USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
160
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
in Boston with large quantities on board, and several more are daily expected ; and we are informed that the said duty will be paid upon all such teas.
" To prevent, therefore, the many formidable evils consequent upon the success of this alarming and subtle attempt to rivet the chains of oppression, the town, after mature deliberation, comes into the following resolutions : -
" I. Resolved, That it is the incumbent duty of all free British sub- jects in America to unite in the use of all lawful measures necessary and expedient for the preservation and security of their rights and privileges, civil and religious.
" 2. That it is the opinion of this town, that the British Parliament have no constitutional authority to tax these Colonies without their own consent; and that, therefore, the present duty laid upon tea, imported here from Great Britain for the purpose of a revenue, is a tax illegally laid upon and extorted from us.
"3. That said India Company's exporting their own teas to the Colonies, while charged with said duty, has a direct tendency to establish said revenue acts.
"4. That we will exert ourselves, and join with our American brethren, in adopting and prosecuting all legal and proper measures to discourage and prevent the landing, storing and vending, and using those teas among us; and that whosoever shall aid or assist said India Company, their factors or servants, in either landing, stor- ing, or selling the same, does a manifest injury to his country, and deserves to be treated with severity and contempt.
" 5. That we are ready at all times, in conjunction with our Ameri- can brethren, as loyal subjects, to risk our lives and fortunes in the service and defence of His Majesty's person, crown, and dignity ; and also, as a free people, in asserting and maintaining inviolate our civil and religious rights and privileges against all opposers whatever.
"6. That the thanks of this town be and are hereby given to our worthy brethren of the town of Boston, for their unwearied care and pains in endeavoring to preserve our rights and privileges free from innovation, and furnishing this and our other towns with copies of their late proceedings.
"Voted, That a copy of these resolutions and proceedings be trans- mitted to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston."
June 1, 1774 : The Boston Port Bill, which prohibited all trade by water, brought the great question to its issue. Every one here was asking, Must we be slaves? Can we be free ? When men's labor is forbidden, and their bread fails, then "bayonets begin to think." Our fathers now felt the hope of the country was in the union of the Col- onies.
Men who could understand these acts of oppression, and could thus talk, were ready and willing to act; and their first prophetic deed was that of abstinence. Nov. 14, 1774, Medford voted thus : " Resolved, That, if any per- son or persons sells or consumes any East India teas, the
16 H
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
names of such persons to be posted up in some public- place." Again, " Voted, that we will not use East India teas till the Acts be repealed." This was equivalent to cleaning the rifle, and looking into the cartridge-box.
Medford had its stock of powder deposited in the pow -. der-house, on Quarry Hill, with that of other towns, and. on the 27th of August, 1774, removed it. Gov. Gage heard that the powder in that house was fast leaving it ; and, as he called it the "king's powder," he resolved to, remove it to Castle William (Fort Independence). Ac- cordingly, "on Thursday morning, Sept. I, about half-past four, two hundred and sixty troops, under the command of Lieut .- Col. Maddison, embarked at Long Wharf, Bos -. ton, in thirteen boats, sailed up Mystic River, landed at Temple's farm (Ten Hills), marched to the powder-house, and removed all the powder in it, two hundred and fifty half-barrels, to Castle William." This clandestine act of power, executed on the very borders of Medford, called forth here the deepest indignation, and made every man ready for the issue which it foreshadowed. It is impossible: now to conceive of the excitement which this act pro- duced.
We find the inhabitants of Medford again assembled ; and Feb. I, 1775, two representatives, Benjamin Hall, and Stephen Hall, 3d, are sent to the Provincial Congress at Cambridge. Medford now, as one man, enrolled itself, and stood ready at the first tap of the drum. Signs of terrible portent abounded, and soon came the 19th of April. A beacon-light had been displayed from a church? tower in Boston, to tell the purpose of the British com -- mander. Paul Revere and William Dawes had been de- spatched from Roxbury and Charlestown, to Concord and Lexington, shouting the alarm from house to house ; the: bells had rung, the drums had beat, and sturdy yeomen were rushing to the point of danger. Every heart palpi -. tated with anxiety, as when the lightning is expected! from the overhanging cloud. Then the time came. The British regulars were marching from Boston to Lexing- ton for plunder and hostility, and patriotism reddened every true American's cheek at the announcement of this fact.
