Themes: Architectural, Community development
Historical significance: Resident/owner, 1899 was B. Frank Wardwell (directory of Andover).

This property was once owned by Thomas C. Foster who sold the two acre 122 poles lot to Benjamin Franklin Wardwell, housewright, on July 21, 1840. for $300. The deed states the land "now enclosed with a stone wall around the same." The 1850 Andover Valuation schedule lists Benja. F. Wardwell Dwelling house $800. Barn $100. 3 acres land $275 and cow $20. Wardwell built many homes along Summer St. and in Andover during his lifetime. He also owned 41 Summer St. and 39 & 41 Washington Ave. Most likely income properties.

Benjamin Franklin Wardwell was born on Apr. 17, 1816 in Andover, son of David & Lydia (Morse) Wardwell. Benjamin, a carpenter and house-wright, married on June 14, 1843 at Salisbury, MA to Hannah E. Wells b. March 22, 1816 in Amesbury MA. Benjamin & Hannah had six children, Josephine Elizabeth b. July 30, 1844, Delia A. b. June 24, 1845, Louisa C. b. Apr. 3, 1847, Irene Sylvania b. July 25, 1853, Nelson H. B. b. Apr. 30, 1854 and Gertrude b. Dec. 18, 1855.

Wife Hannah died on Nov. 17, 1899 and in the 1900 Census just Benjamin and his daughter Delia live in the Wardwell home on Summer St. Ben died on Nov. 23, 1912 at the age of 96y 7m 6d to Chronic Bronchitis which he had for years, stated on his death certificate. He was Andover's oldest citizen at the time of his death. He is interred at Spring Grove Cemetery in the Wardwell family lot.

Benjamin Franklin Wardwell's estate went to his heirs; Nelson H. B. Wardwell, Delia A. Wardwell, Gertrude A. Roberts, Josephine E. Murkland, and Gertrude F. Batchelder, Arthur S. Roberts. Delia was also executrix of the Irene S. Wardwell's estate who died on June 15, 1916. Nelson, Delia and Gertrude A. Roberts were all in Lowell, MA at the time of sale. Gertrude A. and Arthur Roberts were the children of Louisa C. (Wardwell) Roberts.

The Wardwell property was sold to Eben Simmons, wife Annie on July 26, 1916. Simmons owned for just four years then sold to Thomas Murphy in Oct. 1920. Murphy held three years then selling to James G. & Elizabeth Thompson on Feb. 12, 1923. The Thompson family owned the home for 48 years.