Medfield Town

School Committee

FIRST PARISH, East Medway (Trinitarian). Organized Fob. 3, 1718 - Pastor, Rev. E. 0. Jameson, settled Nov. 15, 1871; Deacons, Elbridgo Clark, William Daniels, Horatio Jones; Clerk of Society, Georgo B. Fisher; Clerk of Church, William Daniels; Treasurer, Elisha A. Jones; Parish Committee, J. D. Clark, Horatio Jones, Edwin Metcalf. Number of members, 136. Supt. of Sunday School, William Daniels. 226 teachers and scholars.

EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, (Medway Village.) Organized 1S37. Pastor, Rev. Rufus K. Harlow, settled Feb. 13, 1872; Deacons, .Milton M. Fisher, John W. Richardson; Clerk of Society, Fred. L. Fisher; Clerk of Church, R. K. Harlow; Treasurer, Francis Cummings; Parish Committee, Edward Eaton, George W. Ray, Orion A. Mason. Numbor of members, 232. Supt. of Sunday School, Fred. L. Fisher. 15 teachers, 1C0 scholars.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (West Medway). Organized 18B0. - Pastor, Rev. Loranus Crowell, settled April, 1874; Stewards, Samuel Bancroft, William Croasy, J. T. Greenwood, Charles Cole, Charles Ford; Clerk of Society and Church, John T. Greenwood; Treasurer, Sylvanus J. Lawrence. Number of members, 95. Supt. of Sunday School, Aaron Brigham. 12 teachers, 115 scholars.

Quinlan, Ilolliston. Number of members, 800. Supt. of Sunday School, Patrick Connolly. 12 scholar?. ST. CLEMENT'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, (East Medway). - This has a chapel, but no legally organized society, and no pastor.

FIRST EVANGELICAL SOCIETY (Trinitarian). Organized 1678. - Rev. Wm. C. Reed supplies; Deacons, Stillman L. Tucker, William II. Balkam, John A. Tucker; Clerk of Society, William II. Balkam; Clerk of Church, Stillman L. Tucker; Treasurer, John A. Tucker; Parish Committee, Stillman L. Tucker, Samuel Cook; Number of members, 90. Supt. of Sunday School, Herbert B. Tucker. 10 teachers, GO scholars.

SECOND EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY (E. Milton). Organized Juno 18, 1S4G. - Rev. Robert F. Gordon has supplied since Sept., 1875; Deacon, Simeon Emerson; Clerk of Church and Society, Simeon Emerson; Treasurer, Nathaniel II. Beals; Parish Committee, Nathaniel II. Reals, E. B. Andrews, Orrin A. Andrews. Number of members, 25. Supt. of Sunday School, Rev. Rubt. F. Gordon. 10 teachers, 00 scholars.

Religious Societies

Nathan Parker; Parish Committee, Nathan Parkor, Levi Ladd, John J. Morgan. Number of members, 71. Supt. of Sunday School, Nelson S. Read. 13 teachors, 100 scholars.

UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF GRANTVILLE. Organized Feb. 8, 1871. - Pastor, Rev. Albert B. Vorse, settled May 5, 1871; Clerk, Charles Gavett; Treasurer, Rebecca Eaton; Parish Committee, John W. Shaw, Rebecca Eaton, David C. Perrin, Harriet P. Lane, William Ilenshaw. Number of rnoinbers, 25. Supt. of Sunday School, the Pastor. 5 teachers, 40 scholars.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY (Trinitarian). Organized 173G. - Pastor, Rev. Joseph P. Bixby, settled Oct. 1, 18GG; Deacons, Lewis II. Rhoades, Samuel Morrill; Clerk and Treasurer of Society, Francis Tinker; Clerk of Church, Pastor; Parish Committee, Sidney E. Morse, David S. Fogg, William Williamson. Number of members, 145. Supt. of Sunday School, Francis O. Winslow. 20 teachers, 165 scholars.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. Organized 1828. - Pastor, Rev. George Hill, settled Feb. 1, 1865; Deacons, Willard Gay, John E. Hartshorn; Clerk and Treasurer of Society, Lewis Day; Clerk of Church, Charles E. Pond; Parish Committee, Abijah Whcelock, Charles E. Pond, William II. Pond. Number of members, 50. Supt. of Sunday School, Charles E. Pond. 17 teachers, 142 scholars.

NORWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH. Organized 1858. - Rev. I. II. Gilbert has supplied since Sept., 1870; Deacon and Clerk, Francis M. Baker; Church Committee, Henry C. Morso, S. B. Puilen, T. F. Guy; Treasurer, Henry B. Baker. Number of members, 75. Supt. of Sunday School, Edwin A. Morse. 9 teachers, 45 scholars.

ST. CATHERINE'S (Roman Catholic). Organized 1865. - Pastor, Rev. John P. Brennan, Rev. D. J. O'Donovan, Assistant. Number of members in the Parish of Dedham and Norwood, 1800. Supt. of Sunday School, Rov. D. J. O'Donovan. 6 teachers, GO children.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY (Unitarian). Organized 1639. - No settled pastor; Clerk of Society, Wm. F. Whitney; Treasurer, J. F. Faxon; Parish Committee, John Q. A. Field, Horace B. Spear, Charles H. Porter; Supt. of Sunday School, Charles A. Rowland. 30 teachers, 200 scholars.

CHRIST CHURCH (Episcopal). Organized 1704. - Rector, Rev. Reginald H. Howe, settled Dec. 1, 1871; Wardens, William L. Wainwright, Braintree, and William Greenough, Quincy; Vestrymen, Charles F. Shimmin, of Ilingham, Peter Butler, of Quincy, Samuel G. Wyman, of Baltimore, Arthur L. Walker, of Braintree, G. S. Coffin, of Quincy ; Clerk and Treasurer, William Greenough. Communicants, ICO. Supt. of Sunday School, The Rector. 9 teachers, 120 scholars.

FIRST DNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. Organized March 10, 1831. - Pastor, Rev. George Wallace Whitney, settled April 1, 1872; Clerk of Society, John Moore; Clerk of Church, Tho Pastor; Treasurer, Urbane Cudworth, Jr. ; Parish Committee, Ebonozer Bent, William II. Parker, Richard G. Elliot. Number of members, 76. Supt. of Sunday School, John Otis Hall. 24 teachers, 135 scholars.

METHODIST CHURCH, Quincy Point. Organized 1831. - Pastor, Rev. S. L. Beiler, settled April 1, 1875; Clerk of Society and Treasurer, E. S. Starbuck, Sr.; Parish Committee, E. S. Starbuck, Jr., J. E. Hall, Clarence Sampson. Number of members, 50. Supt. of Sunday School, E. S. Starbuck, Jr. 16 teachers, 125 scholars.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH (Roman Catholic). Pastor, Rev. Francis A. Frigugliotti, settled Feb., 1868. Number of members, St. John's Church with St. Mary's, 2,200. Supt. of Sunday School, Cornelius Moynahan. 30 teachers, 250 scholars.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, West Quincy (Roman Catholic). - Pastor, Rev. Francis A. Fri"uglietti, settled Feb., 1868. Number of members, as above. 20 teachers in Sunday School, 200 scholars.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCB (Wollaston Heights). Organized July 13, 1871. - Pastor, Rov. Charlos II. Rowo, settled April 1, 1874; Deacons, Howard Gannett, Jones Howe, Josiah Sparrow; Clerk of Society and Church, W. W. Marple; Treasurer, Hi. ward Gannett; Parish Committee, Pastor, Deacons, Lucius A. Elliot, Thomas B. Emery, W. W. Marplo. Number of members, 71. Supt. of Sunday School, Howard Gannett. 14 teachers, 100 scholars.

Religious Societies

Steward, Mayo P. Fuller; Treasurer of Board of Trustees, Enoch II. Doble; Treasurer of Church, M. P. Fuller. Number of members, 30; Supt. of Sunday School, Thomas Craig. 20 teachers and officers, 150 scholars.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Wollaston Heights). Organized Jan., 1874. - Pastor, Rev. Mark Trafton; Clerk of Society, Henry Braden; Treasurer, Benjamin C. Barbour. Number of members, 25. Supt. of Sunday School, Henry Braden. 5 teachers, 40 scholars.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Wollaston Heights (Trinitarian). Organized Nov. 11, 1874. - Pastor, Rev. Francis N. Zabriskie, settled Sept. 15, 1870; Deacons, Annes A. Lincoln, Joseph W. Lovett; Clerk of Society and Collector, W. W. Betnis; Treasurer, A. A. Lincoln, Jr.; Assessors, William W. Beinis, Alfred W. Sprague, Horace A. Pinkham, John P. Haynes, Joseph W. Lovett. Number of members, 30. Supt. of Sunday School, A. A. Lincoln, Jr. 10 teachers, 80 scholars.

Randolph

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Orthodox). Organized May 28, 1731. - Pastor, Rev. John C. Labaree, settled Dec. 14, 18G5; Deacons, Oliver II. Leach, Joseph Graham; Clerk of Society and Treasurer, Alfred W. Whitcomb; Clerk of Church, John V. Beal; Parish Committee, Royal W. Turner, J. White Belcher, Benjamin Dickerman. Number of members, 106. Supt. of Sunday School, George H. Wilkins. 23 teachers, 200 scholars.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. Organized 1819. - Pastor, Rev. Joseph C. Foster, settled Dec, 1872; Deacons, Daniel Alden, Austin Roel, Aaron A. Prescott, John May, Clerk of Church and Treasurer, Nathaniel Howard; Parish Committee, Seth Mann, 2d, Adoniram Smith, Charles Prescott. Number of members, 249. Supt. of Sunday School, John May. 17 teachers, 200 scholars.

ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Organized Dec. 1, 1848. - Pastor, Rev. James E. O'Brien, settled June 19, 1873; Treasurer, Rev. James E. O'Brien. Number of members, 1,S00 in Randolph and Holbrook. Supt. of Sunday School, William Campbell, 35 teachers, 400 scholars.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY (Trinitarian). Organized Dec. 14, 1825. - Pastor, Rev. John Herbert, settled Dec. 21, 187G; Deacons, Ebenozer Drake, Nathaniel Gay; Clerk of Society, Levi M. Flint; Clerk of Church, William D. Ward; Treasurer of Society, John A. Sawyer; Treasurer of Church, Levi M. Flint; Parish Committee, Calvin P. Guild, William D. Ward, Edwin M. Norton. Number of members, 132. Supt. of Sunday School, Levi M. Flint. 22 teachers, 196 scholars.

CHURCH* OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Roman Catholic). Organized 1854. - Pastor, Rev. Thomas Norris, settled Juno 23, 1872. Number of members, 800. Supt. of Sunday School, Rev. Thomas Norris. 12 toachers, 100 scholars.

Source changes here: from History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, by Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Ed, published 1884; 9,257 words in this source stream.

Medfield Town

Pearl and High Streets, near their old quarters, and, in order to keep pace with the demands of their trade, they purchased and fitted for their use the meetinghouse situated near their factory. At present theirs ranks among the largest factories of Eastern Massachusetts, and they turn out weekly from six to nine hundred cases of goods.

In 1880 they still further enlarged their business by securing a factory in Great Falls, N. H., one hundred and seventy-five feet long, three stories in height, and capable of turning out fifteen hundred pairs of shoes per day. In 1885 they secured a large factory in Boston, where they can produce from two to three thousand pairs of boots per day. The productions of this firm rank as standard goods throughout the United States.

passed through so many severe ordeals, met with so many heavy losses, and yet paid at all times and in full all obligations. While phenomenally successful from a business point of view, Mr. White has always been liberal and public-spirited, and has found time to fill honorably and creditably many positions of public trust. He has held many town offices, and twice represented his district in the State Legislature. In politics he was a Whig in ante-bellum days, and since the organization of the Republican party he has always given his support to that party.

Mr. White has done much toward making Holbrook the beautiful village it is, and is justly regarded by the citizens of that place as one of their benefactors.

TuIs region of country lying to the southwest of Boston was, when first known to white men, the home of several Indian tribes. Among these were the Naticks, the Neponsets, and to the westward of Norfolk County, the Nipmucks. These tribes were at the beginning of their acquaintance with the English settlers quite friendly to them ; indeed, when John Oldham and three others, in 1633, went overland as friendly disposition existing among the Indians all along his journey. It was only after the encroachments of the whites upon their domain, and after some wrongs committed by the English, that the temper of the Indians toward them suffered a change. The aboriginal tribes scattered over this part of the country were known under the general designation of '"' Massachusetts; and Charles River was at first known There is no account extant of any exploration of Charles River Valley during the first decade after the establishment of the Bay colony, though doubtless it was not long before adventurous pioneers became acto Englishmen as the ' Massachusetts River."

The territory south and east of Charles River was claimed by the tribe of the Neponsets, whose domain included the river of that name. Their sachem, Chickatabot, was very friendly to the English from the first, forming treaties and agreements with both the Plymouth and Bay colonies. About 1632, William Pynchon, of Boston, afterwards of Springfield, purchased of Chickatabot the territory lying between Charles River and Neponset River, The town of Medfield was included in that purchase, together with several other towns of Norfolk County as far south as the Rhode Island line ; though the southern boundaries of that purchase were very indefinite, and misunderstanding arose between the settlers and the Indians many years afterwards. It is doubtful if the limits were very clearly defined at the time of purchase, as, in 1635, the colonial government called for any persons who were present at the time of the purchase, or who knew where the boundaries were, to come forward and testify. There was no response, great numbers of the Indians having been swept off by the smallpox in 1633, among them the sachem, Chickatabot.

Dedham was incorporated in 1636, and included 'all the lands on the easterly and southerly side of Charles River not formerly granted to any Towne or particular person." Roxbury had been already set off from the Pynchon purchase, and Dedham, when it was founded, appears to have taken in all that was left of it, or the territory of nine or ten of the present towns of Norfolk County.

Medfield was a part of Dedham for fifteen years, but this part of the town is seldom mentioned in the early recordsof Dedham. Special attention seems to have been first drawn to this region on account of the wide expanse of meadows lying along Charles River, and at the mouths of its tributary streams near this place. The name given by the aborigines to the valley of Charles River above Natick, for several as were most words in the ancient papers and records. | side of the river, so including the river and the wide From all that we can gather, the name seems to have | meadows on both sides.

of their township as Boggestow ; sometimes designating it as " lying near Boggestow."' In 1642, Dedham granted to one of its citizens a farm of three hundred and fifty acres, "to lie in or about that place called Boggestow, or not far from thence." This farm

A petition was sent to the General Court for a grant of land on the west side, four miles north and south by three miles east and west, which was granted and laid out. This land, which was long called " the old grant," corresponds very nearly to what is now East Medway. After this petition was granted, the having been made upon it. The meadows in those days being much dryer than at present, and being kept clear of bushes by the annual fires of the Indians, produced great quantities of | grass of such quality that it was very highly valued | by the early settlers, as it furnished an available supply of fodder for their cattle during the winter seasons. This was probably one of the chief inducements to men to look for a place of settlement in this immediate vicinity.

many persons have supposed that this part of Dedham had been previously overspread by settlers, and these "set off" as is the case now when new towns are formed. erected here in'those days, except, perhaps, a cowpen and a rude shelter for the keeper of the herds that found pasturage here during the summer ; as we read in very early records of "herd-house plain," which was the level stretch of land lying along the Dedham road a-mile east of the present village. It is also spoken of as " the cow-pen."

Settlement. - The first known movement for the formation of a new settlement here was made in 1649. It was started by Dedham men, though they were soon joined in the enterprise by people from other three miles east and west. This grant from Dedham corresponds very nearly (perhaps exactly) with the present extent of the town of Medfield. It is described as being in the '' west end of the bounds: of Dedham next Boggestow." The men authorized by the town of Dedham to lay it out accomplished their work in the spring of 1650. The orders of the court in regard to the laying out of the land on the west side of the river were also obeyed about the same time by Robert Kayne and Edward Jackson. At the acceptance of their report by the General Court, in May, it is stated that the court, in answer to the request of the inhabitants of Dedham, " doe order that it shalbe called [Meadfield]." The brackets seem to indicate that the name had not then been decided upon, but that it was afterwards inserted. Various conjectures have been offered as to the reason for the selection of the name for the new town. One is that the open field where the village was afterwards built, lying on the way from Dedham to the Boggestow meadows and very near them, was called the '" meadow field," and hence ' Meadfield." Another is that, as there were open fields in the north and south parts of the town, the plain where the settlement was commenced, lying midway between them, was called the '' mid field." The most probable reason is that the towns of Medfield and Dedham in Old England, lying near each other, and many of the early settlers coming from that vicinity, the towns were named by them in honor of their former homes. We know that this was the case with Dedham, and there is little doubt that the name of this town was adopted for a similar reason.

It was decided at a Dedham town-meeting that "in consideration of their town rights in the meadows," the settlers should pay that town the sum of one hundred pounds. This was afterwards reduced to fifty pounds, but it goes to show in what estimation the meadows were held at that time. Nothing is said of the value of the rest of the land that was set off.

town of Dedham to manage all affairs relating to the "erecting, disposing, and government of the said village" of Medfield. It consisted of Ralph Wheelock, Thomas Wight, Robert Hinsdell, Henry Chickering, John Dwight, Peter Woodward, and Eleazar Lusher. The first three were men foremost in the new settlement; the next three were men who proposed to stay in and act for the town of Dedham; and Eleazar Lusher was clerk of the town and kept the record of proceedings until the new town was fully recognized.

The "society for removing to Medfield" was organized by the signing of a curious agreement, probably drawn up by Ralph Wheelock, the " founder of Med- | field." This agreement provided, (1) That all per- | sons receiving grants of land from the new town should become subject to all rightful orders of town | government; (2) that all questions or differences - between them should be settled by reference or arbitration without carrying matters into court; (3) | that no person should be allowed to become a townsman but such as were honest, peaceable, and free from scandal and erroneous opinions; (4) that none of the inhabitants for seven years to come should let any | piece of land received by grant from the town for the | space of a year together, except by consent of the | unknown. names are appended signed it years afterwards, at the time they were accepted as townsmen; and some who | signed at the beginning never removed to the new | settlement.

It was provided that no man's house-lot should exceed twelve or fall short of six acres; its size, between these limits, to be determined by his wealth and the size of his family. Also, that all who received houselots should be settled at Medfield before the end of May, 1651, and that no person should receive lands but those who intended to become actual settlers. The first highways were established preparatory to | rendering the town capable of being suitably laid out in house-lots ; but all records of those earliest high- ) There was a bridge built across |

Charles River near the present town farm; a road from it eastward through the town to Dedham. Itis impossible now to tell on which side of Mount Nebo | From this road, at the centre of | the town, a road ran northerly, now North Street, and |

The first thirteen house-lots were laid out June 19, 1650. These were scattered along Main, North, Green, Frairy, South, and Philip Streets. The first thirteen settlers were Ralph Wheelock, John Ellis, Samuel Bullen, Daniel Morse, James Allen, Joseph Clark, Francis Hamant, John Turner, John Frairy, Timothy Dwight, Robert Hinsdale, Thomas Wight, and John Wight. near the village grew only along the brook, and strict orders were made in regard to the use of them, they having been reserved for the use of the town.

Dedham surrendered its jurisdiction to the settlers above named Jan. 11, 1651, and in May of the same year the town was incorporated by act of the General Court, the forty-third in the colony in the order of During these months accessions to

The first minister of Medfield was Rev. John Wilson, Jr., who commenced his pastorate in December, 1651. He built his house where the town hall now Public worship was conducted at the houses of the settlers for the first two or three years.

The first family to remove to their Medfield home was that of Samuel Bullen, whose house stood near The first mill was built by George Barber in 1652. It stood on Mill Brook, a little way below where it is crossed by Elm Street. It was sold the same year to Henry Adams, and a few years af-

The first meeting-house was commenced about It was a small, plain building, with a thatched roof, and stood where the Unitarian house of worship now stands. It was not completed and furnished till 1656.

The meadows were laid out in grants to the owners of house-lots in 1652, and the following year the lands easily accessible to cultivation were also divided, according to the rules of division, - that is, by persons and estates, each member of the household being appraised at ten pounds. The same year the town clerk commenced his records of births, deaths, and marriages, and the town has an unbroken record from that year down to the present.

In 1653 Mr. Wheelock took up a contribution in this town in aid of Harvard College. The same year we have a record of certain men being chosen to burn the woods. The custom of burning over all the waste lands in November of each year, which was derived from the aborigines, was continued for many years by the settlers, in order that the underbrush on the public lands might not prevent the pasturage of cattle upon them.

sections of the town and on both sides of the river, adopting orders in regard to fences and bounds, to the yoking and ringing of swine, and providing the town with a " pair of stocks."

Our territory west of the river was enlarged in 1659 by what was called the '" new grant," two miles east and west, and four miles north and south. It is

Holliston. All owners of house-lots shared in this land, it being mostly laid out in large parcels of from fifty to one hundred and fifty acres each. Soon after this date men began to settle on the west side of the river.

Frairys removed to the Connecticut Valley. At about the same date a post-road from Boston to Hartford was established, and a way laid out from Medfield to Mendon; and the business of tanning leather was commenced by Samuel Rockwood, near the present railroad junction in the north part of the tne Indian War. - The year 1676 is memorable for King Philip's war and the burning of the town. In the hostilities of the previous summer Mendon had been abandoned, leaving Medfield the frontier town in this direction. After the great fight at the Narragansett swamp in December, the Indians formed themselves into small bands for the purpose of falling upon remote and defenseless settlements. On the 10th of February they attacked Lancaster, burned the town, and carried its inhabitants into captivity. On the reception of the news, Mr. Wilson addressed a letter to the Governor and Council containing an urgent and pathetic appeal for aid. He states that Capt. Oakes had just arrived from Lancaster, and reported the Indians apparently bending their course towards this place. In answer to this appeal the Governor sent a hundred or so of soldiers during the

| week, who were quartered upon the inhabitants in different parts of the town. Signs of the approaching enemy were discovered on the 20th, and a watch was In spite of this precaution, about the houses and in the out-buildings, and when the watch was taken off, at daybreak, they commenced firing houses and barns in every direction. The soldiers, scattered as they were, could do but little against the enemy for a time; but as soon as the people were fairly aroused they fired the cannon as a signal to Dedham, at which the Indians, taking fright, retreated over the bridge across the river, setting the Across the river, ona hill, in full view of the burning buildings, they hada

£2 As. 2d. In 1672, John Awashamog (Indian), of Natick, laid claim to our territory west of Charles River. settled by the payment to him of twenty-one pounds. It would seem by this that the region now Medway was originally the possession of the Natick tribe. Sixty-two persons at Medfield subscribed various sums in money and produce towards the " new brick college." In

The loss of property was estimated at more than two thousand pounds, and it is said that '"' seventeen or eighteen person were slain or mortally wounded, besides others dangerously hurt."

Notice of the attack was immediately sent to the Governor, who at once dispatched another company of soldiers hither ; but not finding the enemy, It is by no means Philip was near this place at the of the war, tell us that Medfield was destroyed by Monaco, who boasted of the deed at Groton, and at the same time threatened many other places. He was executed at Boston the following September. Mr. Wilson's house was open to care for the wounded soldiers who were obliged to remain here, some of them | born. They lingered in small force. around this vicinity for some time afterwards, and small parties of soldiers went out to hunt Indians during the summer. But after Philip's death, in August, they were seen no more, though alarms were given for several years afterwards, which caused the people here great uneasiness, but no disasters followed beyond the burning of a mill at Rockville.

The General Court granted some little relief to the sufferers by this calamity, chiefly in the way of remitting taxes. It was several years before the town recovered from the stroke; but most of the houses One of the mills destroyed was that of Henry Adams, before referred to, and the other was a mill on Boggestow Brook, now in Medway. »#

In 1680, the first resident physician of whom we have any record, Dr. Return Johnson, built his house on North Street. He practiced medicine here upwards of twenty years.

In 1685, Josias, grandson of Chickatabot, asserted a claim to the land embraced within the limits of Medfield ; the town settled with him by the payment The land had been already paid for by Mr. Pynchon, but as no deed could be found the matter was compromised.

Mr. Wilson, the first minister of Medfield, died in 1691, and it was not till six years afterwards that his successor, Rev. Joseph Baxter, was settled. At that date, 1697, the membership of the Parish Church was A

The Black Swamp lands were laid out in 1702, to the '" proprietors," of whom there were now one hundred and twenty-three. Of these at least twenty-seven lived west of the river.

modation of the people ; it was removed in 1706, and replaced by a new one on the same spot, which stood eighty-three years. of that house. We know that in it the men were required to sit on one side, and the women on the other.

deed, at the time the new meeting-house was built, those living west of the river were promised a refunding of half the amount paid by them in case a meeting-house should be built in that part of the town In 1713, the west side people sent a petition to the General Court; a committee was chosen to visit the place and report, which they did, and they reported in favor of a division of the It was divided by an act of the Legislature, passed October 25th. Since that date, Charles River

Until 1720, but one school had been kept in town, and that at the Centre. At this time it was ordered that a school be kept a part of the time in the north and a part of the time in the south part of the town.

In these days, when there was no artificial heat in the meeting-houses, and those who came from a distance remained through to hear the two sermons, it was common for neighbors to join together and build what was called a '" noon-house" near the meetinghouse, into which they could go between sermons, eat their dinner, and make themselves comfortable. Several of these noon-houses, in old times, stood on the meeting-house common here. That kind of building is described as being some fifteen feet square, opening toward the south, with conveniences for building an open fire at the opposite end.

Medfield sent at least eleven soldiers into the army to fight against the French and Indians in 1722. At this date the town was held to answer for not main- The law required that every town having a hundred householders should maintain a school capable of fitting boys for the college. The selectmen replied that they had but ninety-four families; but the school was established.

