1866-03-12 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 twelfth day of March
current at nine o'clock before noon for the following purposes:-viz.;-
1st. To choose a moderate.
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 vote upon the question of abolishing the School Districts in the Town, as required by the
General Statutes, Chapter 39, Section 4.
4th. To see if the Town will purchase one or more Steam Fire Engines, and provide all necessary
means for its operation - per petition of A. N. and Clark & others.
5th. To see if the Town will build a cistern or reservoir, at some convenient place near the Railroad
Station or Rantoul Street, per petition of J. I. Baker and others.
6th. To see if the Town will cause the well near the Union Store to be deepened, so that a better
supply of water may be obtained for the benefit of the public.- per petition of H. P. Herrick & others.
7th. To see if the Town will pay to Mary Grush, the sum of fifty dollars as bounty to her son Joseph
Grush.- per petition of J. L. Smith & others.
8th. To see if the Town will authorize the payment of the sum of twenty-five dollars and fifty cents,
to Josiah Obear, for labor on the highway, performed by him on his own responsibility, and without
any warrant therefor.
9th. To see what measures the Town will adopt to protect themselves from the illegal traffic in
intoxicating liquors, and the evil consequences resulting therefrom.
10th. To adopt such measures, grants 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.
11th. To adopt such measures, grants 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.
12th. To see what sums of money, if any, the Town will raise for the Aid of Families of Volunteers,
as by law authorized.
13th. To grants such sums of money to be raised on 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.
14th. 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 the time
appointed for said Meeting.
Given under our hands and seal this first day of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Six.
Joseph Wilson
Robert S. Foster
Lawson Walker
James Hill
Elijah E. Lummus
Selectmen of Beverly
Essex, ss: Beverly March 5th 1866. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant I have notified the persons
therein named, as therein directed, but posting notifications, stating the time, place, and objects of
said Meeting at or near each of the public meeting houses, and at other places in Town according to
the Town Regulations.
Israel Trask 5th, Constable of Beverly.
A true copy 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 Twelfth
day of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred Sixty six at Nine o'clock in the forenoon, the same
being the Annual Meeting of said Town. The meeting was called to order by the Clerk, at the time
appointed, who read the warrant therefor, and it was
Voted. by ballot, that Hon. John I. Baker be Moderator.
Mr. Baker declining to serve, it was then
Voted by ballot, that Hon. Frederick W. Choate be Moderator.
Prayers was then offered by Rev. E. H. Titus of the Dane St. church.
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 following officers were then chosen by ballot.
Selectmen, Joseph Wilson, James Hill, John W. Raymond, John H. Young & Ezra S. Foster.
Assessors. John B. Hill, Elisha Woodberry, Josiah A. Haskell, Daniel Foster and Hervey Lunt.
Overseers of the Poor. Samuel Porter, John Meacom, Benjamin D. Grant, Israel F. Lee, and
Benjamin Wallis.
Treasurer. Robert G. Bennett.
Voted that the Treasurer receive fifty dollars for his services the ensuing year.
Previous to the Election of Treasurer, noon having arrived, the Meeting adjourned to one o'clock
P.M. and at one o'clock P.M. the voters again assembled and proceeded with business and the
following officers were chosen by ballot.
Collector of Taxes. Josiah A. Haskell.
Voted, that the Collector of Taxes be allowed and paid one percent for all monies collected and paid
by him into the Town Treasury in full compensation for his services.
The following officers were then chosen by ballot.
Inspector of Police. John J. Dennis.
Constables. Robert N. Brown, John R. Tibbetts, Andrew Wailis, William P. Moses, Ephraim
Hathaway, John H. Chipman, George T. Larcom, Israel W. Hollis, Israel Trask 5th.
Trustee of Public Library for five years.
John C. Kimball declining to serve, it was Voted to fill the vacancy at the adjournment of this
meeting.
Fence Viewers. Josiah A. Haskell, Elisha Woodberry, and Henry P. Woodberry.
All the before named officers having been elected by ballot, it was then Voted that the remaining
officers be chosen by hand vote, and the following persons were thus chosen to their respective
offices.
Truant Officers. John H. Chipman, William P. Moses, and George T. Larcom.
Board of Health. Samuel Porter, John L. Smith, George Roundy, Alvan Haskell, and Elijah
Lummus.
Auditors. William Endicott, Hervey Lunt, and Freeborn W. Cressy.
Voted, that the persons this day chosen Selectmen, to wit Joseph Wilson, James Hill, John W.
Raymond, John H. Young, and Ezra S. Foster, be Surveyors of Highways for the Ensuing year.
Voted. that the persons this day chosen Selectmen, to wit Joseph Wilson, James Hill, John W.
Raymond, John H. Young, and Ezra S. Foster, be Field Drivers for the Ensuing year.
Surveyors of Lumber. William Webber, Daniel Wallis, Hooper A. Appleton, Joseph E. Ober, and
Jonathan Bryant.
Sealer & measurer of Leather. Francis Norwood.
Inspector of Lime. Benjamin D. Grant.
Pound Keeper. John E. Baker.
Clerk of the Market. Andrew E. Story.
Voted that the Clerk of the Market received two dollars per day one employee.
Upon Article 3d. Abolition of School Districts.
Voted. on motion of Joseph E. Ober, Esq.
That the School Districts in this Town be abolished. 333 voting in favor, 279 opposed.
A motion to reconsider this last vote, was put to the Meeting and decided in the negative, the
Meeting refusing to reconsider.
On motion of Hon. John I. Baker.
Voted, That the School Committee in cooperation with the Selectmen, forthwith take possession of
all the School Houses, Lands, apparatus and other property, owned and used for school purposes,
by the several School Districts in Town, and appraise said property or cause same to be appraised
according to the Statute. And that the School Committee be requested to continue the Schools as
they now are as far as practicable, until the new arrangement can be perfected.
Upon Article 4th. Petition for a Steam Fire Engine.
On motion of Hon. John I. Baker.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to purchase a good Steam Fire Engine and necessary
apparatus, at an expense not exceeding seven thousand dollars.
Upon Article 5th. Petition for a Cistern at the Railroad Station.
Voted. That the prayer of the petitioners be granted.
Voted, that the Engineers of the Fire Department be a Committee to locate the same, and carry into
effect the prayer of the petitioners.
Upon Article 6th. Relative to the well at the Union Store.
Voted. That this article be referred to the Board of Engineers of the Fire Depariment, to report
thereon at the adjournment of this meeting in April next.
Upon Article 7th. Petition for Bounty to Mary Grush.
Voted, That this article be referred to the Selectmen, to report thereon at the adjournment of this
meeting in April next.
Upon Article 8th. Petition of Josiah Obear.
Voted, That the whole subject of this article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 9th. Liquor Traffic.
Voted, That the Selectmen take such measures in behalf of the Town, as they may deem necessary,
in regard to the enforcement ofalllaws for suppressing and regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors
within the Town. And that they are specially instructed to prosecute express men and all others who
bring liquors into Town contrary to law and also, to prosecute all known violations of the Liquor
Laws. Voted, that a Committee of twenty be chosen to co-operate with the Selectmen in carrying
in to effect the foregoing vote.
Voted, that John J. Dennis, Benjamin D. Burchsted, Israel F. Lee, Andrew E. Story, F. W. Cressy,
Isaac Standley, George Roundy, Zachariah Cole, Samuel Porter, George S. Millett, Henry P. Herrick,
William H. Parker, Gorham H. Howard, Charles Marshall, John I. Baker, Moses Marshall, Shadrack
Fisk, Israel Trask 5th, Charles H. Odell, Charles Lawson, be that Committee.
Upon Article 10th. Schools.
Voted, That the sum of Eight Thousand Five Hundred dollars be appropriated for the support of
Schools the current year and that Fifteen hundred dollars of said sum be appropriated for the support
of the High School, and Seven Thousand dollars, the balance of said sum be appropriated for the
support of Common Schools throughout the Town the Ensuing year.
Upon Article 11th. Highways.
Voted, That the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated for the construction and repair of
Highways throughout the Town the current year.
Upon Article 12th. Aid to Families of Volunteers years.
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
Families of Volunteers as authorized by law.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town, be given to the Treasurer and also, to the Trustees of the
Soldiers Relief Fund, for their valuable and gratuitous services during the past year.
Upon Article 13. Money Grant.
Voted, That the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, be raised and assessed upon the polls and
estates within the Town, to defray the debts of the Town, in the current expenses of coming year.
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 that 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 our
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, until the same shall
be paid, and such interest shall be added to and be 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 onto the lowest tax. Provided always that the Collector
shall make one demand for the tax before putting the same in suit.
Upon Article 14th. Jury List.
Voted, That the consideration of this article be postponed to the adjournment of this meeting in
April.
The Reports, of the Selectmen, Auditors, School Committee, Overseers of the Poor, & Engineers
of the Fire Department, & Board of Health were severally presented, and accepted by the Town. The
Report of the Overseers of the Poor is accepted without adopting the recommendation contained
therein in regard to transferring the State Lunatic Hospital account to the Selectmen's Department.
Voted, that when this meeting adjourn, it adjourn to the first Monday in April next at nine o'clock
in the forenoon.
Voted, That this meeting now adjourn and the Moderator so declared it adjourned to Monday April
2d, 1866 at 9 o'clock A.M.,
A true record. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk
At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the Town of Beverly, held at thc Town Hall on Monday
the Second day of April A. D. 1866 at Nine o'clock in the forenoon, the same being the adjournment
of the Annual Town Meeting held at the same place on the 12th day of March A.D. 1866
Voted, by ballot, that William Endicott be one of the School Committee for three years.
