EARLY MEDWAY SETTLERS & LAND RECORDS

©1996

By Francis D. Donovan

THE LAND GRANTS OF 1649

In 1649, Dedham settlers resolved to establish a new settlement in the Boggestowe area at East Holliston. Two grants of land were asked for and received.

One, on Dedham's north bound, three miles east and west, and four miles north and south, was granted by Dedham.

The Great and General Court made another grant west of the Charles River of precisely the same dimensions, but when this second tract was laid out in 1650, the west boundary line north and south was only three and one-quarter miles long instead of the four miles granted.

This reduced the acreage, but was accepted by the interested parties.

These two grants on both sides of the river were incorporated in 1650 as Meadfield or as we know it, Medfield.

In 1713, the part just west of the river was a part of the new town of Medway, and was always called the "Old Grant," and is now generally the Town of Millis, once East Medway.

The first settler in this part of Medfield was George Fairbanks of Dedham, who came here in 1658.

In 1702, there were only twenty-five settlers on the west bank of the river, all living in the Old Grant, excepting Henry Garnsey who located to the west.

THE NEW GRANT OF 1659

Medfield, owner of lands on both sides of the river, did not receive the full acreage of the first grant from the General Court due to errors in laying out the area.

Therefore, Medfield petitioned for additional lands, and the General Court of Massachusetts added another parcel measuring two miles east and west, and four miles north and south, known as the New Grant.

As the west end of the Old Grant, which was to be the easterly boundary of the New Grant, was only about 3-1/4 miles long, it was manifestly impossible to make the new tract four miles long. The surveyors, Captain Lusher, and Lieutenant Fisher of Dedham, therefore made the north line two miles wide, but ran the west side so that it was about two and one-half miles wide where it reached the river to the south.

The result was a trapezoid, wider at the base than at the top. The lots on the south of the east and west sections were thus about one and one-quarter miles long, instead of the granted one mile width.

The north side of this new area was a continuationof the north line of the Old Grant, extending two miles, and dividing Winthrop's Pond, an area now wholly in Holliston.

The south bound was the Charles River, and the west line was along what is now Summer Street.

The present Medway-Milford town line, and the Medway-Holliston town line were created in an exchange of lands with Holliston between 1829 and 1832.

The first dividing line between the two grants started at the extreme northwest corner of the present Town of Millis, running south straight to the present junction of Oakland and Village Streets in Medway.

For over two centuries, all farms on the west, and swamp lots on the east were bounded by this "Old Grant" line.

Medfield, on receiving this grant, determined to divide it among her almost fifty proprietors. The locations were to be assigned by lot, and the amount of land given each one was based on their estate and family size.

Consequently, John Thurston Sr., with an estate of some worth and a family of ten, drew the largest lot of 191 acres, while David Morse, who had two years previously moved from Medfield to "The Farms" - now Sherborn, had only twelve acres, a lot a little more than a mile long, and only some four rods wide.

The New Grant was laid out in three sections, divided by contemplated highways.

The River Section to the south was half a mile wide with the old Middle Road running along its northern boundary.

Another road running from the Middle Road to Winthrop's Pond still further divided the territory, forming the east and west sections of the Grant. This configuration of roads resembled an upside-down letter T.

The order of division was to lay out north and south lines in the River Section, and east and west lot lines in the east and west sections. All lot measurements were to commence at the extreme east of the River Section.

The two roads laid out at the time of laying out the east and west sections (our present Village Street and part of Pond Street) were not passable for several years, existing only on paper. The road to Winthrop's Pond is our Pond Street, part of Lovering Street, and Allen's Lane, running from Hill Street to the house of Josiah Tingley. (This is now Howe Street in part).

The Middle Road - not to be confused with the the Middle Post Road, Village Street, was in part Vine Lane (part of which is now Kelley Street), Evergreen, and Oak Streets, and a part of Highland Street. At one time, Oak Street crossed Highland Street - the old "King's Highway" - a section that is now abandoned.

The "Old Post Road," also known as the "Old Mendon Road," and the "Middle Post Road" is now our Village Street. It was made a way very soon after the Grant was made, and in 1670, it became a County road.

In attempting to lay out the extreme east end of the Middle Road, the surveyors met with serious obstacles in the form of the Lily Pond and swamp back of the present location of Oakland Cemetery.

They reported that the best course was to cross the Wheelock lot to John Metcalf's side line, ascending the hill by the river (now Village Hill), then turn down by John Metcalf's side line to the other way at the head of his lot.

This is now Lover's Lane, and marks the dividing line between Lot 1 and 2, River Section.

Medfield paid 19 pounds, 16 shillings and 5 pence for the surveyor's work, rather a bargain for the work entailed.

Following is the result of the lot assignments.

(*Occupied later by second or third generations)

As the east section was larger by reason of the angle of the north boundary, almost 300 acres were left undivided. This area and the George Barber lot are now a part of Holliston.

The three upper lots in the west section are now a part of Holliston also.

None of the original lot assignees ever occupied their lands; they either sold or gave their property away.

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In 1706, Captain John Whiting bought a grist mill and some land on both sides of the river, from five Medfield owners. After 1710, his son Nathaniel acquired all of the west part of the Wheelock lot and most of the John Metcalf No. 2 river section lot.

In 1715, Abraham Harding was deeded about 70 acres on the "Flat" east of the Clark holdings extending to the present Millis town line at Farm Street.

In 1727, Theophilus Clark deeded 110 acres on both sides of the New and Old Grant line. His holdings ended at what is now Peach Street in Medway Village.

Our Lovers Lane was the dividing line between Lots 1 and 2.

The Clark lands, owned by Timothy and Theophilus east of the Old Grant line were holdings acquired by their grandfather Joseph Clark at the "bent of the river"in part, and included 77 acres of the Wheelock lot.

1700

The first settler in the New Grant was Henry Garnsey of Roxbury who married in this year, Sarah Wheelock of Medfield, grandaughter of Ralph Wheelock.

Henry Garnsey owned Lot No. 8, River Section, granted to John Turner. His lot laid on both sides of Chicken Brook, with its east bound at the present Cottage Street.

No deeds are on record to show how he acquired this lot.

