Themes; Architectural, Community development

William Chickering was born Aug. 24, 1810 in Andover, son of Zachariah & Mary Osgood (Holt) Chickering. William married on Oct. 6, 1836 to Frances "Fanny" Noyes born Oct.13,1813 in West Andover, dau. of Frederick & Hannah Noyes. William & Fanny had five children but only one survived to adulthood: William H. b. July 3, 1837 - Sept. 3, 1837, Fanny M. b. Nov. 8, 1838 -d. Apr. 28, 1840, William Wallace b. July 9, 1841 - d. Feb. 22, 1843, George E. b. June 29, 1843 - d. 1913 and Emma J. b. Aug. 1, 1845 - d. Sept. 28, 1846. William Chickering was a master carpenter and had his shop next door to his home at 36 Elm St. His father died in 1841 and his mother Mary O. lived with them until her death on Feb. 11, 1856.

The 1850 Andover Valuation assessment schedule lists William Chickering: dwelling house $1175, Barn $200, Carpenters Shop $100., 3/4 acre lot $100.
William Chickering was town moderator 10 times (1858-1871), served on jury and on the committee studying plans for new town hall in 1853.

The Federal census list William & Fanny with son George and Hannah Chickering 42 in 1860 a tailoress. in 1870 and Ellis Berdick age 14 from RI at school boarder. in 1880 Wm. & Fanny have a domestic Julia Weston 58 from Maine with them. William died on June 5, 1880 and Fanny died on July 29, 1887. Both are interred in the family lot a South Parish Cemetery.

Son George Chickering b. June 29, 1843 graduated from Punchard High School, attended Phillips Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth 1866. George went on to become Supt. of Schools in Lawrence. George married Harriet A. b. 1843. In 1860 - 1910 Andover Valuation assessment books, George Chickering is listed as the owner.

The home was rented out after his parent's deaths. Debbie E. Carter, Frank S. Carter, George A. Carter (carpenter), James O. Carter lived here 1897-1898.
Geo. E. Chickering died in 1913 and his estate was administered by Geo. W. Chickering Extr. on Apr. 15, 1915. John C. & Annie S. Angus purchased the property on Oct. 25, 1915.

Mrs. Jane S. D. Smith lived here a few years c. 1910 - 1916 - Around 1910 Mrs. Smith purchased John Confectionary Bakery in Musgrove Building. Jane S. D. Smith estate, Barnett Rogers, Extr. - July 28, 1916.

William and Eileen Shorten purchased the property on Dec. 23, 1918 and lived here.

1918 William A. Shorten purchased old English type shingled barn, moved below to Chickering Ct. in 1932 and a house made of it. Barn now 4 Chickering Ct. (1932) (Mrs. Yako - before 1988) Built the three stall cement block garage owned 1988 built on foundation. Daughter Elizabeth May Shorten attended Abbot Academy but found it "too snooty" and graduated from Punchard High School in 1934. May married Dr. James Bell in 1960. James Bell died a short time after the marriage and May and her mother Eileen continued to live in the home. Eileen died about 1975-76 and E. May Shorten Bell continued to live out her years in her home.

May Bell left her property to the Free Christian Church upon her death in 1999.