8 Punchard Ave

Architectural Description: 

Unusual mixed style home with turret bay attached to SW corner facade, classical columned porch, second story bay window

Historical Narrative: 

This corner lot was once owned by the Richardson family, who also owned the land where the Park, Town Offices and Doherty Middle School are located. Joseph Richardson sold this parcel to George L. Abbott, a local builder, on Sept. 24, 1867. George built and owned the home next door at 6 Punchard Ave. It appears that George Abbott built this home about 1876 as he took a $6000. mortgage from John Dove on Feb. 25, 1876 deeded the property to Dove with buildings. The mortgage was paid off the following year.

George Abbott was a contractor and carpenter who did many houses and public buildings in Andover. Began as Abbott & Clement (Moses Clement) then about 1867 became Abbott & Jenkins. (William S. Jenkins) They built many depots for the Boston and Maine Railroad, also Memorial Hall Library, The Chapel and Brechin Hall of Andover Theological Seminary were built by Abbott and Jenkins. George L. Abbott is also the carpenter of record of the South Church building in 1861. George Lewis Abbott was b. on Oct. 27, 1821. Married Sarah M. Stevens, b. 1821 - d. Feb. 9, 1851. married a second time to Mary A. Abbott b. 1822 - d. Oct. 30, 1880. George died on May 24, 1889 age 67.

George Abbott held on to the property until his death. George H. Poor, trustee, of Abbott's estate sold the property to Edward B. Hutchinson, wife Effie, on April 30, 1892. Hutchinson owned for 25 years then selling to Gertrude Barnard Bergstrom on May 28, 1917. Bergstrom owned for 27 years and with her death the property was sold to Fred & Alice Floyd on Aug. 17, 1944 for $9000. Floyd held for only 5 years then sold to Norman & Gladys Barraclough on June 17, 1949.

Paul W. & Kathleen J. Cronin were the next owners on Dec. 13, 1963. Paul was active in town affairs and served as a selectman. He then served as a State Representative. Paul was ultimately elected to the U. S. House of Representatives representing the 5th district that included Andover from 1973-1975. Sadly he died on April 5, 1997. The home was sold in 1999 to the current owners Peter Beatty & Nancy Kendrick on Mar. 31, 1999.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA

Owners:
Jacob Richardson - 1867 - land
George L. Abbott - Sept. 24, 1867 - b. 731 p. 128
George L. Abbott estate, George H. Poor Trustee - June 17, 1889 - Probate
Edward B. Hutchinson, wife Effie - Apr. 30, 1892 - b. 118 p. 458 - $4100
Gertrude Barnard Bergstrom May 28, 1917 - b. 376 p. 157
Gertrude Barnard Bergstrom estate, Phillips B. Bergstron, Extr - Aug. 11, 1944 - Probate
Fred & Alice Floyd - Aug. 17, 1944 - b. 666 p. 199 - $9000
Norman & Gladys Barraclough - June 17, 1949 - b. 724 p. 506
Paul W. & Kathleen Cronin - Dec. 13, 1963 - b. 1050 p. 210
Punchard Realty Trust - Peter Brenan, Paul Cronin Trts. - Sept. 21, 1973 - b. 1228 p. 449
Paul W. & Kathleen Cronin - Oct. 12, 1976 - b. 1300 p. 478
Marilyn Herbert - June 6, 1977 - b. 1310 p. 68 - deed transfer
Cronin Family Trust, Paul Cronin Trustee - June 6, 1977 - b. 1310 p. 79
Paul W. & Kathleen Cronin - Aug. 16, 1977 - b. 1316 p. 545
Paul W. Cronin - Apt. 2, 1987 - b. 2468 p. 113
Paul W. Cronin & Ellen S. Raphael - Apr. 18, 1996 - b. 4482 p. 3
Paul W. Cronin estate, Ellen S. Raphael - April 5, 1987
Ellen S. Raphael estate, Jayne C. Raphael, Jeff Simmons, Extrs - Probate
Peter Beatty & Nancy Kendrick - Mar. 31, 1999 - b. 5386 p. 83

Inventory Data:

StreetPunchard Av
PlaceAndover Center
Historic DistrictNot Applicable
Historic NameEdward B. & Effie Hutchinson House
Present Useresidence
Original Useresidence
Construction Date1867 - 1876
SourceECRDS, ENRDL
Architect/BuilderGeorge L. Abbott builder
Foundationstone/granite
Wall/Trimclapboards/wood
Roofasphalt - gable
Conditionexcellent
Acreage0.228 acre
Settingresidential/educational
Map and parcel39-47
Recorded byJames S. Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered1975-1977, 3/20/2016

Map: