HomeMy WebLinkAbout815"Typewritten article;3 pages; 21.7 x 28 cm; compiled by Joe Nighswander.
Lot 34, Concession 9, Pickering Twp.
200 Acres Between Conc. 9 and the Townline
Known for Many Years as the ""Hoover"" Farms
While the primary purpose of this article is to describe the historical background of the
1.63 acre lot on the northeast corner of the 200 acres as described above,
the history of the entire 200 acres is of interest, and is important background for
any study of any of the rather numerous severances through the years.
According to the Ontario Land Registry Office records at Whitby, Ontario,
the Patent grant from the Crown for this 200 acres was made on Jan. 3, 1828 to
""The Kings College"" which later became the University of Toronto.
The question naturally arises, ""Why did the Kings College purchase land at this
location?"" Was this lot one of the Clergy Reserves, perhaps?
The following is a list of land transactions relating to the north 100 acres of Lot 34,
conc. 9. We will not include here the many transactions which relate to the south 100
acres, which was divided at various times into smaller parcels which were sold and in a
few cases, repurchased later by the same people. The University, and families whose
names included Hoover, Wideman, Sylvester, McLean, Freel, and others were owners
at various times of parcels of land which were severed from the south 100 acres.
According to the Ontario Land Registry records at Whitby, Ontario, the transactions
relating to the north 100 acres are as follows:
Aug. 8, 1845, Kings college to Richard Sylvester for South 1/2 of North 1/2
Dec. 23, 1852, University of Toronto to James Muir for North 1/4
Nov. 13, 1854, Richard Sylvester to Allan McLean for S. 1/2 of N. 1/2
Dec. 29, 1854, Allan McLean to Henry Wideman for S. 1/2 of N. 1/2
June 21, 1862, Henry Wideman to David Wideman for S. 1/2 of N. 1/2
Oct. 1, 1864, David Wideman to John G. Hoover for S. 1/2 of N. 1/2
May 30, 1889, James Muir to John G. Hoover for N. 1/4 of N. 1/2
Nov. 16, 1894, Abraham Wideman to Sylvester Freel for S 1/4 of N. 1/2
April 3, 1923, Isaiah Hoover to Willis Davis for Parts of 3 lots
June 3, 1937, Joseph Hoover to Fred McNair for 1.63 acres, part of N. 1/4
Nov. 27, 1941, Joseph Hoover estate to Bertha Hoover for North 75 acres
March 31, 1945, Bertha Hoover to Charles Kerswill for North 75 acres
Jan. 7, 1958, Willis Davis to Silverdale Farms for N. 1/2 of S. 1/2 plus part of N. 1/2
"
"May 27, 1970, Fred & Evelyn McNair to Joe & Elsie Nighswander 1.63 acres,
part of N. ¼
In Jan. of 1973 all of the land and property of Lot 34 south of the property owned by
Charles and Gertrude Kerswill was expropriated by the Federal Government for the
North Pickering International Airport.
The Kerswill and Nighswander properties are as of this date (1998) still privately owned
as listed above.
As noted above, in June of 1937 Fred McNair purchased a 1.63 acre lot on the northeast
corner of the Joseph Hoover farm. This lot has access from the Uxbridge Pickering
township line.
Mr. McNair built a house on the lot in 1938, and planted many trees and shrubs creating
an attractive property from what was at one time a small gravel pit (in the extreme
northeast corner of the lot). The McNairs lived on this property until 1969, when they
moved to Stouffville.
In 1981 Roy Kerswill, son of Charles and Gertrude, with his wife, Nancy, built a new
house on a severed lot with access from the township line, at the northwest corner of the
Kerswill farm property.
An upper branch of West Duffins Creek flows along the eastern boundary of part of the
south 100 acres of Lot 34.
J.M. Nighswander
"
"BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Ontario Land Registry Office, Whitby.
2. Interview with members of the Hoover and Kerswill families.
3. Interview with Robert, son of Fred and Evelyn McNair.
"