USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 1 > Part 23
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POPULATION
The following table of figures relative to the population of the Town of Med- field will be found interesting in view of the fact that it has never been published in a historical volume upon Medfield. The census statistics are taken from the state and government census reports as compiled by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. It is stated by one authority that in 1675, twenty-five years after the incorporation of the town, Medfield had seventy-seven landed pro- prietors.
1660 (Prov.).
234
1765 ( Prov.) 628
1776 (Prov.) 775
1790 (U. S.) 731
1800
(U. S.) 745
1810
(U. S.) 786
1820
(U. S.)
892
1830
(U. S.) 817
1840 (U. S.) 883
1850 (U. S.)
966
Vol. 1-12
178
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
1855
(State)
984
1860
(U. S.)
1,082
1865
(State)
. 1,012
1870
(U. S.)
1,142
1875
(State)
1,163
1880
(U. S.)
1,37I
1885
(State)
1,594
1890
(U. S.)
1,493
1895
(State)
1,872
1900
(U. S.)
.2,926
1905
(State)
3,314
1910
(U. S.)
. 3,466
1915
(State )
3,648
POSTOFFICE
The first effort for the establishment of a postoffice in the Town of Medfield was made in 1806. Daniel Adams wrote to Seth Hastings of Mendon, Congress- man, under date of January 28, 1806, stating many reasons why Medfield should have a regularly established postoffice, also extolling his own qualities for the position of postmaster. Prior to this time the citizens had been compelled to go to Dedham or Medway for their mails. Mr. Adams did not succeed in obtaining the postmastership, although Medfield was given the office April 1, 1807, and Samuel Seaver appointed the first postmaster. He kept the office in his small store on the corner of North and Main streets, where he had succeeded Oliver Wheelock in business. The postoffice is now located in the town hall.
THE TOWN HALL
In the year 1866 the town received a bequest from George W. Chenery for the purpose of constructing a town hall in the village of Medfield. This sum of money, amounting to $23,700 was placed in the hands of the following trustees : Charles Hamant, Isaac Fiske and E. P. Carpenter, the latter of Foxboro. In 1869 the trustees purchased the old tavern lot in the center of the village for $1,760 for the site of the hall. In 1872 the town hall was erected and dedicated on September Ioth. The firm of Hartwell & Swasey drew the plans and the contracting was done by C. H. & W. Stewart. The total cost of the building, exclusive of the land, was $26,668.
The citizens of Medfield were permitted to enjoy their excellent new hall but little over a year. On January 8, 1874, the building was destroyed by fire, with the exception of a small portion of the tower. The public library, the fire engine and apparatus and the hearse which was kept in the basement were all burned, also a portion of the public records. By the heroic efforts of a few of the citizens, led by Charles Hamant, the safe which contained valuable town documents, was suspended by a chain and prevented from falling into the flames below ; this alone saved the most important records from destruction. The fire occurred very late at night and by the time the alarm had been turned in had progressed too far to be checked.
179
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
The town waited but a short time before taking action toward the erection of a new town hall upon the site of the old one. On January 24th a meeting was held and there a vote was taken to rebuild the hall immediately. T. W. Silloway was named as the architect and Mead, Mason & Company were awarded the contract for building. The total cost of the reconstruction was $21,500, of which sum $15,000 was received from the insurance. The new town hall was rededicated November 2, 1874, with appropriate exercises. The postoffice, public library, and historical society rooms are now housed in the building.
However, the library and historical society will in the near future be moved into the handsome new brick library building in process of erection opposite the town hall on Main Street. This building was given to the town of Medfield by Granville S. Dailey.
PROMINENT EARLY CITIZENS
The one deserving first mention among the early settlers of the town of Med- field is undoubtedly Ralph Wheelock, often spoken of as the "founder of Med- field." Wheelock received his education at Clare Hall, Cambridge University, England, where he took his degree in 1626 and 1631. For a time he was a preacher in the Established Church. In 1638 he came to Dedham, was made a freeman March 13, 1638, and died at Medfield January 1I, 1684. For several generations afterward descendants of Ralph Wheelock lived in Medfield. Col. Ephraim Wheelock, his great-grandson, served in both the French and Indian and the Revo- lutionary Wars. Notwithstanding the fact that some writers have criticised Ralph Wheelock for his dissenting views, it cannot be denied that he was a man of energy, large ideas and strong executive ability. To his efforts may be credited the success of the movement to form the new town of Medfield.
The next in order of importance in early Medfield was the Rev. John Wilson, the first minister in the town, whose residence stood on the site of the town hall. Reverend Wilson commenced his pastorate here in December, 1651. He con- tinued his work among the people of Medfield a little over forty years, when his death occurred in 1691. He was a much loved man and of sterling quality.
Timothy Dwight, son of John Dwight, one of the original thirteen house lot grantees, was a freeman June 2, 1641. Dwight was a representative for Medfield in 1652. He died in this town in the year 1677.
Daniel Morse, son of Samuel Morse, first came to Dedham and then to Med- field. He became a freeman May 6, 1635. His death occurred in Sherborn in 1688.
Thomas Wight came from the Isle of Wight to Dedham in 1637. He was of the Medfield incorporation and died March 17, 1674.
Robert Hinsdale, one of the first thirteen lot holders, became a freeman March 13. 1638. He later moved to Medfield, thence to Hadley, where he resided for several years, and then to Deerfield. At the latter place he was killed, with his three sons, by the Indians at the time of Captain Lothrop's defeat at Bloody Brook.
Samuel Bullen became a freeman June 2, 1641, and died January 16, 1692. He was one of the first settlers in the town of Medfield.
George Barber first came to Dedham in 1643, and later moved to Medfield. He became a freeman May 16, 1647, was a representative in 1668-9 and a high militia officer.
180
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
PUBLIC UTILITIES
The improvement of roads, public conveniences and private property has been a matter of gradual and substantial growth in Medfield. This growth has ex- tended over a period of many years and is an excellent proof of the stability of the town. Another feature of Medfield at the present time is the fact that there is practically no debt to burden the citizens. In the past Medfield has bonded itself heavily, but in recent years these debts have been cleared away, leaving the town in 1917-18 in very prosperous condition.
Water is supplied by the Medfield Water Company, the supply being taken from springs. A city plant was first proposed about 1902, but never materialized. The present company was organized several years later. The Medfield Electric Light and Power Company supplies electricity to the inhabitants. This corpora- tion was established in November, 1900.
The first attempt at sewer construction was made in the 'Sos, when the straw works and the town divided upon the expense of constructing a sewer to carry the waste from the factory. In 1886 the town voted to build a common sewer from a point on North Street to a point northwest of Dale Street, where a filtering basin was constructed. In 1881 a sewer had been laid from the corner of Main and Pleasant streets along North Street to the Meeting House Pond. The sewer then started has been extended at different times until now practically every street of importance in the village of Medfield is provided with this convenience. Land was donated by D. D. Curtis for the sewer-bed.
A large amount of road improvement has been accomplished within the last decade. There is hardly a half mile of roadway in the town now not improved and finished with Tarvia, a road bed composition of good wearing quality. The streets of the town were first given names in 1855, principally for the con- venience in bounding lands and executing conveyances. The selectmen who per- formed this task and christened the roads were Charles C. Sewall, George M. Smith and Benjamin F. Shumway. In 1856 some of the old town roads were discontinued.
Adequate fire protection is supplied by the usual hook and ladder and hose companies ; the excellent water supply and pressure assist greatly in the preven- tion of any more disastrous years of fires such as occurred in the early '70s. The first fire engine in the town was a gift some years before 1832. This antiquated engine was kept in a barn. A Hunneman fire engine was purchased in 1853 at a cost of $600. A short time afterward an engine house was constructed on North Street and a company formed. In 1877 a hook and ladder truck, with apparatus, was purchased by the town and another company formed. The first telephone line built in the town came through in 1883.
The first step taken for the erection of a building for the care of the poor and destitute occurred in 1837 when the town purchased the farm of George Newell for $3, 100 and changed it into a poor farm. Until this time paupers were placed on public auction and sold to the lowest bidder for their support.
The visitor to Medfield town is at once impressed by the large number of stately trees lining the roadways, some of them of magnificent proportions and of great age. These trees are not all the products of chance, for in the year 1798 the citizens of the town became interested in the systematic planting of trees along
THE E. V. MITCHELL COMPANY'S HAT FACTORY, MEDFIELD
181
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
the streets. The silvan beauty of the town and village is largely the result of the enthusiasm aroused at that time for tree planting.
FIRST VITAL STATISTICS
A daughter of John Ellis, afterward the wife of Samuel Rockwood, was first white female child born in the town.
The first death was that of the infant child of Rev. John Wilson in De- cember, 1652. The first death among the settlers was that of John Wight in 1653.
