blished in Medford was in September, 1797. The first office was on the spot now occupied by the town-house. The postmasters have been as follows:

A post-office was established in West Medford in 1853, and its daily mail is an increasing benefit to a growing village. The first postmaster was James M. Sanford; the second, Thaddeus A. Baldwin; and the third, the present one, is Franklin Patch.

TAVERNS.

For more than a hundred years, all the land travel to Boston from Maine, from the eastern parts of New Hampshire, and the north-eastern parts of Massachusetts, passed through Medford; and its distance from Boston made it a convenient stopping-place for travelling traders. Hence the need of public-houses. No town in the State, of its size, had so many in number, or better in quality; and they were all placed conveniently on the great thoroughfare.

In early times, no one could "keep tavern" without a special license from the court. The form was as follows: "Nathaniel Pierce, of Medford, is permitted to sell liquors unto such sober-minded neighbors as he shall think meet, so as he sell not less than the quantity of a gallon at a time to one person, and not in smaller quantities by retail to the occasioning of drunkenness."

The first tavern of which we have any record was built by Major Jonathan Wade, about 1690, and kept by Nathaniel Pierce. It stood a few rods south of the bridge, on the corner of Main and Short Streets, and, for more than a century, offered its accommodations to the public. It was bought by Colonel Royal, and had on its sign a representation of Admi

ral Vernon. Its owner wished to let it; and his advertisement, dated Dec. 26, 1743, reads thus: "Any persons beforehanded, so as to lay in a good stock of liquors and other necessaries for a tavern, may meet with proper encouragement from Isaac Royal, Esq." Accompanying the above was this notice: "A person has a handsome mourning-coach, with a pair of good horses, to let out to any funeral, at ten shillings, old tenor, each funeral." This house acquired great popularity, especially when kept by Roger Billings, in 1775. It was afterwards kept by Mr. James Tufts and Son. It became a private dwelling about half a century ago, and so continued till its destruction by fire, Nov. 21, 1850.

The "Fountain House," next in order of time, was built as early as 1725; and yet stands, a comfortable residence. Being well placed on the great thoroughfare between Salem and Boston, it had extensive patronage. It aimed to be a little superior to other houses. Its sign represented two men shaking hands, who were called palaverers; and hence the house first wore the name of Palaver Tavern. The two large trees in front had each a platform in its branches; and these platforms were connected with each other and with the house by wooden bridges, and were used much in summer as places of resort for drinking punch and cordials. Tea-parties were sometimes gathered there. It was called Fountain House from having a new sign representing a fountain pouring punch into a large bowl.

The third tavern built in Medford stood on the west side of Main Street, about eight rods south of the bridge, and was the largest in town. It was built by Mr. Benjamin Parker, town-treasurer, as early as 1745, and was sold by him to Hezekiah Blanchard, who added a large dancing-hall to it, and called it "Union Hall." He left it to his son Hezekiah, who continued it a tavern till his death.

The fourth tavern was at the foot of Rock Hill, at the West End, and sometimes called the Rock Hill Tavern. Among its keepers were Messrs. "Usher, Wesson, Frost, and Putnam." It was a favorite resort for teamsters, and gained great popularity.

The new house, built by Mr. Jonathan Porter in the market-place, was opened as a tavern, but did not long continue as such.

The "Medford House," standing on the north-east corner of Main and Spring Streets, and now the only public-house in

the town, was built by Mr. Andrew Blanchard in 1804, and attained great popularity under its first keeper, Mr. Jaquith. It was furnished with four bowling-alleys, which proved too great a temptation to some. At a later period, the house came into the possession of a company of gentlemen, who were resolved to have it kept on temperance principles. This plan proved more moral than profitable; and it passed from the hands of the company to its present Italian owner.

The taverns of olden time were the places of resort for gentlemen; and one consequence was, good suppers and deep drinking. They also performed the office of newspapers. In 1760, Medford passed the following vote: "That their names, posted on the several tavern-doors, shall be a sufficient notice for jurors." Saturday afternoon was the time when men came from all quarters of the town to see and hear all they could at the tavern. For many years, the favorite arena was at Mr. Blanchard's, where politics and theology, trade, barter, and taxes, were all mixed up together over hot flip and strong toddy.

The taverns served also as places for marketing. During most of the winter, they were filled every night with farmers from Vermont and New Hampshire, who had brought their pork, butter, grain, seeds, and poultry to market. Most families supplied themselves through these opportunities, and purchased the best articles at moderate prices.

Landlords could not grow rich very fast on country custom. The travelling farmer brought all his food for himself in a box, and that for his horse in a bag. He therefore paid only twelve cents for his bed, and as much for horse-keeping. It was not uncommon to have six days' expenses amount only to two dollars!

Taverns seemed to subserve all purposes. Auctions, theatricals, legerdemain, caucuses, military drills, balls, and dancing-schools, all came in place at the tavern. Especially sleigh-riding parties found them convenient. Medford was just about far enough from Boston to tempt a party to a ride on a pleasant moonlight evening. Scarcely one such evening passed without witnessing a gathering of young people, who brought with them their "fiddler," or procured our "Greenough;" and who danced from seven to ten, then took a hearty supper, and reached Boston at twelve. New forms of trade and amusement have almost wholly displaced these former customs.

Medford was favored in good tavern-keepers. Journeying in former days, one found queer specimens of humanity among this unique class. Generally, they were only variations of Yankee Doodle. Some landlords were so full of sunshine that it was June all the year round; others had minds so frost-bitten that there was no hope for you, except in the January thaw. Here was one so anxious to oblige that he would spring to throw a lasso round the moon, if you wished it; and there another so cross, that putting a question to him was like squeezing a lemon.

BURYING-GROUNDS.

The places used by the first settlers of Medford for the burial of the dead are not positively known. Whether from unwillingness to follow England's example, in providing expensive and well-secured graveyards, or from their inability to do so, we cannot say; but the fact is clear, that such provisions for the dead were not made. The oldest gravestones in the present graveyard, near Gravelly Bridge, were brought from England, and are remarkable for their width, thickness, and weight. The oldest bears the date of 1691. It may be that some of our gardens are cemeteries, and that from human soil we gather our daily bread, while the spade and ploughshare lacerate the relics of our ancestors.

March 20, 1705: "Put to vote, whether the selectmen shall discourse Mr. Dudley Wade, referring to the proposals made this meeting by Stephen Willis, jun., in said Wade's behalf, respecting the burying-place in Medford, and make return thereof to the town at the next town's meeting. Voted in the affirmative."

It does not appear what this proposition was, nor what action the town had upon it. Probably it was a proposal to sell the town some land for a place of burial; and we presume it was accepted, because, May 15, 1717, we find the following record:

"Put to vote, whether the town will choose a committee, to join with the selectmen, to view some land offered by Mr. Aaron Cleavland and John Willis, for the enlargement of the burying-place near Mistick Bridge; and bring in a report to the town of the same, at the next town-meeting, both of the price of said land, and the convenience of the same for the use aforesaid."

This passed in the affirmative; and the selectmen, Captain Tufts, Deacon Willis, Deacon Whitmore, Ensign Francis, Captain Brooks, and Ensign Hall, were appointed the committee to plan the enlargement proposed. The committee reported June 10th of the next month, when the town passed the following vote:

"That the town will give Mr. Aaron Cleavland and John Willis, for a small parcel of land, for an addition to the burying-place, lying betwixt Mistick River and Gravelly Bridge, after the rate of thirtytwo pounds per acre."

The portion they bought cost six pounds.

May 12, 1718: "Put to vote, whether the burying-place, some time past bought of Mr. Aaron Cleavland, be continued in said Cleavland's hands, as to the herbage, until the town give further order; and, when the town see cause to fence it, it shall be fenced at the town's proper cost; and whether that, forthwith, a board fence be erected at the front of the land, with a gate and lock. Voted in the affirmative."

This vote would lead us to infer that the enclosure was ill cared for; and the need of new fences is learned from the vote of Nov. 26, 1733, which was as follows: "Voted to have the front of the burying-place fenced in." At the same meeting, they directed "that the fence should be made of good cedar posts, white-pine boards, with handsome double gates, colored red." We apprehend that extraordinary care was not fashionable. One might infer that the "front " only was secured by a fence. From that day to the beginning of the present century, it was not unusual to let these precious, and we may add sacred, spots be exposed to the visits of vagrant animals.

May 12, 1785: "Voted that no cattle be permitted to graze in the burying-ground."

The "Old Burying Ground," as it was called, being near the most populous part of Medford, was better defended by walls than was common in many towns; yet we remember the wall on its east side, as low, broken, and insufficient.

March 5, 1739: It is, for the first time, proposed to build tombs; and the north side of the graveyard is designated as the most proper place. None were built until many years later.

The town passed the following vote, May 11, 1786: "Voted to give liberty to any person to build a tomb in the