1879-03-03Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss:
To one of the Constables of the Town of Beverly. Greeting.
You are hereby required in the name of the 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 Third day of
March next at Nine o'clock in the forenoon 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. Each board of officers to be voted for ballots deposited in separate boxes.
The polls will be opened at One o'clock P.M. and close at four o'clock P.M. unless otherwise
ordered by the meeting.
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 authorize the Selectmen to apply for a division of a lot of land at the
Junction of Hale and West Streets owned by the Town in common with other parties
6th To see if the Town will confirm the sale by the Selectmen of a lot of land adjoining the Farms
Cemetery.
7th To see if the town will purchase a bell and place it in the tower of the Washington Hose House,
to be used for fire alarms - per petition of Joshua S. Dodge and others.
8th To see if the Town will refund money paid by Seth D. Allen for taxes in the years 1876 and 1877.
9th To see what action the town will take in relation to compensation to the City of Salem for Water
after the Expiration of the present award of the Commissioners.
10th To see if the town will appropriate money for the completion of Broadway.
11th To see if the town will appropriate money for building River Street as ordered by the County
Commissioners.
12th To see if the town will purchase a new hearse and appropriate money therefor.
13th To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to complete the extension of Abbott Street from
Lothrop Street to the beach. - per petition of Jesse W. Foster and others.
14th To see what disposition the town will make of the Dog Tax.
15th To adopt such measurers, grant such sums of money, and take such action in regard to Schools
and School Houses throughout the town as may be deemed expedient.
16th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make regulations in regard to repairs
and improvements of the Highways throughout the Town.
17th To grant such sums of money to be raised and assessed upon the Polls and Estates within the
town, for the expenses of the current year, as may be 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.
18th To see if the Town will provide a street light at the corner of Dane and Essex Streets per petition
of Isaac Appleton.
19th To see if the Town will accept the Jury list, as revised by the Selectmen.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of the warrant with your doings thereon before the time of said
meeting. Given under our hands and seal the twenty first day of February in the year One thousand
Eight hundred and seventy nine.
Joseph Wilson
H. W. Foster
Freeborn W. Cressy
Selectmen of Beverly
Essex ss. Beverly, Mass, February 22d 1879. Pursuant to the within warrant I this day notified the
qualified voters in said Beverly by posting a like copy of the within warrant in the several places in
said Beverly according to the law as within directed.
Gardner Haskell, Constable of Beverly
A tree copy of the original warrant and return thereon, attest James Hill, Town Clerk.
At a legal meeting of the qualified votes of the Town of Beverly, held at the Town Hall in said Town
in pursuance of the warrant recorded on the two next preceding pages, on Monday the Third day of
March in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Nine and by adjournment on Tuesday the Fourth
day of said month. The meeting was called to order at the time appointed, by the Town Clerk who
read the warrant therefor - and it was
Voted by ballot, that Freeborn W. Cressy by Moderator.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. J. N. Emery
Voted by ballot that James Hill be Town Clerk
Then in open town meeting immediately after the election of Town Clerk, James Hill abovenamed
was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties as Town Clerk of Beverly by and before the
Moderator.
Voted to lay the Reports of the several boards of Town officers on the table.
On motion of William W. Hinkley
Voted that all the officers to be chosen by ballot be voted for on one piece of paper and that the polls
be kept open till 1/2 past 5 o'clock
A motion that the Board of Assessors consist of Five Persons, was lost.
On motion of Charles C. Foster
Voted that the Board of Selectmen consist of three persons.
A motion by Wm. W. Hinkley that the Board of Selectmen consist of Five, was lost
At 30 minutes past 5 o'clock P.M. the votes for officers to be chosen by ballot were assorted and
counted and the following persons we elected to the several offices named.
Voted, by ballot, that Joseph Wilson, John H. Young and Freeborn W. Cressy be Selectmen.
Voted, by ballot, that George A. Woodberry 2d, Charles L. Williams and George Millett be
Assessors.
Voted, by ballot, that Isaac Appleton, Andrew K. Ober and Augustus Stevens be Overseers of the
Poor.
Voted, by ballot, that Gardner Haskell be Chief of Police
Voted, by ballot, That Robert G. Bennett be Town Treasurer
Voted, by ballot, That Ezekiel F. Ober be Collector of Taxes
Voted, by ballot, that O. T. Lanphear be Trustee of the Public Library
Voted by ballot That Edward L. Giddings, William C. Boyden, and Ephraim A. Edwards be School
Committee for Three years.
Voted by ballot that Gardner Haskell, Benjamin F. Herrick, Ezekiel F. Obear, John G. Munsey,
Nathaniel Rogers, Isaac F. Day, Anson J. Cheney, George T. Larcom and George E. Cole be
Constables.
After the declaration of the result of the ballot, it was
Voted that the meeting adjourn till tomorrow, Tuesday Morning at nine o'clock
On Tuesday morning March 4th at nine o'clock the meeting again assembled agreeably to
adjournment and was called to order by the Moderator.
On motion of William A. Friend.
Voted that so much of Ward one as lies Northeasterly of Washington Street and Broadway extending
on a line of Broadway to Bass River including said Streets be set off as a separate highway Ward and
be numbered Ward 14.
Voted that the election of Surveyors of Highways for Wards 1 and 14 be postponed till after the
recess.
Voted that the Moderator appoint a Committee of one from each Ward to nominate Surveyors of
Highways (see page 155 for list of Surveyors elected)
Voted that Francis S. Lovett, John Meacom and Jacob H. A. Defreace be Fence Viewers.
The following officers were then chosen by hand vote.
Field Drivers
Ward 1 William W. Hinkley
Ward 3 James D. Abbott
Ward 5 Isaac Standley
Ward 7 John G. Drown
Ward 9 Alphonzo Mason
Ward 11 Alfred Porter
Ward 13 David S. Ramsdell
Ward 2 Jonas Gallop
Ward 4 James M. Andrews
Ward 6 Chester Hobbs
Ward 8 Emerson G. Shaw
Ward 10 Oliver Edwards
Ward 12 Levi K. Goodhue
Ward 14 Martin Sweeney
Sealers of Leather, William Tobin, David Thissell
Inspector of Lime, James A. Lefavour
Clerk of the Market, William A. Teague
Pound Keeper, Livermore Whittredge
Surveyors of Lumber, Hooper A. Appleton, Richard A. Woodberry, Robert Remmonds.
Voted that another be added, and Edward H. Ober was chosen
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to appoint four measurers of Wood & Bark
Article 2 was then taken and the several Reports of the Town Officers were presented and accepted.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to represent the town in all suits and claims against the Town
for damages.
Under the Fourth Article of the Warrant
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 89 of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Upon Article 5 of the warrant
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to unite with the owners in making a partition of the lot of
land named in this article, and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to make all necessary
conveyances and papers in regard thereto.
Upon Article 6 of the warrant
A motion "that the town will confirm the sale by the Selectmen of the lot of land adjoining the
"Farms Cemetery" was put to the meeting and lost.
Upon Article 7 "Bell at Wash'n Hose House"
Voted to refer this article to the Engineers of the Fire Department, to report thereon as to cost etc.
at the adjoumment of this meeting in April.
Upon Article 8 Petition of Seth D. Allen
Voted to refer the whole subject to the Assessors to report thereon at the adjournment of this
meeting.
Upon Article 9 Compensation to Salem for Water
Voted that the whole subject of this article be referred to the Selectmen with full authority in the
premises.
Upon Article 10. Completion of Broadway
Voted that the further consideration of this article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 11 "completion of River Street"
Upon motion of Issacher Lefavour.
Voted "that the Article be referred to the Selectmen to inquire if the County Commissioners can
permit the Town to assume the road laid out, by paying the expenses already incurred, and relieve
the Town of any obligation to build the same at present, and report at the adjourned meeting."
Upon Article 12 "Purchase of New Hearse"
Voted to indefinitely postpone the subject of the Article.
Upon Article 13 "completion of Abbott Street"
Upon motion of John I. Baker
Voted "that this article be referred to the Selectmen to report thereon at the adjournment of this
meeting as to expense etc."
Upon Article 14 "Dog Tax"
Voted to appropriate the Dog Tax to Schools.
Upon Article 15 "Schools and School Houses"
Voted That the sum of Sixteen Thousand dollars be appropriated for the support of Schools and
School Houses the current year.
Upon motion of Joseph E. Ober
Voted, "That so much of the School Committee Report as relates to the Enlargement of the Farms
School House the present year be left to the School Committee and Selectmen to report at the
adjournment in April next what in their judgement would be the best plan to adopt."
Upon Article 16 Highways
Upon motion of David Crowell
Voted that Seven Thousand dollars be appropriated for repairs on the Highways for 1879 & 80 and
it shall be made a separate tax."
Voted "That every man shall have the privilege of working on said highways to the amount of their
part of said tax" to the amount of 1/20 part thereof."
Voted That the sum of twenty cents per hour be paid for labor on the highways.
Voted to adjourn to One o'clock P.M. at which time the meeting again assembled.
Article 16 continued.
Voted the last vote be reconsidered
Voted that the Surveyors of highways be instructed not to employ any one team to an amount
exceeding Fifty dollars
(For List of surveyors chosen see page 155)
Voted that the several Highway Surveyors give every voter in his ward that makes application an
opportunity to work out his poll tax on the highway.
Upon Article 17 Money Article
Upon 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 or expedient to meet the liabilities of the Town, not to replace existing loans, and
to provide state aid for the families of Volunteers.
Upon Article 18, Street Light at Dane & Essex Sts.
Voted upon motion of Henry E. Woodberry as amended by Chs. C. Foster that the Selectmen be
instructed to place a Gas Street Light at the corner of Dane & Essex Streets, provided the Gas Light
Company will extend the pipes at their own expense. - and also provided that if the Gas Co. will not
extend the pipes, that the Selectmen be authorized to light it with some other material.
