THESE ARE EXCERPTS FROM DEEDS ON RECORD AT THE NORFOLK COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS IN DEDHAM STARTING WITH THE EARLIEST BOOK AVAILABLE. I FOUND OTHER DEEDS THAT ARE NOT DETAILED HERE. SOME WOULD HAVE MOSTLY DUPLICATE INFO BUT OTHERS CONTAIN ADDITIONAL RELEVANT INFO AND SHOULD BE EXAMINED FOR ANY DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE MILLS AT CHARLES RIVER VILLAGE. I HAVE LISTED MOST OF THE BOOKS AND PAGES IN MY HANDWRITTEN NOTES.
THE ORIGINAL DEED TO DEACON JOHN FISHER WOULD BE INTERESTING.
PROBABLY IT WAS RECORDED AT THE SUFFOLK REGISTRY OF DEEDS IN BOSTON BEFORE
DOVER WAS IN NORFOLK COUNTY....
- RHV- 9/30/98
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May 13, 1789
Book 6 Page 182
Fisher to Colburn for 18 pounds 15 shillings
Jonathan Fisher administrator for Deacon John Fisher deeds to Simeon Colburn of Needham, Blacksmith.... a certain piece or parcel of land lying in Dover and county aforesaid containing eight acres more or less bounded -
Southerly upon the North Side of the Mill Creek or waste stream and on Charles River on all other parts, excepting and reserving for the used of the Mills called Fishers Mills in sd Needham the priviledge of digging and carting stones and gravel to repair ye Mill Dam when and where necessary and most convenient and the priviledge of raising and repairing a dam across ye Mill Creek or waste stream.
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April 1, 1794
Book 6 Page 183
Simeon Colburn Blacksmith to Josiah Newell Gentleman and Jonathan Ellis Housewright - for 150 pounds
two pieces of land -
One piece in Needham (about) seven acres with a dwelling house Barn and
Blacksmith Shop thereon... bounded -
Westerly in part upon land of Nathaniel Fisher and in part on Charles River, Southerly upon Land of Nathaniel Wilson, Easterly in part in WilsonÕs lane so called and in part on land of Ephraim Bacon, Northerly in part on land of said Ephraim Bacon and in part on the Road leading from Fishers Mill so called.
The other piece lying in Dover aforesaid containing (about) eight acres bounded -
Southerly upon the North side of the Mill Creek or waste stream and on Charles River on all other parts.
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July 2, 1795
Book 11 Page 15
Lemuel Richards Gentleman to Josiah Newell of Needham, George Fisher of Needham, Jonathan Ellis, Jr. of Boston and George Bird of Needham - for Forty Pounds in Silver
....allow right in the water of a creek in said Dover, as a Mill Privilege, also the right of sinking diging and enlarging said Creek yet not to dig South of a line drawn from an Elm (near the River at the upper end of the Creek) to a Rock at the distance of Fifty-five feet from the Southwesterly Corner of the Floome or Fore Pound and for the purpose of Raising a Pond to erect a Dam, to the Distance of Ninety feet from the above Corner of the Fore Pound, at which distance of ninety feet, there is a Rock round which we give them the right to let the wastewater pass, and from the Elm above mentioned we do not give liberty of Diging South of where the Creek now is.
Besides we give no right of obstructing the water so as to throw the water over above or out of the chanel of the Creek later each year than the Tenth April, together with all the Estate Right, Title, Interest, Use, Property, Claim and Demand......
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November 5, 1796
Book 6 Page 184
Josiah Newell and Ellis (Housewright) to Fisher (Husbandman) and George Bird (Papermaker) - for 20 pounds and 14 shillings -
one undivided half interest in land containig 2 acres more or less bounded:
Easterly on the Westerly end of the Barn in Needham owned by Newell and Ellis then running Southerly on a strate line three rods East of the Paper Mill to WilsonÕs wall then running Westerly in WilsonÕs wall on a strate line to the bank of the Upland in Dover County and Commonwealth aforesaid then running Southerly on the bank to the Creek then running westerly to a crotched white oak tree then running Northerly to a stake thirteen rods from the NW corner of the bridge then running easterly to the NE corner of the bridge then running Northerly on a circular line to the SE corner of the house and by the (P) Newell and Ellis from thence to the first mentioned boundarly.
Also one undivided half of the new and old Dams stream privileges and appurtenances excepting the Grist Mill the privilege (the) improves which is to draw water till it falls fourteen inches below the top of the plate and no other then the gate of the Paper Mill shall be drawn to the damage of (P) Grist Mill after the water falls two inches below the top of the plate excepting also a Saw Mill and privilege for same at the Creek in Dover aforesaid which is not to draw water to the damage of other Mills till it covers a hole made in a rock at the head of the creek when the Gates at the old dam are shutt or a lower mark at (P) rock when the Gates at the old dam are drawn.
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October 7, 1797
Book 11 Page 191 - Deed
Josiah Newell of Dover gentleman to Ebenezer Newell of Needham gentleman - for the sum of $865.00
....a piece or parcel of land in Said Needham containing one acre and one half (1-1/2) more or less bounded -
Northerly on the road leading from Nat. FisherÕs to Boston, Easterly on the road leading from the aforesaid road to the paper mill, to the end of Wall as it now stands
Southerly from the end of the said wall a straight line to a large rock, South side at the river, westerly on Charles river, in part, and a straight line from ye river by a Spring to the road first mentioned, together with the buildings thereon.
Also, one half of a Grist Mill undivided, the other half belonging to Nathaniel Fisher, lying in said Needham on Charles River the South side of ye Paper with all the Privileges.
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March 26, 1799
Book 10 Page 152 - Deed
Josiah Newell Sr. to Josiah Newell Jr. - for Fifteen Hundred Dollars
A certain tract of land lying in Dover.... it being a part of the Island so called together with the house and Barn and one quarter part of the store, (said) lot of land contains Seven Acres more or less, bounded:
Easterly, Northerly and Westerly on Charles River, on the South Easterly part on the Mill Yard beginning at the Northwest corner of the Slitting Mill Floom from thence West to a stake Eighteen feet East, from the Northeast corner of the house, from thence, South to a small crotched White Oak tree, on the bank of the Mill Creek, South on the Mill Creek, together with one undivided half of the Saw Mill with all the Privileges thereunto belonging, (said) Mill standing on the South East Corner the above mentioned Island.
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March 8, 1800
Book 11 Page 192 - Deed
George Fisher Innholder Needham to Eben Fisher of Dedham, yeoman - $500.00
Land with two dwelling houses, Barn and out houses thereon in Needham containing three acres more or less..... bounded:
Southwardly on the Slitting Mill Road, Eastwardly on the Town Road, Westwardly on Deacon Shepard, Northwardly on said Shepard,.... with all the privileges applying thereunto belonging .....and also one undivided half of a Saw Mill Stream Dam and yard room privileges standing on a Branch of the Charles River owned in common with Josiah Newell, Jr. lying in Dover and County aforesaid with all the privileges and appurtenances.
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March 8, 1800
Book 11 Page 201
Josiah Newell and George Fisher (Innholder) and (Jonathan) Ellis (Trader) to James Otis of Boston - for Twenty Thousand Dollars
... a certain piece or parcel of land lying in Needham in part, and in Dover in the County of Norfolk and State in part, situate as follows;
On Charles River with the mill Dam over (said) River, with all the Water privileges, slitting mill, nail mill, Paper Mill, Barn, Wood Houses, Trip Hammer Shop, with all the Privileges and appurtenances belonging to the Mills aforesaid.
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March 27, 1804
Book 22 Page 195
Josiah Newell Esq. to Jonathan Ellis of Boston Trader - for $1,689.84
... a certain piece of land and (tenements) situated in Dover.. bounded:
Eastwardly on the centre of Charles River
Northwardly on the upper side of the Mill Dam and Bridge standing on the
premises
Westwardly on a road leading from said Bridge, to a Bridge on Saw Mill Creek,
Southwardly on said Creek, and att (all?)the Iron Works and other buildings
standing on the premises,with all the water privileges and appurtenances
thereunto belonging.
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October 30, 1804
Book 22 Page 195
Otis deeds to Ellis
all his right..
One half of a certain slitting mill woodhouse and Triphammer Shop situated in Dover conveyed to him by Josiah Newell, George Fisher and Jonathan Ellis on March 8, 1800 (as recorded in Book 11 Page 201)
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Date circa 1805
Book 22 Page 195
Jonathan Ellis Trader to Eben Parsons of Boston Merchant - for $5000.00
.. a certain dwelling house situated in Needham .....
Also one half of a certian Slitting Mill, Trip Hammer Shop, Nailworks and Woodhouse situated in Dover....together with one half so much of the Mill Dam and Land thereunto belonging as is situated in Dover aforesaid
Bounded -
Eastwardly by the Centre of Charles River,
Southerly on Saw Mill Creek
Westwardly on a road Northwardly to the upper side of (ye said) Mill Dam
on Land of Josiah Newell, Junior.
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April 9, 1806
Book 23 Page 280
Newell to Newell..
..also three quarters of a building called a store standing in Dover on Mill Island so called with the privileges thereunto belonging.
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September 4, 1811
Book 39 Page 238
Richards to Fisher and Newell - for $35.00
.... a certain piece of land lying in Dover bounded from a rock at the Southerly end or point on the Road to the Mill Creek thence on said Creek at Northerly end to the Saw mill dam and thence on the dam to the rock mentioned at the Southerly end estimated at twelve rods.
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April 2, 1828
Book 84 Page 255
Welles to Newell - Release -
.......northerly on the upstream side of a mill dam and bridge or the remains thereof standing on the premises over the said Charles River thence northerly and westerly... etc etc...
(Looks as if only the remains of the bridge and dam were left standing in 1828?)
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July 18, 1828
Book 84 Page 251
Josiah Newell Gentleman to John Welles of Boston and Samuel Welles of Paris in the Kingdom of France, both Merchants - for $12,500
Piece of land situated in Dover and bounded -
easterly on the center of Charles River
northerly on the upstream side of the mill dam and bridge standing on the premises over the Charles River thence northerly and westerly on a public road leading from said mill dam and bridge to sawmill creek (so called) southerly on said creek to said river thence on a straight line to its center first mentioned together with all my right title and interest in and to one half of said mill dam being the half of said mill dam standing or remaining in Dover and on the premises above bounded and also all my rights title and interest in and to the slitting mill trip hammer and bellows nail and brad works and in and to all the buildings and structures thereon with all the privileges an appurtenances belonging to said premises and works and also a priority to the use of the water in said dam for the benefit of said slitting mill trip hammer an bellows nail and bradworks so that any other work standing on the Needham side of said mill dam (or other half) shall be entitled to have and enjoy only the sar plurage (surplusage?) of water in said dam at such times when there shall be more than sufficient to accommodate the slitting mlll trip hammer and bellows nail and bradworks or any other works which may hereafter be built on the premises in the place and that of all or either of the above described works provided such works so to be erected shall not draw more water than the works now standing or which on the second day of June 1806 stood on the premises aforesaid.
(Premises same as in Deed of Jonathan Ellis to John Welles on June 2, 1806)
Also - one other piece of land in Needham consisting of about half an acre and fourteen rods and called the paper mill lot bounded -
southerly by land of said Josiah Newell
easterly by a piece of land hereafter described
northerly by land of Jonathan Newell and
westerly by the center of Charles River together with such part of a certain
dam as may remain the same standing in Said Needham and on the above last
described piece of land and belonging thereto and together with the paper
mill water privilege drying house and all other buildings and privileges
standing on or appurtenancing to said second or last above described piece
or parcel of land or estate
Also one other piece of land in Needham and bounded -
westerly on said last above described piece of land and estate
southerly on land of said Josiah Newell,
easterly on WilsonÕs lane in part and in part on land of Ephraim Bacon and
in part on land now or lately of Gorham Parsons in the occupation of Jonathan
Ellis and
northerly on a road leading from Boston to a Bridge over Charles River with
the dwelling house thereon
said last described piece of land containing about seven acres with the
appurtenances.
(Josiah and Betsy Newell)
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August 15, 1832
Book 98 Page 107
Josiah Newell Gentleman to Montgomery Newell of Boston, Merchant - for 3000 dollars
..parcel of land situated in Dover that is all that part of the Island so called and bounded -
northerly and westerly on Charles River
easterly on the road leading from Boston to Dover Meeting House and
southerly on saw mill yard in part and on saw mill creek in part together
with the dwelling house barn store (chaise?) and buildings on the same being
the dwelling house in which I now live.
Also that piece of land in Needham consisting of about fifteen acres and lying southerly of the seven acre lot and near the paper mill and bounded -
northerly on land belonging to the paper mill in part and on said seven acre
lot in part till it comes to WilsonÕs lane
easterly on said WilsonÕs lane for the distance of a few rods and then on
land of Chrstopher Hawk till the line strikes the river and
southerly and westerly on Charles River till the line comes to the land
appurtenant to the paper mill or the point of beginning.
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November 13, 1839
Book 133 Page 125
Jabez Ellis (Boston) and Daniel Mann (Dover) assignees of Josiah Newell to Samuel Newell (of Dover) and Frederick Barden (Needham) - for $1500
Three quarters of a grist and saw mill and three acres more or less of land under and adjoining said Grist and Saw Mill meaning to convey three quarter parts of said land and mills situated in Dover on Saw Mill Creek so called bounded -
Beginning at Charles River on the north side of said Saw Mill Creek on said
creek to saw mill yard Westerly on land this day conveyed to Whiting Newell
to the well (wall?) near the store
Easterly on said creek in part and Charles River in part to the south side
of the new waste way and
Southerly on the South side of said waste way to the bridge over said waste
way leading to -?- MardenÕs house
Bounded southerly on said MardenÕs land on a straight line from the south
side of said bridge Westerly course to an Elm tree on the Bank of Charles
River.
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December 8, 1844
Book 151 Pages 213 and 214
Samuel Newell to Frederick Barden
(A good description of Needham and Dover... Mentions Mill Dam standing on the premises but no mention of bridge over the river. Mentions Slitting mill, triphammer and bellows, Nail and Bradworks and all other buildings, Bridge (over thecreek?), Grist and Sawmill on 3 acres)
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January 22, 1847
Book 171 Page 50
......to the well near the store easterly on said creek in part and Charles River in part to the south side of the wasteway...
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October 21, 1847
Book 176 Page 187
Montgomery Newell, Merchant to Benjamin Newell, Manufacturer - for $2000.00
...tract of land in Dover with buildings.. seven acres called the Island - bounded -
..southerly on Saw Mill Creek to high water mark
westerly and northerly on the Mill Pond at high water mark
easterly on Saw mill yard in part to the store from thence on the road to
the bridge leading to Needham.
Also the tract of land in Needham containintg ten acres
(See previous description)
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June 3, 1853
Book 222 Page 224
Henry Billings Administrator for Otis Pettee machinist deceased deeds to Arnold W. Taylor of Boston - for $11,740.50
(A good summary of all pieces but I didnÕt copy it all. It mentions Dover Mills and Paper Mill, Mill Dam standing, Rolling and Slitting Mill and Nail Factory, Sawmill and Grist Mill, wasteway --- )
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May 12, 1859
Book 276 Page 208
Goss and Russell to Frederick Barden, George Jennings Assigneee for Daniel Goss and Lewis Russell paper manufactureres insolvent debtors
Deed to Frederick Barden of Newton - for $5.00
property remianing as conveyed from Arnold Taylor to Goss and Russell June 3, 1853 called 'Dover Mills Property' -
..tract of land in Needham one half acre and fourteen rods with the paper mill and other buildings standing thereon - bounding-
northerly on land formerly of Jonathan Newell
easterly on land hereinafter described
southerly on land formerly of Josiah Newell
westerly in the center of the Charles River
together with part of the mill dam that stands in Needham on the land formerly designated as 'the paper mill estate'
also land in Needham containing seven acres with all the buildings - bounding -
northerly on the road leading from Boston to the bridge over Charles
Rver
easterly on Gorham Parsons, Ephraim Bacon and in part on WilsonÕs
Lane
southerly on land formerly of Josiah Newell
westerly on the land first described (above)
also land in DOVER bounding -
easterly in the center of Charles River
northerly on the upstream side of a mill dam standing on the premises across
and over said river
northerly and westerly on the public road leading from said bridge over said
river to sawmill creek so called
southerly on said creek to said river thence in a straight line in the direction
of said creek to the center of Charles River.
(No mention of the slitting mill)
also another strip of land lying above said dam and northerly of said last mentioned tract of land lying between the same and the aforesaid road.
also a paper mill with the land under around and apportaining to the same in DOVER described and bounded -
beginning at a point on westerly side of the road from the bridge over Charles
River to Dover Meetinghouse where said road crosses saw mill creek thence
running easterly on the northerly side of said saw mill creek to Charles
River
thence turning and running southerly on Charles River to the southerly side
of the new wasteway
thence turning and running westerly on the southerly side of said wasteway
to the southwesterly corner of the bridge over the same leading to the house
now or late of Jeremiah Marden
thence on land of said Marden westerly on a straight line to the Elm tree
on the bank of the Charles River
thence on said Charles River to the center of said sawmill creek
thence on said creek easterly to the continuation of a straight line running
through two walnut trees on land now or late of Montgomery Newell
thence turning and running northerly on said straight line seven or eight
rods to the most northerly of said two walnut trees
thence turning at a right angle and running easterly to the road above referred
to
thence turning and running southerly on said road to the point of beginning.
reserving a right of way twenty feet wide on the easterly side of said straight line running through two walnut trees from saw mill creek northerly across last described premises including all the buildings on said premises the wasteway as well as that portion of said saw mill creek included in the boundaries rights of flowage and water privileges.
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There are many other deeds after this but I have not had time to copy them..
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