The protest of the Medfield meadow owners against the Natick Dam was first made in 1723. The owner of the dam at that time was compelled to remove it on account of its preventing the drainage of the

Mr. Baxter's health declining, the town settled Mr. Jonathan Townsend as his colleague early in 1745; but Mr. Baxter dying in May of the same church, copying into it, evidently from his private papers, the list of members at the beginning of his pastorate, as well as the admissions to the church thereafter. sors.

In early times it is said that shad and alewives ran up Charles River to their breeding grounds. About the middle of the century complaint was made that they were prevented by the obstructions in the river, and this town took action in reference to their removal. same subject as late as 1785.

During the French and Indian war this town furnished its quota of men to serve in the army. In the rolls at the office of the Secretary of State are found the names of forty-five men who served a In 1756, when the unfortunate Acadians were driven from their homes and dispersed through the colonies, several of them were quartered upon Medfield.

Majesty's arms, they protest that they have received a most unkind return, and express the hope that the remonstrances that were about to be made would bring redress. At the same time, the representative is instructed that he is by no means to express an acquiescence, or even a willing submission to the acts of Parliament. The instructions close with these words : " Honor the king, but save the country."

It was voted that these instructions be put on file 'as a memorial to ages yet unborn of the present generation's high sense of the importance of our natural

In 1767, resolutions were adopted discountenancing the use of imported articles, especially articles of luxury, and recommending the encouragement of our In addition, the representative was urged to contribute his part to the " entire aboown manufacturers.

and during the Revolutionary period we discover many indications of a spirit that would hardly have been expected of our quiet, steady-going citizens. After the passage of the Stamp Act, in 1765, Seth Clark, the structions.

Rev. Mr. Townsend resigned his pastorate in 1769, and was succeeded, two years later, by Rev. Thomas Prentiss as pastor of the old parish church.

the non-importation agreement entered into by the truly patriotic merchants of Boston, so far as it may relate to themselves." In 1773 voted that '" the representative of this town be and hereby is instructed to use his best endeavors in the General Assembly to have the full exercise of our just and invaluable rights and liberties restored, secured, and established on a just and constitutional foundation ; also that he use his utmost influence to have a final period put to that most cruel, inhuman, and unchristian practice, the slave trade."

In 1774, the town voted compliance with the agreement and resolves adopted by the Continental Congress which met at Philadelphia in October; also voted that those resolutions be entered on the Med- One hundred and fifty-three Medfield men signed their names as personally complying with The list embraces, with scarcely an exception, the entire voting populafield records. and indorsing those resolutions.

In accordance with one of the resolves, a committee of seven was appointed to observe the conduct of men toward the measures of Congress, and to publish the names of all such as were found hostile to the interests of American liberty.

During the exciting times of 1774-75, town-meetings were held by adjournment from week to week. . A committee of five was chosen as a committee of

By the rolls at the State-House we learn that at the Lexington alarm, Capt. Sabin Mann and his company of twenty-seven minute-men marched from Medfield, April 19, and were in service twelve days. Be- men marched at the same time, though their services were not on that occasion retained. In all, eighty-two men from Medfield took the field at the Lexington alarm.

and Commons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled, have declared their right to bind us in all cases whatsoever. We, therefore, if the Congress declare the colonies independent of Great Britain, will support said declaration with our lives and fortunes." fidelity. They were constantly called upon to furnish men, material, and provisions for the army. From first to last, one hundred and fifty-four men are known to have been in the Revolutionary service, of whom forty-two were in the Continental army.

The parish meeting-house of 1706 was replaced by a new one, on the same spot, in 1789. The principal part of that building, with many changes, is still standing, and is included in the present Unitarian house of worship.

Until the year 1789, from the settlement of the town, Medfield had sent its own representatives. But in that year Dover and Medfield were united in a representative district, and so continued for fortyseven years. With very few exceptions, however, the

A New County. - The agitation which had commenced more than half a century before, and in which this town had taken much interest, as is shown by the action taken in town-meetings at various times, resulted in the formation of Norfolk County in 1793. It was proposed at one time, it is said, to make Medfield the shire-town ; but some of our prudent townsmen objected, on the ground that the practice of visiting the court-room during the trial of cases would be prejudicial to habits of industry in the citizens.

The last effort to levy ministerial taxes upon all the inhabitants, irrespective of religious belief, was made in 1794. Ebenezer Clark was arrested for nonpayment and committed to jail. The town authorities discovered soon after that they had been overhasty in the matter, and went to Boston for the pur- Mr. Clark, however, brought suit for damages, and the defense cost the town sixty dollars.

The first guide-boards in this town were erected in 1795. They were five in number, and placed at the corners of the principal thoroughfares.

At this period it was customary to tax men for any special skill or faculties they possessed, either profes- Twenty-eight men of this town Doctors had to pay fifteen dollars, then came employers, master mechanics, and various craftsmen, including blacksmiths, who gave evidence of the value of their skill by the payment of five dollars.

About 1798 a weekly meeting for reading and conversation was held. It seemed to be a sort of Certain books on political subjects, approved by the society, were read aloud, questions asked, and conversation had on the topics presented. Other subjects might be introduced after the readings

A very earnest petition was sent in from this town to the General Court asking for the passage of a stringent law for the apprehension of thieves. The reasons given were that after the disbanding of the army the country was overrun with vagrants and thieves, from whom this town had suffered much.

At this period, also, there was much interest on the part of our citizens in planting trees by the roadsides. Many of the fine trees by the public highways in various quarters of the town were planted during the succeeding years asa result of this laudable enthusiasm. 'The streets of our town owe very much of

The schools had been established in the different parts of the town for many years, but the district system was adopted, and the district lines drawn, in the year 1800. They continued the same till the abolition of the district system sixty-nine years afterwards.

The straw manufacture, which has since grown to immense proportions, and has been for many years the principal manufacturing industry of the town, was commenced ina small way by Johnson Mason and George Hllis about the year 1801. They kept a common country store on North Street, opposite the head of Dale Street. by sealding and bleaching, and recollections of the long weary hours they spent, day after day, in braiding straw when they were children. This braid was purchased by Mason & Ellis and paid for in goods from their store, put out to be trimmed property of stockholders, who, though supposing it | a paying enterprise at first, realized very little from | it. A line of coaches was run through the town for | the next thirty years. Toll-gates were erected at several points along the way; those who traveled by private conveyance were compelled to take the old The following year a post-office was established here, and was kept at the store on the corner of North Street.

The business of brush-making, an industry new to this part of the country, was started by Artemas Woodward about 1808, in a shop near where the previously carried on cabinet-making, persons, among whom were John W. Adams, John Harmstad, and George M. Smith, subsequently engaged in the same business, which continued to be carried on in this town for many years.

