59 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.

This property was owned by Richard M. Abbott who purchased a two acre 21 rod parcel on the north side of Summer St. at the corner of the new road to Punchard Free School. Abbott sold this house lot to Newton Jaquith Jr. on Oct. 23, 1897 for $875. The 1900 census and the 1904 directory list Jaquith at 16 Florence St.
AT - July 15, 1904 – Work has begun on the new house for Newton Jaquith Jr. on his lot on Whittier Street. J. E. Pitman has the contract for same.
AT - Nov. 4, 1904 – p. 1 Newton Jaquith and family have moved from Florence Street to their new house on Whittier Street.

Newton Jaquith Jr. was born Dec. 8, 1864 in Andover, son of Newton & Laura (Green) Jaquith. His father was a shoe maker as was Newton Jr. when he married on Aug. 23, 1892 to Lizzie G. Mason b. Aug. 1872 in Andover, dau. of George F. & Sarah A. (Gould) Mason. Newton & Lizzie had three daughters; Dorothy b. Nov. 1894, Marjorie b. July 1896 and Mildred b. Aug. 1898. Newton Jr. became an electrician working in a Jobbing Shop. They occupied the house for about 7 years then selling to Donald D. & Annie (Mackenzie) Laurie on June 13, 1913.

The deed was in Annie Laurie’s name. Annie Mackenzie was born 1881 in Dundee, Scotland, dau. of William & Sarah (Jenkins) MacKenzie. Annie come to America in 1907. She married Donald Duncan Laurie on June 1, 1910 in Andover. Donald b. Sept. 7, 1873 in Everton, Lancashire, England, son of Donald D. & Caroline (Bullock) Laurie. Donald was a mill operative, then janitor at Phillips Academy.
Donald & Annie had two daughters; Margaret b. 1913 and Ruby b. 1917.
The 1920 census includes Annie’s parents living with them. William worked at Tyer Rubber Co.
Annie’s brother Alexander MacKenzie lived down the street at 51 Whittier. Donald Laurie died in 1946. Daughter Margaret worked as a secretary for Merrimack Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Andover and Ruby was a telephone operator and then supervisor at NET&T in Lawrence.
The Laurie family owned for 48 years then sold to James G & Thelma Carmichael on Aug 18, 1961. Annie died in 1967 and is interred in the family lot at Spring Grove Cemetery.