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flag  History of Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

(North Billerica)

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Billerica, Massachusetts, USA - Talbot Mills  Thomas Talbot was an American textile mill owner and politician from Massachusetts, United States. Talbot ran a major textile business

Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

In the early 1630s, a Praying Indian village named Shawshin was at the current site of Billerica.
kids.kiddle.co

Billerica includes: Bennett Hall, Main Street station, Nutting's Pond, Pattenville, Pinehurst, and Turnpike.


netronline.com/mass_lookup.htm

There is MUCH more to discover about Billerica, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!

Billerica Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards


Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Talbot Mills

Thomas Talbot was an American textile mill owner and politician from Massachusetts, United States. Talbot ran a major textile business, involving chemical dyeworks and the weaving of fabric, in Billerica that was a major local employer...

Born to Irish immigrants, Talbot was minimally educated, working in textile mills from an early age. He entered into a partnership with his brother, founding the Talbot Mills of Billerica in 1857... wikipedia
Read more about Charles Potts TALBOT

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Bennett Library, Billerica, Mass.

Built specifically as a library in 1880, it was a gift of Eleanor Bennett and her daughters. When Town Meeting refused the gift, Mrs.Bennett and other citizens formed a private corporation and elected officers “to secure to the citizens of Billerica…..the establishment of a public library.”Mrs.Bennett’s vision served the Town well for 100 years. billericalibrary.org

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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The Mitchell Military Boys School

The Mitchell Military Boys School was opened in Billerica in 1879 by Professor Moses C. Mitchell, an 1862 graduate of Waterville College, now Colby, in Waterville, Maine. Professor Mitchell had taught at a number of academies in Maine before becoming proprietor of a private boy’s school in Edgartown, MA. After eleven years on Martha’s Vineyard, he moved his school to its impressive location on the corner of Andover Road and Boston Road in Billerica. Initial enrollment was limited to twenty-four residential students but that number soon grew. Tuition was $400 per year at this time and thirty years later, in 1909, it was $600 plus approximately $75 in mandatory expenses. By 1929 the cost of the school had climbed to about $1300.

A fire on January 11, 1888 demolished this grand building...

Professor M.C. Mitchell had previously bought a large tract of land on “the Bedford road” (Concord Road) just outside the town’s center. It was on this... Read MORE...

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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The Common, Billerica, Mass.

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Riverhurst, 1905

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Town Hall

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Riverhurst Boat House on Concord River (1910)

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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The Square, 1910

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Unitarian Church

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Washington Oak

Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

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Post Office

Discover Billerica: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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  • 1637 - Billerica is settled

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  • 1655 - Billerica is incorporated

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  • 1740 - In 1740, King's Corner Tavern, also known as Allen's Tavern was built in East Billerica. It originally served as a stage coach stop for weary travelers and was later used to serve passengers on the Middlesex Canal.

    voices.yahoo.com/ a-brief-history-billerica -yankee-doodle-town-1715539.html
  • Billerica is also the site of the oldest canal in the United States, the Middlesex Canal, which was active in Billerica from 1795-1952. The canal was used to transport goods to and from Lowell, which earned it the moniker of the "Gateway to Lowell"

    voices.yahoo.com/ a-brief-history-billerica- yankee-doodle-town-1715539.html
  • 1839 - Billerica
    Billerica, Massachusetts
    Middlesex county. This town is watered by the Concord and Shawsheen rivers, and has a pleasant village on high ground, near the centre. Its soil is good and well improved. The Middlesex canal and the Boston and Lowell rail road pass through the easterly part of the town. First setled, 1653. Incorporated, 1655. Population, 1837, 1,498. Here are some manufactures of woolen cloth, boots, leather, wooden ware, straw bonnets, shaving and splitting knives, bed binding, soft soap, and spirits. Billerica lies 18 miles N.W. from Boston, 7 S.S.E. from Lowell, and 7 N.E. by N. from Concord.
    The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
  • 1845 - BILLERICA. [Pop. 1,632. Settled 1653.]
    The Indian name of this town was Shawshine or Shawsheen, the same as that of a branch of the Merrimack, that runs through it.

    Billerica is probably a corruption of Villa-rica, though it may have been named after Billericay in England, a still worse corruption.

    It was originally granted to Cambridge, and settled by families from that town, and from England.

    The inhabitants are chiefly farmers, but some woollens, boots, and shoes are manufactured here.

    Distance from Concord, 10 miles ; from Boston, 18.
    An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
  • News  1846 - Disastrous Fire in Billerica, Mass.
    Between 12 and 1 o'clock on Friday morning, one of the buildings attached to the Billerica mills, which are about four miles east of Lowell, was discovered to be in flames, and quickly the whole of that extensive establishment was in ruins, with the exception of one mill which is used for cutting dye-wood and is on the opposite side of the river. The mils were owned by the Middlesex canal company, and were probably insured. They consisted of a saw mill occupied by Mr. Wilson, a flour and grain mill occupied by George Roundy & Co., and two large carpet mills, one occupied by Roger Lang, the other by Mr. Hannegan. Although the loss is undoubtedly very heavy, about $20,000, there is a large amount of insurance on the stock, &c, of the occupants.
    genealogybank.com
    Sun
    Maryland
    February 3, 1846
  • 1848 - Billerica
    The ancient Indian name of Billerica was Shawshine, a name which it received from its vicinity to the river of this name. The present name is derived from Billericay, in the county of Essex, in England, whence it is supposed that several of the first inhabitants emigrated. As early as 1637, the general court appointed Capt. Jennison and Lieut. Spooner to view Shawshine, and to consider whether it be fit for a plantation. In 1641, it was granted to Cam-. bridge, “provided they would make it a village to have ten families settled there within ten years.” It appears that the first settlement was made about the year 1653. It was commenced by a number of respectable families from Cambridge, but the greater part were originally from England. The following are the names of some of the first principal settlers: John Parker, John Kittredge, John Rogers, William French, George Farley, Ralph Hill, Samuel Manning, Simon Crosby, Jonathan Danforth, Rev. Samuel Whiting, Thomas Richardson, Edward... Read MORE...

  • 1854 - Billerica
    Billerica, a beautiful post- village of Middlesex co., Mass., 18 miles N. by W. from Boston. It contains 4 churches, a new town house, and the Howe School, opened in 1852, with a fund of $30,000. Pop. of township, 1646.
    A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
  • Billerica Massachusetts, 1890
    Billerica is an ancient and pleasant town in the northeasterly part of Middlesex County. Its boundaries are Chelmsford on the northwest, Tewksbury on the northeast, Wilmington and Burlington on the east, Bedford on the south, and Carlisle on the southwest. It is twenty miles from Boston on the Boston and Lowell Railroad ; the main line of which passes through the northeast side of the town, having stations at East Billerica and North Billerica ; while the Bedford Branch, passing through the length of the town, north and south, has stations at South Billerica and Billerica village, at the centre. The last, and North, East and South Billerica, are the post-offices. The other villages are West Billerica, Pattenville and Rutland.

    The area of the town is 15,307 acres, aside from the highways and water-surfaces ; and of this, 6,375 acres are woodland. The land is elevated in the centre of the town, and commands extensive views of the surrounding country, with the summits of Wachusett and ... Read MORE...

  • 1895 - Billerica
    Billerica, biller-ik-a, a handsome post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Billerica township, on the Concord River, and on the Bedford & Billerica Railroad, 2 miles from the Boston, Lowell & Nashua Railroad, and 19 miles N.W. of Boston. It contains 3 churches, a town hall, and an institution called the Howe School. The township contains a village named North Billerica, which has chemical works and 2 woollen-mills. Pop. of township, in 1890, 2098.
    Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  • 1916
    Billerica, a post-village of Middlesex co., Mass., in Billerica township (town), on the Concord River, 19 miles NW. of Boston. The town contains the village of North Billerica. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2775. The banking point is Lowell.
    Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher


  • 2023 - Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Billerica:
    Billerica State Forest:

    If you're a nature enthusiast, the Billerica State Forest is a must-visit. This beautiful natural area offers hiking trails, picnic spots, and opportunities for bird watching and wildlife observation.

    Nuttings Lake:

    Spend a day at Nuttings Lake, a picturesque body of water in Billerica. You can go fishing, kayaking, or simply relax by the shore. It's a great place for a family outing or a peaceful escape.

    Shawsheen River Trail:

    Take a stroll or bike ride along the Shawsheen River Trail. This scenic path winds through lush landscapes, offering a peaceful and serene experience for nature lovers.

    Billerica Historical Society and Museum:

    Learn about the town's rich history at the Billerica Historical Society and Museum. It's a fantastic place to discover the heritage and culture of Billerica through exhibitions and artifacts.

    Minute Man National Historical Park:

    Located nearby in Concord, this park commemorates the events of April 19,... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: Billerica Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Billerica.

View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)



female ancestorJulia CRONAN (, , Ireland - 11 August 1874, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
male ancestorWilliam FRENCH (1605, , England (United Kingdom) - 20 November 1681, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
female ancestorElizabeth SYMMS (1605, , England (United Kingdom) - 31 March 1668, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
male ancestorJohn BALDWIN (February 1614, Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, England - 25 September 1687, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
male ancestorJames KIDDER (1626, , England (United Kingdom) - 16 April 1676, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
male ancestorSamuel KINSLEY (7 May 1629, Braintree, Massachusetts, USA - 21 May 1662, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
female ancestorAnna MOORE (1630, , England (United Kingdom) - 1691, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
female ancestorEsther CHAMPNEY (June 1633, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - 5 April 1713, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))
male ancestorSimon CROSBY (6 August 1637, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - 22 January 1725, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA (North Billerica))

Ancestors Who Were Married in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Billerica.

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male ancestorJohn BALDWIN (February 1614 - 25 September 1687) and female ancestorMary RICHARDSON (17 November 1638 - 15 August 1694) married 15 May 1655
male ancestorThomas WILLIS (28 December 1638 - 14 August 1725) and female ancestorGrace TAY (23 June 1645 - 23 January 1715) married 1663
male ancestorJonathan HYDE (1 April 1655 - 2 August 1731) and female ancestorDorothy KIDDER (29 January 1651 - 1724) married 6 May 1673
male ancestorStephen RICHARDSON (15 August 1649 - 22 March 1718) and female ancestorAbigail Justus WYMAN (1659 - 17 September 1720) married 2 January 1674
male ancestorEphraim KIDDER (31 August 1660 - 25 September 1724) and female ancestorRachel CROSBY (24 August 1660 - 24 September 1721) married 4 August 1685
male ancestorJoseph CROSBY (5 July 1669 - 26 November 1759) and female ancestorSarah FRENCH (29 October 1671 - 8 July 1727) married 4 August 1691
male ancestorOliver FARMER (2 February 1686 - 23 February 1761) and female ancestorAbigail JOHNSON (13 June 1697 - 25 February 1773) married 24 January 1717
male ancestorThomas BALDWIN (15 March 1697 - 23 February 1750) and female ancestorDorothy KIDDER (2 September 1696 - ) married 1718
male ancestorJosiah CROSBY (5 August 1704 - 7 October 1745) and female ancestorElizabeth FRENCH (3 April 1705 - 27 November 1739) married 3 February 1730
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Updated: 9/15/2023 5:12:49 PM

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