Little Red Schoolhouse

Also Known As	District Number 3 Schoolhouse
Address	Wyman Road
Built	1780
Demolished	1971
Owners	Michael Crosby (1834 - 1837)

The Little Red Schoolhouse was the District Number 3 schoolhouse, one of the single-room district schools that served Billerica in the 19th century. It stood on the west side of Wyman Road at the corner of School Lane, which takes its name from it, on a lot only 44 feet wide and 35 feet deep. A surveyor's plan of 1950 is titled "School House, 1791"; a 1969 town list of historic sites dated it 1780. No deed for the building's own date has been found. The building ceased to be used as a school in 1869, when the Crosby Schoolhouse nearer Boston Road took over as the District 3 school.

The School Committee's reports give a picture of the school in its last years in the old building. In 1853-54 Miss Hannah Hunt taught the summer term and Miss Louisa J. Rice the winter; the school was "smaller than usual in this large District," since several of the older pupils were at the Howe School. In 1861-62 the committee noted that "some of the larger boys, for a short time, seemed not disposed to respect either their teacher or themselves," and in 1867-68 that the school had "suffered of late from the removal of scholars and from a too frequent change of teachers" and that the schoolhouse was "cold and comfortless." Miss Grush of Lowell taught both terms of 1868-69, the last year in the old house. In 1869-70, under Miss Lottie Howe, the committee found that the school appeared "to far greater advantage in its new building than in the old one."

District No. 3 school statistics, from the annual School Committee reports
School year	Term	Teacher	Enrolled	Average attendance	Length of term	Teacher's monthly wage	Children aged 5 to 15 in district
1853-54	Summer	Hannah Hunt	28	18	3 mo. 12 d.	$16*	25
	Winter	Louisa J. Rice	26	21	3 mo. 6 d.	$20*
1861-62	Summer	Charlotte P. Gorham	24	21	2 mo. 10 d.	$18	29
	Winter	Mary E. Blodgett	28	22	3 mo.	$20
1867-68	Summer	Sarah A. Twycross	26	22	3 mo. 5 d.	$20	32
	Winter	Alice M. Weston	25	16	4 mo.	$22
1868-69	Summer	Miss Grush	23	18½	3 mo. 15 d.	$24	29
	Winter	Miss Grush	24	21	3 mo. 15 d.	$28

* Wages in 1853-54 were reported including board. From 1869-70 the District No. 3 school was kept in the new Crosby Schoolhouse.

The schoolhouse never stood on land owned by the district. The records show it on a private field long known as the "School House lot," an eight-acre piece at the corner of the road to Joseph Blanchard's (Wyman Road) and the lane to the Lexington road (School Lane). In the 1820s it belonged to Josiah Crosby Esq., whose will of 1829 left his estate to his wife Betsy; her inventory of 1832 lists the "School-house lot 8 acres" and the adjoining "Guggins land." In April 1833 the guardian of their minor son, Zadock Howe, auctioned "The School-house lot, and the Guggins Lot ... lying between Capt Michael Crosby's and Mr Joseph Blanchard's," and after passing through John and Henry Baldwin and Howe himself it was sold that October to Sereno Fiske of Weston. When Fiske sold it to Michael Crosby Jr. in 1834 he warranted it free of encumbrances "excepting the School House privilege, if any."

Michael Crosby sold the School House lot, with the Guggins lot and the old Crosby farm, to Jonas Merriam Jr. in 1837. By then the two eight-acre lots had been thrown together as the "School House Lot ... and orchard" of 32 acres, and the deeds of 1847 (Merriam to Enos Woodbury), 1853 (Woodbury to Jonathan and Jonathan A. Sanborn) and 1859 (the Sanborns to John Knowles of Boston) all convey it "subject to the easement which School District No. Three has to set their School house thereon." Woodbury mortgaged the land to Joseph Blanchard, who entered to foreclose in 1851 and 1852 before the Sanborns bought it and took over the debt.

The Knowles family kept the land for almost ninety years. Betsey J. Knowles, John's widow, paid off the 1859 mortgage in 1895, and after her death their heirs sold the west end of the lot to Willis G. Lindsay in 1943 and the rest, still called the "School House Lot and Orchard," to Charles I. and Lucy M. Little in 1946. Later that year the Littles sold it with other land to a couple who, on Nov. 10, 1950, gave "the land ... with the old School House thereon" to the Billerica Historical Society, on condition that the Society "keep and maintain the School building thereon," the land to revert to them if the building were destroyed. When the surrounding farmland was laid out in 1956 as a subdivision named "Little Red Schoolhouse Manor," the plan showed the "School House Lot, Billerica Historical Society" at the corner of Wyman Road and School Lane.

