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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.