Prince Edward Street - West Side
Overview - Going South From Park Street
Starting from Park Street, the first property is 36 Prince Edward Street, now well known as Vito’s Pizza, Dining and Takeout. The sign says it was established in 1977. We will get to that.
The next address is 38 Prince Edward Street which is the apartment building west of Vito’s parking lot. This is a relatively recent development, but the space is part of history.
The third property is 40 Prince Edward Street, which is the old two-storied brick house, now enhanced with structures on the east and west sides. Lots of history here too.
Overview - Going South From Park Street
Starting from Park Street, the first property is 36 Prince Edward Street, now well known as Vito’s Pizza, Dining and Takeout. The sign says it was established in 1977. We will get to that.
The next address is 38 Prince Edward Street which is the apartment building west of Vito’s parking lot. This is a relatively recent development, but the space is part of history.
The third property is 40 Prince Edward Street, which is the old two-storied brick house, now enhanced with structures on the east and west sides. Lots of history here too.
The next property south on the west side is 46 Prince Edward Street, which is Prince Edward Square, the multi-unit plaza that goes west from Prince Edward Street.
In order to look at the history of these properties, the 1878 map is useful, since it shows us that most of 36 Prince Edward Street is in village lot 36, with some from lot 35. Both 38 and 40 Prince Edward Street are in the old village lot 35.
Prince Edward Square occupies the eastern ends of village lots 1, 2 and 3, which, on the bigger map, we can see go west to the back of the properties on Division Street, village lots 3 and 4.
In order to look at the history of these properties, the 1878 map is useful, since it shows us that most of 36 Prince Edward Street is in village lot 36, with some from lot 35. Both 38 and 40 Prince Edward Street are in the old village lot 35.
Prince Edward Square occupies the eastern ends of village lots 1, 2 and 3, which, on the bigger map, we can see go west to the back of the properties on Division Street, village lots 3 and 4.
Another way to look at this area is through a blow-up of a snip from the 1960s aerial photo of Brighton. Prince Edward Street is along the right side of this image, and I have indicated the properties along the street, pointing to the structures that were present at that time. We can clearly see here that the east end of the plaza had three houses along Prince Edward Street.
36 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 36 & north part of 35
Vito’s occupies the south-west corner of Prince Edward and Park Streets, made up of village 36 right along Park Street and part of the north side of village lot 35.
If we go back to the beginning, the records show that James Richardson obtained the Patent from the Crown in 1809 for the whole of lot 1, concession 1, Cramahe Township. James Richardson was a commercial ship captain and an experienced trader who had come from England after the War of Independence and began business as a merchant at Kingston. It is said he sailed the first commercial ship, the Lady Dorchester, across Lake Ontario in 1785. His trading business grew in Kingston and he gained a reputation for fair trading and excellent sailing skills.
In 1787, he married Sarah Ashmore in Kingston and they had three children, Robert who carried on his father’s business in Kingston, Sarah Ann who married James Lyons, a good trading friend of Captain Richardson, and his youngest, James Jr., who would become an excellent sailor like his father. In fact, Admiral Yeo asked the young sailor, James Richardson Jr., to hire on as a Ship Master during the battle at Oswego, an important event in the War of 1812. During the battle, Richardson was struck by a cannonball and lost an arm. Later, James Jr. became a minister and would be Bishop of York and a protégé of Bishop Strachan.
James Richardson, Sr. was well established on concession 1, lot 1, Cramahe Township as early as 1797 where he had a trading post on the north shore of Presqu’ile Bay. The Patent for this land was not registered until 1809 and, until his death in 1832, he would be active in this area, selling pieces of land to interested investors and settlers.
In 1829, he sold part of the north-east corner of lot 1 to Ebenezer Lindsley who sold part of it to John Nix in 1830. He then sold a small piece right on Main Street to Samuel Kellogg who built a hotel and lived on the north side of Main Street, west of Platt Street. In 1837, Kellogg sold 1 ¾ acres in lot 35 to Thaddeus Ketchum who would be instrumental in developing this immediate area. The name Ketchum’s Plan is right there on the 1878 map.
The Ketchum family owned land that would become lot 36, and land that was taken over as Park Street, in the 1870s. As late as 1890, the children of Thaddeus Ketchum were taking out mortgages on “lot 36”. In 1894, the Ketchum’s sold lot 36 to Thomas Webb who was engage in building the Webb Block at the corner of Main and Prince Edward Street. He quickly sold a piece of land right on the corner of Park and Prince Edward Streets to Hugh A. Roney who would operate at blacksmith’s shop.
Vito’s occupies the south-west corner of Prince Edward and Park Streets, made up of village 36 right along Park Street and part of the north side of village lot 35.
If we go back to the beginning, the records show that James Richardson obtained the Patent from the Crown in 1809 for the whole of lot 1, concession 1, Cramahe Township. James Richardson was a commercial ship captain and an experienced trader who had come from England after the War of Independence and began business as a merchant at Kingston. It is said he sailed the first commercial ship, the Lady Dorchester, across Lake Ontario in 1785. His trading business grew in Kingston and he gained a reputation for fair trading and excellent sailing skills.
In 1787, he married Sarah Ashmore in Kingston and they had three children, Robert who carried on his father’s business in Kingston, Sarah Ann who married James Lyons, a good trading friend of Captain Richardson, and his youngest, James Jr., who would become an excellent sailor like his father. In fact, Admiral Yeo asked the young sailor, James Richardson Jr., to hire on as a Ship Master during the battle at Oswego, an important event in the War of 1812. During the battle, Richardson was struck by a cannonball and lost an arm. Later, James Jr. became a minister and would be Bishop of York and a protégé of Bishop Strachan.
James Richardson, Sr. was well established on concession 1, lot 1, Cramahe Township as early as 1797 where he had a trading post on the north shore of Presqu’ile Bay. The Patent for this land was not registered until 1809 and, until his death in 1832, he would be active in this area, selling pieces of land to interested investors and settlers.
In 1829, he sold part of the north-east corner of lot 1 to Ebenezer Lindsley who sold part of it to John Nix in 1830. He then sold a small piece right on Main Street to Samuel Kellogg who built a hotel and lived on the north side of Main Street, west of Platt Street. In 1837, Kellogg sold 1 ¾ acres in lot 35 to Thaddeus Ketchum who would be instrumental in developing this immediate area. The name Ketchum’s Plan is right there on the 1878 map.
The Ketchum family owned land that would become lot 36, and land that was taken over as Park Street, in the 1870s. As late as 1890, the children of Thaddeus Ketchum were taking out mortgages on “lot 36”. In 1894, the Ketchum’s sold lot 36 to Thomas Webb who was engage in building the Webb Block at the corner of Main and Prince Edward Street. He quickly sold a piece of land right on the corner of Park and Prince Edward Streets to Hugh A. Roney who would operate at blacksmith’s shop.
As early as 1869, Thomas R. Corby operated a “Marble and Granite Works” at 30 Prince Edward Street, just south of Park Street. His son, Alfred Corby, continued the family business in Brighton. In 1897, Alfred Corby operated Brighton Monument Works, immediately south of Roney’s blacksmith shop. In 1912, Corby moved to 36 Main Street.
In 1922, Roney sold the corner property to James McCracken who continued with the blacksmith shop until 1936 when it was sold to Thomas C. Cheer. The common transition from blacksmith shop to auto repair shop and gas station occurred at this corner in the later 1920s and 1930s. There was a City Service Station and refreshment business where Fred M. Stoneburgh sold oil, tires, ethyl and Tess gas. Sam Swain continued the City Service gas pumps until 1942 but others continued in this business here through the 1950s.
By 1938, Harold Spencer was looking for a better location to establish his dairy business. He had located on Elizabeth Street, at the corner of Oliphant Street, but the opportunity came up to obtain the small lot on the corner of Park Street, so he took it. The Cheer family would sell part of lot 36 to Harold G. Spencer in 1943, which allowed for expansion of the dairy business on Prince Edward Street. It was called Spencer’s Quality Dairy, with a small store right on the corner that sold tasty ice cream treats. Later developments included a cold storage and even a car wash.
In November 1964: “The new office and sales building, erected by Spencer's Quality Dairy, was opened for business last weekend. The cement block building, located at the corner of Prince Edward and Park Streets adjacent to the dairy.”
In November 1964: “The new office and sales building, erected by Spencer's Quality Dairy, was opened for business last weekend. The cement block building, located at the corner of Prince Edward and Park Streets adjacent to the dairy.”
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In 1976, the property was sold by the Spencer’s and, by 1980, Frank Georgatos acquired it, and Vito’s Pizzeria began. In 2008, the business expanded into a larger restaurant to the south of the pizza store on the corner.
38 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 35, South and west part
The apartment to the west of Vito’s parking lot was a development that accompanied the changes in 2008 when Vito’s built the restaurant.
The apartment to the west of Vito’s parking lot was a development that accompanied the changes in 2008 when Vito’s built the restaurant.
40 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 35, South Part
The buildings at 40 Prince Edward Street have a modern appearance but the modern parts are anchored to a traditional two-story brick house. Clear evidence of the age of this house is not available at this writing, but we can look at the stone and mortar foundation walls to establish that this building was probably built in the 1870s or 1880s, along with many around town of this same type that were being built during that period of growth.
The buildings at 40 Prince Edward Street have a modern appearance but the modern parts are anchored to a traditional two-story brick house. Clear evidence of the age of this house is not available at this writing, but we can look at the stone and mortar foundation walls to establish that this building was probably built in the 1870s or 1880s, along with many around town of this same type that were being built during that period of growth.
The property we call 40 Prince Edward Street was part of the southern part of village lot 35. Initially, it followed the same historical path as lot 36, from James Richardson to Ebenezer Lindsley, to John Nix, then Simeon Kellogg.
By 1859, this property was in the hands of Abraham Good, a carpenter from Quebec. He conducted his business as a carpenter and joiner from this location until 1870. He and his wife, Sophia would live at this location until his death in 1903. They raised three daughters, Josephine, Louisa and Adeline. In 1877, Adeline Good married 19-year-old Theophile Lafleur, who was also from Quebec and worked as a barber. It appears as if the Good and Lafleur family lived on this property and we can expect that they built the brick house, probably in the later 1870s or early 1880s.
It would not be hard to picture a carpentry shop behind the house to support Abraham Good well before the brick house was built, and maybe for a time afterward. The Brighton Business book shows that Theophile Lafleur was a barber at 9 Main Street from 1877 to 1889.
Theophile Lafleur’s three daughters moved to Rochester and married there, so there is no link between these two families and others in the area in terms of family connections. This means they are not in Treesbydan.com.
The property was owned by the Lafleur daughters who lived in New York State until 1921 when they sold it to Charles Herbert Greenfield. Mr. Greenfield had come to Brighton from Hallowell Township in the 1890s and was involved in the manufacture of cans for Sam Nesbitt’s canning factory on Richardson Street. Later, he became a merchant on Division Street, then 57 Main Street.
The house at 40 Prince Edward Street was home for the Greenfield family until Herbert’s daughters, Vera and Ola, sold it to Wade H. Morrow in 1959. He sold it to William and Elizabeth Gagne, although sold back in 1964. Wade Harcla Morrow was a son of James Harcla Morrow and Irene Wade, and would follow the family tradition of involvement with business enterprises in Brighton.
This aerial photo from the 1960s shows Prince Edward Street with Elizabeth and Park Streets at the top. The houses along the west side of Prince Edward Street are labelled with street numbers and lot numbers.
By 1859, this property was in the hands of Abraham Good, a carpenter from Quebec. He conducted his business as a carpenter and joiner from this location until 1870. He and his wife, Sophia would live at this location until his death in 1903. They raised three daughters, Josephine, Louisa and Adeline. In 1877, Adeline Good married 19-year-old Theophile Lafleur, who was also from Quebec and worked as a barber. It appears as if the Good and Lafleur family lived on this property and we can expect that they built the brick house, probably in the later 1870s or early 1880s.
It would not be hard to picture a carpentry shop behind the house to support Abraham Good well before the brick house was built, and maybe for a time afterward. The Brighton Business book shows that Theophile Lafleur was a barber at 9 Main Street from 1877 to 1889.
Theophile Lafleur’s three daughters moved to Rochester and married there, so there is no link between these two families and others in the area in terms of family connections. This means they are not in Treesbydan.com.
The property was owned by the Lafleur daughters who lived in New York State until 1921 when they sold it to Charles Herbert Greenfield. Mr. Greenfield had come to Brighton from Hallowell Township in the 1890s and was involved in the manufacture of cans for Sam Nesbitt’s canning factory on Richardson Street. Later, he became a merchant on Division Street, then 57 Main Street.
The house at 40 Prince Edward Street was home for the Greenfield family until Herbert’s daughters, Vera and Ola, sold it to Wade H. Morrow in 1959. He sold it to William and Elizabeth Gagne, although sold back in 1964. Wade Harcla Morrow was a son of James Harcla Morrow and Irene Wade, and would follow the family tradition of involvement with business enterprises in Brighton.
This aerial photo from the 1960s shows Prince Edward Street with Elizabeth and Park Streets at the top. The houses along the west side of Prince Edward Street are labelled with street numbers and lot numbers.
In 1971, Phylis Morrow, Wade Morrow’s daughter, sold the property to Cecil & Gertrude Marshall, a couple from Nova Scotia. In 1977, they sold to Stanley and Susan Greetham, who were recent immigrants from England and had been operating a manufacturing business at Codrington. In the meantime, the offices had been added back and front of the old brick house and various services and businesses operated over time.
At the front, Stanley Greetham undertook a real estate business, as well as H. & R. Block. In 1988, the Greetham’s sold to Jack & Tricia Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was an insurance broker, a division of McDougall Insurance. In 1998, they sold to a numbered company. At the back, there were doctors Bartly Campbell, Malcolm Hill and A. P. Murtagh. At the front, Money Concepts, XGraph, Cashier Inc., Blossoms Flower Shop, Nectarines. Others operating in the middle of the building, such as Continental Sandblasting & Coating Ltd., Brighton Property Management and Popham Bay Computers. Many others have come and gone. In more recent times, a used book store operated in the front part of 40 Prince Edward Street, before moving to Main Street.
At the front, Stanley Greetham undertook a real estate business, as well as H. & R. Block. In 1988, the Greetham’s sold to Jack & Tricia Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was an insurance broker, a division of McDougall Insurance. In 1998, they sold to a numbered company. At the back, there were doctors Bartly Campbell, Malcolm Hill and A. P. Murtagh. At the front, Money Concepts, XGraph, Cashier Inc., Blossoms Flower Shop, Nectarines. Others operating in the middle of the building, such as Continental Sandblasting & Coating Ltd., Brighton Property Management and Popham Bay Computers. Many others have come and gone. In more recent times, a used book store operated in the front part of 40 Prince Edward Street, before moving to Main Street.
42 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 1
The next property we see on the west side of Prince Edward Street today is Prince Edward Square at 46 Prince Edward Street. However, in this area along Prince Edward there were actually three properties for much of our history.
The right side of the illustration below shows the village lots in this area. They are lots 1, 2 and 3, all narrow with frontage on Prince Edward Street (bottom) and extending west to the rear of lots 3 and 4 on Division Street (top). It is largely these three lots that support Prince Edward Square today.
The left side of the illustration is flipped for easier labelling. Prince Edward Street is along the right side of this image.
The next property we see on the west side of Prince Edward Street today is Prince Edward Square at 46 Prince Edward Street. However, in this area along Prince Edward there were actually three properties for much of our history.
The right side of the illustration below shows the village lots in this area. They are lots 1, 2 and 3, all narrow with frontage on Prince Edward Street (bottom) and extending west to the rear of lots 3 and 4 on Division Street (top). It is largely these three lots that support Prince Edward Square today.
The left side of the illustration is flipped for easier labelling. Prince Edward Street is along the right side of this image.
The aerial photo on the left was taken in the 1960s and shows the three houses that were along Prince Edward Street at that time. The buildings more or less correspond with the three village lots. Number 42 Prince Edward Street was in village lot 1, number 44 in lot 2 and 46 in lot 3. Since the land registry records are organized by village lot numbers, we can identify the series of transactions for the properties that represent the three houses shown here.
All of these lots were part of the larger township lot 1, concession 1 which was granted to James Richardson in 1809. In 1827, James Richardson Sr. sold it to his son, James Richardson Jr. In 1833, Rev. Richardson sold village lot 1 to Matthew Mills, a Welshman who had immigrated to Upper Canada and married Elizabeth Kemp a few years before. Census records show that Matthew Mills was a “carpenter and joiner” which means he was engaged in the building trades. He would be a prominent tradesman in Brighton for four decades of growth and development in the village.
Matthew and Elizabeth Mills would have a family of six at this location on Prince Edward Street and would witness the major change on January 1, 1852 when Brighton Township was created. The road in front of their house had been the border between Cramahe Township to the west and Murray Township to the east, which meant that their homestead was in Cramahe Township but their neighbours across the road were in Murray. We can only imagine the confusion this caused.
Soon after Brighton Township became part of their address, Matthew Mills purchased village lot 2 and 3 from Rev. Richardson. These two lots were south of the original homestead and this gave the family a lot more space for a better carpentry shop and room for turning teams of horses around the house and barn. The oldest son, Matthew John Mills, was twenty by now and became a full partner in the carpentry business with his father.
Matthew Jr. married Alvira Irish in 1859 and the next generation began to grow. Alvira died in 1863 and the widower married Elizabeth Saylor. In the meantime, Matthew Jr.’s sister, Margaret had married Rev. Edward Cragg, a Wesleyan Methodist minister who immigrated to Canada from England in 1854 and came to the Brighton area in 1859.
All of these lots were part of the larger township lot 1, concession 1 which was granted to James Richardson in 1809. In 1827, James Richardson Sr. sold it to his son, James Richardson Jr. In 1833, Rev. Richardson sold village lot 1 to Matthew Mills, a Welshman who had immigrated to Upper Canada and married Elizabeth Kemp a few years before. Census records show that Matthew Mills was a “carpenter and joiner” which means he was engaged in the building trades. He would be a prominent tradesman in Brighton for four decades of growth and development in the village.
Matthew and Elizabeth Mills would have a family of six at this location on Prince Edward Street and would witness the major change on January 1, 1852 when Brighton Township was created. The road in front of their house had been the border between Cramahe Township to the west and Murray Township to the east, which meant that their homestead was in Cramahe Township but their neighbours across the road were in Murray. We can only imagine the confusion this caused.
Soon after Brighton Township became part of their address, Matthew Mills purchased village lot 2 and 3 from Rev. Richardson. These two lots were south of the original homestead and this gave the family a lot more space for a better carpentry shop and room for turning teams of horses around the house and barn. The oldest son, Matthew John Mills, was twenty by now and became a full partner in the carpentry business with his father.
Matthew Jr. married Alvira Irish in 1859 and the next generation began to grow. Alvira died in 1863 and the widower married Elizabeth Saylor. In the meantime, Matthew Jr.’s sister, Margaret had married Rev. Edward Cragg, a Wesleyan Methodist minister who immigrated to Canada from England in 1854 and came to the Brighton area in 1859.
In 1867, Matthew Sr. sold 1/3 acre of village lot 1 to Matthew Jr. and, around the same time, sold 1/3 acre in village lot 3 to Rev. Edward Cragg. Matthew Mills Sr. died in 1873 and his widow sold part of village lot 2 to Rev. Cragg. In 1875, Matthew Mills Jr. sold part of village lot 1 to Rev. Cragg.
