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Historic Eltham

Stop Press : The Opening of Historic Eltham

Rafton Family Lawyers has moved to Historic Eltham – A Grand Georgian Residence

Rafton Family Lawyers recently moved into Historic Eltham, a beautiful Georgian style mansion that is both a landmark in the local area and of state historical significance.

The name “Eltham” is of Anglo Saxon origin and derived from the words Eald Ham meaning “old home”.  Research has indicated that the property dates back to 1811, as one of Governor Macquarie’s original town allotments for the newly established Richmond. 

There was a dwelling on this original site from as early as 1818, with the current structure of this residence being completed circa 1830.  The original building had the cellar basement area which is now our ground floor, along with the first floor which is our reception, boardroom, kitchen, main bathroom and offices.  The top story addition, which now contains our solicitors’ offices and the second bathroom, was added in or around 1903.

This beautiful building (which is currently included in the Richmond Walking Tour) has a fascinating past and has previously been used as a bank, a tannery and a private residence.  Local gossip also claims that it was even a brothel and a place to purchase liquor at some point!    Of particular note, and in support of the gossip, is the fact that running from the cellar and under Windsor Street up to “Bowman Cottage”, is an underground tunnel that links the two buildings.  It is said that rum and other illegal liquor was bootlegged through this tunnel, as well as the resident “ladies”, in the early days to evade the local authorities.  The bottom cellar level also has the remnants of the old cast iron gate which was used when it was a hotel to store the rum (precious liquor) as well as to house the money safely when it was used as a commercial bank premises.

Previous owners have included notable Hawkesbury residents William Prestnell, Thomas Rose, George Guest, Thomas Tebbutt, John Tebbutt Junior (the astronomer) and Andrew Town.

Kate and her husband have meticulously restored the interior of the building to its former glory and we invite you all to pop in and have a look around this beautiful residence. Click here for contact details and map