Town records of 1834

1834 page 85.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bristol S. S.. To the constable of the Town of Westport. Greeting

You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth to notify and warn the Freeholders and

other Inhabitants of said Town of Westport duly qualified to vote for Town Officers and in other Town affairs to assemble at the townhouse in said Town on Monday the seventh day of April next at nine of the clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles viz.:

1st. To choose a Moderator.

2nd. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing.

3rd. To bring in their votes for County Treasurer.

4th. To see if the Town will appoint their Treasurer , Collector of taxes.

5th. To determine the amount to be allowed their Treasurer and Collector of taxes for services the year ensuing the rates of abatement on taxes for prompt payment, and at what time the collection of said taxes shall be completed.

6th. To choose a Committee to receive and examine all accounts brought against said Town and also to settle with the Treasurer.

7th. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the Town charges the year ensuing and make appropriations of the same viz.:

For repairs of highways and in what manner it shall be appropriated.

For the support of the poor.

For support of Schools and in what manner it shall be apportioned.

And for all other necessary and incidental expenses.

8th. To determine what shall be done with highways when they are blocked up or encumbered with snow.

9th. To know the mind of the Town in regard to building in addition to the Alms house.

10th. To know the mind of the Town in regard to regulating the oyster fishery.

11th. To choose such other committees or agents as circumstances may render expedient.

End of page 85

1834 paid 86.

Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon onto us the Subscribers at or before said time of meeting.

Given under our hands and seals at Westport this 12th day of March A.D. 1834.

Signed Frederick Brownell, Daniel Gifford,Selectmen.

Bristol S. S.. I have notified the freeholders and other Inhabitants of said Town of Westport qualified by law to vote for Town Officers and in other Town affairs by posting up notifications, one at the Town house, one at Howland and Church’s store, one at the store of Frederick Brownell and one at the store of Thomas W. Mayhew on the Point ( so-called) . To meet at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned.

March 24, 1834 signed Jireh Brownell Constable.

At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified according to law held at the townhouse in said Town on Monday the seventh day of April 1834 at nine of the clock in the forenoon for the purposes expressed in the foregoing warrant The following Officers were chosen and votes passed viz..

Nathan C. Brownell Esq. Moderator.

Frederick Brownell Town Clerk and sworn.

Frederick Brownell Town Treasurer and Collector on same conditions as last year.

Selectmen: Frederick Brownell, Jonathan Davis, Daniel Gifford, sworn.

Assessors: Frederick Brownell, Jonathan Davis, Daniel Gifford, sworn.

Committee on Accounts Abraham Kirby, Jonathan Davis, James H. handy.

End of page 86

1834 page 87

Surveyors of highways: Joshua Potter, Robert Lawton, Stephen T. Cornell, Lemuel Reed Jr., Isaac Lawton, Restiome Potter, Humphrey S. Slocum, Peleg W. Peckham, William W. Cornell, Christopher Palmer, Peleg Sanford, Isaac Snell, Carmi Tripp, Peter Devol, Obadiah Lawton, Eben Baker, Samuel L. Slade, Joshua Wodell, Henry B. Gifford, Ebenezer Baker, John White, Benjamin Gifford, Peleg Manchester, Isaac Francis, Jeptha Gifford, Ichabod Kirby, George Wood, Abner Kirby, Weston Macomber, Thomas records, John Potter, Henry Brightman, Willard Tripp.

Pound Keeper Jonathan Tripp, sworn.

Surveyors of Lumber: Abner B. Gifford, Stephen Howland, James Bailey, Russell Gifford, Abner Thompson, Thomas Winslow, Gideon Davis Jr., Frederick Brownell, Peleg W. Peckham, Thomas W. Mayhew, Nathan Wood, Varnum Macomber, David Sanford.

Tythingmen: Thomas W. Mayhew, John W. Gifford, Elijah Blossom.

Overseers of landing H.. E. River: Stephen Howland, Jeremiah Thompson, James Bailey.

Overseers of landing at Point Isaac Palmer, Daniel Cornell.

Overseer of landing at head of W.. River George Kirby.

End of page 87

1834 paid 88.

Cullers of hoops and staves: John Howland, Stephen Howland, Isaac L. Brightman.

Fence Viewers Peleg Manchester sworn, Wilbour Gifford, Jonathan Davis, Abraham Kirby sworn, Humphrey A.Slocum, Nathan C. Brownell sworn, Adam Gifford, John Potter, Major Allen, Nathan Wood sworn.

Field Drivers: Levi Gifford, Charles Little, Isaac Francis, Joseph Tripp sworn John milk, Nathaniel Tripp 2nd, Daniel Tripp, Ebenezer Baker.

Hog Reeves: Stephen Howland, Samuel L. Wilcox, Wanton Macomber, William Tripp, Elijah blossom, Tillinghast Sowle, Abner Wilcox, Isaac Francis.

