Town Records for 1790

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IN COMPLIANCE WITH A VENIRE FACIAS, issued from the Clerk of the Session of the County of Bristol, viz, Samuel Fales, Clerk, requiring the Constable of the Town of Westport to assemble the inhabitants of said Town to meet for the purpose of choosing one man for a Grand juror for the year ensuing and also one man a Petit juror for the Court of Common Pleas to be holden at Taunton the second Tuesday of March, 1790. THE INHABITANTS of said Town of Westport being legally notified and warned by John Gifford, Constable of said Town to meet at the Town house on Thursday, February 11, 1790

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at two o’clock P.M.

1. George Lawton was chosen Moderator for said meeting for the purpose of choosing a Grant juror.

2. Major Robert Earle was chosen a Grand juror for the year ensuing.

3. Abner Potter was drawn out of the Jury Box for Petit juror for March Court at Taunton 1790.

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IN COMPLIANCE WITH A WARRANT issued from the Selectmen of the Town of Westport, dated March 24th day 1790 requiring John Gifford, Constable of said Town to notify the inhabitants thereof qualified by law to vote in Town meetings to meet at the Town house in said Town on Monday the fifth day of April next 1790 at 10 o’clock forenoon then and there to act on the particular hereafter mentioned-

1. to give in their votes to the Selectmen for governor, lieutenant governor, and three counsellors and senators for the year ensuing agreeable to the constitution of our said Commonwealth.

2. to choose town officers for the year ensuing as bylaws required and also to choose some person or persons to have the care of our Town Landings.

3. to conclude by vote what sums of money to raise by way of tax on the pools [sic] and estates of the inhabitants of said town for the support of the poor and other necessary charges arising within said Town.

4. to act and do what at said meeting shall be thought proper relative to finishing the Town house.

5. to do what shall be thought proper relative to hiring a schoolmaster or masters.

6. to do what the Town at said meeting shall think proper respecting the repairs of highways for the year ensuing.

7. to do what is thought proper relative to the support of the poor of said Town for the year ensuing.

8. for the Town at said meeting to conclude what means is best to be taken to procure the records of our Town now on Dartmouth Books.

9. to allow or disallow all accounts brought against said town for payment.

10. to receive returns of highways and town landings laid out or altered by the selectmen of said town and to approve or disapprove of the same that they may be of record.

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and make return of this Warrant and your doing thereon into the Clerk of said Town on or before the time of said meeting. Given under our hands and seals at Westport this twenty fourth day of March annoque Domini, 1790.

THE INHABITANTS OF SAID TOWN OF WESTPORT upon due notice or warning given by John Gifford, Constable of said Town meet together Monday, April fifth 1790 at 10 o’clock forenoon and proceeded agreeable to said Warrant …And voted for viz.

His Excellency John Hancock Esq. for governor had votes fifty two –

His Honor Samuel Adams for Lt. Governor had votes fifty two

Honorable Walter Spooner for Senator had votes forty

Honorable Elisha May for ditto forty nine

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Honorable Thomas Durfee for ditto forty three

Honorable Holden Slocum for ditto twelve Business of general officers finished.

1. William Almy was chosen Moderator for said meeting.

2. Robert Earl was chosen Town clerk for the year ensuing

4. Robert Earl was chosen Town Treasurer for the year ensuing and for one percent.

5. William Davis Esq., Wesson Kirby, Benjamin Brownell were chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing.

6. Voted to have three assessors for the year ensuing.

7. Christopher Cornell, Nathaniel Kirby, Wesson Tripp were chosen assessors for the year ensuing [sworn in]

8. Wesson Sowle, Pardon Brownell, Thomas Tripp, Wesson Kirby were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing [sworn in].

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9. Stephen Davis & Barjonas Devol were chosen Surveyors of Lumber for the year ensuing [sworn in]

10. job Davis, William Kirby were chosen Field Drivers for the year ensuing

11. Nathaniel Kirby was chosen Pound Keeper [sworn in]

12. Benjamin Brownell was chosen Sealor of Weights and Measurers [sworn in]

13. Benjamin Cory, Preserved Shearman chosen Sealers of Leather

14. Voted for two wardens for the year ensuing. George Brownell and Esack Taber

15. Voted for two tithing men for the year ensuing. Israel Brightman were chosen.

17. Stephen Davis, Barjonas Devol was chosen measurers of wood

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16. Capt Job Almy, Capt. Sylvester Brownell, Stephen Davis, Joseph Clossen, Benjamin Cory, George Lawton was chosen Hog Reves [sworn in]

18. Vote taken to amend the highways by tax, a majority against it.

19. Joseph Head, Preserved Sherman, Jonathan Taber Jr., John Davis, Capt Job Almy, Peleg Cornell jr. Robert Kirby, Justice Kirby, Aaron Davis, Daniel Devol, Benjamin Devol, Abiel Macomber Sr, Isiah Borden, Ebenezer Baker, John Gifford, Nathaniel Potter were chosen surveyors for the year ensuing [oaths of allegiance]

20. Voted for a return of a high [sic] to be put on the town record that was laid by William Davis and Jonathan Tripp Selectmen.

21. A committee of three was voted to settle with Job Anthony respecting the town landing at the head of the easternmost branch of Westport River. Benjamin Brownell, taylor, Benjamin Brownell and Wesson Kirby were chosen.

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Lastly voted that this meeting be adjourned until the second Monday of May next 10 o’clock forneoon then to meet at the Town House.

AGREEABLE TO AN ADJOURNMENT of the meeting of the fifth day of April last past that was adjourned to this day and house viz. to Monday tenth day of May 1790 10 o’clock

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forenoon the inhabitants assembled of said town of Westport and proceeded on the remainder part of the business as directed in said warrant. William Alriny being Moderator of said meeting.

1. Voted three overseers for town landings, Stephen Peckham, Jonfathan] Gifford and Benjamin Davis was chosen on said committee.

2. Voted to finish the Town House and

3. Voted to shingle said town house.

4. Voted to continue the former committee for finishing said Town House.

5. Voted to allow interest to the above committee for finishing said Town House.

6. Voted for the Selectmen of said Town to proceed as usual in supporting the poor of said Town of Westport.

7. Voted not to act at present on a petition handed to the Town of Westport respecting one Dinah White.

8. Voted to choose a committee to regulate the town landing in the Town of Westport and to lay the same before said Town. Stephen Peckham, George Laston, John Anthony, Benjamin Davis, James Sowle was chosed for that purpose.

9. Voted that Robert Earl, John Smith Esqs. take of Dartmouth records a copy of the return of Highways and Town ways for the Town of Westport and that said John Smith and Robert Earl be paid for the same.

10. Voted that the Town Clerk of Westport procure a book for the above purpose at the expense of said Town.

11. Voted to allow the following accounts charged against the Town of Westport: To Christopher Cornell L 1.4. Voted not to allow Thomas Tripp 10/6 in his account. Voted to Thomas Tripp on his acct. L 4.5.2. Voted to Jonathan Tripp L 2.3. To George Lawton 15/9 It was voted not to allow Jonathan Tripp 42/ for supporting one Dinah White as one of the poor of said Town of Westport.

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Voted to allow William Davis Esq. on his acct. Ls 5.16.10 To Wesson Kirby 18/15. To Benjamin Cory L 12.2 and to Barjonas Cory L 3.13.5 Voted not to allow Benjamin Cory acct for Warning atown meetings. To Pardon Brownell voted 0/4. To Ichabod Tripp L 2.0.10. To Stoker Potter for keep Job Potter from the 16 May 1789 to the 10 of May 1790 51 weeks @ 5/6 per week in clothing for said job Potter as per acct L 16. To Jonathan Tripp L 2.2 Voted for George Godfrey County Treasurer had votes 35. Voted to receive and accept the report of a committee when completed. Voted to continue the same committee on the fish act in the Town of Westport with only the following alteration: Abraham Cornell in lieu of William Kirby. Voted to raise by way of tax L 95 for the year ensuing.

Voted to adjourn this meeting to the third Monday of June next Two of the clock after noon then to meet at said Town House in Westport.

AGREEABLE TO THE ABOVE ADJOURNMENT the inhabitants of said Town of Westport assembled at time and place and proceeded on the remainder part of the business of said warrant.

1. Voted and chose Jonathan Tripp surveyor in lieu of Benjamin Devol and-John Gifford, Constable, in room of John Gifford, Blacksmith.

2. Voted that the committee compleat the settlement with Job Anthony concerning Town Landing.

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3. Voted to receive the report by George Lawton and Stephen Peckham a committee etc.

4. Voted Job Milk 16/ To John Anthony L 1.3. To Thomas Tripp 1

5. Voted to put on record the Decision of settlement concerning the Town Landing with Job Anthony. Voted to allow John Gifford, constable L 5.16. To Benjamin Cory 8/. To William Davis Esq. L 1.0.2. To Wesson Tripp L 1.2.8. To Wesson Tripp 10/2 3/4. To Elihu Kirby 14/7. To Wesson Kirby 9/. To John Gifford, Constable 3/7. Engaged John Gifford, Jonathan Tripp as surveyors at the time of their being chosen as the law directs by Robert Earl, Town Clerk. John Gifford chosen Constable for the year ensuing upon terms of five percent of what money he shall collect and pay into the treasury.

Lastly, followed this meeting.

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AGREEABLE TO THE CONSTITUTION of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts this is to notify and warn all the male persons within the town of Westport being twenty one years of age and upward qualified as said Constitution directs for the choice of Representative to meet at athe Town house in said Town on Monday the tenth day of May instant one o’clock in the afternoon of said Day then and there to act on the particular hereafter mentioned.

1. If thought proper to choose some suitable person to represent said Town at the Great and General Court to be conveaned at the court house in Boston the last day of May instant and held for government service from time to time for the year ensuing.

2. At said meeting for said Town to act and do what shall be thought proper respecting the indian natives lands within said Town now withheld from them.

3. If thought proper to give Isaac Cory and others liberty to set a schoolhouse in the highway near the south east comer of George Brightman’s land, given under our hand and seal at Westport this fifth day of May Anno Domini 1790.

William Davis

Benjamin Brownell

Wesson Kirby, Selectmen

THE INHABITANTS assembled in said Town at the said time and place and a vote was taken to know whether the inhabitants

1. Send a representative to the General Court or not. Voted not to send a representative for the year ensuing.

2. Voted, choose William Davis Esq. Moderator of said meeting.

3. Voted to know the mind of this town whether they act on the matter put in said warrant concerning indian land and voted not to act.

4. Voted that Isaac Cory and others have liberty to set a schoolhouse in the road near the southeast corner of George Brightman’s land during the towns [illegible].

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BRISTOL To John Gifford Constable of the Town of Westport in the said County,-Greetings… In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required forthwith to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said town qualified by law to vote in town meeting, to

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meet at the town house of said town of Westport on Monday the twenty first day of June instant two of the clock after noon of said day then and there to act and do what the said at Town meeting shall think proper relative to an action brought against said town of Westport by Thomas Tripp. And make return of this Warrant with your doing thereon unto the town clerks of said town on or before said time of meeting … Given under our hand and seal at Westport this sixteen day of June A.D. 1790. William Davis, Selectman Wesson Kirby, Selectman

AGREEABLE TO THE ABOVE WARRANT the inhabitants of said town warned by John Gifford, constable of the Town of Westport assembled themselves at the town house of said town on Monday the twenty-first day of June, 1790 at 2 of the clock after noon. William Davis Esq chosen moderator proceeded on the items of the warrent.

1. Voted to allow to Thomas Tripp 10/6 in addition to what was allowed said Tripp for meeting and for the town of Westport to pay the cost of the suit brought against said town by said Thomas Tripp before Edward Pope Esq. and for the said town to pay to said Tripp interest for all the money they may owe him after the 15 day of October next …..

2. Voted that the town treasurer of said town Westport given Thomas Tripp a note for his demands against said town and the said Thomas giving receipt to the treasurer of said town in full to this day and date above.

FINISHED THE ABOVE MEETING

October 25, 1790 Jonathan Taber Jr. Chose and appointed Searcher and Packer of Pickled Pork and Beef appeared before me and was duly engaged to authority and to officiate in said office. By Robert Earle, Town Clerk

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Bristol SS to John Gifford, Constable of the Town of Westport Greetings.. In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in obedience to a resolve of the General Court proposed the eighteenth day of June 1790, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town duly qualified to vote for representative in the General Court to assemble at the Town house in said town on the first Monday of October next at one of the clock in the afternoon of said day then and there to give in their votes to the Selectmen for a qualified person to represent this district in the Congress of the United States, given under our hands and seals at Westport this 4th day of September 1790 thereof fail not but make due return of your doing to the clerk of said town on or before said time of meeting. William Davis, Benjamin Brownell, Wesson Kirby, Selectmen

AT A LEGAL TOWN MEETING held at the town house in Westport on the first Monday of October, 1790, the inhabitants gave in their votes for the following persons.

Walter Spooner 19; David Cobb 3; George Leonard 8; Phemuel Bishop 2

Bristol SS TO JOHN GIFFORD, CONSTABLE of the Town of Westport GREETING. These are in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachausetts, to require you forthwith to notify and warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Westport duly qualified to vote for representative to the general court of this Commonwealth to assemble at the town

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house in said Westport on Friday the twenty sixth day of November instant one of the clock after noon of said day to give their votes for a representative who shall be an inhabitant of the District of Bristol Dukes County and Nantucket to represent the said district in the Congress of the United States of America. [etc. as above warrant]