6 Charles Street, Balmain NSW 2041
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
About Charles Street
Land-purchase evidence is recorded from 1806. The first extracted Sands reference is 1886. The source contains naming-origin evidence.
- The latter was named after Cameron's fourth child and first son.
- Robert Blake (1806-1875) soldier, sheriff and speculative builder — land in the Steam Ferry Bay area (Cameron Cove).
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
Moorefield / Moorsfield
Moorefield, also recorded as Moorsfield, stands at 6 Charles Street. Robert Blake commissioned architect John Bibb to design it in 1839. Built in brick, coated with stucco imitating dressed stone, it cost £1,200 and had verandahs on three sides.
The house faced Darling Street and looked across Waterview Bay, now Mort Bay. A carriage loop passed through gardens on land later occupied by Balmain Bowling Club. Blake’s first wife Ann died at Moorefield in 1840. Among its later occupants were Joshua R. Young in 1844, Augustus Hayward in 1850 and barrister C. K. Murray in 1853. Dr Gunst operated a hydropathic establishment there in 1854.
The journal records later tenants including Balmain Ferry Company manager James Peters in 1887, Mrs Robins’s boarding house in 1891–1893, and musical-instrument importer Johannes Hess in 1894–1896. Ephraim Ward moved in and renamed the house Segenhoe in 1906, remaining until 1910. Charles Goodwill, a Balmain poulterer, bought Moorefield at the end of 1927 and his family lived there for many years.
R. Irving’s photograph is captioned as about 1968. The journal describes a brick addition made toward the end of the 1960s that damaged the verandah and concealed the entrance. Conservation work in the 1970s removed that addition. These approximate periods have been retained rather than converted into exact dates.
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street, printed pp. 46, 63. View journal source photograph.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Charles Goodwill
Charles Goodwill, a Balmain poulterer, bought Moorefield at the end of 1927. The family moved there from Kincora.
View full profile →Ephraim Ward
Ward moved into Moorefield in 1906 and renamed it Segenhoe.
View full profile →John Bibb
John Bibb designed Moorefield for Robert Blake in 1839.
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Robert Blake
Robert Blake commissioned Moorefield from architect John Bibb in 1839. The journal records Blake’s family living there.
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 Goodwill — Purchaser and resident · From late 1927
From late 1927
Charles Goodwill, a Balmain poulterer, bought Moorefield at the end of 1927. The family moved there from Kincora.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street, printed pp. 46, 63.
Ephraim Ward — Tenant; renamed the house · 1906–1910
1906–1910
Ward moved into Moorefield in 1906 and renamed it Segenhoe.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street, printed pp. 46, 63.
John Bibb — Architect · 1839
1839
John Bibb designed Moorefield for Robert Blake in 1839.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street, printed pp. 46, 63.
Robert Blake — Commissioning owner and resident · 1839–early 1840s
1839–early 1840s
Robert Blake commissioned Moorefield from architect John Bibb in 1839. The journal records Blake’s family living there.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street, printed pp. 46, 63.
Timeline
5Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1820–1839 (1 event)
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1839
1840–1859 (1 event)
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1854
1900–1919 (1 event)
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1906
1920–1939 (1 event)
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Late 1927
1960–1979 (1 event)
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1970s
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, “From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street”, p. 46.; Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, “From Cameron’s Cove to Adolphus Street”, p. 63.
Memories from people
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A preview of photos connected to this house.
