Laurence Butler- the life of a 1798 Irish Rebel: Laurence Butler- Ch. 18: Property Investments

Laurence made several property investments in the period 1815- 1818. They are recorded in the Old Registers, One to Nine:

THE KENT STREET PROPERTY

Laurence Butler (Senior) purchased the property in Kent Street in 1815, registered in 1817 as found in the Old Registers. This Kent Street property, described as 'a dwelling house, outhouses, yards, gardens, ground and premises, situate No. 32 Kent Street’', remained in the Butler family until 1832.

Transcript

No. 32 Kent Street:

July 15^th 1817

Agreement bearing date 27^th day of June 1815 Between Thomas William Middleton of Sydney of the one part and Lawrence Butler of Sydney also Cabinet Maker of the other part reciting as therein is conditioned. It is witnessed that for the consideration therein the said Thomas William Middleton Did bargain and assign over to the said Lawrence Butler all that Dwelling House outhouses yards gardens ground and premises situate No 32 Kent Street then in the occupation of the said Thos Wm Middleton or his under-servants To Hold unto the said Laurence Butler his Heirs and assigns for ever which Agreement is witnessed by Wm Beard _ and was Registered at 10 Am of the 15^th day of July 1817

Book A 1817 [1]

(NB. Thomas William Middleton, transported in 1811 for 7-year sentence. In 1828 Census, aged 39, lived O'Connell Street, grazier and brewer.)

In 1832, Laurence's children, Walter, Lawrence Jnr and Mary Ann sold the Kent Street property for £180, although the Deed was signed and registered in 1834. The property is described as on the western side of Kent Street and included two parcels of land, plus house and buildings.

(NSW Registrar General, Deeds Register Branch, Registers of Memorials 1819-1834)

Interestingly, the first party named includes David Greville and George Robert Nicols, while the three children are described as the second party. This is possibly because Mary Ann was underage, and she was in the care of David Greville at his boarding school in the 1828 Census. George Nicols was a personal friend of Walter and Lawrence, and a lawyer who would represent both boys in their numerous court cases in the future, so maybe representing the three of them. Or, the children had borrowed from them against their Kent Street collateral. Notably, the document was signed by just Walter and Lawrence, as, by 1834, Mary Ann had married John Campbell Macdougall and moved to Hobart.

The third party, naming the purchaser is difficult to read- William K___.

Transcript of Description of Land:

All that piece or parcel of ground situate and being on the West side of Kent Street Sydney, measuring in front of the said street 37 feet, in depth on each side 127 feet- and in the rear 38 feet adjoining land of equal dimensions (?) purchased by one Samuel Jones which two parcels of land with the buildings shown were purchased originally by the said Laurence Butler, the conveyance ____ is recorded in the Supreme Court Office in Book 1 No. 98 Together with the House and all buildings therein erected and built with the appurtenances known and distinguished at No. 32 Kent Street and all the Estate etc. etc.

Signed Walter Butler

Laurence Butler

£180 in hand paid

The document mentioned Samuel Jones who appears to have purchased the adjacent property of the similar dimensions, both once held by Laurence Butler.

The £180 paid to the Butlers for this property in 1834, was a large capital gain on the original purchase price. Although no sale price is given in the original purchase document in the Old Register, a number of sales of the adjacent properties at the same time in 1814, do give sale prices which gives us some idea of what Butler would have paid:

Sale prices in the period 1811 to 1814:

Old Registers-5/301/1206- 1814- No. 31 Kent St

Transfer dated 21 Feb 1814 of a house and plot of ground No 31 Kent Street made John Morrison & Andrew Rogers both of HM 73d reg. To Geo Ruff of Sydney In Consideration of ₤36 Stg to have and to hold etc.

Old Registers- 5/300/1202- 1814- No. 35 Kent St- James Dempsey

Memorandum of Agreement 28 Feb 1814

Between Noah Trump of HM 75^th Reg of the one part and James Dempsey of Sydney of the other part….. consideration of the sum of ₤28 Stg paid by James Dempsey…. House and premises situate No 35 Kent Street.

