239 River Road

Architectural Description: 

Style: Georgian
chimney datestone

Historical Narrative: 

Themes: Agricultural, architectural, Community development
Early owner: David Abbot
Address change: was #237 new house number #239 (1988)
Moses Dorman 1830 map of Andover cites D. Abbot
June 1990, Andover Preservation Award for exterior preservation

This property was once owned by David Abbot, wife Priscilla and then son David Abbot Jr., wife Mary. Ezra Abbott 2nd loaned David Abbott $700 on Jan. 1, 1842, holding the deed. Ezra Abbott would later obtain the property on Sept. 10, 1852 which included the house, barn and 47 acres of land on the north side of the road leading from Timothy Bailey's house to Parker's ferry. Ezra Abbott was born in 1802 and died on Feb. 25, 1890 at 88y 10m 5d. Ezra was first married to Hannah B. b. 1813 died Nov. 8, 1860.
Ezra Abbott heirs: Harry P. Abbott, wife Mary and Hattie R. (Abbott) Hardy, wife of Lewis T. in 1890.

The 47 acre property was then sold to John Wesley Henderson on Dec. 16, 1891 for $2500. John was b. 1859 died Jan 30, 1937. His son Harold H. Henderson then inherited the farm. With Harold's death on Feb. 11, 1960 his children; Ernest J, George R. William H. Henderson and daughters Clare M. Gehly and Janice H. Henderson inherit the property. The Henderson heirs then sell to J.C. Ryan Construction Co. of Lynnfield, MA on Nov. 7, 1963. The homestead lot was then divided off and the remaining acreage developed into housing lots.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex Country Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
see also Barn Survey1988 - Andover Historical Society
Andover maps; 1830, 1852, 1872, 1888, 1906
Map plan #4943 - Jan. 30, 1964 - J. C. Ryan Const. Co.
Plan #522 - William Bailey land - Aug. 23, 1923

Owners:
David Abbott, wife Priscilla - June 2, 1823 - mtg deeds - b. 232 p. 108 & 110
David Abbott, wife Mary G. - Jan. 1, 1842
Ezra Abbott 2nd - Jan. 1, 1842 - b. 330 leaf 162 - mtg. deed
Ezra Abbott - Apr. 5, 1852 - b. 458 leaf 175 - 47 acres
Erza Abbott - Sept. 10, 1852 - b. 465 leaf 288 - 47 acres
Ezra Abbott estate - d. Feb. 25, 1890 -
Ezra Abbott heirs: Harry P. Abbott and Hattie R. Hardy - 1890
Harry P. Abbott, wife Mary - Apr. 21, 1890 - b. 106 p. 395
John Wesley Henderson - Dec. 16, 1891 - b. 116 p. 185
John W. Henderson estate - died Jan. 30, 1937 - Probate #187215
Henderson heir; son Harold H. Henderson - 1937
Harold H. Henderson estate - died Feb. 11, 1960 - Probate #269050
H. H. Henderson heirs; Ernest J., George R., William H., Janice H. Henderson, Clare M. Gehly - Oct. 29, 1963
J. C. Ryan Construction Co., of Lynnfield, MA - 1963 - b. 1000 pgs. - 379 - 382
John J. & Catherine D. Lynch - Mar. 11, 1965 - b. 1029 p. 341
Leonard W. & Elaine S. Perry - Nov. 5, 1976 - b. 1296 p. 125
Charles M. & Marian C. Bicking - Apr. 7, 1989 - b. 2912 p. 279

Inventory Data:

StreetRiver Rd
PlaceAbbott District - West Parish - West Andover
Historic DistrictNot Applicable
Historic NameAbbot, David House
Present Useresidence
Original Useresidence - farm
Construction Date1711, 18th century
SourceECRDS, ENRDL, style-njs
Architectural StyleOther
Foundationstone/granite
Wall/Trimclapboards/wood
Roofasphalt - gable
Outbuildings / Secondary Structures2 large barns (1975)
Major Alterations18th century barn demolished (1989)
Conditionexcellent
Acreage1.01 acres; lot size: 43,979 sq. ft.; approx. frontage: 162'
Settingresidential
Map and parcel204-2
Recorded byN. J. Stack/Mofford, James Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered1975-1977, 1/19/2016

Map: