USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > History of the town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650-1886 : with genealogies of the families that held real estate or made any considerable stay in the town during the first two centuries > Part 10
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Granted liberty to Henry Smith and others "to set a smal Room to the west end of the School house when it is moved to the place at the horse Block." This was probably a "noon-house."
Voted, To Instruct the Representative to stand by and maintaine the Libertys and Privilidges of the Contry agreable to the present Royal Charter.
The crown had appointed Jonathan Belcher Governor of Massachusetts, and required the colony to pay him a fixed salary, a demand which the people stoutly resisted.
1734. Selectmen, Samuel Smith, Samuel Morse, Abra- ham Harding, John Bullen, and Samuel Turner.
George Barber, Representative.
Voted £160 in "bills of public credit " for Mr. Baxter's salary.
A road was laid out from the house of Ebenezer Mason, Sen., to Dedham line, near Ephraim Wight's house. This was a widening and straightening of Farm Street and parts of North Street. Also "a way from this to Joseph Allen's house, thence to Dedham line." This was the portion of North Street from Farm Street to Dover. The road in the south part of the town since called Granite Street was straightened by crossing a little swamp nine rods wide. We are told that there was "a very great croak in it before."
1735. Selectmen, John Dwight, Joseph Plimpton, Samuel Clark, Samuel Morse, and John Bullen.
George Barber, Representative.
John Dwight was chosen town clerk. He served six years.
Another petition for a new county was sent in.
A road was laid out from "the Littel bridge in the rail- tree neck, so along by Abijah Bakers house and along near John turners house and from thence by John allens house
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
to Henry Smiths house." This was near the present loca- tion of parts of High and Plain Streets.
A road was laid out "from dedham Line by the house of thomas Masons and so by the house of Henry Plimptons and so across a brushy plain to the house of William Par- tridge." This was the north-easterly part of Pine Street, connecting with Green Street by a road now unused.
" Also from henry Plimptons meddow to Henry huckers house And so to John Prats." This was the westerly end of Pine Street to its junction with North Street.
John Allen and Samuel Turner had liberty to build a noon-house on the town's land near the meeting-house.
A road was laid out from Joshua Boyden's to Seth Clark's, since called Pound Street.
£2 IOs. Id. raised to pay for killing wildcats.
1736. Selectmen, John Dwight, Samuel Bullen, Will- iam Plimpton, Jonathan Metcalf, and John Baxter.
Joshua Morse, Representative.
Voted, That Joseph Clark shall have the use of the burying Place for feeding ten years for five shillings a year, provided he make and main- taine a good and sufficient fence and Leave it in good repair att the ten years end : and the sd Clark shall not cut down or cary of any wood or timber upon sd burying place.
1737. Selectmen, John Dwight, Abraham Harding, Samuel Sadey, Henry Smith, and Seth Clark.
George Barber, Representative.
A road was laid out from Dedham line through land of Cheney and Thurston ; probably the road near Cedar Hill, connecting with Green Street, which the town voted to discontinue in 1856.
Voted, That the town will build Pewes In the short seates and Long seates in the Easte end of the Meeting house.
1738. Selectmen, John Dwight, Abraham Harding, John Ellis, James Ellis, and Ephraim Cheney.
Jonathan Plimpton, Representative.
Voted, That every persin In the Town tht keeps sheep shall record their marks some time this month of March with John Pratt.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
A road was laid out by the county from John Metcalf's to Centre meadow, the town having refused those who peti- tioned for it.
A pound was built forty by thirty-five feet, on the old spot near the meeting-house.
The earliest records of the old church, extant, are dated June 6, 1738. On that day, the church voted : -
I. That what hath been already recorded in a Book with respect to the admission of church members, &c., as well as the names of those who were in full communion when there was a pastor last settled in this church, viz. on April 21, 1697, shall be entered and recorded in this new book.
2. That there shall be a record made in said book of all church acts that shall be made or passed hereafter, or from this time.
Mr. Baxter evidently transcribed with his own hand from some older record, which is now lost.
In 1738, the territory granted to Medfield in Worcester County, which had been called New Medfield, was incorpo- rated by the General Court, and named Sturbridge.
1739. Selectmen, John Dwight, Abraham Harding, Edward Turner, Seth Clark, and John Pratt.
Jonathan Plimpton, Representative.
DEER REEVES.
Voted and chose John Ellise and Solomon Clark jr. In order to prevent violation of the Late Law made for the better preservation of deer.
1740. Selectmen, John Dwight, Edward Turner, Timothy Hamant, Henry Adams, and Jonathan Wight. Jonathan Plimpton, Representative.
