Ceramics Report Darling Quarter Darling Harbour · Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour Area 9 – 1820s arkers mill yard and mill pond, and later industrial development Archaeological

Ceramics Report Darling Quarter Darling Harbour

Rowan Ward

For Casey & Lowe

July 2011

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Casey & Lowe Ceramics Report, Archaeological Investigation Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour

CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Brief Historical Background 2 1.3 Aims of Report 4 1.4 Methodology 4 1.5 Authorship 6 2.0 Overview and Discussion of the Ceramics in Areas 2.1 Brief Overview of Ceramics 7 2.2 Area 5 9 2.2.1 Ceramics from Area 5 10 2.3 Area 6 15

2.3.1 Area 6 Background 15 2.3.2 Overview of Ceramics, Area 6 18 2.3.3 Phase 4: 1820s to 1830s Barker’s Mill and Jetty 21 2.3.4 Phase 5: 1830s to 1840s Reclamation 23 2.3.5 Phase 6: 1840s-1860s Residential and Industrial Development 25

2.3.6 Phase 7: 1860s-1900 Residential and Industrial Development 28 2.3.7 Phase 8: 1900-1920s Resumptions and Railways 31 2.3.8 Phase 9: 1920s-1980s Railways and Commercial Development 34 2.3.9 Conclusion 37 2.4 Area 7 40 2.4.1 Ceramics Overview 42

2.4.2 Phase 3: 1788 to the 1820s 48 2.4.3 Phase 5: 1830s and 1840s Reclamation 49 2.4.4 Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development 55 2.4.5 Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential, Industrial and Commercial Activity 61 2.4.6 Phase 8: 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways 95 2.4.7 Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development 106 2.4.8 Conclusion 109

2.5 Area 8 114 2.5.1 Overview 115 2.5.2 Overview of Area 8CT 121 2.5.3 Phase 5: Late 1830s to Early 1840s Reclamation 123 2.5.4 Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development 124

2.5.5 Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development 166 2.5.6 Phase 8: 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways 194 2.5.7 Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development 198

2.6 Area 9 209 2.6.1 Overview 210 2.6.2 Phase 4: 1820s to late 1830s Barker’s Mill and Lands 214 2.6.3 Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development 214 2.6.4 Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development 222 2.6.5 Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development 235 2.6.7 Conclusion 236

3.0 Evidence of Children on Site 3.1 Introduction 238 3.2 Children’s Tableware 238

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4.0 Summary 4.1 Overview 5.0 Bibliography 5.1 Bibliography

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Ceramics Report for Darling Quarter (Walk), Darling Harbour

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background1 Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd were commissioned by Lend Lease Development in 2008 to write an Archaeological Assessment and an Archaeological Management Strategy & Research Design for a then proposed redevelopment of Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour, Sydney. The development was classified a ‘major project’ and was determined under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. The Archaeological Assessment identified potential archaeological remains within the site and also assessed their heritage significance. The Darling Quarter archaeological sites were considered to be of both Local and State heritage significance. The reports also proposed a mitigation strategy for the archaeological resource, outlining in detail, responses to the development impacts. It was recommended that salvage excavation of archaeological remains within the basement footprint be undertaken. Outside the basement, testing and monitoring be carried out in areas of impact. Lend Lease commissioned Casey & Lowe to direct this program of archaeological investigations, and work began in October 2008. The Darling Quarter development site is located within the Darling Harbour precinct, on the western edge of Sydney Central Business District. It is located on the eastern side of the harbour and is bound by Harbour Street to the east, Bathurst Street to the north, Liverpool Street/Chinese Gardens to the south and Tumbalong Park to the west. Originally most of the site was below the high water mark. Reclamation work began in the late 1830s when the harbour developed as a predominantly industrial area. The consolidation and alterations to the harbour shoreline continued throughout the 19th century. Major redevelopments also occurred in the 20th century, the last phase being in the 1980s when the Darling Harbour precinct was constructed and the nature and function of the area changed from industrial to leisure, entertainment with some retail and commercial. The Darling Quarter site was divided into 9 Areas based on historic lot boundaries, industries and streets.

Area 1 – Grose’s Wharf

Area 2 – William Orr Engineering Workshops

Area 3 – Anchor Flour Mills

Area 4 – PN Russell Foundry

Area 5 – PN Russell Railway Carriage Workshops and Boiler House

Area 6 – Barker’s Jetty, Brodie and Craig’s Timberyard

Area 7 – Brook’s Slaughter House, Murphy’s Wharfage, Soap and Candle Manufactory

Area 8 – Worker’s Housing

Area 9 – Barker’s Mill Yard and Pond

Excavation Areas The basement footprint of the new development impacted on 5 of these areas:

Area 5 – 1870s Boiler House associated with PN Russell foundry

Area 6 – 1820s Barker’s jetty and subsequent reclamation work

Area 7 – 1850s reclamation, Murphy’s wharfage and cottage

Area 8 – 1840s reclamation and workers housing

1 Background information regarding the history and excavation of the site comes from Casey & Lowe:2008, Dusting:2009,

Harrop:2009, and Hincks:2009.

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Area 9 – 1820s Barker’s mill yard and mill pond, and later industrial development Archaeological Phases The study area has been divided into 10 main archaeological phases:

Phase 1 – Natural Landscape

Phase 2 – Aboriginal Occupation

Phase 3 – 1788 to 1820s Early Foreshore Activity

Phase 4 – 1820s to late 1830s Barker’s Mill and Lands

Phase 5 – Late 1830s/Early 1840s Reclamation

Phase 6 – 1840s to 1860s Residential, Industrial Development and Reclamation

Phase 7 – 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development

Phase 8 – 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways

Phase 9 – 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development

Phase 10 – 1980s Demolition and Re-Development The main archaeological phases were further divided into sub-phases dependant on Area. 1.2 Brief Historical Background2 Most of the site, located on the eastern side of Darling Harbour, formerly Cockle Bay, was at one time below the high water mark. In 1815 John Dickson erected a steam engine powered flour mill at the head of the bay. This was the first use of steam power in Australia. In 1825 the firm Cooper and Levey opened another steam powered flour mill to the north of Dickson’s. Cockle Bay formerly became known as Darling Harbour in 1828. Thomas Barker, a former apprentice to Dickson, bought Cooper and Levey’s mill in 1828 and by 1830 had consolidated an area of 6 acres on Darling Harbour on the west side of Sussex Street, between Bathurst and Liverpool Streets. The western limit of Barker’s land was the harbour shoreline, and this is located within the new development site. The waters around Darling Harbour were quite shallow, necessitating the construction of jetties to reach deeper water. The inter-tidal zone and shallow waters also provided the potential for considerable land reclamation and subsequent development. From the late 1820s to the 1850s the shoreline within Barker’s property was considerably altered by reclamation, jetty and wharf construction. The increasing population of Sydney and the Colony from the 1830s gave rise to greater import and export trading, and an increase in commercial enterprise on the waterfronts. The development of Darling Harbour increased from this time with Barker and other investors capitalising on the value of the waterfront properties. Land reclamation provided more development area with access to deeper water for industries such as the flour mills, timberyards, warehouses and other manufactories. During the 1840s more land around Barker’s mill was sold. Reclaimed land to the west and north was subdivided for residential development. Builders and timber merchants Brodie and Craig bought two of these lots in 1840 and 1844 for their timberyards and wharf. These lots were extended west into the harbour by reclamation. The four lots that were sold extended well beyond the original high water mark, and historic plans depict them as regular shaped city blocks, with a continuous straight line of wharves from Bathurst Street to Brodie and Craig’s wharf to the south (close to the line of Liverpool Street). In 1853 Barker was granted legal title to four portions of reclaimed land on both sides of Barker Street, adjacent to his original grant. This included some of

2 This section is a summary of the Historical Background written by Dr Rosemary Annabel in Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd 2008,

Non-Indigenous Archaeological Assessment, Darling Walk, Darling Harbour, an unpublished report prepared for Lend Lease Development.

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the residential subdivision and over 2 acres of waterfrontage that he had sold in the 1830s and 1840s. By the 1850s the eastern shoreline of Darling Harbour was well established reclaimed land consisting of wharfage, industrial and residential developments. By the end of the decade Pyrmont Bridge, north of the study area, was constructed connecting Market Street to the developing suburb of Pyrmont to the west. In 1855 a branch of the railway was opened on the west side of Darling Harbour, forming the first link between the railway and shipping. By the 1870s the Darling Harbour goods yard was the centre of the railway freight network serving much of Sydney’s cargo shipping. On the eastern side of the harbour industrial development continued and PN Russell foundry, whose work was associated with the railways, took over Brodie and Craig’s timberyard in 1859. The works of the PN Russell foundry lead to the further alteration of the waterfront, with more reclamation and wharfage west into the harbour area, land on which the new forge was constructed. To the south of the foundry, Barker’s wharf became part of the wharfage associated with the Miller and Harrison timberyards. By the late 1870s the commercial premises on the west side of Barker Street formed a continuous line of wharfage along the edge of Barker’s original property, disconnecting it from Darling Harbour. The development in the 19th century of Darling Harbour had been somewhat ad hoc and the wharves were in private ownership, and facilities varied greatly with little sanitation and considerable pollution. By the 1880s the need for major re-planning became evident. The need to provide better access to the wharves and connect them to the railway was costly and required better systems of management, planning and land resumptions. Providing the impetus for this was the plague that struck Sydney in 1900. Certain wharves at Darling Harbour were identified as the source of the infection that had spread from Hong Kong via the ports on major trading routes to Australia. The Darling Harbour Wharves Resumption Act gave the government ownership of the whole wharfage from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay with the management passing to the Sydney Harbour Trust whose task it was to redesign and modernise the commercial waterfront. The resumption of properties between Bathurst and Liverpool Streets included all with a waterfrontage. New wharfage was built and existing wharves improved along the eastern side of Darling Harbour. Russell’s wharf was a main area of concern for the state of the harbour and the health of its inhabitants. The whole of the foundry site was cleared as part of the cleansing operations. By 1910 the wharves at the end of Liverpool Street formed the head of the harbour that had once extended south to Hay Street. In 1918 control of the lots within the study area passed from the Sydney Harbour Trust to the Railway Commissioners for NSW. In the early 1920s continued city railway constructions provided fill for more land reclamation around the harbour. The Sydney Harbour Trust improvements to the wharves between Bathurst and Liverpool Streets were covered over and buildings demolished. The Sydney Goods Yard with new wharfage was constructed in their place, and this goods rail yard was the biggest in Australia. The 1940s saw the decline in shipping and the gradual replacement by rail and road transport. Private car ownership also became a more dominant factor in city planning from the 1950s. The wharves at Darling Harbour suffered during these decades of decline. The advent of containerised revolutionised the transport of goods by sea and onwards by land. Ports needed to develop roll-on/roll-off wharves with large flat concrete aprons and room for large cranes, transport vehicles and stores. The redevelopment of the Darling Harbour wharves was undertaken by the Maritime Services Board and during the 1960s work was concentrated on the eastern side of the harbour. In 1974 No.5 berth was completed and at 315m in length it was the longest cargo shed in Australia. Despite the investment, Darling Harbour could not compete with the container shipping facilities being developed at Port Botany. Transport from the wharves in the city was inadequate as the streets were too narrow and busy to accommodate the new semi-trailers.

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Road building around Darling Harbour continued through the 1970s and in the 1980s the Western Distributor along its eastern side was completed. The State Rail Authority was instructed to move out in 1982 by the government. The Harbour was once again the subject of redevelopment as the State’s major contribution to the bicentennial program. The new complex included an exhibition and convention centres, park, foreshore promenade, the Chinese Gardens and the National Maritime Museum as well as sites for commercial development. When this redevelopment was completed Barker, Thomas, Duncan and Steam Mill Streets had disappeared off the map and replaced by the new Harbour Street and a complex traffic intersection. The current redevelopment prompted by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority will see the construction of office and retail premises at the Darling Quarter site. 1.3 Aims of Report The archaeological areas with the redevelopment are discussed individually with areas and phases. Due to the size of the site this report is mostly limited to a description of the cermaics found in key contexts and which provides information for further analysis following the completion of the reporting. While we would dearly wanted to undertake further anlayis the budgeting for such a large project required us to focus on the key research outcomes as outlined in Vol 1 of this report.

1.4 Methodology The methodology used to catalogue the ceramics was developed by Dr Mary Casey.3 The catalogue sheets used an individual catalogue number for each artefact entry (ceramics using numbers #57900-#60000; #70001-#73276); the context number where item found; the shape of the item (cup, plate, etc.); the general function (food, alcohol, household, etc.); the specific function (teaware, tableware, serving, etc.); the fabric (stoneware, fine earthenware, etc.); portion (percentage of vessel); decoration (Sponge, Salt Glaze, Blue Transfer Print, etc.); pattern (‘Asiatic Pheasants’, etc.); country of manufacture; mark (ticked if basemark or inscription present); rim diameter (in mm); joins (context and catalogue number); item; fragments; weight; brief description (includes mark description and information on maker); from and to date, and the box number (final location of item for storage). The minimum item count (MIC) was ascertained both by the individual catalogue number and the item number. Where items were too small to ascertain much more than perhaps just the decoration, these sherds were grouped together within the one entry and listed as being from at least one item (1 MIC). Items which conjoined between contexts were only entered once under the ‘item’ column to avoid doubling up on numbers, with the number of fragments entered in all cases. When discussing any of the artefacts found all the numbers refer to the minimum item count (MIC) unless specifically stated otherwise. Although a ceramic type series was not undertaken, the methodology used includes a running pattern series that incorporates other sites excavated by Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd. When a pattern could not be identified by name a number was assigned to it and this was used every time it was found on either this or other sites, or until the pattern name was identified and then it was replaced on the database (i.e., Blue Transfer Print 39). This number appears on the catalogue sheets under ‘pattern’.

3 Casey, Mary 2004 ‘Falling through the cracks: method and practice at the CSR site, Pyrmont’, Australasian Historical

Archaeology, 21: 27-43

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The table below lists of the abbreviations used in the ceramic catalogue sheets and the artefact tables contained in this report.

Abbreviation Description

alch alcohol

annular cream annular creamware

attrib attributed

Aus Australia

bc bone china

bd body

bl flow blue flow

bl hp blue handpainted

blk flow black flow

black btl blacking bottle

blktp black transfer print

bltp blue transfer print

bltp pearl blue transfer printed pearlware

btl bottle

break cup breakfast cup

bristol gl bristol glaze

brn gl brown glaze

brntp brown transfer print

bs base

candle stk candle stick

cew coarse earthenware

Chinese porc Chinese porcelain

cleric clerical

clobb clobbered

cont container

cream w creamware

dia diameter

dual gl dual glaze

edge w cream edgeware creamware

edge pearl edgeware pearlware

edge WW edgeware whiteware

ext exterior

Eur Europe

few fine earthenware

figure figurine

frags fragments

fstw fine stoneware

g beer ginger beer

gild gilded

glz glazed

gl mou glazed moulded

grntp green transfer print

H height

h’hold household

hdl handle

Holl Holland

hp handpainted

hp gild handpainted & gilded

hp ww handpainted whiteware

imp impressed

int interior

lead gl lead glaze

maint maintenance

med medicine

MIC minimum item count

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misc miscellaneous

mou moulded

mou ww lustre moulded & lustre whiteware

nk neck

orna ornament

pttn pattern

pearl pearlware

pers personal

porc porcelain

prep preparation

ppl flow purple flow

ppl tp purple transfer print

redtp red transfer print

rock gl rockingham glaze

salt glz salt glaze

Scot Scotland

selfslip self slipped

serve service

serve/tblw service/tableware

sh shoulder

slip slipped

spatter pearl spatter pearlware

spatter ww spatter whiteware

sponge sponge ware

sprigg sprigged

store storage

stw stoneware

svfew semi-vitreous fine earthenware

tblw tableware

tblw/tea tableware/teaware

tblw/serve tableware/service

tea teaware

tea/tblw teaware/tableware

Th thickness

tp transfer print

UK United Kingdom

USA United States of America

unid unidentified

wgl white glazed

wgl gilt white-glazed & gilded

wgl mou white-glazed & moulded

wgl mou gild ww

white-glazed moulded & gilded whiteware

ww mou moulded whiteware

writ writing

W3 Willow pattern

1.5 Authorship This report has been written by Rowan Ward, Ceramics Specialist and on-site Artefacts Supervisor, Casey & Lowe. Rowan was responsible for cataloguing all ceramics from the site. Dr Mary Casey, Director, Casey & Lowe edited and reviewed this report. Mary also added some additional text to clarify key points within the report.

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2.0 Overview and Discussion of the Ceramics in Individual Areas 2.1 Brief Overview of Ceramics A total of 5,318 MIC ceramics (8791 sherds) were recovered from the Darling Quarter site (Table 2.1). The five archaeological areas all featured ceramics and these will be discussed in detail following this brief general overview. Slightly more than half of the ceramics from the site were recovered from Area 8, a total of 2,831 items or 53.2 per cent. Area 7, contained a quarter of the assemblage (25.7%), represented by 1,369 items. In contrast Area 5 only featured 69 ceramics, representing just 1.3 per cent of the total ceramic category of artefacts found on site.

Table 2.1: Total ceramics from across the site. Area Frags % Items %

5 99 1.1 69 1.3

6 681 7.7 425 8.0

7 2507 28.5 1369 25.7

8 4357 49.5 2831 53.2

9 1147 13.0 624 11.7

8791 99.8 5318 99.9

Overall the 5,318 items recovered reflect the domination of imported ceramics within the Sydney marketplace, with particular emphasis on those wares sourced from the United Kingdom (Table 2.2). Ceramics manufactured in the United Kingdom represent over three-quarters of the assemblage (82.6%), and are indicative of the dominance the United Kingdom ceramic industry achieved during the 19th century on the worldwide ceramic marketplace as a whole.

Table 2.2: Country of manufacture. Country Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 Total

Aus 2 11 22 32 16 83

China

3 12 10 1 26

Jap

1 1

Scot 4 5 36 7 12 64

UK 46 332 1001 2535 482 4396

UK/Aus 16 68 254 221 89 648

UK/USA/Eur/Aus

6 3 13 5 27

UK/USA/Europe 1

27 11 14 53

UK/USA/France

9 2 4 15

Europe

1

1

Fra

1

1

Ger

2

2

Holl

1

1

69 425 1369 2831 624 5318

Nine fabric types were identified within the assemblage. Fine earthenware is by far the most commonly recognized fabric, with a total of 3,780 items making up 71 per cent of the ceramic collection (Table 2.3).

Table 2.3: Ceramic fabric types. Fabric Items %

Bone china 528 9.93

coarse earthenware 33 0.62

Chinese porcelain 24 0.45

Fine earthenware 3780 71.08

Fine stoneware 2 0.04

Japanese porcelain 1 0.02

porcelain 2 0.04

stw stoneware 692 13.01

semi-vitreous fine earthenware 256 4.81

5318 100

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A total of 54 decorative types were identified and they are characteristic of the increasing wide range of ceramic choices available within the marketplace as throughout the 19th century (Table 2.4).

Table 2.4: Range of decorative types. Decoration Items %

annu pearl 1 0.02

annular 9 0.17

annular ww 2 0.04

banded 92 1.73

bl flow 400 7.52

bl hp 24 0.45

blk flow 121 2.28

blktp 146 2.75

blktp pearl 1 0.02

bltp 1588 29.86

bltp pearl 59 1.11

bristol gl 58 1.09

brntp 117 2.20

blobb 18 0.34

cream w 42 0.79

edge pearl 39 0.73

edge WW 11 0.21

gild 100 1.88

gilded, mou 3 0.06

gl mou 1 0.02

glazed 9 0.17

glz mou 2 0.04

grnflow 4 0.08

grntp 195 3.67

hp 40 0.75

hp gild 12 0.23

hp mou gild 1 0.02

hp pearl 3 0.06

hp ww 21 0.39

lead gl 46 0.86

lustre 1 0.02

majolica 1 0.02

mocha 3 0.06

mocha ww 1 0.02

mou hp 11 0.21

mou ww 11 0.21

multi tp 2 0.04

pearl 18 0.34

ppl flow 3 0.06

ppl tp 246 4.63

redtp 34 0.64

rock gl 31 0.58

salt gl 634 11.92

selfslip 21 0.39

spatter 1 0.02

spatter ww 4 0.08

sponge 52 0.98

sprigg 92 1.73

wgl 362 6.81

wgl mou 22 0.41

wgl mou gild 1 0.02

ww 576 10.83

ww gild 1 0.02

yellow ware 25 0.47

5318 100.05

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The sheer variety of decorative types is indicative of the domination the United Kingdom ceramic industry achieved on the worldwide ceramic marketplace as a whole during the 19th century. The wide range of decorative styles, in every conceivable shape, and with price ranges to suit all budgets, meant that the imported United Kingdom ceramics so effectively dominated the field that early locally-produced ceramics, such as the lead-glazed and self-slipped wares, along with the imported ceramics from China, were unable to maintain their competitiveness within this market of mass production and accessibility to goods as the 19th century advanced. Blue transfer-printed wares were by far the most dominant decorative type, with 1,588 items representing over 28.6 per cent or nearly a third of the entire ceramic assemblage. The introduction of transfer printing enabled the consumer to choose from a seemingly infinite number of patterns, attainable in matching or complementary pieces and eventually also in a variety of colours. Replacement items could be easily found when needed, and at prices that ranged from the cheaper, commonly mass-produced patterns made by many potteries (such as ‘Willow’ and ‘Asiatic Pheasants’), to more expensive patterns perhaps only made by the one manufacturer. Certainly as the 19th century progressed transfer printing became one of the most commonly sought after and available forms of decorative types on the market, covering a myriad of shapes and uses. The overall popularity of transfer printing is further demonstrated with a total of 2,787 ceramics, representing just over half of the entire assemblage (52.4%), were decorated in this manner; in a variety of colours (blue, black, brown, green, purple and red) and also finishes (pearlware, flow, clobbered and multi-coloured). 2.2 Area 54 Prior to the land being reclaimed Area 5 was largely below the original high water mark, and as such hosted little activity until the 1830s reclamation. An 1842 map of proposed subdivisions and street layouts included Area 5 and showed the area was bounded by Barker Street to the west, Thomas Street to the south, and Duncan Street to the east. The north side of Area 5 was bound by an un-named lane between Steam Mill Street and Thomas Street, with the exception of the eastern end which extended up to Steam Mill Street. The first historical reference specific to the area was in 1853 when Area 5 was sold to James Lindsay Travers and by 1856 he had constructed several buildings, a wharf, and a tramway on the main block of land. In 1861 PN Russell purchased Travers’ land and an 1865 plan of the area indicated several new buildings had been constructed however the northeastern portion remained undeveloped. In 1869 Russell redeveloped his main block into a railway carriage workshop and the northeastern block contained a boiler house and lumber yard associated with the carriage works. In 1875 the carriage works closed down due to industrial action and by 1877 the building was listed as a store. An 1888 plan of Sydney annotates the former carriage works as the Jennings Building Yard however this function of the building was brief, as by 1893 it became the base for the NSW Fruit Exchange Co-operative Co Ltd. In 1901 the Fruit Exchange incorporated the entire area between Barker, Duncan, Thomas, and Steam Mill Streets. This involved the demolition of the structures north of the un-named lane and the construction of a new building extending from the former carriage factory. This structure remained the home of the NSW Fruit Exchange until it was occupied by York Motors in 1935. The structure remained standing until the 1986 development. Area 5 hosted several stages of development, the last of which was the construction of Segaworld in the 1980s. The key developments in Area 5 were:

1830s – 1840s reclamation

1869 PN Russell carriage workshop and boiler house

4 Background information regarding the history and excavation of Area 5 comes from Harrop:2009

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1901 Expansion of the NSW Fruit Exchange structure

1986 Segaworld redevelopment The more significant archaeological features excavated and recorded in Area 5 included:

Pre-Boiler house features associated with activity not specifically referenced by historical sources

The boiler house for the carriage workshop constructed in 1869

A crane base associated with the boiler house

Wear on the boiler house structure resulting from its operation The ceramics recovered from Area 5, apart from those collected during general surface clearance, came from just two of the archaeological phases, with Phase 7 further sub-divided within this area:

Phase 6 1840s to 1860s Residential, Industrial Development and Reclamation

Phase 7 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development

Phase 7.1 1861-1882: PN Russell ownership

Phase 7.2 1882-1900: Post-Russell ownership 2.2.1 Ceramics from Area 5 Only 69 ceramics (99 sherds) were recovered from Area 5, in just eight individual contexts (Table 2.5). Most of these ceramics came from the context assigned to general surface clearance (9101), with 25 items and representing 36.2 per cent of the total. The remaining 44 ceramics were found in the seven remaining contexts, all relating to Phase 7.1; except for two contexts, a fill relating to Phase 7.2 (9158) and another fill relating to Phase 6 (9167).

Table 2.5: Ceramics in individual contexts in Area 5 Context Frags % Items %

9101 38 38.4 25 36.2

9107 5 5.0 4 5.8

9140 7 7.0 7 10.1

9141 4 4.0 4 5.8

9142 3 3.0 1 1.4

9153 32 32.3 18 26.1

9158 9 9.1 9 13.0

9167 1 1.0 1 1.4

99 99.8 69 99.8

The eight contexts featuring ceramics are as follows:

Context 9101 - general clearance and unstratified finds

Context 9107 – Phase 7.1 – layer of imported industrial levelling fill

Context 9140 - Phase 7.1 – levelling fill

Context 9141 - Phase 7.1 – levelling fill

Context 9142 – Phase 7.1 – levelling fill

Context 9153 – Phase 7.1 – levelling fill

Context 9158 – Phase 7.2 – fill within service corridor of boiler house

Context 9167 - Phase 6 – fill within a drainage channel Overview Given that the ceramics found here are predominately associated with general clearance and introduced levelling fills and do not reflect onsite usage, the ceramics from Area 5 are only briefly analysed. Four fabric types included fine earthenware on 42 items (61%) (Table 2.6).

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cew 1 0.1

few 42 61.0

stw 18 26.1

svfew 8 11.6

69 98.8

The ceramics in Area 5 are associated with Phases 6 and 7 and generally relate to the mid 19th century and into the 1900s. The domination of imported wares, in particular 46 ceramics manufactured in the United Kingdom (66.6%), reflects this later phasing (Table 2.7).

Table 2.7: Country of manufacture.

Country Items %

Australia 2 2.9

Scotland 4 5.8

UK 46 66.6

UK/Aus 16 23.2

UK/USA/Europe 1 1.4

69 99.9

The 16 items identified as manufactured in the United Kingdom/Australia are salt glazed and Bristol glazed stonewares with no identifying manufacturer marks to indicate definite country of origin (14 MIC), and Rockingham glazed earthenware that also had no manufacturing marks to determine origin (2 MIC). The four items manufactured in Scotland included three stoneware stout bottles with manufacturer marks (#57900, #57901, #57916), and a blue transfer-printed ‘Peacock’ pattern plate attributed to the Glasgow potter John Thomson (#58775). The two items specifically identified as being of local manufacture were a lead-glazed coarse earthenware unidentified body sherd (#58665), and a stoneware bottle manufactured by the Sydney potter Thomas Field (#57917). The single item identified as made in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe was a spongeware saucer with no identifying manufacturer mark (#58762). Sixteen decorative types were identified during cataloguing, characteristic of the wide range of ceramic choices available within the 19th-century marketplace (Table 2.8).


banded 3 4.3

bl flow 4 5.8

bltp 15 21.7

blktp 1 1.4

bltp pearl 1 1.4

bristol gl 3 4.3

brntp 1 1.4

grntp 2 3.0

lead gl 1 1.4

ppl tp 2 3.0

rock gl 2 3.0

salt gl 15 21.7

sponge 1 1.4

wgl 3 4.3

wgl mou 1 1.4

ww 14 20.3

69 99.8

Three decorative types, 63.7 per cent, formed the main range of items. These include blue transfer print (15), salt glazed stoneware (15) and whiteware (14). All the decorative types found here, with

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the exception of the lead glaze (1), feature long periods of manufacture and were available throughout much of the 19th century and well into the 20th century. Six patterns were identified on 10 items, in transfer print and white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware (Figure 1). All six patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations and are generally indicative of deposits dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.9).

Table 2.9: Identified patterns in Area 5. Context Cat # Pattern Decoration Shape From To Items

9140 58758 Albion bltp plate

1858 1937 1 9153 58774

1

9158 58780 Asiatic Pheasants bltp plate 1850

1 9158 58781 Berlin Swirl wgl mou breakfast cup 1845

1

9153 58775 Peacock bltp plate 1816 1865 1 9153 58766 Spangle ppl tp saucer 1842 1858 1

9140 58757

W3 bltp

plate 1840

1

9153 58773 unid

1810

1 9153 58772 1840

1

9107 58752 1840

1

10

Figure 1: The six identified patterns recovered in Area 5. Top row, left to right: Albion pattern (#58774), Asiatic Pheasants pattern (#58780), Berlin Swirl pattern (#58781); Bottom row, left to right: Peacock pattern (#58775), Spangle pattern (#58766), Willow pattern (#58757). Scale graduations 1cm.

Ten shapes were represented by the ceramics in Area 5. Due to the fragmentary nature of most of the items 26 out of the 69 ceramics or 37.7 per cent, were unable to be identified by either function or shape (Table 2.10). These shapes were mostly used for consumption, with 25 items associated with beverage and tea drinking (stout bottles, jug, breakfast cup, cups, saucers, teapot) and those

13

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relating to food, 11 plates. These 36 items, more than half the ceramics in Area 5, were 83.7 per cent of the identified shapes.

Table 2.10: Function and shape of ceramics in Area 5. General Function

Specific Function

Shape Items %

bev stout btl 11 16.0

food serve jug 1 1.4

tblw plate 11 16.0

tea

breakfast cup 1 1.4

cup 5 7.2

saucer 7 10.1

teapot 1 1.4

h'hold maint black bottle 1 1.4 pers hygiene wash basin 1 1.4

unid cont btl 4 5.8

unid unid 26 37.7

69 99.9

Five basemarked ceramics were found in Area 5 and these identified Scottish, English and Australian manufacturers (Table 2.11).

Table 2.11: Basemarked ceramics. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

9101 57900 stout btl bristol gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘GROSVENOR’ / ‘3’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1869 1926 1

57901 stout btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext. body for Henry Kennedy & Sons - ‘BARROW(FIELD)’ / ‘NO…’ / ‘GLAS(GOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58748 plate banded

Green tp basemark - a crown above a circle containing ‘THE BURSLEM POTTERY Co’ with ‘ENGLAND’ below.

1894 1933 1

9158 57916 stout btl salt gl Imp oval basemark on lower ext body - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘20’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

9167 57917 btl salt gl Imp mark on lower ext. body - ‘(T) FIELD’ / ‘(POT)TER’ / ‘(SYD)NEY’.

1840 1850 1

5

Three of the basemarked items were found in the context assigned to general cleaning and unstratified finds (9101). A salt-glazed stoneware stout bottle manufactured by Henry Kennedy of Glasgow between 1866 to 1929 (#57916), was recovered from the fill within the service corridor of the boiler house (9158), with this fill assigned to the period identified as being post-PN Russell’s ownership, between the years 1882 to 1900 (Phase 7.2) (Figure 2). The salt-glazed stoneware bottle manufactured by the Sydney potter Thomas Field between the 1840s and 1850s (#57917) was found in the fill of a drainage channel (9167), this fill was assigned to the period 1840s to 1860s (Phase 6) (Figure 3).

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Conclusion Only 69 ceramics were recovered in Area 5 (99 sherds) from eight contexts (Table 2.5). Twenty-five of these items were from a general surface cleaning and unstratified finds (9101). The remaining ceramics were predominately found in fills relating to Phase 7.1, with one fill associated with Phase 7.2 and one to Phase 6. The ceramics in Area 5 are associated with Phases 6 and 7 and therefore generally relate to the mid 19th century and on through to the 1900s. The domination of imported wares, mostly from the United Kingdom, reflects this later phasing (Table 2.7). The 16 decorative types all feature long periods of manufacture and were available throughout much of the 19th century and well into the 20th century (Table 2.8). These decorative types are characteristic of the wide range of ceramic choices available within the marketplace as the 19th century progressed. The six identified patterns (Table 2.9), in transfer print (5) and white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1), are all commonly found on other Sydney historical excavations and are generally indicative of deposits dating from the mid 19th century. The five basemarked ceramics identified in Area 5 are of Scottish, English and Australian manufacture (Table 2.11). Four of the basemarks were on stoneware bottles – three made in Glasgow, Scotland and one in Sydney, Australia – and all basemarks dated from at least the mid 19th century.

Figure 2: Impressed mark belonging to Henry Kennedy, Glasgow (#57916). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 3: Impressed mark belonging to Thomas Field, Sydney (#57917) . Scale graduations 1cm.

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2.3 Area 65 2.3.1 Area 6 Background Area 6 was bounded on the north by Thomas Street, to the east by Duncan Street, to the south by Area 7 and to the west by Tumbalong Park (originally the foreshore of Darling Harbour). The Area 6 wharf extended outside the basement excavation area, and therefore was not impacted on by the current development. The excavation of Area 6 was difficult and was a combination of open-area excavation and test trenching. The archaeology of the area was stratigraphically deep and spatially complex and access limitations due to the density of piles from 1980s developments further hindered excavation. Much of the archaeology in the area was recorded ‘in section’ in large test trenches and a buried diesel tank necessitated the remediation of a large area of contamination in the centre of the area meaning that interpretations of the large maritime infrastructure and filling events were further constrained. The connection of Area 6 to Barker’s mill yard and pond in Area 9 was also made very difficult to establish archaeologically as the two areas had to be excavated separately, at opposite ends of the archaeological program, to facilitate piling works on site. Originally Area 6 was almost entirely below the high water mark and early historic plans of the area indicate that the eastern portion of the Area was in the inter-tidal zone. The land adjacent to this foreshore and harbour area (Area 9) was initially owned by Cooper and Levey, who built a steam-powered grain mill in the mid 1820s on the land. By 1826 the firm had a large wharf on the harbour front, the steam engine and a five-storey grain store. Thomas Barker bought the mill and lands from Cooper and Levey in 1827 and in 1829 he also purchased the land to the north (Area 8) with frontage onto Bathurst Street and Cockle Bay. In 1834 Thomas Barker retired and leased the mill to his brother James and business partner Ambrose Hallen, the Colonial Architect. Barker’s mill and industrial processing businesses expanded during the late 1820s and 1830s, with finger wharfs and other buildings evident on historic plans, and by 1830 a substantial ‘finger wharf’ projected out from the shoreline which dominated Area 6. By the end of the 1830s there was a downturn in the economic conditions and in late 1839 James Barker and Hallen were bankrupt. Thomas Barker re-emerged from retirement and took over the running of the mill in the early 1840s and it was also proposed that the land around the mill complex be subdivided and sold. The land was divided into 108 building lots (including Areas 5 and 8) and by the end of the decade some houses had been constructed along Barker Street. It appears that between the 1830s and 1842 Barker had undertaken reclamation of his harbour fronting land holding to create new land for subdivision and residential development. The boundaries of Area 6 had been created during this time too. The northern side of the finger wharf had been incorporated into the partially reclaimed land although to the south it remained partly harbour. Area 6 was not subdivided for sale but continued to provide access to the harbour from the mill complex. By the mid to late 1850s the southern and eastern part of Area 6 had been reclaimed and the wharf was established further out into the harbour zone. The railway yard and branch line of the Sydney to Granville rail line was opened on the western side of Darling Harbour in September 1855. Fill from the excavations for the rail line was used to reclaim parts of the Darling Harbour, in particular near the head where it was already silted. The material from the railway construction may also have been used to complete the reclamation of Area 6 and the land to the south (Area 7).

5 Background information regarding the history and excavation of Area 6 comes from Cryerhall, Hincks and Harrop:2010.

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During the 1850s and the early 1860s there were no structures within Area 6 although the wharf and harbour access did alter and develop during this time. The Area was utilised by Barker for access to the harbour and presumably as yard space for goods and raw materials awaiting transportation. Barker had also diversified into tweed production in the 1840s and the large open spaces around the mill complex were used as tenter grounds.6 By 1865 Barker’s old wharfage had been remodelled, drains had been laid from the back of the houses with a frontage to Sussex Street, across the area once occupied by the mill ponds and along the line of Thomas Street, to discharge into Darling Harbour. The area to the south of Thomas Street was also now being developed, with large buildings and what would appear to be a tramway leading to the wharf.7 By the late 1870s the commercial premises on the west side of Barker Street formed a continuous line of wharfage along the edge of Thomas Barker’s original property. In the course of this redevelopment Barker’s mills (now dual occupancy factory producing flour in one part and tweed in the other) lost its physical connection with Darling Harbour that had once been an integral part of its operations. By 1875 the area to the south of Thomas Street was F. Miller & G. B. Harrison’s timberyard with its own wharf and by 1880 the company’s premises included workshops, steam sawmills, stables and sheds.8 The company continued to be associated with the site until at least 1917 and in the following year the land was vested in the Railway Commissioners. The next owners, Moxon and Company Ltd, timber and glass merchants, had an equally long association with the site which lasted until the 1970s, during which the site continued to be used as a timberyard. Between 1973 and 1984 the timberyard closed, leaving a vacant site with an old brick building, used for car parking and other activities and still owned by the State Rail Authority of NSW.9 The most significant archaeological features excavated and recorded in Area 6 included:

Phase 1: Natural landscape Within Area 6 sections of the original shoreline were uncovered. This consisted of gradually sloping weathered sandstone bedrock. It was met by coarse grey sands that made up the inter-tidal foreshore and harbour bed at the time of European settlement.

Phase 2: Aboriginal Occupation No evidence for Aboriginal Occupation was identified within Area 6. Just to the north in Area 5 the remains of a shell midden was excavation by Comber Consultants.

Phases 3: 1788-1820s Early Foreshore Activity Remains of a timber slipway were found anchored to the sandstone shoreline within Area 6. Several harbour deposits were also recorded as part of this phase. This material was deposited naturally by the effects of the harbour tides.

Phase 4: 1820s-1830s Barker’s Mill and Jetty Major landscape modification and maritime infrastructural development took place in Area 6 during this time. A milling business established by Cooper & Levey in the early 1820s was bought and subsequently expanded by Thomas Barker in the mid 1820s. Substantial remains a stone-built jetty was present within Area 6. The sandstone jetty wall enabled the ground level to be raised by infilling with sands, clay and rubble sandstone. The southern jetty wall was not found during the excavation and it is assumed it was removed by a large modern stormwater. Associated with the jetty were several deposits within the harbour

6 Tenter is the name of the frame on which cloth is stretched and held taut during the various phases of its manufacture,

especially while it dries. 7 1865 Trigonometric Survey of Sydney Section E2 Sheet 1 (SRNSW).

8 H Percy Dove: A new and complete wharf, street and building plan directory of the city of Sydney, 1880.

9 Realty Researcher’s Sydney Cityscope, 1973, Map 26 (State Library of NSW) and Sydney Cityscope 1984, Map 26 (Mitchell

Library).

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that accumulated after its construction. The surface of the jetty was also recorded across the area.

Phase 5: 1830s-1840s Reclamation Across Area 6 extensive and substantial fills consisting of clays, crushed sandstone and industrial waste were used to formally reclaim land from the harbour. The natural topography of this part of Darling Harbour facilitated this process as the intertidal area was large and shallow being close to the head of the harbour. The previous jetty construction by Barker indirectly started this process by the extensive infilling between the jetty walls thus providing the platform to reclaim. The bulk reclamation fills in the harbour areas of Area 6 came up to the level of the jetty surface. Hoof prints and cart tracks in the clay fill provided evidence for how the reclamation fills were moved about the site.

Phase 6: 1840s-1860s Residential and Industrial Development After reclamation, Area 6 remained part of Barker’s Mill complex, providing the access point to the harbour. Cartographic analysis suggests little development in the area. Two drainage or channel features associated with Barker’s mill and mill pond (Area 9) crossed through Area 6. These features were constructed after the reclamation work in the area. Remains of the north-south orientated brick channel crossed through the eastern part of Area 6. This channel was used to draw salt water to the mill’s steam engine. It would have sourced the water from the harbour west of Brooks’ land to the south (Area 7), from an area presumably still unreclaimed in the early 1840s. An east-west orientated overflow drain was recorded within the southeastern part of Area 6. This was constructed from sandstone, wood and brick. It was above-ground to the east and dropped below ground as it continued west towards the harbour. Evidence for extensive levelling and ground consolidation was recorded across Area 6 mostly in test trenches and sections. Distinct yard surfacing dated to the 1850s was also recorded across the area.

Phase 7: 1860s-1900 Residential and Industrial Development In the 1860s the area is leased to George Dent who operates a timberyard. Some large timber buildings are depicted on the 1865 plan along with a track leading from one of the buildings towards the wharf. In 1875 Barker sells the Area 6 land to timber merchants Miller & Harrison. By 1880 the buildings on the 1865 plan are gone and replaced with new ones. The buildings included a steam sawmill, boiler house, various sheds and stables and the waterfront had been formalised with extensive timber wharf. The portion of Area 6 within the basement excavation revealed some evidence for this phase of occupation. There were no remains associated with the buildings on the 1865 plan found during the excavation. Remains of the buildings on the 1880 plan were present and included fireplace/footings for the building fronting Duncan Street and sandstone footings of the building along the southern boundary with Area 7. There was also evidence for the long timber shed fronting Thomas Street, yard surfaces, services and further levelling fills.

Phase 8: 1900-1920s Resumptions and Railways Miller & Harrison still owned Area 6 and were operating their timberyard and wharf when the NSW government resumed the property in 1900. The company was still associated with the site in 1917. The following year the land was vested in the Railway Commissioners. By 1920 Moxon & Co Ltd, timber and glass merchants, were listed as the owners of the property. This company operated from the site until the 1970s. Archaeological evidence of this phase was fairly limited and included concrete footings for a rebuilding or repair event of the structure fronting Duncan Street. Levelling fills, industrial waste and cut features were also present in Area 6. Some of these were recorded in detail, and some annotated on plan only. The sparse archaeological evidence for this phase reflects the cartographic evidence, that being that there was very little structural development or redevelopment

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from the later 19th century until the 1970s. The resumptions had not resulted in widespread demolition and rebuilding on the eastern part of Area 6.

Phase 9: 1920s-1980s Railways and Commercial Development In 1920 Moxon & Co Ltd, timber and glass merchants, were listed as the owners of the property. This company operated from the site until the 1970s. Reclamation associated with the creation of the Darling Harbour Railway Goods Yard in the 1920s covered over the wharf associated with Area 6. In the 1930s Area 6 was shared with the Cairns Timber Ltd timber merchants and the Stroud Timbers Ltd sawmillers. The timberyard was closed between 1973 and 1984 leaving a vacant site with an old brick building, used for car parking. It was still owned by the State Rail Authority. Remains associated with this phase of occupation were not recorded in any detail if present. Buildings from the previous phases (Phases 7 and 8) continued to be used throughout Phase 9.

Phase 10: 1980s Demolition and Redevelopment Area 6 was part of the extensive demolition and redevelopment scheme that began in mid 1980s that transformed Darling Harbour from its industrial roots to a public space. Area 6 was within the Segaworld complex. Remains associated with this phase consisted of extensive piling that could not be removed until the archaeology had been recorded.

2.3.2 Overview of Ceramics, Area 6 The ceramics recovered from Area 6 came from contexts associated with Phases 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. A total of 424 ceramics (681 sherds) were recovered in Area 6, from 46 individual contexts (Table 2.12). Context 8201 contained the most ceramics, with the 80 items (137 sherds) or 19 per cent of the ceramics. Context 8201 was the context assigned to the collection of artefacts during machining and from the initial clearance by hand.

Table 2.12: Ceramics in individual contexts in Area 6. Context Frags % Items %

8201 137 20.1 80 19.0 8207 5 0.7 4 0.9 8208 28 4.1 14 3.3 8209 2 0.3 2 0.5 8210 50 7.3 20 4.7 8213 1 0.1 1 0.2 8215 7 1.0 6 1.4 8217 2 0.3 1 0.2 8226 16 2.3 1 0.2 8230 1 0.1 1 0.2 8232 23 3.4 9 2.1 8238 2 0.3 2 0.5 8239 4 0.6 3 0.7 8244 12 1.8 7 1.6 8245 1 0.1 1 0.2 8250 5 0.7 3 0.7 8251 8 1.2 7 1.6 8252 5 0.7 5 1.2 8258 23 3.4 13 3.1 8259 9 1.3 9 2.1 8261 45 6.6 31 7.3 8276 1 0.1 1 0.2 8278 9 1.3 8 1.9 8280 31 4.6 24 5.6 8281 6 0.9 6 1.4 8283 1 0.1 1 0.2 8288 20 2.9 14 3.3 8289 29 4.3 23 5.4 8291 12 1.8 10 2.4

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8301 20 2.9 16 3.8 8316 1 0.1 1 0.2 8318 4 0.6 4 0.9 8331 3 0.4 3 0.7 8344 1 0.1 1 0.2 8347 1 0.1 1 0.2 8367 49 7.2 30 7.1 8370 13 1.9 9 2.1 8371 2 0.3 1 0.2 8379 2 0.3 1 0.2 8392 30 4.4 18 4.2 8395 3 0.4 2 0.5 8399 9 1.3 7 1.6 8410 1 0.1 1 0.2 8416 1 0.1 1 0.2 8426 3 0.4 3 0.7 8434 43 6.3 18 4.2

681 99.3 424 99.3

Seven ceramic fabrics included fine earthenware 324 items, 76.4 per cent as the most frequent ware in Area 6 ceramics (Table 2.13). Stoneware was the next largest category with 68 items. Ceramics manufactured in the United Kingdom dominate, with the 332 items or over three-quarters of the ceramic assemblage (78.3%) (Table 2.14).


bc 13 3.1 cew 5 1.2

chinese porc 1 0.2 few 324 76.4 fstw 2 0.5 stw 68 16.0

svfew 11 2.6

424 100


Country Items %

Aus 11 2.6 China 3 0.7 Scot 5 1.2 UK 332 78.3

UK/Aus 67 15.8 UK/USA/Eur/Aus 2 0.5

UK/USA/Eur 2 0.5 UK/USA/Fra 2 0.5

424 100.1

The 11 ceramics identified as being of local Australian manufacture included two basemarked stoneware bottles (#57922, #57981), a basemarked yellow ware dish (#70183), lead-glazed earthenware (#58666, #58667, 58675, #58684), and self-slipped earthenware (#58668-#58670, #58676). The five items associated specifically with Scotland were a basemarked stoneware stout bottle (#57921) and the identified transfer-printed patterns ‘Maltese’ and ‘Sydney’ (#58851, #58862, #58914, #58915). The three ceramics made in China were two glazed fine stoneware ginger jars (#58639, #58640) and a blue handpainted porcelain unidentified body sherd (#58643). The two items manufactured in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia were unmarked yellow wares (#58861, #59088). The two items identified with the United Kingdom/United States/Europe had spongeware decoration (#58866, #58867). The two ceramics of quite manufactured in the United Kingdom/United States/France were mocha (#59232) and annular

20

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wares (#58792), both of which are also called factory-made slipwares.10 The 67 items identified as being manufactured in United Kingdom/Australia were all unmarked stonewares. A total of 34 decorative types were found across Area 6 (Table 2.15). The main one is blue transfer print, with 158 items or more than a third of the Area 6 ceramics (37.3%). The development of transfer printing introduced a seemingly endless variety of patterns to choose from, available in matching pieces and, as the 19th century progressed, in a wide range of colours. Broken items could be easily replaced with the same pattern and the choices available also allowed for prices to range from cheaper more commonly mass-produced patterns (‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Willow’) through to the more expensive patterns that were perhaps only made by one manufacturer instead of many. Transfer printing was used on a multitude of shapes that covered a huge range of uses. The overall popularity of transfer printing is further demonstrated by the 235 ceramics (55.3%) featuring this technique, and in a variety of colours (black, blue, brown, green, purple and red) and also finishes (clobbered, flow and pearlware).


annular 1 0.2 banded 2 0.5 bl flow 22 5.2 bl hp 1 0.2

blk flow 6 1.4 blktp 8 1.9 bltp 158 37.3

bltp pearl 13 3.1 bristol gl 3 0.7

brntp 4 0.9 clobb 2 0.5

cream w 10 2.4 edge pearl 9 2.1

gild 4 0.9 glazed 4 0.9

glz mou 1 0.2 grntp 12 2.8

hp pearl 3 0.7 hp ww 3 0.7 lead gl 4 0.9 mocha 1 0.2

mou ww 1 0.2 pearl 4 0.9 ppl tp 8 1.9 redtp 2 0.5

rock gl 3 0.7 salt gl 65 15.3 selfslip 4 0.9 sponge 2 0.5 sprigg 1 0.2

wgl 14 3.3 wgl mou gild 1 0.2

ww 45 10.6 yellow ware 3 0.7

424 99.8

10

Casey & Lowe tends to use ‘mocha’ for factory-made slipwares as it is the standard terminology used in Australia but we are quite aware that the decorative category is factory-made slipware. Also ‘annular’ ware is also a type of factory-made slipware.

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None of the ceramics recovered in Area 6 featured conjoins between contexts however nine items did have basemarks (Table 2.16). These will be discussed further within the relevant phases.

Table 2.16: Basemarked ceramics in Area 6. Context Cat # Shape Decor Brief Description From To Items

8201 57945 black bottle salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘STEPHEN GREEN & Co’ / ‘PATENT’ / ‘DOUBLE GL(AZED)’ / ‘LAMBETH’.

1820 1858 1

58794 plate ww

Blk tp basemark remains - a bird above a ribbon with ‘WHITE GRANITE’ and ‘W ADAMS & SONS’ below.

1850

1

8207 57921 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘H.KE(NNEDY)’ / ‘BARRO(WFIELD)’ / ‘POT(TERY)’ / ‘GLA(SGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

57922 btl salt gl

Imp circular mark on lower ext body - ‘T.FIEL(D)’ / ‘POTTE(R’ / ‘SYDNEY.’

1860 1869 1

8208 57946 jar salt gl Imp ‘LONDON’ on lower ext bd. 1830 1930 1

8258 57981 btl salt gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘(T) FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

59068 dish bltp

TP basemark - ‘WARRANTED’ / ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / ‘I. NEIR & SON’.

? ? 1

8280 59235 unid bl flow remains of registration diamond for 1844. 1844

1

8434 70183 pie dish yellow ware Imp basemark - ‘STANDARD’ / ‘AND CO’ / ‘AUSTRALIA’.

1884 1887 1

9

2.3.3 Phase 4: 1820s to 1830s Barker’s Mill and Jetty Major landscape modification and maritime infrastructural development took place in Area 6 during Phase 4. The milling business established by Cooper & Levey in the mid 1820s was bought and subsequently expanded by Thomas Barker in the late 1820s. The substantial remains of a stone jetty were recovered, with the sandstone jetty wall enabling the ground level to be raised by various infilling. A large modern stormwater had removed the southern jetty wall. Associated with the jetty were several deposits within the harbour that accumulated after its construction. Five contexts identified with Phase 4 contained 25 ceramic items. Context 8392 contained the majority of the ceramics, with 18 items (72%) per cent of the total number found Phase 4 (Table 2.17).

Table 2.17: Phase 4 contexts containing ceramics.

Context Items %

8392 18 72.0 8395 2 8.0 8410 1 4.0 8416 1 4.0 8426 3 12.0

25 100

Context 8392 was assigned to a series of fills that appeared to pre-date reclamation in the 1840s and were therefore likely to be associated with the jetty’s use from the mid 1820s to 1840s. These fills were collectively numbered 8392, as they appeared to have resulted from similar activities (Table 2.18). Context 8392 most likely represented a series of small dumps, possibly acting as levelling fills that accumulated while a structure remained standing. A small area of the jetty surface survived on the western limit of the excavation within Area 6 (8439) and the three postholes of this structure formed an alignment which was offset from that of the jetty.

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Table 2.18: Ceramics in fills 8392 (Phase 4). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8392 bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

bltp pearl few plate UK Italian Scenery 1820 1825 1

UK W3 1810 1870 3

unid UK

1800 1870 1

bristol gl stw cont UK/Aus

1835

1

cream w few plate UK

1780 1900 1

8392 cream w few poe UK

1780 1900 1

unid UK

1780 1900 1

edge pearl few plate UK

1780 1860 1

grntp

saucer UK

1830

1

hp ww

bowl UK

1830

1

rock gl

teapot UK/Aus

1796 1900 1

salt gl

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

18

The nine decorative types on 18 ceramics from context 8392 generally have long periods of manufacture, however some are more commonly found in earlier 19th-century deposits than later dating ones, indicating that this context could pre-date the 1840s reclamation. The decorative types that are more commonly associated with early 19th-century deposits include blue transfer-printed pearlware (5), creamware (3) and edgeware pearlware (1). The presence of the blue transfer-printed pearlware ‘Italian Scenery’ pattern, attributed to the Leeds Pottery, and dating between c.1820 to 1825, also indicates a probable pre-1840s deposition but the time lag between purchase, use and deposition could explain an 1840s date (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Group shot of the ceramics recovered in context 8392. The blue transfer-printed pearlware ‘Italian Scenery’ pattern is at the front left of photo (#70150) and the three creamware items are alongside (#70141-#70143), Gallery2, 10cm scale.

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Context 8395 was a fill that covered the slipway and bedrock in an area to the south of the jetty wall. This fill was up to 500mm deep in places and had been considerably truncated by the machine removal of upper fills. Only two ceramics were found in this fill, a fine earthenware creamware plate dating between c.1780s to 1900s (#70155) and a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed pearlware unidentified body sherd dating between c.1800 to 1870s (#70156). This deposit was also given context number 8426, the three ceramics from this context included a fine earthenware whiteware unidentified body sherd dating from 1830+ (#70165), a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed poe (chamber pot) dating from c.1830+ (#70166), and a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed breakfast cup also dating from c.1830+ (#70167). Context 8410 was the fill of a post pipe from one of three postholes (8406) of a structure that was sealed by the above mentioned series of fills/small dumps (8392) that may predate the 1840s reclamation. The pipe fill contained one ceramic, a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern unidentified body sherd dating from c.1810+ (#70163). Context 8416, the packing fill from another of the three postholes (8414), also contained just the one ceramic, a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Burmese’ pattern plate dating between c.1834 to 1867 (#70164). 2.3.4 Phase 5: 1830s to 1840s Reclamation Across Area 6 substantial and extensive fills were used to formally reclaim land from the harbour. The previous jetty construction by Barker indirectly started this process by the extensive infilling between the jetty walls, consequently providing the platform for reclamation. The bulk reclamation fills in the harbour areas of Area 6 came up to the level of the jetty surface. Cart tracks and hoof prints in the clay fill provided evidence for how reclamation fills were moved around the site. Ten contexts identified with Phase 5 contained 65 ceramics items. Context 8280 contained the majority of the ceramics, with the 24 items or 36.9 per cent of ceramics in Phase 5 (Table 2.19). Context 8280 was also the only context in Phase 5 to contain ceramics in double digit numbers. All ten contexts were reclamation or levelling fills.

Table 2.19: Phase 5 contexts containing ceramics.

Context Items %

8238 2 3.1 8245 1 1.5 8250 3 4.6 8251 7 10.8 8252 5 7.7 8259 9 13.8 8280 24 36.9 8281 6 9.2 8371 1 1.5 8399 7 10.8

65 99.9

Reclamation fills were identified in three test trenches in the southern part of Area 6 and near the boundary with Brooks’ land (Area 7). The trenches, TT13, TT16 and TT18, were located just to the south of the jetty and in general the fills consisted of compact clay and decaying sandstone fills with some industrial waste. Test Trench 13 had three fills which contained a small number of ceramics, 8238 (2), 8250 (3), and 8251 (7). These 12 ceramics are tabled below and all fit into the 1830s to 1840s period of reclamation assigned to Phase 5 (Table 2.20). Test Trench 16 also had three fills which contained a small number of ceramics, 8245 (1), 8252 (5), and 8259 (9). These 15 ceramics all fit into the 1830s to 1840s period of reclamation assigned to Phase 5 (Table 2.21). Test Trench 18 had two fills which contained 30 ceramics, 8280 (24) and 8281 (6) and they fit into the 1830s to 1840s period of

24

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reclamation assigned to Phase 5 (Table 2.22). One of the ceramics from fill 8250 also featured the remains of a basemark (Table 2.16). This blue flow base sherd had the remains of a registration diamond indicating that the unidentified pattern was registered in 1844 (#59235). Although the fills in the three test trenches were given separate numbers most are thought to be from a contemporary filling process. In Test Trench 13 context 8238 was equivalent to context 8280 in Test Trench 18 and context 8245 in Test Trench 16, and context 8250 was equivalent to context 8259 in Test Trench 16. Two reclamation fills, contexts 8371 and 8399, had eight ceramics and were found on the northern side of the jetty wall. As with the above Test Trench fills, all fit into the 1830s to 1840s period of reclamation assigned to Phase 5 and are tabled below (Table 2.23).

