in 1740-50 the “ordinary”, or tavern was kept by Joseph Silloway, a disabled soldier of the Expedition for the reduction of Canada in 1775. At his death, his widow, Bridget Richardson Silloway (b1725,m1748), kept it and sold rum “To whoever came for it as long as she lived.” the locality is know as “Silloway’s Gargen.” She died November 23, 1810, aged 84 years. (21)
In the old part of the house the ceilings are lower than those in the newer part which must have been built later than 1810 since the Widow Silloway lived in it at the “garden” until she died. The front door opens into a rather narrow hall which opens into rooms at either end. An open stairway to the upper rooms have small newels with handrail and square balusters (turned balusters were not used until a later period. The hall has the old wide horizontal dado and the stairway is paneled to the ceiling. The floors are of random width and length pine. Most of the doors have the hand forged H L hinges and door latches put on with handmade nails. (from document from Cynthia)
This “ordinary” or Tavern was thought to have been in the location of the “Coffin’s Ordinary” or across the street.
Lieut. Samuel Esterbrook Jr., whose wife was Hannah Silloway (married June 16, 1784), bought the building with the 1/2 acre of land on which it was situated from David Silloway (maybe Joseph’s brother?), however, there is no evidence that he ever lived there. His home was on River Road at either Burrill house or 7 River Road.
Elbridge G. Cooper, of Haverhill, a. 24 y., cordwainer, s. Josiah and Sophia, marries Mary P. Silloway of Haverhill, a. 25 y., d. David and Louiza, Sept. 22, 1845.* (They are married in Amesbury)
Nathan(iel) Ladd bought the old Silloway house and moved it down to the village placing it on the river side of Swett’s lane near the end. It was moved down on the ice on the river in winter. The center chimney was removed for the move and two chimneys were built. This is Nathaniel and Sally (Noyes) Ladd.
1795, Dec 23: Joshua and Hannah Wingate to William Lovejoy Abbott bounded by Moses Moody on west 9R22L, South by Moody 22.5R, East by River 19R6L, North by Dolly Greenleaf 7R3L, Then runs south party by Daniel Swan and partly by Moses Moody 7R3L, then runs west again to beginning bound 11R (159/297). This perhaps is land from river to 47 East Main and cuts out a portion of the Brick Store.
1796: Abbott to Nathaniel Ladd (225/299). East 7R3L along river, 11R on south by Abbott, North by land of Dolly Greenleaf 11R, west partially by land of Daniel Swan and partially by land of Moses Moody.
1826, Sept: Nathaniel Ladd 3/4 acre to Enoch Foot, with buildings, bounded by land of Abigail Parker on south 16R, the river 8R on east, land of heirs to John Ingersoll 16R on north, 8r on highway. (244/37) (Mortgage)
1829, Mar 10: Nathaniel Ladd sold this land, on which he was living, to Frederic P. Ladd (his son) of Boston, merchant. (253/256). Although his probate gives Miriam his widow a 3rd of the house in which he dwells in 1837 bounded by Nancy Ingersol and Abigail Parker, river. Same land conveyed to Enoch Foot by Mortgage
1837: Nathaniel Ladd II died
1837: Jun 17: Frederick Ladd to John Ladd Combmaker of Newburyport (303/99). bounded by Enoch Foot 12R on north (20 Wharf), River 8R on east, Abigail (Parker) Brown 12R on south (34 Wharf), and Highway 8R on west, being the dwelling house previously of Nathaniel Ladd
Abby W. George Marries Daniel T. Goss, Dec. 4, 1839.* Children of Abby and Daniel T. Abby, d. Daniel, shoemaker, and Abby, Oct. 14, 1847. Betsey N., d. Daniel T., cordwainer, and Abigail, Mar. 11, 1845 Richmond, s. Daniel T., b. Littlefield, NH, shoemaker, and Abby W., b. Plaistow, June 30, 1849.
1848: June 13: John Ladd and Sophia Ladd to Daniel T. Goss (401/002). 3/4 of acre bounded by Southerly by Abigail Parker (16R), Easterly by River (8R), Northerly by Timothy Kinison (Binnison) (16R), Westerly by Highway(8R). (Mortgage)
1852, Oct 11th: Miriam Moody widow of Nathaniel Ladd Esq. to John Ladd (467/69) $100.00. (Lot, dwelling house, and other buildings, bounded by Highway on east (8R), south by Abigail (Borroughs, Parker) Brown (12R), East by River (8R), North by Kinison (12 R) Could this be MIriam’s 3rd she is selling to son. She marries William Moody of Newbury.
1852, Oct 8th: John (Cordswainer) and Sophia Ladd to William Reed (book agent) of Newburyport (467/69) $800.00 (same as Moody to John Ladd) Being dwelling house and land (96 square rods) occupied by John Ladd.
1852, Oct 11th: William Reed (Book Agent) and Sophia Reed (daughter of John and Sophia Ladd) to Daniel T. Goss for $700.00 (467/70) Same property.
1856 Map lists: D. Goss – husband of Abigail W. George
Abby W. George was the daughter of Abigail and Moses George who lived in 34 E. Main Street.
1860 Census:
m. 5 Mar. 1857
William Bohanan (29) Shoemaker
Mary Catherine (22) (Chase, daughter of Simeon and Sarah Brown (Simeon’s Second Wife)).
