Some History

When purchasing the house, Bob and I were told that the house was built sometime in the 1920's. I know the real estate listing said this. During the beginning renovations my youngest brother, Steve, who is a history buff, kept saying he thought the house was older as we were pulling out square nails from the horse hair lath and plaster. I have since purchased a couple of South Bristol history books from the local Historical Society (I also joined because, like my youngest brother, I am a history buff as well!) and have been able to research approximately when it was built and by whom. There are some questions I still have that I will have to research when I am there and/or check with Ronnie, our neighbor, as he seems to know a lot about the area and the house and seems related to almost everyone in town. A good resource!

Here's what I have been able to research.

The house was actually built in 1885 by Harvey Oliver of Bristol who married Harriet McFarland. He bought the land from his brother-in-law, George McFarland, Jr., who lived next store in the house currently owned by Ronnie House. George's son, George Will, was known as the "Butterfly Man". He made and sold carvings and paintings of butterflies for the summer tourists and residents.

This is the original part of the house. The original front door would have been on the left where the smaller window is now. The addition from the 1920's is on the left. Ronnie House's home is on the right, built in 1846(?).

The original house had only 2 rooms downstairs, the parlor and the kitchen. What I am now calling the living room, with the built in cabinet, I think was originally the kitchen/dining area.

It appears that Harvey died in 1886, only a year later. I'm not sure how or why and will research this more when I am there. I'm speculating that he might have been lost at sea which was not uncommon. The Oliver name does not appear again in any of the history books I currently have.

View crossing "The Gut" going onto Rutherford Island 1908.

Roscoe Sylvester subsequently owned the house and then Alfred and Julia Clifford. The Clifford family owned the store across the street now known as the Island Grocery but I'm not sure if Alfred and Julia were part of this. I am guessing they might have been. Again, more research needed and who exactly was Roscoe Sylvester and how long did he own the house?

I believe the addition on the house was probably added in the 1920's. The kitchen sink would certainly indicate that.

The house stayed in the Clifford Family until 1964. I believe Maxwell and Margaret (Farrin) House purchased it at that time. Ronnie, who is our neighbor, is the son of Maxwell and also purchased at the same time. I'm not sure but believe that Margaret is Ronnie's mother. She is still alive and might have some fabulous stories about the house. She is also a great contributor to the book by Ellen Vincent, "Down on the Island, Up on the Main".

Maxwell House died in 1976 (?) and the house was deeded to his wife, Margaret. The house was sold again in 1983 to Lucinda and Stevie Plummer. They had 2 children who grew up in the house, Luke and Leah. I can still see their growth marks on the doorway in the kitchen. Stevie passed away in 2008 and the house went on the market again which is where Bob and I come in.

I will try to fill in the gaps when I am back and will visit the Historical Society to research further records as well as connect with Ronnie and Margaret House. I love doing this stuff and will keep you updated!

Here is a picture of the original out house. It's the small window on the right and it still has toilet paper hanging in it!