Loading...
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: st 1. To choose a Moderator. d 2. To choose town officers for the year ensuing and grant them such pay for their services as the Town think proper. d 3. To give in their ballots for a Treasurer, and for a Register of Deeds, for said County of Essex. th 4. To see if the town will rebuild the road bridge on Hale Street called “Sallow’s Bridge” per petition Mark Woodberry & others. th 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. th 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. th 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. th 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. th 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. th 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. th 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. th 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. th 13. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations respecting Schools within the Town as they may think proper. th 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. th 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 d 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 stst 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. th On the 5 Article, relative to “ New Guinea” Bridge. Voted. To refer that also to the Selectmen to report upon the adjournment. th On the 6 Article, relative to “West Farms” petition Voted. That the same be referred to the Selectmen to report at the adjournment. th 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. th 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. th On the 9 Article - relative to altering Town Meeting - after discussion Voted. That the same be indefinitely postponed. th 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.” th 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 th On the 12 Article - relative to an Iron Safe - on motion of Hon. Robert Rantoul. Voted. That the same be indefinitely postponed. th 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 th 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.