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1861-03-11Essex, ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts 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 Eleventh day of March current, at Nine o'clock before noon for the following purposes.-viz. 1st. To choose a Moderator. 2d. To choose town officers for the ensuing year, and grant them such pay for their services as the Town may deem expedient. 3d. To see if the Town will establish a High School and provide for its location and maintenance: - per petition of Hi. E. Woodberry & others. 4th. To act upon petition of Washington School District in regard to the southerly boundary line of said District. 5th. To see if the Town will take measures to widen the traveled way through the Park, so-called, on Hale Street, from Jackson's gateway to Prince Street, so as to avoid the danger of collision, and the better provide for the public convenience, and also to provide for better drainage on said Street near the head of Prince Street, and to protect the same by railing or otherwise opposite Henry Benson's estate; - per petition of Joseph Ober & others. 6th. To see if the Town will take measures to place suitable lights at the different points of Cabot Street, for the better accommodation of all those who have occasion to travel the streets in the evening, and for the protection of property and for the good order of society: - per petition of James Porter & others. 7th. To see what measures the Town will adopt to protect themselves from the unlawful traffic in intoxicating liquors, and the evil consequences resulting therefore. 8th. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations in regard to Schools, throughout the Town, and act and do anything respecting the same they may deem expedient. 9th. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations in regard to the construction, repairs and improvements of the Highways and Town ways throughout the Town as they may deem expedient. 10th. To grant such sums of money, to 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, as may be deemed expedient, and make all necessary regulations and allowances respecting the same. 11th. 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 first day of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty One. Wm. H. Lovett John Meacom Charles Moulton Selectmen of Beverly Robert S. Foster Beverly March 2d, 1861. I hereby certify that I have notified the persons herein named as herein directed, by posting notifications thereof at or near each of the public meeting houses in Town, according to the Town Regulations Levi Cole, Constable. A true record of the original warrant and return thereon. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk.. Pursuant to the warrant recorded on the two next proceeding pages, the qualified voters of the town of Beverly, assembled at the Town Hall in said town on Monday the Eleventh day of March in the year Eighteen Hundred & Sixty One, at Nine o'clock in the forenoon, at which time the meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, who read the Warrant therefore- it was then, Voted by ballot, that John I. Baker be Moderator. Prayer was offered by Rev. Joseph C. Foster. Voted, by ballot, unanimously, the James Hill be Town Clerk. Then in open town meeting, immediately after the above choice James Hill aforesaid, was sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the office of Town Clerk of the town of Beverly. By and before me. John I. Baker, Moderator. Voted. byballot, that Wm. H. Lovett, John Meacom, Robert S. Foster, Charles Moulton & Zachariah Cole be Selectmen. Voted by ballot, that Elisha Woodberry, Daniel Foster, John H. Cross, Josiah A. Haskell, and James Hill be Assessors. Voted by ballot, unanimously, that Robert G. Bennett be Town Treasurer. Voted that the Treasurer received twenty dollars for his services the ensuing year. Voted by ballot, unanimously, that Ezra Edwards Jr. be Collector of Taxes. Voted that the Collector shall be allowed two per cent, on all monies collected and paid by him into the Treasury, in full compensation for his services. Voted by ballot, that John J. Dennis be Inspector of Police. Voted by ballot, that John R. Tibbetts, Jacob Lunt, William P. Moses, Israel Trask 5th, Chester Hobbs, John T. Larcom, Israel H. Wallis, John H. Chipman and Levi Cole, be Constables. Voted by ballot that Franklin Leach be Trustee of the Public Library. Voted. by ballot, that Joseph Abbott, Benjamin O. Peirce, Zachariah Cole, and John Knowlton, be School Committee for three years, and that William H. Lovett be School Committee for two years. Voted by ballot, that John B. Hill, Benjamin D. Grant, Samuel Porter, Ezra S. Foster, and Elijah Lummus be Overseers of the Poor. The following officers were then elected by hand vote. Auditors. James Hill, Henry P. Herrick, George H. Stickney. Board of Health. John L. Smith, Stephen Abbott 2d, Ebenezer Rogers Jr., Benjamin Ludden and Elisha Pride. Surveyors of Highways Ward 1 Isaac Appleton Ward Ward 2 Alfred Ray Ward Ward 3 William Perry Ward Ward 4 John Larcom Ward Ward 5 Chester Hobbs Ward Ward 6 Jeremiah Choate Ward Ward 7 Benjamin Ludden Ward Ward 8 John W. Raymond Ward Ward 9 Elbridge K. Standley Ward Ward 10 Sullivan Brown Ward Ward 11 Seth Friend Ward Ward 12 Israel Elliott Ward Ward 13 Stephen Symmes Ward Field Drivers William A. Teague, Gorham A. Howard Mark Morals 2d, Ira D. Batchelder West D. Eldredge Henry Blanchard. Isaac C. Gross, George F. Corning William Preston David Shelden John H. Chipman, James G. Crockett Elbridge T. Dodge 10 Charles H. Brown 1 Jonathan Green 12 George K. Fielder, Israel F. Lee 13 Charles Symmes, Robert G. Elliott Fence Viewers. Elisha Woodberry, Joseph A. Haskell, William A. Patch. Surveyom of Lumber. William Webber, Hooper A. Appleton, John H. Cross, Adoniram Goodhue, John Meacom, Robert Remmonds Jr., John H. Savory, Benjamin Larcom. Sealers of Leather. William. A. Foster, John H. Young. Inspector of Lime. Andrew W. Standley. Pound Keeper. Charles N. Wallis. Clerk of the Market. James Stone. Voted that the Auditor's Report be accepted, also voted that the Report of the School Committee be accepted. The Reports of the Selectmen, Trustees of the Public Library, Overseers of the Poor, Engineers of the Fire Department, were severally read and accepted. Voted that the thanks of the Town be presented to the Overseers of the Poor, and the Master of the Alms House for their services the past year. Voted, that the Board of Health report at the adjournment in April. At a subsequent stage of the meeting this Board presented their report which was accepted. Voted, that the thanks of the Town be presented to the Selectmen and all other Town officers for their services the past year. Voted that the Selectmen visit the different portions of the Town and see that all the guide boards are put in good order, and to place guide boards at the corners of all streets wherein their judgment they are needed. Voted that the Board of Health, be instructed to open all alley ways in the Burial Grounds as they were laid out. Voted to refer the bill of Michael Corkery to the Selectmen and the Committee on the Cistern at the Cove, to report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting in April. Upon Article 3. Petition of H. E. Woodberry & others for a High School. On motion of Israel Trask 5th. Voted. That the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and that a High School be established in this town. Pending the discussion of the last vote a motion for adjournment made by Jonathan Batchelder was put to the meeting and lost. Mr. Henry E. Woodberry then offered the following motion. "That the School Committee select such location for the High School as they may judge to be most convenient for the greatest good of the greatest number of the inhabitants of the town. Mr. John T. Ober moved an amendment, to Mr. Woodberry's motion striking out the words "the School Committee" and substituting the words "a Committee of one from each School District in town, and one from Grammar, one from South, one from Cove and one from Washington Districts in addition thereto be chosen to" and also to add the words "and report thereon at the adjournment." Mr. Joseph Hale Abbott moved an amendment, adding the words of Mr. Ober's amendment, to Mr. Woodberry's motion. Mr. B. E. Burchsted moved an amendment to Mr. Ober's amendment "that the four additional members of that committee be selected as follows one from Bass River, one from Grammar, one from South, and one from the two Farms Districts etc.," A motion for adjournment was lost,-188 to 228. After discussion upon the original motion and the several amendments which was participated in by Joseph H. Abbott, John T. Ober, H. E. Woodberry, R. C. Dennis, William F. Davis, B. E. Burchsted, Joseph Foster 2d and others, the previous question was moved by Mr. J. T. Ober and carried. The vote was then taken on Mr. Burchsted amendment and it was lost. The vote was then taken on Mr. Abbott's amendment and it was lost. The vote was then taken on Mr. Ober's amendment and it was adopted. The vote was then taken upon Mr. Woodberry's motion as amended, and it was Voted that committee of one from each School District, and one from Grammar, one from South, one from Cove, and one from Washington Districts in addition thereto, be chosen to select such location for the High School, as they may judge to be most convenient for the greatest good of the greatest number of the inhabitants of the Town, and to report thereon at the adjournment. Voted that this Committee be nominated by the Chair. Voted that the following persons constitute this Committee. Cove