and attractive sul)urb of Boston, and with the growth of both Lowell
and Boston, Billerica might have shared. But some feared and
repelled the railroad ; others, more sagacious, saw its benefits and
sought its location on a more northerly route ; and the growth of
the A'illage has been hindered bj' its distance from the stations.
Relief for this difliculty has been sought in various directions, and
once it seemed to be secured ; in fact it was secured for a few
months, until a hopeful enterprise ended in disastrous failure. The
stcny of the Billerica and Bedford Narrow-Gauge Railroad is not a
pleasant one, but must be here briefly told.
In 1875, George E. Mansfield, of Boston, came to Billerica with
plans and proposals for building a railroad, of a two-foot gauge,
from Bedford to North Billerica. A road of fourteen miles' length
in Wales, The Festiniog, had shown the practicabilit}' of a line so
narrow, but none had ever been built in this country. Discussion
resulted in a charter, and a compan}' was organized, 187G, May 10,
Capt. Charles A. Ranlett being its president. Subscriptions and
surveys required some months, and gi-ound was broken, with much
enthusiasm, September 6. The construction of the line took more
than a 3-ear, and it was opened in the autumn of 1877. Its equipment
consisted of two locomotives, "Ariel" and "Puck," two passenger
cars, two "excursion" cars, and a few others. The novelty of its
narrow track and cheap construction attracted much attention.
People came to see its working, and the "Scientific American"
published, 1878, INIarch 16, an article describing its construction,
witli an illustration of its engines. For a few months the village
enjoyed railroad facilities, and so far as the feasibility of the working
experiment went, the road was a success. Its failure came from
financial causes. The estimated cost was $50,000, or $8000 per
mile; but, in the "Scientific American" article, its projector puts
its cost when completed at over .$(;0.000. On the other hand, a
portion of its sul)scription proved unsound or fraudulent and the road
CANAL, TURNPIKE, AND RAILROADS. 277
began operations luuler a heavy burden of debt. Starting in this
unfortunate condition, and liardly at the outset earning its running-
expenses, tlie directors were unable to finish its connections and
equipment, or, b}' patient and successful running, win the confidence
of the public and test the (juestion, in which some of them never
lost faith, whether such a road could become i)ecuniarily profitable.
Under its burden of debt, the road was thrown into bankruptc}' and
assignees took possession, the personal property being sold, 1878,
June 6, for $9000. The town, which had subscribed originally and
paid $12,000, was urged to aid farther, but declined to do so; and
individuals were not ready to undertake the financial experiment.
Meanwhile, the Sandy River Railroad, in Maine, had built a similar
line, north from P'armington. This company purchased the equip-
ments of the Billerica and Bedford Railroad ; and there they are
still in use with more success. Time is rapidly obliterating the
roadwa}' through the town, and the children of coming generations
may listen with some doubt to the story, that their fathers did once
have such a railroad and regular trains running from Billei-ica to
Bedford ; and that merry school-children went shouting on excursions
over the route. That such was the fact the historian can testify,
with emotions in which amusement, chagrin, and regret are mingled.
CHAPTER XVIT.
MILLS. — MANUFACTURES.
In 1659, November, William Sheldon received the grant of a lot
on condition of l)nilding a mill, to grind corn, within two years, (see
under Sheldon) . This grant was declared forfeit, and John Parker
received "the mill lot," 1(363-64, January 25, with an eight-acre
right, for £55, paid for the town. ^ The house-lot was to be neai'
the great bridge. No condition of building a mill is connected with
the grant, and it is doubtful if there was any mill at North Billerica
before the grant to Osgood, in 1708. But a " corne mill" was built
as early as 1683, on Vine Brook, b}^ John Wilson, (see Wil.son),
who had a saw-mill there in 1680; and Thomas Patten had a mill
at Pattenville as early, (see Patten). But John Parker owned, by
grant and purchase, at least two large lots at this place ; and a
mill-pond is mentioned there in 1664. Probabl}' therefore the first
mill in town was built by Mr. Parker and about 1660, on Content
Brook, and not on Concord River. Bacon's mill, at the falls of the
Shawshiu, is mentioned in 1707 and perhai)s was built earlier.
Benjamin Fitch afterwards owned it, and it was long known as
"Fitch's mill."
The grant from which all subsequent owners have held the water
power and mill privilege at North Billerica was made, as follows : —
"At a General Town Meeting, octob. 4. 1708, Granted to Christoplier
Osgood, Jun'., of Ahdouer, all that neck of land on the West of Concord
Riuer, lying between said Eiuer and the pathway leading to broad meadow,
with the stream ;it the falls,- Reseruing ten pole from the ford\\ ay doun
said Riuer, and from the foot of the Hill going dotni into broad meadow :
provided, tlie said Chi'isto])hei- Osgood do, within two years next ensuing
the date hereof. Erect and maintain a good grist mill upon said Riuer. at
the falls ouer against saru^' Rogers his house lot, and the said Osgood dotli
1 Records, Vol. I, p. 49; and same, Reverse, p. 26.
MILLS. MANUFACTURES. 279
Engage to ueoiire and defend the Town of Billerica from any trouble and
charge that may arise for damage that may be don to tlie meadows of the
Towns aboue us by said mill-datn ; the said hind is given & granted to the
said Christopher Osgood and his heirs (by the Town of Billerica) so long
as he and they shall maintain a good grist mill at said place, and when said
mill ceases, the said land sliall Return to the said town of Billerica."'
The following action has interest in this connection : —
••March 27. 1710. It was voted, that the Town of Billerica will defend
Mr. Christopher Osgood from bearing any charge of the damage in flowing
Dr. Toothaclier's medow by his mill-dam, said Osgood engaging for him-
self & his sucksessors that the said stream that was granted to him shall
return with the land to the said Town of Billerica, when the said mill
cea.seth. which he hold* said land and stream by : passed in the atHrmative.
Jonathan Bacon. Josiah Bacon. & Josiah Fassett entered their desent
against y^ uoat aboue written.'"
••March 9. 1710-11. at a meeting of the proprietors on the east of
Concord Eiver. there was Granted to Dr. Roger Toothacher all the land on
the east side of the highway leading to his house, that belonged to Farley's
and Marshall's lots, for full Recompense and in Exchange for his medow
lot. flow'd by Mr. Osgood's mill."
Mr. Osgood built and maintained a grist-mill and saw-mill. He
probably acquired by purchase the land on the north side, which
was not included in the grant ; for his son Christopher, in 1747, sold
this to Joseph Ruggles with right to use water for a fulling-mill,
when there was more than was needed for Osgood's mills. In 1748,
Mr. Osgood's executor sold his mill privilege to Nicholas Sprake
for £1500, who in turn sold to William Kidder. In 1759, John
Carleton came from Bradfortl and purchased of Kidder what was
then described as two-thirds of the privilege, Mr. Ruggles' right
being recognized as one-third. Whether Ruggles sold to Carleton,
I am not able to say, nor whether Thomas Richardson accj^uired his
title of Carleton or of some later owner ; but after the Revolution
the mills were known as ''Richardson's," and the Middlesex Canal
Compan}' purchased of him, 1794, March 25, the title, which was
held for the use of the canal until 1851, September 22, when it was
sold for $20,000 to Charles P. and Thomas Talbot, its present
proprietors. These gentlemen were released, by vote of the town,
1864, March 7, from the obligation to maintain a grist-mill, contained
in the Osgood grant, the town judging, no doubt correct!}', that the
use of the water power in their extensive manufacturing would be a
greater public benefit than the gi-ist-mill.
