USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
One other and still larger grant remains to be mentioned. 1640, May 13, "There is 3000 acres of land granted to Mrs. Winthrope, the wife of Mr. John Winthrope, our late Governor, to bee at her disposeing, for her and her sonns, where they shall desire it, wthout piudice to any former grant." And 1641, Dec. 10, "Mrs. Marg* Winthrope hath her 3000 acres of land, formerly granted her. to bee assigned about the lower end of Concord Ryver, near Merrimack, to bee layde out by Mr. Flint & Leift. Willard, wth Mr. Oliver or some other skilful in measuring, so as it may not hinder a plantation, & any p't thereof they may purchase of any Indians that have right to it." This grant was between the Merrimack and the Concord, on the east side of the latter, and was subsequently laid out by Jonathan Danforth, "'in a true circle," including a part of Lowell and the adjacent section of Tewksbury.
With 1640, a new force was turned into the current setting towards the settlement of Shawshin. To appreciate its significance we need to recall certain facts in the general condition of the colony. This was a time of hardship and financial embarrassment. The meeting of the Long Parliament, and the increasing power of the Puritans in England, had checked the emigration to New England. and the Pequot war had taxed the new settlements. The financial difficulties of many of the colonists were serious, and Mr. Shepard and the Cambridge people were particularly involved. As a measure of relief they seriously considered the question of follow-
6
HISTORY OF BILLERICA:
ing Mr. Hooker and his company, whose houses and lands they had bought in Cambridge, and joining them in Connecticut. Mr. Shepard had married the daughter of Mr. Hooker, who strongly urged the removal of his son-in-law.4
The authorities of Massachusetts naturally deprecated a second disruption of Cambridge. Its influence on the colony and the infant college would be disastrous. And they strengthened their argu- ments with Mr. Shepard and his church by the proposal to enlarge their bounds nearer home. On the same day, 1640, Oct. 7, when Charlestown received a grant four miles square, which was the germ of Woburn, the Court took the following action : -
"The town of Cambridge is granted a month to consider of Shawshin for a village for them, & if they like it not, the town of Roxberry hathe liberty to consider of it for a village for them till the nexte Generall Courte." The result was, 1641, June 2: "Shawshin is granted to Cambridge, p'vided they make it a village, to have 10 families there setled wthin three years; otherwise the Court to dispose of it."
But the time was not ripe, and Cambridge was not ready to grapple with the difficulties of a new settlement so far in the wilderness. The General Court, however, at last secures a report descriptive of Shawshin ; but it was so far unfavorable. that whether intentionally or not, it must have discouraged the hopes of such as contemplated a settlement. This report bears date 1642, June 14, as follows : -
"Wee, whose names are underwritten, being appointed to viewe Shaw- shin; & to take notice of what fitness it was for a village, & accordingly to or apprehentions make returne to the Cort; wee therefore manifest thus much: that for the quantity it is sufficient, but for the quality in or apprhensions no way fit, the upland being very barren & very little medow there about, nor any good timber almost fit for any use. Wee went after wee came to Shawshin house, by estimation, some 14 or 16 miles at the least, in compass; from Shawshin house wee began to go downe the ryver 4 or 5 miles near East; then wee left that point & went neere upon north, came to Concord Ryver. a little belowe the falls, about one mile or neare ; then wee went up the ryver some 5 miles untill wee came to a place called the Two Brethren; and from thence it is about two miles & & to Shawshin, & the most pt of all the good land is given out already ; more land there is at the south side of the house, between the side of Concord line & the heade of Cambridge line. but littell medow. & the upland of little worth ; & this is what we can say hearin."
" SYMON WILLARD.
".EDWD CONVERS."
4 See his letter to Shepard in History of Cambridge, page 46.
-
7
EARLY GRANTS-SHAWSHIN.
The signers of this report were prominent citizens of Concord and Woburn, and neighbors are not always best friends. We need not doubt the intention of these gentlemen to do justice to Shawshin, if we do suspect that they were unconsciously influenced by the thought that some advantage and possible enlargement might come to their own towns, if Shawshin were not occupied as a distinct settlement. The "Shawshin house," where their route begins, must have been on the Shawshin river, in Bedford, at the place where Vine brook, "the riveret from Woburne," empties into it. Going down the river about to the present line of the railroad, they may have followed that line to North Billerica. Thence to the Two Brothers, and across Bedford to the starting point, would make about the distance estimated ; and if they did not leave this route, they saw little of the better portions of Shawshin. This Shawshin house was the first building in the town. By whom it was built, or for what purpose, or how long it remained, we know not. If Mrs. Winthrop availed herself of the leave granted by the Court the previous October, "to build a house & a hog or goate pen by the lower part of Concord Ryver," this may have been the second civilized structure in Shawshin.
After receiving this report, the General Court at the same session renewed the grant to Cambridge, giving Shawshin for the first time specific bounds. "All the land lying upon Shaweshin Ryver, & between that & Concord. Ryver, & between that & Merrimack Ryver, not formerly granted by this Co't, are granted to Cambridge, so as they erect a village there wthin 5 yeares & so as it shall not extend to preiudice Charlestowne village or the village of Cochitawit, nor the farms formerly granted to the now Governor of 1260 ac's, to Thom : Dudley, Esq., 1500 ac's, & 3000 ac's to Mrs. Winthrope ; & Mr. Flint & Mr. Stephen Winthrope are to set out their heade line towards Concord." Remembering that Cochitawit was Andover, and Charlestown Village, Woburn, the terms of this grant are very clear. Mr. Flint and Mr. Stephen Winthrop were surveyors, and are instructed to make the line of Concord the South-West bound, as it was in fact, of the Winthrop farm. The time within which the settlement must be effected is, by this grant, extended from 1614 to 1647. The difficulty of the undertaking, however, seems to have made it doubtful whether Cambridge could fulfil the conditions, even in the extended time, and inducements to remove to Connecticut continuing to influence her leading citizens, the Court again modified
8
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
the terms of the grant. in order to hold Cambridge to the Shawshin enterprise.
"1643-4, March 7, Shaweshin is granted to Cambridge, wthout any condition of making a village there, & the land between them & Concord is granted them, all save what is formerly granted to the military company or others, p'vided the church & p'sent elders con- tinue at Cambridge." The proviso shows distinctly that these grants, with their increasing inducements, were designed to prevent the removal of Mr. Shepard and his friends. And the policy was successful. They remained in Cambridge, and some of them became early inhabitants of Shawshin. It is hardly too much to suppose that this Shawshin grant prevented a second disruption of the mother town.
Cambridge could now proceed at her convenience in the settle- ment of Shawshin, without fear of losing the grant, and she made haste slowly. The only allusion found for four years to the place comes incidentally from Woburn. 1644, May 9, the Court "ordered that the ryver at Shawshin shalbe called by the name of Shawshin Ryver, not only belowe, but also above the riveret weh falls into said ryver in Wooburne bounds above halfe a mile from Cambridge line." The interest of the Court in this name of the river was not purely geographical. The western bound of Woburn was contin- gent upon it. In the original grant of " Charles Towne village." the Court says "they shall not crosse Cambridge line nor come wtbin a mile of Shaweshin Ryver." Vine brook, as it is now known, runs westerly from Burlington, then a part of Woburn, and crosses the line "above half a mile from Cambridge," now Lexington. If the Shawshin could be held to begin at the point where this riveret comes in, the western bound of Woburn might legally have been extended above, so far even as to meet Concord. But if the river were the Shawshin from its rise in Lincoln, the bound of Woburn was limited accordingly. A petition. therefore, was presented from Woburn, signed by Edward Johnson, Edward Converse and John Mousall. " Humbly Beeseaching this Honored Corte to give direction for sending in a cleere way, About the laying oute the Bounds of the sd towne next Shawshin River; first, whether it be mente wee shall keepe one mile fro the place called Shawshin, from whence wee conceave the River hath its Denomination, or whether wee must keep one Mile From any of the Riverets; 2nd, Whether wee must wave our bounds out & in a's the River doth (Being Straightened
9
EARLY GRANTS-SHAWSHIN.
