2 Atwood Street

History

In 1806, Thomas Johnson gave Johanna Johnson the land from the corner of Federal Street to 8 Atwood Street. In 1846, Johanna sold the land at 2 Atwood Street to Patrick Doherty for $125 (Patrick’s name is often misspelled as “Dorothy” on censuses, City Directories, and the 1851 map). At that time, Atwood Street was called Ann Street. The name was changed to Atwood Street in 1856 after Margaret Atwood.

Patrick Doherty came from Ireland. He was listed as a “laborer” on most censuses. Patrick had the money to buy the land on Ann Street and built a tiny house (25 x 21 feet) on an existing old foundation. Patrick was married to Bridget, and together they had four children.

The house was where new immigrants from Ireland came to stay. In 1860, 13 people lived in this tiny house. The City needed to widen Atwood Street, as it was a dirt road wide enough for one horse, so they took the land in front of Patrick's home.

When Patrick died in 1870, his land was worth $1,125, and he owed the bank $400. In 1873, the property was auctioned to pay the remaining mortgage. There is no indication of what happened to Patrick’s wife Bridget and their children or all the people Patrick Doherty took in who emigrated from Ireland.