He was Selectman in 1717, and died in 1759 aged 80, and is buried in the old burying ground at Chicken Brook in Evergreen Cemetery.

His dwelling stood near the original junction of Village and Cottage Streets, when Cottage Street went straight through, instead of bending westerly and southerly as at present. The site of his house is marked by a partial foundation and cellar hole just south of the former railroad grade, preserved by the Medway Historical Commission.

His son Samuel settled at what is now the intersection of High, Village and Lincoln Streets, and his well, and a huge oak tree marked the site until around 1930.

The U S Census of 1790 gives no head of a family named Garnsey in Massachusetts.

Guernsey Street, unfortunately misnamed, commemorates Henry Garnsey.

Henry's wife Sarah died in 1716, and Hannah, Henry's second wife died in 1721.

Henry Garnsey's gravestone record gives his year of death as 1759, and his age as 80 years.

Children:

1702

Theophilus-3 (Benjamin-2, Joseph-1) Clark, born in Medfield in 1670, married Rachel Partridge around 1694.

By 1702, he was settled on the Wheelock Lot No. 1 in both the Old and New Grants.

His dwelling stood at the northeast corner of the present intersection of Village and School Streets in Medway, and his lands extended westerly as far as the present Peach Street, and to the east as far as the present Walker Street.

He owned 110 acres in all.

His wife Rachel died in 1717, and he married second, in 1718, Elizabeth Cutler, widow of Nathaniel Cutler of Reading, who brought three sons with him to Medway.

Theophilus built and ran the "Bent Sawmill" a little south of his dwelling across the Mendon road.

He served as Selectman in 1714 and 1722, and was on the town committees involved in building the meeting house in the Old Grant on Bare Hill (opposite the head of Pleasant Street in what is now Millis), and securing a minister.

The first "warning out of town" took place in 1733 at Theophilus Clark's house, when Constable Edward Clark warned a Mary Burrit, possibly a servant, to depart from Medway.

Theophilus was called "Lieutenant" in the town records.

The original layout of Candlewood Island Road, now Oakland Street, ran easterly of his dwelling.

About 1733, he removed to Ashford, Connecticut, where he died in 1737. The year he died, he deeded his 110 acres in Medway to Jacob Parker and Thomas Corbin who later sold off the land in parcels to Medway residents.

A part of this land, including the dwelling and mill, were bought by his nephew and namesake Theophilus Clark in 1737.

Children:

In his 1737 will Theophilus mentioned all of his children except Zebiah. No further record of her exists after her birth. It is probable that she died young.

1702

We are still in the year 1702, and now take notice of Timothy-3 (Benjamin-2, Joseph-1) Clark, born in Medfield in 1677, and who had land at the Bent of the river.

His place was in the Old Grant.

In 1702, he started an "ordinary," and was the first innkeeper in Medway. His tavern was on the site of the later Dr. Emerson place on the Flat in Medway, located about where the present No. 54 Village Street dwelling stands.

Mr. Clark enjoyed a good patronage, for his place was the only one between Medfield and Mendon.

His inn was torn down around 1800 by his great-grandson Clark Walker, where Mr. Walker built the "fine mansion" that burned in 1904, when the Emerson dwelling was built.

Timothy Clark was also called "Captain" in the records, was a Constable of Medfield in 1711, and was Selectman in 1719 in Medway.

In 1721, he brought the first tea set into Medway.

At his death in 1725, he was a wealthy man for his day, and owned many tracts of land in Medway, and land on that part of Wrentham later Franklin across the Charles River.

Captain Timothy was twice married - first in 1700 to Elizabeth Pratt who died in 1702, and second to Sarah Metcalf who outlived him, dying in 1762.

He is buried in the old cemetery on Bare Hill in Millis.

Children:

1703

In this year, Benjamin Clark of Medfield deeded to his son Edward one-half of his quarter of a grist mill on the Charles River.

This proves that the mill, on the site of the later Sanford Mill, was in operation at this early time.

In 1706, Deacon John Whiting of Wrentham paid 48 pounds for this mill with land on both sides of the river in Medfield and Wrentham.

The grantors were Benjamin and Edward Clark, one quarter; Joseph Metcalf, one quarter; Isaac Wheeler, one quarter, and Eleazer Ellis, one quarter.

With the exception of Edward Clark, these men, all of Medfield, were the builders of the grist mill. None of them ever lived in Medway.

The property was described as "All our rights, title, and interest in a grist mill and lands appertaining, with the irons, stones, dam, housing, and implements in and about the mill. Said mill standing upon Charles River in Medfield and upstream said River from a place commonly known as 'The Bent of the River.'"

The Flat in Medway at the bottom of Village Hill was always called "The Bent."

From this came the "Bent Bridge" at Walker Street, and "Bent Street" in the Populatic Lake section known as "Latic."

Soon after Deacon Whiting bought this property, the later site of the Sanford Mills, he put his son Nathaniel in charge.

The Deacon was born in Wrentham in 1690, and in 1710, he married Margaret Mann, daughter of Rev. Samuel Mann of Wrentham. He then built a dwelling east of the mill that burned in 1811.

The Whitings were a race of millers - Nathaniel-1 in Dedham, John-2 in Wrentham, and Nathaniel-3 in Medway New Grant.

Deacon Whiting was a Captain, and served in the French and Indian Wars. He was Selectman for several years, and was a prime mover in the establishment of the new precinct of 1749.

He was an original member and Ruling Elder in the Second Church, owned several slaves, amassed a comfortable fortune for his day, and settled his two sons in mills of their own.

The Deacon died in in 1779 aged 88, and is buried in the old cemetery in West Medway.

His wife died in 1775 aged 84.

Children:

Captain Whiting acquired the west part of Lot No. 1 granted Ralph Wheelock, and much of John Metcalf's Lot No. 2. He also owned parcels across the river in Wrentham.

1708

Malachi-3 (Benjamin-2, Robert-1) Bullard, born in Sherborn in 1656, acquired Lot No. 37, East Section, granted to Thomas Wight, Sr., through his wife Bethiah Wight of Medfield. Malachi married Bethiah in 1708.

