47 Whittier Street – (formerly Punchard Ave)
Whittier Street was named after Nathaniel Whittier who lived at 10 Summer Street and much of the property along the route was part of his homestead. This street was an extension of Punchard Ave originally extending around the south and east side of the “Park” and through to Elm Street. All early deeds state Punchard Ave.

Daniel F. Shannon acquired most of the land on the east side of Whittier Street from Chestnut to Summer Street. Shannon was a housewright, built several homes in this neighborhood and lived at 19 Summer St. Daniel sold this property to Walter S. Donald on Sept. 23, 1873. Donald then sold the lot to Ephraim J. Day on Mar. 23, 1874.
AA Aug 14, 1874 – E.J. Day is putting in a cellar and will speedily build a neat cottage house upon his lot on Punchard Ave. AA
AA Nov. 13, 1874 – A [E.] J. Day’s house on Punchard Avenue has been raised and boarded, and the work upon it is rapidly progressing.

Ephraim Jackson Day was born Sept. 8, 1852 in Bastard Township, Leeds Co. Ontario, Canada, son of Albert & Eme Day. Ephraim was a Cabinetmaker when he married on Oct. 28, 1877 to Emily “Emma” Augusta Herrick b. 1858 in NH dau. of Benjamin & Mary Herrick. Ephraim later became a brakeman for the B&M Railroad. They owned the home five years then sold to Thomas & Rhoda Howell on Feb. 20, 1879. Rhoda A. (Day) Howell was Ephraim’s Aunt.

Thomas Howell was born Aug. 12, 1835 in Lancashire, England, son of Ambrose and Ann Howell. Thomas moved to Leeds Co. Ontario and is listed in the 1861 census as a Stone Cutter. Thomas married Nov. 3, 1861 in Bastard Township, Leeds, Co. to Rhoda A. Day b. Apr. 1837 same Township dau. of Robert & Leticia Day. Ephriam’s father Albert was the oldest son of Robert & Leticia and Rhoda the youngest of eight children. The Howells came to the US via Ogdensburg, NY on June 8, 1863. Thomas was a carpenter and businessman. He went into the furniture business and built the Howell Block at 10 Park Street in 1884.

July 18, 1884 - Andover Advertiser pg. 3. col 1. The brick work of Howell's Block on Park Street is completed and the roof put on. Mr. Howell will soon occupy the second story above his furniture business.
May 8, 1885 AA – Thomas Howell has taken his old stand on Park Street and will continue the furniture and upholstering business as aforementioned. See Advert elsewhere. Advert says New Brick Block, Park Street.
Thomas Howell is painting his house on Punchard Avenue occupied by Benjamin White.

Thomas died prior to 1900 and all his holdings were held in Rhoda Howell’s name. Rhoda was living with her nephew John Howell on Summer St. in 1900. This house remained with the family until 1941 and was rented out. Rhoda died in 1925.

Charles A. & Bessie J. Gregory were renting this house in 1935 and purchased on April 17, 1941. Charles Alfred Gregory b. Aug. 3, 1894 in Woodstock Valley, CT, son of Alma I. Charles served in WWI in US Navy RF Seaman 1st Class. Charles was elected in 1924 as a history teacher at Punchard High School, Andover, MA. Charles was a graduate of Bates College and Boston University. During his tenure he served as Acting Principal 1949-1950. At Andover High School he also served as boy’s guidance counselor. Charles & Bessie had two daughters, Jeannie b. 1926 and Ruth b. 1928. Charles retired in June 1961 and died on May 19, 1962. Bessie died in 1984. Both are interred at Spring Grove Cemetery.