Table 2.20: Ceramics in reclamation/levelling fills in Test Trench 13 (Phase 5). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8238 58971 bltp few plate UK

1830

1

58970

unid UK

1830

1

8250 59010 bltp svfew jug UK

1840

1

57970 salt gl stw btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57971

1

8251 59014 bltp few plate UK W3 1810

1

59015

saucer UK

1830

1

59013

unid UK

1830

1

59012 grntp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

57973

1

59011 ww few plate UK

1830

1

12


8245 58998 bltp few unid UK

1830

1


1830

1

59020

W3 1810

1

59017

unid UK

1830

1

59018

1830

1

59016 grntp few saucer UK

1830

1

8259 59074 blktp few unid UK

1830

1


1830

1

59079

plate UK Burmese 1834 1867 1

59078

W3 1810

1

59076

unid UK

1830

1

59075 grntp few unid UK Park Scenery 1834 1848 1

59072 ww few cup UK

1830

1

59071

plate UK

1830

1

59073

unid UK

1830

1

15

25

_________________________________________________________________________________



8280 59234 bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1

59235

1844

1


1830

1

59245

dish UK W3 1810

1

59240

plate UK W3 1810

1

59241

1810

1

59242

1810

1

59243

1810

1

59244

1810

1

59246

platter UK Irish Scenery 1822 1830 1

59238

saucer UK Fibre 1830

1

59239

Two Temples II 1819

1

59237

unid UK

1830

1

59233 brntp few unid UK

1830

1

59231 glazed svfew egg cup UK

1840

1

59232 mocha few unid UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1


1830 1930 1

57998

1830 1930 1

57999

1830 1930 1

58676 selfslip cew unid Aus

1790

1

59229 ww few cup UK

1830

1

59230

1830

1

59227

plate UK

1830

1

59228

1830

1


1830

1

59252

UK W3 1810

1

59249 brntp few unid UK Fibre 1830

1

59248 glazed svfew plate UK

1840

1

59250 ppl tp few breakfast cup UK

1830

1

59247 ww few teapot UK

1830

1

30

Table 2.23: Ceramics in reclamation/levelling fills 8371 and 8399 (Phase 5). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8371 70139 bltp few jug/ewer UK

1830

1

8399 70161 bltp few dish UK W3 1810

1

70162

jug UK

1830

1

70160

unid UK W3 1810

1

70159 bltp pearl few ewer UK The Cowman 1820 1870 1

70158 ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1

58022 salt gl stw cont UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

70157 ww few jug UK

1830

1

8

2.3.5 Phase 6: 1840s-1860s Residential and Industrial Development After reclamation, Area 6 remained part of Barker’s mill complex, providing the access point to the harbour. Cartographic analysis suggests little development in the area. Two drainage or channel features associated with Barker’s mill and mill pond (Area 9) crossed through Area 6. These features were constructed after the reclamation work in the area. Remains of the north-south orientated brick channel crossed through the eastern part of Area 6. This channel was used to draw salt water to the mill’s steam engine. An east-west orientated overflow drain was recorded within the southeastern part of Area 6. This was constructed from sandstone, wood and brick. Evidence for extensive levelling and ground consolidation was recorded across Area 6 mostly in test trenches and sections. Distinct yard surfacing dated to the 1850s was also recorded across the area.

26

_________________________________________________________________________________


Seven of the Phase 6 contexts contained ceramics, 79 items. Five of the contexts had ceramics in single digit numbers, with just two contexts containing double figures; context 8289 had 23 items and context 8367 having 30 items (Table 2.24).

Table 2.24: Phase 6 contexts containing ceramics. Context Items %

8232 9 11.4 8244 7 8.9 8278 8 10.1 8289 23 29.1 8344 1 1.3 8367 30 38.0 8379 1 1.3

79 100

Across Area 6 samples of yard surfacing over the bulk reclamation or levelling fills were recorded. Along the southern boundary with Area 7 three test trenches (TT13, TT16 and TT18) revealed grey silty clay, very similar to an old topsoil layer overlying the bulk reclamation. This layer is interpreted as representing the first yard surface after reclamation and therefore dates from the 1840s. In Test Trench 13 this layer was numbered 8232, in Test Trench 16 it was numbered 8244 and in Test Trench 18 it was numbered 8278. Context 8232 contained nine ceramics, context 8244 contained seven ceramics and context 8278 had eight ceramics (Table 2.25).

Table 2.25: Ceramics in yard surfaces 8232, 8244 and 8278 (Phase 6). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8232 58908 blk flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

58910 bltp few unid UK

1830

1

58911

UK

1830

1

58912

UK W3 1810

1

58909 bltp pearl few unid UK

1800 1870 1

58914 grntp few cup Scot Sydney 1830 1865 1

58913

plate UK Rhine 1845

1

58915 ppl tp few saucer Scot 27 1830

1

58907 ww few unid UK

1830

1

8244 58996 bltp few plate UK W3 1810

1

58995

unid UK

1830

1

58997 ppl tp few saucer UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

58994 wgl svfew plate UK

1840

1

58993

unid UK

1840

1


1830

1

8278 59136 bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

59137

unid UK

1830 1930 1

59142 bltp few plate UK Eton College 1830

1

59141

UK W3 1810

1

59139

unid UK W3 1810

1

59140

UK W3 1810

1

59138

UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

24

Overall the ceramics generally date from the c.1830s onwards, with just three items specifically dating from the 1840s, one a fine earthenware green transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern plate (#58913) and two plain white-glazed semi-vitreous fine earthenware fabric items (#58993, #58994). Recorded across much of the northern part of Area 6 was yard surface 8289, a blackened, very compact bitumen and gravel surface and up to 50mm in depth. It contained 23 ceramics or more

27

_________________________________________________________________________________


than a quarter of the ceramics from Phase 6 contexts (29.1%). These ceramics generally reflect domestic refuse that dates from the c.1830s onwards (Table 2.26).

Table 2.26: Ceramics in yard surfaces 8289 (Phase 6). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8289 blktp few cup UK

1830

1

bltp few plate UK Burmese 1834 1867 1

UK W3 1810

2

plate,smal

l UK W3 1810

3

platter UK W3 1810

1

saucer UK

1830

3

UK Two Temples II 1819

1

unid UK

1830

1

clobb few saucer UK

1830

1

edge pearl

plate UK

1780 1860 1

grntp

plate,smal

l UK

1830

1

pearl

plate UK

1780 1870 1

redtp

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 2

jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

23

A series of levelling fills were also identified as belonging to Phase 6, mostly in test trenches and sections, and two of these fills contained ceramics. Context 8379, a dark grey silty sand, had two sherds from a salt-glazed stoneware bottle, 1830s to 1930s (#58018). Context 8367, a widespread and substantial levelling fill that post-dated the reclamation fills and sealing the jetty wall, was between 100mm-300mm thick and contained mainly industrial waste as well as 30 ceramics. These ceramics are tabled below and are generally indicative of domestic refuse dating from the c.1830s onwards, especially the three fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Burmese’ pattern items dating between 1834 to 1867 (#70123-#70125) (Table 2.27) (Figure 5).

Table 2.27: Ceramics in levelling fill 8367 (Phase 6).

Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830

2

dish UK W3 1810

2

plate UK Burmese 1834 1867 2

UK W3 1810

3

tureen UK Burmese 1834 1867 1

unid UK

1830

2

bltp pearl few plate UK

1800 1870 1

unid UK

1800 1870 1

cream w few cup UK

1780 1900 1

poe UK

1780 1900 1

unid UK

1780 1900 1


1780 1860 1

hp pearl few saucer UK

1780 1870 1

hp ww few bowl UK

1830

1

cup UK

1830

1

redtp few unid UK

1830

1

salt gl stw black bottle UK/Aus

1830 1930 3

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 4

ww few unid UK

1830

1

30

28

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 5: Group shot of the ceramics from context 8367. The three blue transfer-printed ‘Burmese’ pattern items, dating between 1834 and 1867, are in the front row (#70123-#70125) Gallery2, 10 cm scale).

A sandstock brick channel (8344) was found in several locations in Area 6 (and Area 9). It was built after reclamation and before the extensive levelling and resurfacing took place in Area 6. The drain was constructed using sandstock bricks and was thought to have been a channel for pumping seawater to a saltwater boiler for the operation of a steam engine in Barker’s mill. A single ceramic was found in association with this brick channel, a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed unidentified body sherd dating from c.1830 onwards (#70069). 2.3.6 Phase 7: 1860s-1900 Residential and Industrial Development In the 1860s the area was leased to George Dent who operated a timberyard. Some large timber buildings are depicted on an 1865 plan along with a track leading from one of the buildings towards the wharf. In 1875 Barker sold the Area 6 land to timber merchants Miller & Harrison. By 1880 the buildings on the 1865 plan were gone and replaced with new ones. These buildings included a steam sawmill, boiler house, various sheds and stables and the waterfront had been formalised with extensive timber wharf. Remains of the buildings on the 1880 plan were present and included fireplace/footings for the building fronting Duncan Street and sandstone footings of the building along the southern boundary with Area 7. There was also evidence for the long timber shed fronting Thomas Street, yard surfaces, services and further levelling fills.


8217 1 2.2 8226 1 2.2 8230 1 2.2 8239 3 6.7 8258 13 28.9 8276 1 2.2 8288 14 31.1 8291 10 22.2 8347 1 2.2

45 100

29

_________________________________________________________________________________


Nine contexts from Phase 7 contained ceramics, 45 items (Table 2.28). The only ceramics found associated with the building fronting Duncan Street was in a trench associated with a possible fireplace. This slot trench (8334) was 100mm-150mm wide, 80mm-120mm deep and a 3m segment was revealed, truncated at its eastern end. The fill (8347) contained just one ceramic, a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed pearlware cup sherd dating between c.1800 to c.1870 (#70098). The remains of an east-west orientated building were located within the southern part of Area 6, on the boundary with Area 7 (8205). The building was rectangular in plan with the sandstone footings extant for the east, north and south walls. The western wall of the structure was not exposed as it continued beyond the western limit of the excavation area. Within the footings were the remains of a rough rubble stone surface (8217). This surface was not consistent across the interior and was made up of irregular-shaped flat sandstone pieces of various shapes and sizes and within these stone fragments were pockets of silty accumulation (8276). Both 8217 and 8276 had ceramic sherds included in their mix, with two sherds of a salt-glazed stoneware bottle dating between the 1830s to 1930s, in rubble surface 8217 (#57957), and one fine earthenware whiteware unidentified body sherd, dating from 1830+, in the silty accumulation 8276 (#59135).

Table 2.29: Ceramics in yard surfaces 8226, 8288 and 8258 (Phase 7). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8226 58904 blk flow few poe UK

1830 1930 1

8288 59264 bl flow few saucer UK

1830 1930 1

59263

unid UK

1830 1930 1

59265 blktp few unid UK

1830

1

59268 bltp few jug UK

1830

1

59270

plate UK W3 1810

1

59271

UK W3 1810

1

59272

UK W3 1810

1

59267

unid UK

1830

1

59269

UK W3 1810

1


1830

1

58003 salt gl stw black btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

59262 ww few jar UK

1830

1

59260

unid UK

1830

1

59261

UK

1830

1

8258 59064 bl flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

59063

unid UK

1830 1930 1

59069 bltp few breakfast cup UK

1830

1

59068

dish UK W3 1810

1

59070

plate UK Napier 1839 1846 1

59067

UK W3 1810

1

59065

unid UK W3 1810

1

59066

UK W3 1810

1

59062 clobb few cup UK

1830

1

57981 salt gl stw btl Aus

1850 1860 1

58675 lead gl few cont Aus

1790

1

59061 ww few cup UK

1830

1

59060

unid UK

1830

1

28

There were patches of late 19th-century yard surfaces surviving throughout the excavated section of Area 6. In general these yard surfaces were over levelling fills sealing the mid 19th century or post-reclamation surfaces of Phase 6. Three of the yard surfaces (8226, 8288, 8258) and three of the levelling fills (8230, 8239, 8291) contained ceramics. These three yard surfaces included 28 ceramics, 8226 (1), 8288 (14) and 8258 (13) (Table 2.29).

30

_________________________________________________________________________________


None of the 28 ceramics are particularly indicative of 1860s to 1900 depositions (Phase 7), with the range generally indicative of the c.1830s onwards. One of the ceramics in context 8258 does date from the 1850s to 1860s, a salt-glazed stoneware bottle with the remains of an impressed manufacturers mark ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’ (#57981) (Table 2.16) (Figure 6). Another basemark was found on a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern dish, also in context 8258, however at the time of writing the ‘WARRANTED’ / ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / ‘I. NEIR & SON’ remains unidentified (#59068) (Figure 7).

Figure 6: Impressed mark belonging to Thomas Field, Sydney (#57981). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 7: Blue transfer-printed basemark of I. NEIR & SON’ (#59068). Scale graduations 1cm.

Levelling fill 8230 was below yard surface 8226 and was a mix of industrial waste, levelling fill 8239 was a layer of industrial waste in TT16, and levelling fill 8291 was a compact clay layer below yard surface 8288. Context 8291 had the appearance of imported topsoil and may have been an intermediate surface between mid 19th and late 19th-century yard surfaces. The three levelling fills included 14 ceramics, 8230 (1), 8239 (3) and 8291 (10) (Table 2.30).

31

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.30: Ceramics in levelling fills 8230, 8239 and 8291 (Phase 7). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830

1

8239 58974 blktp few unid UK Albion 1858 1937 1

58973 bltp

UK W3 1810

1

58972 ww

plate UK

1830

1

8291 59297 bltp few dish UK Burmese 1834 1867 1

59296

UK W3 1810

1

59294

plate UK W3 1810

1

59295

UK W3 1810

1

59293 edge pearl few plate UK

1780 1860 1

58004 salt gl stw black btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

58005

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

58006

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

58007

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

59298 wgl few dish UK Camilla 1833 1847 1

14

With one exception, none of the 14 ceramics are particularly indicative of 1860s to 1900 depositions (Phase 7), with the range generally indicative of the c.1830s onwards. The single exception is a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern unidentified base sherd that dates from 1858 to 1937, identified in context 8239 (#58974). 2.3.7 Phase 8: 1900-1920s Resumptions and Railways Miller & Harrison still owned Area 6 and were operating their timberyard and wharf when the NSW government resumed the property in 1900. The company was still associated with the site in 1917. The following year the land was vested in the Railway Commissioners. By 1920 Moxon & Co Ltd, timber and glass merchants, were listed as the owners of the property. This company operated from the site until the 1970s. Archaeological evidence of this phase was fairly limited and included concrete footings for a rebuilding or repair event of the structure fronting Duncan Street, levelling fills, industrial waste and cut features. The sparse archaeological evidence for this phase reflected the cartographic evidence, that there was very little structural development or redevelopment from the later 19th century until the 1970s. Five contexts from Phase 8 contained 45 ceramics items (Table 2.31). These five contexts are all 20th-century levelling fills and were located in the southern part of Area 6.


8207 4 8.9 8208 14 31.1 8210 20 44.4 8213 1 2.2 8215 6 13.3

45 100

All but one of the fills came from test trenches and although the fills were given separate numbers most were equivalent to each other across the trenches. In Test Trench 16 context 8213 was a c300mm thick black clayey silt fill recorded as context 8207. In Test Trench 13 this same fill layer was numbered 8210, and another levelling fill just below it was numbered 8215. Levelling fill 8208 was situated to the southwest of concrete footings of a building fronting onto Duncan Street (8206) and equates with fills 8213 (TT16) and 8210 (TT13). These five levelling fills contained remains of 45 ceramic items (Table 2.32).

32

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.32: Ceramics in levelling fills 8207, 8208, 8210, 8213 and 8215 (Phase 8). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8207 57919 salt gl stw btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57920

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57921

Scot

1866 1929 1

57922

Aus

1860 1869 1

8208 58853 banded few poe UK

1860

1

58849 bltp

plate UK

1830

1

58852 gild bc plate-small UK

1800

1


1830

1

58851 ppl tp

plate Scot Maltese 1866 1884 1

58842 rock gl

unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 1

57946 salt gl stw jar UK

1830 1930 1

58668 selfslip few unid Aus

1790

1

58847 wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

58848

UK

1800

1

58846

unid UK

1800

1

58845 ww few saucer UK

1830

1

58843

unid UK

1830

1

58844

UK

1830

1

8210 58868 banded few saucer UK

1860

1

58864 blktp few plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

58863 blktp few platter UK Rhine 1845

1

58865 bltp few plate UK Gem 1851 1893 1

58860 gild bc saucer UK

1850

1

58862 ppl tp few plate Scot Maltese 1866 1884 1


1830 1930 1

57949

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57950

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57951

cont UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

58669 selfslip cew pot Aus

1790

1

58670

Aus

1790

1

58866 sponge few bowl UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

58867

saucer UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

58858 ww few jar UK

1830

1

58856

plate UK

1830

1

58857

UK

1830

1

58859

poe UK

1830

1

58855

unid UK

1830

1

58861 yellow ware few dish UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

8213 58871 blktp few unid UK

1830

1

8215 58900 blk flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1

58901

svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1


1830

1

58902 bltp few plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

58903 gild bc cup UK

1800

1

58640 glazed fstw ginger jar China

1790

1

45

Overall the 45 ceramics from these five levelling fills are indicative of deposition generally occurring post-1860s. This post-1860s date is evident by the presence of the purple transfer-printed ‘Maltese’ pattern (#58851, #58862) (Figure 8), banded ware (#58853, #58868) and two basemarked salt-glazed stoneware items (#57921, #57922). The two basemarks were in context 8207 (Table 2.16) and were a stoneware bottle with the impressed Scottish manufacturers mark of ‘H. KE(NNEDY)’ / ‘BARRO(WFIELD)’ / ‘POT(TERY)’ / ‘GLA(SGOW)’, dating between 1866 to 1929 (#57921) (Figure 9), and a stoneware bottle with the local manufacturer mark of ‘T. FIEL(D)’ / ‘POTTE(R’ / ‘SYDNEY.’, dating between the c.1860 and c.1869 (#57922) (Figure 10).

33

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 8: Purple transfer-printed Maltese pattern plates (#58851, #58862). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 9: Impressed mark belonging to Henry Kennedy, Glasgow (#57921). Scale graduations 1cm. Figure 10: Impressed mark belonging to Thomas Field, Sydney (#57922). Scale graduations 1cm.

34

_________________________________________________________________________________


2.3.8 Phase 9: 1920s-1980s Railways and Commercial Development In 1920 Moxon & Co Ltd, timber and glass merchants, were listed as the owners of the property and they operated from the site until the 1970s. Reclamation associated with the creation of the Darling Harbour Railway Goods Yard in the 1920s covered over the wharf associated with Area 6. In the 1930s Area 6 was shared with the Cairns Timber Ltd timber merchants and the Stroud Timbers Ltd sawmillers. The timberyard was closed between 1973 and 1984 leaving a vacant site with an old brick building, used for car parking. Buildings from the previous phases (Phases 7 and 8) continued to be used throughout Phase 9. Nine contexts identified with Phase 9 contained ceramics, numbering 162 items (Table 2.33). These contexts are assembled into three groups relating to the demolition and fills within structures 8205 and 8206, a rubbish pit and unstratified finds from clearance.


8201 80 49.4 8209 2 1.2 8261 31 19.1 8283 1 0.6 8301 16 9.8 8316 1 1.6 8318 4 2.4 8370 9 5.5 8434 18 11.1

162 100.7

Two demolition deposits were associated with the east-west aligned building located on the southern boundary with Area 7 (8205). Context 8283 (also 8216) was a demolition rubble located over the interior flooring (8217) within the building and it contained one ceramic, a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern unidentified body sherd dating from c.1810+ (#59253). Over this demolition rubble was context 8209, a compact sandy silt with gravel and sandstone fragment inclusions that also contained two ceramics, a salt-glazed stoneware stout bottle dating between the 1830s to 1930s (#57947), and a fine earthenware whiteware unidentified body sherd dating from c.1830+ (#58854).

Table 2.34: Ceramics in 8301 (Phase 9).

Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

59937

unid UK

1830 1930 1

59941 bltp few plate UK

1830

1

59943

UK Rhine 1845

1

59942

UK W3 1810

1

59945

slop bowl UK Forest 1828 1864 1

59944

unid UK Gem 1851 1893 1

59940 ppl tp few plate UK Cable 1860

1

59939

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

59936 sprigg bc saucer UK

1830 1920 1

59933 wgl bc egg cup UK

1800

1

59934

svfew jar UK

1840

1

59932

unid UK

1840

1

59935 ww few saucer UK

1830

1

59931

unid UK

1830

1

16

35

_________________________________________________________________________________


Within the structure fronting onto Duncan Street (8206) multiple levelling and demolition fills were recorded as context 8301, which contained 16 ceramic items. Overall the ceramics are generally indicative of deposition dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.34). In the northwest part of Area 6 the base of a rubbish pit was found during monitoring of machine excavation (8261). The pit consisted of a roughly rectangular-shaped shallow cut containing ash, silt and a small cache of finds. It survived to a depth of 100mm, measured 600mm x 400mm, and 31 ceramics were included in its fill. The 31 ceramics from 8261 generally reflect a domestic refuse deposit dating from the c.1830s onwards (Table 2.35).

Table 2.35: Ceramics in rubbish pit 8261 (Phase 9). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8261 59108 bltp few breakfast cup UK

1830

1

59100

cup UK

1830

1

59099

UK

1830

1

59102

drainer UK

1830

1

59104

plate UK W3 1810

1

59105

UK W3 1810

1

59101

saucer UK

1830

1

59109

UK

1830

1

59110

UK

1830

1

59107

unid UK Sea Leaf 1830 1859 1

59106


1

59103

UK W3 1810

1

59092 edge pearl few plate UK

1780 1860 1

59093

UK

1780 1860 1

59095

UK

1780 1840 1

59094

platter UK

1780 1860 1

59098 grntp few plate UK

1830

1

59097 hp pearl few cup UK

1780 1870 1

59096

saucer UK

1780 1870 1

59090 pearl few plate UK

1780 1870 1

59091

platter UK

1780 1870 1

59087 rock gl few jug UK/Aus

1796 1900 1

57987 salt gl stw black bottle UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

8261 57988 salt gl stw black bottle UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57989

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57983

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57984

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57985

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

57986

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

59088 yellow ware few unid UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1


1830

1

31

Across Area 6 the collection of artefacts during machining and from initial clearance by hand were assigned context 8201. Contexts 8316, 8318, 8370 and 8434 were contexts with no stratigraphic details and the artefacts from these contexts could not be phased. These five contexts of unstratified finds contained a total of 112 ceramics, 8201 (80), 8316 (1), 8318 (4), 8370 (9), 8434 (18), (Table 2.36).

36

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.36: Ceramics in unstratified contexts 8201, 8316, 8318, 8370 and 8434 (Phase 9). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8201 annular few bowl UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1

bl flow few breakfast cup UK

1830 1930 1

cup UK

1830 1930 2

jug UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 1

plate-small UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 2

blk flow few cup UK Kaolin 1830 1930 1

bltp few breakfast cup UK

1830

1

cup UK

1830

5

dish UK W3 1810

3

jug UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

UK Burmese 1834 1867 1

UK Rhine 1845

1

UK W3 1810

6

saucer UK

1830

3

UK Berry 1830 1854 1

UK Park Scenery 1834 1848 1


2

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

2

svfew unid UK

1840

1

bltp pearl few unid UK W3 1810 1870 1

bristol gl stw btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

jar UK/Aus

1835

1

brntp few cup UK

1830

1

cream w few tureen UK

1780 1900 1

edge pearl few

UK

1780 1860 1

glazed fstw ginger jar China

1790

1

glz mou few plate UK/Aus

1840

1

grntp few dish UK Forest 1828 1864 1

plate UK Amoy 1830 1854 1

lead gl cew unid Aus

1790

1

few

Aus

1790

1

pearl few platter UK

1780 1870 1

salt gl stw black bottle UK

1820 1858 1

UK/Aus

1830 1930 9

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 6

wgl bc cup UK

1800

2

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

svfew jar UK

1840

1

wgl mou gild bc figurine UK

1850

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1


1850

1

teapot UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1830

1


1830

1


1780 1900 1

unid UK

1780 1900 1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

8370 bl flow few breakfast cup UK

1830 1930 1

blk flow few egg cup UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few platter UK W3 1810

1

saucer UK Palestine 1838 1861 1

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

salt gl stw jar/btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

37

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ww few cup UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

8434 bl flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

tureen UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

bl hp

chinese porc

unid China

1790

1

bltp few egg cup UK

1830

1

plate UK W3 1810

2

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

bltp pearl few unid UK

1800 1870 1

brntp

plate UK

1830

1

lead gl cew cont Aus

1790

1

mou ww few figurine UK

1830

1

ww few jar UK

1830

1

ointment/

toothpaste jar UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

yellow ware few pie dish Aus

1884 1887 1

112

Three of the ceramics had basemarks, with two in context 8201 and one in context 8434 (Table 2.16). In context 8201 a salt-glazed stoneware blacking bottle featured the impressed oval mark of ‘STEPHEN GREEN & Co’ / ‘PATENT’ / ‘DOUBLE GL(AZED)’ / ‘LAMBETH’, dating between c.1820 to 1858 (#57945), and a fine earthenware whiteware plate with the black transfer-printed basemark of a bird above a ribbon with ‘WHITE GRANITE’ and ‘W ADAMS & SONS’ below, dating from c.1850 (#58794). In context 8434 a fine earthenware yellow ware pie dish featured the impressed basemark ‘STANDARD’ / ‘AND CO’ / ‘AUSTRALIA’, dating between 1884 to 1887 (#70183). 2.3.9 Conclusion The excavation of Area 6 was a combination of open area excavation and test trenching, with much of the archaeology being recorded ‘in section’ within the large test trenches. A total of 424 ceramics (681 sherds) were recovered in Area 6, from 46 individual contexts. The ceramics came from contexts associated with Phases 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Phase 4: 1820s to 1830s Barker’s Mill and Jetty Substantial remains of a stone jetty wall were recovered, along with various infills. Associated with the jetty were several deposits within the harbour that had accumulated after its construction. Five contexts containing ceramics were identified with this phase, with just a total of 25 ceramics found. Three of the contexts were fills (8392, 8395, 8426) and two related to postholes. Fill 8392 represented a small series of dumps, acting as levelling fills, likely to be associated with the jetty’s use from the mid 1820s to 1840s and predated reclamation in the 1840s. The presence of ceramic decorative types commonly associated with early 19th-century deposits, coupled with a blue transfer-printed pearlware ‘Italian Scenery’ pattern dating between c.1820 to 1825, supports a probable pre-1840s deposition. Contexts 8395 and 8426 were fills that covered the slipway and contained ceramics (5) that had long periods of manufacture. Contexts 8410 (1) and 8416 (1) were posthole pipe and packing fills that were associated with a structure evidenced by the remains of three postholes. Phase 5: 1830s to 1840s Reclamation Across Area 6 substantial and extensive fills were used to formally reclaim land from the harbour. The 10 contexts containing ceramics were associated with reclamation or levelling fills. The reclamation fills were identified in three test trenches, with Test Trench 13 featuring a total of 12 ceramics between the three fills 8328, 8250 and 8251, Test Trench 16 featuring a total of 15 ceramics between the three fills 8245, 8252 and 8259, and Test Trench 18 featuring a total of 30

38

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ceramics between the two fills 8280 and 8251. The ceramics in all these reclamation fills generally fit into this 1830s to 1840s period of reclamation. Although the fills in these three test trenches were given separate numbers, most of these fills were equivalent to each other across the trenches. In Test Trench 13 context 8238 was equivalent to context 8280 in Test Trench 18 and context 8245 in Test Trench 16, and context 8250 was equivalent to context 8259 in Test Trench 16. Another two reclamation fills were identified on the northern side of the jetty wall, with 8371 and 8399 containing a total of eight ceramics which also fitted into the 1830s to 1840s period of reclamation. Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development Evidence for extensive levelling and ground consolidation was recorded across Area 6, again mostly in test trenches and sections. Distinct yard surfacing was also recorded across the area, as were two drainage or channel features associated with Barker’s mill and mill pond. Just seven of the contexts associated with this phase contained ceramics, numbering 79 items in total. Within the three test trenches (TT13, TT16 and TT18) was a layer interpreted as representing the first yard surface after reclamation, and therefore dating from the 1840s. In Test Trench 13 this layer was context 8232, in Test Trench 16 it was context 8244 and in Test Trench 18 it was context 8278. These three contexts had 24 ceramic items. Overall the ceramics date from the c.1830s onwards, with just three items specifically dating from the 1840s. Two levelling fills containing ceramics were also identified, with 8379 featuring just one ceramic and 8367 featuring 30 ceramics, again representing items generally dating from the c.1830s onwards. Across much of the northern part of Area 6 was a compact bitumen and gravel yard surface, context 8289, which contained 23 ceramics again representative of items generally dating from the c.1830s onwards. A sandstock brick channel was also found in several locations in Area 6, context 8344, and it contained a single ceramic dating from c.1830. The drain was built after reclamation and before the extensive levelling and resurfacing took place. Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development There were patches of late 19th-century yard surfaces surviving throughout the excavated area of Area 6 and in general these were over levelling fills sealing the Phase 6 surfaces. Three of the yard surfaces (8226, 8288, 8258) and three of the levelling fills (8230, 8239, 8291) contained ceramics. The three yard surfaces had 28 ceramics with a date range generally indicative of the c.1830s onwards and not particularly indicative of a 1860s to 1900 period of deposition. This is also true of the 14 ceramics found in the three levelling fills. The fireplace/footings of a building fronting Duncan Street had just one ceramic identified with it, contained in the fill of a slot trench (8347), a blue transfer-printed pearlware cup sherd dated between c.1800 to c.1870. The footings of an east-west orientated building located within the southern part of Area 6, on the boundary with Area 7, contained an interior rubble stone surface (8217) with an associated silty accumulation (8276) that had a single ceramic in each, both dating from c.1830 onwards. Phase 8: 1900 to 1920s Resumptions and Railways Five contexts containing ceramics were associated with this phase, with 45 ceramics all from 20th-century levelling fills located in the southern part of Area 6. All but one of the fills were in test trenches, the exception being context 8208 which was situated to the southwest of the building fronting onto Duncan Street. This fill equated with the fill 8213 in Test Trench 16 and fill 8210 in Test Trench 13. Although the fills were given separate numbers most were equivalent to each other across the trenches, with context 8213 in Test Trench 16 also recorded as 8207 in the same trench, and in Test Trench 13 it was numbered 8210, with another levelling fill just below it numbered 8215. Overall the 45 ceramics contained in the five levelling fills are indicative of deposition generally occurring post-1860s.

39

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Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development Nine contexts identified with Phase 9 contained ceramics, numbering 162 items in total. These nine contexts related to the demolition and fills associated with the structures fronting Duncan Street and the east-west orientated building located on the southern boundary with Area 7, a rubbish pit, and the unstratified finds collected during clearance. Within the building fronting Duncan Street the multiple levelling and demolition fills were assigned the number 8301 and this contained 16 ceramics, all of which were simply indicative of a deposit dating from the mid 19th-century onwards. Two demolition deposits associated with the east-west aligned building located on the southern boundary with Area 7 contained ceramics, with 8283 featuring one ceramic and 8209 containing two, with these three dating from the c.1830s onwards. The base of a rubbish pit was found during monitoring of machine excavation in the northwest part of Area 6 and the 31 ceramics contained in this generally reflected a domestic refuse deposit dating from the c.1830s onwards. The remaining 112 ceramics were from contexts identified with unstratified artefacts collected during machining and initial clearance by hand (8201), including contexts with no stratigraphic details and the artefacts in these could not be phased (8316, 8318, 8370, 8434). 2.4 Area 711 The Darling Quarter development was divided into nine areas based on historic property boundaries and street alignments and Area 7 was the southernmost of these.12 Area 7 was bounded on the north by James Street, to the east by Harbour Street, to the south by Liverpool Street and the Chinese Gardens, and to the west by Tumbalong Park (originally the foreshore of Darling Harbour). Much of Area 7 extended outside the basement area, and therefore was not impacted on by the new development. Almost all of the study area in area 7 was below the 1820s high water mark; however, wooden fencing revealed during excavation may be indicative of early intertidal property boundaries or land claim stakes. Around 1814 Governor Macquarie granted land to Captain Richard Brooks at Cockle Bay where he established a slaughterhouse and curing yard to provide provisions to ships and to the public. A small area comprised of the northwestern foreshore boundary of Brooks’ original grant falls within Area 7. Brooks’ estate was described as having a slaughterhouse, store, paddocks and facilities for curing meats. It is likely that activities associated with the slaughterhouse may have resulted in the disposal of waste products such as animal bone into the harbour from the foreshore. It is also possible that wooden fencing within the intertidal zone may represent low tide corralling for animals. Brooks possessed a residence on the corner of Pitt and Hunter Streets and a country estate in the Illawarra district and therefore did not reside at the Cockle Bay property. The property was leased to architect John Verge in June 1833 on a 21 year lease at £100 a year. Brooks died in October 1833 on his Illawarra estate leaving the property to his wife in trust who in turn died in 1835. Initial reclamation of the foreshore is likely to have begun during Verge’s ‘21 year’ tenancy of the site between 1838 and 1852. Surveyor Hallen’s Field Book of 1828–1830 and Plan of Sydney section 10 and a plan of 1838 by Abel Du Petit-Thouars show the foreshore below the high water mark to be largely unaltered with no reclamation in evidence. Whereas, a plan from 1852 depicting the reclamation of 3 acres 1 rod and 8 perches by Barker on the adjacent property shows structures on reclaimed land west of Brooks’ original grant fronting what was later to become James Street. Therefore, it can be assumed that at least some of the land was reclaimed by 1852. During this period the Brooks’ estate was subdivided at the corner of Sussex Street and Liverpool Street into small allotments at which time the slaughterhouse may have been removed or ceased

11

Background information regarding the history and excavation of Area 7 comes from Dusting:2009. 12

See Vol 1 of the main report for the plans.

40

_________________________________________________________________________________


functioning. The subdivision saw the introduction of two streets Flood Lane and Syreets Lane running east west from Sussex Street, these lanes were later renamed North and South Street and Harbour Place later known as Jessop Street running north-south. A wharf may also have been constructed here from as early as 1845. In 1855, following the expiration of Verge’s leasehold the Estate of the late Captain Brooks was purchased by James Murphy at auction. A plan of 1856 shows that by this time the area to the west of the original shoreline had been further reclaimed and wharfage known as the Union Wharf had been constructed on the new foreshore. It is possible that architect John Verge may have built six stone houses on reclaimed land to the west of Harbour Street as these houses are also shown on the 1856 plan. A brick dish/barrel drain may have been constructed during this period running from the night soil lane at the rear of the houses to the harbour. The houses were certainly in existence by the time of the auction as they were sold separately as Block 7. Block 7 of the sale was listed as a row of six stone built houses fronting Liverpool Street bounded to the east by Harbour Street with a night soil lane at the rear (these houses were outside the wharf sale but inside the study area). The houses were demolished between 1888-1900 as part of the Day Street resumptions and a six storey Government Printing Office had been erected by the early 1900s, the construction of which was likely to have impacted on any remains of the original cottages. The Union Wharf allotment, Block 8 of the auction purchased by Murphy, comprised the reclaimed land west of the six cottages and Harbour Place down to the new high water shoreline with a frontage of 305ft to Liverpool Street (nearly all of Area 7). At the time of the auction James Murphy was described as a Lime Merchant. Murphy may already have had an interest in the site as part of Murphy and Bradley Timber, Lime and Coal Merchants tenanting the property. A Murphy was listed in rates books for 1848 as paying £23 for property comprising a house of wood and shingle with wharf attached. Buildings connected with the Union Wharf were described during the property conveyance as ‘the stores of Messrs Murphy and Bradley, a dwelling house of four rooms, built of stone, and now occupied by Mr Hughes Junior and the soap and candle manufactory of Messrs Hughes.’ By 1855 the rates books register Murphy and Bradley paying £350 for a Lime wharf suggesting that improvements had been made to the wharfage by this time. The 1856 trigonometric survey shows that Murphy’s Block 8 was split into two separate properties from Harbour Street to the foreshore. Both allotments had harbour and wharfage access and are discussed below as the northern and southern allotments. The northern property The northern allotment had a row of buildings aligned with James Street and another structure to the west on the southern boundary which were leased to Hughes. It is probable that the James Street buildings housed the Soap and Candle manufactory whereas the other structure may have been the dwelling house of Mr Hughes Junior. A Robert Hughes was listed in Sands Directory of 1858 as soap manufacturer at 22 Liverpool Street. It is likely that the Soap and Candle manufactory ceased around 1860 as a law was passed prohibiting such manufacture within the city limits, and interestingly Murphy may have been a signatory to the appeal against such a law. The Sands Directory of 1858 also suggests that a portion of the property to the east of 22 Liverpool Street may have been leased to a John Harkness, a brass founder. Following the cessation of Hughes Soap and Candle manufactory the northeastern area of the property was used for metalworking, likely to be utilising the extant structures. By 1865 more buildings were erected and by 1880 the area was full of sheds and housed Bigge’s Iron Foundry and by c.1888 the Cobalt Smelting Works. Many of these sheds were still standing in 1900. By 1880 the northwestern area had been subsumed by Salisbury Contractors for the Fresh Food and Ice Co. and had become part of their stables and yardage. The property straddled the two

41

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allotments creating an L-shaped holding with use of a shared wharf to the west possibly an extension of Miller and Harrison’s wharf. The Fresh Food and Ice Co. conducted a delivery service supplying milk, ice, butter and other perishable goods to the Sydney market.

Following the 1900 resumption of the area, by 1901, a two-storey garage/wagon repair and blacksmiths shop was built on the site of the former foundry and was used by the Fresh Food and Ice Co. and its later successor Petersville. The use of this building may have changed around 1910 where the building on James Street is shown as the premises of F Malley Sheet Metal Worker. The building remained standing until at least until 1980. An 1880 plan suggests that the extensive stables and cart sheds on the southern boundary of this property may have been built above part of the house present in 1865 or they may have been built beside it to the west. By this time the house in the centre of the property had either been removed or extensively modified. The northern wharfage area remained as the delivery depot for the Fresh Food & Ice Co. at least until 1984 when the property was included in the construction of the Western Distributor and the commercial redevelopment of Darling Harbour. The southern property The southern allotment was originally leased by Murphy and Bradley and it is likely that they continued business activities there following the purchase of the property by Murphy. At some time after the purchase the Union Wharf became known as Murphy’s Wharf. Three buildings, extant by 1856 with frontage to Liverpool Street, are likely to represent the Murphy and Bradley Stores. Assessment Books of 1861 list the occupant of the site as John Murphy & Co. with the property comprising of an office, yard, store and a wharf. By 1865 there are at least four buildings on the allotment with one on the northern boundary seemingly connected to the ‘dwelling house’ to the north straddling or abutting the allotment boundary. By 1880 several structures had been added at the western end towards Murphy’s Wharf and this part of the property was leased to a number of different lime, coal and timber merchants. Also by this time the eastern end of the property at 18- 24 Liverpool Street had been leased to The Fresh Food and Ice Company. By 1898 Bernard Byrnes Limited operating a coal depot tenanted the premises at the western end of the property with the wharfage renamed Byrnes’ Wharf. The eastern end continued to be leased by the Fresh Food and Ice Company. Both companies leased the properties until the resumptions of 1900. Both properties remained in the Murphy family until resumption by the Sydney Harbour Trust in 1900. The Crown then leased the property including the wharf back to Murphy’s daughters from 1899 to 1904, who in turn leased it back to the Fresh Food Company and Byrnes. Following the resumption of 1900 the buildings in poor condition were removed and wharfage was improved. A new two-storey building was erected on the southern property fronting Liverpool Street for the Fresh Food and Ice Co. In 1918 the southern section of the site leased by B. Byrnes Ltd. was vested in the Railway Commissioners and by the mid 1920s the wharfage was in-filled and Murphy’s wharf became part of the Darling Harbour Goods Yard. All the buildings were demolished in the 1980s during the construction of the Western Distributor and the commercial redevelopment of Darling Harbour. The most significant archaeological features excavated and recorded in Area 7 included:

Foreshore activity of the intertidal zone from 1788 to the 1830s (Phase 3). This activity included silty marl layers and timber fencing embedded within the foreshore sands related to early property boundaries and a probable land claim stake.

Large-scale reclamation of the foreshore in the 1830s to 1840s (Phase 5). Two phases of reclamation were identified as was the introduction of boundary fencing between adjacent properties to the north which may have facilitated the reclamation process and the

42

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introduction of a brick barrel or dish drain running across the property from the east down to the harbour foreshore.

Residential and commercial development of the reclaimed areas from the 1840s to the 1860s including (Phase 6): the construction of buildings on the northern boundary, a sandstone drain running lengthways across the mid section of the property and the construction of a sandstone cottage in the southern area of excavation.

Residential, commercial and industrial occupation of the site from the 1860s to the resumptions of 1900 (Phase 7). During this period the Area was used extensively as stables, yards and industrial work areas. Layers of fills of industrial waste were revealed which may be associated with iron working activities from industrial premises on the eastern side of Area 7. Evidence for structures for outhouses, stabling, yard surfaces and a cesspit were also found in the area and may be attributed to the commercial activity of the Fresh Food and Ice Company.

2.4.1 Ceramics Overview The ceramics recovered from Area 7 came from contexts associated with Phase 3, Phase 5, Phase 6, Phase 7, Phase 8 and Phase 9. The phases will be discussed individually, with the more important contexts within each phase featuring detailed analysis where required. Further sub-phases were also featured in Phases 3, 5, 6 and 7 and these will also be addressed where necessary within the ceramic analysis. A brief overview of the ceramics found in Area 7 follows. A total of 1,369 ceramics (2,507 sherds) were found in 98 contexts (Table 2.37). Over half of the contexts, 65 or 66.3%, contained less than ten ceramic items, and just two contexts contained over 100 items (7928, 7987). None of the contexts contained ceramics that accounted for more than 10.0 per cent or more of the items found in Area 7.


7901 68 2.7 49 3.6

7903 7 0.3 6 0.4

7904 33 1.3 27 2

7906 9 0.3 9 0.6

7907 11 0.4 8 0.6

7912 11 0.4 9 0.6

7920 1 0 1 0

7927 55 2.2 34 2.5

7928 129 5.1 118 8.6

7932 5 0.2 4 0.3

7937 7 0.3 7 0.5

7940 3 0.1 3 0.2

7943 27 1.1 13 1

7947 61 2.4 33 2.4

7950 31 1.2 22 1.6

7951 5 0.2 4 0.3

7952 3 0.1 3 0.2

7953 19 0.7 7 0.5

7954 6 0.2 5 0.3

7955 8 0.3 6 0.4

7959 10 0.4 6 0.4

7963 2 0.1 2 0.1

7964 3 0.1 3 0.2

7979 8 0.3 5 0.3

7981 23 0.9 7 0.5

7986 54 2.1 26 2

7987 266 10.6 125 9.1

7991 112 4.4 59 4.3

7993 9 0.3 7 0.5

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7994 2 0.1 3 0.2

8000 2 0.1 2 0.1

8004 16 0.6 9 0.6

8005 12 0.4 3 0.2

8006 1 0 1 0

8009 1 0 1 0

8013 4 0.1 4 0.3

8014 39 1.5 23 1.7

8018 1 0 1 0

8020 3 0.1 2 0.1

8037 160 6.4 28 2

8043 30 1.2 22 1.6

8053 1 0 1 0

8058 1 0 1 0

8060 1 0 1 0

8063 3 0.1 3 0.2

8066 2 0.1 2 0.1

8079 1 0 1 0

8080 6 0.2 8 0.6

8087 2 0.1 1 0

8089 2 0.1 3 0.2

8090 17 0.7 11 0.8

8091 1 0 3 0.2

8094 2 0.1 2 0.1

8097 2 0.1 2 0.1

8099 21 0.8 12 0.9

8108 1 0 1 0

8202 3 0.1 2 0.1

8211 1 0 1 0

8212 1 0 1 0

8214 52 2.1 39 2.8

8228 1 0 1 0

8233 17 0.7 15 1.1

8235 53 2.1 35 2.5

8236 10 0.4 7 0.5

8237 13 0.5 12 0.9

8240 9 0.3 9 0.6

8242 13 0.5 10 0.7

8246 9 0.3 6 0.4

8249 12 0.5 8 0.6

8253 21 0.8 11 0.8

8256 16 0.6 13 1

8257 38 1.5 22 1.6

8260 12 0.5 8 0.6

8262 15 0.6 9 0.6

8263 3 0.1 3 0.2

8267 17 0.7 14 1

8271 2 0.1 2 0.1

8272 4 0.1 3 0.2

8279 162 6.4 98 7.1

8285 6 0.2 6 0.4

8293 100 4 52 3.8

8295 44 1.7 33 2.4

8297 5 0.2 5 0.3

8300 13 0.5 12 0.9

8303 7 0.3 6 0.4

8308 21 0.8 9 0.6

8310 4 0.1 4 0.3

8311 20 0.8 13 1

8313 10 0.4 9 0.6

8321 2 0.1 2 0.1

44

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8323 3 0.1 3 0.2

8325 1 0 1 0

8326 4 0.1 4 0.3

8330 267 10.6 63 4.6

8338 26 1.04 15 1.1

8345 158 6.3 33 2.4

8360 11 0.44 10 0.7

2507 98.08 1369 97.5

Seven different fabrics were identified in Area 7, with fine earthenware being the most dominant with 880 items or 64.3 per cent of the assemblage (Table 2.38). The next largest fabric types were stoneware (20.6%) and bone china (8.8%). These three fabrics are commonly the three largest proportions found in Areas 6 and 7 but a differ order if found in the Area 8 houses where bone china was the second largest fabric type (Tables 2.3, 2.13, 2.110). The nine coarse earthenware items are locally manufactured self-slipped (5) and lead-glazed wares (4), and the two hard paste porcelain items, not of Chinese manufacture, were of German origin (#70012, #70013). Ceramics manufactured in the United Kingdom dominate the assemblage, with 1,001 items representing fewer than three-quarters of the collection (73.1%) (Table 2.39).

Table 2.38: Ceramic fabric types, Area 7.

Fabric Items %

bc 121 8.8

cew 9 0.6

chinese porc 12 0.9

few 880 64.3

porc 2 0.1

stw 282 20.6

svfew 63 4.6

1369 99.9


Country Items %

Aus 22 1.6

China 12 0.9

Europe 1 0.1

Fra 1 0.1

Ger 2 0.1

Holl 1 0.1

Scot 36 2.6

UK 1001 73.1

UK/Aus 254 18.5

UK/USA/Eur/Aus 3 0.2

UK/USA/Europe 27 2

UK/USA/France 9 0.6

1369 99.9

The 254 ceramics identified as being manufactured in the United Kingdom/Australia are salt glazed and Bristol glazed stonewares that feature no identifying manufacturers’ marks to indicate definite country of origin. These 254 items were 18.5 per cent of the ceramics recovered in Area 7. The three items identified as being manufactured in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia are all yellow ware. The 27 items identified as being manufactured in the United Kingdom/United States/Europe are sponge and spatter wares, and the nine items identified as being manufactured in the United Kingdom/United States/France are annular and mocha wares. A total of 44 decorative types were identified across Area 7 (Table 2.40). Blue transfer-printed ceramics were the most dominant decorative type, with 395 individual items or over a quarter of the ceramic assemblage (28.0%). A total of 701 ceramics, representing just over half of the

45

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assemblage (51.2%) were decorated with transfer printing and in a variety of colours (blue, black, brown, green, purple and red) and also finishes (pearlware, flow, clobbered and multi-coloured). Salt-glazed stoneware is the next most popular ceramic, with 263 items (19.2%). Salt-glazed stonewares were generally purchased for their contents and/or functionality rather than their decorative appeal. A total of 56 ceramics from 21 contexts have basemarks (Table 2.41). These will be discussed further within the relevant phases.

Table 2.40: Range of decorative types in Area 7.

Decoration Items %

annular 5 0.3

annular ww 1 0

banded 8 0.5

bl flow 67 4.8

bl hp 12 0.8

blk flow 33 2.4

blktp 39 0.2

bltp 395 28

bltp pearl 18 1.3

bristol gl 19 1.3

brntp 35 2.5

clobb 2 0.1

cream w 15 4

edge pearl 15 4

gild 15 4

gilded, mou 1 0

gl mou 1 0

glazed 3 0.2

grntp 46 3.3

hp 8 0.5

hp gild 1 0

hp ww 1 0

lead gl 14 1

lustre 1 0

mocha 1 0

mocha ww 1 0

mou hp 2 0.1

mou ww 4 0.2

multi tp 1 0

pearl 2 0.1

ppl flow 2 0.1

ppl tp 53 3.8

redtp 10 0.7

rock gl 9 0.6

salt gl 263 19.2

selfslip 5 0.3

spatter 1 0

spatter ww 4 0.2

sponge 24 1.7

sprigg 39 2.8

wgl 82 5.9

wgl mou 6 0.4

ww 102 7.4

yellow ware 3 0.2

1369 102.9

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Table 2.41: Ceramics with basemarks in Area 7. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

7901 58080 btl salt gl Imp mark on foot -’(AMS)TERDAM’; Imp oval mark below sh - ‘AMSTERDAMGGHH’. H = 305mm

? ? 1

59414 plate bltp

Ornate tp basemark - urn, flowers and scroll with ‘COLUMBIA’ / ‘W. ADAMS & SONS’ on it.

1840 1861 1

7907 58087 black bottle

salt gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘(BLAC)KING BO(TTLE)’ / ‘J.B.D’. Initials unidentified.

? ? 1

7928 58089 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘(CAMPBELL)FIELD’ / ‘G(LASGOW)’.

1850 1905 1

58090 btl bristol gl

Imp oval mark on lower ext. bd - ‘NEWPORT’ / ‘POTTERY’.

1920

1

58131 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘3’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58132 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENNEDY)’ / ‘(BARROWF)IELD’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1

58133 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘8’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1

7928 58134 btl salt gl Imp oval mark - ‘(H) KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘37’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58135 btl salt gl


1866 1929 1

58136 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROW)FIELD’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58137 btl salt gl


1866 1929 1

58138 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KEN)NE(DY)’ / ‘(BARROW)FIELD’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58139 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘32’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASG)OW’.

1866 1929 1

58140 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENN)EDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD’ / ‘POT(TERY)’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58141 btl salt gl


1866 1929 1

58142 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘PORT-DUNDAS’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘POTTERY Co’.

1850 1932 1

58143 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘PORT-DUN(DAS)’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘PO(TTERY Co)’.

1850 1932 1

58144 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘CAMPBELLF(IELD)’ / ‘13’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1850 1905 1

58145 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENN)EDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘3’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58146 btl salt gl

imp oval mark - ‘(H. K)ENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58147 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘(H.) KENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58148 btl salt gl

Illegible imp oval mark on lower ext body; probable Scottish manufacturer.

1850 1930 1

7932 58151 btl salt gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON’ / ‘LAMBETH’.

1858 1956 1

7947 59552 plate bl flow

3 basemarks - 1) ‘(SEA)WEED’ in a coral cartouche; 2) registration diamond for 3/1/1850 with ‘DAVENPORT’ below; 3) imp anchor with numerals ‘5’ and ‘2’ on each side (when item made) and ‘DAVENPORT’ above.

1852

1

7950 59574 plate ppl tp TP basemark - a garter mark with ‘(B)ARBERINI VASE’ / ‘B & L’. Initials belong to Burgess and Leigh, Staffordshire

1862

1


1858 1956 1

7985 58009 black bottle

salt gl Imp - ‘Blacking’ / ‘Bottle’ on lower ext bd. Maker unknown.

1830 1930 1

47

_________________________________________________________________________________


7987 59724 platter bltp TP mark on ext rim - ‘WARRANTED’/ ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / L.B & C’; initials unknown.

1

59744 saucer ppl tp

TP basemark - ‘QUEENSLAND’ in an oval beaded cartouche; maker unknown.

1860

1

7991 58185 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘4’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1

7994 58186 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘6’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1

58187 ink btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘VITEROUS STONE BOTTLE BY’ / ‘WARRANTED NOT TO ABSORB’ / ‘J. BOURNE’ / ‘PATENTEE’ / (DE)NBY & CODNOR (PARK)’ / ‘NEAR DERBY’.

1833 1861 1

58188 jar bristol gl

2 imp marks on ext bd - 1) ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’. 2) ‘HILL & JONES’ / ‘…ewry St Alitgate’ / ‘LONDON’.

1835 1858 1

8037 58195 btl salt gl 2 marks on ext bd. 1) Blk TP mark - ‘STARKEYS’ / a 5-pointed star and a key / ‘BREWED GINGER BEER’. 2) Imp oval mark - ‘R. FOWLER’ / ‘1917’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1917

1

8089 59900 plate ww 2 basemarks - 1) imp ‘E & C CHALLINOR’ / ‘FENTON’. 2) Blk tp royal coat of arms and ‘(E. & C. CHALLIN)OR’ below.

1862 1891 1

59912 plate bl flow

TP basemark - ‘Floralia’ in an octagonal cartouche; unknown maker.

1830 1930 1

8099 58213 btl salt gl Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

58214 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENNEDY)’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘GLASG(OW)’.

1866 1929 1

8214 58898 plate bltp TP mark on ext - ‘WARRANTED’ / a ribbon with ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / ‘P.B.H’; initials are for Pinder, Bourne & Hope.

1851 1862 1

8262 57992 btl salt gl Imp mark on lower ext. body - ‘T.FIELD’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

8279 58044 jar bristol gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOU(LTON & WATTS)’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’ / ‘LONDON’.

1835 1858 1

59200 plate bltp

TP basemark features ‘Rhine’ within a foliated scroll cartouche; maker unknown.

1845

1

59223 slop bowl bltp

TP basemark - ‘CHANTILLY’ in a foliated scroll cartouche; pttn attrib to John Thomson and Sons, Glasgow.

1865 1884 1

59224 poe blktp

Blk tp basemark - a diamond registration mark for 28/7/1856; ‘DORA’ within a Greek key cartouche, with ‘E. CHALLINOR’ below.

1856 1867 1

8330 58064 btl salt gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’ / ‘LONDON’.

1815 1858 1

58066 btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘(E. FO)WLER’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYD(NEY)’.

1854 1863 1

58068 btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

58069 cont salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘IRRAWANG’ / ‘*’ / ‘AUSTRALIA.’

1835 1853 1

70012 cup wgl

Blue tp basemark - an eagle above the initials ‘KPM’; initials belong to the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin, Germany.

1844 1847 1

70013 cup wgl

Blue tp basemark - an eagle; mark belongs to the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin, Germany.

1844 1847 1

70049 plate bltp

TP basemark: ‘GOTHA’ / ‘JH’ in ornate foliated scroll cartouche; initials probably that of Joseph Heath, Tunstall.

1845 1853 1

70050 jar bltp Blk tp basemark - 2 dragons framing ‘MEDAILLES D'OR’ / ‘L M & CIE’ / ‘1834-39-44 ET 49’, with ‘...MONTEREAU’ above and ‘PORCEL. OPAQUE’

1841 1895 1

48

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below; initials belong to Leboeuf and Milliet, France.

8037 58195 ginger

beer btl salt gl

2 marks on ext bd. 1) Blk TP mark - ‘STARKEYS’ / a 5-pointed star and a key / ‘BREWED GINGER BEER’. 2) Imp oval mark - ‘R. FOWLER’ / ‘1917’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1917

1

59854 jug gl mou

Basemark features wheat motif with embossed registration diamond of the type used during 1842-1867 (letter for year is illegible).

1842 1867 1

8345 70096 comport bl flow TP basemark - ‘CORBEILLE’ in a scroll cartouche; maker unknown.

1830 1930 1

56

2.4.2 Phase 3: 1788 to the 1820s In the 1800s the waters on the eastern side of Darling Harbour were quite shallow, necessitating the construction of jetties to reach deeper water to accommodate the draught of vessels. However, the intertidal zone and shallow waters also provided the potential for considerable land reclamation and subsequent development. The Phase 3 archaeology of sand and shell deposits which was underlying and accumulating around a series of timber fences located within the original intertidal foreshore zone. These timber fences may be related to Captain (Richard) Brooks’ ownership of land to the east from c.1814–1833.13 Only a few ceramics were found in contexts relating to Phase 3, with four items found across four contexts (Table 2.42). Context 7920 was found within a test trench (TT1) and was a dark grey/black silty clay identified as a marl-like sediment on the east side of the trench. This deposit may relate to shallow mud flats or mangrove swamp and represents a silty organic build-up overlying the sandy harbour bed. Context 8053 was a deposit of coarse grey intertidal sands, context 8058 was also assigned to some coarse grey sands, and context 8079 was identified as an intertidal deposition. Although the number of ceramics found is very small, the four decorative types are common in deposits associated with the early 19th century and support the dating of these phases (Table 2.43) (Figure 11).

Table 2.42: Contexts with ceramics in Phase 3.

Context Items %

7920 1 25

8053 1 25

8058 1 25

8079 1 25

4 100

Table 2.43: Ceramics in Phase 3. Context Cat # Decoration Shape Fabric Country From To Items

7920 59467 bltp pearl unid few UK 1800 1870 1

8053 59888 edge pearl plate few UK 1780 1860 1

8058 58692 lead gl pan few Aus 1790

1

8079 59895 bltp platter few UK 1810

1

4

13

Dusting 2009:21

49

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 11: Ceramics associated with Phase 3. Top row: blue transfer-printed pearlware (#59467), edgeware pearlware (#59888). Bottom row: lead-glazed earthenware (#58692), blue transfer-printed Willow pattern pearlware (#59895). Scale graduations 1cm.

2.4.3 Phase 5: 1830s and 1840s Reclamation The 1830s and 1840s saw an intense period of reclamation in Area 7, which was represented archaeologically as a series of dumps and fills overlying the sands of the original foreshore and timber fencing (Phase 3). These initial dumps may represent an informal episode of reclamation during Verge’s tenancy, prior to 1852. A plan of 1852 shows some land reclamation, the presence of structures to the west of the original high water mark on the northern boundary of Brooks’ property and a possible early wharf. Following this initial reclamation event a second phase of reclamation took place with extensive reclamation and development of the property having occurred by 1856, including the construction of formal wharfage. It is likely that the first and second phases of reclamation were punctuated by the installation of fencing to the north of Brooks’ property on the boundary of Area 6 and 7 and the introduction of a brick drain running from the night soil lane at the rear of six stone houses fronting Liverpool Street down to the harbour. The fences were seemingly a westerly extension of the property boundary between Brooks’ and Barker’s original land grants above the high-water mark and may have acted as some form of barrier or revetment to aid in Barkers reclamation of foreshore land in the early 1830s. The brick drain may relate to the tenancy of Verge as the houses were already constructed by 1855 when the property was sold. The reclamation process in Area 7 was not uniform and clay

50

_________________________________________________________________________________


fills seem to have undulated from the southern part of the site across the property to the boundary with Area 6 to the north, with reclamation clays appearing higher in some areas rather than others.14 Ceramics were found in 14 contexts Phase 5, 119 items (179 sherds) (Table 2.44). All but one of these contexts were reclamation fills, the exception being context 8091 which was assigned to the unstratified finds that were found in the testing for Aboriginal archaeology. The three ceramics from 8091 were all salt-glazed stoneware ginger beer (#85205) and blacking bottles (#58206, #58207), dating between c.1830s to 1930s. The 13 reclamation fills containing ceramics have been identified as being either early fills (Phase 5.1) or later fills (Phase 5.3).15 The ceramics within these reclamation fills are discussed according to their phasing.

Table 2.44: Contexts with ceramics in Phase 5.

Context Items %

7904 27 22.7

7906 9 7.5

7907 8 6.7

7912 9 7.5

7986 26 21.8

8000 2 1.7

8006 1 0.8

8020 2 1.7

8060 1 0.8

8091 3 2.5

8253 11 9.2

8271 2 1.7

8272 3 2.5

8338 15 12.6

119 99.7

2.4.3.1 Early reclamation fills (Phase 5.1) Four of the fills which were part of the early reclamation fills and dumps in the inter-tidal zone contained ceramics (Phase 5.1) (Table 2.45). The number of ceramics recovered was small, only 20 in total. The 20 ceramics were mainly found in two fills, 7906 and 7912, with just one item apiece in fills 8006 and 8060. The majority of the nine decorative types identified within the four fills have long manufacturing date ranges, however the bulk appear to have at least begun manufacture in the 1830s and therefore fit into the period of early reclamation dating to the late 1830s/early 1840s (Phase 5) (Table 2.46). The 20 ceramics contained in the four fills were associated with general domestic refuse. The vessel forms relate to household activities, mostly revolving around food consumption. The 16 identified shapes include: jug (2), small plate (2), bottle (1), plate (4), saucer (2), bowl (1), cup (2), colander/drainer (1), and ink bottle (1). Four items remain unidentified due to small sherd size. Just one blue transfer-printed pattern was identified, the ubiquitous ‘Willow’ pattern, on two small plates in fill 7906 (#59451, #59452).

Table 2.45: Ceramics in early reclamation fills (Phase 5.1). Context Items %

7906 9 45

7912 9 45

8006 1 5

8060 1 5

20 100

14

Dusting 2009:30 15

Dusting 2009

51

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Table 2.46: Ceramic types found in the early reclamation fills (Phase 5.1). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

7906 bltp few jug UK 1830

1

plate-small UK 1810

2

unid UK 1830

2

salt gl stw btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

ww few jug UK 1830

1

plate UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

7912 bl hp chinese

porc unid China 1790

1

bltp few plate UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1830

2

cream w bowl UK 1780 1900 1

plate UK 1780 1900 1

edge pearl plate UK 1780 1840 1

hp ww cup UK 1830

1

lead gl

colander/drainer

Aus 1790

1

8006 salt gl stw ink btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

8060 bltp pearl few cup UK 1800 1870 1

20

2.4.3.2 Later reclamation fills (Phase 5.3) Nine fills containing ceramics were from the later reclamation phase (Phase 5.3). These post-dated boundary fences that were found on the northern boundary between Brooks’ and Barkers’ properties (Phase 5.2). These reclamation fills contained a total of 96 items and are discussed together (Table 2.47).

Table 2.47: Ceramics in later reclamation fills (Phase 5.3). Context Items %

7904 27 28.1

7907 8 8.3

7986 26 27.1

8000 2 2.1

8020 2 2.1

8253 11 11.5

8271 2 2.1

8272 3 3.1

8338 15 15.6

96 100.0

Twenty-three decorative types were identified within these nine reclamation fills and once again the majority of these have long manufacturing date ranges. Again, like the previously discussed early reclamation fills examined above (Table 2.46), the majority of these decorative types appear to have at least begun manufacture in the 1830s and therefore fit into the period of early reclamation dating to the late 1830s/early 1840s (Phase 5) (Table 2.48). There are two later items, both in fill 7986 and both dating from the 1860s. These two items are a banded saucer dating from c.1860+ (#59616), and a white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware cup in the ‘Athena Shape’ pattern dating from 1865+ (#59618). This pattern was registered in 1865 but the maker is unknown.16 The presence of these later dating ceramics can be explained by the fact that the fill they both came from, context 7986, was a machined mix of reclamation fills so contamination by later dating items is not unlikely.

16

Wetherbee 1996:130

52

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.48: Ceramic types found in the early reclamation fills (Phase 5.3). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

7904 annular few bowl UK/USA/France 1830 1930 1

bltp few breakfast cup UK 1830

1

plate UK 1810

1

UK 1822 1830 1

UK 1830

2

saucer UK 1830

1

7904 bltp few saucer UK 1830 1859 1

unid UK 1830

2

bltp pearl few plate UK 1810 1870 1

unid UK 1800 1870 2

edge pearl few plate UK 1780 1860 1

gild bc saucer UK 1800

1

grntp few cup UK 1830

1

hp bc cup UK 1800

1

saucer UK 1800

1

redtp bc milk/cream jug UK 1830

1


black bottle UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

ww few plate UK 1830

2

unid UK 1830

2

7907 bltp few cup UK 1814

1

plate UK 1830

1

poe UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

cream w few plate UK 1780 1900 1

grntp few saucer UK 1830

1

redtp few unid UK 1830

1


1

7986 banded few saucer UK 1860

1

bl hp

chinese porc

ginger jar China 1790

1

saucer China 1790

1

teapot China 1790 1850 1

blktp few plate UK 1832 1835 1


1

few plate UK 1810

1

platter UK 1810

1

unid UK 1830

3

cream w few plate UK 1780 1900 1

unid UK 1780 1900 2

grntp few plate UK 1830

1

lead gl cew unid Aus 1790

1

mocha few unid UK/USA/France 1830 1930 1

ppl tp few saucer UK 1830

1

redtp few plate UK 1832 1835 1

salt gl stw black bottle UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 3

sponge few saucer UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

wgl mou svfew cup UK 1865

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

8000 blktp few unid UK 1830

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

8020 bl hp chinese

porc ginger jar China 1790

1

bl flow few breakfast cup UK 1830 1930 1

8253 bl flow few cup UK 1830 1930 1

blk flow few plate UK 1830 1930 2


1

sprigg bc plate-small UK 1830 1920 1

saucer UK 1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

53

_________________________________________________________________________________


unid UK 1800

1

ww few saucer UK 1830

1

plate UK 1830

1

8253 ww few unid UK 1830

1

8271 salt gl stw btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 2

8272 bltp few plate UK 1830

1

unid UK 1810

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

8338 bl flow few breakfast cup UK 1830 1930 1


1

plate UK 1810

4


1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

gild bc plate UK 1850

1


1

ppl tp few plate UK 1832 1835 1


wgl svfew unid UK 1840

1

ww few cup UK 1830

1

96

The machined mix of reclamation fills 7986 was also the only context which featured a conjoin with another context in Area 7. The item with conjoining sherds was a black sponged saucer dating between 1840s to 1930s, with the eight sherds in fill 7986 (#59628) which belonged to the same vessel as five sherds from context 8037 (#59850). Context 8037 was the lower fill of a cesspit (8036) that relates to the later Phase 7 of the Area, 1860s to 1900 residential and industrial development). The 96 ceramics contained within these nine reclamation fills are from common household usage, and associated with domestic activities, mainly the consumption of food (Table 2.48). The 13 shapes include: bowl (1), breakfast cup (4), plate (28), saucer (12), cup (8), milk/cream jug (1), bottle (9), blacking bottle (3), poe (1), ginger jar (2), teapot (1), platter (1), and small plate (1). Twenty-four items remained unidentified because of their small sherd size. A single basemark in the reclamation fills was from a salt-glazed stoneware blacking bottle (#58087). The impressed mark on the lower exterior body featured ‘(BLAC)KING BO(TTLE)’ and the initials ‘J.B.D’. At time of writing these initials remain unidentified (Figure 12).

Figure 12: Impressed mark with the initials ‘J.B.D’. Manufacturer unknown (#58087). Scale graduations 1cm.

54

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Six of the reclamation fills featured identified ceramic patterns on 24 items. These patterns were in transfer print (22), blue handpainted Chinese porcelain (1), and white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1) (Table 2.49).

Table 2.49: Identified patterns found in the early reclamation fills (Phase 5.3). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

7904 bltp few plate UK Irish Scenery 1822 1830 1

plate UK W3 1810

1

saucer UK Sea Leaf 1830 1859 1

bltp pearl few plate UK W3 1810 1870 1

grntp few cup UK Fibre 1830

1

redtp bc milk/cream jug UK My Play Fellow 1830

1

7907 bltp few cup UK Milk Maid 1814

1

grntp few saucer UK Fibre 1830

1

7986 bl hp chinese porc teapot China Nanking 1790 1850 1

blktp few plate UK Cologne 1832 1835 1

bltp few plate UK Wild Rose 1830

1

plate UK W3 1810

1

platter UK W3 1810

1

redtp few plate UK Cologne 1832 1835 1

wgl mou svfew cup UK Athena Shape 1865

1

8253 bltp few plate UK W3 1810

1

8272 bltp few unid UK W3 1810

1


1

UK W3 1810

4

saucer UK Canova 1830

1

ppl tp few plate UK Cologne 1832 1835 1

24

The majority of the patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations, in particular ‘Irish Scenery’, ‘Willow’, ‘Sea Leaf’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Milk Maid’, ‘Nanking’, ‘Wild Rose’, ‘Athena Shape’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ and ‘Canova’ patterns. Just two of the identified patterns are not transfer prints, but are a blue handpainted Chinese porcelain ‘Nanking’ pattern teapot (#58649) and a white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware ‘Athena Shape’ pattern cup (#59618). The remaining 22 items are all transfer-printed and feature in a range of colours including black (1), blue (16), green (2), red (2) and purple (1). The ‘Cologne’ pattern, attributed to Ralph Stevenson and Son, of Cobridge, and dating between c.1832 to 1835, is interesting in that it appears on three plates in different colours, black (#59621), red (#59629), and purple (#70068), indicating that the same pattern was available locally in a range of colours (Figure 13). Figure 13: The three ‘Cologne’ pattern plates in black transfer print (#59621), purple transfer print (#70068)

and red transfer print (#59629) Gallery2, 10cm scale.

55

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2.4.4 Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development Although initial reclamation of the area was largely undertaken sometime between the late 1830s and the 1840s (Phase 5), much of the residential and commercial development in Area 7 occurred during the 1840s to the 1860s. During this time the allotment to the south and the wharf was utilised by Murphy and Bradley as a timber, lime and coal yard and the allotment to the north was tenanted by Messers Hughes, Soap and Candle Manufactory until the 1860s. Phase 6 was characterised by a period of construction and development including levelling fills and ground preparation over the reclamation, the introduction of wharfage in the form of the Union Wharf later known as Murphy’s Wharf, the construction of a dwelling house or cottage on the southern boundary of the northern allotment, the construction of buildings on the northern boundary and the introduction of fencing and drainage.17 Ceramics were found in 17 contexts from Phase 6, 140 items (227 sherds) (Table 2.50). Fourteen of the contexts with ceramics were post-reclamation levelling fills, the three exceptions being the fill within a sandstone box drain (8080), the fill within a fireplace (8108), and the uppermost level of earlier reclamation relating to the re-establishment of the northern boundary fence (8246). Phase 6 was further divided into chronological sub-phases and the ceramics are discussed within these sub-phases:

Phase 6.1 Re-establishment boundary fence on the northern boundary (8247)

Phase 6.2 Construction of a building (8224)

Phase 6.3 Sandstone box drain (8072)

Phase 6.4 Levelling fills post-reclamation and pre-cottage construction

Phase 6.5 Construction of a cottage (8098).18

Table 2.50: Contexts with ceramics in Phase 6. Context Items %

7963 2 1.4

7964 3 2.1

7979 5 3.5

7991 59 42.

7993 7 5.0

7994 3 2.1

8009 1 0.7

8013 4 2.8

8014 23 16.4

8018 1 0.7

8063 3 2.1

8066 2 1.4

8080 3 2.1

8108 1 0.7

8246 1 0.7

8260 8 5.7

8267 14 10.0

140 99.5

Context 8246 was the on context containing ceramics from Phase 6.1. It had just one ceramic item from the uppermost level of reclamation fill associated with the wooden paling fence (8247). It appeared that the fence was driven directly into the reclamation fill as there was no evidence of posthole cuts. The lone ceramic from this reclamation fill was a sherd from an annular ware bowl, with a very broad dating range of between the 1830s and 1930s (#58999).

17

Dusting 2009:46 18

Dusting 2009:46

56

_________________________________________________________________________________


2.4.4.1 Levelling fill (Phase 6.2) Phase 6.2 had one context with ceramics. Context 8014 was a mixed sandy silt levelling fill and contained 23 ceramics (Table 2.51). The ten decorative types from this levelling fill have long manufacturing date ranges, with most continuing to be made well into the 20th century and up to the present day. The 23 ceramics were probably household waste, with the seven identified shapes being particularly associated with domestic activities, predominantly food-related. These seven shapes are: teapot (1), cup (1), plate (9), saucer (2), jar (2), blacking bottle (1), and bottle (1). Six items remained unidentified because of their small sherd size. Nine of the items featured known patterns, in transfer print (8) and blue-handpainted Chinese porcelain (1). The four identified patterns, ‘Nanking’ (#58652), ‘Willow’ (#59834-#59839), ‘Camilla’ (#59833) and ‘Wild Rose’ (#59832), are all commonly found on Sydney historical excavations. All the patterns are in blue, either as hand painting or transfer printing.

Table 2.51: Ceramic types found in levelling fill 8014 (Phase 6.2).

Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl hp chinese porc teapot China Nanking 1790 1850 1 blktp few cup UK

1830

1

bltp few plate UK W3 1810

4

saucer UK

1830

1

Camilla 1833 1847 1

unid UK W3 1810

1

Wild Rose 1830

1

1830

2


cream w few jar UK

1780 1900 2

plate

1

unid

1


1780 1860 1 mocha ww few unid UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1

redtp few plate UK

1830

1

salt gl stw black btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

btl

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

23

2.4.4.2 Sandstone box drain (Phase 6.3) Phase 6.3 was associated specifically with a sandstone box drain (8072). The drain, with a remnant length of 21m, was situated in an east-west orientation running parallel with property boundaries

and fence-lines and it then curved approximately 45 to the northwest. The drain is probably associated with housing and other buildings of an industrial nature constructed in the area in the 1850s and it was then sealed by levelling fills relating to Phase 6.4 (see below). The fill within the drain, context 8080, was a black sandy silt deposit with a high organic content. A series of fine brown sand lenses interspersed the deposit suggesting periods of increased water flow occurring through the silting drain. The period of deposition of the silt, or the silting up of the drain, is likely to have occurred once the drain was no longer in use. The fill contained a range of artefacts, with just three ceramic and all three have a very broad date range (Table 2.52).

Table 2.52: Ceramic types in drain fill 8080 (Phase 6.3). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1


1

salt gl stw penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

3

57

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2.4.4.3 Levelling fills (Phase 6.4) Phase 6.4 contexts were a series of levelling fills laid down across the site following the bulk reclamation in the 1840s (see Phase 5). These fills were introduced to facilitate the use of broad areas as navigable yard surfaces and ground preparation for structures and paving.19 The levelling fills tended to be of similar depth or thickness across the site. Thirteen of the levelling fills contained ceramics and they are discussed together. Some of the levelling fills were more artefact rich than others and this is also reflected in the ceramic category, especially in fill 7991 with 59 ceramics, just over half of the total number of ceramics found in the 13 fills (Table 2.53).

Table 2.53: Ceramics in levelling fills (Phase 6.4), Area 7. Context Items %

7963 2 1.8

7964 3 2.6

7979 5 4.4

7991 59 52.6

7993 7 6.2

7994 3 2.6

8009 1 1

8013 4 3.5

8018 1 1

8063 3 2.6

8066 2 1.8

8260 8 7.1

8267 14 12.5

112 99.7

Twenty-one decorative types were identified within the 13 levelling fills and all have long manufacturing date ranges. The range of decorative types are generally associated with deposition from the mid 19th century, and have a wide range of decorative styles on a variety of shapes (Table 2.54). Transfer printing is the largest decorative type from the levelling fills, with the blue transfer printing found on 35 items (31.2%). The development of transfer printing introduced a seemingly endless variety of patterns to choose from, available in matching pieces in a wide variety of shapes and, as the 19th century progressed, in a wide range of colours as evidenced here. A total of 63 ceramics, representing over half the assemblage (56.2%), featured transfer printing in a variety of colours (blue, black, brown, green and purple) and finishes (pearlware and flow). The 112 ceramics contained within the 13 levelling fills are generally indicative of household waste, with the shapes all associated with domestic-related activities, notably with food and its serving, storage and consumption. The 13 identified shapes found on 81 ceramic items (72.3%), include: platter (4), saucer (13), bowl (2), lid (1), plate (29), small plate (5), dish (2), cup (7), bottle (10), egg cup (2), jar (4), poe (1) and ink bottle (1). Thirty-one items remained unidentified because of their small sherd size (27.6%). Four of the ceramics feature manufacturing marks, in levelling fills 7991 and 7994. The four items include three salt-glazed stoneware bottles and one Bristol-glazed stoneware jar made in Scotland and England. The impressed makers’ marks indicate that the levelling fills, if occurring in the one depositional episode, happened post-1866, towards the end of Phase 6 or the beginning of Phase 7 (Table 2.55).

19

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Table 2.54: Ceramic types found in the levelling fills (Phase 6.4), Area 7. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

7963 bltp few platter UK 1838 1861 1

grntp few unid UK 1830

1

7964 bl hp chinese

porc saucer China 1790

1


1

unid UK 1830

1

7979 bl hp chinese

porc bowl China 1790

1

unid China 1790

1

bltp few unid UK 1830

1

lead gl few lid Aus 1790

1

7979 wgl bc unid UK 1800

1

7991 bl flow few unid UK 1830 1930 1


unid UK 1830 1930 1

blktp few plate-small UK 1830

1

bltp few dish UK 1810

1

UK 1858 1937 1

plate UK 1810

4

UK 1830

1

UK 1850

1

UK 1858 1937 1

platter UK 1858 1937 1

unid UK 1810

2

UK 1830

2

svfew unid UK 1845

1

bltp pearl few unid UK 1800 1870 1

brntp few plate UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1


1

unid UK 1830

1

ppl flow few plate UK 1860 1930 1

ppl tp few cup UK 1860

1

plate UK 1860

1

UK 1870 1880 1

plate-small UK 1861

1

saucer UK 1860

1

unid UK 1830

1

7991 rock gl few unid UK/Aus 1796 1900 1

salt gl stw btl Scot 1866 1929 1

UK/Aus 1830 1930 5

sponge few saucer UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

sprigg bc plate-small UK 1830 1920 1

saucer UK 1830 1920 2

unid UK 1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK 1800

2

egg cup UK 1800

2

unid UK 1800

2

svfew unid UK 1840

1

ww few jar UK 1830

1

plate UK 1830

4

saucer UK 1830

2

unid UK 1830

1

7993 annular few bowl UK/USA/France 1830 1930 1

bl hp

chinese porc

unid China 1790

1

bl flow few unid UK 1830 1930 1


1

plate-small UK 1810

1

plate UK 1830

1

59

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unid UK 1830

1

7994 bristol gl stw jar UK 1835 1858 1

salt gl stw btl Scot 1866 1929 1

ink btl UK 1833 1861 1

8009 ww few jar UK 1830

1


1

grntp few saucer UK 1845 1868 1

wgl bc saucer UK 1800

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1


8063 grntp few plate Scot 1830 1865 1

ppl tp few cup UK 1842 1858 1

saucer UK 1830

1

8066 blk flow few plate UK 1830 1930 1



1


1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

brntp few platter UK 1830

1


wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

ww few cup UK 1830

1

8267 bl flow few plate,small UK 1830 1930 1


unid UK 1830 1930 1


2

poe UK 1830

1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

2

cream w few jar UK 1780 1900 1



sprigg bc saucer UK 1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

112

Table 2.55: Basemarked ceramics in levelling fills 7991 and 7994. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

7991 58185 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘4’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1

7994 58186 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘6’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1


Imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘VITEROUS STONE BOTTLE BY’ / ‘WARRANTED NOT TO ABSORB’ / ‘J. BOURNE’ / ‘PATENTEE’ / (DE)NBY & CODNOR (PARK)’ / ‘NEAR DERBY’.

1833 1861 1


2 Imp marks on ext bd - 1) ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’. 2) ‘HILL & JONES’ / ‘…ewry St Alitgate’ / ‘LONDON’.

1835 1858 1

4

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Table 2.56: Identified patterns found in the levelling fills (Phase 6.4). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

7963 bltp few platter UK Palestine 1838 1861 1


1

7991 bltp few dish UK Albion 1858 1937 1

plate

1

platter

1

plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

Eton College 1830

1

svfew unid UK Rhine 1845

1

few dish UK W3 1810

1

plate

4

unid

2

ppl tp few cup UK Queensland 1860

1

plate

Brooklyn 1870 1880 1

plate-small

Clyde 1861

1


1

plate-small

1


1

grntp

saucer

Venetian 1845 1868 1

8063 ppl tp few cup UK Spangle 1842 1858 1

grntp

plate Scot Sydney 1830 1865 1


1


2

unid

1

28

Eight of the levelling fills featured identified ceramic patterns, with 12 patterns 28 items. These 12 patterns are all transfer printed and occur in blue, green and purple (Table 2.56). Six of the blue transfer printed patterns are on 22 items, including ‘Palestine’ (1), ‘Willow’ (15), ‘Albion’ (3), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (1), ‘Eton College’ (1), and ‘Rhine’. Two of the transfer-printed patterns are in green, ‘Venetian’ (1) and ‘Sydney’ (1), and four are in purple, ‘Queensland’ (1), ‘Brooklyn’ (1), ‘Clyde’ (1) and ‘Spangle’ (1). These transfer-printed patterns are all commonly found on Sydney historical excavations and in deposits generally dating from the mid 19th century. Three of the purple transfer-printed patterns have post-1860 dates suggesting, like the marked stonewares discussed above, that the levelling fills occurred towards the end of Phase 6 or the beginning of Phase 7 (Figure 14). The ‘Clyde’ pattern was registered on 7 March 1861 by Turner and Tomkinson, Victoria Works, Tunstall (#59779), the ‘Queensland’ pattern features a geometric design of a style popular from c.1860+ (#59778), and the ‘Brooklyn’ pattern is attributed to Skinner & Walker, Stafford Pottery, dating between c.1870 to 1880s (#59777).20 The presence of the commonly found blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern, dating 1858 to 1937, also indicates a later deposition.

20

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Figure 14: Identified purple transfer-printed patterns of post-1860 date. Left to right: Clyde pattern (#59779), Queensland pattern (#59778) and Brooklyn pattern (#59777). Scale graduations 1cm.

2.4.4.4 Fireplace (Phase 6.5) Phase 6.5 relates to the construction of a sandstone cottage to the south of the property (8098). It is not known who built the house however it was probably occupied by a Mister Hughes junior during the 1850s. The initial construction of the building may have followed the last phase of reclamation fairly quickly, and as no evidence for a cut or a foundation trench for the footings were found, it is likely the house was constructed directly on top of these levelling fills. Remains were found of a possible fireplace base (8107) in the southeast corner of the western room. It was built of roughly dressed sandstone blocks and a sandstone crushed packing (8108). It was within this sandstone packing that a single ceramic item was found, a salt-glazed stoneware bottle body sherd dating between the c.1830s to 1930s (#58215). 2.4.5 Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential, Industrial and Commercial Activity The 1860s onwards saw a period of intense commercial development and the continued occupation of existing buildings and by 1865 several new buildings had been erected on the portion occupied as Murphy expanding the coal, lime and wood company, including a structure abutting the stone cottage. On the northern property boundary structures previously associated with the tenancy of the soap and candle works continued to be used and expanded by subsequent tenants. This period of commercial activity resulted in the restructuring of the allotment configuration and by 1880 occupancy and use of the area on the northern portion of the property was divided between the Biggs’ Iron Foundry to the east and the Fresh Food and Ice Company to the west. The Fresh Food and Ice Company leased an L-shaped allotment encompassing street frontage at 14-18 Liverpool Street to the northern boundary and down to the waterfront and wharfage. From the 1880s to the 1900s the Fresh Food and Ice Company dominated the use of the property lying within the excavated zone utilizing the area to accommodate cart sheds, stables and yards. Several long and narrow structures were erected on the western portion of the property resulting in the modification or demolition of the sandstone cottage. The extant buildings to the north were used as sheds and stables and a large proportion of the property straddling the previous east-west allotment boundary was likely to have been used as open yard areas. Murphy’s Wharf and the western portion of the southern allotment were leased by the Murphy family to various timber and

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lime merchants during the 1880s until Bernard Byrnes Ltd gained the lease in 1898 and the wharf was renamed Byrnes Wharf.21 Phase 7 was identified archaeologically as: occupation fills and demolition deposits associated with the 1850s buildings; yard surfaces with paving; a cesspit; industrial levelling fills and activities associated with Biggs’ Foundry; and constructional phases of the 1860s and 1880s related to stables, sheds, yards and outhouses. Ceramics came from 39 contexts in Phase 7, a total 779 items (1,620 sherds) (Table 2.57).


7927 34 4.3

7928 118 15.1

7937 7 1

7943 13 1.6

7950 22 3

7952 3 0.4

7953 7 1

7954 5 0.6

7959 6 0.7

7981 7 1

7987 125 16

8004 9 1.1

8037 28 3.6

8043 22 3

8087 1 0.1

8097 2 0.2

8099 12 1.5

8233 15 1.9

8235 35 4.5

8240 9 1.1

8256 13 1.6

8257 22 3

8262 9 1.1

8285 6 0.7

8293 52 6.6

8295 33 4.2

8297 5 0.6

8300 12 1.5

8303 6 0.7

8308 9 1.1

8310 4 0.5

8311 13 1.6

8313 9 1.1

8321 2 0.2

8323 3 0.4

8325 1 0.1

8326 4 0.5

8330 63 8.1

8345 33 4.2

779 99.5

21

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Phase 7 was divided into the following chronological sub-phases:

7.1 Post-1850s occupation, yards etc.

7.2 1860s–1880s construction

7.3 Post-1880s-1900 levelling fills and industrial/commercial activity.22 2.4.5.1 Phase 7.1 Phase 7.1 contexts were associated with the occupation and demolition of the sandstone cottage (8098); yard surfaces, occupation levels, cesspit and structures to the north of the cottage; sheds, wooden structures, yard surfaces and dumps adjacent to the northern boundary fence (8247); and various other occupation, paving surfaces and demolition fills. Sixteen contexts with 387 ceramics were in Phase 7.1 (Table 2.58).

Table 2.58: Contexts containing ceramics associated with Phase 7.1. Context Items %

7937 7 1.8

7952 3 0.8

7953 7 1.8

7959 6 1.5

7981 7 1.8

7987 125 32.3

8004 9 2.3

8037 28 7.2

8043 22 5.7

8087 1 0.2

8099 12 3.1

8262 9 2.3

8293 52 13.4

8326 4 1.0

8330 63 16.3

8345 32 8.2

387 99.7

Sandstone cottage The sandstone cottage (8098) was constructed in the 1840s, with its occupation and use spanning many years, eventually ending with its remodelling and then demolition in the 1860s to 1870s. Excavation of the interior of the building revealed occupation deposits as well as evidence of the demolition or decay of the wooden floor. Two contexts within the east room may represent underfloor occupation (7981, 8004), whereas deposits in the west room were rather mixed, with one deposit a combination of a clay levelling fill, a possible occupation deposit and a demolition layer (8114). Occupation deposits in east and west rooms The two occupation deposits in the east room contained just 16 ceramics in total, with nine in context 8004 and seven in context 7981 (Table 2.59). The lowest deposit was 8004; a grey sandy deposit with occasional sandstone fragments, ironstone and charcoal flecks, and is likely to represent the earliest surviving occupation evidence for this room. It is thought that this deposit was disturbed and mixed with construction or demolition materials. Overlying this deposit was 7981, a mid grey silty sand deposit. This deposit is likely to represent the last of the occupation levels within the structure before the collapse of the flooring. The ceramics from these two occupation deposits are typically found in contexts dating from the mid 19th century. The nine decorative types, annular ware, blue, green and purple transfer printing, sponge ware, white-glazed, whiteware, purple flow and sprigged, are on shapes generally 22

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associated with household activities within the domestic sphere. These shapes include ewer, washbasins, plates, saucers and cup.

Table 2.59: Ceramic types from the occupation deposits within the east room (Phase 7.1).


8004 annular few unid UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1

bltp few ewer UK Rousillon 1846

1

few plate UK

1830

1

grntp few wash basin UK Peruvian Horse Hunt 1853

1

ppl tp few plate UK

1830

1

sponge few saucer UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 2

8004 wgl bc saucer UK

1800

1

ww few saucer UK

1830

1

7981 bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 2

unid UK

1830

1

grntp few wash basin UK

1830

1

ppl flow few plate UK

1860 1930 1


1840 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 1

16

Three transfer-printed patterns on four items indicate the date of deposition being post-1850. The blue transfer-printed ‘Rousillon’ pattern was registered on 16 December 1846 by John Goodwin, Longton (#59813); the green transfer-printed ‘Peruvian Horse Hunt’ pattern was registered on 8 August 1853 by Anthony Shaw, Tunstall (#59814); and the blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern is attributed to Sampson Hancock and Sons, dating between 1858 to 1937 (#59610, #59611). In the west room the lowest deposit excavated was a grey clay (8114) likely to represent a mixture of the last of the levelling fills below the cottage and the interface with an upper deposit thought to represent the post occupation/demolition phase of the cottage (8099). No ceramics were found in context 8114. Post occupation/demolition deposits in east and west rooms Both the east and west rooms have deposits relating to the post occupation/demolition of the cottage. In the east room context 7953 consisted of moderately compacted and friable black clayey silt with high concentrations of charcoal and moderate frequency of oxidized iron /slag. The deposit had a depth of between 50mm to 150mm and featured a high frequency of worked timber floorboards, possible joists, leather halters, bridles and belts. In the west room deposit 8099 featured similar characteristics to that of context 7953 and is likely to represent the same period. Context 8099 was a very dark grey/black humic deposit with silt, soot and clay inclusions had a depth of 60mm to 90mm and contained floorboards, textiles, glass, ceramics, nails and sandstock brick fragments. Deposits 7953 and 8099 relate to a period of reuse and then demolition of the cottage, where the degraded flooring was replaced by an industrial fill and by 1880 the cottage had been remodelled and re-established as a large cart horse shed. The two deposits contained just 19 ceramics, with seven in 7953 (east room) and 12 in 8099 (west room). Once again the ceramics contained in these two deposits are typically found in contexts dating from the mid 19th century. The seven decorative types, gilded, salt-glazed, white-glazed, blue transfer print, green transfer print, hand painted and sprigged, are on shapes generally identified with domestic activities. These shapes include: cups, egg cup, blacking bottle, bottle, stout bottles, jar, plate, platter, small plate and saucer (Table 2.60).

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Table 2.60: Ceramic types in deposits 7953 and 8099 (Phase 7.1). Context Decoration Shape Fabric Country From To Items

7953 gild cup bc UK 1850

1

egg cup

UK 1850

1

salt gl black bottle stw UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

stout btl

UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

btl

UK 1858 1956 1

wgl jar svfew UK 1840

1

7953 wgl unid svfew UK 1840

1

8099 bltp plate few UK 1830

1

platter few UK 1830

1

grntp unid few UK 1830

1

hp cup few UK 1830

1

svfew UK 1840

2

salt gl stout btl stw Scot 1866 1929 2

stw UK/Aus 1830 1930 2

sprigg plate-small bc UK 1830 1820 1

wgl saucer bc UK 1800

1

19

No ceramic patterns were identified in this small assemblage however three of the salt-glazed stoneware bottles did feature manufacturers’ marks. The three bottles all date from the second half of the 19th century and continued to be manufactured well on into the 20th century. The three bottles were also imported, one from England (#58165) and two from Scotland (#58213, #58214) (Table 2.61). Table 2.61: Basemarked ceramics in deposits 7953 and 8099 (Phase 7.1).

Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items


1858 1956 1

8099 58213 stout btl salt gl Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1

8099 58214 stout btl salt gl Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENNEDY)’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘GLASG(OW)’.

1866 1929 1

3

Verandah The cottage had a verandah to the north, extending the length of its longest side. The verandah was probably of timber construction and evidence of occupation was from two artefact-rich underfloor deposits, context 8043 and 7987. Context 8043 was a brown sandy deposit directly overlaid onto levelling fills and abutted the north wall of the cottage. The deposit measured 1.5m in width, 9.2m in length and 80mm in depth and was identified as the lowest level of verandah occupation-related material. Above 8043 was a similar sandy deposit but with a higher density of artefacts (7987). Context 7987 measured 700mm in width, 1.5m in length and 250mm in depth. In context 8043 were 22 ceramics while context 7987 had 125 ceramic items. Because these two contexts were both identified as occupation deposits underneath the verandah they are discussed together (Table 2.62).

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Table 2.62: Variety of ceramic decorations, fabrics, shapes and countries of manufacture found in the under verandah occupation deposits 8043 and 7987 (Phase 7.1), Area 7.

Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

8043 bl flow few plate UK 1830 1930 1


2

1858 1937 1

1850

1

platter UK 1810

1

unid

1830

2

bristol gl stw jar UK/Aus 1835

1

brntp few unid UK 1830

1

gild bc cup UK 1850

1


1

lead gl few unid Aus 1790

1

mou ww few figurine UK 1830

1


cont UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

8043 ppl tp few plate UK 1860

1

sprigg bc unid

1830 1920 1

wgl bc egg cup UK 1800

1

plate-small

1800

1

wgl mou svfew cup UK 1840

1

ww few unid

1830

1


saucer

1830 1930 1

unid

1830 1930 2


saucer

1830 1930 1

unid

1830 1930 1

blktp few plate UK 1845

1

1897 1904 1


5

1829 1861 1

1830

7

1840

1

1851 1893 1

1858 1937 3

plate-small UK 1810

1

platter UK 1810

3

1858 1937 1

saucer UK 1860

1

tureen Scot 1810

1

UK 1816 1865 1

wash basin UK 1830

1

unid UK 1810

2

1830

2

svfew breakfast cup UK 1845

1

svfew saucer

1845

1

unid

1840

1


2

brntp few breakfast cup UK 1830

1

Scot 1830 1865 1

cup UK 1830

1

1860

1

plate UK 1830

2

1870 1880 1

plate-small UK 1830

1

7987 brntp few saucer

1830

1

cream w few unid UK 1780 1900 1

gild bc egg cup UK 1850

1

plate-small

1850

1

saucer

1850

3

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gilded, mou svfew figurine UK 1840

1


1

plate UK 1845

1

1860

1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

2

svfew cup UK 1840

1


1

mou hp bc vase UK 1800

1

svfew figurine

1840

1

ppl tp few cup UK 1860

1

plate UK 1860

2

1861

1

1870 1880 1

saucer UK 1830

1

1842 1858 1

1860

1

svfew cup UK 1840

1

plate

1860

1

rock gl few teapot UK/Aus 1796 1900 1


btl

1830 1930 3

selfslip cew unid Aus 1790

1

sponge few cup UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

plate

1840 1930 1

saucer

1840 1930 3

sprigg bc breakfast cup UK 1830 1920 1

cup

1830 1920 2

saucer

1830 1920 2

wgl bc cup UK 1800

2

plate-small

1800

1

saucer

1800

2

unid

1800

2

svfew coffee can UK 1840

1

unid

1840

2

wgl mou svfew figurine UK 1840

1

ww few cup UK 1830

2

ointment/toothpaste

jar 1830

1

plate

1830

4

poe

1830

2

saucer

1830

1

unid

1830

2

147

Overall these 147 ceramics from below the verandah are similar to the eastern room occupation deposits (8004, 7981) and the deposits relating to the post-occupation/demolition deposits in both the eastern (7953) and western (8099) rooms (Tables 2.59, 2.60, 2.62), but found in a larger quantity. The verandah ceramics are all types typically found in deposits generally dating from the mid 19th century. The broad range of decorative ceramic types (22) found in these two below verandah occupation-related deposits, are indicative of the wide variety of wares that increasingly became available as the 19th century progressed (Table 2.62). The 22 decorative types include black flow, black transfer print, blue flow, blue transfer print, bristol glaze, brown transfer print, creamware, gilded, gilded and moulded, green transfer print, lead glaze, moulded and handpainted, moulded whiteware, purple transfer print, Rockingham glaze, salt glaze, self-slipped, sprigged, sponge ware, white glaze (bone china and semi-vitreous fine earthenware), white-glazed and moulded, and whiteware. The singularly most dominant decorative type is that of blue transfer print, identified on 41 individual

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items and representing just over a quarter of the assemblage (27.9%). Transfer printing was on 83 items, in black (2), blue (41), brown (10), green (8), purple (11), black flow (4) and blue flow (7), representing over half of the collection (56.4%). The range of decorative wares is indicative of the domination the United Kingdom ceramic industry achieved on the worldwide ceramic marketplace as a whole during the course of the 19th century. The wide range of decorative styles, available in a wide variety of shapes and with price ranges to suit all budgets, meant that the imported United Kingdom ceramics so effectively dominated the field that early locally produced ceramics, such as the lead-glazed and self-slipped wares, along with imported ceramics from China, were no longer able to maintain their competitiveness within this market of mass production and accessibility to goods as the 19th century advanced. No Chinese ceramics were found in these verandah deposits and only two locally made coarse earthenware vessels were found, one a lead-glazed unidentified body sherd (#58690) and the other a self-slipped unidentified body sherd (#58689). The ceramics manufactured in the United Kingdom, 128 items or 87.1 per cent of the verandah assemblage. The 12 items identified as being manufactured in the United Kingdom/Australia are eight salt-glazed stonewares (#58172-#58177; #58197, #58198) and three bristol-glazed stonewares (#58178, #58179, #58196). None of these had identifying manufacturer marks to indicate definite country of origin, as well as a Rockingham glazed earthenware teapot (#59630) which could have been made in the United Kingdom or Australia. Two items identified as being manufactured in Scotland included a blue transfer-printed ‘Peacock’ pattern tureen (#59734) and a brown transfer-printed ‘Corsina’ pattern breakfast cup (#59695), both attributed to the Glasgow potter John Thomson. The five items identified as being manufactured in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe were all sponge wares (cup, plate, saucers), again with no identifying manufacturer marks (#59663-#59667). The range of ceramic shapes was mostly associated with domestic household activities. These 19 shapes, represented by 121 items, cover a spectrum of household-related fields, including food serving (platters, tureens), consumption (breakfast cups, coffee can, cups, egg cups, plates, saucers, small plates, teapot) and storage (bottles, container, jars), through to household ornamentation (figurines, vase) and maintenance (blacking bottles), as well as personal hygiene (ointment/toothpaste jar, poes, wash basin). Twenty-six items were catalogued as unidentified because of their small sherd size. A number of the above identified shapes also feature known ceramic patterns, all transfer printed and on 44 individual items (Table 2.63). These 44 items had 20 different patterns, in black (2), blue (31), brown (3), green (1), and purple transfer print (6), as well as in blue flow transfer print (1). Blue is by far the most dominant colour, with 31 items or 70.4 per cent of the recognised patterns. The majority of the identified patterns occur on items associated with the serving and consumption of food: plates (27), platters (5), saucers (4), tureens (2), breakfast cups (2) and small plates (1). The remaining three items were a washbasin (1) associated with health and hygiene and unidentified (2). Most of the 20 identified transfer-printed patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations and in deposits generally dating from the mid 19th century. The most common patterns include: ‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Cable’, ‘Ceres’, ‘Clyde’, ‘Corsina’, ‘Eton College’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Floralia’, ‘Fountain Scenery’, ‘Gem’, ‘Peacock’, ‘Rhine’, ‘Wild Rose’, and ‘Willow’. The sandstone cottage was constructed in the 1840s, with its occupation and use spanning many years, eventually ending with its remodelling and demolition in the 1860s to 1870s. By 1880 the cottage had been remodelled and rebuilt as a large cart horse shed. The deposits under the verandah may include items from this later period as a few of the identified patterns have post-

69

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1860 dates, including the ‘Cable’, ‘Clyde’, ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Queensland’ patterns. The presence of blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern, dating 1858 to 1937, may also indicate a later deposition. One pattern in particular appears to have a far later date than any of the others, and if correct would suggest that it came from the time the building was a cart horse shed. The black transfer-printed ‘Ceres’ pattern plate is attributed to the Pilkington Tile & Pottery Co., Lancashire (#59677) and dates between 1897 to 1904.23 Only two ceramics from beneath the verandah featured basemarks, both from deposit 7987. At time of writing the manufacturers of both items had not been identified (Table 2.64, (Figures 15, 16).

Table 2.63: Identified patterns in the verandah occupation deposits 8043 and 7987 (Phase 7.1). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

Floralia 1830

1

platter UK W3 1810

1

ppl tp few plate UK Cable 1860

1

7987 bl flow few plate UK Macassor 1830 1930 1

blktp few plate UK Ceres 1897 1904 1

UK Rhine 1845

1

UK Albion 1858 1937 3

UK Columbia 1840

1

UK Eton College 1830

2

UK Floralia 1830

2

UK Fountain Scenery 1829 1861 1

UK Gem 1851 1893 1

UK W3 1810

5

bltp few plate-small UK W3 1810

1

platter UK Albion 1858 1937 1

W3 1810

3

tureen Scot Peacock 1816 1865 1

UK W3 1810

1

wash basin UK Wild Rose 1830

1

unid UK W3 1810

2

svfew breakfast cup UK Rhine 1845

1

saucer UK Rhine 1845

1

brntp few breakfast cup Scot Corsina 1830 1865 1

plate UK Brooklyn 1870 1880 1


1

grntp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1


1

UK Clyde 1861

1

UK Brooklyn 1870 1880 1

saucer UK Queensland 1860

1

UK Spangle 1842 1858 1

44

Table 2.64: Basemarked ceramics in deposit 7987 (Phase 7.1).


7987 59724 platter bltp TP mark on ext rim - ‘WARRANTED’/ ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / L.B & C’; initials unknown.

? ? 1

59744 saucer ppl tp

TP basemark - ‘QUEENSLAND’ in an oval beaded cartouche; maker unknown.

1860

1

2

23

Erskine 2003:37

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Figure 15: Blue transfer-printed basemark with initials ‘L.B & C’. Unknown manufacturer. Scale graduations 1cm. Figure 16: Purple transfer-printed basemark ‘QUEENSLAND’ pattern name. Unknown manufacturer. Scale graduations 1cm.

Trough To the north of the sandstone cottage was a wood-lined feature which may have been used as some form of trough (7941).24 Within it was a dark grey silty deposit between 400 to 500mm deep (7937). This deposit, which overlay a base of gravel with sandstock brick inclusions, contained just seven ceramics (Table 2.65). Three decorative types are generally dated from the 1830s onwards. No basemarks were remaining and just one identified ceramic pattern was found, the ever ubiquitous blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern (#59513).

Table 2.65: Ceramic types in deposit 7937 (Phase 7.1). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bltp few plate UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

mou ww few ladle UK

1830

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

7

24

Dusting 2009:77

71

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Cesspit An unlined rectangular cesspit (8036) was heavily impacted upon by a modern machine trench and a 1980s concrete pile. The cesspit had a depth of 450 to 850mm and contained two fills, 8037 and 8044. Context 8037 was the lower fill of dark clayey silt and many artefacts, only 28 of which were ceramics. Towards the base the fill became more cess-like and contained fewer artefacts. The upper fill, 8044, was a coarse gravel containing no ceramics and it is possible that this was industrial backfill. It is likely that the cesspit was associated with the sandstone cottage (8098) and was backfilled during a later period when the sewer had been connected.25 The cesspit fill 8037 contained 28 ceramics, all of which are generally indicative of the types typically found in deposits dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.66).

Table 2.66: Ceramic types in the cesspit fill 8037 (Phase 7.1). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

annular svfew bowl UK/USA/France

1840 1930 1

banded few cup UK

1860

1

saucer UK

1860

2

bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1

blktp few ointment jar UK

1839 1880 1

plate-small UK

1830

1

bltp few egg cup UK W3 1810

1

plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1


1

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1


unid UK

1800 1870 1

bristol gl stw jar UK/Aus

1835

1

brntp few cup UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1780 1860 2

gl mou few jug UK

1842 1867 1 hp few vase Europe

1850

1

ppl tp few plate-small UK Clyde 1861

1

redtp few saucer UK

1830

1 salt gl stw btl Aus

1917

1

sponge few saucer UK/USA/France

1840 1930 1

wgl bc egg cup UK

1800

1

svfew jug UK

1840

1

ww few bowl UK

1830

1

28

Overall the ceramic shapes found in the cesspit fill are associated with household activities. There were 24 items with 11 identified shapes which cover a range of domestic-related fields, including the serving, consumption and storage of food (jugs, plates, egg cups, small plates, saucers, cups, bowls, jar and ginger beer bottle), household ornamentation (vase), and medicinal (ointment jar). Just four items were catalogued as unidentified because of their small sherd size. The range of decorative ceramic types identified here are typical of the wide variety available on during the later 19th century (Figure 17). These 17 decorative wares include annular,26 banded, blue flow, black transfer print, blue transfer print, blue transfer-printed pearlware, bristol glaze, brown transfer print, edgeware pearlware, glazed and moulded, handpainted, purple transfer print, red transfer print, salt glaze, sponge ware and white glaze (bone china and semi-vitreous fine earthenware). Transfer printing is the most frequent decorative method and was found on 14 items, in black (2), blue (5), blue pearlware (2), brown (2), purple (1), red (1) and blue flow (1).

25

Dusting 2009:78 26

Also known as factory made slip wares.

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Figure 17: Ceramics in cesspit fill 8037, Gallery2, 10cm scale. A few of the transfer-printed items had identified patterns, with four patterns on six individual items. The four patterns are all commonly recognised on Sydney historical excavations and in deposits generally dating from the mid 19th century, including ‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Clyde’ and ‘Willow’ pattern. The sandstone cottage that this cesspit is believed to be associated with was constructed in the 1840s, with its occupation and use spanning many years, eventually ending with its remodelling and then demolition in the 1860s to 1870s. By 1880 the cottage had evidently been remodelled and re-established as a large cart horse shed. Overall the patterns in the cesspit fill suggest a post-1860 deposition, especially the ‘Albion’ and ‘Clyde’ patterns. The presence of the three banded ware items, also dating from c.1860+, supports this (#59846-#59848). There was only one item thought to be of local manufacture, a salt-glazed stoneware ginger beer bottle featuring a basemark dating from 1917, ‘R. Fowler’ (Table 2.67, Figure 18).

Table 2.67: Basemarked ceramics in cesspit fill 8037 (Phase 7.1). Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

59854 jug gl mou Basemark features wheat motif with embossed registration diamond of the type used during 1842-1867 (letter for year is illegible).

1842 1867 1

58195 ginger beer btl salt gl

2 marks on ext bd. 1) Blk TP mark - ‘STARKEYS’ / a 5-pointed star and a key / ‘BREWED GINGER BEER’. 2) Imp oval mark - ‘R. FOWLER’ / ‘1917’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1917

1

2

This cesspit fill also had one ceramic with conjoins with sherds from another context in Area 7. Five sherds from a black sponged saucer, dating between the 1840s and 1930s (#59850), joined with eight sherds in context 7986 (#59628), a machined mix of reclamation fills identified with Phase 5.3. The presence of this conjoin in a context of mixed reclamation fills, coupled with a basemarked item dating from 1917, suggests that the cesspit fill was disturbed. This is not surprising given that the cesspit was heavily impacted upon by a modern machine trench and a 1980s pile.

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Figure 18: Salt-glazed stoneware ginger beer bottle manufactured by Robert Fowler, Sydney in 1917. Scale graduations 1cm.

Occupation fills overlying yard surfaces Some occupation fills overlying yard surfaces were revealed in test pits (TT2 and TT3). Context 7959, in TT2, was a fill present in the eastern end of the test trench and may represent a levelling fill within a depression. Just six ceramics were found in this context (#59593-#59598). Overlying 7959 was fill 7952, a black silty soil stained with coal and oil contaminates. This fill extended the full length of TT2 and contained just three ceramics (#59577-#59579) (Table 2.68). Context 8087 was a deposit of charcoal rich gritty sand with a high concentration of oyster shells found in TT3. This contained just one ceramic, a blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern plate, dating from c.1810+ (#59898).

Table 2.68: Ceramic types in fills 7959 and 7952 (Phase 7.1). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

7959 bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1 brntp few cup UK Fibre 1830

1

rock gl few teapot UK/Aus

1796 1900 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

svfew jar UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

1


1

7952 rock gl few unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 1 wgl svfew cup UK

1840

1

9

Yard surfaces Yard surfaces (8247) were found in the area adjacent to the northern boundary fence. These surfaces, including an extensive compacted sandy deposit overlying the clay levelling fills, were found in a test pit (TT17) and up to 3m to the south of the fence. This deposit was given two context numbers, 8262 in TT17 and 8293 in the broader area, and had a depth of between 100mm to 120mm. The yard surface was also interrupted by a dump (8329) close to the boundary fence at the eastern end.27 Context 8262 contained nine ceramics and context 8293 had 52 and these are discussed together as they are from the same deposit (Table 2.69).

27

Dusting 2009:82

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Table 2.69: Ceramic types in yard surface 8262 and 8293 (Phase 7.1). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8262 bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

2

salt gl stw btl Aus

1850 1860 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

ww few saucer UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 2

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

svfew breakfast cup UK

1840 1930 1

bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1

UK W3 1810

3

platter Scot Corsina 1816 1865 1

UK Gem 1851 1893 1

UK W3 1810

3

saucer UK

1830

1

few unid UK W3 1810

1

UK

1830

1

svfew unid UK W3 1840

1

UK

1840

1

bristol gl stw jar UK

1835 1858 1

UK/Aus

1835

1

brntp few saucer UK

1860

1

glazed svfew cup UK

1840

1

grntp svfew unid UK Rhine 1845

1

lead gl few unid Aus

1790

1

ppl tp few Unid UK

1830

1

redtp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 3

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 7

selfslip cew unid Aus

1790

1


1840 1930 1

sprigg bc

UK

1830 1920 2

wgl bc saucer UK

1800

2

unid UK

1800

1

svfew plate UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

1

ww few cup UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

61

The yard surface contained 61 ceramics and they are indicative of assemblages dating from the mid 19th century. The 16 decorative types include black flow (3), blue flow (5), blue transfer print (18), bristol glaze (2), brown transfer print (1), glazed (1), green transfer print (1), lead glaze (1), purple transfer print (1), red transfer print (1), salt glaze (10), self slip (1), sponge ware (1), sprigged (2), white glaze (5, bone china and semi-vitreous fine earthenware) and whiteware (3). Transfer printing is the main decorative method, on 31 items, in blue (18), brown (1), green (1), purple (1), red (1), black flow (3) and blue flow (6), representing half the assemblage (50.8%). Of the 31 items with transfer printing 13 had five identified patterns. These five patterns are regularly found on Sydney historical excavations in deposits dating from the mid 19th century. Patters are ‘Albion’ (1), ‘Corsina’ (1), ‘Gem’ (1), ‘Rhine’ (1) and ‘Willow’ (9). All but one are blue transfer print, the exception is a green ‘Rhine’ pattern.

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Household-related activities in the yard surface deposit are indicated by ten shapes found in 45 items. These cover a range of domestic fields including serving, consumption and storage of food (platters, cups, plates, saucers, breakfast cup, jars, bottles and ginger beer bottles), household maintenance (blacking bottles), and clerical (penny ink bottle). Sixteen items were catalogued as unidentified because of their small sherd size. Only three items were identified as being locally made, a lead-glazed fine earthenware unidentified body sherd dating from c.1790+ (#58677), a self-slipped coarse earthenware unidentified body sherd also dating from c.1790+(#58678), and a salt-glazed stoneware ginger beer bottle made by the Sydney potter Thomas Field between the 1850s and 1860s (#57992). The ginger beer bottle was the only ceramic in the deposit to feature a basemark (Table 2.70).

Table 2.70: Basemarked ceramic in yard surface 8262 (Phase 7.1). Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

8262 57992 ginger beer

btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext. body - ‘T.FIELD’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

1

It should also be noted that four ceramics were incorrectly assigned to context 8326. This was the remains of a slab wall, probably belonging to a shed. The yard deposit 8262 had accumulated around this slab wall and the four ceramics should probably be part of that assemblage (Table 2.71).

Table 2.71: Ceramics assigned to the slab wall 8326 (Phase 7.1). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

salt gl stw btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

4

Dump in yard The yard surface discussed above was interrupted by a dump located close to the boundary fence. The dump (8329) was not clearly defined and may have extended further south. It may also just represent an accumulation of material between the fence and the slab walled structure mentioned above.28 The fill of this dump, context 8330, contained a range of artefacts including 63 ceramics (Table 2.72). These 63 ceramics were all indicative of a date from the mid 19th century. The 16 decorative types include blue flow, black flow, black transfer print, blue transfer print, blue transfer-printed pearlware, clobbered, glazed, lead glaze, moulded whiteware, purple transfer print, salt glaze, sprigged, white glaze (bone china, porcelain and semi-vitreous fine earthenware), white-glazed and moulded, whiteware and yellow ware. Once again transfer printing is the most dominant decorative method, on 37 items, occurring in blue (22), black (1) and purple (1), as well as in a number of finishes, pearlware (5), blue flow (5), black flow (2) and clobbered (1). These 37 transfer-printed items represent over half of the ceramic assemblage (58.7%) of this dump. The ceramics contained in the dump reflect an assemblage associated with household-related activities, with the 19 shapes in 55 items. These shapes cover a range of household activities including the preparation, serving, consumption and storage of food (crock, bowl, breakfast cups, cups, plates, saucers, small plates, sugar bowl lid, dish, lid, jugs, platters, bottles, container, ginger beer bottles, stout bottle and jar), personal hygiene (poe), and clerical (penny ink bottle). Eight items were catalogued as unidentified because of their small sherd size.

28

Dusting 2009:82

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Table 2.72: Ceramic types in dump fill 8330 (Phase 7.1). Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

bl flow few breakfast cup UK 1830 1930 1

cup UK 1830 1930 1

plate UK 1830 1930 1

saucer UK 1830 1930 1

unid UK 1830 1930 1

blk flow few plate Scot 1830 1865 1

svfew unid UK 1840 1930 1

blktp few saucer UK 1830

1


1

cup UK 1834 1859 1

jar Fra 1841 1895 1

plate UK 1828 1859 1

UK 1830

3

UK 1840

3

UK 1845 1853 1

UK 1845 1856 1

platter UK 1810

4

poe UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1841

1

sugar bowl lid UK 1810

1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

2

bltp pearl few dish UK 1810 1870 1

lid UK 1810 1870 1

plate UK 1810 1870 1


clobb few cup UK 1830

1

glazed svfew jug UK 1840

1

saucer UK 1840

1

lead gl cew crock UK 1790

1

few unid Aus 1790

1

mou ww few jug UK 1830

1 ppl tp few plate UK 1830

1

salt gl stw btl Aus 1850 1860 1

Aus 1854 1863 1

UK 1815 1858 1

UK/Aus 1830 1930 3

cont Aus 1835 1853 1

penny ink UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK 1830 1920 1

plate-small UK 1830 1920 2

wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

saucer UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1

wgl porc cup Ger 1844 1847 2


1

wgl mou svfew jug UK 1840

1

ww few cup UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1830

1

yellow ware few bowl UK/USA/Eur/Aus 1830

1

63

Only nine items were identified definitely as being manufactured in countries other than England, with four items also catalogued as having possible United Kingdom/Australia manufacture and one item being catalogued as having United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia manufacture. A black flow plate in the ‘Royal Rose’ pattern was attributed to the Scottish potter John Thomson, of Glasgow, dating between c.1830 to 1865 (#70015), a blue transfer-printed jar was manufactured in France, dating between c.1841 to 1895 (#70050) (Figure 19), two porcelain cups were manufactured in Germany, dating between c.1844 to 1847 (#70012, #70013) (Figure 20), and the

77

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five items identified as being manufactured locally included a coarse earthenware lead-glazed crock (#58683), an unidentified fine earthenware lead-glazed item (#58682), two marked stoneware bottles dating between 1854 to 1863 and 1850s to 1860s (58066, #58068), and a marked stoneware container dating between c.1835 to 1853 (#58069). The four items catalogued as having possible United Kingdom/Australia manufacture are all unmarked salt-glazed stoneware bottles, including a penny ink bottle (#58062), two unidentified bottles (#58063, #58065), and a ginger beer bottle (#58067). The one item with possible United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia manufacture was a yellow ware bowl (#59999). Eight ceramics found in the dump feature basemarks, of both local and overseas manufacture and support deposition occurring sometime in the second half of the 19th century (Table 2.73).

Table 2.73: Basemarked ceramics in dump fill 8330 (Phase 7.1).


8330 58064 btl salt gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’ / ‘LONDON’.

1815 1858 1

58066 btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘(E. FO)WLER’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYD(NEY)’.

1854 1863 1

58068 btl salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

58069 cont salt gl

Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘IRRAWANG’ / ‘*’ / ‘AUSTRALIA.’

1835 1853 1

70012 cup wgl

TP basemark - an eagle above the initials ‘KPM’; initials belong to the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin, Germany.

1844 1847 1

70013 cup wgl

TP basemark - an eagle; mark belongs to the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin, Germany.

1844 1847 1

70049 plate bltp

TP basemark: ‘GOTHA’ / ‘JH’ in ornate foliated scroll cartouche; initials probably that of Joseph Heath, Tunstall.

