440 Lowell Street 197-8

The current home on this property was built in 2012 in a style and form of the original Eastlake sick style cottage that was built in 1878. The cottage was built for Lewis J. Foster b. 1851, a Sewing machine agent. Lewis purchased the lot from Paul B. Follansbee on March 5, 1878 for $75. The 1880 Census list Lewis, wife Ella F. age 22 and son Orin F. age 2. Their ownership was short lived as the property was taken by the courts when Clara B. Hamor sued for $46.90 owed her by Foster.

The property was auctioned off and Emma J. Buffum of Boston purchased the home for $300. It is not known if this was a summer home or a rental property for her. Emma married a man named Brewer and owned the cottage for thirty years. She sold to George M. Hunter on June 9, 1911.

George Matthew Hunter was born June 28, 1873 in Lawrence, son of John & Marion Maria (Colquhoun) Hunter, both Scottish immigrants. George was the youngest of three children to John and Marion, two brothers John W. b. July 18, 1866 - d. Sept. 28, 1873 and Alexander b. 1868. His mother Marion died on Feb. 23, 1875. The 1880 census lists George Hunter age 7, as adopted son, living with his grandfather John Colquhoun age 75 and his two children, Alexander age 25 a butcher and Elizabeth age 28 mill worker. George would continue to live with his Aunt Elizabeth Colquhoun. In 1900 they had moved to Andover and rented at 234 Main St. George is an upholsterer. George later went to work for the American Woolen Co., lived in Methuen and became manager of the bag and burlap mill on Canal St. in Lawrence. The 1920 Census lists George at Lowell St., age 45, with his Aunt Elizabeth now 75.

George married on June 21, 1922 to Beatrice Elizabeth Monroe b. Aug. 12, 1895 in Bradford, MA dau. of Joseph W. & Grace Jane (McGillivray) Monroe. George would own three homes in a row, 440, 442 and 444 Lowell St. The 1920 Andover Valuation lists: George M. Hunter, (#440) Lowell St. - House, $950, Barn $150, ¼ acre $50, House #1 $600, House #2 $700, 4 acres $300 = $2750.

George bought an 8.23 acre parcel at 36 Haggetts Pond Rd. from the American Woolen Co. on Aug. 10, 1926. The former Seth Chase homestead farm which also included the lot now at #48 Haggetts Pond Rd. The railroad line ran along the west boarder of the farm and had closed down in August 1924. It is believed that George moved the Haggetts Station depot from the north side of Lowell St. to 48 Haggetts Pond. George died on Dec. 22, 1928 and his widow Beatrice remained in the Lowell St. house at #440. Beatrice rented the cottage house at #48 to her sister and brother-in-law Clare I. & Andrew K. Innes in 1930.

Beatrice (Monroe) Hunter would remarry after WWII and moved to Claremont, New Hampshire but she held on to this property until 1955. Her brother Raymond A. Munroe purchased the home at #444 Lowell St. on Aug. 21, 1934.

Beatrice sold this cottage to J. Louis & Madeline M. Peront on Nov. 29, 1955. Joseph Louis b. 1920 in Lawrence, MA son of Clemont G. & Marie L. Peront. He worked as a shuttle maker in a bobbin factory in Lawrence. The Lawrence directory in 1956 list him as assistant Terminal manager for Jenkins Transportation. Madeline b. 1915, a housewife in 1961. They had three children, sons, Henry Joseph b. 1943, Rene Louis b. 1944 and dau. Madeline Marie b. 1946. All graduates of Andover High School 1961, 1962 and 1964. Louis died Oct. 19, 1969 and his widow Madeline placed the deed in her name and daughter Madeline. The Peront family owned for 55 years. The property was sold in 2011 to T.P.T Properties, LLC of Bedford, MA. The home was razed and the current home built in 2012.