USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register > Part 23
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
BEDFORD. In the opposite direction the movement was more successful. The General Court received, 1728, June 18,+ "the petition of Andrew Watkins, John Wilkins, and John Wilson, and a considerable number of others, setting forth their great difficulties by reason of their distance from the meeting houses in Concord and Billerica, to which they belong, and that they have been necessitated to get a minister among them for the winter season, and therefore praying that they may be set off a separate Township." The peti- tion was referred to the next session, with order of notification to the Towns of Billerica and Lexington. In July the Court, on farther petition, directed a committee, already sent to examine the lines of the proposed Wamesit Parish, to extend their labors and go over the proposed bounds of Bedford.
4 Massachusetts Records. Vol. XIV, p. 91. Mr. Shattuck (History of Concord, p. 255,) mentions a petition, dated 1725, as if it related to Bedford. But he probably referred to the petition quoted in the first paragraph of this chapter, mistaking the identity of the " Win- throp's farm" there mentioned, which was in fact the farm near Wamesit.
219
DISMEMBERMENT.
Billerica had heard of the proposal, and as early as May 14, 1728, voted, that they "will act no farther at this time on the petition of the southerly part of the town as to their being set off as a Township." The matter came up again, January 27, and the town chose a committee of eleven, who were "Impowered to manage the affair Referring to our brethren, the petitioners of the southward part of our Town, according to their best discretion, in agreeing with said petitioners at home concerning the line between the Town and them (if they can), but if not, then to draw up what they think proper by way of petition to the General Court and to choose two men out of said committee to manage sd affair at said Court." This committee was not able to agree upon the line of division, and petitioned the Court, 1729, April 2, "praying that the new town, proposed to be erected in the County of Middlesex, to be called Bedford. and which is principally taken out of the town of Billerica, may not be extended according to the lines set forth for making said Town, but that some of the families may remain in the town of Billerica." The petition, however, was dismissed, and Bedford was incorporated, 1729. September 23. The line of separation began at the Two Brothers. on Concord River. either following the Winthrop Farm line or more probably diverging a little to the north of it, and thence extending nearly as at present to Woburn, now Burlington. It was changed, by consent of the two towns, in 1766, so as to transfer Edward Stearns and his farm to Bedford. The change in the line began at what was known as Page's Corner, passed between the land of Lieut. Isaac Stearns and Edward Stearns, came to the brook "about two pole southwest from the saw mill," and followed the brook to Concord River.
The claim that Bedford was principally taken out of Billerica has been overlooked, but is correct. The old line with Concord was parallel with the present Main Street in Bedford and sixty-four rods south of it, as shown above (p. 212). It is still easily traced, crossing the depot street at the Merriam place, nearly touching the railroad at the curve east of the station, and marked in the swamp beyond by a pair of tall pine trees. Its easterly point is shown in the record of a committee, February 11, 1699-1700. They "began at Concord southeast corner, which was a stake and stones about it, standing on the southeast of Shawshin River about forty poles from it." This point would be very near an ancient Page house, standing on the old road south of the main road to Lexington, and on the
220
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
County Atlas of 1875, marked by the name of Brennan. Westward of the cedar swamp, where the marks could not be found, the com- mittee ran, by mutual agreement, north fifty-three degrees west to Concord River. This line includes about three-fifths of Bedford. Of the families transferred no list is known to remain. Of the first church members Mr. Shattuck, 5 with sufficient probability, credits these names to Billerica : Obed Abbott, Jonathan Bacon, Thomas Dinsmore, Samuel Fitch, Jacob Kendall, Benjamin Kidder, Job Lane, JJohn Lane, Christopher Page, Nathaniel Page, and Israel Putnam ; and Josiah Fassett should doubtless be added. Of other citizens there was John Wilson, and probably more than as many others, younger members of the same families and of other families. Of the division of the property of Billerica we have an approximate assurance. The Province tax assessed in 1729 amounted to £125, 58., 8d., of which the part belonging to Bedford was £18, 12s., 3d. Samuel Fitch was the first town clerk, and Israel Putnam was the first constable of the town and the first deacon of the church.
