272 Johnston Street, Annandale NSW 2038
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
The story of this home
The Abbey stands on the corner of Johnston and Weynton streets. The caption accompanying Margaret Quinn’s 1973 recollections dates its construction from 1881, names John Young as its builder and leaves the architect unidentified.
Quinn remembers visiting in 1916, when her grandmother Sarah O’Brien lived there with three married daughters and their families. Her account describes a busy family home behind the building’s imposing exterior, including children’s pranks that encouraged stories of a haunting.
In 1919, her cousin Irene’s wedding breakfast took place in a marquee over the Weynton Street courtyard, followed by music and dancing inside the house.
Source: Margaret Quinn, “My Granny, the Abbess”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 4 (1973), pp. 20–21, including the editorial photograph caption. Journal pp. 20–21 Address cross-check
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
John Young
The journal photograph caption attributes the building of The Abbey to John Young; it does not identify the architect.
View full profile →Margaret Quinn
Quinn records her childhood visits and family celebrations at The Abbey.
View full profile →Sarah O’Brien
Margaret Quinn recalls her grandmother living at The Abbey with three married daughters and their families.
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.
John Young — Builder · From 1881
From 1881
The journal photograph caption attributes the building of The Abbey to John Young; it does not identify the architect.
Sources:
Margaret Quinn, “My Granny, the Abbess”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 4 (1973), pp. 20–21, including the editorial photograph caption.
Margaret Quinn — Family visitor and memoir author · 1916–1919 recollections
1916–1919 recollections
Quinn records her childhood visits and family celebrations at The Abbey.
Sources:
Margaret Quinn, “My Granny, the Abbess”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 4 (1973), pp. 20–21, including the editorial photograph caption.
Sarah O’Brien — Resident · 1916
1916
Margaret Quinn recalls her grandmother living at The Abbey with three married daughters and their families.
Sources:
Margaret Quinn, “My Granny, the Abbess”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 4 (1973), pp. 20–21, including the editorial photograph caption.
Timeline
3Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1880–1899 (1 event)
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From 1881
1900–1919 (2 events)
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1916
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1919
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Margaret Quinn, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 4, “My Granny, the Abbess”, p. 20.; Margaret Quinn, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 4, “My Granny, the Abbess”, p. 21.
Memories from people
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