305, 323.
fast driving through, 313, 314, 324,

325.

to be kept clean, 314, 325-26.
by-law concerning, 312-15, 323-26.

(See also the following :)
Anne, Atkinson, Beacon, Bromfleld'a
lane, Cow lane, Dassett's lane,
Dock square, Ferryway, Green
lane, Hanover, Hawkins, Horn
alley, King, Long lane, Lynn,
Middle, Milk, Moon court, Oliver's
lane, Orange, Pleasant, Pudding
lane, Purchase (late Harrison's
ropewalk), Queen, School, Sconce,
Spring lane, Still-House square,
Sudbury, Summer, Treamouni
(Tremont), Union, Water, Winter,
Wood lane.
Success (ship), vote of thanks to commander

of, 217, 219.

Sudbury street, 26, 37, 45, 52.

Suffolk County, 30, 68, 79, 85, 97, 106, 121,

126, 185, 186, 189, 223,252,

284, 292, 294, 298, 319, 330.

high sheriff of, 104, 105, 106,

town house (1657) used by,

186.

sheriffs of, 256.
bridge over Neponset river

to be the charge of, 223.
Sugar-houses. (See Trade.)
Suits: —

vs. James Everill's heirs, 23.
vs. Abraham Francis and Francis John
Jones, and Hannah, his wife, 18, 22,
23, 24, 25. 26, 42, 45, 47, 55, 56.
vs. Jacob Wendell, 32.
v». Edward Bromfield et al., 163, 165-6.
vs. Isaac Dupee et al., 252-3.
vs. Alexander Hunt, 278.
Andrew Oliver et al. vs. Town Assessors,

263,297,308.

John Lndgate et al. vs. Town, 241.
Summer street, 51.

Sureties, bonds to be given as, 69, 71, 74, 89,
138, 169, 173, 183, 202, 211, 231-2, 242,
249, 271, 298.
Swine, regulating of, 313.

choice of hogreeves, 35, 67,
109, 132, 157, 171,190,209,
228,247,269,285,295.
Swing bridge, 139.
(See also Bridge.)

Tallow. (See Beef, hides, and tallow.)
(See Trade, imports.)
chandlers. (See Tradesmen.)
Tanners. (See Leather.)
Tanyards, 99, 299.

Tax, Province, 11, 12, 185, 186, 187, 230.
county, 185, 230.
tea, 178, 180, 183, 184, 221, 241.
poll, 13, 19, 50, 75, 101, 104, 119, 151, 165,

177, 197, 203, 216, 24'2, 258, 274, 307.
estates, 19, 44, 46 43. 50, 75, 101, 104,
119, 151, 165, 177, 197, 203, 216, 242,
258, 274, 307.

on coaches, etc., 22, 30, 178, 180, 181,
183, 184.

348

CITY DOCUMENT No. 170.

Tar, on carts, for hay, 126.

excise, 260, 265, 275, 277.

china, 180, 183, 184, 241.

snuff, 180, 183, 184, 241.

arrack, 180, 183, 184, 241.

coffee, 178, 180, 183, 184, 221, 241.

on wines and spirits distilled, 260, 263,
275, 277.

limes, lemons, and oranges, 265.

on wells, cisterns, etc., 318, 320.
taxes, 11, 12, 13, 20, 40,44, 46, 48, 50, 57, 58,
59, 61, 75, 84, 89, 90, 96, 99, 100, 104,
151, 165, 174, 181, 197, 208, '211-12,
216, 226, 230, 234, 238, 239-40, 242,
243, 251, 254, 258. 273,275,277,280,
281, 283,286-7, 296, 302, 307, 308.
collectors of, 2, 9, 17, 19, 20, 21, 29, 33, 41,
44, 48, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,
77, 79, 88, 89, 94, 112, 114, 117, 134,
138, 151, 153, 154, 160, 166, 169, 172,
177, 183, 191, 192-3, 197, 204, 205, 210-

II, 218, 226, 231, 232, 235, 243-4, 249,
267, 271, 273, 287, 291, 296, 298.

allowance, 21, 33, 89, 114, 138, 155-6,
167-8, 172-3, 191-2, 210-11, 231, 271,
272, 286-7, 298.

books, 33, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 61, 62, 69,
70, 89, 114, 138, 173, 191, 231, 249, 271,
286, 287, 298.

not paid, list of persons to be issued,
9, 30, 33.

abatement of, 117, 137-8, 151, 174, 177,
183, 184, 193,200, 201, 208, 211, 230,
249, 251, 273, 287, 299, 302.

names and amounts assessed, 94.

rates of sailors, to abate, 95, 112, 138,
151.

levied at Deer Island, 237.

of perstns becoming bankrupt, 249,
271-2,273,287.

tax-payers evade rates, 240.

petition of Ebeiiezer Berry, 45, 50.
Tea, tax on. (Se<?Tax.)
Town, houses or lands belonging to. (See

Lands.)
House, 88.

or Court-house, 97.

(built 1657), consumed by fire

(1711), 1S6.
building of, 203.

criers. (See Criers, town.)

dock. (See Dock, the.)

meetings, 1, 4, 6, 16, 22, 26, 41 , 44, 48, 49,
54, 55, 56, 5«, 72, 76, 87,92,96,97,102,
106, 114, 115, 124, 126, 131, 143, 144,
148, 152, 153, 160, 161, 166, 167, 168,
176, 184, 187, 194, 202, 204, 215, 224,
225, 236, 243, 244, 255, 260, 261, 263,
264, 268, 267, 272, 278, 279, 282, 288,
292, 304, 319.

records. (See Records.)

present to, of arms, 68.

supply of wood for the, 111, 122, 123, 152.

to protect, 103, 104.

physicians, 198.

granary. (See Granaries.)

officers, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 20, 26,
27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35, 39, 44, 48, 54, 62,
63, 64, (.6, 67, 68, 75, 77, 79, 80, 83, 84,
85, 86, 87, 89, 100, 106, 107, 108, 109,
110, 113, 114, 123, 124, 128, 131, 132, 134,
136, 137, 138, 139, 154, 156-8, 159-60,
165, 166-8, 169, 170, 171-2, 187, 189,
189, 190, 191, 192, 203, 204, 205, 206,
207-8, 209-10, 211, 218, 224, 225-6,
227-9, 230, 232, 235, 236, '243-8, 249,
257, 260, 263, 207-70, 282, 283-7,
292-5.

committee to purchase grain, 40, 137,
157, 172, 190, 223, 248, 287, 296.

purchase of grain for, 11, 40, 68, 81,

III, 137.

tale of grain, 157, 172, 190, 209, 229,
248, 270.

Town, deed of Wheeler's Pond to, 232.

concerning appropriations for (taxes,
etc.), 1». 24, 27, 41, 43, 44, 46, 48, 50,
69, 75, 90, 151, 177, 216, 237-8.
sum to be raised, 225-6, 232-3, 237,

242.

expenses of, to reduce, 192, 197-8, 258.
wharf. (See Wharves.)
timber for, to purchase, 78, 83.
grant to purchase ordnance, etc., for,

78, 83.

to be supplied with powder, 276.
losses to, by sea, 100.
purchase of cattle for, 141.
disturbance, 127.

Townships, law for regulating, 147.
Trade, condition of, 12-14, 57, 84, 98-100,180,

181, 187, 221-22, 238-41, 280-1, 302.
interests, 12, 59, 180, 264.
commerce, 84, 180, 221, 238, 262, 281.
manufactures, 221, i.38, 239, 280.
imports, 239, 280.
in rum, 221, 239.
English goods, 239.

and European, 221.
butchers, 221-2, 239, 280-1.
with Connecticut and Rhode Island,

222, 280.

molasses, 238, 239, 280.
sugar and sugar-houses, 238, 239, 280.
foreign, 240.
Tradesmen —

bakers, 280, 281.
chandlers, tallow, 280.
coopers, 280, -281, 323.
curriers, 281.
hatters, 280.
leather-dressers, 281.
porters, 280.
ropemakers, 281, 322.
shipwrights, 281, 322.
shoemakers, 281.
stonecutters, 11.
sugar-bakers, 281.
tanners, 280-1.
truckmen, 280.

Training field, the. (See Common.)
Treamount (Tremont) street, 204.
Treasurer, county, 231.

choice of, 30, 64, 68, 110,
112, 134, 155, 169, 189,
231, 246, 268, 283, 294.

Trees, preservation of, on Common, 315, 326.
Truckage and cartage, 2, 11, 126.

town order about, 313-

14, 325.
truckmen. (See

Tradesmen.

Turkey Company. (See India, East, and
Turkey Company.)

Union street, 94.

Vaults, town orders concerning, 313, 324.
Virginia, 239, 280.
Votes, fraudulent, 147-8.

ballot-boxes, 212.

laws concerning, 27.

Wards or Precincts, 299, 314.

Watch at the dock (called Merchants'), 48,

51.

at dock head, 10.
men, 110, 111.

pay of, 117, 118.
Water street, 113, 116, 118, 125, 136, 151, 164,

166, 252, 299, 300.
Watertown, 100, 280.

distilleries, 221, 239.
Ways, surveyors of, 8, 36, 67, 81, 109, 132,

190, 229, 248, 270, 286, 295.
Ways —

Green lane, paving, 1, 9.
land in, 9.

INDEX OP PLACES AND SUBJECTS.

349

Ways —

on the Neck, 2, 11.

paving, 279.
Bock square, land, 10.
from Sudbury street, 26, 52.
Winter street, paving, 26, 36, 39.
land st South battery, encroachments,

27, 31, 32.
land laid out from Sudbury to Hawkins

street, 37, 45, 52.

Purchase street, alteration, 46, 51.
from Summer to Sconce street laid out,

51.

Still-house square, paring, 52, 274.
lower end of milk street, paving, 77, 90,

96.

Pudding lane, to straighten, 83.
Atkinson street, petition concerning, 112,

113.
Water street, nuisance, to remove, 113,

299,300.

encroachments, to pros-
ecute, 166.
incumbrance, to remove,

113.
land incorporated into.

164.

near Fort hill, to improve, 139.
at Windmill Point, encroachments to

prosecute, 143.

Queen street, to widen, 258, 259, 261, 262.
Long lane, paving, 273, 276.
near Ship street, paving, 276.
grant of land to King's Chapel, 146.
to be laid out between burial-place on
Common, and land owned by heirs of
Col. Fitch, 152.
Wood lane, paving, 177.
Hudson's Point, encroachment on, 196,

202.

Fort hill, encroachment, 200, 202.
Dock square, incumbrances, to remove,

214.
bridges and highways, causeways, etc.,

223.

Wheeler's Pond, near and about, en-
croachments, 234, 237.
Weekly News Letter, letter in, from the

Governor to Sec. Willard, 130.
Weights, measures, etc., 301, 317, 328.

weighing of hay, 8, 9, 101, 125, 300,

317, 328.

weigher of, choice of, 125.
sealer of, 301.
Wells, cisterns, etc., tax on. (See Tax on

wells, etc.)
West End, ringing of bells at, 138.

(See also Bells, ringing of.)
West Indies, 12, 24.
(See also Trade.)

Wharves, at Windmill Point, to build, 143.
at Dock square, proposition to

build, 10.

on town's land, to build, 143.
neglect to supply sealers of wood
at, 63.

Wharves, at lower end of King street, 150.

out wharves, to remove gap, 77, 88,

101.

town's, 125,

at South battery, 92, 101.
Long, 92, 103.
Anstruni's, 125.
Cheever's, 103.
Claik's, 103.
Griffin's, 103.
Hills, 103.
Hubbard's, 103.
Jones', 103.
Mai-ion's, 103.
Scarlet's 158.
Welles' 103.
Wendell's, 103.
and warehouses , erected on land

at South battery, 32.
at Scarlet's, to let stalls in fish

market, 158.

wharfage, dockage, etc., 309.
Wheat. (See Breadstuffs.)
Wheeler's Pond, 17, 18, 62, 65, 232, 234, 237,

242.

Whipping, at House of Correction, of offend-
ing slaves, 319, 329-30.
Whitehall, 22.

Windmill point, 139, 142, 143, 152.
Windward Islands, distilling at, 12. (See

also Trade.)
Winnisimet ferry, 200.
Winter street, 26, 36, 39.
Wood, transportation of, 11, 123.

purchase of, for the poor, 111.
Wood (building) viewers of, 6, 41, 68, 81,
108, 133, 156,
170-1, 191,
210, 227, 246,
257, 269, 2S5,
294.

old wharf, used in con-
structing battery, re-
moved, 42.
to be purchased for town,

78,83.
(cord), 13.

to prevent fraud in measur-
ing, 38, 45, 53.
sealers of, 53.

purchase of 111, 122, 123, 152.
supply from the east, 122, 123.
(hoops) fraud in, 86.
Wood lane, 177.
Worcester County, 240, 281.
Workhouse, 89, 150, 198.

better regulating of, 151.
accounts of, 10, 50, 54, 75, 102,
110, 152, 158, 174, 251, 273,
291, 296.

visitation of, 150.
punishments in, 150.
building of (1737), 250.

(See also Almsbouse.)
Writing, instruction in. (See Schools.)
York, 240, 281.

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