150th

This summer the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds will celebrate its 150th anniversary. In anticipation the wheels have already begun to turn looking for ways to highlight the registry’s rich history. It is obvious that tremendous changes have taken place over the years. I would guess that the changes in the registry's first 130 years were minor in comparison to the last 20 years. Governor Henry Joseph Gardner approved the act establishing the Middlesex North Register on March 24, 1855. “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative in General Court assembled and by the authority of same as follows: Sect1. The city of Lowell the towns of Dunstable, Tyngsboro, Dracut, Tewksbury, Billerica, Chelmsford, Carlisle, Wilmington and Westford in the county of Middlesex are hereby constituted a district for the registry of deeds, which district shall be known as the Northern District of Middlesex and for all things relating to the register or registry of deeds or other instruments, shall be deemed to be a county and all provisions of law concerning such office shall apply to that office except as is hereinafter provided; and the office of said registry shall be kept in the court-house in the city of Lowell. If you were wondering, the first Register of Deeds in the Middlesex North District was Asahel B. Wright. He served from 1855-1868. In the coming months you will hear more about our plans to commemorate this milestone. And as always…your suggestions are welcome.