The Society could not keep up the old building. On May 14, 1970 its directors voted that the Society, "having ceased to maintain the Old schoolhouse on Wyman Road," would confirm the title of the original donors, "the condition in the deed to the Society having been broken," and in June 1971 its president, Charles E. Stearns, signed the deed returning the lot. The schoolhouse was gone by about 1971. The little lot has since passed with the neighboring house lot, and later deeds still repeat the 1950 description "with the Old School House thereon," although the building no longer stands.

Title References

Date	Type	Grantor	Grantee	Summary	Recorded
1829	Will	Josiah Crosby Esq. of Billerica	Betsy Crosby, his widow	will of Josiah Crosby Esq., owner of the School House lot, 1829	Probate #5353
	Will dated June 6, 1829, allowed Aug. 11, 1829. After provision for his mother Rachel and legacies to his children Elizabeth H. Whitman, Oliver, Susannah, Sarah C., Martha and Josiah, Josiah Crosby Esq. left the rest of his estate, real and personal, to his wife Betsy "in fee simple." Joseph Locke was later made administrator de bonis non (Aug. 21, 1832). Papers read, pages 1-8. Title from: 1825 Will: Deacon Oliver Crosby Esq. of Billerica to Josiah Crosby Esq., his son and executor (Probate #5363) (residue to Josiah Crosby Esq.) Title passed to: 1832 Will and Inventory: Betsy Crosby of Billerica, widow of Josiah Crosby Esq. to Susanna Crosby and Josiah Crosby (a minor), her children; Joseph Locke, executor (Probate #5333) (residue to Betsy Crosby in fee)
1832	Will and Inventory	Betsy Crosby of Billerica, widow of Josiah Crosby Esq.	Susanna Crosby and Josiah Crosby (a minor), her children; Joseph Locke, executor	Betsy Crosby's 1832 inventory: "School-house lot 8 acres"	Probate #5333
	Will dated Aug. 12, 1831, allowed June 5, 1832; Joseph Locke executor. After other legacies the residue went to her daughter Susanna and her son Josiah. The inventory taken June 1, 1832 values "The Homestead farm with all the buildings, including the Tavern stand & 8 acres of land, the Slaughter house lot, the Richardson land, the Webb orchard & the Lawson house & land" at $7,585, and lists hay "in the tavern barn": the house was already known as a tavern stand before Sereno Fiske bought it. Papers read, pages 2-17. Title from: 1829 Will: Josiah Crosby Esq. of Billerica to Betsy Crosby, his widow (Probate #5353) (residue to Betsy Crosby in fee) Title passed to: 1833 Guardianship and License to Sell: Josiah Crosby, minor, son of Josiah Crosby Esq. to Dr. Zadok Howe, his guardian (Probate #5354) (the minor Josiah's inheritance from his mother)
1833	Guardianship and License to Sell	Josiah Crosby, minor, son of Josiah Crosby Esq.	Dr. Zadok Howe, his guardian	guardianship of Josiah Crosby and the 1833 auction handbill naming "The School-house lot"	Probate #5354
	Zadok Howe gave bond as guardian of the minor Josiah Crosby on May 15, 1832, with John Baldwin and Joseph Locke as sureties. The papers include the printed auction bill of Feb. 19, 1833: "The large, handsome, and commodious mansion House, with numerous and convenient out houses, and Barns, with 21 acres of Land of the first quality adjoining, lately owned and occupied by Josiah Crosby, Esq. deceased, situate about a mile from Billerica Meeting-house, on the road to Boston," the sale "to commence at the Mansion House." The sale was made under a license of the Supreme Judicial Court (October term, 1832). Papers read, pages 2-5. Title from: 1832 Will and Inventory: Betsy Crosby of Billerica, widow of Josiah Crosby Esq. to Susanna Crosby and Josiah Crosby (a minor), her children; Joseph Locke, executor (Probate #5333) (the minor Josiah's inheritance from his mother) Title passed to: April 22, 1833 Guardian's Deed: Dr. Zadok Howe of Billerica, guardian of Josiah Crosby, minor to John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica (322/316) (sale under the guardian's license) Related: 1832 Will and Inventory: Betsy Crosby of Billerica, widow of Josiah Crosby Esq. to Susanna Crosby and Josiah Crosby (a minor), her children; Joseph Locke, executor (Probate #5333) (the minor Josiah Crosby's share under his mother's will)
April 22, 1833	Guardian's Deed	Dr. Zadok Howe of Billerica, guardian of Josiah Crosby, minor	John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica	guardian's auction of the minor Josiah Crosby's "School house lot", 1833	322/316 (South)
	Dated April 9, acknowledged April 18, recorded April 22, 1833. Under the license of the Supreme Judicial Court (October term, 1832), after public auction on April 2 and 9, 1833, for $2,557.15 to the highest bidders, "the homestead place of Josiah Crosby Esquire late of Billerica deceased," 21 acres 23 rods "with the buildings thereon," bounded easterly on the highway from Billerica to Boston, southerly and westerly by Michael Crosby Jr. and northerly by land formerly of Benjamin Bowers; also the schoolhouse lot of 8 acres 38 rods, half the Fox Hill (Rowland) lot, the Frost pasture of 26 acres 38 rods and a pew. Billerica town book 16, pages 233-235 (Southern Registry Book 322 Page 316). The same day the Baldwins deeded the homestead and schoolhouse lot to Howe himself (Southern Registry Book 325 Page 559), a straw sale that let the guardian buy. Title from: 1833 Guardianship and License to Sell: Josiah Crosby, minor, son of Josiah Crosby Esq. to Dr. Zadok Howe, his guardian (Probate #5354) (sale under the guardian's license) Title passed to: October 25, 1833 Warranty: John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica, with Clarissa and Anne their wives to Zadok Howe of Billerica, Esq. (325/559) (the Baldwins bought at the guardian's auction the same day) September 23, 1876 Partition Deed: Sarah Baldwin, John Baldwin, Lucy A. Baldwin, Frances Baldwin, Rachel A. Baldwin, Charles H. Parker, Mary C. Morey, Frederic A. Morey, Clara B. Reed, Nathan H. Reed, Frederick A. Parker and Agnethe C. Parker to Elizabeth C. Baldwin of Billerica, single woman (120/230) ("a deed from Zadock Howe, Guardian of Josiah Crosby, to John & Henry Baldwin ... Book 322, Page 316") Related: 1832 Will and Inventory: Betsy Crosby of Billerica, widow of Josiah Crosby Esq. to Susanna Crosby and Josiah Crosby (a minor), her children; Joseph Locke, executor (Probate #5333) (the homestead named in Betsy Crosby's inventory)
October 25, 1833	Warranty	John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica, with Clarissa and Anne their wives	Zadok Howe of Billerica, Esq.	Baldwins convey the homestead and School House Lot to Zadock Howe, 1833	325/559 (South)
	For $2,219.79, "a tract of land situate in said Billerica containing twenty one acres and twenty three rods with the buildings thereon standing it being the homestead place of the late Josiah Crosby Esquire," also eight acres 38 rods "called the school house lot," "as both said tracts or parcels are described in the said Howe's deed to us of even date herewith." Dated April 9, acknowledged April 18 before Marshall Preston, recorded Oct. 25, 1833. Billerica town book 16, pages 288-289 (Southern Registry Book 325 Page 559). The Baldwins had bought the homestead the same day at the auction held by Zadok Howe as guardian of the minor Josiah Crosby (Southern Registry Book 322 Page 316); this deed passed it to Howe himself. Title from: April 22, 1833 Guardian's Deed: Dr. Zadok Howe of Billerica, guardian of Josiah Crosby, minor to John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica (322/316) (the Baldwins bought at the guardian's auction the same day) Title passed to: October 28, 1833 Warranty: Zadok Howe of Billerica, Esq. to Sereno Fiske of Weston, yeoman (325/578) (Howe's title, confirmed by the Baldwins' deed of April 9, 1833) Related: 1765 Warranty: Jacob Wilson of Billerica, husbandman to Oliver Crosby and Josiah Crosby, both of Billerica, husbandmen (71/353) (Crosby homestead: 1768 release to Oliver Crosby, his will (probate 5363), Josiah Crosby Esq. and Betsy Crosby wills, 1833 guardian's sale)
October 28, 1833	Warranty	Zadok Howe of Billerica, Esq.	Sereno Fiske of Weston, yeoman	the "scoolhouse lot" sold with the Josiah Crosby homestead to Sereno Fiske, 1833	325/578 (South)
