The photo is of ‘Spenceycroft’ at 654 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. For many years this home was hidden behind a large fence sheltering it from the noise of traffic along Canterbury Road, however it dates back to the very early days of settlement in the Surrey Hills area. Canterbury Road was then known as Delany’s Road. ‘Spenceycroft’ is thought to incorporate part of the original farmhouse built on the site by George Klepper, who planted a vineyard in the area. George’s family was one of a number of German families who settled in Surrey Hills during the later part of the 19th century. Later, the land associated with ‘Spenceycroft’ was worked as a dairy farm by James and Elizabeth Rayment. In recent years 'Spenceycroft' has been sold several times and has become increasingly derelict. Sold again in 2015 when it had become quite derelict, it was demolished and re-developed.A black & white photo of double-fronted Victorian style home with a fountain centre front and low foliage in front of the veranda. A woman is sitting by the fountain. 'spenceycroft', canterbury road, james rayment, elizabeth rayment, george klepper

Spenceycroft was home of James and Elizabeth Rayment, who had a dairy farm in the area in the 1870s. The house was located in Canterbury Road next to the Surrey Hills Presbyterian Church. For many years, it was hidden behind a large fence sheltering it from the noise of traffic along Canterbury Road. It has been claimed that it incorporated part of the original farmhouse built on the site by George Klepper, who planted a vineyard in the area. George’s family was one of a number of German families who settled in Surrey Hills during the later part of the 19th century. In recent years Spenceycroft was sold several times and became increasingly derelict. Since its last sale, it has been demolished. Some of the above may be in error. Research is currently being undertaken to authenticate claims previously asserted.A black and white photograph of the rear of some buildings from Russell Street, at the rear of 'Spencecroft'.house names, spenceycroft, spencecroft, russell street, surrey hills, james rayment, (mrs) elizabeth rayment

The Jacobs family lived in Surrey Hills from c 1895-1903 (ref: electoral rolls); by 1909 they were in Gippsland at Toora where Henry Atwood Jacobs was a storekeeper. They had returned to Surrey Hills by 1924 (ref: electoral roll). Capt Jacobs was appointed to the Nunawading Roads Board in 1900; in 1902 he as a member of a deputation to the Minister of Public Works regarding municipal severance. He was in favour of Surrey Hills being a separate municipality. Amy (Amelia) Jacobs was the daughter of Capt Jacobs and his first wife, Eleanor Dobson Mills, who died shortly after the birth of her daughter. Winifred was born c 1900; Mildred Adelaide b 1902, both at 'Spencycroft' in Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. Winifred married Stephen Edwin Yarnold (1903-1978), a Presbyterian & Uniting Church minister on 26 July 1946. He had a notable career in the ministry and has an ADB biography.Black and white photo of 2 young girls identified as Winifred (b c1900) and Mildred (b 1902) taken in a garden, probably at 'Spencycroft'. Both are wearing dresses and dark stockings. The older girl is holding her sister's arm.spenceycroft, house names, gardens, surrey hills, children, winifred jacobs (miss), stephen edwin yarnold, winifred yarnold (mrs), mildred adelaide jacobs (miss), henry atwood jacobs, capt, eleanor dobson mills (miss), eleanor dobson jacobs (mrs)

George's grandfather was James Rayment Snr (1817-1890). He was born in Essex, England. He arrived in Melbourne aboard the “Bengal” in 1840. He married Jane McKnight on 12 March 1861. She died in 1871. James lived in South Melbourne until he married Elizabeth Brown in 1873. He moved to “Spenceycroft” at 654 Canterbury Road in 1880 - the property had a dairy. He moved to 85 Croydon Road, Surrey Hills (the house still stands) in 1886 but still ran the dairy. He moved back to South Melbourne and died there in 1890. His son James Rayment Jnr (1862-1916) was born in Emerald Hill. He married Harriet Ratten in 1882 and lived at 85-87 Croydon Rd Surrey Hills until 1914. He also owned properties at 70,72,81 and 83 Croydon Road. Harriet died in 1897. He married Victoria Benbow in 1898. In 1912 his occupation was fishmonger. In 1914 he moved to “The Wattles” at 95 Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills. In 1919 his wife Victoria owned lots 45,47,49,51,53,55 Durham Road. Surrey Hills. He died 1916 and Victoria died in 1939. James, the third, lived in Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills where he and his wife had a flower and vegetable farm. His brother was George Leslie Rayment (1894-1976), known as Les, the subject of this photo. He was born in Boroondarra. He lived at 85 Croydon Road, Surrey Hills. In 1914 he enlisted and served in the HQ staff 3rd Light Horse Brigade and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In 1916 he was discharged for family reasons, those being that his father had died and there was no-one at home to support the family in Middlesex Road. In 1918 he married Grace Lewis at the Highfield Methodist Church. In 1919 they moved into “Clovelly”, 94 Durham Road, Surrey Hills. In 1927 his wife Grace died and in 1933 he married Celia Lewis. In 1936, with the help of his brother James, they built their new house at 14 Benwerrin Road, Surrey Hills. Celia died in 1967 and Les in 1976. Les had 2 children Dr Dulcie Grace Rayment and Norma Lesley Rayment. (Information courtesy of Mel Constable; Mel's wife is a Rayment descendant). Les' brother, James Arthur Rayment, was born in Balwyn in 1889. His A.I.F. record states - he joined on the 14 July 1915 to the 5th Field Company Engineers. His father was living in Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills at the time of his enlistment. He returned to Australia and was discharged on 22/7/1919. His occupation was carpenter; his religion, Methodist. He was 26 years and 2 months at enlistment and left Australia on 23/11/1915. James Arthur Rayment married Lilian Sarah Smith in 1920 (Ref: Victoria 1920/6780). REF: Mrs Dorothy Legg - James Rayment and his wife Elizabeth lived and farmed in Russell Street in the 1860s. The land was a dairy property and may have included some of the land later owned by the Presbyterian Church. Their sons James and Alex walked to the Balwyn State School. James married and lived at 'The Wattles' in Middlesex Road.Black and white photo of George Leslie Rayment in AIF uniform, standing with his hands behind his back. armed forces, world war, 1914 - 1918, clothing and dress, (mr) george leslie rayment, les rayment