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 7
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1677. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, John Harding, John Ellis, Henry Smith, and George Barber.
George Barber, Representative.
The "place of Robert Hinsdale's mill " is mentioned in such a way as to lead us to infer that it was on Boggestow Brook, and had been destroyed, as were the houses in that neighborhood.
A new frame to hang the bell in was to be furnished. It
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would seem that the bell was hung near, but not on, the meeting-house.
PETITION.
The humble address of several persons in the town of Medfield to the Honored General Court sitting at Boston the 23 of 3. 77. May it please your Honors :
Wee whose names are here underwritten, inhabitants of the town of Medfield, humbly make bold to present our condition before your Honors.
So it is that notwithstanding the alleviation granted in the paiement of the last ten rates unto such as were burnt out, and suffered greate damage in their estates, for which ourselves have greate cause and do humbly return our thankfulness and acknowledgement. Notwithstand- ing we cannot but be feelingly sensible of the present difficulties that ly very heavy upon us, for we have our houses to rebuild, which con- veniency and absolute necessity call for, and reparations to make after the sad ruinous heapes which have been made by the salvadge hands of our cruel enemies which will prove very chargeable to us. Considering how we shall be taken off from other necessary employments and for want of house roome whereby our families cannot be set awork as could be wished, we are necessitated to build, most of our cattel also having been burnt or taken will occasion more difficulty and charges unto us: the scantiness' of our corn by reason of the small quantity of ground improved, because of the continual dangers threatening us.
Wee humbly therefore request of your Honors to consider us so far as may be on the next rate, or whatsoever in such respects, for we find ourselves strangely debilitated unto the rendering what is called for. We humbly beg pardon for our grate boldness, considering some address heretofore hath been made more generally; but such and so great hath your honors pitty and care bin for distressed ones that we have made bold in our own names particularly to lay open our afflicted condition and humbly present to your honors to consider of and to do according to your wisdom in the case presented; that the Almighty God would ever be with your Honors, guide, bless, and uphold you under the weight of those greate concerns which ly upon your hearts.
Signed by
Edward Adams.
Joseph Waring. James Allen.
Beniaman Clark. Samuel Barber.
Mary Bowers.
Eleazar Adams. Samuel Morse.
Margery Mason.
Nicolas Rockit.
Robert Mason.
Samuel Wight. John Fisher. John Partridge. Gershom Wheelock. William Allen.
Samuel Sheppard. John Adams.
Joseph Daniels.
George Fairbanks.
Jonathan Adams.
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Peter Adams.
Thomas Wight.
Michael Metcalf.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Soldiers went from this town to fight the Indians in the province of Maine. John Mason, the record says, was " killed in the country's service at the eastward." Benjamin Rockwood was brought into Salem, wounded. Vincent Shuttleworth was fined £4 for deserting the service "into which he had been impressed by the town of Medfield."
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1678. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, John Harding, John Partridge, William Partridge, and George Barber.
THE COLLEGE SUBSCRIPTION.
In an old paper containing a list of the contributions made in 1674 toward building the new college is this petition :-
Much Honoured Gentlemen : In obedience to the Comands under the Secretary's hand Dated from the 3d of May last, we judge it our duty to declare that in this paper is Conteyned the whole and full Guift of the poore Inhabitants of Meadfield in the day of it, wth what was then pay'd in the specie given and subscribed, and had there bein any such solicitous motion from the overseers of that . . . to have preserved the gift in Corne as expressly Given we may say with truth that it might have bein had and payd, but since God hath seen it meet to turne the wheel of his good Providence towards us, in letting loose the Bar- barous natives upon us, that much of our Towne hath bein Consumed, many lives and estates lost, and some few, exprest in a noate hereto Annixt, by the enemy brought to great want and inability to performe, scarsly able to suport themselves, the fourteen bushells of Indian Corne, and one bushell of wheat then subscribed we humbly desire those p'sons may be excused and Indulged, and for the Rest yet behind, if the Honourable Court shall see cause to appoint one or two of our Town and Impower them to gather it up, it may and will be had. . . . All which is hoped will Reach this Honourable Courts sattisfaction, wch will be acceptable to, Honourable Srs,
Your very humble servant, GEORGE BARBER. In the name and by order of our Pastor and selectmen.
This note is appended : -
The names of those that sence their subscription to the new Collidge were burned out by the Endians :
Thomas Mason, Nathaniel Whiting, Benjam Clark, Joseph Bullard,.
