Proctor Estate

240 County Road, the Proctor Estate, New England Biolabs (1895)

The former James H. Proctor estate lies between County Rd and Fellows Rd., built by James H. Proctor in 1895. The Catholic Church purchased the property, where it was used as a novitiate by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and later became the Catholic school, Don Bosco. Since 1999 the Proctor estate has been the home of New England Biolabs, which provides walking trails open to the public.

Entrance to New England Biolabs on County Rd. across from Appleton Farms
New England Biolabs trails Ipswich MA
Public trails at New England Biolabs,. Map courtesy of the Essex County Trail Association.
New England Biolabs facility at the former Proctor estate
The restored Saltonstall Bridge.

In 1638, Richard Jacobs received a grant of 40 acres on the southeast side of Mile Brook, bounded by the 40-acre farm of Richard Saltonstall on the northwest. In this rather remote location, Jacobs built his dwelling. The most direct way to Town lay over the Mile River and through the pastures to the way now known as Fellows Lane. He built a bridge over the river in about 1650. On Dec. 6, 1658, the town ordered that a highway be laid out through Mr. Saltonstall’s 40 acres and part of John Andrews’ farm, continuing across Richard Jacob’s Bridge over the River. In the early 20th Century Mr. Proctor built the beautiful brick arch bridge at the same point and named it “Saltonstall’s Bridge.”

The Miles River at it winds its way past New England Biolabs
Trail parking is on the left after entering the gate. from County Rd. A handicapped accessible trail with two parking spots is at the trailhead near the soccer field.
James H. Proctor bought a large portion of the old Joseph Fellows farm.  The A. B. Fellows house preceded the caretaker’s house at the Proctor estate.
View of the simulated stone arch bridge from a field section of the trail near the parking lot.

Sources:

3 thoughts on “240 County Road, the Proctor Estate, New England Biolabs (1895)”

  1. I lived in the grand house of the Proctor Estate from 1972-1973 as a Salesian novice. The house and surrounding property were beautiful. I have many happy memories of living there.

  2. Went to high school there from 1964-1968. I certainly hope the still existing structures are protected by an historical designation. There were many historical pieces of John Proctor’s property in Mostly Hall and are hopefully still there. The mansion was dining rooms, a chapel and the residence of the priests and brothers and the stable at the bottom of the hoill was classrooms, a chapel, and dormitory. Salesian sisters lived in the caretakers house

  3. My Mom lived there, and her Dad James Brown was the Chauffer there, until Miss Esther Proctor moved to Hamilton.

Leave a comment