325 Main St – home and business of Daniel Jarvis Purdy who earned local and provincial recognition

I am interested in the history of the North End of Saint John, called Portland before it amalgamated with Saint John in 1889, particularly the old North End.  I have developed an appreciation and manic love for the history of this area.  At the turn of the last century there were mills, boats, commerce, beautiful homes made by famed architects, and a vibrant thriving community.  Even after the devastating fire of 1899 in the old north end which claimed two lives and between 150-200 buildings depending on the news reports, the area rebuilt with gusto.  Apparently, in the Legislature against strong opposition, Daniel Jarvis Purdy was successful in securing funds from a portion of the St. John fire fund to benefit the sufferers of this fire.

I first learned of Daniel J Purdy in 130 Princess St where there is are trompe l’oeil paintings in the foyer of local ships and one ship is the DJ Purdy.  Then researching 80 Main I discovered one of the owners was a daughter of DJ Purdy.  I was intrigued – who was this Daniel Jarvis Purdy?

I often walk by 325 Main St. north and admire the lovely bay window with remaining stained glass and the Virginia Creeper on the side of the building that turns red in autumn.  I wondered about its history.  I had no idea that this was the home of DJ Purdy.  325 Main recently went for sale recently with no mention of its previous owners.  You can search for some internal pics from the real estate listing and see some awesome fireplaces.  Below are my pics.  

 

What I now know is this building was the home and business of Daniel Jarvis Purdy – grocer, politician, and entrepreneur of both local and provincial importance. 

Daniel Jarvis (called Daniel J and DJ) Purdy was born around 1840.  In some published sources the birth date is noted as 24 May 1841 and others (including his tombstone) as 22 May 1840.  Primary sources suggest 1840 is the accurate year. Daniel was born to Jotham (also called Jonathan, Jacob, and Frederick J, 1807-1865) and Ann McGregor Purdy (married in 1830, died 1879) in Jemseq, NB.

While the Purdy family had long farmed in Queens County, Daniel and his family had moved into Portland now the North End of Saint John around 1863, where Daniel married twice and lived his adult life. 

Daniel’s first wife was Diadema Ferris (also spelled Farris) who he married in 1866.  Diadema [her name has been misspelled many times including Diadaney] sadly died the same year she married as did her sister, and sister-in-law, Catherine.  Catherine Ferris, interestingly, had been married to Daniel’s brother Archelaus.

On 15 Jun 1871, Daniel remarried this time to Susan Amelia Cowan also in Portland at the home of her parents on Main Street. Amelia was the daughter of John and Susan Cowan.  John Cowan lived on Main St at the time of his death and was a well-known Portland merchant.

Daniel and Amelia sadly lost more children to an early death than those who lived into adulthood including a son (perhaps Harry) in 1876, Myrtle in 1880, Walter in 1883, Minnie Gertrude in 1885, and Emma in 1889.  To this union four children survived:  Jarvis Carey, Willard G., Annie May, and Mable (you might recognize Mable Purdy – she features in my blog about 80 Main).

Mable, Annie, and Jarvis in the New Brunswick Museum’s Archives.

Daniel first worked for James Watson, perhaps starting around 1865 the year before his first marriage, in James’ grocery business on Main St.  According to obituaries, James sold his business to Daniel in 1866.  James later moved right around the corner to 14 Douglas Ave – which no longer stands – and from this location James could watch Daniel’s home and business on Main St.  Interestingly, a newspaper account of the 1875 fire in Portland indicates James Watson’s brick home on Douglas burned to the surprise of many being a brick building.

Local directories note Daniel Purdy working as a grocer on Main and living on Douglas Road starting in the 1860s.   In the 1890s directories, Daniel’s home is noted as 197 Main and his business at 195 Main.  But in 1902 we see Daniel noted as a grocer living and working at 325 Main (a few times 327 and 323 are mentioned). 

Of special interest, on 19 Jan 1904 DJ Purdy suffered a fire at his Main St. residence.  No cause was listed.  Insurance on building $2,500; loss $300.  Insurance on stock $1,000; loss $160.  Insurance on furniture $500; loss $100.  Total loss $560.  

The first mention of the Crystal Stream Steamship Co. was in 1923.  Provincial property records for 325 Main St. sadly start in 1966 with a minimal reference to Jarvis Purdy in 1931.  I can share research held by City of Saint John but not substantiated myself:

According to the helpful staff in New Brunswick’s Legislative Library, Daniel served on the Portland Town Council for 5 years.  After Portland amalgamated with Saint John, Daniel served as an alderman for 4 years.  Daniel was elected to the provincial Legislature in 1899 and re-elected in 1903.  He was defeated in 1908 the same year his wife Amelia died. 

 

Noted above in Mrs. Purdy’s obituary is the address 327 Main.  I suspect that the Purdy grocery and home had close numbers as 327 Main is mentioned a number of times.  

Beyond political contributions and work as a grocer, Daniel had many commercial interests according including schooners, the lime business, and riverboats.  He also served as director on many company boards.

It’s the riverboats that interest me.  Someone old me that many old homes along the river were clearly meant to be accessed via the water and I imagine the role Daniel had in this activity.  Daniel owned the Crystal Steamship Company and when people have cocktails at DJ Purdy’s Lounge in Fredericton, they are drinking at an establishment named after a boat named after its owner.  In fact, the DJ Purdy was the last riverboat operating on the St. John River.  According to the Government of Canada the Crystal Stream Steamship Company was formed about 1905 by Daniel and included steam riverboats named the steam vessels Crystal Stream, D.J. Purdy and Majestic. 

Daniel was also an active member of the Main Street Baptist Church, which still stands today.

Daniel died on the 29 Sep 1924 at his home at 325 Main St.  His daughters lived minutes away  – Mabel Jordan lived at 80 Main, Annie Purdy on Douglas Ave, and sons Jarvis and Willard lived with Daniel at 325 Main.  Jarvis later died in 325 Main St. himself.  Willard died down the street at 80 Main, the home of his deceased sister, in 1966.  His registration of death notes that the officials checked with Brenan’s and Willard was never known to have worked. 

 

Daniel is buried in beautiful parklike Fernhill Cemetery with his second wife and some of their children.  I am inspired by the legacy left by this north ender in both the City of Saint John and the Province of New Brunswick.