Themes: Architectural, Commerce, Community development, Religion
Present owner: Christ Episcopal Church
Early owner: Dr. Samuel Johnson
Subsequent uses: tenement house (1850 - 1860), then church guest house, administration offices from 1904.

Historical significance: Given to Christ Church Parish, 1904 by the George K. W. Gallishan family, his nephew Samuel W. George. This home, with rectory, burial ground, once described by Bishop William Lawrence as "probably the largest church property owned by any parish in Massachusetts" Now named Glebe House by the church, "Glebe" is an ecclesiastical term from medieval times, meaning land belonging to or yielding revenue to a parish church. In the past, the church rented out rooms to boarders for additional income. Also used as guest house for church visitors at conferences, and administrative offices for the church.

Recent research (2026); This property was once owned by Widow Sarah Barker, born abt. 1715-17 and died on Jan. 31, 1803 age 88 yrs. (86yrs c.r.2). Sarah was a widow of means as she is listed as a “gentlewoman” in deeds. She held extensive property along Central St. and sold parcels to Jonathan Swift in 1794 for his homestead at 23 Central St. Sarah joined South Church on Sept. 19, 1779.

This property was purchased by Sarah’s grandson David Hall, on Sept. 10, 1795, for 150 pounds. David Hall was the son of William & Christina Barbara (Junchen) Hall. His father William was a Victualler” who died the month before on Aug. 6, 1795, of fever at age 57y. William & Christina had eight children; six born in Andover. The oldest David, b. Jan, 1764, Joseph b. abt. 1866, then,= in Andover, William b. May 13, 1768, John, b. Feb. 2, 1771, Henry b. July 29, 1772, Alfe b. 1774-d. July 16, 1775, Jacob b. Aug. 20, 1777, and Benjamin b. June 1, 1779.

David Hall, yeoman, married on Dec. 25, 1787, to Lydia Holt b. Apr. 18, 1767, dau. of Joseph & Ruth (Johnson) Holt. No issue; David was killed in the Powder-house explosion in Andover on Oct. 17, 1796, age 32 yrs. 8m. and is interred in South Parish Cemetery. Lydia joined South Church on April 16, 1797, and that Aug. sold her right of dower in the property for $100 to Joseph Hall of Montreal, Canada., a Hatter, & John Hall of Hanover, NH merchant, brothers of David. All the brothers appear to have had inheritance right, via their father, as they all quit claimed the property to their mother Christiana, after the death of Sarah Barker on Jan. 31, 1803. Lydia remarried on June 10, 1798, to Lt. Nathan Town and in 1800 moved to the North Parish.

The property was sold to Jonathan Swift (#23 Central St.) on Sept. 1, 1804, for $600 house 90 poles. Jonathan Swift died suddenly on Mar. 4, 1808, at age 49. Widow Silence Swift and Swift's nephews & nieces inherited part of his estate. Silence Swift is deeded this Tenement house and the tan yard across the street on Apr. 16, 1813. She then sells to
Nathaniel Swift, Phys. on Apr. 26, 1813, for $2100. Swift held the homestead and sold this property to Abiel Upton Jt. in 1817.

Abiel Upton, Jr. a "Trader", who married Abigail A. Carlton of Bradford, MA in July 1816. intentions recorded on July 13. A deed reference states a loan mortgage of $1000. from Nathaniel Abbot on Oct. 1, 1817 (rec. Dec. 3, 1817), at the time Upton sells the property in1827. Abiel Upton sold the property with buildings for $1500 to Samuel Johnson Jr., a Physician on July 23, 1827. The deed was not recorded until May 16, 1832. Abiel Upton died on Aug. 15, 1831, age 74, and is interred at South Parish Cemetery. Dr. Johnson may have held deed and then had it registered to aid in settling Upton's estate.

Dr. Samuel Johnson Jr. was born in Andover on May 10, 1800, son of Samuel & Mary Johnson. Samuel married on November 21, 1827, to Susanna Barker b. Jan. 29, 1806, daughter of Nathan & Sarah Barker. Samuel & Susanna had five children; Samuel b. April 20, 1831, John b. Oct. 10, 1833, Mary Elizabeth b. Mar. 28, 1835, Charles Henry b. Nov. 14, 1840, and Susan Maria b. Aug. 14, 1843. Johnson would own the home twice. Samuel first sold the property to brothers, John Marland and William S. Marland on Dec. 24, 1835. for $3500. The property was 3 acres then and included the current site of the Christ Church Vestry and Parsonage and a portion of the lot behind the house at 8 Brook Street. That strip of land would be later sold to Pamela Wood foe $25. which was 12' wide on Brook St., 82' deep and 13' across the rear of the piece. The deed to the Marland's stated no buildings could be built or trees planted on the piece.

The Marland brothers divided the lot up and sold to the Proprietors of the Protestant Episcopal Church on Andover about 2 acres of the Johnson property between the Johnson house and Mark Newman's property, (#33 Central St) now the site of the current Christ Church Sanctuary building and the section of School St. to the depot.

Andover historians have stated that "Originally built by Dr. Samuel Johnson for use as store, because it was on old Post Road to Boston. Later Johnson converted it into a two-story tenement." The sale price to the Marland brothers suggests the home was much improved since Johnson purchase in 1827.
("Central St. is the oldest through-road in town - Bessie Goldsmith", once called Boston Rd. & the road from So. Parish meeting house to North Parish meeting house.) The Old Andover - Wilmington railroad (1838-1848) passed almost through front yard as it crossed Central Street to the depot on Essex St.

John & William S. Marland held the property just four years then selling on May 11, 1839, to James Clark, a Physician and William P. Millett, a Tailor, who owned a men's clothing store in the Derby Block at 2 Main St. on Elm Sq. Clark & Millett paid $3500 for the one acre property and two-family house. The home was owned jointly for six years then sold for $3800. to Hannah Towne, wife of Moses on May 10, 1845. Towne owned just four years and had moved to Danvers, MA when she sold the property back to
Dr. Samuel Johnson Jr., and wife Susanna on May 9, 1849, rec. Apr. 15, 1851, for $3500.

The Andover Valuation Schedule for 1850 lists Johnson's real estate; Dwelling house & barn on 1 acre $3500., 20-acre High Plain lot $750., 27 A. Woodhill $400, 20 A. Preston Plain $500, 20 A Blanchard land $200, and 5 acres near M. Goodhue $45. for a $5395 assessment. Dr. Samuel Johnson died of Consumption on Feb. 28, 1854, and his wife Susanna inherited the estate. Susanna held the property another 12 years before selling to George K. W. Gallishan on Mar. 15, 1866.

George Knox Warren Gallishan was born in Portland, Maine on Jan. 10,1810, son of Isaac & Rebecca H. (Jenkins) Gallishan, formerly of Newburyport, MA. George was a Hatter and fur trader. George first married to Elizabeth Emery Atkinson of Newbury, MA, their intention published Feb. 11, 1831. Elizabeth was b. May 31, 1810, in Newbury, dau. of Moses Little & Charlotte (Dutch) Atkinson. George & Elizabeth had six children of which 3 survived: Mary Little b. Oct. 31, 1832, George Lewis b. May 28, 1836, Moses Henry b. July 10, 1837 – d. Sept. 18, 1837, Elizabeth Atkinson b. May 2, 1839 - d. Aug. 7, 1839, Charles Atkinson b. May 25, 1840, and Elizabeth Atkinson b. Aug. 1845 - d. Aug. 19, 1845. Sadly, his wife Elizabeth dies of Consumption on Aug. 3, 1845, at age 35 years after giving birth to their daughter Elizabeth.

George remarried on Mar. 30, 1848, at Plaistow, NH to Ruth Ann George of Plymouth, NH, b. Jan. 3,1826 dau. of Eaton & Ruth Williams (Dow) George. They had one son Frank Willis b. June 2, 1849, who died of dysentery on Sept. 17, 1849. The 1850 Census lists them living in the home of Benjamin & Elizabeth Abbot on Main St (#18 brick house). George age 40, Ruth 26, Mary L. 17, George L. 14 and Charles A. 10. They later lived at 162 North Main 1860-1866.
The 1870 Census lists George & Ruth with a house servant Ann F. Carey age 18. The other tenement was occupied by Mary H. Clement age 55, and her family; May F. age 27, Sarah A. L. 35, Clara E. 17 and Hattie A. Clement age 14. Moses H. Goodwin 19, carpenter boards with the Clements. George's Fur business was located in Boston at 180 Washington St. in 1870.

Ruth Gallishan died of Congestion of the Brain, on Oct. 16, 1874. Ruth's sister, "Mrs. Mehitable W. Blodgett, who came from Haverhill to keep house." Ruth was one of six children, 3 brothers and two younger sisters. Mehitable W. George was b. Apr. 3, 1829 in Plymouth, NH, married Henry Sewell Blodgett on Nov. 3, 1846 in Hampstead, NH. They had two daughters who died young; Ada E. b. 1847 - d. 1850 and Eliza Gertrude b. 1849 – d. 1850 in Bradford, MA. Henry died on Jan. 1, 1874 and Mehitable came to Andover, perhaps to help care for her sister. George died of Apoplexy on April 24, 1878. age 68y 3m 14d. In George’s will, dated Dec. 1, 1874, he bequeathed his estate and house to Mehitable Blodgett as his wife’s only living sibling. George did not provide anything to his surviving children.

Mehitable was the executrix of George’s estate. His children contested the will but withdrew after the court upheld Georges’ directive. The money was placed in trust for Mehitable and her only directive was to give $25 quarterly to the Christ Church “which I entertain a devoted & loving attachment.”
Mrs. Blodgett remained several years as housekeeper. The 1885 Directory lists her here (16 Central cor. of Brook) and also Samuel Phillips. She is listed in 1900 Census in Haverhill, MA with her widowed nephew Samuel Wesley George Jr. age 32, b. Aug. 1862. He was son of her brother Samuel W. George who died on Jan. 4,1863 in VA while serving in the Civil War. Mehitable died on Feb. 12, 1902, in Haverhill. Samuel George Jr. was willed the property and sold it to the Christ Church for one dollar on Oct. 19, 1904. The deed came with one stipulation, the perpetual care of the Gallishan family lot in the church cemetery.

The home was rented out for several years and has been noted that Nellie Bliss, daughter of Arthur Bliss once lived here. The 1920 Census lists Nellie age 37, as a clerk at the Post Office. Agnes Pickett age 49 her cousin and boarders Thaxter Eaton 32, Social Worker, wife Lucy A.E. 33 & Alice Coutts 42, both teachers.

Andover historian Charlotte Helen Abbot stated - "David Hall lived here. He was killed in explosion at powerhouse, during the American Revolution." David actually died on October 17, 1796, in the explosion along with Peter McCarty age 21 yrs., after the war had concluded.