24 Florence Street

Historical Narrative: 

Florence Street was constructed in 1885. The south end portion (Park St.) of two acres and 28,045 sq. ft. was owned by Hannah W. Foster, wife of Joseph W. Foster. Hannah sold the parcel to William Wood, a carpenter for $1900 on March 13, 1883. Wood built his home at 66 Park St. and house lots extended on both sides up to #21 and #24. The north end portion (Elm St.) on the east side was the former Moses Abbot Jr. homestead at #49 Elm St. Owned by his son George T. Abbott, also a Housewright, who was partners with William S. Jenkins in the firm Abbott & Jenkins. The Abbot parcel extended to #20. The west side of Florence St. to #17 was formerly owned by the Henry Burtt estate formerly at #35-#37 Elm St.

Andover Advertiser (AA) Oct. 2, 1885 - pg. 2 col. 9, “The new way between Park and Elm has been completed by Nathan F. Abbott, the contractor, and accepted by the Selectman. Several names have been suggested……”
House lots were then created and sold to a variety of residents. Oct. 16, 1885 AA, The house of Andrew McTernan on New Street is up and the outside is finished, ready for occupancy next month.

This home at 24 Florence St. was the first to be competed on the new street. Andrew McTernan purchased the lot for $500. from William Wood, deed recorded on Dec. 10, 1885. Andrew added two small pieces to his lot from William Wood. Andover McTrenan was born Dec. 12, 1857 in Boston, son of Farrell & Margaret (Wood) McTernan both born in Northern Ireland. Andrew worked at the Tyer Rubber Co. in Andover and became the Superintendent of the company. Andrew married on Nov. 24, 1881 to Emma Frances Bodwell b. Nov. 12, 1860 in Salem, MA daughter of Frederick Lewis & Martha C. (Shaw) Bodwell. Andrew & Emma had two children; Alice Marion b. May 28, 1883 and Malcolm b. May 21, 1884. McTernan owned the home for 20 years. He would move around the corner to 66 Whittier St. Andrew McTernan sold to Irving E. Murch, wife Nellie on Feb. 20, 1905. Murch held for two years then selling to Alexander Brown on Sept. 9, 1907. The 1920 Valuation schedule list Alexander Brown assessment; 24 Florence St - House $2400, Barn & shed $300, 11000 sq. ft. land $1300.

With the death Alexander Brown in 1923 his estate went to his children; Ann Glen Brown, Mary R. Brown, Alexandrina B. Sparks, Williamina G. Reynolds, , James H. Brown, Annie G. B. Neil and Pearl B. Thompson. Brown's estate was administered by Cyrus W. Scott, Henry A. Bodwell, Extrs on Mar. 29, 1923. The property was quit claimed by the heirs and sold to Lillian M. Scott, wife of Cyrus W. Scott on Apr. 30, 1923. Cyrus Scott was a Physician and they lived at 89 Main St. This property was investment property for Lillian.

Esther A. Johnson purchased the house on Oct. 21, 1929 and owned for seven years. Arthur L. & Mary C. Coleman purchased the property on Apr. 18, 1936. Arthur b. 1895 was a Mailman. Mary C. b. 1896 a housewife. Their children Arthur Jr., James J. Coleman, Mary C. Greco inherit the property.

Kathleen M. Sheehy, wife of Augustine, purchased the house on Apr. 30, 1981 and later sold to her son Jeffrey D. Sheehy on Sept. 2, 1983.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA

Owners;
Hannah W. Foster, wife of Joseph W. - 1883 - 2 acres + land
William Wood - Mar. 13, 1883 - b. 71 p. 252 - 2 acres + land
Andrew McTernan - Dec. 10, 1885 - b. 84 p. 272 - lot $500
Andrew McTernan - May 17, 1888 - b. 155 p. 123 - 2 sm. parcels $70
Andrew McTernan - Feb. 17, 1905 - b. 218 p. 437 - Wood release
Irving E. Murch, wife Nellie - Feb. 20, 1905 - b. 218 p. 438
Alexander Brown - Sept. 9, 1907 - b. 252 p. 256
Alexander Brown estate, Cyrus W. Scott, Henry A. Bodwell, Extrs. Mar. 29, 1923
Brown heirs; Ann G, Mary R., James H. Brown, Alexandrina B. Sparks, Williamina G. Reynolds, Annie G. B. Neil, Pearl B. Thompson
Brown heirs - May 1, 1923 - b. 476 p. 588 - Quit claim
Lillian M. Scott, wife of Cyrus W. - Apr. 30, 1923 - b. 476 p. 589
Esther A. Johnson - Oct. 21, 1929 - b. 549 p. 386
Arthur L. & Mary C. Coleman - Apr. 18, 1936 - b. 614 p. 474
Arthur L. Coleman estate, Arthur Jr., James J. Coleman, Mary C. Greco - Probate
Kathleen M. Sheehy - Apr. 30, 1981 - b. 1502 p. 45
Jeffrey D. Sheehy - Sept. 2, 1983 - b. 1717 p. 216
24 Florence St. Trust, Jeffrey D. Sheehy -Tr. - Feb. 6, 1987 - b. 2429 p. 226
Tat Kwong Cheung - May 7, 1991 - b. 3251 p. 172
Anthony S. & Ann L. Conte - Nov. 10, 1995 - b. 4380 p. 90
24 Florence St. LLC, Anthony & Ann Conte - Nov. 6, 2006 - b. 10480 p. 29
Nathan James - Aug. 8, 2014 - b. 13942 p. 11

Inventory Data:

StreetFlorence St
PlaceAndover Center District
Historic DistrictAndover Historic Building Survey
Historic NameAndrew McTernan House
Present Useresidence - two family
Original Useresidence - two family
Construction Date1885
SourceECRDS, ENRDL, style-njs
Architectural StyleQueen Anne
Foundationstone/granite
Wall/Trimclapboard/wood/vinyl siding
Roofasphalt - gable
Outbuildings / Secondary Structuresattached barn/garage
Major Alterationsvinyl siding, replacement windows
Conditionexcellent
Acreage0.286 acre,
Settingresidential/business
Map and parcel39-82
Recorded byJames S. Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date enteredApril 9, 2017

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