The Moore House, Sparta

Donna Moore

In June 2007, I was contacted by a friend many people who have a deep commitment to from the United Empire Loyalist’s Associa- heritage issues. I have learned more about my tion who told me that the Moore house in Moore family history. I have been frustrated Sparta was under threat of a demolition order. and concerned about the state of historical She wondered if I could lend some family preservation in Ontario. support to help preserve the home. A visit to the house ensured me that this I had known of Moore house for many house was worth preserving. I saw a well years, having seen it on my travels to Sparta built home sitting high against the Sparta and having read the article about it that ap- moraine looking out toward a very pretty peared in Century Home magazine in 1985. pond and the village of Sparta beyond. I con- But I had never been inside the home, and tacted Sam McLorn, who had owned the had not seen the outside for many years. property when it was lovingly restored as a I contacted one of the Councillors for the Centennial project in 1967. I was touched to Municipality of Central Elgin and learned of learn that Faith Rogers McLorn, Sam’s wife, her grave concern that this building could be now deceased, even researched the Moore lost. She asked if I could get a letter writing family in her care to see that the home was campaign going. What has ensued has been restored appropriately. I have learned that an adventure. I have met and been inspired by Faith was the great-great-granddaughter of

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Timothy Rogers who encouraged my ancestor John Moore Home Erected in 1824: Samuel Moore to come to Upper Canada Is an outstanding example of Pioneer from the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. I Architecture in This District wished I could have met her. My Moore relations and friends were This pioneer home, adjoining the most generous in the support they lent. Over Friends Meeting Home property north 75 letters were received by the Municipality of the village of Sparta, built in the of Central Elgin, and most of them came as a early twenties, is not only the most result of my plea. In September of 2007, I outstanding examples of pioneer ar- made a presentation to the Council to urge chitecture and construction in East them to place a historical designation on this Elgin, but is considered one of the property. most valuable relics of early settle- I had learned much about the building. ment days in Southwestern Ontario if Among my papers was an undated article not in the province. The Moore family written about the house, probably in the late were Quakers, and while playing a not 1800s. It is clear from the sentiments ex- unimportant part in the early history pressed that this building was important to the of Yarmouth, their work was accom- Sparta community: plished in the quiet, but effective manner characteristic of this Society.

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Elias Moore, a brother of John, was twice elected to represent the county of Middlesex, during the troubled times of 1835-36, which at that time included what is now the county of Elgin and some of the older people may remember a nephew, courtly, kindly Murray Moore, a prominent figure during the days of prosperity in Port Bruce. The bricks used in the John Moore house were made on his farm, one of Influenced by building styles in New Eng- the five springs thereon supplying wa- land and Pennsylvania, Moore house is an ter to form a shallow pool, where oxen early example of Georgian style with a sym- patiently trod the clay to proper con- metrical five bay south facing main façade. It sistency to use as mortar for the walls is built into the hill, just like many Quaker and foundations. It is claimed lime homes in Pennsylvania. This allowed for a was secured by burning stopes found basement kitchen and protection from the el- on the hillside and as Isaac Chase ements with the possibility of access to a made lime for the building of his cob- source of flowing water. Most new settlers ble stone house in 1872 by this built frame cottages as their first structures, so process, it is more than probable that Moore house is of rather grand proportions John Moore was the first to use Elgin for the period. The walls are 18 inches thick lime for building purposes. The size, at the upper level and 28-30 inches thick at shape and pale strawberry tint, prove the lower level. The interior is a centre hall beyond doubt the century old hand- plan with a single straight stair running to the made brick, so easily distinguished upper hall. There is a two-story extension of from the later product of brickyards of frame construction on a stone foundation larger size and deeper red as to color. which runs along the length of the north side. The stones used in combination with bricks, were gathered from the farm and the solid face this old home presents to the world today, gives promise for many years to come, as a treasure house to be venerated among the few rare old homes left from pio- neer days. The interior arrangement is unique, entrance being made at the base of the hill and the living rooms found nearer the top, with the upper bedrooms well up on the pasture field above.

