Billerica Council on Aging

Address	25 Concord Rd
Built	1978
Other Lot Structures	Charles Henry Parker House (1844 - 1974)

The Billerica Council on Aging's senior center at 25 Concord Road is the brick building on the west side of Concord Road at the corner of Blanchard Avenue, just south of the Common between the Billerica Public Library and the First Baptist Church. It was built in 1977-1980 as the town's first public library building and has been the town's senior center since 2004.

The site joins two old house lots cut from the homestead of the Rev. Samuel Ruggles, Billerica's second minister, who in 1712 bought "one Messuage or Tenement ... Containing about nine acres" by the highway from John Rogers Jr. His sons sold the twelve-acre homestead in 1755 to the Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, and by 1801 it was "the Ruggles farm" of John Parker. Parker's son Stephen sold five acres "enclosed with a stone wall" to his brother Col. John Parker in 1819, and the colonel's house lot passed under his will to his widow Susan and daughter Ann Parker, who owned it all from 1842 until her death in 1861. Her nephew Charles Henry Parker sold the six and a half acres "with all the buildings thereon" in 1868 to John Baldwin. The north part, at the corner of what became Blanchard Avenue, was the lot of the Samuel Ruggles House: Baldwin's Parker grandchildren held it from 1876, Fannie M. Blanchard bought it in 1907, and after a 1915 subdivision by E. P. Sellew (Lot 3A, 33,200 square feet) it passed to the Greeleys, the Bartons and in 1922 to Dr. Maurice S. Buck, whose family kept it until 1964. The south part was the acre "enclosed by a stone wall" that Baldwin sold in 1873 to Dr. George A. Munroe, the home of the Flanders family from 1885 to 1917 and of Charles W. Knox and his family from 1925; in the late 1960s the house on it, the Charles Henry Parker House, was "now numbered 21" Concord Road.

The town's library was then still the small Bennett Public Library of 1880. The annual town meeting of 1969 set up a Library Study Committee, and on March 7, 1970 the town meeting voted 94 to 36 under Article 11 to take "for library building purposes" about one and three quarter acres on Concord Road and Blanchard Avenue, the Ruggles lot and the house numbered 21, and raised $64,000 for the land. On July 6, 1970 the selectmen took the two parcels by eminent domain "for purposes of library building construction," as Lots 1 and 2 (the Ruggles lot, award $32,000) and Lot 3 (award $31,000) on a plan by Emmons, Fleming & Bienvenu; the owner of Lot 3 gave the town a confirmatory deed the same day. Both old houses were moved away, the Ruggles house to River Street in 1972 and the Parker house to Middlesex Turnpike about 1973.

Building the library took seven more years. In April 1972 the town meeting gave a majority but not the needed two thirds to a $1,317,882 bond for "a Free Public Library on Land located on or near Concord Road and Blanchard Avenue," and on June 19, 1972 a special town meeting again fell short, 100 to 98. The Library Building Committee kept working with the architect James C. Hopkins, and in 1976 applied for federal public works money. On September 29, 1977 the Economic Development Administration granted $1,083,000, "100% funding of our new town library." James C. Hopkins Associates was appointed architect, John Tocci & Sons of Watertown won the site contract, and ground was broken on December 4, 1977 before more than 200 people. The committee, led by Helen L. Potter, chose "water-struck brick, stainless steel, and copper" to suit the old buildings of the Center and provided off-street parking to relieve traffic at the Common; strikes at manufacturers delayed the work. On April 19, 1980 "a 1000 yard long human chain" of more than 300 residents carried the Bennett Library's books into their "brand new 1.1 million dollar home," which opened later that month. Use of the library rose by more than half in its first year.

The Council on Aging is older than the building. Article 79 of the 1962 annual town meeting adopted a by-law creating "a council for the aging" of the heads of the welfare, recreation and health boards and the superintendent of schools with three to seven appointed residents, to coordinate "programs designed to meet problems of the aging"; its first appropriation, in 1963, was $200. It followed the Golden Age Club organized by the Recreation Commission in 1961. The council arranged health clinics, hot lunches at the elderly housing at 13 River Street, Meals on Wheels and a mini-bus. A special town meeting in November 1975 sent the idea of a senior citizens' drop-in center to a study committee under Dorothy M. Winn, and in 1976 the town meeting voted money to rent space and rewrote the by-law: the renamed Council on Aging was to have seven members appointed by the selectmen, at least four of them aged sixty or older, and the new council was appointed on October 25, 1976. In 1978 the town voted to renovate the Brown house on River Street, the old Parker homestead bought by the Housing Authority in 1976 (the John Nelson - Stephen Parker House), as the Brown Drop-In Center; a CETA-funded renovation was finished in November 1979, and the Senior Center on River Street served the council through the 1980s and 1990s.

When the library moved into the restored Billerica Town Hall (1895) in May 2000, the empty "Old Library" became the council's new home. The town meeting of 2000 voted $100,000 for architectural and engineering work for "Relocation of Senior Center to former Library," and the fall town meeting of October 2000 transferred $1,000,000 from free cash for the renovation, joined by a $600,000 state Community Development Block Grant. In 2002 the town meeting refused, 49 to 113, to borrow another $1,000,000 that the council wanted, mainly for the facade, and the town manager put the roughly $1.4 million project out to bid. Northern Contracting began the work in February 2003, the grant-funded part was finished in March 2004, the 2004 town meeting added $100,000 for construction and renovation, and the senior center opened in 2004 with two open houses for those who had contributed.

Later work replaced the elevator in 2008, when two Eagle Scouts also built a new library room and computer classroom inside, and the rooftop heating and cooling unit in 2011 ($140,000). In June 2011 the Board of Appeals granted a variance to enlarge the parking lot, since "the rear portion of the lot is too narrow" for the usual landscaping, and in 2019 the assessors combined the two parcels into one. As the senior population grew, the town in 2022 voted $500,000 for a feasibility study of new Council on Aging and Recreation buildings. At a special town meeting on May 14, 2024 a motion to borrow $20,653,133.45 for a new Council on Aging facility was amended, 89 to 88, to keep the building on the present site, and was then tabled, 131 to 44. The Council on Aging still runs its programs, meals, outreach and transportation from 25 Concord Road.

Billerica Council on Aging — Subdivision of Land at Billerica, Mass. (E. P. Sellew, C.E., Dec. 6, 1915): Blanchard Avenue and Concord Road, 1915 (Plan 33/22)

References

Title References

Date	Type	Grantor	Grantee	Summary	Recorded
July 31, 1713	Deed	John Rogers Jr. of Billerica	The Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica	1712: the Rev. Samuel Ruggles buys the nine-acre messuage, the south part of his homestead (the whole site)	16/343 (South)
	For 26 pounds, "one Messuage or Tenement situate in Billerica abovesaid Containing about nine acres be it more or less, bounded on the East by the High way, on the North by the Land of Samuel Ruggles & Enoch Kidder, on the West by the Land of Nathaniel Rogers, and on the South by the Land of Saml. ffassett with all the buildings, with all the Fences and Trees thereon standing (Excepting Nathaniel Rogers his orchard which is Contained within the bounds abovesaid)." Dated Dec. 8, 1712 (11 Anne), signed by the mark of John Rogers Jr., witnessed by Samuel Fassett, Thomas Ball and Jacob Danforth; acknowledged Jan. 16, 1712/13 before Jonathan Tyng; recorded at Charlestown July 31, 1713. Ruggles, the town's second minister, already owned the land to the north; with this purchase his homestead ran along the road south from the meeting house to the Fassett (later Danforth) line, the sixteen acres "Bounded Easterly on the Country Road ... westerly on Land of Capt. Enoch Kidder" of his 1749 inventory. Billerica town book 1, pages 518-519. Title passed to: 1749 Will and Inventory: Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, clerk to His sons Joseph Ruggles and William Ruggles; his daughters (Probate #19569) (the nine acres bought in 1712 are part of the sixteen-acre homestead)
1749	Will and Inventory	Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, clerk	His sons Joseph Ruggles and William Ruggles; his daughters	1749: will of the Rev. Samuel Ruggles	Probate #19569
	Will dated June 29, 1748: to "my Beloved Son Joseph Ruggles the one half of my house viz. that half which stands towards the south," half the barn and yard and about seven or eight acres "lying between my Orchard and Mr. Jacob Danforth's land," with his silver tankard, Joseph to pay the debts and be sole executor; to his son William Ruggles "the other half of my house & barn and the other part of my Homestead Land," reserving to his daughters Lucy and Sarah the right to live in the north chamber while single; bequests to his daughters Elizabeth Rogers (wife of Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton), Martha (wife of John Whiting of Littleton), Dorothy (wife of Rev. Mr. Morrill of Wilmington), Lucy and Sarah Ruggles, and the sale of his "Negrowoman (Phillis)" with the money divided among three daughters. Witnesses Joshua Abbott, Jacob Danforth and John Chandler. The inventory of April 1749 lists his library at 228 pounds and, last, "the Real Estate to about Sixteen acres of Land Consisting of pasturing mowing & orcharding Bounded Easterly on the Country Road Northerly on a high way westerly on Land of Capt. Enoch Kidder Southerly on land of Lt. Jacob Danforth together with a Large Mansion House and other the Buildings thereon standing," at 2,300 pounds old tenor. Middlesex probate case 19569. Title from: July 31, 1713 Deed: John Rogers Jr. of Billerica to The Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica (16/343) (the nine acres bought in 1712 are part of the sixteen-acre homestead) Title passed to: 1754 Deed: William Ruggles of Billerica, clothier to His brother Joseph Ruggles of Billerica (53/455) (William's half of the house under his father's will) July 14, 1756 Deed: Joseph Ruggles of Billerica, clothier, and Sarah his wife to The Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, clerk (54/451) (Joseph's half under the will) December 16, 1915 Warranty: Fanny M. Blanchard of Billerica, unmarried to Martha A. Greeley, wife of Michael C. Greeley, of Boston (547/565) (through the Reeds' 1907 deed (N. 412/119), the end of the Ruggles, Rogers, Parker and Baldwin chain)
1754	Deed	William Ruggles of Billerica, clothier	His brother Joseph Ruggles of Billerica	1754: William Ruggles sells his half of the homestead to his brother Joseph	53/455 (South)
	For 146 pounds 13 shillings 8 pence, "a Certain peice or parcel of Land & orcharding ... Containing by Estimation Eight acres," bounded northerly on a highway, easterly on a highway and Joseph Ruggles's land, southerly on Ruggles's land and westerly on land of Capt. Enoch Kidder, "together with the one half of a Mansion house & Barn being premises that were given to me the said William Ruggles in my Honrd Father's Last will & testament." Dated 1754 and recorded 1756 (per the index). With this deed Joseph Ruggles, who already had the south half of the house under the will, owned the whole house. Billerica town book 5, pages 365-366. Title from: 1749 Will and Inventory: Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, clerk to His sons Joseph Ruggles and William Ruggles; his daughters (Probate #19569) (William's half of the house under his father's will) Title passed to: July 14, 1756 Deed: Joseph Ruggles of Billerica, clothier, and Sarah his wife to The Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, clerk (54/451) (the other half bought of William)
July 14, 1756	Deed	Joseph Ruggles of Billerica, clothier, and Sarah his wife	The Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, clerk	1755: Joseph Ruggles sells the twelve-acre homestead to the Rev. Daniel Rogers	54/451 (South)
	For 266 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence, "a Tract of Land lying in Billerica aforesaid near the Meeting House containing twelve acres be it more or less consisting of Orcharding Plowland Mowing and Pasturage with the Buildings thereon Viz. a Dwelling House which was my Father Ruggles's in which I now dwell also a Barn and a Shop," beginning at a stake and stones at the southeast corner of Mr. John Chandler's land, southerly by the Common and highway to the southeast corner, westerly by land of David and Timothy Danforth to the wall at a corner of Capt. Enoch Kidder's lot, then northerly, easterly and northerly by Kidder's land, and easterly by Mr. Chandler's land to the beginning; Sarah released dower. Dated Nov. 13, 1755, witnessed by Saml. Whiting and Oliver Abbot, acknowledged the same day before Thos. Kidder, recorded at Cambridge July 14, 1756. Rogers, minister of Littleton, was married to Joseph's sister Elizabeth. How the house then came to John Parker the tanner is not recorded: no deed from Rogers is in the Billerica books, and the inventory of Rogers's estate in 1782 lists land only in Littleton and Cambridge. Billerica town book 5, pages 393-395. Title from: 1749 Will and Inventory: Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, clerk to His sons Joseph Ruggles and William Ruggles; his daughters (Probate #19569) (Joseph's half under the will) 1754 Deed: William Ruggles of Billerica, clothier to His brother Joseph Ruggles of Billerica (53/455) (the other half bought of William) Related: 1762 Administration: Estate of the Rev. John Chandler of Billerica (died 1762), Elizabeth Chandler administratrix to His widow Elizabeth and daughters (Probate #4250) (the 1755 deed already bounds on Chandler's land)
1782	Will and Inventory	The Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, clerk	His son Daniel Rogers (executor) and daughters Sarah and Lucy Rogers	1782: estate of the Rev. Daniel Rogers (no Billerica land)	Probate #19447
	Will dated Oct. 25, 1779: five shillings each to his sons Jeremiah Dummer Rogers and Samuel Rogers and his daughter Elizabeth Willard, who "are now absent and their Return prohibited"; 200 pounds each to his unmarried daughters Sarah and Lucy with the use of half the dwelling house; the residue to his son Daniel and to Sarah and Lucy, with a share for the absent children if they are ever allowed to return; his son Daniel executor with power to sell real estate. Witnesses William Henry Prentice, Abraham Patch Jr. and Joseph Sawtell. Proved Dec. 11, 1782 before Judge Oliver Prescott. The inventory of Dec. 9, 1782 lists as real estate only "The Mantion House out Buildings and farm in Littleton containing about 115 acres," a small house with about ten acres, and "A Farm in Cambridge ... about 200 Acres": the Billerica house Rogers bought from Joseph Ruggles in 1755 was no longer his. Middlesex probate case 19447. Related: July 14, 1756 Deed: Joseph Ruggles of Billerica, clothier, and Sarah his wife to The Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, clerk (54/451) (Rogers no longer owned the Billerica house in 1782)
1803	Will	John Parker of Billerica, gentleman (tanner)	His sons Stephen Parker and John Parker (executors) and his other children	1803: will of John Parker; the Ruggles farm to his son Stephen	Probate #16643
	Will dated March 27, 1801, with a codicil of Feb. 28, 1803. To his son John the tan-house and tan-yard and a strip from the Common westward to the wall of the orchard, among other land; to his son Stephen "my dwelling-house, and the land adjoining" on the south side of the Common, on condition he support his sister Abigail, and "I also bequeath to my said son, Stephen, the whole of my farm on the west side of Concord road, commonly called the Ruggles farm, except that small parcel of it which I have given to my son, John. This bequest is to be understood as including the barn, and all other appurtenances belonging to said farm." Legacies to sons Daniel and Samuel and daughters Sarah Bowers, Anne Prichard and Elizabeth Breed. Witnesses Henry Cumings, Jacob Richardson and John Richardson Jr. Proved at Woburn Sept. 20, 1803 before Judge Oliver Prescott. This is the first record of the house in Parker hands. Middlesex probate case 16643. Title from: April 21, 1748 Deed: Nathaniel Davidson of Billerica, trader to John Parker of Billerica, tanner (47/184) (John Parker held the tanyard from 1748 until his death) Title passed to: December 11, 1837 Warranty Deed: Stephen Parker of Billerica, gentleman, and Sibel his wife to His brother John Parker of Billerica, Esq. (368/529) (Stephen's land under his father's will) June 22, 1833 Deed: Col. John Parker of Billerica (Susanna Parker releasing dower) to The Trustees of Billerica Academy (323/274) (probably the strip from the Common westward willed to Col. John Parker in 1803) 1832 Will: John Parker of Billerica (d. 1832) to His wife Susan Parker and daughter Ann Parker; other children and grandchildren (Probate #16646) (John jr. held the house by 1819) Related: July 14, 1756 Deed: Joseph Ruggles of Billerica, clothier, and Sarah his wife to The Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton, clerk (54/451) (Parker held the Ruggles farm by 1801; the deed from Rogers is not recorded)
December 11, 1837	Warranty Deed	Stephen Parker of Billerica, gentleman, and Sibel his wife	His brother John Parker of Billerica, Esq.	1819: Stephen Parker sells the five acres enclosed with a stone wall to his brother Col. John Parker	368/529 (South)
	For $1,200, "the following described piece of land containing five acres & the same more or less," beginning "at an Elm tree near the said John Parker's dwelling house," westerly by John Parker's land about twenty rods to a stone wall running south, southerly by the wall seven or eight rods, westerly again by John Parker's land about twenty rods, southerly by Stephen Parker's land about eighteen rods to land of the Revd. Nathl. Whitman, easterly by Whitman "by the wall as it now stands to the road leading south from the meeting house" about forty rods, and by the road to the beginning, "the said piece of land being now enclosed with a stone wall all round with all the buildings thereon standing." Dated Oct. 13, 1819, witnessed by M. Preston and Elizabeth Parker, acknowledged Oct. 30, 1819 before Blaney Abbot, recorded Dec. 11, 1837. By 1819 John Parker Jr. was living in the Ruggles house; this completed the twelve-acre house lot of his will. On the same page is Stephen's 1829 release to John of half the "City Farm." Billerica town book 15, pages 487-488. Title from: 1803 Will: John Parker of Billerica, gentleman (tanner) to His sons Stephen Parker and John Parker (executors) and his other children (Probate #16643) (Stephen's land under his father's will) Title passed to: 1832 Will: John Parker of Billerica (d. 1832) to His wife Susan Parker and daughter Ann Parker; other children and grandchildren (Probate #16646) (the five acres completing the house lot)
1832	Will	John Parker of Billerica (d. 1832)	His wife Susan Parker and daughter Ann Parker; other children and grandchildren	1832: will of Col. John Parker; the twelve-acre house lot to his widow and daughter Ann	Probate #16646
	Will dated Dec. 20, 1831: to his wife Susan Parker "two undivided third parts of my House Lot in Billerica, consisting of about twelve acres of land, with a Dwelling House, Barn & outbuildings thereon: bounded easterly on the road, southerly on land of the Rev. N. Whitman, westerly on land of Gardner Parker, and northerly on land late of Stephen Parker & Samuel Foster to said road," with a wood lot and the Oliver Abbot lot for life; to his daughter Ann Parker "one undivided third part of my House Lot containing about twelve acres of land, with Dwelling House, Barn & out buildings"; to his son David half the tanyard; to his daughter Maria, wife of Marshall Preston, the Minister Lot; to his grandsons Francis James Parker, Charles Henry Parker and Frederic Augustus Parker and granddaughter Henrietta Parker, other land and money; son-in-law Marshall Preston executor. Witnesses Phineas How, Tilly Merrick and Nathan Brooks. Proved at Lowell June 5, 1832. Middlesex probate case 16646. Title from: 1803 Will: John Parker of Billerica, gentleman (tanner) to His sons Stephen Parker and John Parker (executors) and his other children (Probate #16643) (John jr. held the house by 1819) December 11, 1837 Warranty Deed: Stephen Parker of Billerica, gentleman, and Sibel his wife to His brother John Parker of Billerica, Esq. (368/529) (the five acres completing the house lot) Title passed to: May 23, 1840 Guardian's Deed: Jacob Coggin of Tewksbury, clerk, guardian of Charles Henry Parker, minor child of Frederic Parker late of Salem to David Parker of Billerica, gentleman (392/474) (the grandson's half under his grandfather's will) 1841 Will: Susan Parker of Billerica, widow of John Parker to Her son George Parker; her daughter Maria Preston (Probate #38954) (Susan's two thirds under her husband's will) February 15, 1842 Warranty Deed: Marshall Preston and Maria Preston, his wife, in her right, of Billerica to Lyman Haynes of Billerica, yeoman (410/494) (Maria Preston held the Minister Lot under her father's will) February 15, 1842 Warranty Deed: Marshall Preston and Maria Preston, his wife, in her right, of Billerica to Dudley Foster of Billerica, Esquire (410/495) (Maria Preston held the Minister Lot under her father's will) June 19, 1844 Warranty Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to Deacons Amos Spaulding and Edward Spaulding, for the First Baptist Church in Billerica (445/112) (her one third under John Parker's will)
1841	Will	Susan Parker of Billerica, widow of John Parker	Her son George Parker; her daughter Maria Preston	1841: will of Susan Parker	Probate #38954
	Will dated Oct. 11, 1841: to "my son George Parker, two undivided third parts of the Homestead where I now live, consisting of about twelve acres of land, with a Dwelling house, barn and out buildings thereon, bounded Easterly on the road, Southerly on land of George Bacon, westerly on land of Gardner Parker and Northerly on land of said Gardner Parker, and of Samuel Foster, to said road"; to "Ann Parker the daughter of my late Husband, John Parker," a wood lot for life and furniture; the residue to her daughter Maria Preston, wife of Marshall Preston, the executor. Witnesses Thomas Shed, Chas. E. Parker and Mary Wilson. Proved at Concord Nov. 9, 1841, with George Parker's assent. Middlesex probate case 38954. Title from: 1832 Will: John Parker of Billerica (d. 1832) to His wife Susan Parker and daughter Ann Parker; other children and grandchildren (Probate #16646) (Susan's two thirds under her husband's will) Title passed to: April 14, 1842 Deed: George Parker of Clinton, Oneida County, N.Y., merchant, and Catharine Ann his wife to Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife, as joint tenants (414/358) (devised to George by his mother)
April 14, 1842	Deed	George Parker of Clinton, Oneida County, N.Y., merchant, and Catharine Ann his wife	Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife, as joint tenants	1842: George Parker sells his two thirds of the homestead to the Prestons	414/358 (South)
	For $2,000, "two undivided third parts of a certain messuage the homestead of the late Susan Parker deceased mother of the said George and Maria situate in said Billerica containing twelve acres more or less," bounded easterly on the Concord road and the Common, southerly by George Bacon, westerly by Gardner Parker, and northerly on the widow Sybil Parker's dower land, Capt. Samuel Foster, the heirs of Doct. Wm. Bowers and in part the Billerica Academy, "being the same devised to me in the last will & testament of my said mother." Dated March 22, 1842, witnessed by John Baldwin, John Baldwin Jr. and Rufus Mills, acknowledged the same day, recorded April 14, 1842. Billerica town book 17, pages 275-276. Title from: 1841 Will: Susan Parker of Billerica, widow of John Parker to Her son George Parker; her daughter Maria Preston (Probate #38954) (devised to George by his mother) Title passed to: October 11, 1842 Warranty Deed: Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife in her right as joint tenant to Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (421/4)
September 30, 1842	Mortgage	Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman	Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq.	1842: Ann Parker mortgages the homestead to Marshall Preston	416/559 (South)
	Billerica town book 17, pages 310-311. Dated September 9, 1842, the day the Prestons conveyed their two thirds to her (S.421/4). For $2,000, mortgage of "a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Billerica late the Homestead of Col. John Parker decd and containing twelve acres more or less", from the corner at the Billerica Academy and "the Common so called", south by the Common and "the Concord Road so called to land of George Bacon", west by Bacon to Gardner Parker, and around by the widow Sybil Parker's dower, Capt. Samuel Foster, the heirs of Dr. William Bowers, the horse stables and the Academy lot back to the Common. To be void if $2,000 with interest is paid within five years. Discharged by Preston, "received full satisfaction", October 20, 1846 (recorded November 24, 1846). Related: October 11, 1842 Warranty Deed: Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife in her right as joint tenant to Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (421/4) (purchase-money mortgage given the same day)
October 11, 1842	Warranty Deed	Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife in her right as joint tenant	Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman	1842: the Prestons sell the two thirds to Ann Parker	421/4 (South)
	For $2,000, "two undivided third parts of a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Billerica late the homestead of Col. John Parker deceased & containing twelve acres more or less," from the northeast corner at the Billerica Academy and the Common, southerly by the Common and the Concord road to George Bacon, westerly by Bacon to Gardner Parker, northerly by Gardner Parker to the widow Sybil Parker's dower, then by the dower, Capt. Samuel Foster and the heirs of Wm. Bowers to the horse stables, and by the stables and the Academy land back to the Common. Dated Sept. 9, 1842, witnessed by Lovice M. Preston and John Baldwin, recorded Oct. 11, 1842. With her own third under her father's will, Ann Parker now owned the whole house lot. Billerica town book 17, pages 388-389. Title from: April 14, 1842 Deed: George Parker of Clinton, Oneida County, N.Y., merchant, and Catharine Ann his wife to Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife, as joint tenants (414/358) Title passed to: June 19, 1844 Warranty Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to Deacons Amos Spaulding and Edward Spaulding, for the First Baptist Church in Billerica (445/112) (Ann Parker held the homestead under her father's will and the 1842 deed) May 10, 1844 Warranty Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to George Bacon of Billerica, yeoman (442/274) (Ann Parker's title to the homestead) March 18, 1845 Warranty Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to John Baldwin of Billerica, Esq. (458/79) (part of Ann Parker's lot) 1861 Will: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (d. March 22, 1861) to Her nephew Charles Henry Parker of Billerica (Probate #38803) (Ann Parker's whole house lot)
May 10, 1844	Release	Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife	Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman	1844: partial release of the 1842 mortgage	442/272 (South)
	Billerica town book 16, pages 538-539. Dated April 1, 1844, acknowledged April 3 before Dudley Foster. For $1, Preston remises and quitclaims "all my right title and interest in and to a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica called her Whitman Lot containing four acres more or less": from the northeast corner "at the Concord road so called at the corner of the wall nearly opposite the dwelling house of Cornelius Sweetser", west by the stone wall to Gardner Parker, south by Parker to George Bacon, east by Bacon to the Concord road, and by the road back to the corner. Maria Preston releases dower. A partial release of the 1842 mortgage, signed the same day Ann Parker began selling the Whitman lot in house lots. Title passed to: May 10, 1844 Warranty Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to George Bacon of Billerica, yeoman (442/274) (Ann Parker sells lot 1 of the released Whitman lot) 1844 Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to Rev. Benjamin Knight of Billerica, clerk (459/333) (Ann Parker's Whitman lot, released to her in 1844) Related: September 30, 1842 Mortgage: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq. (416/559) (partial release of the 1842 mortgage)
1861	Will	Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (d. March 22, 1861)	Her nephew Charles Henry Parker of Billerica	1861: will of Ann Parker; the homestead to her nephew Charles Henry Parker	Probate #38803
	Will dated Feb. 21, 1859: $1,000 to her brother David Parker, and "to my Nephew Charles Henry Parker of said Billerica, all the rest, residue and remainder of all the Real, Personal and mixed estate of which I shall die seized or possessed"; William Rogers of Tewksbury executor. Witnesses Amos Spalding, John T. Farmer and Francis Richardson. Charles H. Parker petitioned April 9, 1861, naming as heirs her brother David Parker of Billerica, sister Maria Preston of Lexington, brother George Parker of Clinton, N.Y., nephew James Parker of Texas and himself; the executor declined, and on May 14, 1861 the will was allowed at Cambridge and administration with the will annexed granted to Charles H. Parker. So the house of Ann's father John Parker passed to his grandson, the shoemaker who lived next door. Middlesex probate case 38803. Title from: October 11, 1842 Warranty Deed: Marshall Preston of Billerica, Esq., and Maria Preston his wife in her right as joint tenant to Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (421/4) (Ann Parker's whole house lot) Title passed to: March 20, 1868 Quitclaim: Charles H. Parker of Billerica, Esq., and Mary B. Parker his wife to John Baldwin of Billerica (60/495) (Charles H. Parker as Ann Parker's residuary devisee)
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 six and a half acres "with all the buildings" to John Baldwin (both lots)	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: 1861 Will: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman (d. March 22, 1861) to Her nephew Charles Henry Parker of Billerica (Probate #38803) (Charles H. Parker as Ann Parker's residuary devisee) Title passed to: September 23, 1873 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire to Dr. George A. Munroe of Billerica, physician (96/430) (the acre cut from Baldwin's six and a half acres) 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 to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (the same premises, in partition of John Baldwin's estate) October 17, 1894 Release: The heirs of John Baldwin (d. 1875): John A., Annie E., Lucy A., Henry, Rachel A. and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, Samuel and Annie G. Tucker, Fred H. and Catherine G. Parker, Frederic A. Morey and Mary C. Morey, Nathan H. and Clara B. Reed, and other Parkers to The Town of Billerica (259/24) ("Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin dated March 12, 1868")
September 23, 1873	Warranty Deed	John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire	Dr. George A. Munroe of Billerica, physician	1873: John Baldwin sells the acre "enclosed by a stone wall" to Dr. George A. Munroe (Lot 3)	96/430
	For $1,200, "one acre of land (so called) be the same more or less, with the buildings thereon, enclosed by a stone wall": from the northeast corner at the grantor's own land "on the highway of the road leading to Concord," southerly along the highway about eight rods to land belonging to the Baptist Society, westerly about twenty rods by the Society and land of Albert R. Richardson to a stone wall on the grantor's land, northerly by that wall about eight rods and easterly by another wall about twenty rods to the start. Dated September 10, 1873, witnessed by Charles H. Parker and John Baldwin Jr. These bounds describe the lot in every deed down to the town's taking in 1970. Munroe gave Baldwin a mortgage back of $1,200 on the same day (Book 96, Page 431). Title from: March 20, 1868 Quitclaim: Charles H. Parker of Billerica, Esq., and Mary B. Parker his wife to John Baldwin of Billerica (60/495) (the acre cut from Baldwin's six and a half acres) Title passed to: September 16, 1885 Warranty Deed: George A. Monroe of Providence, R.I., physician (Martha Jane Monroe releasing) to John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (176/504) (Munroe's title)
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; the Ruggles house lot (Lots 1-2) to his Parker grandchildren	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: March 20, 1868 Quitclaim: Charles H. Parker of Billerica, Esq., and Mary B. Parker his wife to John Baldwin of Billerica (60/495) (the same premises, in partition of John Baldwin's estate) Title passed to: 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 to Frederic A. Morey of Billerica (210/24) (the heirs of Mary B. Parker held the rear land under the 1876 partition) October 17, 1894 Release: The heirs of John Baldwin (d. 1875): John A., Annie E., Lucy A., Henry, Rachel A. and Elizabeth C. Baldwin, Samuel and Annie G. Tucker, Fred H. and Catherine G. Parker, Frederic A. Morey and Mary C. Morey, Nathan H. and Clara B. Reed, and other Parkers to The Town of Billerica (259/24) ("Sarah Baldwin et al to Mary C. Morey et al dated Sept 14, 1876") March 8, 1899 Deed in Trust: Charles W. Parker of Billerica, unmarried to Mary C. Morey and Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trustees (305/423) (Charles W. Parker's fifth) October 23, 1901 Mortgage: Frederick A. Parker of Billerica to Nathan H. Reed of Somerville (336/588) (Frederick A. Parker's fifth) October 22, 1907 Quitclaim: Frederick A. Parker and Ada R. Parker of Billerica to Nathan H. Reed of Somerville (411/146) (Frederick A. Parker's interest) 1907 Warranty Deed: Nathan H. Reed and Clara B. Reed of Somerville to Fannie M. Blanchard of Billerica (412/119) (the 1876 premises less the exceptions) Related: March 18, 1845 Warranty Deed: Ann Parker of Billerica, singlewoman to John Baldwin of Billerica, Esq. (458/79) (the rear Academy Lot passed in the partition)
September 16, 1885	Warranty Deed	George A. Monroe of Providence, R.I., physician (Martha Jane Monroe releasing)	John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois	1885: Munroe sells the acre back to John Baldwin (Lot 3)	176/504
	For $1,000, the same "one acre of land (so called) ... with the building thereon, enclosed by a stone wall," now bounded on the north "at land of the heirs of the late Mary B. Parker" (the Ruggles house lot, which had gone to the children of Mary B. (Baldwin) Parker in 1876), on the road leading to Concord, the Baptist Society and Albert R. Richardson. Dated September 10, acknowledged at Providence September 14, 1885. The doctor had moved to Providence and sold the house back to the Baldwin family. Title from: September 23, 1873 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire to Dr. George A. Munroe of Billerica, physician (96/430) (Munroe's title) Title passed to: September 21, 1885 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (Lucy A. Baldwin releasing) to Frances E. Flanders of Billerica (176/530) (Baldwin's title)
September 21, 1885	Warranty Deed	John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (Lucy A. Baldwin releasing)	Frances E. Flanders of Billerica	1885: Baldwin sells the acre to Frances E. Flanders (Lot 3)	176/530
	For $1,100, "one acre of land, so called, ... with the building thereon, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds (heirs of Mary B. Parker, the road to Concord, the Baptist Society, Albert R. Richardson). Dated September 14, 1885, witnessed by Frederic A. Morey and Elizabeth C. Baldwin. Frances E. Flanders and her husband Charles W. Flanders gave Baldwin a mortgage of $900 the same day (Book 176, Page 531), assigned to George H. Hall and discharged on June 20, 1890. Title from: September 16, 1885 Warranty Deed: George A. Monroe of Providence, R.I., physician (Martha Jane Monroe releasing) to John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (176/504) (Baldwin's title) Title passed to: May 25, 1917 Guardian's Deed: Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham, guardian of Charles W. Flanders Sr. of Billerica to Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (572/570) (the husband's third after the death of Frances E. Flanders) May 25, 1917 Warranty Deed: Charles W. Flanders Jr. of Billerica and Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham (George E. Jacobs releasing) to Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (572/571) (the heirs of Frances E. Flanders)
September 21, 1885	Mortgage	Frances E. Flanders and Charles W. Flanders of Billerica	John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois	1885: Flanders mortgage (Lot 3)	176/531
	To secure $900 in five years, "one acre of land (so called) ... with the building thereon, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds. Assigned (Book 201, Page 54; Book 213, Page 185) and discharged on the margin at Lowell on June 20, 1890 by George H. Hall, assignee, "having received full payment." Related: September 21, 1885 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (Lucy A. Baldwin releasing) to Frances E. Flanders of Billerica (176/530) (mortgage by the grantee)
March 8, 1899	Deed in Trust	Charles W. Parker of Billerica, unmarried	Mary C. Morey and Frederic A. Morey of Billerica, trustees	1895: Charles W. Parker conveys his share in trust (Lots 1-2)	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: 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 to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (Charles W. Parker's fifth)
October 23, 1901	Mortgage	Frederick A. Parker of Billerica	Nathan H. Reed of Somerville	1901: Frederick A. Parker mortgages his fifth (Lots 1-2)	336/588
	For $800, mortgage of "one undivided fifth part of a certain piece or parcel of land in the Centre of said Billerica near the Town Hall, with the 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," excepting the lot south of the house sold by John Baldwin to Dr. George A. Munroe in 1873, the Academy Lot, and the lot southwest of "the old Town Hall lot" that the heirs of John Baldwin and of Mary B. Parker conveyed to the Town on Sept. 24, 1894; "Meaning hereby to convey ... one undivided fifth part of the same premises as conveyed by deed of John A. Baldwin and others to Mary C. Morey and others." Payable in one year at five percent. Dated and recorded Oct. 23, 1901. Reed was the husband of Frederick's sister Clara. Book 336 Pages 588-589. Title from: 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 to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (Frederick A. Parker's fifth)
October 22, 1907	Quitclaim	Frederick A. Parker and Ada R. Parker of Billerica	Nathan H. Reed of Somerville	1907: Frederick A. Parker to Nathan H. Reed (Lots 1-2)	411/146
	For one dollar and other consideration, quitclaim of (1) a parcel "and the buildings thereon" bounded east on the Concord Road 16 rods, south by the land John Baldwin sold to George A. Munroe, then by land of an unknown owner, west by land now or late of J. Nelson Parker, north by land formerly of Frederic A. Morey and others and by the lot conveyed to the Town by John A. Baldwin; and (2) the premises conveyed by Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin, March 12, 1868 (Book 60 Page 495), except the Munroe lot "south of the house," the "Academy Lot" behind the store of F. A. Morey and the Town Hall, and the 1894 Town lot (Plan Book 10); subject to mortgages held by the grantee and the 1907 taxes. Dated and acknowledged Oct. 8, 1907 before F. DeWitt Lapham, recorded Oct. 22, 1907. Book 411 Pages 146-147. Title from: 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 to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (Frederick A. Parker's interest) Title passed to: 1907 Warranty Deed: Nathan H. Reed and Clara B. Reed of Somerville to Fannie M. Blanchard of Billerica (412/119) (with Clara B. Reed's own share)
1907	Warranty Deed	Nathan H. Reed and Clara B. Reed of Somerville	Fannie M. Blanchard of Billerica	1907: the Reeds sell the Ruggles house lot to Fannie M. Blanchard (Lots 1-2)	412/119
	For one dollar and other consideration, "a certain parcel of land and buildings thereon lying in said Billerica and being the premises conveyed by Charles H. Parker to John Baldwin by deed dated March 12th 1868 ... Book 60 Page 495," excepting "the lot lying south of the house which was conveyed by deed of John Baldwin to George A. Munroe" on Sept. 10, 1873, "the lot known as the 'Academy Lot' containing about one acre ... being the rear of the store and dwelling of F. A. Morey and of the Town Hall," and the lot conveyed to the Town of Billerica by John A. Baldwin and others on Sept. 24, 1894 (Plan Book 10). Dated Oct. 12, 1907, acknowledged Oct. 14, 1907, recorded November 1907. Clara B. Reed was one of the five Parker heirs of 1876, and her husband had just taken in Frederick A. Parker's share. Fannie M. Blanchard laid out Blanchard Avenue across the land and sold the house on Lot 3A in 1915 (Book 547 Page 565). Book 412 Pages 119-120. Title from: 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 to Mary C. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Frederick A. Parker, Charles W. Parker and Lucy B. Parker, "heirs of the late Mary B. Parker deceased" (120/235) (the 1876 premises less the exceptions) October 22, 1907 Quitclaim: Frederick A. Parker and Ada R. Parker of Billerica to Nathan H. Reed of Somerville (411/146) (with Clara B. Reed's own share) Title passed to: December 16, 1915 Warranty: Fanny M. Blanchard of Billerica, unmarried to Martha A. Greeley, wife of Michael C. Greeley, of Boston (547/565) (Fannie M. Blanchard's title (Book 412 Page 119))
December 16, 1915	Warranty	Fanny M. Blanchard of Billerica, unmarried	Martha A. Greeley, wife of Michael C. Greeley, of Boston	1915: Fanny M. Blanchard to Martha A. Greeley, Lot 3A on Sellew's plan (Lot 1 of 1970)	547/565
	Two parcels "with all buildings thereon": the first "beginning at a point on the southwesterly corner of Blanchard avenue and the Concord Road," running southerly by Concord Road 132.39 feet to land of Flanders, westerly 216.58 feet to Mary R. Eames, northerly 145.35 feet to Blanchard Avenue and easterly by the avenue to the beginning, 33,200 square feet, Lot 3A on E. P. Sellew's plan of Dec. 6, 1915 "to be recorded herewith" (Plan Book 33 Plan 22); the second, Lot 2C, 8,044 square feet across Blanchard Avenue by land of the Town and of Parker, on which no building was ever to be erected. Blanchard's title: Book 412 Page 119, and the exchange of deeds with Mary R. Eames dated Dec. 2, 1915 (Book 545 Pages 374 and 375). Dated Dec. 16, 1915. Title from: 1749 Will and Inventory: Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, clerk to His sons Joseph Ruggles and William Ruggles; his daughters (Probate #19569) (through the Reeds' 1907 deed (N. 412/119), the end of the Ruggles, Rogers, Parker and Baldwin chain) 1907 Warranty Deed: Nathan H. Reed and Clara B. Reed of Somerville to Fannie M. Blanchard of Billerica (412/119) (Fannie M. Blanchard's title (Book 412 Page 119)) Title passed to: September 9, 1919 Quitclaim: Martha A. Greeley and Michael C. Greeley of Boston to Florence M. Barton of Billerica (610/577)
May 25, 1917	Guardian's Deed	Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham, guardian of Charles W. Flanders Sr. of Billerica	Mabel A. Luke of Billerica	1917: guardian's deed of Charles W. Flanders's third to Mabel A. Luke (Lot 3)	572/570
	Under a license of the Probate Court of May 14, 1917, by private sale for $1,266.67, "one undivided third part of one acre of land ... with the buildings thereon, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds; "Being the same premises to Frances E. Flanders conveyed by deed of John Baldwin dated September 14, 1885," the third "belonging to the said insane person as husband of the said Frances E. Flanders." Dated May 19, 1917, witnessed by John M. Merriam. Title from: September 21, 1885 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (Lucy A. Baldwin releasing) to Frances E. Flanders of Billerica (176/530) (the husband's third after the death of Frances E. Flanders) Title passed to: July 3, 1925 Quitclaim Deed: Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (Edward Luke releasing) to Charles W. Knox of Billerica (725/118) (Mabel A. Luke's title)
May 25, 1917	Warranty Deed	Charles W. Flanders Jr. of Billerica and Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham (George E. Jacobs releasing)	Mabel A. Luke of Billerica	1917: the Flanders heirs sell two thirds to Mabel A. Luke (Lot 3)	572/571
	For $1 and other valuable considerations, "all our right, title and interest in and to one acre of land ... with the buildings thereon, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds, "hereby conveying two undivided third parts of the said premises as heirs at law of the said Frances E. Flanders." Dated May 19, 1917. With the guardian's deed of the same day this gave Mabel A. Luke the whole lot after the death of Frances E. Flanders. Title from: September 21, 1885 Warranty Deed: John Baldwin of Chicago, Illinois (Lucy A. Baldwin releasing) to Frances E. Flanders of Billerica (176/530) (the heirs of Frances E. Flanders)
September 9, 1919	Quitclaim	Martha A. Greeley and Michael C. Greeley of Boston	Florence M. Barton of Billerica	1919: the Greeleys to Florence M. Barton (Lots 1-2)	610/577
	The same two parcels, Lot 3A at "the Southwesterly corner of Blanchard Avenue and the Concord Road," 33,200 square feet, and Lot 2C, 8,044 square feet, on Sellew's plan of Dec. 6, 1915, with the provision that Blanchard Avenue "shall forever remain open as a way or street." Title Book 547 Page 565. Dated Sept. 9, 1919, recorded Sept. 11, 1919. The same day Mary R. Eames released Lot 2C to Barton (Book 610 Page 579). Title from: December 16, 1915 Warranty: Fanny M. Blanchard of Billerica, unmarried to Martha A. Greeley, wife of Michael C. Greeley, of Boston (547/565) Title passed to: June 10, 1922 Quitclaim: George S. Barton and Florence M. Barton of Billerica to Dr. Maurice S. Buck of Billerica (662/479)
June 10, 1922	Quitclaim	George S. Barton and Florence M. Barton of Billerica	Dr. Maurice S. Buck of Billerica	1922: the Bartons to Dr. Maurice S. Buck (Lots 1-2)	662/479
	The Bartons conveyed to Maurice S. Buck (written "Maurice A. Buck" in the record copy) Lot 2C and "the land in said Billerica ... beginning at a point on the southwesterly corner of Blanchard Avenue and the Concord Road," 33,200 square feet, Lot 3A on Sellew's plan (Plan Book 33 Plan 22), subject to a $6,000 mortgage to the Central Savings Bank. Dated and recorded June 10, 1922. Dr. Buck lived here from about 1920 to 1940. The house stayed in the family until June 1964, when it was sold under a power of sale in the will of Bessie C. Buck to a private owner. In March 1970 Town Meeting authorized the Selectmen to take or buy the lot for a new library, and on July 6, 1970 they took it by eminent domain (Book 1929 Page 275; Plan Book 111 Plan 19); in 1972 the house was moved to River Street and the library was built on the site. Title from: September 9, 1919 Quitclaim: Martha A. Greeley and Michael C. Greeley of Boston to Florence M. Barton of Billerica (610/577) Title passed to: March 5, 1937 Quitclaim Deed: Seth A. Loring and Ruth C. Loring, his wife, of Billerica to Bessie C. Buck of Billerica (896/108) ("include all the premises conveyed to Maurice A. Buck" by the Bartons) July 31, 1970 Order of Taking: Owner of the lot at Concord Road and Blanchard Avenue (a private owner) to Town of Billerica (Board of Selectmen Michael E. McLaughlin, Thomas H. Conway Jr. and John P. Fitzgerald) (1929/275) (through the Buck family and a 1964 private sale)
July 3, 1925	Quitclaim Deed	Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (Edward Luke releasing)	Charles W. Knox of Billerica	1925: Mabel A. Luke to Charles W. Knox (Lot 3)	725/118
	For consideration paid ($6.00 in revenue stamps), "the land in said Billerica, with the buildings thereon, consisting of one acre of land, more or less, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds; "Being the premises to me conveyed by two deeds," the guardian's deed and the Flanders heirs' deed of May 19, 1917 (Book 572, Pages 570 and 571). Dated July 3, 1925. Knox mortgaged the house to the Lowell Co-operative Bank for $5,000 and to Mabel W. Luke for $500 (Book 725, Pages 118 and 119). Title from: May 25, 1917 Guardian's Deed: Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham, guardian of Charles W. Flanders Sr. of Billerica to Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (572/570) (Mabel A. Luke's title) Title passed to: June 26, 1930 Quitclaim Deed: Charles W. Knox of Billerica (Susie E. Knox releasing) to William D. Cochrane of Billerica (791/387) (Knox's title) Related: May 25, 1917 Warranty Deed: Charles W. Flanders Jr. of Billerica and Frances G. Jacobs of Framingham (George E. Jacobs releasing) to Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (572/571) (the other deed in Mabel A. Luke's title)
June 26, 1930	Quitclaim Deed	Charles W. Knox of Billerica (Susie E. Knox releasing)	William D. Cochrane of Billerica	1930: Knox to William D. Cochrane (Lot 3)	791/387
	"The land in said Billerica, with the buildings thereon, consisting of one acre of land, more or less, enclosed by a stone wall," the same bounds; "Being the same premises conveyed to me by deed of Mabel A. Luke, dated July 3, 1925." Dated June 25, 1930. Cochrane conveyed the lot back the same day to Charles W. and Susie E. Knox as tenants by the entirety (Book 791, Page 387), who mortgaged it to the Billerica Trust Company for $3,500 (Book 791, Page 388). Title from: July 3, 1925 Quitclaim Deed: Mabel A. Luke of Billerica (Edward Luke releasing) to Charles W. Knox of Billerica (725/118) (Knox's title) Title passed to: June 26, 1930 Quitclaim Deed: William D. Cochrane of Billerica, unmarried to Charles W. Knox and Susie E. Knox, husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety (791/388) (straw conveyance back to husband and wife)
June 26, 1930	Quitclaim Deed	William D. Cochrane of Billerica, unmarried	Charles W. Knox and Susie E. Knox, husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety	1930: Cochrane back to Charles W. and Susie E. Knox (Lot 3)	791/388
	The same one acre "with the buildings thereon," "Being the same premises conveyed to me by deed of Charles W. Knox, to be recorded herewith." Dated June 25, 1930. A straw conveyance that put the house in the names of husband and wife. Title from: June 26, 1930 Quitclaim Deed: Charles W. Knox of Billerica (Susie E. Knox releasing) to William D. Cochrane of Billerica (791/387) (straw conveyance back to husband and wife) Title passed to: February 12, 1936 Quitclaim Deed: Charles W. Knox of Billerica, unmarried to Charles W. Knox and Mildred F. Sargent of Billerica, as joint tenants (879/58) (Knox survived his wife Susie (d. 1935))
February 12, 1936	Quitclaim Deed	Charles W. Knox of Billerica, unmarried	Charles W. Knox and Mildred F. Sargent of Billerica, as joint tenants	1936: Charles W. Knox to himself and Mildred F. Sargent, joint tenants (Lot 3)	879/58
	The same "one acre of land, more or less, enclosed by a stone wall," with the buildings, "Being the same premises to myself and Susie E. Knox conveyed by William D. Cochrane ... Book 791, Page 387, said Susie E. Knox having died in Billerica on May 7, 1935"; also two lots at Adams Shore, Quincy. Dated February 11, 1936. Mildred F. Sargent later married Knox and survived him (the 1968 executor's deed names her Mildred F. S. Knox). Title from: June 26, 1930 Quitclaim Deed: William D. Cochrane of Billerica, unmarried to Charles W. Knox and Susie E. Knox, husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety (791/388) (Knox survived his wife Susie (d. 1935)) Title passed to: November 7, 1968 Executor's Deed: Paul Perkins, Executor under the will of Mildred F. S. Knox, late of Billerica to John Paul Knox and Irene B. Knox, of 21 Concord Road, Billerica (1865/701) (Mildred F. S. Knox survived as joint tenant)
November 7, 1968	Executor's Deed	Paul Perkins, Executor under the will of Mildred F. S. Knox, late of Billerica	John Paul Knox and Irene B. Knox, of 21 Concord Road, Billerica	1968: executor of Mildred F. S. Knox to John Paul and Irene B. Knox, "now numbered 21" (Lot 3)	1865/701
	By license of the Middlesex Probate Court of October 24, 1968, for $22,200, "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica on the westerly side of Concord Road and now numbered 21," the same bounds (heirs of Mary B. Parker, the highway to Concord, the Baptist Society, Albert R. Richardson, stone walls). "For title see deed of Charles W. Knox to Charles W. Knox and Mildred F. Sargent ... Book 879, Page 38" (the deed is at Page 58). In November 1969 the Knoxes sold the house to a private owner for $19,000 (Book 1906, Page 166), who held it until the town took it in 1970. Title from: February 12, 1936 Quitclaim Deed: Charles W. Knox of Billerica, unmarried to Charles W. Knox and Mildred F. Sargent of Billerica, as joint tenants (879/58) (Mildred F. S. Knox survived as joint tenant) Title passed to: July 31, 1970 Order of Taking: The owner of 21 Concord Road (a private owner, since 1969) to Town of Billerica (Board of Selectmen) (1929/277) (through the 1969 private sale (Book 1906, Page 166))
July 31, 1970	Order of Taking	Owner of the lot at Concord Road and Blanchard Avenue (a private owner)	Town of Billerica (Board of Selectmen Michael E. McLaughlin, Thomas H. Conway Jr. and John P. Fitzgerald)	1970: order of taking of Lots 1 and 2 (corner of Blanchard Avenue) for the library site	1929/275
	Under the vote of the annual Town Meeting of March 7, 1970, the Board of Selectmen on July 6, 1970 "take in fee on behalf of the Town of Billerica, by the power of eminent domain for purposes of library building construction a parcel of land together with the buildings thereon," about 34,067 square feet, shown on "Plan Land in Billerica, Mass., taken for Library Site by Billerica Board of Selectmen dated July 1970, Emmons, Fleming & Bienvenu, Inc." (Plan Book 111 Plan 19): easterly by Concord Road 132.29 feet, northerly by Blanchard Street, westerly by land of "Mary B. Parker Heirs," southerly by land of Roland Caron 228.58 feet; damages awarded $32,000. Certificate of the clerk of the board, recorded July 31, 1970. The plan shows the house on Lot 1 (33,417 square feet) at the corner. In 1972 the house was moved to the Stearns lot on River Street and the new library, later the Council on Aging, was built on the site. Book 1929 Pages 275-276. Title from: June 10, 1922 Quitclaim: George S. Barton and Florence M. Barton of Billerica to Dr. Maurice S. Buck of Billerica (662/479) (through the Buck family and a 1964 private sale)
July 31, 1970	Order of Taking	The owner of 21 Concord Road (a private owner, since 1969)	Town of Billerica (Board of Selectmen)	1970: taking of the lot for the library site, later the Council on Aging site	1929/277
	Order of taking of July 6, 1970 under the vote of the Annual Town Meeting of March 7, 1970: the selectmen "take in fee on behalf of the Town of Billerica, by the power of eminent domain for purposes of library building construction a parcel of land together with the buildings thereon," shown on the "Plan of land in Billerica, Mass., taken for Library Site by Billerica Board of Selectmen dated July, 1970" (Plan Book 111, Plan 19, Lot 3, 43,164 square feet), "on the westerly side of Concord Road and now numbered 21," with the same bounds as the deeds since 1873; award $31,000. Signed by the selectmen including Paul F. Newnan and Michael E. McLaughlin. The owner gave a confirmatory quitclaim deed to the town the same day (Book 1929, Page 280), reciting the 1969 purchase (Book 1906, Page 166). Title from: November 7, 1968 Executor's Deed: Paul Perkins, Executor under the will of Mildred F. S. Knox, late of Billerica to John Paul Knox and Irene B. Knox, of 21 Concord Road, Billerica (1865/701) (through the 1969 private sale (Book 1906, Page 166))
July 31, 1970	Confirmatory Deed	The owner of 21 Concord Road (a private owner, since 1969)	Town of Billerica	1970: confirmatory deed to the town	1929/280
	Quitclaim of "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica on the westerly side of Concord Road and now numbered 21," the same bounds, "given in confirmation of a previous taking by eminent domain," releasing the town from all claims for damages under the order of taking of July 6, 1970. Related: July 31, 1970 Order of Taking: The owner of 21 Concord Road (a private owner, since 1969) to Town of Billerica (Board of Selectmen) (1929/277) (confirmatory deed of the taking)
July 19, 2011	Variance Decision	Billerica Board of Appeals	Town of Billerica for the Council on Aging, by John C. Curran, Town Manager	2011: variance for the enlarged senior center parking lot	25110/31
	Certificate of a variance granted June 15, 2011 (filed with the town clerk June 23, no appeal by July 14) affecting "25 Concord Road," "Plate 51 Parcel 5 and Plate 61 Parcel 1; recorded in M.N.D.R. of D's Book 1929 Page 280." The variance from the parking and loading section (8.B.7) of the zoning by-law let the town enlarge "the parking lot at the Billerica Senior Center located in a Neighborhood Residence Zone" on a Parking Improvement Plan of May 6, 2011 by the town engineer, Kelly J. Conway, without the required interior landscaping, because "the siting of the existing structure on the lot and the shape of the lot itself creates a hardship" and "the rear portion of the lot is too narrow." Granted 5-0 (Richard A. Colantuoni, chairman). The two parcels were combined by the assessors as parcel 51-5-1 for fiscal 2020. Related: July 31, 1970 Order of Taking: Owner of the lot at Concord Road and Blanchard Avenue (a private owner) to Town of Billerica (Board of Selectmen Michael E. McLaughlin, Thomas H. Conway Jr. and John P. Fitzgerald) (1929/275) (Plate 51 Parcel 5, the Lots 1-2 taking) July 31, 1970 Confirmatory Deed: The owner of 21 Concord Road (a private owner, since 1969) to Town of Billerica (1929/280) (the 2011 decision cites the 1970 confirmatory deed as the title)

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.

Billerica Council on Aging

Billerica Council on Aging

References

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Title References