1846-03-09Essex, ss. Beverly. To one of the Constables of said Town - Greeting -
You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and
warn the qualified voters of said Town of Beverly (in the usual manner) to meet at the Town Hall on
Monday the ninth 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 think proper.
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3. To give in their ballots for a Treasurer, and for a Register of Deeds, for said County of Essex.
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4. To see if the town will rebuild the road bridge on Hale Street called “Sallow’s Bridge” per
petition Mark Woodberry & others.
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5. To see if the town will rebuild or repair the road bridge on Essex Street near “New Guinea” (so-
called) per petition Alden Harris & others.
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6. To see if the Town will take measures to remedy the difficulties occasioned to the citizens and
legal voters of the Easterly part of West Farm School District, by the location of the Gloucester
Branch Railroad (intersecting and running parallel with the county road a great part of the way to
their School House, rendering it extremely dangerous to their children, increasing their distance from
said School House by the removal thereof farther to the westward) and thereby secure to their
children the privileges in common that others enjoy, agreeably to the petition of Joseph Woodberry
and 26 others.
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7 To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to purchase a new Fire Engine and apparatus
and locate the same at the Farms, agreeably to the petition of Francis Larcom and 56 others.
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8. To see if the Town will so alter and amend the I Section of the II Chapter of the “Town
Regulations” that the offices of Treasurer & Collector of Taxes may be separated and held by two
distinct persons, as per petition of Jonathan Batchelder and 25 others.
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9. To see if the Town will adopt an Act, passed by the Legislature March 7,1837 relating to the
change of the Annual Meeting from March to February - per petition of Edward Pousland and 9
others.
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10. To see if the Town will adopt an Act passed by the Legislature March 25,1845, regulating the
use of Steam Engines and Furnaces, per petition of Edward Pousland and 9 others.
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11. To see if the Town will grant liberty to Mr. John C. Lee of Salem and his associates to excavate
the Common or training field for geological purposes.
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12. To see if the Town will provide and purchase an Iron Safe for the preservation of the Town
Records and papers - and raise and appropriate money therefore.
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13. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations respecting
Schools within the Town as they may think proper.
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14. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations respecting the
repair and building of Highways throughout Town as they may think proper.
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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 debts of the Town, and the expenses of the current year, and make such regulations
and allowances respecting the same as the Town may then deem proper - and finally to act and do
anything in reference to any or all of the said Articles, and to any or all of the Reports of any officers,
or agents of the Town which they may deem expedient and proper.
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-seventh day of February in the year
eighteen hundred and forty-six.
Wm. H. LovettSelectmen
John I. Baker of
John Pickett Beverly
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Beverly March 2 1846. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I have notified the persons therein
named as therein directed.
Ezra O. Woodberry, Constable.
A true record of the original warrant and return.
Attest.
John I. Baker, Town Clerk
At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly held (pursuant to the preceding
warrant) at the Town Hall on Monday the ninth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and forty-
six, at Nine o’clock, before noon, the same being the annual March Meeting.
Voted, by ballot, That Albert Thorndike be Moderator - unanimous.
Prayers were then offered by Rev. C. W. Flanders.
Voted, by ballot, That John I. Baker be Town Clerk - unanimous.
Voted, by ballot, That William H. Lovett, Edward T. Proctor, Edwin Woodberry, John Pickett and
John I. Baker be Selectmen - nearly unanimous.
Voted, by ballot, That John Porter 2d, Francis Lamson, Benjamin Preston Jr., Charles Davis and John
Morgan be Assessors, nearly unanimous.
The Eighth Article in the Warrant was then taken up, and after some discussion it was
Voted, That the Town Regulations be so amended as to have the offices of Treasurer and Collector
held by two distinct persons.
Voted, by ballot, That Robert G. Bennett be Town Treasurer, about unanimous.
Voted, That the annual salary of the Town Treasurer shall be twenty dollars.
Then upon motion of the Daniel Foster
Voted, to authorize and direct the Selectmen to receive proposals for the collection of taxes the
current year, under satisfactory bonds, and report at the April adjournment.
Voted, by ballot, That Jacob Lunt be Inspector of Police.
Voted, by ballot, That Rev. C. T. Thayer, Rev. J. Abbott, Rev. E. M. Stone, Rev. J. Foote, Rev. C.
W. Flanders, Rev. G. T. Dole, Rev. S. Hale, Robert Rantoul, Wyatt C. Boyden and Warren Prince
be of the School Committee the current year.
Voted, That the two vacancies in the School Committee be filled at the adjournment of this meeting
in April.
Voted, to choose the remaining Town officers by hand vote.
Voted, That Augustus N. Clark, William Endicott and Israel Foster 2d be Auditors.
Voted, That Robert Rantoul, John Safford, Stephens Baker, Andrew Ober and Henry Larcom be
Overseers of the Poor.
Voted, That Francis Lamson, Ezra O. Woodberry, William D. Crosfield, Jacob Lunt, David Larcom,
David L. Smith, Samuel S. D. G. Standley and Samuel Foster be Constables.
Voted, That Andrew W. Standley, Samuel Woodberry, and Alpheus Davis be Board of Health.
Voted, That Wm. H. Lovett, Jesse Sheldon, Ezra Batchelder, James Stone, William Friend, Daniel
Foster, Andrew W. Standley, Ezra O. Woodberry, John I. Baker, Samuel Woodberry, John Beckford,
Albert Brower, Jonathan H. Lovett, Haskett D. Whitney, and Simeon Beckford be Firewards the
current year.
Voted, That Isaac Galloup, John Meacom, Richard J. Preston, Robert Goodwin, William Webber and
John Ober be Surveyors of Lumber.
Voted, That John Porter 2d and Joseph E. Ober be Surveyors of Shingles and Clapboards.
Voted, That Ezra O. Woodberry and Thomas B. Smith be Sealers of Leather.
Voted, That Thomas Whittredge, John Meacom and William D. Crosfield be Fence Viewers.
Voted, That Benjamin C. Sumner be Inspector of Lime.
Voted, That Joseph T. Haskell be Clerk of the Market.
Voted, That Charles Moulton be Pound Keeper.
The following persons were then chosen Surveyors of Highways and Field Drivers in their
respective wards.
Surveyors of HighwaysWardField Drivers
Robert Curry1Joseph T. Haskell - James Brazil
Jonathan Foster2Charles Holden
Samuel Ober Jr.3Henry Brower
Benjamin Preston Jr.4Timothy M. Standley
Isaac Appleton5Chester Cobbs
Israel O. Edwards6Israel O. Edwards
Benjamin Woodberry7Jonathan Moulton
Azor Dodge8Henry E. Story
Albert Dodge9Alvin F. Dodge
Sullivan Brown10James Friend
Asa Brown11Benjamin Foster
John Bell Jr.12Wm. Isaac Smith
Welds Standley13Benjamin C. Sumner
William Standley14Zachariah Cole
This is to certify that John I. Baker was forthwith, after being chosen to the office of Town
Clerk, sworn to perform faithfully the duties of that office for the current year, and until another is
chosen and qualified in his stead in open Town meeting this ninth day of March, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and forty-six.Albert Thorndike, Moderator.
On motion of Wm. H. Lovett.
Voted, that the 3d Article be taken up and acted on at two o’clock this afternoon.
On motion of the same, noon having arrived.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to half past one o’clock this afternoon - which was
accordingly thus declared by the Moderator.
Attest.John I. Baker, Town Clerk.
At the afternoon adjournment of the foregoing annual meeting called to order by the
Moderator agreeably to the preceding vote at half past one o’clock the first business presented was
the Selectmen’s Annual Report as follows;
The
Selectmen in submitting their Annual report would state that the Guide Posts and Boards throughout
the Town are generally in good condition - The expenses of the Departments under our control have
been less than the sums appropriated, although in consequence of some excess in other Departments,
and by reason of settling the Premiums for four years, and allowing the Abatements consequent on
such settlement, the Town has not yet got clear of debt - The amount owed last year clear of all
income was $5196.78 cts. - This year the net debt is $2440.05 - having thus paid off $2756.73 cts.
the last year - Our estimates are founded on such facts as are within our knowledge, and believed to
be as low as can be got along with, unless the Town choose to let their debt stand, or to specifically
curtail their expenses - The principal estimates as will be seen are, for Schools, including School Fund
$3200 - Overseers Department $1500 - which is nearly $100 less than last year, and from the facts
within our knowledge, will this year rather be over than under the estimate - Highway Department
includes the requisite building and repairs on Hull Street as widened by the Commissioners, and all
other repairs, snow bill etc. Fire Department is in the judgment of the Firewards about right - Health
Department as last year $20 - Lunatic Hospital $650 - we have now five subjects there a part of
whom we are in hopes will be removed early in the season - Abatements etc. based on previous years
cannot be less than $1000 - The Town Officers are estimated upon previous payments - Bells and
Clock upon the same, and so with the Incidentals etc..
Beverly March 9, 1846.In behalf of Selectmen, Wm. H. Lovett, Chairman -
Voted, to accept said report , and give the Selectmen the thanks of the Town for their services.
The Report of the Overseers of the Poor was then presented as follows viz.:
The Overseers
of the Poor, of the Town of Beverly, for the municipal year ending in March 1846, submit to the
Inhabitants at their annual Town Meeting the following report: - The number of persons who have
stst
been in the Work House from March 1 1845, to March 1 1846, is fifty nine viz.: - twenty one men,
twenty women, and eighteen children, and there were in the House on the first day of March current,
forty persons, viz.: - thirteen men, fourteen women, and thirteen children. The average number for
the year, has been about thirty nine. Three aged persons have died within the year, and there has been
one birth - There have been three commitments of common drunkards - The amount of orders drawn
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on the Town Treasurer, by the Overseers of the Poor, from March 1 1845 to March 1 1846 is
fifteen hundred and eighty three dollars and sixty three cents - of this amount three hundred and
eighty one dollars and one cent, has been expended out of the Work House - It will be perceived by
the foregoing statement that the expense of the poor for the year has been considerably increased, and
that the number of persons who have been in the House, is larger than has been usual for several years
- A part of the additional expense should be charged to the loss of about two hundred and forty
bushels of potatoes by the rot - and the remainder of this expense, and the unusual number of subjects
in the House is to be attributed altogether to the very extraordinary occurrence of a single family
connection (including members by affinity) numbering nineteen, having been in the Work House in
the course of the year, and coming there in the most destitute state in regard to necessary clothing,
sixteen of whom still remain, comprising a grand parent, her children, and grandchildren of various
ages, from a single month to more than three score years and ten - The vices that have brought this
sudden and usually large influx of paupers upon the Town, are the same which furnish the largest
proportion of the subjects of our penitentiaries, prisons, houses of correction and alms houses - And
of these vices, intemperance is the most fruitful in its victims of poverty, suffering, wretchedness and
pauperism -The history of our Work House for the forty two years since its erection, shows clearly
that three fourths of all its subjects, have been brought there, directly or indirectly by intemperance,
one half of all the adult persons by its direct influence, and one half of all the children, aged persons,
sick and infirm, comprising that half of the subjects, who have not contracted habits of intemperance
by its indirect influence, that is by the inability of intemperate persons to provide for their children,
their parents, and others, for whom by the obligations of religion or the laws of social organization,
they are in duty bound to provide comfortable maintenance - A still greater evil resulting from the
intemperance of parents, is, that there example contaminates their offspring, and that a succession of
generations grow up, more or less of whom, become very early in life, corrupt, addicted to vicious
courses, and intemperate, or idle and improvident - A fact, verifying this remark, is found in the
history of pauperism in this town - It is well known to those conversant with the subject of pauperism,
that for more than a century last past, a single family has constantly had one or more of its members
chargeable to this Town as paupers - this single fact as well as that before stated, some of three
generations of another family being now chargeable, shows that means are to be devised for
separating children from their vicious parents when young, and before they have become
contaminated with the evil habits of their parents - This separation is made by the Overseers of the
Poor whenever it is practicable, but it is but rarely that they are enabled to find out children when they
are so young as not to have suffered from the corrupt influence of their vicious parents - Other means
than the legal authority of the Overseers of the Poor are requisite to effect much good in this respect
- In regard to intemperance much has been accomplished in this Town in diminishing the temptation
to drinking of intoxicating liquors, by suppressing the open, public sale of such liquors, but there is
a loud call for effort on the part of the inhabitants, and of the municipal officers of the Town, to
suppress the more private sale - It is generally believed that there are several places in this Town, and
that in the more central and compact part of the Town too, where these liquors are sold, drank, and
used, and these places are not merely resorted to by the hard drinker, the confirmed sot, and common
drunkards, but also by the young, thoughtless and inconsiderate, for the purposes of drinking, gaming,
Sabbath breaking and other dissipations - Something should be done to restrain these ruinous
practices - We choose and pay an Inspector, to observe “ all nuisances” to the end that they may be
removed or prosecuted, according to law, yet these moral nuisances, while they are manifest to
almost every other person, seem to have escaped his vigilance - It is made his duty, to obey the orders
of the Selectmen, in relation to any matter or thing, in which this Town shall be in any wise concerned
or interested, and is there any other matter or thing which more pressingly demands the intervention
of the Selectmen, and that they should give such orders as will cause all such places of resort to be
suppressed, so far as a faithful execution of the laws of the Commonwealth can effect this desirable
end?
Beverly March 9,1846.
Robert Rantoul
John Safford Overseers
Andrew Ober of the
Stephens Baker Poor
Henry Larcom
Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted, and that the thanks of the Town be given the
Overseers of the Poor, for their services the past year.
The Firewards’ Report was then submitted as follows, viz.:-
The Firewards in submitting their
annual report would state, that, as will be seen by the Auditors’ Report, the expenses of their
Department the past year is $1517.74 cts.,this is $22.26 cts. less than the actual money appropriation
made by the Town, besides our authority to sell No. 1 Engine for $100, and the old No. 3 for $60,
which added to the above unexpended balance would make $182.26 cts. unexpended by us - we have
however sold No. 3 Engine for $60, the money for which goes into the General Treasury account -
but we unanimously determined it inexpedient to sell No. 1 for $100 , and have kept the same with
the consent of the Board of Health, in the Hearse House. - No. 2 Engine is in good order, but, owing
to causes probably as well understood by the Town as by us, remains unmanned - No. 3. The new
Engine is an excellent engine, and has a first-rate company attached to her - No. 4 is also in good
order, and well manned - the Cisterns, Hooks, Ladders etc. are believed generally to be in good order
- a considerable item in our expenditures is for horses to draw Engines to fires, this is highly
necessary, especially when we consider that the bulk of this is to attend Alarms and fires out of town,
which we ought all to be ready to do, especially when we reflect how much we have been, and may
again be, indebted to our neighbors for the valuable aid rendered us in our danger from fires - Among
other matters deserving the attention of the Town is a more abundant supply of water, to which we
have before called their attention - there are certain localities quite deficient in this important element,
an abundant supply of which being of greater consequence in arresting the progress of fire than all
other causes combined - large Reservoirs or cisterns might be constructed near several of the
Churches, Bell’s Hall etc. which might be of great service -
When we had agreed to the details of the foregoing report, we were about congratulating the
Town upon having escaped from any loss by fire the past year but we regret to have to refer to the
loss of two dwelling houses and out buildings yesterday morning, the circumstances of which the
Town are well acquainted with - and the Firewards are again reminded of the fact, that while many
of our fellow citizens are always ready and willing to do their whole duty, yet there are quite too
many who find it much easier to go to fires and look upon other people at work , and find fault with
the best efforts that can be made at the time, then to take hold and aid such efforts, for preserving
their neighbors property.
In behalf of the Board of Firewards - Wm. H. Lovett, chairman.
Voted, To accept the foregoing Report, and the thanks of the Town be given to the Board of
Firewards for their services.
The Report of the Board of Health was then presented as follows: viz..-
The Board of Health report their whole expenditures at $51.61 cts., of which $10.75 cts. is for
ordinary expenditures, leaving $40.86 cts. expended on the new Burial Ground - They have sold in
the new Burial Ground lots amounting to $163.15 cts., but, as their expenditures the last year
exceeded their income that year, about the same amount as their income this year exceeds their
expenditures, they have paid the whole into the Town Treasury - There has been one case of varioloid
(reported by Dr. Torrey January 30) which was attended to by your Board, and the expenses for
cleansing, smoking and purifying the house was $4.25 cts., including in ordinary expenditures above
said - Many suggestions have been made to the Board of the importance and convenience of a
Receiving Tomb in which could be deposited the remains of friends for short intervals, say during the
continuance of very cold or stormy weather, or for other causes when desired - persons using the
same for such purposes, to pay a reasonable compensation therefore.
