1856-03-10Commonwealth 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 the
qualified voters of said Town (in the usual manner) to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the Tenth
day of March next at Nine O’clock before noon to act on the following articles. - viz..
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1. To choose a Moderator.
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2. To choose Town officers for the year ensuing and grant them such pay for their services as the
town may think expedient.
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3. To see if the town will change their mode of collecting taxes, either by letting out the same to the
lowest bidder, or by obliging taxpayers to call on the collector and pay their taxes. - per petition of
J. Batchelder & others.
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4. To see if the town will alter, repeal, or amend, its “Bylaws & Town Regulations” as that the
Selectmen shall be the only board authorized to draw orders on the Town Treasury. - per petition of
Andrew T. Leach and others.
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5. To see if the town will repeal the Dog Law. - per petition of E. Hathaway & others.
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6. To see if the town will petition the County Commissioners, to open the road surveyed by them,
commencing at Chapman’s Corner, and ending near the house of Abraham Dodge in Wenham, - per
petition of S. D. G. Standley & others.
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7. To see if the town will grant any compensation to Abraham H. Fisk for land which the town want
to widen Woodbury Street. - per his petition.
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8. To see if the town will reconsider the vote passed at a town meeting held July 9 1855,
indefinitely postponing the report of the Selectmen upon widening that part of Abbott Street lying
between Lothrop Street and the sea, and now accept that report and establish that way as therein laid
out - per petition of Jonathan Batchelder and others.
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9. To see if the town will limit the time allowed for a moving the Wallis House from the corner of
Cabot and Bow Streets, to five years instead of ten years, as voted at a meeting held June12,1851.-
per petition of John Remmonds and others.
The
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10. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of One Thousand dollars for the benefit of the
Public Library - per petition of Seth Norwood & others.
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11. To see if the town will establish a High School of the first grade and vote a sufficient sum of
money for the support thereof. Per petition of F. W. Choate & others.
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12. To see what measures the town will adopt to protect themselves against the unlawful traffic in
intoxicating liquors, and the evil consequences resulting therefrom.
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13. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations respecting
schools throughout the town, for the ensuing year as may be deemed expedient.
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14. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money and make such regulations respecting the
construction, repairs and improvements of the Highways and town ways throughout the town, as may
be deemed expedient.
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15. To grant such sums of money to be raised and assessed on the polls and estates within the town,
for the purpose of defraying the debts of the town, and for the expenses of the ensuing year, as the
town may deem expedient, and make all necessary allowances and regulations respecting the same.
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16. To see if the town will approve the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen.
Hereof fail not but make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon before said time.
Given under our hands and seal this twenty-eighth day of February, in the year Eighteen Hundred
Fifty Six.
Lawson Walker
George S. MillettSelectmen of Beverly
Warren Prince
Beverly March 1,1856. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant I have notified the persons named
as therein directed by posting notifications at or near each of the public meeting houses in town
according to the Town Regulations.Jacob Lunt, Constable 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 pursuant to the warrant
recorded on the two next proceeding pages, at Town Hall on Monday the tenth day of March, in the
year Eighteen Hundred Fifty Six at Nine O’clock A. M.; the same being the annual March meeting.
Meeting was call to order, at the time appointed, by the Clerk who read the warrant, and
received the ballots for Moderator, and the meeting:-
Voted. By ballot, that William H. Lovett be Moderator.
Prayers were then often by Rev. Charles W. Reding.
Voted, by ballot, the James Hill be Town Clerk.
Then in open town meeting immediately after the above 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.
Wm. H. Lovett, Moderator.
Voted, That previous to balloting for the remainder of the Town officers that the reports of the
several boards of officers be read.
The Auditors report being the first in order it was voted that this report be laid upon the table. The
Report of the Selectmen was read and accepted. It was then voted that the Auditors’ Report be taken
from the table, and that portion relating to the Overseers department read, when after considerable
discussion the whole report, was accepted.
Noon having arrived the meeting adjourned to One o’clock P.M. when the voters again assembled
and proceeded with the business.
The Reports of the Overseers, Board of Health, and Firewards were then read and accepted. The
Trustees of the Public Library and School Committee being unprepared to Report at this time the
meeting proceeded to the election of Town officers; and it was -
Voted. By ballot, that Lawson Walker, Aaron Dodge, David H. Caldwell, John Pickett and Samuel
Ober be Selectmen.
Voted. By ballot, the James Hill, Eleazar Wallis, Samuel Lummus, John Ober, and Perkins Haskell
be Assessors.
Voted, by ballot, the Robert G. Bennett be Town Treasurer.
Voted. That the Treasurer received twenty dollars for his services.
Voted. That the 3d article of the warrant respecting the collection of taxes, be taken up at this time,
after some discussion of the subject, and the reading of a communication, from Ezra Edwards Jr., in
which he offered to collect the taxes for one percent provided he was elected, the 3d article was laid
on the table - and it was.-
Voted. By ballot, that Ezra Edwards Jr. be Collector of Taxes.
Voted. That the Collector receive for his services the sum of one percent on all monies collected by
him for the Town, and paid into the Town Treasury.
Voted. By ballot, the John J. Dennis be Inspector of Then.
Voted, that the number of Constables be limited to Nine.
Voted, by ballot, that George T. Larcom, Levi Cole, Samuel D. G. Standley, Albert E. Dodge, Peter
D. Clark, Nathaniel P. Allen, John J. Dennis, Jacob Lunt, and Thomas P. Groce, be Constables.
Voted by ballot, the John B. Hill, John H. Chester and Charles H. Patch be Auditors.
The report of the School Committee was read and accepted.
Voted. By ballot, that Rufus Putnam, Joseph G. Dodge, B. Osgood Peirce, C. T. Thayer, Joseph
Abbott, Charles W. Reding, Alonzo B. Rich, Benjamin Knight, M. Ordway, Frederic W. Choate,
Warren Tilton, David C. Foster & William Endicott Jr., be the School Committee.
Voted. That when the this meeting adjourn, it be till tomorrow, Tuesday morning March 11,1856
at Nine o’clock A M. at the Town Hall.
Voted, that we now adjourn, and it was so declared by the Moderator.
The annual March meeting again assembled according to adjournment recorded on the next previous
page at the Town Hall, on Tuesday morning, March 11,1856, and Nine O’clock A. M. and was called
to order by the Moderator. William H. Lovett.
The Report of the Trustees of the Public Library was read and accepted.
Voted. By ballot, that Richard P. Watters, be Trustee of the Public Library.
Voted. By ballot, that William H. Lovett, John L. Story, Daniel Trow, Alpheus Davis, Edward Wallis
2d, Eben H. Moulton, John J. Dennis, Levi Cole, Andrew F. Wales, Israel Trask 5th, Charles Friend,
Nathaniel Porter, Charles P. Dodge, Samuel Woodberry 2d and Andrew L. Eaton, be Firewards.
Voted. That the 4th Article in the warrant be taken up and acted upon before balloting for Overseers
of the Poor.
Voted, that, according to the recommendation of the Auditors in their last Annual Report, the Town
Regulations be so altered and amended that the Board of Selectmen only be allowed to draw orders
on the Treasurer for the payment of bills against the Town.
Voted. By ballot, that, Edward Pousland, Jeremiah Porter, William Putnam, Isaac Prince, and
Jonathan Batchelder, be Overseers of the Poor.
Upon motion of Israel Trask 5th. it was
Voted. The John Bradshaw, John J. Dennis, John B. Hill, John H. Chester, and Charles Haddock,
be a committee to examine into the present condition of the Alms House and report at the
adjournment of this meeting in April next.
On motion of Joseph E. Ober Esq. it was
Voted. That the choice of Surveyors of Highways be postponed to the adjournment of this meeting
in April next, and that they then be chosen by ballot, each Surveyor being Voted for separately.
Voted. That the remainder of the Town officers be chosen by hand vote. And the following officers
were chosen in that manner.
Board of Health. Augustus N. Clark, James Hill, and John L. Story.
Surveyors of Lumber. William H. Patch, William Webber, John Meacom, Benjamin Larcom, John
Ober, John H. Cross.
Fence Viewers. Thomas Raymond, Hezekiah Foster & Edward Pousland.
Sealers of Leather. Alpheus Trask, Charles W. Galloupe.
Inspector of Lime. John Beckford.
Clerk of the Market. Alpheus Trask.
The motion made by W. P. Moses, that none but “general men of property & standing” be selected
Field Drivers was laid on the table.
Field DriversWard 1. Stephen L. FosterWard 7. Abraham B. Lord
Ward 1. Joseph T. HaskellWard 8. Samuel H. Stone
Ward 2. Albert BrowerWard 9. Dudley Dodge
Ward 2. Levi ColeWard 10. Sullivan Brown
Ward 3. West D. EldredgeWard 11. Zachariah Daniels
Ward 4. George T. LarcomWard 12. William E. Dodge
Ward 5. Isaac StandleyWard 13. George W. Taylor
Ward 6. Andrew DodgeWard 14. Benjamin H. Day
Pound Keeper. Ebenezer Trask.
Upon Article 5. Petition of E. Hathaway & others, for repeal of Dog Law.
Voted. That the prayer of the petitioners be granted.
Voted. That a Committee of Three be appointed by the Chair to investigate the accounts of the
Register of Dogs.
And Joseph T. Haskell, Isaac Standley, & George T. Larcom were appointed by the Chair, as that
Committee.
Upon Article 6. Petition of S. D. G. Standley & other - on Road.
Vote. That this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 7. Petition of Abram H. Fiske - for land damages.
Voted. That this petition be referred to the Selectmen, to report at adjournment.
Upon Article 8. Petition of Jonathan Batchelder et al. on Abbott Street.
Voted. That this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 9, petition of J. Remmonds & others, for removal of Wallis House
Voted. That this article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 10, petition of Seth Norwood & others for appropriation for Library.
Voted. That this article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 11. Petition of F. W. Choate & others for High School.
Voted, that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Upon Article 12. In relation to unlawful sale of ardent spirits.
Voted, that the Selectmen take such measures, in behalf of the Town as they deem necessary in
regard to the enforcement of the laws for suppressing or regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors
within the Town.
Upon Article 13, relating to Schools.
Voted. That the sum of Five Thousand Five Hundred Dollars be appropriated for the support of
schools throughout the Town the current year. - the same to be expended and distributed as follows,
one fifth to be equally divided among the several school districts and the balance to be divided among
the several districts in proportion to the number of children in each district on the first day of May
next, between the ages of five and fifteen years.
Upon Article 14, relating to Highways.
Voted, that the sum of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars be appropriated for the construction
and repairs of the Highways and Town ways throughout the Town, and for Snow Bills of the past
Season.
Voted. That a sum not exceeding one Shilling per hour, be paid each man, and that the sum paid for
Teams, Ploughs & shall be such as the Surveyors shall determine, for all labor upon Highways & on
snow.
Upon Article 15.Money Grant.
On motion of Dr. Haddock it was
Voted. That the sum of Three Hundred Two Dollars Ninety Six Cents be appropriated by the Town
for the bill of alterations of rooms for use of Public Library .
Voted. That the sum of Eighteen Thousand Dollars be raised and assessed 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.
