In 1844, Sleeper made an agreement with Orr N. Towne, representing the then new Unitarian society, to convey to it a parcel of land, called on Prospect Hill, and the erection of a church was commenced. The next year the agreement was carried into effect and the land was conveyed to the First Congregational society in Somerville. It was described as being on Prospect Hill, ‘on the street which passes the new church, running from Spring Hill, Central Street, to Medford Street,’ and was said to contain half an acre. The city bought this land in 1893.
In 1845, Jacob Sleeper and others, abutters, released from their respective estates to the town of Somerville strips of land for the widening of a rangeway, ‘formerly known as Barberry Lane, running from Medford Street, near the house of Edwin Munroe, Jr., and passing Mr. Thorpe's house, and the new Unitarian church, to the Ireland rangeway.’
In 1851, Sleeper sold to the town land described as being on the corner of Church Street, for a high school house. The second story of the building erected was used as a high school till 1872. The lower story, in an unfinished condition, was used several years for town business, and for purposes of amusement. The lot of land contained about a half of an acre.
In the same year (1851), Sleeper sold to Isaac F. Shepard land adjoining the church land, containing about an acre. Shepard mortgaged back to Sleeper, then sold the equity to Thomas J. Lee, who subsequently quit-claimed to Sleeper, and he thereby again became the owner.
In 1859, Sleeper sold Shepard another lot of land. It adjoined the then high school house land. In 1860, George W. Coleman, as assignee of Shepard, sold this lot to Chester Guild, who in 1868 sold to Benjamin Hadley, and he in the same year sold to Elizabeth S. Fenno. In 1870, Fenno sold to John R. Poor, and he sold to the town of Somerville. The lot contined about a half an acre. Several prominent men in town had been interested in having the whole of Mr. Sleeper's original
