David Gibson 1804-1864
This building, a good example of an early Victorian farm-house was completed in 1851 by David Gibson. Born in Glamis Parish, Forfarshire, Scotland, Gibson emigrated to Upper Canada where, in 1825, he was appointed a Deputy Land Surveyor. He was an ardent supporter of William Lyon Mackenzie, and was twice elected as a Reform member to the provincial parliament. One of Mackenzie's chief lieutenants in the unsuccessful Rebellion of 1837, he fled to the United States. His house was burned by order of the Lieutenant-Governor, Francis Bond Head, and his property was made subject to forfeiture. Fully pardoned, he returned in 1848, and resumed his profession as surveyor. Later he was appointed as Inspector of Crown Land Agencies and Superintendent of Colonization Roads.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.