|
|
Gilbert Peters Property
Pleasant Street, Bear River
1857
|
This home was built by Gilbert Henry Peters approx. 1857. Gilbert was a carpenter by trade. He married Eliza Ann Chute of Clements on January 26th, 1859. He was born in 1831 at Clements. Unfortunately his family line ended shortly. He had two daughters: Vena (1861-1880), and Ceretha (1863-1865). Eliza died July 1st, 1877. Gilbert and Eliza sold this home to Edmund Walsh in 1870.
Edmund Walsh was listed as a lumberman. He owned this home for less than a year so no extensive search went into his history.
In 1871 a widow by the name of Adelia Ditmars obtained the home. Adelia was only married three years and never married again. Her late husband was Voorheis Ditmars Sr. They were married in 1845 and in 1848 Voorheis died of consumption. Adelia was a daughter of John and Sophia Ryerson. She died in 1890. No transaction appears to be made between Adelia and her son Frederick Jones Ditmars, but Fred lived in the home for the remainder of his life.
Fred Jones Ditmars (1846-1940): Oldest Mason in Nova Scotia dies: Frederick J. Ditmars, the oldest and one of the most respected citizens of Bear River, passed away at his home in Bear River, on Tuesday of last week after a short illness. Mr. Ditmars who had reached the advanced age of 94 years, was born at Clementsport, in 1846, a son of the late Voohers S. Ditmars and Adelia (Ryerson) Ditmars, where he lived for a number of years. Later with his parents he moved to Bear River, where the greater part of his long life was spent. Mr. Ditmars was the oldest member in Nova Scotia of the Masonic Order, and had served as Master of local lodges. He is survived by his widow, who was Miss Mary Morse, of Bear River; and one son Voohers M. Ditmars of Montreal. Mr. Ditmars was a direct descendant of Capt. Dow Ditmars, active in loyalist service through the revolution, coming from Long Island as a military grantee in the township of Clements (now Annapolis County) in 1783, his descendants filling many prominent positions in his adopted province. The funeral was held at St. John's Anglican church with a short service at the home. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery. (Four years after her husband's death Mary sold the home to Lottie M. Stewart).
May 25th, 1957: The death of Mrs. Mary Florence Ditmars occurred at the Whitehall Nursing home, Grand Bay, New Brunswick today. She had been in failing health for several months.
She was born in Clementsport, Nova Scotia, the daughter of the late Dow I. and Sarah Jane (McDormand) Morse. She was in her 92nd year. She had lived most of her life in Bear River, where she was a member of the United Church and one of the original members of the Ladies Aid Society of that church. After the death of her husband (Fred) she made her home with her son Voorheis Ditmars, in Moncton and St. George, the last two years of her life having been spent in the nursing home at Grand Bay. She is survived by one son, Voorheis M. Ditmars, of 663 Philip Street, Fredericton, N.B., and two nieces, Mrs. Raymond Oliver, of Berkeley, California, and Mrs. Alfred A. Hall; also Darwin Morse of Albany, N. Y. It is not believed that Lottie Stewart ever lived here but she held the title for eight years. Her daughter Dorothy (Stewart) Wardell and Dorothy's husband Raymond made this their home until 1976. Their main residence was in Victoria, British Columbia.
There was a short ownership by Charles Parker and wife Glenda, who later moved to Parrsboro. In 1979 the present owners, Dr. T. Neville Elwood and wife Marie, purchased the home. At the time of the purchase he was an oculist at Halifax.
(It is believed that the correct spelling is Voorheis - one obituary spelled it Voohers.)
|
|
Architecture
|
This is a beautiful little Greek revival home. The facade elevation gives it a look of a very early vernacular home (early 1800), but the trimming is elaborate. The eaves are decorated with dentals and predominant returns. The windows and the front door are capped. A unique aspect of this home is that the jamb continues on below the window. When viewing the rear and sides of this home you realize the home is larger than it appears from the facade. The home has many windows and is equipped with 2 balconies that overlook the river. The past owners have treated the property with a lot of respect.
++ The steeple is of the Baptist church.
|
|
Contextual Comment
|
Not Available
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All images are copyright© their respective owners.
All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer
|
|
|
|
