[p. 55]
Order on the recommendation of the Committee that the appeal be admitted on the usual security, and that Ellis be allowed copies of the proceeding under the Seal of the Province, on paying the usual fees. July 30, 1737. Ellis's petition for an early hearing referred to the Committee for Appeals. Aug. 14, 1737. Committee appointed Feb. 25 to hear the appeal.As on May 6, 1737, Ellis is styled as ‘late of Medford, husbandman,’ it is presumable that he had then removed. Though he was taxed for real estate, we have been unable to find where in Medford he resided. We find that in 1733-34
John Whitmore, Jonathan Hall and Jona Bradshaw be Depeud [deputed?] to vew the Highways by Matthew Ellises and make Report to the Town what they Judg Mr. Ellis should have allowed him for moving Som Large Rocks in the Country Road nearby his house in sd. Town and Report be made at the adjournment of this meeting.The meeting was adjourned to seven o'clock of that evening at the house of John Bradshaw. We look in vain for the committee's report, and greatly fear the pious deacons on the committee allowed their distate for their churchman's non-conformity to warp their judgment in the large rocks matter. They might at least have reported. We have been unable to find trace of Ellis at the Registry of Deeds, and thus to fix his location, nor do we know how long he lived in Medford. From the meagre data we conclude that he did two good things— improvement of the highway, and (in the courage of his convictions) helped along the coming of the enjoyment of religious liberty in Medford.
