1 100 1 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/28828/archive/files/c03325c703928143576e59a7a9d0730e.pdf?Expires=1792627200&Signature=J2JONPab-K2HzKdDTYxh3FSV9Hr31-ZSx4n-Ne%7Ek4X5GYHNssrPvs4LoTfBWXLdmx9dW3dFbKsyGNQ3g4A8DYd9sU4iFJxe41cFnUjgv1omeuoO4mXIrj-lxP13hAhhlD7MmDZdPsGPWKBAc%7E7L-s2hh8OFww7qXaLtPTkLv0LOSCyZUcnIA3vM-xjQX2p163zybc7CSXMHKlSn-r4o8Vh3Y1wCL%7EU4gfPdO-P70b9QUoH%7Exewx25b3ss-VKNZrtX-zuxXidtuz28PACf0i-u3zcEZn3As70rnK2tXp-tNV-u2ZhbKk7sXB%7ELENLCHXtfpbce-zCJBVskYnABQYaug__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 42cfd08afe2ea91c73870e2bfd444e15 PDF Text Text 28 Briggs Street Charles H. Millett Bookkeeper and his wife Mary J. Hart Built 1904 Researched and written by Amanda R. Eddy September 2020 Historic Salem Inc. The Bowditch House 9 North Street, Salem, MA 01970 (978) 745-0799 | HistoricSalem.org ©2020 � 28 Briggs Street City of Salem Assessor’s Office In the early 19th century, Thomas Briggs laid out a plan for what is now known as Briggs Street on land east of Salem Common. The street was originally two-thirds of its current length and was initially named Briggs Court. Here, Thomas Briggs had a house and a ropewalk.1 28 Briggs Street is an example of a Dutch Colonial Revival style home, reflected in its gambrel roof with flaring eaves. Dutch Colonial Revival architecture rose to fame as America began to appreciate their colonial roots, and this style was one-way Americans chose to celebrate them. In accordance with its popularity, it is no surprise that this home was constructed in the earlier half of the 20th century, in the year 1904. The address, 28 Briggs Street, first appears in the Salem City Directory in 1904. 1 MACRIS SAL.2721 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Before 28 Briggs Street was built, a majority of the area was farmland owned by Charles A. Sinclair. After his death, his daughter, Ellen Sinclair, sold the land to Mary Jane Millett.2 The Millett family built the home in 1904. The Millett Family (1903-1918) Mary J. (Hart) Millett was born on December 11, 1874 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, to William F. Hart, a currier, and Margaret (Gilbert) Hart.3 On June 16, 1897, Mary married Charles Harris Millett.4 Charles was born to Charles Millett and Nancy A. (Harris) Millett on August 18, 1874 in Beverly, Massachusetts. His childhood home was located at 30 Federal Street in Beverly, which is still presently standing, one block from Rantoul Street. Charles had two siblings; a brother, Harry, and a sister, Kate.5 It seems that Mary and Charles did have one child together, according to a 1910 census; but the child most likely died in infancy, as no other records were found.6 A businessman, Charles was the assistant treasurer at the Burnham Coal Company, located at 2 Kilby Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Mary, although never having any occupation listed, seemed to have traveled frequently in her later years. Passenger lists from the 1920s and 1930s show trips to Honolulu, Los Angeles, and New York City.7 Unfortunately, no records of Mary’s death can be found. Charles died on October 24, 1946. In 1918, the Millett family sold the home at 28 Briggs Street to the Andrews family.8 2 Salem Registry of Deeds, 1718-115 Ipswich City Directory, 1874 4 New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Vital Records, 1911–1915 3 5 Beverly City Directory, 1874 Year: 1910; Census Place: Salem Ward 2, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_587; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0457; FHL microfilm: 1374600 6 7 California Passenger and Crew List, 1927. National Archives and Records Administration 8 Salem Registry of Deeds, 2398-32 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �The Andrews Family (1918-1956) Horace Lyle Andrews, son of Joseph Andrews and Agnes H. (Burnham) Andrews, was born in Essex, Massachusetts on August 4, 1869.9 He had two siblings, Joseph and Susa. Mary Comfort (Curtis) Millett, daughter of George A. Curtis and Sarah F. (Conley) Curtis, was born March 20, 1872 in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Mary had four brothers: George, Charles, Willie, and Albert.10 Mary and Horace were married January 9, 1895 in Essex, Massachusetts by George J. Sanger, Pastor of the Universalist Church.11 Mary was a homemaker while Horace worked as a building contractor. Together they had one daughter, Susan, who was born on April 16, 1907.12 The family rented 9 Pleasant Street in Salem from 1900 until 1918, when they purchased 28 Briggs Street. Before their daughter Susan married, she worked as a stenographer. In 1930, Susan married Franklin W. Haskell and moved to New Jersey, where she worked as a church secretary.13 Susan died on August 31, 1999 in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania and is buried in North Beverly Cemetery in Beverly, Massachusetts.14 Her father, Horace died in 1962 and her mother, Mary followed in 1963.15 They are buried together with her brother, George W. Curtis, in Spring Street Cemetery in Essex, Massachusetts. 9 1870 United States Federal Census, Essex, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_607; Page: 337B; Family History Library Film: 552106 10 1880 United States Federal Census Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: 529; Page: 404B; Enumeration District: 173 11 New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Vital Records, 1911– 1915 12 1900 United States Federal Census, Salem Ward 2, Essex, Massachusetts; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0445; FHL microfilm: 1240647 13 New Jersey State Archives; Trenton, New Jersey; Marriage Indexes; Index Type: Bride; Year Range: 19301935; Surname Range: A - D 14 Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016 15 Find A Grave, (Memorial ID: 45757640) Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Mary’s brother, George W. Curtis, lived with the Andrews family from 1939 until 1945. George was born March 13, 1877. 16 His occupation was often listed “odd jobs,” some of the jobs included: a laborer, a private gardener, and a letter carrier. Before moving in with his sister’s family, he boarded at 17 Nursery Street in Salem. George was registered for the draft during World War I but it doesn’t appear that he was called to serve. In 1945, George died from an unknown cause and was buried in Spring Street Cemetery in Essex. In 1956, Mary and Horace sold the house at 28 Briggs Street to the Arsenault family.17 The Arsenault Family (1956-1978) Emanuel Thadde Arsenault was born on October 30, 1900 in Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Francois Arsenault and Mathilde Arsenault.18 In 1933, Emanuel married Ellen “Nellie” Arsenault in Salem, Massachusetts.19 Together, the couple had one child, Francis Joseph Arsenault, born around 1935.20 Prior to moving to 28 Briggs Street, Emanuel and Nellie lived at 48 Webb Street and 28 Howard Street, both in Salem.21 In the 1940s, they managed Ray’s Lunch on Bridge Street.22 Emanuel acted as the treasurer while Nellie was the 16 A telephone operator, Minnie Dick is listed as boarding at 28 Briggs Street in 1926, but no further information on her could be found. Salem City Directory, 1926 17 18 Salem Registry of Deeds, 4335-271 Prince Edward Island Baptismal Index. Prince Edward Island, Canada: Public Archives and Records Office. 19 Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Marriages [1916–1970]. Volumes 76–166, 192– 207. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. Ellen’s maiden name is unknown. 20 1940 United States Federal Census, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: m-t0627-01589; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 5-339 21 Salem City Directory, 1940 22 The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Massachusetts, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 26 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �president. The couple also furnished rooms at a boarding house at 2-4 Howard Street. By 1959, their son Francis was listed as serving in the United States Army. Eleanor Arsenault, most likely Emanuel’s sister, also lived with the family briefly from 1959-1962, while she worked as a clerk for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. The circumstances of Emanuel’s death are unclear, but in 1962, Nellie is first listed as a widow.23 For the next two years, she was a laundry worker before becoming a saleswoman at Almy’s Department Store in 1964.24 Nellie sold the house to the French family in 1978 for $45,000.25 The French Family (1978-2020) Frederick A. French was born on April 12, 1931 in Salem, Massachusetts to Doris (French) Jackson. While attending Salem High school, he resided at 92 ½ Essex Street. During high school, Fred played basketball and was a letterman and senior year, co-captain of the team. After graduation, Fred served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the service and returned to Salem to work as a paper cutter at Parker Brothers on Bridge Street.26 He married Fabia (Burridge) French in the year 1951. Fabia was born September 5, 1931 to Captain Frederic and Anna (Leal) Burridge, in Salem, Massachusetts. She was raised in Salem and graduated from Salem High School in 1949. She worked at the United Shoe Company in Beverly. Fabia and Frederick had five children together: William, Glen, Scott, Donna, and Patricia.27 After raising her children, Fay worked at the Phillips School in Salem, and then in her retirement, at Anderson & French, PC. Frederick and Fabia lived at 13 Pleasant Street in Salem28 before renting 32A Briggs Street and in 1978, the 23 Salem City Directory, 1962 Salem City Directory, 1964 25 Salem Registry of Deeds, 6448-196 26 Salem City Directory, 1970 27 Find A Grave Memorial ID: 128511282 28 Salem City Directory, 1954 24 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �couple purchased 28 Briggs Street. In 1985, the French family built the home’s sunroom for $10,000. Fabia and Frederick remained in the home until their deaths. Fabia passed in 2014 and Frederick followed in 2018. Fabia passing in 2014 and Frederick in 2018. They are buried in Greenlawn Cemetery with Fabia’s parents and siblings. Their son, William French, inherited the home and sold it to John Scott Cunningham in March 2020. Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � SOURCES Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Homeowner Date Purchased Purchase Price Deed Referenced Notes, Additional Documents, or Deeds Mary J. Millett September 15, 1903 19031918 15 $1 1718-115 19181956 38 $1 and other valuable considerations 2398-32 Emmanuel T. December Arsenault 18, 1956 Nellie Arsenault 19561978 22 Considerations 4335-271 paid Frederick A. French Fabia B. French March 3, 1978 19782020 42 $45,000 6448-196 John Scott Cunningham March 20, 2020 2020 < 1 $830,000 38385465 A certain parcel of land With the buildings thereon With the buildings thereon A parcel of land with the buildings thereon A parcel of land with the buildings thereon Mary C. Andrews August 16, 1918 Years of Number Ownership of Years Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Residents Table Directory Year 1904-1917 Residents Charles H. Millett Occupation or Notes Bookkeeper 1904-1917 Mary J. Millett Homemaker 1918-1955 Horace L. Andrews Carpenter/Building Contractor 1918-1955 Mary C. Andrews Homemaker 1918-1929 Susan Andrews Stenographer 1926 Minnie Dick Telephone Operator 1939-1945 George W. Curtis Laborer 1956-1978 Emanuel T. Arsenault Room Furnisher 1956-1978 Ellen (Nellie) Arsenault Almy’s Saleswoman 1959-1962 Eleanor Arsenault Clerk at NET+T Co. 1958-1960 Francis J. Arsenault U.S. Army 1978-2018 Frederick A. French Paper Cutter at Parker Brothers 1978-2014 Fabia “Fay Bunny” B. French Shoemaker at United Shoe Co. Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Sidney Perley Map, “Map of Salem About 1780” Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Salem Atlas, 1897 (Plate 4) Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Detail from Salem Atlas, 1906-1938 (Plate 19) Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Detail from Salem Atlas, 1911 (Plate 14) Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � View of upper Briggs Street, looking northeast toward the (extant) homes at 15, 17, 19, and 23 Briggs Street (later 23, 25, 27, and 33 Briggs Street due to street renumbering) with a group of boys on the street, and a wagon further down on the street, visible. Creator unknown, c. 1865. SV-028 Salem State University Archives and Special Collections Mary Hart Birth Record, Ipswich City Directory 1874 Charles H. Millett and Mary J. Hart Marriage, New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Vital Records, 1911–1915 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Charles H. Millett Mason Membership Card, Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons Membership Cards 1733– 1990. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. California Passenger and Crew List, 1927. National Archives and Records Administration Horace and Mary Andrews, Essex Marriage Registry, 1895 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Salem City Directory, 1930 Minnie Dick, Salem City Directory, 1926 1940 U.S. Census. The census taker incorrectly listed 28 Briggs as 24 Briggs. George W. Curtis Birth Record, 1877. George W. Curtis World War I Draft Registration Card, September 11, 1918. Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Susan Andrews Haskell Obituary, 1999 The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Massachusetts, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 26 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995: 1962 Salem City Directory, 1964 Year: 1940; Census Place: Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: m-t0627-01589; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 5339 Salem City Directory, 1970 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Salem High School Yearbook, 1949 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Salem High School Yearbook, 1947. Fred French is #9 on the top row, 3rd from the right. Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Salem High Yearbook, 1949. Fred French is #9 on the top row, left. Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � The Boston Daily Globe, 1948 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Salem High School Yearbook, 1947 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Salem High School Yearbook, 1949 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Fabia “Bunny” French Salem — Mrs. Fabia “Bunny” (Burridge) French, 82, of Salem, died peacefully at her home on April 20, 2014, surrounded by love. She was the beloved wife of Frederick French, who she met when she was 14, and shared 63 years of marriage. Fay was born in Salem on September 5, 1931, to the late Capt. Frederick and Anna (Leal) Burridge. She graduated from Salem High School with the Class of 1949. She was employed at the United Shoe Co. before raising her five children, then at the former Phillips School in Salem, and most recently, at Anderson & French, PC. Fay was exceptionally kind and friendly, and was happiest with her family and lots of company. She loved the outdoors, animals, birds, flowers, campfires, and a good thunderstorm. She was a longtime Mass Audubon and WGBH member. Fay was a happy person with a positive soul and a smile for everyone. She will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. Along with her husband, Fay is survived by her five children; sons, William and his wife, Kathleen, and Glenn, Scott and his wife, Claire; daughters, Donna McArdle and her husband, Sean, and Patricia Swaczyk Serino and her husband, Steven; her eight grandchildren, Heather, Jason, Christin, Scott, Brian, Spenser, Bryanne, and Dominic; and three great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sister Anna “Dolly” Leadbetter and her husband, Robert; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Hugh Burridge. The Salem News Obituaries, April 20, 2014 The Salem News Obituaries, April 20, 2014 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Frederick A. French Salem - Mr. Fred French, lifelong resident of Ward 2 in Salem and veteran of the United States Marine Corps, died peacefully at his home on May 12, 2018. He was the beloved husband to the late Fabia (Burridge) French, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories. Fred was born on Derby Street in Salem to the late Doris (Whelpley) Jackson. Fred graduated from Salem High School with the class of 1949 where he was a basketball star and cocaptained the team. He loved basketball and continued to play and coach on park and city leagues, and referee for both high school and Merrimack College games. There was always a hoop in the yard, and always a game at the ready with the neighborhood kids. He also enjoyed badminton, road races, and participated nationally in Masters’ Swim meets. An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He worked at Parker Brothers, retiring as Production Planning Manager after 34 years with the company. For 15 years, he worked at Anderson & French CPAs as a Certified Fraud Examiner. Using his strong sense of justice, he also served for years as foreman of a Federal Grand Jury in Boston. He completed studies at Harvard Extension School and later earned an MBA from Northeastern University. Fred loved to read historical fiction, memoirs and mysteries and to study maps. He could fix anything and everything in his house. He accepted others without judgment, celebrated their achievements, and embraced differences. Nothing meant more to him than his family and his home. He was an extremely proud and devoted father and will live on in his children, William and Kathleen French, Donna and Sean McArdle, Glenn French, Scott and Claire French, and Patricia and Steven Serino. He was the treasured grandfather to Jason, Christin, Heather, Scott, Brian, Spenser, Bryanne, and Dominic; and great-grandfather to Hunter, Brooke, and Trase. Fred was brother-in-law to Anna and Robert Leadbetter; and uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Fabia, he was predeceased by his brother Donald French; his mother and step-father Doris and Lawrence Jackson; Fabia’s parents Anna and Captain Frederick Burridge; his brother-in-law Hugh Robert Burridge; and his good friend Al Raymond. The Salem News Obituaries, May 12, 2018 The Salem News Obituaries, May 12, 2018 Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � A photo of Fred and Fabia French. Courtesy of the O’Donnell Funeral Home City of Salem Building Department Property Cards Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Find A Grave Memorial ID: 128511282. This photograph was taken before Frederick’s death in 2018. Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � DEEDS Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com �Amanda R. Eddy | amandarobineddy@gmail.com � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Briggs Street Historic Salem, Inc. House History A resource made available by Historic Salem, Inc. detailing the history of Salem's houses. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 28 Briggs Street, Salem, MA, 01970 Subject The topic of the resource House History Description An account of the resource Charles H. Millett Bookkeeper and his wife Mary J. Hart Built 1904 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Historic Salem, Inc. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Historic Salem, Inc. house histories Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Historic Salem, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Built in 1904 House history completed 2020 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Amanda R. Eddy Language A language of the resource English 1904 2020 28 Briggs Street Bookkeeper Hart Massachusetts Millet Salem