Built circa 1881

13 Jane Street, Balmain NSW 2041

Historic house
13 Jane St, Balmain NSW 2041, Australia

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13 Jane Street, Balmain NSW 2041
13 Jane Street, Balmain NSW 2041
1881 Year built
5 Timeline entries
0 Memories
— Supporting material
Historical street reference

About Jane Street

Formation or subdivision evidence is recorded from 1843.

Formation and history
  • 1843; 1846 — Jane Throsby was the second wife of Adolphus William Young who subdivided the area in 1843-1846.
  • 1/12/1907 — The present church was dedicated on 1/12/1907, entry from Eaton Street.
Other references: FD1851 Source page: 36

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

Cairngorm

Cairngorm at 13 Jane Street was built in 1881 alongside Rosebank at No. 11 by stonemasons William and James Burt. The substantial attached houses are described as Victorian Filigree, built in stone, with decorated verandahs and tall openings.

Early Cairngorm tenants included James H. Palmer in 1881–1883, ironfounder A. A. Milne in 1884, and machinery merchant John Kirkland in 1885–1895. In June 1896 James Burt gave Cairngorm to his son Frank Henry Burt and daughter Mary Helen Mein. Frank sold his share to their sister Marion Jardine in December 1899.

Mary and Marion sold to Isabella Smith in October 1905. Isabella and her husband Alexander, a Balmain ironmonger, lived there until 1910; Isabella continued to be listed until 1912. Designer Sydney Woolley Cathels became a tenant in 1913 and inherited the house in March 1915 after Isabella’s death. He remained listed in 1932.

The Cathels family sold Cairngorm to coppersmith John J. Pepperall and his wife Alice in August 1943. The journal says they were probably the tenants, so prior tenancy is not asserted as certain. Bruce Crosson’s photograph is a shared view of Cairngorm and Rosebank at 11–13 Jane Street.

Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3, printed pp. 24–25. View journal source photograph.

Historic people

People whose lives form part of this house’s story.

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People associated with this house

Residents, owners, builders and others whose connection forms part of this house’s history.

Alice Pepperall — Joint purchaser · August 1943

August 1943

Alice Pepperall bought Cairngorm with her husband John in August 1943.

Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3, printed pp. 24–25.

Isabella Smith — Owner and resident · From 1905

From 1905

Isabella Smith bought Cairngorm in October 1905. She and Alexander Smith lived there until 1910; she remained listed until 1912.

Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3, printed pp. 24–25.

James Burt — Builder and owner · 1881–1896

1881–1896

James and William Burt built the pair in 1881. James gave Cairngorm to two of his children in June 1896.

Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3, printed pp. 24–25.

John J. Pepperall — Joint purchaser · August 1943

August 1943

John J. Pepperall, a Balmain coppersmith, bought Cairngorm with Alice Pepperall in August 1943.

Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3, printed pp. 24–25.

Sydney Woolley Cathels — Tenant and inheriting owner · 1913–at least 1932

1913–at least 1932

Cathels, a designer, became a tenant in 1913 and inherited Cairngorm in March 1915.

Sources:
Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3, printed pp. 24–25.

Timeline

5

Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.

1880–1899 (2 events)
  1. 1881
    House Built · Approximate

    1881 — The Burt brothers build Cairngorm and Rosebank*

    William and James Burt built the pair of attached stone houses at 11–13 Jane Street.
  2. Jun 1896
    Ownership Change · Approximate

    June 1896 — James Burt gives Cairngorm to his children*

    James Burt gave the house to Frank Henry Burt and Mary Helen Mein.
1900–1919 (2 events)
  1. Oct 1905
    Purchase · Approximate

    October 1905 — Isabella Smith purchases Cairngorm*

    Mary Helen Mein and Marion Jardine sold Cairngorm to Isabella Smith.
  2. Mar 1915
    Ownership Change · Approximate

    March 1915 — Sydney Woolley Cathels inherits Cairngorm*

    Designer Sydney Woolley Cathels inherited Cairngorm after Isabella Smith’s death.
1940–1959 (1 event)
  1. Aug 1943
    Purchase · Approximate

    August 1943 — John and Alice Pepperall purchase Cairngorm*

    The Cathels family sold Cairngorm to John J. Pepperall and Alice Pepperall.

* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, “From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3”, p. 24.; Peter Reynolds, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, “From Adolphus Street to Gladstone Park: Part 3”, p. 25.

Memories from people

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Photos through time

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A preview of photos connected to this house.

Rosebank and Cairngorm, 11–13 Jane Street — shared view of both houses. Photograph: Date unknown. Bruce Crosson, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, printed p. 25 (PDF p. 27).
Date unknown Rosebank and Cairngorm, 11–13 Jane Street — shared view of both houses. Photograph: Date unknown. Bruce Crosson, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 19, printed p. 25 (PDF p. 27).
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