Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 12-14 Wilson St
Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 12-14 Wilson St
The double house at 12-14 Wilson Street in North Billerica stands on Lot 5 of the Talbot Mills "Plan A", a lot of 11,855 square feet running back 190 to 199 feet from the east side of Wilson Street. It is the southern of two matching tenements built on the old Mears Tavern land; its twin is Talbot Textile Mill Worker Housing at 8-10 Wilson St on Lot 4, and the two share their early history.
The land was part of the 27-acre farm the Middlesex Canal proprietors sold to tavern keeper Nathan Mears in 1819. After Mears died in 1828 his homestead was cut into lots, and in 1832 his guardians sold the tavern stand and adjoining land to Joel Dix, who in 1834 sold a third of the tavern lot to Daniel Wilson. When both estates were settled in 1863 and 1864 the tavern lot and the Dix homestead east of the passage way that became Wilson Street went to Anthony Jones, Lyman Haynes and Dudley Foster, the storekeepers of Jones & Foster Store. By 1883 the whole tract from Elm Street south to the Auty land belonged to Anthony Jones's widow, Judith Jones, and that year Foster's deed to her still described only the tavern building, the Dix house, two old "Red Houses" and a shoemaker's shop. The two double houses on Wilson Street appeared over the next few years (an 1887 engraving shows them, and the 1889 map marks the land "Mrs. J. Jones"), so this house dates from about 1884 to 1887 rather than 1880. Judith Jones left the property to her daughter Nellie M. Bemis, and on January 23, 1907 Frederick C. and Nellie M. Bemis sold the whole 64,793 square feet "formerly known as the Mears Tavern and Dix House" to The Talbot Mills.
The company rented the house to mill families for three decades and in 1926-36 had J. C. and W. T. Monahan survey its village into lots (Plan Book 60, Plan 25). When the mill sold off its housing, The Talbot Mills deeded Lot 5, "the land ... with the buildings thereon situated on the easterly side of Wilson Street," to Harold J. Lerer of Maynard on October 31, 1939, keeping its common sewer and requiring that the right of way from Elm Street through Lots 1, 3, 4 and 5 "shall be forever kept open." A week later the company sold Lot 4 next door to Helene R. Drozdowski, also of Maynard. Lerer sold Lot 5 to Raymond A. and Alice A. Drozdowski in October 1945, so the Drozdowski family held both houses.
On January 10, 1961 the Drozdowskis passed Lot 4 to younger members of the family and sold Lot 5 to Paul H. and Helen V. Engelhardt of Maynard (Helen being the 1939 buyer of Lot 4). The Engelhardts sold the house in 1971 for $16,000 to a private couple, and a 1982 transfer within that family brought it to its present owner. The assessor (parcel 9-131-0) now lists the building as a four-unit apartment house on 0.272 acres, Lot 5 of Plan A. It is part of the North Billerica Historic District listed on the National Register in 1983.
References
- MACRIS BIL.108
- Billerica assessor, 12-14 Wilson St (parcel 9-131-0): Lot 5, Plan A, Plan Book 60 Plan 25; four-unit apartment house on 0.272 acres
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| September 23, 1820 | Deed | Proprietors of the Middlesex Canal, by John L. Sullivan, agent | Nathan Mears of Billerica, yeoman | 1819: the canal proprietors sell Nathan Mears the 27-acre farm behind his tavern lot | 235/64 (South) |
For $813.18, "a certain tract of land ... containing by measure twenty seven acres and seventeen poles being a part of the Richardson farm," from the southeasterly corner at Concord River "north of the ford way," easterly by "the road leading to the Canal mills" to "land of the Proprietors laid out in small lots," then by the Proprietors' land and several short courses to the river "according to the annexed plat," and by the river to the beginning. Signed August 10, 1819; recorded September 23, 1820. Billerica town book 12, pages 172-173. This became the Mears homestead farm around the tavern lot.
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| June 24, 1828 | Administration | Estate of Nathan Mears of Billerica, yeoman | His minor children Edwin, Charles, Nathan, Lucy Ann and Elbert Mears; Marshall Preston, administrator | 1828 estate of Nathan Mears; the homestead was cut into lots in 1832 | Probate #14955 |
Nathan Mears died in June 1828 leaving "no widow, nor heirs of twenty one years of age"; at his children's request (and his own before his death) Marshall Preston of Billerica was appointed administrator at Framingham June 24, 1828, bond $30,000. The inventory lists the homestead of about 27 acres with three dwelling houses, the saw mill, "The Woolen Factory, occupied by Francis Faulkner & son", the forge, the old homestead of Thomas Mears, the Patten lot, and "The Zac. Shed Lot, 7 acres" at $210, with no buildings. Real estate $15,245.
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| January 12, 1836 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Joel Dix of Billerica, yeoman | 1832: guardians sell two fifths of the tavern stand and Mears land to Joel Dix | 349/237 (South) |
Licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court and sold at public vendue March 20, 1832, for $3,276.17, two undivided fifth parts of five tracts, first "a part of the homestead of said deceased, situate at the Canal Mills so called, containing three acres and fifty five & a half rods, with the Tavern house, one small house in the rear of said Tavern house, two barns and other out buildings thereon standing," from a corner "in the front yard between said Tavern house & said Dix's dwelling house," by Dix's land and the Garden lot to Concord River, by the river 20 rods to a board fence, and by the passage way on S. Livingston's plan of the homestead, Isaiah Bussey's house lot and "the side house lot" to the road: "lots numbered one & eleven on said plan." Also lot 9, the Patten lot, the Trull pasture and half the Sims place. Recorded January 12, 1836. Billerica town book 15, pages 223-226.
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| January 12, 1836 | Guardian's Deed | John Baldwin of Billerica, Esquire, guardian of Lucy Ann, Nathan and Elbert Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Joel Dix of Billerica, yeoman | 1832: the other three fifths to Joel Dix | 349/240 (South) |
At the same vendue of March 20, 1832, for $3,276.17, the other three undivided fifth parts of the same tracts, first "a part of the Homestead of said deceased situate at the Canal Mills so called containing three acres and fifty five & a half rods with the Tavern House one small house in the rear of said Tavern house, two barns and other out buildings thereon standing," bounded as in Stearns's deed. With that deed it gave Joel Dix the whole tavern stand. Acknowledged April 2, 1832; recorded January 12, 1836. Billerica town book 15, pages 226-230.
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| May 24, 1834 | Quitclaim | Joel Dix of Billerica, yeoman; Priscilla Dix, his wife, releasing dower | Daniel Wilson of Billerica, yeoman | 1834: Dix sells Daniel Wilson a third of the tavern lot east of the passage way | 331/519 (South) |
For $668, "one undivided third part of one acre and sixty four and a half rods of land more or less with the buildings thereon standing formerly known as the Mears Tavern stand situate in said Billerica at the Canal Mills so called," from the corner "in the front yard between said Tavern house and said Dix's dwelling house," by Dix's homestead lot and the garden lot to the passage way, by Isaiah Bussey's house lot and "the widow Anna Wood's house lot" to the highway: "lot numbered one on the plan taken by S. Livingston of the homestead of N. Mears deceased March 3d 1832." Signed March 26, 1834; recorded May 24, 1834. Billerica town book 13, pages 559-561.
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| 1859 | Guardianship and Administration | Joel Dix of Billerica, "an insane person"; his estate after his death in December 1860 | Horace N. Wilson of Billerica, guardian; Edwin A. Alger of Lowell, administrator | estate of Joel Dix (guardianship 1859, administration 1862) | Probate #30707 |
On his daughter Mary Dix's petition Joel Dix was found "an insane person" and Horace N. Wilson was appointed his guardian at Groton May 24, 1859. The inventory of June 7, 1859 lists about four acres "known as the Homestead" with buildings ($3,200), the "Tavern Stand," 4 acres ($3,667), and meadow and wood lots. The guardian's license of February 7, 1860 to sell for maintenance covered only meadow and wood lots. After Dix's death the administrator was licensed April 1, 1862 to sell real estate, including the two thirds of the tavern stand.
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| 1861 | Administration | Estate of Daniel Wilson of Billerica, who died November 29, 1861 intestate | Gardner Parker of Billerica, administrator; widow Mary Wilson and eight children | 1861 estate of Daniel Wilson | Probate #44864 |
Gardner Parker, husband of Wilson's daughter Adeline, petitioned December 11, 1861 that Daniel Wilson had died November 29, 1861 intestate, leaving his widow Mary and children Mary J. Wilkins, Adeline M. Parker, Horace N. Wilson, Daniel A. Wilson (at Rattlesnake Bar, California), Israel N. Wilson (a captain then serving in Virginia), Frances A. Faulkner and Charles H. Wilson; he was appointed administrator at Cambridge December 24, 1861. The license of April 7, 1863 led to the sale of Wilson's third of the Mears Tavern stand.
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| March 25, 1863 | Administrator's Deed | Edwin A. Alger of Lowell, administrator of Joel Dix late of Billerica | Anthony Jones, Lyman Haynes and Dudley Foster, all of Billerica | 1863: Dix administrator sells two thirds of the tavern lot to Jones, Haynes and Foster | 34/167 |
Licensed by the Probate Court April 1, 1862, and sold at public auction March 21, 1863, for $1,600: "two undivided third parts of one acre and sixty four and a half rods of land more or less, with the buildings thereon standing, formerly known as the Mears Tavern stand, situate in said Billerica at the Canal Mills," bounded from the front yard "between said Tavern house and said Dix dwelling house" by the late Joel Dix's homestead lot, the garden lot, the passage way, Isaiah Bussey's house lot and "the widow Anna Wood's house lot" to the highway: "lot numbered one on the plan taken by S. Livingston of the homestead of N. Mears, deceased, March 3d A.D. 1832," meaning the two thirds "which vested in Joel Dix at the time of his decease." Recorded March 25, 1863.
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| August 13, 1863 | Administrator's Deed | Gardner Parker of Billerica, administrator of Daniel Wilson late of Billerica | Dudley Foster, Lyman Haynes and Anthony Jones, all of Billerica | 1863: Wilson administrator sells the other third to the same three | 35/342 |
Licensed April 7, 1863 and sold at public auction July 13, 1863: all Wilson's interest "in and to one undivided third part of one acre and sixty four & one half rods of land more or less, with the buildings thereon standing, formerly known as the Mears Tavern stand, situate in said Billerica at the Canal Mills," bounded from the front yard "between said Tavern House and the dwelling house now or formerly of Joel Dix," "being lot number one on plan taken by S. Livingston of the homestead of N. Mears deceased March 3 1832 and being the same premises conveyed to said Daniel Wilson by Joel Dix by deed dated March 26, 1834 ... Book 331 Page 519." With the Dix administrator's deed of March 1863 this gave the three buyers the whole tavern. Signed July 13, 1863; recorded August 13, 1863.
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| August 13, 1863 | Release of Dower | Mary Wilson of Billerica, widow of Daniel Wilson | Dudley Foster, Lyman Haynes and Anthony Jones | 1863 release of dower by the widow Mary Wilson | 35/344 |
For a small sum the widow released "all my right, title and interest in and to the premises described in the within deed, and all right, title and claim of or to dower in the same," the third of the Mears Tavern stand sold by her husband's administrator. Signed July 13, 1863; recorded August 13, 1863.
