A Franklin Toll House?
3456 Huon Highway Franklin Tasmania.
by Peter Thomas Confeggi
3456 Huon Highway Franklin Tasmania.
by Peter Thomas Confeggi
An ancient site
Beneath the floor of 3456 Huon Highway Franklin there rested a reminder of history well prior to European invasion, and discovered in restoration work in 2016. Did colonial builders recognise it or know what it was? Had they been so blinded by the doctrine of Terra Nullius, that they had no awareness of an ancient people who had lived in this place for thousands of years?
Beneath the floor of 3456 Huon Highway Franklin there rested a reminder of history well prior to European invasion, and discovered in restoration work in 2016. Did colonial builders recognise it or know what it was? Had they been so blinded by the doctrine of Terra Nullius, that they had no awareness of an ancient people who had lived in this place for thousands of years?
It is believed, that the Melukerdee regularly moved from the river wetlands to the surrounding hills. A token of their presence, this right handed tool was very probably used for cutting fish that had been caught in the adjacent river.
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Probably the first European in the district was a convict 'bolter' named Martin who settled beside the Huon River around 1820. He built a reed and slab hut with a stone fireplace near Price's Creek and successfully cultivated potatoes. During the 1820s John Price (known as a vicious overseer at Norfolk Island and after whom Price's Creek is named) built a rough hut on Prices Creek. Price sold 640 acres of his land to Lady Jane Franklin.
In 1839 Lady Jane Franklin distributed that land to poor but honest settlers. Her commitment to the project was so great that she interviewed every applicant before handing over the 100 acre allotments. By 1842 Jane Franklin had established a social experiment for the poor, originally called the Fernlands, then The Huon Settlement and later still in 1850 Franklin (1). This was a 'different type of village' (2).
The problem of isolation was a major difficulty faced by the early settlers. In the 1840s and 1850s many settled along the river, which was their means of transport. The Geeves family moved to Lightwood Bottom in 1850 and founded Geeveston; the Judd brothers founded Judbury and the Sherwins moved just south of Judbury to Forest Home. With its prime position on the river, Franklin was seen to be the central town with a busy port, with needs for law and order and administration.
The toll collector's cottage?
Local historians claim the 3456 building was constructed in 1846, in the first decade of acquiring land in Franklin by John Price (1836) and John Clarke (1837). While the claim that this 'roadside cottage' was used as the toll collector's house, with the Huonville bridge was not open until the 1860's, such a toll is more likely to have been collected for the river than the road. The shoreline appears closer to the house than it is in the present day (3).
The position of the house close to the Kennedy warehouse (presently 3450 Huon Highway with remaining stone wall) and wharf and, the fact that the road was not developed until the building of the 1860s bridge at Huonville, suggests that there may have been a toll playable for use of the wharf. Furthermore, its location opposite the first jail and police station built (1854) and courthouse (1882) in the legal precinct, made it ideal for public utility (4). At the same time, the use of the building as a police station in 1850 may well have influenced the granting of neighbouring land to the south of 3456 to the “troublesome Irish Catholics” in 1856.
Local historians claim the 3456 building was constructed in 1846, in the first decade of acquiring land in Franklin by John Price (1836) and John Clarke (1837). While the claim that this 'roadside cottage' was used as the toll collector's house, with the Huonville bridge was not open until the 1860's, such a toll is more likely to have been collected for the river than the road. The shoreline appears closer to the house than it is in the present day (3).
The position of the house close to the Kennedy warehouse (presently 3450 Huon Highway with remaining stone wall) and wharf and, the fact that the road was not developed until the building of the 1860s bridge at Huonville, suggests that there may have been a toll playable for use of the wharf. Furthermore, its location opposite the first jail and police station built (1854) and courthouse (1882) in the legal precinct, made it ideal for public utility (4). At the same time, the use of the building as a police station in 1850 may well have influenced the granting of neighbouring land to the south of 3456 to the “troublesome Irish Catholics” in 1856.
The building
Just how much Jane Franklin's penchant for the Grecian / Georgian style influenced the early architecture in Franklin, especially public buildings, is open to question (5). The so called toll house has been strongly influenced by the end of 18th century classical revival which gave rise to the Georgian period with its predilection for symmetry and simple lines. Some would argue that the colonies knew nothing but the late eighteenth century tradition. Here the lingering style, simple and stately although humble in execution, was later to be called ‘old colonial’ (6). On the front north and south outside walls there are signs of early convict brick chimneys, renowned for needing to be replaced. An early photo shows simple Georgian / Neoclassical style lines with no East facing attic window, while a later photo (circa 1890) shows decorative pieces on the veranda and attic window, identical to the cottage at 3586 Huon Highway Franklin. The later Victorian era with its interest in the decorative, wooden pieces seem to be additions between 1846 and the end of the century.
