[28] The selectmen in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, were Charles C. Bearse, Ebenezer Bacon, and Joseph R. Hull. The town-clerk and town-treasurer during the same period was Frederick G. Kelley. 1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 4th of May, at which it was—
Voted, To pay each volunteer belonging to Barnstable, ‘who has enlisted, or may enlist, in the service of the United States, whether upon the land or upon the sea,’ the sum of forty dollars to aid them ‘in fitting for the service.’ Voted, To support the families of those who enlist and are citizens of Barnstable ‘during the whole time the head of the family is actually employed in the service.’ Voted, To appropriate one thousand dollars, ‘to be placed at the disposal of the Governor of the State for the assistance of the troops of the State,’ and that the selectmen notify the Governor ‘at once’ that the money is subject to his order.1862. On the 21st of July, it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist in the military service for the term of three years, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town, and one hundred dollars when he shall be honorably discharged, ‘or to his lawful heirs,’ whether they belong ‘to the town of Barnstable or not.’ It was also voted to pay ten dollars extra ‘to each of the first twenty-four persons who may volunteer from Barnstable.’ The selectmen were authorized to borrow whatever sums of money might be necessary for the payment of these bounties; also five thousand dollars for State aid to the families of volunteers, as provided by act of the Legislature, sec. 1, chapter 66, of the acts of 1862. August 16th, It was voted ‘to pay each volunteer for three years military service one hundred dollars, when mustered in and credited to the quota of Barnstable, and fifty dollars to him, or his legal representatives, at the expiration of the term for which he enlisted.’ The following resolutions were read, and unanimously adopted:—
