Westport Town Records

Town records of 1830

1830 page 32
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of said Town of Westport qualified agreeable to the Constitution, assembled at the town house in said town on Monday the fifth day of April, for the purposes expressed in the foregoing warrant.
Votes ,for the following persons were given in ,sorted ,counted. Recorded and declaration thereof made as by the Constitution is directed. Viz.
For Governor his excellency Levi Lincoln had one hundred and twenty three votes 123.
Marcus Morton had one vote 1.
For the lieutenant governor his honorable Thomas L. Winthrop 123.
Nathan Willis had one vote 1.
William Baileys had one vote 1.
For Senator John A. Parker Esq. had 130.
Howard Lowell Lothrop Esq. had 127.
Elijah Ingraham Esq. had 129.
Francis Baylies Esq. had 3.
N.C. Brownell Esq. had 1.
Solomon Pratt Esq. had 1
Joseph Tripp Esq. had 1.
Jones Godfrey Esq. had 1.
Recorded by 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 Freeholders
and other Inhabitants of said town of Westport duly qualified to vote forTown Officers and in other town affairs. To assemble at the town house in said town on Monday the fifth 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 law are authorized to so choose annually and 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.
End of page 32

1830 page 33
4th. To determine what sum to raise by way of tax for support of schools and in what manner it shall be appropriated and to act on all matters respecting schools that may be taugth expedient.
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 it shall be appropriated.
7h. To know the town's mind in regards to regulating the oyster fishery, and to offering a bounty for the distruction of Foxes.
8th. To choose such other committee or agent as circumstances may render expedient.
9th To know the town's mind in regards to purchasing a Wood lot.
10th. To give in their votes for a county treasurer.
11th. To take measures to carry into effect in this town the Resolve of the Legislature passed March 1, 1830. Requiring towns to make surveys of their Territory and return plans of the same into the Secretary's Office.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon onto us the suscribers at or before said timing of meeting. Given under our hands and seals at Westport this 12th day of March A.D. 1830.
Signed Frederick Brownell, Daniel Wing, Selectmen.
Bristol S. S. April 5: 1830. By virtue of this warrant I have notified and warned the Inhabitants of Westport as within directed by posting up one notice at F. Brownell's store one at Abner B. Gifford's store and one at the Point 14 days prior to the date hereof.
Signed George C. Brownell constable of Westport.
At the legal meeting of the Inhabitants of Westport qualified according to Law. Assembled at the town house in said town on Monday the fifth day of April at nine o'clock in the forenoon for the purposes contained in the foregoing warrant. The following officers were chosen. votes passed, viz..
Nathan C. Brownell Esq. moderator.
Frederick Brownell, town clerk and sworn.
Frederick Brownell, town treasurer.
End of page 33

1830 page 34.
Frederick Brownell, Christopher Palmer, George C. Brownell, Selectmen and Sworn
Frederick Brownell, Christopher Palmer, George C. Brownell, Assessors and Sworn.
Adam Gifford, Thomas W. Mayhew, Pardon Kirby, Committee on accounts.

Thomas W. Wood, Joshua Wodell, George Lawton, George U. Brownell, Ebenezer Baker, Holder Borden, Isaac Gifford, Abner Davis, John Dyer Jr., Jonathan Brownell, Abraham Manchester, Joshua W. Gifford, Nicolas Little, Peleg W. Peckham, John Potter,EphraimGifford, Daniel Wing, Obadiah Lawton, Charles Gifford, Christopher Palmer, Abner Mosher, Restiome
Borden, David U. Brownell, Henry Gifford, and Isaac W. Brownell. Sworn.
Abraham Brownell, William White 2nd., Surveyors of Highways.
$1000. Voted. That the sum of 1000 dollars be raised for replacing Highways and town ways in the town of Westport the year ensuing, to be assessed on the polls and estates of the inhabitants as other taxes are assessed and that the Assessors assess the same as soon as may be and deliver the list of the persons names and of the sum they are assessed to each Surveyor of his limits according to law. That 75 cents be to allowed by the surveyors for a day's work of a man or yoke of oxen and in that proportion for parts of days. That 25 cents tbe allowed for a cart or plow one-day, and that the aforesaid sum be expended 1/2 by the first day of July and the other half by the first day of September next. Whenever the Surveyor of any District shall make known to the Selectmen that he has faithfully expended all the tax assessed in his district and the highway is not sufficiently repaired, the Selectmen shall determine the additional sum he may expand on said way and he may draw orders on the Treasurer for the amount so determined by the Selectmen (in writing) .
Voted. That nine hours be a day,s work on the Highway.
Voted. That reading the law be dispensed with.
End of page 34.

