1848-03-13Essex, ss. To one of the Constables of the town of Beverly. Greeting -
You are hereby
required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn in the usual manner,
the qualified voters of said town to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the thirteenth day of March
instant, at nine o’clock, Before Noon - for the following purposes, viz:-
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1. To choose a Moderator.
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2. To choose Town Officers for the ensuing year, and grant them such pay for their services as may
be deemed expedient -
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3. To give in their ballots for a County Treasurer -
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4. To see if the town will grant the free use of the Town Hall for the discussion of such moral
subjects, as in the opinion of the Selectmen will conduce to the welfare of its citizens -
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5. To see if the town will establish a Bylaw or Bylaws for the suppression or restriction of the sale
of beer, ale, cider, or any other fermented liquor or liquors, with a view of the better regulation and
preservation of the peace, good order, and internal police of said town, and annex suitable penalties
for the breach of any such Bylaw or Bylaws - agreeably to the petition of Stephens Baker & others -
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6. To see if the town will repeal or modify the seventh section of their Bylaws, relative to smoking
after sunset - agreeably to the petition of Joshua F. Trask and others -
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7. To see if the town will cause of the boundary between the East Farms, and West Farms, School
Districts to be altered and established so that said line may run from the bridge in the highway
southwesterly of the house of Obed Woodberry, on a course more easterly then at present
established, and that the limits of said Districts may be thus determined - per petition of David
Larcom & others -
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8. To see if the town will indemnify William Putnam for the loss of his shop in October, 1846,
agreeably to his petition -
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9. To see if the town will protect the sidewalk on the westerly side of Knowlton Street, by a railing
or otherwise - per petition of Samuel Dike and others -
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10. To see if the town will allow Charles C. Paine to work out his highway tax for ten years to
come, on the way leading to his house, agreeably to his petition -
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11. To see if the town will provide an Iron Safe for the preservation of the Town Records and
papers, and raise and appropriate money therefore -
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12. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations respecting
Schools within the town, as they think proper -
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13. To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations in regard to the
repair and building of highways throughout the town, as they may think our per-
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14. To grant such sums of money to be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates within the
town, for discharging the debts of the town, and for the expenses of the coming year, as the town may
deem expedient - and make all necessary regulations and allowances respecting the same -
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15. 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 third day of March in the year eighteen hundred and forty-
eight -
Wm. H. Lovett
Haskett D. WhitneySelectmen
Joseph Obear of
John I. Baker Beverly
Edward T. Proctor
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Essex March 4 A.D. 1848. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I have notified the persons
therein named as therein directed -
Jacob Lunt - Constable of Beverly -
A true record of the original warrant and return thereon.
Attest. John I. Baker, Town Clerk.
At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly held that the Town Hall on
Monday the thirteenth day of March, in the year Eighteen hundred and forty-eight at nine o’clock
Before Noon, pursuant to the warrant recorded on the two pages next preceding - the same being the
annual March Meeting -
Voted, by ballot, That Albert Thorndike beModerator.
Prayers were then offered, by Rev. Ira Washburn, of the Universalist Society -
Voted, by ballot, The John I. Baker be Town Clerk.
Voted, by ballot, That William H. Lovett, Edward T. Proctor, John I. Baker, Haskett D. Whitney and
Josiah Obear be Selectmen.
Voted, by ballot, That John Porter, Francis Lamson, Benjamin Preston Jr., Calvin Tuck, and John P.
Webber Jr. be Assessors.
Voted, by ballot, That Robert G. Bennett be Treasurer, and that is paid be twenty dollars-
Voted, by ballot, That Jacob Lunt be Collector of Taxes, and that he receive two percent on all
monies collected and paid into the Treasurer.
Voted, by ballot, that the following persons constitute the School Committee, viz.:
Rev. C. T. Thayer, Rev. Joseph Abbott, Rev. C. W. Flanders,
Rev. G. T. Dole, Rev. hire Washburn, Rev. Allen Gannett,
Rev. C. W. Reding, Robert Rantoul, Augustus Torrey
Charles Davis, Wyatt C. Boyden, William Endicott
Voted, by ballot, That Jacob Lunt be Inspector of Police, and that his pay shall not exceed the fees
he may collect for the violation of any law of the State or town -
Then John I. Baker above named immediately upon his being chosen into the office of Town
Clerk has aforesaid, was sworn faithfully and impartially to discharge and perform all the duties of
said office for the ensuing year, and until another is chosen and qualified in his place - in open town
meeting this thirteenth day of March A.D. 1848 -
Before Me
Moderator.
Voted, That all the other Town officers be chosen by handle, and in accordance therewith, the
following persons were elected to the respective offices named.
Auditors, James Stone, Edward Pousland and George Chapman-
Overseers of the Poor, Robert Rantoul, John Safford, Stephens Baker, Andrew Ober and Henry
Larcom.
Constables, Francis Lamson, Ezra low Woodberry, Jacob Lunt, and C. Horace Stocker.
Firewards, in South District, William H. Lovett, Paul Hildreth,
Daniel Foster and Alpheus Davis
in Grammar District, Edward Pousland, A. N. Clark, Alden Harris,
Eben Smith Jr. and Jonathan Batchelder -
in Cove District, Samuel Foster -
in Farms Districts, James Perry -
in North Parish - William Friend, Henry E. Story -
in Washington District - John Bradshaw, Thomas B. Smith -
Total, fifteen -
Board of Health, Augustus N. Clark, Stephens Baker and James Stone -
Fence Viewers, John Porter, Israel Foster 2d, and Benjamin Larcom -
Sealers of Leather, Thomas D. Smith and Ezra O. Woodberry -
Surveyors of Lumber, Isaac Galoup, John Meacom, William Webber, Richard J. Preston, John Ober
& Robert Goodwin -
Inspector of Lime, Benjamin C. Sumner.
Clerk of Market, James Stone.
Pound Keeper, Charles Moulton.
(C. Horace Stocker, chosen Constable as above said, stated to the meeting that
he should decline that office but the town did not except his declination, and he consequently took
his oath of office)
(Field Drivers and Surveyors of Highways on next page)
Surveyors of Highways Ward 1. Israel Wallis
2. Samuel Foster
3. Elisha Pride
4. Benjamin Preston Jr.
5. S. D. G. Standley
6. Joseph Conant
7. Benjamin Woodberry
8. Azor Dodge
9. Benjamin Standley
10. James Friend
11. Asa Brown
12. Abraham K. Young
13. Solomon Clark
14. Zachariah Cole
Field Drivers Ward 1. Benjamin C. Sumner, and James Brazil -
2. Samuel Foster
3. West D. Eldredge
4. Oliver Preston
5. Isaac P. Groce and Jesse Dame
6. Richard Dodge Jr.
7. Jonathan Moulton
8. Stephen Cree
9. Alvin F. Dodge
10. Josiah Trask
11. Benjamin Foster
12. John Bell Jr.
13. John G. Smith
14. John Wentworth
Article 3d was next considered, and under it the ballots for County Treasurer, were duly
received, and were sorted in open town meeting by the Moderator thereof, and the Town Clerk, and
were as follows:-
For William F. Wade, fifty-one votes
For Jacob Lunt, one vote
For John Ray, one vote
The Reports of Town officers were passed over in part, and will be recorded together.
Articles 4 and 5,were also passed over till afternoon -
Article 6, relative to repeal of smoking Bylaw was next acted upon when it was -
Voted, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition - 67 to 55 -
Article 7, relative to altering and determining the Farms’ districts’ boundary line was referred
by vote to the following committee to report upon the same at the adjournment of this meeting - viz.:
Joseph E. Ober, Josiah Obear, William H. Lovett, John Bradshaw and David Larcom -
Article 8, relating to the claim of William Putnam for indemnification for the pulling down of
his shop at the Rubber Factory Fire in October 1846, caused considerable discussion during which
it was
Voted, To adjourn this meeting until this (Monday 13th inst.) afternoon at two o’clock, and
the meeting according adjourned -
Attest. John I. Baker, Town Clerk.
Monday March 13th A.D. 1848. The qualified voters assembled at the Town Hall at two
o’clock to attend to the afternoon adjournment of their annual March Meeting as aforesaid, and
proceeded to the consideration of
The claim of William Putnam for indemnification -
The Firewards
stated that they took the advice of the late Benjamin Merrill Esquire, upon the case, who decided that
the town had no legal demand against them on account thereof as it did not appear that any three
Firewards ordered the shop torn down - On the other hand Mr. Putnam’s friends contend that the fire
hooks etc. were ordered there by the Chief Engineer, and left in charge of one of the Firewards, and
that another Fireward was known to have been active in its destruction, thus indirectly, if not directly
showing the connection of three at least of that Board with the job, and they further contend that
there was a general remissness and deficiency on the part of the Fire Department at the time for which
the town ought to be held accountable, all of which facts they allege Mr. Putnam wished to present
in writing or otherwise to Mr. Merrill simultaneously with their statement, but which they refused to
allow, and hence the decision of Mr. M. was made up entirely upon ex parte statements and ought
not to control the action of the town - It was also urged that Mr. Putnam was far gone in
consumption and in needy circumstances, and that even if this case presented no strict legal claim it
was an equitable one, and ought to be allowed - The principal objections urged against allowing it
were in the first place, that it established a precedent which might operate to great disadvantage
hereafter, and that in the second place, allowing a claim of this character would directly initiate the
whole tax, on account of the illegality of such claim as ascertained by the constituted authorities of
the town, who were specifically instructed to consider and examine into this claim.
A motion was first made to give Mr. Putnam leave to withdraw his petition this was negatived by 121
yeas to 156 nays -
A motion was then made to allow Mr. Putnam seventy-five dollars in full of said claim, but
the Moderator decided that such an appropriation would in his opinion be illegal under the
circumstances, and therefore the motion was not in order, and there was no appeal from this decision
-
A motion was next made to the following effect: - Voted. That the Overseers of the Poor be
authorized and instructed to allow Mr. William Putnam the sum of seventy-five dollars out of any
funds which may be raised by this town for the support of the poor - and they are hereby directed to
draw on the Town Treasurer therefore -
Various amendments were submitted to this motion intended to control the action of the
Overseers as to the time and circumstances when said allowance should be made one upon motion
of Joseph E. Ober, Esq. (who avowed his readiness voluntarily to subscribe much more than his
proportion either than to run the risk of vitiating the whole tax) seconded by Mr. Stephens Baker Esq.
(who reputed the idea of making William Putnam a pauper, subject to the dispensation of the
Overseers, especially against his own desire & the desire of his friends, as Mr. B. said he knew it must
be) it was finally, after some opposition, decidedly
Voted, That this whole subject be referred to a committee of five, to solicit subscriptions from the
citizens for the relief of Mr. Putnam in this case, and to report at the adjournment of this meeting.
Voted, That this committee be appointed by the chair, who accordingly appointed Stephens Baker,
Wyatt C. Boyden, John Tuck 2d, John Bradshaw and Robert Curry -
Among those who advocated this claim were W. C. Boyden, John Tuck 2d, while the
opponents beside those above mentioned where R. Rantoul, Jonathan Batchelder, S. D. G. Standley
etc. and of the Board of Firewards, E. Pousland and A. Davis -
Article 9, relative to protecting Knowlton Street sidewalk was referred as follows -
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to grant the prayer of the petition of S. Dike and others if
they deem it necessary -
Upon Article 10. Petition of C. C. Paine to work out the highway tax of his farm -
Voted, That the petitioner have leave to withdraw his petition -
Upon Article 11, relating to Iron Safe -
Voted, That said Article be referred to the Selectmen, to report at the April adjournment upon the
expense of a suitable safe-
Upon Article 12, relative to Schools -
Voted, That the sum of three thousand dollars be and the same hereby is appropriated for schools
throughout the town car year, and that one eighth part of said sum be equally divided among the
several School Districts, and that the residue of said sum be divided among the same in proportion
to the inhabitants in each on the first day of May next between the ages of four and sixteen years.
Also Voted the free use of the Town Hall for School District examinations, same as last year.
Upon Article 13, relating to highways -
Voted, That the sum of eighteen hundred dollars be appropriated for the completion and repair of
highways and townways the current year -
Voted, That twelve and half cents per hour, be allowed to each man, each horse, and each pair of
oxen for labor on the highway, and on snow, and that twenty-five cents per day be also allowed for
each cart and each plough thus used -
Voted, That the Surveyors of Highway so far as practicable, give general opportunity to all legal
voters within their respective limits to work out there due proportions -
Upon an Order of Notice from the County Commissioners relative to widening the highway
at Chapman’s Corner on Hale Street -
Voted, That said notice be referred to the Selectmen, to take such action thereon, as they should
judge to be for the interest of the town-
Upon Article 14, relative to raising money -
Voted, That the sum of eight thousand and five hundred dollars be raised and assessed upon the polls
and estates within the town, for the purpose of defraying any debts of the town, and for the expenses
of the current year -
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Also, upon Article 14, relating to regulations, allowances etc.
Voted, That the Collective of Taxes deliver or cause to be delivered, at the last and usual place of
abode of each inhabitant of the town, or to such inhabitant in person, as soon as may be after the
taxes are made, a bill of the taxes such person has been assessed, - and that he allow five percent on
all town taxes paid upon or before the fifteenth day of October next - and that, so far as practicable,
he shall immediately put in suit all taxes due the first day of January next, commencing at the highest,
and so down to the smallest tax - provided always, that said Collector shall call once for his tax, after
leaving the bill thereof, before putting such tax in suit -
Before proceeding to the consideration of Article 9, the Reports of the several Boards of
Town Officers were severally accepted in the order hereinafter recorded, and Articles 4 and 5 were
also acted upon as follows -
Upon Article 4, relative to use of Town Hall -
Voted, The so much of this Article as relates to any other subject then that of Temperance Meetings,
be indefinitely postponed, or in other words, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw so much of
their petition as relates to any other subject -
Some discussion ensued in reference to the above vote after which it was also
Voted, That the free use of this Hall be granted for the discussion of the subject of Total Abstinence
from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, in a free and social manner by and among our citizens -
such use to be subject to such restrictions and regulations as the Selectmen may require -
Upon Article 5, relative to Bylaw.
Voted, To make and adopt the following Bylaw with its preamble; viz.: - Whereas, it appears to the
inhabitants of the town of Beverly in town meeting assembled, that it is necessary, in order to
preserve the peace, good order, and internal police of this town, That the sale of fermented
intoxicating liquor within the same should be restrained by law - therefore we the said inhabitants do
make and establish the following Bylaw -
no person shall sell any Beer, Ale, Cider, or any other intoxicating
liquor to be used in or about his house, or other buildings, or in, or about any public building, training
field, square, street or lane, or any other public place, on pain of forfeiting twenty dollars to the use
of the Commonwealth -
Voted, That Hon. Robert Rantoul senior, be a Committee to present the above to the Court of
Common Pleas for approval -
The subject of the great increase of Dogs within the town was referred to, and the importance
of restricting the same considered and upon motion it was
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to cause the Bylaws upon the subject of dogs to be enforced
-
The Auditors Report exhibited the following summary of expenses -
Pauper Department - in House 1246.18 out 434.32 - total 1790.50
Average number in house 34 9/52 - average cost 38.78 per year -
Highway Department - regular 500.00 - Snow & extra 616.87 total = 1116.87
School department- districts 3431.61- sc. fund total = 3583.21
Fire department Engine 2. 645.25 - 3. 162.16 - 4. 87.37 - 5. 815.51 - Cistern 326.00 Inc.
19.96 = 2056.25
Health department Burial ground 3.00 - Hearse etc. 46.65 - total = 49.65
Assessors department Premium 166.77 - Discount 512.84 - Abatements 364.80 total =
1044.41
Lunatic Hospital 426.61. Town Hall 130.21. Bells & clock 94.78
Interest 66.63. Printing 46.25. Horse Hire 26.87
Postage 9.67. Stationery 5.56.806.58
Town officers -Assessors 100. Treasurer 20. Auditors 6.
Town Clerk 43. Selectmen 34.55. Police 27.55263.97
Constables 30.87
Aggregate $10,711.44
The Report of the Selectmen represented that Guide Posts and Boards were needed by
renewal or otherwise at the corners of Conant and Cabot - Cabot and Trask - Conant and Elliott -
and Elliott and Liberty - Streets - this report also congratulated the town upon the favorable state of
their finances - exhibiting as they do a balance in the Treasury of some five hundred dollars over and
above all the ascertained liabilities of the town -
That Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Beverly, for the municipal year ending in March
1848, make the following report -
The number of persons who have been in the Work House, from March 1st 1847 to March
1st 1848, is sixty three; viz. - twenty three men, 23 women, and 17 children, and there were in the
House on the first eight of March instant, 34 persons; viz.-12 men, 15 women and seven children-
paragraph The average number for the year has been above 35-1 person has to within the year, and
there has been more sickness than usual-To persons have been committed as Common drunkards, and
one has returned from Salem in a state of intoxicated-
The amount of orders drawn on the Town Treasurer by the Overseers of the Poor from
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March 1 1847, to March 1 1848, is seventeen hundred and ninety dollars and fifty three cents - of
this amount, four hundred and thirty four dollars and thirty two cents has been expended out of the
Work House.
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Beverly March 13 1848.
Robt Rantoul
John Safford
Stephens BakerOverseers of the Poor
Andrew Ober
Henry Larcom
The Board of Health would report that it appears from the Report of the Board of Board
for 1847, that there was a balance in the Treasury credited to the new Burying Ground of
$44.39
amount since received from sale of lots105.94
150.33
amount expended this year 3.00
balance on hand 147.33
The other Burying Grounds under charge of the Board are in good condition - The Hearse
has been thoroughly repaired and is now in good order, the expenses for which may be seen by
reference to the Auditors Report -
Respectfully submitted
A N. Clark
S. BakerBoard of Health
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Beverly, March 13 1848.
The undersigned Firewards of Beverly, make the following Report -
The town now have five Engines; all in good order, and with proper care will last fifty
years: two of them were purchased the past year at a cost of one thousand ninety two dollars -
$1092
No. 1. is laid up in ordinary -
No. 2. located in South District is manned by the forty five men at an expense of one hundred
thirty five dollars per year - $135
No. 3. located at the Upper Parish is manned by forty two men at an expense of one hundred
twenty six - $126
No. 4. Located in rear of the Hall is manned by twelve men at an expense of twenty four
dollars - $24
No. 5. Located at the Farms, manned by thirty men at an expense of ninety dollars - $90
There are seven public cisterns, all in good order, and full of water - The one built by order
of the town the past year, and located in front of the Hall, cost three hundred twenty five dollars,
including conductors, and it contains two hundred twenty six hoggsheads -
The Fire ladders, Hooks etc., are all in good order-
There have been three fires to call out the Department in the town, the past year - The first,
Capt. Bradshaw’s house in Wallis Street, which was extinguished with trifling damage - Mr.
Norwood’s house on Hale Street, where the damage was trifling, also: both of these happened in the
daytime, and it is believed from carelessness, had they broke out in the night, the result must have
been different - The other, was the Arnold house on Colon Street which was entirely consumed -
John Bradshaw
Edwd. Pousland
Alden Harris
Samuel Foster
Paul Hildreth
Jona. Batchelder
The School Committee, in preparing their annual Report, have adhered to the general plan
which in past years has been adopted, & which they consider best and most satisfactory. According
to this, they do not content themselves with general remarks & speculations, or with using mere
words of course, or with ringing changes on certain expressions of approval or disapproval. But the
aim to present an exact statement of statistics & facts, collected with much care and labor in each
District, together with the results of the annual examinations. They thus furnish the means of
ascertaining the condition of the schools in the several Districts,& also of comparing them with each
other, - at the same time, that grounds are provided for suggestions as to both their defects & their
future advancement.
Bald Hill - Summer School - Kept by Anna Cole, 6 months. Whole number of
scholars 56 - average 36. Good order & progress. - Winter School, kept by Mr. Wiggin, 4 months.
Total 72 - average 52 - present at examination 49. House neat & decorated with evergreens - order
excellent.- some deficiency in voice, defining, & classification. As a whole very well.-
West Farms - Summer School, 5 months by Lydia F. Standley. Total 31 - av. 25 -
Winter school, Kept 4 months by Azor H. Bray & Levi A. Abbott. Total 68 - average 58 - present
55. Order, under the latter Teacher, much improved. Considerable want of loudness & distinctness
in the recitations. In spelling & geography, well, - grammar & arithmetic pretty well. 24 had study
history.
East Farms - Summer School, Kept 5 ½ months, by Miss Woodberry. Total 65 -
average 56 - Winter, by Francis M. Dodge, 3 months. Total 80 - average 72. This school owing to
the sickness of the Teacher was not publicly examined - but, for the time it was kept made good
progress. -
Ryal Side - Summer School - Kept 4 ½ months, by Miss Kettell. Total 59 - av. 42 -
present 40. It was well tasked and made good proficiency. - Winter, kept 4 months, by Mr. Keen.
Total 63 - average 53 - present 34. Order good. Classification complete. There were gratifying
exercises, in which writing & spelling were combined. It had decidedly risen.-
Dodge’s Row - Summer School, Kept 3 ½ months, by Miss Coggswell. Total 23 -
average 21. - Winter, by Mr. Gallop, 3 1/4 months. Total 29 - average 24 - present 25. Order good.
Classification imperfect. The common branches well attended to. -
Cove - Summer school, kept 5 months by Mrs. Woodberry & Miss West. Total 102
- average 77. An excellent school. - Winter - Junior department 4 ½ months, by Miss Perry. Total
60 - average 45 - present 47. Had done very well. - Senior department, 4 ½ months, by Mr. Fairfield.
Total 95 - average 83 - present 80. House repaired & decorated. Order very good,& much diligence
& improvement. -
Bass River - Summer School, 5 1/4 months by the Ellen Stone & Martha A. Dodge.
Total 76 - average 41. Order quite defective. - Winter, 4 ½ months, by Mr. Shorey . Total 119 -
average 92 - present 58. Order & classification imperfect. The first class, quite advanced in several
of the studies, particular arithmetic. -
Washington, Summer School, Kept 6 1/4 months, by Miss Perry. Total 62 - average
48. Did well. - Winter, 5 months, by Mr. Dodge. Total 87 - average 58 - present 71. Good order.
Well classed & tasked. Some fine specimens of writing & composition. -
South - Junior Department - Kept 7 ½ months, by Miss Savory. Total 45 - average
32. Has done well. - Senior department, kept through the year, by Mr. Phillips. Total 145 - average
90 - present 79. Order very good. Good progress in the common branches - also in Philosophy,
Algebra, bookkeeping, composition & drawing.
Grammar - Junior Department, 11 months by Miss Worsley. Total 73 - av. 52 -
present 40. The scholars, though very young, showed much intelligence & good training. - Middle
Department, Kept for the year, by Miss Weld. Total 78 - average 56 - present 60. Evincing excellent
discipline & instruction. - Senior Department, for the year, by Mr. McGaffey. Total 91 - average 50 -
present 54. Order are very good. Classification exact. Common branches thoroughly learned.
History had been studied by all scholars. Several did well in philosophy, bookkeeping, Algebra,
French, & Latin. Some excellent exhibitions of composition & map drawing. Music has been
practiced with great success in this - as it has in several of the other Schools.
Music is productive of so many good effects, especially in schools, that it ought to be
cultivated in all of them. In most of our schools more attention should be given to writing, & more
in all to spelling as connected with writing. The average attendance though improved, is far from
what should be. And the whole number of scholars might & ought to be greater than it is. The
school houses, with the exception of those in the South & Dodge’s Row Districts are in good
condition; & it is hoped that the exceptions will be speedily remedy. Parents & friends have attended
the examinations in larger numbers that has been usual. In no former year within the recollection of
the Committee, has the moral state of the scholars been so favorably reported. On the whole, our
schools are steadily rising, & thus affording a rich return for the increased expenditure incurred for
their support.
Respectfully submitted by -
C. T. Thayer - Chairman. -
Beverly, March 13,1848. -
Each and all of the foregoing reports were duly accepted by the town, and the
thanks of the town voted to each of said Boards of officers.
Voted, That the Selectmen be hereby fully authorized and requested, in behalf of the inhabitants of
this town, to cause prosecutions to be instituted, and followed up, against all unlicensed dealers in
intoxicating liquors.
Voted. That when this meeting adjourn it be until the first Monday in April next at one o’clock
Afternoon - the same being the third day of said April. -
A true record.
Attest.
John I. Baker, Town Clerk.
At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly, held at the Town Hall on
Monday April 3, A. D. 1848, at one o’clock afternoon by adjournment from the annual March
meeting - the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Albert Thorndike, Esq. and the
following business was transacted - viz.: first proceeded to the choice of town officers to supply
vacancies, and chose the following,
School Committee, by ballot, Rev. Joshua Chandler, instead of Rev. C. W. Flanders declined -
Edward Pousland, instead of Dr. A. Torrey declined
Joseph E. Ober, instead of William Endicott declined, Capt. Stephen
Woodberry having been first chosen for this vacancy, and declining to
serve -
and chose the following by hand vote
Constable, Samuel D. G. Standley, in addition to those chosen in March -
Auditors, William D. Crosfield instead of Geo. Chapman, declined -
John J. Dennis instead of Edward Pousland, declined -
Board of Health, Samuel Woodberry instead of Stephens Baker declined -
Fence Viewer, Stephen Woodberry instead of Benjamin Larcom declined -
Firewards, Robert Goodwin instead of Paul Hildreth declined -
John Beckford instead of Alpheus Davis declined -
Joshua W. Carrico in place of Augustus N. Clark declined -
John O. Foster instead of Eben Smith Jr. declined -
Emerson Herrick instead of John Bradshaw declined -
Isaac P. Friend instead of William Friend declined -
Israel Foster 2d instead of Samuel Foster declined -
Surveyor of Highways, Ward 1. Wells Smith instead of Israel Wallis declined -
Ward 2. Israel O. Edwards instead of Joseph Conant declined -
Field Drivers, Ward 2. Thomas Kinsman, instead of Samuel Foster, declined
3. Elisha Pride instead of W. D. Eldredge, declined
4. Joseph L. Ober instead of Oliver Preston, declined
6. Jeremiah Choate, instead of Richard Dodge Jr., declined
10. Andrew C. Baker, instead of Josiah Trask, declined
13. John E. Baker, instead of John G. Smith, declined
The following Report of Jury list under Article 15, postponed from March was presented
now, viz.: -
The Selectmen submit the following list of Jurors for approval, including no
person who has been in the box ten years, and been on any Jury, agreeably to the vote of the town -
Stephen AbbottJosiah GrayWilliam Porter
Isaac W. BakerEdmund GilesJoseph K. Preston
William BradyPerkins HaskellBenjamin F. Perkins
Israel BrownEmerson HerrickJohn Putnam
Zachariah ColeLuther HerrickJames Perry
Joseph ConantJames HillThomas Remmonds
John H. CrossEdward KilhamAndrew W. Standley
William P. CleavesAbraham B. LordEben Smith Jr.
