Themes: Architectural, community development.

Anthony Ward Family 1879 - 1944 - at 88 Lowell Street
Anthony Ward b. Sept. 26, 1826 England, son of William & Jane Ward. - d. Aug. 29, 1901 age 75. Anthony was a Tailor in Andover when he married in 1851. He lived in the new city of Lawrence when he acquired the Lowell St. property from the Moody Bridges Abbot family estate on May 17, 1879. Anthony m. Jan. 13, 1851 at Christ Church, Andover to Sarah Dodson b. March 16, 1833 in Yorkshire, England dau. of Daniel & Jane Dodson. Sarah came to America in 1847 at age fourteen, in the company of her parents, and eleven brothers and sisters, Anthony was a Tailor prior to farmer, and was associated with the Lawrence lodge, I.O.O.F. The 1888 map of Andover locates two large barns drawn on the homestead site. Anthony and Sarah had seven children.

Anthony’s son Richard A. had married Mary Elizabeth Abbot, daughter of Moody Bridges & Hannah Abbott. It was this in-law connection that probably acquainted the Ward family with the property and it appears that the Wards may have occupied the house as early as 1874 as Sarah, Anthony’s wife, joined the West Parish Church on March 5, 1876. At the time of her death on April 22, 1919 at age 86, she was the oldest church member.

Sons Richard and George became farmers and helped work the land at 88 Lowell Street. Richard later becomes a milkman and operated a dairy in Lawrence until 1905. He and his family lived at 63 Lowell Street. George and his family lived next to the homestead at #78 Lowell Street. When Anthony died in 1901 he left his entire real and personal estate to his wife Sarah valued at $8000. The farm included two dwelling houses on opposite sides of Lowell St. Nothing was left to his children. (Probate #88961)

When Sarah died in 1919 daughter Margaret (Maggie) continued to reside in the homestead until her death in 1939. The heirs of the estate were her brother Richard A. Ward and her nieces and nephew; Dora A, Mabel, Edna, Luella, & George. The real estate was valued at $5100 and still included the two dwelling houses. Margaret’s personal estate was valued at $2192.43 including furniture and personal effects. The property was sold in 1944 to Laurel M. Gilman of Boston. Ward family were active members of West Parish Church and the Andover Grange. All were interred at West Parish Garden Cemetery.

Anthony & Sarah's Children: Jennie E., b. Oct. 7, 1851 d. July 17, 1916, Ella J., b., Richard Alfred, b. July 1854 d. Jan. 21, 1946 age 91y, Emma Anne Louisa, b. Jan. 6, 1859 d. July 13, 1919, and George Dodson b. Aug. 12, 1862 Lawrence, MA.

George Dodson Ward, son of Anthony & Sarah (Abbott) Ward. Married Laura Greenbank Foster b. May 13, 1873 in North Andover. George purchased the lot next to the homestead on Mar. 17, 1892 and built the house. George & Laura had three children. George died on Feb. 10, 1938 age 75. Laura two years later on Nov. 17, 1940 George was a farmer.
children; Edna May b. May 13, 1894 d. Feb. 10, 1938 - m. Russell Foster, Mabel Foster b. Apr. 1, 1899 d. 1982 - m. James Marshall (Chicopee, MA)
and George Chester b. Jul 20, 1907 d. 1975 - m. Amie ____________ (Cumberland, MD)

The three children would inherit the property from their mother Laura's estate in 1940. Marjorie B. (Marshall) Roberts, daughter of Edna and niece of Mabel & George is deeded lot 1 on June 21, 1943. Both lots were then sold to Gordon Ingalls Steadman.

Gordon I. and his wife Genevieve E. Steadman owned the property for 54 years. They operated a greenhouse and sold plants and flowers from this location. The Steadman family sold to Gretchen E. Wilson on March 31, 1999.