By Cathy Jones
Abbotsford Road is built on the ‘Village of Homebush’ Estate, a 1878 subdivision of the Underwood Estate. 8 and 10 Abbotsford Road are built on the site of the former house ‘Cambria’. ‘Cambria’ was built on Lots 15 and 16, Section 4 of the ‘Village of Homebush’ subdivision. 10 Abbotsford Road is located on part of Lot 15 and is described as Lot B.
The land measured 70 feet by 300 feet. In December 1941, Lot B was sold to Mary Louisa Bowie, and John James Bowie, an engineer for £700 by Jessie Evangeline Gee, wife of Frank Hiram Gee, a wool merchant.
Bowie made an application to Strathfield Council to build a brick dwelling of seven rooms at estimated cost of £2000 on 1 November 1941. The builder of the house was A B Whitehouse, 21 Second Ave, Eastwood. Bowie lived at this house, then known as 4B Abbotsford Road with his wife Mary until its sale in 1947.
In March 1947, the house was sold to Barrie Charles Krimmer, a Company Secretary and his wife Heather. Krimmer occupied the house until May 1959, when it was sold to Daniel Stephen Shanahan (1873-1977), and wife Mary Marcelene Shanahan (née Mulheron) (1893-1984) for £9000 pounds. Daniel Shanahan was retired but previously worked as an agent.
In 1954, the house was renumbered 10 Abbotsford Road. It was formerly known as 4B Abbotsford Road.
Additions to the house were made in 1965 of a bathroom, laundry and toilet.
The house appears to have been rented until the early 1970s when the owners, the Shanahans, moved into this house. The Shanahan’s remained the occupants of this house until at least the death of Daniel Shanahan in 1977 and Mary Shanahan in 1984.
References
Fox & Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986
Department of the Valuer General NSW – Valuation List – Valuation District of Strathfield
Notice of Land Transfer under Local Government Act 1919
NSW Land Registry, Certificate of Title v.5310 f.85
‘Opportunities for Business’, (1941, 12 November), Construction p. 14.
Strathfield Council Building Register
Strathfield Heritage 