William Mann House

The William Mann House at 39 Concord Road, on the corner of Richardson Street in Billerica Centre, is a plain Greek Revival farmhouse built in the 1840s by William Mann on a fourteen-acre field that ran from Concord Road down to the Concord River. The Massachusetts Historical Commission inventory (BIL.60, 1973) dated it about 1830 by its style, but the deeds show that when Mann bought the land in 1842 it carried only "a Barn and cider mill house"; by 1868 it was "my homestead where I now reside".

The field was once part of the homestead of Jacob Danforth, who in 1728 bought from Samuel Fasset twenty acres "to the westward of the meeting house", a lot "that was Jacob Browns and afterwards possessed by Thomas Patten", running from "the highway called Concord Road" to the river, "with all the Buildings and fences thereon standing". Danforth left his lands to his sons David and Timothy in 1754, and in 1763 David sold his south half to the minister, Rev. Henry Cumings: the house lot on the east side of the road and twelve acres on the west side "with the Barn thereon standing". When Dr. Cumings died in 1823 his inventory listed "the land west of the road estimated at 14 acres". His executor, Joseph Locke, sold it at auction to Francis Richardson, the neighbor to the south, for $651, although the deed was not recorded until 1842.

On April 12, 1842 Richardson sold "my Cumings lot", fourteen acres with the barn and cider mill house, to William Mann, a farmer who had just sold his farm in the south part of town by Nutting's Pond. Richardson kept the right to use "the lane in the south side of said premises to drive his cattle to pasture". That lane later became Richardson Street. Mann built the house at the northeast corner of the lot, and the 1853 map of Billerica shows "W. Mann" here. In 1868 he and his wife Sophronia sold "my homestead where I now reside" to Benjamin J. Gilbert for $3000. Gilbert sold it in 1869 to Rev. Clifton Fletcher, pastor of the First Baptist Church next door, whose name is on the 1875 map. In 1875 Fletcher sold it for $4600 to Stephen Locke of Arlington, who died within the year.

In May 1876 William Whiting bought the whole lot from Locke's heirs in three deeds: from his daughters Frances C. Osborn and Ella A. Locke, from his widow Almira, and from the guardian of his minor son. Whiting, born in Billerica in 1826 and a descendant of Rev. Samuel Whiting, had lived for many years in Merrimac and came back to his native town. In 1884 he granted the Boston and Lowell Railroad a right of way for its Bedford and Billerica branch across his land toward the river. He also added a six-acre lot on Bedford Street and an eight-acre wood lot on the Middlesex Turnpike. His will left the property in trust for his widow, Ann S. Whiting. Their daughter Anna W. Staley, wife of Staley of the Staley school of oratory in Boston, lived in the house with her mother and husband.

After Anna Staley's death her one-third share was sold at auction in 1912 to Jasper Whiting of Boston. In 1913 the Whiting trustee conveyed the rest to him, with the widow "reserving however the right to occupy the house I am living in during my life". Through a series of 1913 releases from the Whiting heirs, the property passed to Richard Austin of Dover. In 1914 he sold the fourteen acres and the Bedford Street lot to William H. and Clara E. Sexton. The Sextons registered the land in the Land Court in 1915 (case 5240) and divided it into house lots along Concord Road and the new Richardson, Whiting and Parker Streets. In 1918 the old house, on Lots 32 to 34 at the corner of Richardson Street, was sold to Anna F. Burnham of Somerville. In 1945, after Arthur W. Burnham's death, it passed to Arthur A. and Mary L. Burnham. In 1956 they divided the corner into two lots (Land Court plan 5240-H), sold the back lot in 1959, and sold the house lot, Lot 104 (0.394 acres), to private owners in 1967. It changed hands again in 2000 and 2021.

References

Title References

Date	Type	Grantor	Grantee	Summary	Recorded
October 17, 1728	Deed	Samuel Fasset of Billerica; Lydia Fasset his wife releasing dower	Jacob Danforth of Billerica	Danforth homestead west of the meeting house, 1728	27/525 (South)
	For 400 pounds, "a certain parcel of land containing by estimation twenty acres ... to the westward of the meeting house and it is a lot that was Jacob Browns and afterwards possessed by Thomas Patten", bounded "by the highway called Concord Road east and Concord River west the lot that was John Rogers north and the lot of Daniel Shed south Together with all the Buildings and fences thereon standing"; also about 45 poles in the centre on the east side of the road (half of John Dutton's lot 71 and the whole of lots 72 and 73 of that division). Dated June 9, 1728; acknowledged July 8, 1728 before Oliver Whiting. Billerica town book 3, pages 148-150. This is the Danforth homestead whose southern half, west of the road, became the fourteen-acre Cumings lot. Title passed to: 1754 Will: Estate of Capt. Jacob Danforth of Billerica, gentleman to His sons David Danforth (blacksmith) and Dr. Timothy Danforth (physician) (Probate #5885) (the homestead Jacob Danforth bought in 1728)
1754	Will	Estate of Capt. Jacob Danforth of Billerica, gentleman	His sons David Danforth (blacksmith) and Dr. Timothy Danforth (physician)	Jacob Danforth will 1754: homestead to sons David and Timothy	Probate #5885
	Will dated Jan. 1, 1754: to his wife Rebecca the movables within doors while a widow, two cows, money and yearly provisions; to son David the rest of Elijah Danforth's time "to learn him the Smith Trade"; to son Timothy his horse and saddle; "I Give unto my said Sons David and Timothy Danforth all my Estate in Lands and Buildings in said Billerica to be Equally Devided Between them"; legacies to granddaughter Abigail (daughter of his late son William), grandsons Jacob and Jesse (sons of his late son Jacob), and daughters Rebecca Whiting, Mary and Hannah. Signed by mark; witnesses Nathaniel Davidson, Thomas Stearns, William Ruggles. Proved Jan. 21, 1754; the sons gave bond as executors with Davidson and Stearns. Middlesex probate case 5885. Title from: February 26, 1724 Deed: John Stearns of Billerica and Joanna Stearns to Jacob Danforth of Billerica (23/519) (Danforth bought the house in 1723) October 17, 1728 Deed: Samuel Fasset of Billerica; Lydia Fasset his wife releasing dower to Jacob Danforth of Billerica (27/525) (the homestead Jacob Danforth bought in 1728) Title passed to: October 8, 1765 Deed: David Danforth of Billerica, blacksmith, and Joanna Danforth to Rev. Henry Cumings of Billerica, clerk (64/63) (David's half of his father's homestead)
October 8, 1765	Deed	David Danforth of Billerica, blacksmith, and Joanna Danforth	Rev. Henry Cumings of Billerica, clerk	1763: south half of the Danforth homestead (12 acres west of the road) to Rev. Henry Cumings	64/63 (South)
	For 220 pounds, "one certain Lot of Land situate in Billerica aforesaid near the Centre of the Town containing half an Acre," bounded westerly by "the County Road leading to Concord," southerly by Josiah Brown, easterly by John Parker and northerly by Timothy Danforth, "with the Dwelling House and all the other Buildings thereon standing"; also twelve acres near the centre, "the one half of the Homested of Captain Jacob Danforth late of said Billerica deceased viz. the south side," from the county road west to Concord River, "with the Barn thereon standing," the other half belonging to Dr. Timothy Danforth. Signed Feb. 4, 1763, acknowledged April 1, 1763 before Thomas Kidder; witnesses William French Jr. and Nathaniel Davidson. Cumings had been ordained in January 1763. Billerica town book 6, pages 123-125. Title from: 1754 Will: Estate of Capt. Jacob Danforth of Billerica, gentleman to His sons David Danforth (blacksmith) and Dr. Timothy Danforth (physician) (Probate #5885) (David's half of his father's homestead) Title passed to: 1823 Will: Estate of Rev. Henry Cumings, D.D., of Billerica, clerk to Joseph Locke, executor (licensed by the will to sell the real estate) (Probate #5421) (Cumings owned the house from 1763)
1823	Will	Estate of Rev. Henry Cumings, D.D., of Billerica, clerk	Joseph Locke, executor (licensed by the will to sell the real estate)	Cumings estate 1823: "land west of the road estimated at 14 acres"	Probate #5421
	Will of "the late Doct Cumings" proved and allowed Oct. 28, 1823; letters testamentary to Joseph Locke of Billerica, with John Baldwin and George Bruce as sureties. The inventory by Samuel Whiting, George Bruce and John Baldwin lists "The mansion house and garden $850.00" and "The land west of the road estimated at 14 acres $650," with a brass clock, desk, silver can and porringer among the furnishings. A separate case (5422) made John Baldwin guardian of his son Henry Cumings, schoolmaster, in Nov. 1823. Middlesex probate case 5421. Title from: October 8, 1765 Deed: David Danforth of Billerica, blacksmith, and Joanna Danforth to Rev. Henry Cumings of Billerica, clerk (64/63) (Cumings owned the house from 1763) Title passed to: May 15, 1824 Executor's Deed: Joseph Locke of Billerica, Esq., executor of the will of Rev. Henry Cumings to Joseph Parker of Billerica, gentleman (deputy sheriff) (254/237) (sold under the power in Cumings's will) June 7, 1842 Executor's Deed: Joseph Locke of Billerica, Esq., executor of the will of Rev. Henry Cumings to Francis Richardson of Billerica, gentleman (418/44) (executor's sale under the will)
June 7, 1842	Executor's Deed	Joseph Locke of Billerica, Esq., executor of the will of Rev. Henry Cumings	Francis Richardson of Billerica, gentleman	1824 Cumings executor to Francis Richardson, 14 acres with the barn	418/44 (South)
	Under the power of sale in Dr. Cumings's will, sold at public vendue on Dec. 23, 1823 to Richardson, highest bidder, for $651: "about fourteen acres of land ... with the barn thereon bounded east by the highway leading from Billerica Meeting house to Concord, south by land of said Francis, west by Concord River and north by land of Rev. Nathl Whitman". This is "the land west of the road estimated at 14 acres $650" of the Cumings inventory, the south half of Capt. Jacob Danforth's homestead bought by Cumings in 1763. Dated Feb. 4, 1824; acknowledged April 13, 1824 before Marshall Preston; recorded only June 7, 1842. Billerica town book 17, pages 341-342. Title from: 1823 Will: Estate of Rev. Henry Cumings, D.D., of Billerica, clerk to Joseph Locke, executor (licensed by the will to sell the real estate) (Probate #5421) (executor's sale under the will) Title passed to: April 30, 1842 Deed: Francis Richardson of Billerica, gentleman; Martha Richardson his wife releasing dower to William Mann of Billerica, yeoman (412/564) ("the same conveyed me by Joseph Lock Esq. the executor")
April 30, 1842	Deed	Francis Richardson of Billerica, gentleman; Martha Richardson his wife releasing dower	William Mann of Billerica, yeoman	1842 the "Cumings lot" with barn and cider mill to William Mann	412/564 (South)
	For $1700, "a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Billerica near the centre of the Town called 'my Cumings lot' with a Barn and cider mill house thereon containing fourteen acres more or less", from the northeast corner at the road from Billerica to Concord and land of George Bacon, west by Bacon to Concord River, south by the river about twelve rods to a stone wall, east by the wall and a rail fence to Concord Road, and north by the road; Richardson kept a right "to use the lane in the south side of said premises to drive his cattle to pasture". "Being the same conveyed me by Joseph Lock Esq. the executor of the last will and testament of the late Doct Henry Cumings." No dwelling house is mentioned: William Mann built the house after this purchase. Dated April 12, 1842. Billerica town book 17, pages 252-254. Title from: June 7, 1842 Executor's Deed: Joseph Locke of Billerica, Esq., executor of the will of Rev. Henry Cumings to Francis Richardson of Billerica, gentleman (418/44) ("the same conveyed me by Joseph Lock Esq. the executor") Title passed to: August 5, 1875 Warranty Deed: William Mann of Billerica, gentleman; Sophronia Mann his wife releasing dower and homestead to Benjamin J. Gilbert of Billerica (111/491) (recites Book 412 Page 564)
August 5, 1875	Warranty Deed	William Mann of Billerica, gentleman; Sophronia Mann his wife releasing dower and homestead	Benjamin J. Gilbert of Billerica	1868 Mann sells his homestead to Benjamin J. Gilbert	111/491
	For $3000, "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon, situate in said Billerica near the centre of the town, being my homestead where I now reside, containing fourteen acres more or less", from the road from Billerica to Concord "and land of George H. Whitman (formerly of G. Bacon)" west to Concord River, south by the river about twelve rods to a stone wall and back by the wall and rail fence to Concord road, with Francis Richardson's lane privilege. "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Francis Richardson, deed dated April 12th 1842 ... Book 412 Page 564." Dated July 22, 1868; recorded only Aug. 5, 1875 with the Fletcher deed. Title from: April 30, 1842 Deed: Francis Richardson of Billerica, gentleman; Martha Richardson his wife releasing dower to William Mann of Billerica, yeoman (412/564) (recites Book 412 Page 564) Title passed to: July 22, 1869 Warranty Deed: Benjamin J. Gilbert of Billerica, gentleman; Julia Gilbert his wife releasing dower and homestead to Rev. Clifton Fletcher of Billerica (69/42) ("conveyed to me by Wm. Mann")
July 22, 1869	Warranty Deed	Benjamin J. Gilbert of Billerica, gentleman; Julia Gilbert his wife releasing dower and homestead	Rev. Clifton Fletcher of Billerica	1869 Gilbert to Rev. Clifton Fletcher	69/42
	For $2500, "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon, situate in said Billerica near the centre of the town, containing fourteen acres more or less", the same bounds (George H. Whitman on the north, Concord River, the stone wall and rail fence, Concord road), with the lane privilege reserved in Richardson's deed to Mann of 1842. "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Wm. Mann, deed dated July 22d 1868." Clifton Fletcher was pastor of the Baptist church next door. Title from: August 5, 1875 Warranty Deed: William Mann of Billerica, gentleman; Sophronia Mann his wife releasing dower and homestead to Benjamin J. Gilbert of Billerica (111/491) ("conveyed to me by Wm. Mann") Title passed to: August 5, 1875 Warranty Deed: Clifton Fletcher of Billerica; Mary E. Fletcher his wife releasing dower and homestead to Stephen Locke of Arlington (111/492) (recites Book 69)
August 5, 1875	Warranty Deed	Clifton Fletcher of Billerica; Mary E. Fletcher his wife releasing dower and homestead	Stephen Locke of Arlington	1875 Fletcher to Stephen Locke	111/492
	For $4600, "my Homestead situate in said Billerica with the buildings thereon, near the centre of the town, containing fourteen acres more or less", same bounds, with the lane privilege "as reserved in Francis Richardson's deed to Wm. Mann dated April 12th, 1842". "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Benjamin C. [J.] Gilbert deed dated July 6th A.D. 1869 ... Book 69." Dated July 24, 1875; acknowledged before Dudley Foster. Locke gave Fletcher a $2500 purchase-money mortgage. Title from: July 22, 1869 Warranty Deed: Benjamin J. Gilbert of Billerica, gentleman; Julia Gilbert his wife releasing dower and homestead to Rev. Clifton Fletcher of Billerica (69/42) (recites Book 69) Title passed to: May 24, 1876 Warranty Deed: Frances C. Osborn, widow, and Ella A. Locke, singlewoman, both of Cambridge (daughters of Stephen Locke) to William Whiting of Billerica (118/57) (recites B.111 P.492) May 24, 1876 Release of Dower: Almira D. Locke of Cambridge, widow of Stephen Locke late of Arlington to William Whiting of Billerica (118/59) (widow's dower in her husband's purchase) May 24, 1876 Guardian's Deed: Almira D. Locke of Cambridge, guardian of Walter A. Locke, minor child of Stephen Locke to William Whiting of Billerica (118/59) (the minor's third)
May 24, 1876	Warranty Deed	Frances C. Osborn, widow, and Ella A. Locke, singlewoman, both of Cambridge (daughters of Stephen Locke)	William Whiting of Billerica	1876 Locke heirs (two thirds) to William Whiting	118/57
	For $1000, "two undivided third parts of a certain lot of land with the buildings thereon, containing about fourteen acres, situated in said Billerica near the centre of said town", same bounds and lane privilege, "Being the same premises conveyed by Clifton Fletcher to Stephen Locke our late father by deed dated July 24, 1875 ... B.111 P.492", subject to the $2500 mortgage to Fletcher (assumed by the grantee) and the widow's dower. Dated May 18, 1876. Title from: August 5, 1875 Warranty Deed: Clifton Fletcher of Billerica; Mary E. Fletcher his wife releasing dower and homestead to Stephen Locke of Arlington (111/492) (recites B.111 P.492) Title passed to: September 6, 1912 Executor's Deed: James W. Austin of Dover, executor of the will of Anna W. Staley late of Billerica to Jasper Whiting of Boston (494/1) (Staley third of Whiting's land) September 17, 1913 Trustee's Deed: James W. Austin, trustee under the will of William Whiting; Ann S. Whiting, widow, consenting to Jasper Whiting of Boston (511/212) (recites Book 118 Pages 57 and 59) Related: May 24, 1876 Release of Dower: Almira D. Locke of Cambridge, widow of Stephen Locke late of Arlington to William Whiting of Billerica (118/59) (same purchase) May 24, 1876 Guardian's Deed: Almira D. Locke of Cambridge, guardian of Walter A. Locke, minor child of Stephen Locke to William Whiting of Billerica (118/59) (same purchase)
May 24, 1876	Release of Dower	Almira D. Locke of Cambridge, widow of Stephen Locke late of Arlington	William Whiting of Billerica	1876 Locke widow releases dower to Whiting	118/59
	For $500, quitclaim of the fourteen acres described in the foregoing deed, "especially intending to release all right of dower". Dated May 18, 1876. Title from: August 5, 1875 Warranty Deed: Clifton Fletcher of Billerica; Mary E. Fletcher his wife releasing dower and homestead to Stephen Locke of Arlington (111/492) (widow's dower in her husband's purchase)
May 24, 1876	Guardian's Deed	Almira D. Locke of Cambridge, guardian of Walter A. Locke, minor child of Stephen Locke	William Whiting of Billerica	1876 guardian sells the minor's third to Whiting	118/59
	Under license of the Middlesex Probate Court of May 16, 1876, private sale for $500 of the minor's "one undivided third part subject to the right of dower therein of me said Guardian of about fourteen acres of land with the buildings thereon", being the premises conveyed by Clifton Fletcher to Stephen Locke July 24, 1875 (Book 111 Page 492). Dated May 18, 1876. With the two deeds before it, this gave Whiting the whole lot. Pages 59-60. Title from: August 5, 1875 Warranty Deed: Clifton Fletcher of Billerica; Mary E. Fletcher his wife releasing dower and homestead to Stephen Locke of Arlington (111/492) (the minor's third)
May 2, 1885	Right of Way Grant	William Whiting of Billerica; Ann S. Whiting his wife releasing dower and homestead	Boston and Lowell Railroad Corporation	1884 railroad right of way across the Whiting land	173/400
	For one dollar, "the right of way across all my land in said town of Billerica which is included within the location of the Bedford and Billerica branch of the Boston & Lowell Railroad Company" (Location Plan of Oct. 1, 1884, two rods wide), on condition that the railroad "construct and operate over my said land a standard gauge railroad" within one year, the land to revert if operation ceased. The line (the old two-foot Billerica and Bedford route) crossed the back of the Whiting land toward the river. Dated Sept. 20, 1884. Pages 400-401. Related: May 24, 1876 Warranty Deed: Frances C. Osborn, widow, and Ella A. Locke, singlewoman, both of Cambridge (daughters of Stephen Locke) to William Whiting of Billerica (118/57) (right of way over the Whiting land)
September 6, 1912	Executor's Deed	James W. Austin of Dover, executor of the will of Anna W. Staley late of Billerica	Jasper Whiting of Boston	1912 Staley executor sells her third to Jasper Whiting	494/1
	Under license of Jan. 11, 1912, sold at auction July 9, 1912 for $3200 "one undivided third or such greater interest as the deceased, Anna W. Staley, may have died seized of in a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon containing about fourteen acres, situated in said Billerica, near the centre of the Town" (same bounds; "being the premises conveyed to William Whiting by two deeds dated May 18, 1876 ... Book 118, Pages 57 and 59"), with the same share of the six-acre Bedford Street lot and the eight-acre Whiting Wood Lot on the Middlesex Turnpike. Anna W. Staley was William Whiting's daughter. Dated July 23, 1912. Pages 1-2. Title from: May 24, 1876 Warranty Deed: Frances C. Osborn, widow, and Ella A. Locke, singlewoman, both of Cambridge (daughters of Stephen Locke) to William Whiting of Billerica (118/57) (Staley third of Whiting's land) Title passed to: September 17, 1913 Quitclaim: Jasper Whiting of Boston; Marion Whiting his wife to Richard Austin of Dover (511/216) (recites the executor's deed)
September 17, 1913	Trustee's Deed	James W. Austin, trustee under the will of William Whiting; Ann S. Whiting, widow, consenting	Jasper Whiting of Boston	1913 Whiting trustee to Jasper Whiting; widow keeps the house for life	511/212
	Under the power in William Whiting's will, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon containing about fourteen acres, situated in said Billerica near the centre of the Town", same bounds and lane right, being the premises conveyed to William Whiting by the deeds of May 18, 1876 (Book 118, Pages 57 and 59), with the Bedford Street lot and the Whiting Wood Lot. The widow Ann S. Whiting joined, releasing her interest under the will but "reserving however the right to occupy the house I am living in during my life". Dated April 8, 1913. Pages 212-214. Title from: May 24, 1876 Warranty Deed: Frances C. Osborn, widow, and Ella A. Locke, singlewoman, both of Cambridge (daughters of Stephen Locke) to William Whiting of Billerica (118/57) (recites Book 118 Pages 57 and 59) Title passed to: September 17, 1913 Quitclaim: Jasper Whiting of Boston; Marion Whiting his wife to Richard Austin of Dover (511/216) (recites the trustee's deed)
September 17, 1913	Mortgage	Jasper Whiting of Boston; Marion Whiting his wife	Caroline W. Hay of Boston	1913 Jasper Whiting mortgage	511/214
	Mortgage for $1100 in five years at 4 1/2 percent on the same three parcels (the fourteen acres "with the buildings thereon" near the centre, the Bedford Street lot and the Whiting Wood Lot), "being the premises conveyed to me by James W. Austin, Trustee et al by deed of even date", covering the shares bought from the trustee and from the Staley executor. Dated April 8, 1913. Later partly released and discharged (Book 527). Related: September 17, 1913 Trustee's Deed: James W. Austin, trustee under the will of William Whiting; Ann S. Whiting, widow, consenting to Jasper Whiting of Boston (511/212) (purchase mortgage)
September 17, 1913	Quitclaim	Jasper Whiting of Boston; Marion Whiting his wife	Richard Austin of Dover	1913 Jasper Whiting to Richard Austin	511/216
	For one dollar, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon, containing about fourteen acres ... near the centre of the town", with the Bedford Street lot and the Whiting Wood Lot, "Meaning to convey ... such interest in said described property as I obtained by deed of James W. Austin, Executor, dated July 23, 1912 ... and deed of James W. Austin, Trustee, et al, dated April 8, 1913", subject to the Hay mortgage. Dated July 25, 1913. Pages 216-218. Title from: September 6, 1912 Executor's Deed: James W. Austin of Dover, executor of the will of Anna W. Staley late of Billerica to Jasper Whiting of Boston (494/1) (recites the executor's deed) September 17, 1913 Trustee's Deed: James W. Austin, trustee under the will of William Whiting; Ann S. Whiting, widow, consenting to Jasper Whiting of Boston (511/212) (recites the trustee's deed) Title passed to: September 22, 1914 Quitclaim: Richard Austin of Dover to William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (527/226) (recites Book 511 Page 216)
September 17, 1913	Mortgage	Richard Austin of Dover, unmarried	James W. Austin of Dover	1913 Richard Austin mortgage	511/218
	Mortgage for $6000 in three years at five percent on the same Billerica parcels, given with the purchase from Jasper Whiting. Margin: "See Par. Release B.527 P.432" (released when the homestead was sold to the Sextons in 1914). Related: September 17, 1913 Quitclaim: Jasper Whiting of Boston; Marion Whiting his wife to Richard Austin of Dover (511/216) (purchase mortgage)
October 1, 1913	Quitclaim	Leslie Whiting of Pasadena, Jasper Whiting, Caroline W. Hay, Richard Austin and the other heirs of William Whiting, with their spouses	James W. Austin of Dover	1913 Whiting heirs release to James W. Austin	511/277
	For one dollar, release of the parcels described in the deeds to William Whiting (Book 118 Pages 57-59 and his other Billerica and Suffolk lands), "meaning hereby to convey ... whatever interest we have in the real estate left by William Whiting late of Billerica, and also whatever interest we may have ... at the termination of the trusts for the benefit of Ann S. Whiting et al". Dated July 25, 1913. Pages 277-280. Title passed to: October 1, 1913 Quitclaim: James W. Austin of Dover to Richard Austin of Dover (511/280) (recites the Whiting heirs' deed) Related: September 17, 1913 Trustee's Deed: James W. Austin, trustee under the will of William Whiting; Ann S. Whiting, widow, consenting to Jasper Whiting of Boston (511/212) (releases of the will trust remainder)
October 1, 1913	Quitclaim	James W. Austin of Dover	Richard Austin of Dover	1913 James W. Austin to Richard Austin	511/280
	For one dollar, the same parcels, "all the interest in said property I obtained from deed of Leslie Whiting et al dated July 25, 1913 ... and any interest I may have under the will of said Wm. Whiting". Dated July 25, 1913; acknowledged Aug. 27, 1913. Title from: October 1, 1913 Quitclaim: Leslie Whiting of Pasadena, Jasper Whiting, Caroline W. Hay, Richard Austin and the other heirs of William Whiting, with their spouses to James W. Austin of Dover (511/277) (recites the Whiting heirs' deed) Title passed to: September 22, 1914 Quitclaim: Richard Austin of Dover to William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (527/226) (Austin's other title)
September 22, 1914	Quitclaim	Richard Austin of Dover	William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica	1914 Austin to William H. and Clara E. Sexton	527/226
	For one dollar and other considerations, "Beginning at the northeast corner thereof on the Road leading from Billerica to Concord at land of George H. Whitman", west to the Concord River, south on the river about twelve rods to a stone wall, east by the wall, a rail fence and a wall again to the road, "with the right to use the Lane on the south side of said premises to drive cattle", "containing fourteen (14) acres more or less", and the six-acre Bedford Street lot, subject to the railroad location and "laid-out streets such as Whiting street". "For title see deed Jasper Whiting to me dated July 25, 1913 ... Book 511 Page 216." Pages 226-227. Title from: September 17, 1913 Quitclaim: Jasper Whiting of Boston; Marion Whiting his wife to Richard Austin of Dover (511/216) (recites Book 511 Page 216) October 1, 1913 Quitclaim: James W. Austin of Dover to Richard Austin of Dover (511/280) (Austin's other title) Title passed to: March 29, 1915 Certificate of Title: Land Court decree, case 5240 (petition of William H. Sexton et ux) to William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (Ctf 629) (registered on the Sextons' petition)
