Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 11.

A month after the ordination John Whitmore and John Bradshaw were chosen deacons. Evidently John Whitmore had successfully passed his examination of four years before, as the town had ‘voted to call John Whitmore to account by what order he held out the contribution box, and how he disposed of the money that was put therein.’ Possibly he had some depreciated currency or tainted money to contend with. Anyway, somebody put in some ‘black-dogs’ on one occasion, and those had been known to be counterfeited. Church treasurers have some queer experiences.

For a year later the record reads, ‘John Whitmore Senr. refusing to hold out the contribution box on the Sabbath as formerly, the town made choice of Thomas Willis Senr. to receive the contribution money and account therein with Insigne Bradshoe.’

With the settlement of a resident pastor there seems to have been a call for increased accommodations in the meeting-house, as on the 9th of May, 1713, a committee was ‘empowered to grant liberty to some young men they shall think sutable, to build a gallery over the side gallery on the west side of the meeting-house, and give them their orders and upon what terms they shall build sd. gallery, and order the stairs therefor.’

As there had been, hitherto, no mention of any side gallery, the elevated platform that was ‘borded & battened’ in front, and ornamented with ‘banesturs’ was most likely meant. This view is borne out by the fact that the west was the men's side, and the proposed gallery was for young men who were ‘sutable,’ and rested upon the two turned posts that J. Whitmore made.

Furthermore, the same committee was directed ‘to consider what they think most proper to be done in their meting-house for better accommodation . . . more convenient room by a table, pews or galleries, and report at the next town meeting.’

So on May 12 the town voted to go on to finish a front gallery on the beams of the meeting-house, with stairs convenient for the same.