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| May 4, 1864 | Executor's Deed | Dudley Foster of Billerica, executor of the will of Mary Dix, daughter of Joel Dix | Anthony Jones of Billerica | 1864: the Dix homestead (east of the passage way) sold to Anthony Jones | 37/584 |
Licensed by the Probate Court at Lowell April 5, 1864 and sold at public auction April 30, 1864, for $200: "all the right title and interest that Mary Dix late of said Billerica, deceased, had at her decease as heir at law in and to ... the homestead of Joel Dix late of Billerica, deceased, situate in North Billerica, containing about three acres more or less," from the road at land of Lyman Haynes and others (the tavern lot), south about fifteen rods, west to a passage way, south on it, east to Concord River, north along the river at low water mark to C. P. Talbot & Co., and by Talbot's land back to the road. Recorded May 4, 1864 (index date). Joel Dix's homestead had descended to his heirs in shares; this was the first share Anthony Jones acquired.
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| December 4, 1869 | Warranty Deed | Caroline Haynes, widow, and the children of Lyman Haynes (Tilly, Theodore L., Cyrus H., Charles R., William H. and John Haynes, and Carrie H. Jenkins), all of Springfield | Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster, both of Billerica | 1869: Haynes heirs sell their third of the 4 acres to Jones and Foster | 71/90 |
For $3,300, "an undivided third part of a certain parcel of land situate in that part of said Billerica called North Billerica containing four acres more or less with a new store & dwelling house & barn, two red houses, Mears Tavern house & hall, Dix House and barn and other buildings thereon," from the road from North Billerica to Lowell at land of Wilson, by Wilson and C. P. Talbot & Co. to the passage way, by land formerly of Wilson & Gannon to Concord River, and by Talbot land and "the common land" back to the road, reserving the passage way. Also a third of the Rogers farm and of 52 acres bought of Calvin Rogers in 1858 (Book 17, Page 435). Signed November 22, 1869; recorded December 4, 1869. Lyman Haynes had died in 1869; this put his third of the tavern in Jones and Foster.
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| July 11, 1870 | Quitclaim | Adaline Haynes of Springfield, heir of Lyman Haynes | Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster, both of Billerica | 1870 quitclaim of the last Haynes heir | 74/354 |
For $1, all her right in "the lands and tenements described in a certain deed of Caroline Haynes and others to said Jones and Foster dated November 22d 1869 and Recorded with Middlesex North District Deeds Book 71 Page 90," the Haynes third of the four acres with the Mears Tavern house and hall. Signed June 13, 1870; recorded July 11, 1870. The one Haynes heir who had not signed the 1869 deed.
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| June 3, 1881 | Warranty Deed | Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster, both of Billerica (with Judith Jones and Louisa P. Foster releasing dower and homestead) | Elizabeth Auty of Billerica, widow | 1881: the Auty lot (later Louis J. Perry) is the southern abutter of Lot 5 | 145/577 |
"In consideration of Seven hundred dollars" (reading uncertain) paid by Elizabeth Auty, widow, warranty of "a certain tract of land situate on Wilson St. North Billerica": beginning at land of Elizabeth Mahoney on Wilson Street, easterly by Mahoney's land to a bound at Concord River, northerly on the river seven rods to a bound at other land of Jones and Foster, westerly by land of Jones and Foster about twenty rods to a bound on Wilson Street, and southerly on Wilson Street seven rods to the beginning. No buildings are named. Judith Jones, wife of Anthony, and Louisa P. Foster, wife of Dudley, release dower and homestead. Dated May 27, 1881 (witness Lizzie R. Jones), acknowledged the same day before Albert D. Stanton JP; recorded June 3, 1881 at 12:15 PM (margin "Jones & Foster to Auty"). The land was part of the old Mears tavern and Dix homestead land that Jones and Foster had bought in 1863-1870.
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| August 4, 1883 | Quitclaim | Dudley Foster of Billerica, unmarried | Judith Jones of Billerica, widow of Anthony Jones | 1883: Dudley Foster sells his half of the land east of Wilson St to Judith Jones | 161/543 |
For $4,500, "an undivided half of the following described premises, situated in that part of Billerica called North Billerica": from Wilson Street at land of Mrs. Auty east to Concord River, north on the river to C. P. Talbot & Co., by Talbot's land "to the Common land on Elm street," west on Elm Street to Wilson Street and south to the beginning, "with all the buildings thereon, comprising the 'Mears Tavern building' 'The Dix House' and what was formerly the two 'Red Houses' and a shoemaker's shop. Being the same premises belonging to Anthony Jones and Dudley Foster." Signed August 1, 1883 (witness F. C. Bemis); recorded August 4, 1883. One of several deeds of 1883-1891 dividing the Jones and Foster partnership lands; with Anthony Jones's half, which came to his widow, it made Judith Jones sole owner.
