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Located on the east half of Lot 2, Concession 5, which was originally leased to Joseph Plumb in 1810. In 1846, Alexander McPherson received the Crown Grant for the east half (100 acres). In 1847, he was granted the south western 50 acres and in 1857 McPherson purchased the remaining 50 acres in the northwest corner of Lot 2, concession 5. Alexander McPherson retained ownership until 1878 when he bequeathed the property to his son, Alexander Jr. In 1887, Hester McPherson, Alexander Jr.'s widow, deeded the property to her only daughter, Elizabeth, and son-in-law John Kennedy. Alexander McPherson Sr. emigrated from Edinborough, Scotland with his parents in 1787 and came to Markham in 1830. Alexander Jr. married Elizabeth Hood and the Hester Kennedy after the death of his first wife in 1855. The 1851 Census lists the McPherson's on Lot 2, Concession 5 in a 1 ½-storey frame house. A house is illustrated at this location in each of the three historic maps for Markham Township. Further investigation of the building materials and construction methods may lend support to the assumption that this was the house build by Alexander McPherson c. 1840. Alexander McPherson Jr. was a lieutenant in the York militia. |