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.