Themes: Architectural, Community development
Historical significance: A bold design of eclectic motifs, tensely balanced.
Well set, and a particular well-located transition between Queen Anne grouping which precedes it and following Colonial Revival streetscape.

Wolcott Avenue was laid out in March 1902 by engineer John E. Smith Map #96. It is said to have been named for Governor Roger Wolcott former Lt. Governor 1893-1897 and then Gov. from 1897-1900. The street had 29 house lots and was a portion of the 25 acre Samuel B. Locke estate at 70 Elm St. The farm extended down to Maple Ave and was bounded by Walnut and Elm Streets. Anne H. Locke, wife of Samuel B., held the deed on Apr. 12, 1876. Anne sold off some of the first lots on the Ave before naming her daughter Florence M. Locke her Trustee on June 2, 1909. Florence then had charge of selling the remaining house lots.

All the deeds came with restrictions. Only one home per lot, either single or a two family. The home had to cost at least $3000 above the foundation. The cost was later raised to $3500. A set back of 30’ from the street and all garages in the rear of the property. By the 1920’s they restricted one story bungalows.
Wolcott Ave has a diverse mix of styles including modified Queen Anne, Shingle style craftsman, Bungalow craftsman, Four Square, Colonial Revival and Dutch Colonial homes.

This lot was sold by Anne Locke to Lizzie E. Chase, wife of Dana F. Chase on June 24, 1903. The home was built shortly later as Dana & Lizzie are in the 1904 Street Directory. The property is also listed on the 1906 map of Wolcott Ave, yet unnamed, along with the home next door at #6 Wolcott, the only two homes on the street at that time and both occupied in 1904.

The 1904 & 1908 directories Dana's occupation as clerk at Valpey Bros., a butcher and grocery store at 2 Main St. In 1913 and 1916 Dana Chase has his own shop "Chase's Market" at 12 Park St. in the Howell Block.

Lizzie & Dana Chase sold the property to Annie F. Russell on Mar. 20, 1919 who would then sell to Martha Humphrey on Oct. 9, 1919. The 1920 Valuation lists Mrs. Martha Humphreys; 10 Wolcott Ave. House $3000., shed $50, 8800 sq. ft land $900. The 1920 Census lists Martha Humphreys age 63, born in NJ, with three adult children Ethel age 35 b. NJ, Marion age. 33 b. MA a Missionary doing Pilgrim Work, and Irving age 23, b. MA and Engineer for Gen. Co. The Humphreys family owned for 26 years then selling to John N. & Betty L. Cole on Nov. 8, 1945.

John N. Cole 2nd, b. Mar. 7,1918 worked for the Andover Press and published the Andover Townsman. His grandfather father John N. Cole owned the paper in 1887 and his father Philip P. Cole was manager and treasurer of the Andover Press from 1922 - 1940s.