History
A love story…
Windsor House, the proud legacy of Empire Loyalist Captain David Mowat and his bride Mehitable “Hetty” Calef.
Their story begins years earlier at a time in which tensions are running high during the American Revolutionary War. Captain Mowat agrees to a request to ascertain the wellbeing of the Calef family in the absence of Hetty’s father, John, who has gone to England. This mission was dangerous for both David as well as for the loyalist Calef family, who kept his presence hidden in patriotic Massachusetts- no doubt making an impression on 12 year old Hetty. Shortly thereafter, Dorothy Calef would pack up their belongings and sail for safety to Saint John, NB to await her husband’s return.*
Hetty and David would marry just six years later. On November 14, 1786, Hetty’s dear friend, Anne Hecht, delivered a 92 line poem describing the life of a wife in the 18th century. Written on birch bark, this bridesmaid gift would be not only be appreciated for its ‘sage’ advice to the bride but also as an early example of Loyalist poetry.
In 1797, construction of Windsor House would be finished and it would become home to the Mowat family - Hetty, David and a considerable number of their 12 children. Sadly, our sea captain perished off the coast of Maine only 13 years later, but his dear Hetty would continue to preside over Windsor House for another 50 years.
Today this 2 ½ storey building remains a fine example of 18th century Georgian architecture with its central entrance way, five bay façade, and side gabled roof with three large dormer windows. Along the way, Windsor House has served as the Morrison hotel, a stage coach stop, oil company offices, a boarding house, and a private residence.
The love story continues… as in 1998, an extensive two year exterior and interior restoration of this Georgian gem was carefully completed by then owner, Jay Remer. Jay’s dedication to the project ensured that Windsor House would continue to shine as a fine example of historical Loyalist craftsmanship.
*Notably, the Calef family’s highboy chest still resides just a few blocks away in Sheriff Andrews House, a historical museum.
Sources:
uelac.ca/loyalist-trails/loyalist-trails-2021-08/