280 HISTORY OF rJILLERTCA.
Prior to this action, the owners of the water power had prose-
cnted sueeessfull}' before the Legishxtnre a contest witli the towns of
Wayhmd, Sudbiny, Concord, Bedford, and Cailisle, and tlie owners
of meadows above on the river. The latter luid petitioned the
Legislature in 1859, claiming that the dam had been raised and was
maintained at a height Avhich damaged the meadows and reduced
their value, and they asked for redress. A joint committee heard
both parties at length, and the petitions, arguments, and documents
were published in a report, {House Doc. ^ No. 100, 1860). The result
was not conclusive and, in 18G1, commissioners were appointed b}'
the Legislature, to investigate, make experiments, and determine
whether the dam affected the meadows in the towns above. To
this end, thirty-four stations were established along the river, and
observations were carefully recorded for two months from 21 Juh',
1861, the effect of various heights of water at the dam being tested.
The observations and report were published, {House Doc.., No. 1,
1862) . The general conclusion was that "the dam at North Billerica
is not the 0UI3' nor the chief cause of the wet state of the meadows
above. The bars across the stream, especiall}' the Fordwa}' bar ;
the weeds filling the channel in many places, often for long distances ;
the discharge into the river during summer of water stored in reser-
voirs and mill-ponds upon the Sudbury and Assabet and their
tributaries, in their combined effect do far more damage to the
meadows than the Billerica dam." The}' say that the effect of the
dam becomes inappreciable at Robbins bar, and its entire remo\'al
would not affect the upper meadows ; that effectual relief could come
to the meadows onh' by reducing the dam thirty-three inches or
more, cutting out the Fordwa^' and other bars, deepening the shallow
Ijlaces, straightening the channel at some points, and keeping the
river free from weeds. This progrannne was moi"e extensive than
the Legislature felt itself called upon to undertake, especially as it
was proved that similar trouble and complaint had been chronic from
the first settlement of the country.
Li 1811, Francis Faulkner came from Acton and l)egan the man-
ufacture of woolen goods. It was the second enterprise of this class
in New England, Abraham Marland being the jjioneer, who began
at Andover in 1810. Mr. I'aulkner soon purchased of the Canal
Company the secondary water pri^â– ilege, like that which had Ijelonged
to Joseph Ruggles. He could draw water until it was "three-quarters
of an inch below the top of the dam and flush-boards," Avhen he must
MILLS. ISIANUFACTURES. 281
close liis gates, nndev a peiuilty of one dollar for every half-hour they
were left open. By his thrift, skill, and enterprise, INIr. Faulkner
made his business very suceessful, and transmitted it to his sons.
The firm name is still "J. K. Faulkner & Co.," and his grandson,
Mr. Kichard Faulkner, is the agent now in charge of its business.
From a modest beginning with a single set of cards the business has
increased until eight sets are in use, employing seventy-two hands.
The monthly pay-roll is about $2500.
Mr. Charles P. Talbot came to Billerica in 183D and was soon
joined I)}' his brother Thomas in laying the foundations of their
extensive and successful enterprise. The dye wood-mill was their
earliest undertaking,- for which they hired a building of the Canal
Company-. In 1844 they bought the saw-mill of Nathaniel Stearns,
on the northeast side, and used it for the dyewood business until it
was burned, in 1853. The}' then sold this site to INIr. Faulkner,
having purchased the prior and larger rights of the Canal Company
on tlie other side of the stream. There they rebuilt the dyewood-
mill, which is still in vigorous operation; and, in 1857, they built
their woolen-mill. This at first had eight sets of cards ; six were
added in 1870 and as many in 1880. Two hundred hands are now
employed, and the monthly pay-roll is $7000. In 1849, the Messrs.
Talbot began their chemical works, which were at first in a building-
near the dei^ot, but removed later to their present location, sixty rods
farther east, b}- the railroad. These now employ sixteen hands, and
produce a dail}' average of five tons oil of vitriol, one ton of blue
vitriol, and as much muriatic acid.
The next most important manufacturing enterprise was begun
soon after 1830, in the south part of the town, b}- Jonathan Hill,
Esq. Its specialty was, and still is, a useful machine for splitting
leather, invented and patented by Samuel Parker, {see 19). This
machine has had a very wide sale in this and in other countries,
being almost indispensable in the manufacture of leather. The
business was sold, in 1853, to Mr. Charles H. Hill, who continues
it with much success. Jn 1875, the value of tiie work done was
$28,000.
In the east part of the tf)wn Avhere there had long been a saw-
mill, on Content Brook, Theophilus Manning had also a grist-mill.
He sold both, in 1825, to Dea. Aaron H. Patten, who began, in 1845,
the manufacture of cabinet-work, llie l)usiness grew to considerable
proportions, and Pattenville became a definite local name in town.
282 HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
The business reached a vahie of $20,000 to $30,000 per year, and
was contuiued by his sons ; but, in the financial depression of
1874-78, it suffered, and the shops were sold, in 1879, to Walter J.
Pettingell, wlio has carried on Inisiness, making tanks, until the mill
was burned, Januar\', 1882.
Most recent is the growth of an extensive glue factory, which
was commenced in 1867 by the Jaquith Brothers, near the old l)ridge
of the Middlesex Turnpike. It has been quite prosperous, doing a
business amounting to nearly $15,000 annually. P'or man}- years
the Winnings maintained a saw-mill on the brook running from
Winning's Pond ; and there has long been a saw-mill, now owned
by Mr. John O. Richardson, on Content Brook, near the railroad
station at East Billerica.
CHAPTER XYIII.
BILLEIiICA IN THE REBELLION.
Of the part wliieh this town took in the ^Vav of 1812, and in
the Mexican War, the town and State archives contain no record.
Probably Billerica had soldiers in both, bnt the nnniber was small,
and the scenes of action were too remote to leave any distinct
impression. Far otherwise was it in the great Secession contest.
When the life of the nation was assailed by the Southern uprising,
the people all felt the blow and the danger, and the towns asserted
their vital relations to the conflict as they did in the Revolutionary
contest, to the disturbance of British councils. No one who expe-
rienced it can ever forget the thrill of patriotic emotion which went
through the North when Sumter was assailed and I'resident Lincoln
called for fifty thousand volunteers to defend the Union. PubUc
meetiugs, enlistments, and aid societies and labors engrossed the
public mind. In Billerica the town hall was thrown open, tlu' church
bell, aided by the drum and an old ship-gun, sounding tlie call to
meetings for action and organization. John A. Burrows and Charles
N. Fletcher were the first soldiers mustered from Billerica. The
number increased rapidly. Richardson's Light Infantiy, of Lowell,
afterwards the Seventh Liglit Battery, and the first three-years
company in the field from Massachusetts, visited the town for a
reception and a drill ; as did a rifle company. Albert E. Farmer,
who was taken prisoner at Bull Run and died in Richmond, was the
first soldier from Billerica to fall, [n 1862, after the defeat of
McClellan, the call for troops was responded to by a town meeting
and the ofler of a bounty for enlistments, They were easily obtained,
and the town's quota was mustered into the Thirty-Third Regiment.
An interesting meeting was held in the town hall the niglit before
their departure. A call for nine-months men followed, and after the
supposed quota had been filled it was found that more men were
284 HISTORY OF BILLKRICA.
needed, and town meetings and bounties were a2,ain called into
requisition. lu the suunner of 18G3 came the first draft, with but
small results from this town. In the aufcuuni etlbrts for volunteers
were renewed, and a consideral)le munber of veterans whose three-
years term would expire in 18G4 re-enlisted "for the war." These
brave men, who after so long and severe a term of service were
read}' to rededicate themselves to the great work, should l)e held in
especial honor, and their names can be traced in the list below. In
the summer of 18G4 came a second draft quite as meagre in results
as the first, for onl}- two men from Billerica were accepted. Other
calls were filled by such volunteers as could be secured in town or
beyond, and large bounties were paid.
The news of victor}- and peace filled the land with joy in the
spring of 18G5, and though a deep shadow followed with the assassi-
nation of the beloved Lincoln, the substantial fruits remained. The
returning veterans were welcomed on the Fourth of July at a picnic
in the grove b}- Concord River near the middle bridge. The exercises,
were hearty and impressive, including an address of welcome by Dr.
Frank E. Bundy. In farther testimony to the valor of her soldiers
and the memory of her dead, the town has erected an appropriate
monument. It stands upon the Common, and a good picture of it
is here given. It is a shaft of white granite, six feet square at the
base and twenty-five feet high. The shaft is crowned with the figure
of a soldier, in easy position, with musket at rest. In raised letters
are inscribed the names "Peterslnn'g," "Gettysburg," •'■Newbern,"
"Lookout Mountain," "Bull Eun," " Chancellorsville," "Baton
Rouge," and "Cedar Mountain." A carved eagle surmounts a
shield, and upon the pedestal is the inscription: "Billerica to her
heroes, in grateful recognition of that steadfastness of purpose,
devotion to principle, loyalt}' to countr}-, and trust in God, which
enabled men to die for Liberty and Union." On the east and west
sides are the names of tweut}' dead soldiers : —
"Adams, Edward A. Huse, Edwin \V.
Buckley, Dennis Locke, VVanl
Collins, William 8. Maxwell, Thoinas H.
Edmunds, .lames F. Parker, Stephen H.
Farmer, Albert E. I'atten, Asa .John
Fletcher, Charles >f. Richardson, Josepli F.
<;ilMian. (Jeorge C. Saunders. Charles A.
(lilmau. IJenhen ,1. Shiehls, James
Hanaford, Franklin Shumway, Follard II.
Hayes, William Stewart, John C.*'
1
SOLDIERS MONUMENT.
BILLERICA IN THE REBELLION. 285
Four other naincs will be tbiiud in tlie ensuing list which would
properly have been inscribed with their comrades' upon the monu-
ment. It is due to them that they be houorably mentioned here : —
Davis, Hihaji E. Peksoxs, Edmakd H.
Xewbuky. Hexkv Tlttle, Calvin G.
The monument was dedicated with apiiroi)riate ceremonies and
in the presence of a vast assemblage, Wednesday, 8 October, 1873.
Hon. Thomas Talbot presided ; the prayer of dedication was offered
by Rev. INIr. Ilussey, and an oration given by Col. Rus-sel H. Con-
well, of Boston, (iovernor Washburn, Hon. E. R. Hoar, of Concord,
ex-Gov. Onslow Steinns, of New Hampshire, a son of Billerica, and
others participated in the exercises, which were held in a mammoth
tent south of the monument.
RECORD OF SOLDIERS AND SAILORS FROJI BILLERICA IN THE WAR
OF REBELLION, 18G1-65.
[XoTE. — The first column after name gives date of muster; the second, the company
and regiment (of Massachusetts Volunteers, if not otherwise stated) ; the third, the end of
service, which is by regular discharge, unless specified; and "dis." signifies disability. A
star ("â– ) denotes death; alone, death in battle, or in a few days; a star with "w." (*w.),
death from wounds; and with "d." (*d.), death from disease contracted in the army. The
length of service in months follows. In the last column, "Re." indicates a discharge and
reenlistment ; and in cases of promotion the rank is indicated; and where more than one
promotion took place, the highest is given, otliers being implied.. Two or three of tliese men
from Billerica enlisted from other towns. This list of names has been prepared with great
care by Mr. Franklin .hniuith. It is gathered primarily from the Town Records, with only
such insertions as evidence demanded. Some other names, gleaned from the Adjutant-
(ieneral's Records but not found in Town Records, are added in a supplementary list. I'hat
no errors or omissions will be found is too much to hope. For the arrangement and items
of the table, ]Mr. Jaiiuith is not responsible.]
28G
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
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BILLERICA IN THE REBELLIOX. " 287
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