Guide to the City of Roxbury records 1300.001 Finding aid prepared by Kristen Swett With funding from a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)

City of Boston Archives and Records Management Division
201 Rivermoor Street West Roxbury, MA, 02132 (617)635-1195 archives@cityofboston.gov
30 April 2008 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2009-08-13T15:05-0400 13 August 2009 City of Roxbury records 1300.001 City of Boston Archives and Records Management Division 50.0 Cubic feet 22 boxes, 254 volumes 1768-1888 Bulk, 1821-1868 Scope and Contents note

This collection includes records of the City and Town of Roxbury prior to annexation to Boston. Records of Roxbury are also currently in the custody of the Boston Public Library, Rare Books and Manuscripts Division. This collection is divided into 8 series: Series I - Town records; Series II - City Council records; Series III - City Clerk records; Series IV - Auditor records; Series V - Assessor records; Series VI - Collector records; Series VII - Treasurer records; and Series VIII - Publications. Volumes are numbered consecutively within each series. Boxes are numbered consecutively within the whole collection.

Series I includes records of the Town of Roxbury prior to incorporation as a city in 1846. Series II includes records of the Roxbury City Council. Series III includes records created by and filed with the City Clerk. As keeper of the records for the City of Roxbury, the City Clerk's records include a wide range of record types documenting various city functions and filings. Series IV include records filed with the City Auditor. Series V include records documenting tax assessments. Series VI include records documenting the collection of taxes. Series VII include records of the City Treasury which document the financial activities of the City of Roxbury. Series VIII include annual reports, municipal registers, addresses and other reports published by the City of Roxbury.

 Historical note

In 1630, the Massachusetts Bay Colony founded six villages including Boston, Charlestown, Watertown, Medford, Dorchester and Roxbury. Roxbury was connected to Boston by a narrow neck of land which is now Washington Street. The first mention of the town occurs in the records of the third Court of Assistants, held Sept. 28, 1630, as one of the plantations on which a part of the general tax of 50 pounds was levied, and that day has therefore been fixed upon as the official date of its settlement. Roxbury was the sixth town incorporated in Massachusetts. The original boundaries of the town included Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and present-day Roxbury. Roxbury became a part of Norfolk County on June 20, 1793.

Roxbury had many resources the colonists were looking for: open farmland, timber and stone for building, and the Stony Brook for waterpower. Additionally, its location on the only road to Boston gave the town an advantage in transportation and trade and a strategic military position. Roxbury was defined by its rocky hills, drumlins left by a prehistoric glacier. In the area of Roxbury Highlands are many outcroppings of native Roxbury puddingstone, a kind of composite rock used over the centuries in buildings throughout the Boston area.

Washington, Dudley, Centre, Roxbury, and Warren streets were all laid out in the first years of settlement. The town center was located at John Eliot Square, where the first meetinghouse was built in 1632, with its burying ground nearby at the corner of Eustis and Washington streets.

Growth created the need for more municipal services, so the citizens of Roxbury voted to incorporate as a city on March 12, 1846. West Roxbury was set off from Roxbury and incorporated as a town on 24 May 1851. Roxbury was annexed to Boston by an Act of the Legislature passed June 1, 1867. On September 9, 1867, the citizens of Roxbury and Boston accepted the annexation act. The annexation took effect on January 6, 1868.

Source: Roxbury Crossing Historical Society website (http://www.rcht.org/roxbury_history.htm) and "The Town of Roxbury: its memorable persons and places…" by Francis S. Drake.

 Town records Series I 4 record cartons, 3 volumes, 8 folders 1768-1846 Scope and Contents note

This series includes records created during the years of town government in Roxbury. Included are the proceedings of the Selectmen from 1822-1846, volumes 5 and 6 of the Town Records which cover 1832-1846, Town Papers from 1830 and 1832-1846, and miscellaneous manuscripts, petitions and records.

 Record of the Meeting and Proceedings of the Selectmen of the Town of Roxbury I-1 1 volume 1822 March 5-1846 April 16 Town Records "vol. 5-6" I-2-3 2 volumes 1832-1846 Scope and Contents note

Record of Town Meetings as taken by the Town Clerk. Volume 5 covers the period 1832-1845. Volume 6 covers the period 1845-March 1846. Volume 6 is also Volume 1 of City Records.

 Town Papers 1768-1846 with gaps (Bulk, 1830-1846) Entry of Strays 1 1 1 item 1768, 1773, 1776, 1782, 1783 Scope and Contents note

Record of stray animals found wandering in town. Includes description of animal and name of individual reporting animal.

 Entry of horses and cattle allowed to go upon the common 1 2 1 item 1774-1778 Humane Society of Massachusetts Regulations 1 3 1 item 1784? Petition relative to support of schools 2 1 1 item 1796 Records 2 2 1 folder 1826, 1832 Records 2 3-5 3 folders undated Records 1830-1846 1830, 1832-1833, 1834-1836 5 1 record carton 1836-1840 6 1 record carton 1840-1844 7 1 record carton 1844-1846 8 1 record carton City Council records Series II 22 volumes, 11 record cartons, 10 folders 1846-1867 Scope and Contents note

This series includes records created by the City Council of Roxbury. Included are minutes of the Mayor, Board of Aldermen and the Common Council, 1846-1867; City Council papers; and miscellaneous broadsides, records, and reports.

 Mayor and Board of Aldermen minutes, "vol. 1-8" II-1-8 8 volumes 1846-1867 Index to Mayor and Board of Aldermen minutes 4 8 volumes 1846-1847 Common Council minutes, "vol. 1-6" II-9-14 6 volumes 1846-1867 Records 1846-1867 Broadsides: City Council Committees 1 5 5 items 1848, 1852-1855 Broadside: Government of the City of Roxbury 2 6 1 item 1862-1863 Common Council ballot 1 6 1 item 1848-1849 Index to Town Papers 1 7-8 2 items 1846 April-1848 April Record of the Proceedings of the City of Roxbury and the Town of West Roxbury relating to the division of property 1 9 1 item 1851 Documents relating to the Rural Cemetery 1 10 1 folder 1847-1848 Package No. 12 of Town Papers of 1846-1847 2 8 1 folder 1846-1847 Package No. 10 of Town Papers for 1847-1848 2 9 1 folder 1847-1848 Annual report of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department 2 10 1 item 1854 February 27 City Council papers 1846-1867 1846 8 1846-1849 9 Copy of Original Charter of the City of Roxbury 9 1849-1852 10 1852-1855 11 1855-1857 12 1857-1859 13 1860-1862 14 1862-1866 15 1866-1867 16 Oversized documents 16 Oversized documents 17 Oversized documents 18 City Clerk records Series III 60 volumes, 1 oversized volume 1837-1868 (Bulk, 1846-1867) Ordinances III-1 1 volume 1846-1867 Record of General Meetings of the Inhabitants of the City III-2 1 volume 1847-1853 Record of Officers Sworn III-3 1 volume 1847-1867 Scope and Contents note

Record of the city officers who personally appeared before the City Clerk to subscribe the oath.

 Census of population of the Town of Roxbury III-4 1 volume 1837 Scope and Contents note

Includes name of head of household and number in household. As taken by the Assessors, agreeable to an Act of the Legislature 21 Mar 1837.

 Censuses Census and statistics of ward 2 III-5-6 2 volumes 1845 Scope and Contents note

Recorded in pencil. Includes census and statistics re: cattle, horses etc. for ward 2 only.

 Censuses Census returns III-7-14 8 volumes 1850 Censuses Census of the City of Roxbury O-1 1 oversized volume 1865 Record of Organization of churches and religious societies III-15 1 volume 1847-1867 Scope and Contents note

Record of the Organization of the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Liberal Christian Organization of Roxbury.

 Registers of Dogs III-16-17 2 volumes 1864, 1866 Scope and Contents note

Includes name of owner, residence, number of dogs. Alphabetical by name of owner.

 Record of dogs registered III-18 1 volume 1865-1867 Scope and Contents note

Includes date, No., Name of Owner, Residence, Name of Dog, Sex, Age, Description and Fee.

 List of qualified voters III-19 1 volume 1846-1857 Scope and Contents note

Published lists of qualified voters in each ward. Printed by the Town Clerk per order of the Selectmen in 1846. Printed by the City Clerk per order of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen in 1847-1857.

 Record of votes cast in the several wards III-20 1 volume 1846 Nov 9-1857 May 4 Scope and Contents note

Records number of votes by ward for each election.

 Returns of votes III-21 1 volume 1857-1867 Record of warrants for elections and votes cast for ward 2 III-22 1 volume 1860-1867 Record of warrants for elections and votes cast for ward 3 III-23 1 volume 1846-1854 Record of warrants for elections and votes cast for ward 5 III-24 1 volume 1855-1867 Enrolment of the Militia III-25 1 volume 1840-1848 Record of Soldiers and Officers III-26 1 volume 1861-1862 Record of Soldiers in the Army III-27 1 volume circa 1861-1865 Scope and Contents note

Names of persons enlisted in the United States Service from Roxbury. Includes name, company and regiment. Indexed.

 List of Persons enrolled in the Army and Navy III-28 1 volume 1864 January Enrolment of the Militia III-29 1 volume 1864 List of Persons exempt from Military duty III-30 1 volume 1864 List of Persons liable to Enrolment in the Militia III-31-33 3 volumes 1864-1866 Militia Enrollment III-34-35 2 volumes 1867 Record of Streets [transcription] III-36 1 volume 1648-1846 Scope and Contents note

Transcription of items relating to streets from original town records. Index to entries in vol. 6 included. Spine reads 1652-1842.

 Index to the Streets of Roxbury and all proceedings of the City Council relating to them from the commencement of city government to 1862 III-37 1 volume 1846-1862 Index to Roxbury Streets 2 7 1 Volume 1868 Record of Joint Stock Companies III-38 1 volume 1852-1853 Fence viewer decisions III-39 1 volume 1834-1867, 1874-1888 Scope and Contents note

Record of decisions of fence viewers for the town and city of Roxbury. Also includes decisions from 1874-1888 as part of Boston. Includes some plans.

 Index of names III-40 1 volume 1866-1867 Scope and Contents note

Unidentified index.

 Index to Lien Book III-41 1 volume undated Personal Property mortgages III-42-59 18 volumes: 9 volumes and 9 indexes 1832-1868 Chattel mortgages Auditor records Series IV 4 record cartons Bills and payment receipts circa 1820-1867 with gaps 1847-1857 19 20 1857-1861 21 1862-1867, circa 1820s-1830s Deeds to City property 1818, 1832, 1842-1867 22 1818, 1832, 1842-1867 Assessor records Series V 87 volumes 1821-1867 Valuations of real and personal property 35 Volumes 1821-1867 Scope and Contents note

Valuations of real and personal estate. Arranged alphabetically by name of individual and by ward for each year. Entries may include location such as street or name of owner. The books for 1821-1831 include poll books. After 1831, the poll books are bound separately.

 V-1 1821-1824 V-2 1825-1829 V-3 1830-1831 V-4 1832-1835 V-5 1836-1838 V-6 1839 V-7 1840-1841 V-8 1842-1843 V-9 1844-1845 V-10 1846 V-11 1847 V-12 1848 V-13 1849 V-14 1850 V-15 1851 V-16 1852 V-17 1853 V-18 1854 V-19 1855 V-20 1856 V-21 1857 V-22 1858 V-23 1859 V-24 1860 V-25 1861 V-26 1862 V-27 1863 V-28 1864 V-29 1865 V-30 1866 V-31 1867 ward 1 V-32 1867 ward 2 V-33 1867 ward 3 V-34 1867 ward 4 V-35 1867 ward 5 Polls 26 Volumes 1832-1850, 1852-1867 Scope and Contents note

Alphabetical list of names of persons assessed a poll tax and remarks. Poll books prior to 1832 are bound with the valuations of real and personal property.

 V-36 1832-1835 V-37 1836-1839 V-38 1840-1841 V-39 1842-1843 V-40 1844-1845 V-41 1846 V-42 1847 V-43 1848 V-44 1849 V-45 1850 V-46 1852 V-47 1853 V-48 1854 V-49 1855 V-50 1856 V-51 1857 V-52 1858 V-53 1859 V-54 1860 V-55 1861 V-56 1862 V-57 1863 V-58 1864 V-59 1865 V-60 1866 V-61 1867 Street books 8 Volumes 1860-1867 Scope and Contents note

Tax valuations arranged by street address.

 V-62 1860 V-63 1861 V-64 1862 V-65 1863 V-66 1864 V-67 1865 V-68 1866 V-69 1867 State, County and City tax records 18 Volumes 1841-1846, 1849-1862 Scope and Contents note

Record of assessment of State, County and City tax. Alphabetical by name of individual. 1841-1845 - County and Town tax. 1846-1853 - County and City tax. 1854-1862 - State, County and City tax. Volumes for 1847-1848 are missing.

 V-70 1841 V-71 1842-1843 V-72 1844-1845 V-73 1846 V-74 1849 V-75 1850 V-76 1851 V-77 1852 V-78 1853 V-79 1854 V-80 1855 V-81 1856 V-82 1857 V-83 1858 V-84 1859 V-85 1860 V-86 1861 V-87 1862 Collector records Series VI 23 volumes 1842-1866 with gaps State, County and City tax records 23 Volumes 1842-1844, 1848-1866 Scope and Contents note

Record of collection of State, County and City tax. Records the date taxes were paid or abated. Volumes for 1836-1841, 1845-1847 and 1867 are missing.

 VI-1 1824-1835 VI-2 1842 VI-3 1843 VI-4 1844 VI-5 1848 VI-6 1849 VI-7 1850 VI-8 1851 VI-9 1852 VI-10 1853 VI-11 1854 VI-12 1855 VI-13 1856 VI-14 1857 VI-15 1858 VI-16 1859 VI-17 1860 VI-18 1861 VI-19 1862 VI-20 1863 VI-21 1864 VI-22 1865 VI-23 1866 Treasurer records Series VII 31 volumes 1830-1869 Mayor's drafts VII-1-4 4 volumes 1846-1849, 1854-1861, 1864-1868 City drafts VII-5 1 volume 1865-1868 Ledgers VII-6-13 8 volumes 1835-1868 Cashbooks VII-14-19 6 volumes 1846-1858, 1862-1869 Notes and Bonds Payable to the City of Roxbury VII-20-22 3 volumes 1830-1867 Journal VII-23 1 volume 1865-1868 Trial Balance VII-24 1 volume 1865-1868 Appropriations VII-25 2 volume 1831-1837, 1865-1867 Forest Hills Cemetery ledger VII-26 1 volume 1858-1868 Waste book VII-27 1 volume 1866-1867 Daily Cash Settlement VII-28 1 volume 1867 Payroll of Families of Volunteers VII-29-30 2 volumes 1863, 1865-1867 Fire Department Payroll receipt book VII-31 1 volume 1858-1867 Publications Series VIII 27 volumes, 23 folders 1838-1867, 1876 (Bulk, 1838-1867) City Documents VIII-1-21 21 volumes 1847-1867 Municipal Register VIII-22-26 5 volumes 1855, 1859-1862 Auditor: Annual report of the receipts and expenditures 3 1 1838-1842, 1844 Auditor: Annual report of the receipts and expenditures 3 2 1845-1846 Auditor: Annual report of the receipts and expenditures [includes Municipal Register for 1846-1847] VIII-27 1 volume 1847 Auditor: Annual report of the receipts and expenditures 3 3 1850 School: Annual reports 3 4 1851, 1853-1854 School: Annual reports 3 5 1855-1857 School: Annual reports 3 6 1858-1860 School: Annual reports 3 7 1861-1863 School: Annual reports 3 8 1864-1867 Annual Appropriations for 1852-1853 3 9 1852 Mayor's Address at Organization of City Government 3 10 1846 April 26 Address of Mayor H.A.S. Dearborn 3 11 1847 April 5 Proceedings on death of John Quincy Adams 3 12 1848 Address by George Putnam at the Consecration of the Cemetery at Forest Hills 3 13 1848 June 28 An Act to Amend the City Charter 3 14 1848 An Address on the Life and Character of the late Mayor H.A.S. Dearborn 3 15 1851 September 3 Inaugural address of Mayor James Ritchie 3 16 1855 January 1 Valedictory Address of Mayor Jacob S. Sleeper 3 17 1858 December 27 Salaries for City Officials 1860-1861 3 18 1860 Address of Mayor William Gaston 3 19 1861 January 7 "The Primary Schools of Roxbury" 3 20 1862 April 23 Address of Mayor George Lewis 3 21 1865 January 2 Reports in Relation to the Annexation of Roxbury to Boston 3 22 1867 Roxbury Centennial: An Account of the Celebration in Roxbury 3 23 1876 November 22