Westport Town Records

Town records of 1828

1828 page 11

Elisha Woodworth, Brownell Wilbour, all of Little Compton and Christopher Manchester's heirs of Tiverton--- shall be taxed in school district No. 1-- of which you will make record .signed
Frederick Brownell, John Macomber, Westport January 28 1828

recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk.

Bristol S. S. to George C. Brownell constable of the town of Westport ,greetings
You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 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 town house in said town on Monday the seventh day of April next at nine o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles viz..
1st. to choose a moderator to regulate said meeting.
2nd. to choose all such officers as town by-laws are authorized to choose annually in upon such conditions as the majority shall then and there agree.
3rd. to choose a committee to receive and examine all accounts brought against said town and Also to settle with the Treasurer.

4th. to determine what sum to raise by way of tax for the support of schools and in what manner it shall be appropriated--and to act on all matters respecting schools that may be taught beneficial.
5th. to determine what sum to raise by way of tax for the support of paupers, and other incidental charges.
6th. to determine what sum shall be expended in repairs of highways and in what manner in shall be appropriated.
7th. to know the Town's mind in regard to highways laid out by the selectmen.
8th. to know the town's mind in regard to making alterations in school districts.
9th. to know the town's mind in regard to regulating the oyster fishery.
10th. to know the Town's mind in regards to choosing a committee whose duty it shall be to request all persons who shall attempt to sell any kind of spiritous liquors or mixed liquors a part whereof is spiritous (on town meeting days contrary to law) to forbear and

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1828 page 12

and if they do not then desist, to have the law put in force against them.
11th. To choose such other committee or committees agent or agents as circumstances may render expedient.
12th, to give in their votes for a county treasurer.
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 5th day of March A D. 1828
Signed Frederick Brownell , Jonathan Davis ,John Macomber Selectmen.
Bristol S. S. by a virtue of the within warrant I have notified and warned the male inhabitants of
the town of Westport to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned by posting up one notice at Frederick Brownell's store one at Peckham and Howlands and one at pukarchuk Point 14 days prior to the date hereof. Westport April 7 1828, signed George C. Brownell, constable,
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Westport qualified according to law assembled at the town house in said Town on Monday the seventh day of April at nine o'clock in
the forenoon for the purposes contained in the foregoing warrant. The following officers were chosen;
Nathan C. Brownell Esq., moderator.
Frederick Brownell, town clerk and sworn
Frederick Brownell, town Treasurer
Frederick Brownell, Daniel Wing, George W. Brownell, selectmen and sworn
Frederick Brownell, Daniel Wing, George W. Brownell, assessors and sworn
Tillinghast Almy, William White II, Stephen Howland, committee on accounts
Isaiah Kirby, William H. Potter, Joshua Woodell, George Lawton, George W. Brownell sworn, John white, Ebenezer Baker sworn, Richard Lawton, Isaac Gifford sworn, Weston Allen, Thomas Records sworn, Peter Devol sworn, Abner mosher sworn, Restome Borden, Peleg Brownell sworn,

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1828 page 13

Noah Kirby, David U. Brownell sworn, Charles Little sworn, John Stanford, Nathan C. Brownell sworn Peleg W. Peckham sworn ,John Potter sworn, George Allen, David Wing, Obadiah Lawton sworn, Charles Gifford, Isaac Hicks sworn, Surveyors of Highways.
$1000.Voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be raised for repairing highways and town ways in the town of Westport the year ensuing to be assessed on the polls of estates of the

inhabitants as other taxes are assessed and that the assessors assess the same as soon as may be and deliver a list of the persons names and of the sums they are assessed to each surveyor of his limits according to law. That 75 cents be allowed by the surveyor for a days work of a man or yoke of oxen and in that proportion for parts of days , that 25 cents be allowed for a cart or plow one day and that the aforesaid sum be expended 1/2 by the first day of July next and the other half by the first day of September next to that whenever 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 highway is not sufficiently repaired the selectmen shall determine the additional sum he may expend on said way and he may draw orders on the treasurer for the amount so determined by the selectmen.
Voted That nine hours be a day's work on the highway.
Voted that Luther Gifford and Benjamin Gifford be taken from school district No. 16 and annexed to district No. 17 that southerly line of district No. 17 be on the south side of Luther Gifford's farm.
Voted that an average of the 24 months school expense, be paid to John Macomber, to be applied by him toward paying the expense of the school thaught in the new school House near Edmund tripp's.
Voted. that John Gifford be paid 19 dollars 60 cents for expenses of school in district No. 3.
John S. Russell had 64 votes Joseph E. Reid 33 ,and Horatio L. Danforth 14 votes for county treasurer.
Voted that this meeting be adjourned to the second Monday in May next at 1 o'clock P. M. then to meet again at this place. Recorded by Frederick Brownell ,town clerk