1830 page 35.
Horatio L. Danforth had 77 votes
John S. Russell had 19 votes
Cornelius Grinnell Jr. had one vote, for County Treasurer.
Voted. That the ninth article in the warrant the dispensed with.
Abner B. Gifford Esq., Nathan C. Brownell Esq. and Anselm Bassett Esq., chosen a committee to carry the resolve of the Legislature requiring Towns to make surveys of their Territories into effect.
$350. Voted that the sum of eight hundred and fifty dollars be raised by way of tax for the support of schools the year ensuing. That one hundred and fifty dollars of said sum be apportioned among the several School Districts that shall have school for thererin previous to the first day of November next. That the remaining seven hunderd dollars be apportioned among the several districts that shall have schools taugth therein at least three months of 24 days each by male teachers recommended by the the General School Committee. That the selectmen in both cases divide the money among the several districts that have schools as aforesaid as they shall think most equitable for the Summer Schools by the first day of November next and for the Winter by the fifhteen day of March next and draw orders on the treasurer for the several sums in favor of the Prudential committee, said Prudential committee shall make returns to the Selectmen by that time.
Voted. That this meeting be adjourned to second Monday in may next at one o'clock P.M.and to meet at that time and place.recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk.
Make 10, 1820. Agreeable to adjournment from the first Monday in April last the Inhabitants of Westport met accordingly. The following officers were chosen and voted passed, viz.
Isaac W. Brownell pound keeper.
Abner B. Gifford, Frederick Brownell, Stephen Howland, Peleg W. Peckham, David U. Brownell, Thomas W. Mayhew, Jethro Howland, Perry Wilcox, Abner Thompson and Varnum Macomber. Surveyors of lumber.
Micah Dean, George U. Brownell, Elijah blossom, Tythingmen.
end of page 35

1830 page 36
Pardon Davis, Thomas Winslow, David U. Brownell, Overseers of landing at head of East River.
John Potter, at the Point.
Daniel Brownell at head of West River.
Nathan C. Brownell, the Peleg Manchester, Wilbour Gifford, Adam Gifford, Gershom Wodell, John Potter, John Macomber, Major Allen, Humphrey Slocum, and Nathan Wood. Fence Viewers.
Jethro Howland, Micah Dean, John Howland, and Stephen Howland. Cullers of hoops and staves.
Stephen Howland. Wilbour Gifford, Benjamin Cory, Russell Gifford, John milk, Charles Little, Elijah Blossom, Nathaniel Tripp 2nd., Silas Petty, Gilbert Macomber, and Ebenezer Baker. Field Drivers.
Gideon Davis, and Jethro Howland. Cullers of Fish.
Martin Bessey, Stephen Howland, Philip Davis, Elijah Blossom, Samuel Wilcox, Wanton Macomber, Barney Hicks, Gideon Davis, Abner Wilcox, William Tripp, Arnold Wood, Isaac Francis, Jonathan Borden and Tilnghast Sowle.Hog Reeves.
Warren Gifford, Pardon Allen, Perry Brightman, David Wing, and Terry hazard .Overseers of fishery.
George C. Brownell, chosen constable and collector and sworn.
To have three percent on all money he collects and pays into the several treasurers, on condition that he does the towns business as constable gratis. And has no allowance for bad or uncurrent money.
Abner B. Gifford Esq. ,Nathan C. Brownell Esq. ,and Dr. James H. Handy. General School Committee.
End of page 36

1830 page 37
Prudential Committees. District 1 Jonathan Brownell, No. 2 Jethro Gifford, 3 Benjamin Tripp,4 William
White 2nd, 5 John Howland, 6 Russell Gifford, 7 Daniel Brownell, 8 John S. Davis, 9 Isaac W. Brownell, 10 James H. Handy, 12 Emanuel Devol, 13 George C. Brownell, 14 Anselm Bassett, 15 John Stanford, 16 Levi Gifford, 17 Jonathan Davis, 18 James Reed, 19 Allen Tripp.
Voted. That no oysters be taken from the beds the year ensuing without a permit from the Major part of the selectmen in writing. Stating the quantity, and that the selectmen grant no permits except in cases of sickness.
Voted. That Anselm Bassett Esq. be an agent to answer to all indictments against the Town the year ensuing.
The committee on accounts made a report in writing that they have attended 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 $2168.50.
It was thereupon voted to accept the report and the Treasurer was directedto pay the sums found due by the Committee to the several persons therein named and charge the same against the town. The committee also made report that agreeable to their appointment they had examined the accounts of the treasurer and found that he had received for town the year passed the sum of $2344.43.
And had paid out 2258.44.
Leaving a balance in favour of the town of $ 85.97.
And made a settlement with him accordingly.
The committee further reported that the town is now indebted to sundry persons on notes
and orders $1102.43.
That there is in the collector's hand for treasurer’s book 767.04.
Making a balanced against the town the sum of $335.39.
All of which is respectfully submitted. Westport May 8, 1830
Adam Gifford, Pardon Kirby, Thomas W. Mayhew, Committee.
End of page 37