1845 1853 1

70050 jar bltp

TP basemark - 2 dragons framing ‘MEDAILLES D'OR’ / ‘L M & CIE’ / ‘1834-39-44 ET 49’, with ‘...MONTEREAU’ above and ‘PORCEL. OPAQUE’ below; initials belong to Leboeuf and Milliet, France

1841 1895 1

8

Nine transfer-printed patterns were identified in the dump, on 21 individual items (Table 2.74). The patterns are in black transfer print (1), blue transfer print (14), black flow (1) and blue transfer-printed pearlware (5). The majority of these patterns are regularly found on Sydney historical excavations, in particular the ‘Columbia’ (#70033-#70035), ‘Fibre’ (#70023), ‘Morea’ (#70030), ‘Royal Rose’ (#70015) and ‘Willow’ (#70036-#70046) patterns. All nine patterns, with just one exception, were made in the pottery centre of Staffordshire, England. The exception is the ‘Royal Rose’ pattern, attributed to John Thomson of Glasgow, Scotland (#70015). The ubiquitous ‘Willow’ and ‘Fibre’ patterns were made by numerous potteries and can be generally attributed to the Staffordshire area. ‘Amaranthine Flowers’ pattern was attributed to Edward Walley, Cobridge (#70032), the ‘Columbia’ pattern was first introduced by William Adams and Sons, Tunstall (#70033-#70035), the ‘Gotha’ pattern was made by Joseph Heath, Tunstall (#70049), ‘Morea’ pattern was attributed to Thomas Dimmock and Co, Hanley (#70030), ‘Spartan’ pattern was attributed to Podmore, Walker and Co, Tunstall (#70031), and the ‘Waverley’ pattern was attributed to Thomas Edwards, Burslem (#70047) (Figure 21).

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Table 2.74: Identified patterns in the dump fill 8330 (Phase 7.1).


bltp few plate UK Amaranthine Flowers 1845 1856 1

UK Columbia 1840

3

blktp few saucer UK Fibre 1830

1

bltp few plate UK Gotha 1845 1853 1

UK Morea 1828 1859 1

blk flow few plate Scot Royal Rose 1830 1865 1

bltp few cup UK Spartan 1834 1859 1

saucer UK Waverley 1841

1

platter UK W3 1810

4

sugar bowl lid UK

1810

1

unid UK

1810

1

bltp pearl few dish UK W3 1810 1870 1

lid UK

1810 1870 1

plate UK

1810 1870 1

platter UK

1810 1870 2

21

Figure 19: Black transfer-printed basemark manufactured by Leboeuf and Milliet, France (#70050). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 20: Blue transfer-printed basemark manufactured by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Berlin, Germany (#70012). Scale graduations 1cm.

79

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Figure 21: Nine transfer-printed patterns were identified in dump fill 8330. Back row (left to right): Amaranthine Flowers (#70032), Columbia (#70034), Fibre (70023); Middle row: Gotha (#70049), Morea (#70030), Royal Rose (#70015); Front row: Spartan (#70031), Waverley (#70047), Willow (#70039). Gallery2, 10cm scale.

Yard surface Context 8345 was a clay fill interpreted as a yard surface. It was formed from red and white clays which were littered heavily with ironstone and mixed with a sandy artefact rich deposit at the base. The yard surface was extensive, covering an area bounded to the west by a building (8224), to the north by the boundary fence (8247), to the east by a dry pressed brick wall (7973), with the south truncated by a 1980s machine cut. Beneath the clay crust the deposit was found to be densely packed with artefacts suggesting that the whole area had been filled with a spread of rubbish and then capped with a clay surface.29 This deposit contained 32 ceramics (Table 2.75). The ceramics from yard surface 8345 featured 14 individual decorative types and all have long manufacturing date ranges. The decorative types identified here include blue flow, blue handpainted Chinese porcelain, black flow, black transfer print, blue transfer print, brown transfer print, creamware, edgeware pearlware, gilded, plain pearlware, salt glaze, sponge ware, white glaze (bone china) and whiteware. Transfer printing is again the most dominant technique present, on 19 items, occurring in black (1), blue (13), brown (2) and in blue (2) and black flow (1). These 19 transfer-printed items represent over half of the surface assemblage (59.3%). Overall the decorative types found here are perhaps more indicative of a late Phase 6 deposit than a Phase 7, with the presence of a blue handpainted Chinese porcelain ginger jar (#58642), a creamware bowl (#70071) and unidentified base sherd (#70070), the two edgeware pearlware plates (#70075, #70076), the plain pearlware bowl (#70072), and the more restricted colours of transfer print more indicative of Phase 6 ceramic assemblages than those associated with Phase 7. The ceramics in this assemblage were associated with domestic refuse, with the 29 items having 12 shapes, all food-related and associated with its preparation, serving, consumption and storage. The preparation items were bowls (2), the serving items included a comport (1) and platters (2), the items associated with the direct consumption of food and beverages were the slop bowls (2), plates

29

Dusting 2009:85

80

_________________________________________________________________________________


(7), breakfast cups (2), cups (2), saucers (6) and small plate (1), and storage was represented by ginger jar (1) bottles (2) and container (1). Three items were catalogued as unidentified because of their small sherd size.

Table 2.75: Ceramic types in yard surface 8345 (Phase 7.1).

Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

bl flow few comport UK 1830 1930 1

slop bowl UK 1830 1930 1

bl hp chinese porc ginger jar China 1790

1 blk flow few plate UK 1830 1930 1

blktp few platter UK 1845

1

bltp bc slop bowl UK 1830

1

few breakfast cup UK 1819

1

cup UK 1830

1


2

UK 1830

1

UK 1840

1

platter UK 1810

1

saucer UK 1830

1

UK 1854

2

unid UK 1830

1

svfew breakfast cup UK 1845

1

brntp few plate-small UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

cream w few bowl UK 1780 1900 1

unid UK 1780 1900 1

edge pearl few plate UK 1780 1860 2 gild bc cup UK 1850

1

pearl few bowl UK 1780 1870 1


cont UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

sponge few saucer UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1 wgl bc saucer UK 1800

1


1

32

Twenty-seven of the ceramics were identified as having being manufactured in the United Kingdom. The three unmarked stoneware items, the two bottles (#58072, #58073) and a container (#58074), were catalogued as having possible United Kingdom/Australia manufacture, and a blue sponge ware saucer was catalogued with a possible United Kingdom/United States/Europe manufacture (#70093). The single item made in China was a blue handpainted porcelain ginger jar (#58642). Six transfer-printed patterns were identified in the yard deposit, on a total of 10 items. The patterns feature in blue flow (1), black transfer print (1) and blue transfer print (8) (Table 2.76).

Table 2.76: Identified patterns in yard surface 8345 (Phase 7.1). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few comport UK Corbeille 1830 1930 1 blktp few platter UK Rhine 1845

1

bltp few plate UK Columbia 1840

1

svfew breakfast cup UK Rhine 1845

1

few cup UK Royal Star Florentine 1854

1

saucer UK Royal Star Florentine 1854

1

breakfast cup UK Two Temples II 1819

1

plate UK W3 1810

2

platter UK W3 1810

1

10

81

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 22: Blue flow Corbeille pattern basemark. Manufacturer unknown (#70096). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 23: Blue flow Corbeille pattern comport. Manufacturer unknown (#70096). Scale graduations 1cm.

82

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Overall these six patterns are indicative of an assemblage generally dating from the mid 19th century and all but one patterns is commonly found on Sydney historical excavations, particularly the ‘Rhine’, ‘Two Temples II’ and ‘Willow’ patterns. The ‘Corbeille’ pattern, of unknown manufacturer, is the only one not seen before by the author (#70096). The ‘Corbeille’ pattern comport is also the only ceramic in this deposit to feature a basemark, although the manufacturer remains unknown at time of writing (Table 2.77) (Figs 22, 23).

Table 2.77: Basemarked ceramic in dump fill 8345 (Phase 7.1)


8345 70096 comport bl flow TP basemark - ‘CORBEILLE’ in a scroll cartouche; maker unknown.

1830 1930 1

1

2.4.5.2 Phase 7.2 The 1860s to 1880s phase of construction included sandstone footings and door sockets to a possible extension or new building to the west of the sandstone cottage (8098); a levelling surface to the south of this structure, and a clay levelling fill or yard surface adjacent to the northern boundary fence (8247).30 Ceramics were found in only one of the contexts relating to Phase 7. Context 8233, a grey clay levelling fill, contained 15 ceramics (Table 2.78). This fill formed bedding directly underlying a sandstone structure to the north of and adjacent to the fence line within Area 6. This structure was evidently built sometime between 1865 and 1880. The levelling fill, measuring between 100mm to 120mm in thickness, straddled the boundary between Areas 6 and 7 and the surrounding fence (8247).

Table 2.78: Ceramic found in levelling fill 8233 (Phase 7.2) Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow bc unid UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few plate Scot Corsina 1816 1865 1

UK Rhine 1845

1

UK W3 1810

1


1

UK Forest 1828 1864 1

UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1835

1 ppl tp few plate UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1 sprigg bc saucer UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc saucer UK

1800

1

ww few bowl UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

15

The ceramics contained in the fill indicate that it was laid sometime post-1845 and into the 1860s. Two patterns have an end date in 1864 and 1865. The blue transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern plate (#58925) was first introduced in c.1845 and then copied by many.31 Overall the five transfer-printed patterns are regularly found on other Sydney historical excavations and are indicative of an assemblage dating from around the middle of the 19th century. The ceramics in this fill are all associated with food-related activities; with the five identified shapes represented by 12 items (three items remained unidentified because of their small sherd size).

30

Dusting 2009:86 31

Furniss, Wagner & Wagner 1999:110

83

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Food consumption was represented by plates (4), saucers (5) and a bowl (1), and storage was represented by a stoneware jar (1) and bottle (1). 2.4.5.3 Phase 7.3 The archaeological evidence for post-1880s activity included levelling fills, industrial fills, yard surfaces, service trenches, construction and demolition. Evidence for post 1880s levelling fills was confirmed archaeologically as fills in the area to the south associated with demolished building 8098; structures and trenches in the mid-section of the block, and Area 6 and 7 boundary structures and fills.32 Twenty contexts containing 355 ceramics were identified as belong to Phase 7.3 and these will be discussed below (Table 2.79).

Table 2.79: Contexts containing ceramics associated with Phase 7.3 Context Items %

7927 34 9.6

7928 118 33.2

7943 13 3.6

7950 22 6.2

7954 5 1.4

8097 2 0.5

8235 35 9.8

8240 9 2.5

8256 13 3.6

8257 22 6.2

8285 6 1.7

8295 33 9.3

8297 5 1.4

8303 6 1.7

8310 4 1.1

8311 13 3.6

8313 9 2.5

8321 2 0.5

8323 3 0.8

8325 1 0.3

355 99.5

The ceramics were identified in a number of industrial fills (6), levelling fills (4), postholes (6), fills associated with a pit (3), and a deposit/accumulation (1). The contents of the 20 contexts will be discussed within these five groupings, with analysis of the ceramics recovered within the six industrial fills being first. Industrial fills The various layers of industrial fills were extensive, characterised by the presence of cinders, clinkers and demolition-type fragments of sandstone and brick.33 Six of these fills contained ceramics and some were more artefact rich than others, such as fill 7928 which contained 118 ceramics and represented well over half of the total number of ceramics found in the six industrial fills (Table 2.80). Fifteen decorative types were identified within the six industrial fills and all feature long periods of manufacture. The decorative types in these fills are commonly found in assemblages dating from at least the mid 19th century onwards (Table 2.81).

32

Dusting 2009:92 33

Dusting 2009:92

84

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.80: Ceramics in industrial fills (Phase 7.3). Context Items %

7927 34 17.5

7928 118 60.8

7943 13 6.7

7950 22 11.3

7954 5 2.6

8097 2 1

194 99.9

Table 2.81: Ceramic types found in the industrial fills (Phase 7.3).

Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

7927 banded few saucer UK 1860

1



1


unid UK 1830

2

bltp few dish UK 1810

1

plate UK 1810

3

UK 1830

1

UK 1858 1937 1

unid UK 1810

2

UK 1830

1


1

unid UK 1830

1

Scot 1830 1865 1

gild bc saucer UK 1850

1


2

UK 1845

1

unid UK 1830

1

ppl tp few plate UK 1830

1

UK 1860

1

unid UK 1830

1


sponge few unid UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

wgl bc unid UK 1800

1


2

poe UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

7928 bristol gl stw btl UK 1920

1


1


1


Scot 1850 1930 1

Scot 1850 1905 2

Scot 1850 1932 2

Scot 1866 1929 14

sponge few plate-small UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

7943 bl flow few ewer UK 1830 1930 1


1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

2


1

rock gl few unid UK/Aus 1796 1900 1


btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 2

sprigg bc unid UK/Aus 1830 1920 1


1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

7950 blktp few plate UK 1897 1904 1


85

_________________________________________________________________________________


bltp bc plate-small UK 1830

1

few dish UK 1858 1937 1

plate UK 1810

1

UK 1850

1

UK 1858 1937 1

UK 1858 1937 1


unid UK 1830

1


1

ppl tp

plate UK 1862

1

rock gl

teapot UK/Aus 1796 1900 1


sprigg bc cup UK 1830 1920 1

saucer UK 1830 1920 1

7950 wgl bc egg cup UK 1800

1

saucer UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1

svfew unid UK 1840

1

ww few bowl UK 1830

1

few platter UK 1830

1

7954 bltp few unid UK 1830

1


wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1


1


wgl bc egg cup UK 1800

1

194

The 15 decorative styles include banded (1), blue flow (3), black transfer print (6), blue transfer print (23), bristol glaze (1), brown transfer print (3), gilded (1), green transfer print (7), purple transfer print (4), Rockingham glaze (2), salt glaze (120), sprigged (3), sponge (2), white glaze (9) - bone china (8) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1) and whiteware (9). By far the largest ceramic category is salt-glazed stoneware, with the 120 items or 61.8 per cent of the total ceramics from the industrial fills. There are also considerable numbers of transfer printed ceramics, 45 items or 23.1 per cent of the fills assemblages, in black (6), blue (23), brown (3), green (7), purple (4), and also in blue flow finish (3). Fourteen individual shapes were identified in these 166 ceramics, with just 28 items remaining unidentified because of their small sherd size. These vessels were associated with the functions of food preparation, serving, consumption and storage, household maintenance and personal hygiene. The 14 shapes include: bowl (1), dishes (2), platters (4), saucers (5), plates (24), small plates (2), teapot (1), cups (2), egg cups (2), poe (1), ewer (1), blacking bottle (1), bottles (9) and stout bottles (111). The 111 stoneware stout salt glazed bottles were 66.8 per cent of the identified vessels and decorative types. Context 7928 had the largest number of salt glazed bottles (113) within the Darling Quarter site, 110 of these were stout bottles and three were general containers which could not be more closely identified. Only two other contexts from the whole site had quantities of stoneware bottles 9201 (46) and 8630 (41). The majority of stonewares were found in quantities of one to eight bottles with only four contexts having between 11 and 19 salt-glazed bottles. Transfer printed patterns were found on 45 ceramic items. Some of the transfer-printed patterns found in the industrial fills were able to be identified. Nine patterns were found in four of the six fills on a total of 26 items and were in black (4), blue (17), brown (1), green (2) and purple (2) transfer prints (Table 2.82). Eight of the nine patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations, particularly in assemblages dating from at least the mid 19th century. These popular patterns are ‘Albion’ (7), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (1), ‘Cable’ (1), ‘Ceres’ (1), ‘Corsina’ (1), ‘Fibre’ (1), ‘Rhine’ (3), and ‘Willow’ (10). The purple transfer-printed ‘Barberini Vase’ pattern, manufactured

86

_________________________________________________________________________________


by Burgess and Leigh, Burslem, Staffordshire and dating from 1862+, is the only pattern not seen before by the author (#59574) (Figure 24). While the ‘Barberini Vase’ pattern has not been seen before it is similar to other neo-classical patterns found on Sydney CBD sites in its use of geometric classicising borders and central decorative motifs using classical vases. Names of similar patters found in Casey & Lowe pattern series are: ‘Versailles’, ‘Sydney’, and ‘Victoria’. The patterns found in the industrial fills fall into the general Phase 7 period, with just one pattern indicating a post-1880s date (Phase 7.3), the black transfer-printed ‘Ceres’ pattern attributed to the Pilkington Tile and Pottery Co., Lancashire, dating between 1897 to 1904 (#59563) (Figure 25).

Table 2.82: Identified patterns in the industrial fills (Phase 7.3). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

7927 blktp few platter UK Albion 1858 1937 1

plate UK Rhine 1845

1


dish UK W3 1810

1

plate UK

1810

3

unid UK

1810

2

brntp few unid Scot Corsina 1830 1865 1

7927 grntp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1


1


1


1

unid UK

1810

1

7950 blktp few plate UK Ceres 1897 1904 1


bltp few dish UK Albion 1858 1937 1

7950 bltp few plate UK bltp few 1937 2

platter UK

1858 1937 1

few plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

bc plate-small UK Fibre 1830

1

few plate UK W3 1810

1

grntp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1

ppl tp few plate UK Barberini Vase 1862

1

26

Figure 24: Purple transfer-printed Barberini Vase pattern plate (#59574). Scale graduations 1cm.

87

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 25: Black transfer-printed Ceres pattern plate dating 1897 to 1904 (#59563). Scale graduations 1cm.

There were 21 basemarks found on the ceramics within the industrial fills, 20 of these in fill 7928 and one in fill 7950. All but one of these basemarks are on stoneware stout bottles, the exception being the purple transfer-printed ‘Barberini Vase’ pattern plate (#59574), featuring a transfer-printed garter mark with the pattern name and manufacturer initials belonging to Burgess and Leigh (Table 2.83) (Figure 26).

Table 2.83: Basemarked ceramics in the industrial fills (Phase 7.3). Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

7928 58089 stout btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘(CAMPBELL)FIELD’ / ‘G(LASGOW)’.

1850 1905 1

58090 stout btl bristol gl

Imp oval mark on lower ext. bd - ‘NEWPORT’ / ‘POTTERY’.

1920

1


Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘3’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENNEDY)’ / ‘(BARROWF)IELD’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1866 1929 1



1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H) KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘37’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1



1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROW)FIELD’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1



1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KEN)NE(DY)’ / ‘(BARROW)FIELD’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ /

1866 1929 1

88

_________________________________________________________________________________


‘(GLASGOW)’.

7928 58139 stout btl salt gl Imp oval mark - ‘H. KENNEDY’ / ‘BARROWFIELD’ / ‘32’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASG)OW’.

1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENN)EDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD’ / ‘POT(TERY)’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1



1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘PORT-DUNDAS’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘POTTERY Co’.

1850 1932 1


Imp oval mark - ‘PORT-DUN(DAS)’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘PO(TTERY Co)’.

1850 1932 1


Imp oval mark - ‘CAMPBELLF(IELD)’ / ‘13’ / ‘GLASGOW’.

1850 1905 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H. KENN)EDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘3’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘(GLASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H. K)ENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD’ / ‘POTTERY’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1


Imp oval mark - ‘(H.) KENNEDY’ / ‘(BARROWFIELD)’ / ‘(POTTERY)’ / ‘GL(ASGOW)’.

1866 1929 1


Illegible imp oval mark on lower ext body; probable Scottish manufacturer.

1850 1930 1

7950 59574 plate ppl tp TP basemark - a garter mark with ‘(B)ARBERINI VASE’ / ‘B & L’. Initials belong to Burgess and Leigh, Staffordshire

1862

1

21

Figure 26: Purple transfer-printed Barberini Vase pattern basemark (#59574). Scale graduations 1cm.

89

_________________________________________________________________________________


All but one of the basemarked stout bottles are salt-glazed, the single exception being a bristol-glazed bottle (#58090). This bottle is also the only basemarked stout bottle not manufactured in Scotland, instead made at the Newport Pottery in Burslem, England. The 21 basemarked items feature five individual manufacturers, with one of the bottles having an illegible impressed oval mark which is thought to also be of Scottish origin (#58148). The five potteries represented here include the Campbellfield Pottery in Glasgow (2), the Newport Pottery in Burslem (1), Henry Kennedy & Sons in Glasgow (14), the Port Dundas Pottery in Glasgow (2), and Burgess and Leigh, Staffordshire (1). As with the dating of the patterns, the basemarks from these two industrial fills fit comfortably into the general Phase 7 period, with just the one basemark specifically indicating a post-1880s date of deposition (Phase 7.3), the bristol-glazed stoneware stout bottle made by the Newport Pottery in Burslem, England and dating from 1920+ (#58090) (Figure 27).

Figure 27: Impressed manufacturer’s mark for the Newport Pottery, Burslem, England (#58090). Scale graduations 1cm.

Levelling fills In the area adjacent to the northern boundary fence (8247) yard surfaces were identified (Phase 7.1). These surfaces, contexts 8262 and 8293, were discussed earlier (Table 2.69). Above these yard surfaces, and to the south of the boundary fence, was an oyster shell rich layer (8295) which also featured slag and a few ceramics. Context 8295 was above a humic deposit, probably decomposed wood 8240 (TT 15) and 8256/8257 (TT 17). The four fills contained 77 ceramics with most in context 8295 (Table 2.84).

Table 2.84: Ceramics in levelling fills (Phase 7.3). Context Items %

8240 9 11.7

8256 13 16.9

8257 22 28.6

8295 33 42.8

77 100

90

_________________________________________________________________________________


Eighteen decorative types were identified within the four levelling fills and like those found in the industrial fills above, all feature long periods of manufacture. The decorative types identified in these four fills are all commonly found in assemblages dating from at least the mid 19th century (Table 2.85).

Table 2.85: Ceramic types found in the levelling fills (Phase 7.3). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items


blk flow

plate UK 1830 1930 1


1

unid UK 1830

2


ppl tp

UK 1830

1


ww few unid UK 1830

1

8256 blktp few breakfast cup UK 1845

1

unid UK 1830

1


1

UK 1827 1840 1

UK 1858 1937 1

platter UK 1810

1

UK 1858 1937 1

unid UK 1830

1

ppl tp few breakfast cup UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1


sponge few plate UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1


unid UK 1830 1930 1


unid UK 1830 1930 1


1

UK 1845

1


4

unid UK 1830

1


2

gild bc cup UK 1800

1

salt gl stw black btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 2

jar UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

selfslip cew pot Aus 1790

1


wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

8295 annular ww few unid UK/USA/France 1830 1930 1

bl flow few saucer UK 1830 1930 1

unid UK 1830 1930 1

blk flow few unid UK 1830 1930 1

blktp few platter UK 1860

1


1

plate UK 1830

2

plate UK 1858 1937 1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

2

svfew tureen UK 1840

1

unid UK 1840

1


1

gild bc plate,small UK 1800

1


1


selfslip cew unid Aus 1790

1

91

_________________________________________________________________________________


spatter few plate,small UK/USA/Europe 1830 1860 1

spatter ww few cup UK/USA/Europe 1830 1860 1

8295 spatter ww few saucer UK/USA/Europe 1830 1860 2

sprigg bc plate,small UK 1830 1920 1

saucer UK 1830 1920 1



1

unid UK 1800

2


1

unid UK 1830

2

77

The 18 decorative types found here include annular (1), black flow (4), black transfer print (5), blue flow (5), blue transfer print (23), blue transfer-printed pearlware (1), bristol glaze (2), brown transfer print (1), gilded (2), green transfer print (1), purple transfer print (4), salt glaze (7), self slip (2), spatter ware (4), sponge ware (3), sprigged (3), white glaze (4) and whiteware (5). Transfer printing is the most common decorative technique, with 44 items or 57.1 per cent of t found in these levelling fills. The were found in a variety of clours: black (5), blue (23), brown (1), green (1), purple (4) and also in the finishes of black flow (4), blue flow (5) and pearlware (1). Twelve individual shapes were identified within the 77 ceramics on 52 items. The remaining 28 items were unidentified because of their small sherd size. The 12 shapes were associated with the functions of food serving, consumption and storage, household maintenance and the garden/yard. The shapes include: platters (3), tureen (1), breakfast cups (2), cups (6), plates (18), saucers (9), small plates (3), bottles (4), ginger beer bottle (1), jars (3), blacking bottle (1) and a plant pot (1). The role of food consumption is the most dominant here, with 38 items, plates, breakfast cups, cups, saucers and small plates, which were 73 per cent of the recognised shapes. Once again transfer printing is commonest decorative technique found on 44 ceramics items. Transfer printing introduced onto the marketplace a huge range of patterns, available in a wide variety of shapes so matching sets could be purchased and items easily replaced when breakages occurred or extra pieces were needed to be added, and they also became available in a range of colours. Five transfer-printed patterns in these fills were identified on 16 items (Table 2.86).

Table 2.86: Identified patterns in the levelling fills (Phase 7.3). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1

8256 blktp few breakfast cup UK Rhine 1845

1


platter UK

1858 1937 1

plate UK Canton Views 1827 1840 1

plate UK W3 1810

1

platter UK

1810

1

8257 blktp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1


4


UK Wild Rose 1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

svfew tureen UK W3 1840

1

16

These five patterns are in black (2) and blue (14) transfer prints. The only two items in black are the ‘Rhine’ pattern breakfast cup (#59036) and plate (#59053), with the remaining 14 items and four patterns all occurring in blue. The five transfer-printed patterns are all regularly identified on Sydney historical excavations, and in particular in deposits associated with the mid 19th century. These five patterns, ‘Willow’ (9), ‘Albion’ (3), ‘Rhine’ (2), ‘Canton Views’ (1), and ‘Wild Rose’ (1), are

92

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all associated with vessels used for the serving and consumption of food, with tureen (1), platters (2), breakfast cup (1) and plates (12). These popular patterns are on items that would be used every day, and in some instances perhaps more than once a day, making them susceptible to breakages and therefore the need for replacements. The availability of these commonly manufactured patterns within the marketplace meant that sourcing replacements was relatively simple for the consumer. None of the 77 ceramics recovered in the four levelling fills featured basemarks and overall the ceramics found are only indicative of deposition occurring within the general Phase 7 period, not specifically post-1880s (Phase 7.3). Postholes A number of postholes, believed to be part of the timber sheds, were found along the northern boundary between Areas 6 and 7 and are thought to belong to the post-1880s period. Within five of the postholes were posthole fills (8285, 8297, 8303), posthole packing (8323, 8325) and post pipe fills (8313) containing ceramics (Table 2.87).

Table 2.87: Ceramics in posthole fills, posthole packing and post pipe fills (Phase 7.3). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8285 59257 blk flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1


59258

saucer UK

1830

1

59255 rock gl few unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 1


1830 1920 1


1830

1

8297 59370 bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1

59371

plate UK W3 1810

1

59369

unid UK

1830

1

59372

svfew dish UK

1840

1

59368 sponge few cup UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

8303 59951 bltp few unid UK W3 1810

1

59950 grntp

plate UK

1830

1

59948 hp

saucer UK

1830

1

59949 redtp

unid UK

1830

1

59946 ww

unid UK

1830

2

8313 59984 blktp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1

59983

unid UK

1830

1


59981

dish UK W3 1810

1


1

59979

unid UK

1830

1

59985 brntp few plate UK

1830

1

59977 wgl bc unid UK

1800

1


1830

1

8323 59994 bltp few cup UK

1830

1

59993

plate UK W3 1810

1

58060 salt gl stw jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1


1830

1

30

The ceramics in these six contexts are fairly uniform, with all indicating at least a mid 19th-century deposition. A total of 13 decorative types were identified and all feature long periods of manufacture. The 13 decorative types include black flow (1), black transfer print (2), blue transfer print (14), brown transfer print (1), green transfer print (1), handpainted whiteware (1), red transfer print (1), Rockingham glaze (1), salt glaze (1), sponge ware (1), sprigged (1), white glaze (1) and whiteware

93

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(4). Overall transfer printing is the most common decorative technique found here, with a total of 20 ceramics, including that of black flow, representing 66.6 per cent of the total. Out of the 30 ceramics found in relation to the five postholes 18 had identified shapes, representing 60 per cent of the total. These shapes were all associated with food, its serving, consumption and storage, and included dishes (2), cups (2), plates (10), saucers (3) and jar (1). The remaining 12 items (40%) were unidentified due to their small sherd size. Six plates, two dishes and two unidentified items feature identified transfer-printed patterns, with these ten items featuring three individual patterns between them, ‘Albion’ (3), ‘Rhine’ (1) and ‘Willow’ (6). All but one are in blue, the ‘Rhine’ pattern plate is in black transfer print. These three patterns are all commonly found on Sydney historical excavations and in deposits generally associated with the mid 19th century. Like the previous levelling fills, none of the 30 ceramics found here featured basemarks and they are therefore only indicative of deposition occurring sometime within the general Phase 7 period and not specifically post-1880s (Phase 7.3). Yard deposit/accumulation Context 8235 was a dark brown sandy silt accumulation to the east and northeast of building 8224. It was identified within the matrix as belonging to Phase 7.3 however in the Trench Report as belong to Phase 7.1.34 It is thought that it may represent a yard surface. The deposit contained a total of 35 ceramics and featured 15 decorative types (Table 2.88).

Table 2.88: Ceramic types in yard surface/accumulation 8235 (Phase 7.3). Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

bl flow few plate UK 1830 1930 2

bl hp chinese

porc saucer China 1790 1850 1

blktp few plate UK 1858 1937 1

svfew plate UK 1840

1

bltp few cup UK 1830

1

few plate UK 1810

3

UK 1858 1937 1

platter UK 1810

1

saucer UK 1819

1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

2

svfew plate UK 1840

1

brntp few saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

clobb few plate UK 1830

1 grntp few unid UK 1830

1

lead gl few unid Aus 1790

1


1

UK 1860

2

redtp few dish UK 1828 1864 1


cont UK/Aus 1830 1930 1


1 wgl mou bc vase UK 1800

1

ww few jar UK 1830

2

plate UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

yellow ware few dish UK/USA/Eur/Aus 1830

1

35

34

Dusting 2009:84

94

_________________________________________________________________________________


These 35 ceramics are fall within a general dating from the mid 19th century. The 15 decorative types include blue flow (2), blue handpainted Chinese porcelain (1), black transfer print (2), blue transfer print (11), brown transfer print (2), clobbered (1), green transfer print (1), lead glaze (1), purple transfer print (3), red transfer print (1), salt glaze (3), white glaze (1), white-glazed and moulded (1), whiteware (4) and yellow ware (1). Again, transfer printing is the most dominant decorative method, on 23 items, in black (2), blue (11), brown (2), green (1), purple (3) and red (1). These 23 transfer-printed items represent about two-thirds of this deposits ceramics (65.7%). As is common on this site the ceramics are associated with household-related activities, with the nine shapes found on 27 items. These vessels were associated with food and its serving, consumption and storage (platter, dish, plates, saucers, cup, bottles, container, jars) as well as household ornamentation (vase). Eight items were catalogued as unidentified because of their small sherd size. Only two items were identified definitely as being manufactured in countries other than England. Three items were catalogued as having possible United Kingdom/Australia manufacture and one item as having United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia manufacture (Table 2.88). A blue handpainted Chinese porcelain ‘Nanking’ pattern saucer, dating between c.1790 to c.1850, was imported from China (#58641), and a fine earthenware lead-glazed unidentified base sherd, dating from c.1790+, was manufactured locally (#58673). The three items catalogued as having possible United Kingdom/Australia manufacture are two unmarked salt-glazed stoneware bottles (#57960, #57961) and an unmarked salt-glazed stoneware container (#57962). The one item with possible United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia manufacture was a yellow ware dish (#58929). The presence of the Chinese porcelain and lead glaze items in a deposit believed to date post-1880s would perhaps be unusual except this deposit is described as a possible yard surface/accumulation, suggesting that it is probably somewhat mixed and items would have accumulated here over a period of time. None of the 35 ceramics found here featured basemarks, however a number of patterns were identified and these indicate probable deposition from the mid 19th century onwards (Table 2.89).

Table 2.89: Identified patterns in yard surface/accumulation 8235 (Phase 7.3). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl hp chinese porc saucer China Nanking 1790 1850 1 blktp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1


saucer UK Two Temples II 1819

1

plate UK W3 1810

3

unid UK

1810

1

brntp few saucer UK Fibre 1830

1 ppl tp

plate UK Cable 1860

2

redtp

dish UK Forest 1828 1864 1

12

Seven patterns were on 12 items with all but one pattern being transfer printed. The single exception is the blue handpainted Chinese porcelain ‘Nanking’ pattern saucer (#58641), dating between c.1790 to c.1850. The six transfer-printed patterns feature in black, blue, brown, purple and red, with one pattern occurring in two of the colours, ‘Albion’ in black (#58931) and blue (#58947). The six transfer-printed patterns are all commonly found on Sydney historical excavations and in deposits dating from the mid 19th century. The presence of the ‘Albion’ pattern in two colours indicates that some popular patterns were available in more than one colour if desired, either for separate sets or perhaps to mix-and-match. The identified patterns are all on shapes associated with the serving and consumption of food (dish, saucers, plates), the single exception being an unidentified flat base sherd in the ‘Willow’ pattern (#58951). The presence of

95

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the ‘Albion’ and ‘Cable’ patterns suggests deposition occurring post-1860s, however given the nature of the deposit the items may have been accumulating over a period of time. Linear cut/pit To the south of the northern boundary fence (8247) levelling fills were identified within a linear cut/pit (8309). This cut/pit measured 2.7m x 550mm and had a depth of 240mm. Two fills were in the cut/pit, a mottled clay demolition fill (8310) and an artefact-rich silty sand fill (8311). Just to the north of the cut/pit was a thin spread of mottled clay (8321), similar to the demolition fill 8310.35 The contents of the two pit fills (8310, 8311) and the thin deposit (8321) contained only 19 ceramics (Table 2.90).

Table 2.90: Ceramics relating to the cut/pit 8309 (Phase 7.3). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


2

unid UK W3 1810

1


1780 1860 1


1830

1

bltp few plate UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

2

plate UK W3 1810

5

platter UK W3 1810

1

unid UK W3 1810

1

pearl few poe UK

1780 1870 1


1830

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

19

These 19 ceramics are not particularly distinctive, nor do they specifically indicate a deposit relating to Phase 7, they could just as easily relate to Phases 5 or 6. 2.4.6 Phase 8: 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways In 1900 the Government commenced the Darling Harbour Wharves Resumptions whereby areas of the foreshore were resumed in the interest of public health and sanitation, from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. At Darling Harbour between Bathurst Street and Liverpool Street the resumption included all of the properties with a water frontage. Following the resumptions Area 7 was leased back by the Crown to Murphy’s heirs who in turn leased it back to long time tenants The Fresh Food and Ice Company and Bernard Byrnes Ltd. Buildings in poor condition were either improved or removed as part of the resumption and the wharfage was also improved. In 1918 all of the allotments between Bathurst Street and Liverpool Street resumed under the Darling Harbour resumptions of 1900 were vested in the Railway Commissioners for NSW for future extensions to the Darling Harbour goods yards and by the mid 1920s the wharfage was infilled and Murphy’s wharf became part of the Darling Harbour Goods Yard. The railway resumptions did not seem to affect the trading of the Fresh Food and Ice Company, who constructed substantial buildings during the 1920s to 1930s and continuing to utilise the site until the 1980s when all buildings were demolished to make way for the commercial redevelopment of Darling Harbour and the construction of the Western Distributor.36

Phase 8 was identified archaeologically as: occupation-related and industrial levelling fills associated with the Fresh Food and Ice Company sheds and buildings; a rubbish pit; an early-20th century construction phase and the installation of sewerage and drainage systems. Many of the industrial levelling fills relating to this period were mechanically excavated, with detailed exposure carried out

35

Dusting 2009:98 36

Dusting 2009:99

96

_________________________________________________________________________________


through a series of test trenches excavated on the northern boundary (TT14, TT15 and TT17).37 Ceramics were found in 13 contexts relating to Phase 8 and 232 ceramic items (352 sherds) were (Table 2.91).


7903 6 2.6

7947 33 14.2

7955 6 2.6

8211 1 0.4

8212 1 0.4

8214 39 16.8

8228 1 0.4

8236 7 3

8237 12 5.2

8242 10 4.3

8249 8 3.4

8279 98 42.2

8360 10 4.3

232 99.8

2.4.6.1 Industrial fills 7903 and 8279 Excavation in the south of the property, near to the earlier sandstone cottage (8098), was undertaken initially by machine excavation. Several layers of industrial fills were removed and assigned the contexts 7902 and 7903. These were extensive deposits of soot and ash, and contained clinker, slag, bottle glass, ceramics and nails.38 No ceramics were found in context 7902 and only six in context 7903 (Table 2.92).

Table 2.92: Ceramics in industrial fill 7903 (Phase 8). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bltp few platter UK Rhine 1845

1

unid UK

1830

1

brntp few unid UK

1830

1 wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

wgl mou bc vase UK

1800

1 ww few unid UK

1830

1

6

The six ceramics in fill 7903 are not particularly distinctive or unusual (#59416-#59421). They do not indicate in any way that they are exclusively related to a deposit dating after 1900, indeed with the blue transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern platter dating from c.1845+, they could just as easily date to either Phases 6 or 7. By contrast, the industrial fill 8279 contained 98 ceramics or 42.2 per cent of the ceramics in Phase 8 (Table 2.91). This fill was located in the northern boundary area of Area 7, to the south of the northern boundary fence (8247). Context 8279, excavated by machine, was an extensive area of cindery industrial fill, extending from the northern boundary south to the mid-section of the property. It included a range of artefacts: oyster shells, glass, ceramics, crushed sandstone and sandstock bricks. It is thought that it may represent a continuation of industrial fills 7902 and 7903 in the south.39 Eighteen decorative types were identified in industrial fill 8279 and all feature long periods of manufacture with many items dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.93).

37

Dusting 2009:100 38

Dusting 2009:100 39

Dusting 2009:101

97

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.93: Ceramics in industrial fill 8279 (Phase 8). Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

banded few plate UK 1860

1


saucer UK 1830 1930 1

blk flow few unid UK 1830 1930 4


1

UK 1862 1882 1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

2

svfew poe UK 1856 1867 1

bltp few cup Scot 1816 1865 1

UK 1830

1

UK 1845

1

dish UK 1810

1

plate UK 1810

7

UK 1830

4

UK 1845

2

UK 1858 1937 1

platter UK 1810

2

poe UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1819

1

UK 1830

2

UK 1851 1880 1

slop bowl Scot 1865 1884 1

tureen UK 1810

2

unid UK 1810

2

Scot 1816 1865 1

UK 1830

2

svfew unid UK 1840

1

bristol gl stw jar UK 1835 1858 1

brntp few cup UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1830

1

UK 1860

1

unid UK 1830

1

edge pearl few plate UK 1780 1860 1 gild bc plate-small UK 1800

1


1

unid UK 1830

1

hp gild svfew figurine UK 1840

1 mou ww few plate-small UK 1830

1

ppl tp few plate UK 1861 1872 1

saucer UK 1830

2

UK 1860

1

unid UK 1830

1

svfew unid UK 1840

1


btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 12

sponge few breakfast cup UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

cup UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1

saucer UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1


cup UK 1830 1920 1

plate-small UK 1830 1920 1

saucer UK 1830 1920 2

wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

saucer UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1

svfew coffee can UK 1840

1

saucer UK 1840

2


1

ww few bowl UK 1830

1

cup UK 1830

2

plate UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

98

98

_________________________________________________________________________________


The 18 decorative types, found on the 98 items, include: banded (1), blue flow (3), black flow (4), black transfer print (6), blue transfer print (34), bristol glaze (1), brown transfer print (4), edgeware pearlware (1), gilded (1), green transfer print (2), handpainted and gilded (1), moulded whiteware (1), purple transfer print (6), salt glaze (13), sponge ware (3), sprigged (5), white glazed (bone china) (3) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (4) and whiteware (5). Overall transfer printing is the most common decorative technique, 59 items (62%), including blue and black flow.

Seventeen shapes were identified on 79 items (80.6%). The remaining 19 items (19.4%) were unidentified because of their small sherd size. The 17 shapes are associated with household domestic refuse, with items associated with food serving, consumption and storage (dish, platters, tureens, bowl, plates, saucers, cups, slop bowl, small plates, breakfast cups, coffee can, jar, ginger beer bottle, bottles), personal hygiene (poes), household ornamentation (figurine) and household maintenance (blacking bottle) identified. The role of food consumption is the largest, with the 56 items in this category, including plates, saucers, cups, slop bowl, small plates, breakfast cups and coffee can. A total of 70.8 per cent of the recognised shapes.

Transfer printing is the most common decorative technique on 59 items. Twelve transfer-printed patterns were recognised on 31 items (Table 2.94). The 12 identified patterns are all commonly found on Sydney historical excavations dating from the mid 19th century, and six of the patterns indicate that the deposit post-dates the 1860s at the very least, these being the ‘Dora’ (#59224), ‘Kulat’ (#59225), ‘Albion’ (#59203), ‘Chantilly’ (#59223), ‘Crystal’ (#59207) and ‘Clyde’ (#59190) patterns. The 12 patterns are on shapes predominately associated with food (27), its serving and consumption, with just one exception, the ‘Dora’ pattern poe (personal hygiene). The patterns on serving-related items includes dish (1), platters (2) and tureens (2), while the consumption items included plates (15), slop bowl (1), saucers (3) and cups (3). Three items were unidentified because of their sherd size, in ‘Peacock’ and ‘Willow’ patterns. Although blue is the most popular colour with eight patterns other colours were black (3), brown (1) and purple (1). The availability of some patterns in more than just the one colour is illustrated with popular ‘Rhine’ pattern, which was on a black transfer-printed plate (#59180) and a blue transfer-printed cup and two plates (#59198-#59200). Three of the items with an identified pattern also featured basemarks (Figures 28, 29, 30), as did a bristol-glazed stoneware jar (Table 2.95).

Table 2.94: Identified patterns in industrial fill 8279 (Phase 8).


blktp svfew poe UK Dora 1856 1867 1

few plate UK Kulat 1862 1882 1

UK Rhine 1845

1


slop bowl Scot Chantilly 1865 1884 1

saucer UK Crystal 1851 1880 1

plate UK Eton College 1830

2

cup Scot Peacock 1816 1865 1

unid Scot

1816 1865 1

cup UK Rhine 1845

1

plate UK

1845

2


1

dish UK W3 1810

1

plate UK

1810

7

platter UK

1810

2

tureen UK

1810

2

unid UK

1810

2

brntp few cup UK Fibre 1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

ppl tp few plate UK Clyde 1861 1872 1

31

99

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Table 2.95: Basemarked ceramics in the industrial fill 8279 (Phase 8). Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

58044 jar bristol gl Imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOU(LTON & WATTS)’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’ / ‘LONDON’.

1835 1858 1

59200 plate bltp TP basemark features ‘Rhine’ within a foliated scroll cartouche; maker unknown.

1845

1

59223 slop bowl bltp TP basemark - ‘CHANTILLY’ in a foliated scroll cartouche; pttn attrib to John Thomson and Sons, Glasgow.

1865 1884 1

59224 poe blktp TP basemark - a diamond registration mark for 28/7/1856; ‘DORA’ within a Greek key cartouche, with ‘E. CHALLINOR’ below.

1856 1867 1

4

Figure 28: Blue transfer-printed Rhine pattern basemark. Unknown manufacturer. Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 29: Blue transfer-printed Chantilly pattern basemark. Attributed to John Thomson & Sons,

Glasgow. Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 30: Black transfer-printed Dora pattern basemark. Pattern registered on 28 July 1856. Scale graduations 1cm.

100

_________________________________________________________________________________


2.4.6.2 Service trenches 7945 and 7956 A group of service trenches in the middle of the property were part of a late 19th to early 20th-century sewerage and drainage system. A linear service trench (7945), cut with vertical sides and with a waterlogged base, ran in an east-west direction for 22m. It had a varying width of 340mm to 430mm and contained a series of interconnecting salt glazed drainage/sewerage pipes. The trench was backfilled with a dark brown ashy fill of industrial waste material and included sandstock brick, glass, leather, ceramic and slate (7947). Contemporary with service trench 7945 and branching diagonally to the north east, was an extension of the service trench cut (7956). This was a U-shaped cut, with vertical sides revealed to 4.2m in length, 435mm width and 310mm in depth and it contained salt glazed pipes of similar type and dimensions to those in 7945. The fill in this trench was dark brown/black redeposited compact building rubble with sandy inclusions and artefacts, including some slag, ceramics and broken glass (7955).40 Fill 7947 featured had 33 ceramics and 7955 had only six ceramics. These two trenches and their fills are contemporary and are discussed together (Table 2.96).

Table 2.96: Ceramics in service trench fills 7947 and 7955 (Phase 8). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items


plate UK 1852

1

unid UK 1830 1930 1

bltp few child’s mug UK 1830

1

plate UK 1810

2

UK 1830

1

UK 1845

1

UK 1858 1937 1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

2

svfew dish UK 1840

1



2


1

unid UK 1830

2

lead gl few unid UK 1790

1

lustre few saucer UK 1830 1860 1

ppl tp few jug UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1


btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

wgl bc cup UK 1800

2

unid UK 1800

1

ww few jar UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

7955 bltp few plate UK 1858 1937 1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

1


1


ww few unid UK 1830

1

39

The twelve decorative types in the two trench fills are typical of an assemblage dating from the mid 19th century. The decorative types include blue flow (3), blue transfer print (14), blue transfer-

40

Dusting 2009:102

101

_________________________________________________________________________________


printed pearlware (1), bristol glaze (2), green transfer print (4), lead glaze (1), lustre (1), purple transfer print (3), salt glaze (4), white glaze (3) and whiteware (3). Transfer printing was common, with 25 ceramics, including blue flow, on 64.1 per cent of the decorative techniques. Among the 39 ceramics had ten different shapes on 24 items (61.5%) while the other 15 items (38.4%) were unidentified because of their small sherd size. The 10 shapes are generally associated with household rubbish, with items identified with the serving, consumption and storage of food (dish, jug, cups, plates, child’s mug, saucers, jars, bottles), household maintenance (blacking bottle) and literacy (penny ink). The presence of the blue transfer-printed child’s mug in the pattern ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ (#59553), is particularly indicative of an assemblage relating to a familial environment (Figure 31).

Figure 31: Blue transfer-printed Blind Man’s Bluff pattern child’s mug (#59553). Scale graduations 1cm.

Apart from the child’s mug featuring the ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ pattern in blue transfer print, four other transfer-printed patterns were identified here (Table 2.97). Three of the patterns are ones that are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations, with the ‘Albion’ and ‘Rhine’ patterns regularly found in assemblages dating from the mid 19th century, while the ubiquitous ‘Willow’ pattern can be found in assemblages dating from the early, mid and late 19th century and up to the present day. The presence of the ‘Albion’ (#59547, #59592) and ‘Rhine’ (#59546) patterns indicate the service trenches were backfilled sometime after the mid 19th century, as does the blue flow ‘Seaweed’ pattern plate (#59552). The ‘Seaweed’ pattern plate is interesting in that it is the only example within the ceramics category that was found across the entire site to feature a specific maritime association (Figure 32). This plate has the remains of coral and seaweed on the edge of the interior base, with a flag containing the letter ‘B’ surrounded by a garter-style cartouche in the centre of the base, with ''SHIP M...’ remaining on the garter. The basemark indicates that it was made by Davenport in 1852. The ‘Seaweed’ pattern plate was the only ceramic in the two service trench fills with a basemark (Table 2.98) (Figure 33).

102

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Table 2.97: Identified patterns in service trench fills 7947 and 7955 (Phase 8). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

7947 bl flow few plate UK Seaweed 1852

1


child’s mug UK Blind Man's Bluff 1830

1

plate UK Rhine 1845

1

7947 bltp svfew dish UK W3 1840

1

few plate UK

1810

2

few unid UK

1810

1


few unid UK W3 1810

1

10

Figure 32: Blue flow Seaweed pattern plate (#59552). This item was the only ceramic recovered on site to feature a specific maritime association. Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 33: Blue flow Seaweed pattern plate basemark (#59552), Scale graduations 1cm.

Table 2.98: Basemarked ceramic in service trench fills 7947 (Phase 8). Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

7947 59552 plate bl flow

3 basemarks - 1) ‘(SEA)WEED’ in a coral cartouche; 2) registration diamond for 3/1/1850 with ‘DAVENPORT’ below; 3) imp anchor with numerals ‘5’ and ‘2’ on each side (when item made) and ‘DAVENPORT’ above.

1852

1

1

2.4.6.3 Test Trenches TT14, TT15 and TT17 A series of test trenches were excavated on the northern boundary, TT14, TT15 and TT17. The fills within these trenches were assigned different context numbers and then noted which fills equated with each other between the trenches. The industrial fill 8279 equated with the upper fills in the three test trenches – level 8228 in TT14, 8236 in TT15 and 8248 in TT17.41 The fills within these test trenches are combined assemblage and contained 79 ceramics. The three fills in TT14 had 51

41

Dusting 2009:102

103

_________________________________________________________________________________


ceramics, three of the four fills in TT15 had 20 ceramics, and one fill in TT17 had 8 ceramics (Table 2.99).

Table 2.99: Ceramics in TT14, TT15 and TT16 (Phase 8). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

TT14 8211 bltp few unid UK 1830

1

TT14 8214 bl flow few cup UK 1830 1930 1

saucer UK 1830 1930 1

unid UK 1830 1930 1

blktp svfew unid UK 1840

1


3

UK 1830

1

UK 1851 1862 1

UK 1858 1937 1

platter UK 1810

1

unid UK 1810

1

UK 1830

1



1

grntp bc saucer UK 1830

1

few unid UK 1845

1


1

few

Aus 1790

1

ppl tp few unid UK 1830

1


btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 5



wgl bc cup UK 1800

3

unid UK 1800

1

svfew cup UK 1840

1


1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

TT14 8228 bltp few plate UK 1851 1893 1

TT14 8242 bl flow bc unid UK 1830 1930 1

blk flow few platter UK 1810

1

unid UK 1830 1930 1

blktp few plate-small UK 1830

1

bltp few saucer UK 1828 1864 1

UK 1830

1



1


ww few unid UK 1830

1

TT15 8212 bltp few unid UK 1830

1

TT15 8236 blktp svfew unid UK 1840

1

bltp few plate UK 1858 1937 1

unid UK 1830

1

bltp pearl few saucer UK 1800 1870 1


ww few unid UK 1830

2

TT15 8237 bl flow few plate UK 1830 1930 1

saucer UK 1830 1930 1

unid UK 1830 1930 2

bltp few unid UK 1810

1

salt gl stw cont UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 6

TT17 8249 bl flow few unid UK 1830 1930 1


1

UK 1858 1937 1



1

unid UK 1830

1


79

104

_________________________________________________________________________________


Fifteen decorative types were in test trench fills and they are similar to those found in the industrial fill 8279 and the two service trench backfills 7947 and 7955. The decorative types found include black flow (2), black transfer print (3), blue flow (9), blue transfer print (20), blue transfer-printed pearlware (2), bristol glaze (1), edgeware pearlware (1), green transfer print (3), lead glaze (2), purple transfer print (3), salt glaze (20), spongeware (1), sprigged (1), white glaze – bone china (4) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1) and whiteware (6). Transfer printing is the most common technique, found on 31 ceramics, including black and blue flow, which is just over half the assemblage (51.9%). The 20 salt-glazed stoneware items were a quarter of the collection (25.3%). Among the 39 ceramics (67.1%) were 11 different shapes while 26 items (32.9%) were unidentified because of their small sherd size. The 11 shapes are generally indicative of domestic refuse, with items identified with the serving, consumption and storage of food (platters, cups, saucers, plates, small plate, jar, bottles, stout bottles, ginger beer bottles, container) and household maintenance (blacking bottles). Thirty-one of the ceramics feature transfer printing and 18 of these had enough of the pattern remaining to be identified by name (Table 2.100).

Table 2.100: Identified patterns in the test trench fills (Phase 8). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

TT14 8214 bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1

plate UK W3 1810

3

plate UK

1851 1862 1

platter UK

1810

1

unid UK

1810

1

grntp bc saucer UK Fibre 1830

1

few unid UK Rhine 1845

1

TT14 8228 bltp few plate UK Gem 1851 1893 1

TT14 8242 blk flow few platter UK W3 1810

1

bltp few saucer UK Fibre 1830

1

UK Forest 1828 1864 1

TT15 8236 bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1 TT15 8237

unid UK W3 1810

1

TT17 8249 bltp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1

platter UK Gem 1851 1893 1

plate UK W3 1810

1

18

The six patterns identified, ‘Albion’, ‘Willow’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Rhine’, ‘Gem’ and ‘Forest’, are all regularly found on Sydney historical excavations, dating from the mid 19th century. The patterns are all on items associated with the serving and consumption of food, with the only exceptions being three body sherds that were too small to be identified. The platters, plates and saucers are indicative of the availability of a particular pattern in a number of shapes, sold either as an entire dining service which included both serving (platters) and tableware (plates) items, or which could be purchased as individual items to add to a set or to replace broken items. This is seen in the ‘Willow’ (plates and platters) and ‘Gem’ (plate and platter) patterns. A number of patterns also appear to have been made for the sole use of teawares, with both the ‘Forest’ and ‘Fibre’ patterns following this trend. This has been noted by the author on other Sydney sites.42 The availability of some patterns in more than one colour is seen with the ‘Fibre’ pattern, which is in both green transfer print (#58883) and blue transfer print (#58989). One of the blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern plates was also the only ceramic contained within the test trench fills to feature a basemark (Table 2.101).

42

The ‘Fibre’ pattern has been found on teaware items only at a number of sites, including the Queens Arms Inn, Rouse Hill; CSR site at Pyrmont; 50-72 Union Street, Pyrmont; 19-41 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; Parramatta Children’s Court, Parramatta; George and Charles Streets, Parramatta and Penrith Plaza, Penrith. The ‘Forest’ pattern has also been found on only teaware-related items at sites including the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney; King George V, The Rocks; 109 George Street, Parramatta; Silknit House, Surry Hills; 19-41 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills and 20 Poplar Street, Surry Hills.

105

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Table 2.101: Basemarked ceramic in test trench fill 8214 (Phase 8). Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

TT14 8214 58898 plate bltp TP mark on ext - ‘WARRANTED’ / a ribbon with ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / ‘P.B.H’; initials are for Pinder, Bourne & Hope.

1851 1862 1

1

2.4.6.4 Rubbish pit 8359 and fill 8360 Context 8359 was a cut for a pit measuring 1520mm x 530mm and had a depth ranging between 120-300mm. It is thought if may be the cut for a rubbish pit because it had moderately sloping sides and an undulating base. The fill in the pit, 8360, was an industrial artefact-rich deposit containing glass, ceramics, bone and shell. To the north of this cut was a group of machine-made bricks arranged in an irregular paver-like formation overlying the remains of the northern boundary fence 8247 at its eastern extension. The pit also continued under a brick wall (7973).43 This fill 8360 contained ten ceramics (Table 2.102).

Table 2.102: Ceramics in pit fill 8360 (Phase 8). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few saucer UK

1830 1930 1 blk flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1


1

unid UK

1830

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

1

ppl tp few plate UK

1860

1

unid UK

1830

1



1830 1920 1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

10

The ten ceramics featured eight decorative types including blue flow (1), black flow (1), blue transfer print (2), green transfer print (1), purple transfer print (1), salt glaze (1), sprigged (1) and whiteware (1). Once again transfer printing is the most common decorative technique, and is on seven items, including black and blue flow. Three shapes were identified, saucers (2), plates (3) and penny ink bottle (1), with just three items remaining unidentified because of their small sherd size. Although transfer printing was the most common decorative technique, just one item had an identifiable pattern remaining, a ‘Willow’ patterned plate (#70103). None of the ceramics can be seen as being necessarily indicative of a pit fill relating specifically to Phase 8, with all the ceramics having long periods of manufacture and all commonly found in assemblages dating from at least the mid 19th century.

43

Dusting 2009:132

106

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2.4.7 Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development From the 1920s until the redevelopment of the area in the 1980s activity in Area 7 was dominated by the Fresh Food and Ice Company. In the early 1920s the southern allotment was resumed by the Railways and by 1973 it had become the Darling Harbour Railway Goods Station, an extension of the Darling Harbour Railway. The Fresh Food and Ice Co. continued to occupy the bulk of the area and had constructed extensive new buildings on the Liverpool Street frontage. Buildings on the eastern part of the Fresh Food and Ice Company allotment included two elongated sheds originally used as cart and wagon sheds and stables before being altered for truck and van garages. A former sheet-metal working facility on the eastern end of the allotment was taken over by the 1930s by the Fresh Food and Ice Co. and had become a garage, wagon repairs and blacksmith shop.44 Phase 9 was identified archaeologically as: a structure above the sandstone cottage (8098); service trenches and cleaning levels of industrial fills and modern demolition. Much of the evidence for this phase of activity was excavated by machine.45 Ceramics, 77 items, were found in seven contexts relating to Phase 9 (Table 2.103).


7901 49 63.6

7951 4 5.2

7985 1 1.3

8089 3 3.9

8090 16 20.8

8094 2 2.6

8202 2 2.6

77 100

2.4.7.1 Machine clearance A number of contexts represent machine clearance in various area of the site and five of these contexts contained ceramics. Contexts 7901, 7985 and 8094 were cleaning levels to the southwest of the limit of excavation, context 7951 was the general cleaning of the mid section of the property, and 8202 was a modern ash fill located on the northern boundary. These cleaning levels were all characterised by industrial waste and pre-1980s demolition rubble and included such items as plastic, machine-made bricks and concrete. The ceramics recovered within these general cleaning contexts are briefly discussed together (Table 2.104). Context 7901 contained the most ceramics relating to Phase 9, with the 49 items (63.6 %). The remaining four contexts representing machine clearance all contained very few ceramics. The 18 decorative types includes: banded (1), blue flow (5), black flow (1), black transfer print (2), blue transfer print (17), bristol glaze (1), brown transfer print (4), green transfer print (2), handpainted (1), purple transfer print (1), red transfer print (1), Rockingham glaze (2), salt glaze (10), spatter ware (1), sponge ware (1), sprigged (2), white glazed (1) and whiteware (5). Given the nature of these deposits it is expected that the artefacts contained in them would be very mixed and of little value in the analysis. None of the ceramic types commonly associated with assemblages dating to the early or first half of the 19th century are present, such as locally made lead-glazed and slipped earthenwares or imported creamware, pearlware, edgeware and handpainted Chinese porcelain, indicating that the ceramics are at least of a mid 19th century date.

44

Dusting 2009:105 45

Dusting 2009:106

107

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Table 2.104: Ceramics in machine cleaning contexts 7901, 7985, 8094, 7951 and 8202 (Phase 9) Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

7901 banded few cup UK 1860

1

bl flow few cup UK 1830 1930 1

jug UK 1830 1930 1

poe UK 1830 1930 1

unid UK 1830 1930 1

blk flow few poe UK 1830 1930 1

blktp few cup UK 1845

1

saucer UK 1830

1


4

UK 1840 1861 1

UK 1851 1862 1

UK 1858 1937 1


7901 bltp few saucer UK 1830

2

unid UK 1810

2

Scot 1816 1865 1

UK 1830

2

UK 1851 1893 1


1

brntp few cup UK 1830

1

ewer Scot 1830 1865 1

plate UK 1830

1

grntp few breakfast cup UK 1830

1

plate UK 1830

1

hp bc cup UK 1800

1


1

redtp few

UK 1830

1

rock gl few

UK/Aus 1796 1900 1

salt gl stw btl Holl

1

UK/Aus 1830 1930 4

spatter ww few saucer UK 1830 1860 1

sponge few unid UK/USA/Europe 1840 1930 1


cup UK 1830 1920 1


1


1

poe UK 1830

2

unid UK 1830

2

7985 salt gl stw black bottle UK/Aus 1830 1930 1 8094

btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 2

7951 bl flow few breakfast cup UK 1830 1930 1


1


cont UK/Aus 1830 1930 1


1

rock gl few teapot UK/Aus 1796 1900 1

58

Thirty-three of the ceramics feature transfer printing, including the black and blue flow wares and 15 of these had enough of the pattern remaining to be identified by name. Among the 77 items were seven patterns identified on the 15 items, with the Rhine’, ‘Albion’, ‘Antique’, ‘Columbia’, ‘Corsina’, ‘Gem’ and ‘Willow’ patterns all regularly found on Sydney historical excavations and particularly in deposits dating from around the mid 19th century (Table 2.105). Three of the ceramics, in two of the machine cleaning contexts, featured basemarks, both impressed and transfer printed, with only the transfer-printed one exhibiting a succinct date range (Table 2.106).

108

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Table 2.105: Identified patterns in machine cleaning contexts 7901 and 8202 (Phase 9). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

7901 blktp few cup UK Rhine 1845

1


UK Antique 1851 1862 1

UK Columbia 1840 1861 1

UK W3 1810

4

platter UK

1858 1937 1


1810

2

Scot Corsina 1816 1865 1

UK Gem 1851 1893 1

brntp few ewer Scot Corsina 1830 1865 1


1

15

Table 2.106: Basemarked ceramics in machine cleaning contexts 7901 and 7985 (Phase 9).


7901 58080 btl salt gl Imp mark on foot -’(AMS)TERDAM’; Imp oval mark below sh - ‘AMSTERDAMGGHH’. H = 305mm

? ? 1

59414 plate bltp

Ornate tp basemark - urn, flowers and scroll with ‘COLUMBIA’ / ‘W. ADAMS & SONS’ on it.

1840 1861 1

7985 58009 black bottle salt gl Imp - ‘Blacking’ / ‘Bottle’ on lower ext bd. Maker unknown.

1830 1930 1

3

2.4.7.2 Liverpool Street clearance Two contexts were assigned to the unstratified finds collected during the machine clearance of the front and rear of the Liverpool Street houses, with 8089 assigned to the front and 8090 to the rear. Only a few ceramics were found in each of these contexts, with just three in 8089 and 16 in 8090, (Table 2.107).

Table 2.107: Ceramics in contexts 8089 and 8090 (Phase 9). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8089 banded few cup UK

1860

1

multi tp few jar UK Bears on Rock 1850

1

ww few plate UK

1862 1891 1


1830 1930 1

few plate UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK Floralia 1830 1930 1

8090 bl flow svfew poe UK

1840 1930 1

blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few plate UK Castle 1810

1

svfew lid UK W3 1840

1

plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1


1780 1840 1

plate-small UK

1780 1860 1

grntp few saucer UK Rhine 1845

1


1830 1930 3

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

19

Table 2.108: Basemarked ceramics in contexts 8089 and 8090 (Phase 9).


8089 59900 plate ww 2 basemarks - 1) imp ‘E & C CHALLINOR’ / ‘FENTON’. 2) Blk tp royal coat of arms and ‘(E. & C. CHALLIN)OR’ below.

1862 1891 1

8090 59912 plate bl flow TP basemark - ‘Floralia’ in an octagonal cartouche; unknown maker.

1830 1930 1

5

109

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The three ceramics from context 8089 are from a post-1860s deposition, with the decorative type of banded ware being introduced in the 1860s (#59899), the multi-coloured transfer-printed ‘Bears on Rock’ pattern bears grease pot lid, attributed to TJ & J Mayer, Burslem, dates from c.1850 (#59901), and the whiteware plate features a basemark belonging to E & C Challinor, dating between 1862 to 1891 (#59900). The 16 ceramics from context 8090 have a more general 19th century date range, although the presence of the semi-vitreous fine earthenware (#59006-#59008), the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern (#59007) and the ‘Rhine’ pattern (#59910) are also indicative of a deposit occurring sometime after the mid 19thcentury. Two basemarks were found amongst these 19 ceramics, the previously mentioned whiteware plate made by E & C Challinor (#59900) and a blue flow ‘Floralia’ pattern plate bearing its pattern name (#59912) (Table 2.108). 2.4.8 Conclusion The ceramics recovered in Area 7 came from contexts associated with Phase 3, Phase 5, Phase 6, Phase 7, Phase 8 and Phase 9. These Phases were discussed individually, with the more important contexts within each Phase featuring detailed analysis where applicable. Phase 3: 1788 to the 1820s Only four ceramics were recovered in contexts relating to this phase, with the four items found across four individual contexts. Phase 5: 1830s and 1840s Reclamation The 1830s and 1840s saw an intense period of reclamation in Area 7. It is thought there were two periods of reclamation, the first is represented archaeologically by a series of dumps and fills overlying the sands of the original foreshore and early fencing and represents a more informal episode of reclamation. The second phase included more extensive reclamation and development of the area, including the construction of formal wharfage. It is also likely that these two periods of reclamation were punctuated by the installation of a northern boundary fence (Phase 5.2) and a brick drain. Thirteen different reclamation fills contained ceramics and they were discussed according to their identification as either early fills (Phase 5.1) or late fills (Phase 5.3). The bulk of the ceramics found in both the Phase 5.1 and Phase 5.3 reclamation fills have long periods of production, with the majority having at least begun manufacture in the 1830s, therefore generally fitting into the timeframe of 1830s and 1840s reclamation but unable to be used to specifically differentiate between the early and later reclamation episodes. One of the later reclamation fills, 7986, featured two ceramics dating from the 1860s (#59616, #59618). The presence of these later dating ceramics can be explained by the fact that this context was a machined mix of reclamation fills so contamination by later dating items is not unlikely. This same machined mix of reclamation fills (7986) was also the only context which featured a conjoin with another context in Area 7. The item with conjoining sherds was a black sponged saucer dating between the 1840s to 1930s, with the eight sherds in fill 7986 (#59628) found to conjoin with five sherds in context 8037 (#59850). Context 8037 was the lower fill of a cesspit (8036) that relates to the later Phase 7 of the Area (1860s to 1900 residential and industrial development). Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development Much of the residential and commercial development in Area 7 occurred during the 1840s to the 1860s. This Phase was characterized by a period of construction and development including levelling fills and ground preparation over the reclamation, the introduction of wharfage in the form of the Union Wharf later known as Murphy’s Wharf, the construction of a dwelling house or cottage on the southern boundary of the northern allotment, the construction of buildings on the northern boundary and the institution of fencing and drainage.

110

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Ceramics, 140 items, were found in 17 contexts from this period. Fourteen of the contexts containing ceramics were post-reclamation levelling fills, the three exceptions being a fill within a sandstone box drain (8080), a fill within a fireplace (8108), and the uppermost level of earlier reclamation relating to the re-establishment of the northern boundary fence (8246). Phase 6 was further divided into five chronological sub-phases and the ceramics recovered were discussed within these sub-phases. Just one context containing ceramics was identified with Phase 6.1, the re-establishment of the boundary fence (8247) on the northern boundary. Context 8246, featuring a sherd from an annular ware bowl (#58999), was identified as the uppermost level of reclamation fill associated with the fence and it appeared that the fence was driven directly into the reclamation fill as there was no evidence of posthole cuts. Phase 6.2, associated with the construction of a building (8224), was represented by just one context containing ceramics, a levelling fill (8014). The 23 ceramics in this all featured long manufacturing date ranges, continuing to be manufactured into the late 19th century and, in most cases, well on into the 20th century. Phase 6.3 was associated specifically with a sandstone box drain (8072). The drain was probably associated with housing and other buildings of an industrial nature constructed in the area in the 1850s. The fill in the drain (8080) was a sandy silt deposit and fine sand lenses and it is thought that this silting up of the drain occurred once the use of the drain discontinued. The fill had only three were ceramic and all three had very long manufacturing date ranges, from c.1810 to the 1930s (#58199, #59896, #59897). Phase 6.4 was represented by a series of levelling fills which were laid down across the site following the bulk reclamation of the 1840s (Phase 5). The levelling fills, 13 of which contained ceramics, were all of a similar depth or thickness across the site and were introduced to facilitate the use of broad areas as navigable yard surfaces and as ground preparation for structures and paving. The 21 decorative types within the levelling fills all have long manufacturing date ranges however they are generally indicative of deposition occurring from at least the mid 19th century. Three salt-glazed stoneware bottles and one bristol-glazed stoneware jar featured manufacturing marks (#58185-#58188) and these impressed makers marks indicated that the levelling fills, if occurring in the one depositional episode, occurred post-1866, towards the end of Phase 6 or the beginning of Phase 7. A number of transfer-printed patterns were also identified and these 12 patterns, on a total of 28 items, are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations in deposits generally dating from the mid 19th century. Three of the purple transfer-printed identified patterns have post-1860 dates (#59777-#59779), suggesting like the marked stonewares, that the levelling fills occurred towards the end of Phase 6 or the beginning of Phase 7. Phase 6.5 related to the construction of a sandstone cottage (8090) to the south of the property. It is not known who built the house however it was probably occupied during the 1850s. The remains of a possible fireplace base were found in the southeast corner of the western room, built of roughly dressed sandstone blocks and a crushed sandstone packing (8108). A single salt-glazed stoneware bottle sherd was found in the packing, dating between the c.1830s and 1930s (#58215). Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential, Industrial and Commercial Activity From the 1860s Area 7 was used extensively as stables, yards and industrial work areas. Evidence for occupation and use of the site were revealed surrounding the sandstone cottage and various outbuildings likely to be associated with the structure such as brick yard surfaces, a cesspit, wooden flooring and sheds, demolition layers and industrial fills. Test trenches on the northern boundary revealed yard surfaces, wooden structures including the remains of a slab wall, and artefact-rich

111

_________________________________________________________________________________


dumps. Ceramics were found in 39 contexts and totalled 779 items. Phase 7 was further divided into three chronological sub-phases and the ceramics recovered were discussed within these sub-phases. Phase 7.1 was the occupation and demolition of the sandstone cottage (8098); associated yard surfaces, occupation levels, cesspit and structures to the north of the cottage; sheds, wooden structures, yard surfaces and dumps adjacent to the northern boundary fence (8247); and various other occupation, paving surfaces and demolition fills. Sixteen contexts containing a total of 387 ceramics belonged to this sub-phase. Two occupation deposits in the west room of the sandstone cottage contained a few ceramics (7981, 8004); however both contexts were believed to be disturbed and mixed with either construction and/or demolition materials. The ceramics in two occupation deposits are typically found in contexts dating from the mid 19th century onwards and the three identified transfer-printed patterns indicated a post-1850 deposition (‘Rousillon’, ‘Peruvian Horse Hunt’, ‘Albion’ patterns). Both the east and west rooms had deposits relating to the post occupation/demolition of the cottage (7953, 8099). No ceramic patterns were identified in this small assemblage however three salt-glazed stoneware bottles featured manufacturer marks, from the second half of the 19th century and well on into the 20th century (#58165, #58213, #58214). Deposits 7953 and 8099 related to a period of reuse and then demolition of the cottage, where the degraded flooring was replaced by an industrial fill and by 1880 the cottage had been remodelled and re-established as a large cart horse shed. The cottage verandah had evidence of occupation from two artefact-rich underfloor deposits (8043, 7987). These two deposits contained 147 ceramics which typically date from the mid 19th century. Twenty identified transfer-printed patterns were recognised on 44 individual items and all are typical. The sandstone cottage was constructed in the 1840s, with its occupation and use spanning many years, eventually ending with its remodelling and then demolition in the 1860s to 1870s. By 1880 the cottage had evidently been remodelled and re-established as a large cart horse shed. The deposits under the verandah may include items from the period of reuse as a few of the identified patterns have post-1860 dates (‘Cable’, ‘Clyde’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Queensland’ patterns). One pattern in particular appears to have a far later date than any of the others, and if correct would suggest that it came from the building of the cart horse shed. This late ceramic was black transfer-printed ‘Ceres’ pattern plate is attributed to the Pilkington Tile & Pottery Co., Lancashire (#59677), and dates between 1897 to 1904.46 A rectangular cesspit (8036), probably associated with the sandstone cottage and backfilled during a later period of industrial activity, was heavily impacted upon by a modern machine trench and a 1980s pile. The cesspit fill (8037) had 28 ceramics. Four commonly recognised patterns were found on six individual items (‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Clyde’, ‘Willow’) and overall they suggest at least a post-1860 deposition, especially the ‘Albion’ and ‘Clyde’ patterns. The presence of the three banded ware items, also dating from c.1860+, further supports this (#59846-#59848). This cesspit fill features the only ceramic to have conjoins with another context in Area 7. Five sherds from a black sponged saucer, dating between the 1840s and 1930s (#59850), joined with eight sherds in context 7986 (#59628), a machined mix of reclamation fills previously identified with Phase 5.3. The presence of this conjoin in a context of mixed reclamation fills, coupled with a basemarked salt-glazed stoneware ginger beer bottle dating from 1917 (#58195), confirms that the cesspit fill was disturbed. This is not surprising given that the cesspit was heavily impacted upon by a modern machine trench and a 1980s pile. Yard surfaces were identified in the area adjacent to the northern boundary fence, contexts 8263 and 8293. The ceramics recovered from these, 61 in total, were all typically indicative of a

46

Erskine 2003:37

112

_________________________________________________________________________________


household-related assemblage dating from the mid 19th century. The yard surface was also interrupted by a dump (8239) located close to the boundary fence. The dump was not clearly defined and may have extended further south. The fill of the dump (8330) contained 63 ceramics, and the decorative types, identified patterns and eight remnant basemarks all indicate deposition occurring sometime during the second half of the 19th century. An extensive area of clay fill was interpreted as another yard surface (8345), with the deposit densely packed with artefacts and the ceramic decorative types suggesting it was perhaps more indicative of a late Phase 6 than a Phase 7 deposit. Phase 7.2 had one context with ceramics, a clay levelling fill (8233) laid directly beneath a sandstone structure built sometime between 1865 and 1880. This bedding fill was laid sometime prior to the construction of the building and the ceramics in the fill indicate that it was laid sometime post-1845. This is indicted by the presence of a blue transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern plate (#58925), a pattern that was first introduced in c.1845 and then copied by many.47

Phase 7.3 archaeological evidence for post-1880s activity included levelling fills, industrial fills, yard surfaces, service trenches, construction and demolition. The ceramics were identified in a number of industrial fills (6), levelling fills (4), postholes (6), fills associated with a pit (3), and a deposit/accumulation (1). Analysis of these ceramics occurred within the five groupings. The various layers of industrial fills were extensive, with six of the fills containing ceramics, 194 in total (7927, 7928, 7943, 7950, 7954, 8097). A total of 15 decorative types were identified and all featured long periods of manufacture. A large number of salt-glazed stoneware stout bottles (111), representing 66.8 per cent of the identified shapes, were found and 20 of these had dateable basemarks. Overall the identified transfer-printed patterns contained within these industrial fills fit into the general Phase 7 period, with just one pattern particularly indicating a post-1880s date, this being the black transfer-printed ‘Ceres’ pattern plate attributed to the Pilkington Tile and Pottery Co. Lancashire, dating between 1897 to 1904 (#59563). Overall the identified basemarks fit comfortably into the general Phase 7 period, with just the one basemark specifically indicating a post-1880s date of deposition, this being a bristol-glazed stoneware stout bottle made by the Newport Pottery in Burslem, England and dating from 1920+ (#58090). Four levelling fills contained 77 ceramics (8240, 8256, 8257, 8295). Like the industrial fills, the ceramic decorative types identified all featured long periods of manufacture. Five transfer-printed patterns were identified, on a total of 16 items, and all are regularly identified on Sydney historical excavations, again particularly in deposits associated with the mid 19th century and later (‘Willow’, ‘Albion’, ‘Rhine’, ‘Canton Views’, ‘Wild Rose’). None of the 77 ceramics featured basemarks and overall the ceramics were indicative of deposition occurring within the general Phase 7 period, not specifically post-1880s. A number of postholes, believed to belong to timber sheds, were also thought to belong to the post-1880s period; however the ceramics recovered from these were also only indicative of deposition occurring sometime within the general Phase 7 period and not specifically post-1880s. Context 8235 was a dark brown sandy silt accumulation thought to represent a yard surface and it contained 35 ceramics dating from the mid 19th century and later. Seven patterns were identified on a total of 12 items, transfer-printed and handpainted: ‘Albion’, ‘Cable’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Forest’, ‘Nanking’, ‘Two Temples II’, ‘Willow’. Nineteen ceramics associated with a linear cut/pit (8309) were also not particularly distinctive and could relate to Phases 5, 6 or 7.

47

Furniss, Wagner & Wagner 1999:110

113

_________________________________________________________________________________


Phase 8: 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways Phase 8 included contexts associated with occupation-related and industrial levelling fills associated with the Fresh Food and Ice Co. sheds and buildings; a rubbish pit; an early 20th-century construction phase and the installation of sewerage and drainage systems. Many of the industrial levelling fills were mechanically excavated, with detailed exposure carried out through a series of test trenches excavated on the northern boundary (TT14, TT15 and TT17). Ceramics (232) were found in 13 contexts on Phase 8. Three industrial fills were machine excavated, contexts 7902, 7903 and 8279. No ceramics were in fill 7902 and only six in fill 7903. The industrial fill 8279 contained 98 ceramics and was located in the northern boundary area of Area 7, to the south of the northern boundary fence (8247). Context 8279 featured a range of artefacts including oyster shells, glass, ceramics, crushed sandstone and sandstock bricks. It is thought that it may represent a continuation of the industrial fills 7902 and 7903 in the south. Eighteen decorative types were identified with 12 transfer-printed patterns on 31 items, all are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations and six of the patterns indicated that the deposit at least post-dated the 1860s (‘Dora’, ‘Kulat’, ‘Albion’, ‘Chantilly’, ‘Crystal’, ‘Clyde’). A group of service trenches in the mid section of the property represented a late 19th to early 20th-century sewerage and drainage system. Trench 7945 had fill 7947 with 33 ceramics and trench 7945 contained fill 7955 with six ceramics. The twelve decorative types identified in the fills date from the mid 19th century and is mostly domestic refuse and the presence of a blue transfer-printed child’s mug, featuring the pattern ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ (#59553), was particularly indicative of an assemblage relating to a familial environment. Apart from the ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ pattern, four other transfer-printed patterns were identified here (‘Albion’, ‘Rhine’, ‘Seaweed’, ‘Willow’). The presence of the ‘Albion’ and ‘Rhine’ patterns indicated that the service trenches were backfilled sometime after the mid 19th century, as did the blue flow ‘Seaweed’ pattern. The ‘Seaweed’ pattern plate is interesting in that it is the only example within the ceramics category that was found across the entire site to feature a specific maritime association (#59552). A series of test trenches were excavated on the northern boundary, TT14, TT15 and TT17. The fills within these trenches were assigned different context numbers and then it was noted which fills equated with the fills in the other trenches. A total of 79 ceramics were recovered and the 15 decorative types represented were very like those found in the previously discussed industrial fill 8279 and the two service trench backfills 7947 and 7955. The 11 shapes were generally indicative of domestic refuse and the six identified transfer-printed patterns are all regularly found on Sydney historical excavations, in contexts dating from the mid 19th century (‘Albion’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Forest’, ‘Gem’, ‘Rhine’, ‘Willow’). A rubbish pit fill (8360) contained a number of artefacts, of which only 10 were ceramic dated to the middle to late 19th century onwards. Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development Phase 9 deposits include a structure above the sandstone cottage 8098; service trenches and cleaning levels of industrial fills and modern demolition. Much of the evidence for this phase of activity was excavated by machine. Ceramics were found in seven contexts identified as relating to this period, with the total number of ceramics recovered numbering 77 items. A number of contexts represent machine clearance in various area of the site and five of these contained ceramics (7901, 7951, 7985, 8094, 8202). These cleaning levels were all characterised by industrial waste and pre-1980s demolition rubble and included such items as plastic, machine-made bricks and concrete. There were 58 ceramics from these cleaning contexts which were mixed and of little value to the analysis.

114

_________________________________________________________________________________


Two contexts were assigned to the unstratified finds collected during the machine clearance of the front (8089) and rear (8090). Only a few ceramics were found in each of these contexts, with just three in 8089 and 16 in 8090. The 16 ceramics from context 8090 had a general 19th century date range, although the presence of semi-vitreous fine earthenware and the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ and ‘Rhine’ patterns were also indicative of a deposit occurring sometime after the mid 19th century. 2.5 Area 848 Area 8 was below the high water mark until the 1830s when the land was reclaimed by Thomas Barker, owner of the nearby Barker’s mill. Sales of Thomas Barker’s land around his mill for residential housing began as early as November 1837 when 83 allotments were offered. Some had frontages to Bathurst and Sussex streets while to the west new streets were laid out, Steam Mill Street, Thomas Street and Barker Street. The allotments took some time to sell, even those on the main street frontages of Sussex and Bathurst Streets, and were still on offer in 1844 and 1847. The residential development on Barker’s land was slow, until after the gold rush, and by 1856 there were some houses along Mill and Barker Streets however the rest of the area to the south was still divided into large lots associated with the wharves.

By 1865 ten more houses had been built at the west end of Steam Mill Street and Barker’s Lane, five on each frontage. The residents of the area worked in local industries, with occupations including boiler makers, stonemasons, weavers, draymen, engineers, mariners, timber merchants and wharfingers, as well as the grocers, bootmakers, tailors and laundresses who serviced everyday needs. The extent of multiple occupancy in single dwellings and the poor or non-existent state of sewage and drainage provision in Sydney and its immediate suburbs were brought to light in the 1870s when members of the Sewage and Health Board undertook personal inspections of many houses and business premises. Amongst the places included in their inspections were Duncan Street, Barker’s Lane, Steam Mill Street and the tweed manufactory. The condition of the houses was mixed, with resident home owners being the most conscientious about cleanliness and order. Even in some of the rented houses which were in ‘good order’, such as those belonging to local employers, Mr Barker and Mr Monk, the state of the closets or privies were ‘highly offensive’ or ‘disgusting’. Multiple occupancy was common. ‘The landlords in this neighbourhood have shown great ingenuity in dividing their houses in order to obtain extra tenants’, the Committee observed, also noting that the water supply came through lead pipes. The majority of houses in Area 8 were still standing 1901. The southern block, which is the focus of this study, was demolished by 1901 when it was redeveloped into the fruit market with the former PN Russell carriage workshop. The boiler house of the workshop to the east (and part of Area 5) was also demolished by 1901. Some of the houses in the two northern blocks were still standing in the 1935 and 1970 plans and a few were still standing in 1986 when they were demolished for the Darling Harbour Redevelopment. Area 8 was one of several areas of potential archaeological significance identified within the impact zone of the basement structure associated with the redevelopment of Darling Quarter. The entire site was divided into ten archaeological phases, reflecting general changes in land use as well as social or economic function across the site. The potential for significant archaeological information retrieval in Area 8 was greatest for Phases 6 and 7 and was largely concerned with residential development of the reclaimed foreshore.

48

Background information regarding the history and excavation of Area 8 comes from Hincks 2009.

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Excavation of Area 8 resulted in the retrieval of information concerning all archaeological phases, with the most significant archaeological material recovered relating to Phases 6 and 7 and covering the period from 1830 to 1900. The site yielded considerable material remains associated with the workers housing on the southern side of Steam Mill Street between 1840 and 1901. The most significant archaeological features excavated and recorded in Area 8 included:

The remains of footings of houses 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19. The footings displayed different construction methods and styles, and differences within a single structure also signified different stages of modification and construction within the houses. This was particularly the case of Houses 11 and 19 which had rooms added, and House 17 which was constructed against the west wall of House 19. Excavation also revealed that Houses 7 and 9 were built together.

Underfloor deposits were present in the rear lower-storey rooms of all the houses along Steam Mill Street, except for House 17.

Several yard surfaces were exposed during excavation, revealing a trend toward paving in the later 19th century. This may have been encouraged as a measure to combat the insanitary conditions of the area as a paved surface could be cleaned much easier than the earlier industrial waste used as surfacing.

Sandstone footings and timber remains of a shed, described as ‘stables’ in the Assessment Books, were found in the yard of lot 13. The substantial construction materials and complexity of the structure including timber flooring in the northern part suggested that it was a well-presented structure. Postholes marking the yard boundaries were also consistent with historic plans.

Brick and sandstone cesspits were found in the yards of Houses 7, 9 and 11 and material associated with the use of the cesspits of Houses 7 and 9 yielded many artefacts.

Excavation also revealed several pipes that led from the toilets in the yard to Steam Mill Street. The sewer pipes were installed beneath the footings of the houses while the houses were still occupied.

A laneway ran behind the properties off Barker Street and joined another running from Steam Mill Street along the eastern flank of lot 19. Although the back lane existed from the period before the sale of the lots, the laneways were not flagged until after 1869 when the eastern lane was defined by the boundary of the carriage works lumber yard. It is likely that it may not have occurred until the mid 1870s when sanitation concerns prompted a cleanup of the area.

2.5.1 Overview The ceramics in Area 8 came from 140 contexts with numbered 2,831 items (4,357 sherds) (Table 2.109). The contexts and ceramics will be discussed within their relevant phasing.


8501 365 8.4 182 6.4

8505 7 0.2 6 0.2

8506 3 0.1 1 0

8510 8 0.2 6 0.2

8512 25 0.6 9 0.3

8513 1 0 1 0

8515 11 0.2 11 0.4

8517 5 0.1 5 0.2

8519 15 0.3 10 0.3

8520 59 1.3 21 0.7

8524 5 0.1 1 0

8525 4 0.1 4 0.1

8527 55 1.3 48 1.7

8528 3 0.1 3 0.1

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Context Frags % Items %

8529 417 9.6 345 12.2

8535 4 0.1 3 0.1

8539 1 0 1 0

8543 5 0.1 5 0.2

8546 3 0.1 3 0.1

8557 29 0.7 21 0.7

8560 29 0.7 23 0.8

8563 21 0.5 10 0.3

8566 12 0.3 5 0.2

8567 6 0.1 5 0.2

8568 13 0.3 10 0.3

8570 8 0.2 7 0.2

8571 1 0 1 0

8572 22 0.5 15 0.5

8576 2 0 2 0.1

8579 27 0.6 16 0.6

8580 6 0.1 5 0.2

8583 9 0.2 7 0.2

8585 80 1.8 67 2.4

8587 37 0.8 19 0.7

8591 17 0.4 7 0.2

8592 5 0.1 4 0.1

8594 3 0.1 3 0.1

8598 13 0.3 10 0.3

8600 2 0 2 0.1

8601 4 0.1 4 0.1

8602 7 0.2 5 0.2

8605 4 0.1 4 0.1

8606 4 0.1 1 0

8608 12 0.3 10 0.3

8609 9 0.2 9 0.3

8610 310 7.1 235 8.3

8614 172 3.9 114 4

8615 12 0.3 11 0.4

8616 33 0.7 24 0.8

8617 5 0.1 4 0.1

8621 6 0.1 3 0.1

8625 13 0.3 8 0.3

8626 28 0.6 21 0.7

8627 3 0.1 3 0.1

8629 25 0.6 19 0.7

8630 465 10.7 380 13.4

8631 2 0 2 0.1

8633 22 0.5 16 0.6

8634 30 0.7 19 0.7

8639 12 0.3 10 0.3

8640 4 0.1 4 0.1

8641 64 1.5 23 0.8

8643 9 0.2 7 0.2

8644 7 0.2 7 0.2

8645 2 0 2 0.1

8647 11 0.2 4 0.1

8650 2 0 2 0.1

8652 6 0.1 6 0.2

8654 31 0.7 8 0.3

8655 38 0.9 9 0.3

8663 4 0.1 2 0.1

8664 39 0.9 9 0.3

8666 21 0.5 12 0.4

8672 2 0 2 0.1

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8680 7 0.2 6 0.2

8682 5 0.1 5 0.2

8683 13 0.3 7 0.2

8684 2 0 2 0.1

8688 14 0.3 10 0.3

8689 3 0.1 2 0.1

8691 1 0 1 0

8693 2 0 2 0.1

8694 19 0.4 11 0.4

8695 2 0 2 0.1

8696 46 1 29 1

8699 1 0 1 0

8700 182 4.2 148 5.2

8704 1 0 1 0

8705 2 0 2 0.1

8713 9 0.2 6 0.2

8723 3 0.1 2 0.1

8724 33 0.7 18 0.6

8730 7 0.2 5 0.2

8735 20 0.4 20 0.7

8736 256 5.9 57 2

8737 177 4.1 49 1.7

8739 8 0.2 8 0.3

8754 3 0.1 2 0.1

8756 12 0.3 12 0.4

8765 16 0.4 11 0.4

8772 70 1.6 26 1

8785 7 0.2 7 0.2

8787 18 0.4 14 0.5

8796 5 0.1 5 0.2

8798 25 0.6 16 0.6

8802 19 0.4 15 0.5

8805 4 0.1 4 0.1

8810 28 0.6 21 0.7

8814 2 0 2 0.1

8815 3 0.1 3 0.1

8818 13 0.3 8 0.3

8821 62 1.4 37 1.3

8834 4 0.1 4 0.1

8838 33 0.7 14 0.5

8841 2 0 2 0.1

8843 12 0.3 10 0.3

8847 1 0 1 0

8850 253 6 167 6

8856 2 0 2 0.1

8860 99 2.3 70 2.5

8861 17 0.4 11 0.4

8873 3 0.1 3 0.1

8874 6 0.1 6 0.2

8875 2 0 2 0.1

8876 2 0 2 0.1

8890 4 0.1 4 0.1

8900 8 0.2 7 0.2

9001 8 0.2 7 0.2

9002 13 0.3 9 0.3

9008 5 0.1 5 0.2

9009 4 0.1 4 0.1

9010 1 0 1 0

9015 2 0 2 0.1

9017 5 0.1 5 0.2

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9018 5 0.1 5 0.2

9029 4 0.1 3 0.1

9037 2 0 2 0.1

9038 2 0 1 0

9041 1 0 1 0

9044 1 0 1 0

4357 99.3 2831 98.9

Six fabric were identified in Area 8, fine earthenware was the largest with 2,118 items (74.8%) and bone china was the second largest category with 12 per cent followed by stoneware with 7.5 per cent (Table 2.110).


bc 341 12 chinese porc 10 0.3

cew 13 0.4 few 2118 74.8 stw 212 7.5

svfew 137 4.8

2831 99.8

The 13 coarse earthenware items are locally manufactured self-slipped (8) and lead-glazed wares (5). The ten Chinese porcelain items were blue handpainted unidentified body sherds, with three exceptions, a plate (#58660) and two ginger jars (#58657, #58662). Ceramics manufactured in the United Kingdom dominate the assemblage, with 2,535 items representing well over three-quarters of the assemblage (89.5%) (Table 2.111).

Table 2.111: Country of manufacture. Country Items %

Aus 32 1.1

China 10 0.3

Scot 7 0.2

UK 2535 89.5

UK/Aus 221 7.8

UK/USA/Eur/Aus 13 0.4

UK/USA/Europe 11 0.4

UK/USA/France 2 0.1

2831 99.8

The 32 ceramics identified as being of local Australian manufacture are 2 salt-glazed stonewares with manufacturer marks, 22 lead-glazed earthenwares and eight self-slipped earthenwares. The seven Scottish items are three salt-glazed stonewares with manufacturer marks and four items with identified transfer-printed patterns attributed to particular Scottish potters (‘Damascus’, ‘Maltese’ and ‘Sydney’ patterns). The 22 ceramics identified as being manufactured in the United Kingdom/Australia are salt-glazed and Bristol-glazed stonewares and majolica ware which feature no identifying manufacturer marks to indicate definite country of origin. The 13 items identified as being manufactured in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia are unmarked yellow wares. The 11 items identified as being manufactured in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe are all sponge wares, and the two items identified as being manufactured in the United Kingdom/United States/France are annular wares. A total of 41 decorative types were identified across Area 8 (Table 2.112). Overall the range is indicative of the worldwide domination of the ceramic industry that the United Kingdom achieved during the 19th century, providing an extensive range of decorative styles on a wide variety of shapes and in price ranges to suit all budgets.

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Blue transfer-printed ceramics were the most dominant decorative type, with 852 individual items identified representing well over a quarter of the ceramic assemblage (30.1%). The development of transfer printing introduced a seemingly endless variety of patterns to choose from, available in matching pieces and, as the 19th century progressed, in a wide range of colours. Broken items could be easily replaced with the same pattern and the choices available also allowed for prices to range from cheaper more commonly mass-produced patterns (‘Willow’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’) through to the more expensive patterns that were perhaps only made by one manufacturer instead of many. Transfer printing was used on a multitude of shapes that covered a huge range of uses. The overall popularity of transfer printing is demonstrated by its presence on 1611 ceramics, or more than half the assemblage (56.9%). Transfer printing was in a variety of colours (blue, black, brown, green, purple and red) and also finishes (pearlware, flow, clobbered and multi-coloured). Basemarks were found on 21 ceramics in 13 contexts (Table 2.113). These will be discussed further within the relevant phases.


annular 1 0 annular ww 1 0

banded 79 2.8 bl flow 280 10 bl hp 10 0.3

blk flow 61 2.1 blktp 67 2.3 bltp 852 30.1

bltp pearl 23 1 bristol gl 14 0.5

brntp 57 2 clobb 10 0.3

cream w 16 0.5 edge pearl 15 0.5 edge WW 9 0.3

gild 72 2.5 gilded, mou 1 0

glazed 2 0.1 grnflow 1 0

grntp 105 3.7 hp 28 1

hp gild 11 0.4 hp mou gild 1 0

hp ww 16 0.5 lead gl 22 0.8

majolica 1 0 mou hp 9 0.3 mou ww 5 0.2 multi tp 1 0

pearl 7 0.2 ppl tp 134 4.7 redtp 20 0.7

rock gl 17 0.6 salt gl 198 7 selfslip 8 0.3 sponge 11 0.4 sprigg 34 1.2

wgl 238 8.4 wgl mou 9 0.3

ww 371 13.1 yellow ware 14 0.5

2831 99.6

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Table 2.113: Basemarked ceramics in Area 8. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

8501 58247 jar bristol gl Imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘POWELL’ / ‘BRISTOL’.

1835

1


Imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’.

1835 1858 1

58249 demijohn bristol gl Imp mark on sh - ‘POWELL’ / ‘BRISTOL’. 1835

1

70210 toilet wgl Imp ‘22 OCT 1973’. 1973

1

70253 cup bl flow TP basemark - ‘Copeland’ / ‘Late Spode’. 1847 1867 1

70284 plate blktp

TP basemark - A ribbon with ‘STANLEY’ and ‘J.M. & Co’ below; initials belong to J. Maudesley and Co, Tunstall.

1862 1864 1

8512 70347 plate wgl mou TP basemark - crown above a shield containing ‘IRONSTONE’ / ‘CHINA’, with ‘POWELL (& BI)SHOP’ on ribbon below.

1867 1878 1

8520 58255 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘PORT-DUNDAS’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘POTTERY COY’. H = 264mm.

1850 1932 1

58256 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘PORT-DUNDAS’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘POTTERY COY’. H = 273mm.

1850 1932 1

8587 70973 plate ww TP basemark for ‘ELSMORE & FORSTER’. 1853 1871 1

8610 71067 plate wgl TP basemark - crown above a shield containing ‘(IR)ONSTONE’ / ‘CHINA’ / ‘(POWELL & BISHOP)’ below.

1867 1878 1

8621 58313 btl salt gl Imp mark - ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

8614 71360 ewer blk flow

TP basemark - ‘LADY PEEL’ above a rampant lion with initials ‘F M & Co’ below; initials are for Francis Morley and Co, Hanley.

1845 1858 1

8630 71716 unid yellow ware Imp basemark ‘WARRANTED’ / ‘FIREPROOF’.

1890

1

8654 71877 saucer bltp TP basemark - ‘FESTOON’ / ‘J.L.C.’ within foliated scroll cartouche; initials for Jonathan Lowe Chetham, Longton.

1841 1862 1

8736 72216 plate brntp TP basemark - ‘MALTESE’ in round cartouche with ‘J.T. & SONS’ below.

1866 1884 1

72217 saucer bltp

TP basemark - very smudged - a crown, with ‘PEONY’ / ‘(P. B) & Co’, framed by 2 laurel branches; initials belong to Pinder, Bourne & Co., Burslem.

1862 1882 1

8737 58394 btl salt gl Imp circular mark on lower ext bd - ‘T. FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / 'SYDNEY’.

1860

1

72228 dish yellow ware

Imp basemark - oval garter mark with ‘WARRANTED’ / ‘SHARPE’.

1821 1967 1

8765 72293 unid bltp TP basemark - floral spray in a vase with ‘MELLOR VENABLE(S & Co)’ below.

1834 1851 1

8818 58403 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘PORT (-DUNDAS)’ / ‘GLA(SGOW)’ / ‘PO(TTERY COY)’.

1850 1932 1

21

A number of ceramics were found to have conjoins between various contexts (Table 2.114). These nine individual items were in seven contexts, five were underfloor deposits and two yard surfaces. The five underfloor deposits were in houses 7 (8700), 9 (8610), 15 (8861), 17 (8860) and 19 (8850), with the conjoins occurring between excavated gridded squares and spits. The two yard surfaces

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were associated with House 9 (8641, 8654). The conjoining items will be discussed in further detail when focussing on the particular houses and deposits.

Table 2.114: Conjoining ceramics in Area 8. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Join Frags Items

8610 71079 saucer 1 clobb 8610/#71228 1 1 8610 71228

8610/#71079 1 0

8610 71188 dish yellow ware 8610/#71189 2 1 8610 71189

8610/#71188 7 0

8641 58710 unid lead gl 8654/#58712 2 1 8654 58712

8641/#58710 1 0

8700 72068 saucer 2 wgl 8700/#72072 1 1 8700 72072

8700#72068 2 0

8850 72547 saucer 3 ppl tp 8850/#72554 3 1 8850 72554

8850/#72547 1 0

8850 72550 saucer 4 grntp 8850/#72572 1 1 8850 72572

8850/#72550 2 0

8850 72613 cup hp 8850/#72622 2 1 8850 72622

8850/#72613 5 0

8860 72658 platter edge WW 8860/#72668 1 1 8860 72668

8860/#72658 1 0

8861 72702 plate bl flow 8861/#72703 1 1 8861 72703

8861/#72702 5 0

39 9

2.5.2 Overview of Area 8CT49 A part of the site in Area 8 was excavated separately, the Children’s Theatre (Area 8CT), although its ceramics were included as part of the above brief overview of Area 8 as a whole. The Children’s Theatre was located on the corner of the former Barker and Steam Mill Streets. The area was subject to various stages of development from the 1830s onward and immediately prior to the archaeological program and development of the site a two-storey games complex existed on the site (Segaworld). The archaeological excavation of Area 8CT was undertaken in February 2009 and the more significant archaeological features excavated and recorded in Area 8CT included:

1830s reclamation

Footings for 1837-1842 housing at No 12 Barker Street and parts of Nos 10 and 14

Footings for 1842-1856 extensions to these structures

Part of the south wall of the 1921-1939 commercial redevelopment The ceramics recovered from Area 8CT were limited, with 46 items (53 sherds) from four archaeological phases, Phases 6, 7, 9 and 10:



Phase 9 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development

Phase 10 1980s Demolition and Re-Development Given that the number of ceramics recovered from Area 8CT was small they are discussed only briefly. The 46 ceramics represent 1.6 per cent of the ceramics items found within the whole of Area 8. The 46 ceramics were found in a total of 13 contexts, with the most coming from the

49

Background information regarding Area 8CT comes from Harrop:2009

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general cleaning (9001) and modern machined fill (9002) contexts, relating to Phase 10 (Table 2.115).

Table 2.115: Ceramics in individual contexts in Area 8CT. Context Frags % Items %

9001 8 15.1 7 15.2

9002 13 22.7 9 19.6

9008 5 9.4 5 10.9

9009 4 7.5 4 8.7

9010 1 1.9 1 2.2

9015 2 3.8 2 4.3

9017 5 9.4 5 10.9

9018 5 9.4 5 10.9

9029 4 7.5 3 6.5

9037 2 3.8 2 4.3

9038 2 3.8 1 2.2

9041 1 1.9 1 2.2

9044 1 1.9 1 2.2

53 98.1 46 100.1

Only one context featuring ceramics was identified as belonging to Phase 6, context 9010 had one blue transfer-printed semi-vitreous fine earthenware unidentified body sherd, dating from c.1840+ (#72750). This context was a fill in the northeast corner of the rear room in house No. 12 and was a compact, mid brown, silty sand with occasional medium sized sandstone inclusions, not dissimilar to the packing fills used in the wall trenches. It is possible that this fill was a levelling fill rather than construction related. Context 9010 was not fully excavated. Five of the contexts with ceramics belonged to Phase 7, and four of these were fills within a cesspit (9029, 9037, 9038, 9041) and the fifth was a backfill deposit in a corridor (9044). There were only eight ceramics in Phase 7, with seven recovered in the four cesspit fills (9027). The sandstone cesspit was joined to the rear of the back room of No. 12 Barker Street and contained six fills, with four of these having the small number of ceramics. Based on the fill consistency and the artefact types it was interpreted that the lowest three fills were occupation-related (9042, 9041, 9040) and the upper three post-occupational (9038, 9037, 9029). Only one of the occupation-related fills contained ceramics (9041), the ‘Willow’ pattern in blue transfer print, dating from c.1810+ (#72769). The three post-occupational fills had six ceramics, one in fill 9038, two in 9037 and three in 9029 (#72763-#72768) (Table 2.116).

Table 2.116: Ceramics in cesspit fills 9029, 9037 and 9038 (Phase 7). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


bltp few unid UK W3 1810 1

ww few cup UK 1830 1

9037 bl flow few saucer UK 1830 1930 1

wgl bc unid UK 1800 1

9038 hp ww few unid UK 1830 1

6

All six items were represented by small sherds and the shape of four could not be identified. The single blue transfer-printed pearlware ‘Willow’ pattern item found in context 9044, backfill in a corridor between the rear rooms of Nos 10 and 12 Barker Street, was also so small that its shape could not be identified (#72770). Another five contexts featuring ceramics were identified with Phase 9, with 21 items. The five contexts related to a bitumen footpath fill (9008), demolition fill (9009) and test pit fills (9015, 9017, 9018). The five ceramics in fill 9008 were all small sherds, with just the one black transfer-printed plate whose shape was identifiable (#72742). The remaining four items were an unidentified

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whiteware body sherd (#72741) and three unidentified blue transfer-printed body and base sherds (#72743-#72745). The bitumen fill was one of a number of partially excavated fills within a test pit and was identified as one of several 20th-century footpath surfaces. Context 9009 was a dark brown sandy clay fill with evidence of modern disturbance. It is thought that this fill was associated with the 1920s demolition of the 19th-century structures however it is also possible that the context belongs to a later period in Phase 9. Four ceramics were found in this fill, dating from the c.1830s+, and included a bone china cup (#72746), blue flow cup and saucer (#72747, #72748), and a brown transfer-printed plate (#72749). The remaining 12 ceramics relating to Phase 9 were all fills in a test pit (9015, 9017, 9018), the same test pit that contained the bitumen footpath fill (9008). The fills are believed to have been part of the one event (Table 2.117).

Table 2.117: Ceramics in test pit fills 9015, 9017 and 9018 (Phase 9). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1

wgl bc

UK 1800

1


W3 1

few unid UK 1830

1

bl flow few saucer UK 1830 1930

1

few unid UK 1830 1930

1

wgl bc cup UK 1800

1


W3 1


1

cream w few

UK 1780 1900

1

wgl bc

UK 1800

1

ww few

UK 1830

1

12

2.5.2.1 Area 8CT Conclusion The 46 ceramics recovered from Area 8CT were found in 13 contexts, none of which were particularly useful in adding any real insights into the information already gleaned during excavation. None of the ceramics featured basemarks or conjoins, all were very small sherds, and the only identifiable pattern found was the ever ubiquitous ‘Willow’ pattern. The contexts in which the ceramics were found were from general cleaning (9001), modern machine fill (9002), levelling fill (9010), cesspit fills (9041, 9029, 9037, 9038), backfill in corridor (9044), bitumen footpath fill (9008), test pit fills (9015, 9017, 9018), and a demolition fill (9009). 2.5.3 Phase 5: Late 1830s to Early 1840s Reclamation Although the excavation of Area 8 resulted in the retrieval of information concerning all of the archaeological phases, the most significant material concerned Phases 6 and 7, covering the period from 1840 to 1900. The area yielded substantial material remains associated with the workers housing on the southern side of Steam Mill Street between 1840 and 1901. In readiness for the sale and use of the reclaimed land a number of levelling fills were introduced to counteract some subsidence across the site after the initial reclamation fills were introduced. Two of these levelling fills contained four ceramics (8645, 8650, these were the only ceramics in Phase 5 (Table 2.118).

Table 2.118: Ceramics in levelling fills 8645 and 8650 (Phase 5). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

8645 71860 blk flow few saucer UK 1830 1930 1


1

8650 71865 bltp few unid UK 1830

1


4

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2.5.4 Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development This phase witnessed the construction and initial occupation of houses along the southern side of Steam Mill Street, numbers 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 19. The houses were largely occupied by those employed in the nearby mills and foundry industries. Evidence of sheds, boundary markers and early yard surfaces were found associated with this phase of construction and early occupation. Yard fills were laid down to alter existing surfaces for structures or paving, or else resembled a gradual accumulation of material associated with occupation. The early yard modifications used either clay or industrial waste as levelling or surfacing material. In Phase 6 there were 52 contexts containing ceramics, these were mostly levelling fills, underfloor deposits, and yard surface modifications and fills. The individual contexts with the most ceramics are all underfloor deposits within various rooms, and in six of these underfloor deposits the number of ceramics is in the hundreds. The ceramics and contexts will be discussed according to the individual houses in which they were found (Table 2.119).

Table 2.119: Contexts with ceramics in Phase 6. Context Frags % Items %

8506 3 0.1 1 0.1

8519 15 0.6 10 0.5

8520 59 2.3 21 1.1

8528 3 0.1 3 0.2

8529 417 16.6 345 18.8

8576 2 0.1 2 0.1

8583 9 0.3 7 0.4

8585 80 3.2 67 3.6

8592 5 0.2 4 0.2

8600 2 0.1 2 0.1

8608 12 0.5 10 0.5

8609 9 0.3 9 0.5

8610 310 12.3 235 12.8

8614 172 6.8 114 6.2

8615 12 0.5 11 0.6

8616 33 1.3 24 1.3

8617 5 0.2 4 0.2

8621 6 0.2 3 0.2

8625 13 0.5 8 0.4

8626 28 1.1 21 1.1

8630 465 18.5 380 20.7

8631 2 0.1 2 0.1

8634 30 1.2 19 1.0

8639 12 0.47 10 0.5

8644 7 0.27 7 0.4

8647 11 0.43 4 0.2

8652 6 0.23 6 0.3

8654 31 1.23 8 0.4

8655 38 1.51 9 0.5

8672 2 0.07 2 0.1

8680 7 0.3 6 0.3

8682 5 0.2 5 0.3

8683 13 0.5 7 0.4

8684 2 0.1 2 0.1

8688 14 0.5 10 0.5

8689 3 0.1 2 0.1

8693 2 0.1 2 0.1

8694 19 0.7 11 0.6

8695 2 0.1 2 0.1

8699 1 0 1 0.1

8700 182 7.2 148 8.1

8704 1 0 1 0.1

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8705 2 0.1 2 0.1

8735 20 0.8 20 1.1

8772 70 2.8 26 1.4

8810 28 1.1 21 1.1

8821 62 2.4 37 2.0

8841 2 0.1 2 0.1

8850 253 10.1 167 9.1

8861 17 0.7 11 0.6

8873 3 0.1 3 0.2

8890 4 0.1 4 0.2

2511 99.4 1838 99.8

Houses 7 and 9 were constructed at the same time as semi-detached houses (Vol 1: 383, Figures 3.7.4, 3.7.5). They shared a central party wall and had continuous front and rear and walls.50 Both houses fronted onto Steam Mill Street and the footings indicated they were both two-storey rectangular structures with walls oriented north-south and east-west. 2.5.4.1 House 7 This housewere built between 1852 and 1855. It was listed in the 1855 and 1857 Assessment Books (as no. 4) as a two-storey, seven-roomed brick and shingle roofed house (Vol 1: 383, Figures 3.7.4, 3.7.5; Vol 5, Appendix 5.2.2). The owner Peter Hanson (Hewson) lived in this house in 1855 and 1856 before leaseing the property out.51 The archaeological evidence for the ground floor revealed a front and rear room, defined by the footings of an interior dividing wall. The rear room also contained additional footings for fireplace supports. Six of the contexts in House 7 Phase 6 contained 188 ceramics (232 sherds) (Table 2.120).

Table 2.120: Contexts with ceramics in House 7 (Phase 6). Context Items %

8576 2 1

8592 4 2.1

8639 10 5.3

8647 4 2.1

8700 148 78.7

8735 20 10.6

188 99.8

These 188 ceramics were in contexts associated with yard modifications (8576, 8592, 8639, 8647) and underfloor deposits in the front (8700) and back rooms (8735). Yard modifications A number of fills represented early yard modifications and were probably deposited in quick succession to counter any uneven settling or subsidence of the reclamation fills. The clay reclamation fills, that would have proved slippery and muddy in the wet, appear to have been consciously capped with sandy fills or gravel-like industrial waste to insure against that potential. Four of these fills contained a few ceramics: 8647, 8639, 8592 and 8576. Context 8576 was noted to be deepest against the footing of the house, and probably accumulated over the period of occupation as a result of sweeping out the rear room. Fill 8639 may have represented the first yard surface to be exposed for any length of time as it also included an accumulation of fine silts permeating the upper part, suggesting prolonged exposure and therefore possible use of the layer as a yard surface. The number of ceramics recovered in the four fills associated with yard modifications was small, only 20, and these are briefly discussed together (Table 2.121).

50

Hincks 2009:19 51

See Vol 5, Appendix 5.2 for land titles, rates, Sands Directories lists. See Vol 1, Section 3.7.4 for background and plans.

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Table 2.121: Ceramics in house 7 yard modification fills (Phase 6). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8576 wgl bc unid UK 1800

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1


wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

plate-small UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1

8639 bl flow few saucer UK 1830 1930 1

unid UK 1830 1930 1


1

gild bc cup UK 1850

1


1

wgl bc cup UK 1800

1

saucer UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1


1

plate UK 1830

1

8647 blktp few childs mug UK Flowers That Never Fade:

Charity 1830

1


1

unid UK W3 1810

1


1

20

Eight decorative types were represented in the yard modification fills, all are commonly found in assemblages generally dating from the 1830s onwards. Ten ceramic items came from the first yard surface to be exposed for any length of time (8639), and may be occupation debris. The most interesting ceramic to be found in any of these fills was the child’s mug in fill 8647 (#71864). The eight sherds from this black transfer-printed mug had the remains of a landscape featuring a large house, trees, lake and sail boat on one side of the mug and the following verse on other side: ‘FLOWERS THAT NEVER FADE’ / ‘CHARITY’ / ‘Oh thank you dea(r ladies, for)’ / ‘trying to (cheer)’ / ‘A heart that can o(nly reply by a tear)’ / ‘(G)od reward you and y(ours for the)’ / ‘comforts you give,’ / ‘(And the prayers of an old ma(n be yours)’ / ‘(w)hile I live’ (Figure 34).52

Figure 34: Black transfer-printed children’s mug (#71864). Scale graduations 1cm.

52

Riley 1991:254-255

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Underfloor Deposits53 Two underfloor deposits were excavated from House 7, in the rear and front rooms. A substantial underfloor deposit was present across most of the rear room (8700), suggesting that this was the most utilised room in the house. This room was most likely the kitchen as it also contained a fireplace. The deposit varied in depth between 5mm to 200mm and was deepest against the fireplace support. It was excavated within a 500mm x 500mm grid and in 50mm spits. All material was then sieved with 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. In contrast, the underfloor deposit in the front room was only present in patches (8735), in the western half and northeast corner. Other areas of the room had been heavily contaminated with other fills, and the construction of footings in the early 20th century had also removed a large area of this deposit in the southeastern quadrant of the room. The intact deposit varied in depth between 5mm to 200mm and was deepest against the footings. It was excavated and sieved in accordance with the methodology used in the rear room deposit (8700). Rear room underfloor There were 148 ceramics (182 sherds) recovered from the underfloor deposit 8700 (Table 2.122). Overall the ceramics are typical of a domestic assemblage dating from the mid 19th century, as seen by the decorative types represented and the identified transfer-printed patterns found. The 148 ceramics had 18 decorative types, with many having blue transfer printing (46). The decorative types include blue flow (14), black flow (2), black transfer print (4), blue transfer print (46), brown transfer print (2), gilded (5), lead glaze (2), moulded and handpainted (1), purple transfer print (9), red transfer print (2), Rockingham glaze (1), salt glaze (5), sprigged (7), white glazed – bone china (12) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (2), white-glazed and moulded (1), and whiteware (25). Overall, transfer-printing was the most commonly represented decorative technique found (black, blue, brown, green, purple, red), with 83 ceramics, including the blue and black flow wares, which are 56.1 per cent of this context. The next most common ware is whiteware, with the 25 whiteware items representing 16.9 per cent (Table 2.122).

Table 2.122: Ceramics in underfloor deposit 8700 (Phase 6), House 7. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 2

plate UK

1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 4

unid UK

1830 1930 7

blk flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1

svfew

UK

1840 1930 1

blktp few saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

2

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

dish UK Albion 1858 1937 1

plate UK

1830

1

UK Albion 1858 1937 2

UK Gem 1851 1893 1

UK W3 1810

10

platter UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

26

UK W3 1810

3

brntp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

egg cup UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

2

vase UK

1850

1

53

See Vol 1 for plans showing the survival of underfloor depsoits wtihin each house.

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gilded, mou bc vase UK

1850

1

grntp few plate UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

3


1790

2

mou hp bc cup UK

1800

1

figurine UK

1800

1

ppl tp few cup UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

2

UK Cable 1860

1

unid UK

1830

4

svfew unid UK

1840

1

redtp few bowl UK Rhine 1845

1

unid UK

1830

1

rock gl few unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 1


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 4

sprigg bc saucer UK

1830 1920 3

teapot lid UK

1830 1920 1

unid UK

1830 1920 3

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

4

unid UK

1800

7

svfew ewer UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

1

wgl mou few plate-small UK

1830

1

ww few cup UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

4

unid UK

1830

20

148

Five transfer-printed patterns on 47 vessels were identified. All these patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations in assemblages dating from the mid 19th century. The patterns were in blue, brown, purple and red transfer prints, with the ‘Albion’, ‘Gem’, and ‘Willow’ patterns in blue, the ‘Rhine’ pattern in both brown and red, and the ‘Cable’ pattern in purple. The majority of the five patterns were on unidentified sherds (29); however those with identified shapes were associated with the serving and consumption of food, such as dish (1), platter (1), bowl (1), plate (14), and saucer (1). The ‘Willow’ pattern was on 40 items, on plates (10), platter (1), and unidentified (29). The ‘Albion’ pattern was on three items, plates (2) and dish (1), while the ‘Rhine’ pattern on two items a bowl (1) and plate (1). The ‘Gem’ pattern was on a plate (1), and ‘Cable’ was on a saucer (1). The bowl, dish, platter, plates and saucer that feature identified patterns are indicative of the easy availability of a particular pattern, especially commonly manufactured ones such as these, on a variety of shapes, purchased either as part of entire dining services which included both serving and tableware items, or which could be purchased as individual items to add to a set or to replace broken objects. This is seen in the ‘Willow’ (plates and platter), ‘Albion’ (dish and plate), and ‘Rhine’ (bowl and plate) patterns. The ‘Rhine’ pattern also illustrates how a pattern could also be available in more than one colour, with the ‘Rhine’ pattern represented here in both brown (plate) and red (bowl). Fourteen vessel shapes were identified in 64 items (43.2%). Unfortunately the majority of the items were unable to be identified by shape because of their small sherd size, 84 ceramics (56.7%) were unidentified (Table 2.123).

