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The north wing of this brick house was built in 1840 as the home of David Youmans, a Methodist preacher. Youmans purchased 13 acres of this former Clergy Reserve property on Lot 9, Concession 8 from the Honorable Peter McGill in 1842. In 1845, he sold the property to Jacob Wilson, a tailor in Markham Village, and leased it back from him. David Reesor purchased the property in 1853, and in that same year sold it to the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church. At that time, the church was located on the south side of Highway 7, where the St. Andrew’s cemetery is today. This house served as the minister’s residence, or manse. Reverend James Gordon was the first Presbyterian minister confirmed to reside here. About 1862, a substantial two storey addition was made to the south side of the original building, and the older part became the kitchen wing. Reverend John Campbell followed the Reverend Gordon, serving the congregation from 1866 to 1870. Reverend James Carmichael was the last Presbyterian minister to live here, taking over for the Reverend Gordon in 1870 and presiding over the congregation when they built a new brick church on Washington Street in 1872. A new manse was built at 44 Church Street in 1884, and this property was sold to John McCreight, a farmer in Box Grove. At some point the house was divided into two dwelling units. In 1942, Charles Chambers converted the house back into a single dwelling, and renovated it in the Colonial Revival style. The Classical door surround facing Main Street was added at this time. |