1868-03-09 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 that Ninth day of March
current at Nine o'clock beforenoon 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 hear the report of the Committee appointed at the last annual meeting, "to take into
consideration the subject of a Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the commemoration of the Two
Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the town." And take such action both upon said
Report, and the subjects referred to said Committee, as they may think proper.
4th. To see what instruction (if any) the town will give their Selectmen, in regard to any matters that
may arise at any time under Chapter 268 of the Acts of 1864, relative to the Water Works of the City
of Salem.
5th. To see if the town will furnish the Hosemen of the several Engine Companies with Rubber suits.
- as per petitioner of F. E. Porter & others.
6th. To see if the Town will accept and allow of the action of the Selectmen in laying out a town way
from Cabot Street to Rantoul Street, between the houses of Mark Haskell and heirs of John Safford,
and establish that way as a town way, according to the Report of the Selectmen now on file in the
office of the Town Clerk.
7th. To see what measures the town will take, to provide better accommodations for the Schools in
the South District either by enlarging the present school house, building a new one, or in any other
way they may think proper, and make the necessary appropriations therefor. - per petition of J. C.
Kimball and others.
8th. To see what measures the town will take for the purpose of building a new School House or
otherwise providing convenient accommodations for the Washington School, and make all necessary
appropriations therefor.- per petition of E. D. Grant and others.
9th. To see what sums of money the town will raise for the aid of Families of Volunteers as by law
author/zed.
10th. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money and make such regulations in regard to
Schools and School houses throughout the town as may be deemed expedient, and act and do
anything respecting the same.
11th. 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, and do anything in regard thereto they
may deemed expedient.
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 the expenses of the current year, as may be deemed
expedient and make all necessary regulations and allowances respecting the same.
13th. 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 28th day of February in the year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty
eight.
Joseph Wilson
James Hill Selectmen
J. H. Young of Beverly
Ezra S. Foster
Essex, ss. March 6th, 1868.
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 and other places in town as required by the Town
Regulations.
Andrew Wallis, Constable.
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 next preceding pages) at the Town Hall in said town on Monday the Ninth day of
March in the year Eighteen hundred and sixty eight 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 therefor - and it was.
Voted, by ballot-that Freeborn W. Cressy be Moderator.
Mr. Cressy not signify his acceptance of the office- it was
Voted by ballot that Hon. John I. Baker be Moderator.
Prayers were then offered by Rev. F. M. Cookson of St. Peter's church.
Voted, by ballot, (unanimously) that James Hill be Town Clerk.
Then in open town meeting, immediately atter the above named choice of Town Clerk, James Hill
aforesaid was sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of Town Clerk of the Town of Beverly.
By and before me.
John I. Baker, Moderator.
The following officers were then elected by ballot.
Selectmen. Joseph Wilson, James Hill, John H. Young, Ezra S. Foster and Samuel Porter.
Assessors. Elisha Woodbury, Josiah A. Haskell, John D. Hill, Daniel Foster, and Hervey Lunt.
Collector of Taxes. Josiah A. Haskell.
Treasurer. Robert G. Bennett. (Unanimous)
Voted, that the Treasurer receive fifty dollars for his services the current year.
Voted, that the Collector's pay be postponed until after the 12th article has been acted upon.
The following officers were then chosen by ballot.
Overseers of the Poor. John Meacom, Israel F. Lee, Thomas Pickett, Benjamin Wallis, Benjamin
D. Grant.
Inspecter of Police. John J. Dennis.
Constables. Robert N. Brown, William T. Moses, Joseph B. Appleton, John R. Tibbetts, Andrew
Wallis, Charles H. Perry, George T. Larcom, John H. Chipman, Isaac Standley.
Fence Viewers. Josiah A. Haskell, Samuel Porter, Elisha Woodberry.
Trustee of Public Library for 5 years. William C. Boyden.
School Committee for 3 years. Benjamin O. Peirce, Oscar F. Swasey, O. T. Lanphear, George
Roundy.
School Committee for 2 years. Robert S. Foster.
School Committee for 1 year. F. M. Cookson.
Board of Health. John I. Baker, Robert R. Endicott, David Lefavour, John Ober, George Roundy.
