Boston (Mass.). Common Council

Organization

Staff Only

Historical note

The City Charter (Chapter 121 of the Acts of 1821) established the form of government as a Mayor; a Board of Aldermen, consisting of eight elected at large; and a Common Council, of forty-eight elected by wards; to be called when conjoined, "the City Council.” The Mayor and Aldermen were vested with the administration of the police, and executive power of the corporation generally, with specific enumerated powers. All other powers belonging to the corporation were vested in the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council exercised by concurrent vote.

Found in 17 Collections and/or Records:

City Council proceedings

Collection

Identifier: 0100.001

Scope and Contents note The City Council proceedings includes official records of the Board of Aldermen, 1822-1909; the Common Council, 1822-1909; and the City Council, 1910-2016 with gaps. This collection has been divided into 5 series: Series I - Board of Aldermen; Series II - Common Council; Series III - City Council; Series IV - Published minutes; and Series V - Dockets filed separately. The Board of Aldermen series includes minutes of the meetings of the Aldermen from 1822-1909; indexed minutes...

Dates: 1822-2016

Found in: City of Boston Archives

City Council reports and publications

Series

Identifier: 0100.015

Dates: 1804-1990 with gaps

Found in: City of Boston Archives

Common Council badge

Item — Box SB - 025: [Barcode: 00000482]

Identifier: 0100.011

Scope and Contents note

Badges were issued to members of the Common Council. Includes badge of Lyman H. Bigelow who served on the Common Council in 1884.

Dates: 1884

Found in: City of Boston Archives

Final proceedings of the Common Council, 1875

Item — Publications PB 009

Dates: Other: 1875

Found in: City of Boston Archives / City Council reports and publications

Final proceedings of the Common Council, 1876

Item — Publications PB 009

Dates: Other: 1876

Found in: City of Boston Archives / City Council reports and publications

Final proceedings of the Common Council, 1877

Item — Publications PB 009

Dates: Other: 1877

Found in: City of Boston Archives / City Council reports and publications

Final proceedings of the Common Council, 1866

Item — Publications PB 009

Dates: Other: 1866

Found in: City of Boston Archives / City Council reports and publications

Objects

Collection

Identifier: 0300.003

Scope and Contents

Objects kept in the custody of the City Clerk. Includes a gold pen belonging to the Clerk of the Common Council from 1845, the baton used by the Chief Marshals at the parades celebrating the 250th and 350th anniversary of the settlement of Boston, the city seals of Boston, Roxbury and Hyde Park, a minor's bootblack badge and a minor's newsboy badge.

Dates: circa 1845-1980

Found in: City of Boston Archives

Personal records of Members of the Board of Aldermen and Common Council 1861-1890

Collection

Identifier: 0300.013

Scope and Contents note The Record Commissioners during the years 1891-1894 compiled the “Personal Records” of the members of the Board of Aldermen and Common Council. The collection includes forms from members of the City Councils from 1861-1890. Gaps do exist throughout this span. The publication “A Catalogue of the city councils of Boston, Roxbury, Charlestown…” printed by order of the City Council, 1909 contains a list of all the members of the City Councils from 1822-1909 with a biographical notes number....

Dates: compiled circa 1891-1894

Found in: City of Boston Archives