MASSACHUSETTS VITAL RECORDS
WESTFORD 1726-1915

Oxford, Massachusetts: Holbrook Research Institute, 1996
LC 82-81851, ISBN 0-87623-387-6 (ISBN 0-931248-23-X Set)
30-frame, double-image format at 25X & 30X reduction
53 volumes on 215 microfiches
Copyright 1996 by Jay Mack Holbrook

1-63,67: Town Records 1726-1862
9-10: Vital Records 1701-1765
13-14,17,19: Marriages 1772-1788
20: Intentions 1765-1790
29,39: Marriages 1787-1815
40: Births 1821-1827
46,54: Marriages 1813-1835
64-93: Accounts 1760-1863
94-97: Mortgages 1838-1859
98-105:Town Records 1794-1846
104: Fence Disputes 1846-1895
105,123: Strays/Dogs 1847-1874
106-112: School Records 1801-1869
113-127: Tax/Misc 1840-1896
128-136: Militia 1840-1877
131-33,137-39:Voters1877-1911
140-155: Church Records 1727-1896
156-167: Birth/Death 1701-1874
168-176: Marriages 1681-1902
177-184,191: Burials 1849-1860
185-187: Death Index 1844-1902
188-191: Deaths 1844-1902
192-197: Marriage Index 1844-1902
198-199,191: Marriages 1844-1902
200-205: Birth Index 1842-1902
206-209,176: Births 1842-1902
210-212: Vital Records 1903-1915
213-215: Marriage Intentions 1903-1923

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Present neighbors of Westford include Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Groton and Tyngsborough. This collection of Westford records includes fifty-one volumes, one of which records an out-of-town marriage of 1681.

 

[West Chelmsford &] Westford Records 1726-1764. Vol 1. About 550 pages.

Until established as a town in 1729, Westford was the west precinct of Chelmsford. This book includes meeting minutes of the precinct and the town, as well as records of the selectmen, the treasurer and other town officials. Vital records include births and deaths 1701-1765, marriages 1730-1744, and marriage intentions 1730-1764. Tax lists identify town residents from year to year. See pages 27 and 109 for the bounds of a "burying place".

Table of Contents, pp i-v

FICHE 1

Town Records 1726-1753; pp vi-vii, 1-44

FICHE 1

Town Records 1731-1762, pp 45-104

FICHE 2

Town Records 1735-1754, pp 105-164

FICHE 3

Town Records 1740-1750, 1707-1726; pp 165-222

FICHE 4

Town Records 1744-1751, pp 223-268

FICHE 5

Town Records 1751-1756, 1743-1744; pp 269-323

FICHE 6

Town Records 1756-1760, pp 324-384

FICHE 7

Town Records 1760-1763, pp 385-442

FICHE 8

Town Records 1763, pp 441-444+

FICHE 9

Birth Index abt 1701-1765, pp ii-iv

FICHE 9

Death Index abt 1701-1765, pp 1-2

FICHE 9

Town Records 1743-1761; pp 3-10, 28

FICHE 9

Births & Deaths 1701-1746, pp 9-45

FICHE 9

Intentions & Marriages 1730-1744, pp 21-47

FICHE 9

Births & Deaths 1717-1765, pp 48-97

FICHE 10

Marriage Intentions 1744-1764, pp 50-95

FICHE 10

 

Westford Records 1764-1790. Vol 2. 542 pages.

Besides marriage intentions of 1765-1790 and marriages of 1772-1774 and 1779-1788, these pages record the meetings of the town, church, school and selectmen; describe roads and detail perambulations; provide yearly lists of residents receiving payments from town for goods and services (including those caring for paupers); and identify stray animals and new residents, with warnings out to those persons not welcomed. Interesting items in the town records include a town meeting vote in 1770 to discontinue purchases of British goods (p 105), and a dispute in 1771 regarding the sale of church pews (p 121). Note, also, an error in page numbering after 299, starting over again at 200 instead of moving to 300.

Town Records 1766-1789, 1764-1766; pp i-viii, 1-45

FICHE 11

Town Records 1766-1770, pp 46-102

FICHE 12

Town Records 1770-1773, pp 103-162

FICHE 13

Marriages 1772-1774; pp 151, 158

FICHE 13

Town Records 1773-1777, pp 163-220

FICHE 14

Marriages 1773, p 175

FICHE 14

Town Records 1777-1780, pp 221-277

FICHE 15

Town Records 1780-1783; pp 278-299, 200-237

FICHE 16

Town Records 1783-1786, pp 238-297

FICHE 17

Marriages 1779-1784, pp 252-253

FICHE 17

Town Records 1786-1788, pp 298-358

FICHE 18

Town Records 1788-1790, pp 359-413

FICHE 19

Marriages 1784-1788; pp 408-409, 412

FICHE 19

Marriage Intentions 1765-1790, pp 414-442

FICHE 20

 

Westford Records 1790-1803. Vol 3. 513 pages.

This volume includes minutes of town meetings; records of town selectmen and treasurers, paupers, oaths of office, fences, stray animals, and pew sales; and marriages/intentions of 1787-1803. See page 297 for an undated list of "the Original Proprietors of the Horse Stable back of the Meetinghouse."

Town Records 1790-1791, pp <1-56

FICHE 21

Town Records 1791-1793, pp 57-116

FICHE 22

Town Records 1793-1795, pp 117-176

FICHE 23

Town Records 1795-1797, pp 177-236

FICHE 24

Town Records 1797-1798, pp 237-296

FICHE 25

Town Records 1798-1800, pp 297-356

FICHE 26

Town Records 1800-1801, pp 357-412

FICHE 27

Town Records 1801-1803, pp 413-464

FICHE 28

Town Records 1795-1803, pp 465-500

FICHE 29

Marriages 1787-1800, pp 483-507

FICHE 29

Marriage Intentions 1790-1803, pp 486-513

FICHE 29

 

Westford Records 1803-1815. Vol 4. 547 pages.

This volume records marriages of 1796-1814 and marriage intentions of 1803-1815; and provides minutes of town meetings, treasurers' records, oaths of office, perambulations, and names of poor persons.

Town Records 1803-1805, pp 1-57

FICHE 30

Town Records 1805-1806, pp 58-117

FICHE 31

Town Records 1806-1808, pp 118-177

FICHE 32

Town Records 1808, pp 178-237

FICHE 33

Town Records 1808-1810, pp 238-297

FICHE 34

Town Records 1810, pp 298-350

FICHE 35

Town Records 1810-1811, pp 351-406

FICHE 36

Town Records 1811-1812, pp 407-465

FICHE 37

Town Records 1812-1813, pp 466-513

FICHE 38

Marriages 1796-1814; pp 514-534, 527/547

FICHE 39

Marriage Intentions 1803-1815; pp 516-538, 545

FICHE 39

Town Records 1803-1805; pp 525-544, 526-527/546-547

FICHE 39

 

Westford [Records 1813-1828]. Vol 5. 339+ pages.

Besides marriage intentions of 1815-1827, this book lists some births (1821-1827) and marriages (1815-1824). Election results, oaths of office, and some records of the treasurer and the school districts are interspersed among the minutes of town meetings. See page 220 for a circa 1826 list of tax-exempt church members, and page 247 for a list of physicians from 1740-1879.

Births 1821-1827, pp <1

FICHE 40

Town Records 1813-1814, pp 2-53

FICHE 40

Town Records 1814-1817, pp 54-110

FICHE 41

Town Records 1817-1820, pp 111-168

FICHE 42

Town Records 1820-1822, pp 169-228

FICHE 43

Town Records 1823-1825, pp 229-284

FICHE 44

Town Records 1825-1827, pp 285-334

FICHE 45

Marriage Intentions 1815-1827, pp 335-ca 359

FICHE 46

Various Religious Societies 1827-1828, pp 337-339

FICHE 46

Marriages 1815-1824, p ca 343

FICHE 46

 

Westford Records 1827-1843. No. 6. 426+ pages.

In this volume, marriage intentions extend from 1828-1835, and marriages from 1813-1835. It also includes minutes of town meetings, treasurers' records, oaths of office, business licenses, tax abatements, accounts of overseers of poor, election results, road details, and names of jurors. See pages 11 and 32-33 for 1827 and 1828 certifications of tax-exempt church members, and page 19 for an 1828 proposal to unite all religious societies in the town.

Town Records 1827-1829, pp 1-55

FICHE 47

Town Records 1829-1832, pp 56-115

FICHE 48

Town Records 1832-1835, pp 116-175

FICHE 49

Town Records 1835-1837, pp 176-231

FICHE 50

Town Records 1837-1839, pp 232-291

FICHE 51

Town Records 1839-1841, pp 292-351

FICHE 52

Town Records 1841-1843, pp 352-411

FICHE 53

Town Records 1843, pp 412-426

FICHE 54

Marriage Intentions 1828-1835, pp ca 429-443

FICHE 54

Marriages 1813-1835, pp ca 445-457

FICHE 54

 

Westford Records 1843-1863. No. 7. 540 pages.

Town meeting minutes, jurors, election results, town and overseers expenses, town officers, and election results are among the records in this book. See page 538 for a list of 1861 contributors to a fund for a flag and pole.

Town Records 1843-1844, pp 1-53

FICHE 55

Town Records 1844-1847, pp 54-113

FICHE 56

Town Records 1847-1849, pp 114-173

FICHE 57

Town Records 1849-1851, pp 174-233

FICHE 58

Town Records 1851-1854, pp 234-291

FICHE 59

Town Records 1854-1856, pp 292-351

FICHE 60

Town Records 1856-1858, pp 352-411

FICHE 61

Town Records 1858-1860, pp 412-471

FICHE 62

Town Records 1860-1862, pp 472-ca 531

FICHE 63

Town Records 1862, 1861, 1865; pp ca 532-540

FICHE 67

 

Westford [Treasurers Book 1760-1788]. 190 pages.

