Nathaniel Stearns
Nathaniel Stearns
| Born | 1789-02-05 |
| Died | 1845-10-31 Billerica, MA |
| Father | Nathaniel Stearns |
| Mother | Sarah Carleton |
| Spouses | Sarah Dowse |
| Children | Judith |
Nathaniel Stearns (1789 to 1845) was a bricklayer who became the owner of the saw mill at the Canal Mills in North Billerica. He was born on February 5, 1789, the son of Nathaniel Stearns and Sarah Carleton. On May 28, 1815 he married Sarah Dowse, daughter of Joseph Dowse and, according to the historic inventory, a cousin of the trader and tavern keeper Nathan Mears, with whom Stearns was closely associated. Their daughters were Catherine (1817), who married John Wilson, Judith (1820), who married Anthony Jones, Adeline (1825), who died in 1828, and Emily (1826), who married Rufus Farwell.
In April 1817 Stearns, then a bricklayer, and Nathan Mears bought together from Isaac Sprake for $306 an eighteen-acre lot of woodland and mowing by the Mock meadow road, which they sold in January 1823 for $300 to Royal Stearns, also a bricklayer, and Joseph Stearns Jr. When Mears died in 1828 Stearns became guardian of his sons Edwin and Charles, and with John Baldwin, guardian of the other three children, he sold the Mears property under licence of the courts. In 1831 they sold the "Little Factory or Woolen Factory" by the second bridge to Francis Faulkner, and at the auction on the premises on March 20, 1832 the homestead was sold in lots: the tavern to Joel Dix, the Red House to the widow Anna Mears Wood, part of the farm to Daniel Wilson, and the "Thomas Rogers' Place" to Michael McGlone of Lowell, who gave Stearns a mortgage of $1,010 for the unpaid price (assigned in 1835 to Charles Mears). The Mears saw mill and water privilege, with the three-acre "Mill yard lot" between the passage way (now Wilson Street) and the Concord River, went to Gardner Parker, who the next day sold them to Stearns for $2,986.21.
Stearns ran the saw mill on the northeast side of the stream for a dozen years; its rights were reserved in the deeds of the neighbouring forge and of Faulkner's factory. In 1844 Charles P. Talbot and Thomas Talbot bought it for their dyewood business, which they carried on there until the mill burned in 1853. The census lists him as head of a household in Billerica in 1830 and 1840. His home was a gambrel-roofed house on about four and a half acres on the north side of Treble Cove Road.
He died on October 31, 1845, aged fifty-six, recorded as a farmer. His will, made that August, left his wife Sarah his furniture, horse and phaeton, $1,000 and the interest of $2,000 for life, gave $1,000 each to Catharine Wilson and Judith Jones and $1,500 to Emily, and directed his executor, Marshall Preston, to sell "at public auction all the property, real, personal and mixed". At the sale of March 25, 1846 the Mill yard lot was divided into one-acre strips, bought by Daniel Wilson, the carpenter Joseph J. Salter, who built the Joseph Salter House on his, and Joel Dix. The widow bought the homestead and passed it to her son-in-law Anthony Jones, and about 1848 she built the Sarah Stearns House across the road; she died on April 24, 1873.
References
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), Genealogical Register p. 143, STEARNS 19
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), p. 281: in 1844 C. P. Talbot & Co. bought the saw-mill of Nathaniel Stearns, burned in 1853
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Property | Recorded |
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| May 21, 1817 | Deed | Isaac Sprake of Billerica, yeoman | Nathan Mears, yeoman, and Nathaniel Stearns, bricklayer | Details | John Wallis House Treble Cove Plaza 199 Boston Rd Starbucks Joseph Stearns House |
222/41 (South) |
For $306, 18 acres of woodland and mowing by the Mock-meadow road and the old road, by land formerly of Levi Sprake and Henry Newman (the 18-acre tillage lot of the 1811 division). Dated April 15, 1817. Billerica town book 12, page 20. Farm land only, not the house.
