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Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

rom the towns of Woburn, Reading, Malden, and Medford, took place to consider measures for a divisi Mistick bridge was only an act of charity to Medford. That a division was recognized by the severs of Charlestown, Reading, Woburn, Maiden and Medford, according to their wonted manner, until the phen Francis, and Thomas Willis, Selectmen of Medford, appear in Court, to answer for defects in thon the south side of the river to the town of Medford, the southerly half of Mistick bridge and thet Medford Bridge, we being all of the town of Medford in the County of Middlesex and Province of thid place much oftener than the inhabitants of Medford, it being out of our way of marketing, etc. acted over the place called the Wears, between Medford and Charlestown. Nov. 4, 1747, Andrew Hall built in 1856; it is situated in the city of Medford and town of Arlington, and by a vote of the tof Middlesex; it is situated in the cities of Medford and Somerville, and is maintained at the join[49 more...]

his bridge has been several times rebuilt; it assumed its present shape in 1892; its care and maintenance is now a charge to the city of Medford and the town of Arlington. Gravelly bridge. Gravelly bridge is located in Salem street over Gravelly creek, and as the flow of the tide at that point was sufficient to prevent the passage of teams at high water it is more than probable that the first bridge over this creek must have been built in the early days of the settlement of the town. Apribove mentioned were originally built so as to allow fording-places at their sides for the purpose of watering horses and cattle, and they have since been enlarged and extended so as to cover the entire width of the streets. The bridge over Gravelly creek at Riverside avenue was built in 1746, by private parties, for the purpose of making a convenient way to the tide-mill; and by agreement with the owners of the land over which this way was laid the bridge was built of stone. The bridge ove

Bridges in Medford. by John H. Hooper. [Read before The Medford Historical Society.] The bridge at Mistick. THE first bridge across Mistick river was built upon the ___location of the present Cradock bridge, it being the most easterly place, where the land on each side of the river afforded the best means of approaching thereto. The date of its construction is unknown; it was the work of Governor Cradock's agent, and was built of wood, 154 feet 5 inches long, and about 10 feet wide, anMedford Historical Society.] The bridge at Mistick. THE first bridge across Mistick river was built upon the ___location of the present Cradock bridge, it being the most easterly place, where the land on each side of the river afforded the best means of approaching thereto. The date of its construction is unknown; it was the work of Governor Cradock's agent, and was built of wood, 154 feet 5 inches long, and about 10 feet wide, and was raised about 3 feet above marsh level; its approach on the south side of the river over the marsh was by means of a causeway. The town of Charlestown brought a suit against Governor Cradock's agent for obstructing the river with a bridge, to the hindrance of boats, and exacting toll for cattle that passed over the bridge, and appointed a committee to prosecute the suit, and also appointed parties to attend court as witnesses. Charlestown records say that on the 26th of the 10th mon

n both sides of the Mistick river. On the north side Mr. Cradock's men had established themselves, and on the south side Charlestown's territory was being located upon. As these and other settlements in the Colony grew, it must have been early evident that the ford at Mistick, with the water in the river from o to 2 feet deep twice in 24 hours, would be inadequate to the wants of the growing towns, especially as Medford was in the line of travel between the north and south shores of Massachusetts bay. It is entirely within the bounds of possibility to believe that the site of this bridge was selected as early as the year 1631, if not before. The first reference to this bridge in the records of the General Court is in the year 1639: At the General Court held in Boston the 22nd. of the 3rd. month (called May) 1639. Mr. Mathew Cradock is freed of rates to the County by agreement of the Court, for the year ensuing from this day in regard to his charge in building the bridge, a

ridge, and their construction must have given employment to quite a number of mechanics and laboring men, as the demands of commerce from time to time called for a larger class of vessels; so the demands of the parties interested in shipbuilding caused the town to vote to widen the draw in the Great bridge. In 1833 Mr. George Fuller built at his yard above the bridge a ship of 440 tons burden, and was obliged to make changes in the draw in order to allow her a passage down the river. Stone bridge. The town reimbursed Mr. Fuller for his expense, and in 1834 authorized the Selectmen to widen the draw when they should find it necessary to do so. Under this vote the draw was widened, and answered all purposes until 1838, when, in answer to petitions, the town appointed a committee to investigate the subject of widening the draw. In April, 1839, this committee reported in favor of widening the draw 3 feet, and the town accepted their report. In 1845 Mr. Paul Curtis had upon the sto

