1778-05-22nd
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Beverly May 22 1778.
Selectmen sat as regulators as the law directs and Josiah Batchelder Jr. Esq. was elected and
deputed to represent this Town at the session and sessions of the Great and General Court of this
State appointed to be convened, held and kept for the government’s service at the State House in
th
Boston upon Wednesday the 27 of May instant, the said person being chosen by a major part of the
electors present at said Meeting.
Mr. Richard Leech was chosen Moderator for the room aiding business of said Meeting.
The Constitution and form of government for the State of the Massachusetts Bay agreed upon by the
Convention of this State was taken under consideration and the number present voting in favor of said
Constitution was 3 and the number present in said Meeting that voted to reject said Constitution was
22.
Capt. George Cabot, Rev. Mr. Joseph Willard and Capt. William Bartlett were appointed a committee
to draw up some instructions to their representatives to the Great and General Court and therein set
forth the reasons why the Town disapproves the Constitution and form of government agreed upon
by the Convention of this State and make their report on the adjournment of this Meeting.
Voted. That the Town will mend their Highways the current year by a tax on the inhabitants as they
of late have usually done.
Voted. That 18/ per day should be allowed for a day’s work to each man and 36/ per day for a good
team of four cattle and so in proportion and that all persons find necessary utensils for
themselves and teams to work with.
Voted. That the sum of six hundred pounds be assessed and raised on the ratable polls and estates
of this Town to defray the charge of repairing the highway within the same the current year.
The Moderator adjourned the meeting to Monday the first day of June at 3 o’clock afternoon at the
same place.
I, the Subscriber, do covenant, promise and agree with the Selectmen of the Town of Beverly
to keep and maintain Martha Thissell, a person under their care, the full term of one year commencing
on the 7th day of April last and for to find and provide for her good and sufficient meat, drink,
washing and lodging, in sickness and in health, during of the whole of said term, doctors and nurses
excepted, and at the expiration of said term to remove her to such place as the Selectmen shall
appoint and as well clothed as I received her for and in consideration of the sum