49 Waterview St, Balmain NSW 2041
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
About Waterview Street
Historical/alternate name evidence: George Street. The first extracted Sands reference is 1861.
- 1840 — Called George Street in 1840s for George Cooper.
- 1855 — 49 Waterview Street, c1855, built by Captain William Sawyer, later called Regimbah .
- George Street
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
Earlier cottages and the land beneath Regimbah
The large stone house at 49 Waterview Street dates from 1872, although development on its site began earlier. Balmain labourer Francis Armstrong bought lots 14–15 in May 1844. That year the land held an unfinished stone cottage and a smaller stone cottage let to George Chidgey. Armstrong sold these lots to Catherine Morgan in May 1848; she had already acquired adjoining lots 16–17 in October 1844. [1]
In February 1855, Morgan sold lots 14–17 to William Henry Sawyer. The combined holding gave him 132 feet of frontage to Waterview Street. Sawyer later removed Armstrong’s cottages and had a substantial detached stone house built in 1872. Its two-storey arrangement followed the slope, with the upper floor at street level. The year 1855 belongs to Sawyer’s land purchase, not the construction of the present house. [1]
The Sawyer family and the breakup of the estate
Sawyer lived at the house until his death on 24 February 1887, and his eldest daughter Alice Gertrude remained until 1896. The journal does not establish an exact date when Sawyer first moved into the completed house. Its photograph caption also associates Catherine Morgan’s death in 1882 with this home. [1–2]
After Sawyer died, executors Robert and Alice Gertrude Sawyer continued to mortgage the property. Repayment difficulties led the mortgagees to subdivide the wider holdings. Caroline Lane was created as part of this reorganisation, changing the setting of the original house and making smaller properties available around it. [1]
The Seaman family and the name Regimbah
Jemima Forest Seaman bought the house in December 1895. She was married to Balmain soap manufacturer Robert Thomas Seaman, and the family named the house Regimbah. They lived there from 1896 to 1912. In December 1912, Jemima transferred the property to Catherine Elizabeth Seaman, wife of her son Robert, a lighterman and tugboat owner. [1]
Robert junior and Catherine lived at Regimbah until his death on 18 January 1927. Catherine remained beyond 1932 and sold the property in November 1942 to Balmain motor engineer Charles John Lawson. [1]
Later ownership and subdivision
Lawson died in August 1951. In September 1953 the property passed to his widow and daughter, with two-thirds and one-third shares respectively. The journal’s wording of the women’s names is inconsistent between its adjoining property accounts; this narrative therefore identifies them by their relationships rather than attempting to resolve that discrepancy. [1,3]
In May 1968, Mrs Lawson and Mrs Nairn sold Regimbah to Ruth Kathleen Dunbar, who sold it to Saywell Associates NSW Pty Ltd in June 1971. Saywell subdivided the land and sold the house on its own lot in December 1978. Two other lots facing Caroline Lane were sold in July 1979 and subsequently carried new houses. [1]
The journal identifies no purchaser by name for the December 1978 sale. Its reference to the then-current owner belongs to the 2014 publication and should not be treated as a statement of ownership today. [1] Printed p. 58 (PDF p. 60). [2] Photograph caption, printed p. 59 (PDF p. 61), photograph credited to Bruce Crosson. [3] Adjoining No. 51 account, printed p. 59.
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 58–59. The existing stone house dates to 1872; 1855 is a land purchase date. An inconsistency in the names of the 1953 beneficiaries is left unresolved. Current ownership is not asserted.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Alice Gertrude Sawyer
William Henry Sawyer’s eldest daughter Alice Gertrude remained in the house until 1896. She and Robert Sawyer were executors of his estate and continued to mortgage the property after his death. Repayment difficulties led to subdivision.
View full profile →Catherine Elizabeth Seaman
Catherine Elizabeth Seaman received Regimbah from Jemima Seaman in December 1912. She lived there with her husband Robert junior and remained beyond 1932 after his death. She sold to Charles John Lawson in November 1942.
View full profile →Catherine Morgan
Catherine Morgan bought lots 16–17 in October 1844 and lots 14–15 in May 1848, selling the combined holding to William Henry Sawyer in February 1855. The journal’s photograph caption identifies the later house as the place where she died in 1882.
View full profile →See 11 more historic peopleShow fewer historic people
Charles John Lawson
Balmain motor engineer Charles John Lawson bought Regimbah in November 1942. He died on 11 August 1951; the property subsequently passed to his widow and daughter.
View full profile →Francis Armstrong
Balmain labourer Francis Armstrong bought lots 14–15 in May 1844. The land had an unfinished stone cottage and another small stone cottage let to George Chidgey. He sold to Catherine Morgan in May 1848. These cottages preceded the present house built in 1872.
View full profile →George Chidgey
Builder George Chidgey rented one of Francis Armstrong’s stone cottages in 1844. He later became a Balmain grocer, postmaster and builder. This is an association with the earlier cottage, not occupancy of the 1872 house.
View full profile →Jemima Forest Seaman
Jemima Forest Seaman bought the house in December 1895. She and her husband Robert Thomas Seaman named it Regimbah and lived there from 1896 to 1912. She transferred it to Catherine Elizabeth Seaman in December 1912.
View full profile →Mrs Lawson (Charles John Lawson’s widow)
Lawson’s widow received a two-thirds share in September 1953 and sold with Mrs Nairn in May 1968. The adjoining accounts on pages 58–59 give inconsistent versions of the women’s names. This profile retains her relationship rather than resolving the discrepancy by assumption.
View full profile →Mrs Nairn (Charles John Lawson’s daughter)
Lawson’s daughter, identified as the wife of Thomas Henry Nairn, received a one-third share in September 1953 and sold with Mrs Lawson in May 1968. The journal’s adjacent accounts give inconsistent names; this profile leaves that discrepancy unresolved.
View full profile →Robert Sawyer
Robert Sawyer acted with Alice Gertrude Sawyer as an executor of William Henry Sawyer’s estate. The journal records their mortgages over the property; it does not establish his residence at the house.
View full profile →Robert Seaman junior
Robert Seaman junior, husband of Catherine Elizabeth Seaman, was a lighterman and tugboat owner. They lived at Regimbah until his death on 18 January 1927.
View full profile →Robert Thomas Seaman
Robert Thomas Seaman was a Balmain soap manufacturer and husband of Jemima Forest Seaman. They named the house Regimbah and lived there from 1896 to 1912.
View full profile →Ruth Kathleen Dunbar
Ruth Kathleen Dunbar of Campsie bought Regimbah in May 1968 and sold to Saywell Associates NSW Pty Ltd in June 1971. The journal does not establish her residence there.
View full profile →William Henry Sawyer
William Henry Sawyer bought lots 14–17 in February 1855. He removed the earlier cottages and built the large stone house in 1872. He lived there until his death on 24 February 1887. The 1855 date is the land purchase, not construction.
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.
Alice Gertrude Sawyer — Resident and estate executor · After 1887–1896 residence
After 1887–1896 residence
William Henry Sawyer’s eldest daughter Alice Gertrude remained in the house until 1896. She and Robert Sawyer were executors of his estate and continued to mortgage the property after his death. Repayment difficulties led to subdivision.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Catherine Elizabeth Seaman — Owner and resident · 1912–1942 ownership; resident beyond 1932
1912–1942 ownership; resident beyond 1932
Catherine Elizabeth Seaman received Regimbah from Jemima Seaman in December 1912. She lived there with her husband Robert junior and remained beyond 1932 after his death. She sold to Charles John Lawson in November 1942.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Catherine Morgan — Earlier landowner; later connection to the house · 1844–1855 landholding; died 1882
1844–1855 landholding; died 1882
Catherine Morgan bought lots 16–17 in October 1844 and lots 14–15 in May 1848, selling the combined holding to William Henry Sawyer in February 1855. The journal’s photograph caption identifies the later house as the place where she died in 1882.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Charles John Lawson — Owner · 1942–1951
1942–1951
Balmain motor engineer Charles John Lawson bought Regimbah in November 1942. He died on 11 August 1951; the property subsequently passed to his widow and daughter.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Francis Armstrong — Earlier landowner and cottage builder · 1844–1848
1844–1848
Balmain labourer Francis Armstrong bought lots 14–15 in May 1844. The land had an unfinished stone cottage and another small stone cottage let to George Chidgey. He sold to Catherine Morgan in May 1848. These cottages preceded the present house built in 1872.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
George Chidgey — Tenant of an earlier cottage on the site · 1844
1844
Builder George Chidgey rented one of Francis Armstrong’s stone cottages in 1844. He later became a Balmain grocer, postmaster and builder. This is an association with the earlier cottage, not occupancy of the 1872 house.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Jemima Forest Seaman — Owner and resident · 1895–1912
1895–1912
Jemima Forest Seaman bought the house in December 1895. She and her husband Robert Thomas Seaman named it Regimbah and lived there from 1896 to 1912. She transferred it to Catherine Elizabeth Seaman in December 1912.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Mrs Lawson (Charles John Lawson’s widow) — Beneficiary and co-owner; name discrepancy · 1953–1968
1953–1968
Lawson’s widow received a two-thirds share in September 1953 and sold with Mrs Nairn in May 1968. The adjoining accounts on pages 58–59 give inconsistent versions of the women’s names. This profile retains her relationship rather than resolving the discrepancy by assumption.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Mrs Nairn (Charles John Lawson’s daughter) — Beneficiary and co-owner; name discrepancy · 1953–1968
1953–1968
Lawson’s daughter, identified as the wife of Thomas Henry Nairn, received a one-third share in September 1953 and sold with Mrs Lawson in May 1968. The journal’s adjacent accounts give inconsistent names; this profile leaves that discrepancy unresolved.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Robert Sawyer — Estate executor · After 1887
After 1887
Robert Sawyer acted with Alice Gertrude Sawyer as an executor of William Henry Sawyer’s estate. The journal records their mortgages over the property; it does not establish his residence at the house.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Robert Seaman junior — Resident; lighterman and tugboat owner · 1912–1927
1912–1927
Robert Seaman junior, husband of Catherine Elizabeth Seaman, was a lighterman and tugboat owner. They lived at Regimbah until his death on 18 January 1927.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Robert Thomas Seaman — Resident · 1896–1912
1896–1912
Robert Thomas Seaman was a Balmain soap manufacturer and husband of Jemima Forest Seaman. They named the house Regimbah and lived there from 1896 to 1912.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Ruth Kathleen Dunbar — Owner · 1968–1971
1968–1971
Ruth Kathleen Dunbar of Campsie bought Regimbah in May 1968 and sold to Saywell Associates NSW Pty Ltd in June 1971. The journal does not establish her residence there.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
William Henry Sawyer — Owner; commissioned house; resident · 1855–1887; house built 1872
1855–1887; house built 1872
William Henry Sawyer bought lots 14–17 in February 1855. He removed the earlier cottages and built the large stone house in 1872. He lived there until his death on 24 February 1887. The 1855 date is the land purchase, not construction.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 58–59.
Timeline
12Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1840–1859 (3 events)
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1844
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1848
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1855
1860–1879 (1 event)
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1872
1880–1899 (2 events)
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by 1887
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Dec 1895
1900–1919 (1 event)
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Dec 1912
1940–1959 (2 events)
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Nov 1942
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1953
1960–1979 (3 events)
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May 1968
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Jun 1971
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Dec 1978
* 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. 58.
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