Cullers of Fish : Gideon Davis, Jethro Howland.

Overseers of Fishery: Pardon Allen, Tillinghast Tripp, Perry Brightman, Perry hazard.

General School Committee : Abner B. Gifford, James H. handy, Frederick Brownell.

Town Agent Abner B. Gifford.

Constable Jireh Brownell sworn.

$1400. Voted. That the sum of 1400 dollars be raised by a way of tax for repairing highways the year ensuing, to be assessed on the polls and estates of the Inhabitants and nonresident proprietors of the Town of Westport and the assessors are hereby directed to assess the same as soon as may be and deliver a list of the persons names

End of page 88

1834 page 89.

And of the sums they are assessed to each surveyor with his limit according to law. That one dollar be allowed by the survey or for nine hours work of a man or yoke of oxen and in that proportion for more or less time. Twenty-five cents for a cart and thirty three cents for a plow for nine hours and that the aforesaid sum be expanded one half at least by the first day of July and the other part by the first day of September next. When ever the surveyor of any district shall make known to the Selectmen that he has faithfully expended all the tax assessed on his district and the road is not sufficiently repaired, the selectmen shall determine the additional sum he may expand on said road and he may draw orders on the Treasurer for the amount so determined by the Selectmen

On the 9th article in the warrant. Voted. That the selectmen report to the adjournment of this meeting a

plan for an addition to the alms house with the probable expense of erecting it.

$900. Voted. That the sum of nine hundred dollars be raised by a way of tax for the support of Schools the year ensuing on the same conditions it was last year.

Voted. That this meeting be adjourned to the last Saturday in the month at one o’clock P. M..

recorded by Frederick Brownell T.. Clerk

April 26, 1834. Agreeable to adjournment from the seventh day of this month the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport met accordingly and passed the following votes viz.:

voted that the ten months School provided for by law be dispensed with this year.

End of page 89

1834 page 90.

$900. Voted. That the sum of nine hundred dollars be raised by a way of tax on the polls and estates of the Inhabitants and nonresident proprietors of the Town of Westport for the support of Paupers and other incidental expenses to be assessed, collected and paid into the Treasury by the first day of March next and the assessors are hereby directed to assess the same in the way and manner provided by law and deliver lists thereof to the Collector as soon as may be.

The Selectmen made a report in writing that they had tended to the duty assigned them at the last meeting — accompanied with a plan of such an addition to the alms house as they thought necessary, and an estimation of the probable expense .It was thereupon voted. That the Selectmen cause an addition to be erected and draw orders on the Treasurer for the expense.

Voted. That the 10th article in the warrant be indefinitely postponed.

Voted. That the Treasurer pay fifty cents per week for the support of Barbara Devol the year ensuing.

John Burrage Esq. had 35 votes.

Horatio L. Danforth had 208 votes. For County Treasurer.

The Committee on accounts made a report in writing that they had tended to the Duty assigned them and found due to the several persons named in the list presented by them the sums set against their names respectfully amounting in the whole to the sum of $1639.12.

It was thereupon voted to accept said report and the Treasurer was directed to pay the sums found due by the committee to the several persons therein named, and charge the same to the Town. The committee also made a report that agreeable to their appointment they had examined the accounts of the treasurer and found

end of page 90

1834 page 91.

That he had received for the Town the year past the sum of $1964.77.

And had paid out 2053.76.

Leaving a balance in the favour of the Treasurer of $88.99.

And made a Settlement with him accordingly.

The committee further report that the Town is now indebted for orders allowed. 99.40

Balance now due from the Town $188.39.

Balance due from Collector and on Note 891.15.

Leaving a balance in favour of the Town $702.76.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Signed Jonathan Davis, Abraham Kirby, James H. Handy, Committee.

Voted. To adjourn this meeting to second Monday in November next.

Recorded by Frederick Brownell, Town Clerk.

End of page 91

1834 page 92 .

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

(Transcribers note, initials L.. L.. Appear in left margin of record book, this is a change from previous initials which were L. S. )

Bristol S. S.. To the Constable of the Town of Westport. Greeting.

You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth to notify and warn the Inhabitants of said Town of Westport qualified by law to vote for Governor,Lieutenant Governor, Senators and Counsellors and Representatives to the General Court. To meet at the Town house in said Town on Monday the tenth day of November next at ten of the clock in the forenoon. To give in their votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators and Counsellors–and to choose one or more Representatives to represent them at the General Court appointed to be convened and held at Boston on the first Wednesday in January next. And also to vote for or against granting Liberty to Thomas Records and others to build a wharf on the West side of the West River in said Town adjoining the land of the said Records.

Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at or before said time of meeting.

Given under our hands and seals this seventeenth day of October A.D. 1834.