March 29, 1915	Certificate of Title	Land Court decree, case 5240 (petition of William H. Sexton et ux)	William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica	1915 Land Court registration, Lot A on plan 5240	Ctf 629
	Original certificate on the decree of March 26, 1915 registering the Sextons' land as Lots A to D on plan 5240 (F. W. Huntington & Co., Dec. 15, 1914): Lot A ran 428.08 feet on Concord Road with land of Susan Whitman on the north and the new Richardson, Whiting and Parker streets cut through it; appurtenant "the right to use the lane on the South side" under "a deed given by Francis Richardson to William Mann, dated April 12, 1842 ... Book 412, Page 564". The Sextons sold the subdivided lots from 1915 to 1928. Title from: September 22, 1914 Quitclaim: Richard Austin of Dover to William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (527/226) (registered on the Sextons' petition) Title passed to: April 13, 1918 Certificate of Title: William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton (deed doc. 1941) to Anna F. Burnham of Somerville, wife of Arthur W. Burnham (Ctf 1104) (transfer from Ctf 629)
April 13, 1918	Certificate of Title	William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton (deed doc. 1941)	Anna F. Burnham of Somerville, wife of Arthur W. Burnham	1918 Lots 32-34 (the house corner) to Anna F. Burnham	Ctf 1104
	Transfer from Certificate 629 of Lots 32, 33 and 34 on plan 5240-D: east by Concord Road 127.05 feet, south by Richardson Street 282.44 feet, west by Lot 35, north by land of Susan Whitman 323.39 feet, the corner lot with the house. The Burnhams gave the Sextons a $2800 mortgage the same day (discharged 1923) and refinanced with the West Somerville Co-operative Bank. Title from: March 29, 1915 Certificate of Title: Land Court decree, case 5240 (petition of William H. Sexton et ux) to William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (Ctf 629) (transfer from Ctf 629) Title passed to: July 30, 1945 Certificate of Title: Anna F. Burnham (deed doc. 17161, after the death of Arthur W. Burnham) to Arthur A. Burnham and Mary L. Burnham of Billerica (Ctf 6731) (transfer from Ctf 1104)
July 30, 1945	Certificate of Title	Anna F. Burnham (deed doc. 17161, after the death of Arthur W. Burnham)	Arthur A. Burnham and Mary L. Burnham of Billerica	1945 Lots 32-33 to Arthur A. and Mary L. Burnham; later Lot 104	Ctf 6731
	Transfer from Certificate 1104 of Lots 32 and 33 on plan 5240-D (127.05 feet on Concord Road, 232.44 feet on Richardson Street); Lot 34 went to Malcolm J. Dutton the same year. In 1956 Lots 32 and 33 were redivided by James B. Monahan into Lots 103 and 104 (plan 5240-H); Lot 103 was sold in 1959 to Gladstone Brothers Corp. Lot 104, the house lot (0.394 acres), passed to private owners in 1967, 2000 and 2021 (certificates 15718, 34771 and 45654). Title from: April 13, 1918 Certificate of Title: William H. Sexton and Clara E. Sexton (deed doc. 1941) to Anna F. Burnham of Somerville, wife of Arthur W. Burnham (Ctf 1104) (transfer from Ctf 1104)

Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted; Probate # is a Middlesex probate case, Ctf a Land Court certificate of title.

Address	39 Concord Rd
MACRIS ID	BIL.60
Built	1845
Owners	William Whiting (1876 - None)
Tenants
Burnham Antiques (1962 - 1962)

William Mann House

William Mann House

References

Title References Expand all

Title References