House #3: 779 Green Lane Road
This Victorian “picturesque” farm house was positioned to be seen from a distance and to dominate the
view of this once 200 acre farm. It is estimated that this brick house was built about 1870 by William
and Marion Robertson after they married in June; and, they raised their six children here. They were the
second generation to head this farm. In 1851, William’s parents Farquhar and Catherine farmed here,
and lived in a “sided timber” house, 1 ½ storeys, with their 7 children plus two adopted children.
By 1895, Marion was a widow and her son Alexander, the 3rd generation, was in charge of the farm. The
property was described as “200 acres in a good state of cultivation with an attractive brick residence and
fine outbuildings.”
From its 45-degree hooked tin plate roof to the strong heavy wood finial at the peak of the front roof
crest, this wonderful example of rural living is enlivened by a well-preserved wrap-around verandah to
the south and east sides. The grand wide steps to the verandah on the south façade are inviting and
would have made a pleasant place for children to quietly play while parents and friend relaxed on the
front porch. The verandah roof is batten seam tin, with traditional chimneys at each end of the house.
The balusters are sawed wood cutouts; the porch posts are square timber. The gingerbread in the eaves
is thick wood, dressed and cut from long pine planks. The underside of the verandah is tongue & groove
boards, while the fascia is dressed with dentalia cutouts.
On the East façade, one can see a different eave, with a dropped gingerbread finial displaying a quatrefoil design.
The house is constructed with traditional local soft red brick applied in a depth of 3-rows. The brick
supports the house framing; while inside the walls are finished plaster on wood lathe.
Beneath the verandah, the stone is cut and dressed to form square, stackable rows. The house itself sits
on a stone foundation, and the main floor consists of heavy planking on dressed one-side round tree
timbers.
In addition to the house exterior, the investment made to enhance the interior tells us that the owners
were successful farmers. Farquhar Robertson was from Scotland. In addition to farming, he became a
Justice of the Peace and Reeve of Wet Hawkesbury Township. He died in 1875, and his son William took
over the farm. He too became involved in local politics and was a township councillor, and a school
board member. He died suddenly in 1894, and his eldest son Alexander was next to look after the farm.
Details to note inside the house: the window to floor mouldings with panel inserts at every window. The
high moulded baseboards. The curved staircase. The ceiling medallions, and the plaster mouldings that
outline the ceilings. The large folding doors in the parlour. All the interior doors are varnished and
combed to create a faux wood grain. On the second floor, the door and window treatments continue.
This is unusual. Normally, these private rooms would not have received such an investment because few
people saw them.
The grounds have century-old apple trees, the ice-house, barns and outbuildings. The water trough
remains in the small garden outside the side door.
(Research © Michelle Landriault 2013. Used with permission of the Vankleek Hill & District Historical
Society.)