Macquarie Field House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macquarie Field House |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | Quarter Sessions Road, Macquarie Fields, City of Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1810–1843 |
| Architect |
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| Official name: Macquarie Field House; And the Meehan remains; "Macquariefield"; Macquarie Fields; Macquarie Field | |
| Type | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 424 |
| Type | Farm |
| Category | Farming and Grazing |
| Builders | James Meehan (first house); Mr Burns (woodwork in second, current house) |
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Macquarie Field House is a historic property in Macquarie Fields, Australia. It used to be a farm and a private school, but now it's a home. The house was designed by James Meehan (for the first house and barn) and James Hume (for the current house). It was built between 1810 and 1843. This important site is privately owned and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
History of Macquarie Field House
Early Days and James Meehan
The story of Macquarie Field House begins with James Meehan (1774-1826). He was an Irish surveyor who came to Sydney in 1800. Even though he arrived as a convict, his skills as a surveyor were quickly recognized. He worked for the colony's Surveyor-General and became very important in mapping and exploring large parts of Australia. He helped lay out early towns like Sydney, Parramatta, and Hobart.
In 1809, Meehan received a land grant of about 44 hectares (110 acres). By 1810, his land in Minto grew to about 460 hectares (1140 acres). Governor Macquarie wanted Meehan to develop this land. Meehan worked hard, clearing land and raising animals, even while still a busy government surveyor. By 1816, his estate, called "Macquariefield," covered about 817 hectares (2020 acres).
Buildings on the Estate
It's not clear exactly when Meehan built the first main house, sometimes called 'Meehan's Castle'. It was a two-storey building, very noticeable on the hilltop. Meehan chose this spot because it offered great views and was easy to defend, which was important for safety in those early days. This first house was likely finished around 1818.
Meehan also built a large brick barn, probably between 1814 and 1816. This barn is one of the few original buildings still standing today. He also had another farmhouse with 11 rooms, likely for his workers.
A School and New Owners
In 1820, Meehan leased his main house and garden to Reverend Thomas Reddall, who turned it into a private school for boys. Even Governor Macquarie's son, Lachlan, attended this school!
By 1822, Meehan retired from his government job and became a full-time farmer. He had many animals, including horses, cattle, and sheep. However, he faced some money problems. In 1823, he mortgaged his property to Samuel Terry, a very successful businessman who was also a former convict. Terry was known as "the Rothschild of Botany Bay" because he became so wealthy.
When James Meehan died in 1826, his son Thomas inherited the estate. But Thomas couldn't pay back the money owed to Samuel Terry. So, in 1831, the large "Macquariefield" estate, now called "Macquarie Field," went to Samuel Terry. Terry himself never lived there; it was just one of his many properties.
The Current House is Built
After Samuel Terry died in 1838, his youngest daughter, Martha Foxlowe Hosking, inherited Macquarie Field. She was married to John Hosking, who became Sydney's first Lord Mayor in 1842.
John Hosking started building the current Macquarie Field House around 1841. It was a big project and cost a lot of money. Records show that James Hume, a well-known architect from Scotland, designed this new house. It was finished around 1843. This new house was built about 150 meters southeast of Meehan's original 'castle'. Both houses stood for over a century until Meehan's first farmhouse was taken down in 1958.
The Hoskings didn't live in the new house right away. It was used by an overseer and many farm workers. The farm continued to raise animals, including horses for the Indian market. In 1855, the Hoskings finally moved into Macquarie Field House and lived there for three years. During this time, they added the front porch, a garden alcove, and a grand driveway.
School Days Again and the Railway
From 1858 to 1869, the barn and Meehan's old residence were used as a boys' boarding school run by Reverend George Macarthur. It even helped out The Kings School during a difficult time.
Macquarie Field House was also important because of the Great Southern Railway Line. The railway line to Campbelltown opened in 1858, and the estate was a beautiful sight along the route. A railway platform (later Ingleburn station) was opened on the estate in 1869, making it easier for people and students to travel.
Protecting the Heritage
Over the years, Macquarie Field House and its farmlands have been recognized as very important. In 1951, they were included in the original County of Cumberland Planning Scheme. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) listed the house in 1974, and the Australian Heritage Commission listed it in 1978.
In the late 1970s, there were concerns that the land might be sold off and developed. To protect the house, a permanent conservation order was placed on it in 1981. This order was later expanded in 1985 to include more of the land, including the remains of Meehan's Castle and other important historical features. This was done to keep the area looking like a rural farm and protect its history.
However, new housing developments nearby, like Macquarie Links, have changed the open, rural feel of the area. The Heritage Council has worked to ensure that any new development respects the historical importance of Macquarie Field House and its surroundings. They want to make sure this special place and its landscape are preserved for the future.
Description of Macquarie Field House
The Setting
Macquarie Field House is the main part of an old farm estate. It's a rare example of a large mid-19th century farm on the Cumberland Plain. The house, garden, and other buildings sit on top of a ridge, with two small valleys on either side. The house's location on this hilltop once offered wide views in almost every direction. The two tall hoop pine trees near the house are a famous landmark in the area, easily seen from the railway line and nearby suburbs.
Garden and Outbuildings
The main house is at the eastern end of the ridge. To its west are several farm buildings, some old and some newer. There's also a large ruined brick building, possibly an old barn or storage area, southwest of the house.
The garden was not well cared for in the late 20th century, but it's still a mid-19th century hilltop garden. While many details are gone, some important trees remain. These include two very large hoop pines, African olive trees, and two types of pepper trees. These trees create a dense, green landmark on the hilltop.
Two impressive entrance gates lead to the drive, which is now paved with bricks. This drive goes up to the house, which sits on a flat area overlooking Macquarie Fields to the east. The drive used to go all the way around the house, but now it ends in a parking area. The plateau and original drive are surrounded by African olive and pepper trees.
Below the front of the house, built into the hillside, is a ruined brick alcove or belvedere. This was a special spot for a garden seat, offering great views. A roof has been added recently to protect it.
The House Itself
The house has two main floors and is built above large cellars. You can get to the cellars from inside the house. The front door faces east, and the back door faces west. Inside, there's a central hallway with rooms on the north and south sides. A bay window on the north side of the house gives clear views into the northern valley, where the farm's home paddocks used to be.
Changes Over Time
- 1809: James Meehan first received 44 hectares (110 acres).
- 1814-1816: The barn was built.
- 1821: The house was used as a private school.
- 1841-1843: The current house was built by James Hume.
- 1855-1858: A front porch was added to the house, along with the garden alcove and a grand driveway.
- 1958: Meehan's first house was taken down.
- 1962: Restoration work was done, and the front porch was removed.
Heritage Importance
Macquarie Field House is very important to the history of New South Wales and Australia. It's one of the best examples of early Australian homes and a landmark in a rural landscape from the 1800s.
The house itself is a beautiful sandstone building from around 1838-1840. It shows the style of country homes from that time, with a simple, balanced design.
The property is important because it was owned by three famous people from colonial times:
- James Meehan: A former convict who became a key surveyor, mapping much of the land south of Sydney.
- Samuel Terry: A former convict who became a very rich businessman, known as the "Botany Bay millionaire."
- John Hosking: Samuel Terry's son-in-law and the first elected Mayor of Sydney.
The house's location on a prominent hilltop, surrounded by mature trees and offering wide views, makes it very special. This shows how people in the 1800s liked to build their country estates to have beautiful views and shape the landscape around them.
Even though the garden has changed over time, the remaining old trees like the Araucarias, pepper trees, and African olives, along with the open rural landscape, add to the property's importance.
There are also important archaeological remains on the site, such as:
- The site of Meehan's first farmhouse, 'Meehan's Castle'.
- The old barn, which some believe was built or supervised by the famous architect Francis Greenway.
- Old wells and possibly remains of a flour mill.
The garden, with its impressive trees and hilltop location, is a key part of the "Cowpasture" gardens. These were gardens of large homesteads in the County of Cumberland, often planted with olives and Araucarias, which still dot the landscape of southwestern Sydney. The ruined garden alcove is also a rare example of garden architecture from that period.
Macquarie Field House is a major historical landmark in the local area. Its location and the surrounding open rural landscape make it a very visible and important place. The site also has great potential for archaeological research and strong connections to important people from the 19th century.
Macquarie Field House was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
