Nathaniel Cheever House

Address	484 Boston Rd
Built	1853
Demolished	1970
Owners	Nathaniel Cheever (1830 - 1853) Clara E. Sexton (1879 - 1892)
Other Lot Structures	Bowers Homestead (1788 - 1969) Nathaniel Cheever Barn (1853 - 1970) J. Rogers House (1855 - 1959) Harlow Colby House (1870 - 1969) Frank A. Fitzgerald House (1906 - 1969) Shops at Billerica (Built 1975)

The second house on the Nathaniel Cheever place stood at the north edge of the Cheever homestead on the east side of Boston Road, where the Shops at Billerica now stand. The deeds show that it was a separate property from 1853. In July of that year Cheever, a blacksmith, sold "a certain tract or parcel of land containing one acre situated near the centre of said Billerica with a dwelling house and small barn thereon standing" to Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, a trader, for $1,000. The lot ran four rods on the road from Lowell to Boston and forty rods back, with Blaney Abbot's land on the north and Cheever's own land on the south and east. When Cheever sold the rest of his homestead to Jacob P. Brown in 1857, the deed excepted "about one acre ... heretofore conveyed to said Josiah Richardson". So the house and the small barn were standing by 1853, a little earlier than the 1856 map that labels them with Cheever's name.

Josiah Richardson sold the acre in 1858 to Francis Richardson of Billerica, who sold it in 1859 for $1,200 to Mary M. R. Patten, wife of the Rev. Abel Patten, "to her sole and separate use". After her death her husband, as her administrator, sold it at auction in 1862 to Isabella G. Patten for $426, and she deeded it back to him that summer. Abel Patten died in 1864. In 1866 Bowman N. and Isabella Patten deeded the place to the Eastman family, a deed that was never recorded. In 1879 Lund F. Eastman of Lowell sold his two-sevenths share, and as guardian sold his ward Addie E. Eastman's five-sevenths, to Clara E. Sexton for $1,585 in all. She mortgaged it to her relative Mary H. Crosby, who owned the old Abbot farm next door.

In 1892 Clara E. Sexton sold the house lot, "with the buildings thereon", to Susan Ella Martin of Boston for $2,000. She married Charlie L. Burton and died without a will, and in 1915 her son Clarence A. Martin of Lynn released his share to Burton. Burton and his wife Hattie C. Burton took the title together in 1944. After his death in 1961 the lot was sold to private owners. In 1970 it was bought by the Farmers, who were assembling the land for the Billerica Mall, and the old house and barn were torn down. The mall opened on the site in 1975.

Deed References

Date	Type	Grantor	Grantee	Summary	Recorded
November 8, 1822	Gift	Capt. William Bowers of Billerica, gentleman	His son Samuel Bowers of Billerica	1788: William Bowers to his son Samuel, the homestead	244/269 (South)
	"For and in consideration of the love and affection I have and do bear unto my son Sam'l Bowers and as ... pounds in part of his portion out of my Estate", several parcels, first "the Homestead where he now lives containing about fourteen acres be it more or less bounded westwardly on the county Road southwardly on my own land eastwardly and northwardly on David Abbot to the road first mentioned with all the buildings thereon", also about twenty acres on the Lexington road by Capt. Stickney, about two acres on the County road by Josiah Bowers and the road to William Tompson's, fourteen acres of woodland on the north side of Fox Hill and half of six acres by John White and Jacob Richardson, reserving the improvement of the last four pieces for his life. Dated May 23, 1788; acknowledged June 1, 1796; recorded Nov. 8, 1822. Billerica town book 12, pages 263-264. The earliest deed found for the 14-acre homestead that became the Cheever place: Samuel Bowers already lived there in 1788. Title passed to: 1825 Deed in Trust: Samuel Bowers of Billerica, yeoman to His son-in-law Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician, in trust (261/524) ("all the lands which I purchased of William Bowers ... the homestead where I now live")
1825	Deed in Trust	Samuel Bowers of Billerica, yeoman	His son-in-law Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician, in trust	1825: Samuel Bowers homestead in trust	261/524 (South)
	Samuel Bowers, "being advanced in years and infirm of body" and "desirous of relieving myself from the cares incident to the management of my worldly substance and of settling my estate in my life time", in consideration of Thompson's bond of $10,000 for the trusts and "of love and affection to my wife Sarah and to all my children and to my granddaughter Caroline W. Little", conveys his pew in the meeting house and all his lands, first "all the lands which I purchased of William Bowers by his deed dated the twenty third day of May ... one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight that is to say, all the homestead where I now live, containing about twenty acres of land", with many other pieces in Billerica, Lynesborough, N.H., and Maine, and his livestock and chattels, the trustee to pay his debts and support the family. Dated Aug. 25, 1825 (date from the 1830 deed to Cheever). Billerica town book 12, pages 400-404. The homestead is the later Cheever place. Title from: November 8, 1822 Gift: Capt. William Bowers of Billerica, gentleman to His son Samuel Bowers of Billerica (244/269) ("all the lands which I purchased of William Bowers ... the homestead where I now live") Title passed to: November 11, 1828 Warranty Deed: Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician (Elizabeth Thompson releasing dower) to John Baldwin Esq. and Henry Baldwin, gentlemen, of Billerica (284/362) ("the same land conveyed to me by Samuel Bowers by Deed dated August 25th 1825") October 1, 1830 Deed: Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician (Elizabeth Thompson releasing dower) to Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith (300/7) July 3, 1834 Warranty Deed: Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician (wife Elizabeth releasing dower) to Henry Bowers of Billerica, yeoman (334/41) ("the same conveyed to me by the late Samuel Bowers")
October 1, 1830	Deed	Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician (Elizabeth Thompson releasing dower)	Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith	1830: Thompson to Nathaniel Cheever, the Bowers homestead	300/7 (South)
	For $900, "a certain piece or parcel of land situate in Billerica aforesaid, with the buildings thereon, bounded as follows, viz. Westwardly on the County road, Southerly on land belonging to the Heirs of late Jonathan Bowers deceased, Eastwardly and Northerly on land of David Abbot to the road first mentioned and containing fourteen acres, two roods and seventeen perches ... being the homestead place of the late Samuel Bowers deceased, and is the same conveyed to me by the said Samuel Bowers in his deed dated Anno Domini 1825 the twenty fifth day of August" (Book 261, Page 524). Dated Oct. 1, 1830. Billerica town book 14, pages 333-334. Later deeds cite it as Book 311, Page 7 in error. Title from: 1825 Deed in Trust: Samuel Bowers of Billerica, yeoman to His son-in-law Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician, in trust (261/524) Title passed to: August 17, 1853 Warranty Deed: Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, yeoman (Lucy Cheever releasing dower) to Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, trader (663/64) (the north acre of the Cheever place) April 3, 1857 Warranty Deed: Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith, and Lucy Cheever, his wife, in her right jointly to Jacob P. Brown of Lowell, pattern maker (9/129) (less one acre sold to Josiah Richardson in 1853)
August 17, 1853	Warranty Deed	Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, yeoman (Lucy Cheever releasing dower)	Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, trader	1853: Cheever sells the north acre "with a dwelling house and small barn" to Josiah Richardson	663/64 (South)
	For $1,000, "a certain tract or parcel of land containing one acre situated near the centre of said Billerica with a dwelling house and small barn thereon standing": 4 rods on the road from Lowell to Boston and 40 rods deep, Blany Abbot on the north and Cheever's own land south and east; Richardson assumed a $600 mortgage to Jonathan Hill. Dated July 28, 1853. Billerica town book 20, pages 400-401. Title from: October 1, 1830 Deed: Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician (Elizabeth Thompson releasing dower) to Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith (300/7) (the north acre of the Cheever place) Title passed to: 1858 Warranty Deed: Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, gentleman (Hannah M. Richardson releasing dower) to Francis Richardson of Billerica (17/283)
