1877-03-05Commonwealth 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 the qualified voters
of said town, to meet at the Town Hall in said town on Monday the Fifth day of March next, at Nine
o'clock before noon for the following purposes, VIZ
1st To choose a Moderator and Town Clerk
2d To act on the Reports of the Several Boards of Town Officers
3d To choose Town Officers for the ensuing year, determining their number and fixing the
compensation thereof.
4th To act on the question of an appropriation for the expenses of Memorial Day, under the direction
of Post No. 89 of Mass. Grand Army of the Republic
5th To see if the town will construct a Receiving Tomb at the Cemetery at North Beverly, per
petition, of Henry Wilson and others
6th To see if the town will discontinue such portion of the town way known as Balch Street, as lies
northeasterly of a line which will be fifty feet Northerly from the Southerly line of said Street, per
petition of John Mitchell & others
7th To see if the town will extend the Water Pipe on Hull Street from its present terminus as far as
the Easterly part of the Dunn Estate per petition of Levi A. Dunn and others
8th To see if the town will extend the Water Pipe from a point on Elliott Street to the premises of
Joseph W. & Benjamin E. Smith, per their petition
9th To see if the town will dispose of all the Painters, Carpenters, and Mason's work, also the
services and care of the Street Water Pipes, and the superintendence of the same to the lowest
responsible bidder or bidders, per petition of Philip E. Ober and others.
10th To see if the town will take legal measures toward the establishment of an Insurance Office
wherein the citizens of the town may have their buildings insured against loss by fire. The surplus
proceeds of which to accrue to the benefit of the town, and to do any and all things necessary for the
carrying out and perfecting such Insurance Office - per petition of Philip E. Ober and others.
11th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and take such action in regard to Schools
and School Houses throughout the town as may be deemed expedient.
12th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations in regard to the
repairs and improvements of the Highways and Town Ways throughout the town as may be
determined upon.
13th 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 allowance 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.
14th 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 Second day of February in the Year Eighteen
Hundred and Seventy Seven.
Joseph Wilson Selectmen
Nathan H. Foster of
Henry W. Foster Beverly
Freeborn W. Cressy
Beverly Feby 26, 1877
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 each of the
several places in town as 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 Fifth day
of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Seven, at Nine o'clock before noon. The
meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, at the time appointed, and who also read the warrant
therefor - And it was -
Voted, by ballot, that Freeborn W. Cressy be Moderator
Prayer was then offered by Rev. D. P. Morgan
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 Beverly, by and
before the moderator.
Upon the 2d Article of the Warrant
Upon motion of Robert R. Endicott
Voted, that the Second article be laid upon the table until after the election of the remainder of the
Town Officers
Article 3d
Voted, by ballot, that John H. Young, Freeborn W. Cressy, Joseph Wilson, Henry W. Foster and
Nathan H. Foster be Selectmen
Voted to adjourn to half past one this P.M. at which time the voters again assembled
Voted, by ballot, that Charles L. Williams, Daniel Foster, George Millett, George A. Woodberry 2d
and John Bell be Assessors.
Voted, by ballot, that Thomas Pickett, Andrew K. Ober, and Isaac Appleton, be Overseers of the
Poor.
Voted that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to meet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Voted, by ballot, that Gardner Haskell be Chief of Police
Voted, that this meeting now adjourn till tomorrow Tuesday moming March 6th 1877 at Nine o'clock
A.M.
On Tuesday March 6th 1877 at Nine o'clock A.M. the meeting again assembled agreeably to
adjoumment- and it was
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 Joseph D. Tuck be Trustee of the Public Library for Five Years
On motion of Henry P. Woodberry
Voted that the election of Constables be postponed until after the remaining articles of the warrant
have been acted upon
On motion of Joseph E. Ober
Voted that the Selectmen act as Board of Health the ensuing year
On motion of John I. Baker as amended by William F. Daniels
Voted that the remaining officers (with the exception of Surveyor of Highways in Ward One) be
chosen by hand vote.
Voted by ballot, that Andrew Wallis be Surveyor of Highways in Ward One
A motion offered by Robert R. Endicott that the Selectmen act as Surveyor of Highways in
the remaining Wards was put to the meeting and lost as was also a motion by the same gentleman,
that a recess of fifteen minutes be taken to allow each ward to nominate its own Surveyor of
Highways.
The following Officers were then chosen by hand vote
Surveyor of Highways
Ward 2 Levi Cole
Ward 3 Issacher T. Eldredge
Ward 4 John T. Elliott
Ward 5 Charles Elliott
Ward 6 Chester Hobbs
Ward 7 Levi Woodberry 2d
Ward 8 John A. Moulton
Ward 9 John G. Brown
Ward 10 Eli C. Glines
Ward 11 Benjamin E. Smith
Ward 12 Joshua S. Dodge
Ward 13 Daniel McDonald
Fence Viewers, Andrew C. Bridges, David L. Foster, John G. Smith
Field Drivers
Ward 1 Charles L. Moulton
Ward 2 John Fisher
Ward 3 Jeremiah Minnehan
Ward 4 Henry Blanchard
Ward 5 George F. Corning
Ward 6 Chester Hobbs
Ward 7 Charles H. M. Dickinson
Ward 8 Daniel Foster 2d
Ward 9 John G. Brown
Ward 10 Charles W. Lord
Ward 11 Winthrop T. Porter
Ward 12 John G. Smith
Ward 13 David S. Ramsdell
Sealers of Leather
William P. Moses, William A. Teague
Inspector of Lime Philip E. Ober
Clerk of the Market William A. Teague
Pound Keeper Eli Bray
Surveyors of Lumber Robert Remmonds, Daniel Wallis, Henry B. Wallis, Joseph E. Ober, Hooper
A. Appleton, Andrew C. Bridges
Upon Article 4
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 Mass. Grand Army of the Republic.
Upon Article 5 Petition for tomb at N. Beverly
On motion of Joseph E. Ober
Voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to the Selectmen, to report thereon at the
adjournment of this meeting as to the probable cost, etc.
Upon Article 6 Discontinuance of portion of Balch St.
A motion to refer to Selectmen, was put to the meeting and lost
On motion of John D. Standley
Voted that the vote passed April 6th 1874, in reference to the discontinuance prayed for be
reconsidered
Voted that so much of Balch Street as is prayed for in the petition be discontinued.
Upon Article 7 Petition of L. A. Dunn & others
A motion that the prayer of the petition be granted, was put to the meeting and lost
Upon Article 8 petition of J. W. & B. E. Smith
A motion that the prayer of the petition be granted, was put to the meeting and lost.
Upon Article 9
A motion to indefinitely postpone the whole subject of the article was put to the meeting and lost.
A motion was made by Francis S. Lovett that the prayer of the petition be granted, a division of the
question was called for. When Ezra S. Foster moved to amend Mr. Lovett's motion so that the pay
for such labor should not exceed twenty cents per hour, which amendment was lost whereupon it was
Voted that all the Painters, Carpenters, and Mason's work be let out to the lowest responsible bidder
or bidders.
On motion of David L. Foster
Voted that the remainder of the subject matter of this article be referred to the Selectmen
Upon Article 10
Voted that the whole subject of this article be referred to a Committee of five persons, to consider
and report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting in April next.
The Chair appointed Gustavus Obear, John Pickett, John I. Baker, Augustus N. Clark, and
Frederic W. Choate as the Committee.
Voted to now adjourn to One o'clock this afternoon at this Place.
On Tuesday March 6th 1877 at One o'clock P.M. the meeting again assembled agreeably to
adjournment, and proceeded to business and it was
Upon Article 11 (schools)
Voted, that the sum of Seventeen Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars be appropriated for support and
ordinary expenses of Schools and School Houses throughout the town the current year.
Upon Article 12 (Highways)
Voted that the sum of Seven 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.
Voted that the sum of twenty cents per hour, be allowed and paid each man, for all labor performed
upon the highways the current year
A motion offered by Joseph E. Ober that fifteen cents per hour be allowed and paid for each horse
and cart for labor on the highways the current year was put to the meeting and lost - and
upon motion of John G. Drown, it was
Voted that the sum of twenty cents per hour, for each horse and cart, be allowed and paid for all
labor performed upon the highways the current year
Upon Article 13 - Money Grant
upon motion of John I. Baker
Voted that the sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand dollars, be raised and assessed upon the
polls and estates within the town for the purpose of defraying the debts of the town and for the
expenses of the current year, and that the same be appropriated to the different departments
according to the estimates of the Selectmen.
Upon motion of Joseph E. Ober
Voted that the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars be raised and assessed in addition to the amount
estimated by the Selectmen and appropriated and expended upon the Cemetery at Beverly Farms.
Upon Motion of John G. Drown
Voted that the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars be raised and assessed in addition to the
Estimate of the Selectmen to be expended upon the Cemetery at North Beverly.
