Samuel Cole Blacksmith Shop

Address	Concord Road
Built	1835
Demolished	1899
Owners	Samuel Cole (1835 - 1884)
Other Lot Structures	Solomon Hill House (1742 - 1976) Riverhurst Trolley Station (1900 - 1924)

Samuel Cole, a blacksmith from Watertown, kept his shop on the east side of the road from Billerica to Bedford (now Concord Road), at the bend just north of his house in South Billerica. The 1853 Walling map labels it "B. Shop," with "S. Cole" just to the south and J. Roby's farm (the Solomon Hill House) across the road.

The land had been part of the Hill family farms on the road to Bedford. Capt. Ralph Hill's will, proved in 1789, gave his son William Hill the south part of the homestead together with his lands "on the southeast side of the highway." In 1815 William Hill sold twenty acres there to Sears Cook for $300. The lot ran from the road at Jonas Bacon's land south to "land set off as dower to Peter Hills wife" and back to Joseph Jaquith. Sears Cook died the next year and left it to his son Francis. In 1819 Francis Cook sold the same twenty acres to Jonathan Hill for $300. None of these deeds mentions a building.

On Feb. 3, 1835 Jonathan Hill sold "a certain tract of land ... containing twenty acres more or less" to Samuel Cole of Billerica, blacksmith, for $375. With it came the seven acre "Pond Meadow" behind. Cole had married Mary Marshall of Chelmsford in 1833. Her family held the Marshall farm across the road, and Cole later bought an acre on that side from James Marshall. He built his house on the twenty acres, and the shop stood at the north end. A second small house on the lot (the Martha A. Dodge House) was later sold off. In 1877 Cole sold a back corner of about an acre to Edward J. Hill, but he kept the rest until he died. Hazen's history of 1883 says he still "lives on the Bedford road, two miles from village."

Cole left the place to his widow by will. In 1886 Mary Cole, then of Waltham, sold the twenty-five acres "with the buildings thereon" to Isaac L. Watts for $1,300. Watts sold to Herbert F. Colby in 1890, took the place back in 1897 instead of foreclosing Colby's mortgage, and sold it that February to Sarah L. Williams. In July 1897 Mrs. Williams sold it to Hannah Morrill, wife of John W. Morrill.

The shop's corner left the farm in 1899. On Nov. 30, 1899 the Morrills sold the Lexington and Boston Street Railway a triangle of 9,910 square feet on the east side of the road, running along it "first northerly and then easterly" to "an angle in said side line of the Road." That is the bend where the 1853 map shows the shop, and the trolley line from Bedford to Billerica Centre opened along the road the next year. In June 1901 the railway bought a second lot of 5,000 square feet "northeasterly of the house and barn of said Morrill" for a storage battery station (Plan Book 17, Plan 36). That lot was the Riverhurst Trolley Station.

Hannah Morrill sold the rest of the farm, without the railway lots, to Edward M. and Fanny F. Mace in 1913. In 1928 Fanny Mace's guardian sold its 20.6 acres to William Mikulsky and his wife (Plan Book 52, Plan 86). The street railway, by then the Middlesex and Boston, stopped running trolleys about 1924. It sold the station lot in 1927 to William H. Greene, who sold it to Helen Mikulskis in 1930. She sold it, with a building on it, to a private owner in 1946.

The state's 1953 taking for Route 3 (Layout No. 4072) took eighteen acres of the Mikulsky land, a small parcel still listed under the heirs of Fanny Mace, and the old station lot. The highway took the site of the shop. The Cole house was moved across the road and still stands as the Samuel Cole House at 263 Old Concord Road.

Earlier accounts put the shop on the Riverhurst land west of the road. The deeds from 1815 to 1928 all describe Cole's lot on the east side, and the 1853 map shows the shop there. MACRIS dates the widow's sale to about 1885 and the Mikulsky purchase to 1926. The deeds give 1886 and 1928.

Samuel Cole Blacksmith Shop — Lexington and Boston St. Ry. Co. Land for Storage Battery Station Bought from Hannah Morrill, South Billerica, 1901 (Plan 17/36)

References

Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), Genealogical Register: Samuel Cole from Watertown, married Mary Marshall of Chelmsford, "lives on the homestead"

Title References

Date	Type	Grantor	Grantee	Summary	Recorded
1789	Will	Capt. Ralph Hill of Billerica, gentleman	His sons William Hill and Solomon Hill; his widow Abigail; daughters Hannah Miller, Bathsheba French, Naomi Hill and Sarah Hill	Ralph Hill leaves his land east of the road to his son William	Probate #11505
	Will dated Nov. 12, 1784, witnessed by Isaac Stearns, Samuel Kidder and Peter Hill: to his wife Abigail for life "the improvement of the Easterly end of my now dwelling House to the middle of the Chimney," with the cellar, well and door yard; to "my son William Hill ... the Southerly part of my homestead containing about sixty acres," beginning "at a Bunch of Maples near the River a little above the Island in the river," east by a ditch across the plow land to a white oak and "to a stonewall at the south end of a Hopyard and running by the wall to the Highway leading to Concord," being "the Land that I had of my Hond Father by a Deed dated January 3d 1732/3," with his lands on the southeast side of the highway; to "my son Solomon Hill ... all the rest of my Lands in Billerica including the small Island in the River with all the Buildings thereon standing"; money legacies to his daughters, with Naomi and Sarah to have "liberty of convenient room in either of my Dwelling Houses" while unmarried, and William to have a right of way across Solomon's land. William and Solomon executors. The heirs certified their assent to the will in February 1789. Middlesex probate case 11505. Title passed to: June 26, 1789 Deed: Solomon Hill and Hannah Hill to Naomi Hill (100/467) (Solomon's devise under his father's will) 1789 Deed: Solomon Hill of Billerica, yeoman, and Hannah his wife to His sister Sarah Hill of Bedford, staymaker (100/466) (Solomon's devise under his father's will) 1791 Guardianship: Solomon Hill of Billerica, yeoman, "an idler" to Hezekiah Crosby and Oliver Crosby, guardians (Probate #11524) (the farm Solomon took under the will) June 28, 1815 Warranty Deed: William Hill of Billerica, yeoman to Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman (211/190) (William Hill's devise under his father's will)
June 28, 1815	Warranty Deed	William Hill of Billerica, yeoman	Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman	William Hill sells the 20 acres to Sears Cook	211/190 (South)
	For $300, "a certain tract of land containing twenty acres more or less," beginning by "the road leading from Billerica Meeting house to Concord at land of Jonas Bacon," south by the road to "land set off as dower to Peter Hills wife," east by that land to land of Joseph Jaquith, north by Jaquith to Bacon and west by Bacon to the road. Dated May 29, 1815, witnessed by Francis Cook and Joseph Locke. No buildings and no title recital: William Hill held the land under the 1789 will of his father Capt. Ralph Hill, which gave him the family lands "on the southeast side of the highway." Billerica town book 11, page 350. Title from: 1789 Will: Capt. Ralph Hill of Billerica, gentleman to His sons William Hill and Solomon Hill; his widow Abigail; daughters Hannah Miller, Bathsheba French, Naomi Hill and Sarah Hill (Probate #11505) (William Hill's devise under his father's will)
1816	Will	Estate of Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman	His widow Abigail and son Francis Cook, executor and residuary devisee	Sears Cook dies 1816; residue to his son Francis Cook	Probate #5053
	Will dated Oct. 26, 1811 (witnesses Joseph Parker, Francis Kidder and Joseph Locke): to his wife Abigail "the improvement of all my house and one half of all my other real estate" for life; $500 each to his daughters Abigail Crosby, Susannah Walker and Sarah Gleason; the residue to his son Francis Cook, sole executor. Sears Cook died in the summer of 1816; the will was proved at Chelmsford Oct. 1, 1816. The file has no inventory, and neither the will nor the indexes show the house lot he bought in 1815 still in his estate: William Richardson, a witness to the 1815 deed, held it and sold it with full warranty in June 1816, so Cook's title passed to him by a conveyance that was never recorded. Title passed to: August 3, 1830 Quitclaim: Abigail Cook of Billerica, widow of Sears Cook to Her son Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman (296/431) (the widow's release of the estate devised to Francis) January 19, 1830 Warranty Deed: Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth Cook his wife (dower) to Jonathan Hill of Billerica, yeoman (293/432) (Francis Cook, residuary devisee) Related: June 28, 1815 Warranty Deed: Stephen Richardson of Billerica, yeoman (wife Rhoda releasing dower) to Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman (211/189) (Sears Cook's estate; the 1815 purchase had already passed to William Richardson) June 28, 1815 Warranty Deed: William Hill of Billerica, yeoman to Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman (211/190) (the 20 acres pass under the will to Francis Cook)
August 3, 1830	Quitclaim	Abigail Cook of Billerica, widow of Sears Cook	Her son Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman	widow releases Sears Cook's lands to Francis Cook	296/431 (South)
	For $1,500, the widow releases "all the right title and interest to all the real Estate which ever belonged to my late husband Sears Cook late of said Billerica gentleman deceased wherever the same may be situate," keeping only the use of the part of the dwelling house and the firewood left to her by his will. Dated Oct. 1, 1816, acknowledged Oct. 9, 1816 before Josiah Crosby Jr., recorded Aug. 3, 1830. With the will (probate 5053), it gave Francis Cook the twenty acres on the Concord road. Billerica town book 14, pages 287-288. Title from: 1816 Will: Estate of Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman to His widow Abigail and son Francis Cook, executor and residuary devisee (Probate #5053) (the widow's release of the estate devised to Francis) Title passed to: January 19, 1830 Warranty Deed: Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth Cook his wife (dower) to Jonathan Hill of Billerica, yeoman (293/432) (Francis Cook sells his father's 20 acres)
January 19, 1830	Warranty Deed	Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth Cook his wife (dower)	Jonathan Hill of Billerica, yeoman	the 20 acre lot before Cole	293/432 (South)
	For $300, "a certain tract of land containing twenty acres more or less," beginning by the road from Billerica Meetinghouse to Concord at land of Jonas Bacon, south by the road to "land set off as dower to Peter Hills wife," east by the dower land to land of Joseph Jaquith, north by Jaquith to Bacon and west by Bacon to the road. No buildings and no title recital. Dated May 15, 1819, acknowledged June 3, 1819 before Blaney Abbot, but not recorded until Jan. 19, 1830. Billerica town book 14, pages 245-246. These are the twenty acres Hill sold to Samuel Cole in 1835. Title from: 1816 Will: Estate of Sears Cook of Billerica, gentleman to His widow Abigail and son Francis Cook, executor and residuary devisee (Probate #5053) (Francis Cook, residuary devisee) August 3, 1830 Quitclaim: Abigail Cook of Billerica, widow of Sears Cook to Her son Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman (296/431) (Francis Cook sells his father's 20 acres) Title passed to: May 23, 1835 Warranty Deed: Jonathan Hill of Billerica, gentleman to Samuel Cole of Billerica, blacksmith (341/485) (same twenty acres)
May 23, 1835	Warranty Deed	Jonathan Hill of Billerica, gentleman	Samuel Cole of Billerica, blacksmith	Cole buys the 20 acre lot where he built his shop and house	341/485 (South)
