1876-03-06Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss:
To one of the Constables of the Town of Beverly. Greeting.
You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth to notify and warn in the usual manner
the qualified voters of said town, to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the Sixth day of March next,
at Nine o'clock beforenoon, for the following purposes, viz:
1st To choose a Moderator and Town Clerk.
2d To act upon the Reports of the several Boards of Town Officers.
3d To choose town officers for the ensuing year, determining the number, and fixing the
compensation thereof.
4th To see if the town will, upon the application of Andrew K. Ober, reconsider its action, of October
5, 1875, refusing to lay out a town way in said town, upon the Report of the Selectmen, extending
from Cross and East Lothrop Streets to Essex Street, near the Gloucester Branch Railroad; and, then
to decide upon the acceptance of said Report and laying out said town way. Also, to decide as to
laying the water pipes to the lands of said Ober.
5th To see if the town will cause a Street Light to be erected and maintained at the corner of Rantoul
and Federal Streets, per petition of C. A. Lawrence & others.
6th To see of the town will appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the celebration of the
Fourth of July 1876, this centennial year per petition of Warren Woodberry and others.
7th To decide as to an appropriation for Memorial Day, upon application of Post No. 89 of the Grand
Army.
8th To take action upon the application of the City of Salem to the Supreme Judicial Court, for
appointment of Commissioners, to determine as to the compensation for water under Section 15 of
Chapter 268 of the Acts of 1864.
9th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations in regard to
Schools and School Houses, throughout the town as may be deemed expedient.
10th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulation in regard to the
repairs and improvement of highways and Town ways throughout the town, as the town may deem
best.
11th To grant such sums of money, to be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates within the
town, and for the expenses of the current year, as maybe deemed expedient, and make all necessary
regulations and allowances respecting the same. Also, to authorize the Town Treasurer, to borrow
on the credit of the town, such sums of money as may be necessary from time to time, to meet the
liabilities of the town, and to provide State Aid for the families of Volunteers.
12th To see if the Town will accept the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen.
Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, before said
time.
Given under our hands and seal this Twenty Fourth day of February in the
Year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Six
John I. Baker
Joseph L. Wilson Selectmen
J. H. Young of
Freeborn W. Cressy Beverly
Beverly, February 27 A.D. 1876. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I have notified the persons
therein named as therein directed by posting notifications, stating the time, place and objects of said
meeting at the several places required by the Town Regulations.
William P. Moses, Constable of Beverly
A true copy of the original warrant and return thereon. Attest James Hill, Town Clerk
At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the Town of Beverly, held in pursuance of the warrant
recorded on the two next preceding pages, at the Town Hall in said town on Monday the Sixth day
of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Six at Nine o'clock beforenoon. The meeting
was called to order by the Clerk, at the time appointed, and who also read the warrant therefor and
it was.
Voted by ballot, that Freeborn W. Cressy be Moderator.
Voted by ballot, that James Hill be Town Clerk.
Then in open town meeting immediately after the Election of Town Clerk James Hill
abovementioned, was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties as Town Clerk of the town of
Beverly, by and before the Moderator.
Upon Article 2. Reports of Town Officers.
Voted That the Report of the Auditor be accepted.
The Report of the Selectmen was read, and
On motion of Joseph L. Thissell
Voted That the further consideration of the Selectmen's Report be postponed until the adjournment.
The Reports of the Overseers of the Poor, Board of Health, Trustees of the Public Library, Engineers
of the Fire Department and the Report of the Water Committee on the case of H. A. Merrill were
severally read and accepted.
The Report of the Investigating Committee appointed April 5, 1875 was read and it was
Voted That the further consideration of the report be deferred until after the election of the remainder
of the town officers.
Upon Article 3. Election of Town Officers.
Voted that the Board of Selectmen consist of five person.
Voted by ballot, that Freeborn W. Cressy, John H. Young, Joseph Wilson, Nathan H. Foster and
Henry W. Foster be Selectmen.
Voted that this meeting now adjourn to meet at this place at Two o'clock this afternoon.
At Two o'clock P.M. March 6th 1876 the voters again assembled agreeably to adjournment, and it
Was
Voted that the Board of Assessors consist of five persons.
Voted that the Board of Overseers of the Poor, consist of three persons.
Voted by ballot, that Thomas Pickett, Charles L. Moulton and George H. Southwick be Overseers
of the Poor.
Voted that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to tomorrow, Tuesday morning March 7th 1876,
at Nine o'clock.
Voted by ballot, that William P. Moses be Chief of Police
Voted that this meeting now adjourn to tomorrow, Tuesday morning March 7th 1876, at Nine
o'clock.
On Tuesday March 7th 1876, at Nine o'clock A.M. the voters again assembled, and were called to
order by the Moderator, and proceeded with the business of the meeting.
Voted by ballot, that William C. Boyden, Ephraim A. Edwards and Edward L. Giddings be School
Committee for Three Years.
Voted by ballot, that Ezekiel F. Obear be Collector of Taxes.
Voted by ballot, that Robert G. Bennett be Town Treasurer.
Voted by ballot, that Franklin Leach be Trustee of the Public Library for Five years.
Voted by ballot, that William P. Moses, Ezekiel F. Obear, George F. Larcom, Isaac Standley,
William Patterson, Eli Bray, Eleazer Giles, Samuel G. Hooper, John G. Munsey be Constables.
Voted that no Board of Health be chosen.
Voted that the remaining officers be chosen by hand vote and the following officers were thus
chosen.
Fence Viewers. Jacob H. A. Defreace, Isaac Standley, & Francis S. Lovett.
A motion to elect the Surveyor of Ward One by ballot, was put to the meeting and lost.
A motion to reconsider the vote whereby the meeting refused to elect the Surveyor of Ward One by
ballot, was put to the meeting and lost.
Voted that the town will not choose any Highway Surveyors the present year.
Voted that the Selectmen act as Surveyors of Highways the ensuing year.
Voted that this meeting now adjourn til this Tuesday afternoon March 7th at One o'clock.
At One o'clock Tuesday afternoon, March 7th 1876, the voters again assembled and proceeded with
the business of the meeting.
The following officers were then elected by hand vote.
Field Drivers
Ward 1 William Callely, Jesse R. Dame
Ward 2 Alonzo Goodhue
Ward 3 Stephen Eldredge
Ward 4 Edwin L. May
Ward 5 Henry E. Dodge, Asa J. Osborne
Ward 6 Hiram Preston
Ward 7 Daniel Foster 2d
Ward 8 John G. Murray
Ward 9 Samuel Day
Ward 10 Charles Dickinson
Ward 11 William Carter
Ward 12 John G. Smith
Ward 13 David S. Ramsdell
the meeting having voted to elect an additional one in Ward 5
Sealers of Leather George F. Standley, Joseph F. Appleton
Inspector of Lime Samuel F. Obear
Clerk of the Market Charles Moulton
Pound Keeper Eli Bray
Surveyors of Lumber Hiram Doane, Joseph E. Obear, John S. Ober, Richard A. Woodberry, Daniel
Wallis, Hooper A. Appleton.
A motion was offered by Joseph Thissell, "That the pay of all Town Officers and School Teachers
be cut down thirty three and a third per cent."
This motion was divided and it was
Voted That the pay of all Town Officers be cut down Thirty Three and one third per cent.
A motion to indefinitely postpone so much of Mr. Thissell's motion as regards School Teachers was
put to the meeting and lost.
On motion of David L. Foster
Voted that the motion of Mr. Thissell as far as it regards School Teachers be amended by striking
out the words "Thirty Three and one third per cent" and inserting the words Ten per cent."
Voted That the pay of all School Teachers be cut down Ten per cent.
320 to 182.
On Motion of David L. Foster
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to abolish the Night Watch.
A motion to reconsider the last vote was put to the meeting and lost.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to dispense with Evening Police.
Upon Article 4. A K Ober petition.
A motion "to reconsider the vote passed October 5, 1875 whereby the town refused to lay out a town
way in said town, upon the Report of the Selectmen, Extending from Cross and East Lothrop Streets
to Essex Street near the Gloucester Branch Railroad" was put to the meeting and lost.
A motion to refer so much of said article as regards laying Water Pipes to the Selectmen, was put
to the meeting and lost.
Voted the whole subject of this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 5. Petition for Street Light corner of Federal & Rantoul Sts.
Voted that the whole subject of this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Voted
Upon Article 6 Appropriation for July 4, 1876
On motion of Joseph Thissell
that the whole subject of this Article be indefinitely postpone.
Upon Article 7. Memorial Day.
A motion offered by Joseph Thissell that the subject of this Article be indefinitely postponed was
put to the meeting and lost - and it was
Voted that the sum of One Hundred and Fifty dollars be appropriated for the expenses of Memorial
Day, to be expended under the direction of Post No. 89 of the Grand Army.
The Report of the Investigating Committee, was taken from the table and accepted.
Upon Article 8. Water Question
Voted That the whole subject of this article be referred to the Selectmen, with full authority to act
in the premises.
Upon Article 9. Schools
On motion of Francis S. Lovett.
Voted that the Central Grammar School be abolished 319 to 196.
A motion offered by Edwin Foster to refer the motion to the Selectmen to report at the next
Annual Meeting having been previously put to the meeting and lost as was also a motion of C. H.
Odell to take the question on Mr. Lovett's motion by Yeas & Nays.
A motion for reconsideration of the vote just past, abolishing the Central Grammar School, was put
to the meeting and lost. A motion to lay the motion of reconsideration on the table having been first
put to the meeting and lost.
John S. Ober moved "to transfer the Teachers of the Central Grammar School to the South School,"
when Jeremiah L. Porter moved "That Mr. Ober's motion be referred to the School Committee."
Mr. Porter's motion was put to the meeting and lost. When Mr. Ober's motion was also put to the
meeting and lost.
William R. Gordon moved, "That the School Committee be instructed to employ male teachers in
each of the three principal schools in town, and that they have supervision of the school in their
respective buildings."
A motion to amend Mr. Gordon's motion by striking out the words "of the three principal" - and
inserting the word "all" was put to the meeting and lost. As was also a motion for the indefinite
postponement of the subject of Mr. Gordon's motion. Mr. Gordon's motion was then put to the
meeting and lost.
On motion of John I. Baker
Voted that the vote whereby the Central Grammar School was abolished, shall not take effect until
the close of the School year in June next. (306 to 187)
A motion made by David L. Foster, that the School Committee be instructed to employ a Music
Teacher, was put to the meeting and lost. A reconsideration of the last vote was moved by William
H. Perry, which was also put to the meeting and lost.
On motion of John I. Baker
Voted that the sum of Seventeen Thousand Dollars be appropriated for the ordinary expenses of
Schools and School Houses throughout the town the current year.
A motion offered by C. H. Odell, "that the subject of School Appropriations be referred to the School
Committee to report thereon at the adjournment," having been withdrawn by the mover. - And a
motion offered by J. D. Tuck to raise the sum of Eighteen Thousand dollars having been put to the
meeting and lost.
Upon Article 10. Highways
Voted that the sum of Five Thousand Dollars be appropriated for the ordinary repairs of the
highways and town ways, throughout the town the current year, and for the snow bills of the past
winter.
Mr. Horrigan moved that the pay of labor on the highways for the current year, be twenty five cents
per hour, which motion was put to the meeting and lost. And it was then
Voted that the sum of Twenty cents per hour, for each man, and twenty cents per hour for each
horse, be allowed and paid for all labor performed upon the highways the current year.
Upon Article 11. Money Grant
On motion of Isaac Standley
Voted that the salary of the Superintendent of the Water Works be one thousand Dollars the current
year, and that he shall find his own team.
Voted that no policy of Insurance on any of the public property of the town expiring during the
present year shall be renewed.
Several motions for raising money were made, J. E. Ober moving $500,000, another person moving
$200,000, John S. Ober moving $140,000, R. R. Endicott moving $120,000 & $115,000, and H. P.
Woodberry moving $110,000, all of which motions were severally put to the meeting and lost. When
Upon motion of Joseph Wilson
Voted that the sum of One Hundred and Five Thousand Dollars be raised and assessed upon the
polls and estates within the town for the purposes of defraying the debts of the town and for the
expenses of the current year.
Voted that, the Town Treasurer be hereby authorized to borrow on the credit of the town, upon
notes, bonds or certificates of debt, approved by the Selectmen, such sums of money, from time to
time, as may be necessary to meet the liabilities of the town, and to provide State Aid for the families
of Volunteers.
Voted that, the Collector of Taxes, deliver or cause to be delivered at the last and usual place of
abode of each inhabitant of the town, who may be taxed, or to such inhabitants in person, as soon
as practicable after the taxes have been assessed, a list of the taxes assessed upon such person,
accompanying which list shall be a notice of the time and place where the Collector will be present
to receive the taxes, and, also a notice of the meetings of the Assessors, to determine upon
abatements. No discount shall be allowed on any taxes paid, and interest at the rate of One per cent
a month shall be charged upon all taxes not paid on or before the first day on November next, which
interest shall be added to, and considered a part of said taxes, and that so far as practicable, the
Collector shall on the first day of January next, put in suit all taxes then due and unpaid,
commencing with the highest and so on to the lowest tax.
On motion of Henry E. Dodge
Voted "that the Janitor Ship of the Town Hall, School Houses and Town Buildings be set up at
auction to the lowest bidder."
On motion of John I. Baker
Voted that, the vote whereby the Report of the Selectmen was deferred to the adjournment, be now
reconsidered.
On motion of Charles L. Dodge
Voted, that, the Old High School building be used by the Beverly Light Infantry as an Armory.
A motion to refer the matter of the use of the Old High School Building to the Engineers and
Selectmen having been put to the meeting and lost.
Voted that the Report of the Selectmen be now accepted.
On motion of Stephens Baker
Voted that a Committee of five persons be chosen to examine the several departments and Boards
of Officers, with a view to the lessening our town expenses, and report at the adjournment of this
meeting.
Voted that the Selectmen constitute that Committee.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to enforce the Liquor Law and all other laws.
Voted that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the Third
day of April next at One o'clock in the afternoon.
Article 12 Jury List
The List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen, was presented and read, and a motion to recommit
the same having been put to the meeting and lost - the list was amended by striking out the names
of Charles A. Lawrence and Benjamin Larcom Jr. and inserting the names of Albert Brower and
Charles C. Meacom, and as thus amended was accepted by the meeting.
Joseph B. Appleton
Joseph H. Baker
Benjamin F. Bennett
Albert Brower
George P. Brown
Israel P. Brown
Robert Brown
Austin Burnham
Otis Burnham
Edward A. Burroughs
Joseph L. Caswell
Andrew E. Cressy
Freeborn W. Cressy
William A. Cressy
Daniel E. Cross
Joshua W. Davis
Isaac F. Day
Jacob H. A. Defreace
John J. Dennis
Andrew Dodge
Benjamin B. Dodge
Benjamin N. Dodge
Jonathan Dodge
Joshua S. Dodge
Ephraim A. Edwards
Henry O. Edwards
Benjamin W. Eldredge
Stephen Eldredge
Charles Elliott
John K. Fielder
Elbridge Fiske
Ezra Foster
Horace Foster
Jesse W. Foster
John E. Foster
John W. Foster
Joseph Foster
William L. Foster
Charles Friend
Seth Friend
Augustus A. Galloupe
Samuel A. Gentlee
John Glidden
Benjamin Grant
Robert H. Grant
Patrick Guinevan
David T. Hanners
Frederic P. Haskell
Gardner Haskell
Francis S. Herrick
Moses S. Herrick
Hugh Hill
Josiah T. Hitchings
Oliver C. Hinchliffe
Jonathan O. Holden
Prince Howes
Daniel A. Kilham
Joel Kimball
Israel F. Lee
Josiah C. Lee
Josiah R. Lee
John H. Lefavour
Charles T. Lovett
Hervey Lunt
Asa O. Marshall
Charles W. Marshall
John F. Masury
Charles C. Meacom
George Millett
John A. Moulton
John E. Morgan
John G. Munsey
Elbridge Norwood
Samuel F. Obear
Edwin A. Obear
David Odell
William Odell
Asa J. Osborne
Charles H. Patch
Nathan W. Patch
William Perry
John W. Pickett
Lawrence V. Poole
Jeremiah L. Porter
Samuel Porter
Winthrop T. Porter
Benjamin Preston, Jr.
Henry B. Pousland
John E. Quiner
Stephen W. Roberts
Benjamin E. Smith
Daniel C. Smith
Edward Smith
George L. Smith
George A. Standley
George F. Standley
Dewing Southwick
Francis L. Spiller
Samuel H. Stone
Charles H. Stocker
Timothy Sullivan
Richard Symmes
Charles H. Symonds
George H. Thissell
Albert Wallis
Calvin Wallis
Henry B. Wallis
Israel W. Wallis
Augustus Williams
Benjamin Webber
George A. Wood
Alfred R. Woodberry
Frank Woodberry
George A. Woodberry 2d
Horace W. Woodberry
John H. Woodberry
Mark A. Woodberry
John H. Watson
Voted that this meeting now adjourn, to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the Third day April A.D.
1876 at One o'clock in the afternoon.
A true Record
Attest
James Hill
Town Clerk