April 3, 1857	Warranty Deed	Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith, and Lucy Cheever, his wife, in her right jointly	Jacob P. Brown of Lowell, pattern maker	1857: Cheever to Jacob P. Brown, the homestead with buildings	9/129
	For $1,900, "a certain piece or parcel of land, situated in said Billerica with the buildings thereon": west on the County Road, south on "the heirs of late Jonathan Bowers", east and north on David Abbott "to land of Josiah Richardson and by said Richardson land to the Road first mentioned", "containing thirteen acres more or less, being the same Estate conveyed to said Nathaniel Cheever by A. R. Thompson's Deed in 1830" (Book 300, Page 7), "excepting about one acre ... heretofore conveyed to said Josiah Richardson, being mostly the homestead of the late Samuel Bowers" (Book 261, Page 524), "and the same being the homestead of us the said Nathaniel and his wife, the grantors which we now occupy." Subject to two $200 mortgages to Jonathan Hill. Dated April 2, 1857. Brown mortgaged it back to Cheever for $600 the same day (Book 9, Page 263). Title from: October 1, 1830 Deed: Dr. Abraham R. Thompson of Charlestown, physician (Elizabeth Thompson releasing dower) to Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith (300/7) (less one acre sold to Josiah Richardson in 1853) Title passed to: January 22, 1859 Warranty Deed: Jacob P. Brown of Billerica, pattern maker, and Susan E. N. Brown, his wife, in her right jointly to Abel Patten of Burlington, clerk (17/582) Related: August 17, 1853 Warranty Deed: Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, yeoman (Lucy Cheever releasing dower) to Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, trader (663/64) (the 1857 sale of the Cheever place excepts this acre)
1858	Warranty Deed	Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, gentleman (Hannah M. Richardson releasing dower)	Francis Richardson of Billerica	1858: Josiah Richardson to Francis Richardson	17/283
	For $1,000, the same acre "with a dwelling house and small barn thereon standing", 4 rods on the road from Lowell to Boston between Blany Abbot and land now or late of Nathaniel Cheever, "being the same conveyed to me by Nathaniel Cheever by his deed of Warranty dated July 28th A.D. 1853 ... Lib. 663 Folio 64". Dated Sept. 16, 1858. Title from: August 17, 1853 Warranty Deed: Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, yeoman (Lucy Cheever releasing dower) to Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, trader (663/64) Title passed to: June 25, 1859 Warranty Deed: Francis Richardson of Billerica to Mary M. R. Patten, wife of Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica (20/77)
January 22, 1859	Warranty Deed	Jacob P. Brown of Billerica, pattern maker, and Susan E. N. Brown, his wife, in her right jointly	Abel Patten of Burlington, clerk	1858: Brown to Abel Patten, the Cheever place	17/582
	For $2,025, "a certain piece or parcel of land situate in said Billerica, with the buildings thereon": west on the County Road, south on the heirs of the late Jonathan Bowers, east and north on David Abbott to Josiah Richardson and by Richardson to the road, "containing thirteen acres more or less. Being the same estate conveyed to said Brown by Nathaniel Cheever and wife, deed dated April 2, 1857 ... Book 9, Page 129, and the same being the homestead of us the said Jacob P. and his wife the grantors, which we now occupy." Subject to the $600 mortgage to Nathaniel Cheever and three to Jonathan Hill, $1,300 in all, which Patten assumes. Dated Nov. 10, 1858, before Dudley Foster, J.P. Title from: April 3, 1857 Warranty Deed: Nathaniel Cheever of Billerica, blacksmith, and Lucy Cheever, his wife, in her right jointly to Jacob P. Brown of Lowell, pattern maker (9/129) Title passed to: June 7, 1864 Executor's Deed: William S. Gleason and Aaron K. Patten of Billerica, executors of the will of Abel Patten, late of Tewksbury to Moses C. Trask of West Cambridge (39/90) (by the will of Abel Patten)
June 25, 1859	Warranty Deed	Francis Richardson of Billerica	Mary M. R. Patten, wife of Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica	1859: Francis Richardson to Mary M. R. Patten	20/77
