The Gums

Statement of Significance

Thomas Butcher House has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place was the home of Captain Samuel George and Elizabeth Butcher; Samuel was with the Albany Pilot Service from 1890s-1904 and son of former Albany Harbour Master Captain George Trevor Butcher; and Elizabeth who was the daughter of Alexander and Catherine Moir, the Moirs being early settlers to Albany and prominent Albany merchant family. The place reflects the typical dwelling of a rising middle class that emerged from the commercial and service industries that developed around the port of Albany in the latter part of the 19th century particularly when Albany was the main port for Western Australia and when many people were employed in sea trade and port affairs. Although development around the place has impacted on the context and setting of what would have originally been a much large parcel of land, the house retains a good level of authenticity. It is significant individually and as one of a group of houses along Middleton Road, an important main thoroughfare in Albany that links the townsite with the beach, made up of an eclectic range of housing and architectural styles from the earliest periods of development to early 20th century.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Elevated, with Mt Clarence as a backdrop • Three tall cement rendered chimneys with moulded tops • Simple design • Hipped roof with projecting gabled wing • Double hung sash windows Some obvious modifications include: • Setting – amongst modern high density housing development • Restoration though sympathetically done with age of house - difficult to tell original features • Balustrade to verandah may have been removed

History

The Gums was the home of Captain Samuel George Butcher and his wife Elizabeth (nee Moir). Samuel George Butcher was born at Lowestoft, England, on 15th January 1855. He was the eldest son of Captain George Trevor and Elizabeth Butcher (refer also to 52 Frederick Street). George and Elizabeth Butcher came to Albany in 1867 after George, who had a long career as a pilot and mariner, was appointed Harbour Master. As well as Samuel, George and Elizabeth had sons Trevor Wilton, John (Jack) Coombe (died Geraldton 1906 aged 34) and Cranston, and daughters Katherine Mary, Georgie, Ethel and May. Samuel – often referred to as George - also chose a maritime career like his father, which initially took him around the world. He came back to Western Australia in 1876 as Chief Officer of the ship, "Magna Charta” and then joined the Western Australian pilot service. On 23rd December 1879, Samuel married local girl Elizabeth Moir, daughter of Alexander and Catherine Moir and sister of John Moir. The Moirs were early settlers to Albany and become prominent merchants with premises on Stirling Terrace and in the social and civic life of Albany. During his term of service Samuel spent nearly eleven years in the Pilot Service on Rottnest Island, was Harbour Master at Geraldton before finally joining the pilot service in Albany in the 1890s. At Albany, he and Elizabeth lived at The Gums on Middleton Road but had no children. In 1904, after 28 years in service Samuel retired after suffering an accident that incapacitated him from his work. After his retirement he was elected to the Albany Municipal Council as a representative of the West Ward then voted unopposed as Mayor in 1906. In 1906 he also became a Justice of the Peace. He retired from public life in 1907. Although he was asked to nominate as a candidate for the Legislative Council, he declined. He was also a prominent Freemason, was associated with the Oddfellows' Order, and a member of the Albany Club. On 8th April 1934 Samuel Butcher died at The Gums at the age of 79 years. On 21st April 1943, Mrs. Elizabeth Butcher died at also at The Gums aged 86. In the 1990s a modern housing development was built around the house. The residence was restored using similar decorative touches and colour schemes as the modern houses now surrounding it. Note: This residence was formerly incorrectly identified as Thomas Butcher House with the information it was built in the 1870s for the Harbour Master, Thomas Butcher (born George Trevor Butcher) Harbour Master until 1899 and died in 1900 at the age of 73. No details of a Thomas Butcher located.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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