History of Medfield, Massachusetts, USA

In November of 1649, Dedham held a town meeting which approved the laying out of an area for
a new town (Medfield). This was accomplished in the early spring of 1650 and corresponds very nearly
with the boundaries of the present town. The thirteen original settlers paid fifty pounds to the
inhabitants of Dedham in compensation for the land.

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Ralph Wheelock, a graduate of Cambridge University, considered the founder of Medfield,
proceeded with Thomas Wright and Robert Hinsdale to the new settlement, which was finally
incorporated as the 43rd town in Massachusetts on June 2, 1651. Eighteen new men were
accepted as townsmen and grants of land made to them in 1651.

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In February of 1676 approximately 1,000 Indians, under the command of Monaco, burned 32 houses, two mills, and many barns. Eight people were killed, including Timothy Dwight, the original owner of the Dwight Derby House on Frairy Street. Two streets serve as reminder of those fateful days- Philip and Metacomet (Philip's real Indian name). After King Philip was killed in August of 1676, the indomitable settlers rebuilt and repaired the damage to their farms and mills, with monetary assistance from the provincial legislature.

The manufacture of straw bonnets first commenced that same year and the manufacture of ladies' hats was the principal industry of the town until 1954. Mansions for the owners were built near the factory on North Street and the seasonal workers lived in boarding houses throughout the town. During the busy season as many as 1,000 were employed at the straw hat shop.

The stage route through Medfield was known as
the Middle Post Road, but the Upper Post Road through Sudbury was preferred by travelers because it provided better taverns. For a period after the discontinuance of the stage coaches, the town had no public transportation until the first passenger train of the New York and Boston Railroad came to town.

Medfield, Massachusetts
Norfolk county. This town is watered by Charles and Stop rivers. It is 17 miles S.S.W. from Boston and 8 S. by W. from Dedham.

During the year ending April 1, 1837, there were manufactured at Medfield, 124,000 straw bonnets, the value of which was $135,000. There are also manufactures of boots, shoes, leather, cutlery, and brushes. Medfield was taken from Dedham, in 1651.

During king Philip's war, in 1675, the town was burnt, and many of the inhabitants murdered by the Narragansets. Philip rode on an elegant horse, and directed the massacre. Population, 1837, 899.

Medfield was originally a part of Dedham, and is supposed to have
been named from rich meadows on the banks of the Charles and its branches.

The greater part of the town was burnt by the Indians under King
Philip, in 1776. One of the houses that escaped is still standing,
and considered a curiosity.

Agriculture is the principal business, but many straw bonnets are made here.

Distance from Dedham, 8 miles ; from Boston, 17.

This is the forty third town in Massachusetts that secured an act of incorporation. It was originally a part of Dedham, and was incorporated as a town in 1650. A church was organized here in 1651, consisting of eight members; Rev. John Wilson, Jr. was installed pastor the same year. Mr. Wilson was born in England, and graduated in the first class in Harvard college. He united in himself the offices of a preacher, physician, and school-master, at the same time. He continued in the pastoral office more than forty years, and died in 1691. After a period of nearly six years, in which thirty two candidates were employed, Joseph Baxter was settled, and sustained the pastoral office more than 48 years. Mr. Baxter commenced his ministerial labors at the age of eighteen, and in consequence of his youth his settlement was delayed almost three years. “He was selected for a missionary during his ministry by Governor Shute. When his excellency had a conference with the Indians at Georgetown, in...