The following officers were then chosen by hand vote.
Auditors. Freeborn W. Cressy, Hervey Lunt, Samuel Porter.
Ward 2.
Ward 3.
Ward 4.
Ward 5.
Ward 6.
Ward 7.
Ward 8.
Surveyors of Highways.
Ward 1. Alden Harris.
Jeremiah Foster.
Solomon Woodberry.
Joseph K. Preston.
Isaac Standley.
Hiram Preston.
Benjamin Ludden.
William H. Nutter
Ward 9. Isaiah H. Dodge.
Ward 10. Oliver Edwards.
Ward 11. Joseph Creesy 2d.
Ward 12. John H. Lovett.
Ward 13. Joseph Standley.
Field Drivers
Ward 1. Charles Carrico, Davenport Tuck.
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
Ward
2. John E. Foster, John J. Woodberry.
3. Elisha Pride, George Ober.
4. Adoniram Peirce, William H. Preston.
5. James Dunn, Asa J. Osborne, Henry E. Dodge.
6. Andrew Dodge, Charles G. Corland
7. David Sheldon, Cornelius Batchelder.
8. Robert N. Lee, John A. Moulton.
9. Samuel Day, Daniel Needham.
10. William B. Witham, Eli C. Ghnes
11. Seth Friend, Adoniram Porter.
12. Joshua Trask, Peter Clark.
13. Nathaniel Clark, George Ramsdell.
Pound Keeper. Charles N. Wallis.
Surveyors of Lumber. William Webber, George Swan, Richard A. Woodberry, Adoniram Goodhue,
Hooper A. Appleton, Joseph E. Ober.
Sealer and Measurer of Leather. David Thissell.
Inspector of Lime. Benjamin D. Grant.
Clerk of the Market. James Stone.
Voted, that when this meeting adjourn, it be to one o'clock P.M..
Voted, that this meeting now adjourn.
At one o'clock afternoon the voters again assembled and were called to order. - when the Reports
of the School Committee, Auditors, Selectmen, Trustees of Public Library, Board of Health and
Overseers of the Poor, was severally presented and accepted by the town.
Upon Article 3. Soldiers Monument & Anniversary.
The committee appointed at the last Armual Meeting presented the following Report, which was read
and accepted.
"The Committee appointed to consider the subject of the Soldiers and Sailors
Monument and the commemoration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of
Town, have held several meetings and made somewhat extensive inquiries, especially as to what
other towns have done, and are doing in regard to monuments to the memory of the martyred dead
of their respective localities, and while there is not much of detail to report with accuracy, it may be
stated generally that quite a number of towns have already erected monuments, some are now in
process of erection, and other towns like our own are investigating and considering the subject, while
other towns and cities have had Memorial tablets inscribed with the names of their fallen heroes,
conspicuously placed in their Town and other public Halls. The monuments erected have cost from
about two to about six thousand dollars, the latter being about the cost of that of Dorchester which
is inscribed with the names of all its people who died supporting the Government in the Rebellion.
The number of their dead is about the same as of this Town, and their Monument is a neat and
tasteful structure. Some of the emblematic and ornamental work on this Monument might be
disposed with, preserving the general design and making this quite an appropriate erection. To
preserve all the names by inscription would require a Monument as large as this, if not quite as
costly. - Beverly has a record well worthy of preservation, as well in this last great straggle as in all
the memorable conflicts of our country. From its earlier settlement in the conflicts with the Indians,
the representative names of Captain William Dodge, whose personal prowess is recorded by
Hubbard, of Capt. Thomas Lothrop with his "Flower of Essex" slain at Bloody Brook illustrated well
the character of our early settlers, scarcely a family of whom but had one or more of its members in
the ranks of the fighting men of their day. In all the frontier defenses East and West, Beverly was
well represented as well as in many of the advanced expeditions of the day. In that to Canada in
1690 Capt. Wm. Rayment with a Beverly Company composed part of its forces, and Rev. John Hale
when chaplain of the expedition, at the siege of Louisburg, Col. Robert Hale commanded a regiment
in which his son-in-law Capt. Benin. Ives commanded a Beverly company. And in all the old French
and Indian war this Town was largely represented. So it was also in the Revolution. Farthest from
the Lexington and Concord fight of any Town whose sons participated therein, Beverly had two
companies engaged in the final straggle there, and had one man (Reuben Kennison) killed and others
severely wounded. Most of the men of this Town not belonging to these companies also rallied to
that scene of conflict, among others the distinguished minister of the First Parish, Rev. Mr. Willard.
Then through all memorable struggle of the Revolution, the sons of Beverly appear on nearly every
battlefield and are largely represented in our then infant Navy, which had its origin in our port. Capt.
William M. Bartlett for whom Bartlett Street was named being the first Navy Agent in the country.
Besides the regular Navy, the volunteer Navy of privateers was manned and officered very liberally
by Beverly men and boys and rendered valiant service. In each and all of these struggles Beverly
names are too numerous to mention in a brief report may be found, who have done their full share
to render the name of their country illustrious. Many of whom rendered up their lives in the service
and none of whom have any public Monument to their memory within the town. So too in the War
of 1812 and the Mexican War this Town had its worthy representatives in both the Army and Navy
some of whom made sacrifice of life and others of health in the service. And while considering the
subject of commemorating the memory of our more recent martyrs we could but revert to those who
had gone before as fit subjects to be remembered in such a connection. And it has been suggested
whether while justly recognizing by some personal monument sacrifices of those more especially
referred to our consideration the town might also erect some testimonial to the memory of its earlier
martyrs in defense of good government. As to the services and sacrifices of the men of Beverly in
the war against the rebellion, their record is too recent and too familiar to require recapitulation.
Always furnishing more than our proportion of men and represented on nearly every battlefield, and
in nearly every important naval conflict, no patriot will deny his tribute of honor and gratitude to all
who thus represented us and the least we can do for the memory of the noble dead would seem to
be to perpetuate their names and record in some enduring form. As to what form that memorial shall
take your committee are not disposed to recommend specifically. Besides the suggestion of a
monument and of tablets, a memorial volume has been suggested recording the doings of Beverly
men and Beverly women in suppression of the Rebellion, with brief notices of each of our martyrs
in the Union service. We leave the different suggestions to be considered and discussed by the
inhabitants in town meeting assembled. The committee unite in recommending, that whether a
monument be erected or not, a large lot including the summit of the Hill in the addition to the
cemetery be laid out as a memorial lot and devoted entirely to the memory of those of our people
whose lives have been given to their country. And we would further recommend that this lot as well
as the whole of the new addition to the cemetery be laid out by someone well skilled in landscape
gardening as it is called.
As the commemoration of the Two Hundredth anniversary of the Incorporation of the town
which will occur October 25, 1868, if a Monument is to be erected by the town at no more
appropriate time for its dedication could be perhaps had than that anniversary, which might be made
an interesting occasion both with reference to that especial service as well as in brief review of the
history of one of the good old New England towns, which thanks to the a Divine Providence has a
record which will compare whether in civil or military life with that of her sister municipalities."
John I. Baker
John W. Abbott
Jos. E. Ober Committee
John Pickett
Francis E. Porter
Voted, that the Summit of the Hill in the new cemetery be laid out as a memorial lot, for the Soldiers
and Sailors and that the same be laid out by some persons skilled in such matters.
Upon Article 4. Salem City Water Works.
Voted, that the whole subject be referred to the Selectmen with full authority at anytime to take such
action thereon as they think for the interest or benefits of the town, or of any portion of the
inhabitants.
Upon Article 5. Furnishing Rubber Suits for Hosemen.
A motion that the prayer of the petitioners be granted was put to the meeting and lost.
Upon Article 6. Laying out of Fayette Street.
After the reading of the Report of the Selectmen thereon,
Voted, that the Report of the Selectmen be accepted, and that said way be established as a Town way
forever, according to said Report which is as follows,
"Upon the petition of Jeremiah Porter 2d and others for laying out a Town way
from Cabot Street near the Southerly side of the house of Mark Haskell to Rantoul Street opposite
the land of Josiah L. Foster & others, over the private way known as Fayette Court and land of
abutters on said way.
Notice having been given to all parties interested, the undersigned Selectmen
of the town of Beverly, did view the premises, and hear the parties, and upon the completion of said
viewing and hearing, did proceed to layout said Town way, which shall be known as Fayette Street,
in manner and form following, to wit: Beginning at point on Cabot St. on land of the heirs of John
Safford, twenty-four and one tenth feet Southerly of the Northeasterly corner of said land, thence
running North 39 1/4° west, over land of said Safford heirs one hundred and three and three tenths
feet to the boundary line between land of said Safford heirs and land of Charles H. Rogers, which
point is twenty-two and three tenths feet from the Southerly line of said private way as now fenced,
thence North 59 1/4° west over land of C. H. Rogers, R. G. Porter, Jeremiah Porter 2d, John Pickett
2d, Martin Sweeney, Charles Davis and William B. Lovett, and the aforesaid private way to Rantoul
Street, to a point twenty-six feet, Northerly of the boundary line between lands of Moses Marshall
and Lovett & Davis, the above described line is the Southerly line of said way. - And the Northerly
line of said way commences at Cabot Street forty feet northeasterly of the commencement of the
Southerly line and forty feet distant therefrom, running one foot from the southeasterly corner of the
house of Mark Haskell one hundred and nineteen feet to angle. Thence North 59 1/4° West parallel
with the Southerly line of said way, over land of Mark Haskell, heirs of John Wilson, William B.
Lovett, and Charles Davis to Rantoul Street, forty and five tenths feet northerly of the termination
of the Southerly line, laying all the land between the above described lines open as the town way,
which shall be forty feet wide upon the surface or traveled part thereof, both in the cuttings and on
the embankments, with all the slopes, resting upon the adjoining owners outside the lines above
described.
And we have awarded damages consequent upon the laying out of said way as follows.
To the owners of the Safford estate, seven hundred dollars.
To Charles Davis, one hundred and fifty dollars.
To William B. Lovett, one hundred and fifty dollars.
And to no other person have we awarded any damages.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this twenty-seventh day of February A.D. 1868.
Joseph Wilson
James Hill Selectmen
Ezra S. Foster of
J. H. Young Beverly
Previous to the acceptance of the above Report, a motion to indefinitely postpone the whole subject
was put the meeting and lost.
Voted that it is the opinion of the town that the strip of land mentioned in the Overseers' Report, be
sold, and that the authority be obtained therefore, by a issuing a warrant for a meeting to act thereon
to be held on the day of the adjournment of this meeting.
Upon Articles 7 & 8. Petitions for School Houses.
Voted, that both of said articles be laid on the table till the 10th article has been acted upon.
Upon Article 9. State aid.
Voted, that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be authorized to hire money,
from time to time to pay the order drawn upon the Treasury by the Selectmen for the relief of the
Families of Volunteers, as authorized by law.
Upon Article 10. Schools.
Voted, that the sum of Twelve Thousand dollars be appropriated for the Support of Schools
throughout the town current year.
Voted, that a School be established in the School house at West Farms.
Voted that the Farms Club be allowed, under the direction of the School Committee, to have the use
of the School houses in town for occasional meetings.
Voted, that it is the opinion of the town, that the School Committee give the preference to female
teachers in all the schools in town.
Voted, that the School Committee be required to employ a Superintendent of Schools according to
the provisions of the General Statutes, at a compensation not exceeding one thousand dollars.
Voted, that the School Committee be requested to ... the School Houses in order throughout the
town.
A motion to reconsider so much of the vote in regard to Employing a Superintendent of Schools, as
relates to compensation was put, and lost.
Articles 7 & 8 were then taken from the table.
Voted, that the whole subject of these articles be referred to a special committee to report at the
adjournment some specific plans and the probable expense, and all matters in reference to the school
houses.
Voted, that this Committee consist of five persons, and that they be appointed by the Town Clerk.
Voted, that John I. Baker, Benjamin D. Grant, John C. Kimball, Joseph Foster 2d, and George
Roundy, be that Committee.
Voted, that this Committee are especially instructed to inquire as to the location of school houses,
and the division of territory in town for school purposes.
Voted that the High School be located in the same place as last year.
Upon Article 11. Highways.
