Lexden Park

Statement of Significance

The place is of exceptional significance for it's associations with George Payne and Frederick & Amy Maitland. The fabric of the place demonstartes the development of the building and property and shows a high degree of authentiity and integrity. The place is of eceptional historic value for the associations with the mill, the "Citizen of London" and the dairy industry achievements of the Jamiesons.

Physical Description

This house shows that least three distinct stages of development. The mill site, some pylons still show evidence of the system. the bridge and the Moreton Bay Fig Tree. The blacksmith forge and stables. The first 1854 house was a three roomed cottage surrounded by verandahs. The c.1893 face brick dwelling adjoins the verandah of the original cottage. The c.1893 place faces the river, along which fronatge a bull nose verandah ext4ends and a central bay window extends onto the verandah. 1938 kitchen and verandah extension.

History

George Payne roginally worked at the Australind WA Company. With his practical skills and determination, he soon realised the hopelessness of Australind (Loc 22) and he looked for better land further south. He was a carpenter and joiner witht he WA Land Company. In 1851, he read Lieutenant Bunbury's report that Capel River was well adapted for the establishment of water mills. He asked Clifton to approach the Surveyor General on his behalf regarding 10 acres due east of the reserve for the Coolingup townsite where he intended to erect a water mill on the Capel River. His request was granted. In 1854, he moved, with his wife, four children and step son Fred Hawkins, onot the site before the official purchase of Wellington Location 72 was effected. He built a cottage and then the mill using convict labour, He was one of the few sheep breeders in the area, which wasn't really suited to sheep. In c.1855 George Payne established a school at Paynes Mill. The House and Payne children attended to be taught by G Payne or the tuttors he hired from among the educated TOLs (Ticket of Leave). By 1856, a committee established an official education poil;icy for the colony, and in 1864, Reverend Joseph Withers opened the first official school in the area. The House children attended the new school, but it closed by 1868 after a number of settlers including Payne, had retained the use of the TOL tutors. In October 1873, Judy Bungall, an Aboriginal woman, was murdered at Payne's Mill, and witnessed by A Payne. In 1874-75, George Payne was in trouble witht he law for illegal hawking of wine despite holding a license. By the mid 1870's the mill was not supporting his family, and the river bank collapsed necessitating extensive repairs. He planned to diversify into the transport industry. He planned to build a vessel to take his produce to the capital market and return with mail etc. He began the construction of tha 50 tonne boat, with the assistance of his children, He finished it in 1878ma dn dismantled it and set off to 'Fatfield' where he reassemble the ship and launched it as "Citizen of London". It was registered for trade to Geraldton with Captain Arthur Payne at the helm. In 1880, "Citizen of London" was destroyed in a storm while berthed at Bunbury Wharf. It was the end of the the shipping service and George Payne's dream. The family disintergrated, and his wife Elizabeth died in 1884. By 1885, George met Lucy Hurst, and bought Rose Hill and rebuilt the homestead, putting the mill up for sale in 1892. At theat time, Mt Pleasant had 6000 vines and fruit trees in growth. The Bunbury Vasse Road passed through Coolingup Reserve where the Capel Inn had established in the early 1880's. Payne's Mill was close by the junction, but business decreased as people travellede to Thomas Hayward's store where they traded their butter and cheese for flour. Payne was then brewing harvest beer and working on a "Citizen of London" replacement, His daughter Minna and husband William Knapton took care of the mill and George FO Maitland expressed an interest inthe place, but although the younger members of the family were keen to sell, George Payne refused. After George Payne died in December 1892, FO Maitland bought the place and moved in, in February 1893. Frederick Oscar Maitland served int he Boer War, and after was discharge from the Navy, moved to Busselton and married Amy Layman, daughte rof George Layman of Wonnerup House, in 1894. They assumed a style, and the house was furnished with antiques from England. Maitland was elected ti the Bunbury Districts Roads Board in 1895, and in 1901, he was elected Chairman of the Board. Many social gatherings, and Anglican Church Services took place at Lexden Park, and Mrs Amy Maitland was on of the proponents if the Capel Anglican Church. The Mailtands had no children, but unofficially adopted Amy's nephew Frederick (Bruce) Layman and his famoly, Sue, Henry and Peter. In 1936, after serving many years on the Roads Board, Maitland retired. Lexden Park was a show piece with fruit trees extending to the river, and the mill in working order brought many p[eople to admire the workmanship. In 1936, Lexden Park was put up for sale, and in 1937, Tom Jamieson junior purchased the property, and the Maitlands retired to Busselton. Tom Jamieson had farmed ont he Stilring Estate from about 1909, and the family was friends with the Nortons. In 1933/34, Tom Jamieson, a respected dairyman, produced a champion milking cow. Tom Jamieson instigated a modern expansion of the dairy at Lexden Park and produced the best butterfat yield from his prize cow "Betty 1", the year he took over. He also added a kitchen facility to the homestead. In 1947, a flood threatened the mill which looked like being washed away. Sir Lance Brisbane removed the mill in it's entirety witht he expectation that he would rebuild it and establishe it like the South Perth Mill. In 1975, the mill building which had formerly been dismantle and stored at the Brook Strett depot of Brisbane and Wunderlich, had seriously deteriorated and been damaged by termites. Ross and Stephanie (*nee Norton) currently own the property.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Redeemable Authenitcity: High Degree

Condition

Fair to Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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