Themes: architectural, community development
First Owners: Pingree, Daniel & Elizabeth (from 5/20/39)

The history of the property includes Hobart Clark who sold two parcels of his land in 1846, of about 10 acres, to Mortimer C. Ferris, a Boston merchant. Ferries later sold the property to George J. Thornton on July 1, 1851. Thornton paid $3100 for the land and took mortgage loans from Ferris. George Thornton was a gardener and had an extensive garden nursery and home on the property. Thornton later sold to George H. French on on Mar. 25, 1856. French had assumed the Ferris mortgage loan to Thornton in 1853. French then sold to Charles B Clark, wife Lydia of Concord, MA, a Bookbinder on Mar. 25, 1856. Clark paid $3000 for dwelling house and 10 acres of land.

Clark took a mortgage loan with the Trustees of Phillips Academy for $1200 in 1856 but was declared insolvent on Feb. 2, 1857. His estate was assigned to Moses D. Phillips of Boston and sold on June 12, 1857 to George L. Abbott & Moses Clement, both house-wrights and business partners. Abbott & Clement paid $1500 for the property and assumed the PA mortgage. It is not known if Abbott & Clement enhanced the property at that time but they did hold the parcel for two years. They then sold to Samuel Raymond on Aug. 9, 1859 for $525 plus assuming the outstanding mortgage.

Samuel Raymond, wife Emily F. M. owned for eight years then selling to Rev. Francis H. Johnson on Feb. 11, 1867. Johnson paid $10,000. for the house and 10 acres. Johnson added three more parcels to his property which had at that time a commanding view of Andover from his hill top home. Rev Johnson married Mary A. "Marcy" Dove b. 1840 - d. 1867?, daughter of John Dove, of the Smith & Dove Manufacturing Co. in Andover. This residence remained in the Johnson family until 1934. The estate was sold to Fred E. Cheever, an Andover native and Real estate agent.

Fred E. Cheever who created "Johnson Acres" housing development on the former Johnson estate. The mansion house was razed and the main driveway became Johnson Rd. with Cheever Circle, Cedar Rd. Coolidge and Cabot Roads. Cheever embraced the Colonial Revival style and many of the homes built reflect that style. His lots were sold with certain deed restrictions including each home had to worth at least $8000, a single family residence, with setbacks, garage stipulations and no per-fabricated homes were allowed.