East Melbourne, Simpson Street 52, 54, 56 Holyrood Villas

The houses were built in 1859 for Thomas Hood Scott and Robert Garrick Wilson who were in partnership as grocers with premises in Gertrude Street on the corner of George Street, Fitzroy (then Collingwood). Wilson briefly lived at 1 Holyrood Villas, 52 Simpson Street, before advertising his furniture, horse, buggy and harness for sale in 1861. Another early tenant was Rev Whitmore Carr, vicar of Trinity Church, East Melbourne, whose daughter was born there in 1863. In 1867 Thomas and Emily Langlands lived at No. 52. Thomas was the brother of Henry, both iron founders. In October 1868 the houses were offered for sale. The new owner was registered in the rate books as P Cohen. In August 1873 the property was again advertised for sale, the agents being Cohen and Co. Possibly P Cohen was connected with this company. It was described at the time as ‘A Snug Little Property Situate in the Heart of East Melbourne’ comprising 'Three very comfortable and well-built family cottages, each containing four rooms, kitchen, servant's room, bathroom, pantry, sheds, large yard, garden, etc., with verandahs and other outhouses, patent closets, gas and water laid on throughout all the premises.' The above well-situated property is in first-rate order and condition, and has only lately undergone a thorough repair, and will not require another shilling laid out upon them for years to come. It may not have sold immediately as it then appears to be in the hands of another agent, J H Knipe, as listed in the rate books. By 1880 it is in the hands of Mrs Graham, then Mrs Motherwell. In 1881 the middle house was occupied by Neil Breslin. He had won first prize at the International Exhibition for his patent conservatory. During the 1890s the houses were owned by Job Smith. From 1886 to 1892 No 52 was occupied by W H Middlebrook and Mrs Middlebrook. The following death notice appeared in the Leader on 23 May 1914. MIDDLEBROOK.-.Or the 17th May, at Portarlington, Matthew, beloved father of W. Middlebrook, Mrs. J. Smith, Mrs. Mackie and Annie Middlebrook, aged 92 years. It indicates that William Middlebrook and Job Smith were brothers-in-law. Mrs Middlebrook was a supporter of the well-known doctor, evangelist and philanthropist, Dr John Singleton, who was also a resident of East Melbourne. She often spoke at temperance meetings and helped in the establishment of coffee rooms in Flinders Street for the use of workers, particularly single men living in the lodging houses nearby, to meet their ‘social, moral and religious needs’, as an alternative to the numerous and infamous public houses. After Singleton’s death in 1891 a committee was formed to buy and convert an old ship into a floating chapel and refuge for visiting sailors. It was hoped in this way to keep them away from the temptations of dry land. The ship became known as the Bethel Ship, “Dr Singleton” and Mrs Middlebrook was the honorary president of its managing committee. It is possible she was also a midwife, taking women into her house for childbirth. Neil Lambert states that his wife’s grandmother was born there in 1892 although this was not the mother’s address. Job Smith, meanwhile, was a big land owner with properties all around Melbourne, including others in East Melbourne. He owned a farm called Thornbury, after which the suburb is named. In 1920 James Kennedy, retired farmer late of Mirboo North, and husband of Mary, died at No 52. In 1933 Mary died appointing her daughters Mary Ann and Sarah Jane, both of 52 Simpson Street, as her executrices. Thomas, the second son, died there in 1945.