72 Central Street

Architectural Description: 

NRDIS NRMRA
Federal style
Hip roof; pediment over door; 6/6 windows; 8 fireplaces

Historical Narrative: 

Original owner: Daniel Poor

Other owners: Abbot, John Radford (3-7-49); Abbot, Louise and David

Themes: architectural, community development

Built 1790 by Daniel Abbot on land originally belonging to George Abbot, who came from England to Andover in 1643. The first year Andover Theological Seminary opened, 1808, before the Commons were completed, Adoniram Judson, who was to become first missionary sent by American Board of Foreign Missions, boarded here, as did Squire Samuel Farrar. Rebekah Chickering, who taught history and literature at Abbot Academy, boarded here, as did her sister, Helen, also on the Abbot faculty. J. Radford Abbot, occupant and owner (1977), is an architect, and restored the house (in 1920's).

1994 update: Only Abbot house which has continually remained in the family ownership since it was built. (sold out of family in 1997). Built by Daniel though joining other Abbot Lands, adjacent Poor family lot. Daniel was the son of Ezra Abbot and Hannah Poor Abbot. Daniel Poor Revolutionary War vet.

1994 awarded Certificate of Appreciation for Preservation.

Later Ezra Abbot and his wife Margaret kept boarders (Caroline Abbot's father); Lydia and her children; Miss Phillips boarded there, broke the ceiling! Miss Chickering now lives there.

Bibliography/References: 

Directory of Andover, 1901
Andover Advertiser, Nov. 5, 1853, p.2
Andover Historical Society files
Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA

Owners;
George E. Abbot and John Radford Abbot - inherit 1947
John Radford Abbot - Feb. 26, 1941 - b. 694 p. 345 - parcel B map #1714
John Radford Abbot Realty Trust - Apr. 24, 1981 - b. 1500 p. 16
John Radford Abbot Realty Trust, David M. Abbot trustee - Dec. 28, 1984 - b. 1911 p. 39
Abbot Trust No. 1, David M. Abbot trustee - Dec. 1, 1986 - b. 2408 p. 182
Central Abbot Realty Trust, Louise Abbot & Winifred E. Gardner trustees, Nov. 15, 1990 b. 3190 p. 257
Central Abbot Realty Trust, David M. Abbot trustee, - Apr. 4, 1997 - b. 4729 p. 280
Peter W. & Deborah R. Smith - June 30, 1997 - b. 4786 p. 227
Peter K. & Lynn W. Smiledge - Aug. 30, 1999 - b. 5541 p. 186
Amy H. Farabaugh & Rebecca Dalise - July 16, 2009 b. 11693 p. 213

See plan maps # 1718 - Nov. 1946 , # 7888, #12465 - Aug. 22, 1994

Inventory Data:

StreetCentral St
PlaceAndover Center
Historic DistrictCentral Street NRH District
Historic NameAbbot, Daniel House
Present Useresidential
Original Useresidential
Construction Datecirca 1790
SourceERDS, ENRDL
Architectural StyleFederal
Foundationfield stone
Wall/Trimclapboards
Roofasphalt shingle
Outbuildings / Secondary Structuresfront and rear garages
Conditionexcellent
Acreage1.15 acres (2.24 acres before subdivision in 1998; Central frontage 189', Phillips frontage 325')
Settingresidential
Map and parcel74-5
MHC NumberANV.122
Recorded byStack/Mofford, James Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered1975-77, 4/2014

Map: