303 Davis Road
6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
Built around 1914
Inhabitants
| Names | Years |
|---|---|
| Joseph M. McCready, Sr. & Emma Mendleson McCready | 1914–at least 1950 |
| Joseph M. McCready, Jr. & Elizabeth Bernadine Stuart McCready | at least 1920–1961 |
| Duryea Evans & Helen Mabelle Evans | fl. 1940–1950 |
| Florence W. Scheerer | fl. 1940 |
| Sommers N. Smith | ?–1960 |
| Herman Begeman | fl. 1966 |
| John C. Barnes | fl. 1969–1975 |
| George D. Rengepes & Ourania Rengepes | 1976–? |
History
Joseph McCready was the original owner of the home. In 1914, Charles S. Taylor sold the plot of land to him for $1,150, and James C. Driscoll & Richard C. Loos were tasked with designing & constructing the home for McCready. In 1917, Joseph died. His wife continued to live in the home.
1920 census: Newspaper manager Joseph is living with his wife, children, mother, and maid of African-American origin.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph M. Mccready | 49 | Head |
| Elizabeth Mccready | 37 | Wife |
| Joseph M. Mccready | 11 | Son |
| Emmy E. Mccready | 7 | Daughter |
| Emmy Mccready | 7 | Mother |
| Elizabeth Wood | 22 | Servant |
In 1924, Joseph Jr. died. The family rented out apartments for sale to generate money. Joseph's mother Emma died in 1935, but was not living in the residence as of 1930.
Philadelphia Inquirer, August 3rd, 1924, page 21
1930 census: A widowed Elizabeth is living with her two children. Additional apartments in the house are being rented by Ohio-born manufacturer Virgil & family and distributor William & his wife.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth S. Mccready | 47 | Head |
| Joseph M. Mccready | 21 | Son |
| Emmy E. Mccready | 17 | Daughter |
| Virgin H. Prentice | 65 | Head |
| Bertha E. Prentice | 59 | Wife |
| Mary E. White | 29 | Daughter |
| Treaver W. White | 31 | Son-in-law |
| Mary E. White | 81 | Mother-in-law |
| William H. Johnston | 44 | Head |
| Beatrice L. Johnston | 31 | Wife |
In 1931, Betty McCready was hit in a car crash. She did not die, although others involved were. The same year, Virgil died. In 1934, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph, Jr. married.
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 16th, 1934, page 60
1940 census: Widow Elizabeth is living alone, as is widowed saleswoman Florence. Another unit houses New Jersey salesman Duryea Evans and his family.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth S. Mccready | 57 | Head |
| Florence W. Scheerer | 52 | Head |
| Duryea Evans | 39 | Head |
| Mabelle Evans | 35 | Wife |
| Bruce Evans | 14 | Daughter |
The house went on sale in 1948 for $16,750, but it was never purchased by anyone and the McCready family maintained ownership.
1950 census: Still-widowed Elizabeth and Duryea with his wife.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth S. Mccready | 67 | Head |
| Duryea Evans | 50 | Head |
| Helen Habelle Evans Evans | 46 | Wife |
Sommers N. Smith is listed as a resident of the home in his obituary from 1960. Elizabeth McCready (the mother, not her daughter of the same name) died in 1961, although the McCready family still owned the home. Other residents from throughout their ownership include Herman Begeman in 1966 and John C. Barnes in 1969 and 1975, although in 1975 he faced potential jail time for tax fraud.
Berwick Enterprise, November 1st, 1975, page 19
In 1976, Joseph McCready III sold the house to George D. Renepes for $47,500.