Historical information

Rockbank (Jeffrey Property), Masons Lane, Mernda.

Rockbank Farm has been the home of the Jeffrey family since 1853. The bluestone farmhouse which stands on the property was built in 1881. Samuel Jeffrey, his wife Eliza and two children, arrived in Australia from Country Tyrone, Ireland in 1840 aboard the bounty ship Coromandel. After managing Captain Harrison’s station at Yan Yean for a time, Samuel moved to Preston in the mid 1840s and in 1850 purchased 40 acres near the corner of High and Tyler Streets. In 1853 Samuel purchased 320 acres of land in the Parish of Yan Yean at the Government Land Sales. He gradually developed the property as an addition to his Preston farm, where he continued to live. In 1879 Samuel conveyed Rockbank to his son, Samuel Jr. (City of Whittlesea Heritage Study).

Significance

Jeffrey family pioneer of Mernda district.

Physical description

Copy of a black and white photograph.