The Original Villas Of Darlinghurst
It's Really Hard To Imagine What It was like in Kings Cross And Potts Point 150 years Ago, when Darlinghurst & Potts Point Were being built literally from the ground up. Every Time I walk through that area I try to imagine where the Houses had been, & what they looked like, & property Boundaries & the way the topography of the land is now.
There is very little left, next to nothing actually of the Grand Structures that used to be there, from stables, cottages, servants quarters, and carriageways.
In the early days the area had been named "Henrietta Town", named after Governor Macquarie's wifes First Name.
The First House Of Note Was "Craigend" Fronting Upper William St South, now Wollcott St, built by Sir Thomas Mitchell, Surveryor General .
Just behind "Craigend" was the last of old Darlinghurst Windmills, known as Hynde's Windmill. Originally there were 3, one near the goal, 2 were made of wood & required Manual labour but the third was mechanical.
Across Upper William St at its junction with Darlinghurst Rd, formerly Woolloomooloo Rd, was the property of the Hon Richard Jones MC known as "Merchant Jones" which extended into, & along Darlinghurst Rd. The property was built on a portion of land 3 acres 2 rods & 8 perches in extent, formerly granted on 19th October 1831 to Mr S.A. Perry. The land extending between it & Roslyn Hall was afterwards the site of Alberto Terrace, built & owned by John Solomon.
Next going east was a grant dated 23rd September 1839, of 4 acres 2 rods & 24 Perches, to Thomas McQuoid mentioned before.
"Kellett House" was built on it by Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson, the first Premier in 1856 under Responsible Government; he lived there for some years & it was afterwards owned by Mr W.F. Buchanon, who pulled down the house, & built a terrace there known as "Bayswater Terrace"
Then there came "Sevenoaks" & "Eaton" where Mr Edward Knox, & afterwards Captain Martindale, then occupied by Mr Edward Fosberty, the late Inspector General of Police
On the opposite side of Princes Road (Off Bayswater Road) & in front of "Sevenoaks" which also had a frontage to that road, were 2 cottages, one known as "Lara" was occupied by Mr James Norton - Solicitor, before he went to Double Bay. The other house was pulled down & it has been occupied by Lady Dowling, when she vacated "Brougham Lodge" on the death of Sir James Dowling, & after her Sir Henry Parkes & Mr W.H. Piddington.
Then to the east of Upper William Street North came 2 cottages next to "Eaton" with an old fashioned wooden pump at the bottom of the private road between them, belonging to Mr T.W. Smart. Then there was Vacant Land round & along the gate of Roslyn Hall, owned by Mr Thomas Barker; he built the house, Mr Ambrose Hallen being the architect, living there for a time. St Canice Roman Catholic Church Stands on the site of the exit gate of the property
"It is hardly Visible to the eye from the South Head Road, being surrounded by Advertisement Boardings. Opposite was West's Bush, densely timbered, where the black used to camp.
Just to the north of "Craigend" is "Goderich Lodge" which was built & lived in by Mr T McQuiud, the then Sheriff in the 1830's until he died in 1841. The Bishop of Sydney (Dr William Grant Broughton was also a tenant, also Mr S.A. Perryu, the Deputy Surveyor General, Mr William Carr Solicitor in 1848, Mr Charles Scott - Ironmonger, & Mr Frederick Tooth Sold it to Captain Charles Smith of the firm Mcdonald Smith & Co, & was occupied by his widow. At one time its gardens extended to the Junction of Upper William Street (North) now Bayswater Road, & Upper William Street (South) where the Warahtah Hotel is now. Subsequently "Waratah" was built next to & on the East side of "Goderich Lodge"
Just a little below these to the east was a later built house, owned by Mr John Williams, the Crown Solicitor, now "Kurragheen"; next thereto was "Hillside" now the site of a large building to be used as dwelling flats, & next to that was a small cottage...