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Sam and Faith had put in a large pond and lition permit. Some of the reasons cited by landscaped the property keeping to the native Council for this decision included: trees and a 19th century garden characteristics. “The home is not part of the streetscape of It is a very pretty site. Sparta and therefore cannot be seen by the John Moore’s family of United Empire public.” “The inside of the home was not Loyalists fled New Jersey during the Revolu- restored to historical standards.” “It isn’t the tion and arrived first in Nova Scotia before responsibility of the Council to save memo- coming to Upper Canada in 1811 and settling ries for people.” “The most appealing part of in Norwich Township, Oxford County. this house is its location.” “Constituents made Samuel Moore, my ancestor and John’s fa- it clear that they did not want any taxpayer ther, purchased property for his three sons, money spent on the Moore house preserva- John, Elias and Enoch, in Yarmouth Town- tion.” The mayor also added that she could ship, including the land on which the Moore not find any mention of John Moore when she house now stands, shortly after the war of “googled” him, therefore, he could not be of 1812. By 1837, John’s farm was valued at historical significance. Only a few years pre- $8,000. In addition to being a successful viously, the Municipality had placed the farmer, John became involved in local politics Moore house on their registry of property of as a Reformer. Despite his Quaker roots, John cultural heritage value or interest. attended and chaired several meetings in De- An appeal was made to then Minister of cember of 1837 which led to the taking up of Culture, Caroline DiCocco, who issued a stop arms that month. John himself did not resort order on the demolition for 60 days to allow a to violence but he, his son Joseph, and his further investigation of the issues. A provin- brothers Elias, and Enoch were arrested and cially appointed facilitator was sent in and jailed. John Moore was found guilty of trea- consulted with the Chair of Heritage Central son but was subsequently pardoned and re- Elgin (HCE), the Municipal Council members leased, as were his brothers. His son Joseph, and the owners. HCE Chair Bob Burns re- however, died in prison. John continued to quested that the Province designate this build- live as a prosperous farmer at Moore house ing of provincial historical significance; this until his death in 1854. The house passed recommendation was not taken. The resulting from the Moore family late in the nineteenth agreement with the owners allows them to century but remained the centre of a family make Moore house into a garage, to remove farming operation until 1998 when it was sold parts of the east wall to accommodate garage to the current owners. doors, and to build a walkway from the Members of the Sparta community, the garage to the new home to built beside it. committed individuals sitting on the Heritage They will remove the frame addition at the Central Elgin advisory committee and myself back of the house as well as the garage that is waited with nervousness the night the deci- attached to it. There is no known agreement sion was rendered by Municipal Council. In a to protect this building for the future. 4 to 3 vote, the Council turned down the re- In January 2008, I wrote the current Min- quest to bestow a historical designation on the ister of Culture, Aileen Carroll, with my con- property allowing for the issuance of a demo- cerns about the decision. I referenced the On- tario Heritage Act which states that a property

Canadian Quaker History Journal 72 (2007) 78 The Moore House, Sparta may be designated as provincially significant During my phone conversation with Margaret if it meets one or more of eight criteria. Sev- Rappolt, she indicated that she wanted to eral consultants had indicated that Moore learn of my experiences and recommenda- house met three of these criteria: design or tions for the future of built heritage preserva- physical value, historical value and contextual tion. I have a meeting with her on July 23. In value. I also expressed concern that the Eight the meantime, I have requested release of the Guiding Principles in the Conservation of Ontario Heritage Trust’s report on the Moore Built Heritage Properties at the Ministry’s house under the “Freedom of Information own website was not being applied. One of Act.” My request for access to this report was these principles states that alterations should denied, and I have just recently sent in an ap- be able to be returned to the original condi- peal. tions. I do not understand how making the We are left with several questions: Will first floor of Moore house into a garage is re- the report be released? Will the report show versible. What interior changes will be neces- that provincial designation was recommend- sary to accommodate cars inside the struc- ed? Will the historical integrity of Moore ture? Does this mean the removal of the house be sacrificed for the greater good? stairway? What effects will parking vehicles We hope that the provincial government inside the building have on it? In March, I feels pressure on these matters, especially af- received a response from the Minister without ter the fire at Alma College. If you care about any reference to the concerns I raised. She these issues, please write to the Minister of had stated that she was pleased with the out- Culture, copy to Premier McGuinty, copy to come, and referenced the solution as one that your own MPP. met the needs of the owners. The Municipali- What has endured the test of time speaks ty had ignored evidence to support historical to us in ways that more recent things cannot. designation, and now the province was doing Moore house conveys the values and ingenu- the same. Property owners’ rights had won ity of our Quaker ancestors. out. I understand why the owners want to build their new house on this location. But at the same time, I also feel that owners have an obligation to protect a building they clearly knew was of historical significance. I also feel that the Provincial Government should cham- pion heritage preservation. They need to see beyond the wishes of individual property owners and developers to protect heritage properties where there are reasons that justify doing so. In February, I wrote the Minister request- ing a meeting with her. In May, the Minister wrote saying that she regretted being unable to meet with me. On June 16, I received a phone call from the Deputy Minister’s office.

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