by Cathy Jones (2026)
‘Nangur’ 27 Homebush Road Strathfield is a Federation style house. The house was built in 1900 for Mrs Annie Jones, widow of David Mander Jones, son of retailer David Jones. The house appeared in 1901 for the first time in Sands Sydney Directory for Mrs D. Mander Jones. The house was originally numbered 21 Homebush Road, but renumbered in 1960 to 27-29 Homebush Road.
This property is situated on the original Thomas Rose land grant of 1793. The land passed to Edward Powell and by the 1880’s the land was generally owned by William Russell. In October 1888, six acres in the northern part of Russell’s land was acquired by the President and Fellows of Camden Congregational College, with the intention of building a theological college in Strathfield. An additional five perches fronting Homebush Road was added from the Frederick Meredith 1793 grant, thereby the land fronted Albert Road, Homebush Road and Beresford Road. In response to 1890s economic depression, the College decided to subdivide the land into lots and offer it for sale in 1898. This subdivision created residential lots in Albert Rd (65-103 Albert Rd), Homebush Rd (25-39 Homebush Rd) and parts of Beresford Rd.
Mrs Annie Emily Jones purchased land from the Trustees of Camden Congregational College in September 1900. Annie Emily Jones (1835-1903) was the daughter of John Jones, editor and publisher of the Cambrian Magazine, London. In 1857, she married David Mander Jones (1834-1864), son of retailer David Jones. They settled at ‘Boonara’ station in Queensland. David Mander Jones died at the young age of 30 years and his widow eventually returned to Sydney. By the 1870s, she was living in Burwood.
Strathfield Council’s 1900 valuation record notes the house was in course of being built. Robert Finch, a local builder, is noted on the Council valuation record as the owner (which is incorrect according to land titles), however it is likely he was the builder of this house. The house was completed in either late 1900 or early 1901 and was named ‘Nangur’.
This property is heritage listed on Strathfield Council’s Local Environmental Plan. The listing (in the Strathfield Heritage Study 1986) describes the house as:
‘A single storey brick Federation house with a Marseilles tile gable and hip roof. The verandah is elaborately detailed with turned timber verandah posts, decorative brackets, balustraded valance, small timber balustrade and a Chinese timber arch. The front door displays leadlight to the side and fan lights. Other features include a rectangular bay to the street, coloured glass panels, porch to western façade, gravel drive, a new brick fence and timber shutters to the windows. The important landscape features are identified on the sheet following. This well maintained Federation house is of local significance for its architectural and streetscape qualities and as representing good quality early twentieth century housing in Strathfield. Garden – This landscape is a very good example of a planting scheme and garden details of brick fence and wrought iron gates, gravel driveway, edging treatment, law and frangipani’.
Following her Annie Jones’s death, the property transferred (by transmission) to her sons, Llewellyn Mander Jones of ‘Boonara’, squatter and George Mander Jones of Homebush, medical practitioner in July 1904. They transferred ownership to their sister Annie Bellamy Jones of Homebush, who resided in this property until 1923.
In April 1923, the property transferred to Alfred Bernard Fulton Rofe of Sydney, solicitor. In April 1936, the property transferred to David Pollock Park of Bellevue Hill, contractor who transferred it to Reginald Cramp, veterinary officer in June 1936.
Ellen Edith Cramp, widow was registered as the property owner in April 1975, following the death of Reginald Cramp. The property transferred (by transmission) to Helen Mitchell Baker and Roslyn Ethel Mitchell as joint tenants in December 1981. It was transferred to David John Hyland and Denise Lyal Hyland in September 1983.
References
Department of Valuer-General, Municipality of Strathfield, Valuation Lists
Fox & Associates (1986) Strathfield Heritage Study
NSW Land Registry
Sands Sydney Directory