Voted, that the sum of ten thousand dollars be appropriated for the construction and repairs of
Highways and for the land damages consequent upon such construction and repairs, throughout the
town the current year.
Voted that the sum of twenty cents per hour be allowed and paid for all labor on the Highways the
ensuing year and a proportional sum for teams at all other services upon the Highways.
Upon Article 12. General money grants.
Voted, that the sum of thirty-eight thousand dollars be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates
within the town; to defray the debts of the town, and the current expenses of the current municipal
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 inhabitants 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 fill the same shall be paid, and
such interest shall be added and considered as a part of such taxes, and that so 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 on to the lowest tax. Provided, always that the Collector shall
make one demand for the tax before putting the same in suit.
Voted, that the Collector shall forthwith collect all taxes now due, and that the town will hold him
harmless from any personal expenses in so doing.
Voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to use the credit
of the town to such an extent as maybe necessary to meet the demands upon the Treasury, when he
shall not be in funds from other sources.
Voted, that the Collector of Taxes receive one percent on all monies collected and paid into the
Treasury by him, in full payment for his services.
The report of the Engineers of the Fire Department was then read and accepted.
Article 13. Jury List. (Recorded on page 281)
Voted that the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen be accepted, the same having been read to the
meeting
A motion that the vote whereby the Town Hall was closed at twelve o'clock, midnight, by all parties
hiring the same, be rescinded, was put to the meeting and lost.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to charge such additional sum to the present prices in letting
the Hall as shall be sufficient to pay the entire expenses of the Hall.
Voted, that when this meeting adjourn it adjoum to Monday the Sixth day of April next at ten
o'clock in the forenoon.
Voted, that this meeting now adjourn, and it was so declared bythe Moderator adjourned to the first
Monday of April next at 10 o'clock A.M.
A true record,
Attest
James Hill,
Town Clerk.
List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen for February 28,1868 accepted by the town March 9,1868.
James D. Abbott
John E. Abbott
John W. Abbott
George F. Allen
Richard H. Andrews
Isaac Appleton
Thomas Appleton
Joseph H. Baker
John Bell
Israel P. Brown
Edward A. Burroughs
Benin. O. Burmah
George Butman
Edward J. Caldwell
Charles G. Conant
Freeborn W. Cressy
William H. Cross
Thomas D. Davis
Charles F. Dodge
Jonathan S. Dodge
William E. Dodge
William W. Eldredge
Thomas Elliott
Robert R. Endicott
Jonathan S. Eveleth
John K. Fielder
David L. Foster
Josiah Foster
Jonathan Foster
Hezekiah O. Foster
Henry F. Foster
Jeremiah Foster
John Foster
Joseph L. Foster Jr.
Nathan H. Foster
William P. Friend
Benjamin Giles
Edmund Giles
Ephraim Hathaway
William L. Herrick
John B. Hill
Andrew Jaquith
Benjn. P. Kimball
Benjn. Larcom
Francis Larcom
John Larcom
Rufus Larcom
Israel F. Lee
John H. Lefavour
Abraham B. Lord
Charles W. Ward
Hervey Lunt
Charles Marshall
John Meacom
Curtis R. Moulton
Brackett T. Munsey
Andrew K. Obor
John T. Ober
Joseph E. Ober
Joseph H. Ober
William Ober
Charles H. Odell
Asa J. Osborne
Albert Perry
John W. Pickett
William D. Plaisted
Adoniram Porter
Benjamin Preston Jr.
Charles H. Preston
Hiram Preston
Richard J. Preston
Samuel Porter
Benjamin E. Smith
Thomas E. Smith
Francis A. Smith
George Swan
George A. Standley
Benjn. W. Standley
Augusta Stevens
Ezra A. Stone
Andrew E. Story
Charles H. Symonds
George Thissell
Calvin Tuck
Caleb Wallis
Daniel Wallis
Edward Wallis 2d
Eleazer Wallis
John E. Wallis
Albert Webb
Benjn. Webber
Robert Whipple
Benjn. Williams
Joseph H. Williams
Bonjn. Woodberry
Henry Woodberry
John H. Woodberry
Stephen S. Woodberry
John H. Young
Attest.
James Hill, Town Clerk.