House

History

This house is one of a number of places in Grey St that have significant heritage value both individually and as part
of a group. It would seem that No 208 Grey Street is what was once known as Lot 257, and historical research done
through the Albany Historical Society shows that the original owner was Jesse Ward, an Albany carpenter. Only
three weeks later the land was transferred to James Dyer of Perth who rented the house and property to William
Webb who had arrived as a convict from England in 1862, when he was 28. He had received 10 years penal service
for assault and theft of a key, a pencil sharpener and halfpenny. Webb was known locally as "Old Beetles and Bees"
and gave his occupation as Naturalist. He also used to meet passengers from the P & O Liners as they arrived in
Albany. Webb was an expert taxidermist and in partnership with naturalist G Maxwell, he collected seeds, plants
and specimens for sale and succeeded to Maxwell's business in Albany. He became noted for his collection of bird
skins of the Noisy Scrub Bird and he collected specimens for the WA Government.
Other tenants who lived on this property were William Melhuish, who originally came out to WA as a Pensioner Guard
on a convict ship. He was discharged in 1861 and then worked as a carpenter and farmer. He lived in the house in
1893, when he was aged 76.
Ernest Greatrix occupied Lot 257 from 1895 to 1897. He was an early train driver who was also very interested in
Albany's Aboriginal population. His large collection of local tribes' weapons and artefacts was presented to Albany.
Historical Society after his death in 1966.. Another tenant from 1900 􀂱 1901 was Edward Pettit, an Albany mariner. At
that time he was land based, working as a labourer. His previous jobs were whaler and seaman on the small coastal
ships.
Later owners of the property were William Thorley-Loton (a company) in 1904, Henry Dyer in 1911 and Charles
Montgomery from 1914 till his death in 1933.

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