5 Queens Pl, Balmain NSW 2041
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
About Queens Place
Land-purchase evidence is recorded from 3/1/1841. The first extracted Sands reference is 1864.
- Matthew Henry Marsh, a Sydney financier who later became a rich landowner and British MP — George Cooper's 15 acres after 3/1/1841, 3/1/1841.
- Alexander Chape — lots 21 and 22 in Waterview Street and Queens Place from Marsh, 23/5/1842.
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
The Old Manse and the pawnbroker’s business
A stone house in Queens Place
In February 1856 Alexander Chape sold a 60-foot frontage in Queens Place to Presbyterian minister Rev James Collins. Around 1858 Collins built the two-storey stone attached house now identified as the Old Manse at No. 5. Projecting stonework at its south-eastern end suggested an intended stone extension. The journal does not identify its earliest occupants. [1]
From a minister’s property to Pawnbroker’s Terrace
Engineer George Malloch rented the house in 1863–1865. When Collins could not meet his mortgage repayments, the mortgagee sold the property to Sydney carpenter Thomas Daly in June 1865. Daly added two weatherboard houses at Nos 7 and 9 around 1866. Verandahs extended towards the kerb across the three houses, which became known locally as Pawnbroker’s Terrace. [1]
Thomas Daly and Ann Mealey
Daly operated as the Balmain pawnbroker at No. 5 until his death on 7 June 1901. His widow continued the business until the end of that year. Under Daly’s will, No. 5 passed to his widow’s niece Ann Mealey, who continued as pawnbroker beyond 1932. Mealey died on 20 December 1958. [1]
Later ownership
The later account names Elizabeth Ann Mealey and painter Graeme Beutel in connection with ownership of Nos 5–9. The journal’s later ownership account gives a September 1959 sale to Graeme Beutel alongside a May 1961 transmission to Elizabeth Ann Mealey after Ann Mealey’s death in December 1958. That sequence needs checking against the deeds; the dates are not treated here as a settled sequence. The journal records Beutel mortgaging No. 5 on a separate lot in December 1973. [1]
Sources: [1] Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29). Printed p. 26. [2] Printed p. 27. Construction dates are approximate. This account does not establish present ownership or use.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Alexander Chape
Alexander Chape owned the earlier parent land. In February 1856 he sold the Queens Place frontage to Rev James Collins. This connection precedes the construction of this house.
View full profile →Ann Mealey
Ann Mealey, the niece of Thomas Daly’s widow, received No. 5 under his will and operated as pawnbroker beyond 1932. The journal connects the later ownership of Nos 7 and 9 with No. 5. She died on 20 December 1958. She is not automatically identified here with the tenant named Annie Mealey at No. 9.
View full profile →Elizabeth Ann Mealey
The journal names Elizabeth Ann Mealey as Ann Mealey’s niece and successor to Nos 5–9. The journal’s later ownership account gives a September 1959 sale to Graeme Beutel alongside a May 1961 transmission to Elizabeth Ann Mealey after Ann Mealey’s death in December 1958. That sequence needs checking against the deeds; the dates are not treated here as a settled sequence.
View full profile →See 5 more historic peopleShow fewer historic people
George Malloch
Engineer George Malloch rented No. 5 from Rev James Collins during 1863–1865.
View full profile →Graeme Beutel
Painter Graeme Beutel is described as the tenant who bought Nos 5–9. The journal’s later ownership account gives a September 1959 sale to Graeme Beutel alongside a May 1961 transmission to Elizabeth Ann Mealey after Ann Mealey’s death in December 1958. That sequence needs checking against the deeds; the dates are not treated here as a settled sequence.
View full profile →Mrs Daly (given name not established)
Thomas Daly’s widow continued the pawnbroking business at No. 5 until the end of 1901. The journal does not supply her given name in this account.
View full profile →Rev James Collins
Presbyterian minister James Collins bought the Queens Place frontage in February 1856 and built this two-storey stone house about 1858. He let it to engineer George Malloch in 1863–1865. His mortgagee sold the property to Thomas Daly in June 1865.
View full profile →Thomas Daly
Sydney carpenter Thomas Daly bought the property in June 1865, then added the two weatherboard houses at Nos 7 and 9 about 1866. He operated a pawnbroking business at No. 5 until his death on 7 June 1901.
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.
Alexander Chape — Earlier landowner · 1842–1856
1842–1856
Alexander Chape owned the earlier parent land. In February 1856 he sold the Queens Place frontage to Rev James Collins. This connection precedes the construction of this house.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Ann Mealey — Owner; pawnbroker at No. 5 · After 1901–1958
After 1901–1958
Ann Mealey, the niece of Thomas Daly’s widow, received No. 5 under his will and operated as pawnbroker beyond 1932. The journal connects the later ownership of Nos 7 and 9 with No. 5. She died on 20 December 1958. She is not automatically identified here with the tenant named Annie Mealey at No. 9.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Elizabeth Ann Mealey — Family successor named in ownership account · Late 1950s–early 1960s (dates unresolved)
Late 1950s–early 1960s (dates unresolved)
The journal names Elizabeth Ann Mealey as Ann Mealey’s niece and successor to Nos 5–9. The journal’s later ownership account gives a September 1959 sale to Graeme Beutel alongside a May 1961 transmission to Elizabeth Ann Mealey after Ann Mealey’s death in December 1958. That sequence needs checking against the deeds; the dates are not treated here as a settled sequence.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
George Malloch — Tenant; engineer · 1863–1865
1863–1865
Engineer George Malloch rented No. 5 from Rev James Collins during 1863–1865.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Graeme Beutel — Tenant and purchaser named in ownership account · Late 1950s–1970s (dates unresolved)
Late 1950s–1970s (dates unresolved)
Painter Graeme Beutel is described as the tenant who bought Nos 5–9. The journal’s later ownership account gives a September 1959 sale to Graeme Beutel alongside a May 1961 transmission to Elizabeth Ann Mealey after Ann Mealey’s death in December 1958. That sequence needs checking against the deeds; the dates are not treated here as a settled sequence.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Mrs Daly (given name not established) — Family and business connection · 1901
1901
Thomas Daly’s widow continued the pawnbroking business at No. 5 until the end of 1901. The journal does not supply her given name in this account.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Rev James Collins — Owner and commissioning builder · 1856–1865
1856–1865
Presbyterian minister James Collins bought the Queens Place frontage in February 1856 and built this two-storey stone house about 1858. He let it to engineer George Malloch in 1863–1865. His mortgagee sold the property to Thomas Daly in June 1865.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Thomas Daly — Owner and builder · 1865–1901
1865–1901
Sydney carpenter Thomas Daly bought the property in June 1865, then added the two weatherboard houses at Nos 7 and 9 about 1866. He operated a pawnbroking business at No. 5 until his death on 7 June 1901.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 26–27 (PDF pp. 28–29).
Timeline
9Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1840–1859 (2 events)
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1856
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c.1858
1860–1879 (3 events)
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1863–1865
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1865
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c.1866
1900–1919 (1 event)
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1901
1920–1939 (1 event)
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1932
1940–1959 (1 event)
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1958
1960–1979 (1 event)
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1973
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24, “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835-1970: Part 3”, p. 26–27.
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