The photo was found behind a mantelpiece in the house at 6A Thistle Street while it was being renovated. It is thought to be of the first owner, Mrs Rachel Sweetnam (nee Lewis) and her husband, Thomas Edward Sweetnam. They were married on 24 September 1884 at St John's Church, Camberwell. REF: THE ARGUS 4 Oct 1884 Thomas second eldest surviving son of Matthew Sweetnam married to Rachel (Ray) third eldest daughter of Captain T.D. Lewis, Culm Haven, Camberwell. Thomas was active in land sales and variously described as a land agent, real estate agent and auctioneer. The property - Hillsboro or Hillsborough - was originally a house on a farm of 10 acres owned by her. It became 6A Thistle Street. According to the Alan Holt property register Rachel Sweetnam owned the property prior to 1890 and a family tree on Ancestry.com has that it was owned by her in c1886. It is likely that it was an investment rather than a family residence. Thomas Sweetnam was President of the Boroondara Shire 1888/89 and a councillor from 1886-1891. During his time as Shire councillor in 1887 he was charged with assaulting Charles A. Chandler, a window blind manufacturer, in response to an ‘insulting note’ left at Sweetnam’s house. Sweetnam was fined two guineas and 31 shillings. Sweetnam was also President of the Camberwell Gun Club from around 1890 – 91. In 1893 he relocated to Ferntree Gully, where he contested for the municipality’s North Riding council seat. Multiple references can be found on Trove. Note that the gentleman in this photo does bear a resemblance to Thomas Sweetman, President of Boroondara Shire in 1888-1889 found in the City of Boroondara Library Service mayoral portrait collection. No known photo of Rachel Sweetnam. Other property owners or residents are: 1890 Selina Gaylor 1900 Stephen Pullen 1910 William Murray (draftsman) 1920 George C Hughes 1930 Arthur Leslie Austin (tram driver) 1980 Mrs Lillian Evelyn Austin Sold in 1983 for $87,000. The house is still extant (January 2025). Note that we also have material / photos regarding George Hughes and family.This photo is one of the earliest photos of residences of Surrey Hills.Black and white photo of a woman and man in a buggy behind which is a simple house with a verandah at one end, surrounded by eucalypt trees.hillsboro, house names, thistle street, horse-drawn vehicle, clothing and dress, hillsborough, rachel sweetnam, rachel lewis, thomas sweetnam, selina gaylor, stephen pullen, william murray, george hughes, arthur austin, lillian austin

One of the oldest homes in Surrey Hills. The photo was taken in 1924 when the property was purchased by Mr John Francis Evans, father of Mrs Lillian Austin. The Evans family came from Gembrook. John Evans was born in Wales; he and his wife Mary had 3 children, 2 daughters and one son. Mary Evans pre-deceased her husband, who died on 23 October 1924 at Hillsborough, 6A Thistle Street. The first owner of the property was Mrs Rachel Sweetnam (nee Lewis) who married Thomas Edward Sweetnam on 24 September 1884 at St John's Church, Camberwell. REF: THE ARGUS 4 Oct 1884 Thomas second eldest surviving son of Matthew Sweetnam married to Rachel (Ray) third eldest daughter of Captain T.D. Lewis, Culm Haven, Camberwell. Thomas was active in land sales and variously described as a land agent, real estate agent and auctioneer. The property - Hillsboro or Hillsborough - was originally a house on a farm of 10 acres owned by her. It became 6A Thistle Street. According to the Alan Holt property register Rachel Sweetnam owned the property prior to 1890 and a family tree on Ancestry.com has that it was owned by her in c1886. It is likely that at this stage the property was an investment rather than the Sweetnam's family residence. Other property owners or residents are: 1890 Selina Gaylor 1900 Stephen Pullen 1910 William Murray (draftsman) 1920 George C Hughes 1930 Arthur Leslie Austin (tram driver) 1980 Mrs Lillian Evelyn Austin Lillian Austin died on 19 August 1983 and the property was sold that year for $87,000. The house is still extant (January 2025). Note that we also have material / photos regarding George Hughes and family.Black and white photo of a timber home with brick chimneys and a (?) corrugated iron roof. There are sheds and outbuildings attached to the house. The garden looks untended. In the background a mature eucalypt tree can be seen.houses, hillsboro, timber houses, mrs lillian austin, hillsborough, selina gaylor, stephen pullen, william murray, george hughes, arthur austin, john francis evans, thistle street