A symmetrical, double fronted, two storey house of bluestone with a timber verandah on the ground floor. 115 Grey Street is one of the oldest surviving houses in East Melbourne. It is a fine example of the early Victorian style with its Georgian inspired symmetry and restrained ornament. Its bluestone construction is lightened by the delicate timber verandah. Modern ribbed steel has replaced the corrugated iron that once would have formed the verandah roof, and the iron picket fence also is not of the period.
The house was built in 1854 for Thomas Nesbit Wilson to the design of Wharton & Burns, architects. Wilson was a grain and produce merchant, and in 1863 he advertised “Potatoes. Good examples, in quantities to suit purchasers. T.N. Wilson, corner Lonsdale and Spencer Streets.” In 1862 Wilson built a six room brick house next door, on the corner of Powlett Street (now demolished). He lived there until his death at the age of 88 in 1908. At the time of his death No. 115 was described as having nine rooms, a kitchen, a slate roof and three very small rooms. It was let from the time it was built. Originally it was known as Allanton House but by 1867 the name had been corrupted to Allington. The name is a useful clue in an ambiguous 1882 advertisement in the 'Tutors, Governesses, Clerks, &c' column, which reads:
'GRADUATE, honourmen, experienced, COACHES, matriculation, laws, articled clerks. Allington-house, Grey street, East Melbourne.'
Henry McDonough, who next owned the house, was also a grain and produce merchant, with a large warehouse and business at 516-518 Flinders Street. The property was one of many he owned in the city, East Melbourne and other inner suburbs(including the house on the south-east corner of Albert and Powlett Streets). During his ownership the house continued to be rented, while he and his family lived at Tara, 263 Victoria Parade (now demolished).
1854-1908: Thomas Nesbit Wilson, grain and produce merchant.
1908-1925: Henry McDonough, wife and family
1925-1966: McDonough family
City of Melbourne Rate Books
Burchett Index, City of Melbourne, Notices of Intent to Build, 8 Dec 1853, Reg. No. 2252; 11 April 1862, Reg. No. 145; 22 Sept 1862, Reg. No. 267.
Argus, 9 Dec 1853, p.3, tender notice; 13 July 1863, p. 8, col. 4; 21 Aug 1867, p..1, Lost and Found; 30 Mar 1882, p.1, col. 4; 5 June 1890, p.1, col.6.
Melbourne Mansions Database no. 4381: http://fmpro.abp.unimelb.edu.au/
Victorian Heritage Register No. 0058: http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/vhd/heritagevic#detail_places;369
Will of Thomas Nesbit Wilson, 107/892. PROV, VPRS 7591; P0002; 423
Inventory in the Will of Thomas Nesbit Wilson, VPRS 28; P0002; 848
Inventory in the Will of Henry McDonough,203/423. PROV, VPRS 28; P0003; 1566.