Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 63 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Recycling in the Newer Chelsea
Thomas Brigham Prentiss, nephew of Thomas Brigham, ran a store and unofficial post office for several years in Old Chelsea. He built a larger building in the newer Chelsea and moved both operations to it about 1843. The building, called "The Homestead", was of three stories, with verandahs on the two levels, across the front.
As the family settled in, outbuildings were added, first the woodshed, then the stable, carriage house, henhouse, and in the garden, suitably concealed by foliage, the double privies, called "busy houses".
The store, built on the north side of "The Homestead" was probably completed about 1860. It was furnished and equipped much like any city store of the times.
Howard (Harry) Prentiss, a son carried on after his father turned to selling insurance. Later Prentiss senior moved to Aylmer.
Shortly after the store was completed another building was constructed and attached to the store. It became known as "Yarrow Cottage" and was used by Mary McKay Scott and two friends for many summers.
"The Homestead" was next occupied by Harry's children, George and his sisters Lottie and Mattie. George eventually married the nurse who cared for Mattie.
The place was acquired by Mrs. Marjorie McDougall who used it as a summer residence for some years. Upon the death of Mrs. McDougall, the property passed to her daughter, Pam, who stayed on a while longer. It stood empty for some months but was bought early 1992. The new owner is charmed with it and has no plans for major changes.
THE O'NEIL HOUSE
The Letters Patent were accorded to John Maxwell, 1827. The house was built between 1850 and 1860 by Paddy O'Neil as a stage stop between Ottawa and North Wakefield (Alcove). It was probably managed at different times by Ed Farrell and Charles Kingsbury. It was in Kingsbury's time that the West Hull Municipal chose O'Neil's for their first session 1 Mar 1875.
Arthur O'Neil acquired the place, setting up a sign that it was a temperance hotel and had stables for horses. There was room for ten diners at the long table. The beds upstairs were brass, collectors' items these days.
When the house was well over a hundred years it was badly damaged by fire in 1963. Later it was cut down to one storey. There are still charred beams inside the building. In the 1990s it is a summer residence.