Peter Tufts

Peter Tufts (1617 – May 13, 1700) was a prominent early citizen of Medford, Massachusetts, and ancestor of Charles Tufts who donated land for the Tufts University campus. The Peter Tufts House is still standing; it is believed by some historians to be the oldest all-brick house in the United States.

Peter Tufts (also spelled "Tuffts" and Tuffes") immigrated from Wilby, Norfolk, England to Charlestown, Massachusetts where he is recorded in 1637 "on the Malden side (of Charlestown)." By 1638 he owned 43 acres (17 ha) there. In early 1647 Peter, along with William Bridge, became ferryman on the Mystic River, succeeding Philip Drinker in that role. This ferry, later known as the Penny Ferry, served the inhabitants of Malden and the upper towns until 1787 when it was superseded by the Malden Bridge. By 1647 Peter had located to Malden, Massachusetts where he was one of the earliest and largest land owners; he also owned land on Mystic Side.

Tufts' involvement in the Salem witch trials was thus described in the 1889 History of Malden:

Tufts was recorded as a Freeman of Malden and the Massachusetts Bay Colony May 3, 1665 and October 15, 1679 (NEHGS "Register"), and was the first representative from Medford to the Massachusetts General Court. His will is recorded in Middlesex County, Massachusetts as #22994, dated March 1, 1693 with codicils of July 8, 1695 and June 13, 1698, and executed June 10, 1701. He is buried at Malden Church Yard, also known as Bell Rock Cemetery.

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