At a Council held at the Town Hall on 14th day of March 1821
Pres't
David Briggs, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
Wm Caldwell, Common Councilman
Ordered that the Chamberlain have credit in his account with the Corporation for the sum of $105 for the amount paid for redemption of Corporation notes & this day counted & cancelled by the Council
[Page 293]
The Council proceeded to examine & allow the following claims ag'st the Corpo, It is ordered that the Chamberlain do pay the same Viz't
| To John M Shepherd Serg't pr a/c | $729.47 | paid |
| To Robert Ellis pr a/c | 3.93 | cop'd & paid |
| To Casar Garnett for ringing bell for Courts & at night pr one year | 50.00 | cop'd & paid |
| To William Smock pr a/c | 12.53 | paid |
| To Robert Ellis pr a/c | 1.32 | cop'd & paid |
| To William Browne pr a/c | 1.00 | paid |
| To Robert Ellis pr a/c | 17.50 | cop'd & paid |
| To Geo Ellis pr a/c for extra work Engine House | 35.00 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Wm F Gray pr a/c | 2.33 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Rob't Mills pr a/c shooting dogs | 7.50 | cop'd & del'd |
| To David Almond £4.07.0 | 14.50 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Claib Wiglesworth pr a/c | 51.25 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Robert Mills pr a/c Constable | 112.50 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Jesse Wayt pr a/c Constable | 119.50 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Steven Bryant pr a/c | 4.00 | cop'd & del'd |
| To John Smith pr a/c | 3.00 | cop'd & del'd |
| To C Austin's Ralph pr a/c | 2.00 | cop'd & del'd |
| To Robert S Chew Clerk pr a/c | 124.42 | paid |
| To Carter L Setevenson atto for Com'wlth | 150.00 | paid |
| To The Clerk of the Council | 100.00 | paid |
| To Mrs Mills for overcharge tax on House | .80 | paid |
Robert Mackay, Charles Austin & Robert Parrott are appointed a Committee any two of whom may act to settle with Robert S Chew Chamb'r and John M Shepherd Serj't of the Corporation their respective accounts with the Corporation and make report to the next Council
Ord'd that the Com'r of the Revenue be & he is hereby instructed to obtain from the inhabitants & owners of property in that part of Fred'g called Allen Town a list of their taxable property and assess the same according to the Laws of this Corpo respecting the Revenue
On Motion made and seconded, Resolved unanimously that the thanks of the Council be presented to David Briggs Esq'r Mayor of this Corporation for the ability and promptitude with which he performed the duties of his office for the past year.
Ordered that the Council be adj'd
D Briggs, Mayor
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Monday the 19th day of March 1821
Present,
David Briggs, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
Wm Caldwell, Common Councilman
John Carter, Common Councilman
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The Committee appointed to settle the acount of Robert S Chew, Chamberlain with the Corporation reported that they had examined the said account and find it supported by proper vouchers & that the balance of $1640.88 cents is due from the said Chamberlain to the Corporation, Ordered that the same be published
The committee appointed to settle the account of Jno M Shepherd, Serjeant with the Corporation made their report that the said account is correctly stated & the charges supported by proper vouchers & that the balance of $29.45 cents is due the Corpo from the said Shepherd
Ord'd that the Chamberlain pay to James D Hamonds[?] $9.75 pr his account this day allowed (cop'd & del'd)
Ord'd that the Chamberlain pay to Peter Campbell four dollars for work done on the Street
D Briggs, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C C
March 19th 1821
This being the day appointed by law for the Election of a Mayor, Recorder & Common Council for the Corpo of Fred'g for one year, The free-holders and 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 to be favour of the following persons to wit.
