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

[207] After patient reviewal of the whole, they report, Nov. 28, 1707, that “the wound is incurable;” and there-fore advise a quiet withdrawal of Mr. Woodbridge, “the town paying him forty pounds, in bills of credit, in full of all demands; also give him the strangers' money which has been collected during the last nine sabbaths; and, further-more, to offer to purchase his real estate for two hundred and seventy pounds.” This decision, deemed by many as equitable and conciliatory, was somewhat modified by the highest tribunal, “the Great and General Court, held at Boston.” May 26, 1708, this court voted “that Mr. Woodbridge is hereby declared to be no longer minister of Medford.” Also voted, at the same time, “that this Court are directed speedily to procure and settle another minister; and that this Court do advise Mr. Woodbridge by no means to discourage the coming and settlement of another minister among them.” The first of these votes pleased a majority of the town; the last displeased the whole; and forthwith our Medford fathers, in the true spirit of congregational liberty, came together and resolved thus: “To petition the Court of Sessions that we may not have a minister imposed upon us; but may have the liberty and privilege to choose our minister as other towns have, as the law directs.”

It is not worth while to enter into details of small things. One specimen, occurring at this time, derives its importance from the fact that our fathers enlisted such men as Chief Justice Sewall in their troubles. The fact is as follows:--

June 5, 1708.
To Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge, per Lieut. Stephen Willis.

Sir,--In your account of disbursements, given to the town of Medford, at their meeting, Dec. 19, 1705, your first article is, “The expenses upon land, house, fencing, &c., as appears from my book, £ 249. 8s. 1d.” Now, the Committee desire to see the particulars by which that sum rises; and, to that end, that you would meet them, or some of them, upon 'Change, presently after the Artillery Sermon, next Monday, where we may agree of a place of recess for this purpose.

Sir, your servant,

Samuel Sewall.

So tenacious was the grasp of Mr. Woodbridge on the pulpit of Medford, and so devoted were some hearts to his cause, that, after all which had happened, we find the town, Dec. 6, 1708, voting thus: “That Mr. Woodbridge be invited to ”