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| April 30, 1823 | Deed | Nathan Mears of Billerica, innholder, and Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, bricklayer; Lucy Mears and Sarah Stearns releasing dower | Royal Stearns of Billerica, bricklayer, and Joseph Stearns Jr. of Billerica, laborer | Details | Treble Cove Plaza 199 Boston Rd Starbucks Joseph Stearns House |
247/524 (South) |
For $300, "a certain tract of land situated in said Billerica west of Concord River containing eighteen acres more or less", beginning "at the northeasterly corner at the end of a Ditch by Mock Meadow Cause way so called", northerly by "Mock meadow Road" 102 rods "to the old road", southwesterly by the old road to land formerly of Levi Sprake, then by Levi's land and land formerly of Henry Newman to the corner first mentioned, "being the same conveyed to us by Isaac Sprake by his deed bearing date the 15th day of April 1817." No buildings are named. Signed January 28, 1823. Billerica town book 13, pages 207-208.
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| 1831 | Guardians' Deed | Nathaniel Stearns and John Baldwin, guardians of Edwin, Charles, Lucy Ann, Nathan and Elbert Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Francis Faulkner of Billerica, Esquire | Details | Faulkner Mills | 305/44 (South) |
Billerica town book 11, pages 529-532. Under a special Resolve of the General Court (January 1829), for $1,042, the minors' land "at the Canal Mills so called ... with the building thereon, called the Little Factory or Woolen Factory": about 20 square rods from the stone abutment of "the second bridge over Concord River North of the Grist Mills", by "a large rock in the falls", along "the Fulling Mill Creek, so called" to the road "leading to the Canal Mills ... from Tewksbury". With a gateway 16 by 18 inches to draw water "to turn the water wheel for the works in said Little Factory" when water runs over the canal proprietors' dam; reserving a 4 ft way to the minors' sawmill, the floating of logs from "the Great Mill pond", and water for "the Blacksmith Forge and Iron Works", conveyed the same day to James Rice. The wooden factory lot "nearly opposite" the brick mill in later deeds, today the canal side of Faulkner Street.
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| April 4, 1832 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Gardner Parker of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Joseph Salter House (Wilson Street) Lawrence B. Gannon Store Cork City Lawrence B. Gannon House |
312/63 (South) |
Billerica town book 16, pages 52-55. Under the same license and the same vendue of March 20, 1832, for $3,325.27, "two undivided fifth parts" of the same parcels, including lot 10 of the Mears homestead, the mill yard by the river.
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| April 4, 1832 | Quitclaim | Gardner Parker of Billerica, yeoman | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Joseph Salter House (Wilson Street) Lawrence B. Gannon Store Cork City Lawrence B. Gannon House |
312/69 (South) |
Billerica town book 16, pages 60-62. Dated March 21, 1832, the day after the auction. For $2,986.21, Parker quitclaims "the saw mill and water privilege lately belonging to the heirs of Nathan Mears, deceased" at the Canal Mills, with the water rights from the Middlesex Canal, the Swamp lot in Chelmsford, the Blanchard lot in Broad Meadow and "another lot of three acres, being number Ten on a plan and survey of said deceased homestead taken by S. Livingston", bounded as in the guardians' deeds, "the same being used by said deceased for a mill yard". Acknowledged April 2, 1832 before Marshall Preston; witnesses Dudley Foster and Marshall Preston.
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| April 4, 1832 | Mortgage | Michael McGlone of Lowell | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica | Details | McGlone Homestead Thomas Rogers Homestead |
312/81 (South) |
For $1,010, Michael McGlone of Lowell mortgages to Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, "a certain farm situate in said Billerica, called the 'Thomas Rogers' Place, with the buildings thereon, containing fifty one acres and sixty five and a half rods," in the same parcels as the guardians' deeds, including "one other piece of land, part of said Place, on which stands the dwelling house, containing one hundred and thirty one rods and a half, and is enclosed with a stone wall," and the ten acre "Dam Swamp," to secure $1,010 in three yearly payments with interest: the unpaid part of the auction price. Mary McGlone, his wife, releases dower. Signed April 2, 1832 before Marshall Preston. The registry margin gives Book 312 Page 81 (the 1835 release recites it as "Book 312 Page 51"). Assigned in 1835 to Charles Mears (Book 342 Page 333). Billerica town book 16, pages 77-79.
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| April 21, 1832 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Daniel Wilson of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Barker House 44 High St Talbot Textile Mills Worker Housing at 56-58 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 5-7 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 9-11 Wilson St 9 11 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 33-35 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 25-27 Wilson St 25-27 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 13-15 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 29-31 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 17-19 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 21-23 Wilson St 21-23 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 37-39 Wilson St 37-39 Wilson St Old Talbot School 46 Talbot Av Fordway Schoolhouse |
313/24 (South) |
Licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court, sold at public vendue on the premises March 20, 1832, two undivided fifth parts of the same two tracts: the 11 acres 25 1/2 rods of the homestead farm and "the Z. Shed lot so called, containing six acres and one hundred and forty three rods," bounded as in John Baldwin's deed of the other three fifths. Recorded April 21, 1832. Billerica town book 16, pages 96-98. With Baldwin's deed this gave Daniel Wilson the whole lot.
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| August 14, 1832 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears | Michael McGlone of Lowell | Details | McGlone Homestead Thomas Rogers Homestead |
316/168 (South) |
Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin Mears and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears late of Billerica, deceased, licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court at Concord, sold at public vendue on the premises on March 20, 1832 to Michael McGlone of Lowell for $1,347.19, "he being the highest bidder therefor," "two undivided fifth parts" of "a certain farm of said deceased called his Thomas Rogers' Place with the buildings thereon containing fifty one acres & sixty five and a half rods": the 14 acre 66 rod road lot at the road leading to Bradley's Ferry and the lane to the Billerica Town Farm; "one other small tract of land part of said Place on which stands the dwelling house containing one hundred and thirty one rods and a half and is enclosed with a stone wall"; the lot between the Town Farm and Zadock French; the river lot to the Concord River and land formerly of William Livingston; and the ten acre "Dam Swamp." The companion of the guardian's deed for the other three fifths (Book 316 Page 166); together they gave McGlone the whole farm. Billerica town book 16, pages 137-140.
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| January 12, 1836 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Joel Dix of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Mears Tavern Captain Joel Dix House Talbot Textile Mills Worker Housing at 56-58 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 5-7 Wilson St 5 7 Wilson St Jones & Foster Store Talbot Textile Mills Worker Housing at 60-62 Wilson St 60-62 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 52-54 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 48-50 Wilson St |
349/237 (South) |
Licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court and sold at public vendue March 20, 1832, for $3,276.17, two undivided fifth parts of five tracts, first "a part of the homestead of said deceased, situate at the Canal Mills so called, containing three acres and fifty five & a half rods, with the Tavern house, one small house in the rear of said Tavern house, two barns and other out buildings thereon standing," from a corner "in the front yard between said Tavern house & said Dix's dwelling house," by Dix's land and the Garden lot to Concord River, by the river 20 rods to a board fence, and by the passage way on S. Livingston's plan of the homestead, Isaiah Bussey's house lot and "the side house lot" to the road: "lots numbered one & eleven on said plan." Also lot 9, the Patten lot, the Trull pasture and half the Sims place. Recorded January 12, 1836. Billerica town book 15, pages 223-226.
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| April 16, 1838 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Anna Mears Wood (written Anna Woods) of Billerica, widow | Details | Anna Mears Wood's "Red House" | 372/326 (South) |
Licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court at Concord (April 1831) to sell the minors' real estate, the guardian sold at public vendue on the premises March 20, 1832, for $356, "Two undivided fifth parts of the following described parcel of land, situate in said Billerica at the canal mills so called, with a Small Dwelling House thereon standing called the Red House with about eighteen and three quarters rods of land": from the northwest corner at the road and land of Isaiah Bussey, south by Bussey 10 rods 9 links "to a notch cut in the fence", east at right angles a few feet to an elm tree, northeast to "the East Gate Post" and on to the road, west by the road about 3 rods 11 1/2 links, "being Lot numbered 2 on S. Livingstone's survey of said deceased's Homestead". Witnesses Marshall Preston and John Baldwin; acknowledged April 2, 1832, recorded April 16, 1838. Billerica town book 15, pages 552-554.
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| June 17, 1835 | Assignment of Mortgage | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica | Charles Mears of Billerica | Details | McGlone Homestead | 342/333 (South) |
For $283.39, Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, "the within named Mortgagee," assigns to Charles Mears of Billerica, yeoman, "the within deed of Mortgage & all my right & title & interest to the premises within described," subject to Michael McGlone's right of redemption. Signed March 27, 1835 before Marshall Preston, JP. Charles Mears was one of the Mears children whose share McGlone had bought. Billerica town book 15, page 114.
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| 1845 | Will | Estate of Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman | Marshall Preston, executor; widow Sarah Stearns; daughters Catharine Wilson, Judith Jones and Emily Stearns | Details | Joseph Salter House (Wilson Street) Lawrence B. Gannon Store Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 48-50 Wilson St Cork City Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 44-46 Wilson St Lawrence B. Gannon House |
Probate #42239 |
Middlesex probate case 42239 (39 pages). Will dated August 1845: to his wife Sarah his furniture, horse and phaeton, $1,000 and the interest of $2,000 for life in place of dower; $1,000 each to his daughters Catharine Wilson (wife of John Wilson) and Judith Jones (wife of Anthony Jones) and $1,500 to Emily Stearns; the executor "shall in a reasonable time after my decease, sell and dispose of, at public auction all the property, real, personal and mixed", the residue to the widow and daughters. Executor Marshall Preston. The heirs assented to the will on Nov. 2, 1845.
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| April 14, 1846 | Executor's Deed | Marshall Preston of Billerica, executor of the will of Nathaniel Stearns | Joseph J. Salter of Billerica, carpenter | Details | Joseph Salter House (Wilson Street) Cork City Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 44-46 Wilson St |
481/158 (South) |
Billerica town book 18, pages 143-145. Dated March 25, 1846, acknowledged March 28 before John Eames JP. Sold at public auction under the will, for $186.50, to Salter as highest bidder, a parcel "containing by estimation One Acre": from a stake "on the centre of the passage way" at land "this day sold to Daniel Wilson", east by Wilson's land to a stake at Concord River, north by the river about 9 1/3 rods to land "this day sold to Joel Dix", west by Dix to the centre of the passage way and south on it about 11 rods, "being the second lot from the Southerly end of said deceased's 'Mill Yard lot' so called", with the passage way reserved for the owners of the other lots on the old Mears homestead "(as shown on a plan of said homestead taken by S. Livingston)". No buildings; Salter built his house here soon after. Witnesses Edward C. Bacon and John Eames.
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| 1846 | Executor's Deed | Marshall Preston of Billerica, executor of the will of Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica | Joseph Stearns of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Treble Cove Plaza 199 Boston Rd Starbucks Joseph Stearns House |
486/340 (South) |
Under the power of sale in the will, for $30, "the following tract of meadow land situate in said Billerica in Mock meadow so called containing two acres and three rods more or less", bounded easterly and northerly by land of Joseph Stearns, southerly by William Pollard and westerly by the deceased's land, "being the same conveyed to said deceased by Amasa Holden by deed dated October 2nd 1845". Billerica town book 18, pages 167-168. Probably part of the 26 acres of 1883.
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| 1846 | Executor's Deed | Marshall Preston of Billerica, executor of the will of Nathaniel Stearns | Daniel Wilson of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 48-50 Wilson St Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 44-46 Wilson St |
486/341 (South) |
Billerica town book 18, pages 168-170. Sold under the power of sale in Stearns's will, the same day as the Salter lot to the north (Book 481 Page 158, March 25, 1846), "in consideration of one Hundred and six [?] dollars", a parcel "containing by estimation one acre": beginning at the southwesterly corner "on the centre of the 'Passage way' so called" and land of Wilson, east by Wilson's land 14 rods 22 links to Concord River, north down the river about 9 1/3 rods, west to the centre of the passage way and south on it about 11 rods, "it being the southerly lot of the said deceased's 'Mill yard lot' so called", reserving to the owners of the other lots on the homestead formerly of Nathan Mears the right to pass on the passage way shown on S. Livingston's plan. The passage way became Wilson Street; Lots 10 and beyond on the 1936 Talbot Mills Plan A lie in this acre.
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| December 8, 1846 | Executor's Deed | Marshall Preston of Billerica, executor of the will of Nathaniel Stearns | Joel Dix of Billerica, yeoman | Details | Lawrence B. Gannon Store Lawrence B. Gannon House |
498/193 (South) |
Billerica town book 18, pages 252-253. Sold at public auction under the will, for $190, a parcel "containing by estimation one acre": from the northeast corner at Concord River and land of Dix, south up the river about nine and one third rods to land "this day sold to Joseph J. Salter", west by Salter to the centre of the "passageway", north on it about eleven rods to Dix, and by Dix about twenty rods to the river, "being the Northerly lot of the 'Mill Yard Lot' so called", with the passageway reserved for the other lots of the Mears homestead (S. Livingston's plan). Dated March 25, 1846; witnesses Dudley Foster and Anthony Jones.
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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.