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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 3, 2024 Page 7 ~ 375th anniversary of Malden’s Incorporation as a Town ~ Brothers Sprague – Founders of Charlestown, Malden, & Hingham, Part 8 By Inna Babitskaya R alph Sprague’s brothers, Richard and William, also played important roles in colonial life. They were co-founders of Charlestown. On February 10, 1634, both of them signed the order to create a Board of Selectmen of Charlestown. Richard Sprague (1604–1668) took the Freeman's Oath in 1631. In 1638, he became a member of the Honorable Artillery Company. In 1652, he was promoted to first sergeant, in 1659 to ensign, and in 1665 to lieutenant. Later, he became the captain of the town train band. For several years, he was a Charlestown selectman. In 1644 and 1659–66, he represented Charlestown in the General Court. In 1639, the General Court granted Richard Sprague one hundred acres of land for “having borne difficulties in the beginning.” Besides land, Richard Sprague received grants and purchased thirteen lots of real estate, which included a wharf, a warehouse, investments in vessels, etc. He was captain of the Pink Consent and several other vessels, and he participated in trade with Barbados. Richard married Mary Sharp (1608–1672) in 1630. They had no children. When Richard Sprague died in 1668, his estate was valued at over 2,357 pounds. Apart from leaving property to his widow, he left to his brother William of Hingham his sword and to his nephew Richard Sprague (1627–1703) his wharf and warehouses with land. He also left to Harvard College 400 pounds, 31 sheep, and 30 lambs, and to the First Church of Charlestown, 30 pounds. In 1634, the youngest brother, William Sprague (1609–1675), married Millicent/Millesaint Eames (1615–1694/95), a daughter of Anthony Eames, who had served Hingham as first militia captain, a selectman, and Deputy in the General Court. In 1636, William Sprague moved from Charlestown to Hingham. He traveled there in a boat, landing on the east side of the Bare Cove (future Hingham), on a tract afterward granted to him by the town.His house lot on Union St. over the river was “considered to be the pleasantest one in the town and was situated about two miles north of the Patent Line which formerly divided the Mass Bay Colony Old Ship Meeting House, Hingham, MA, 17th century 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 Sprague Family Plot memorial from the Plymouth Colony.” Many parcels of land were granted to him from 1636 to 1647. These gifts showed the esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen. In 1645, William Sprague was one of seven men chosen to order the prudential affairs of the town. In 1649, “William Sprague, a godly Christian but not an ordained minister, did preach the word” to residents. In 1662, he was disbursing officer of the Hingham, as well as a constable and fence-viewer. William Sprague and his wife had eleven children. During the bi-centennial celebration of the arrival of Winthrop at Charlestown, the Hon. Edward Everett said: “Ralph, Richard and William Sprague were the founders of the settlement in this place, and were persons of substance and enterprise, excellent citizens, generous public benefactors, and the head of a very large and respectable family of descendants.” Ralph Sprague’s eldest son, John Sprague (1624–1692), emigrated at the age of 5 with his parents. In 1650, John Sprague Order creating a board of selectmen, Boston, 1634 (Richard and William Sprague among the signatories) succeeded his father in his homestead, and was engaged in shipping and foreign trade with his Uncle Richard. He married in Malden on May 2, 1651, to Lydia Goffe, daughter of Edward Goffe and Joyce Frost. Like John, she too had been born in England, and traveled to New England with her parents in 1635. John and Lydia had ten children. They lived at Pound Farm, Malden (now Melrose). Their house stood near Barrett's Mound on the southerly side of Maple Street and some of the early town meetings were held there. In 1652, John Sprague bought the Ell Pond farm from his brothers Richard and Samuel. He owned many parcels of real estate, including four acres near the top of Bunker Hill. On May 18, 1653, John took the Freeman’s oath. In 1654, John joined the Malden Militia as an Ensign. In 1664, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He served with Major Simon Willard in King Philip's War in 1676. He was commissioned Captain and remained with the We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM 12-9 p.m. $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com Capt. John Sprague' grave headstone, Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden Division of land plots to early settlers, Hingham, MA Foot Company of Malden from 1685-89. Captain John was described as “tall of stature and of fine appearance,” and was a much-respected citizen. He also devoted a lot of time to the civil service. He was choTOWN | SEE PAGE 7 RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM

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