The 14 shapes are all indicative of a domestic household deposit, with the functional activities including serving, consumption and storage of food (dish, platter, bowl, cups, egg cup, plates, small plate, saucers, teapot lid, bottles), household ornamentation (figurine, vases), household maintenance (blacking bottle), and personal hygiene (ewer). The majority of these shapes (53) are

129

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associated with the direct consumption of food: bowl, cups, egg cup, plates, small plate, saucers and teapot lid, and their presence in the archaeological record is indicative of the everyday usage and associated wear-and-tear these items endured, especially when many of the items were used more than once a day and had a high susceptibly to knocks and breakages, especially plates, saucers, and cups.

Table 2.123: Ceramic shapes in underfloor deposit 8700 (Phase 6), House 7.

Shape Items %

black bottle 1 0.7 bowl 1 0.7

btl 4 2.7 cup 8 5.4 dish 1 0.7

egg cup 1 0.7 ewer 1 0.7

figurine 1 0.7 plate 17 11.4

plate-small 1 0.7 platter 1 0.7 saucer 24 16.2

teapot lid 1 0.7 unid 84 56.7 vase 2 1.3

148 100

This room was probably the kitchen as it contained the remains of a fireplace along its western wall. The fireplace (8745) was represented by hearthstones in the gridded squares of B1, C1, D1 and E1. Although it was noted during excavation that the underfloor deposit was deepest against the fireplace, this was not reflected in the number of ceramics recovered. The ceramics featured more mostly in the southern part of the room, particularly in the rows E and F (Table 2.124).

Table 2.124: Spatial location of the 148 ceramics in underfloor deposit 8700 (Phase 6), House 7.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A 1 2 1 1 1

B 1 2

C 1 2 1

D 3 1 1 1 1 4 6

E 5 11 12 5 3 8 9 8

F 2 3 5 6 5 6 3 2 9 4

G 1 3 2 2 4

The absence of artefacts in the row 8 is due to the early 20th-century footings (8599) which ran along this line in a north-south direction. No basemarks were found on any of the 148 ceramics within this deposit. Only one item had conjoining sherds in two squares. A sherd from a white-glazed bone china saucer recovered in square F1/spit 1 (#72068) joined with two sherds from the same saucer in the adjoining square F2/spit 1 (#72072). Front room underfloor Only 20 (20 sherds) ceramics were recovered from the underfloor deposit 8735 (Table 2.125). Most items were also unable to be identified by shape because of the very small size of the sherds, with 16 out of the 20 items catalogued as unidentified. Recognised shapes included: a container (#58718), a blacking bottle (#58386), and two bottles (#58385, # 58387). These 20 ceramics had six decorative types, all commonly identified in 19th-century deposits generally dating from the 1830s

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The only identified pattern was a single blue transfer-printed body sherd in the ‘Willow’ pattern (#72151).


blktp few unid UK

1830

1

bltp few unid UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

8

grntp few unid UK

1830


1790

1


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

ww few unid UK

1830

5

20

The underfloor deposit in the front room only survived in patches, in the western half and northeast corner, and the ceramics were identified in the gridded squares by either one or two items (Table 2.126).

Table 2.126: Spatial location of the 20 ceramics in underfloor deposit 8735, (Phase 6), House 7.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11

A 1 2 2

B 1 1 1 2

C 2 1 1

D

E 2 1 2 1

F

G

2.5.4.5 House 9 This housewere built between 1852 and 1855. It was listed in the 1855 and 1857 Assessment Books (as no. 6) as a two-storey, five-roomed brick and shingle roofed house (Vol 1: 383, Figures 3.7.4, 3.7.5; Vol 5, Appendix 5.2.2). The two houses were owned and built by Peter Hanson and then occupied by a range of tenants.54 Seventeen of the contexts associated with House 9 during the period of Phase 6 contained ceramics, 336 items (498 sherds) (Table 2.127).

Table 2.127: Contexts with ceramics in House 9 (Phase 6), House 9.

Context Items %

8610 235 69.9

8625 8 2.4

8631 2 0.6

8634 19 5.6

8644 7 2.1

8654 8 2.4

8655 9 2.7

8672 2 0.6

8680 6 1.8

8682 5 1.5

8683 7 2.1

8684 2 0.6

8688 10 3.0

54


131

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8693 2 0.6

8694 11 3.3

8695 2 0.6

8699 1 0.3

336 100.1

These 336 ceramics were in contexts associated with levelling fills (8644, 8693), yard modifications (8654, 8655, 8672, 8680, 8682, 8683, 8684, 8688, 8694, 8695), yard fill (8625), post holes (8699), and underfloor deposits in the front room (8634) and back room (8610, 8631). A brief discussion follows on the ceramics contained in the various levelling fills, yard modifications, yard fills and post holes before a more in-depth analysis on the ceramics in to the front and back room underfloor deposits. Levelling fills Two levelling fills related to House 9 in Phase 6 and contained nine ceramics. The footings for House 9 were cut into red-brown sand (8644). This layer is believed to be the final levelling fill prior to the division of the lots for sale and it contained seven ceramic items. Context 8693 was a red-brown sandy levelling fill deposited across Area 8 which contained two ceramics in the yard of House 9 (Table 2.128).

Table 2.128: Ceramics in house 9 levelling fills (Phase 6), House 9.



unid UK 1830 1930 1


1

saucer UK 1830

1

gild bc unid UK 1850

1

pearl few cup UK 1780 1870 1


8693 bl hp chinese porc unid China 1790

1


1

9

The ceramics had six decorative finishes. The only identified pattern was blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern plate (#71857) and unidentified body sherd (#71942). Yard modifications A number of fills represented early yard modifications and, like those for the neighbouring House 7, were probably deposited in quick succession to compensate for any subsidence or settling of the reclamation fills. Some of these fills contained ceramics: 8684 (2); 8683 (7) capped 8684 (2), 8682 (5), 8680 (6), 8672 (2), 8655 (9), and 8654 (8). Three fills were early yard modifications in the area of the boundary between Houses 9 and 11. Context 8688 (10) and underneath was 8695 (2). The 62 ceramics recovered from the 10 fills are briefly discussed together (Table 2.129). It should be noted here that the fine earthenware lead-glazed unidentified body sherd that is counted as ‘0’ in the above Table (#58712) has been done so because it joins with two body sherds from the same item in another yard fill identified with Phase 7, context 8641, and it was counted as the one item in that context (#58710) (Table 2.114). The ceramics recovered from these fills are from general domestic refuse. Vessel shapes were associated with food serving, food consumption, food storage and personal hygiene. The 36 food-related items include ginger beer bottle (1), cups (3), plates (13), small plate (1) and saucers (13), and the personal hygiene item is a ewer (1). The food-related items represented 58 per cent of the assemblage, personal hygiene 1.6 per cent, and unidentified 40.3 per cent. The large number of unidentified items, 25 in total, is due to the sherds being too small to ascertain shape.

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Table 2.129: Ceramics in House 9 yard modification fills (Phase 6), House 9. Conte

xt Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8654 bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1


1

plate-small UK Two Temples II 1819

1

saucer UK

1830

2

UK Festoon 1841 1862 1

unid UK W3 1810

1

cream w few ewer UK

1780 1900 1


1790

0


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

blk flow few saucer UK

1830 1930 1

blktp few unid UK

1830

1

svfew

UK

1840

1

bltp few unid UK

1830

1

clobb

UK

1830

1

edge pearl

plate UK

1780 1860 1

ww

UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

bltp

plate UK W3 1810

1

8680 bl flow few platter UK

1830 1903 1

blktp bc saucer UK

1830

2

bltp few unid UK

1830

1

pearl

plate UK

1780 1870 1

ppl tp

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

blktp

UK

1830

1

bltp

UK W3 1810

1

brntp

saucer UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

8683 bl flow few saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1


1

platter UK W3 1810

1

edge WW few plate UK

1830 1860 1

ppl tp

saucer UK

1830

1


1


1

8688 blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1

UK

1830

1

unid UK W3 1810

1

UK

1830

1

brntp few saucer UK

1830

1

ppl tp

unid UK

1830

1

yellow ware

UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

8694 blk flow few saucer UK

1830 1930 1

bl flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

cup UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

cream w few unid UK

1780 1900 1

mou hp

plate-small UK

1830

1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1


1830

2

62

133

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Seventeen decorative finishes were found in the yard modification fills. These included blue flow (13), black flow (3), black transfer print (5), blue transfer print (24), brown transfer print (2), clobbered (1), creamware (2), edgeware pearlware (1), edgeware whiteware (1), lead glaze (1), moulded and handpainted fine earthenware (1), pearlware (1), purple transfer print (3), salt glaze (1), white glazed bone china (1), whiteware (2) and yellow ware (1). Overall, transfer printing is the most common decorative technique (black, blue, brown, purple), on 51 ceramics (82.2%), including the clobbered, black and blue flow wares.

Only three transfer-printed patterns were found in the fills, all were in blue and on 14 items. Two of the patterns, ‘Willow’ and ‘Two Temples II’, are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations. The 10 ‘Willow’ pattern items include six plates, one platter and three unidentified items (body and base sherds), and the ‘Two Temples II’ pattern was on three small plates (#71875, #71925, #71929). The ‘Festoon’ pattern saucer was identified in fill 8654 (#71877), believed to have been associated with the early occupation of the house, and was the only ceramic recovered from the ten yard modification fills to have a basemark (Figures 35, 36). The basemark, featuring the pattern name ‘FESTOON’ and the initials ‘J.L.C’, is dated between 1841 to 1862 and was made by Jonathan Lowe Chetham, of Longton.

Yard fill An occupation-related deposit containing artefacts was located in the northeast corner of the yard and was up to 270mm in depth (8625). The fill was flush against the southern footing of House 9 and the boundary with neighbouring lot 11. Its southern and western boundaries were truncated by modern disturbance. The coarse-grained sand and gravel matrix suggested that it may have been a fill used to raise the yard surface rather than a build-up of material over time, however household refuse may have accumulated within the fill over the period of occupation.55 Eight ceramics were contained in the yard fill and all are commonplace types found in assemblages generally dating from the c.1830s onwards (Table 2.130).

55

Hincks 2009:39

Figure 35: Blue transfer-printed Festoon pattern saucer (#71877). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 36: Blue transfer-printed Festoon pattern saucer basemark (#71877). Scale graduations 1cm.

134

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Table 2.130: Ceramics in yard fill 8625 (Phase 6), House 9 Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1 blktp few saucer UK

1830

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1


unid UK

1800 1870 1


1790

1 ww few unid UK

1830

1

8

Postholes Evidence for early boundary markers were present at the junction of lots 9 and 11, with the remains of four postholes appearing to mark a point on the boundary, at a distance of 8.3m from the rear of the footing of House 9. These post holes cut early levelling or yard fills on either side of the boundary. Three of the postholes were assigned context 8699, with the fourth, context 8708, occurring in lot 11. The 8699 postholes were not uniform in size or shape however they were all shallow and may have been truncated by later levelling activities in the area. One of the postholes contained a single ceramic sherd, a salt-glazed stoneware body/base sherd from an unidentified bottle, dating between c.1830s to 1930s (#58374).

Front room underfloor The underfloor deposit in the front room was only present around the periphery, in the vicinity of the footings. The depth of deposit ranged between 10mm to 100mm (8634). The deposit was excavated within a 500mm x 500mm grid and in 50mm spits. All material was then sieved with 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. Some contamination with construction material from below may have occurred during excavation.

Table 2.131: Ceramics in underfloor deposit 8634 (Phase 6), House 9. Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items



unid UK 1830 1930 3

bltp few saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

2

bltp pearl few unid UK 1800 1870 1 brntp

UK 1830

1


1 wgl bc

UK 1800

2

ww few

UK 1830

5 yellow ware svfew

UK/USA/Eur/Aus 1830

1

19

Nineteen ceramics (30 sherds) were found in the underfloor deposit 8634 (Table 2.131). The majority of the items were unable to be identified by shape because of the very small size of all the sherds, with 16 out of the 19 items catalogued as unidentified, with just a black flow plate (#71802), a blue flow plate (#71810), and a blue transfer-printed saucer (#71796) having identifiable shapes. Nine common decorative finishes were found 19 ceramics. None of the ceramics had recognised patterns or remnant basemarks. Because the artefacts were only present around the periphery of the room, the small number of ceramics was only found in the northwest area, and the majority were unidentifiable in shape and function, and spatial analysis was not possible (Table 2.132).

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A 9 4 1 2 1

B 1 1

C

D

E

F

G

Rear room underfloor The underfloor deposit 8610 was substantial and was up to 160mm deep in some areas of the room. Disturbance by early 20th-century footings (8508) had removed the underfloor deposit from a 1m wide north-south corridor in the eastern side of the room, however elsewhere the deposit was intact and contained small sherds from a variety of artefact categories, including ceramic. The deposit was excavated within a 500mm x 500mm grid and in 50mm spits with all material then sieved with 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. It should also be noted that an area of the underfloor, in the vicinity of the fireplace located in the northeast corner of the room, was allocated a different context number (8631), because of the high density of charcoal in the immediate area. This material was excavated and sieved separately and it was up to 120mm deep. Only two ceramics were found in context 8631, a green transfer-printed unidentified body sherd dating from c.1830+ (#71777), and a sherd from a whiteware plate, also dating from c.1830+ (#71778). There were 235 ceramics (310 sherds) from the underfloor deposit 8610 (Table 2.133). Overall these ceramics were commonly representative of a household domestic assemblage generally dating from the mid 19th century. A number of the patterns and decorative finishes date from the 1850s (‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Gem’) and 1860s (banded, ‘Medallion Sprig’).


banded few cup UK

1860

1

plate UK

1860

10

plate-small UK

1860

1

saucer UK

1860

7

svfew cup UK

1860

2

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 3

platter UK W3 1830 1930 2

saucer UK

1830 1930 3

unid UK

1830 1930 3

UK W3 1830 1930 1


1830 1930 1

blktp few plate UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

2

bltp few plate UK

1830

3

UK Albion 1858 1937 2


9

UK Gem 1851 1893 2

UK Rhine 1845

1

UK W3 1810

5


UK Gem 1851 1893 1

saucer UK

1830

2

tureen UK

1830

1

136

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unid UK

1830

13

UK W3 1810

8

svfew unid UK

1840

2


brntp few saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

4

clobb few plate-small UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2


1780 1860 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

7

egg cup UK

1850

2

few plate UK

1850

1

grntp few cup UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

hp bc cup UK

1800

1

bc saucer UK

1800

4

svfew cup UK

1840

1

hp gild bc saucer UK

1850

1

hp ww few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

mou ww few cup UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

ppl tp few bowl UK

1860

1

cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

UK Cable 1860

3

saucer UK

1830

4

UK Cable 1860

3

unid UK

1830

4


1796 1900 1

few unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 1


1830 1930 2

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

sponge svfew ewer UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

sprigg bc plate-small UK

1830 1920 1

unid UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

3

egg cup UK

1800

2

saucer UK

1800

5

unid UK

1800

18

svfew cup UK

1840

1

plate UK

1867 1878 1

unid UK

1840

5

wgl mou svfew plate UK Medallion Sprig 1865 1878 1

ww few comport UK

1830

1

cup UK

1830

5

jug UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

8

plate-small UK

1830

1

platter UK

1830

2

saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

25

yellow ware few dish UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

2

unid UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

235

The 235 ceramics had 24 decorative finishes, and blue transfer printing was the most common (52), followed by whiteware (45). The decorative types include: banded (21), blue flow (12), black flow (12), black transfer print (4), blue transfer print (52), blue transfer-printed pearlware (1), brown transfer print (5), clobbered (4), edgeware pearlware (1), gilded (10), green transfer print (2),

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handpainted (6), handpainted and gilded (1), handpainted whiteware (3), moulded whiteware (2), purple transfer print (18), Rockingham glaze (2), salt glaze (3), spongeware (1), sprigged (2), white glazed – bone china (28) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (7), white-glazed and moulded (1), whiteware (45), and yellow ware (3). Transfer printing is the most common finish, found on 99 (42.1%) ceramics, in a variety of colours (blue, black, brown, green and purple) and also finishes (flow, pearlware and clobbered). The next most common ware is whiteware, with the 45 items (19.1%). Seven patterns were identified in the deposit, six transfer printed and a white-glazed and moulded design. These patterns were on 42 items, with all seven patterns commonly found on Sydney historical excavations in assemblages dating from at least the mid 19th century. The transfer-printed patterns were in blue, purple and blue flow, with the ‘Albion’ (5), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (9), ‘Gem’ (3), and ‘Rhine’ (1) all in blue, the ‘Willow’ (17) in blue and blue flow, and ‘Cable’ (6) in purple. The white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware pattern was the ‘Medallion Sprig’ (1). The majority of the patterns were on identified shapes but nine of the ‘Willow’ pattern items were unidentified. The remaining 33 items were associated with the serving and consumption of food, with platters (6), plates (24) and saucers (3). The easy availability of all these patterns in a range of shapes would have allowed purchasing replacement pieces or adding to an already existing set to be a simple process for the consumer. The availability of patterns in a number of shapes for the table is indicated by the ‘Albion’ (plates and platters), ‘Gem’ (plates and platter), ‘Cable’ (plates and saucers), and ‘Willow’ patterns (platters and plates). A total of 15 individual shapes were recognised on 143 items (60.8%). The shapes of the remaining 92 items (39.1%) were unable to be identified due of their small sherd sizes and were catalogued as unidentified (Table 2.134).

Table 2.134: Ceramic shapes in underfloor deposit 8610 (Phase 6), House 9. Shape Items %

bowl 1 0.4 btl 2 0.8

comport 1 0.4 cup 28 12 dish 2 0.8

egg cup 4 1.7 ewer 1 0.4 jug 1 0.4

penny ink 1 0.4 plate 53 22.5

plate-small 4 1.7 platter 8 3.4 saucer 35 14.9 teapot 1 0.4 tureen 1 0.4 unid 92 39.1

235 99.7

The 15 identified shapes are all belonged to the domestic sphere, in particular with the preparation, serving, consumption and storage of food (dishes, comport, jug, platters, tureen, bowl, cups, egg cups, plates, small plates, saucers, teapot, bottles), personal hygiene (ewer), and literacy (penny ink bottle). The majority of the identified shapes are associated with the direct consumption of food, with the 126 items identified as bowl (1), cups (28), egg cups (4), plates (53), small plates (4), saucers (35) and teapot (1), these were 88.1 per cent of the identified shapes. The presence of these forms in the archaeological record is indicative of the everyday usage and associated wear-and-tear these items endured, especially when many of the items would no doubt have been used

138

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more than once a day and were therefore more susceptible to knocks and breakages, such as cups (28), plates (53) and saucers (35). This room was most likely the kitchen as the remains of a fireplace was located in the northeast corner of the room. The highest concentration of ceramics was in the southwest part of the room suggesting that this was the area of most activity (Table 2.135).


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A 1 1

B 1 1

C 6 1

D 19 5

E 20 11 3 3

F 25 25 12 14 4 2 2

G 13 16 17 21 7 2 3

The absence of artefacts from row 6 is due to disturbance from a 20th-century footing (8508), running in a north-south direction, this removed all traces of the underfloor deposit. Two ceramics were found to have conjoins within the room (Table 2.114), a clobbered saucer and a yellow ware dish. The clobbered saucer featured one sherd in square E1/spit 1 (#71079) that joined another sherd in square G3/spit 1 (#71228), and the yellow ware dish featured two sherds in square F8/spit 1(#71188) that joined with seven sherds from the same square but in spit 2 (#71189).

A base sherd from a white-glazed semi-vitreous fine earthenware plate had the remains of a black transfer-printed basemark – a crown above a shield that contained ‘(IR)ONSTONE’ / ‘CHINA’ with ‘(POWELL & BISHOP)’ below, dating between 1867 to 1878 (#71067). The presence of this later dating ceramic, coupled with other ceramics that date from the 1860s, such as the six purple transfer-printed ‘Cable’ pattern items, the 21 banded wares, and the white-glazed and moulded ‘Medallion Sprig’ pattern plate manufactured by Powell & Bishop between c.1865 and 1878, suggests this underfloor accumulation may date into Phase 7. 2.5.4.6 House 11 House 11 belongs to the same phase of construction as House 13, they were two semi-detached houses that shared a party wall (Vol 1: 419, Figures 3.7.30, 3.7.31, 3.7.32). House 11 and 13 were probably built by the same owners, Patrick and Mary Ann Maroney c.1855. They and their extensive family lived in House 13 until c.1882. Some members of the family resided in House 11 in 1880 and 1882 and probably moved out when they sold the two houses in 1883.56 In 1855 rate assessments, House 11 was a two-storey, three-room house of brick construction with a shingle roof.

Twelve of the contexts associated with House 11 during Phase 6 contained 452 ceramic items (592 sherds) (Table 2.136). These 452 ceramics were recovered from contexts associated with structural (8506), construction debris (8600, 8621), yard surface fills (8520, 8528, 8626), yard accumulation (8519), and underfloor deposits in the front (8615, 8616, 8617) and back (8529, 8583) rooms. By far the largest numbers of ceramic items were recovered from the underfloor deposit 8529 from the rear room or kitchen. This deposit containted 345 item or 76.3 per cent of ceramics from House 11.

56


139

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The following is a brief discussion on the ceramics from the contexts associated with the structural remains, construction debris, yard surface fills and yard accumulations before focusing on the underfloor deposits contained in the two rooms.

Table 2.136: Contexts with ceramics in House 11 (Phase 6).

Context Items %

8506 1 0.2

8519 10 2.2

8520 21 4.6

8528 3 0.7

8529 345 76.3

8583 7 1.5

8600 2 0.4

8615 11 2.4

8616 24 5.3

8617 4 0.9

8621 3 0.7

8626 21 4.6

452 99.8

Structural and Construction Context 8506 was assigned specifically to the footings of the rear room of House 11. These consisted of the south, east and west wall footings and were irregularly-shaped sandstone blocks with a mortar of mixed sand, clay, charcoal and coarse sandstone grains. This was also combined with sandstone rubble as packing material between the more irregularly shaped blocks and it is probably within this material that the ceramic item was located. The ceramic item was a white-glazed bone china cup, consisting of three sherds and dating from c.1800+ (#70332). The front room of House 11 contained patches of construction debris (8261), consisting of sands, sand/shell mortar, ironstone, and sandstock brick fragments, as well as three ceramics. The construction debris in the rear room (8600) was limited to the area around the fireplace and consisted of sands, fragments of sandstock brick, charcoal, ironstone, sandstone fragments and two ceramics. These five ceramics from the two contexts are tabled together below (Table 2.137).

Table 2.137: Ceramics in the construction debris of house 11 (Phase 6). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830

1

grntp few cup UK

1830

1

salt gl stw btl Aus

1850 1860 1


1

hp ww few unid UK

1830

1

5

The only item of interest in the construction debris is the body sherd from a salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring the impressed manufacturer mark of ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’, dating between the 1850s and 1860s (#58313). This building appears on the 1856 Trigonometric Survey and the presence of the marked stoneware bottle supports this construction timeframe. Yard surface fills A number of fills occurred in the mid-yard area of House 11 that represented the earliest yard modifications, and were deposited in quick succession to compensate for the subsidence and unevenness of the reclamation fills. An area of subsidence in the centre of the yard caused an irregularly shaped depression measuring 2.45m long and 1.5m wide and had a depth of 280mm (8534). It was backfilled with an artefact-rich sandy mix that also included charcoal, sandstone and sandstock brick fragments (8520). An additional fill (8528) was used to counter further subsidence in the area of the depression and included mainly industrial waste material. The fill was a roughly

140

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circular patch, 850mm in diameter and 60mm deep. Another fill was located near the property boundary with House 9, with the fill on the side of House 11 identified as context 8626 and on the side of House 9 as context 8625. In three yard fills, 8520, 8528 and 8626, were 45 ceramics which are briefly discussed together (Table 2.138).

Table 2.138: Ceramics in house 11 yard surface fills (Phase 6), House 11.


8520 blktp few Plate UK

1830

1

Unid UK

1830

1

bltp few Plate UK

1830

1


1

UK W3 1810

2

8520

few unid UK

1830

1

brntp few plate UK

1830

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

2

saucer UK

1850

1

ppl tp few saucer UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

Scot

1850 1932 2

selfslip cew pot Aus

1790

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

2

unid UK

1800

1

wgl mou svfew plate UK Forget-Me-Not 1862 1891 1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

8528 bltp few unid UK Albion 1858 1837 1

UK W3 1810

1


1800 1870 1


1830 1930 1

bltp few plate UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

2

unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

1

bltp pearl few saucer UK

1800 1870 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 2


1790

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

1

svfew saucer UK

1840

1

ww few unid UK

1830

2

45

The ceramics contained within the yard surface fills are generally indicative of household refuse, with these 30 ceramics identified by shape reflecting food consumption, food storage and gardening activities. Fifteen of the remaining 45 items were unidentified due to the small sherd size. Five different shapes are plates (11), cups (6), saucers (6), stout bottles (5) and garden pots (2). The food-related items, including beverage, were 93.3 per cent of recognised vessels with only two non-food items, self-slipped earthenware plant pots (#58698, #58703). Thirteen decorative types were on the 45 ceramics from the yard fills: blue flow (1), black transfer print (2), blue transfer print (14), blue transfer-printed pearlware (2), brown transfer print (1), gilded (5), green transfer print (1), purple transfer print (1), salt glaze (5), self slipped (2), white glaze – bone china (6) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1), white-glazed and moulded (1) and whiteware (3). Transfer printing is the most common; it is on 22 ceramics (48.8%), in a variety of colours (black, blue, brown, green and purple) and finishes (flow and pearlware).

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Four patterns were identified in the yard fills, three are transfer printed and one is white-glazed and moulded. These patterns were on nine items and all four patterns date from the mid 19th century. The three transfer-printed patterns, ‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ and ‘Willow’, were all in blue and were on plates or unidentified body and base sherds. The ‘Albion’ pattern was on an unidentified base sherd (#70437), the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern was on a plate (#70384), and the ‘Willow’ pattern was on four plates (#70385, #70386, #70875, #70876) and unidentified base (#70436) and body sherds (#70877). The white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware pattern was identified as the ‘Forget-Me-Not’ pattern on a plate (#70387), and is the version attributed to E & C Challinor of Fenton, dating between 1862 and 1891. No conjoins were noted between any of the yard fill ceramics with any other contexts. However, two of the salt-glazed stoneware stout bottles had impressed manufacturing marks remaining and both were made by the same prolific Scottish potter (Table 2.139).

Table 2.139: Basemarked ceramics in yard fill 8520, House 11. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

8520 58255 btl salt gl Imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘PORT-DUNDAS’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘POTTERY COY’. H = 264mm.

1850 1932 1

58256 btl salt gl

Imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘PORT-DUNDAS’ / ‘GLASGOW’ / ‘POTTERY COY’. H = 273mm.

1850 1932 1

2

Yard accumulation Context 8519 was assigned to a compacted sand and silt mix from a continual accumulation in the yard of House 11 and was identified underneath some early brick paving found over 9m from the rear of the house, against the boundary with House 9. The mix also appeared to continue to accumulate after construction of the paving as it abutted the paving in many locations. Context 8519 was spread in an uneven depth (up to 60mm) at the rear of the yard and had inclusions of charcoal, sandstone fragments and some artefacts, including ten ceramics (Table 2.140). These ceramics are commonly found in deposits dating from the 1830s.

Table 2.140: Ceramics in yard accumulation 8519, House 11. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

blktp few unid UK

1830

1


2

unid UK

1830

1

brntp few plate UK

1830

1 gild bc cup UK

1800

1


1830 1930 1 wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

10

Front room underfloor The underfloor remains in the front room of House 11 were patchy and showed signs of contamination and three context numbers were assigned to it, depending on the location of the deposit within the room and its level of contamination. Context 8615 was assigned to an area of largely intact underfloor deposit in the southwest corner of the room, around 600mm x 500mm, and also in the northeast corner in an area of approximately 700mm x 500mm. The remaining two patchy deposits both showed signs of heavy contamination with demolition or other material, with 8616 assigned to a large area measuring around 1.3m x 1.5m against the southern footing in the eastern half of the room, where as 8617 was identified as an inconsistent deposit between a service trench (8586) and the western wall footing. A fireplace was located against the east wall but had

142

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been damaged by early 20th century construction, only partial remains of the fireplace support were intact. All three underfloor deposits were excavated within a 500mm x 500mm grid and in 50mm spits. All material was sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. A total of 39 ceramics (50 sherds) were recovered from the three deposits, with 11 in 8615, 33 in 8616 and four in 8617. None of the ceramics featured conjoins between the squares, spits or other contexts, and no basemarks were present (Table 2.141).

Table 2.141: Ceramics in front room underfloor deposits (Phase 6), House 11.



1

saucer UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

pearl few unid UK 1780 1870 1

ppl tp few saucer UK 1830

1


wgl bc plate-small UK 1800

1

unid UK 1800

1

ww few unid UK 1830

1

8616 blktp few plate UK 1830

1

bl flow few saucer UK 1830 1930 1

bltp few jug UK W3 1810

1

plate UK W3 1810

2

saucer UK 1830

3

unid UK 1830

3


1


1

platter UK 1830

1

saucer UK 1830

2

unid UK 1830

3

hp gild bc plate-small UK 1800

1

ww few cup UK 1830

2

dish UK 1830

1

unid UK 1830

1

8617 blktp few saucer UK 1830

1


bltp

UK Saxon Blue 1833 1847 1

grntp

UK 1830

1

39

The 11 decorative types found on these 39 ceramics are common in 19th century deposits dating from at least the 1830s onwards. The types found included black transfer print (2), blue flow (2), blue transfer print (14), brown transfer print (1), green transfer print (8), handpainted and gilded (1), pearlware (1), purple transfer print (1), salt glaze (2), white glaze (2) and whiteware (5). Overall transfer printing is the most common decorative type, including the blue flow ware, on 28 (71.8%) items. The ceramics are from a domestic sphere, mostly food-related activities concerning the serving, consumption and storage of food. The only non-food items were the 16 ceramics (41%) that were unidentified due to the small size of the sherds. Among the 23 food-related items (59%) were: dish (1), jug (1), platter (1), cups (3), plates (4), small plates (2), saucers (9) and bottles (2). Only two transfer-printed patterns were identified, ‘Willow’ and ‘Saxon Blue’, both in blue and on a total of six vessels. Both patterns are found on other Sydney historical excavations, especially the ubiquitous ‘Willow’ pattern. The ‘Willow’ pattern was found on three plates (#71380, #71383,

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#71397), a jug (#71392), and an unidentified body sherd (#71373), and the ‘Saxon Blue’ pattern, attributed to Copeland and Garrett and dating 1833 to 1847, was also on an unidentified body sherd (#71406). As stated previously, the underfloor remains in the front room were very patchy and showed signs of contamination from later construction activities. Spatial analysis of the artefacts within the room confirms this patchiness and does not allow for any further meaningful analysis (Table 2.142).

Table 2.142: Spatial location of the 50 ceramics in the underfloor deposits 8615, 8616 and 8617 (Phase 6) 8615 (green); 8616 (yellow); 8617 (blue), House 11.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A 1 2

B

C 1

D 3

E

F 2 5 6

G 2 3 1 7 3

H 2 1

Rear room underfloor - kitchen The rear room of the house contained a substantial underfloor deposit (8529). This artefact-rich mix of fine sands and silt occurred across the entirety of the room. The deposit was cut by the installation of plumbing in a service trench beneath the house in the late 19th century (8586/8587) and then it continued to accumulate above the backfill of the trench. This is likely to have distorted the apparent distribution pattern of artefacts within the area of the service trench. The underfloor deposit was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid, in 50mm spits with stratigraphic priority. The spits were measured from absolute levels, not from the level of the deposit surface and the undulating nature of the deposit meant that not every square in the grid was represented in the first spit. The deposit was sieved through 3mm and 5mm nested sieves. A fireplace was also located in this room, in the southwest corner, and it contained a similar deposit to the underfloor in the rest of the room (8583). The fireplace deposit was given a separate number because although the material probably also related to the occupation of the house it was thought it was likely to be a fill rather than an accumulation. The artefacts found in the fireplace were also noted during excavation to be considerably larger than those in the underfloor deposit. The underfloor deposit (8529) and the fireplace fill (8583) are discussed below. A total of 345 ceramic items (417 sherds) were found in deposit 8529. None of these ceramics featured conjoins between the gridded squares, spits or other contexts, and no basemarks were present. Overall the ceramics found are those common to domestic assemblage dating from the mid 19th century to the early 20th century, as seen by the shapes, decorative types and the identified transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.143).

144

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Table 2.143: Ceramics in back room underfloor deposit 8529 (Phase 6), House 11. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

banded few cup UK

1860

3

plate UK

1860

2

saucer UK

1860

7

unid UK

1860

1

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 3

plate UK

1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 2

unid UK

1830 1930 18

svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1

blktp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

3

blktp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1

UK Rhine 1845

1

unid UK

1830

4

bltp few cup UK

1830

5

UK Clyde 1860

1

plate UK

1830

7

UK Albion 1858 1937 1


1

UK Gem 1851 1893 4

UK Isola Bella 1850 1864 1

UK W3 1810

9

saucer UK

1830

6

unid UK

1830

38

UK Albion 1858 1937 7

UK Fibre 1830

4

UK Waverley 1841

1

UK W3 1810

8

svfew cup Scot Maltese 1866 1884 1


1800 1870 2

unid UK

1800 1870 1

brntp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

5

unid UK

1830

2


1780 1900 2

unid UK

1780 1900 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

5

egg cup UK

1850

1

plate-small UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

3

svfew unid UK

1850

1

grntp few cup UK

1830

4

plate UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

9

hp bc unid UK

1800

1


1850

1

few cup UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

1

hp ww few saucer UK

1830

1 lead gl few unid Aus

1790

1

mou hp svfew figurine UK

1840

1

ppl tp few cup UK

1830

6

jug UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

plate Scot Sydney 1830 1865 1

saucer UK

1830

5

unid UK

1830

22

svfew plate-small UK

1860

1

redtp few unid UK

1830

5

svfew unid UK

1840

2

145

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1796 1900 2

unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 2


1830 1930 7

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 3


1840 1930 1

unid UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 1

plate-small UK

1830 1920 1

saucer UK

1830 1920 1

unid UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

3

egg cup UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

6

unid UK

1800

19

svfew cup UK

1840

4

wgl svfew jug UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

3

wgl mou svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few cup UK

1830

4

plate UK

1830

2

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

43

yellow ware few unid UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

2

345

Twenty-four decorative types were found on 345 ceramics, with blue transfer printing on 94 items (94). The decorative types included: banded (13), blue flow (25), black transfer print (10), blue transfer print (94), blue transfer-printed pearlware (3), brown transfer print (8), creamware (3), gilded (11), green transfer print (16), handpainted bone china (1), handpainted and gilded (3), handpainted whiteware (1), lead glaze (1), moulded and handpainted (1), purple transfer print (38), red transfer print (7), Rockingham glaze (4), salt glaze (10), spongeware (2), sprigged (4), white glazed – bone china (29) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (8), white-glazed and moulded (1), whiteware (50) and yellow ware (2). Transfer-printing is the most usual and was found on 201 ceramics (58.2%), in a range of colours (black, blue, brown, green, purple and red) and finishes (flow and pearlware). Eleven transfer-printed patterns were identified on 41 individual items. All patterns are typically recovered on other Sydney historical excavations in deposits dating from the mid 19th century onwards. The patterns were in black, blue and purple, with ‘Albion’ (1) and ‘Rhine’ (1) in black, ‘Clyde’ (1), ‘Albion’ (8), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (1), ‘Fibre’ (4), ‘Gem’ (4), ‘Isola Bella’ (1), ‘Maltese’(1), ‘Waverley’ (1) and ‘Willow’ (17) all in blue, and the ‘Sydney’ (1) pattern in purple. The patterns on identified shapes are all items associated with the direct consumption of food, evident by plates (19) and cups (2), with the remaining 20 items being unidentified in shape due to the smallness of the sherds. The 19 plates featured the ‘Albion’ (2), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (1), ‘Gem’ (1), ‘Isola Bella’ (1), ‘Rhine’ (1), ‘Sydney’ (1), and ‘Willow’ (9) patterns, and two cups had the ‘Clyde’ (1) and ‘Maltese’ (1) patterns. The presence of the ‘Maltese’ pattern, attributed to John Thomson & Sons, of Glasgow, and dating c.1866 to c.1884 (#70672), suggests that this deposit also dates into Phase 7. A total of ten shapes were recognised in the 146 items (42.3%) with the rest (199 items or 57.7%) being too small for identification (Table 2.144). These shapes are domestic in nature, reflecting a household environment, particularly one associated with the consumption of food and beverages. The ceramics are associated with food and its serving, consumption and storage (jugs, cups, egg cups, plates, small plates, saucers, teapots, bottles), household ornamentation (figurine), and writing (penny ink bottles). The majority of the shapes are associated with the direct consumption of food; these 133 items (91.1%) were cups (43), egg cups (2), plates (46), small plates (3), saucers (37) and teapots (2). The survival of the artefacts in the archaeological record is indicative of the

146

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everyday usage and associated wear-and-tear these items endured over the years, especially for those items used more than once a day and were therefore more vulnerable to knocks and breakages, such as the cups (43), plates (46) and saucers (37).

Table 2.144: Ceramic shapes in underfloor deposit 8529 (Phase 6), House 11.

Shape Items %

btl 7 2 cup 43 12.4

egg cup 2 0.6 figurine 1 0.3

jug 2 0.6 penny ink 3 0.9

plate 46 13.3 plate-small 3 0.9

saucer 37 10.7 teapot 2 0.6 unid 199 57.7

345 100

This rear room was most probably the kitchen, with the fireplace situated in the southwest corner. As noted earlier the deposit was disturbed by the installation of plumbing in the late 19th century which is likely to have caused some distortion in the distribution patterns of the artefacts across the kitchen (Table 2.145). More ceramics were found in the central areas of the room (green) and along the northern and eastern walls. The largest quantity of artefacts (57%) was found in rows D and E. Table 2.145: Spatial location of the 345 ceramics in underfloor deposit 8529 (Phase 6). Grey indicates the

location of the fireplace in the southwest corner, House 11.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sum

%

A 4 14 11 14 8 3 2 56 16

B 5 8 12 9 5 4 3 46 13

C 2 6 12 11 13 4 12 3 63 18

D 2 3 11 18 13 4 15 12 78 23

E 3 11 15 10 22 21 82 24

F 9 9 2 20 6

Sum 13 31 49 72 63 27 54 36 345 100

% 4 9 14 21 18 8 16 10 100

The remains of the fireplace, located in the southwest corner of the rear room, contained a similar deposit to the underfloor. This deposit, 8583, was given a separate number to the rest of the room and it was noted that the artefacts found within it were overall considerably larger than those in the underfloor. The fireplace deposit contained seven ceramics (9 sherds), none of which featured conjoins with any other items nor were there any basemarks. Overall these few ceramics suggest a deposit dating from the 1830s (Table 2.146). Only two of the ceramics were identified by shape, a teapot (#70904) and a cup (70900), with the remaining five items having too small in sherd size (#70898, #70899, #70901-#70903).

147

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Table 2.146: Ceramics in fireplace deposit 8583 (Phase 6), House 11. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bltp few unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1


1796 1900 1

few unid UK/Aus

1796 1900 1

ww few cup UK

1830

1

7

2.5.4.6 House 13 House 13 belongs to the same phase of construction as House 11; they were two semi-detached houses that shared a party wall (Vol 1: 419, Figures 3.7.30, 3.7.31, 3.7.32).57 House 11 and 13 were probably built by the same owners, Patrick and Mary Ann Maroney c.1855. They and their extensive family lived in House 13 until c.1882. Therefore most of the underfloor deposit is associated with their occupation. House 13 was built in two stages with different construction styles and materials used in the footings for the main structure and the southernmost additional room. House 13 with three ground floor rooms was longer than its neighbours. The 1858 House 13 was listed as a two-storey, four-room house of brick construction with shingle roof. During this period plans also show that the yard and a large shed encroached significantly on the property of lot 11. No evidence of this large shed that appeared in the western half of the yard on the 1856 plan was found during excavation. Considerable disturbance in that part of the yard during the 20th century may account for this absence. Nine of the contexts belonging to House 13 during Phase 6 contained ceramics, 591 items (750 sherds) (Table 2.147). The 591 ceramics were in contexts associated with levelling fills (8705, 8689), packing for sandstone footings (8652, 8704), and underfloor deposits in the front room (8608, 8609), rear room or kitchen (8630) and rear attached room (8585, 8614). In the underfloor deposit (8630) in the kitchen the remains were found of 380 ceramic items (64.3%). The next largest quantity of ceramic items was found in 8614, the attached rear roof, with 114 items and 8585 with 67 items (11.3%), (Table 2.147). The following is a brief discussion of the ceramics recovered from contexts associated with levelling fills and the packing of the sandstone footings before turning to the underfloor deposits contained in the three rooms.

Table 2.147: Contexts with ceramics in house 13 (Phase 6 Table 2.147: Contexts with ceramics in house 13 (Phase 6), House 13.

Context Items %

8585 67 11.3

8608 10 1.7

8609 9 1.5

8614 114 19.3

8630 380 64.3

8652 6 1

8689 2 0.3

8704 1 0.2

8705 2 0.3

591 99.9

Levelling fills The footings for House 13 were cut into levelling fills designed to prepare the reclaimed land for construction and further use. These fills varied across lot 13 and just two of the levelling fills identified as relating to Phase 6 contained fragments of four ceramics items. Fill 8705, a compact

57


148

_________________________________________________________________________________


sandy fill that also featured numerous sandstone fragments, charcoal, and two ceramic items, abutted the main structure of the house on its southern face and may have been an early yard surface. A post-reclamation sandy levelling fill, 8689, at the rear of the house had two ceramic items (Table 2.148).

Table 2.148: Ceramics in house 13 levelling fills (Phase 6), House 13. Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

8705 72122 grntp few saucer UK 1830

1

72121 wgl bc saucer UK 1800

1

8689 58369 salt gl stw btl UK/Aus 1830 1930 1

71940 ww few unid UK 1830

1

4

Packing for sandstone footings The rectangular and square-cut sandstone blocks that formed the footings of the main structure of House 13 were one to two courses deep (8521). A sand/clay mix (8652/8704) of pale and dark brown sands, yellow clays and sandstone fragments was used as packing for the sandstone blocks in both the front (8651) and rear (8703) rooms. This packing included seven ceramics, with six items in the packing in the front room (8652) and one in the packing from the rear room (8704) (Table 2.149).

Table 2.149: Ceramics in the packing for house 13 sandstone footings (Phase 6), House 13. Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8652 71868 & 71869 bltp few plate UK W3 1810

2

71867

unid UK

1830

1


1830

1

58711 lead gl cew cont Aus

1790

1

58366 salt gl stw penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

8704 58716 lead gl few unid Aus

1790

1

7

Front room underfloor The underfloor accumulations were poorly preserved in the front room of House 13. The underfloor deposit in this room was divided into two contexts to distinguish between the intact underfloor deposit (8609) and the underfloor deposit (8608) that appeared to be contaminated by 20th-century activities. Context 8609 (9 items) was restricted to a patch 1.1m x 800mm in the northeast corner of the room and a small patch 100mm x 100mm in the western half of the room which was no more than 30mm deep (Table 2.151). It was moderately compacted fine-grained sand and silt dominated by fine clay particles and also contained occasional plaster and charcoal flecks and a range of artefacts. Context 8608 with its ten items covered a broader area of around 800mm x 2.5m against the southern footing of the room. It had a similar sand/silt ratio but was littered heavily with sandstone and sandstock brick fragments. It also contained plaster fragments and flecks of charcoal and a very infrequent range of artefacts. Both deposits were excavated within a 500mm x 500mm grid and wet sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. A total of 19 ceramics (21 sherds) were recovered from the two deposits, with ten items in 8608 and nine in 8609. None of the ceramics featured conjoins between either the gridded squares or other contexts, and no basemarks were present (Table 2.150). Nine decorative types were recorded on these 19 ceramics, all commonly found in 19th-century deposits from the 1830s. Most of the items were unable to be identified by shape because of the very small size of the sherds, with 14 out of the 19 items (73.7%) catalogued as unidentified. The identified items were two saucers (#71022, #71033) and three plates (#71027, #71031, #71032). The only identified pattern was blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern, found on four items, a saucer (#71022) and three unidentified body and base sherds (#71026, #71019, #71021).

149

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Table 2.150: Ceramics in front room underfloor deposits (Phase 6), House 13. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8608 bl flow svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1

bltp few saucer UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

2

cream w few unid UK

1780 1900 1

lead gl cew

Aus

1790

1

ww few

UK

1830

2


1830

1


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1


1830 1870 1

edge pearl

plate UK

1780 1860 1

grntp

UK

1830

1

ww

unid UK

1830

1

19

As mentioned above the underfloor deposits were very poorly preserved and only really present in patches in the northeast corner (8609) and against the southern footing of the room (8608). This patchiness of deposit, coupled with the majority of the ceramics being unidentifiable in shape and function, meant that any spatial analysis of the front room was not useful (Table 2.151). Table 2.151: Spatial location of the 19 ceramics in the underfloor deposits 8608 and 8609 (Phase 6) 8608

(yellow); 8609 (green), House 13.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A 4 4

B 1 1

C

D

E

F 2 1

G 2 1 3

Rear room underfloor A substantial underfloor deposit was present in the rear room or kitchen of House 13 (8630). An artefact-rich, mix of fine sands and silt, littered heavily with charcoal, was present to a depth of up to 100mm across the room. It was noted in the trench report that any spatial information was compromised by the presence of a large cylindrical cavity measuring 1.5m in diameter in the centre of the room (8537).58 This disturbance was caused by piling activity in the late 20th century. Context 8630 was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid, in 50mm spits, with all material wet sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. A total of 380 ceramic items (465 sherds) were recovered in this underfloor deposit. None of the ceramics featured conjoins between either the squares, spits or other contexts. Overall the ceramics found are commonly found in domestic assemblage generally dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.152).

58

Hincks 2009:59

150

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Table 2.152: Ceramics in back room underfloor deposit 8630 (Phase 6), House 13. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

banded few cup UK

1860

1

plate UK

1860

1

saucer UK

1860

2

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 10

jug UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 3

UK W3 1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 9

unid UK

1830 1930 30

blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 2

plate UK

1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 2

unid UK

1830 1930 13

blktp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

few unid UK

1830

5

svfew unid UK

1830

1

bltp bc plate-small UK Fibre 1830

1

few cup UK

1830

2

dish UK Palestine 1838 1861 1

plate UK

1830

10

UK Albion 1858 1937 2


2

UK W3 1810

17

plate-small UK W3 1810

1

platter UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

2

saucer UK

1830

5

UK Park Scenery 1834 1848 1

unid UK

1830

39

UK Albion 1858 1937 1

UK Fibre 1830

1

UK Rousillon 1846

2

UK W3 1810

29

svfew plate UK

1840

1

UK

1840

1

brntp few platter UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

clobb few unid UK

1830

1

cream w few unid UK

1780 1900 2


1780 1860 2

edge WW few unid UK

1830 1860 2

gild bc cup UK

1850

2

plate-small UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

2

unid UK

1850

3

grnflow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

grntp few cup UK Rhine 1845

1

saucer UK

1830

1

bc unid UK

1830

6

hp bc lid UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

5

unid UK

1800

3

hp mou gild few figurine UK

1850

1

hp ww few cup UK

1830

1

mou ww few plate-small UK

1830

1

ppl tp few cup UK

1830

1

jug UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

1

151

_________________________________________________________________________________


redtp few unid UK

1830

2

rock gl few

UK/Aus

1796 1900 2


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 41

ink btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

sprigg bc saucer UK

1830 1920 1

unid UK

1830 1920 2

wgl bc cup UK

1800

7

egg cup UK

1800

3

plate-small UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

7

unid UK

1800

18

svfew cup UK

1840

1

plate UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

3

wgl mou svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few cup UK

1830

1

ointment/toothpaste

jar UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

5

plate-small UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

4

unid UK

1830

27

yellow ware svfew unid UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1890

1

380

Twenty-six decorative types were identified on these 380 ceramics, with blue transfer printing the largest (119). The decorative types included banded (4), blue flow (54), black flow (18), black transfer print (9), blue transfer print (119), brown transfer print (3), clobbered (1), creamware (2), edgeware pearlware (2), edgeware whiteware (2), gilded (8), green flow (1), handpainted bone china (9), handpainted moulded and gilded (1), handpainted whiteware (1), moulded whiteware (1), purple transfer print (5), red transfer print (2), Rockingham glaze (2), salt glaze (43), sprigged (3), white glazed – bone china (36) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (5), white-glazed and moulded (1), whiteware (39) and yellow ware (1). As with all other contexts on this site with substantial numbers of ceramics transfer printing was the most common decorative technique, with the 220 ceramics or 57.9 per cent of the assemblage, it was in a range of colours (black, blue, brown, green, purple and red) and finishes (clobbered and flow wares). Eight transfer-printed patterns were recognised on 62 items. All eight patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations in deposits dating from the mid 19th century. The patterns were represented in blue flow, blue transfer print and green transfer print, with blue transfer print being by far the most common. The only items not in blue transfer print were a blue flow ‘Willow’ pattern plate (#71494) and a green transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern cup (#71637). The remaining 60 items were all in blue transfer-print and included the ‘Albion’ (3), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (2), ‘Fibre’ (2), ‘Palestine’ (1), ‘Park Scenery’ (1), ‘Rousillon’ (2), and ‘Willow’ (49) patterns. Out of the 62 items featuring identified patterns, 29 were on shapes associated with the serving and consumption of food, including dish (1), platters (2), cup (1), plates (22), saucer (1), and small plates (2). The remaining 33 items with identified patterns were all on sherds whose shape could not be identified due to their small size. The ever-popular ‘Willow’ pattern was found on 50 items or 80.6 per cent of the identified patterns in House 13 kitchen.59 The ‘Willow’ pattern was identified on plates (18), plate-small (1), platters (2), as well as 29 unidentified forms. This is a substantial quantity for a single household mainly associated with the Maroney family. This suggests an everyday dinner service in ‘Willow’ was used

59

Additional anlayis on ‘Willow’ and bone china in this section is by Mary Casey.

152

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by the Maroney family. ‘Willow’ pattern was found in other underfloor deposits in the houses on Steam Mill Street:

House 7: rear room/kitchen 8700 had 14 items, plates (10), platter (1) and unidentified (3) (Table 2.122).

House 9: rear room/kitchen 8610 had 17 items, plates (6) platters (2), and unidentified (9), including blue flow and pearlware vessels with ‘Willow’ pattern (Table 2.133).

House 11: front room 8615, 8616 had five items, plates (3), jug (1) and unidentified (1) (Table 2.141).

House 11: rear room/kitchen 8539 had 17 items, plates (9) and unidentified (8) vessels (Table 2.143).

House 13: front room 8608, 8609 had four items, saucer (1) and unidentified (3) (Table 2.150).

House 13: additional rear room 8585 and 8614 had 25 items, plates (16), platters (2) unidentified (7) including pearlwares (Table 2.155).

House 15: front room 8861 had three items (Table 2.162). House 15: rear room/kitchen 8810, 8821 had 12 items, plates (6) and unidentified forms

(6), including blue flow ‘Willow’ pattern (Table 2.164). House 19: front room 8850 had 19 items, plates (8), tureen (1), and unidentified vessels

(10) (Table 2.169). There were 79 of ‘Willow’ patterned vessels found within House 13. The next largest occurrence was in House 19 with 19 items. The rear rooms of the other houses typically had between 14 and 19 items; this would appear to be a standard pattern rather than the 79 separate vessels. It is likely that these 79 vessels represent a clear preference for ‘Willow’ dinner set used every day and the extended family who may have resided within House 13. ‘Finer’ or more high status vessels in the kitchen of House 13 are suggested by gilded bone china teawares (8) cups (2), plate-small (1), saucer (2) and unidentified (3), as well as handpainted saucers (5). There are also white bone china vessels which includes cups (7), saucers (7) and egg-cups (3) supporting perhaps a very plain but fine breakfast set, as well as sprigged teaware with a saucer and an unidentified shape (2) and a ‘Fibre’ plate-small. There decorations on the 63 bone china items included gilded (8), blue and green transfer prints (7), handpainted (9), sprigged (3), white glazed (36). The other houses also had bone china vessels but not in such large quantities:

House 7: rear room/kitchen 8700 had 27 items, gilded (5), gilded/moulded (1), moulded and hand painted (2) figurine and cup, sprigged (7) and white glazed (12) (Table 2.122).

House 9: rear room/kitchen 8610 had 45 items, gilded (9), handpainted (5), handpainted/gilded (1), sprigged (2) and white glazed (28) (Table 2.133).

House 11: front room 8615, 8616 had three items, handpainted/gilded (1), and white glazed (2) (Table 2.141).

House 11: rear room/kitchen 8539 had 45 items, gilded (10), handpainted (1), handpainted/gilded (1), sprigged (4) and white glazed (29) (Table 2.143).

House 13: front room 8608, 8609 had no bone china items (Table 2.150). House 13: additional rear room 8585 and 8614 had 16 items, gilded (1), sprigged (1), green

transfer print (5) and white glazed (10) (Table 2.155). House 15: front room 8861 had no bone china items (Table 2.162). House 15: rear room/kitchen 8810, 8821 had three items, gilded (1) and white glazed (2

(Table 2.164). House 19: front room 8850 had 13 items, handpainted (3), handpainted/moulded (1),

sprigged (5) and white glazed (4) (Table 2.169).

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Comparison between the houses based on presence of bone china vessels, mainly teawares, emphasises the distinctive nature of the ceramics in House 13. This is considered to be a clear indication that the Maroneys had more access to ‘finer’ ceramics which they used for having afternoon tea and other gatherings. The most unusual bone china decorated items were those with green transfer printing. While they had 63 items in the rear room and 16 items, in the additional rear room, a total of 79 bone china items, nearly twice as many as some of the neighbours. The neighbours in Houses 9 and 11 also had a considerable number of bone china vessels, 45 items were found in both of their kitchens, in contrast with 27 in House 7 and 13 in House 19 while House 15 only had three bone china items. Fourteen separate shapes were among these 380 ceramics, only 184 items (48.4%) had identifiable forms. The shapes of the remaining 196 items (51.6%) were unable to be identified because of their small sherd sizes (Table 2.153).

Table 2.153: Ceramics shapes in underfloor deposit 8630 (Phase 6), House 13. Shape Items %

black bottle 1 0.2 btl 41 10.8 cup 30 8 dish 1 0.2

egg cup 3 0.8 figurine 1 0.2 ink btl 1 0.2

jug 2 0.5 lid 1 0.2

ointment/toothpaste jar 1 0.2 plate 51 13.4

plate-small 6 1.6 platter 4 1 saucer 41 10.8 unid 196 51.6

380 99.7

The 14 shapes are indicative of a household deposit with particular emphasis on the consumption of food. The ceramics identified within this room have functions associated with the serving, consumption and storage of food (dish, jug, platters, cups, egg cups, plates, small plates, saucers, bottles – including ginger beer and stout bottles), household maintenance (blacking bottle), household ornamentation (figurine, lid), literacy (ink bottle), and personal hygiene (ointment/toothpaste jar). The occurrence of some shapes, particularly those identified with the direct consumption of food such as cups (30), plates (51) and saucers (41), reflects the everyday wear-and-tear these items endured over time, especially when used every day and probably at least more than once a day and therefore were more susceptible to breakages. The high number of stoneware bottles shows the consumption of beverages (41), with at least 13 of these being definitely identified as ginger beer (10) and stout bottles (3). As noted earlier, the spatial information was compromised by the presence of a large cavity in the middle of the room caused by late 20th-century piling activity. Overall the ceramics recovered were spread consistently throughout the room, with lower numbers occurring around the room edges (Table 2.154). Even in the centre of the room, which was disturbed by the piling, underfloor deposits were still able to be excavated. The only gridded square in the centre of the room with no surviving deposit was the one where the pile was centred, square C5. During excavation the disturbance from the piling was specifically noted in squares B4, B5, B6, C3, C4, C5, C6, D3, D4, D5, D6, E4, E5 and E6, meaning that any spatial analysis was largely redundant as the underfloor deposit was so

154

_________________________________________________________________________________


compromised. A single basemarked ceramic recovered from the underfloor deposit is an illustration of the disturbance that the piling caused in some areas of the room, with a yellow ware unidentified flat base sherd found in square E5 having ‘WARRANTED’ / ‘FIREPROOF’ impressed on the exterior, dating from c.1890+ (#71716) and not therefore part of the Phase 6 period.


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sum %

A 2 8 8 5 7 2 1 33 9

B 1 17 16 8 13 5 6 66 17

C 9 18 12 8 9 5 61 16

D 18 17 19 12 15 9 10 100 26

E 3 12 14 16 14 17 12 7 95 25

F 2 7 6 5 1 3 1 25 7

3 44 81 77 44 61 40 30 380 100

1 12 21 20 12 16 11 8 100

Additional rear room underfloor An underfloor deposit (8585) was present within the additional room attached to the rear of the house (8522). The dimensions of this room are uncertain due to later damage at both its southern and eastern boundaries. This deposit, although patchy and not consistently found across the entire room, was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid, in 50mm spits and then wet sieved with 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. Beneath 8585 was a compacted deposit with higher silt content (8614). This deposit was also excavated using the same methodology as the underfloor 8585 and featured variable depth and coverage across the room. The ceramics contained in both deposits are very much alike, with some subtle differences in the soil matrix being the only differences between the two contexts. Because both 8585 and 8614 have been identified as belonging to the same Phase 6 period of occupation they are discussed together. Deposit 8585 contained 67 ceramics (80 sherds) and deposit 8614 contained 114 ceramics (172 sherds), a total of 181 ceramic items (252 sherds). None of the ceramics featured conjoins between either the gridded squares, spits or other contexts, and overall the ceramics recovered are once again those commonly representative of a domestic assemblage generally dating from around the mid 19th century, as evident here by the decorative types found, the identified transfer-printed patterns and a single basemarked item (Table 2.155).

