[152] 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 following:--
Aug. 6, 1775: Skirmishing 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 decision, and burning patriotism, fitted him for the trying emergencies. 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 solemn purpose, namely:--
To know the minds of the town,--whether, should the Honorable Congress, for the safety of the said Colonies declare themselves independent 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 pulpit
