1685-03-10[Town Meeting March 10, 1685]
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The 10 of the first mo. 1684/5. At a meeting of the freemen of Beverly Serg. Jonathan Hill
was chosen as commissioner to carry in the votes for nomination of magistrate to the Shire town on
the last Wednesday of this instant that the constables then chosen should serve till the first Monday
in November next ensuing.
At a general town meeting of the inhabitants of Beverly legally warned on ye 10:1 mo.:
1684/5 it was then agreed to and voted that the constables then chosen should serve till the first
Monday in November next ensuing and the persons then chosen to constables for the time abovesaid
were Mr. Isaac Woodberry, Corp. David Perkins. At the same town meeting it was also voted and
agreed to that for time being the time for yearly choice of constables shall be on the first Monday of
November.
At the same town meeting it was also voted that there should be a town highway laid out from
the head of the rails and so towards Topsfield so far as the bounds of Beverly doth go that way upon
condition that Wenham men will also allow and layout a highway from the place where the abovesaid
doth meet with Wenham line and so towards Topsfield so far as their town goes.
At the same town meeting it was also agreed to and voted that so many as see cause may have
liberty to set a stable on the town’s land near the meetinghouse. At the same town meeting Ensign
Corning and Jonathan Lovett were chosen a committee to exchange some of the town’s land at the
outlet with Mr. Hale in order to straighten Mr. Hale’s fence as they shall judge most convenient. At
the same town meeting it was also agreed and voted that the selectmen have full power to dispose
of the town’s right in the ferry to any person that shall present.
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At the same meeting of the selectmen ye 10 1 mo. 1684/5 there received of George Standley
twelve shillings the which twelve shillings doth fully balance all accounts betwixt he said Standley and
the town, any former record notwithstanding. At the same meeting of the selectmen then reckoned
with Joseph Dodge who was Constable for ye year 1682 and see ye said Dodge remains in the town’s
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debt 4 £: 18s.: 9d. for overplus of Mr. Hale’s rate bearing date the 14 of July 1682.