3611 Baring Street
The History of the
Building
1868, Oct. 17:
Title for 3607-3613 Baring St. transferred to Samuel P. Ferree by Jacob Haines
and Goldbrick, et al.
Samuel
P. Ferree was a real estate investor. In
the 1870 census he listed his occupation as “retired merchant” although he was
only 34. He lived at 3514 Spring Garden St. His father, James B. Ferree, who lived at 3404 Spring Garden St. was also a real estate
investor.
1869, Sep.
30: Title transferred to Nathan Stretch by Samuel P. Ferree
Nathan
Stretch was a carpenter and builder who lived at 3734 Haverford Ave.
(Mantua). In the 1870 census, he claimed
real estate valued at $2,000 and personal property valued at $1,000.
3611-13: “two-and-one-half
story, Second Empire-style double… 3611 has slate-shingled mansard…. Same
developers as 3607-09”
(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1871, Jan.
25: Title transferred to Virginia L. Fleming by Nathan Stretch
In
Nov., 1870, they lived at 3425 Walnut St.
1873
Directory: William S. Fleming of William S. Fleming & Co.
1877
Directory: William S. Fleming, segars
1877, Feb.
13: Death of Virginia (Ginnie) L. Fleming, 39 years
old, wife of W. S. Fleming. Funeral at
the home of her husband, 3611 Baring St.
She was born in Baltimore. Burial
at Baltimore, MD.
1877, Mar.
19: Title transferred to William S. Fleming and Louise Miller by Virginia L.
Fleming
1880:
William N. Moland 37 Grocer
Josephine H. Moland 38
Albert Moland 11
Mary Gallagher 20 Servant; parents born in
In the 1866 IRS Records, he is listed at 4102 Spruce St.
with and income of $1,121.
In the 1870 census, they were living in Ward 15, Enumeration
District 45.
1880, Nov. 2:
Title transferred to Robert A. Wilkinson by sheriff
1881 Directory: William N. Moland (William Moland & Sons)
1881, Jan. 3: Title
transferred to William W. Moland by Robert A.
Wilkinson
1890 Directory: Moland William N. (William Moland
& Sons) & pres Bullitt Bldg
William
N. Moland was a member of the board of directors of
the Corn Exchange National Bank.
(Philadelphia and Popular Philadelphians,
1891. p. 72)
1900:
William N. Moland 57 Wholesale grocer; owned free of a
mortgage
Josephine H. Moland
60 Married
30 years, 1 child who is deceased
Florence A. Moland
15 Adopted
daughter; born in
Margaret Callan 28 Servant;
born in
Mamie Geddes 24 Servant;
born in
1902: “R. Monroe Stout is taking bids for alterations and
additions to the property at 3611 Baring street,
planned by Architect C. K. Schermerhorn, for William N. Moland.”
(Phila. Inquirer, May 29) Permit application: “George Ritchie, Jr.,
contractor, interior alterations and addition to third-story room, 6x6 ft.,
3611 baring st.” (Phila.
Inquirer, June 30)
1902 Permit application: “John C. F. Trachael,
applicant, put in hot-water heating apparatus. 3611 Baring st.,
for W. M. Moland; cost: $600.” (Phila. inquirer,
July, 22)
1904, March 13: Death of Josephine H. Moland,
wife of William N. Moland; funeral services at her
late residence, 3611 Baring St.
1907, May 25: Death of William N. Moland
of 3611 Baring St.
“William N. Moland
is Buried
“The funeral of William N. Moland, of the firm of Moland
& Sons, 120 Market street, took place yesterday afternoon. He died suddenly at Atlantic City from
aneurism of the heart, and leaves a daughter and brother, George, a member of
the firm. Ten employees acted as pall
bearers. The services were held from Northminster Presbyterian Church.” (Phila.
Inquirer, May 30, 1907)
1910, Mar. 21: Title transferred to Beatrice M. Stanford by George
N. Moland, trustee
1910:
Stanley A. Stanford 35 Hotel
cashier; born in England immigrated in 1878; owner with a mortgage
Beatrice Stanford 32 Married 6
years, 2 children; born in
Beatrice Stanford
15
Arthur Stanford 13 Born in
John W. McCoach 35 Boarder;
hotel manager; single
Penola Hyland 21 Servant; born in
1911, Real Estate Ad: “3611 Baring St., Rent or Sell; 15 rooms, 2
baths, hot water heat, hardwood floors, large yard, possession. C. P. Peters
& Son, 608 Chestnut.” (Phila.
Inquirer, Dec. 23, 1911)
1912, Mar. 26: Title transferred to Grafton Greenough by Beatrice
M. Stanford
1915 Real Estate Ad: “3611 Baring. Completely renovated, hot
water heat, electric lights, hardwood floors; garage privileges. Convenient to center of city. Price right. Wm. H. W. Quick & Bro., Inc.
830 40th St. (Phila. Inquirer,
Sept. 19, 1915) Note: electric lights
not mentioned in 1911 ad.
1916, Feb. 16: Title transferred to Louisa H. Bullitt by Grafton
Greenough
1916, Mar. 20: Title transferred to The Door of Blessing, The
Mignonette Viollett Whelen
Home by Louisa H. Bullitt
1916: “New Door of Blessing Opened
“Dedicatory exercises were held at
‘The Door of Blessing,’ the Violett Whelen Home, at 3611 Baring street, yesterday. The Home was previously located at 648 North
Thirty-third street, but was recently moved to its new headquarters. The Home is maintained to help women who have
been discharged from prison and who find themselves without adequate means of
support. The exercises were presided
over by Dr. Floyd W. Thomkins and Rev. Clarence W.
Bisham.” (Phila. Inquirer, May 13,, 1916)
Window Erected in Door at
3611 Baring St.
(Evening
Public Ledger, April 21, 1917)
1920:
Gertrude T. Brown
55 Matron at “Door of
Blessing;” single; born in N.Y.; renting
Catherine E. Brown 52
Relationship to Head: Assistant; Assistant
at “Door of Blessing;” single; born in N.Y.
“The Door of Blessing, recently opened
by the King's Daughters of Philadelphia, has an object similar
to Mrs. Ballington Booth's Hope Hall, the
principal difference being that, while the latter is intended for men just out
of prison, the former is for women. The Door of Blessing is open to every woman
who is penniless and friendless. The establishment is fitted like a private
home, in the care of a housemother, and the women may remain in it until they are
accustomed to freedom, earning in the meanwhile their living or learning some
industry. No one is constrained to stay against her will.”
(Charities;
A Weekly Review of Local and General Charities. Vol VII, 1901. By Charity Organization Society of the City
of New York. P 88..)
“PHILADELPHIA
COUNTY PRISONS. The General Agent, FRED. J. POOLEY, has assisted several
hundred at the time of their discharge with lodging, clothing, railroad fares,
and with articles to sell, while they are awaiting more permanent employment.
He has given help to a considerable number in securing situations. The Door of
Blessing has indeed proved to be true to its name in giving help to the women
at the time of their discharge.”
(The
Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy .
“A
few homes have been established for the purpose of caring more exclusively for
those who have been released from prison.
In
(The
report of the Pennsylvania State Parole Commission. Pennsylvania State Parole Commission, Clair
Wilcox c1927. p 105.)
The
Temple Univ. Library has reports for the Door of Blessing: The Mignonette Violett Whelen Home
1930: 3611 Baring is
listed twice in the 1930 census on the same day by the same enumerator. Once as a house with two households and once
as an institution:
Gertrude Brown 65 Born
in N.Y.; renting for $100 per month
Mary Savage 74 Servant;
parents born in Irish Free State
Elsie Will 45 Servant;
born in Germany, immigrated in 1900
- 2nd Household
Agnes V. Voelk
52 Renting for $40 per month
William E. Etlar
28 Son-in-law; accountant
Louis De Hesville
56 Lodger;
machinist in a boiler factory; born in N.Y., father born in N.Y., mother in
Irish Free State
Gertrude Brown 65 House
Mother, Door of Blessing; owner, house valued at $30,000
Inmates:
Mary Savage 74 Widowed;
parents born in Irish Free State
Elese Witt 45 Married at age 20; born in Germany,
immigrated in 1900
Early Hamilton 33 Negro;
married at age 20; born in Va.
Catherine Hogan 62 Single;
born in Irish Free State, immigrated in 1895
Nellie James 55 Married at age 17
Jennie Hudson 22 Married
at age 20
Marian Murphy 19 Single
Lillian Haydon 40 Negro;
married at age 17; born in Va.
Nellie Lee 20 Negro;
single; born in Va.
In
1920, William Etlar lived with his parents at 3625 Hamilton St. His mother, sister and brother-in-law
still lived there.
1937, Nov. 16: Title
transferred to Alice P. Kunoerline (?) by The Door of
Blessing, The Mignonette Viollett Whelen
Home
1940:
David Sloan 23 Lab technician
with soft drink manufacturer; earned $1250 in 1939; born in MD, lived in Narbeth, Pa. in 1935; 2 years college; renting for $30 per
month
Louise Sloan 23 Born
in Del., lived in Newark, Del. in 1935; 4 years college
— next household
William Walker 30 Insurance
clerk; earned $1000 in 1939; 4 years high school; renting for $35 per month
Catherine Walker 35 Two
years high school
— next household
Charles Tuckwood 62 Apartment
house manager; earned $1000 in 1939; 8 years of school; renting for $45 per
month
Emily Tuckwood 60 Eight
years of school
Grace Tuckwood 21 Unable
to work; 4 years high school
Ethel Tuckwood 18 Looking
for employment, work 7 hours in previous week as a social work clerk; 4 years
high school
— next household
Fannie Herrstrom 60 Private
duty nurse, worked 84 hours in previous week, earned $800 in 28 weeks of work
in 1939; born in Sweden; 4 years high school; renting for $30 per month
— next household
Naomi Manning 36 Secretary
for coal mining co., earned $1,500 in 1939; married; 2 years of high school;
renting for $30 per month
Charles
E. Tuckwood and Emily Kimberline
were born in England. He
immigrated in 1893 and she arrived in 1892.
They married in Philadelphia in 1911.
Her father was a carpet weaver.
In 1930, Charles Tuckwood worked in a worsted
mill. They had a son, David C. who was a
17 year-old helper in a hosiery mill..
They lived at 3504 Shellbrook.
1950 Directory:
Margaret E. Lawrence
M. Pearl
Joseph Tomaino
Mrs. Charles E.Tuckwood
Matilda Wilkinson
1959, February:
Death of Emily Elizabeth Tuckwood of 3611 Baring
St. Burial at Hillside Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by her daughter, Miss.
Grace A. Tuckwood (Records of the Oliver H. Bair
Funeral Home.)
2009: owners:
Minerva Barayuga and Tracy Smith, Purchased September
1997