District John T. Ober, Joseph Foster 2d. South District Daniel Foster, Richard C. Dennis. Grammar District Henry E. Woodberry, Henry P. Herrick. Washington District Charles Moulton, John Tuck 2d. West Farms District William Ober, East Farms District Joseph E. Ober. Bald Hill District Isaac Standley, Dodges Row District J. George Hubbard Bass River District Francis Jenness. Voted that this meeting now adjourn to tomorrow Tuesday March 12th at 9 o'clock A.M. and it was so declared by the Moderator. On Tuesday March 12 A.D. 1861 at nine o'clock before noon the qualified voters of the town of Beverly again assembled agreeably to adjournment and were called to order by the Moderator, Hon. John I. Baker, and proceeded with the business. Upon ,article 4th. Petition of Washington School District. A motion for indefinite postponement was lost. And it was Voted to refer the subject to the Selectmen, to report thereon at the adjournment. Upon Article 5th. Petition of Joseph Ober and others for improvement of Hale St. Voted. That the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and improvements asked for be carried out under the direction of the Selectmen. Upon Article 6th. Petition of S. Porter & others for lighting a portion of Cabot St. A motion to refer the subject to the Selectmen was lost. And it was then Voted, that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and that the Selectmen be authorized to carry out the same at an expense not exceeding five hundred dollars for the current year. 205 in favor 131 opposed. A motion to reconsider this last vote was put to the meeting and lost. Upon Article 7. Relating to the Liquor Traffic. Voted that the Selectmen take such measures as they may deem necessary in behalf of the town in regard to the enforcement of all laws, for suppressing and regulating the sale of intoxicating liquor within the town. Upon Article 8. Schools. Voted that the Prudential Committees of the several School Districts be authorized to select and contract with Teachers the current year. Voted. That the sum of Seven thousand five hundred dollars be appropriated for the support of Schools throughout the Town the current year, and, that the same be appropriated in the following manner, viz.. One thousand five hundred dollars for the support of the High School; and the remaining six thousand dollars to be distributed and expended as follows, one fifth thereof to be divided equally among the several School Districts; and the balance to be divided among the several Districts, in proportion to the number of children in each district on the first day of May next, between the ages five and fifteen years. Upon Article 9. Highways. Voted that all contracts for jobs or labor upon the Highways, when the amount is twenty-five dollars and upwards, be let out by the Selectmen at public auction to the lowest bidder, and no money shall be paid thereon until the whole of such contract shall be completed. Voted that the sum of four thousand dollars, be appropriated for the construction, improvement and repairs of the Highways and town ways throughout the Town the coming year, and for the Snow Bills of the past season, a portion of which sum, not exceeding one thousand dollars to to be expended upon the improvement of Hale Street, at the Park, so-called. Voted that the sum of fifteen cents per hour be allowed each man for all labor performed upon the Highways, the ensuing year; and that the sum of fifteen cents per hour be allowed each team, which shall include carts and all other tools, except ploughs; and that the sum of twenty-five cents per day be allowed for the use of a plough. Voted that Overseers of the Poor be requested to employ such of the Paupers as may be able, in preparing materials to be used upon the Highways in Wards 1 & 13 the ensuing year. Upon Article 10. Money Grant. Voted that the sum of twenty thousand eight hundred dollars be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates within the town to defray the debts of the town, and the expenses of the coming year. Voted that the Collector of Taxes deliver or caused to be delivered at the last and usual place of abode of each inhabitant of the town, or to such inhabitant in person, as soon as practicable after the taxes have been assessed, a list of the taxes such person has been assessed; and the discount of five percent on the town tax be allowed to all persons, who shall pay or settle all taxes due from them on or before the last day of October next; four percent to all who pay on or before the last day of November next; three percent to all who pay on or before the last date of December next; and, that so far as practicable, he shall on the first day of January next, put in suit all taxes then due, commencing with the highest and so on to the lowest tax, providing always that the Collector shall call once for a tax, before putting the same in suit. Voted. that the Town Treasurer be authorized to use the credit of the town, to such an extent as may be necessary to meet the demands upon the Treasury, until he shall be in funds from the collection of taxes. Upon Article 11. Jury list. After erasing the name of Andrew E. Cressy at his request, and substituting the name of Joseph Woodberry 2d instead.-it was Voted that the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen, as now amended, be accepted. (which list is recorded on Page 96 of this book) Voted that the sum of three hundred dollars be appropriated for the support of the public library the current year. Voted that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to the first Monday in April next at one o'clock in the afternoon. Voted that this meeting now adjourn; and that the Moderator so declare the meeting adjourned to the fir'st Monday in April next, at one o'clock in the afternoon. A true record. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk. List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen, and amended and accepted by the town at their Annual Meeting March 12th1861. John Abbott Hooper A. Appleton Isaac. Appleton Austin Burnham George Butman Edward J. Caldwell Joseph Conant Zachariah Cole Uzziel Dodge Azor Dodge Jr. Charles F. Dodge Jonathan S. Dodge William E. Dodge Stephen P. Elliott Robert R. Endicott John K. Fielder Shadrack Fisk Daniel Foster Daniel Foster 2d Calvin Foster Ezra S. Foster Henry T. Foster Issacher Foster Nathan H. Foster Robert S. Foster William P. Friend Augustus Giles Edmund Giles Benjamin Goldsbury Perkins Haskell Ephraim Hathaway $ohn B. Hill Luther Herrick Samuel D. Herrick Francis Jenness John Larcom Asa Larcom Benjamin Larcom Francis Larcom Rufus Larcom Samuel S. Lee John Lefavour Abraham B. Lord Cyrus W. Lord Hervey Lunt Moses Marshall Thomas A. Morgan John Meacom Charles Moulton Andrew K. Ober Joseph Ober Joseph E. Ober John R. Ober Samuel Ober Samuel Odell Ariel Osborn Thomas Pickett James Perry Adoniram Porter Jeremiah Porter 2d Joseph O. Porter Richard J. Preston Charles H. Preston Charles H. Perry Hiram Preston Robert Remmonds Jr. Alfred Ray John L. Smith Daniel O. Standley Herbert S. Standley George W. Stickney John Stone Louis Symmes Daniel Trow Joseph D. Tuck David Thissell Benjamin Wallis Eleazar Wallis Edward Wallis 2d Daniel Wallis John E. Wallis Luther Wallis William Webber Luther West Robert Whipple Joseph Wilson John P. Webber Jr. Edward Woodberry Henry Woodberry Joseph Woodberry 2d Levi Woodberry 2d Luther Woodberry Stephen S. Woodberry William G. Woodberry 94 A true record of said list. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk. At a legal [meeting] of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly held at the Town Hall on Monday the first day of April in the year 1861, the same being the adjournment of the Annual March Meeting. The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Hon. John I. Baker. Voted by ballot, that John Pickett, be Selectman, in place of William H. Lovett, elected at the March Meeting and since deceased. Voted by ballot, the Robert R. Endicott be Overseer of the Poor in place of John B. Hill who declines serving. The following officers were chosen by hand vote. Surveyor of Lumber. Joseph E. Ober in place of Benjamin Larcom, declined. Field drivers Ward 1. George L. Gwinn in place of Gorham A. Howard, declined. Ward 2. Edward B. Lovett in place of Mark Morris 2d, declined. Wani 2. Alfred Ray in place of Ira D. Batchelder, declined. Ward 3. William Perry in place of West D. Eldredge, declined. Ward 4. Charles F. Miller in place of Hervey Blanchard, declined. Ward 5. Joseph F. Standley in place of Isaac C. Groce, declined. Ward 5. Albert T. Roberts in place of George F. Corning, declined. Ward 6. Jeremiah Choate in place of William Preston, declined. Ward 9. Moses E. Wilson in place of Albert T. Dodge, declined. Ward 10. Israel A. Shelden in place of Charles H. Brown, declined. Ward 11. William E. Dodge in place of Jonathan Green, declined. Ward 12. Benjamin D. Grant in place of George K. Fielder, declined. Ward 12. George W. Taylor in place in Israel F. Lee, declined. Board of Health. Alvin Haskell in place of Elisha Pride, declined. Clerk of the Market Israel F. Lee in place of James Stone, declined. Voted. To add one Constable to the number already chosen. Voted by ballot, that Edward A. Perry be Constable. The following Report was read and accepted. "The Selectmen to whom was referred the petition of Washington School District, would report thereon,- That the Southern boundary line of that District as established in 1825, was reestablished and confirmed by the vote of the town in 1858. Since which time these estates now sought to be annexed to Washington District have been assessed large District