Timothy Sprague (b. November 23, 1700, d. October 10, 1765)
Timothy Sprague (son of Edward Sprague and Dorothy Lane) was born November 23, 1700 in Malden, Massachusetts, and died October 10, 1765 in Malden, Massachusetts. He married Sarah Connery on October 18, 1759 in Malden, Massachusetts, daughter of John Connery and Sarah Fenson.
Notes for Timothy Sprague: He was a resident of Malden, Massachusetts; succeeded his father and grandfather Capt. John in the homestead; was well to do, possessed considerable land, several houses, a fulling mill and a grist mill, both getting power from Spot Pond, which was in itself a valuable possession now that it had been raised by a nine foot dam, giving abundant water privileges. He build what was known as the guard house near the dam to protect it and lived there. Though annoyed and harassed through his life by towns trying to get a title of Spot Pond, which had been in the possession of the Spragues for 100 yrs., and by lawsuits concerning the overflow of adjoining meadows, he succeeded in preserving the dam and pond at great cost and sacrifice of time. This was a great blessing to future generations who now enjoy the beauties of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This property was all disposed of in his will which he made Oct. 3, 1765, to his family, besides bequests to several others,: for instance, to his cousin Joseph of Leicester he gave 2 Negroes, Christie & Jethro. He held many positions of trust. In 1739, as agent for the town, he petitioned the court to rule that there be no gates hung across any town road. Traveling at this time was entirely on foot or horseback and the inconvenience of gates had not been great, but vehicles were beginning to be used and unobstructed roads were desirable.
The Spragues could be considered the first family of the Lap Parish. After the Lyndes sold their property in the area, the Spragues became the principal landowners. Timothy Sprague, who owned the water rights to Spot Pond Brook, is one of the earliest and most interesting members of his family to be active in the area. Prior to 715, Timothy Sprague constructed a rowling dam on what is described as Barlow's lot on Spot Pond Brook. This dam created periodic flooding of Spot Pond Meadow which raised ire of many of Sprague's neighbors. When their complaints were ignored, his neighbors responded by repeatedly destroying the dam. Finally, Timothy Sprague constructed a guardhouse and hired a family to live in it to defend his dam.
In a separate incident involving water rights and commercial improvements to the brook, Timothy Sprague became embroiled in an altercation with John Vinton and Stephan Richardson. According to William Sprague, Timothy Spragues' watercourse ran from Sprague's Spot Pond to Sprague's mill pond in maiden for more than 20 yrs. Apparently Vinton and Richardson appealed to William Sprague, then acting as Timothy's agent, for permission to improve the water of Spot Pond for their mill. William Sprague granted them the approval to proceed under the conditions that they preserve the water for his use. Vinton and Richardson violated these conditions when they improved their mills by drawing and stopping the water of Spot Pond dam thereby inhibiting Sprague's use of the water course.
In 1731, Timothy Sprague proved to be a stubborn adversary and was constantly coming before the Stoneham selectman and Middlesex Count officers. During this year demand for a public route along the east side of Spot Pond culminated in the designation of Woodland Rd. as a county road connecting with Fulton Street in Medford, thereby completing the route to Charlestown. Previously, this road was held by private landowners and travelers were forced to make constant stops to move bars and gates along the route. Because this county road bisected his property, Timothy Sprague wad adamantly opposed having this thoroughfare taken by the count.
In March of 1764, a final reference is made to Timothy Sprague in which he:
...leased the premises on the West side of the county highway that runs through Stoneham, Medford lately improved by Daniel Conner - along with dwelling house, barn and fences to the cordwainer [shoemaker], John Batts.
Sprague reserved to himself all rights to Spot Pond dam and the water course leading from and running from Spot Pond.
Owned 22 Acres between Main & Washington Sts. on the north of Pleasant St. Grist and fulling mill on Spot Pond Brook. Located on place "the water falls at Black Rock" opposite State Armory as of 1922.
More About Timothy Sprague: Baptism (LDS): December 09, 1933 Burial: October 1765, Malden, Massachusetts. Endowment (LDS): April 10, 1934, SLAKE. Sealed to parents (LDS): June 14, 1973, LOGAN.
More About Timothy Sprague and Sarah Connery: Marriage: October 18, 1759, Malden, Massachusetts. Sealed to spouse (LDS): August 02, 1961, IFALL.
Children of Timothy Sprague and Sarah Connery are:
+Matthew Whipple Sprague, b. December 24, 1760, Malden, Massachusetts, d. March 30, 1837, Massachusetts.
Timothy Sprague (b. November 23, 1700, d. October 10, 1765)
Notes for Timothy Sprague: