Park · 1990
Ralph Hill Conservation Land
The Ralph Hill Conservation Land is about 28 acres of woods, meadow and riverbank on the east side of the Concord River in South Billerica, between the Riverhurst neighborhood and Route 3. It belongs to the Sudbury Valley Trustees, the regional land trust, which calls it the Ralph Hill Homestead, and it is open to the public for walking. A trail follows the riverbank, with several places to land a canoe, and the Bay Circuit Trail guide sends walkers in through town land at the end of Ossippee Road, off Riverhurst Road; a 57-foot right of way also runs to it from Riverhurst Road. Across the river lies its companion, the trustees' 34-acre Ralph Hill Wood Lot, inside Vietnam Veterans Park.
The name recalls Ralph Hill, one of the first settlers of Billerica, and the land was part of his homestead. In 1657 Isaac Learned of Chelmsford sold Hill his share of the farm "lately purchased of the Worshipful Thomas Dudley Esq. deceased", about 187 acres, among them the parcel "whereon the buildings are erected", bounded southwest by the Concord River, north by George Farley, east by Lieutenant French and south by William Baker. When Hill died in 1663 his will gave his son Jonathan "all the rest of my lands and houses", and the farm stayed in Jonathan's line for more than a century and a half. In 1742 Jonathan Hill deeded his son Peter "the southwesterly part of my homestead" running to the river, and the next year his will left Peter "my Homestead or lands and Buildings thereon standing", bounded west by the Concord River and east by the road. Peter Hill left it in 1773 to his son Peter Hill, who died in 1823 leaving his daughter Elizabeth as his only heir. She married Benjamin L. Judkins in 1827, and the farm on the west side of the Bedford road, now Concord Road, became the Judkins farm. Hazen, writing in 1883, placed the house of "Ralph Hill, Sen., near Mrs. Judkins'".
The Judkins grandsons Putnam R. and Edward F. Judkins held the farm as tenants in common. Its fields, as a 1915 release names them from the 1883 Osgood and Snell plan of the Judkins estate, were "the Rocky Pasture, Big Field, Muddy Pasture, Further Field, and Aunt Foster lot", 52.12 acres west of the road running down to the river, with the Wood Lot and the "Peter Hill Lot" across the river and Jug Island in it. In 1908 Edward F. Judkins, then of Chicago, leased thirty acres at the river end of the farm, next to the land of Rolland A. Hobbs, together with Jug Island, to Hobbs for fifteen years; Hobbs, whose own forty acres to the south were already let in camp lots and would become Riverhurst, and his sub-tenants might "construct camps and buildings on said demised premises", the rent being "two mills per square foot of such portions of the demised premises as may be actually sub-let." After both brothers died, a probate partition of 1926 set off this land as Lot 9 and placed it in trust under Edward F. Judkins's will, for his widow Emily C. Judkins for life and then for "my daughter, Frances M. Stearns". Frances, the wife of Dr. A. Warren Stearns, received the lots from the trustee in 1953. In March 1960 the town meeting was asked to rezone "all land owned by Frances M. Stearns" west of Route 3 "from Riverhurst Road to Concord River" for industry; the motion had 67 votes to 54 and failed for want of a two-thirds majority. The town took sewer easements across the land in 1966 and 1972.
Her son Charles E. Stearns, the first chairman of the Billerica Historical Commission, inherited the river land and gave it away in two parts. In December 1989 he deeded the Judkins Wood Lot of 31.08 acres and the Peter Hill Lot of 3.27 acres, on "the northwesterly side of the Concord River", to the Sudbury Valley Trustees. A year later, by a deed signed December 10, 1990, he gave the trustees the 28 acres on the east bank, "being shown on the Town of Billerica Assessors Map No. 68, Parcel 3", with the 57-foot right of way on his own 1980 plan, "to be held for its corporate charitable, educational and scientific purposes, including the preservation of natural resources and wildlife areas for the enjoyment of present and future generations." In 1995 the Conservation Commission arranged a land swap to keep a riverfront house lot next to the trustees' land, across the river from Vietnam Veterans Park, as open land, and the trustees have worked with the town on trails and canoe landings along this stretch of the river since then. The town's open space plan lists the Ralph Hill conservation areas among the protected shoreline of the Concord River.
