Themes: Agricultural, architectural, commerce, community development, education

Morton St., east of Main St. was first known as Pike Street or Pike Lane, then Green St. on 1872 maps. Pike and East Pike St. appear on earlier deeds. Morton St. originally began at School St. and ended at Main Street. Morton St. was extended to include Pike in the late 1890’s. Pike also was nick-named "Ram Cat Alley" by local old-timers. The Pike Soap Company was located near the intersection of Bartlet St. and later further east on the south side of the road. It was formerly believed some of the houses on the east end of Morton St. were built by Willard Pike for his employees. Recent research disproves this claim. Most of the modest homes were built for Irish emigrants between 1854 – 1860.

George H. French was a merchant in Andover when he purchased 10 acres 9 rods of land from Phillips Academy on Mar. 8, 1854. The parcel’s south border on Pike Street extended down into what is now the “Playstead”. French subdivided the property into house lots along the street. Each lot sold contained a caveat that the new owner had to build a fence along the property line and maintain their half. French sold this property to Francis Williamson on Mar. 9, 1854
Map parcel #1126 - July 1938

This home however originally stood on the SW corner of Main & Phillips Streets and was moved in 1880 the half mile to present location by Francis Williamson to make way for construction of Tucker House. Built before 1791 by Judge Phillips as a store and managed by Jacob Abbot, 1791-1897. In 1818, after the second academy building burned, Phillips Academy classes were held here for several months. It was known as "The Commons" and also "Chocolate Hall" by the Theologues who boarded here - called "old farmhouse" in records.

An attached line of barns, sheds & stables stretched along Phillips St.; 20 cows were kept to supply students with milk and dairy. The area was called "Sunset Garden". Isaac Farley, was the boarding house steward, occupied it before and to 1844; followed by son J.A. Farley.
Deacon Holbrook Chandler [1820-1886] had been overseer at Amoskeeg Mills 15 years. 1869, returned to Andover, appointed "execution officer" or Treasurer of Phillips Academy and for 7 years, "school farmer" as superintendent of grounds & buildings.
Dr. Mary Harris and writer Mrs. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps occupied rented rooms in house - 1843. Mrs. Phelps put iron spike in oak beams to hang her favorite pink oxalis. Mrs. Phelps was the wife of Rev. Austin Phelps, who was a resident student at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1842. Their daughter Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, b. 1842, would also become a writer and author in her own right. Rev. Phelps became Professor of Sacred Rhetoric at ATS in 1848 and they moved into the "now Headmaster's" house at 189 Main St. next door to this house at that time. The old Pull-door bell now in use at Andover Historical Society's entrance came from front door of this house.

Francis Williamson was resident on Pike Street (56 Morton St.) when he moved the house to his property. Williamson had purchased 1 acre from George H. French on Mar. 9, 1854 then a second parcel from Thomas Donovan on Sept. 17, 1855 and third lot from Varnum Lincoln on June 19, 1860. The three parcels totaled about 4 acres. The French parcel appears to be the current house lot which also included number 56 Morton St.

March 12, 1880 Andover Advertiser (AA) – The buildings occupied by Dec. Holbrook Chandler, on the corner of Main and Porter [Phillips St.] streets, are to be removed from their present location and a residence for Rev. Dr. Tucker is to be erected upon the premises. Dea. Chandler in the meanwhile will occupy a tenement in the house of R. C. Upton on Main Street.
March 23, 1880 AA – Francis Williamson has bought the old house on the corner of Main and Porter [Phillips St.] Streets. The main part of the building is to be removed to Green Street {Morton St] and the other parts to Lawrence, all to be fitted up into tenements. Wilson of Methuen removes the building.

Francis Williamson was born in Ireland about 1823, the son of Edward & Anne (French) Williamson. He married Margaret Donovan b. 1831 in Ireland. Francis became a Naturalized citizen in 1854 in Lawrence, MA court. He and Margaret had eight children; Anne E. b. 1852, Mary Ann b. 1954, Margaret T. b. 1857, Elizabeth T. b. 1860, Francis J. b. 1863, Esther T. b. 1864, Honora b. 1867 and Neille G. b. May 1, 1872. Francis is listed as a Day Laborer in 1880 Census. Daughters; Elizabeth was a weaver in a Wool Mill and married John S. Ronan, a neighbor. Esther, a Twister in Flax Mill and Honora, a Doffer in the flax mill. Nellie G. was in school but would also become a weaver in the wool mill. Brother Francis was a farm laborer.
[Wool Mill was the Marland Mill and the Flax Mill Smith & Dove Manufacturing Co.]
Francis Williamson died on Aug. 27, 1888 at age 66 y 8m. of Bright's disease. Widow Margaret along with Margaret, Francis and Nellie continued to live in the home. Margaret died on Aug. 6, 1918 and was interred in the Williamson family lot at St. Augustine's Cemetery. Nellie and sister Margaret would ultimately inherit the property. The Andover Valuation of 1900 lists; Williamson taxed with house, barn and shed. Margaret quit claimed her interest in the property to Nellie on May 1, 1935. Nellie surveyed the property and subdivided the lot into two separate properties and sold off number 56 Morton in 1938.
Nellie then sold 54 Morton to Francis C. & Gertrude L. Robertson on Apr. 29, 1944. The Robertsons took a mortgage with the Andover Savings Bank on Dec. 5, 1946. The bank sold the mortgage deed to the Finberg Supply Company on May 8, 1951.

Harold A. & Dorothea Rutter, Jr. purchased the property on Oct. 8, 1953. The Rutter family owned the property for 50 years and restored the home. The property was deeded to Dorothea Rutter on Nov. 30, 1972. May 3, 1995, awarded Certificate of Appreciation at Historic Preservation Awards for faithful restoration to the main house.

Dorothea Rutter sold the home to Mark & Flora McQuillen on June 24, 2003 and they held for two years then selling to D. Craig & Krista J. Martin - Feb. 18, 2005.