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Island
History -
This home
is a rather unusual horne from an architectural standpoint,
combining some features common to the Queen Anne style with a
basic, symmetrical rectangular plan shape more common in
American 4-Square and later styles. It was started in 1904 by
Edward Perkinson and added to the tax records in 1901. Michael
and Sarah Perkinson, parents of Edward, came from Ireland to the
United States in 1869 to work in the Norman Kelley & Co. quarry.
At the time Edward was born, 1874, the family lived on the south
shore near the Norman Kelley house. However, by 1896 they had
built their new home on Chapel Street to be closer to church and
stores.
Like his
father and brothers, Edward also worked for the KIL&T Company.
He was a machinist for their West Quarry Roundhouse. In 1904 he
built this house for his bride, Betz Myers, raising his family
here until the closing of the quarry forced him to leave the
island.
The house
was then purchased by Howard and Nadine Bickley Brown. The son
of Walter and Maimie Brown, Howard helped his is family in the
operation of the General Store and served as the island's Post
Master for many years. |