Samuel CoffinWilliam LordJohn G. Smith
Joshua W. CarricoCharles T. LovettJohn L. Smith
Alpheus DavisJohn Lovett 2dJohn M. Stocker
John J. DennisSamuel L. LeeGeorge Southwick
Albert T. DodgePhilip Lee Jr.Sands Standley
William E. DodgeBenjamin LarcomDaniel Sargent
William G. EnglishBenjamin S. LuntBenjamin Thissell
James FriendGeorge S. MillettJoseph D. Tuck
Seth FriendAugustus MoultonAbiel Wales
Nathan H. FosterJames MasuryCaleb Wallis
Benjamin L. FosterWilliam MosesEleazar R. Wallis
Robert S. FosterJoseph E. OberJeremiah Wallis
Samuel FosterJoseph L. OberJohn E. Wallis
Anderson GliddenWarren PrinceWilliam E. Webber
John L. Goldsbury Joseph Porter Jr.Haskett D. Whitney
Robert GoodwinEdward T. ProctorBenjamin Williams
Israel Green Jeremiah Porter Edwin Woodberry
Elisah Woodberry
Joseph Woodberry 3d
Stephen W. Woodberry
Wm. H. Lovett
Haskett D. Whitney
Josiah ObearSelectmen of Beverly
Edward T. Proctor
John I. Baker
March 13,1848
After the propriety, authority and legality of instructions of any kind from the town upon the
subject had been fully discussed.
Voted, That the list be referred back to the Selectmen, they to report a list at some future meeting
according to their best judgment -
The Selectmen made only a verbal statement in regard to an Iron Safe, and they were
authorized and directed to make further enquiry -
The Committee in reference to the Division line between East and West Farm Districts
reported as follows; and the report was accepted -
The Committee to whom
was referred the boundary line between the East and West Farms districts, beg leave to report, that
they have attended to that duty and find that the present established line does not run through any
dwelling house or other buildings, and the committee not being able to agree on any definite alteration
in the line, would recommend, that the inhabitants of said districts, be called together to establish or
define a line themselves, or by arbitration; and report at some future meeting of the town -
All of which is respectfully submitted -
Joseph E. Ober, for the Comee.
The following Report was next presented and accepted - viz.: The committee appointed at
the annual March Meeting to collect money for William Putnam to remunerate him for the loss of his
shop by fire, have collected sum of forty six dollars and sixty four cents. They paid him forty five
dollars before his death; the balance will be paid to his widow -
Beverly April 3d 1848.Stephens Baker, Chairman.
Judge Mellen having declined to approve the Bylaw passed in March as not being within the
power of towns to pass, it was judged the best to try again and accordingly, upon the 5th article in
the warrent,
Voted, That whereas it appears to the inhabitants of the town of Beverly in town meeting
assembled, that it is necessary in order to preserve the peace, good order, and internal police of the
town, that the sale of fermented intoxicating liquors within the town should be restricted by law,
therefore we the said inhabitants do make and establish the following Bylaw.
No person shall
sell any Beer, Ale, Cider or any other fermented intoxicating liquor, to be used in or about his house
or other buildings, or in or about any public building, training field, square, street or lane, or any
other public place, unless such person is duly licensed for such sale, on pain of forfeiting twenty
dollars to the use of the Commonwealth for each and every offense -
Hon. Robert Rantoul was appointed to present the same to the Court of Common Pleas for
approval -
In further reference to the sale of intoxicating liquors it was
Voted, That the Hon. Robert Rantoul be duly authorized in behalf of the inhabitants of this town to
memorialize the Legislature of this Commonwealth for the grant of further authority to towns for the
restriction of the sale of fermented intoxicating liquors within their respective limits.
Voted. That this meeting be dissolved and the same was accordingly so declared to be -
A true record,
Attest. John I. Baker, Town Clerk.