Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

[239] meeting-house of the First Parish. It is understood that some members of that Parish expressed a natural unwillingness to have their house of worship used for the transaction of secular business, and especially for the indulgence and expression of angry passions. After the close of this unpleasant meeting, some of the citizens discussed the propriety of erecting a house sufficiently large to accommodate the voters, so that there might be no further occasion to use the church; and it very naturally occurred to them that if such a house should be erected, it would be well to place it where it would best accommodate the whole town.¹ The result was the insertion of an article in the Warrant for the next town-meeting, Nov. 1, 1830, “to see if the town will erect a Town-house on the Almshouse lot, or some other suitable spot, as prayed for by John Cook and others.” This article was referred to a committee consisting of three prominent citizens in each section of the town, to wit: Samuel P. P. Fay, Royal Makepeace, John Cook, Stephen Higginson, Asahel Stearns, Levi Farwell, William Parmenter, Samuel S. Green, and Ephraim Buttrick. This committee reported, March 7, 1831, “that, having considered the subject, it is, in their opinion, expedient that a town-house should be erected on the easterly part of the almshouse lot in the parish of Cambridgeport, as more central to the population of the town than the present house, and that a house sufficient to accommodate the town may be built for a sum not exceeding $2,000: that when such house shall be finished, all town meetings should be held therein from and after that time.” The report was accepted; and Levi Farwell, Luther S. Cushing, and William Parmenter were appointed as a committee “to report a suitable location, prepare plans, and report estimates for a town-house.” At the next town meeting, April 4, 1831, the committee recommended that the town-house be erected at the northeasterly corner of the Almshouse lot,² and presented a plan of an edifice, drawn by Asher Benjamin, and estimated to cost $2,505. The town accepted the report, elected a building committee, consisting of John Chamberlin, Luther S. Cushing, and William Parmenter, and authorized the Treasurer to pay the bills therefor, not exceeding the sum of $3,000. Subsequently an additional appropriation of $1,300 was made. The total expense, including $296.09 for furniture and $145.13 for fencing the lot, was $4,351.19. In asking for estimates, the