BEDELL / NICHOLS HOUSE (1873)
This private residence is not open for interior tour.
In 1872, 57-year-old George S. Nichols, custom house officer in New York City sold to Abram Bedell four and a half lots in the village of Athens described as “up to 4th street running 274 feet westerly from Franklin Street.” The following year, Abram Bedell built this Second Empire Victorian house. The mansard roof with its dormer windows is typical of the period.
When the house was built, 54-year-old Abram Bedell was already retired from the Athens firm Van Schaack & Bedell Glue Manufacturers. When he passed away during 1890, Adam bequeathed to his wife, Sarah W. Sanderson-Bedell, “my present place of residence, consisting of house and lands situated on the westerly side of Franklin Street in the Village of Athens, also household furniture, wearing apparel, silverware and plated ware, watch and jewelry, books, works of art, fuel and provisions and all other consumable stores, chattels and effects belonging to me.” While Sarah also received a bequest of $25,000, the remainder of Abram’s personal estate was divided among his children, Bradbury, Minnie (Mary), and Margaret. Sarah, her two unmarried daughters, and their servant remained in the house into the early 20th century.
The three Bedell women purchased a house on William Street during 1902 and named it Bradbury after their recently deceased son and brother. Sarah died in 1910, followed by her daughter Mary in 1917. Margaret lived in the house on William Street until her death in 1932 at age 71. She was buried in the family plot with her parents and sister in Athens Rural Cemetery.
In 1904 this house and adjoining land were sold to John Nichols, a relative of George S. Nichols, who had sold the land to Adam Bedell. It appears that the Bedell and Nichols families may have had a shared family connection, or a long friendship. Their relationship certainly started as young men prior to the transfers of this house. Documentation comes from the 1855 census, which lists Abram and George, along with their families, living in a duplex brick dwelling in the Village of Athens.
The Nichols family came to this country from England and some of the individuals settled in Athens as early as 1800. Being honorable members of the community, they were active in the civic affairs of both the town and village. They were a wealthy family who owned tugboats and engaged in shipping on the Hudson River. At the time John purchased this house, he was earning wages as the superintendent of a steamboat company, perhaps in the family business.
At the death of John Nichols, his daughter, Edna Nichols Van Deusen, inherited the property. Edna, in turn, passed it on to her daughter, Barbara Van Deusen Euiler. Seventy-seven years of ownership by the Nichols/Van Deusen/Euiler families ended when the house was sold in 1981.
The current owners have undertaken extensive renovation to house and property while maintaining the slate roof, original boards, Victorian moldings and marble fireplaces.
If you are walking through Athens today, the Eichorn House is across the street at 27 South Franklin St. Two houses south is the Matthias Van Loon House at 30 South Franklin St.
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