1714 RARE BOSTON 'ROPE MAKER' BLDG. PETITION SELECTMEN JOSEPH PROUT TOWN CLERK For Sale

[COLONIAL BOSTON, ROPE MAKING, SAILING, SELECTMEN, MASSACHUSETTS BAY]
On offer here is a RARE ANDORIGINAL PETITION LETTER TO THE SELECTMEN OF BOSTON REGARDING 'WILLIAM TILLY (TILLEY)' PERMISSION TO BUILD AN ADDITION TO HIS 'WORKHOUSE' FOR 'ROPEMAKING'.
The letter measuring 7.75 in x 8.5 in, is written in old gaul ink on laid paper. It is in excellent condition with the usual folds as one might expect.
This wonderful artifact of early Boston relates town clerk, Joseph Prout (1650 - 1721) indicating to the Selectmen & Justices of the Peace, the intention (or request) of 'William Tilly' (Tilley) to build an addition onto his current workhouse. William Tilley was a Boston ropemaker and was the ancestor of the Tilley's of Norfolk, Virginiawherein they also were engaged in the rope making trade.
The text of the letter reads as follows:
To the worship Her maj(esty)'s Justices of the Peace within the town of Boston. And the Selectmen of the Town.
The Petition of William Tilly jun(r) of Boston Ropemaker sheweth
That your Petitioner being desirous for the better carrying on of his trade, to erect a building of thirtytwo foot long, eighteen foot wide and fourteen foot stud in joyn in addition to ye length of his workehouse there now standing on a piece of land which he hires of Mr Henry Hill abutting on his Ropewalke on the Easterly side of South Street a the south end of Boston the which building will stand seventy feet distant from any other building there now standing.
He therefore prayes the approbation and consent of these Justices and Selectmen that Lycence may be granted him to Erect the s'd building with timber.And your Petitioner shall pray (?)
Boston the 30th day of August 1714Approved by the said Selectmen
Attest Joseph Prout Town Clerk
A fantastic and insightful view into early 18th century Boston. Prout did not yet know Queen Anne had died nearly a month prior (which is why his letter opens with 'Her Majesty'), he wouldn't likely find out she had died for perhaps another 2 weeks.
We've included the image of a map of early Boston (from 1722) in our description (last image) where we believe the general area where Tilley's building would have been built. Observation of the map area shows several 'Ropewalks' due east of 'South Street' but this is only an approximation based on the description given. Tilley is also indicating his building wouldn't be too close to any other buildings because of the risk of fire from the combustible tar soaked ropes that were the ropemakers stock in trade.
Certainly, more research is in order for this document, but it is no doubt an important artifact and perhaps among the earliest indications of building for the 'ropemaking' trade which began in Boston in 1642.

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