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1828 page 14

Bristol S. S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To George C. 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 said town of Westport qualified by the Constitution to vote for governor ,lieutenant
governor, senators and consellers.To meet at the Town House in said town on Monday the seventh day of April next at 11 o'clock in the forenoon to give in their votes for governor, lieutenant governor, senators and counsellers agreeable to the Constitution of said Commonwealth.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant whit your doings thereon to us the suscribers on or before said time of meeting.
Given under our hands and seals at Westport this fifteenth day of March A.D. 1828, signed Frederick Brownell, Jonathan Davis, John Macomber, Selectmen
Bristol S. S. April 7 1828. In obedience to the within warrant I have notified and warned the inhabitants of said town of Westport to meet and assemble at the townhouse for the purposes within mentioned by posting up one notice at the store of Frederick Brownell one at the store of Peckham and Howlands and one at pukarchuk Point,14 days prior to the date hereof ,signed George C. Brownell, constable

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Westport qualified agreeable to the Constitution assembled at the town house in said town on Monday the seventh day of April for the purposes 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 governor , his excellency Levi Lincoln had one hundred and fifty five votes 155

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1828 page 15

For Lieutenant Governor, honorable; Thomas L. Winthrop had one hundred fifty seven 157
For Senators ;
honorable William wood had one hundred fifty six 156
honorable Howard Lathrop had one hundred fifty seven 157
honorable John A. Parker had one hundred fifty three 153
recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk

Monday may 12 1828 Agreeable to adjournment from the first Monday in April last the inhabitants of Westport met accordingly. The following officers were chosen
Jotham Tripp Pound Keeper
Abner B. Gifford, Frederick Brownell, Stephen Howland, Peleg W. Peckham, David U. Brownell, Thomas W. Mayhew, JethroHowland, Perry Wilcox, surveyors of Lumber
Micah Dean, George U. Brownell, Elijah Blossom Tythinging Men
Adam Gifford, Thomas Winslow, Jonathan Peckham, David U. Brownell, William Wing. Overseers of landing at head of East River.
Pardon Allen, overseer of landing at the Point.
George Kirby, overseer of landing at the head of West River.
Peleg Manchester, Nathan C.Brownell, sworn. Wilbur Gifford, Adam Gifford, sworn. Gersham Wodell, John Potter, sworn. John Macomber, sworn. Major Allen, Humphrey Slocum, Nathan Wood, sworn. Fence VIewers.
Jethro Howland, Micah Dean, John Howland, Stephen Howland, Cullers of hoops and staves.
Jethro Howland, Gideon Davis. Cullers of fish.
John white, Wilbour Gifford, Benjamim Cory , Russell Gifford, John Milk, Charles Little, Elijah Blossom, Nathaniel Tripp, Silas Petty, Abraham B. Davis, William G. Sowle, field drivers
Ephraim Macomber, Martin Bessey, Jonathan Gifford, Philip Davis, Elijah Blossom, Samuel L.
Wilcox, Abraham Anthony, Wanton Macomber, Barney Hicks, Gideon Davis, Abner Wilcox,
William Tripp, Arnold Wood, Joshua Potter. Hog –Reeves.

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1828 page 16

Warren Gifford 1st., Pardon Allen, Perry Brightman, David Wing, Perry hazard. Overseers of fishery.
George C. Brownell. Constable and Collector of taxes sworn ,to have three percent on all Money he collects and pays into the treasurer's. And to have no allowance for uncurrent Money.
$1300. Voted that the sum of 1300 dollars be raised by a way a 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 Charges. To be assessed, collected, and paid-in to the town treasury, 1/2 by the first day of December and the other by the first day of April next. And the assessors are hereby directed to assess said sum in the way and manner provided by law, and deliver a list or
lists thereof to the Collector as soon as may be.
$700. Voted that the sum of 700 dollars be raised by way of tax for the support of schools the year ensuing. And that said sum be appportioned by the Selectmen among the several school districts. That shall have schools taught therein, at least three months, by male teachers recommended by the General School Committee as qualified agreeable to law. In proportion to the time the school is taught, and number of scholars that attend. The Prudential committee shall make returns to the selectmen by the 25th day of March next of the time the school is taught and

whole number of days that the scholars attend. The Selectmen shall apportion the money by the first day of April and draw orders on the treasurer in favor of the Prudential committee payable on the tenth day of April. And no district shall be allowed for a time exceeding for months.
Voted. That the treasurer pay William Cowing three dollars for making coffin for Nathan Wodell..
Voted. That the treasurer pay Sylvester Brownell $13.60 when there is a wall built from the Westside Thomas Stoddard's Lane to the Little Compton line in the north line of the highway
Abner B. Gifford Esq., Nathan C. Brownell Esq. and John Macomber.General School Committee

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1828 page 17

Prudential committee for school district No. 1 Jonathan Brownell, No. 2 John Lawrence, No. 3 Benjamin Tripp II, No. 4 William White, No. 5 Richard LawTon, No. 6 Thomas W. Mayhew, No. 7 Wiliam T. Davis, No. 8 Tillinghast Tripp, No. 9 Isaac W. Brownell, No. 10 Frederick Brownell, No. 11,Reuben Waite, No. 12 George Wood, No. 13 George C. Brownell, No. 14 Abner B. Gifford, No. 15 John Sanford No. 16 Levi Gifford, No. 17 Jonathan Davis, No. 18 Ebenezer Baker, No. 19 Joseph Tripp.
Voted. That the town clerk notify each Prudential committee of his being chosen and give him a copy of the vote respecting schools.
The committee on accounts made a report in writing that they had tended to the business assigned them and had found due to the several persons named in the list presented by them the several sums set against their names amounting in the whole to the sum of $2027.03
it was thereupon voted to accept the 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 the had examined the accounts of the treasurer and found and that he had received For the Town the year past the sum of $2004.95
and had paid out by his account the sum of 1895.34
leaving a balance in his hands of $109.61
and made a settlement with him accordingly.
Your committee further reports that the town is now indebted to sundry persons on notes and orders the sum of $828.43.
That there is in the collector's hand by treasurer's book $630.00
making a balance against the town the sum of $190.43.
all which is respectfully submitted ,William White, Tillinghast Almy committee ,may 12 1828.
Voted. That this meeting the adjourned to the last Saturday in August next at one o'clock P/M..
Recorded by Frederick Brownell Town Clerk.

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1828 page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts to George C. Brownell Constable of the town of Westport greeting.
You are hereby required and in the name of said Commonwealth to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town of Westport qualified by the Constitution two vote for representatives. To meet and assemble at the townhouse in said town on Monday the 12th day of may next at 2 o'clock in the afternoon for the purpose of choosing one or more representatives to represent them at the General Court, appointed to be convened and held at Boston on the last Wednesday in may next. Hereof fail not and make returns of this warrant with your doings thereon to us the subscribers on or before said time of meeting. Given under our hands and seals this 20th,day of April A.D. 1828. Signed Frederick Brownell, Daniel Wing, Selectmen of Westport

Pursuant to to the whithin I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the town of Westport to meet and assemble at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned by posting up one notice at Peckham and Howland's store and one at Frederick Brownell's store.
Signed George C. Brownell constable. Westport may 12, 1828.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Westport qualified by the Constitution to vote for representatives. Assembled at the town house in said town on Monday the 12th day of may A.D. 1828, for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant.
Voted. That there be three representatives chosen. Tillinghas Almy Esq.. Abner B. Gifford Esq. and Nathan C. Brownell Esq. were accordingly chosen and records and declaration thereof made as by the Constitution is directed.
Recorded by Frederick Brownell, Town Clerk.

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1828 page 19

To George C. Brownell constable of the town of Westport, greeting.
You are hereby required in the named of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and
warn the inhabitants of said town of Westport qualified by Law to vote in town affairs. To meet
and assemble at the town house in said town on Monday the eleventh day of August at three o'clock in the afternoon to act on the following articles, viz..
1st. to choose a moderator to regulate said meeting.
2nd. to choose an agent or agents to answer to an indictment found against the inhabitants of said town of Westport for not keeping the highway in repair which leads from Hick's meeting house towards Fall River.
3rd. to know the town's mind in regards to accepting the returns of the highway layed out by the selectmen from William Pettey's old house northwesterly to Bread and Cheese Brook.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant to us the subscribers on or before said time of meeting
Given under our hands and seals at Westport this second day of august A.D. 1828
Signed Frederick Brownell, Daniel Wing Selectmen.
Bristol S. S. pursuant to the within warrant I have notified the inhabitants of said town to appear at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned. August 11,1828, George C. Brownell constable.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Westport qualified by law to vote in town affairs.
Assembled at the town house in said town on Monday the 11th. of August A.D. 1828 ,for the purposes expressed in the foregoing warrant.
George C. Brownell chosen moderator, Daniel Wing chosen clerk pro tem.
voted. That this meeting the adjourned to Saturday the thirtieth day of August at two o'clock P. M. recorded by

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1828 page 20

August 30, 1828. Agreeable to adjournment from the 12th day of may last the inhabitants of Westport met accordingly and voted. That Abraham Kirby, David Kirby, Isaac Snell, John Macomber and John Wait be taken from school district No. 10. Jacob Allen, Obadiah Lawton, James Cornell, James Snell and Benjamin Tripp from No. 11. Benjamin Tripp and Edmund Tripp, Job Lawton, George Lawton and Ephraim Kirby from No. 12. Together with their estates and formed into a new school district to be called No. 3, on condition that the proprietors of the new school house near Benjamin Tripp 2nd., give said school house to the last mentioned district. Voted.

