Great Pontack (Halifax, Nova Scotia): Difference between revisions
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The most famous event to take place at the establishment was on May 24, 1758, when [[James Wolfe]], who was headerquarted on Hollis Street, Halifax, threw a party at the Great Pontack prior to departing for the [[Siege of Louisbourg (1758)]]. Wolfe and his men purchased 70 bottles of [[Madeira wine]], 50 bottles of [[claret]] and 25 bottles of [[brandy]].<ref>Major, p.181</ref>Four days later, on May 29 the invasion fleet departed.<ref>Johnston. Endgame</ref> Wolfe returned to his headquarters in Halifax and the Great Pontack before his [[Battle of the Plains of Abraham]]. [[Image:Benjamin West 005.jpg|thumb|left|280px|''[[The Death of General Wolfe]]'' by [[Benjamin West]]]] |
The most famous event to take place at the establishment was on May 24, 1758, when [[James Wolfe]], who was headerquarted on Hollis Street, Halifax, threw a party at the Great Pontack prior to departing for the [[Siege of Louisbourg (1758)]]. Wolfe and his men purchased 70 bottles of [[Madeira wine]], 50 bottles of [[claret]] and 25 bottles of [[brandy]].<ref>Major, p.181</ref>Four days later, on May 29 the invasion fleet departed.<ref>Johnston. Endgame</ref> Wolfe returned to his headquarters in Halifax and the Great Pontack before his [[Battle of the Plains of Abraham]]. [[Image:Benjamin West 005.jpg|thumb|left|280px|''[[The Death of General Wolfe]]'' by [[Benjamin West]]]] |
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The building housed auctions, dramatic productions, balls and civic ceremonies.<ref>Major, p.174</ref> The building contained a slaughter-house, ballroom, public conveniences, bakers, butchers’ stalls and stabling.<ref>Major, p.176</ref> It was the principal hotel in Halifax. On the first floor was the kitchen.<ref>Major, p.177</ref> There were several assembly rooms on the second floor. There was also a large veranda which encompassed the four sides of the building off the second floor.<ref>Major, p.175</ref> |
The building housed auctions, dramatic productions, balls and civic ceremonies.<ref>Major, p.174</ref> The building contained a slaughter-house, ballroom, public conveniences, bakers, butchers’ stalls and stabling.<ref>Major, p.176</ref> It was the principal hotel in Halifax. On the first floor was the kitchen.<ref>Major, p.177</ref> There were several assembly rooms on the second floor. There was also a large veranda which encompassed the four sides of the building off the second floor. <ref>Major, p.175</ref> |
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[[File:JonathanBelcherByCopley.jpg|thumb|right| Governor [[Jonathan Belcher (jurist)|Jonathan Belcher]] by [[John Singleton Copley]]]] |
[[File:JonathanBelcherByCopley.jpg|thumb|right| Governor [[Jonathan Belcher (jurist)|Jonathan Belcher]] by [[John Singleton Copley]]]] |
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The Great Pontack served the fuction of the Lloyds of London for ship owners, other business menand financiers of the town, who met in the Guild of Merchants’ chamber in the establishment.<ref>Major, p.182</ref> |
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== Events == |
== Events == |
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== Theatre == |
== Theatre == |
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There was a courtyard in the centre of building for wagons. The courtyard was also used to mount theatrical productions.<ref>Major, p.174</ref> Actors were mainly gentlemen of the Navy and the Army and the town.<ref>Major, p.184</ref> There were several famous productions that were mounted for various benefits: The [[David Garrick]]'s [[The Guardian]] and [[The Lying Valet]] and [[Benjamin Hoadly]]'s ''The Suspicious Husband'' and ''The Rake''.<ref>Major, p.183</ref> |
There was a courtyard in the centre of building for wagons. The courtyard was also used to mount theatrical productions.<ref>Major, p.174</ref> Actors were mainly gentlemen of the Navy and the Army and the town.<ref>Major, p.184</ref> There were several famous productions that were mounted for various benefits: The [[David Garrick]]'s [[The Guardian]] and [[The Lying Valet]] and [[Benjamin Hoadly]]'s ''The Suspicious Husband'' and ''The Rake''.<ref>Major, p.183</ref> |
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== Meetings == |
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The [[North British Society]] was among the more important groups to hold regular meetins and to celebrate special occasions at the Great Pontack.<ref>Major, p.186</ref> |
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== Decline == |
== Decline == |
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Revision as of 15:56, 26 September 2012
The Great Pontack was a large three-story building, erected by the Hon.John Butler, previous to 1757, at the corner of Duke and Water Streets in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1] It was named after the famous Pontac Club in London.) [2]
The most famous event to take place at the establishment was on May 24, 1758, when James Wolfe, who was headerquarted on Hollis Street, Halifax, threw a party at the Great Pontack prior to departing for the Siege of Louisbourg (1758). Wolfe and his men purchased 70 bottles of Madeira wine, 50 bottles of claret and 25 bottles of brandy.[3]Four days later, on May 29 the invasion fleet departed.[4] Wolfe returned to his headquarters in Halifax and the Great Pontack before his Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
The building housed auctions, dramatic productions, balls and civic ceremonies.[5] The building contained a slaughter-house, ballroom, public conveniences, bakers, butchers’ stalls and stabling.[6] It was the principal hotel in Halifax. On the first floor was the kitchen.[7] There were several assembly rooms on the second floor. There was also a large veranda which encompassed the four sides of the building off the second floor. [8]
The Great Pontack served the fuction of the Lloyds of London for ship owners, other business menand financiers of the town, who met in the Guild of Merchants’ chamber in the establishment.[9]
Events
The Great Pontack was well known in the early years of the city and often hosted prominent members of Halifax society. On the day of the swearing in of the first Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, Jonathan Belcher in his scarlet robes walked out of the Governor’s House with Lieutenant Governor Charles Lawrence and others. The dignified procession walked to the Pontack and entere the long room where they were served a formal breakfast.[10]
Auctions
On 4 June, 1756, there was an auction sale of a vessel which was selling arms to the Acadians and Mi’kmaq that was captured off present-day Prince Edward Island by HM Success under Captian John Rous.[11]
Theatre
There was a courtyard in the centre of building for wagons. The courtyard was also used to mount theatrical productions.[12] Actors were mainly gentlemen of the Navy and the Army and the town.[13] There were several famous productions that were mounted for various benefits: The David Garrick's The Guardian and The Lying Valet and Benjamin Hoadly's The Suspicious Husband and The Rake.[14]
Meetings
The North British Society was among the more important groups to hold regular meetins and to celebrate special occasions at the Great Pontack.[15]
Decline
It was built prior to 1754 by and first operated by a Jerseyman named Decartaret. John Willis took ownership of the building in 1769.[16] The Pontac was partially destroyed by a fire in 1837, rebuilt and briefly occupied and eventually purchased by Imperial Oil Limited in 1925.[17] The site is now part of the Waterside Centre development.
References
Texts
- Marjorie Major's "The Great Pontack Inn" Nova Scotia Historical Quarterly, 1973,
Endnotes
- ^ , afterwards known as Michael Bennett's corner, now Cunningham's corner.
- ^ Major, p.188
- ^ Major, p.181
- ^ Johnston. Endgame
- ^ Major, p.174
- ^ Major, p.176
- ^ Major, p.177
- ^ Major, p.175
- ^ Major, p.182
- ^ Major, p.173
- ^ Major, p.1174
- ^ Major, p.174
- ^ Major, p.184
- ^ Major, p.183
- ^ Major, p.186
- ^ Major, p.175
- ^ https://eapps.ednet.ns.ca/HPIPublic/PropertyDisplay.aspx?Fid=23MNS0100 Aslo see Major, p. 189