History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855, Part 21

Author: Brooks, Charles, 1795-1872; Whitmore, William Henry, 1836-1900. cn; Usher, James M
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Boston, Rand, Avery
Number of Pages: 738


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855 > Part 21


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).


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Geary, Albert


3 years


28th


F


Dec. 13, 1861


Nov. 21, 1862


Gray, Arthur W.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


1863


Green, Samuel S. .


3 years


13th


C


Feb. 13, 1862


Dec. 17, 1862


Green, Joseph .


I year


Navy


Green, James


3 years


Navy


·


Aug. 18, 1864


June 17, 1865


Gustine, Edward F.


3 years


4th H.A. 5th


Battery


Sept. 19, 1861


Haley, James


3 years


28th


A


Dec. 13, 1861


Hallowell, Edward N.


3 years


20th


Nov. 12, 1862


Mar. 0


Hammond, Charles


3 years


5th Cav.


A


May 21, 1864


Oct. 31, 1865


Harris, James, jun.


3 years


Navy


F


Sept. 23, 1862


july 2, 1863


Hartshorn, Elbridge B.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 4, 1862


May 18, 1865


Harding, Stephen .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


Harding, William .


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 11, 1862 Sept. 23, 1862


july 2, 1863


Haskell, Charles H.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 8, 1862 Jan. 27, 1862 Jan. 20, 1862


Jan. 23, 1863


Haskins, Patrick


3 years


17th


I


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Hathaway, Rodney C.


3 years


39th


C


July 31, 1862


Hathaway, Henry R.


3 years


39th


C


July 29, 1862


Hathaway, Nelson F.


3 years


39th


C Aug. 14, 1862


Hayford, Seth .


9 months


5th


F Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Heath, Andrew J.


3 years


39th


July 18, 1862


Oct. 26, 1862


Hendarkin, Timothy .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862 July 29, 1862


.


.


Hervey, James A.


3 years


39th


C


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Hines, Ira .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


June 6, 1863 Jan. 8, 1863


Hilton, Ebenezer


3 years


IIth


F


Hilton, William M.


3 years


13th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Feb.


9, 1864


Holmes, Emery D.


Aug. 19, 1864


June 17, 1865


Hooker, David S., jun ..


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Hosea, Isaac F R.


3 years


39th


Aug. 14, 1862


June 2, 1865


Howe, Humphrey B.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Howard, James


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


· .


Gillard, Thomas H.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Glover, Edward W.


Goodale, Edward .


3 years


39th


C


Goodale, George I ..


3 years


Ist Cav.


Gray, Francis


3 years


Navy


.


C F


Aug. 1I, 1862


Oct. 24, 1864


Harrington, Charles F Haskell, Alfred


9 months


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Haskins, Martin


3 years


17th


I


July 10, 1863


Hatch, Edwin B. .


3 years


39th


Hervey, Frank .


9 months


5th


Henry, John


3 years


15th


Feb. 13, 1863


Hilliard, George H.


3 years


Ist Cav.


C


Sept. 17, 1861 June 13, 1861


Feb. 13, 1862


Holbrook, Fred W. D.


3 years


39th


C K


I year


4th H.A.


F


C


.


Fox, Terrence L.


3 years


39th


.


Hartshorn, Hollis .


9 months


5th


Harding, William .


9 months


5th


F


3 years


Ist Cav. 5th


Jan. 23, 1863


June 2, 1865


C


F Battery


June 2, 1865


Griffin, Daniel H.


I year


Gordon, Thomas A.


.


216


HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


LIST OF MEDFORD MEN, ETC. - continued.


Names.


Enlisted for


Reg't.


Co.


Mustered in.


Mustered out.


Hoyt, Moses C.


3 years


39th 39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862 Aug. 14, 1862


May 15, 1865


Hubbell, Joseph P.


3 years


Navy


·


..


Aug. 14, 1862


June 2, 1865


Ireland, Henry A., jun. .