These transactions are quite confusing but may illustrate the reality that ministers often had money in those days and sometimes ended up being involved in family finances when connected by marriage. In any case, Rev. Cragg was transferred to Percy Township in the late 1870s and then Hope Township by the early 1880s. In 1885 all three village lots were sold to Matthew Mills Jr., so they were back in the immediate family.
Matthew Mills Jr. married his third wife, Hester Carson, in 1900 and he transferred lot 1 to her in 1914. The estate of Hester Mills sold lot 1 in 1947 and, after a few quick transactions, it ended up in the hands of Harold and Edith Spencer, the folks who had started the dairy at 36 Prince Edward Street. This appears to have been a quick investment for the Spencer’s, as they sold to John & Nellie Loomis in 1949.
In 1952, the Loomis family sold both lot 1 and 2, to Herbert Goodrich and his second wife, Clara Gregory. Herbert operated grocery stores at several different locations through the years, and would later run the gas station and grocery store at Spring Valley. He died in 1968 and Clara would keep lot 1 in the family until her estate sold it in 1981 to Robert Reid. In 1985, Robert Reid sold to Walter and Elsie Belnap and they sold two years later to Stanley and Susan Greetham. The next year, the Greetham’s sold lot 1 to Jack and Tricia Mitchell. These last two operated various businesses out of the front of 40 Prince Edward Street.
In 1998, the Mitchell’s sold lot 1 to a numbered company and in 2001, new Plans were established that would lead to the construction of Prince Edward Square which opened in 2008.
These transactions are quite confusing but may illustrate the reality that ministers often had money in those days and sometimes ended up being involved in family finances when connected by marriage. In any case, Rev. Cragg was transferred to Percy Township in the late 1870s and then Hope Township by the early 1880s. In 1885 all three village lots were sold to Matthew Mills Jr., so they were back in the immediate family.
Matthew Mills Jr. married his third wife, Hester Carson, in 1900 and he transferred lot 1 to her in 1914. The estate of Hester Mills sold lot 1 in 1947 and, after a few quick transactions, it ended up in the hands of Harold and Edith Spencer, the folks who had started the dairy at 36 Prince Edward Street. This appears to have been a quick investment for the Spencer’s, as they sold to John & Nellie Loomis in 1949.
In 1952, the Loomis family sold both lot 1 and 2, to Herbert Goodrich and his second wife, Clara Gregory. Herbert operated grocery stores at several different locations through the years, and would later run the gas station and grocery store at Spring Valley. He died in 1968 and Clara would keep lot 1 in the family until her estate sold it in 1981 to Robert Reid. In 1985, Robert Reid sold to Walter and Elsie Belnap and they sold two years later to Stanley and Susan Greetham. The next year, the Greetham’s sold lot 1 to Jack and Tricia Mitchell. These last two operated various businesses out of the front of 40 Prince Edward Street.
In 1998, the Mitchell’s sold lot 1 to a numbered company and in 2001, new Plans were established that would lead to the construction of Prince Edward Square which opened in 2008.
44 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 2
Village Lot 2 shared history with its neighbours, lots 1 and 3, up until Matthew Mills Jr. sold the eastern part of lot 2 to Gertrude Simpson in 1905. In 1907, she sold the western part to Samuel Bennett. These three lots were long and narrow, so it made sense to have a home or business occupy each end of the lot. Since we are mostly interested in properties on Prince Edward Street, we can follow Mrs. Simpson. This was Alice Gertrude Owens, the wife of James Dyer Simpson. Their daughter, Dorothy, married Donald Theodore Vincent, a son of Clarence Vincent and Della Rowley who farmed east of Brighton.
Don Vincent was engaged in various businesses in Brighton Village. He was involved with the dairy at 36 Prince Edward Street, and ran a dry cleaning business at 44 Prince Edward Street for a time. Donald and his wife Dorothy are shown living at 44 Prince Edward Street in the 1968 Voters Lists.
In 1977, property in lot 2 went from Donald & Dorothy Vincent to their daughter, Lynda Reid and her husband Robert. The Reid’s sold to Walter Belnap in 1985, to Stanley Greetham in 1987, then there was a quick sale to Jack Mitchell in 1988. We might recall that Greetham and Mitchell were engaged in business at 40 Prince Edward Street.
Jack Mitchell sold property in lot 2 to a numbered company in 1998 and this began the process, over the next decade, which led to removal of the three properties at 42, 44 and 46 Prince Edward Street, and the construction of Prince Edward Square.
Village Lot 2 shared history with its neighbours, lots 1 and 3, up until Matthew Mills Jr. sold the eastern part of lot 2 to Gertrude Simpson in 1905. In 1907, she sold the western part to Samuel Bennett. These three lots were long and narrow, so it made sense to have a home or business occupy each end of the lot. Since we are mostly interested in properties on Prince Edward Street, we can follow Mrs. Simpson. This was Alice Gertrude Owens, the wife of James Dyer Simpson. Their daughter, Dorothy, married Donald Theodore Vincent, a son of Clarence Vincent and Della Rowley who farmed east of Brighton.
Don Vincent was engaged in various businesses in Brighton Village. He was involved with the dairy at 36 Prince Edward Street, and ran a dry cleaning business at 44 Prince Edward Street for a time. Donald and his wife Dorothy are shown living at 44 Prince Edward Street in the 1968 Voters Lists.
In 1977, property in lot 2 went from Donald & Dorothy Vincent to their daughter, Lynda Reid and her husband Robert. The Reid’s sold to Walter Belnap in 1985, to Stanley Greetham in 1987, then there was a quick sale to Jack Mitchell in 1988. We might recall that Greetham and Mitchell were engaged in business at 40 Prince Edward Street.
Jack Mitchell sold property in lot 2 to a numbered company in 1998 and this began the process, over the next decade, which led to removal of the three properties at 42, 44 and 46 Prince Edward Street, and the construction of Prince Edward Square.
46 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 3
Village Lot 3 diverged from the history of the other lots in 1889 when Matthew Mills Jr. sold the eastern part of the lot to Sarah J. Freeman. This was Sarah Jane Rogers (1846-1945), a daughter of Benjamin Rogers and Lydia Ann Bettes. She married James Wallace Freeman in 1883 and they had three children, James Roy, Myrtle Belle and Wallace Ray Freeman. Her husband died in 1899 and Sarah then married Dr. Daniel Wright Dulmage, a prosperous dentist on Main Street, who was also on his second marriage.
Sarah soon passed the east part of lot 3 to her daughter, Myrtle and, in 1898, Matthew Mills Jr. sold the west part of lot 3 to Sarah. This west part was sold by Sarah J. Dulmage, after her second marriage, to Samuel Bennett. The east part was then sold by Sarah Dulmage in 1918 to Mary C. Latimer who married Mr. Jessop and sold the property in 1924 to William W. Porte, the businessman we saw on Main Street. Mr. Porte’s first wife, Adeliade Phillips, had died in 1910 and he married Hattie Maud Tait in 1912. They took out a mortgage on the property not long before he died in 1937 and the property passed to Hattie who passed it to her daughter Alice, now the widow of William Alexander Wright.
In 1947, the east part of lot 3 was sold by Alice Wright to Albert & Gretta Hennessey who sold to Alexander & Joyce Elliott in 1950. They sold to the businessman William H. Conn in 1951 and he sold to Lawrence & Edith Cook in 1963. These are the occupants of 46 Prince Edward Street according to the 1965 Voters Lists. They remained until 1998 when they sold to Roy and Audrey Harvey who sold to Lloyd and Judith Degrace in 2002. The next year, they sold to a numbered company and the process began that led to the development of Prince Edward Square which takes the street number of 46 Prince Edward Street.
Village Lot 3 diverged from the history of the other lots in 1889 when Matthew Mills Jr. sold the eastern part of the lot to Sarah J. Freeman. This was Sarah Jane Rogers (1846-1945), a daughter of Benjamin Rogers and Lydia Ann Bettes. She married James Wallace Freeman in 1883 and they had three children, James Roy, Myrtle Belle and Wallace Ray Freeman. Her husband died in 1899 and Sarah then married Dr. Daniel Wright Dulmage, a prosperous dentist on Main Street, who was also on his second marriage.
Sarah soon passed the east part of lot 3 to her daughter, Myrtle and, in 1898, Matthew Mills Jr. sold the west part of lot 3 to Sarah. This west part was sold by Sarah J. Dulmage, after her second marriage, to Samuel Bennett. The east part was then sold by Sarah Dulmage in 1918 to Mary C. Latimer who married Mr. Jessop and sold the property in 1924 to William W. Porte, the businessman we saw on Main Street. Mr. Porte’s first wife, Adeliade Phillips, had died in 1910 and he married Hattie Maud Tait in 1912. They took out a mortgage on the property not long before he died in 1937 and the property passed to Hattie who passed it to her daughter Alice, now the widow of William Alexander Wright.
In 1947, the east part of lot 3 was sold by Alice Wright to Albert & Gretta Hennessey who sold to Alexander & Joyce Elliott in 1950. They sold to the businessman William H. Conn in 1951 and he sold to Lawrence & Edith Cook in 1963. These are the occupants of 46 Prince Edward Street according to the 1965 Voters Lists. They remained until 1998 when they sold to Roy and Audrey Harvey who sold to Lloyd and Judith Degrace in 2002. The next year, they sold to a numbered company and the process began that led to the development of Prince Edward Square which takes the street number of 46 Prince Edward Street.
50 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 4
The next property south of Prince Edward Square is 50 Prince Edward Street, a lovely yellow frame house on the corner of Chapel Street, across from Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church.
This house is on Village Lot 4, continuing from lots 1, 2 and 3 that are occupied by the plaza. For some time, this has been a multi-unit apartment house with an extension to the west. In any case, the charm of the front of the house on Prince Edward Street remains.
The next property south of Prince Edward Square is 50 Prince Edward Street, a lovely yellow frame house on the corner of Chapel Street, across from Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church.
This house is on Village Lot 4, continuing from lots 1, 2 and 3 that are occupied by the plaza. For some time, this has been a multi-unit apartment house with an extension to the west. In any case, the charm of the front of the house on Prince Edward Street remains.
The history of this lot begins in the same way as the others west of Prince Edward Street, as part of the Patent from the Crown to James Richardson in 1809. This would be James Richardson Sr., who we have met before. He was near the end of his life in 1830 and was selling property to clean up his estate. He sold a collection of property that included Village Lot 4 in 1830, to James Lyons.
James Lyons was another active merchant in Brighton and in 1810 he had married Sarah Ann Richardson, a daughter of James Richardson Sr. He was looking for investment opportunities and waited until demand for Lot 4 improved in 1847 when he sold it to William Butler. This was the fellow who ran the mills on Butler Creek and was able to build a large two-storied brick house on the north side of what now is the very east end of Prince Edward Street, near where it meets Harbour Street.
William Butler held this property for a decade and sold in 1857 to James C. Fitzgerald who does not appear to have been a local resident. He seems to have developed mortgage problems and Village Lot 4 was acquired by Stiles Bulkley in a Sheriff’s sale in 1866. This was a son of Hiram Bulkley who, like others in his family, was very active in business and real estate in Brighton.
It was not until 1884 that Stiles Bulkley sold lot 4 to Clarence K. Lockwood and William A. Bulkley. William was a brother of Stiles, another Bulkley name we see a lot in the land records. Clarence Kingsley Lockwood was a grandson of Joseph Lockwood who had been named the first post master of the village of Brighton, after its creation in 1831. He gave the village its name. The role of post master and also registrar carried down generations in the Lockwood family, meaning we see these names a lot in the records. Clarence Lockwood had married Mabel Huycke in 1882 and, when he died in 1895, the property went to Mabel.
The house we see at 50 Prince Edward Street was originally located farther south on Prince Edward Street, on the west side, just north of Richardson Street. In 1910 the Canadian Northern railway built a new set of tracks through Brighton and the route selected was along the north side of Richardson Street. The house was moved up to its current location at that time.
In 1910, Mabel Lockwood and the three younger children sold the property to Thomas Lockwood, Mabel’s oldest child. Thomas Lockwood sold Lot 4, along with the house that had been moved there, to Wesley Montgomery in 1920 and a new family made it home. Wesley Montgomery grew up on a farm east of Hilton and had been elected as a member of the Ontario Legislature in the 1919 election. He was part of the surge in support for conservative policies in rural Ontario that saw prohibition become law.
As member for Northumberland East in Toronto, Wesley Montgomery worked hard to promote the development of Presqu’ile Point as a provincial park. He was an avid bird watcher and saw great potential for the park at a time when the general public was interested in wildlife and sand beaches. His project was successful to the delight of many avid Presqu’ile enthusiasts.
Wesley Montgomery married Agnes Gertrude Wade in 1891 and, between the two of them, significant land assets would be accumulated and utilized to generate revenue. Wesley inherited land from his parents at Conc 4, Lots 30 and 31 and his wife inherited several village lots in the community of Cankerville, along Number 30 Highway north of Brighton. These lots in Cankerville would be leased and rented for several decades and then passed on to their only living child, Hilda Amarilla Montgomery in 1932.
Hilda was a teacher at Brighton Public School and an enthusiastic horticulturalist. Legend has it that Hilda would walk around town with rake and shovel, looking for any piece of land that might grow some flowers. Over many years, Brighton was much enhanced by Hilda’s efforts.
After her parents died, Hilda lived at 50 Prince Edward Street, even after she married Scott Hutcheson from Stoney Point in 1951. He died only two years later and Hilda continued her community service from her home, which at some point was turned into apartments for rent. Evidence of this is found in the Voters Lists for 1965, 1968 and 1972, where Mrs. Hilda Hutcheson is listed, with a few other folks, a book keeper, a salesman or a teacher.
Hilda passed away on October 24, 1985 and, only a few weeks earlier, her lawyer sold 50 Prince Edward Street to F. M. K. Farms Incorporated, a firm that held the property until selling to Adolf Rieser in 1996.
Hilda A. Montgomery is recognized as one of Brighton’s most beloved teachers and a very active community service volunteer.
As member for Northumberland East in Toronto, Wesley Montgomery worked hard to promote the development of Presqu’ile Point as a provincial park. He was an avid bird watcher and saw great potential for the park at a time when the general public was interested in wildlife and sand beaches. His project was successful to the delight of many avid Presqu’ile enthusiasts.
Wesley Montgomery married Agnes Gertrude Wade in 1891 and, between the two of them, significant land assets would be accumulated and utilized to generate revenue. Wesley inherited land from his parents at Conc 4, Lots 30 and 31 and his wife inherited several village lots in the community of Cankerville, along Number 30 Highway north of Brighton. These lots in Cankerville would be leased and rented for several decades and then passed on to their only living child, Hilda Amarilla Montgomery in 1932.
Hilda was a teacher at Brighton Public School and an enthusiastic horticulturalist. Legend has it that Hilda would walk around town with rake and shovel, looking for any piece of land that might grow some flowers. Over many years, Brighton was much enhanced by Hilda’s efforts.
After her parents died, Hilda lived at 50 Prince Edward Street, even after she married Scott Hutcheson from Stoney Point in 1951. He died only two years later and Hilda continued her community service from her home, which at some point was turned into apartments for rent. Evidence of this is found in the Voters Lists for 1965, 1968 and 1972, where Mrs. Hilda Hutcheson is listed, with a few other folks, a book keeper, a salesman or a teacher.
Hilda passed away on October 24, 1985 and, only a few weeks earlier, her lawyer sold 50 Prince Edward Street to F. M. K. Farms Incorporated, a firm that held the property until selling to Adolf Rieser in 1996.
Hilda A. Montgomery is recognized as one of Brighton’s most beloved teachers and a very active community service volunteer.
54 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 05 – Wesleyan Methodist Church
South of village lot 4 on Prince Edward Street is Chapel Street and the next two lots, 5 and 6, are occupied by Trinity St. Andrew’s Unitech Church. The history of lots 5 and 6 are similar but not identical, as they document the development of the church.
South of village lot 4 on Prince Edward Street is Chapel Street and the next two lots, 5 and 6, are occupied by Trinity St. Andrew’s Unitech Church. The history of lots 5 and 6 are similar but not identical, as they document the development of the church.
The Patent for this land went to James Richardson in 1809 and he sold part of lot 1, concession 1, Cramahe Township to James Lyons, who was another active merchant in the area and was married to Richardson’s daughter, Sarah Ann. The town of Brighton was established in 1831 and the village lot system was put in place soon afterward.
In 1847, James Lyons sold village lot 5 on the west side of Prince Edward Street to William Butler, the mill operator at the far east end of the street where his mills ran on Butler Creek. Plans for a Wesleyan Methodist church at this location began in the late 1840s and William Butler was in a position to donate village lot 5 to the project and to add $100 as well. Legend has it that a lady named Grandma Richardson also gave $100 to the cause, after selling some property. Very likely, this was Mary Louise McDonnell (1772-1862), second wife of James Richardson Sr.
The bricks to build the church were fired in the Butler kilns with clay from the nearby Quick property. Lumber was brought from the McConnell farm at Spring Valley. Construction was completed in 1849. The original church can be pictured today as the eastern front part of the church, up to the transept.
In 1847, James Lyons sold village lot 5 on the west side of Prince Edward Street to William Butler, the mill operator at the far east end of the street where his mills ran on Butler Creek. Plans for a Wesleyan Methodist church at this location began in the late 1840s and William Butler was in a position to donate village lot 5 to the project and to add $100 as well. Legend has it that a lady named Grandma Richardson also gave $100 to the cause, after selling some property. Very likely, this was Mary Louise McDonnell (1772-1862), second wife of James Richardson Sr.
The bricks to build the church were fired in the Butler kilns with clay from the nearby Quick property. Lumber was brought from the McConnell farm at Spring Valley. Construction was completed in 1849. The original church can be pictured today as the eastern front part of the church, up to the transept.
Chapel Street came into being as a result of the presence of the Methodist church, but we can imagine its growth from a functional laneway into a formal street during the 1850s.
By 1871, the town of Brighton had grown dramatically as had the congregation of the Methodist church. It was determined that the church must be expanded and improved to accommodate the needs of the congregation. The large western part of the church was built with funding from two mortgages taken out by trustees of the church. One was for $1,000 and the other for $1,500 and both were discharged within a few years.
By 1871, the town of Brighton had grown dramatically as had the congregation of the Methodist church. It was determined that the church must be expanded and improved to accommodate the needs of the congregation. The large western part of the church was built with funding from two mortgages taken out by trustees of the church. One was for $1,000 and the other for $1,500 and both were discharged within a few years.
56 Prince Edward Street – Village Lot 6 – Wesleyan Methodist Church
The early history of village lot 6 is similar to lot 5, but diverge with William Butler in the 1840s. While he sold lot 5 to the trustees of the church, lot 6 remained in his hands until he sold part of it to trustees of the church in April of 1872. This was after the church was built so does not appear to be in preparation for the expansion of the church.
Lot 6 became part of the church property and allowed for the recent project to replace the old hall on the west end with a much larger and more modern office and kitchen facility.
The early history of village lot 6 is similar to lot 5, but diverge with William Butler in the 1840s. While he sold lot 5 to the trustees of the church, lot 6 remained in his hands until he sold part of it to trustees of the church in April of 1872. This was after the church was built so does not appear to be in preparation for the expansion of the church.
Lot 6 became part of the church property and allowed for the recent project to replace the old hall on the west end with a much larger and more modern office and kitchen facility.
58 Prince Edward Street West - Village Lot 7
Village lot 7 on the west side of Prince Edward Street is the third lot south of Chapel Street. Lots 5 and 6 are occupied by Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church. Today, the very east end of Lot 7 holds the Christian Service Centre.
Village lot 7 on the west side of Prince Edward Street is the third lot south of Chapel Street. Lots 5 and 6 are occupied by Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church. Today, the very east end of Lot 7 holds the Christian Service Centre.
As we can see in the map of this immediate area, lots 5 and 6 were of limited length to the west, but the lots south of there, lots 7 to 12, went all the way to the back of the same-numbered lots on Division St. This is why there are other land transactions related to lot 7 which deal with parts of it to the west and not the property on Prince Edward Street.
All of these lots have similar transactions in their early years, when the land was identified as lot 1, concession 1 of Cramahe Township. The Patent from the Crown went to James Richardson Sr. in 1809 and then some part of that land was sold to James Lyons Sr. in 1830. It was the next year that Brighton village was named and the village lots began to be established.
James Lyons Jr. sold lot 7 to William Butler in 1847, and we can put this in the context of January 1, 1852 when Brighton township was created. In this area that was important because Prince Edward Street was no longer the border between Murray and Cramahe Townships. It was now in the middle of Brighton Township.
In 1850, William Butler sold lot 7 to Isaiah Thayer, the family that ran a nursery on the east side of Prince Edward Street, just across the street. It went from Isaiah Thayer to his nephew Isaiah B. Thayer and wife in 1866 and then, in 1888, they passed it to Robert Sprentnall. Here was a wagon maker who had come to Brighton from Cramahe Township as early as 1874. By 1887 Robert Sprentnall was working at 16 Young Street and would be shown as a carpenter in Brighton until his death in 1917.
All of these lots have similar transactions in their early years, when the land was identified as lot 1, concession 1 of Cramahe Township. The Patent from the Crown went to James Richardson Sr. in 1809 and then some part of that land was sold to James Lyons Sr. in 1830. It was the next year that Brighton village was named and the village lots began to be established.
James Lyons Jr. sold lot 7 to William Butler in 1847, and we can put this in the context of January 1, 1852 when Brighton township was created. In this area that was important because Prince Edward Street was no longer the border between Murray and Cramahe Townships. It was now in the middle of Brighton Township.
In 1850, William Butler sold lot 7 to Isaiah Thayer, the family that ran a nursery on the east side of Prince Edward Street, just across the street. It went from Isaiah Thayer to his nephew Isaiah B. Thayer and wife in 1866 and then, in 1888, they passed it to Robert Sprentnall. Here was a wagon maker who had come to Brighton from Cramahe Township as early as 1874. By 1887 Robert Sprentnall was working at 16 Young Street and would be shown as a carpenter in Brighton until his death in 1917.
It is likely that the Sprentnall family built the frame house that was on lot 7. This picture shows a neat two-story frame house facing Prince Edward Street, south of the church.
In 1921 the property passed from the estate of Eleanor Jane Sprentnall, Robert’s widow, to her son Joseph C. Sprentall. Unfortunately, he died within a year, and it would not be until 1928 that the property was sold by Joseph Sprentnall’s estate to William John Mallett in 1928.
George Mallett (1832-1925) was an Englishman from Devonshire who came to Canada in 1841 and initially settled in Mariposa Township, Victoria County where he married Mary Ann Coombs. Their first child was William John Mallett, born in Mariposa Twp. in 1863. The family moved to Brighton Township in the 1870s where George found work initially as a farmer, and then as a “portable engineer”. William John Mallett died tragically in a car accident in 1933, and his daughter, Ada L. (Mallett) Brown eventually sold lot 7 in 1950 to Frank and Amelia Edwards.
In 1921 the property passed from the estate of Eleanor Jane Sprentnall, Robert’s widow, to her son Joseph C. Sprentall. Unfortunately, he died within a year, and it would not be until 1928 that the property was sold by Joseph Sprentnall’s estate to William John Mallett in 1928.
George Mallett (1832-1925) was an Englishman from Devonshire who came to Canada in 1841 and initially settled in Mariposa Township, Victoria County where he married Mary Ann Coombs. Their first child was William John Mallett, born in Mariposa Twp. in 1863. The family moved to Brighton Township in the 1870s where George found work initially as a farmer, and then as a “portable engineer”. William John Mallett died tragically in a car accident in 1933, and his daughter, Ada L. (Mallett) Brown eventually sold lot 7 in 1950 to Frank and Amelia Edwards.
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Francis Busson “Frank” Edwards (1885-1954) was born in Carlow Twp., near Paudash Lake, in Hastings County. In 1911 he married Amelia Musclow in Bancroft and they would live in Trenton for a time but then came to Brighton in the 1920s.
Frank Edwards was a cooper, which means he engaged in making and repairing barrels which were critical in the export of apples. He is shown in a picture of the Snelgrove cooperage on Oliphant Street sometime in the 1920s. Of the folks standing on the ground, Frank Edwards is standing beside a barrel wearing his cooper’s apron. |
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It appears as if the Edwards couple sold small pieces in the west end of lot 7 to Earl and Lizzie Bedal in 1954 and 1960. Then, in 1964, Frank and Amelia Edwards sold the east end of lot 7 to the United Church.
The aerial picture here is a small snip of a much larger image showing the whole town of Brighton sometime in the early 1960s. Prince Edward Street is along the right side and Chapel Street is at the top, along the north side of the church.
While the image is fuzzy, since it has been blown up to show the street level, we can see clearly that there was a significant house on Lot 7, just south of the church. This is the house and property that was sold to the church in 1964.
The building here was a clothing depot for some time and more recently it is the Christian Service Centre where used items can be dropped off.
While the image is fuzzy, since it has been blown up to show the street level, we can see clearly that there was a significant house on Lot 7, just south of the church. This is the house and property that was sold to the church in 1964.
The building here was a clothing depot for some time and more recently it is the Christian Service Centre where used items can be dropped off.
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60 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 8 & 9
Village Lot 8 and 9 are identical and we can see today that they support the apartment complex south of the clothing depot and church. The buildings are designated 60 Prince Edward Street, as well as 60 A and 60 B. The complex is called Brookside Apartments.
The land records for lot 8 & 9 are identical to lot 7 up until 1954 when Frank and Amelia Edwards sold the lots 8 & 9 to Earl and Lizzie Bedal. In 1964, when the Edwards family sold lot 7 to the church, Earl Bedal sold lot 8 to Bryce and Ona Hazelwood and Ian and Lulu Heales. Byrce Hazelwood was a real estate agent and this group had development in mind.
Canada Voters Lists for this complex show that there were no people living there in 1965, but 12 people at 60 Prince Edward Street in 1968. In 1972, there were 49 people across three buildings, 60, 60A and 60B.
In 1975, the property was sold to William & Eileen Leslie, and in 1995 to Yvette Leslie and Dennis Largrois. In 2004 it was sold to 2046832 Ontario Inc.
Village Lot 8 and 9 are identical and we can see today that they support the apartment complex south of the clothing depot and church. The buildings are designated 60 Prince Edward Street, as well as 60 A and 60 B. The complex is called Brookside Apartments.
The land records for lot 8 & 9 are identical to lot 7 up until 1954 when Frank and Amelia Edwards sold the lots 8 & 9 to Earl and Lizzie Bedal. In 1964, when the Edwards family sold lot 7 to the church, Earl Bedal sold lot 8 to Bryce and Ona Hazelwood and Ian and Lulu Heales. Byrce Hazelwood was a real estate agent and this group had development in mind.
Canada Voters Lists for this complex show that there were no people living there in 1965, but 12 people at 60 Prince Edward Street in 1968. In 1972, there were 49 people across three buildings, 60, 60A and 60B.
In 1975, the property was sold to William & Eileen Leslie, and in 1995 to Yvette Leslie and Dennis Largrois. In 2004 it was sold to 2046832 Ontario Inc.
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70 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 10
The house at 70 Prince Edward Street is in Village Lot 10, and possibly part of 9. Its history follows the same path as others in the area, James Richardson, Sr., James Lyons Sr., then William Butler. In 1873 William Butler sold it to William Coyle, an unfamiliar name in this area, and the land records don’t help because there is a blank period for this lot until 1910 when Robert Sprentnall sold it to John Vincent. He handled the investment by turning it around in 1912, selling to Mareilis Bell, who quickly sold to Robert Dixon. He sold in 1915 to Margaret E. Potter, wife of William Harris Potter who was a “carpenter and joiner” in Brighton. Their son, Lionel Potter sold 70 Prince Edward St. to William W. Porte in 1933.
Mr. Porte was the jeweler who lived on Main Street and was actively engaged in real estate in town. He died in 1937 and his estate sold this property to Clarence and Pearl Day in 1951.
Clarence Roy Day (1889-1967) had been born in Brighton Township and he married Alice Pearl Rowley in 1916 in Brighton after his family had established a homestead in Manitoba. This would be his retirement home back in Brighton.
In 1974, widow Pearl Day sold the property to David Haight, who sold to William & Barbara Ryckman in 1980. It went on to Barbara Anne Ryckman in 1995.
The house at 70 Prince Edward Street is in Village Lot 10, and possibly part of 9. Its history follows the same path as others in the area, James Richardson, Sr., James Lyons Sr., then William Butler. In 1873 William Butler sold it to William Coyle, an unfamiliar name in this area, and the land records don’t help because there is a blank period for this lot until 1910 when Robert Sprentnall sold it to John Vincent. He handled the investment by turning it around in 1912, selling to Mareilis Bell, who quickly sold to Robert Dixon. He sold in 1915 to Margaret E. Potter, wife of William Harris Potter who was a “carpenter and joiner” in Brighton. Their son, Lionel Potter sold 70 Prince Edward St. to William W. Porte in 1933.
Mr. Porte was the jeweler who lived on Main Street and was actively engaged in real estate in town. He died in 1937 and his estate sold this property to Clarence and Pearl Day in 1951.
Clarence Roy Day (1889-1967) had been born in Brighton Township and he married Alice Pearl Rowley in 1916 in Brighton after his family had established a homestead in Manitoba. This would be his retirement home back in Brighton.
