Architectural Description:
NRIND NRMRA
Style: Georgian
Other features: ell may be earlier ?; chimney looks older; brick floor in basement; good site
Historical Narrative:
Present owner: Taft, Frederic Emil (14 Jul 1967)
Original owner: David Gray II built house; (land in Gray family from 1699)
Subsequent uses: Blacksmith shop from 1737; Grist Mill, a Mill for grinding scythes; granary; spinning shop on property; weave/spin shop
Themes: Agricultural, Architectural, Community development
Historical significance: In 1679, Nicholas Holt, (one of original Andover freeholders) specified "for the love he bears his son-in-law, Robert Gray" made him a gift of 5 acres, south of Holt's Hill. Gray Farm dates from 1699, when Robert Gray, Mariner, bought land from Nicholas Holt and Dudley Bradstreet. According to old deeds, Gray land holdings were extensive, include Gibbet plain, present Harold Parker State Forest, where was once located the place for public execution for Essex and Middlesex County.
David Gray II built the present house, but remains of earlier buildings are still extant. Farm was once self-sufficient and included on grounds, a granary, cider mill, blacksmith shop, spinning house, grist mill on Skug River and a mill for grinding scythes.
The Blacksmith shop across street from house is mentioned in Gray will dated 1737; although constructed of wood, it is in good condition and still contains some early blacksmith tools. Foundation opposite house is "Old Gray Mill" or grist mill "the old grindstone is down in field with top stone, Miss Alice Gray used to cap her own well" (note: Andover Historical Society files) dated May, 1934.
The small house across road from the Homestead was moved and is thought to have been ell of original house (1699). Alice Gray sold this part of 1699 house and it was moved across street as spinning house, with spinning wheels, reels, etc. Altered when moved. Miss Gray also sold some window sashes with leaded glass to be used in Henry Ford's Dearborn, Michigan museum. Door of spinning house thought to be the door of the first Gray house here.
Interesting legends/tales connected with Gray homestead; David Gray hanged himself Jan 7, 1767, was refused Christian burial at South Church Cemetery, later reburied there.
When David Gray II built house now standing, he had lumber hauled by oxen from his wood lot in Wilton, N.H. David II was excommunicated from South Church as a Universalist in 1830.
Rev. Arthur Taft restored house after 1932; took out one stairway leaving two; removed Victorian era porch which had been added by Alice Gray; reduced bedrooms to four to put in two more bathrooms. Door latches in house were most likely made at the blacksmith shop on premises.
Bibliography/References:
Andover Historical Society files
North Andover Historical Society file: Merrimack Valley Textile Museum
Abbott, Charlotte, Helen; "Andover Families - Gray"
Goldsmith, Bessie; "Historical Houses of Andover, Mass." 1946
Taft, Rev. Arthur; "The Gray Farm and its Family" delivered before Andover Historical Society, Jan. 25, 1942.
See also Barn Survey
May 1991, Andover Preservation Award
See 1980 National Register Nomination for updated information
Plan #12623 Lot A –
Plan #5691 – May 5, 1967 – Blacksmith 7 Weaving shop lot 1.29 acres
Ownership :
Nicholas Holt, wife Elizabeth (Short)
Robert Gray, wife Hannah Holt (dau. of Nicholas) m. 1668-9 Salem, MA
Robert Gray 2nd, wife Miriam (Lovejoy) – m. 1705
David Gray, wife Rebekah (Holt) m. 1756
David Gray 2nd, wife Sarah (Cummings) m. 1788 & Rebecca (Jenkins) m. 1797
David Gray estate died March 7, 1844 heir Henry J.
Henry Jenkins Gray, wife Rebecca – Jan. 9, 1837 rec. 9/19/1837 – b. 302 leaf 157
Henry J. Gray – Apr. 21 1840 – b. 331 leaf 130 discharge load
Henry Jenkins Gray, wife Lydia (Sawyer) – m. 1851
Henry Jenkins Gray estate – died July 6, 1881
Gray Heirs; Henry Jenkins Gray Jr. Oct. 13, 1881 b. 65 p. 426 96 acres
Alice Gray - July 30, 1901 – b. 187 p.411 from Bethena Ford
Henry Jenkins Gray estate – died Sept. 22, 1909
Heirs Alice Gray, Lydia L. Sawyer, Sarah L. Sawyer
Alice Gray – April 7, 1910 – b. 287 p. 40 from Lydia Cummings
Alice Gray – April 7, 1910 – b. 287 p. 42 from Sarah L. Sawyer
Alice Gray Estate died – May 7, 1924
Sarah L. Sawyer & Lois M. Cummings Heirs
Sarah L. Sawyer estate – died March 3, 1927
Lois M. Cummings – died May 24, 1927
Florence L. Cummings & Arthur G. Cummings heirs
Amy Gordon Taft Jan. 19, 1932 – b. 562 p. 593
Amy Gordon Taft Estate – Probate 273512
Heirs: Fred P., Alexander T., Rebecca L. Taft – June 6, 1967 – b. 1085 p. 228 1/3 each
Alexander T. Taft & Rebecca L. Taft – June 6, 1967 – b. 1085 p. 228 – Fred’s 1/3
Fred P. Taft – June 6, 1967 – b. 1085 p. 228-229
Fred P. & Emily Walton Taft – July 12, 1967 – b. 1086 p. 123
Fred P. Taft estate – died Feb. 7, 1983 – Probate #359438
Emily Walton Taft – Feb. 7, 1983
Emily Walton Taft estate, Fred L. Taft & State St. Bank, Extrs. - Feb. 23, 1999 – Probate #97P1674-EP1
Taft Heirs: Frederick L. Taft, Natalie T. Andrews, Eleanor T. Etheridge - Mar. 11, 1999 – b. 5367 p. 291
Natalie T. Andrews, Eleanor T. Etheridge – Feb. 16, 2006 – b. 10130 p. 259
Frederick L. Taft, Natalie T. Andrews, Eleanor T. Etheridge – Sept. 5, 2014 – b. 13971 p.39
Trustees of Eleanor Taft Etheridge – Aug. 25, 2014 –
Eleanor T. Etheridge, William D. Etheridge Jr., Mark A. Etheridge
Natalie T Andrews Revocable Trust – Aug. 16, 2023 – b. 17810 p. 343
Inventory Data:
| Street | Salem St |
| Place | Holt District |
| Historic District | Individual National Register Listing |
| Historic Name | Gray, David House |
| Present Use | residence |
| Original Use | farm and residence |
| Construction Date | 1812 |
| Source | early records - style - njs |
| Architectural Style | Other |
| Wall/Trim | clapboards |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | large barn to rear |
| Major Alterations | restored (1932) ell moved from original house across street (mid - 19th century) |
| Acreage | 3.58 acres; lot size: 27.49 acres??; approx. frontage: 1770' |
| Map and parcel | 27-7 |
| Recorded by | Stack/Mofford |
| Organization | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date entered | 1975 - 1977 |
