By Cathy Jones
‘Kiloyth’ 40 Abbotsford Road Homebush is located on parts Lots 1 & 2 Section 8 of the ‘Village of Homebush Estate’, a subdivision of the larger Underwood Estate. Both this house and 38 Abbotsford Rd were built by their owner Sydney Garratt. ‘Kiloyth’ was built 1915.
Ownership of the land was acquired by John Maclean Arnott, biscuit manufacturer in April 1914. In December, the land transferred to James Fitzgerald, overseer of works at Strathfield Council. The park located at the rear of 40 Abbotsford Rd is Fitzgerald Park, named after James Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald transferred the land to Sydney Garratt, a builder in 2 September 1915. Garratt lodged applications to build two houses on parts lots 1 & 2 which were approved subject to subdivision. Each house was built in brick with slate roofs containing more than five rooms at estimated construction cost of £400. The builder was Garratt & Hokin, Rochester Street, Homebush.
In December 1915, the property was sold to Harriet Jessie Reardon, wife of Robert Arthur Reardon, of Strathfield, Railway employee. The house first appears in Sands Directory in 1917 occupied by Robert Reardon. The house was originally 24 Abbotsford Road and renumbered 40 Abbotsford Road in 1954.
In February 1920, the property was sold to Jonathan Green, a schoolmaster. The house name ‘Kiloyth’ is noted in Sands Directory and Valuation lists. In July 1953, the property transferred to Marion Johnson Green, of Homebush, widow.
In July 1960, ownership transferred to Harry Allison Green, of Oatley, Commonwealth Public Service and John Plummer, of Denistone, chartered accountant, executors of Marion Greene’s estate. in September 1960, the property was sold to John Norman Shone of Strathfield, electrical engineer and his wife Hazel Shone. The Shone’s owned the property until 1971.
References
Fox & Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986
NSW Land Register, Certificate of Title v.2639 f.36 and v.2464 f.27
Strathfield Council Building Register Vol. 1
Department of the Valuer General NSW – Valuation List – Valuation District of Strathfield 1924, 1930, 1036, 1951, 1960