	For $1,200, to her "sole and separate use free from the control or interference of her husband", the acre "with a dwelling house and small barn thereon standing" between the heirs of Blaney Abbot and land late of Nathaniel Cheever, "Being the same premises conveyed to me by Josiah Richardson ... Book 17 page 283." Dated April 14, 1859. Title from: 1858 Warranty Deed: Josiah Richardson of Roxbury, gentleman (Hannah M. Richardson releasing dower) to Francis Richardson of Billerica (17/283) Title passed to: July 9, 1862 Administrator's Deed: Rev. Abel Patten, administrator of Mary M. R. Patten of Billerica, married woman to Isabella G. Patten of Billerica (31/347) (administrator's sale)
July 9, 1862	Administrator's Deed	Rev. Abel Patten, administrator of Mary M. R. Patten of Billerica, married woman	Isabella G. Patten of Billerica	1862: her administrator Abel Patten sells to Isabella G. Patten	31/347
	Under a Probate Court license of Dec. 10, 1861 and after notice in the Lowell Weekly Journal, sold at auction March 25, 1862 for $426, all her interest in the acre "with a dwelling house and small barn thereon standing" by the Abbot heirs and land late of Nathaniel Cheever, the premises Francis Richardson conveyed to her in 1859 (Book 20 Page 77). Title from: June 25, 1859 Warranty Deed: Francis Richardson of Billerica to Mary M. R. Patten, wife of Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica (20/77) (administrator's sale) Title passed to: August 30, 1862 Warranty Deed: Isabella G. Patten of Billerica to Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica, clerk (31/594)
August 30, 1862	Warranty Deed	Isabella G. Patten of Billerica	Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica, clerk	1862: Isabella G. Patten back to Abel Patten	31/594
	For $426, the same acre "with a dwelling house and small barn thereon standing", conveyed to Mary M. R. Patten by Francis Richardson and "subsequently conveyed to me by Abel Patten, administrator ... Book 31, Page 347"; subject to a $400 mortgage. Dated Aug. 29, 1862 before Dudley Foster JP. The administrator's sale passed through her back to him. Title from: July 9, 1862 Administrator's Deed: Rev. Abel Patten, administrator of Mary M. R. Patten of Billerica, married woman to Isabella G. Patten of Billerica (31/347) Title passed to: December 6, 1879 Quitclaim: Lund F. Eastman of Lowell to Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (136/581) (through the unrecorded 1866 Patten deed to the Eastmans) December 6, 1879 Guardian's Deed: Lund F. Eastman of Lowell, guardian of Addie E. Eastman to Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (136/581) (through the unrecorded 1866 Patten deed to the Eastmans)
November 15, 1864	Warranty Deed	Moses C. Trask of West Cambridge (Mary C. Trask releasing dower and homestead)	William H. Fuller of Billerica	1864: Trask to William H. Fuller, the Cheever place	38/274
	For $1,575 (reading of "Fifteen hundred & seventy five" slightly uncertain), "a certain parcel of land situate in said Billerica with the buildings thereon", bounded "Westerly on the County road, Southerly on land of Harlow(?) Colby, Easterly & Northerly on land of or formerly of David Abbot to land formerly of Josiah Richardson & by said Richardson land to the Road first mentioned, and containing thirteen acres more or less, being the estate (except one acre granted to said Richardson) which was conveyed to Nath. Cheever by A. R. Thompson Dec. in 1830, recorded in Middlesex Deeds, Book 311, page 7, and the same estate conveyed by said Cheever to one Jacob P. Brown." Subject to a mortgage of $600(?) to Jonathan Hill, which Fuller is to pay. Dated Oct. 12, 1864, acknowledged before Dudley Foster, J.P. The Colby on the south is the H. Colby house lot of the atlases. Title from: June 7, 1864 Executor's Deed: William S. Gleason and Aaron K. Patten of Billerica, executors of the will of Abel Patten, late of Tewksbury to Moses C. Trask of West Cambridge (39/90) Title passed to: January 25, 1917 Warranty Deed: Walter H. Fuller of San Pedro, Los Angeles County, California, unmarried to Bertram S. Ward of Billerica (567/290) (by the wills and estates of William H. Fuller (1903) and Addie F. Fuller (1912))
June 7, 1864	Executor's Deed	William S. Gleason and Aaron K. Patten of Billerica, executors of the will of Abel Patten, late of Tewksbury	Moses C. Trask of West Cambridge	1864: Patten executors to Moses C. Trask, "the Cheever Place"	39/90
