Frederic A. Morey

Born	1846-02-02 Tewksbury, MA
Died	1902-10-26 Billerica, MA
Town Auditor
In Office	1884 - 1886
Sinking Fund Commissioner
In Office	1894 - 1902
Spouses	Mary Parker (m. 1870-06-23 )

Frederic Albert Morey (1846-1902) was the merchant of Billerica Centre for thirty years. He built the general store on the west side of the Common that is now the Billerica Masonic Temple at 11 Concord Road, after the old Billerica Academy building on the same spot, long the village store and post office, burned in 1873. He was also a justice of the peace, a town officer and a founder and president of the Billerica Historical Society.

He was born in Tewksbury on February 2, 1846, a son of Thomas Morey, and had a twin brother, Francis Gilbert Morey. He attended the Howe School, graduating in 1863. On June 23, 1870 he married Mary Coggin Parker (1844-1903), a daughter of Charles H. Parker and a granddaughter of Col. John Baldwin. Hazen records one child, Bertie, born January 6, 1877. No child survived them: after their deaths Mary's heirs at law were her brothers and sister.

On May 1, 1873 John Baldwin sold Morey, a trader, "the 'Academy Lot'" for $873 and took back a mortgage that required the buildings on it to be insured. The old building burned that year, and the town paid men for "watching Morey's fire." By March 20, 1874 Morey owed Baldwin $4,100 on the lot "with the buildings thereon standing," most likely the cost of the new store, which Hazen says he rebuilt "for the same use." The family lived in rooms at the back of it. The 1875 map marks F. A. Morey's "Store & P.O.", and his father-in-law Charles H. Parker was the Central Postmaster from 1873 to 1889. Hazen described him in 1883 as a merchant whose store stood "south of the 1st church," and added that his twin brother had recently gone into business with him; F. Gilbert Morey later kept his own hay and grain business. Year after year the town reports show Morey selling groceries, grain, coal, hardware and school supplies to the town and its schools, and the family recalled that he carried goods by wagon to Lowell, Lawrence and as far as Portland, Maine.

Through his wife he shared in the Baldwin lands divided among the colonel's heirs in 1876. In 1889 he bought the land behind the store from the heirs of Mary B. Parker for $500, which gave the lot its present depth. When the town enlarged the Town Hall lot in 1894, it took a strip of his land behind the old hall for the site of the new Billerica Town Hall (1895) and paid him $75, and he and his wife joined the other Baldwin heirs in releasing the lot to the town. In 1895 his brother-in-law Charles W. Parker put his share of the Baldwin lands in trust with Frederic and Mary Morey. In 1902, the last year of his life, Morey bought two woodlots on Gilson Hill, the 44-acre Robinson Lot and the 53 1/2-acre Gilson Hill Lot. His executors sold both in 1904 to Warren H. Manning, and they are now part of the Billerica State Forest.

Many Billerica deeds of the 1880s and 1890s were acknowledged before him as a justice of the peace. He was one of the town's Town Auditors from 1884 to 1886, and in 1894 he was one of the first three Sinking Fund Commissioners, chosen to manage the fund that would pay off the bonds for the new town hall. He held that seat until he died. He belonged to the Odd Fellows and was a founding member and president of the Billerica Historical Society. As its president he presented the Society's revised list of street names to the annual town meeting of March 27, 1899, which adopted Billerica's first official street names.

He died at Billerica on October 26, 1902, aged 56, and his wife died the next year. His will left the store to her. Under a license of the Probate Court, his executors, Nathan H. Reed of Somerville and Thomas J. Morey of Haverhill, sold the store and its two tenements at auction on August 4, 1904 to Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle for $3,250, and Mary's heirs released the land behind it to the buyers. The Historical Commission's survey of the block at 8 Andover Road names it the Frederick A. Morey Block, but the deed of 1914 for that lot runs to his brother Francis G. Morey and Herbert F. Jacobs, twelve years after Frederic's death. It was his brother's hay and grain store.

References

Deed References

Date	Type	Grantor	Grantee	Summary	Property	Recorded
June 9, 1873	Warranty Deed	John Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman	Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader	Buys the Academy Lot from John Baldwin, 1873	Billerica Academy Billerica Masonic Temple	94/263
	Dated May 1, 1873, acknowledged June 7 before Charles H. Parker. For $873, "a certain lot or parcel of land situated in said Billerica, known as the 'Academy Lot'": beginning at its northeast corner "on the public highway and at land of the Unitarian Society," south on the highway about 98 feet to land of the town, west by the town's land "and by my own land" about 104 feet, north by Baldwin's land about 118 feet to the Unitarian Society, and east by the Society's land about 104 feet. Witnessed by John Baldwin Jr. and Charles H. Parker. Title from: 1844 Quitclaim: Zadock Howe, James R. Faulkner, Henry Baldwin, Marshall Preston and nine other owners of the Billerica Academy to John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire (443/390) (Baldwin title to the Academy Lot) Title passed to: October 24, 1904 Executors Deed: Nathan H. Reed of Somerville and Thomas J. Morey of Haverhill, executors of the will of Frederic A. Morey to Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle of Billerica (371/70) (Morey title to the front lot) Related: March 20, 1868 Quitclaim: Charles H. Parker of Billerica, Esq., and Mary B. Parker his wife to John Baldwin of Billerica (60/495) (Baldwin enlarged the academy lot from his surrounding land)
June 9, 1873	Mortgage	Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader	John Baldwin of Billerica	Mortgages the Academy Lot back to Baldwin, 1873	Billerica Academy Billerica Masonic Temple	94/264
	Same date. Morey mortgaged the "Academy lot" back to Baldwin for the whole $873 price, payable in two years at seven percent, and was to "keep the buildings standing on the land aforesaid insured against fire in a sum not less than one thousand dollars," so the old academy building, then a store, still stood in May 1873. Related: June 9, 1873 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader (94/263) (purchase-money mortgage of the same date)
1874	Mortgage	Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader	John Baldwin of Billerica	Mortgages the rebuilt store to Baldwin for $4,100, 1874	Billerica Masonic Temple Billerica Academy	100/341
	Dated March 20, 1874. For $4,100, "a certain lot or parcel of land with the buildings thereon standing situated in said Billerica known as the 'Academy Lot'," with the bounds of the 1873 deed, payable in four yearly installments of $1,025 at seven percent, the buildings to be kept insured against fire. The jump from the $873 owed in 1873 to $4,100 suggests Baldwin financed the new store Morey built after the 1873 fire. The margin notes an assignment (Book 125, Page 459) and the 1904 discharge (Book 371, Page 68). Title passed to: October 24, 1904 Discharge of Mortgage: Elizabeth C. Baldwin and Nathan H. Reed, executor of the will of Charles H. Parker to Charles W. Parker, Frederick A. Parker and Clara B. Reed, heirs of Mary C. Morey (371/68) (discharge of this mortgage) Related: June 9, 1873 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader (94/263) (second mortgage of the Academy Lot to the seller)
September 23, 1876	Quitclaim (Partition)	Heirs of Col. John Baldwin: Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Elizabeth C. Baldwin, Charles H. Parker, Mary C. and Frederick A. Morey, Clara B. and Nathan H. Reed, Frederick A. and Agnetha C. Parker	Francis Baldwin of Billerica, trader	Joins the partition of the Baldwin estate (Weatherbee Place to Francis Baldwin), 1876	Samuel G. Tucker House	120/227
	Partition deed among the heirs of Colonel John Baldwin (died June 25, 1875), Sept. 14, 1876, recorded Sept. 23, 1876 (pages 227-229), for one dollar and other valuable considerations: "the Weatherbee Place so called with the buildings thereon standing, bounded northerly by the Salem road, westerly by land of William S. Gleason, southerly by land of Paul Hill", easterly by land of Mrs. H. S. Marion (reading uncertain); with the 40-acre "Deac. Hill Lot", the 21-acre "Hill & Patten lot", half of the "Davis & Whiting land" and the 8-acre "Rose lot". "All of the above premises are a portion of the estate of the late John Baldwin, deceased, and are deeded for the purpose of partition between the heirs." This is the deed the 1975 MACRIS form calls the release "to Francis Baldwin" of 1876; Francis already lived there. The heirs gave Sarah Baldwin other lots by the next deed (page 229). Title passed to: July 24, 1885 Quitclaim (Partition): Catharine G. Parker and her husband Fred H. Parker of Billerica; Rachel A. Baldwin, widow of Francis Baldwin (dower) to Her sister Annie G. Tucker (wife of Samuel Tucker) and brother Henry Baldwin (174/397) (through the estate of Francis Baldwin (died 1878))
September 23, 1876	Partition Deed	Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Frances Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin, Charles H. Parker, Mary C. Morey, Frederic A. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Nathan H. Reed, Frederick A. Parker and Agnethe C. Parker	Elizabeth C. Baldwin of Billerica, single woman	Joins the partition of the Baldwin estate (Gilson Hill Lot to Elizabeth C. Baldwin), 1876		120/230
	Signed September 14, 1876, acknowledged before Dudley Foster, recorded September 23, 1876 (pages 230 to 232). For one dollar, with the release of dower and homestead: "The lot called the Gilson Hill Lot, containing about fifty three and one half acres, more or less, being described in a deed from Zadock Howe, Guardian of Josiah Crosby, to John & Henry Baldwin dated April 9th A.D. 1833 ... Book 322, Page 316. Also in a deed from Jesse Manning to the said John & Henry Baldwin dated March 4th A.D. 1824 ... Book 254 Page 231. Also in a deed from Francis Kidder to John Baldwin, dated October 15th A.D. 1847 ... Book 519 Page 408 and also in a deed from William Blanchard to John Baldwin dated January 1st A.D. 1851 ... Book 608 Page 373", and the seven-acre "Lewis White Lot". "The above premises are a portion of the estate of the late John Baldwin, deceased, and are deeded for the purpose of partition." The lot was drawn on a plan of the woodland of the estate of John Baldwin by J. R. Carter of Woburn, July 1876. Title from: 1824 Deed: Jesse Manning to John and Henry Baldwin (254/231) ("a deed from Jesse Manning to the said John & Henry Baldwin ... Book 254 Page 231") April 22, 1833 Guardian's Deed: Dr. Zadok Howe of Billerica, guardian of Josiah Crosby, minor to John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica (322/316) ("a deed from Zadock Howe, Guardian of Josiah Crosby, to John & Henry Baldwin ... Book 322, Page 316") 1847 Deed: Francis Kidder to John Baldwin (519/408) ("a deed from Francis Kidder to John Baldwin ... Book 519 Page 408") 1851 Deed: William Blanchard to John Baldwin (608/373) ("a deed from William Blanchard to John Baldwin ... Book 608 Page 373") Title passed to: August 6, 1902 Warranty Deed: Elizabeth C. Baldwin of Billerica to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica (346/184) ("a deed of Sarah Baldwin et al to me ... Book 120, Page 230")
May 1, 1882	Warranty Deed	John J. Gorham of Billerica, "being unmarried"	Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster, both of Billerica	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Captain John J. Gorham House	152/185
	For $3,425, fourteen acres on the west side of the road from Boston to Lowell: from the southeast corner at the road and Benj. K. Heald, west by Heald 26 rods 12 feet to a wall, north by Heald 6 rods, west again by Heald to Chas. E. Gorham (formerly the Wm. and Fanny Bowers land), north by it to Henry Crosby (formerly Whiting land), east by Crosby, land formerly of Blaney Abbott and of one Fellows to the road, south by the road, "with all the buildings thereon standing"; the same as conveyed by Henry Bowers (Book 491, Page 238) and Lory Prentiss (Book 491, Page 236). Subject to five mortgages to Anthony Jones, which the grantees assume as part of the price. Dated and acknowledged April 24, 1882, before Frederic A. Morey, justice of the peace. Title from: August 31, 1846 Warranty Deed: Lory Prentiss of Billerica, yeoman (Susan B. Prentiss, his wife, releasing dower) to John J. Gorham of Billerica, gentleman (491/236) ("and by Lory Prentiss") August 31, 1846 Warranty Deed: Henry Bowers of Billerica, house carpenter (Eliza Ann Bowers, his wife, releasing dower) to John J. Gorham of Billerica, gentleman (491/238) ("the same ... conveyed by Henry Bowers") Title passed to: August 4, 1883 Quitclaim Deed: Judith Jones of Billerica, widow of Anthony Jones to Dudley Foster of Billerica (161/542) (the Jones half of the 1882 purchase) October 12, 1885 Warranty Deed: Dudley Foster of Billerica (Mary A. Foster, his wife, releasing dower and homestead) to Mary E. Crosby of Billerica, wife of Frank L. Crosby (177/67) (the Foster half of 1882) Related: June 7, 1875 Mortgage: John J. Gorham of Billerica to Anthony Jones of Billerica (110/437) (the grantees assume the Jones mortgages)
May 28, 1883	Warranty Deed	Dudley Foster of Billerica, unmarried, and Judith Jones of Billerica, widow of Anthony Jones	Herbert Faulkner of Billerica	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Jones & Foster Store	160/242
	For $3,500, "a certain tract of land situate in that part of Billerica known as North Billerica with a building occupied as a store and dwelling house and stable thereon": from a bound at the corner of Wilson Street and Lowell Street (Elm Street), west on Lowell Street to land of Alma A. Wilson, south by Wilson's land to a corner at land of C. P. Talbot & Co., east by Talbot's land to Wilson Street, and north by Wilson Street to the beginning, "Reserving to Hutchins & Co. the ice house on said land belonging to them, and subject to their lease." Signed May 24, 1883 before Frederic A. Morey JP. The store Jones and Foster had built about 1869 on the part of the old Mears tavern lot west of the passage way; one of the deeds of 1883 dividing the Jones and Foster partnership lands after Anthony Jones's death. Title from: December 4, 1869 Warranty Deed: Caroline Haynes, widow, and the children of Lyman Haynes (Tilly, Theodore L., Cyrus H., Charles R., William H. and John Haynes, and Carrie H. Jenkins), all of Springfield to Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster, both of Billerica (71/90) (Jones and Foster's four acres, which crossed the passage way to the Elm Street corner) Title passed to: August 28, 1883 Mortgage: Herbert Faulkner of Billerica (Ella L. Faulkner releasing dower and homestead) to Henry M. Hutchins of Westford (162/373) (mortgage of the premises bought in May 1883) December 5, 1883 Warranty Deed: Herbert Faulkner of Lowell (Ella L. Faulkner releasing dower and homestead) to Albert W. Hutchins of Chicago, Illinois (164/46) ("the same premises conveyed to me by Dudley Foster and another") Related: March 25, 1863 Administrator's Deed: Edwin A. Alger of Lowell, administrator of Joel Dix late of Billerica to Anthony Jones, Lyman Haynes and Dudley Foster, all of Billerica (34/167) (the corner was the west part of the 1832 tavern lot)
June 11, 1883	Guardian's Deed	Dudley Foster of Billerica, guardian of Carrie T. Faulkner, a minor child of James Faulkner	The Faulkner Manufacturing Company	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	James R. Faulkner House Faulkner Barn	160/478
	Licensed by the Probate Court May 22, 1883, private sale for $1,333.33 of "an undivided third part of a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon, situated in said Billerica, containing one acre more or less" (141, 347, 160 and 280 feet), "Being the same premises conveyed to James Faulkner by James R. Faulkner and Charles Faulkner by deed dated October 7th 1859" (21/569). Dated June 5, 1883, acknowledged before Frederic A. Morey JP. Title from: 1865 Will: Estate of James Faulkner of Billerica, son of James R. Faulkner to Henry Faulkner of Roxbury, executor; widow Frances R. Faulkner; their children (Probate #31569) (the child's third under the will) Title passed to: December 27, 1918 Quitclaim: The Faulkner Manufacturing Company, by George M. Preston, President and Treasurer to Charles H. Williams of Billerica (596/338) (the third bought from the guardian)
September 21, 1885	Warranty Deed	John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (Lucy A. Baldwin releasing)	Frances E. Flanders of Billerica	Witness to the deed	Charles Henry Parker House Billerica Council on Aging 21 Concord Rd	176/530
	For $1,100, "one acre of land, so called, ... with the building thereon, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds (heirs of Mary B. Parker, the road to Concord, the Baptist Society, Albert R. Richardson). Dated September 14, 1885, witnessed by Frederic A. Morey and Elizabeth C. Baldwin. Frances E. Flanders and her husband Charles W. Flanders gave Baldwin a mortgage of $900 the same day (Book 176, Page 531), assigned to George H. Hall and discharged on June 20, 1890. Title from: September 16, 1885 Warranty Deed: George A. Monroe of Providence, R.I., physician (Martha Jane Monroe releasing) to John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (176/504) (Baldwin's title) Title passed to: May 25, 1917 Guardian's Deed: Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham, guardian of Charles W. Flanders Sr. of Billerica to Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (572/570) (the husband's third after the death of Frances E. Flanders) May 25, 1917 Warranty Deed: Charles W. Flanders Jr. of Billerica and Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham (George E. Jacobs releasing) to Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (572/571) (the heirs of Frances E. Flanders)
October 12, 1885	Warranty Deed	Dudley Foster of Billerica (Mary A. Foster, his wife, releasing dower and homestead)	Mary E. Crosby of Billerica, wife of Frank L. Crosby	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Captain John J. Gorham House	177/67
	For $4,000, "a certain tract of land situated in said Billerica on the west side of the road leading from Boston to Lowell, containing fourteen acres more or less", with the bounds of 1882 (Benj. K. Heald, Chas. E. Gorham, Henry Crosby, land formerly of Blaney Abbot and T. B. Fellows, the road), "with all the buildings thereon standing, Known as the Gorham farm". Dated and acknowledged Oct. 9, 1885 before F. A. Morey, justice of the peace. No title recital. Mrs. Crosby gave Foster a $3,000 mortgage back (Book 177, Page 91). Title from: May 1, 1882 Warranty Deed: John J. Gorham of Billerica, "being unmarried" to Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster, both of Billerica (152/185) (the Foster half of 1882) August 4, 1883 Quitclaim Deed: Judith Jones of Billerica, widow of Anthony Jones to Dudley Foster of Billerica (161/542) (Foster's whole title after 1883) Title passed to: October 5, 1896 Sheriff's Deed: George F. Stiles of Lowell, deputy sheriff, on an execution against Mary E. Crosby and Francis L. Crosby to Frank D. Foster of North Andover and John H. Foster and Mary Parker Foster of Billerica (280/124) ("same as Book 177": the Crosby equity)
October 9, 1889	Warranty Deed	Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederic A. Parker, Charles W. Parker, Lucy B. Parker and Charles H. Parker, heirs of Mary B. Parker	Frederic A. Morey of Billerica	Buys the land behind the store from the heirs of Mary B. Parker, 1889	Billerica Masonic Temple Billerica Town Hall (1895) Billerica Public Library	210/24
	Acknowledged October 3, 1889. For $500, "a certain lot or parcel of land situated in said Billerica in the rear of land of Frederic A. Morey and the Town Hall Lot": from its northeast corner at the First Parish and Morey, west by Frederic H. Parker about 148 feet to Mary F. Bryant, south "by the wall" along Bryant and J. N. Parker about 199 feet, east on the wall by the heirs of Mary B. Parker about 127 feet to the town hall lot, and north by the town hall lot and Morey about 193 feet. The heirs held this land, once part of the one-acre rear "Academy Lot" John Baldwin bought in 1845, under the 1876 partition of Baldwin's estate. It doubled the depth of the store lot and gave the present parcel its shape. Title from: September 28, 1876 Quitclaim (partition): Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Francis Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, heirs of John Baldwin to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (the heirs of Mary B. Parker held the rear land under the 1876 partition) Title passed to: October 17, 1894 Release: The heirs of John Baldwin (d. 1875): John A., Annie E., Lucy A., Henry, Rachel A. and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, Samuel and Annie G. Tucker, Fred H. and Catherine G. Parker, Frederic A. Morey and Mary C. Morey, Nathan H. and Clara B. Reed, and other Parkers to The Town of Billerica (259/24) ("Mary C. Morey et al to Frederic A. Morey") October 24, 1904 Quitclaim: Charles W. Parker, Frederick A. Parker and Clara B. Reed, heirs at law of Mary C. Morey, and Nathan H. Reed to Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle of Billerica (371/69) (release of the premises in the deed recorded Book 210 Page 24)
October 3, 1891	Warranty Deed	Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica, by Dudley Foster, Treasurer, authorized by the Selectmen	Lawrence B. Gannon of Billerica	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Mahoney House 20-22 Wilson St	227/281
	For $1,530, "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon, situated on Wilson street, North Billerica": from land of Eliza Mahoney on Wilson Street east by Mahoney to Concord River, north on the river two rods to land of Elizabeth Auty, west by Auty "just two rods distant" from the first line to the street, and south on Wilson Street two rods, "Being the same premises conveyed to the Inhabitants of Billerica by Elizabeth Auty" (155/247). Dated Sept. 28, 1891, acknowledged Sept. 29 before Frederick A. Morey JP. The building was the old North Billerica engine house, sold at auction when the town bought a steamer ("for engine house sold, $1,530.00", town report 1892). Title from: September 18, 1882 Deed: Elizabeth Auty of Billerica, widow to Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica (155/247) ("Being the same premises conveyed ... by Elizabeth Auty" 155/247) Title passed to: May 9, 1919 Quitclaim: Elizabeth A. (Lizzie A.) Gannon and Henrietta F. Gannon of Billerica, both unmarried, daughters of Lawrence B. Gannon to Their sister Catherine A. Kearney of Billerica (604/37) ("conveyed to our father Laurence B. Gannon" 227/281)
November 9, 1894	Quitclaim	Dudley Foster of Billerica (wife Mary A. Foster releasing dower and homestead)	Ellen L. Foster of Billerica, wife of his son John H. Foster	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Dudley Foster House 377 Boston Rd	259/399
	For $1 and other valuable consideration, quitclaim with covenants against his own acts of "a certain tract of land situated in said Billerica with a house and barn thereon": beginning at the southeast corner at land of George E. Stearns 2nd on Main Street, north on Main Street 210 feet to a bound in the wall at land of Mary A. Foster, west on the Foster land to a bound in the wall at land of Martin Lane, south by Lane 210 feet to Stearns, and east by Stearns to the start. Dated Sept. 12, 1892, acknowledged the same day before Frederic A. Morey; recorded Nov. 9, 1894. Middlesex North 259/399-400. The same week Dudley gave the 185 feet north of it, the old Samuel Foster homestead, to his wife (262/125, 262/127): this deed carried the 1838 house lot and a strip of the homestead. Title from: November 20, 1838 Deed: Samuel Foster of Billerica, gentleman (wife Anna releasing dower) to His son Dudley Foster of Billerica, yeoman (378/272) (the 1838 house lot) April 8, 1858 Quitclaim: Francis D. Foster of Billerica to Dudley Foster of Billerica (14/39) (plus a strip of the homestead Dudley bought in 1858) Title passed to: October 6, 1947 Declaration of Trust: Forrest F. Collier Jr. of Chatham, N.J., Dudley F. Collier of Billerica, Janet C. Clark of Rutland, Vt., and Abram T. Collier of Wellesley, heirs at law of Lucy Bryant Collier to Forrest F. Collier of Billerica, trustee of "The Foster Trust" (1076/524) (descended from Ellen L. Foster (d. 1903) through John H. Foster (d. 1917) to Lucy B. Collier) Related: March 6, 1895 Deed: Dudley Foster of Billerica (wife Mary A. Foster releasing dower and homestead) to His son Frank D. Foster of North Andover (262/125) (the same week Dudley gave the homestead next north to his wife)
March 6, 1895	Deed	Dudley Foster of Billerica (wife Mary A. Foster releasing dower and homestead)	His son Frank D. Foster of North Andover	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Samuel Foster House John D. Foster House Dudley Foster House	262/125
	For $1 and other valuable consideration, "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica with a house & barn thereon": from the northeast corner at land of Arthur S. Cook on Main Street, south on the street about 185 feet to a bound in the wall at "my other land", west by that land to a bound in the wall at Martin Lane, north by Lane 185 feet to Cook, and east by Cook to the start. Dated Sept. 6, 1892, acknowledged before Frederic A. Morey; recorded March 6, 1895. Middlesex North 262/125-126. The first half of a conveyance from Dudley Foster to his wife through their son. Title from: March 27, 1858 Deed: James Damon and Sally F. Damon (in her right), Elizabeth A. Foster, all of Charlestown; Joseph Foster of Billerica; Sumner Foster of North Reading (heirs of Samuel Foster) to Dudley Foster of Billerica (13/530) (the homestead Dudley assembled in 1858) April 8, 1858 Quitclaim: Francis D. Foster of Billerica to Dudley Foster of Billerica (14/39) (the homestead Dudley assembled in 1858) Title passed to: March 6, 1895 Quitclaim: Frank D. Foster of North Andover, unmarried to Mary A. Foster of Billerica, wife of Dudley Foster (262/127) (conveyed to me this day by Dudley Foster)
August 28, 1894	Order of Taking	The heirs of Mary B. Parker and Frederic A. Morey (owners of the land taken)	Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica	Owner of the strip taken for the Town Hall lot, 1894	Old Town Hall Billerica Town Hall (1895) Billerica Public Library Billerica Police Station	256/391
	Notice of taking under the vote of the town meeting of July 16, 1894, which "voted to take and by vote did take under the authority of the Public Statutes, for the enlargement of the Town Hall lot, and as a place for the erection of a new Town Hall," two lots "adjoining the old Town Hall lot": a lot of the heirs of Mary B. Parker south of the town lot, 100 feet along the highway and 150 feet back from the present stone wall, to land of F. A. Morey; and a lot of Frederic A. Morey "in the rear or westerly of the old Town Hall lot," 69.73 feet by about 52 feet; "said Town Hall lot so enlarged does not exceed one acre in extent." Signed August 27, 1894 by the selectmen John E. Rowell, Edward B. Haskell and Franklin Jaquith. The town report for 1894 records damages of $75 to Morey and $1,100 to the Parker heirs, "unsatisfactory to all parties." The new Town Hall, now the Billerica Public Library, was built on the enlarged lot and dedicated on November 14, 1895. Related: October 11, 1842 Warranty Deed: Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife in her right as joint tenant to Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (421/4) (the Parker heirs' land south of the lot, from the homestead) 1845 Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire to The Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica (458/303) (enlargement of the 1845 town hall lot)
October 17, 1894	Release	The heirs of John Baldwin (d. 1875): John A., Annie E., Lucy A., Henry, Rachel A. and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, Samuel and Annie G. Tucker, Fred H. and Catherine G. Parker, Frederic A. Morey and Mary C. Morey, Nathan H. and Clara B. Reed, and other Parkers	The Town of Billerica	Joins the Baldwin heirs in releasing the Town Hall lot to the town, 1894	Billerica Town Hall (1895) Billerica Public Library	259/24
	Signed September 24, 1894 (Frederic A. and Mary C. Morey acknowledged it at Billerica that day) and recorded October 17, 1894, pages 24-26. The grantors include John A. Baldwin, his wife Annie E. and Lucy A. Baldwin of Chicago, Fred H. Parker, Henry Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin (widow of Francis), Elizabeth C. Baldwin, the Moreys, the Reeds of Somerville, Frederick A. and Ada R. Parker, Charles W. Parker, Lucy B. Parker and Charles H. Parker. For one dollar they quitclaim land "in that part of said Billerica called the Centre on the westerly side of the Bedford road so called," from a stone bound on the road 100 feet south of the southeast corner of "the old Town hall lot," westerly about 150 feet, northerly about 151 feet, easterly to the northwest corner of the old lot, southerly along it about 69 feet and easterly along it to the road: "lots marked No. I and II on a plan of land entitled Plan of land in Billerica Mass. surveyed July 26, 1894 for the Selectmen of the Town, Smith and Brooks Civil Engineers," Plan Book 10, Plan 17. Title: Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin, March 12, 1868 (Book 60, Page 495); Sarah Baldwin et al. to Mary C. Morey et al., September 14, 1876 (Book 120, Page 235); Mary C. Morey et al. to Frederic A. Morey (Book 210, Page 24); the grantors claim "through John Baldwin who died June 25th 1875." "These premises are conveyed upon the express condition that the said town of Billerica shall maintain a town hall building thereon and shall not erect any other buildings for other purposes. This is not intended to limit the purposes for which the town hall may be used." It confirms the taking of the same two lots in August 1894; the new Town Hall was built on the enlarged lot in 1894-1895. Title from: March 20, 1868 Quitclaim: Charles H. Parker of Billerica, Esq., and Mary B. Parker his wife to John Baldwin of Billerica (60/495) ("Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin dated March 12, 1868") September 28, 1876 Quitclaim (partition): Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Francis Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, heirs of John Baldwin to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) ("Sarah Baldwin et al to Mary C. Morey et al dated Sept 14, 1876") October 9, 1889 Warranty Deed: Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederic A. Parker, Charles W. Parker, Lucy B. Parker and Charles H. Parker, heirs of Mary B. Parker to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica (210/24) ("Mary C. Morey et al to Frederic A. Morey") Related: August 28, 1894 Order of Taking: The heirs of Mary B. Parker and Frederic A. Morey (owners of the land taken) to Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica (256/391) (release of the same two lots taken in August 1894)
March 8, 1899	Deed in Trust	Charles W. Parker of Billerica, unmarried	Mary C. Morey and Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trustees	Trustee with his wife of Charles W. Parkers share of the Baldwin lands, 1895	Samuel Ruggles House Billerica Masonic Temple Billerica Council on Aging	305/423
	For one dollar and other consideration, all his right in the lots "described in deed of Sarah Baldwin and others to Mary C. Morey and others dated September 14, 1876": "The piece or parcel of land in the center of said Billerica near the Town House with buildings thereon it being the same premises conveyed by Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin by deed dated March 12, 1868 ... Book 60, Page 495," less the lot south of the house and the Academy Lot, with the Fox Hill, Middle Bridge and Shawsheen meadow lots, "a portion of the Estate of John Baldwin deceased," in trust to apply the income and principal to his support after the death of his father, pay a mortgage made the same day to Frederic A. Morey, and at his death convey to his appointees or heirs, with power of sale. Dated Nov. 30, 1895, witnessed by Charles H. Parker, acknowledged Dec. 2, 1895, recorded March 8, 1899. Book 305 Pages 423-425. Title from: September 28, 1876 Quitclaim (partition): Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Francis Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, heirs of John Baldwin to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (Charles W. Parker's fifth)
June 18, 1898	Assignment of Mortgage	Pamelia Richardson, Executrix of the will of John O. Richardson	Fannie P. R. Colby of Billerica, his daughter	Acknowledged before him as justice of the peace	Colby House	298/343
	"I, Pamelia Richardson, Executrix of the will of John O. Richardson," for $1,000 paid by Fannie P. R. Colby of Billerica, assign to her the mortgage given to John O. Richardson by Barnet Schwartz of Tewksbury on August 27, 1896 (Book 277, Page 557). Dated June 1, acknowledged at Billerica June 10 before Frederic A. Morey, recorded June 18, 1898, after an assignment of another of his mortgages to Pamelia. The record shows that John O. Richardson had died with a will between 1896 and 1898, his widow Pamelia acting as executrix; she lived on in the front half of the house until 1917, and the homestead came to their daughter Fannie, whose will left it to her daughters Eva R. and Florence A. Colby (Book 925, Page 119). Title passed to: January 6, 1939 Quitclaim Deed: Eva R. Colby and Florence A. Colby, both of Billerica, unmarried to Jessie E. Hinds of Medford and Marion A. Warren of Billerica, joint tenants (925/119) (title under the will of Fannie P. R. Colby, daughter of John O. Richardson) Related: December 21, 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Alden B. Richardson of Lowell (Martha Richardson, his wife, releasing dower and homestead) to His brother John O. Richardson of Billerica (29/559) (John O. Richardson died with a will about 1897)
July 24, 1902	Warranty Deed	Henry S. Pihl of Lowell and Wilhelmine A. Pihl	Frederic A. Morey of Billerica	Buys the Robinson Lot on Gilson Hill, 1902		345/567
	Signed May 16, 1902, recorded July 24, 1902, for one dollar and other considerations: "a certain lot of land known as the Robinson Lot situated on the south easterly side of Gilson Hill in the western part of Billerica" of about 44 acres, as on the plan "Land in Billerica surveyed for J. N. Parker May 4, 1891" by Osgood and Snell, "the same premises as conveyed to me ... by deed of J. H. Parker et al dated Oct 8, 1892 ... Book 237 Page 442, and by deed of Dudley Foster dated Oct 1, 1892 ... Book 237 Page 443", saving the strip west of the "Old Middlesex Turnpike" sold to Warren Shedd and a two-acre lot on the "Lowell Road" sold to Clara M. Deering on July 24, 1899. Title from: 1892 Deed: J. H. Parker et al. to Henry S. Pihl of Lowell (237/442) ("by deed of J. H. Parker et al ... Book 237 Page 442") 1892 Deed: Dudley Foster to Henry S. Pihl of Lowell (237/443) ("and by deed of Dudley Foster ... Book 237 Page 443") Title passed to: 1904 Executors' Deed: Nathan W. Reed and Thomas J. Morey, executors of Frederic A. Morey to Warren H. Manning (?/?) (the Robinson Lot, conveyed by Henry S. Pihl to Frederic A. Morey (Book 345, Page 567)) October 24, 1934 Warranty Deed: Warren H. Manning, widower, of Billerica to Commonwealth of Massachusetts (855/31) (Parcel 1: "conveyed by Henry S. Pihl to Frederic A. Morey ... Book 345, Page 567")
August 6, 1902	Warranty Deed	Elizabeth C. Baldwin of Billerica	Frederic A. Morey of Billerica	Buys the Gilson Hill Lot, 1902		346/184
	Signed August 2, 1902, recorded August 6, 1902, for one dollar and other considerations: "The lot called the Gilson Hill Lot containing about fifty-three and one half acres more or less being described in a deed from Zadok Howe guardian of Josiah Crosby to John & Henry Baldwin dated April 9, 1833 ... Book 322, Page 316. Also in a deed of Sarah Baldwin et al to me ... dated Sept. 14, 1876 ... Book 120, Page 230." Title from: September 23, 1876 Partition Deed: Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Frances Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin, Charles H. Parker, Mary C. Morey, Frederic A. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Nathan H. Reed, Frederick A. Parker and Agnethe C. Parker to Elizabeth C. Baldwin of Billerica, single woman (120/230) ("a deed of Sarah Baldwin et al to me ... Book 120, Page 230") Title passed to: 1904 Executors' Deed: Nathan W. Reed and Thomas J. Morey, executors of Frederic A. Morey to Warren H. Manning (?/?) (the Gilson Hill Lot, conveyed by Elizabeth C. Baldwin to Frederic A. Morey (Book 346, Page 184)) October 24, 1934 Warranty Deed: Warren H. Manning, widower, of Billerica to Commonwealth of Massachusetts (855/31) (Parcel 2: "Elizabeth C. Baldwin to Frederic A. Morey ... Book 346, page 184")
1904	Executors' Deed	Nathan W. Reed and Thomas J. Morey, executors of Frederic A. Morey	Warren H. Manning	His executors sell the Gilson Hill lots to Warren H. Manning, 1904		?/?
	Two deeds dated June 21, 1904 (known from the recitals in Book 855, Page 31 and Book 734, Page 56; they were to be recorded with the 1934 deed to the Commonwealth, "to be recorded herewith", but are not on the pages just before it). The executors of Frederic A. Morey convey to Warren H. Manning the Robinson Lot and the Gilson Hill Lot that Morey had bought in 1902. Title from: August 6, 1902 Warranty Deed: Elizabeth C. Baldwin of Billerica to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica (346/184) (the Gilson Hill Lot, conveyed by Elizabeth C. Baldwin to Frederic A. Morey (Book 346, Page 184)) July 24, 1902 Warranty Deed: Henry S. Pihl of Lowell and Wilhelmine A. Pihl to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica (345/567) (the Robinson Lot, conveyed by Henry S. Pihl to Frederic A. Morey (Book 345, Page 567)) Title passed to: October 30, 1908 Quitclaim Deed: Warren H. Manning of Brookline and Henrietta H. Manning to Appalachian Mountain Club (425/491) (carved out of the land Manning bought from the Morey executors) October 30, 1908 Quitclaim Deed: Warren H. Manning of Brookline to Billerica Improvement Association (425/495) (carved out of the land Manning bought from the Morey executors) March 6, 1926 Deed: Warren H. Manning and Henrietta H. Manning of Billerica to Inhabitants of Billerica (Town Forest) (734/56) (a lot "conveyed to me by Nathan W. Reed and Thomas J. Morey by deed dated June 21, 1904") October 24, 1934 Warranty Deed: Warren H. Manning, widower, of Billerica to Commonwealth of Massachusetts (855/31) ("by said Morey's Executors to grantor by deed dated June 21, 1904")
October 24, 1904	Discharge of Mortgage	Elizabeth C. Baldwin and Nathan H. Reed, executor of the will of Charles H. Parker	Charles W. Parker, Frederick A. Parker and Clara B. Reed, heirs of Mary C. Morey	His 1874 mortgage discharged, paid by his executors, 1904	Billerica Masonic Temple	371/68
	Signed July 18, 1904. As holders of the mortgage Frederic A. Morey gave John Baldwin on March 20, 1874 (Book 100, Page 341), for $5,268.45 paid by the executors of Morey's will they discharge it and quitclaim to the heirs of Mary C. Morey, "who was devisee of the mortgaged premises under said will of Frederic A. Morey." Title from: 1874 Mortgage: Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader to John Baldwin of Billerica (100/341) (discharge of this mortgage)
October 24, 1904	Executors Deed	Nathan H. Reed of Somerville and Thomas J. Morey of Haverhill, executors of the will of Frederic A. Morey	Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle of Billerica	His executors sell the store at auction to Gannon and Towle, 1904	Billerica Academy Billerica Masonic Temple	371/70
	Signed August 25, 1904. Under a Probate Court license of May 25, 1904, the executors sold Morey's real estate at public auction on August 4, 1904 to Gannon and Towle, the highest bidders, for $3,250: "a certain parcel of land and the buildings thereon," bounded east by the public highway 98 feet, north by the Unitarian Church and F. H. Parker 252 feet, west by Mary F. Bryant and J. N. Parker 199 feet, south by the heirs of Mary B. Parker 120 feet, then east 75 feet and south 116 feet by "the Town Hall lot." This joined the old academy lot on the road and the land behind it into the parcel of the present Masonic Temple. Title from: June 9, 1873 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader (94/263) (Morey title to the front lot) Title passed to: March 28, 1914 Quitclaim: William H. Gannon, Catherine Kearney, Lizzie A. Gannon, Hannah Gannon and Henrietta F. Gannon of Billerica to Ernest C. Towle of Billerica (519/339) (title recital) March 28, 1914 Conservator's Deed: Henrietta F. Gannon, conservator of the property of James F. Gannon of Billerica to Ernest C. Towle of Billerica (519/340) (title recital; James F. Gannon held under the will of Lawrence B. Gannon) December 30, 1921 Deed: Eva J. Towle of Billerica, widow and devisee of Ernest C. Towle to Everett S. Bull of Billerica (655/68) (title recital)

Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.

Frederic A. Morey

Frederic A. Morey

References

Deed References Expand all

Deed References