1865-03-13 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 the said Town, to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the Thirteenth
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 think proper.
3d. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Treasurer to receive the bequest of three hundred
dollars, given by the will of the late deceased Josiah Raymond
"As a fund to the Inhabitants of the town of Beverly, the income thereof, only to be applied towards
the support of Common Schools, to which colored children shall be admitted upon equal tvmts, and
with like privileges as other children." And to authorize the said Treasurer, upon the receipt of said
bequest, in the name and behalf of said Town, and of the inhabitants thereof, to execute and deliver
a receipt therefore, and a full release and discharge of the Estates of the said Josiah Raymond, and
of his late deceased widow Hannah Raymond, and also, all the executors of their respective wills,
and of all the administrators of their respective Estates from all claims and demands on account of
said bequest.
4th. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Treasurer to give a full release and discharge to John
I. Baker, Guardian of Edwin Hitchings, from all claims and demands, upon the payment to said
Treasurer of the sum of three hundred dollars, the balance now in said Guardian's hands.
5th. To see if the Town will purchase a good Steam Fire Engine, and the necessary apparatus
therefore. - per petitioner John I. Baker and others.
6th. To see if the Town will authorize the residents on Wallis Street, to have their highway taxes laid
out repairing said Street, under the direction of the Surveyor of the Ward. per petition of F. W.
Choate.
7th. To see if the Town will alter the boundary line between Dodge's Row and Bass River School
Districts. per petition of David Standley and others.
8th. To see what measures thc Town will adopt to protect themselves from the unlawful traffic in
intoxicating liquors, and the evil consequences resulting therefrom.
9th. 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.
10th. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money and make such regulations, in regard to the
construction and repairs of the Highways throughout the Town, as they may deem expedient.
11th. To see what sums of money, if any, the Town will raise for the Aid of Families of Volunteers
as by law authorized.
12th. To grant such sums of money, to be raised 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 ailowances respecting the same.
13th. 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 Second day of March, in the year
Eighteen hundred and sixty-five.
Joseph Wilson
Robert S. Foster
James Hill
Lawson Walker
John T. Ober
Selectmen of Beverly
Essex, ss: Beverly March 6,1865. 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 or near each of the public meeting houses in the Town, and other places in Town
according to the Town Regulations.
John H. Chipman, Constables 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 two next preceding pages) at the Town Hall in said Town, on Monday the Thirteenth
day of March in the year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Five at Nine o'clock in the forenoon, the same
being the Annual Meeting of said Town. The meeting was eailed to order at the time appointed, by
the Clerk, who read the warrant therefore and received the ballots for Moderator, and it was
Voted by ballot, unanimously, that Hon. John I. Baker be Moderator.
Prayers were then offered by Rev. T. M. Merriman, of the 2d Baptist Church.
Voted by ballot, unanimously, that 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 Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Engineers of the Fire Department, Trustees
of the Public Library, and Board of Health were severally read and accepted. The Report of the
School Committee was presented and laid on the table. The Auditor's Report was also presented
and laid on the table. This Report was taken from the table and accepted, at a subsequent stage of
the meeting.
Voted that the Burial Ground of the Farms, be put in good order by the Board of Health, at the
expense of persons, who have put the same out of order.
The following officers were then chosen by ballot.
Selectmen. Joseph Wilson, Robert S. Foster, James Hill, Lawson Walker, and Elijah E. Lummus.
Assessors. John B. Hill, Josiah A. Haskell, John H. Cross, Elisha Woodbury and Charles H. Odell.
Overseers of the Poor. Samuel Porter, Benjamin Wallis, John Meacom, Israel F. Lee and Luther
Herrick
Treasurer. Robert G. Bennett.
Collector of Taxes. Josiah A. Haskell.
Inspector of Police. John J. Dennis.
Voted, that the Collector of taxes, be allowed and paid one percent on all moneys, by him collected
and paid with the Town Treasury, in full compensation for his services.
Noon having arrived, the meeting adjourned to one o'clock P.M.
At one o'clock P.M. the voters again assembled and proceeded with the business and the following
officers were chosen by ballot.
Constables. Israel Trask 5th, John R. Tibbetts, John H. Chipman, Andrew Wallis, William P. Moses,
George T. Larcom, Stephen Abbott 2d, Ephraim Hathaway and Israel W. Wallis.
School Committee for 3 years. Rev. T. M. Merriman, Oscar F. Swasey, James Hill and Benjamin
O. Peiree.
Trustees of the Public Library for five years. Benjamin O. Peirce.
