Assistants, when they are to be chosen; and the Assistants, from among themselves, to choose the Governor and Deputy-Governor, who, with the Assistants, to have the power of making laws, and choosing officers to execute the same.
This was fully assented to by the general vote of the people and the erection of hands.
May 25, 1636: Mr. Bishop, as magistrate, appointed to keep the county court at Salem.
1643: Massachusetts Colony had thirty towns, and was divided into four counties,--Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.
1646: Selectmen were empowered to try causes in a town where the magistrate could not, or where he was a party.
The first mention of Medford in the public records of the Province is the following:--
At a Court of Assistants at Charlestown, 28th Sept., 1630.
It is ordered that there shall be collected and raised by distress out of the several plantations, for the maintenance of Mr. Patrick and Mr. Underhill, the sum of £ 50, viz.: out of Charlton, £ 7
Charles River; and to petition the General Court that the petition of Thomas Russell, Esq., and others be granted for building a bridge over Charles River where the ferry now is.
June 12, 1786: Voted to petition the General Court to prevent the building of a bridge across Mystic River at Penny Ferry.
It was thought that this bridge from Malden to Charlestown would almost ruin the navigation of Mystic River.
For the same reason, the town voted, May 9, 1796, to oppose the building of Chelsea Bridge.
1795: A revision of the Constitution is proposed to the people.
Medford gives fifty-three votes against it, and one for it.
1795: Voted £ 500 for town-expenses.
1797: Two thousand three hundred dollars for the same.
March 7, 1796: Voted to pay assessors two dollars per day while making taxes.
This is the first record of the kind.
March 6, 1797: For the first time, the town voted to pay the town-clerk for his services; and they gave him twenty dollars.
March 6, 1809: Vo