	Under the power in Abel Patten's will (dated Dec. 24, 1863, proved at Cambridge April 26, 1864), sold at public auction May 24, 1864 to Trask, the highest bidder, for $1,525, "a certain parcel of land situated in said Billerica and formerly known as the Cheever Place": west on the County Road, south on the heirs of the late Jonathan Bowers, east and north on "land formerly of David Abbott to land formerly of Josiah Richardson, thence runs Southerly by said Richardson's land four rods, thence Westerly by the same forty rods to said County Road", thirteen acres, "being premises conveyed to said Abel Patten deceased by Deed of Jacob P. Brown dated Nov. 10, 1858" (Book 17, Page 582), subject to a $500 mortgage to George Holden and $600 to Jonathan Hill, which Trask is to pay. Dated May 31, 1864, before Dudley Foster, J.P. The same day George Holden assigned Brown's 1857 mortgage to Cheever to Trask (Book 39, Page 92). Title from: January 22, 1859 Warranty Deed: Jacob P. Brown of Billerica, pattern maker, and Susan E. N. Brown, his wife, in her right jointly to Abel Patten of Burlington, clerk (17/582) (by the will of Abel Patten) Title passed to: November 15, 1864 Warranty Deed: Moses C. Trask of West Cambridge (Mary C. Trask releasing dower and homestead) to William H. Fuller of Billerica (38/274)
December 6, 1879	Quitclaim	Lund F. Eastman of Lowell	Clara E. Sexton of Billerica	1879: Lund F. Eastman, two sevenths, to Clara E. Sexton	136/581
	For $300, "all my undivided two sevenths part" of the acre "with buildings thereon, situate near the Centre", 4 rods on the road from Lowell to Boston between land formerly of the heirs of Blaney Abbott and land formerly of Nathaniel Cheever, "Being premises described in a deed from Bowman N. Patten" of March 24, 1866. Dated Nov. 20, 1879. Title from: August 30, 1862 Warranty Deed: Isabella G. Patten of Billerica to Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica, clerk (31/594) (through the unrecorded 1866 Patten deed to the Eastmans)
December 6, 1879	Guardian's Deed	Lund F. Eastman of Lowell, guardian of Addie E. Eastman	Clara E. Sexton of Billerica	1879: Eastman guardian, five sevenths, to Clara E. Sexton	136/581
	Under a Probate Court license of Nov. 25, 1879, for $1,285, "an undivided five sevenths part of a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon belonging to said Ward", the same acre, part of the premises in "a deed from Bowman N. Patten and Isabella Patten" of March 24, 1866, "and to be recorded". Dated Nov. 29, 1879. Title from: August 30, 1862 Warranty Deed: Isabella G. Patten of Billerica to Rev. Abel Patten of Billerica, clerk (31/594) (through the unrecorded 1866 Patten deed to the Eastmans) Title passed to: October 15, 1892 Warranty Deed: Clara E. Sexton of Billerica, in her own right (William H. Sexton releasing curtesy) to Susan Ella Martin of Boston (237/453)
December 6, 1879	Mortgage	Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (William H. Sexton assenting)	Mary H. Crosby of Billerica	1879: Sexton mortgage to Mary H. Crosby	136/583
	Mortgage for $1,800 in five years of "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon situate near the Centre", four rods on the road from Lowell to Boston between land formerly of the heirs of Blaney Abbott on the north and land formerly of Nathaniel Cheever on the south, forty rods deep, "the same premises conveyed to me by deed of Lund F. Eastman as Guardian of Addie E. Eastman" Nov. 29, 1879. Dated Dec. 4, 1879; discharged 1892 by Mary H. Crosby's administrator. The Eastman lot, the Sextons' first land next to the Abbot place. Related: April 28, 1866 Deed: E. W. Wilson of Swampscott, Essex County to Mary H. Crosby of Billerica (wife of Harvey Crosby), to her sole and separate use (48/339) (abutting Eastman lot) December 6, 1879 Guardian's Deed: Lund F. Eastman of Lowell, guardian of Addie E. Eastman to Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (136/581) (purchase-money mortgage)
October 15, 1892	Warranty Deed	Clara E. Sexton of Billerica, in her own right (William H. Sexton releasing curtesy)	Susan Ella Martin of Boston	1892: Sexton to Susan Ella Martin	237/453
	For $2,000, "a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon situated near the centre", from William H. Fuller north on the road from Lowell to Boston 4 rods and 10 feet to "my other land (formerly Blaney Abbot)", east about 8 rods "to the Eastman line" and 32 rods more to Fuller, south 4 rods and west 40 rods by Fuller. Dated Sept. 3, 1892 before Dudley Foster JP. Title from: December 6, 1879 Guardian's Deed: Lund F. Eastman of Lowell, guardian of Addie E. Eastman to Clara E. Sexton of Billerica (136/581) Title passed to: October 4, 1915 Quitclaim: Clarence A. Martin of Lynn (Dorothy A. Martin releasing dower) to Charlie L. Burton of Billerica (544/561) (by inheritance from Susan Ella (Martin) Burton)
October 4, 1915	Quitclaim	Clarence A. Martin of Lynn (Dorothy A. Martin releasing dower)	Charlie L. Burton of Billerica	1915: her son Clarence A. Martin to her widower Charlie L. Burton	544/561
	The same tract "with the buildings thereon ... near the center", "Being all and the same premises conveyed by Clara E. Sexton et al to my mother Susan Ella Martin ... book 237, page 453. Said Susan Ella Martin married said Charlie L. Burton and has deceased intestate, leaving as her only heirs her husband ... and her only child Clarence A. Martin." Dated Oct. 2, 1915. Title from: October 15, 1892 Warranty Deed: Clara E. Sexton of Billerica, in her own right (William H. Sexton releasing curtesy) to Susan Ella Martin of Boston (237/453) (by inheritance from Susan Ella (Martin) Burton) Title passed to: April 7, 1944 Quitclaim: Florence E. Grant of Chelmsford (straw for Charlie L. Burton) to Charlie L. Burton and Hattie C. Burton of Billerica (1004/438)
January 24, 1917	Quitclaim	Bertram S. Ward of Billerica (Susie L. Ward releasing dower)	Clarence A. Backer of Billerica	1917: Ward to Clarence A. Backer, the Cheever place	567/16
	"For consideration paid", "A certain lot of land with the buildings thereon situated in said Billerica on the easterly side of the County Road, now called Main Street", with the same bounds as Fuller's deed (the 1853 Cheever to Josiah Richardson land, the heirs of Jonathan Bowers, David Abbott), "Containing thirteen acres, more or less. Being the same premises to me conveyed by Walter H. Fuller by deed dated January 15, 1917," subject to Fuller's three Merrimack River Savings Bank mortgages. Dated Jan. 23, 1917. Ward was a straw: the Fuller deed was recorded the day after this one. Title from: January 25, 1917 Warranty Deed: Walter H. Fuller of San Pedro, Los Angeles County, California, unmarried to Bertram S. Ward of Billerica (567/290) Title passed to: June 4, 1926 Executor's Deed: Thomas W. Fernald and Reginald B. Fonda, executors of the will of Clarence A. Backer, late of Damascus, Virginia, formerly of Billerica to Isabel Porter, wife of Fred A. Porter, of Lincoln (736/589) (parcel 3, the Cheever place)
January 25, 1917	Warranty Deed	Walter H. Fuller of San Pedro, Los Angeles County, California, unmarried	Bertram S. Ward of Billerica	1917: Walter H. Fuller to Bertram S. Ward, the Cheever place	567/290
	"For consideration paid", "the land in said Billerica with the buildings thereon situated on the easterly side of the County Road, now called Main Street": from the southwest corner of "land conveyed by Nathaniel Cheever to Josiah Richardson by deed dated July 28, 1853" (Middlesex South Book 663, Page 64), south on the street to the heirs of Jonathan Bowers, east to David Abbott, north and west by Abbott to the Richardson land, south 4 rods and west 40 rods by it, "Containing thirteen acres, more or less. Being the same premises conveyed to William H. Fuller by Moses C. Trask by deed dated October 12, 1864" (Book 38, Page 274). "Said William H. Fuller deceased, testate, September 10, 1903, and by his will duly probated ... Case No. 62686, this property was devised to his wife, Addie F. Fuller. Said Addie F. Fuller deceased, intestate, April 24, 1912 ... Case No. 92536. My title to said premises is derived as the son and only heir-at-law of said Addie F. Fuller." Subject to three Merrimack River Savings Bank mortgages (1912, 1913, 1915). Dated Jan. 15, 1917. Title from: November 15, 1864 Warranty Deed: Moses C. Trask of West Cambridge (Mary C. Trask releasing dower and homestead) to William H. Fuller of Billerica (38/274) (by the wills and estates of William H. Fuller (1903) and Addie F. Fuller (1912)) Title passed to: January 24, 1917 Quitclaim: Bertram S. Ward of Billerica (Susie L. Ward releasing dower) to Clarence A. Backer of Billerica (567/16)
June 4, 1926	Executor's Deed	Thomas W. Fernald and Reginald B. Fonda, executors of the will of Clarence A. Backer, late of Damascus, Virginia, formerly of Billerica	Isabel Porter, wife of Fred A. Porter, of Lincoln	1926: the 13-acre Cheever place (parcel 3) to Isabel Porter	736/589
	By the power of sale in Backer's will, for $16,000, four parcels "with the buildings thereon": (1) registered land on Boston Road (249.59 feet) north of Clara E. Sexton's land (Certificate 864, plan of July 1915), less Lot 3 on Plan 6093-B sold to Jennie M. Kinsman in 1924; (2) Lot B on Land Court Plan 3956-A, less Lots 1 and 3 on Plan 6093-B, subject to Backer's 1913 mortgage to Clara E. Sexton; (3) "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon on the easterly side of the County Road now called Main Street", beginning at the southwest corner of "land conveyed by Nathaniel Cheever to Josiah Richardson by deed dated July 28th, 1853" (Middlesex South Book 663, Page 64), south on the street to "the heirs of Jonathan Bowers", east to David Abbott, north and west by Abbott back to the Richardson land, south 4 rods and west 40 rods by it, "thirteen (13) acres more or less", conveyed to Backer by Bertram S. Ward, Jan. 23, 1917 (Book 567, Page 16), subject to a $2,500 Merrimack River Savings Bank mortgage; (4) "A certain lot of land with the buildings thereon containing sixteen (16) acres", from Jacob P. Brown's land on the east side of Boston Road south to the Town's standpipe lot, around it, to a wall "at land formerly of one Rogers, supposed to be now of one Davis", south to "land formerly of Sewall Worthley, now of one Backer", to "land formerly of Barnard Tufts", east to "land formerly of Blaney Abbott" and north to Brown. Dated April 10, 1926. Title from: October 21, 1908 Warranty Deed: Arthur J. Larratt of Billerica (Katharine Larratt releasing dower and homestead) to Clarence A. Backer of Melrose (425/445) (parcel 4, the Colby place) January 24, 1917 Quitclaim: Bertram S. Ward of Billerica (Susie L. Ward releasing dower) to Clarence A. Backer of Billerica (567/16) (parcel 3, the Cheever place) Title passed to: December 3, 1934 Mortgagee's Deed: James Shannon, Robert J. Shannon, Herbert F. Shannon and James W. Shannon of Woburn, mortgagees of Isabel Porter to James Shannon, Robert J. Shannon, Herbert F. Shannon and James W. Shannon (853/480) (foreclosure of Porter's 1926 purchase-money mortgage)
December 3, 1934	Mortgagee's Deed	James Shannon, Robert J. Shannon, Herbert F. Shannon and James W. Shannon of Woburn, mortgagees of Isabel Porter	James Shannon, Robert J. Shannon, Herbert F. Shannon and James W. Shannon	1934: Shannon foreclosure of the Cheever place	853/480
	Foreclosure under the mortgage from Isabel Porter dated June 5, 1926 (Book 736, Page 592; document 6870 on Certificate 3085): after notice in the Billerica News on Nov. 1, 8 and 15, 1934, the premises were sold at auction "on the premises" on Nov. 23, 1934 for $5,000 to the mortgagees themselves. The deed repeats the four parcels of the 1926 Backer estate deed: the registered land north of Clara E. Sexton, Lot B on Plan 3956-A, the 13-acre parcel "on the easterly side of the County Road now called Main Street" south of the land "conveyed by Nathaniel Cheever to Josiah Richardson" in 1853, and the 16 acres from Jacob P. Brown's land south to the Town standpipe, Rogers (now Davis), Sewall Worthley, Barnard Tufts and Blaney Abbott, "Said four parcels being the same premises conveyed to Isabel Porter by deed of Estate of Clarence A. Backer dated April 10, 1926." Affidavit: $17,720 due on the $15,000 mortgage. Title from: June 4, 1926 Executor's Deed: Thomas W. Fernald and Reginald B. Fonda, executors of the will of Clarence A. Backer, late of Damascus, Virginia, formerly of Billerica to Isabel Porter, wife of Fred A. Porter, of Lincoln (736/589) (foreclosure of Porter's 1926 purchase-money mortgage) Title passed to: October 25, 1939 Quitclaim: James Shannon, James W. Shannon and Robert J. Shannon of Woburn and Herbert F. Shannon of Lexington (wives releasing) to John Thomas Musgrave of Billerica (934/174) (part of the foreclosed land) April 30, 1948 Quitclaim: Robert J. Shannon and James W. Shannon of Woburn (Nellie H. and Florence I. Shannon releasing) to Musgrave's Tower Farm, Inc., of Billerica (1089/385) (part of the land the Shannons took by foreclosure)
October 25, 1939	Quitclaim	James Shannon, James W. Shannon and Robert J. Shannon of Woburn and Herbert F. Shannon of Lexington (wives releasing)	John Thomas Musgrave of Billerica	1939: Shannons to John Thomas Musgrave, the north part of the Backer land	934/174
	"For consideration paid" ($8.50 in stamps), "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon on Boston Road in Billerica": from a stake on the east side of Boston Road southeast 333.95 feet to "a way at land of the Town of Billerica leading to a standpipe", east 366 feet by the way, around the Town land, southwest 79.5 feet to "land now or formerly of Angel", southeast 181 feet by a wall to Backer, then east 415, south 94 and east 358 feet by walls "along land of said Backer", northeast 750 feet along Jones, and northwest 63.72, 1,582.5 and 275.11 feet back to Boston Road; "Containing 15.70 acres more or less as shown on a plan of land in Billerica dated August 13, 1938, E. N. Montague, C.E." (Plan Book 62, Plan 35). "Said premises are a part of the land described in deed recorded in Book 853, Page 480." Dated Oct. 21, 1939. The start of Musgrave's Tower Farm dairy. The 15.70 acres are the south lot of Plan 62-35: the sixteen acres Josiah Rogers sold to Harlow Colby in 1858, less the Town standpipe lot. Title from: December 3, 1934 Mortgagee's Deed: James Shannon, Robert J. Shannon, Herbert F. Shannon and James W. Shannon of Woburn, mortgagees of Isabel Porter to James Shannon, Robert J. Shannon, Herbert F. Shannon and James W. Shannon (853/480) (part of the foreclosed land) Title passed to: April 21, 1948 Quitclaim: John Thomas Musgrave of Billerica (Evelyn R. Musgrave releasing dower) to Musgrave's Tower Farm, Inc., of Billerica (1089/61)
April 7, 1944	Quitclaim	Florence E. Grant of Chelmsford (straw for Charlie L. Burton)	Charlie L. Burton and Hattie C. Burton of Billerica	1944: Burton and his wife as tenants by the entirety	1004/438
	The same tract "with the buildings thereon" (4 rods 10 feet on the road, the Sexton and "Eastman" lines, Fuller land) and the Sage plan Lot 3 farther north, as tenants by the entirety, "the same premises to me conveyed by Charlie L. Burton by deed of even date". Dated April 6, 1944. After his death (May 29, 1961) the widow conveyed it in 1961; it was sold in 1961 and 1970 to private owners and then to the mall developers. Title from: January 15, 1903 Quitclaim: Susan U. Phillips of Billerica, widow to Charlie L. Burton of Billerica (351/246) (Lot 3 less the shop lot, as the second parcel) October 4, 1915 Quitclaim: Clarence A. Martin of Lynn (Dorothy A. Martin releasing dower) to Charlie L. Burton of Billerica (544/561) Title passed to: September 14, 1945 Deed: Charlie L. Burton and Hattie C. Burton of Billerica to Harlie G. Bohannan and Florence D. Bohannan of Billerica, tenants by the entirety (1029/264)
March 4, 1970	Quitclaim	Musgrave's Tower Farm, Inc., by Thomas W. Musgrave, president, and Earl R. Musgrave, clerk	J. Everett Farmer (also known as James E. Farmer) and Phyllis C. Farmer of Billerica, tenants by the entirety	1970: Tower Farm to the Farmers	1915/241
	For $569,000 ($1,297.30 in stamps), two parcels. Parcel 1: "A parcel of land with the buildings thereon located on the Easterly side of Boston Road", from the Town of Billerica's right of way north 434 feet on Boston Road, bounded by the Town's standpipe land, land of Farmer on the south and east, a stone wall along the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and "registered land of Davis" (Lot A) on the north, and the lots of Baraldi and Evelyn R. Musgrave on the road; subject to easements to Lowell Electric Light Company (Book 1108, Page 521) and to the Town for water purposes, Sept. 6, 1967 (Book 1838, Page 423). Conveys all the corporation's land under the deeds of John Thomas and Evelyn R. Musgrave (Book 1089, Page 61), Robert J. and James W. Shannon, April 28, 1948 (Book 1089, Page 385), and James W. Shannon et al., Feb. 14, 1970, except the Baraldi lot (Book 1541, Page 4), the Hargrove lot sold to Evelyn R. Musgrave in 1955 (Book 1307, Page 484) and a 1950 lot to John T. and Evelyn R. Musgrave (Book 1146, Page 275). Parcel 2: thirty acres on the west side of Allen Road (other land). Dated March 9, 1970. Title from: April 21, 1948 Quitclaim: John Thomas Musgrave of Billerica (Evelyn R. Musgrave releasing dower) to Musgrave's Tower Farm, Inc., of Billerica (1089/61) April 30, 1948 Quitclaim: Robert J. Shannon and James W. Shannon of Woburn (Nellie H. and Florence I. Shannon releasing) to Musgrave's Tower Farm, Inc., of Billerica (1089/385) (Parcel 1 of the 1970 sale includes the 1948 north lot) Title passed to: November 20, 1974 Deed: James E. Farmer (also known as J. Everett Farmer) and Phyllis C. Farmer of Billerica to Twenty-Fifth Billerica Corp., a Massachusetts corporation (2133/294) (part of the Tower Farm land)

Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.

Nathaniel Cheever House

Nathaniel Cheever House

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Deed References