The Record Commissioners herewith submit the seventh volume of the publications issued under the authority and at the expense of the City of Boston. It is a continuation of the Town Records from the point at which their second printed volume closed, and includes all the records from March 11th, 1660-1, to March 10th, 1700-1. Up to this latter date the records of town meetings were kept with those of meetings of the Selectmen; from this date they are in separate books. It seemed best to close this report at the point of division, in order that hereafter the Town Records may be printed in one series, and the Selectmen's Records in another. It is unnecessary to point out the value of the volume here presented to the public, but attention may be called to the careful "Index of Places and Subjects," prepared by Mr. John T. Priest, assistant City Clerk, by which reference to the valuable records is so greatly facilitated. The Commissioners have the material prepared for a volume of the earliest records of births, deaths, and marriages, contained in the records of the Town Clerk and of the First Church, which will be sent to press forthwith. It is also their intention to continue the publication of the Town Records, believing that no more important duty can be found. As this volume has been stereotyped, it will be always possible to supply copies to all persons having any reasonable claim. WILLIAM H. WHITMORE, CITY HALL, BOSTON, December, 1881. |