Town voted again to petition for a new county.
At this date, we learn that £6 Ios. 9d., in bills of old tenor, were just equal to £2 3s. 7d., new tenor, or three for one.
1741. Selectmen, Nathan Plimpton, Samuel Ellis, Thomas Adams, Eleazar Ellis, and Edward Turner.
John Dwight, Representative.
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111STORY OF MEDFIELD.
Nathan Plimpton was chosen town clerk. He served four years.
A road was laid out from Walpole line past Jeremiah Clark's house toward the way formerly laid out toward John Allen's house. This was the part of Granite Street toward Walpole plain. Also, a road from John Baxter's house by the house of John Fisher, Jr., to the road from Henry Plimpton's to Henry Hooker's. This was the old road east of Castle Hill, leading from Pine Street.
Voted to petition the town of Medway for a change in the boundary by drawing a straight line from Charles River near Dyer's Neck to Boggestow Brook near Bridge Island.
The church considered the question whether infant slaves might receive baptism, their parents not being in covenant.
Voted that, if the masters think it their duty to bring such children, it should not be denied them.
1742. Selectmen, Thomas Adams, Edward Turner, Elisha Bullen, Eleazar Ellis, and Nathaniel Morse. John Dwight, Representative.
A road was laid out from Frairy's bridge to "the way that Goes from the Long Causey to Jadewalk." The road is now called Noon Hill Street.
Mr. Baxter gave up to the town his right to the half-acre of land near the meeting-house. His salary was made £180, old tenor, or £60, middle tenor. A quarterly contribution was to be taken up toward supplying the pulpit "at present in his weakness."
The first list of jurors is mentioned : ten were put in the box for the superior and fifteen for the inferior court.
The great religious awakening about this time brought seventy persons into the Medfield church during the year.
1743. Selectmen, Thomas Adams, Edward Turner, Eleazar Ellis, Samuel Ellis, Jr., and Thomas Mason.
Deacon Barber and others had leave to build a "House about Fourteen feet squire on the most convenient place between Lieut. Coollidges shop and the pound so to go into on Sabbath day noons."
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
Mr. Baxter's salary was made 655 lawful money, or £220, old tenor.
FISII RUNNING UP CHARLES RIVER.
A committee was chosen to see the act and law be duly observed and executed, so that Charles River be cleared, that fish may have a free pass according to law.
In the early times, it is said that shad and alewives ran up the river to breeding-grounds at Populatic Pond in Franklin.
Voted, That the Town will Clapboard the South East side & South West end of the Meeting House & mak convenient Windows & under pin sd House and do what may be best to keep it from spreading.
The owners of meadows near Long Causey and Dwight's bridge presented a complaint to the Court that, by reason of the dam at Natick, their meadows were under water almost the year round, and asked that the meadows be viewed from Dwight's bridge to Natick to discover the cause of the damage.
1744. Selectmen, Edward Turner, Henry Adams, John Pratt, Samuel Morse, and Peter Cooledge. Joshua Morse, Representative.
The account of the committee on repairing the meeting- house was objected to, because they had put up "spouts," and nothing had been said about spouts in their instructions.
At this date there was a saw-mill on the brook some dis- tance south of the Dedham road, which was run by James Goudy. A boy of Goudy's was killed by the logs rolling over him. The site of the mill is yet visible in the woods.
Medfield was fined £15 for not sending a Representative last year.
MR. BAXTER'S COLLEAGUE.
The town voted to hire another minister "to preach the word of God to them during Mr. Baxter's present infirmities." Rev. Jonathan Townsend was hired for three months.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Town voted that a day of fasting and prayer be called, "in order to setling a minister in Co-league with Mr. Baxter, and so to desire some of the Neighboring ministers to join in sd Fast."
1745. Selectmen, Edward Adams, Samuel Morse, John Pratt, Henry Adams, and Peter Cooledge.
Peter Cooledge was chosen town clerk. He served eighteen years.
Voted and Chose (in Concurrence with the Church) Mr. Jonathan Townsend jr. as a Gospel minister to settle a Coleague with the Revd Mr. Joseph Baxter.
Granted him " that Persel of land at the North East End of the Meeting House," with £400, old tenor, as his "en- couragement," and £200 a year salary; also that he have leave to get his firewood on the town's land, and have the improvement of the town's land on Frairy Street. If he should continue after Mr. Baxter's decease, he was to have £55 a year in "bills of the last emition."
Mr. Baxter died on the 2d of May; and, at a town- meeting subsequently, it is recorded that "Divers well- Disposed Persons made a susscription of what they freely Gave towards the Charge of the funeral of the Rev. Joseph Baxter."
ORDINATION DAY.
Mr. Townsend was ordained October 23. A committee was chosen to provide entertainment for the council, the ministers, and scholars, and Mr. Townsend's relations that should be present at the ordination. The constables were directed to guard the pulpit, the table, the two pews next to the table, and the body of seats, for the council and the church and for Mr. Townsend's relatives on ordination day.
A bill was afterward brought in for the entertainment, of £59 2s. IOd., old tenor. Several persons dissented from the legality of the account. There was some dissatisfaction with the selection of Mr. Townsend as pastor, which grew into a permanent disaffection.
ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764. 137
Mr. Townsend built his house on the parcel of land granted him near the meeting-house. After it passed out of the possession of the Townsend family, it was occupied by Rev. Charles Robinson as a dwelling during his pastorate. Finally, it was used as a straw-shop, and was destroyed by fire with adjacent buildings in 1876.
1746. Selectmen, Samuel Morse, Edward Turner, Peter Cooledge, Timothy Hamant, and James Penniman. George Barber, Representative.
Several dissatisfied brethren asked to be dismissed to the second church in Wrentham. This was refused, and they then asked that a council be called to adjust the differ- ences between them and the church. This was also refused. It seems that these brethren had charged that the church had broken covenant in regard to discipline, but in what particulars is not known.
1747. Selectmen, Edward Turner, Samuel Morse, Peter Cooledge, Timothy Hamant, and Jonathan Wight, Jr. Samuel Morse, Representative.
Parties had leave to build a noon-house south-west of the meeting-house.
Voted, To build pews in the short seats in the corners of the meeting house on each side of the pulpit.
Granted for the support of schools, £25, old tenor.
The dissatisfied element in the old church did not weaken. The church voted that those who have charged the church with a breach of covenant should come no more to the com- munion till satisfaction was made for the injury done by the charge. This was defined, by vote, to mean exclusion from sitting at the Lord's table and taking any part in church action.
1748. Selectmen, Edward Turner, Samuel Morse, Timothy Hamant, Peter Cooledge, and Thomas Mason. Samuel Morse, Representative.
The number of dissatisfied church members was increas- ing, and the church finally voted to call a council. Some
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
matters in dispute had been laid before the council called at the time of Mr. Townsend's ordination. The church now did not wish to have those matters reopened. As a result of the council, the platform of church discipline agreed upon at Cambridge in 1648 was accepted; and one of the disaffected, William Plimpton, was received back to fellow- ship.
1749. Selectmen, Edward Turner, Seth Clark, Peter Cooledge, Samuel Smith, and Moses Harding.
Seth Clark, Representative.
"Several uneasy persons in the town of Medfield appre- hending that the making of the taxes is not legal, because they are all assessed in one list instead of separately," the General Court was petitioned to empower the constable to collect the taxes, "though the custom in making the list be not in accordance with the practice in some other towns." An empowering act was passed.
Thomas and James Boyden, living in the northerly part of Wrentham, but who attended church here, were by vote of the town "to be seated in the meeting house in some Proper Plases."
THE CANADA SOLDIERS.
Voted, That the money Recd for Impresses shall be returned to the Soldiars that Did the service in the Last war Proportionally to the ser- vice they Paid. He that did a whole Turne to Receive Double to him that Did half a Turne.
We learn from this, which is the only reference to the matter, that men had been drafted for the expeditions against Canada ; but their names are not given. We only know that Joseph Clark and Samuel Hooker died at Cape Breton in 1746.
1750. Selectmen, Seth Clark, Peter Cooledge, Samuel Smith, John Baxter, and Seth Morse.
A new saw-mill of Ephraim Cheney's is mentioned.
Granted liberty to Ebenezer Bullard to Buld a small House on the Towns Land between Nathaniel Smith and Joshua Boydens Near the Crowners fence for him and his Wiff to Live in.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
The location was at the junction of South and Pound Streets. No indication that a house was built there, how- ever, has been found.
Granted Power to the Commity Chose to seat the Boydens and thier Wifes, to Alter the Seting of some Persons in the meeting house Where Death has made a vacancy.
COMPULSORY SUPPORT OF PARISH MINISTERS.
Respecting the Awfull Petition Prefered by a number to be freed from Paying to the support of the minestry, it was Dismised.
Agitation commenced about this time in regard to those of different religious persuasions being compelled to pay for the support of the parish ministers.
A road was laid out from the west side of Huckleberry Hill to a road leading from Green Street to Rocky Woods.
1751. Selectmen, Seth Clark, Peter Cooledge, Samuel Smith, John Baxter, and Seth Morse.
Ephraim Chenery, Representative.
A committee was chosen "to Transcribe some Records out of one of the Town Books into another." What they did, if anything, is unknown.
A road was laid out "from Isaac Wheeler's Barne the way by Thomas Clark's to a Bridg Below Thos Clarks mill."
Wheeler's barn was at the corner of South and Curve Streets, and Clark's mill was on the site of that now owned by Mr. Kingsbury.
Another road was laid out "fromn Joshua Bullards to Dedham Line by Seth Morses the way to Round Plain." This is a part of what is now called Railroad Street, from Canal Street to Dover line.
ANTI-PEDOBAPTISTS.
The assessors and town clerk received certificates from Mr. Bound's church in Boston, stating that Ebenezer Mason and Ezekiel Adams were in regular membership there. A statute had been passed by which such persons might be
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
excused from ministerial taxes on presentation of these cer- tificates. They, with some others in this town, had be- come "anti-pedobaptists."
1752. Selectmen, Samuel Smith, John Baxter, William Peters, Jonathan Wight, Jr., and Seth Clark.
Ephraim Chenery, Representative.
The first Baptist meetings in Medfield were held in 1752. Seven men who had united with Mr. Bound's church ob- tained leave to hold meetings here as a branch of that church, and to grant certificates. They were Ebenezer Mason, Ezekiel Adams, Nathan Plimpton, John Allen, Joshua Morse, Joseph Plimpton, and John Cutler.
1753. Selectmen, Samuel Smith, Seth Morse, Simon Harding, Thomas Adams, and Oliver Ellis.
Peter Cooledge, Representative.
Oliver Ellis and about eighty others sent a petition to the General Court for relief, on account of their meadows being overflowed by Matthew Hastings' dam at Natick. The petition was dismissed. The petitioners brought a suit against Hastings for damages. It was decided against them. Then, Hastings brought a suit against them for malicious prosecution ; and the petitioners asked of the Court relief from him. His proceedings were stayed. Thereupon, Hastings sent in a statement that "old men who had known the meadows well before any dam was built, and who also know them now, declare that they are no more flowed now than before; and that person's owning meadows much nearer the dam make no complaint. But these eighty of Medfield and Medway are pursuing him with multiplied law-suits, with the aim to oppress him and bear him costs," etc. The commissioners of sewers attempted some measures of relief. The meadow owners were as- sessed to pay charges. What the result of their action was is not stated.
1754. Selectmen, Samuel Smith, Timothy Hamant, Barachias Mason, Seth Clark, and Seth Wight.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
Simon Plimpton, Representative.
Voted "to Buld some sutable Place to hang the Bell on that is Procured for the towns use." The town had voted some time before this that the bell should not be rung.
Voted "that sd Bell should be Hung at the east end of the meeting house." Liberty was given "to Get Timber on the Bridge Island to buld for Hanging sd Bell."
Voted "that the Town will pay the Whole Cost of Bulding the Belfre and Terat"; and "to Give order to Cut a Door throw the Long Seats."
A tax-list called the "Steple rate " was made, of £38 19s. 6d.
We conclude that a projection was built on the end of the meeting-house next to North Street, from the ground to the ridge, and that this was surmounted by a turret in which the bell was hung. A new entrance to the house appears to have been made from this belfry or porch.
Voted, To Choose Agents to Enter a Complaint to the Grand Jury of the next Superior Cort for the County of Suffolk against Matthew Hastings of Natick for a Nusance a Cross Charles River Which Causes Long Causey, Dwights Causey and the Causey Leading to Holbrooks Bridg to be overflowed With Water and Thereby Rendered in a Great Measure unserviceable the Greatest Part of the year.
1755. Selectmen, Moses Harding, Seth Clark, Seth Dwight, Joshua Boyden, and Oliver Ellis.
Ephraim Chenery, Representative.
A road was laid out "from the Corner of John Allens Wall to Wallpole Line." This was that part of High Street beyond Plain Street.
Another highway was ordered from North Street to the road "leading to Henry Hookers," now called Winter Street.
The town lot near Dale Street was sold, and the money reserved for the use of the ministry ; also another town lot at the south corner of Curve and South Streets. The "ministerial fund," so called, was derived from the sale of town lands in part, and in part from bequests.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
This town contributed its quota of men for the wars. In the archives is the following : -
To the whole Court now Setting in Boston :
Your petitioner humbly sheweth that as he hath been in the late expedition towards Crown Point but as he was returning from the campaign, he was taking sick at Springfield and there confined for the space of nine weeks which occasioned a great charge to arise. Your petitioner therefore prays that you would Consider the expence and allow him the said as you will find by the Doctor's Bill, and that the attendance is about as much more, but he has got no ac'ct of it in Writing; therefore your petitioner prays your consideration on the same that you would allow him this charge, in the meantime he remains your humble petitioner.
LEMUEL BOYDEN.
£8 6s. 3d. was paid him out of the public treasury.
1756. Selectmen, Moses Harding, John Baxter, Seth Dwight, Samuel Morse, and David Clark.
Ephraim Chenery, Representative.
The school was ordered to be kept one-half of the time in the north and south parts of the town, and the other half in the centre. Only one school was in session at the same time.
Later in the year, "Voted to Set of that Part of the Town South of South Plain brook Including Thomas Clark, for the South side school, and to use their own money "; also "to Set off the north School as far as Jesse Pratts, thay to have their own money."
£20 was granted "for the maintenance of the French neutrals sent here by the order of the General Court last year." These "French neutrals" were from the unfort- unate Acadians, who were scattered through the whole country.
A committee was chosen "to Clear and fence the Burying Plase and to Reserve the Wood."
1757. Selectmen, Thomas Mason, Simon Plimpton, Eliakim Morse, Joshua Boyden, and David Lovel.
Peter Cooledge, Representative.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
1758. Selectmen, John Baxter, David Lovel, Joshua Boyden, John Fisher, and James Richardson.
Peter Cooledge, Representative.
Voted, To buld a Work house for the Town to stow the French in and other Poore as the town may have ocation .... between the school house and the Horse house adjoning to Wheelocks Land, the Demen- tions of sd House 32 feet Long and 14 feet wide.
£20 was granted for the purpose. At a later meeting, it was voted to set the workhouse on the common land beyond Eliakim Morse's. Finally, the whole thing was reconsidered and abandoned. This is the first recorded movement for an almshouse in this town.
1759. Selectmen, William Peters, John Fisher, Ephraim Chenery, Thomas Adams, and Henry Plimpton. Ephraim Chenery, Representative.
The location of the Jadewalk road was changed, and "the old west road " was discontinued. There was also some change in Canal Street, near the present railroad crossing.
In the State archives is the following paper : -
The subscribers, a committee of the town of Medfield, show cause why the petition of Dorchester in respect of a bridge over Neponset River near Jackson's mills ought not to pass.
The town of Medfield receives no more benefit from the said bridge than the county in general, and the town of Dorchester, in particular, do. The small town of Medfield, which is but three miles east and west, and four miles north and south, have built and maintained the half of three bridges over Charles River, and the whole of three bridges over Stop River, besides bridges over the smaller streams, most of them in the great country roads, for near a hundred years without any charge to the county.
The Suffolk County tax for 1759 upon the several towns was as follows : -
Boston, £250 os.
Hingham, 16 IO
13 13 od. Wrentham, Medway, . Stoughton,
£10
6 13 13 6 3 Dorchester, . I3 13 5 II IO 7 6 Milton, 7 3 2 O Braintree, 15 6 IO IO 4 Hull, Brookline, Needham, Weymouth, . 9 3 6 14 2 IO 7 6 3 I Bellingham, Walpole, O 2 I IO Dedham, . 8 3 4 17 O Medfield, 13 Chelsea, 12 135. 6d Roxbury, O
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
1760. Selectmen, William Peters, John Fisher, Seth Dwight, David Clark, and Henry Plimpton.
Peter Cooledge, Representative.
Voted, To Divide the school into three Districts for the Terme of Twenty years : any of the Inhabetants of Each District to have Liberty to send any Child to the Gramer School in the midle District to Learn the Lattin Tongue and the Mathematical arts.
Voted, To Grant the Sum of Thirteen Pounds Six Shillings and Eight pence Including the old House Towards Bulding a School house in the midle of the Town where the old School house now Stands, Provided perticular Persons will subscribe a Sum Sufficient to finish sd House, the subscribers to have the Priviledge of Improving the sd house for a Private School when there is no town school kept in it.
This was the third school-house in the centre. It appears that new school-houses were needed in the north and south districts also. Perhaps the schools had outgrown the sixteen by eighteen buildings erected in 1732.
A tax-list of £80 was made "for the Bulding and pur- chasing Schoolhouses."
Joseph Boyden, of Medfield, sent the following petition to the General Court : -
Your petitioner served as a private in Hammond's company of Col. Willard's regiment in the campaign of last summer to the westward. Upon my return, crossing a river near No. 4, I narrowly escaped drown- ing and lost my gun in the river, a good and approved firelock not of less value than 40 shillings. Your petitioner prays allowance for his arms so lost.
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