|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Model Map Navigation: Previous Site <<< Legend >>> Next Site |
48. MCGILL COTTAGE |
| Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe certainly seemed to inspire greatness in those men who served under him, as so many had followed him to York only to become highly influential figures. David Smith [site 46], John Small [site 45] and John McGill (1752-1834) were all examples of this loyalty(1). McGill was a former Queen’s Ranger who left his native Auckland, Scotland to join Simcoe in the American Revolutionary War(2). He then settled in New Brunswick, married and later moved to York in 1792. In York, McGill became the Commissionary of Stores and Provisions in Upper Canada(3). The job was important and quite varied in nature. In recognition of his work, McGill was granted a 100-acre park lot from Lot (now Queen) to Bloor, between Bond and Mutual Streets. McGill cottage was built in 1793 on the park lot later known as McGill Square(4). The large, comfortable house was well suited to the profile of the future Inspector-General and Auditor-General of York(5). Sadly, when McGill’s wife Catharine and their only child died in 1819, he was left without an heir. McGill chose to will his estate to his nephew Peter McCutcheon on the condition that McCutcheon changed his name to McGill upon inheritance. The cottage and lands were sold in 1870 to the Wesleyan Methodists who built the Metropolitan Church on the site(6). |
Notes
|
| Model Map Navigation: Previous Site <<< Legend >>> Next Site |
| © Town of York Historical Society, 2006- All rights reserved. |