Themes: Architectural, Community development

Original owner Hector Linn purchased the lot from Andrew Scott for $500 on May 5, 1848. Linn, a merchant tailor, had the home built. Hector Linn was born in Scotland in 1820 son of Walter & Margaret Linn. Linn is assess taxes in Andover in the 1840's. Hector married Jane Scott, intentions published on Sept. 29, 1848. Jane was born in 1820 in Scotland, daughter of Andrew & Jeanette (Morrison) Scott. The lot was purchased from his father-in-law. The 1850 Andover Valuation Schedule list Hector Linn in the West Parish (west of the Shawsheen River) Dwelling house & house lot $1300. Sadly his wife Jane died on Dec. 26, 1851 of Dysentery, 500 miles west of Panama. She is interred at Christ Church Cemetery, Andover, MA. It is not known why she was in Panama. Linn owned the home for a little over 12 years but moved to Lawrence after his wife's death.

Hector Linn sold the property to John Morrison for $1600 on Jan. 3, 1861. Morrison ran a store in 1861. 1872 map store located on this site.,1885 AA - Advert. - Dealer in Dry & Fancy Goods, Boots, shoes, Clothing, Stationary, Confectionary, Nuts, Fruit, Etc. Ballard Vale , Mass. With John's death his widow Elizabeth and their children; Annie M. Morrison, Nellie M. Parrish, wife of William of Newark, Ohio, John W. Morrison of Boston inherit the property. Elizabeth Morrison, now living in Wakefield, sells to Charles H. Shattuck, Jr.. a doctor, for $2520.97 on March 20, 1890. Dr. Shattuck, wife Elizabeth B., was a druggist and ran a drug store. On April 17, 1912 Shattuck sold the property to Winnie P. Parker, wife of Ralph Goldsmith Parker.

Ralph G. Parker was b. May 22, 1884, son of William F. & Hannah R. (Goldsmith) Parker. Ralph married on Aug. 18, 1908 to Winnie Pearl Nason b. Feb. 8, 1886 in Medford, Maine, dau. of Benjamin F. & Clara A. (Clapp) Nason. In 1910 they reside with his parents and brother Converse F. Parker on Clark Rd. Converse is a retail fruit merchant and his father and brother Ralph are fruit wagon drivers.

In 1912 Ralph & Winnie move to their home on Andover St. In 1920 Ralph is listed as a Clerk in a General Drug Store. They have four children; Grace Vivian, b. 1910, Margaret Estelle b. 1912, Converse Goldsmith b. 1914 and Barbara Louise b. in 1923.

It has been stated that Converse F. Parker built a boathouse on the river behind the home and rented canoes. It was later enlarged, and a second story added with a veranda overlooking the mill pond of the river. It became a popular weekend spot with dancing and entertainment in the hall. An advertisement in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune on May 28, 1924, lists the Jack-O-Lantern Ballroom, Formerly Parker's-on Shawsheen opening Thursday Night, Check Dancing, Perfect floor, Good Music.
On Sept. 30, 1929, the Andover Savings Bank took the property from Winnie, but Converse bought it at auction for $2412. It was deeded back to her in June 1930. Her husband Ralph had died on Jan. 20, 1930, in Danvers, MA.

Winnie took another loan with the Lawrence Cooperative Bank in 1932 which would force a mortgage sale two years later in 1934. The bank later sold the property to Michael Mullaney, new husband of Winnie P. on Aug. 17, 1935. Mr. Mullaney held for two years then selling to the Lawrence Coop Bank which then sold to Ralph N. Sharpe and Lincoln A. Sharpe on October 9, 1937.

Ralph N. Sharpe was married to Ruth Davis whom many remember as the Ballardvale Librarian and local historian. Ralph and Ruth raised their family here. Ruth worked many long hours researching properties to be included in the Ballardvale National Historic Register District and later the Ballardvale Local District. Ruth died on January 5, 2003 and her son Ralph Jr., Administrator of the estate, then sold the property to Sharon Ristuccia Trustee of the Ando Realty Trust.

A barn canoe house and an Ice house were built along the river bank. by the Parkers.
A piazza, the length of the East side of the original house was added at the time the 2 story 5 room ell was added to the rear.