Center Fire Station

For $1,500, "a certain tract or parcel of land in Billerica aforesaid containing half an acre be the same more or less": from the southeast corner on the west side of "the road leading to Boston", westerly by land of Joseph L. Low two rods 21 links, southeasterly by Low one rod five links, westerly three rods 14 links by Low "to a willow tree", then "as the fence now stands" seven rods to the road leading to Concord, northeasterly twelve rods ten links "bounding on the common" to the road leading to Boston, and east on that road nine rods 16 links, "together with all the buildings thereon standing". No title recital. Signed 28 April 1812 (witnesses Samuel Whitney, Phineas Coburn), acknowledged before Samuel Whiting, recorded 20 February 1813; Billerica town book 11, pages 213-214. The corner lot on the Common in which Martin's Block was later built.

• 1814 Deed: William Richardson of Billerica, gentleman to Francis Richardson of Billerica, yeoman (225/6) (William Richardson sells what he bought from Stephen Parker)

For $2,000, "a certain tract or parcel of land in Billerica aforesaid containing half an acre", the corner lot on the Common just north of this house lot: from the southeast corner on the west side of the road leading to Boston, westerly by land of Joseph L. Low two rods 21 links, southeasterly by Low one rod five links, westerly three rods 14 links by Low to a willow tree, "as the fence now stands" seven rods to the road leading to Concord, northeasterly 12 rods ten links "bounding on the common" to the Boston road, and east on that road nine rods 16 links, "together with all the buildings". Acknowledged 1814, recorded 1818 (index). Capt. William Richardson's only recorded link to this spot. Francis joined the corner lot to the Low acre he bought in 1822, and both were mortgaged to Asa Richardson in 1824 ("the same estate conveyed to me by William Richardson ... Book 225 page 6"). Billerica town book 12, pages 69-70.

• February 20, 1813 Deed: Stephen Parker of Billerica, gentleman (Sybil Parker releasing dower) to William Richardson of Billerica, yeoman (203/358) (William Richardson sells what he bought from Stephen Parker)

• February 7, 1849 Deed: Francis Richardson of Billerica, yeoman to George W. Randall of Cambridge, gentleman (556/99) (house lot cut from the corner lot on the Common)
• 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Francis E. Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Eveline Richardson, Caroline R. Fellows (with Theophilus B. Fellows) of Billerica, and Martha Richardson (with John B. Richardson) of Lowell, heirs of Francis Richardson to Mary L. Dickinson, wife of Frederic Dickinson, of Billerica (28/520) (being the same estate conveyed by William Richardson to Francis Richardson)

Pages 520-522. For $2,500, the other heirs of Francis Richardson (died 1860) quitclaim to his daughter Mary L. Dickinson, to her sole and separate use, "a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Billerica containing half an acre more or less" at the corner of the roads to Boston and Concord, from the west side of the road leading to Boston by land of Joseph and Joel Low to a willow tree, "as the fence now stands" seven rods to the road leading to Concord, then 12 rods 10 links "bounding on the common" back to the Boston road, "together with all the buildings thereon standing. Being the same estate that was conveyed by William Richardson to Francis Richardson" in 1814 (Book 225 Page 6). Dated 18 May 1861 (as recited in 1894).

• 1814 Deed: William Richardson of Billerica, gentleman to Francis Richardson of Billerica, yeoman (225/6) (being the same estate conveyed by William Richardson to Francis Richardson)

• 1887 Mortgage: Mary L. Dickinson of Billerica to Eleanor Bennett of Billerica (193/390) (mortgage of the 1861 half acre)
• February 27, 1893 Mortgage: Mary L. Dickinson of Billerica, widow to The Central Savings Bank, Lowell (241/455) (mortgage of the 1861 half acre)
• June 22, 1894 Deed: Mary L. Dickinson of Billerica, unmarried to Georgianna Wright of Billerica (256/29) (a portion of the premises conveyed by the heirs of Francis Richardson)
• April 23, 1894 Warranty Deed: Mary L. Dickinson of Billerica, unmarried to Katie A. Dickinson, wife of Edward F. Dickinson, of Billerica (253/328) (a portion of the premises conveyed by the heirs of Francis Richardson)
• November 12, 1894 Mortgage: Mary L. Dickinson of Billerica to Her son Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica (259/202) (portion of the 1861 half acre)
• September 25, 1900 Quitclaim: Frederick H. Dickinson of Lowell (Nancy A. Dickinson releasing dower) to His brothers Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona (322/384) (under the will of Mary L. Dickinson)
• December 31, 1900 Warranty Deed: Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona, both unmarried to Edward A. King of Billerica (326/292) (as devisees of Mary L. Dickinson)

For $500 in five years at five per cent, with power of sale, the half acre at the corner of the roads to Boston and Concord "bounding on the common", "together with all the buildings thereon standing. Being the same premises conveyed to me by T. B. Fellows and others" (the 1861 heirs' deed, Book 28 Page 520). Recorded in December 1887; discharged by Eleanor Bennett's executors Henry W. Hart and Julius B. Holden in February 1893 (margin of Book 241 Page 455). The cider mill drawn on the 1875 and 1889 maps stood on this land.

• 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Francis E. Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Eveline Richardson, Caroline R. Fellows (with Theophilus B. Fellows) of Billerica, and Martha Richardson (with John B. Richardson) of Lowell, heirs of Francis Richardson to Mary L. Dickinson, wife of Frederic Dickinson, of Billerica (28/520) (mortgage of the 1861 half acre)

For $1,700 in one year, interest payable April 1 and October 1 at the bank in Lowell, "a certain tract or parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica containing one half acre more or less", the same corner bounds (Joseph L. Low, Joel Low, the willow tree, the road leading to Concord, "bounding on the common", the road leading to Boston), "Being the same premises to me conveyed by Francis E. Richardson et als being all the heirs at law of Francis Richardson deceased" (Book 28 Page 520). The same day the 1887 Bennett mortgage was discharged. Margins show partial releases (for the lots sold in 1894) and a later discharge. Recorded 27 February 1893.

• 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Francis E. Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Eveline Richardson, Caroline R. Fellows (with Theophilus B. Fellows) of Billerica, and Martha Richardson (with John B. Richardson) of Lowell, heirs of Francis Richardson to Mary L. Dickinson, wife of Frederic Dickinson, of Billerica (28/520) (mortgage of the 1861 half acre)

• 1887 Mortgage: Mary L. Dickinson of Billerica to Eleanor Bennett of Billerica (193/390) (Bennett mortgage discharged the same day)

For $500 in one year at six per cent, "a certain lot of land with the buildings thereon" on the westerly side of the Boston Road: 119.9 feet along the road south to land of F. E. Richardson, 148.60 feet west along Richardson, 24 and 18 feet along Fannie Blanchard, 78.60 feet to a hub, and 98.80 feet east to the road, "Containing fifteen thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven square feet. Being a portion of the premises conveyed to me by Francis E. Richardson et als." (Book 28 Page 520), subject to the Central Savings Bank mortgage "on which there is now due the principal sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars"; buildings insured for $500. This is the lot of Martin's Block and the later fire station, south of the corner lot she had sold to her daughter-in-law Katie A. Dickinson in April 1894. Discharged 1900 (margin).

• 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Francis E. Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Eveline Richardson, Caroline R. Fellows (with Theophilus B. Fellows) of Billerica, and Martha Richardson (with John B. Richardson) of Lowell, heirs of Francis Richardson to Mary L. Dickinson, wife of Frederic Dickinson, of Billerica (28/520) (portion of the 1861 half acre)

For $1 and other valuable consideration, "one undivided third part" of the 15,737 square foot lot on the road to Boston (98.80 feet by E. F. Dickinson, 78.60 feet by Jackson Wright, 21.60 and 24 feet by Fannie Blanchard, 148.60 feet by F. E. Richardson, 119.9 feet on the road). "My title to said premises is derived by and under the will of Mary L. Dickinson, late of said Billerica, deceased" (she died 2 August 1900). Free of encumbrances "except one mortgage to the Central Savings Bank for the principal sum of twelve hundred dollars, and one mortgage to E. F. Dickinson for the principal sum of five hundred dollars". Signed 11 September 1900, recorded 25 September 1900.

• 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Francis E. Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Eveline Richardson, Caroline R. Fellows (with Theophilus B. Fellows) of Billerica, and Martha Richardson (with John B. Richardson) of Lowell, heirs of Francis Richardson to Mary L. Dickinson, wife of Frederic Dickinson, of Billerica (28/520) (under the will of Mary L. Dickinson)

• December 31, 1900 Warranty Deed: Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona, both unmarried to Edward A. King of Billerica (326/292) (the brothers hold the third quitclaimed by Frederick H.)

"In consideration of one dollar and other valuable considerations" ($3.50 in revenue stamps), the same 15,737 square foot lot on the westerly side of the road leading to Boston, from the southerly side of land of E. F. Dickinson west 98.80 feet to a stone bound at Jackson Wright, by Wright 78.60 feet, by Fannie Blanchard 21.6 and 24 feet, by F. E. Richardson 148.60 feet to the road, and 119.9 feet along the road. "Our title to said premises is derived as devisees under the will of Mary L. Dickinson late of said Billerica, deceased, and by deed from F. H. Dickinson dated September 11th 1900" (Book 322 Page 384). Signed 3 December 1900, recorded 31 December 1900. King, a carpenter and builder, is the King who (by the 1973 survey) made the old cider mill into a block of stores and tenements.

• 1861 Quitclaim Deed: Francis E. Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Eveline Richardson, Caroline R. Fellows (with Theophilus B. Fellows) of Billerica, and Martha Richardson (with John B. Richardson) of Lowell, heirs of Francis Richardson to Mary L. Dickinson, wife of Frederic Dickinson, of Billerica (28/520) (as devisees of Mary L. Dickinson)
• September 25, 1900 Quitclaim: Frederick H. Dickinson of Lowell (Nancy A. Dickinson releasing dower) to His brothers Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona (322/384) (the brothers hold the third quitclaimed by Frederick H.)

• December 31, 1900 Mortgage: Edward A. King of Billerica to The Trustees of the Howe School, Billerica (326/293) (purchase-money mortgage)
• October 30, 1909 Mortgage: Edward A. King of Billerica to Merton L. Fisk of Billerica (442/17) (mortgage of the King lot)
• October 19, 1917 Warranty Deed: Edward A. King of Billerica (Marion King releasing dower) to The Inhabitants of Billerica (579/382) (part of the King lot)
• June 10, 1921 Quitclaim: Harriet A. Wheeler of Boston, unmarried, and Myrtle R. Pollard of Revere (William F. Pollard releasing curtesy) to Marion King of Billerica, widow of Edward A. King (645/232) (part of the King lot, through his intestate estate)

For $3,000 in five years at six per cent, "A certain lot of land with the buildings thereon situated in that part of said Billerica known as Billerica Centre, containing about fifteen thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven square feet", the same bounds, "all the same land conveyed to me by Edward F. Dickinson et al, by their deed dated December third current"; the buildings to be insured for at least $3,000. Recorded 31 December 1900. Discharged by John A. Richardson, treasurer of the trustees, 29 October 1909 (Book 442 Page 17).

• December 31, 1900 Warranty Deed: Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona, both unmarried to Edward A. King of Billerica (326/292) (purchase-money mortgage)

On the same page the Trustees of the Howe School discharge King's 1900 mortgage. King then mortgages to Merton L. Fisk for $3,700 "a certain lot of land, with the buildings thereon, situated in that part of said Billerica known as Billerica Centre, containing about 15,737 square feet", from the southeast corner of land formerly of Mary L. Dickinson, by Georgiana Wright, Fannie Blanchard and F. E. Richardson, "Being all and the same premises to me conveyed by Edward F. Dickinson et al" (Book 326 Page 292). Recorded 30 October 1909. Fisk released the fire station lot in 1917 and discharged the mortgage on 20 September 1921 (Book 649 Page 546).

• December 31, 1900 Warranty Deed: Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona, both unmarried to Edward A. King of Billerica (326/292) (mortgage of the King lot)

• December 31, 1900 Mortgage: Edward A. King of Billerica to The Trustees of the Howe School, Billerica (326/293) (Howe School discharge on the same page)

"For consideration paid", "the land in said Billerica situated on the westerly side of the Boston Road", 8,260 square feet: from the southeast corner at land of the heirs of Dr. A. C. Lane, west 144.77 feet, by William H. Sexton and Jackson Wright, then easterly 126.12 feet "along other land of the grantor" to the road, and 60.17 feet on the road, "shown on a plan of land entitled 'Fire Station Lot, Billerica Center, Mass.,' surveyed September 26, 1917, by Smith and Brooks" (Plan Book 34 Plan 90). "Being a part of the same premises conveyed to me by Edward F. Dickinson et al" (Book 326 Page 292). Fisk released the lot from his mortgage the same day. The town had voted in 1917 to buy a site and build a fire station; this is the site of the Center Fire Station. King kept the north 7,477 square feet with his block. Signed and recorded 19 October 1917.

• December 31, 1900 Warranty Deed: Edward F. Dickinson of Billerica and William H. Dickinson of Yuma, Arizona, both unmarried to Edward A. King of Billerica (326/292) (part of the King lot)