FOUNDING FAMILIES OF ANDOVER MONUMENT
The dedication ceremony for the new plaque is scheduled for June 27th, 2026 at 3:00 PM
In 1979 The Old Center was designated as a Historic District. The North Andover Historical Commission celebrated the occasion with the stone monument that you see in the picture above. The plaque on the town monument is being modified by adding the names of the First 23 Freeholders based on the “Faulkner List”. The white building to the left is part of the North Andover Historical Society complex.
The dedication ceremony for the new plaque is scheduled for June 27th, 2026 at 3:00 PM.
If you are a descendant of a Founding Family, we invite you to attend the celebration and meet some relatives.
The new monument design is shown below.
The land throughout the Merrimack Valley was populated by many indigenous peoples for 10,000 years prior to the arrival of English settlers. In 1644, Reverend John Woodbridge led 10 families from Newbury to settle the area known as "Cochichewick Plantation". A meeting house was established in 1645. On May 6, 1646 the town was incorporated and renamed Andover. The "First Comers List", written and signatures collected by town clerk, Edmond Faulkner lists the following 23 families:
Simon and Ann (Dudley) Bradstreet
* John and Sarah (Booth) Osgood
* Joseph and Mary (Stevens) Parker
* Richard and Joanna Barker
John and Elizabeth (Parker) Stevens
* Nicholas and Elizabeth (Short) Holt
Benjamin Woodbridge (unmarried)
* John and Ann (Stratton) Frye
* Edmund Faulkner (unmarried)
* Robert and Joan (or Joanne Harvey)
Barnard Daniel Poor (unmarried)
* Nathan Parker (unmarried)
Henry Jaques (unmarried)
John Aselebee (Aslett) (unmarried)
* Richard Blake (unmarried)
William and Grace (Berwick) Ballard
John Lovejoy (unmarried)
Thomas Poor (unmarried)
George Abbot III (unmarried)
John and Margret Russ
Andrew and Faith (Ingalls)
Allen Andrew and Anne (Alcock) Foster
Thomas & William Chandler (brothers unmarried)
*asterisk denotes signers of the charter of the first Christian Church
Donated by the Holt Association of America June 27, 2026
The wives mentioned were married prior to 1646. Unmarried means they were unmarried at that point in time.
Designed by: John Ness | Merrimack Engraving/Killorglin Creations
134 Main St North Andover, MA O1845 | tel: 978-683-5335 www.kcgifts.net
FAMILY ASSOCIATIONS
The Holt Association of America - Our purpose is to promote acquaintances among all Holts around the world, to collect and preserve records, papers and memorials relating to the family. Facebook
The Chandler Family Association is dedicated to increasing knowledge of the heritage and genealogy of Chandlers and Chandler descendants worldwide.
The Frye Line: "From where and whence they came…” The descendants of John FFrie (1601-1693) by Scott Mason (Frye descendant)
Lori Hanson: Descendant of Andrew and Anne Foster. “I Be A Witch” tells the story of Ann Foster, an accused witch of Salem in 1692. Facebook Group: Descendants of 1692 Salem, MA “Witches”
Andover Center for History and Culture: Preserving the Past ~ Educating for the Future ~ Connecting with Our Community
The Andover Center for History and Culture sparks curiosity and inspires action by gathering and sharing stories that connect us to each other, our community, and the world.
The Lawrence History Center Our mission is to collect, preserve, share and animate the history and heritage of Lawrence and its people.
NORTH ANDOVER Historic district ATTRACTIONS
The Old Center
The original settlement of Andover in 1645 was laid out around what is now known as the First or Old Burying Ground (1645). A town center grew up on the southern end of this original settlement. This neighborhood includes the Johnson Cottage (1790), 1836 Meeting House, the Second Burying Ground (1817), and the Brick Store (1829). The area is known today as the Old Center.
A “Walking Tour of North Andover’s Historic District” brochure is available in the 1646 Bookstore, located in the lobby of the NA Historical Society. It features historic buildings, monuments and homes.
NORTH ANDOVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY HIGHLIGHTS
Exhibits: Horace N. Stevens History Wing | Preserving Our Past — Protecting Our Future | Rev 250
Bookstore for historic maps, books, souvenirs, puzzles, cards, artwork.
Lectures, movies, events, fiber arts: Events Calendar
Stevens Wood Library and Archive (please make an appointment)
Parson Barnard House Museum: Open May - October on the first Saturday of the Month.
Eateries in the old center historic district
Diane’s Cafe on the Common (located in the lobby of the NA Historical Society)
Cows Rock Ice Cream (Check for hours)
Cakes by Design Edible Art (Hours by appointment)
Founding Families Of “Cochichawick Plantation”
The First 23 Freeholders in Andover as they came to Town
The Faulkner List
Mr. Bradstreet
John Osgood
Joseph Parker
Richard Barker
John Stevens
Nicholas Holt
Benjamin Woodbridge
John Fry
Edmond Faulkner
Robert Barnard
Daniel Poor
Nathan Parker
Henry Jaques
John Aslett (or Alebe)
Richard Blake (Black)
William Ballard
John Lovejoy
Thomas Poore
George Abbott
John Russe
Andrew Allen
Andrew Foster
Thomas Chandler
This list, in the handwriting of Town Clerk Edmund Faulkner, is taken from some of the surviving early Town Records. A transcription is provided below.
The bolded names indicate the ten men who signed the Covenant for the first Christian Church at Andover, including the minister, John Woodbridge.
Descendants of some of these founding families still live in town.
Citation: Andover Town Meetings & Land Grants, 1660-1708, p. 0322.
NAHS ID: 1994.005.031