In 1721, Hopestill Leland of Sherborn sold the south half of Lot No. 36 to his heirs for 25 pounds. This gave him a lot and a half containing 241 acres. A part of this land continued in the Bullard family as a farm until 1885.

When Malachi Bullard settled here, he had no neighbors within a distance of a mile or more.

Coffee Street, called in 1735 "The way to the Meeting House" went along the south border of his farm.

He served as Selectman three years.

He died in 1726, aged only 40 years, and when his sons became of age, his large farm was divided.

His widow outlived him by thirty years, dying in 1756.

Children:

Note: Coffee Street, part of the old "Way to the Meeting House" crossed what is now Main Street and Oakland Street, and went up to Stoney Plain by a now-abandoned Cedar Street. It intersected the present Farm Street in Millis at the original Putnam Clark place, now gone.

This accounts for the sharp turn of Farm Street on Stoney Plain; this was where Farm Street intersected Cedar Street.

1709

Benoni-3 (John-2, John-1) Partridge, born in Medfield in 1687, married in 1709, Mehitable Wheelock, also of Medfield. Mehitable was a sister of Henry Garnsey's first wife.

Benoni settled on land bought by his father from Elizabeth Shrimpton in 1708 at the corner of Winthrop and Partridge Streets.

This tract of land owned by Seth Partridge and Daniel Adams contained about 400 acres. It was bounded south by the Jonathan Adams lot No. 20, and Joseph Clark's lot No. 24 on the north. Thus it was three lots - 21, 22, and 23 in extent, containing 196 acres.

In 1672, Robert Hinsdell of Medfield conveyed by deed to Samuel Shrimpton, husband of Elizabeth, four lots in the New Grant. These were the three above mentioned, and his own Lot No. 25, north of Joseph Clark's, containing 157 acres.

No deed from Mrs. Shrimpton has been found for this Hinsdell lot, and it must be presumed that after Messrs. Partridge and Adams discovered the size of their holding in her deeded three lots, they claimed the other also.

As Joseph Barber had acquired the whole of the Clark lot No. 24, their holdings were expanded.

Some arrangement must have been effected by these three men without any deeds being recorded, for they used and deeded the south half of the Clark lot No. 24, of 80 acres in extent, while Joseph Barber settled his sons on the Hinsdell lot No. 25 north of him.

Benoni Partridge's father deeded him the lot his house stood on some five years after he settled here. His original dwelling was almost due south from Daniel Adams near the Pine Hill Road (Winthrop Street) laid out many years later.

His place ran up to the Barber line, taking in about one third of the south half of Lot No.24 - the middle third.

While Benoni was a man of standing in the settlement, he held no town office.

He died in 1769, his wife died in 1761.

His farm was divided between his sons Timothy and Moses, while his son Preserved settled over the line in Holliston.

One of his nine sons - Thomas - born in 1711, cannot be traced, and probably died young.

Benoni's land holdings were not as long as those of his neighbors, but his family was a prosperous one.

Children:

1710

Daniel-4 (John-3, Edward-2, Henry-1) Adams, born in 1686 at the home place on "the Neck" in the Old Grant, settled on the west part of the three lots in the West Section, bought by himself and John Partridge of Madam Shrimpton four years previous.

He built a rude hovel to live in while he cleared the land, situated in the southwest corner of the present intersection of Lovering and Winthrop Streets, on the west bank of Chicken Brook. All traces of his dwelling, still visible in the 1930's, have been obliterated.

He went to his nearest neighbor, Malachi Bullard for his weekly bread supply each Saturday.

Some time before 1713, he married Sarah Sanford, daughter of Deacon Thomas Sanford of Mendon.

When Lovering Street was laid out in 1738, it passed along the entire length of the north boundary of his lot.

Daniel Adams held no town office, but was an industrious and worthy citizen of his town. There are indications that for many years, he cultivated an apple orchard on his farm, the first in this area.

He and his wife both died in 1772, and are buried in the old ground in West Medway.

The farm was divided between sons Thomas and Moses after Daniel's death.

Children:

1711

Joseph Curtis of Sudbury, a brother of Mrs. Curtis Abigail Goulding of Sherborn, and a probable son of Ephraim Curtis of Sudbury, married Hannah Fairbanks, grandaughter of the first settler on Medway soil.

In 1711, he bought Lot No. 46, East Section, granted to Peter Adams, of John Partridge Jr., and Ann Partridge, grandchildren.

This lot was on the north east of the Grant, and contained 101 acres. It descended from father to son and was owned by the family for nearly two centuries, and in late years was known as the Ham Claflin place.

His dwelling, now gone, stood on the crest of a knoll just southerly of the intersection of Hill and Holliston Streets. The present dwelling on the site of the old, was built by "Old Joe" Curtis, Joseph Curtis' son, shortly before he died in 1791.

In 1856, the acreage was intact, and was taxed on 100 acres by Medway.

Mr. Curtis's wife died in 1738, and he married second, around 1741, Mary Bullen of Medfield.

Joseph Curtis died in 1754, and his widow died in 1779 aged 81.

Children:

1713

Eleazer-4 (John-3, Edward-2, Henry-1) Adams, born in the Old Grant in 1687, a brother of Daniel, settled near his brother in the northern "Mucksquit" section of Medway.

He owned the southwest part of Lot No. 24 at one time, along with considerable acreage south of his brother's farm.

No records of the deeds to his lands exist, so their position and extent can only be determined from their disposition. His dwelling was to the southwest of his brother Daniels' place, and closer to the then west section westerly boundary. The cellar hole of his dwelling was also visible through the late 1920's on the Jonathan Adams Lot No.20.

He was twice married, but there is no record of the name of either wife, excepting that the first wife was a Margaret who died in 1769, and his second wife's first name was Lucy.

Eleazer Adams was a prosperous citizen, served as Selectman for eight years, and was a soldier in the French and Indian Wars. He too cultivated fruit trees, producing pears and apples.

He was a Baptist, and was probably the first such in the New Grant. In 1759, he was arrested and taken from his home and imprisoned for refusing to pay his ministerial tax to the Second Church in Medway.

He was described in the writ as "an ancient man, a substantial freeholder in Medway, a constant attendant for several years past at the Baptist Meeting in Bellingham."

He died in 1775, aged 88.

His sons John and Eleazer inherited the home place.

Children:

1715

Abraham-4 (Abraham-3, Abraham-2, John-1) Harding, born in 1691 in the first framed house on the west side of the river, at Village and Main Streets in Millis, was in 1715 deeded about 70 acres of land near Populatic Pond in the Old Grant.

This was in part the later James Sherry farm on the Flat, now the area about No. 27 Village Street.

The place was owned by his descendants until his grandson Seth Harding drowned in Populatic Pond in 1826.

In 1715, Abraham Harding married Mrs. Elizabeth Garnsey.

Two of his sons settled in the New Grant.

With his nearest neighbor Timothy Clark, Abraham also owned a large parcel of the land near Populatic Pond in Wrentham, later Franklin.

The ell to the present house was the orignal dwelling, and the larger house was built by Abraham Harding's son Abraham around 1755.

The first school kept in the present town of Medway was at Abraham Harding's house. In 1718, ten shillings were voted for a school "to be kept at the Bent of the River." In the same year, nine shillings and eight pence were voted to be paid to Ruth Harding, wife of Abraham, for keeping the school.

Mr. Harding was Selectman in 1728, and died in 1768.

Children:

1715

Obidiah-4 (John-3, Edward-2, Henry-1) Adams, born in Medfield in 1689, settled on Lot No. 17, West Section granted his grandfather Edward.

His dwelling was on the north side of what is now Adams Street, about half-way between Winthrop and Summer Streets, and the place was owned by his descendants for over a century and a half.

It was later known as the Groehl place, and only some lilacs and a cellar hole now remain to mark the site.

In 1716, he married Christian Sanford of Mendon, sister of his brother Daniel's wife Sarah.

Three of his sons settled in other towns, and his farm was divided between his sons Nathan and Stephen.

He died in 1765, his widow in 1777.

Children:

1717

Jonathan-3 (John-2, John-1) Partridge, born 1693 in Medfield, brother of Benoni, bought Lot No. 35, East Section, and the south half of Lot No. 36.

Jonathan was the son of John Partridge, first schoolmaster in the Old Grant. The site of his farm was that of the later Blake and Pelletier places at the southeast corner of Holliston and Coffee Streets.

His land was bounded on the north by Malachi Bullard.

The continuation of Coffee Steet and the east portion of Lovering Street laid out in 1737 was on his north line. The records show that Jonathan Partridge gave his part of the road one rod wide, but Malachi and Elisha Bullard demanded 45 shillings for their portion.

Jonathan married first, in 1717, Elizabeth Learned of Framingham, who died in 1738. He married second, in 1739, Ann Phipps. Ann died in 1749, and Jonathan married his third wife, Abigail Lovit of Sherborn, said to be of Medway.

Jonathan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Boston. In 1747, he sold the east part of his 160-acre farm to his brother James and removed to Sherborn.

In 1752, he moved to Barre, Mass., where he died around 1758.

Of his children, 13 were born in Medway, 5 in sherborn, and 2 in Barre.

Children:

1718

James-3 (John-2, John-1) Clark, was born 1687 at the "Brick Yard Farm" in the Old grant (near the later Herter residence on Causeway Street in Millis).

In 1718, he settled in the Mucksquit section of North Medway on the 100 acres bought by himself and the father of John Partridge in 1708 of Elizabeth Plimpton - the east part of Lots 21, 22, 23 and 24, in the West Section.

His farm was bounded on the north by Joseph Barber, who owned the north half of the Joseph Clark lot, west by David and Eleazer Adams, and east by "the Pond Road" (Pond Street). Later, his land went as far south as as Nathaniel Partridge's Lot No. 19.

He married Mary Fisher, daughter of Jonathan of the Old Grant.

James Clark served in the French and Indian Wars.

Before he died in 1768, he divided his farm between his two sons, James receiving the west portion, and Asa the east half.

Children:

Note: James Clark willed his lands in Holliston to son James, and those in Medway to son Asa. He owned two of the islands in Winthrop's Pond, of which he apparently made no disposition.

1718

Joseph-3 (Joseph-2, John-1) Ellis, born in Medfield 1691, settled on the River Section of the New Grant in 1718, on Lot No. 10.

This was his grandfather's grant, and was conveyed to him by deed of his father in this year. The farm contained 125 acres.

His dwelling was but a short distance west of Henry Garnsey, the pioneer settler in our territory.

This was an Ellis place until 1783 when it was sold to Jabez Shumway.

The Second Church on Rabbit Hill stands on what was once Ellis land.

In 1719, Joseph Ellis married Thamerson (Thamazin) Adams, daughter of Lt. Jonathan Adams of the Old Grant.

He held no town offices, and died in 1757.

Children:

1718

David-3 (John-2, Samuel-1) Bullen, born in Medfield in 1694 settled on Lot No. 28, West Section, granted to his grandfather Samuel.

In 1725, his mother, Judith Bullen of Medfield deeded him two lots, No. 28 of Samuel Bullen, and Lot No. 29 of Abiel Wight, 174 acres in both.

He married first, in 1718, Abigail Dana, who died in 1736, and married second, in 1737, Abigail Corning. It cannot be determined if Abigail Corning was a widow or daughter of Samuel Corning.

In 1738, he headed the petition to have Lovering Street laid out to accomdate the dwellers of the Mucksquit Section of North Medway.

Children:

1718

Ebenezer-3 (Nathaniel-2, James-1) Allen, born in Medfield in 1694 was this year deeded Lot No. 11, River Section, granted to James Allen, his grandfather.

In 1719, he married Mary Hill, daughter of a near neighbor across the line in Sherborn.

There is no deed or record to show that he purchased Lot No. 12, granted to Joseph Thurston, half a mile long, and containing only 15 acres, but it belonged to his farm from the beginning.

His dwelling was on the Old Mendon Road very close to the Bellingham line, probably between Village and Main Streets. This place continued in the Allen family until after 1820.

Ebenezer served in the French and Indian Wars, died in 1778, and was buried in one of the two tombs in the old graveyard in West Medway, of which no trace now remains.