	For $375, "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica containing twenty acres more or less," beginning by "the road leading from Billerica Meeting house to Concord at land of George Bacon," south by the road to land of Joseph F. Hill, east by Joseph's land, north by "my Pond meadow lot" to Bacon and west by Bacon to the road; also the seven acre "Pond Meadow" behind it, bounded by the dower land of Susan Jaquith, George Bacon, Henry Crosby, Amos Adams and the heirs of Isaac French. No buildings are named: the land was bare when Cole bought it. Dated Feb. 3, 1835, witnessed by Marshall Preston and Lucretia Hill. Billerica town book 15, pages 110-111. Title from: January 19, 1830 Warranty Deed: Francis Cook of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth Cook his wife (dower) to Jonathan Hill of Billerica, yeoman (293/432) (same twenty acres) Title passed to: September 20, 1855 Warranty Deed: Samuel Cole of Billerica, yeoman (wife Mary Cole releasing dower) to His father Joseph Cole of Billerica, yeoman (2/206) (house acre cut from Samuel Cole's twenty acres) December 19, 1877 Warranty Deed: Samuel Cole of Billerica, yeoman, and Mary Cole his wife to Edward J. Hill of Boston (127/86) (a corner of the 1835 lot) August 28, 1886 Warranty Deed: Mary Cole of Waltham, widow of Samuel Cole, "being unmarried" to Isaac L. Watts of Waltham (183/445) (Samuel Cole's 1835 lot, by his widow)
December 19, 1877	Warranty Deed	Samuel Cole of Billerica, yeoman, and Mary Cole his wife	Edward J. Hill of Boston	Cole sells a back corner of his lot	127/86
	For $62.50, "a certain tract of land" at the back of the Cole lot: from an oak tree at the wall at land of the heirs of Franklin Jaquith, south by the heirs 23 rods, west by them 6.3 rods "to my land," then N 25 W 20 3/4 rods "to the bar way at land of said Hill and a stone wall," then N 67 E by Hill 11 1/2 rods; one acre and 41 rods "as per plan of Samuel Sage A.D. 1877." Dated Nov. 1, 1877, witnessed by Dudley Foster and Martha Ann Dodge Jr. A corner cut from the twenty acres; the house and shop frontage stayed with Cole. Title from: May 23, 1835 Warranty Deed: Jonathan Hill of Billerica, gentleman to Samuel Cole of Billerica, blacksmith (341/485) (a corner of the 1835 lot)
August 28, 1886	Warranty Deed	Mary Cole of Waltham, widow of Samuel Cole, "being unmarried"	Isaac L. Watts of Waltham	the widow sells the Cole homestead and shop lot	183/445
	For $1,300, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated in the town of Billerica": from the northwest corner "on the road leading from Billerica to Bedford at land of E. J. Hill," south by the road to land of Mrs. Boyden, around the Boyden house lot by its walls, by the road to Hill again, east by Hill "as the wall now stands" to "the lot called Pond Meadow," south by Hill to Mrs. Boyden, east by a wall and ditch to land formerly of Harvey Crosby, north by Crosby to E. J. Hill and west to the start, "containing twenty five acres." The buyer assumes the 1886 taxes. No title recital: the widow held Samuel Cole's homestead (twenty acres and the Pond Meadow of 1835, less the Boyden house lot and the 1877 corner). Witnessed by E. A. Harrington and Mary E. Gragg, the Coles' daughter. Dated Aug. 26, 1886. Title from: May 23, 1835 Warranty Deed: Jonathan Hill of Billerica, gentleman to Samuel Cole of Billerica, blacksmith (341/485) (Samuel Cole's 1835 lot, by his widow) Title passed to: October 20, 1890 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Bedford and Martha E. Watts his wife to Herbert F. Colby of Bedford (219/545) (the 1886 purchase from Mary Cole) February 13, 1897 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Arlington and Martha Eliza Watts his wife to Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, wife of James Williams (281/576) (recital: from Mary Cole, devisee of Samuel Cole)
October 20, 1890	Warranty Deed	Isaac L. Watts of Bedford and Martha E. Watts his wife	Herbert F. Colby of Bedford	Watts sells the former Cole place to Colby	219/545
	For $1,500, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon" in Billerica, the same twenty-five acres as in the 1886 deed from Mary Cole: from the road leading from Billerica to Bedford at land of E. J. Hill, around Mrs. Boyden's house lot, to "the lot called Pond Meadow," land formerly of Harvey Crosby and back to Hill. Dated Oct. 15, 1890, acknowledged before Abram E. Brown. No title recital. Title from: August 28, 1886 Warranty Deed: Mary Cole of Waltham, widow of Samuel Cole, "being unmarried" to Isaac L. Watts of Waltham (183/445) (the 1886 purchase from Mary Cole) Title passed to: February 13, 1897 Quitclaim: Herbert F. Colby of Billerica and Abbie P. Colby his wife to Isaac L. Watts of Arlington (281/575) (reconveys the 1890 purchase)
October 20, 1890	Mortgage	Herbert F. Colby of Bedford and Abbie P. Colby his wife	Isaac L. Watts of Bedford	purchase-money mortgage back to Watts	219/546