Behind "Hillside" was a house in which the Late Mr Justice Hargrave resided. The land on which it was built was a portion of 70 Acres grantred on 30th May 1844 to Mr T West. Roslyn St had not been formed but the Southern boundary of the property ran along to the Junction of Macleay St with the site of its present junction with Rosyln St, close there were 2 Windmills owned by Mr T Barker.
The "Roslyn Hall" property fronted Macleay St, & the second iron lattice entrance gate at the entrance was in Darlinghurst Rd, nearly opposite "Springfield".The house was a large well built mansion, with a spiral iron staircase to the upper storey; the rooms were large, with a bath fixed in most of the bedrooms level with the floor, so that one had to step down, not up, to get into it.
"Roslyn Hall" was one of the gayest houses of the time. The land extended on the South East to the site of St Canince Church, taking in Roslyn Gardens & Roslyn Road to the East, & on the north "Barnclueth" now called "Kinneil" & part of Elizabeth Bay Road.
To the north is "Chevverals" on part of the Macleay grant, next came a large substantial cottage or low built house at the corner of Macleay Street.
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Spacious Days Of Long Ago - New Flats For Old Mansions - A Legacy of Ill - Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday 23rd July 1938 - Page 13
- Specific Houses Mentioned in Article are -
- Craigend Mill - Built of Stone - 90ft High - DEMOLISHED
- "Roslyn Hall" - DEMOLISHED
- "Larbert Lodge" @ Larbert Avenue - DEMOLISHED
- "Grantham" - DEMOLISHED 1937
- "Springfield Lodge" - DEMOLISHED
- "Tusculum" -
- "Rockwall" -
- "Tarmons" - Part Of The Catholic School - Home of Sir Maurice O'Connell
- "Barnclueth" (Kinniel) - DEMOLISHED - Made A Multi Level Carpark
- "Maranamah" - DEMOLISHED - King Cross Park - Fitzroy Gardens
- "Cheverells" - DEMOLISHED
* Elizabeth Bay House - The Entrance Gates To The Private Carriageway Stood At The Start Of Elizabeth Bay Road & Onslow Avenue. The Stables Were Located At Holdsworth Avenue
* Jenner House -
- "Greenknowe" - DEMOLISHED - Made Greenknowe Avenue
- "Orwell House" - DEMOLISHED - Made Orwell Street
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.
This cottage was purchased and considerably added to & converted into a house by Mr Sparke, who named it "Maranamah", & his family lived there for a time. Located at 64 Macelay Street.
Fitzroy Gardens wasn't always a public Space & Park. There used to be 3 Exlusively Beautiful Homes on the land.
"Maramanah" was built in the 1840's for the shipping Merchant Deloitte. The house was then sold to Anna Challis.....
From There it went through many owners, including the Hollander Family Who featured in Robin Dalton's 1965 Memoir Aunts Up The Cross"
During the Second World War, "Maranamah" became a recreational centre for the USA Navy & then a Royal Navy Canteen. When the War was over, several returned Servicemen & their families Squatted in the 20 Room Mansion, demanding they be allowed to live in it. There was a lack of Post War Housing, & the Community supported them but the Mood Changed when it was alleged that Communist Party Meetings were taking Place inside.
"Maranamah" was taken over by the City Of Sydney, & operated as a Hostel until the Mansion & its Grounds were added to The Parcel of land from which Fitzroy Gardens was created and demolished in 1954.
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"Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street
The Ikon building - formerly the Chevron Hotel - may have a Special Place in Potts Point History, but it actually stands On the Site of A Plush hotel & Guesthouse named "Cairo". Featuring 2 Lawn Tennis Courts & a large Garden. "Cairo" Started its life as a Mansion Called "Prestonville" & Only became a Hotel in 1911.
In 1929 Mrs JJ Copeman sold "Cairo" at 81 Macleay Street for 45,000 Pounds to Mr LH Hinks. It was his intention to build a Big Block Of Flats on the site.
It Was Widely Regarded As one Of The Most Beautiful Buildings in Kings Cross, until it was Knocked Down in 1959 to Make Way for Sydneys Most cutting Edge Hotel.
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"Barnclueth" adjoining "Roslyn Hall" was occupied by Mr John Brown, Senior Partner of Brown & Co, wine & spirit merchants & afterwards Mr Hernry Moore, the Agent for P&O company, when the Steamers of the company only arrived once a month, & fired a gun off Fort Denison to announce their arrival. It was later purchased by Mr Amos, the Contractor, & added to & modernised, & is now called "Kinneil" & utilised as a boarding house
Following down Macleay Street, next to the house occupied Mr Hodgson, the land was vacant until arriving at "Greenknowe", also on portion of the Macleay Grant, the residence of Mr John Gilchrist the Senior Partnert of Gilchrist, Watt & Co & it was ultimately purchased
Next came two smaller dwellings, & then "Larbert Lodge" which was built & tenanted by Mr C.D. Riddell, the Colonial Treasurer.
Next to this property was a stone rubble wall, the western boundary of the Macleay Grant, down to the centre of Potts Point, where "Chatsworth": was built in later days by the Hon C J Roberts. This Wall was erected by William Sharp Mackey, a son of Alexander Macleay. He was a recluse & a naturalist. He had the credit of having loose bloodhounds about the property as a safeguard against thieves & marauders, but I think this was only meant for a scare. He always guarded the beach on Elizabeth Bay, & wouldn't allow anyone to land there, or even anchor a boat there. The Macleay property was 54 Aceres in extent, & was granted to Mr Alexander Macleay By Governor Darling in 1828, who in despatch to the Right Honourable William Huskinsson, dated 128th March 1828 stated: - "The land granted to Mr Macelay at Elizabeth Bay, a mile & a half from Sydney, was for the purpose of erecting a family house & cultivating a garden. Mr Macleays knowledge as a Horticulturalist is likely to prove beneficial to the Colony. He has already spent a considerable sum on the improvement & cultivation of his grounds, & in erecting a stable & offices preparatory to building a house, which it is his intention shortly to commence, From the manner in which he has entered into this undertaking & scale on which he has commenced to settle & stock the land he has received for agricultural purposes ( the usual grant of 2,500 acres), he will, no doubt, prove an important acquisition to the Colony in this respect alone, the Capital which he has already vested in stock & is still continuing to expand, being considerable."
The Grant took in all Elizabeth Bay & the Western Frontage of Rushcutter's Bay, as far as the Eastern boundary of "Roslyn Hall". It was approached by Elizabeth Bay Rd, as at present. The house was the present "Elizabeth Bay House", another good speccimen of the family mansion.
The frontage to Macleay Street, from the corner of Elizabeth Bay Rd to "Chatsworth" was later built upon.
The rest of the estate, with the exception of Elizabeth bay House, & grounds, was later divided into numerous building allotment by Mr Alexander Macleay's Son, the late Sir George Macleay, & let on long building leases, on which the present residence & villas were erected. The formal Grant was dated 19th October 1831. Elizabeth Point was so named by Governor Macquarie after his wife's Second Name. The Native name was "Yarrandabby"
A large portion of land near ther extreme Potts Point, 11 Acres in extent, was originally granted to Mr Judge Adviocate John Wylde on the 1st November 1822 (who was the last Judge Advocate, & for a short time a Judge of the Supreme Court under the Charter of 1823) who delayed fuilfilling the conditions of the grant, for Governor Darling in the above despatch of 26th March 1828 states :- "The Allotment bearing Judge Wyldes name was grasnted to that Gentleman by Governor Macquarie several years sincce, & still remains unimproved. I propose writing to inform the Judge that it will be resumed by the Government unless the conditions of the grant are speedily fulfilled. "
However, he ultimately fulfilled the conditions. he subsequently converyed 6 & a half acres of it to Mr J.H. Potts, who was one of the early officers of the Bank Of New South Wales, hence the Name Potts Point. It was also called Point Campbell in a survery by Governor Phillip in 1792. The native name was "Carrageen" The street from the end of Macleay Street opposite "Grantham" is called Wylde Street, evidently after the judge.
