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1864-03-14 Commonwealth 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 Fourteenth 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 they may think proper. 3d. To see if the Town has a desire to have the rails of the Salem and Danvers Railroad removed from the public streets of this Town, and if so, to request the Selectmen to do so, whenever they can in accordance with the Charter of said Company, and act and do anything relative to the same they may think proper. - per petition of Charles Haddock and others. 4th. To see if the Town will allow the residents of Elm Square to have their highway taxes laid out on said Square, under the direction of the Surveyor of their Ward.- Per petition of Jeremiah F. Lee and others. 5th. To see if the Town will discontinue that part of Thorndike Street which extends easterly of Lovett Street, and sell and release all right and title to that said part of Thorndike Street to William M. Whitney and his heirs and assigns. - per his petition. 6th. To see what measures the Town will adopt to protect themselves from unlawful traffic in intoxicating liquor, and the evil consequences resulting therefrom. 7th. To see if the Town will authorize the printing of the present Bylaws and Regulations of the Town, or make any revision or alterations of said Bylaws and Regulations; and act and do anything relative thereto they may think proper. 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 and repairs of the Highways and Town ways throughout the Town, as they may deem expedient. 10th. To see what sums of money, if any, the Town will raise for the aid of families of volunteers, as by law authorized. 11th. 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 12th. To see if the Town will except the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen. Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon before the time appointed for said meeting. Given under our hands and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year 1864. John Meacom Robert S. Foster Selectmen of Beverly John Ober Essex, ss. Beverly March 7,1864. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant I have notified the persons therein named, is therein directed by posting notifications thereof, at or near each of the public meeting houses in the Town and other places in Town, according to the Town Regulations. William P. Moses, Constable of Beverly A true record 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 next two preceding pages), at the Town Hall, in said Town on Monday the Fourteenth day of March in the year 1864, at Nine o'clock before noon, the same being the Annual Meeting of said Town. The meeting was called to order at the time appointed, by the Clerk, who read the warrant therefore and receive the ballots for Moderator, - and it was Voted by ballot, unanimously, that Hon. John I. Baker be Moderator. Prayer was then offered Rev. Joseph Abbot, D.D. Voted, by ballot, unanimously, the James Hill be Town Clerk. Then in open Town meeting, immediately after the above named 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. The Reports of the Auditors, Selectmen, Fire Department, Trustees of Public Library, were then presented, and accepted. The Report of the School Committee was presented, and laid on the table and at a subsequent stage of the meeting accepted. The Reports of the Overseers of the Poor, and of the Board of Health were also presented and accepted, at a subsequent stage of the meeting but all of the above Reports being presented before proceeding to the choice of said officers. The following officers were then chosen by ballot. Selectmen. Robert S. Foster, Joseph Wilson, Lawson Walker, John F. Ober, and James Hill Assessors. Josiah A. Haskell, John H. Cross, John B. Hill, Elisha Woodberry, and Daniel Foster Treasurer. Robert G. Bennett Inspector of Police. John J. Dennis Noon having arrived the meeting then adjourned to ½ past 1 o'clock P.M. At ½ past 1 P.M. the voters again assembled, and proceeded to business, and the following officers were chosen by ballot. Constables. William P. Moses, Ephraim Hathaway, George T. Larcom, Andrew Wallis, John H. Chipman, Israel Trask 5th, Israel W. Wallis, Rufus Larcom and Andrew E. Story. Trustees of the Public Library for five years.- Eben H. Moulton. School Committee for three years.- John Knowlton, Alonzo B. Rich, Zachariah Cole, and Issachar Lefavour. Fence Viewers.- James Hill, Josiah A. Haskell, and Samuel Foster. Overseers of the Poor.-Samuel Porter, Elisha E. Lummus, Charles Moulton, Daniel Foster 2d, and Benjamin Wallis. Collector of Taxes.- Ezra Edwards Jr.. Board of Health.- John L. Smith, Samuel Porter, Augustus N. Clark, Alvin Haskell and Stephen Abbot 2d. It was then, voted, that the Surveyors of I-Iighways be chosen by hand vote, instead of by ballot, as provided in the Town Regulations, and said Surveyors and all the other Town offices hereinafter named were then chosen by hand vote Surveyors of Highways Ward 1 Alden Harris Ward 2 Mark Woodberry Ward 3 Josiah Obear Ward 4 George T. Larcom Ward 5 Stephen P. Elliott Ward 6 Andrew Dodge Field Drivers George M. Hildreth, Andrew E. Story Israel Lefavour Elisah Pride Henry Blanchard George F. Corning David Standley Jr. Ward 7 Israel Brown Ward 8 Hugh Hill Jr. Ward 9 Moses E. Wilson Ward 10 Caleb Kimball Ward 11 John G. Smith Ward 12 Josiah L. Dodge Ward 13 Zachariah Cole Elisha E. Lummus Hugh Hill Jr. Moses E. Wilson John D. Wilson Seth Friend Charles L. Moulton George Elliott Auditors. - James Hill, F. W. Cressy, and Hervey Lunt. Surveyors of Lumber.- Hooper A. Appleton, Jacob Brower, Daniel Wallis, Adoniram Goodhue, Benjamin Larcom, William Webber, Joseph E. Ober. Pound Keeper. Benjamin Gentlee. Upon Article 3d. Petition of C. Haddock & others - respecting Salem and S. Danvers Railroad. Voted, the John Meacom, Lawson Walker, and John Pickett be a Committee to see what are the relative rights of the Town and the Railroad Company, in regard to keeping the Streets in repair, and what the interest of the Town may require in regard thereto, and to report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting. Upon Article 4th. Petition of J. T. Lee and others, to layout their taxes in Elm Square. Voted. That the prayer of the petitioners be granted. Upon Article 5th. Petition of William M. Whitney, relative to Thorndike Street. Voted. The prayer of the petitioner be granted, and the part of said Street, named in the petition be discontinued as a public way, and that the Selectmen are hereby authorized in behalf of the Town to sell and convey the same to the petitioner and his heirs and assigns on such tetais as they shall deem reasonable, and make and execute all deeds and instruments necessary in such conveyance. Upon Article 6th. Liquor Traffic. Voted. That the Selectmen take such measures as they may deem necessary in behalf of the Town, in regard to the enfomement of all laws for suppressing the sale of intoxicating liquors within the Town, and that they are hereby specially instructed to prosecute all known violators of the Liquor Law. Upon Article 7th. Bylaws & Town Regulations. Voted. To refer this article to the adjournment of this meeting. Upon Article 8th. Schools. Voted. That John Meacom, Andrew W. Standley, Charles L. Moulton, Azor D. Lord, Israel 0 Edwards, Hooper A. Appleton, Joseph Foster 2d, Joseph E. Ober, and Josiah. A. Haskell, be a Committee to consider and report at the adjournment of this meeting, what will be the most equitable manner in which the School appropriation shall be divided among the several school districts. Voted. That the whole subject of Schools, and School appropriations be referred to the adjournment of this Meeting. This last vote was subsequently reconsidered, and it was, Voted. That the sum of Six Thousand five hundred dollars be appropriated for the support of Schools throughout the Town. Voted. That the Prudential Committees of the several School Districts be authorized to select and contract with teachers, the current year. Voted. That the High School be kept at the same place as last year. Upon Article 9th. Highways. Voted. That the sum of Twenty Five hundred dollars be appropriated for the construction and repairs of Highways and Town ways throughout the Town current year. Voted. That the sum of twenty cents per hour, be allowed each man for all labor performed on the Highways, the ensuing year; and that a proportional sum be allowed for teams, and for all other services upon the Highways, and that the Surveyors of the several wards, shall distribute the labor, as equitably among the taxpayers as practicable. Upon Article 10th. Aid to Families of Volunteers. Voted. That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to hire money, from time to time, to pay the orders drawn upon the Treasury by the Selectmen, for the Relief of the Families of Volunteers as authorized by law. Upon Article 11th. Money Grant. Voted. That the sum of Twenty Seven Thousand dollars, be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates in the Town, to defray the debts of the Town and the current expenses of the current year. Voted. That the Collector of Taxes, be allowed as pay one percent, on all moneys, collected and paid by him into the Town Treasury, in full compensation for his services. Voted. That the Collector deliver or cause to be delivered at the last and usual place of abode of each inhabitant in 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 that a discount of five percent be allowed on the Town Tax of all persons, who shall pay or settle all taxes due from them on or before the fifteenth day of October next; four percent on all who pay or settle on or before the fifteenth day of November