Council Minutes
City of Fredericksburg, Virginia
1819

At a Council held at the Town Hall on Friday the 15th day of January 1819

Pres't

Robert Mackay, Mayor
Thos Goodwin, Common Councilman
John Ross, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
John Mundell, Common Councilman

It appearing to the Council by the evidence of George Rivier taht Francis U Taliaferro is carrying on certain operations on the Banks of the River Rappahannock about four miles below Fred'g by felling trees & throwing earth into the River in a manner calculated to injure materially & finally the obstruct the Navigation of the river, It is ordered that a committee be app'd to confer with sd Taliaferro upon the subject, to view the place where the operations are carrying on & report to the Council with as little delay as possible. The result of their conference with sd Taliaferro, and their own idea of the consequence to be apprehended there from and a committee was accordingly appointed consisting of John Mundell, Charles Austin and Jno T Ford or any two of them who are also authorized &y directed to report upon any other work calculated to injure the navigation of the river

Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Henry T Phillips & Sam'l Phillips $1 cash improperly charged them by the Com'r of the Revenue as a tax on their houses

Ord'd that the Chamberlain pay William Wells $15 for painting gates at the Markett House pr a/c (del'd)

Ord'd that the Chamberlain pay to George Ellis $11 for posts for Markett House Gates & hauling

Garrit Minor, Mayor
R S Chew, C C

At a Council held at the Town Hall on the 4th day of Feb'ry 1819

Pres't

Wm A Knox, Recorder
Thos Goodwin, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Arch'd R Taylor, Common Councilman
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
Anth'y Buck, Common Councilman
Rob't Mackay, Common Councilman
Jno Ross, Common Councilman

The Committee app'd to revise the by laws upon the subject [Page 277] of drayage made their report recommending the adoption of the following ordinance "Be it Ordained by the Mayor & commonality of the Town of Fred'g in Common Hall assembled & it is hereby Ordained by the authority of the same that the Town be laid off into the following Wards or Sections to wit; From the warves to the lower side of Charlotte Street shall be one section or ward; from thence to Lewis Street another section ; and from Thence to upper end of the Town the remaining section; That the drayage on each load to and from the warf to any part of the lower section shall be 20 cents except tobacco which shall be 25 cts pr hhd; that the drayage to & from the arves to any part of the middle ward or section the same as heretofore except for flour & Plaster of Paris, the former to be four cents pr barrel to the middle and five cents pr barrel to the lower warve & plaster to be 20 cents pr load to and from the middle & 25 cents pr load to & from the lower warves; and that the drayage to and from the upper ward or section be remain as now established by an ordinance of the Corpo and the question being put on the passage of sd Ordinance it was carried in the affirmative

On motion made and seconded Ordered that Arch'd R Taylor have the liberty of removing from his present room, he now occupies in the Markett House to the wing lately occupied by David Briggs, he paying the same rent he now pays

William A Knox, Recorder

At a council held at the Town Hall on Friday the 12th day of March 1819

Pres't

Wm A Knox, Recorder
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Arch'd R Taylor, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Rob't Mackay, Common Councilman
Jno Ross, Common Councilman
Jno Robinson, Common Councilman
Jno Goolrick, Common Councilman

The Council proceeded to examine & allow the following claims against the Corpo. It is Ord'd that the Chamberlain pay the same

To Robert Ellis pr a/c	5.08
To Jesse Wayte constable for 3/4 salary &c	112.50
To Jesse Wayte constable for killing hogs	12.00
To Thos Anslow Constable pr a/c for Salary &c	131.15
To Daniel Bussard pr a/c	11.37½
To Horace Marshall pr a/c for blanketts	10.00
To Casar Garnett pr a/c for ringing bell at Midn't	40.00
To Silas Wood & Co pr a/c	1.85
To Edmund Lucas	5.00
[Page 278]
To am't brought over	$339.95
To David Almond pr a/c	8.00
To Jno M Shepherd pr a/c	53.19
To Carter L Stevenson salary as Att'y for commonweath	150.00
To Jno T Ford Chamberlain Salary	150.00
To Jno T Ford for extra services	50.00
To Timothy Green for printing	24.00
To Jno M Shepherd Serj't for sum'g council	75.00
To Jno M Shepherd for public service	25.00
To Jno M Shepherd as Jailor	25.00
To Robert S Chew salary	100.00
To Robert S Chew pr a/c	43.88
To Jno M Shepherd Salary as police officer	400.00
[Total]	$1343.96

Ord'd that Chas Austin & Arch'd R Taylor be a committee to count the Corpo notes taken in by the Chamberlain

Ordered that Jno Goolrick, Rob't Mackay & Jno Ross do settle with Jno T Ford Chamberlain & Jno M Shepherd Serjeant their accounts and make report to the Council

Wm A Knox, Recorder
Attest
R S Chew, C C

At a Council held at the Town Hall on Monday the 13th day of March 1819

Present

Wm A Knox, Recorder
Thos Goodwin, Common Councilman
Chas Austin, Common Councilman
John Ross, Common Councilman
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman

The Committee app'd to settle the account of the Serjeant with the Corpo made their report that the sd account is supported by proper vouchers & that the balance of $368.18 cents remains in the hands of the Serj't

The Committee app'd to settle the account of Jno T Ford Chamberlain with the Corpo reported that they had examined the sd account & find it supported by proper vouchers & that the balance of $151.63 is due from the sd Chamberlain to the Corporation

William A Knox, Recorder
Attest
R S Chew, C B

March 15th 1819

This being the day appointed by Law for the Election of twelve persons to serve the Corporation of Fredericksburg as Mayor, Recorder and Common Councilman for one year, the free holders & house keepers being notified thereof met at the Town Hall and having deposited their ballots upon examination thereof the greatest number of votes were found in favour of the following persons to wit

[Page 279]

Charles Austin	74
Anthony Buck	72
Robert Mackay	61
John Goolrick	53
Robert Parrott	52
Thomas Goodwin	51
John Robinson	47
Wm A Knox	46
John Mundell	44
Garrit Minor	42
John Ross	42
Sam'l Philips	40
John T Ford	38
Joseph Walker	38

The first named twelve persons were accordingly elected

William A Knox, Recorder
Attest
R S Chew, C C

At a meeting of the Council at the Town Hall on the 16th day of March 1819 Pres't Charles Austin
Robert Mackay
Thomas Goodwin
John Robinson
Wm A Knox
John Mundell
John Ross
Sam'l Philips
John Goolrick
Anthony Buck
Robert Parrott

After being duly sworn proceeded to the Election of a Mayor when Robert Mackay was duly elected & qualified

They then proceeded to the Election of Recorder when Chas Austin was duly elected & Qualified

Robert S Chew is re-elected Clerk of the Council and also Chamberlain of the Corpofor one year & it is Ordered that he be allowed the sum of $100 for his services as Chamberlain & enter into bond and good security in the penalty of $10,000 Conditioned for the faithful discharge of his duties as Chamberlain

Ebenezer P Cady is re-elected guager of this Corporation for the present year, who qualified accordingly

Thomas Goodwin, John Mundell, Anthony Buck, John Ross, Sam'l Phillips, are appointed trustees of the Markett House and Superintendents of the streets; also to rent out the public warves & to take care of the fire hooks, Ladders & engines & to rent out the Hay Scales

John Robinson, Robert Parrott, & Sam'l Phillips are appointed to superintend the pumps the present year, and they are authorized to draw upon the Chamberlain for such sums as may be necessary to keep them in repair

John M Shepherd is unanimously re-elected Clerk of the Markett & police officer for the present year, who qualified accordingly. & it is ordered that be allowed the sum of $400 for his services

[Page 280]

John Goolrick is unanimously re-elected Geographer in this Corporation for the present year

William Ragan is re-appointed Measurer of Coals & salt for the present year & it is Ord'd that he qualify to his office before some justice of the peace of the Corpo

John Mundell who was permitted by a Order of Council of the 10th of April last to use the burial ground, surrendered the possession thereof this day to the Corpo

Ordered that William A Knox, Chas Austin & John Ross & John Mundell be appointed a Committee to take into consideration the state of the burying ground & ascertain whether a new situation for a burying ground can be had & the terms & make report to the next Council

Robert Mackay, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew

At a meeting of the Council at the Town Hall on Thursday the 29th of April 1819

Pres't
Robert Mackay, Mayor
Chas Austin, Recorder
Robert Parrott
Wm A Knox
John Mundell
John Ross
Samuel Philips

Garrit Minor Esq who was elected a Common Council man appeared and was duly qualified

A letter was received from Mr Caldwell, manager of the Theatre upon the subject of reducing the tax levied on Theatrical Amusements, On consideration whereof the Council refuse to make any diminution of the tax now enforced thereon

It is Ord'd that the Chamberlain be authorized to call on any two members of the Council to count & cancel the Corpo notes that may be redeemed by him from time to time and to grant him with a receipt of the same

Resolved that the taxes of the present year be as follows, Viz't

On the am't of rents	4 pr cent
on all while males above 16 years	$1.50
on all slaves above 16 years	$1.50
on all free males of colour above 16 years	$2.00
on all free females of colour above 16 years	$1.50
On all Horses	1.50
On all Pleasure Carriage wheels	2.00
On all dogs	2.00
On all Bitches	5.00
On all Theatrical Exhibition pr night	5.00
On all other exhibitions & shows pr day	5.00

Resolved that the tax on all licenses to drays or carts if taken out between the 1st of April & first of October be $5 each to expire on the 1st of April next & if taken out between the first of Oct & 1st of Apr $3 each & on waggons if taken out between the 1st of Apr & 1st of Oct $8 each & if taken out between the 1st of Oct & 1st of April $5 each

Pres't John Goolrick

[Page 281]

Resolved that the sum of $30 be contributed out of the funds of the Corpo toward erecting a pump at the corner formed by the intersection of Water street with Berkeley Street where the Corporation warf adjoins that of Adam Donaldson & that the pump Committee be authorized to draw for the same

Robert Mackay, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C D

At a Council held at the town Hall on Saturday the 1st day of May 1819

Pres't
Robert Mackay, Mayor
Chas Austin, Recorder
Anthony Buck
John Ross
Garrit Minor
Robert Parrott
John Goolrick
John Mundell
Thos Goodwin
Wm A Knox

The Council upon a reconsideration of the letter of Mr Caldwell, manager of the Theatre doth order that the Serjeant receive the sum of $50 from sd Caldwell in full for the tax on theatrical exhibition to this day inclusive

Robert Mackay, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew C C

At a Council held at the Town Hall on Friday the 9th day of July 1819

William A Knox, Recorder

At a council held at the Town Hall on Friday the 12th day of March 1819

Pres't
Robert Mackay, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Common Councilman
John Mundell, Common Councilman
Thos Goodwin, Common Councilman
Robert Parrot, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
John Ross, Common Councilman

Ord'd that the Chamberlain have credit in his account with the Corpo for the sum of $222.14¾ cents am't of Corpo notes redeemed by him & this day counted and cancelled by the Council

Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Mutual Assurance Society Ag't Fire $25.60 cents for quota of 1819

Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Thomas B Barton $20.30 cents for repairs to tenement occupied by him

Be it ordained by the Mayor & Commonality of the Town of Fredericksburg as it is hereby ordained that the ordinance imposing a tax on dogs be repealed & that the tax for this year be refunded to those that have paid the same

[Page 282]

And be it further ordained that all Dogs found going at large in the streets of this Corpo from and after the 12th Inst be shot or otherwise destroyed by the Constables (whose duty it shall be) or by any other person until the further order of the Council, and that they Constables be allowed 50 cents for each Dog by them killed or destroyed & removed instead of the former allowance

Ord'd that the sum of $400 be appropriated towards the repairs of the Streets to be drawn for by the Superintendents

Robt Mackay, Mayor
R S Chew C D

At a Council held at the Town Hall on the 31st day of August 1819

Pres't
Robert Mackay, Mayor
Chas Austin, Recorder
John Mundell, Common Councilman
Wm A Knox, Common Councilman
Thos Goodwin, Common Councilman
John Ross, Common Councilman
Rob't Parrot, Common Councilman
Sam'l Philips, Common Councilman

Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Wm F Philips, Secretary & Treasurer of the Charity School of Fred'g sixty dollars for rent of the Corpo office due 1st day of June last

Robert S Chew gave bond with Jno T Ford Sec'y as Chamberlain of this Corpo

Ord'd that the Chamberlain have credit in his amount with the Corpo for the sum of $123.35 cents amount of Corpo notes redeemed by him since the 9th of July 1819, and this day counted & cancelled by the Council

Be it ordained by the Mayor & Commonality of the Town of Fred'g & it is hereby ordained by the authority aforesaid, that each licence Dray or Cart in this Corpo shall be provided with toe bags to be made of good and sufficient materials & made in the best manner, to b e 38 inches long & 24 inches wide & the number of the Dray or Licence marked thereon with Blacking or paint, and no licence shall hereafter be granted until bags of the description above are provided & those drays & carts now licenced shall be provided with bags within 30 days from the date hereof & submit them for examination to the police officer and be it further Ordained that the owner of each dray or Cart failing to comply with this Ordinance shall be subject to a fine of $2 for each neglect to provide and keep such bags, or for presenting them for service in an unsound state to be recovered by warrant before a Magistrate of this Corporation & to be appropriated to the use of the Corporation

Robert Mackay, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C D

[Page 283]

At a Council held at the Town Hall on Wednesday the 13th day of October 1819

Pres't
Robert Mackay, Mayor
Chas Austin, Recorder
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
John Mundell, Common Councilman
Garrit Minor, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Samuel Philips, Common Councilman

Ordered that the further sum of $200 be appropriated towards the repairs of the Streets to be drawn for by the Superintendents

Ordered that the Serjeant have credit for $13 improperly charged to Charles C Heiskell by the Com'r of the Revenue for the years 1818 & 1819 & that the sd Hieskell be released from the payment of the same

Ordered that the Serjeant have credit in his account with the Corporation for $2 the tax on a negro woman belonging to Mrs Wormsley who is exempt from the payment of sd tax

Ord'd that the Serjeant have credit in his amount with the Corpo for $2 for exempt[?] of tax charges on the rent of a house occupied by James Cooke

Robert Mackay, Mayor
R S Chew, C F