Sinclair's Buildings - site

Statement of Significance

The site is important for its association with one of the town's earliest businesses.
The Sinclair family were prominent early settlers in the Williams district. Robert as the blacksmith
(and also undertaker) and his sons, linesmen on the telegraph line. (1)

Physical Description

Situated on the south side of Brooking Street and east of the Post Office which in 1923 was built on
the corner of Brooking St and the Albany Road.

History

Robert Sinclair (born 1843 in Scotland) arrived in the colony in 1864. He had been married in
Scotland and had two children. He remarried Mary Quinn in Perth in 1871 and leased land at
Quarling Brook where all the next issue of children were born. Sinclair was described as carpenter,
wheelwright, blacksmith and had a wagoner business. Mary died in Albany after 20 years of
marriage and Robert in 1909. (2)
His eldest son, Robert junior, went to Wagin to manage the store for CA Piesse. Here he became an
influential figure topping the vote for the first Wagin Municipal Election In 1906, became chairman
to the Health Board, member of the Land Settlement Board, Justice of the Peace and President of
the Wagin Literary Institute. (3) It is said that he was responsible for the relief farmers obtained
from land tax on income producing land and it was he who influenced Premier Forrest to purchase
the Great Southern Railway and its land. In the absence of CA Piesse MLC (and Mayor of Wagin)
he officially opened the Barton (Piesseville) Hall in 1906. (4)
The blacksmithing business was later taken over by Nelmes and Berg. (1-4)

Condition

Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.