Smith ; another was started by Seth Clark, continued by his son, and by Partridge Holbrook, and was at the place now owned by heirs of Warren Hartshorn, on Main Street ; and still another, for a few years, was kept by Moses Richardson in the east part of the town, at the place now owned by Mr. Bussey. In

1810, David Fairbanks, who was for several years _the prominent business man of Medfield, built the tavern which stood on the site of the present town hall, and which was for*half a century the only pub- Fairbanks also carried on a store at the corner of Main and North Streets, and did a large business besides in manufacturing straw bonnets.

The old school-houses, built about 1760, proving now inadequate, were replaced by new ones. The north and south districts had been provided with suitable buildings about 1803, and a new house was built for the centre district in 1810. " Academy Hall" was added to it as a second story, and was owned by a company who maintained a select school in it for some dozen years or more.

Up to this date from the settlement of the place all matters connected with the parish, the minister, and the meeting-house were settled by vote in town-meeting. The First Congregational parish was at this | time incorporated as a religious society under the laws of the State. _ The first attempt, so far as known, to collect the leading facts in early Medfield history was made by Drs sermon, in 1817. A Sunday-school was started in 1818 by citizens of Medfield, irrespective of church affiliations; and it It continued in that form but one year, after which each church car- ried on a school of its own. Freemasons. - ' Cassia Lodge" of Freemasons was instituted in 1823, and had an existence of "Academy Hall" was purchased The hall was afterwards sold to the town for school purposes. The second town library was started in 1828. It was owned by stockholders, and contained about a In the same year, Eliakim Morse public auction, and struck off to the lowest bidder for musters, which had been occasions of great enthusitheir support. by the town's proportion (seventeen hundred and sixty-three dollars) of the forty millions divided among the States by the general government.

was laid out as a county way by the commissioners. In 1838, Henry Partridge, of Sherborn, bought the old nail-factory property in the east part of the town, and commenced the manufacture of hay- and - manure-forks and similar goods, which had a wide | He continued the business | In 1856 he, with others, |

The old cemetery, which was originally laid out when the town was settled, and which had been periodically cleared of trees and bushes, was in 1843 enlarged by an addition of land on the north and The faced wall next the street was built, the driveways and paths were made, lots laid out, and a and a better system of vrading being desired, as well as more suitable accommodations being needed, in 1844 the Masonic Hall was purchased, and the entire building was repaired and fitted up as a two-room school-house. It remained at the same place where the centre school-house had stood from the first, on North Street, near the corner of what is now called Janes Avenue.

wants, five years afterwards it was enlarged to double its original size. Warren Chenery & Son carried on the manufacture there till 1857, when the large threestory building was erected, which was burned in

Many towns then formed what were termed " independent companies," composed of those who had a taste for military affairs. This town boasted such a company from 1839 to 1847. It was of efficient character and of considerable local note. Among its commanding officers were F. D. Ellis, Isaac Fiske, Moses H. Johnson, John Battelle, and Amos W. Shumway.

The voters were very much excited over the election of a representative to the General Court in 1850. After several ballotings, Jonathan P. Bishop, Esq., was chosen. He took part in the long struggle that the choice of Charles Sumner to the United States Senate, voting persistently for the successful candidate.

Several citizens formed a company, in 1851, for the purpose of introducing the boot and shoe manufacture. The quality of the goods manufactured was excellent, but the business was not successful enough financially

In the same year Walter Janes commenced the manufacture of straw-goods in the old Townsend house, which stood on North Street, nearly opposite the Unitarian Church.

The straw-manufacturing firm of Janes & Curtis commenced business in 1858; the old shop of Mr. Janes was enlarged to more than double its former size. This business arrangement continued till the death of Mr. Janes.

The manufacture of carriages had been commenced by Jacob R. Cushman about 1835. For some time he did all the work with his own hands; but enlarging gradually, he employed several workmen in the different departments of the business. In 1852 the copartnership of Cushman & Baker was formed, and five years later they purchased the mill privilege on Frairy Street, and erected a factory there with other buildings. The factory was burned in 1868 but immediately rebuilt. Business was continued under the same firm-name until the retirement of the senior partner, since which it has been conducted by J. H. Baker & Co. The work of this firm has always had a high reputation for thoroughness and general excellence.

and fitted up for store purposes on the corner of | South Street, and a new building erected for the | schools on Pleasant Street at a cost of about five thou- | sand dollars, which is the building at present occu- | pied as a school-house. |

Various projects for a railroad through this town had been proposed during the preceding twenty years, © but the first railroad communications were opened in 1861, when the Charles River Railroad, as it was then called, was so far completed as to allow trains to run as far as the station in the north part of Medfield.

The War of the Rebellion. - Medfield took an active part in the civil strife of 1861-65. The first volunteer, Allen A. Kingsbury, started at daybreak on the morning after the news of the attack upon our soldiers in Baltimore. He enlisted from Chelsea, and was killed at Yorktown, April 26, 1862. The following men enlisted from this town during the war:

The Straw-Works. - During the same year the copartnership of D. D. Curtis & Co. was formed, the manufacture of straw goods was carried on in the buildings hitherto occupied by Janes & Curtis, until the fire of six years later, when they were destroyed.

way of machinery, etc. The capacity of the factory affords room for six hundred operatives within its walls, and furnishes employment for four hundred Forty thousand cases of goods, of the

Chenery Hall. - By the will of George W. Chenery, a bequest was made to the town of a sum of money to be used in building a town hall. The trustees of that fund allowed it to accumulate for several years, till,

Besides these, several men were procured as substitutes, and at the close of the war it was found that | Medfield had sent eighty-two men into the country's service, and had paid, on account of the war, five thousand five hundred and seventy-one dollars, which, added to the amount paid by individuals, made a total | of about ten thousand dollars.

together with some adjoining land, on which the town hall was built in 1872. In it a room was fitted up as a public library, and by bequests from Deacon George Cummings, and the generous aid of other citizens, a good library was secured, which was thrown open to the public the following spring.

J. H. Gould, afterwards Gould & Stevens, commenced business, in 1872, as dealers in grain, at the Three years later the steam-mill on Park Street was built by D. D. Curtis, when Gould & Stevens removed their business thither. The firm, since Gould & Co., has developed a large wholesale as well as retail trade in flour, grain, meal, and feed, as well as in coal. Their business is among the largest in this line in the

In 1873, Messrs. Clark & Marshall built a factory on Frairy Street for the manufacture of bonnet-wire, where they have since carried on a successful business.