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Ireland, Edward


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Ireland, Edwin


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


June 29, 1865


Isaacs, Joseph .


I year


4th H.A.


K


Aug. 18, 1864


June 17, 1865


James, John


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


James, Thomas


3 years


17th


K


July 22, 1862


May 28, 1865


Jepson, Samuel G.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


June 2, 1855


Johnson, John .


3 years


39th


C


Jan. 9, 1864


Johnson, Samuel S.


3 years


Ist


Battery


Aug. 28, 1861


Johnson, Thomas .


3 years


Navy


Navy


Navy


Ist Cav.


Sept. 12, 1861


Oct. 24, 1864


Jones, William E.


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Joyce, Alfred .


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 2, 1862


Joyce, Samuel W.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Joyce, Winslow


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


June


7, 1865


Joyce, Henry S.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


June 2, 1865


Keene, Atwell C. .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


June 6, 1863


Keen, George M. .


3 years


17th


K


Feb. 13, 1862


Jan.


4, 1864


Kelly, Richard .


3 years


5th Cav.


May 21, 1864


June 20, 1864


Kendrick, Coleman C


3 years


39th


Aug. 14, 1862


Kenrick, Edwin F.


3 years


39th


Aug. 14, 1862


June


2, 1865


Kent, Charles F.


3 years


14th


Feb. 27, 1864


jul


2, 1863


Kimball, Isaiah W.


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Kidder, Francis H.


100 days


Lander, Francis A.


9 months


5th


F Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Lahey, William


3 years


28th


A


Dec. 13, 1861


Latta, David


3 years


28th


April 5, 1864


july


2, 1863


Lawrence, Samuel C.


3 months


5th


May 1, 1861


July 1, 1861


Lee, Lyman N.


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Lee, Lyman N.


3 years


2d H A.


M


Dec. 24, 1863


Lee, William H.


3 years


5th Cav.


D


May 28, 1864


Learnard, William E


3 years


40th


B


Aug. 22, 1862


Dec. 24, 1862


Leonard, Michael .


3 years


19th


G Aug. 28, 1861


Lewis, Joseph


3 years


39th


C


July 13, 1863


Lewis, George H.


3 years


17th


K July 22, 1861


Jan.


4, 1864


Linsburg, Samuel .


2 years


Navy


.


·


. .


June


2, 1865


Litchfield, J V.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Livingston, Robert


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 6, 1862


July 2,1863 .


Looney, Timothy


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


Lord, Stephen


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


Lord, Warren L.


3 years


Ist


May 24, 1861


May 25, 1864


Lord, Lewis


.


Mace, John H.


I year


4th H.A.


Aug. 18, 1864


June 17, 1865


Mahoney, John


2 years


Navy


K . Battery


Feb. 17, 1863 ·


Manning, John A.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


June 2, 1865


Martin, Curtis L.


3 years


14th


Feb. 27, 1864


June 15, 1865


Mason, Edwin H.


9 months


5tn


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Massaheno, Romonode


3 years


39th


C


Jan. 14, 1804


Matthews, Ebenezer B. .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


.


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


F


Lawrence, William


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


.


·


F


Lewis, Galen J.


3 years


24th


B


Sept. 25, 1861


Litchfield, Otis V.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Locke, James D. .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Mahoney, Timothy


3 years


15th


c


Hutchins, John


3 years


39th


Hunter, Matthew .


3 years


.


Aug. 29, 1864


Johnson, Andrew .


3 years


Jones, Thomas


3 years


Jones, Abel .


3 years


F


C


C


C


Battery


Kidder, Winslow L.


Kimball, George N.


9 months


·


F


Battery F


217


HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


LIST OF MEDFORD MEN, ETC. - continued.


Names.


Enlisted for


Reg't.


Co.


Mustered in.


Mustered out.


