The house as a whole typifies the highest ideals of a bygone period. No modern touch is allowed to mar the beauty of its simple dignity. Never since its erection has it been out of the family. As before stated, the builder was one of three sons, all physicians. There was also a sister Elizabeth, who inherited medical ability to such a marked degree that she took charge of her father's patients, and after her marriage and removal to Londonderry, New Hampshire, was frequently called upon to assist at surgical operations. There is a story extant relating to her visit to a patient during a dark night. While on her way she slipped and fell, breaking her leg. Nothing daunted, she set the bone herself, and so well did she do it that she suffered no serious inconvenience from her mishap.
Doctor Thomas Kittredge commenced his practice in Andover about 1775. At the commencement of the Revolution, he enlisted in the Continental army, rendering very valuable services as surgeon in Colonel James Fry's regiment. Of him it has been well said that he had more natural skill than any man in the country. A dignified and commanding gentleman, he enjoyed unusual facilities for aiding the sick and the wounded, not only through his wealth, which allowed him to procure for them many delicacies, but through the services of his brother-in-law, Major Samuel Osgood, who was in charge of the department of supplies.
His father, while not taking an active part in the work, did much for the welfare of the soldiers who were sent home to recuperate. He frequently kept them in the old house for many months, or until they had fully recovered their health.
At the close of the Revolution, Doctor Thomas served a long term in the Legislature, and his sterling character and fine intellect combined to make him one of the most valued members of this learned body of men. The last act of his life was in keeping with the kindly traits that had always distinguished him and had made him generally beloved. He encountered at the roadway a man coming from afar, with yet many miles to go before his destination was reached. Noticing the worn-out condition of the horse he rode, the doctor commanded the animal to be installed in his own barn and offered the stranger the use of one of his horses that he might continue on his way. The next morning the borrowed animal was sent home, but the kindly master who had so graciously loaned him was not present to note his return, having passed quietly away in his sleep during the night.
In his day slavery was countenanced in Massachusetts, and the affairs of the colored servants, however trivial, were attended to by the good doctor and his wife, who were ever thoughtful of the interests of their slaves. The raising of the great house, known as the Kittredge mansion, was a source of great rejoicing among those servitors, and one of the slaves, Cæsar by name, held in his arms the baby of the family, Doctor Joseph Kittredge, first, then nine months old, that he might be able to say, when he was a man grown, that he was at the raising.
There were many incidents in which the slaves afforded the doctor great amusement, particularly one which occurred when Cato was about to be married. The family and guests were gathered in the parlor, and Doctor Sims, the pastor of the church, was asked to officiate. Cato had been presented for the occasion with a suit of small-clothes, and half a crown for a wedding fee. He was very much impressed with the responsibility of the money, but he could not determine when or where the fee was to come in. This led him to keep his ears and eyes wide open, watching the minister's every word and action. The ceremony concluded, Doctor Sims said in a solemn voice: "Let us pray," stretching out his hand as he spoke. The nervous bridegroom understood it as "Let us pay," and he thrust his hand hastily into his pocket and brought out the half-crown, placing it in the minister's hand before the voice of supplication showed him that the summons was to "pray" and not to "pay."
Doctor Joseph Kittredge succeeded to his father's practice in 1818. He married Miss Hannah Hodges of Salem, and two of their sons were educated for the medical profession,—Doctor Joseph Kittredge, second, and Doctor John Kittredge. The first named succeeded his father in practice and was a highly respected and beloved physician of North Andover until his death in 1878. Two of his sons are doctors, Doctor Thomas Kittredge of Salem, and Doctor Joseph Kittredge, third.
The standard of hospitality established by the builder has been rigidly adhered to through all the passing years, and more especially during the summer season the old rooms re-echo with the merry chatter of gay young voices, much as they did in the olden days.