In 2002 I drew the plans for "Bonshaw House" built by W.W. Irving. Also is information I compiled about this wonderful house.
Much of the information below comes from:
BONSHAW: A Stroll Through Its Past
by William M. Glen and Elizabeth A. Glen, 1993
The Ground Floor was divided into the formal rooms ( the entrance hall, dining, grand and drawing rooms ) and the support rooms ( the kitchen and storage rooms ). The floors in the entrance hall, grand, dining and kitchen rooms were hardwood. The entrance hall had a notable staircase and banister. Some of the Flooring and banister was utilized in the McLeod House which now stands on the site.
-Extracts from the Annie Laurie Robertson diary 1888 to 1903, the location of the original now unknown, extracts inthe possession of Ann Coles, Milton, Queens County, PEI, Dec. 1992.
The Second Floor was serviced by three staircases; one to each section of the house. The three sections were not connected. In March 1900 it was noted that Bonshaw House was empty as "it was hard to get help to keep up a big house".
-Based on the recollection of Christine McNevin nee McLeod, who lived in the house for 14 years in the 1930s, Argyle Shore, Sept. 1993.
...By March 1845, WW had moved to Charlottetown and offered Bonshaw Farm for lease or let. He described the farm as having a house and offices and was available for immediate possession. No record of anyone taking up the offer has been found so it is likely the house stood empty, although the land was probably still being farmed.
In the early part of 1848, WW was having financial difficulties, probably caused by living beyond his means. In April he gave up the lease of the 2718 acres in Lot 30 he had from David Stewart in lieu of rent arrears to the value of 192 pounds. He also left the Legislative Council although this may have been due to expiration of his term in office and not a reflection on his financial troubles. The letter to explain his replacement on the Council noted "he quitted the Island". As the year progressed, things got much worse, and WW advertised Bonshaw Farm for sale.
Valuable Property for Sale.
Private offers will be received by the Subscriber (who is about winding up his affairs in the Island,) for the following Property, viz:
BONSHAW ESTATE. consisting of 315 acres of Freehold Land, beautifully situated on West or Elliot River, of which it commands a view. It is 12 miles from Charlottetown, bounded on the South by the Tryon Road and on the East by the West River - one of the finest trouting stream; in the Island, from which oysters can also be obtained a few miles lower down. It is in the immediate vicinity of Saw and Grist Mills. About 70 acres of the above are under cultivation, and the remainder under a growth of Hardwood, with a sufficiency of Spruce, Fir, and Hemlock, for building and fencing purposes. The Dwelling House was built about seven years ago, and consists of a Centre, with projecting Wings and Colonade having Drawing and Dining Rooms, two Bed Chambers, Entrance Hall, 14 feet square; back Hall, (all papered) and Kitchen on the ground floor. There are two Chambers above , and also Servants rooms. Frost-proof Cellars under the Centre and South Wing.
The Farm Buildings consist of a Barn 50 feet by 27 feet, and with 20 feet post; and one-half is cellared and walled; - a Stable, with 4 stalls and loose box, Cow House, Poultry House (2 floors) Stone Well- house, with a pump, Pig - , & c.
The Subscriber also offers for sale about 10,000 Junifer (Halmatak) Sleepers, two-thirds of which are 9, 10 by 5, and the remainder 9, 9 by 4-1/2, at St. Peter's Bay and Naufrage; 500 tons Hemlock Timber, principally 13 inches square, and mostly in lengths of 15 and 27 feet, at Bedeque, Richmond, and Orwell Bays also a quantity of large-sized Birch Timber at Bedeque and Three Rivers.
Also, a considerable amount of Book, Debts, being advance made on Timber Contracts during the Winter of 1847.
Every information will be afforded, on application to Wm. Forgan, Esq., Solicitor, Charlottetown, or to W.W. IRVING.
BONSHAW ESTATE. consisting of 315 acres of Freehold Land, beautifully situated on West or Elliot River, of which it commands a view. It is 12 miles from Charlottetown, bounded on the South by the Tryon Road and on the East by the West River - one of the finest trouting stream; in the Island, from which oysters can also be obtained a few miles lower down. It is in the immediate vicinity of Saw and Grist Mills. About 70 acres of the above are under cultivation, and the remainder under a growth of Hardwood, with a sufficiency of Spruce, Fir, and Hemlock, for building and fencing purposes. The Dwelling House was built about seven years ago, and consists of a Centre, with projecting Wings and Colonade having Drawing and Dining Rooms, two Bed Chambers, Entrance Hall, 14 feet square; back Hall, (all papered) and Kitchen on the ground floor. There are two Chambers above , and also Servants rooms. Frost-proof Cellars under the Centre and South Wing.
The Farm Buildings consist of a Barn 50 feet by 27 feet, and with 20 feet post; and one-half is cellared and walled; - a Stable, with 4 stalls and loose box, Cow House, Poultry House (2 floors) Stone Well- house, with a pump, Pig - , & c.
The Subscriber also offers for sale about 10,000 Junifer (Halmatak) Sleepers, two-thirds of which are 9, 10 by 5, and the remainder 9, 9 by 4-1/2, at St. Peter's Bay and Naufrage; 500 tons Hemlock Timber, principally 13 inches square, and mostly in lengths of 15 and 27 feet, at Bedeque, Richmond, and Orwell Bays also a quantity of large-sized Birch Timber at Bedeque and Three Rivers.
Also, a considerable amount of Book, Debts, being advance made on Timber Contracts during the Winter of 1847.
Every information will be afforded, on application to Wm. Forgan, Esq., Solicitor, Charlottetown, or to W.W. IRVING.
Spring Park, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, August 14, 1848.
from the Royal Gazette 29th Aug 1848, page 4.
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