Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

The scale of depreciation can be understood by noticing the value of stockings. In hard money a pair was worth 5s. In currency (1780) they were worth £ 15. Capt. Ebenezer Hall received £ 270 for eighteen pairs of stockings. This amount in hard money paid nine years rent of the Garrison House, 1777 to 1786.

The men who enlisted in 1776 and 7 were discharged at the end of the year 1779. The story of John Symmes is an example of the situation of all.

He came home ragged and emaciated. He was paid in depreciated money, with which he bought a yoke of oxen. He sold them and took pay in the same currency. This he kept for a short time and then paid it all for a bag of Indian meal.

Sept. 23, 1779, the famous naval engagement between the ‘Bon Homme Richard’ and the ‘Serapis’ occurred. One little powder boy had a leg shot off that day, but lived in Medford during the memory of some of our oldest residents. His name was William Earl. He was a tailor. His shop was on the easterly corner of Brooks lane, in the old building torn down last winter. The children, going by, peeped in at him as he sat stitching and singing. His cheerful face never forbade them. They called him ‘One-legged Earl.’ He died in 1821.

In 1780 Medford had sixteen six-months' men in the field. They were fitted out by the town with clothing and blankets. Wool was bought at the town's expense, and was spun and woven by the women.

The poor received compensation, if possible in coin. Others gave their work. The men enlisted on July 4 (a patriotic celebration of Independence Day).

Among them was Thomas Savels, who had served as a minute-man, and was a veteran of the New York campaigns.

It is said that he was the son-in-law of Col. Isaac Royall. His son Thomas, at his father's death, changed his name to Sables. Thomas Savels the soldier has numerous descendants in Medford.