Andrew W. Standley, Samuel Woodberry, Alpheus Davis - Board of Health.
Voted, To accept the Report of the Board of Health, and give them the thanks of the Town for their
services.
The Report of the School Committee was next submitted as follows: viz..
The School Committee respectfully present the result of their late visitations,
& other views which have occurred to them in their discharge of the duties of the past year.
Bald Hill Schools - Kept 12 weeks by Mr. Wiggin, whole number of scholars
69; average attendance 49; present 53. School room neat and handsomely decorated. Order
excellent. Some of the older pupils read very well - most of the 2d & 3d classes in too low a voice.
Several read sentences quite well, who were ignorant of the alphabet when they commenced the term.
Spelling pretty good. Spelling book lessons had been studied by the whole school, & work correctly
recited. Some good specimens of writing - but some writing books badly blotted. The exhibitions
in Geography, Grammar & Arithmetic - also in Composition & declamation were highly creditable.
One had attended to Surveying, & one to Latin.
Dodge’s Row - Kept 12 weeks by Miss Moore. Total 28; average 24; present
at examination 23. House improved. Order good. Reading & Spelling well. considerable
improvement writing. Here, as in all the Schools the writing books were many of them marred by
bad spelling - the result of carelessness, more than ignorance. Nearly all had studied arithmetic: more
than half the scholars recited well in geography ; and several were considerably advanced in grammar.
the school, as a whole, did well.
Ryal Side - Kept 15 weeks, by Mr. Trow, total of attendance 70; average 56;
present 53. Order somewhat deficient as was the classification. Some of the writing quite good, &
some bad & blotted. The number in grammar was small; but they had done well. Reading generally
good - Some of it excellent. In arithmetic & geography, well. 4 had made progress in history; 1 in
bookkeeping; & 1 in algebra .
East Farms - Kept 5 months by Mr. Dodge. Total 75 - average 58 - present
64. Room neat & ornamented. Order good. Want of loudness in many of the recitations - Reading,
with this exception, good. Writing improved. In Grammar there was some defect of classification.
In geography & arithmetic - also in history, philosophy, composition, bookkeeping, & declamation
the exhibition was creditable .
West Farms - Kept 4 months, by Mr. Cole. Whole number 59 - average 38-
present 44. Order & classification good. Reading & spelling, too low, but correct. Writing, neat
& improving. In grammar, deficient - though a portion of the school had attended faithfully to it. A
good amount had been gone over in arithmetic & geography, & had been well learned. In history,
Watts on the mind, & composition considerable had been accomplished.
Washington School - Kept 16 weeks, by Mr. Gordon. Total 93 - average
64 - present 63. Room convenient & spacious. Order very good. Classification incomplete. Some
want of loudness & distinctness in recitation. There was an interesting & successful exercise in the
enunciation of elemental sounds. Good improvement in writing. General and thorough attention had
been paid to the common branches. And there were exercises in philosophy, astronomy &
composition.
Cove - Kept 10 months - by Mr. Dodge. Total 145; average 82; present
90. A female assistant has been employed for most of the term. Order & classification correct.
Presentations with few exceptions good. Writing neat, & much of it handsome. Besides the
prescribed studies, history & natural & intellectual philosophy had been attended to by large classes.
Arithmetical manuscripts, bookkeeping, Composition, map drawing, & Declamation, were gratifying
portions of the exhibition.
Bass River - Kept 16 weeks, by Mr. Bomer. Total 95 - average 64 - present
70. Order in general good. Classification imperfect. Reading & spelling well. Some of the reading
excellent - likewise some of the writing. About half the school had practiced composition. It appeared
well in the regular branches; also classes in history, natural & mental philosophy, bookkeeping, map
drawing, algebra & Latin.
