Structure · Built 1909
New Symmes House
New Symmes House
| Also Known As | George Moore House |
| Address | 87 Gray St |
| MACRIS ID | BIL.309 |
| Built | 1909 |
The New Symmes House stands at 87 Gray Street in East Billerica, on the northeast corner of Gray Street and Patten Road in the Richardson's Mill neighborhood. William F. Symmes, foreman of the Richardson saw mill, built it in 1909 on a corner lot he had owned for more than twenty years, across the road from the house he had rented (the William Symmes House). The deeds show the lot was bare land until then: the assessor's date of about 1825 is wrong.
The land was part of the Richardson farms on the road to Tewksbury. Oliver Richardson left his homestead to his son John Richardson 2d in 1836, and when John died in 1861 his sons divided the estate. John O. Richardson and Albert R. Richardson released to their brother Alden B. Richardson 232 acres east of the Tewksbury road, along "the road leading to A. H. Patten's", now Patten Road. In January 1862 Alden sold William Gray, who lived just up the road, "a certain tract of woodland" running from the Tewksbury road along "the Patten road" to the Whipple road, for $2,650. Gray's will of 1864 left his land to his daughters Maria R. and Lucy Ann.
On November 23, 1887 the daughters, then Maria R. Bickford, a widow of Woburn, and Lucy A. Clewley of Billerica, sold William F. Symmes, then of Winchester, a corner piece of the woodland for $150: thirteen rods on the Tewksbury road and twelve rods four feet on the Andover road, "a part of land conveyed to William Gray by Alden B. Richardson and bequeathed to us by said Wm. Gray". The deed was not recorded until March 1891, when Symmes put the lot in his wife's name through a straw deed to Frank B. Murphy of Lowell. Sarah E. Symmes died owning it, and on January 19, 1909 her children (Bertha H. Symmes and Harriet M. Marr of Houlton, Maine, Arthur F. Symmes of Swampscott, John R. Symmes of Lynn and Forrest C. Symmes of Lawrence) released their shares to their father. None of these deeds mentions a building.
Symmes built his new house that year. He ran Richardson's water-powered mill until 1909 and the new motor-driven mill until his death in 1919, and lived here with his second wife Lucy and their small daughter. His son Forrest gave him a confirming deed in August 1919. On May 2, 1921 Lucy L. Symmes, as executrix under his will, sold "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon" to Richard A. Skane of Billerica, the first deed to mention the house; Skane borrowed $2,800 from the Middlesex Co-operative Bank of Lowell.
In August 1924 Skane sold the house to George H. Moore, the East Billerica station agent, who lived here until November 19, 1929, when he sold to John M. and Margaret R. Ring of Watertown. The Rings sold on January 30, 1945 to James A. and Gertrude E. Lloyd, with a new survey by Dana F. Perkins showing the dwelling near Gray Street and a barn behind it on 51,500 square feet. The Lloyds, who had moved to Elyria, Ohio, sold the house at the end of 1959 to a private owner whose family has owned it since.
References
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| 1836 | Will | Estate of Oliver Richardson of Billerica, yeoman, died 1836 | His son John Richardson (called John Richardson 2d), residuary devisee and executor | 1836: Oliver Richardson's will, the farm to his son John Richardson 2d | Probate #19083 |
Will dated Nov. 4, 1825 (witnesses Marshall Preston, Zadok Howe, John Baldwin): $500 each to the granddaughter Martha Jenney, only child of the late daughter Patty Jenney, and the grandson John Chandler Jr. of Tewksbury; $5 each to the sons-in-law John Chandler, Philip Mills and Benjamin Jenney; daughter Lucy Mills already provided for; "All the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal ... I give, devise and bequeath to my son John Richardson his heirs and assigns forever," John to be sole executor. The heirs assented Oct. 1, 1836 (Philip Mills for Lucy, Enoch Foster for Martha), and the will was proved Oct. 11, 1836, with John Richardson 2d as executor under a $30,000 bond (sureties Theophilus Manning and Ebenezer Page). No inventory is in the file. The homestead thus passed whole to John, who already owned the west front room under the 1811 deed.
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| 1861 | Will | Estate of John Richardson 2d of Billerica, died June 15, 1861 | His widow Nancy (rooms for life); his sons John O., Alden B. and Albert R. Richardson | 1861: John Richardson 2d's will, his land to his three sons | Probate #40437 |
Will dated March 20, 1841 (witnesses Zadok Howe, Charles Hopkins, Marshall Preston). The widow Nancy received "the northwest lower Room in my homestead Dwelling house, and the chamber over the same, and a privilege in the southwest Parlour, and in my Kitchen, Cellar and out buildings" for life or widowhood, with maintenance and a $50 annuity; daughters Abigail A. and Maria E. a home in the house until 21 or marriage and $2,000 each; grandson John Anthony Jones, son of the late daughter Nancy Jones, $300. The rest of the real and personal estate, with the reversion of the widow's rooms, went "to my three sons, John O. Richardson, Alden B. Richardson and Albert R. Richardson," on condition they support their mother. Proved at Framingham June 25, 1861; John O. Richardson executor (bond $10,000). Heirs then: Alden B. of Lowell, Abigail A. Gray (wife of William Gray), Maria E. Teele (wife of Elbridge Teele of Medford). Final account allowed Feb. 4, 1868.
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| November 8, 1861 | Quitclaim (division) | John O. Richardson and Albert R. Richardson of Billerica | Their brother Alden B. Richardson of Lowell | 1861: the Richardson land east of the Tewksbury road goes to Alden B. Richardson | 29/369 |
In the division of their father John Richardson 2d's estate, for $6,000 the brothers released to Alden "all our right, title and interest in and to the following described real estate with all the buildings thereon, situate partly in Billerica and partly in Tewksbury", beginning at the road from Billerica to Tewksbury near the railroad bridge, by the Boston and Lowell Railroad, "the road leading to A. H. Patten's", Henry Allen, the Andover road, Parker Foster, Jeremiah Chandler, the widow Olive Carter and Ebenezer Page, and back by the Tewksbury road, "as upon the plan accompanying this deed", reserving the railroad land, the road, "Gray's lot", "Page's lot" and "Alden's lot", 232 acres 23 rods; also 41 acres on the Tolley road. Dated October 1861, recorded November 8, 1861. The woodland Alden sold to William Gray in January 1862 lay within it, at the corner of the Tewksbury road and Patten Road.
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| January 22, 1862 | Warranty Deed | Alden B. Richardson of Lowell (Martha Richardson releasing dower) | William Gray of Billerica | 1862: William Gray buys the woodland at the Tewksbury road and Patten Road | 30/99 |
For $2,650, "a certain tract of woodland situate partly in Billerica and partly in Tewksbury", beginning at its southwest corner at the road leading to Tewksbury, east on "a road called the Patten road" to "the Whipple road so called", north by the Whipple road about 142 rods to land of Page, by Page land to marked stones and west to the Tewksbury road, and south by that road to the beginning. No title recital. Dated January 21, 1862, acknowledged before Dudley Foster, recorded January 22, 1862. The corner lot at Gray Street and Patten Road was cut from this woodland in 1887.
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| 1868 | Will | Estate of William Gray of Billerica | His widow Abigail A. Gray (life estate); daughters Maria R. Gray and Lucy Ann Gray | 1868: William Gray's will, his land to his daughters Maria R. and Lucy Ann | Probate #33042 |
Will dated June 22, 1864, witnessed by Abraham A. Dame, John Wilson and William A. Dame. Gray left his daughters Maria R. and Lucy Ann his piano forte, a bed each and "the right of a home free of charge, in my Mansion House, while they shall remain single and unmarried", and to his wife Abigail A. Gray the furniture, farming tools, horses and carriages and "the use and income of said homestead estate, containing six acres, more or less, for and during the term of her natural life, and at her decease, I give the same to my said two daughters, in equal proportions ... free from the control or interference of any husband". Other lands in Billerica and Tewksbury, Boston and Lowell Rail Road bonds, two pews and $500 for the Fox Hill Cemetery are also given; his wife and Albert R. Richardson are executors.
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| March 4, 1891 | Warranty Deed | Maria R. Bickford of Woburn, widow, and Lucy A. Clewley of Billerica (William I. Clewley assenting) | William F. Symmes of Winchester | 1887: Gray's daughters sell the corner lot to William F. Symmes | 222/140 |
For $150, "a certain parcel of land" in Billerica, with no buildings mentioned: from the southeast corner on Andover Street north 13 rods, west 12 rods 4 feet to a bound, south 13 rods on the Tewksbury road, and east 12 rods 4 feet on the Andover road. "Being a part of land conveyed to William Gray by Alden B. Richardson and bequeathed to us by said Wm. Gray deceased by his last will." Dated November 23, 1887 and acknowledged at Woburn before Sparrow Horton; not recorded until March 4, 1891. This is the lot of 87 Gray Street.
