Structure · Built 1920
Frederick Wain House
Frederick Wain House
| Address | 16 Colson St |
| MACRIS ID | BIL.256 |
| Built | 1920 |
The house at 16 Colson Street in North Billerica stands on land that was part of the old Sprake, Farmer and Colson Family homestead farm, which Israel A. Colson deeded to George F. Colson in 1884. On July 1, 1909 George F. Colson sold Frederick Wain of Billerica "a certain tract or parcel of land containing nineteen thousand five hundred ninety-seven (19,597) square feet" on the westerly side of Colson Street, 124 feet on the street and 180 feet deep, bounded at the back by land of Matthew H. Kohlrausch. The deed names no buildings. In November 1909 Colson added a narrow triangle of about 1,000 square feet along the north side of the lot.
Frederick Wain was a carpenter, and the house was built between the 1909 purchase and 1912, when the Lowell directory lists "Wain Frederick, carpenter, h. 15 Colson." (The street was later renumbered; in 1931 the family was listed at 17 Colson, and Wain was then an electrician.) The style is a two-story side-hall house with bay windows and decorated gables. Wain also served the town as an auditor and was treasurer of St. Ann's Episcopal Church on Treble Cove Road. When the heirs of George F. Colson laid out Colson Heights in 1914, the Wain land was left out of the numbered lots and marked on the plan with its deed reference. It lies between the lots that became 18-20 Colson Street on the north and 12 Colson Street on the south.
Frederick Wain died without a will (Middlesex Probate 236075). His widow Edith inherited a third and their son Frederick two thirds, and in October 1947 the son deeded his "undivided two-thirds interest" to his mother. The Wains also bought the house lot next door (lots A and C of Colson Heights) in 1945 and sold it in 1952. Edith Wain died on November 18, 1965 and left the place to her son by will (Middlesex Probate 404484). In July 1966 he deeded the two parcels "with the buildings thereon" to himself and his wife Agnes, who were the owners in the 1980 historical survey. The assessor dates the house to about 1910, which agrees with the deeds. The 1980 survey's "1920?" is too late. The property has passed only between members of the Wain family since 1909, and it is still a single-family house of about 0.47 acres.
References
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| July 14, 1726 | Deed | William Grimes of Billerica | William Chandler of Billerica | first-range lot, part of the later Sprake homestead | 26/96 (South) |
For 8 pounds, "one parcel of Land situate in Billerica aforesaid lying on the west of Concord River in the First Range of Lotts containing nineteen Acres and seventy four Poles," bounded northwest by "Chelmsford Line" about 12 1/2 poles, northeast by Thomas Dutton about 258 poles, southeast "by the Road to broad medow" about 18 poles and southwest by James Kidder about 268 poles, "and there is allowance made in the Lott for the highway upon it." No buildings are named. Dated Dec. 8, 1714; acknowledged Aug. 9, 1716 before Oliver Whiting; recorded July 14, 1726. Billerica town book 3, pages 33-35 (Southern Registry Book 26 Page 96). One of the long, narrow town division lots between the road to Broad Meadow (Colson Street) and the Chelmsford line that William Chandler put together into the 95-acre farm.
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| July 14, 1726 | Deed | Samuel Fassett of Billerica | William Chandler of Billerica | first-range lot, part of the later Sprake homestead | 26/97 (South) |
For 12 pounds, "one parcel of Land situate in Billerica ... containing forty acres and seventy four Pole ... lying on the west of Concord River in the first Range of Lotts," bounded west by Chelmsford line about 124 poles, southwest by Thomas Dutton about 165 poles, and east "by the Land of Isaac Stearns and the Proprietors of broad medow according to marked Trees"; "the northward Corner is a white oak Tree marked F," the westward a great rock, the eastward a white oak marked E.D.W., with allowance for the highway. No buildings are named. Dated Dec. 8, 1714; acknowledged Apr. 11, 1716 before Jonathan Tyng; recorded July 14, 1726. Billerica town book 3, pages 35-37 (Southern Registry Book 26 Page 97). The white oak "marked F" is the northwest corner of the farm Chandler sold to Nicholas Sprake in 1724.
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| June 15, 1726 | Deed | William Chandler of Billerica, with Susannah his wife releasing dower | Nicholas Sprake of Billerica | Chandler to Nicholas Sprake: the homestead farm this lot was cut from | 25/453 (South) |
For 300 pounds, "One Messuage or house Lott Scituate Lying and being in Billerica aforesaid Containing Ninety five acres more or less with a Dwelling house and Barn thereon standing," bounded "Northerly by Broad meadow in a crooked line Westerly by Chelmsford line Southerly by the Land of James Kidder Easterly by the said High Way to Broad meadow," the northwest corner "a White oak tree marked F"; also meadow in Long Hill meadow "which was Granted to Wm Hamlet," swamp bought of the committee for straightening the fence, and lots in the easterly part of Chelmsford and Chelmsford Neck. Dated Aug. 4, 1724 (witnesses Joseph Wyman, Mary Highgate); acknowledged Aug. 5, 1724 before Oliver Whiting; recorded June 15, 1726. Billerica town book 3, pages 18-21 (Southern Registry Book 25 Page 453). The first record of a house and barn on the farm: Chandler had bought bare division lots in 1714, so he built them between 1714 and 1724. The "High Way to Broad meadow" is Colson Street.
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| 1768 | Will | Estate of Nicholas Sprake of Billerica, clothier | His sons Nicholas, Samuel and John Sprake and daughters | Nicholas Sprake will: homestead to his son Nicholas | Probate #21112 |
Will dated Sept. 15, 1761, proved 1768 (he died March 31, 1768). To son Nicholas the homestead by Broad Meadow; "to my well beloved son Samuel Sprake ... one lot of land with the buildings thereon which I bought of Christopher Osgood as it may appear bounded by a deed I put upon record of the same", with part of a lot bought of Samuel Hill, the Mock meadow land bought of widow Rebecca Farmer and 2 acres of meadow bought of John Dunkin, "all which joins upon the house lot"; to son John 40 acres in Tewksbury with a grist mill. Sons Nicholas and Samuel executors.
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| October 2, 1784 | Quitclaim | John Sprake and Samuel Sprake of Billerica, husbandmen | Their brother Nicholas Sprake Jr. of Billerica, husbandman | Sprake brothers release | 85/549 (South) |
For 266 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence, a release of lots "which was part of our honoured Father Mr. Nicholas Sprake's Estate," the first beginning at the highway "by the ford way at the end of the stone wall by the Wyman lot so called," to the highway leading to Seth Levestone's, then east "to a stake and stones by the road leading to broad meadow standing about three feet southward of the bars which goes into the barn yard," "with one half of the west end of the dwelling house thereon both above and below and the one half of the east chamber and the East garret with conveniency of yard room about the house And also the one half of the barn and leanto adjoining"; also 15 acres west of the road to Levestone's, a lot in Broad Meadow by Concord River, and half of three acres in Mock Meadow from the brothers' division. Dated and acknowledged July 3, 1769 before William Stickney; recorded Oct. 2, 1784. Billerica town book 7, pages 417-419 (Southern Registry Book 85 Page 549).
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| October 2, 1784 | Quitclaim | Samuel Sprake of Billerica, husbandman | His brother Nicholas Sprake Jr. of Billerica | Sprake brothers release | 85/551 (South) |
For 10 pounds, the easterly end of the land "set off by a committee to John Sprake late of Billerica Decd," from the highway leading to Broad Meadow by Nicholas's land to the New Meadow and Broad Meadow, by Nicholas's own land to Concord River, by the river to Mr. Carlton's land and by the wall on the west side of the highway, "together with the buildings and priviledges that was by said Comtee set off for or did in any wise belong unto the aforesaid John Sprake deceased and to our Honoured Mother the widow Judith Sprake and to our sister Elizabeth." Dated June 26, 1773; acknowledged Nov. 4, 1774 before William Stickney; recorded Oct. 2, 1784. Billerica town book 7, pages 420-421 (Southern Registry Book 85 Page 551). With the 1769 release it put the whole of the father's homestead in Nicholas Jr.
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| 1784 | Administration and Dower | Estate of Nicholas Sprake (Jr.) of Billerica, yeoman, deceased intestate | His widow Margaret Sprake, administratrix (dower), and his heirs | Nicholas Sprake Jr. estate and dower | Probate #21114 |
Administration to the widow Margaret, Sept. 8, 1784. The appraisers found "about eighty acres, with the house and barn thereon standing," worth 200 pounds; the real estate inventory of Oct. 21, 1784 lists "one old Dwelling House Eight pounds," "one Barn prised at Eight pounds," "Seventy nine and a half acres called the Homsted" (by Samuel Sprake, Timothy Levingstone, Wm. Manning, Ebenr. French, the widow Carlton and Concord River) and 18 1/2 acres south of the road. The widow's dower was "The Middle Room in said deceased's House from bottom to top" with part of the cellar and the oven, about twenty acres of the homestead whose line ran "to the South Corner of the Barn yard then runs Southerly to the West end of the House then by the back of said House to the Road," five acres of wood land, and "the West End of the Barn as far as to the floor way" with the right to cart in hay and thresh. On the heirs' petition of June 13, 1786 the whole two thirds was sold; the account allowed Nov. 15, 1787 charges "Proceeds of the Two thirds Sold by her 104-0-0."
