Originally this pair of houses were numbered 35 and 37 Cecil Street. They were built somewhere in 1867 (the Burchett Index suggests the permit for 2 3 room brick cottages was sought on 30 April 1867) by their owner Benjamin Woodhead who resided at what is now 43 Cecil Street. The houses were recorded as being built by Benjamin Woodhead who was a qualified builder, but he may have also used the assistance of George Sparkes (Mason) who was living on Woodhead’s land in 1867.
The first record of these houses in the Sands & MacDougall was that a Frederic Collis was living at 35 and 37 was vacant.
It is likely that Benjamin Woodhead used these properties along with the two left of this, being 47 and 49 Cecil Street (which were built in 1871) as a steady form of income. You can read all about Benjamin Woodhead in the post on 43 Cecil Street.
In 1871, the two houses are recorded as Brick 3 bedroom cottages.
Residents during Benjamin Woodhead’s ownership:
51 Cecil Street
- 1871 – Benjamin Parker (Brewer) – you can see more about Benjamin Parker here
- 1872 – Charles Mitchell (Miller)
- 1873-1875 ?
- 1876 – Henry Whitely (Leather Cutter)
- 1877 – 1878- Arthur W Ferne (Draper)
- 1879-1881 – Henry Whitely (Engine Driver) – probably the same Henry as above, but with a new career?
- 1882-1884 – Geofrey Taylor (Clerk)
- 1885-1888 – Thomas Henry Linds (Plasterer)
- 1889 – Charles Peterson (Labourer)
- -1890?
- 1891 – George Smith (Storeman)
- 1892 – James Jewell (French Polisher)
- 1893-1895 – John Kearney (Blacksmith)
- 1896 – Vacant
- 1897 – William Thomas (Confectioner)
- 1898 – James Lawes (Storeman)
- 1898 – Frank Hannaker (Railway Employee)
- 1900 – Richard Norgrove (Sawyer)
53 Cecil Street
- 1871 – Patrick Campbell (Grocer)
- 1872 – John Fragan? (Printer)
- 1873-1875 ?
- 1876 – Frederick Green (Accountant)
- 1877 – Peter Hatten (Teacher)
- 1878 – 1880- John McPhee (Clerk) – curiously in 1878 his name was spelt ‘McFee’
- 1881-1883 – Albert Reid (Watchmaker)
- 1884-1885 – Thomas Anderson (Driver)
- 1886-1889 – Thomas Paul (Coach Painter)
- 1889-1890 ?
- 1891 – Thomas Harvey (Driver)
- 1892 – Vacant
- 1893-1896 – Edward Flemming (Painter)
- 1897-1898 – Peter Morrison (Boilermaker)
- 1898-1900 – Laurits Hansen (Labourer)
The Properties must have been sold between 1900 and 1902 when Woodhead passes away. In 1905, both are still rented by Norgrove and Hansen.
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