	For $2,769.79, "the homestead place of the late Josiah Crosby Esquire late of said Billerica deceased containing twenty one acres and twenty three rods more or less," beginning at the southeasterly corner at the Boston road and land of Michael Crosby Jr., westerly by Michael's land 80 rods 14 links, northerly by him 32 rods 4 links to land formerly of Benjamin Bowers, easterly by Bowers "by the wall as it now stands" 51 rods 35 links to land of Oliver Crosby, still easterly by Oliver 33 rods 15 links, southeasterly by the wall 7 rods 3 links to the Boston road, and by the road to the first corner; also the 8-acre schoolhouse lot bounded easterly by the road from Michael Crosby's homestead to Joseph Blanchard's, southerly by Michael's "Tuggins lot," westerly by Michael and northerly by the road from Michael's dwelling house to the Lexington road, "according to a survey and plan of the premises made by S. Livingston dated November 1832." Dated and acknowledged Oct. 22, recorded Oct. 28, 1833. Billerica town book 16, pages 289-290 (Southern Registry Book 325 Page 578). Fiske sold the schoolhouse lot to Michael Crosby Jr. in 1834 (town book 13/580) and a strip on the north, the "Tavern Stand Lot," to Hervey Crosby in 1842 (town book 17/378). Neither of those parcels held the house. Title from: October 25, 1833 Warranty: John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentleman, both of Billerica, with Clarissa and Anne their wives to Zadok Howe of Billerica, Esq. (325/559) (Howe's title, confirmed by the Baldwins' deed of April 9, 1833) Title passed to: May 31, 1834 Warranty Deed: Sereno Fiske of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth T. Fiske to Michael Crosby Jr. of Billerica, gentleman (332/384) (Fiske's title) July 13, 1844 Warranty: Sereno Fiske, formerly of Billerica, now of Southport in the Wisconsin Territory, by Marshall Preston his attorney to Moses P. Greenwood of Billerica, yeoman (445/401) (the tavern stand lot, part of the 1833 homestead)
May 31, 1834	Warranty Deed	Sereno Fiske of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth T. Fiske	Michael Crosby Jr. of Billerica, gentleman	the "School House Lot", formerly of the estate of Josiah Crosby, sold "excepting the School House privilege", 1834	332/384 (South)
	For $190.15, "a certain piece or parcel of land situate in said Billerica formerly of the Estate of Josiah Crosby Esquire deceased called the 'School House Lot' containing Eight acres and thirty eight rods," bounded easterly by the road from Michael Crosby's to Joseph Blanchard's, southerly by Crosby's Guggin lot, westerly by his land, and northerly "by the lane road so called, leading from said Michael's Dwelling House to the Lexington road." Warranted free of encumbrances "excepting the School House privilege, if any." Elizabeth T. Fiske releases dower. Dated and acknowledged May 2, 1834; recorded May 31, 1834. Billerica town book 13, pages 580-581. The earliest record found of the lot by name; the schoolhouse then stood on it by a "privilege," not by a district deed. Title from: October 28, 1833 Warranty: Zadok Howe of Billerica, Esq. to Sereno Fiske of Weston, yeoman (325/578) (Fiske's title) Title passed to: May 4, 1837 Warranty Deed: Michael Crosby of Billerica, yeoman to Jonas Merriam Jr. of Boston, trader (363/117) ("conveyed to me by Deed dated 2d May 1834")
May 4, 1837	Warranty Deed	Michael Crosby of Billerica, yeoman	Jonas Merriam Jr. of Boston, trader	the "School House lot" sold to Jonas Merriam Jr. with the Crosby farm, 1837	363/117 (South)
	For $5,700, five parcels: "the homested Farm so called, of the late Josiah Crosby of Billerica deceased containing about fifty acres" (from Book 253 Page 441, less ten acres sold to Sereno Fiske), the Waters land of 59 acres by the Old Wyman road, the "Guggin" lot of 8 acres 38 rods (Book 322 Page 142), the Ross land, and "the 'School House' lot so called containing eight acres & 38 rods more or less bounded Easterly by the road leading from my house to Jos. Blanchard's southerly by land of me the grantor called the 'Guggin' lot westerly by other land of me the Grantor and northerly by the same road so called being the same premises conveyed to me by Deed dated 2d May 1834" (Book 332 Page 384). Dated May 1, 1837, witness Ephraim Buttrick; recorded May 4, 1837. Billerica town book 15, pages 385-388. The School House lot and the Guggin lot together became the 32-acre "School House Lot and orchard" of the 1847 and later deeds. Title from: May 31, 1834 Warranty Deed: Sereno Fiske of Billerica, yeoman, and Elizabeth T. Fiske to Michael Crosby Jr. of Billerica, gentleman (332/384) ("conveyed to me by Deed dated 2d May 1834") Title passed to: June 5, 1847 Warranty Deed: Jonas Meriam Jr. of Billerica, yeoman, and Sophronia M. Meriam to Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman (509/222) (Jonas Merriam Jr.'s title)
