Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

[p. 62] of Cross street. It has been said that Charlestown laid out both Cross and Fulton streets, but, as will be hereinafter shown, the way laid out by that town was so many times changed that it is impossible to locate the first laying out. The River road was in use from the time of the first settlement of the town, running along the bank of the river—it was the only means of communication between Wilson's point, the several landing-places on the river, and the bridge and ford; and as has been previously said, that the part of Riverside avenue from River street to Cross street not being built until the year 1746, the route from the easterly part of the town to the bridge and ford must have been over the River road, across to the Salem road near Gravelly bridge, and from thence to the bridge and ford. It is not at all probable that the present location of Cross street was in the line of travel. More than likely the cross road connected with the Salem road at a point nearer Gravelly bridge than does Cross street at the present day.

Whatever may have been the rights of Charlestown to a landing at ‘No Man's Friend,’ or to a road from thence to its woodlots, or from whence those rights may have been derived, it is certain that they were not so clearly defined as to put them beyond controversy. It is probable that Mr. Cradock's agent did not object when Charlestown first laid out or used these ways, but when the estate passed out of the hands of Mr. Cradock's heirs the new owners were disposed to question that town's rights, both to the landing and the ways. Charlestown records say that ‘the highway was turned that led up to the rocks in Charlestown woodlots, north of Mistick river and east of Gravelly creek, on request of Mr. Nathaniel Wade.’

In Middlesex Deeds, Book 10, page 416, may be found an agreement entered into between Mr. Nathaniel Wade and the town of Charlestown about a landing-place or bank called ‘No Man's Friend.’ ‘It ’