History of the Original Homestead on Towne Pond
On
the left is an 1870 photo of the Towne family homestead, the only family on
Towne Pond at the time. (This photo is actually one half of an old stereo pair.)
The following historical account is from The DWELLINGS OF BOXFORD,
ESSEX COUNTY, MASS. by Sidney Perley, published by The Essex Institute of
Salem, MA, in 1893:
"The residence of Mr. Henry A. Towne was built by his
grandfather John Towne on his own land in 1790, his son Asa being the carpenter.
Mr. Towne had previously lived in the old house, No. 176, which stood across the
street about twenty-five rods east of the present house. John Towne married Anna
Cummings of Ipswich in 1763, and had several children: Asa, Sarah, Anna, Amos,
John, Solomon (who lived at No. 183), Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, Lucy and Oliver.
He died in 1830, at the age of eighty-nine. The Salem Gazette in its issue of
March 12, 1830, contained the following notice of his death: --"
"In
Boxford, on Monday morning, Mr. John Towne in the 90th year of his age. He was a
soldier in the French war, 1759, and during most of the Revolutionary war. He
was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and never saw the spot again until the late
half century anniversary, when he visited Boston to attend the celebration. His
death was very sudden, he having retired to bed on Sunday evening in his usual
good health and spirits."
"The powder-horn that Mr. Towne carried in the battle of
Bunker Hill is in the possession of his great-grandson, Mr. Horatio Towne of
Boston."
"Mr. Towne's son Samuel succeeded him on the place. He was
born here in 1783, married Charlotte Fletcher, and was the father of Henry A.
Towne, the present owner and occupier of the farm, which descended to him from
his father."
From UPDATED DWELLINGS OF BOXFORD by Winnifrid
Chadwick Parkhurst and Barbara Carolyn Perley, published in 1977 by Rowley
Printing, Inc., Rowley, MA:
"Hiram
N. Towne succeeded his parents on this farm. Hiram and his wife Alice (Tufts)
had no children, but two nieces, Ella and Bertha Towne, lived here with them
until they married. Hiram was active in parish affairs and was the first
Master of Boxford Grange in 1911. He was a dealer in wood and timber. After his
death Feb. 22, 1932 and that of his wife June 16, 1932, the estate which
consisted of several hundred acres was sold off in part and the remainder given
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a state forest."
"Elizabeth
E. Parkhurst et al conveyed the property inherited from their uncle, Hiram N.
Towne (brother of Lucy E. [Towne] Parkhust), to John F. Hughes Feb. 6, 1934.
B2978, p537."
"Mr. Hughes lived here a few years and sold to Eunice L.
Vaughn, June 26, 1939. B3185, p23."
"For about 7 years, the Vaughns and their children enjoyed
the property until John Frederick Vaughn conveyed it to Paul S. Knowles, May 31,
1946. B3462, p103."
"The Knowles family resided here about six years and
transferred to David H. Donnan, June 9, 1952. B3900, p488."
"After ten years, David H. Donnan sold Ardon Farm, so named
by the Donnans, to William E. Dorman et al, known as Ardon Farm Realty Trust,
March 12, 1962. B4889, p221."
"William E. Dorman et al to Charles H. Alcorn, Jr., Sept.
24, 1962. B4987, p251."
"Charles H. Alcorn, after five years, transferred the
estate to Richard H. Price, a psychiatric social worker, June 22, 1967. Mr.
& Mrs. Price (Jean G.) are in residence in 1976."
Ardon Farms
The Boston Herald on September 22, 1961, had an article titled
"Syndicate Buys Estate in Boxford". This article, in part, says:
"BOXFORD -- Agreements have been signed for the purchase of Ardon Farm,
250-acre estate here considered one of the most attractive properties of the
North Shore."
"A small syndicate, including the noted architect Royal Barry Wills, has
agreed to buy the property off Main St. from Mrs. Amelia R. Donnan who has move
her residence to Ohio."
"RESTORED COLONIAL"
"The farm consists of some 15 parcels of land, an antique colonial restored
over the years by several substantial owners, a caretaker's cottage, barn,
three-car garage, camp, tennis court, skeet field and 30-acre pond."
.
.
.
"Much of the land is heavily wooded adjoining the State Forest, part of
the Essex County Greenbelt, an area frequently used by horseback riders. The
pond has been a feeding place for wild deer and geese ..."
[Thanks to the Boxford Historical Society
for providing me with all the materials for this web page.]