USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855 > Part 8
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This order of the General Court is clearly based upon the fact that the bridge was at first intended for the pas-
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
sage of heavily loaded teams ; that it had not been kept in a safe and proper condition for such teams to cross ; and therefore that any one who would assume to put it in good condition, and keep it in repair, might legally charge and collect a certain rate of toll.
Put all these legislative orders together, with the infer- ences that may be drawn from them, and we have a very satisfactory history of the first bridge in Medford. We can see, in our mind's eye, a rude structure, sufficiently wide to allow but one cart to pass at the same time, and so poorly put together as to be endangered by every high tide and by floating ice. We can furthermore see, that the bridge was placed where the present one stands ; and, lastly, we may say, that to Mr. Mathew Cradock of London our fathers were indebted for this great convenience.
The next step of interest which had reference to Mystic Bridge, and to several other bridges in different towns, was the appointment of a committee by the County Court, to decide what bridges were necessary, and how they should be erected and maintained. That committee re- ported as follows : -
" In obedience to an order of the County Court, held at Charlestown, Dec. 30, 1656, we whose names are underwritten, meeting at Cam- bridge, March 2, 1659, to weigh and consider what bridges are fittest to be built and maintained at the county's charge, after due examina- tion of things, we find the bridges of this county, already erected and to be erected (as we conceive), to exceed for number and charge all the other counties within this Colony ; and withal, considering the great necessity of bringing in all that are alike useful, which would amount to such a charge that we question the county's ability to maintain and bear the charge thereof ; and having some experimental knowledge that towns will be more cautious in laying out their own costs than the counties, both in building and repairing, do therefore conclude, according to our weak apprehensions, that as few bridges should be built at the county's charge as possibly may be ; only those two bridges, i.e., at Billerica and Mistick, to be finished at the coun- ty's charge, and for time to come maintained in repair by the towns and precincts in which they are; and those towns that are forced to build bridges more for the passage of others than their own benefit, may have help from the county, by this honored Court's appointment, if their burden in building bridges exceed their sister towns; and in case any town shall propound to this honored Court for erecting of bridges contrary to what is here present, - we are ready to give further account to this Court why the county should be no further charged that way. And whereas it appears to us that Concord, Sud- bury, and Lancaster are at a greater charge in bridges for the public use of the county than some other of their neighbor towns, we con- ceive it meet that they be abated as followeth : Concord and Lancaster,
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all their rates, whether paid or to be paid, to those two bridges above named, and Sudbury, the one-half of their rates to the said bridges, and their abatements to be satisfied to the undertakers of those bridges, or repaid again to such as have paid, as followeth : i.e., Chelms- ford, two pounds ; Billerica, one pound ; Charlestown, ten pounds ; Meadford, two pounds; and what these shall fall short of satisfying those above-mentioned abatements, made up out of the county stock, either fines or otherwise, as the Court shall please to determine.
" Provided always, we think it is meet that no stop be made of any the above-said abatement, so as to interfere or obstruct the performing of the present engagement respecting those bridges.
" Ralfe Mousall. Hugh Mason. Edward Goffe. Joseph Wheeler.
Thomas Noyes.
Edward Johnson. William Condrey. Abraham Hill.
Jno. Prescott. John Parker.
"April 7, 1657 : This return being made to the Court, it was accepted by the' Court, who order that this return of the committee shall be presented to the next General Court, by the Clerk of the Court, for their confirmation and settling thereof.
" THOMAS DANFORTH, " Recorder."
This report is strangely worded, and in these days would be considered a very loose and imperfect document ; but the men who made it set forth therein one most impor- tant principle, which is capable of broad application, and the neglect of which has been the frequent occasion of public loss. They said that "towns will be more cautious in laying out their own costs than the counties ; " and their provision that towns should, as far as possible, superintend the expending of their own money on the bridges built in their territory, was a wise one.
Their report was accepted, and the General Court gave it the requisite sanction ; yet, though it placed the matter of bridges on its true basis, it did not give satisfaction to all the towns.
The plan of taxing the county, and so all the towns in the county, for the support of Mystic or Medford Bridge, was the source of constant trouble to all concerned, and led to lingering lawsuits. It being the only bridge over Mystic River, it must be used by many travellers from Salem, Sau- gus, Andover, Reading, etc. Woburn was obliged by law to help support it, and they of that town constantly com- plained and objected.
