17 HIDDEN RD
architectural description
NRIND NRMRA
Style: Federal
Other features: 8 fireplaces; wainscotting throughout
historical narrative
Present owner: Dr. Charles Currier
Original owner: Isaac Chandler. (Father-in-law of Carpenter David Hidden)
Subsequent uses and dates: rental property and residence (1840's) - farm after 1861
Themes: Architectural, Community development, Education, Religion
Historical significance: Built on land owned by Chandlers, since first cleared by Philemon Chandler, blacksmith. William Chandler's "publick house" (1962 licence) probably on property. Horseshoe was inn's sign as Chandlers were blacksmiths.
David Hidden (1741 - 1861) came from Newburyport about 1809 with William Bartlett in his chaise, carrying carpenter's tools to work on new seminary buildings. Built new house ca. 1812, on Issac Chandler's homestead and in 1816, married Isac's daughter , Mary. Their children Mary Elizabeth Hidden (1818 - 1893) and David Issac Chandleer Hidden (1823 - 1897) inherited, kept farm here. House usually rented to tenants and many locally famous people boarded here. Samuel Peabody; Prof. Austin Phelps, 1847; Rev. Bernard of Salem; Rev. Charles Mills (who married a daughter of Peter Smith (1862 - 1863); Richard Mooar widow Wyman (1835 - 1837); William Wardwell, 1836; John Shipman, a trader; Avery family John Lord Taylor, 6th pastor of South church, while a PA student; Warren Abbot, paymaster of Pacific Mills, Lawrence; Rev. Harlan Page; Congressman William S. Knox; John C. Allen; William Waters, bookbinder; and Joseph Hardy Neesima (1843 - 1890) first Japanese student at Phillips Academy, who came to Andover 1866 - Mary Hidden had a special interest in missionary work; David I. C. Hidden kept only white chickens on his farm here. He was a bachelor and last of Hidden line. Mary Chandler Hidden never married but her admirer, Deacon Edward Taylor (then owner of Amos Blanchard house) came to dinner here every Thursday evening.
The brother and sister left no wills, so property went to a cousin, Mrs. Henry Bond of Wilmington, who sold to Mrs. Lucy Nesmith of Lowell.
Mrs. Nesmith made substantial improvements and build an ell on the house. She named the place "Hiddenfield". She also added piazza and bay window. She died 1900 and house later bought by H. Bradford Lewis. He died 1951 and his daughter, Mrs. Kellogg Boynton, inherited. She sold to Dr. Charles Currier. (See Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Feb. 16, 1951).
bibliography/references
see 1980 National Register Nomination for updated information
Hidden, David: Tally Book; Accounts - (Andover Historical Society)
Bailey, Sarah, Loring; Historical Sketches of Andover, 1880
McKean, Phebe Fuller; A Sketch of Early Life of Joseph Hardy Neesima, Bosto D. Lothrop, 1890
Goldsmith Bessie; Historical Houses of Andover, 1964
Andover Historical Society files
Abbott Charlotte Helen; "Andover Families" - Historical Andover - #58
Poore, Alfred; In Andover Advertiser, June 27, 1863
Andover Townsman, June 25, 1897
inventory data
| Place: | Andover Center |
| Historic District: | Not Applicable |
| Address: | 17 hidden rd |
| Historic Name: | Chandler, Isaac - Hidden, David House |
| Present Use: | Residence |
| Original Use: | |
| Date of Construction: | 1811 - 1812 |
| Source: | Andover Historical Soc. Files |
| Style/Form: | Other |
| Architect/Builder: | David Hidden (1784 - 1861) |
| Foundation: | |
| Wall/Trim: | clapboard |
| Roof: | |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | |
| Major Alterations: | Piazza & ell added and renovated (1897) Porch removed by present owner (1950's) |
| Condition: | |
| Moved: | no |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | less than one acre |
| Setting: | |
| MHC inventory number: | |
| Recorded by: | Stack/Mofford |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | 1975 - 1977 |
other historic buildings
- on hidden rd
- in Not Applicable
- with architectural style Other
Post Office Building