	Colby's purchase-money mortgage to Watts of the same twenty-five acres "with the buildings thereon," to secure $1,500 payable in five years with interest at six percent, the buildings to be insured for at least $900, with the usual power of sale at public auction in Billerica. Dated Oct. 15, 1890. Related: October 20, 1890 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Bedford and Martha E. Watts his wife to Herbert F. Colby of Bedford (219/545) (purchase-money mortgage)
February 13, 1897	Quitclaim	Herbert F. Colby of Billerica and Abbie P. Colby his wife	Isaac L. Watts of Arlington	Colby gives the place back to his mortgagee	281/575
	"In consideration of one dollar and other valid considerations," Colby quitclaims back to his mortgagee "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon," the same twenty-five acres on the road from Billerica to Bedford, "Being the estate conveyed to Herbert F. Colby by Isaac L. Watts by deed of October 15th 1890" (Book 219), subject to the mortgage to Watts. Dated Jan. 16, 1897: a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Title from: October 20, 1890 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Bedford and Martha E. Watts his wife to Herbert F. Colby of Bedford (219/545) (reconveys the 1890 purchase) Title passed to: February 13, 1897 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Arlington and Martha Eliza Watts his wife to Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, wife of James Williams (281/576) (title back from Colby) Related: October 20, 1890 Mortgage: Herbert F. Colby of Bedford and Abbie P. Colby his wife to Isaac L. Watts of Bedford (219/546) (in lieu of foreclosing the mortgage)
February 13, 1897	Warranty Deed	Isaac L. Watts of Arlington and Martha Eliza Watts his wife	Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, wife of James Williams	Watts sells to Sarah L. Williams	281/576
	For $1,400, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon" in Billerica, the same twenty-five acres. The recital spells out the chain: "the same conveyed to me by Mary Cole, August 26, 1886 ... Devised to Mary Cole by will of her husband Samuel Cole, duly admitted to probate in Middlesex County. Conveyed to Samuel Cole by Jonathan Hill under date of Feb. 3, 1835," South District Book 341, page 485. Dated Feb. 12, 1897, witnessed by Abram E. Brown. Title from: August 28, 1886 Warranty Deed: Mary Cole of Waltham, widow of Samuel Cole, "being unmarried" to Isaac L. Watts of Waltham (183/445) (recital: from Mary Cole, devisee of Samuel Cole) February 13, 1897 Quitclaim: Herbert F. Colby of Billerica and Abbie P. Colby his wife to Isaac L. Watts of Arlington (281/575) (title back from Colby) Title passed to: August 17, 1897 Warranty Deed: Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, widow to Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, wife of John W. Morrill (287/400) (recital: from Isaac L. Watts, 1897)
August 17, 1897	Warranty Deed	Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, widow	Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, wife of John W. Morrill	Sarah L. Williams sells to Hannah Morrill	287/400
	"In consideration of one dollar and other good and valuable consideration," "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon" in Billerica, the same twenty-five acres on the road from Billerica to Bedford (E. J. Hill, Mrs. Boyden, the Pond Meadow, Harvey Crosby), "being the same premises conveyed to the said Sarah L. by Isaac L. Watts by deed dated February 12, 1897" (Book 281, page 576), subject to "a mortgage for $1100, accrued interest and taxes for 1897," which the grantee assumes. Dated July 9, 1897, acknowledged in Suffolk County before Geo. R. Blinn. Title from: February 13, 1897 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Arlington and Martha Eliza Watts his wife to Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, wife of James Williams (281/576) (recital: from Isaac L. Watts, 1897) Title passed to: December 20, 1899 Warranty Deed: John W. Morrill of Billerica and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right to Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company (315/53) (part of the 1897 purchase) June 27, 1901 Quitclaim: John W. Morrill and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right, of Billerica to Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company (332/208) (part of the 1897 purchase) November 12, 1913 Warranty Deed: Hannah Morrill of Billerica, unmarried to Edward M. Mace and Fanny F. Mace his wife, of Hollis, N.H., joint tenants (514/228) (recital: from Sarah L. Williams)
