Description of Historic Place

The John T. Williston House is an 1824 2-story stone residential structure located on Water Street in the City of Miramichi.

Heritage Value

The John T. Williston House is designated a Provincial Historic Site for its architecture and for its association with its original owner.

Built by mason Andrew Currie in 1824, the John T. Williston House is an excellent example of the fine well-proportioned 2 storey Georgian houses built in the Miramichi area of New Brunswick during the early nineteenth century by prominent merchants of the time. It is one of the oldest buildings in the area and its rectangular layout and overall symmetry reflect the original design.

The John T. Williston House is also recognized for its original owner: John T. Williston. A merchant and lawyer born at Bay du Vin, NB in 1791, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, and held the post of Deputy Treasurer of Customs.

Source: Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport, Site File # 83.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the architecture of the John T. Williston House include:
- landmark status;
- prominent location on Water Street and located within the Water Street Provincial Historic District;
- setting tight against the front lot line, flanked on the north end by a small unusual flatiron building;
- unusual configuration on front elevation consisting of 5 bays at the lower level, with 4 bays at the upper level;
-hipped roof;
-one-storey side wing with a gable roof.
- central recessed doorway, and full length window openings with exterior wood panelling at the first level;
- even coursed cut sandstone walla with quoins, trim and belt course on the front elevation, with random coursed rubble stonework on other walls;
- plain stone eave cornices;
- end chimneys with terra-cotta chimney pots;
- early nineteenth century delicate plaster ceiling cornices of the main 2nd floor interior rooms remain repaired but intact.