Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 1.

The earliest information we get concerning the circumstances under which Medford was settled comes from a letter written by Governor Dudley, March 28, 1631. After a recital of the events connected with the arrival of the colonists, he says: ‘We began to consult of a place for our sitting down, for Salem, where we landed, pleased us not. And to that purpose, some were sent to the Bay to search up the rivers for a convenient place, who upon their return reported to have found a good place upon Mistick. . . . We found a place liked us better three leagues up Charles River.’ After stating that they shipped their goods with much cost and labor to Charlestown, he goes on to say: ‘There receiving advertisements by some of the late arrived ships, from London and Amsterdam, of some French preparations against us, we were forced to change counsel, and for our present shelter to plant dispersedly; some at Charlestown, which stands on the north side of the Mouth of Charles River; Some on the south side which we named Boston; . . . Some of us upon Mistick, which we named Meadford.’ And then he proceeds to name the other settlements which they made at Watertown, Roxbury, and Dorchester.

Without going into further details, it is plain enough that the men specially engaged in the service of Mr. Cradock, probably with others, settled on the east side of Mystic river, nearly opposite the Ten Hill Farm, where Governor Winthrop established himself. It may be reasonably supposed that Governor Winthrop himself suggested the location. Here the General Court afterwards made to Governor Cradock large grants of lands covering all the territory of Medford lying on the north side of Mystic river. Let us see who these men of Cradock's were, and what was the nature of the work he had laid out for them. Some light is thrown upon