Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 5.

‘[p. 55] and usefulness, he must have contemplated in them the Path; in his few though severe bodily sufferings, the Price, and in his anticipated transitions from this to a better world, the “Proof of sublime immortality.” ’

So lived and passed the Hon. Timothy Bigelow, whose life and service may well be remembered by the people of Medford and the Commonwealth, and perpetuated in history as an example worthy of the highest emulation.

On May 1, 1820, a town meeting was called to select a representative. Timothy Bigelow was elected. The old town records read: ‘Mr. Bigelow then rose and thanked the town for the honor they did him by this renewed and unanimous expression of their confidence in again electing him for their representative, then adverting to the length of time he had been employed in the counsels of the Commonwealth, the state of his health, and his advancing years, he begged leave to decline serving in the office just conferred upon him. Whereupon it was voted unanimously that the thanks of the town be tendered to Mr. Bigelow for his services as their representative for a number of years past.’

Abner Bartlett was thereupon elected in his place. Abner Bartlett seems to have been, from what insufficient glimpses I have been able to get of him, an original character, a plain man, but rich in what are called ordinary virtues.

Abner Bartlett, Esq., was born at Plymouth, January 1, 1776, son of Abner and Anna (Hovey) Bartlett. He was a descendant of Robert Bartlett, who came to Plymouth in the ‘Ann’ in 1623. Mr. Bartlett, after graduating at Harvard University in 1799, began the study of law and was admitted to the Middlesex bar. He married Sarah Burgess and settled in Medford. At the bar his speech was rough, his manner hesitating, and his words forcible and emphatic. He had a singular habit, for which he was ever remembered; it created