TEWKSBURY. The success of the Bedford petition encouraged a renewal of the movement in the north part of the town, but Chelmsford held all west of the Concord River so firmly that the proposal took a turn farther eastward. The consciousness of separate interests appears frequently in references to the inhabitants of Winthrop Farm. In 1731 they prepared a draft and laid it before the town of a road which they desired, and received favorable answer. In 1733, May 13, they asked the town to "erect a meeting house in the center of the town, or so as to accommodate the northerly part of the town, upon the Town's cost, or set them off, so that they may maintain preaching among themselves." This the town was hardly ready to grant; but they had discovered that it was useless to oppose the separation, and a town meeting was held, December 19, at which the above request was renewed, or, as an alternative, that the town would "please to set them off, with two-thirds of the land lying between Andover and Billerica meeting house, from Wilmington line to Concord River, for a Township." Others desired that the organization should be a "Precinct, for their better accommodation in public worship." At this meeting, a committee, consisting of Mr. Samuel Danforth. Lieutenant Daniel Kittredge, Lieut. Joseph Hill, Mr. Samuel Hunt, Jr., and Lieut.
5 History of Concord, p. 263.
221
DISMEMBERMENT.
Joseph Kidder, was appointed to "view the land" and report, which they did, January 9, 1733-4, and the town voted, "that the northerly and northeasterly part of the Town, according to their petition, be set off' as a Township, Granting them two-thirds of the land from Andover line to our meeting house, by a parallel line with said Andover line, extending from Concord River to Wilmington line, (if the inhabitants on the southeasterly side of Shawshin River be willing to join with them)."
This final condition called out a petition from Samuel Hunt and others to the General Court, "praying an absolute grant of this Court for their being made a Towne with these bounds," or the appointment of a committee to examine and report. The latter was done, with the result that Tewksbury was incorporated, 1734, December 23. The new town was taken wholly from Billerica, receiving in round numbers nine thousand acres of the twenty-five thousand which remained after the separation of Bedford, which had taken nearly or quite four thousand. The following list of families included in Tewksbury is imperfect, but will have interest : -
Brown, Joseph
Hunt. Peter
Manning, Eliphalet
Brown, William
Hunt. Samuel
Manning, Thomas
Farmer. Richard
Kidder, Ephraim
Marshall, Thomas
Farmer. Thomas
Kittredge, Daniel
Needham. John
French, John
Kittredge, Daniel, Jr.
Osgood, Stephen
French, Thomas
Kittredge, Francis
Patten, John
Frost; Daniel
Kittredge, James
Patten, Kendall
Frost. Edmund
Kittredge, James, Jr.
Patten. Nathaniel
Frost, Joseph
Kittredge, James, ters.
Peacock, Samuel
Hall, Richard
Kittredge. Dr. John
Richardson, Andrew
HIall, Samuel
Kittredge, John, Jr.
Rogers, Nathaniel
Haseltine, Samuel
Kittredge, Joseph
Shed. Nathan
Haseltine, Stephen
Kittredge, Thomas
Stickney, Abraham
Hunt, Jeremiah
Kittredge, William
Trull. Samuel
Hunt, John
Levestone. John
Whiting, John
Hunt, Joseph
Levestone, Seth
To these forty-seven names enough should probably be added to make the number sixty. They include all then on our list of the names HIall, Haseltine, Hunt, and Kittredge. a loss too serious not to be felt. The latter family had become so numerous in that part of the town exclusively, that it is not strange they have been credited with original settlement there. In fact, as noted elsewhere, their ancestor, John Kittredge, lived and died southeast of Bare Hill, in Billerica.
222
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
WILMINGTON received the next segment taken from Billerica. That town was incorporated, 1730, September 25, consisting of the north part of Woburn. The line on the west included "the farm" of Abraham Jaquith, which was partly in Billerica. The question arose, whether the Court intended to include this part which was in Billerica or to follow the old Woburn line: and, 1733, April 12, our selectmen petitioned the Court, praying " that Billerica may be continued in the uninterrupted possession of her ancient Bound." After receiving the answer of Wilmington, the question was put, whether, in the act, "it was intended by the words relating to Mr. Jaquith's farm to include the whole of that farm in Wilmington, and it passed in the affirmative." Some of the Billerica neighbors of Mr. Jaquith, on the cast of Shawshin River, were also inclined to the new town; and, 1733, January 28, Wilmington voted, "that the Bildrica neighbors on ye Est Side of Shawshin River be annexed to Wilmington Towne and Towneship, and to have full right in ve meeting-house and to all other Towne Priviledges, if ye great and Generall Cort see good to annex ym to us."
In March, 1737-8, Billerica received a "Petition of several persons, on the southeasterly side of Shawshin River, to be dis- missed from the Town of Billerica to be annexed to the second preicenct in Woburn, in order to be Erected into a Township." On the question of granting this petition, "it passed unanimously in the negative." Two months later6 the General Court received the petition of John, Ebenezer, and Jacob Beard. Jonathan Baldwin. Peter Cornell, and Richard Hopkins, saying that their farms were convenient to Wilmington, and that they had attended worship in the meeting-house there since its erection, as it was two miles nearer than Billerica, and at some seasons they could not cross the Shawshin. They refer to the petition to be set off which Billerica had refused, and ask that their request be granted without reference back to Billerica. To this petition the House, in June, refused consent ; but, in December, 1737, the Council gave a favorable hearing, and voted that the petitioners be annexed to Wilmington, provided they should pay their proportion of charges for the meeting- house which Billerica was building. The House concurred, and this section of six hundred acres was transferred to Wilmington.
CARLISLE. After these losses on the south, north, and east, it
6 Massachusetts Archives. Vol. CXIV, 180.
223
DİSMEMBERMENT.
remained only to complete the circuit in the west; but, although the movement there began early, it was not consummated for more than a generation. At the same meeting, in March, 1737-8, when the town refused the Wilmington petition, it postponed one of similar tenor from " several persons on the westerly side of Concord River," who desired to be set off "to Joyn with part of the Towns of Concord and Chelmsford, to be erected into a Township." After debate, the town, May 11, "voted their willingness (when it was the Honb! General Court's pleasure to erect them into a Township) to set them off by the bounds following, viz: to begin at the west side of Concord River thirty poles below the bridge, that is, ouer Concord River, at Hill's land boating place by the river; then runing with a streight line to the southwest corner of Andrew Farmer's paster land, on the east side of treble cove path; from thence with a streight line to Chelmsford line at the north easterly of Jonathan Snow's land." But sixteen years passed before the General Court incorporated Carlisle,7 1754, April 19, as a district of Concord. In 1755 Billerica refused the consent once given to the separation, and the elements seem to have been inharmonious or the location of the meeting-house a knotty problem, for after struggling with their difficulties until 1757, January, the people in Carlisle were granted a dissolution of the District. In their request for this they say, s that only a small majority originally favored the District, and that after many trials in various ways to come to some amicable agreement for building up the place all means fail, and they apprehend the utter impossibility of ever coming into any further agreement. Details of these "trials" may be seen in the "History of Concord." Some of the Concord people had previously sought to return to Concord, but a petition of Chelmsford and Billerica citizens had opposed them ; and to this they now reply that Concord was willing to receive them again, and " those who lived most remote were most anxious to return."
The dissolution of the District did not bring peace, and a petition to the Court followed, 1757, June 1, bearing fifty-one signatures, of which Timothy Wilkins is the first .? The following Billerica names occur : Abraham Duren, Widow Mary Duren, Ebenezer Hardy, Amos Kidder, John Kidder, Ebenezer Kittredge, Joseph Monroe,
7 Shattuck's History of Concord, p. 321.
8 Massachusetts Archives. Vol. CXVII, 204.
9 Massachusetts Archives. Vol. CXVII, 290.
224
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
Joshua Monroe, Nathan Monroe, George Niekles, Edward Spalding, Job Spalding, Leonard Spalding, Thomas Spalding.
They say that they, "By the Disposal of the Providence of that God who setteth Bounds to Men's Habitations. Live very Remote from the Meeting Houses of the Several Towns to which we Respectively Belong, By Reason whereof we and our Families are subject to Many Difficulties in the Discharge of the Duty Incumbent on us ; And Especially the Great and Important Duty of Attending upon the Public Worship of God." For relief they ask to be erected into a Township or District, with such others as were included, with the "Limits following, that is to say, half the Lands with the Inhab- itants on the same Between Concord Meeting House and Chelmsford Meeting House, in this manner, that There be made an East and West Line, in the Centre, between" these meeting-houses, and half the land on each side this line towards each meeting-house to be included. In the other direction a line was to be drawn between the two meeting-houses, and from this line the bounds were to be two and a quarter miles east and west. The petitioners had agreed that the meeting-house should be built at the place where these lines crossed, if a Convenient place ; if Not, the Next nearest Convenient Place."
In March, 1760, the subject was again before the town, which voted to set off the inhabitants on the west side of Concord River, by the following line : "Beginning at Chelmsford Line, at a Stake and Stones near an old cellar ; Runing thence to a white oak Tree near the House of William Bonner, standing in the Land of Asa Spalding, Taking in sd Boners ; from thence Runing in a straight Line to the southwest corner of W" Shed's Land; Then Running a Strait Line to the Southwest of Benja Parker's Barn, and so on, Still on a Straight Line to Concord Line." But this permissive action would hardly be held as favorable, proposing to restrict the limits of Carlisle and not allow them to reach Concord River. The new meeting-house was begun at this time, but not finished for several years ; and the town itself was only a name and an endeavor for some years longer. The subject was revived by petition to the General Court, 1772, June 1. The petitioners say that the desired bounds include about seventy-six families. 10 and that they have erected a meeting-house. The bounds which they asked were to
10 Massachusetts Archives. Vol. CXVIII, 624.
225
DISMEMBERMENT.
include " the house and land of Joshua Monroe ; thence east, includ- ing house and land of Jonathan Swallow ; still runing East, including house and land of Amos Kidder ; thence southeast, including house and land of Nathaniel Hutchinson ; thence on a strait line to the Rangeway, where the country road crosses the same ; thence East, by the South side of said Country road, to Concord River." But Carlisle's long struggle for life did not end in success until 1780, though Billerica again gave her consent, 1779, March 1, when a committee reported on the bounds desired : "Beginning at Chelms- ford line, at the end of the wall between the land of Lt. Jonathan Spaulding & Land of Lt. Asa Spaulding, Runing East forty Degrees South half-a-mile to the Rangeway ; then runing southeasterly to the northwest corner of the land of John Nickles, Jun. ; then runing between sd Nickles' land & land of Asa Spaulding to the southeast corner of said Nickles' land ; then runing south thirty-one degrees west half-a-mile to a heap of stones in Capt. Daniel Stickney's land ; then runing southeasterly to the northeast corner of the land of Assachar Andrews ; then Runing between the sd Andrews' land & land of Mr. Joseph Hill to Concord River. Voted, that Joseph Munroe, Joshua Munroe, Nathan Munroe, John Henry, John Henry 2nd, Josiah Heald, Aaron Munroe, James Nickles, Joseph Nickles, Jonas Robbins, Asa Spaulding Jun', with their land, and all included within that line, be set off' as a Township, agreeable to the lines above mentioned."
This was the final action of Billerica upon the subject, which had recurred at intervals for forty-two years; and at last she seems to have given her youngest daughter a send-off with hearty good-will. The list of names above for some reason omits these : Timothy Crosby, Charles Hans, Ebenezer Hardy, Joseph Osgood, Levi Parker, Nathaniel Parker. Here ceased the process of dis- memberment of Ancient Billerica. After the lapse of a century, it is fair to hope that it will not be resumed again.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE REVOLUTION.
IN the contest through which the British Colonies acquired independence and became a nation Billerica bore her part. Her minute-men were at Lexington, and the first soldier who fell at Bunker Hill was Asa Pollard, one of her sons. As early as 1731, September 14, the underlying principle of the national contest found expression in a vote, "that it is our opinion that our Representative hold fast all our charter priviledges ; and, in particular, that he give his voice in no suply of the Treasury, that deprives the house of their priviledg in passing accounts before payments." In 1766 " the late troubles" in connection with the Stamp Act came before the town, on the question of recompense to the sufferers, and "it passed in the affirmative," with a reference to the discretion of their representative.
December 21, 1768, a town meeting "took into Consideration the present Distresst and Impoverished State of this Province, That some effectual measures might be agreed upon to promote Industry, Oeconomy, & Manufactures, thereby to prevent the unnecessary Importation of European commodities, which threaten the Country with poverty & Ruin." Resolutions were unanimously passed, favor- ing home manufactures and disapproving the use of imported articles, of which a long list is named, beginning with loaf-sugar. A committee reported a form of subscription, pledging those who signed, to promote these objects. " The late regulations respecting Funerals" are specially emphasized, and the signers agree that they "will not use any Gloves but what are manufactured here, nor procure any new Garments upon such an occation but what shall be absolutely necessary"; to all which the patriots of Billerica it is quite certain generally agreed. This non-importation action became very general, and produced no little effect on the popular mind.
