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[420] Benj. Pratt and----Brown. Isaac Greenleaf and H. Popkins. John Wright. Jonathan Godden. John Hall and Joseph Tufts. Francis Wait. James Kidder. The inhabitants occupied one hundred and thirty-six houses, which were valued at $74,032.80; making an average value of $544 each. The town valuation of all other property was $160,116.60. Taxes were assessed on 4,603 acres of land. We may close these tables of taxes by inserting the State valuation tables for seven decades, from 1790 to 1850 inclusive. Medford stands thus: In 1790, its State valuation was $9,441.68; in 1800, $15,036,08; in 1810, $26,311.19; in 1820, $30,507.84; in 1830, $931,050; in 1840, $1,095,195.31; in 1850, real estate, $1,212,551.50; personal, $915,919. In these same years, Cambridge stands thus: In 1790, $25,291.-63; in 1800, $32,329.67; in 1810, $30,477.35; in 1820, $61,828.88; in 1830, $1,732,048; in 1840, $4,479,501.-43. Woburn, in 1790: $11,070.32; in 1800, $11,698.27; in 1810, $13,172.63; in 1820, $16,490.54; in 1830, $455,--030; in 1840, $687,388.09. Malden, in 1790: $7,486.81; in 1800, $11,932; in 1810, $15,858.34; in 1820, $19,622; in 1830, $360,878; in 1840, $586,136.15. These tables of taxes prove how Medford, from small beginnings, gradually increased in numbers and wealth. There was never any sudden development of its resources, but a steadily increasing use of its natural advantages. Its march became more and more rapid as we approach the nineteenth century, when its increase and prosperity were equal to any town in the State. As the records of the first forty years of the town are lost, we have hunted in every crevice and corner to find representative facts belonging to that period; and, after availing of each fragmentary tradition we have fixed on the taxes assessed by the General Court and county, as indicating with most precision the ability and condition of the earliest settlers; and, having discovered their ability and condition, it is not difficult to imagine their labors, habits, and advancement. We have thus taken the taxes as our lighthouse, to guide us along the unmapped coast of our new settlement. In the record of taxes, one occasionally finds strange facts. Here is one: “June 27, 1695. As an unusual requisition, females who earned a livelihood were taxed each two shillings, ”
John Wilson and son. 22 School Street. Boston. 1855.
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