Council Minutes
City of Fredericksburg, Virginia
1793

[Page 233]

At a Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Fryday the 15th day of March 1793.
Present
James Somerville Esqr. Mayor
Charles Mortimer Recorder

George Weedon	)	Wm. Lovell	)
Benjn. Day	) Aldermen	David Blair	)Common Councilmen
Fontaine Maury	)	David Henderson	)
		John Ferneyhough	)

Ordered that Joseph Berry give notice to the Freeholders and house keepers of this Corpo. to meet at the Markett House on Monday next in order to elect 12 persons to serve the Corporation as Mayor, Recorder Aldermen and Common Councilmen the Ensuing Year.

The Gentlemen appointed by an order of the Council of the 28th of Apl. 1792 to wait on Doctor George French who was elected to serve the Corpo. as an Alderman till the third Monday in this present month reported that the said Geo. French gave them for answer that he would not serve, upon motion that the sd. George French be fined according to law for such refusal. This Board are of the opinion that it is now too late to levy such fine and thereupon the said motion is dismissed.

The Minutes were signed
James Somerville

At a Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredg. on Monday the 18th March 1793

Present
Jas. Somerville Mayor
Chs. Mortimer Recorder

Benjn. Day	) Aldermen	William Lovell	)
Fontaine Maury	)	David Blair	) Common Councilmen
		Davd. Henderson	)
		John Ferneyhough	)

The Commissions appointed to settle with the Trustees of the Markett House, returned an account and report thereon which is ordered to be recorded.

The Commons appointed to settle with the Overseers of the Poor returned an account and report thereon which is ordered to be recorded.

[Page 234]

The Commissioners appointed to settle with the Chamberlane retd. an account from March 90 to March 1791, and report thereon which is ordered to be recorded.

Ditto from March 91 to March 92, which is ordered to be recorded.

Ditto from March 92 to March 93 which is ordered to be recorded.

Commissioners appointed to settle Jas. Somervilles acct. with the Market House retd. an acct. and report thereon which is ordered to be recorded.

The Minutes of these proceedings were signed
James Somerville

March 18th 1793.
This being the Day appointed by law for the Annual Election of 12 members to serve the Corporation for the Ensuing Year, the freeholders and Inhabitants being notified thereof and having Deposited their ticketts in the Ballott box, upon examination the greatest numbers were found in favour of for Fon. Maury 55, Jas. Somerville 53, Benjn. Day 53, William Lovell 53, Chs. Mortimer 52, David Blair 45, David Henderson 41 Wm. Drummond 41, Z. Lucas 33, John Ferneyhough 33, George French 28, Robert Patton 27, Wm. McWms 26, Gust. B. Wallace 25, so that the first twelve were duly Elected who proceeded to the choice of a Mayor, when Fontaine Maury, Gent. was duly elected who qualified accordingly.

They then proceeded to the choice of a Recorder, when George French was duly elected who qualified accordingly.

They also proceeded to the choice of four Aldermen when James Somerville, Benjn. Day, Chas. Mortimer and Wm. Lovell, Gent. were duly elected who qualified accordingly, and the remaining six to wit David Blair, David Henderson, William Drummond, Zachy. Lucas, John Ferneyhough and Robert Patton are Common Councilmen whereupon the sd. Blair, Henderson, Drummond, Lucas and Ferneyhough qualified accordingly.

John Chew in unanimously appointed Clerk to this board for the ensuing year.

[Page 235]

James Somerville Esqr. is unanimously appointed Chamberlain for the ensuing year.

John Legg Gent. is duly appointed Vendue Master for the ensuing year, and that he give bond to the Court and take the oath of office.

Thomas Miller is reelected Gauger & Geographer the ensuing year.

David Blair, Fontaine Maury and William Drummond Gent. are appointed Trustees of the Markett House the ensuing year.

Richard Peacock is appointed Ballast and Harbour Master the ensuing year.

John Atkinson is appointed keeper of Powder Magazine the ensuing year.

Joe. Berry is appointed Clerk of the Markett the ensuing year.

Ordered that notice be given in the Fredsbg. Herald to all persons that have any accounts agst. the Corporation to produce them to the Council on Saturday the 30th of this instant.

The Minutes of these proceedings were signed,
Fontaine Maury

[Page 236]

(NOTE):- Meeting dated Fryday, the 14th March 1794, stricken out. [Recorded on Page 352]

[Page 237]

DR. The Market House in account current with Fontaine Maury.

1790
Dec. 22	To cash paid for 3 pair hand irons				£2	1	1½
30	To ditto Wells for gazing				0	9	4
May 7th	To do. 15M shingles				10	10	0
"	To do. drayage of do.				0	15	0
June 22	To 15 M shingles & drayage				8	5	0
1791
Octr. 17	To ditto cleaning out & a Lock				0	6	0
1792
Jany. 4	To ditto. P. Mathony p Berry				0	7	6
"	to ditto. Handrailes				0	11	6
10	To 200 20d nails 1/3				0	2	6
"	To Cash paid mending stairs				0	4	0
Feb. 11	To do. John the Blacksmith				0	4	9
Mar.	To do. P. Mathony p Berrys order	0	20	0
	To do. P. Lipscomb 7/6 Scantling 4/6	0	12	0	1	12	0
Apr. 6	To ditto mending a key				0	1	3
"	To ditto freight & drayage of chandeliers to the Grove				0	4	0
17	To ditto. Wm. Lewis 22 seder posts				1	7	6
28	To ditto putting in winder glass &c				0	7	0
Dec. 28	To Cash paid J. Crutchfield for W. Washg.				2	0	0
1793
Jany. 15	To Wells painting glazing &c				17	16	0
31	To Do. J. Crutchfield for repairs				0	3	0
	To Balance in F. Maury's hands				132	4	8
					£180	2	1½
	To error in acct. D. & J. B.				3	4	0
	To this sum paid them for sheet lead				3	4	0
	Ballance due M. H.				126	14	8
					£132	14	8

In obedience to an order of Council to us directed we have examined this account find the Charges supported by vouchers except for the Shingles Drayage of them and a pair of andirons the former were delivered to Mr. Miller to be put on the Market House, and the latter are now in the Market House and that the above Ballance of £126.6.8 is justly stated and now in Mr. Maurys hands. Certified this Eighteenth of March 1793.
Benj. A. Day
William Lovell
David Henderson

[Page 138]

The Market House In account current With Fantaine Maury. CR.

1790
Dec. 4	By Cash from the players	22	5	5
Mar. 11	By Cash of Thos. Cochran	23	13	5½
22	By John Legg for Sundry Balls	2	10	0
Apl. 12	Cash of Jos. Christy for his bond for stallage	3	0	0
July 27	By Geo. French for Gaullier Rent of Markett House	1	14	0
Sep. 28	By Cash from Jos. Berry do.	13	4	0
4	By West & Bignal do.	3	9	0
Nov. 23	By Cash Mr. Fitzhugh for Gaullier do.	1	13	0
1792
Sept. 1	By David & James Blair	3	4	0
1792
Sept. 1	By Godlove Heiskell for stallage	4	0	0
"	By Thomas Miller for do.	3	0	0
Oct. 10	By Cash of J. Berry Rent of Markett House	3	12	0
1792
Feby. 15	By do. of Sully do.	2	8	0
	By 72.11.1 Interest warrants received of James Somerville @ 16/8 in the pound	60	9	3
		£180	2	1½
	Balance carried over	132	14	8
	By amount brought over	132	14	8
	Balance p Contra	126	6	8

[Page 239]

Dr. The Poor of the Corporation in a/c with the Overseers.

No. 1	Paid by C. Mortimer p a/c for sundry poor persons	£5	18	9
	ditto by F. Maury do	4	19	10
	Paid to Mr. Day for Strickling	12	0	0
	Paid by J. Somerville	4	13	7
	Ballance in Chs. Mortimers hands	0	1	3
	Do. in F. Maurys hands	1	0	2
		£28	13	7

Dr. Corporation of Fredericksburg in a/c with James Somerville.

1790
Sept. 15	To Cash paid John Minor p rect. fee & tax in 2 suits one to Jos. Jones the other to Fras. Taliaferro for money due by them for acct. Archibald McPhearson's estate				£5	8	0
18	To Cash paid Timothy Green order of Council No.1				2	6	6
	To Philip Lipscomb				2	1	10
	To Jos. Berry Ballance & settlemt 21 Mar 1791 p order Council due him Mar. 90 No. 3 settled by Harvey, Urquhart & Founty including 88, 89 & 90				18	5	7½
	To Overseers of poor from Mar. 90 to Mar. 91 No. 4				34	4	10
	Balance	72	11	1	41	1	7
		72	11	1	£102	16	6½
1791 Mar.	To Balance per settlement	72	11	1	41	1	7

Memo. Geo. Todds recd. vizt. amt. Levy 1790 list deld. £55.12.0 No.5

Pd. J. Somerville Chaml. 8 Feby. 91	43	12	1
Insolvents & chd, in Levys	4	10	0
Commission on £43.12.1 @ 5 p ct.	2	3	7¼
Ballance uncollected to new a/c	5	6	3¾	55	12	0
Errors & Omissions Excepted p cr James Somerville

[Page 240]

CR. By James Somerville in full £28.13.7

In obedience to an order to us directed we have examined the above account and find the charges supported by proper vouchers.
Certified this 18th of March 1793
Benjn. Day
William Lovell
David Blair
David Henderson

1790 James Somerville CR.

Mar. 31	By Ballance p settlement signed Wm. Harvey Wm. Lewis and Thos. Cochran & Recorded				7	5	4
June 30	By Cash of John Hardia for a/c powder magazine				31	8	6
July 6	By Wm. Lovell rent of County wharf 1 yr.				2	11	0
7	By Cash of John Hardia for a/c powder magazine				4	6	0
16	By do do. do.				0	4	0
Sept 9	By do. of Wm. Harvey fines for profane swearing				1	4	0
1791
Feby. 8	By Interest Warrants of Genl. Weedon in full of his note 10th August 90 £64.7.1½ Interest 1.12.2 1/10 Difference between Interest Warrants 72.11.1 £6.11.92	72	11	1
	By John Legg tax as Vendue Master				12	5	7½
	By Geo. T. Todd in part for Levys for 1790 No.5				43	12	1
		72	11	1	£102	16	6½
	By Balance due C. F.	72	11	1	41	1	7

By amount the 1st opposite entry being an error & on acct. McPherson estate 8d No. 3

In obedience to an order of Council to us directed we have examined the above account and find it properly supported by vouchers given under our hands this 15th day of March 1793.
Fontaine Maury
David Henderson
Wm. Lovell

[Page 241]

Dr. Corporation of Fredsbg. in account with James Somerville

1791
June 16	To Interest Warrants pd. Font Maury	72	10	1
	Joseph Berry allowed for 1791 vizt for attending Council & Magistrates to Mar. 91		150
	Clerk Markett		120
	Gun & Nails for use Corpo		29	6	14	19	6
1792
Mar	To Overseers of poor p their acct for Mar. 91 to March 1792 with vouchers				27	18	0
	Ballance Int. Warrants		1	0
	To Ballance to new account No. 3				7	0	0¾
		72	11	1	£49	17	6¾

DR. Corporation of Fredericksburg in a/c with James Somerville

1792
Mar. 16	To Cash paid Jas. Pettigrew p ord.	Council No.1	1	4	0
	To do John Minor do.	2				20	0	0
	To do John Chew do.	3				37	16	10½
18	To do Philip Webster Wit. res.Cooper 710 lb. tobacco @ 4/6	4				4	13	3
	To do Saml. Collard do 355 lb. @ 2/3	4				2	6	7½
	To do Jas. Gibson do 355 lb. @ 2/3	4				2	6	7½
	To Joseph Berry last yr to Mar. 92	5				13	10	0
	To Timothy Green	6				0	18	8
	To Overseers Poor Dr. C.Mortimer & M. Fontaine Maury & their accts. fm Mar. 92 to Mar 1793 p a/c	7				28	13	7
	Cash paid John Chew agr. to a/c filed	8	31	10	0
	To Do pd. Elisha Dickerson do.	9	2	19	3	34	9	3
						145	18	10½
	To Ballance due the Corporation					44	3	9¼
						£190	2	7¾

In obedience to an order of Council to us directed we have examined the above account and find it properly supported by vouchers given under our hands this 18th day of March 1793
Fontaine Maury
Wm. Lovell
David Henderson

[Page 242]

Corporation of Fredsbg. in a/c with James Somerville CR.

1791 Mar.	By Ballance p settlement from No.1 72.11.1 &				41	1	7
May	By Wm. Lovell 1 yrs. rent County Wharf				4	11	0
Augt. 22	By Cash of Richard Peacock a/c powd. mag.				4	4	1
	By ballance Certificates 1/						10¾
		72	11	1	£49	17	6¾

In obedience to an order of Council to us directed we have examined the above account and find it properly supported by vouchers given under our hand this 16th day of March 1793.
Fontaine Maury
William Lovell
David Henderson

Corporation of Fredericksbg. in a/c with James Somerville CR.

1792 Mar.16	By Ballance due for 1791				7	0	0¾
	By cash of Richard Peacock a/c powder mag.				3	4	5
June 16th	By cash of James Brown in part of his bond for rent County Wharf				4	12	0
	By Geo. T. Todd Sergt. p a/c settled the recd of him in part of the Tax laid destramble the amt. list deld. a copy thereof wt. rect. in my possession				£134	18	11
	By cash Wm. Wiatt p his a/c uncollected in 91 copy thereof signed & filed	91	15	6
	Due him p settlement	12	5	10½
	a/c rent & recoun. with me	34	9	3
	Commission on 34.17.6	1	14	10½
	Taxes uncollected p list	42	0	8
	due the Corporation 1.4.10 91.15.6	1	4	10	34	9	3
	By Archibald McPhearsons Donation for 2 fees pd. Jas. Minor the Corpo. res Jos. Jones and by Frans. Taliaferro chd. in Sept. 1990 now carried to proper account rec.				5	8	0
	Joseph Berry for Butter seized & sold at several times				0	10	0
					190	2	7¾
	By Ballance				44	3	9¼

[pp 242-342 skipped in original]

[Page 343]

DR. Market House in a/c with Jas. Somerville

1790
Mar. 9	To Ballance p a/c rendered & recorded	83	17	5
	To int. on ditto till 2d June	0	19	2
	on 40.14.6 fm. 2d June till 28 Augt.	0	9	7
		£85	6	2

In obedience to an order of Council to us directed we have examined the above account and find it properly supported by vouchers Given under our hands this 15th day of March 1793
Fontaine Maury
William Lovell
David Henderson

[Page 344]

Market House in a/c with Jas. Somerville CR.

1790
June 2	By Cash of Thos. Cochran rect. checkd. by his a/c	44	2	1
	By cash of Chas. Mortimer 1st June for his note	6	2	0
	Interest on do. at 28 August	0	1	5
Augt. 28	By Cash of Thos. Cochran rect. checked by a/c	35	0	8
		£85	6	2

Errors and omissions and 20£ credited the above a/c by Mr. Archd. McCall if not recovered to be thereafter charged Excepted by
James Somerville

[page 345]

At a Common Council held in the Town & Corporation of Fredericksburg on Saturday 30th March 1793

Present
Fontaine Maury Mayor
George French Recorder

James Somerville	)	David Blair	)
Charles Mortimer	) Aldermen	Davd. Henderson	)
Wm. Lovell	)	Wm. Drummond	)Councilmen
		Zach. Lucas	)
		Jno. Ferneyhough	)

The board proceeding to adjust the following accounts.

To Thomas Miller p account for repairing & keeping the Fire Engine in repair to March 1793				£12	6	6
To Geo. T. Tod late Sergt. for his services in attending on this board for the year 1792	£9	0	0
To do his sallery by law 1248 lbs.tob. @12d	10	8	0	19	8	0
To John Chew p account balance Exclusive of 22.10.7¼ allowed 28th April 1792				34	7	7
To John Richards for mending the Jail				0	19	9
To John Minor Balance of his acct. to this date				34	12	6
To ditto his allowance as attorney for the Corpo. the present year				20	0	0
				£121	14	4
To Joseph Berry for his services attending on this board, the Court and the Magistrates on Public Business				7	10	0
To ditto as Clk. Markett & Keeping order in the Streets on Sunday				6	0	0
To ditto by account				5	18	6
				£131	12	7

William Lovell, David Henderson, David Blair, Wm. Drummond & Zach. Lucas Gent. or any three of them are appointed to settle with Wm. Wiatt and Geo. T. Tod late Sergeants their accounts with the Corporation and make return thereof to the next Council.

The same Gent. or any 3 of them are appointed to settle with the Vendue Master his accts. with the Corporation & make return thereof to the Council.

George T. Tod late Sergt. retd. a list of Insolvents amounting to £14.6.5 for wch. sum he is to be allowed in his account with the Corporation.

[Page 346]

Charles Mortimer & Wm. Lovell Gent. are appointed to let to the highest bidder the public warf till the third Monday in March next

William Lovell and John Ferneyhough Gent. are appd. to agree with some workmen for 12 ladders of different sizes & two fire hooks for the use of the Corporation and that they report to the next council the costs of said ladders & fire hooks.

Zachy. Lucas & John Ferneyhough are appointed to take the number of White Tithables, Slaves above 12 years of age, Horses, Riding Carriages, Billiard Tables, Drays & Carts, from the upper end of the Town as low as David Henderson Corner, William Drummond and David Henderson from sd. Corner to Lovell & Urquhart's Corner Benjamin Day and David Blair from said Corner, to Wm. Harveys Corner and George French & Chs. Mortimer from said Corner to the lower end of the Town and that they make return of the lists of said property to the next Council.

Ordered that Joseph Berry apply to the owners of Drays in this Corporation for the sum of 20/- each being due from them for the tax on drays the last year.

The Minutes were signed
Fontaine Maury

At a Common Council held for the Town & Corporation of Fredericksburg on Tuesday 16th April 1793

Present
Fontaine Maury Mayor
George French Recorder

Charles Mortimer	)	David Blair	)
James Somerville	)Aldermen	Wm. Drummond	) Common Councilmen
Wm. Lovell	)	Zachary Lucas	)

Robert Patton Gent. qualified as a Common Councilman in this Corporation agreeable to law.

Present
Robert Patton Gent.

The Gentlemen appointed to take a list of Taxable property in this

[Page 347]

Corporation this day returned their several lists amounting to 321 white Tithes 432 blacks above 12 years 150 horses 92 carriage wheels 25 drays & 2 billiard tables. Ordered that the Clk. of this board make out two fair copies from said lists and Deliver one to the Chamberlain and the other to the Sergt and that the Sergeant collect of each Tithable person and slaves above 12 years of age 2/6 p poll for each horse 1/ for each riding carriage wheel 1/6 for each dray 20/ & for each billiard table 10/ and that the Sergeant collect and account with the Chamberlain for the amount of sd. Taxes within two months from this date.

Ordered that the Vendue Master pay to the Chamberlain £34.6.2 being the balance due from him to the Corporation to the 17th day of March last.

Ordered that if any Drayman in future shall Gallop their Horses through the streets or Drive their Drays faster than necessary shall be subject to a fine of 6/- to the use of the Corpo or receive such corporal punishment as any one of the Justices of sd. Corporation shall think fit to order, not exceeding 25 lashes.

Ordered that William Lovell, William Drummond, Robt. Patton & John Ferneyhough Gent. or any three of them do from time to time Examine the fire engine and attend to its being kept in repair.

The minutes of these proceedings were signed
Fontaine Maury

[Page 348]

At a Council held in the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Fryday the 2nd August 1793

Present
Fontaine Maury Mayor
George French Recorder

James Somerville	)	David Blair	)
Benjamin Day	)Aldermen	David Henderson	)Counselmen
Chas. Mortimer	)	Zach. Lucas	)
William Lovell	)	John Ferneyhough	)

The board taking into consideration the present price of flour, do order that the assize of bread in this Corporation from this day weigh one pound 8 ozs. to be sold by the bakers at 3¾ p loaf, untill otherwise directed by Wm. Lovell, David Blair, David Henderson, William Drummond & Zachy. Lucas Gent. or any three of them.

Complaint being made to this board that the butchers in this Corporation make a practice of blowing or stuffing their meat in such manner as to cause the same to be very unholesome, It is Ordered that if any butcher shall in future be found guilty of like offence shall not only forfeit the meat so blow'd. or stuffed but shall forfeit & pay the sum of 20/- to be recovered by warrant before a single Magistrate of sd. Corporation, one moiety thereof to the informer and the other moiety for the use of the

Corporation towards the support of the poor, & it if further ordered that the butchers residing in this Corporation and

[Page 349]

which attend the Markett shall from and after this day produce in Markett the hyde & ear mark of all cattle & sheep by them slaughtered, to be examined by any person who may think fit to do so and in case any butcher shall fail to comply with this order shall forfeit & pay the sum of 30/ to be recovered in like manner & to the same uses as above mentioned.

Ordered that the Trustees of the Markett House examine into the funds thereof and if they shall find them sufficient, that they employ a person to sink a well & pump on the Markett house lott.

Ordered that the Trustees of the Markett House cause to be set up in the Markett a pair of scales sufficient to weigh 300 lbs.

The minutes of these proceedings were signed
Fontaine Maury

At a Council held for the Town & Corporation of Fredericksburg on Monday the 16th day of Sept. 1793

Present
Fontaine Maury, Mayor
George French Recorder

Charles Mortimer	)	David Blair	)
William Lovell	) Aldermen	David Henderson	) Counselmen
		Zachy. Lucas	)

This Board taking into consideration the present

[Page 350]

Pestilential disorder now prevailing in the City of Philadelphia, do therefore think it necessary to stop all intercourse by water, between that City & this Town as far forth as is in the power of this board untill the Governor & Council of this Commonwealth shall take the same under their consideration. Do therefore order that a sufficient guard be employed to be stationed at the mouth of Hazle Run, whose business it shall be to hail all vessels coming to this port from Philadelphia and to cause the sd. vessells to come too and remain at the mouth of the Hazle Run untill further orders from the Magistrates of this Corporation and that the Magistrates do employ the said guard on such terms as they shall think reasonable to be paid by this Corporation and that they do also employ some person in whom they can confide to superintend the said guard.

The minutes of these proceedings were signed
Fontaine Maury

At a Counsel held for the Town & Corporation of Fredg. on Fryday the 13th day of December 1793

Present
Fontaine Maury, Mayor
George French Recorder

Charles Mortimer	)	David Blair	)
Jas. Somerville	) Aldermen	David Henderson	)
Benjn. Day	)	Wm. Drummond	)Counselmen
Wm Lovell	)	John Ferneyhough	)

[Page 351]

The Board taking into consideration the Ordinance imposing a tax on storing powder in the magazine and considering the sd. tax to be oppressive do unanimously reduce the said tax to the following rates vizt

for a quarter cask of powder 2d for a half barrel 4d & for a barrell six pence per month to be paid in the same manner and under the same penalties as by the said ordinance directed and that the keeper of sd. Powder Magazine be allowed fifty per centum on the amount of said storage.

George French, William Lovell, David Blair, William Drummond Gent. or any three of them are appointed to Examine the situation of a chimney built at the end of a warehouse occupied by Mr. Wm. Wilson and to order as they shall adjudge necessary respecting the same.

The Minutes of these proceedings were signed
Fontaine Maury