Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 13.

[p. 91] he had his residence, with a stable in the rear. He then moved to the Governor Brooks house on High street and used the stable belonging to this fine old estate, carrying on an extensive livery business for years. The site today is occupied by the Medford Savings Bank.

An excellent painting of the Governor Brooks house is owned by the Sarah Bradlee Fulton Chapter, D. A. R., and is hanging on the south wall of the west parlor of the Royall House.

Mr. Blanchard probably discontinued the stage line when he moved to High street. The stages were stored in the stable, and one was sold to a Mr. Keene of Kittery Point, Me., and used to carry passengers back and forth between that place and Portsmouth, N. H.

Some time after the spring of 1859 he removed to Sutton, N. H., where he died.

His son, always called ‘young Sam,’ who had been a partner with his father, continued the livery business until his death in Medford, September 19, 1871.

Mr. Blanchard was an all-round man, if we are to judge by the various callings he engaged in, for besides being tavern-keeper, stage proprietor and liveryman, he was constable and auctioneer, and figured largely in town affairs.

He was a large man, six feet tall, rotund and florid, a rapid talker and with a sonorous voice, a very fitting accompaniment to the auctioneer's hammer.

The St. Louis gentleman before quoted, whose memory is excellent, despite his eighty-six years, says:

Mr. Blanchard commenced stage driving in opposition to Mr. Wyman —he used both coach and omnibus.

His son Samuel drove the team at times on occasion when short of help. Amos Hemphill drove for Blanchard for some time—for one or two years.

Mr. Blanchard was the first captain of the Brooks Phalanx at its formation in 1841. He resigned its command when he was raised to the office of lieutenant-colonel in the militia. He is said to have made a fine