THE EARLY FAMILY MEMBERS IN AUSTRALIA
Harry Munro Milton was born on October 2, 1864, in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales and died on May 25, 1922, in Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia. Harry’s parents were James Frederick Milton (1943-1922) and Fanny Munro (1842-1889). Harry married Mary Agnes Carruthers on October 15, 1890, in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia.
Mary Agnes Carruthers was born on July 15, 1867, in Pyrmont, New South Wales, Australia and died on September 14, 1926, in Birchgrove, New South Wales, Australia. Mary’s parents were Christopher Carruthers (1822-1910) and Bridget Lydia Louisa Deveridge (1843-1898).
Harry and Mary had three children, two girls and one boy: Fanny, Leslie, and Hilda.
Fanny Munro Milton was born on September 10, 1891, in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia and died on October 6, 1962, in Rose Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Fanny married twice, first in 1913 to William Ross (1888-Unknown) and then on June 14, 1939, to Ira Wilfred Pettett (1888-1956).
Leslie Frederick Munro Milton was born on May 3, 1893, in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia and died on May 9, 1956, in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. Leslie married Jessie Eliza Atkins in 1921 in Windsor, New South Wales, Australia.
Jessie Eliza Atkins was born on June 23, 1900, in Wilberforce, New South Wales, Australia and died on May 8, 1971, in St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. Jessie’s parents were Alfred Henry Atkins (1865-1947) and Annie Richardson Green (1873-1930).
Hilda Mary Munro Milton was born on May 19, 1895, in Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia and died on March 8, 1964, in Ryde, New South Wales, Australia. Hilda married Allan Stephen Fergusson (1894-1977). Allan’s parents were John Ferguson (1862-1938) and Eliza Johnson (1868-1939).
The Milton Family Tree
PALM BEACH PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
Barrenjoey - Palm Beach Estate - Pittwater - Barranjoey Rd 1912 - part of brochure. Item: c052700024, courtesy State Library of NSW
LOT 39 - 1104 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
On April 25, 1913, Harry Munro Milton purchased lot 39 on Deposited Plan 6746 from The Barrenjoey Company Limited. The land measured 66 ft x 200 ft and had an area of one rood and one-quarter perches. The property's western boundary adjoined Barrenjoey Road, which was only a grass track barely suitable for a horse and cart. The Land Title is Volume 2360 – Folio 119.
Milton Family Campsite 1912 - Snapperman Beach, Palm Beach
Harry quickly built a small, corrugated shed on the site's northern boundary and planned to build a small cottage on the southern side adjoining the shed. Before the cottage, the family pitched tents on the site and enjoyed the beach, water and the beauty of the area.
Harry started clearing the Lantana from the site and cutting trees to make the foundation stumps for his cottage. They would fish and hunt for fresh meat.
Albert George Verrills (1885-1960), the very well-known Palm Beach Builder, purchased lot 38, the adjoining block to the north, on December 17, 1915. This site later became Barrenjoey House. Harry’s son, Leslie Frederick Munro Milton (1893-1956), worked as a carpenter for Albert’s building company.
Albert George Verrills House is elevated with a garage on the flat in front of the house. Sections from 'Panorama of Palm Beach and Pittwater, New South Wales, circa 1917-1920', from nla.pic-vn6195128, Part of Enemark collection of panoramic photographs - courtesy National Library of Australia.
1913 - Milton Cottage at Lot 39 - 1104 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
When the cottage was built, gutters were installed to collect rainwater in a small tank between it and the shed. The western afternoon sun is hot, and the cloth awning provides some protection.
L/R Hilda Milton with her then-boyfriend, Allan Stephen Fergusson (1894-1977), Leslie Munro Milton, Harry Munro Milton, William Ross (1888-1939), and his then-wife, Fanny Munro Milton. Mary Agnes Milton (née Carruthers) (1867-1926) is most likely holding Fanny's first-born child, Lorna Margaret Ross (1914-2007). They were at the Milton Cottage at Lot 39 - 1104 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, in about 1914.
1919 – Renovated Milton Cottage at Lot 39 - 1104 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
On April 9, 1915, Harry transferred the property to his son, Leslie Frederick Munro Milton (1893-1956). Leslie’s occupation is shown as Balmain Carpenter on the land title. On October 20, 1923, Leslie took out a Mortgage with William Charles Bull, a Sydney Solicitor. The Mortgage was discharged on March 9, 1926.
