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The Official Story
Chapter 6
Foster haggles with the town
For most of the following year, Foster remained in town, haggling over the terms of his dismissal. A committee was appointed by the town to settle the issue. (Note that Judge North and Ephraim Ballard were both on the committee - in item #5, p. 173.) It seems, however, that this committee was unable to resolve Foster's settlement.
Ten months after Foster's dismissal, a group of Foster's friends proposed the town re-hear his case. Looking at the agenda for the town meeting in early October 1789 (item #2), we can see that the town refused to re-open the case. In the same meeting (items #3 & 4), the town appointed another committee to handle the "demands relative to the civil contract between the town and the said Mr. Foster." This committee included Henry Sewall. He and the others were empowered to consider Foster's request and "the letters from the ministers of Boston and Judge Sullivan." The letters, unfortunately, haven't survived.
The business at hand was clearly pressing. The meeting adjourned, and those present agreed to meet again six days later. At that point, the town accepted the report of the committee, and then appointed another committee to "carry the report into Execution." Those present on October 12 agreed to meet again several weeks later, when the financial terms of the settlement were finally agreed upon. The minutes of the meeting, however, don't tell us what the terms were.
We do, however, find the town meeting voting the following April to "raise 150 pounds" for the purpose of satisfying the obligation given to Mr. Isaac Foster, and for defraying other necessary Town charges."
Table of Contents
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folio 181 (April 5, 1790 meeting)
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| 181. |
Amos Pollard, Sexton. |
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Hog reeves |
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Seth Williams Pound-keeper. |
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Thaddeus Snell |
James Burton |
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Samuel Hussey |
Ebenezer Perkins |
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Jeremiah
White
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Elvin Nye |
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William Hewins |
Levi Page |
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Theophilus Hamlen |
Benjamin Brown |
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Jason Livermore |
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After choosing Joseph North, William
Lithgow, & Lazarus Goodwin, Esquires, a Committee to consider
the 4. article in the Warrant, and report- adjourned half an hour to this
place.
D. Cony, Moderator.
Met again agreeable to adjournment.
3. The Town taking into consideration the low state
of their finances, Voted, Not to raise any money for the purpose
of having preaching the ensuing year.
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100£ granted
for schools. |
Voted, To raise one
hundred pounds for the purpose of supporting schools the present year. |
Booth for
Highways |
Voted, To raise three
hundred pounds for the purpose of repairing the Highways; and that the
same price be allowed for labour as was affixed the last year; viz. four
shillings per day for a man, and the same for a yoke of oxen properly equipped;
and that one half the work be done on or before the first day of July next,
and the other half, on or before the first day of October next. |
100 £ for
Town taxes |
Voted, That one hundred and fifty
pounds be raised for the purpose of satisfying the obligation given
to Mr. Isaac Foster, and for defraying other necessary Town charges,
the present year. |
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4. Upon the report of the
Committee appointed for the purpose, |
Collector to
give Bonds.
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Voted,
That the Collector for the time being shall become bound to the Town, with
two sufficient sureties to the acceptances of the Assessors for the time
being, in double the sums which may be committed to him to collect, for
the faithful performances of the duties incumbent on him by law as Collector;
which Bond or Bonds when executed, shall be delivered to the Town-Treasurer
for the time being, for the use of the Town. And if any such Collector shall
neglect or refuse to enter into such Bonds previous to the delivery of the
Bills of assessment to him, the office of Collector shall thenceforth be
vacated, and the Town may proceed to a new choice.
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to have
6pence in the
£ for collecting |
5. Voted, That the
Collectors of Taxes be entitled in future, to receive six pence in
the pound upon the amount of the Bills which may be committed to them to
collect, to be paid them upon their producing receipts in full from the
respective Treasurers to whom the said Bills are payable.
Voted, and chose David Jackson Collector of Taxes for the year ensuing.
6. Dismissed.
7. Chose General Wm. Lithgow, Town Agent.
8. Upon the report of the Committee appointed to look out suitable places
for Burying yards, Voted, That the Selectmen be empowered to contract
for the places mentioned in the said report, or any other grounds proper
for Burying places- and report at the next May-Meeting.
9. Chose Ephraim Ballard, Amos Pollard, and Isaac Savage 2d a
Committee to petition the |
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