The Nelson Grange

Statement of Significance

Nelson Grange is significant as the home of early settlers, John and Kate Allnutt and their descendants, and for its aesthetic, historic and social values.
Aesthetic Value
Nelson Grange is a picturesque property set amongst many of its early exotic plantings, including Blue Atlas Cedar, Horse Chestnut, Small Leaved Lime and Cricket Bat Willows which line the creek.
Historic Value
Nelson Grange is of high historic value as the most prominent of John Allnutt’s land holdings throughout the South West, (the place he chose to call home for his family) and for his considerable contribution to the district in its infancy, regarding progression of the district in many facets.
Research Value
As a settled property since 1863, Nelson Grange has potential to yield subsoil finds of early artefacts.
Social Value
From its earliest years, Nelson Grange was not only home to the Allnutt family, but to the numerous hired help who were needed to make the place productive and profitable. In 1867 this included fourteen ‘white servants’ and ‘six natives’.

Physical Description

Nelson Grange is a single storey brick and iron structure with an ‘L’ shaped plan form, hipped roof with simple brick corbelled chimney, broken backed verandah to the north, south and west, and a later extension to the east that utilises the fall in the land to provide an under croft for parking. The 1890’s/1932 homestead is made of local clay bricks (Flemish Bond) from the property and shiplap timber. It originally had a shingled roof, later covered with corrugated iron. Some of the doors are handmade of Jarrah panels and Oregon pine, with handmade glass.
The property contains outbuildings including the shearing shed and barn, which was re-sited to higher ground on the property c.2009. There is little left of the original orchard.

History

John Allnutt (c.1833-1920) bought this property in 1863, referring to it as Chinnorville, and immediately began clearing the land, planting out, and contracting Joseph Smith to build a home for his family. The young family moved down from Rosamel (Australind Region) to Nelson Grange (renamed by this time) in 1865. Despite leasing numerous other land holdings already (and later), it was here that John finally decided was the best place to begin a large scale orchard, as had been his plan for many years as a keen horticulturist. His orchards flourished and he is considered the founding father of the orchard industry in the South West. A new home was built c.1890, which is the existing home.
John Allnutt was possibly the most prominent figurehead in the Bridgetown District in his time. At his suggestion, by written request, the District was named ‘Bridgetown’; he was a driving force behind the push to receive the railway link from Bunbury through to Bridgetown; and also a driving force behind the construction of the Bridgetown Mechanics Institute. Mr John Allnutt held Presidency of the Nelson Road Board and The Agricultural Society. He was a Justice of The Peace and was a staunch religious man, riding from The Grange every Sunday for many years, to hold a combined service for all Faiths, and taking Sunday School until he was around 80 years of age.
John’s son John Charles Layman Allnutt (known as Charles) (c.1863-1949) took over The Nelson Grange c.1905 when John and Kate moved into their town residence ‘Kelah’. Charles, who retired to ‘Kelah’ in c.1929, in many way followed in his father’s footsteps:
The late Mr. Allnutt was educated at Hale School, Perth. He spent some time in the Kimberleys as a young man and later was in the Eastern Goldfields. From there he went to manage his father's Deepdene property in the Augusta district, later taking the Nelson Grange. For many years he was a member of the Bridgetown Road Board and a councillor of the Bridgetown Agricultural Society. He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace.
By 1931 Nelson Grange was the home of Herbert Coleman Davies (c.1905-1953), who was the son of Charles Allnutt’s sister, Kate Davies (nee Allnutt). Herbert married Peggy Dodwell in that year and in c.1932 this couple enlarged the house. He then retained ownership of the property until the time of his death.

Integrity/Authenticity

The home remains lived in however the property is no longer a commercial orchard.
High
(representing the major stages of development, c.1890 and 1932)

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.