Themes: Architectural, Community development

Historical significance: 1923 Andover Directory: George D. Millett, wife and son live here. He was a florist and developed landscaping on his acreage.

Peter Holt was a Wheelwright who married Hephzibah Stevens, b. Jan. 15, 1757 dau. of Thomas & Sarah Stevens. Their intention to marry was recorded on Dec. 28, 1776. They had eight children; Peter b. Dec. 5, 1776–d. Oct. 6, 1780, Hipzabah b. Sept. 30, 1778, Thomas bpt. Sept. 10, 1780, Peter b. June 10, 1783, Phebe b. July 1785, Joel b. Aug 29, 1787 and John b. July 15, 1796–d Nov. 30, 1799. Peter & Hephzibah joined the South Parish Church on Oct. 17, 1779.

Peter Holt purchased this property and mortgaged for $500 from Ebenezer Jones in Nov. 1817. The property contained two parcels. The first lot was 55 rods (abt. ½ acre) south of his dwelling house across the street which held his shop and barn. The house was on the north side of the road also on a half acre of land. Church records state wife Hephzibah died before 1812. AVR records have” wife of Peter died Jan. 1825 in Boston”. Peter sold the property to Ebenezer Jones on Apr. 27, 1824. Peter died on Jan. 9, 1830 age 80 at the Almshouse. [see 7 Argyle St.]

Jones then sells the property for $300 to Benjamin Farnum 3rd on June 7, 1824. Benjamin was also a Wheelwright. Ben held the property two years then selling to David Buxton, wife Sarah on Mar. 8, 1826 for $312.

David Buxton was born in 1788, a laborer, then Yeoman, was married to Sarah “Sally” b. 1800. David & Sally had four children; David Jr. b. 1826, Hannah J., Elizabeth and Mary J. b. Aug. 16, 1831. David died on Dec. 4, 1847 at age 59yrs. In his will he named his son Executor of his estate and gave everything to his wife Sally. David Jr. would inherit after Sally’s death. David Jr. sadly died on Dec 1, 1851 at age 25y 7m. The 1850 Andover Valuation lists Wid. of David Buxton; Dwelling house $300, Barn $100. 12 acres adjoining $400. Son David was assessed for one cow $20. Sally would then sell the property for $610 to George Pearson, wife Sarah J. on Apr. 21, 1852.
George Pearson of Reading married Sarah Jane Pearsons b. Sept. 23, 1816 in Andover dau. of Joseph & Sally Pearsons. George was listed as a Cordwainer but became a farmer. George & Sarah had four children; Sarah Georgia b. 1843, Harriet H. b. 1846, Charles b. May 8, 1848 and Ellen A. b. 1850. The 1860 Valuation; Dwelling house, barn and shop with 23.1/2 acres $800. Farm stock $121. (1 horse, 2 cows, 5 other) Pearson would sell his small farm in 1866 and moved to Lawrence, MA.

Fernando C. Drew of Lawrence purchased the farm on Oct. 12, 1866 and sold to Jeremiah J. Millett for $500 on Nov. 12, 1866. The Millett family were long term owners for 76 years. Jeremiah J. Millett was born in 1828 in Marblehead, MA son of Jeremiah & Mary (Mayer) Millett. Jeremiah was a farmer. He married on Feb. 24, 1850 in the North Parish First Church to Sarah F. Hovey b. Jan. 15, 1831 in Andover, dau. of James & Mary Hovey. Jeremiah & Sarah had three children, two sons survived to adulthood; Charles J. b. Jan. 28, 1854 and George D. b. 1857.

On Dec. 9, 1876 Jeremiah held a Homestead deed on his ten acre farm of which seven acres were tillage. Jeremiah died on April 8, 1881 of Bright’s disease at age 53y 5m. His sons would continue to work the farm. Charles J., a farmer and his brother George D. a Florist. Charles married on Nov. 28, 1888 to Addie Marie Buxton b. Sept. 18, 1865 in North Reading, dau. of Elijiah A. & Lucy M. (Lewis) Buxton. They had no issue.

In the 1900 Census the Millett family have George B. Baker age 26 from Canada as a boarder and farm laborer. Also listed is Arthur K. Johnson b. Nov. 1892 age 7 “at school”. Arthur Kimball Johnson was b. Nov. 7, 1892 in Peabody, son of Jesse K. & Mary E. (Buxton) Johnson. He was the nephew of Addie M. and would later become owner of the property. Arthur attended M.I.T studying to become a chemist.

Sarah H. Millett died March 28, 1920 at the age of 90. The 1920 Valuation Schedule lists George D. Millett; Wildwood Rd. – House and shop $700, barn $50, Greenhouse $250, 6 ½ acres $250.
Charles died in April 1926 age 72 and his wife Addie inherits his share. George, a bachelor, died in April 1933 age 76 years. With the death of Addie Millett the property was sold to Arthur K. & Lottie Johnson on July 16, 1942.

Ownership and quit claim deeds with Johnson and Buxton families was settled in Dec. 14, 1959. The property was then sold to August F. & Lillian G. Murray on Jan. 2, 1960. The Murry family made many updates and renovations during their stewardship of the property.

William A. & Ann H. Hogg purchased on June 15, 1971 and held for 22 years. Eliot R. & Sydney S. Tucker were the next owners on Aug. 18, 1993. They then sold to William S. & Judith Pariseau Holt on May 1, 1996. Mathew D. & Amelia S. Barron purchased on Dec. 5, 2008 and are owners of record in 2017.