HomeMy WebLinkAbout287"Article copied from the News Advertiser, Wednesday, June 2, 1993, written by Judith Goulin.
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TITLE: HISTORIC BRYANT HOUSE NOW .NST A MEMORY
AUTHOR: .JUDITH CONLIN
SOURCE: LOCAL HISTORY FILE
PHOTOGRAPH: AVAILABLE
HISTORIC BRYANT HOUSE NOW JUST A MEMORY
Editor's note: This article was written prior to the recent
demolition of the Bryant house on Kingston Rd. E.
AJAX - History books reveal that Major John Smith, an
officer in the Fifth Regiment of Foot during the Revolutionary
War, was given an 1,800 -acre land grant in Pickering Township in
1795. The majority of this parcel of land is now the Town of
Ajax.
Smith sold most Of this land, including lots 7 and 8,
located on the north side of Hwy. land east of Harwood Ave.,
which were purchased by men named Wilson and Bag. The Pickering
Township voters' List of the day informs us that by the 1880s,
the property was owned by the Lang family who were listed as
farmers.
On this parcel of land stands a small but striking Georgian
style farmhouse, constructed of granite field stone gathered from
the surrounding farmlands. The architectural style of the
dwelling and the overwhelming amount of original detailing still
intact, suggest the date of construction as I830-18406.
The maze of registry documents involved in searching the
title has thus far not revealed the name of the original owner.
Page 2
Typical of stone dwellings in southern Ontario, the front facade,
because it was visible from the road, received the greatest
detail and the most expensive treatment. The stone is roughly
laid in courses with large stones forming the corners, reflective
of a Scottish tradition. It is roughly dressed, suggesting
inexperience on the part of the mason; perhaps it was the owner
himself who built this home with his own two hands when not
tending to his crops. ,
Although only a modest farmhouse, it has a decorative
recessed front entrance, with a multi -pane transom and
sidelights; an expensive detail for a dwelling of this nture.
Evidence of an original front porch can still be seem; it very
likely had a bell cast roof and decorative gingerbreading similar
to that of the Old Post Manor in Pickering. Me combination of
the impressive front entrance and decorative perch would make
this small farm dwelling a source of extreme pride to the
ordinary family who built it.
Me Bryant house, as it has been affectionately named after
the last family owners, is a storey and a half, with a central
staircase, two bedrooms upstairs, two rooms on the main floor and
a kitchen wing. A maids' staircase leads from the kitchen wing
to another room above. One of the 12 over 12, (12 panes of glass
in the bottom sash and 12 panes in the top sash) still remains in
the kitchen. The large open cooking hearth was recently
discovered behind a series of two walls, after being enclosed and
Page 3
hidden for many years) even the remnants of the chimney had been
concealed beneath new roof coverings for a long time.
Melrose Bryant and his wife Fern, both of Pickering
Township, purchased the farm in 1946 and lived there for 10
,years. subsequently the property was farmed by Mr. Bryant's son
Doug. since 1956 the farmhouse has been occupied by tenants.
Although it can be said that this modest stone dwelling is
typical and unremarkable, it is still a very valuable part of our
history. It is reflective of our local heritage; a community
settled primarily by hard-working farmers who struggled with
nature and isolation just to survive. It is a reminder of our
humble beginnings and of the pioneer families who created our
community. We need to value the simple homes of ordinary
farmers, not just the elaborate mansions of the wealthy.
Note: The Bryant house was recently demolished to make way
for a large warehouse and parking lot. While the members of
1.ACAC diligently compiled a visual and written record of the
historical and architectural features of the Bryant house, this
fact in no way mollifies the destruction of this valuable
component of the historical mosaic of Pickering Township. After
all, demolition is forever.