Clara E. Sexton House

There was no evidence of this building in the 1675 garrison list, but was sold in 1723 "with buildings" by John Stearn Jr. to Jacob Danforth. The house still has remnants of chamfered panelling which are appropriate to the early 1700s.

Jacob Danforth was a blacksmith and lived here all his life. He died in 1754, and his son David sold the house to Rev. Henry Cumings, the fourth pastor of the First Church (1763-1823). The doorway and modified panelling in the main front room are almost certainly Cumings' modifications. Rev. Cumings' pastorate was not only long, it was also distinguished. He was a powerful leader in the Revolutionary movement and at the end of his life, although probably Trinitarian, he acknowledged the overriding importance of individual conscience as his parish embraced the Unitarian movement.

The house was later occupied by a succession of doctors, one of whom certainly added the small office to the north side.

After 1879, the house was returned to use as a private residence. William Sexton was a blacksmith and his widow, Clara, bequeathed the home to the Billerica Historical Society.