Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 28, 2024 ~ 375th anniversary of Malden’s Incorporation as a Town ~ Brothers Sprague – Founders of Charlestown, Malden & Hingham, Part 7 By Inna Babitskaya “R alph Sprague and others began to build their houses and to prepare fencing for their lots, which afterward set up almost in a semicircular form on the south and southGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 First Church of Boston, 1630 Hurlington, Somerville, a large part of Medford, a small part of Cambridge, West Cambridge and Reading. Their first months in Charlestown were spent clearing lands – felling trees – in order to build the homes. There had not been much time to plant crops and the icy blasts of winter came before they were totally prepared. That winter of 1629/30 was particularly severe in a climate none of them had ever experienced before. They became short of provisions and suffered great hardships. The names of Ralph, Richard and William Sprague were at the top of the colonists’ list prepared for the first meeting of the town’s inhabitants. The records of the time stated that the members of the “Sprague family were noted persons of character, substance, and enterprise, excellent citizens, and generous public benefactors.” Ralph Sprague applied for the Oath of Freeman on October 19, 1630, and took it on May 18, 1631. From the very beginning, he actively participated in colonial life. He had been chosen “constable of Charlton... for the space of one whole year, and after till new be chosen...” He and his wife Joan were members of the First Church, Boston, but, with 31 others, were dismissed October 14, 1632, “to enter into a new church body at Charlestown.” On January 9, 1634, Ralph Sprague worked on a committee that was responsible for laying out lots. On January 13, 1635, he participated in the overseeing of highways. In May 1635, he was chosen as a Charlestown selectman and represented the town at General Memorial to Lt. Ralph Sprague at Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden Court in 1636 and 1644–45. On May 25, 1636, Ralph Sprague, as a committee member, participated in the determination of the number and size of plantations for each town. In November 1636, he was elected as a representative to the Massachusetts Bay General Court and was also chosen for this position in 1637–45. Ralph Sprague actively worked in the judicial field. Thus, on September 28, 1630, he was included in the first jury in Massachusetts. On April 18, 1634, he advocated town interests before the General Court. Ralph was one of a jury impaneled, which seems to have been the first jury in Massachusetts. On May 17, 1637, Ralph Sprague also assisted at the courts in Newetowne (Cambridge). On April 26, 1638, he participated in the work of a committee to “consider some things tending towards a body of laws.” Besides civil service, Ralph Sprague served in the local militia. On May 14, 1634, he was elected sergeant, and on November 15, 1637, lieutenant. Also, in 1638, he was admitted to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston. Though he was very popular in the militia, he decided to resign from FOUNDERS | SEE PAGE 16 The first settlers’ house east sides of the field laid out for them, which lies on the northwest side of the town hill.” Thus, the brothers Sprague, together with other settlers, founded Charlestown, which included such future towns as Malden, Woburn, Stoneham, Signatures of Ralph, Richard and William Sprague
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