In 1974, widow Pearl Day sold the property to David Haight, who sold to William & Barbara Ryckman in 1980. It went on to Barbara Anne Ryckman in 1995.
72 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 10
The next property at 72 Prince Edward Street is fully inside Village Lot 10. The early history is similar to Number 70, but separates at least by the early 1900s. Frankly, the records for lot 10 are confusing. Back into the late 1800s it is hard to determine if there were two properties here. Maybe not.
The records show that William W. Porte obtained this part of lot 10 in 1933 and he quickly sold it to Alfred Corby, the fellow who operated the monument business. Alfred Charles Corby (1874-1965) married Sadie Russell in 1896 and would continue to operate Corby Monument Works at 36 Main Street until it closed and he retired in 1948.
Alfred Corby had inherited the monument business from his father, Thomas Richard Corby (1841-1917) who had come to Brighton in the 1860s with his father, Thomas Corby (1812-1900) to established the trade in Brighton. Thomas Corby was a brother of the more famous Henry Corby Sr. (1806-1881) who created Corby’s distillery in Belleville.
In 1912, Alfred Corby married his second wife, Edith May Morden and this couple lived at 72 Prince Edward Street until he died in 1965. Edith Corby, widow, is shown at this same address until her death in 1978. They were both buried in Salem Cemetery.
The next property at 72 Prince Edward Street is fully inside Village Lot 10. The early history is similar to Number 70, but separates at least by the early 1900s. Frankly, the records for lot 10 are confusing. Back into the late 1800s it is hard to determine if there were two properties here. Maybe not.
The records show that William W. Porte obtained this part of lot 10 in 1933 and he quickly sold it to Alfred Corby, the fellow who operated the monument business. Alfred Charles Corby (1874-1965) married Sadie Russell in 1896 and would continue to operate Corby Monument Works at 36 Main Street until it closed and he retired in 1948.
Alfred Corby had inherited the monument business from his father, Thomas Richard Corby (1841-1917) who had come to Brighton in the 1860s with his father, Thomas Corby (1812-1900) to established the trade in Brighton. Thomas Corby was a brother of the more famous Henry Corby Sr. (1806-1881) who created Corby’s distillery in Belleville.
In 1912, Alfred Corby married his second wife, Edith May Morden and this couple lived at 72 Prince Edward Street until he died in 1965. Edith Corby, widow, is shown at this same address until her death in 1978. They were both buried in Salem Cemetery.
74 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 11
The large, handsome yellow frame house at 74 Prince Edward Street has a sign on the lawn saying “The Yellow House, Guest Rooms” and is a popular accommodation for visitors to the area.
The early days of this property include the same owners as other lots in the area, James Richardson Sr., James Lyons Sr. and William Butler. Butler sold it in 1854 and then there are several transactions displaying unfamiliar names until Ambrose Coleman sold it to John and Mary Fulford in 1873. They sold it to Henry Auston in 1877, and Fred & Henry Auston sold it to Eliza E. Robinson in 1883. This was Eliza Elvira Stone (1843-1909), born in Percy Twp., a daughter of Joseph Benjamin Giles Stone and Jane Ann Blair. She married James Giles Robinson in 1880. They lived in Brighton in the early 1880s when two sons were born, James and John.
The large, handsome yellow frame house at 74 Prince Edward Street has a sign on the lawn saying “The Yellow House, Guest Rooms” and is a popular accommodation for visitors to the area.
The early days of this property include the same owners as other lots in the area, James Richardson Sr., James Lyons Sr. and William Butler. Butler sold it in 1854 and then there are several transactions displaying unfamiliar names until Ambrose Coleman sold it to John and Mary Fulford in 1873. They sold it to Henry Auston in 1877, and Fred & Henry Auston sold it to Eliza E. Robinson in 1883. This was Eliza Elvira Stone (1843-1909), born in Percy Twp., a daughter of Joseph Benjamin Giles Stone and Jane Ann Blair. She married James Giles Robinson in 1880. They lived in Brighton in the early 1880s when two sons were born, James and John.
James Giles Robinson died in Toronto in 1900 and Eliza sold lot 11 to Blanche E. Keeler in 1898. Blanche Elizabeth Boyer (1853-1913) was born in Detroit, Michigan and was married to Thomas Philips Keeler in Cobourg in 1873. He was a son of Joseph Keeler (1822-1881), often called “Little Joe” because he was the younger generation of the original Keeler family that founded Colborne.
Thomas Phillips Keeler (1852-c1901) was appointed as the first Superintendent of the new Murray Canal in 1889 and he moved his family to Brighton to be near his work. Unfortunately, he ran into legal problems and had to resign in 1900, which was accompanied by Blanche selling Village Lot 11 in Brighton to Albert W. Stinson. She took her children to California to get away from the scandal.
Dr. Albert Washington Stinson was a physician in Brighton for about a decade. He was a member of the large early settler family in Prince Edward County and had married Minnie Maud Orser, herself part of a large loyalist clan. In 1908, Albert Stinson sold lot 11 and moved to Cobourg.
The new owner was Howard C. Rundle, another doctor. He was from Darlington Township and came to Brighton to set up a medical practice. His wife was Lulu Bongard and they would have three children, Mona, Howard and John Leighton, the last born in 1913. This family would become a solid part of Brighton over the next decades, as the doctor served the public and became beloved for his good nature and medical skills.
Howard C. Rundle passed away in 1957 and the estate of his wife, Lulu, passed the property at 74 Prince Edward Street to their youngest son, John Leighton Rundle in 1975. Leighton Rundle was active in business in Brighton as were his sons Cameron and Ian.
Thomas Phillips Keeler (1852-c1901) was appointed as the first Superintendent of the new Murray Canal in 1889 and he moved his family to Brighton to be near his work. Unfortunately, he ran into legal problems and had to resign in 1900, which was accompanied by Blanche selling Village Lot 11 in Brighton to Albert W. Stinson. She took her children to California to get away from the scandal.
Dr. Albert Washington Stinson was a physician in Brighton for about a decade. He was a member of the large early settler family in Prince Edward County and had married Minnie Maud Orser, herself part of a large loyalist clan. In 1908, Albert Stinson sold lot 11 and moved to Cobourg.
The new owner was Howard C. Rundle, another doctor. He was from Darlington Township and came to Brighton to set up a medical practice. His wife was Lulu Bongard and they would have three children, Mona, Howard and John Leighton, the last born in 1913. This family would become a solid part of Brighton over the next decades, as the doctor served the public and became beloved for his good nature and medical skills.
Howard C. Rundle passed away in 1957 and the estate of his wife, Lulu, passed the property at 74 Prince Edward Street to their youngest son, John Leighton Rundle in 1975. Leighton Rundle was active in business in Brighton as were his sons Cameron and Ian.
74 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 12
Village Lot 12 is now the yard on the south side of the yellow house, over to the next property at 78 Prince Edward Street. This lot has the same history as lot 11, although the Rundles handled it separately in passing the land down to Leighton Rundle in 1952.
Village Lot 12 is now the yard on the south side of the yellow house, over to the next property at 78 Prince Edward Street. This lot has the same history as lot 11, although the Rundles handled it separately in passing the land down to Leighton Rundle in 1952.
78 Prince Edward Street West -
Village Lot 13 & 14
The modern brick house at 78 Prince Edward Street demonstrates the most recent use of this property. The house faces east onto Prince Edward Street but it is a corner lot with the south side of Village Lot 13 running down the north side of Richardson Street.
Village Lot 13 & 14
The modern brick house at 78 Prince Edward Street demonstrates the most recent use of this property. The house faces east onto Prince Edward Street but it is a corner lot with the south side of Village Lot 13 running down the north side of Richardson Street.
The early years of this property match neighboring lots, James Richardson Sr., James Lyons Sr. and William Butler. Unlike many other lots in this area, William Butler maintained ownership of lot 13 until 1866 when he sold to James M. Gould of Salem. James Monroe Gould (1830-1904) was part of a large loyalist family that had settled very early along the shore of Lake Ontario west of Brighton, where the village of Salem would develop. He married Adelaide Brown in 1849 and Priscilla Bellamy in 1888, both from early settler families in the Salem area. James Gould held Village Lot 13 in Brighton from 1866 to 1875 when he sold it to James Scougale, a marriage maker in Colborne, who turned it around quick with a sale to Alice M. Thayer of Brighton.
Alice Maud Potter (1852-1880) was born in Trenton to James Potter and Mary Ann Hendricks. She married Ira Blanchard Thayer in 1874 and became part of the growing Thayer clan in Brighton. Ira Blanchard Thayer (1843-1926) was a son of Nathaniel Thayer and Fanny Drewry. Nathaniel Thayer had roots in Massachusetts, having moved to Upper Canada with his brother, Isaiah, in the early 1820s. Nathaniel acquired a half-acre lot in Concession B, Lot 35, on the east side of Prince Edward Street, across from the spot where the Methodist church would be built. Isaiah Thayer also acquired land in the same area and would develop a thriving nursery business in association with his brother’s farm.
Village Lot 13 was passed on to Ira Blanchard Thayer from his wife's estate in 1885. Lot 14 had been in the hands of William Butler and his estate sold it to Alice M. Thayer in 1875, so lots 13 and 14 were now under the same ownership. Both lots were passed on to Ira’s sister, Fanny, in 1878. She married James Ewing Solomon in 1863. In 1901, Ira Thayer sold both lots to Ira Solomon. They were quickly sold to Nellie M. Wade, the wife of Robert Wade, and she sold to Thomas E. Pelkey in 1906.
