USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > The handbook of Medway history : a condensed history of the town of Medway, Massachusetts > Part 2
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George Washington is said to have dined at the Richardson Tavern in East Medway on his way to Cambridge.
Twenty-two men from Medway serve under Cap- tain Boyd at Fort No. 2.
Several Medway men fought at Bunker Hill.
Town refuses with other towns to divide Suffolk County and form a new one to be called Hancock.
3.€ 4s 6d paid for crows and hawks killed this year.
Town ceases to issue the town warrants in his Majesty's name.
Medway sends two representatives to General Court this year, Moses Adams and Jonathan Adams.
1776. Oct. 26. John Barber dies at Ticonderoga.
Oct. 26. Lieutenant John Pond died in the Con- tinental service at Fort George.
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1776. Aug. 23. Seth Mason died at Ticonderoga.
Oct. 17. Nathan Fisher died at Ticonderoga.
Rev. David Sanford commissioned chaplain of Col. Samuel Robinson's regiment, by command of the Ameri- can Congress, at Watertown, Jan. 23rd.
Sixteen men serve with the Continental army in New York and eleven in the "Jarsees".
For the first time warrants issued in the name of the Government and People of Massachusetts Bay.
Elijah Clark, representative. Also '77-'78-'79. Population, White, 897. Negroes, 13.
1777. Ozias Metcalf died Nov. 29th in the service at Phila- delphia.
Taxes of twenty- four Continental soldiers abated on account of the suffering and hardship they endured the year previous.
1778. Josiah Ide, aged 21, died June 16 in Falmouth, Casco Bay, as he was returning from Privateering.
1779.
Major Luther Metcalf starts the Cabinet business in Medway. (On the site of the Village Inn.)
Vote of town on proposed form of government for the State of Massachusetts Bay. For approbation 2, for disapprobation 58.
Rev. David Sanford delegate to the Cambridge convention to form a constitution for the Common- wealth.
Esquire Nathaniel Partridge chosen delegate to the Concord convention to regulate the prices of necessaries.
OLD SCHOOL HOUSE.
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1780. Jonathan Adams, representative. Also '81.
Honorable John Hancock received 24 out of a total of 28 votes in Medway for Governor.
New Grant petitions for a separate township, but the project is passed in the negative.
Town tax for the year 61213€.
May 19. The famous dark day.
Slavery abolished by the Constitution.
Town lost thirteen men in the Revolutionary war.
Col. Amos Turner starts scythe and edge tool busi- ness at "Rock Bottom."
Job Harding builds Tavern and store at Medway. (On site now occupied by New Medway Hotel.)
Town votes unanimously, 127 voting, not to accept the new State Constitution.
Town votes to endorse a plan for a new County, with Medfield as the Shire town.
John Harding's freed negro, Boston, takes name of Prince Royal and afterward accumulates considerable property.
1781. One silver dollar worth seventy five dollars in paper money"
Dollars mentioned for first time in town records.
Theodore Clark, Gentleman, commissioned Second Lieutenant of Militia by Governor Hancock.
1782. Abijah Fairbank, constable.
Captain Moses Adams, representative. Also '83.
1783. Jabez Shumway buys the farm of William Ellis at West Medway. It remained in the Shumway family for one hundred and twenty years.
1784. Joseph Lovell, representative.
1785. Elijah Clark, representative.
Job Harding buys half interest in Samuel Bullens' Fulling mill at Medway, and also operates a saw-mill.
About this time, according to Rev. Nathan Buck- nam, the annual average of births was 22, deaths 6, marriages 12.
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1785. Number of inhabitants 850, dwelling houses 137, other buildings 144.
Town "Produces Plentiful Crops of Grain many times more than is sufficient for ye Inhabitants." Rev. N. Bucknam.
First time a middle initial appears in town records. Amos B. Albee warned out of town.
1786. Town votes to petition the General Court for a more easy passage for salt water fish up Charles River. (Note : In early times herring and alewives used to spawn in Populatic Pond and the brooks in the town.)
1787. Eli Bullard first graduate from Yale.
Moses Richardson representative, also '88-'89-'90- '91-'92-'93, his compensation fixed by town at 4s 6d per day; all in excess of this sum paid by state to return to town.
