In the late 1830s the land of Fitzroy was subdivided into sections along with other areas north of the city. Within Fitzroy there were 12 sections, the most undesirable, being section 85 which consisted of majority swamp lands. I am not sure who purchased section 85 of Jika Jika parish, but, at some point between the late 1830’s and 1970’s the land becomes the property of J.M. Smith Esq. a solicitor from England who was fast making his fortunes in Melbourne. Over the period from 1840-1880 the large sections of Fitzroy were broken down and subdivided for the purpose of building houses (refer Fitzroy – Melbourne’s First Suburb, p.10-11, The First Suburb by Miles Lewis). The last of these sections was section 85. In 1876, a plan for the subdivision of the block bordered by Cecil St (N), Young St (W), Westgarth St (S) and Napier St (E) was created. You can see from the map below that there was a strange design applied to the sites. In particular, on Napier St, site 12, 14, 16 and 18 were double blocks.
I am not sure if Reynolds and Oliver purchased the land at the initial release, but they managed to purchase site 12 (Reynolds) and site 13 (Oliver) which became the terraces of 427-433 Napier Street. Reynolds remains the owner of 427 and 431 until the houses were sold after his death in 1928.
John Richards (Salesman) – resident 1894-5
Mrs Jane Henderson – resident 1900
Miss Mary Armfield – resident 1905
Albert S James – resident 1910
Henry Anders – resident 1920
James Bills – resident 1925
James Bills (Watchman) and Elizabeth Jane Bills (Home Duties) – resident 1925 (Australian Electoral Roll, 1925).
The pair of houses, 427 and 429 were sold in 1928 for 1270 pounds (The Argus, 28 May 1928).
Leslie J Whiting – resident 1930
Percival Fraser – resident 1935
William Brown – resident 1940
Martin P Hurley – resident 1945
In 1947: Catherine Grace Hurley dies at 429 Napier Street passes away “HURLEY – On April 16, at 429 Napier Street, Fitzroy, Catherine Grace dearly beloved daughter of Benjamin and Mary Densley of Yarrawonga, loved sister of Thomas and Neville (Mrs Francis, deceased)” (The Age, 18 Apr 1947, Family Notices).
Martin P Hurley – resident 1950
G Ancora – resident 1955
H A Bilston – resident 1960
Resident not recorded in 1965
LM Irwin – resident 1970-1975
