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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of Medford Bancorp, Inc. of our report dated January 21,
1998 appearing in the Medford Bancorp, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 23, 1998.



/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C.




Boston, Massachusetts
August 28, 1998