Table 2.155: Ceramics in additional rear room underfloor deposits 8585 and 8614 (Phase 6), House 13. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8585 bl flow few breakfast cup UK

1830 1930 1

cup UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 2

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 3

bl hp chinese porc unid China

1790

1

blk flow few saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 4

blktp few unid UK

1830

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK W3 1810

7

poe UK

1830

1

155

_________________________________________________________________________________


saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

9

UK W3 1810

5

bltp pearl few unid UK W3 1810 1870 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

2

hp ww few saucer UK

1830

1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 4

sponge few cup UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

wgl bc saucer UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

3

svfew plate UK

1840

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

10


1830 1930 2

plate UK W3 1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 3

unid UK

1830 1930 16


1830 1930 6

svfew ewer UK Lady Peel 1845 1858 1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

8

platter UK W3 1810

2

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

23

UK Fibre 1830

1

UK W3 1810

2


unid UK

1800 1870 1

brntp few plate UK

1830

1

clobb few unid UK

1830

1

grntp bc plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

4

hp gild few figurine UK

1850

1


1790

1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

2

redtp few unid UK

1830

2


1796 1900 1


1830 1930 8

sprigg bc unid UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

2

saucer UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

2

ww few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

8614 ww few unid UK

1830

13


1830

1

181

There were 22 decorative types on 181 ceramic items, with blue transfer printing the most common (64). The range of decorative types identified in the assemblage included blue flow (30), blue handpainted Chinese porcelain (1), black flow (12), black transfer print (1), blue transfer print (64), blue transfer-printed pearlware (3), gilded (1), green transfer print (7), handpainted whiteware (1), purple transfer print (3), salt glaze (12), spongeware (1), white glazed – bone china (9) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1), whiteware (26), brown transfer print (1), clobbered (1), handpainted and gilded (1), lead glaze (1), red transfer print (2), Rockingham glaze (1), sprigged (1) and yellow ware (1). Again transfer printing is the most commonly represented decorative technique, with the 124 items (68.5%), in a range of colours (black, blue, brown, green, purple and red) and finishes (clobbered, flow ware and pearlware).

156

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Three transfer-printed patterns were identified on 29 items. Two of the three patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations, ‘Willow’ and ‘Fibre’. Both were made by numerous potteries, produced in large quantities and were very rarely marked with a manufacturer’s name. The third identified pattern, ‘Lady Peel’, was in black flow on a ewer and dated 1845 to 1858 (#71360). This ewer was also the only ceramic in this assemblage to feature a basemark - ‘LADY PEEL’ above a rampant lion with the initials ‘F M & Co’ below, the initials belonging to Francis Morley and Co, of Hanley. The popularity of the colour blue is also reflected in these identified patterns, with just the ‘Lady Peel’ pattern featuring in black flow. ‘Fibre’ and ‘Willow’ patterns are both in blue, with the single example of the ‘Fibre’ pattern being in blue transfer print and the 27 ‘Willow’ pattern items occurring in blue transfer print (24), blue transfer-printed pearlware (2) and blue flow (1).

Table 2.156: Ceramics shapes in additional rear room underfloor deposits 8585 and 8614 (Phase 6), House 13.

Shape Items %

breakfast cup 1 0.5 btl 12 6.6 cup 10 5.5

ewer 1 0.5 figurine 1 0.5

plate 24 13.2 platter 2 1.1

poe 1 0.5 saucer 12 6.6 teapot 1 0.5

unid 116 64.1

181 99.6

Ten different shapes were among these 181 ceramics but only recognised on 65 items (35.9%). The remaining 116 items (64.1%) were too small (Table 2.156). These ten shapes are domestic and mostly associated with the consumption of food, with 48 individual items (73.8%), (breakfast cup, cups, plates, saucers and teapot). This relatively large number of items associated with food consumption mirrors the frequent usage of these same items in an everyday context, day in and day out, where knocks and breakages were a common risk and occurrence. The numbers of cups (10), plates (24) and saucers (12) supports this statement. The remaining items are associated with storage (bottles), food serving (platters), household ornamentation (figurine) and personal hygiene (ewer, poe). Plates are the most common shape, 17 of the 24 plates were in the ‘Willow’ pattern, which is 70.8 per cent of all plates. The ‘Willow’ pattern also features on the two platters (#71309, #71327), suggesting that a dinner service with matching pieces may have been used at some stage during this phase of occupation. In both 8585 and 8614 the deposit was so shallow that just the one spit was excavated in all but six of the gridded squares, and even then the second spit was just a very thin layer. The room itself was heavily damaged by later service trenches and piles on both its southern and eastern boundaries meaning that any spatial analysis of the ceramics was compromised. This damage is reflected by the ceramics recovered from both deposits, with almost none found in the eastern and southern parts of the room, and the few that were are all in squares that were heavily disturbed by the later activities, especially the piling works (Tables 2.157, 2.158). In 8585 the only square that had a spit 2 was square A5 and the single ceramic found here was the only one in the square as none came from spit 1. In 8614 five squares had ceramics in spit 2, with four of these located along the western wall (A1, B1, C1, D1) with the remaining one located in the southern area that was disturbed by piling activities (E2).

157

_________________________________________________________________________________



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A 2 1 1 4 1 3 1

B 1 2 4 3 4 3

C 1 6 4 6 5 5

D 2 2 2 4

E


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A 4 3 2 3

B 13 2 2 5 4 2

C 11 9 5 4 4

D 17 5 3 3 8

E 2 3

2.5.4.7 House 15 House 15 belongs to the same general construction phase as Houses 7, 9, 11, and 13.60 House 15 fronted onto Steam Mill Street and was of the same alignment as its western neighbours. House 15 was built by 1858 when it was listed as a two-storey, four-roomed house of brick with shingle roof. In 1861 a ‘kitchen’ was noted as being present and with vacant ground adjacent to it, in the position of House 17. The yard was empty during this period, with a cesspit near the rear lane but which was not located during excavation. The building also appeared on an earlier 1856 Trigonometric Survey in the same configuration as the footings, with the lower storey of two rooms, built as one stage (Vol 1, Section 3.7.5, Figures 3.7.62, 3.7.63, 3.7.64). Five contexts associated with House 15 during Phase 6 contained 99 ceramic items (181 sherds) (Table 2.159). The 99 ceramics were in contexts associated with the packing fill for the houses sandstone footings (8890), a yard surface (8772), and the underfloor deposits in the front (8861) and rear rooms (8810, 8821). A brief discussion follows on the ceramics in the contexts associated with the packing fill and yard surface before turning to the underfloor deposits in the front and rear rooms. Overall there were small quantities of ceramics within these contexts, with the most coming from the rear room underfloor deposit with 37 ceramic items (37.4%).

Table 2.159: Contexts with ceramics in house 15 (Phase 6), House 15. Context Items %

8772 26 26.2

8810 21 21.2

8821 37 37.4

8861 11 11.1

8890 4 4

99 99.9

Packing for sandstone footings The rectangular and square-cut sandstone blocks that formed the footings of House 15 were two courses deep (8794). The cuts for the footings were steep sided with a gently sloping lip and up to 60


158

_________________________________________________________________________________


300mm wider than the sandstone blocks (8822, 8889). Two fills were used as packing within the cuts, with 8824 used at the rear of the footing and 8890 in the north. No ceramics were found in 8824 and just four ceramics were identified in the sand and compacted silt packing fill 8890 (Table 2.160).

Table 2.160: Ceramics in house 15 packing fill 8890 (Phase 6). Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1 58723 selfslip cew pot Aus

1790

1


1830

1 72717

UK W3 1810

1

4

Yard surface A number of levelling events occurred in the yard at the rear of House 15 and one of these, a dark brown sand silt accumulation (8772), was probably the first evidence of occupation in the yard. Deposit 8772 was between 30mm and 50mm in depth and was littered with sandstone and sandstock brick fragments as well as some ceramic and glass material. There were 26 ceramic items from this yard surface (70 sherds), none of which featured conjoins with any other contexts nor were any basemarks present (Table 2.161).

Table 2.161: Ceramics in yard surface 8772 (Phase 6). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 2

plate UK

1830 1930 2

unid UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK W3 1810

4

platter UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

2

brntp few unid UK

1830

2 grntp few

UK

1830

1

hp ww few jug/ewer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1790

1 ppl tp few

UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1 wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

26

Overall the ceramics recovered from the yard surface date from the c.1830s and were associated with general domestic household refuse. The nature of the deposit, that of a yard surface, suggests that the items would have accumulated over an extended period which would explain the presence of the early locally-manufactured coarse earthenware lead-glazed unidentified base sherd (#58719), a ware not usually associated with deposits dating later than the mid 19th century (Phase 6). The ten decorative types were blue flow (5), blue transfer print (9), brown transfer print (2), green transfer print (1), handpainted whiteware (2), lead glaze (1), purple transfer print (1), salt glaze (1), white glazed bone china (1) and whiteware (3). Transfer printing is the most common with blue, brown, green, purple, and including blue flow which also employs this technique. It was on 18 items (69.2%) of the total 26 ceramics found in this context. The only recognised transfer-printed pattern was ‘Willow’ pattern, identified on seven items – plates (4), platter (1) and unidentified (2). There were five shapes on 13 ceramics with 13 remaining unidentified due to their small sherd sizes. The identified shapes included cups (3), plates (7), platter (1), jug/ewer (1) and bottle (1).

159

_________________________________________________________________________________


Front room underfloor The installation of services and the construction of footings in the 20th century destroyed much of the areas within the room where underfloor deposits may have accumulated. Only three areas of deposit remained (8861), in the northeast, northwest and southeast corners of the room (Table 2.163). The overall area of the deposit was around 1.5m x 1.5m and it was a very thin accumulation. The deposit was excavated in a 500mm x 50mm grid and all the material was wet sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. Just 11 ceramic items (17 sherds) were found in this patchy underfloor deposit. Six of the items were unidentified in shape because the small sherd sizes and the only identified pattern was ‘Willow’ pattern, in blue transfer print and blue flow (Table 2.162) all on fine earthenware.

Table 2.162: Ceramics in front room underfloor deposit 8861 (Phase 6), House 15. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few plate UK W3 1830 1930 1 blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

2

pearl few unid UK

1780 1870 1 salt gl stw btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

11

The few ceramics found in the northwest (8), northeast (1) and southeast corners (2) of the room (Table 2.163). The item in grid square G10 is listed as ‘0’ because its sherds conjoined with another sherd in the neighbouring square F10 and was counted as the single item in that square instead. The item, a blue flow plate in the ‘Willow’ pattern, was made up of six sherds, one in square F10 (#72703) and five in square G10 (#72702) (Table 2.114).

Table 2.163: Spatial location of the 11 ceramics in underfloor deposit 8861 (Phase 6).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A 4 2 1

B 1

C 1

D

E

F 2

G 0

Rear room underfloor The occupation-related material in the rear room was also fairly patchy, with remnants occurring on the surface of a levelling fill that was specific to this room (8823). There were two discrete accumulations that were distinguishable by their colour but otherwise shared the same characteristics, being very thin and tightly compacted. Deposit 8810 was a dark brown silty accumulation with a maximum depth of 25mm and it was deeper against the southern footing of the room and thinner towards the centre. Deposit 8821 was a lighter coloured deposit and was located in the centre north of the room, abutting the northern footing in an area of around 2m x 1.3m. It ranged from being very thin in patches and on up to 50mm in depth. Both 8810 and 8821

160

_________________________________________________________________________________


were excavated with reference to a 500mm x 500mm grid and all material was wet sieved through nested 5mm and 3mm sieves. Both deposits are similar alike, with some subtle colour differences in the soil matrix being the only noted differences between the two contexts. Because both 8810 and 8821 have been identified as belonging to the same Phase 6 period of occupation they are discussed here together. Deposit 8810 contained 21 ceramics (28 sherds) and deposit 8821 had 37 ceramics (62 sherds), or a total of 58 ceramic items (90 sherds). None of the ceramics featured conjoins between either the gridded squares, spits or other contexts, nor were any basemarked items found. Overall the ceramics are typical of a domestic assemblage dating from the c.1830s (Table 2.164).

Table 2.164: Ceramics in the rear room underfloor deposits 8810 and 8821 (Phase 6). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1860

1

bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 2


2

saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

5

UK W3 1810

1

gild bc saucer UK

1850

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

5


1830 1930 1

plate UK W3 1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 3


3

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

6

UK W3 1810

5

svfew unid UK

1840

1

brntp few unid UK

1830

1

grntp few saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

8821 pearl few unid UK

1780 1870 2


1830 1930 2


1790

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

5

58

The 11 decorative types included banded (1), blue flow (8), blue transfer print (26), brown transfer print (1), gilded bone china (1), green transfer print (3), pearlware (2), salt glaze (2), self slipped (1), white-glazed bone china (2) and whiteware (11). Blue transfer printing was the most common type, with the 26 items (44.8%). Transfer printing was present on 65.5 per cent of the assemblage, including on flow ware. There were four shapes on 58 ceramic items but they were only identifiable on 19 items (32.7%). The majority of the items, 39 items or 67.2 per cent, were unable to be identified by shape because of their small sherd sizes. The 19 items fell into four specific forms – cups (4), plates (7), saucers (6) and bottles (2). With the exception of the two salt-glazed stoneware bottles used as containers (#58404, #58405), the identified shapes are all related to the direct consumption of food, suggesting that this room was used for dining-related activities.

161

_________________________________________________________________________________


‘Willow’ was the only identified pattern and was on 12 items, blue transfer print (11) and blue flow (1). This pattern was recognised on six plates and six unidentified items, with one of these plates having a blue flow finish (#72405). As mentioned above the two occupation-related deposits were patchy and were thicker in some areas than in others. Some of the gridded squares were noted during excavation as being truncated by modern disturbance, therefore reducing the integrity of the deposits, suggesting that any spatial analysis of the front room was not useful (Tables 2.165, 2.166). In particular the accumulation of 8821 in the centre of the room is thought to be directly associated with the modern disturbance of a service trench running through the room in a north-south direction.


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A 1 1 3

B 1 1

C 2 1

D 1 2 1

E 4 1 1 1


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A 8 4

B 5 6

C 1

D 13

E

2.5.4.8 House 19 House 19 fronted onto Steam Mill Street and was built in two phases. House 19 (10) Steam Mill Street was built by 1855 probably by Charles Jones. In 1855 the house was described as a two-storey, three-roomed brick built with shingle roof and by 1867 had four rooms.61 The front room was associated with the same construction phase of Houses 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15, whereas the rear room was associated with a later phase of construction and may have been contemporary with the building of House 17. This section is only concerned with events associated with Phase 6 and so the rear room will not be discussed here (see section in Phase 7). It is highly unusual to have a house with a single room downstairs. The footings and plans relevant to this period indicated that this two storey, three roomed house was half the size of its neighbours (Vol 1: Section 3.7.6, Figures 3.7.70, 3.7.71, 3.7.72).


8841 2 1.1

8850 167 97.1

8873 3 1.7

172 99.9

61


162

_________________________________________________________________________________


Only three contexts in House 19 associated with Phase 6 contained ceramics, 172 items (258 sherds) (Table 2.167). The majority of the ceramics were in one context, the underfloor deposit (8850) in the front room with 167 ceramic items or 97.1 per cent of the ceramic items. The remaining five items were found in an accumulation against the exterior of the house footing (8841) and within the fireplace support within the front room (8873). The three ceramics in 8873 will be examined in association with the discussion of the underfloor deposit 8850 since they are both associated with the front room and the fireplace deposit probably represents movement of some of the underfloor into the fireplace cavity after the removal of the hearthstone.62 Occupation-related accumulation A silty/humic accumulation (8841) was present against the exterior of the footing of House 19, at the junction with the later footings of House 17. This location was once the northwest corner of the rear yard for the house and the material may represent a dump of organic refuse associated. The deposit was 170mm deep against the footing and covered an area of 330mm x 400mm. Only two ceramics were found in this deposit and are tabled below (Table 2.168).

Table 2.168: Ceramics in deposit 8841 (Phase 6). Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830

1 72449 blktp few plate UK Albion 1858 1937 1

2

Front room underfloor The front room of House 19 contained a substantial underfloor accumulation (8850). The construction of the early 20th century footings had removed an area of around 1.7m x 2m in the western part of the room, however the rest of the deposit was fairly intact and uncontaminated. The deposit was a moderately compacted fine-grained sand and silt mix between 50mm and 100mm deep, with the deepest being in the vicinity of the eastern fireplace (8872). The underfloor deposit was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid, in 50mm spits with stratigraphic priority. All material was wet sieved through nested 5mm and 3mm sieves. A similar silty accumulation (8873) was found in the fireplace support (8872). As mentioned above, it is probable that this deposit represents the movement of some of the underfloor into the fireplace cavity after the removal of the hearthstone. The three ceramics found within the fireplace are discussed separately to the underfloor deposit. A total of 167 ceramic items (253 sherds) were found in deposit 8850. Overall the ceramics are common to domestic assemblages dating from the mid 19th century, as seen by the shapes, decorative types and the transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.169).

Table 2.169: Ceramics in front room underfloor deposit 8850 (Phase 6). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

banded few plate,small UK

1860

2

saucer UK

1860

2


1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 3

unid UK

1830 1930 6

svfew cup UK

1840 1930 1

blk flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 3

62

Hincks 2009:61

163

_________________________________________________________________________________


svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1

blktp few unid UK

1830

4

bltp few plate UK

1830

5

UK Albion 1858 1937 6

UK Gem 1851 1893 2

UK W3 1810

8

saucer UK

1830

1


1

tureen UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

17


1

UK W3 1810

10

svfew unid UK

1840

1

brntp few cup UK

1830

1


saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

5

cream w few jar UK

1780 1900 1

edge WW

plate UK

1830 1860 1

grntp few cup UK Snow Drop 1860

1

plate UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

UK Cable 1860

2

UK Ceres 1897 1904 1

unid UK

1830

5

grntp few unid UK Rhine 1845

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

hp bc cup UK

1800

3

hp ww few

UK

1830

1

mou hp bc figurine UK

1800

1

ppl tp few cup UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

6

svfew cup UK

1860

2

saucer UK

1860

4

rock gl few teapot UK

1796 1900 1


1830 1930 3

cont UK/Aus

1830 1930 3

sponge few unid UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 1

saucer UK

1830 1920 2

unid UK

1830 1920 2

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

3

svfew jug UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

2

ww few cup UK

1830

2

plate UK

1830

4

saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

20

167

Nineteen decorative types were found on 167 ceramics, with the continuously popular blue transfer printing the most frequent (53). The decorative types included banded (4), black flow (5), black transfer print (4), blue flow (11), blue transfer print (53), brown transfer print (8), creamware (1), edgeware whiteware (1), green transfer print (13), handpainted bone china (3), handpainted whiteware (1), moulded and handpainted bone china (1), purple transfer print (14), Rockingham glaze (1), salt glaze (6), spongeware (1), sprigged (5), white glazed – bone china (4) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (3) and whiteware (28). The process of transfer printing, and not just in

164

_________________________________________________________________________________


the blue, was found on 108 items (64.7%) in black, blue, brown, green and purple and also with a flow finish (black and blue). Nine patterns were recognised on 35 individual items, with all the patterns common to Sydney historical excavations dating from the mid 19th century. The patterns were in blue, brown and green, with ‘Albion’ (6), ‘Gem’ (2), ‘Willow’ (19), ‘Two Temples II’ (1) and ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ in blue, ‘Albion’ (1) in brown, and ‘Cable’ (2), ‘Ceres’ (1), ‘Rhine’ (1) and ‘Snow Drop’ (1) all in green. The availability of some of the more popular patterns in more than one colour is evident with ‘Albion’ pattern on six plates in blue and one in brown. The patterns on identified shapes are mainly items associated with consumption of food, such as plates (17), saucers (4) and a cup (1), with the single remaining identified item, a tureen, associated with the serving of food. Out of the 35 ceramics with recognised patterns, 23 were on the four identified shapes (plates, saucers, cup, tureen), with the remaining 12 items being unidentified. The blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern was on 19 items, plates (8), tureen (1) and unidentified (10). One pattern in particular appears to have a far later date than any of the other patterns identified here, a black transfer-printed ‘Ceres’ pattern saucer, attributed to the Pilkington Tile & Pottery Co., Lancashire (#72590), dating between 1897 and 1904.63 This saucer was found in gridded square F5, situated to the south of the room and near to where a later service trench cut through the room (cut 8855), meaning that the underfloor deposit in this area was probably contaminated (Figure 37).

Figure 37: Green transfer-printed Ceres pattern saucer. The presence of this pattern indicates that there was some contamination of the underfloor deposit in part of the room (#72590). Scale graduations 1cm.

Eleven shapes were identified on 78 (46.7%) of the 167 ceramics items while the remaining 89 items (53.3%) were too small to be identified by shape (Table 2.170). The 11 identified shapes site easily within a domestic household deposit, with mainly form used for serving, storage and consumption of food. The ceramics forms fall into various functional categories, of food serving (jug, tureen), food consumption (cups, plates, small plates, saucers, teapot), food storage (bottles, containers, jar) and household ornamentation (figurine). The majority of the shapes are associated with the direct consumption of food, with the 68 items (87.2%) such as cups (15), plates (30), small plates (2), saucers (20) and a teapot (1). These forms represent items used every day with associated wear-and-tear to these items with constant use.

63

Erskine 2003:37

165

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.170: Ceramic shapes in underfloor deposit 8850 (Phase 6). Shape Items %

btl 3 1.8 cont 3 1.8 cup 15 9.0

figurine 1 0.6 jar 1 0.6 jug 1 0.6

plate 30 17.9 plate,small 2 1.2

saucer 20 12.0 teapot 1 0.6 tureen 1 0.6 unid 89 53.3

167 100

The depositional spread of the underfloor deposit reflects the location of the fireplace and also the later disturbance from a service trench. This is shown by the total lack of ceramics in these specific areas. A fireplace (8872) was constructed along part of the east wall and the lack of any ceramics in the gridded squares around the mid west part of the room also reflects the area where a service trench was cut (8855) (Table 2.171). Table 2.171: Spatial location of the 167 ceramics in underfloor deposit 8850, front room/kitchen (Phase 6).

The approximate location of the fireplace is coloured grey.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sum %

A 4 28 22 3 3 2 3 3 68 41

B 1 2 1 3 1 8 5

C 2 4 3 9 5

D 1 2 4 3 10 6

E 1 1 5 3 7 1 4 5 27 16

F 1 3 11 15 7 4 4 45 27

7 32 22 6 19 25 28 15 8 5 167 100

4 19 13 4 11 15 17 9 5 3 100

No basemarks were found on any of these 167 ceramic items, however three items had conjoining sherds in other gridded squares within the room.64 The three conjoining items, on 14 sherds, were all related to the activity of food consumption, in particular teawares (Table 2.114). The three items were a purple transfer-printed saucer (#72547/#72554) with joining sherds in squares D6 (3 sherds) and D7 (1 sherd); a green transfer-printed ‘Cable’ pattern saucer (#72550/#72572) with joining sherds in squares D7 (1) and E7 (2 sherds); and a handpainted bone china cup (#72613/#72622) with sherds in squares F7 (2 sherds) and F8 (5 sherds). Fireplace in front room A fireplace support (8872) was constructed in the middle of the eastern wall from irregular but neatly cut sandstone blocks and diamond-frogged sandstock bricks. Within this support was a silty accumulation (8873) very similar to the underfloor deposit discussed above. It is probable that this deposit represents the movement of some of the underfloor into the fireplace cavity after the

64

For example if sherds from an item were found here and then sherds from the same item were found in a rubbish pit or cesspit or well then it would indicate that the item broke in the room and then the remaining damaged item was then discarded at another particular place.

166

_________________________________________________________________________________


removal of the hearthstone. Only three ceramics were found in the fireplace (3 sherds), none of which featured an identified pattern, basemark, or had conjoins in any other context (Table 2.172).

Table 2.172: Ceramics in fireplace deposit 8873 (Phase 6).

Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1 72704 bltp few plate UK

1830

1

72705 gild bc plate-small UK

1850

1

3

2.5.5 Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development During this phase Council built the sandstone-flagged laneways. One lane way ran immediately to the east of House 19, running south from Steam Mill Street and the other to the south of the properties (Vol 4: Plan 10.30). Considerable 20th-century disturbance destroyed the southern part of the laneway to the east of House 19; however historic plans show that it connected with the remnant sandstone-flagged laneway forming a L-shaped connection between Steam Mill and Barker streets (Vol 1:36, Figures 2.14, 2.15). During Phase 7 rooms were added at the rear of Houses 13 and 19 as well as the construction of House 17. After the mid 1870s sewerage and water pipes were installed and plumbed toilets were built within the yards. In the 1880s much of the worst housing between Sussex Street and Darling Harbour was demolished in the hope of preventing the spread of disease, and although houses on Steam Mill Street were spared, some modifications were made to seal the underfloor spaces to prevent vermin entering into the houses through the underground spaces. These modifications appear to have been executed by the municipal authorities, as methods and materials are the same regardless of house ownership. Paving and other yard modifications also occurred during this period. In Phase 7 contexts were 49 ceramic items (Table 2.173). These contexts were levelling fills, yard surfaces, cesspit fills, underfloor deposits and underfloor sealing fills. These contexts are associated with Houses 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19.


8512 25 2.1 9 1.5

8513 1 0.1 1 0.2

8515 11 1 11 1.8

8525 4 0.3 4 0.6

8527 55 4.5 48 7.8

8535 4 0.3 3 0.5

8557 29 2.4 21 3.4

8560 29 2.4 23 3.8

8563 21 1.7 10 1.6

8566 12 1 5 0.8

8570 8 0.7 7 1.1

8571 1 0.1 1 0.2

8572 22 1.8 15 2.4

8579 27 2.2 16 2.6

8580 6 0.5 5 0.8

8587 37 3 19 3.1

8594 3 0.2 3 0.5

8601 4 0.3 4 0.6

8602 7 0.6 5 0.8

8627 3 0.2 3 0.5

8629 25 2.1 19 3.1

8633 22 1.8 16 2.6

8640 4 0.3 4 0.6

8641 64 5.3 23 3.8

8643 9 0.7 7 1.1

167

_________________________________________________________________________________


8663 4 0.3 2 0.3

8664 39 3.2 9 1.5

8666 21 1.7 12 2

8696 46 3.8 29 4.8

8713 9 0.8 6 1

8723 3 0.2 2 0.3

8724 33 2.7 18 2.9

8730 7 0.6 5 1

8736 256 21.1 57 9.3

8737 177 14.6 49 8

8739 8 0.7 8 1.3

8785 7 0.6 7 1.1

8798 25 2.1 16 2.6

8805 4 0.3 4 0.6

8815 3 0.2 3 0.5

8818 13 1.1 8 1.3

8834 4 0.3 4 0.6

8847 1 0.1 1 0.2

8856 2 0.2 2 0.3

8860 99 8.2 70 11.4

8874 6 0.5 6 1

8875 2 0.2 2 0.3

8876 2 0.2 2 0.3

8900 8 0.7 7 1.1

1212 100 611 99.5

2.5.5.1 House 7 During this period various modifications were made to the house to improve sanitary conditions. The spread of disease had become a major concern in the colony by this time, particularly around the harbour foreshores, and the efforts made to restrict this threat were evident in the archaeological record. The cesspit ceased to be used and plumbing was laid at the boundary of Houses 7 and 9, and the underfloor was sealed. Nine House 7 contexts in Phase 7 contained ceramics, 127 items (364 sherds) (Table 2.174). These 127 ceramic items were in contexts associated with yard accumulations (8594), cesspit fills (8736, 8724, 8723, 8713) and the sealing of the underfloor in the front room (8627, 8696) and back room (8602, 8601). The majority of the ceramics were recovered from cesspit fills (83), with 32 items found in the deposits sealing the underfloor in the front room, and nine items in the deposits sealing the underfloor in the back room, and three ceramics in the yard accumulation.

Table 2.174: Contexts with ceramics in House 7 (Phase 7). Context Location Items % Items %

8594 yard acc 3 2.4 3 2.4

8601 Seal back rm 4 3.1 9 7.0

8602 Seal back rm 5 3.9

8627 Seal front rm 3 2.4 32 25.2

8696 Seal front rm 29 22.8

8713 cesspit 6 4.7 83 65.4

8723 cesspit 2 1.6

8724 cesspit 18 14.2

8736 cesspit 57 44.9

127 100 127 100

Yard accumulation In the yard of House 7, a local accumulation of brown-black silts was identified in the vicinity of the cesspit which had three ceramics (8594), (Table 2.175).

168

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Table 2.175: Ceramics in yard accumulation 8594 (Phase 7), House 7. Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

58298 bristol gl stw jar UK/Aus 1835

1 70991 gild bc cup UK 1850

1

70992 gild bc cup UK 1850

1

3

Cesspit fills The sandstone and brick cesspit was located on the eastern boundary with House 9, in the rear yard (8717). It is thought that most of the material within the cesspit was associated with its use and that it represented an accumulation rather than a fill.65 A layer of fine-grained pale grey sands with no inclusions (8747) lined the cesspit at its bedrock base and this material was likely to have been dumped there after the last time the cesspit was cleaned. The waterlogged condition of the cesspit made it impossible to determine the depth of these sands with any accuracy; however it was estimated to be around 1m deep. Above these sands was a silty deposit that was allocated four context numbers, 8736, 8724, 8723 and 8713. Context 8736 was the section of the deposit below the waterline, a separate number was given to account for any possible mixing that may have occurred during the manual excavation in such a waterlogged environment. Context 8724 was the deposit above the waterline. The combined depth of these two contexts was 520mm and both contexts were artefact-rich, suggesting that they were comprised of rubbish from the household. Context 8736 had 57 ceramics and context 8724 had 18 ceramics. Above this level the silty matrix remained the same however it also contained large sandstone fragments, to within 100mm of the top of the cesspit, and so was given the number 8723. The uppermost context, 8713, was dominated by damaged sandstock bricks and this may have occurred when the installation of plumbing cut the cesspit walls, or when the structure was demolished. These upper two contexts featured far fewer ceramics, with just two in 8723 and six in 8713. The silty deposit of 8736, 8724, 8723 and 8713 contained 83 ceramics (301 sherds) and given the waterlogged nature of the deposit during its excavation the four contexts assigned to it are discussed together. Overall the ceramics found in the cesspit are commonly identified with domestic assemblages dating from the 1860s onwards, as evidenced by the range of decorative types represented, recognized shapes and the identified transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.176).

Table 2.176: Ceramics in the cesspit fills 8736, 8724, 8723 and 8713 (Phase 7), House 7. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8736 banded few plate-small UK

1860

1

saucer UK

1860

2


1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

wash basin UK

1830 1930 1


1790

1

blktp bc cup UK

1830

1

few platter UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

UK Dresden 1830

1



2

UK W3 1810

1

plate-small UK Gem 1851 1893 2

platter UK W3 1810

1

saucer UK Peony 1862 1882 1

65

Hincks 2009:65-66

169

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1830

1

svfew cup UK Peony 1840

1

brntp few cup UK Antique 1860

1

UK Crystal 1851 1880 1

plate UK Gem 1851 1893 1

Scot Maltese 1866 1884 1

clobb few plate-small UK

1860

1

gild bc saucer UK

1850

2

grntp few cup UK Honeysuckle 1865 1886 1

lid UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

hp gild bc cup UK

1850

2

mou hp few figurine UK

1830

1

mou ww few jug UK

1830

1

pearl few poe UK

1780 1870 1


1830

3

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

sponge bc plate UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

few saucer UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

sprigg bc breakfast cup UK

1830 1920 1

saucer UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

egg cup UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

1

wgl mou bc vase UK

1800

1

ww few plate UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

2

8724 banded few plate UK

1860

1


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

blktp svfew ointment lid UK

1866 1900 1


UK Gem 1851 1893 1

UK W3 1810

2


unid UK W3 1810

1

grntp few cup UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1


1


1830 1930 1

8713 banded few platter UK

1860

1

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

blktp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1


1


1835

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

83

The 83 ceramic items had 21 decorative types, with blue transfer printing the most common (21). The decorative types include banded (5), blue flow (7), blue handpainted Chinese porcelain (1), black transfer print (4), blue transfer print (21), bristol glaze (1), brown transfer print (4), clobbered (1), gilded (3), green transfer print (6), handpainted and gilded (2), moulded and handpainted (1),

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moulded whiteware (1), pearlware (1), purple transfer print (5), salt glaze (6), spongeware (2), sprigged (2), white-glazed bone china (4), white-glazed and moulded (1), and whiteware (5). Overall transfer-printing was the most common decorative technique identified, with 48 ceramic items (57.8%) in a variety of colours (blue, black, brown, green and purple) and finishes (blue flow and clobbered). Twelve transfer-printed patterns were found on 28 items. These 12 patterns are frequently found on other contemporary Sydney historical excavations. The patterns were black (2), blue (19), brown (4), green (2) and purple (1). Two of the patterns occurred in more than one colour, with the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern in black (1), blue (2) and green (1), and the ‘Gem’ pattern in blue (3) and brown (1). Blue is the most frequent colour; with ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (2), ‘Albion’ (4), ‘Dresden’ (1), ‘Gem’ (3), ‘Peony’ (2) and ‘Willow’ (7); black is represented by the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (1) and ‘Rhine’ (1); brown features in ‘Antique’ (1), ‘Crystal’ (1), ‘Gem’ (1) and ‘Maltese’ (1) patterns; green is on ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (1) and ‘Honeysuckle’ (1) patterns; and purple is only in ‘Cable’ pattern (1). All but one of the items featuring an identified pattern are on recognized shapes, the exception being a ‘Willow’ pattern on an unidentified base sherd (#72137). These shapes are all associated with food, either in its serving, consumption or storage. The serving items are three platters in the ‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ and ‘Willow’ patterns, the consumption-related items are 15 plates in the ‘Albion’ (3), ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (2), ‘Cable’ (1), ‘Gem’ (2), ‘Maltese’ (1), ‘Rhine’ (1) and ‘Willow’ (5) patterns, five cups in the ‘Antique’ (1), ‘Crystal’ (1), ‘Dresden’ (1), ‘Honeysuckle’ (1) and ‘Peony’ (1) patterns, a saucer in the ‘Peony’ pattern, and two small plates in the ‘Gem’ pattern’. The single item associated with the storage of food is the lid of a container in the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern. The presence of the same pattern on a number of different shapes, and in some cases also in different colours, is indicative of the availability of matching and complementary items within the marketplace, especially in ‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ and ‘Willow’ patterns. Five of the identified patterns were introduced in the 1860s, indicating deposition during Phase 7. The presence of patterns such as the ‘Albion’, ‘Crystal’ and ‘Gem’, all introduced during the 1850s also supports this, given the time lag between purchase and eventual discard. The five patterns introduced in the 1860s are: the brown transfer-printed ‘Antique’ pattern cup (#72200), manufacturer unknown, dating from c.1860+; the purple transfer-printed ‘Cable’ pattern plate (#72136), also by an unknown manufacturer and dating from c.1860+; the green transfer-printed ‘Honeysuckle’ pattern cup (#72195), attributed to Frederick Jones, of Longton, and dating between c.1865 to 1886; the brown transfer-printed ‘Maltese’ pattern plate (#72216), with basemark belonging to John Thomson & Sons, of Scotland, dating between c.1866 to 1884, and the blue transfer-printed ‘Peony’ pattern cup (#72213) and saucer (#72217) made by Pinder, Bourne & Co, of Burslem, and dating between 1862 to 1882. One other item that dates from the 1860s is a black transfer-printed semi-vitreous fine earthenware ointment lid (#72143), dating between c.1866 to c.1900. This lid is for Josephson’s Australian Ointment, and the entire script, with a five-point star in the centre, reads: ‘JOSEPHSON'S AUSTRALI(AN OINTMENT)’ / ‘(SYDNEY. N.S.W.)’ / ‘FOR’ / ‘ALL SORE(S)’ / ‘OLD WOU(NDS, BURNS)’ / ‘SUN(BURNS, CHAFING,)’ / ‘CHAPPED HANDS),’ / ‘(& c. & c.)’, (Figure 38).

171

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Figure 38: Black transfer-printed Josephson’s Australian Ointment lid (#72143). Scale graduations 1cm.

Eighteen individual shapes were identified on 70 items (84.3%) among these 83 ceramic items, represented by 70 items. The remaining 13 items (15.7%) were too small and were catalogued as unidentified (Table 2.177).

Table 2.177: Ceramic shapes in cesspit fills 8736, 8724, 8723 and 8713 (Phase 7), House 7. Shape Items %

black bottle 1 1.2 breakfast cup 1 1.2

btl 3 3.6 cup 13 15.7


jar 1 1.2 jug 1 1.2 lid 1 1.2

ointment lid 1 1.2 penny ink 2 2.4

plate 22 26.5 plate,small 4 4.8

platter 4 4.8 poe 1 1.2

saucer 11 13.2 unid 13 15.7 vase 1 1.2

wash basin 1 1.2

83 99.9

These 18 shapes are all from a domestic household deposit, with an emphasis on the consumption of food. The functions of these ceramics are associated with the serving, consumption and storage of food (jug, platters, breakfast cup, cups, egg cup, plates, small plates, saucers, bottles – including ginger beer, jar, lid), household maintenance (blacking bottle), household ornamentation (figurine, vase), literacy (penny ink bottles), and personal hygiene (ointment lid, poe, wash basin). The majority of the identified shapes (53 or 75.7%) are associated with the direct consumption of food: breakfast cup, cups, egg cup, plates, small plates and saucers. Many of these items may have been used daily for the consumption of food and beverages, such as cups (13), plates (22) and saucers (11). These suggest the everyday use and associated wear-and-tear that these items endured, especially with items used more than once a day and were therefore more susceptible to breakages.

172

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Two basemarked items were recovered in context 8736 on items that featured identified transfer-printed patterns, the ‘Maltese’ and ‘Peony’ patterns. Both basemarks date from the 1860s and on into the 1880s, supporting the Phase 7 period of deposition of the cesspit fills (Table 2.178).

Table 2.178: Basemarked ceramics in cesspit fill 8736 (Phase 7), House 7. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

8736 72216 plate brntp TP basemark - ‘MALTESE’ in round cartouche with ‘J.T. & SONS’ below.

1866 1884 1

72217 saucer bltp

TP basemark - very smudged - a crown, with ‘PEONY’ / ‘(P. B) & Co’, framed by 2 laurel branches; initials belong to Pinder, Bourne & Co., Burslem.

1862 1882 1

2

The fills in the cesspit are believed to rubbish from House 7 and its use as a dumping place for unwanted and/or broken items is reflected in the ceramic sherd verses item count. The 83 items recovered from the cesspit are represented by a total of 301 sherds with many of the individual items having many sherds, for example 30 sherds made up the pearlware poe (#72164), 16 sherds from a blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern plate (#72210), 13 sherds from a blue transfer-printed ‘Gem’ pattern small plate (#72212), 12 sherds from a sprigged saucer (#72181), 9 sherds from a brown transfer-printed ‘Maltese’ pattern plate (#72216) and 8 sherds from a blue transfer-printed ‘Peony’ pattern saucer (#72217) . This cesspit fills represent a primary deposition (Figure 39).

Figure 39: Examples of some of the ceramics indicating primary deposition in cesspit fill 8736. Back row, left to right: Albion pattern plate (#72210), pearlware poe (#72164), brown Maltese pattern plate (#72216); Front row: Gem pattern small plate (#72212), sprigged saucer (#72181), and Peony pattern saucer (#72217). Gallery2, 10cm scale.

Sealing the underfloor of the front and back rooms In the 1880s the floorboards of House 7 were lifted and the vacant space was filled with clays (8696 in the front room, 8602 in the rear room) and industrial gravels (8627 in the front room, 8601 in the rear room) and the floorboards were then replaced. This was probably undertaken to discourage rats from occupying the underfloor cavity and was seen as a way of preventing the spread of disease. The clays were up to 300mm deep in both rooms and the gravel-like industrial waste fills were up to 200mm deep and included slag and coke. The clays were beneath the fills in both rooms.66

66

Hincks 2009:66-67

173

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The sealing deposits in front room contained 32 ceramics (49 sherds), with just three items in the industrial waste fill 8627 (3 sherds) and the remaining 29 items in the clay fill 8696 (46 sherds) (Table 2.179). These ceramics items are typical found from the 1830s onwards. Nothing about these 32 ceramics is specifically indicative of the underfloor sealing event occurring in the 1880s, with no basemarks to provide close dating the majority of the decorative types all featuring long periods of manufacture. The sealing deposits in the rear room contained nine ceramics (11 sherds), with four items in the industrial waste fill 8601 (4 sherds) and the remaining five items in the clay fill 8602 (7 sherds). As with the ceramics recovered in the front room sealing deposits, these nine ceramics are not indicative of an event occurring in the 1880s (Table 2.180).

Table 2.179: Ceramics in front room sealing underfloor deposits (Phase 7), House 7. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8627 bltp few platter UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1


1835

1


1830 1930 1

bl hp

chinese porc

ginger jar China

1790

1

bltp few cup UK Palestine 1838 1861 1


1

plate UK W3 1810

2

tureen UK Palestine 1838 1861 1

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK Park Scenery 1834 1848 1

UK W3 1810

1

UK

1830

2

svfew unid UK

1840

1

bltp pearl few platter UK W3 1810 1870 1

edge pearl

plate UK

1780 1860 2

edge WW

UK

1830 1860 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

1

lead gl

Aus

1790

1


1830 1930 3

cont UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

sprigg bc breakfast cup UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

ww few jar UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

yellow ware

few unid UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

32

Table 2.180: Ceramics in back room sealing underfloor deposits (Phase 7), House 7.


8601 bl hp chinese porc plate China Canton 1790 1850 1


1780 1900 1

ppl tp svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

8602 banded svfew cup UK

1860

1

bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1

gild bc saucer UK

1850

1

hp bc plate UK

1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

9

174

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2.5.5.2 House 9 During Phase 7 the cesspit ceased to be used and plumbing was laid along the boundary between Houses 7 and 9. By 1880 a toilet was constructed at the rear of the yard, however the cesspit was still in use in 1865. Other modifications were made within the house to improve sanitary conditions and restrict the spread of disease, such as the sealing of the underfloor deposits, just like in House 7. Some yard modifications were also made. In 1863 the house was listed as a four-room, two-storey dwelling. In 1882 it was listed as a two-storey, six-room dwelling and the 1891 listing noted that it had an iron roof. Thirteen of the contexts belonging to House 9 contained 162 ceramics (375 sherds) (Table 2.181).

Table 2.181: Contexts with ceramics in House 9 (Phase 7). Context Location Items % Items %

8512 yard 9 5.5 44 27.1

8535 yard 3 1.8

8640 Yard 4 2.5

8641 yard 23 14.2

8730 yard 5 3.1

8570 Seal front rm 7 4.3 7 4.3

8571 Seal back rm 1 0.6 35 21.5



8643 plumbing 7 4.3 19 11.7

8666 plumbing 12 7.4

8737 cesspit fill 49 30.2 57 35.2

8739 cesspit fill 8 5

162 99.8 162 99.8

These 162 ceramics were in contexts associated with yard surfaces (8640, 8641, 8730, 8512, 8535), plumbing (8666, 8643), cesspit fills (8739, 8737) and the sealing of the underfloor in the front room (8570) and back room (8572, 8571, 8629). Fifty-seven ceramics were recovered from the cesspit fills, 44 were recovered from the yard surfaces, 42 from the underfloor sealing deposits, and 19 relating to the plumbing. Plumbing A toilet (8669) was constructed at the rear of House 9, in the southwest corner of the lot. A sewer pipe from this toilet ran north (8595), towards Steam Mill Street, and its installation damaged the cesspits of both House 7 (8717) and House 9 (8716) (Vol 1: p384, Figure 3.7.5). After installation the sewer pipe was packed with a mix of loosely consolidated silty material and clumps of orange clay (8666) which included 12 ceramics. An iron water pipe crossed the boundaries of lots 9 and 11 in the northeast corner of lot 9, close to the southern footing. Modern disturbance on both sides of the boundary cut the pipe and destroyed evidence of its connection to other plumbing or structures, only an unconnected 900mm of pipe remained in cut (8642) and fill (8643) which contained seven ceramics. Nineteen ceramics (30 sherds) were recovered in the two plumbing-related contexts of 8666 and 8643. The dating of these ceramics suggest deposition post-c.1850, and in the case of the banded cup in context 8666 (#71904), sometime after 1860. No basemarks were found and the decorative types all have long periods of manufacture (Table 2.182).

175

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Table 2.182: Ceramics in the plumbing-related contexts 8666 and 8643 (Phase 7), House 9. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1860

1

bl flow few jug UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1

platter UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

edge WW few plate-small UK

1830 1860 1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1

wgl mou svfew jug UK

1840

1

8666 ww few unid UK

1830

1


1830

1


1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

brntp few unid UK

1830

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

hp bc cup UK

1800

1

mou hp svfew figurine UK

1840

1

19

Yard surfaces The yard surfaces in Phase 7 date to the demolition of the cesspit and the last occupation of the house. These deposits were a series of tightly compacted fine-grained sand and silt accumulations including ash and small gravel-like industrial waste. These accumulations were further distinguished by their inclusions. Context 8641, located in the vicinity of the cesspit, had a dense spread of broken slate as well as 23 ceramics (64 sherds). Deposit 8640 was above 8641 and although it shared the same soil matrix it contained no slate and just four ceramics (4 sherds). Context 8730 capped 8640, and covered the extent of the yard. It was a compacted and well-worn surface with five ceramics (7 sherds). Some elements of paving in the yard are believed to represent the remains of garden pathways. Further localised yard fills remained above this paving, consisting of similar fills of industrial gravels incorporating fine sand and silt accumulations, and context 8512 also contained nine ceramics (25 sherds). Context 8535 was a layer of loosely compacted industrial waste covering porch pavers at the rear of the house. It covered an area of 2.8m x 3m, sloping down the yard beyond the pavers, and was between 30mm to 80mm deep. It is thought that this material, which included three ceramics (4 sherds), was contemporary with the fills covering the paved garden pathways (8512). The five yard surfaces had 44 ceramics (104 sherds) dating from the 1830s onwards (Table 2.183). These ceramics were from general household refuse and vessels were associated with the serving, consumption and storage of food (platter, jug, bowls, saucers, plates, cups, small plate, bottle and jar) and household maintenance (blacking bottle). The 24 shapes mostly associated with food, with the 23 food-related items (95.8%), and a single blacking bottle. Twenty items were unidentified. Seventeen decorative types were found in the five yard surfaces are typically date from the 1830s onwards. The majority of the decorative types feature long periods of manufacture and given the nature of the deposits it would be expected that there would be some accumulation of material over time. One decorative type, banded ware, was first manufactured in the 1860s (Table 2.183). There were four ceramic patterns, three transfer printed and one white-glazed and moulded. All four are commonly recognised, ‘Cable’ (1), ‘Medallion Sprig’ (1), ‘Palestine’ (1) and ‘Willow’ (5). Two of the patterns were introduced in the 1860s, the purple transfer-printed ‘Cable’ pattern (#71824) and the semi-vitreous fine earthenware ‘Medallion Sprig’ pattern (#70347). The

176

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‘Medallion Sprig’ pattern plate was the only ceramic with a basemark, a black transfer-printed crown above a shield containing ‘IRONSTONE’ / ‘CHINA’, with ‘POWELL (& BI)SHOP’ on a ribbon below, and dating between c.1867 to 1878.

Table 2.183: Ceramics from the yard surfaces 8641, 8640, 8730, 8512 and 8535 (Phase 7), House 9. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8641 annular ww few bowl UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1

banded few saucer UK

1860

1

svfew bowl UK

1860

1


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 2

blk flow svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1

blktp few unid UK

1830

1

svfew plate UK

1840

1

bltp few plate UK

1830

1

UK Palestine 1838 1861 1

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

2

brntp few plate UK

1830

1


1790

2


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

majolica few plate UK/Aus

1850

1


1

wgl svfew unid UK

1840

1

8730 bltp few plate-small UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1


1790

1

8730 wgl bc

UK

1800

1

ww few

UK

1830

1

8512 banded few platter UK

1860

1


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1835

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

sprigg bc unid UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

wgl mou svfew plate UK Medallion Sprig 1867 1878 1

ww few jug UK

1830

1


1860

1

bltp few saucer UK W3 1810

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

44

Cesspit fills The cesspit in the yard of House 9 was constructed of large rectangular sandstone blocks and had a depth of 1.01m (8716). Similar to the cesspit in the House 7 (8717), the material within the cesspit is believed to be associated with its use.67 A layer of fine-grained pale grey sands with no inclusions (8747) lined the cesspit at its bedrock base and was likely to have been deposited there after the last time the cesspit was cleaned, as was the case for cesspit 8717. Again, the waterlogged condition of the cesspit made it impossible to determine the depth of these sands with any accuracy, however it was estimated to be around 1m deep. Above these sands were deposits containing artefacts, contexts 8739 and 8737.

67

Hincks 2009:70

177

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Context 8739 was directly above 8747 and was a fine-grained organic deposit that was littered with small gravels and artefacts. There were eight ceramic items (8 sherds) in this deposit. The depth of this deposit was difficult to judge due to the waterlogged state of the cesspit interior, however it was estimated to be around 50mm. Above this was a deposit of fine-grained sands and silt (8727), and although the matrix was homogenous throughout, it was allocated a second number below the waterline, 8737, to account for any possible mixing that may have occurred during the manual excavation in such a waterlogged environment. There were 49 ceramic items (177 sherds) in this deposit.

Table 2.184: Ceramics in the cesspit fills 8739 and 8737 (Phase 7), House 9. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

bltp few unid UK Albion 1858 1937 1

UK W3 1810

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1


1830

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


2


1

unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

1

brntp few plate-small UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

clobb few cup UK

1830

1

hp bc saucer UK

1800

3

hp ww few saucer UK

1830

1

gild bc egg cup UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

2

grntp few cup UK Honeysuckle 1865 1886 1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

mou hp bc figurine UK

1800

1

multi tp few fish paste/meat paste jar UK Reception of Prince of Wales 1863

1


1830

2

slop bowl UK Honeysuckle 1865 1886 1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

redtp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 2

Aus

1860

1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

sponge few plate UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1


1840 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

egg cup UK

1800

2

saucer UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

1

svfew jar UK

1840

1

ww few bowl UK

1830

2

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

yellow ware

few dish UK

1821 1967 1

57

178

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These two deposits, 8739 and 8737, contained 57 ceramics (185 sherds) and given the waterlogged nature of the cesspit during its excavation these are discussed together. The eight ceramics in context 8739 were 14 per cent of the ceramics found in the cesspit, with the remaining 49 ceramics in context 8737 were 85.9 per cent of the assemblage (Table 2.184). As with the cesspit belonging to House 7 (cesspit 8717), the ceramics are commonly associated with domestic assemblages dating from the 1860s onwards, as evidenced by the range of decorative types, the recognized shapes and the identified transfer-printed patterns. There were 18 decorative types on the 57 ceramics including blue flow (4), blue transfer print (8), brown transfer print (2), clobbered (1), handpainted bone china (3), hand painted whiteware (1), gilded (4), green transfer print (3), moulded handpainted (1), multi-coloured transfer print (1), purple transfer print (6), red transfer print (1), salt glaze (5), spongeware (2), sprigged (1), white glazed – bone china (7) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1), whiteware (5) and yellow ware (1). Twenty-six items (45.6%) had transfer printing in a number of colours (blue, brown, green, multi-coloured, purple and red) and finishes (blue flow and coloured). Five identified transfer-printed patterns were on nine items, with four of the five patterns typical of Sydney historical excavations dating from at least the mid 19th century onwards – ‘Albion’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Honeysuckle’ and ‘Willow’ patterns. A pattern not been seen by the author on any other site is the multi-coloured ‘Reception of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandria at London Bridge 7th March 1863’ on a fish paste/meat paste jar, dating from c.1863+ (#72261). The two ‘Honeysuckle’ pattern items, a green cup (#72248) and purple slop bowl (#72259), were attributed to the manufacturer Frederick Jones, of Longton, and date between c.1865 to 1886, and it is this pattern and the ‘Reception of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandria at London Bridge 7th March 1863’ that support deposition during Phase 7 (Figure 40). In general all the ceramics contained in the cesspit fit into the Phase 7 when the time lag between initial purchase and then eventual discard is considered.

Figure 40: Multi-coloured transfer-printed ‘Reception of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandria at London Bridge 7th March 1863’ pattern fish paste/meat paste jar (#72261). Scale graduations 1cm.

179

_________________________________________________________________________________


One other item dating from the 1860s is a salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring the impressed circular mark of the Sydney potter Thomas Field - ‘T. FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / 'SYDNEY’ (#58394). Among the 57 ceramics 13 shapes were identified on 41 items (71.9%) of the assemblage. The remaining 16 items were unidentified (Table 2.185). These 13 shapes are from a household deposit, and relate to domestic activities, mostly the consumption of food. The direct consumption of food is seen with 30 items (73.2%) in six shapes, including cups (6), egg cups (3), plates (4), small plate (1), saucers (15) and a slop bowl (1). The remaining food-related items are associated with its preparation (bowls and dish) and storage (bottles and jars). The only items that were not associated with food were a figurine (household ornamentation) and two penny ink bottles (literacy).

Table 2.185: Ceramic shapes in cesspit fills 8739 and 8737 (Phase 7), House 9. Shape Items %

bowl 2 3.5 btl 3 5.3 cup 6 10.5 dish 1 1.7


fish paste/meat paste jar 1 1.7 jar 1 1.7

penny ink 2 3.5 plate 4 7

plate-small 1 1.7 saucer 15 26.3

slop bowl 1 1.7 unid 16 28.1

57 99.7

The dominance of items associated with the consumption of food is not surprising given these items are used every day, and often more than once a day, making them susceptible to breakage. The fabric of these items is also often more finely potted and not as durable as other items, such as the thicker fabric of the whiteware bowls (#72226, #72227) and yellow ware dish (#72228) associated with food preparation, or indeed anything made of stoneware. The most frequent shapes are cups (6) and saucers (15), with saucers forming just over a quarter of the assemblage (26.3%), (Table 2.185).

Two basemarked items were recovered in 8737, one a locally-made salt-glazed stoneware bottle dating from the 1860s (#58394), and the other a yellow ware dish imported from the United Kingdom and manufactured between c.1821 to 1967 (Table 2.186).

Table 2.186: Basemarked ceramics in cesspit fill 8737 (Phase 7), House 9. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

8737 58394 btl salt gl Imp circular mark on lower ext bd - ‘T. FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / 'SYDNEY’.

1860

1

72228 dish yellow ware

Imp basemark - oval garter mark with ‘WARRANTED’ / ‘SHARPE’.

1821 1967 1

21

Sealing the underfloor of the front and back rooms All of the Area 8 Steam Mill Street houses had their floorboards lifted and the vacant space below was filled with clays (8570) in the front room, 8572 in the rear room) and gravel-like industrial waste (8569 in the front room, 8571 in the rear room) and the floorboards were then relaid. This was done as a means to stop rats from occupying the underfloor cavity and as a way of preventing the spread of disease. The clays were up to 300mm deep in both rooms and the industrial waste material was up to 240mm deep and included slag and coke. In the front room the industrial waste was found in the west of the room only (8570), occupying a large cavity in the dumped clay. In the

180

_________________________________________________________________________________


rear room the clays were above a rubbish fill containing a number of large artefacts (8629), including ceramics, that had been dumped in the underfloor cavity before the clay fill. The industrial waste fill in the rear room (8571) was patchy and above the clays.

In the front room sealing deposits were seven ceramics (8 sherds), all were found in clay fill 8570. No ceramics were recovered in the industrial gravels (8569) (Table 2.187).

Table 2.187: Ceramics in front room sealing underfloor deposit 8570 (Phase 7), House 9. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bltp few plate UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1


1830

1 redtp few plate UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1 sponge few unid UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

ww few saucer UK

1830

1

7

The ceramics identified in this sealing deposit dating from at least the 1830s. Nothing about these seven ceramics is specifically indicative of the underfloor sealing event occurring in the 1880s, with no basemarks, the decorative types all have long periods of manufacture, and this is also the only identified pattern ‘Willow’.

Table 2.188: Ceramics in back room sealing underfloor deposits (Phase 7), House 9. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8571 bltp pearl few plate UK The Cowman 1820 1870 1


1860

1


1830 1930 1

blktp few unid UK Fibre 1830

1


UK W3 1810

2

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1


1835

1

grntp few saucer UK

1830

1


1790

1


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

ww few unid UK

1830

1


1860

1

saucer UK

1860

1



1


1

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

blktp few unid UK

1830

1


1835

1

cream w few unid UK

1780 1900 1

gild svfew egg cup UK

1850

1

mou ww few jug UK

1830

1


1

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

wgl bc jug UK

1800

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

35

181

_________________________________________________________________________________


There were 35 ceramic items (48 sherds) in the rear room underfloor sealing deposits (8572, 8571, 8629). There was one item in the industrial gravel fill 8571 (1 sherd), 15 items in the clay fill 8572 (22 sherds), and 19 items in the rubbish fill 8629 (25 sherds). Similar to the ceramics from House 7 sealing deposit in the front room, none of the 35 ceramics are indicative of an event occurring specifically in the 1880s (Table 2.188). Overall the found in these deposits are typical of the mid 19th century and later. Although no basemarked items were found, there were three transfer-printed patterns introduced in the second half of the 19th century, ‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ and ‘Cable’ patterns. In association with banded ware introduced c.1860 supports the sealing event dating to after the 1860s.

2.5.5.3 House 11 During Phase 7 there were a number of events in House 11 and its yard, including the installation of plumbing, sealing of the underfloor deposits, backfilling of a cesspit and alterations to yard surfaces. By 1880 a large shed was located in the eastern half of the yard however no evidence of this was found during excavation (Vol 1:418-420, Figures 3.7.28, 3.7.29, 3.7.30, 3.7.31). In 1867 the property was listed as two-storey with four rooms and in 1896 it was described as a two storey, four rooms, a ‘house and stables’. Six of the contexts identified as belonging to House 11 contained ceramics, 65 items (121 sherds) (Table 2.189).