South - Kept through the year by Mr. Phillips. Total 134 - average 58 -
present 67. Order pretty good. The school had been well classed and tasked. In most other
presentations readiness & thoroughness were evinced. Composition, bookkeeping, General history,
& history of the U. States, algebra & philosophy, in addition to the usual studies, had been attended
to by a good - & when age is considered, a large number.
Grammar school. Second department, consisting of scholars from 4 to 7 years
of age, kept for the year, by Mr. Weld. Total 116 - average 54 - present 62. A very interesting
exhibition, in which much tact & faithfulness in their instruction were manifest, was afforded by these
juveniles scholars . They were exercised in reading, spelling, Geography, arithmetic, writing, map
drawing, speaking & singing. - First Department, kept by Mr. Lefavour through the year, assisted by
Miss Ober. Total162 - average 81 - present 113. Order & classification very good. In the usual
studies a good extent had been well traversed. The practice of composition had been united, with
advantage, with the study of grammar. Particular care had been devoted to mental arithmetic. The
specimens of writing, composition, bookkeeping, & map drawing, were highly creditable - also the
recitations in history, physiology, philosophy, & geometry. One had done well in French, Latin &
algebra: & several declaimed. This school stands deservedly high.
In the larger part of the Schools, singing has become a regular - as it is a
delightful & refreshing exercise. The average attendance in most of them, has improved, - but still
is far from what it should be, or is even respectable. From the reports of their moral state, it appears
that in that respect they have advanced. More than usual regard has been manifested by the scholars
generally, for the good appearance of their respective schools. The increased interest of parents in
them, has been shown by their more numerous attendance on them at examinations, & on other
occasions, - by a concern - which cannot be too great - to procure competent teachers, - & by a
readiness, which can easily be too free, to expend liberally for their advancement.
C. T. Thayer, Chairman.
Voted, to accept the Report of the School Committee, and to give them the thanks of the town for
their services.
The printed Report of the Auditors was next presented.
Voted, to accept said Report, and give them the thanks of the town.
The Report of the Auditors aforesaid exhibits the following account of the town expenses the
past year.
Overseers’ Department 1578.03 - Highways 1185.05 - Fire Department 1517.74 - Health Department
57.61 - Town Hall 148.82 - Lunatic Hospital 866.24 - Pumps & Wells 13.35 - Town Officers 297.97
- Horse hire 33.00 - Ringing Bells 62.00 - Incidental 52.34 - Interest 585.35 - Premiums 682.19 -
Abatements 1596.74 - Discounts 417.00 - School Department 3148.91 - School Fund 202.54 =
Total $12,448.86 .
The printed estimate of the Selectmen makes the balance to be provided for $10,700.00 balance in
the Treasury 120.11 - Taxes due 746.94 - The town owes on outstanding orders 1046.64 - due
Districts 950.46 - Note due Charles Davis 500.00 - and due Amos Lefavour Jr. 600.00 .
At two o’clock afternoon agreeably to previous assignment the third Article in the warrant
was taken up, and the following proceedings had thereon - as per return to County Commissioners.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
At the annual meeting of the qualified voters of the Town of Beverly and the County of Essex,
holden on the ninth day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty six,
the votes of the Inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote for Representatives in the General Court,
for a Register of Deeds, having been duly received, were sorted in open town meeting by the
Moderator thereof, and the Town Clerk, and were as follows:
Whole number of ballots, two hundred and two.
For Ralph H. French of Salem, eighty seven votes.
Eleazar M. Dalton of Salem, fifty six votes.
Jonathan Shove of Danvers, one vote.
John I. Baker of Beverly, fifty eight votes.
“A true copy of record.
Attest.
John I. Baker, Town Clerk.”
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
At the annual meeting of the qualified voters of the Town of Beverly in the County of Essex,
held on the ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six, the
votes for a Treasurer of said County, having been duly received, were sorted in open town meeting
by the Moderator thereof, and the Town Clerk, and were as follows:
For William F. Wade of Ipswich, one hundred and thirty four votes
Robert G. Bennett of Beverly, one vote.
John I. Baker of Beverly, one vote.
Whole number of ballots one hundred and thirty six.
“A true copy of record.
Attest. John Baker, Town Clerk.”
th
On the 4 Article in the Warrant, relative to Sallow’s Bridge etc.
