by Margaret Ingraham and Alec Ingraham
Rev. Williams was born in England. He came to Billerica in 1909 as pastor of the North Billerica Baptist Church and immediately became involved in civic affairs, even serving a term in the State Legislature. Rev. Williams was, however, particularly influential in the development of Billerica Garden Suburbs, which was designed to provide comfortable housing for workers employed at the new Boston and Maine Railroad Shops, which were opened in North Billerica in 1914.
This article was extracted from the Spring 2000 edition of The Yankee Doodle Times, newsletter of the Billerica Historical Society.

by Margaret Ingraham and Alec Ingraham
There has always been a Stearns in Billerica, beginning with John Stearns who arrived in 1653 when the area was called Shawshin. Dr. Stearns, the tenth generation of that family, received his medical degree from Tufts College and eventually became Commissioner of Corrections for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. When the House of Correction was built in the 1930's in West Billerica Dr. Stearns' novel idea of using it as a farm was introduced. Here the inmates performed many tasks which provided them with skills, exercise, and fresh air.
In addition to being a Selectman and a School Committee member, he was president of the Billerica Historical Society for forty-five years.
This article was extracted from the Spring 2000 edition of The Yankee Doodle Times, newsletter of the Billerica Historical Society.