| Historical notes: | STATEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Rockdale area bounds Dharawal and Eora Country and has associations with the Bidjigal, Cadigal and Gweagal groups (Bayside Council, AIATSIS). It was the first recorded place of Aboriginal and colonial contact in 1770. This is a complex place of displacement, resilience, and protest for Aboriginal peoples, exemplified by the 1970 and 1988 protests at La Perouse.
The area remains abundant with terrestrial and marine life, and there are culturally significant stories and traditions surrounding Kamay (Botany Bay) and its tributaries. Grinding grooves, shelters, middens, campsites, burials, and rock art attests to the enduring cultural significance of this place.
GENERAL HISTORY OF ROCKDALE
Following European settlement in Sydney, growth was relatively slow to spread south to the Botany region. Approximately 30 land grants were made by 1830, however much of the area was industrial, utilised for forestry, coal, stone and mortar (David Scobie Architects 2021, 11). In 1884 Rockdale Station was opened, encouraging growth in the region as it connected Redfern and Hurstville. Many homes were constructed by wealthy landholders in the late 19th century and were subdivided towards the turn of the 20th century, followed by a second boom of residential subdivision and development in the Post-War period.
ESTABLISHMENT OF LYDHAM HILL
Lydham Hall is situated on the original 1200 acre land grant dedicated to James Chandler by Governor Brisbane in 1831 (promised in 1822), named 'Bexley' (David Scobie 2021, 12). By 1836 the Bexley Estate was subdivided and sold, ending in the ownership of major colonial landholder Charles Tompson. A 67-acre parcel of Tompson's land was purchased for (Pounds)201 by Newtown based butcher Joseph Davis at auction on 4 December 1859 (Land Registry Services Book No. 62-172).
Davis was likely born in Sussex in 1826 and married Ellen Turner in Newtown in 1850. He likely migrated to Sydney in the late 1840s and by the mid-1850s he opened the successful Davis Butchery Co on Newtown's King Street. Davis allegedly slaughtered animals at his butchery in 1865, prompting the need for agricultural land (The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 Jan 1865 p.3 ). As outlined in his will, Davis intended for his land at Rockdale to be used as pasture, while a second site, purchased at Arncliffe, became the location of his slaughterhouse (MHNSW Joseph Davis Will, MHNSW-StAC: NRS-13660-3-[17/2286]-Series 3_17982 | Joseph Davis Date of Death 24 January 1889, Granted on 6 March 1889, cited in Sedneva 2023 p. 9).
Davis constructed an elegant country home which he named Lydham Hill. A definitive construction date cannot be ascertained; however, it was most likely constructed in the 1870s as this is when historical records show the Davis family beginning to participate in the Rockdale and West Botany community. The Lidham Hall Mazurka was reportedly composed for the opening of the house by 14 year old local Nellie Marchant (born 1864). If accurate, it would place the opening date of Lydham Hill around c.1878. The architectural design and building fabric supports a construction date of the 1870s.
This residence was certainly constructed by 1880, described in an advertisement for the Forest Road Heights subdivision, which was "adjoining the stone villa and grounds belonging to Mr Joseph Davis (The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 Jun 1880 p.3) . The land was slightly reduced by the widening of Forest Road, reducing Davis's estate to 50 acres in 1883 (Land Registry Services Appn No. 5688, Vol-Fol 669-127).
While there is little illustrative evidence showing Lydham Hill in its original design, an 1884 subdivision plan illustrates the Estate with long tree-lined avenue extending south from Forest Road, with circular carriageway immediately north of the house (SLNSW FL9097446). The illustration indicates pines and possibly oaks, typical of large Victorian estates.
SUBDIVISION
As the construction of the Illawarra train line prompted subdivision and residential growth, Davis was not to be left behind. In 1884 he subdivided the west portion of his land, aligning with Herbert Street. Lydham Hill was sited "on the Elevated slope overlooking Rockdale Station and commanding most lovely views, both of land and water scapes Lydham Hill Estate is the choicest subdivision on the Illawarra Railway Line the views are simply enchanting" (The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 Oct 1884) .
In 1885 Davis was seriously injured by a steer and retired. In 1886 it appears Davis and his family made Lydham Hall their primary residence, as evidenced in the Sands Postal Directory (Sands Directory 1886), however on 24 January 1889 he passed away at 63 years old. In accordance with instructions left to Ellen Davis in his will (MHNSW), Lydham Hill was further subdivided into a smaller lot of 2acres 3 roods and 12 perches. Joseph Street (now Lydham Avenue) and Oswell Street were both established and Ellen relocated to Wilson Street, Newtown.
SALE OF LYDHAM HILL
Lydham Hill was sold to oyster merchant Frederick John Gibbins on June 2nd 1890 (Land Registry Services Vol-Fol 970-139), who subdivided the land further on all sides. By the late 1890s outbuildings were illustrated on subdivision plans, likely including an outhouse, coach house, stable, servant's quarters and kitchen. Lydham Hill was rented by a tenant named Mr Hoggan, whose daughter Margaret held her wedding reception there (The Sydney Morning Herald 6 Jun 1903 ).
THE STEAD FAMILY
In 1907 Ada Gibbins (daughter of Frederick) moved into Lydham Hill with her new husband David Stead, and stepdaughter Christina Stead. This notable family would reside at Lydham Hill for the next decade and several children were born during this time. It was at this time that the house inadvertently became known as Lydham Hall, apparently due to a spelling error made by David, much to Ada's dismay that the building was "not a hall" (Sedneva, 2023).
David G. Stead was a highly regarded naturalist and ichthyologist (study of fish). He was a prolific author, writing Fishes of Australia (1906), Edible Fishes of New South Wales (1908), and later edited Australian Wild Life, the Australian Geographer, and Australian Naturalist. He was also an early popular science educator and conservation advocate, pioneering radio broadcasts on wildlife topics and founding the Wild Life Preservation Society of Australia in addition to roles in many other community organisations (Walsh, 1990) . He is commemorated by the David George Stead Memorial Wildlife Research Foundation of Australia, Australian Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Stead in the Blue Mountains.
Christina Stead (1902-198) is often regarded as "one of Australia's greatest novelists" (ABC, 2013 ). She was born in Rockdale and attended local schools including Bexley Public. She worked in psychology and teaching before leaving for Europe in the 1930s to become a writer. Stead was considerably influenced by her childhood at Lydham Hall, which featured prominently in her most popular, semi-autobiographical novel The Man Who Loved Children (1940). The main character, Sam Pollitt, was based on her father. Stead was initially characterised by Australian press as an expat, a communist, and too "racy", with many of her works banned in Australia. Today, she is regarded influential for her vivid depictions of female life, political and social commentary, and her sharp use of satire.
Reissues of her works from the 1960s received recognition in Australia. In 1967 she was due to receive the annual Britannica Australia Award for contributions to Australian literature, however this was overturned on account of her expat status. Following the death of her partner, William Blake, she returned to Australia in 1974 and received the inaugural Patrick White Literary Award in the same year. Her extraordinary impact on Australian literature is commemorated by two prizes in her name, the New South Wales Premier's Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, and the Fellowship of Australian Writers Christina Stead Award.
FURTHER SUBDIVISION AND SALE
In 1917 Frederick Gibbins passed away and Lydham Hall was purchased by William Thom and Emma Patterson. At this time, the external kitchen was demolished and a new kitchen was constructed as an annexe to the main house, still extant at the southwest end. The land was further subdivided and in 1921 it was sold to Alfred Oliver, who again subdivided the grounds for new residences. Photographs from this time show the grounds unkempt, with few decorative elements although aerial images from the 1930s show a kitchen garden at the rear of the estate. By the 1950s a more formal, suburban front garden was established, with low front fence, first a picket fence, then a low brick wall with timber details.
In 1958 Lydham Hall was subdivided to its current cadastral boundary and purchased by Mr and Mrs Long. The Coach house, stables, and servant's quarters were demolished at this time to allow for residential development on the newly subdivided lots.
HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM
In October 1970, the former Rockdale Municipal Council purchased Lydham Hall to celebrate their centenary, intending to establish a local museum.
Subsequently, Rockdale Council and the St George Historical Society commenced the restoration of Lydham Hall 'to its original condition and appearance, both externally and internally'. It opened to the public as a historic house museum in February 1971 as part of the centenary celebrations. It is now managed by St George Historical Society on behalf of Bayside Council. In January 2015 storms resulted in damage to Lydham Hall and its closure for repair works. The house was reopened to the public in February 2016 after repairs (St.George & Sutherland Shire Leader, 9/2/16). |