Themes: Architectural, Community development

Historical significance: Stark design is impressive in intent, but modest in elaboration. Good setting on corner lot with massive stone walls. Home’s front facade is same design as 69 Salem St. before north side addition and remodeling was done. A 1906 map defines a former wraparound porch on the front and south sides of the house.
Additional historical information: see enclosure in sleeve at Historical Society

This property was formerly owned by Joseph Stillman Holt, a printer, who later lived in New York City, worked in the office of the Bible Society. The 1852 Andover map lists Holt at this location. Holt also owned 40 Woodland Rd. The property descended down though family members until 1956.

Joseph S. Holt was b. Feb. 5, 1808, son of Joseph & Lydia (Jones) Holt. Joseph married May 14, 1835 to Lucy Abbott b. Oct. 18, 1811 dau. of Job & Lucy (Chandler) Abbott. They had seven children, daughter Lucy Josephine b. Feb. 21, 1836, was the first born. Joseph Holt died on Nov. 4, 1892 and his wife Lucy predeceased him on Apr. 27, 1888. Joseph's obituary states they he learned the printing trade in the printing office on "The Hill". He moved to NYC but spent summer vacations in Andover.
Their daughter Lucy married on Nov. 26, 1857 to Charles C. Blunt, b. Dec. 29, 1833 in Andover, son of Samuel Phelps & Persis (Bodwell) Blunt was a farmer. This property was still owned by Lucy’s parents in 1870 as was 40 Woodland Rd. The 1860 census list both Holt and Blunt living together in Andover. The 1880 census has the Blunt family at 70 Salem St.

Charles & Lucy J. had seven children; Samuel Benton b. Sept. 8, 1858 d. July 2, 1863, Lucy Abbott b. July 22, 1860, Henry A. b. May 1861 in NY adopted, Sarah Parnell b. Apr. 4, 1863, Joseph Holt b. Oct. 28, 1867, Edith Carroll b. Feb. 26, 1873 d. May 1, 1873 and Charles Boswell b. Mar. 24, 1874.

Their son Joseph H. Blunt b. 1867 would later inherit the property. Joseph was a letter carrier for the Andover Post Office. He married on June 30, 1909 at Free Church to Jean Thompson David b. Aug. 31, 1880 in Arbroath, Scotland, dau. of Thomas & Catherine A. (McDonald) David. The 1910 census lists Joseph age 42, the head of the household, wife Jean age 28, a teacher. His parents Charles and Lucy and his sister Sarah P. age 46 and single. Joseph & Jean “Jane” had two children: Katherine Holt b. Feb. 11, 1911 and Thomas David b. Apr. 13, 1913. His father Charles died on Nov. 15, 1911 and mother Lucy Josephine on May 3, 1919. They are interred in South Church Cemetery. In 1920 his Father-in-law Thomas David resides with them. The 1930 & 1940 Census lists his sister Sarah (Blunt) Chandler b. 1866, a widow, living with her brother and his family.
Joseph died on May 10, 1948 and Jean on Oct. 16, 1954. They are interred at West Parish Garden Cemetery with her parents. Son Thomas and his wife Margaret retain the property for two years then selling to in 1956. They moved to Topsfield.