Thomas Edward (or Edgar) Pelkey (1862-1939) grew up in Murray Township, in the Carrying Place area. His parents were Joseph Thomas Pelkey and Catharine Stoneburgh and he married Effie Blandie Mutton in Brighton in 1892. It could be that the purchase of Village Lots 13 and 14 in 1906 was a matter of speculation in the midst of rumours of another railway coming through Brighton. As it happened, Mr. Pelkey was in the right place at the right time. He purchased the lots from the Wade’s for $2,200 and sold to the Canadian Northern Railway for $3,500. Not a bad profit for holding the property for four years.
Alice Maud Potter (1852-1880) was born in Trenton to James Potter and Mary Ann Hendricks. She married Ira Blanchard Thayer in 1874 and became part of the growing Thayer clan in Brighton. Ira Blanchard Thayer (1843-1926) was a son of Nathaniel Thayer and Fanny Drewry. Nathaniel Thayer had roots in Massachusetts, having moved to Upper Canada with his brother, Isaiah, in the early 1820s. Nathaniel acquired a half-acre lot in Concession B, Lot 35, on the east side of Prince Edward Street, across from the spot where the Methodist church would be built. Isaiah Thayer also acquired land in the same area and would develop a thriving nursery business in association with his brother’s farm.
Village Lot 13 was passed on to Ira Blanchard Thayer from his wife's estate in 1885. Lot 14 had been in the hands of William Butler and his estate sold it to Alice M. Thayer in 1875, so lots 13 and 14 were now under the same ownership. Both lots were passed on to Ira’s sister, Fanny, in 1878. She married James Ewing Solomon in 1863. In 1901, Ira Thayer sold both lots to Ira Solomon. They were quickly sold to Nellie M. Wade, the wife of Robert Wade, and she sold to Thomas E. Pelkey in 1906.
Thomas Edward (or Edgar) Pelkey (1862-1939) grew up in Murray Township, in the Carrying Place area. His parents were Joseph Thomas Pelkey and Catharine Stoneburgh and he married Effie Blandie Mutton in Brighton in 1892. It could be that the purchase of Village Lots 13 and 14 in 1906 was a matter of speculation in the midst of rumours of another railway coming through Brighton. As it happened, Mr. Pelkey was in the right place at the right time. He purchased the lots from the Wade’s for $2,200 and sold to the Canadian Northern Railway for $3,500. Not a bad profit for holding the property for four years.
Competition for transcontinental railway traffic led to the creation of the Canadian Northern Railway. It originated in Manitoba in the 1890s and the part of its system from Ottawa to Toronto began construction in January 1910. It began in the Don Valley and headed toward Trenton where a large bridge was erected. In Brighton, this third railway line would pass north of the existing Grand Trunk railway which was just south of Richardson Street. Land was purchased along the north side of Richardson Street for the new railway, including Thomas Pelkey’s Village Lots 13 and 14 on the west side of Prince Edward Street. Our third set of railway tracks presented even more danger and inconvenience for the travelling public, but railway fever was still turning minds toward more tracks and bigger, faster locomotives.
The Canadian Northern Railway only operated for a decade before the economics of so many railways came home to roost. It ceased operations in 1923 and the tracks were torn up soon after. Village Lots 13 and 14 on the west side of Prince Edward Street weere not sold by the railway until 1949, to William and Sarah Daniels. William Henry Daniels (1900-1985) was born near Coe Hill, in Hastings County but would be in Brighton to marry Sarah Bird, also from Coe Hill. They made Brighton their home but only owned the property for four years, selling to Clarence Rittwage in 1953.
Clarence Harold Rittwage (1902-1974) was born in Brighton Township, a son of Frank Rittwage and Adeline Wicks. In 1924 he married Theresa Helena McMaster, also born nearby. The Rittwage family came to Brighton in 1873, directly from Germany. Clarence’s grandparents, Frederick John Rittwage and Louisa Martin, would Anglicize their names to fit their new home and they acquired land quickly at concession 2, lot 4, Brighton Township. That was part of the Simpson farm, on the west side of Percy Street (The Old Percy Road) and in the north part of lot 4, a bit south from the next concession road, what we call Little Lake Road.
Clarence Harold Rittwage (1902-1974) was born in Brighton Township, a son of Frank Rittwage and Adeline Wicks. In 1924 he married Theresa Helena McMaster, also born nearby. The Rittwage family came to Brighton in 1873, directly from Germany. Clarence’s grandparents, Frederick John Rittwage and Louisa Martin, would Anglicize their names to fit their new home and they acquired land quickly at concession 2, lot 4, Brighton Township. That was part of the Simpson farm, on the west side of Percy Street (The Old Percy Road) and in the north part of lot 4, a bit south from the next concession road, what we call Little Lake Road.
The name Rittwage was not totally consistent in this family as records in the later 1800s show Radway as the name in more than a few places. Frederick John Radway (1884-1948) was a son of Arthur Robert Rittwage and he used the Radway name all his life, as demonstrated on his memorial. Most of the others used Rittwage.
Clarence’s father, Francis Lewis “Frank” Rittwage farmed on the land at lot 4, concessions 2 all of his life except for a few years spent in Saskatchewan. Bert Rittwage, a brother of Clarence, married in Brighton in 1912 and a child was born in Saskatchewan the next year. Bert’s parents, Frank and Adeline, brought the whole family to Saskatchewan but were back in Brighton by the early 1920s. Bert would stay and ranch in the Mankota area.
Clarence’s father, Francis Lewis “Frank” Rittwage farmed on the land at lot 4, concessions 2 all of his life except for a few years spent in Saskatchewan. Bert Rittwage, a brother of Clarence, married in Brighton in 1912 and a child was born in Saskatchewan the next year. Bert’s parents, Frank and Adeline, brought the whole family to Saskatchewan but were back in Brighton by the early 1920s. Bert would stay and ranch in the Mankota area.
If we look at the map segment below, we can see that Lot 13 fronts on Prince Edward Street, and is only half the depth as the other lots to the north. Lot 14 is right on the corner of Prince Edward and Richardson Streets, of the same depth to the west as lot 13. When we then look at the house at 78 Prince Edward Street, we can see that the house sits across lots 13 and 14, facing east, onto Prince Edward Street. It takes up the eastern part of lots 13 and 14. The land records are confusing for lots 13 and 14 because they include transactions related to the properties to the west, down Richardson Street from number 78 Prince Edward.
Soon after acquiring lots 13 and 14, Clarence and Tressa Rittwage sold part of the west side, along Richardson Street, to their son, Clarence Harold Rittwage, Jr. This property became 6 Richardson Street and was sold to Harold Phillips in 1964 and Clarence Rittwage Jr. moved to Kingston.
Clarence and Tressa Rittwage lived at 78 Prince Edward Street and raised a large family which included youngest son Roy Ronald Rittwage (1943-2006) who was instrumental in the Proctor Simpson Barn project. Clarence and Teresa Rittwage are shown at 78 Prince Edward Street in the 1972 Voters Lists, along with Miss Doris Rittwage, a daughter. Clarence died in 1974 and in 1977, Tressa sold to son Roy and his wife Anna and they sold in 1983 to Scott and Donna Binnie.
Soon after acquiring lots 13 and 14, Clarence and Tressa Rittwage sold part of the west side, along Richardson Street, to their son, Clarence Harold Rittwage, Jr. This property became 6 Richardson Street and was sold to Harold Phillips in 1964 and Clarence Rittwage Jr. moved to Kingston.
Clarence and Tressa Rittwage lived at 78 Prince Edward Street and raised a large family which included youngest son Roy Ronald Rittwage (1943-2006) who was instrumental in the Proctor Simpson Barn project. Clarence and Teresa Rittwage are shown at 78 Prince Edward Street in the 1972 Voters Lists, along with Miss Doris Rittwage, a daughter. Clarence died in 1974 and in 1977, Tressa sold to son Roy and his wife Anna and they sold in 1983 to Scott and Donna Binnie.
80 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 15
South of Richardson Street, the lots fronting on Prince Edward Street are long and narrow, numbering lots 15, 16 and 17. Village Lot 18 is shown on the map as being a sliver north of the railway tracks. This suggests that, before the Grand Trunk Railway was built in the 1850s, the lots continued normally with lot 18, 19 and 20. The track sliced through here, removing lot 19 altogether and leaving lots 18 and 20 only partially available. Then, in the 1880s, when the Canadian Pacific Railway built tracks along the south side of the Grand Trunk, lot 20 would disappear.
South of Richardson Street, the lots fronting on Prince Edward Street are long and narrow, numbering lots 15, 16 and 17. Village Lot 18 is shown on the map as being a sliver north of the railway tracks. This suggests that, before the Grand Trunk Railway was built in the 1850s, the lots continued normally with lot 18, 19 and 20. The track sliced through here, removing lot 19 altogether and leaving lots 18 and 20 only partially available. Then, in the 1880s, when the Canadian Pacific Railway built tracks along the south side of the Grand Trunk, lot 20 would disappear.
Today, there are three properties between Richardson Street and the tracks on the west side of Prince Edward, numbers 80, 82 and 86. Numbers 80 and 82 are small houses and 86 is a larger building that houses a home and business.
Village Lot 15, on the corner south of Richardson Street, holds 80 Prince Edward Street. The early history of this property runs along the same lines as other lots in the area, beginning with James Richardson, then James Lyons and to William Butler in 1847. At this point, Village Lot 15 follows its own path. In 1850, William Butler sold ½ acre of the lot to Martha Devlin. This was Martha Wilson (1799-1894), daughter of James Wilson from Ireland and Sarah Wessels from Bergen County, New York. This was Sarah’s second marriage, the first was to John Roblin.
Martha Wilson had married Mark Devlin in 1822 and they raised a family of eleven children, initially in Prince Edward County, but moving up to the Brighton and Murray Township area in the 1840s. These folks appear to have been merchants and tradesmen rather than farmers, and by the 1851 Census we see Mark Devlin in Brighton Township living with several of the younger children, and his wife, Martha, living with son John in Sidney Township. In 1861, Mark was a clerk in a store in Campbellford where his son, Luke, was a cabinet maker.
Another son, Joseph Edward Devlin, became a millwright and worked at various mills around the province as well as in Michigan for a time. He married Camilla Kemp in 1876, she a widow of Stephen B. Newcomb of Newcomb’s Mills, later to be called Orland. Martha Devlin sold Village Lot 15 on Prince Edward Street to sons John and Joseph, and the parts evolved to Joseph. In 1875, he sold to Moses Boardman, a farmer from Quebec who had married Joseph’s sister Frannie.
Sadly, there is a large gap in the land records at this point and we have nothing until the Reeve and Treasurer sold Lot 15 to Oscar P. McConnell in 1935. The next year it was sold to Agnes Gillette who was Agnes Cameron, wife of Samuel James Gillette., a plumber in Brighton. This family owned 80 Prince Edward Street for two decades, then it went to Robert and Muriel Hodgson who had it until 1972. There have been numerous owners since then.
Martha Wilson had married Mark Devlin in 1822 and they raised a family of eleven children, initially in Prince Edward County, but moving up to the Brighton and Murray Township area in the 1840s. These folks appear to have been merchants and tradesmen rather than farmers, and by the 1851 Census we see Mark Devlin in Brighton Township living with several of the younger children, and his wife, Martha, living with son John in Sidney Township. In 1861, Mark was a clerk in a store in Campbellford where his son, Luke, was a cabinet maker.
Another son, Joseph Edward Devlin, became a millwright and worked at various mills around the province as well as in Michigan for a time. He married Camilla Kemp in 1876, she a widow of Stephen B. Newcomb of Newcomb’s Mills, later to be called Orland. Martha Devlin sold Village Lot 15 on Prince Edward Street to sons John and Joseph, and the parts evolved to Joseph. In 1875, he sold to Moses Boardman, a farmer from Quebec who had married Joseph’s sister Frannie.
Sadly, there is a large gap in the land records at this point and we have nothing until the Reeve and Treasurer sold Lot 15 to Oscar P. McConnell in 1935. The next year it was sold to Agnes Gillette who was Agnes Cameron, wife of Samuel James Gillette., a plumber in Brighton. This family owned 80 Prince Edward Street for two decades, then it went to Robert and Muriel Hodgson who had it until 1972. There have been numerous owners since then.
82 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lot 16
The next long, narrow lot to the south is Village Lot 16. William Butler sold this lot in 1853 to Joseph Abraham, a young fellow from Hallowell Township who had just seen the birth of his first child and was looking to make an investment that might provide quick profit. In fact, he purchased both lots 16 and 17 at the same time, then took mortgages on both. He held them only three years, selling both lots to John Dingman in 1856.
The next long, narrow lot to the south is Village Lot 16. William Butler sold this lot in 1853 to Joseph Abraham, a young fellow from Hallowell Township who had just seen the birth of his first child and was looking to make an investment that might provide quick profit. In fact, he purchased both lots 16 and 17 at the same time, then took mortgages on both. He held them only three years, selling both lots to John Dingman in 1856.
There are literally dozens of people named John Dingman in www.treesbydan.com and selecting the right one for this land transaction is tricky. However, it was probably John Dingman (1792-1868) who was married to Susannah Dusenbury and lived in Marysburgh Township, Prince Edward Co. He was in his early 60s, had been engaged in various land speculation, and these two properties, lots 16 and 17, seemed a sensible investment because they were near the Grand Trunk Railway tracks. Railway fever was rampant in the 1850s and investments were made in anticipation of the railway bringing prosperity to the town.
In 1861, John Dingman sold the two lots to George Huyck, who was family. John’s daughter Hannah, had married William Henry Huyck and their son, George Huyck (1839-1908) bought the lots. He married Sarah Amelia Pope a few months later and that family would live in Brighton. The land would pass on to their daughter, Hannah May Huyck in 1899 and she sold both lots in 1907 to her sister Melissa A. Anderson.
Melissa found an opportunity to sell both lots in 1912 to Emma L. Loomis, formerly Emma Loretta Weeks (1863-1928) who was married to Alexander Bettes Loomis, a farmer in the area of Orland and Codrington. The next year, both lots 16 and 17 went to Sylvanus and Corintha Freeman. Sylvanus Freeman Jr. (1847-1915) was married to Corintha A. Allard (1849-1927). His father, Sylvanus Freeman Sr. (1800-1884) was born in Vermont and came to the south end of Murray Township in the 1820s where he married Sophia Amelia Smith, who had been the first wife of William Thomas Hutchinson.
Melissa found an opportunity to sell both lots in 1912 to Emma L. Loomis, formerly Emma Loretta Weeks (1863-1928) who was married to Alexander Bettes Loomis, a farmer in the area of Orland and Codrington. The next year, both lots 16 and 17 went to Sylvanus and Corintha Freeman. Sylvanus Freeman Jr. (1847-1915) was married to Corintha A. Allard (1849-1927). His father, Sylvanus Freeman Sr. (1800-1884) was born in Vermont and came to the south end of Murray Township in the 1820s where he married Sophia Amelia Smith, who had been the first wife of William Thomas Hutchinson.
Sylvanus Freeman Jr. and his family lived and worked on Prince Edward Street in Brighton. He had a barber shop at 20 Prince Edward Street which burned in 1874 and later he would become a successful grocer with a store at 24 Prince Edward Street. In 1913, he acquired all three lots on the west side of Prince Edward Street, 16, 17 and 18. The first two he purchased from Emma Loomis and the third from Isaac Oscar Proctor, a brother of John Edward Proctor. The records make it clear that both Proctor brothers were heavily engaged in constant investment and speculation in real estate.
Sylvanus Freeman Jr. died in 1915 and the properties passed to his wife, Corintha. She married William Henry Brooks two years later. The next transaction related to Village Lot 16 is a mortgage in 1924 which Corintha Brooks took from Henry M. Ireland. Henry Musgrove Ireland (1846-1933) was a prosperous farmer west of Orland and five years later, he passed the land and the mortgage on to Joseph T. Harnden, a farmer in the Salem and Colborne area. He passed away in 1929, leaving his estate to sell the lots to John Vincent.
Sylvanus Freeman Jr. died in 1915 and the properties passed to his wife, Corintha. She married William Henry Brooks two years later. The next transaction related to Village Lot 16 is a mortgage in 1924 which Corintha Brooks took from Henry M. Ireland. Henry Musgrove Ireland (1846-1933) was a prosperous farmer west of Orland and five years later, he passed the land and the mortgage on to Joseph T. Harnden, a farmer in the Salem and Colborne area. He passed away in 1929, leaving his estate to sell the lots to John Vincent.
John Robert Vincent (1864-1944) was born in Brighton Township and had married Rosa Roblin in 1893. His parents were Stephen Vincent (1819-1890) and Mary Matilda Scott (1834-1917). They were originally from Hallowell Township, Prince Edward County, but moved to Brighton Township in the 1850s, where Stephen worked as a carpenter. Records show they lived at lot 1, concession 3, Brighton Township, north of Spring Valley. John Vincent was very active in the village of Brighton as a merchant and fruit dealer. In 1932, Don Vincent married Dorothy Simpson, a daughter of James Dyer Simpson and Alice Owens.
In 1945, the estate of John Vincent sold Village Lots 16 and 17 to his nephew, Don Vincent. Donald Theodore Vincent (1909-1983) was a son of Clarence Theodore Vincent and Della Permelia Rowley who farmed at concession A, lot 32, Brighton Township, east of Brighton. Donald Vincent acquired a small piece of land in Village Lot 2, Prince Edward St., West side, in 1943, which he would sell to his daughters, Lynda and Wanda in 1976. This was part of the land soon to be taken up by Prince Edward Plaza.
Village Lot 16 and the house on it was sold by Don Vincent in 1951, going to Esther Remouche. Then, in 1964, the property was acquired by William and Sandra Dunk, a well-known family in Brighton, and they lived at 82 Prince Edward Street into the early 2000s.
In 1945, the estate of John Vincent sold Village Lots 16 and 17 to his nephew, Don Vincent. Donald Theodore Vincent (1909-1983) was a son of Clarence Theodore Vincent and Della Permelia Rowley who farmed at concession A, lot 32, Brighton Township, east of Brighton. Donald Vincent acquired a small piece of land in Village Lot 2, Prince Edward St., West side, in 1943, which he would sell to his daughters, Lynda and Wanda in 1976. This was part of the land soon to be taken up by Prince Edward Plaza.
Village Lot 16 and the house on it was sold by Don Vincent in 1951, going to Esther Remouche. Then, in 1964, the property was acquired by William and Sandra Dunk, a well-known family in Brighton, and they lived at 82 Prince Edward Street into the early 2000s.
86 Prince Edward Street West – Village Lots 17 & 18
As of this writing in 2024, Village Lots 17 and 18 are occupied by a modern building that hosts D. Koets Plumbing and Heating, Pure Hair Salon and a private home. This is the full width of lot 17 and the slice of 18 that was left after the railway was built in the 1850s.
The history of village lot 17 is lock-step with that of 16 until 1951 when Don Vincent sold lot 16, as mentioned above. In the remaining property, lots 17 and 18, he established a dry-cleaning business that operated until 1973. This snip of the aerial photo of Brighton in the 1960s shows the older building at 86 Prince Edward Street, as it was when Don Vincent operated the dry-cleaning business there.
As of this writing in 2024, Village Lots 17 and 18 are occupied by a modern building that hosts D. Koets Plumbing and Heating, Pure Hair Salon and a private home. This is the full width of lot 17 and the slice of 18 that was left after the railway was built in the 1850s.
The history of village lot 17 is lock-step with that of 16 until 1951 when Don Vincent sold lot 16, as mentioned above. In the remaining property, lots 17 and 18, he established a dry-cleaning business that operated until 1973. This snip of the aerial photo of Brighton in the 1960s shows the older building at 86 Prince Edward Street, as it was when Don Vincent operated the dry-cleaning business there.
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