9991 Highway 1: The Asaph Longley House

Architecture Style: Modified Vernacular

Built: 1819-1840

Built on a foundation of Annapolis County granite, this solid home was the farmhouse of the Asaph Longley family: Asaph, (son of planters Israel Longley and Anna Kent), and his second wife, Dorcas Poole, also a planter. His first wife, Grace, daughter of Planters Samuel Morse and Lydia Church, died in 1807, after only three years of marriage. Asaph married Dorcas the next year, and they raised their family to be people who made a difference. Avard, M.P.P., M.P., was the Commissioner of Railways, and a strong Conservative voice.  His brother Israel, who took over this farm, ran as a Liberal, and though he was defeated and stayed on the farm, his son James Wilberforce, true to his given name, was brilliantly successful as “an ardent liberal of the advanced radical school.” (Prominent Men of Canada, 1892). He studied at Paradise Academy, Acadia University, and Osgoode Hall, and became a Judge of the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General of Nova Scotia. He was a true democrat and nationalist, adamantly opposing “patronage and power” politics, and urging that legislation be in the hands of an elected Assembly, not an appointed Senate. He wrote for the Halifax Recorder and for Harper’s Weekly, and was a “leader of thought” in Canada and beyond. He used his power for the common good, passing a measure to abolish the imprisonment of debtors.

After the Longley’s, others farmed here. Fred Durling had a blacksmith shop early in the 20th century.  Arthur and Winnifred Pollard modified the house so they could care for seniors. Charles Barratt was a retired railwayman.    Then Ross and Mary Cowen bought this home, which Mary had often admired.  It was perfect for Ross’ ponies and close to the Paradise Service Station that Ross had purchased from Allan Bishop. Mary died in 1993, and so had only a few years to enjoy her dream home. She was mourned.

In the summer of 1995, Ross and Victoria [Walsh] were married, a joyous event. The house was a great pleasure and comfort for them. Victoria, in her work with seniors and as a deacon at the Paradise Church, Ross with his wonderful ponies and his important Paradise business, and their fine blended family, were integral to life in Paradise. It is no surprise that they said, as others before did, “We love the house.”