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| February 12, 1904 | Mortgage | Frederick C. Bemis and Nellie M. Bemis (in her own right), of Billerica | Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank | 1904 mortgage by Nellie M. Bemis, reciting her mother Judith Jones's will (proved July 3, 1894) | 363/40 |
Mortgage for $7,000 on the Mears Tavern block and Dix House at North Billerica and on "another certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated near the centre of said Billerica on the road leading to Bedford," bounded by W. B. Stearns, land formerly of David Parker and the heirs of William P. P. Pollard, "being the same premises conveyed to said Judith Jones by said Dudley Foster by deed dated August 5, 1884." "The title of said Nellie M. Bemis to both of the above described parcels is derived under the will of said Judith Jones which was duly proved and allowed by said Probate Court on the third day of July A.D. 1894." Discharged Book 399 Page 597.
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| 1906 | Mortgage | Frederick C. Bemis and Nellie M. Bemis (in her own right), of Billerica | Henry A. Jones of Pelham, New Hampshire | 1906 mortgage of the "Mears Tavern Block" lot, reciting the Jones title | 386/409 |
Mortgage for $5,200 on 25 lots in Billerica. "The Third Lot, with the buildings thereon situated near that part of said Billerica known as Billerica Centre, on the road leading to Bedford," bounded by W. B. Stearns, land formerly of David Parker and land formerly of William P. P. Pollard, "being the same premises conveyed to said Judith Jones by said Dudley Foster by deed dated August 5, 1884," subject to the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank mortgage of 1904. Signed Jan. 16, 1906; partial release Book 398 Page 435, discharged Book 405 Page 315.
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| February 7, 1907 | Quitclaim | Frederick C. Bemis and Nellie M. Bemis, his wife, of Billerica | The Talbot Mills, a corporation at Billerica | 1907: Frederick C. and Nellie M. Bemis sell the land east of Wilson St to The Talbot Mills | 399/598 |
For $1 and other consideration, "a certain lot of land with the buildings thereon (formerly known as the Mears Tavern and Dix House) situated in said Billerica in that part thereof known as North Billerica, containing sixty four thousand seven hundred and ninety three square feet," from the intersection of Elm and Wilson Streets south on Wilson Street, east by the Perry land 301.7 feet to Concord River, north on the river, and back by the grantee's wall and land "opposite the storehouse of said grantee" to the beginning, with the grantors' interest in the strip toward Elm Street "commonly known and described as the Common land." Shown on a "Plan of Bemis Property, North Billerica, Mass. Jan. 11, 1907." "The title of the said Nellie M. Bemis is derived under the will of her mother Judith Jones deceased." Signed in Kent County, Michigan, January 23, 1907; recorded February 1907 (date taken from the discharge recorded just before it). Henry A. Jones discharged Nellie Bemis's two mortgages (Book 386, Pages 409 and 424) the same week.