Woburn records of Oct. 28, 1690, say, -
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
" Sergeant Mathew Johnson, Sergeant John Pierce, chosen to meet: the Court's committee, and treat with them about Mistick Bridge."
The same records, of May, 1691, say, -
" The selectmen met with Malden men and Reading men to consult+ about defending ourselves at the County Court ; being warned to ap- pear there about Mistick Bridge."
In 1693 Woburn grew very emphatic, and said, -
" Woburn was not concerned in the presentment of Mistick Bridge ;. neither would they do any thing in order to the repairing thereof, except by law they were forced thereto."
In 1694 Woburn was again cited by order of Court, and threatened with a fine of five pounds, yet was inflexible, and put itself in the posture of defence.
The case was tried at Boston ; and, after able attorneys: had spoken on both sides, the decision was made as fol- lows : -
" Middlesex, ss. - At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace,, holden at Charlestown, Jan. 23, 1694.
" Whereas there was an order of the General Court, in the year 1691, referring to the settlement of Mistick Bridge to the County Court of Middlesex, the said Court ordering the repairing of said bridge to be by the respective towns of Charlestown, Woburn, Malden, Reading, and Medford, according to their wonted manner, till the Court make further provisions, and the defects of said bridge having been presented to this Court before the late law respecting bridges, this Court order that the said respective towns do forthwith make sufficient repairs of the said defect of said bridge, upon pains and penalty of £5 fine, to their Majesties for their respective defaults of each of the said towns ; and then to make return of their doings therein to the next General! Sessions of the Peace for Middlesex ; and that for the future it shall be. left to the determination of the law."
This decision was not satisfactory to the defendants : but Medford, against which all complaints for defects in the: bridge were made, never refused to do her part in sustain- ing the structure ; and her action in regard to the troubles that ensued stands recorded as follows : -
"Voted, in a general town-meeting, Jan. 11, 1694, that the per- sons above said are to attend the premises, from Court to Court, until there shall be a final determination and settlement of Mistick Bridge."
This committee performed their duty faithfully, and the result is recorded above ; but, in 1698, Medford was again presented to the Court for defect in the bridge. On the 7th of March, the town came together, and voted "to empower a lawyer referring to answer a presentment for
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
defect in Mistick Bridge." March 28, 1698 : Voted "to empower Mr. John Leverett for the further defending the town referring to Mistick Bridge, in case there be need ; and said town to pay lawyer's charges, and other necessary charges that may arise in defence of said bridge, as above 'said."
The committee had no inducement to prolong their work unnecessarily ; for the pay they received was not tenough to cover their expenses, as will be seen by the ttown resolve made at that time, which provided, that, " if a man attended court for sixty days, he should be paid three pounds, and for any less term one shilling sixpence per day."
The bridge seemed to have a wonderful aptitude in getting out of repair ; and, as Medford was liable to be indicted for the fact, the bridge became the standing vexa- tion of the town. April 3, 1702, the inhabitants appoint three of their number as a committee to treat with Woburn, Reading, and Malden, on the repairing and main- 'taining said bridge. Nine years bring up again the same question ; and May 24, 1711, the town voted "to desire the selectmen of the town to procure such records of Court or Courts as may give information of the division of Mistick Bridge to the several neighboring towns for the repair of the same." This vote, while it shows us there had been a legal division of the bridge liabilities, shows also that the contiguous towns had not done their duty in the premises. Sept. 21, 1714, a rate of fifteen pounds was assessed by the selectmen "for Mistick Bridge." The bridge was now rebuilt : but the adjoining towns refused to pay their shares ; and Medford voted to carry the question before the General Sessions of the Peace, sitting at Charlestown. The object of this appeal was to show from records that there was no valid reason for the refusal of the neighboring towns in bearing their share of the expense of rebuilding. The committee chosen to prosecute the whole matter to its final settlement were Deacon Thomas Willis, Ensign John Bradshaw, and Mr. Ebenezer Brooks.
The appeal of Medford was just ; and it was met by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, sitting at Charles- town, Feb. 16, 1715, thus : -
" The Court apportion the charges of rebuilding Mistick Bridge as follows: Charlestown, £64. 14s .; Woburn, Malden, Reading, and Medford, each £17. 12s. 3d .; total, £135. 35."
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
To this award Woburn, Malden, and Reading objected, and therefore appealed. The consequence was the legal trial of the case; and Medford, July II, 1715, passed the following vote : -
" Voted, to empower Deacon Thomas Willis, Ensign John Brad- shaw, and Mr. Ebenezer Brooks as a committee to defend the town against any suits in law having reference to the rebuilding of Mistic Bridge."
The decision was in favor of Medford.
When the tract on the south of the river became an- nexed to Medford from Charlestown in 1754, the records say : -
" April 30, 1754: The southerly half of Mistic Bridge, and the causey adjoining, by a resolve of the General Assembly, is now within the limits of Medford.
" May 8, 1754: Samuel Brooks, Esq., Lieut. Stephen Hall, jun., and Jos. Tufts were chosen a committee to manage the affairs relating to the southerly half of the Mistic Bridge and the causey adjoining thereto."
The increase of travel over this bridge rendered it liable to frequent repairs, and Medford became sole owner of it. The annexation, in 1754, of that part of Charlestown which lies near the south bank of Mystic River, released that town from all obligations connected with the "Great Bridge," as it was called. Accordingly, July 25, 1757, we find the following record : -
" Voted, that Samuel Brooks, Esq., Stephen Hall, Esq., and Capt. Caleb Brooks be a committee to agree with suitable persons to re- build the south side of Medford Great Bridge with wood or stone ; and that said committee empower persons to wharf out on each side of said bridge.
" May 13, 1761 : Voted, to treat with Woburn, Reading, and Malden, concerning Medford Bridge, and acquit any of them that shall comply from all further charge; and also to treat with the General Court if there be reason."
Woburn, as we have seen, always contended most stoutly but ineffectually against paying for the support of the bridge ; because, as she maintained, her people did not use it. They sometimes went to Boston through Charles- town (now Somerville). So troublesome grew this litiga- tion, that Woburn paid to Medford a certain sum to be released from all further liabilities.
The next movement for this important passway, worthy of record, was in 1789, when it was proposed to widen
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the bridge, and pave the market-place. The plan devised for paying the expenses was a common one in that day : it was by a lottery ; and May II the town petitioned the General Court to grant them a lottery for these purposes. The petition was not granted.
April 2, 1804: On this day the committee chosen at a previous meeting to inquire into the necessity and ex- pediency of building a new bridge report that it is expe- dient that a new bridge be built, and they recommend that it be thirty feet wide, and also that it have a draw. They further say, it should have "four piers of white-oak timber of seven piles each, the two outside piers to be set twenty feet from each other; to have an arch in the centre of twenty-six feet in the clear, and a draw the width of the arch."
Two hundred and eighty dollars were soon afterwards subscribed by private persons, as a donation to help for- ward the work. The estimated expense, without a draw, was one thousand dollars. This proposition was received with favor; and the increasing business on the river re- quired this width, and also a draw, but it was not immedi- ately adopted. Various plans for meeting the expenses of the draw were proposed, but without much success, till a resolution was taken by the town, in 1808, to do the whole thoroughly. It was done, and a toll of twelve and a half cents was charged upon every vessel that passed the draw. The next year (May 20, 1809) we find the following vote : -
" Mr. Timothy Dexter to demand of every lighter passing through the draw ten 'cents each time, and twenty cents for larger vessels."
This bridge answered all its intended purposes till 1829, when the question of building a new draw came up. The matter was referred to a committee, who reported, May 4, as follows : -
" That the town is under no legal obligation to make or maintain a drawbridge, but may build without a draw, as heretofore."
Nevertheless, the final result was a vote to build a new bridge with a draw. It was built accordingly ; but the draw was so narrow, that in 1834 the town voted to widen the draw, whenever the selectmen shall judge proper. This was done ; and later, in 1853, the draw was again wid- ened to admit the passage of the large ships which were built above the bridge. The bridge thus improved remained
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
until the erection of the fine stone bridge, in 1881-82. Owing to the abandonment of the shipyards above the bridge, a draw was no longer necessary ; and by authority of the Legislature, and concurrence of the Harbor Com- missioners, Cradock Bridge was made a solid structure.
It will be seen by these records of the town, county, and General Court, that this bridge, among the earliest in the country and among the most important in the Colony, has had an eventful history. Seldom, if ever, has there been so much legislation in the General Court about seventy-five feet of bridge. But it was part of a great thoroughfare, and was second to none in importance to all travellers from the east and north who were going to Boston. For one hundred and fifty years, it was on the nearest land-route for all the travel of Maine and New Hampshire ; and, within the memory of some now living, the farmers of New Hampshire, who brought large loads of pork and grain in pungs to Boston, passed over that bridge in companies of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty, during the months when there was sufficient snow to make the sleighing good.
This was the only bridge in Medford, across the Mystic River, for common highway travel, until 1756.
The bridge at the Wear was for a long time the next one in the town, of any considerable importance. This also cost Medford much money, and considerable trouble. As early as March 6, 1699, it was put to vote whether the town of Medford will give Mr. John Johnson three pounds towards the building a sufficient horse-bridge over the Wears ; said bridge being railed on each side, and the said bridge raised so high as there may be a fit passage under said bridge for boats and rafts up and down said river. This was voted in the affirmative, and this is the first mention of a bridge of this kind at the Wear ; but nothing appears to show that Johnson built the proposed structure. Indeed, the facts hereinafter stated make it quite certain that he did not. The dwellers in the western parts of Charlestown and Cambridge came so often to Medford, that they petitioned for the erection of a bridge "at the Wears." As Medford would be obliged to pay for half of it, a protest by the town was made against the proceeding ; and the two arguments used were, first, that the ford was sufficiently easy and convenient, and, second, that Medford people never or seldom travelled that way. The building was deferred ; but in 1722 the grand jury present the town
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of Medford for not maintaining a bridge across the Wears. Aug. 17 the town "put to vote whether the town will choose a committee to answer a presentment by the grand jury of the want of a bridge over the Wear ; said answer to be made at Concord Court next. Voted in the affirmative."
The next important action of the town was May 29, 1746. They petition Gov. Shirley and the General Court to order a bridge built over the Wears, and then apportion the expense upon the towns that would most use it, or on Middlesex County. The just decision of the Court was, that Medford and Charlestown should build a bridge, and each pay half the expenses, and keep it in repair. August, 1747: "The General Court order that Samuel Danforth, William Brattle, and Edmund Trowbridge, Esqs., be a committee of said Court, empowered and directed to cause a good and sufficient bridge to be erected over the place called the 'Wears,' between Charlestown and Medford ; one half of the charge to be paid by the town of Charles- town, and the other half by the town of Medford." Nov. 4, 1747 : " Andrew Hall, Ebenezer Brooks, and Francis Whit- more, jun., were appointed a committee to build one-half of the bridge, and two hundred pounds was raised to pay the expense."
This bridge was rebuilt about thirty years ago, and it now devolves on Medford and Arlington to support it.
Gravelly Bridge was probably first built by Mr. Cradock's men, and in those early times was the usual route for all the travel between the eastern and western sections of the town. It was a very low and frail structure at first, and required frequent repairs.
April 27, 1716: " Put to vote whether Deacon Thomas Willis, John Whitmore, Jonathan Tufts, Ebenezer Brooks, and John Willis shall view and consider what method may be most proper for the repairing of Gravelly Bridge, and what may be the cost thereof, and make report to said town at their next town-meeting. Voted in the affirma- tive." June 11, 1716 : " Voted five pounds to be raised for the repairing their meeting-house, and mending Gravelly Bridge."
March 4, 1751 : "Voted to build a new bridge of stone where the present Gravelly Bridge is." This continued until some forty years ago, when a new one, built of stone, was erected, and so widened as to cover the entire street.
CRADOCK BRIDGE.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
The bridge over Gravelly Creek, on Riverside Avenue, was erected at first, by a few Medford people, in 1746, for the purpose of making a road to the tide-mill.
The bridge over Marble Brook, in West Medford (called " Meeting-house Brook " in later times), was made of wood at first, and so continued for more than a century. It was then built of stone, in 1803, and so continued till 1850, when it was rebuilt of stone, and made as wide as the street. The same remarks belong to the small bridge called " Whitmore's Bridge," farther west, and near the Lowell Railroad station in West Medford.
The bridges across streams that could be forded were at first made narrow, so that teams could be driven through the water at the side of them, where the horses could quench their thirst. In country places the same thing is now practised.
The bridge at Penny Ferry, now Malden Bridge, was opened for travel Sept. 28, 1787 ; and President Washing- ton rode over it in October, 1789, when he visited Salem. At that time he came to Medford to see his friend Gen. Brooks, who lived in the first house west of the meeting- house. Medford opposed the building of the bridge on two grounds : first, that it would obstruct navigation ; and, second, that it would divert travel from Medford. It
should be understood that all the travel in the eastern section of Massachusetts and Maine, going to Boston, was through Medford, and over what is now the Cradock Bridge ; and, when it was proposed to build the Malden Bridge, it created great excitement and controversy in the neighboring towns. In evidence of this, we insert the fol- lowing letter of Dr. Osgood, bearing date June 28, 1786 : -
" Almost ever since I saw you, I have been so agitated about that execrable bridge at Penny Ferry, that law and divinity have both been obliged to stand by whilst I have rallied all my powers to fight the bridge-builders. And still the combat is not over. The people are bridge-mad. Old Judge R. is in a perfect frenzy, and raves about Charlestown and bridges with as little reason as the wildest lunatic in the defence of his imagined crown and sceptre. I do think it unpar- · donable in him and in the other inhabitants of Charlestown, who are abettors in this business. After the danger and terror they were all in, from the apprehension of a bridge at Leechmere's Point, and the assistance which they received from this town in making their escape, for them so immediately to turn upon us, and appear so zealous for the destruction of Medford, is a conduct so base and ungenerous as nothing can palliate. I shall be tempted, when I preach to them again, to take total depravity for my subject, though that be a doctrine of which I had begun to doubt till I had this recent proof of it.
:
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" Last Saturday week passes among them for the Great Day. I felt but little disposed to see the transactions of it, and believe I should not have gone, had I been invited. But neither I, nor any of my people, except Father C., came to that honor. I may say, as Nathan the prophet did to David, with reference to Adonijah's feast, 'But me, even me thy servant, etc., they have not called.' I am told that their preacher, the sabbath after, gave them an occasional sermon. My in- former (one of my own people, you'll suppose) could not tell the text, but added, that, in his opinion, the most suitable one would have been these words : 'And the devils entered the herd of swine, and the whole herd ran violently down a steep place,' etc.
" The Charlestown Bridge is indeed a grand and noble affair, beyond any thing ever effected in this country before. The only thing that I much regret about it is, that it has deprived so many, both wise men and fools, of their reason, and set them raving. Judge R. and his connections are the wise men ; S. and the Malden gang are the fools. As for the Malden miserables, they were never awake till the talk about this bridge put them in motion, like men who walk in their sleep. They now leave their corn unhoed, and their grass not cut, to carry petitions to court for a bridge, which, if built, rather than pay two coppers' toll for going over it, they would choose to come round by Medford. But the distracted creatures think, that, if there should be a bridge, they shall at once commence a seaport town, have still-houses, stores, and what not. And in consequence of this wretched delusion, and that neglect of business among them which it occasions, their families next winter will have no bread, and their cattle no hay. It will be a deed, not of charity, but of indispensable justice, in Judge R. to provide for the support of the poor ignoramuses; since it is owing to his superannuated whims that their brains have been turned. As for the old judge himself, I told him the other day, that, if he had gone to a ' better country ' some weeks since, it might have been well for him; but, whether he would ever get there now, there was too much reason to fear, as he had of late so greatly and egregiously missed the way. ' His delirium is so great that it is not possible to reason with him. When my people tell him that the proposed bridge will ruin them, he answers all their objections with, 'Well, come and live at Charlestown then.' W. H. says, that, 'were it possible, the judge would try to persuade the saints in heaven to come down and live in Charlestown.' Indeed, the Charlestown people in general, since the bridge is done, are so very high, that I know not whether they will not think it proper to add another story to their houses! Knowing how a-tiptoe they were, when I went down last week, though I could not very well afford to pay the toll for my carriage, yet, rather than stop among them, I chose to ride directly into Boston. Like all other religious and political enthusiasts, their heat will abate in time : they will gradually recover their senses, and become like other men. And, if the bridge should stand seven years (of which, by the way, I have still my doubts), by the expiration of that period, the inhabitants of Charlestown will get their eyes open, and will see that it would have been more for their interest if it had never been built. This town feels the ill-effects of it already in another respect, besides the stir it has occasioned for a bridge at Penny Ferry. A trader from the country, who, previous to the bridge, had all his goods brought up here in our lighters, did last week send five teams by us into Boston, there to un-
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