Medford City (part 3 of 14)

" First, of their stature ; most of them being between five and six feet high, straight-bodied, strongly composed, smooth-skinned, merry-countenanced, of complexion somewhat more swarthy than Spaniards, black-haired, high-foreheaded, black-eyed, out-nosed, broad-shouldered, brawny-armed, long and slender-handed, outbreasted, small-waisted, lank-bellied, well-thighed, flat-kneed, handsome grown legs, and small feet. In a word, take them when the blood brisks in their veins, when the flesh is on their backs, and marrow in their bones, when they frolic in their antique deportments and Indian postures, and they are more amiable to behold (though only in Adam's livery) than many a compounded fantastic in the newest fashion. It may puzzle belief to conceive how such lusty bodies should have their rise and daily supportment from so slender a fostering ; their houses being mean, their lodging as homely, commons scant, their drink water, and nature their best clothing."

Remnants of the Indian tribes were common till the beginning of the present century. In Medford they lived in "Turkey Swamp." So late even as our day, farmers in Medford have ploughed up stone arrow-heads, stone drills, and other Indian weapons and tools. No Indian necropolis has yet been discovered, though one probably exists on the borders of our pond. The last Indian here was "Hannah Shiner," a full blood, who lived with " Old Toney," a noble- soulecl mulatto man, who lived on the Woburn Road, in West Medford, opposite where the town schoolhouse once stood. Hannah was kind-hearted, a faithful friend, a sharp enemy, a judge of .herbs, a weaver of baskets, and a lover of rum. Toney was once well off; and on Thanksgiving Day, when he was to give a rich dinner to a dozen of his colored friends, his house took fire, and was wholly consumed. They, of" us, who remember the old liberated slaves, remember how much they suffered from winter's coldness. The black man's skin is made to bear the heat, the white man's to bear the cold ; and both races flourish best by regarding the law. " Deb Saco " was another specimen whom many remember, and who died about twelve years ago. " Sulk and Lucy " were the last couple in West Medford of the liberated slaves. They lived near the road leading to West Cambridge, in a small building, whose roof was turf, and which obtained the title of " Salt Box." We know that all these persons were tenderly cared for by their neighbors, and their last days made comfortable and happy.

We fear that the modern scheme of gathering all the Indians within the limits of one free state, and that state to be wholly theirs, with all the powers and privileges of other states, will not succeed. It will be found extremely difficult to persuade all the chiefs to abdicate and destroy their crowns ; to annihilate the deadly hostilities of ancient tribes ; to change the established habits of hunting, and substitute hard labor, and to reconcile the opposing religious beliefs.

This noble and peculiar people seemed doomed to retreat, before the resistless march of the Anglo-Saxon race, till they reach the shores of the Pacific ; and we can imagine the last Indian, the sole survivor on this western continent, standing on a lofty crag, which overhangs the sea, and there calling to mind the sad and eventful histories of his wasted countrymen. He thinks of the time when the wigwams of his brethren were scattered over the entire region, from the spot where he stands to the borders of the Atlantic coast, and each wigwam filled with a happy and prosperous family. He thinks of their ancestral rights and their traditional glories, their feats in the hunt and their valor in the fight, their calumet of peace and their dance of victory. He remembers the deeds of his father and the love of his mother, the sweet devotion of his wife, and the noble promise of his children ; all those joys are over, those battles fought, those councilfires extinguished, and those hopes prostrate in the dust ; and, instead thereof, he sees the white man, who has wrought all these desolations, rushing towards him. For a moment he forgets himself. The avenging ire of the Indian rises within him, the blood crimsons his manly cheek, and he seizes with convulsive grasp his tomahawk and bow ; but the next instant tells him it is too late. All is lost. He drops his tomahawk on the ground, shoots his last arrow towards the east, lifts his right hand in adoration of the Great Spirit, and then, all unconquered, leaps from the precipice into the stormy sea, and closes the history of his race.

Mathew Cradock

Medford owes its first settlement to the influence of Governor Cradock and Governor Winthrop. The first gentleman was the richest individual attached to the New England Company; and he gave his money with the freedom of an enthusiast. In vol. ix., No. 2, of the New England Genealogical Register, is the genealogy of Gov. Cradock. He lived in Swithin's Lane, London, near London Stone ; and " had a house furnished at Rumford, in Essex." The first that we hear of him is as a distinguished merchant, taking a deep interest in the Puritan cause and in the settlement of New England. He was especially instrumental in forming the " Company of Massachusetts Bay," whose organization was the first systematic effort for the permanent settlement of this Colony. To obtain a charter was a primary object ; and he was among the foremost in petitioning the king. The boon was finally granted by Charles First, March 4, 1628-9, and called the " Charter of the Massachusetts Bay in New England." In this important document, the king says : "And for the better execution of our royal pleasure and grant in this behalf, we do, by this present, for us, our heirs and successors, nominate, make, and constitute our well-beloved the said Mathew Cradock, to be the first and present Governor of the said company." The Governor was to be chosen annually ; and, May 13, 1629, Mr. Cradock was elected to that office. Whenever a " Court " was held in London (and they were held very often), the Governor presided. The Court consisted of the Governor, Deputy-Governor, Secretary, and Assistants. They were the government of the company, which was a commercial establishment in England, not vested with political power as rulers. Oct. ZO, lo~y : Mr. Cradock was chosen an Assistant. In all subscriptions for helping the Colony, he gave the largest sum ; and to show how extensively he loaned for special purposes, we find the Court of Assistants, at London, Nov. 20, 1629, voting to pay him £800, to reimburse what he had paid for sailors wages and other incidental expenses. In the annual Registers he was styled the " first Governor of the Colony ; but he had not the full legislative and executive powers afterwards granted to Gov. Winthrop ; for he did not need them. ' July 28, 1629 : On this day Mr. Cradock brought before the Court the important proposition, namely, to transfer the government of the Colony from London to New England. This bold measure, which would change an English commercial corporation into an organized transatlantic government, was second only, in importance, to the coming ol the « Mayflower." The company say, in 1629 : " The propagation of the gospel is the thing we do profess above all to be our aim in settling this plantation." How rapidly does the mind travel from this prophetic fact to its natural consequences ! We see a positive provincial government secured by a royal charter, taking root among Anglo-Saxon Puritans, three thousand miles distant from arbitrary masters ; and we readily infer that self-government will gradually strengthen till national independence is evolved. To Mr. Cradock belongs the honor of this movement in London ; and that honor is not lessened by the fact that he was not going to America. His zeal in the project is proved by his subsequent labor and contributions to promote it. Two of the ships which sailed with the "Arbella " belonged to him. They were the « Ambrose " (Capt. John Lowe) and the « Jewel (Capt. Nicholas Hurlston) ; and in these vessels came Mr. Cradock s fishermen, coopers, and shipwrights ; and in them, doubtless, came most of the first settlers of Medford from Suffolk and myself and many others, well- wishers and adventurers in this our plantation, to yourself and the rest of your good company, of whose safe arrival being now thoroughly informed by your letters, bearing date the 13th Sept. last, which came to my hands the 13 this instant February, we do not a little rejoice ; and to hear that my good cousin, your wife, were perfectly recovered of her health would be an acceptable news to us all ; which God grant in his good time that we may. Meanwhile, I am, in the behalf of our whole company (which are much enlarged since your departure out of England), to give you hearty thanks for your large advice contained in this your letter, which I have fully imparted unto them, and, farther, to give proof that they intend not to be wanting by all good means to further the plantation; to which purpose (God willing) you shall hear more at another time, and that speedily ; there being one ship of ordnance, besides not unlike but one other vessel shall come in company with these ; in all which ships, for the general stock and property of the adventurers, there is likely to be sent thither twixt two and three hundred persons (we hope to reside there), and about one hundred head of cattle. Wherefore', as I wrote you in full, and sent by Mr. Allerton, of New Plymouth, in November last, so the desire of them is, that you would endeavor to get convenient housing, fit to lodge as many as you can, against they do come ; and, withal, what beaver, or other commodities, or fish, if the means to preserve it can be gotten ready, to return in the aforesaid ships. And likewise wood, if no better lading be to be had ; that you would endeavor to get in a readiness what you can, whereby our ships, whereof two are to return back directly hither, may not come wholly empty. There hath not been a better time for sale of timber these two seven years than at present ; and, therefore, pity these ships should come back empty, if it might be made ready, that they need not stop one day for it : otherwise, men's wages and victuals, together with the ships, will quickly rise too high, if to be reladen with wood, and that the same be not ready to put aboard as soon as the ships are discharged of their outward lading. I wish also that there be some sassafras and sassaparilla sent us, as also good store of sumac, if there to be had, as we are informed there is. The like do I wish for a ton weight at least of silk-grass, and of aught else that may be useful for dyeing or in physic ; to have some of each sent, and advice given withal what store of each to be had there, if vent may be found here for it. Also, I hope you will have some good sturgeon in a readiness to send us ; and, if it be well cured, two or three hundred thereof would help well towards our charge. We are very confident of your best endeavors for the general good ; and we doubt not but God will in mercy give a blessing upon our labors ; and we trust you will not be unmindful of the main end of our plantation, by endeavoring to bring the

Mathew Cradock

Indians to the knowledge of the gospel, which that it may be speedier and better effected, the earnest desire of our whole company is, that you have diligent and watchful eye over our own people ; that they live unblameable and without reproof, and demean themselves justly and courteous towards the Indians, thereby to draw them to affect our persons, and consequently our religion ; as also to endeavor to get some of their children to train up to reading, and consequently to religion, while they are young : herein, to young or old, to omit no good opportunity that may tend to bring them out of that woful state and condition they now are in ; in which case our predecessors in this our land sometimes were, and but for the mercy and goodness of our good God might have continued to this day ; but God, who, out of the boundless ocean of his mercy, hath showed pity and compassion to our land, he is all-sufficient and can bring this to pass which we now desire in that country likewise. Only let us not be wanting on our parts, now we are called to this work of the Lord ; neither, having put our hands to the plough, let us look back, but go on cheerfully, and depend upon God for a blessing upon our labors, who, by weak instruments, is able (if he see it good) to bring glorious things to pass.

" It is fully resolved, by God's assistance, to send over two ministers, at the least, with the ships now intended to be sent thither ; but, for Mr. Peters, he is now in Holland, from whence his return hither I hold to be uncertain. Those we send shall all be by the approbation of Mr. White, of Dorchester, and Mr. Davenport. For whatsoever else you have given advice, care shall be taken, God willing, to perform the needful, as near as we can, and the times will permit ; whereof, also, you may expect more ample advertisement in their general letter, when God shall send our ships thither. The course you have taken in giving our countrymen their content of planting tobacco there for the present (their necessity considered) is not disallowed; but we trust in God other means will be found to employ their time more comfortable, and profitable also in the end ; and we cannot but generally approve and commend their good resolution to desist from the planting thereof, when as they shall descern how to employ their labors otherwise, which we hope they will be speedily induced unto, by such precepts and examples as we shall give them. And now, minding to conclude this, I may not omit to put you in mind, however you seem to fear no enemies there, yet that you have a watchful eye for your own safety, and the safety of all those of our nation with you, and not to be too confident of the fidelity of the savages. It is an old proverb, yet as true, the burnt child dreads the fire. Our countrymen have suffered by their too much confidence in Virginia. Let us by their harms learn to beware ; and as we are commanded to be innocent as doves, so withal we are enjoined to be wise as serpents.

The God of heaven and earth preserve and keep you from all foreign and inland enemies, and bless and prosper this plantation to the enlargement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, to whose merciful protection I commend you and all your associates there, known or unknown. And so, till my next, which shall be (God willing) by our ships, who I make account will be ready to set sail from hence about the 20th of this next month of March, I end, and rest, Your assured loving friend and cousin,

The confidence felt by the " Court " in Mr. Cradock's judgment was evinced by putting him first on that Committee which was to divide and apportion the lands in New England, thus deciding how and where the first settlements should take place. He did all he could to get the fleet in readiness to sail. On the morning of the 29th March, 1630, when the vessels were lying at Cowes, he made a visit to his friends, and consulted with them on the expediency of sailing on Easter Monday. Hubbard says : " They were advised so to do by Mr. Cradock (who wras that morning on board the *Arbella' ), the late Governor, and owner of the two last ships." Gov. Winthrop says : " Mr. Cradock was aboard the 'Arbella.' "We came to council. Mr. Cradock presently wrent back, our captain giving him three shots out of the steerage for a farewell." This gentleman, wise, good, zealous, honored, and rich, may be regarded, before any other individual, as the Founder of Medford. There is no record of settlements earlier than those connected with him.

He was singularly cautious in selecting his workmen ; and such an extensive establishment for fishing as he designed, supposes many collateral branches of trade. In 1631, his agent, Mr. Davison, had become so settled as to build a ship on the bank of the Mystick. The place probably was where Mr. Calvin Turner built his first ship, or at Rock Hill. Providing his fishermen with vessels as fast as possible must have made Medford a place of brisk trade and commercial consequence. These first movements of Mr. Cradock here were in keeping with his expansive mind and great wealth. We have proof of his wide enterprise in the following record: "Feb. 1, 1634: Mr. Cradock's house at Marblehead was burnt down about midnight before, there being in it Mr. Allerton and many fishermen, whom he employed that season.

Mr. Allerton fished with eight boats." Jossylyn speaks of Mr. Cradock's plantation, in 1638, " on the west of Mystick River, where he has impaled a park ; " unquestionably the first park for deer impaled in this country.

In 1630, Mr. Cradock provides a man (Richard Waterman), "whose chief employment," he says to his men at Medford, " will be to get you good venison." The Company in England say (April 17, 1629), "William Ryall and Thomas Brude, coopers and cleavers of timber, are entertained by us in halves with Mr. Cradock, our Governor."

To express their sense of the value of Mr. Cradock's services for the Colony, the General Court, held at Newton, March 4, 1634, make him a grant of land in the following words : " All the ground, as well upland as meadow, lying and being betwixt the land of Mr. Nowell and Mr. Wilson on the east, and the partition betwixt Mistick bounds on the west, bounded with Mistick River on the south, and the Rocks on the north, is granted to Mr. Mathew Cradock, merchant, to enjoy to him and his heirs for ever."

"March 3, 1635 : Ordered that the land formerly granted to Mr. Cradock, merchant, shall extend one mile into the country from the river-side in all places." This tract is supposed to have embraced three thousand five hundred acres.

In proof of this gentleman's profound attachment to the Puritan enterprise, we will here quote a few sentences from the " First Letter of the Governor and Deputy of the New England Company for a Plantation in Massachusetts Bay, to the Governor and Council for London's Plantation in the Massachusetts Bay, in New England." April 17, 1629: Many men and various articles for trade and use having been sent from London, the letter says : -

" We pray you give all good accommodation to our present Governor, Mr. Mathew Cradock, who, with some particular brethren of the company, have deeply engaged themselves in their private adventures in these ships, and those to come ; and as we hold these men, that thus deeply adventure in their private, to be (under God) special instruments for the advancing and strengthening of the plantation, which is done by them without any charge to the company's general stock, wherein, notwithstanding, they are as deep or deeper engaged than any other.

chief. These men's entertainment is very chargeable to us ; and by agreement it is to be borne two-thirds at the charge of the general company, and the other one-third is to be borne by Mr. Cradock, our Governor, and his associates interested in a private stock. We hope you will be careful to see them so employed as may countervail the charge, desiring you to agree with Mr. Sharp that their labor may be employed two-thirds for the general company, and onethird for Mr. Cradock and his associates ; praying you to accommodate said Mr. Cradock's people in all fitting manner, as he doth well deserve.

" Our Governor, Mr. Cradock, hath entertained (paid the expenses of) two gardeners, one of which he is content the company shall have use of, if need be."

" The cattle now and formerly sent have been all provided by the Governor, Mr. Cradock, except the three mares that came out of Leicestershire. <

" The provisions for building of ships, as pitch, tar, rosin, oakum, old ropes for oakum, cordage, and sail-cloth, in all these ships, with nine firkins and five half-barrels of nails in the ' Two Sisters,' are two-thirds for the company in general, and one-third for the Governor, Mr. Cradock, and his partners ; as is also the charge of one George Farr, now sent over to the six shipwrights formerly sent."

These extracts show the deep enthusiasm of Mr. Cradock in the New England enterprise. He went into it heart and purse. He adopted Medford as his head-quarters ; and here he made his first settlement, here opened his business of ship-building and fishing, and here placed an agent to execute his plans. The most sagacious and wealthy merchant of the company could not have made a wiser choice. To Medford he directed his thoughts, in Medford he expended his money, and for the prosperity of Medford he devoutly prayed. Our infant town could not have had a better father.

He may have first stopped opposite Winthrop's farm, at Ten Hills, and there done something in the fishing business ; but we very soon find him, by his agent, engaged in building a bridge across Mistick River, at the place where "the great bridge " now stands. There could have been no motive for his building such a bridge, at such a time, and at his own expense, unless his men and business were in that neighborhood. That his operations were not confined to one spot appears from the fact that he had a fishing establishment " at Agawam, by Merrimack," where, Aug. 8, 1631, some hostile Indians " rifle the wigwam where Mr. Cradock's men kept to catch sturgeons, taking away their nets, biskets, &c." In the records of the General Court, held at Boston, Nov. 7, 1632, we have the following record : " Mr. Mathew Cradock is fined <£4 for his men being absent from training divers times." This was remitted, probably on account of the impossibility in a fisherman of being on shore at any given period.

At a General Court held at Boston, March 4, 1633, the following grant was made : " The Wear at Mistick is granted to John Winthrop, Esq., present Governor, and to Mr. Mathew Cradock, of London, to enjoy to them and their heirs for ever."

