[89] appears from the fact that he had a fishing establishment “at Agawam, by Merrimack,” where, Aug. 8, 1631, some hostile Indians “rifle the wigwam where Mr. Cradock's men kept to catch sturgeons, taking away their nets, biskets, &c.” In the records of the General Court, held at Boston, Nov. 7, 1632, we have the following record: “Mr. Mathew Cradock is fined £ 4 for his men being absent from training divers times.” This was remitted, probably on account of the impossibility in a fisherman of being on. shore at any given period. At a General Court held at Boston, March 4, 1633, the following grant was made: “The Wear at Mistick is granted to John Winthrop, Esq., present Governor, and to Mr. Mathew Cradock, of London, to enjoy to them and their heirs for ever.” March 3, 1635: In General Court.--“Ordered that there shall be £ 55 paid to Mr. Cradock.” March 26, 1638: “There is a grant of a thousand acres of land granted to Mr. Mathew Cradock, where it may be had without prejudice to any plantation or former grants, in the judgment of the Court. Also there is granted to Mr. Cradock five hundred acres of land more for such servants as he shall appoint it unto, twenty miles from any plantation, without prejudice to any plantation.” June 2, 1641: “Mr. Thomas Mayhew and Mr. Joseph Cooke appointed to set out the five hundred acres of Mr. Oldham's for Mr. Cradock near Mount Feake.” On the same day, “Voted that Mr. Cradock's rates should be forborne till the next ship come, and then it is referred to Mr. Stoughton and Mr. Hawthorne to consider and give order in it.” The reader may now be referred to what is said concerning Mr. Cradock's agency in building the first bridge over Mistick River; and, putting those facts with these here stated, we come at the conclusion that Medford should cherish with gratitude the memory of one who opened here a new and extensive trade, who sent over many men as laborers in shipbuilding and fishing, who conjured all to treat the Indians with tenderness and generosity, and who, in the letter of April 17, 1629, speaks of the settlement of families here in these terms:--
Our earnest desire is, that you take special care in settling these families, that the chief in the family (at least some of them) be
