72 Maple Ave (formerly #34 then #60)

Maple Ave. was once a 17 acre parcel of land that was owned by Samuel G. Valpey who purchased the home at 60 Elm Street for $6600 on Feb. 17, 1855. The Maple Ave parcel of 17 acres 26 rods was purchased at auction by John H. Flint for $858.12 on June 16, 1866. Andover Advertiser (AA) Oct. 23, 1874 – John H. Flint is at work on a new avenue leading through his land from Elm Street to Carmel lane. AA - July 23, 1875 - Maple St. opened; description of 1st house, a brick one on Flint's land.
This property was purchased from John H. Flint by James A. Middleton on February 20, 1883 for $400. and shortly after the home was built. Andover Advertiser (AA) Mar. 2, 1883 p3. Col 1 –“James Middleton it is said intends soon to build a residence on the west side of Maple avenue upon the lot recently purchased of J. H. Flint.”
AA April 27, 1883 –“Ezra Farnham puts in the cellar for the new house of James Middleton on Maple avenue. The main house will be 22 x 28 feet, with an L 14 x 24 feet. Hardy and Cole do the wood work.”

James A. Middleton born in Brechin, Scotland in 1820, son of James & Margaret (Innis) Middleton. James became a stone cutter. His father died in 1836 and James came to America, settled in Andover and worked for Smith & Dove Manuf. Co. James married Nov. 10, 1849 in Andover to Jane Milne b. 1822 in Brechin, Scotland, dau. of John Milne. James & Jane had six children: Margaret Innis b. July 17, 1852, John Milne b. 1850 – d. 1852, James A. b. Jan. 3, 1854, George b. 1856, Helen Reid b. 1858 – d. Aug. 7, 1866 and Jennie Y. b. 1865
James later became an Overseer at the mill and retired shortly after his home was finished. His wife Jane died on Dec. 28, 1894 and James died on Feb. 27, 1897. Both are interred at West Parish Garden Cemetery.

James’ estate was inherited by his four surviving children. The property deed was transferred to the oldest sibling Margaret I. Middleton. The property was later sold to Isabella M. Coutts on April 24, 1899. The families were well acquainted as they both resided in a two family home in the 1880 Census and William C. Coutts worked at Smith & Dove mills in Abbott Village.

Isabella M. (Lindsey) Coutts was born in 1854 in Scotland, dau. of James & Anna Lindsey. She married on Christmas day 1874 to William Carnegie Coutts b. July 17, 1849 in Arbroath, St Vigeans Parish, Scotland, son of William & Jane (Carnegie) Coutts. William immigrated in 1872. William C. & Isabella had five children: William Murray b. Dec. 20, 1875, Alice Scott b. Sept. 19, 1877, Mary Lindsey b. Sept. 14, 1879, David Lindsey b. Feb. 25, 1882 and Bertha Carnegie b. March 4, 1887. Sadly Isabella died a few months later on Sept. 22, 1899. The 1900 census lists William as an Overseer at the mill and all his family reside with him.

Daughter Alice S. Coutts went to Salem Normal School, became a teacher in Andover first at Indian Ridge School 1901 – 1904 grades 1 & 2 then to John Dove School 1904 – 1910 grade 3. Alice then married Robert Morrison. Mary L. married Oct. 7, 1903 to Walter B. Holt but died on Sept. 20, 1904. William became a stenographer, married Lillian M. Corbett in 1909. David was a printer, married Jean Gordon in 1907. Bertha C. graduated from Punchard High School in 1903 and Simmons College in 1906, was a stenographer for William Wheeler, consulting engineer of Boston (Civil Engineering firm) for four years.

Bertha married June 23, 1913 Dana Wright Clark b. May 8, 1884 in Andover, son of Charles W. & Laura F. (Pasho) Clark. Dana graduated Punchard Free School 1902, attended M.I.T.,. Dana was employed as assistant superintendent of the Sullivan Machinery Company, manufacturers of mining machinery. Later a Civil Engineer working for John Franklin’s firm that designed West Parish Garden Cemetery 1908-1910, the layout of Shawsheen Village 1918-1924 and surveyor during the layout of Andover Country Club links. They lived briefly lived in Chicago and St. Louis prior to returning to Andover to live with her father.

William C. Coutts died on Dec.11, 1941 at age 92 and is interred at Spring Grove Cemetery. Bertha was the executrix of the estate and sold the property to the Andover Savings Bank to liquidate the estate. Lena E. Huggins, wife of Austin C. Huggins, purchased the property on Mar. 24, 1942.