Points of Interest - Billerica Public Library

Transcription

Billerica Points of Interest
Abner Sterns House
Asa Pollard Birthplace
Bennett Library
Canal Street Housing
Captain Gorham’s House
Civil War Memorial
Clara Sexton Memorial
Ditson School
Faulkner Mill
First Congregational Church
First Unitarian Church
Howe High School
King’s Corner Tavern
Kitchner Farm
Manning Manse
Meeting House Marker
North Billerica Baptist Church
Old Corner Burial Ground
Old Howe School
Paul Hill (Bull) House
Rufus Kitteridge Underhill House
Sabbath Day House
South Burying Ground
St Teresa’s Church
Town Common
Old Town Hall (Library)
Ward’s Residence
William Rodgers House
Billerica Historical Society
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Abner Stearns House
Dudley Road
In 1638, twelve hundred acres was granted to Governor Winthrop and twelve hundred to Lt.
Governor Dudley. The Dudley grant was entirely in Billerica Charnstaffe Lane being a
remnant of the Northerly bound and Tufts Lane of the Easterly bound. John Stearns bought
the north-easterly and south-westerly corners of the Dudley farm, but the family history was
largely concerned with the south-westerly portion. Capt. John Stearns built the present
Greenwood house in 1689, and his son Lt. John the present Maryknoll house in 1714. There
was a mill on the brook which ran through the property and what is now called Dudley Road
was long known as the path to John Stern's mill. The last of the family to operate the mill was
Abner. He was the son of Edward and was born July 9, 1766. On May 1st, 1797, he married
Anna, the daughter of Jonathan Hill, and a year later built what was probably the finest house
in Billerica. It sits over-looking a broad meadow to the
Concord River, on a series of terraces. It is entirely of brick
laid in Flemish bond, in the purest of Federal style. He had
extensive business enterprises elsewhere, and died on
December 11, 1838. His son Abner ran the mill for a while,
and later died in Texas. In 1850, the property was in the
hands of Hobbs, and later the Herrick family. A number of
years ago, it was purchased by Edward Mot’ey Pickman,
Esquire, who continues to maintain it in the old-time
splendor. (Courtesy of Billerica Historical Society)
Copyright 1999 by Arrow Map, Inc.
Nichlas M. Lazott
Birthplace and Home of Asa Pollard
Asa Pollard was the first soldier to fall at Bunker Hill on June
17th, 1775. This stone marker, which is still in place today at
the corner of Call and Pollard Streets, graces the birthplace of
Asa Pollard. The home was built in 1692 with trolley tracks in
the foreground that ran from the center of the Billerica to North
Billerica. Asa Pollard was born in the house behind the marker
and he is known as the first American killed at the Battle of
Bunker Hill. The home burned in November 1908 during the
ownership of J. Henry Call. The barn and animals were saved,
but only one wall of the house remained after the blaze
(Courtesy of the Billerica Museum).
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Copyright 1999 by Aaron Map, inc.
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Bennett Library
3 Concord Road
Built in 1880 the library was the gift of Eleanor
Bennett. It served as the town public library until 1979
when it was replaced by the library that is now
becoming the senior center. The current town library
was the former Town Hall.
Copyright 1999 by Arrow Map, Inc.
Canal Block
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1,3,5,7,Elm Street
This building is shown here as it appeared at the beginning of the 20th
century. It is attributed to Levi Wilson, who presumably erected it for
the propietors of the Middlesex Canal in 1833. Located next to the
Talbot Mills repair shop Elm Street, it provided housing for mill and
canal workers. After his marriage to his second wife, Isabella Hayden,
in 1855, Governor Talbot and his new bride lived in one of these
apartments for a brief time, but the building was burned in 1984.
(Courtesy of the Billerica Historical Society)
Copyright 1999 by Arrow Map Inc.
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Captain Gorham’s House
On June 28, 1998 The house was moved from 473 Boston Road to Dudley Road
The house was built in 1845. We know this very accurately as the previous owner,
Robert Svensson, found a board behind the chimney when the building was totally
renovated in 1989, which is signed "This chimney piece was built by Henry R.
Bowers February 10, 1845". The house was one of the first 165 houses built in
Billerica. In 1991 the building won the "Visual Improvements Award" as the best
kept historical property, for a business, from the Billerica Plan, Inc. The entire
frame of the building is built with no nails and it still retains its original wood
moldings, one foot high baseboards and soft pine floors.
Captain Gorham was born in 1809 on a ship travailing from Boston to Havana. He
started working at an early age on merchant ships, and by the age of 20, he had
already made four trips around the world. In 1838 he retired, a wealthy man at the
age of 29, and bought 136 acres in South Billerica. His first house burned and he
bought the house lot on Boston Road in 1845 and commissioned Bowers to build
the house for him. He spent the rest of his life as a prominent citizen of Billerica
and died in 1893 at the age of 84.
HTTP://www.billericanews.com/news/#news062698
Copyright 1999 by Arrow Map ,inc.
Nicholas M Lazott
Civil War Monument
Town Common
This monument, dedicated in 1873, commemorates
the soldiers and battles of the Civil War. There was
originally a path that connected both the Parrott Gun
(cannon) and the Civil War Monument. (courtesy of Tom
Paskiewicz)
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Clara Sexton House
36 Concord Road
Remodeled in 1763 for Reverend Henry Cumings,
fourth minister of the Unitarian church, this centerchuimney home still stands on Concord Road. It
was left to the Billerica Historical Society by Clara
E. Sexton in 1936. Portions of the house may date
back as early as 1723. (Courtesy of the Billerica
Historical Society)
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Ditson School
Intersection of Boston Road and Pinehurst
This brick-and-masonry school is located on
Boston Road in Pinehurst. The Ditson
Elementary School was named after
Revolutionary War Patriot Thomas Ditson and
was completed and opened in 1931. As the
population of the area increased, the school was
expanded to the appearance it has today. It is
currently being used as (Courtesy of Tom Paskiewicz)
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Faulkner Mill
Faulkner Mills is adjacent to the Concord River’s milldam at North Billerica. The area was originally meadow land and
its hay and grass were used by the early English settlers as food for their farm animals. As it was subject to annual
floods, attempts were made to curtail the problem. In 1659 William Sheldon received permission to construct a mill to
grind corn, but it was not until 1708 that Christopher Osgood successfully erected an effective dam here. All future
owners of this spot trace their deed to Osgood and his dam. By the end of the 18th century there were five grist mills,
three saw mills and one fulling mill at work here.
During the period of the Middlesex Canal’s operations, its Proprietors were in charge of the area and continued to run
the mills as well as a fishway. For them, Loammi Baldwin replaced Osgood’s old worn dam with a new one near the
current dam at Faulkner Street bridge. In 1828 the Proprietors again built a new dam on this site. At the Canal’s demise,
the control of the area passed to two families: the Faulkners and the Talbots.
Francis Faulkner had run a textile mill in North Billerica since 1811. He began with a fulling mill but eventually had
several other buildings. Unfortunately, these were destroyed in 1818 by fire. Undaunted, Faulkner rebuilt his business
and in 1825 purchased in England new looms run by water power. By now, his son James Robbins Faulkner had joined
his father’s business. Additional land and buildings were added to their original holdings, and the firm went from
manufacturing cloth to flannel. A steam boiler was added in 1834. Two years later a second fire destroyed much of the
property.
As a result, the three-story brick factory familiar today was constructed, with its Georgian-style cupola; a four story
brick edifice which became the Mill’s main building was added during the Civil War. The business prospered: in the
late 1870s it provided work for 70 men and women. This staff included several young girls, and so James’s three
daughters established for their education the Faulkner Kindergarten. About the time of the First World War, the
company was re-organized as the North Billerica Company. It had a staff of 135, who produced wool blankets and
various colored cloth. In spite of the changing economic conditions that now began to affect New England’s mill
business, the company remained in operation until the 1980s. For some time after the plant closed, the structures
remained vacant, until their current rebirth.
Allen Seaburg http://www.middlesexcanal.org/towpathtopicsSept2000.htm
Courtesy of Kathy Smutek
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Orthodox (First) Congregational Church
18 Andover Road
In 1820, Huldah Black and Martha Bowers entered a protest about the religious doctrines of the Unitarian
church, requesting dismissal. As a long-range result, the Orthodox Congregational Church was established
in 1829. The building, located on Andover Road, was dedicated on January 13, 1830, under the leadership
of pastor John Starkweather. In 1843, the parish was served by the highly regarded Reverend Jesse G.D.
Stearns, who held the office for 20 years. Opening with just 25 members, the congregation has grown and
prospered substantially, and the building remains standing today. (Courtesy of Kathy Smutek)
The First Congregational Church in Billerica traces its roots to 1663, when the First Church in Billerica was
established, with ministers of the Congregational Order. The First Orthodox Congregational Society of
Billerica was established in 1829, with 25 original members. They started a Sabbath School that year and
dedicated their newly built meetinghouse to the worship of God on January 30, 1830. The church was 20’
by 40’, with three doors on the front and six windows on each side. It was heated by two wood stoves. The
church has been served by many pastors over the years, beginning with Reverend John Starkweather.
Reverend Stearns (Pastor, 1843-1867) was dedicated to education, founding the Billerica Boys Academy,
which was held in the vestry. A new pipe organ was installed during his ministry. Reverend Hazen (18741879) wrote the town history. Under Reverend Wilson (1885-1889) the sanctuary was enlarged to its present
size. Beginning in 1903, Reverend J. Harold Dale served the church for fifty-three years as pastor and three
as pastor emeritus. In 1916, our members founded a chapel association which
later became the Pinehurst Congregational Church. In 1923, women were
granted the right to vote in church society. A chancel and kitchen were
added to the church at its centennial anniversary. Also in 1929, the
Members voted to dissolve the First Orthodox Congregational
Society and be incorporated as the First Congregational Church in Billerica,
Inc. A new parish hall was built in 1955, and in 1961 the chapel was
dedicated in memory of Dr. Dale. In 1961, the church voted acceptance
of the United Church of Christ Constitution. The church celebrated its
150th anniversary with extensive renovation under Reverend John Hughes
(1975-1980) (Courtesy of Church Phone Book)
First Parish Church Reconstruction pamphlet
First Unitarian Church
5 Concord Road
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The church is pictured in a tintype made just after the Civil War. The
congregation was created as early as 1658, when Reverend Samuel Whiting Jr.
accepted Billerica’s invitation to become its minister. Built in 1797, the building
originally faced north until it was rotated on a cannonball to face the common in
1844. The pulpit was purchased from the Second Church of Boston, which was
being demolished. At one time, Ralph Waldo Emerson had preached from it
during his ministry there. The bell was cast in 1844 by Hooper, successor to
Paul Revere. A blaze nearly leveled the church in 1968. In minutes, the fire had
consumed most of the interior, the roof, and much of the front. Miraculously,
the Ralph Waldo Emerson pulpit survived intact. The church was rebuilt to near
original specifications and proudly graces the common once again. (Courtesy of
Billerica
Historical Society and Ann Nicholson)
Nicholas M Lazott
Howe High School
Boston Road, current Town Hall, attached to BMHS
As the town outgrew the old Howe School, the only high
school facility in the town, the need for a larger school
became apparent. The Howe High School was built in
1915 across the street from it’s predecessor, and in 1989 it
became the Billerica Town Hall. Prior to that date, the
building served as a junior high school when the Billerica
Memorial High School was opened in September 1955.
(Courtesy of Tom Paskiewicz)
Copyright 1999by Arrow Map Inc.
Nicholas M Lazott
King’s Corner Tavern
Also know as the Allen Tavern, The King’s
Corner Tavern was built around 1740. It was
originally a stage coach stop where travelers
could stop on long journeys. The tavern later
later served passengers on the Middlesex
Canal. It is located on the corner Salem Road
and Andover Road.
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Kitchener Farm
This center-chimney colonial was built by tavern keeper William Tay in the 17th
century, just off Lexington Road. In the 20th century, the Kitchener Farm
became a dairy-based enterprise where Rosalie Hayden bred prize winning
cattle. The house and barn burned and the only reminder that remains today is
the small stone wall that ran along the front of the property. (Courtesy of Alec
Ingraham)
In November, 1656 William Tay was granted a ten acre lot in Billerica, and in
December, 1658, this was laid out. As far aw we can determine, Tay was the
first occupant of what is now Kitchener Farm. His son Nathaniel sold this
homestead with buildings to Simon Crosby’s daughter in 1691. Simon
Crosby’s daughter Mary, born in 1680, married John Blanchard of Andover, and
they lived on this place until his death in 1750. It was then occupied by their
son Samuel and the grandson Jeremiah who died in 1819. It then became the
property of William Mann. Mann sold to William H Odiorne, one of the
original Trustees of the Howe School. In December, 1871, the place was
bought by Dr. Francis V. Noyes, and many of the older residents will remember
the great vineyards and orchards. Dr. Noye’s daughter Ellen Maria married
Francis B. Balch of Boston. The Balch’s sold to
Dr. Ring of Arlington Heights, and Ring sold to Miss
Rosaline B. Hayden who established the well-known
Kitchener Farm. The house has no face stone
beneath the sills and formerly had a tiny cellar, and
the north room is obviously of great antiquity. It is
not unreasonable to suppose that part of the present
building was the home of William Tay. (Courtesy
of Billerica Historical Society)
Manning Manse
Chelmsford Road (14-52)
Built in 1696, also referred to in Manning genealogy as the Old Homestead. The land was
acquired by Samuel Manning.
This later became a tavern as the landlord and townsmen often met to drink spirits here. The
Manning Manse was built to
Withstand Indian attacks, so it is called a “garrison house.” It still serves as a restaurant
where you can eat in the same atmosphere as travelers in the 1700’s.
Samuel Manning came to Billerica in 1662 and in 1696, he bought extensive
property on the Chelmsford Road and built the present Manning Manse. It stands today in
about as near its original condition as any house in New England. It faces the south, has no
face stone under the sill, in the west room the oven in entered directly from the fireplace, and
so one might go on enumerating characteristics typical of the seventeenth century. Of
especial note are the wide paneled horizontal boards. The lean-to is obviously an addition,
and for years it was possible to see weathered boards within the lean-to indicating that the
lean-to was an addition and also that the early houses were not clapboard. William Manning,
the great grandson of Samuel was born in 1747 and was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary
Army. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, a tavern keeper, and wrote, “The Key to Liberty”
published with a fore-word by Samuel Eliot Morison. This has been said to be the first
concrete suggestion for organizing the working-man in America. After his death, the three
daughters Lucretia, Lucinda, and Jerusha lived in the old house
and made their living growing straw and weaving hats.
The house is now the property of the Manning Association
and is run as a restaurant.
(Courtesy of Billerica
Historical Society)
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Meeting House Marker
Town Center, beside the bandstand
The First Meetinghouse
Tablet was placed on the
common in 1901 and marks
the site of Billerica’s first meetinghouse, built in
1660. It was a 30-by-24 foot thatched roof house
built by a committee that included Ralph Hill Sr.,
George Farley, and Jonathan Danforth (Information
courtesy of the Billerica
Museum.)
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North Billerica Baptist Church
In 1870, Thomas Talbot built this church at his own expense and
presented it as a gift to the Baptist Society, having found that this
denomination had the most representatives among his employees
and the people of North Billerica. Always practical, he also left a
legacy to assist in the church’s upkeep. The church was organized
in 1869, and the first reverend was Reverend William M. Ross. In
December 1940, the steeple was struck by lightning and burned.
Although the sanctuary was unharmed, the replaced spire has a
different design today. The church stands on Elm Street, near the
junction of Colson Street. (Courtesy of the Billerica Museum)
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Old Corner Burial Ground
Pollard Street, north of intersection of Boston Road, Floyd Street,
and Pollard Street
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Oliver Farmer III House
34 Colson Street
One of the most interesting variations of the Federal period was the socalled brick-ender.
There were five of these in Billerica, the first in 1798 and the last in 1812.
Though very beautiful in design, the variation was short lived. They
represented wealth and position. Nicholas Sprague came to Billerica very
early and lived at the site of the present home of Mr. Roger Hildreth. The
Sprague family had come from Malden, and had a fulling mill in Billerica
very early. They had much property holdings. ON November 30, 1786,
Oliver Farmer married Hannah Sprague and thus the property came into the
Farmer family. There was a daughter Rachel, born September 13, 1804,
who married Israel A. Colson and thus the Colson family acquired the
property. It is said that Rachel was the first
child born in the new house built in 1803.
It is replete with delicate mouldings and detail
inside, one of the finest examples of this period
in town. (Courtesy of Billerica Historical
Society)
Nicholas M Lazott
Paul Hill House
On May 3, 1873, Jefferson Cutter sold to Paul Hill twelve acres of land with the buildings
thereon. This was an old house site having been originally granted to James Parker but first
occupied by Golden More, who erected a house there as early as 1658. With his death in
1698, aged 98, the name disappeared from the town. The ownership is somewhat obscure
until Jefferson Cutter purchased it of Maria Tufts in 1825. Paul Hill was born in Billerica
in 1815; he presumably attended the Billerica Academy. But as a young man, he went west
and was extensively concerned with the building of railroads. He was the engineer of the
Hoosac Tunnel. Everything he attempted resulted down the old house and built a ouse with
the stylish French Mansard roof. Francois Mansard, a Frenchman of Italian origin, who
lived between 1598 and 1667, is credited with the adoption of the double sloped roof,
giving greater utility to the third floor. By some turn of late approximately two hundred
years after his death this roof came into style again and was called the Mansard or French
roof. There were five of these houses built in Billerica of which the one by Paul Hill is the
most striking example. They were spoken of as “high, wide, and handsome” decorative
and ornate but extremely useful. In the time of Paul Hill the house was called “The
Walnuts” getting its name from the two tremendous black walnut trees in the back yard. It
is curious that so striking a change in architecture should have
been so short lived. The first one in Billerica was built in 1869
and the last one 1873. The house has been moved to beside the
Collins Bowladrome to make way fot the O’Connor Plaza
(Courtesy of Billerica Historical Society)
Nicholas M Lazott
Rufus Kittredge Underhill House
One of the characteristics of the second Gothic revival was an enormous
amount of ornate detail. One of the most striking variations of this period is
the house built buy Rufus Kittredge Underhill. Mt. Underhill was born in
Chester New Hampshire, in 1819. He established the Underhill Edged Tool
Company in Nashua and Boston, and was very successful. He first
purchased real estate in Billerica in 1861, and from then on he bought a
number of other places. On January 15, 1874 he bought of Mary E. Wright,
a widow, and the heirs of Edward Wright, for $1,000, the twelve acres of
land on which this house sits. In 1880 he was assessed $3,850 for the twelve
acres with building thereon. Therefore it is fair to assume that this house
was built between 1874 and 1880. It is interesting to note, beside the
elaborate architectural design the granite posts connected with chains and the
cedar planting about the grounds. (Courtesy
of Billerica Historical Society)
Nicholas M Lazott
Sabbath Day House
Built in 1768.
Built in the mid-18th century by a group of families needing shelter
from the winter winds on the Sabbath, this sturdy house still remains
on Andover Road. Regular attendance in church was a requirement
for freemen to vote, and because travel over distance was
impractical, a nearby gathering place was created for midday respite
and refreshment. David Osgood leased the land to J. Patton, J.
Baldwin, R. Kendal, J. Manning, T. Danforth, and their families for
the construction. They were called “The Proprietors” until 1818,
when the house was no longer used as intended. Theophilus
Manning bought out the interest of the others (Courtesy of the Billerica
Museum).
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South Burying Ground
Junction of Concord and French Street
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St. Teresa’s (Original) Church
29 Concord Road
The Baptists organized in a schoolhouse near the Fordway as early as
1828. In 1880, the first church building was originally located on the
east side of the Concord River near the middle bridge. The building was
removed to its present location in 1844 by a team of 120 oxen. A bell
was procured in 1872, and a chapel was added in 1877. A decline in
parish membership led to the sale of the building in 1932 to the Billerica
Grange, which sold it to the Boston archdiocese in 1939. At that time,
the building became the mission
home of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.
A parish was established in 1945, and
the building remained in use until a
new St. Theresa’s was built in 1959.
Located on Concord Road near the
common, it is now a private residential
property. The new St. Teresa’s is pictured
top right. (Courtesy of Charles Kennelly)
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Billerica Town Common
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Town Hall (Public Library)
7 Concord Road
Currently the Public Library of Billerica, the Billerica
Town was dedicated to Billerica on November 1895. It served
as the town hall until 1989, when it was abandoned and
subsequently restored to house the library.
With Palladian windows and Christopher Wreninspired fold-leaf cupola, the town hall is here pictured much
like it was after it’s completion in 1895. HJ. Langford Warren
and Lewis H. Bacon were noted for designing the building.
After a lightning strike on
July 7, 1993, the town hall cupola
was condemned and removed for
complete reconstruction. Firefighters
quickly subdued the blaze which did
little damage to the building itself.
(information courtesy of the
Billerica Historical Society)
Nicholas M Lazott
Ward’s Residence
1 Concord Road
Dr. William Bowers was born in Billerica on April 20, 1744. He graduated from
Harvard College in 1769, and until his death on November 17, 1820, practiced
medicine in Billerica. In 1804 he bought the land formerly the estate of the Reverend
Samuel Ruggles, and built the house now occupied by Mrs. George M. Ward. Upon
the death of Dr. Bowers, his daughters lived on, the last of the dying lived on, the last
of them dying in 1871, the last of them dying in 1871. They were unusual women,
spinsters, and left their property to establish the Bowers Fund. The property was then
purchased by William Osborne who had married Clarissa Parker, the daughter of
Stephen. Mr. Osborne, died on December 20, 1872. His wife continued on for
several years. She gave the land upon which the Bennet Library now rests, in 1880,
and there is a food picture of her in the library reading-room – unmasked. Upon her
death, it became the property of Frederick H.
Parker who lived there for many years.
For awhile, it was the summer home of
Reverend Minot Savage, and
Dr. Harold Estey lived there a few years.
(Courtesy of Billerica Historical Society)
Nicholas M Lazott
William Rogers House
20-22 Rogers Street
William Rogers built this fine brick-end house in 1807, removing an
earlier home that was built by Roger Toothaker. The ell to the left of
this house, however, was reused from the previous house which was
the site of a vicious Native American ambush in 1695. During the
attack, Toothaker’s wife was killed. Their daughter fled into the
woods, hiding in a well. The ell was removed in 1898, and the home
became the property of the Calvin Rogers family, who solid it to the
Talbot Mill for use as a tenement house. The house, one of the few
brick-enders in Billerica, still stands on Rogers Street. (Courtesy of the
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Old Howe School
Boston Road, opposite Town Hall
Built with funds from the estate of Dr. Zadok Howe, prominent
local pysician, the Howe School was intended as an academy of
higher learning controlled by a board of trustees named by Howe.
Local architect Daniel Bean was chosen to design the building
which was located on the “Everett lot”, likely purchased from the
Ichabod Everett farm. Constructed in 1852, this brick Greek
Revival structure still stands on Boston Road. Originally made up
of one room downstairs and one room upstairs (both of which were
heated by wood stoves), the building
underwent a number of improvements in
the late 1800s. The Howe School was
recently placed on the National Register
of Historic Places and has
been selected as the future site of the
Billerica Museum. (Courtesy of the

Points of Interest - Billerica Public Library

Transcription

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