USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register > Part 1
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UMASS/AMHERST 312066009005845
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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY
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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY
from
LOUIS N. GILBERT
1
Metropolitan Publishing & Engraving Co B
Thomas darbot L
HISTORY
OF
BILLERICA,
MASSACHUSETTS,
WITH
A GENEALOGICAL REGISTER,
BY
THE REV. HENRY A. HAZEN, A. M., MEMBER OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC, GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.
BOSTON : A. WILLIAMS AND CO. Old Corner Bookstore. 1883.
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST, MASS.
Copyright by HENRY A. HAZEN, 1882.
MARDEN & ROWELL, Lowell, Printers.
INTRODUCTION.
An Historical Memoir of Billerica, published by John Farmer, in the year 1816, was, perhaps, the earliest history of a Massachusetts town in- dependently printed and published. It is a pamphlet of 36 pages, printed at Amherst, N. II. Its intrinsic excellence and the subsequent fame of its author have given it celebrity as a rare treasure of local history, and it has recently been reprinted.
The need of a fuller history has been felt, and, as early as 1869, the town appointed the Committee under whose auspices this volume has been prepared. This Committee consisted of Gardner Parker, Esq., Dudley Foster, the Hon. Thomas Talbot, and the Rev. Christopher C. Hussey. For some years this Committee failed to secure any arrangement for the prose- cution of the work. In 1877, much to his own surprise, a fifth member was added to this Committee. Had he foreseen some of the consequences, he would have hesitated to accept the honor; but, with a hearty interest in the object proposed, he was not unwilling to aid, if he could, in its furtherance. The steps by which the result has been reached are not of consequence to the public ; but the result is that he must accept the responsibility of the volume here offered to the town and the public, and, dropping the third person, will add a few explanatory words.
No single volume can so fully and adequately describe the life of a town, that there will not remain ample materials for other volumes, which may have equal reason for their being. This is true of Billerica. The rec- ords alone would furnish volumes, which should be printed; and, beyond these sources, are exhaustless stores of memory and tradition, fact and faney, which would enrich the pages of a recorder who could glean dili- gently and sift judiciously. Not a native, or long a resident, of the town, I have done my work at some disadvantage in this direction, and many will seek here for details which they will not find. My aim has been to go back to the beginning, to lift the veil from a past which has been al- most forgotten, and to trace the foundations on which the modern super- structure is reared. The later history, for the last hundred years, is more accessible and familiar, and I have not intended to traverse it with much detail. The limitations of this volume would not allow similar and ade- quate fulness in both the earlier and later periods. and it has seemed to me
iv.
INTRODUCTION.
due to the fathers, that our first effort be to recover and record the story of their ploughing and seed-sowing, of which our modern life, since 1760, is only the fruit.
I have drawn the materials for these pages chiefly from the records, and from other original and hitherto unpublished sources. With more time to explore and digest the very copious material, I could have satisfied my own ideal much more fully; but the opportunity is wanting, and such as it is, I submit the volume to the use and charitable judgment of that large and increasing number who are interested in our local New England history and genealogy.
The separate paging of the Genealogical Register is due to the fact that it was first completed and printed, and the families being arranged alpha- betically, the paging is in that part not important. If the question arises why any family, now resident in town, is not recorded in the Register, the answer is, that the record was not furnished. At two town meetings, and on other occasions. citizens were invited to furnish their family record for this use, and none which were furnished are omitted.
For encouragement and aid in the work. thanks are due to friends more numerous than I can mention. Many, not named, are not forgotten, if I refer to a few, whom it were unpardonable to omit. The kindness and co- operation of each member of the Historical Committee have been constant and unstinted, and I record it here most gratefully; while to Mr. Foster and his good wife (whose recent death makes their pleasant home deso- late), I am specially indebted for the lists of town officers, and for the use- ful alphabetical copy. made by them, of the Baptisms found in the records of the First Church. Mr. Franklin Jaquith copied the inscriptions in the South Burying Ground, and those in the Old Corner Burying Ground were as kindly copied by Mrs. Holt. Mr. Jaquith also prepared with great care the list of soldiers from Billerica in the late war. Dr. C. E. Hosmer ren- dered important aid in preparing the Map of Ancient Billerica. The use of valnable surveys and papers has been generously granted by Mrs. Samuel Sage, Mr. Leander Crosby, Mr. Merton Simonds, of Bedford, Peter E. Vose, Esq., of Dennysville, Me., and the Rev. Henry M. Dexter, D. D., of New Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Cutler, of Bedford, have most kindly given me every opportunity to use the invaluable Lane Papers in their pos- session. The Hon. Samuel A. Green, M. D., Mayor of Boston, has not only given free access to the library of the Massachusetts Historical So- ciety, but. by constant and valuable suggestions, aided me very materially ; and Mr. John Ward Dean. of the New England Historic, Genealogical So- ciety, has been not less helpful. The Congregational Library, rich in local
v.
INTRODUCTION.
history and genealogy, has been always at my service, while to Miss Mary E. Stone. its assistant librarian, especial thanks are due. for invaluable aid, most cheerfully rendered, in reading proof of many of these pages. In my researches among the Massachusetts Archives in the Secretary of State's office, the aid of Dr. Edward Strong has been of great service ; and thanks are due to Mr. David Pulsifer, of the same office. Others, who should be named in the same spirit, are, Mrs. Bennett and Mr. W. W. Warren, Dr. Augustus Whiting, of Charlestown, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Faulkner, Mr. C. H. Hill, Mr. E. J. Hill and Dr. F. V. Noyes; and the volume might have an appropriate dedication to the memory of Capt. Charles A. Ranlett, to whose historic interest much was due in the inception of the enterprise.
In closing, I may be permitted to record the satisfaction which I have found in the researches and labors which this work has involved. My experience in such inquiries was limited; if it had been greater I should scarcely have consented to accept the responsibility of the undertaking. But it is only the truth to say, that it has largely been a labor of love. giv- ing its own constant reward. I have learned to honor the founders of this town, and the generations which have builded upon their foundations. If this volume shall aid to any extent in setting their work and memory in clearer light, and securing a more just appreciation of their toils and sac- rifices, I shall be content. At the same time I have more faith in the as- surance that the former days were not better than these, but that there has been substantial progress. The candid and careful student of the ancient records can reach no other conclusion. The golden age is not in the past. JIENRY A. HAZEN.
AUBURNDALE, 1 Dec. 1882.
A
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. - EARLY GRANTS - SHAWSHIN.
Grants to Govs. Winthrop and Dudley. 3, 4; "The Two Brothers." 4; to others and to Mrs. Winthrop, 5; Cambridge. 6-9; Dudley farm sold, 10; Grants from Cambridge, 12-4; petition of Shawshin, 16-8; named Billerica, and extended west of Concord river, 19; Cambridge, agree- ment and separation, 20-2.
CHAP. II .- FIRST SETTLERS - LOCATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS.
The "Farm" and the "Township." 23-5; settlers from Cambridge, Woburn and Braintree, 26-9.
CHAP. III. - LAND DISTRIBUTION.
"Farm" and "Township" agreement, 31-2; carly divisions of land, 34-9; Church farm, 40; College farm, 41; farms of Champney and others, 41; "Naticott" grant to Billerica; its sale to Brenton, 42-4; John Cromwell. 45; Cambridge "Great Deed," 46; grant of 4000 acres, 47; sold to Parker, 48.
CHAP. IV. - THE STORY AS TOLD IN THE RECORDS.
Account of the "Record" volumes. 51-3; Rights. acre-lots, 54; rating, 55; house for minister. 57; first town officers, 59; instructions to Select- men, 61; Maj. Willard, letter from, 62; the common herd, 63; killing wolves, 65; yoking swine, 66 ; shade trees and burying place. 67; Cam- bridge titles, GS ; sale of mill-lot, 68 ; town charges, 1663, 69.
CHAP. V. - BOUNDARIES.
Andover. 73-5 ; Concord, controversy, 76-81 ; Woburn, 82-6.
