Proposed Sale of Land Belonging to the Late Thomas William Birch
Esquire
Thomas William Birch died in Hobart on 1 December 1821 yet, due to technicalities with his will, attempts to sell his properties were not commenced until 1837. The properties were finally sold in 1839. The following articles were located in
Trove.
Important to the Public
STRACEY & BURN,
Have the honour to announce, that a sale of the whole of the
property of the late Thomas William Birch, will take place as soon at the
proper and necessary surveys and plans of the several properties can be
made-for the convenience of purchasers, the property will be Subdivided, and as
a further accommodation, a very liberal credit will be given.
AMONG other Lots belonging to this Estate will be sold
The Macquarie Hotel and Grounds
The House, Offices, and beautiful Garden now ocoupied by
Gamaliel Butler, esq.
The Brick Built Edifices adjacent thereto
The late Residence, Garden and Grounds, of Thomas Horne,
esq. in Collins Street
As also the Gardens lately known at Job Neal's
Also the Grounds on the opposite side
Then all the 100 Acres of Land in Macquarie street,
including the Farming Establishment, Tannery, etc
That desirable situation in Macquarie Street, now occupied
by Mr. Brunton
ALSO,
That valuable property at the Lovely Banks, as well as
several other farms-full particulars of which will be duly advertised, when the
plans and surveys are completed.
The Hobart Town Courier Friday 5 January 1838
LORD v. BIRCH.
Before a Special Jury
Mr Simeon Lord, of St. Paul's Plains,
brought this action to try the validity of the will of the late Mr. Thomas
William Birch.
The evidence was of a very conflicting character, some of the witnesses
deposing that Mr. Birch was not of sound mind when he made his will. Mr. Lord had
married one of Mr. Birch's daughters. The property is said to be worth upwards of
£40,000. After a very long trial the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff,
so the property will be divided among the children. Had the verdict gone for
the defendant, the whole property would have been locked up, as it is said that
the heir-at-law is of imbecile mind, and a ward of the Court.
The Hobart Town Courier Friday 23 March 1838
PURSUANT to a decree of the Supreme
Court of Van Diemen's Land, made in a cause
wherein Simeon Lord and others are complainants, and Robert Knopwood and others
are defendants, the Creditors of Thomas William Birch, late of Hobart Town,
Esquire, deceased, [who died in or about the year one thousand eight hundred
and twenty-one] are, on or before the tenth day of November, one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-eight, to come in and prove their debts before the Honorable
John Lewes Pedder, Esquire, Chief Justice of the said Court, at his Chambers,
at the Court House, Hobart Town, aforesaid, or in default thereof, they will be
peremptorily excluded tho benefit of the said decree.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 28 September 1838
Friday November 9
Sale-Estates of the late Thomas William Birch, Esq.,
Macquarie-street, on the premises-Stracey & Burn.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 2 November 1838
Birch's Estate.-:By the advertisement which appears 'in
another portion of our columns this day, we perceive that the whole of this
property is at last announced for peremptory sale in the course of a few days.
It is to be hoped that the delay which has occurred may not have been hurtful
either to the interests of the family, or to the estate itself.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 2 November 1838
Macquarie Hotel Walls.
STRACBY & BURN WILL SELL BY AUCTION,
This Day, the 2d instant, on the Premises, at 12 o'clock, in
Lots,
ALL those Brick Walls bounding the garden and premises of
the Macquarie Hotel, Hobart Town, appertaining to the Estate of the late Thomas
William Birch, Esq., fronting on Collins, Harrington, and Macquarie-streets,
also forming the boundary fence between the above property and that of Michael
Lackey, 'Esq. These Walls were built of the best materials ever produced in the
colony, and having had the benefit of nearly half a century's seasoning are now
more valuable than ever.
Payment will be required in cash, and the lots must be
removed at the expense of the purchaser, within six days from the day of sale.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 2 November 1838
THE ESTATE OF THE LATE THOMAS WILLIAM BIRCH, Esq.
STRACEY & BURN Feel great pleasure in announcing that
they have at length received instructions to dispose of all the Real Estates of
that gentleman, in obedience to which they will Sell by Auction, without any
reserve, on the premises, commencing at II o'clock, on Friday, the 9th
instant, in 74 Lots,
ALL those 100 Acres of Land, situated in Hobart Town, fronting
on Macquarie, Liverpool, Goulburn, Davey, D'Arcy, Adelaide, and
Anglesea-streets; also on Marine and Nile Terraces, intersected by the town
rivulet, aqueduct, and other water courses ; in the immediate vicinage of the
mansions and residences of J. H. Moore, W. Proctor, Hugh Ross, G. M'Killop, T.
Learmonth, E. Hodgson, and J. Hackett, Esquires; also, the lands of Messrs.
Harris, Dunkley, and Hurst ; the Glebe and Salvator Rosa Glen.
This very desirable property has been most judiciously
divided and subdivided into lots, varying in size, and presenting very
peculiar eligibilities, so that persons seeking sites for private
residences upon the scale of a chateau or a cottage, will find spots to which
even the stern sceptic must yield; then of no ordinary description are the
natural facilities so fully presenting themselves in varied situations, which
nature seems to have specially prepared for the election of mills, breweries,
manufactories, and tanneries, (one of the latter, by the bye, long established,
will be sold with lot 49).
THE SOIL is deep and luxuriant, with an even surface, and
the Botanist, Horticulturist, and Florist, need hardly be reminded their
labours will never elsewhere meet the certain reward here so specially afforded
them. Building material abounds, and to be brief, it would be difficult indeed
to decide under which head to class the supreme advantage so evident upon each
and every lot.
Payment will only be required as follows: Purchasers under
£100 shall pay a cash deposit of 25 per cent, on the amount of purchase, and
the remainder on the 9th November, 1839, with interest at 10 per cent, per
annum; purchasers above £100 and not exceeding £300, shall pay a cash
deposit of £20 per cent , and the remainder by two equal instalments, on the
9th November, 1839, and 9th November, 1840, with interest, payable half-yearly,
at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum; purchasers to the amount of £300 and
upwards, shall pay a deposit of £15 per cent, and the remainder in four equal
instalments, on the 9th November, 1839, 9th November, 1840, 9th November, 1841,
and 9th November, 1842, with interest, at 10 per cent, per annum; but any
purchaser will be at liberty to pay the full amount of his purchase, with
the interest that may be due thereon, at any time within the prescribed
period.
Printed particulars and conditions are in the press, and
will be ready for delivery (gratis) in a few days, on application to Dr.
Westbrook, Hobart Town; Simeon Lord, Esq , of Avoca; Edmund Hodgson,
Esq., Hobart Town; Mr. William Birch, Launceston ; Mr. Henry Birch, Mr. George
Birch, and Mr. Arthur Sutcliffe, of Hobart Town ; Stracey & Burn, the
Auctioneers Elizabeth-street; and Mr. James Thomson, Surveyor,
Liverpool-street, Hobart Town.
Printed particulars and conditions will also be left at the
principal Inns throughout the Island.
STRACEY & BURN Are happy in at length being placed in
the situation to have the honour to submit to public competition, without the
slightest reservation, on Monday, the 12th instant, at 12 o'clock, THAT very
valuable portion of the Estate of the Late Thomas
William Birch, Esq , situated in the most desirable parts of Hobart Town.
The property to be sold on that day will be divided into sixty-one
Lots, among which will be the Macquarie
Hotel.
This, it is perhaps unnecessary to state, is a very large,
substantial brick-built edifice, comprising numerous elegant, lofty,
well-proportioned rooms, with extensive cellarage, out-offices, and buildings,
garden grounds, yards, &c; and as a family hotel, so much required
in this metropolis, is in situation and internal arrangement more suitable than
any other. But not to confine these premises to that business alone, the
Auctioneers confidently assert such buildings are suitable for any large
establishment, either public or private.
Of those Premises in Macquarie and Harrington-streets, many
years in the occupation of Galamiel
Butler, Esq., sufficient is proclaimed of their extent, convenience, and
peculiar comfort, by the veritable circumstance of so lengthened an occupation,
by that gentleman.
That centrical and enviable Residence, long tenanted by Thomas Horne, Esq., with the delightful
Garden, refreshed at the back by never-failing streams, is a property justly
enviable.
As a matter of speculation and profit those Two Brick Cottages, at the comer of
Hartington and Collins-streets, present irresistible inducement.
For building, with a certain security of tenancey, the
Premises now occupied by Mr. Brunton,
In Macquarie Street, which will be sold in two lots, stand altogether
unequalled.
Those Large Allotments taken off the Macquarie Garden, fronting on Victoria, Collins, Macquarie, and
Durham-streets, from their advantageous locality, either as residences for
private gentlemen, bankers, merchants, professional men, for chambers or offices,
unspeakably recommend themselves.
That Allotment between the Macquarie Hotel and the property
of Michael Lackey, Esq., is a situation of all others most eligible for a Wine and Spirit Merchant.
The corner of Mr Butler's beautiful Garden, fronting on
Macquarie and Harrington- streets, offers from its numerous local advantages,
the best situation in town for a Gin
Palace on the London Principle.
The Two Blocks of Land, between Collins Street and the
Hobart Town Rivulet, hitherto known as Job
Neal's Garden, come under that class of property deserving general and
individual scrutiny. So densly is Hobart Town now studded with buildings that
it is impossible a similar centrical extent of land can again be found for A Market: and the severe reproach of
after ages would be avoided by this selection for that purpose. As a mere
matter of private speculation it would prove A Mine of Wealth If however sold, as divided in 28 lots, the
ingenuity of description gets at fault, in attempt- ing to discover which is
the most valuable of the number, either public or private.
Payment will be required from purchasers under £100, in cash
at the rate of £25 per cent., the residue to be paid on the 9th November, 1839,
with interest at 10 per cent, per an- num. Purchasers of £100 and not exceeding
£300 will be required to pay a deposit of £20 per centum, and the remainder in
equal proportions on the 9th November, 1839, and on the 9th November, 1840,
with interest at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. From purchasers to the
amount of £300 and upwards a deposit of £15 per cent cash will be required, the
residue in equal proportions payable on the 9th November, 1839, 9th November,
1840, 9th November, 1841, and 9th November, 1842, with interest at 10 per cent,
per annum.
But !! any purchaser may pay the whole of his
purchase on the day of sale or at any other time most convenient, with the
interest that may be due thereon.
Printed particulars and conditions of sale are in the press,
and may be had (gratis), in a few days, on application to Dr. Westbrook, Hobart
Town ; Simeon Lord, Esq., of Avoca; Edmund Hodgson, Esq., Hobart Town;
Mr. William Birch, Launceston; Mr. Henry Birch, Mr George Birch, and Mr.
Sutcliffe, Hobart Town; Messrs. Stracey & Burn, the Auctioneers,
Elizabeth-street ; and Mr. James Thomson, Liverpool-street, Hobart Town ; also
at all the Inns and places of public resort through- out the Island.
Agriculturists in General,
And particularly those gentlemen who have so repeatedly inquired when the Sale
of the valuable Farms of the late THOMAS WILLIAM BIRCH, Esq , would take place,
are now respectfully informed, by STACEY & BURN, that at their Mart, on
Friday, the I6th inst., at one o'clock, they are instructed to submit to the
Hammer, positively to the highest bidders, THE following FOUR VALUABLE ESTATES:
-
Lot I.
Fifteen Hundred Acres of Land, most appropriately called The Lovely Banks, with the
dwelling-houses, barns, stabling, out- building, farm yards, &c.
The Auctioneers feel it would be a waste of time to enter
into detailed particulars in an advertisement, those general and minute advantages
of which it is impossible to divest this Estate. The situation on the main
road, from the earliest formation of the colony, having rendered its value and
beauties a topic of the utmost notoriety; the agreeable distance from
Hobart Town, the opening it affords for an Inn, the extent and value of the
grazing land for sheep, the fertility of the soil, are only to be considered
among a few advantages wholly unalienable from this Estate.
Lot II.
Two Thousand Acres of Land, situated at the Hollow-Tree Bottom, with all the
buildings, yards, and erections thereon. This Estate is equally well known as
lot one, and will prove to those unacquainted with it, one of the best farms in
the colony. The soil is of the luxuriant and most valuable description, and to
be its possessor alone, is to have the command of an independence.
Lot III
Will comprise Two Hundred Acres, called The Duck Holes, situated near Richmond, on which is a Dwelling-house,
yards, &c, a considerable portion is in cultivation, and securely fenced.
Any per- son satisfied with ease and competency, will find this property exactly
meet their views and wishes.
Lot IV
Will be a small Farm of Thirty Acres, called LYNCH'S, with a neat cottage and
buildings, all securely fenced and cultivated, situated at Kangaroo Point. The
contiguity of this little property to Hobart Town, renders it of incalculable
value to any person desirous of relief after the fatigues of business in town,
independent of which, for the extent, it is productive in an extraordinary
degree.
Payment will be requested by a cash deposit at the rate of
15 per cent, on the day of sale, the residue to be paid in four equal
instalments, on the 16th November, 1839, 16th November, 1840, 16th November,
1841, 16th November, 1842, with interest at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum,
payable half-yearly, unless any purchaser prefers paying cash, which he may do
on the day of sale, or at any subsequent period, with the interest due.
Printed particulars and conditions of sale are in the press,
and may be had (gratis) in a few days, on application to Dr. Westbrook, Hobart
Town; Simeon Lord, Esq., Avoca; Edmund Hodgson, Esq., Hobart Town; Mr. William
Birch, Launceston; Mr. Henry Birch, Mr. George Birch, and Mr. Sutcliffe, Hobart
Town; Messrs. Stracey & Burn, Auctioneers, Elizabeth-street, and Mr.
James Thomson, Liver pool-street, Hobart Town.
The above information is taken from The Hobart Courier Friday 2 November 1838 page 3.
Similar information was also in The Hobart Courier Friday 9 November 1838 page 3
However in The Hobart
Courier Friday 16November 1838 page 3 the following notice appeared:
Particular Notice
MESSRS. STRACEY & BURN beg to state, the sale of BIRCH'S ESTATE is postponed.
1839
In the Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land-in Equity, TO BE SOLD IN
LOTS, PURSUANT to a Decree of the Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land, made in a cause of Lord and others
v. Knopwood, since deceased, and others, with the approbation of His Honor the
Chief Justice, on the premises, sometime in the month of January, 1839, of
which due notice will be given, certain PREMISES situate in and near Hobart
Town, late the property of Thomas William Birch, Esquire, deceased.
Particulars whereof may in a short time be
had, (gratis), at the office of the clerks of the Supreme Court; of Messrs.
Cartwright and Allport; Mr.Stanley; Messrs.Butler and Son; and at the offices
of Messrs. Horne and Wynne.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 4 January 1839 page 3
Monday February 25
Sale-Land in Macquarie-street, Davey-street,
and Liverpool-street, the property of Thomas William Birch, Esq -Mr, Stracey
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 22 February 1839 page 2
To be Peremptorily Sold, Pursuant to a decree of the Supreme
Court of Van Diemen's Land, in equity, made in a case Lord versus Knopwood,
with the approbation of the Hon. John Lewes Pedder, Esq., the Chief Justice of
the said Court, on the premises, on Monday, 25th day of February, 1839, at 11
o'clock in the fore- noon, in seventy-five lots, BY MR. STRACEY, The Person
appointed by His Honor, ALL those several pieces or parcels of Land, save and
except lot fifty-seven, situate in and near Macquarie-street, Davey-street, and
Liverpool-street, in Hobart-town, late the property of Thomas William Birch,
Esq.
Printed particulars and conditions of sale whereof may be
had (gratis) at the office of the Clerks of the Supreme Court; of Messrs.
Cartwright and Allport; Messrs. Horne and Wynne; Messrs. Butler and Son;
and Mr. Stanley, solicitors, Hobart-town ; and of Messrs. Stracey and Burn,
auctioneers, Eliza- beth-street ; and of Mr. James Thomson, surveyor,
Liverpool-street, Hobart-town,
(Signed) J. L. Pedder, C. J. February 13.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 22 February 1839 page 3
Tuesday March 5
Sale-Premises of the late Thomas William
Birch, Esq., in
Macquarie, Harrington, and Collins-streets-Mr. Stracey
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 1 March 1839 page 2
To be Peremptorily Sold, Pursuant to a Decree of the Supreme
Court of Van Diemen's Land, in Equity, Made in a Cause of Lord v. Knopwood, With
the appropriation of the Hon. John Lewes Pedder, Esq , the Chief Justice of the
said Court, On the Premises, on Tuesday, the 5th day of March, 1839, at 11
o'clock in the fore- noon, in sixty-one lots, BY Mr. STRACEY, The person
appointed by His Honor, ALL THAT MESSUAGE OR TENEMENT, called and known by the name
of the MACQUARIE HOTEL In Macquarie Street, Hobart Town, with the Garden thereunto
belonging, and also all that Messuage or Tenement, Situate and being in
Harrington Street, Hobart Town, with the Garden thereto be longing, now in the
occupation of GAMALIEL BUTLER, ESQUIRE.
AND ALSO, ALL THOSE Two Messuages or Cottages, In Harrington
Street, in Hobart Town, with the Garden thereto belonging, now or Late in the
occupation of Mr. Edgar and Mr. Cooke.
AND ALSO, ALL THAT Messuage or cottage, Situate and being in
Collins Street, Hobart Town, with the Garden thereto belonging, late in the
occupation of THOMAS HORNE, ESQUIRE.
AND ALSO, ALL THAT MESSUAGE OR COTTAGE, With the Workshops
and Garden thereto adjoining, in Macquarie Street, in Hobart Town, now in the
occupation of Mr. BRUNTON
AND ALSO, ALL THOSE GARDENS AND PIECES OF LAND, in and near
Collins Street, Harrington
Street, and Macquarie Street, lately in the occupation of JOB
NEALE AND OTHERS, Late the Property of Thomas William Birch, Esquire
Printed Particulars, and Conditions of Sale, whereof may be
had (gratis) at the office of the Clerks of the Supreme Court; or at the
offices of Messrs. Cartwright and Allport, Messrs. Horne and Wynne, Messrs
Butler and Son, and Mr. Stanley, Solicitors; Messrs Stracey and Burn,
Auctioneers; and Mr. James Thomson, Surveyor, Hobart Town.
(Signed) J. L. PEDDER, C. J. Feb. 13, 1839
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 1 March 1839 page 3
[NB: A messuage is a dwelling]
To be Peremptorily Sold, Pursuant to a Decree of the Supreme
Court of Van Diemen's Land, in Equity, made in a cause Lord v. Knopwood, with
the approbation of the Honorable John Lewes Pedder, Esq., the Chief Justice of
the said Court, AT THE ROOMS OF STRACEY & BURN, In Elizabeth Street,
Hobart Town, On Saturday, the 11th of May, at one o'clock In Four Lots, BY MR.
STRACEY, The Person appointed by His Honor, ALL that Messuage or Tenement,
commonly called and known by the name of the Lovely Banks, together with the land thereunto belonging, and the
barns, stables, sheds, and other out-buildings thereon, containing 1,900 Acres
of Land, situate, lying, and being in the district of Green Ponds, Van Diemen's
Land.
And also, all those 2,000 Acres of land, situate, lying, and
being in the district of Bath, in Van Diemen's Land, with the house, sheep, and
cattle yards thereon, and now commonly called and known by the name of the Hollow Tree Bottom
And all that Estate called and known by the name of Duck Hole Farm, Containing 200 Acres of
land.
And all that Piece or Parcel of Land, containing Thirty
Acres, situate, lying, and being at or near Kangaroo Point, Richmond, in the
district of Clarence Plains, Van Diemen's Land, commonly called and known by
the name of Lynch's Farm, Late
the Property of Thomas William Birch, Esq.
Printed particulars and conditions of Sale may be had
(gratis) at the office of the Clerks of the Supreme Court, or at the offices of
Messrs. Cartwright and Allport, Mr. Blizard Stanley, Messrs. Horne and Wynne,
Messrs. Butler and Sons, Solicitors; Messrs. Stracey and Burn, Auctioneers ;
and Mr. James Thom- son, Surveyor, Liverpool-street, Hobart Town.
(Signed) J. L. PEDDER, C.J.
The Hobart Town
Courier Friday 26 April 1839 page 3
