Marsh's Chimneys, Capercup

Statement of Significance

Notable as the site of one of the first dwellings in the West Arthur Shire and for its association with the pioneering Marsh family.

Physical Description

Located south of Moodiarrup adjacent to the west side of the Arthur-Dinninup Road. The stone and mud chimneys were constructed in the early 1880’s- one as part of the Capercup Homestead and the other possibly part of a blacksmith shed. They are situated near the Capercup Well from which the property derived its name.

History

William Marsh arrived in the colony with his new bride, Elizabeth (nee Miller), in March 1854, having been married in England just five months previously. Marsh’s first wife, Lydia, had died in 1850 after four years of marriage, leaving motherless her infant son, Henry (born September 1850). On arrival at the colony, William and Elizabeth settled at ‘Olive Hill’, Brunswick, near their relatives, the Fisher family. The couple had four children, who were destined to play a major role in the pioneering of the Colony in the latter half of the 19th century.

Charles Marsh, son of William, re-selected land at the Capercup Well in the 1870’s. However, it was not until about 1882 that he settled permanently here. Owing to the abundant supply of fresh water at “Capercup”, the sandalwood cutters and hunters used this as a base. Marsh made many trips to Bunbury, carting sandalwwod with his dray and two or three horses. He would return with provisions, of which flour, tea, sugar, salt and tobacco were the chief needs (31). Charlie Marsh married Harriet Gibbs, of Darkan, on 17 August 1884, at the Mount Pleasant Church. This was the first marriage ceremony in the new church and was performed by the Rev. Joseph Withers, stationed at Williams.

Two more of Charlie’s family (his brother John and Henry Miller) were later to come to the Moodiarrup district. However, in the interim, it was his other brother, George, who was to make a discovery of great significance to the economic future of the Colony. Around 1883, George, while shepherding for Arthur Perren on the Collie River, discovered coal in the river bed.

The Marsh’s used to winter the sheep at ‘Capercup’...In the summer they drove the sheep to William Marsh’s farm at the head of the Brunswick River.

The illness, and subsequent death, in 1899, of Harriet Marsh resulted in the two young girls, Bella and Rachel, being brought up by their aunts, Sophia Fisher and Sarah-Ann Gibbs respectively. Elizabeth Marsh went to live with her aunt, Charlotte Sounness at Mt.Barker for a short time, before returning to live with her father and brothers. Following the death of Harriet, her husband, Charlie Marsh, lost his zest for life and became somewhat of a wanderer, spending some time at ‘Balgarup’ with Tommy Gibbs. He had built four rooms at ‘Capercup’ but in 1900 he left the farm to his son, Bill, who later sold it to Jack Chapman. (1)

In 1942 the Cusack family purchased ‘Capercup’ and has remained in this family until it was purchased by Stephen Abbott in 2002.

Integrity/Authenticity

Extent of original fabric: Little

Condition

Poor – still standing and are fenced from cattle

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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