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REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
Thomas Thurston, Alexander Lovell, Nicholas Rockwood, John Bowers, se. John Plimpton, se. Samuel Wight, Thomas Wight, jr. Eliezer Adams.
MR. WILSON'S PETITION.
Honored S'r:
Presenting my humble service unto your Worships, I am desired to write a few lines unto your worship in behalf of foure persons in our Towne who according to the present state of things are in great straights as to payment of present rates.
The first is John Partridge whose house and barn to my knowledge were burnt by Indians when they came hither, about 20 bushels of corne, ten or eleven head of cattell, 2 horses with household stuffe which he hath several times spoken of. Much of this I know also and verily believe the rest, for he is a credible person. The 2d is Widdow Mason, sister to him above mentioned, whose husband and sons were slain at the same morning, goods, house and barn burnt with about a dozin head of cattell, many sheep, and a third son slain at the east under Capt Swet's command, all together puts her much to it. A third is Nicolas Rockwood, an old man whose house and barn with cattell not a few, with horseflesh save a colt, all burnt. The 4th is Joseph Warring, a poore man whose house and barne were consumed. It is their humble request and they earnestly beseech their might be some deferment of their rates for the present that the constable may not strain upon them which they shall count as a great favor.
Your most humble serv't JOHN WILSON.
This paper is indorsed,- " Request granted till next General Court."
THOMAS WIGHT'S PETITION.
To the Honorable Govern', Deputy Governor & Magistrates, with the deputies sitting in general Court at Boston May 8 1678 the petition of Thomas Wight humbly sheweth :
That whereas it pleased God to visit us in our towne of Medfield with the awful and solemn strook by the Indians and bereaving me of my habitation and six cattell being burnt in my barn, my horse taken away and even bereaved of most of the means for my sustenance, so that I have been exposed to greate sufferings thereby, not having wharwith to get corn for my family but as I went to my dayly labour for it : that had to help others in their want: and have had no way to procure cloathings but as we could by any means procure cotton or sheeps wool and for shous nesity have Inforced me to run in debt ever sence and have not wharewith to pay yet am earnestly called upon for reats and have not wharewith to pay although I should leve none for my self or famely
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
who are six in all and many other diffeculties that doe atend me for want of a habitation and other nesserys, the consideration wharof have put me upon nesity of besiching and emploring this Honored Court to cast an aspect of favour upon the deserted estate of your poor petitioner in passing an order to remit my rats depending, being betwe three and four pounds, which shall ever oblige me to endeavor to pay with cherfulnis for the futer to publique charge as god shall enable me as also to pray the god of marcy to cast in aboundently upon you who are wilen to extend marcy to the efficted in a day of thare destres which is and shall be the constant prayer of him who is your poor suppliant and humbel sarvent
THOMAS WIGHT.
This is indorsed :-
The committee judged meet to hold him in one-half of the rates and - extend the time till next March for the other half. The deputies voted to remit all his rates, which was consented to by the magistrates on the 7 (8) 78.
In the Colonial Records for May 9, we read : -
Samuel Wight of Medfield, having suffered great loss by fire by the indian enemy, brought very low, humbly desired the favor of the Court to remit him the rates about three or four pounds already due for the last year, hoping God will enable him to pay rates again for the future.
The Court granted his request.
Thomas Thurston was appointed "Lieutenant " or chief. military officer at Medfield.
LETTER FROM MR. WILSON TO THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL. Worshipful S'rs :
Humbly presenting my humblest service to your worships meeting with these letters copyed out and newly brought from Hadly by one John Partridge, and not understanding of any that comes to the bay besides, I have written out of these two copyes word for word as I take it, and make bold to send it to your worship that you might be informed of the mercy of God in the return of these captives as far as the two letters set down. John Partridge and John Plimpton came this night and none with them but a yong mayde : so that I suppose your worships will have the very first view of the news in Boston. Being very crazy, and unfit to enlarge and that I might not trouble your worship further with my humble service presented to your most virtuous lady
I humbly rest
Your worship's most humble servant
JOHN WILSON.
MEDFIELD, May 29, 78.
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REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
One of the letters referred to was from Quintin Stock- well, written to his wife, who was the daughter of John Bullard of Medfield, as follows : -
ALBANY, May 22, 1678.
