Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

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Chapter 8: civil History.

The inhabitants on the south side of the River obtain parochial privileges.

-- their petition for incorporation as a separate town. -- elaborate and vigorous protest by the Selectmen of Cambridge. -- after long delay, Newton is incorporated, under the administration of Governor Andros. -- ship-building in Cambridge. -- Unruly dogs. -- Wolf. -- Draining of a pond in the centre of the town. -- Stone wall between Cambridge and Watertown. -- Committee to inspect families, and to prevent improper practices. -- encroachment on fishing rights in Menotomy River. -- fish officers

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As early as 1654, some of the inhabitants upon the south side of the River commenced a movement, which resulted, seven years afterwards, in an order of the General Court, that all who resided more than four miles from the meeting-house should “be freed from contributing towards the ministry on the north side the river,” so long “as the south side the river shall maintain an able ministry.” ¹ This was not wholly satisfactory, and a petition for more extensive privileges was presented to the General Court, Oct. 18, 1672, but action thereon was postponed until the next session, May 7, 1673, at which time this record is found: “In answer to the petition of Mr. Edward Jackson and John Jackson in behalf of the inhabitants of Cambridge Village, on the south side of Charles River, this Court doth judge meet to grant the inhabitants of the said village annually to elect one constable and three selectmen, dwelling among themselves, to order their prudential affairs of the inhabitants there according to law, only continuing a part of Cambridge in paying country and county rates, as also town rates so far as refers to the grammar school and bridge, and also pay their proportion of the charges of the deputies of Cambridge, and this to be an issue to the controversy between Cambridge and them.” ² But the people were not content to be a precinct. Accordingly at the session of the General Court, commencing May 8, 1678, a petition was presented for incorporation as a town:—