Historical Narrative:
37 Essex St. – Sawyer - Gunnison House
The house on the right of the St. Augustine's Church in the center of the period image was built by Charles Richardson (wife Mary Chase). Charles purchased the lot on Feb. 16, 1836 for $150. We believe the house was built in 1836. The following year on April 1, 1837 Abigail Richardson purchased the property for $480. with building which was 36’ x 22’.
The home had remained on this site for 67 years when it was acquired by St. Augustine's Church and used as a rectory. The house was sold in 1904 with the provision that it be moved off the site for construct on the new brick rectory in use today.
AT Apr. 8, 1904 p.1 - The property of St. Augustine’s church on Essex Street is for sale and must be removed at an early date to allow the building of a new parochial residence, for which plans are underway. This property consists of two houses and one barn. See ad.
AT May 13, 1904 – p1. The parochial residence of the St. Augustine’s church has been removed to the lot on Pearson Street owned by P. J. Daley and will be repaired and renovated for a double tenement house. Work will begin on the new residence for the pastors within a short time.
p. 4 The stable adjoining the St. Augustine’s parochial residence recently purchased by P. J. Daly is being moved to a location in the rear of the latter’s store.
The house was moved to 2 Pearson Street and used a rental property by the Daly family. The house was razed in the 1960's.
Bibliography/References:
Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Andover Historical Society files
Andover Advertiser
Owners;
Eliphalet Pearson
Eliphalet Pearson estate, Trustees Ephriam Abbot, Stephen Gardner - Sept. 12, 1826
Joshua Ward of Salem, MA - Dec. 25, 1830 - $1267. - five parcels
Joshua Ward - Mar. 3, 1835 - b. 290 leaf 144 - plan
Jeremiah Goldsmith Jr. & Stephen Lovejoy - b. 290 leaf 143
Joshua Ward, of Salem, MA – 1830
Charles Richardson, wife Mary Chase, – Feb. 16, 1836 – b. 285 leaf 239 - $150.
Abigail Richardson – Apr. 1, 1837 – b. 300 leaf 105 - $480. – w/bld. 36’ x 22’ wide
George Foster Trust, Samuel Gray, John Harding Trustees – Jun. 3, 1837 – b. 302 leaf 200
Rebecca H. Foster, wife of Geo. – Apr. 27, 1841 – b. 341 leaf 175 – release
George Foster Trust, Samuel Gray & John Harding Trs., - Apr. 29, 1841 – b. 341 leaf 181 - $75
Charles Richardson – July 18, 1842 – b. 341 leaf 167 - $300. Release
Abigail Richardson estate, wife of John Weston, Adm. – 7/16/1842, rec Jan. 20, 1844 – b. 341 leaf 164
George Foster Trust, Samuel Gray & John Harding Trustees.
Aaron Sawyer Jr. – Jan. 19, 1844 – mtg. Trustees of P. Academy - $700
Aaron Sawyer Jr. – Oct. 16, 1846 – mtg. E. Foster, Wm. Johnson, Hbt. Clark - $300 – b. 375 leaf 205
Benjamin P. Saunders, wife Lavinia – May 3, 1847 – b. 381 leaf 142 - $2400
Aaron Sawyer Jr. – May 1, 1847 – b. 381 p. 248 - $1000 mtg.
Aaron Sawyer, wife Mary P. – Jan. 1, 1848 – b. 419 leaf 266 - $1000 mtg. assigned
Mary P. Sawyer, wife of Aaron Jr. – May 17, 1850 rec 9/4/1858 – b. 576 leaf 90
Charlotte C. Smith, wife of James H. – May 17, 1850 – b. 576 leaf 89 - $500 Mtg. assign. & Poss.
James H. Smith - Oct. 29, 1864 - b. 678 leaf 281
Charlotte S. Smith, wife of James H.
Abiah & Mary Ann Gunnison - July 5, 1870 - b. 5 p. 110
Mary Ann Gunnison estate, Abiah Gunnison - Feb. 6, 1905 - Probate
Abiah Gunnison estate, Geo. H. Poor, Extr. - Nov. 13, 1911 - Probate
Charles E. Abbott - Dec. 6, 1911 rec. Nov. 6, 1912 - b. 323 p. 277
Charles E. Abbott estate, heir Frances W. Abbott - Probate will #169642
Clifford E. & Ruth Marshall - Jan. 17, 1941 - b. 637 p. 290 - 2nd parcel
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston - Aug. 8, 1956 - b. 838 p. 424
Inventory Data:
| Street | Essex St |
| Place | Andover Center District |
| Historic District | Not Applicable |
| Historic Name | Sawyer - Gunnison House |
| Present Use | Church parking lot |
| Original Use | residence |
| Source | ECRDS, ENRDL, style-njs |
| Architectural Style | Greek Revival |
| Foundation | stone/granite/brick |
| Wall/Trim | clapboards/wood |
| Roof | asphalt - gable |
| Condition | razed 1958-1959 |
| Acreage | .09894 acre, 5/8th acre |
| Setting | residential/business |
| Map and parcel | 55-62 |
| Recorded by | James S. Batchelder |
| Organization | Andover Preservation Commission |
| Date entered | May 1, 2017 |
