Barker House
Barker House
| Address | 25 Salem Rd |
| MACRIS ID | BIL.292 |
| Built | 1801 |
| Moved | 1848 |
| New Address | 44 High St |
The Barker House began as a store at the Corner, where the road from Chelmsford to Boston crossed the road to the Concord River bridge, opposite Thomas Richardson's tavern (the Tavern at the Corner). It was moved about 1848 to the road to the Canal Mills in North Billerica, now 44 High Street, and has been a house there ever since. It takes its name from George H. Barker, whose name is on the house on the 1853 map.
In 1797 Henry Newman of Boston sold Stephen Barrett and Ephraim Kidder Jr. one acre "at a corner nearly opposite to Richardson's Tavern". When Kidder quitclaimed his half to Barrett in February 1800 there were already "buildings standing thereon". Barrett, a trader, sold small lots off the front of the acre. One was a 12 by 16 foot piece that Nicholas Farwell resold in 1802 "with a building standing thereon". In 1806 Barrett deeded the acre "with the buildings thereon" to his sons Stephen Jr. and John. The younger Stephen, also a trader, died in 1812; his inventory lists "the house lot ... with the Buildings thereon" along with a hogshead of molasses, empty hogsheads and barrels, and other store goods. His administrator sold the acre at auction in 1813 to Joseph L. Low. Low's 1814 mortgage is the first record to name the building: "a dwelling house, barn, and store standing thereon". Low sold to Moses Griffin, a cabinet maker, in 1815, and Griffin sold to Timothy Davis Jr., a trader from Chelmsford, on May 7, 1818. Davis's 1825 mortgage again names the "dwelling house barn and store". This was the "Tim Davis store" of local memory. Davis died in 1840 and left everything to his sons George Gilman and Edwin Lawrence Davis. In 1848 George bought his younger brother's half at the guardian's sale, and on November 14, 1848 he sold the homestead to Ebenezer Cowdrey. (The Corner house itself is described under the Stephen Barrett House.)
No deed records the move. Charles H. Kohlrausch Jr. wrote in 1903 of "the John Shea place, just opposite, then called the Tim Davis store and moved from the Corner Bridge". The Billerica Historical Commission dated the move to about 1848, the year Cowdrey bought the Corner. Its new site was land that Zaccheus Shed had sold to Nathan Mears in 1817: "seven acres ... by the road leading to the Canal mills", 58 poles deep to William Pollard's wall. When Mears died in 1828 his inventory listed "The Zac. Shed Lot, 7 acres" with no buildings. In 1832 the guardians of his five minor children sold it to Daniel Wilson, who sold it in 1842 to Sidney S. Russell. Russell built the first house there: his mortgage to Wilson also secured "lumber advanced ... to build a house and barn upon said premises". In 1845 he added 18 acres behind it, bought from Owen Murphy.
The 27-acre place, "with all the buildings thereon", then changed hands often. Russell sold it in 1849 to Joel Banfill, who sold it in 1850 to John Chamberlain of Lowell. In April 1853 Chamberlain sold it to George H. Barker of Onondaga, New York, and Barker and his wife Eliza sold it in 1858 to Joshua Buffum. Buffum sold it in 1865 to Samuel Lees (the "S. Lees" of the 1875 map). Lees's widow Columbia and son John M. Lees sold it in 1877 to John and Catharine Riley of Nashua, and John Riley sold it in 1888 to John Shea and his wife Ellen (the "Shea" of the 1889 map). Ellen Shea inherited it under her husband's will, probated in 1909. In 1923 John T. Brown surveyed it for "Mrs. E. Shea" as 4.52 acres between High Street, Rogers Street and the Lexington Branch railroad, with an L-shaped house near the bend of High Street. She sold it in 1925 to James F. and Martha Delmege, who sold it the same year to Peter and Sarah G. Reid. Peter Reid, by then a widower living in Quebec, sold it in 1943 to Homer and Anna M. Emery.
In 1962 Anna M. Emery, widowed, sold the remaining 4.02 acres to Suburban Builders Realty Trust. The trust divided the land into six house lots, and the old house fell on Lot 2, 34,500 square feet facing High Street. The trust sold Lot 2 "with the buildings thereon" that November, and it has been privately owned since. In 1981, when the house was recorded for the state inventory, it had aluminum siding, a brick foundation, glass beside the front door and a portico with gingerbread trim.
The deeds differ from the MACRIS inventory form in some details. The Davis son who sold in 1848 was George Gilman Davis (MACRIS gives "George L."), and the deed is in town book 20, page 183, not 12/393. When the store arrived, the lot already had Russell's 1842 house and barn on it.
References
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 26, 1792 | Deed | Asa Spaulding of Billerica, gentleman (wife Anna releasing dower; dower of Julia, wife of his son Asa, reserved) | Henry Newman of Boston, merchant | 1792 Asa Spaulding sells Henry Newman the land at the Corner from which the store acre was cut | 108/382 (South) |
For 263 pounds, two "Lots or Tracts of Land and Buildings thereon standing ... both lying on the Westerly side of the Road leading to Chelmsford": the six-acre house lot or homestead between the road and Concord River (William Patten north, Edward Farmer south) "with all the Buildings thereon," and "one other peice nine acres bounded Easterly and Northerly on the above described Road till it comes to the Watering place or common land at said River near the said Bridge," then by the river and a line of marked oaks back to the road. Signed Jan. 10, 1792, recorded Oct. 26, 1792. Billerica town book 8, pages 330-332. The corner acre Newman sold in 1797 was cut from the nine-acre piece; MACRIS calls the seller Asa Spaulding Jr.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| March 7, 1797 | Deed | Henry Newman of Boston, Esquire (wife Deborah releasing dower) | Stephen Barrett and Ephraim Kidder Jr., both of Billerica, gentlemen | 1797 Henry Newman sells the corner acre opposite Richardson's tavern to Stephen Barrett and Ephraim Kidder Jr. | 123/509 (South) |
For $250, "a certain piece of Land situated in Billerica aforesaid containing one acre be the same more or less", beginning "at a corner nearly opposite to Richardson's Tavern so called," south on "the great road leading from Chelmsford to Boston" 12 1/2 rods, then west, north and east by Newman's own land 12 1/2 rods each, back to the corner by the road. Warranty; no buildings named and no title recital. Signed and acknowledged at Boston Feb. 1, 1797, recorded March 7, 1797. Billerica town book 9, pages 277-278. This is the house lot at the corner of Pollard Street and Salem Road; MACRIS dates the sale 1799.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| March 9, 1797 | Release | Margaret Newman of Boston, widow | Henry Newman of Boston, Esquire | 1797 Margaret Newman releases the acre from her mortgage | 125/24 (South) |
Reciting that Henry Newman had conveyed the land "in fee and in mortgage" to her, Margaret Newman for five shillings released to him "a certain tract of land in Billerica ... in which is contained one acre of Land more or less," beginning "at a corner nearly opposite to Richardson's tavern so called" and running 12 1/2 rods on each side along the great road from Chelmsford to Boston and Henry's own land, so that he could give clear title to Barrett and Kidder. Signed and recorded March 9, 1797; witness Ephraim Kidder Jr. Billerica town book 9, pages 296-297.
Title from:
|
|||||
| December 18, 1797 | Heirs Quitclaim | John Shed of Hollis, N.H., yeoman; Oliver Richardson and Elizabeth Richardson; Timothy Davis and Martha Davis; John Rogers and Rhoda Rogers, all of Billerica (heirs of John Shed) | Zaccheus Shed of Billerica, yeoman, their brother | 1797 John Shed's heirs quitclaim all their father's lands to [[Zaccheus Shed]], later owner of the 7-acre lot on the road to the Canal Mills | 127/152 (South) |
Dated and acknowledged Dec. 5, 1797, recorded Dec. 18, 1797. For $200, and because Zaccheus had quitclaimed to them "the indoor moveables, two cows & thirty four pounds sixteen shillings & ten pence in notes" of the personal estate, his brother and sisters release to him "the whole of the lands & buildings that our honoured Father John Shed late of said Billerica Gentleman deceased died seized & possessed of." There was no probate of the elder John Sheds estate; this family settlement is how the homestead passed to Zaccheus. Witnesses Lucy Sheed and Isaac Stearns. Billerica town book 9, pages 331-332.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| June 17, 1800 | Quitclaim | Ephraim Kidder Jr. of Billerica, gentleman (wife Abigail releasing dower) | Stephen Barrett of Billerica, gentleman | 1800 Kidder quitclaims his half "and the buildings standing thereon" to Barrett: the first record of buildings | 137/51 (South) |
For $500, quitclaim of "all my right title and interest in and to the following tracts and pieces of land and to the buildings standing thereon": the acre "beginning at the corner nearly opposite Richardson's tavern so called," south on the Boston road 12 1/2 rods, west and north on Henry Newman's land 12 1/2 rods each "to a stake and stones in the stone wall on the road leading from Chelmsford to Boston"; twelve acres on the west side of Concord River by Joseph Dows and Edward Pollard; and his right in "the pew No. forty nine on the floor in Billerica meeting house." Signed Feb. 8, 1800, recorded June 17, 1800. Billerica town book 10, pages 3-4. The first record of buildings on the corner acre.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| July 31, 1802 | Deed | Stephen Barrett of Billerica, trader (Lucy Barrett also signing) | Nicholas Farwell of Billerica, cordwainer | 1801 Barrett sells a 12 x 16 foot shop lot at the front of the acre to Nicholas Farwell | 146/291 (South) |
For $18, "a certain piece of land lying opposite Thomas Richardson's Tavern in Billerica", 12 feet by 16 feet, beginning at the northwest corner on the road by Silas Cragin's land, south by Cragin "to my own land," then east and north by Barrett's own land back to the road. Signed May 19, 1801, acknowledged Feb. 23, 1802, recorded July 31, 1802. Billerica town book 10, page 140. A shop lot cut from the front of the acre.
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| July 31, 1802 | Deed | Nicholas Farwell of Billerica, cordwainer | Samuel Parker of Billerica, gentleman | 1802 Farwell sells the shop lot "with a building standing thereon" to Samuel Parker | 146/292 (South) |
For $200, the same 12 by 16 foot piece "with a building standing thereon scituate nearly opposite Lt. Thos. Richardson's Tavern," bounded west by Silas Cragin, on the other sides by "land belonging to Stephen Barrett," and north on the highway. Signed July 21, 1802, recorded July 31, 1802. Billerica town book 10, page 141. The shop on the corner of Barrett's acre.
Title from:
|
|||||
| February 7, 1807 | Mortgage | Stephen Barrett Jr., trader, and John Barrett, labourer, both of Billerica | Stephen Barrett of Billerica, gentleman (their father) | 1806 the sons mortgage the acre back to their father | 171/403 (South) |
For $2,000, mortgage of "two certain tracts of land situate in said Billerica one of them opposite Thomas Richardson tavern containing one acre more or less with the buildings thereon," the other on the east side of the road from Benjamin Davis's to the meeting house, both bounded as in the warranty deed from their father "which warranty deed bears even date with these Presents"; void on payment of $1,453.62 in instalments over six years. Signed Nov. 22, 1806, recorded Feb. 7, 1807. Billerica town book 10, pages 417-419.
Title from:
|
|||||
| May 25, 1811 | Warranty Deed | Stephen Barrett of Billerica, gentleman | His sons Stephen Barrett Jr. of Billerica, trader, and John Barrett of Billerica, labourer | 1806 Stephen Barrett deeds the acre "with the buildings thereon" to his sons | 193/492 (South) |
For $2,333.33, "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica, opposite Lt. Thomas Richardson's tavern house, containing one acre, more or less with the buildings thereon": from the corner opposite Richardson's house south on the great road to Boston 12 1/2 rods to Samuel Parker, west by Parker 12 1/2 rods, north by Parker and Jonathan M. Dexter to "land I formerly deeded to Samuel Russ," then around the Russ, Silas Craggin and Nicholas Farwell lots ("about sixteen feet as the building now stands") to the great road; and five acres on the east side of the road from Benjamin Davis's to the meeting house. Signed Nov. 22, 1806, recorded May 25, 1811. Billerica town book 10, pages 595-596. The sons gave back a $2,000 mortgage the same day (Book 171, Page 403).
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 25, 1811 | Quitclaim | John Barrett of Billerica, yeoman | His brother Stephen Barrett Jr. of Billerica, trader | 1807 John Barrett quitclaims his half to his brother Stephen Barrett Jr., trader | 193/493 (South) |
For $1,166.66, quitclaim of all his right in the acre "opposite Lieut. Thomas Richardson's tavern house, containing one acre, more or less, with the buildings thereon," with the same bounds as the 1806 deed (Parker, Dexter, the Russ, Craggin and Farwell lots), and in the five acres on the road from Benjamin Davis's to the meeting house. Signed April 20, 1807, recorded May 1811. Billerica town book 10, pages 596-598. Stephen Barrett Jr. now held the house alone.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| September 26, 1812 | Administration | Estate of Stephen Barrett of Billerica, gentleman (died Sept. 22, 1812) | Widow Christiana G. Barrett and two children; Josiah Batchelder, administrator | 1812 inventory of the trader Stephen Barrett: the house lot "with the Buildings thereon" and store goods | Probate #1268 |
Stephen Barrett, the trader of 1799-1812, died intestate Sept. 22, 1812, leaving his widow Christiana G. Barrett and two children under fourteen. At her request Josiah Batchelder of Billerica, physician, was appointed administrator at Groton Sept. 26, 1812 (bond $30,000, sureties Joseph Dows and Josiah B. Richardson). The inventory by Josiah Crosby Jr., Joseph Dows and Josiah B. Richardson valued "The house lot containing about one acre of land situate in said Billerica with the Buildings thereon" at $1,800, the Richardson lot of 9 1/2 acres at $250 and the Fox Hill lot of five acres at $60, with household goods, two uniform coats and store stock such as a hogshead of molasses and empty hogsheads and barrels.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| January 23, 1812 | Mortgage | Stephen Barrett of Billerica, gentleman (formerly Jr.; wife Christiana G. Barrett releasing dower) | Benjamin Bowland of Billerica, gentleman | 1812 Stephen Barrett (the trader) mortgages the acre to Benjamin Bowland | 196/475 (South) |
For $300, mortgage of the acre "opposite Lt. Thomas Richardson's tavern house, containing one acre more or less with the buildings thereon," bounded as in 1806 (Samuel Parker, Jonathan M. Dexter, the Russ, Craggin and Farwell lots "as the buildings now stand"), and of the five-acre Needham field tract; void on payment of $300 by Jan. 21, 1813. Signed Jan. 21, 1812, recorded Jan. 23, 1812. Billerica town book 11, pages 162-163, with a later discharge. The Bowland mortgage was still on the house in 1815 and 1818.
Title from:
|
|||||
| April 18, 1814 | Administrator's Deed | Josiah Batchelder of Billerica, physician, administrator of Stephen Barrett | Joseph L. Low of Billerica, yeoman | 1813 administrator's sale of the acre "with all the buildings standing thereon" to Joseph L. Low | 208/468 (South) |
Licensed by the Circuit Court of Common Pleas to raise $2,014.41 for debts, Batchelder sold at public vendue Oct. 8, 1813, for $461, "about one acre of land more or less, with all the buildings standing thereon, situate near Thomas Richardson's tavern in said Billerica under the incumbrance of one mortgage to Steven Barrett late of said Billerica, father of the said Admr's intestate, and one mortgage to Benja. Bowland," bounded as in the 1806 deed, with the five acres on the road to Benjamin Davis's; the mortgages then amounted to $952.22. Signed March 28, 1814, acknowledged April 16, recorded April 18, 1814. Billerica town book 11, pages 374-376. MACRIS reads the buyer as Joseph Dow; the deed and index say Joseph L. Low.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| April 18, 1814 | Mortgage | Joseph L. Low of Billerica, yeoman (wife Sally releasing dower) | Oliver Pollard of Bedford, yeoman | 1814 Low's mortgage names "a dwelling house, barn, and store standing thereon": the first mention of the store | 208/470 (South) |
For $720, mortgage of the acre "near to Thomas Richardson's tavern; containing one acre more or less, with a dwelling house, barn, and store standing thereon," and the five acres on the road from the meeting house to Benjamin Davis's, both as in the 1806 Barrett deed (Book 193, Page 492); void on payment in one year. Signed April 16, 1814, recorded April 18, 1814. Discharged by Pollard Feb. 22, 1825. Billerica town book 11, pages 376-377. The first record naming the house, barn and store.
Title from:
|
|||||
| June 26, 1815 | Warranty Deed | Joseph L. Low of Billerica, yeoman (wife Sally releasing dower) | Moses Griffin of Wilmington, cabinet maker | 1815 Low sells the acre and buildings to Moses Griffin, cabinet maker | 210/453 (South) |
For $750, "about one acre of land with all the buildings thereon standing situate in said Billerica near Thomas Richardson's tavern, under the incumbrance of one mortgage to Benjamin Bowland for the principal sum of three hundred dollars and one other mortgage to Oliver Pollard for the sum of seven hundred and twenty dollars, bounded and described as in the deed of Stephen Barrett to Stephen Barrett junr and John Barrett dated the 22d day of November A.D. 1806 ... Book 193 page 492." Signed April 3, 1815, recorded June 26, 1815. Billerica town book 11, pages 382-383.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| June 26, 1815 | Quitclaim | Moses Griffin of Wilmington, cabinet maker (wife Hannah releasing dower) | Charles Winchester of Wilmington, cabinet maker | 1815 Griffin sells half to Charles Winchester | 210/453 (South) |
For $375, quitclaim of "one undivided half of a certain tract or parcel of land situate in Billerica containing about one acre, more or less, with all the buildings thereon standing it being the same which I have this day purchased of Joseph L. Low as described in his deed of this date." Signed April 3, 1815, recorded June 26, 1815, on the same registry page as Low's deed. Billerica town book 11, pages 383-384. The two cabinet makers took the house as partners.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| 1816 | Quitclaim | Charles Winchester of Billerica, cabinet maker | Moses Griffin of Billerica, cabinet maker | 1816 Winchester quitclaims the half back to Griffin | 216/432 (South) |
For $885, quitclaim of "the one undivided half of a certain tract of land, situate in said Billerica, opposite Lt. Thomas Richardson's tavern house, containing one acre, more or less, with one undivided half of all the buildings thereon," bounded as in the 1806 deed (Samuel Parker, Jonathan M. Dexter, the Russ, Craggin and Farwell lots "as the buildings now stand"). Signed June 3, 1816. Billerica town book 13, pages 16-18.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| August 20, 1817 | Warranty Deed | Zaccheus Shed of Billerica, yeoman (wife Miriam releasing dower) | Nathan Mears of Billerica, yeoman | 1817 Zaccheus Shed sells the 7-acre lot on the road to the Canal Mills (now High and Rogers Streets) to Nathan Mears | 222/119 (South) |
For $350, "a certain lot of land containing seven acres be the same more or less situate in the northerly part of said Billerica by the road leading to the Canal mills", beginning at the northeasterly corner at said road, westerly by land of the heirs of Thomas Mears 58 poles to land of William Pollard, southerly by Pollard's land "as the wall now stands" to the road, easterly 54 poles by the road to the corner, and northerly by the road 19 poles to the beginning. Warranty; no buildings named and no title recital. Signed Feb. 7, 1817, recorded Aug. 20, 1817. Billerica town book 12, pages 25-26. This is the lot at the corner of High and Rogers Streets, North Billerica, where the Barker House stands.
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| May 12, 1818 | Warranty Deed | Moses Griffin of Billerica, cabinet maker (wife Hannah releasing dower) | Timothy Davis Jr. of Chelmsford, trader | 1818 Griffin sells the acre and buildings to Timothy Davis Jr., trader: the "Tim Davis store" | 224/519 (South) |
For $2,000, "about one acre of land with all the buildings thereon standing situate in said Billerica near Thomas Richardson's tavern under the incumbrance of one mortgage to Benjamin Bowland for the principal sum of three hundred dollars, and one other mortgage to Oliver Pollard for the principal sum of seven hundred and twenty dollars," bounded and described as in the 1806 Barrett deed, Book 193, Page 492. Signed May 7, 1818, recorded May 12, 1818. Billerica town book 12, pages 68-69.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| 1825 | Mortgage | Timothy Davis Jr. of Billerica, gentleman (wife Susan S. Davis releasing dower) | Samuel Whiting of Billerica, Esquire | 1825 Davis mortgage again names the "dwelling house barn and store" | 259/217 (South) |
For $500, mortgage of "a certain tract of land situate in said Billerica at the corner near Thomas Richardson's tavern containing one acre more or less with a dwelling house barn and store standing thereon which tract is particularly described in the deed of Stephen Barrett to Stephen Barrett Jr and John Barrett dated the twenty second day of November 1806 ... Book 193 Page 492"; void on payment of $500 in one year. Signed Feb. 22, 1825, three days after Oliver Pollard discharged the 1814 mortgage. Billerica town book 13, pages 319-320.
Title from:
|
|||||
| 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 Nathan Mears's inventory: "The Zac. Shed Lot, 7 acres", still bare land | 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.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| April 21, 1832 | Guardian's Deed | John Baldwin of Billerica, Esq., guardian of Lucy Ann, Nathan and Elbert Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Daniel Wilson of Billerica | 1832 guardian's sale of three fifths of the Z. Shed lot to Daniel Wilson | 313/22 (South) |
Licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court, sold at public vendue on the premises March 20, 1832, for $1,428.06, three undivided fifth parts of part of the Mears homestead farm (11 acres 25 1/2 rods, lots 3-5 on S. Livingston's plan) and of "the Z. Shed Lot so called, containing six acres and one hundred and forty three rods", from the northeasterly corner at the road from the "old Mears place" to William Rogers', westerly by the widow Lydia Mears's dower land 58 rods 15 links to William Pollard, southerly by Pollard to the road "leading from the corner so called, to said old Mears place," northeasterly by that road to the corner of the roads about 54 rods, and northerly by the road about 19 poles. Signed March 20, 1832, recorded April 21, 1832. Billerica town book 16, pages 93-95.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| April 21, 1832 | Guardian's Deed | Nathaniel Stearns of Billerica, yeoman, guardian of Edwin and Charles Mears, minor children of Nathan Mears | Daniel Wilson of Billerica, yeoman | 1832 guardian's sale of the other two fifths of the Z. Shed lot to Daniel Wilson | 313/24 (South) |
Licensed by the Supreme Judicial Court, sold at public vendue on the premises March 20, 1832, two undivided fifth parts of the same two tracts: the 11 acres 25 1/2 rods of the homestead farm and "the Z. Shed lot so called, containing six acres and one hundred and forty three rods," bounded as in John Baldwin's deed of the other three fifths. Recorded April 21, 1832. Billerica town book 16, pages 96-98. With Baldwin's deed this gave Daniel Wilson the whole lot.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| December 1, 1840 | Will | Estate of Timothy Davis of Billerica, gentleman | His sons George Gilman Davis and Edwin Lawrence Davis | 1840 will of Timothy Davis: the estate to his sons George Gilman and Edwin Lawrence Davis | Probate #30499 |
Will dated April 15, 1840, proved at Lowell Dec. 1, 1840 (executor Deacon Jeremiah Crosby): all his estate to his two sons equally, the elder, George Gilman Davis, to occupy the real estate for both and support and educate Edwin until he came of age, the land to "remain undisposed of and undivided" until then. The inventory of Aug. 26, 1840 lists "the Homestead containing 1 1/3 acre with Dwelling House, Barn, Store &c thereon" at $2,000, with the Patten and French lot (14 3/4 acres), the Richardson lot (10 acres) and the Parker lot (18 3/4 acres).
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 7, 1842 | Warranty Deed | Daniel Wilson of Billerica, yeoman (wife Mary releasing dower) | Sidney S. Russell of Lowell | 1842 Daniel Wilson sells the 7 acres to Sidney S. Russell, who built a house and barn there with Wilson's lumber | 415/251 (South) |
For $200, "a certain lot of land situate in the Northerly part of said Billerica containing seven acres more or less", beginning at the northeasterly corner "at the road leading from the corner, so called, in said Billerica to Billerica Mills," westerly by land of Owen Murphy about 58 poles to William Pollard, southerly by Pollard's land "as the wall now stands" to the road, easterly by the road about 58 poles to the corner, and northerly by the road about 19 poles. No buildings named. Signed April 23, 1842. Billerica town book 17, pages 287-288. Russell gave back a mortgage the same day that also secured Wilson's bill "for lumber advanced by said Wilson to said Russell to build a house and barn upon said premises" (Book 416, Page 247): the first house on the lot.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 7, 1842 | Mortgage | Sidney S. Russell (wife Lydia releasing dower) | Daniel Wilson of Billerica | 1842 Russell's mortgage for the lumber "to build a house and barn upon said premises" | 416/247 (South) |
Mortgage back of the same seven acres (road from the corner to Billerica Mills, Owen Murphy, William Pollard), void if Russell paid $200 in one year with interest "and also any and all demands the said Wilson shall at any time hereafter have against the said Russell for lumber advanced by said Wilson to said Russell to build a house and barn upon said premises". Signed April 23, 1842, acknowledged April 25, recorded May 7, 1842. Billerica town book 17, pages 286-287; released by Wilson before the 1849 sale (Book 577, Page 140).
Title from:
|
|||||
| August 22, 1845 | Warranty Deed | Owen Murphy of Billerica, weaver (wife Bridget releasing dower) | Sidney S. Russell of Lowell, trader | 1845 Owen Murphy sells Russell the 18 acres behind the house lot, making a 27-acre place | 470/48 (South) |
For $300, "a certain piece of land situated in the westerly part of Billerica aforesaid formerly belonging to Mears Estate," from a stake and stones at the corner of Joel Dix's land on "the old road leading from the Canal Mills to S. S. Russell's own land," westerly to William Pollard, northerly to Joel Dix, and easterly back to the start, "Eighteen Acres and seventy three and half rods". Signed Aug. 15, 1845, recorded Aug. 22, 1845. Billerica town book 18, pages 28-29. The back land north of Russell's house lot; together they made the 27 acres sold in 1849-1888.
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| January 12, 1848 | Mortgage | George G. Davis of Billerica, yeoman | Sewall Stearns of Billerica, Esquire | 1848 George G. Davis mortgages his half of the Corner acre "with the buildings thereon"; Cowdrey paid it off in 1849 | 523/478 (South) |
For $600, mortgage of one undivided half of "one acre of land with the buildings thereon situated near the Billerica corner so called being the same which was conveyed by Moses Griffin to Timothy Davis Jr. by deed bearing date May 7th 1818 ... Book 224 Page 519", with 10 acres 6 rods bought of Thaddeus Brown in 1833 (Book 324, Page 7) and 6 acres bought of Hannah Patten in 1824 (Book 255, Page 25); void on payment of $600 in one year. Signed Jan. 4, 1848, recorded Jan. 12, 1848. Billerica town book 18, pages 418-419. Discharged June 9, 1849 by Stearns on receiving the money "of Ebenezer Cowdrey", who had assumed it in his 1848 purchase. This ties the Davis homestead sold to Cowdrey to the Corner acre.
Title from:
|
|||||
| June 26, 1848 | Guardian's Deed | Joel Adams of Lowell, guardian of Edwin L. Davis, a minor | George G. Davis of Billerica, yeoman (the minor's brother) | 1848 guardian's sale of Edwin L. Davis's half to George G. Davis | 538/156 (South) |
Under a license of the Probate Court of March 21, 1848 and after three weeks' notice in the Lowell Journal, Adams sold at auction April 18, 1848, for $1,105, "The one undivided half part of a certain parcel of land with a dwelling house, Barn and other out Buildings thereon situate in the Northerly part of said Billerica on the old Boston road containing about one and one third acres," bounded north and east by the old road, south by Aaron Maynard and west by John Dix, with half of ten acres on the road to the Canal Mills by Concord River. "The above estate is the same lately owned by the late Timothy Davis, deceased, the father of said minor and said George G." Billerica town book 20, pages 108-110.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| November 24, 1848 | Warranty Deed | George G. Davis of Billerica, yeoman | Ebenezer Cowdrey of Chelmsford, cordwainer | 1848 George G. Davis sells the homestead to Ebenezer Cowdrey; the store left the Corner about this time | 546/471 (South) |
For $2,000, "a certain parcel of land with a dwelling house, barn, and other buildings thereon, containing one acre and one third more or less," bounded north and east by the old road, south by Aaron Maynard and William Mason and west by John Dicks and Bernard Cann, "this being the homestead of the late Timothy Davis, deceased," with ten acres six rods of meadow and upland on the east bank of Concord River; subject to mortgages to Sewall Stearns ($600) and Joel Adams ($900) of 1848, which Cowdrey assumed as part of the price. Signed Nov. 14, 1848. Billerica town book 20, pages 183-184.
Title from:
Title passed to:
Related:
|
|||||
| January 4, 1850 | Warranty Deed | Sidney S. Russell of Billerica, yeoman (wife Lydia releasing dower) | Joel Banfill of Lowell, trader | 1849 Russell sells the 27-acre place "with all the buildings thereon" to Joel Banfill | 577/141 (South) |
For $2,355, "a certain piece of land situate in said Billerica on the old road leading from the corner so called to the Canal Mills containing twenty seven acres", beginning at the northeasterly corner at the road, southerly on the road 58 rods to William Pollard, westerly on Pollard to Joel Dix, northerly on Dix to the road, and on the road to the beginning, "with all the buildings thereon," being the land conveyed to Russell by Daniel Wilson (1842) and Owen Murphy (1845). Subject to a mortgage to Phillips Academy, assumed. Signed Dec. 29, 1849, recorded Jan. 4, 1850. Billerica town book 21, pages 4-5.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| 1850 | Warranty Deed | Joel Banfill of Billerica, yeoman | John Chamberlain of Lowell, merchant | 1850 Banfill sells the place to John Chamberlain of Lowell | 593/554 (South) |
For $2,300, the same 27 acres "on the old road leading from the corner (so called) to the canal mills" (58 rods on the road to William Pollard, westerly to Joel Dix) "with all the buildings thereon," being the land Daniel Wilson and Owen Murphy conveyed to Sidney S. Russell and Russell conveyed to Banfill Dec. 29, 1849 (Book 577, Page 141); subject to mortgages to "The Philips Academy" ($500) and Electa Foster ($500), assumed. Signed Aug. 26, 1850. Billerica town book 18, pages 452-454.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 7, 1853 | Warranty Deed | John Chamberlin Jr. of Lowell, trader (wife Jane releasing dower) | George H. Barker of Onondaga, Onondaga County, New York | 1853 John Chamberlin Jr. sells the place to George H. Barker of New York: the "Barker" of the 1853 map | 654/116 (South) |
For $2,750, "a certain piece of land situated in Billerica on the old road leading from the corner (so called) to the Canal Mills containing twenty seven acres", bounded as before by the road (58 rods), William Pollard and Joel Dix, "with all the buildings thereon; being the same land conveyed to me by Joel Banfield by his deed dated Aug the 20th A.D. 1850 ... Book 593 Page 554." Signed April 25, 1853, recorded May 7, 1853. Billerica town book 19, pages 500-501. Barker is the name on the house on the 1853 map, which gave the Barker House its name.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 8, 1858 | Warranty Deed | George H. Barker of Billerica and Eliza Barker his wife | Joshua Buffum of Detroit, Michigan | 1858 George H. and Eliza Barker sell the place to Joshua Buffum | 14/382 |
For $2,550, "a certain piece of land situated in Billerica on the old road leading from the corner (so called) to the Canal Mills, containing twenty-seven acres," bounded by the road 58 rods, William Pollard and Joel Dix, "with all the buildings thereon standing, being the same premises conveyed to me by John Chamberlin Jr. by his deed dated April 25th 1853 ... Book 654 Page 111 [116]." Eliza joins to release homestead. Signed May 5, 1858, acknowledged May 7 before Dudley Foster, recorded May 8, 1858.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| April 10, 1865 | Warranty Deed | Joshua Buffum of Billerica (wife Ruth A. releasing dower and homestead) | Samuel Lees of Concord, Mass. | 1865 Buffum sells the place to Samuel Lees: "S. Lees" on the 1875 map | 41/454 |
For $3,000, "a certain piece of land situated in Billerica on the old road leading from the corner [so called] to the Canal Mills, containing twenty-seven acres," same bounds, "with all the buildings thereon standing being the same premises conveyed to me by George H. Barker by his deed dated May 1st [5th], 1858 ... Book 14, Page 382." Signed and acknowledged at Lowell April 10, 1865. Samuel Lees is the "S. Lees" of the 1875 map.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| May 17, 1877 | Warranty Deed | Columbia Lees, widow, and John M. Lees, both of Billerica (Jennie M. Lees releasing dower) | John Riley and Catharine Riley his wife, of Nashua, N.H. | 1877 Samuel Lees's widow and son sell the place to John and Catharine Riley | 123/521 |
For $2,450, "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica on the old road leading from the corner (so called) to the Canal Mills," bounded by the road 58 rods to William Pollard, Pollard, Joel Dix and the road. "Being the same premises conveyed to Samuel Lees, by deed from Joshua Buffum dated April 10th A.D. 1865 ... Book 41 Page 454." Signed May 8, 1877, recorded May 17, 1877. Samuel Lees had died; his widow and son sold.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| November 1, 1888 | Warranty Deed | John Riley of Billerica, unmarried | John Shea of Billerica and Ellen Shea his wife | 1888 John Riley sells the place to John and Ellen Shea: the "John Shea place" | 201/198 |
