3-5 Boston Road

Historical Narrative: 

This property was once owned by Rufus Caldwell and was part of his 75 acre farm. His house was located east of Boston Rd. between So. Main St. His estate was auctioned off after his death in October 1891. The property was purchased by Brooks F. Holt for $1500. Brooks F. Holt had a home on South Main St. near Wildwood Rd. and he was an Ice Dealer in town. Brooks later sold his business and began selling off parcel of the former Caldwell farm. It is not know if he built this home or if it was enlarged by the next owners.

A one acre parcel was sold to Charles W. Damon on June 4, 1915. Charles purchased an additional 5 acre lot from Holt on Apr. 6, 1916. This parcel contained a "barn on poles" which Holt reserved for his use as well as a right of way to it across the property. Although the deed does not mention the house, a 1906 map of Andover clearly shows a house and barn at this corner and marked B.F. Holt.

Charles Warren Damon was born June 12, 1880 in Wilmington, MA son of William & Katie E. (Thomas) Damon. Charles married in Andover on Oct. 21, 1903 to Eleanor May Normile, b. 1878 in NYC daughter of Marcus & Catherine (Golden) Normile. Charles occupation was Gardener at that time. Charles & Eleanor had five children; Dudley b. 1904, Alice b. 1907, Isabelle G. b. 1914, Catherine W. b. 1917 and Charles b. 1922.

The 1910 Census listed Charles job as "removing moths for the State". This was the early outbreak of Gypsy moth infestation. in 1920 Charles worked for Tyer Rubber Co. and during the depression returned to Gardener for a private family. The 1920 Andover Valuation Schedule list Charles W Damon as Main St. - Camp $175, 1 acre $100, barn $300 and 5 acres $300. - total $850 assessment.

Charles placed the deed in his wife's name in 1929 and a years later they sold to Mary Ryan on June 10, 1930.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
1906 map of Andover
Plan #11011 - Dec. 1897 - lot 3

Owners:
Rufus Caldwell estate, Albert W. Caldwell Adm. - June 1, 1891 - Probate
Brooks F. Holt - Nov. 9, 1891 - b. 116 p. 41
Charles W. Damon - June 4, 1915 - b. 357 p. 579 - 1 acre parcel
Charles W. Damon - Apr. 6, 1916 - b. 363 p. 189 - 5 acre parcel
Raymond Szostek - June 3, 1929 - b. 546 p. 507
Eleanor M. Damon - June 3, 1929 - b. 546 p. 508
Mary Ryan - June 10, 1930 - b. 553 p. 25
James Brightney - Apr. 24, 1944 - b. 663 p. 556
James Brightney estate, Brightney heirs - Probate
Heirs, Mark J. Asoian, Eileen T. Asoian, Mary Brightney Fatheres, James K. Brightney
Rattlesnake Realty Trust, Joseph W. Holmes, Tr. - June 19, 1987 - b. 2526 p. 341
Matt L. Johnson & Mary Ellen Spellman - Feb. 13, 1988 - b. 2672 p. 278
Matt L. & Mary Ellen Johnson - May 17, 1996 - b. 4504 p. 38

Inventory Data:

StreetBoston Rd
PlaceScotland District
Historic DistrictNot Applicable
Historic NameCharles W. & Eleanor Damon House
Present Useresidence
Original Usefarm land
Construction Date1895
SourceERDS, NERDL, style,
Architectural StyleShingle
Foundationstone/granite
Wall/Trimcedar shingle/wood
Roofasphalt/gable
Outbuildings / Secondary Structuresbarn & garage
Conditionexcellent
Acreage1.03173 acres, 43,589 sq. ft
Settingresidential
Map and parcel83-71
Recorded byJames S. Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered01/30/2006, 4/25/2018

Map: