[Page 158]
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Wednesday the 12th day of March 1788 -
Prest.
James Somerville Esqr. Mayor
George Weedon Esqr. Recorder
| Benjamin Day | ) |
| William Harvey | ) Justices |
| William Smith | ) |
| William Lewis | ) Council men |
| Thomas Cochran | ) |
| James Duncanson | ) |
The Council proceeded to adjust the following accts. agst. the Corpo.
| To David Blair pr account for Record Books | £6 | 2 | 0 |
| To John Chew Clerk for his services & as pr. acct. | 27 | 9 | 2½ |
| To John Richards Sergt. pr. acct. and his salary by Law | 23 | 17 | 7½ |
| To Henry Armistead late Clerk to this Board for 5 Moth | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| To Joseph Berry for attending this board taking care of the Markett House attending the market and doing the duty as Clerk of the Market and keeping order in the streets on Sundays | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| To Timothy Green pr acct. | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| To Andrew Buchanan atto. | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| £95 | 6 | 6 |
Ordered that Joseph Berry the Crier give public notice to the Inhabitants of this Town, to meet at the markett house on Monday next in order to elect by ballott twelve persons to serve as Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen & Common Council the ensuing year.
Benjamin Day, William Harvey, William Lewis Gent. are appointed to settle the accounts of John Richards Sergeant with this Corporation & make report thereof to this Board, and that they also settle the accounts of the markett house with the Trustees thereof.
Ordered that Baggott and Sullivan be discharged from payment of 48/ assessed on them as retail merchants.
Ordered that the Clerk give notice unless that unless the proprietors of Drays in this Town do renew their licence and pay the tax & arrearages thereon before the first of April they will be prosecuted
[Page 159]
agreeable to ordinance Imposing new Taxes
The Minutes were signed
James Somerville.
At a Common council held for the Town & Corporation of Fredg. on Monday March 17th 1788 -
Prest.
James Somerville esqr Mayor
George Weedon Recorder
| Charles Mortimer | ) |
| Benjamin Day | ) Gent. Justices |
| William Harvey | ) |
| Robt. B. Chew | ) |
| William Smith | ) |
| Thomas Cochran | ) Gent. Common Councilmen |
| Jas. Duncanson | ) |
The Commissioners appointed to settle accounts of the markett house returned a statement thereof by which it appears there is a ballance due from Joseph Berry for monies received on account of the said markett house £9.15.5. Ordered that he pay the same into the hands of the Chamberlayn.
Ordered that George French pay into the hands of the Chamberlain £8.8.0 which appears to be in his hands on account of the sd markett house.
Ordered that the officers of this Board do as soon as they shall receive any public monies on account or by order of this Board pay the same into the hands of the Chamberlayne for the time being whose receipt shall be his or their discharge in failure to forfeit their Sallaries.
The Commissioners appointed to settle the Accounts of the Sergt. returned an account & report thereof which is Ordered to be recorded.
[Page 160]
This being the day appointed by law for the annual Election of Twelve members to serve the Corporation for the ensuing Year, the Freeholders and Inhabitants being notified and having deposited their tickets in the ballott Box, upon Examination thereof the greatest numbers stand as follows: for Charles Mortimer eighty three, James Somerville eighty one, George Weedon seventy eight, Benjamin Day seventy six, William Harvey seventy five, George French seventy two, William Smith sixty seven, Thomas Cochran sixty five, William McWilliams sixty five James Duncanson sixty five William Lewis fifty Robert B. Chew forty nine, Charles Urquhart thirty nine, William Lovell thirty six David Henderson twenty, whereupon the first named Twelve were duly elected to serve the Corporation the ensuing year, who proceeded to the choice of a Mayor when Charles Mortimer Esqr. was duly chosen.
Then they proceeded to the choice of a Recorder when George French was duly chosen.
They also proceeded to the choice of four Aldermen when Geo. Weedon Benj. Day, James Somerville & William Harvey were duly chosen & the remaining six remain as Common Councilmen.
James Somerville Esqr. the late mayor administered the oath of Fidelity to Charles Mortimer Esqr. the prest. Mayor & also the oath of Justice of the Peace, Justice of the Corporation Court in chancery & Justice of Oyer & Terminer according to law & thus Charles Mortimer administered the sd. oaths to Geo. French, Geo. Weedon, Ben. Day James Somerville & Wm. Harvey Gent.
William Smith, Thomas Cochran, William McWilliams, James Duncanson, William Lewis & Robert B. Chew, Gent. were sworn Common Councilmen.
John Chew Gent. unanimously appointed Clerk to this Board.
John Legg, Gent. unanimously appointed Vendue Master & ordered that he give bond to the Court.
Thomas Miller ballotted for & chosen Gauger & likewise Geographer.
Robert Johnston appointed Ballast & Harbor Master at this port.
The Minutes were signed
Chs. Mortimer Mayor
[Page 161]
Dr Corporations of Fredericksburg wth. Jos. Berry
| 1787 | Do. Cash paid Mr. Lilly for sixteen pains glass for M. House | £0 | 10 | 0 |
| Octr. 30 | Do. Cash paid Robt. Robinson to the Markett House pr. bill | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Do. Cash paid for a post do. Lott | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| Do. paid for wheeling sand in the engine house & before the markett house | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Do. pd. Mr. Legg for winder shetter. | 0 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1788 | Do. pd. Doctor French 8Ds | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| March 15 | Balance due the Corporation | 21 | 15 | 0 |
| £25 | 9 | 3 | ||
| To my allowance for Service to March 1787 | £7 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1788 | Cr. | |||
| March | By Cash Received of the Butchers for stallage since April last | £9 | 7 | 1 |
| Cash recd. for 4 nights use of ball room | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| By Mrs. Ann Hackley for 3 nights do. do. | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cash recd. for light butter | 0 | 10 | 2½ | |
| By John Lewis for the rent one Room below the M. House | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cash for 2 nights use of the ball room | 2 | 8 | 0 | |
| By David Blair for the ball room 6 nights for the Assembly | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| £25 | 9 | 3 | ||
| 15 | By ballance due the Corpn. £21.15.5 | |||
| Light bread taken from Wm. Bear & sold for 1.0.0 | £22 | 15 | 5 |
March 17th 1788
William Smith
Thos. Cochran
Trustees of the Markett House for 1787
N.B. The cash pd. to Dot'r French remains due to the Corporation £2.8.0
[Page 162]
Dr. The Corporation of Fredg. in a/c wth Jno. Richards
| 1787 | ||||
| Aug't 15th | To cash pd. the printer for adv. the provision of the parish | £0 | 7 | 6 |
| To cash pd. John Chews order for a press for the Corpo. | 1 | 16 | 0 | |
| To cash paid for moving John Carney to Richmond | 4 | 3 | 6 | |
| To cash pd. for 2 loads wood for the use of the Court | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| To cash pd. Jno. Hull for measures for the use of the Corpo | 1 | 6 | 0 | |
| To Ben 'vVeeks tax remitted by order of Council | 0 | 14 | 3 | |
| To William Wiatt tax remitted by order ditto. | 0 | 7 | 6 | |
| To cash pd. the printer for adv. sundry lotts by order | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| To cash pd. for 2lb candles for the use of the Court | 0 | 2 | 6 | |
| To cash paid Wm. Whitfield pr a/c | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| To Cash pd. Philip Lipscomb pr a/c | 1 | 10 | 0 | |
| To cash pd. James Somerville in part of his a/c to Corpo. | 14 | 7 | 6 | |
| To Cash paid John Callender in part of his a/c | 27 | 14 | 6 | |
| To cash pd. Andw. Buchanan ditto do. | 4 | 13 | 6 | |
| To outstanding debts as pr. list | 119 | 8 | 7 | |
| £178 | 17 | 4 | ||
| To Coms. on £56.10.3 recd. since 27th July 1787 up to the settlement | 2 | 16 | 6 | |
| To Ballance due in my hands | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| £184 | 15 | 0 | ||
| 1787 | Cr. | |||
| July 27 | By Ballance due in my hands | 8 | 16 | 1½ |
| By outstanding debts | 175 | 18 | 10½ | |
| £184 | 15 | 0 |
In obedience to the order of Council appointing us to inspect the Sergeants accounts we have carefully examined them & find a ballance of £3.1.2 pr the above a/c statement including £119.8.7 outstanding debts pr. list on which we have selected those that in our opinion may be recd. certified under our hands this 15 March 1788
William Harvey
William Lewis
Benjn. Day
[Page 163]
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg the 29th March 1788
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| George Weedon | ) |
| Benjamin Day | ) Gent. Justices |
| James Somerville | ) |
| William Harvey | ) |
| William Smith | ) Gent Common Councilmen |
| Thos. Cochran | ) |
| James Duncanson | ) |
| William Lewis | ) |
Benjamin Day, William McWilliams, William Lewis & Robert B. Chew Gent. are appointed Trustees to the Markett House.
Ordered that the Trustees appointed to receive subscriptions for the repairs of the Church in this Corporation do commence suits immediately agst. the delinquent subscribers.
Joseph Berry is appointed Clerk to Markett.
James Somerville Gent. is appointed Chamberlaine.
Godlove Heiskell is allowed the sum of £3.7.0 pr. acct.
William Harvey, William Lewis, Thos. Miller & David Blair Gent are appointed to take a list and make return to this board of the following property in this Corporation, to wit all white tithables all negroes above the age of sixteen years old, all riding carriages & drays for hire, all horses (except Dray horses) the value of all improved & unimproved lotts, all Tipling Houses all retailers & merchandise who have not a landed property within this Corporation and all Billiard Tables.
Charles Mortimer, George Weedon & Benjamin Day Gent. or any of two of them, are appointed to let the highest bidder the public wharf & that the undertaker be entitled to the warfage as established by this board.
Ordered that John Legg render an account to the next Council of the amount of the commissions rec'd. by value of his Vendue Office to this date.
The minutes were signed
Chs. Mortimer
[Page 164]
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg the 10th day of April 1788
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| George Weedon | ) | |
| Benjamin Day | ) Gentlemen Justices | |
| James Somerville | ) | |
| William Harvey | ) | |
| William Smith | ) | |
| Thomas Cochran | ) Gent. Common Councilmen | |
| James Duncanson | ) | |
| William Lewis | ) | |
| Robert B. Chew | ) |
Ordered that each Tithable person in this Corporation pay to the Collector three shillings, Owners of carriages two shillings per Wheel, owners of Horses one shilling each, billiard Tables, Forty Eight Shillings each on all venders of merchandize not having landed property in this Corporation Forty Eight Shillings each, on all landed property three shillings pr ct. and all drays Twenty Shillings each and it is ordered that the Clerk make out two fair lists of the taxable property and deliver them to the Chamberlaine, one of which lists is to be by him delivered to the Sergeant and that he Collect the Account with the Chamberlaine for the account of the said taxes within two months from this date.
Ordered that the Vendue Master pay unto the Chamberlaine five per cent in the amount of his Commissions received by Virtue of his Office for the Ensuing Year.
Ordered that Captain John Legg have leave to move the stone wall on Mr. Robert Forsythe's lott on a line with the main Street.
Ordered that the Corporation be divided into three Wards & that the first ward extend from the lower end of the Town, to the cross street by Mr. Blair's store, the 2nd from the said store to the Vendue Store, the third from the said Vendue Store to the Upper end of the Town. That Charles Mortimer George Weedon, William Lewis and Robert B. Chew be appointed to the first ward that James Somerville, William Harvey, William Smith & Thomas Cochran be appointed to the second ward and that Geo. French, Benjamin Day, James Duncanson and William McWilliams be appointed to the third ward and that they superintend their several wards and see that no vagrant or likely to become chargeable to the Corporation to settle therein.
[Page 165]
Ordered that the Sergeant collect of the honourable James Mercer Esqr. Four pounds ten shillings due the Corporation of account of Mr. Patterson.
Ordered that he also collect of Eleazer Callender three pounds Eighteen Shillings and Eleven pence due the Corporation.
George Weedon George French James Somerville & Robert B. Chew Gent. are appointed to meet Chs. Yates, Humphrey McAusland,Thomas Eddy & Robert Patton Gent. to agree upon some plan respecting the powder in this Corporation and report to the next Council.
The Minutes of these proceedings were signed Charles Mortimer
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Thursday the 15th day of May 1788
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| George Weedon | ) |
| Benjamin Day | ) Aldermen |
| William Harvey | ) |
| Thomas Cochran | ) |
| William McWilliams | ) |
| William Lewis | ) Common Councilmen |
| Robert B. Chew | ) |
On the petition of John Coakley Ordered that the Tax of Forty Eight Shillings assessed on retail merchants be remitted him.
Ordered that May and Marshall be discharged from the payment of the Tax on a dray charged them.
Ordered that the Chamberlaine pay unto Joseph Brock Gent. the sum of three pound for a plan of this Town.
[Page 166]
Ordered that the sum of three shillings be remitted John Proudfitt for a Levy overcharged him.
It is the opinion of this Board that Robert Ritchie and William Drummond are chargeable with the tax of Forty Eight Shillings assessed on venders of merchandize and Ordered that they pay the same to the Sergeant.
An Ordinance respecting the building a magazine for the reception of gun powder in this Corpo. was read and approved off by this Board and ordered to be recorded.
[Page 167 blank]
[Page 168]
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg the 20th day of June 1788 -
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| Benjamin Day | ) |
| William Harvey | ) Aldermen |
| William Smith | ) |
| Thomas Cochran | ) |
| James Duncanson | ) Common Councilmen |
| William Lewis | ) |
The Commissioners, appointed to have the repairs of the Church made reported that the same was completed which being examined. It is received by this Board and It is Ordered that Charles Mortimer William Harvey James Duncanson and William Lewis Gent. do settle the accounts for the repairs of the said Church with the Commissioners appointed for that purpose and that they publish the same as soon as they have examined it.
John Atkinson's two notes for ten shillings each Richard Kenny's two notes for ten shillings each & Sebastian Lush two notes for fourteen shillings each given for the repairs of the Church are directed to be given up to them
Present George Weedon Gent.
Ordered that John Callender be directed to finish the machine for weighing Hay within one month from this date.
Ordered that the Tax of Forty Eight Shillings be remitted Chs. Leemans.
Ordered that the Tax of Twenty Shillings for a dray be remitted Callender and Henderson.
Ordered that the Tax of Twenty Shillings for a dray be remitted Mrs. Heath.
Ordered that the Chamberlaine pay George McCutchen six shillings out of the money due this Corporation.
Ordered that the Chamberlaine pay Philip Lipscomb thirty shillings and William Wiatt four shillings out of the money due the Corporation.
[Page 169]
Ordered that the Tax of Forty Eight Shillings be remitted Wm. Wilson.
The Minutes of these proceedings were signed
Charles Mortimer
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Wednesday the 23rd day of July 1788
Present
Charles Mortimer Esqr. Mayor
George French Recorder
| George Weedon | ) |
| Benjamin Day | ) Aldermen |
| William Harvey | ) |
| Thomas Cochran | ) |
| William Lewis | ) Councilmen |
| Robert B. Chew | ) |
Ordered that the Chamberlaine pay into the hands of the Commissioners of the Powder Magazine the sum of Thirty Pounds to be applied towards the expence of the building thereof.
Benjamin Day, William Harvey, Thomas Cochran & Robert B. Chew Gent. or any three of them are appointed to Settle with the Sergeant his Accounts with the Corporation to this date.
Ordered that a dray belonging to Doctor Hall and one belonging to Mary Sullivan be added to the list of Taxes and that the Sergeant collect the same.
The minutes were signed
Charles Mortimer
[Page 170]
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg August the 9th 1788 -
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| George Weedon | ) |
| James Somerville | ) |
| Benjamin Day | ) Aldermen |
| William Harvey | ) |
| William Smith | ) |
| Thomas Cochran | ) |
| William Lewis | ) Councilmen |
| Robert B. Chew | ) |
The Commissioners appointed to Settle the Accounts of the Sergeant for the Collection of the Taxes in this Corporation returned a Statement thereof and report thereon which was Examined by this Board and Ordered to be recorded.
Benjamin Day, William Harvey and William Lewis are appointed to make a final settlement of the accounts with John Richards late Sergeant and that those accounts which remain uncollected by him be delivered to William Wiatt the present Sergeant to be by him collected and accounted for together with the ballance of Sixty four pound due on the account this day returned within one month from this date.
The Minutes were signed
Charles Mortimer
[Page 171]
Dr. The Corporation of Fredg. In a/c wth. Willm. Wiatt Sergeant
| 1788 | |||||||
| July 9th | To cash paid S. Somerville Esqr. Chamberlaine pr. rect. | £165 | 13 | 5 | |||
| To John Coakley's shop tax remitted | 2 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| To Callender & Henderson dray do. | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| To Mrs. Heath's do. | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| To Charles Leemans shop tax do. | 2 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| To May & Marshall dray do. | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| To John Proudfit 1 Levy do. | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| To William Willson shop tax do. | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | |
| To cash in hand | 14 | 17 | 0 | ||||
| To Interest warrants | 8 | 10 | 4 | ||||
| To my commission on £214.1.9 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 4 | |
| To remains uncollected pr. List | 64 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| £278 | 1 | 9 | |||||
| To cash on hand | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||||
| To Commission on | 0 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 0 | |
| Cr. | |||||||
| By amount of taxes pr. List | 271 | 5 | 9 | ||||
| To William Drummonds shop tax | 2 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| To Robert Ritchie's do. | 2 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| To Elisha Hall 1 dray | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| To Mary Sullivan do. | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| £278 | 1 | 9 | |||||
| By James Mercer his note to Patterson | 4 | 10 | 0 | ||||
| By Balance on Hand Cash | 19 | 2 | 6 | ||||
| Do. Interest warrants | 8 | 10 | 4 | ||||
| Error in Commission of £10.7.0 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
Fredg. 8 August 1788
In Obedience to an Order of Council dated the 23rd July last we the Commissioners therein appointed to Inspect the Sergt. Accounts met at the Markett House & examined the within account & find a ballance in the hands of Wm. Wiatt of £19.12.10 Cash & £8.10.4 Interest Warrants and the acct. right.
Benjn. Day
William Harvey
Robt. B. Chew
£19.12.10
[Page 172]
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Saturday the 13th day of September 1788
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| Benjamin Day | ) |
| William Harvey | ) |
| James Somerville | ) Aldermen |
| Geo. Weedon | ) |
| Thomas Cochran | ) |
| William McWilliams | ) Common Councilmen |
| William Lewis | ) |
Ordered that if a Butcher shall suffer his or their Dog or Dogs to be in Markett on any day during the Continuance of the Markett from and after the 20th Inst. shall forfeit & pay to the Clerk of the Markett for the use of the Corporation the sum of six shillings for every offence.
Ordered that the owners of Hay and Fodder having it weighed at the publick scales pay to Joseph Berry Clk. of the Markett three pence for every hundred weight and that no load be weighed for less than seven pence half penny, and if any person or persons shall offer to vend any Hay or Fodder in the Corporation before he or they shall first have the same weighed & obtained a certificate of the weight thereof shall forfeit and pay the sum of Twenty Shillings for the use of the Corporation to be recovered by a warrant before a Single Magistrate.
Robert Patton, Fontaine Maury, John Legg, John Sunderland, David Blair, William Lovell & Jonathan Harris are requested to attend the Council immediately to see the hay scales adjusted and having attended are of opinion that the said scales will answer the purpose for which they are intended when finished.
[Page 173]
and it is Ordered that Charles Mortimer James Somerville, George Weedon, Benjamin Day, Robert Patton, Jonathan Harris, John Legg and Fontaine Maury, Gent. do make a further adjustment of said scales when they are entirely completed that they make report thereof to the Council.
Ordered that David Simons be forbid slaughtering in the cross street near his house under the penalty of five pounds.
The Minutes were signed
Charles Mortimer
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg on Monday December 8th, 1788
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| Benjamin Day | ) | |
| William Harvey | ) | |
| James Somerville | ) Aldermen | |
| George Weedon | ) | |
| Thomas Cochran | ) | |
| William McWilliams | ) Common Councilmen | |
| William Lewis | ) | |
| William Smith | ) |
Ordered that the old bell belonging to the Church be lodged in the hands of Capt. William Lewis and him to order the same to be sold for the most that can be got for the same.
Ordered that the notes due the Church be put into the hands of the Sergeant to be collected, to wit William Smith (pm) one pound, Capt. John Chew one pound, Joseph Brock one pound, William Thompson four pound, Elisha Halls subscription two pound fourteen shillings.
The Committee appointed to superintend the building of the Magazine this day returned their report.
[Page 174]
Ordered that public notice be given to the Inhabitants of this Corporation in the Fredericksburg Herald that the magazine is ready for the reception of Gun Powder, also the clause respecting fines as contained in the ordinance respecting the building the said magazine and that all powder shall be received and deposited in the said magazine on or before the thirteenth day of this month.
Ordered that the Keeper of the Magazine be allowed 20 pr. cent on the storage of powder and that Charles Mortimer George Weedon and William Harvey, Gent. do contract with a proper person as keeper of the said Magazine.
The members of this Board Guarantee the payment for a bell imported for the use of the Church to those who are liable from the Importation thereof so as to make timely remittance for the same.
The Minutes were signed
Charles Mortimer
At a Common Council held for the Town and Corporation of Fredericksburg December 23rd 1788
Present
Charles Mortimer Mayor
George French Recorder
| Benjamin Day | ) | Robert B. Chew | ) |
| William Harvey | ) | William Smith | ) |
| William McWilliams | ) | Thomas Cochran | ) |
Ordered that the Chamberlane pay Richard Garner Twelve pound eighteen shillings due by account.
Ordered that the money arising from the storage of powder in the Magazine be paid quarterly to the Chamberlane by the keeper thereof.
[Page 175]
George French, William Harvey, William Smith & Robert B. Chew or any three of them are appointed to agree with John Callender for the building of the house over the scales for weighing of hay.
Ordered that Joseph Berry pay the Chamberlane ten pounds out of the money by him received for weighing of hay.
Joseph Berry is allowed 1/5 part of all moneys recd. for weighing of hay and fodder.
Ordered that the Chamberlane pay John Callender ten pounds out of the money arising from weighing of hay & fodder.
The minutes were signed
Charles Mortimer