His widow Mary died in 1785.

Children:

1718

Samuel-4 (Joseph-3, Joseph-2, Robert-1) Daniels, born 1693 at the "upper mill place" on Boggastowe Brook, married this year Experience Adams, daughter of Deacon Peter Adams.

He was deeded Lot 27, West Section, 85 acres, in 1739, by Samuel Hill, originally granted to Nicholas Rockwood. Hill was great grandson of Rockwood, and the land was set off to his mother.

Daniels built and operated two sawmills on Chicken Brook - a large one northerly of the intersection of Winthrop and Maple Street on Kirby's Pond, and a smaller slabbing mill at the bend of the brook westerly of the present 19 Winthrop Street residence.

Most of the lumber used in building the New Grant Meeting House of 1749 was sawed in these two mills.

Samuel Daniels served in the French and Indian Wars, as did four of his sons.

His wife Experience died in 1731, and Samuel married second Sarah Phipps of Wrentham.

Samuel died in 1781, and his son Nathan settled in the "Latic" (Populatic) section, and founded one of the Franklin branches of the family.

Children:

1720

Benjamin-4 (John-3, Nicholas-2, Robert-1) Rockwood, born in 1697 in the Old Grant on the later Oak Grove Farm in Holliston, settled this year on Lot No.5, River Section, granted to the Widow Margaret Sheppard.

Eleazer Ellis of Medfield deeded the lot to him.

Twelve years later, he bought 21 acres more adjoining the east edge of his farm, north of the Mendon Road.

In 1723, he married Rachel Morse.

He was on the Committee of Four that handled the petition for the Second Precinct in 1749.

He served in the French and Indian Wars.

In 1762, Benjamin sold his tract of 72 acres to Rev. Daniel Pond and moved to Grafton, Mass., where he died.

Some of the subsequent owners included Reuben Hixon and Levi and Otis Fairbanks, and the Lackey family at the present 260 Village Street.

Children:

1724

George Deming (or Denning) settled during this year in the Mucksquit section of North Medway.

He was a prominent man in town and precinct, Selectman for four years, and was active in the organization of the Second Church and its councils.

He bought and sold many parcels of land in the New Grant, and in 1749, his property tax was exceeded by only twelve other owners here, yet the least is known of him of any pioneers in the New Grant.

In 1724, he bought 30 acres in the New Grant south of Joseph Curtis; in 1735, he bought 32 acres south of Joseph Barber, and in 1741, he sold land to John Hucker.

There is no record in Medway of his parentage, marriage, death or family, although there are two references in Holliston records.

It is a matter of record, however, that after the formation of the Second Church, in which he was instrumental, and before the ordination of its first minister, Rev. David Thurston, he read the Psalms on the Sabbath Day at the new meeting house.

After the pulpit was filled, his interest evidently waned, for in 1757 he was taken in hand for absenting himself from Communion.

In the old deeds, he is described as "of Holliston," but in most documents, "of Medway."

He owned acreage in Lots 26, 27, 28 and 29 at different times.

A deed of 1750 puts his dwelling place on the Rockwood Lot No. 27. Samuel Daniels deeded him land here in 1738. His house was probably near that of Dr. Wight on Winthrop Street.

Holliston records contain only two items possibly concerned with George Deming or Denning; one gives a marriage of George Dening to Margarett White in 1759, and another that Margaret Denning, widow, 67, died in 1791, possibly George's second wife. Margaret's name also appears on one deed.

1725

Eleazer-4 (Ebenezer-3, John-2, John-1) Thompson, born in the Old Grant in the dwelling near Stoney Plain in 1701, settled in this year on the east portion of Lot No. 13, West Section granted Widow Hannah Boyden and heirs of Joseph Morse.

His deeds were not recorded, so it is impossible to trace his ownership of properties.

His holdings were bounded on the west by David Daniels.

The site of his dwelling was later the location of the Ollendorff mansion on Drybridge Hill. The Ollendorff house has been relocated diagonally southeast of its former location, across the Turnpike Road, now Main Street, and stands in the southwest corner of Main and Elm Streets.

A new "contemporary"(?) house now stands on the Ollendorff site, completely out of keeping with traditional Main Street architecture.

Eleazer Thompson married Hannah Daniels in 1725, who died in 1750. The same year, he married Sarah Wight.

Eleazer died in 1754, and his son Moses inherited the farm.

When the 1749 Meeting House was built, Eleazer Thompson supervised the men who hewed the oak beams and sills.

Children:

1725

Henry-5 (Joseph-4, Joseph-3, Joseph-2, Samuel-1) Morse, born in Sherborn in 1703, married this year Sarah Kebbe (Kibbe).

He settled on the east part of Lot No. 30, West Section, granted John Frairy, Jr., but no deed record has been found for this ownership.

The later Wennekeening farm owned by the Cutler family off Winthrop Street at the Holliston town line was later located here, with the magnificent Morse-Cutler house, now gone, and a development is now located there. In 1727, Henry Morse took his first born son in his arms and walked to the meeting house on Bare Hill in the Old Grant to have him baptized.

His farm did not come within the bounds of the West Precinct of Medway, so his affiliations were mostly with Holliston.

As Abner Morse said, "The Morses considered themselves as belonging to Holliston, and attended meeting there until Rev. Mr. Sanford outpreached the aging Mr. Prentiss."

Henry served in the French and Indian War, and was a Selectman in 1746.

Lands in the west portion of the lot were sold by other parties at various times.

Henry Morse died in 1766, and his wife died in 1762, recorded in Medway.

Children:

1726

Joseph -3 (Zachariah-2, George-1) Barber, born in 1685 in a house on the present Bridge Street in Medfield, east of the "Great Bridge," acquired the whole of Lot No. 24, West Section, granted to Joseph Clark.

In 1709, Solomon Clark of Medfield deeded him 87 acres, in 1720, Samuel Clark of Medfield 37 acres, and in 1721, Theophilus and Timothy Clark of Medway deeded him 44 acres.

These deeds conveyed more acres than the original grant was supposed to contain.

Joseph Barber never occupied more than the north half, and that lot, a mile long, continued in the Barber family for 150 years.

Without any deeds, he gave his sons lands on Lot No. 25, north of his own holdings.

The south half of this lot was conveyed by John Partridge and Eleazer Adams, and was very likely taken in exchange with him for the Hinsdell Lot No. 25.

Joseph's dwelling was at the end of what is now Ward's Lane, a way called Barber's Lane in his day.

In 1726, he married Abigail Hawes of Medfield.

In 1762, he deeded his home farm to his son Joseph, reserving the east end of his dwelling to the chimney, during his lifetime, for his own use.

Children:

Edward Kibbe, a probable son of Joshua of Sherborn, married in 1724, Abigail Morse of Sherborn.

In 1726, he, with his brother Joshua, bought land in the Frairy lots.

His dwelling was situated a little south of the railroad station at Metcalf's in Holliston.

He ran a sawmill on Chicken Brook with his brother.

His wife, listed as Abia, died in 1793 at the age of 84, and is buried in Holliston.

He sold out his holdings to Benjamin Jones who was living on the place in 1750.

Children:

1727

Nathaniel-3 (Nathaniel-2, Nathaniel-1) Cutler, born in Reading, Mass., 1702, came to the New Grant in 1718, the year his mother Elizabeth married Lt. Theophilus Clark. His brothers John and Jonathan accompanied him.

In 1727, he married Elizabeth Smith of Medfield, and settled on Lot No. 14, West Section, granted to Henry Smith, his wife's grandfather, from whom he purchased the land.

Between 1728 and 1740, he was deeded 138 acres of the 158 contained in this lot.

Nathaniel was a tanner by trade, and his dwelling, tannin bark house and tannery was on Chicken Brook at the old Cutler place, now gone, that stood at the southwest corner of Adams and Winthrop Streets.

When Pine Hill Road - now Winthrop Street - was laid out in 1751, it was bounded from the brook by Nathaniel Cutler's bark house.

Mr. Cutler was active in the start of the West Precinct, and was an original member of the Second Church and parish.

He was a Deacon of the Church, and boarded the workmen who finished the new meeting house, and precinct meetings were held in his house. which was located in a field about 200 feet easterly of the present intersection of Winthrop and Maple Streets.

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Jacob Ide commenced housekeeping in the old house when Dr. Ide became Pastor of the Second Church in 1814. At this time, when the Second Church was being built, Sabbath services were held in the old house.

The old dwelling, built before 1730 and long unused, burned to the ground in a fire in 1914, the work of vandals.

Nathaniel served in the French and Indian War, and died in 1759.

His widow died in 1785.

Children:

1727

Eleazer-4 (Eleazer-3, Thomas-2, Thomas-1) Wight, born in Medfield in 1701, was deeded in 1727, by his father, Lot No. 6, River Section, granted to Thomas Wight, Sr.

The terms for the deed to Eleazer from his father were "love and affection."

His wife's name was Mary, but his marriage is not recorded.

Eleazer served in the French and Indian War, was a petitioner for the new prexcinct, and died in 1754.

His farm descended to his son James.

Children:

1727

John Adams deeded to William Richardson 69 acres for the price of 220 pounds, a not inconsiderable sum for the time.

The land was bounded north by Eleazer Bullard, south by Samuel Hamant, east and west by land left for highways, a lot formerly granted "to my honored grandfather."

Possibly John Partridge Lot No. 40, East Section.

1728

Ephraim-3( Nathaniel-2, William-1) Partridge, born in Medfield in 1702, was the only descendant of William Partridge to settle in Medway.

He married Lydia Partridge in 1727-8, daughter of Abraham Harding of the Old Grant.

Ephraim came into possession of Lot No. 19, West Section, granted to William Partridge, his grandfather. His dwelling stood on the site of the Eliakim Ross place, now No. 63 Lovering Street, about opposite the former almshouse.

He added to his farm of 61 acres, and passed it on to his only surviving son Nathaniel.

Ephraim was an original member of the Second Church, located on Rabbit Hill.

He died in 1770, his widow in 1773.

Children:

1728

Lt (Leftenant) Timothy-4 (Timothy-3, Benjamin-2, Joseph-1) Clark, born in the old tavern stand on the Flat in 1706, was this year married to Elizabeth Harding of Medfield.

She died the year following, and he married second, in 1730, Abigail Bullard, daughter of John Bullard of Sherborn.

Abigail died in 1738, and Timothy married for his third wife, Margaret Whiting.

Timothy received all of his father's estate by paying stipulated sums to his brothers and sisters.

During his life, he added much to his holdings. He owned a number of slaves, two appearing in his inventory. He was Selectman several times, and the first town meeting held in what is now Medway was held in his tavern.

He saw service in the French and Indian War.

At one time, he owned most of the Theophilus Clark land in the Wheelock lot in the New Grant.

He died in 1761, and his widow died in 1798.

His inventory gives an interesting account of the furnishing of an inn of two centuries ago.

Children:

1729

Samuel-4 (John-3, Nicholas-2, Richard-1) Rockwood, a brother of Benjamin, was born in 1695.

In 1729, settled on Lot No. 47 granted to Sergt. George Barber, deeded to him by his father John.

His farm contained 160 acres, all of the George Barber lot, and he had 12 additional acres in the Old Grant.

In 1743, he sold for 140 old, or 35 pounds new tenor, his lands in the Old Grant.

His land was in Holliston after the exchange of lands in 1829.

He married Mary White of Mendon.

Samuel served in the French and Indian Wars and died in 1754.

Children:

1729

Nathaniel-3 (Nathaniel-2, Joseph-1) Clark, born in Medfield in 1705, settled in North Medway, in the Mucksquit Section on a part of Lot No. 24, West Section, granted in 1659 to Joseph Clark, and sold in three parcels to Joseph Barber.

In 1728, he was deeded by Eleazer Adams a lot bounded on the north by Joseph Barber, east by Benoni Partridge, south by a way, and on the west by the Holliston town line - now along our Summer Street.

His dwelling stood north of Daniel Adams on the west side of Chicken Brook.

In 1729, Nathaniel married Judith Mason of Dover Parish, Dedham, who died in 1731.

He married second, in 1734, Esther Jones.

He was Chairman of the committee that built the new meeting house in 1749, was a Selectman several years, and an original member of the Second Church.

Nathaniel served in the French and Indian War, died in 1780, and his wife died in 1770.

Children:

Note: There appears to be an error in the dates of Silence Clark, birth and death shown in 1733. Nathaniel's first wife, Judith, died August 4, 1731; Nathaniel married Esther Jones January 31, 1734. Silence was born, according to Medway VR, October 17, 1733, and died December 4, 1733, a period during which Nathaniel was not married.

1730

Jonathan-4 (Nathaniel-3, Nathaniel-2, John-1) Cutler, born in Reading, Mass., 1717, came to Medway in 1718, when his mother, the Widow Abigail married Theophilus Clark.

He worked with his stepfather in the Bent Sawmill, and in 1733, married Abigail Clark, daughter of Lt. Theophilus.

In 1730, William Sheffield deeded Jonathan 95 acres of land, one acre being in Holliston directly across the northwest bound of the New Grant, and the remainder in Lot No. 31, West Section, granted to Rev. John Wilson.

He built his house in Holliston, and put up a sawmill in Medway on Chicken Brook.

His farm, which was all in Medway, was divided at the time of his death. He deeded 50 acres with the sawmill to son Jonathan, Jr., bounded north and west by John Goulding, east by his own land, and south by Edward Kibbe.

In 1761, he deeded 80 acres to Simeon Cutler, bounded north by John Goulding, south by "said Cutler's land," east by Timothy Partridge and Ezekiel Morse, and west by land of Jonathan Cutler Jr. This was afterward owned and used for a nursery by his grandson, Simeon Morse Cutler.

Both tracts were in Medway New Grant.

He was a leading citizen in Holliston, and gathered a fine estate for his day.

He died in 1762, and his widow married Deacon Thomas Marshall, and she died in 1794.

Children:

1731

Timothy-4 (Samuel-3, Thomas-2, John-1) Ellis, born in Medfield in 1704, was a shoemaker.

He married Hannah Stevens in 1731, and settled on Lot No. 42, East Section, granted to his grandfather Thomas.

This place on Ellis Street, still stands, and although much changed, still retains the flavor of its early establishment.

An unconfirmed story says that the original small Ellis dwelling was raised, and the present house was built under it around 1760.

His trust of 77 acres was deeded to him by his brother Samuel in 1725, several years before he settled upon it.

He died at a young age in 1736, and his widow married William Richardson of the Old Grant in 1739. Richardson managed the farm until the only son Timothy became of age.

Children:

1731

David Wheaton, son of Bejamin of Mendon, Mass., was born in 1706.

He married Susannah Fisher in 1736, and settled in Mucksquit west of Henry Morse.

Rev. Abner Morse says that Wheaton settled first on the east part of the Wilson lot, then built on the Bullen lot on 25 acres bought in 1741 from Benjamin Jones. He then built on the southwest corner of the Rockwood lot. This latter place was sold to Jeremiah Littlefield in 1767, and later, to Joseph Brick.

The place is shown on the 1852 Medway map on Hill Street. During his life here, he built three houses near Winthrop's Pond.

He was a stone mason, and built many walls, wells and foundations in the area.

In his old age, he became a fortune teller, and foretold many events with remnarkable accuracy.

After his first wife died in 1750, he married the same year, Sarah Maxfield.

He served in the French and Indian War, and died in 1793.

Some of his children were recorded in Medway, some in Holliston, and some in both towns.

Children:

Note: M. M. Fisher, in one of his newspaper articles, stated that Hannah Wheaton was a poetess of some note, and died a pauper in Medway.

1731

David-4 (Joseph-3, Joseph-2, Robert-1) Daniels, born in 1699 in the Old Grant, married this year, Magdalen (Bullard?) of Medfield.

He located on Chicken Brook in the New Grant on the west part of Lot No. 13, West Section, granted to Mrs. Hannah Boyden and heirs of Joseph Morse.

No deeds are on record either to or from him.

He was a miller like his father and brothers, and his grist mill was located on Chicken Brook near the present entrance to the West Medway Park, about where the dam and spillway are now. This was on the extreme southern edge of his land.

His dwelling stood on Oak Street at the head of Mechanic Street, about where the Fairbairn house stands.

Around 1747, he sold out to Nathan Whiting, son of Capt. Nathaniel, and moved to Wrentham West Precinct, locating on Mine Brook near Unionville, in the present Forge Park area.

He started a branch of the Daniels family in Franklin.

Children:

1731

Malachi Jr.-4 (Malachi-3, Benjamin-2, Robert-1) Bullard, born in the New Grant in 1710, became of age this year, and married Rachel Hill, daughter of Samuel Hill of the Old Grant.

The next year, his mother deeded him 110 acres in two parcels, the north part given to him, and his brother Elisha was given the south portion.

He served as Selectman four yerars, and served in the French and Indian War.

He died in 1772, his wife in 1771.

Child:

1731

Joshua Kibbe (or Kibby), brother of Edward, married this year Abigail Dowse.

With his brother Edward, Joshua settled on the Abial Wight grant, Lot No. 29, West Section, west of the Frairy lot.

Joshua was dumb, but not deaf, and talked with his hands. He was a skilled sawyer and worker in his brother's sawmill.

He had no children, and at his death in 1754, his property was divided between his wife and brothers, with the bulk of it going to his nephew Isaac, whose son Isaac sold land for Metcalf Station to the Boston & Albany RR.

Joshua Kibbe left no issue.

1732

In this year, Samuel Corning and his wife were living in the Mucksquit section of North Medway, near Winthrop's Pond.

Little is known of their origin or family, but in 1754, Mary Adams, weaver, sold all of her land, 30 acres, to Timothy and Moses Partridge. The parcel was bounded south by Henry Morse, north by the Holliston line, west by Jonathan Cutler, and east by Winthrop's Pond.

The land is noted as "land that Samuel Corning lived on."

Child:

1733

Samuel-3 (Henry-2, Henry-1) Garnsey, born on the first settled farm in the New Grant around 1720 settled across Chicken Brook to the west of his father Henry.

He married Mary ---, and his dwelling stood near the present "corner," at the intersection of High, Lincoln and Village Streets.

