The Statement of Assets in the Probate Papers of Henry McGuigan describes the houses as, "Two two storey stone houses and brick stable containing one stall and carriage shed."
The two houses were built for Henry McGuigan who lived in one, No. 146, until 1882 when he moved to Hawthorn, although, curiously, he continues to be listed as the occupier. He continued to own the houses until his death in 1891. No. 144 was tenanted. In 1872 Mrs. Henry McGuigan gave birth to a son at her residence, Glenullin House, Powlett Street, East Melboune.
In 1880 Mrs. Muir was the tenant at 144. She advertised,
"SQUATTERS and Country Families desiring to give their daughters the advantages of attending the higher schools or finishing masters in Melbourne are informed that Mrs MUIR ia again prepared to offer them a pleasant and comfortable HOME, with kind motherly care and attention, at her residence. Healthy and central situation. For further information and references apply 48 Powlett street, East Melbourne."
At the time of McGuigan's death No. 144 was rented to Dr. Williams at 200 pounds per annum from 31st July for three years.
No. 144
1868-c1875: Thomas Welton Stanford, brother of Leland Stanford, founder of Stanford University, who subsequently bought the house at 180 Clarendon Street.
c.1876-c.1880: Mrs. Muir
No. 146
1868-1882: Henry McGuigan, wine and spirit merchant of 178 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. He was born in 1823 in Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Arrived in Victoria in 1854. Spent his early years in regional Victoria before settling in Melbourne in 1860 when he established his wine and spirit business on the corner of Elizabeth and Lonsdale Streets. He was a devout Catholic and among many of the things he did in support of the Church was to organise the funding and commissioning of the bronze statue of Daniel O’Connell that stands in the grounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
City of Melbourne Rate Books, La Trobe Ward, 1868, No. 1252, 1253 (first entries) Burchett Index, City of Melbourne Notices of Intent to Build, 2 Oct 1867, Reg. No. 2255; 5 Nov 1867, Reg. No. 2295. Melbourne Mansions Database No. 1249: http://fmpro.abp.unimelb.edu.au/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=mmdb&-loadframes Information from Brenda Croft, gg-granddaughter of Henry McGuigan, by email 13 and 14 Jun 2010. Inventory in the Probate of Henry McGuigan, 45/849. PROV, VPRS 28, P0002, 313. Argus, 10 Sept 1872, p.4; 5 Feb 1880, p.1, col. 6. Photos (c.1949) in State Library of Victoria La Trobe Picture Collection, Accession Nos. H84.276/2/6A; H84/276.2/6B; H84.276/6C; H95.200/869.