Voted. That the Collector of taxes deliver or cause to be delivered at the last or usual place of abode
of each inhabitant of the Town, or to such inhabitant in person, as soon as may be after the taxes are
made, a list of the taxes such person has been assessed, and, that he allow a discount of five percent
on all Town taxes paid on or before the fifteenth day of October next, - and, that so far as practicable
he shall on the first day of January next, put in suit all taxes than due, commencing with the highest,
and so on to the lowest tax; providing always that the Collector show call once for his tax, after
leaving the bill thereof, before putting the same in suit.
Voted. That the Town Treasurer be authorized to use the credit of the Town to such an extent as
may be necessary, to meet such lawful demands as may be made upon the treasury of the Town until
he shall be in funds from the collection of taxes.
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Upon Article 16. Jury List.
Voted. That the list of jurors as revised by the Selectmen and presented at this meeting be accepted,
(This list of jurors is recorded on the next page.)
Voted. That when this meeting adjourn it be till Monday the Seventh day of April 1856, at One
o’clock afternoon.
Voted. This meeting now adjourn, and the Moderator so declared to be adjourned to Monday the
seventh day of April 1856, at 1 o’clock P. M.
Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk.
The following is the list of jurors presented by the Selectmen and accepted by the Town at their
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annual March meeting held on the 10 & 11 days of March in the year 1856.
John AbbottJoseph T. GloverBenjamin F. Perkins
Hooper A. AppletonBenjamin D. GrantBenjamin Pierce
Isaac AppletonJohn A. GreeneJoseph Porter 2d
Andrew C. BakerThomas P. GroceJeremiah Porter 2d
John I. BakerHiram L. HallJoseph K. Preston
John Bell Jr.Ephraim HathawayThomas Preston 2d
David H. CaldwellJames HillFrancis E. Porter
Augustus N. ClarkJohn B. HillEdward P. Potter
Jonathan H. ChesterGeorge M. HildrethWarren Prince
Zachariah ColeChester HobbsJohn W. Raymond
Stephen Cross Jr.Zebulon O. HaleRobert Remmonds Jr.
Joseph Creesy 2dAlden HarrisJohn O. Standley
Aaron DodgeJosiah A. HaskellTimothy Standley
Charles F. DodgeFrancis JennessCharles H. Stocker
Elnathan DodgeJohn KnowltonJohn L. Story
Israel O. EdwardsFrancis LarcomIsrael Trask 4th
Robert R. EndicottJohn LarcomIsrael Trask 5th
Andrew L. EatonSamuel L. LeeAbraham Trout Jr.
Asa EdwardsJohn LefavourDaniel Trow
Charles FriendWilliam H. LovettJohn F. Trow
Leonard C. FossJohn D. LevittJoseph Thissell
Issacher FosterCyrus W. LordBenjamin Wallis Jr.
Josiah L. Foster Jr.Elijah E. LummusDaniel Wallis
Ezra S. FosterGeorge S. MillettEdward Wallis 2d
Samuel FosterThomas A. MorganEleazar Wallis
William A. FosterAndrew K. OberIsrael W. Wallis
William T. FriendJoseph OberLarson Walker
Shadrack FiskJoseph L. OberJohn P. Webber Jr.
Augustus GilesJohn T. OberRobert Whipple
Robert GoodwinSamuel OberJoseph Wilson
Daniel Woodberry
Elisha Woodberry
Henry Woodberry
Stephen S. Woodberry
Stephen W. Woodberry
William G. Woodberry
John H. Young
A true copy.Attest.