| John T Ford | 114 |
| Wm A Knox | 111 |
| Robert Mackay | 101 |
| Robert Parrott | 100 |
| David Briggs | 94 |
| Sam'l Phillips | 94 |
| Robert Lewis | 92 |
| Joseph Walker | 85 |
| Tho's Goodwin | 84 |
| Anthony Buck | 59 |
| Thomas B Adams | 58 |
| Charles Austin | 56 |
who were declared by the Serj't duly elected & the Council Adj'd until 3 o'clock tomorrow evening
D Briggs, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew
March 20th 1821
The Council met according to adjournment
Present
John F Ford
Wm A Knox
Robert Mackay
Robert Parrott
David Briggs
Sam'l Phillips
Robert Lewis
Joseph Walker
Thos Goodwin
[Page 295]
Anthony Buck
Thos B Adams
Charles Austin
They proceeded to the Election of a Mayor when Garrit Minor was duly elected and qualified accordingly
Robert Lewis was duly elected Recorder for one year
Robert S Chew is re-elected Clerk and Chamberlain for one year & it is ordered that he enter into bond and security in the penalty of $10,000 for the faithful discharge of his duty at the next Council
Robert Parrott is elected Guager of this Corporation & Inspector of Whiskey for one year who qualified accordingly
John M Shepherd is unanimously re-elected Clerk of the Markett & Police Officer for one year who qualified accordingly
John Goolrick is unanimously re-elected Geographer of this Corpo for one year
Mathew S C Anderson is re-elected Measurer of Coal Salt & grain sold at the wharf for one year who qualified according to law
Thomas Goodwin, Charles Austin, Anthony Buck, Wm A Knox & Thomas B Adams are appointed Trustees of the Markett House & Superintendents of the Streets, also to rent out the Public Wharf & to take care of the fire hooks, ladders & engines and rent out the Hay Scales
Robert Parrott, Samuel Phillips & Joseph Walker are appointed a Committee to supintend the pumps for the present year & they are authorized to draw upon the Chamberlain for such sums as may be necessary to keep them in repair
On Motion made & seconded, Resolved that a committee be appointed to bring in an ordinance prescribing the duties & fixing the salary of the Mayor & for other purposes & a Committee was accordingly appointed consisting of J T Ford, Thos Goodwin, David Briggs, Joseph Walker & Sam'l Phillips
Resolved, that a Committee be appointed to draft & report an Ordinance pursuant to that Cause in the amendment to the Charter which relates to a night watch for the protection and safety of this Corpo and a Committee were accordingly appointed consisting of David Briggs, Charles Austin & Robert Lewis
Resolved, that a Committee be appointed to draft & report an Ordinance for the appointment of a measurer & Inspector of lumber, and prescribing his duties and fixing his compensation, and Sam'l Phillips, Robert Parrott & Joseph Walker were accordingly appointed a committee
On Motion, Ord'd that a Committee be appointed to enquire of any and what amendment can be properly made to the Ordinance concerning Sabbath breaking & for other purposes & David Briggs, Anthony Buck & Jno T Ford were appointed the Committee
Ordered that the Mayor do affix the assize of bread from time to time as he shall see cause
Ordered that the Council be adj'd til Saturday next at 3 o'clock
Garrit Minor, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C C
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At a Council held at the Town Hall on Saturday the 24th of March 1821
Pres't
Garrit Minor, Mayor
Robert Lewis, Recorder
John T Ford, Common Councilman
David Briggs, Common Councilman
Wm A Knox, Common Councilman
Robert Parrott, Common Councilman
Samuel Phillips, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
Garrit Minor, Mayor of this Corporation tendered his resignation to the Council, which was received and accepted by the board
On Motion made and seconded, It is Ord'd that the Council be adj'd until Saturday next at 3 O'clock P.M.
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C C
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Saturday the 31st of March 1821
Pres't
Robert Lewis, Recorder
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Wm A Knox, Common Councilman
David Briggs, Common Councilman
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
Robert Parrott, Common Councilman
John T Ford, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
Samuel Phillips, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
The Council proceeded to the Election of a Mayor to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Garrit Minor, Esq and it appearing upon examination of the Ballots there were but eleven votes, and Robert Lewis Esq the Recorder having six votes, he was declared duly elected & qualified accordingly before John S Wellford, a Justice of the quorum of Spotsylvania
The Council proceeded to the Election of Common Councilmen to supply the vacancy occasioned by the Election of Robert Lewis as Mayor when Wm Gordon was duly elected and qualified accordingly
Wm A Knox was duly elected Recorder in the room of Robert Lewis
The Committee appointed to bring in an Ordinance prescribing the duties and fixing the salary of the Mayor and for other purposes, Reported an Ordinance in the following words, "Be it Ordained &c which said Ordinance being read was approved and adopted by the board
The Committee appointed upon the subject of the inspection of lumber, made a report which was adopted and a committee consisting of Jno T Ford, David Briggs, Robert Parrott, Joseph Walker & Samuel Phillips were appointed to bring in an ordinance pursuant thereto
On Motion made and seconded, Resolved that the room in the Markett House lately occupied by A R Taylor be appropriated as a Mayors office & Council chamber and a Committee consisting of Thos Goodwin, Thomas B Adams & R S Chew were appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the accommodation of the Mayor
William Gordon and Samuel Phillips are appointed members of the Markett House Committee in the room of William A Knox and Charles Austin, who are excused from serving on said Committee
Be it ordained by the Mayor & Commonalty of the Town of Fredericksburg and it is hereby Ordained by the Authority aforesaid that the Ordinance respecting the measuring of salt and pit coal shall not apply to any vessels other than those coming coast wise to this port
Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Ben Day one dollar for carrying the fourth Hhd of water to the fire at the Theatre
Adj'd
Robt Lewis, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C C
[Page 297]
At a Council held at the Town Hall on the 1st day of May 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Thos Goodwin, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
David Briggs, Common Councilman
William Gordon, Common Councilman
Samuel Phillips, Common Councilman
Ordered that Archibald Burden who was appointed a Constable for this Corporation at the last Court be allowed the same compensation as the other Constables of this Corpo
Be it ordained by the Mayor, Recorded & Common Council and it is hereby Ordained by the authority aforesaid, that all spirits, distilled in the United States brought to this Markett Coastwise shall be Guaged and inspected by the Guager previous to its being stored & it shall be the duty of the owners and consigners thereof to call upon the guager for that purpose, under the penalty of one dollar for each Hhd, pipe, tierce or barrell, so stored contrary to the provisions hereof, to be recovered by warrant before a Justice of the peace to be prosecuted in the name of the Chamberlain
Rob't Lewis, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C C
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Monday the 28th day of May 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
A petition was presented from the Owners of property & persons residing in the lower end of the Town praying an appropriation for the improvement of the street opposite Benjamin Parke's which being read, upon motion made and seconded, Resolved that a Committee be appointed to enquire into the practicability of so improving said street as to enable drays and Waggons to pass along it with care and convenience, That the report the same to the Council with an estimate of the sum which it will probably cost to make such improvements, & Anthony Buck, Chas Austin & Sam'l Phillips were appointed the Committee
The Committee appointed upon the subject of the inspection of lumber reported an Ordinance in these words "An Ordinance &c" which was unanimously adopted
Phillip Terrier is unanimously appointed Inspector and Measurer of lumber in this Corporation & it is ordered that he qualify before the Mayor
Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Phillip Terrier Twenty Dollars 39 cents pr account this day allowed
Resolved that the taxes of the present year be as follows viz't
| On $60,625.83 rents | 3 pr cent |
| On all white males above 16 years of age | $1 each |
| On all slaves above 12 years | $1 each |
| On all free males mulattoes & blacks | 2 each |
| On all free females mulattoes & blacks | 1.50 each |
| On all horses | 1 each |
| On pleasure carriage wheels | $2 each |
| On all exhibitions & shows pr day | $5. each |
[Page 298]
Thomas Goodwin, Robert Mackay & Robert S Chew are appointed a Committee to draft and report Ordinance laying a tax on sales at auction
Rob't Lewis Mayor
Attest
R S Chew
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Friday the 29th day of June 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Robert Parrott, Common Councilman
Thos B Adams, Common Councilman
William Gordon, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
John T Ford, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Robert S Chew gave bond & security as Chamberlain of this Corporation which is lodged with the Mayor
The Committee appointed to draft an Ordinance laying a tax on Auction Sales reported an Ordinance in these words, "Be it Ordained &c" which ordinance is approved & passed and ordered that the same be published
The Committee appointed to inquire into the practicability of improving the cross street opposite Benj'n Parke's so as to make the same passable for carriages made a report, Whereupon on Motion made & seconded It is Ordered that the street Comm'rs do let to the lowest bidder the improvement of the said street so as that the same be made of easy ascent, to be at least eighteen feet wide and to be paved with stone & gravelled and provided that the expence thereof shall not exceed one hundred dollars and that the undertaker thereof give bond and security for the faithfull execution of the work
Be it Ordained by the Mayor, Recorder and Common Council of the Town of Fredericksburg and it is hereby Ordained by the authority aforesaid that any person who shall strip and wash in the river opposite to this town before dark if a white person shall forfeit and pay the sum of $3 on conviction thereof for every offence, to be recovered by warrant before a magistrate for the use of the Corporation, if a person of colour shall receive ten lashes on proof thereof before a magistrate, and it shall be the duty of the Constables to give information against the Offenders herein. This Ordinance shall commence and be in force from and after the 4th day of July next. Ordered that the same be published
Rob't Lewis, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Friday the 13 of July 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
David Briggs, Common Councilman
Robert Parrott, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
William Gordon, Common Councilman
[Page 299]
Ordered that Lawrence L Boores be exempt from the payment of $1 tax imposed on him, he being infirm
Present Thomas Goodwin
Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Archibald R Taylor agent for the M A Society $26.60 for quota 1821
Anthony Buck obtained a licence as an auctioneer in this Corporation having given bond & security, agreeable to the Ordinance of the Corpo in that case provided
On Motion, made & seconded, It is ordered that the Comm'rs appointed to let the repair of the cross street opposite Benj'n Parke's lot do let the same to the lowest bidder provided the expence does not exceed two hundred dollars
On motion, made & seconded, it is ordered that the Serjeant do advertise & sell the house erected for a Fish Markett upon a credit of 120 days taking a negotiable note with an approved endorser, the said House to be recovered by the purchaser within 90 days after the day of sale thereof
Rob't Lewis, Mayor
Attest
R S Chew, C C
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Tuesday the 7th day of August 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
John T Ford, Common Councilman
On motion made and seconded, Resolved that the harbour master employ some person to raise and remove the vessel belonging to Capt Crossley now sunk in the river opposite to the Corporation warf and draw on the Chamberlain for the expence, the owner having failed to raise & remove the said vessel
It being represented to the Council by the Mayor, that Jesse Wayt, one of the Constables of this Corporation did on the 21st day of July last refuse to execute his duty as Constable; on Motion made & seconded, Resolved that the said Wayt be considered not in the employ of or intitled to compensation from the Council since the said 21st day of July last
Order that John F Gaulier be exempt from the payment of one dollar the tax imposed on him, he being aged and infirm
Rob't Lewis, Mayor
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Monday the 24th of Sept 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Thomas Goodwin, Common Councilman
Robert Parrott, Common Councilman
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
Samuel Phillips, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Anth'y Buck, Common Councilman
William Gordon, Common Councilman
Ordered that the Mayor be authorized to have such blanks printed as her may find necessary in the discharge of his official duty, the expence whereof to be paid by the Corpo
[Page 300]
Ordered that the salary of the constables be paid semi annually upon the order of the Mayor authorizing the Chamberlain to pay the same
Ordered that the serjeant have credit in his settlement with the Corporation for $3.00 taxes improperly charged to Henry Gatewood
Be it ordained by the Mayor and Commonalty of the Town of Fredericksburg in common Hall assembled and it is hereby ordained by the authority of the same that any driver of a dray, cart or waggon, who shall hereafter be guilty of driving along any of the Streets faster than a walk, or who shall absent himself from his dray, cart or waggon, whilst passing along any of the Streets shall forfeit and pay to the Corpo one dollar for every offence upon conviction before a Justice of the peace, and be it further Ordained by the authority of the same that it be the particular duty of the Constables to see the execution of this Ordinance, all ordinances coming with the premises of this ordinance are hereby repealed, Ord'd that the same be published
Anthony Buck, William Gordon & Thomas B Adams are appointed a Committee to regulate the rates of Drayage in this Corporation & report to the Council
Ord'd that the Chamberlain pay to Claiborne Wiglesworth $25.17 pr his a/c this day allowed
Ordered that the Serjeant have credit on his settlement with the Corporation for $1 tax on a slave improperly charged to Marquess
Ordered that the Mayor give notice in the Va Herald that a Petition will be presented to the next Va Legislature praying the Extension of Sophia or Water Street to the lower warves
Robert Lewis, Mayor
At a Council held at the Town Hall on Tuesday the 13th day of November 1921
Present
Wm A Knox, Recorder
Joseph Walker, Common Councilman
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Robert Parrott, Common Councilman
Sam'l Phillips, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
William Gordon, Common Councilman
Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to the Trustees of the Charity School Sixty Dollars for the rent of hte Corporation Office
Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to John Goolrick four dollars seventeen cents for the expence of erecting a Dial (Cop'd & pd)
William A Knox, Recorder
Attest
R S Chew, C C
At a Council held at the Town Hall on the 18th day of December 1821
Present
Robert Lewis, Mayor
Robert Mackay, Common Councilman
Anthony Buck, Common Councilman
Samuel Phillips, Common Councilman
William Gordon, Common Councilman
Thomas B Adams, Common Councilman
Charles Austin, Common Councilman
Jno T Ford, Common Councilman
Be it ordained by the Mayor & Commonality of the Town of Fredericksburg in Common Hall assembled and it is hereby ordained by the authority of the same, that the rates of Drayage in this Corporation shall hereafter be as follows, to wit
| For every load of salt or molasses from the warves | 25 cents |
| For every five barrels of flour to & from the warves | 17 cents |
| [Page 301] | |
| For every Hhd of Tobacco to and from the warves | 25 cents |
| For all other articles to and from the warves pr load | 20 cents |
Upon the request of James A Waddle and James Coakley a licence is granted them to exercise the trade or business of Auctioneers in this Corporation, they having given bond according to the Ordinances of the Corporation with Robert Mackay, Alexander Walker, Claiborne Wiglesworth & John Peck their security
Ordered that the Chamberlain pay to Geo W B Spooner, Coroner of this Corpo five dollars per account filed (paid)
Be it ordained by the Mayor & Commonality of the Town of Fredericksburg in the Common Hall assembled, and it is hereby ordained by the authority of the same, that it shall be the duty of every constable of this Corporation having knowledge or notice of any Collection of Boys or other persons within the limits of the Corporation playing at any game or engaged in any amusement dangerous to themselves or others or which shall disturb the peace or quiet of the inhabitants, to request such boys or other persons to discontinue such game amusement or disturbance and if they shall fail to do so, upon such request, such constable shall apprehend them, or some of them and take such as he may apprehend before the Mayor or some Justice of the peace for this Corporation, who if he shall be satisfied, by evidence of the guilt of any of them may fine such guilty person or persons in a sum not exceeding two dollars; and if the person so fined shall be under the age of 21 years or a slave such fine and costs shall be paid by the parent, guardian, master or mistress, and may be levied by distress and sale of his or her goods and chattels
Rob't Lewis, Mayor