The land now within the boundaries of Bedford was first settled by Europeans around 1640. In 1729 it was incorporated from a portion of Concord (about 2/5 of Bedford) and a portion of Billerica (about 3/5 of Bedford). In 1630, John Winthrop and Thomas Dudley of the Massachusetts Bay Company arrived aboard the Arabella from Yarmouth, England. After a difficult ten-week voyage, they landed on the shores of the New World, with Salem and Boston Harbor being the Arabella's earliest destinations. In 1637, the General Court of Massachusetts granted some 2,200 acres (9 km2) of land, including Huckins Farm land to the first governor, John Winthrop, and to Deputy Governor Thomas Dudley. The following year, the two men agreed to divide the land so that the parcel south of the two large boulders by the Concord River (Brothers Rocks) belonged to Governor Winthrop and north of the Rocks was to belong to Deputy Governor Dudley. Later, Dudley became governor. Dudley's son Rev. Samuel DudleyRev. Samuel Dudley later removed to Exeter, New Hampshire. and Winthrop's daughter Mary were married; thus Brothers Rocks were so named because of this marriage of families.
the land now within the boundaries of bedford was first settled by europeans around 1640 in 1729 it was incorporated from a portion of concord (about 2/5 of bedford) and a portion of billerica (about 3/5 of bedford) in 1630 john winthrop and thomas dudley of the massachusetts bay company arrived aboard the arabella from yarmouth england after a difficult ten-week voyage they landed on the shores of the new world with salem and boston harbor being the arabella's earliest destinations in 1637 the general court of massachusetts granted some 2200 acres (9 km2) of land including huckins farm land to the first governor john winthrop and to deputy governor thomas dudley the following year the two men agreed to divide the land so that the parcel south of the two large boulders by the concord river (brothers rocks) belonged to governor winthrop and north of the rocks was to belong to deputy governor dudley later dudley became governor dudley's son rev samuel dudleyrev samuel dudley later removed to exeter new hampshire and winthrop's daughter mary were married; thus brothers rocks were so named because of this marriage of families