USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1630, to the present time, 1855 > Part 15
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Parliament resumes taxation, June 29, 1767, asserting its right to " bind the Colonies in all cases whatsoever." Duties were laid on paper, tea, glass, and painters' colors. A cus- tom-house was opened, and a civil list established ; and the act provides, that, after ministerial warrants are satisfied, the residue of the revenue shall be at the disposal of Parliament. The trump of doom could not have caused a more general awakening. New England now was doubly alive.
The preparation-note was sounded in Medford, Dec. 21, 1772, in these words : -
" Voted to choose a Committee to take under consideration the grievances we labor under, and in particular of salaries said to be appointed by the Crown for our supreme judges; and also to draw up instructions for our representative relative thereto."
This signal-gun, fired from the battlements of liberty, gave not an " uncertain sound," as will be seen in the following acts of our patriotic fathers. Dec. 31, 1772 : -
" Voted that the thanks of the town of Medford be given to the respectable inhabitants of the town of Boston for their patriotic care
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and vigilance (discovered on several occasions) in endeavoring to preserve our civil constitution from innovation, and to maintain the same inviolate. And we.do assure them that our assistance shall not be wanting in the use of all such lawful proper measures as shall be thought expedient to be adopted for the preservation of our liberties, civil and religious."
The calm and solemn declaration of sentiments, sent at this time to their representative, is as follows : -
" To SIMON TUFTS, Esq.
" Sir, - You being our representative, we, your constituents, this day, in lawful town-meeting assembled, having taken into serious consideration the many and alarming grievances, as generally and justly complained of, which the Colonies in general, and this Pro- vince in particular, labor under, as being subversive of the essential rights and privileges of free British subjects, and repugnant both to the letter and spirit of our royal charter, take the freedom to lay before you our sentiments thereupon, and to enjoin you, as our representative, to use your best endeavors in the Honorable House of Representatives, at their next sessions, in promoting and assist- ing in such constitutional measures as shall appear best, and most likely to obtain redress of the same.
" It would be too tedious, as well as needless, to enumerate, and particularly remind you of all the grievances we suffer at this time from ministerial and parliamentary proceedings ; but it may suffice to say generally that our sentiments of the claims we are justly entitled to, as free British subjects, and also of the infringements from time to time made upon them, are similar to those contained in the pamphlet (now read) which our patriotic brethren of Boston have generously furnished us with; which book we recommend to your serious perusal.
" In particular, we desire that you inquire into the truth of a report currently spread and prevailing among us, namely, that the Hon. Justices of the Superior Court are in future to receive their salaries from the Crown. Since such a provision, which renders them so enormously dependent upon the Crown, is of so threatening an aspect, so dangerous to the free and impartial administration of justice, as must alarm every serious person who has the welfare of his country at heart, it gives us just reason to fear that the axe is now laid at the root of our liberty, with a fixed intention to hew it down.
" Therefore, sir, if, upon inquiry, you find this to be really the case, we trust you will zealously and vigorously exert yourself to avert so formidable an evil, and frustrate the wicked machinations of our inveterate enemies; and, in the mean time, that you will endeavor that the Hon. Justices of the Superior Court of Judica- ture, Court of Assizes, and General Jail Delivery, be amply and
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
honorably supported by grants from the General Assembly, and in such a manner as shall best tend to the maintaining of justice in the land. Finally, that you endeavor that the disputes and differences now subsisting betwixt Great Britain and the Colonies be speedily and amicably adjusted, and peace and harmony again restored."
A copy of the above was sent to the town of Boston.
The records of Medford are full of the most clear and stirring expressions of patriotism with reference to the oppressions of the Crown. So near to Boston, every pulsa- tion of that central heart found an answering beat in the bosoms of our ancestors. They were among the first and steadiest supporters of colonial rights. There were men in Medford, in 1770, who knew their political, civil, and reli- gious position, and who were ready to defend themselves from parliaments and ministers and kings. It will not be necessary to copy into this history the many declarations and resolutions which glow with the auroral light of liberty on the records of the town. It may be interesting to see into what form their views and feelings had settled in 1773; and these may be apprehended by the following record of a town- meeting held for the special purpose of expressing their opinion upon the Tea Question.
The record is as follows : -
" The town being informed, that, by reason of the American mer- chants generally refusing to import tea from Great Britain while subjected to the payment of the duty imposed thereon by thic British Parliament, the East India Company there have been so greatly embarrassed in the sale of their teas, that they have at length determined (through permission of Parliament) to export a supply for the Colonies on their own account. Several ships have already arrived in Boston with large quantities on board, and seve- ral 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 : -
1. Resolved, That it is the incumbent duty of all free British subjects 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,
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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, storing, 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 American brethren, as loyal subjects, to risk our lives and fortunes in the service and defence of His Majesty's person, crown, and dig- nity ; and also, as a free people, in asserting and maintaining invio- late 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 that the hope of the country was in the union of the Colonies.
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 person or per- sons sells or consumes any East India teas, the 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 powder- house, on Quarry Hill, and, on the 27th of August, 1774, removed it. Governor 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
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Independence). Accordingly, " on Thursday morning, Sep- tember 1, about half-past four, two hundred and sixty troops, under the command of Lieut .- Col. Maddison, embarked at Long Wharf, Boston, 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 hun- dred and fifty half-barrels, to Castle William." This clan- destine 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 produced.
" Five boats" had been built, and "the Selectmen of Medford were ordered to take a party of men to Charlestown Neck, to launch them, and carry them up Mystic River." And this was done.
We find the inhabitants of Medford again assembled ; and, Feb. 1, 1775, two Representatives, Benjamin Hall, and Ste- phen Hall, 3d, are sent to the Provincial Congress at Cam- bridge. Medford now, as one man, enrolled itself, and stood ready at the first tap of the drum. Signs of terrible portent abound ; and soon comes the 19th of April. A beacon-fire has been lighted ; a horseman rides at full speed through the streets of Medford ; the bell rings, drums beat, all doors fly open. The awful tidings have already spread over the county, and will soon penetrate the adjoining States. The workshops, the brickyards, the counting-houses, and the corn- fields are all deserted. The horse is suddenly loosed from the plough, and the plough left in the furrow. Women col- lect to ask if they can do any thing, and then hasten to help fathers, husbands, and sons. All eyes are strained to see, all ears to hear, and every heart palpitates as before the light- ning flash of an overhanging cloud. The time has come. The British regulars are marching from Boston to Lexington for plunder and hostility. Patriotism reddens every Ameri- can cheek at the announcement of this fact. The heart of the whole town moves as by one pulsation. There needs no conscription here. All are ready. The auroral blush of liberty is in the sky. They seize their rifle and their fowl- ing-piece, they fill their powder-horn and cartridge-box, they store their knapsack and roll up their blanket; and then, with quickened step and firm resolve, heart answering to heart, the fearless patriot band take up their solemn march
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POLITICAL HISTORY.
to meet the foe. 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 without 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. They felt that every true American was their ally ; and they knew that the first shot fired at their neighbors at Lexington 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 is 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 quiek 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. A worthy old man told us that he knew of four who fell : William Polly and Henry Putnam, at Concord ; and a man named Smith, and another named Francis, in West Cambridge. The two last mentioned were killed by the flank guard of the British, on the retreat to Boston.
William 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.
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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 independence of their country.
Mr. Nowell, in his diary, kept at Boston, has the fol- lowing : -
" 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 exchanged, 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 were ordered east; and, on the 13th 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 momentous 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 deci- sion, and burning patriotism, fitted him for the trying emer- gencies. So ably and promptly did he fill his trust, that the town elected him eight times in succession. From his own farm he supplied the army with wood while in Charlestown and on Winter Hill.
June 10, 1776 : The Selectmen assemble the inhabitants of Medford for this high and solemn purpose, namely : -
" 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 pul-
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pit in Medford 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 with deep impressiveness ; and Sept. 20, 1776, found our fathers assem- bled 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 and only time, two representatives were chosen, - Captain Thomas Brooks, and Mr. Stephen Hall, 3d.
When towns were dissatisfied with any laws, it was usual to instruct their representative to " declare against them."
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 tax themselves £226, in addition to the current expenses of the year.
March 3, 1777 : " Voted to raise our quota of men for the fifteen battalions for the Continental army."
Sept. 22, 1777 : The town voted to raise £778. 4s. for the expenses of the war.
During these hard times, Medford had two ministers to support, and Mr. Osgood asked for more salary. The town, March 2, 1778, granted him £100 as a gratuity.
May 25, 1778 : " Voted to pay each person six shillings per day who served under Capt. Blaney, as soldiers for Med- ford, last winter."
" Voted that the Selectmen be the Committee for supply- ing 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 addition to the £1,400 voted last May."
1779 : 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 captured her. Young Earl lost his leg in that battle, and afterwards received a pension. He pursued, in Medford, the trade of a tailor. He was a good citizen, and a good singer.
1779 : Voted to raise £3,000 for current expenses, and to borrow $12,000 for three months.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Oct. 18, 1779: " Voted to raise $7,380 to pay the sol- diers."
June 29, 1781 : " Voted to raise £400 towards purchasing 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 sustain- ing the cause of independence.
The people of Massachusetts felt the need of a Constitution, or form of civil government. A convention for drafting one was called, and they present the result of their labors Feb. 28, 1778. In drafting this Constitution, the Legislature acted as a Convention. They sat at Cambridge.
May 25, 1778 : The inhabitants of Medford express 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 Representative (Capt. Thomas Brooks). The record is thus : -
" May 17, 1779: The Committee appointed to instruct their Representative 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 majority of freeholders of said State to call a convention to form said Constitution of government, said conven- tion may consist of no person or persons belonging to said General Court."
A new movement was made, and another convention called ; separate counties held preparatory 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 convention, as they regarded a new
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Constitution of civil government for the State, the record says : -
" 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."
The draft of the new Constitution for Massachusetts was at last prepared ; and, May 28, 1780, Medford accepted it, with a few exceptions. The record is as follows. The Committee report : -
" We apprehend that the Governor, with the advice of the Coun- cil, 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 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 Dele- gate to the Congress of the United States, who is not possessed of property, in the State of Massachusetts, to the value of £600, cur- rency, 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 prevent the establishment of said Constitution at the next session of said Convention.
EDWARD BROOKS, SIMON TUFTS, Committee. AARON HALL,
" Voted unanimously to accept, by 39 votes.
" Voted to accept of the first Section of the second Chapter of said Constitution, styled Governor, with the foregoing amendment. Yeas, 49; nays, 5.
" Concerning the writ of habeas corpus (Chap. vi. Art. 7), voted unanimously to accept it, with the foregoing amendment. 39 votes.
"The declaration of rights was unanimously accepted (except the third article), by 44 votes. The third article being particularly discussed, a vote was called for ; 28 for and 6 against it.
" The constitution of government (Chap. i. Sect. 1), styled General Court, was unanimously accepted. 33 votes.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
"The second Section of same Chapter, styled Senator, unani- mously accepted. 26 votes.
" The third Section, same Chapter, styled Representatives, unani- mously accepted. 23 votes.
" All the remainder of said publication was unanimously accepted (with the foregoing amendments), by 23 votes, one-half of the peo- ple having before withdrawn."
Stephen Hall, 3d, was the Delegate from Medford to form the Constitution of 1780. The convention sat at Cam- bridge 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 charter, was an event of deep interest. They wished to set an example of wise selec- tion, 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 election took place Sept. 4, 1780 ; and, in Medford, the votes stood thus : -
For Governor.
John Hancock 30 | James Bowdoin 20
For Lieutenant-Governor.
Artemus Ward
30 1 James Bowdoin 2
Benjamin Lincoln
9 Thomas Cushing .
1
John Hancock
3 Benjamin Grenleaf 1
For Senators and Councillors.
Col. Cummings
23
Abraham Fuller 12
Stephen Hall, 3d
13
Oliver Prescott
3
William Baldwin .
11
Samuel Thatcher
2
Josiah Stone
34 Thomas Brooks
1
Nathaniel Gorham
24
Samuel Curtis
2
James Dix .
25
Benjamin Hall
1
Eleazer Brooks
24
Here we find two candidates for each office ; thus parties, inseparable from a state of free inquiry and equal rights, revealed themselves at once. The question being settled,
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POLITICAL HISTORY.
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 first in the series of the annual elec- tions took place on this day ; and the votes, in Medford, stood thus : -
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