June 5, 1847	Warranty Deed	Jonas Meriam Jr. of Billerica, yeoman, and Sophronia M. Meriam	Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman	School House Lot sold by Jonas Meriam Jr., subject to the district's schoolhouse easement, 1847	509/222 (South)
	For $4,000, 13 acres on the west side of "the road leading from the dwelling house of Josiah B. Gleason to Joseph Blanchard's" (Wyman Road) "with a dwelling house barn and other out buildings thereon," beginning "nearly opposite the Sampson house so called" and running to "the lane road so called leading from the Lexington road" (School Lane); and south of the lane "the school house Lot ... and orchard containing thirty two acres," from its northeast corner "at the intersection of said roads," westerly by the lane about 108 rods to Jeremiah Crosby, southerly to Joseph Blanchard and easterly to the road. "The same being subject to the easement which School District No. Three has to set their School house thereon." Sophronia M. Meriam releases dower. Dated May 1, 1847; acknowledged June 3, 1847; recorded June 5, 1847. Billerica town book 18, pages 339-341. Title from: May 4, 1837 Warranty Deed: Michael Crosby of Billerica, yeoman to Jonas Merriam Jr. of Boston, trader (363/117) (Jonas Merriam Jr.'s title) Title passed to: June 5, 1847 Mortgage: Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman, and Catharine B. Woodbury to Joseph Blanchard of Billerica, yeoman (509/224) (mortgage the day of the purchase) January 15, 1853 Warranty Deed: Enos Woodbury of Cambridgeport, yeoman, and Maria L. Woodbury to Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Canaan, N.H., yeomen (644/220) (Woodbury's title)
June 5, 1847	Mortgage	Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman, and Catharine B. Woodbury	Joseph Blanchard of Billerica, yeoman	Woodbury's mortgage to Joseph Blanchard and the foreclosure entries of 1851-1852	509/224 (South)
	Mortgage for $2,000, payable in three years with annual interest, of the same 13-acre homestead with its buildings and "the School house Lot ... and orchard containing thirty two acres more or less" at the intersection of the road and the lane. Dated May 1, 1847; recorded June 5, 1847. Woodbury later certified that Blanchard, "the mortgagee within named," had with his consent entered and taken possession "for the breach of the conditions of this Mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same" on May 28, 1851 (recorded June 18, 1851) and again on Feb. 6, 1852. When Woodbury sold to the Sanborns in January 1853, $1,741.53 was still due to Blanchard. Billerica town book 18, pages 341-344. Title from: June 5, 1847 Warranty Deed: Jonas Meriam Jr. of Billerica, yeoman, and Sophronia M. Meriam to Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman (509/222) (mortgage the day of the purchase)
January 15, 1853	Warranty Deed	Enos Woodbury of Cambridgeport, yeoman, and Maria L. Woodbury	Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Canaan, N.H., yeomen	School House Lot sold subject to School District No. 3's easement, 1853	644/220 (South)
	For $2,400, 13 acres on the west side of "the road leading from the dwelling house of Nathaniel Daniels to Joseph Blanchards," north of "the lane road so called leading from the Lexington Road," and "another tract ... separated therefrom by said lane road called the School House lot ... and Orchard containing thirty two acres," from "the northeasterly corner of said School House lot at the intersection of said roads," westerly by the lane about 108 rods to Jeremiah Crosby, southerly to Joseph Blanchard and easterly to the road. "The same being subject to the easements which School District No. Three has to set their School House thereon." Subject also to a mortgage to Joseph Blanchard with $1,741.53 unpaid, which the buyers assumed. Maria L. Woodbury releases dower. Dated and acknowledged Jan. 14, 1853; recorded Jan. 15, 1853. Billerica town book 19, pages 402-404. The earliest deed found that names the school district's right to keep its schoolhouse on the lot. Title from: June 5, 1847 Warranty Deed: Jonas Meriam Jr. of Billerica, yeoman, and Sophronia M. Meriam to Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman (509/222) (Woodbury's title) Title passed to: February 4, 1859 Warranty Deed: Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica, yeomen, and Achsah D. Sanborn to John Knowles of Boston (18/51) ("Being land conveyed to us by Amos [Enos] Woodbury") Related: June 5, 1847 Mortgage: Enos Woodbury of Cambridge, yeoman, and Catharine B. Woodbury to Joseph Blanchard of Billerica, yeoman (509/224) (buyers assumed $1,741.53 due on the Blanchard mortgage)
