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

To show how much he labored, how well he succeeded, and how truly he was loved, we quote here the following brief and discriminating notice of him which appeared in the public papers immediately after his death:--

Medford, Feb. 5, 1747.

On the 31st of January, died here, of a convulsive asthma, and this day was decently buried, Simon Tufts, Esq., having just completed his forty-seventh year. He was a gentleman well descended and liberally educated. He was the youngest son of Captain Peter Tufts, of this town, by his second wife, who was daughter of the Rev. Seaborn Cotton, of Hampton. He took his degrees at Harvard College in the years 1724 and 1727. He early applied himself to the study of physic, and soon became eminent in that profession. He was honored with three commissions,--one for the peace, in the year 1733; another for a special justice, in 1741; and a third for justice of the quorum, 1743; and was very faithful and useful in these offices. He was a man of substantial religion, and exhibited the virtues of the Christian in all relations, stations, and conditions. The removal of such an excellent person (in these degenerate times) calls for lamentation and supplication. Psalm XII. 1: “Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” He has left a sorrowful widow, and seven children,--four sons, and three daughters.

One hundred and eight years having passed since his death, little more can now be collected concerning him. They who knew him testify that his practice was very extensive,--reaching even to Haverhill and Newbury; that he enjoyed the respect and affection of all who knew him; that the country mourned his loss; and that funeral sermons were preached at Medford, Boston, Charlestown, and Cambridge. He was often called to visit the sick at Harvard College; and, though not rich himself, never demanded fees except from rich students. It is indicative of the industry and economy of that age, that, while his oldest son, Simon, was at college, his father placed him in the family of Mr. Foxcraft, the County Register of Deeds, that he might pay for his board by writing in the office.