Beyond Expectations by Lin Village one the other side). Would not Willingly delude ourselves with vayne Hopes Againe. But if it prove we Are Straightened by Shawshin River, likewise, wee may Indevor the gaineing (if it Be possible) some Handicraftsmen unto us, that the Blessed ordinances of God may Be upheld, the Lord helping in the use of means," etc. But the Court guarded the interests of Cambridge and Shawshin, and answered Woburn in the action given above.
The policy of "gaining some handicraftsmen" was, however, fairly successful in our sister town. They have been able, in spite of this defeat of their hopes, to maintain "the Blessed ordinances of God," and to give portions to three thrifty daughters, even from their contracted bounds.
The earliest action of Cambridge for the settlement of Shawshin. of which the record has been preserved, was taken, 1648, April 9.5
"It was agreed at a general meeting, when the whole town had special warning to meet for the disposing of Shawshine, that there should be a farm laid out of a thousand acres, to be for a public stock, and improved for the good of the church, & that part of the church that here shall continue ; and every person or persons that shall from time to time remove from the church, do hereby resign up their interest therein to the remaining · part of the church of Cambridge. This thousand acres of land, given to the use aforesaid, shall be laid out, either all together or else severally. part in one place & part elsewhere, according to the discretion of the inen that are appointed to lay out the land."
"Also. there were granted to several brethren that had no house-right in the town, if they did desire it, farms at Shawshin," "Imprimis : Capt. Googine a farm, if he buy a house in the town; also to Bro. Edward Oaks, Tho. Oakes, and Richard Hildreth, each of them a farm for their encouragement, if they see it may make for their support and desire it. Further, it is granted to Mr. Henry Dunster and Edward Collins. liberty to have their small farms at Shawshine. and to be considered in their quantity more than others in regard of their work ond place."
1649, April, one year later, the town "Agreed that Mr. Henry Dunster, President of Harvard College, should have 500 acres whereof four hundred is granted by the town to his own person and heirs, to enjoy freely, forever, and the other 100 acres, for the use of Harvard College. Item, unto Mr. Daniel Googine, 500 acres. Item, unto Mr. Edward Collins, in lieu of his small farm within the town bounds, with some addition in respect of his place in the Deacon's office, it was agreed that he should have 500 acres."
5 History of Cambridge, page 57.
10
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
The next movement on record preparatory to the occupancy of Shawshin was in 1651. Governor Dudley, whose farm of 1500 acres embraced an attractive part of the town, petitions the Court, Oct. 15, for a definition of his river bound. After statement of the grant, he says : "but is not expressed how far the said 1500 acres should go along by the ryver-side (although the said Thomas Dudley took it for granted, & yet does, that he might goe as farr by the ryver side as he would) yet to make it certain, & that no difference or questions may arise in times to come, the said petitioner does now intreat of this honored Court that it may be recorded that the 1500 acres so granted unto him may be laid out two myles & a halfe - - along by the ryver side, and so that he may make upp for 1500 acres from the ryver side to the land ward, ffor which he shall render due thanks," etc. He received favorable answer, and the way was thus prepared for the sale of his grant. This took place 28 Feb., 1651-2, to three citizens of Woburn, Thomas Chamberline, James Parker, and Isaac Learned. This was the earliest sale and one of the largest which was ever made of land in Billerica, and for these reasons, as well as for illustration of the methods of exchange of that day, I quote its provisions at some length.
