This 2-storey house with its distinctive cupola is situated at the river end of McKeen Street. The wood frame dwelling, which was built in 1888, is located at #63 of the street.
Heritage Value
The significance of this dwelling is grounded both in its ownership and in its unique architectural design in Fredericton. William Jaffrey, son of Rev. William Jaffrey, had this house built after his marriage to Helen Elizabeth Wallace in 1888. Born and raised at St. Mary’s Ferry, William Jaffrey received his early education in the village and later he attended the Fredericton Collegiate School. After graduating from UNB in 1879, William Jaffrey operated a furniture making factory located on Douglas (Union) Street.
Jaffrey’s furniture manufacturing plant achieved early success and accumulated considerable local acclaim as one of the leading industrial interests in St. Mary’s. The furniture factory remained in operation for more than a decade, and the continued high volume of orders testified to the great demand for Jaffrey’s production line. Later retiring from the business, and the old factory having become home to a grocery store, William Jaffrey turned to farming. William Jaffrey later ploughed into local politics. With the incorporation of St. Mary’s and Gibson in 1917, William Jaffrey served the Town of Devon in many different capacities, including town clerk, water superintendent, and chief magistrate.
Reflecting the elements of a foursquare, the main living quarters of this 2-storey dwelling is topped by a prominent cupola. Two additional sections once extended from the side wing of this building towards the river. A 2-storey barn with medium pitched gable roof stood between the present wing and an elongated, 1 ½-storey structure, which had perhaps been used as a stable.
William and Helen Jaffrey reared three children in this house, and after her father’s death in 1942, Marion C. Jaffrey continued to reside here. Richard Boone Malloy, who had grown up across the street at 66 McKeen, purchased this dwelling during the early 1950s. At present, this house remains in the Malloy family.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements related to the dwelling located at 63 McKeen Street include:
- 2-storey wood frame construction with clapboard siding and an overall cubic volume
- manicured lawn and grounds
- riverfront location
- hip roof with cupola
- large, rectangular single-hung windows
- projecting bay window on west side of dwelling
- enclosed front porch
- side addition and wing