William Bailey purchased a 79 acre farm with buildings for $2000 from Jonathan Abbot (#249 River Rd.) on Jan. 2, 1804. The deed was recorded on June 30, 1812. Prior to this William lived at #347 River Rd in the James Cochran farm of 47 acres which he purchased on May 4, 1801 and then sold on Jan. 12, 1805 to Capt. Samuel Cochran, son of James. That deed was not recorded until May 19, 1820. William’s wife Rebecca died on April 18, 1805. Both farms extended down to the Merrimack River and abutted each other at that time. The houses are of the same style.

William Bailey – Jan. 2, 1804 rec. June 30, 1812 – b. 197 lf. 97 from Jonathan Abbot (wife Mary) - $2000, a farm, 79 acres, w/blds at pitch pine tree on Merrimack River, the NW corner of farm, a bound also of the farm occupied by Solomon Abbot, abt. 103 poles on the river.

William Bailey was born was born Feb. 13, 1747, in Tewksbury, son of Joseph & Sally (Goss) Bailey. William was married three times. His first wife was Rebecca Hildreth of Dracut b. Jan. 22, 1741 who he wed in 1771. William & Rebecca had six children; Rebecca, b. Aug. 25, 1774; m. 1799 to Thomas Boynton., Hannah b. Dec. 13, 1776; m. 1799 to James Ballard Lovejoy., Sarah b. Feb. 6, 1779; m. 1807 to Daniel Stevens., William b. Dec. 28, 1780; m. int. May 31, 1803 to Rebecca Gilson of Pepperell b. 1773, Persia b. May 25, 1783; m. 1811 to John Lovejoy and Timothy b. Jan 20, 1786; m. 1811 to Henrietta Blood of Groton.

Rebecca H. Bailey first wife of William died on April 18, 1805 age 63. William then married Hannah Danforth on May 25, 1806. Hannah D. b. June 23, 1757 dau. of John & Elezebeth [sic]Danforth. Hannah d. Sept. 13, 1817 age 61. William’s third wife was Mrs. Hannah “Anna” (Frye) Jones, widow of Nathan Jones b. 1768. They married on May 26, 1818. Anna died on Feb. 13, 1834 age 66. William Bailey Sr. died on March 12, 1836.

William Bailey Sr., wife Hannah, sells the 80 acre homestead farm to his son William Jr. on April 11, 1808 (rec. Dec. 6, 1819) for $1800. The deed begins at SW corner by land of Samuel Bailey, by Sam to land of heirs of James Bailey, to north side of a brook, by heirs land to a drift way N 20 poles to Merrimack river, near the head of Deer jump Falls, then down river 100 poles to Hemlock tree near Samuel Cochran’s , then land of Cochran’s to Dr. Kittredge’s land, West by John Hardy then west by my own land – “only reserving for my own use one half of all the apples which shall be produced on said farm from year to year and every year during my natural life.”

William Bailey Jr. b. 1780, Yeoman, married May 31, 1803 to Rebecca H. Gilson of Pepperall, MA b. 1773 - d. 1858. Their children: Rebecca b. Nov. 19, 1804 – d. 1834, William b. Dec. 24, 1806 – d. Nov. 15, 1807, William 3rd b. Sept. 20, 1808 – d. 1887 (m. 1831 Rhoda Ames, then Mrs. Hannah (Kendall) Griffin), Joseph b. Nov. 29, 1810, Hannah b. Mar. 13, 1813 (m. Ezra Abbott), and Samuel Gilson b. June 28, 1815.

William Bailey Jr. sells the homestead farm to his two sons William 3rd and Joseph on April 6, 1832 for $1400 containing 80 acres with house and barn and all other acres “reserving for my honorable father William Bailey Sr. during his natural life all the apples which said farm produces on said farm from year to year & likewise three fourths of a fish place, vis ¼ of Samuel Bailey’s, ¼ of Samuel Cochran and ¼ of myself.
William Bailey Sr. died on March 12, 1836 age 88 years. William Bailey 3rd, wife Rhoda, sold all his rights to farm for $1300 to his brother Joseph Bailey on Jan 19, 1836 rec. Oct. 19, 1837. Their father William Jr. died on Jan. 11, 1853 age 72 and Rebecca G. died Oct. 10, 1858.

Joseph Bailey born Nov. 29, 1810 son of William Jr. and Rebecca H. (Gilson) Bailey. Joseph married on July 21, 1836 to Lucy Bailey b. Apr. 11, 1815 dau. of J. M. Bailey. Joseph purchased the property on March 26, 1835 from his father for $1000 “on the road to Harris Ferry” which included all the buildings. A second deed gave him 1/3 part of a fishing place on the Merrimack River. His father died in Jan. 11, 1853 age 72 and mother in 1858 and are interred at West Parish Cemetery.
The 1850 Valuation for Joseph Bailey; Dwelling house $600, barn $100, 38 acres adjoining $874 = $1574, Farm stock $166.

Joseph and Lucy had eleven children: Lucy Ann b. 7/18/1837-d. 8/19/1837, Joseph Otis b. 4/20/1839-d. 12/11/1845, Charles Henry b. 3/27/1841, George Albert b. 5/11/1843-d. 9/19/1864, Mary Elizabeth b. 12/17/1845, Lucy Elvira b. 3/7/1847, Joseph Warren b. 9/9/1850, Moses E. b. 9/14/1851-d/2/9/1852, Hiram F. b. 5/23/1853, Infant boy b.1854-d.1854 and Melissa R. b. 9/18/1857.

Joseph died on April 17, 1858 in Tewksbury when he was thrown from his wagon.
Andover Advertiser, April 24, 1858 – FATAL ACCIDENT, - On Saturday, Mr. Joseph Bailey, who resides in West Andover, near Tewksbury line, went to Lowell with a small load of wood. About 5 o'clock he started for home, and while coining down the hill just this side the residence of Gen. B. F. Butler, he fell forward, and his foot becoming entangled in the forward wheels of his wagon, before the horse could be stopped, he was carried round several times, and his leg shockingly mangled and broken: As soon as assistance could be rendered, he was taken to the house' of Mrs. Smith, and his leg was amputated, but be died about nine o'clock in the evening. He was about 45 years of age, and leaves a wife and six children, the youngest but four months old. . His family were immediately apprised of the accident, and went and removed the body.

Joseph’s estate went to his widow Lucy and the children. His son George Albert enlisted in the Army during the Civil War and was killed in action at the Battle of Winchester, VA on Sept. 19, 1864. His body was not recovered. Of the surviving children Lucy Elvira m. 1873 to Henry Edwards, his 2nd wife. Mary Elizabeth m. 1866 Andrew D. Hezelton. Melissa Rosseta m. Nov. 24, 1876 to Charles H. Newton.

Wid. Lucy Bailey died on Dec. 21, 1884 in Lawrence. Son Charles Henry Bailey m. Oct. 22, 1882 in Boston to Gelia E. Stevens and lived in Lynn, MA. Charles died May 20, 1910 in Lynn, MA.

The Bailey family sold the property to Charles H. Newton on March 13, 1876. Eight months later Charles married Melissa R. Bailey the daughter of Joseph & Lucy who was born in the house.

Charles Henry Newton was born Jan. 18, 1854 in Manchester, England, son of Joseph & Anna (Parkinson) Newton. His father died in England in Sept. 1856 and his mother remarried to Matthew Owen. The family immigrated in 1857 to Lowell, Massachusetts. Charles H. became a carpenter and lived in Lawrence in 1873. Charles married Melissa Bailey and lived on the homestead the remainder of their lives. Charles H. was also a farmer and grew vegetables for the general market. The 1920 Valuation – House & shed $700, Barn & sheds $400, Henhouse $175, 19 acres River Rd. $500, 1/2 acres land Edwards, Bailey District $25. = $1800.
Charles & Melissa had two children, son Charles Moses b. Jan. 19, 1880 and daughter Mary Isabel b. Aug. 10, 1883, died on Dec. 21, 1891 and is interred at West Parish Cemetery.

Charles H. died on March 18, 1926 at age 72 years of age.
AT March 19, 1926 West Parish p. 6- Obituary
CHARLES HENRY NEWTON In the passing of Charles H. Newton, West Parish has sustained a loss that cannot easily be filled.
Mr. Newton was born in Manchester, England, in January, 1854, At the age of three years he came to America with his parents, living in Lowell, Dracut, and Methuen before coming to West Andover where he has since resided.
For many years he has been a musician and composer of note, one of the most noteworthy composition being the “Rock of Ages March,” which is played by bands everywhere and radio fans often hear the Shriners’ Band play it on special occasions. He has organized and been the leader of many bands, three of which are of special interest to Andover: Andover Brass Band for twenty-five years; Tewksbury Band for a long term; and Wilmington band for a number of years. He arranged all the music for these bands, often playing either the violin or cornet himself. One of the pleasures he enjoyed was to arrange sacred music so that orchestras could play it, and one of the last things he did was to arrange a medley of Scotch airs for his grandchildren's orchestra. For years, every Sunday it has been his custom to play with them.
One of his gifts to the community was his long service as cornetist at the West Parish church. He also played the violin at Trinity Church special evening services for years.
Other activities to his credit are a twenty- five years term of service as animal inspector for this district, an office which he filled in a kindly and tactful way which made him many life-long friends. The children of Bailey District will miss his kindly thought for their comfort on the Bailey District barge which he has driven for the last twelve years.
On November twenty-fourth he and his wife, who was Melissa Rosseta Bailey, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at their home. He is survived by his wife; one son, Charles M.; and three grandchildren, Doris, Harlan and Ralph of Andover; and an older sister, Mrs. Charles Allen of Methuen. The funeral was held from the West Parish Chapel at two o’clock Thursday, with burial in the family lot in the West Parish Cemetery

AT Sept. 19, 1930 – Deaths - September 14, 1930 at home on River road, Melissa R. Newton, widow of Charles H. Newton aged 72 years, 11 months, and 27 days.
West Parish p. 6 - MRS. MELISSA ROSETTA NEWTON
Early Sunday morning after a long period of ill health, Mrs. Melissa Rosetta (Bailey) Newton, widow of Charles Newton, died in the house in which she was born, and where she had lived all her life as had five generations of her family. Her son, Charles Newton of Boutwell road and three grandchildren survive her. One sister the eldest of her family, Mrs. Elvira Edwards of Lowell also survives. Mrs. Newton's grandfather was one of the proprietors of the West Parish meeting house. When her health permitted Mrs. Newton was always active in church and community affairs. Mr. Newton who died in 1926 was a musician of note. Had Mrs. Newton lived until the 18th she would have been 71 years old. The funeral was held at the late home on Tuesday. Rev. Newman Matthews officiated and burial was in the West Parish cemetery. The bearers were Clarence E. Edwards, Lowell; George A. Hazelton, Nashua, N. H; Arthur H. Allen, Methuen; and Roderick McLennan, Boston. A profusion of flowers ; testified to the love and respect of the community.

The property was inherited by their son Charles M. Newton on Sept. 14, 1930. Charles owned a poultry farm on Boutwell Rd. and rented the old homestead during his ownership. Charles sold to Chester F. Whitney on June 22, 1946.

Chester Franklin Whitney was a dairyman and lived on Pleasant St. prior to this home. Chester was born on April 22, 1901 in Lowell, son of Charles H. & Gertrude M. (Doyle) Whitney. Chester is listed as a she trimmer in Dracut in 1930. He married Ruth Corrine Lumis b. Mar. 17, 1906. They had six children; Chester Franklin Jr. b. 10/10/1926, Elizabeth Ann b. 2/5/1929, Robert Bowers b. 5/7/1931, twins Raymond Lloyd & Richard Allen b. 8/18/1935 and Elaine Ruth b. 7/10/ 1938.
Chester was later employed as assistant herdsman at the Tewksbury State Hospital. Chester and Ruth owned the property for 22 years.

Douglas R. & Elaine Mifflin purchased the home on Oct. 1, 1968. Mifflin was a contractor and carpenter. They owned for 10 years then sold to Russell G. & Sarah M. Buker of Andover who had owned 116 Osgood Street, prior to the mover to River Rd. The property contained 4.88 acres at that time and included the house and a barn.

Buker sold to John J. Boutin on January 15, 1986. The property was sold at public auction on Jan. 24, 1992 to the National Bank of Boston. P. Douglas Grearson and Diane L. Crabtree then purchased the house on May 11, 1992. Grearson and Crabtree owned for 10 years then sold to EHF. Builders on August 1, 2002. The barn on the property was scheduled for demolition in 2002 but was saved and moved to 60 Chestnut Street by Cliff Markel. It was restored and converted into a workshop and art studio.

Follensbee sub-divided the property and rehabbed the house. It was sold to Maura O. Burke, (husband Michael) on May 30, 2003 as lot B1. Chad M. & Nicole McGrath are owners of record since Sept. 31, 2015.