CHAP. VI. - ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Early ways, 87 ; road to Woburn, 88; Concord, 89; Andover, 90; Wamesit, 91; East road, 92; Lexington, 94; Charnestaffe lane, 95; West st., 96; treble-cove and rangeway, 97 ; bridges, 97-101.
CHLAP. VII. - THE INDIANS AND WAMESIT.
Wamesit reservation, 103; chiefs, 104; John Eliot ; Gookin's narrative, 105; Philip's war, 109; garrisons. 109; Chelmsford assailed, 114; Groton, petition, 115; soldiers from Billerica, 117; the Christian Indians; their wrongs. 117; alarm at Billerica; the reported massaere, 119; hard- ships, 121 ; Kennebec expedition, 122.
vii.
CONTENTS,
CHAP. VIII. - INDIAN AND MILITARY.
Indian deeds, 123; sale of Wamesit, 124; the Winthrops seek to recover, 125 ; military company, 125 ; Canada expedition ; Dunstable assailed ; Lt. Wilson at Cocheco, 126; Billerica's first massacre. 127; second massa- cre, 129 ; Mrs. Toothaker, 130; military life and trials, 132; Hunt's gar- rison, 134; Col. John Lane, 135 ; Queen Anne's war. 136; soldiers from Billerica, 137; Dunstable attacked, 140; Lovewell's expedition, 141; Louisburg, 142; service on Connecticut river, 143; sad day for Biller- ica, 143; Josiah Crosby, 144; French and Indian war, 145; soldiers from Billerica, 147; the French neutrals, 151.
CHAP. IX. - RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Mr. Miller. Mr. Whiting. 153; meeting-house. 154: Danforth and the Chelms- ford church, 156 ; difficulties of church organization. 159; at last ef- fected, 160; the first pastor, 163; covenant, 163; half-way covenant. 164; minister's rate, 165; arrears, 166 ; repairs and new meeting-house, 168 ; seats, 169; Mr. Whiting's character, 170; frees his slave. 170; col- league, 172; his death, 174; Mr. Ruggles' ministry, 174; third meet- ing-house, 175; pew ground and seats, 176; bell, 177; list of sittings, 178; Mr. Chandler settled, 181; death of Mr. Ruggles, 182; brief and troubled pastorate of Mr. Chandler, 183.
CHAP. X .- GLEANINGS FROM RECORDS.
Testimonial of loyalty, 185; fat ox for Mr. Davie, 186; basis of rates changed, 187; Crosby's public house, 188; aid to the poor; tything- men, 189; oath of fidelity, 191; subscription for Harvard College, 192; early tax lists. &c., 193; mill swamp drowned, 195; entertainments at public house, 196; witchcraft; Mrs. Carrier, 196; receipts and expen- ses of town, 1714, 201; tax lists, 1733 and 1755, 203.
CHAP. XI. - LAND DISTRIBUTION.
List of rights, 1685, 208; other claims, 209; extensive divisions, 210; grant- ees, 213; west side, 214; ministry lot ; sale of land to Capt. Reed, 215.
CHAP. XII. - DISMEMBERMENT.
Wamesit "Purchase," 217; Bedford, 218; Tewksbury, 220; Wilmington, 222; Carlisle, 223.
CHAP. XIII. - THE REVOLUTION.
Resolutions, 1768, 226 ; non-importation, 227; resolutions. 1773, 227 ; Bos- ton port bill ; the town's response, 229 ; will not use British goods, 231 ; militia, 232 ; committee of inspection ; minute men, 233; Ditson tarred and feathered, 234; the 19th of April, 235; committee of correspond- ence, inspection and safety, 237 ; Bunker Hill; independence, 238; calls for troops, 239; inflation of the currency, 240; aid for soldiers, 241; list of soldiers, 243; tax-list, 1776, 247.
viii.
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XIV. - EDUCATION.
Catechising, 252; Joseph Tompson, schoolmaster, 253; others, 254; squad- rons. 255; school-houses; school-dames, 256; Pemberton Academy, Billerica Academy, 257; Howe school, 258; Boy's school, 259.