Voted, to pass over filling any vacancy in the Constables.
The following persons were then chosen to their several offices, by hand vote.
Board of Health.
Josiah A. Haskell in place of George Roundy declining
John H. Chipman in place of Elijah E. Lummns declining.
Field Drivers
Ward 1. Davenport Tuck
Ward 2. Ira D. Batchelder
Ward 3. David Larcom
Ward 4. Joseph E. Ober
Ward 5. Joseph M. Standley
Ward 6. Andrew Dodge
Ward 7. Benjamin E. Ludden
Ward 8. Georgia R. Sands
Ward 9. Charles
Ward 10. Sullivan Brown
Ward 11. Seth Friend
Ward 12. Josiah Trask
Ward 13. Jedidiah Styles
Voted, That the Report of the Selectmen, on petition of John L. Smith and others, for payment of the
bounty to Mary Grush, be accepted, which report is as follows.
"The Selectmen would report upon the petition for the payment of bounty to
Mary Gnash, that, having considered the matter, they are of the opinion that the Town canaot legally
pay the same to Mrs. Grush, and even if there was a legal claim, they would not be authorized to pay
the same to her, as she is but one of several heirs, each of whom, would be entitled to claim his or
her share, therefore, in order to avoid any difficulty, we would recommend that the Trustees of the
Soldiers Fund should paid to Mrs. Grush such sums, and, at such times as they may judge for her
benefit."
Beverly March 31, 1866 (signed by all the Selectmen.)
Upon Article 6. Relative to the well by the Union Store.
The Chief Engineer made a verbal report which was accepted, and it was Voted, That the whole
subject be referred to the Engineers of the Fire Department with full power to clean out said well.
Voted, That the High School be kept in the same place as last year.
Voted, That the sum of twenty cents per hour, be allowed and paid for all labor performed upon the
Highways the ensuing year, and a proportional sum for teams, and all other services upon the
Highways.
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 from other sources.
Voted. That the amount of the appraisal of the school house & lands and other property of the several
School Districts, be levied upon the Town, at the annual assessment of taxes of the present year.
Voted, That the "Raymond Legacy" (for Schools) of $3000 be invested in the Town debt at the
highest rate of interest, the Town pays upon any of its debt.
Voted, that the compensation to be paid for ringing bells, be referred to the Selectmen to pay what
they may think best.
Voted, That the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen be accepted. (This list is recorded on next
page)
Voted, That this meeting be dissolved, and it was so declared by the Moderator.
A true record.
Attest.
James Hill, Town Clerk
List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen March 1, 1866 and accepted by the Town April 2d 1866.
James D. Abbott
John E. Abbott
John W. Abbott
Richard H. Andrews
Isaac Appleton
Thomas Appleton
John Beckford
John Bell
Edward A. Burroughs
Benjamin O. Butman
George Butman
Edward J. Caldwell
Charles G. Conant
Freeborn W. Cressy
William H. Cross
Charles F. Dodge
Jonathan S. Dodge
William E. Dodge
William W. Elbridge
Thomas Elliott
Robert R. Endicott
Samuel A. Endicott
John K. Fielder
Leonard C. Foss
David L. Foster
Ezra S. Foster
Hezekiah O. Foster
Henry F. Foster
Issacher Foster
Jeremiah Foster
John Foster
Joseph L. Foster Jr.
Nathan H. Foster
William P. Friend
Edmund Giles
John Girdler
Ephraim Hathaway
Luther Herrick
William L. Herrick
John B. Hill
Benjamin P. Kimball
Benjamin Larcom
Francis Larcom
John Larcom
Rufus Larcom
Israel F. Lee
Abraham B. Lord
Charles W. Lord
Hervey Lunt
Charles Marshall
Moses Marshall
John Meaeom
John L. Morse
Brackett T. Munsey
Andrew K. Ober
John F. Ober
Joseph H. Ober
William Ober
Charles H. Odell
Asa F. Osborne
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
Samuel Porter
John W. Raymond
Hiram L. Roberts
Benjamin E. Smith
Francis A. Smith
George A. Standley
Benjamin W. Standley
Augustus Stevens
Ezra A. Stone
Andrew E. Story
Charles H. Symonds
George Thissell
Calvin Truck
Benjamin Wallis
Caleb Wallis
Daniel Wallis
Edward Wallis 2d
Eleazar Wallis
John E. Wallis
Albert Webb
Benjamin Webber
Robert Whipple
Benjamin Williams
Benjamin Woodberry
Henry Woodbemy
Henry P. Woodberry
John H. Woodberry
Stephen S. Woodberry
Joseph H. Williams
A true record.
Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk