Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 15.

[p. 40] constable for the year ensuing. In 1676 they chose their first board of selectmen, in 1679 the first highway surveyor, in 1680 the first tithing-man and the first sealer of measures, in 1681-2 the first fence viewers, in 1689 the first representative to the General Court, and in 1693 their first orders and by-laws were approved by the court.

Reference has been made to the action of the inhabitants of the plantation in voting to petition the General Court to grant power and privileges as other towns for the ordering of prudentials. This action of the said inhabitants proves beyond question that they were aware that they were not organized as were the other towns of the colony. They knew the measures that had been taken to advance the interests of the plantation, and they felt that the time had arrived when they should be granted the same rights and privileges as the other towns of the colony. It is to be noted that up to this time they called their organization a plantation. They evidently knew what their political status was much better than the historians of the present day. A study of the records of the General Court will reveal the standing of Meadford plantation at the period under consideration. From 1630 to 1638 (both inclusive) Meadford plantation was taxed in the same proportion as were the other plantations of the colony. May 13, 1640, a tax of one thousand two hundred pounds was levied on every town. Meadford is not named. Also at the same date a committee of the court was chosen to value the live stock in every town; no mention of Meadford is made. December 10, 1641, an order was passed concerning the authorization of constables to serve warrants; in the list of towns Meadford is not mentioned. At the same date an order was passed that in every town ‘one shall be appointed to grant summons and attachments in all civil actions.’ Nineteen copies of the laws, liberties and the forms of oaths were transcribed ‘for the use of the persons who may be appointed; said persons to be called clerks of the writs.’ Nineteen towns are named; Meadford not mentioned.