45 Andover Rd

Billerica town book 10, pages 316-318. Dated May 12, 1802, acknowledged Nov. 5, 1802 before James Abbot. For $100, "a certain parcel or tract of land situate and lying in said Billerica, about half of a mile from the meeting house on the road leading to Salem containing about one acre and twenty poles": twenty feet at the westerly end by the common land, about 34 poles southeasterly by land lately owned by the heirs of Samuel Sheldon, about 8 poles 6 feet easterly by the heirs of Benjamin Baldwin and about 36 poles by the County road, with a ten-pole piece adjoining, bounded partly on land of Nahum Baldwin, "being the same which I purchased of Jonathan Pool with all the buildings standing on said lands". Pool's deed to Pollard was never recorded.

• February 19, 1805 Deed: Elizabeth Jefts and Alice Jefts, both of Billerica, singlewomen to Josiah Crosby of Billerica, yeoman (161/51) (the eastern 21 rods of the Jefts land)

Billerica town book 10, pages 318-319. Dated Feb. 18, 1805, acknowledged the same day before John Walker. For $400, the eastern part of the sisters' land, "about a quarter of a mile east of the meeting house": from a stake and stones by Joseph Wilson's land on "the highway leading from said meeting house to Salem", westerly on the highway twenty one rods, southeasterly to land of Nahum Baldwin, easterly on Baldwin twenty one rods to Wilson, and northerly by Wilson to the bound, "with all the buildings thereon standing".

• February 19, 1805 Deed: Solomon Pollard of Billerica, gentleman (Hannah Pollard releasing dower) to Elizabeth Jefts and Alice Jefts, both of Billerica, singlewomen (161/50) (the eastern 21 rods of the Jefts land)

• April 11, 1816 Deed: Josiah Crosby of Billerica, yeoman (Sarah Crosby releasing dower) to Stephen Hill of Billerica, wheelwright (213/265) (Crosby's acre, less a strip at the west end)

Billerica town book 10, pages 319-320. Dated Feb. 18, 1805, the same day as the deed to Josiah Crosby. For $300, the western end of the sisters' land: from the corner of the land "this day" conveyed to Crosby, westerly on the highway to Salem about twelve rods to "the common land so called", southerly twenty feet to Nahum Baldwin, easterly by Baldwin to Crosby, with all the buildings. The neighboring lot to the west.

• April 16, 1799 Deed: Benjamin Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth Baldwin his wife (her mark, releasing dower) to John Jefts of Billerica, cordwainer (132/214) (Jefts land next west)
• February 19, 1805 Deed: Solomon Pollard of Billerica, gentleman (Hannah Pollard releasing dower) to Elizabeth Jefts and Alice Jefts, both of Billerica, singlewomen (161/50) (the western end of the same land)

Widow Martha declined and James Abbot Esq. was appointed administrator June 15, 1808. The inventory of June 23, 1808 lists "The buildings, together with about 1 3/4 acres of land" on the west side of the Salem road, $300, and "About 40 acres of land the opposite side of the road from the buildings", $700. On Dec. 8, 1809 commissioners set off the widow's dower: the house lot "about one fourth part of a Mile Northeast of the Meeting-house" and about three acres on the southwest side of the forty acres "about thirty rods east of the road". The rest descended to the children in common.

• February 22, 1787 Deed: Jonathan Pool of Reading, gentleman (Mary Pool releasing dower) to Nahum Baldwin of Billerica, cordwainer (95/62) (the forty acres bought of Jonathan Pool)

• January 10, 1825 Quitclaim: Joseph Bowers of Billerica, yeoman to Andrew Bowers of Salisbury, N.H., guardian of Josiah Bowers of Billerica (258/19) (a fourth of the Nahum Baldwin estate)
• January 16, 1824 Deed: Thomas Shed of Billerica, cabinet maker, and Martha Shed his wife in her right to George Bruce of Billerica, yeoman (252/7) (Martha Shed's share as heir)
• October 30, 1826 Deed: Rizpah Baldwin of Billerica, singlewoman to George Bruce of Billerica, yeoman (269/52) (Rizpah Baldwin's share as heir)
• May 15, 1832 Deed: Mary Bird of Billerica, widow to John Baldwin and Henry Baldwin, both of Billerica, traders (313/459) (Mary Bird's share as heir)

Billerica town book 11, pages 393-394. Dated Aug. 23, 1813, acknowledged Aug. 26 before Josiah Crosby Jr.; recorded April 11, 1816. For $45, "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica near Luther French's dwelling house on the opposite side of the road containing one acre more or less": from the road near a large rock, southerly on land of Joseph Wilson to a wall at land of the heirs of Nahum Baldwin, westerly on the heirs' land nineteen rods, "thence turning northerly by land of the widow Martha Baldwin about twelve rods to the road", and easterly on the road to the bound. No buildings are named. This abutter is the source of the house's historic name.

• February 19, 1805 Deed: Elizabeth Jefts and Alice Jefts, both of Billerica, singlewomen to Josiah Crosby of Billerica, yeoman (161/51) (Crosby's acre, less a strip at the west end)

• April 11, 1816 Deed: Stephen Hill of Billerica, wheelwright to John Baldwin of Billerica, gentleman (213/266) (same acre, second lot of the deed)

• June 15, 1808 Administration and Dower: Estate of Nahum Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman, intestate to His widow Martha (dower) and his children Mary Bird, Martha (wife of Thomas Shed), Rizpah, Nahum and Polly (Probate #854) (widow Martha Baldwin as abutter)

Billerica town book 11, pages 394-395. Dated April 9, 1816, acknowledged the same day before Samuel Whiting. For $200, two lots on the road to Andover: one acre and a half "with the buildings thereon being the estate which Benjamin Baldwin late of said Billerica died seized and possessed of", bounded by the town land, the heirs of Nahum Baldwin, Capt. Josiah Bowers and "the road leading to Andover from the meeting house"; and "one other tract of land in said Billerica near Luther French's dwelling house on the opposite side of the road containing one acre more or less", bounded by Francis Kidder, a wall at the heirs of Nahum Baldwin (nineteen rods), "the widow Martha Baldwin about twelve rods" and the road. The second lot is the land of the cottage and of the Sperry lot sold in 1858.

• April 11, 1816 Deed: Josiah Crosby of Billerica, yeoman (Sarah Crosby releasing dower) to Stephen Hill of Billerica, wheelwright (213/265) (same acre, second lot of the deed)

• June 29, 1865 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, gentleman to Mrs. Judith Wilson of Billerica (43/220) (west part of the 1816 acre, with the cottage)

For $450, a parcel "on the road leading Easterly to the Depot Railroad Station on Sheldon Lane so called", from the corner of land occupied by Edwin Bowman east along the lane to land of Dea. Edward Wright, south by Wright to the stone wall between John Baldwin and the land of Henry Baldwin's widow, and west by the wall back to Bowman. No acreage and no buildings are named. Signed 1 May 1858, recorded 12 May 1858.

• March 8, 1867 Warranty Deed: Henry Sperry of Billerica, trader (Mehitable P. Sperry releasing dower and homestead) to Louisa S. Preston of Danvers, widow (54/497) (same premises)

• April 11, 1816 Deed: Stephen Hill of Billerica, wheelwright to John Baldwin of Billerica, gentleman (213/266) (east part of the same acre)

Dated June 29, 1865. For $600, "a cottage house and other out buildings situated in Billerica on Andover Street near the house now occupied by the Rev. J. G. D. Stearns containing about one third of an acre", from the southwest corner on Andover Street, bounded by the heirs of Widow Richardson, land of Anne Baldwin and Stearns. The first record of a house on the lot. In 1858 the lot was "occupied by Edwin Bowman" and in 1867 by Josiah Wilson (N.14/427, N.54/497). Col. Baldwin had owned the land since 1816 (S.213/266).

• April 11, 1816 Deed: Stephen Hill of Billerica, wheelwright to John Baldwin of Billerica, gentleman (213/266) (west part of the 1816 acre, with the cottage)

• March 4, 1870 Warranty Deed: Judith Wilson of Billerica to Lewis Johnson of Billerica (72/179) (same premises, recited)

Dated April 2, 1868, before Dudley Foster. For $360, a small house lot "with a dwelling house thereon" on the Salem road, bounded south by Baldwin land "called the Nahum Baldwin Pasture", and a former garden on the south side of the road "sometimes called Sheldons Lane and directly opposite where once stood the Nahum Baldwin house", conveyed to her by the trustee under the will of Rhoda Richardson in 1867. This is the Lewis Johnson lot (43 Andover Rd) next west of the Bennink lot, from which the 1877 front strip was taken.

• August 24, 1867 Trustee's Deed: Jonathan E. Hazelton of Boston, trustee under the will of Rhoda Richardson to Mrs. Sarah M. Woods of Billerica (58/204) (same premises, recited)

• April 24, 1877 Warranty Deed: Lewis Johnson of Billerica (Susan M. Johnson releasing dower and homestead) to Gerrit H. Bennink of Somerville (123/246) (the front strip out of the Johnson lot)
• April 1, 1902 Warranty Deed: Susan M. Johnson of Lexington, widow to Mary E. Slack of Billerica (341/113) (Lewis Johnson's will, 1895)

Dated March 3, 1870, acknowledged the same day before Dudley Foster; recorded March 4. For $520, "a cottage house and other out buildings situate in said Billerica on Andover street containing about one third of an acre of land": from the southwest corner on Andover Street, southeasterly by "land owned by said Johnson" to land of Anne Baldwin, by Baldwin to land of Gideon Gilman [written Kilman], by Gilman to the street and westerly on the street to the bound. "Being premises conveyed to me by John Baldwin by deed dated June 29th 1865 ... Book 43 Page 220." Johnson already owned the house lot next west (N.61/6, 1868).

• June 29, 1865 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, gentleman to Mrs. Judith Wilson of Billerica (43/220) (same premises, recited)

• April 1, 1902 Warranty Deed: Susan M. Johnson of Lexington, widow to Mary E. Slack of Billerica (341/113) (Lewis Johnson's will, 1895)

Dated April 23, 1877. For $50, a strip at the rear of Johnson's lot, two rods wide and 11 rods 7 links long, south by Bennink's own land, "See plan of Samuel Page dated April 23rd 1877 for reference". One half of an exchange of strips between the neighbors.

• April 23, 1877 Warranty Deed: Samuel W. Baldwin of Billerica, unmarried to Gerrit H. Bennink of Somerville (123/233) (a strip of the Baldwin purchase)

• April 1, 1902 Warranty Deed: Susan M. Johnson of Lexington, widow to Mary E. Slack of Billerica (341/113) (Lewis Johnson's will, 1895)

Dated March 31, 1902, acknowledged the same day before J. Porter Russell. For $2,500, "a certain piece or parcel of land situate in Billerica on the southerly side of Andover Street", from the northeast corner of the lot Lewis Johnson conveyed to Gerrit H. Bennink (Book 123, Page 246; Plan Book 3, Plan 69), S 55 E four rods twenty links, N 68 E eleven rods seven links, N 31 1/2 W to the street and westerly on the street to the beginning, "together with the buildings thereon, being the premises owned by Lewis Johnson at the time of his decease and conveyed to me by his will probated October 15, 1895". The whole Johnson tract: this cottage and the house at 43 Andover Road.

• April 3, 1868 Warranty Deed: Sarah M. Woods of Billerica, wife of Orestes L. Woods, in her own right to Lewis Johnson of Billerica (61/6) (Lewis Johnson's will, 1895)
• March 4, 1870 Warranty Deed: Judith Wilson of Billerica to Lewis Johnson of Billerica (72/179) (Lewis Johnson's will, 1895)
• April 24, 1877 Warranty Deed: Gerrit H. Bennink of Somerville (Lucilla A. Bennink releasing dower and homestead) to Lewis Johnson of Billerica (123/245) (Lewis Johnson's will, 1895)

• July 8, 1912 Executor's Deed: John H. Baker of Billerica, executor of the will of Mary E. Slack to Lydia C. Baker of Billerica (490/417) (same premises, recited)

Dated June 24, 1912, under a license of the Probate Court of May 28, 1912. Private sale for $2,600 of "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon situate in said Billerica on the southerly side of Andover street", with the same bounds as 1902, "the same premises as conveyed to Mary E. Slack by Susan M. Johnson ... Book 341 Page 113". Lydia C. Baker was Mrs. Slack's daughter and the wife of the executor, the butcher John H. Baker. (MACRIS cites this deed as Book 490, Page 117.)

• April 1, 1902 Warranty Deed: Susan M. Johnson of Lexington, widow to Mary E. Slack of Billerica (341/113) (same premises, recited)

• April 17, 1940 Quitclaim: L. Cora Baker of Billerica (John H. Baker releasing curtesy) to Herself and her husband John H. Baker, as joint tenants (943/396) (same premises, recited)

Dated April 16, 1940, before Albert H. Richardson. A straw conveyance creating a joint tenancy in "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon" on the southerly side of Andover Street, the same bounds as 1902 and 1912, "Being the same premises conveyed in a deed from John H. Baker, Executor of the will of Mary E. Slack, to me". She died Sept. 9, 1940, leaving her husband sole owner.

• July 8, 1912 Executor's Deed: John H. Baker of Billerica, executor of the will of Mary E. Slack to Lydia C. Baker of Billerica (490/417) (same premises, recited)

• April 17, 1944 Administrator's Deed: Melvin G. Rogers, administrator with the will annexed of the Estate of John H. Baker to Robert A. Dunstan and Edna B. Dunstan of Billerica, husband and wife (1004/590) (same premises, John H. Baker survivor)

Dated April 15, 1944, under a license of the Middlesex Probate Court of March 31, 1944. For $3,510, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica on the southerly side of Andover Street", the same Johnson-tract bounds, "Being the same premises described in a deed from L. Cora Baker to John H. Baker et ux dated April 16, 1940 ... Said Cora L. Baker died September 9, 1940." The buyers mortgaged it the same day to the Merrimack River Savings Bank (Book 1004, Page 591), describing about thirteen rods on the street.

• April 17, 1940 Quitclaim: L. Cora Baker of Billerica (John H. Baker releasing curtesy) to Herself and her husband John H. Baker, as joint tenants (943/396) (same premises, John H. Baker survivor)

• June 18, 1948 Deed: Robert A. Dunstan and Edna B. Dunstan of Billerica to Gordon C. Brainerd and Helen M. Brainerd of Lowell (1093/458) (part of the same premises)

Dated June 17, 1948. The western part of the Johnson tract "with the buildings thereon" (43 Andover Road): 131 feet on Andover Street on a curve, 77.05 feet by Houghton, 96.65 feet by an owner unknown and 117.40 feet by "other land of the grantors", 11,000 square feet, on the plan of land belonging to the Dunstans by E. P. Simpson, May 1948 (Plan Book 73, Plan 7), reserving a ten-foot right of way along its east side. The rest, the cottage lot of 12,000 square feet (83.52 feet on the street), was sold by the Dunstans in 1952 to private owners (Book 1202, Page 572, citing Book 1004, Page 590 and Plan 73-7), resold in 1960 (Book 1483, Page 584) and held by one family until 2009; later private sales in 2009, 2015 and 2017 (assessor). The cottage was largely demolished and rebuilt in 2016.

• April 17, 1944 Administrator's Deed: Melvin G. Rogers, administrator with the will annexed of the Estate of John H. Baker to Robert A. Dunstan and Edna B. Dunstan of Billerica, husband and wife (1004/590) (part of the same premises)