Denfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denfield |
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| Location | Appin Road, St Helens Park, City of Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1837 |
| Official name: Denfield | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 540 |
| Type | Homestead Complex |
| Category | Farming and Grazing |
| Builders | John Farley |
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Denfield is an old farm complex located in St Helens Park, Australia. It was built in 1837 by John Farley. This special place has been a farm, a home, and even an inn. Today, it is still a residence. Denfield is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history.
Contents
Discovering Denfield's Past
Early Days in Campbelltown
The land where Denfield stands was originally home to the Tharawal people. They lived across a wide area, from the coast to the Georges River. The Dharug language group also met in this region.
When the first European settlers arrived in Sydney in 1788, life changed for the Aboriginal people. Many coastal groups were affected by a smallpox illness.
Later, some cattle escaped from the settlement. They wandered south and multiplied in the Campbelltown and Camden areas. This region became known as the "Cow Pastures."
In 1805, John Macarthur received a large land grant here. It was some of the best grazing land in the colony. By 1809, many other settlers, including Irish families, also received land grants.
A Sad Event in Appin
In 1816, there was a difficult time for the Tharawal people. A group led by Captain James Wallis caused a tragedy at Appin. At least 14 Tharawal people lost their lives. Some settlers, like Charles Throsby, were very upset by this event.
Even after this, traditional ceremonies continued. The Macarthur family of Camden Park offered some protection. However, the number of Aboriginal people in the area slowly decreased.
Campbelltown Town is Born
As more people settled in the area, a new town was needed. It was to be south of Liverpool. In 1820, Campbelltown was officially established. It was named after Mrs. Elizabeth Macquarie's maiden name, Campbell. The town plan was set in 1826.
The Story of Denfield House
Building Denfield
The main house at Denfield was built between 1835 and 1837. A man named John Farley constructed it. He was known as a hard-working and successful farmer.
Farley's farm covered about 81 hectares (200 acres). He became famous for something unusual. He claimed to be the first person to see 'Fisher's Ghost'. This ghost story is a local legend. It involves a murder and a mystery. Farley said the ghost pointed to a paddock where a body was later found.
In those days, farms in Campbelltown grew wheat for the colony. But this crop did not last long. A disease called "wheat rust" affected the area.
New Owners and Changes
John Farley sold Denfield to John Bray in 1840. Bray used Denfield to fatten his cattle. This was useful because it was closer to the Sydney markets. Bray's first two wives sadly passed away at Denfield. His third wife lived there until the early 1900s. It is believed that Denfield even became an inn for a while.
After Mrs. Bray's death, the property was rented out. Parts of the land were sold off. The Denfield homestead began to fall into disrepair.
Bringing Denfield Back to Life
In the 1960s, an architect named Sydney Palmer bought Denfield. He renovated the house in 1964. An article from 1965 praised his work. It said he made Denfield a modern home while keeping its old charm.
The original separate kitchen became a bedroom. New bathrooms and a laundry were added. Palmer reused old materials where he could. For example, old bricks were used to rebuild a wall. Wide timber boards were used for the floors.
In 1970, the Sefton family bought Denfield. They ran a lavender farm there for ten years.
Denfield Today
In the 1970s, Campbelltown began to grow into a city. More houses were built in the area. This meant less farming land.
In 1985, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson bought Denfield. They spent a lot of money fixing it up. They also planted over 1400 trees and shrubs.
Over the years, parts of the Denfield land were sold. However, the main house and its gardens remained. The Laws family lived in Denfield for over 23 years. They continued to restore the house and garden. They even added some modern buildings.
Today, Denfield is still a beautiful and historic home. It sits on a prominent hill. It is surrounded by trees and gardens.
What Denfield Looks Like
The Homestead
The main house is a Georgian colonial cottage. It is set back from Appin Road. The cottage has a balanced design. It was built with sandstone bricks on stone foundations.
The house has a timber verandah. The roof is made of corrugated iron. There are three brick chimneys. The windows have twelve panes and wooden shutters. The front door has a simple, curved glass fanlight.
Inside, Denfield has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is also a study. The fireplaces have beautiful Georgian designs. The verandah is decorated with a fine scalloped timber valance. The house also has air conditioning and a wine cellar.
Other Buildings
Behind the main house, there is a covered walkway. This leads to the original kitchen building. Separate from the house, there is a swimming pool. There is also a wood shed, a workshop, and a carport.
An old slab hut from around 1840 is also on the property. It is used as a museum for old farm tools. There are also water tanks that hold a lot of water.
Why Denfield is Special
Denfield is important for its history and architecture. It is one of the earliest surviving farm complexes in the Campbelltown and Appin areas.
It is connected to early farmers like John Farley. He is famous for claiming to see Fisher's Ghost. John Bray and his family also owned Denfield for many years. Denfield played a big part in the early settlement of the area.
The old buildings show how colonial farmhouses were designed. Even though Denfield has been changed over time, it still looks very much like it did in the past. It is a great example of colonial architecture in New South Wales.
The buildings show how early settlers used materials and building methods. Denfield has always been a key part of farming in the Campbelltown and Appin areas since the 1830s. Its owners and residents helped shape the community.
Denfield is a very good example of a typical farmhouse from the 1830s. It has been carefully restored and is in good condition. It helps us understand the past of the region.
Denfield was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Images for kids
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