Devonshire couple settled early
Transcription: One of the earliest settlers in the shire was John clay and his wife Agnes who arrived in Doncaster from Hull farm Petrockstow, Devonshire in 1851 to establish a family home and Orchard on the hill alongside the site at present occupied by the garage of D & E Cameron Pty Ltd.
It is of interest to report that an article published in the “Argus” February 1851 stated that great bushfires burning on Clay’s Hill were clearly visible from as far away as Melbourne.
Clay’s Hill had by this time become the commonly known name for this particular part of the district later renamed Doncaster.
Of John Clay’s family, a son Richard became a member of the Templestowe District Roads Board. when the only equipment available for the workers was a wheelbarrow, they're being insufficient funds to purchase a horse and dray.
He was an original Trustee of the Athenaeum Hall which was established in 1870 and first Doncaster Public Library 1872 with 200 books.
He made his orchard available to the Department of Agriculture for research purposes in their endeavours to combat serious fruit pests, in the process assisting to convert Doncaster from an unproductive area to one of the most prosperous in the state.
A proud possesion in the family is a silver cup awarded by the Leader newspaper for the best orchard in the district 1887.
In the next generation, Henry John Crossman Clay, again an orchardist, became a member of the Doncaster Shire Council from 1909 to 1924 including three terms as shire president.
To this day there are still 70 direct descendants of John and Agnes living in the district and several 6th generation children.
The photograph left is of Richard Clay, son of the original settlers, John and Agnes Clay
Source: The Mirror 22Feb1967 OR 5MAR1967 (DTHS Selected Press Cuttings 1967 OCR_Page_20 Clay)
Clay Street was the street that disappeared and came back as Clay Drive.
John and Agnes Clay left their picturesque home in Devonshire in 1851. They settled on 36 acres in Doncaster, and built their house where The Shell Computer Centre now stands. They were among the first in the district, and in the early years the area was called Clay's Hill. John Clay was a quiet man who unobtrusively took his place in the community. His descendants, however, played a leading part in the history of our City; as fruit growers, on the Council, and in the social life of the community.
In 1871 John Clay died, followed ten years later by his wife Agnes. Richard Clay who owned the land at the beginning of the land boom arranged to sell the land, planning a subdivision in 1888. Two streets were to run west through William Behren's land to Elgar Road, Clay Street and Arthur Street. Clay Street was named to commemorate the family, Arthur, Frederick and Alice streets were named after members of the family.
Clay Street was doomed before it started. The west branch of the subdivision was cancelled the day before it was declared in 1890, leaving Clay Street just one block in length. A few years ago this disappeared when the street was officially closed.
Alice Street was deleted in 1913 leaving a short length of street the other side of Tram Road, a street on paper only. In 1962 Alice Street finally vanished.
Although Clay Street was never made or used it was graced by a fine house with cast iron lace on its verandah. Edward Gallus senior owned the land on the corner of Doncaster Road and Elgar Road. In 1888, he built a new house to face Clay Street but the street disappeared leaving the Gallus home in the strange situation of being at the back of the block facing a side fence.
Clay's house (Middle Left). Doncaster Road from the Doncaster Tower, looking west along Doncaster Road towards the intersection of Elgar Road, Tram Road and Williamsons Road. Buildings visible include Clay's house, an estate agent's office, Serpell's shop, Tower Hotel, Lauer's shop, Edward Gallus' house in Tram Road, Laurie Smith's house in Elgar Road, Edwin Wilson's house (also in Elgar Road), and other buildings in the distance. DP0004 Enhanced by Lynton Clay.
Need annotated image pointers to buildings
The year after the estate was planned, the electric tram line was built from Box Hill to Doncaster Road. The line was laid along Frederick Street across Arthur Street, then up to the corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads. The climb up Frederick Street proved to be too steep for the tram's motor, so the tram track was re-laid in a straight line cutting across the estate, thus providing the route for the future Tram Road. On the east of the estate a small side street had given access to Richard Clay's land at the rear. This street was widened and taken right through to the south of the estate. From the other side of Doncaster Road, Hummel's Tower looked straight down this street to Box Hill station. With the unbounded enthusiasm generated by the land boom, they named it Station Street in the expectation that it would be eventually carried on for two and a half miles to join Station Street, Box-Hill. Instead of becoming longer, Station Street was cut to half its length.
In 1913 the estate was altered, Tom Petty bought part of the street to add to his land and the remainder of Station Street was reduced to half its original width. Station was a very unsatisfactory name for this street. There was confusion with Tram Road, the extension of Station Street, Box Hill. Many people hearing the name thought that Tram Road was being referred to. Now the name Station Street has been changed to Clay Drive and the Clay family alongside the other pioneer families is commemorated in our City.
Source: 1985-12 DTHS Newsletter
In 1854, John and Agnes Clay purchased 36 acres on the south side of Doncaster Road, opposite to where the Tower later stood.
John and Agnes Clay's house - left centre with the stripped veranda - taken from the tower abt.1900 This area became known locally as “Clay’s Hill”.
Source: Lynton Clay Jan2026
| Doncaster Heights No. 2. Clay's Orchard Auctioneer's plans 1888. Batten & Percy (Firm) Publisher: T Smith & Co., Printers: Litho. & General Printers. The Argus 20-Oct-1888 p.6. Elgar Road -- Frederick Street -- Station Street -- Petty Street -- Whittons Road -- Alice Street -- Doncaster Road -- Clay Street -- Arthur Street. Source: SLV Batten & Percy Collection |
Auction of Clay's Orchard Land Subdivision
In the 1880’s and later years, many large parcels of established orchard land at Doncaster were being subdivided into residential allotments. In 1888, Richard Clay who owned a large parcel of orchard land known as Clay’s Orchard generally fronting Doncaster Road, Elgar Road and Frederick Street Doncaster arranged to sell his land for such purposes.
Auctioneers at the time often prepared elaborate subdivision posters to announce the upcoming auction and provide details of the land and terms of the auction, and to entice buyers to come along and bid on the allotments on offer. Such an advertising poster by auctioneer F.L. Flint announced an upcoming auction of land to be held on Thursday 25th October (1888) for an estate to be known as Doncaster Heights No.2 and which consisted of the subdivision of land at Clay’s orchard into 66 allotments.
Newspapers were also used by the auctioneers in the preceding days to also announce upcoming auctions. In an advertisement by Mr Flint in “The Age” newspaper on 20 October 1888 for the auction of Clay’s land, he provided his pronouncement of the qualities of the land to be auctioned.
Excerpts from the advertisement, which grandly describes and embellishes the qualities of the land are shown below with transcription.
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Sales by Auction. THURSDAY, 25th OCTOBER THURSDAY, 25th OCTOBER ------------ On the Ground. At 3 o'Clock. ------------ DONCASTER HEIGHTS DONCASTER HEIGHTS DONCASTER HEIGHTS DONCASTER HEIGHTS No. 2. No. 2. No. 2. Originally Clay's Orchard. Originally Clay's Orchard. Originally Clay's Orchard. ------------ Subdivided into Magnificent Business Sites, Noble Mansion Blocks, Glorious Villa Areas And Charming Residence Sites. ------------ This Really Beautiful Property Is Beyond Question The Choicest Spot in All Doncaster, It is the Pinnacle of the District, Equal in Every Respect to the Site of the World Renowned Tower Which it is Immediately Opposite, Which it is Immediately Opposite, Which it is Immediately Opposite, And Commanding the Same Wonderful and Picturesque Views Which Have Rendered Doncaster Famous in the Eyes of the World. |
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F. L. FLINT has received instructions from F. Illingworth, Esq., to sell by auction (in con- junction with R. G. CAMERON and COMPANY) This Charming Property In 66 Allotments 66 66 Allotments 66 Many of them Covered With the Choicest fruit trees And Umbrageous shrubs And the whole commanding that Entrancing view Of Sea and Land, Mountain and stream, Hill and dale, City and suburb, Which poets have sung of and journalists have raved over on many, many occasions. ------------ An auctioneers' advertisement, even written in the most glowing language, would fail utterly in an attempt to describe the BEAUTIES of THIS PROPERTY ------------ It is requested, therefore, that an early inspection be made by intending purchasers, and judge for themselves of the immense future for Doncaster. ------------ IMMENSE FUTURE By virtue of the railway which is to run from Kew. In addition, The TRAM LINE from BOX HILL, Which is to be laid down by the company, now in course of formation, Runs through the Estate. Imagine, therefore, the great prospective values which it commands, And also note that THE PROPERTY FACES THE TOWER, THE PROPERTY FACES THE TOWER. ------------ TERMS- £10 DEPOSIT. £10 Balance up to 2½ years. At 6 PER CENT. INTEREST. ------------ Title, certificate, Apply to W. H. Flood, Esq., Solicitor, Temple-court. |
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Title, certificate. Apply to: W. H. Flood Esq Solicitor, temple-Court.
On the DAY of SALE SPECIAL TRAINS At 2.10 Will run to Box Hill, and Drags will be In Attendance. To CONVEY PURCHASERS To and from THE ESTATE. ------------ Drags will, leave the auctioneers, 8 Collins-street east, On Day of Sale, At 2 o'clock. ------------ NOTE. NOTE. NOTE. This is an Off Day Sale, This is an Off Day Sale, And has been so designed to prevent the obstructive overcrowding of holiday seekers. ------------ The superior quality of the land is such that the class of buyers will undoubtedly be most of our influential and wealthy citizens. The wonderful and beautiful are all combined in this delightful spot to make the locality AN EARTHLY PARADISE. AN EARTHLY PARADISE. ------------ Beautifully undulating, the green bosom of the land heaves itself gently, as if in delight at the perfect repose of nature, and as one advances the gradual awakening effect produced is one of perfect bliss and ecstatic enjoyment of the Wonderful Beauties Of this Charming Landscape, Visible as They Become in a Perfect Panorama Of Earth's Beauties, Displayed to the Utmost Advantage That Has Ever Yet Appeared to the Eyes of Erring Mortals. ------------ To those who have never seen this country, and .....
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Charming Landscape, Visible as They Become in a Perfect Panorama Of Earth's Beauties, Displayed to the Utmost Advantage That Has Ever Yet Appeared to the Eyes of Erring Mortals. ------------ To those who have never seen this country, and to them that have never yet felt the blaze of Poetry and Romance tire their throbbing breasts, let them pass gently through this lovely glade, and glance around at the magnificent landscape stretched out far and wide beneath them, and they will come back duly inspired for the first time with that glorious vitality of which but for can boast of ever having experienced
BOX HILL and DONCASTER TRAMWAY. THE ELECTRIC TRAM Will be running between Box Hill and Doncaster Within a few months. Tenders have already been invited for the work, and Doncaster will thus be brought within half an hour of the metropolis. ------------ Refreshments will be provided. ------------ Obtain plans and railway passes from F. L. FLINT Or R. G. CAMERON and Co. Auctioneers in in Conjunction. 8 COLLINS-STREET EAST, CAMBERWELL, DONCASTER and Other SUBURBS |
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Source: Ian Schafter writing for this website.
John and Agnes Clay left their picturesque home in Devonshire in 1851. They settled on 36 acres in Doncaster, and built their house where Cameron's garage now stands. They were among the first in the district and in the early years the area was called Clay's Hill.
John clay was a quiet man who unobtrusively to his place in the community. His descendants however played a leading part in the history of our city as fruit growers, on the council, and in social life of the community.
In 1871, John Clare died followed 10 years later by his wife, Agnes.
Richard Clay, who owned the land at the beginning of the land boom, arranged to sell the land, planning a subdivision in 1888. Two streets were to run West through William Behren's land to Elgar Road: Clay Street and Arthur Street. Clay Street was named to commemorate the family. Arthur, Frederick and Alice streets were named after members of the family.
Clay Street was doomed before it started. The West branch of the subdivision was cancelled the day before it was declared in 1890, leaving Clay Street just one block in length. A few years ago, this disappeared when the street was officially closed. Alice Street was deleted in 1913 leaving a short length of street the other side of tram road or street on paper only. In 1962, Alice Street finally vanished.
Although Clay Street was never made or used, it was graced by a fine house with cast iron lace on it's verandah. Edward Gallus senior owned the land on the corner of Doncaster Road and Elgar Road. In 1888, he build a new house to face Clay Street but the street disappeared leaving the Gallus home in the strange situation of facing a side street.
The year after the estate was planned the electric tram line was built from Box Hill to Doncaster Road. The line was laid along Frederick Street, across Arthur Street, then up to the corner of Doncaster and Williamson's Road. The climb up Frederick Street proved to be too steep for the Tram's motor so the tram track was relaid in a straight line cutting across the estate, thus providing the route for the future Tram Road.
On the east of the estate, a small side street had given access to Richard Clay's land at the rear. The street was widened and taken right through to the south of the estate.
From the other side of Doncaster Road, Hummel's tower looked straight down the street to Box Hill station. With the unbounded enthusiasm generated by the land boom, they named it Station Street in the expectation that it would be eventually carried on for 2 and a half miles to join Station Street, Box Hill. Instead of becoming longer, Station Street was cut to half it's length.
In 1913, the estate was altered. Tom Petty bought part of the street to add to his land and the remainder of Station Street was reduced to half it's original width.
Station is a very unsatisfactory name for this street. There is confusion with Tram Road, the extension of Station Street, Box Hill. Many people, hearing the name, think that Tram Road is being referred to. When a railway comes to the district, the name will be even less appropriate.
The clay family has no commemoration in Doncaster. Most Pioneer families have a street named after them. It would be very fitting and practical move for the name Station Street to be changed to Clay Street.
Source: Irvine Green writing in 1972-05 DTHS Newsletter
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| Was Clay Drive named due to Irvine Green's request ?? |
John & Agnes Clay - Burial
John Clay died at Doncaster on 16th July 1871 at 69 years, exactly 20 years after arriving in this country. Agnes lived for another 10 years, spending her last years with her daughters at Wandin. She died on 6th April 1881 at the age of 68 years. Boroondara General Cemetery BAPT A 0448
