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 20
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School committee, William S. Tilden, Ellen Clifford, Henry F. Sawyer.
Trustees school fund, Hamlet Wight, Joseph H. Baker, Ralph A. Battelle.
Board of health, Dr. John H. Richardson, Dr. Charles M. Fuller, James M. Hewins.
Trustees of library, J. Herbert Baker, William S. Tilden, Stillman J. Spear, Dr. John H. Richardson.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1886.
Schools, $3,400
Highways and bridges,
2,500
Support of the poor,
1,600
Library (besides dog tax),
100
General expenses,
1,000
Fire department,
Soo
Town officers,
600
School text-books,
300
. Toward the town debt,
1,000
Town assumed the care of all sidewalks within half a mile of the town hall, so far as to keep them clear of snow in the winter.
Town voted to construct a common sewer for the use of the town and of all persons who might desire to enter the same from a point on North Street, near where Vine Brook runs under the same, to a point north-westerly of Dale Street on land owned by the heirs of Daniel D. Curtis, where a filtering basin was constructed.
Frank K. Bonney was appointed postmaster, and the office was removed to Frost's Block on North Street.
Rev. I. H. Gilbert resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, and was succeeded by Rev. E. S. Gardner.
After the death of D. D. Curtis, which occurred in De- cember, 1885, the business was continued in the interests
269
MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
of his family, in connection with Messrs. Searle and Dailey, till the close of the business year, June 30, 1886.
During the year, 47,863 cases of goods were sent from the factory, the aggregate value of which amounted to $1,069,732. The amount paid to workmen during the year was $297,929.57.
Since July 1, 1886, the business has been conducted by Searle, Dailey & Co. Haskell A. Searle has been connected with the straw goods business since 1855. He was with Beekman of New York while Walter Janes, and afterward Janes & Curtis, manufactured goods for that house, and since 1870 in the firm of D. D. Curtis & Co. Granville F. Dailey, a brother-in-law of Mr. Searle, in connection with him was in the Beekman establishment in New York until he entered the co-partnership in 1870. Edwin V. Mitchell, the third member of the new firm, has been superintendent of the manufactory with D. D. Curtis & Co. since 1877, and married the eldest daughter of Mr. Curtis in 1885.
The enlargement of manufacturing facilities desired by Searle, Dailey & Co. made necessary the erection of a boiler house, new boilers, and a larger engine, which, with other changes, involved the expenditure of $25,000.
VOTERS OF MEDFIELD, LIST OF FEB. 6, 1886.
Abell, William F.
Barney, Thomas L.
Adams, Edward L.
Bartz, Henry
Adams, George W.
Bartz, John E.
Adams, John Z.
Battelle, Ralph A.
Adams, Lewis L.
Bent, David M.
Adams, Lowell
Bent, Edward M.
Adams, Warren
Bingham, Thomas A.
Alexander, Louis E.
Bingham, Thomas H.
Allen, Alphonso L.
Bingham, Walter S.
Allen, Joseph E.
Bishop, Moses B. H.
Allen, Noah
Blackington, Edward M.
Allen, William C.
Blake, Alfred A.
Babcock, Albert J.
Bonney, Eugene
Babcock, Eben G.
Bonney, Frank K.
Babcock, George G.
Boylan, Bernard
Babcock, Herbert W.
Brennan, Michael
Babcock, Lowell
Brigham, Frank A.
Baker, J. Herbert
Brigham, Joseph H.
Baker, Joseph H.
Brown, Henry S.
Baker, Robert W.
Brown, Loring I.
Barney, T. Fred
Bruce, Charles F.
270
IHISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Bruce, George W.
Frost, Clinton T.
Bryant, Alonzo K.
Franks, Ellery
Bullard, Charles
French, Reuben
Bullard, Edmund
Fuller, Charles M.
Bullard, Hinsdale F.
Garfield, Charles M.
Bullard, John T.
Garfield, Daniel L.
Bullard, Lester C.
Garfield, Martin L.
Bullard, William H.
Getchell, Robert E.
Bunting, James R.
Getchell, Thomas E.
Bussey, James B.
Gilbert, Albion C.
Bussey, Jaazaniah
Gilbert, Isaac H.
Cary, Gilman
Giles, George F.
Chamberlain, Ephraim
Gilley, Edward P.
Chase, George R.
Gilley, Fred G.
Chase, Perley S.
Gilman, Charles W.
Chenery, Benjamin
Gilman, Warren R.
Chenery, Edmund L.
Gilmore, George M.
Chenery, William
Gilmore, Marcus
Cheney, Martin L.
Gilmore, Melvin
Clark, Frederick M.
Gould, John H.
Clark, Joseph
Griffin, James
Clark, Moses F.
Grover, E. Emmons
Clark, Thomas S.
Grover, Ephraim O.
Clifford, Israel
Grover, Paschal C.
Clifford, Oliver
Grover, William B.
Codding, Isaac B.
Codding, Loring J.
Guild, Luther A.
Coltman, James
Haggerty, Daniel
Crane, George
Hale, Jeremiah B.
Crane, William
Hamant, Charles
Crosby, Herman G.
Hamant, Daniel D.
Curtis, Irving
Hamant, Francis D.
Curtis, Joseph W.
Hamant, George D.
Cushman, Jacob R.
Hanly, Patrick J.
Cutler, Alfred
Hanks, George M.
Cutler, Lewis A.
Hanks, Henry J.
Cutter, Frank W.
Harding, Henry F.
Harding, Lorenzo
Davis, George
Harding, Nathan
Harding, Nathan F.
Dunn, Charles
Harding, William F.
Dunn, Henry J.
Hardy, Joseph A.
Dyer, Alison B.
Hartshorn, Moses
Ellis, Edwin H.
Ellis, Samuel
Everett, William H.
Haynes, Lowell Healy, John Hewins, James
Fairbanks, James A.
Hewins, James M.
Fales, Gilbert D. Fales, William A. Fales, William E.
Hoar, Benjamin H.
Hoisington, Dennis
Fisher, William Q.
Fitts, Julius A.
Forbes, William
Freeman, Charles C.
Hewins, William P.
Holmes, Clarence R.
Howe, Frank I. Hutson, Herbert W.
Hutson, John G.
Cole, Richard E.
Guild, Erastus I.
Guild, Lewis H.
Conger, James W.
Guild, William F.
Danforth, Fred
Dawson, James H.
MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
271
Hyatt, Richard J.
Parker, Alonzo B.
Johnston, Jeremiah
Parker, Henry M.
Johnson, Andrew J.
Parker, Roswell K.
Johnson, Joseph M. Johnson, Moses H.
Pember, John
Johnson, Samuel
Pember, John H.
Johnson, Wilbur
Perrigo, Orion M.
Jordan, Alfred H.
Pettis, George E.
Jordan, Horatio A.
Plimpton, Charles E.
Kennedy, Dennis
Plimpton, David
Keyou, Edwin J.
Plimpton, Melvin G.
King, Thomas
Quincy, John A.
Kingsbury, Albert D.
Rhodes, Edwin A. Rhodes, Francis
Kingsbury, Edgar W.
Kingsbury, George W.
Richards, Lewis M.
Kingsbury, John
Richardson, Henry F. A.
Kingsbury, Warren E.
Richardson, John H.
Kingsbury, William
Roberts, William B.
Landers, Ephraim H.
Rogers, Edward J.
Leeds, Joseph
Rogers, Warren M.
Leeds, Theodore
Rourke, Martin E.
Leland, Henry
Russell, Charles H.
Lonergan, Joseph E.
Sawyer, Henry F.
Lovell, Albert A.
Sawyer, Horace P.
Lyon, William E.
Sawyer, Webber
Maker, Frank H.
Schools, John
Maker, Seth R.
Schools, John H.
Mann, Henry W.
Schools, Thomas E.
Marsh, Theodore B.
Sewall, Charles C.
Marshall, William
Sewall, Edward U.
Martin, Patrick
Sherman, Reuben
Mason, Amos E.
Sherman, Rutilleus
Mason, Frank E.