Receipts & Payments 1760-1780, 1785; pp 1-57

FICHE 64

Payments & Receipts 1779-1788, pp 58-117

FICHE 65

Payments & Receipts 1765-1773, 1777-1786; pp 118-175

FICHE 66

Payments & Receipts 1768, 1772-1776, 1779; pp 176-190

FICHE 67

Town Records 1862,1861,1865; pp ca 532-540 (from above)

FICHE 67

 

Westford [Treasurers Book 1788-1796]. About 90 pages.

Payments & Receipts 1788-1792, pp 1-47

FICHE 68

Payments & Receipts 1792-1796, pp 48-65+

FICHE 69

 

Westford Treasurers 1796-1832. 362 pages.

Note that the last few pages are placed on fiche 85.

Receipts & Payments 1796-1804, pp ca 1-53

FICHE 70

Payments & Receipts 1803-1812, pp ca 54-113

FICHE 71

Payments & Receipts 1810-1815, pp ca 114-173

FICHE 72

Payments & Receipts 1815-1819, pp ca 174-233

FICHE 73

Audit, Receipts & Payments 1820-1825; pp 234-293

FICHE 74

Receipts & Payments 1826-1831, pp 294-353

FICHE 75

Receipts & Payments 1831-1832, pp 354-362

FICHE 85

 

Westford Treasurers Accounts 1813-1835. 277 pages.

Water stains decorate most pages with wispy, cloud-shaped designs, and sometimes interfere with reading. Page numbers hide near the center crease of the book, on lower part of right-hand pages.

Accounts 1813-1814, pp 3-31

FICHE 76

Accounts 1814-1816, pp 32-61

FICHE 77

Accounts 1816-1817, pp 62-91

FICHE 78

Accounts 1817-1820, pp 92-121

FICHE 79

Accounts 1820-1823, pp 122-151

FICHE 80

Accounts 1823-1824, pp 152-180

FICHE 81

Accounts 1824-1827, pp 181-210

FICHE 82

Accounts 1827-1830, pp 211-240

FICHE 83

Accounts 1830-1834, pp 241-270

FICHE 84

Accounts 1834-1835, pp 271-277

FICHE 85

Receipts & Payments 1831-1832, pp 354-362 (from above)

FICHE 85

Town Payments 1862-1863 (from below)

FICHE 85

 

Westford Order Book 1836-1863. About 400 pages.

Payments ordered by the Selectmen for goods and services provided to the town, for tax abatements and wages for military duty.

Town Payments 1836-1839

FICHE 86

Town Payments 1839-1842

FICHE 87

Town Payments 1842-1844

FICHE 88

Town Payments 1845-1848

FICHE 89

Town Payments 1848-1852

FICHE 90

Town Payments 1852-1856

FICHE 91

Town Payments 1856-1859

FICHE 92

Town Payments 1859-1862

FICHE 93

Town Payments 1862-1863

FICHE 85

 

Westford Record of Mortgages 1838-1859. 220 pages.

Personal Mortgages 1838-1842, pp 1-57

FICHE 94

Personal Mortgages 1842-1846, pp 58-117

FICHE 95

Personal Mortgages 1846-1853, pp 118-179

FICHE 96

Personal Mortgages 1853-1859, pp 180-220

FICHE 97

Roster of Mortgagors & Mortgagees 1838-1859

FICHE 97

Writs 1850-1853

FICHE 97

 

Westford Miscellaneous Records 1794-1849. 474 pages.

Records of mortgages, roads, fences, stray beasts, perambulations, pew deeds, paupers, and complaints are among those found in this book. Additionally, see page 283 for the 1722 birth in Westford of Joseph Bixby and his 1748 marriage in Marblehead to Sarah [Rhoades]--neither event listed in the printed Westford vital records. Missing and/or blank pages include 34-35, 101-109, 126-131, 133-157, 159-183, 193-194, 215-216, 219-220, 291-292, 346-353, 359-394, 405-406, 441-445, and 466.

Partial Table of Contents, pp 1-3

FICHE 98

Misc. 1794, 1803-1818, 1825-1827, 1834; pp 4-61

FICHE 98

Misc. 1794, 1811-1825, 1832-1849; pp 62-123

FICHE 99

Misc. 1806-1816, 1836-1838, 1846-1847; pp 132-244

FICHE 100

Misc. 1809-1825, 1830, 1839; pp 245-308

FICHE 101

Misc. 1825-1835, 1839, 1842-1846; pp 309-402

FICHE 102

Misc. 1802, 1811, 1828-1841; pp 403-466

FICHE 103

Misc. 1803-1810, 1815, 1836; pp 467-474 (placed below)

FICHE 105

 

Westford Record of Fences 1846-1895. About 50 pages.

Entries appear for many, but not all, of the years from 1846-1895.

Fence Disputes & Agreements 1909, 1829, 1846-1895

FICHE 104

 

Westford Record of Strays and Lost Goods [1847-1871+]. About 15 pages.

Stray Animals 1847-1871+

FICHE 105

Misc. 1803-1810, 1815, 1836; pp 467-474 (from above)

FICHE 105

 

Westford School Book of Records 1801[-1834]. About 110 pages.

South School Squadron Meetings 1801-1803, pp <1-7

FICHE 106

South School District Meetings 1803-1818, pp 8-39+

FICHE 106

South School District Meetin