This engraving is taken from the 1877 Washington County plat book. The engraving depicts the residence of Nahum Ward (mistakenly listed as Nashua Ward in the plat book) at the corner of Second and Putnam Streets in Marietta.
Nahum Ward (1785 - 1860), grandson of Revolutionary War Major General and Congressman Artemas Ward, moved to Marietta in 1811 from Massachusetts. He served as mayor from 1833 through 1836. Nahum Ward was a land investor in Washington County, and at one point, was treasurer and controlling shareholder of the Ohio Company. His residence was the site of many social functions in Marietta. It is reported that he hosted grand receptions for the Marquis de Lafayette in 1825 and John Quincy Adams in 1843.
Look closely at the building to the right of the main residence, which is enlarged above. This building, presumably the offices for Nahum Ward's land company, which remains structurally as it was shown in 1877, is now 309 Second Street--the offices of Fields, Dehmlow & Vessels. The carriage in the picture is travelling south on Second Street. The side of the building in the picture is now our front entrance.
The building underwent substantial renovations beginning in 2006. The photo to the right shows the building as it had existed for decades. A previous owner had removed the original windows and door and installed a glass store front. The photo below shows the progress during construction--restoring the original three-over-three federal design.
Finished Building.
Conference Room
Reception Area
View of downstairs.
Upstairs office.
This pre-civil war military uniform was discovered upstairs during the renovations. We do not know what became of the officer who wore the uniform.
