Themes: Architectural, Community development
Forty acres abutting the Merrimack River was once owned by Charles Furbush, a Gentleman, who sold to James Cochran, Yeoman, and resident on June 10, 1784 for 200 pounds. James Cochran was born 1751, served in the Revolutionary War as a Captain. James marred Salome Knowlton b. 1753 in Maine. Genealogist Charlotte H. Abbott states that they eloped and Salome’s family cut her off from the family. The union produced 12 children of which two were adopted. Son Samuel would later acquire the property. James sold to William Bailey, wife Rebecca, on May 4, 1801 his 47 acre 131 poles farm with all buildings for $1300. Bailey held for three years then sold to Capt. Samuel Cochran in Jan.12, 1805 for $750. The deed was recorded May 19, 1820 with three additional parcels. James died Apr. 1, 1837 age 86 and Salome d. July 12, 1841 age 88. Both are interred at West Parish Cemetery.

Samuel Cochran b. 1774, was son of James & Salome, He married twice, first to Hannah Wyman who died on Feb. 15, 1805; issue two children Hannah and Samuel Jr. b. Jan. 16, 1805 d. 2/12/1829 age 21y. Sam remarried on June 11, 1807 to Mary Bailey and is listed as Ensign. Mary born 1786, dau. of Daniel & Mary (Stanley) Bailey. Sam & Mary had nine children; Mary b. 10/17/1808, Johial b. 10/29/1810. Abigail b. 4/13/1812, Henry b. 3/29/1814, Elizabeth b. 2/10/1816, a son b. 1819-d. 2/27/1820, James b. 1821 –d 2/15/1822, Martha Jane b. 1828-d/ 2/12/1829, a son b. 7/16/1830 d. 7/20/1830, , Sam died on July 29, 1840 at age 66.
Samuel sold to his son Henry Cochran on March 26, 1838. The property consisted of two parcels, one extending to the Merrimack River and a second 5 acre parcel across the street. Henry Cochran b. Mar. 29, 1813. son of Samuel & Mary (Bailey) Cochran, married Sophia Hardy on Nov. 29, 1838. Sophia was born 1823 dau. of Micajah & Lucy (Bailey) Hardy. Henry & Sophia had three children; George Henry b 1838, Julie Ann b. Jan. 1841 – d. Nov. 16, 1842, and Sophia Augusta b. Feb. 15, 1842. Henry died of fever on Nov. 14, 1842 at age 29.

Henry’s estate was sold to Alfred Hardy on Oct. 6, 1844, who was Sophia’s brother, who then supported her and the children. The 1850 Census lists Alfred age 39, Sophia 34, George 10, Sophia 7 and Elmore Dane age 22, who Sophia would later marry. The 1850 Valuation Schedule lists Alfred Hardy; Dwelling house $450, barn & shed $160, 30 acre home farm $750, 20 acre swamp $170 = 50 acres and $1530. Sophia later lived with her son George in Frye Village.

Alfred married at age 44 on Oct. 27, 1854 in Lowell, MA to Elizabeth Winchester b. 1830 in Westford, dau. of Charles & Betsy (Richardson) Winchester. Only Alfred and Elizabeth are listed here in the 1855 State census. The 1860 Census lists Sarah Winchester, age 29 Weaver, sister of Elizabeth living with them. They did not have children, but adopted a girl Adrianna “Ada” Frances Carpenter from an orphanage in Boston. Ada was born in 1856 in Maine and is enumerated here in the 1865 state census. Alfred died on Dec. 6, 1876 age 65 of heart disease but had transferred the property deed to Elizabeth on July 1, 1875. Their daughter Ada married Nov. 26, 1874 at age 18 to Samuel Henry Bailey b. Sept. 11, 1848 son of Samuel G. & Clarissa B. Bailey. They had two daughters Alma R. b. 1876 and Clara Louise b. 8/27/1878. The 1880 census lists them next door to Elizabeth Hardy now 52, with Margaret Kelly, 29 a servant. Sadly Ada died on July 27, 1880 of Consumption at age 23. The Hardy and Bailey families are interred at West Parish Cemetery.

Elizabeth Hardy sold the property to Julia E. Webster on July 30, 1884 for $2300. The farm consisted of 16 acres 85 rods adjoining the house and a 5 acre parcel across the road. Julia (Hildreth) Bailey was born at Sackett Harbor, NY in 1821, dau. of Jacob & Lucy (Reed) Hildreth. Julia’s first marriage was to Alvah Wyman Bailey b. Mar. 1, 1815 and they lived in Lowell, MA. Alvah died on Jan. 28, 1874 and in his will gave Julia his 40 acre farm in Dracut and 5 properties in Lowell, MA. Four other properties including the homestead went to Alvah’s siblings. The 1880 Census lists Julia in Dracut age 57, and two boarders, Samantha Hildreth age 66 and Nathan Webster age 29 laborer. Julia & Nathan would marry on Oct. 22, 1881 in Dracut.

The Andover property was in Julia’s name and the deed states with interference for her husband. The 1893 directory lists Nathan, farmer, River Rd. WP. Juila Webster sold the farm to William C. Hamilton of Boston for $3000 on Aug. 3, 1896 holding a $2000 mortgage deed. The deed is unusual as Julia sells the entire property and its contents of livestock consisting of 1 cow and certain Domestic Fouls, all farming wagons, the household furniture, and my silver and sewing machine. The sale provided life support to Julia who died on Oct. 9, 1896 of heart disease at age 75. Her husband Nathan appears to have acquired early dementia as he was institutionalized in Worcester Insane Hospital in 1899 and does not appear in the 1897 Directory.
The 1897 Directory lists William C. Hamilton, farmer River Rd, Bailey District. Hamilton owned two years selling to John F. Leland, wife May P. on Apr. 15, 1898. Lealand held for seven years.