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The 'Residency'
The Hume's first home was in Drayton, a small town approximately seven miles from Toowoomba, on the Darling Downs. They rented this house until 1875 and made it more comfortable during that time through various improvements. Humorously called the 'Residency', it derived an English sort of dignity from this title, or the 'Australian Tott' as a tribute to Totteridge House, Katie's former abode.
Katie enjoyed sending her family details so that they could picture her life more fully. Her letters often evoke the idea of her family's 'participation' in her day to day life. |
"The Residency" Drayton Queensland, 1869, Photograph Album Vol. 1, p. 2(d).
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Drayton, Sept. 29, 1869
"My dearest Mother & Sister,
... I am at last able to send you a Photo of the Colonial Tott, done by a Drayton artist & I think a very good specimen of native talent. I think it is as favourable a view as can be obtained but after all you cannot see much of the house, on account of the high palings in front so that it appears to be all roof, but that is what struck me at first about all houses here. They have a sort of low-browed appearance from the Verandah roof joining the other. It looks a snug little place & cool & bowery with creepers & willows, but you wd not fancy from the exterior, that it is as nice & comfortable as it is within. People are surprized that there is so much accommodation ..." |
Plan of "The Residency", 1866
Photograph Album Vol. 1, p. 1.
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"I sent home a plan of the house & one of the whole premises some time ago so with the help of the view you ought to seem quite acquainted with our house. The only window visible in the view is the one of Elizth's room which forms its only entrance (all windows 'giving' on the Verandah are French). Between that & the front door (which has knocker & button for electric bell) are the two dining-room windows & to the left of the door, one drawing-room window. The other is round the corner. There is no Verandah round the other two sides of the house, but one to the Kitchen & a broad covered-way on the right of which the Batchelors Quarters have been erected ...The dip in the line of the roof looks rather alarming, but the fact is the chimney being the only masonry in the house, has slightly sunk & drawn the timbers down with it, but I am assured it is safe for the present!" (Bonnin, p. 157-158)
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The 'Hermitage'
The Hermitage was the Hume's second home. Although purchased in 1871 they did not reside there until 1875, when the addition of a kitchen and outbuildings made it into a comfortable home. |
The Hermitage, 1875, Photograph Album Vol. 1, p. 30. |
Drayton, Sept. 1st 1871
"My dearest Ja,
... I was almost forgetting to tell you about my visit to our 'Estate' last week! The house & land, about 3 miles from Toowoomba upon which we advanced money some time ago, has now come into our hands & I went to see it for the first time. It is a very pretty little place called the 'Hermitage' on Gowrie Creek. It is a small wooden house very prettily situated on a hill sloping to the creek, planted with vines & oranges. The Paddocks are quite extensive (100 acres) & are very undulating & pretty. The house is far too small for us to live in, & it is also too near Marion's for my peace of mind, so we want to let it, and I do not think we shall have much difficulty." (Bonnin, pp. 215-216) |
Sketch and floor plan of The 'Hermitage', 4 miles from Toowoomba with additions now in progress 1875, Photograph Album Vol. 14, Item 3. |
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