Sep 1, 2024 Upwards of one million Americans have the surname “Clark,” making it the 20-somethingth most common name in this country, and it’s almost as common in England. Clark or Clarke is an occupational name, like Baker, Cook, Cooper, or Smith, and it’s derived from the Middle Ages, when a cleric was someone with […]
After 373 Years, the Clark Family is Still Here. What’s Your Story? Read More »
May 1, 2024 When William S. Tilden (1830-1912) wrote his History of Medfield 1660-1886, he reported that Francis Hamant, one of Medfield’s original 13 settlers, was granted a house lot on South Street. Hamant had met the qualifications set out in Medfield founder Ralph Wheelock’s Agreement for would-be settlers that he was “honest, peacable, &
Beloved School Teacher Charles Hamant Read More »
Apr 1, 2024 Some 60 people turned out on March 4 to hear an entertaining and engaged Johnny Dalton, sound engineer, show and tell about key developments in the 166-year history of sound recording. Dalton graduated from Medfield High School in 2013 and established KungPow! Recording and Mastering in 2017. Johnny introduced his subject by
Sound Engineer Johnny Dalton Presents History of Sound Recording Read More »
Mar 1, 2024 Medfield native Nathaniel T. Allen established a cutting-edge progressive school in Newton in 1854, and in the next half century he educated some 5,000 boys and girls, rich and poor, from every state in the U.S. and dozens of foreign countries, white and black, including former slaves. Allen’s remarkable achievements were presented
Nathaniel T. Allen, Trailblazing Educator from Medfield Read More »
Nov 1, 2023 For two thirds of the 20th century, the name Arthur Ritchey Stagg would have been on everyone’s short list of the most respected people in Medfield. Actually, the name would appear twice, because there were two Dr. Arthur Ritchey Staggs, senior and junior. Stagg Senior (1907-2006), the grandson of a doctor, was
Jul 30, 2023 Medfield’s outgoing keeper of the clock, David Maxson, has given many Medfield Day steeple tours at the NRHP-listed First Parish Unitarian Universalist church. Before moving to Connecticut, he gave what may be a farewell tour for Mike Taylor, Don Rolph, and other members of the church’s buildings and grounds committee. Until the
A Peek Inside the Meetinghouse Clock and Bell Tower Read More »
May 2, 2023 Sane, insane, or idiotic? Temperate or intemperate? Epileptic or paralytic? Able to labor? Startling, but these were four of the boxes town hall workers were asked to fill out in the early 20th century as they made entries in the Medfield Pauper Register. The volume at hand covered the years from 1917
When Medfield Registered Paupers Read More »
May 2, 2023 The c. 1780 Peregrine White clock – also known as the Morse clock – is running again, keeping good time, chiming on the hour, and even telling the date! It stands right beside the society’s front entrance. Peregrine White (1747-1834) of Woodstock Connecticut was a prominent silversmith and clockmaker. He was a
240-Year-Old Clock Keeps On Ticking Read More »
April 1, 2023 Portal readers of a certain vintage will recall 20 or 30 years ago a delightful annual fall fundraiser called the “Emperor Onion Fair” at the venerable Unitarian Universalist church. It begs the question, what or who was the Emperor Onion? It was not a vegetable of the genus Allium. Charles “Emperor” Onion
April 1, 2023 The last weekend in April will be Medfield History Weekend, thanks to the efforts of Chris McCue Potts. During that time, many of Medfield’s historic sites will be open. We hope people will come to visit the historical society building at 6 Pleasant Street, right behind the library. Medfield split off from
What’s In Our Historical Society Building? Script for Visitors Read More »