Claremont Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Claremont Cottage |
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| Location | Claremont Crescent, Windsor, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1807–1822 |
| Owner | Cassmar Hotels Pty Ltd |
| Official name: Claremont Cottage | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 738 |
| Type | Cottage |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Claremont Cottage is a very old house in Windsor, Australia. It is located on Claremont Crescent. This special home was built between 1807 and 1822. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
The Story of Claremont Cottage
In 1796, two men named John Pugh and Charles Thomas received land grants. They started to clear their land. John Pugh's land was 25 acres and became known as "Pugh's Farm." By 1806, Pugh owned a lot of land. He grew grain and had animals.
In 1811, John Pugh sold his farm to John Jones. Pugh then moved to Windsor.
Later, in 1822, John Jones sold a large piece of land to William Cox. This land included Pugh's Farm. William Cox was a very important pioneer in Australia. However, he did not live at Claremont Cottage. He lived at his own estate called Clarendon, near Windsor.
The main part of Claremont Cottage was finished around 1820. This was about the same time as the nearby St Matthew's Anglican Church was built. Some people think the kitchen part of the cottage is even older. It might have been built by the first owner, John Pugh, around 1807.
From 1828, a lawyer named Francis Beddeck lived in the cottage. He was married to Elizabeth Blachford, who was William Cox's sister-in-law.
Over the years, Claremont Cottage had other owners. James Chaseling owned it from 1870 to 1906. Later, Sir Philip Belmont Charley, a well-known dairy farmer, owned it from 1936 to 1976.
What Claremont Cottage Looks Like
The original Claremont Cottage was built in a style called Colonial Georgian. It was made of brick covered with stucco (a type of plaster). It had wide verandahs (covered porches) all around. The roof was low and sloped.
The cottage had double French doors that opened onto the verandah. Other windows had twelve small panes of glass and wooden shutters. Inside, some of the original wooden details remained. The front rooms were connected to the older kitchen section at the back. They were joined by a covered walkway. This was a common design for early Australian homes.
Sadly, a fire badly damaged the cottage in the 1970s or 1980s. After the fire, the property was empty for a while. The oldest parts of the building survived. Some small pieces of the 1820s section also remained. But most of the 1820s part had to be rebuilt.
In 2010, a large Moreton Bay fig tree that was very old was removed from the property.
The garden around the cottage has changed a lot over time. From the house, you can see a nice view of fields and a dam. Behind the oldest part of the building, there is a round garden bed. It has a large, loose grave headstone in it. A driveway leads from the gates to the back of the house. It is lined with pretty Nile lilies.
In the early 2000s, the property was sold again. The current owners have rebuilt and restored the cottage.
Why Claremont Cottage is Special
Claremont Cottage is considered a very important historical place. It is one of the oldest houses in the Windsor area. It has connections to many important families from the Hawkesbury region. These families include William Cox and Francis Beddeck.
The cottage has kept its old colonial feel. This is because any new parts or changes made over time have been done carefully. They match the original style. This makes Claremont Cottage a great example of an early Australian colonial home.
Important History
Claremont Cottage is one of the oldest buildings in the Hawkesbury region. Its history goes back to 1796. A plaque on its wall lists all the people who have owned it. This shows how long it has been a part of the area's story.
Important People
Many important people from the Hawkesbury area have owned Claremont Cottage since 1796. William Cox owned it from 1822 to 1849. He was a very famous pioneer. He came to Australia in 1800. He is best known for building a 101-mile road across the Blue Mountains. He did this with the help of convicts and soldiers between 1814 and 1815. Cox also built houses and public buildings. He was a magistrate and was known for treating his convict workers well.
Francis Beddeck lived in the cottage from 1828 to 1853. He was a lawyer. He helped form the first Windsor District Council with William Cox Jr.
Beautiful Design
Claremont Cottage has a special look. It has low eaves (the part of the roof that hangs over the walls) and wide verandahs. These open onto gently sloping green lawns. The house has cellars and a rambling (spreading out) inside. The front rooms connect to the old kitchen by a covered walkway. This makes it a classic early Australian homestead. All the changes made over time have been done in a way that keeps its old colonial atmosphere.
Community Connection
Claremont Cottage has been owned and lived in by many important people from the Hawkesbury area since 1796. These people, like William Cox and Francis Beddeck, were a big part of how Windsor and the Hawkesbury district grew. They were also involved in setting up the first local council in 1824.
Typical Colonial Style
Claremont Cottage shows what a typical colonial building looked like. It dates back to 1796. The way the house is built, and the changes made to it over time, also show how society and culture have changed from colonial times until now.
