 (A suburb of Hamilton) July 7th, 2004 12:18 AM  The front living room of the little house that was built for Alma Leith, after fire destroyed the Hermitage mansion....   Alma Dick-Lauder died at The Hermitage on February 27th, 1942. Her will provided for the future welfare of her pets and farm animals. Her wish was to be buried on the estate, under the oaks on the turn in the avenue. But she was interred instead in Saint John's Churchyard in Ancaster in section B row 10 lot 10. Pictured above, Alma's final resting place with a granite cross that she asked for, to mark her grave.  Pictured above is the floor plans of the Hermitage then and now, complete with what walls remain today. We hope the next time you visit the Hermitage that this will help those who wanted to know where some of the rooms were, as well as what out buildings there were. The building at the back of the mansion was not the stables. It was used as a laundry and wash house area. I have marked a tree that is said to be where Mr. William Black had hung himself by the stables. First please note that where the tree is located is near the laundry and wash house area.The stables are located on the side by the mansion. The tree that is in question is about 50 to 60 years old. This would not fit into the time frame 1833-1835 when Mr. Black commited the act of suicide. Mr. Black worked as a coachman for the Ives Family back in 1833 on another location of the property as outlined on a map presented earlier, where the Ives Family had lived in the 1st Hermitage. The Leith Hermitage was not even thought of at the time when Mr. Black had hung himself. The Leith Hermitage that stands in ruins today was built in 1855 by the Leith family. By the time the mansion was built Mr. Black had been deceased for 20-22yrs. We hope this clears things up a bit as to the death of Mr. Black and to the rumours as to where he had hung himself. I have also marked where the fire started in 1934 that destroyed the Leith Hermitage. It was in the bedroom on the second floor where the fire had started.  The above photo was taken in 1888 of the Leith Hermitage. Pictured from left to right are.... Eleanor Marjorie Leith, Unknown, Mrs. George Leith, Alexander Leith holding his daughter Penelope, Mrs. Alexander Leith.  Pictured above is the main entrance of the Leith Hermitage. The photo shows a spacious hall. The entrance hall contained a variety of objects which would have been an interest to vistors that would stop by to visit. To the left of the hall would have been the dining room and to the right of the hall would have been the drawing room. Straight ahead was the staircase that lead up to the bedrooms and servants quarters.  Pictured above would have been the drawing room. Once a visitor came to the mansion, a house maid would have answered the door and have the visitor go to the drawing room. Inside the drawing room would have been a big french window facing south, that gave a view of the front lawn. A marble fireplace would have been centered between the two narrow windows. Some of the furnishings included a square piano and harp.   The Hermitage holds much history. It was amazing to find out that there were two Hermitages on the property. This shocked us and we conducted further investigation into the Hermitage's history and spent hours at two museums. We also spoke with a local historian and a care taker of the St. Pauls Church. We take pride in finding out more facts that surround this historical land mark. As for the spirits that have been said to roam the Hermitage, this all could be true. There was Mr. William Black that is said to roam the area longing for his love. Then there is Alma that so loved the Hermitage that she refused to leave it after the fire. She pitched a tent and refused to leave the land she loved so much. She spoke of the Hermitage in her writings and she loved her animals that used to keep her company. Alma may still roam the grounds that she called home, a home that sat on a land she loved so much..... Alma's Horse "Me Two" may occupy the area as well. So if you happen to think you heard a low gallop come down the path, it just might be "Me Two" heading home. Many Thanks go out To:
Our Lodge In The Wilderness - Alma Dick-Lauder: Memories of a Secluded Life Without the above helping us to search out the truth about the Hermitage, only the legends would stay alive and the truth would be unheard. 
Revised Hermitage History (1) Revised Hermitage History (2) Revised Hermitage History (3) April/2002 August/2003 (1) August/2003 (2) Oct 7/2003 October 18/2003 (1) October 18/2003 (2) November 21/2003 (1) November 21/2003 (2) November 21/2003 (3) November 21/2003 (4) November 22/2003 November 23/2003 (1) November 23/2003 (2) January 1/2004 (1) January 1/2004 (2) September 30/2005    |