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Judge Sewall, of Massachusetts, June 22, 1716, says, I essayed to prevent negroes and Indians being rated with horses and cattle, but could not succeed. No cargoes of slaves were brought into Medford; but how many cargoes of Medford rum went to Africa and the West Indies, and were returned in slaves to Carolina or Rhode Island, we cannot say. The gentlemen of Medford have always disclaimed any participation in the slave-trade. The following extract from a letter, dated Boston, 14th January, 1759, may show what was done at that time. It is as follows :-- Captain William Ellery. Sir,--The Snow Caesar is fully loaded and equipped for sea. My orders are to you, that you embrace the first favorable opportunity of wind and weather, and proceed to the coast of Africa; touching first, if you think proper, at Senegal, where, if you find encouragement, you may part with such part of your cargo as you can sell to your liking, and then proceed down the coast to such ports or plac
Thomas Hall was a Pct. committeeman, 1752 to 1755; also Precinct assessor. 2. Thomas, s. of Thomas (1), m. Rebecca Cutter, 11 Nov. 1756 (Medford Rec.), dau. of Ebenezer Cutter of Medford (see Cutter Book, 89, &c.). Thomas was adm. Pct. ch. 14 Jan. 1759. Had Thomas, b. 4, bap. 6 July, 1760; Ebenezer, b. 24, bap. 26 Dec. 1762; a son, b. 17 Oct. 1764, d. near the birth—same day; Gershom, b. 28, bap. 31 May, 1767. Thomas the father d. 25 Feb. 1770, a. 37 (g. s.), and Rebecca, his wid., m. Will. ch. and bap. 16 Sept. 1750. Had son, Benjamin, b. 18, bap. 21 Oct. 1750; Isaiah, b. (29), bap. 26 July, 1752, d. 10 Feb. 1755, a. 3; Peter, b. 24, bap. 28 Apr. 1754, d. 3 Nov. 1754, a. 7 mos.; Isaiah, b. 5, bap. 13 June, 1756; Peter, bap. 14 Jan. 1759; Daniel, b. 17, bap. 28 Dec. 1760; Joshua, b. 17 Feb., bap. 8 May, 1763; Isaac, b. 27 Feb., bap. 31 Mar. 1765. Isaiah the father d. 11 Mar. 1768, a. 40. A nurse child at Isaiah's (from Boston), d. 15 Oct. 1762, a. 6 mos. His wid. Eliza-Beth
sincerely Your Friend & H'ble Servt Fras Minot P. S. As Loaf Sugar always sells better to Windward than to Leeward, should be glad You would sell mine as You go down the Coast—the barrells may be easily come at between Decks. The Medford historian (Brooks) said (on p. 436) The gentlemen of Medford have always disclaimed any participation in the slave trade, and, evidently doubtful of the same, makes a half-page quotation from a letter of instruction to a slaver's captain on January 14, 1759. That identical letter is the first of the twenty-two above mentioned and which cover a period of ten years. Steel pens, copying presses and typewriters were no part of office furniture of those days, and the water marks in the durable unruled paper showing the royal crown, with G. R. beneath, are suggestive of the Stamp Act. The peculiar product of Medford formed the principal part of the cargo and was the medium of exchange on the African coast. The voyages were usually triangul