February 4, 1859	Warranty Deed	Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica, yeomen, and Achsah D. Sanborn	John Knowles of Boston	the "School House Lot", subject to School District No. 3's easement for its schoolhouse, 1859	18/51
	For $3,500, two parcels on the west side of "the Road leading from the house of the late Nathl. Daniels to L. S. Bryant formerly Jos. Blanchard's" (Wyman Road): the Sanborn homestead, 13 acres "with the buildings thereon," north of "the lane road, so called, leading from the Lexington Road" (School Lane), and south of the lane "the School House Lot and orchard, containing thirty two acres," from its northeast corner "at the intersection of said roads," westerly by the lane about 108 rods to Jeremiah Crosby, southerly by Crosby to land formerly of Joseph Blanchard and easterly by Blanchard to the road. "The same being subject to the easement which School District No. Three has to set their School house thereon." "Being land conveyed to us by Amos Woodbury. Deed dated Jan. 14, 1853" (Middlesex South Book 644 Page 220). Achsah D. Sanborn releases dower and homestead. Dated Jan. 31, 1859; recorded Feb. 4, 1859 (Book 18 Pages 51-52). The deed shows the schoolhouse standing on private land by an easement, not on a lot owned by the district. Title from: January 15, 1853 Warranty Deed: Enos Woodbury of Cambridgeport, yeoman, and Maria L. Woodbury to Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Canaan, N.H., yeomen (644/220) ("Being land conveyed to us by Amos [Enos] Woodbury") Title passed to: February 4, 1859 Mortgage: John Knowles of Boston to Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica (18/53) (mortgage back to the sellers) August 24, 1943 Quitclaim Deed: Grace L. Knowles and Mary A. Knowles of Billerica and John R. Bowman of Medford, heirs of John and Betsey Knowles and Annie L. Bowman to Willis G. Lindsay of Medford (996/165) (inheritance from John Knowles (probate docket 34225))
February 4, 1859	Mortgage	John Knowles of Boston	Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica	Knowles mortgage back to the Sanborns, 1859	18/53
	Purchase-money mortgage for $2,500, payable in three years at six percent, of the same two parcels, including the "School House lot and orchard," 32 acres, "subject to the easements which School District No. Three has to set their School House thereon," "Being premises conveyed to me this day by said Sanborns." The buildings were to be insured for $2,000. Dated Jan. 31, 1859; recorded Feb. 4, 1859 (Book 18 Pages 53-54). Margin: assignments Book 35 Page 26 and Book 178 Page 545; "See Discharge Book 268 Page 58." Title from: February 4, 1859 Warranty Deed: Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica, yeomen, and Achsah D. Sanborn to John Knowles of Boston (18/51) (mortgage back to the sellers) Title passed to: September 27, 1895 Discharge of Mortgage: Ann B. Whitford, assignee of the 1859 Sanborn mortgage to Betsey J. Knowles of Billerica (268/58) (discharge after assignments (Book 35 Page 26, Book 178 Page 545))
September 27, 1895	Discharge of Mortgage	Ann B. Whitford, assignee of the 1859 Sanborn mortgage	Betsey J. Knowles of Billerica	the 1859 Knowles mortgage of the School House Lot paid off by the widow Betsey J. Knowles, 1895	268/58