1788. Rev. Benjamin Green settled as colleague with Rev. Nathan Bucknam at First Church.
1789. Samuel Hill, the last one of the original founders of the town, dies this year. .
President George Washington passes through Medway on his return from Boston to Hartford.
Rev. Joel Hawes, D. D, born at the old Hawes place in Medway.
1790. Population 1035.
May 3. The choice of a representative was put off four days on account of the military companies being mustered for viewing arms.
Comfort Walker, millwright, moves from Killing- ley, Conn., and builds homestead and mill on the Flat in Medway.
1791. Selectmnen approbate Moses Richardson to be an inn- holder and Luther Metcalf and Abner Ellis "retailers of spirituous lyquors" for the year ensuing.
1792. In January the selectmen warned 155 persons living in the New Grant to depart from the town. Among this number were Major Luther Metcalf and family, Philo
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Sanford and family, Comfort Walker, Jabez Shumway, and many other substantial citizens.
In February the selectmen warn 137 persons in the Old Grant to leave the town of Medway. (About this date the town ceases to issue these warnings.)
Metcalf homestead (now the Village Inn), built at Med way.
1793. Town poor bid off to the lowest bidder. Simeon Cut- ler gets Widow Wheeton at 4s 5d per week, Elisha Richardson, the Widow Hannah Richardson at 3s.
Present Norfolk County established.
Abner Morse, afterward noted as a local historian, born in Medway.
Town votes not to set apart any building for "enoculating with the Small Pox."
1794.
First year swine were not allowed to go at large.
1795. Town accounts drawn up for the first time this year in dollars, cents and mills.
First guide boards set up in the town.
Price fixed for a man or a good team at work on the highway 6c per hour.
Feb. 6. Rev. Nathan Bucknam died at the age of 92. Seventy-one years he was pastor of the First Church, a record not eqalled before or since in Massachusetts.
Feb. 12. Rev. Nathan Bucknam buried on a Thursday afternoon. Rev. Mr. Haven of Dedham, Rev. Mr. Prentiss of Medfield and Rev. Mr. Caryl of Dover officiating. The entire church walked in the procession.
Eliakim Adams, representative. Also '96.
Job Harding's Mill for dressing cloth built on the Flat in Medway.
Misunderstanding arose this year between the first and second churches that lasted thirty-two years.
1796. May 1. Mrs. Bucknam, widow of Rev. Nathan Buck- nam, died, aged 91 years. She and her husband had lived together 67 years. Her funeral was conducted by Rev. Mr. Haven of Dedham.
May 25. Eighteen members form the Medway
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branch of the Norfolk and Bristol Horse Thief Detect- ing Society.
Abner Morse allowed his proportion on school money, "he to pay at Sherborn, where he has privi- leges."
1797. Moses Richardson, representative.
1798.
Rev. Luther Wright pastor of First Church.
1799. Abner Morse, representative. Also 1800.
1800. Population 1050.
Job Harding sells out his store and tavern, and his mill to Capt. William Felt and goes to Maine.
For many years all newly-married men were elect- ed "Hog Reives" at the annual April meeting.
1800. Capt. Nathan Jones first licensed auctioneer in Medway.
Moses Daniels drowned Oct. 20th in the flume of his grist mill in Boggestowe brook.
1801. Moses Richardson, representative. Also 1802.
THE OLD COTTON MILL.
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1802. First year cattle and horses were restrained from go- ing at large.
Court of Sessions orders many changes and altera- tions to straighten the old Middle Post Road. (Village street.)
1803. First Post-Office established in town at Medway. Cap- tain William Felt, Postmaster. (None nearer than Marlboro on the north, Dedham on the east, Wrentham on the south and Mendon on the west.)
John Ellis, representative.
'Town votes "that poore persons that have but one cow may let their animals go at large."
1804. Selectmen give an order for $12.00 to Major Nathan Jones for his services in the year 1803 and 1804, in sell- ing the town's wood and timber, "and for spirituous liquors necessarily spent therefor."
Moses Richardson, representative.
First printed list of voters.
1805. First school committee chosen. School districts formed, six in number.
Abner Morse, representative.
Seven paupers bid off to the lowest bidder this year.
1806. Jeremiah Daniels, representative.
Mill for making cotton goods built on the site of the Whiting grist mill at Medway.
Medway Cotton Manufacturing Company organized by Philo Sanford, Luther Metcalf, Comfort Walker, Capt. William Felt, Dr. Nathaniel Miller, Dr. Abijah Rich- ardson, and John Blackburn, (the third in the country).
Captain Mason, with the selectmen, inspected the cartridges belonging to the town for the use of "the infantry and calvary of the town."
Cyrus Bullard, master of a vessel, drowned at St. Thomas in the West Indies.
1807. Selectmen approbate six persons to sell liquors in the town. Moses Richardson and Nathan Jones, innkeep-
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RESIDENCE OF HON. LUTHER METCALF
ers, and William Felt, Moses Bullen, Ethan Cobb and Calvin Cutler, retailers.
Turnpike built through Black Swamp.
General Eliakin Adams died Nov. 30.
1808. Abner Morse, representative.
1809. Montgomery Lodge of Masons meet in Levi Adams' tavern, West Medway, from 1809 until 1817.
Dr. Oliver Dean commenced practice of medicine in town.
Moses Richardson, representative.
Oct. 7. Adam Bullard drowned on his passage from Hull, England, to New York.
1810. Captain William Felt, representative. Rev. David Sanford died April 7.
Population 1213.
Captain William Felt started the manufacture of straw goods, employing women to sew hats. (The be- ginning of the industry in Medway )
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1810. Powder house built on the Edward Clark farm to store town ammunition in.
Joel Hawes teaches school in town for $18 per month.
1811. Nathaniel Whiting homestead, built in 1711, burned.
Philo Sanford builds the Sanford mansion, after- ward occupied by Rev. David Sanford, in Med way.
Medway Cotton Manufacturing Company's mill burned and rebuilt the same year.
Samuel Richardson, first child born in Med way, died Feb. 10th, in his 99th year.
Captain William Felt and associates build lower mill at Medway.
Moses Richardson, representative.
1812. Nathaniel Lowell, representative. Also '13.
Five Medway men served in the war of 1812.
Great boom at Factory Village; three mills, two large tenements, one store and several residences built.
1813. Century sermon preached by Rev. Luther Wright, Nov. 4th, at the First Church. Text : "This day shall be unto you for a memorial."
"Yellow" mill built at Medway.
Joel Hawes first Medway graduate from Brown University.
Selectmen appoint an Engine Company at Medway.
Town passes a vote to form the whole town into one religious precinct and to build a meeting house on the old Edward Clark farm, but the vote was never car- ried out.
Metcalf Hunt & Co. build a cotton mill at West Medway.
1814.
Levi Adams' tavern started, (on Holliston land) now West Medway.
Simeon Fuller starts the first store in West Med- way on "Rabbitt Hill."
Rev. Jacob Ide ordained and installed pastor of the Second Church in West Medway.
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1814. Second meeting house of the Second Church built on Rabbitt Hill.
Parish house built in West Precinct across the way from the second meeting house out of the timbers of the old first meeting house.
May town meeting held in new parish house.
Town's April warrant calls for the election of two "Cenators."
Sixteen dollars per month voted to all soldiers from this town.
Bell for Second Precinct meeting house bought of and cast by Paul Revere.
1815. Deacon Samuel Allen and Captain William Green en- gage in the manufacture of bass viols and other musi- cal instruments at West Medway, in the old Plympton house.
Cotton Mill built on river at West Medway.
Joseph Adams graduated from Yale College.
The great September gale wrought havoc in Med- way, uprooting huge trees and blowing over the stee- ple of the meeting house of the First Precinct.
Tythingmen ordered to put a stop to all unneces- sary travel on the Lord's day.
New meeting house built on Bare Hill, First Pre- cinct.
1816. First schoolhouse built at "Factory Village."
Thread mill built by Sewall Sanford at Medway.
The cold year; frost every month; thick ice formed September 26th.
Rev. Luther Bailey, pastor of First Church.
Bell Foundry started at East Medway by Col. Hol- brook, and first bell cast.
West Parish library started March 11th.
Rev. Jacob Ide homestead built.
School district made of Factory Village.
Town votes, 52 to 24, to oppose the separation of the New Grant and its incorporation as a separate township.
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1817. Proprietors of common land in Medfield and Medway close up affairs and divide a surplus of $152.80.
Rev. Jacob Ide publishes his famous sermon on In- temperance.
Dr. Oliver Dean becomes manager of Medway Cot. ton Manufacturing Company and remains in this posi- tion until 1826.
June 24. Celebration of St. John's day by Mont- gomery lodge, A. F. & A. M.
1818. The Stars and Stripes become the National flag.
Montgomery lodge, Masons, build a second story on the Parish house at the West Precinct and use it as a lodge room until 1837.
Comfort Walker and son build a cotton factory and machine shop at Rock Bottom.
Town votes this year to hold its town meeting two years out of three at East Medway and one at West Medway.
Mar. 4. Dedication of Masons' HIall, West Parish.
1819. Second Post office established in town at East Medway. Timothy Hammond, Esq , postmaster.
A Baptist society formed in town.
1820. Population 1525.
Captain William Felt delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention in Boston.
Michael Martin, alias "Capt. Lightfoot," a noted highwayman who stole Stephen Adams' colt, taken in Grafton. Tried in the old Adams house, now owned by Richard Mooney. Taken to Cambridge and afterwards executed for murder.
1821. Town's committee recommends the following as school books : Alden's Speller, Murray's Grammar, Walker's Dictionary, and the New Testament.
First manufacture of carpets by machinery in this country started in a small mill on Chicken Brook in West Medway by Alexander Wright and Henry Bur- dett.
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1822. Dr. Abijah Richardson, a surgeon in the Revolution, and a noted doctor, dies, aged 70.
William T. Adams, (Oliver Optic), born on Ellis Street, Medway, July 30th.
George Barber, Jr., representative. Also '24.
Charles C. Allen, 17 years of age, made a brass clock which still keeps time in the meeting house of the Second Precinct.
1823. Seneca Barber, representative.
First Baptist meeting house built on Turnpike, West Medway.
Luther Metcalf and others petition the General Court to incorporate the New Grant into a separate township.
Town votes to alternate its meetings equally be- tween the old and the new grants.
Brick school house built at East Medway.
Universalist services held in the new Baptist church until 1830.
Mucksquit ceded to Holliston and present bound- ary established between the two towns.
Job Partridge killed by being thrown from a wagon.
1825. Seth Harding drowned through the ice on Populatic Pond, Jan. 28th.
Medway's vote for governor : Levi Lincoln, 125 ; all others, 2.
Mt. Lebanon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, insti- tuted in Masonic Hall, West Medway. Addresses by Rev. Paul Dean, Grand High Priest, and Rev. Jacob Ide.
Town subscribes $114.28 towards Bunker Hill monument.
Joseph L. Richardson, representative. Also 1831.
1826.
George Barber and Alexander Wright visit England.
Stephen Adams started Cabinet making in West Medway and conducted business in the same shop for 52 years.
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1826.
Warren Lovering, representative. Also '27-'29.'30-'31 . '35-'46.
Town purchases a farm for its poor in East Med- way, on Farm street.
1827. Captain Joseph Lovell, a soldier of the Revolution, dies Oct. 2nd, aged 86.
Voted that the inmates of the town farm use no liquor stronger than beer or cider, except those who labor hard on the farm.
1828. Boot business first started in West Medway by Wil- lard Daniels.
First year three selectmen are chosen.
Andrew Jackson receives seven votes in Medway.
1829. Sewell Sanford appointed postmaster at Medway by President Jackson.
This year English hay is valued at $12.00 per ton, Rye straw at $4.00, Oats 40c per bushel, Pork 10c per pound, Cider $1.25 per barrel, Butter 16c per pound, Sausages 10c per pound.
1830. Population 1756.
Town votes that "it shall be dishonorable to treat or be treated with ardent spirits at home or abroad."
1831. Joseph L. Richardson, representative. (Two chosen this year.)
1832. Cholera cases in town.
Rev. Abijah Baker conducts the Medway Classical Institute at the Village school house.
Paul Daniel, representative. Also '34.'39.
1833. Amos Bullard first Medway graduate from Amherst College.
First board of health chosen.
Rev. William Bowen pastor of Baptist church.
Eight cents an hour voted "to a good man on the highway, and none other."
Paul Daniel chosen representative and declined serving.
1834. "Rock Bottom" first mentioned in town records.
1241137
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BIRTHPLACE OF "OLIVER OPTIC."
1834. Third post office established in town at West Med- way. Olney Foristall, postmaster.
1835. First fire engine brought into town by the Medway Cotton Manufacturing Company.
George H. Holbrook, representative.
1836. Seventh bell for Harvard college cast at Holbrook's bell foundry.
Honorable Warren Lovering a member of the Gov- ernor's Council. He also served in this position in 1837-38.
First meeting to agitate for a steam railroad from Woonsocket Falls to Boston held at Squire Metcalf's counting house.
Rev. Aaron Haynes of Middleton, Vt., pastor of Baptist Church. He afterwards was the originator of Haynes' Arabian Balsam, and his fame was national.
1837.
George Nourse killed by a runaway horse, Feb. 23d.
Holbrook's Organ Manufactory established at East Medway.
Montgomery Lodge, Masons, meet at Hathorn's tavern until 1845.
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1837. Eleazer Daniels, representative.
Rev. Jacob Ide given degree of D. D. by Brown University.
Rev. Sewell Harding, pastor of First Church.
Clark Partridge starts boot manufacturing in Med- way.
1838. Several cases of small-pox in town.
Luther Metcalf, Jr., representative.
Village church and society organized at Medway, June 15.
Rev. David Sanford installed pastor over Village Church.
Village church built and dedicated.
Fourth post office established in town at Rockville. Deacon Timothy Walker, postmaster.
Turnpike made a town highway.
Joseph L. Richardson elected a state senator.
Stone mill built on Chicken Brook by Cephas Thayer of West Medway, all the material coming from one huge boulder.
1838. Famous "horse-shed" fight at West Medway. Hot while it lasted.
Major Luther Metcalf died, aged 82.
1839. Two votes cast for William Lloyd Garrison for Gov- ernor and Wendell Phillips for Lieutenant-Governor First anti-slavery votes recorded in town.
James B. Wilson's mill burned at Medway and re- built the same year.
Governor Briggs appoints Hon. Warren Lovering a member of the State Board of Bank Commissioners, and he served for six years.
1840. Hon. Warren Lovering visits President elect William Henry Harrison at his home at North Bend, Ohio.
A. M. B. Fuller starts the watch-making business in West Medway and conducts the business for over 50 years.
PRO
BOGASTO BROOK AND OLD STONEBRIDGE A picturesque spot with Pellucio stream ever flowing .Silently onward to mingle? With OLD OCEAN.
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1840. M. M. Fisher and David Daniels start the manufacture of straw bonnets in town.
Population 2043.
Sixteen Liberty party votes in town.
Jan. 7. Deacon Asa Daniels, a Revolutionary sol- dier, died, aged eighty-seven.
Great "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" parade in town with log cabins and hard cider galore.
One hundred ninety-seven men in town liable for military duty.
Comfort Walker died, aged 75.
1841. Medway License Law Association formed.
First printed town report gotten out by Orion Ma- son and Joseph Adams, selectmen.
Willard Daniels, representative.
National fast on the death of President Harrison, May 14.
1842. Joel Hunt, representative.
Voted to hold town meetings alternately between the three villages.
First town auditor chosen.
"Dry Bridge" across the turnpike abolished at a cost of $25.
Fifty. six Liberty party votes in town.
1843. Sanford J. Horton, first Medway graduate from Trini- ty College.
First town meeting held at the Village.
Year of the Millerite excitement. Several West Medway believers prepared their robes and waited for ascension.
Horace Richardson, representative.
1844. Bridge over the river at Medway pronounced unsafe for travel.
Cotton mill at West Medway burned.
Luther Metcalf elected state senator.
Hiram C. Daniels, first Medway graduate from Dartmouth.
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1845.
Rev. Abner Mason, pastor of the Baptist church.
Samuel Force and Anson White last tythingmen chosen by the town.
Rising Sun lodge, I. O. O. F., organized at Med- way with nine charter members.
Serg. Oliver Richardson, a Revolutionary soldier, died, aged 91 years.
1846. Potash Corner Road straightened.
Straw factory built at Medway by Amos Fisher, upper story used as a hall and occupied by the Odd Fellows.
Stone arch bridge over river built at Medway; it falls down when partially completed and was rebuilt the following year.
"Nigger Board" of selectmen elected, all Liberty Party men.
Collins Hathorn and A. S. Harding build a bowl- ing alley at Medway.
May 9. Rev. Charles D. Torrey died in State Prison at Maryland; imprisoned for aiding slaves to es- cape.
Laban Adams starts the present Adams House in Boston.
1847. Nathan Jones of East Medway, County Commissioner for seven years.
Amos Fisher builds Fisher's block and double dwelling house at Medway.
Jedediah Phillips, a Revolutionary soldier, dies, aged 92.
First dog licenses issued.
1848. Horatio Mason, representative. Also '49. Goose Island road laid out.
John Quincy Adams, congressman from this dis- trict, died.
1849. Rev. Edward C. Messenger, pastor of the Baptist church.
New schoolhouse built at East Medway, now the Adams school in Millis.
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1849. Ladies' Benevolent society organized by the women of the Village church.
Two Revolutionary soldiers died this year : Lieu- tenant Jonathan Adams, aged 97, and Isaac Hixon, aged 87.
Fair held for two nights in Parish House at West Medway and the proceeds devoted to improving the Common.
School street laid out in Medway.
Town votes a high school to be kept twelve weeks in each village.
Fourth meeting house built at East Medway and the old building removed to Rockville.
Population 2778.
Village church presented with a tower clock by Pardon D. Tiffany of St. Louis.
First mass said in Medway by Father Callaher at home of Walter Dewire, John street, Medway.
Campbell Bros. build paper mill at West Medway.
1851. Rev. John O. Means, pastor of First Church.
Present High School building built by District No. 7 at a cost of $7362.75.
Clark Partridge, representative.
1852. Two envelope distributors appointed by selectmen.
(Query : for what purpose?)
Henry E. Walling, C. E., of Boston, publishes a map of Medway.
Present Baptist meeting house built at West Med- way.
Joel Hunt, a prominent manufacturer of West Medway, died, aged 70.
Montgomery Lodge of Masons moves to Milford.
Town votes $900.00 for purchase of two fire en- gines.
1853. Oliver Optic publishes his first book.
July 14. Thomas Harding died, aged 93. The last Revolutionary soldier in Medway.
Medway Branch railroad, the first to enter town,
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opened this year. Ran from North Wrentham to Med- way. Terminal and depot on Walker street, Medway.
Fisher's Insurance Agency started.
Dr. Artemus Brown, delegate to the Constitution- al Convention in Boston.
1854. West Medway Loan Fund Association formed ; the forerunner of the modern Co-operative Bank.
Albert Tnwing, representative.
Town formally protests against the passage of the Kansas and Nebraska Bill by Congress.
1855. Town votes to enforce prohibition law, and not less than 12, nor more than 30 policemen provided for that purpose.
Tisdale C. White, representative. Also 1856.
Expense of Fire Department for the year, $315.31.
Legislature grants charter for the so-called Pette route of railroad to run from Needham to Woonsocket, R. I.
Old yellow mill, built by Captain Felt, burned at Med way.
Old Rapid Engine Co. organized at West Medway. First fire engine owned by the town.
1856.
Value of taxable property in town, $1,268,888.
Rev. Jacob Roberts, pastor of First Church.
1857.
Methodist church organized at West Medway ; Rev. Mr. Jackson first pastor.
State divided into representative districts. Med- way in 12th Norfolk.
William S. Boyd, representative.
Town votes to pay engine men 25c an hour for actual service at fires.
William G. Harding, first Medway graduate from Williams College.
Union Base Ball Club organized, May 3rd, with thirty members. The officers were Abram Harding, president, Milton A. Adams, vice-president, C. E. L. B. Whitney, secretary and treasurer.
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