The hearts of the people of Medford moved as by one common impulse. There was no need for conscription. All were ready for the terrible ordeal. The men seized
.162
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
`their guns, filled their powder-horns and cartridge-boxes, and hastened to the expected affray.
Some Medford minute-men soon joined the ranks of their neighbors from Reading, who had volunteered already, under the command of their gallant young physician, John Brooks.
The Medford company, fifty-nine in all, were out early on their march to the scene of danger, and for five days were in active service. The maxim at Medford was this : "" Every citizen a soldier, every soldier a patriot."
A Medford farmer at the West End, as soon as he heard of the march of the British towards Lexington, ran to his house, seized his gun, and made ready for departure. Dinner was on the table, but he would not stop. His wife exclaimed, "Why, husband, you are not going with- out your dinner !" -"Yes, I am," he replied ; "I am going to take powder and balls for my dinner to-day, or to give them some."
These were times when men had reasons shorter than logic. Their minds glowed like the burning furnace ; and to put a stop to British oppression they were resolved. «God and freedom now became watchwords.
All felt that every true American was an ally, and they knew that the first shot fired at their neighbors at Lex- ington would convert every citizen in the Colony to a minute-man and a soldier. These ancestors of ours were men ; they have the right to be called MEN ; and with such men liberty was safe. How faintly, at this day, can we conceive of the electric enthusiasm of the 19th of April ! It seemed -
" As if the very earth again Grew quick with God's creating breath ; And, from the sods of grove and glen, Rose ranks of lion-hearted men To battle to the death."
The number belonging to Medford who were killed on that day is not known. William Polly and Henry Putnam fell at Concord; and a man named Smith, and another named Francis, were killed at West Cambridge, - all citi- zens of Medford. Mr. Polly was brought to Medford alive, but died of his wounds April 25.
The Medford men followed the retreating British from Lexington woods to Charlestown ferry, and shot their last ball during the embarkation.
163
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Medford men were with Washington at Monmouth, at Brandywine, at the crossing of the Delaware, and in other places, and fought bravely for the liberties and independ- ence of their country.
Mr. Nowell, in his diary, kept at Boston, has the follow- ing :-
" Aug. 6, 1775: Skirmishing up Mistick River. Several soldiers brought over here wounded. The house at Penny Ferry, Malden side, burnt." " Aug. 13. - Several gondaloes sailed up Mistick River, upon which the Provincials and they had a skirmish ; many shots ex- changed, but nothing decisive."
It appears from these records, that the enemy attempted incursions here, but were promptly met and repulsed by our fathers. This event put the inhabitants of Medford in a state of watchfulness and defence at the very earliest period of the Revolution.
A detachment of troops from the army at Cambridge was ordered east; and, on the 13th of September, 1775, they encamped for the night in Medford, having Benedict Arnold as their commander.
After the battles of Lexington and Concord, our patriot fathers felt themselves pledged to the cause, and much anxiety arose about the selection of their representative to the General Court. They felt that the most moment- ous questions might come up for discussion, and that the decision of Massachusetts might be final.
The gentleman they first chose declined. The choice then fell on Capt. Thomas Brooks, as a man whose solid judgment, characteristic decision, and burning patriotism, fitted him for the trying emergencies. So ably and promptly did he fill his trust, that the town elected him eight times in succession. From his own farm he sup- plied the army with wood while in Charlestown and on Winter Hill.
June 10, 1776: The selectmen assembled the inhabit- ants of Medford for this high and solemn purpose, name- ly : -
"To know the minds of the town, -whether, should the Honor- able Congress, for the safety of the said Colonies, declare them inde- pendent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the said inhabitants, will solemnly engage, with their LIVES and FORTUNES, to support them in the measure.
" Voted in the affirmative, unanimously."
The Declaration of Independence was read from the
164
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
pulpit on the first Sunday after its arrival. After this, the question of preparing and adopting a form of free representative government came before every mind ; and Sept. 20, 1776, found our fathers assembled to discuss it. They voted that they were "ready for a Constitution and a form of government for the future." That year, for the first time, two representatives were chosen, - Capt. Thomas Brooks, and Mr. Stephen Hall, 3d.
The expenses of war were borne without a murmur in Medford ; and every person made a cheerful sacrifice of whatever was necessary to promote the cause of freedom. In 1776 the inhabitants taxed themselves £226, in addi- tion to the current expenses of the year.
March 3, 1777 : "Voted to raise our quota of men for the fifteen battalions of the Continental Army."
Sept. 22, 1777: "The town voted to raise £778 4s. for the expenses of the war."
May 25, 1778 : "Voted to pay each person six shillings per day who served under Capt. Blaney, as soldiers for Medford last winter."
"Voted that the selectmen be the committee for sup- plying the families of the Continental soldiers."
May 28, 1778: "Voted to raise the sum of £1,400 to- wards defraying the charges of the town the ensuing year." ,
Nov. 30: "Voted to raise £1,600, in additon to the £1,400 voted last May."
1779: "Voted to raise £3,000 for current expenses, and to borrow $ 12,000 for three months."
Oct. 18, 1779: "Voted to raise $7,380 to pay the sol- diers."
June 29, 1781 : "Voted to raise £400 towards purchas- ing the beef, and £270 for purchasing the clothing."
July 30, 1781 : "Voted to raise £200 in specie for rais- ing the men."
These items show any thing but backwardness in sus- taining the cause of independence.
One Medford boy did good service at sea. William Earl, of Medford, was "powder-monkey" on board the ship-of-war " Bon Homme Richard," Sept. 23, 1779, then commanded by Capt. Paul Jones. On that day the captain encountered the British ship-of-war "Serapis," greatly his superior in force ; and, after a most desperate and bloody engagement off Flamborough Head, he cap-
*
Received of Abigail Brooks widow of Edward Brooks Evg. Deceafect The sum of 56.5.11 in ful of said Brooks part towards the hive of youth Cutter for three years Service in The Continental army Thomas Brooks
July 1 182
165
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
tured her. Young Earl lost his leg in that battle, and afterwards received a pension. He pursued his trade as a tailor for many years, and it was said that he could sing as well as he fought in that terrible engagement.
STATE CONSTITUTION.
The people of Massachusetts felt the need of a Consti- tution, or form of civil government. A convention for draughting one was called ; and they presented the result of their labors Feb. 28, 1778. In draughting this Con- stitution, the Legislature acted as a Convention. They sat at Cambridge.
May 25, 1778: "The inhabitants of Medford expressed their opinion." The record runs thus : -
" The Constitution and form of government being read, it was put to vote ; and there appeared to be thirteen in favor of it, and twenty- three against it."
"The Constitution for Massachusetts Bay " was rejected.
The question, whether the State desired a Constitution, was put ; and our records, May 17, 1779, have the follow- ing : -
" Put to vote, - Whether the town choose at this time to have a new Constitution or form of government made. Yeas, 22; nays, 15."
They appoint a committee to instruct their Representa- tive (Capt. Thomas Brooks). The record stands thus : -
" May 17, 1779 .: The Committee appointed to instruct their Repre- sentative relative to forming a new Constitution of civil government in this State report, - That said Representative use his best endeavors and influence, that, if the General Court are empowered by the ma- jority of freeholders of said State to call a convention to form said Constitution of government, said convention may consist of no per- son or persons belonging to said General Court."
Soon afterwards a new movement was made, and an- other convention called. Separate counties held prepara- tory meetings ; and, October, 1779, Stephen Willis, 3d, was chosen delegate to meet in convention at Concord. When the town came to act on the doings of this conven- tion, the record of its proceedings was made as follows :-
"July 29, 1779: The whole of the proceedings of the convention at Concord was read, paragraph by paragraph, and then voted upon separately; and it was unanimously voted that we comply with the same."
166
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
The draught of the new Constitution for Massachusetts was at last prepared : and May 28, 1780, Medford accept- ed it, with the following suggestions in regard to some amendments. The committee reported as follows : -
" We apprehend that the Governor, with the advice of the Council, should, in the recess of the General Court, be vested with the power, on special occasions, in time of war and rebellion, to order the militia out of this State to the assistance of a neighboring State; and that the said Governor, with the advice of Council, shall not be empowered to continue the militia out of this State, on the aforesaid emergencies, for a longer space than thirty days at one time, without the consent of the General Court. Yeas, 49; nays, 5.
" Concerning the writ of habeas corpus, we are of the opinion that it should not be suspended by the Legislature, on any account, for a longer space of time than six months. Unanimously, 39.
" We are of opinion that no person ought to be elected a Delegate to the Congress of the United States, who is not possessed of prop- erty in the State of Massachusetts, to the value of £600, currency, according to the Convention. Unanimously, 39 votes.
" We should be pleased if the above alterations might be made in the said Constitution, but mean not that said alterations should pre- vent the establishment of said Constitution at the next session of said Convention.
"EDWARD BROOKS, SIMON TUFTS, Committee." AARON HALL,
Stephen Hall, 3d, was the delegate from Medford to form the constitution of 1780. The convention sat at Cambridge from Sept. 1, 1779, to March 2, 1780.
After the adoption of this constitution, the form used in warning town-meetings was changed, and they warned "in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Thus established under a republican constitution of their own making, our ancestors felt as if they had passed from a state of minority to a state of manhood. The first election, therefore, under this new political chart, was an event of deep interest. They wished to set an example of wise selection, disinterested patriotism, and fraternal unanimity, which might serve for an example to all future times. They did so. They selected intelligent statesmen, true patriots, and professing Christians. The first elec- tion took place Sept. 4, 1780; and in Medford the votes stood thus : -
For Governor.
John Hancock . 30 | James Bowdoin
20
Milford March 24:778.
Middlefor County.
I Edward Brookeis of sach sur Jord Clark do ex- knowledge the united states of america, to be free, independent & Sovereign Hater, & declaw that the People thereaf owes no allegiance or obcrimes, to, George the this thing of great Britain, and renounce, refile & atjune any allegiance or obedi -. ence to him. and Ido Iwear that Iwill to the Utmost of my Power, Support, maintain adefined the Said united states against the sand thing George. the third his Steins a fusefors , a his & their about. for , aficitante & already divice fewer the Faid United states in the office of Chaplain, in the Jen Javier, which I now hod with Fidelity ar- wording to the best of any there a undertlanding,
Tohelpime God
State of the Massachusetts body Michelle enfi: Cambridge March 24: 1778, Edward Brooks Sworn before one.
Chadricasong justice of y Pcard)
167
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
For Lieutenant-Governor.
Artemas Ward
30 James Bowdoin
2
Benjamin Lincoln
9
Thomas Cushing
I
John Hancock .
3
Benjamin Greenleaf
I
For Senators and Councillors.
Col. Cummings
23
Abraham Fuller
12
Stephen Hall, 3d .
13
Oliver Prescott
3
William Baldwin .
II Samuel Thatcher .
2
Josiah Stone
34
Thomas Brooks
I
Nathaniel Gorham
24
Samuel Curtis .
2
James Dix
25
Benjamin Hall .
I
Eleazer Brooks
24
Here we find two or more candidates for each office ; thus parties, inseparable from a state of free inquiry and equal rights, revealed themselves at once. The question being settled, the next election showed great unanimity, and recognized that central principle of majority which lies at the basis of our civil liberties. The Constitution provided that the annual election should take place in April ; thus giving the farmers the winter to think of it, and an occasion of finishing it before planting.
April 2, 1781 : The second in the series of the annual elections took place on this day, and the votes in Med- ford stood thus : -
For Governor.
For Lieutenant-Governor.
John Hancock . 24
Thomas Cushing 20
For Senators.
Seth Gorham
22 Abraham Fuller 22
James Prescott
22
Josiah Stone
22
John Tyng
22
The State government took up the cause of independ- ence with wisdom and power. At this time, a levy of clothing and beef for the army was made by it, and our records show that Medford raised its share with prompti- tude.
The third annual election of State officers resulted as follows : -
For Governor.
For Lieutenant-Governor.
John Hancock . 45 | Thomas Cushing 44
I68
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
For Senators.
Ebenezer Bridge
37 | Eleazer Brooks 37
Josiah Stone
36 Jonas Dix 35
Abraham Fuller
37 | Joseph Hosmer 3
At the fourth annual election, April 7, 1783, Gov. Han- cock had, in Medford, 36 votes ; Lieut .- Gov. Cushing, 30. Each senator had 24. These facts show remarkable political harmony in the town.
The recognition of our independence by the mother country called for an expression of gratitude to Almighty God, and a day of thanksgiving was set apart by authority of the town. There were meetings and feastings and con- gratulations and rejoicings without number. It seemed here as if the whole heavens were filled with rainbows. So intoxicated with hope were our fathers, that they sup- posed all national troubles ended.
On the Ist of March, 1784, in town-meeting, they thus voted : "That the guns and gunlocks, axes, pickaxes, spades, shovels, and lead, belonging to the town, be sold at public auction." When the first gush of republican joy was over, and the town became settled in the new ways of freedom, then they began to ask how much independence had cost, in pounds, shillings, and pence.
Medford took steps to pay its debts at the earliest period. It was to be done by degrees; and, May 12, 1785, they vote thus : "To raise £400 to defray the expenses of the town, and £400 towards sinking the town-debt." The next year they vote that "one quarter of the town's debt be paid this year." They thus continued the wise work of liquidating all claims against their treasury, and, before many years, were free also in this particular.
Our fathers shared largely in the intense anxiety which pervaded the United States, from the declaration of peace, in 1783, to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, in 1788. Though independence was achieved, yet it might prove a curse, if a form of government could not be adopted which would harmoniously unite all the colonies into a strong, just, and brotherly union. To draught such a constitution required all the Numas; Lycurguses, and Solons of the land. There was in the country the wisdom, the learning, the patriotism, and the virtue necessary for the stupen- dous and all-important work ; but attending circumstances
HISTORY OF MEDFORD. 169
were, in some respects, unpropitious. Differing opinions and opposite interests, state rights and state sovereignties already established, the disbanded soldiers sowing discon- tent and immorality among the citizens, the enormous public and private debts, the unwarrantably large impor- tations of foreign merchandise, the draining of the specie from the country, and the fear of a political chaos, - all these fertile sources of alarm rendered the formation of a durable federal compact a gigantic labor. March 10, 1787, a convention of delegates from the several States was agreed upon, who should prepare a form of government which should "render the Federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union." This convention was to meet in Philadelphia on the second Monday of May next. The General Court appointed Francis Dana, Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gor- ham, Rufus King, and Caleb Strong as delegates from Massachusetts.
At this juncture, the late requisition of Congress, Aug. 2, 1786, for $3,777,062, called on our Commonwealth to pay its proportion, which was $324,746. The murmurs of the people, under what they deemed excessive taxation, became loud and emphatic. There were those who were ready to rise in rebellion against the government, and throw the whole fabric of American liberty in ruins. This suicidal sophistry found its advocate in Shays, who put himself at the head of a military force of eleven hundred men. The governor of Massachusetts ordered out four thousand four hundred troops of militia and four com- panies of artillery, who, under Gen. Lincoln, marched to Worcester, Jan. 22. Gen. Shepherd took possession of the arsenal at Springfield, and, on the 25th of that month, encountered Shays, and soon scattered his ad- herents to the four winds, leaving upon the field three of them killed and one wounded. This base attempt to involve the country in civil war being thus promptly and totally crushed, while it united anew the friends of free- dom and order, put a final check to further insurrections. We have mentioned these facts to show the fidelity of our Medford patriots to the cause of their country ; for no sooner had this subversive movement been taken, than our town voted its entire disapprobation of the traitorous scheme, and offered to pay any soldiers who would volun- teer to put it down. Young men went, and they were paid accordingly.
1
.
170
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
The Constitution of the United States was adopted by Massachusetts, Feb. 6, 1788, in its Legislature, by a vote of 187 yeas. There were 168 nays.
This memorable instrument, which, among its other agencies, was to establish an equitable system of taxation, regulate trade, and secure property, was also to inaugurate order and peace, to foster commerce, encourage agricul- ture, and promote useful arts. Our ancestors felt satisfied with its provisions, and were not disappointed in its promises.
At this time arose the two great parties, the " Federal- ists " and "Anti-Federalists ; " the one supporting and the other opposing our present Constitution. The name "Anti-Federalist" was soon dropped, and that of "Repub- lican " substituted.
Provided with two Constitutions, one for their native State and the other for their country, the time had now arrived for the organization of a general government ; and the citizens of the United States collected in their several towns, and, for the first time, gave in their votes for a Presi- dent of the Republic. The ballot for electors was unani- mous, and stood thus in Medford, Dec. 18, 1788 : -
Hon. Judge Dana 25 | Gen. John Brooks . 24
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.