9 Punchard Ave

Historical Narrative: 

James H. Cochran(e) purchased the 2 acre 148 rod parcel of land from Samuel Abbott & William Abbott of Charlestown, MA on May 27, 1845 for $585. The parcel extended from Bartlet St to the Marland House property at #1 Punchard Ave. James learned his trade as a Blacksmith with Merrill Pettingill in his shop located at the site of #1 Punchard. The 1850 Andover Valuation schedule lists James H. Cochran's assessment: Dwelling house, Shed, 2 acres land and blacksmith shop $1300. Personal Estate Cow $20.
The Cochran house is 5 Punchard Ave.

James Hanson Cochran(e) was born on Aug. 31, 1815 in Reading, MA son of James & Mary "Polly" (Emerson) Cochran. James came to Andover and apprenticed under Merrill Pettingill as a Blacksmith. James married on Dec. 25, 1839 to Sarah S. Towne, b. Jan. 27, 1819 in Andover, MA daughter of Daniel & Hannah (Harris) Towne. James & Hannah had eight children, of which three survived to adulthood; John W. b. Apr. 2, 1841 - d. Nov. 22, 1916, Hartwell E. b. 1843 - d.?, James Calvin b. Jan. 1845 - d. Apr. 24, 1877, Parker Emerson b. Jan. 19, 1845 - d. May 11, 1909, Rufus H. b. Nov. 1849 - d. Feb. 5, 1850, William "Willie" b. June 1857 - d. May 18, 1859, S. Estella b. Feb. 1860 - d. Sept. 2, 1861 and C. Arthur b. July 1862 - d. June 24, 1863.

James H. is listed as blacksmith and also farmer also owning pasture and woodland in Andover. James retired in 1887.

Sons John W. and Parker E. Cochran inherit their father's estate. John W. Cochran, a silversmith, married on May 7, 1899 at age 58 to Ella M. Whittaker age 48, b. May 4, 1850 dau. of Lawrence & Catherine (Palmer) Whittaker. John would deed the property to his brother Parker. John W. & Ella lived on Tewksbury St. in Ballardvale. Ella died of a cerebral hemorrhage on May 2, 1910. John died Nov. 22, 1916.

The property contained two dwelling houses at the time Parker inherited, #5 and #9. Parker Emerson Cochran b. Jan. 19, 1845 - d. May 11, 1909 was a Printer. He lived in the home on Punchard Ave. Parker never married. In his Will he left $500. to his only brother John W. Cochran. The Property was left to his two cousins, Ella Gatchell 1/4 share and Annie M. Cross 1/4 share. The remainder 1/2 of the property was left to "my honored housekeeper Nellie Dennehy," who was also appointed Executrix of his estate. Nellie was born in May 1875 in Ireland.

Nellie Dennehy deeded the Cochran homestead to Ella Gatchell and Annie M. Cross which included the lot at #7 and the house #5 Punchard. Nellie took sole ownership of this home on the corner of Punchard and Bartlet. Nellie held ownership for nine years. She married David Roche, and at the time of sale, Nellie and David were living in San Francisco. CA. The property was sold to John C. & Susan F. Cunningham on Nov. 8, 1920.

Frank L. & Winfred W. Brigham purchased the property on Sept. 11, 1925 and held ownership for 44 years until the death of Frank L. Brigham. Charles G. Hatch, Executor of the Brigham estate on Sept. 24, 1969 sold the property to Mitchell J. & Faye L. Koffman on Oct. 9, 1969. The deed then went to Joseph & Frayda Koffman on July 31, 1990

Mary Clark Webster purchased the home on June 10, 1991 and owned eight years then selling to Bernadette L. Lionetta on Oct. 13, 1998.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Andover Historical Society files (Jenkins, William, "Changes on Main Street in Sixty Years" written in 1913)
Andover Townsman, April 1, 1892

Owners;
Samuel Abbott & William Abbott of Charlestown, MA
James H. Cochrane - May 27, 1845 - b. 358 leaf 178 - $585. - 2 acres 148 rods
John H. Cochrane estate, died Nov. 21, 1895 - heirs; Parker W. and John W. Cochrane -
Parker W. Cochrane - July 3, 1905 - b. 221 p. 239
Parker W. Cochrane estate, Nellie Dennehy Extrx., May 15, 1911 - probate
Sarah E. Loftus - June 11, 1911 - b. 305 p. 130
Nellie Dennehey - June 11, 1911 - b. 305 p. 131
Nellie (Dennehey) Roche, wife of David Roche - 1920
John C. & Susan F. Cunningham - Nov. 8, 1920 - b. 435 p. 20
Frank L. & Winfred W. Brigham - Sept. 11, 1925 - b. 515 p. 125
M. Elizabeth Leamon - Apr. 20, 1933 - b. 569 p. 560 - deed transfer
Winfred W. Brigham - Apr. 20, 1933 - b. 569 p. 561
Winfred W. Brigham estate, Frank L. Brigham heir
Frank L. Brigham estate, Charles G. Hatch, Extr - Sept. 24, 1969 - Probate
Mitchell J. & Faye L. Koffman - Oct. 9, 1969 - b. 1141 p. 318
Joseph & Frayda Koffman - July 31, 1990 - b. 3142 p. 44
Mary Clark Webster - June 10, 1991 - b. 3266 p. 293
Bernadette L. Lionetta - Oct. 13, 1998 - b. 5239 p. 79
Bernadette L. Lionetta - Jan. 29, 2010 - b. 11973 p 308
9 Punchard Ave Real Estate Trust - Mar. 25, 2014 - b. 13805 p. 54

Inventory Data:

StreetPunchard Av
PlaceAndover Center
Historic DistrictNot Applicable
Historic NameCochran - Dennehy House
Present Useresidence - apartments
Original Useresidence - two family
Construction Date1898
SourceECRDS, ENRDL, style-njs
Foundationstone/granite
Wall/Trimclapboard/wood/vinyl siding
Roofasphalt - gable
Major Alterationsvinyl siding, replacement windows, attic apartment conversion
Conditionexcellent
Acreage0.232 acre
Settingresidential/educational
Map and parcel39-69
Recorded byJames S. Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date enteredMar. 22, 2016

Map: