Very scarce since the dams at Lowell and Billerica were built.
The towns of Chelmsford and Billerica were incorporated May 29, 1655.
The compensation ranged from about $150 an acre in Medford to $25 in Billerica.
In March an inhabitant of Billerica, Massachusetts, was tarred and feathered by a party of his majesty's soldiers.
Billerica escaped harm, but Chelmsford was twice visited by hostile bands and several buildings were burned.