March 26, 1638: "There is a grant of a thousand acres of land granted to Mr. Mathew Cradock, where it may be had without prejudice to any plantation or former grants, in the judgment of the Court. Also there is granted to Mr. Cradock five hundred acres of land more for such servants as he shall appoint it unto, twenty miles from any plantation, without prejudice to any plantation."

June 2, 1641 : " Mr. Thomas May hew and Mr. Joseph Cooke appointed to set but the five hundred acres of Mr. Oldham's for Mr. Cradock near Mount Feake."

On the same day, " Voted that Mr. Cradock's rates should be forborne till the next ship come, and then it is referred to Mr. Stoughton and Mr. Hawthorne to consider and give order in it."

The reader may now be referred to what is said concerning Mr. Cradock's agency in building the first bridge over Mistick River ; and, putting those facts with these here stated, we come at the conclusion that Medford should cherish with gratitude the memory of one who opened here a new and extensive trade, who sent over many men as laborers in shipbuilding and fishing, who conjured all to treat the Indians with tenderness and generosity, and who, in the letter of April 17, 1629, speaks of the settlement of families here in these terms : - grounded in religion, whereby morning and evening family duties may be duly performed, and a watchful eye held over all in each family, by one or more in each family to be appointed thereto, that so disorders may be prevented, and ill weeds nipt before they take too great a head."

" Above all, we pray you be careful there be none in our precincts permitted to do any injury (in the least kind) to the heathen people ; and, if any offend in that way, let them receive due correction. If any of the savages pretend right of inheritance to all or any part of the lands granted in our patent, we pray you endeavor to purchase their title, that we may avoid the least scruple of intrusion."

We know of only one relative of Mr. Cradock who came to this country, and his name was George Cradock, mentioned by Douglas and Hutchinson as an inhabitant of Boston.

We cannot better close the notice of Medford's founder and friend than by giving a copy of his Will, which has never till now been printed : -

" I, Mathew Cradock, of London, merchant, being in perfect memory and bodily health, - thanks be given to God therefor, - do hereby make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following; that is to say, -

" I bequeath my soul into the hands of the Almighty God, trusting, by the merits of the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Chri.-t only, to obtain remission of all my sins. My body, when it shall please God to separate it from my soul, I recommend to the earth, in assured confidence of a glorious resurrection at the great and dreadful day of judgment.

" As to my outward estate, wherewith God of his goodness hath endowed me, I have ever accounted myself but a steward thereof; therefore humbly entreat the Almighty to enable me so to demean myself in disposing thereof as that I may, through his mercy in the merits of Christ, be always prepared to give a comfortable account of my stewardship.

" 1 do hereby order, in the first place, that all sure debts as are, any manner of way, justly due and owing to any person whatsoever, be truly and fully satisfied and paid : the accounts of the widow of Stephen Benister, late of London, cloth-worker, deceased, that the same be answered and (committed) to the use of my executors ; and for dealing with one Henry Colthirst, if Mr. Pennoyde, who is best acquainted with the business, see it to be due, which is challenged,

I order it to be answered with consideration for the time, all just debts paid. The remainder of my estate I give and bequeath as followeth : -

" To the poor of the parish of St. Peter's, the poor in Broad Street, where I served my apprenticeship, forty pounds sterling; to the poor of St. Swithin's, where I dwelled, one hundred pounds, to be employed as a stock for their use, and the benefit thereof to be distributed yearly at the discretion of the greater number in the vestry. This to be taken out of the third part of my estate, which, by the custom of the city of London, is at my own disposing.

"One third part of my whole clear estate, my debts bring paid and satisfied, I give and bequeath to my precious, dear, and loving wife, Rebeccah Cradock; one other third part of my estate, according to the ancient custom of the city of London, I do give to my daughter, Damaris, and to such other child or children as it shall please God to give me by my wife, Rebeccah. Moreover, I do give and bequeath to my said dear and loving wife all my household stuff and plate at my house in London, where I dwell, and at a house I hold at Rumford, in Essex, as also the lease of my dwelling-house in London. Only, out of my plate and household stuff aforesaid, I give to my said daughter, Damaris, to the value of fifty pounds, in such particulars as my said wife shall order and appoint the same. Moreover, I do give to ray loving wife aforesaid, to be by her enjoyed during her natural life, the one-half of all the estate I now have or shall have in New England, in America, at the time of my decease ; and, after the decease of my wife as aforesaid, I do give and bequeath the moiety of my movables and immovables hereby intended to be enjoyed by my wife during her natural life, unto my brother, Samuel Cradock, and his heirs male. And, for the other moiety of my estate in New England aforesaid, I hereby give and bequeath the same to my daughter Damaris, and the issue of her body, to be lawfully begotten ; and, for want of such issue, to my said brother Samuel, and his heirs male aforesaid. And my will is, that when my wife shall marry, that in such case her then intended husband, before their marriage, shall become bound to my said brother and his heirs in five thousand pounds of lawful money of England not to sell away or alienate any part of the moiety of my lands hereby intended and bequeathed to my wife, and subsequently to him, during her natural life, and that he shall have at the time of her decease in personal estate therefor my brother and his heirs to enjoy after the decease of my said wife at least for the full value of five hundred pounds sterling in movable goods. And whosoever shall marry my daughter Damaris, I do hereby will and order, that, before marriage, he likewise shall enter into like bond, with the like covenants and conditions ; in case my said daughter depart this life without issue, or either of the parties before mentioned, both or either of them, hereby enjoined to seal the said several bond, which shall refuse or neglect to do the same, or to deliver the said bond or bonds to my brother or his heirs then being, in legal and lawful manner, I do hereby declare, that, immediately from and after such marriage respectively, the moiety of the estate hereby intended to the party so marrying, and not giving the bond as aforesaid, shall be, and I do hereby bequeath the same to my said brother Samuel and his heirs, any thing before mentioned to the contrary notwithstanding.

" Moreover, I do give to my brother, Samuel Cradock, and my sister, his wife, five hundred pounds ; and to every one of the children of my said brother I do give one hundred pounds. Moreover, to his son Samuel, now student in Emanuel, in Cambridge, I do give for his maintenance for three years forty pounds per annum ; and to his son Mathew, for his better preferment, whereby to place him with an able merchant, two hundred pounds. And I do give twenty pounds yearly to my said brother Samuel towards the maintenance of my brother and sister Sawyer ; and to my sister, after the decease of her husband, I do give two hundred pounds. Item : To Dorothy Sawyer, daughter to my said sister Sawyer, I give, for her better preferment, in case she will be advised by my wife in her marriage, two hundred pounds ; and to the rest of my sister Sawyer's children I do give to every of them fifty pounds. To my maid-servants five pounds every of them. Item : To my partners that ventured with me and were my servants and party-venturers in the East-land trade, namely, to Thomas Hodlow and Edward Lewis, six hundred pounds apiece, if they accept of it for their part, and declare themselves willing thereunto within three months after the publishing of this my Will, or else to have their sevei'al equal one-eighth part of the clear profits of the trade aforesaid, from the time that I promised the same, till the amount for the same shall be perfected, which is to be done by their help and endeavors. Item : I do desire and entreat Mr. William Corbine to assist my wife aforesaid, whom I make sole executor of this my last Will and Testament, to get in my estate, and to see my debts paid and my Will performed.

This will of Mr. Cradock sounds somewhat peculiar in our ears ; and we presume it is not a fair specimen of that legal precision in words so necessary then in such a document. To give six hundred pounds to each of his partners in a land speculation was a new way of settling an outstand- ing account. We cannot too much admire the wise and Christian provision he makes for his wife. When a husband, by his Will, dooms the mother of his children to comparative poverty, he is guilty of a most brutal baseness. A crime kindred to this is that of a father who, by his Will, plunges his unmarried daughters into a situation of dependence and want, for which he has not prepared them, and in which they must suffer through life. We do not learn from Mr. Cradock's Will how extensive his territorial property in Medford was, or what was the amount of his whole investment here. After his death, a part of his farm in Medford was sold to Mr. Ed. Collins, who pays to Mrs. Cradock XI 20, to Samuel Cradock and Sons £100, and to Damaris Cradock and her husband £230. The condition attached to his bequest to his niece, Miss Dorothy Sawyer, is proof that he had a wise-judging wife, and that said wife had a provident husband.

There is no record of Mr. Cradock's last illness or death known to us. It is presumed he died in 1644 ; because, in our county registry, deeds are found in that year from his agent, and in the next year from the agents of his executors.

Chapter Iii Civil History

When the Europeans took possession of North America, by the right of discovery, their entry of lands, countries, and continents was deemed by them as legal ownership for their sovereign. The discoveries of John and Sebastian Cabot, Bartholomew Gosnold, and others, were understood to give to James I., of England, the coasts and country of New England. The king accordingly claimed, in the eighteenth year of his reign, the entire continent between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In that same year, he granted to " the Council of Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing of New England, in America," "all that part of America lying and being in breadth from forty degrees to forty-eight degrees of north latitude, and in length of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout the mainland, from sea to sea," - " to be holden of him, his heirs, and successors, as of his manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common sockage, and not in capite, nor by knight's service ; '' the grantees " yielding and paying therefor the fifth part of the ore of gold and silver which should happen to be found in any of the said lands."

