We have a new home
The John Charlton
House
Hospice Thornhill
is pleased to announce our new location
at
220 Charlton Avenue
Thornhill ON
L4J 6H2
The John Charlton
House is a Heritage Property in Thornhill.
Hospice Thornhill
continues to serve the needs of the Thornhill community within
The Township of
Markham and the City of Vaughan
History of the House
John
(1805-1873) and George (1819-?) Charlton emigrated from Cumberland,
Ireland and settled in Vaughan in 1832. John Charlton purchased the
west 100-acres of Lot 2, Concession 2, Thornhill, from Canada Company
on 1 September 1846, for 265 pounds. Shortly thereafter, John Charlton
sold the north 50-acre parcel of Lot 2, Concession 2 to his brother
George. It appears that George Charlton sold the property back to his
brother after 1861 and moved further up Concession 2.
John Charlton and his wife Fanny
(1819-1902), had fourteen children – their last child was born when
Fanny was forty-five years old. George Charlton, John’s brother, married
Ann Gardhouse (born 1823) and the couple had two children: George (born
1841), who married Margaret Bowes, and Isabella (born 1848).
Early census records list the occupation
of the Charlton brothers as farmers. Prior to 1851, both lived with
their families in separate round log houses on Lot 2, Concession 2.
By 1861, the early census records indicate both resided in frame structures.
It is assumed, therefore, that the existing Charlton House, being a
brick structure, was constructed after 1861.
Succeeding her husband’s death
in 1873, Fanny Charlton was granted ownership of the west-half of Lot
2, Concession 2. Subsequent to her own death in 1902, her surviving
children sold the house and property to Alfred Boucock. The Boucock
family sold the property in 1945 to Lorraine and Roy MacDonell.
Architecture
Although a definite date of construction
cannot be determined, it is assumed that the house 220 Charlton Avenue
was built after 1861 by John Charlton. The structure is a one-and-one-half-story
brick building with a stone foundation. The brick work on the façade
is in a Flemish bond, while the rest of the building has a common bond.
Classical architectural details
can be found throughout the structure. Returned eaves and decorative
brackets are situated on the frieze of the structure. A wood pediment
having a semicircular window is held by four Doric columns (at the façade)
reiterating the Classical influence of the building’s design. The
pediment is believed to have been added during the early half of this
century.
Decorative brickwork is found on
all exterior elevations of the structure (suggesting again a late 19th
century construction date) The red brick of the building is contrasted
with a yellow brick to produce details such as quoining, lintels, corbelled
courses, continuous cross motifs (façade) and a singular circle and
cross detail at the center of the gable on the south elevation.
The entranceway is elaborate with
a multi-pane transom and sidelights. The entranceway has side and door
panels having semicircular and rectangular motifs. A casement window
is centrally located at the upper story of the façade.
The Charlton House was acquired
by the (former) Town of Vaughan and designated under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act in 1985. The building was restored by the Municipality
to its former elegance for all residents in Vaughan to enjoy and admire.