A motion offered by William F. Davis - that the sum of Three hundred dollars, be raised for Hale
Street Cemetery, and also a motion offered by William A. Teague, that the sum of Two hundred
dollars, additional be raised for Hale Street Cemetery, was severally put to the meeting and lost.
When
Upon motion of Stephens Baker
Voted that the vote passed this day, whereby the town voted to raise the sum of One hundred and
fifty dollars, to be expended upon the cemetery at North Beverly - now be reconsidered.
A motion offered by Joseph E. Ober that the sum of Seventy five dollars be raised and expended
upon the cemetery at Beverly Farms - was put to the meeting and lost
A motion offered by Isaac Standley that an additional sum of Two hundred dollars be raised and
assessed and expended upon the cemeteries in town under the direction of the Selectmen, was put
to the meeting and lost.
On motion of John I. Baker
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 inhabitant 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 meeting of the Assessors, to determine upon
abatements. No discounts 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 say of November next, which
interest shall be added to and considered 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.
A motion offered by Charles Marshall, that so much of the vote last past, as related to allowing no
discount be now reconsidered was put to the meeting and lost
Voted That the Collector of Taxes receive There quarters of One Per Cent of all monies collected
by him, and paid into the Treasury of the town, which shall be in full compensation for his services.
A motion offered by Joseph Wilson, that the Salary of the Town Treasurer be Four hundred dollars
and also a motion that the salary of said Treasurer be Three hundred and fifty dollars were severally
put to the meeting and lost. - and it was
Voted that the salary of the Town Treasurer, be Three Hundred dollars the current year.
On motion of Israel F. Lee
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed not to grant any licenses under the present Liquor Law.
On motion of Charles L. Burnham
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to enforce the License Law and all other laws in regard to
the sale of Intoxicating Liquors.
On motion of J. N. Emery
Voted that the Selectmen be requested to appoint two Special Police Officers whose duty it shall be
to ferret out all violations of the Liquor Law, and prosecute the same to Judgement, and report to the
Selectmen.
On motion of Joseph W. Stocker as amended by F. Crowell
Voted that the further sum of One Thousand Dollars in addition to the amount already voted, be
raised and assessed and appropriated to defray the expenses of carrying out the vote last passed and
that the same be expended at the discretion of the Selectmen
A motion to amend this last vote by substituting Five Thousand dollars for One Thousand
was made by William F. Davis, and withdrawn by the mover.
A motion was offered by Joseph E. Ober. 1st. "That the Assessors when taking the annual valuation
shall make inspection of the uses of Wenham Water by the inhabitants, and shall assess the water
rates upon the annual tax bills and the Collector shall collect the same, and have the same rates for
collection as for tax collection" 2d. & the whole business of assessment of Water Rates be left with
the Assessors and other business attending that department be left with the Assessors. A division of
the motion was called for and the first part of the motion was adopted. - when upon
Motion of John I. Baker it was
Voted that the vote just passed whereby the first part of Mr. Ober's motion was adopted. Be now
reconsidered.
No vote was taken upon the 2d part of Mr. Ober's motion.
On motion of John I. Baker
Voted, that the whole subject of the inspection and collection of the water rates be committed to the
Selectmen and Assessors as a Joint Committee to report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting
in April.
On motion of Joseph E. Ober
Voted that the School Committee be requested to employ the Assessors at the time of taking the
valuation to ascertain the names and ages of all persons in town between the ages of 5 and 15 years.
On motion of Francis S. Lovett
Voted that, the Overseers of the Poor be instructed to enforce Chapter 70 of the Acts of 1875 in
regard to tramps.
On motion of Joseph Foster
Voted that, the Selectmen be instructed to buy Mrs. Young's part of the land upon which the Hose
House at Beverly Farms now stands at the same rate as the remainder of the land was purchased for
adding interest.
On motion of Daniel Foster 2d
Voted that all purchases for fuel, provisions, or supplies for the town, exceeding twenty dollars in
amount at any one time shall be put in competition and purchased of the lowest bidder.
Upon Article 14th - Jury List
The list of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen was read and amended by striking out the names
Andrew E. Cressy and Gardner Haskell, and inserting the names of William A. Friend and Charles
H. Wallis and as thus amended was accepted and will be found recorded on Pages 114 & 115 of this
book.
Voted by ballot, that Samuel G. Hooper, George T. Larcom, Stephen P. Elliott, Ezekiel F. Obear,
Benjamin F. Herrick, Gardner Haskell, William P. Moses, John G. Munsey, William Patterson &
Eli Bray be Constables.
Article 2 was then taken from the table and the Reports of the Auditor, Selectmen, School
Committee, Engineers of the Fire Department and Trustees of the Public Library were severally
presented to the meeting and accepted. No report from Overseers of the Poor.
Voted that the Selectmen be hereby authorized to represent the town in a suit commenced against
the town by William & Andrew Dodge.
A motion offered by William F. Davis, that the Selectmen be authorized to furnish Edgestones
wherever individuals will build a brick or concrete sidewalk at their own expense, was put to the
meeting and lost.
A motion offered by Richard J. Preston, that Twenty five thousand dollars be raised and assessed,
in addition to the amount raised this day, was put to the meeting and lost.
On motion of Edward L. Giddings
Voted that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, hereafter make an annual report of the condition
of the fund.
A motion offered by William H. Gwinn in regard to an alleged error on the settlement of taxes upon
the estate of Wm. E. Webber, was decided, by the chair, could not be entertained, under any article
of the warrant. - and was to put to the meeting.
Voted that when this meeting adjourn, it adjourn to Monday the Second day April at Two o'clock
afternoon.
Voted To now adjourn, and the Moderator declared the meeting adjourned to Monday the Second
day of April at Two o'clock afternoon.
A true record. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk
List of Jurors, as revised by the Selectmen February 20th 1877 and amended and accepted by the
town, at their Annual meeting held March 5th 1877 and by adjournment on the 6th day of said month.
Tristram Appleton
Joseph B. Appleton
Joseph H. Baker
Benjamin F. Bennett
Albert Brower
George P. Brown
Israel P. Brown
Andrew C. Bridges
Austin Burnham
Otis Burnham
Edward A. Burroughs
Joseph Caswell
William A. Cressy
Freeborn W. Cressy
Daniel E. Cross
Joshua W. Davis
Isaac F. Day
Jacob H. A. Defreace
John J. Dennis
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
Josiah Foster 2d
Jesse W. Foster
Joseph Foster
John E. Foster
John W. Foster
William L. Foster
Charles Friend
Seth Friend
William A. Friend
Ezra S. Foster
Augustus A. Galloupe
Samuel A. Gentlee
John Glidden
Benjamin Grant
Robert H. Grant
Patrick Guinevan
Benjamin Goldsbury
Frederic P. Haskell
Francis S. Herrick
Moses S. Herrick
Hugh Hill
Oliver C. Hinchliffe
Prince Howes
William B. Ingalls
Daniel A. Kilham
Joel Kimball
Israel F. Lee
Josiah C. Lee
Josiah R. Lee
John H. Lefavour
Charles T. Lovett
Hervey Lunt
Francis S. Lovett
Asa O. Marshall
Charles W. Marshall
John F. Masury
Daniel McDonald
Charles C. Meacom
George Millett
John E. Morgan
Elbridge Norwood
Samuel F. Obear
Edwin A. Obear
David Odell
William Odell
Nathan W. Patch
Samuel Patch
Varnum S. Pedrick
William Perry
John W. Pickett
George A. Pickett
Lawrence V. Poole
Jeremiah L. 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
Charles H. Wallis
Henry B. Wallis
Israel W. Wallis
Augustus Williams
Benjamin Webber
George A. Wood
Alfred R. Woodberry
Frank Woodberry
George A. Woodberry
George A. Woodberry 2d
Horace W. Woodberry
John H. Woodberry
Stephen A. Woodberry
John H. Watson
A true record Attest
James Hill, Town Clerk
Appropriations made at the Annual Meeting March 5th 1877
Schools
Overseers of the Poor
Assessors
Fire Department
Health Department
Highway Department
Essex Bridge
Interest
Town Officers
Water Works
Street Lights
Public Library
Town Hall
Police Station
Horse Hire
Bells & Clocks
Incidentals
Sinking Fund
Outstanding Orders
Balance due Treasurer
Deficiencies
Memorial Day
Extra Police
Expected Income
Corporation & Bank taxes
Water Rates of 1875 & 6 uncollected
Water Rates of 1877 Estimated
Uncollected taxes
$8,500.00
8,000.00
13,500.00
24,013.55
$54,013.55
Balance to provide for by taxation
$17,500.00
8,000.00
4,000.00
3,600.00
300.00
7,000.00
800.00
68,000.00
4,000.00
13,500.00
1,250.00
1,000.00
800.00
250.00
150.00
100.00
603.76
10,000.00
837.25
687.54
26,635.00
150.00
1,000.00
$170,163.55
$54,013.55
$116,150.00