He was a petitioner for the new precinct.

His death is not recorded, but in 1769, a Mrs. Mary Garnsey married James Pond.

In 1790, the first U S Census placed the Widow Mary Pond on this place.

Children:

No further record.

1736

Elisha-4 (Malachi-3, Benjamin-2, Robert-1) Bullard, born in 1714 on the home farm at Ellis Street, married Bathsheba Fisher in 1736.

Bathsheba was the daughter of Samuel Fisher who lived on the hill across the river from the Bent mill.

In the division of his father's property, he had the south part. His dwelling was was on the site later owned by Henry Johnson.

Elisha was a carpenter and did considerable work on the new meeting house.

About 1760, he sold his farm to Samuel Hayward and moved to the West Precinct in Wrentham, now Franklin.

Children:

1739

William-4 Daniel-3, John-2, John-1) Richardson, born in the Old Grant in 1711 married this year Hannah, widow of Timothy Ellis.

He lived on the Ellis farm until Timothy Jr. came of age, then built to the west on Lots 40 and 41.

In 1820, this farm contained 120 acres.

(See also 1727 for other land acquisitions).

William's wife died in 1756, and he married second, in 1759, Abigail Curtis, daughter of his nearest neighbor to the north.

His place was for many years known as the George Newell farm on Holliston Street.

He served in the French and Indian War and died in 1794.

Children:

1740

John Hucker, son of Henry, was born in Medfield in 1713, and in 1740, married Martha Partridge, daughter of Jonathan of Coffee Street.

John Hucker settled in the Mucksquit section of North Medway, and at various times owned many pieces of land in that area.

He evidently settled on the west part of Lot No. 26, West Section, granted to John Fisher, and bought several acres near his house which was located near the Dr. Aaron Wight place, now 116 Winthrop Street.

In 1750, he bought Samuel Daniels's place on Lot No. 27. His home was at the west of his holdings on the present Lovering Street.

Mr. Hucker was very active in in the Second Church and Precinct, and was the carpenter who framed the meeting house.

He served in the French and Indian War, and around 1760 moved to Medfield, and later settled in Rutland, Mass.

Children:

1740

Samuel-5 (Samuel-4, John-3, John-2, Joshua-1) Fisher, born in "Latic" across from the Bent Mill in 1709, settled in the New Grant this year.

He bought Lot No. 32 from Nathaniel Cutler, and inherited Lot No. 33 in the East Section from his grandfather, giving him a farm of 144 acres.

He added 10 acres to this bought from a George Adams in the Albee Lot No. 34.

His land included such sites as the Medway Junior-Senior High School on Holliston Street, the dwelling opposite - the later Westkage place - and Kenney Drive.

In 1740, Samuel married Ruth Wight, daughter of Ephraim of Medfield.

He served in the French and Indian War, was a Selectman several years, was a Deacon in the Second Church, and was one of those disaffected with Rev. David Sanford in 1773.

In 1749, he was the first Highway Surveyor in the New Grant, and his responsibility included "all the ways, and the Mendon Road as far east as Theophilus Clark."

In 1761, he bought all of the east part of the Middle Road - then known as Vine Lane, and now Kelley Street, from the town.

This "way" ran from the southwest of his door yard to the Old Grant line back of Oakland Cemetery, a strip two rods wide, connecting with Broad Street Extension, north of the railroad.

The westerly part of this ancient way ran from Vine Lane to Evergreen Street, and across the turnpike to Oak Street, and on to Highland Street, as mentioned before.

Although an old man, he saw service in the Revolutionary War.

History and tradition speak highly of him as a man and citizen.

No record of his death has been found.

Children:

1740

Seth-4 (Benoni-3, John-2, John-1) Partridge, born in 1711 on the home place near Chicken Brook, married in 1740, Ruth Bullen.

He located on 48 acres in the west part of the Bullen Lot No. 28, West Section.

Henry Morse was his near neighbor to the north, and at one time, Daniel Wheaton on the west.

He was a blacksmith, and his shop was located at "Moon's Corner" at Winthrop and Hill Streets. At least three other blacksmiths located there, and a shop was still there as late as 1852.

Seth Partridge served in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars.

He had no children, and at his death in 1786, he left his place to an adopted daughter Anne who became the wife of Lt. Jonathan Holbrook.

1740

Theophilus-4 (Timothy-3, Benjamin-2, Joseph-1) Clark, born at Timothy Clark's Ordinary in 1716, married this year Experience Wheeler.

He settled on the estate of his uncle Theophilus on Village Hill, buying 72 of the 110 acres owned by Theophilus.

He also operated the Bent Sawmill, and some of the boards used in building the 1749 meeting house came from his mill.

He owned land south of the Old Mendon Road (Village Street) from the LeFavor estate (the Village postoffice corner of today) to Walker Street.

The Bent Bridge and road of 1735 went through this trust.

Theophilus was a member of the First Church in the Old Grant (East Medway), signed the petition for the New Precinct, but did not withdraw his membership to join the Second Church.

He served in the French and Indian War, and with his son Jonathan, a lad of 16 years of age, perished in the campaign of 1760 while coming home from Ticonderoga.

His property in Medway was sold to Capt. Josiah Fuller, and afterward, his son Nahum started a farm in Holliston, near Braggville, on land that is now in Medway.

His widow, who some records indicate married a Jones, had a monument to her husband and son put up in the old burying ground.

Ballou's History of Milford gives a good account of Nahum Clark and his numerous descendants.

Children:

1742

James-3 (John-2, John-1) Partridge, born in the Old Grant in 1700, married Kezia Bullard, daughter of Malachi, in 1729.

It is possible that he lived for a few years on the Bullard place, and in 1742, he bought the east half of his brother Jonathan's farm south of the Bullard holdings.

His farm was 160 acres in total.

In later years, a part of this land was occupied by Edward and Mary Blake at the southeast corner of Coffee and Holliston Streets. Their house stood on the site of James Partridge's dwelling, and one of the few large older barns in Medway still stands at the site.

Mr. Partridge served in the French and Indian War.

He died in 1779, and his widow died twenty years later, in 1799.

Children: