Themes: Architectural, Community development

William Bell once owned this property and his estate was probated on May 17, 1859 by his heirs and children; Ann, James, John, William H., Joseph W., George W. Bell and Isabella J. Smith, Hannah Pressey, Margaret Morse. The property appears to have been parceled off and sold separately at auction. John Cornell of Andover, at Stabler, purchased the "house lot piece" on Aug. 20, 1859. Cornell paid $38.33 (a 2/9th share) to Ann Bell, guardian of Joseph W. & George W. Bell, minor children of William Bell. A second payment of $172.59 went to the remaining children. Cornell held on to the lot for seven years then sold for $250 it to Margaret Wood, a widow, on Apr. 30, 1866. As no mention of a building in the deed, we assume that Mrs. Wood and her family financed the construction of the two family home.

Margaret Wood was the widow of John Wood and both were born in Ireland and arrived in America sometime in the mid 1820's. The 1855 Mass State census lists: John Wood age 59 b. 1797 as a farmer, wife Margaret Wood 54 b. 1801 both in Ireland, Children; Francis M. 24 b. 1831 cabinet maker, George 22 b. 1833, Hugh 17, b. 1838, James 15 b. 1840, John 13, b. 1842, Elliot 11, b. 1844 and Mary Ann age 24 b. 1831 and operative. The 1856 MA State census list Margaret Wood as a widow. Her sons William age 27 b. 1838 is a painter and Elliott 21, a cabinet maker. Daughter Margaret (Wood) McTernen b. 1830 (1825) is 35 and also a widow. She has five children, Catherine 14 b. 1851, William 11 b. 1854, Charles 9 b. 1856, Andrew 7 b. 1858 and Margaret 5 b. 1860.

The 1870 Federal census list Margaret Wood 66, Margaret McTrenen, and four children, Catherine 19, Charles 15, Andover 13 and Margaret 11 now living in the home. The other apartment is occupied by John Hurley 35 b. Ireland, wife Mary 30 b. Ire. and two children John 4 and Daniel 1 and John's mother Mary Hurley 64 b. Ireland. estate, heir; Margaret McTernen.

Margaret McTernen inherited the property from her mother's will. Margaret died on April 29, 1892 and her estate went to her children. William, Andrew, Margaret, Charles McTernen, John P. & Catherine Harnden. Son William H. McTernen, wife Elizabeth purchase the property from the estate on June 30, 1892. Margaret McTernan is interred at the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery. The stone list her birth as 1825.

William Cunningham, wife Jannet purchased the property from McTernen on Oct. 3, 1895 and held for just four years selling to Hannah Hart & Ellen Hart on Apr. 11, 1898. Ellen Hart estate; heirs: Jennie E., John A., Mary E., and Martin Doherty, William. J. & Josephine Doherty, Mary E. Leahy.

Hannah Hart holds the deed on July 13, 1923 and Martin Doherty on Nov. 23, 1923. The Doherty family held the property 32 years then selling to Henry E. & Eileen C. Smith on Feb. 24, 1955.