Old Registers- 5/40/488- 1811- No. 34 Kent St

Sale from James O’Connor of HM 73^rd reg unto Geo Ruff Sydney in consideration ₤22- house and premises situate No 34 Kent St formerly known by the name of Wm Davis Tenement

These sales indicate the value to be approximately ₤22 to ₤36 in the period 1811 to 1814.
Most of these properties, numbered 31 to 45 belonged to soldiers in the 73rd Regiment who arrived in January 1810 with their commander Lachlan Macquarie. The military barracks were situated close by and Erskine Street was the military road down to the foreshore where a military bathing area was designated and the Powder Magazine at Soldiers Point at Cockle Bay- it was named after Lt. Gov. Erskine C.B. Colonel commanding the 48th Regiment who left the colony in 1823. In early 1814, the 73rd Regiment shipped out to Ceylon, and the soldiers sold their properties prior to their departure in March 1814.

George Ruff, who already owned No. 34 (bought in 1811), further purchased No.17 (₤15), No.31 (₤36), No.36 (₤20), No.38 (₤12), No.39 (₤40), No.40 (₤9), No.45 (₤20).

At the same time, James Dempsey (Wexford rebel who also arrived on the 'Atlas 2', stone mason and devout Catholic) purchased No 35 (₤28) a 'house and premises, and other premises as therein described'; No. 53 (₤25) with Michael Ryan, 'a house a Premises with furniture'; and an un-numbered property in Kent Street from James Connor of the 73rd for ₤26, a house and allotment of ground. This may be the James O'Connor of the 73rd who had sold his property, No 34, to Geo Ruff in 1811.

1836 Map of Parish of St Philips, Sydney, showing the military barracks and the military officers' bathing area at Soldiers Point at the end of Erskine Street

Section 57 bordering Kent Street, backs onto Cockle Bay

Several advertisements appear to help identify the location of No. 32 Kent Street.

The Butler property description in the sale document in 1832:“being on the West side of Kent Street Sydney, measuring in front of the said street 37 feet, in depth on each side 127 feet- and in the rear 38 feet”

An advertisement in the Sydney Herald 27 June 1836 p1, by Samuel Lyons, selling property in Kent Street “bounded on the north by Butler’s and on the south by Ruff’s Premises, on the east by Kent St and on the west by McGuigan’s”. This particular property was also described as 21 feet in front, and in depth 127 feet. Notably, George Ruff had owned several properties in Kent Street, including No. 31 and No. 34, which could indicate that the property for sale in 1836 was No. 33. (James Dempsey owned No. 35, and William Davis had previously owned No. 34.) However, George Ruff appears to not have been around at that time- maybe the description refers to 'original' owners of the properties. The description also indicates that the property was on the western side of Kent street facing east.

The following advertisement gives us a location clue that No. 32 Kent Street was “near the Blue Lion”, and was held by Mr John Rankin, the importance of which will become apparent:

The advert above in 1837 had ‘John Rankin, Cabinet maker’. It is possible that No. 32 was originally set up as a cabinet making business, and sold as such “together with the House and all buildings therein erected and built with the appurtenances known and distinguished at No. 32 Kent Street”. The location close to the wharves would have been an advantage for delivery of timber.

The following report in 1844 “Committal of the Murderers of the late Mr Noble”, describes the premises of one of the men charged with the murders, Mr John Rankin:

The newspaper articles inform us Rankin resided at No 32 Kent Street, was on the ‘west side of Kent Street’, ‘near the Blue Lion’, and ‘a few doors south from King Street’, which was significant.

John Rankin arrived in the colony per ship ‘Layton’ in November 1829, having been tried, convicted and sentenced to transportation for life, at the Edinburgh Court of Justiciary, 15th December, 1828, for receiving stolen goods, along with his wife and son Henry convicted of theft. No colonial offence recorded against him, and on the 1st March, 1838, he obtained a Ticket-of- Leave for the district of Sydney. His indent papers described him as a merchant. Subsequent records describe him as an agent and carpenter.

1844.— July 13th, Rankin was tried before the Supreme Court of Sydney as “an accessory before the fact to the murder of Mr. James Noble (according to witness, having provided the two pistols and a safe house, and had full knowledge of the intended robbery), committed, and cast for death.”

