HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MEDFORD, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, IN 1630, TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1855.
Charles Brooks, Ed.

“ [489] water.” “But, massa, it feels cold; and this darkness grows more and more.” “So much the better, Pomp; for the day of judgment will be all fire and light.” Pomp concluded not to wash up, but wait.

1781.--“New-England money.” This epithet is used in the Medford records, for the first time, in 1781, when the town voted to raise one thousand three hundred pounds, to pay interest on their debt.

1781.--When the news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis reached Medford, 1781, the inhabitants immediately testified their joy by a bonfire on the top of Pasture Hill. Wood and rags, covered with tar, were the imflammable materials used to express the jubilation.

The first register of deeds in Middlesex County chosen, Dec. 20, 1784. There was but one candidate,--William Winthrop, Esq.,--who received seventeen votes in Medford.

1785.--“Aunt Jenny” Watts, of Medford, carried baked puddings and beans, on horseback, in market-baskets, to Cambridge College twice each week, and would retail her load only to undergraduates! She sold the best of articles, at the lowest prices, and was almost overwhelmed with customers. She said she was the beanefactor of the college, and had no desire to make the young men mealy-mouthed or pudding-headed.

Aug. 7, 1786.--For the first time, Medford granted liberty of building horse-sheds behind the meeting-house.

Rev. Mr. Osgood boarded many years in the family of Deacon Richard Hall, and a very close intimacy blessed both parties afterwards. On a Sunday, Mrs. Hall was taken ill in church, and her husband went out with her. After some time, the deacon returned. As soon as he had shut the door, Mr. Osgood stopped in his sermon, and said, “Mr. Hall, how is aunt now?” “She is better,” was the reply.

1789.--Thomas Brooks, Esq., acquired great popularity as one of the “marrying justices.” One day, while riding on horseback to Woburn, he discovered a party of six young persons--three male, and three female — riding on horseback towards him. He guessed their errand; and they guessed that the cocked hat, bush-wig, and silver buckles approaching them must belong to “the squire.” Both parties stopped. The bridegroom announced his wishes, and the squire replied thus: “My young friends, we are here in the midst of this lofty forest, upon an unfrequented road, with God's clear sky over us, and his green earth under us. We shall not be disturbed. I propose to solemnize your marriage here: what say you?” They gladly consented. He told them not to dismount, but to arrange themselves in due order,--the gentlemen on one side, and the ladies on the other. This being done, be placed his horse so as to be directly in front of the bride and bridegroom. Then, taking off his hat, he began his prayer; and report says that he was “gifted in prayer,” and that, on this occasion, “he prayed like an angel.”