"Barham "
"Barham" was built in 1833 & is the oldest residential building in Darlinghurst. It was purchased by SCEGGS in 1900 & has been part of the school since then.
The Grand Villa was bought for Sir Edward Deas Thomson, who was granted over 6 acres in the new Darlinghurst Estate in 1831. Thomson was born in Edinburgh and migrated to Australia in 1828-1829 when he was appointed the dual role of Clerk to the Executive and Legislative Councils in NSW on a salary of 600 Pounds a year
Governor Sir Ralph Dowling was very happy with Thomsons hard work & competance & granted him the land in Darlinghurst. John Verge was employed to design "Barham"whicvh was initially leased to Colonel Kenneth Snodgrass, before Thomson moved in with his wife, Anna Maria, the daughter of Sir Richard Bourke.
When Thomsonleft public office he was elected as Vice Chancellor Of University of Sydney in 1865, retaining his position until he was forced to resign due to ill health in 1873.
the couple raised their 2 sons and 5 daughters at "Barham" & remained there for 40 Years until Thomsons death in July 1879. He was buried at St Judes Church of England, Randwick
Thomson's daughter, Susan, married William John Maclaey, who was Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleays oldest son. Alexander was granted 54 Acres at Elizabeth Bay and he also employed John Verge To design his Villa.
After Thomson's death in 1879, "Barham" was purchased by members of the Ogilvie Pastoralist family who then sold it to SCEGGS in 1900
"Barham" is located just off Forbes Street within the grounds of SCEGGS and not be viewed from the street
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