Nichols / Daley / Albright House (1846)
This private residence is not open for interior tour.
The main structure of this two-story Federal-style brick house was built in 1846 Additions were constructed later in the 19th century, and a wood-framed addition was built during the 1920s. The floor plan and most of the moldings and basic structure are original.
John Bennet, a merchant in Athens, purchased the property in 1846 and is believed to be the first occupant. John and his wife, Phoebe, were natives of Connecticut. Hobart Bennet, probably their son, and Elsie Scot were residents in the Village of Athens when they were married on February 18, 1849, by clergy of the Athens Trinity Episcopal Church.
Hobart and Elsie took up residence with John and Phebe and started to raise a family. Sadly, the early years of their marriage were filled with tragedy. John Bennet passed away during 1852, and two years later funeral services were held at the Trinity Episcopal Church for four-year-old Abby and her younger sister Mary Elisa. Another daughter, Amanda, died in 1856 at the age of one year.
This house was also owned by various members of the Coffin family, who were prominent citizens in Athens. From 1843 until its closing in 1941, the Coffin shipyards were the center of industry in Athens. At first, canal boars and barges were constructed, and later towboats, schooners, and steamboats.
Sarah Nichols purchased the house from the Coffin family. After the death of Sarah in 1913, her children sold the house to Frank R. Shufelt and his wife, Annie Nichols Shufelt. The Shufelts presented the house as a wedding gift to their daughter Frances and Dr. Alton B. Daley.
Numerous Athens residents passed through the doors of the wood-framed addition where Dr. Daley had his medical practice. After retiring, the doctor remained in this house until his death in 1971. His granddaughter Elizabeth and her husband, Timothy Albright, purchased the property from his estate. There son, Timothy, current owns the property.
If you are walking through Athens today, the Dernell-Clark House is diagonally across the street at 10 South Washington St.
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