George E. Bohanan (7)
Rufus E. Bohanan (3)
1865 Census: (could be at 20)
William Bohannan (34) Soldier – born in Bradford
1868, March 1: Daniel T. Goss & Abby W. (George) Goss to James M. Pecker (765/144)
Was this the same James Pecker that lived in the Nancy George household in 1850?? Was he a decedent of James B. Pecker M.D.?? James B. Pecker was the son of David Bradley Pecker and Rebecca Nichols. bounded by Kenison, River, Joseph Estabrook, Wharf Lane.
1870 Census: (could be at 20)
William Bohanaen (40) shoe contractor
Mary (32) keeps house|
George (18) works in shoe factory
Edward (13) attends school
Ellie (9) attends School
1864-1872: James M. Pecker listed as part of the Protector #3 company
1850 census shows James Pecker living with Nancy George (not sure which house) Nancy could be the wife of Gideon George (married 1804) and this house could be on Jamaica Way.
811-1029 Nancy GEORGE, 67, $1000
Betsey ", 33
Caroline ", 30
Mary ", 28
James PECKER, 24, shoemaker
1900 Census
William Goodwin (64) Shoemaker b. Apr 1836
Martha A. Goodwin (58) b. Aug 1841
from New Hampshire, married 29 years.
1892 map lists J.M. Pecker as owner
It is known as the James M. Pecker House in 1941.
1911, July 12: James Pecker, Jr. (1869 – 1927) and Anna Belle Pecker to Charles J. Getchell (2093/466) Start corner of Wharf and Kennison, south by road to land formerly of Joseph Estabrook, easterly to River, north to Kennison, back to starting point.
James Pecker, Jr. married Anna Belle Munroe in about 1892. James M Pecker Sr. died in 1909. Perhaps James Jr. got in will /probate (can’t find one).
Jerdan J. Getchell owned in 1920
1923, Oct 10: Charles J. Getchell & Mary L. Getchell to Guy W. Littlefield & Katherine T. Littlefield (2575/375) land with buildings.
Probate: June 4, 1929
1939, March 30: Guy W. Littlefield, guardian of Katherine T. Littlefield to Brad D. Harvey through probate 22 Oct 1928. (2817/570) 96 Square Rods beginning at northwest corner of Wharf Lane and land formerly owned by Kinnison, southerly on Wharf lane 8R to land formerly owned by Joseph Estabrook, easterly by Estabrook 12R to River, Northerly 8R on River to Kinneson then westerly on Kinneson Land 12R to point first began. Subject to restriction on 2575/375
1931, Aug 11: Brad D. Harvey and Mildred Harvey to Marion and Charles Tuck (2890/434)
1940 Census: Considered 26 Wharf Lane:
Charles Tuck – 50 (W. P. A. water pipe project)
Marion F. Tuck – 47
1941, Aug 29: Marion F. Tuck and Charles G. Tuck to Frank Sweeney (3271/81)
1940 Al Edwards born and lived in the house when his parents rented it from Sweeney’s. Al went to first grade in Rocks Village School -his teacher was AUS Martin
1946, May 14: Frank Sweeney and Myrtl D. L. Sweeney to Georgina Whittemore (3463/298)
1972, March 24: Whittemore to Whittemore(5852/456)
1978, May 24: Whittemore sold to Kenneth O. Freer and Sue DeWeese Freer (6488/441) bounded on North by Kenison, west by Wharf Lane, South by land owned by Joseph Estabrook, and East by Merrimac River. Subject to certain restrictions of deed from Charles J. Getchell to Guy W. Littlefield and Kathryn T. Littlefield(2575/375)
1986: Whittemore: Edwin C. and Georgina
1986: Ventre bought from Kenneth O. Freer and Sue DeWeese Freer(bk8482/334)
2004: Ray and Cynthia Arsenault bought from Robert M. and Fran Ventre in June (bk23012/509)
From Deed:
Beginning at the Northwest corner thereof by a highway commonly known as wharf lane and land formerly owned by Timothy Kenison; thence Southerly by said highway about 8 rods to land formerly owned by Joseph Esterbrook; thence Easterly by said Esterbrook land about twelve rods to the Merrimac River; thence Northernly by said Merrimac River, about 8 rods to land formerly owned by Timothy Kenison; thence westerly by said Kenison land about 12 rods to the point of beginning; containing about 96 square rods by the same more or less.
From:
The Peaslees and Others of Haverhill and Vicinity by E. A. Kimball, 1899.
Across the way from the site of Coffin's Ordinary, a century later, was the home of Joseph and Bridget Silloway. Joseph "Osilaway, aged 39 yrs.," was a soldier under Col. John Osgood, Jr., in " His Majestie's service for the invasion of Canada " in 1758, and during the remainder of his life he suffered from wounds received while in the army. "Joseph IV Silloway and Bridget Richerson" were married April 6, 1748. Their first child, Daniel, was born at Bradford March 3, 1750. Reuben, born August II, 1755, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. A plain rough stone in Greenwood, bearing simply the initials " R. S.," marks his grave Hannah was born October 11, 1757. The house of Joseph and Bridget Silloway was in a beautiful situation, at the foot of a hill, with a tine view of the Merrimac and the West Newbury shore. The intervale now bears the name of "Silloway Gardens". The widow sold liquor to those who called at her house for it. Rum was then fashionable — it was a necessity, so nearly every one thought,and living on the edge of the highway, near the landing, no doubt the widow had many patrons who, unmindful of the clear, cold water flowing down from the underling springs above, spent their hard earned pennies for toddy, punch, and dip.