Historic leaves, volume 1, April, 1902 - January, 1903

[25] Magoun. Sarah Tufts has left descendants in the Magouns, Fitzes, Woodses, Hawkinses, and Mrs. Heald, the regent of the Anne Adams Tufts chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution—all of whom have dwelt in town for longer or shorter periods.

Timothy, the third son of Peter of Milk Row, who was born in 1735, received from his father a farm on Elm street, at the corner of Willow avenue. The dwelling house of this farm is familiar as being the one standing in Elm street, the second from Willow avenue. This house was built about a year before the Revolution, and replaced an older one which stood on a knoll by a large elm tree somewhat farther back from the street. Timothy Tufts was a prominent man in public affairs. He was frequently chosen moderator of the town meeting and was a selectman for most of the years between 1780 and 1792. He is always spoken of in the records as Timothy Tufts, Esquire, and his commission as justice of the peace, signed by Governor John Hancock, may be still seen hanging in the sitting-room of the old house. Timothy married Anne Adams, a niece of the wife of his brothers, Nathan and Peter. They had sons Timothy, Abijah, Isaac, and Joseph.

Timothy, the eldest son, lived in Broadway at the westerly corner of Cross street. This was an ancient house facing the road, with a long roof sloping nearly to the ground in the rear. Forty years ago, an old grass-grown cellar and a well were the only traces of its having been. Timothy, Jr., married, first, Beulah Prentice, and had children of whom Timothy, the eldest, is the only one especially connected with Somerville territory; second, Submit Flagg, by whom he also had children. Timothy, Jr., who was a considerable holder of real estate in town, died in 1802, three years before his father. The third Timothy married Susan Cutter, and had a large family, scarcely any of whom reached adult age. Mr.Tufts and Mrs. Tufts died in middle life. This Timothy built the spacious brick house in Broadway, near the corner of Cross street, afterwards owned by the late Edward Cutter. Jonas, a half-brother of the last-named Timothy, removed