Signed Frederick Brownell, Daniel Gifford, Jonathan Davis, Selectmen of Westport.

Bristol S. S.. Pursuant to the within warrant I have notified and warned the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport as therein directed by posting up one notice at the Point one at F. Brownell’s store and one at the head of the East River fourteen days prior to the date hereof.

Westport November 10, 1834 Jireh Brownell Constable.

end of page 92

1834 page 93.

At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified agreeable to the Constitution held at the Town house in said Town on Monday the Tenth day of November being the second Monday in said month for the purposes expressed in the foregoing warrant. Votes for following persons were given in, sorted, counted, record and declaration thereof made as by the Constitution is directed.

For Governor: his excellency John Davis had seventeen votes 17.

Honorable John Bailey had one hundred and forty five 145

Samuel C. Allen had eight votes 8.

For Lieutenant Governor: honorable Samuel T. Armstrong had seventeen votes 17.

Honorable George Odionne had one hundred and fifty 150.

William W. Thompson had three votes 3

For Senators: honorable Nathan C. Brownell one hundred and fifty votes 150.

Honorable Samuel French one hundred and fifty three 153.

Honorable Seth Whitmarsh one hundred and fifty three 153.

Benjamin Rodman fifteen votes 15.

James C. Starkweather fifteen votes 16.

William A. F. Sproat sixteen votes 16.

End of page 93.

1834 page 94.

Voted. That there be three Representatives chosen to represent this Town in the General Court.

James H. Handy Esq. had fifty four votes 54.

Jonathan Davis had fifty three votes 53.

Christopher A Church had thirty six votes 36.

And they were accordingly chosen.

Voted. That the consent of this Town be and is hereby given to Thomas records and such others as are or may be associated with him to erect a wharf in the West branch of Acoaxset River adjoining the said Thomas’s land to extend to the channel at such place as may be most convenient for accommodation of themselves and the public.

Recorded by Frederick Brownell, Town Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bristol S. S.. To the constable of the Town of Westport. Greeting.

You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth to notify and warn the Inhabitants of said Town of Westport qualified by law to vote for Representatives to the General Court. To assemble at the Town house in said Town on Monday the tenth day of November next at eleven o’clock in the forenoon to give in their votes for one Representative that is an inhabitant of Bristol District. To represent them in the Congress of the United States of America, for the term of two years from the third day of March A.D. 1835.

Herof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at or before said time of meeting.

End of page 94

1834 page 95.

Given under our hands and seals this seventeenth day of october A.D. 1834.

Signed Frederick Brownell, Jonathan Davis, Daniel Gifford, Selectmen of Westport.

Bristol S. S.. Pursuant to the within warrant I have notified and warned the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport as within directed by posting up one notice at the Point-one at F. Brownell store and one at the head of the East River fourteen days prior to the date hereof.

Westport November 10, 1834 signed Jireh Brownell, Constable.

At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport-qualified agreeable to law-held at the Town house in said Town on Monday the tenth day of November A.D. 1834 for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant. Votes for the following persons were given in sorted, counted, record and declaration thereof made as by the Constitution is directed viz. :

for Nathaniel B. Borden Esq. one hundred and fifty two votes 152.

For William Baylies Esq. twenty two votes 22.

For Micah H. Ruggle three votes 3.

Recorded by Frederick Brownell Town Clerk.

End of page 95

1834 page 96.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bristol S. S.. To Jireh Brownell constable of the Town of Westport. Greeting.

You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth. To notify and warn the inhabitants of the said Town of Westport duly qualified to vote for Representatives to the General Court of said Commonwealth. To assemble at the Town house in said Town on Monday the fifthteenth day of december instant at ten o’clock in the forenoon to give in their votes for one Representative that is an Inhabitant of Congressional District numbered 10. To represent them in the Congress of the United States of America for the term of two years from the third day of March A.D. 1835.

Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at or before said time of meeting.

Given under our hands and seals at Westport this fourth day of december A.D. 1834

signed Frederick Brownell, Jonathan Davis, Daniel Gifford, Selectmen.

Bristol S. S.. december 5, 1834. By virtue of the within warrant I have notified and warned the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport. To assemble at the time and place and for the purpose within

expressed by posting up one notice on the Town house one at F. Brownell’s store and one at Howland and churche’s store.

Signed Jireh Brownell Constable.

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified agreeable to law-held at the Town house in said Town on Monday the fifteenth day of december A.D. 1834, for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant.

Votes for the following persons were given in, sorted, counted, record and declaration thereof made as by the Constitution is directed.

For Nathaniel B. Borden Esq. one hundred and fifty eight votes 158.

For William Baylies Esq. twenty seven votes 27.

For Seth Whitmarsh one vote 1.

-52-

Recorded by Frederick Brownell Town Clerk

End of page 96