1830 page 38

$1500. Voted. That the sum of the fifthteen hundred dollars be raised by 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-in to the Town Treasury. 1/2 by the first day of December next 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.
Voted. That no bill shall hereafter be paid by the Treasurer or Collector to any Surveyor of Highway for money by him expended on highways the year ensuing except the same be authorized by the selectmen in writing previous to said expenditure.
Recorded by Frederick Brownell Town Clerk.

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 representatives. To meet and assemble at the town house in said town on Monday the tenth day of may instant 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 this month.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings tthreon to us the subscribers on or before said time of meeting.
Given under our hands and seals this first day of may A.D. 1830.
Signed Frederick Brownell, Christopher Palmer, Selectmen of Westport.
Bristol S. S. may 10, 1830. By virtue of this warrant I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the
town of Westport to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned by posting up one notice at F. Brownell's store one at the Point and one at the head of the River seven days prior to the date hereof.
Signed George C. Brownell constable.
End of page 38

1830 page 39
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified by the Constitution to vote for Representatives assembled at the town house in said town on Monday the tenth day of may A.D. 1830, for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant.
Voted. That there be three Representatives chosen
Abner B. Gifford, Nathan C. Brownell and Anselm Bassett Esq. were accordingly chosen and records and declaration thereof made as is by the Constitution directed.
Recorded by me Frederick Brownell town clerk.
Bristol S. S. to George C. Brownell constable of the town of Westport, greeting.
You are hereby required in the name 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 at the town house in said town on Monday the tenth day of may current at 4 o'clock in the afternoon to act on the following articles,viz:
1st. To choose a moderator
2nd. To see in the town will consent for the owners of the East wharf at the Point so to extend same as will make it more convenient for Vessels, and more advantageous to the cap publick.

Given under our hands and seals at Westport this first day of may A.D. 1830
Signed Frederick Brownell, Christopher Palmer, Selectmen.
Bristol S. S. may 10,1830. By virtue of this warrant I have notified and warned the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport as within directed by posting up one notice at F. Brownell's store and one at the Point seven days prior to the date hereof.
George C. Brownell, constable.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport held at the town house in said town pursuant to the foregoing warrant on Monday the tenth day of may A.D. 1830.
Abner B. Gifford Esq. chosen moderator.
Voted. To grant the owners of the East wharf at the Point
end of page 39

1830 page 40.
The privilege of extending the same so as to make it more convenient for vessel, and more advantageous to the public.
Recorded by me Frederick Brownell Town Clerk.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol S. S. 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 first day of November next at one o'clock in the afternoon to give in their votes for a 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 at Westport this 20th Beatty of October A.D. 1830.
Signed Frederick Brownell, Christopher Palmer, Selectmen.
Bristol S. S. November 1, 1830. By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified as within expressed to appear at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned by posting up one notice at the town house one at F. Brownell,s store one at the Point and one at the head of the River seven days prior to the date here of.
George C. Brownell, constable of the town of Westport.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified according to law, held at the Town house in said town on Monday the first day of November, for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant. Votes for the following persons were given in, sorted, counted, recorded and declaration thereof made agreeable to the Constitution. Viz..
For honorable James L. Hodges 9 votes.
Micah H.Ruggless 9 votes.
Francis Baileys 2 votes.
Russell Freeman 1 vote.
Recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk.
End of page 40

1830 page 41.
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 Town house in said town on Monday the third daty of January next at one o'clock in the afternoon to give in their votes for one Representative of the People of said Commonwealth in the Congress of 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 December A.D. 1830.
Signed Frederick Brownell, Christopher Palmer, Selectmen.
Bristol S. S.. January 3, 1831. By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the inhabitants of Westport qualified as within expressed to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned by posting up one notice at the store of Frederick Brownell one at the Town house one at the Point and one at the head of the River seven days prior to date hereof.
George C. Brownell, constable.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Westport qualified according to law held at the Town house in said town on Monday the third day of January A.D. 1831 for the purpose expressed in the foregoing warrant. Votes for the following persons were given in, sorted, counted, recorded and declaration thereof made agreeable to the Constitution. Viz..
For honorable James L. Hodges 4 votes
Micah H. Ruggles 77.
John A. Parker 26.
Francis Baileys 1
Recorded by Frederick Brownell town clerk.
End of page 41