Voted. That the subject be referred to the Selectmen to report upon the adjournment in April.
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On the 5 Article, relative to “ New Guinea” Bridge.
Voted. To refer that also to the Selectmen to report upon the adjournment.
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On the 6 Article, relative to “West Farms” petition
Voted. That the same be referred to the Selectmen to report at the adjournment.
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On the 7 Article, relative to Engine for the Farms.
Voted. That the petitioners have leave to withdraw - a motion offered by Joseph E. Ober Esq.
granting their prayer having first been rejected, after some discussion in which Mr. Ober, and Mr.
John Hood advocated the grant, and Hon. Robert Rantoul, Wyatt C. Boyden, Edward Pousland Esq.
& others opposed the same.
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On the 8 Article, relative to Treasurer & Collector.
Voted. That Chapter Second, Section First, of the Town Regulations be so altered and amended, that
the offices of Treasurer and Collector of Taxes may be separated and held by two distinct persons,
as previously recorded.
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On the 9 Article - relative to altering Town Meeting - after discussion
Voted. That the same be indefinitely postponed.
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On the 10 Article - relative to “Steam Engine” Law.
Voted. That the Town adopt “An Act regulating the use of Steam Engines and Furnaces” - passed
by the Legislature of Massachusetts at the session of 1845 and Approved by the Governor March
25,1845.”
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On the 11 Article - relative to excavation of the Common
Voted. That Mr. John C. Lee of Salem, and his associates have full authority to excavate the
Common or training field, under direction of the Selectmen
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On the 12 Article - relative to an Iron Safe - on motion of Hon. Robert Rantoul.
Voted. That the same be indefinitely postponed.
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On the 13 Article relative to Schools
Voted. That one eighth part of the money raised for schools, shall hereafter be equally divided among
the School Districts, and that the residue of said sum, shall be divided among said Districts in
proportion to the number of persons between the ages of four and sixteen years in the respective
districts
Voted. That the sum of three thousand dollars be appropriated be and the same hereby is appropriated
for Schools throughout the Town the current year
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On the 14 Article relative to Highways
Voted. That one thousand dollars be appropriated for the building and repair of Highways and Town
ways of the town for the current year
Voted. That twelve and one half cents per hour be allowed each man for labor on the highway and
on snow - and that Three dollars and twenty five cents be allowed for every ten hours labor of two
yoke of cattle, Driver and cart - and the same price for two horses, driver and cart.
th
On the 15 Article relative to raising money
Voted. That the sum of Ten thousand dollars be raised and assessed on the polls and estates within
the Town, for the purpose of discharging the debts of the Town and for the expenses of the current
year.
Voted. That the Town Treasurer be fully authorized in behalf of the inhabitants of this Town, under
direction of the Selectmen, to hire such sums of money to settle the debts and obligations of the
Town, and to meet the outstanding orders, as said Selectmen may deem expedient
Voted. That the Collector of Taxes (hereafter to be chosen) deliver or cause to be delivered at the
usual place of abode or residence of each inhabitant of the Town, or personally to such inhabitant,
as soon as may be after the taxes are made, a bill of taxes he has been doomed to pay by the
Assessors, - and that he allow five percent discount on all Town taxes paid on or before the thirtieth
day of September next - and that all taxes not paid on or before the first day of January next shall be
immediately put in suit, commencing with the highest and so on to the smallest tax - provided that
said Collector shall call on all inhabitants who may owe taxes, once after leaving their tax bills before
putting said taxes in suit.
In relation to that portion of the Warrant, which relates to doing “anything in reference to
any or all of the said Articles, and to any or all the reports of any officers or agents of the Town,
which they may deem expedient or proper” on motion of Mr. William D. Crosfield
Voted. That the Selectmen be requested to cause prosecutions to be forthwith instituted against all
persons within the Town who sell intoxicating liquors contrary to law, or allow of unlawful gaming
in their shops or house, or who keep open their places of business and entertain customers on the
Sabbath contrary to law
Voted. That when this Meeting adjourn it be to the first Monday in April next, (6th inst.) at Two
o’clock afternoon
Voted. That this Meeting now adjourn - and the Moderator accordingly declared the Meeting thus
adjourned.
A true record,
Attest,
John I. Baker, Town Clerk.
At the adjourned annual meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly, held on
Monday the sixth day of April, in the year 1846, at two o’clock afternoon - the meeting was called
to order by A.Thorndike Esq., Moderator.
The following report was submitted by the Selectmen - viz.-The Selectmen on the several
subjects committed to them to report upon it this meeting would present first the propositions for the
collection of taxes, by which it will be seen that
Jacob Lunt proposes to collect the same for 1½ pr. ct. with A. N. Clark & Cotton Bennett for
sureties.
Stephen Lovett proposes to collect the same for 1 1/4 pr. ct. with A. W. Standley & Daniel Hildreth
for sureties.
Stephen Woodberry proposes to collect the same for 9/10 pr. ct. with Elliott Woodberry, Stephens
Baker, John Bradshaw & Seaward Lee for sureties.
Jonathan Batchelder proposes to collect the same for 9/10 pr. ct. with Nathaniel Bachelder 2d and
Hervey Choate for sureties.
Stephen Roundy jr. proposes to collect the same for 7/10 pr. ct. with Wells Smith and William Bray
for sureties.
Edwin Evans proposes to collect the same for 7/10 pr. ct. with John Bell & W. C. Boyden for
sureties.
Joseph T. Haskell proposes to collect the same for 7/16 pr. ct. with Ezra Ellingwood & Henry
Larcom for sureties.
Luke Morgan proposes to collect the same for $100 with Abraham Edwards, Samuel Cole & John
Safford for sureties.
Josiah B. Prince proposes to collect the same for $75 with Albert Thorndike & R. G. Bennett for
sureties.
Isaac Haskell jr. proposes to collect the same for $70 with Isaac Haskell, Isaac Prince & Robert S.
Foster for sureties.
The Town have voted to raise $10,000 - the County tax will probably be $1500 making a
total of $11,500 - from this amount take $500 for discount leaves $11,000, which amount ought to
be collected upon a tax of $11,500 properly assessed - We allow nothing here for abatements,
because the law allows the Assessors to add five percent overlay, which ought to be abundantly ample
to cover all reasonable abatements - Assuming then $11,000 to be actually collected, the proposals
would stand as follows - Jacob Lunt $165. Stephen Lovett 137.50 - Luke Morgan 100.00 - Stephen
Woodberry 99.00 - Jona. Batchelder $99. Stephen Roundy Jr. 96.25 - Edwin Evans 96.25 - Josiah
B. Prince 75.00 - Isaac Haskell Jr. $70. Joseph T. Haskell $48.12 ½ cents - 10 proposals averaging
$98.61 1/4 cts. -
In reference to Sallow’s Bridge, the Town a few years since expended a considerable in
rebuilding the same, and it is now in good order - and we know of no benefit the Town would receive
in granting the prayer of the petition, except to better drain the meadow connected with the Burial
Ground - the sluice way at the beach might be enlarged to good advantage whenever the Town felt
disposed thereto - The New Guinea Road Bridge is in as tolerable good order as it has been for
several years, and the public travel does not seem to need any alteration or repairs thereon at present-
The West Farm District petitioners were notified to attend and state their grievances at a meeting of
our Board specially held for that purpose, and that too at great personal inconvenience to the majority
of the Board and yet not a solitary petitioner appeared - Said report was accepted, and the three last
subjects indefinitely postponed - Jacob Lunt was chosen on the sixth ballot Collector of Taxes, and
one and a half percent voted as his pay on all taxes actually paid into the Treasury - Haskett D.
Whitney and Josiah Ober were chosen Selectmen, by ballot, instead of John Pickett & Edwin
Woodberry who decline - Charles Davis & Matthew Bridge were chosen School Committee & the
following were also chosen - Firewards -William Moses, Daniel C. Foster, Alpheus Davis, Paul
Hildreth, Alden Harris, Edward Perry - Auditors, Daniel Foster , A. Thorndike - Surveyor Highways.
Ward 5. Chester Hobbs, Field Drivers, Robert Brown, Andrew C. Baker, Benjn. Woodberry, Jona.
Green, Thos. Elliott, David Larcom, George S. Millet - And the meeting was then dissolved - Attest.
John I. Baker, Town Clerk.