Town Records for 1787

1787 1

IN COMPLIANCE WITH A WARRANT issued from Benjamin Russel Esq. directing William Almy to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Westport to meet together at some suitable place in said Town to choose all such town officers as towns are required to choose at their annual town meetings in the month of March or April annually; and a committee to settle with the towns of Dartmouth and New Bedford, agreeable to a Late Act of the General Court for incorporating said Town of Westport.

The inhabitants of said Town of Westport who were qualified by law to vote, being legally notified and warned by the said William Almy, assembled at the dwelling house of William Gifford in said Westport on Monday the Twentieth day of August 1787 at ten of the clock A.M.

And procedes agreeable to the directions of said Warrant.

1. William Almy was chosen Moderator of said Warrant.

2. Abner Brownell was chosen Town Clerk for the year ending and was duly sworn by William Davis justice Pacis to authorize him to officiate in said office.

3. William Almy, Richard Kirby and Edward Borden were chosen selectmen for the year ensuing and took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance to authorize them to officiate in said office before me Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

4. Richard Kirby was chosen an Assessor for the year ensuing. [oath taken]

5. Thomas Tripp, Stephen Cornell and Pardon Brownell were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing. And

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And were duly engaged to authorize them to officiate in said office. Before me Abner Brownell, Town Clerk-

6. Abner Brownell was chosen Town Treasurer for the year ensuing. [swearing in by William Davis, J.P. noticed]

7. Stephen Davis, carpenter, and Barjonas Devol were chosen Surveyors of Lumber for the year ensuing and were duly engaged to authorize them to officiate in said office.

8. Thomas Tripp and Stephen Cornell were chosen Field Drivers for the year ensuing. [oaths taken]

9. Nathaniel Kirby was chosen Pound Keeper for the year ensuing.

10. Benjamin Brownell was chosen Sealer of Weight and Measures for the year ensuing.

11. Benjamin Cory was chosen Sealer of Leather for the year ensuing.

12. Abner Brownell was chosen Warden for the year ensuing. And [on) September 15th was duly sworn to authorize him to officiate in said office by William Davis, justice Pacis.

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13. Caleb Earl and Edward Boomer were chosen Tithingmen for the year ensuing. [oaths taken]

14. Stephen Davis, carpenter, and Barjonas Devol were chosen measurers of Wood for the year ensuing. [swearing in noticed]

15. George Tripp 2nd and William Almy were chosen Hog Reves for the year ensuing.

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[oaths of allegiance taken]

16. Benjamin Davis, innkeeper, Israel Brightman, Jonathan Davis, Wanton Case, Jonathan Taber, Capt. Silvanus, White, George Lawton, Job Almy, Pardon Brownell, Samuel Wilcox, Peleg Cornell Jr. and Lemuel Milk were chosen Surveyors of Highways for the year ensuing. [swearing in noticed]

17. It was voted to have three men chosen for a Committee to Settle with Dartmouth and New Bedford agreeable to the act of incorporation of said Town of Westport.

18. Stephen Peckham, Wesson Kirby and William Davis Esq. were chosen a Committee to Settle with Dartmouth and New Bedford. Agreeable to the Act of the General Court for Incorporating said Town of Westport.

19. Lastly it was voted for this meeting to be adjourned to Thursday, September 20, 1787 at one of the clock P.M. to be hold in at the Dwelling House of Joseph Gifford, Innkeeper.

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IN COMPLIANCE WITH A WARRANT ISSUED from two of the Selectmen of the Town requiring William Almy to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town of Westport to meet together at this Dwelling House of Joseph Gifford, Innkeeper on Thurs, September 20, 1787 at ten of the clock A.M. to act on the following particulars.

1. To agree upon and vote what sum of money to raise by way of Tax for support of the Poor and other necessary expenses of mid town for the present year.

2. For the town to agree upon and vote what method to take to get the taxes collected in for the future.

3. To receive returns of Highways that is laid out or allowed by the Selectmen of said town and to approve or not of the same.

4. To conclude by vote in what method the poor of said town shall be supported in.

5. To regulate the Jury Box.

6. To consider and conclude in what method speedily to refund the expenses and make amends to the agents for their services respecting the incorporation of this town.

7. To approve and enable some persons to provide Necessary Books of Record for the Town Clerk.

THE INHABITANTS of said Town of Westport who are qualified by law to vote, being legally notified and Warranted by the said William Almy …. Assembled at the Dwelling House of Joseph Gifford, Innkeeper on Thursday, September in 1787 at ten of the clock A.M. And proceeded agreeable to the directions of the Warrant.

1. William Almy was chosen Moderator for said meeting.

2. It was voted for fifty pounds L.M. to be raised by way of tax for the support of the poor and other Necessary expenses that may occur in this town. [NOTE to have the Constables or Collectors chosen by agreement & hired-]

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3. Voted for the poor to be supported at the discretion of the Selectmen of this Town.

4. Voted that the Jury Box be in the method it is made used as the Names are entered in it.

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5. Voted that Abner Brownell be allowed and paid by the Town Treasurer his account of Nine pounds twelve shillings and six pence for services and expenses as Agent Respecting the Incorporation of this Town.

6. Voted that William Davis Esq. be appointed to procure Books Necessary for the Town Clerk and to be paid his account therefor by the Town Treasurer.

Nextly agreeable to an adjournment of the meeting of the 20th of August last past that was adjourned to this day at this house at one of the clock P.M.

They proceeded in the remaining part of the business as was directed in that Warrant viz. for the choosing Town officers.

1. Benjamin Brownell, Sr. and Matthew Boomer were chosen Assessors for the year ensuing. [swearing in noticed]

2. John Gifford was chosen Warden for the year ensuing. [oath taken]

3. Benjamin Cory, Wesson Tripp and John Gifford were chosen Constables and Collectors for the year ensuing and to have three per cent for what they collect as they agree. [swearing in noted]

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4. Caleb Gifford was chosen Sealor of Leather for the year ensuing.

5. Edward Boomer was chosen a surveyor of highways the year ensuing.

6. Jonathan Taber, Jr. was chosen Culler of Hoops and Staves for the year ensuing.

IN COMPLIANCE WITH A WARRANT issued from the Selectmen of the Town of Westport requiring any or either of the Constables of said Town to notify and warn. the inhabitants of said town toa meet at the dwelling house of Joseph Gifford, Innkeeper on Saturday, September 29, 1787 at two of the clock P.M. to act on the following particulars, viz.

That whereas the committee chosen in this Town agreeable to the act of the general court, for the purpose of making a settlement with the Towns of Dartmouth and’New Bedford did by appointment meet the committee from. the aforesaid towns for the purpose aforesaid but not being able to accomplish the settlement, the aforesaid conunittees did agree to submit the matters in consideration to George Leonard Esq of Norton, Samuel Fales Esq of Taunton and Mr. Ambrose Barnaby of Freetown for their determination and settlement agreeable to Acts for

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Incorporating said towns of New Bedford and Westport.

Therefore for this Town to consider upon and vote whether they will agree to the above Proposition or not. If the other towns pass a vote to the like purpose, or otherways to act as they shall think proper in relation thereto.

THE INHABITANTS of said Town of Westport who are qualified by law to vote being legally notified and warned by Benjamin Cory, Constable of said Town, & Assembled on Saturday, September 29, 1787 at the Dwelling House of Joseph Gifford, Innkeeper at two of the clock P.M. & Proceeded agreeable to the direction of said warrant.

1. William Almy was chosen Moderator for said meeting.

2. It was voted that the settlement between Dartmouth, New Bedford, and this Town

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be referred to George Leonard, Esq. of Norton, Samuel Fales, Esq. of Taunton and Mr. Ambrose Barnaby of Freetown for their determination and settlement according as they should understand the Acts of Incorporation of said Town of New Bedford and this Town as was proposed by the Committees of the aforesaid Towns and this town to abide by their award and determination.

If the other Town passes a vote to the like purpose.

Also voted that the Committee of this Town be authorized if in case those or either of them that have been appointed referrees could not attend said business that the Committee of this Town should appoint others in their room.

Further it was voted that if the Committee of this Town do pay the said referees this Towns proportion of what they shall charge for their attendance and service on said business of settling that the Selectmen of this Town shall give the Committees an order upon the Town Treasurer to refund the same.

Lastly it was voted that this meeting be adjourned to October 6, 1787 at two of the clock P.M. to meet at the same place. On October 6, 1787 the adjournment of said meeting was attended but nothing then appeared necessary agreeable to said Warrant to further act upon, the meeting was dissolved.

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IN COMPLIANCE WITH A WARRANT issued from the Selectment of the Town of Westport requiring any or either of the Constables of said Town to notify and warn the inhabitants thereof to meet at the Dwelling House of William Gifford in said Town on Thursday, November 23, 1787 at ten of the clock A.M. for the purpose of choosing a Delegate.

Agreeable to late resolve of the general court, to represent this Town in the convention to be holden at the State House in Boston the second Wednesday of January next 1788 for the purpose of assenting to and ratifying the constitution of the United 8tates as proposed by the Federal Convention lately assembled at Philadelphia.

The inhabitants of said Town of Westport who are qualified by law to vote for representation being legally notified and warned by Benjamin Cory one of the Constables of said Town assembled on Thursday, November 22,1787 at the Dwelling House of said William Gifford at ten of the clock A.M. And proceeded agreeable to the direction of said Warrant.

1. Job Almy was chosen Moderator for said meeting.

2. William Almy was chosen a delegate to represent this Town in convention at the State House in Boston on the second Wednesday of January next 1788 for the purpose aforesaid.

In compliance with a Venire facias issued from the Clerk of the Sessions for the County of Bristol viz, Samuel Fales, Clerk, requiring any or either of the Constables of the Town of Westport to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town to meet for the purpose of choosing one man for Grand juror for this Town to attend the courts in this county for the year ensuing or until another be chosen in his room. Also to draft one man for the Petit Jury for the Court of Common Pleas to be holden at Taunton thie second Tuesday of March next 1788.