Walter Butler (c.1807-1870)- the life of a 'currency' lad born in the colony of NSW: Walter Butler- Ch. 13: Property Investments in Williamstown

A description of Walter in the Hobart newspapers in 1856 described him as having considerable business and property interests in Victoria. A newspaper report in 1868 [1], quotes Walter who states to the Court that he had five investment houses in Williamstown, which brought him considerable income, three of which he described as “wooden buildings”, which implies that the other two were more substantial. However, he also states that he lost considerable property in a fire, which was uninsured. A fire on the 29^th July 1862 destroyed several shops, and both the Ship Inn and the Albion Inn. [2] The Ship Inn would appear to have been the original Ship Inn in Cole Street, replaced by the Steam Packet Hotel building in 1863.

Which of these buildings Walter still owned at the time was not specified, however Walter’s financial situation deteriorated substantially after this disaster.

The Mercury (Hobart) Thurs 24 December 1868 p3:

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

SUPREME COURT

INSOLVENCY JURISDICTION

Wednesday 23^rd December 1868.

Before His Honor Sir V. Fleming, Knight, Chief Justice.

re WALTER BUTLER.

I came to the colony 14 or 15 years ago, that was in 1851 or 1852. My income was ₤1050 a year, rent from property in Williamstown, Victoria. I had two schooners besides. I was in independent circumstances then. My property went down from ₤1050 to ₤250 a year rent, and then was burnt down uninsured. That occurred soon after I took a lease of the Ship Inn (Hobart) about five years ago.
I had five small houses in Williamstown, which I gave to my wife and children, about six years ago. They are not in my schedule. Three of them are wooden houses, built in the early days. They produce very little rent. I received ₤400 of Mrs Butler’s money from England, some years ago. These houses were given to her and her children, in consideration of that amount. There was a regular deed executed.

To be earning ₤1050 a year rent from his property in Williamstown, Walter's investment must have been substantial.

Whether the following advertisement referred to Walter’s investment is not clear, but is more than likely.

Argus, Fri 7 Feb 1851 p3 (repeated on consecutive days for the week following)

Thursday First February

Important to the Labouring Classes at Williams Town and others engaged in Hobson’s Bay.

Twelve Valuable Little Farms for Unreserved Sale.

JOHN HURREY

Is directed to sell by auction at Mr Butler’s the Ship Inn, Williams Town on Thursday next 13^th Inst. at one o’clock precisely.

Upwards of 50 acres of Capital Land in the parish of Cat-paw-paw being a portion of Allotment B of Section 4, lying within two miles of WilliamsTown and which will be divided into lots of from 4 to 5 acres each. The land is well adapted for agricultural purposes; and to the small capitalist such an opportunity as the present seldom occurs for securing a Homestead at a trifling expense. Intending purchasers are requested to inspect the property previous to the days of sale.

Title- Grant from the Crown

Terms at Sale

Plans can be seen at Mr Butler’s Williams Town;

Or at 107 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

(This may refer to the land development of Oak Bank Estate, which was about 2 miles north of Williamstown)

His investments may have included property in the newly developed Oak Bank Estate at Williamstown, being sold in the 1852 period.

The following advertisement indicates he owned 4 acres there.

Argus Wed 6 Oct 1852 p3

To LET

A Paddock at Williams Town by the week or night, containing about four acres; apply to Mr Butler, Ship Inn; or Mrs Morris, Oak Bank Estate.

The following adverts give some information about land for sale in the vicinity of Williamstown, and descriptions of the area and its facilities:

Argus Mon 13 Sept 1852 p6-

Williamstown

Francis & Cohen

Are favoured with instructions from the proprietor G W. Cole Esq to sell by auction at their Mart Collins Street, this day 13^th Inst, The remaining and most valuable selections of the above celebrated estate, commanding frontages to the principal roads leading from the jetty and possessing the great benefits arising from quantity, irrespective of general frontages. (continues to describe it as) “immediately at the rear of Williamstown, the land being intersected by the line of the intended railway. The site for picturesque villas, which can be erected on this property commanding as they do the benefits of an “open Bay”, are an inducement to the retired tradesman or thrifty capitalist to invest in the purchase of one or more portions of this estate.

Argus Tues 19 Oct 1852 p1-

Williams Town

Valuable Property consisting of Land and Houses for sale by Private Contract….

As a place of residence William Town possesses as many advantages among which may be mentioned its extremely healthy position, the comparative cheapness of houses, wood, and water, its freedom form hot winds and dust, its proximity to the Bay affording facilities for bathing, boating, fishing, &c. the beautiful scenery by which it is surrounded and the ever varying interest attached to the harbour and its shipping.

An allotment fronting in Cecil street, on which is a wooden cottage with verandah containing 3 rooms and out offices, let for 2 months at the rate of ₤200 per annum.

And No 12- 4 acres of land, part of allotment 9 portion 2, fronting the Melbourne Road, having a bold sea view, and being within a few minutes walk from the Williams Town Jetty.

Cecil Street was directly behind Nelson Place, and, from the following advertisement, it would appear that Walter owned a couple of blocks facing Cecil Street.

HOUSE SALE

Walter decided to relocate his family to Hobart, transferred his hotel license in March 1853, and also put his house up for sale in March 1853. By the description, it was of a considerable size, and included a further two investment allotments. It would appear from the description as being “A House” that it may not be referring to the hotel building itself.

Argus, Thurs 3 March 1853 p11

Friday 4^th March

House and Land at Williamstown

Dalmahoy Campbell

Has been favored with instructions to sell by auction at Butler’s Hotel, Williamstown on

Friday 4^th March at One O’clock

A House, consisting of eight rooms, kitchen, store, pantry, wash-house, two stall stable, coach house, harness-room, hayloft, and half an acre of ground.

The house fronts the Government reserve to the Bay, and immediately opposite the wharves and patent slip now commencing by Government, and there is a lane reserved at the back.

Also, at the same time and place.

Two full Allotments of Land, having frontage to Cecil-street.

Further particulars, on application to the auctioneer.

A Lunch will be provided.

(NB The advert is repeated below the above advert on the same page of the newspaper. By the description, it is in Nelson Place. Whether it refers to the Ship Inn building itself, as hotels were referred to as ‘Houses”, or whether the house was near or beside the Ship Inn, is unknown. )

It is unclear whether the following newspaper article in the Argus, Thurs 19 May 1853 p9, relate to our Walter Butler, but seems probable:
SUPREME COURT- LARCENY
John Doolan pleaded Not Guilty to the charge of stealing a large quantity of wearing apparel, the property of one Walter Butler, a sailor, at WilliamsTown.
The property was found with the prisoner, and being found Guilty, he was sentenced to three year's hard labour on the roads.
As he no longer held a publican' s licence, his stated occupation was probably due to his ship "Red Rover".

Why Walter decided to move to Hobart, after spending 14 years establishing his business interests and friendships, can only be speculated upon. According to Walter in an interview reported in a Hobart newspaper, he decided to move because of the weather and the schooling opportunities offered in Hobart. Whether these were the true reasons will remain unknown.

contact butler1802 @hotmail.com (no spaces)

Link back to Introduction chapter:http://butlerfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/walter-butler-introduction.html

[1] The Mercury, Thursday 24 Dec 1868 p3- Law Intelligence

[2] Ada Ackerly, History of Williamstown, Hobsons Bay History Kit online taken from the Williamstown History Kit, 1987, Hobsons Bay Council Library website.

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Walter Butler- Ch. 13: Property Investments in Williamstown

HOUSE SALE