The average age of the buildings on Dock Street may well be greater than that of any other street in Nova Scotia, with many of the buildings, mostly residences, having been built in the 1780s.
The Patrick McDonough house is a good representative example of the buildings on Dock Street, being built in 1784 and owned by notable businessmen of the town and even by a one legged sea captain. Like all the buildings along Dock Street, the Patrick McDonough House is well preserved and still stands on its original granite block foundation.
The building has been the recipient of a historic preservation award, the
Heritage Canada Foundation's National Award of Honour for the preservation of the house. The plaque on the house is undated, leaving us to wonder in what year the award was garnered.
Shelburne's History
Shelburne Harbour has the third best natural harbour in the world. The native Mik'maq traversed the Roseway River and used the surrounding lands for summer encampments long before our shores were visited by Spanish, Portuguese and French fishermen.
In the spring of 1783, 5,000 settlers arrived on the shores of Shelburne Harbour from New York and the middle colonies of America. Assurance of living under the British flag, and promises of free land, tools, and provisions lured many to the British Colonies at that time. Four hundred families associated to form a town at Port Roseway, which Governor Parr renamed Shelburne later that year. This group became known as the Port Roseway Associates. In the fall of 1783, a second wave of settlers arrived in Shelburne. By 1784, the population of this new community is estimated to have been at least 10,000; the fourth largest in North America, much larger than either Halifax or Montreal.
In 1787, government distribution of provisions was terminated. Within a few years, houses were put up for sale, and settlers left for England, New Brunswick, Upper Canada, and the United States. In the 1820s, the population of Shelburne had dwindled to about 300.
Although much smaller today than when it started, Shelburne remains the capital of the county which bears its name. It was incorporated as a town on April 4, 1907. The population in 2011 was 1686. Many descendants of the original Loyalists still live in the area today.
From the Town of Shelburne
Patrick McDonough House
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Patrick McDonough House is located on the south-east corner of John Street and Dock Street in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. This two-and-a-half storey, wood frame New England Colonial style house was built around 1784. The building and property are included in the municipal designation.
HERITAGE VALUE
The Patrick McDonough House is valued for its historical association with local businessman, Patrick McDonough and for its contribution to the streetscape along Shelburne’s historic Dock Street.
The Patrick McDonough House was built around 1784 by local businessman, Patrick McDonough. McDonough operated a tavern here. As well, McDonough was a real estate dealer, victualler and tidewaiter in His Majesty's Customs for Port Roseway. By late 1789, McDonough moved to Halifax and continued as a tavern keeper.
In the early part of the nineteenth century, the Patrick McDonough House was owned by Thomas Bingay, Jr. The 65 ton schooner, the "Swallow," was built for Bingay, John and William Roxby, and others, who were importers of flour and corn from Philadelphia. Later on in the eighteenth century, the McDonough House was owned by William McLean, a one-legged sea captain. This master mariner owned the McDonough House until the early part of the nineteenth century.
This two-and-a-half storey, New England Colonial style house has been little altered and sits prominently on Shelburne's historic Dock Street facing Shelburne Harbour.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
- two-and-a-half storey wood construction;
- moderately pitched roof with little overhang and short return boards;
- five bay front façade;
- small enclosed portico;
- moulded cornerboards;
- granite block foundation;
- wood shingle;
- six-over-six windows;
- prominent location on Dock Street facing Shelburne Harbour.
From Historic Places Canada