ral towns and precincts wherein they lay. May 15, 1657, the committee reported in full upon the subject submitted to them, and we quote only such portions of the report as relate to Mistick bridge, as follows: Only those two bridges, viz: at Billerica and Mistick, to be finished at the County's charge, and from time to come maintained by the towns and precincts in which they are. This return of the committee was accepted by the County Court, and the same was presented to the General Court for its approval, which was had on the 18th of the 3d month, 1657. We find from this action of the Court that the two bridges, viz., at Billerica and Mistick, were the only ones to be rebuilt at the expense of the County, the bridge at Mistick being already in progress of construction by a committee previously appointed for that purpose. Under date of June 16, 1657, we find in the records of the County Court the following order: The County Court being informed that the bridge over Mistick r

ore the Court, and the complaint was dismissed. Again in December, 1736, May, 1738, and in May, 1743, the said towns were indicted by the Grand Jury for neglecting to erect a bridge at the wears. The defence of Medford was that the ford was easy and convenient, and that Medford people seldom or never travelled that way. Each time the towns were found not guilty. In 1746 a petition was presented to Governor Shirley and the General Court, by a number of inhabitants of several towns in Middlesex County, asking for a bridge across Mistick river, at the wears. The town of Medford was notified of this petition, and at a meeting held May 19, 1746, a committee was chosen to draw up an answer thereto. At an adjourned meeting held May 25, 1746, the committee reported; the town accepted their report and voted an answer, in accordance with said report, as follows: To His Excellency William Shirley Esq. Captain General and Governor in chief, in and over His Majesties Province of the Massachus

tioned were originally built so as to allow fording-places at their sides for the purpose of watering horses and cattle, and they have since been enlarged and extended so as to cover the entire width of the streets. The bridge over Gravelly creek at Riverside avenue was built in 1746, by private parties, for the purpose of making a convenient way to the tide-mill; and by agreement with the owners of the land over which this way was laid the bridge was built of stone. The bridge over Mystic river, at Harvard avenue, was built in 1856; it is situated in the city of Medford and town of Arlington, and by a vote of the town of Medford in 1857 was named Usher's bridge. The bridge at Winthrop street was built in 1857 and named Winthrop bridge. The decree of the County Commissioners required that it should be built with a draw, or with a movable section so as to allow for the passage of vessels. The bridge at Boston avenue was built in 1873; it is situated in the cities of Medford

e. The Court of General Sessions of the Peace answered this defiance of these towns in the following manner, Jan. 20, 1693-4: Whereas there was an order of the General Court, referring the settlement of Mistick bridge, to the County Court of Middlesex, and said Court ordering the repairs of said bridge to be by the respective towns of Charlestown, Reading, Woburn, Maiden and Medford, according to their wonted manner, until the General Court make further provision, and the defects of said brif the said defects of said bridge, upon pains and penalty of five pounds fine to their Majesties for their respective defaults of each of said towns, and then to make returns of their doings therein to the next General Sessions of the Peace for Middlesex, and that for the future it shall be left to the determination of the law. Jan. 23, 1693-4. The Selectmen of Medford appear in Court and answer that their part of the bridge is in good repair. This prompt order of the Court had its effect

low and poor, and to help those men that had formerly engaged themselves to help repair the same, and now Medford was much increased both in numbers and in estate, and those gentlemen that had formerly engaged themselves as aforesaid, being all dead, now therefore the said inhabitants once more voted, that as by law they were not engaged to help repair Mistick bridge, so that they would do nothing to the same. The town of Woburn also voted to employ counsel for its defence, and the town of Reading voted not to repair Mistick bridge unless compelled to by law. Malden also took similar action. The town of Medford appointed a committee to attend the premises from Court to Court, until there should be a final determination and settlement of Mistick bridge. The Court of General Sessions of the Peace answered this defiance of these towns in the following manner, Jan. 20, 1693-4: Whereas there was an order of the General Court, referring the settlement of Mistick bridge, to the County