1775-05-29th
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Beverly on May 29 1775 the Selectmen set as
regulators of said meeting as the law directs in the choice of Representatives. Capt. Josiah Batchelder
Jr. was elected and deputed to represent them in a Provincial Congress to be held at the meeting
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house in Watertown on the 31 day of May instant and to be continued by adjournment as they shall
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seek laws until the expiration of six months from their being first convened on the 31 of this instant
May and no longer and to consult, deliberate and resolve upon such further measures as under God
shall be effectual to save this people from impending ruin and to secure those inestimable liberties
derived to us from our ancestors and which is our duty to preserve for posterity.
Also voted the following instructions to their representative viz
To Capt. Josiah Batchelder Jr.. Sir, whereas the Town of Beverly hath to stay chosen you
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to represent them at a Provincial Congress to be holden at Watertown on the 31 of May instant and
as said Town always hold it their privilege to give instructions to our deputies we proceed as follows.
Namely, in the first place that you will in all things agitated in said Congress conform yourself
agreeable to the Charter and Laws of this Province so far as shall be agreeable to the Resolves of the
Continental Congress and also that the said debate shall lay before the Congress the situation of the
Town of Beverly that we are exposed to the enemy on our borders as we lie on the sea, a great
number of our men are enlisted in the Army. We desire you would endeavor by the utmost of your
powers in the Congress that we might have a number of soldiers to guard us in this Town as said
Congress in their wisdom shall think fit and also We desire that if anything should occur in Providence
extradinary and come to your knowledge you would endeavor of it as soon as possible.
Capt. Nicholas Thorndike was chosen Moderator for the remaining business of said meeting.
Voted that the sum of two hundred sixty pounds be assessed and raised on the ratable polls and
estates within this Town to defray the growing necessary charges arising within the same
Mr. William Hazeltine was chosen and accepted to serve as Constable in the room of Capt. William
Morgan and Capt. Ebenezer Ellinwood and for to go for their turns.
Voted that the report of the Committee about the Town’s privilege at Mingo’s Beach be dismissed.
It was put to vote to see if the Town will give Mr. James Obear and others any satisfaction
for the way laid out to Obear’s Cove and it passed in the negative and vote said petition be dismissed.
Voted that the Petition of Capt. George Raymond and others relative to the towns building a house
for the reception of the poor of said Town be dismissed.
Voted that Mr. Peter Pride be Surveyor of the Highways in ward No. 2 in room of David Larcom
deceased.
Voted that the watch that is kept in the nighttime in this Town be for the future appointed, regulated
and kept as the law of this Province directs the military watch shall be kept and under the pains and
penalty that the law provide in that case.
Voted that there shall be four watches kept in this Town and four men in each watch. Extraordinary
cases accepted and a watch house built in the center of each watch.
Voted that each person shall have twenty-four hours warning given before he goes on said watch.
Voted that the Chief Military Officers of this Town apply to the neighboring towns to see if they will
assist us in watching and regulate the same accordingly.