This “double house” was built by the Estabrook family, ship builders and house wrights, at the turn of the nineteenth century and is now a single family dwelling. It combines heavy framing and Federal period trim and delightful modern decor including a sunken, brick floored dining area. A loft and other secret nooks add to the house’s charm. (34)
Joseph Esterbrook bought the land from Sarah Sawyer for $60.00 in 1834 (282/92) bounded by Abigail Parker, Benjamin Chase, and John Johnson Esq.
It appears as though Joseph Estabrook built the house around 1840 and owned it until his death in 1861. Joseph himself lived on East Main Street and appears to have rented this two family house out.
1850: Listed as J. Estabrook on Map and in the 1855 census it suggests that a Rowell family (John and Catherine) is living on one side and the McFee family (Hamden, Sarah, George, and Frank) on the other. In 1860, perhaps it is Williams family and McFee family.
When Joseph Sr. died (1861), Joseph Jr. sold it to his brother John R. (618/110). John R. dies in 1864 and his wife Ann and child John L. and Mary E. (John L’s wife) remain living there.
From 1864 to 1868, there are several mortgages take out on the house. The last one was with James B. Bricket and there must have been a default on the mortgage because James Brickett sells the house to Charles Carr in 1870.
The 1872 map lists C. Carr as the owner and Charles lived in one side and his father Joseph Carr lived in the other.
According to the 1900 census, Charles H. Carr lives on one side with his wife Mary and his brother Edward is living on the other with his sister Emma.
When Charles Carr and Mary Carr pass away in 1924/25, they house goes to their daughter Addie F. Sawyer who remains there until her death.
1930 and 1940 census shows that Addie (age 65) is a widow living at 20 River Road. In 1910, Addie is living in Merrimac with her father in law Charles Sawyer as a widow.
1930 Samuel J. Corman and Alice Corman are living on River Road near Addie Sawyer and Harry Colby. in 1910 they lived on Old Ferry Road.
According to Addie Sawyer’s will, the house goes to Samuel J. Corman.
Census
In 1850 census, John Ladd and his family were living on one side and his sister, Sophia and her husband William Reed were living on the other.
1850 census- John W. Ladd (b. Jan. 7, 1822) (son of John Ladd & Sophia Jaques) at age 28 is listed as a shoemaker. John W., marries Sarah C. Evans of Amesbury, int. June 29, 1845.
Sarah (Evans)- 27,
Frances – 5,
Mary – 3
John – 2
1855 Census
William Reed, of Antwerp, NY, marries Sophia B. Ladd, May 14, 1842 (John W. Ladd’s sister).
1870 Census:
Joseph Carr (74) farm laborer
Mary (48) keeps house
Edward T. (18) works in shoe factory
Emma (27) works in shoe factory
Mary (28) works in shoe factory
Charles H. (26) works in shoe factory
Mary L. (25) Keeps house
Addie F. (6) attends school
1880 Census
Charles H. (36) Shoemaker
Mary F. (36) house keeper
Addie F. (16) Shoe Stitcher
Emily J (33) Shoe Stitcher
Mary (66) Keeping House
Edward F (28) Shoemaker
1900 Census
Edward T. Carr (48) Shoemaker
Emma J. (53) sister
Charles H. Carr (56) Shoe maker
Mary F. (56) wife, married 35 years
1920 Census
Edward T. Carr (48) Shoemaker
Joseph H. (85) boarder (father)
Charles H. Carr (76) Shoe maker
Mary F. (76) wife, married 35 years
(Charles Carr’s daughter Mrs. Addie Sawyer owned it at one point and lived in one side and rented the other. (7)
1930 and 1940 census: listed at 18 River Road: Addie F. Sawyer – 75 living alone.
Deeds
1861, Feb 25th: From Joseph Estabrook Jr. to John R. Estabrook (618/110) Upon Joseph Sr. death. Joseph Jr. and John R. are brothers. (this deed includes all the pieces of land Joseph Esterbrook owned)
1867, Aug 14th: Ann M. (John R’s wife), John L., and Mary E. (John L.’s Wife) mortgage to Brickett (729/118)
1867, May 21: Ann M., John L. and Mary E. to Lydia Davis (727/138) includes land bounded by Goss, River and Highway (maybe 20 Wharf?)
1868, June 13: From John R. Estabrook and Mary E. Estabrook to James B. Brickett (750/224)
1870, May 9: James B. Brickett sold to Charles H. Carr. (796/296) Land with dwelling house bounded easterly by road to Amesbury (76 ft), northerly A.J. Young (82 ft), westerly by Young (75′) and southerly by Osgood (82′)
Edith M. Dawkins derives her title from the estate of her father Samuel J. Corman, who derived title under the will of Addie F. Sawyer, who derived her title from her father Charles H. Carr, who derived title from the deed of J. B. Brickett dated May 9, 1870 (796/296)
1951, May 9: Edith M. Dawkins to Everett E. and Lillian M. Dickey (3817/299)
1952, Sep 9: Everett E. Dickey to Ray (3923/400)
1969, Jan 7: Richard W. Ray to John and Althea Ray (5585/007)
1969, Dec 12: John W. Ray and Althea M. to Keehner (5657/113) $9,000
1970, Nov 17: Allen M. Keehner and Mary Catherine Keehner to Gagnon (5727/229) $11,000
1974, Apr 24: John R. Gagnon and Alice M. to Killheffer (6062/784) $32,000
1978, Mar 18: Peter H. Killheffer and Lynn to Merrill Lynch (
1978, Jun 16: Merrill Lynch Relocation Mgmt to Dr. Tom Fazio (6481/674)
1984, Aug 28: Thomas L. and Cynthia A. Fazio to Warnock (7507/268)
1996, Feb 2: Richard N. Warnock to Gordon Brooke (13396/319) $175,000
2012, Jan 31: Gordon Brooke to Daniel R. Ledwith and Amanda L. Ledwith (31048/355) $264,900
Reference: https://haverhill.pastperfectonline.com/photo/5419BECC-6D2B-4254-9C6B-099689102436