Statement of the Accounts of Danvers, 1855-1856

The first page of this volume gives a summary of the money spent by the town on various services and materials. There is a salary list of Town Officers. A comparison to today’s city budgets would be an interesting exercise!

“

SUMMARY VIEW OF THE ORDERS DRAWN BY THE SELECTMEN, FROM MAY 18^TH, 1855, TO FEBRUARY 20^TH 1856.

For support of Schools	$2027 34
support of High Schools	965 96
Town House	671 86
Liquor and expenses of Agencies	910 85
Printing	96 75
Ringing bells	12 50
Guide Boards	11 50
Commissioners and expenses	680 59
Snow bills	94 50
Board of Health	38 00
Paupers	470 90
Bridges	54 10
Railing on Village Street	93 61
Fire Department	31 87
Engine No. 4	9 00
” 2	80 80
Hearse and Hearse house	10 50
Miscellaneous	37 53

TOWN OFFICERS.

Selectmen	121 20
Firewards	8 67
Salary of Liquor Agent	66 83
Constables	19 00
Board of Health	24 75
School Committee	27 78
Town Clerk	75 00
” recording Births Marriages and Deaths	51 71
Treasurer	50 00
	$6,743 10

This document is a summary of expenses for the period from May 1855 – February 1856.
Town House = Town or City Hall
Paupers = the poor people of the community were cared for on a poor farm
Hearse and hearse house = money spent on funerals for those poor people cared for by the town
Firewards = firemen
Constables = police men

Citation

“Summary View of Orders,” 1855-1856. Peabody Institute Library, Danvers, MA.

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