Shumway, Benj. F.
Mason, Harry S.
Shumway, George
Mason, John
Shumway, John W.
McLaughlin, Alexander
Simpson, Samuel W.
Meany, David
Smith, Clark Smith, Fred M.
Mitchell, Edwin V.
Smith, George H.
Mitchell, George F.
Smith, Jeremiah R.
Morang, J. V.
Smith, Thomas L.
Morrill, Fred A.
Smith, William R.
Morrill, George W.
Spaulding, Charles W.
Morse, Fred H.
Spear, Stillman J. Stone, Nathan A.
Nelson, James
Strang, Cyrus D.
Nelson, Peter W.
Taber, Charles H.
Newell, Charles O.
Taber, Frank H.
Newell, Edward E.
Taber, Harrison P.
Newell, George A.
Thatcher, Edwin H.
Newell, John A.
Thayer, Elijah Thurston, John Y.
Ord, James
Ord, John Ord, John, Jr. Osborn, George H. Paige, Joseph W.
Tilden, Eleazar P.
Tilden, William S. Tracy, James M.
Tufts, Joseph D.
Miller, George F.
Morse, George A.
Payson, Edward
272
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Turner, Charles
Whiting, Daniel W.
Turner, Emory H.
Wight, Francis
Turner, Lewis H.
Wight, George H.
Turner, Stephen F.
Wight, Hamlet
Twiss, James J.
Wight, Henry F.
Upham, Thomas
Wight, Henry G.
Voss, Thomas
Wight, Herbert W.
Walker, Edwin G.
Wight, Jonathan G.
Weiker, Conrad
Wiley, Lyman A.
Weiker, Raymond
Wilson, Bennett
Weiker, Reynolds
Winship, George W.
Weiker, William F.
Wood, Edward H.
Weston, George L.
Woods, Samuel
NAMES OF FEMALES QUALIFIED TO VOTE FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Bailey, Abby
Morse, Susan
Cary, Catherine L.
Newell, Alvira D.
Clifford, Ellen
Sewall, Elizabeth S.
Ingalls, Constantina
TAX-PAYERS OF $25 AND UPWARD, MAY 1, 1886.
D. D. Curtis & Co.,
$953.40
George H. Wight,
$65.24
George Cummings estate,
632.10
Frank I. Howe,
' 62.82
D. D. Curtis estate, 521.73
Stephen F. Turner,
61.64
Thomas Upham, trustee, 378.00
Amos E. Mason, 61.53
Henry M. Parker,
186.69
Benjamin Chenery,
61.12
Francis D. Hamant,
172.39
Joel Everett's heirs,
60.90
Thomas Upham,
I 59.50
William Kingsbury,
60.85
Geo. M. Smith's heirs,
134.45
Samuel Ellis,
60.80
Hannah Pfaff,*
140.71
David Plimpton,
59-33
John H. Gould,
131.15
Charles C. Sewall,
58.75
Thomas L. Barney,
129.84
James Ord,
57.65
Julius A. Fitts,
126.69
William P. Hewins,
57.33
Alonzo B. Parker,
125.46
Dennis Hoisington,
56.08
Willard Harwood,*
121.85
William Marshall,
55.55
J. H. Baker & Co.,
117.08
E. P. Talbot,
55.15
Oliver Clifford,
112.57
Bonney Bros.,
54.81
Ellen Curtis,
102.38
Joseph M. Johnson,
53 98
J. R. Cushman,
101.59
Harrison P. Taber,
53.24
Hamlet Wight,
92.14
Benjamin F. Shumway,
53.19
Charles Dunn,
89.99
Geo. P. Morey, Adm.,*
52.50
Caleb Hamant's heirs,
86.94
John J. Adams' heirs,
52.50
John Ellis estate,
85.05
Abigail Cummings,
52.50
George E. Pettis,
84.95
Mary F. Ellis,
52.50
Bradford Curtis estate,
SI.17
Sarah F. Ellis,
52.50
Henry S. Brown,
80.02
Wight & Dunn,
51.19
Peter Nelson's heirs,
74.60
J. B. Hale,
51.09
Jaazaniah Bussey,
73.30
William S. Tilden,
50.83
George M. Hanks,
72.43
George Davis,
50.72
James Hewins,
72.35
Am. Steam Packing Co.,
50.63
Allen Bros.,
68.83
John Y. Thurston,
50.04
* Non-resident.
