Present owner: Trustees of Phillips Academy

Themes: Architectural, Community development

Historical significance: Intact and well maintained building. Strong vertical emphasis of windows well-balanced by horizontal lines of cornices and porch. A tight, distinguished design.

This home was built for Richard & Eliza A. Moore in the late 1860's. Richard Moore was born in England in 1793 son of Thomas & Elizabeth Moore. Richard came to Andover and married on Oct. 26, 1843 to Elizabeth Abbott Phelps, b. Oct. 29, 1803, daughter of Joseph & Rebecca Phelps. They had one son Joseph R. Phelps b. abt 1849. Richard was a Printer by trade. In May 1870 they took a small mortgage from George W. Foster, which was later paid off in 1875. The deed mentioned the homestead that they now occupy. Wife Eliza had predeceased Richard Moore who died on Oct. 15, 1878. Richard's estate was administered by George Foster who sold the property at auction in June 1879.

Andover Advertiser; June 13, 1879 Administrators Sale Saturday July 5 all the real estate of Richard Moore, late of Andover, deceased… located on Salem street…consists of house and barn together with one hundred and forty-eight squares rods of land, therewith connected….bounded by land of Asa A. Abbott, George Gutterson and Salem Street, on three sides by stone wall and Salem street by fence.” The highest bidder at $1100 was Abbott Erving and the deed was recorded on July 5, 1879.

Abbott Erving b. in 1856 in NY was the son of William & Joanna Abbott (Chandler) Erving. Abbott Erving was the Janitor at Stowe School and the public schools. Abbot transferred 2/3 of the title to his mother Joanna Erving and his sister Harriett Louise "Hattie" Erving on Jan. 23, 1884. The father William b. 1826 in NY, is not listed as living with his family in 1880. Joanna Abbott Erving was born on Nov. 4, 1828 daughter of Job & Lucy Chandler of Andover. Joanna died on March 14, 1900. Husband William died on Dec. 12, 1914. Hattie L. Erving was listed as a teacher in 1880 Census and later working in the office at Phillips Academy. Hattie died on Feb. 15, 1922 and her brother Abbot on July 24, 1923. Abbott was married to Mary Bell. All are interred at South Parish Cemetery, Andover..

In April 1909 Hattie takes a mortgage from the Trustees of Phillips Academy. The surname is now written in the deeds as Hattie L. Irving. The property was sub-divided and a new home built next door at #43 Salem Street which Hattie then occupied until 1915 when she moved back to this property.

With the sub-division of the property and an un-recorded deed the property deed titles had to be settled in Land Court. Dec. 31, 1914. This was after the death of her father. The property at #45 Salem St. was numbered #43 during the Irving ownership and changed to #45 when the two lots were separated and the newer Ingram house was assigned #43 Salem St.

Hattie Irving then sold #45 and #43 to Mary J. Ingram on Feb. 24, 1915 who then sold the divided property at #45 Salem St. to Julia M. Biery, wife of Thomas J. on June 24, 1915. Thomas is a Superintendent for the American Woolen Co in Lawrence, MA. . Thomas J. & Julia Biery reside at #45 in 1937 Directory. The deed Certificate was certified by Mary J. Ingram and Abbott & Mary Ingram on Nov. 11, 1922 (Ctf. #1168 & #1169) Julie & Thomas Biery took a mortgage in Nov. 1922 via the Andover Savings Bank but was later foreclosed on April 1, 1940. Emery J. Trott purchased the deed at auction for $7830. Emery Trott lived across the street at #48 Salem St. He then sold the Moore - Irving House to the Trustees of Phillips Academy on June 27, 1940.

Robert A. Domingue “Phillips Academy, Andover MA.” 1990 p.46 - It is interesting to note that the former Biery House further up Salem Street was named Benner House when it was converted to dormitory use in 1940 but was changed to Erving House when the AGC Society House reverted to Academy control and was called Benner House.