Hand-hewn beams and a front facade that was originally logs, but is now covered with clapboard, tell the age of the snug little cottage now owned by Mr. and Mrs. David H. Hawley on the Seventh Line.
Mrs. Hawley has all of the deeds of this property - and they spell out early history for Oakville and Trafalgar. The one hundred acres surrounding the house were the property of Thomas Cole Verner originally. Sometime in 1832 he settled there, and on October 18, 1847, a Crown Grant of the land was given to him. He sold off a large portion of the property in lots, with the idea of starting a village, and several houses were erected. A fire swept through, however, and the only house left was that now owned by the Hawleys.
Next occupants of the house were the Harpers, whose daughter Harriet came there when she was three, and grew up to be the famous hair specialist. Mr. Thomas Pell bought the property in 1886 and in 1899, Mr. Edward Lyon purchased it. (His wife was a sister of Franz Johnston, the painter). Mrs. Hawley has in her possession an 1865 tax bill for the property, for the sum of $4.35, two of which were to cover dog tax.
Photographed for the Record-Star by Frederick Crouch
