Historical information

Thomas Crouch Watts was born on March 7th. 1865, to Joseph and Susan Watts. Before the real estate business commenced, Thomas and his brother were in partnership as booksellers and stationers in a shop at View Point. Thomas lived in a fine house in Rowan Street, which was called 'Ottawa' Thomas started his real estate business in the early 1900s in a shop in View Street. His daughter Edna was the book keeper and typist, Stewart Watson was the salesman and Stanley Phipps (Edith Lunn's father) was the property manager and valuer. When Thomas Watts died in 1914, his daughter took over the running of the business. She married Stewart Watson in 1918. Eventually the name of the business was changed to Bishop and Earl.
From a letter from Edith Lunn re T.C. Watts & Son.
'The firm of T.C. Watts & Son later became Bishop and Earl. When the firm of Bishop and Earl ceased to operate after the death of Edith Lunn's father, S.P. Bishop, Miss. June Parry, Secretary of the BHS was a member of staff. June rescued all the photos of properties listed for sale from the office and placed them into the custody of the BHS.'

Physical description

Black and white original photograph mounted on rectangular grey board. House, weatherboard, corrugated iron roof, gableroof LH side, bullnose verandah, wooden fence, one chimney. On back of photo ' Ferguson, 21 Russell Street, Bendigo.£ 500. ' £525 for house, and £600 for whole of land through to Houston St. 24.7.34' Stamped with T.C. Watts & Son. Sticker attached to bottom of photo board ' April 1929, 21 Russell Street, Bendigo. £750'

Inscriptions & markings

Frank A. Jeffree, Photo, Bendigo Victoria.