Historic Homes Of New South Wales - Government House -Sunday Times Sun 23 Feb 1908, pg 7
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Maranamah - Macleay Street - Potts Point - New South Wales - Truth - Sunday 5 April 1953, page 46
Maranamah - Potts Point
Maranamah - Macleay Street - Potts Point - New South Wales - Truth - Sunday 5 April 1953, page 46
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Maranamah - Macleay Street - Potts Point - New South Wales - Truth - Sunday 5 April 1953, page 46
Houses Of Colonial Sydney Elizabeth Bay House - Herald - Sat 25 June 1949 - Pg 14 - New Books Reviewed
Houses Of Colonial Sydney
NEW BOOKS REVIEWED - -
- - Conducted by Clive Turnbull
Houses of Colonial Sydney
SOME HOUSES & PEOPLE OF NEW SOUTH WALES, by G. Nesta Griffiths (Sydney: Urc Smith)
The shelves in an Australian library which ought to be labelled Memoirs & Social History are mostly blank. Only in recent years has there been any attempt to tell us about the people, apart from governors & politicians, who made the Australia we live in.
SOME Houses & People of New South Wales?" very entertaining, one of the gaps. It Is Australia's story, with a small "s" certainly, disregarding most of the economic background, but it does provide a vast amount of information about the people who built Sydney's best known houses, from the days of the Macarthurs onward, & it's illustrated with a valuable series of photographs of dwellings as they used to be & are now. Written with knowledge, & sympathy, this Is an amiable round-up by an author to whom the ramifications of the Sydney families are an open book, in terms which all of them would certainly approve.
There's nothing discreditable about anyone's great-grandfather. To readers who know the houses & the descendants of the people described the book will obviously have a special appeal. Others may regard It as the groundwork for an historical study — Miss Griffiths supplies the facts: you may supply your own interpretation.
The houses photographed Illustrate the decline in taste which we should expect. The simple forms of the Georgian colonists gave place to the sometimes grotesoue ostentation of the later Victorian ace. One's fear that some of the more charming houses may be pulled down is balanced by a hope that some of the others will. Notable & gracious houses here shewn include Camden Park, Elizabeth Bay House a groundless survivor amid architectural parvenus. Tusculum, Glenrock & Fassy. There are some harmless equivalents of Toorak Renals. The' horrible examples one forbears to mention: they are plain to see.
Of all these dwellings' ElizabethBay Bay House is probably the most familiar as in its latter-day status as a rooming house, it has harbored many birds of passage. As Miss Griffiths points out there are probably hundreds of people in Sydney today to whom the name Macleay means a street on Pott's Point, though there are still a few who can remember Elizabeth Bay House before it was shorn of its glories.
Alexander Macleay was appointed Colonial Secretary in the twenties of last, century, & was later granted 54 acres at Elizabeth Bay. "a mile & a half from Sydney," for the purpose of erecting a family house & cultivating a garden — he had been secretary of the Lutheran Society. The house was completed in the 1830's, & the garden included all or what is now known as Elizabeth Bay to the western frontage of Rushcutter's Bay. Even in the forties it had become "one of the most perfect places I ever saw in my life." according to a visitor — the house "like a nobleman's palace." Macleay planted flowers & trees from "every climate, from Rio to the West, & East Tndies. China, & even England." from the Cape & from New Zealand. Both Macleay & the son who succeeded him were great patrons of learning &, indeed, everything agreeable, & entertained everyone of consequence from John Gould, of bird celebrity, to T. H. Huxley.
The celebrated staircase at Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney, now a forlorn reminder of colonial grandeur in a suburb of lowering pais.
In 1915 the garden was greatly reduced. This century the house was occupied by various families, & In 1927 the estate was cut up & sold, the house for £14.000. the land for £150 a foot, a total of £57.509. "As the high ltde of progress Inps around what remains of this beautiful house." says Miss Griffiths, "It stands a pathetic relic surrounded by great blocks of flats. The gracious bow windows with their slightly curved/glass still 'retain a few original panes. The lovely panelling, the door frames, & those immense & capacious cellars remain to give some idea of Its past magnificence. but the glory of the garden Is only a memory. "In the hall at the old house the beautiful cantilever staircase soars upward in a gradual curve like the flower of an arum lily." Sydney has not been kind to these charming old houses. Burdekin House, Macquarle Street completed In 1811 for Thomas Burdekin — the river is named after his son — was demolished "in the cause of progress in the carlv nineteen-thirties." Of another estate we read "the lovely park overlooking the Parramatta River, bounded by the Duck River & Hacking's Creek Is now bordered- by the Homebush Abattoirs & Carnarvon Golf Links." It was nice while it lasted.
C.T.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Potts Pt Properties To Make Way For Doxk - SMH Friday 13 December 1940 - Pg 12
POTTS POINT PROPERTIES TO MAKE WAY FOR SOCK - PARADE OF ARMY EQUIPMENT - MODEL FOR YARALLA HOSPITAL
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Friday 13 December 1940, page 12
A view of the waterfront at Potts Point, showing properties to be compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth Government to facilitate the construction of the Sydney graving dock. No. 4 Macleay St (on extreme left) will not be acquired, out vacant land between it & the water will be acquired. The property shown
on the extreme right has been already taken over.
The plan shows the location of properties at Potts Point which are to be acquired, & also those which have been acquired.
A complete range of army mechanised equipment was paraded before thousands of people in the city yesterday to aid the £28,000,000 "Freedom" Loan. Above: Light tanks in the parade. Right: One of the powerful searchlights used by anti-aircraft batteries. These throw the beams which are seen nightly searching the sky. A new type of stretcher for use by the
Yachtsmen's Auxiliary of the National Emergency Services was demonstrated yesterday before the Minister in Charge of N.E.S., ¡~ Mr. Bruxner. The picture shows a "patient" being lowered on the stretcher from a harbourfront building. It is light, & can be
handled in confined spaces.
Two views of the proposed multi-storied Yaralla Military Hospital at Concord are shown by these photographs of a model especially built for constructional purposes. Above: A general view from the air, with the main block & administrative building in the foreground. Below: The south-easterly aspect
of the main block. (Pictures by Department of Interior.)
Streets Of Memory - Hostesses Of Sydney - 50 Yrs Ago - Potts Point Was Social Mecca - SMH - Thursday 22 February 1934, page 17
Sydney Morning Herald - Thirsday 22 February 1934 - Page 17
Streets of Memory
HOSTESSES OF SYDNEY—50 YEARS AGO.
WHEN POTTS POINT WAS SOCIAL MECCA.
(BY MRS. ZARA ARONSON.)
LONG before our fine women of Sydney enteredthe arena of national work and charity organisations, many of them were recognised as beautiful hostesses of the city & suburbs. & in both their ability for entertainment—beauty & keen enthusiasm—they had few rivals in Australia. Some fifty years ago, society dealt in hospitality in its truest sense & even without the invasion of cocktail parties, or midnight bathing eccentricities, both the matrons & girls, for I can write from experience, enjoyed every moment of their young lives.
For even I can cast my happy memories back to the splendid dances—with, if you please, dozens of willing & anxious partners—real enjoyable boating picnics, & pleasant evenings, where we met to indulge in what our grandmothers used to call "parlour tricks," a few songs, a recitation or two, with perhaps the game of "postman's knock" or even an odd charade or so.
Many of our present-day younger set may regard these facts with derision, but what matter if they do—we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, & in those debutante days, felt that undiscovered happiness must be concealed in the hospitality offered.
In the late 1870's, just at the time of the first Sydney Exhibition, hostesses who "led," in entertaining were the Henry Dangar family—who, after building Grantham at Potts Point—enjoyed life & luxury for many years. The Navy was very popular at all their dances, the well-known Commander Charles Lewin, now RearAdmiral Charles La Primawdaye Lewin, RN, retired, choosing a daughter of the house as his life's companion. Mrs Henry Dangar was also one of Sydney's early charity workers. Further up Macleay St was Greenknowe, the residence of Fred Dangar, where dances were also the rule of the day. Grantham, like many homes of that district was sold after the death of both Mr & Mrs Dangar. Its castlelike exterior was a beautiful copy of an absolute British castle, & its immense reception-rooms & rather wonderful entrance halls, were further evidence of the historical knowledge & tradition of the noted Dangar family. But, alas, like many other famous homes of that Point, history & tradition were within a few years exchanged for that evergreen commercial enterprise,—superior guest houses Greenknowe, however, led a private existence for some years after the death of the Fred Dangar. Mr & Mrs Hugh McNeil living there for a period—he was a great golfer, while his wife was known for her dress taste & her lunches & dinners of perfect culinary experience. They were much travelled, & she never returned to Sydney unless she had collected 'dishes' of originality— whilst touring, & I frequently enjoyed themwith particular pleasure.
Larbert, a fine old stone house built by the convicts for Captain Lamb, and (inset) the late Mrs. John Lamb. with particular pleasure.
These years included the balmy days of the Griffith family, & when the Cecil Griffiths lived in happiness & affluence at Kenilworth, Macleay St, Potts Point, or to give it its aboriginal name of Carageen, was known as Point Campbell during the Macquarie regime—after Mrs. Macquarie, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Campbell. Captain Watson, the historical authority, says that in 1822 several acres of the Point were granted to Mr. John Wylde, the Judge's Advocate, who later sold several acres at the extreme Point to Mr. J. H. Potts, accountant of the Bank of NSW in the 1830's. Mr. Potts is said to have con-tinued to live in Hunter St, although owning what today is some of the most valuable land in Australia.
"In course of time," says Captain Watson, "Potts' name replaced Campbell's, as the title of the neighbourhood."
Rosemont, the home of the Alexander Campbells, at Woollahra, and (inset above) a
portrait of the late Mrs. Alexander Campbell.
Next to Greenknowe was Larbert—a fine old stone house built for Captain Lamb by convicts. It was in this historical social home with its beauti-ful gardens & its oldworld interior fittings, its fine reception-rooms, that many noted Sydney pioneers first looked upon life. Here, too, lavish entertainments were given by the Lamb family, which are still remembered for their attractive efforts of early Victorian hospitality—Captain Lamb's family included: Mr. J. De V. Lamb, Mr. Walter Lamb (the father of the late Mrs. Arthur Allen), Alfred Lamb, also Mrs. Henry Dangar & Mrs. Archie Cox.
Larbert must have some charm all its own, as, with one or two exceptions, it is the only mid Victorian mansion, of that street, which has neither succumbed to the land estate hammer or been metamorphosised into flats, or guest homes. For within a short period after the large Lamb family had wandered into matrimony or dispersed themselves generally, Larbert was rented by Mr. & Mrs. A. Hoffnung, commercial magnates from London, & not only were Mrs. Hoffnung's dances & receptions practically "the chat" of the early 1880's, but she was responsible for the birth of hospitality to the theatrical world from overseas. Larbert was the original home to welcome the first gaiety company with Nellie Farren & Fred Leslie, as the wonder stars; & never shall I forget that night, experience up till then, had not looked my way, but suddenly I realised what doors of stage interest were opened to me on that memorable evening. The beautiful reception-rooms were crowded with the company, & the clever hostess had in addition gathered up our own stars of the time, also a number of clever amateurs.
Hospitality to the Hoffnungs was the heart and soul of their life. So open were their doors that probably it was the first home of gate crashing. I remember on one occasion hearing Mr. Hoff-nung, when informed that some uninvited guests had taken advantage of his "glad hand" make use of the words made famous by Lord Palmerston. "Well, what of it? I hope they have enjoyed themselves."
The names of Sydney's great & popular hostesses & their homes of charm & happy contentment crowd around me. Perchance, however, there are a few which hold the reins of leadership.
Like Potts Point, Ocean St, Woollahra, can ring up a curtain on memories & splendid hostesses of old times.
Starting at the Edgecliff end of the street, who, upon reading these words of the past, can forget that fine old Edgecliff House, set in its avenue of wonderful trees, still flourishing & still growing to give shelter & coolness to the paths leading up that weary hill to the homes of so many noted residents of that lovely street of old days. In 1880, or thereabouts, Edgecliff House was the home of a popular family named Brown, who entertained frequently, & who were even rushed for their attractive hospitality. Why—you ask? Because the officers of the British Navy in all their pristine glory were the principal partners at the dances given for the girls of the period. Simplicity was the keynote of those cheery parties always so merry & happy. Remember, I am writing of 1880, when only muslins, rosebuds, shyness, & fragrance were exchanged for admiration, looks—that whispered of lovelight only, gentility, & joy. When any new ships visited Syd-ney these dances were always arranged as a wel-come, & I have a vague remembrance thatone of the Brown daughters married one of these naval visitors.
Arriving at Albert St & the corner of Ocean St, I can tell of Orielton (since only a few years demolished & now replaced by flats), which was built by the Nepean Towers Jenkins family, & who, in addition to giving frequent & fashionable dances, fitted into the fields of science & University interests.
The social history of this important suburb, Woollahra, goes back many years—more than half a century. & one of the great landmarks of that still fashionable district was a lovely old home with a long, winding path leading to the house, with ancient trees on either side of this avenue—at the end showing a burst of glorious roses, giving a view not easily forgotten.
This home, Rosemont, was owned by the much Merioola, the beautiful home of Mr. Arthur Allen, at Woollahra, built by Mr. John Manning, in 1857, & purchased by Mr. Allen in 1910.
respected Alexander Campbell & his family, a noted resident of Woollahra, & one of Sydney's most important Scotchmen of the late 1870's. As a girl I attended several dances given in this home of oldtime memories, where I met many dancing men who even today often chat of the famous Rosemont balls. One special one with over 500 guests remains vivid in my mind. It was given in honour of the Sydney Exhibition Commissioners (1879) & the captains & officers of the visiting fleets from British, French, German, & Austrian countries, & was one of the largest private balls ever held in Sydney.
Several sons were members of the Campbell family–Gerald, who was closely associated with the Australian Mutual Provident Society—also Murray, who married Carrie, the daughter of a near neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Caird, of Lillingstone, & a sister of the keen antique collector, the late Colin Caird. Another brother, Sir Gordon Campbell, new resides in England.
Like many other old families in Woollahra, the Campbells built & died at Rosemont. & when this family was broken—& the younger members established their own homes—the Hon. J. T. Walker & his family entered into possession, & indulged in equally delightful hospitality, & joined the lists of the great hosts of Sydney's exclusive society. When the Walker family grew up, the youngest daughter, Nita, became quite a noted little beauty. She married Captain Verney, an A.D.C. of one of our Governors, whose official career was afterwards centred in India & London. The Walkers were very closely related to Dame Eadith Walker, probably one of the most famous women philanthropists of Australia. At one period, Rosemont was occupied by Sir Charles & Lady Mackellar.
But, retracing my thoughts back from Ocean St, Woollahra, to Albert St, I can still tell of several homes of beauty with glorious gardens & almost super interior fittings. All famed for clever hostesses, who, to quote the late Lord Rose-bery, often "sat between 19th & 20th century guests." Their stately mansions have frequently been admired for scenes of particular brilliancy.
. . . Among the older leaders, the late Lady Darley—the sister of "Rolf Boldrewood," was a hostess to be remembered. She was a gifted con-versationalist & popular in those social days. Quambi was the Sydney home of the Darley family, their country residence being at Katoomba, where their grounds were famous for wonderful beds of lily of the valley; it is said, the first of these flowers grown on the mountains.
Quambi, when the handsome Sir Frederick and Lady Darley died, & their family scattered to England, changed its hostesses several times. They also included Mrs. T. H. Kelly, quite an original idealist for entertainment.
After a few years the late Mr. Septimus Levy & his noted attractive wife became the tenants. They practically pulled the old home "inside out," making it very lovely with Mrs. Levy's charm of taste & adoration of colour. While the beautiful garden was a wealth of glorious blossom & many joys forever, Mrs. S. Levy, in her admitted perennial youth, may perhaps be accused of assisting to found the "younger set of Sydney." As a hostess, she had few rivals for her dances and sup-pers, her luncheons still remaining memories of epicurean originality.
After a period of some years the Levys migrated to a beautiful home in the Edgecliff Rd. And once again Quambi found another interesting host & hostess, Sir Kelso & Lady King, who even to these days still entertain in this historic social home of Woollahra.
Merioola, in the Edgecliff Rd, has perhaps a social history all its own—for in the early 1880's the still well remembered Mr. & Mrs. Prendergast entertained there quite frequently. Mrs. Prendergast was exceptionally handsome, & her admitted flair for lovely clothes was never questioned. Added to which her charm & her hand of charity cannot be forgotten.
Merioola, in Edgcliff Rd, was built in 1857 by the late Mr. James Manning, a nephew of the late Sir William Manning, who lived opposite in Wallaroy House. After several changes of tenants it was purchased by Mr. Arthur Allen, who, assisted by Mrs. Allen, was recognised for his wonderful & lavish hospitality, their ball arranged for H.R.H. the Prince of Wales standing out as a remembrance of amazing entertainment.
Historic Sydney - Sydney Morning Herald - Sarurday 26th December 1925 - PAGE 5
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 26 December 1925, page 5
HISTORIC SYDNEY.
(BY B. R. WILSON.)
Perhaps the most interesting spot about Sydney, from an historical view, is Potts Point. Almost from the top of Macleay-street to Wylde-street, one can see the old residences of those who ranked the foremost In Sydney society, three-quarters of a century
ago.
Potts Point (formerly named Point Campbell by Governor Phillip, in a survey of 1772) was originally reserved for the aborigines, who occupied the foreshores, without molestation, for a number of years. However, Governor Darling, during his term of administration in the colony, caused the land to be taken from the natives, & made over as grants to the leading Government officials. It thus transpired that on November 1, 1822 11 acres of the land nearest the point was granted to Mr. John Wylde who was the last Judge Advocate, & who was also, for a short period, a Judge of the Supreme Court, under the Charter of 1824. Mr. Wylde, however, made no efforts to improve his property, for Governor Darling, when recording his despatch home in 1828, wrote to the effect, that unless some improvement was made very soon he proposed informing the owner that the property would be resumed. It is, however, in evidence in the early State records that the Judge later on complied with the conditions of the grant, for he sold six and a half acres at the extreme point to Mr. J. H. Potts, who was one of the early officials of the Bank of New South Wales, which was established in the year 1817; hence the name Potts Point. It is interesting to note that its native name was Carragheen, a certainly more euphonious designation than the present. At about this time Macleay st was apparently extended from near Dangar Castle to the point, but the extension was then, and still is, known as Wylde-street, after the first owner. It is really a cul-de-sac of Macleay St. In 1858, the large, solid, stone residence, known as Bomera, was erected on the harbour frontage on the point, and occupied by Mr. William McCade. The grounds of the house then extended to the waters of Woolloomooloo Bay, derived from the aboriginal name, "Walla-mulla," indicating a place of plenty (where fish are caught). Since those days, the Sydney Harbour Trust has resumed the beautiful green slopes, and not a vestige of the tennis court, the swimming-bath, or the terraces, fronting the bay, remain.
The McQuade family occupied Bomera from 1858 to 1883, and the records show that the residence became the home of Commodore James E. Erskine In the latter year. About 1911, the old house became the property of the Harbour Trust, & although the hand of commerce has swept relentlessly about, destroying a great deal of its natural loveliness, there still remains the house, with its atmosphere of the past, & its memorable associations. The entrance to Bomera is from Wylde-street, & the drive extends from the large old iron double gates, flagged between two huge stone pillars, through a number of ancient Moreton Bay fig trees to the front of the house, overlooking Woolloomooloo Bay. Walking round the house, & standing upon the lawn facing the harbour, one's eye is arrested by two large plaster images of dogs, sitting upon the slopes, gazing complacently into space. On the stone coping of the verandah at this angle are two conspicuous heads of Neptune, & flanking the steps from the verandah to the lawn are two castings of sphinx-like beings. Strange, how, in the days of this vogue of architectural decoration, it was considered absolutely essential to have complete uniformity.
As one wanders about the remaining grounds, & through the old halls, there appear features of bygone luxury, & the remnants of past convenience on every side. Behind the old brick wall at the side of the drive, & adjoining the servants' quarters, are the last vestiges of the stables & the carriage-house. The concrete trough for the watering of the horse is now completely filled with earth, & the arms of the embracing ficus have almost hidden it from view. On the corner wall of the back portion of the house is a long rusted projecting frame, evidently the support of the lamp that was used to light the stables. The upper storey of the house upon the street line, at its remotest end, contains the loft for the storage of the grain and fodder. It is of the conventional design, roughboarded floor, immense rafters, and large spaciousness, having the usual protruding beam & pulley over the hoistway. The cellar is of the same roomy construction, & extends far beneath the front rooms of the residence. Inside, there is also that characteristic width of construction distinguishing the bygone methods of house-building. The immense interior of the organ-room, which in height is the equal of two lofty floors, opens out into the hall by French doors, & in the upper corridor there is the entrance to a long length of gallery, commanding the spacious apartment. Each individual room of the house is relatively built on the same scale; high ceilings, wide doors & windows, & walls of an amazing thickness. An old-world atmosphere still lingers about the house, & one cannot help wishing it might always be left undisturbed, among the ghosts of yesterday.
Progress Of The Suburbs - XVI - Potts Point - SMH - Saturday 25 October 1913, page 9
PROGRESS OF THE SUBURBS.
XVI - POTTS POINT.
In London, the great metropolis of England, the hub of the world, the West End has always'been the centre of attraction. There the wealth of the country is to be found. There the homes of the leaders or society have been built, & from them the movements of the British race are largely formulated. But with Sydney, the mother city of Australia, it has always been in the east that wealth & power have congre- gated, & dictated the future destinies of the young country. From Darlinghurst to South Head, the homes of the wealthy have from time to time been built along the beautiful foreshores of the harbour. Leaders in commercial centres, people high up in the social circle, & men prominent in the political world of New South Wales, have at all times congregated in the east. It is truly a continuation of the old idea among Britons, that everything Australian is the converse of what it ought to be.
In the early days Potts Point & the heights of Darlinghurst were selected as the natural and proper sites for what an Englishman would term "the West End," but, geographically speaking, the East End of Sydney. Some people today might even question the right of including Potts Point in the suburban area. It is part of the city itself, & it is even true that Potts Point has of late years, in common with other residential portions of Sydney, felt the effect of the rapid advances which the city as a commercial centre is making, & which has necessitated the driving out of the people to what were once long-distance suburbs, but which have been drawn near by the railway & tramway extension & improved ferry services. But less than 50 years, ago Potts Point was the most favoured of the suburbs around Sydney. Before the days of the tram, when the population was small, & means of transit limited, those who had the means of doing it built their homes in Macleay St & the surrounding area. Those were days when
palatial residences were to be found stand-ing within large areas of land & beautifully-kept grounds at Potts Point. Indeed, amongst the more ignorant of the less wealthy section of the community in those early days, it was a common expression, "Oh, he is a Potts Pointer." But within the last few years the scene has changed. These palatial residences, standing within their wellkept grounds, have been removed to more distant suburbs, & closely packed houses, largely used as boarding establishments, together with quite an array of private hospitals now line the streets. At tbe once picturesque Point itself, land has been resumed, tbe Point has been cut away, & huge wharfs are being constructed to make room for the shipping. In fact, into every portion of this once aristocratic residential area, commercialism has, within the last few years, forced its way & destroyed the old homes of the rich & the influential; & modernised the district from end to end, thus converting the once pretty suburb into part of the great city itself.
But Potts Point has an interesting history, & that history was well told in a paper read by Mr. James Arthur Dowling before the Historical Society a year or two ago. Mr. Dowling has by means of his paper to a large extent rescued from oblivion the history of the more important holdings at Potts Point, which is better known today as Darlinghurst. But the locality was not even always Darlinghurst, for in a map of Sydney, compiled by Mr. J. S. Roe in 1822, Darlinghurst was named Henrietta Town, so called by Governor Macquarie after the first Chris-tian name of his wife. This Henrietta Town included Woolloomooloo Bay, then named "Wallabahmullah," meaning a young male kangaroo or a male black kangaroo; yet another name was "Wallamullah," meaning a place of plenty, or where fish were caught. The name "Wallamooloo" was used up to the end of the 1830's, & from that date Woolloomooloo came into common use. Darlinghurst & Woolloomooloo were in the days of Governor Macquarie set apart as a reserve for the blacks, & right up to the 1870's the aborigines inhabitated this area. Late in the 1860's what was then Barcom Glen, the estate of the late Mr. Obed West, more commonly called West's Bush, was a camping ground for the blacks, who dwelt among the tall trees which grow on the sandy slopes of what today are wellmade streets and footpaths lined with hundreds of houses of the terrace type.
But Mr. Dowling tells us that the first house of note in the 1830's at Darlinghurst was Craigend, fronting Upper William St South, now Woolcott St. It was built by Sir Thomas Mitchell, the then SurveyorGeneral, on a Crown grant (dated October 19, 1831) of 9 acres 3 roods and 27 perches, & occupied at one time by himself & later by Mr. G. J. Rogers, solicitor, Mr. Henry Prince, warehouseman, & others. Craigend afterwards became a private hospital, then a first-class boarding-house. There is Craigend St close by, which will per-petuate the memory of this landmark of Darlinghurst. Another very old residence at Darlinghurst or Potts Point was Goderich Lodge, which was built by T. McQuoid, who was sheriff in the 1830's - 1840's. Mr. McQuoid also had a Crown grant dated Octo-ber 19, 1831, & upon this land stood Goderich Lodge. It was north of Craigend. Mr. McQuoid lived there for 10 years until he died In 1841. Then the Bishop of Sydney, Dr. William Grant Broughton became a tenant, also Mr. S. A. Perry, deputy surveyor general, & others. It was in the 1850's that the property passed into the hands of Mr. Frederick Tooth. He subse-quently sold it to Captain Charles Smith, of the firm of McDonald, Smith, & Co. & for very many years the property has been occupied by his widow. At one time its garden extended to the junction of Bayswater Rd, then Upper William St, North & Upper William St South. On the east side of Goderich Lodge stood Waratah, which was in the 'Fifties occupied by prominent citizens. including Mr. Edwin Tooth. It was there Mrs. Tooth died. Right in the midst of those properties stood a number of windmills. Darlinghurst lands being so elevated above the city they were famous for windmills. Mr. Dowling mentions that just behind Craigend or Myrtle Cottage stood the last of the old Darlinghurst windmills known as Hynde's. They were built on his grant of two acres. In addition to these there had been three within a quarter of a mile of Craigend, & just near tho gaol two more. These were of wood, erected so as to enable them to be turned by manual labour to the wind. The larger mills turned mechanically. But the writer remembers the last of the Darlinghurst windmills standing on high land fronting Surrey St right at the back of St. John's
Church. The ruins of this mill wore removed late in the 'Sixties after several children had met with accidents through climbing about the old building.
Coming nearer Potts Point, at the junction of Upper William & Macleay St's, formerly Woolloomooloo Rd, stood the property of the Hon. Richard Jones, M.L.C., known as "Merchant Jones." This land was a grant to Mr. S. A. Perry, dated October, 1831. Adjoining this property is the site of Alberto terrace, owned and built by Mr. John Solo-mon. Beyond It stood Kellet House, which was built by Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson, the first Premier under responsible government. In 1856, Mr. Donaldson lived there for some years, & the property was afterwards owned by Mr. W. F. Buchanan, who pulled down the old house & erected the terrace known as Bayswater-terrace. Adjoining the Premier's residence came Seven Oaks, the home of Judge Dowling, & Eaton, where Mr. Edward Knox, & later Captain Martindale, lived. The name of "Dowling" will always be associated with Potts Point and Darlinghurst. In October, 1831, Mr. Justice Dowling received a grant of'land which extended to & included the site of what is now Forbes St. Upon this land Mr. Justice Dowling erected Brougham Lodge, which he occupied for the first time on February 24, 1831. He named it after Lord Brougham, through whose influence he obtained his ap-pointment as Puisne Judge. He gave portion of the land to make Victoria St, which he named after the late Queen; also another portion to make Duke St, which was so called in honour of the Royal Family. He also gave a portion to make Dowllng St, which he named after himself, and a portion to make Forbes St, which he named after Sir Francis Forbes, the then Chief Justice. The estate was subdivided in 1846, & it sold fairly well, but that por-tion in Victoria St, upon which Brougham Terrace now stands, with a corresponding frontage to Brougham St, containing under an acre, was retained for a residence, & upon Lady Dowling vacating the house it was let to tenants. Many old residents will remember Mr. Horniman's school being conducted there. But in 1882
the property was sold for £7000 cash, which was a big price. It was more than was given for the whole of the other eight acres of the grant. There was a large garden on the estate, but when Victoria St was formed the front portion of this garden had to be taken for the street. It should be mentioned that the fine specimen of coral tree in the front grounds of one of the houses in Victoria Terrace, next to Brougham Terrace, was originally in Brougham Lodge garden. Mr. J. A. Dowling, in his paper to the Historical Society, points out that when Brougham Lodge was built in the Thirties, there was no William St, simply a track for foot passen-gers from Sydney on the site of the present street, which was not extended from its termination in Darlinghurst-hill further east until 1845, when Sir Thomas Mitchell, the Surveyor-General, surveyed the extension, which was by what they termed Upper Wllliam St North & South, now Bayswater Rd & Woolcott St.
Vehicular traffic to Darlinghurst before William St was formed, Mr. Dowling says, came from Sydney along Hyde Park (then the racecourse), up the old South Head Rd (now Oxford St), to the gaol, & across then to Darllnghurst-hill, and any person wishing to travel to South Head would go by Old South Head Rd, being the only route past Bellevue Hill. This road, which is now the main tram line to Bondi, was then crude & rougher. Persons wishing to go to Eliza Point, afterwards known as Point Piper (al-ready dealt with in previous articles) had to
proceed by way of Glenmore Rd by the track known for years afterwards as Point Piper Rd (now Jersey Rd), which commenced at its junction with the Old South Head Rd, Paddington, & passed along Underwood's distillery in the Rushcutter Bay gully, on the Glenmore Estate, until the track to Point Piper was reached. This track started just where the Edgeeliff Rd Post-office now stands.
But in 1845 New South Head Rd, really a continuation of William St, was commenced, under the supervision of Sir Thomas Mitchell, & finally it joined the Old South Head Rd near the lighthouse. The necessary land to construct the new thoroughfare wes given by Messrs. Palmer, Dowling, & Laidley, but for a number of years the new road did not get beyond Rushcutter Bay. Ultimately the work was continued through the Cooper & other grants to the lighthouse.
Potts Point - Historic Homes - To Make Way For A Dock - SMH - Tues 14 Jan 1941 Page 5
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 14 January 1941, page 5
TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DOCK
THE historic homes of Potts Point which have been resumed for the graving dock are a tangible link with the past of Sydney. They were the scenes of former gaieties and the foundations of traditions.
FORMERLY one of the loveliest building sites in Sydney, with green gardens slop-ing to the water's edge, Wylde Street is gradually becoming more dejected as one after another of the old homes is destroyed.
The destruction has been gradual from private homes to boarding houses & apartments & from flats to dockyard extensions.
Standing forlornly near the end of the Point is Agincourt, mourning the loss of its neighbour, Crecy, which has already been demolished. Agincourt, which was built by the Goodwin family in 1901, is aptly described by one of its tenants as an "International Irish stew." It has a French name, British lions in the garden, Italian armoured men as light fixtures, German plaques, a Turkish crescent moon & stars carved in the woodwork, Moorish domes, & a Persian cat!
In the beginning of the century, Agincourt was the scene of many bright parties, & naval guests came by pinnace from their ships to the jetty at the foot of the garden.
NEXT to Agincourt is Kismet, a red brick house, covered with Virginia creeper, where Mr. & Mrs. Philip Bushell & their daughters, the Misses Amber & Pamela Bushell, have lived for 18 years. Mr. Bushell bought the house from its original owner, the late Sir Rupert Clarke,
A view from the harbour of Mr. W.A. Crowle's home, Once Upon a Time, which he built over his boatshed in the groups of Wyldefel Gardens. The yacht in which he travelleled for three years can be seen in the foreground.
whose son, the present Baronet, was born in the elaborate nursery wing.
From Kismet, we go to Fairhaven, one of the many homes built by the late Mr. Walter Hall. It was built in 1814, & after Mr. & Mrs. Hall's death it went to an employee, Mrs. Sheppard. She has lived there almost alone for 20 years, & is now lying seriously ill in the old home.
Mr. Hugh Ward's old home, Bellevue, which is now the site for the water-front flats. Bellevue Gardens, was a great social centre several years ago. Mr. & Mrs. Ward still live on the property, but on the land behind the flats.
Chatsworth is another of the old homes which has been resumed. It was built by Mr. C. J. Roberts
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Chatsworth - Potts Point - Evening News - Tues 1st Nov 1921 - Pg 7
Chatsworth - Potts Point
Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Tuesday 1 November 1921, page 7
SALE OF "CHATSWORTH"
Gray & Company report having sold one of Sydney's oldest & noted homes known as "Chatsworth," Potts Point. It was originally a cottage built in 1849, & known as "Tor Cottage," & eventually passed into the hands of Mr. Joseph Thompson, sen., who added another storey, & later sold it to the late Mr. Edward Hordern, who changed the name to "Chatsworth." The next Purchaser was Mr. C. J. Roberts, M.L.C., & at one time Mayor of Sydney. During his occupancy of "Chatsworth" the building was enlarged considerably, including a large ballroom with a massive parquet floor, & opened by Lord Carrington, who was presented with a golden key for that pur-pose. Thereafter for some considerable period "Chatsworth" was the scene of many social functions. The property was again sold to Mrs. Wangenheim, who has now sold it to Mr. Scott Fell. Mr. Fell intends making ex-tansive alterations & converting it into a modern home. It is one of the few remaining homes handy to the city with deep water frontage, & adjoins the residences of Mr. Hugh Ward and Sir Jarvie Hood.
Annandayle Historic Homestead - Australian Woman's Weekly - Wed April 4 - 1962 - Pg 21
ANNANDAYLE HISTORIC HOMESTEAD
Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), Wednesday 4 April 1962, page 21
HISTORIC HOMESTEAD
A giant pear tree, more than 100 years old, shades the courtyard at "Annandayle." In the foreground is a water-lily pond; at back, left, are golden and silver pheasants in a high-roofed aviary built round an old figtree. The seat was once the front gate.
Pictures by staff photographer Jonathan Evetts.
"Annandayle," century-old homestead belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Bowler, near Holbrook, was built by Samuel Bowler of granite blocks quarried on the property he bought in 1836.
FOR more than 100 years there has been a Bowler
at "Annandayle," a welcoming old homestead in the Holbrook district of N.S.W.
The present owner, Mr. Cyril Bowler, lives there with his wife and daughter, Elizabeth-Ann, 13. The house was built by his great-grandfather, Cornishman Samuel Bowler, one of the first settlers in the district. When he bought the land from George Bardwell in 1836, it was known as the Ten-Mile Creek No. 2 Block of 50,000 acres. Today only 11,000 acres belong to "Annandayle," but five other members of the family have holdings on the rest of the acreage.
Seven rooms of the granite house are as good as the day they were built & form living-rooms & bedrooms. The present Bowler occupants have added extensions. A wide, creeper-framed verandah goes along most of the front.
View of the lovely garden at "Annandayle," looking toward the swimming-pool. Surrounded by shrubs & lawn, the pool is a favorite spot for local young people in summer.
Handsome cedar sideboard dominates the dining - room. The sideboard was made in the 1860s by an old Scottish craftsman, who used to wander round the district working as a cabinetmaker. Doors lead from the dining-room to the shaded courtyard.
Comfortable living-room has a landscape window over-looking the garden and the magnificent old pear tree, which still bears fruit. This is one of the seven rooms of the original homestead, to which Mr. Cyril Bowler has added extensions. Over the mantel is a leather-framed mirror brought to Australia by Samuel Bowler from Cornwall.
House Of mary Putland - Governor Bligh's Daughter - Wrrington - Aust Womans Weekly Wed 27 June 1951 Pg 32
Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), Wednesday 27 June 1951, page 32
GENERAL VIEW of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Williams' historic home at Werrington, N.S.W. Of Georgian design, the house was built in 1806 by Mary Putland, daughter of Governor Bligh. Within 12 months of
the death of her husband, Lieutenant Putland, Mary married Sir Maurice O'Connell.
MRS. ALAN WILLIAMS pauses on the old circular brick walk to admire the beauty of her petunias. More than 3000 roses bloom along the drive and in the five-acre garden surrounding the home. Mr. and Mrs. Williams' aim in life is to restore and keep Werrington Park in its original state of splendor.
MR. ALAN WILLIAMS and a friend survey the Countryside and the tiny town of Werrington, which boasts about thirty-seven houses, including the home once owned by Governor King. From this miniature balcony can be seen on clear days Barrenjoey Lighthouse and the entrance to the Hawkesbury River.
OLD-FASHIONED PILLARED ENTRANCE porch and verandah. Panelled front door leads into small dining-room. The brass plate on left wall bears the names of owners since the death of Mary Putland.
GLIMPSE of one of the superb four-poster Jacobean beds with its lovely Jacobean-design quilted spread. There are five bedrooms on the upper floor which are very spacious and lead on to balconies.
Historic homestead
. One hundred and forty-five years ago, Mary Putland (later Lady O'Connell), favorite daughter of Governor Bligh, was given a 300-acre land grant at Werrington, 1S.S.W.-just beyond Parramatta, There, on top of a hill, her house was built and named Werrington Park. To-day, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Williams own the house. They have furnished it with grace, and so it stands-a serene link with a stirring past.
WESTERN END of first reception room. The sideboard is mahogany. The solid rosewood table stands majestically in the centre. At left, the
door opens into the second reception room.
THE LONG BALLROOM with its mellow, polished tallow-wood floor has been the scene oj many glittering assemblages. Glorious mountain views can be seen from the circular balconies opening off ballroom.
SECOND RECEPTION ROOM houses lovely old pieces, including the cedar cabinet (left) made by convicts. On the shelves are historical treasures. A massive wall-mirror reflects the richly toned furnishings.
ANOTHER VIEW of the resplendent reception rooms, showing the windows overlooking the undulating countryside and a door to the garden. Here, in the early years of the Colony, Governor Bligh & his aides often forgathered.
THIS PAINTING OF MARY PUTLAND, first owner oj Werrington Park, hangs above the beautifully proportioned fireplace as it did 140 years ago. The panel at the extreme right of fire-place forms a secret door leading to the cellar. The fender-stool and fire-irons are treasured antiques.
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