William Ryan,
53.45
William R. Smith,
96.01
Samuel Stubbs,*
52.66
William Chenery,
87.05
MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
273
Jane Johnston,
$49.90
William A. Fales,
$33.81
William Q. Fisher,
48.51
Samuel Woods,
33.71
Clarissa Upham's heirs,
48.30
Mary M. Fiske, 33.60
Solomon Cohoon,
47.50
Moses Hartshorn,
33.55
N.Y. & Bost. Inland R.R.,
46.76
Gershom Adams' heirs,
33.02
Clark Smith,
45.47
Lucy Kingsbury,
33.02
Stillman J. Spear,
45.05
Moses F. Clark,
32.98
Clinton T. Frost,
44.00
Joseph Clark,
32.98
John Mason,
22.18
George H. Shumway,
32.66
L. & C. Guild,
42.00
Ellen Clifford,
32.55
Richard E. Cole,
41.11
Margaret Steele,
32.45
Noah Allen,
41.04
Katherine Lovell,
32.34
Mary A. Sewall,
40.95
George Fiske's heirs,
31.50
Charles Hamant,
40.85
Catherine L. Cary,
30.95
John G. Hutson,
40.54
Daniel P. Russell's heirs,
30.71
Elijah Thayer,
40.33
Laura Cutter,
30.45
Edgar W. Kingsbury,
40.1I
Mary B. Lovell,
30.45
Joseph D. Tufts,
40.06
Nathan F. Harding,
30.25
William F. Harding,
39.54
John H. Richardson,
29:82
Ira Moody's heirs,
39.37
William C. Allen,
29.67
John T. Bullard,
39.28
R. W. Sherman,
29.66
James Hewins' heirs,
39.27
G. E. Nelson's heirs,*
29.51
Wilbur Johnson,
39.09
Jonathan G. Wight,
29.40
Mary B. Fowle,
39.07
Lydia A. Rowe,
28.77
Mary Parker,
38.33
John W. Shumway,
28.59
Sarah Bosworth's heirs,
37.80
Cynthia Hamant,
28.35
Smith Gerrish,*
37.33
Joseph H. Baker,
28.25
Thomas S. Clark,
37.28
Seth R. Maker, 28.25
Lowell Adams,
36.92
E. H. Ellis,
27.99
Baptist Church,
36.75
Edwin V. Mitchell,
27.73
M. F. Clark & Co.,
36.75
Esther G. Richardson,
27.30
Lydia J. Perrigo,
36.75
S. E. & L. G. Pond,
27.30
Henry F. Sawyer,
36.65
George R. Chase,
26.47
Benj. F. Crehore,*
36.23
Eliza J. Richards,
26.25
E. Chamberlain,
35.08
S. P. Bullard's heirs,
26.25
John A. Newell,
34.87
Henry F. Wight,
25.99
R. A. Battelle,
34.87
George F. Giles,
25.42
Alonzo K. Bryant,
34.24
* Non-resident.
Ellis Holt,
31.72
Lorenzo Harding,
40.90
STREAMS, BRIDGES, AND LOCALITIES
MENTIONED IN THE HISTORY, AND NAMES WHICH ARE FOUND IN THE CURRENT SPEECH OF THE PEOPLE.
STREAMS.
Charles River .- Forms the western boundary of the town, and is crossed from Medfield by five bridges. The river was named for King Charles I.
Stop River .- Enters from Norfolk on the south, flows north- westerly into Charles River above Turnpike Bridge. The origin of the name is unknown, and it is found in the earliest records. It is crossed by South, Noon Hill, and Causeway Streets.
Vine Brook .- Rises near Rocky Woods, and flows through the middle of the town, and empties into Charles River, near Turn- pike Bridge. It is frequently called Meeting-house Brook, but the former is the name by which it was first called. It is crossed by North, Short, and Main Streets.
Mill Brook .- Enters from Dover on the north-east, flows south-easterly, passes into Walpole, and empties into Neponset River. Its name is derived from the fact that the first mill in Medfield was built upon it. It is called upon some maps Tub- wreck Brook. It is crossed by Main, Mt. Nebo, Foundry, Philip, and Elm Streets.
North Brook .- Rises in Rocky Woods, a branch entering from Dover; flows through the north part of the town, and empties into Charles River. It is crossed by Pine, North, Railroad, and West Mill Streets. The reason for its naming is obvious.
South-plain Brook .- Rises half a mile east of the village, its sources being hardly distinguishable from those of Vine Brook. Indeed, it is said that, when the turnpike was built, some of its waters were diverted into Vine Brook. It flows southward into Stop River. It was anciently called Nantasket Brook. Its more common name was evidently given it from the fact that those who went to their fields at the South Plain were obliged to cross it,
275
STREAMS, BRIDGES, AND LOCALITIES.
and a bridge was early constructed. It is crossed by Philip, South, and Spring Streets.
Great Brook .- It rises in the low lands between Elm and High Streets, flows westerly, and empties into South-plain Brook. Its size hardly suggests its name. It is crossed by South Street.
Turtle Brook .- A small run of water in Dingle Dell, crossed by West Street.
Saw-mill Brook .- Rises on the north side of Noon Hill, flows northward into Stop River. Its waters were used to run a saw-mill at a date beyond our knowledge, and until recent years.
Boiling Spring .- A quick and powerful spring, the largest in the town, half a mile south of the centre, near Spring Street. The little rivulet which it supplies flows westward into Stop River.
BRIDGES.
Ellis' Bridge .- Sometimes called the Upper Bridge, over Charles River, west of Noon Hill. Its name comes from the Ellis family, which for many years occupied the estate to the north-eastward of it. Traces of their residences are still visible. It is now often called Lovell's Bridge, from a family living near it on the Millis side.
Dwight's Bridge .- Over Charles River, a mile or more below the former. This has been its invariable name from the first, originating in the fact that the town laid out the causeway there to accommodate Timothy Dwight, who owned lands in that region.
Turnpike Bridge .- Over Charles River at "The Willows," on the old Boston and Hartford turnpike. In late years, this is often called the "great bridge."
Brastow's Bridge. - Near the town farm, which was formerly owned by Colonel Brastow. It is very often called Poor-farm Bridge at present. The first bridge over Charles River on the old county road was near this site ; and that structure, as well as the one in the present location, was always spoken of prior to 1800 as the "great bridge."
Death's Bridge .- The northernmost of our Charles River bridges, connecting Medfield with the south part of Sherborn. A family bearing the name of Death long lived just beyond it, which circumstance accounts for the name.
Thurston's Bridge .- The old name of the upper bridge over Stop River on South Street, near Norfolk line. It was a little distance above the present stone bridge. The Thurstons of Med-
276
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
field very early owned land in Wrentham, then a part of Dedham ; and a bridge was built for their use.
Frairy's Bridge .- Till within half a century, the name of the bridge over Stop River on Noon Hill Street, near South Street. John Frairy was the first owner of the meadows on the west side of Stop River, at the base of Noon Hill ; and this bridge appears to have been built on his account.
LOCALITIES.
Noon Hill .- The principal elevation of land in the south part of the town, over which the sun appears at noon as viewed from the centre.
Mt. Nebo .- A hill about a mile east of the village. The first way from Dedham lay over a slope of this hill, from which, as they journeyed, our pioneers might easily have viewed the land of their future settlement.
Castle Hill .- A mile and a half northward from the centre of the town. Its name was given it at the time the town was settled, but what suggested it is not known.
Rocky Woods .- An appropriate name for the rough, ele- vated, extensive tract of woodland lying along the boundaries of Dover.
Cedar Hill .- South-easterly of Rocky Woods. One of the most elevated points of land in this region. From the summit, Boston Harbor can be seen.
