Billerica Masonic Temple
Billerica Masonic Temple
| Also Known As | Morey, Frederick A. General Store |
| Address | 11 Concord Rd |
| MACRIS ID | BIL.4 |
| Built | 1875 |
| Owners | Lawrence B. Gannon (1904 - 1911) |
| Tenants | |
| Balch's Market (1925 - 1932) | |
| Other Lot Structures | Billerica Academy (1821 - 1873) |
The Billerica Masonic Temple at 11 Concord Road, on the west side of the Common between the First Parish church and the town hall, was built by Frederic A. Morey as a general store and post office after the old Billerica Academy building on the same spot burned in 1873. It was owned for Thomas Talbot Lodge, A.F. & A.M., from 1921 to 2020, when the town bought it for historic preservation.
The front of the lot is the 1821 academy lot, which John Baldwin had owned with the old academy building since 1844. Baldwin sold Morey "the 'Academy Lot'" on May 1, 1873 for $873. The old building burned that year, and by March 20, 1874 Morey had mortgaged the lot "with the buildings thereon standing" to Baldwin for $4,100, so the new store was up or under way by then. Morey, born in Tewksbury in 1846 and a Howe School graduate, had married Mary C. Parker, daughter of Charles H. Parker, in 1870; the family lived in quarters at the back of the store. Hazen wrote in 1883 that his store stood "south of the 1st church," and the 1875 map shows F. A. Morey's "Store & P.O." In 1889 Morey bought the land behind the store from the heirs of Mary B. Parker for $500, which gave the lot its present depth of about 250 feet.
Morey died in 1902 and his wife in 1903. His executors sold the store at auction on August 4, 1904 to Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle for $3,250, and Mary C. Morey's heirs released the rear land to them. After Gannon died in 1911, his children and the conservator of James F. Gannon sold his half to Towle in 1914. The store was let to grocers, among them Philip B. Dolan, George S. Gracie Sr. and Leroy O. Balch. Towle died in 1919, and his widow, Eva J. Towle, sold the property on December 29, 1921 to Everett S. Bull, who the same day deeded it to trustees for Thomas Talbot Lodge, A.F. & A.M., to hold "for the benefit of said Lodge." After the lodge lost its hall in the Gardner Parker Hall fire of February 26, 1940, the trustees transferred the building in May 1941 to the newly formed Billerica Masonic Association, Inc. It was remodeled for the lodge by the architect Perley F. Gilbert, who replaced most of the Victorian store front, and dedicated early in 1942.
In 1946 the town and the Association traded land: the town gave the Masons an 898 square foot strip between the temple and the town hall, and the Masons gave the town 5,725 square feet behind the town hall, as shown on E. P. Simpson's plan of September 1946. In 1970 the town took a sewer easement along the south side of the lot. In June 2020 town meeting voted, 168 to 4, to buy the building with Community Preservation funds, and the Association deeded it to the Town of Billerica on September 22, 2020 for $643,000, the appraised value.
The assessor dates the building to about 1880. The deeds show a building on the lot from 1874, and the building has been altered many times.
References
- MACRIS BIL.4
- Billerica assessor, 11 Concord Rd (parcel 51-113-0): 0.321 acres, built about 1880, 2020 sale to the town
- Hazen (1883), Genealogical Register: Frederic A. Morey, merchant, "his store, south of the 1st church"
Deed References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 1833 | Deed | Col. John Parker of Billerica (Susanna Parker releasing dower) | The Trustees of Billerica Academy | 1821: Col. John Parker sells the academy lot (same lot as the Masonic Temple) | 323/274 (South) |
Signed and acknowledged March 2, 1821 before Blaney Abbot, recorded June 22, 1833 (Billerica town book 16, pages 195-196). Witnesses Henry Baldwin and Henry Bridge. "A certain piece or lot of land situate on the south side of the Meeting house," beginning at the northeast corner by the Common at land of the town, southerly by the Common sixty feet, westerly by the grantor's own land six rods and sixteen links to a stake and stones, northerly by his land five rods and two links "to the southwest corner of horse sheds appurtenant to the said Meetinghouse," and easterly by the town's land to the beginning.
Title from:
Related:
|
|||||
| June 22, 1833 | Mortgage | The Trustees of Billerica Academy, by John Baldwin, secretary | Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., as executor of the will of Col. John Parker | 1833: academy trustees mortgage the lot and building to Parker's executor | 323/274 (South) |
Dated June 18, 1833, acknowledged June 19 before Joseph Locke (Billerica town book 16, pages 197-198). For $378.18, "a certain piece or lot of land with the buildings thereon standing situate in said Billerica on the south side of the Meeting house," the same bounds as the 1821 deed (the Common sixty feet, land late of Col. John Parker, the horse sheds, the town's land), "reserving to John and Henry Baldwin the use of the cellar under the Academy building upon said premises during the term of the lease of said cellar." Void on payment of a note of the same date by Samuel Whiting, Josiah B. Richardson and Francis Richardson, a committee of the trustees, to Preston as executor.
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| 1837 | Quitclaim | Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esquire (Maria Preston releasing dower) | Zadock Howe, John Baldwin, Thaddeus Brown, James R. Faulkner, Henry Baldwin, John Eames and seven others of Billerica | 1837: the foreclosed academy building sold to thirteen townsmen as tenants in common | 373/450 (South) |
Billerica town book 14, pages 438-440. Signed October 14, 1837, acknowledged November 4. For $445.99 paid by Zadock Howe, John Baldwin, Thaddeus Brown, James R. Faulkner, Henry Baldwin, John Eames, Ichabod Everett, Francis Richardson, George Holden, Seneca Fisk, George Bacon, George P. Elliot and Jonas Merriam Jr., "thirteen undivided fourteenth parts of a certain piece or parcel of land situate in said Billerica on the south side of the meeting house, with the buildings thereon standing, known as the Billerica Academy," 60 feet on the common, 6 rods 16 links back along land late of Col. John Parker, 5 rods 10 links "to the southwest corner of the horse shed appurtenant to said meeting house," reserving to John and Henry Baldwin the cellar for the term of their contract. Preston recites that the trustees had mortgaged it to him for a debt due Parker's estate and that he had "taken possession thereof & the right in equity to redeem the same having been foreclosed is the source of my title." The academy had closed in 1836; the building passed to a group of townsmen as shareholders. Recorded July 1838.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| 1844 | Quitclaim | Zadock Howe, James R. Faulkner, Henry Baldwin, Marshall Preston and nine other owners of the Billerica Academy | John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire | 1844: John Baldwin buys out the other owners of the academy lot | 443/390 (South) |
Billerica town book 16, pages 513-514. Signed May 2, 1844. For $730, Zadock Howe, James R. Faulkner, Henry Baldwin, John Eames, Ichabod Everett, Francis Richardson, George Bacon, George P. Elliot, Jonas Merriam Jr. and Marshall Preston of Billerica, George Holden of West Cambridge, Susan Brown of Andover, widow, and Sereno Fisk of Southport, Wisconsin Territory, quitclaim "Thirteen undivided fourteenth parts of a certain parcel of land situate in said Billerica on the southerly side of the first parish meeting house with the buildings thereon standing known as the Billerica Academy," bounded by the Common at the Meeting House Lot, west 6 rods 16 links and north 5 rods 2 links by Ann Parker, "to the Southwest corner of the Horse sheds appurtenant to said Meeting house." With the share he bought in 1837, John Baldwin now owned the whole building and lot.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 18, 1845 | Warranty Deed | Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman | John Baldwin of Billerica, Esq. | 1845: Ann Parker sells John Baldwin the one-acre rear "Academy Lot" behind the academy building | 458/79 (South) |
For $500, the "Academy Lot," one acre and 48 rods "on the westerly side of the Common," from its southeast corner "at said Common and said Ann's mansion house lot," westerly by the stone wall of the mansion-house lot 13 rods 13 links to the widow Sybil Parker's thirds, northerly by Sybil's thirds and Capt. Samuel Foster, easterly by the Bowers heirs to the First Parish, and back by the Parish and Baldwin's own Academy lot to the Common. Dated Feb. 24, 1845, witnessed by Mrs. Martha A. Lyman and Marshall Preston, recorded March 18, 1845; the Prestons quitclaimed the same lot to Ann Parker the same day (next deed). The lot behind the Common north of the house was excepted from every later deed of the house lot. Billerica town book 17, pages 572-573.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 20, 1868 | Quitclaim | Charles H. Parker of Billerica, Esq., and Mary B. Parker his wife | John Baldwin of Billerica | 1868: Charles H. Parker sells John Baldwin the six and a half acres around the academy lot | 60/495 |
For $3,248.57, "a piece or parcel of land lying in the centre of Billerica," near the town house, "containing six and a half acres ... with all the buildings thereon standing," bounded east by the Billerica Common, south by land of the Baptist Society, Benjamin Gilbert and School District No. One, west by Gardner Parker, and north by Gardner Parker, the grantee and the Town of Billerica; free of encumbrances except Parker's mortgage to Baldwin of April 10, 1864 for $2,051.51. Dated March 12, 1868, acknowledged March 13, 1868 before Dudley Foster, recorded March 20, 1868. Mary B. Parker was Baldwin's daughter. Every later deed of the house lot to 1907 is "the same premises conveyed by Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin." Book 60 Pages 495-496.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| June 9, 1873 | Warranty Deed | John Baldwin of Billerica, yeoman | Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader | 1873: John Baldwin sells the "Academy Lot" to Frederic A. Morey, who rebuilt the store | 94/263 |
Dated May 1, 1873, acknowledged June 7 before Charles H. Parker. For $873, "a certain lot or parcel of land situated in said Billerica, known as the 'Academy Lot'": beginning at its northeast corner "on the public highway and at land of the Unitarian Society," south on the highway about 98 feet to land of the town, west by the town's land "and by my own land" about 104 feet, north by Baldwin's land about 118 feet to the Unitarian Society, and east by the Society's land about 104 feet. Witnessed by John Baldwin Jr. and Charles H. Parker.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| June 9, 1873 | Mortgage | Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader | John Baldwin of Billerica | 1873: purchase-money mortgage of the Academy lot to John Baldwin | 94/264 |
Same date. Morey mortgaged the "Academy lot" back to Baldwin for the whole $873 price, payable in two years at seven percent, and was to "keep the buildings standing on the land aforesaid insured against fire in a sum not less than one thousand dollars," so the old academy building, then a store, still stood in May 1873.
Related:
|
|||||
| 1874 | Mortgage | Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trader | John Baldwin of Billerica | 1874: Morey mortgages the rebuilt store on the Academy Lot to John Baldwin for $4,100 | 100/341 |
Dated March 20, 1874. For $4,100, "a certain lot or parcel of land with the buildings thereon standing situated in said Billerica known as the 'Academy Lot'," with the bounds of the 1873 deed, payable in four yearly installments of $1,025 at seven percent, the buildings to be kept insured against fire. The jump from the $873 owed in 1873 to $4,100 suggests Baldwin financed the new store Morey built after the 1873 fire. The margin notes an assignment (Book 125, Page 459) and the 1904 discharge (Book 371, Page 68).
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| September 28, 1876 | Quitclaim (partition) | Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Francis Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, heirs of John Baldwin | Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" | 1876: partition of John Baldwin's estate gives the rear land to the heirs of Mary B. Parker | 120/235 |
For one dollar and other consideration, quitclaim of "The piece or parcel of land in the Center of said Billerica, near the Town House, with the buildings thereon, it being the same premises conveyed by Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin by deed dated March 12th A.D. 1868 ... Book 60, Page 495," except the lot "south of the house" that John Baldwin sold to Doct. George A. Monroe on Sept. 10, 1873 and the Academy Lot; with the Fox Hill lot of about 47 acres, the Middle Bridge lot of about 12 acres west of Concord River, and 1 3/4 acres of meadow on the Shawsheen River. "All of the above mentioned premises are a portion of the estate of the late John Baldwin, deceased; and are deeded for the purpose of partition between the heirs." Dated Sept. 14, 1876, recorded Sept. 28, 1876; Charles H. Parker, guardian of his minor children Charles W. and Lucy B., released their shares in the other Baldwin lands by the deed before it. Book 120 Pages 235-236.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| October 9, 1889 | Warranty Deed | Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederic A. Parker, Charles W. Parker, Lucy B. Parker and Charles H. Parker, heirs of Mary B. Parker | Frederic A. Morey of Billerica | 1889: the Parker heirs sell Morey the land behind his store, completing the present lot | 210/24 |
Acknowledged October 3, 1889. For $500, "a certain lot or parcel of land situated in said Billerica in the rear of land of Frederic A. Morey and the Town Hall Lot": from its northeast corner at the First Parish and Morey, west by Frederic H. Parker about 148 feet to Mary F. Bryant, south "by the wall" along Bryant and J. N. Parker about 199 feet, east on the wall by the heirs of Mary B. Parker about 127 feet to the town hall lot, and north by the town hall lot and Morey about 193 feet. The heirs held this land, once part of the one-acre rear "Academy Lot" John Baldwin bought in 1845, under the 1876 partition of Baldwin's estate. It doubled the depth of the store lot and gave the present parcel its shape.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 8, 1899 | Deed in Trust | Charles W. Parker of Billerica, unmarried | Mary C. Morey and Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trustees | 1899: Charles W. Parker conveys his share in the Baldwin lands to the Moreys as trustees | 305/423 |
For one dollar and other consideration, all his right in the lots "described in deed of Sarah Baldwin and others to Mary C. Morey and others dated September 14, 1876": "The piece or parcel of land in the center of said Billerica near the Town House with buildings thereon it being the same premises conveyed by Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin by deed dated March 12, 1868 ... Book 60, Page 495," less the lot south of the house and the Academy Lot, with the Fox Hill, Middle Bridge and Shawsheen meadow lots, "a portion of the Estate of John Baldwin deceased," in trust to apply the income and principal to his support after the death of his father, pay a mortgage made the same day to Frederic A. Morey, and at his death convey to his appointees or heirs, with power of sale. Dated Nov. 30, 1895, witnessed by Charles H. Parker, acknowledged Dec. 2, 1895, recorded March 8, 1899. Book 305 Pages 423-425.
Title from:
|
|||||
| October 24, 1904 | Discharge of Mortgage | Elizabeth C. Baldwin and Nathan H. Reed, executor of the will of Charles H. Parker | Charles W. Parker, Frederick A. Parker and Clara B. Reed, heirs of Mary C. Morey | 1904: discharge of the 1874 Morey mortgage to John Baldwin | 371/68 |
Signed July 18, 1904. As holders of the mortgage Frederic A. Morey gave John Baldwin on March 20, 1874 (Book 100, Page 341), for $5,268.45 paid by the executors of Morey's will they discharge it and quitclaim to the heirs of Mary C. Morey, "who was devisee of the mortgaged premises under said will of Frederic A. Morey."
Title from:
|
|||||
| October 24, 1904 | Quitclaim | Charles W. Parker, Frederick A. Parker and Clara B. Reed, heirs at law of Mary C. Morey, and Nathan H. Reed | Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle of Billerica | 1904: Mary C. Morey heirs release the rear land to Gannon and Towle | 371/69 |
Signed August 23, 1904, for $1. The heirs of Mary C. Morey release the land behind the store: bounded north by Frederic H. Parker 148 feet, west by Mary F. Bryant and J. N. Parker "by a wall about 199 feet," south by the heirs of Mary B. Parker about 127 feet, and east by the town hall lot and "by land conveyed to Frederic A. Morey by John Baldwin by deed recorded ... Book 94 Page 263," in all about 193 feet, "intending hereby to release all our interest in the premises described in a deed to said Frederic A. Morey, recorded ... Book 210 Page 24." Catherine W. Parker and Ada R. Parker release dower.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| October 24, 1904 | Executors Deed | Nathan H. Reed of Somerville and Thomas J. Morey of Haverhill, executors of the will of Frederic A. Morey | Lawrence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle of Billerica | 1904: Morey executors sell the store and land at auction to Gannon and Towle ($3,250) | 371/70 |
Signed August 25, 1904. Under a Probate Court license of May 25, 1904, the executors sold Morey's real estate at public auction on August 4, 1904 to Gannon and Towle, the highest bidders, for $3,250: "a certain parcel of land and the buildings thereon," bounded east by the public highway 98 feet, north by the Unitarian Church and F. H. Parker 252 feet, west by Mary F. Bryant and J. N. Parker 199 feet, south by the heirs of Mary B. Parker 120 feet, then east 75 feet and south 116 feet by "the Town Hall lot." This joined the old academy lot on the road and the land behind it into the parcel of the present Masonic Temple.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 28, 1914 | Quitclaim | William H. Gannon, Catherine Kearney, Lizzie A. Gannon, Hannah Gannon and Henrietta F. Gannon of Billerica | Ernest C. Towle of Billerica | 1914: the Gannon heirs release five twelfths of the store property to Ernest C. Towle | 519/339 |
Signed March 7, 1914. With quitclaim covenants, "five undivided twelfths interest in and to a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon," 98 feet on the public highway, north by the Unitarian Church and F. H. Parker, west by Mary F. Bryant and J. N. Parker, south by the heirs of Mary B. Parker and the Town Hall lot. "Being the same premises conveyed to Lawrence B. Gannon et al" in 1904 (Book 371, Pages 69 and 70). Lawrence B. Gannon's children released their shares of his half to his partner Towle.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 28, 1914 | Conservator's Deed | Henrietta F. Gannon, conservator of the property of James F. Gannon of Billerica | Ernest C. Towle of Billerica | 1914: the conservator of James F. Gannon sells his twelfth to Towle | 519/340 |
Signed March 28, 1914, under a Probate Court license of March 27. For $400, "one undivided twelfth interest" in the same parcel "with the buildings thereon," with the same bounds; "see will of said Lawrence B. Gannon for title of said James F. Gannon." With the deed of March 7, this completed Towle's ownership of the whole.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 28, 1914 | Mortgage | Ernest C. Towle of Lowell | Celia Adele Tibbetts and William T. Sheppard of Lowell, trustees under the will of Henry L. Tibbetts | 1914: Towle mortgages the store property for $2,000 | 519/341 |
For $2,000, a mortgage of "that parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on the westerly side of the Concord road opposite the Common, so called," with the bounds of the later deeds (98, 252, 199, 127, 70.18 and 116 feet), reciting the 1904 deeds to Gannon and Towle. Recorded the same day as the Gannon releases, so likely money to buy them out. The margin notes an assignment (Book 562, Page 296) and a discharge (Book 563, Page 95).
Related:
|
|||||
| 1916 | Mortgage | Ernest C. Towle of Lowell | Fannie E. Trull of Lowell | 1916: Ernest C. Towle mortgages the store property to Fannie E. Trull | 562/45 |
Dated October 17, 1916. To secure $2,000 in one year at five percent, "That parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on the westerly side of Concord Road opposite the Common, so called, in that part of Billerica ... called Billerica Centre," with the usual bounds (98 feet on the road, 252 feet on the north, 199 feet along the wall on the west). Fannie E. Trull acknowledged satisfaction on November 9, 1921, recorded December 30, 1921 just before Towle's widow sold the property (Book 655, Page 68).
Related:
|
|||||
| December 30, 1921 | Deed | Eva J. Towle of Billerica, widow and devisee of Ernest C. Towle | Everett S. Bull of Billerica | 1921: Eva J. Towle sells the store building to Everett S. Bull, who passes it to the Masons | 655/68 |
Signed December 29, 1921 ($8 in revenue stamps). With quitclaim covenants, "That parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on the westerly side of Concord Road opposite the Common, so called, in that part of said Billerica called Billerica Centre," 98 feet on the road, 252 feet on the north along the Unitarian Church and Frederick H. Parker, 199 feet on the west along Mary F. Bryant and J. Nelson Parker "by a wall," 127 feet on the south along the heirs of Mary B. Parker, and 70.18 and 116 feet along the town hall land. The title recital lists the 1904 deeds from Charles W. Parker et als (Book 371, Page 69) and from the executors of Frederick A. Morey (Book 371, Page 70) to Laurence B. Gannon and Ernest C. Towle, and the 1914 releases of the Gannon half to Towle (Book 519, Page 340), and adds "My title is derived under the will of said Ernest C. Towle, late of said Billerica." Bull, a straw for the Masons, passed it to the Thomas Talbot Lodge trustees the same day.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| December 30, 1921 | Mortgage | Everett S. Bull of Billerica | The Central Savings Bank, Lowell | 1921: $4,600 mortgage to The Central Savings Bank, assumed by the lodge trustees | 655/69 |
Signed December 29, 1921. To secure $4,600 on demand at six percent, payable quarterly, a mortgage of the same Concord Road parcel just conveyed to Bull by Eva J. Towle. The trustees of Thomas Talbot Lodge took the property subject to it and assumed the debt. The margin notes the discharge at Book 811, Page 71.
Related:
|
|||||
| January 12, 1922 | Deed of Trust | Everett S. Bull of Billerica | Pearl R. Kinney, Ivory M. Hanson and George N. Sweetnam, trustees for Thomas Talbot Lodge A.F. & A.M. | 1921: Everett S. Bull conveys the building to trustees for Thomas Talbot Lodge, the start of the Masonic Temple | 655/224 |
Signed December 29, 1921. With quitclaim covenants, "That parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on the westerly side of Concord Road opposite the Common," with the same bounds as the later deeds (98 feet on the road, 252 feet along the Unitarian Church and Frederick H. Parker, 199 feet along a wall on the west, then south and east by the heirs of Mary B. Parker and the town hall land). The trustees were to hold the title for the benefit of Thomas Talbot Lodge, "to manage, rent, repair and in all ways direct the use" of it, and to mortgage or sell only by vote of the Lodge. "Being all and the same premises to me conveyed by Eva J. Towle by deed of even date," subject to a $4,600 mortgage to The Central Savings Bank, which the trustees assumed.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 26, 1941 | Quitclaim Deed | Edmund L. French, Edwin P. Simpson and Everett R. Brigham, trustees for Thomas Talbot Lodge A.F. & A.M. | Billerica Masonic Association, Inc. | 1941: the lodge trustees transfer the temple to the Billerica Masonic Association | 961/87 |
Signed May 21, 1941, under a lodge vote of May 13, 1941 (certified by secretary Leroy O. Balch) to transfer the property "without consideration" to the new Billerica Masonic Association. "That parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on the westerly side of Concord Road opposite the Common, so called," 98 feet on the road, north by the Unitarian Church and Frederick H. Parker (252 feet), west by Mary F. Bryant and J. Nelson Parker "by a wall about" 199 feet, south by the heirs of Mary B. Parker (127 feet), then east 70.18 feet and south 116 feet by the Town land "on which stands the town hall." The trustees held under the declaration of trust in the 1921 deed of Everett S. Bull (Book 655, Page 224).
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| January 20, 1947 | Quitclaim Deed | The Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica, by Robert H. Fowler, treasurer | Billerica Masonic Association, Inc. | 1946: land exchange, the town gives the Masons a strip between the temple and the town hall | 1060/476 |
Signed November 7, 1946, under the vote of the annual town meeting of February 9, 1946 (Article 3) to exchange land with the Masons; the town clerk's certificate is recorded with it. A triangular parcel of 898 square feet on Concord Road between the Masonic building and the town hall, 166.20 feet along "other land of the grantor on which the Town Hall is erected" and 10.80 feet on the road, shown on the plan by E. P. Simpson, C.E., September 1946, "for exchange of property voted at annual town meeting" (Plan Book 70, Page 97).
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| January 20, 1947 | Quitclaim Deed | Billerica Masonic Association, Inc., by Charles H. Hames, president | The Inhabitants of the Town of Billerica | 1946: land exchange, the Masons give the town 5,725 square feet behind the town hall | 1060/477 |
Signed November 1946 under a special meeting vote of the Association of November 7, 1946. In exchange for the 898 square foot triangle on the road, the Masons gave the town 5,725 square feet "in the rear of the Town Hall property," 70 feet along the town's land and 76 feet along the stone wall by J. N. Parker, shown on the same E. P. Simpson plan of September 1946 (Plan Book 70, Page 97). The 2020 deed to the town excludes this parcel.
Title from:
|
|||||
| September 14, 1970 | Taking | Billerica Masonic Association, Inc. (land taken) | Town of Billerica, by its Board of Selectmen | 1970: the town takes a 20-foot sewer easement along the south side of the temple lot | 1934/25 |
Order of taking passed August 24, 1970 under a 1966 town meeting vote, for permanent, temporary and slope easements for the town sewer system. Parcel One is a strip of the Masonic Association's land 20 feet wide and 245 feet long running west from Concord Road along the boundary with the town hall land, about 4,900 square feet, shown on a 1967 Emmons, Fleming and Bienvenu plan. The Association was awarded $600. The other nine parcels in the order lie elsewhere in town.
Related:
|
|||||
| September 29, 2020 | Quitclaim Deed | Billerica Masonic Association, Inc. | Town of Billerica, by its Board of Selectmen | 2020: the Masonic Association sells the temple to the Town of Billerica for historic preservation | 34694/94 |
Signed September 22, 2020. For $643,000, two parcels at 11 Concord Road: Parcel One "with the buildings thereon" on the westerly side of Concord Road "opposite the common," 98 feet on the road, bounded north by the Unitarian Church and F. H. Parker (252 feet), west by Mary F. Bryant and J. Nelson Parker "by a wall" (199 feet), south by the heirs of Mary B. Parker and the town hall land; title from the trustees of the Thomas Talbot Lodge A.F. & A.M., 1941 (Book 961, Page 87), excluding the strip given to the town in 1946 (Book 1060, Page 477). Parcel Two is the 898 square foot triangle received from the town in the 1946 exchange (Plan Book 70, Page 97). The town accepted it under Article 31 of the June 2020 town meeting, bought with Community Preservation funds "for historic preservation purposes."
Title from:
|
|||||
Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.