taxes in Grammar District, and the law provides that District lines shall not be altered, "so as to change the taxation of lands from one District to another having a different School House" oftener then once in ten years. We therefore think that the proposed change of line would be unjust to the owners of those estates, and cause serious difficulty in the collection of district taxes hereafter, should any be the assessed, and, as but few years remain before said line can legally be changed, we would recommend that the petitioners have leave to withdraw." Beverly April 1,1861 (Signed) John Meacom Charles Moulton Zachariah Cole Selectmen of Beverly Robert S. Foster The following Report was also read and accepted, and no further action taken thereon. "The Selectmen and Committee on the Cove Cistern to whom was referred the bill of Michael Corkery, would submit the following Report - a contract was made between the Committee and Mr. Corkery, by which he agreed for one hundred dollars, to make the excavations for the Cistern, and to keep it free from water, two days after the excavations were made, which contract he performed to the satisfaction of the Committee, but, owing to the unfavorable state of the weather, and other unforeseen circumstances entirely beyond his control, he states that he was obliged to expand in addition to the amount of his contract the sum of $52.60.- all of which sum accepting $14 for his own labor is now due to other parties for labor, and machinery employed upon the work. Feeling unwilling to make any recommendation that may establish a precedent in cases of this kind that may arise hereafter, we submit the foregoing statement of facts to the town to take such action thereon as they may think proper." Beverly April 1,1861 John Meacom Charles Moulton Zachariah Cole Selectmen of Beverly Robin S. Foster Joseph Thissell George P. Miller Committee on Cove Cistern The following Report was read and accepted. "That the Committee on the location of the High School met March 16th and organized by the choice of John P. Ober, Chairman and J. George Hubbard, Sec. Voted to recommend Odd Fellows Hall as a temporary location for the school. The subject of a permanent location was then considered when it was found that the committee were divided in opinion whether their appointment contemplated that duty, and although the majority of the board suppose that it did, still as they were doubts, and as nothing would be lost by delay, concluded not to give that part of the question much consideration, but to suggest the Common or the Pound Lot, as the most central and convenient should the Town contemplate building a house for the permanent accommodation of the school."-(signed) J T. Ober Francis Jenness J. Geo. Hubbard Jos. E. Ober H. P. Herrick Henry E. Woodberry Richard C. Dennis Isaac Standley Daniel Foster Joseph Foster 2d It was then Voted, that so much of the foregoing Report as "recommends Odd Fellows Hall as a temporary location for the High School" be adopted. Voted. That the Town Clerk's salary be fifty dollars for the current year. Voted that a Committee of five be chosen to report a revised code of Bylaws and Town Regulations at some future meeting. Voted that the Selectmen be that Committee. Voted that in future the Report of the School Committee, be presented at the adjournment of the Annual Meeting in April. Voted that the Town Clerk be authorized to procure a Record Book at the expense of the town, in which he shall record all deeds of burial lots, presented him for that purpose, at the expense of the owners of said lot; and said Record Book shall be the property of the town, and be kept in the same depository as the other Town Records. Voted that the Selectmen be requested to insert an Article in the warrant for the next town meeting, to see if the town will ratify the action of the Board of Health in any deeds of burial lots they may have given. Voted that the following Resolution, adopted by the Selectmen on the occasion of the death of William H. Lovett Esq. late Chairman of that Board, be endorsed and adopted as the resolution of the Town. Resolved. That we under our cheerful and willing tribute to the worth of the deceased as a man, to the value of his services as a faithful public officer, and to his many personal virtues as illustrated in his consistent daily walk, and in his undeviating support of all those important moral enterprises which conduce to the welfare of society. And we tender to his bereaved widow and children our sincere sympathy in their great affliction. Voted that the sum of one hundred dollars be added to the appropriation already made for the support of the Public Library of the town. Voted. That this meeting be now dissolved, and it was so declared by the Moderator. A true record. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk.