Structure · Built 1920
Griggs Farm
This page is about the building. For the business, see Griggs Farm.
Griggs Farm
| Address | 599 Boston Rd |
| Built | 1920 |
| Tenants | |
| Griggs Farm (1943 - ????) | |
| Other Lot Structures |
Nathaniel Daniels House (1852 -
1919)
Edith M. Spaulding House (1915 - 1919) |
The Griggs Farm occupies the old Mason farm on the west side of Boston Road at Wyman Road, running back to Lexington Road and the old School House Lane. On the 1852 Walling map the farmhouse here was marked "N. Daniels." Nathaniel Daniels's heirs sold the farm in 1855 to Robert Burrows, and on November 9, 1858 Burrows sold "my Homestead farm," sixty-four acres "with the buildings thereon," to David L. Mason, a Boston police officer, who moved out to Billerica and farmed it for half a century. In 1864 he added nineteen acres along the Lexington Road bought from Rachel R. Robinson.
His son Frederick L. Mason registered the farm in the Land Court in 1912. After Frederick's death in 1913 his widow, Mary A. Mason, became the owner in 1914 and sold lots along Boston Road, one of them to her daughter Edith M. Spaulding, wife of Roy Spaulding. The county took a strip in 1916 to straighten Boston Road. In 1925 she sold the remaining farm, Lot 6 of the Land Court plan, to Susan E. Clark of Winchester. The Federal Land Bank of Springfield took it back in 1936 under Clark's 1926 mortgage.
Gilbert W. Griggs bought the farm from the bank in 1943 and began raising poultry for the wartime market. In 1947 town meeting rezoned his corner at Boston and Wyman Roads for business, and a store went up there. The directories list Griggs as a farmer on Wyman Road in 1949 and his "Gil Griggs Farm Stand," selling poultry, in 1951. His yearbook ads from 1952 offered eggs, dressed poultry, sweet corn, apples and peaches, and by 1957 the corner building was Gill's Grocery at 599 Boston Road. Griggs was elected to the State Red Apple Club for his fruit in 1949 and served as a selectman from 1955. He sold off house lots along Wyman Road and Lexington Road, and in 1984 he sold the store building on its own lot to Strazzere, Inc. That building later held Augusta Market, Augusta Liquors, Augusta Subs and Orchard Hill Ice Cream.
The rest of the farm stayed with the Griggs family. When a big-box store was planned on the land around the farm in the 1990s, the town voted in 1994 to help buy an Agricultural Preservation Restriction, and in 1997 the farm was put into the Griggs Farm Limited Partnership with the restriction recorded. Gilbert Griggs died in April 2006 at 88 and his son continued the farm, with its greenhouses, vegetables, flowers and roadside stand. In 2022 the stand was still selling mums and vegetables, and the town's long dispute over the farm's taxes was settled in the family's favor in 2025.
References
- Billerica assessor, 599 Boston Rd (parcel 80-6-1-3): Griggs Farm, 19.699 acres, Land Court Ctf 33033.
- Trust for Public Land, Griggs Farm: founded 1943, 1994 town vote to preserve part of the farm, Gil Griggs died April 2006 at 88.
- Boston Globe, Sept. 7, 2022: Billerica's last working farm, the farm stand still open, the APR and the tax dispute.
- CBS Boston (WBZ), Aug. 30, 2022: Billerica farm may close after nearly 80 years over about $300,000 in disputed taxes
- WCVB, Aug. 30, 2022: Griggs farm faces foreclosure for unpaid taxes; bought by the owner's father in 1943
- CBS Boston (WBZ), May 7, 2025: after an 8-year fight the Select Board accepts corrected assessments and the farm gets a $30,951 refund
- LocalHarvest, Griggs Farm listing (updated Jan. 21, 2025): family-owned since 1943, greenhouses, plants, sweet corn, tomatoes, Christmas trees
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| 1853 | Administration | Estate of Nathaniel Daniels of Billerica, yeoman | Hannah Daniels of Billerica, widow, administratrix | 1853: the Daniels homestead farm, later the Mason and Griggs farm | Probate #30364 |
Nathaniel Daniels died intestate in the spring of 1853, leaving a widow and eight children, three of them minors. Hannah Daniels was appointed administratrix June 7, 1853 (bond May 17, sureties Charles L. Hendley of South Abington and Nathaniel A. Daniels of Boston). Inventory June 4, 1853 by Dudley Foster, George Proctor and Haslet Mackay: "The Homestead Farm of said deceased situate in said Billerica containing about 65 acres" $3,300; house and land on Leverett St., Boston $6,500; house and land in East Boston $1,800; place in Nunda, N.Y. $600; personal estate $2,560.68 (furniture of three chambers, parlor, sitting room, lower bedroom and kitchen; carriage, buggy chaise, sleigh, carpenter tools, one cow). First account allowed June 13, 1854, the balance divided among the widow and heirs Lavina T. Cate, Edwin T., Hannah E., Nathaniel A., William E. (deceased), George, Albert C. and Henry Daniels and the Hendley grandchildren.
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| November 27, 1858 | Warranty Deed | Robert Burrows of Billerica, yeoman, and Cornelia Jane Burrows his wife | David L. Mason of Boston, police officer | David L. Mason buys the 64-acre Daniels-Burrows homestead farm, 1858 | 17/195 |
Dated Nov. 9, 1858, recorded Nov. 27, 1858 (pages 195-196). For $4,200, "my Homestead farm situated in said Billerica on the great road leading from Boston to Lowell, containing sixty four acres," from the southeasterly corner at the road and land of Jona. Danforth (formerly E. Woodbury), by Danforth to the cross road to the Lexington road, by the cross road to the Lexington road, northerly by that road to land of Wm. H. Osborne, by Osborne to Harvey Crosby, by Crosby in a crooked line to land of Haslet MacKay (formerly Lowell Jamieson), by MacKay to the Boston road and southerly on that road to the corner, "with the buildings thereon, being the same premises conveyed by Samuel D. Ames to Nathaniel Daniels and by said Daniels' heirs to me, by deed dated April 7th 1855," recorded at Cambridge Lib. 709 Fol. 49; subject to a $2,000 mortgage that Mason assumes.
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| December 10, 1860 | Warranty Deed | David L. Mason of Billerica, yeoman (Betsey I. Mason releasing dower and homestead) | David Mason of Billerica, yeoman | half of the Mason farm to David Mason, 1860 | 26/341 |
Dated Dec. 3, 1860, recorded Dec. 10, 1860 (pages 341-342). For $2,100, "one undivided half of my homestead farm situated in said Billerica on the great road leading from Boston to Lowell, containing sixty four acres," with the bounds of 1858 (John Knowles, formerly Jona. Danforth; the cross road; the Lexington road; Wm. H. Osborne; Harvey Crosby; Haslet MacKay; the Boston road), "with the buildings thereon," "being premises conveyed to me by Robert Burrows deed dated Nov. 9, 1858," Book 17, Page 195, subject to the $2,000 mortgage.
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| May 24, 1864 | Warranty Deed | Rachel R. Robinson of Dorchester, widow | David L. Mason of Billerica, yeoman | the Osborne lot on Lexington Road added to the Mason farm, 1864 | 38/154 |
Dated and acknowledged May 19, 1864 before Dudley Foster, recorded May 24, 1864. For $900, "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica, containing nineteen acres & one hundred & nine rods," from the most northerly corner at the road, easterly on a wall by Harvey Crosby, southerly on a wall by land of David L. Mason, westerly by land of the grantee to the Lexington Road and northerly on that road to the start, being premises conveyed to her by Wm. H. Osborne by deed of Sept. 6, 1854 (Cambridge Book 689, Page 244), subject to a $900 mortgage assigned that day to Josiah Rogers. Mason mortgaged it the same day to Rogers (page 155), released 1869 (Book 67, Page 597).
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| December 20, 1888 | Warranty Deed | David L. Mason of Billerica, unmarried | Frederick L. Mason of Billerica | house lot from the Mason farm to Frederick L. Mason, 1888 | 202/200 |
Dated Nov. 12, 1888, recorded Dec. 20, 1888. For one dollar and other consideration, "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica containing one half acre," on the road leading to Boston at a bound at the grantor's other land, westerly by his land 250 feet, northerly 39 feet to land of Edward B. Haskell (formerly MacKay land), easterly by Haskell to the road and southerly 111 feet on the road: a house lot at the north end of the Mason farm for his son.
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| September 16, 1912 | Certificate of Title | Land Court decree, case 3708 | Frederick L. Mason of Billerica, married to Mary A. Mason | Land Court registers the Mason farm to Frederick L. Mason, 1912 | Ctf 333 |
Original Certificate of Title 333, entered on the decree of Sept. 16, 1912 in case 3708: the Mason farm, westerly by Lexington Road about 405 feet, by Frederick L. Mason, Anna A. Jones and Charles Moore et al, easterly by Boston Road about 608 feet, by Boston and Wyman Roads 220 feet, by the Town of Billerica and Annie L. Bowman et al, and southerly by School House Lane about 1,220 feet, as on plan 3708-A by E. P. Sellew, Feb. 20, 1912. Cancelled by Ctf 522.
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| April 2, 1914 | Certificate of Title | Estate of Frederick L. Mason (died about Sept. 26, 1913) | Mary A. Mason, widow (3/9); Edith M. Spaulding, wife of Leroy E. Spaulding, Archibald L. Mason and Frederick E. Mason (2/9 each) | the farm to the Mason heirs, 1914 | Ctf 522 |
Transfer Certificate 522, Apr. 2, 1914, from Original Certificate 333: the same farm to the widow and children of Frederick L. Mason, issued by order of the court under section 91 of chapter 128 of the Revised Laws, subject to any debts of the estates of David L. Mason (died about Mar. 1, 1911) and Frederick L. Mason (died about Sept. 26, 1913) and to a mortgage of a small piece by Boston Road given by Frederick L. Mason to Albert H. Jones Dec. 10, 1895 (Book 270, Page 544). Cancelled by Ctf 523.
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| April 2, 1914 | Certificate of Title | Mason heirs | Mary A. Mason of Billerica, widow | Mary A. Mason, widow, owner 1914-1925 | Ctf 523 |
Transfer Certificate 523, Apr. 2, 1914, from Ctf 522: the whole farm to Mary A. Mason, widow. Memoranda: deed of Lot 4 to Edith M. Spaulding, June 5, 1914 (Ctf 540); Lots 2 and 3 to William H. Hutchins and wife, July 25, 1914 (Ctf 550); orders eliminating the debt clauses of David L. Mason (1914) and Frederick L. Mason (1918); taking by Middlesex County "for highway purposes," relocation of Boston Road, Apr. 29, 1916; Lot 5 to Carrie M. Knowles, Apr. 9, 1918 (Ctf 1103); George C. Crosby mortgage 1922; Lot 6 to Susan E. Clark, Mar. 14, 1925 (Ctf 2698).
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| March 14, 1925 | Certificate of Title | Mary A. Mason, widow | Susan E. Clark of Winchester, married to Harry W. Clark | Lot 6, the farm, to Susan E. Clark, 1925 | Ctf 2698 |
Transfer Certificate 2698, Mar. 14, 1925, from Ctf 523: Lot 6 on subdivision plan 3708-D by C. B. Humphrey, Mar. 6, 1925, the farm less the house lots on Boston Road: westerly by Lexington Road about 405 feet, by Frederick L. Mason, Anna A. Jones and Charles Moore et al, by Lots 2, 3, 5 and 4B, easterly by Boston Road about 170 feet, by Boston and Wyman Roads about 220 feet, by the Town of Billerica and Annie L. Bowman et al, and southerly by School House Lane about 1,220 feet. Encumbrances: the 1916 county taking; a $15,000 mortgage back to Mary A. Mason (discharged); a $9,000 mortgage to the Federal Land Bank of Springfield, Aug. 18, 1926.
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| March 14, 1936 | Certificate of Title | Susan E. Clark, by foreclosure of her 1926 mortgage | Federal Land Bank of Springfield | the Federal Land Bank takes the farm, 1936 | Ctf 4866 |
Transfer Certificate 4866, from Ctf 2698: Lot 6 on plan 3708-D, the whole Clark farm, to the Federal Land Bank of Springfield, the holder of Susan E. Clark's $9,000 farm mortgage of 1926. Cancelled by Ctf 6300 on the bank's sale to Gilbert Griggs in 1943.
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| August 31, 1943 | Certificate of Title | Federal Land Bank of Springfield | Gilbert Griggs of Billerica, not married | Gilbert Griggs buys the farm, 1943: the Griggs Farm begins | Ctf 6300 |
Transfer Certificate 6300, Aug. 31, 1943, from Ctf 4866: Lot 6 on plan 3708-D, the whole farm between Boston Road, Wyman Road, Lexington Road and School House Lane. Memoranda: Federal Land Bank mortgages of 1943 and 1951; house lots sold 1947-1951 (Lots 10-12 on plan 3708-G, 13-16 on 3708-I, 17 on 3708-J); the rest to Richard G. Drury Apr. 17, 1952 (Ctf 8582). The start of the Griggs Farm.
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| April 18, 1952 | Certificate of Title | Gilbert Griggs | Richard G. Drury of Lowell, not married | conduit deed to put the farm in Griggs and his wife, 1952 | Ctf 8582 |
Transfer Certificate 8582, Apr. 18, 1952 at 10:30, from Ctf 6300: Lot 6 on plan 3708-D less Lots 10 to 17. A conduit transfer: Drury passed the land a minute later to Gilbert W. Griggs and his wife (Ctf 8583).
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| April 18, 1952 | Certificate of Title | Richard G. Drury | Gilbert W. Griggs and A. Naomi Griggs of Billerica, tenants by the entirety | Gilbert W. and A. Naomi Griggs, 1952-1980 | Ctf 8583 |
Transfer Certificate 8583, Apr. 18, 1952 at 10:31, from Ctf 8582: Lot 6 on plan 3708-D less Lots 10 to 17. Memoranda: Federal Land Bank mortgages 1951-1962; Lowell Electric Light grant 1953; Lots 18-20 (plan 3708-K) sold 1961; deed to Gilbert W. Griggs alone, Dec. 19, 1980 (Ctf 24202).
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| January 23, 1981 | Certificate of Title | Gilbert W. and A. Naomi Griggs | Gilbert W. Griggs of Billerica | Gilbert W. Griggs alone, 1981-1997 | Ctf 24202 |
Transfer Certificate 24202, Jan. 23, 1981, on the deed of Dec. 19, 1980 (doc. 81573): Lot 6 on plan 3708-D less Lots 10 to 20, with a $151,250 mortgage back to Adeline Naomi Griggs. Memoranda: Lot 23 to A. Naomi Griggs 1981; agricultural land tax lien 1983; Lots 25-35 and in 1986 Lot 36 to H. J. Allan, Inc.; Lot 24 (plan 3708-N), the store, to Strazzere, Inc. 1984; state taking for Route 3A 1990; deed to Griggs Farm Limited Partnership 1994; Agricultural Preservation Restriction and Lot 37 (Ctf 33033) 1997.
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| May 8, 1997 | Certificate of Title | Gilbert W. Griggs | Gilbert W. Griggs and his son, as partners of Griggs Farm Limited Partnership | the Griggs Farm Limited Partnership, 1997 to today | Ctf 33033 |
Transfer Certificate 33033, May 8, 1997, from Ctf 24202 (deed doc. 169527 and restrictions doc. 169529): Lot 37 on subdivision plan 3708-P, Fleming, Bienvenu & Associates, Oct. 2, 1985, northeasterly by Boston Road 118.40 feet and by Lot 24, by the Town of Billerica and Annie L. Bowman et al, Lots 18-20, 27-30, 36 and 39. Later memoranda: a 2005 USDA Farm Service Agency mortgage, variances and permits 2007-2008, the town's tax taking for 2017 taxes (2018) and its tax title complaint (2019). Assessor parcel 80-6-1-3, 19.699 acres, "Griggs Farm."
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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.