The convicted murderer George Vigors, in a surprising act of compassion the moment before his execution, appealed to the Under Sheriff for permission to speak, and the “fatal noose was removed from his neck. Vigors then came to the front of gallows, and, with a firm, clear voice, spoke to the following effect: ‘In the situation in which I now stand— not knowing where I am going to, or what I am to suffer— I feel it my duty to say a few words, with respect to the old man, Rankin. I solemnly declare that he had no knowledge — no idea — where we were going, or what we were going to do, on the night we left his house: and I do declare that I had never been in his house — never seen or spoken to him — until the day on which we did the murder.’”

Rankin’s death sentence was subsequently commuted to life in prison in VDL.

(NB. Ref: The Guardian, 17 August 1844; also see The Guardian 27 July 1844 re George Vigors’ punishment record; and the Sydney Morning Herald, 12 June, 17 July, 21 August 1844, for further details of the trial.

The appalling record of lashings for punishment for numerous minor infringes of the rules, including several escape attempts, inflicted on George Vigors between his arrival in 1828 for a sentence of 7 years for theft, and his execution in 1844 for murder, makes difficult reading and is an indictment on the penal system of cruel punishment in the colony at this time.)

1844, 23 November: John Rankin arrived in Tasmania per ‘Governor Phillip’ having had his death sentence of 15 July 1844 commuted to life. His Conduct Record lists him as a carpenter and agent, aged 70, who can read and write. His right hand is crippled. In a statement on this record, John says he has 13 houses in Sydney and is married (seven children). An invalid, he was granted a Ticket of Leave in 1854 and a Conditional Pardon in 1856, and returned to Sydney, dying at his son John Rankin’s home at Clyde Cottage Balmain in 1857 aged 80.

The description of No. 32 Kent Street as ‘south from King Street’ is key in determining which section of Kent Street this property was located, viz. between King Street and Market Street.

Another advert describes No. 32 as “opposite the Cross Keys” pub:

The ‘Blue Lion’ and the ‘Cross Keys’ were pubs on opposite corners of Kent Street and King Street, as indicated in the following:

A list of Sydney pubs in 1840 show three pubs on the corners of Kent and King Streets. Including the ‘Cross Keys’ and the ‘Blue Lion’:

1836 Map of the Town of Sydney (drawn at the Surveyor General’s office), showing Kent Street, which runs North-South, with Cockle Bay on the western side.The blocks of Properties between the streets are marked into ‘Sections’, which will determine which was Butler’s property- see below

Section 29- Butler’s property marked *

Section 28- 1= ‘Blue Lion’ pub

Section 53- 2= ‘Cross Keys’ pub

The following detailed maps (c.1833/34[1]) of property ownership correlate with NSW Government Gazette Town Allotments in 1834 and 1839 for Sections 28 and 29 Kent Street

*= Wm Hodge’s Blue Lion pub- opposite corner of Kent/King Streets- Section 28

*= Butler’s property at No.32, held by John Rankin- Section 29

(ref: City of Sydney Historical Maps, Sections 28 and 29 Kent Street; Unique IDA-00880278, Series ‘City of Sydney- Survey Plans’, Date- between 1st January 1833 and 31st December 1833,

https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/1709205)

The two adjacent properties, described in (a) Butler’s sale document with Butler’s “measuring in front of the said street 37 feet, in depth on each side 127 feet- and in the rear 38 feet” (Rankin’s), and (b) the advertisement in the ‘Sydney Herald’ on 27 June 1836 by auctioneer Samuel Lyons for the adjacent property (probably No.33 Kent Street) “bounded on the north by Butler’s (Rankin) and on the south by Ruff’s premises”, measuring “21 feet in front and in depth 127 feet” (Thomas May’s).

Section 29 (of the map above)

These properties were listed in the Government Gazette, Town Allotments in 1834, matching the above 1833 map descriptions

LB's property marked * (Section 29- Kent Street)

This area of Sydney, in Kent Street, began to develop to serve the industries located at Cockle Bay, with water craft delivering timber for carpentry and cabinetmaking; wheat for the flour mills and coal for the gasworks. The properties adjoining the water could use their own wharves, which also proved an excellent position for the business of boat building. It is thought that Laurence's son Walter was involved in the boat building trade at one time. It may also have been the reason why Laurence invested in a property in this area, for the convenient transport and offloading of his timber.

An article by James Maclehose published in 1839 described:

“From Kent Street in those days, one looked out on “one of the most romantic prospects the eye can behold”- the waters of Cockle Bay and the thickly wooded, undulating country on its western shore.”

(Ref: James Maclehose, Picture of Sydney and Strangers’ Guide in New South Wales for 1839, (Sydney, 1839), 63)

The following map of Sydney in 1836 is from’ City of Sydney Archives and History Resources’ website (copyright free):

(“drawn at the Surveyor General’s Office”)

*marks Butler’s properties in Kent St, Pitt St, and Elizabeth St

Millers Point in early 1840’s taken from the Flagstaff (now Observatory Hill), Upper Kent Street, with Cockle Bay now Darling Harbour behind.

NB. Lord Nelson Hotel at the end of Kent Street

(Lithograph from “Sydney Illustrated” by John Skinner Prout & John Rae, pub. 1842.)

Walter Butler's future father-in-law Thomas Dunn was granted a lease on an allotment in Erskine Street near the Cockle Bay end in 1813- No 2 of Section 56 (behind Section 57) which was originally 2 allotments shared between David Brown Jnr and Thomas Dunn, with David Brown Snr buying Dunn's allotment. This area began to develop to serve the industries located at Cockle Bay, with water craft delivering timber for carpentry and cabinetmaking; wheat for the flour mills and coal for the gasworks. The properties adjoining the water could use their own wharves, which also proved an excellent position for the business of boat building. It is thought that Laurence's son Walter was involved in the boat building trade at one time. It may also have been the reason why Laurence invested in a property in this area, for the convenient transport and offloading of his timber.

As stated in Laurence Butler's Will, his estate included the property No. 32 Kent Street described in the sale agreement as:

" a dwelling house, outhouses, yards, gardens, ground and premises."

The Kent Street property was subject to a case in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in December 1829, 'Bell vs Leary'.

George Bell rented the premises in Kent Street from Miles Leary (viz. the man who took charge of Butler's workshop after his death) for 15s./week and was behind two weeks rent- probably George Bell, labourer, wife Martha and 6 children named in the 1828 Census living in Kent Street.

Descendants describe him as a “boatman/waterman/ferryman/lighterman” who arrived on the ‘Earl Spencer’ in 1813, given Life sentence for horse theft.

(https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/bell/george/111191

The Australian newspaper reported that Bell stated he had notice from a 'Mr Butler' to pay Leary no rent (ie. Laurence's son Walter Butler). The Sydney Gazette reported that 'Young Butler' had demanded to be paid rent instead of paying it to Leary. Witness John Connell (the Butler's neighbour in Pitt St) stated that he was appointed executor jointly with Mr Davis (ie. William Davis- Wexford rebel and close friend of Butler's) following the death of Laurence's wife Ann Butler in 1824, and the house in question was demised to defendant (Leary) on condition of his effecting certain repairs, in consideration of which, he was to receive the rent until his expenses were reimbursed, but that he had never sent in his bill.

Conclusion of trial: Bell was ordered to pay the 30s. owing)

(refer to full details of this trial in chapter on Ann Roberts and Miles Leary)

Ref: The Australian, 23 December 1829; The Sydney Gazette, 19 December 1829

Miles Leary died before June 1834 and his estate demised to William Davis and John Leary by the Court. They were named as beneficiaries in an unsigned Will by Leary, witnessed by Leary's solicitor who stated that Leary was too ill to sign the document. It is unknown what then became of the Kent Street property.

In the 1832 Post Office Directory for Sydney, Lawrence Butler Junior is listed as living in Kent Street- whether at this property in unknown. However, George Bell is still listed in Kent Street, while a David Bell was at ‘General warehouse’ 100 Pitt Street.

This is the year the property at No. 32 Kent Street was sold.

The Sydney Directory of 1834 had George Bell living at 100 Pitt Street, so he was no longer occupying the Kent Street property. By 1834 both Lawrence Junior and Walter were the licensees for pubs in Pitt Street and George Street [2] Notably John Rankin is not listed in this directory at No. 32 (nor in the 1828 census or 1832 Directory)

The following adverts give an idea of the value of other Kent street properties in the 1830's:

Sydney Gazette 21 Nov 1835 p3

Sydney Gazette 13 August 1831 p1- rental returns of property in Section 57 showing 15s per week viz. ₤39 p.a.

Sydney Herald Thurs 24 December 1835 p3

Full advert describing property of Margaret Morris next to 'Butlers, Ruff's, and McGuigans':

Sydney Herald Mon 27 June 1836 p1

ELIZABETH STREET PROPERTY

In the same month that Laurence purchased the Kent Street property, he also purchased a property in Elizabeth Street which he sold a year before he died. The Indenture does not state the exact location.

July 15^th 1817

Indre (Indenture) of assignment bearing date the 19^th day of June 1815 between Geo Lane and Mabea Ryan of the one part and Lawrence Butler of the other part, Both of Sydney This witnessed for the Consons? (Consideration?) therein mentioned the said George Lane and Mabea Ryan did bargain sell assign and absolutely convey assign and make over unto the said Lawrence Butler all those premises which the said George Lane and Mabea Ryan then held at and in Elizabeth Street adjoining Wm B___ on the one side and James Cox on the other To Hold (unto Lawrence Butler?) for ever, which said Indre is witnessed by __ Flaherty and James Butler and was Registered __ AM __ 15^th day ___ [3] (NB. Document torn, and parts difficult to read.)

The Elizabeth Street property was resold in 1819. Elizabeth Street was an ‘upmarket’ street and the property was probably quite valuable:

(Ref: SRNSW: Old Registers One to Nine, Book 8 page 168 No.245)

“October 2^nd 1820

Indenture of Assignment bearing date 16^th Day of December 1819 Between Laurence Butler of Sydney Cabinet Maker of the one part and Joseph Willmot of Sydney dealer of the other part Whereby it is witnessed that for the Considerations therein mentioned He the said Laurence Butler Did Grant, Bargain, Sell Assign and set over unto the said Joseph Willmot, His Heirs and Assigns for ever All That Piece or Parcel of Land situate in Elizabeth Street Sydney and bounded on the North Side by Roberts Premises on the South side by Payne’s Premises on the West or front by Elizabeth Street by a line 65 feet from thence to the rear a line of 80 feet extending to the premises of George Lane and on the rear by those Premises. To Hold the same with the Appurtenances unto the said Joseph Willmot His Heirs and for ever which said Indenture is witnessed by James __ and James French and was registered at__ 10 o’clock in the forenoon of the 2^nd day of October 1820

Received 9^th January 1821

Book C 1820 No 245”

The property was sold to Joseph Willmot, transported for life on the 'Ann' in 1810, granted an absolute pardon in 1822. Returned to England in 1825 after selling his Elizabeth property, returning as a free citizen in 1827. In 1825, he posted the following advertisement:

‘The Australian’ (Sydney) Thu 10 Mar 1825 p. 1

BY MR. PRITCHETT.

“On Friday the 11th instant at noon, precisely, on the Premises if not previously sold.

TWO newly built handsome Cottages situated in Elizabeth Street, fit for any small family, the property of Mr. Joseph Wilmot, leaving the colony in the ‘Hope’, terms negotiable bills, at 3 months, with interest added.”

It is not possible to place this property, although most likely between Hunter and King Streets as Elizabeth Street was relatively newly developed in 1817-19.

Joseph Fowles drew and described the Elizabeth Street houses and occupiers in his ‘Sydney 1848’ streetscapes:

Page 77- “Elizabeth Street, one of the leading thoroughfares, traverses the City in a southward direction from Hunter Street to its termination at the Burial Ground, exceeding a mile in length, and forms the western boundary of Hyde Park from King to Liverpool Streets. Our present plate represents the most respectable portion of the street, namely from King Street to its northern extremity at Hunter Street; with few exceptions the whole of the buildings are of modern construction and being situated in the vicinity of the Supreme Court, are principally occupied as Chambers of the Barristers, and other members of the Legal profession.