On the 8th of January, 1874, the new town hall was totally destroyed by fire, with the exception of the tower, some portion of which remained; among the contents destroyed was the public library, the fireengine and apparatus, together with the hearse, which was kept in the basement ; also a portion of the town books and records. The safe containing all the most valuable records was, kept, by the heroic exertions of a few of our leading citizens, from falling into the cellar, where its contents must inevitably have been destroyed.

Immediate steps were taken for rebuilding the hall, which was accomplished during the year; and the new hall, though in some respects unequal to the first, is believed on the whole to be more convenient and available for town uses. The library was replaced by gifts from Deacon Cummings, John J. Adams, and many others ; and at his death, Deacon Cummings left one thousand dollars to the public library, the income of which is to be expended yearly for its benefit.

propriate exercises. Addresses were delivered by Rev. C. C. Sewall, Hon. R. R. Bishop, and others, and a poem was read by its author, James Hewins, Esq. The exercises of that occasion have proved the means of awakening a lively interest in the subject of our local history.

Representatives To The General Court

| First Congregational (Unitarian) Church. - The first parish and the town were identical from 1651 down to 1815, and the history of the church during that period has been already given in connection with that of the town. The members of the church in 1815 numbered eighty-seven, and forty were added during Dr. Sanders' ministry.

The records of the church, commenced by Mr. Baxter in 1738, and which had been missing for many years, were discovered at Northfield and returned to the keeping of the church by Dr. Sanders.

In 1827 several members of the old church asked for dismission from that body for the purpose of forming a new church of the orthodox Congregation- | alist belief. A council was called, which reported favorably for the petitioners, and they were dismissed.

In 1839 the old meeting-house, built in 1789, was completely remodeled. face the south instead of the east. The old belfry and porch were removed, and a spire erected about ninety feet high, and a portico with columns added. The interior was modernized, new pulpit and new The house was also raised so that a ves- pews built. try was built underneath. was installed as pastor the same year. ministry twenty members were added to the church. Mr. Robinson resigned in 1850.

Rey. Rushton D. Burr was ordained in 1853. Five members were added during his stay. He having received a call from Marietta, Ohio, he was dismissed from the pastorate here in 18957.

Rev. Solon W. Bush was installed in 1857. In the eight years of his service as pastor twenty-three persons united with the church. He was dismissed in 1865, and became editor of the Christian Register.

mon only, preceded by the Sunday-school, which was enlarged and more perfectly organized at that time. Meetings were also held on Sunday evenings. Wiggin remained till 1873, when, having received a eall to the church in Marlborough, he was dismissed at his own request. While the church was under his an addition was made to the height of the spire, the vestry was much improved, the exterior appearance of the house much changed, and the interior completely modernized and refurnished. The entire cost of these improvements was upwards of six thousand dollars.

For the next three years the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. C. C. Sewall. Pierce became pastor of the church. ceeded in 1882 by Rev. J. N. Pardee.

Baptist Church. - A few persons of Baptist sentiments resided in Medfield at a very early date, and out of the disaffection which arose in the parish church after the settlement of Mr. Townsend several of its members united with a Baptist Church in when a meeting-house was built, - a small, plain building, thirty-one feet square. That house is still standing, and forms a part of the house and shop occupied by Mr. Hoisington. There was occasional preaching in it till 1776, when a church was formed and a pastor settled. The following are the names of the original members: Ebenezer Mason, Dorothy Mason, Asa Mason, Beriah Mason, Hannah Mason,

The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Gair, educated Many additions were made largely from the surrounding towns. The prosperity of the church declined when other churches were formed in those places, and especially when a controversy arose between the pastor and some of the leading members, resulting in the exclusion of one of the In 1787 the church could no longer support a pastor, and Mr. Gair reprincipal resident supporters.

signed to become pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Boston. a settled pastor for twenty-three years, and much of At one time the church numbered but two male members, and it was thought that it would become extinct. But the two male and ten female members were encouraged to continue, and by the help of West Dedham people, who began to attend here in 1808, public worship was not only sustained, but in 1810, Rev. William Gammell was settled as pastor, preaching alternate Sabbaths in Medfield and West Dedham for the next thirteen years.

In 1811, the Baptist society was organized under the laws of the commonwealth. In 1823, the original house was enlarged and improved, and the same year Mr. Gammell resigned, having received a call to the church in Newport, R. I. After his resignation the West Dedham portion of the church withdrew and

In 1824, Rev. Joseph Ballard became acting pastor, in which relation he continued until 1829. Fortyone persons were baptized by him during his ministry.

In the latter year the church erected a new house of worship in a more desirable locality, on the corner of Main and South Streets. It was supplied with a bell, and a half-underground room, according to the fashion of those times, for a vestry.

In 1838, also, Rev. D. W. Phillips was ordained as pastor, who continued in that office for twelve years. added to the church during his pastorate.

He baptized forty-five persons, who were In 1842, the old Baptist parsonage, given to the church in 1778, was sold, anda cottage on Pleasant Street purchased for the use of the ministry.

Rev. Amos Harris was the next pastor, being ordained in 1862. He remained till 1865, when he resigned on account of ill health. twenty-four additions in that time.

Rev. A. W. Carr assumed the pastoral charge at the beginning of 1866, and retained it five years. He baptized twelve. In 1869, the church cast off the forms of a religious society, and itself assumed the entire charge of the support of public worship.

refurnished. The total expense of all these improvements was twelve thousand five hundred dollars, one- | half of which sum was paid by Deacon George

The members of the First Church, whose petition for leave to withdraw for the purpose of forming a new church has been already noticed in the sketch of that church, and which had been granted by the council, organized the Second Congregational Church Feb. 6,

The same year a new religious society was organized under the laws of the State. During the first four years of the existence of this church and society, meetings were held in a small hall which was over the store at the corner of Main and North Streets.

Rev. Arthur Granger was installed as the first pastor in 1831. Previous to this time the church had received an addition of twenty-five members, and during his ministry twenty-four more were added. His pastorate terminated in 1832. The same year a house of worship was built on the spot now occupied by the society for the same purpose.

Rey. Charles Walker was installed in 1837, and continued in that office about a year. He was followed by Rev. John Ballard and Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor, who supplied the pulpit during the next three years, during which time ten members were received.

Rev. Andrew Bigelow, D.D., was installed in 1855 ; he remained till 1866 ; during his ministry seventy- After Dr. Bigelow resigned, the pulpit was supplied for a year by Rey. Chester Bridgman, who received ten persons to fellowship.

In 1869 Rev. J. M. R. Eaton commenced his labors as acting pastor. In 1873 the meeting-howse was repaired, newly furnished, and a chapel built, at a total expense of four thousand five hundred dollars, of which sum about three-fourths was furnished by Mr. F. D. Ellis.

