The photo above shows the current 39 Westgarth Terrace on the left, the two little terrace houses of 41 and 43, and then off to the right 45 and 47.
These terrace houses (the remaining two) have such a massive history and are quite old compared to some of the housing in the north of south Fitzroy. The terraces were built for Isaac Hart in 1860 by Robert Pritchard of 86 Barney St Richmond. The Burchett Index describes them as six cottages registered to be built on 11 May 1860 and by 19 Dec 1860, they were adverstised in the Argus (p.8)
‘To Let, first-class COTTAGES. Westgarth terrace, Westgarth-street, Collingwood. Low rend of 12s, 6d per week. Water and taxes paid. Apply at the cottages.’
One of the first in the properties was Henry Hart, who may have been some relation to Isaac? Perhaps he managed the rental of the Properties given Isaac resided in Melbourne.
Owner
Isaac Hart was part of the Board of Education (Victoria Government Gazette, 2 September 1862) and resided in Melbourne. Other than this, I haven’t fully researched Isaac Hart.
It appear Isaac Hart tried to sell the properties shortly after their completion. On 19 January 1861, the advert ran in the Herald (p2):
‘Monday, 28th January. Unreserved Sale. Important Sale of Valuable Freehold Properties. Six Cottages and Land known as Westgarth terrace, in Westgarth street, Fitzroy, between Nicholson and Brunswick streets…. All that piece or parcel of land having a frontage of 99 feet to Westgarth street, by a depth of 88 feet to a right-of-way 12 feet wide.
Upon this piece of land is erected six well and faithfully built bluestone-fronted brick three-room cottages with front gardens, large yards with brick drains, strong fence, water laid on to each house and every convenience required for a comfortable residence.
The situation of this property is in immediate proximity to to the proposed line of street railways which are in course of formation, and the manner in which the Fitzroy Municipal Council are completing all the streets within the neighbourhood renders it of much greater value than it previously has been. The property is known as “Westgarth terrace”, and is situate in that portion of Westgarth street running from Nicholson to Brunswick streets, and the auctioneers can confidently recommend it to the consideration of those who are seeking a reliable investment. The houses, which have recently been completed, can be viewed at any time by intending purchases, on applying between 2 and 6 p.m. daily, at No.6 on the premises.’
Again, it looks like Henry Hart (see under Residents, record that Henry Hart was resident at #6 in 1860-61) assisted with this sales process, but it doesn’t appear that the properties sold, as in 1871, the Rate Books show that Isaac Hart still owns the properties, with 3 being rented out and there were further advertisements in April 1861 to rent cottages.
In June 1862, the neighbouring property is sold, but not much is shared about it (Argus, 21 Jun 1862, p.3). other than it is 3 rooms and built of stone and brick.
The numbering above aligns with the Sands & McDougall 1870 listing, which also helpfully outlined the name of the set of terraces as ‘Westgarth Terrace’. And in 1890, Sands & McDougall, again list the name of the Terrace. And in that way we can align the properties with todays numbering. But it appears number 37 is missing.
And then by 1899 of the six terraces, only 2 seem to remain.
And even more interesting is that the buildings above of 39 and 47, also seem to have been replaced, probably both very early 1900s.
Residents
I don’t know much about the residents here, but thanks to Barry Stevens, the great grandson of one of the very first residents in this Terrace.
So living at that house when he (Henry Sydney Stevens) was born on 29th January, 1861 would have been his father, William John Stevens who had emigrated from England in 1852, his mother, Mary Jane Stevens nee Tugwell and his brother William John Stevens.
This would have a strange time! We know the apartments were first advertised on 19 December 1860. Then were advertised for sale, with the auction occurring on 28 January 1861. And then just 1 day after, Henry is born in the house.
This is a photo supplied by Barry of William John (Jr) who was born 29 December 1856 in George St, Fitzroy (Collingwood) and Henry Sydney.
I do wonder where the name Henry came from, perhaps Henry Hart who provided the accommodation to William, his heavily pregnant wife and young son?
The 1860-1861 Rate Book shows the six terrace houses, with William John Stevens in #2.
Barry also passed on this newspaper clipping (Sydney Morning Herald 21 Oct, 1881) which reveals that had it not been for Great Grandfather’s reflexes, he would not be corresponding with me today (Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 1881, p5. News of the Day)
Another early resident was Henry Tout, Esquire at #4, who was a merchant. His second daughter (Margaret Mainwaring) married Robert Goodbody, youngest son of John Kingsmill, Esquire., Sheriff’s Deputy, of East Maitland on the 11th April 1861 (Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser – 30 April 1861, p.1)
In 1866, Mrs Skinner, sells by auction all the household furniture and effects of #3 Westgarth-terrace (Argus 6 April 1866) and it looks like it was then out to rent again on the following week (Argus 19 April 1866)