One of a row of three, two-storeyed houses, of which No. 165 possesses a porte cochere (i.e. a porch, large enough to accommodate wheeled vehicles). The row is decorated to present a single identity, i.e. the parapet is plain, and unbroken over the three houses and there is a central basket-arched 'entablature' flanked by scrolling. The cornice is dentillated. All windows are square-headed and are panelled internally between the sill and the floor level. One of the three openings at the first level being an access door to the balcony. The door has a square-headed toplight and is six-panelled. The verandah is single-posted, with finished-brackets supporting panelled friezes consisting of a star motif, superimposed on the serpentine motif. The balustrade panels are bellied and are similarly decorated, using a panel and frieze work, registered by William Hutchinson in April 1870. The timber fascia is dentillated at the first level. Fairly restrained ornament is placed on the dividing walls, I.e. consoles support decorated panels at the two levels. The palisade fence is intact; the picket heads being of a fleur-de -lys pattern. The porte cochere is provided by means of exposed riveted iron beams supporting the rooms above, a tall bluestone plinth producing the necessary hardy dado along the porch's walls. No. 165 is given an extra bay of rooms at first level, to provide the space underneath. At the rear, the skillions are not joined and hence enjoy light from both sides. [City of Melbourne I-Heritage database]
Rev. James Caldwell died in 1907 leaving the property to his wife for her lifetime and then to his children. His wife, Mary Anne, died in 1926. The inventory in his will stated that 'Each house is let at 22/6 per week and assessed by the City of Melbourne at £50 per annum. The whole is valued at £2200'
Owners
1870-1907: Rev. James Caldwell, minister of Presbyterian Church, died 1907 at Mornington. Minister of St. Georges, Wellington Street, Collingwood, from its foundation, 1861-c1880, then at Mornington. Tragic life - 1883, first wife drowned herself in the Yarra. She had been suffering from 'brain disease' and had been 'incarcerated' on and off in a lunatic asylum. 1892,three sons, all members of the Mornington Football Team drowned in a boating accident off Mornington. He re-married. Second wife, Mary Anne, and three daughters and a son survived him.
1907-1926: Estate of James Caldwell
1926-1956+: Sarah Fairbairn and others (children of James Caldwell). Sarah, Mrs. J.L. Fairbairn, was appointed foundation treasurer of the East Melbourne branch of the Australian Red Cross when it was formed in 1939 at a meeting at the home of Mrs. Julian Smith in Powlett Street. The committee undertook various fund raising events such as bridge parties at the Myer brown room for up to 60 people.
Occupiers
1871-1874: Charles Jewel Hearle, M.A., teacher. Hearle was the son-in-law of Henry Johnson [see 167 Wellington Parade South, link below]. Penny Mercer, a descendant, writes,
'Charles Jewel Hearle was the schoolmaster of the 40th Regiment in Melbourne. He arrived on the Blackwall 1 November 1855 with his wife and daughter and was on the pay list for the 40th Regiment 8 November 1855. Their son was born at Princes Bridge Barracks the following May. Hearle ran for the Melbourne City Council in September 1861. I believe he remained in the 40th Regiment until he began employment at the Church of England Grammar School in January 1862. He continued there until he was appointed Senior Assistant 1 January 1870. Four of his surviving eight children also worked as school teachers.'
Hearle was a graduate of the Melbourne University and had taught at the Church of England Grammar School under Mr. Bromby as headmaster. In 1870 when the new state run training institution for teachers was established, replacing its church run predecessor, Hearle was appointed one of two assistant superintendents. The training institution was based nearby at the Central Schools in Spring Street, once the old Model School. Hearle occupied Nos. 165 and 167 along with his wife and family. 'When the Board of Education first set up the Institution in 1870 it was decided to licence two official boarding houses for the Intern students and the right to run them was given to the Assistant Masters as a private enterprise to supplement their salary.' Hearle had charge of the male trainees. These premises were ideal, being brand new, and close enough to the school for the trainees to return for lunch. It was a strict regime. No boy was permitted to enter his bedroom between 6.45 a.m. and bedtime without permission. Everyone was expected to attend divine service twice on Sundays. However in 1873 there was a drop in student numbers due to the introduction of a new school system and in 1874 Hearle was forced to close his boarding house. He died in 1875 aged 44.
1875: Ross
1880: Mrs. Sayers
1885: Mrs. McCarthy
1890: Mrs. Sarah Sybbald
1905: Mrs. M. Puddlecomb
1906: Johanna Wilhelmina Nicolai, governess [E 1906]. Hanged herself in Adelaide, in 1913, having moved there with a 'mental scientist' to act as his assistant.
1910: George Baumgartner, accountant, and May Baumgartner, home duties
1915: Miss Elizabeth Young, h/d; Alice Mary Taylor Baker, h/d; Bessie Browse, chemist's assistant; Elizabeth Browse, bookkeeper; Edith Rowan, whiteworker; Henrietta Rowan, dressmaker; Annie Stewart, h/d. [E 1915]
1920: William Goodfellow
1925-1930: Miss Marie Hannan
1935-1950: Miss Delma Tory
1955: Mrs. C.M. Duffield
1960-1965: Mr. J.L. Fairburn (apartments)
1969-1974+: R. de C. Tronson
Burchett Index, City of Melbourne Notices of Intent to Build, 7 Jun 1870, Reg. No. 3953
Inventory in Probate Papers of James Caldwell, 104/896. VPRS 28; P2; 822.
Garden, Don, The Melbourne Teacher Training Colleges, Heinemann Education Australia, Richmond, Vic., 1982.
City of Melbourne I-Heritage database https://ex.melbourne.vic.gov.au/iheritageweb/BIF.asp?HeritageId=671
Penny Mercer, email 17 Aug 2022