That Jacob Allen be excused from being Prudential committee for district No. 11. Ruben Wait chosen in his stead. Benjamin trip 2nd. chosen Prudential committee for district No. 3.
Recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk.
Agreeable to adjournment from August 11 the inhabitants of Westport met accordingly and Anselm Bassett Esq. was chosen agent for the town to answer the indictment mentioned in the warrant.
Voted. To accept the return of the highway from William Pettey old house northwesterly to Bread and Cheese Brook , presented by the selectmen to this meeting and that the same be recorded.
Recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk.
The committee appointed by the inhabitants of Westport at a legal town meeting held at the town house in said town on Monday the second day of April last, to examine into the expedienty of annexing school district numbered three to school districts numbered two and four, have attended to that service and now beg leave to report the result of their deliberations. After
examining the situation of said districts and ascertaining the number of scholars in the same and other things which occurred to us respecting the same we came to the results, that it would be beneficial to the inhabitants of said school districts, that school district No. 3 be divided and annexed to school districts numbered two and four and that the

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1828 page 21

Dividing line established as follows viz. Beginning at the river north side of Benjamin Wilcox's farm. Thence easterly until it comes to the dividing line between this town and Datrmouth ,the north side of Wanton Brightman jr's farm, the norhtely part we set to district numbered four. The southerly part we set to district numbered two.
All which we respectfully submit, August 24, 1828 signed. Tillinghast Almy, William White II, Stephen Howland .
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Westport held on the 12th day of may 1828 by adjournment from April 7,1828 it was voted. That the foregoing report be accepted and recorded.
Signed Frederick Brownell, town clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol S. S. to George C. 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 said town of Westport qualified by law to vote for representatives in the general court of said Commonwealth, to assemble at the town house in said town on Monday the third day of November next at one o'clock in the afternoon to give in their votes for the representative of the people of said Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States, for the Bristol district,. 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 20th day of October A.D. 1828.
Signed Frederick Brownell, George U. Brownell, selectmen.
Pursuant to the above 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 mentioned. Westport November 3, 1828
signed George C. Brownell, constable.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Westport qualified according to law ,held at the town

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1828 page 22

House in said town on Monday the third day of November for the purpose expressed in the
foregoing warrant.
Votes for the following person were given in, counted, recorded, and declaration thereof made agreeable to the Constitution. viz. For James L. Hodges 16 votes 16.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol S. S.. To George C. Brownell constable of the Town of Westport greeting.
You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth to notify and warn the male inhabitants of said town of Westport qualified by law to vote for representatives in the general
Court of said Commonwealth. To assemble at the Town House in said town on Monday the third day of November next at two old clock in the afternoon to give in their votes for 15 electors of President and vice President of the United States, qualified according to the Constitution thereof. Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon on or before said time of meeting. Given under our hands and seals this 20th day of October A.D. 1828. Signed Frederick Brownell, George U. Brownell, Selectmen.
Pursuant to the above 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 mentioned. Westport November 3rd.1828 . George C. Brownell constable of Westport.

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Westport held at the Town House in said town on Monday the third day of November A.D. 1828, for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant. Votes for the following persons were given in sorted, counted record and declaration thereof made agreeable to law.viz.
For electors at-large
His honor Thomas L. Winthrop of Boston 15 votes ,
Honorable Samuel Lathrop of West Springfield 15 votes
Suffolk District
honorable Jesse Putnam of Boston 15 votes.

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1828 page 23

Essex south
Honorable Stephen White of Salem. Fifteen votes
Essex north
Honorable Bailey Bartlett of Haverhill. Fifteen votes.
Worcester South
General Jonathan Davis of Oxford, Fifteen votes
Worcester north
Honorable Silas Holman of Bolton. Fifteen votes
Franklin.
Col. Eliel Gilbert of Greenfield, Fifteen votes.
Hampden.
Honorable Joshua Frost of Springfield,Fifteen votes.
Berkshire.
Samuel Jones Esq. of Stockbridge, Fifteen votes.
Norfolk.

Honorable Edward H. Robbins of Milton, fifteen votes.
Plymouth.
Honorable Seth Sprague of Duxbury, fifteen votes.
Bristol
Honorable Oliver Starkwheather of Pawtucket. Fifteen votes
Barnstable.
Honorable Braddock Dimmit of Falmouth, Fifteen votes.
Recorded by Frederick Brownell, town clerk.

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