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murray-manorSTREET ADDRESS: 225 Main Street

CITY/TOWN/VILLAGE:Yarmouth

MUNICIPALITY:Yarmouth

COUNTY:Yarmouth

YEAR BUILT: circa 1820

ARCHITECTURAL COMMENT:

Regency style of architecture with bell cast roof, one and a half storey, wood construction with most of materials being brought out from England. Center protruding porch & doorway with side lights over which is a plain gable and a half pointed window. Five bay facade with windows pointed. Above these are six pane eye-brow windows. Offset left and right chimneys. Colored glass windows are on one side and extend to cellar wall. Basement walls are of fieldstone. Corbelled cornices extend around house. In the early 1860's a kitchen with bedroom above was added having a gable roof. Being of a cottage style it has no elaborate additions such as brackets. Narrow siding still on exterior. Gothic influence.

HISTORICAL COMMENT:

The land grant # 65 to William and Benjamin Haskill was bought by Dr. Joseph N. Bond in 1820 and after his death in 1832 his son George W. inherited it. He sold it to Carter interests in England for 628 pounds and it was bought back by his brother in 1846 for 638 pounds. He also brought out from England many articles used in building this house and "Rock Cottage". The stone walls that enclose it were also built then and remain in perfect condition. Known as "Murray Manor", it was owned by the Murray family from 1854 to 1936.

CONTEXTUAL COMMENT:

This property has been maintained and upgraded to excellent condition. Although some interior parts were removed, they have been replaced. Gardens & stonewalls & hedges still surround it. New garage replaces barn which was in rear. Situated on the corner of two busy streets it maintains its quality of other days. Compatible to others is the neighborhood because of stone walls which keep its residential quality.

PRESENT OWNER: R. George/Joan M. Semple

ADDRESS: 225 Main Street, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

ORIGINAL OWNER: Joseph Norman Bond

OCCUPATION: Physician

BUILDER: Unknown

ORIGINAL USE: Home

PRESENT USE: Bed & Breakfast

 

HISTORY OF BUILDING
OWNER                FROM: TO: OCCUPATION BOOK  PG
Dr. Joseph Norman Bond July 12, 1820 Sept. 12, 1838 Medical Doctor Q-503
George W. Bond Sept. 12, 1838 April 30, 1841 Merchant will #275
John Carter April 30, 1841 May  4, 1846 Merchant X-415
Hon. James Bond May  4, 1846 Oct. 20, 1854 Mem. Legislature Assem, AB-3
Anne Murray Oct. 20, 1854 July 12, 1912 Widow will #345
M. Evangeline Murray July 12, 1912 Aug. 10, 1936 Spinster will #3561
Louise M. Brown Aug. 10, 1936 Sept. 29, 1977 Widow EJ-242
Eugenia Wattles & Mary Louise Dougas Sept. 29, 1977 June 23, 1980 Heirs LB-370
W.J. Beare June 23, 1980 Feb. 15, 1986 Motel operator MM-128
James E. Colbeck Feb. 15, 1986 Mar. 4, 1993 Innkeeper, teacher 413-206
R. George/Joan M. Semple Mar. 4, 1993 Present Inkeepers 507/881

 

 

COMMENTS ON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:

James Murray was one of Yarmouth's first barristers (1841) Judge of the Probate Court (1852-1898) and in 1858-1882 manager of the Yarmouth Branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia. He was chairman of the building committee of Holy Trinity Church which was dedicated in 1872 and also an active participating man in all phases of this beautiful Anglican Church. Miss Eva Murray, a daughter, lived here until 1936 making it nearly a span of 100 years that it was Murray owned. Her hospitality and afternoon teas were well-known. Mr. Ernest W. Brown was son of Joseph Joy Brown 2nd and his second wife Alma Bennett. He used this house as a summer residence and was prominent in business and insurance interests in U.S.A. His heirs sold it to Mr. W.T.Beare who used it as a home and "bed & breakfast" In 1986, Mr James F. Colbeck & wife bought it and used it for the same purpose. Mr. Colbeck as an innkeeper is also a teacher in our schools, a commercial artist and is also active in the Chamber of Commerce and other town interests.

SOURCES: Deeds research in Yarmouth deeds office.