Purcell, John J.

PURCELL, John J. (c. 1880-1892), of St. John's Newfoundland where he was recorded as the architect of a large and elegant villa for Mr. Prescott Emerson, located in the suburbs of St. John's on the north side of Rennies River, and completed in 1884 (Evening Telegram [St. John's], 18 Oct. 1884, 4, descrip.). This local landmark was situated “...just west of the villa of Henry Le Messurier”. He is almost certainly the same “ John J. Purcell, architect & builder” who died in St. John's on 17 February 1892 (death notice, Evening Telegram [Saint John's], 17 Feb. 1892, 4). He may have been related to the prominent Newfoundland architect James Purcell, active there from 1842 to c. 1850.