44 John Street Lilydale – Gun Alley Stories | Lilydale & District Historical Society Inc.Lilydale Historical2023-10-26T16:58:07+11:00
44 John St, Lilydale
Gun Alley Stories
Introduction
For just on 60 years after the Olinda subdivision, 44 John Street remained empty and was rented by various people, particularly the Briers family.
However, when Percival Peak and his partner Reginald (Tom) Davies were looking for a new base for their trucking operation, the site was perfect. Lots 1 and 2 44 John Street were acquired in 1944 and the first new home erected in John Street since 1915, was built in 1948.
The property was already fenced so everyone assumed there were only 2 lots. However, there was another lot – Lot 3 which faced Hutchinson Street and ran behind Lots 1 and 2.
As the Davies family had kept the property fenced throughout the years Reginald claimed the land by Adverse Possession in 1990 and consolidated the three lot property into one Torrens title.
Today, the family have owned the site for almost 70 years.
Throughout the Gun Alley pages you will see references in old articles to £ (pounds). £1 = $2; 10/- (10 shillings) = $1; 5/- (5 shillings) = 50 cents. Please note: this does not reflect the value of the money but serves as an indication only.
Using the map:
- Click on the map icons for a brief overview of each location’s historical significance.
- To read the location’s associated Gun Alley Stories, click on ‘More Details’ in the icons pop-up window.
- You can also click and drag to move around the map and use the + and – buttons on the right to zoom in and out.
Timelines
Lots 1 and 2
September 27, 1883 – John Henry Mullens (Mullins)
May 1, 1908 – Robert Wilson Turnbull
December 24, 1912 – Henry Wilfred Briers
December 12, 1935 – Julia Briers
November 11, 1947- Percival Albert Peak
October 17, 1956 – Reginald Thomas Davies and Beatrice Davies Snr
December 5, 1892 – Reginald Thomas Davies (the Younger)
Lot 3
March 21, 1881 – Patrick Woulfe
March 23, 1887 – Edward Poyner
1990 – Reginald Davies the Younger claimed the property by adverse possession.
Edward Poyner
The executor of Samuel, Jacobson’s Edward Rich a money broker of Fitzroy and Patrick Woulfe sold Lot 3 to Edward Poyner on March 23, 1887 for £100.
Edward Moore Poyner arrived in Melbourne from England in 1857 and came to Lilydale the following year where he worked for Paul de Castella for four years. He spent another five years with George Harker and soon purchased some 300 acres. He was engaged in carrying goods to the various diggings including Marysville and Woods Point. About 1875 he started his bakery business which he continued to operate until he retired in 1886. He married in 18 58 and had a family of five sons and two daughters. He made his home at The Oaks east of Lilydale township.
(Victoria and its Metropolis pg 413).
This was the last transaction on the lot until Reginald Davies the younger claimed it by adverse possession in 1990.
Poyner and his estate paid rates on the property until 1980 although the Davies family, owners of adjoining property believed it was part of their property and fenced it with their land. Percival Peak purchased the adjoining lots 1 and 2 Block 6 in 1947 and his brother-in-law Reginald Davies built a home in 1948.
Today Reginald Davies the younger still owns the property.
Patrick Woulfe
Patrick Woulfe p