Mine Hill .- About two miles east of the village and north of Main Street. Certain appearances of the soil led people to sup- pose that precious metals would be found there. A deep excava- tion was made ; and specimens from it were sent to England for examination, it is said, more than a hundred years ago. Nothing of value has been obtained from it.
Planting-field Hill, or " The Planting Field."- A ridge of land east of South Street, southward of the school-house, ending at Lake Woods. The dwellers in the village quite early took up lands on the slopes of this hill for tillage purposes.
Hatter Hill .- A rise of land on the Dedham road, a mile east of the village.
Great Field .- The level stretch of land in the centre of the town, southward from Main Street to Curve Street.
Bridge Street Plain .- The elevated plain lying north-easterly of Bridge Street.
277
STREAMS, BRIDGES, AND LOCALITIES.
Sear Tree Plain .- A level portion of land on the western slope of Noon Hill, probably east of the present Causeway Street.
Herd-house Plain .- Frequently called Cow-pen Plain. The level land a mile and a half east of the village along Main Street and near the brook. This part of the town has for a long time borne the unjust appellation, "the lean end."
South Plain .- The large plain on the south side of Elm Street, from near South Street to Mill Brook. This land was thought very valuable by the first comers, and nearly every land- holder in town had a slice of it. After a few years, most of it came into possession of the Adams family.
North Plain .- The field on the east side of North Street stretching from Winter Street to Castle Hill.
Wheeler's Bottom .- The low land crossed by Dale Street, and near its junction with Frairy Street. "The Bottom Road " was the old designation of Dale Street, and it is still occasionally heard.
Claypits, or " Claypit Valley."- The low fields on the east side of Causeway Street, a short distance from Main Street.
North Meadows .- On Charles River, toward Sherborn.
Centre Meadows .- On Charles River, north of Brastow's Bridge.
Upper Broad Meadow .- On Charles River, above Dwight's Bridge.
Pine Swamp .- A large tract of wet land, mostly wooded, lying between the village and Stop River. In one section of it the rhododendron grows. A few Indians lived in Pine Swamp during the last century.
Cheney Pond .- A meadow in Rocky Woods, the bed of a natural pond which has been drained.
Burnt Swamp .- Meadow land near Norfolk line, half a mile east of South Street.
Wildcat Swamp .- A wooded swamp abutting on Main Street, three-fourths of a mile east of the centre of the town.
Rock Meadow .- A piece of meadow land in the south-easterly corner of the town near Walpole line.
Hog's-trough .- A little meadow nearly surrounded by sharp hills, southward of Lake Woods.
Harbor Island .- A tract of upland beyond the Claypits, crossed by Causeway Street, and partly surrounded by swamp land.
278
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Devil's-foot Island .- A rocky islet in the meadow near Stop River, at the south-easterly corner of Pine Swamp. It is so called from several curious depressions in the rocks.
Lake Woods .- In the southerly part of the town, south of Rocky Lane Street.
Jade Walk .- The region traversed by Orchard and Causeway Streets, near the Upper Bridge.
Dyer's Neck .- Meadow and woodland some distance above Dwight's Bridge.
Rail-tree Neck .- Near and eastward of the junction of High and Granite Streets.
Dingle Dell .- Called at different times "Dingle Hole," "Littlefield's Hole," " Littlefield Bottom," lies along West Street, in the neighborhood of its intersection with West Mill Street.
Fern Dell .- The swamp and reservoir north of Main Street, above the stone mill.
Guinea .- Lands at the terminus of Green Street. Negroes formerly lived in this locality.
Goudy .- The region bearing this name is on Mt. Nebo Street, midway between Main and Foundry Streets. A man of that name lived there about 1750, and he had a saw-mill on the brook near by. Traces of both house and mill are still visible.
Sleepy Hollow .- A considerable depression in the woods to the north of the junction of Elm and South Streets. At times, there is a very distinct echo in this spot.
Nantasket .- A name anciently applied to the tract of land lying to the north-east of the junction of Pound and Main Streets. One of the oldest grants conveys " all that pond or pulkey piece of land which lyeth on the left hand of the highway leading out at the place we commonly call Nantasket." The locality seems to have retained this name only during the first few years of our settlement.
Iron Ore .- A bed of low-grade ore in the south-east corner of the town, westerly of Plain Street. In early days, a proprie- torship in this "iron ore " was considered of value; and, in the division of estates, the heirs were frequently secured in their rights to that property. Within the present century even, considerable quantities of the ore were dug and carted to a foundry in Wrentham.
GENEALOGIES.
-
FAMILIES OF 1651 TO 1850 AND THEIR RESIDENT DESCENDANTS.
NOTE .- The dates in these genealogies are generally given in accordance with New Style. There will be, doubtless, some discrepancies in comparing with other records, on this account. The first date appended to a name indi- cates the year of birth; a second date, separated from the first by a dash, is the year of death; m., married; and a number enclosed in parentheses following a name refers to its place in the family as given in this book. The sign + before a name shows that there is particular reference to it further on.
ADAMS.
EDWARD ADAMS, son of Henry of Braintree, born in England, came to Medfield with three of his brothers about 1652, and took up a house lot on Bridge Street, near the corner of Dale Street. His house was burned by the Indians in 1676. He served on the board of selectmen for many years; was commissioner in 1689, and representative in 1692. He was in full communion at the time of Mr. Baxter's settlement. In his later years, he was often employed in the settlement of estates. His will mentions the children of his son Eliashib, who probably died before his father. Jonathan, John, and Edward, he states, had already received their portion ; and he mentions by name his daughters, Lydia Daniel, Sarah Turner, and Mehitable Faxon. He married, first, Lydia (Rockwood, possibly), who died in 1676; second, in 1678, Abigail Day of Dedham, who died in 1707 ; third, in 1710, Sarah Taylor. He died in 1716, the last of the original settlers. Children : -
2. LYDIA, 1653-1731; m. in 1673 James Allen (6); second, Joseph Daniels (4).
+3. JONATHAN, 1655.
+4. JOHN, 1657.
5. ELIASHIB, 1658; settled in Bristol, R.I.
6. SARAH, 1660-1747; m. in 1677 John Turner (4).
7. JAMES, 1661 ; settled in Barrington, R.I.
S. HENRY, 1663; m. in 1691 Patience Ellis (58), who died in 1695, leaving two children, Daniel and Hannah. Henry then removed to Canterbury, Conn.
280
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
9. MENITABLE, 1665 : m. Josiah Faxon of Braintree.
10. ELISHA, 1666; said to have settled in Bristol, R.I.
11. EDWARD, 1668; settled in Bristol, R.I.
12. BETHIA, 1671-1672.
13. BETHIA, 1672-1672.
14. ABIGAIL, 1674-1674.
15. MIRIAM, 1675-1676.
3.
JONATHAN 2 (Edward 1) settled on the west side of the river, beyond what is now turnpike bridge, on the estate still held by descendants of the name of Adams. He was active in the forma- tion of the town of Medway, and was one of the first deacons of the church there. He married in 1678 Mary Ellis (54), who died in 1717 ; second, in 1717, Mehitable, widow of Joseph Cheney (9). He died in 1718. Children : -
16. JONATHAN, 1679-1694.
17. MARY, 1681-1725; m. in 1708 Henry Smith (20).
18. LYDIA, 1689-1691.
19. JONATHAN, 1696-1776; m. Dorcas Mason (10); settled on the homestead in Medway.
4.
JOHN 2 (Edward ') had a grant in 1682 of a building lot on the west side of Charles River, "near the new mill." He married in 1682 Deborah Partridge (48) ; second, Susanna Breck (4). He died in 1751, Susanna in 1744. Children : -
20. EDWARD, 1682-1742 ; settled in Milton.
21. JOHN, 1684-1759; m. Judith Bullen (12). He resided in Medfield, apparently on the place owned by his grand- father Edward, until it was sold to Jonathan Adams in 1732, and then removed to Medway. He held several town offices. He was called in the records "cordwainer," to distinguish him from others of the same name.
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