1698-03-28[Town Meeting March 28, 1698]
At a legal town meeting of the inhabitants of Beverly on the 28th day of March, 1698, Samuel Balch was
chosen to the place of a Selectman, to serve in the room of Ebenezer Woodberry for the year ensuing.
At a legal town meeting of the inhabitants of Beverly, on the 28th day of March, 1698, it was ordered and
agreed to by general vote of the inhabitants then convened, there shall be a town rate of fifty pounds
made, and proportioned on the inhabitants of said town, for the paying the town's debts already
contracted, and the defraying other necessary charges that may arise in the town for the year ensuing, so
far as said rate will accomplish said end, said rate to be proportioned by the Selectmen to be paid in
money.
At the same town meeting it was voted that Selectmen do give an account of the disposal of the town's
money, by them raised from time to time, before the change of new Selectmen.
At the same town meeting it was voted that whereas Cornelius Larcom was sued for carrying wood from
our town common, contrary to order, the town now freely and clearly forgive the said Cornelius Larcom,
the penalty due for said fault.
At the same town meeting March 28, 1698, it was voted that there shall not be any tree fallen on our town
common, by any person in or belonging to our town on penalty of paying a fine of twenty shillings money
for the use of the town, the one half to be to him or them that shall inform of any person transgressing
contrary to this order, hemlock and pine are excepted in this order.
At the same town meeting it was also voted and agreed to, that all wood and timber already fallen on our
town's common and not cut up, shall be free for any inhabitant of the town to cut up and carry away for
their use in said town.