Hammond and Rushton Nuss claim that a typical Franklin house was a simple four room floor-plan with a lean-to kitchen at the rear (the latter existing prior to addition and is attested to be previous owners R & L Roberts) and the veranda at the front. In contrast to many local weatherboard buildings of a similar period and design, 3456 is double-brick, most likely locally made as were the bricks for the Magistrate’s house in 1840 (7). 3456’s more substantial building materials, double brick exterior and internal walls, suggest that it was from its conception a public building.
Just how much Jane Franklin's penchant for the Grecian / Georgian style influenced the early architecture in Franklin, especially public buildings, is open to question (5). The so called toll house has been strongly influenced by the end of 18th century classical revival which gave rise to the Georgian period with its predilection for symmetry and simple lines. Some would argue that the colonies knew nothing but the late eighteenth century tradition. Here the lingering style, simple and stately although humble in execution, was later to be called ‘old colonial’ (6). On the front north and south outside walls there are signs of early convict brick chimneys, renowned for needing to be replaced. An early photo shows simple Georgian / Neoclassical style lines with no East facing attic window, while a later photo (circa 1890) shows decorative pieces on the veranda and attic window, identical to the cottage at 3586 Huon Highway Franklin. The later Victorian era with its interest in the decorative, wooden pieces seem to be additions between 1846 and the end of the century.
Hammond and Rushton Nuss claim that a typical Franklin house was a simple four room floor-plan with a lean-to kitchen at the rear (the latter existing prior to addition and is attested to be previous owners R & L Roberts) and the veranda at the front. In contrast to many local weatherboard buildings of a similar period and design, 3456 is double-brick, most likely locally made as were the bricks for the Magistrate’s house in 1840 (7). 3456’s more substantial building materials, double brick exterior and internal walls, suggest that it was from its conception a public building.
Ownership of the property – who has been sleeping in this house? (8)
The ownership from 1846 to 1855 is unclear. It is described as a toll keeper’s house and later as the police superintendent house. During part of this period, it was the home of John Surtees White, Deputy Clerk of Peace for the Franklin District. Being close to Kennedy Warehouse makes clear sense of the former. Given that it was built as a toll collector’s house, it would seem that it was in the hands of the State. Did toll collecting cease circa 1855? We know that in that year it past into the private hands of Ralph Merry of New Norfolk.
In a lengthy parchment dated 18th November 1859 the property passed from Ralph Merry of New Norfolk, a miller and Thomas Francis Merry, auctioneer, to Mary Ann Sampson. The document also mentioned that it had been part of the land of John Price and had been purchased by the Merrys from Thomas Kelloway in 1855.
Ownership in the period between 1859 and 1910 remained in the hands of Mary Ann Sampson. Was she responsible for some civic duty, even the collection of some form of toll? Was part of the property leased by Mary Ann Samson for the purposes of collection a toll? On the other hand, was the property privately owned and leased to the state for the purposes of police residence? There are questions of nineteenth century ownership, the structures of policing and types of taxes and tolls that had to be paid in a local community.
We know from documents relating to the estate of William James Griggs in 1940 that he had purchased the property and registered this on 22nd June 1910 and that upon his death, the property was passed to his spinster daughter, Greta Ethelwyn Griggs.
On 24th April 1944 she sold it to Frederick William Kupsch, an orchardist, for the sum of 200 pounds. In contrast to the decades of Griggs ownership, the following decade saw the property change hands several times. On 30th May 1947, Marjory Walker, ‘a married woman’ purchased the property for 350 pounds. On 11th September 1950 Walter Arthur Page of the royal Australian Navy, purchased the property for 550 pounds.
On 16th February 1951, Henry Benjamin Wooley, orchardist, purchased the property. Three years later it passed to another member of the Woolly family, Lindsay Noel Woolly, a farmer from Glen Huon, on the 9th of November 1954 for the sum of 500 pounds. On the 23rd of February 1977 Lindsay Wooley, who was then living in Sheffield sold the property to Ronald and Lyn Roberts for the sum of $4,000. On 18th March 2014 they sold the property to Peter Thomas Confeggi for the sum of $230,000.
The ownership from 1846 to 1855 is unclear. It is described as a toll keeper’s house and later as the police superintendent house. During part of this period, it was the home of John Surtees White, Deputy Clerk of Peace for the Franklin District. Being close to Kennedy Warehouse makes clear sense of the former. Given that it was built as a toll collector’s house, it would seem that it was in the hands of the State. Did toll collecting cease circa 1855? We know that in that year it past into the private hands of Ralph Merry of New Norfolk.
In a lengthy parchment dated 18th November 1859 the property passed from Ralph Merry of New Norfolk, a miller and Thomas Francis Merry, auctioneer, to Mary Ann Sampson. The document also mentioned that it had been part of the land of John Price and had been purchased by the Merrys from Thomas Kelloway in 1855.
Ownership in the period between 1859 and 1910 remained in the hands of Mary Ann Sampson. Was she responsible for some civic duty, even the collection of some form of toll? Was part of the property leased by Mary Ann Samson for the purposes of collection a toll? On the other hand, was the property privately owned and leased to the state for the purposes of police residence? There are questions of nineteenth century ownership, the structures of policing and types of taxes and tolls that had to be paid in a local community.
We know from documents relating to the estate of William James Griggs in 1940 that he had purchased the property and registered this on 22nd June 1910 and that upon his death, the property was passed to his spinster daughter, Greta Ethelwyn Griggs.
On 24th April 1944 she sold it to Frederick William Kupsch, an orchardist, for the sum of 200 pounds. In contrast to the decades of Griggs ownership, the following decade saw the property change hands several times. On 30th May 1947, Marjory Walker, ‘a married woman’ purchased the property for 350 pounds. On 11th September 1950 Walter Arthur Page of the royal Australian Navy, purchased the property for 550 pounds.
On 16th February 1951, Henry Benjamin Wooley, orchardist, purchased the property. Three years later it passed to another member of the Woolly family, Lindsay Noel Woolly, a farmer from Glen Huon, on the 9th of November 1954 for the sum of 500 pounds. On the 23rd of February 1977 Lindsay Wooley, who was then living in Sheffield sold the property to Ronald and Lyn Roberts for the sum of $4,000. On 18th March 2014 they sold the property to Peter Thomas Confeggi for the sum of $230,000.
So, who has been sleeping in this house?
There have been civil servants, toll collectors (?) and police. However, with the exception of the Royal Navy man, Walter Arthur Page, who one might imagine was drawn to the water of Franklin but stayed only a year, the property has not surprisingly seen more than a century of orchardists and farmers as owners. As practical people and people of their time, they were seemingly not particularly given to the heritage values of the property.
There have been civil servants, toll collectors (?) and police. However, with the exception of the Royal Navy man, Walter Arthur Page, who one might imagine was drawn to the water of Franklin but stayed only a year, the property has not surprisingly seen more than a century of orchardists and farmers as owners. As practical people and people of their time, they were seemingly not particularly given to the heritage values of the property.
One hundred and seventy years of change
The earliest pictorial evidence is held by Tasmania Heritage and shows the wharf and the house minus the east facing attic window. The image that appears in Hammond and Rushton Nuss, a postcard image circa 1900's (These types of postcards were popular between 1890 and 1910) shows the east facing decorative attic window. Both images lack telegraph poles and so are earlier than the 1916 electrification of Franklin. Clearly there are changes between that time and the present state of the building. How much the building changed between 1846 and circa 1900's is open to question.
As Hammond and Rushton Nuss point out:
“The typical house was sturdy and simple with four rooms and a lean-to kitchen and a veranda. Hardwood from 5” by 3” was covered with weatherboards ... plaster … pine panelling for ceiling … builders gave the houses individuality with decorative barge boards, or gables which were cut or made up in designs that differed with each building … attic windows are common.”
The earliest pictorial evidence is held by Tasmania Heritage and shows the wharf and the house minus the east facing attic window. The image that appears in Hammond and Rushton Nuss, a postcard image circa 1900's (These types of postcards were popular between 1890 and 1910) shows the east facing decorative attic window. Both images lack telegraph poles and so are earlier than the 1916 electrification of Franklin. Clearly there are changes between that time and the present state of the building. How much the building changed between 1846 and circa 1900's is open to question.
As Hammond and Rushton Nuss point out:
“The typical house was sturdy and simple with four rooms and a lean-to kitchen and a veranda. Hardwood from 5” by 3” was covered with weatherboards ... plaster … pine panelling for ceiling … builders gave the houses individuality with decorative barge boards, or gables which were cut or made up in designs that differed with each building … attic windows are common.”