Medford was included in the territory granted, Dec. 30, 1622, by the Plymouth Company to Robert Gorges. It was the tract "commonly called or known by the name of the Messachusiack," lying " upon the north-east side of the bay, called or known by the name of the Messachusett." It extended "ten English miles towards the north-east, and thirty English miles unto the main land, through all the breadth aforesaid."

March 19, 1628 : The Council of Plymouth, under their common seal, by a deed indented, granted and sold to Sir Henry Roswell and five others " all that part of New England, in America, which lies and extends between a great river there, commonly called Monomack (Merrimack), and a certain other river there, called Charles ; being in the bottom of a certain bay there, commonly called Massachusetts."

These are the first grants, under legal authority, of the territory within which Medford stands. The Council also sold " all the lands being within the space of three English miles on the south of Charles River and Massachusetts Bay, and within the same space on the north of the river Monomack, and of all parts of said rivers and bay, and from the Atlantic Ocean on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west." " Upon the petition of said Henry Roswell and five others, and their associates, twenty in number, to have and to hold to them, &c, by the same tenure, and incorporated them by the name of ' The Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England."

Holding under these grants and by these titles, the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay made grants of lands to companies and individuals for towns and plantations, usually annexing certain conditions to their grants ; such as, that a certain number of settlers or families should, within a stated time, build and settle upon the same ; or that the gospel should be regularly preached, or a church gathered upon the granted premises. In this manner, forty-four towns were constituted and established within the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies before the year 1655, without any more formal act of incorporation. Among the oldest are the following : Plymouth, 1620 ; Salem, 1629 ; Charlestown, 1629; Boston, 1630; Medford or Mystic, 1630; Watertown, 1630 ; Roxbury, 1630 ; Dorchester, 1630 ; Cambridge or Newton, 1633 ; Ipswich, 1634 ; Concord, 1635 ; Hingham, 1635; Newbury, 1635; Scituate, 1636; Springfield, 1636; Duxbury, 1637; Lynn, 1637; Barnstable, 1639; Taunton, 1639 ; Woburn, 1612 ; Maiden, 1649.

London, May 22, 1629 : On this day " the orders for establishing a government and officers in Massachusetts Bay passed, and said orders were sent to New England."

Although, in the first settlement of New England, different sections of country were owned and controlled by " Companies " in England, yet the people here claimed and exercised a corporate power in the elections of their rulers and magistrates. This was the case with Medford.

"Oct. 19, 1630: First General Court of Massachusetts Colony, and this at Boston: Present, the Governor, Deputy- Governor, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Mr. Ludlow, Capt. Endicott, Mr. Nowell, Pynchon, Bradstreet. Since their arrival here, the first form of their government was that of Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Assistants ; the Patentees with their heirs, assigns, and associates, being freemen. But now, in this General Court, they agree on a second form, as follows ; proposed as the best course : For the freemen to have the power of choosing Assistants, when they are to be chosen ; and the Assistants, from among themselves, to choose the Governor and Deputy-Governor, who, with the Assistants, to have the power of making laws, and choosing officers to execute the same. This was fully assented to by the general vote of the people and the erection of hands."

"At a Court of Assistants at Charlestown, 28th Sept., 1630. It is ordered that there shall be collected and raised by distress out of the several plantations, for the maintenance of Mr. Patrick and Mr. Underbill, the sum of £50, viz. : out of Charlton, £7 ; Boston, £11 ; Dorchester, £7 ; Rockbury, £5 ; Watertown, £11 ; Meadford, £3 ; Salem, £3 ; Wessaguscus, £2 ; Nantascett, £1." ,

It appears from the records that the inhabitants of Medford did not receive legal notice of their incorporation as a town till fifty years after the event. Wishing to be represented in the General Court, they petitioned for an act of incorporation, and were answered, that " the town had been incorporated, along with the other towns of the province, by a e general act ' passed in 1630 ; and, under this 'act,' it had at any time a right to organize itself and choose a representative without further legislation." Thus Medford was an incorporated town in 1630. The first representative was Stephen Willis, elected Feb. 25, 1684. The annual meeting was always held in February.

In the absence of early records, we are left to conjecture, from what afterwards appeared, what existed in the earliest times. We therefore presume that the first settlers of Medford did as their neighbors did ; that is, organized a municipal government, which should have the usual powers of levying and collecting taxes, opening and repairing roads, guarding the public interest, and securing the common peace.

" To Mr. Stephen Hall, jun., Constable of Medford, Greeting : You are hereby required, in His Majesty's name, to warn the freeholders and other inhabitants of Medford to meet at their meetinghouse, the first Monday of March next ensuing the date hereof, by eight o'clock in the morning ; then and there to choose a Constable, Selectmen, Town-clerk, and other town-officers, as the law directs. And all persons, to whom the said town is indebted, to bring in their accounts, and lay the same before the said town ; and the town-treasurer for said Medford is hereby required to give unto said town, at said meeting, a particular account of the disposing of the said town's money ; and whatsoever else may be needful, proper, and necessary, to be discoursed on and determined of at said meeting. Hereof you may not fail, as you will answer your default at the peril of the law.

"The first Monday of February, in the year of our Lord 1677, Goodman John Hall was chosen Constable by the inhabitants of Meadford for the year ensuing. Joseph Wade, John Hall, and Stephen Willis, were chosen Selectmen for ordering of the affairs of the plantation for the year ensuing. John Whitmore, Daniel Woodward, Jacob Chamberlain, John Hall, jun., Edward Walker, Walter Cranston, Patrick Hay, Andrew Mitchell, and Thomas Fillebrown, jun., took the oath of fidelity. "Joseph Wade,

This was probably the simple organization of the civil government of Medford soon after our ancestors found themselves planted in their new homes. A more complex form of municipal agencies was not needed ; especially as the celebrated Rev. James Noyes preached here a year, and established that church discipline which, in those days, took care of every body and every thing.

March 8, 1631 : " It is ordered that all persons whatsoever that have cards, dice, or tables, in their houses shall make away with them before the next Court, under pain of punishment."

April 12, 1631: "Ordered that' any man that finds a musket shall, before the 18th day of this month (and so always after), have ready one pound powder, twenty bullets, and two fathom of match, under penalty of 10s. for every fault." Absence from public worship, 5s. for each time.

To be a freeman was a high object with every man. Several of the inhabitants of Medford took the entire oath, and could therefore vote in the election of Governor and Assistants. At a session of the General Court, May 18, 1631, it was thus voted : -

" To the end the body of Commons may be preserved of honest and good men, it is likewise ordered and agreed, that for the time to come no man shall be admitted to the freedom of this body politic but such as are members of some of the churches within the limits of the same."

" A freeman must be orthodox, a member of the church, twenty years old, and worth £200." At a later period, March 4, 1645, the General Court " ordered that the freeman's oath shall be given to every man of or above the age of sixteen years ; the clause for the election of magistrates excepted." All the male inhabitants of Medford complied with this law.

an inhabitant and freeman within the jurisdiction of this Commonweal, do freely acknowledge myself to be subject to the government thereof, and therefore do here swear, by the great and dreadful name of the ever-living God, that I will be true and faithful to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto, with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound, and will also truly endeavor to maintain and preserve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome laws and orders made and established by the same ; and further, that I will not plot nor practise any evil against it, nor consent to any that shall so do, but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawful authority, now here established, for the speedy preventing thereof. Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself, in the sight of God, that, when 1 shall be called to give my voice touching any such matter of this state wherein freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge in mine own conscience may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body, without respect of persons or favor of any man. So help me God, in the Lord Jesus Christ."

In 1643, the Court " ordered, that if any freeman shall put in more than one paper or corn for the choice of any officer, he shall forfeit £10 for every offence ; and any man, that is not free, casting in any vote, shall forfeit the like sum of £10."

Civil History

person but what has been rated Is., at least, to the last province-tax more than the poll-tax, laid in said town, shall be admitted to vote." The constable seemed to be a remarkably large part of the executive head in the early days.

At "General Court, held at Newtowne, May 14, 1634, Mr. Thomas Mayhew is entreated by the Court to examine what hurt the swine of Charlestown hath done amongst the Indian barns of corn, on the north side of Mystic ; and accordingly the inhabitants of Charlestown promiseth to give them satisfaction." If tradition be true, porcus has long been a singularly troublesome genus to our excellent neighbors.

" Whereas particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own town, it is therefore ordered that the freemen of any town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the privileges and appurtenances of the said towns, to grant lots, and make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders here established by the General Court ; as also to lay mulcts and penalties for the breach of these orders, and to levy and distrain the same, not exceeding the sum of £20 ; also to choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like."

