Presents
76 Church Street - For Sale
John Ryan House
76 Church Street
Bonavista
c. 1900
Michael Ryan arrived in Bonavista from New Ross, Waterford, Ireland in about 1830. He was a farmer and publican at Bailey’s Cove in Bonavista and in 1857 he either opened or expanded a tavern business which evolved into a general trade operation, apparently initiated by 16 year old son James, the eldest of the 9 siblings.
James developed the business into one into one of the most prosperous mercantile concerns in outport NL in the second half of the 19th century and beyond. However, his brothers, Daniel and Edmund J. were major players in the development of the firm, especially at King’s Cove and Trinity.
Their brother John, the owner of 76 Church St at the time it was built, played a peripheral role with the firm. Though he was paid a salary, he seems to have been restricted to odd jobs around the premises such as painting or picking up freight. The fact that James did not offer John a management position was perhaps due to their strained relationship. In an August 27, 1894 letter to Edmund, James commented unkindly that John drives in a carriage nowadays and went on to say: “now fancy that and still professes not to care for his job – tis hard to find a job he would like”. The continuing rift reached a breaking point on April 12, 1901 when James informed John, then working as a clerk in the store that “I do not require your services any longer and your salary has ceased today”. However, John went back to the firm in 1910 and resumed his salary of $250 per annum. In the intervening years he established a barber shop on Church St adjacent to his then house. He is thought to have arranged for the construction of his new house in c.1900 and it is surmised that the Srathie’s build the house as it is very similar to the Henry Tremblett house constructed by Joseph Stathie c.1900. In fact the Tremblett house has the same Witches Crook as referenced later in this script. The Tremblett house had much more decorative trim and it is possible that the John Ryan house may have had the same trim when built. Currently, no archival photos have been found to validate this possibility.
The exterior of large two storey, gable roof structure has been restored meticulously by the current owner, honouring the integrity of the original design with appropriate trim and clapboard. The façade is highlighted by flanking bay windows on the main floor and a front porch with pediment. The inside front entry door is original, complete with transom, sidelights and coloured glass panels with ruby accents on the glazed corners. The original cut stone foundation is a testament to quality of the built structure.
This property is currently utilized as a two-apartment unit, each with its own electrical meter with one apartment on the main floor and one on the second. Despite this, the interior integrity of the home retains its original door and window trim , and outstanding staircase that runs from the main floor to the attic. The two chimneys are intact and one could readily re-open the many fireplaces with original mantels.
The chimney brick is evident in both attic rooms and looks to be in perfect condition. Viewers will be intrigued with the spiral construction of the chimneys in the space between the attic floor and roof ridge. Folklore tells us that this is referred to as a “Witches Crook” preventing the crackle of the evil witch from permeating the residence. Who would have known that witches can only fly straight and that the spiral bends would prevent their presence at your dinner table. One hopes that Santa Claus does not face the same challenge dealing with the twists of the “Witches Crook”.
It could be that the most competent mason, may have incorporated this chimney design in order to aim the chimneys so the caps protrude at a specific point through the ridge of the roof.
This home is very well located at the intersection of Church and Temperance and one can muse over the connection between the two names. The highly visible John Ryan house is surrounded by many heritage structures and a vibrant mix of commercial and residential uses.
Asking price is $185,000
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Enjoy the remaining photos and for additional information and to arrange a viewing, please call Chris O’Dea at 709-685-6559
Click thumbnail below to enlarge image:
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