John Ritt owned lots 3, 78, and 80 on Mowat Street in 1874. He sold lot 3, 14 Mowat Street, valued at $300.00 to John Pellow, who built the red brick house the same year.
John Pellow was born in Thurselton, Devon,England in 1812. He married Maria Winniket, born in 1809 in Tavistock, England. Their first daughter, Mary Anne was born on July 10, 1934, in Thurselton, Devon, England, followed by son, William Timkin, born on December 24, 1936, in Coryton, Devon, England, Matilda
Jane was born next in 1838, Caroline born in 1843, Christopher in 1844, Harriet born in 1846 and finally Anna Maria born in 1849, all born in Bridestowe, England.
The family arrived in Canada in 1861 and resided in Hibbert Township, Perth County, Canada West.
John's occupation was a wagonmaker. In the 1871 Census, John is listed as a farmer, still living in Hibbert (Staffa). In the 1881 Census he is listed as a gentleman, living in Stratford at Cambria Street near Nelson Street. He died on April 26, 1889 while living at 204 Wellington Street, Stratford. He is buried in Springhill Cemetery in Staffa alongside his wife Maria, who died January 8, 1884, in Stratford.
The Pellow family never lived in the house at 14 Mowat, it was a rental property until after his death. The first tenant to live in the house was Charles James Holloway and his family. He arrived on the ship Damascus, sailing from Liverpool in September of 1865. On the passenger list it states he purchased land in Stratford, Ontario. The family only lived in the house for a year.
After John's death the house was sold to John H. Wahl, painter/labourer, as shown in the assessment records.