Loving wife: having an opportunity to remember my kind love to thee and our child and the rest of our friends though we met with greate afflictions and trouble since I see thee last, yet now here is oppor- tunity of joy and thanksgiving to God that wee are pretty well and in a hopeful way to see the faces of one another before we take our final farewell of this present world; likewise God hath raised up friends amongst our enemies and there is but three of us dead of all those that were taken away, Sergeant Plimpton, Samuel Russell, Samuel Foot's daughter. So I conclude in haste and rest.
Your most affectionate husband till death makes separation.
QUINTIN STOCKWELL.
1679. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, John Harding, John Metcalf, Sen., John Ellis, Sen., and George Barber.
SAMUEL BULLEN'S PETITION.
To the Honorable Generall Court now assembled Boston, October 15, 1679.
The petition of Samuel Bullen late of Medfield Humbly sheweth that in the time of the war he was rated proportionably with his neighbors in the six rates ordered by the General Court, and soone after his estate was destroyed by the Indians and otherwise alienat to his necessitous children, and then there was ordered by the General Court ten rates more to be collected which were proportioned by the same lists or bills as the former six rates were; so that the petitioner was then rated three pounds more than his real estate amounted to. The petitioner therefore humbly intreats the favor of the Honorable Court to grant him an abatement of the sum of three pounds upon his rate which is yet unpaid, so shall he ever pray as in duty bound.
This petition was granted by the Court.
1680. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, John Harding, Edward Adams, Henry Smith, and George Barber.
George Barber, Representative.
Dr. Return Johnson, the first physician in this town of whom we have any record, built his house on North Street, opposite Dale Street.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
John Wilson, Jr., was engaged to keep school for the year for £25,- £10 in money, the rest in country pay.
1681. Selectmen, Edward Adams, John Harding, Joseph Morse, Joseph Clark, Jr., and George Barber.
Samuel Bullen, Representative.
A petition had been sent in to the General Court by John Partridge, Joseph Warren, William Allen, and nineteen others, asking for aid.
The Court judged meet to remitt to the full of what is desired, viz .: one hundred and twenty pounds, the inhabitants of Medfield and Sher- born to have the benefit in just proportion to their losses ; and Capt. Daniel Fisher, Capt. Prentice, Com. Timothy Dwight, and Seargt. Richard Ellice see that it be disposed among such as they shall see meet in the town of Medfield as said committee shall determine.
1682. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, Samuel Bullen, Eleazar Adams, Samuel Morse, and George Barber.
George Barber, Representative.
The town voted "to Layeen 30 cord of wood for our pastor's use."
The custom of burning the woods in the herdwalks was still kept up.
There was a dispute about the line between Medfield and Sherborn, as appears from the following : -
We the subscribers, understanding that the committee of Medfield and Sherborn did run the line of the towns this spring, and not know- ing where the line originally was, were, as we understand, misled; and going upon the place we doe testify the stump of the station or bound tree between Capt. Keayne and Mr. Allan, which is the line between the said towns and now between Mr. Dudley and George Fairbanks, was neglected by them, and they have gone in upon Mr. Dudley's land near six rods.
THO: HOLBROOK. JOHN O. AWASAMOG.
1683. Selectmen, George Barber, Thomas Thurston, Samuel Morse, John Harding, and Eleazar Adams.
Thomas Thurston was chosen town clerk, and held the office six years.
The town voted to pay one-third of the pastor's salary in money, besides twenty cords of wood for his use.
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REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
Voted to call John Wilson, Jr., to help in the work of the ministry, provided the town can give him suitable encour- agement.
The way "from the great bridge to the North brook," through Dingle Dell, was laid out as a public highway.
Voted to tax George Fairbanks in Medfield ; and a peti- tion was sent to the General Court to the effect that George Fairbanks, Sen., though living in Medfield, attended church in Sherborn on account of distance, until the change of the site for their meeting-house. They of Sherborn, anxious to retain his taxes, continued to levy them upon him; and the petitioners ask that the arrangement between Fairbanks and the town of Sherborn may be terminated.
" Abiel Twichell and her child," sojourning at Josiah Rock- wood's, were warned out. Rockwood, continuing to harbor them, was summoned before the selectmen. He failed to appear ; and the constable, Jonathan Boyden, was ordered to levy a fine of 20s. upon the goods of said Rockwood. He then acknowledged his fault, and prayed the town to remit his fine, which they did, "considering his poverty." He had to pay 5s., however, for the "constable's trouble and paines."
Gamaliel Hinsdale was employed to beat the drum on Sab- bath and lecture days and other public occasions for 20s. a year. Something had happened to the old bell.
Ralph Wheelock, " the founder of Medfield," died.
1684. Selectmen, George Barber, John Harding, Elea- zar Adams, Samuel Morse, and Thomas Thurston.
Money being required for the town's use, and the taxes being paid mostly in produce, it was ordered that 5s. worth of corn be sold for 3s. in money.
Dr. Johnson was engaged to keep school a month on trial, "to continue a year, if he likes and gives content." He was afterward engaged for a year, at £10 in money and f1 in country pay ; to have a fortnight in the spring "to attend to his practice of physic," the time to be made up at the end of the half-year. If taken away from his school for the
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
emergencies of practice, he was to make up that time also. He "being much abroad out of town," it was found that doctoring and teaching did not go well together; and the · bargain was cancelled in May, with his consent. Thomas Thurston took the school.
Zechariah Barber tried his hand at the drum on Sabbath days for half a year.
John Wilson, Jr., having returned from Connecticut, it was proposed that the town vote on the next training-day whether they will offer him sufficient encouragement to help in the ministry and keep the school. This was October 26. It was then voted to put off the matter till the next training- day, November 3. Then, the town refused to allow it to come to a vote. But he was given leave to preach some- times, and take as recompense what should be given by free contributions. He was engaged to keep school for £25 a year ; and, when he should be desired to preach, he was to have liberty of two days from the school in the week before. In the winter, all pupils between seven and fourteen were to pay 3s. each to raise the schoolmaster's pay ; those under seven, Is. 6d. Those who attended in the summer, IS.
The town valuation was ordered to be made in the month of August, yearly.
1685. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, Edward Adams, Samuel Barber, Benjamin Clark, and John Harding.
The old bell had been carried to Boston, and it was ordered to be sold.
The great bridge was rebuilt; and, as it was on the "country road," the State paid a part of the expense.
The selectmen were directed to take the money that the old bell brought, together with the money from the State given toward the bridge, and buy a new bell.
AN INDIAN CLAIM.
A special town-meeting was called May 25 :-
" Whereas the selectmen have been informed that Sachem Josias, of Punkapoag, claims title to lands in Medfield, and
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REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
notwithstanding a former grant of Chickatabot, grandfather to said Josias, some other towns have judged expedient to compound with him and purchase in confirmation of former grants," the town voted to do the same.
The selectmen having been informed that Josias would be at Dedham the following week, they deputed two of their number, John Harding and Thomas Thurston, to meet him there, and come to an agreement with him. They arranged with him and his guardians, William Stoughton and Thomas Dudley, to settle his claim by payment of £4 10s. in money. We have no writings.
Gamaliel Hinsdale was appointed "to prosecute John Sunchemug, Indian, upon suspicion of firing the new mill."
Judge Sewall, in his Diary, Sept. 14, 1685, says :-
Coming home, hear of Meadfield mill being burnt and their confusion at Marlborough last Satterday night. A suspected Indian is put in prison. It seems were in arms last Sabbathday at Dedham somway knowing of Meadfield mill being burnt. People are much perplexed.
The mill referred to was that on Charles River, above Rockville. It would seem there were fears of another Indian raid. The General Court voted "that care be taken that all persons are furnisht with Arms and Ammunition according to law because of Indians."
1686. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, Samuel Barber, Edward Adams, Benjamin Clark, and John Harding.
Thomas Thurston, Representative.
Vincent Shuttleworth, the deserter of 1677, was employed to ring the new bell and sweep the meeting-house.
The first recorded marriage by the minister was that of Joseph Clark and Mary Wight. Before this, all marriages were "solemnized " by commissioners, no clergyman, except of the Established Church of England, having the right to unite persons in wedlock.
1687. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, Edward Adams, John Harding, Samuel Barber, and Benjamin Clark.
Joseph Daniel was granted leave to take the stream of
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Boggestow Brook for his mill, provided he maintain a good mill.
168S. Selectmen, Thomas Thurston, Edward Adams, John Harding, Samuel Barber, and John Metcalf, Jr.
IOS. a head to be paid for every grown wolf killed in the town limits.
