Cloncorrick, Darling Point

Cloncorrick, Darling Point.

Cloncorrick is an historic house of Victorian Free Gothic style in Darling Point, Sydney. It was built in 1884 for Sir George Bowen Simpson by John Horbury Hunt the famous Sydney architect. Simpson named the house after Cloncorrick Castle in Ireland where his grandfather once lived^[1]. The home was the residence of several notable Australians and is considered to be a house of historic significance by the New South Wales Heritage Council^[2].

Sir George Bowen Simpson and Lady Martha Simpson

Sir George Bowen Simpson, circa 1900

St Marks Church, Darling Point where a memorial plaque to the Simpsons still exists.

George Bowen Simpson was born in 1838 near Parramatta, Sydney. His father was Pierce Simpson, a police magistrate and his mother was Hester Elizabeth MacNeill. George was educated at Kings School Parramatta and was admitted to the Bar in 1858.

In 1861 he married Martha Margaret Cobcroft who was the daughter of Enoch Cobcroft of Cumberland Hall, East Maitland^[3]. The couple had two children a boy and a girl but unfortunately they both died when they were fairly young. The daughter was only fifteen when she died and the son was 34. Consequently they had no immediate heirs.

George became a very successful lawyer and in 1867 was made a District Court judge. In 1885 he became a politician in the New South Wales Legislative Council and soon became Attorney-General. In 1994 he became a Judge of the Supreme Court. In 1909 he was knighted but because of poor health he retired in 1910. He spent his remaining years at Cloncorrick and in 1915 he died^[4].

His wife Martha continued to live at Cloncorrick after his death. One of her main interests was the work done at St Marks Church, Darling Point (see photo on left),^[5]. After she died at age 90 in 1933 a memorial plaque was erected in memory of both Sir George and Lady Martha Simpson at St Marks Church^[6] which can still be seen today.

Because they had no immediate heirs their grandson Julian Simpson inherited the Estate and he sold Cloncorrick in 1934 to Mrs Esther Holt^[7].

Mrs Esther Jane Holt

Advertisement in a newspaper for the sale of Cloncorrick in 1933.

Esther Jane Holt was the widow of Walter Henry Holt, a former wealthy pastoralist who had died in 1916^[8]. Esther was born in Wales in 1867. Her maiden name was Davies^[9]. She married Walter Holt in 1892 and the couple had lived at Glanwyre in Manly which was a very large mansion and estate. They had four children the eldest of whom was Sophia. When Walter died Esther subdivided the Glenyre Estate and therefore had a substantial amount of money.

When Esther bought Cloncorrick in 1934 the house was described in the real estate advertisement (see copy on the right) in the following terms.

“A two story (plus basement) residence of brick with slate roof having wide return verandahs and balconies and containing on the ground floor a wide entrance hall, drawing, dining and smoke rooms, sewing room and housemaids’ pantry. On the first floor there are four bedrooms, linen room and bathroom and separate lavatory. On the basement floor there are verandahs, wine cellar, china cupboard, kitchen maids sitting room, laundry, maids’ bath and coal cellar."^[10].

Esther’s daughter Sophia had married Aubrey Curtis a Queensland pastoralist but unfortunately he died in 1927 leaving her a widow. When Ester bought Cloncorrick Sophia lived with her mother for some years,^[11]. Esther died at Cloncorrick in 1948 aged 81^[12]. In her will she left a substantial donation to St Marks Church, Darling Point and also to several other charities^[13].

Major General Herbert Lloyd and Mrs Meredith Lloyd

Major General Herbert William Lloyd 1945

Wedding of Mick Lloyd, son of Major General Lloyd at St Marks Church, Darling Point 1945

Herbert William Lloyd was born in 1883 in South Yarra, Melbourne. His father William was a police officer. He was educated at Wesley College and in 1910 he joined the Military Forces.

He married Meredith Pleasents in May 1914. Meredith was born in 1890 in Euroa, Victoria. She was the daughter of William Benjamin Pleasents and Ada Pleasents (nee Watt).

A few months after they were married the War began and Herbert had to go to Egypt. In the following year he was at Gallipoli where he was promoted to a Major. For his conduct during the Gallipoli Campaign he received the DSO. During the rest of the war he was awarded other distinctions. When the war ended he remained in the military until 1925. In 1929 he became a politician in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and remained there until 1941.

When the second World War commenced, Herbert again entered the military forces and this time was promoted to Major General. In 1946 after the war he retired^[14]. Shortly before his retirement his son Mick Lloyd married at St Marks Church, Darling Point and a photo of his wedding was in the Australian Women’s Weekly^[15]. (see photo on left).

After his retirement Herbert became a resident of Cloncorrick^[16]. Unfortunately his wife Meredith died in 1952 at Cloncorrick^[17]. After her death Herbert continued to live at the house for some time. In 1957 he died at the age of 74. He was cremated with Anglican rites and military honours.

References

1. ^ J. M. Bennett, 'Simpson, Sir George Bowen (1838 - 1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, Melbourne University Press, 1976, p. 127.
2. ^ NSW Heritage Council “Cloncorrick”. Online reference http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=2710053
3. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 14 October 1861, p. 1.
4. ^ J. M. Bennett, 'Simpson, Sir George Bowen (1838 - 1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, Melbourne University Press, 1976, p. 127.
5. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 26 July 1933, p. 17.
6. ^ Sydney morning Herald, 10 March 1934, p. 8.
7. ^ Electoral Rolls 1936 and 1943 and Australian Womens Weekly 3 February 1934, p. 27.
8. ^ Obituary Walter Henry Holt, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 May 1916, p. 8.
9. ^ Marriage notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 August 1892, p. 4
10. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 28 October 1933, p. 23.
11. ^ Electoral Rolls for 1937.
12. ^ Death Notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 August 1948, p. 14 and NSW Birth Deaths and Marriage Index.
13. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 4 November 1948, p. 4.
14. ^ Warren Perry, 'Lloyd, Herbert William (1883 - 1957)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, Melbourne University Press, 2000, pp 107-10.
15. ^ Australian Women’s Weekly , 20 October 1945, p. 24.
16. ^ Electoral Roll 1949
17. ^ Death Notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 September 1952, p.24.