Billerica Town (part 1 of 17)

Introduction

by John Farmer, in the year ISK!, was, perhaps, the earliest history of a Massachusetts town in- dependently printed and publi-ihed. It is a pamphlet of 36 pages, printed at Amlierst, X. H. 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 l>cen felt. and. as early as 1869, the town appointed the Conunittee under whose auspices this volume has been l)re])ared. This Committee consisted of (iardniM- Parker. Esq.. Dudley Foster, the [Ion. Thomas Talbot, and the IJev. Christo])her C. Hussey. For some years this Conunittee failed to secui-e any arrangcMuent for the prosecution of the work. In 1S77. uuich to his own surj)rise, a fifth member was added to this Conunittee. Had he foreseen some of the consequences, he Avould have hesitated to accept the honor; but, with a hearty interest in the o))ject proposed. h(» was not unwiUing to aid, if he could, in its furtherance. The steps by whicli the result has been reached are not of consequence to the public ; but the result is that he must accej)t the responsibility of the volume here offered to the town and the public, and. dro])])ing tiie third person, will add a few explanator}' words.

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 records alone would furnish voluuies, which should be printed; and. beyond these sources, are exhaustless stoi'es of memory and tradition, fact and fancy, 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 m hich lias been almost 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 1 have not intended to traverse it with much detail. The limitations of this volume would not allow similar and adequate fulness in both the earlier and later periods, and it has seemed to me due to the fathers, that our first effort be to recover and record the story of their i>loughhig and seed-sowing, of which our modern life, since ITOO, 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 lar^e and increasing number who are intei*ested 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 alphabetically, the paging is in that part not important. If the question arises ^^ by any family, now resident in town, is not recorded in the Register, the answer is, that the I'ecord 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 tlie work, thanks are due to friends more nuraei'ous than I can mention. Many, not named, are not forgotten, if I refer to a few, whom it Avere unpardonable to omit. The kindness and cooperation 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 desolate) , I am specially indebted for the lists of town officers, and for the useful alphabetical copy, made by thein, of the Baptisms found in the records of the First Church. Mr. Franklin .Taquith copied the inscriptions in the South BurjMng Ground, and those in the Old Corner Burj'ing Ground were as kindly copied by Mrs. Holt. Mr. Jaquith also prepared with great care the list of soldiers from Billerlca in the late war. Dr. C. E. Hosmer rendered important aid in preparing the Map of Ancient Billerica. The use of valuable surveys and papers has been generously granted by Mrs. Samuel Sage, Mr. Leander Crosbj% 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 possession. The Hon. Samuel A. Green, M. D., Mayor of Boston, has not only given free access to the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, but, by constant and valuable suggestions, aided me very materiallj'^ ; and Mr. John Ward Dean, of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society, has been not less helpful. The Congregational Library, rich in local history and genealogy, has been always at mj^ service, while to IMiss Mary E. Stone, its assistant lil)rarian, especial thanks are due, for invaluable aid, most cheerfully rendered, in reading proof of nian^y of these pages. In n)y researches among the Massachusetts Archives in the Secretarj' 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. AVarren, Dr. Augustus Whiting, of Charlestown, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Faulkner, Mr. C. H. Hill, Mr. E. J. Hill and Dr. F. V. Noj^es ; and the volume might have an appropriate dedication to the memory of Cai)t. Charles A. Kanlett, to whose historic interest much was due in the inception of the enterjti-ise.

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, giving 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 sacrifices, I shall be content. At the same time I have more faith in the assurance 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.

Hexry A. Iiazex

and to Mrs, Winthrop, 5; Cambridge. 6-9; Dudley farm sold* 10; Grants from Cambridge, 12-4; petition of Shawshin, 16-8; named liillciica, and extended west of Concord river. 19; Cambridge,

and -"Township" agreement, 31-2; early diyisionsi of land, 34-9; Cliurch farm. 40; College farm. 41; farms of Champnej' and others, 41; --Naticott" grant to Billeriea; its sale to Brenton, 42-4; John Cromwell. 45; Cand)ridge ''Great Deed,'' 46; grant of 4000 acres, 47; sold to Parker. 48.

Account of the volumes, 51-3; Rights, acre-lots. 54; rating, 55; house for minister. 57 ; first town otticers, 59 ; instructions to Selectmen. 61 ; Maj. VVillard, letter from, 62; the common herd. 63; killing 65 ; yoking swine, 60 ; shade trees and buiying place, 67 ; Cambridge titles, 68 ; sale of mill-lot, 68 ; town charges, 1663. 69.

Indian deeds, 123; sale, of Wamesit, 124; the Winthrops seek lo recover, 125; military company, 125; Canada expedition; Dunstable assailed; Lt. Wilson at Cocheco, 126; Billerica's first massacre, 127; second massacre, 129 ; Mrs. Toothaker, 130 ; militai-y life and trials, 132 ; Hunt's garrison, 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 Billerica, 143 ; Josiah Crosby, 144 ; French and Indian war, 145 ; soldiers from Billerica, 147 ; the French neutrals, 151.

153 ; meeting-house, 154 ; Danf orth and the Chelmsford church, 15G; difficulties of church organization, 159; at last effected, 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 ; colleague, 172; his death, 174; Mr. Euggles' ministry. 174; third meeting-house, 175; pew ground and seats. 176; bell, 177; list of sittings,

Testimonial of loyalty, 185; fat ox for Mr. Davie, 186; basis of rates changed, 187; Crosby's public house, 188; aid to the poor; tythingmen, 189 ; oath of fidelitj^ 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 expenses of town, 1714, 201 ; tax Usts, 1733 and 1755, 203.

Resolutions, 1768, 226; non-importation, 227; resolutions, 1773, 227; Boston port bill ; the toAvn's response, 229 ; will not use British goods, 231 ; militia. 232 ; committee of inspection ; minute men, 233 ; Ditson tan-ed and feathered, 234 ; the 19th of April, 235 ; committee of correspondence, 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.

Catochising. 252; Joseph Toinpson, schoolmaster, 25.S; others, 254; squadrons. 2r»r>; school-houses; school-danies, 25G; Peinbertou Academy, Billcrica Academy. 257; Howe school, 258; Boy's school, 2.59.

Henry Cumings settled, 2G0; ''recollections'' of him, 2G1; new meetingliouse, and pew-list. 263; the pastor's theological position, 2G4; extract trom sermons. 2G5 ; colleague settled; death of Dr. Cumings. 2GG; Mr. Wliit man's ministry ; disturbing elements ; town ceases to rapport, 267 ; his resignation. 2GS ; successors. 2G9 ; First Baptist Chun h, 269 ; pastors; Congregational Church, 270; other churches, 272.

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.

Early Grants Shawshin

was granted by King Charles, and other settlers occupied Weymouth, Mi shawum (or Chai-lestown) , 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 Shawmut, or Trimountain, where, for some years, a solitary- Episcopal clergyman named Blackstoue had been living a hermit life, and thus Boston was born. Mattapau (or Dorchester), Roxbury, Watertown and Meadford were occupied the same A^ear. Connecticut was chartered in 1631, and Newtown was occupied with the intention of fortifying and making it the chief town of the colony. Governor Wintlnop 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 Caml^ridge 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 b}' supplanting the T'ldian name Shawmut. Thomas Hooker and his compau}- also arrived that year and settled in Newtown ; but after three years, nding 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, at Miisketaqnifl (Concord), and Springfield; and there followed Dedhain, in ICuMj ; Sudburv, in 1G37; Enou (or Wenham) , Gloucester iind Kowlev, in 1(531); Salisbnrv, Lynn Village (Reading), W()l)urn and Braintree, in 1G40; Pentucket (Haverhill), and Nantasket (Hull), in 1G41 ; Topslield, in 1642; Bradford and Coehicliawick (Andover), in 1(J43 ; and Nashawa}' (Lancaster), and Maiden, in 1 048. In twenty years the Massachusetts Colony had i)Ianted thirty-one towns, not including Dover, Portsmouth, Hampton and Exeter, now in New Hampshire, but then in her jurisdiction. Tlie 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

The d'.'sire of the earl^' colonists for ample room in their settlements was natural. They came from a country where landed possessions were largely the basis of wealth and rank. They were laj'ing foundations here and looking to the future with large views and large faith, and the opportunity naturally awakened t'le 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 ma}' be found in a record of the General Court, 1635-6, 3 March. The Goun'', Deputy Gonn', 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 naturall}' receive new attention. This governor was Mr. John Haynes who removed in October of the same 3'ear 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. Ilavnes 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. AVinthrop did not personally neglect it, and we soon find him receiving nn important grant here.

About this time the name of Shawshiu is heard iu England. Mathew Cradock Avas 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 Wiiithrop succeeded him iu office when the colony was sufflcientl}' 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 : ^

Shynn, where 1 hear none comes but myselfe, I desire your ffauour, when the Court Slialbee moved in my belialfe, 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 1 liope will give oftenee 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 ffoUowe, if on(!e a good minister be plased there, and I am persuaded the more English Corne is eherised the better it will be for the whole plantacion. I once more take my

For some reason Mr. Cradock did not pursue the matter, and the settlement of Shawsbin was perhaps delayed by this failure. Possibh' Cambridge was already on the outlook for the grant subsequentl}' made to that town. A 3ear passed and the Court moves again in August, 1637. *'Cap' Jeanison & Leif Willi: Spencer were appointed to veivve Shawsbin & to consider whether it be fit for a plantation." Still no report ; but three months later, 2 November, the Court makes. a large grant of land which fell within the bounds and bore important relations to the settlement of Shawsbin. "The Deput}-, M' Dudley, hath a thousand acres granted him wheare it ma}' not piudice an}' plantation granted, nor any plantation to bee granted w"'out limiting to time of irapv'." "The Goveruo'^ M*^ John AVinthrope, 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 '201, as follows : -

"It was ordered by this p'sent Coart that John Winthrope, Esq'', the p''sent Governo"", 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,

])otli ot tln'in nhoiit (I miU'S from Concord, northwards; the said Govenio'' to have his 1200 acres on the sontherly 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 (yv"^ 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 fannortherly as hee will, & as the thousand acres will heare, & the Governo' to io^'UJ in the said line runing Easterh', & to extend his lot as farr Southerly as his twelve hundred acres Avill beare, w"^'' 2200 acres are by this Court established to the said p''ties, generally-, «& their severall heires."

Governor Winthrop has left us in his journal' 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 alread}, 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 the}' 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, 1 03 7-8. 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.^ A 3'ear later (1039, June 0) the Court "granted to John Winthrope, Esq., the p'sent

Journal, Volume 1, page 2iyi. » 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 hounds of the town.

Soou after, the Court granted lands on the west side of Concord river. "ICaO. Nov. o. the Court granted Increase Nowell his 500 acres " [granted in June] -' on the north side of the bounds of Concord, beyond the rvver, over again.st the Governo'* 1200 acres ioyning to the bounds of Concord. Mi-. Thorn : Allen is gi-anted his 500 acres "to ioyne to Increase Xowell on the north side of the said Increase Xowell, his grant." Mr. Xowell 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. lOoO. but not located till October. 1(34(». which came within the bounds of Billerica. --M'^ Thom : AVelde. pasto' of Roxbury. is gi'auted 533 acres next to Mr. Thom : Allen, teacher of Charles Towue. beyond Concord Ryver, w''of 200 was granted by the country. & the other 333 is p""! 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.

One other and still larger grant remains to be mentioned. 1640, May 13, -- There is 3000 acres of land granted to Mrs. AVinthrope, the wife of Mr. John Wiuthrope, our late Goveruo"". to bee at her disposeing. for her and her sonns, where they shall desu-e it. w'^'out piudice to any former grant." And 1641, Dec. 10. "Mrs. Maro-' 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. w"^ ^^r. Oliver or some other skilful in mea=iuring. so as it may not hinder a plantation. & any p"t thereof they may pnrchase 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 subsequentiv 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 currcut 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 Xew 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 seriousl}' considered the question of follow- iiiu; .Ml-, llooki'i- and his coinijauv, whose houses and lands they had l»(tu<>lit in ('anil)iid,<>e, and joining them in Connecticut. JNIr. Shepard iiad married the daughter of Mr. Hooker, who strongly urged the removal of liis son-in-law.'

The authorities of Massachusetts naturally deprecated a second disrui)tion of Camliridge. Its influence on the colony and the infant college would h:' disastrous. And they strengthened their arguments with Mr. Shepard and his church by the proposal to enlarge their bounds nearer home. On the same da}', 1640, Oct. 7, when Charlestovvn received a grant four miles square, which was the germ, of Woburn, the Court took the following action: -

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 Crene'all Courte." The result was, 1641, June 2: "Shawshin is granted to Cambridge, p''vided the}- make it a village,, to have 10 families there setled Av"'in three 3'ears ; 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 contemi)lated a settlement. This report bears date 1642, June 14, as follows : -

whose names are underwritten, being appointed to viewe Shaw- shin, & to take notice of what fitness it was for a village, & accordingly to o"" apprehpntion'5 make returne to the Co't; wee therefore manifest thus nuich : that f(jr the quantity it is sufficient, but for the quality in o'' app''liensions 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 th? least, in compass ; fro'" 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 liy vej-. a little belowe the falls, about one mile or neare ; then wee went up the ryver some 5 miles untill w.ee came to a place called the Two Brethren; and fro'" thence it is about two miles & i to Shawshin, & the most p' 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 lieade of Cambridge line, but littell medow. & the upland of little worth; & this is what we can

Early Grants Shawshix

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 b}* 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," wh^re their route begins, must have been on the Shawshin river, in Bedford, at the place where Vine brojk, ''the riveret from Woburne," empties into it. Going down the river about to the present line of t!ie railroad, they ma}- 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. I'his Shawshin house was the first building in the town. B\- whom it v,'as built, or for what purpose, or how .long it remained, we know not. If Mrs. AVinthrop availed herself of the leave granted b}' the Court the previous October, "to build a house & a hog or goate pen by the lower part of Concord Ryver," this ma\' 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 b}' this Co't, are granted to Cambrido-e, so as they erect a village there w"'in o yeares & so as it shall not extend to preiudice Charlcstowne village or the village. of Cochitawit, nor the farms formerly granted to the now Gove''uor of 1260 ae''s, to Thorn: Dudley, Esq., 1500 ac's, & 301)0 ac'"s to Mrs. Wiuthrope ; & 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 survevors, 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, b}' this grant, extended from 1G4J: to 164:7. The difficulty of the undertaking, however, seams to have made it doubtful whether Cambridge could fulfil the conditions, even in the extended time, and inducements to remove to Connecticut CDutinuiug to influence her leading citizens, the Court again modified i' l(;.l;3_4, March 7, Shaweshin is granted to Cambridge, w^'out any condition of making a viUage there, & the laud between them & Concord is granted them, all save what is formerl}- granted to the military company or othei-s, p'vided the' church & p'"sent elders continue at Cambridge." The proviso shows distinctly that these grants, with tlieir increasing inducements, were designed to prevent the removal of Mr. Shepard and liis friends. And the polic}- was successful. They remained in Cambridge, and some of them became early inliabitants of Shawshin. It is hardly too nuich to suppose that this Shawshin grant prevented a second disruption of the mother town.

Cambridge could now proceed at her convenience in the settlement 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 AVoIxn-n. 1G44, May 9, the Court "ordered that the ryver at Shawshin shalbe called b}- the name of Shawshin Ryver, not only belowe, but a'lso above the riveret w'^'' falls into said ryver in AVooburne 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 contingent upon it. In the original grant of "Charles Towne village," the Court says "they shall not crosse Cambridge line nor come w"Hn 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 b}- 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 s'^ 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 ; "ind, AVhether wee must wave our bounds out & in as the River doth (Being Straightened

Early Grants 8Hawshin

Beyond Exi)ectations by Liu Village one the other side) . Would ucrt Willingly delude ourselves with vayue Hopes Againe, But if it prove we Are Straightened by Shawshiu 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 .Shawshiu, and answered Woburu in the action given above.

The policy of "gaining some handicraftsmen" was, however, fairly successful in our sister town. The}' 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

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 chuix'h 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 I'emaining 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 men that are appointed

"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 Eichard 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 Mi-. Henrj^ Duuster and Edward Collins. Hberty 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

The next movi'iiu'iit on record preparatory to the occupancy of Shawshin was in in:)!. Governor Dudley, whose farm of 1500 acres embrac?d an attractive part of the town, petitions the Court, Oct. 15, for a d;Minition of his river hound. Aftar statement of the grant, he says : ''but is not expr3ss2d how far th3 said 1500 acres should go along bv 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 petitiouor does now intreat of this honored Court that it may be recorded that the 1500 acres so the ryver side, and so that he may make upp for 1500 acres from the ryver side to the land ward, ifor which he shall render due thanks," etc. He received favoral)le answer, and the way was thus prepared for the sale of his grant. This took place 28 Feb., 1G51-2, to three citizens of Woburn, Thomas Charaberline, 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 daA', I quote its provisions at some length.

1500 acres of laud, 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 * * b}' Thomas Chaiberline. Isacke Learned, and James Parker, all of Woburne, in New England, in such goods & at such times as hereafter hoercin appeareth. ba;b granted * * all the right * * which he, the said Thomas Dudley, or his hsja-es, hath therein, by virtue of the said grants of the general Courts, or by any purchase from any Indian * * together with all woodes, tr.ees, waters, fishings. & other appurtenances to th3 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 Enghmd. upon the eight & twentieth day of Aprill which shall be in the year of our Lord 1053; & the like suuune of 55 pounds, in like cattailo or in corne at the place aforesaid, in such kind of corn? as hereafter foUoweth : that is to saj', 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 * 1G54; the said cattle & corne to be valued at the several times of deliverance thereof by one man chosen by said Thomas Dudley, and another man chosen by the earliest sale and if these two cannot agree, then by a third man to be chosen l)y those two. And it is agreed, that if the [purchasers] shall pay any part of the last pajnnenc in c jrna. they shall give 3 months warning in writing * * how much they will so pay in corne, & if they shall pa,v but part of the last payment in corne, then it shall be proportioned according to the

Governor Dudley's signature to this deed is witnessed b}' 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 b^- Thomas Danforth, 19 Sept., 1G56

These three men. who purchased so large an interest in Shawshin, all became citizens of Chelmsford, wliich was receiving its earl}' 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 eft'ective 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 eas\' of solution. The clearing and occupancy of the wilderness 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 an\' considerable tribute to Cambridge.

Some things indicate, also, that the question whether the benefit of the grant of Shawshin was to a crue 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 1G48 and 1649, had been by the town, it appears from the next quotation that the Shawshin grant was really held by the church. 1G52,

"It Avas a""rocd that these thres above named should have their lots laid out by a committee with as littJ!' prejudice to any lot as may be, and so not to draw any lot.

"Also, the Church d ith agree, that although the land be, by grant of the General Court, jjeculiar to the rimrch only, yet the whole town. viz. : such as are owners of liouse and lanil in tlie town, shall come into the division thereof.

'"Also, that every man shall have a part of the meadow in pi'oportion with his upland; to l)e laid out after th? same rule that the upland is, both by lot and quantity.

"Also, it is agreed, that, after the farins formerly granted are laid out. the remainder of the land shall be divided into three breadths, viz. : t\A o of the said breadths to lie between the rivers, and the third on this side Shawshine Kiver. 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. AVinfrop's farm; and so the said first lot to butt South upon that line & on Shawshine River and Mr. AVintrop'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 laud to the first center being still

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 th3 2450 acres above mentioned, granted specially' to six leading citizens, and the whole numV)er of acres granted b.. Cambridge to individuals reaches 12,250. Most of these grants were never located, but were sold to Billerica, as wdll subsequentl}' appear. For convenience of reference and comparison with the later list in the deed of sale, I give these names, recast alphabetically, with memoranda added as to the disposition

Early Grants Siiam'Shin

I also insert, without numbers, the six names of other citizens who had large grants in JShawshin, but were not included in the distribution by lot. The figures at the left of the names give the number 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.'

History Of Billerica

All the titles which are not marked with a star in this list were convoyed to Billerica in the Great Deed, which will be described hereafler. Some of the rights had been sold to William French, Golden More, and others, but the larger number wei'e 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 b}- 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 each 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

Early Graxts Shawshix

Joseph Walker in 1684; John Russell's grant was laid out to Ebenezer Hill, 1703, May 26 ; John Stedman sold his 300 acres to Billeriea 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 Cush, Vineet Druse, David Fiske, Mr. Jackson, Edward Michelson, Josei)h Miller, John Parker, AYilUam Wilcoek, Daniel Wines, and Richard Woods.

Besides the farms of Collins, Dunster, Gookin, Mitchell, and tlie brothers Oakes, Cambridge grants above 9800 acres to 115 proprietors. Of this number, 89 titles were conve3-ed to Billeriea b}- the Great Deed which covered 7480 acres; 16 others were conveyed to Billeriea, 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.

In October, 1652, Woburn petitioned the Court for the appointment of. a committee to lay out the farms "nere Shawshine, graunted to J"" Winthrope, Esq.. deceased, & to Thomas Dudley, Elsq., Dep*- Gouv'." Seven commissioners were appointed. The work to be "donne before the twentv-fowerth day of the fowei'th month next." No report of these commissioners appears on the record, but the easterl}' line of the farms may have been fixed by their action. The other bounds could not have been then in question. As tlie east bound did not reach Shawshin river, which was a mile west of Woburn limits, the neighborl}- solicitude of her citizens in the matter is interesting and perhaps suggestive.

This brings us to the settlement of the Shawshin wilderness, unless the Shawshin House, already mentioned, but of which we know so little, constituted an exception. In what year, at what place, or liy whom the settlement was begun, is not known. It is pi-obable that Henry Jefts was here in 1652, for his infant daughter, Hannah, died in the town '-3-'' first weeke" of May, 1653; the earliest event noted in the Town Records. A j-ear later, the "last week, 1th Month," {March), 1654, Samuel, the son of George Farley, was born - the first birth in the town. And in October, 1654, a petition to the General Com-t bears fourteen signatures, and "the most of" the "petitioners are already- seated" here.

This petition was the first utterance of Shawshin which has been preserved, and gives information of the earliest enlargement of the bounds of the town. It may by found in the Massachusetts Archives, in the^'oflace of the^Secretary of State, Vol. 112, p. 70, and is as follows : -

Early Grants Shawshin

In answer to ys petition of Shawshin, we conceive y' p' of ys petition may be granted ; viz. y^ tract of land mentioned, if no former grants be, which we do not understand.

The Magistry consent hereto, Provided that 500 acres of this land be laid out for a farme for the next president of the coUedge, in the nearest and best place of y^ grant where y® said President shall choose; & Mr. Danfoith & whom y® President shall Joyne with him, is hereby appointed & desired to lay it out, desiring their brethren, y« deputies, consent hereto.

The deputies do not consent hereto as conceiving it to be very prejudicial to this plantation, if not that which will be destructive thereunto, but are willing to graunt the lands in some other place where it may be found, according to law, provided that y^ president continue in y' place three yeai-s, & all w''' reference to the consent of o^ hon^i-*! majist^ hereto.

This petition unfortunatel}' has no date, but was presented to the General Court before 23 October, 1654, as on that day the favorable report of a committee upon it was approved by the deputies and sent to the magistrates for concurrence. They, on the 2d November, consent to it, with a proviso that "the President of the College" have five hundred acres "in the nearest and best place." The deputies, for reasons assigned, which were sound and friendly to Shawshin, did not assent to this proviso, and final action on the petition was delayed by this difference of the two Houses until the session in 1G55, May, when the magistrates "consented" to the action of the deputies. The precise date of this action, commonly but not very accurately recognized as the incorporation of Billerica, is not clear. The "30th, 3, 1655," as it stands on the petition, may refer either to the final action of the deputies or to the subsequent concurrence of the magistrates. In either case, in the absence of move conclusive testimony. May 30 can best claim recognition as the natal day of Billerica."

Of the signers of the petition, Daniel Gookin and Richard Champney were leading citizens of Cambridge and large land owners in Shawshiu, but never resided here. Probably the remaining twelve had all made their homes in Shawshin before the date of this petition, and all deserve honorable remembrance as pioneers of the town.

This petition records, incidentally, the fact that an earlier petition had met with favor and secured for Shawshin an extension on the west side of Concord River. Its first bound, west and north, was the Concord and Merrimac Rivers. The language implies that this earlier request had been made by settlers here, and it is not probable that tlie Court would have granted such an extension, except to actual settlers whose prospects of success warranted the favor. And this probability adds weight to the assumption of a number

0 May 29 has been accepted as the day of incorporation, and was celebrated by the town at the Bi-Centennial in 1S55. The only autliority for this date is the Kecord of the Magistrates as it stands in Volume IV of the Colonial Ilccords. But tlie Kecord of the Deputies (Volume III of Colonial Records) gives May 23 for the same action. May 23 was in fact the first day of the session, and it renuiins in the margin of the Record, covering all the i)roceedings of the session, which extended into June. The .Secretary of the Magistrates liiijjpened to insert "May 2'J" in the margin, apparently to tix the date of a certain "hearing" ; but a comparison of the two Records, as to matters of common action, shows that neither date, "23" or "29," has any authority in lixing the day during the Session in which any action was taken. The linal date on the original petition is therefore the most definite authority yet discovered in the matter.

already here in 1653, or even in 1652. It appears too, that for some unexplained reason, this first extension west of the Concord did not lie along the river, but farther west, and omitted the tract described in this second petition, six or seven miles long, and of undetermined width.

This petition is also memorable as containing the first suggestion of the name which was henceforth to supplement the euphonious Shawshin and connect itself with the rising town. It was natural that these English colonists, leaving homes that were dear behind, should cultivate the home feeling by the transfer of familiar names to the wilderness. They could scarcely appreciate the melod}-, beauty, and flavor of the soil, for which the taste of a later day sighs in the supplanted Indian names. And when Shawshin had secured a compan}^ of earnest English families, they began to inquire for the English name it should bear. Their choice fell upon a name unique and peculiar. There is but one Billericay in England, and but one Billerica in the'United States. While other names have been repeated in newer States, this remains our own. To unfamiliar ears it is a little awkward and unattractive ; but it is quite as true that generations here have learned to love it, and in their loyalty would not subscribe to an expression of regret that the early and admirable Shawshin was not retained as the name of the town. That some of these first inhabitants were from Billericay, in England, we can not doubt, and the tradition is probable that Ralph Hill came from that town.

*' In ans'' to the petieion of severall proprieto's & inhabitants of Shawshin, humbly desiring a tract of land lying nere the lyne of the farnies of John and Robert Blood, & so along by the side of Concord River, &c. The Com-t grants theire request in that respect, so as it hinder not former grants, and graunt the name of the plantacion to be called Billirikeyca."

Error as to spelling the name came in early. It is also worthy of note that in the original petition where the name first appears, it is given as in England, where the name is now spelled with the ' y ' final. On the other hand it is probable that English usage in the seventeenth century, often, if not commonly, omitted the 'y' ; and there may be truth in the suggestion that we in New England have preserved the earlier form of the name.

This action of the Court has usually been described as the incorporation of the town. But the facts scarcely warrant such interpretation. It was simpl}' an enlargement of a settlement already organized and recognized, and a change of the name by which it liad been known.

At once. the same time the Court ratified the agi-eement which had been made between Cambridge and Shawshin. The Records of Cambridge under date 1654-5, January 29, say: -

In answer to a letter sent to the town from our neighbors of Shawshine, alias Bilracie. wherein they desire that whole tract of land may be disengaged from this place and be one entire body of itself. The town consented to choose five persons a connnittee to treat and conclude with them concerning their request therein ; at which time there was chosen Mr. Henry Dunster, Elder Champney, John Bridge, Edwai-d Goffe. and Edward Win ship.

'*In ans' to the desire of our beloved brethren & neighboi's. the inhabitants of Shawshin, requesting imunityes & freedom from all publicke rates & charges at Cambridg. and that all the land of that place, as well those appertaining to the p'nt inhabitants of Cambridge, as those granted them by the Court, might belong entirely to that place, for the better incouragement & carrying on of publicq charges that will necessarily there fall out.

Wee, whose names are underwritten, being impow'^d by the inhabitants of Cambridge, at a publicke meeting of the toune, the 29th of January, 1654. to make such proppositions & conclusions therein as to us might seem most meete & aequall, doe make tlieise following proppositions w"^"^ refference to the compliyance of the above named, o^ beloved brethren & neighbors, the inhabitants of Shawshin, and the approbation of the Gennerall Court, for the full conclusion thereof.

1. That all the lands belonging to that place called by the name of Shawshin, with its appurtenances or latter grants made by the Gennei'all Court, as well those the proprietye & peculiar right whereof belongeth to any particular person, as those granted by the toune or church of Cambridge to that place for a towneshipp, as also those given by the inhabitants of Cambridge for the furtherance and incouragement of a plantacion there, shall be one entire towneshipp or plantacion, alwayes freed & acquitted from all manner of connnon charges «& rates of what nature or kind soever du(^ or belouging of right to be payd unto Cambridge by virtue of any graunt of that place unto them by the Gennerall Court.

2. That whensoever any of the inhabitants of Cambridge, theii'e heirs or assigns, whither in that place or elsewhere, shall make any improove- ment of theire lands above premised, more or lesse, by fencing, building or breaking up. or mowing of the meadows, every such person shall pay to the common charges of that place, i.e. Shawshin, suitable to his or theire improovement of the aforesayd kind, in due proportion w"> the rest of the inhabitants in that place, the whole estate and improovements of the place being layd at an aequall & proportionable rate.

3. That the inhabitants of Shawshin shall at all time & tymes heereafter forever, acquitt & discharge the inhabitants of Cambridge from all common charges, rates, dues, dutyes, & incumbrances by any manner of wajes or meanes due by them, to be payd, executed, or jierformed by vertue of theire interest in that place given unto them by the graunt of the Gennerall Court.

4. That whensoever any of the inhabitants of Cambridge shall alienate theire i)''nt interest in any of the above named lands from themselves & heirs, then the sayd lands shall in all respects be liable to common charges of that place, as though those particular persons had theire graunts thereof, made them from the sayd toune or plantacion of Shawshin.

5. That no person or persons which either have had or hereafter shall have any lott or allotment graunted them in the above named towneshipp of Shawshin, in case they make not improovement thereof by building and fencing, especially the houselott. shall have any power to make any sale or guift thereof to any other person, but such land and alotments shall retourne again to the toune, i. e. Shawshin ; and in case after such like improovements. any person shall then remoove to the deserting and leaving tlieire bi'ethren and neighbors, that have adventured by theire encouragement to setle there w"^ them, no such person or persons, for seven yeares next ensuing the confirmation hereof, shall have power to make either sale or guift. or any aljenation thereof, to any person or p^ons whatsoever, save only unto such as the greater part of the inliabitants then resident in Shawshin. shall consent unto and approove of.

6. Tliat in case any grievance shall hereafter happen to arise, which for the present neither side foresee, nor is heereby clearely determined, that then all such matter of greivance or difference shallbe from tyme to tyine heard and determined by meete persons, three or five, indifferently chosen by the prudentiall men of Cambridg & Shawshin.

And these aforemintjoned proppositions to be subscribed by all che pres"t inhabitants of Shawshin, and by all such as heereafter shall have any alottments granted them there, and retourne hereof made to the inhabitants of Cambridg w"'in tenn dayes after the end of the first session of the Gennerall Court.

These proppositions are accepted of and consented unto by us, the present inhabitants of Shawshin ; and we doe humbly crave this honnored Court to confirm and record the same. Yo'' humble Servants.

Chapter Ii First Settlers Locations And Relationships

wisely than they knew. They went about separate settlements in the same spirit and on the same principles with which they shaped the farm reserved for the Church in miniature, coherent, and with sufficient vitality to maintain itself and support religious ordinances, - not a random collection of squatter-sovereigns, but, from the start, a compact body, competent to welcome or reject those who sought a place among them. The colonial policy was not narrow but wisely self-defensive, which declined to open the door to all the restless adventurers who might be disposed to come in and make trouble. And when a town was taking shape, time, correspondence, and long consultations, were necessary- to secure the concurrence of a sufficient number of suitable families in the enterprise. Former neighborhood and 17. Gookin and Champney did not settle in determining these adjustments, as the early

to occupy Shawshin, and that this first settlement took place in 1652 or earh' in 1653. Most of tlie twelve signers of the petition in 1654, October,' had, no doubt, their homes here at that time. Jonathan Danforth was married the next mouth, and John French and Ralph Hill, Jun., some years later. Probably, therefore, there were nine families in Shawshin in 1651, and of these, seven were located on the Dudley Farm, and perhaps eight.

John Parker settled on the farm reserved for the Church in Cambridge. This farm was located on both sides the Shawshin, a mile wide, from the Woburn Road, down the river. His house was near the residence of Mr. Slack, on the East Road, and was an important centre in the earl}- life of the town. Town meetings were held in it, and there Jonathan Danforth came for his bride, who was Mr. Parker's step-daughter. James Parker, one of the three purchasers of the Dudley Farm, had a house-lot on Long Street which was ci'ossed by the Andover Road.

the early records. This farm, beginning at the wilder- ness was felt to entitle the river two and a half miles to the Middlesex Turnpike, and is bounded north-east I)}- the line of Charnstaffe Lane, extended from the river to a point just east of Ash Swamp and the narrow-gauge railroad; south-east by a line of which Tufts' Lane is a fragment, and which crosses Nutting's Pond near its west end. The south line, four hundred aud thirt}- rods long, crosses the Bedford Road at the

farm, the Bedford Road, where it turns south from Charnstaffe Lane, forming the dividing line between them. Stearns's house was south of Charnstaffe Lane, probably near the Deacon Whiting place ; and Farley's house near the Jaquith place. Next, on the south, was Ralph Hill, Sen., near Mrs. Judkins' ; and, east of his farm, Lieut. William French had his home, towards Indian Hill, as the hill north of Nutting's Pond was called. Robert Parker's lot was on the east side of the farm, and his house-lot then, or afterwards, was east of the farm and south-east of Dr. Noyes's pi'esent residence. William Chamberline and Henry Jefts were between Parker and Stearns, but their exact location is undetermined. Jefts was on or near Indian Hill, and Chamberline probably

The location of the succeeding families, and of the future village, was determined by a grant made "by the Church of Cambridge for a Towneship." This Township and its inhabitants are often mentioned in the early records. It consisted of four hundred acres, bounded south by Charnstaffe Lane, and west b}* the river. John Trull's farm, known as the Bridge place and now owned by Mrs. Farmer, included its north-east corner ; and the lane leading from Long Street to this house is a few rods north of the Township line. House-lots, twenty to thirty acres in size, were granted within this Township to most of the first settlers, and "they upon the township" held, by agreement, a prior claim over "those on Mr. Dudley's farm," in the future distribution of common land. Here Jonathan Danforth built his house on the north side of West Street in 1654, unless his house-building followed his marriage. It was perhaps the first house in the village, and unless it was replaced by a second house before 1675, which is not probable, it stands there today, and after two hunched and twenty-three years we may still gaze upon its venerable and (alas ! that we must add) vanishing form.^ William Patten, or Thomas, his son, perhaps both, came the same year, and his house stood near Mr. Frank Richardson's. Ralph Hill, Jun., had a house-lot on what is now Mr. Kimball's farm, which he sold soon after to John Poulter, the brother of Danforth's wife. And in May, 1656, Mr. Hill bought of William Baker the farm south of his father's. His house, a garrison of 1675, stood where Mrs. Boyden lives. It had been built and occupied by Edward Chamberline, and Baker's occupancy was brief. B}' 1660, the number of families had increased to forty. Without attempting to give the exact order of their coming, or location, the following may be taken as an approximate statement: William Hamlet was on the north-east of Bare Hill, (the hill south of the village,) near the Crosb}' place ; James Kidder was opposite Danforth, where Mr. Gardner Parker lives ; John Rogers was near Mr. Charles Parker's ; William Tay, near Dr. Noyes's place, just south of the village; John Baldwin, near Mrs. Bennett's, and Jacob Brown, near Mr. Whitman's, (he sold out to John Stearns about 1663). Samuel Champney, son of the notable Elder Richard, of Cambridge, early had purchased, and in 1669 sold again to Richard Daniel, the five hundred acres granted by Cambridge to Edward Collins, and his house was south of the Woburn Road, near the Shawshin River. Simon Crosby was on the north side of Bare Hill ; Samuel Kemp, on the East Road, near Miss Sophia Allen's ; and Samuel Kinsley, south of Fox Hill and near Mr. Harding's place. John Marshall was "partly on and partly off the towneship," on the east side, beyond Ash Swamp, and south-east of Mr. Kimball's. Golden Moore bought James Parker's place, before mentioned ; James Paterson, "on the north side of the township," between the

Andover Street, near Mr. Kimball's ; and John Sheldon bej'ond him, near Mr. Johnson's place ; John Trull had lived, before 1659, on Captain Gookin's farm, and perhaps in the " Shawshin House" ; he then received a grant at the Bridge place, east of Long Street ; George Willice sold in 1659 his place south of the Baptist Church to Daniel Shed. Web has left his name on "AYeb's Brook," and lived beside it, near Mr. Maynard's ; Simon Bird was west of Long Street and south of the corner, (his grant included most of the Spalding Farm and Mr. Stackpole's) ; and beyond were John Bracket, between the two brooks ; John Durrant, whose grant extended to Mr. Jones's north line ; and William Haile, whose grant was farther on towards the "Great Bridge," or Ford way. Thomas Foster was east of Bare Hill, near Mr. McKay's ; Joseph Tompson, at the Tuft's place, south of the north-east corner of the Dudley Farm ; Peter Bracket, east of Tompson and south of Marshall ; John Kittredge, near Mr. Knowles's, south of Bare Hill ; Thomas Hubbard, west of Long Street and north of the Township, or between Dr. Pillsbury's place and Mrs. Wild's ; Dr. Roger Toothaker, at the old Rogers' place, near North Billerica ; and last, but not least. Rev. Samuel Whiting, whose place was east of Concord Road and north of Charnstaffe Lane. His house stood opposite the old Deacon Whiting place, just where Charnstaffe Lane descends from the west to the brook.

Forty families are here enumerated having homes in Billeri(;a in 1660. It is a matter of interest to note the places froni which thev came and the various relationships and interests which drew them together and helped to compact the rising community. In examining this subject it will be convenient to anticipate dates a little and group with these names several others who came in the next twenty years.

The larger number came naturall}' from Cambridge. Fifteen of the flftv-five earliest names belong to the mother town. Champnej', Crosby, Danforth, French, Frost, Hamlet, Hide, Hubbard, Kidder, Manning, More. Parker, Patten, Ross, and Willice ; and probably John Parker and Poulter should be added to this group, and by his marriage, at least, John Trull. Samuel Champney was a son of YAder Richard Champne}', one of the foremost men of Cambridge, and a large proprietor in Shawshin. He married a sister of Thomas Hubbard, who died here in 1662 ; and his sister married Jacob French. Jonathan Danforth married a sister of John Poulter, whose widowed mother had become the wife of John Parker. James Fi'ost married a daughter of William Hamlet, who had married Mrs. Hubbard, the mother of Samuel Champne^'s wife. Jonathan Hyde married Dorothy, daughter of James Kidder, but did not long stay in Billerica. Kidder married a niece of Golden More, who had himself manned the widow of John Champne}-. Samuel Manning's wife was Elizabeth, sister of John Stearns, and Isaac Learned, one of three purchasers of the Dudley Farm, married another sister. The connection of the Parkers, John and Robert, can not be affirmed, but is probable. Thomas Willice married Grace, daughter of William Ta}', who came from Boston to Billerica, and John Trull manied Sarah French, niece of Lieut. William French, of Cambridge, and sister of Joseph French, the son-in-law of Thomas Foster, who lived near him.