For $1,862.50, "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica on the old road leading from the corner so called to the Canal mills," bounded by the road 58 rods to land now or formerly of William Pollard, Pollard, Joel Dix and the road. "Being the same premises to the said John Riley and to Catharine Riley wife of said John conveyed by Columbia Lees and another by deed dated May 1st A.D. 1877 ... Book 123, Page 521. Said Catharine Riley having deceased my title ... by survivorship." Signed and recorded Nov. 1, 1888. The "John Shea place" of Kohlrausch's 1903 memoir and the 1889 map.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| June 12, 1925 | Warranty Deed | Ellen Shea of Billerica, unmarried | James F. Delmege and Martha Delmege, husband and wife | 1925 Ellen Shea, John Shea's widow and heir, sells the house and 4.52 acres at High and Rogers Streets to the Delmeges | 723/367 |
For consideration paid ($3 in stamps), "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on High and Rogers St. in said Billerica containing four and 52/100 (4.52) acres," north by land of one Konddilla, east by Rogers Street, south by High Street, west by the Lexington Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad, as on John T. Brown's plan of April 14, 1923 (Plan Book 41, Plan 85). "My title to said property being as heir of said John Shea by his will probated November 16, 1909 at Registry of Probate in Cambridge ... document #81406." Signed and recorded June 12, 1925. The Delmeges mortgaged it the same day for $1,200 to the Middlesex Co-operative Bank.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| December 7, 1925 | Quitclaim Deed | James F. Delmege and Martha B. Delmege of Billerica | Peter Reid and Sarah G. Reid of Billerica, tenants by the entirety | 1925 the Delmeges sell the place to Peter and Sarah G. Reid | 731/332 |
For consideration paid, "a certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on High and Rogers Sts. in said Billerica containing four and 52/100 (4.52) acres," bounded by Konddilla, Rogers Street, High Street and the Lexington Branch railroad, per Plan Book 41, Plan 85. "Being the same premises to us conveyed by Ellen Shea by deed duly recorded with said Deeds." Subject to the $1,200 Middlesex Co-operative Bank mortgage, assumed. Signed Dec. 5, 1925, recorded Dec. 7, 1925; the Reids gave the bank a further $800 mortgage the same day.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| June 3, 1943 | Warranty Deed | Peter Reid, widower, of Gould Station, Quebec | Homer Emery and Anna M. Emery of Chelsea, husband and wife | 1943 Peter Reid, then of Quebec, sells the house lot to Homer and Anna M. Emery | 991/553 |
For "Ten and More Dollars," "a certain piece or parcel of land, with all buildings thereon, situated on High and Rogers streets in said Billerica containing four and 52/100 (4.52) acres," per John T. Brown's 1923 plan (Plan Book 41, Plan 85), "all and the same land and premises, with all buildings thereon, which James F. Delmege and Martha Delmege conveyed to Peter Reid and the late Sarah G. Reid ... December 5, 1925 ... Book 731 on page 332," except the part conveyed to Elmer R. Tilton about Jan. 1, 1935 under an unrecorded 1934 contract. Signed at Gould Station May 20, 1943, recorded June 3, 1943.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| June 18, 1962 | Quitclaim Deed | Anna M. Emery of Billerica, widow of Homer Emery (died March 7, 1961) | Arthur C. Fillmore and Evan L. Boynton, Trustees of Suburban Builders Realty Trust | 1962 Anna M. Emery sells the 4.02 acres to Suburban Builders Realty Trust, which cut it into six house lots | 1560/203 |
For consideration paid, "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on High Street and Rogers Street in said Billerica, containing 4.02 acres," east by Rogers Street (86.50, 100.75 and 245.20 feet), southeast by High Street (204.05 and 161.45 feet), southwest by Elmer R. Tilton, west by the Lexington Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, northwest by Konddilla; a portion of the 4.52-acre lot on the 1923 plan of Mrs. E. Shea's land (Plan Book 41, Plan 85). "Being the same premises described in a deed from Peter Reid to Homer Emery and Anna M. Emery, dated May 20, 1943 ... Book 991, Page 553." Signed June 15, 1962, recorded June 18, 1962. The trust cut the land into six lots (Plan Book 97, Plan 20, June 18, 1962); the old house fell on Lot 2.
Title from:
Title passed to:
|
|||||
| November 28, 1962 | Deed | Arthur C. Fillmore and Evan L. Boynton, Trustees of Suburban Builders Realty Trust | Private owners | 1962 the trust sells Lot 2, the old house and 34,500 square feet, to private owners | 1582/154 |
Lot 2 on the trust's plan (Plan Book 97, Plan 20), "a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on High Street," southeast by High Street 42.04 and 82.96 feet, south by Lot 1 273.68 feet, west by the Boston and Maine Railroad 72.45 feet, north by Lot 3 213.34 feet and northeast by Lot 3 145 feet, 34,500 square feet, "being a portion of the premises described in a deed from Anna M. Emery ... Book 1560 Page 203." Recorded Nov. 28, 1962. The same Lot 2 "with the buildings thereon" was resold privately in 1965 (twice), 1966, 1971, 1978 and 1983, and remains a private residence (assessor parcel 23-160).
Title from:
|
|||||
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.