Mattie Furphy's House

Statement of Significance

The Furphy residence in Clement Street, Swanbourne has aesthetic, historic, representative and rarity
cultural heritage significance. Though in poor condition, the house has high integrity as it remains
uncornpromiscd with few changes to its original design. The deep verandahs, post and rail fence. and lock of
adornment mark the house as a 'working man's' cottage. It is a good representative of increasingly rare 'turn
of the century' timber couages. However. the most significant feature of the house is its close association
with LItefinal years of Joseph Fnrphy's (author Tom Collins) lifo. The house ..vas built for Joseph's son Sam
as (I home for Slim and his wife Mattie. Joseph and Sam, both being artistic handymen, did much of the
work on the house. Joseph Furphy became a renowned Australian author after 'his death. His works,
particularly Such is Life became popular during the 19)05 and 1940s. even though he had published as early
as 1903. Joseph Furphy died in this residence in 1912 and is buried in Karrakaua Cemetery.

Physical Description

This single storey, modest cottage has a hipped galvaniscd corrugated iron roof with north and south gables.
The timber framed cottage with jarralt weatherboards and brick chimney presents <111 understated picture to
the street, The tcadlights (Ire significant. It h;JS an interesting outbuilding lind much of the original fabric,
such as the fence with link mesh. is still In place, though in poor condition.

History

Sam Furphy was the son of Joseph Furphy (Author Tom Collins). This house has direct links to Joseph
through his involvement in the development of the land and house, In 1905 Joseph and his wife. Leonie.
moved to Western Australia 10 be close to their children. Felix and Sam. They bought three adjacent lots in
Clement Street. Swanboume. and proceeded to Clear the land and build shocks for themselves.

In 1906 Sam bought Joseph's And Felix's land and eventually he and his wife Mattie built the house that still
stands in a hugely unaltered stnte on the corner of Pine Close and Clement Street. Joseph, who worked as a
handymnn while writing short stories and poetry. helped Sam and Mattie to build the house. In his letters
Joseph Furphy makes references to the house and grounds and some of the work he undertook there to help
his son and daughter-in-law. Joseph died in this house of a cerebral haemorrhage on 13 September 1912
after walking a borrowed horse from his house in Servetus Street. Sam and Mattie Furphy moved from the
house in Clement Street to Joseph Fnrphy's house in 1939

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.