USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855 > Part 21
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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 ; "
22I
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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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
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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