The first house in the plate is also one of the oldest in the street having been erected as a private residence for Mr G. Read (c.1823). For the last 15 years it has been in occupation of the present proprietor Mr R. Driver as a public house known as the “Three Tuns”.

On the opposite side of the street are several verandah cottages, built in the style peculiar to the Colony, and which, if it be not remarkable for architectural beauty, is at all events best suited for comfort and convenience in this climate. The wide verandahs afford a cool shelter from the intense {page 79} heat of the meridian sun, and give the cottages an air of shady retirement, which has its own peculiar elegance. One of these cottages is occupied as the business offices of George Allen, Esq., one of the most respectable Solicitors, and wealthy men of the City who was admitted an Attorney of the Supreme Court in the year 1822 and opened his practice in Elizabeth Street in 1825.”

George Lane who sold the property to Laurence, and who still owned a property behind the said property in 1820 when Butler sold his to Willmot, was living in Philip Street in the 1828 Census, a stone cutter who arrived in 1802, and died in 1835.

1836 Map of Sydney, Elizabeth Street between King and Hunter Streets

*marks Butler’s Pitt Street property

Joseph Fowles Sydney 1848 Streetscapes: Elizabeth Street, showing opposite sides of the street, between King and Hunter Streets- in two sections.

NB. R. Driver- ‘Three Tuns Inn’, top left adjacent to the King Street end, as described by Fowles as one of the oldest in the street. He also described several older ‘verandah houses’ opposite, including George Allen Esq., the large cottage third from left.

Joseph Willmott’s advert described “Two newly built handsome Cottages situated in Elizabeth Street”, which may be the two identical cottages adjacent to George Allen’s to the right on the drawing, but remains speculation.

The 1833 map of Sydney shows the large premises of George Allen at No. 9 facing

Elizabeth Street, and the two cottages of Willm Roberts at No.8 marked *,

possibly the two cottages built by Willmott on Butler’s land.

NO. 10 PRINCES STREET

The following property transaction was a bill of sale which is a means of creating security, rather like a mortgage. It was probably given to stop Laurence suing Edward O’Hara for a debt to ensure repayment of a loan. The debtor, O’Hara, would promise to pay the debt back in a certain time. If not, Laurence could sell the property covered by the bill of sale. A second transaction covered O’Hara’s chandler’s business including tools of trade etc. O’Hara owed Laurence ₤113, which he was required to pay back before the end of 1818. He must have done so as this property in Princes Street did not remain in Laurence’s hands. However, there is no mention of a proviso in the second bill of sale, which may have meant that his business tools etc were kept or sold by Laurence.

July 15^th 1817 (NB some parts very badly damaged and unreadable)

Deed Poll bearing date the 23^rd day of May 1817 __ ___ therein is cont d This witnessed __ O’Hara of Princes St Sydney Chandler __ Therein mentioned Did grant, bargain assign __ unto Law Butler of Sydney Cabinet Maker All that House and premise mentioned being a certain House ___ situate and numbered Ten in Princes Street unto the said Lawrence Butler his Heirs for ever- subject to a proviso to make the on payment by the said Edward O’Hara to Lawrence Butler of the sum of ₤113 before the 23^rd day of Dec 1818 which __ witnessed by Archibald B Wood and Nicholas (x his mark) Delaney- Registered at 10 of the Clock --- the 15^th day of ___

July 15^th 1817 (NB. Right hand side of document missing)

Deed Poll by way of Bill of Sale bearing __ the 23^rd day of May 1817 to hereby Edward O’Hara Princes St Sydney in Conson?(consideration ?) of the ___ Did bargain and Sell unto Lawrence Butler __ Pitt Street Syneyd____ all the goods and ___ utensils for chandling and implements of ____ and all other goods whatsoever mentioned __ there unto annexed ____ of and being ___ and premises then occupied by him __ Ten in Princes St Sydney Also __ to Hold unto Law Butler his Exors Admors and Assigns __- which said Deed Poll is witnessed by Archibald Wood and Nicholas (x his mark) Delaney

Registered at 10 of the Clock AM of 15^th day of July 1817

(NB. A Deed Poll is a deed signed by only one party.)

Princes Street in 1853 by John Hardwick, showing old original cottages

1836 map of Sydney showing Princes Street, off York Street, (marked *)

NOS. 7 AND 6 PITT STREET (FORMERLY NO. 8 PITTS ROW)

No. 7 (Left) and No. 6 (Right) Pitt Street

(Joseph Fowles, 'Sydney 1848' streetscapes)

This property purchased under mortgage from Samuel Terry in 1816 was discussed in detail in Chapter 10 (Butler’s Properties in Pitt St)

The fate of the Pitt Street Properties:

The No. 7 Pitt Street property, which was the original home and premises of Laurence Butler was situated at Angel Place, next to where Martin Place is situated now, the forecourt of the General Post Office building. As previously outlined in Chapter 10, each of the two buildings comprised two separate premises. A series of advertisements in 1825 by another merchant, 'A. Pollack', in the 'Sydney Gazette, gave his address as No. 7 Pitt Street, (adverts beginning 5 May 1825, page 1), and continued in July, August, September, and October). On 25 October, Pollack announced he was moving his business to George Street and opened his larger establishment in Waterloo House in George Street on the 10th November 1825. There are no further advertisements for No, 7 Pitt Street. Pollack must have rented the second part of No. 7 Pitt Street which included the shop front and designated store, whereas Miles Leary probably continued leasing the workshop at the rear of the property and possibly the residence.

In 1825, not long after his stepmother, Ann's, death, Walter Butler was still living at the Pitt Street address, according to his Memorials, which may have been in the adjacent building No 6 Pitt Street. However, by 1828, Walter was living in Castlereagh Street, and Miles Leary was still listed as living in Pitt Street with several carpenters. It therefore would appear that Leary was leasing the house and the workshop at the rear of the property. Leary was not listed in the 1832 Sydney Directory, however in the Sydney Directory of 1834, Miles Leary is listed as a carpenter in Pitt Street- this was the same year as his death, so it would appear that he was still occupying the premises, possibly renting from the new owner Samuel Terry as the premises were sold by the Butler children in October 1833.

In the Sydney Gazette,beginning 23 July 1835, advertisements appeared announcing that James Hamilton, Coach and Gig Maker had commenced business at No. 7 Pitt Street "in those extensive premises lately occupied by Mr Thompson, Carpenter".

Hamilton must have taken a lease from Samuel Terry who then owned the property.

In the 1834 Sydney Directory, a James Thompson, sawyer, was listed at Upper Castlereagh Street, and a William Thompson, sawyer, at Kent Street, but no Thompsons in the building trade were listed in Pitt Street, unless Thompson was an employee of Leary's at the time of Leary's death.

In 1834, Laurence's heirs sold the combined property in Pitt Street to John C. Macdougall (Butler's posthumous son-in-law), who quickly resold it to John Terry Hughes (Samuel Terry's son-in-law), who then sold it back to Samuel Terry, and so it reverted to the Terry estates. [5]

Selling the Pitt Street property to Mary Ann Butler's fiancé and future husband was probably made because Laurence Butler's original purchase of No. 7 Pitt Street was never officially registered and by selling it to Macdougall and thereby registering ownership, the next transaction was made much easier as the future buyer would then only have had to complete the sale transaction with a single person named on the Deed. At that time, Mary Ann was still under the age of consent.

[1] State Records NSW: Old Registers One to Nine, Book 6 page 307 No. 98, pub. Kingswood Sydney, 2008

[2] The Australian, 23 December 1829; The Sydney Gazette, 19 December 1829

[3] SRNSQ: Old Registers One to Nine, Book 6 page 314 no. 109

[4] SRNSW: Old Registers One to Nine, Book 8 page 168 No.245, op.cit

[5] Government Gazette 1839, p.589, Case No. 399 Rosetta Terry.

Laurence Butler- the life of a 1798 Irish Rebel

Saturday, 11 August 2012

Laurence Butler- Ch. 18: Property Investments

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