Arnottholme Albert Road Strathfield. Phot Cathy Jones 2019

Arnott Family

By Cathy Jones

William Arnott portrait from Men of Mark
William Arnott portrait from Men of Mark

William Arnott (1827-1901) was the founder of Arnott’s Biscuits, which was first established in the Newcastle district.  He retired in 1899 and moved to Strathfield near Sydney, where he died on 22 July 1901.  In 1850, he married Monica Sinclair (1829-1965).  In 1865, after the death of his first wife, he married Margaret Fleming (1840-1902).  Arnott was survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters of his first marriage and five sons and three daughters of the second. The sons of his first marriage, Leslie and Samuel, became chairmen of directors of the business and were succeeded by their half-brothers, William, John Maclean and Halse Rogers; while Robert Fleming became an engineer and Arthur Smith a colonel in the Salvation Army.  William Arnott’s residence in Strathfield was ‘Arnottholme’ 65-7 Albert Rd Strathfield.  His widow, Margaret died in 1902.  Both are buried in the Wesleyan section of Rookwood Cemetery.

The Arnott’s factory at Homebush was built after his death in 1907-1908.

References

Phyllis Mander-Jones, ‘Arnott, William (1827–1901)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/arnott-william-2903/text4169, published first in hardcopy 1969, accessed online 21 December 2021.


James Hayden Leslie Arnott (1856-1931) was the son of William Arnott and Monica Sinclair and was Chairman of Arnotts Biscuits.  Two of his sons, Walter and Harold, were Strathfield residents. Walter Esmond Arnott (1879-1955) was the director and general manager of William Arnott Ltd, biscuit manufacturers.  He lived at ‘Balnagowan’ 15-17 Wakeford Rd Strathfield from 1914 until his death in 1955 with his wife Mary Pattinson Arnott (nee Ross) (1887-1954).  He was the grandson of Arnott’s founder, William Arnott and became general manager of Arnott’s Biscuits. He was known as Mr Wally to his staff at Arnotts. He was later appointed a director of the William Arnott Ltd after the retirement of his uncle’s John McLean Arnott and Samuel Arnott.

Harold Arnott (1888-1971). Harold married Nellie Gertrude Huffan and built ‘Brockby Lodge’ on corner of Homebush Road and Victoria St in 1923. ‘Brockby Lodge’, an Arts and Crafts mansion, was designed by architect A L Buchannan. ‘Brockby Lodge’ is classified by the National Trust and listed by the Royal Institute of Architects as a significant building of the Twentieth Century. This house is sometimes called the ‘Cheesehouse’ by local residents due to the yellow coloured rendered finish. One of Harold’s children was Terrence Harold Arnott born 1914. Terrence lived at 141 Homebush Rd and is noted on various records as a biscuit manufacturer.

Another son of the Arnott/Sinclair marriage was Samuel Sinclair Arnott (1861-1934). His son Percival Sinclair Arnott (1889-1950) was a resident of Strathfield. Percy Arnott was also a well-known sportsman, who played cricket for NSW. He married Nina Boden in 1915 and in 1916 built ‘Wawona’ at 96 Albyn Rd (cnr Chalmers Rd). ‘Wawona’ (sometimes called ‘Arnott House’) is a classic Californian Bungalow designed by architect Herbert Dennis in 1916 and is classified by the National Trust.

Three of the children of Arnott’s second marriage to Margaret Fleming resided in Strathfield.  Janet Duman Arnott (1867-1948) married broker James Simpson Perry.  ‘Waratah’ 37 Homebush Road was built for Janet by William Arnott and shares a boundary with Arnott’s ‘Arnottholme’ property in Albert Rd.  Janet’s son Alan Arnott Perry (1891-1959) married Louise Kent.  Louise was the daughter of architect Harry Chambers Kent, who lived at ‘Kelmswood’ in Redmyre Rd.

Colonel John Mclean Arnott (1869-1945) was the Managing Director of Arnott’s Biscuits. Colonel John McLean Arnott served in the AIF with much distinction during World War I earning the rank of Colonel.  In 1895, he married Adeline Hardy, the daughter of John Hardy of Hardy Bros jewellers and owner of the home ‘Strathfield’. Arnott lived at ‘Strathfield’ for a short time after his marriage and then moved to ‘Ilemong’ 20 Carrington Avenue, before acquiring ‘Hatherly’, which he renamed ‘Birnam Wood’.   ‘Birnam Wood’ was demolished c.1927 and subdivided creating the street Birnam Grove. One of Col. Arnott’s sons was Bruce Hardy Arnott (1898-1916) who died during WWI.  His name appears on the Roll of Honour outside the Strathfield Council Chambers.

Reference

‘Who’s Who in Australia’, The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd, Melbourne Australia, 1927-1928 edition


Margaret Fleming Arnott (1872-1953) married Dr George Mander Jones, grandson of retailer David Jones.  They lived at ‘Dagworth’ 39 Homebush Rd from 1901-1907 and Dr Jones practiced medicine in Strathfield.

In 1939, Arnott’s Biscuits Pty Ltd donated the clocks in the Strathfield Council Chambers Clock tower in memory of William Arnott.

44 comments

  1. how about Jean Arnott, died wahroonga, 1936, she has a remarkable stone at waverly cemetery… just wondering.

    Like

  2. Effie Gladys Piper was the daughter of one of the Arnott brothers daughters I am trying to find out more about her, I have very little history. Effie died in 1923. I think she was the granddaughter of William Arnott

    Like

    1. Effie Piper was born in 1892 at ‘Waratah’ Homebush Road Strathfield. She was the daughter of Edward Piper and Eliza Wood Arnott (daughter of William Arnott and Monica Sinclair). There is a marriage recorded in 1921 of Effie G Piper and Edward Shaw at Sutherland in NSW. The death of Effie Gladys Shaw was recorded on 22 July 1923 (father Edward and mother Eliza) and she is buried at Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland, New South Wales.

      Like

  3. I went to McDonald College at Beresford Rd Strathfield starting in 1987 & the school was originally in the old Arnotts House. I think it was the Arnotts family home?? I think its now a mens shelter & the school no longer owns it.

    Like

    1. The house you are referring to was not an Arnott’s home. It is located at 11-13 Beresford Road was originally built for John Morrison, who had associations with NSW Railways. It was sold in late 1920s to the International Bible Students Assocation, better known as Jehovah’s Witnesses and remained in their possession until the early 1980s.

      Cathy

      Like

  4. I see you have an entry from another S. Taylor, but it’s not me. I’d like to congratulate you on this terrific website. It’s so fascinating. I was born in 1945 and lived at 55 Wentworth road strathfield between the OTEN and railway bridge. My mum lived there for 67 years from 1937. The house is still there, owned by OTEN. I went to Burwood public school and then to strathfield girls high school 1958-62 , following that to nursing at western suburbs hospital Croydon. For years we attended St. Andrews church cnr parramatta rd and later st Thomas Enfield. I was a choir member, active In the youth group, taught Sunday school, my father was a warden, and I was married at st. Thomas. My best friends today are people I met at st Thomas. I enjoyed reading the entries about the graves. One of the boys I was in infants school with was John Arnott whose father we kids thought owned Arnotts biscuits. Any chance you could see if he is/was a family member? Born same year as me I think. We had many kids from strathfield at Burwood school. I remember John Reed, whose father owned Reeds Bakery which used to be just down the street from the school. I think they lived in Shaftesbury rd Burwood.

    Like

  5. Margaret McLean Fleming was the daughter of John and Agnes McLean who were Scottish immigrants who came to Australia as assisted immigrants in October 1858 with their seven children. I have a lot of information on the descendants of John and Agnes McLean. If you would like to know more please contact me. My mobile is 0498 220 895. I would love to hear from you.

    Like

    1. Hi Kathryn, was Margaret an adopted daughter of the Flemings? I am looking for more information on Margaret and her family.

      Like

      1. Hi Allison I am also looking for more info on Margaret’s family. Margaret & William Arnott were witnesses on the marriage cert of her ‘sister’ Mary McLean. All references to Margaret are as half sister to her siblings and she is listed as Margaret Fleming adopted on the 1851 census. she is also listed as Margaret Fleming aged 1 on the 1841 Census. Three of the older siblings did not migrate to Australia John, Jane/Jean and Agnes. I am wondering if Margaret was maybe illegitimate daughter of Jane? father Robert Fleming? Very confusing!

        Like

  6. My Nan was a friend of Sue Arnott and wanted to know if she was still alive
    My nan is Hazel Stewart 93

    Like

      1. Hi Allison , Just wondering where my grandfather Herbert Leslie Arnott fit’s into all of this. i know he lived in sydney as young child/man then after marrying my grandmother Laurel Cooke moved to Walgett then Inverell.

        Like

  7. I went to Burwood Public school infants with John Arnott of the biscuit family. Same age as me probably. Born 1945 or 46

    Like

  8. Beresford Waterman, who lived on the old Rural Deanery mansion in Ourimbah road Mosman, describes the Arnotts ad being ultimately in Mosman. His grandfather Walter, was the Manager of the Bank of NSW in Mosman and his father Cliff, the manager of Bank of NSW Manly. By the 40’s or 50’s or 60’s, the full owners of Arnotts were residing in either Beauty Point or Clifton Gardens. They were good friends of Beresford’s. Not too clear on the era. Cliff had inherited s house in Strathfield, and many great families came from there. Cliff inherited the Earldom of Stair in 1949, but refused it! (Dr. David Forrester)

    Like

  9. I’m searching for evidence of my Grandmother’s cousin being married to a Arnott son. We believe her birth surname was Clark or Clarke. The family story is that she was the lady who produced the drawing of the Parrot eating the biscuit which became the emblem for Arnott’s Biscuits. My Grandmother’s Aunt was born a Murphy and she married a soldier (Clark) they were the Publicans at the Prince of Wales Hotel (White Horse Hotel) in Innisfail, Queensland prior to their daughter getting married to a Arnott. They had moved to Sydney by 1905. Can anybody tell me the name of the lady who produced the Parrot emblem please?

    Like

    1. The bird (rosella) was the first bird william arnott saw on his arrival to australia, he nicknamed polly, so it was fitting he used this as his emblem. The saying used throughout the family is “on her tee sits the best polly”-Honesty is the best policy.

      Like

  10. My great, great grandfather, william arnott actually had 12 children, although a good read, you have ommitted a large majority of his children and their children, which would have been lovely to read a more detailed family history. Well done though.

    Like

    1. Hi Leonie,
      My brother’s godfather was Cam Arnott. We lived in Newcastle. We had heard he was related to the Arnott family. Is he anyone you know of?

      Like

  11. I knew a Pearl Arnott, and also an Arnott who married a Southwell.
    You did not mention the association with the Salvation Army . I was told that SAO name came from Salvation Army Officer

    Like

  12. Hello everyone, Many years ago I met with “Nip & Bill” Arnott at Clifton Gardens In North Queensland and ended up
    with some of his walking sticks… Sounds funny, but true! Is anyone interested?

    Like

  13. Hello, My great great .. ect grandfather was George William Webb, 1887 mayor of Newcastle. Grandma always told us he married one of Arnotts daughters. I was wondering if anyone knew of a Arrnot girl become a Webb.

    Like

    1. Hi Hollie, two Webb daughters (father George) married two of William’s sons:- Bessie married James Haydon Leslie (eldest son) and Sarah married Samuel Arnott. Was George the Milner in Newcastle, also Mayor?

      Like

  14. Just wondered if John B Arnott is related to the Arnott family. He was involved with the First 15th Royal New South Lancers in Parramatta. Don’t know how old he would be now.

    Like

    1. I don’t know whether John B Arnott is related to the Arnott family, but sadly he passed away recently.

      John B Arnott
      18/06/28-15/12/22

      His funeral is on Friday, 23 December 2022.

      Like

  15. Does anyone know the ancestors of William Arnott please,in particular what part of the UK did they come from?

    Like

  16. Our family has a handed down story that one of my Grandmothers female cousins by the name of CLARKE married a Arnott and it was her that designed the parrot with biscuit for the Arnott’s biscuit logo. She was apparently a very talented artist. I believe her mother was my Great Grandmother’s sister my G Grandmother was born Alice Murphy and her sister married a Clarke. Does anyone have any info on the origins of the Arnott’s logo and it’s artist? My Great Grandmother lived in Innisfail, Queensland and the Clarke family also lived there at some time.

    Like

    1. I read somewhere that the arnotts parrot design was very similar to an already existing American design

      Like

    2. Hi Marilyn,
      My grandfather Harold Hawker was the son of Mary Ann Hawker (nee Arnott). Sadly, Mary Ann died soon after his birth and my grandfather spent some of his early years living with the Arnott family in Strathfield. He died when I was young but my his wife ans my grandmother Doris, used to tell us that the Arnotts were prominent members of the Salvation Army (hence SAO biscuits). She said that the parrot on the logo was a cryptic message. The parrot is Polly or Pol and she is sitting on a T bar. So the joke was that “On its T is the best Pol I see”. Which translates to “Honesty is the best policy”. Who knows if this is really what the artist had in mind, but it may help you with your research

      Like

      1. I believe a parrot biscuit logo similar to Arnotts existed in the USA years before arnotts used their own parrot. It’s the sort of thing that often happens with logos.

        Like

      2. Thanks for your reply. Maybe our family story about our relative marrying a Arnott and being the artist that created the Arnott’s Parrot will have to remain a family tale passed down through the generations. The first time I heard the story was from my Grandmother Ellen Neilsen (nee Cheshire) born 1898 who was a cousin to the Artist via her mother Alice Cheshire (nee Murphy).

        Like

      3. Hi Bruce I am the Great Great Grand daughter of William Hawker (Mary Ann’s husband)
        I visited Quirindi over the weekend and it was amazing learning all the history.
        Emma

        Like

      4. Hi Emma. Good to meet you. We are directly related through the same line. I am pleased that you visited Quirindi. It’s a lovely town with so many of its old buildings still there. My grandfather, Harold Hawker, was born in the house that is now the home of the Quirindi Historical Society. As you probably know, his father William Hawker was the first mayor and published the Quirindi Advocate. That paper still operates – making it one of the oldest papers in NSW. Mary Ann, his wife, sadly died not long after my grandfather’s birth and the Arnott family played a large part in his early life. I have the impression that they were caring people towards him.

        Like

      5. My great Grandfather was Thomas Arnott – Mary Ann Hawker (nee Arnott) was his daughter,
        It would be great to make contact with you

        Like

  17. Does anyone know about the connection the Arnott family had to Palm Beach NSW? I’m documenting the history of the Palm Beach and Whale Beach areas and understand there were Arnotts involved in what ultimately became St. David’s Anglican Church. I also believe the Arnotts were involved in boating on Pittwater.

    Like

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s