Governor Phillip‘s original cottage was located on the hill above the Crescent at Rose Hill. It was built using convict labour. The extensive garden setting of the building, as well as its prominent position, with a view over the township, gave some status to what was essentially a cottage. Although the governor’s residence was somewhat larger, and had less occupants, it was similar in form to the vernacular cottages built to accommodate the convicts. It was mainly constructed from locally sourced materials such as timber, ‘wattles’ and clay or mud. The hip roof form used was either a thatched, bark or shingle roof and timber rafters.
The colony was governed by Captain John Hunter from 1795 to 1800. He used Phillip’s cottage until it became uninhabitable. By mid 1799, the house was regarded as being too small and the framing was so decayed that the roof fell in. It was condemned and a new residence for the governor was commenced, which was to be built of more permanent materials. Hunter was forced to hire labourers for essential work until the arrival of convict mechanics in mid-1798.
In April 1799, the brick foundations of the new house were laid, but the partially completed house was badly damaged in a fierce southerly storm in early June. The extent of repairs would indicate that much of the damage was done by water, with the soft mortar being washed away and the floors and joinery swollen and twisted out of shape. The two storeyed single pile brick building contained reception rooms and bedrooms. The house was coated in roughcast. The outbuildings of the original Phillip house were retained by Hunter and were probably used as a kitchen and for other uses related to the running of the house.
Stamps & Postal Products
1988 The Early Years – 37c Government House, Sydney 1790
