51-53 Bartlet Street

Architectural Description: 

Double story bay windows, two family home on corner lot

Historical Narrative: 

This property was once owned by Jonathan Towle and contained much of the current Chapman Ave. properties extending to Main Street. Jonathan Towle was born in Epsom, NH on Mar. 8, 1808, son of Benjamin & Betsey (Wood) Towle. Jonathan married on April 2, 1842 in Andover to Almira Emery b. Sept. 21, 1815 in NH. Jonathan & Almira had six children, three girls and three boys; Mary Elizabeth b. 1843, Martha Emery b. 1845, George E. b. 1847, Charles C. b. 1854 Anna M. b. 1857 and James Albert b. 1859.

In the 1860 and 1870 Federal census records Jonathan Towle is listed as a Railroad Station Agent. In 1880 he is a farmer. Jonathan owned several properties in the immediate area of Bartlet and Morton Streets. Jonathan died on Jan. 7, 1899 at age 90. Almira had died ten years earlier on Mar. 25, 1889. George H. Poor was the Administrator for Towle's estate. Poor sells the property for $11,000 to Rose A. Chapman, wife of Ovid Chapman on Mar. 28, 1899. The deed states the property includes the homestead the Jonathan had been living in. It is not yet known if it was this home or one located on Chapman Ave.

Rose A. Chapman held the deeds to the property on Chapman Ave and Bartlet St. Ovid Chapman was a developer in town, built several homes for income properties and is most likely the builder of 51 - 53 Bartlet Street. Chapman also moved several buildings to create new tenements. Ovid died in Feb. 1918. at age 78. Rose A. Chapman owned the property for 26 years then selling to
Alexander & Margaret Petrie on Sept. 17, 1926. The Petrie family owned the property for 68 years.

Alexander & Margaret occupied the home the remainder of their lives. Margaret died on Jan. 15, 1963. Alexander then placed the property in both his name and his son John P. T. Petrie on Mar. 26, 1965 with life tenancy. Alexander Petrie died on April 25, 1972
and son John inherits. John and wife Jane Petrie have the deed jointly on Jan. 8, 1973. Jane died on May 26, 1990. John P. T. Petrie placed the property with Donald J. Petrie his P.O.A. on Aug. 5, 1993.

Donald J. Petrie sold the home to Michael W. & S. Priya Kearney on Dec. 15, 1994. Kearney held for four years then sold to Thomas J. Murphy & Stacey A. Trebach on Apr. 6, 1998.

Possibly Towle Barn occupied this site first, see 1884 atlas map of Andover.

Directories.
1918-1919--- A. Petrie 47 Bartlet
1932----- A. Petrie 47 Bartlet
1935-----A. Petrie 51 Bartlet
1935-----Katherine Burke 53 Bartlet

Andover Valuation Schedules;
1900
Rose Chapman
Towle House opp. Stowe School, Bartlet Street
Towle Barn opp. Stowe School, Bartlet Street
Towle Land opp. Stowe School, between Main & Bartlet St.
1910
Rose Chapman House {Towle Barn} 45 - 47 Bartlet
House 53 Bartlet
1920
Rose Chapman 45 - 47 Bartlet {house}
Harriett Chapman 53 Bartlet {House}

Bibliography/References: 

Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA

Owners;
Jonathan Towle -
Jonathan Towle Estate, George H. Poor, Trustee - Feb. 6, 1899 - Probate
Rose A. Chapman, hus. Ovid - Mar. 28, 1899 - b. 168 p. 71
Alexander & Margaret Petrie - Sept. 17, 1926 - b. 526 p. 296
Alexander Petrie & John P. T. Petrie - Mar. 26, 1965 - b. 1032 p. 346
John P. T. & Jane Petrie - Jan. 8, 1973 - b. 1210 p. 765
John P. T. Petrie, Donald J. Petrie P.O.A. - Aug. 5, 1993
Michael W. & S. Priya Kearney - Dec. 15, 1994 - b. 4183 p. 123
Thomas J. Murphy & Stacey A. Trebach - Apr. 6, 1998 - b. 5014 p. 61

Inventory Data:

StreetBartlet St
PlaceAndover Center District
Historic DistrictNot Applicable
Historic NameTowle - Chapman - Petrie House
Present Useresidences - 2 family
Original Useresidence - 2 family
Construction Date1899 - 1900
SourceERDS, ENRDL
Architectural StyleOther
Foundationstone & granite
Wall/Trimclapboard/wood
Roofasphalt - gable
Conditionexcellent
Acreage0.15725 acre
SettingResidential/Educational
Map and parcel40-51
Recorded byAHS, James S. Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered1991, April 22, 2015

Map: