1715 Acts and Laws – An Act for Erecting of a Powder-House in Boston

1715 Acts and Laws – An Act for Erecting of a Powder-House in Boston.  Printed by Bartholomew Green, Jr. , Boston, 1715. This law was passed by the “Great and General Court or Assembly of His Majesty’s Province of Massachusetts…”  “Whereas the Confiscation of Powder kept in Houses and Ware-houses, has not been found sufficient to Deter Men from so keeping the same. to the great discouragement and damage of such as assist in times of Fire, to endeavour the Extinguishing thereof.”  Much more.  This section from a period bound book contains pages 259 – 268, and has a number of acts relating to Massachusetts Bay Colony : Acts to prevent the -Oppression of Debtors, –  preventing damage to Housing within several towns, – against counterfeiting Bills of Credit, -encouraging the killing of Wolves, -unnecessary journying of the Representatives, and more acts.  All established under the reign of William & Mary.

Printed by Bartholomew Green, Jr., Boston, during the period George II. George II came into power in 1727 -1760.   I believe these laws, going back to the reign of William & Mary, were reprinted by Green prior to 1760, for use by the Colony, and to serve as a record of acts and laws established under British rule, or for use by towns and lawyers, etc.. The reason I say this is due to where I purchased this section above. Another section I did not purchase was a 1718 Act, page no 311.  There is no way these acts could be that close together over a 3 year period.  Regardless, an important piece.

In researching where this powder house was located, I found in a recent publication on Powder Houses of New England, a 1722 map of Boston, and found this powder house built on the Boston Common. (see photos).  Certainly, more research is needed.  A great period document concerning old world Boston.

Very good, with some small tears, torn page in back due to removal from a bound volume.