[117]
Expenses.
The first book kept by the Treasurer is lost. From the second, which begins in 1729, and others of later date, the following items of expenses are taken. The modern modes of book-keeping were not known to our fathers. There were sometimes two or three rates made in a year, varying from £ 20 to £ 200. The money collected by the Constable was paid into the treasury; but the accounts of the Treasurer were not examined until a new Treasurer was chosen. Then a Committee was appointed to examine the accounts, and transfer the books. A natural consequence of such book-keeping was, that the accounts of one year ran into those of the next; and, thus mixed up, the items of several years were summed up in one footing. After 1775, more regularity obtained. Another fact should be noticed in the following accounts,--the bewildering depreciation in the value of money. For fluctuations in the currency, see the tables.| Samuel Brooks, Treasurer from 1729 to 1732. | Old Tenor. | |||
| Amount paid for town-expenses, 3 years | £1,446 | 9 | 1 | |
| Ebenezer Brooks, Treasurer from 1735 to 1743. | ||||
| Amount paid for town-expenses, 8 years | 2,265 | 0 | 7 | |
| Benjamin Parker, Treasurer from 1743 to 1749. | ||||
| Amount paid for town-expenses, 6 years | 4,886 | 10 | 1 | |
| Aaron Hall, Treasurer from 1761 to 1767. | Lawful Money. | |||
| Amount paid for town-expenses | $674 | 19 | 7 | |
| James Wyman, Treasurer from 1767 to 1771. | ||||
| Amount paid for town-expenses, 4 years | 2,162 | 12 | 2 | |