CHAP. XV .- RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Henry Cumings settled. 260; " recollections " of him, 261; new meeting- house, and pew-list. 263; the pastor's theological position, 264; extract from sermons, 265; colleague settled; death of Dr. Cumings, 266; Mr. Whitman's ministry ; disturbing elements ; town ceases to support, 267 ; his resignation, 268; successors, 269; First Baptist Church, 269; pas- tors; Congregational Church, 270; other churches, 272.
CHAP. XVI. - CANAL, TURNPIKE AND RAILROADS.
Middlesex Canal, 273; stages ; Boston & Lowell Railroad, 275; the "Nar- row Gauge," 276.
CHAP. XVII. - MILLS - MANUFACTURES.
Early mills. 278; grant to Osgood; its history, 279; contest with towns above, on Concord river; Faulkner's mills, 280; Talbot's mills ; Hill's machine shop ; Patten's manufactory, 281 ; Jaquith's glue factory, 282.
CHAP. XVIII. - BILLERICA IN THE REBELLION.
Raising troops, 283; monument, 284; record of soldiers, 285.
CHAP. XIX .- THE MOTHER-TOWN OF BILLERICAY.
Description, 293 ; historic items, 295; meaning of name, 296.
CHAP. XX. - MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL.
Billerica graduates ; lawyers and physicians, 302; town officers, 304; post- masters, 307; population, 309 : census, 310; voting list, 1880, 312; li- braries, 315; celebrations ; Indian names, 316; surroundings and seen- ery, 317.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAIT OF THOMAS TALBOT Frontispiece.
MAP OF ANCIENT BILLERICA D. 16
GARRISON HOUSE. French?
111
HOWE SCHOOL 257
BOYS' SCHOOL. M. C. MITCHELL 258
FIRST CHURCH AND COMMON 263
BAPTIST CHURCH 269
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 271
BAPTIST CHURCH. NORTH BILLERICA 272
FAULKNER MILL 279
TALBOT MILL : 280
284
SOLDIERS MONUMENT
294
BILLERICAY. ENG .. MAIN STREET
66 PARISH CHURCH 298
BENNETT LIBRARY
315
RESIDENCE AND PORTRAIT OF MRS. BENNETT 10
PORTRAIT OF REV. HENRY CUMINGS. D. D. 33
DANFORTHE GARRISON HOUSE 31
PORTRAIT OF FRANCIS FAULKNER
RESIDENCE OF LUTHER W. FAULKNER 52
PORTRAIT OF HON. JOSIAH FRENCH 60
HILL GARRISON HOUSE 68
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES H. H 72
JAQUITH HOMESTEADS 76
JUDKINS HOMESTEAD 80
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS TALBOT 146
RUFUS K. UNDERHILL 152
PORTRAIT OF DEA. SAMUEL WHITING 159
1
-
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY GRANTS-SHAWSHIN.
THE Pilgrims came to Plymouth in the year 1620. Dover and Portsmouth were occupied in 1623. Then five years passed, and Endecott, 'with the first Puritan company, arrived at Naumkeak and laid the foundations of Salem. In 1629 the charter of Mass- achusetts was granted by King Charles, and other settlers occupied Weymouth, Mishawum (or Charlestown), and Saugust (or Lynn). The arrivals in 1630 were more numerous, fourteen 'sail' and fifteen hundred passengers, with Winthrop and Dudley among them. Some of the Charlestown people moved across the Charles river to Shaw- mut, or Trimountain, where, for some years, a solitary Episcopal clergyman named Blackstone had been living a hermit life. and thus Boston was born. Mattapan (or Dorchester). Roxbury. Watertown and Meadford were occupied the same year. Connecticut was chartered in 1631, and Newtown was occupied with the intention of fortifying and making it the chief town of the colony. Governor Winthrop and Assistant-Governor Dudley began to build there, but Winthrop and some others becoming dissatisfied or convinced that it was an error to leave Boston, returned, and the early rivalry between Cambridge and Boston resulted in favor of the latter town. The year 1633 was memorable for the coming of John Cotton, the eminent divine and friend of Cromwell, who brought the name of his own English Boston, and gave it new fame by supplanting the Indian name Shawmut. Thomas Hooker and his company also arrived that year and settled in Newtown; but after three years, finding that they had not room enough, removed to Hartford. Agawam (or Ipswich) and Hingham were also settled. With 1635, Newbury was occupied, and the first plantations were made inland,
2
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
at Musketaquid (Concord), and Springfield; and there followed Dedham, in 1636 ; Sudbury, in 1637 ; Enon (or Wenham), Glouces- ter and Rowley, in 1639; Salisbury, Lynn Village (Reading), Woburn and Braintree, in 1640; Pentucket (Haverhill), and Nantasket (Hull), in 1641; Topsfield, in 1642; Bradford and Cochichawiek (Andover), in 1643; and Nashaway (Lancaster), and Malden, in 1648. In twenty years the Massachusetts Colony had planted thirty-one towns, not including Dover, Portsmouth, Hampton and Exeter, now in New Hampshire, but then in her jurisdiction. The Plymouth Colony in 1648 numbered seven towns ; Connecticut, fifteen ; Rhode Island, four ; and in Maine there were three : York, Saco and Wells. In all New England there were sixty-four towns at this time.
The desire of the early colonists for ample room in their settle- ments was natural. They came from a country where landed pos- sessions were largely the basis of wealth and rank. They were laying foundations here and looking to the future with large views and large faith, and the opportunity naturally awakened the purpose to endow their children with acres enough upon which to build a prosperous future. So with Boston on one side, and Watertown on the other, Hooker and his company felt themselves straightened in Newtown, and removed to the inviting meadows of the Connecticut ; and Charlestown, Lynn and Ipswich were soon seeking for room to expand. Reading and Woburn grew up the children of these parent towns, and Billerica drew her first life from Cambridge, which Newtown had become with the planting of Harvard College there.
The first pulsation of the life of Billerica may be found in a record of the General Court, "1635-6, 3 March. The Goun', Dep- uty Goun', and John Winthrop, Sen', Esq", or any two of them, are intreated to vewe Shaweshin and soe to informe the next Genall Court whither or noe it may not be a fitt place for a plantacon." Concord had been occupied the previous year, and the vicinity would naturally receive new attention. This governor was Mr. John Haynes who removed in October of the same year with Mr. Hooker's company to Hartford, and became the first governor of Connecticut Mr. John Winthrop was the eminent first governor of Massachusetts. The removal of Mr. Haynes may have interfered with his exploring Shawshin ; and there is no evidence that the next General Court received the information desired. But we may infer that Mr. Winthrop did not personally neglect it, and we soon find him receiving an important grant here.
3
EARLY GRANTS -SHAWSHIN.
About this time the name of Shawshin is heard in England. Mathew Cradock was the first governor of the Massachusetts company, and invested his wealth very freely for the promotion of the colony. He was the founder of Medford, and Winthrop succeeded him in office when the colony was sufficiently developed to need a resident governor. In a letter to Governor Winthrop, bearing date 1636_ Sept. 13, he adds a postscript, afterwards cancelled, as follows : 1
"SIR: I have a purpose to apply myself to tyllidge & increasing my stock of Cattel, & having had recourse to a plase caled Shawe Shynn, where I hear none comes but myselfe, I desire your frauour, when the Court Shalbee moved in my behalfe, that I may have 2000 Acres there allotted to me where I shall find it most convenient ffor mee. I know the orders made heere in Courte allowe me maney thousand acres more than I intend to demand or looke after. This my suite I hope will give offence to none. & when I shall putt up a tenement & a dame, as I have herewith given order thereabout. I hope in a short time others will ffollowe, if once a good minister be plased there, and I am persuaded the more English Corne is cherised the better it will be for the whole plantacion. I once more take my leave & Rest."
"Yours, MATHEW CRADOCK."
For some reason Mr. Cradock did not pursue the matter, and the settlement of Shawsbin was perhaps delayed by this failure. Possibly Cambridge was already on the outlook for the grant subse- quently made to that town. A year passed and the Court moves again in August, 1637. "Capt Jeanison & Leift Willi : Spencer were appointed to veiwe Shawshin & to consider whether it be fit for a plantation." Still no report ; but three months later, 2 Novem- ber, the Court makes, a large grant of land which fell within the bounds and bore important relations to the settlement of Shawshin. " The Deputy, M' Dudley, hath a thousand acres granted him wheare it may not piudice any plantation granted. nor any plantation to bee granted wthout limiting to time of imprt." "The Governor M' John Winthrope, Senior, hath graunted him a thousand acres of land upon the same tearms as M' Dudley hath his." This grant was enlarged and located 1638, May 2d, as follows : -
"It was ordered by this prsent Coart that John Winthrope, Esq", the p'sent Governor, shall have 1200 acres of land whereof 1000 was formerly granted him, & Thomas Dudley, Esq', the Deputy Governo", his 1000 acres granted to him by a former Courte,
1 Winthrop Papers in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections. Fourth Series. Volume 6, page 121.
4
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
both of them about 6 miles from Concord, northwards; the said Governor to have his 1200 acres on the southerly side of two great stones standing neare together, close by the ryver-side that comes fro Concord, & the Deputie Governo' to have his thousand acres on the northerly side of the said two great stones (wch stones were lately named the Two Brothers). The Deputie Governo' is to run a line easterly from the said stones so that hee may take in a meadowe on the other side of a hill, & so to extend his thousand acres as farr' northerly as hee will, & as the thousand acres will beare, & the Governor to ioyne in the said line runing Easterly, & to extend his lot as farr Southerly as his twelve hundred acres will beare, wch 2200 acres are by this Court established to the said p'ties, gener- ally, & their severall heires."
Governor Winthrop has left us in his journal2 an account of the location of these farms, too graphic to be omitted. These two eminent men came up to view the proposed, location from Concord, and "going down the river about four miles, they made choice of a place for one thousand acres for each of them. They offered each other the first choice, but because the deputy's was first granted, and himself had store of land already, the governor yielded him the first choice. So, at the place where the deputy's land was to begin there were two great stones which they called the Two Brothers in remembrance that they were brothers by their children's marriage, and did so brotherly agree, and for that a little creek near those stones was to part their lands. At the Court in the 4th month after, two hundred acres were added to the governor's part." This sentence fixes the date of this memorable visit, in January, 1637-8. The Two Brothers were better landmarks than the 'trees' so often used in designating boundaries, and still lie on the East bank of the Concord river, a short distance South of the Bedford line. They must be the earliest landmark in Billerica.3 A year later (1639, June 6) the Court "granted to John Winthrope, Esq., the p'sent Governor, a p'cell of meadow containing about sixetie acres, more or lesse, by estimation, lying within a mile or two of his farme, beneath Concord, towards the Southeast of the said farme, to have to him & his heirs, p'vided that it lye not wthin the bounds of any towne formerly granted." Mr. Dudley's farm was also increased to 1500 acres by the addition of his share of a grant to Roxbury. This was 460 acres which were "made" 500 by the Court.
" Winthrop's Journal, Volume 1, page 204.
3 In the early part of this history, until the period of separation of Bedford, Tewksbury and Carlisle, I use the name as the fathers did, including the ancient bounds of the town.
5
EARLY GRANTS-SHAWSHIN.
Soon after, the Court granted lands on the west side of Concord river. "1639, Nov. 5, the Court granted Increase Nowell his 500 acres " [granted in June ] " on the north side of the bounds of Concord, beyond the ryver, over against the Governor's 1200 acres ioyning to the bounds of Concord. Mr. Thom : Allen is granted his 500 acres "to ioyne to Increase Nowell on the north side of the said Increase Nowell, his grant." Mr. Nowell was a prominent citizen of Charlestown and secretary of the colony ; and Mr. Allen was the 'teacher' of the church in Charlestown. Then follows a grant, made at the same time, June, 1639, but not located till October. 1640, which came within the bounds of Billerica. "M' Thom : Welde, pastor of Roxbury, is granted 533 acres next to Mr. Thom : Allen, teacher of Charles Towne, beyond Concord Ryver, wrof 200 was granted by the country, & the other 333 is p't of the 4000 acres granted to Roxberry." This farm occupied the south part of Billerica, west of Concord River, and was afterwards bought by the town.
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