227
THE REVOLUTION.
In September, 1768, resolutions from the Town of Boston were responded to ; and, "taking into Consideration the Critical State of our public affairs, more especially the present Precarious situation of our Invaluable Rights and priviledges, Civil and Religious," the town voted to choose "one person a committee for sª Town, to meet at Boston at Funel hall, the 22d inst., to act for them in a Convention, with such as may be sent to join them from the several towns in this province, in order that such measures may be consulted and advised as his majesty's service and the peace and safety of his majesty's subjects in the province may require." William Stickney, Esq., was chosen delegate to this convention. In this way the towns furnished the basis for effective discussion and action on the vital problems which stirred the colonies : and it is not strange that the English Ministry were alarmed and incensed at the activity of these miniature republics. They were in fact the palladium of our rising liberties.
The non-importation agreement naturally did not secure universal assent, and became inoperative, to the great joy of the Tories ; and the Boston Massacre, by British soldiers, 1770, March 5, intensified the popular feeling. Royal instructions were resisted, as not having the force of law ; and the action of Governor Hutchinson and the judges, in receiving their salary from the Crown and not from the Colonies, increased the sense of danger in the minds of the clear- headed patriots. In Boston, under the grand leadership of Samuel Adams, a committee was appointed, who reported to a town meeting, 1772, November 20. a paper which stated the rights of the Colonists, enumerated their violation, and called upon the towns for expressions of their judgment. It was the most radical exposition which had yet been made of rights and grievances, and the response was hearty.
In Billerica a town meeting was held, 1773, February 1, and there is little doubt that its action took shape under the hand of her able and patriotic minister, Henry Cumings. It stands thus :-
"The inhabitants. having deliberately Considered the Critical and alarming Situation the Colonies upon this Continent are Reduced to, by reason of the unconstitutional proceedings of the British Ministry and parliament of late years; & also the expediency of their, as well as the Inhabitants of every other town, Adopting some method to Communicate their Sentiments in Regard to the Disputes Subsisting between Great Britain and the Colonies, more especially on account of the late change in the American Department, that his Lordship the present Secretary of State for the said Department may be Convinced that a General Uneasiness pre- vails throughout the Country in Consequence of the late measures of the
228
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
British Administration, notwithstanding any Reports to the Contrary. & may thereby be Influenced to use his best Interest and endeavours to procure a Removal of the causes thereof, and a Restoration of that peace & Harmony which so long Subsisted Between the Mother Country & her Colonies, & are undoubtedly Necessary to the political Happiness and welfare of each: Unanimously Voted and Resolved,
"1. That the late Acts of Parliament for raising a Revenue in the Colonies; the establishing a Board of Commissioners with exorbitant powers ; the granting of such extensive powers to the Court of Admiralty ; the fixing a sallary on the Governor of the province, and on the Justices of the Superior Courts, Independant of the Grants of the General Assembly ; the extending to America the late Acts of parliament, Entitled an Act for better preserving his Majesty's Dock yards, &e; the Stationing fleets and armies to enforce a Compliance with Ministerial & parliamentary measures, together with many other things that might be mentioned, are Repugnant to the principles of the British Constitution. Subversive of their Charter Rights and privileges, & therefore Intolerable Grievances.
"2. That those Reports which Represent the Inhabitants in General, in the Country, as acquiescing in and ready to Comply with the late measures of Administration, are, as far as they Respect them, false and groundless.
"3. That they will heartily Concur with and faithfully assist their brethren in the common cause, throughout the Continent, in all prudent, legall, and Constitutional measures that shall be Adopted, to obtain a Redress of their present Grievances & a Restoration of their Just Rights and priviledges ; and will also at all times Unite with them in Zealously and Streanously Asserting their Rights and Vigorously maintaining their freedom.
"4. That they would take this Occation publickly to Declare their Cordial Affection & unfeigned loyalty to his present majesty George the 3d. and to express their Sincear wish that the Union Between Greate Britain and her Colonies may never be broken, but be preserved upon Such an Equitable foundation as Shall Conduce to the prosperity & Advantage of both. Wherefore,
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.