House

Statement of Significance

The place at 208 Grey Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
The place reflects the typical dwelling of a rising middle class that emerged from the commercial and service industries that developed around Albany in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century particularly when Albany was the main port for Western Australia.
The place is associated with some of Albany’s well-known residents including William Melhuish, Ernest Greatrix, Edward Pettit, William Thorley-Loton, Henry Dyer and Charles Montgomery.
The place is significant as one of the houses/buildings in Grey St (West) that have heritage value both individually and as part of a group – including nos. 148, 153, 160, 170, 172, 176, 178, 183, 184, 194, 198, 206, 208.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include:
• Elevated position – high streetscape value
• Timber construction
• Hipped corrugated iron roof, with verandah under broken backed roof
• Wide shady verandah on two sides – the other side is now enclosed
• Timber verandah posts
• Timber gable over front entrance
• Decorative timber gable infill
• Windows in lower section indicate living space on two levels

Some obvious modifications include:
• Part of verandah enclosed with fibro extension
• Gable is probably a later addition
• Addition of living/storage space at lower level is not original
• Removal of chimneys

History

The place at 208 Grey Street was located on original Town Lot 257. Historical research 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 the 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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

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.