Merritt J. and Sarah Maynard House

(Below in italics is from the 2004 East Durham National Register listing; not verified for accuracy by this author.)

1-story tri-gable house with a full hipped-roof Craftsman porch. Alterations include asbestos siding and 2-over-2 horizontal sash windows. 1925-1935 CDs: Sarah Mayhard (sic) occupant. 1937 SM.

(The information below in italics is from the Preservation Durham Plaque Application for the Merritt J. and Sarah Maynard House)

Merritt J. Maynard purchased the land for 1802 Taylor Street (West Street at the time) in 1911 from the Durham Land and Security Company. He also purchased the lot next door, 1806 Taylor Street. 1802 is first listed in the 1913 City Directory.

Merritt was born in Wake County in 1852, and on February 23, 1878, he married Sarah Hinton. Hinton was born January 1, 1859 in Wake County. In 1948, she told the Durham Sun that she remembered “the day the Yankees came through, even though I was only four years old!” Her father was a captain in the 47th North Carolina Infantry and died shortly after his unit surrendered.

Sarah and Merritt moved to Durham in the 1890s where they raised six children. Merrit is listed as both a watchman and an acid maker in the City Directory.  Merritt died June 1, 1920 and Sarah continued to live at 1802. In 1936, Sarah moved next door, to 1806 Taylor. Sarah died at age 95 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery. 
 

Sarah Maynard, far right, at age 91, with four generations of her family.

Sarah’s children purchased 1802 and the house served as a rental until 1967 when it was purchased by Vivian Chapell.

In 1950, asbestos shingles were installed, covering the original German profile siding. It is likely that wood, 2-over-2 windows were also installed during this renovation. The siding cost $440 and the work was done by Standard Engineering and Sales Company.

 

A 1950 newspaper clip describes work completed on 1802 Taylor St.
 

A real estate listing for 1802 Taylor St., 1986

In 1991, Terry Nevell Ingram, a resident of 1802, was arrested for arson after setting fire to the house three times. The fires didn’t appear to cause major damage. In 1992, Willie Green Allen and Christine R. Allen purchased the house.  In 2023 the house was foreclosed on, and Taylor Partners LLC purchased it and are renovating it. 
 

1802 Taylor Street, after asbestos shingles were removed. The house is being fully renovated.