Structure · Built 1900 · Demolished 1970
Arthur Hans House
Arthur Hans House
| Address | 459 Boston Rd |
| Built | 1900 |
| Demolished | 1970 |
| Other Lot Structures | Dunkin' Donuts (Built 2001) |
The Arthur Hans House stood on the west side of Boston Road just south of Billerica Center, on the lot that is now 459 Boston Road. The land was part of a strip south of Charnstaffe Lane that Blaney Abbot and Paul Holt Jr. sold to Henry Crosby in 1846 and 1847. Crosby sold three acres of it in 1852 to John F. Baldwin, and in 1877 Baldwin, by then of Worcester, sold the same "piece or parcel of land situated near the centre of said Billerica" to Caroline R. Fellows for $700. The lot ran about 47 rods west from Boston Road between land of J. J. Gorham on the south and Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and William G. Alley on the north, back to a stone wall on land of Blaney Abbott, "containing three acres more or less." Neither deed mentions any building.
In August 1896 Caroline Fellows, a widow living on Charnstaffe Lane behind the lot, sold the three acres to Frances B. Hazen, wife of the farmer Curtis G. Hazen, again as bare land. When the Hazens sold to George H. Harlow of Somerville on July 10, 1900, the deed conveyed the parcel "with the buildings thereon," so the house was built by the Hazens between 1896 and 1900. Harlow, later a retired resident of the town, sold it in 1907 to Sarah F. Whitney of Malden, taking back a $5,000 mortgage. In 1909 her husband Edwin M. Whitney bought a 62-foot strip on the north side from Elijah F. Paige, the owner of the Henry Bowers House next door.
On July 3, 1917 the Whitneys, then of Boston, sold both parcels to Arthur Hans of Woburn, who mortgaged the place to the Woburn Five Cents Savings Bank. In 1919 he deeded it to his wife Christina Hans, and their son was born in Billerica in 1920. The house carries his name from the atlases of the period. On April 16, 1921 Christina sold the house and land to Hilda Pearson of Lowell, and the Woburn bank's mortgage was discharged the same day.
Hilda Pearson and her husband Bernard I. Pearson kept the place for 37 years (a 1946 pair of deeds through Doris Stevens made them joint owners). In 1950 they had the land surveyed into four lots. The plan shows the house, set back from Boston Road, and a barn behind it on Lot D, with Mitchell Lane on the south. Bernard died in 1953. In May 1958 Hilda cut off the rear of Lot D and put the front part, Lot D1 of 32,466 square feet with 154 feet on Boston Road, in joint names with Emmy A. Cooper. Hilda died that December, and in 1961 Cooper sold Lot D1 to private owners.
In July 1971 those owners sold "the land with the buildings thereon ... numbered 459 Boston Road" to the Lexington Federal Savings and Loan Association for $72,000, and the old house was removed for a bank branch. Boston Federal Savings Bank, Lexington Federal's successor, added part of the neighboring lot in 1993 and sold both pieces in 2001 to E. Coelho, LLP for $450,000. The bank was demolished and the present Dunkin' Donuts and sandwich shop building went up in 2001-2002. The property passed to EJB Properties, LLC in 2011, and the lots were combined in 2012.
References
Deed References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| August 26, 1848 | Warranty Deed | Blaney Abbot of Billerica, Esquire | Henry Crosby of Billerica, yeoman | 1846: Blaney Abbot sells Henry Crosby land on the Great Boston Road, part of the later three-acre lot | 538/521 (South) |
Dated April 1, 1846, witnessed and acknowledged April 13 before Marshall Preston JP; copied in Billerica town book 20, pages 113-114 (recorded about August 1848). For $550, "a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Billerica containing two acres and three quarters more or less": from the northeast corner at "the Great Boston Road" and land of Azra Page, west by Page about 20 rods to a corner of a wall at other land of the grantor, south by the wall to land of Prentiss about 22 rods, east by Prentiss about 20 rods to the road, and north by the road about 21 rods. Crosby gave Abbot a mortgage back (S.481/154). Henry Bowers bought the north 1 3/8 acres of this tract in 1847.
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| July 6, 1877 | Warranty Deed | John F. Baldwin of Worcester (wife Eveline R. Baldwin releasing) | Caroline R. Fellows of Billerica | 1877: John F. Baldwin sells the bare three acres to Caroline R. Fellows | 124/481 |
For $700, "a certain piece or parcel of land situated near the centre of said Billerica", beginning at the southeast corner on the Boston road at land of J. J. Gorham, west by Gorham about 47 rods to land of Blaney Abbott and a stone wall, north along the wall about ten rods, east by lands now or late of Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and Wm. G. Alley about 46 rods to the Boston road, and by the road about ten and a half rods, "containing three acres more or less". No buildings named. "Being part of the same premises conveyed to Henry Crosby by deed of said Holt A.D. 1847 ... Book 538 Page 524, and by deed of said Abbott A.D. 1846 ... Book 538 Page 521, and being the same premises conveyed to me by said Crosby by deed dated November 8 1852 ... Book 667 Page 26." Acknowledged at Worcester June 28, 1877 before F. A. Gaskill JP; pages 481-482.
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| August 31, 1896 | Warranty Deed | Caroline R. Fellows of Billerica, widow | Frances B. Hazen, wife of Curtis G. Hazen of Billerica, in her own right | 1896: the Hazens buy the bare three acres and build the house before 1900 | 277/574 |
For one dollar and other good and valid considerations, "a certain piece or parcel of land situated near the centre of said Billerica", with the same bounds: J. J. Gorham on the south about 47 rods, Blaney Abbott and a stone wall on the west about ten rods, Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and Wm. G. Alley on the north about 46 rods, and the Boston Road about ten and a half rods, "containing three acres more or less. Being the same premises conveyed to me by John F. Baldwin by his deed dated June 28th 1877 ... Book 124, Page 481." No buildings named. Acknowledged August 28, 1896 before Herbert A. King JP; pages 574-575.
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| July 11, 1900 | Warranty Deed | Frances B. Hazen of Billerica (husband Curtis G. Hazen releasing curtesy) | George H. Harlow of Somerville | 1900: first deed "with the buildings thereon"; the Hazens sell to George H. Harlow | 320/406 |
With $6 in revenue stamps, for one dollar and other valuable considerations, "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated near the centre of said Billerica", the same three acres between land of J. J. Gorham, Blaney Abbott, Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and William G. Alley and the Boston Road. "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Caroline R. Fellows by deed dated Aug 28, 1896 ... Book 277, Page 574." Subject to the current year's taxes. The first deed of the lot to name buildings: the house was built by the Hazens between 1896 and 1900. Acknowledged in Suffolk July 10, 1900 before Percy F. Leland NP; pages 406-407.
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| May 24, 1907 | Warranty Deed | George H. Harlow of Billerica (wife Ada F. Harlow releasing dower and homestead) | Sarah F. Whitney of Malden, wife of Edwin M. Whitney | 1907: Harlow sells the house to Sarah F. Whitney ($5,000 mortgage back) | 404/159 |
For one dollar and other good and valuable consideration, "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon, situated near the centre of said Billerica", the three acres (J. J. Gorham, Blaney Abbott and a stone wall, Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and William G. Alley, the Boston Road about ten and a half rods). "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Frances B. Hazen by deed dated July 10, 1900 ... Book 320, Page 406." Subject to the taxes of May 1, 1907. Dated May 23, 1907. The same day Sarah F. and Edwin M. Whitney gave Harlow a purchase-money mortgage for $5,000 in three years at five per cent (Book 404, Pages 161-162), discharged July 16, 1917 (Book 576, Page 13).
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| May 7, 1909 | Warranty Deed | Elijah F. Paige of Billerica, unmarried | Edwin M. Whitney of Billerica | 1909: Elijah F. Paige sells Edwin M. Whitney the 62 ft strip on the north side | 433/521 |
Dated May 5, 1909, acknowledged before Forrest F. Collier JP. Paige sold Whitney the lot south of the house that Dudley Foster had deeded him in 1891 (Book 227 Page 154), 62 feet on the west side of the Boston Road, "except the front line of said premises on said Boston Road is shortened five [5] feet and the remainder of my land on said road is increased five [5] feet in frontage; and the back line ... is increased eight [8] feet and the back line of the remainder of my land is shortened eight [8] feet." This moved the house lot's south line, giving it the 116.5-foot frontage and 122-foot back line of all later deeds.
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| July 17, 1917 | Warranty Deed | Sarah F. Whitney of Boston, wife of Edwin M. Whitney (husband releasing curtesy) | Arthur Hans of Woburn | 1917: Sarah F. Whitney sells the house and three acres to Arthur Hans | 576/13 |
For one dollar and other valuable considerations, "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon, situated near the centre of the town of Billerica", the three acres from the southeast corner on the Boston Road at land now or late of J. J. Gorham, west by Gorham about 47 rods to Blaney Abbott and a stone wall, north about ten rods to a stone post, east by Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and William G. Alley about 46 rods to the road, and by the road about ten and a half rods, "being the same premises conveyed to me by George H. Harlow by deed dated May 23, 1907 ... Book 404, page 159." Dated July 3, 1917, acknowledged in Boston July 11 before N. Thomas Merritt Jr. JP; pages 13-14. Harlow's discharge of the 1907 mortgage precedes it on page 13.
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| July 17, 1917 | Warranty Deed | Edwin M. Whitney of Boston (wife Sarah F. Whitney releasing dower and homestead) | Arthur Hans of Woburn | 1917: Edwin M. Whitney adds the 62 ft strip on the north | 576/14 |
For one dollar and other valuable considerations, "a certain tract of land" on the westerly side of the Boston Road, beginning at the northeasterly corner of land of "my wife, Sarah F. Whitney", north on the road 62 feet, southwesterly 325 feet to land now or formerly of one Fellows, south by Fellows 60 feet, and east by the wife's land 337 1/2 feet; "being the same premises conveyed to me by Elijah F. Paige by deed dated May 5, 1909 ... book 433, page 521." Subject to restrictions of record. Dated July 3, 1917; pages 14-15.
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| December 13, 1919 | Quitclaim | Arthur Hans of Billerica | His wife Christina Hans of Billerica | 1919: Arthur Hans deeds the house to his wife Christina | 616/485 |
"For consideration paid", "the land in said Billerica, with the buildings thereon": the three acres on the Boston Road between land now or late of J. J. Gorham, Blaney Abbott, Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and William G. Alley, and the strip on the westerly side of the Boston Road "with the buildings thereon", 62 feet on the road and 325 feet deep to land of one Fellows. "Being the same premises described in two deeds to me, the first from Sarah F. Whitney, dated July 3, 1917 ... Book 576, Page 13, and the second from Edwin M. Whitney dated July 3, 1917 ... Book 576, Page 14." Dated and acknowledged December 11, 1919 before Edward Johnson JP; pages 485-486.
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| April 18, 1921 | Warranty Deed | Christina Hans of Billerica (husband Arthur Hans releasing curtesy and homestead) | Hilda Pearson of Lowell | 1921: Christina Hans sells the house to Hilda Pearson | 642/294 |
With $8 in revenue stamps, "for consideration paid", "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon, situated near the center of Billerica": the three acres (J. J. Gorham, Blaney Abbott and a stone wall, Paul Holt, Henry Bowers and William G. Alley, about ten and a half rods on the Boston Road) and the strip 62 feet on the road north to land now or formerly of Elijah F. Paige and 325 feet back to land formerly of Fellows. "Intending hereby to convey ... all the same premises conveyed to me by Arthur Hans by his deed dated December 11, 1919 ... Book 616, Page 485." Subject to the 1921 taxes. Dated April 16, 1921; pages 294-295. Just above it the Woburn Five Cents Savings Bank discharged Arthur Hans's mortgage of July 12, 1917 (Book 576, Page 16).
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| August 14, 1946 | Quitclaim | Hilda Pearson of Billerica (husband Bernard I. Pearson releasing curtesy) | Doris Stevens of Lowell | 1946: Hilda Pearson to Doris Stevens (straw deed) | 1051/202 |
"For consideration paid", "the land in said Billerica, with the buildings thereon, situated near the center of Billerica", the same two parcels: three acres from J. J. Gorham's corner on the Boston Road west about 47 rods to Blaney Abbott and a stone wall, and the strip 62 feet north on the road to land now or formerly of Elijah F. Paige. "Being all and the same premises conveyed to me by Christina Hans by deed dated April 16, 1921 ... Book 642, Page 294." Dated August 13, 1946, recorded 10:14 AM; a straw conveyance to make the Pearsons joint owners. Pages 202-203.
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| August 14, 1946 | Quitclaim | Doris Stevens of Lowell, unmarried | Bernard I. Pearson and Hilda Pearson of Billerica, husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety | 1946: back to Bernard I. and Hilda Pearson as tenants by the entirety | 1051/203 |
"For consideration paid", the same land "with the buildings thereon, situated near the center of Billerica": the three acres and the 62-foot strip. "Being all and the same premises conveyed to me by Hilda Pearson by deed of even date to be recorded herewith." Subject to outstanding taxes. Dated August 13, 1946, recorded 10:15 AM; pages 203-204.
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| May 16, 1958 | Quitclaim | Hilda Pearson of Billerica, unmarried | Herself, Hilda Pearson, and Emmy A. Cooper of Billerica, as joint tenants | 1958: the house lot becomes Lot D1 of plan 90-20B, put in joint names with Emmy A. Cooper | 1402/83 |
A lot on the westerly side of Boston Road, Lot D1 on "Subdivision Plan of Land in Billerica, Mass. Owned by Hilda Pearson", May 1958, Emmons and Fleming, Engineers (Plan Book 90, Plan 20B): easterly by Boston Road 154.31 feet, northerly by land of Musgrave 184.62 feet, westerly by Lots B and D2 162.74 feet, southerly by Lot C 207.06 feet, 32,466 square feet. "Being a part of the premises described in a deed to my late husband, Bernard I. Pearson, and me from Doris Stevens dated August 13, 1946 ... Book 1051, Page 203. Said Bernard I. Pearson died March 1, 1953." "The consideration for this deed is other than monetary." Dated May 9, 1958.
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| October 3, 1961 | Quitclaim | Emmy A. Cooper of Billerica (Fred B. Cooper releasing) | Private owners (a married couple of Winchester) | 1961: Emmy A. Cooper sells Lot D1, 459 Boston Road, to private owners | 1531/171 |
"For consideration paid", a lot on the westerly side of Boston Road, Lot D1 on the 1958 Hilda Pearson plan (Plan Book 90, Plan 20B), 154.31 feet on Boston Road, 184.62 feet on Musgrave, 162.74 feet on Lots B and D2, 207.06 feet on Lot C, 32,466 square feet. "Being all and the same premises conveyed by Hilda Pearson to herself and me as joint tenants by her deed dated May 9, 1958 ... Book 1402, Page 83. Said Hilda Pearson late of Billerica died in said Billerica on December 9, 1958." Dated October 3, 1961. The buyers' $8,000 mortgage to the City Institution for Savings, Lowell, follows on page 172 and describes the lot as "now numbered 459 Boston Road".
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| July 9, 1971 | Quitclaim | Private owners (husband and wife of Billerica) | Lexington Federal Savings and Loan Association, Lexington | 1971: sold to Lexington Federal Savings and Loan; the house gives way to a bank branch | 1967/329 |
"The land with the buildings thereon located on the westerly side of Boston Road in Billerica ... and being numbered 459 Boston Road", Lot D1 on Plan Book 90, Plan 20B, 32,466 square feet, same bounds. "Being the premises conveyed to us by deed of Emmy A. Cooper ... Book 1531, Page 171." Subject to the 1971 taxes. "The full consideration for the within conveyance is Seventy-two Thousand ($72,000.00) Dollars." Dated July 9, 1971. The old house was removed about this time for the association's bank branch.
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| May 31, 2001 | Quitclaim | Boston Federal Savings Bank, successor to Lexington Federal Savings and Loan Association | E. Coelho, LLP of North Billerica | 2001: Boston Federal Savings Bank sells the bank lot to E. Coelho, LLP | 11706/156 |
For $450,000, Parcel One, "the land with the buildings thereon ... numbered 459 Boston Road", Lot D1 on Plan Book 90, Plan 20B, 32,466 square feet, "Being the same premises conveyed to Lexington Federal Savings and Loan Association by Deed of [the private owners] dated July 9, 1971 ... Book 1967, Page 329"; and Parcel Two, about 7,529 square feet off the westerly part of Lot C of the 1950 Pearson plan (Plan Book 78, Plan 33), leased to Leader Federal in 1979 (Plan 131-120) and shown as Parcel A on Plan 184-92 (1994), which the bank bought from private owners December 15, 1993 (Book 6848, Page 190), with rights in Mitchell Lane. Property address 459 and 461 Boston Road. The bank building was demolished and the present Dunkin' Donuts and sandwich shop built in 2001-2002.
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| August 18, 2011 | Quitclaim | E. Coelho, LLP | EJB Properties, LLC | 2011: the present owner, EJB Properties, LLC | 25180/194 |
For consideration not over $100, Parcel One, "the land with the buildings thereon ... numbered 459 Boston Road", Lot D1 on Plan Book 90, Plan 20B; Parcel Two, the 7,529 square foot Parcel A of Plan 184-92 (title Book 11706, Page 156); and Parcel Three, Lot C of Plan 78-33 (461 Boston Road, 16,432 square feet less Parcel A). Together "known as 459-461 Boston Road", Lot 2 (with Parcel A, 38,458.94 square feet) and Lot 1 (8,942.28 square feet) of Plan 184-92. The assessor combined the lots in 2012 (1.088 acres).
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Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.