39 Argyle Street

STREET ADDRESS: 39 Argyle Street

CITY/TOWN/VILLAGE: Yarmouth

MUNICIPALITY: Yarmouth

COUNTY: Yarmouth

YEAR BUILT: 1810-1812

ARCHITECTURAL COMMENT:

Classic Revival in style, this is a one and a half storey wooden structure. The symmetrical two bay facade has an off-centered doorway. The medium pitched gable roof has return eaves and one chimney at the peak. The windows are trimmed with casings and narrow labels. The house is clad in narrow wooden clapboards and trimmed with contrasting cornerboards and frieze. There is a small gable roof extension at the rear.

HISTORICAL COMMENT:

In 1810 John Bruce purchased this property from Waitstill and Chloe Lewis for 25 pounds sterling. In an article by Abraham Killam in the Yarmouth Herald, 1873, Killam describes a trip up Argyle Street which he took as a young boy in 1812. In this article Killam states, " I pass John Bruce's on my right, now standing near the residence of Mr. Flint". In 1819 Bruce mortgaged this property to Robert Huston. The land description in this mortgage (M - 158) states "...dwelling house and a work shop erected thereon_.." It seems likely that J. Bruce, a blockmaker and carpenter built this house himself. John Bruce died intestate leaving a widow (who died within the next few years) and four children. The children Charles, Edward, Sarah Ritchie and Elizabeth Dakin, sold their shares in two deeds between 1860 and 1862 to John Dallinger. Dallinger sold the house a year later to James C.Miller (or Millar) who resided here for some thirty years. Mr. Miller was well known in Yarmouth and was often called "Miller, the poet." He was, at one time, a school teacher and had also done some writing. Pieces of his work were printed and published but it appears his fame as an author went no further than Yarmouth. Miller died at his home in 1893.The 1949 directory lists Wilson S. Oxner residing here. Oxner was an employee of Wilfred Koritem, a coal and fish dealer.

CONTEXTUAL COMMENT:

Situated on a small hill back slightly from the street, a small lane runs to the west of this property. The house is in excellent condition with few changes to the exterior.

PRESENT OWNER: Michael Pyne

ADDRESS: 39 Argyle Street, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

ORIGINAL OWNER: John Bruce

OCCUPATION: Blockmaker

BUILDER: Unknown

ORIGINAL USE: Home (Single Family)

PRESENT USE: Home (Single Family)

SOURCES: Registry of Deeds (Yarmouth); Directories 1890, 1895; 1949 Yarmouth Directory; "The Yarmouth Herald" (May 16, 1893); "The Yarmouth Herald" (Feb. 6, 1873)