Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

[5] to Cambridge, March 6, 1802;¹ the estate of William Hunnewell, Feb. 12, 1818;² and a portion of Professor Ware's estate, now the Norton homestead, June 17, 1820.³ These three annexations are indicated by the sharp angles on the map. The line at White Street was somewhat changed April 30, 1856, and the line between Cambridge and Belmont and Arlington, was straightened Feb. 25, 1862.

The northwesterly part of the town was made a separate precinct Dec. 27, 1732, and was afterwards styled the Second Parish, or more generally Menotomy. The line of division was “Menotomy River from Charlestown till it comes to Spy Pond Brook; then on said brook till it comes to a water-course or ditch in Whiting's meadow, so called: the ditch to be the boundary till it comes to Hamblett's Brook, following the course of the Brook to the Bridge; thence on a straight line to the northwest corner of Mr. Isaac Holden's orchard, and continuing the same course to Watertown line.” ⁴ This tract, with the addition of the remaining territory on the westerly side of Menotomy River, was incorporated, Feb. 27, 1807, under the name of West Cambridge,⁵ which name was changed to Arlington, April 20, 1867.⁶

The inhabitants of the territory left on the south side of Charles River petitioned to be made a separate precinct, as early as 1748, and renewed their petition, from time to time, until April 2, 1779, when they were authorized to bring in a bill to incorporate them as an ecclesiastical parish, “excepting Samuel Sparhawk, John Gardner, Joanna Gardner, and Moses Griggs, and their estates.” ⁷ This was styled the Third Parish, or Little Cambridge. The whole territory south of Charles River was incorporated, under the name of Brighton, Feb. 24, 1837.⁸

By the incorporation of West Cambridge and Brighton, which was the result of an amicable agreement between the several parties, Cambridge was reduced substantially to its present limits. Several attempts have since been made for a further division; but its incorporation as a city has removed most of the difficulties which previously existed, and it may be reasonably expected that no more attempts of the kind will be made during the present century.