	"The assignee of a certain mortgage given by John Knowles to Jonathan and J. A. Sanborn dated January thirty first A.D. 1859, and recorded with North Middlesex Registry Deeds, libro 18, folio 53," acknowledges payment in full "from Betsey J. Knowles of Billerica, Massachusetts, who claims to be the present owner of the mortgaged premises," and discharges the mortgage and quitclaims to her. On the same page she also discharges a mortgage given by John Knowles to Rachel Mackay on Dec. 21, 1883 (Book 165 Page 211). Signed Sept. 9, 1895 and acknowledged in Worcester County; recorded Sept. 27, 1895. By then John Knowles had died and his widow Betsey held the farm, including the School House Lot, which their heirs kept until 1943-1946. Title from: February 4, 1859 Mortgage: John Knowles of Boston to Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica (18/53) (discharge after assignments (Book 35 Page 26, Book 178 Page 545))
August 24, 1943	Quitclaim Deed	Grace L. Knowles and Mary A. Knowles of Billerica and John R. Bowman of Medford, heirs of John and Betsey Knowles and Annie L. Bowman	Willis G. Lindsay of Medford	west part of the School House Lot sold off by the Knowles heirs, 1943	996/165
	The heirs of John Knowles sell 6.5 acres "situated on the Southerly side of School Lane," beginning about 394 feet east of Lexington Road, as shown on a plan for Willis G. Lindsay, Aug. 14, 1943 (Plan Book 65, Plan 65). "For our title see Middlesex Probate Estate of John Knowles Docket 34225 and Betsey J. Knowles, Docket 55823 and Estate of Annie L. Bowman, Docket 97834 see also ... Book 18 Page 59." Dated and recorded Aug. 24, 1943 (Book 996 Pages 165-166). This took the west end of the School House Lot; the schoolhouse corner at Wyman Road stayed with the family. Title from: February 4, 1859 Warranty Deed: Jonathan Sanborn and Jonathan A. Sanborn of Billerica, yeomen, and Achsah D. Sanborn to John Knowles of Boston (18/51) (inheritance from John Knowles (probate docket 34225)) Title passed to: May 16, 1946 Quitclaim Deed: Mary A. Knowles of Billerica and John R. Bowman of Medford to Charles I. Little and Lucy M. Little of Billerica (1043/477) (the remainder after the 1943 sale) Related: September 27, 1895 Discharge of Mortgage: Ann B. Whitford, assignee of the 1859 Sanborn mortgage to Betsey J. Knowles of Billerica (268/58) (Betsey J. Knowles held the land; her heirs sold in 1943 and 1946)
May 16, 1946	Quitclaim Deed	Mary A. Knowles of Billerica and John R. Bowman of Medford	Charles I. Little and Lucy M. Little of Billerica	the School House Lot sold out of the Knowles family, 1946	1043/477
	"A part of a tract of land situate in said Billerica and lying on the Westerly side of Wyman Road, being the 'School House Lot and Orchard', so-called," beginning "at the intersection of Wyman Road and School Lane," bounded as in 1859, "being the second (2nd) parcel mentioned in deed of Jonathan Sanborn et al. to John Knowles, dated January 31, 1859" (Book 18 Page 51), less the 6.5 acres sold to Willis G. Lindsay in 1943 (Book 996 Page 165), leaving 25.5 acres. Subject to the 1946 taxes. Dated March 9, 1946; recorded May 16, 1946 (Book 1043 Pages 477-479). Title from: August 24, 1943 Quitclaim Deed: Grace L. Knowles and Mary A. Knowles of Billerica and John R. Bowman of Medford, heirs of John and Betsey Knowles and Annie L. Bowman to Willis G. Lindsay of Medford (996/165) (the remainder after the 1943 sale) Title passed to: October 3, 1946 Quitclaim Deed: Charles I. Little and Lucy M. Little of Billerica to Henry E. Fredrickson and Violet E. Fredrickson of Burlington (1054/170) (the Littles' title (Book 1043 Page 477))
October 3, 1946	Quitclaim Deed	Charles I. Little and Lucy M. Little of Billerica	Henry E. Fredrickson and Violet E. Fredrickson of Burlington	the "School House Lot and Orchard" bought by the 1950 donors, 1946	1054/170
	Four parcels in Billerica, among them "a part of a tract of land situate in said Billerica and lying on the Westerly side of Wyman [Road] being the 'School House Lot and Orchard', so-called," beginning "at the intersection of Wyman Road and School Lane," westerly by School Lane about 108 rods to Jeremiah Crosby, southerly by Crosby to land formerly of Joseph Blanchard, easterly by Blanchard to Wyman Road and northerly by the road; "being the second (2nd) parcel mentioned in deed of Jonathan Sanborn et al, to John Knowles, dated January 31, 1859" (Book 18 Page 51), less 6.5 acres south of School Lane sold by the Knowles heirs to Willis G. Lindsay in 1943 (Book 996 Page 165), leaving 25.5 acres. "Being the same premises conveyed to us by deed of Mary A. Knowles, and John R. Bowman, dated January 9, 1946" (Book 1043 Page 477). The other parcels were 50 acres by the road from