10 Thames Street, Balmain NSW 2041
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
About Thames Street
Formation or subdivision evidence is recorded from 1840. Land-purchase evidence is recorded from 7/1/1839.
- 9/6/1840 — Subdivision by James Peter Armstrong, surveyor, on 9/6/1840, sold by Rust & Co.
- On 7/1/1839, George Cooper, Comptroller of Customs — the 23-acre holding remaining between his 1836 purchase of the Waterview Estate and James Curtis' Estate for £575, 7/1/1839.
Some historical information was obtained using Streets, Lanes, and Places 1836–2017 by Yvonne Davidson and Kathleen Hamey, The Balmain Association Inc. (2017).
The story of this home
James McDonald’s house (10 Thames Street)
Architect James McDonald bought the land for his Thames Street home from John Frazer Gray for £132 in November 1862. He built the house in 1863, replacing the rent-free dwelling previously provided by the council. The house became the centre of his architectural practice.
John Flower describes pointed-arch openings in the gable, tall narrow windows, dark cedar architraves and an ornamental triple window. Flower considered the entrance portico and study probable later additions by McDonald; that interpretation is not treated here as a dated building event.
McDonald sold the house to his son-in-law James Shirra in 1895. After his wife Mary died in 1897, he rented a room there from Shirra. McDonald died at his Thames Street home on 25 November 1902. The journal photograph identifies the building as 10 Thames Street.
John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain, printed pp. 5, 9. View journal source photograph.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
James McDonald
McDonald built the house in 1863 and used it as the centre of his architectural practice. After selling to his son-in-law in 1895, he continued to live there and died at home in 1902.
View full profile →James Shirra
James Shirra, McDonald’s son-in-law, bought the house in 1895. McDonald later rented a room there from him.
View full profile →Mary McDonald
Mary was James McDonald’s wife. Flower records her death in 1897 in his account of McDonald’s later residence at Thames Street.
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.
James McDonald — Architect, builder-owner and resident · 1863–1902
1863–1902
McDonald built the house in 1863 and used it as the centre of his architectural practice. After selling to his son-in-law in 1895, he continued to live there and died at home in 1902.
Sources:
John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain, printed pp. 5, 9.
James Shirra — Purchaser and landlord · From 1895
From 1895
James Shirra, McDonald’s son-in-law, bought the house in 1895. McDonald later rented a room there from him.
Sources:
John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain, printed pp. 5, 9.
Mary McDonald — Family resident · Until 1897
Until 1897
Mary was James McDonald’s wife. Flower records her death in 1897 in his account of McDonald’s later residence at Thames Street.
Sources:
John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain, printed pp. 5, 9.
Timeline
4Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1860–1879 (2 events)
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Nov 1862
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1863
1880–1899 (1 event)
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1895
1900–1919 (1 event)
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25 Nov 1902
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, “James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain”, p. 5.; John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, “James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain”, p. 9.
Memories from people
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A preview of photos connected to this house.
