The Malloch Family

There are many stories surrounding Judge John Glass Malloch (1806-1873), who lived in "Victoria Hall" (now part of our hospital), some of which are downright spooky.

Malloch built the home in 1858, considered one of the finest private residences then in existence in the eastern portion of Upper Canada. Built of dressed limestone, this seventeen room mansion, with stately and well proportioned apartments, plate glass windows, staircases of solid walnut, handsome marble mantel pieces and library with panel portraits of Macaulay, Moore, Milton, Burns, Byron, Shakespeare, Scott and Rollin. Its furnishings and appointments were in keeping with the exceptional features of this Early Victorian residence. the outbuildings, consisting of the carriage house, stables and woodshed were all constructed of the same material as the house, as well several stretches of stone wall. In the rear was a large grove of magnificent elms and other deciduous trees, while the orchard, garden, shade trees, shrubbery and buckthorn hedge all contributed to the Hall’s attractive surroundings.

Originally a family vault was constructed in 1875 on one of the three plots the family owned. The vault had fallen into disrepair by the 1950's and had to be dismantled. The remains were interred where the vault had originally stood and two of the plots were resold. 

As a lawyer, judge and farmer, the Judge's personal records describe his business and legal cases. He took time to record noteworthy events in his farm and family life.  Busy with professional matters, he hires a farm manager and a variety of local men to carry out short-term specific tasks.  He writes about the temperance movement, church matters, fire prevention, and local agricultural and community life.

Our town's story records that many community events took place on his farm property including the celebration of Confederation in 1867 and for many years the local agricultural fair.

Of note is also William Bell Malloch whose contributions to the development of Canada are noted in Ron Shaw's article MOOSE FACTORY DOCTOR. Shaw notes, "William Bell Malloch, born on March 1, 1845, was the offspring of two of Perth’s most prominent families. A son of wealth and privilege, a future of ease, comfort, and status seemed his natural inheritance but, instead, he chose life on a remote Hudson Bay Company (HBC) fur trading post."

The Malloch family legend also includes a famous ghost story about Emeline who many claim appears regularly in Victoria Hall, now our local hospital. 

According to legend the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, formerly known as the Great War Hospital, has a curse upon it. When the house was being built, Malloch contracted a local farmer to deliver stone at a given time and price. Later, the farmer asked if he might deliver it a week late. Construction was going rather slowly so Malloch agreed, however when the farmer delivered the stone, Malloch refused to pay him, saying he had forfeited his payment by delivering it late. Because Malloch was the judge for the whole county, the farmer had no legal recourse, and the dispute became so hot that the farmer declared that he was laying a curse on Malloch and his family, which would remain in effect “until the building was put to the public good.” Malloch laughed off the farmer’s threat, but that year his only daughter Emeline died. Within 25 years, Malloch and both his sons were dead, and the only survivor of the house was his third wife. The house remained empty and derelict for nearly 50 years until it was purchased in 1922 to be a hospital for the town. 

Apparitions of members of the Malloch family, appearing haggard and unwell, have been known to appear at second-story windows and in the upstairs halls. The late Peter Code (1935-2010), a life-long resident of Perth, historian, Citizen's Band member, and a member of one of the town's original and eminent families, was very convincing when he told of his personal encounter with the ghost. Peter is also interred in Elmwood and you can see his monument if you look for the large round ball to north.