Home of Adam Hope, South London, Ontario

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

An undated black and white print showing the impressive white brick home of Adam Hope, a Scottish immigrant who was an early London merchant. The tall double hung shuttered windows are ornamented by a medallion on the lintel above each except for the central upper window, above which is the date 1855. Several well dressed people are formally and symmetrically posed in front of the house along with two riding horses. A small child sits precariously on the sill of the left upper window.

Notes

The Photograph index of the London Room lists the following detail: Home of Adam Hope, merchant. House built in 1855. House was situated in south London between Ridout St. & Wortley Road - McKenzie Ave. & Windsor Ave.

According to a lengthy entry in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Adam Hope an ambitious and hard working Scottish immigrant arrived in London, Ontario around 1845, having previously gained experience as a mercantile clerk in Hamilton and then opening his own general store and produce business in St. Thomas. By 1856 he was a partner with J. Birrell in London and through his acumen the business survived the depression of 1857 when others did not. He was the first president of the London Board of Trade in 1857 but left London in 1865 in an unsuccessful attempt to revive another business in Hamilton. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter so it is possible that this group portrait is Adam Hope and his family sometime prior to his departure for Hamilton in 1865.

The Ontario Archives houses the Adam Hope fonds which consists of letters home to his family in Fenton Barns, Scotland & covers topics such as family life, politics and business affairs.

An attempt was made to guess at the location of this home as shown on the map. According to Orlo Miller's book: "London 200: an illustrated history", Bishop Cronyn later lived in the home which would have faced Ridout Street.

Also note there is some evidence that Adam Hope sold an earlier home at the corner of Talbot and Simcoe Street (opposite to Labatt's Brewery) to Col. James Moffat. Source: June 11, 1949 London Free Press article: "Adam Hope Home Over Century Old".

Date of Original