Unpublished Manuscripts.
Nearly fifty years ago
Mr. Caleb Swan, formerly of
Medford, wrote for his own satisfaction the following items of interest, as well as many others which have been preserved.
They are now presented in the Register as a glimpse of the
Medford of the olden days.
Mr. Swan expressed his regret that
Medford's history was not written while
Dr. Osgood and
Governor Brooks were living to give information.
It must be understood that at the time of
President Washington's visit, General (not then Governor)
Brooks lived in the ‘Jonathan Watson house,’ adjoining the third meeting-house.
The visit of General Washington to General Brooks in 1789, was in the forenoon.
He came on horseback, escorted by several gentlemen from Boston.
Their horses were taken to the barn of Mr Isaac Greenleaf nearly opposite the house of Dr. Osgood—where Capt. Ward from Salem afterwards built his house and died —and now owned and occupied by Mr Thatcher Magoun Jr.
Mrs Samuel Swan was then at school in the Town School (kept by Mr Prentiss) now Mr Train's house, and next West of Genl Brooks' house.
She remembers the children were all brought out in line in front of the School to see General Washington.
Every scholar held a quill in his hand.
Mr Greenleaf's son Isaac, now living in Medford—aged 80—also remembers the visit, and that the horses were brought to his Father's barn.
Benjamin L. Swan remembers hearing of this visit from General Brooks himself.
While he was on a visit to Medford, he called on General Brooks, who invited him to go and see his fine bed of Mangel Wurtzels in his garden and while there, the General told him the last time he saw General Washington was on the above visit to him. [p. 95]
Mrs Howe told Dr. Swan she remembers hearing Mrs Ingraham speak of seeing General Washington on this visit.
Mrs Howe also remembers hearing Mrs Ingraham say she received a polite bow from General Washington as he passed her house—she was gaily dressed for the occasion Mrs Howe also recollects Governor Brooks telling her that General Washington breakfasted with him.
Mrs Abner Bartlett says Mrs——told her that Col. Brooks requested Mrs. Brooks to have some Indian Corn cakes at breakfast, as General Washington was fond of them.
On page 290,
Brooks' ‘History of
Medford,’ the author says, ‘We wish it were in our power to name the teachers of our public schools, who have filled their high and sacred office. ... Usage forbids this,’ etc.
In a letter to Dudley Hall,
Esq.,
Mr. Swan, in 1865 (soon after the death of his ‘brother doctor’
Swan), wrote of enclosing the following list, which he hoped
Mr. Hall would attach to page 283 of his copy of the history, as he himself had done.
Mr. Swan came from his home in New York to his brother's obsequies, and on meeting
Mr. Hall they talked of their school days long past.
Doubtless they exchanged memories pleasant and otherwise that hark back to the days when the ‘oil of birch’ was freely used.
With little regard for ‘usage,’ he found it in
his ‘power,’ and his memoranda are a valuable contribution to
Medford annals.
Schoolmasters in Medford.
Oct., 1789.
[Mr]
Prentiss, [schoolhouse] now
Mr. Train's house.
When
Gen'l Washington visited
Col. Brooks.
About 1790.
Nathaniel Thayer.
Settled as minister of
Lancaster in 1793.
Father of
John E. Thayer and
Brother, Brokers,
Boston.
After 1790.
Luther Stearns of
Lunenburg.
Afterward physician, then principal of Boys' and Girls' Academy in
Medford.
Died there in 1820, aged 50.
After 1790.
Joseph Wyman of
Woburn.
Mr. Pierce his assistant.
Afterward principal of Boys' and Girls' Academy in
Medford.
Left
Medford 1799, died in
Woburn about 1825.
Succeeded by
Miss Rowson.
[p. 96]
1796.——Warren.
Thomas Mason for six months.
A large, powerful man; a great wrestler.
Settled as minister of
Deerfield, 1799.
Fall 1796, 1797.
Leonard Woods of
Princeton, for six months. Joined the church under
Dr. Osgood.
President Andover Theological Seminary.
Died there Aug., 1854, aged 81.
1798, 1799.
David A. White of
Methuen, to Aug., 1799.
Afterward Latin tutor in Harvard College nearly four years, State senator, member of Congress, judge of Probate,
Essex Co. Died Mar. 30, 1861, aged 84.
1800 to 1802.
Abner Rogers of
Hampstead, N. H.
Afterward proctor in Harvard College, then a highly respectable lawyer in
Charlestown.
Died there Feb. 23, 1814.
1802.
Daniel Kimball of
Bradford.
Afterward minister in
Hingham, then principal of Academy in
Needham.
1802.
Peter Nourse, six months.
Afterward librarian of Harvard College, then minister in——.
Aug., 1803, Aug., 1805.
Daniel Swan of
Medford.
Studied medicine with
Gen'l Brooks, afterward physician in
Brighton and in
Medford since 1816.
Died Dec. 5, 1864, aged 83.
1805.
Jacob Coggin of
Woburn, six weeks during college vacation.
Afterward minister in
Tewkesbury.
Died there in 1855.
1805.
Amos Willard Rugg of
New Hampshire.
Died in
Medford, Sept., 1805, after a short sickness of brain fever.
Sept. 1805 to 1807.
Samuel Weed of
Amesbury.
Studied medicine with
Gen'l Brooks, afterward physician in
Portland.
Died Nov. 24, 1857, aged 83.
1807.
Noah Kendall.
Assisted by his wife and his brother.
1821.
Luther Angier of
Natick.
Afterward postmaster in
Medford; continues to reside there [1865].
——Baker.
Afterward (in one year) went to
Charlestown by invitation on a larger salary.
