STREET ADDRESS: 21 Clements Street
CITY/TOWN/VILLAGE: Yarmouth
MUNICIPALITY: Yarmouth
COUNTY: Yarmouth
YEAR BUILT: circa 1883
ARCHITECTURAL COMMENT:
Italianate in its design, this is a two storey home of wood construction. The symmetrical four bay facade has an off-centered doorway. The low pitched hip roof has wide eaves. The facade is shaped by two, two storied bays. The large windows are two over two double hung and trimmed with narrow casings. The house is clad in narrow wooden clapboards with narrow cornerboards. A very large, gable roof ell extends to the south side. This contains and enclosed porch lined with windows. The main entrance is enclosed and boasts large, double hung doors. The exterior foundation is of brick.
HISTORICAL COMMENT:
In 1882, this property was purchased in trust for Elizabeth Porter by Arthur W. Porter for $700.00. The following year Elizabeth Porter, who was the wife of George H. Porter an accountant, took out a mortgage for $2,500.00. It seems likely that they were building this house at that time. The Porters were apparently unable to repay the mortgage and a suit was filed against them by Alexander Murray and Edgar Spinney, the mortgagers. The house was sold in 1885 by a Sheriff's deed to Edgar K. Spinney and again in 1888 to Robert Harris in trust for Annie Lavers. The 1890 directory shows George Lavers, a Life Insurance agent residing here and Miss Mary Sterritt, a teacher. The 1895 directory lists Edgar N. Clements, barrister, living here.]
CONTEXTUAL COMMENT:
Situated back slightly from the road, large trees and shrubs partially hide this house from view and early sketches of this house show a cupola which has been lost.
PRESENT OWNER: Ronald & Evelyn Gray
ADDRESS: 21 Clements St. Yarmouth, N.S.
ORIGINAL OWNER: Elizabeth Porter
OCCUPATION: Married woman (wife of George Porter - Accountant)
BUILDER: Unknown
ORIGINAL OWNER: Residential (Single Family)
PRESENT USE: Bed and Breakfast
| HISTORY OF BUILDING | ||||
| OWNER | FROM: | TO: | OCCUPATION | BOOK-PAGE |
| Arthur W. Porter in trust Elizabeth Porter | June 13 1882 | Oct. 31 1885 | Yeoman | BH 734 |
| Edgar K. Spinney | Oct. 31 1885 | July 1 1888 | Merchant | BQ 320 |
| Robert Harris in trust for Annie Lavers | July 1 1888 | Aug. 23 1900 | Barrister | BQ 321 |
| Edgar Spinney/A. Murray | Aug. 23 1900 | Oct. 24 1900 | As Executors | CI 328 |
| John S. Bryant | Oct. 24 1900 | May 31 1909 | Counsellor-at-law | CH 422 |
| Caroline A. Blackadar | May 31 1909 | Nov. 16 1930 | Married Woman | CX 48 |
| Dorothy & Ruth Blackadar | Nov. 16 1930 | Dec. 20 1933 | Spinsters | N/A |
| George D. Blackadar | Dec. 20 1933 | July 8 1949 | School Teacher/Member of Parliament | EQ 19 |
| Thomas A.M. Kirk | July 8 1949 | Aug. 21 1987 | N/A | FD 609 |
| Ronald & Evelyn Gray | Aug. 21 1987 | N/A | Retired | 432/974 |
COMMENTS ON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Dorothy and Ruth Blackadar were the daughters of Caroline Blackadar who died intestate in 1930. They sold the house is 1933 by Quit Claim Deed to their father George Blackadar.
Mayor George D. Blackadar was a Senior Cadet Instructor of Military District NO. 6 (Nova Scotia). He retired in January 1944 having carried out the longest service of an instructor in Canada at that time.
SOURCES: Registry of Deeds (Yarmouth) B.E.V. Map, Currie (1889) McAlpine Directories (1890)(1895) "Yarmouth in the 20th Century" (Blue Binder Yar. Co. Museum)