The Poplars

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Description

18 Spencer St. E.

Notes

In 1815, Loyalist John Kelly Spencer purchased 160 acres in what is now the centre of Cobourg from the son of Eluid Nickerson, Cobourg's first settler. He subdivided it and in 1827 built the Poplars on the northeast portion of his property. Spencer Street was named after Sheriff Spencer of the Old Newcaste District. He was a large landowner especially east of Division Strret and two of his more noted benefactions included the site for Victoria College and the Methodist Church, now Trinity United. George Smith Daintry emigrated from Cheshire, England, in the early 1840s, when there was no possiblity of him inheriting the family estate. His wife was Mary Hodges, and for a time they resided here in the Poplars along with their nine children. In 1869, George Daintry, by luck inherited the family estate in England and returned. While here, George operated a number of ferries including to Rochester. After the bridge collapsed on Rice Lake, in an effort to keep commerce going, George Daintry, at his own expense began operating steam boats on Rice Lake. Daintry was Mayor at this time and although he was asked to hold the position again, he returned to England.

Date of Original

ca.1970

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