Sept. 8, 1636: The General Court order, "that hereafter no town in the plantation that has not ten freemen resident in it shall send any deputy to the General Courts ; those that have above ten, and under twenty, not above one ; betwixt twenty and forty, not above two ; and that have above forty, three, if they will, but not more." This law may explain why Medford was so long unrepresented in the General Court.

Nov. 5, 1639: "Ordered that every town have liberty, from time to time, to choose a fit man to sell wine, to be drank in his house; provided that, if any person shall be made drunk in any such house, or any immoderate drinking suffered there, the master of the family shall pay for every such offence <£5."

Some perplexity and more discontent arose from the fact that the lands of Medford were owned by non-residents to an extent unknown in any other plantation of the Colony.

Gifts of land, within its boundaries, had been made by the General Court to Mr. Cradock, and some perhaps to Messrs. Wilson and Nowell. If so, the taxes on these lands were paid by the two last gentlemen into the treasuries of the towns where they lived ; and therefore Medford could derive no profit from them. This mode of taxation became unpopular, and the General Court passed the following law, June 2, 1641: "It is ordered, that all farms that are within the bounds of any town shall be of the town in which they lie, except Meadford." Thus singularly distinguished from every other town in the Colony, the General Court afterwards declared Medford " a peculiar town." Peculiar it certainly was in having much of its territory first owned by a London merchant, and in not being able to tax all the land within its borders. The grant of the General Court is as follows : -

For the Ordering of Prudentials. - "At a General Court held at Boston, 15th Oct. 1684, in answer unto the petition of Messrs. Nathaniel Wade and Peter Tufts, in behalf of the inhabitants of Meadford, the Court grants their request, and declares that Meadford hath been, and is, a peculiar town, and have power as other towns as to prudentials."

To illustrate what direction the laws and regulations of Medford must have generally taken, it will be necessary to know those "one hundred laws " established by the General Court in 1641, and called " The Body of Liberties " These laws were drawn up by Rev. Nathaniel "Ward, of Ipswich, and Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, as the most competent men. To show the expansion of their minds and the soundness of their hearts, we will give here two or three specimens of those laws : -

" There shall never be any bond slavery or villanage." - " If any good people are flying from their oppressors, they shall be succored." - "There shall be no monopolies." - "All deeds shall be recorded." - "No injunction shall be laid on any church, churchofficer, or member, in point of doctrine, worship, or discipline, for substance or circumstance." - " In the defect of a law in any case, the decision is to be by the word of God."

1650 : Notwithstanding the straightened condition of the Colonies, they were doing a great work. They were wiser than they knew. By a fortunate neglect on the part of the mother country, these distant colonies were shaping their local politics, strengthening their ancestral faith, enforcing their puritan customs, and nursing, without knowing it, their national independence.

" Stephen Willis was chosen to keep the records for the use of the plantation;" and, in 1684, it is ordered, - "That the selectmen shall have the Town-book for their use at any of their meetings, as they stand in need of it, provided the town-book be carefully returned to the clerk again."

As soon as Medford could send a representative to the General Court it did so ; and the first was chosen in 1689. The records run thus, on the choice of a representative " to stand for and represent them in the Session or Sessions of the General Court or Assembly, appointed to be begun and held

In the election of town-officers, they only could vote who had taken the " oath of fidelity ; " which oath was in relation to the town what the "freemen's oath" was in relation to the Colony. It will be seen, by the following record, that their town-officers in Medford were few : -

"March 5, 1694: Caleb Brooks was chosen Constable for the year ensuing. Major Nathaniel Wade, Lieutenant Peter Tufts, and Stephen Willis, were chosen Selectmen. John Bradshaw and John Hall, jun., were chosen Surveyors of highways. Ensign

Stephen Francis is chosen Tything-man. John Hall, sen., and Lieutenant Peter Tufts, are chosen Viewers of fences ; and Stephen Willis is chosen Town-clerk."

Here are but eight gentlemen to fill all the offices, and do all the labor required for one year ! It shows us how little there was to be. done.

It belongs to this history to say, that Medford did not flourish much after Mr. Cradock's patronage and property were withdrawn. In 1702, there seemed to have been small prosperity ; for, at that time the people say : " We, the town of Medford, being little and small, and unable to carry on public charges in so comfortable a way as is to be desired," &c. This low condition induced the inhabitants to ask grants of money or waste-lands from the government ; and also to petition the General Court to annex contiguous portions of Charlestown, Cambridge, and Andover. One, of these movements for benefiting the town took place May 10, 1714, when they voted to choose a Committee to consult with the selectmen of Charlestown, to see if they will consent to annex " the first division of Charlestown lots bounded on Medford." These aims are not lost sight of; for, in 1726, the town chooses a Committee to petition Charlestown on the subject of annexing certain districts. The petitioners ask " for some part of Charlestown adjoining to Medford on the north side of Mystic River." May 6th of that year, they chose another Committee to examine the Province Records, and see if Medford has any right to land lying in Charlestown ; and, if so, to prosecute the same at the town's expense.

To show our fathers' care for public duty, we have the following vote, May 19, 1701: Voted "that Sergeant Stephen. Willis assist in the Committee, if his brother Thomas Willis should be out of the way." Town-meetings were sometimes held in private houses, though generally at the tavern.

The .mode of collecting taxes from unwilling debtors was called " an outcry for payment." When a person would not pay, the constable was commanded to take his goods and sell them " at an outcry for payment," - public auction. Throughout the entire early history of our town, there appears the most jealous care taken with regard to the disposal of money ; and the minute directions given to public functionaries, respecting the smallest items, are most remarkable.

« At said meeting the town reckoned with Ensign John Bradshaw ; and there was due to him, upon the balance of all accounts, both for work done for the town and minister's board, from the beginning of the world unto this day, the sum of £16. 16s. lOd. Errors excepted."

At the March meeting the officers of the town were chosen ; and much stir was there through the village on that day. The result of one of them is thus recorded : -

« At a town-meeting legally convened at Medford, March 6th 1710 Lieut. Stephen Willis chosen Moderator; Peter Seccomb chosen Constable; Ebenezer Brooks, John Hall, and Samuel Wade, Selectmen ; John Whitmore, jun., and Thomas Dill, Surveyors of highways; Benjamin Peirce and Isaac Farwell, Viewers of fences ; Ichabod Peirce and John Albree, Wood-corders ; Nath. Peirce, Hog constable. At said meeting, Lieut. Ihomas Willis was chosen Tything-man and Sealer of weights and measures. At said meeting, the Selectmen were chosen Assessors lor this year.

The town voted " to prosecute those persons who had unlawfully voted aforetime." May 7, 1705 : Stephen Willis was objected to, " because he voted for himself." The idea of our forefathers, touching taxing and voting, was this : That no man should be allowed to vote on pecuniary attairs who held no pecuniary interest in the town in which he lived To give a specimen of their jealous care, we transcribe the following. Twelve of the most respectable inhabitants of Medford addressed the following note to the Selectmen : -

"March 3, 1718. - Gentlemen: Our desire and petition to you is, that our town-meeting may be regulated according to law; for we know that those men that made the law were wiser than we are and therefore we, the subscribers, will by no means be the breakers of the same; and therefore, if our town-meeting be not regulated according to law, we must enter this as our dissent

" In answer to the desire and request of some of our inhabitants, that our town-meeting may be regulated according to law, we, the subscribers, have openly declared, at said meeting, that those of our inhabitants, and only those, that are worth or have in possession to the value of £20, ratable estate, may vote at said meeting."

1718: The new names found in the lists are as follows: Francis Laithe, Joseph Serjant, John Chadson, John Goold, William Manson, Peter Edes, Joseph Ballard, John Choub, Aaron Cleveland, William Wicker, Jonathan Tompson, Mr. Semer, John Watson, Thomas Sanders, Luke Blashfield, Nath. Laurans, Samuel Haeson, Abram Cumins, Nath. Locke, John Winship, John Whiten.

1721 : The General Court gave the town X160, on their application for aid ; and the town voted to loan it out to the inhabitants in sums not exceeding <£10, nor less than £5, to any one person ; interest, five per cent.

April 25, 1728 : " Voted that the town of Medford will take out of the County Treasury their part of the sixty thousand pounds granted by the Great and General Court."

Oct. 27, 1727 : The number of voters present at a townmeeting was forty-five ; a fair average. They vote not to send a representative this year.

The love of office was cold in the hearts of our fathers, compared with the burning desire for it in our day. It was so common to refuse even the highest offices, that penalty for refusing became necessary, and our records are full of such notices as the following : -

At a later period (1751), the town voted, that if any one refused to take the office to which he had been elected, he should pay into the treasury XI. 6s. 8d., lawful money. In 1632, the people of Plymouth enact, " that whoever refuses

Feb. 9, 1729 : The inhabitants of Medford took a deep interest in supporting the rights secured by the Charter ; and readily paid their share in supporting agents. On this day they voted to carry round a subscription-paper to see how each one will subscribe " for the support of our agents in England." They gave some of the earliest expressions of enlightened patriotism, and presented some of the firmest resistance to the encroachments of royal authority. On the 31st of January, 1732, voted that "it was declared by the inhabitants that it was their desire that their representative should at all times act with the greatest caution, and stand for the defence of the privileges granted us by his Majesty in the royal Charter."

1726 : The town presented a petition to the inhabitants of Charlestown, praying that the lands on the north side of Mystic River might be set off to Medford. This was emphatically refused.

June 19, 1734: Voted that "the town petition the Great and General Court for a tract of the unappropriated lands of this Province, to enable the said town of Medford the better to support the ministry and the school in said town." A record of the reply is as follows : -

" At a Great and General Court or Assembly for his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, begun and held at Boston, upon Wednesday, the 28th of May, 1735, and continued by several adjournments to Wednesday, the 19th of November following : -

"20 May, 1735: A petition of the inhabitants of the town of Medford, showing that the said town is of the smallest extent of any in the Province, and yet their town-charges extremely high, so that the maintenance of ministry and school is very chargeable to them, and therefore praying for a grant of* some of the waste lands of the Province to be appropriated for the support of the ministry and schoolmaster in said town : -

" In the House of Representatives, read and ordered that the prayer of the petition be so far granted as that the town of Medford is hereby allowed and empowered, by a surveyor and chairman on oath, to survey and lay out one thousand acres of the unappropriated lands of the Province, and return a plat thereof to

This grant was accepted ; and Mr. Wm. Willis and Capt. John Hall were chosen to carry the whole matter through. The consequence was a selection of one thousand acres on the Piscataqua River, near the Merrimac. This tract was called the " Town's Farm ; " but it was not of great value.

Dec. 3, 1737 : Here we find the first record of the drawing of jurymen in the town. John Albree and Benjamin Tufts are drawn for the Supreme Court. Few jurymen were needed ; but Medford undoubtedly furnished its share from the beginning.

It may be interesting to many to see another record of a town-meeting. Familiar names will be found to recur ; but offices have increased : -

Nov. 28, 1748: Voted to sell the "Town's Farm" at auction. This vote was reconsidered ; and, May 15, 1749, "Andrew Hall, Capt. Samuel Brooks, and Richard Sprague, were chosen a Committee to manage the affairs for selling the town's farm." It was sold soon after.

The right of admitting inhabitants to the town was a jealously guarded right. It was the custom to warn every new comer out of town. A strange hospitality ! This notification legally prevented such new comer from gaining " townhabitancy." The notification was also sent to the Court of Sessions, and there recorded under the name of Caution. This habit continued till the time of the Revolution. Paupers were kept out by the most stringent prohibitions. The town voted that if any person, male or female, omitted to comply with the law respecting admission, such person should be fined forty shillings. ?j

"To his Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Captain- General and Governor-in- Chief in and over Bis Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, to the Bonorable Bis Majesty's Council, and to the Bonorable Bouse of Representatives.

" The petition of the inhabitants of the town of Medford, in the County of Middlesex, humbly showeth that there are certain tracts of land lying on the southerly and northerly sides of said Medford, which are bounded as follows, viz. : The southerly tract, lying in Charlestown, is bounded northerly with Mistic or Medford River, westerly with the westerly bounds of Mr. Smith's farm, southerly with the southerly bounds of Mr. Smith's, Mr. James Tufts's, and Mr. Jonathan Tufts's farms, and then running from the south-easterly corner of said Jonathan Tufts's farm eastward straight to the westerly side of Colonel Royal's farm, again westerly with the westerly bounds of Colonel Royal's farm, again southerly with its southerly bounds, and then running from the south-easterly corner thereot eastward straight to Medford River.

" The northerly tract, lying also in Charlestown, is bounded southerly with said Medford's northerly line and the southerly bounds of Mr. Symmes's farm, westerly with the line that divides Mr. Symmes's from Mr. Gardner's farm, northerly with Woburn and Stoneham lines, easterly on Maiden line.

proportionable part of the said town of Charlestown's rights and privileges, according to the quantity and circumstances of said lands ; at least, those pieces of land, and the privileges which are within the lands hereby petitioned for.

" And inasmuch as the said town of Charlestown has conveyed the land called the gravel-pit, with the marsh adjoining, containing about half an acre, that they used for getting gravel, laying timber, &c, for the southerly half of the bridge commonly called Mistic bridge, and the ' Causey ' thereto adjoining, to Capt. Aaron Cleaveland and Mr. Samuel Kendal ; for which consideration, they have covenanted and agreed with the said town of Charlestown to keep the half of the bridge and the ' Causey ' aforesaid in good condition for ever.

" We pray that, in case the before-described lands are laid to said Medford, it may not be subjected to any cost or charges on account of the before-mentioned part of said bridge and the Causey adjoining.

" First, The contents of the said town of Medford are exceedingly small, amounting to but about two thousand acres, the inhabitants very few, and consequently its charges very great compared with other towns. B.esides, as to brick-making, upon which our trading and a great part of our other business depends, it very much fails.

" Secondly, The said town of Charlestown almost encompasses the town of Medford, and therefore (notwithstanding the great necessity) it cannot receive large addition from any other town.

" Thirdly, Those that now dwell on the said tracts of land, and those who heretofore dwelt on them, have, from time to time, enjoyed the liberty of attending the public worship in Medford without paying any thing to the taxes there. Neither is there any probability that any of the inhabitants of said lands, or any other persons that may settle on them, can, with any conveniency, attend the public worship in any other town. Moreover, the inhabitants of the said southerly tract are within about half a mile of said Medford meeting-house, the greatest part of them, and the rest within a mile.

" And the inhabitants of the northerly tract before mentioned are, the farthest of them, but about two miles from said meetinghouse. And great part of the lands, in both the said tracts, are now owned and possessed by those who are with us in this petition, and some of the inhabitants of said Medford.

" Besides, we apprehend it to be a very great hardship for the inhabitants of said tracts of land to be obliged to go, almost all of them, more than four miles, and others more than seven miles, to town-meetings, trainings, &c.

" In consideration of what is before mentioned, and other moving arguments that might be used in this affair, we hope your Excellency and Honors, in your great wisdom and goodness, will grant our petition. Although the inhabitants of said Charlestown have not been pleased to be so free (when petitioned) as to let us know whether they would gratify us herein or not.

""We, the subscribers, being owners of a considerable part of the said lands, and having dwelling-houses thereon, do hereby signify that we heartily join with the inhabitants of Medford in the foregoing petition.

"March 4, 1754 : Samuel Hall was chosen Constable, and refused to serve ; and the town took up with £5, old tenor, inasmuch, as he is a lame person."

Aug. 5, 1754 : "Voted that the part of the Excise Bill of his Majesty which relates to the private consumption of wine and spirits shall not be in full force." Was not this rebellion outright ? Did it foreshadow the scenes of 1854 ?

May 10, 1756 : The town petitions " the General Court to consider them in the next valuation, for that the said town are greatly overdone upon sundry considerations." Voted to raise £90 (lawful money) for town expenses for this year.

March 6, 1758: Voted "that Samuel Brooks, Esq., Capt. Caleb Brooks, Zech. Poole, Stephen Bradshaw, Capt. Francis Whitmore, be a Committee to prefer a petition to the General Court for an abatement of taxes."

discouraging extravagance, and promoting industry and frugality amongst us." This step shows that our fathers were ready and willing to lighten their burdens by generous selfdenials. If they seemed to take morality the natural way, they show the very spirit of self-sacrifice in their calculating shrewdness. The Committee make the following report: -

" We, the subscribers, being chosen a Committee to consider of some method to discourage extravagance, idleness, vice, &c, and promote industry and frugality, do present the following resolves, passed in the House of Representatives, Feb. 26, 1768, for an example to this town.

" In the House of Representatives, Feb. 26, 1768. Whereas, the happiness and well-being of civil communities depend upon industry, economy, and good morals ; and this House taking into serious consideration the great decay of the trade of the Province, the scarcity of money, the heavy debt contracted in the late war still remains on the people, and the great difficulties by which they are by these means reduced, therefore -

" Resolved, That this House will use their utmost endeavors, by example, in suppressing extravagancies, idleness, and vice, and promoting industry, economy, and good morals, in their respective towns. And, in order to prevent the unnecessary exportation of money, of which this Province has been, of late years, so much drained, it is further resolved that this House will, by all prudent means, endeavor to discountenance the use of foreign superfluities, and encourage the manufactures of this Province.

1773 : Meeting for the annual choice of town-officers. "Voted that it be on the first Monday of March for the future." The town-meeting was, from earliest days, a marked occasion by the boys. The school had the day as a vacation. The gallery of the meeting-house was ornamented with urchins from six years old to half-men of fifteen, who had come there to learn, unconsciously, the science of republicanism. The front seats were all filled, and each boy was eagerly watching the progress of events below. If a new road, wharf, grist-mill, engine, schoolhouse, or candidate, - in short, if any thing new was to be brought forward, the boys had already taken sides on the question, and waited impatiently for its introduction to the meeting. "When the longdelayed debate ensued, each gallery-politician swelled with joy and hope as a favorite speaker rose. This ebbing and flowing of youthful emotions were the republican educational influences brought to bear on the boys of every village ; and the lad of twelve years felt an interest in politics, while he of twenty had settled his choice of party and men, and was ready to vote understandingly. The absence of this republican pupilage in Europe makes a proper republic there almost an impossibility.

May 13, 1773 : The new question arose whether a clergyman, not settled, nor ministering to any parish, should be freed from taxation. After much reflection, the town " voted not to abate Rev. Mr. Edward Brooks's poll-tax."

March 6, 1775: All town-meetings were warned "in his Majesty's name," till the one of this date, which dropped royalty as a power among us. The form soon substituted was, " In the name of the government and people of Massachusetts Bay."

By comparing the officers in Medford, as seen in the years 1748 and 1782, it will appear that the separation from England made not the slightest difference in the municipal organizations or modes of elections. The only difference discoverable is, that before the "Declaration of Independence " the town-meetings were warned " in his Majesty's name," but after 1776 they were warned " in the name and by the authority of the people ; " and, after the adoption of the Constitution, "in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." This, not needing any change in their political system, shows that the first system of town-officers and municipal elections was upon the idea of republican equality and submission to popular majorities. True democracy grew up as a necessity among our fathers ; and from these town organizations resulted a true republican education, out of which " Independence " grew. Enlarged and Christian patriotism is the result of wise and liberal town administrations. We cannot too highly prize our separate town municipalities. They are the primary schools of the republic, and do for the state what individuals do for the family.

Our fathers, in their civil capacities, legislated upon almost every thing. We append here an example; Aug. 29, 1779. The prices fixed are in the depreciated currency, which may be understood by referring to our remarks on " Currency:

The subject of bridges seems to have had a wizard agency over the feelings of our fathers. When one was proposed to run from Charlestown to Boston, there were not a few in Medford who opposed it ; because they " thought it would ruin the lightering business upon our river." Our merchan- dise, to a large amount, was carried by water to and from Boston ; and it was supposed that our bricks especially could be carried by teams with less cost and breakage. But the friends of the measure outnumbered its opposers, and, on the 7th of February, 1785, we have these two important records : Voted to oppose Mr. Cabot's petition for building a bridge from Leachmere's Point over Charles River ; and to petition the General Court that " the petition of Thomas Russell, Esq., and others be granted for building a bridge over Charles River where the ferry now is."

June 12, 1786: "Voted to petition the General Court to prevent the building of a bridge across Mystic River at Penny Ferry." It was thought that this bridge from Maiden to Charlestown would almost ruin the navigation of Mystic River. For the same reason, the town voted, May 9, 1796, to oppose the building of Chelsea Bridge.

March 6, 1809 : " Voted that the Moderator be desired to read the address from the Legislature to the people. The town thereupon passed a unanimous vote of approbation."

The Hon. Peter C. Brooks offered a clock as a gift to the town, expressing in his letter a true and deep feeling of attachment to the inhabitants. The town accepted the generous donation, and in their letter express their gratitude and their sense of high respect for their prosperous townsman. To this letter Mr. Brooks replies as follows : -

"Dear Sir, - The vote of the inhabitants of the town of Medford, on the subject of the clock, I received with those feelings which this general expression of thanks is calculated to inspire ; and you will permit me to add, sir, that the pleasure I experienced is not a little heightened by the very agreeable manner in which the knowledge of this transaction has been conveyed to me.

"The gift to which it alludes, I now, with great satisfaction, confirm ; and shall be amply rewarded, should it be considered an ornament to the town in which many of my days have been happily spent, and a convenience to its inhabitants, for whom I entertain a very sincere regard. " I am, &c,

A new bridge across Charles River, from Charlestown to Boston, is proposed ; and Nov. 1, 1824, the town voted to petition the Legislature in favor of its erection. They proposed to call it " Warren Bridge." The bridge was built, though, as many thought, against the pledged faith of a former Legislature.

1828 : Heretofore the Selectmen had met at times agreed upon by themselves ; but now the town voted " that it shall henceforth be the duty of the Selectmen to meet on the first Monday of every month for business;'" and no business shall be done by them at other times.

" May 7, 1836 : Voted that in future the practice or custom of allowing the town-officers an annual supper, at the town's expense, be dispensed with."

Civil History

While these by-laws show the care of the inhabitants of Medford for externals, the following votes show a deeper care for moral interests : -

" Feb. 13, 1843 : Voted that all good citizens should cease using spirituous and intoxicating liquors, and should unite to prosecute those who sell them."

" Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to oppose the granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating drinks in this town ; and draw on the treasury for all necessary expenses in this duty.

July 19, 1852: u "Whereas the Legislature of this Commonwealth passed at the last session a law for the suppression of places for the sale of intoxicating drinks, therefore -

Feb. 15, 1855 : " The town-agency for the sale of spirituous liquors," say the Selectmen, " has been in existence two and a half years. The agent has given general satisfaction. The experiment thus far has been satisfactory, and the agency is sufficient to meet all the reasonable demands of the inhabitants for spirituous liquors."

The petition of certain inhabitants of Medford, "Woburn, and West Cambridge, to be set off from their several towns, and to be united in a new town, named Winchester, called forth the following vote of the town of Medford : -

March 4, 1850 : " Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to oppose the petition of E. S. Parker and others of South Woburn, to set off a part of Medford to a proposed new town."

Strenuous efforts were made to defeat the petition, but without success. Some inhabitants of Medford, who would be included in the new town, opposed this separation from their old friends. The act of separation and the act for the incorporation of Winchester were passed together, April 30, 1850. The act defines the bounds of Winchester, but does not state what territory was taken from each of the old towns, out of which the new town is made. The regulations and conditions respecting debts, paupers, congressional districts, &c, were made, which usually accompany such acts. Thus Medford lost a large tract of excellent land, and became separated territorially from many long-cherished and valuable friends.

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 bookkeeping 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.

Since the year 1820, all the public buildings have been erected, such as town-house, school-houses, and enginehouses. The establishment of a fire-department and the opening of new streets have swelled the recent expenses.

When the government of the United States distributed their surplus revenue among the people, the amount that came to Medford was three thousand eight hundred and seventyeight dollars fifty-nine cents. The inhabitants voted, April 3, 1837, to receive it according to the terms of the grant, and to use it in paying the debts and expenses of the town.

Medford A Town Medford A Town

Mr. Frothingham, in his excellent History of Charlestown, 1846 (p. 92), says: - " Medford was not a town: it was rather a manor, owned by one of the leading inhabitants of Charlestown."

We have every reason to suppose that the town-officers in Medford were like those in the adjoining plantations. Our first records speak of Selectmen, sometimes called " Sevenmen," because these seven men acted as governors of the town, assessors, and referees. They were also called " Towns- men," because they represented the whole town, and acted for the inhabitants. There was a Town-clerk, who recorded the doings of the Selectmen and the town, and also granted attachments in civil actions. There were Surveyors of highways, whose duty it was not only to direct the laborers, but to see that every one did his share. There was the Constable, who warned public meetings, and collected the taxes.

In the town-meetings, which were always opened with prayer by a deacon or some aged member of the church, a moderator presided. Fines were imposed for non-attendance. Each one had an equal right to speak. The Court ordered, in 1641, that "every man, whether inhabitant or foreigner, free or not free, shall have liberty to prefer a petition, bring forward a motion, or make a complaint, so it be done in convenient time, due order, and respectful manner."

The voting related mainly to making of fences, laying out of roads, regulating the pasturage of cattle, ringing the swine, killing of wolves, bears, and foxes, and assessing rates. All these acts of the assembled inhabitants imply the possession of legal, civil, and political rights ; just the rights which constitute a regularly organized body-politic.

When Deputy-Governor Dudley, and those with him, came to this neighborhood, they visited several places : they named one Boston, another Charlestown, another Meadford, another Roxbury, another Watertown, and another Dorchester. On Wood's map of 1635, Medford is designated by the same mark as all other towns. Each of these places above named became towns ; and each in the same way, by becoming settlements ; and each claimed, and each as a town possessed, the same legal, civil, political, and municipal rights. In proof that each of them was a town, separate and distinct, and was so considered and so treated by the General Court, each one of them was taxed by the General Court as early as September 28, 1630, and each one continued to be so taxed. The Court put each one of them on the list of towns, and passed separate laws relating to each. If this does not constitute legal township, we know not what can. In these several towns, there must have been municipal laws and regulations for levying and gathering the amounts assessed. If either of these towns had been only an appendage to its neighbor, it would have been so considered by its inhabitants, so organized in its municipal government, and so treated by the General Court. But this was not the case with either of them. At this early period, not a foot of land in Medford was owned by any inhabitant of Charlestown. We have elsewhere shown who were the several purchasers after the death of Mr. Cradock. There is, therefore, no just warrant for considering Medford as "a manor," any more than Roxbury or Watertown. The early owners in these towns were few. Medford was never called " a manor " till 1846. In all the old histories it is called a " town," in precisely the same way as Boston and Dorchester. If it was not a town after the passing of the " act " of the General Court, it is not a town now ; for it has never been incorporated since. And if it was not a town then, Boston, Roxbury, Charlestown, Dorchester, and Watertown are not towns now ; for they have never been incorporated since.

It was called a " plantation," as other places were, because this was a common name adopted by the Company in London, and very naturally transferred here. The name expressed the actual condition and incipient history of each town. It was sometimes, in the books, called Mistick, after the name of its river. It was sometimes called " Mr. Cradock's Farm," because that gentleman had introduced farmers to cultivate its lands, had impaled a park, had erected houses, built ships, and carried on an extensive fishery. He owned so large a part of the tract, and was so rich and distinguished, that it would have been strange if his name had not attached to it. We have wondered why it has not always been called by his name.

The " celebrated Rev. James Noyes " became the pastor and teacher of the inhabitants of Medford in 1634. If having a Christian minister, resident and laboring in a town, completed the idea of township in those days, then Medford surely had every thing required in the definition.

Let us now look at the earliest records of Medford, and see what they prove. The first twenty -five or thirty pages of the first book of records are unfortunately lost, probably from carelessness about loose and decayed sheets. The next thirty pages are broken out of their places, and may be soon lost. We find the first records, which are preserved, noting down methodically, after the manner of those days, the usual doings of a legal town-meeting. No one can examine the old book, and not see that there was uniformity in the Townclerk's records. It is most clear that the earliest records which are preserved are the regular continuation of the earlier ones which are lost. And what do we find in the oldest records ? We find the Selectmen calling the annual town-meeting, in His Majesty's name, to choose the usual officers for the regulation of town-affairs, &c. The town speaks of itself as a town, taxes itself as a town, petitions the General Court as a town, and makes its laws like other towns ; and never is there the slightest hint that Medford is "not a town, but rather a manor." In the early and tedious controversy about the Mystic Bridge, its neighbors treated with it as a town ; its inhabitants took the oath of fidelity, and its municipal organization conformed, to the laws of the Colony.

The author of the History of Charlestown says of Medford, that "the town, in 1638, commenced a suit, &c." Here Medford is called a town, in 1638, by Mr. F. himself, and is represented by him as acting in its corporate capacity in a legal process before the Quarter Court. If it had been only a " manor," its lord or owner would have been its sovereign ; and all its town-action, above described, could never have taken place.

The same inference follows if we turn to the acts of the General Court. From 1630, the Court considered Medford a town, and treated it accordingly ; and, when the inhabitants petitioned for an act of incorporation, the Legislature sent them the following reply : that " the town had been incorporated, along with the other towns of the Province, by a general " act," passed in 1630 ; and, under this act, it had at any time a right to organize itself and choose a representative without further legislation." Here the highest authority of the Colony solemnly and emphatically declares Medford to be a town, a regularly incorporated town, by the 'same " act " as that for Boston, Charlestown, Watertown, Roxbury, and Dorchester. Thus Medford had been, from 1630, an incorporated town, possessing all the civil, political, and municipal rights consequent on that " act."

Mr. Frothingham says : " All printed authorities speak of Medford as a town, and date its incorporation in 1630 ; but this appears to be an error." We are content to follow, in this matter, " all printed authorities," and the decision of the Legisature, and leave the novel supposition of 1846 to stand alone.

Medford was called a peculiar town, but its peculiarity did not consist in being stripped of its political rights and corporate organizations ; for, in the very enactment which calls it " peculiar," the General Court say it shall " have power, as other toivns, as to prudentials." If it had rights " as other towns," and was treated by the Legislature " as other towns," in what did its peculiarity consist ? This question is easily answered. Its peculiarity consisted in having the major part of its territory owned by one gentleman, and he a resident in London. Mr. Cradock, the strongest and wealthiest friend of the Colony, had this grant of land in partial remuneration for his great outlays for the Company. He was sometimes excused from taxes. Here was another peculiarity, but no withdrawal or relinquishment of vested rights. This fact rendered town-laws more important. It required very strong and peculiar laws to regulate the fishermen, coopers, shipcarpenters, and farmers, whom Mr. Cradock had established here. Such laws could not be enforced except by a proper civil authority; and such authority every thing proves to have existed.

Mr. Cradock's grants were not made till 1634 - 5 ; but Medford was taxed, " as other towns," in 1630. Here, therefore, were four or five years in which it acted as an incorporated town before Mr. Cradock came into possession of his grant. During those four or five years, it could not have been a " manor ; " but, at that time, it became a town ; which character it has possessed to this day unbroken, and which character was stamped upon it, " by a general act " of the government in 1630, and now remains in force.

Causes Of Prosperity

After the English Parliament had assembled in 1640, the persecutions of the Puritans were stopped. Deep policy suggested this change of affairs in England ; and a consequence was, that emigration to New England ceased, and was not renewed with any spirit till 1773. New England, therefore, was peopled by the descendants of those who emigrated between 1620 and 1640 ; and this fact we would mention as the first cause of prosperity. God sifted the kingdoms of the Old World that he might find wheat sufficiently good to plant in the virgin soil of the New; and, when planted, he kept it to himself, a chosen seed, till it should spread, and fill the land. ' state, a church ; and the father was both patriarch and priest. In these free and Christian families arose that intelligent and stubborn enterprise which could turn a wilderness into a garden, and barbarism into civilization. These families, unfettered and individualized, were happy to unite with all around them for the surer attainment of their common end. One principle sanctified all hearts, one aim employed all hands. Here the motto was true, E pluribus unum ; " distinct like the billows, but one like the sea."

The establishment of free schools was another most powerful cause of prosperity to New England. This original idea had potency enough to work out the highest results of private and social good; the profoundest problems of life, government, and religion. It began in the right way, at the right place ; it put the lever where it could move the world. Free churches became the continuation of free schools ; taking up the process of instruction just where the schools had left it. Religion gave to learning its proper polarity. What would New England have been without its churches ? - a plantation without a sun.

Another cause of prosperity was the independence of towns. Each municipality felt itself to be sovereign in the ordering of its own affairs, while it was a recognized part of the body politic. A town, like an individual, must have the habit of self-government. It cannot be ruled by the militia, but only by the combined wisdom of the whole population. While a general government is almost wholly employed in averting evil, a town possesses the power of doing positive good. When our New-England towns levied taxes, opened roads, gathered a militia, founded schools, and supported churches, they did thereby manage the great interests of the colony, and in one sense became national legislatures.

Another cause of prosperity was the absence of the taxes, tolls, fees, restrictions, and monopolies of Old England. Here a man could do what he pleased in lawful work and trade, and could do as much as he wished. Here he could work at two or ten trades, if he was able. This was New- England free trade.

Another cause of prosperity, consequent in some measure on the two last noticed, was the small number of laws made by the General Court. Society here had not reached that complicated state in which powerful political parties, fierce sectional jealousies, and conflicting moneyed aristocracies, so often make legislation interminable, contradictory, and deceptive. The diamond-cut-diamond system, now in such, terrible activity among us, was not known to our fathers. Their laws were only the republication of those few general principles of justice and humanity which are easily gathered from the sacred pages. Such legislation, while the most simple, was the most effective and the least changeable.

Another cause of prosperity was the poverty of the soil, and the severity of the winter. Agriculture was the chief business and main support of society ; and to make the earth produce in six months sufficient food for twelve required an ingenuity of mind, a force of will, and a strength of muscle, which is synonymous with intellectual and moral greatness. If we would prpduce athletic frames, creative minds, and brave hearts, let the soil be light and thin. Our primitive granite soil produces the true granite men ; and one of them here in Medford can do as much as three Cubans under the line. The stern necessities, which grew out of the soil and climate of New England, became schoolmasters, teaching our fathers the highest lessons of intelligence, watchfulness, perseverence, and economy.

If we wish to see a race that need not think, cannot plan, and will not work, we have only to find those who have every thing done for them. We therefore conclude that what has been called the " hard lot " of the New Englander has been the making of him.

The causes of prosperity, so briefly noticed above, are introduced that we may here say, that each one of them has been brought to bear, in its true relation and natural force, upon the town of Medford, which is at this moment enjoying the distinguished benefits. With Medford before us, we conclude by saying, that these elements of growth have produced, throughout New England, a remarkable activity of mind and body, a general diffusion of knowledge, an indomitable perseverance of will, social and civil order, self-forgetful patriotism, domestic love, and religious enthusiasm. These effects have, in their turn, become causes ; and the glorious results are extensive wealth, great moral influence, elevated Christian character, and solid happiness.

Governor Brooks

I would close this account of the civil history of Medford with a biographical notice of our most distinguished civilian ; and, lest the bias of a life-long veneration, or the pride of near blood relationship, should tempt me to eulogies beyond desert, I have judged it most proper to take the account given by Dr. John Dixwell, of Boston, Vice-President of the Massachusetts Medical Society, who knew him well : -