Ralph Wheelock (1600–1683) was an English Puritan minister, American colonial public official, and educator. He is known for having been the first public school teacher in America.
60-630: Medfield is a town in Norfolk County , Massachusetts , United States. The population was 12,799 according to the 2020 United States Census . It is a community about 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Boston, Massachusetts , which is a 40-minute drive to Boston's financial district. Attractions include the Hinkley Pond and the Peak House. The territory that Medfield now occupies was, at the time of colonization, Neponset land. As part of
120-405: A District Attorney , a Clerk of Courts , a Register of Deeds , a Sheriff , a County Treasurer, and a Register of Probate . County Commissioners are elected for a four-year term; two Commissioners are elected to coincide with presidential elections, and one Commissioner is elected during the midterm elections. All three Commissioners must hail from a different municipality. The District Attorney
180-551: A Dedham town meeting voted for the first free (public) school in Massachusetts, to be supported by town taxes. Ralph Wheelock was the first teacher at this school, and hence the first tax-supported public school teacher in the colonies. Three years later, in 1647, the General Court decreed that every town with 50 or more families must build a school supported by public taxes. As Dedham became increasingly populous in
240-605: A borough, and it is the second most populous county that has a county seat at a town . The county was named after the English county of the same name . Two towns, Cohasset and Brookline , are exclaves . Norfolk County is included in the Boston - Cambridge - Newton , MA- NH Metropolitan Statistical Area . Norfolk County is the 24th highest-income county in the United States with a median household income of $ 107,361. It
300-432: A median income of $ 51,301 versus $ 37,108 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 32,484. About 2.90% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line , including 4.40% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 670,850 people, 257,914 households, and 168,903 families residing in the county. The population density
360-400: A new one to be built. They originally were seeking a utilitarian building that would be fireproof and safe to store important documents. Local boosters, however, wanted a building that aligned with the town's rapidly improving self-image. The land for the courthouse, across the street from the existing one, was purchased from Frances Ames for $ 1,200. Ames later refused to sell the lot to
420-735: A result of a massive construction project updating the current Medfield High School (formally Amos Clark Kingsbury High School). Public schools: Private schools: Medfield's Free Public Library began in 1873. The public library is located on Main Street. In the late 18th century some of the residents of Medfield and surrounding towns formed a subscription library, called the Medfield Social Library . Medfield State Hospital , located at 45 Hospital Road, opened in 1896 and originally operated on 685 acres (2.77 km) of pasture. At its peak in 1952, it housed 1,500 patients. By 2001, it
480-402: Is 1.7 miles long and runs through most of the town of Medfield. Norfolk County, Massachusetts Norfolk County ( / ˈ n ɔːr f ə k / NOR -fək ) is located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts . At the 2020 census , the population was 725,981. Its county seat is Dedham . It is the fourth most populous county in the United States whose county seat is neither a city nor
540-494: Is also possible that those who left Dedham for Medfield were those most disaffected by the political or social climate within the town. Town Meeting voted to release Medfield on January 11, 1651, and the General Court agreed the following May. Medfield became the 43rd town in Massachusetts. The Rev. Ralph Wheelock is credited with the founding of Medfield. He was the first schoolmaster of the town's school established in 1655, and now has an elementary school named after him. Half
600-468: Is elected every four years coinciding with the midterm elections. The Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds are elected every six years coinciding with the elections of Class I US Senators. The County Treasurer and Register of Probate are elected every six years coinciding with the elections of Class II US Senators. The Sheriff is elected every six years coinciding with the elections of Class III US Senators. There have been 21 sheriffs of Norfolk County. In
660-468: Is land and 0.1 square mile (0.2 km) (0.62%) is water. The Charles River borders almost one-third of Medfield. Medfield is surrounded by the towns Dover, Norfolk, Walpole, Millis, and Sherborn. The Charles River marks the Millis border. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population. Medfield Public Schools consistently ranks among the top ten school systems in Massachusetts by
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#1732765795527720-432: Is not completely contiguous ; the towns of Brookline and Cohasset are each part of Norfolk County but are separated from the majority of Norfolk County (and each other) by either water or other counties. At the county's formation, Hingham and Hull were to be part of it, but joined Plymouth County instead, leaving Cohasset as the initial exclave of Norfolk County and an enclave of Plymouth County. Brookline became
780-590: Is the wealthiest county in Massachusetts. Shortly after the Constitution of Massachusetts was adopted on October 25, 1780, a number of towns in Suffolk County , of which Dedham was then a part, elected delegates to a convention to decide upon some policy relative to the division of the county. The convention met at Gay's Tavern in Dedham on December 12, 1780, and adopted a resolution to the effect that
840-669: The General Court , which was the central court of the Bay Colony with powers granted by the British Crown. Two years later, in 1645, he was appointed one of the commissioners authorized to "solemnize" marriages, which at the time was a civil rather than religious duty. Wheelock was one of eight "living stones" that formed the First Church and Parish in Dedham . He served as a Selectman in 1640. On 1 February 1644
900-768: The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). As recently as 2017, Medfield was ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the number 5 ranked school system in Massachusetts. As of 2013, Medfield High School Seniors scored an average of 591 on the SAT Critical Reading Section, 618 on the SAT Math Section, and 598 on the SAT Writing Section. In 2005, Medfield High School and T.A. Blake Middle School switched buildings as
960-469: The Woodward Tavern across the street. The Anglican Church in town had also offered their building, but it was in such a state of disrepair that the offer was not accepted. The First Church and Parish in Dedham then offered a piece of land on their Little Common, and a new courthouse was ordered to be constructed. Construction was sluggish, however, and the delays frustrated Ames. The court
1020-407: The 248,827 households 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 26.80% of households were one person and 10.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.14. The age distribution was 23.40% under
1080-408: The 257,914 households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.5% were non-families, and 27.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 40.7 years. The median income for a household in
1140-605: The English settlement of the area, it was sold by the Neponset leader Chickatabot to William Pynchon in the late 1620s. In 1633, Chickatabot died in a smallpox epidemic that decimated nearby Neponset, Narragansett and Pequot communities. Because Chickatabot and Pynchon's deal left no written deed, the Massachusetts General Court ordered "those Indians who were present when Chickatabot sold lands to Mr. Pynchon, or who know where they were, to set out
1200-646: The General Court to individuals. Edward Alleyn , for example, had been granted 300 acres in 1642. Dedham asked the General Court for some of those lands and, on October 23, 1649, the Court granted the request so long as they established a separate village there within one year. Medfield (New Dedham) was first settled in 1649, principally by people who relocated from the former town. The first 13 house lots were laid out on June 19, 1650. Dedham sent Eleazer Lusher , Joshua Fisher , Henry Phillips , John Dwight , and Daniel Fisher to map out an area three miles by four miles and
1260-421: The age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males. The median household income was $ 63,432 and the median family income was $ 77,847 (these figures had risen to $ 77,294 and $ 95,243 respectively as of a 2007 estimate ). Males had
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#17327657955271320-555: The bounds thereof". Fifty years later, Chickatabot's grandson Josias Wampatuck brought a land claim against Medfield and the other towns created within the borders of the Chickatabot purchase, for which he received payment. Of those lands, Dedham was the first town formed. The majority of present-day Medfield had been granted to Dedham in 1636, but the lands on the western bank of the Charles River had been meted out by
1380-463: The building measures 52 feet by 186 feet, is two stories high with a copper hipped roof, and is built of Indiana limestone with details made of granite from Deer Isle, Maine . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km ), of which 396 square miles (1,030 km ) is land and 48 square miles (120 km ) (11%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Massachusetts by total area. The county
1440-737: The census-designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. *congregations **adherents The county has offices in Dedham Square. It runs the Norfolk County Correctional Center , the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, and the Norfolk County Courthouse . All eligible voters of Norfolk County vote for three County Commissioners ,
1500-401: The central rotunda: George C. Hersey on August 8, 1862 and James H. Costley on June 25, 1875. Inmates were housed in the jail until 1992 when the Norfolk County Correctional Center was opened in 1992. A court forced the closure after 13 inmates escaped in 1989. There were at least 27 break outs during the prison's history. The current Norfolk County Correctional Center is located on
1560-496: The colony sent representatives to set the boundaries on the opposite side of the river. The land that Dedham contributed to the new village became Medfield, and the land the colony contributed eventually broke away to become Medway in 1713. Millis would later break away from Medway. The separations were not without difficulty, however. When Medfield left there were disagreements about the responsibility for public debts and about land use. There were some residents who did not move to
1620-425: The county was $ 81,027 and the median family income was $ 101,870. Males had a median income of $ 68,070 versus $ 51,870 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 42,371. About 4.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over. The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective if
1680-572: The county was incorporated in 1793. As of August 2012, Hingham 's Precinct 2 will be part of the Fourth Norfolk District. School districts include: K-12: Secondary: Elementary: Regional vocational High Schools: 42°10′N 71°11′W / 42.17°N 71.19°W / 42.17; -71.19 Ralph Wheelock Wheelock was most likely born in 1600 in Donington, Shropshire , England. Wheelock
1740-469: The earliest settlers and a founder of Dedham. He was granted a tract of land in the west end of town, 1 mile from the meeting and school house. The lot straddles today's Channing Road from Havern Street down to the Charles River. He lived there with his wife for over a decade, and played a leading role in the affairs of the town. In July 1637 (O.S), Wheelock signed the Dedham Covenant , effectively
1800-459: The east at an asking price of $ 400, however. Masonic ceremonies, bell ringing and cannon fire accompanied the laying of the cornerstone on July 4, 1825. In 1827, the old courthouse was sold at public auction. The new building was designed by Solomon Willard and was dedicated on February 20, 1827. It was a basic rectangular granite-walled structure, 48' by 98' and two stories tall, with Greek-temple porticoes at either end. Each 10' portico
1860-469: The founding constitution of Dedham. In 1639, he and six others were chosen to be town selectmen . He was also appointed to assist in the surveying the boundaries of the town. He most likely had a hand in the planning of Mother Brook , the first English canal in New England that was started in 1639. On 13 March 1638/9, Wheelock was declared a freeman . In 1642, he was appointed the clerk of writs at
Medfield, Massachusetts - Misplaced Pages Continue
1920-472: The late 1640s, it was decided to forge a new township up the Charles River out of a tract of land that was then part of Dedham. Wheelock was appointed leader of this effort, and in 1649 he and six others were given the duties of erecting and governing a new village, to be called New Dedham, later renamed Medfield. Wheelock almost certainly wrote the document called "The Agreement" which, for a time, every new settler of Medfield had to sign. The Agreement stated that
1980-561: The median of Route 128 in Dedham. The facility has 502 beds and opened in 1992. After the creation of the county, the Court of Common Pleas and the Court of General Sessions of the Peace first met in Dedham's meetinghouse . Nathaniel Ames was chosen as the clerk of both and they met for the first time on September 23. When the court met on January 7, 1794, it was so cold in the building, which lacked any sort of heating, that they moved to
2040-645: The mid-1800s, Jonathan H. Cobb was the clerk of courts. Like the rest of Massachusetts, Norfolk County is a Democratic stronghold. The last time it voted for a Republican presidential candidate was in 1984 , during Ronald Reagan 's landslide victory in which he carried every state except Minnesota and the district of Washington, D.C. Note: West Roxbury (annexed to Boston 1874), Roxbury (annexed to Boston 1868), Dorchester (founded 1630, annexed to Boston 1870), Hyde Park (incorporated 1868 from Dorchester, Milton, and Dedham, annexed to Boston 1912), and Hingham and Hull were originally part of Norfolk County when
2100-519: The moniker "County of Presidents." Following the creation of the county, Gay's Tavern was the site of a Court of General Sessions on August 25, 1794. They ordered that the committee on buildings proceed with collecting materials for building a jail. On the last day of September following this order, the court accepted from Timothy Gay the gift of a parallelogram lot of land to erect the Norfolk County Jail next to his tavern. It
2160-609: The new village came from the middle class of Dedham residents. Among the first 20 men to make the move were Ralph Wheelock , Thomas Mason, Thomas Wight, John Samuel Morse and his son Daniel, John Frary Sr., Joseph Clark Sr., John Ellis, Thomas Ellis, Henry Smith, Robert Hinsdale , Timothy Dwight , James Allen, Henry Glover, Isaac Genere, and Samuel Bullen. By 1664, several of their sons would join them, as would Joshua Fisher and his son John, and several other Dedhamites. Those who moved there often moved with family members, and many would move on from Medfield to other inland communities. It
2220-406: The new village who wanted rights to the meadows while others thought that the land should be given freely to those who would settle them. A compromise was reached where those moving to the new village would pay £100 to those who remained in lieu of rights to the meadows. It was later reduced to £60, if paid over three years, or £50 if paid in one year. Tax records show that those who chose to move to
2280-653: The rest of Norfolk County. Hingham and Hull were originally part of the Norfolk County legislation but petitioned to remain in Suffolk County and in June 1793 their removal to Norfolk County was repealed, making Cohasset an exclave . In 1803, they were moved into Plymouth County, Massachusetts . Norfolk County is the birthplace of four Presidents of the United States ( John Adams , John Quincy Adams , John F. Kennedy , and George H. W. Bush ), resulting in
2340-473: The second exclave of Norfolk County in 1873 when the neighboring town of West Roxbury was annexed by Boston (thus leaving Norfolk County to join Suffolk County ) and Brookline refused to be annexed by Boston after the Brookline-Boston annexation debate of 1873 . At the 2000 census there were 650,308 people, 248,827 households, and 165,967 families residing in the county. The population density
2400-481: The settling of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was instrumental in establishing two new towns, and held virtually every office of importance in both of them. Furthermore, he was at the forefront of establishing the educational foundations of the country. His descendants would also prove to play an important a role in settling New England and the rest of America. His son, Benjamin, was a founder of
2460-459: The signatories were to abide by the town ordinances and laws, maintain orderly conduct, and resolve differences between themselves peaceably. The first house lot in Medfield (12 acres) was granted to Ralph Wheelock. The house lot was at the intersection of North and Main streets on the west side of North and extended almost to Upham Road (which used to be called Short Street). His planting field
Medfield, Massachusetts - Misplaced Pages Continue
2520-682: The signing of the Cambridge Agreement , where 12 men agreed to the sale of Massachusetts Bay Company shares to those interested in emigrating to the new world. It is probable that Wheelock served clerical duties at the parish in Eccles where his children Gershom and Rebecca were baptized. Wheelock participated in a plan to create a new settlement further up the Charles River from Watertown, Massachusetts, to be called Contentment (later renamed Dedham). In 1638, Wheelock became one of
2580-549: The town (32 houses, two mills, many barns and other buildings) was destroyed by Native Americans during King Philip's War in 1675. One house, known as the Peak House , was burnt in the war but was rebuilt shortly thereafter near downtown Medfield. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km), of which 14.5 square miles (37.6 km)
2640-447: The town of Dedham in the winter of 1636 (O.S.), which Wheelock had a major role in establishing, children Benjamin, Samuel, Record, and Experience were born. The family lived there for over a decade. In 1651, while retaining the Dedham house for rental income or housing extended family, Wheelock moved his immediate family to Medfield, Massachusetts , which he founded and where he spent the remaining 32 years of his life. Eleazar Wheelock
2700-482: The towns of Bellingham , Dedham , Foxborough , Franklin , Medfield , Medway , Needham , Stoughton , Stoughtonham , Walpole , and Wrentham , along with the Middlesex County towns of Holliston , Hopkinton , Natick , and Sherborn ought to be formed into a new county with Medfield as the shiretown. The Great and General Court did not look favorably upon the resolution, however, and no new county
2760-599: The village of Eccles , County of Norfolk, 3 January 1632 (O.S); and Rebecca Wheelock, baptized in Eccles as well, on 24 August 1634. The family sailed to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 (O.S), 6 years after the settlement of Boston, and at the peak of the " Great Migration ". Ralph's wife, Rebecca, reportedly gave birth to their daughter, Peregrina, on the voyage. He and his family settled in Watertown, Massachusetts upon arrival. After moving to
2820-475: The years 1653, 1663, 1664, 1666, and 1667. Ralph Wheelock was the first schoolmaster of the public school in Medfield, which was founded in 1655. He remained schoolmaster for around 8 years. Wheelock died 11 January 1683/84, the 84th year of his life. His wife, Rebecca Clarke Wheelock, died on 1 January 1680/1 in Medfield. Both are buried in unmarked graves in the old section of Medfield's Vine Lake Cemetery. Ralph Wheelock played an active and important role in
2880-685: Was 1,628 inhabitants per square mile (629/km ). There were 255,154 housing units at an average density of 639 per square mile (247/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 89.02% White or European American , 3.18% Black or African American , 0.13% Native American , 5.50% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.78% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 1.84%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.6% were of Irish , 13.4% Italian , 7.7% English and 5.0% descendants of colonists ancestry according to Census 2000 . 85.7% spoke English , 2.3% Chinese in any dialect, 2.0% Spanish , 1.0% Italian and 1.0% French as their first language. Of
2940-425: Was 1,693.6 inhabitants per square mile (653.9/km ). There were 270,359 housing units at an average density of 682.5 per square mile (263.5/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 82.3% white, 8.6% Asian, 5.7% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.3% of the population. The largest ancestry groups were: Of
3000-578: Was born to Ralph and Rebecca at Medfield. One of Eleazar's grandchildren, also named Eleazar , would go on to become the founder of Dartmouth College , in Hanover, New Hampshire . Ralph Wheelock joined the dissenting religious movement known as Puritanism while attending Clare College . On 6 May 1630, he was ordained priest at Peterborough Cathedral by Francis White , Bishop of the Norfolk Diocese. His ordination comes almost four months before
3060-467: Was built in 1827, the middle office on the west side of the lower level was used by the Registry. When the population of the county grew and the number of real estate transactions increased apace, a new building was constructed for the Registry across the street at 649 High Street. The Boston firm Peabody & Stearns was hired to design the current Registry of Deeds, built in 1905. The main section of
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#17327657955273120-471: Was directly across Main Street from his house lot and ran along Pleasant Street, extending almost to where Oak Street is today. Ralph served on the first Board of Selectmen (1651). He subsequently served on the Board of Selectmen in 1652–1654, and again in 1659. In 1653 he took up a collection for Harvard College . Wheelock held the position of representative to the General Court in Massachusetts for Medfield in
3180-483: Was down to about 300 acres (1.2 km) and employed 450 people (including four psychologists) to care for a maximum of 147 patients. The cost to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was $ 21.5 million. On April 3, 2003, the doors were closed. Although the buildings are not open to the public (they have been boarded up), the grounds may be visited during daylight hours. Medfield Rail Trail- Opened October 1, 2022,
3240-815: Was educated at Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge , where he studied alongside John Milton and John Eliot . He enrolled in 1623, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1626, and Master of Arts in 1631. He participated in the radical Puritan movement that was then centered at the University of Cambridge. On 17 May 1630, in the church of Wramplingham St Peter and St Paul, Wramplingham , England, Wheelock married Rebecca Clarke. The two had three children in England: Mary, baptized in Banham , County of Norfolk , 2 September 1631; Gershom, baptized in
3300-414: Was installed around the perimeter. The Registry was originally housed in one of the first floor rooms of the home of Eliphalet Pond, the first registrar, at 963 Washington Street in Dedham. A sign was nailed to a tree out front informing the public of its location. It then moved to the original Norfolk County Courthouse and remained there for about three decades. When the new Norfolk County Courthouse
3360-424: Was replaced by a new Norfolk County Jail in 1817. The two story stone building was built in 1817 and was 33' square. Part of the jail was torn down in 1851 to erect a central, octagonal portion and two wings. It resulted in a building with the shape of a Latin cross , and featured Gothic Revival windows. The three tiers of cells radiated out like spokes from the central guardroom. There were two hangings in
3420-555: Was still sitting in the meetinghouse in 1794 but the new courthouse was completed in 1795. It was found to be too small, however, and the ceilings were so low as to stifle people in the courtrooms. Charles Bulfinch was hired in 1795 to design a turret for the building and Paul Revere was commissioned to cast a bell. When it became apparent that the Courthouse was out of date, the County Commissioners ordered
3480-537: Was supported by four Doric pillars. A bell made by Paul Revere was moved from the old courthouse to the new north portico, where it was tolled to announce court sessions. The interior had a hall running through the center paved with brick. On the eastern side were the offices of the Country Treasurer and the Clerk of Courts. On the western side were the Registry of Deeds and Probate Court. The courtroom
3540-404: Was then created. Norfolk County, Massachusetts was created on March 26, 1793, by legislation signed by Governor John Hancock . Most of the towns were originally part of Suffolk County, Massachusetts . The towns of Dorchester and Roxbury were part of Norfolk County when it was created but, as Boston annexed each town, they became part of Suffolk County again, leaving Brookline separated from
3600-433: Was upstairs and featured an arched ceiling. The high sheriff had a desk in the room. From the outside it was an attractive building, but it was not a comfortable place to work. The only water was provided by a well on Court Street, and it did not have an adequate heating system. One employee complained that it was "barren and destitute of every convenience, demanded for health, comfort and decency." In 1846, an iron fence
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