The marriage of Thomas Mason and Margery Partridge in 1653 was the first in the town. The ceremony was performed by Eleazer Lusher of Dedham. No minister, unless possibly the Episcopal, was qualified under the English law to marry people until about thirty years later. Ralph Wheelock was appointed magistrate in 1656, then he had the privilege of conducting the marriage cere- monies in this vicinity.
The first murder in Medfield occurred in the year 1802, when William P. Allen was killed by his brother-in-law, Ebenezer Mason. Mason was tried, con- victed and hanged on the 7th of October. His body was stolen from the grave shortly afterward and, although a half-hearted atttempt was made to recover it, the effort was unsuccessful.
In 1656 occurred the marriage of Thomas Holbrook and Hannah Sheppard, before Ralph Wheelock and Thomas Grubb, the first before the town commis- sioners of Medfield.
FIRST VALUATIONS
The first list of property valuations on record for the Town of Medfield are those of 1652, and not all of them are itemized. As an example of the method of valuations the following account under the heading of "Ralph Wheelock His Estate" is given :
£
S.
d.
Psons. IO
0
O
Acrs 9 bro.
33
O
0
Unbro. 3
5
0
0
Orch.
IO
0
0
House
30
O
Oxen 2
14
O
Cows 2
.12
0
3 yearl.
5
O
2 yearl.
3
IO
One yearl.
2
O
Debts to rece.
40
O
O
Overplus of first estate given in
20
O
O
274
IO
0
There were thirty-four property holders listed in this first valuation of town wealth. Their names and the total valuation of their holdings are given in the following table :
182
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
John Bower £91
Robert Hinsdale 250
John Thurston .246
Francis Hamant . IOI
Albert Harding .21I
James Allin 139
Isaac Chenery 4I
Edward Adams I04
100
Alexander Lovell
88
John Plimpton
106
Daniel Morse
25I
John Turner II6
I66
John Allice
148
George Barber 240
Joseph Clark
183
Samuel Bullen
175
Henry Smith
183
John Wilson
.231
John Frairy
316
Benjamin Alby
182
Timothy Dwight
.278
Thomas Dwight
322
John Wight
88
Widow Sheppard
IO5
Joshua Fisher
180
Joseph Morse
260
Samuel Morse
90
Thomas Grubb 200
John Metcalf
I35
Nicholas Rockwood
100
Henry Adams
210
Ralph Wheelock
See above
The whole valuation of the property in Medfield in 1652 totaled £5,834.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
In early Medfield slavery prevailed to some extent. Rev. Joseph Baxter, in his will which was probated in 1745, bequeathed to his wife the slave woman Nanny. He also named certain conditions of good behavior by which Nanny could even- tually gain her freedom. Warwick Green, Colonel Wheelock's body servant during his service in the army, was brought here directly from Africa. New- port Green was another slave in this town.
A cemetery along Main Street was laid out immediately after the settlement of the town. This plot of ground was cleared of bushes and undergrowth every year and in 1843 was first enlarged by an addition of land on the north and east. A wall next to the street was built, paths and driveways laid out, and trees
Peter Adams
John Bullard
183
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
planted. The resting places of only four of the original settlers could be found in recent years, the graves being those of Rev. John Wilson, Samuel Bullen, Samuel Morse and John Metcalf.
About the year 1856 a law was passed that every town should have an "ordi- nary" or public house. The pioneer tavern keeper in Medfield was Joshua Fisher, who opened up for business where the home of Mrs. Margaret Hewins was after- ward located. Samuel Sadey began to operate a public house on North Street, opposite the head of Dale Street; another was in the south part of town and first kept by Sabin Mann; another was started by Seth Clark; Moses Richard- son also kept one in the east part of town. In 1810 David Fairbanks, a prominent business man of Medfield at this time, built a tavern on the site of the town hall and this was for fifty years the only public house in Medfield. The Wheelock estate was purchased by Fairbanks in order to begin this business.
The bi-centennial anniversary of the burning of Medfield by the Indians was celebrated February 26, 1876, with appropriate exercises. The day started by the ringing of bells and the firing of the national salute by a detachment from Battery B of the Massachusetts Artillery under Captain Baxter. The Medfield Band supplied music during the day. Addresses were delivered by Rev. C. C. Sewall, R. R. Bishop and a poem was read by James Hewins. The exercises were held at 10:30 A. M. in the town hall. In the afternoon the people reassembled and various activities consumed the remainder of the day.
On June 6, 1901 occurred the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth an- niversary of the incorporation of the Town of Medfield. An appropriation of $1,500 had been secured some months prior to the day for the proper conduct of the celebration. The day started in the usual patriotic manner and at 9 o'clock the grand procession was held, composed of the following : officers, committees, American Waltham Watch Company Band of twenty-two pieces, Moses Ellis Post, No. 117, G. A. R., Medfield Lodge No. 216, I. O. O. F., Medfield Lodge No. 40, A. O. U. W., Medfield Grange No. 114, P. of H., fire department, Women's Relief Corps, Hannah Adams Club, schools, trades, etc. Literary exercises were held at the First Congregational Church at II A. M., with the principal address by W. S. Tilden. At I o'clock a banquet was held in Chenery Hall, presided over by James Hewins. Sports and games were held at 2:30 P. M and at 8 P. M. a concert was given by the band.
The Boston and Hartford turnpike was constructed in 1806. It was owned by numerous stockholders who eventually found it an unprofitable investment. A line of coaches was run through the town for the next thirty years and toll gates were erected at various points along the route.
The first guide boards in Medfield were erected in 1795. There were five of them and they were placed at the corners of the principal townways.
In a paper read by James Hewins before the Worcester Society of Antiquity and others at the annual field day at Medfield June 20, 1891, the writer brought forth the suggestion of naming the more prominent homes of the town after In- dian characters who had historical connection with the town, either through the great Massasoit, in whose dominion the territory now in Medfield was situated at the time of the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620, or through his son, Metacomet, otherwise known as King Philip. Many names were suggested by Mr. Hewins, the more prominent of which follow, also the name of the residence to bear
184
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
each : Akkompoin, Edwin V. Mitchell, North Street; Annawon, George L. Hurll, Canal Street; Ashamattan, W. S. Tilden, Spring Street; Mantowapuct, Almenia C. and Amelia F. Everett, Main Street; Mattatoag, M. F. Clark, South Street ; Metacomet, Francis Hamant, South Street; Miantunnomoh, Samuel Ellis, North Street; Monoco, Ellen Curtis, North Street; Mooanum, W. R. Smith, South Street; Nanuntemoo, J. Henry Gould, Main Street; Petonowowett, George G. Babcock, South Street; Pokanoket, A. B. Parker, Main Street; Potok, T. L. Barney, Main Street; Pumham, J. Augustus Fitts, Main Street; Quadequin, James Hewins, Main Street ; Quanapohit, J. H. Richardson, North Street ; Quin- napin, Wilmot W. Mitchell, Main Street; Quinobequin, G. R. Chase, Bridge Street ; Sonkanuhoo, Henry M. Parker, Main Street; Sowampset, A. E. Mason, North Street; Tiashq, Albert A. Lovell, Railroad Street; Wampatuck, W. P. Hewins, Main Street; Watuspaquin, Hamlet Wight, North Street; Wawaloam, Stillman J. Spear, North Street; Weecum, William Marshall, Main Street; Weet- amoo, George H. Smith, Main Street ; Woosamequin, Elizabeth S., Alice O. and Edward U. Sewall, Main Street ; Wootonekanuske, J. B. Hale, South Street ; Jo- seph A. Allen retained his name of Castle Hill.
CHAPTER XXI
THE TOWN OF MEDWAY
ORIGINAL OWNERSHIP-FIRST GRANT OF LAND-THE FIRST ACTUAL SETTLER-THE STONE HOUSE-FIRST LOTS LAID OUT-THE NEW GRANT-DIVISION OF LOTS- MEETING HOUSE STRIFE - INCORPORATION - THE NAME - THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS-POPULATION-FIRST TOWN MEETING-HIGHWAYS-POSTOFFICES- MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT-CEMETERIES-ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The town of Medway lies in the western portion of the county of Norfolk and is bounded in the following manner : on the north by Middlesex County ; on the west by Worcester County ; on the south by the towns of Bellingham and Frank- lin ; and on the east by the town of Millis. The territory of Medway presents an undulating surface, well watered by the Charles River and some of its tribu- taries. The uplands of this town once became notable as fine meadow lands, a fact which aided in the first settlement of the town. Part of the town is hilly, but not in sufficient area to destroy the value of the land.
ORIGINAL OWNERSHIP
The territory now comprising the town of Medway originally belonged to the territory claimed by the Nipmuck Indians, once a very powerful tribe. Prior to King Philip's war this tribe became divided, one of the principal branches being the Natick. The negotiations with these Indians relative to the country in this vicinity were carried on mostly by the settlers of Medfield, a description of which is given in the chapter on that town. In addition, the early legal transactions of the Town of Medfield will answer for the earliest government of Medway, as the latter town was largely contained in Medfield when set aside from Dedham. -
FIRST GRANT OF LAND
In the year 1643 the General Court of Massachusetts Bay granted to the Rev. John Allin 200 acres of wild land in the forest beyond the west bounds of Dedham. This is probably the first grant, at least the first recorded, in the terri- tory which later was to become the Town of Medway. Reverend Allin, according to history, never occupied his land in person.
In 1649 Captain Robert Keaine (also spelled Kayne, Kaine and Keane), of Boston, received a grant of 1,074 acres to the north of the Allin farm. The line between Medfield and Sherborn afterwards drawn corresponded very nearly with the line between these two grants.
About the same time thirty-three acres of land were laid out "before Bridge Street." These seven lots were bounded on the east by the river and formed a
185
186
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
tract later crossed by the turnpike. The first land on the west side of the river to be divided among the citizens of Medfield was the part known as the "broad meadows." In 1653 Abraham Harding and Peter Adams had grants in Grape Meadow, east of the Black Swamp. In 1655 grants were also made to Benjamin Alby and Alexander Lovell.
THE FIRST ACTUAL SETTLER
The first actual settler within the territory afterwards included in the Town of Medway was George Fairbanks. He came about the year 1657, although this date, as well as his birth and parentage, is buried in obscurity. The year 1657 is approximated only. Fairbanks was married on August 26, 1646 to Mary A. Harris in Dedham, raised a family of five children, and died January 10, 1682. On February 6, 1660, the Town of Medfield granted to Fairbanks "such timber for fencing as shall make 300 rails, with posts for it, as shall be set out by brother Wight and John Metcalf shall appoint him with what he has already fallen to make up 300 rails." This is the first mention of him in the town records. Fair- banks was not associated with the settlement of Medfield Plain, but purchased the land which in 1643 had been granted to Reverend Allin by the General Court. So he held his land by purchase and not by town grant. His dwelling was the noted "stone house" near the north border of the pond. The location of his farm prevented Fairbanks from being listed as one of the Medfield proprietors in the division of the New Grant. In fact, his political and social activities were almost wholly confined to the town of Sherborn, where he once served as selectman. For at least seven generations the original farm remained in the hands of and was cultivated by Fairbanks' descendants. In 1660 it is recorded that his nearest neighbors were "Nicholas Woods, Daniel Morse, Henry Lealand, Thomas Hol- brook and Thomas Bass."
In 1652 Nicholas Woods and Thomas Holbrook, both from Dorchester, settled on the west side of the river, between Death's Bridge and Holbrook's Mills. They were located one-half mile from each other, were beyond any town and were four miles from any English neighbors. In the same year, or soon afterward, Hopestill Lealand, seventy years of age, with his son Henry, came here from Dorchester. In 1658 John Hill and Thomas Breck located to the southwest of the above named, one-third of a mile north of Boggestow Pond. They were also from Dorchester. By marriage most of these men soon became related, forming a large family community. Thomas Bass appeared in the vicinity about 1660 and married Woods' daughter. It is probable that Benjamin Bullard resided nearby at this time.
Joseph Daniel was the second actual settler within the bounds of Medway. He was the son of Robert Daniel, of Cambridge or Watertown. He first became identified with Medfield, becoming a townsman there in 1662. His marriage to Mary Fairbanks on November 16, 1665, was the first in Medway, although that of Jonathan Adams and Elizabeth Fussell occurred the same year.
Prior to the year 1660 George Fairbanks was the only settler west of the river in what later was set off as the Town of Medway. John Fussell and his son-in-law, Jonathan Adams, were early settlers on the west side. William Allin probably located here about 1668, when be married Elizabeth Twitchell, daughter
187
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
of Benjamin Twitchell. Allin died in 1736, when over ninety years of age. Be- fore 1669 Peter Calley located near the Boggestow Pond. At the time of the burning of Medfield Abraham Harding was constructing his house in Medway territory. Josiah Rockwood in 1677 settled on the place later known as the Oak Grove farm. John Rockwood built his house here about the same time. John Richardson is first mentioned in the records of the town in 1678. Before 1680 Peter Adams probably had settled on the west side of the Charles. In his house the first public worship after the incorporation of Medfield was held. Samuel Daniel, brother of Joseph Daniel, settled in 1680 and after his deatii fifteen years later the farm was sold to Jasper Adams. Vincent Shuttleworth came to the territory in 1681. He was a deserter during the Indian wars and for the offense was fined a sum of £5; later, however, he further proved his worth- lessness by becoming the first pauper of Medfield. John Partridge, John Adams and John Clark came in 1681. Samuel Hill appeared about 1693.
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