On the North Side of this street, built on this land, were the present "Bellevue", "Clarens","Creelwood", "Clifford","Tarana", some of which have been rebuilt or added to or renamed, including the site of Mr W.R. Halls modern "Wildfell", & opposite thereto "Bomerah", belonging to the McQuade family, a few years ago occupied by the Admiral on the station. Then the property "Cintra" & "Campbell lodge" (a portion of the same grant) of Mr J F Hilly, the architect, & opposite this was "Grantham Ville" built on the remaining four & half acres of John Wyldes Grant. This land, on which the house was erected, became, through the purchase from the Judge, the property of Mr Caleb Wilson, the fatheer of Felix Wilson, a defendant in the celebrated Newtown Ejectment Suit of "Devine v Wilson"
he Built the first house on the property, which he called "Caleb Castle" & by reason of its turrets, it was also known as the "Pepper Pot", & afterwards as "Grantham Ville"; it subsequently became the property of Mr F Parbury. It then passed into the hands of the Late Mr Henry Dangar, & it is now owned by his son the Hon H.C. Dangar M.L.C, who almost wholly rebuilt it in 1870, and changed the name to "Grantham"
Immediately Opposite "Grantham Ville" was "Clarens" before mentioned, which was in 1847 purchased by Mr George Richard Griffiths, father of Mr F.C Griffiths who came out to Sydney as the General Manager of the Bank Of Australasia, & after resigning this appointment he conducted a Merchants business in Sydney under the style Of Griffiths, Graham & Co. He sold out when he went to England in 1853.
Later this property was occupied by Sir James Martin, the Chief Justice, & is now under the name of "Wilga", owned & occupied by Dr Faithful.
On the West side Of Macleay Street, next to "Grantham" came Dr Douglas's Grant of 8 Acres & 9 Perches on the 19th October 1831. He afterwards sold it 22nd September 1832 to Colonel Shadforth, Who built "Adelaide Cottage" on it. The land extended from Macleay Street down to the waters of Woolloomooloo Bay. The whole property came later into the possession of Mr J.H. Challis (Manager for Messrs Flower, Salting & Co, who gave it with another property as a magnificent Bequest, valued at 250,000 Pounds to the University of Sydney. For some time after his deatth it was occupied by Mr MacDonald, of MacDonald Smith & Co.
Buildings Mentioned -
- Adelaide Cottage - Demolished
- Alberto Terrace - Demolished
- Barham - Demolished
- Barnclueth aka Kinniel - Demolished
- Bayswater Terrace - Demolished
- Bellevue - Demolished
- Bomerah
- Brougham Lodge - Demolished
- Cairo - aka Prestonville - Demolished
- Campbell Lodge - Demolished
- Chatsworth - Demolished
- Cheverells - Demolished
- Cintra - Demolished
- Clarens - aka "Wilga" Demolished
- Clifford - Demolished
- Craigend - Hyndes windmill - Demolished
- Creelwood - Demolished
- Eaton - Demolished
- Elizabeth Bay House
- Goderich Lodge - Demolished
- Grantham - Demolished
- Greenknowe - Demolished
- Hillside - Demolished
- Jenner House
- Kellett House - Demolished
- Kurragheen - Demolished
- Lara - Demolished
- Larbert Lodge - Demolished
- Maranamah - Demolished
- Orwell House - Demolished
- Rockwall
- Rosebank - Demolished
- Rose Hall - Demolished
- Roslyn Hall - Demolished
- Seven Oakes - Demolished
- Springfield - Demolished
- Tarana - Demolished
- Tarmons - Partly Demolished
- Telford Lodge - Demolished
- Tusculum
- Waratah - Demolished
- Wildfell - Demolished
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When you look at the list of names of these Houses & Properties, it really shows just how many things have been demolished in Sydney - Potts Point especially.
Not much has been saved at all. What a shame... Some of those houses and Properties and Frontages could've been Integrated into the new buildings, but no thought was ever put to that. it was all about just bulldozing them over.