Biographical Sketches Daniel D. Curtis

Curtis, was born at Kennebunk, Me., Jan. 19, 1830. His father was a farmer, and descended from an old and honorable English family, but his means being limited, Daniel, like most of the farmers' sons of that time, was obliged to go into the world and seek his fortune. At the age of twenty-one he left the paternal home and State and came to Billerica, Mass., where he went to work on what was called the '"' Old Winning Farm." Here he remained two years, and then came to Medfield and engaged to work for Walter Janes, who was carrying on a very small business in a primitive way, using his dwelling-house as a shop, manu- | twelve years later. Year by year the business had steadily increased, and at the time of Mr. Janes' death they were making about three thousand cases of goods per year, was the nucleus for what has since, through the skill the largest of its kind in the world. After the death H. A. Searle and G. F. Dailey, of New York City. Messrs. Searle & Dailey took charge of the New York department of the business, selling the goods, buying stock, etc., while to Mr. Curtis was left the supervision and direction of the manufacturing itself. He immediately took measures to increase the product, and from time to time made additions to the works. They made it a rule at the beginning only to do business with their own capital, never to venture beyond their means, but, however, to avail themselves of everything in the way of improved and labor-saving machinery as He also added the manufacturing of chip, lace, velvet, plush, satin, beaver, and felt hats, - in fact, everything in the line of ladies' head-gear, as they make that a specialty. They employ about two hundred men and one thousand women in the different departments of their work. A small part of their manufacturing, particularly in felts and beavers, is done in New York City. thousand cases per year, averaging four dozen bon- About nine months in the ete., and preparing for the coming seasons. The sales amount to at least a million dollars per annum. The firm-name at Medfield is D. D. Curtis & Co.; at New York, Searle, Dailey & Co.

In September, 1876, their factory was destroyed by fire. They immediately set to work erecting a new and much larger establishment, and ninety days ~ after it was commenced it was ready for occupancy. It is a model structure, built on the most modern They have new machinery throughout, and nothing is omitted that could possibly facilitate their work or advance In addition to the straw-works Mr.

their interests. Curtis has a mill, where he cuts up every year a million feet of lumber, all of which he has made into the boxes in which his goods are encased for the market. He also owns a large steam grist-mill, where is ground an average of two car-loads of corn per day, besides He carries on agriculture on quite an extensive scale, owning a beautiful farm on the outskirts of the village of Medfield.

Mr. Curtis married, in the autumn of 1860, Ellen, daughter of Jonathan and Clarissa Wight, of Medfield. They have four children, - Blanche E., Maude A., Bracey, and Daisy EK. Mr. Curtis has proved himself to have in an eminent degree the characteristics and management of Mr. Curtis, grown to be one of | other quality not always possesssed by even successful men, liberality. While he has built up a very large and constantly-increasing business, he has at the same time been the foremost man of his town in all things tending to public improvement.

The impression that is made on the stranger as he drives through the lovely village of Medfield is that of a happy, prosperous, and thoroughly enterprising community. It is not detracting from whatever spirit of enterprise may have been exhibited by any other citizen when we say that to Mr. Curtis more than any other man thanks are due for this impression. Mr. Curtis is noted for his genial disposition and generous charity, and is liberal in his political views. He has never held an office, and asserts that he never His life has been one of steady devotion to His success has been the natural result of _ will. business. his ability to examine and readily comprehend any subject presented to him, power to decide promptly, and courage to act with vigor and persistency in accordance with his convictions.

Isaac Fiske

The Fiskes of Massachusetts descended from an ancient family of that name which for centuries and until recently had its seat and manorial lands in Laxfield, in the county of Suffolk, England.

Investigations by Somerby have traced its existence as early as the reign of Henry VI., when Simon Fiske was lord of a manor and entitled to "coat armor."

Several of his descendants appear to have gained repute for piety and liberal education, and in the days of Queen Anne to have suffered persecution on account of stanch adherence to evangelical principles. It is recorded of one in particular that to escape being burned at the stake he was concealed in a cellar, where he wrought diligently such handicraft by candle-light as sufficed for his support. Such was the stock from which sprang at a later period the Puritan Fiskes, of Suffolk and New England. Over one hundred bearing the family name have variously attained distinction as divines, authors, scholars, and public men in the States where they have resided.

The first Americans of the Fiske family were David, grandson of Jeffrey, and son of Robert and Sibil, a lineal descendant of Simon mentioned above, who, with his nephews, Nathan and John, settled in | Watertown, Mass.,in 1642. His brother Nathanael, | father of Nathan and John, probably died on the passage from England. Nathan Fiske (1) settled in Watertown in 1642, admitted freeman May 10, 1643, | was selectman in 1673. Lieut. Nathan Fiske (2), born Oct. 17, 1642, died October, 1694, married Elizabeth ; she died May 15, 1696. Deacon | Nathan Fiske (3), born Jan. 3, 1672, died in 1741. He represented Watertown for some years, - 1727 - _ 29,1732. He was aman of judgment and " much | confided in by his townsmen." He married, first, Oct. 14, 1696, Sarah Coolidge, she died Nov. 27, | 1723; second, May 22, 1729, Hannah Smith, a widow. Nathan Fiske (4), of Weston, born February, 1701, married, first, Oct. 9, 1730, Anne Warren; second, Mary Fiske, daughter of Deacon Jona- | than and Abigail (Reed) Fiske. Jonathan Fiske (5), born Dec. 15, 1739, married Abigail Fiske, born > Aug. 16, 1739, daughter of Thomas and Mary | (Pierce) Fiske, of Waltham. Jonathan Fiske (6), | born Jan. 19, 1774, married April 7, 1799, Sally |

Flagg. Isaac Fiske (7), son of Jonathan and Sally (Flagg) Fiske, was born Nov. 7, 1813, in Medfield. His education was not confined to common schools. He fitted for college at Concord Academy, but changed his intentions and entered the store of Edwin Warren, of Framingham, as clerk, where he remained for a few years, afterwards becoming partner in the firm. Two years later he purchased the store of his brotherin-law, Francis Ellis, of Medfield, giving up his interest in Framingham, and moved to Medfield, where he continued in active business as a merchant till within a year of his death. Mr. Fiske was very prominent in town affairs, having been town clerk for fifteen years and town treasurer forty years, holding that position at the time of his death; had also represented his town in the Legislature, and was postmaster in Medfield for twenty years. was Whig and Republican ; orthodox in religious belief. Oct. 2, 1836, he married Mary, daughter of Loring and Klizabeth Manson, of Framingham. They had but one child, - Elizabeth L., born June 5, 1846, who matured into a bright, accomplished She died suddenly