next; three percent on all who pay or settle on or before the fifteenth day of December next; and on the first day of January next all taxes which have been assessed in the Town shall be paid, and interest at the rate of one percent a month, shail be charged on all taxes which shall remain unpaid from and after said first day of January, until the same shail be paid, and such interest shall be added to and considered a part of such taxes; and that as far as practicable the Collector shall on the first day of Sanusry next, put in suit all taxes then due and unpaid, commencing with the highest and so on to the lowest tax; provided, always, that the Collector shail make one demand for the tax, before putting the same in suit. Voted. That the Treasurer be authorized to use the credit of Town, to such an extent as may be necessary to meet the demands on the Treasury when he shall not be in funds from other sources. Upon Article 12th. Jury List. Voted. That the Jury List be referred to the Selectmen to report again at the adjournment of this meeting. Voted. That James Hill, F. W. Cressy and Hervey Lunt be a speciai committee to audit the accounts of the recruiting offices of the past and present year. Voted. That the thanks of the Town, be given to the Trustees of the Soldiers Relief Fund, for their invaiuable services the past year. Voted. That the Engineers of the Fire Depaxhttent be a committee, to make inquiry into the expediency of procuring a Steam Fire Engine and aiso as to the probable expense of the same, and to report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting. Voted. That the Selectmen, be requested to make an examination as to any improvement in the way of egress from the Town Hail, and as to the probable expense of such improvement, and report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting. Voted. That in future, the warrant for the Annual Meeting be printed and appended to the Auditor's Report, and distributed with the same, and that the School Committee's Report, be distributed at the same time and in the same manner as the Auditor's Report. Voted. That when this meeting adjourns it adjourn to meet at this place on the first Monday in April next at one o'clock afternoon. Voted. This meeting now adjourn, and it was so declared by the Moderator, adjourned to the first Monday in April next at one o'clock P.M. A true record. 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 fourth day of April A.D. 1864 the same being an adjournment of the Annual March Meeting of said Town. Voted by ballot that Charles H. Odell be Overseer of the Poor, in place of Daniel Foster 2d, elected at the March meeting, and who declines serving. Voted, that the election of Constables to fill vacancy, be passed over. Voted, that William P. Moses, George T. Larcom & John H. Chipman, be Truant Officers. The following officers were then chosen by hand vote. Surveyors of lumber. Robert Remmonds Jr. in place of Benjamin Larcom declined serving. John Meacom in place of Jacob Brower declined serving. Field drivers Ward 2 John J. Woodberry in place of Israel Lefavour declined serving. Ward 3 David Lareom Jr. in place of Elisha Pride, declined serving Ward 5 Henry E. Dodge in place of George T. Corning declined serving. Ward 6 Henry Collins in place of David Standley Jr., declined serving. Ward 7 Levi Woodberry 2d in place of Elijah U. Lummus declined serving. Ward 9 John H. Chipman in place of Moses E. Wilson declined serving. Ward 11 Benjamin G. Giles in place of Seth Friend declined serving. Ward 13 Edmund Brown in place of George Elliott declined serving. Pound Keeper Charles N. Wallis in place of Benjamin Gentlee declined serving. Auditor William Endicott in place of James Hill declined serving. The Committee on Bylaws & Regulations reported verbally that two sections only of the Bylaws adopted April 6,1863, had been approved by the Court, to wit, the 15th and 17th sections so that the Bylaws now consist of the Old Code with the additions of said two sections which report was accepted. A motion to print the old bylaws, with the two sections approved by the Court added was put to the meeting and lost. And it was voted that the whole subject to be indefinitely postponed. The majority of the Committee upon the Distribution of the District School Appropriation, made following report. "Your Committee to whom was referred the distribution of the money appropriated for the District Schools, recommend it be divided in the following manner, viz: $500 to be divided equally among the several School Districts, and the remainder to be divided according to the number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years in the several Districts." Signed Joseph E. Obor A.D. Lord Charles L. Moulton I. 0. Edwards H. A. Appleton The minority of said Committee, made the following Report, "The minority of the Committee to whom was referred the distribution of the money appropriated to the School Districts recommend it be divided in the following manner." "To Bald Hill District To Bass River District To Cove District To Dodges Row District To East Farms District To West Farms District To Grammar District To South Dislxiet To Washington District" $282.60 342.40 791.20 118.20 306.20 209.40 1688.20 1265.00 496.80 $5500.00 It was then voted to amend the Report by substituting the Minority Report for that of the Majority, and the Report as amended was accepted and it was voted that the School Appropriation be divided according to said Report, in the manner recommended by the Minority of the Committee. Voted. That Fifteen Hundred dollars be appropriated for the support of the High School current year. The Committee chosen at the March Meeting, relative to the Horse Railroad presented their report, which was read and accepted. And said report is placed on file.- Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to carry out any and all suggestions made in said Report. The Engineers of the Fire Department, presented the following Report. "A Steam Fire Engine with 600 feet of Hose and Hose Carriage will cost the Town 5000 dollars. If the Town purchase a Steamer the Engineers would recommend to sell one of the Engines from the Center of the Town. In the opinion of the Board the Expenses of the Fire Department will not be increased by the purchase of the Steamer, after the first cost all of which is respectfully submitted." Beverly April 4, 1864. Signed. Daniel Foster, Chief Engineer which Report was read and accepted. Upon the Alteration of the mode of egress from the Town Hall, the Selectmen made the following Report which was read and accepted, and it was Voted, That the Selectmen expend the income of the Hall in canting out the suggestion in their report in regard to a covered stairway if the same should be sufficient. "Upon the subject of improvement of the method of egress from this Hall the Selectmen having made a careful examination of the subject, after consulting competent mechanics, would report that some improvement can be made by putting a door in place of the windows each side of the present entrance door, and building one or two covered stairways each side of the projection in the rear, the probable expense of such alteration would be as near as we can estimate about $225 for each stairway, this is the cheapest method that we can devise. But if the Town should choose to make a larger expenditure, and make alterations in reference to a future enlargement of the Hall we should recommend that a projection be built on the front end of the building say about 18 feet square, in which a stairway should be placed on each side of the front door, with an entrance to the Hall on each side of the Rostrum, this would involve an expensive of probably $2000. This would be a permanent improvement whereas the first named method would be a temporary one, should the Town see fit to enlarge the Hall within a few years." The Jury List, as revised by the Selectmen, was presented, read and accepted by the Town, and is recorded on the next page of this book. A true record. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen, and accepted by the Town, at the adjournment of the Annual Meeting April 4, 1864. Hoover A. Appleton Isaac Appleton John Bell Austin Burnham John Beckford George Butman Charles G. Conant Freeborn W. Cressy John H. Cross Charles F. Dodge Jonathan S. Dodge William E. Dodge Henry B. Edwards William W. Eldredge Stephen P. Elliott Thomas Elliott Robert R. Endicott Samuel A. Endicott Jonathan S. Eveleth John K. Fielder Leonard C. Foss Daniel Foster 2d Calvin Foster Ezra S. Foster Henry F. Foster Israel Foster Jr. Issachar Foster Jeremiah Foster Joseph L. Foster Jr. Nathan H. Foster David L. Foster Joseph E. Foster William P. Friend Edmund Giles John Girdler Benjamin D. Grant Josiah A. Haskell Perkins Haskell Ephraim Hathaway John B. Hill Luther Herrick Octavius Howe Moses S. Herrick George M. Hildmth Francis Jenness Benjamin P. Kimball John Larcom Asa Larcom Benjamin Larcom Francis Larcom Benjamin Lovett John Lefavour Abraham B. Lord Hervey Lunt Rufus Larcom Moses Marshall Charles Marshall John L. Morse Brackett T. Munsey Andrew K. Ober William Ober Joseph Ober Joseph H. Ober Charles H. Odell John W. Pickett Thomas Pickett George Pierce Adoniram Porter Richard J. Preston Charles H. Preston Hiram Preston Charles H. Perry Francis A. Smith Charles H. Simons Ezra Standley Herbert S. Standley Augustus Stevens George W. Stickney David Thissell Caleb Wallis Eleazer Wallis Edward Wallis 2d Daniel Wallis John E. Wallis Albert Webb Robert Whipple Joseph Wilson Benjamin Woodberry 2d Edwin Woodberry Henry Woodberry Levi Woodberry 2d Luther Woodbrry Stephen S. Woodberry Benjamin Webber Elisha Whitney A true list. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk.