35 RIVER RD
architectural description
Style: Federal
Architectural significance: The Abiel Stevens Farmstead is the earliest house on this section of River Road. The five-bay, two-story center-entry farmhouse with a kitchen ell and connected woodshed/tool room now converted to residential use. A large 1-1/2-story barn (1866) adjoins the northeast corner, forming a semi-enclosed barnyard area between the house and barn. One story bedroom additions have been added to the westside of the house and original kitchen ell, and the house is now sheathed in aluminum siding.
historical narrative
Present owner: Donahue, Francis & Carole Jean, 18 Aug 1972
Earlier owners:
1. Greenwood, John Jr. & Irene
2. Donahue, Frank W. & Ester V., 22 Jun 1948
3. Donahue Frank W. & Judith B., 13 Jun 1969
Themes: Agricultural, Architectural, Community development
Historical significance:
1906 pl. 21 Hardy Farm
1888 Donovan Brothers
1881 Nathan Shattuck's daughter Sarah Bailey & Augusta P.
Jenkins?? sells parcel to Mary Donovan.
1850 Valuation: Nathan Shattuck
Added in 1987: (ERROR in Stevens purchase)
Assessor's records indicate that the house was constructed in 1816. One deed (Bk 158 p 368) notes that the seven-acre property was conveyed to Stevens by James Chandler, Jr. in 1817, and to Stevens by Timothy Poor and Timothy Bailey, Jr. in 1825. Stevens died in 1856, leaving the property to his son Enoch O. Stevens. After his death in 1895, the property was sold out of the family. George Goldsmith (1840 - 1912) purchased the farm in 1901. His widow, who died in 1922, left it to Mary and Daniel Fitzpatrick. John Greenwood bought the property from Fitzpatrick's estate, and Frank W. Donahue (no relation to present Donahue) purchased the farm from Greenwood in 1848. The present owners purchased the property in 1972.
In 1890, the town published an assessment of all property in the town. Enoch O. Steven's house was valued at $850, the barn at $500, and 31.5 acres of land at $850.
The Abiel Stevens homestead is the oldest house in this section of River Road. River Road, however, is still relatively rural, and other sections contain a number of old farms.
bibliography/references
See CHA re Donovan & Shattuck (West Parish)
Interview wioth Frank & Carole Jean Donahue (24 Oct 1987)
Essex County Registry of Deeds
inventory data
| Place: | |
| Historic District: | Not Applicable |
| Address: | 35 river rd |
| Historic Name: | Abiel Stevens Farmstead |
| Present Use: | Residence, 3 family |
| Original Use: | Residence |
| Date of Construction: | 1816 |
| Source: | Assessor's office |
| Style/Form: | Other |
| Architect/Builder: | |
| Foundation: | |
| Wall/Trim: | Aluminum siding |
| Roof: | |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | attached barn (1866) |
| Major Alterations: | one-story bedrooms added c. 1960, 1978 |
| Condition: | good |
| Moved: | |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | 4.92 acres; Acreage: 7.3 acres; approx. frontage: 234' |
| Setting: | 19th century farm complex set close to busy road |
| MHC inventory number: | |
| Recorded by: | N. J. Stack/Mofford; Peter H. Stott; Org: BU OPA |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | 1975 - 1977; 25 Oct 1987 |
other historic buildings
- on river rd
- in Not Applicable
- with architectural style Other
48 Clark Road
