Charles A. Nelson , A. M., Waltham, past, present and its industries, with an historical sketch of Watertown from its settlement in 1630 to the incorporation of Waltham, January 15, 1739.

[79] of property in this section are found Nathaniel Whitney and Phinehas Stearns. The latter moved to Lexington in 1768, and was in the battle of Lexington. He was the fifth son of Deacon Isaac Stearns,¹ who was a Selectman thirteen years, between 1754 and 1772, and Assessor 1744 and 1753.

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From Deacon Isaac Stearns the property descended to his sons John and Peleg; it afterwards became the property of John alone. It was sold by him and passed, divided, into the hands of Josiah S. and Jonas B. Kendall.

On Beaver Brook, at this point, was situated Kendall's grist mill; lower down the brook, formerly stood a saw-mill, which gave place to Plympton's satinet factory, and this latter was destroyed by fire in 1848.

Westward of the Stearns's lands are those of the Lawrences, which have remained in the family since the days of George Lawrence, Sen., who purchased a portion of them from Nicolas Cady by a deed dated September 11, 1668, which is still preserved. Further west, the Lawrences own part of the farm once belonging to Hopestill Mead, who was a Selectman in 1745 and 1746.

Here, extending on Trapelo Street about three-eighths of a mile, rises Mackerel Hill, from the sides and summit of which to the south and east fine views may be had of Newton and Brighton, Boston and Roxbury, with the Blue Hills of Milton in the distance, and portions of Needham, Dedham, Natick, Weston, and other towns. On its western slope is ‘a dense pine grove, through which the sun but faintly penetrates, whose soft carpet invites repose, and through whose swaying branches the gentle winds chant a melody beautiful as the song of the Messenger Bird.’

Near Forest Street was the residence of Deacon William Brown,