Munthoola (Richmond) Precinct - Homestead

Statement of Significance

It is one of the few original dwellings left in the district. The building is a good example of building styles of the period. It is also notable for its connection with the Hamersley family and other prominent settlers.

Physical Description

Situated NE of the present Williams townsite, it is part of one of the original district settlements. The original portion of the homestead was built around 1860 and consisted of mud and stone. In about 1900 extensive extensions (using weatherboard and corrugated iron) greatly expanded the size of the homestead. It is situated on a rise overlooking the Williams River, some 1km to the south. An orchard was planted in between the homestead and the river.

History

It was first taken up by Edward Hamersley between March 1850 and 1852. Initially Hamersley was granted a pastoral lease of 10,000 acres and two years later a lease of 21,940 acres which included the Bannister townsite. Hamersley's son, Charles, secured Williams crown grant "S" , of 40 acres, situated at the junction of Junction Brook and the Williams River. It was upon this site that the original homestead was built which he named Richmond He married Blanche Trimmer, a daughter of Arthur Trimmer (the man after whom the Arthur River was named) at Albany on 13 December 1864. Young Charles Hamersley brought Blanche as a bride to Richmond. She was less than 20 years of age when she arrived at Williams and remained there until her death which took place during May 1918. For some years prior to his marriage, Charles Hamersley, had charge of the running of Richmond station for the purpose of rearing horses sintable as remounts for the Indian Army as well as export to Mauritius. At that early stage there was no fencing of land. Horses just roamed at will, fed where they wished, watered at any natural soaks or springs, or if more convenient at the Williams River. In that watercourse were quite a number of permanent or semi-permanent pools. (1) On Christmas Eve 1895, Charles Hamersley of Richmond, Williams, died at Albany. His death was followed shortly after by that of his brother, Samuel Richard Hamersley, at the age of 54 years. The Richmond estate was transferred to the executor E. Arthur Hamersley on 3 June 1896. (2) The transfer of ownership of Richmond estate from the Hamersley name to that of Alex McLeod in May 1910, brought to an end the association of a family name so closely linked with the early and gradual progress of Williams since March, 1850. (3) During April 1919, the property again changed ownership when John Barrett-Lennard, formerly a North-West pastoralist, became the new owner and changed the name to Munthoola. He established a merino stud flock of Bungaree blood and within a few years he figured among the leading breeders of this strain in Western Australia. He served a number of years as a member of the Williams Roads Board, of which for a period he was chairman. (4) Since then there have been several owners, the latest being the Henderson family who have renovated the precinct and set up a popular 'farm stay' venture.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Some Extent of original fabric: Most

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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