brick house, known as the Calvin Hill-William Noble House, in Canton New York, stands as a testament to the architectural and spiritual expression of the early nineteenth century in northern New York. It is also a house that has strong connections to the lives of several historically significant individuals in the Village of Canton. Calvin Hill, a land surveyer from the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts, was an early St. Lawrence County settler. William Noble was Canton's first physician and a strong civic leader.
A two-storey “classic cottage,” by design and building tradition, the Hill-Noble House displays many of the oldest architectural ideas and construction practices the settlers of St. Lawrence County inherited from their native New England. It is a late-period Federal home. However, many architectural ideas of the early Greek Revival movement in America can be found in the house’s overall expression.
Capturing both the expansive proportions contained in the classical vocabulary of the Greek Revival movement as interpreted by early nineteenth century builder’s guides and the building forms derived from folk and builder’s traditions, the Hill-Noble is a vernacular interpretation of classical ideals. It is a simple house, though. At its most ambitious interpretation, the house symbolizes an expression of early nineteenth century concepts of personal refinement and comfort, as well as traditional concepts of economy and restraint. These sentiments are visible throughout the house, but are most visible in its interior plan. Much of the character of the house can be traced back to a culture rooted in notions of idealism and permanence, which includes the display of improvement, often mirroring aspirations.
This overall impression is clearly realized through its original conception. As noted in Minard Lafever's Young Builder's General Instructor of 1829, the goal in building "A Farmer’s Cottage," was one of not only thrift, but one of style: "In designing a Cottage for domestic convenience, the designer should have in view frugality, convenience, and neatness, in a plain style." The House embodies both the intent and spirit of its inspiration. The House's enduring presence and sense of time and place is of particular interest to both local and New York State history.
The Calvin Hill-William Noble House is a private residence. It is currently undergoing a maintenance program designed to preserve its architectural and historic character. Additional research is being done to place the structure within an accurate historical-cultural context so that its place in Canton and St. Lawrence County may be better understood.
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