Commemoration
One of the oldest buildings standing in Ontario, the original five-bay structure at the centre of this house was built between 1784 and 1792. It was one part of a mill site developed by Sir John Johnson to encourage Loyalists to settle along the St. Lawrence River after the American Revolution. The original log house, constructed in the French-Canadian manner, was enlarged to the west after 1813 and to the east with a large Gothic Revival wing in the 1860s. This house provides an excellent record of vernacular building in early Canada.
Background
Vernacular design refers to a structure that is not done in any particular academic design style. It varies widely around the world and even within North America. This house is on the banks of the Raisin River in Williamstown. It has been added on to over the years but the core of the building was completed between 1784 and 1792. The west addition was erected some time between 1813 and 1830. The east section was added in the 1860s.
John Johnson was born in New York colony in 1741, son of Baronet Sir William Johnson. His mother was a German immigrant from the Palatinate. In 1771, John became an important Mason in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1774 he inherited the Baronetcy and extensive lands in the colonies.
In January 1776, he raised an armed force of about a hundred loyalists amongst his neighbours. He was captured by General Schyler later that same month but paroled. In May, hearing that he was to be arrested, he led 170 or so people to Montreal including neighbours and Mohawks. His properties were confiscated by the new State of New York. He formed the Kings Royal Regiment of New York and commanded it throughout the wore, rising to the rank of brigadier general in 1782.
In March 1782, Governor Haldimand made him Superintendent General and Inspector General of Indian affairs. This gave him authority of all the First Nations fighting on behalf of the King including the Iroquois League troops who had also relocated north of the border. After the war, he oversaw the distribution of land to these native loyalists.
This house was one of several properties he owned in Upper and Lower Canada.