James Hill, Town Clerk
Report of the Selectmen upon petition of Daniel O. Standley and others; accepted by the
Town March 12,1855. (See p. 446)
Upon petition of Daniel O. Standley and others for the laying out of certain Town ways in the Town
of Beverly. - Notice having been duly given all parties interested we the undersigned, Selectmen of
said Town having met and viewed the premises and heard the parties, did ajudge that said Town ways
should be laid out as prayed for, and we accordingly proceeded to lay out the same in manner and
form following, to wit.-
Commencing at the Southwesterly corner of the Butman Street burial ground 29 feet westerly of the
southwesterly corner of the First Parish burial ground on the Northerly side of Dane Street - and run
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thence North 45 ½ East as the fence runs by said Butman Street burial ground about 540 feet to
land of Abraham Edwards. - Laying said way northwesterly of the line described the same as it was
originally laid out, but not less than 45 feet wide in any place -
Commencing next on the westerly side of the way above described, at the
easterly corner of Thomas D. Brown’s estate, about 222 feet in northeasterly from Dane Street, and
run thence, nearly at right angles with said first described way, northwesterly as said way now lies
open above 400 feet to Essex Street opposite the new termination of Charnock Street, - laying said
way northeasterly of the line described, the same as it was originally laid out, but not less than 45 feet
wide in any place. -
The first of said ways we have named Butman Street, in accordance with what
it has heretofore been called; and the last described way we have named Charnock Street, it being
substantially in continuation of the Street of that name.
And we have awarded no damages to anyone as in our opinion no one is damaged
hereby.
Witness our hands this 2d day of March 1855.
Wm. H. LovettSelectmen
A. C. Baker of
Alpheus Davis Beverly
A true record.Attest.
James Hill, Town Clerk.
At a meeting of the legally qualified voters of the Town of Beverly held at the Town Hall on Monday
the seventh day of April, 1856 at one o’clock afternoon, the same being an adjournment of the annual
March meeting:
The meeting was called to border at the time appointed by William H. Lovett Esq. Moderator,
- and it was
Voted. That Benjamin Preston, Andrew T. Leach be Assessors the ensuing year in place Eleazar
Wallis & John Ober who decline.
Voted. That Jacob Lunt be Inspector of Police in place of John J. Dennis who declines serving in that
office.
Voted. That Ebenezer Ray the Constable in place of Peter E. Clark who declines serving.
Voted. That Seth D. Allen be Auditor in place of John H. Chester who declines serving.
Voted. That Joseph D. Tuck, John B. Hill & John Knowlton be of the School Committee in place
of Benjamin Knight, Charles W. Reding & William Endicott Jr., who decline serving.
Voted, that the election to fill vacancies in the Board of Firewards be passed over.
Isaac Prince & William Putnam, who were elected Overseers of the Poor at the March
meeting, and who accepted that office, and have acted as such with the Board; having signified their
wish to decline serving further upon that Board; it was
Voted that no other person be elected to that office of this time.
The following Surveyors of Highways were then elected.
Ward 1. Thomas FarrisWard 8. John W. Raymond
Ward 2. Jonathan FosterWard 9. Edward Trask Jr.
Ward 3. Henry BrowerWard 10. Elnathan Dodge
Ward 4. Abram Trout Jr.Ward 11. John Withey
Ward 5. William A. PatchWard 12. Joseph Creesy
Ward 6. Edward P. PotterWard 13. Nathaniel Porter
Ward 7. Jesse SheldenWard 14. Hugh Hill Jr.
All foregoing officers mentioned on the proceeding page were voted for and elected by ballot. And
the following were then elected by hand vote.
Board of Health. Charles Stephens in place of James Hill who decline
Samuel Woodberry 2d in place of A. N. Clark who decline
Surveyor of Lumber. Jonathan Briant, in place of Benjamin Larcom who declines.
Sealer of Leather. Charles Herrick in place of C. W. Galloupe who declines.
Field Drivers.
Ward 3. Henry Brower in place of West D. Eldridge who declines.
Ward 7. David Shelden in place of A. B. Lord who declines.
Ward 8. Stephen O. Cree in place of Saml. H. Stone who declines.
Ward 10. John Wilson in place of Sullivan Brown who declines.
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Ward 11. John Ross in place of Zach Daniels who declines.
Ward 12. Charles F. Dodge in place of William E. Dodge who declines.
Ward 13. William L. Herrick in place of George W. Taylor who declines.