Fence Viewers. Josiah A. Haskell, Samuel Foster and James Hill
Voted, the John H. Chipman, George T. Larcom and William P. Moses be Truant Officers.
Voted, that the remainder of the Town officers be chosen by hand vote, and the following persons
were thus chosen to their respective offices.
Board of Health. Samuel Porter, John L. Smith, Augustus N. Clark, Alvin Haskell and Stephen
Abbott 2d.
Auditors. William Endicott, Hervey Lunt, Freeborn W. Cressy.
Surveyors of Highways
Field Drivers
Ward 1 Lawson Walker
Ward 2 Levi Cole
Ward 3 William Perry
Ward 4 Samuel Woodberry
Ward 5 Henry E. Dodge
Ward 6 Richard Dodge Jr.
Ward 7 Levi Woodbury 2d
Ward 8 Hugh Hill Jr.
Ward 9 Samuel Parsons
Ward 10 Uzziel Dodge
Ward 11 Benjamin P. Giles
Ward 12 Hezekiah O. Foster
Ward 13 Charles Marshall
Jesse Dame, George M. Hildreth
William G. Bisson
William Perry
Henry Blanchard
George E. Cole
Charles G. Conant
Benjamin Ludden
Samuel H. Stone
Moses E. Wilson
Sullivan Brown
Benjamin Kent
George W. Taylor
Nathaniel Clark.
Surveyors of Lumber. Hooper A. Appleton, Daniel Wallis, Adoniram Goodhue, Joseph T. Ober, and
William Webber.
Sealer & Measure of Leather. John H. Cross.
Inspector of Lime. Charles F. Dodge.
Clerk of the Market. Charles L. Moulton.
Pound Keeper. John E. Baker.
Voted, that the Auditors Report be taken from the table.
Voted, that the Auditors Report be accepted.
Voted. the Committee all of three be chosen to appear before the Committee of the Legislature, and
oppose the reduction of tolls on Essex Bridge, as prayed for by the Salem and South Danvers Horse
Railroad Company.
Voted, that John Pickett, Joseph Wilson, & Robert Whipple, be that Committee.
Voted that the Representatives of this Representative District be requested to oppose said reduction
of tolls.
At a subsequent stage of the meeting a motion to reconsider the preceding votes whereby said
committee were appointed and the representatives instructed, was put to the meeting and lost.
Upon Article 3. In regard to the Raymond Legacy.
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be hereby authorized to receive the bequest of three hundred dollars,
given by the will of the late deceased Josiah Raymond "as a fund to the Inhabitants of the Town of
Beverly, the income thereof only to be applied towards the support of common schools, to which
colored children shall be admitted upon equal terms, and with like privileges as other children." And
that upon said receipt the Town Treasurer be further authorized, in the name and behalf of said
Town, and of the inhabitants thereof, to execute and deliver a receipt therefore, and a full release and
discharge of the estates of the said Josiah Raymond and of his late deceased widow Hannah
Raymond, and also, all of the Executors of their respective wills and of all Administrators of their
respective estates from all claims and demands on account of said bequest.
Upon Article 4. In regard to claims on E. Hitchings.
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be hereby fully authorized in the name and behalf of the Town, to
give a full release and discharge to John I. Baker, Guardian of Edwin Hitchings, from all claims and
demands, upon the payment to said Treasurer of the sum of three hundred dollars, the balance now
in said Guardian's hands.
Upon Article 5. Petition for the purchase of the Steam Fire Engine.
Voted, that the whole subject of this article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 6. Petition ofF. W. Choate on Wallis Street.
Voted, that the residents on Wallis Street, be authorized to have their highway taxes laid out in
repairing said street under the direction of the Surveyor of the Ward.
Upon Article 7. Alteration of boundary between Dodge Row & Bass River Dists.
Voted, that the subject of this article be referred to a Committee of five, to report thereon at the
adjournment this meeting.
Voted, that Elijah E. Lummus, Zachariah L. Cole, John Knowlton, George Roundy and David
Standley be that Committee.
Voted, that said Committee be enlarged by adding one from each School District in town, not now
represented on said Committee and John Meacom, and Eben H. Moulton, Elisha Woodberry and
William Perry were accordingly ehnsen an added thereto.
Voted that this Committee take into consideration the whole subject of the School Districts in town
and report thereon at the adjournment this meeting.
Upon Article 8. Liquor Traffic.
Voted, that the Selectmen take such measures, and behalf of the town, as they may deem necessary,
in regard to the enforcement of all laws for suppressing in regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors,
within the town, and that they are hereby specially instructed to prosecute express men, and all
others, who bring liquor into town contrary to law, and, also, to prosecute all other known violations
of the Liquor Law.
Upon Article 9. Schools.
Voted, that the Report of the School Committee be taken from the table.
A motion "that the Report of the School Committee be accepted" was put to the meeting, and
decided in the negative.
Voted, that the vote whereby the meeting refused to except the Report of the School Committee be
reconsidered.
Voted, that the Report of the School Committee be recommitted to the School Committee with
instructions to make a detailed Report of the several School Districts at the adjournment of this
meeting.
Voted, that the sum of Seven Thousand dollars be appropriated for the support of the Schools
throughout the town.
Voted, that Fifteen hundred dollars of the sum appropriated for schools be appropriated for the
support of the High School: and that the balance of Fifty five hundred dollars, be divided equally
among the several School Districts in town in proportion to the number of children in each district
between the ages of five and fifteen years on the first day of May next.
At a subsequent stage in the meeting a motion "to reconsider the last
preceding vote." was put to the meeting and lost.
Voted. that the Prudential Committees of the several School Districts be authorized to select and
contract with teachers, for the current year.
Voted that the High School be kept at the same place, in which it has been kept the past year.
Upon Article 10. Highways.
Voted. that the sum of two thousand dollars, be appropriated for the construction and repairs of
highways and town ways throughout the town the 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 services
upon the highways, and that the Surveyors of the several wards, shall distribute the labor as equitably
as practicable among the taxpayers.
Upon Article 11. State Aid.
Voted, that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen bc authorized to hire money
fi:om time to time, to pay thc orders drawn upon the Treasury by thc Selectmen, for the Relief of the
Families of Volunteers, as authorized by law.
Upon Article 12. Money Grant.
Voted, that the sum of Twenty Two Thousand, One Hundred Seventy Five dollars, be raised and
assessed upon the polls and estates within the town, to deft:ay thc debts of thc town and the current
expenses of the coming year.
Voted, that the subject of discounts, be laid over to the adjournment.
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to use the credit
of the town to such an extent as may be necessary, to meet the demands upon the Treasury, when he
shall not be in funds fi:om other sources.
A motion, "to reconsider the vote respecting the distribution of the School Money" was put to the
meeting and lost, the meeting refusing to reconsider said vote.
Voted, that the thanks of the Town be given to the Trustees of the Soldiers Relief Fund for their
valuable and gratuitous services the past year.
A motion "that the Selectmen have the power to let the Town Hall at their discretion," was put to
the meeting, and decided in the negative.
A motion, "that whenever the Town Hall is let to any party, it be on the condition that it shall be
closed at Eleven o'clock P.M. was also put to the meeting, and lost.
Voted, that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to Monday April 3d 1865 at one o'clock P.M. at
this place.
Upon Article 13. Jury List.
Voted, that the Jury List be referred back to the Selectmen, to report again at the adjournment.
The names of Charles L. Lovett and Ezra Standley were stricken fi:om the list at their request.
Voted, that this meeting now adjourn to Monday the Third day of April next, at one o'clock in the
afternoon.
And it was so declared by the Moderator.
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 third day of April A.D., 1865, the same being an adjournment of the Annual Town Meeting.
Voted, by ballot, that Benjamin D. Grant be Overseer of the Poor, in place of Luther Herrick who
declines serving.
Voted, that, the election of Constable, to fill a vacancy, be passed over.
Voted, by ballot, the John H. Chipman be Fence Viewer in place o f James Hill who declines serving.
Following officers with an elected by hand vote.
Surveyors of highways.
Ward 3. Josiah Obear in place of William Perry who declines
Ward 10. William B. Witham in place of Uzziel Dodge who declines.
Field Drivers.
Ward 2. John J. Woodberry in place of William G. Bisson who declines.
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
3. Josiah Ober in place of William Perry who declines.
5. Henry E. Dodge in place of George E. Cole who declines.
7. Elijah E. Lummus in place of Benjn. Ludden who declines.
9. Edward Trask in place of Moses E. Wilson who declines.
10. William B. Witham in place of Sullivan Brown who declines.
11. Joseph Creesy 2d in place of Benjn. Kent who declines.
12. Solomon Clark in place of George W. Taylor who declines.
Inspector of Lane.
Charles S. Dodge in place of Charles F. Dodge who declines.
The Committee to whom the subject of the change of boundary line between Bass River and Dodge's
Row School Districts was referred at the March meeting, made the following report which was
accepted.
"The Committee chosen at the Annual Town Meeting March 13 to take into consideration the
alteration of the boundary line between Dodge's Row & Bass River School Districts and also to
consider the whole subject of the School districts in town, beg leave respectfully to report, that in
their opinion it is inexpedient at the present time to change the boundary line of any of the school
districts, but would recommend to the town the entire abolition of the School District System in the
town."
Beverly March 28/65 signed. E.E. Lununus
John Knowlton
John Meacom
Geo. Roundy
David Standley
Voted, that the recommendation of the Committee in regard to abolishing the School Districts be
referred to the next Annual March Meeting.
A Minority of the Committee presented a report, (which was read,) concurring with the maturity as
to the into expediency of making any alteration in the boundary line of Bass River & Dodge's Row
districts, and non-concurring with them in the recommendation of the Abolition of the School
District System in town. (See file)
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, 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 a discount of three
percent be allowed on all taxes of all persons who shall pay or settle all taxes due from them on or
before the fifteenth day of October next; and two percent on all who pay or settle on or before the
first 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, shall be charged on all
taxes which shall remain unpaid, from and after said first day of January and until the same shall 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 January, next, put in suit all taxes then due and
unpaid, commencing with the highest and so to the lowest tax, provided, always that the Collector
shall make one demand for the tax before putting the same in a suit.
Voted, that the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen be accepted by the town. (This list is recorded
on page 214)
The School Committee in compliance with the vote passed at the March Meeting made a detailed
report of the several School Districts, which was read and accepted. (See said report on file)
Voted. that the Printed Report of the School Committee be accepted.
The communication from Rev. J. C. Kimball was read, resigning his place as one of the School
Committee.
Voted. that the School Committee being not empowered, and that the Selectmen be instructed, not
to draw orders for any expenses of the Schools or for any other department, exceeding the amount
appropriated for that specific purpose.
Voted, that the last foregoing vote, be reconsidered, and that the whole subject thereof be indefinitely
postponed.
Voted, that the meeting be dissolved.
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 Mecting April 3, 1865.
James D. Abbott
John E. Abbott
John W. Abbott
Richard H. Andrews
Hooper A. Appleton
Isaac Appleton
John Beekford
John Bell
Edward A. Burroughs
Benjamin O. Butman
George Butman
Edward J. Caldwell
Peter E. Clark
Charles G. Conant
Freeborn W. Cressy
John H. Cross
Charles F. Dodge
Jonathan S. Dodge
William E. Dodge
Henry B. Edwards
William W. Eldredge
Thomas Elliott
Robert R. Endicott
Samuel A. Endicott
John K. Fielder
Leonard C. Foss
Daniel S. Foster
Ezra S. Foster
Henry F. Foster
Issacher Foster
Jeremiah Foster
John Foster
Joseph E. Foster
Joseph S. Foster Jr.
Nathan H. Foster
William P. Friend
Edmund Giles
John Girdler
Benjamin D. Grant
Ephraim Hathaway
Luther Herriick
Moses S. Herrick
William S. Herrick
George M. Hildreth
John B. Hill
Benjamin P. Kimball
Asa Larcom
Benjamin Larcom
Francis Larcom
John Larcom
Rufus Larcom
Israel F. Lee
Abraham B. Lord
Charles W. Lord
Hervey Lunt
Charles Marshall
Moses Marshall
John S. Morse
Charles S. Moulton
Brackett T. Munsey
Andrew K. Ober
John F. Ober
Joseph H. Ober
William Ober
Charles H. Odell
William H. Parker
Albert Perry
John W. Pickett
Thomas Pickett
George Pierce
William D. Plaisted
Adoniram Porter
Benjamin Preston Jr.
Charles H. Preston
Hiram Preston
Richard J. Preston
Benjamin E. Smith
Francis A. Smith
George A. Standley
Augustus Stevens
Ezra A. Stone
Andrew E. Story
Charles H. Symonds
George Thissell
Benjamin Wallis
Caleb Wallis
Daniel Wallis
Edward Wallis 2d
Eleazer Wallis
John E. Wallis
Albert Webb
Benjamin Webber
Robert Whipple
Benjamin Williams
Benjamin Woodbeny
Henry Woodberry
John H. Woodberry
Stephen S. Woodberry
William G. Woodberry
A true record.
James Hill, Town Clerk.