Historical Society

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Historical Notes

Two Brothers’ rocks, along the Concord River were named in 1683 and inscribed in 1874.

Picture two dignified gentlemen paddling down-stream on the frigid waters of the Concord River in January 1617.  You can probably feel the chill as you envision them turning their canoe to the east bank and disembarking at two great rocks.

These men, John Winthrop and Thomas Dudley, were the two most prominent leaders in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and as a result of this trip the General Court of England would grant them approximately 2,000 acres for the purpose of starting a “plantation.”

Using a small stream to part their lands, along with the two very large rocks as the dividing property between them, given by England, they agree on the boundaries, some of which are reflected on the ancient map on the inside cover of Hazen’s History of Billerica.  Their handshake seals the agreement, and the seeds are sown which will, some fifteen years later, provide the first tiny roots of the land which will become our town, Billerica.

Little by little more parcels of land were granted by the General Court, which functioned under the control of England.  By 1653, 13 families had settled in the area.  A “ten acres” lot entitled the owner to 113 acres of upland and 12 acres of meadowland, which was essential for growing hay and grazing stock.

How did the 13 original families manage in their chosen spot, which by 1655 had officially adopted the name of its chosen mother-town, Billericay, in Essex County, England?  One hearty settler, Jonathan Danforth, proved to be an accurate surveyor.  Danforth mapped out Billerica as well as other towns in the surrounding area.  Danforth was eventually named the father of our town.

By 1673 there were 50 families in Billerica, and they were not alone!  The settlements in Chelmsford, Andover, Woburn, Concord, and Cambridge had been established, providing neighborly assistance to farmers anxious to develop their crops.  more…

For more information about the history of Billerica, and the surrounding area, contact the Billerica Historical Society.

Mission

The Billerica Historical Society was formed in 1894 and incorporated two years later.  True to its original mission, the Society not only continues to acquire and preserve items of local interest but also attempts to educate and inform the town’s citizens concerning Billerica’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.  Initially, the Society met at the Bennett Public Library but in 1937 moved its headquarters to its present address at 36 Concord Road.  The house at this location, formerly occupied by Rev. Henry Cumings, the fourth minister of Billerica’s First Church, from 1763 until his death in 1823, was bequeathed to the Society by Clara E. Sexton, a former member of its Board of Directors.

In addition, the Society owns three other significant historical sites.  Two are associated with the Middlesex Canal, and the third with the Revolutionary War.  However, the Clara E. Sexton Memorial House requires the most maintenance.

The Society is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of four officers and five board members, all of whom serve on a voluntary basis.  Monetary support for the daily operations is provided by membership dues, grants, donations and the sale of T-shirts and other items from the Gift Shop.

The officers and board members are pleased with the community support, which has enabled many necessary improvements to be undertaken.  A visit to the Clara E. Sexton Memorial House during one of the more notable open houses on Yankee Doodle Weekend, or during the Christmas season, is an educational experience.  With the possible exception of the Manning Manse, the Sexton House is the only home of its genre available for public viewing in Billerica.

When asked, the Society conducts tours of its headquarters for local school children and presents a variety of venues’ programs that are tailored to the requests of the school department personnel.  Although the Society’s contributions to the quality of life in Billerica are often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of today’ s modern world, still a number of the town’s citizens share with enthusiasm a deep appreciation for the Society’s objectives.  Based on the recent community support for the different phases of the rehabilitation of the Sexton House the number of visitors is growing.  We always welcome new members.