Upon the petition of Abram H. Fisk which was referred to the Selectmen to report at this meeting,
the following Report was Submitted.The Selectmen in reference to the subject of the petition of
Abram H. Fisk for compensation for land, would report as follows.
In 1798 Woodbury Street was laid out by the Town in a straight line from Hale Street to the Cove,
laying it over lands of different proprietors to whom damages were awarded at the time, and also
including an old way laid out by the Town in 1734. In1854, the Town accepted the report of the
Selectmen renewedly laying out and widening the same; damages were awarded to all persons whom
the Selectmen deemed entitled to the same; the fences were all removed at that time, with the
exception of a portion of the fence of Mr. Fisk, and no person appealed from their decision within
one year as by law they are entitled to do. We therefore think these proceeding have established the
lines of said way, and that the Town do not want any land as stated by Mr. Fisk and neither do we
think the town should pay any more money for land now included in said Street, as we consider the
western line of said Street was established by the laying out of the Street in 1798, and also renewedly
in 1854.
Beverly April 7, 1856.
Lawson Walker
David H. CaldwellSelectmen
Samuel Obear of
John Pickett Beverly
Aaron Dodge
Voted, that the foregoing Report be adopted.
Voted, that the Report of the Committee appointed to investigate the condition of the Alms House,
be accepted. - which report is as follows.
The Committee appointed to “examine the present condition of the Alms House” have attended to
the duty assigned them and would submit the following Report.
We found the buildings in good condition having been the past year thoroughly
repaired and painted, and a Furnace set with hot air pipe sufficient to warm nearly every room in the
House. The rooms were clean and tidy, and the arrangements in general were well-suited to the
comfort and convenience of the inmates.
April 5, 1856.
John Bradshaw
John J. DennisCommittee
John B. Hill
John H. Chester
Voted. That the Report of the Committee appointed to investigate the Dog business be accepted. -
which Report is as follows.
The Committee appointed at the Annual Town meeting to investigate the
doings of the Dog Registers, would submit the following Report. - We have waited upon the
Selectmen who informed us that owing to misunderstanding on the agreement with Mr. Sumner and
not being able to settle with him without bringing the Town in debt, they by authority given them at
the last Annual Meeting to grant a reasonable compensation to the Dog Register appointed Israel
Trask 5th Register; giving him $2 per head, or in other words all the money he got for registering of
the said Dogs, and he to make thorough work of it. Mr. Trask has furnished a list of 40 persons to
whom he has granted licenses, and received the compensation as allowed him by the Selectmen.The
Committee would state in regard to Mr. Sumner that by the account presented to the Selectmen he
registered 37 dogs.
Receiving therefor:$74.00.
That he killed 34 dogs at 75 cts. each$25 50
he has also charged for services in
connection with said law36.75
Services in 1853 killing 1 dog 2.50
Fees for registering 37 dogs 50 cts. each18.50
$83.25
Due Mr. Sumner$9.25
Mr. Sumner has charged the Town for days labor on the same days that he charged for killing dogs
which they would not all our - so that his bill remains unsettled at this day.
Signed. J. T. Haskell
Isaac Standley
George T. Larcom
Voted. That the Teachers of schools for the several Districts be selected and contracted for by the
Prudential Committees of each District for the year ensuing.
Voted. That in future the Report of the School Committee be deferred until the adjournment of the
Annual Meeting April.
A motion offered by Stephens Baker Esq. as follows. “That the vote passed July 9, 1855 in regard
to supplying the Schools with Books be rescinded” was discussed by the mover Matthew Bridge,
E. Pousland, William C. Boyden & C. T. Thayer in favor of the motion, and by Isaac Standley, J. M.
Osborne, John I. Baker & David C. Foster in opposition to the same.
Pending the discussion of the above motion, upon Motion of Wm. P. Moses - it was
Voted. That this meeting be dissolved, and it was so declared by the Moderator.
Attest.James Hill, Town Clerk.