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2]
indefinitely applied.
It was afterwards the intention of some to unite
Mr. Cradock's,
Mr. Winthrop's,
Mr. Wilson's, and
Mr. Nowell's lands in one township, and call it
Mystic.
Boundaries.
Medford, until 1640, was surrounded by
Charlestown, which embraced
Malden,
Stoneham,
Woburn,
Burlington,
Somerville, a part of
Cambridge,
West Cambridge, and
Medford.
At a Court holden at
Boston, April 1, 1634: “There is two hundred acres of land granted to
Mr. Increase Nowell, lying and being on the west side of
North River, called Three-mile Brook” (
Malden River). “There is two hundred acres of land granted to
Mr. John Wilson, Pastor of the
Church in
Boston, lying next the land granted to
Mr. Nowell on the south, and next Meadford on the north.”
Medford bounds would have run to
Malden River, had not these four hundred acres of land intervened.
Outside of this narrow strip were the first boundaries of
Medford on the north-east.
The north and north-western bounds were the “Rocks;” that range of granite hills, of which
Pine Hill forms a part.
The line ran north of
Symmes' Corner, and struck
Symmes' river.
The Pond and Mystic River formed the southern and western boundaries.
As proof of these statements, we have the following records: General Court, July 2, 1633.--“It is ordered that the ground lying betwixt the
North River and the
Creek on the north side of
Mr. Maverick's, and so up into the country, shall belong to the inhabitants of
Charlestown.”
“General Court holden at
Newtown, March 4, 1634.
All the ground, as well upland as meadow, lying and being betwixt the land of
Mr. Nowell and
Mr. Wilson, on the east, and the partition betwixt Mystick bounds on the west, bounded with Mistick River on the south and the
Rocks on the north, is granted to
Mr. Mathew Cradock, merchant, to enjoy to him and his heirs for ever.”
General Court, March 3, 1635.--“Ordered, That the land formerly granted to
Mr. Mathew Cradock, merchant, shall extend a mile into the country from the river-side in all places.”
General Court, March 3, 1636.--“Ordered, That
Charlestown bounds shall run eight miles into the country, from their meeting-house, if no other bounds intercept, reserving ”