Title References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| 1652 | Deed (conditional sale) | Thomas Dudley, Deputy Governor, of Roxbury | Thomas Chamberlin, James Parker and Isaac Learned, all of Woburn | 1652 Thomas Dudley sells his 1,500-acre farm on the Concord River, later the Dudley Farm of Billerica | 1/208 (South) |
Dated Feb. 28, 1651 [1651/2], recorded 1656. "Whereas by severall grants of divers Generall Courts, there is conveyed to Thomas Dudley the Deputy Governor and his heyres, fifteen hundred acres of land, lying and being about six miles northerly from Concord," Dudley, for 110 pounds, sells to Chamberlin, Parker and Learned "all the right, title, interest, claime and demand" he has in it by the grants "or by any purchase from any Indian," with "all woodes, trees, waters, fishings." The sale is void unless they pay 55 pounds in "oxen, steers, cowes, heiffers, or calves ... none of them then to be above six years old" at his dwelling house at Roxbury on April 28, 1653, and 55 pounds more in cattle or corn (20 pounds in wheat, 35 in rye, pease and Indian corn) on April 28, 1654. Witnessed by Thomas Dudley Jr., Tobias Davis and John Rankens (his mark). This is the Dudley Farm, the tract along the Concord River and Nutting's Pond that became the south part of Billerica. Isaac Learned's share of it, with the buildings he had put up, is what he sold to Ralph Hill in 1657 (Book 2 Page 16). Billerica town book 1, pages 3-5 (also indexed under Tewksbury).
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| May 27, 1657 | Deed | Isaac Learned of Chelmsford, planter, and Mary Learned | Ralph Hill of Billerica | 1657 Isaac Learned sells Ralph Hill his share of the Dudley Farm, the parcel with the buildings by the Concord River | 2/16 (South) |
For 52 pounds sterling secured by bill, "one messuage or tenement ... containing all that my right, title and interest in the farm lately purchased of the Worshipful Thomas Dudley Esq. deceased, the whole being by estimation about one hundred eighty and seven acres," in several parcels: the parcel "whereon the buildings are erected," bounded southwest by Concord River, north by George Farley's lot, east by Lieutenant French and south by William Baker; two parcels in Pond Meadow (about ten acres) by William Baker, Henry Jefts and Lieut. French; two small meadows called the Round Meadows, with two springs or slips, near Mr. John Winthrop's farm; a small parcel in Long Meadow bounded north by William Baker; about an acre in the River Meadow between Henry Jefts and William Baker; and upland between the great pond near Cambridge bounds and Robert Parker. Signed the seventh day of the second month (April 7), 1657, witnessed by William Simmes and Jacob Greene; acknowledged the same day before Daniel Gookin, magistrate; entered and recorded 27 3mo. 1657 by Thomas Danforth, Recorder. This is Ralph Hill Sr.'s homestead on the Dudley Farm, the tract later divided among his sons. The house lot here, with the buildings, went to his son Jonathan; the "two half lots lying towards Concord" given to Nathaniel in 1663 were part of his Dudley Farm rights, but the will does not say whether they came from this purchase. Billerica town book 1, pages 7-9.
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| 1663 | Will | Ralph Hill Sr. of Billerica, yeoman | Nathaniel Hill, his son (and Jonathan Hill, son, and Margaret Hill, widow) | 1663 will of Ralph Hill Sr.: "My son Jonathan Hill shall have all the rest of my lands and houses" | Probate #11502 |
Will dated November 18, 1662, "being weak in body but of perfect memory." To his wife Margaret a third part of all his housing, lands and meadows in Billerica for life, a bed, a cow of her choosing and swine. His son Ralph to have 23 pounds from the land bought at Woburn, the rest of his portion; daughter Martha 20 pounds; daughter Rebecca 30 pounds; granddaughters Mary Littlefield 15 pounds and Elizabeth Hill 20 shillings; to his son-in-law Roger Toothaker thirty-three and a half acres in the common field. "My son Nathaniell shall have that parcell of land lying towards Concord which is two half lotts (so called) and bounded as the land ... was exchanged with Benjamin Parker, which is in lieu of land laid to me by the town for highways," with all his meadow in Long Meadow and Little Round Meadow and the slips of meadow adjoining, half the meadow bought of Edward Oakes at Shawshin River, an acre in Concord River meadow and half of all later divisions of land. "My son Jonathan Hill shall have all the rest of my lands and houses with the appurtenances to them belonging," reserving to Nathaniel one third of the improvable land until he has broken up and fenced land of his own. Sons Nathaniel and Jonathan executors; William Tay and John Parker overseers. Signed by mark, witnessed by George Farley and John Parker, who swore to it at Billerica in 1663 before Capt. Gookin; entered and recorded at Cambridge, lib. 2, p. 153, by Thomas Danforth. Ralph Hill died April 29, 1663. The will gives Nathaniel bare land with no buildings, so the house on the site was built by Nathaniel after 1663 (he married in 1667) and was standing by 1706. Middlesex probate case 11502.
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| January 7, 1718 | Gift | Jonathan Hill Sr. of Billerica, yeoman | His eldest son Jonathan Hill Jr. of Billerica, husbandman | 1717 Jonathan Hill Sr. gives his eldest son land out of the same farm, "the lines to Run to the River" | 19/102 (South) |
Deed of gift "for & in Consideration of the good will & affection which I have and bear to my Son Jonathan Hill Junr": 70 acres of upland on the west side of Concord River (Josiah Crosby, Edmond Chamberlin, John Durrant, Nathaniel Hill); "fifty acres of upland and medow ... bounded South & South west by Land of Capt Samll Hill & South Eastwardly with the Country Road and North Eastwardly by Land of Samuell Hill Junr and North & North west by sd Samll Hill Junr, the lines to Run to the River"; "Twenty acres of upland ... upon the East side of ye Country Road," bounded south by Capt. Samuel Hill and east and north by Samuel Hill Jr. and the road; 50 acres of meadow and upland by Whittemore, the Bacons and Nathan Hudson; and meadows by Joseph Hill, Nathaniel Hudson, Job Lane and Capt. John Stearns. Recorded at Cambridge Jan. 7, 1717/18; Billerica town book 2, pages 128-129. The eldest son's portion out of the Hill farm on the Bedford road (the 1742 will calls it lands given "by deeds to the value of about Six Hundred Pounds").
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| December 26, 1743 | Deed | Jonathan Hill of Billerica, husbandman | His son Peter Hill of Billerica, husbandman | 1742 Jonathan Hill deeds "the southwesterly part of my homestead" to the river to his son Peter | 43/516 (South) |
For 150 pounds, "several parcels of land both upland and meadow": ten acres "upon the east side of the county road," bounded southerly on Capt. Samuel Hill, easterly on Samuel Hill Junr. and northerly and westerly on the road; fifteen acres bounded southerly and southwesterly on Capt. Samuel Hill, westerly by Concord River, "northerly and northeasterly by my own land to the old fence near a little brook, being the southwesterly part of my homestead"; and about an acre "at the northeasterly corner of my homestead," eight rods on Samuel Hill Junr., then southerly "taking in about half my Dam" and running "to the road about four poles South of the said Peter Hill's house." So Peter already had a house of his own on the farm. January 1741/2, acknowledged March 19, 1741/2, recorded Dec. 26, 1743. Billerica town book 4, pages 407-409.
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| February 13, 1744 | Will | Estate of Jonathan Hill of Billerica, husbandman | His son Peter Hill (homestead); widow Mary Hill (half for life) | 1743 will of Jonathan Hill gives his homestead on the Concord River to his son Peter Hill | Probate #11467 |
Will dated March 19, 1741/2: to his wife Mary "the one half part of all the Lands and Buildings that I shall leave at my decease" for life, with his personal estate and a horse kept for her; "As for my Eldest Son Jonathan Hill I have already given to him in Lands by deeds to the value of about Six Hundred Pounds," his full portion; "I give unto my Son Peter Hill my Homestead or lands and Buildings thereon standing ... bounded as followeth North on land of Samuel Hill Junr West by Concord River Southerly partly by land of the said Peter Hill and Capt. Samuel Hill Easterly on the Road and partly on land of Peter Hill and it contains about twenty five acres"; 20 pounds each to daughters Mary (wife of Daniel Stickney), Elizabeth (wife of Francis Kidder) and Bethiah, who was to have a room in the house while single. Peter sole executor. Witnesses Benjamin Tompson, Samuel Hill ter. and Thomas Kidder. The inventory of Feb. 2, 1743/4 values the real estate, "about twenty acres of land, with a house and part of a barn," at 500 pounds old tenor; Peter presented it Feb. 13, 1743/4. Middlesex probate case 11467.
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| 1773 | Will | Peter Hill of Billerica, yeoman | His eldest son Peter Hill | 1773 will of Peter Hill gives the homestead to his son Peter | Probate #11498 |
Will dated July 13, 1773: "My will is and I do give unto my Eldest Son Peter Hill all my Lands Lying in Billerica ... to him & his Heirs and Assigns For Ever That is to Say my Homestead with all the Buildings thereon Standing as also my meadow & wood Lot on the west Side of Concord River," with his live stock and husbandry tools, Peter to pay forty pounds each to his brothers Samuel, Jeremiah and David and smaller legacies to his sisters Rachel Crosby and Mary, and to be sole executor. Witnesses William Stickney, Samuel Kidder and Samuel Kidder Jr. Proved Sept. 7, 1773, when Peter gave bond with Samuel Kidder. The "Peter Hill Lot" across the river still carried the name on the 1883 plan. Middlesex probate case 11498.
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| June 12, 1773 | Deed | Peter Hill of Billerica, yeoman | His son Peter Hill Jr. of Billerica, yeoman | 1773 Peter Hill deeds half his homestead to his son Peter Jr. | 74/392 (South) |
For 100 pounds lawful money, "one half of my Homestead lying in Billerica aforesaid, quantity for quality in each piece of Land, the east end of my dwelling House throughout, being the upright part of said house and the whole of the Back Kitchen," reserving to himself for life, and to his daughter Mary while unmarried, liberty to pass through the fore room and back kitchen and "to make use of the oven in the said fore Room for Baking"; also one half of his meadow and upland on the west side of Concord River and half of his barn. Dated March 19, 1773, witnessed by William Stickney and William Needham, acknowledged the same day. Billerica town book 6, pages 541-542. Four months later his will (probate 11498) left the son the rest of the homestead.
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| 1823 | Administration | Estate of Peter Hill of Billerica, gentleman | Elizabeth Hill of Billerica, singlewoman, his daughter | 1823 administration of Peter Hill; his daughter Elizabeth, later Mrs. Benjamin L. Judkins, is sole heir | Probate #11500 |
Memorial of Elizabeth Hill of Billerica, singlewoman, that "Peter Hill late of Billerica aforesaid gentleman has died intestate within three months last, leaving no widow nor child except your petitioner who is his heir at law." She was appointed administratrix March 4, 1823, with Henry Bridge of Billerica and David Hill of Boston, trader, as sureties. As sole heir she took her father's homestead, which came to Benjamin L. Judkins on their marriage in 1827. Middlesex probate case 11500.
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| October 31, 1908 | Lease | E. F. Judkins (Edward F. Judkins) of Chicago, Illinois | Rolland A. Hobbs of Arlington | 1908 E. F. Judkins leases 30 acres on the river and Jug Island to Rolland A. Hobbs for camps, for fifteen years | 426/42 |
Indenture dated the 29th day of October 1908; acknowledged October 29, 1908 before Nathan J. Willington, justice of the peace; recorded October 31, 1908. Judkins "doth hereby lease, demise and let unto Rolland A. Hobbs of Arlington ... two certain parcels of land situated in Billerica": "the first parcel being thirty acres of land, more or less, and bounded as follows: Northwesterly by the Concord River; southwesterly by land of said Hobbs; southeasterly by a wall separating said parcel from other land of said Judkins, northeasterly by a wall separating said parcel from other land of said Judkins", excepting a strip 200 feet wide along the northeasterly wall; "The said second parcel of land is a certain island in said Concord River near the said first parcel, containing about one half acre of land, known as "Jug Island."" The lessee and his sub-tenants "may construct camps and buildings on said demised premises, removable", with driveways and footpaths, may cut trees and brush for them, and may sublet in whole or in part. "To hold for the term of fifteen years from the first day of January, 1908", the rent each year "at the rate of two mills per square foot of such portions of the demised premises as may be actually sub-let by the lessee during such year." Margin: "See B. 444, P. 283." Book 426, Pages 42-44.
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| June 1, 1915 | Quitclaim | Francelia Judkins of Goshen, Ind., widow of Putnam R. Judkins | Richard H. Judkins of Carlsbad, N.M. | 1915 Francelia Judkins releases the Judkins farm, the Further Field and Jug Island to Richard H. Judkins | 537/162 |
For $1 and other considerations, releases "the following parcels of land with the buildings thereon situated in Billerica": the Needham lot (27.93 acres) and the Kidder Pasture, Pond Meadow, Ten Acre Lot, East Pasture, Orchard, East Field and Pass Way (about 40 acres) on the east side of the Bedford and Billerica road; "the Rocky Pasture, Big Field, Muddy Pasture, Further Field, and Aunt Foster lot, so called, and an unnamed lot containing 2.78 acres situated on the westerly side of said Bedford and Billerica road, containing in all fifty two and 12/100 acres"; the Wood Lot (31 acres) and the "Peter Hill Lot" northwest of Concord River; Jug Island; all on "A plan of land in Billerica belonging to the Judkins Estate and to E. J. Hill, January 1883, Osgood & Snell" (copied 1908 for Edward F. Judkins of Chicago, Plan Book 32 Plan 55); and three lots on the Triple Cove and Western roads (Plan Book 32 Plan 52). She conveys her dower and other rights "as widow of Putnam R. Judkins, late of said Goshen, deceased," excepting the rights granted by Elizabeth H. Judkins to the Boston and Lowell Railroad in 1884-1885. Recorded June 1, 1915. The house stood on the unnamed 2.78-acre lot.
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| October 18, 1921 | Quitclaim | Richard Hill Judkins | Belva C. Judkins | 1921 Richard H. Judkins releases the Judkins estate lots to his wife Belva C. Judkins | 652/102 |
Richard Hill Judkins of Carlsbad, N.M., heir of P. R. Judkins late of Goshen, Ind., releases nine lots of the Judkins estate, including the third lot on the westerly side of the Bedford and Billerica Road, "comprising the Rocky Pasture, Big Field, Muddy Pasture, Further Field, and Aunt Foster Lot," 52.12 acres, shown on "A Plan of Lands in Billerica belonging to the Judkins Estate and to E. J. Hill," Jan. 1883, Osgood and Snell (Plan Book 32, Plan 55). The Further Field later became the Riverhurst Road lot the house was moved to.
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| August 12, 1926 | Partition | Belva C. Judkins (petitioner) | Belva C. Judkins, Emily C. Judkins, Frances M. Stearns et al. | 1926 partition of the Judkins lands; Lot 9 is the 52 acres west of the Bedford road running to the Concord River | 740/5 |
Middlesex Probate warrant of June 15, 1926 naming Charles L. Hildreth of Westford commissioner to partition the Judkins lands: Belva C. Judkins one half in fee, Emily C. Judkins a life estate in the other half, with contingent remainders to Frances M. Stearns, Albert Warren Stearns Jr., Charles Edward Stearns, Grattan E. Judkins and Isabelle L. Judkins. Lot 9 is the 52.12 acres on the westerly side of the Bedford and Billerica Road including the "Further Field," running to the Concord River. Decree at Book 740 Page 9; Belva's deed in trust to Frederic P. Marble at Book 740 Page 15.
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| July 28, 1926 | Deed in Trust | Belva C. Judkins (her husband Richard H. Judkins releasing curtesy) | Frederick P. Marble of Lowell, trustee | 1926 Belva C. Judkins conveys Lots 7, 8 and 9 in trust under the will of Edward F. Judkins | 740/15 |
Recites that "Putnam R. Judkins of Goshen Indiana, and his brother Edward F. Judkins of Billerica ... were the owners in fee as tenants in common" of the Billerica land, that both had died and their wills were allowed in Middlesex, that Putnam left his Massachusetts real estate "to his nephew, Richard H. Judkins," and that Edward F. Judkins's will (Item 2) gave "To my wife, Emily C. Judkins, the use, benefit, and income of all of my real estate" for life, then to "my daughter, Frances M. Stearns of Boston," and that Richard had deeded his interest to his wife Belva in 1921 (Book 652 Page 102); after the partition (Middlesex Probate docket 157121, Charles L. Hildreth commissioner), Belva C. Judkins "for further assurance" grants to Marble "the parcels of land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon numbered 7, 8 and 9 in said petition," in trust for the uses of Item 2 of Edward F. Judkins's will. Dated July 26, 1926, recorded July 28, 1926.
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| April 21, 1953 | Quitclaim | Everett R. Brigham, trustee | Frances M. Stearns (Frances Judkins Stearns) | 1953 the trustee under the Judkins trust conveys partition Lots 7, 8 and 9 to Frances M. Stearns | 1221/249 |
Brigham, appointed trustee Jan. 20, 1953 under the 1926 trust (Book 740 Page 15), conveys the partition lots numbered 7, 8 and 9, noting that Emily C. Judkins, who had a beneficial interest, had died and that Frances had since held sole possession. Consideration under $100. Signed April 16, 1953. Title for the 1973 Riverhurst Road lots.
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| April 6, 1973 | Quitclaim | Frances M. Stearns | Charles E. Stearns and Helen L. Stearns | 1973 Frances M. Stearns sells Lots A and B on Riverhurst Road to Charles E. and Helen L. Stearns; the right of way runs from them | 2059/11 |
For $8,000, Lots A and B (50,000 and 52,890 sq. ft.) on the northerly and northeasterly sides of Riverhurst Road, "Compiled Plan of Land in Billerica, Mass., Owned by Frances Stearns," Jan. 5, 1973 (Plan Book 116, Plan 21), part of the "Further Field" that Frances inherited under the will of her father Edward F. Judkins (Hazen's "Mrs. Judkins" was a Hill descendant). The receiving lot for the house, moved here from Concord Road in 1973 by Charles E. Stearns of the Billerica Historical Commission. Front portions from the Town of Billerica (Book 2041 Page 607) and Chocorua Lodge No. 51, I.O.O.F. (Book 2049 Page 13).
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| December 21, 1989 | Quitclaim Deed | Charles E. Stearns of 381 Boston Road, Billerica, unmarried | Sudbury Valley Trustees, Inc., of Wayland | 1989 Stearns gives the Judkins Wood Lot and Peter Hill Lot across the river, the companion Ralph Hill Wood Lot | 5103/153 |
Signed and acknowledged December 11, 1989; recorded December 21, 1989. "For consideration of one dollar", with quitclaim covenants, "two parcels of vacant land in said Billerica situated on the northwesterly side of the Concord River", on "A Plan of Land in Billerica belonging to the Judkins Estate & to E.J. Hill", surveyed January 1883 by Osgood and Snell, copied December 1908 by Smith and Brooks (Plan Book 32, Plan 55): "The first parcel is known as the Judkins Wood Lot, and is shown on said Plan as "Wood Lot", containing 31.08 acres more or less"; "The second parcel is shown on said Plan as "Peter Hill Lot", containing 3.27 acres, more or less." Held for the same charitable purposes as the 1990 gift. Title: deed of Frances M. Stearns dated December 19, 1963, Book 1658, Page 149. This is the companion "Ralph Hill Wood Lot" (assessor 68-14-0) across the river, inside Vietnam Veterans Park. Book 5103, Pages 153-154.
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| December 18, 1990 | Quitclaim Deed | Charles E. Stearns of 381 Boston Road, Billerica, unmarried | Sudbury Valley Trustees, Inc., of Wayland | 1990 Charles E. Stearns gives the 28 acres on the river and the right of way from Riverhurst Road to the Sudbury Valley Trustees | 5409/118 |
Signed and acknowledged December 10, 1990; recorded December 18, 1990. "For consideration of one dollar ($1.00)", with quitclaim covenants, "two parcels of vacant land in said Billerica": "Parcel One: being shown on the Town of Billerica Assessors Map No. 68, Parcel 3, revised January 1, 1989, containing twenty-eight (28) acres more or less"; "Parcel Two: being shown as "57' Right of Way" on a plan of land entitled "Compiled Plan of Land in Billerica, Mass. Owned by Charles E. And Helen L. Stearns"", December 18, 1980, Fleming, Bienvenu and Associates, Plan Book 133, Plan 121. Subject to two sewer easements to the Town of Billerica of May 16, 1966 and August 31, 1972 (Book 1753, Page 240, and Book 2029, Page 206). "Said parcels are conveyed to Grantee to be held for its corporate charitable, educational and scientific purposes, including the preservation of natural resources and wildlife areas for the enjoyment of present and future generations." Title to Parcel One: "Estate of Frances M. Stearns, Middlesex Probate No. 78916" (the assessor gives 478196); to Parcel Two, the deed of Frances M. Stearns to Charles E. and Helen L. Stearns, Book 2059, Page 11; "Helen L. Stearns died October 5, 1983." Book 5409, Pages 118-119.
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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.
References
- Bay Circuit Trail, Section 5A: Ralph Hill Homestead (SVT, 28 acres) and Ralph Hill Wood Lot (SVT, 34 acres)
- GPS File Depot: Billerica, Ralph Hill Conservation Area map (Town of Billerica and Sudbury Valley Trustees land)
- Billerica Open Space and Recreation Plan (2024-2025): the Ralph Hill Conservation Areas among the protected Concord River shoreline
- Billerica assessor: parcel 68-3-0, Riverhurst Rd, Sudbury Valley Trustees Inc., 28 acres, Book 5409, Page 118
- Annual Reports 1960-1964: March 1960 town meeting, Article 96, rezoning the Stearns land west of Route 3 to the Concord River (lost)
- Annual Report 1995: riverfront land swap next to the Sudbury Valley Trustees land across the river from Vietnam Veterans Park
- Annual Report 2004: Vietnam Veterans Park report, "the Ralph Hill Wood lot property, 34 acres, owned by the Sudbury Valley Trustees"