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| October 4, 1794 | Administrator's Deed | Margaret Sprake of Billerica, administratrix of Nicholas Sprake | Oliver Farmer Jr. of Billerica, yeoman | Sprake administratrix to Oliver Farmer Jr. | 117/293 (South) |
By liberty from the Court of Common Pleas, for 104 pounds, "A certain parcel of Land lying in said Billerica with part of the Dwelling & Barn thereon standing being about seventy one Acres and an half," beginning at the house and running south on the road leading to Isaac Sprake's, by the widow Carlton, Thomas Richardson and "Levengstones" land and the widow's thirds, with another tract north of the farm from Concord River by William Manning and French, "being the whole of what the said Nicholas Sprake died seized of exclusive of what was set off for the Widows' Dowry." Dated Mar. 28, 1787 (witnesses Joshua Abbot, Jona. Stickney); acknowledged Oct. 8, 1787 before Edward Farmer; recorded Oct. 4, 1794. Billerica town book 7, pages 514-515 (Southern Registry Book 117 Page 293). Oliver Farmer had married Hannah Sprake on Nov. 30, 1786.
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| February 27, 1813 | Quitclaim | Samuel Sprake of Litchfield, N.H., and Anna his wife, Rebekkah Sprake and Susanna Sprake of Billerica | Oliver Farmer Jr. of Billerica, yeoman | widow Sprake dower to Oliver Farmer Jr. | 203/372 (South) |
For 36 pounds, "all our right title and interest in and unto the lands and buildings that were set off to as thirds Margaret Sprake our honored mother late of said Billerica widow deceast," about 22 acres from the road "that goes from the fordway to Richardsons mills" to Broad Meadow, east on the road and Concord River, north and south on Oliver Farmer's land, west on Timothy Livingston, "with that part of the building that was set off to Margarett Sprake as her thirds," and 5 1/2 acres of woodland toward Chelmsford Neck, "meaning to convey the whole of the land and buildings that was set off to Margaret Sprake." Dated July 15, 1790 (Susannah acknowledged Mar. 27, 1806); recorded Feb. 27, 1813, with an agreement of the same parties and Benjamin Dows Jr., guardian of the Carleton children, by which Farmer bought the four outside shares of the widow's thirds at 12 pounds each (Book 203, Page 374). Billerica town book 11, pages 220-224 (Southern Registry Book 203 Page 372). This reunited the house, the barn and the farm in Oliver Farmer, who built the brick-ended house in 1803.
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| 1839 | Will | Estate of Oliver Farmer (1760-1839) of Billerica, yeoman | His son-in-law Israel A. Colson, residuary devisee and executor | Oliver Farmer will: farm to Israel A. Colson | Probate #7205 |
Will dated May 3, 1839, witnessed by Reuben Chamberlin, Marshall Preston and James R. Faulkner; proved at Concord Aug. 13, 1839 on the petition of Israel A. Colson, executor (bond $30,000 with Daniel Wilson and Francis Faulkner). The widow Hannah received for life "the two lower rooms at the south end of my house, and the front chamber over the same," with the front entry, stairs, well room, well and cellar, an annual allowance of food and "six cords of good wood, cut up and housed," and whatever she had from her sister Susannah Sprague, in lieu of dower; daughter Rebecca had money, the furniture and "the lower front room at the north end of my house" until marriage; Oliver Jr., Asa, Hannah Abbot, Rachel Colson, Zadoc and three grandchildren had money legacies. "All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real personal and mixed" went to "my said Son in law Israel A. Colson," on condition that he support the widow. No inventory survives in the file. The farm with the 1803 brick-end house passed to the Colsons by this will, not by Rachel Farmer's marriage alone.
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| November 8, 1884 | Warranty Deed | Israel A. Colson of Billerica, unmarried | George F. Colson of Billerica | Israel A. Colson to George F. Colson: the homestead farm, title of the 1909 sellers | 170/272 |
For "Two Thousand Dollars and other valuable consideration," "my Homestead Farm situated in that part of Billerica called North Billerica," beginning "at the dwelling house on said premises and road leading to Billerica Centre," running by the road and the old back road to the Lowell road, by land formerly of T. F. Farmer, the heirs of Betsy Richardson and Bernard Kearney "to the old Middlesex Canal," west by the canal to the Chelmsford line, by Ready, the late John Barrett and Patrick Meehan back to the Lowell road, across it by Mixer and Kearney "to Concord River," then south on the river to C. P. Talbot and Co. and the road, "with all the buildings thereon. Reserving all the public roads." Also the stock, hay, grain, wagons, carts, farming tools and household furniture. Dated Jan. 23, 1884 (Dudley Foster, witness and justice); recorded Nov. 8, 1884. Middlesex North Book 170, pages 272-273.
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| July 8, 1909 | Warranty Deed | George F. Colson of Billerica, with his wife Clara E. Colson releasing dower and homestead | Frederick Wain of Billerica | George F. Colson sells the 19,597 sq ft house lot to Frederick Wain, carpenter (bare land) | 436/268 |
"In consideration of One Dollar ($1.00) and other valuable considerations," "a certain tract or parcel of land containing nineteen thousand five hundred ninety-seven (19,597) square feet, more or less, situated on the westerly side of Colson Street, in that part of said Billerica which is called North Billerica": from a stone bound at the northeast corner on the west side of Colson Street, south on the street 124 feet to a stone bound at other land of the grantor; west by that land 137 feet to a stone bound at land of Matthew H. Kohlrausch; northwest by the Kohlrausch land 127 feet; and east by other land of the grantor 180 feet to the beginning. No buildings are named: the lot was bare land cut from the Colson homestead farm. Dated and acknowledged at Lowell July 1, 1909 before Harry A. Brown, J.P.; recorded July 8, 1909. Middlesex North Book 436, pages 268-269. The 1914 Colson Heights plan (Plan Book 31, Plan 88) leaves this parcel out of the lots for sale and marks it with this book and page.
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| December 17, 1909 | Warranty Deed | George F. Colson of Billerica, with his wife Clara E. Colson releasing dower and homestead | Frederick Wain of Billerica | Colson adds a 1,000 sq ft triangle on the north side of the lot | 444/7 |
"In consideration of one dollar ($1.00) and other valuable considerations," "a certain tract of land, triangular in shape, containing one thousand (1000) square feet, more or less, situated on the westerly side of Colson street": from a stone bound on the west side of Colson Street "and at land of the grantee," southwesterly by the grantee 180 feet to a stone bound at land of Matthew H. Kohlrausch, north by that land 12 feet to other land of the grantor, and east by the grantor 180 feet to the beginning. A strip added along the north side of the July 1909 lot. Dated and acknowledged Nov. 13, 1909 before Harry A. Brown, J.P.; recorded Dec. 17, 1909 at 8:45 a.m. Middlesex North Book 444, pages 7-8.
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| 1945 | Quitclaim | John T. MacLean of Concord, New Hampshire, with his wife Mae A. MacLean releasing | Frederick Wain and Edith A. Wain of Billerica, joint tenants | neighboring lots A and C (18-20 Colson St), bounded south 180 feet by the Wain land; bought by the Wains | 1018/458 |
For consideration paid ($6.60 in revenue stamps, cancelled Feb. 1, 1945), "the land in that part of Billerica called North Billerica, situated on the westerly side of Colson Street and the southerly side of Kohlrausch Avenue, with the buildings thereon, being shown as Lots A and C" on the Colson Heights plan (Plan Book 31, Plan 88): east by Colson Street 50 feet; south by land "supposed to belong, now or formerly, to Frederick Wain" 180 feet; west by land of Matthew H. Kohlrausch 101 feet; north by Kohlrausch Avenue 72.45 feet; east again by Lot B 55.5 feet; north again by Lot B 100 feet. Subject to the county taking for the relocation of Colson Street (Book 709, Page 12). "Being the same premises conveyed to me and Amanda M. MacLean by deed of Sarah J. Ellis dated July 9, 1920 ... Book 627, Page 514; said Amanda A. MacLean, late of Billerica, died Jan. 17, 1927." Dated Feb. 1, 1945; recorded February 1945. Middlesex North Book 1018, page 458.
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| October 6, 1947 | Quitclaim | Frederick Wain of Billerica, unmarried, son and heir of Frederick Wain | Edith Wain of Billerica, widow of Frederick Wain | son and heir of Frederick Wain conveys his two-thirds to his mother Edith Wain | 1078/196 |
For consideration paid, with quitclaim covenants, "an undivided two-thirds interest in the land in that part of said Billerica called North Billerica, consisting of two parcels": Parcel 1, the 19,597 square feet on the westerly side of Colson Street "being the same premises described in a deed from George F. Colson to Frederick Wain (my father) dated July 1, 1909 ... Book 436, Page 268," and Parcel 2, the triangle of about 1,000 square feet conveyed "to my said father by George F. Colson by deed dated November 13, 1909 ... Book 444, Page 7." "My title is derived as an heir of my father, Frederick Wain, late of said Billerica, see Middlesex Probate records, #236075." The widow already held the other third as heir, so this deed put the whole place in her name. Dated and acknowledged Oct. 4, 1947 before Raymond W. Sherburne, notary public; recorded Oct. 6, 1947 at 11:45 a.m. Middlesex North Book 1078, pages 196-197.
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| November 3, 1952 | Quitclaim | Frederick Wain and Edith A. Wain of Billerica, with Agnes I. Wain, wife of Frederick, releasing dower and homestead | A husband and wife of North Cambridge, tenants by the entirety (private) | Wains sell lots A and C next door, bounded south by their other land (this lot) | 1209/139 |
For consideration paid, "the land in that part of Billerica called North Billerica, with the buildings thereon, situated on the Westerly side of Colson Street and the Southerly side of Kohlrausch Avenue, containing about 12,863 square feet, being lots A and C" on the Colson Heights plan (Plan Book 31, Plan 88): from the northwest corner on Kohlrausch Avenue at land formerly of one Kohlrausch, south 101 feet to a stone bound, east by other land of the grantors 180 feet to Colson Street, north on Colson Street 50 feet to lot B, west by lot B 100 feet, north by lot B 55.5 feet to Kohlrausch Avenue, and west on the avenue 72.45 feet. Subject to the Colson Street taking (Book 709, Page 12). "Being the same premises to us conveyed by John T. MacLean by deed dated February 1, 1945 ... Book 1018, Page 458." Dated and acknowledged Oct. 31, 1952; recorded Nov. 3, 1952 at 9:16 a.m. Middlesex North Book 1209, pages 139-140. The buyers, who took a mortgage the same morning, were still the owners in 1980. Later transfers were between private owners: a 2002 transfer (Book 13094, Page 176) and a 2021 sale by a trustee to a realty trust for $580,000 (Book 36223, Page 294).
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| July 27, 1966 | Quitclaim | Frederick Wain of Billerica, devisee of his mother Edith Wain | Frederick Wain and his wife Agnes I. Wain, tenants by the entirety | Edith Wain died 1965; her son, as devisee, puts the house in his and his wife's names; later family transfers summarized | 1761/386 |
For consideration paid, with quitclaim covenants, "the land in that part of said Billerica called North Billerica, containing two (2) parcels of land, with the buildings thereon": Parcel 1 of 19,597 square feet on the westerly side of Colson Street (124 feet on the street, 137 feet by land of George F. Colson, 127 feet by Matthew H. Kohlrausch, 180 feet by Colson land), "the same premises described in a deed from George F. Colson to my father, Frederick Wain, dated July 1, 1909 ... Book 436, Page 268," and Parcel 2, the triangle of about 1,000 square feet conveyed by Colson Nov. 13, 1909 (Book 444, Page 7). "My title is derived as devisee under the will of my mother, Edith Wain, late of said Billerica, deceased November 18, 1965 (See Middlesex Probate Docket No. 404484). My mother, the said Edith Wain, acquired her title as widow of my father, Frederick Wain ... (See Middlesex Probate Docket No. 236075) and by my deed dated October 4, 1947 ... Book 1078, Page 196." Recorded July 27, 1966 (document 1773; margin "See Certificate B.2912 P.111"). Middlesex North Book 1761, page 386. The house stayed in the Wain family afterward: family transfers in 1990 (Book 5194, Page 345), 1997 (Books 8464, Page 204 and 8917, Page 2), 2019 (Book 32968, Page 257) and 2021 to a family member from a family realty trust (Book 36405, Page 131), all for nominal consideration.
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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.