217 Main Street: The George McAllister house
early all the 200 block on the east side belonged at one time or another to Samuel S. Ellsworth, including this lot. It was sold to him as a single dwelling lot by Jonathan Ellsworth, in 1823. At this time it's not known whether the two men were related, but it certainly seems likely.
Samuel S. Ellsworth sold the lot in 1837 to Alexander M. Boyd, who probably built the house now on the lot, though it's fair to say it has been changed so radically he no doubt would fail to recognize it. The house looked entirely different from its appearance today, having a flattish roof and an octagonal cupola.
Boyd sold it to Charles C. Miller, better known as the owner of the lot next door, in 1849, and Miller sold it three years later to Abraham F. Hazen. Hazen kept it for some time, later selling it to George McAllister. The last named sold it to the Presbyterian congregation for use as a parsonage in 1866, and judging by the present shape of the house it was they who had the renovations done to bring it to its present massing and style, if not entirely its present appearance.
It's quite difficult to say what the house looked before its Queen Anne ornamentation was removed and the clapboard siding covered. The portico on the west side is early 20th century.
Plots
Far right: 217 Main Street, usually known as the Presbyterian Parsonage, because it was used as such for more than 125 years. The actual physical shape of this house is about all that remains of its Queen Anne style. Its original shape was quite different still, but without early photographs it's difficult to guess what the house used to look like.
People related to this lot and structure:
Abraham Wagener
Related sites:
Related history:
