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HomePort |
Wolfville,
Nova
Scotia -1840's
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The earliest image of an known Scott family
home is the house occupied by John Scott and his second wife Catharine Ann
DeWolf in Wolfville N.S., in the township of Horton, a community that
had previously been called Mud Creek until two cousins of Catharine Ann were
successful in convincing their uncle, the postmaster to rename the town after
their distinguished ancestors - the DeWolf family. As John Scott's
family had previously lived in Ste Croix, this house may have been occupied
by the Scott family from the time of the marriage of John, a widower with
five children, to Catharine Ann in 1839. Catharine Ann has grown up in nearby
Annandale house. |
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Widowed again in 1845, records indicate
John, now with seven children was still conducting business at "Scotts' Corner"
in 1847 but some time around then he moved the family to Boston. An
inventory of houses indicated that Scott, a trader had located his store across
the road (Main Street) from his home. Individuals living at the corner
of Maple and Main, (now called Kennys' Corner after a local farm market)
in 2000 recalled hearing the Scotts' Corner term in use into the 1940's to
1950's "by older folks."
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To find a house standing 240 years after
it was first built, is always gratifying but when it is a family home
that you walked by for years without knowing its history then the event takes
on new meaning. On Sunday afternoon Sept. 3, 2000, the home of John
Scott and Catharine Ann DeWolf from the 1840's was discovered to be still
standing. Located in the town where Ruth, Lillian and Ian Scott had
lived in the 1960's the three descendants of John Scott located the house
near Scotts' Corner through a photograph sent from Nettie Poorman, also a
descendant who lives in Florida. |
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Currently occupied as the Edwards family home
and restored by prior owners the house has doubled the original size with
various additions to create a spacious modern house which has retained most
original features. Originally constructed in the 1760's the house retains
a cellar open hearth kitchen and a unique chimney system that allow the centre
hall to bisect the large chimney that joins into a large square chimney servicing
the four fireplaces of the original house.
The "cross and open bible" design of the hall
doors remain as do the nine panes over six panes of the four front windows
on the main floor. The original twin dormers have been enlarged slightly
but are in keeping with the original lines of the house.
Fireplaces also have survived the changes of
time. Located on a small acreage within the college town, the currently
owners enjoy views of Blomidon Mountain over the water of the Minas Basin
and can exercise their horses on adjoining land.
Although images or the early part of the century
are scarce the scenes of the harbour and setting captures at a later date
were typical of the area throughout the century.
The harbour and waterfront were a major focus of transportation during the
19th century.
Pictorial Index
Family From Forfar index
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