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| October 31, 1939 | Quitclaim | The Talbot Mills, a body corporate at Billerica, by Thomas T. Clark, treasurer | Harold J. Lerer of Maynard | 1939: The Talbot Mills sells Lot 5 (the double house) to Harold J. Lerer of Maynard | 936/136 |
For consideration paid ($1.50 in revenue stamps, cancelled "T. M. T. T. C. 10/31/39"), with quitclaim covenants, "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon situated on the easterly side of Wilson Street": westerly by Wilson Street 59.95 feet, northerly by Lot 4 190.02 feet, easterly by other land of the grantor 62.02 feet, southerly by land now or formerly of Louis J. Perry 198.83 feet, 11,855 square feet, "being Lot 5 on Plan 'A'" of the "Plan of a Portion of Property belonging to The Talbot Mills, North Billerica, Mass. showing division into Lots," surveyed 1926-27-36 by J. C. and W. T. Monahan (Plan Book 60 Plan 25). "Being a part of the premises conveyed to said Talbot Mills by Frederick C. Bemis and Nellie M. Bemis by deed dated January 23, 1907" (Book 399 Page 598), with the easement that the right of way from Elm Street "through lots 1, 3, 4 and 5 on said plan shall be forever kept open" for the abutters, and the company reserving its common sewer and the right to enter to repair it. Signed and acknowledged at Billerica October 31, 1939 (Richard H. Lanigan, notary); recorded October 31, 1939 at 12:01 PM; deed pages 136-137 (margin "654 Talbot Mills Billerica to Lerer").
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| December 24, 1945 | Quitclaim | Harold J. Lerer of Maynard, unmarried | Raymond A. Droszdowski and Alice A. Droszdowski of Maynard, husband and wife, tenants by the entirety | 1945: Lerer sells Lot 5 to Raymond A. and Alice A. Drozdowski, owners of Lot 4 next door | 1035/85 |
For consideration paid ($2.75 in revenue stamps, cancelled "H.J.L. 11-24-45"), with quitclaim covenants, "the land in Billerica, Massachusetts, with the buildings thereon situated on the easterly side of Wilson Street": westerly by Wilson Street 59.95 feet, northerly by Lot 4 190.02 feet, easterly by land of The Talbot Mills 62.02 feet, southerly by land now or formerly of Louis J. Perry 198.83 feet, 11,855 square feet, Lot 5 on Plan "A" (Plan Book 60 Plan 25). "Being the same premises conveyed to me by The Talbot Mills by deed dated October 31, 1939 and recorded ... Book 936, Page 136", with the benefit of and subject to the easements of that deed. Signed October 15, 1945 (Charles M. Lerer, notary); recorded December 24, 1945 at 8:30 AM; pages 85-86 (margin "564 Lerer to Droszdowski"). The Drozdowskis already held Lot 4 next door (from Helen V. Engelhardt, formerly Drozdowski, Book 1021 Page 41).
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| January 26, 1961 | Quitclaim | Raymond A. Drozdowski (sometimes Droszdowski) and Alice A. Drozdowski of Maynard, husband and wife, tenants by the entirety | Paul H. Engelhardt and Helen V. Engelhardt of Maynard, husband and wife, tenants by the entirety | 1961: the Drozdowskis sell Lot 5 to Paul H. and Helen V. Engelhardt; sold 1971 to private owners | 1503/445 |
Dated January 10, 1961 and recorded January 26, 1961 at 3:32 PM (#1044), the deed running from the foot of page 445 to page 446. For consideration paid, with quitclaim covenants, "the land in Billerica, Massachusetts, with the buildings thereon situated on the Easterly side of Wilson Street", Lot 5 on Plan "A" (Plan Book 60 Plan 25): westerly by Wilson Street 59.95 feet, northerly by Lot 4 190.02 feet, easterly by The Talbot Mills 62.02 feet, southerly by land now or formerly of Louis J. Perry 198.83 feet, 11,855 square feet; title from Harold J. Lerer by deed of October 15, 1945 (Book 1035 Page 85). The same day the Drozdowskis deeded Lot 4 (8-10 Wilson St) to younger members of the family. The Engelhardts sold Lot 5 on July 1, 1971 for $16,000 to private owners ("Being the same premises conveyed to said grantors by deed of Raymond A. Drozdowski, et al, dated January 10, 1961 ... Book 1503, Page 445", Book 1966 Page 383), and a 1982 family transfer (Book 2540 Page 473, reciting the 1971 deed) brought the house to its present owner. The assessor (parcel 9-131-0) lists a four-unit apartment house on 0.272 acres, "PL 60-25 LOT 5 PLAN A", with no later sale.
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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.