On motion of Charles L. Dodge
Voted that in regard to the rent of the Town Hall the Selectmen be instructed to let the Town Hall
to our own citizens for Fifteen dollars per evening till Twelve o'clock and one dollar per hour after
that time, provided that no charge be made for charitable purposes for the benefit of the town,
temperance or political purposes and that the parties hiring the Hall shall pay the Janitor fifty cents
per hour after Twelve o 'clock at night.
Voted that the lighting and care of the Street Lights be let out to the lowest responsible
bidder, who shall attend to the same personally.
On motion of Charles C. Foster.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed not to grant licenses for the sale of liquors to any person in
town.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to prosecute all violations of the Liquor Laws that may come
to their knowledge.
On motion of Charles C. Foster
Voted that it is the opinion of the town, that the Selectmen shall not appoint any special police
officers, except for purpose of patrol.
On motion of William F. Davis
Voted that a copy of the Town By-laws be published in the Beverly Citizen.
Upon Article 19 Jury List.
Voted to strike out the names of Charles Friend and Albert Perry and insert the names of Daniel S.
Ingersoll and Thomas Elliott.
Voted that the Jury List as amended be accepted.
Which list will be found recorded on the next page
Voted that when this meeting adjourn, it adjourn to meet on the first Monday in April next at One
o'clock aftemoon.
Voted to now adjourn to the Monday the Seventh day of April next at One o'clock afternoon, and
it was so declared by the Moderator.
A tree record attest
James Hill, Town Clerk
List o f Jurors as revised by the Selectmen February 18, 1879 and amended and accepted by the Town
March 4th 1879.
Isaac Appleton
Joseph B. Appleton
George F. Allen
Joseph H. Baker
John Burchsted
Albert Brower
George P. Brown
Andrew C. Bridges
Austin Burnham
Otis Bumham
Edward A. Burroughs
George Clark
Joseph Caswell
William A. Cressy
Freeborn W. Cressy
Daniel E. Cross
Isaac F. Day
John E. Davis
Jacob H. A. Defreace
Charles F. Dodge
Benjamin B. Dodge
Benjamin N. Dodge
Jonathan Dodge
J. Kingsbury Davenport
Ephraim A. Edwards
Benjamin W. Eldredge
Stephen Eldredge
Charles Elliott
Thomas Elliott
John K. Fielder
Elbridge Fiske
Calvin Foster
Ezra S. Foster
Ezra Foster
Horace Foster
Josiah Foster 2d
Jesse W. Foster
Joseph Foster
John W. Foster
Issacher Foster, Jr.
William L. Foster
Seth Friend
William A. Friend
Edmund Giles
Augustus A. Galloupe
John Glidden
Benjamin Grant
Joshua B. Grant
Patrick Guinevan
Frederic P. Haskell
Francis S. Herrick
Moses S. Herrick
Hugh Hill
Oliver C. Hinchliffe
Prince Howes
Daniel S. Ingersoll
Sewall S. Jackson
Daniel A. Kilham
Joel Kimball
Israel F. Lee
John H. Lefavour
Charles T. Lovett
Hervey Lunt
John H. Lord
Francis S. Lovett
Asa O. Marshall
Charles W. Marshall
John F. Masury
George Millett
John E. Morgan
Cornelius Murphy
Elbridge Norwood
Samuel F. Ober
Isaac Ober
David Odell
William Odell
George Osborne
Nathan W. Patch
Samuel Patch
Varnum S. Pedrick
Winthrop E. Perry
John W. Pickett
George A. Pickett
Winthrop T. Porter
Benjamin Preston, Jr.
Henry B. Pousland
William H. Pierce
John W. Quiner
Edward Smith
Benjamin W. Standley
David Standley
George A. Standley
George F. Standley
Dewing Southwick
Samuel H. Stone
Charles H. Stocker
Richard Symmes
Charles H. Symonds
John F. Trow
George H. Thissell
Edward. Wallis
Henry B. Wallis
Israel W. Wallis
Augustus Williams
Benjamin Webber
George A. Wood
Austin Whitcomb
Alfred R. Woodberry
Frank Woodberry
George A. Woodberry
George A. Woodberry 2d
Horace W. Woodberry
John H. Woodberry
Stephen S. Woodberry
Stephen A. Woodberry
John H. Watson
A tree record attest James Hill, Town Clerk
The following persons were elected Surveyors of Highways at the Annual Town Meeting held
Monday March 3d and by adjournment Tuesday March 4th 1879.
Ward 1 Charles A. C. Twiss
Ward 2 Issacher Foster
Ward 3 David Larcom
Ward 4 Rufus A. Standley
Ward 5 Charles H. Patch
Ward 6 John F. Foster
Ward 7 Levi Woodberry 2d
Ward 8 John A. Moulton
Ward 9 Jonathan Dodge
Ward 10 Alna H. Dodge
Ward 11 Benjamin E. Smith
Ward 12 Otis Burnham
Ward 13 Samuel Cole
Ward 14 Peter Trainer
A true record attest
James Hill, Town Clerk