Stevens, Abiel, House

The Abiel Stevens House is a late First Period house (1710-19) in the rural, southern section of North Andover. Containing 3/4 of an acre of land, the property is located at the intersection of Dale Street and Salem Street - the latter once being a main thoroughfare to the coastal city of that name. The building is a 2½ story, center chimney structure of timber frame construction. As usual with early dwellings, the Stevens House faces south. Clapboard covered wal1s are framed by plain, unmolded corner boards and fascia; the gable ends do not return. All of the main windows on the south, east, and west elevations have 9/6 sash set in molded frames. Some of the glass panes, if not original, are very old crown glass.

The broad, five-bay facade contains paired windows and a center porch (added in 1795) with fully pedimented gable and 4/4 side windows. The west elevation has three windows aligned vertically; the east elevation is similar but has an additional second story window. Attic windows have 4/4 sash. In 1791 a shed-roofed leanto was added to the north side of the Stevens House; the original clapboarding is still to be seen along what is now an interior wal1. The addition is nine feet shorter than the main structure, allowing space for two 9/6 sash to penetrate the uncovered north wall of the latter. The leanto is lighted principally by four 6/6 windows in plain frames which are symmetrically arranged along its north wall.

Six-pane sash in unmolded frames light either end of the leanto's second story loft.Typical of the late 18th century, the-doors on the leanto ends feature two crossed layers of ship-lapped wide boards hung by large strap hinges.

(in one paragraph) The Abiel Stevens House is significant as an intact example of late First Period architecture and as a symbol of the early development of North Andover. Retaining integrity of design, materials, workmanship, location and setting, the property meets criteria A and C of the National Register. The Abiel Stevens House, alone of the six First Period two-room central chimney houses in North Andover, has preservedmostof its original exterior form and detail intact. The house was built between 1710, the year of Stevens' marriage to Deborah Barker, and 1719, when the dwelling is known to have been standing and owned by Abiel Stevens (Andover Proprietors Records, First Book).

Born in Andover in 1681, son of John and Esther Stevens, Abiel probably lived a typical farm boy's existence until March 15, 1698, when he was captured in the 1ast Indian raid on Andover. Feigning lameness, he managed to escape, although fired upon by his captors. Stevens' occupation was listed in most records as husbandsman, but a 1718 deed calls him a "joyner," which raises the possibility that he may have, been responsible for the house's original interior carpentry, much of which is still visible, parti- cularly on the first floor. In 1719, the Selectmen's accounts show that Abiel Stevens held the position of Clerk of the Market, responsible for the accuracy of the merchants' weights and measures.

Other than this minor post, Abiel probably led the uneventful life of a hard-working Colonial farmer until his death in 1778. Approximately 10 acres of land originally accompanied the house, along with outlying farmland, Abiel Stevens Sr. left the property to his son Abiel,Jr., who sold it in 1778 to one Samuel Carlton. In turn, Carlton sold it in 1787 to James Bridges, who opened a smal1 store on the property.