Boston Road to the Middlesex Turnpike (title Book 552 Page 88 and Book 566 Page 182) and 80,680 square feet on the east side of Wyman Road. Dated Sept. 30, 1946; recorded Oct. 3, 1946 (Book 1054 Pages 170-172). The buyers gave the schoolhouse corner to the Billerica Historical Society in 1950. Title from: May 16, 1946 Quitclaim Deed: Mary A. Knowles of Billerica and John R. Bowman of Medford to Charles I. Little and Lucy M. Little of Billerica (1043/477) (the Littles' title (Book 1043 Page 477)) Title passed to: July 19, 1951 Quitclaim (conditional gift): Private owners of the surrounding land on Wyman Road (a married couple) to Billerica Historical Society (1173/27) (the donors' title to the schoolhouse corner)
July 19, 1951	Quitclaim (conditional gift)	Private owners of the surrounding land on Wyman Road (a married couple)	Billerica Historical Society	The schoolhouse lot given to the Billerica Historical Society on condition it keep the building	1173/27
	With no money consideration, "the land in said Billerica ... with the old School House thereon, located on the westerly side of Wyman Road near School Lane, and shown on a Plan of Land in Billerica, Mass., School House, 1791, Merrill A. Brown, Registered Land Surveyor, Carlisle, Mass., dated August 26, 1950," bounded easterly on Wyman Road 44 feet and southerly, westerly and northerly by the grantors' land 35, 44 and 35 feet, the grantors reserving a right of way on the south side of the lot. "The said grantee and its successors are to have and to hold said lot upon the condition following, to wit: that they shall keep and maintain the School building thereon, but that in the event of its destruction by fire or otherwise, then the premises shall revert to said grantors, their heirs and assigns." Dated Nov. 10, 1950; recorded July 19, 1951. The subdivision plan "Little Red Schoolhouse Manor" (September 1956, recorded Oct. 17, 1957, Plan Book 89 Plan 95) shows the "School House Lot, Billerica Historical Society" on Wyman Road at the corner of School Lane. Title from: October 3, 1946 Quitclaim Deed: Charles I. Little and Lucy M. Little of Billerica to Henry E. Fredrickson and Violet E. Fredrickson of Burlington (1054/170) (the donors' title to the schoolhouse corner) Title passed to: July 14, 1971 Confirmatory Quitclaim and Certificate of Vote: Billerica Historical Society, by Charles E. Stearns, president to The original donors of 1950 (private owners, not named) (1967/721) (reconveyance for breach of the 1950 condition)
July 14, 1971	Confirmatory Quitclaim and Certificate of Vote	Billerica Historical Society, by Charles E. Stearns, president	The original donors of 1950 (private owners, not named)	Society, having ceased to maintain the schoolhouse, reconveys the lot to the donors	1967/721
	Certificate of vote: at a special meeting of the Board of Directors on May 14, 1970 it was unanimously "VOTED that the Society, having ceased to maintain the Old schoolhouse on Wyman Road, confirm title in [the] original donors of the property, the condition in the deed to the Society having been broken," and the president, Charles E. Stearns, was directed to execute a quitclaim deed. Deed of June 2, 1971: the same lot "with the Old School House thereon," 44 by 35 feet on the westerly side of Wyman Road near School Lane as shown on the 1950 plan, "being the same premises conveyed to the grantor by the grantees by deed dated November 10, 1950 ... Book 1173 Page 27," "the purpose of this conveyance being to confirm title in the grantees on account of a breach of the condition contained in said deed." Recorded July 14, 1971 (Book 1967 Pages 721-722). The schoolhouse was gone by about 1971. The lot then passed with the adjoining house lot at 23 Wyman Road through private owners in 1971, 1972 and 1988 (Book 1967 Page 723, Book 2040 Page 408, Book 4766 Page 12), each deed repeating the 1950 description "with the Old School House thereon." Title from: July 19, 1951 Quitclaim (conditional gift): Private owners of the surrounding land on Wyman Road (a married couple) to Billerica Historical Society (1173/27) (reconveyance for breach of the 1950 condition)

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.

Little Red Schoolhouse

Little Red Schoolhouse

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