Joseph Daniel was granted liberty " to make a dam where he intends to set his mill, and to flow the common land, so far as shall be needful, forever.
A RECEIPT FROM MR. WILSON.
Know all men by these presents, That I, John Wilson sen. pastour of the Church in Medfield in the County of Suffolk in his Majesty's Terre- tory & Dominion of New England, having reckoned and agreed with Edward Adams, Thomas Thurston, John Harding, Samuel Barber, and Benjamin Clark, selectmen, for, and in behalf of the said town, reckoning and clearing with myself for all debts and dues, by vertue of any act, contract, agreement or obligation of the said town due to me from the first day of my coming and settling in the work of the ministry in the said town, which was in the moneth of December Anno Domini one thousand six hundred fifty-one, until the last day of December Anno Domini one thousand six hundred eighty-two, being one and thirty years full and compleat, there being thirty pounds promised and engaged to be paid to me at my first coming towards my charges in building and settling there and for my maintenance a salary of fifty pounds per annum untill the year one thousand six hundred and sixty, and then by act and agreement of the town augmented to sixty pounds per annum.
I do hereby own and acknowledge that I have received of said town the whole of the said thirty pounds engaged to be paid me at my first coming and also I have received the said annual summe for all and every of the years above mentioned and until the said year one thousand six hundred and eighty-two in full to my satisfaction and content : and whereas there bin some persons unable to pay their particular summes, rates or proportions to the said annual summes in some of the years above mentioned and especially in the time of the late wars wherein severall persons sustaining great losses in their estates were thereby disabled to pay their particular summes, rates or proportions as above said eyther in whole or in part, I being willing to sympathize with such persons in their sufferings and losses have remitted and released and by these presents do fully, freely, and absolutely remitt and release to every such person in particular and to all and every of the inhabitants of said town in general all and every such particular summe, rate or proportion
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REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
to me unpaid eyther in part or in whole in any of the years above mentioned, and I, the said John Wilson do hereby, for me, my heirs, executors and administrators, fully, freely, and absolutely exonerate, acquit, and discharge the said Edward Adams, Thomas Thurston, John Harding, Samuel Barber and Benjamin Clark as selectmen, and all and every of the several inhabitants of the said town and their and every of their heirs, executors, administrators, and successors forever of and from all debts, dues and obligations whatsoever for all and every of the years above mentioned. In witness whereof, I, the said John Wilson have hereunto put my hand and seal this sixteenth day of January in the third year of his majesty's reign, Anno Domini 1687-8.
1689. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, John Harding, Eleazar Adams, John Bullen, and John Plimpton.
Edward Adams, Representative. my investor
This is the first time the board of selectmen was made up without one or more of the original settlers. But the fathers were now rapidly passing away, and forty years had brought forward a new set of men.
Town-meeting was held at the house of Samuel Barber, and the records of the town were deposited with him.
Six hundred acres more of the common lands were laid out.
Town paid Joseph Bullard for tending Gamaliel Hinsdale; the first recorded instance of public charity.
1690. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Thomas Thurston, Benjamin Clark, John Harding, and John Metcalf, Jr.
The records of this year are very meagre. The town voted to lay out six hundred acres of land, but it was not done till 1698.
We learn from the Colonial Records that the military officers of the town were Captain Thomas Thurston, Lieu- tenant Samuel Morse, and Ensign John Harding. This was the year of Sir William Phipps's expedition to Canada. Medfield was ordered to furnish its quota of soldiers. For some reason, the Court abated to Medfield ten soldiers : the rest were ordered to appear at Braintree, August 4, at twelve o'clock. One man at least, John Smith, Jr., is known to have gone from this town, and perished in that undertaking.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
1691. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, John Harding, Ben- jamin Clark, Eleazar Adams, and Jonathan Boyden.
Samuel Barber was chosen town clerk, an office which he held for twenty-eight years.
Mr. Wilson, the first minister of Medfield, died August 23. No records of the church during his forty years' ministry are known to exist.
ATTEMPT TO SETTLE A NEW MINISTER.
October 26, the church and town met for the purpose of choosing "some meet person " to supply the pulpit with a view to settlement. It was decided to vote by paper ballots ; and the two receiving the largest number of votes were to be considered the candidates, and their names brought forward the next Sabbath to be voted for. Mr. John White and John Wilson had the highest number of ballots, and were declared the candidates.
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