319 Water Street - Morris Division
The John Dunn Estate House is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture, for its association with its past occupants, for its connection with the Catholic religion and for being a contributing element to a group of residences built for the United Empire Loyalists and the second generation of settlers.
The John Dunn Estate House is recognized as being an example of late Georgian residential architecture. This style is characterized by the five-bay front façade with central entranceway. The entranceway has a classical entablature and rectangular transom window and is flanked by pilasters. The eave returns along the façade are characteristic of the related Greek Revival style.
The John Dunn Estate House is also recognized for its association with its past occupants. The home was built for Capt. James Paul circa 1815. In 1822, at the age of 69, prominent loyalist John Dunn obtained the home for what appears to be a security for his nephew and family. John Dunn came from New York. He was the second sheriff of Charlotte County, holding that office from 1790 to 1803. He was for many years comptroller of customs at St. Andrews, and was much respected. In his will he directed that the house was to be rented for 50 pounds per year and the income divided among his family.
The property does appear to have been rented for most of the 19th century and remain within the Dunn family until the 1960’s. James Whitlock and his wife, Julia (Dunn) Whitlock, obtained it in the 1840’s and continued its rental. Whitlock was with Customs in St. Andrews and held several positions of honour and trust such as County Treasurer, church warden, director of the Grammar School, and Lt. Colonel of the 1st Battalion, Charlotte County Militia.
The property was later owned by George Johnston and remained with Johnston’s descendants until the 1960’s. Catholic Church records show that the first Catholic mass in St. Andrews was held in this house under the direction of Henry O’Neill. John Dunn and Henry O’Neill were two of the first four trustees of the Catholic Church. John Dunn obtained this home in June 1822 and the mass was held there six months later. Henry O’Neill may have been John Dunn’s first tenant.
The John Dunn Estate House is also recognized as a contributing element to the many well maintained 18th and 19th century structures in the Town of St. Andrews. Aside from the natural beauty of St. Andrews, the town has a wonderful array of historic buildings that reflect the prosperity and stages of development throughout the town’s early history.
The character-defining elements of this property include:
Architectural Style: Georgian
Source: Charlotte County Archives - Old Gaol - St. Andrews, New Brunswick
The John Dunn Estate House is recognized as being an example of late Georgian residential architecture. This style is characterized by the five-bay front façade with central entranceway. The entranceway has a classical entablature and rectangular transom window and is flanked by pilasters. The eave returns along the façade are characteristic of the related Greek Revival style.
The John Dunn Estate House is also recognized for its association with its past occupants. The home was built for Capt. James Paul circa 1815. In 1822, at the age of 69, prominent loyalist John Dunn obtained the home for what appears to be a security for his nephew and family. John Dunn came from New York. He was the second sheriff of Charlotte County, holding that office from 1790 to 1803. He was for many years comptroller of customs at St. Andrews, and was much respected. In his will he directed that the house was to be rented for 50 pounds per year and the income divided among his family.
The property does appear to have been rented for most of the 19th century and remain within the Dunn family until the 1960’s. James Whitlock and his wife, Julia (Dunn) Whitlock, obtained it in the 1840’s and continued its rental. Whitlock was with Customs in St. Andrews and held several positions of honour and trust such as County Treasurer, church warden, director of the Grammar School, and Lt. Colonel of the 1st Battalion, Charlotte County Militia.
The property was later owned by George Johnston and remained with Johnston’s descendants until the 1960’s. Catholic Church records show that the first Catholic mass in St. Andrews was held in this house under the direction of Henry O’Neill. John Dunn and Henry O’Neill were two of the first four trustees of the Catholic Church. John Dunn obtained this home in June 1822 and the mass was held there six months later. Henry O’Neill may have been John Dunn’s first tenant.
The John Dunn Estate House is also recognized as a contributing element to the many well maintained 18th and 19th century structures in the Town of St. Andrews. Aside from the natural beauty of St. Andrews, the town has a wonderful array of historic buildings that reflect the prosperity and stages of development throughout the town’s early history.
The character-defining elements of this property include:
- rectangular two-storey massing;
- side-gable massing;
- medium-pitched gable roof;
- five-bay front façade with central entranceway;
- wood cladding;
- entablature over the entrance;
- rectangular transom window over the entrance;
- pilasters supporting the entranceway entablature;
- stone foundation.
Architectural Style: Georgian
Source: Charlotte County Archives - Old Gaol - St. Andrews, New Brunswick
