Themes - Architectural and Community Development.
139 Shawsheen Rd. (formerly Village Street)

Richard Williamson purchased one acre of land on Shawsheen Road from Thomas O’Hara on March 19, 1878 for $70. The property had been part of the O’Hara farm located north of this lot on top of the hill at 18 Lincoln St. On June 15, 1882 a new deed was issued to Williamson as it was discovered that Thomas O’Hara’s wife Caroline also owned rights to the property. She quit claimed her right to the property.

In the Andover Advertiser June 16, 1882 pg. 3 – “Richard Williamson has bought the small house and barn of John H. Flint, which stood near his slaughter houses on Maple Ave. and is removing them to land east of West Church, recently purchased. In passing through Elm Square on Thursday with the barn on wheels, the telephone wire crossing the street was broken.” Richardson also took a mortgage of $100 from John H. Flint on the 21st most likely to finance the move of the buildings and siting costs.

Richard Williamson b. Nov. 1845 in Ireland, son of William & Stacey Evis (Sweeetman) Williamson, emigrated in 1861 to Andover, MA, laborer, married Dec. 23, 1864 in Marblehead, MA to Esther “Essie” Conolly born Nov. 15, 1845 in Ireland, dau. of James & Elizabeth (Gaffney) Conolly. The Conolly family emigrated in 1859. Richard was a farm laborer and later, a stone mason. Richard & Essie had nine children, seven survived to adulthood: Mary Elisa b. Oct. 27, 1865, Emily b. Sept. 27, 1867 - d. May 7, 1874, John Thomas b. Aug. 9, 1869, Anna Eva b. Dec. 29, 1871, Esther b. June 29, 1873, Barbara Cecilia b. Sept. 29, 1875, William Henry b. Feb. 5, 1878 – d. July 31, 1887 Epilepsy, Patience Frances b. May 3, 1879 and Genevieve “Jennie” Monica b. Apr. 12, 1885. The 1900 Census list Richard, stone mason on Village St. now 139 Shawsheen Rd. His wife Essie with daughters Barbara C., Patience F. (both Flax Reelers at Smith & Dove Manf. Co.) and Jennie, a student, are listed at 119 Lowell Street.

The mortgage had been purchased by the Andover Savings Bank from Flint in 1890 and foreclosed in 1904. The Williamson family then moved to 128 North Main St. Richard died on Feb. 21, 1907 and is interred at St. Augustine’s Cemetery. Esther and her daughter Genevieve remained at the North Main St. house until Ester’s death on May 8, 1917 at age 70.

Joseph O’Hara then purchased the Williamson property for $1000 on June 4, 1904. It remained within the O’Hara family until 1925 when the property was sold to Mary C. Gibson, wife of George Gibson. Mary Gibson died on September 8, 1977 and her daughter Ruth inherited the house. Sadly Ruth died just six months later on Feb. 25, 1978. Her brother Albert Gibson became the administrator of the estate and the property was sold to Michael G. & Mary J. Bausemer on July 7, 1979.