The tract of ground on which this house sits was first sold in 1866 by Bailiff William R. Young to Jane E. Gilbert followed by being purchased by Herman Stonerider in 1876.

Harford County records show a “built date” of 1943 but unfortunately while deeds can show transfer dates of property, they usually don’t reflect if an existing house has been demolished and a new one built in its place by the same or new owner. Therefore, without an examination of the structure and building methods used, it is difficult to give an accurate estimate of this property’s built date. What is known is that a building has existed on this lot since 1876.

In 1964, 14 year-old Donzella Petty-John, an eighth grader at Havre de Grace High School, adopted the stage name Nella Dodds and was signed to a singing contract with Wand Records of New York City. Her first release, Come See About Me, was an instant hit in the Philadelphia/Baltimore corridor, and reached #74 on the national Billboard Charts. Over the years, much has been written in local papers, fan magazines, and on the internet about Nella Dodds, the famous singer of the mid-1960’s.

Donzella Petty-John was born in this house in 1950 to William Donald Petty-John, Jr. (1927- 1996) and Arloise (Wing) Petty-John. She was raised here with her one sibling, William D. (Billy) Petty-John, III (1952-2010). She was better known locally as Donnie. Donnie’s maternal grandparents, Rufus and Verlie (Hill) Wing, raised 15 children at 315 Stokes Street. Donnie attended Havre de Grace Consolidated School thru the 6th grade and continued her education at the newly integrated Havre de Grace High School, graduating in 1969. During her childhood attending Sunday services at St. James A.M.E. Church on Green Street was mandatory in the Petty-John household, she has said. Donnie sang in the Junior Choir, participated in Sunday School and involved herself with other youth activities.

One of the last owners of this house was Alice E. Bullock who owned it since 1995. She later married John P. Spindler with whom she owned the house. Alice Bullock Spindler is known to have operated an assisted living facility in Havre de Grace, which could have been in this building because, until the recent renovation, it had five bedrooms. After her death in late 2016, it appears that John P. Spindler relinquished ownership of the house and it was bought by 500 Majestic Properties LLC.

500 Majestic Properties completely redesigned and renovated this home in early 2018 with an open concept and first floor master suite. The first floor has new hardwood floors and a completely new kitchen and powder room. The contractor also installed a new roof, siding, windows, and air conditioning. The upstairs also is renovated and the private back yard has been relandscaped; enjoying this home now is owner Christine F. Perry.

County Records
Built 1943. 1714 sq ft, 4 beds, 2 baths, 2 stories, 3125 sq ft lot, no basement.