McAnney, Charles


3 years


Ist


July 23, 1862


McAlear, James


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


McArthur, Archibald


3 years


Navy


G


June 21, 1861


Dec. 21, 1863


McGillicuddy, Daniel


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


McGillicuddy, James


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


july 2, 1863


McKenney, Andrew


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


McLellan, William B,


3 years


24th


A


Oct. 26, 1861


Oct. 26, 1864


McLean, Joseph


3 years


Navy


K


Aug. 18, 1864


July 17, 1865


Means, George W.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


2, 1863


Mealey, Philip J ..


3 years


17th


K


July 22, 1861


Aug. 3, 1864


Meston, Peter D. .


3 years


39th


Aug. 14, 1862


June 2, 1865


Miller, George W.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Miller, William


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


Miller, Peter


3 years


Navy


Mills, Herman .


.


·


39th


U


Aug. 11, 1862


June 2, 1865


Mitchell, Robert J.


3 years


Navy


April 22, 1864


Morrison, Isaac T.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Morrison, Joseph G.


3 years


15th


Battery A


May 18, 1864


Aug. 18, 1865


Ness, Augustus


3 years


20th


I Mar. 5, 1864


Newcomb, D. Tyler


9 months


44th


A


Sept. 12, 1862


Newcomb, George A.


.


6th


Ist Cav.


C


A


Nov. 11, 1861


Nolan, Dominics


3 years


28th


A


Dec. 13, 1861


June


2, 1865


Norwood, George .


3 years


28th


C


April 9, 1864


O'Brien, Michael .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


O'Connel, Michael


9 Inonths


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Oliver, Samuel K.


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Osborn, Alvin W.


3 years


39th


Aug. 12, 1862


June 2, 1865


Owens, Charles


3 years


Navy


Page, Ephraim C.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Peak, Horatio N., jun.


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Peirce, Elisha N. .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Peterson, Niles


3 years


Navy


. F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Pines, Peyton


3 years


5tl Cav.


B


Mar, 12, 1864 Feb. 17, 1863


Oct. 31, 1865


Phelan, James


3 years


15th


Battery B


Sept. 17, 1861 Sept. 23, 1862


July July


2, 1863


Powell, John F.


9 months


5th


F Sept. 23, 1862


2, 1863


Prentiss, Charles H. .


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862 July 31, 1862


June 17, 1863


Prouty, William H.


Pusley, Henry .


3 years


15th


Battery


Feb. 17, 1863


Ramsdell, Emnery W.


3 years


39th


C


July 22, 1862


June 2, 1865


Reed, Henry F.


3 years


Ist Cav.


D


Jan.


1, 1864


June 21, 1865


Reed, Alvin R.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Rice, Samuel C.


1 year


4th H.A. 5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Richardson, Alfred


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 7, 1862


July 2, 1865


Richardson, Charles A. .


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 6, 1862


June 2, 1865


Richardson, Alvery E. .


3 years


11th


Battery


Jan. 2, 1862


June 16, 1865


Riley, Michael .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Redman, Wallace St. C.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 8, 1862'


June 9, 1863


Roberts, Milton F.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 11, 1862


June


2, 1865


.


.


Pierce, Charles E,


9 months


5th


Poole, Charles E.


3 years


Ist Cav.


Powers, James M.


9 months


5th


F


F


July 2, 1863


Prouty, John L.


3 years


39th


C


Jan. 25, 1864 Sept. 17, 1861


April 20, 1864


Nield, Samuel


3 years


Dec. 31, 1863


Noble, Daniel


3 years


17th


Northey, William H.


3 years


39th


C


F


C


.


.


Aug. 18, 1864


July 17, 1865


Rich, Stillman


9 months


Navy


Newton, Antipas


3 years


39th


Aug. 11, 1862


McNamara, Barnard


3 years


4th H.A.


McNabb, Thomas


1 year.


july


C


F


Mitchell, Thomas O. H.


3 years


Moore, Charles


3 years


5th Cav.


Feb. 17, 1863


Murphy, Cornelius


3 years


20 Cav.


.


McDonald, James


3 years


10th


K


Aug. 14, 1862


F


218


HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


LIST OF MEDFORD MEN, ETC. -- continued.


Names.


Enlisted for


Reg't.


Co.


Mustered in.


Mustered out.


Rogers, William H.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Rugg, George J.


3 years


39th


Aug. 14, 1862


May 31, 1865


Samson, Albert A .*


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


May 17, 1866


Sampson, George H.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Sampson, Ichabod


3 years


Ist Cav.


F


Oct. 5, 1861


Oct. 16, 1864


Sanborn, John H.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Sanderson, Thomas B.


3 years


13th


4th H.A. 39th


C


Aug. 11, 1862


June 2, 1865


Seymour, Charles


3 years


4th Cav.


H


Feb. 8, 1864


Shannon, Jeremiah


3 years


sth


Battery


Jan. 18, 1864


June 12, 1865


Sherman, Paul .


3 years


Ist


Battery


Aug. 31, 1861


Oct. 19, 1864


Shields, James .


3 years


56th


G


Dec. 29, 1864


July 12, 1865


Simpson, John H.


3 years


39th


C


July 17, 1862


Dec. 20, 1864


Skinner, George


3 years


5th Cav.


K


April 12, 1864


Oct. 31, 1865


Smith, Frank B.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Smith, Joseph


3 years


Ist Cav.


A Battery


Jan. 20, 1864


Smith, Charles S.


3 years


Ist Cav.


G


Sept. 25, 1861


Oct. 31, 1864


Smith, Lott .


3 years


5th Cav.


E


Feb, 10, 1864


Oct. 31, 1865


Smith, George F.


1 year


4th H.A.


K


Aug. 18, 1864


June 17, 1865


Smith, William


3 years


Navy


Smith, Thomas


3 years


Navy


Sınıth, Jacob


3 years


Navy


Southworth, William B.


3 years


39th


Aug. 14, 1862


Dec. 20, 1864


Staples, Samuel


3 years


39th


D


Feb.


9, 1864


Stephens, Alfred


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


2, 1863


Stevens, Samuel M.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Oct. 31, 1865


Steward, Morton


3 years


5th Cav.


H


Mar. 12, 1864


Oct. 31, 1865


Steward, Elijah


3 years


5th Cav.


K


April 12, 1864


Oct. 31, 1865


Stimpson, Alden M.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Stinipson, Charles M.


I year


4th H.A.


K


Aug. 18, 1864


July 17, 1865


Stock, Henry


9 months


5tlı


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Strong, Cyrus D.


3 years


Ist Cav.


Sept. 23, 1861


Nov. 30, 1863


Sweeney, John .


I year


Navy


Swift, William H.


3 years


Navy


Tanner, Frederick


3 years


14th


Battery


Feb. 27, 1864 Sept. 23, 1862


July


2,1863


Taylor, William


3 years


Navy


Teel, George M.


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


july


2. 1863


Teel, George E.


3 years


10th


A Aug. 28, 1861


Aug, 28, 1864


Thompson, Edward


3 years


39th


C


July 13, 1862


June 2, 1865


Thompson, Christian


3 years


Navy 5th Cav.


F


May 21, 1864


Oct. 31, 1864


Tittle, Willianı .


2 years


Navy


Tooney, Daniel


3 years


Navy


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Towle, Sidney M.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Treet, Williamn P


9 months


44th


D


Sept. 12, 1862


June 18, 1863


Tufts, Augustus


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


Jan. 27, 1864


Turner, Samuel H.,


jun.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 14, 1862


June 14, 1865


Tyler, Daniel


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


.


Vast, Charles


3 years


5th Cav.


B


May 21, 1864


Oct. 31, 1865


Waitt, Daniel


3 years


17th


K


July 22, 1861


Oct. 26, 1861


Walker, Benjamin


3 years


39tl


C


Aug. 1, 1862


Nov. 20, 1863


Walker, William A.


3 years


391h


C


Aug. 11, 1862


June 2, 1865


Walker, Judson


9 months


5th


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Walsh, John


3 years


39th


D


Feb. 17, 1864


July


Stetson, James H.


3 years


13th


C


July 16, 1861


Stevenson, Lewis T.


3 years


sth Cav.


F


Feb. 22, 1864


Oct. 24, 1864


Smith, Frank B.


3 years


Ist


K


Aug. 11, 1864


June 17, 1865


Senter, John H.


3 years


Navy Navy


Lt. Art.


Sanderson, George


3 years


Sawyer, George


3 years


Feb. 17, 1862


Jan. 29, 1863


Sears, Edward V.


I year


Oct. 1, 1861


Tay, Francis J.


9 months


5th


F


Thompson, James


3 years


39th


C


July 22, 1862


Thompson, George


3 years


Towle, Jaines


9 months


5th


* Received commission as Second Lieutenant of 10th U.S. Colored Regiment, Oct. 26, 1863. Promoted First Lieutenant, April 27, 1864; Captain, Oct. 19, 1864.


Sanborn, Cutler D.


219


HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


LIST OF MEDFORD MEN, ETC. - continued.


Names.


Enlisted for


Reg't.


Co.


Mustered in.


Mustered out.


Waters, Abraham .


3 years


2d Cav.


K


Dec. 21, 1863


Weeks, Lewis


3 years


2d Cav.


I


April 23. 1864


West, Francis .


3 years


39th


K


Jan. 21, 1864


Wheeler, William N.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


White, John M.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Whitney, Jophanus H.


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 10, 1862


June 2, 1865


Whittaker, James L. .


3 years


39th


C


Aug. 28, 1862


Dec. 15, 1863


White, William H.


3 years


ISt


Battery B


May 12, 1862


Oct. 17, 1862


Willey, Hollis H,


3 years


59th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Willis, Calvin W. .


3 years


17th


C


Nov. 28, 1863


.


2, 1863


Williams, Augustus


3 years


11th


April 29, 1864


Wilson, Henry


3 years


15th


Battery


Feb. 17, 1863


Wilson, John


3 years


15th


Battery


Feb. 17, 1863


Wilson, John


3 years


46th


K


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July


2, 1863


Wood. Dexter T. .


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23, 1862


July 2, 1863


Zerik, James


3 years


Navy


Vt.


.


. ·


.


7th


D


Feb. 9, 1864


Willis, Calvin W ..


9 months


5th


Williamson, George W.


9 months


5th


F


Sept. 23,, 1862


july


·


and


.


. .


19th


U.S.


April 15, 1864


Sept. 13, 1861


Jan. 3, 1864


Willey, John H.


3 years


24th


Willey, Hiram .


Feb. 25, 1864


Woolley, Lucius L.


9 months


5th


6


Mts


Soldiers' Monument.


White, John


220


HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


CHAPTER IX.


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


THE first inhabitants of Medford belonged to that class of hardy, intelligent, Christian adventurers called PURI- TANS, who left their native England that they might here worship God, govern themselves according to the dictates of their own consciences, and spread the truths of Chris- tianity among the heathen. Nobler blood never flowed in human veins ; and we may rejoice that we are descended from warrior-saints, who dared to lead where any dared to follow, whose souls were sanctified by Christian faith, whose union illustrated the natural rights of man, and whose characters were made glorious by a spiritual hero- ism. That such a people would faithfully provide for the worship which they had sacrificed their native homes to enjoy, is most natural. But they were poor, and those who settled in Medford did not feel able to settle a clergy- man for some years. Their failure to do this drew down upon them persecution and fines ; and here again we have to lament the loss of those early records which might explain their condition, and prove how devotedly they attended public worship in the neighboring towns when they were not able to support a minister within their own borders, and how, before they could pay a clergyman's salary without painful self-sacrifice, they made permanent provision for their nurture and growth in grace.


Their Christian watchfulness and religious zeal are shown in the first of the preserved records, by their una- mimity in requiring every one to contribute his share to sustain a public ministry, and in the promptness with which they harmonized differences between themselves and their pastors.


Johnson, in his " Wonder-working Providence," says, -


" It is as unnatural for a right New-England man to live without an able ministry, as for a smith to work his iron without fire ; "


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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


and our Medford forefathers were not an exception to that very truthful statement.


We find them, in their first attempt to have constant preaching, agreeing to hire a preacher who should supply them for six months or a year, and to pay him by individ- ual subscriptions, while they allowed him to reside wher- ever his other engagements required. To save expense, they sometimes hired tutors from Harvard College to preach for them.


In many things, the superstitions of those times appeared in our fathers. We find, by the public records, that on Oct. 21, 1658, they kept a fast " on account of God's judg- ments ; to wit, sickness in several families, unfavorable weather, and the appearance of that scourge, the Quakers."


A note is also made of the exciting controversy, had in 1660, about infant baptism. Thomas Gould's case in Charlestown set the church in Medford in fearful ferment ; for the members feared that the heresy might break out at home, and they thought it more to be dreaded than any physical disease or calamity.


The following items, touching engagements made with different persons to supply the people of this town with preaching, will be interesting to the modern reader.


In 1692 John Hancock, the grandfather of the patriot of that name, consented to remain on the plantation; and the town accordingly voted that "he shall be boarded at Mr. John Bradshaw's for the year ensuing, if he shall con- tinue his ministry so long among us." The usual price of board at that time was five shillings per week. Mr. Hancock's ministrations ceased in 1693; and the town secured the services of Mr. Benjamin Coleman of Harvard College, which they retained for some time.


The town then invited Mr. Simon Bradstreet to become the permanent pastor, and the record of the action had in that case is as follows : -


" Voted, That Mr. Simon Bradstreet, for his encouragement to settle amongst us in the work of the gospel ministry, shall have £40 in money for annuity, with his housing and fire-wood."


This call was not accepted. There were, at this time, only thirty-three male inhabitants who paid taxes on estates ; and the salary offered was, under the circum- stances, a fair one.


In March, 1694, the town voted that the former sub-


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scription for the support of the minister should be con- tinued, and that the board of the minister should be five shillings per week; and, if any one refused to pay his share of this, then the selectmen should "rate him accord- ing to his effects." The town's rate was "one penny in the pound, and twelve pence per head." Supporting the ministry by an equal tax on all property was the settled policy of our fathers, though there had been objectors to the plan.


Not successful in settling a minister, the town hired Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge of Charlestown to preach for six months ; and, as his engagements in Charlestown did not allow him to reside in Medford, the town passed the following vote, Dec. 5, 1698 :-


" Voted, That Cotton Tufts be chosen and appointed to agree with Mr. Joseph Squire for his horse for Mr. Woodbridge, riding from Charlestown to Medford every Saturday, and from Medford. to Charlestown every Monday; allowing said Squire two shillings per journey for said horse, going and coming, well-shod for said journey. Mr. Woodbridge also to ride said Squire's horse to meeting on the sabbath-days when there shall be occasion."


Mr. Woodbridge occupied the pulpit nearly twelve years. During this time there was much dissatisfaction mani- fested, and great contention between preacher and people ; and hence but little prosperity of the church.


It is not worth while to enter into details. One inci- dent, occurring at this time, derives its importance from the fact that our fathers enlisted such men as Chief Jus- tice Sewall in their troubles. The fact is as follows : -


"To Mr. BENJAMIN WOODBRIDGE, per Lieut. STEPHEN WILLIS.


"JUNE 5, 1708.


" Sir, -In your account of disbursements, given to the town of Medford, at their meeting, Dec. 19, 1705, your first article is, 'The expenses upon land, house, fencing, &c., as appears from my book, £249. 8s. Id.' Now, the Committee desire to see the particulars by which that sum rises ; and, to that end, that you would meet them, or some of them, upon 'Change, presently after the Artillery Sermon next Monday, where we may agree of a place of recess for this purpose.


" Sir, your servant,


" SAMUEL SEWALL."


So tenacious was the grasp of Mr. Woodbridge on the pulpit of Medford, and so devoted were some hearts to his cause, that, after all which had happened, we find the


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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


town, Dec. 6, 1708, voting thus : "That Mr. Woodbridge be invited to preach three months on a free contribution." This must have been nearly a tie vote, since thirteen members immediately enter their protest against it. This probably ended Mr. Woodbridge's connection with the church as its preacher ; for, in the next year, Mr. John Tufts is a favorite, and commended for settlement.


During the long and increasing dissension which was now closed, it is apparent that the town took counsel of wisdom and charity. They wished to give Mr. Woodbridge every opportunity of righting himself before the commu- nity, the churches, and the Government : they apprehended the worldly and spiritual equity of the case; and it is refreshing to read their vote upon it, in the following beautiful words : -


"The difference hath been as tenderly, carefully, and well managed as we could."


Mr. Woodbridge died in Medford, Jan. 15, 1710, after a residence of nearly ten years, aged sixty-five; and on the same day, with commendable promptitude and just lib- erality, the town voted ten pounds to defray the expenses of his funeral, - an act which proves that they would not let the sun go down upon their animosity.


"Thursday, 19th, Mr. Woodbridge was buried. Mr. Parsons of Malden preached the funeral sermon. Bearers: President (of col- lege) ; Mr. Hobart of Newton; Mr. Brattle; Mr. Bradstreet; Mr. Parsons ; Mr. Ruggles of Billericay. By reason that it was lecture- day, and Mr. Colman preached, and the wind very high and blustering, not one Boston minister was there."


Mr. Woodbridge seems not to have lost his ministerial standing during his troubles in Medford, and we must leave to future disclosures some points which now appear equivocal.


SETTLEMENT OF A PERMANENT PASTOR.


In the Medford church, though there were differing opinions concerning particular preachers and concerning worldly means, there was a true and steady purpose in all hearts to have a settled pastor and teacher ; and they all united to hold a town-fast on the last Wednesday of April, 1712. The record speaks of the day as one "to be solem- nized as a day of fasting and prayer, to humble ourselves


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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.


before God for those divisions and contentions that hath been so long prevailing among us, and obstructed the peaceable enjoyment of gospel ordinances." They agreed to meet immediately after the religious exercises of the fast, and to ask each man to bring, on a piece of paper, the name of the gentleman he should prefer as his minis- ter, and, out of the three who had the highest number, to select one as the pastor. It proved that Mr. Amos Cheever, Mr. John Tufts, and Mr. Aaron Porter, were the candidates.


The lot finally fell on the last-named gentleman. On the 19th of May, 1712, the town voted, with most hopeful unanimity, to invite Mr. Aaron Porter to become their minister. His salary was to be fifty-five pounds, and to be increased two pounds annually until it reached seventy pounds. To this was added the strangers' money ; twenty cords of wood, or seven pounds. It was further provided, that if a part of Charlestown that lies next to Medford be annexed, then Mr. Porter's salary be raised ten pounds. It was further provided, that "the rates for Mr. Aaron Porter's salary be levied on polls and ratable estate, according to the rate of raising and levying the county tax."


Mr. Porter accepted this invitation, but demanded "one hundred pounds as a settlement." The gift of such a sum to a new pastor was customary, and the Medford church acceded. Not being rich, the town voted to ask the aid of sister churches in paying this sum.


REV. AARON PORTER.


This gentleman was born, July 19, 1689, in Hadley, Mass.


Of his ordination at Medford, Chief Justice Samuel Sewall gives the following account in his diary. After mentioning a vehement, drifting storm of snow the day preceding, he writes : -


" Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1713: Mr. Aaron Porter is ordained pastor of the church at Meadford. Mr. Angier, of Watertown, gave the charge; Mr. Hancock, of Lexington, the right hand of fellowship. The storm foregoing hindered my son Joseph (settled the same year over the Old South Church in Boston) from being there. Were many more people there than the meeting-house could hold."




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