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:
| Street | Salem St |
| Place | Holt District - Old Cape District |
| Historic District | Andover Historic Building Survey |
| Historic Name | Gray, Robert House |
| Present Use | residence |
| Original Use | residence |
| Construction Date | ca. 1700 (owner says 1765 1st definite house date) |
| Source | ERDS, ENRDL |
| Architectural Style | First Period |
| Foundation | stone |
| Wall/Trim | clapboards/wood |
| Roof | asphalt - gable |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | modern garage barn across street moved 1860's |
| Major Alterations | improved (1790) and renovated (1960's) added windows but fitting to form of house (1970's) |
| Condition | good |
| Move Details | no |
| Acreage | 0.409 acre; lot size: 17,802 sq. ft.; approx. frontage: 252' |
| Setting | residential |
| Map and parcel | 27-6 |
| Recorded by | Stack/Mofford, James Batchelder |
| Organization | Andover Preservation Commission |
| Date entered | 1975 - 1977, 3/10/2015 |
