57 William Street

STREET ADDRESS: 57 William Street

CITY/TOWN/VILLAGE: Yarmouth

MUNICIPALITY: Yarmouth

COUNTY: Yarmouth

YEAR BUILT: circa 1877

ARCHITECTURAL COMMENT:

Gothic and steeply pitched gable roof and cross gables of same type. 1½ storey of wood construction, brick facing over stone foundation. Over the triangular upstair windows there are triangular protruding hoods. On the lower floor the double and triple bottom windows all have fancy hoods over them. Ornamental barge boards on all gables with return eves. A two bay facade with a double entry door. A pointed hood supported by columns on a brick stair base and a centered walk. Chimneys at peak. Another feature is triangular windows in the gable peaks and a bracketed flat hood is over a southern window as well as a prominent bay. Matching kitchen ell with outside veranda and a steeply pitched gable garage are also additions to the property. Picturesque influence.

HISTORICAL COMMENT:

The house was built on proprietor's grant # 65 to William Haskill. Later owned by the Bonds and in 1877 sold to R. S. Eakins. This house was built for Mr. Eakins daughter Helen who married Job Hatfield whose grandfather was one of the first settlers in Tusket in 1785. A Loyalist, Job Hatfield was broker for the Oriental Insurance Co. from 1874-1884 when it was disbanded. Later he had his own insurance broker business conducted in Lovett's building. He died in 1907 at Riverdale, Digby County and his wife, leaving to reside in the United States, sold it to Mr. Alfred E. Ellis, a bank manager from Montreal. It remained in his family until it was sold to Dr. Frank S. Osvegy, radiologist, now retired, who then sold it to Mrs. Lois Hunter. Mr. John Whitaker, a summer resident of Lake Annis, bought it in 1979 and lived here five years. He was a presidential aide in the President Nixon's time as president of the United States. One room at that time was solely for mementos of his work and travel in this era of history. They had the house registered under the Heritage Property Act of Nova Scotia.

CONTEXTUAL COMMENT:

This property has been kept in prime condition, both the interior and exterior and is one of three forming a streetscape. They all feature fancy and decorative trimmings. Called the Eakins house by many as they were built by the Eakins family. Very compatible to this beautiful residential street. Sets back from sidewalk with prominent entrance walk & steps. Well kept grounds & trees. Former hedges & gates have been removed.

PRESENT OWNER: Mark C. K. / Gail J. Connell

ADDRESS: 57 William Street, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

ORIGINAL OWNER: Job Hatfield

OCCUPATION: Insurance Broker

BUILDER: Probably James Huestis

ORIGINAL USE: Home

PRESENT USE: Home

SOURCES:Deed research which states land bought in 1877. James Huestis then being a mast builder of the town and also building the house next door.