1698-01-07[Selectmen's Meeting, January 7, 1698]
This indentment and agreement made this seventh day of January, 1697/8, between Mr. Thomas
Woodbury senr., of this town of Beverly on the one party, and the Selectmen of said town the other party,
which are as followeth, viz.: I, the above said Thomas Woodbury senr., do by these presents for myself,
my heirs and assigns, do promise to & bargain with said Selectmen of Beverly, to take, keep and maintain
John Knights, one of the poor of said town, in meat, drink, lodging, washing and apparel suitable for such
person, for the term of one whole year from the date hereof, fully to be completed and ended, and the said
selectmen with the consent of the said John Knights, to put the said John Knights to the said Mr. Thomas
Woodbury, him to serve for the term above said, and further in consideration of the promises we the said
selectmen of Beverly above said, do in behalf of our town, promise and engaged to the said Mr. Thomas
Woodbury, that he shall be paid the sum of seven pounds in money, that is to say three pounds and ten
shillings at the end of six months from the date hereof, and the other three pounds and ten shillings at the
expiration of said year, in witness here of we have hereunto interchangeably set our hands, the day and
year above written.
Thomas West, Isaac Woodbury, Samuel Balch, selectmen. Thomas Woodbury, John Knights. Witnesses
Robert Briscoe, Nehemiah Stone.
At a meeting of the Selectmen January 7, 1697/8, was a country rate made of five pounds and nine
shillings, together with the addition of £05:13, for the charges of the watch in our town, Constable
William Cleaves his part £05:09:06, Constable Cornelius Larcom his part £05:12:06, each to pay to the
County Treasurer £02:14:06, with warrant affixed to each list as followeth. To constable, you are required
in his Majesty's name, to collect and gather of the several inhabitants within named, there several
proportions as they are rated or assessed, to the within rate, list or bill of assessment, the whole sum being
£5 to be paid in money, £2:14:06 whereof you are to pay into the treasurer for this County, at or before
the 1 st day of March next ensuing, according to warrant to us, directed under the hand of the clerk of the
Court of Quarter Sessions for this County, dated November 4, 1697, and the remainder being £2 you are
to pay into the town treasurer, or otherwise as the Selectmen shall order by the time above said, for the
paying of the charge of the new watch house, and for the repaying of money disbursed for flints for our
town's stock, and for firewood, and other necessaries for the watching our town and if any person shall
refuse or neglect to make payment of his or her sum as they are set to the within rate or bill of assessment,
then you are to make distress for the same according to law.