5 National Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
The story of this home
Rockcliff
Rockcliff at 5 National Street is a stuccoed brick terrace-type house associated with Flood’s Estate. Eliza Landquist, wife of carpenter Stanislas Swante Landquist, bought it from the National company in about 1892, and the couple lived there from that year. After repayments were completed, the title transferred to Eliza in November 1896. The photograph caption dates the house to about 1892; the narrative establishes purchase and occupancy rather than an exact construction date.
The Landquists let the house to Nicholas Church in 1897 and K. B. Brasier from 1898. In December 1903 they sold it to James Alexander McLaughlin, who continued Brasier’s tenancy until 1904. Railway employee James Epenctus Neill and his wife Margaret became tenants in 1905.
Margaret Neill bought the house in January 1911 and extended its southern side that year at a reported cost of £150. In June the title was placed in both spouses’ names. In February 1913 she sold to farmer George McGregor Snodgrass, who let the house to Mrs R. Morford. McLaughlin bought it again in April 1914 and continued Morford’s tenancy until 1922, followed by William Bamde in 1923–1925.
Builder Frank Robbie McDonald bought Rockcliff in October 1925 and lived there beyond 1932. Following his death in March 1947, the house passed to his widow Sarah Isabella McDonald in December 1947. She sold it to Robert Stephen Richter in April 1950.
Bruce Crosson’s photograph shows the parapeted frontage and cast-iron decoration beneath a bullnose verandah roof. The journal identifies the face-brick verandah wall and fence as later additions.
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43. View journal photograph and source.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Eliza Landquist
Eliza bought Rockcliff in about 1892, received title in November 1896 after repayments, and sold with her husband in December 1903.
View full profile →Frank Robbie McDonald
Builder Frank Robbie McDonald bought Rockcliff in October 1925 and lived there beyond 1932. He died on 23 March 1947.
View full profile →James Alexander McLaughlin
McLaughlin bought Rockcliff in December 1903 and sold in January 1911. He bought it again in April 1914 and sold in October 1925.
View full profile →See 5 more historic peopleShow fewer historic people
James Epenctus Neill
A railway employee, Neill became a tenant with Margaret in 1905. The house was transferred into both spouses’ names in June 1911.
View full profile →Margaret Neill
Margaret and her husband became tenants in 1905. She bought Rockcliff in January 1911, extended it that year, and sold in February 1913.
View full profile →Robert Stephen Richter
Robert Stephen Richter, described as a Leichhardt fireman and greaser, bought Rockcliff in April 1950.
View full profile →Sarah Isabella McDonald
Following her husband Frank’s death, Rockcliff passed to Sarah Isabella McDonald in December 1947. She sold in April 1950.
View full profile →Stanislas Swante Landquist
Stanislas Swante Landquist was a carpenter and Eliza Landquist’s husband. The couple lived at Rockcliff from 1892.
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.
Eliza Landquist — Owner and resident · c. 1892–1903
c. 1892–1903
Eliza bought Rockcliff in about 1892, received title in November 1896 after repayments, and sold with her husband in December 1903.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
Frank Robbie McDonald — Owner and resident · 1925–1947
1925–1947
Builder Frank Robbie McDonald bought Rockcliff in October 1925 and lived there beyond 1932. He died on 23 March 1947.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
James Alexander McLaughlin — Owner and landlord · 1903–1911; 1914–1925
1903–1911; 1914–1925
McLaughlin bought Rockcliff in December 1903 and sold in January 1911. He bought it again in April 1914 and sold in October 1925.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
James Epenctus Neill — Resident and joint owner · 1905–1913
1905–1913
A railway employee, Neill became a tenant with Margaret in 1905. The house was transferred into both spouses’ names in June 1911.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
Margaret Neill — Resident and owner · 1905–1913
1905–1913
Margaret and her husband became tenants in 1905. She bought Rockcliff in January 1911, extended it that year, and sold in February 1913.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
Robert Stephen Richter — Purchaser · April 1950
April 1950
Robert Stephen Richter, described as a Leichhardt fireman and greaser, bought Rockcliff in April 1950.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
Sarah Isabella McDonald — Owner · 1947–1950
1947–1950
Following her husband Frank’s death, Rockcliff passed to Sarah Isabella McDonald in December 1947. She sold in April 1950.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
Stanislas Swante Landquist — Resident · From 1892
From 1892
Stanislas Swante Landquist was a carpenter and Eliza Landquist’s husband. The couple lived at Rockcliff from 1892.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3, printed pp. 41–43.
Timeline
6Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1880–1899 (2 events)
-
c. 1892
-
Nov 1896
1900–1919 (2 events)
-
Dec 1903
-
1911
1920–1939 (1 event)
-
Oct 1925
1940–1959 (1 event)
-
Apr 1950
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, “Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3”, p. 41.; Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 25, “Flood’s Estate: Sections 3–4, Part 3”, p. 42.
Memories from people
This home’s story is just beginning. Share a memory connected to this place.
A preview of photos connected to this house.