"This witnesseth that whereas, by several grants of divers General Courts. there is conveyed to Thomas Dudley, the Deputy Governor, & his heyres, 1500 acres of land, lying & being about 6 miles northerly from Concord. * Now, the said Thomas Dudley, for & in consideration of one hundred & ten pounds of lawful money, to be payed unto him * * by Thomas Chamberline, Isacke Learned, and James Parker, all of Woburne, in New England, in such goods & at such times as hereafter heerein appeareth. hath granted * * all the right *
* which he, the said Thomas Dudley, or his heyres, hath therein, by virtue of the said grants of the general Courts, or by any purchase from any Indian * together with all woodes, trees, waters, fishings. & other appurtenances to the same belonging. To have and to hold Provided always, that if the said * shall not well & truly pay* * the summe of fifty & five
pounds of lawful money, oxen, steers, cowes, heifers, or calves, sound & good cattle, none of them to be above six years old, at his now dwelling- house in Roxbury, in New England, upon the eight & twentieth day of Aprill which shall be in the year of our Lord 1653; & the like summe of 55 pounds, in like cattaile or in corne at the place aforesaid, in such kind of corne as hereafter followeth: that is to say, Twenty pounds thereof in Wheate. & five & thirty pounds thereof in Rye, pease, or Indian corne, of each a like equal quantity, all good and clean dressed, upon the eight & twentieth day of Aprill, which shall be in * 1654; the said cattle & corne to be valued at the several times of deliverance thereof by one man chosen
11
EARLY . GRANTS-SHAWSHIN.
by said Thomas Dudley, and another man chosen by the [purchasers] ; and if these two cannot agree, then by a third man to be chosen by those two. And it is agreed, that if the [purchasers] shall pay any part of the last payment in corne, they shall give 3 months warning in writing * * how much they will so pay in corne, & if they shall pay but part of the last payment in corne, then it shall be proportioned according to the kinds of corne before expressed."
Governor Dudley's signature to this deed is witnessed by Thomas Dudley, Jr., Tobias Davis, and John Remkens, and the agreement is added "that what oxen shall be payed, may be seven years old and no more." The deed was recorded by Thomas Danforth, 19 Sept., 1656.
These three men, who purchased so large an interest in Shawshin, all became citizens of Chelmsford, which was receiving its early settlers at the same time. But James Parker resided here three or four years, and John Stearns, whose name is so prominent in our history, was the brother of Isaac Learned's wife, Mary. William Chamberline, who settled in Shawshin, was probably a relative of Thomas ; and George Farley, Henry Jefts, and the Hills were their neighbors in Woburn, and purchased of them parts of the Dudley farm.
Cambridge also soon began to take more effective measures. There had been, doubtless, debates going on how the settlement might be effected with some profit to those citizens of Cambridge who had no intention of removing to Shawshin. But the problem was not easy of solution. The clearing and occupancy of the wilder- ness was felt to entitle the pioneers to the full benefit of their toil and sacrifice, and immigrants could not be induced to make their homes here and subject themselves to any considerable tribute to Cambridge.
Some things indicate. also, that the question whether the benefit of the grant of Shawshin was to accrue to the church or the town of Cambridge created embarrassment. Town and church were in those days so nearly identical that it was not always easy to draw the line, and sometimes it was left obscure. While the grant of Shawshin is not specifically to the church, but simply to Cambridge, the language does imply that the General Court had the church in view in making it. And although the action, making grants in 1648 and 1649, had been by the town, it appears from the next quotation that the Shawshin grant was really held by the church. 1652,
12
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
1
June 9 (four months after Dudley had sold his farm) " it was agreed by the church that Shawshine should be divided as followeth : -
"To Mr. Michell. five hundred acres. To Edw. Okes, three hundred acres. To Thomas Okes, one hundred and fifty acres.
"It was agreed that these three above named should have their lots laid out by a committee with as little prejudice to any lot as may be, and so not to draw any lot.
" Also, the Church doth agree, that although the land be, by grant of the General Court, peculiar to the Church only, yet the whole town, viz. : such as are owners of house and land in the town, shall come into the division thereof.
"Also, it is agreed, that every man shall have a proportion of land. more or less, according to the proportion now allotted him.
"Also, that every man shall have a part of the meadow in proportion with his upland, to be laid out after the same rule that the upland is, both by lot and quantity.
"Also, it is agreed, that, after the farms formerly granted are laid out, the remainder of the land shall be divided into three breadths, viz .: two of the said breadths to lie between the rivers, and the third on this side Shawshine River. The first lot to begin upon a line continued over Shawshine River. the same that is between Woburn and us, running towards Concord, until it meet with Mr. Wintrop's farm; and so the said first lot to butt South upon that line & on Shawshine River and Mr. Win- trop's farm ; and so each lot to proceed one after another, by due parallels, until they come clear of the farms already laid out, and then to extend in two divisions between the Rivers, and a third division on the east side Shawshine River; and so every man's lot to follow one another, taking all the three breadths at once, the nearest land to the first center being still always the next lot in order.
"'The number of every man's lot & quantity of acres is as followeth on the other side."
Here follows a list of 113 names regularly numbered, and two others appended, of persons to whom grants varying from 10 to 450 acres were made in Shawshin, amounting to a total of 9800 acres. Add the 2450 acres above mentioned, granted specially to six leading citizens, and the whole number of acres granted by Cambridge to individuals reaches 12,250. Most of these grants were never located. but were sold to Billerica, as will subsequently appear. For convenience of reference and comparison with the later list in the deed of sale, I give these names, recast alphabeti- cally, with memoranda added as to the disposition of the rights.
13
EARLY GRANTS-SHAWSHIN.
I also insert, without numbers, the six names of other citizens who had large grants in Shawshin, but were not included in the dis- tribution by lot. The figures at the left of the names give the num- ber of acres. The original list may be found in the History of Cambridge, pp. 58-9. The original spelling is preserved, except that the initial 'ff,' often used, gives place to the capital 'F.'
LIST OF CAMBRIDGE GRANTEES.
96. Arrington. _ See Errington.] 38.
Cracbone. Gilbert. 90
95. Andrews. Mr. [Samuel.] 150
10. Cutter. Richard. 80
103. Angier. Mr. [Edmund.] 300
97. Cutter. Widd. 40
15. Banbricke, Widow. 40
102. Dana. Rich. 20
105. Bancroft, Rogr. 100
32. "Danforth, Tho. 220
77. Beal, Tho. 100
51. Day. Steven. 50*
62. Belcher, And.
50
56. Dixon. Willm.
42. Betts. John. 90
104. Druse. Vincet. 15*
12. Blogget. Daniell. 10
Dunster, Henry. 500
8. Boman, Mr. 20*
92. Ecles. Richard. 70
41. Bordman, Wm.
(0)
96. Errington, Abra. 70
75. Bontell. John. 20
27. Fiske. David. 00*
88. Bower. Ben. 20)
46. Fownell, John.
100
Bradshew, Humphrey. 15
6. Fox. Thomas.
80
76. Bridge, John. 250
33. Frances. Rich. 60
111. Bridge, Matt. 80
4.5. French. John's children.
30
108. Bridge, Tho.
50*
19. French. Richard.
20
89. Briggam, Thos.
113. Brodish, Robert.
30*
59. Frost. Mr. Edmund. 200*
52. Gibson. John. 80
91. Bucke. Will.
20)
Gookin. Daniel. 500
109. Bush, Ranold.
10*
73. Greene. Saml.
80
101. Cane, Christopher. 80
36. Hall. Edw.
70
83. Champnis, Elder. 350
1. Cheaver, Daniell. 20
14.
Hall. Th. 20
58. Chesholme. Tho. 100*
$0. Clearke. Jonas. 60
2. Clemmance. William, Señ. 30
9. Clemmance, William. Collins. Edward.
30*
69. Hassull. Richard. 60
81. Hasteings, John. 80
99. . Cooke, Josseph.
300
26. Hide. Jonathan. 20
64. Cooke, Phil.
80
47. Hides, Sam11. 80
106. Cooper, John. 140
13. Holmes, Robert. 150
30. Corlet, Mr. Elijath. 100
17. Homan, William. 50
150
74. Browne. Robert.
40
5. Bucke, Roger.
10)
53. Goffe. Edw. 450*
4. Bull, William.
15
18. Greene. Nath. & Mother. 80
60. Hall, John. 20
71. Hamlet. Will. 60*
50. Hammond, Goodm. 15
28. Hancocke. Wid. 10
500
21. French. Lt. William.
14
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
16. Jacson, John.
50
Russell. Willm. 60
55. Jacson, Ri.
200
Russell. John.
80*
94. Jacson. Mr.
400*
107.
Shepard, Edw. 80
3. Kempster, Daniell.
80
43. Shepard, John. ·
60
11.
Longhorne, Thomas.
60
G6.
Sill, Widd.
40
54. Man, William.
70
93.
Simes, Mrs. Sarah.
50
68. Manning. Willm.
200
Sẵ.
Stedman, John.
300*
48. Marret, Tho. Michell, Mr.
500
39. Stedman, Robert.
90*
G1. Michelson, Edw.
150*
29.
Stevenson, And.
60
25. Miller, Joseph.
15*
44.
Stone, Daniell.
50*
98. Moore. Fr .. senr.
50
31. Stone. David.
50*
65. Moore. Fr .. junior.
50
63.
Swan. John.
20
112. Moore, Golden. 100*
40. Swoetman, Tho.
70
Oakes. Edward.
300
22.
Taylor, John.
60
Oakes, Thomas.
· 150
72. Towne, Willm.
70
37. Oldam. Ri:
60
20.
Watson, John. 80
35. Padlefoote. Jonath.
15
79. Whitmore, Franc.
50
78. Parke. Richard.
100
100. Wilcocke. Wm.
90*
34. Parker. John.
10*
23. Wilkerson, Wid.
60*
67. . Parker. Robert.
60
57. Willowes, George.
60
87. Patten, William.
90
[91.] Wines. Daniell.
10*
82. Prentise, Henry.
80
49. Winship, Edw.
200
110. Prentise, Tho.
150*
70. Withe. Nicho.
90
[28.] Robbins. Richard.
90
21. Woodes, Richard. .
10*
84.
Sparhauke, Nath.
140
60
86. 90.
All the titles which are not marked with a star in this list were conveyed to Billerica in the Great Deed, which will be described hereafter. Some of the rights had been sold to William French, Golden More, and others, but the larger number were deeded by the original grantee to the town. Of those not contained in the Great Deed, Mr. Bowman sold his 20 acres to Billerica for 20 shillings ; Thomas Bridge's grant was held by his son-in-law. Daniel Champney ; Robert Brodish's 80 acres (not 30. as in Cambridge list ) was located to the heirs of Thomas Danforth in 1708; William Clemance's grant was laid out to Samuel Waters ; Stephen Day, Robert Stedman. David Stone, and the Widow Wilkerson sold to Jonathan Danforth, and he sold to the town ; the sons of Edmund Frost received cach a five-acre right on account of their father's grant ; Edward Goffe sold his 450 acres to Billerica, 1673, Jan. 27, for thirteen pounds sterling ; William Hamlet occupied his own right ; Thomas Prentice's grant was sold to Francis and John Wyman, and located one-half to Francis Wyman in 1695, and the other half to
15
EARLY GRANTS -SHAWSHIN.
Joseph Walker in 1684; John Russell's grant was laid out to Ebenezer Hill, 1703, May 26 ; John Stedman sold his 300 acres to Billerica in 1678 for 20 pounds. and Daniel Stone's right was held by his heirs in 1707. The disposition of the following titles has not been traced : Ranold Bush, Vincet Druse, David Fiske, Mr. Jack- son, Edward Michelson, Joseph Miller, John Parker, William Wilcock, Daniel Wines, and Richard Woods.
Besides the farms of Collins, Dunster, Gookin, Mitchell, and the brothers Oakes, Cambridge grants above 9800 acres to 115 proprietors. Of this number, 89 titles were conveyed to Billerica by the Great Deed which covered 7480 acres; 16 others were conveyed to Billerica, or located for citizens, and ten, as above, are not accounted for, including 770 acres. The grant of 400 acres to Mr. Jackson, forms the larger part of this number.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.