Residence.
Details of Site Location: On the original shoreline near Peter Street, at the northeast corner.
Boundary History: The house occupied a water lot of approximately .5 acres.
Current Use of Property: A large commercial building and a road.
Historical Description: George Crookshank was a gentleman of considerable importance in the formative period of Toronto. He was born in New York of Scottish parents in 1763. The family emigrated to New Brunswick as United Empire Loyalists. When John Graves Simcoe invited Captain John McGill to come to York with him, McGill arrived in 1796 with his brother-in-law, Crookshank. At first, Crookshank served with the Commissariat and then was appointed Deputy Commissary General, a post he held until 1812 when he retired on half-pay. He was next Receiver General of Public Accounts (1819-1820), then served as a member of the Legislative Council (1821-1841). His house was built about 1800 and is well described in several accounts. It was in colonial cottage style, with a central section 15 feet wide and two wings of about 20 feet each. It had a central porch, over which a small window illuminated an attic room. Its white clapboard was relieved by vines around the porch. In 1821, Crookshank built an addition across the front of the cottage, two storeys of frame construction filled in with brick, with very thick walls. Around 1850, the front facade was covered with “brown stone plaster,” which, according to John Ross Robertson, improved its looks. The house had a large central hall leading to large airy rooms on each side. On the west were two large drawing rooms, and on the east were a dining room and a library. The house was extremely well appointed for its time. Crookshank’s original modest house had been completely destroyed in the War of 1812, and the one described above was its replacement. Catherine Crookshank, George’s sister, had married John McGill, while George married an American, a Miss Lambert, by whom he had a son, who died young, and a daughter who married Stephen Heward. In 1863, George’s house was made into two and, in 1881, all was demolished. From 1841 on, Crookshank had no interest in politics and appears, from the records, to have become senile. He died in 1859, leaving his estate to his daughter.
Relative Importance: Crookshank held several positions of importance in the early Town of York. A lane that led from his house through his Park Lot to his Farm Lot in Concession 2 was called Crookshank’s Lane and became Bathurst Street. His waterfront location signifies his importance.
Planning Implications: The area of the Crookshank house is extremely disturbed by development and redevelopment. There is virtually no possibility for archaeology at the site. A plaque should be mounted on an exterior wall as close as possible to his house site, showing a picture of the house, giving information about Crookshank and his official life, and noting that his Farm Lot in Concession 2 was where Seaton Village developed.
Reference Sources: John Ross Robertson, Landmarks of Toronto; Henry J. Morgan, Celebrated Canadians (1862).
Acknowledgements: Community History Project.