1698-05-19[Selectmen's Meeting May 19, 1698]
At a meeting of the Selectmen on the 19 of May, 1698, were two lists of Mr. Hale's rate made for the
payment of said Mr. Hale his salary, for the year begun the first day of March, 1697/8; the list for
Mackeral Cove ward being the sum of £35:14, and the list of Bass River ward being the sum of
£38:05:08, and committed to Constable Roger Haskell to collect and pay the same, with warrant affixed e
thereunto as followeth viz: to Constable Roger Haskell, you are required in His Majesty's name, to collect
and gather of the inhabitants within named, their several proportions as they are rated or assessed, to the
within rate, list or bill of assessment, the whole sum being £35:14, £32:00:00 whereof you are to pay into
the Rev. Mr. John Hale, minister of the gospel amongst us, for his salary, for the year begun the first day
of March 1697/8, and will end the last day of February, 1698/9, the which you are to pay quarterly, that is
to say eight pounds per quarter, and the remainder being £3:14, you are to pay into the Town Treasurer, or
other ways as the Selectmen shall order for the use of the town, and if any person or persons shall refuse
or neglect, to make payment of his or her respective sums as they are rated to the within list, then you are
to make distress for the same according to law. Dated in Beverly, May 20, 1698. By order of the
Selectmen.
Samuel Balch, Clerk.