Cranbrook, Bellevue Hill

Cranbrook, Sydney, 1917

Cranbrook is a large house built at Rose Bay in Sydney, Australia in 1859. It is now one of the buildings of Cranbrook School

Early History

The Rose Bay house was built in 1859 by Robert Tooth (1821–1893), one of three brothers of the wellknown Sydney Tooth’s Brewery family.^[1]. It was named after a village in Kent, England from where the Tooth Family originated. His brother Frederick, also inherited adjoining land and on this he built his house called "Buckhurst".^[2]

In 1864 Tooth sold Cranbrook to Robert Towns who was a successful Sydney merchant, shipping company owner and founder of the city of Townsville, Queensland. He was married with two sons and three daughters.^[3] When Towns died in 1873 Cranbrook was sold to James White.

Cranbrook as the residence of James White

James White, circa 1880

James White was a pastoralist and racehorse owner. He was born in 1828 in New South Wales to relatively wealthy parents. In 1853 in partnership with his two brothers he bought Belltrees near Scone and expanded it. In about 1860 James bought Matindale near Muswellbrook where he lived with his wife Emily (née Arndell) until 1873. During this time he was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the Upper Hunter. He resigned from parliament in 1868.^[4]

In 1873 he bought Cranbrook and employed John Horbury Hunt,a prominent architect, to carry out large extensions on this property. He then moved in with his wife Emily and brought into his house expensive art treasures including pictures by Italian German and English painters. In 1874 he was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council and over the next decade held many important posts in the Societies of that day.

White's art treasures were described in detail in a publication of that time as follows;

"The interior posses many costly art treasures - rare china of Dresden, Meissen, Sevres, and Vienna manufacture, also from Worcester and the potteries of England. In the drawing room there may be seen a magnificent specimen of ivory carving - a female figure carved from a block of ivory fully two feet long. Pictures by Italian, German and English artists decorate the walls."^[5]

These art treasures are shown below in photos of the hallway and drawing room.

The Hall in Cranbrook, 1895.	The drawing room in Cranbrook, 1895.

John Horbury Hunt outside
"Cranbrook Cottage" with his wife and daughter

One of White's main interests was horseracing and shortly after he bought Cranbrook he also purchased Kirkham near Camden where he developed his horse stud. John Horbury Hunt was commissioned to build two houses for him on this property.^[6]

One of the buildings constructed by Horbury Hunt while he was employed at Cranbrook was a stone house called "Cranbrook Cottage". It appears that this was originally on White's land and was owned by him because when Cranbrook was put on the market in 1898 the advertisement stated that there were two lots to be sold. Lot 2 was described as follows:

"At the intersection of New South Head Road and Victoria Road is a stone built cottage residence at present occupied by Horbury Hunt Esq. containing hall dining and drawing rooms, 2 bedrooms, servant's room, kitchen, bathroom, boy's room and library."^[7]

Some time after this Horbury Hunt must have purchased the property as he sold it in his own name in 1902^[8].

While James and Emily White owned Cranbrook the gardens and grounds were also developed. Horbury Hunt built a tennis pavilion (see photo below left and also below in section on garden fete) which still exists today. It is the Rotunda at Cranbrook School.

The tennis pavilion at Cranbrook 1895 now the Rotunda at Cranbrook School (see also the picture below for the garden fete)	The grounds at Cranbrook, 1895	The garden at Cranbrook, 1895

A publication made the following comments about the grounds.

"The terrace in front which shuts out the high road is a very happy arrangement, and thanks to the well-stocked glass and bush houses a continuous supply of flowering plants is maintained. The Gardens and grounds are in fine order, and the view from the water side is charming."^[9]

Some of these features are shown in the photos below.

The terrace on the side of the house at Cranbrook, 1895.	The pond at Cranbrook, 1895

James White died of heart disease at Cranbrook in 1890. They had no children so Emily inherited both Cranbrook and Kirkham. Six years later in 1896 Emily who was then 62 married Captain William Scott who was aged 37. He was a veterinary surgeon in the NSW Defence Forces.^[10] In the following year Emily and Captain Scott sailed to Scotland but unfortunately Emily died shortly after arriving and was buried at Melrose, Roxburghshire in Scotland. Scott inherited all her property and the following year 1898 put both Cranbrook and Kirkham on the market.^[11] He sold Kirkham in the same year^[12] but did not sell Cranbrook. In 1901 Scott leased Cranbrook to the NSW Government for six years to be used as the residence of Governors and in 1907 the Government purchased the house from him.^[13]

Cranbrook as the NSW Government House

During the period from 1901 to 1917 Cranbrook served as Government House for NSW. Three Governors resided there during this time with their families. Sir Harry Rawson was Governor from 1902 to 1909. His wife, Lady Florence Rawson, (pictured below) died during this time in 1905 and his daughter Alice (pictured below) resumed her mother's duties as hostess at official functions^[14]. In 1909 Lord Chelmsford (Frederic John Napier) became Governor and he and his wife Lady Frances Chelmsford (pictured below) resided at Cranbrook until 1913^[15]. Sir Gerald Strickland was Governor from 1913 until 1917. His wife was Lady Edeline Strickland (pictured below)^[16].

Governor Sir Harry Rawson and Lady Florence Rawson circa 1903.	Governor and Lady Frances Chelmsford	Governor Sir Gerald Strickland and Lady Edeline Strickland circa 1915.

While Cranbrook was the Governor's residence many notable functions were held there. One that received press coverage was the garden fete held in 1903 in aid of the District Nursing Association. One publication described it in detail as follows.

"Friday last was the most perfect day we have had this season and the world and his wife took advantage of the sunshine to visit Cranbrook, Rose Bay, to assist in making a success of the fete in aid of the District Nursing Association. Never had the grounds of the State Government House appeared to greater advantage. The view from the top paths and terraces was truly magnificent, for the harbour was almost as blue as the sky. There were flowers everywhere, the garden beds were gay, and the bright gowns of the many visitors added spots of colour to a delightful scene.

Upon the asphalt tennis court small tables for afternoon tea were set, each table enhanced by the addition of its vase of flowers and the whole was presided over by a bevy of pretty girls in white frocks and black picture hats their distinguishing colours being huge bows of pale blue satin ribbons placed on the corsage. Down the hill towards the Rose Bay Road some dozen marquees were erected and these were furnished with gaily-draped stalls laden with the most attractive articles tempting to the would-be purchaser.

Miss Rawson with the assistance of Miss Fanshawe and Miss Suttor, did a great trade in lamps and candle shades; while in the flowerstall Miss Fairfax, Mrs Geoffrey Fairfax and Mrs Ewan Frazer sent away their customers laden with sweet-smelling boronia, violets, jonquils, and attractive looking pot plants."^[17]

Some of the photos of the occasion are shown below.

The opening of the garden fete in the tennis pavilion (now the Rotunda) in the grounds of Cranbrook, 1903.	Afternoon tea at the garden fete on the tennis court at Cranbrook, 1903.	Miss Alice Rawson, daughter of Governor Rawson at a stall at the garden fete at Cranbrook, 1903

One of the largest official functions held at Government House was the garden party of over 3500 guests for the American Fleet in 1908. This function was widely reported in the press and the Sydney Morning Herald gave it a great deal of coverage. Some of it is outlined as follows.

"The late rain had made everything look so beautifully fresh and green that seldom if ever have the picturesque grounds of Cranbrook been seen to greater advantage. The harbour made a most fascinating foreground. The water was so calm that it looked like a huge sheet of glass with the stately American ships lying quietly at anchor, most of them being within view from the lawn. His Excellency and Miss Rawson received their guests on the verandah where each visitor was announced by Captain Wilson A.D.C, Mr Miller being also in attendance.

A picturesque red and white marquee was erected at the spot chosen for the guests to enter from whence they passed up to the verandah and then on to the lawn strolling later down to the lower tennis lawn. Here a band was stationed and small tables were placed about and refreshment served. On the upper lawn refreshment were served in a large marquee, the top of which was draped inside with pale blue and white (his Excellency's colours), and a band stationed on the verandah played a bright selection of music including many familiar American airs."^[18]

Cranbrook while it was Government House for NSW showing the British flag on top.	Refreshments being served on the lower lawn of Cranbrook at the garden party for the American Fleet in 1908.	The marquees on the upper lawn of Cranbrook at the garden party for the American Fleet in 1908.

In 1917 the NSW Government put Cranbrook up for auction. It was purchased by Mr Samuel Hordern on behalf of a group of men from the Church of England who had decided to utilise it as a school. In July 1918 Cranbrook School was officially opened.

Endnotes

1. ^ Lawrence, J. 1999, "Pictorial History: Eastern Suburbs", Kingsclear Books, p. 29.
2. ^ Woollahra Municipal Council, "Local History Fast Facts" http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/local_history_fast_facts/c (accessed 17 Jan 2010.
3. ^ Shineberg, D. 1976, 'Towns, Forber (1794-1873)" Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 6, Melbourne Uni Press, pp. 294-6, Online reference http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060315b.htm
4. ^ Rutledge, M. 1976 "White James (1828-1890)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 6, Melbourne Uni Press, pp.387-9. Online version http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060417b.htm,
5. ^ George Robertson and Company, 1896, "Beautiful Sydney (1895-96) including Newcastle, Coalopolis and fertile Maitland (1896)"
6. ^ Rutledge, M. 1976
7. ^ 'Sydney Morning Herald", 17 September 1898, p. 15.
8. ^ Freeland, J. M. 1972, "Hunt, John Horbury (1838-1904)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 4, Melbourne Uni Press, p. 447. Online version http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A040505b.htm
9. ^ George Robertson and Company, 1896, "Beautiful Sydney (1895-96) including Newcastle, Coalopolis and fertile Maitland (1896)"
10. ^ Rutledge, M. 1976
11. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 17 September 1898, p. 15.
12. ^ "Kirkham's Kings and Queens", Ontago Witness, 3 May 1900. p. 46.
13. ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald', 13 September 1913, p. 7
14. ^ Rutledge, M. 1988, "Rawson, Sir Harry Holdsworth (1843 - 1910)" Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 11, Melbourne University Press, pp. 337-8. Online version http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110351b.htm?hilite=rawson
15. ^ Cunneen, C. 1979, "Chelmsford, third Baron (1868-1933)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 7, Melbourne Uni Press, pp 630-631. Online version http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070638b.htm?hilite=chelmsford
16. ^ Walsh, G. P. 1990, "Strickland, Sir Gerald (1861-1940)" Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 12, pp 123-4. Online version http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120140b.htm
17. ^ The Sydney Mail, 9 September 1903, pp 674-5.
18. ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald", 27 August 1908, p. 8.