87 Renwick St, Leichhardt NSW 2040
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
The story of this home
Ashburton
Mary Ann Hagarty, a widow from Glebe, bought lot 43.1 in October 1883 and built the two-storey brick house at 87 Renwick Street that year. She lived there in 1884–1885.
In January 1886 Hagarty sold the property to Charles Kieley, who occupied it that year and was listed as a sugar planter. Later tenants included grocer George Hunter in 1888 and William Robertson in 1889–1890. Robertson called the house Ashburton. Kieley sold it to George Vincent in September 1897.
The journal describes the house as Victorian Filigree. Particularly distinctive are the three arched ground-floor windows, the slender decorative columns between them, and the elaborate ornament above the windows and doorway. Solomon Mitchell’s photograph records this ground-floor detail rather than the whole building.
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1, printed pp. 73. View journal photograph and source.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Charles Kieley
Charles Kieley bought the house in January 1886, occupied it that year, and later let it before selling in September 1897. He was listed as a sugar planter in 1886.
View full profile →George Hunter
George Hunter, a grocer, rented the house in 1888.
View full profile →George Vincent
George Vincent, described as a Leichhardt gentleman, bought the house from Charles Kieley in September 1897.
View full profile →See 2 more historic peopleShow fewer historic people
Mary Ann Hagarty
Mary Ann Hagarty, a Glebe widow, commissioned the house in 1883 and lived there in 1884–1885 before selling in January 1886.
View full profile →William Robertson
William Robertson rented the house in 1889–1890 and called it Ashburton.
View full profile →Existing people — add information or manage entries
People associated with this house
Residents, owners, builders and others whose connection forms part of this house’s history.
Charles Kieley — Owner and resident · 1886–1897
1886–1897
Charles Kieley bought the house in January 1886, occupied it that year, and later let it before selling in September 1897. He was listed as a sugar planter in 1886.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1, printed pp. 73.
George Hunter — Tenant · 1888
1888
George Hunter, a grocer, rented the house in 1888.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1, printed pp. 73.
George Vincent — Purchaser · September 1897
September 1897
George Vincent, described as a Leichhardt gentleman, bought the house from Charles Kieley in September 1897.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1, printed pp. 73.
Mary Ann Hagarty — Owner and resident · 1883–1886
1883–1886
Mary Ann Hagarty, a Glebe widow, commissioned the house in 1883 and lived there in 1884–1885 before selling in January 1886.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1, printed pp. 73.
William Robertson — Tenant; used the name Ashburton · 1889–1890
1889–1890
William Robertson rented the house in 1889–1890 and called it Ashburton.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1, printed pp. 73.
Timeline
4-
1883
-
Jan 1886
-
1889–1890
-
Sep 1897
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 17, “The Excelsior Subdivision: Part 1”, p. 73.
Memories from people
This home’s story is just beginning. Share a memory connected to this place.
A preview of photos connected to this house.

