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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.