The contribution next in number and importance to the Billerica compan}' came as naturally from Woburn. It includes eleven names : Bacon, Baldwin, Brooks, Chamberline, Fai-ley, Hill, Jefts, Richardson, Walker, Wilson, and Ay3'man. .

Michael Bacon and John Baldwin married daughters of Thomas Richardson, of Woburn, and their brother Thomas became the occupant of the Church Farm after the death of John Parker in 1668, and a leading citizen of Billerica. William Chamberline was probably- connected with Thomas, one of the Dudley Farm purchasers, who afterwards manned Danforth's mother-in-law, the widow of John Parker. George Farley and Henry Jefts married sisters, we need not doubt, as they bore the unusual name of Births. Ralph Hill, Sen., had taken a second wife, Margaret, the mother of Roger Toothaker; and in his will he calls William French, "brother." Ralph Hill, Jun., married Martha Toothaker, his step-sister. Joseph Walker was the son-in-law of John Wj^man, of the family which held much land in Billerica as well as Woburn.

Braintree gave to Billerica an important circle of eight families. The mother of Simon Crosb}' had married, some years before, the Rev. Joseph Tompson, of Braintree, his second wife. In his parish, Capt. Richard Bracket lived, an active and exemplarsdeacon in his church. Naturally enough, the minister's son Joseph, and step-son Simon Crosby, found wives in the deacon's family, and one Samuel Kinsley was equally fortunate. These sisters had twin brothers, John and Peter, and the five brothers and sisters all came to Billerica and formed as many homes here. John Bracket had another attraction here, as his wife was a daughter of William French. Thomas Foster, Daniel Shed, who married Ruth More, daughter of Golden, and Christopher Web, make up the Braintree families, most of whom were located south and east of the village. John Rogers came with John Stearns from Watertown, and Job Lane from Maiden. He was the purchaser of the entire Winthrop Farm, which he divided b}- his will between his son. Col. John, and two grand-sons, Samuel Fitch and Mathew Whipple. His wife was the daughter of Rev. John Reyner, pastor of Plymouth and Dover, whose son Jolin became his father's colleague and successor. A few came from England direct to Billerica. Richard Daniel, "Gentlemen," as he is often called in the records, and mentioned with deference, bought the farm of the Cambridge Church of seven hundred acres and Samuel Champney's farm of five hundred acres, in 1669. His wife was daughter of Sir John Pye ; and about 1678 they returned to England. Edward Farmer came from Warwickshire, ancestor of a notable family ; and John Kittredge, whose descendants have been man^^ aijd honorable, came in the service of John Parker, who is called his "master." James Paterson was a Scotchman, of whom Savage says : "He is one of only four or five that prospered here among the great crowd of romantic young followers in Scotland of Charles II, who in the blood}' days * * of 1650 and 1651 were captured on the fields of Cromwell's glory at Dunbar and Worcester, and transported to the colonies to be sold." Several hundreds were brought to Boston. Paterson and Richardson married sisters, daughters of Andrew Stevenson, of Cambridge. Some years later another Sccjtchman, John Levistone, brought also good blood to Billerica. And if we could trace the connections of other names, as Bird, Dunkin, Durrant, Dutton, Fasset, Grimes, Haile, Kemp, Marshall, Sanders, Sheldon, and Trull, they would no doubt furnish points of similar interest.

Facts like these taken sepatatel}' have little intez-est ; but group them and they show that the men and women who laid the foundations in Billerica were no random collection of adventurers. They formed from the outset a community bound together b}' a network of ties which assured mutual sympathy and helpfulness. This was an essential condition of their success. Societ}' is not a mere conglomerate of individuals. Throw men and women together of diverse antecedents and inharmonious qualit}', and they will not be long in falling out and going asunder. Man}' an ambitious and promising attempt at planting a colony in America, and elsewhere, has made shipwreck for this reason. Pl3-mouth and Massachusetts were more successful, because the}' sought carefully and held tenaciously such elements as coiild be moulded together, and repelled those which were foreign and discordant. And what was true of the colony was true of the town. Such a union of harmonious and desirable^ elements could not be had at short notice ; and the delay of a few years, during which neighbors in Cambridge and Woburn were consulting and corresponding with the design of planting a company of settlers in the Shawshin wilderness, was well used in securing the growth and combination of such germs. It was better to make baste so slowly that the town might prove, as it did, homogeneous and successful.

Chapter Iii Land Distribution

The equitable apportionment of the lands of the town among the settlers was a matter of sufficient importance and difficulty to engage much attention and tax their wisdom. The whole town included, after its enlargement west of the Concord River, about thirty thousand acres. The adjustment of what the first settlers should receive, with wise reservations for later grants as others should join them, and for future distributions, must have been very carefully debated. Their territory embraced the three large grants to Mrs. Winthrop, Governor Winthrop, and Governor Dudley, (5,760 acres in all) ; one thousand acres reserved b}^ the Church in Cambridge ; five grants of live hundred acres each to Captain Gookin, Reverend Mr. Weld, Reverend Mr. Mitchel, President Dunster, and Mr. Collins ; and other grants, to more than one hundred citizens of Cambridge, amounthig to 10,300 acres. About two-fifths of the whole town only was really free and common land, open to the occupancy and disposition of the settlers, when they first came to Shawshin ; but the subsequent grant from the General Court of eight thousand acres at Naticott enabled them, b}^ purchase and exchange, to secure most of the small Cambridge titles, and hold about eight thousand acres more for their own benefit and that of future proprietors.

The Dudle}' Farm exerted a vital influence in giving shape to the settlement. Extending two and a half miles down the river from the Two Brothers, its north-east boundary fixed the position of the four hundred acres "granted b}- the Church in Cambridge for the Towneship," or village part of the town, Charnstaffe Lane being the line between them. And the first settlement has the practical aspect of an agreement between the Woburn men who had bought the larger part of the "Farm," and the Cambridge men who had received the Township grant.

The Farm, containing fifteen hundred acres, was divided into twelve lots of one hundred and twentj'-flve acres each, and this number became the unit of measuring shares throughout the town. Each share was called a ' ten-acre lot,' and consisted of one hundred and thirteen acres of upland and twelve acres of meadow, and carried with it the right to "all town priviledges, after additions and divisions of land and meadow." Only six proprietors held more than a single share. Ralph Hill had a twenty-eight-acre lot ; his father and Elder Champne}', twenty-five-acre lots ; and Farley, French, and Stearns, twenty-acre lots. There were thirteen ten-acre lots, and thi'rtj'-six smaller: eight, six, five, and two-andone-half-acre lots, the larger part being five acres. The twelve shares of the Dudley Farm were held : two and one-half, by Elder Charapney ; two, by John Stearns ; one and one-half, by Ralph Hill, Sen. ; and one each, by William Chamberlain, George Farle}-, Lieut. William French, Ralph Hill, Jun., Henr}' Jefts, and Robert Parker.

It can hardly have been accidental that the rights on the Township were granted b}- Cambridge in so nearly the same number of shares. Four P"'arm proprietors, Farley, Stearns, Ralph Hill, Jun., and Robert Parker, had also lots on the Township. Omitting these, the lots on the Township were also twelve in number. Their owners were Jacob Brown, who soon sold to Stearns, John Baldwin, Jonathan Danforth, Captain Gookin, of Cambridge, a non-resident, James Kidder, John Marshall, Golden More, William Patten, John Rogers, John Trull, George Willice, and Reverend Mr. Whiting. Of this number, Baldwin onl}' was a Woburn man ; while but a single Cambridge man, French, had his home on the Farm. In the outset, the Township and the Farm thus nearly represented Cambridge and Woburn in the settlement, which proceeded on the basis of the following agreement between them: - ^

*'A Transcript of a Covenant or Agreement between tugs which WERE Proprietors vpon Mr. Dudley's Farme and they that were inhabitance on y^ township, which is yet a standing Order in the Towne.

upland & meadow Avith thos vpon Mr. Dudley's farme; to have the one-half of their lands about home, either adjoining to their house-lots, and, in case their benot sufFetient for them there, then to have it made up vpon the first next convenient place. And as for their second divitions, they shall have it laid out to them remote from the towne, acording as they have their second divitions, which are vpon Mr. Dudley's farme. Provided allways^ That all such persons takeing up such alotraents shall contribute to them vpon Mr. Dudley's farme (according to the proportion they sliall take vp. whither a tenne-acre, eight, six, or five-acre lot, or any other proportion.) vntill they on Mr. Dudley's farme have received half so nmch as their first purchase cost; and as for any moneys that shall come in to y« towne, vpon this account afterward, it shalbee disposed of to ye publick use of the towne, acording as y^ towne shall order; all which payments shalbe made within two yeare after their perticular grants, and the first half within one yeare. Provided allwarjs^ That no person shall have any proportion more than a single share of Mr. Dudley's farme.

"It was also, at y^ same time, agreed vpon by y® towne: That a ten-acre lot on j^ towneshlp, and a single share, or twelfe part of Mr. Dudley's farme, should be equall, both civill and ecclesiasticall ; and that all lesser grants (as an eight, six, or five-acre lot, or any other lesser or greater grants,) should all pay in proportion to their grants, to all publick charge as aforesaid."

In fulfillment of the agreement that the other inhat»itants should pay to the Farm proprietors one-half of what it had cost them, we find the following : -

Laxd Distribution

The price of the Dudley Farm was one hundred and teu pounds. The balance of the fift3'-five pounds, which would make up the half, was probably assessed on later purchasers in the town.

The earliest settlers whose house-lots were on the common land of the town, or off the Township and the Farm, were William Hamlet and William Tay, in 165G. The grant to Hamlet exhibits the common form used, with slight variations, in case of all the early settlers ; and I quote : -

-'They have granted to him and assignes forever, one tenne-acre lot, or one single share ; that is, one hundred and thutene acres of upland and twelve acres of meadow land, together with all towne priviledges, after additions and divitions of lands and meadows made or to be made, or granted by the towne, acording to any their *^^owne orders, covenants, or agreements, to anj' free denison amongst them, acording to y^ proportion of a ten-acre lot, and on this account are the following grants."

of bare hill, and on y'^ south of hogrooten meadow." This meadow of unsavory name lies south-east of the Tompson or Tufts place, and the hill is between the Boston and Lexington Roads, south-east of the village, and east of Dr. Noyes's house. Hamlet's house must have stood near the Crosby place. Ta}' was on the west of the same hill, at Dr. Noyes's place.

2 Framlingham, in England, the native town of Danforth, was in "Loes Hundred." He gave the name to the plain and a meadow south of Fox Hill, and extending as far as the Church Farm.

far as Fox Hill. North from the Township ran another line of the earliest farms, Paterson, Hubbard, Bird, Durrant, and Haile, who was near the Great Bridge, or Fordwa3% with Toothaker at the extreme point, the old Rogers place of a later da}', by the canal.

The allotment of the common lands to the settlers began promptly, and it was almost one hundred j-ears before this land fund was exhansted. The earliest assignments were made to several of the Township proprietors in Loes Plain ; bnt the first general distribution was of meadow land, which was specially important and valuable, before clearing and culture had made higher grounds productive of the needed supply of grass for winter use. The Farm settlers did not share in this first meadow distribution, which was intended to equalize the privilege of the Township men with these Farm purchasers.

There were twenty-one shares in the first distribution in 1658, in a total of onh' thirt^'-nine acres, and these were located in two places. The first lot began between C'helmsford line and Concord River, on the west side, and, running up the river through Broad meadow, the last of the thirteen lots was just south of the Great Bridge, or Fordway. The other eight lots of this first division of meadow began at the mouth of Long Pond, and, following the Alewife or Content' Brook, the last lot, John Baldwin's, was near Pattenville, and Danforth's lot at the right hand of the Andover or Depot Road. The agreement for this division and the following stands thus : - *

of the thirteen lots was just south of the devition of meddows for the several inhabitants [ ? ] to begin at the Lower end of the medow on the other side Concord [river] Next toward Patuckett at Chelmsford corner, and so upward to the [?] above the Bridge, and so to begin again at the pond below foxes hill, and so down Alewife brooke. and so to take the spanges of medow to the Colage meddow, and so down to Andover Line, and take all the lueddow on both sides Shawshin river, to be devided by lott according as shall be adjudged by A co^itee, for what is rubish nieddowe to be layed out quantitive, y' every man may be aco"'idated alike, as nere as the said comittee can judge; the eomitee apoynted for the meshuringe and Laying out the said meddow lands and Lots of uplande are

2 Tlie earliest name of this brook was "Alewife." The plain beyond soon probably received the name "Content"; then the meadow, and before long brook, meadow, and plain were all "Content." * Records. Vol. I, p. 8.

Land Distribution

"For the first devitions: y*' devitiones of meddow to begin as aforesaid, on the other side Concord river, soe upward ; & from y«= ponde down the brook to Content bridge; & so Lay out the several lotts, crosse the meddows on both sides the brool<.

on both sides the river, of proportions of to the Lower eaudc of the collage fanne: then to extend downewarde upon Shawshin river, on both sides the river, taking in all that is meadow before vs y*^ is in o"" Boundes to Woeburne line, vntill we come to Alewife brooke, and so to run vp that brooke vntill we come to Contente bridge; then to extend from ye mouth of Alewife Brooke upon Shawshin river untill we come to heth Brook; then to take all the medow y' is on that Brooke, so far as there is any toward contente meddow ; then to begin again where we left of upon the river, and so to lay out the meddow, till we come at the mouth of Strongvvater brooke, and so to Andover Boundes ; then to take all before us who^ewards, untill we come at the great meadow; then to begin at the Bound pine upon Hors brook, between Andover and o'' Towne, takeing all before us toward merimake river ; and for such meddows as Lye in any man's Alotment of upland, he shall [have it as part] of his first devition [of meddow], any nere meddow conven[ient to other] men, it is left with the Com[mittee to dis]pose of to acomidate such [persons with] the said meddows, (upon [?] as aforesaid,) dividing them [with '?] equalitie, acordinge to ther [own] discretione. without respect of

-'It is agreed that the second lot in order shall begin at the stake at ye Lower end of Concord river meddow ; and it is also agreed that the second devition of the several alotments of meddow shall be a third part of there proportione, and what is yet remaining shall be made up in the third devetione.

"The Lotts were drawne by the severall inhabitantes, whose Names are here underwritten, to the Number of Twenty and three Lotts, besides the meddows for the minister; which Lots of meddow for the minister were joyntly agreed upon to be Layed out, in the firste place, acordinge to the best disci'etione of the Comittee apoynted for the worke.

"9 lots drawn for by the Towne, that were then vndisposed of, and taken up since, as tolloweth : 3 ten-acre lots, and 3 8-acre lots, and 3 6-aere lots.

The second division began on the Shawsliin below tlie College Farm, at a place called by the Records the "willow spang" ; and including twent\'-foar lots on botli sides the river, extended nearly to Strongwater Brook, or half way tlirough Tewksbnrj.

The third division of meadow was made also in 1658, and, after assigning four lots farther down the Shawsliin to Andover bounds, passed over to tlie great meadow south-east of Prospect Hill, which is a mile north of Tewkslnuy Junction, and follows the meadow on Strongwater Brook back to the Shawshin River again. Tliis remote division was as large as the other two, and gave all the settlers. an average of ten acres of meadow in the tliree widely separate fields. The conditions of this pioneer farming were certainly not the most attractive, when the Townehip farmer must travel three miles north one da}', and four miles east the next, by roads which consisted mostl}' of blazed trees, to bring home the meadow hay, on which his cow and horse were to subsist when winter came. This process of taking possession of the wilderness, in the name and for the benefit of civilization, tested and developed the manhood of these brave men and women.

The next general division consisted of upland ; and the Farm proprietors sliared with those on the Township. It was made in 1659, November, and included thirty-nine lots and fort}' persons; Peter Bracket and Joseph Tompson holding in common the right of John Gurnc}', of Braintree. - The Record describes this division as "in the great common field, on the East side of Concord river, below the great Bridge." It began "at the little swamp next below the falls," or a little south of North Billerica village, and extended ' ' down Concord river, towards Pawtucket, so far as the brook called Bacon brook," which is just south of the Salem Railroad crossing of the Concord River ; ' ' and the breadth of the said land to ly along as the cart-path that leads down towards Pawtucket," near, if not identical with, the present highway. Tliis division averaged twentj'-two acres to each person, or eight hundred and eighty' in all. When the line of Mrs. Winthrop's farm was run, it was found to extend south of Bacon Brook, and cut off the north eight lots of this division. For these the owners received other lots near the head of Heath Brook in a plain called, no doubt for this reason, Recompense Plain.

At the same time another important division was made, in which the Farm proprietors did not share. It is often referred to in the Records as the "second division." It was "on the right hand of the wa}' Leading toward gloab hill, by Shawshin River, and so joining to Shawshin River and the College farme on the southward part, and abutting on the ends of those Lots at Loose pla3'ne on the Weste ; and in case there be not suffitient thare, then to take it between heath brook mouth and the highwa}' before mentioned, and so come homeward again. And for the devition of the said lands, it is agreed it shall be devided into two devitions, until 3'ou come so far as ailwife brook, which deviding Line shall be about the middle of the Land between the above mentioned highway and Shawshin river, butting upon Loose playne and Ailwife brook. The 1st Lott shall begin next Samuel Kinsley, his Lott, and so goe on until you come to Ailwife brook ; then begin at the west end of the other part of the devition, and so goe on until 3'ou come to ailwife brook ; then to begin bej'ond the brook and run from the highway to the river, and so goe on till you come to gloab hill ; then returne homeward, between the highway and heath brook, if need be."

Globe Hill is near the Shawshin, in Tewksbury, and is probablj' the same on which the State Alms-house now stands ; and the road named is the present highway through Patten ville. This description includes the territory between Loes Plain and Fox Hill on the west, the Shawshin meadows south-east, and the Church Farm south-west. The Rangeway, which separated the First and Second Parts, as they were called, of this Second Division, began near the Asa Holden place, and passed the present fork in the roads where Mr. James Page lives. The two rows of lots were laid right and left from it, towards the road and the river. The first row of nine lots began with Thomas Hubbard's, south of Fox Hill, which passed very soon by his death to Samuel Manning. Others between the road and the Rangeway were Daniel Shed, William Patten, James Kidder, Thomas Foster, James Paterson, John Baldwin, John Marshall, and John Parker, who also bought Marshall's and owned a lot of eighty acres near I'attenville. The second part of this division began farther south, near the Deacon P^dmands place, and ran farther down the river, inchuling seventeen lots. The twenty-six lots of this division included 1,103 acres, more or less.

In 16G3, December, another division of meadow land took place, and was to all the inhabitants. It began in the remote south-west part of the town, now Carlisle ; four lots had Chelmsford line north, and three were in Fort-wall meadow, which reached Concord line a mile be3ond Carlisle village. Coming thence, homeward, three lots were in Fort meadow, as many in Brook meadow, ten in Treble-cove meadow, four on the Concord River, two on the Pond Bi'ook, four in Patch meadow, three in Long-hill meadow, one south-west of Gilson's Hill, and the last three on the river again opposite the Township. These lots averaged two acres each, or eight}' in all.

A month later, in January, 1663-4, allotments of upland were made in several places to forty-five proprietors. Fifteen lots were in a field, beginning opposite the lower end of the Township, on the west side of Concord River, and running down the river. Nine lots ran along the Shawshin on the east side, beginning at the College Farm; twelve were in the "pine plain be3ond Content" Brook, or near the Tewksbury line ; three were north of Fox Hill and Brook, east of Mr. Nason's place ; and six on the plain on this side of Strongwater Brook, as near as might be "to their own meadows there."

Grants made at various times and places, in this wa}', could not alwa3s satisf}' the men who received them. One would prove less valuable or convenient than another, and in 1665, December, a committee was appointed to make a Gratuity Division, as it was called, or grants to various individuals, and exchanges with them for common land, such as equity' called for, or would silence complaints. Thirty persons received such special grants ; but Farley and Stearns had no share, as the committee "Judge that their divitions on the Towneship, already- laid out to them, is more than in proportion is granted to other men lying as convenient." John Marshall has " two acres by his house instead of six elsewhere." John Sheldon has ' ' 3 acres & 33 pole joining to his east line of his home lot, or else 10 acres, at foxes." John Kittredge "one-third part of five acres, adjoyning to the South side of his house-lot, & he is content," and so on. James Kidder received two and a half acres taken from the highway north of his house-lot, now West Street.

In the winter of 1665-6, a large meadow lying north-east of Prospect Hill was divided into fort^'-two lots, and granted to as many persons. In this division it was agreed that there should be no allowance of "quantity for quality," such as had been common. Another distribution was made at the same time, with the privilege to each man of choosing where his lot should lie, the quantity being one and one-quarter acres to each ten-acre lot. Seven chose lots west of Concord River, near the Great Bridge, and fourteen accepted Heath meadow for forty acres, holding it in common, and subject to such future division as the\' might agree upon.

The last general division of land which was made before 1685 took place in January, 1665-6. It was a meadow division, located "in the great meadow North-East of Prospect Hill," and near Andover. The following condition was attached to this action : -

"It is agreed by y" Joint consent of the Towne, before the alotments of the northerly medow at Prospect Hill, that in case Cambridge men shall recover any meadow in our precincts, in reference to their lots in this Towne bounds, granted them by Cambridge, that then the}^ shall have it in this northerly meadow ; and then the alotment of this meadow shall be a nullity, vnlesse the towne shall see cause to satisf}^ such persons (whose alotments shalbe taken away) in some other place, to their content." In other words, they did not intend, if the troublesome Cambridge claims could not be adjusted and were enforced upon them, to permit their location in any of the near and, to them, more desirable parts of the town.

The Record proceeds : ' ' We do agree that y^ northerly meadow at Prospect Hill shalbe alotted acording to towne order, to y'' whoU inhabitance concerned therein ; and for the order of the lying of y* said alotments, we do agree that there shalbee first a dividing line, from this end of the meadow to y" further end, rufiing as convenient as ma}' be about y^ middle of the meadow ; and the first lot shall begin at this hither end, on y^ left hand or west side of y* dividing line, and so take y"' in order going round, coming homeward on the East side of the meadow, so that }-'* last and y" first lot will lye neer east and west of each othere.

"Further we do agree that in this divition their shalbee noe consideration of allowing quantity for quality to any person. Also, it was agreed that Joseph Tomson and John Bracket should have liberty to draw one lot for both their proportions.

"It was agreed that John Trull's allotment in y*^ above named meadow should be put out, Because he had above his just proportion in heeth brook meadow."

This division included about fort}' acres. Mr. Danforth was to divide, measure, "make a plott of, and record the whole," for fort}' and two shillings ; and persons concerned, who did not "seasonably attend" to the laying out of their own lots, were to pay "niuepence a person to those that do y" work."

This account of the distribution of lands in Billerica, in the beginning, would be far from complete without notice of the large grants and farms, held under Cambridge titles, in the south-east part of the town. The largest of these was the farm reserved by the Church in Cambridge for its special use, when it permitted the whole town to assume practical possession of the larger part of Shawshin. It consisted of seven hundred acres lying north of the Woburn Road, and extended from Woburn line to the south-east line of Mr. Hart's land on the west. Its north-east line may still be seen west of the river, a distinct ditch and ridge, with a wall in some places, which two hundred and twenty j-ears have not made even obscure. Here