212 Salem Street

Architectural Description: 

Style: First Period - Georgian

Other features: Saltbox - first period architecture added on to ?

Historical Narrative: 

Present owner: Graber, Jennifer

Original owner: Robert Gray? (1699 - 1700)

Themes: Architectural, Community development

Subsequent uses: shoemaker's shop - mid 19th century

Historical significance: Probably built by Robert Gray before the more imposing David Gray House - 252 Salem Street. Gray married daughter of Nicholas Holt, owned much land in vicinity. Robert Gray, mariner, married Hannah Holt and received this land as a gift from his father-in-law.

Present owner (Graber) has copy of 1765 deed, from James Holt and James Holt III to Timothy Holt, with mention of dwelling-house 1806; Timothy Holt to Samuel Cummings, Cummings sold 1814; 1822; Charles Abbott to Stephen Holt.

Original chimney changed to enlarge house ca. 1765 to 1830. Shoemaker's shop located here. David Gray III 1860's (?) - (present owner has found traces - ie. Tools, old leather)

Bibliography/References: 

Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Goldsmith, Bessie; "Historic Houses of Andover", 1946
Interview with present owner.

Deed - April 27, 1765

Owners;
Robert Gray? (1699 - 1700)
James Holt and James Holt III
Timothy Holt - 1806 -
Samuel Cummings - sold 1814
Charles Abbott - 1814 - 1822
Stephen Holt - 1822
Charles E. Abbott, wife Mary T. owned in 1869
Jeremiah Collins, wife Mary - Oct. 4, 1869 - b. 1 p. 65
Perley F. Woodbridge - Apr. 12, 1882 - b. 67 p. 514
Perley F. Woodbridge & Herbert A. Woodbridge - 1882 - 1883
Alfred & Lydia E. Adams - Feb. 20, 1883 - b. 71 p. 39
Lydia E. Adams estate, Geo. S. Cole Admis.
Charles F. Adams - Feb. 3, 1900 - b. 175 p. 137
Bertha Ford - Feb. 3, 1900 - b. 175 p. 139
Alice Gray - Apr. 18, 1901 - b. 187 p. 411
Lena S. Scherner, wife of John - Aug. 16, 1922 - b. 463 p. 44
Lemuel A. & Ethel K. Bradshaw - Apr. 26, 1940 - b. 630 p. 409
Amy Gordon Taft - May 23, 1940 - b. 630 p. 219
Ezra D. & Barbara R. Hart - Dec. 1, 1945 - b. 679 p. 115
Barbara R. Hart - Feb. 7, 1954 - b. 877 p. 215
Andover Savings Bank - July 30, 1958 - b. 877 p. 215
Gillette Realty Trust - Jan. 15, 1962 - b. 952 p. 474
James Jr. & Barbara R. Caldwell - Mar. 22, 1962 - b. 954 p. 449
Richard D. & Rachel L. Graber - June 29, 1964 - b. 1012 p. 360
Richard D. Graber - Aug. 30, 1986 - b. 2368 p. 202
Jennifer Graber - Mar. 6, 2002 - b. 6706 p. 312

Inventory Data:

StreetSalem St
PlaceHolt District - Old Cape District
Historic DistrictAndover Historic Building Survey
Historic NameGray, Robert House
Present Useresidence
Original Useresidence
Construction Dateca. 1700 (owner says 1765 1st definite house date)
SourceERDS, ENRDL
Architectural StyleFirst Period
Foundationstone
Wall/Trimclapboards/wood
Roofasphalt - gable
Outbuildings / Secondary Structuresmodern garage barn across street moved 1860's
Major Alterationsimproved (1790) and renovated (1960's) added windows but fitting to form of house (1970's)
Conditiongood
Move Detailsno
Acreage0.409 acre; lot size: 17,802 sq. ft.; approx. frontage: 252'
Settingresidential
Map and parcel27-6
Recorded byStack/Mofford, James Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered1975 - 1977, 3/10/2015

Map: