In this series of looking at the odd numbered side of the 1700 block of New Jersey Ave NW from 1920 to 1930, I decided to look at the other end of the block. The change from 1920 to 1930 for most of the block was from white renters to black home owners. My post The sell off of the 1700 block of New Jersey Ave NW pretty much explains the why.
Looking at a previous post I wrote:
1709 NJ Ave NW (Sq. 507, lot 14) sold to Julia G. Holland by M. Harvey Chiswell around September 1920. She also had a loan/ deed of trust between her W. Wallace Chiswell, H.A. Kite for $2,800 at 6%, secured by M. Harvey Chiswell.
It’s been a while since I’ve done this, so this is the pattern: I look at the white renters then the black homeowners.
White Renters
There was only one household mentioned in the 1920 census for 1709 NJ Ave NW, the Nolan family. The head was a 47 year old Irish-American bricklayer named James Joseph Nolan. Julia (nee Woolridge), his wife, his 84 year old mother Mary M. Nolan, and their two sons Victor (17) and Fredrick (9). Victor worked as a mechanic at the Navy Yard.
The family was at the house for the 1910 census. Then it was headed by 73 year old, retired contractor, James Francis Nolan. Mary, James J., Julia, grandsons Victor and James F. Jr. Little James F. could be Fredrick.
When Mary M. Nolan died in 1924 the Washington Times reported that she lived at 1223 8th St NW. The family was at 1252 10th St NW for the 1930 census. They were still renters and a multi-generational household. Victor was married and in the home with his wife Cornelia and daughters Miriam(5) and Margaret (3). James and Victor were working as bricklayers and James F. a stacker? at the Patent Office. Julia died in 1936 and their address was 1543 3rd St NW. and her funeral was at Immaculate Conception. In 1940 the Nolan family were listed as homeowners. But this time Victor was the head, working as a clerk at the Post Office supporting his wife, two daughters and his father.
James died in 1947. At that point he was living at 9505 Biltmore Dr, Silver Spring, MD.
Black Homeowner
Julia C. Holland purchased the home at 1709 New Jersey Ave NW. In the 1930 census she lived at the property with her daughter Thelma Holland and four lodgers. Also in 1930 she took out a loan with trustees EK Coleman and Leo Kahn. The next loan, which was taken out in 1941, noted that Julia had died. For a 1965 loan, the paperwork noted that Thelma had died and her estate had passed to Julia A. Henderson. Julia A. Henderson was already dead or incapacitated and her estate run by Thomas O., Carl O., and John E. Henderson. This ends with the 1966 sale by successor guardian Preston H. Harris to Harry W. and Max. M. Goldberg.
Julia C. Holland was renting a place with her daughter Thelma at 1519 11st St. (NW?) with her mother Laura Clark and mother in law Agnes Holland in the 1920 census. In 1920 she worked as a charwoman for the US government. The two older women worked as laundresses.
It appears that Julia Clarke Holland died in April of 1933 and her funeral was held at Asbury M.E. church. Her husband John R. Holland died in 1919 and his funeral was at the same church. She was a member of a couple of women’s fraternal organizations who attended her funeral.
It seems Thelma married Thomas O. Henderson, which explains all the Hendersons who were in charge of her estate. They were her children. Thelma died in 1956 and like her parents, her funeral was held at Asbury M.E. Church.