Ensign Jonathan Danforth Jr. House

This great house was presumably started by Ensign Jonathan Danforth Jr. at the time of his marriage to Rebecca Parker in 1682. Bricks set in clay within the walls confirm assignment to the 17th century. The attic framing shows that a smaller house, a single room deep, was enlarged multiple times.

Danforth died in 1710 and the house was bought by Ephraim Kidder. Kidder had married Rachel Crosby, daughter of Billerica's first innkeeper, and it was perhaps natural that they set up business at the center of town. During the Revolutionary War, Capt. Solomon Pollard owned the inn and Selectmen meetings and other veteran meetings were held there. The house stayed an inn until about 1812, when Ichabod Everett returned the house to a private residence.

In the early 1970s, attempts were made to have the town purchase the property for its historical significance, but funds were unable to be appropriated. In 1977, a fire destroyed much of the building. In 1980, the rest was demolished, and in the mid-1990s, senior condos were built.

References

1. MACRIS BIL.44