‘
[p. 52] £ 3-1s.’
At a subsequent town meeting Andrew Hall was chosen constable, and the record says (page 328) ‘payed for not serving five pounds,’ and
Joseph Thompson was chosen and qualified.
On the twenty-eighth of November, 1733, the selectmen directed him to warn a town meeting to be held on December 4, 1733, at 1 P. M.
To know what method they will take with respect to sute in the Law Commenced against Richard Sprague the last years Constable by Matthew Ellis of Medford.
It appears (by the
Massachusetts Archives) that
Ellis lost his case in the Inferior Court on December 11, and appealed to the Superior Court.
The town meeting alluded to had adjourned to December 18 at 12 o'clock. It was then
Put to Vote, whether the Town will reamburst Richard Sprague his Reasonable charges in managing the Law Sute commenced against him by Matthew Ellis, he bringing in a just account to the Town thereof.
Voted in the affirmative.
Benj. Willis Town Clk.
Thus it appears that the fight was on, and reinforcements were coming to the aid of
Sprague, erstwhile constable of
Medford.
The fame of the case spread, and in other towns men elected constables were shy of accepting office because of
Sprague's experience.
At the Superior Court, on January 29 and July 30, 1734,
Ellis fared no better, but ‘was cast,’
i.e., judgment was against him. But he had good fighting qualities, and appealed to the king for a hearing.
The
Medford selectmen hearing of this called a meeting
to know the mind of the town. . . and chuse some sutable to assist in that affair. . . or see what the town shall see meet to do.
Seven persons were chosen, but farther than that we find nothing in
Medford records.
The conflict was next in the Provincial legislature, but there was ‘a long-name society’ across the water which evidently had a part in it, as it continued for several years.
