Summary

This red and yellow brick Ontario Gothic Revival farmhouse is typical in plan and construction of the dwellings constructed during its time. The center plan, story and a half farmhouse is a practical design allowing efficient ventilation and a second story at a reduced tax rate. The design was popular enough to have been featured in farmer's magazines. Indeed if one has the time and inclination to tour the County of Brant in search of historic homes, it is hardly the only dwelling constructed according to this plan. The Workman family has a history in what was Onondaga Township, that is as old and established as the house they inhabit. Their family home has sheltered five uninterrupted generations of the family:

• Samuel Workman Sr.
• Samuel Jr. and Robert Workman
• Howard and Campbell Workman
• Lorne Calvin and Donald Howard Workman
• Robert Howard Workman

Timeline

1859 – Samuel Workman Jr. Born

Samuel Jr. was born in Glanbrook Township on June 10.¹

1861 – Census

The census of 1861 lists Samuel Workman and his family as still residing in Glanford Township, Wentworth County. Evidently they had not yet moved to what was Onondaga Township.³

1866 – Robert Workman Born⁴

1870 – Elizabeth Workman Dies

Elizabeth Workman (wife of Samuel Workman Sr.) died on November 6.³

1874 – Ownership of Land Transferred to Samuel Workman

On December 2, Samuel Weylie transferred the ownership of the lot upon which the farm rests to Samuel Workman. ²

1896 – Samuel Workman Jr. Marries Janet Grundon

The two were married on November 2, in Carluke. ³

1899 – Robert Workman Marries Etta House

The two were married on December 20. Sometime after their marriage, Robert and Etta moved out of the Workman family house.³

1902 – Samuel Workman Sr. Dies

Samuel Workman Sr. died on November 2 in Wentworth County where he may have lived with his daughter Elizabeth Kelly.³

1908 – Howard Workman Born

Howard Workman is born on February 10.⁴

1922 – Campbell Workman Marries May Matthews

The two were married on January 10.³

1935 – Howard Workman Marries Mary Aleta Hager

The two were married on June 1.³

1936 – Donald Howard Workman Born

Howard Workman is born on April 27.⁴

1936 – Howard Workman Purchases Farm from Samuel Workman; Donald Workman Born

On April 23, Howard purchased the farm with all attendant lands, buildings, equipment and livestock from Samuel for the sum of &700.¹

On April 27, Donald Workman was born.³

1940 – Samuel Workman Jr. Dies

Samuel Workman Jr. died on January 9 on the farm where he spent most of his life.³

???? – Workman Farm Shared Between Sons

Howard Workman divided the farm lands in two along the road that bisected his fields. 50 acres on one side to Lorne Calvin Workman, and the 50 acres on the other side to Donald Howard Workman.³

1962 – Donald Workman Marries Catherine Anne Carr³

1965 – Brian Workman Born

Brian Workman was born on July 19.³

1986 – Donald Workman Dies; Lands Pass to Brian Workman

Donald Workman died on April 23⁴. The 50 acres of farmland he looked after passed to Brian Workman.³

1995 – Howard Workman and Mary Aleta Workman nee Hager Die

Howard Workman died on January 1 and Mary Aleta Workman nee Hager died on December 28.⁴

2006 – Brian Workman Dies³

Brian Workman died on May 8⁴

Summary of Inhabitants

Samuel Workman Sr.

Samuel Workman Sr. was born in 1834 to Daniel Workman and Mary Ann O'Neil in Tamlaght O'Crilly, Derry County, Northern Ireland. He married Elizabeth Blair on April 7 of 1854 and immigrated to Canada about 1856 when he settled in Glanford Township, Wentworth county. The census of 1861 listed Samuel Sr(25 years old), Elizabeth(28 years old) and their baby Elizabeth (born 1860) as residing in a single story log cabin. ¹

Architectural Features

The Workman homestead is an example of a modest rural Ontario Gothic Revival style house. The house is based on a center plan common to early rural architecture in Canada - the exact same plan was in fact promoted in 'The Canadian Farmer' in February and November of 1864. Note that the farm is a story and a half - a popular feature at the time which allowed the owners to have two levels at a cheaper tax rate. The rear 'tail' of the house was added at a later date and the upper elevations mirror the lower floor plan. A center gable with arched windows rests above the front entrance in typical Gothic Revival style. The facade is symmetrical - though the original 2 over 2 rectangular sash windows have been replaced with more modern ones for better insulation.¹

It is interesting to note the Irish influences present in the design: the entrance opens directly into the family room in order to welcome visitors immediately to the hearth, opposite each door is another door or window - a feature practical for both cross ventilation as well as allowing 'the good people' (faeries) to easily come and go, ensuring good luck for the household.¹

The foundation is cut or field stone while the walls are locally made double red brick with buff (yellow brick) accents. The decorative frieze at the top of the first story elevation is done in the dichromatic red and yellow brick style. The quoins and the soldier's course lintels above the windows and doors are also done in buff brick. A diamond design is done in buff rick at the ends of the gables, above which the brick chimneys emerge.¹

References

1. Workman, Mary Anne. The Workman Homestead. Unpublished information, 2015
2. Workman, Mary Anne; Workman, Peggy. Workman Homestead Personal interview. 24 Aug. 2015.
3. Workman, Mary Anne. Workman Homestead Personal interview. 31 Aug. 2015.
4. Workman, Mary Anne. Personal communication. 31 Aug. 2015.

• Onondaga
  Ontario, Canada
  

  Latitude: 43.1334 Longitude: -80.11635