1 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
A shop, a home and Balmain’s post office
The Old Post Office at 1 Queens Place began as a combined shop and home. In May 1842, Sydney innkeeper Alexander Chape bought Waterview Estate lots 21–22 for £149 1s 6d. His land stretched along Queens Place and eventually accommodated several buildings; the earlier weatherboard cottages at 2–4 Waterview Street were separate from the stone shop at No. 1. Around 1850, Chape established a grocery in the new two-storey stone building, with living accommodation upstairs. [1]
In 1857, Chape became Balmain’s postmaster and ran the postal service from his grocery. His appointment connected an ordinary neighbourhood shop with the growing suburb’s communications, and he was also authorised to issue departmental money orders. [1]
Catherine Chape and the expanding postal service
Alexander Chape died at the post office on 21 May 1871. His widow Catherine inherited No. 1, continued the grocery business and took over as postmistress. That year she opened a Government Savings Bank agency at the post office. A telegraph transmitter followed in 1873, adding another service to the building’s role in local life. [2]
Catherine retired from postal duties in 1885. Her successor, Andrew Melville, served until the new post office opened in Darling Street in 1887. The old premises subsequently returned to other commercial and residential uses. The journal lists grocers George H Luchre & Son in 1888–1891, P Hall in 1892, Robert Roberts in 1896–1899, and plumber John Tatham from 1900. Gaps in the listings do not establish that the building was empty. [2]
The Tatham family and later tenants
Catherine Chape died in September 1905, and the property passed to her family. In May 1911 they sold No. 1 together with 2–4 Waterview Street to Lucretia Ann Tatham, John Tatham’s wife. The couple lived at No. 1 until 1917; after John’s death around 1918, Lucretia remained there until her marriage to Michael John Corrigan on 25 May 1921. [2]
She then let the building to a succession of occupants: Mrs Annie Cotton in 1921, Henry J Nay in 1922–1924, Mrs M Dummett in 1925–1930 and Mrs Rowena Ryan in 1932. Following Lucretia’s death in July 1932, the properties passed into estate administration. A replacement trustee later sold them to Mrs Doris Thelma Sykes in May 1945. [2]
A separate property and a new commercial chapter
In July 1947, Mrs Sykes sold No. 1 on its own lot to Golden Cob Products Pty Ltd. Golden Cob sold it to an investment company in April 1971. The building subsequently became the Volunteer Wine Bar, although the journal gives no precise opening date. [2]
This account follows the journal’s historical sequence. It does not establish the building’s present business, current ownership or a complete modern history. [1] Printed p. 24 (PDF p. 26). [2] Printed p. 26 (PDF p. 28).
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3”, printed pp. 24, 26. Construction is circa 1850; the numeric Year built field uses 1850. Later wine-bar use is recorded without an exact start date. Modern use and ownership remain unverified.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Alexander Chape
Sydney innkeeper Alexander Chape bought lots 21–22 in May 1842. Around 1850 he built the two-storey stone shop and home at No. 1 and opened a grocery. He became Balmain postmaster in 1857 and died at the post office on 21 May 1871.
View full profile →Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville succeeded Catherine Chape as postmaster and served until the new Darling Street post office opened in 1887. The source establishes his work at these premises, not residence there.
View full profile →Annie Cotton
Mrs Annie Cotton is recorded as a tenant in 1921.
View full profile →See 11 more historic peopleShow fewer historic people
Catherine Chape
Catherine inherited No. 1 after her husband Alexander died in 1871. She continued the grocery and postal services, opened a Government Savings Bank agency in 1871 and oversaw the addition of a telegraph transmitter in 1873. She retired from postal duties in 1885 and subsequently let the building. She died on 7 September 1905.
View full profile →Clarence Septimus Hanken Tatham
Clarence Septimus Hanken Tatham, a Longueville company manager, was one of the two executors to whom No. 1 and 2–4 Waterview Street passed in November 1933 after Lucretia Corrigan’s death. They completed their executorial duties and appointed a new trustee in September 1934.
View full profile →Doris Thelma Sykes
Doris Thelma Sykes of Caulfield, Victoria, purchased the properties from the trustee in May 1945. In July 1947 she sold No. 1 on a separate lot to Golden Cob Products Pty Ltd. Residence at No. 1 is not established.
View full profile →Henry J Nay
Henry J Nay is recorded as an occupant in 1922–1924. The middle initial has not been expanded.
View full profile →John Alfred Beaconsfield Westrupp
John Alfred Beaconsfield Westrupp, a Balmain salesman, was one of the two executors to whom No. 1 and 2–4 Waterview Street passed in November 1933 after Lucretia Corrigan’s death. They completed their executorial duties and appointed a new trustee in September 1934.
View full profile →John Tatham
Plumber John Tatham is listed at No. 1 from 1900. His wife Lucretia purchased the property in May 1911 and they lived there until 1917. The journal places his death around 1918.
View full profile →Lucretia Ann Tatham
Lucretia Ann Tatham, wife of plumber John Tatham, bought No. 1 and 2–4 Waterview Street in May 1911. After John’s death she remained at No. 1 until marrying Michael John Corrigan on 25 May 1921. She then let the building to successive tenants. She died on 10 July 1932.
View full profile →M Dummett
Mrs M Dummett is recorded as an occupant in 1925–1930. The given name is not supplied.
View full profile →P Hall
P Hall is listed as a grocer at No. 1 in 1892. The journal supplies an initial, not a full given name.
View full profile →Robert Roberts
Robert Roberts is listed among the later grocers occupying No. 1 in 1896–1899.
View full profile →Rowena Ryan
Mrs Rowena Ryan is recorded as an occupant in 1932.
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 — Land purchaser; grocer and postmaster · 1842–1871
1842–1871
Sydney innkeeper Alexander Chape bought lots 21–22 in May 1842. Around 1850 he built the two-storey stone shop and home at No. 1 and opened a grocery. He became Balmain postmaster in 1857 and died at the post office on 21 May 1871.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 24, 26.
Andrew Melville — Postmaster · 1885–1887
1885–1887
Andrew Melville succeeded Catherine Chape as postmaster and served until the new Darling Street post office opened in 1887. The source establishes his work at these premises, not 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. 26.
Annie Cotton — Tenant · 1921
1921
Mrs Annie Cotton is recorded as a tenant in 1921.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Catherine Chape — Owner; grocer and postmistress · 1871–1905; postmistress to 1885
1871–1905; postmistress to 1885
Catherine inherited No. 1 after her husband Alexander died in 1871. She continued the grocery and postal services, opened a Government Savings Bank agency in 1871 and oversaw the addition of a telegraph transmitter in 1873. She retired from postal duties in 1885 and subsequently let the building. She died on 7 September 1905.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Clarence Septimus Hanken Tatham — Estate executor; not established as an occupant · 1933–1934
1933–1934
Clarence Septimus Hanken Tatham, a Longueville company manager, was one of the two executors to whom No. 1 and 2–4 Waterview Street passed in November 1933 after Lucretia Corrigan’s death. They completed their executorial duties and appointed a new trustee in September 1934.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Doris Thelma Sykes — Owner · 1945–1947
1945–1947
Doris Thelma Sykes of Caulfield, Victoria, purchased the properties from the trustee in May 1945. In July 1947 she sold No. 1 on a separate lot to Golden Cob Products Pty Ltd. Residence at No. 1 is not established.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Henry J Nay — Tenant · 1922–1924
1922–1924
Henry J Nay is recorded as an occupant in 1922–1924. The middle initial has not been expanded.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
John Alfred Beaconsfield Westrupp — Estate executor; not established as an occupant · 1933–1934
1933–1934
John Alfred Beaconsfield Westrupp, a Balmain salesman, was one of the two executors to whom No. 1 and 2–4 Waterview Street passed in November 1933 after Lucretia Corrigan’s death. They completed their executorial duties and appointed a new trustee in September 1934.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
John Tatham — Occupant / business operator · From 1900; resident to 1917
From 1900; resident to 1917
Plumber John Tatham is listed at No. 1 from 1900. His wife Lucretia purchased the property in May 1911 and they lived there until 1917. The journal places his death around 1918.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Lucretia Ann Tatham — Owner and resident; later Lucretia Ann Corrigan · 1911–1932; resident to 1921
1911–1932; resident to 1921
Lucretia Ann Tatham, wife of plumber John Tatham, bought No. 1 and 2–4 Waterview Street in May 1911. After John’s death she remained at No. 1 until marrying Michael John Corrigan on 25 May 1921. She then let the building to successive tenants. She died on 10 July 1932.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
M Dummett — Tenant · 1925–1930
1925–1930
Mrs M Dummett is recorded as an occupant in 1925–1930. The given name is not supplied.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
P Hall — Occupant / business operator · 1892
1892
P Hall is listed as a grocer at No. 1 in 1892. The journal supplies an initial, not a full given name.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Robert Roberts — Occupant / business operator · 1896–1899
1896–1899
Robert Roberts is listed among the later grocers occupying No. 1 in 1896–1899.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Rowena Ryan — Tenant · 1932
1932
Mrs Rowena Ryan is recorded as an occupant in 1932.
Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24 (2014), From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835–1970: Part 3, printed pp. 26.
Timeline
13Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1840–1859 (3 events)
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1842
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1850
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1857
1860–1879 (3 events)
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1871
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1871
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1873
1880–1899 (2 events)
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1885
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1887
1900–1919 (2 events)
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1900
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1911
1940–1959 (2 events)
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1945
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1947
1960–1979 (1 event)
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1971
* 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. 24.; Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 24, “From Cooper Street to Waterview Street: Waterview Estate 1835-1970: Part 3”, p. 26.
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