August 17, 1897	Discharge of Mortgage	Isaac L. Watts, mortgagee	Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, grantee of Sarah L. Williams	the Williams mortgage paid off	287/402
	Watts acknowledges full payment from Hannah Morrill of the mortgage given him by "James Williams and Sarah L. Williams his wife in her right" dated Feb. 12, 1897 (Book 281, page 578), discharges it and quitclaims his interest. Dated July 9, 1897. The Morrills gave Watts a new $1,100 mortgage on the same land on the next page of the book (later discharged in Book 300, page 592). Related: February 13, 1897 Warranty Deed: Isaac L. Watts of Arlington and Martha Eliza Watts his wife to Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, wife of James Williams (281/576) (purchase-money mortgage of the 1897 Williams purchase) August 17, 1897 Warranty Deed: Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, widow to Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, wife of John W. Morrill (287/400) (paid by the new owner)
December 20, 1899	Warranty Deed	John W. Morrill of Billerica and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right	Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company	the shop corner sold to the street railway	315/53
	"In consideration of One Dollar and other good and valuable considerations," a triangle of 9,910 square feet at the north end of the old Cole land: "beginning at a point on the Easterly side of the Bedford Road ... about two hundred and three (203) feet northerly from the southerly boundary wall of said Morrill," running "first northerly and then easterly along the east and south side of the said Bedford Road about two hundred and eighty one (281) feet to a point at or near an angle in said side line of the Road," then southwesterly about 235 feet "over land of said Morrill" to the start; "being part of the same premises conveyed to the said Hannah Morrill by Sarah L. Williams" (Book 287, page 400). Dated Nov. 30, 1899. This was the corner where the 1853 map shows Samuel Cole's blacksmith shop, and the railway built its line and station there in 1900. Title from: August 17, 1897 Warranty Deed: Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, widow to Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, wife of John W. Morrill (287/400) (part of the 1897 purchase)
June 27, 1901	Quitclaim	John W. Morrill and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right, of Billerica	Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company	the railway's storage battery station lot, next to the shop corner	332/208
	"In consideration of one dollar and other valuable considerations," 5,000 square feet "beginning at a point on the southeasterly side of Bedford street in said Billerica northeasterly of the house and barn of said Morrill," 100 feet deep and 50 feet on the street, "as shown on a Plan of land of the Lexington and Boston street Railway Company for Storage Battery Station surveyed by Leonard Metcalf" (Plan Book 17, Plan 36), on condition that the railway "build a substantial four strand wire fence" four feet high around it; "a portion of the premises conveyed to me by Sarah L. Williams" (Book 287, page 400). Dated June 1901. Title from: August 17, 1897 Warranty Deed: Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, widow to Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, wife of John W. Morrill (287/400) (part of the 1897 purchase) Title passed to: April 8, 1927 Quitclaim: Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company, by Pitt F. Drew, president to William H. Greene of Arlington (748/131) (recital: the 1901 Morrill deed)
November 12, 1913	Warranty Deed	Hannah Morrill of Billerica, unmarried	Edward M. Mace and Fanny F. Mace his wife, of Hollis, N.H., joint tenants	Hannah Morrill sells to the Maces, railway lots excepted	514/228
	"For consideration paid," the land "with the buildings thereon" on the road from Billerica to Bedford, with the old bounds (E. J. Hill, Mrs. Boyden, the Pond Meadow, Harvey Crosby), "excepting, however, ... such portions thereof as have been conveyed by the grantor to the Lexington & Boston Street Railway Company by deeds dated November 30, 1899 and June 26, 1901" (Book 315, page 53 and Book 332, page 208); twenty-five acres, "a portion of the premises to me conveyed by Sarah L. Williams" (Book 287, page 400). Dated Nov. 12, 1913, acknowledged before Arthur C. Spalding. Title from: August 17, 1897 Warranty Deed: Sarah L. Williams of Bedford, widow to Hannah Morrill of Wilmington, wife of John W. Morrill (287/400) (recital: from Sarah L. Williams) Title passed to: November 10, 1928 Guardian's Deed: Sarah T. Mace of Wakefield, guardian of Fannie F. W. Mace of Wakefield to William Mikulsky and his wife, tenants by the entirety (770/505) (recital: Morrill to the Maces) Related: December 20, 1899 Warranty Deed: John W. Morrill of Billerica and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right to Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company (315/53) (railway corner excepted) June 27, 1901 Quitclaim: John W. Morrill and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right, of Billerica to Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company (332/208) (battery station lot excepted)
April 8, 1927	Quitclaim	Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company, by Pitt F. Drew, president	William H. Greene of Arlington	the railway sells its station lot by the old shop site	748/131
	"For consideration paid," the 5,000 square foot storage battery station lot "on the southeasterly side of Bedford Street in said Billerica northeasterly of the house and barn of John W. Morrill," 100 by 50 feet as on Plan Book 17, Plan 36, "Being the same premises conveyed to the Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company by John W. Morrill and Hannah Morrill by deed dated June 26, 1901." Dated March 17, 1927, three years after the company replaced its Billerica trolleys with buses. Title from: June 27, 1901 Quitclaim: John W. Morrill and Hannah Morrill his wife, in her right, of Billerica to Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company (332/208) (recital: the 1901 Morrill deed) Title passed to: June 16, 1930 Quitclaim: William H. Greene of Arlington and Ida M. Greene his wife to Helen Mikulskis of Boston (791/418) (recital: from the railway, 1927)
June 16, 1930	Partial Release of Mortgage	Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, trustee	William H. Greene of Arlington	railway bondholders release the station lot	791/417
	The trustee under the mortgage indenture from the Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company dated Feb. 1, 1912 (Middlesex South Book 3666, page 1), "for consideration paid," releases its interest in "a certain parcel of land situate in Billerica" of 5,000 square feet, the battery station lot of Plan Book 17, Plan 36, "Being the same premises conveyed to the Lexington and Boston Street Railway Company by John W. Morrill and Hannah Morrill by deed dated June 26, 1901." Signed by Charles E. Rogerson, president, March 15, 1927; recorded June 16, 1930. Related: April 8, 1927 Quitclaim: Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company, by Pitt F. Drew, president to William H. Greene of Arlington (748/131) (clears the railway mortgage from the 1927 sale)
November 10, 1928	Guardian's Deed	Sarah T. Mace of Wakefield, guardian of Fannie F. W. Mace of Wakefield	William Mikulsky and his wife, tenants by the entirety	the Mace guardian sells the old Cole land to the Mikulskys	770/505
	Licensed by the Middlesex Probate Court on Oct. 18, 1928, the guardian of Fannie F. Mace, "an insane person of Wakefield," sells at private sale for $4,000 "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated in Billerica ... containing 20.6 acres," bounded by stone walls on the south and east and by the road from Bedford to Billerica, excepting the small house lot (160 by 125 feet) and the railway's 100 by 50 foot lot. "For my title see deed of Hannah Morrill to Edward M. Mace and Fanny F. Mace dated November 12, 1913" (Book 514, page 228), with a plan by Titus P. Grevis, C.E., Sept. 1, 1928 (Plan Book 52, Plan 86). Dated Oct. 20, 1928. MACRIS gives the year of the Mikulski purchase as 1926. Title from: November 12, 1913 Warranty Deed: Hannah Morrill of Billerica, unmarried to Edward M. Mace and Fanny F. Mace his wife, of Hollis, N.H., joint tenants (514/228) (recital: Morrill to the Maces)
June 16, 1930	Quitclaim	William H. Greene of Arlington and Ida M. Greene his wife	Helen Mikulskis of Boston	the station lot goes to Helen Mikulskis	791/418
	"For consideration paid," the same 5,000 square feet on the southeasterly side of Bedford Street northeasterly of the Morrill house and barn (Plan Book 17, Plan 36), "as conveyed to me by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway Company by its deed dated March 17th, 1927" (Book 748, page 131), subject to the 1930 taxes. Dated May 31, 1930. The Mikulsky family had bought the surrounding Cole land in 1928. Title from: April 8, 1927 Quitclaim: Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company, by Pitt F. Drew, president to William H. Greene of Arlington (748/131) (recital: from the railway, 1927) Title passed to: June 6, 1946 Quitclaim: Peter Mikulskis and Helen M. Mikulskis his wife, of Boston to A private buyer of Billerica (1045/255) (recital: Greene to Helen Mikulskis) Related: June 16, 1930 Partial Release of Mortgage: Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, trustee to William H. Greene of Arlington (791/417) (released from the railway mortgage the same day of record)
June 6, 1946	Quitclaim	Peter Mikulskis and Helen M. Mikulskis his wife, of Boston	A private buyer of Billerica	the former station lot sold to a private buyer	1045/255
	"For consideration paid," "A certain parcel of land, with the buildings thereon," on the southeasterly side of "Bedford Street otherwise called Concord Road," northeasterly of the house and barn of John W. Morrill, 100 by 50 feet as on Plan Book 17, Plan 36, 5,000 square feet, "Being the same premises conveyed to the said Helen M. Mikulskis by deed of William H. Greene, dated May 31, 1930" (Book 791, page 418), with the furnaces, heaters and other fixtures in the buildings. Dated June 5, 1946. Route 3 took the lot as Parcel 45 in 1953. Title from: June 16, 1930 Quitclaim: William H. Greene of Arlington and Ida M. Greene his wife to Helen Mikulskis of Boston (791/418) (recital: Greene to Helen Mikulskis)
October 2, 1953	Taking	Ozeline Wise et al.	Commonwealth of Massachusetts	Route 3 takes the old Cole land (Parcels 39, 40) and the station lot (Parcel 45)	1236/297
	Department of Public Works Layout No. 4072 and Order of Taking for the limited access relocation of the Middlesex Turnpike "to become Route 3," with a relocation of Concord Road beginning about 1700 feet from "The Maples, Inc." at the junction of Riverhurst and Concord Roads. Parcel 44, a 0.18 acre strip 234.68 ft along the Concord Road frontage of Ozeline Wise's Lot A1 (Certificate 5623), is taken for a $1 award, along with her rights in the private way Riverhurst Road (Land Court Case 2792, Parcel R-5). Plan 2792-Q (H. G. Gray, Sept. 15, 1953) labels the road "Concord Road (formerly Main Road)"; the strip was re-registered to the Commonwealth as Certificate 9222 (May 12, 1954) and the rest of Lot A1 stayed on Certificate 5623. Related: April 12, 1940 Certificate of Title: Home Owners' Loan Corporation to Ozeline Wise (Ctf 5623) (Parcel 44 taken from the land of Certificate 5623 for Route 3) April 17, 1944 Quitclaim: Francis F. O'Donnell of Lowell (Charlotte G. O'Donnell, his wife, releasing) to Alton E. Westhaver and Mildred A. Westhaver of Billerica, husband and wife (1004/570) (Parcels 46 and 48 taken from the Westhaver land) November 10, 1928 Guardian's Deed: Sarah T. Mace of Wakefield, guardian of Fannie F. W. Mace of Wakefield to William Mikulsky and his wife, tenants by the entirety (770/505) (Parcel 39, William and Domicela Mikulsky, 18.00 acres) June 6, 1946 Quitclaim: Peter Mikulskis and Helen M. Mikulskis his wife, of Boston to A private buyer of Billerica (1045/255) (Parcel 45, the former station lot, 5,000 sq. ft.)

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.

Samuel Cole Blacksmith Shop

Samuel Cole Blacksmith Shop

References

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Title References