Pre 1977 ownership
The fireplaces in chimneys on the southern sides have been removed. Two additional fireplaces with a common chimney have been added to the northern rooms. Given the difficulty of producing and/or transporting large sheets of glass circa 1840, the original four pane window about the front door is original.
The fireplaces in chimneys on the southern sides have been removed. Two additional fireplaces with a common chimney have been added to the northern rooms. Given the difficulty of producing and/or transporting large sheets of glass circa 1840, the original four pane window about the front door is original.
1977 to 2014 ownership
There were additions to the original four room cottage with lean-to kitchen / bathroom. Windows have been inserted into the north facing side of two rooms and the south facing wall of the living room. Local historians noted in 1987 that, “it seems that the attic window and staircase have been removed in recent years”. This has been confirmed by Ron and Lyn Roberts who recount “There was a fire in the living room – iron left on, curtain burned and ceiling destroyed”. The front veranda floor was removed, and a lower cement slab put in place. This was rectified in the 2016 restoration. The three across / four up Georgian windows at the east and north are part of the 2016 restoration.
In 2015 plans were drawn by Andrew Gifford for the restoration of the original cottage and for additions. Priority was given to maintaining the original street appearance with minimum siting of additions from directly in front of the cottage.
Builders John and Clinton Brown were engaged to do the work. In 2016/17 the work was completed marking the 170th anniversary of the original building.
There were additions to the original four room cottage with lean-to kitchen / bathroom. Windows have been inserted into the north facing side of two rooms and the south facing wall of the living room. Local historians noted in 1987 that, “it seems that the attic window and staircase have been removed in recent years”. This has been confirmed by Ron and Lyn Roberts who recount “There was a fire in the living room – iron left on, curtain burned and ceiling destroyed”. The front veranda floor was removed, and a lower cement slab put in place. This was rectified in the 2016 restoration. The three across / four up Georgian windows at the east and north are part of the 2016 restoration.
In 2015 plans were drawn by Andrew Gifford for the restoration of the original cottage and for additions. Priority was given to maintaining the original street appearance with minimum siting of additions from directly in front of the cottage.
Builders John and Clinton Brown were engaged to do the work. In 2016/17 the work was completed marking the 170th anniversary of the original building.
So, was it a toll house?
My history teacher of many years ago would say, “No document, no history”, At this point I have found no documents to say that there was ever a toll collected at 3456 Huon Highway Franklin. However in an era when we have come to have a greater respect for oral history, especially recognising the thousands of years of oral history of the First Peoples, we need to honour the oral history that has called this place 'The Toll House' and leave ourselves open to the emergence of future documentary evidence that supports this claim for a very special, if not the oldest house in Franklin.
My history teacher of many years ago would say, “No document, no history”, At this point I have found no documents to say that there was ever a toll collected at 3456 Huon Highway Franklin. However in an era when we have come to have a greater respect for oral history, especially recognising the thousands of years of oral history of the First Peoples, we need to honour the oral history that has called this place 'The Toll House' and leave ourselves open to the emergence of future documentary evidence that supports this claim for a very special, if not the oldest house in Franklin.
: Text : © Peter Thomas Confeggi, Franklin - 2022
Photos of the house (2022) and a stone tool : © FHG Librarian
Monochrome photo of the house - a part of a postcard in series : 'Natures Mirror' (circa 1910) : © Henry H, Baily.
Photo of Peter and his dog : © Peter Thomas Confeggi
Photos of the house (2022) and a stone tool : © FHG Librarian
Monochrome photo of the house - a part of a postcard in series : 'Natures Mirror' (circa 1910) : © Henry H, Baily.
Photo of Peter and his dog : © Peter Thomas Confeggi
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Peter Confeggi, Franciscan Fiar and priest of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, NSW.
Now retired from the active ministry and living in Huon Valley where he seeks to put a human face on the Church. Peter is an author of 'Memoir of a reluctant cleric' published in 2022. |
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Bibliography
1. Cf. Young, R.
The Palais Theatre : a social history of Franklin’s Town Hall,
Ashwood Books : Hobart 2012. Introduction
2. Harrison, J. N. D.
The National Trust of Tasmania,
Rigby Press L: Adelaide, 1977. p. 59.
3. Hammond, D.,Rushton Nuss, A.
Franklin : Settlement in the Houn,
South Holdings : Hobart, 1987. p.30.
4. Ibid. p. 31.
5. Wilson, W. H.
Old colonial architecture in New South Wales and Tasmania.
Ure Smith: Sydney, 1975. p. 8.
6. Ibid. P. 4.
7. Hammond & Rushton Nuss, op cit. p. 54.
8. Taken from primary and secondary documents held by Peter Confeggi :
1846 : “used as the toll collectors house” - Hammond & Rushton, op cit. p.31
1854 : John Surtees White, Deputy Clerk of Peace for the Franklin District; Owned by Thomas Stone Kellaway
1855 : Purchased by Ralph Terry, a miller of New Norfolk and Thomas Frederick Merry, Auctioneer,
from Thomas Kelloway (later spelt Kellaway) for £70
1859 : sold to Mary Ann Sampson
1897 : Mary Ann makes her will in favour of her grandson Mortimer Francis Sampson and lodges it with Perpetual Trustees. She dies on the 24th Feb 1901. Retained and rented. Monies from rent were invested and went to him when he attained the age of 21.
MF Sampson turned 21 on 5th October 1905, Mortimer continued to live in Melbourne where he was a music teacher.
1909 : Jane Emily Kennedy, a widow of Hobart, purchased the house for £100.
1910 : William James Griggs (will), Passed to his spinster daughter Greta Ethelwyn Griggs
1940 : Kenneth Irvine Oswald Griggs, orchardist of Franklin and Clive Herman George Griggs of Huonville, also an orchardist, the sons of William were executors.
1944 : Frederick William Kupsch, an orchardist, purchased for £200.
1947 : Majory Walker Franklin…”a married woman”, purchased for £350.
1950 : Walter Arthur Page RAN, of Hobart, purchased for £550.
1951 : Henry Benjamin Wooley, orchardist of Glen Huon, purchased for £500.
Between 1951 and 1977, did Henry die leaving it to his sons?
1977 : Lindsay Noel Wooley, farmer of Glen Huon sells to Ronald James Roberts, lorry driver. and Lynette Anne Roberts for $4,000.
2014 : Peter Confeggi purchased for $230,000.
1. Cf. Young, R.
The Palais Theatre : a social history of Franklin’s Town Hall,
Ashwood Books : Hobart 2012. Introduction
2. Harrison, J. N. D.
The National Trust of Tasmania,
Rigby Press L: Adelaide, 1977. p. 59.
3. Hammond, D.,Rushton Nuss, A.
Franklin : Settlement in the Houn,
South Holdings : Hobart, 1987. p.30.
4. Ibid. p. 31.
5. Wilson, W. H.
Old colonial architecture in New South Wales and Tasmania.
Ure Smith: Sydney, 1975. p. 8.
6. Ibid. P. 4.
7. Hammond & Rushton Nuss, op cit. p. 54.
8. Taken from primary and secondary documents held by Peter Confeggi :
1846 : “used as the toll collectors house” - Hammond & Rushton, op cit. p.31
1854 : John Surtees White, Deputy Clerk of Peace for the Franklin District; Owned by Thomas Stone Kellaway
1855 : Purchased by Ralph Terry, a miller of New Norfolk and Thomas Frederick Merry, Auctioneer,
from Thomas Kelloway (later spelt Kellaway) for £70
1859 : sold to Mary Ann Sampson
1897 : Mary Ann makes her will in favour of her grandson Mortimer Francis Sampson and lodges it with Perpetual Trustees. She dies on the 24th Feb 1901. Retained and rented. Monies from rent were invested and went to him when he attained the age of 21.
MF Sampson turned 21 on 5th October 1905, Mortimer continued to live in Melbourne where he was a music teacher.
1909 : Jane Emily Kennedy, a widow of Hobart, purchased the house for £100.
1910 : William James Griggs (will), Passed to his spinster daughter Greta Ethelwyn Griggs
1940 : Kenneth Irvine Oswald Griggs, orchardist of Franklin and Clive Herman George Griggs of Huonville, also an orchardist, the sons of William were executors.
1944 : Frederick William Kupsch, an orchardist, purchased for £200.
1947 : Majory Walker Franklin…”a married woman”, purchased for £350.
1950 : Walter Arthur Page RAN, of Hobart, purchased for £550.
1951 : Henry Benjamin Wooley, orchardist of Glen Huon, purchased for £500.
Between 1951 and 1977, did Henry die leaving it to his sons?
1977 : Lindsay Noel Wooley, farmer of Glen Huon sells to Ronald James Roberts, lorry driver. and Lynette Anne Roberts for $4,000.
2014 : Peter Confeggi purchased for $230,000.