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| March 4, 1891 | Warranty Deed | William F. Symmes of Billerica (Sarah E. Symmes releasing dower) | Frank B. Murphy of Lowell | 1891: Symmes passes the lot through Frank B. Murphy | 222/141 |
For $150, the same corner lot on Andover Street and the Tewksbury road, with no buildings mentioned, "Being a part of land conveyed to William Gray by Alden B. Richardson and bequeathed ... by said William Gray". Dated February 27, 1891, acknowledged before James Murphy, recorded March 4, 1891 with the 1887 deed. A straw conveyance: Murphy deeded the lot to Symmes's wife the same day.
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| March 4, 1891 | Warranty Deed | Frank B. Murphy of Lowell (Olivia M. Murphy releasing dower) | Sarah E. Symmes of Billerica, wife of William F. Symmes | 1891: title placed in Sarah E. Symmes | 222/142 |
For $150, "a certain parcel of land", the same 13 rods by 12 rods 4 feet at Andover Street and the Tewksbury road, "Being the same premises conveyed to me by William F. Symmes by his deed of even date". Dated February 27, 1891, acknowledged at Lowell before James Murphy, recorded March 4, 1891. Sarah E. Symmes held the lot until her death; it was still vacant land.
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| November 24, 1909 | Quitclaim | Bertha H. Symmes, John J. and Harriet M. Marr of Houlton, Maine; Arthur F. Symmes of Swampscott; John R. Symmes of Lynn; Forrest C. Symmes of Lawrence (heirs of Sarah E. Symmes) | William F. Symmes of Billerica | 1909: Sarah Symmes's heirs release the lot to William F. Symmes, who builds the house | 443/39 |
For $1 and other consideration, the heirs at law of Sarah E. Symmes, late of Billerica, "being, with the grantee herein, all the heirs at law", released to William F. Symmes "a certain parcel of land" (no buildings mentioned) at the corner of Andover Street and the Tewksbury road, 13 rods by 12 rods 4 feet, "Being the same premises conveyed to the said Sarah E. Symmes by Frank B. Murphy" in 1891 (Book 222 Page 142); "Our title is derived by descent from said Sarah E. Symmes." Maud B. and Florence P. Symmes released dower. Dated January 19, 1909, recorded November 24, 1909. Symmes built the house here in 1909.
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| October 24, 1919 | Quitclaim | Forrest C. Symmes of Boston, unmarried | William F. Symmes of Billerica | 1919: confirmatory deed from Forrest C. Symmes | 613/357 |
For consideration paid, "the land in said Billerica" at the corner of Andover Street and the Tewksbury road, same bounds; "This deed is given to confirm a deed from myself and others to the grantee herein, dated January 19, 1909" (Book 443 Page 39). Dated August 4, 1919, acknowledged at Billerica August 7 before Forrest F. Collier, recorded October 24, 1919, shortly before William F. Symmes died.
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| May 31, 1921 | Executrix's Deed | Lucy L. Symmes of Billerica, in her own right and as executrix of the will of William F. Symmes | Richard A. Skane of Billerica | 1921: Symmes's widow sells the house to Richard A. Skane | 645/16 |
Under the power in the will, $3.50 in stamps, "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon" (the first deed to mention the house), at the corner of Andover Street and the Tewksbury road, same bounds, citing the 1909 and 1919 Symmes deeds; "My title is derived under the will of William F. Symmes, late of said Billerica, see Middlesex Probate records #125043 and this deed is given by virtue of the power contained in said will." Dated May 2, 1921, acknowledged at Lowell before Melvin G. Rogers and recorded May 31, 1921.
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| May 31, 1921 | Mortgage | Richard A. Skane of Billerica (Alma L. Skane releasing dower) | Middlesex Co-operative Bank, Lowell | 1921: Skane's co-operative bank mortgage | 645/16 |
To secure $2,800 advanced on 14 shares of the 57th series, payable $28 a month: "the land in East Billerica on Andover street", same bounds, "Being the same premises conveyed to William F. Sims by Bertha H. Sims and others" in 1909. Dated April 29, 1921, recorded May 31, 1921, one minute after the deed (it begins at the foot of page 16). The mortgage was assumed by George H. Moore in 1924 and by the Rings in 1929.
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| August 12, 1924 | Quitclaim | Richard A. Skane of Billerica (Alma L. Skane releasing dower) | George H. Moore of Billerica | 1924: George H. Moore, the station agent, buys the house | 709/174 |
For $1.50 in stamps, "the land in said Billerica, with the buildings thereon", 13 rods by 12 rods 4 feet at Andover Street and the Tewksbury road, citing the 1909 and 1919 Symmes deeds, "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Lucy Symmes, Executrix of the will of said William F. Symmes" (Book 645 Page 16), subject to the Middlesex Co-operative Bank mortgage with $2,100 still due. Dated August 11, 1924, acknowledged at Lowell before John J. Harvey, recorded August 12, 1924. Moore was the East Billerica station agent.
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| August 12, 1924 | Mortgage | George H. Moore of Billerica, unmarried | George C. Crosby of Billerica | 1924: Moore's second mortgage to George C. Crosby | 709/175 |
To secure $700 in one year at 6 percent, "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon", same bounds and recitals, subject to the prior co-operative bank mortgage with $2,100 due. Dated August 11, 1924, recorded with the deed. Crosby acknowledged satisfaction on November 19, 1929 (Book 784 Page 195).
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| November 19, 1929 | Discharge of Mortgage | George C. Crosby, mortgagee | George H. Moore | 1929: discharge of the Crosby mortgage | 784/195 |
Crosby, "holder of a mortgage from George H. Moore to me dated August 11, 1924" (Book 709 Page 175), acknowledged satisfaction on November 19, 1929, before John J. Harvey at Lowell; recorded at 12:20 PM, one minute before Moore's deed to the Rings on the same page.
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| November 19, 1929 | Quitclaim | George H. Moore of Billerica (Mary L. Moore releasing dower) | John M. Ring and Margaret R. Ring of Watertown, husband and wife | 1929: Moore sells to the Rings of Watertown | 784/195 |
For consideration paid, "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon", from the southeast corner on Andover Street north 13 rods, west 12 rods 4 feet, south 13 rods on Tewksbury Road and east on Andover Road, "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Richard A. Skane" (Book 709 Page 174), subject to the Middlesex Co-operative Bank mortgage of $2,800, which the buyers assumed. Dated and recorded November 19, 1929.
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| February 1, 1945 | Quitclaim | John M. Ring and Margaret T. Ring of Watertown, husband and wife | James A. Lloyd and Gertrude E. Lloyd of Billerica, husband and wife | 1945: the Rings sell to James A. and Gertrude E. Lloyd | 1019/144 |
For $3.30 in stamps, "A certain parcel of land, with the buildings thereon", shown on a plan by Dana F. Perkins of December 14, 1944 (Plan Book 66 Plan 69): from the southeast corner on Patten Road, formerly Andover Street, north by Benjamin R. Bird 215.79 feet to Maria R. Bickford, west 200.23 feet to Gray Street, formerly Tewksbury Road, south by Gray Street 244.52 feet and east by Patten Road 268.6 feet, 51,500 square feet, "Being the same premises conveyed to us by deed of George H. Moore" (Book 784 Page 195). Dated January 30, 1945, recorded February 1, 1945.
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| February 1, 1945 | Mortgage | James A. Lloyd and Gertrude E. Lloyd of Billerica | Reading Co-operative Bank | 1945: the Lloyds' Reading Co-operative Bank mortgage | 1019/145 |
To secure $3,000 in twelve years at 5 1/2 percent, $28.51 a month: "the land, with the buildings thereon", shown on the 1944 Perkins plan, same bounds on Patten Road, Benjamin R. Bird, Maria R. Bickford and Gray Street, 51,500 square feet. Dated January 30, 1945, recorded February 1, 1945.
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| December 31, 1959 | Quitclaim | James A. Lloyd and Gertrude E. Lloyd of Elyria, Ohio | A private owner of Somerville | 1959: sold to a private owner; held by one family to the present | 1449/152 |
For consideration paid, "A certain parcel of land, with the buildings thereon", on the 1944 Perkins plan (Plan Book 66 Plan 69), same bounds, 51,500 square feet, "Being the same premises conveyed to us by deed of John M. Ring, et ux, dated January 30, 1945" (Book 1019 Page 144). Acknowledged in Ohio in December 1959, recorded December 31, 1959. The buyer's family kept the house for more than sixty years: a 1982 deed to the owner and spouse, a 1990 release and a 2025 transfer to a family trust followed, all private.
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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.