Architectural Description:
Built as a two family duplex in the 1890's.
Historical Narrative:
135 – 137 North Main Street 38-40 – 0.368 acre -
House moved to this location from 124 -126 North Main July 1929.
This house was built across the street by by Mary Holland & Anna Buckley between 1885-1888. The parcel of land at 112-114, 120 – 122 and 124-126 North Main was once part of the Capt. Low estate #70 North Main St. It was sold on June 16, 1881 by Mary A. & Emily Low, daughters of Capt. Low, to Mary Holland, widow & Anna Buckley, wife of John J. Buckley of Andover. They paid $750 for the 3/4 acre at the extreme northern end of the Low property. The home was constructed on the north end corner of the lot.
On Feb. 29, 1896 the property was sold for $2000 to Dennis Sweeney II. The ¾ acre triangular lot contained the house lots of 112-114, 120-122 and the house at 124 & 126 North Main Street. Sweeney sub-divided the parcel and sold to John McCarthy in 1896. Dennis Sweeney, a blacksmith, was living across the street at #143 North Main St. with John Sweeney.
The small remaining triangular lot next to the bridge was retained by the Sweeney which held this duplex home. That house was moved in July 1929 across the street and is now 135-137 North Main Street. The empty lot remained with his family heirs until 1984
Andover Townsman - July 5, 1929 p. 5 – Bids for North Main Street – house at 124 North Main St, just south of the Railroad bridge and on the west side has been jacked up and is now ready to be moved across the street into a vacant lot. It was formerly owned by the Dennis Sweeney estate, but has been purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Doyle of Holt Road…..traffic will probably be delayed for the greater part of one day as the house will have to be turned around in the middle of the highway and backed into its new location.
AT July 12, 1929 – The house at 124-126 North Main Street was moved across from the west to the east side of the street Monday. The work necessitated the cutting of the trolley wire and the Lawrence Gas and Electric Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. wires wee hoisted to the top of the poles to allow the house to pass under them.
All traffic was diverted from the square via High Street and Elm Street during the day. Trolley passengers were forced to change cars. The moving work was done by M. Ellis and Company of Woburn and Waltham. The house was purchased by Thomas Doyle of Holt Road from the Sweeney estate. The moving of the house is the first step in the work of rebuilding North Main Street.
Bibliography/References:
Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Andover Townsman - July 1929
Owners of the land -
Deborah Young – Dec, 27, 1838 – b. 310 leaf 81 mtg. Andover Inst. of Savings
Hannah S. (Lee) Stickney estate – Oct. 1, 1841 – b. 328 leaf 298 –
Deborah Young estate – Oct. 1, 1964 – b. 676 p. 124 – W/blds – mtg. deed to Wm. Stickney
William Stickney of Newton - Apr. 12, 1876 – b. 40 p. 45 – Poss.
Timothy Howard – Apr. 3, 1877 – b. 45 p. 298 – w/blds. $1100
Timothy Howard estate – Apr. 9, 1877 – b. 45 p. 218
Howard heirs, Mary J. Howard and Ellen A. Howard
John H. Hynes of Methuen – Oct. 27, 1916 – b. 370 p. 369
James Eldred – Oct. 25, 1917 – b. 382 p. 310
James Eldred estate – Probate #145,227
Edwards heirs: Julia A. O’Donnell, Florence V. Donovan, Margaret B. Hynes, George, Hugh, John & Wm. Eldred – by will
Bridget Doyle, wife of Thomas – Mar. 30, 1926 – b. 521 p. 251 lot east side of Main St.
Bridget & Thomas Doyle – July 1929 house moved from 124 North Main St.
Thomas Doyle estate 1940 heir Bridget
Bridget Doyle estate, 1951 Julia A. O’Donnell heir
Heirs sons Daniel Doyle and Thomas A. Doyle 1951 – Probate #235546
Clarence J. & Hilda E. DesRoches – Jan. 24, 1957 – b. 849 p. 328
David R. & Constance A. Grant – Sept. 30, 1969 – b. 1141 p. 276
Craydon S. & Edith Hunter – June 22, 1972 – b. 1195 p. 795
Edmond L. Stoddard Jr. May 16, 1973 – b. 1218 p. 498
Calliope Realty Trust, Edmond L. Stoddard Jr. – Dec. 27, 1973 – b. 1234, p. 358
Meadow Farm Realty Trust, Ann Squires Erickson – Sept. 8, 1978 – b. 1350 p. 422
Brookstone Townhouse Condominiums – Jan. 7, 1980 – b. 1414 p. 256 Master Deed
Marietta L. Garavaggila
Unit #1 - 135 North Main St. Brookstone Townhouse Condominiums
Marietta L. Garavaggila
David T & Victoria L. Melvin – Dec. 27, 1980 – b. 1478 p. 63
Lynne M Difazio, Maureen M. Leavitt, Jean F. Slarsky – Jan. 16, 1985 – b. 1919 p. 69
William B. & Maureen L. Donohue – June 26, 1987 – b. 2532 p. 47
Donohue Family Trust, William B. & Maureen L. Donohue – Mar. 28, 2014 – b. 13816 p. 333
Sarissa Masucci & Kenneth Mulligan – Feb. 14, 2020 – b. 16191 p. 229
Unit #2 - 137 North Main St. Brookstone Townhouse Condominiums
Marietta L. Garavaggila
James J. & Madeline A. McGoff – Dec. 22, 1980 – b. 1478 p. 33 –
James J. & Madeline A. McGoff – Dec. 16, 1982 – b. 1552 p. 339
James A. & Lisa D. Doucette – Dec. 4, 1987 – b. 2640 p. 114
Leigh Michie – Aug. 31, 1995 – b. 4329 p. 311
Michael C. & Vivian McNeely – Mar. 23, 2005 – b. 9415 p. 204
Jason I Ferreira – Oct. 14, 2016 – b. 14836 p. 98
Inventory Data:
| Street | North Main St |
| Place | Andover Center |
| Historic District | Andover Historic Building Survey |
| Present Use | residences - family condos |
| Original Use | residence - 2 family |
| Construction Date | 1884-1888 |
| Source | ECRDS, ENRDL, style-njs |
| Foundation | stone & granite |
| Wall/Trim | clapboard/ asbestos shingles |
| Roof | asphalt/gable |
| Major Alterations | Moved in 1929, replacement windows, condo conversion |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Moved? | Yes |
| Move Details | July 1929, from 124 North Main across the street for railroad bridge construction |
| Acreage | 0.386 acre |
| Setting | residential/commercial |
| Map and parcel | 38-40 |
| Recorded by | James S. Batchelder |
| Organization | Andover Preservation Commission |
| Date entered | Oct. 17. 2021 |
