This 2-storey wood frame dwelling, which Alward Harned built in 1826, is situated on the north side of George Street between Church and St. John Streets.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of this dwelling is derived from the prominence of its builder and owners. Alward Harned, a skilled mason and carpenter, had been a partner in the firm Smith & McBeath. Robert Smith, Francis McBeath, and Alward Harned constructed Province Hall, which housed the Legislature and Courts of Justice. This public building, completed in 1802 and occupied by the Assembly in 1803, stood until a destructive fire in 1880 razed it. These contractors likely built private residences for titular partners Mr. Smith and Mr. McBeath on Waterloo Row. Mr. Harned built the 2-storey wood frame dwelling on George Street which he owned and occupied in 1826.
James White, proprietor of James White and Son, purchased this house in 1860 from David Harned, who then moved to Boston. A successful business partnership, dealing in jewelry and watch making, bonded father and son, but they also shared an inventive spirit. Together James and his son, Harry, had constructed a backyard telescope which drew the attention and participation of neighbours. Harry D. White continued to develop his own inventions. In 1897, he designed an environmentally friendly receptacle for street corners to reduce sewer odors. He also invented a mechanism which would test the electric fire alarms in the city.
Harry D. White worked with his father in the jewelry shop on Queen Street until an accident caused him to shift careers. In 1890, Harry D. White left the family business in favour of becoming an electrician. Very early in his new career, Mr. White became the caretaker of the City Hall clock. Briefly in 1896, the City Hall clock reflected Standard rather than Local Time. Harry D. White was responsible for changing the clock, especially when Standard Time was rejected by most Frederictonians. When Standard Time was finally adopted in 1902, Mr. White designed a chart showing the difference in times and how the new system worked. Later he provided maintenance for all public clocks.
By 1905, Mr. White became an electrician for the Fredericton Gas Light Company, located on Shore Street. He would later become Manager of this Company, a position he held for many years.
In 1937 Fred P. Hatt purchased this house from the Agnes White estate. The Hatt family resided in this house for more than half a century.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements associated with the residential dwelling at 759 George Street include:
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2-storey wood frame construction
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manicured lawn
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medium pitched gable roof oriented away from the street
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large rectangular windows
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hooded front door
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enclosed 2-storey side porch