We can be thankful for the protests and Green Bans in the 1970's when they were going to fully destroy "The Rocks" - "Woolloomooloo" and "Victoria Street". There was even talk of Destroying The Queen Victoria Building to make way for a Carpark for the Sydney Council.
Elizabeth Bay House Would've Matched Vaucluse House had the grounds and waterfront had been kept
There are just so many things that could've been integrated and maintained, it really just shows a lack of vision and greed of the time. Properties like Craigend, Roslyn Hall, Larbert Lodge, Greenknowe, Goderich Lodge, Springfield Lodge, Grantham,, Maranamah, Orwell House shoul'dve kept and maintained. There could've been so many uses for those original
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POTTS POINT, DARLING
POINT AND NEIGHBOUR-
HOOD, IN THE EARLY
DAYS.
Read by Mr. Arthur
Dowling, before the Australian
Historical Society, on 25TH Sep-
tember, 1906.
POTTS POINT.
In view of the changes, which have taken
place in recent years in the ownership, oc-
cupation, and nomenclature of various pro-
perties adjacent to Sydney & intimately
associated with her earlier days, it may not
be unprofitable to trace the history and
vicissitudes of some of them. There are
no locations which give better scope for
this kind of research than “ Potts Point ”
& “ Darling Point.” They were, in the
earliest days, selected as the natural and
proper sites for the “West End’ of the
Metropolis, & the fact of their being at
the “ East End ” is only a confirmation of
the old idea among Britishers that every-
thing Australian is the converse of what
it ought to be. Both were & are ideal
sites for suburban residences, but the
former has been lately sadly shorn of many
of its attractions, & there is too much
reason to fear that the facilities provided
by those in authority for the convenience
& advance of commerce, will deprive its
residents of the quiet & repose they have
hitherto enjoyed.
Commencing with Darlinghurst (in the
early days called “Henrietta Town,” after
Governor Macquarie’s wife’s first Christian
name), the first house of note in.
the thirties was “ Craigend” fronting
Upper William Street South, now Woll-
cott Street, built by Sir Thomas Mitchell,
the then Surveyor-General. It was after-
wards occupied by Mr. G. J. Rogers, soli-
citor, by Mr. Henry Prince, warehouse-
man, & others. Afterwards it was con-
verted into a hospital, & now it is a
boarding-house, the last use that many
large houses are now generally put to.
The building is a good specimen of the
fine old building of the early days, & it is
now- as strong and substantial as it was
when built. Just behind it was the last of
the old Darlinghurst Windmills, known as
Hynde’s, in addition to which there had
been three, just near the Gaol, two of which
were of wood, erected so as to enable them
to be turned by manual labour to the wind.
The larger mill turned mechanically. Just
to the north of Craigend is “Goderich
Lodge” which was built & lived in by Mr.
T. McQuoid, the then sheriff, in the 1830's & the 1840's, till he died in 1841.
The Bishop of Sydney (Dr. William
Grant Broughton) was at one time a
tenant, also Mr. S. A. Perry, the Deputy-
Surveyor-General, Mr. William Carr, soli-
citor, in 1848, Mr. Charles Scott, iron-
monger, & Mr. Frederick Tooth owned it
in the 1850's. Mr. Tooth sold it to Captain
Charles Smith, of the firm of “ McDonald,
Smith, & Co” & it is now occupied by
his widow. At one time its garden ex-
tended to the junction of Upper William
Street North (now Bayswater Road)
& Upper William Street South,
where the “Waratah Hotel” is
now. Subsequently “Waratah” was
built next to, & on the east side of
“Goderich Lodge” & on part of the pro-
perty, as at present, but with the remainder
of the land still vacant & used as a gar-
den, converging at the junction of the two
streets mentioned above. I remember it in
this state, when in the occupation of Mr.
George King, in 1859. It was at one time
occupied by Mr. Edwin Tooth, & Mrs.
Tooth died there.
Across Upper William Street at its
junction with Darlinghurst Road, formerly
Woolloomooloo Road, was the property of
the Hon. Richard Jones, M.C., known as
“ Merchant Jones” (not the father of
Richard Jones, woolbroker, of the present
day), which extended into & along Dar-
linghurst Road. The property was built
on a portion of land 3 acres 2 roods and
8 perches in extent, formerly granted on
19th October, 1831, to Mr. S. A. Perry.
The land extending between it and up
to Roslyn Hall was afterwards the site
of Alberto Terrace, built & owned by
Mr John Solomon. Next going east was
a grant dated 23rd September, 1839, of 4
acres 2 roods and 24 perches, to Thomas
McQuoid, mentioned before; “Kellett
House” was built on it by Sir Stuart Alex-
ander Donaldson, the first Premier in 1856
under Responsible Government; he lived
there for some years, & it afterwards was
owned by Mr. W. F. Buchanan, who pulled
down the house & built the present ter-
race there, known as “Bayswater Terrace.”
Then came “Sevenoaks” where my parents
lived, & Eaton where Mr. Edward
Knox, & afterwards Captain Martindale,
lived& now owned & occupied by
Mr. Edward Fosbery, the late Inspector-
General of Police. On the opposite side
of Princes Road (off Bayswater Road),
& in front of “Sevenoaks” which
also had a frontage to that road,
were two cottages, one of which,
known as “Lara” was occupied by Mr.
James Norton, solicitor (afterwards the
late Hon. Dr. Norton), before he went to
Double Bay. The house is still there; the
other house was pulled down a few years
ago, & it had been occupied by Lady
Dowling, when she vacated “Brougham
Lodge on the death of Sir James Dowling,
& after her by Mr. (later Sir) Henry
Parkes & Mr. VV. H. Piddington. Then
to the east on Upper William Street North
came two cottages next to “Eaton” with
an old-fashioned wooden pump at the bot-
tom of the private road between them, be-
longing to Mr. T. W. Smart. These houses
are there now. Then the land was vacant
round & along to the gate of “Roslyn
Hall” owned by Mr. Thomas Barker; he
built the house, Mr. Ambrose Hallen being
the architect, living there for a time.
St. Canice R.C. Church stands on the site
of the exit gate of the property.
Just a little below these cottages to the
east was a later built house, owned by the
late Mr. John Williams, the Crown Soli-
citor, now “Kurragheen” next thereto was
“Hillside” now the site of a large building
to be used as dwelling flats, & next
thereto was & still is a small cottage in
which my parents lived before removing
to Sevenoaks. It is hardly visible to the
eye from the South Head Road, being sur-
rounded by advertisement hoardings. Op-
posite was West’s Bush, densely timbered,
where the blacks used to camp. Behind
“Hillside” was a house in which the late
Mr. Justice Hargrave resided. The land
on which it was built was portion of 70
acres granted on 30th May, 1844, to T.
West. Roslyn Street had not been formed,
as at present, but the southern boundary of
the property ran along to the junction of
Macleay Street, with the site of its present
junction with Roslyn Street; close thereto
were two windmills, owned by Mr. T.
Barker, one of which was (if not both) let
to one Gerard. The Roslyn Hall property
fronted Macleay Street, & the second iron
lattice entrance gate at the front entrance
was situate in Darlinghurst Road, nearly
opposite “Springfield” The house was a
large well-built mansion, with a spiral iron
staircase to the upper story; the rooms
were large, with a bath fixed in most of the
bedrooms, level with the floor, so that one
had to step down, not up, to get into it.
“Roslyn Hall” was one of the gayest
houses of the time. The land extended on
the south-east to the site of St. Canice
Church, taking in Roslyn Gardens &
Roslyn Road on the east, & on the north
“Barncleuth” now “Kinneil” & part of
Elizabeth Bay Road.
To the north is “Cheverells” on part of
the Macleay grant, where Captain Deloitte,
Mr. David Jones, of David Jones & Co, &
afterwards.the late Hon. W. R. Campbell
resided; next came a large substantial cot-
tage, or low built house, at the corner of
Macleay Street, also built on portion of the
Macleay grant. I cannot remember who
first occupied it, but at one time Mr.
Arthur Hodgson lived there, Mr. Hugh
Gordon, grazier of “Strathbogie” was the
tenant later, and afterwards it was
tenanted by the Hon. J. B. Watt & the
Hon. S. A. Joseph, & in the early days it
was occupied by Mr. J. H. Challis.
Some years ago this cottage was pur-
chased, considerably added to, & con-
verted into a house by Mr. Sparke, who
named it “Maranamah” & his family
lived there for a time, & now Mr. Hol-
lander is the tenant. “Barncleuth” ad-
joining “Roslyn Hall” was occupied by
Mr. John Brown, senior partner of Brown
& Co. wine & spirit merchants, &
afterwards by Mr. Henry Moore, the agent
for the P&O. Company, when the
steamers of the company only ani\ed once
a month, & fired a gun when of Fort
Denison to announce their arrival. It was
later purchased by Mr. Amos, the contrac-
tor. & added to & modernised, & is
now called “Kinneil” & utilised as a
boarding-house. Following down Mac-
leay Street, next to the house occupied by
Mr. Hodgson, the land was vacant until ar-
riving at “Greenknowe" also on portion
of the Macleay Grant, the residence of Mr.
John Gilchrist, the senior partner of the
well-known firm of Gilchrist. Watt &
Co. which he built in 1846, under the
supervision of Mr. James Hume, a very
good architect & builder of the day. Mr.
Salting, of Messrs. Flower, Salting &
Co. once occupied it, then it was let to
various tenants, & was ultimately pur-
chased by Mr. F. H. Dangar. who still
owns it. Next came two smaller dwellings,
& then “Larbert Lodg,” which was built
& tenanted by Mr. C. D. Riddell, the
then Colonial Treasurer fat a later date the
late Captain Lamb lived there for several
years. At the present time Mr. Norman
Cohen lives there. Next to this property
was a stone rubble wall, the western boun-
dary of the Macleay grant, down to about
the centre of Potts Point, where ‘‘Chats-
worth" was built in later days by the Hon.
C. J. Roberts. This wall was erected by
William Shairp Macleay, a son of Alexan-
der Macleay. He was a recluse & a na-
turalist. He had the credit of having loose
bloodhounds about the property as a safe-
guard against thieves & marauders, but
I think this was only meant for a scare.
He always guarded the beach on Elizabeth
Bay, & would not allow anyone to land
there, or even anchor a boat near thereto.
The Macleay property was 54 acres in ex-
tent, & was granted to Mr. Alexander
Macleay by Governor Darling in 1828, who
in a despatch to the Right Honorable
William Huskisson, dated the 26th of
March, 1828, stated: "The land granted to
Mr. Macleay at Elizabeth Bay, a mile &
a half from Sydney, was for the purpose
of erecting a family house & cultivating
a garden. Mr. Macleay’s knowledge as a
horticulturalist is likely to prove beneficial
to the Colony. He has already spent a
considerable sum on the improvement &
cultivation of his grounds, & in erecting
a stable & offices preparatory to building
a house, which it is his intention shortly to
commence. From the manner in which he
has entered into this undertaking & the
scale on which he has commenced to settle
& stock the land he has received for agri-
cultural purpose (the usual grant of 2500
acres), he will, no doubt, prove an im-
portant acquisition to the Colony in this
respect alone, the capital which he has al-
ready vested in stock & is still continuing
to expend, being considerable.” The grant
took in all Elizabeth Bay & the western
frontage of Rushcutter’s Bay, as far as
the eastern boundary of “Roslyn Hall"
It was approached by the Elizabeth Bay
Road, as at present. The house was the
present “Elizabeth Bay House" another
good specimen of the old family mansion.
The frontage to Macleay Street,
from the corner of Elizabeth Bay Road
to Chatsworth, was later built upon.
The rest of the estate, with the excep-
tion of “Elizabeth Bay House” &
grounds, was later divided into numer-
ous building allotments by Mr. Alex-
ander Macleay’s son, the late Sir George
Macleay, & let on long building leases,
on which the present residence & villas
were erected. The formal grant was dated
19th October, 1831. Elizabeth Point was
so named by Governor Macquarie after his
wife’s second name. The native name was
‘‘Yarrandabby.” That of Macleay Point
was “Terrowan.” A large portion of land
near the extreme Potts Point, 11 acres in ex-
tent, was orginallv granted to Mr. Judge
Advocate John Wylde on the Ist Novem-
ber, 1822 (who was the last Judge Advo-
cate, & for a short time a Judge of the
Supreme Court under the Charter of 1824),
who delayed fulfilling the conditions of the
grant, for Governor Darling in the above
despatch of 26th March, 1828, states: "The
allotment bearing Judge Wylde’s name was
granted to that gentleman by Governor
Macquarie several years since, & still re-
mains unimproved. I propose writing to
inform the Judge that it will be resumed by
the Government unless the conditions of
the grant are speedily fulfilled.’’ How-
ever, he ultimately fulfilled the conditions.
He subsequently conveyed 6/ acres of
it to Mr. J. IT. Potts, who was one of the
early officers of the Bank of New South
Wales, hence the name Potts Point. It
was also called Point Campbell in a survey
by Governor Phillip in 1792. The native
name was “ Carrageen.” The street from
the end of Macleay Street, opposite
“Grantham” is called Wylde Street, evi-
dently after the Judge. On the north side
of this street, built on this land, were the
present “Bellevue” “Clarens” “Creel-
wood” “Clifford” “Tarana” some of
which have been rebuilt or added to &
renamed, including the site of Mr. W. R.
Hall’s modern “Wildfell” & opposite
thereto “Bomerah” belonging to the
McQuade family, a few years ago occu-
pied by the Admiral on the Station. Then
the property “Cintra” & “Campbell
Lodge” (a portion of the same grant), of
Mr. J. F. Hilly, the architect; & opposite
this was “Grantham Ville” built on the re-
maining 4F2 acres of John Wylde’s grant.
This land, on which the house was erected,
became, through purchase from the Judge,
the property of Mr. Caleb Wilson, the
father of Felix Wilson, a defendant
in the celebrated Newtown Ejectment
Suit of “ Devine v. Wilson.” He built the
first house on the property, which he called
“Caleb Castle” & by reason of its tur-
rets it was also known as the “Pepper Pot,”
and afterwards as “Grantham Ville”; it
subsequently became the property of Mr. F.
Parbury. It then passed into the hands of
the late Mr. Henry Dangar, & it now is
owned by his son, the Hon. H. C. Dangar.
M.L.C., who almost wholly rebuilt it in
1870, & changed the name to “Grant-
ham” Immediately opposite “Grantham
Ville” was “Clarens” before mentioned,
which was in 1847 purchased by Mr.
George Richard Griffiths, father of Mr.
F. C. Griffiths, who came out to
Sydney as the general manager of Bank of
Australasia, & after resigning this ap-
pointment he conducted a merchant's busi-
ness in Sydney under the style of Griffiths,
Graham, and Co. & afterwards Griffiths.
Fanning & Co. He sold out when he
went to England in 1853. Later this pro-
perty was occupied by Sir James Martin, the
Chief Justice, & is now under the name
of “Wilga” owned and occupied by Dr.
Faithful. On the west side of Macleay
Street, next to Grantham, came Dr.
Douglas’ grant of 8 acres and 9 perches on
the 19th October, 1831. He afterwards
sold it on 22nd September, 1832, to Colonel
Shadforth, who built Adelaide Cottage
upon it. The land extended from Macleay
Street down to the waters of Woolloo-
tnooloo Bay. The whole property came
later into the possession of Mr. J. H.
Challis (manager for Messrs. Flower, Salt-
ing & Co. & later a partner), who
gave it with other property as a magnificent
bequest, valued at £250,000, to the Univer-
sity of Sydney. For some time before &
after Mr. Challis’ death it was occupied by
Mr. Macdonald, of Macdonald, Smith, &
Co.
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