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On October 9, 1926, Leslie sold the property to Percival (Percy) Robert Hillier (1899-1960). On the same day, Percy took out a mortgage with Leslie and discharged the Mortgage on October 4, 1928. Percy had several Mortgages after this until his final discharge on March 2, 1955. Percy, who was described as a labourer, had a daughter, Mavis Dulcie Hillier (1923-2012), who went on to marry John (Jack) Herbert Crowley (1921-1992). Both are well-known locals in the Pittwater area.
Jack and Mavis Crowley House and Garage at 1104 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
On March 9, 1955, Percy sold the property to the Palm Beach Fishmonger Henry James Sinclair and his wife, Constance Grace Sinclair. It is likely that Sinclair started the first fish shop of many on that site at 1104 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach. When Henry James Sinclair died, his wife, Constance, became the sole proprietor of the property.
LOT 55 (DP 6746) BARRENJOEY ROAD, PALM BEACH
On May 20, 1918, Harry Munro Milton purchased lot 55 on Deposited Plan 6746 from Henry William Meggitt. The Volume and Title number is 2562-53.
Lot 55 - Volume/Folio 2863-107 Milton Purchase - May 9th, 1918.
On July 2, 1918, Harry sold a 4ft wide strip of land between lots 55 and 56 to John Harley McLaughlin, a Sydney Solicitor. It is unclear what the purpose of this sale was, possibly access or drainage. After this land portion sale, the remaining land measured 62 ft x 200 ft and had an area of one rood and five and a half perches. Records indicate that Harry sold lot 55 to Fredrick John Franklin on January 3, 1923.
Lot 55 - Volume/Folio 2863-107 Franklin Transfer - March 19th, 1923.
Lot 55 - Volume/Folio 2863-107 Land Title Diagram (Showing easement for J. H. Laughlin)
On March 3, 1920, William Hodge (Palm Beach Labourer) purchased lot 57 from Henry William Meggitt, and on March 21, 1921, Alice Janet Hodge (Wife of William Hodge) purchased lot 58 from Charles John Hastie. This property became the Palm Beach Post Office, with Alice as the postmistress.
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LOT 57 (DP 14682) - 1007 BARRENJOEY ROAD, PALM BEACH
On October 23rd, 1930, Jessie Eliza Milton (Wife of Leslie Frederick Milton) purchased lot 57 on deposited plan 14682. The land area was one rood and one-quarter perches and the lot measured 50 feet wide and 226 feet long. The lot had a boundary of Barrenjoey Road to the east and the high-water mark to the west at the southern end of Sandy Beach.
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Lot 57 Volume/Folio 4445-58 Diagram - 1007 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
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Forssberg Estate Real Estate Poster -Lot 57 (DP 14682) Land Title Volume/Folio 4445-58
Jessie took a mortgage against this property on November 4th, 1940, and it was discharged on March 13th, 1942. On June 4th, 1943, the property was sold to Campsie Defence Coordinator James Potter. This property sale was most likely used to fund the purchase of the Palladium building and property on the oceanfront at Palm Beach. They owned lot 57 for twelve years and, during that time, developed the property into an income-generating business with a tennis court, a boatshed and an area for camping.
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Early days on the site with only a shed and a tent
The Milton family built a simple shed on the site and sometimes camped in tents.
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Milton family camping onsite - Les and Jessie Milton standing in the tent holding the baby.
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Milton Family Tennis Court
LOT 64B - 16 OCEAN ROAD, PALM BEACH
On January 24, 1944, Jessie Eliza Milton, the wife of Leslie Fredrick Milton (Palm Beach Garage Proprietor), purchased the Palladium property. The previous owner, Joseph Henry Graham, had defaulted on his loan with Starr and Bowkett, resulting in a mortgagee sale. The previous title was Volume 3486 – Folio 50.
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Lot 64B - Volume/Folio 4294 -164 Milton Purchase - January 24, 1944
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Lot 64B - Volume/Folio 4294 - 164 Diagram
Jessie and Leslie Milton created a family business and home. The left-hand side of the building became the dining room, and the right-hand side became the milk bar, selling takeaway foods. The family lived and worked in the building for almost twenty years, selling to Alexander Laurence Rentoul on June 28, 1967.
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Lot 64B - The Palladium - 16 Ocean Road, Palm Beach