8513 1 1.5

8515 11 16.9

8560 23 35.4

8587 19 29.2

8663 2 3.1

8664 9 13.8

65 99.9

These 65 ceramics were in contexts associated with plumbing (8587), cesspit fills (8664, 8663) and the sealing of the underfloor in the front room (8560) and back room (8515, 8513). Nineteen ceramics were recovered from the fill in a trench associated with plumbing, 11 were found in the cesspit fills, and 35 came from the underfloor sealing deposits.

Plumbing Table 2.190: Ceramics in trench fill 8587 (Phase 7), House 11.



1860

1

saucer UK

1860

1

bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 2

bltp few unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

ppl tp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few plate UK

1853 1871 1

unid UK

1830

1

19

182

_________________________________________________________________________________


Running through the house was a brown salt-glazed pipe (8595). The trench cut for this pipe was allocated two context numbers, 8586 and 8548, corresponding to the interior and exterior of the house footings respectively. Context 8587 was the fill in the trench beneath the rear room of the house which contained a number of artefacts, including ceramics, that appeared to be the result of contamination with the earlier underfloor deposit 8529 (Phase 6). There were 19 ceramics (39 sherds) in this trench fill (Table 2.190). They had the same decorative types found in the underfloor deposit 8529 and were domestic in nature and dated from the mid 19th century. A whiteware plate featuring a brown transfer-printed basemark for ‘ELSMORE & FORSTER’, dating 1853 to 1871 (#70973), suggests that the assemblage could belong to either Phase 6 (1840s-1860s) or Phase 7 (1860s-1900). Cesspit fills A sandstock brick cesspit (8662) was located at the rear of the yard, close to the lot boundary and the back lane (Vol 1:419, Figures 3.7.28, 3.7.29, 3.7.30, 3.7.31). The cesspit contained two fills, both deposited after the use of cesspit ceased. Context 8664 was waterlogged industrial waste and was around 600mm deep. Context 8663 filled the remaining 330mm of the cesspit and was industrial waste mixed with fine organic silts and sand. No material associated with the use of the cesspit remained. The two cesspit deposits 8664 and 8663 contained 11 ceramics (43 sherds) and again, given the waterlogged nature of the cesspit during its excavation, these are tabled together below. Nine ceramics (39 sherds) were in context 8664 and two ceramics (4 sherds) were recovered in context 8663 (Table 2.191).

Table 2.191: Ceramics in the cesspit fills 8664 and 8663 (Phase 7), House 11. Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

blk flow svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1


1

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

ppl tp few jug UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 1

ww few bowl UK

1830

1


1830

1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1

11

Sealing the underfloor of the front and back rooms All of the Area 8 Steam Mill Street houses had their floorboards lifted and the vacant space below was filled with clays (8560 in the front room, 8515 in the rear room) and industrial gravels (8559 in the front room, 8513 in the rear room) and the floorboards were then replaced. The clays were up to 200mm deep and were spread across the two rooms, the exceptions being in the spaces occupied by the fireplace supports. The industrial gravels were then tightly packed over the clays to a depth of 20mm. The sealing deposits in the front room contained 23 ceramics (29 sherds), all were found in the clay fill 8560. No ceramics were recovered in the industrial gravels (8559) (Table 2.192). The ceramics identified in this deposit generally date from at least the 1830s onwards, however the presence of a single banded ware plate (#70811) indicates the clay deposit occurred at least post-1860. Nothing else about these 23 ceramics is indicative of an event occurring in the latter part of the 19th century, with no basemarks present and the decorative types all featuring long periods of manufacture, as with the only recognised pattern ‘Willow’ pattern.

183

_________________________________________________________________________________


There were 12 ceramic items (12 sherds) in the sealing deposits of the rear room (8515, 8513) and one item (1 sherd) in the industrial gravel fill 8513, and 11 items in the clay fill 8515 (11 sherds). The ceramics identified in these sealing deposits are date from the 1830s. Again, nothing about these 13 ceramics is indicative of an event occurring in the 1880s, with no basemarks, the decorative types all featuring long periods of manufacture, and the only pattern was ‘Willow’ pattern (#70348) which is still made today (Table 2.193).


banded few plate UK

1860

1 bristol gl stw jar UK/Aus

1835

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

2

plate-small UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1


1780 1860 2

grntp few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

hp ww few unid UK

1830

1 lead gl

Aus

1790

1

ppl tp

UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

wgl bc saucer UK

1800

1

unid UK

1800

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

23

Table 2.193: Ceramics in back room sealing underfloor deposits (Phase 7), House 11.



1


1830 1930 1

bltp

unid UK

1830

2

brntp

plate UK

1830

1


1790

1

few unid Aus

1790

1


1830 1930 1

sprigg bc saucer UK

1830 1920 1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

12

2.5.5.4 House 13 Some modifications were made in the late 19th century to House 13 and its yard, including sealing the underfloor deposits and laying of paving. In addition, a large shed or stable was constructed in the period between 1856 and 1865 (Vol 1:418-420, Figures 3.7.28, 3.7.29, 3.7.30, 3.7.31). In 1867 the house was listed as a four-roomed residence, and by 1871 it was a six-room dwelling. In 1882 however it was again described as a four-room house. In 1891 the property was identified as a house and stables with five rooms over two storeys and with an iron roof. Eight of the contexts identified as belonging to House 13 during Phase 7 contained ceramics, 125 items (176 sherds) (Table 2.194). These 125 ceramics were located in contexts associated with shed construction (8566, 8557), sealing the underfloor deposits in the front room (8580), the back room (8579) and the additional room at the rear of the house (8563), the occupation deposit in the shed (8527), the occupation

184

_________________________________________________________________________________


deposit in the additional room at the rear of the house (8525), and in the repair/modification of the back room (8633). Twenty-six ceramics related to shed construction, 31 items were from the underfloor sealing deposits, 52 items were in occupation deposits, and 16 were from the demolition/construction material associated with the repair/modification of the back room.

Table 2.194: Contexts with ceramics in House 13 (Phase 7).

Context Items %

8525 4 3.2

8527 48 38.4

8557 21 16.8

8563 10 8.0

8566 5 4.0

8579 16 12.8

8580 5 4.0

8633 16 12.8

125 100

Shed construction The shed, located in the rear yard, appeared on an 1865 plan as having a dividing wall which separated the northern end, with its sandstone footings and timber floor, from the main body of the shed which was constructed of timber and had a clay floor. The sandstone footing for the northern room of the shed (8523) had rectangular sandstone. The shallow cut for these footings (8565) had a packing of moderately compacted sands and sandstone fragments (8566) as well as five ceramics (12 sherds) (Table 2.195).

Table 2.195: Ceramics in shed construction packing 8566 (Phase 7), House 13. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl hp chinese porc ginger jar China

1790

1


1

UK

1830

1

ppl tp few saucer UK Spangle 1842 1858 1 ww few plate UK

1830

1

5

Table 2.196: Ceramics in shed levelling fill 8557 (Phase 7), House 13. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

blktp bc unid UK Fibre 1830

1


4

unid UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1


1800 1870 1 cream w few

UK

1780 1900 1


1780 1860 2 grntp few

UK

1830

1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

svfew poe UK

1840

1

ww few cup UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

21

Within the sandstone footings of the northern end of the shed was a levelling fill of moderately compacted sands and clay (8557) upon which was built a timber floor. This levelling fill featured a

185

_________________________________________________________________________________


high density of sandstone and sandstock brick fragments as well as a range of artefacts, including 21 ceramics (29 sherds) (Table 2.196). The 11 decorative ceramic types in the levelling fill dates from the 1830s. No basemarks were present, the decorative types all have long periods of manufacture, as do the two identified transfer-printed patterns, ‘Fibre’ (#70791) and ‘Willow’ (#70797, #70798). Sealing the underfloor of the front and back rooms All of the Area 8 Steam Mill Street houses had their floorboards lifted and the vacant space below was filled with clays (8580 in the front room, 8579 in the rear room, and 8563 in the additional room at the back of the house) and industrial gravels (8577 in the front room, 8578 in the rear room). The clays were up to 200mm deep and had an undulating surface which was then levelled with industrial waste. In the front room sealing deposits were five ceramics (6 sherds), all found in the clay fill 8580 with none in the industrial waste fills (8577) (Table 2.197). The three decorative ceramic types date from around the 1830s onwards. No basemarks were present, the decorative types all have long periods of manufacture as does the blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern platter (#70897).

Table 2.197: Ceramics in front room sealing underfloor deposit 8580 (Phase 7), House 13.



1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

redtp few plate UK

1830

1 ww few unid UK

1830

1

5

In the rear room sealing deposits were 16 ceramics (27 sherds), all in the clay fill 8579. No ceramics were recovered in the industrial waste (8578) (Table 2.198). Nothing about these 16 ceramic items dates to an event in the 1880s, with no basemarks and the decorative types all featuring long periods of manufacture. Overall the six decorative types date from the 1850s, with the semi-vitreous fine earthenware (#70886), dating from c.1840+, and the blue transfer-printed ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern plate (#70889), dating from c.1850+, support a deposition after 1850.

Table 2.198: Ceramics in back room sealing underfloor deposit 8579 (Phase 7), House 13.


bltp few plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

W3 1810

2

unid UK

1830

1

W3 1810

1

lead gl few pan Aus

1790

1 ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 2

ink btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

wgl svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few bowl UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

poe/bowl UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

16

The clay sealing deposit in the additional room at the rear of House 13 (8563) contained 10 ceramics (21 sherds) (Table 2.199). There is little evidence to support a specific sealing event in the 1880s, with the decorative types featuring long periods of manufacture and no basemarks. However, like the ceramics from the rear room there was the semi-vitreous fine earthenware cup

186

_________________________________________________________________________________


(#70828), dating from c.1840+, and the blue transfer-printed ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern (#70829), dating from c.1850+, suggests deposition after post-1850.

Table 2.199: Ceramics in additional rear room sealing underfloor deposit 8563 (Phase 7), House 13. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1

poe UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2


1

svfew cup UK

1840

1


1790

1 redtp

UK

1830

1

ww

UK

1830

2

10

Shed occupation Evidence of an occupation deposit (8527) within the shed was found above the levelling fill 8557 and within the impressions left by joists. This material, which is likely to have accumulated after the flooring, was removed probably after the 1880s underfloor sealing events. It appears that the floorboards were not relaid after the sealing of the underfloor. Deposit 8527 was tightly compacted sand and silt mix with similarities to a yard deposit. The occupation deposit was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid and wet sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. In deposit 8527 were 48 ceramics (55 sherds). Not one of the ceramics featured conjoins and no there were basemarks. The dating of the ceramics is from mid to late-19th century, with a domestic assemblage of cups, saucers, and plates. There were 13 decorative types and a blue transfer-printed ‘Rousillon’ pattern and a ’Willow’ plate (Table 2.200). The blue transfer-printed ‘Rousillon’ pattern plate (#70434) was first registered on 16 December 1846 by J. Goodwin, of Longton, and this coupled with the of semi-vitreous fine earthenware fabric (#70402, #70422), dating from c.1840+, suggests that the deposition occurred at least sometime post-1850, given the time lag between purchase and eventual discard.

Table 2.200: Ceramics in shed occupation deposit 8527 (Phase 7), House 13.


bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 2

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 7


1790

2 blktp bc

UK Fibre 1830

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

2

plate UK Rousillon 1846

1

UK W3 1810

1

UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

5

UK W3 1810

6


1800 1870 1 cream w

unid UK

1780 1900 2

edge WW

plate UK

1830 1860 1

gild bc saucer UK

1800

1

glazed svfew unid UK

1840

1 grntp few

UK

1830

3

salt gl stw black btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 3

wgl svfew unid UK

1840

1 ww few

UK

1830

4

48

187

_________________________________________________________________________________


Five different ceramic shapes features in this deposit feature, all were associated with household activities. These five shapes were present on 16 items (33.3) with the remaining 32 items (66.6%) unable to be identified. The five shapes were associated with the food consumption – cups (4), saucers (4) and plates (4); household maintenance – blacking bottle (1); and storage – bottles (3). These ceramics do not specifically relate to activities possible undertaken exclusively within a shed, except to suggest that food was sometimes consumed there. The ceramics were spread fairly consistently throughout the room (Table 2.201).

Table 2.201: Spatial location of the 48 ceramics in occupation deposit 8527 (Phase 7), House 13.

1 2 3 4 5

A

B 3 2

C 3 1 2 1

D 2 3 4 1 2

E 6 1 2

F 4 3 1 2

G 5

Additional rear room occupation A second occupation deposit, 8525, was found in the room attached to the rear of the house. This material accumulated after the flooring was removed and was above sealing fill 8563 (Table 2.199). This deposit acted as a surface following the removal of the floorboards. It was a tightly compacted sand/silt mix containing fragments of sandstock brick, nails, ceramics and glass and was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid and wet sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves.

Only four ceramics (4 sherds) were found in 8525 (Table 2.202). None of the ceramics featured conjoins between either the gridded squares or with other contexts, no basemarks were present, and there were no identified patterns. None of the ceramics are specifically indicative of the deposit accumulating post-1880s, however the presence of the semi-vitreous fine earthenware fabric (#70391, #70392), dating from c.1840+, at least suggests that deposition occurred sometime after the mid 19th century. The few ceramics from this deposit make spatial analysis unhelpful (Table 2.203).

Table 2.202: Ceramics in additional rear room occupation deposit 8525 (Phase 7), House 13.

Decoration Fabric Shape Country From To Items

bl flow few unid UK 1830 1930 1 bltp svfew cup UK 1840

1

cream w few plate UK 1780 1900 1 wgl svfew unid UK 1840

1

4

Table 2.203: Spatial location of the 4 ceramics in occupation deposit 8525 (Phase 7), House 13.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

A 1

B 1

C 1

D

E 1

F

188

_________________________________________________________________________________


Repair/modification of the rear room Evidence of repairs or renovation in the rear room of House 13 consisted of demolition/construction material (8633) located above the underfloor deposit (8630). A spread of coarse-grained sands, crushed shell and plaster fringed the footings of the dividing and west wall to a distance of 750mm and a depth of 40mm. The material was littered heavily with large fragments of window glass. It is thought that this repair or modification to the rear room took place after the floorboards were removed, in the 1880s. There were 16 ceramics (22 sherds) found in this deposit (Table 2.204). These ceramics date from the mid 19th century, with seven decorative types, blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern (#71793) and the semi-vitreous fine earthenware fabric (#71779).

Table 2.204: Ceramics in demolition/construction material 8633 (Phase 7), House 13.



1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1830 1930 1

bltp few cup UK Fibre 1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

UK Albion 1858 1937 1

hp bc saucer UK

1800


1830 1930 1

wgl bc saucer UK

1800

2

svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few plate UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

1

16

2.5.5.5 House 15 During Phase 7 a plumbed toilet was built in the yard of House 15, against the boundary of neighbouring Lot 17, and the underfloor deposits were sealed in both the front and rear rooms.

Table 2.205: Ceramics in back room sealing underfloor deposit 8798 (Phase 7), House 13. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

blktp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1

unid UK

1830

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

dish UK W3 1810

1

unid UK W3 1810

1

UK

1830

2

bltp pearl few plate UK W3 1810 1870 1 edge pearl

plate UK

1780 1860 1

lead gl

unid Aus

1790

1


1830 1930 2

wgl bc plate-small UK

1800

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

16

One context from Phase 7 contained ceramics, a sealing deposit above the underfloor in the rear room (8798) where clays were present across the entire room and were between 10mm and 100mm deep. There were 16 ceramic items (25 sherds) in context 8798 (Table 2.205). Nothing about these 16 ceramics dates it to the 1880s, there were no basemarks and the decorative types all featuring long periods of manufacture. The eight decorative types date from the 1830s and later, although the presence of the black transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern plate (#72347), dating

189

_________________________________________________________________________________


from 1845+, and the semi-vitreous fine earthenware fabric (#72343), dating from c.1840+, suggests a deposit dating from at least sometime post-1850. 2.5.5.6 House 17 House 17 was constructed by 1867, considerably later than its neighbours (Vol 1: 466, Figures 3.7.70, 3.7.72, 3.7.76, 3.7.77). It was a two-storey semi-detached terrace with three or four rooms, probably two rooms upstairs and two downstairs, constructed in one stage, and with the probable remnants of a contemporary porch structure at the rear. House 17 fronted onto Steam Mill Street and its northern face was set back 450mm from that of its immediate western neighbour, House 15. The 1861 assessment of Steam Mill Street listed the property as being vacant ground, however by 1867 there was a residence, four-roomed, two-storey brick and shingle house Vol 5: Appendix 5.2. In 1891 it was listed as a stables but it was mostly listed as a house. Extensive damage occurred in the western section of the house, with impacts from piling activity and the construction and demolition of the NSW Fruit Exchange (Phases 8 and 9). Eight contexts from Phase 7 had ceramics, 99 items (134 sherds) (Table 2.206).


8785 7 7.1

8818 8 8.1

8847 1 1.0

8856 2 2.0

8860 70 70.7

8875 2 2.0

8876 2 2.0

8900 7 7.1

99 100

The 99 ceramics from Phase 7 were in contexts associated with levelling fill (8876), construction (8900, 8875), plumbing (8856), yard surfaces (8785), underfloor deposits in the front room (8847) and rear room (8860), and sealing of the underfloor in the rear room (8818). The majority of the ceramics (70 items or 70.7%) were recovered from one context, the underfloor accumulation in the rear room or kitchen (8860) of the house. Levelling fill The footings for House 17 were cut into sandy levelling fills that prepared the reclaimed land for construction and further use. A layer of red-brown sands was the last of the fills in the area and it was assigned separate contexts for the front area of the house (8891) and at the rear (8876). No ceramics were found in 8891 and only two ceramics were in fill 8876 (Table 2.207).

Table 2.207: Ceramics in levelling fill 8876 (Phase 7), House 17.

Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

72715 bltp svfew unid UK

1840

1 72714 ww few unid UK

1830

1

2

Construction (porch and fireplace) The rectangular sandstone blocks that formed the footings of House 17 (8795) were two courses deep and formed three external walls and an internal dividing wall. Context 8898 was assigned to an additional structure, probably a porch support, aligned with the southern footing at a distance of 1.45m. This was a single row of six roughly cut and unevenly shaped sandstone blocks and measured 1.78m long and 300mm wide. It had been damaged by late 20th-century machine excavation at its western end. The stones were pedestalled on a number of fills, and one of these fills (8900) contained seven ceramics (8 sherds), (Table 2.208).

190

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.208: Ceramics in porch-related fill 8900 (Phase 7), House 17.


bl flow svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1


1

unid UK

1830

2

grntp few cup UK

1830

1

ww few ointment/toothpaste jar UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

7

Footing 8795, the lower storey of House 17, outlined the front and rear rooms, with the rear room being considerably narrower. The rear room contained a sandstock brick fireplace support (8808) along the eastern wall. The fireplace support was filled with a loosely compacted sandy fill (8875) with two ceramics (2 sherds) (Table 2.209).

Table 2.209: Ceramics in fireplace support fill 8875 (Phase 7), House 17. Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1 72712 blk flow svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1

2

Plumbing Two plumbed toilets were constructed in the yard of House 17 as a single structure. They were located 3.75m south of the main structure of the house and against the boundary with lot 19. The footings for the toilet were built with rectangular sandstone blocks and sandstock brick and had an east-west dividing wall which split the structure into the two toilets (8766 in the north and 8778 in the south). Three salt-glazed pipes remained within the toilet and the pipe that was oriented north-south and ran towards Steam Mill Street (8595) also continued beneath the existing footings of House 17, whereby its installation would have necessitated the removal of flooring. The cut (8855) for this pipe was filled with a clay/sand mix (8856) that also included two ceramics (2 sherds), and these are tabled below (Table 2.210).

Table 2.210: Ceramics in pipe trench fill 8856 (Phase 7), House 17. Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1 72628 bltp few unid UK

1830

1

2

Yard surface A tightly compacted surface made from industrial waste and fine-grained sand and silts was laid across the whole yard of Lot 17 (8785). The surface was up to 400mm deep and contained various artefacts, including seven ceramics (7 sherds) (Table 2.211).

Table 2.211: Ceramics in yard surface 8785 (Phase 7), House 17.


banded few saucer UK

1860

1

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1 ppl tp

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1 ww few cup UK

1830

1

7

Front room underfloor

191

_________________________________________________________________________________


The relatively late construction of House 17 means the underfloor deposits had little time to accumulate before the underfloor cavities were sealed in the 1880s. However remnants of a possible underfloor accumulation (8847) were present in the front room of the house, with silty patches found around some of the floor bearers. These deposits were less than 400mm x 400mm in size and between 30mm and 100mm deep and were sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. A single ceramic sherd was found in this deposit, a white-glazed semi-vitrified fine earthenware unidentified body sherd (#72463), dating from c.1840+. Rear room underfloor An artefact-rich clay and sand mix was present in the eastern half of the rear room (8860). This accumulation was excavated in a 500mm x 500mm grid with all material then wet sieved through 5mm and 3mm nested sieves. Only one spit was excavated due to the shallowness of the deposit. There were 70 ceramics (99 sherds) in this deposit. As this house was built c.1865 we can safely assume that this deposit post-dates that event (Table 2.212).

Table 2.212: Ceramics in back room underfloor accumulation 8860 (Phase 7), House 17. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 6

blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

UK Albion 1858 1937 1

UK W3 1810

3

unid UK

1830

12

UK W3 1810

5

svfew cup UK

1840

1


1800 1870 1

brntp few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

edge WW few platter UK

1830 1860 1 ppl tp few unid UK

1830

3


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 4

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1


1790

1 sponge few unid UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

2

saucer UK

1800

2

unid UK

1800

1

ww few cup UK

1830

2

plate UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

13

70

There were 12 decorative types among the 70 ceramics, blue transfer printing (24) was the most common. The decorative types included blue flow (7), black flow (2), blue transfer print (24), blue transfer-printed pearlware (1), brown transfer print (2), edgeware pearlware (1), purple transfer print (3), salt glaze (6), self-slipped fine earthenware (1), spongeware (1), white glazed bone china (5) and whiteware (17). Transfer printing was the most common decorative technique, with 39 ceramics (55.7%) found in a range of colours (blue, brown and purple) and finishes (flow and pearlware). Only two transfer-printed patterns were identified, both in blue and on nine items, ‘Albion’ and ‘Willow’ patterns. ‘Albion’ pattern is on a plate sherd (#72651) and ‘Willow’ pattern is on plates (3) and unidentified body and base sherds (5).

192

_________________________________________________________________________________


There were seven ceramic shapes in this deposit, all of which are associated with household activities. These 25 ceramic items (35.7%) with these seven shapes and the other 45 items (64.3%) were unidentified shapes (Table 2.213). The identified shapes were associated with food serving and consumption – platter (1), cups (7), saucers (3) and plates (8), household maintenance – blacking bottle (1), literacy – penny ink bottle (1) and storage – bottles (4). The dominance of items associated with the direct consumption of food is not surprising given that these items are used every day (cups, plates, saucers), and often more that once a day, making them more susceptible to breakage.

Table 2.213: Ceramic shapes in back room underfloor accumulation 8860 (Phase 7), House 17.

Shape Items %

black bottle 1 1.4 btl 4 5.7 cup 7 10


platter 1 1.4 saucer 3 4.3

unid 45 64.3

70 99.9

The spread of this deposit was in the eastern part of the room (Table 2.214). The lack of deposit along part of the eastern wall (C10, C11, D10, D11, E10, E11, F10, F11) was due to the fireplace and later disturbance caused by two concrete pile, as well as modern service trenches. Therefore spatial analysis in not useful.

Table 2.214: Spatial location of the 70 ceramics in underfloor accumulation 8860 (Phase 7), House 17.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11

A 6 3 4 1

B 1 3 4 2 1

C 3 1 2

D 1 4 7 5 1

E 1 4 5 4 1

F 2 3 1

No basemarks were found on the 70 ceramics within this deposit but there was a one item conjoining sherds in two squares. A rim sherd from a fine earthenware edgeware platter recovered in square D6/spit 1 (#72658) joined with a rim sherd from the same platter in square D8/spit 1 (#72668) (Table 2.114). These conjoins are indicative of the excavation methodology used and do not indicate different depositional activities or episodes. Sealing the underfloor of the rear room All of the Area 8 Steam Mill Street houses had their floorboards lifted and the vacant space below was filled with clays (8818 in the rear room) and industrial gravels (8809 in the rear room). This was done to stop rats from occupying the underfloor cavity and as a means of preventing the spread of disease. The clays were up to 400mm deep and had an undulating surface which was then levelled with industrial waste material.

193

_________________________________________________________________________________


In the rear room sealing deposit were eight ceramics (13 sherds) in the clay fill 8818 (Table 2.215). This deposit was also only found in the eastern half of the room. No ceramics were recovered in the industrial waste (8809).

Table 2.215: Ceramics in back room sealing deposit 8818 (Phase 7), House 17. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bl flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1

bltp few dish UK W3 1810

1

plate UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew unid UK W3 1840

1


1830 1860 1 grntp svfew unid UK

1840

1

salt gl stw btl Scot

1850 1932 1

8

A salt-glazed stoneware stout bottle featured the remains of an impressed oval makers mark on its lower exterior body - ‘PORT (-DUNDAS)’ / ‘GLA(SGOW)’ / ‘PO(TTERY COY)’ (#58403). It was made between c.1850 to 1932. The remaining seven ceramics feature long periods of manufacture, with none being specifically indicative of the sealing event occurring in the 1880s. 2.5.5.7 House 19 A rear room was added to the lower storey of House 19 between 1865 and 1880, and as the owner for this house also owned the neighbouring House 17, the extension may have coincided with the construction of House 17.68 Only four Phase 7 contexts in House 19 had ceramics, 17 items (17 sherds). These 17 ceramics were in contexts associated with occupation (8874), yard surfaces (8805), and the sealing of the underfloor in both the front room (8834) and rear room (8815), (Table 2.216).

Table 2.216: Contexts with ceramics in house 19 (Phase 7), House 19. Context Items %

8805 4 23.5

8815 3 17.6

8834 4 23.5

8874 6 35.3

17 99.9

Occupation (fireplace) The remains of a fireplace support (8862) in the southwest corner of the rear room contained a moderately compacted sandy deposit of up to 50mm in depth (8874). It was littered heavily with charcoal, suggesting that the deposit was directly associated with the use of the fireplace. The deposit featured a high number of bone fragments but only six ceramics (6 sherds) all featuring long periods of manufacture (Table 2.217).

Table 2.217: Ceramics in fireplace deposit 8874 (Phase 7), House 19.



1830 1930 1 blk flow few unid UK

1830 1930 1


1 ppl tp svfew saucer UK

1860

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1 ww few unid UK

1830

1

6

68

Hincks 2009:99

194

_________________________________________________________________________________


Yard surface A tightly compacted surface (8801/8805) of industrial gravels and sandy silt accumulations was located against the footings at the back of the house. It appeared to be a well-trodden surface that extended down to an area of paving 4.5m from the rear of the house. This paving (8792) covered an area of at least 2m x 2m and was haphazardly laid using damaged sandstock bricks and brick fragments. Context 8805 had accumulated in patches over and around the paving. There were four ceramics (4 sherds) in this deposit (#72362-#72365) (Table 2.218).

Table 2.218: Ceramics in yard deposit 8805 (Phase 7), House 19. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

bltp few jug UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

4

Sealing the underfloor of the front and back rooms All of the Area 8 Steam Mill Street houses had their floorboards lifted and the vacant space below was filled. In House 19 the fills were industrial gravels (8834 in the front room, 8815 in the rear room) and construction debris (8817 in the rear room only). In the front room the industrial gravels were spread across the whole room, except the fireplace support, and were between 150mm and 400mm deep. In the rear room the industrial gravels were only in the eastern and western sections of the room, with a large dump of construction debris occupying the central area. The front room sealing deposit of industrial waste (8834) contained four ceramics (4 sherds) (#72433-#72436) (Table 2.219). The rear room sealing deposit of industrial waste (8815) contained three ceramics (3 sherds) (#72389-#72391) (Table 2.220).


bltp few plate UK

1830

1

ppl tp svfew cup UK

1860

1

saucer UK

1860

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

4

Table 2.220: Ceramics in back room sealing underfloor deposit 8815 (Phase 7), House 19. Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1 clobb svfew unid UK

1840

1

ww few saucer UK

1830

1

3

2.5.6 Phase 8: 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways In 1901, all the houses on the south side of Steam Mill Street were demolished and the NSW Fruit Exchange was constructed on the site. There were 14 contexts with 89 ceramics (122 sherds) in Phase 8 (Table 2.221). These ceramics are from demolition-related deposits, fills in cuts for the footings of the Fruit Exchange building, plumbing-related fills and post-demolition disturbance.


8505 7 5.7 6 6.7

8510 8 6.5 6 6.7

8517 5 4.1 5 5.6

8524 5 4.1 1 1.1

8539 1 0.8 1 1.1

195

_________________________________________________________________________________


8567 6 5 5 5.6

8591 17 14 7 8

8598 13 10.6 10 11.2

8605 4 3.3 4 4.5

8606 4 3.3 1 1.1

8754 3 2.4 2 2.2

8756 12 9.8 12 13.5

8787 18 14.7 14 15.7

8802 19 15.6 15 17

122 99.9 89 100

2.5.6.1 House 7 Two demolition deposits were in the rear yard of House 7. Context 8606 was located 710mm from the southern footing (8603) and was 3.5m long, approximately 1m wide, and between 100mm and 250mm in depth. It contained just one ceramic (4 sherds). A second demolition layer (8591) was directly on top of 8606, and spread an additional 600mm to the south. Context 8591 was between 100mm and 200mm in depth and contained seven ceramics (17 sherds) (Table 2.222).

Table 2.222: Ceramics in demolition material 8606 and 8591 (Phase 8).



1830

1


1860

1

bltp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 2


1790

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

8

2.5.6.2 House 9 A deposit of demolition material associated with House 9 was identified in patches covering the footings and the underfloor sealing fills in both the front and rear rooms (8567). It was up to 700mm deep in places. There were five ceramics items (6 sherds) in this deposit (6 sherds) (#70835-#70839) (Table 2.223).

Table 2.223: Ceramics in demolition material 8567 (Phase 8).


banded few cup UK

1860


1

ppl tp few unid UK

1830

1 redtp svfew cup UK

1840

1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

5

2.5.6.3 House 11 Patches of material associated with the demolition of House 11 were identified in both the front and rear rooms. No ceramics were found in the demolition material in the front room (8544). In the rear room this deposit (8505) was found in patches over the footings and the underfloor sealing cavity fills. The patches of demolition material were between 30mm and 60mm deep and contained a total of just six ceramics (7 sherds) which are tabled below (#58250, #58695, #70329-#70331, #70333) (Table 2.224).



bltp few unid UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

UK W3 1810

1


unid UK

1800 1870 1

196

_________________________________________________________________________________



1830 1930 1 selfslip cew unid Aus

1790

1

6

2.5.6.4 House 13 Evidence of the demolition of House 13 was present in both the front and rear rooms and also in the additional room attached to the rear of the house. The demolition material 8539 was spread over the eastern half of both the front and rear rooms, as well as over the footing of the dividing wall and had an average depth of 70mm. In the additional room at the rear of the house the demolition deposit 8524 was also found only in the eastern half of the room. Only one ceramic item (1 sherd) was found in 8539 (#70775) and one ceramic items (5 sherds) in 8524 (#70388) (Table 2.225).

Table 2.225: Ceramics in demolition material 8539 and 8524 (Phase 8). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8539 yellow ware few unid UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1 8524 bltp few plate UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

2

2.5.6.5 House 15 Some additional plumbing and maintenance was undertaken sometime in the early 20th century. A secondary repair cut (8753), measuring up to 1.1m in width, was on the southern side of the rear room footings (8794). It also cut the footings at the front and the dividing wall between the rooms. The cut contained an iron water pipe and was backfilled with fill 8754. Fill 8754 contained two ceramics (3 sherds) (Table 2.226).

Table 2.226: Ceramics in demolition material 8754 (Phase 8). Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

72270 wgl svfew plate UK

1840

1 72271 grntp few cup UK

1830

1

2

2.5.6.6 House 17 Demolition deposits in House 17 were identified in both the front and rear rooms. The demolition material 8802 was present in patches across the eastern half of both rooms as well as across the footing of the dividing wall. In context 8802 there were 15 ceramics (19 sherds) (Table 2.227).




1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1


1830 1930 1

svfew teapot UK

1840 1930 1

bltp few cup UK

1830

1

jug/ewer UK Wild Rose 1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

unid UK W3 1810

1

hp bc plate-small UK

1800

1 ppl tp svfew saucer UK

1860

1


1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

ww few jug UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

15

197

_________________________________________________________________________________


2.5.6.7 Plumbing across the lots A brown salt-glazed pipe (8686) ran parallel to Steam Mill Street and crossed the yards of all the houses. It appeared to have been installed after the houses were no longer in use. The trench cut (8516) was backfilled with compacted silt, sand and clay, and also included sandstock brick and sandstone fragments and industrial waste material (8517). Five ceramics (5 sherds) were recovered from this fill (#70357-#70361) (Table 2.228).

Table 2.228: Ceramics in service trench fill 8517 (Phase 8).


bl flow few jug UK

1830 1930 1 bltp few plate UK W3 1810

1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

ww few poe UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

5

2.5.6.8 Fruit Exchange Building The Fruit Exchange building was constructed in 1901 after the demolition of the houses on the southern side of Steam Mill Street (Vol 1:40, Figures 2.23, 2.24). Remains of the footings for this structure were parallel north-south oriented machine-made brick footings located at intervals of 5.25m across Area 8. The footings were 9m long and 400m wide. The cuts for these footings were around 650mm, considerably wider than the footings. Context numbers for the footings, cuts and backfills were allocated according to location however no significant variations were apparent across the site.69 In four backfill contexts were 32 ceramic items (37 sherds). Context 8510 had 6 ceramics (8 sherds), 8598 had 10 ceramics (13 sherds), 8605 had four ceramics (4 sherds), and 8756 had 12 ceramics (12 sherds), (Table 2.229).

Table 2.229: Ceramics in trench cut fills 8510, 8598, 8605 and 8756 (Phase 8). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

8510 banded few saucer UK

1860

1


1830 1930 1

bltp few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew unid UK

1840

1


1800 1870 1


1860

2

bl flow few egg cup UK

1830 1930 1


1790

1


1

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

wgl bc unid UK

1800

1

svfew saucer UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

1


1830 1930 1


1

unid UK W3 1810

1

gild few saucer UK

1850

1


1860

1

saucer UK

1860

1


1830 1930 1

bltp few egg cup UK

1830

1

plate UK W3 1810

3

unid UK

1830

1

69

Hincks 2009:125-126

198

_________________________________________________________________________________



1796 1900 1

salt gl stw jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

sprigg svfew cup UK

1840 1920 1

wgl bc egg cup UK

1800

1

32

2.5.6.8 Post-demolition disturbance An elongated pit cut the yard surfaces and the footing of the toilet in lot 15 and also the yard surfaces of Lot 17. Because the cut (8786) crossed the boundary, it is likely to have occurred after the houses were no longer occupied. The cut was roughly rectangular in plan and was up to 600mm wide and at least 2m long. The fill (8787) was dominated by whole and fragmented sandstock bricks and contained 14 ceramics (18 sherds) (Table 2.230).

Table 2.230: Ceramics in cut fill 8787 (Phase 8). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

blktp few unid UK

1830

1

bltp few cup UK

1830

2

plate UK W3 1810

2

platter UK W3 1810

1

unid UK W3 1810

2


1796 1900 1 salt gl stw btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 1 wgl svfew saucer UK

1840

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1 yellow ware

UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

14

2.5.7 Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development In Phase 9 there were eight contexts with 242 items (454 sherds) (Table 2.231). The contexts containing ceramics associated with this phase are from modern fills and disturbance.


8501 365 80.4 182 75.2

8543 5 1.1 5 2.1

8546 3 0.6 3 1.2

8568 13 2.8 10 4.1

8765 16 3.5 11 4.5

8796 5 1.1 5 2.1

8814 14 3.1 12 4.9

8838 33 7.2 14 5.8

454 99.8 242 99.9

2.5.7.1 Modern fills A large cut (8545) was made by an excavator bucket in the late 20th century in the yard of House 11. The cut was at the rear of the house and removed yard surfaces and fills in an area measuring 2.7m x 3m. The fill (8546) contained a mixture of sand, sandstone rubble and industrial gravels. Three ceramics (3 sherds) were in the fill (Table 2.232). After the demolition of the Fruit Exchange building a number of fills were used to level the area. The fills, all excavated by machine, were allocated context numbers 8501, 8543, 8765 and 8838. They were a mix of clays, sands, sandstone rubble, crushed sandstone, modern and sandstock brick and concrete. Contexts with ceramics were: 8501 with 182 items (365 sherds), 8543 with 5 items (5 sherds), 8765 with 11 items (16 sherds), and 8838 with 14 items (33 sherds). Given the nature of these fills, coupled with their method of excavation, the 212 ceramics (420 sherds) (Table 2.233).

199

_________________________________________________________________________________


Table 2.232: Ceramics in machine cut fill 8546 (Phase 9). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1

unid UK

1830

1

wgl mou svfew lid UK

1840

1

3

Table 2.233: Ceramics in machine excavated fills 8501, 8543, 8765 and 8838 (Phase 9).


8501 annular few bowl UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1

banded few plate UK

1860

8

platter UK

1860

1

bl flow few cup UK

1830 1930 4

UK

1847 1867 1

dish UK

1830 1930 2

plate UK

1830 1930 6

platter UK W3 1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1790

1

blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

jug UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

unid UK

1830 1930 1

blktp few plate UK Stanley 1862 1864 1

saucer UK

1830

1

toothpaste lid UK

1897

1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew ointment jar UK

1839 1867 1

bltp bc cup UK

1830

1

few cup UK

1830

4

jug UK W3 1810

1

plate UK

1830

4

UK Albion 1858 1937 1


1

Scot Damascus 1847 1928 1

UK W3 1810

16

plate-small UK Eton College 1830

1

UK W3 1810

2

platter UK

1830

1

UK W3 1810

2

saucer UK

1830

2


1

unid UK

1830

2

UK W3 1810

2

svfew jug/ewer UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

bristol gl stw demijohn UK

1835

1

jar UK/Aus

1835

3

UK

1835

1

UK

1835 1858 1

brntp few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

brntp svfew cup UK Crystal 1851 1880 1

unid UK

1840

1


1780 1860 2

platter UK

1780 1860 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

4

orna UK

1850

1

plate-small UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

2

glazed svfew saucer UK

1840

1

200

_________________________________________________________________________________


grntp few cup UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

saucer UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

2

svfew cup UK

1840

1

hp svfew breakfast cup UK

1840

1

hp gild bc cup UK

1850

1


1850

2

hp ww few cup UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2


1790

1

8501 lead gl cew unid Aus

1790

1

mou hp few figurine UK

1830

1

ppl tp few cup UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

svfew cup UK

1840

1

redtp few plate UK Park Scenery 1834 1848 1

unid UK

1830

1


1796 1900 1


1830 1930 5

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 19

ink btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

lid UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

sprigg bc saucer UK

1830 1920 1

unid UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc cup UK

1800

3

egg cup UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

2

unid UK

1800

1

svfew toilet UK

1973

1

unid UK

1840

1

ww few bowl UK

1830

2

cup UK

1830

2

jug/ewer UK

1830

1

ointment/toothpaste

jar UK

1830

2

plate UK

1830

6

poe UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

8543 bltp few platter UK Gem 1851 1893 1

unid UK

1830

1

brntp svfew saucer UK

1840

1


1830 1930 1

ww few unid UK

1830

1


1860

1

bl flow svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1


1

UK W3 1810

1

unid UK

1830

1

UK

1834 1851 1

UK W3 1810

1

brntp few unid UK

1830

1

rock gl few

UK/Aus

1796 1900 1


1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1


1830 1930 1

bltp few

UK

1830

3

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

1

201

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svfew

UK

1840

1


1830 1930 1

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1


1800

1

ww few unid UK

1830

1

212

Six ceramics items from fill 8501 feature manufacturer marks and these confirm the mixed nature of these fills, with items manufactured in the mid 19th century and also from the second half of the 20th century (Table 2.234). At the rear of the yards, where there were no impaacts from the footings for the Fruit Exchange building, the fills were almost exclusively a black industrial waste (8568). This may have been used as levelling prior to the construction of the fruit exchange as this fill was directly above the yard surfaces and paving.70 There were 10 ceramics (13 sherds) in this fill (Table 2.235).

Table 2.234: Basemarked ceramics in machine excavated fill 8501 (Phase 9)


8501 58247 jar bristol gl Imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘POWELL’ / ‘BRISTOL’.

1835

1


Imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’.

1835 1858 1

58249 demijohn bristol gl Imp mark on sh - ‘POWELL’ / ‘BRISTOL’. 1835

1

70210 toilet wgl Imp ‘22 OCT 1973’. 1973

1

70253 cup bl flow TP basemark - ‘Copeland’ / ‘Late Spode’. 1847 1867 1

70284 plate blktp

TP basemark - A ribbon with ‘STANLEY’ and ‘J.M. & Co’ below; initials belong to J. Maudesley and Co, Tunstall.

1862 1864 1

6

Table 2.235: Ceramics in fill 8568 (Phase 9).


banded few plate UK

1860

1


2

unid UK

1830

1


1835

1 brntp few saucer UK

1830

1

hp svfew cup UK

1840


1830 1930 3

10

2.5.7.2 Modern disturbance Abandoned piles holes (8796) in the yard of House 17 contained five ceramics (5 sherds) (#58399, #72337-#72340) (Table 2.236). The base of a modern foundation trench cut the footings and interior fills of the rear room and yard of House 19. The cut (8843) ran northeast/southwest across the lot and contained a late 20th-century concrete aggregate (8814) and 12 ceramic items (14 sherds) (Table 2.237).

Table 2.236: Ceramics in abandon piles 8796 (Phase 9). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1

few unid UK

1830

1

unid UK Fibre 1830

1



1830 1920 1

5

70

Hincks 2009:112

202

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Table 2.237: Ceramics in fill 8814 (Phase 9). Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1


1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

grntp few plate UK

1830

1

grntp few unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 2 wgl bc plate-small UK

1800

1

ww few plate UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

12

2.5.7.3 Conclusion The ceramic items in Area 8 came from contexts associated with Phase 5, Phase 6, Phase 7, Phase 8 and Phase 9. These phases were discussed individually, with the more important contexts having detailed description. Overall the archaeological investigations in this area yielded considerable material remains primarily associated with the workers housing on the southern side of Steam Mill Street, dating between the 1840s and 1901 (Phases 6 and 7). Phase 5: Late 1830s to Early 1840s Reclamation Prior to this time the land in this area was below the high tide water mark. In the late 1830s the land was reclaimed using a mixture of clay, sandstone rubble and sand fills in large quantities. These reclamation fills were devoid of artefacts. By 1842 the land was subdivided and ready for development. In preparation for the sale a number of levelling fills were introduced across the area to counteract early subsidence that had occurred after the initial reclamation fills were introduced. Two of the levelling fills contained four ceramics (8645, 8650), and these were the only ceramics recovered relating to Phase 5 (Table 2.118). The four ceramics date from c.1830+. Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential, Industrial Development and Reclamation During this phase the houses along the southern side of Steam Mill Street were built, numbers 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 19 (number 17 was built in Phase 7). The houses were largely occupied by employees of the nearby milling and foundry industries except for House 13 which was occupied by the Maroney family from the 1850s to 1883. There were 52 contexts with ceramics belonging to Phase 6, these were predominately levelling fills, underfloor deposits, and yard surface modifications and fills. House 7 featured ceramics in contexts associated with yard modifications (8576, 8592, 8639, 8647) and underfloor deposits in both the front (8700) and rear room (8735). The yard modification fills were deposited to counter any uneven settling or subsidence of the earlier reclamation fills and ensured the surface was even and usable. The ceramics recovered in four of the fills are all commonly found in assemblages generally dating from the 1830s onwards (Table 2.121). A substantial underfloor deposit was present across most of the rear room, suggesting that this was the most utilised room in the house. This room was also most probably the kitchen because it featured a fireplace. The 148 ceramic items (182 sherds) found in this room common to domestic assemblage dating from the mid 19th century, as seen by the decorative types and the identified transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.122). The ceramic vessel shapes are all indicative of a typical household deposit, with items associated with the serving, consumption and storage of food, household ornamentation, household maintenance and personal hygiene (Table 2.123). While it was noted during excavation that the underfloor deposit was deepest against the fireplace, this was not reflected by the ceramics which were mostly found in the southern part of the room (Table 2.124). In contrast, the underfloor

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deposit in the front room was only present in patches and was heavily contaminated by other fills and 20th-century footings. The 20 items (20 sherds) in this deposit of mostly unidentified shapes because of the small sherd sizes. The decorative types date from the 1830s onwards (Table 2.125). House 9 featured ceramics in contexts associated with levelling fills (8644, 8693), yard modifications (8654, 8655, 8672, 8680, 8682, 8683, 8684, 8688, 8694, 8695), yard fill (8625), post holes (8699), and underfloor deposits in the front room (8634) and rear room (8610, 8631). The few ceramics found in the two levelling fills are commonly found in assemblages generally dating from the 1830s. As with House 7, the yard modification fills were deposited to counter any uneven settling or subsidence of the earlier reclamation fills and ensured surfaces were even and usable. The ceramics found in ten of these fills are from general domestic refuse (Table 2.129), with items associated with the serving, consumption and storage of food and personal hygiene, and the decorative types represented are also types commonly found in assemblages that date from both the early to mid 19th century. The underfloor deposit in the front room only survived around the periphery of the footings, where 19 ceramics (30 sherds) were found. The majority of the ceramics were unable to be identified by shape because of their small sherd sizes and the decorative types represented are typical of other Sydney sites and date from the 1830s and later (Table 2.131). The deposit with the ceramics was in the northwest corner of the room (Table 2.132). The underfloor deposit in the rear room was substantial and this was also most likely the kitchen as it contained a fireplace. Overall the 235 ceramics (310 sherds) were from a mid to late 19th century household assemblage, based on decorative types and known patterns (Table 2.133). The vessel shapes are from a domestic environment, with the items used for preparation, serving, consumption and storage of food, personal hygiene and clerical activities (Table 2.134). The deposit was mostly intact, except for disturbance from 20th-century footings on the eastern side of the room. The highest concentration of ceramics was in the southwest part of the room where most activity was undertaken (Table 2.135). House 11 featured ceramics in contexts associated with structural (8506), construction debris (8600, 8621), yard surface fills (8520, 8528, 8626), yard accumulation (8519), and underfloor deposits in the front room (8615, 8616, 8617) and rear room (8529, 8583). The only ceramic of interest relating to the construction of the house is a body sherd from a salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring the impressed manufacturer mark of ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’, and dating between the 1850s and 1860s. Three yard surface fills contained household ceramics (Table 2.138), with items associated with food consumption, food storage and gardening activities, and the decorative types and patterns dating from the mid 19th century. Two items also featured basemarks (Table 2.139), with both the stoneware stout bottles made by the same Scottish potter and dating from c.1850 to 1932. A yard accumulation underneath early brick paving in the yard and also abutting it, continued to accumulate after construction (Table 2.140). The underfloor remains in the front room were patchy and showed signs of contamination and disturbance. There were 39 ceramics (50 sherds) front room associated with domestic activities as seen by the vessel forms and patterns these were used for the serving, consumption and storage of food (Tables 2.141, Table 2.142). The rear room or kitchen had a substantial underfloor deposit covering the whole room, with some disturbance from the installation of plumbing beneath the house in the late 19th century. The 345 ceramics (417 sherds) in this underfloor deposit are from a domestic assemblage dating from the mid 19th century, as seen by the decorative types and transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.143). The presence of the blue transfer-printed ‘Maltese’ pattern, attributed to John Thomson & Sons, of Glasgow, and dating between c.1866 to c.1884, suggests that this deposit may also include Phase 7 activities. The shapes of the vessesl are from a

204

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household environment, particularly food - its serving, consumption and storage, household ornamentation and clerical (Table 2.144). House 13, occupied as a residence and place of business by the large Maroney family for about 27 years between c.1856 to c.1883 featured ceramics in contexts associated with levelling fills (8705, 8689), packing for sandstone footings (8652, 8704), and underfloor deposits in the front room (8608, 8609), rear room (8630) and rear attached room (8585, 8614). Two levelling fills, laid to prepare the reclaimed land for construction and further use, had four items (Table 2.148). The packing for the sandstone footings also contained seven ceramic items (Table 2.149). The underfloor deposit in the front room was poorly preserved and was divided into two context numbers to distinguish between the intact underfloor and the deposits contaminated by later activities. Nineteen ceramics (21 sherds) were recovered from these two deposits with nine decorative types (Table 2.150). The patchiness of deposit, coupled with the majority of the ceramics being unidentifiable in shape and function, meant that any spatial analysis of this front room was not warranted (Table 2.151). The rear room or kitchen featured a substantial underfloor deposit but there was also disturbance in the centre of the room from 1980s piling. The 380 ceramics (465 sherds) are domestic in nature and date from the mid 19th century (Table 2.152). The 14 shapes were used in a domestic environment, especially the consumption of food (Table 2.153). The functions revolve around the serving, consumption and storage of food, household maintenance, household ornamentation, literacy and personal hygiene. The ceramics were spread fairly consistently throughout the room, with lower numbers occurring around the room edges (Table 2.154). There was a third ground-floor room, a rear addition with a patchy underfloor deposit. The 181 ceramics (252 sherds) were from a domestic assemblage, as seen by the decorative types, pattern and vessel shapes (Tables 2.155, 2.156). The functions these ceramic items may have been used for included storage, food serving, household ornamentation and personal hygiene. The underfloor was patchy and had inconsistent coverage across the room, and coupled with the room being damaged by later service trenches and pylons on both its southern and eastern boundaries (Tables 2.157, 2.158). There were 50 ‘Willow’ pattern vessels on a dinner service in the kitchen but only four ‘Willow’ items in the front room while there were 25 in the additional rear room. Therefor a total of 79 of ‘Willow’ patterned vessels found within House 13. The next largest occurrence was in House 19 with 19 items. The rear rooms of the other houses typically had between 14 and 19 items; this would appear to be a standard pattern rather than the 79 separate vessels in House 13. It is likely that these 79 vessels represent a clear preference for ‘Willow’ dinner set used every day and the extended family who may have resided within House 13. House 13 also had 63 bone china bone china items in the kitchen room, mostly teawares, 16 items in the additional room and none in the front room, making 78 bone china vessels. This was more than any of the other houses although House 9 and 11 kitchens had 45 items each. The frequency of ‘Willow’ and bone china in House 13 can mostly be associated with the Maroney family and is a pattern worth further investigation in terms of its significance. House 15 ceramics were from packing fill (8890), a yard surface (8772), and the underfloor deposits in the front (8861) and rear rooms (8810, 8821). Only four ceramics were recovered from the packing fill of the northern footing trench of the house (Table 2.160). There were a series of levelling events in the rear yard, and one of these may have been associated with early occupation in the yard. There were 26 ceramics (70 sherds) from this yard surface and they were associated with general household refuse dating from the c.1830s (Table 2.161). The yard surface probably accumulated over an extended timeframe and this would explain the presence of the early locally

205

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manufactured lead-glazed item which is not usually associated with deposits dating after the 1840s. The front room had a very patchy underfloor deposit, with most areas destroyed in the 20th century by the installation of services and the construction of footings. Only 11 ceramics (17 sherds) were found and the majority were unidentified in shape because of sherd sizes (Table 2.162). A thin deposit remained in the northeast, northwest and southeast corners of the room (Table 2.163). The occupation-related material in the rear room was also fairly patchy, with two discrete accumulations. This room was truncated by modern disturbance while removed deposit (Tables 2.165, 2.166). There were 58 ceramics (90 sherds) from a domestic assemblage dating from the c.1830s to 1901 (Table 2.164). The vessel shapes were mainly associated with the consumption of food, suggesting that this room was used for dining-related activities. House 19 was constructed in two phases, with a single room on the ground floor by 1855 with an additional ground floor room added by 1880 in Phase 7. It is likely this single room was the place of main household activity for more than 20 years, this is quite unusual. Ceramics were found in three Phase 6 contexts, 172 items (258 sherds). The were 167 ceramics in the underfloor deposit (8850) in the front room, three items in the fireplace support (8873), and two ceramics in an accumulation deposit (8841) against the exterior of the house footing. There was a substantial underfloor accumulation in the front room and the ceramics from it were from a domestic assemblage dating from the mid 19th century, based on shapes, decorative types and transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.169). The shapes were associated with food serving, consumption, and storage, as well as some household ornamentation (Table 2.171). Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development During Phase 7 there were changes to the houses, rooms were added to the rear of Houses 13 and 19 and House 17 was built on the vacant land between Houses 15 and 19. Toilets were built within the yards and plumbing was installed in the area, including water and sewerage pipes, after the mid 1870s. In the 1880s much of the worst housing between Sussex Street and Darling Harbour was demolished in the hope of preventing the spread of disease, and although the houses on Steam Mill Street were spared, some modifications were made to seal the underfloor spaces. These modifications appeared to have been executed by the municipal authorities, as methods and materials were the same regardless of house ownership. Paving and other yard modifications also occurred during this period. There were 49 contexts with ceramics in Phase 7, mostly levelling fills, yard surfaces, cesspit fills, underfloor deposits and underfloor sealing fills. These contexts were associated with Houses 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19. House 7 contexts had 127 ceramics (364 sherds). These contexts were yard accumulations (8594), cesspit fills (8736, 8724, 8723, 8713) and the sealing of the underfloor in the front room (8627, 8696) and back room (8602, 8601). The yard accumulation, with three ceramics, was in the vicinity of the cesspit (Table 2.175). The cesspit deposits were associated with its use and it is considered to be an accumulation rather than a fill. The cesspit ceramics, 83 items (301 sherds) were domestic in nature and date from the 1860s, as seen with the decorative types, shapes and transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.176). Five patterns were introduced in the 1860s, indicating deposition occurred during Phase 7, and included a blue transfer-printed Josephson’s Australian Ointment lid, dating c.1866 to c.1900. The ceramic shapes were associated with serving, consumption and storage of food, household maintenance and ornamentation, literacy and personal hygiene (Table 2.177). Two basemarked items date from the 1860s and into the 1880s (Table 2.178). The fills in the cesspit were believed to represent rubbish from House 7, and its use as a dumping place for unwanted and/or broken items was reflected in the ceramic sherd verses item count. The 301 sherds which formed the 83 items from the cesspit indicate that the cesspit fills was a primary deposition. If it was from secondary deposition there were not have been so many joining sherds. The floorboards

206

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in both rooms of House 7 were lifted in the 1880s and the underfloor cavity was filled with clays and industrial gravels in an effort to dissuade rats from occupying the area; presumably as a way of preventing the spread of disease. In the front room sealing deposits there were 32 ceramics (Table 2.179) while in the rear room there were nine ceramics (Table 2.180). House 9 contained 162 ceramics (375 sherds) from contexts associated with plumbing (8666, 8643), yard surfaces (8640, 8641, 8730, 8512, 8535), cesspit fills (8739, 8737) and the sealing of the underfloor in the front room (8570) and back room (8572, 8571, 8629). The plumbing-related contexts were the fill of a sewer pipe trench (8666) and the fill in a water pipe trench (8643) both of which had 19 ceramics (Table 2.182). The five yard surfaces identified as belonging to the period between the demolition of the cesspit and the last occupation of the house had 44 ceramic items dating from the 1830s (Table 2.183). The majority of the decorative types from the trench fills and the yard surfaces all had long periods of manufacture. The yard surfaces had four ceramic patterns, two of which were introduced in the 1860s and were therefore particularly indicative of Phase 7 (‘Cable’ and ‘Medallion Sprig’), and the ‘Medallion Sprig’ pattern was also the only item to feature a basemark, dating it between c.1867 to 1878 (#70347). The cesspit material was associated with its use and the ceramics were recovered in two deposits (8739, 8737), both of which were waterlogged. In the cesspit fills were 57 ceramics from domestic activities dating from the 1860s onwards (Table 2.184). Five transfer-printed patterns were found supporting deposition during Phase 7, the ‘Honeysuckle’ pattern and the ‘Reception of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandria at London Bridge 7th March 1863’ pattern. The shapes of the vessels were associated with the preparation, consumption and storage of food; household ornamentation and literacy (Table 2.185). There were two basemarked items, one dating from the 1860s and the other c.1821 to 1967 (Table 2.186). In general all the ceramics found in the cesspit deposit fit into the Phase 7 period when the time lag between initial purchase and then eventual discard is considered. As with all the Area 8 houses the floorboards were lifted and the underfloor cavity filled with clays and industrial gravels in the 1880s. The front room sealing deposits contained seven ceramics (Table 2.187). In the rear room sealing deposits there were 35 ceramics (Table 2.188). Although no basemarked items were found, three of the transfer-printed patterns were introduced in the second half of the 19th century (‘Albion’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Cable’), coupled with the presence of banded decorative introduced c.1860, indicated that the sealing event occurred at least post-1860s. House 11 featured 65 ceramics (121 sherds) from contexts associated with plumbing (8587), cesspit fills (8664, 8663) and the sealing of the underfloor in the front room (8560) and back room (8515, 8513). Nineteen ceramics were found in the backfill of a trench beneath the rear room of the house (8587), these artefacts appear to relate to the disturbance of the Phase 6 underfloor deposit (8529) (Table 2.190). The ceramics from the trench featured the same decorative types as found in the underfloor deposit 8529. A whiteware plate featured a basemark dated 1853 to 1871 (#70973), suggesting that the trench ceramics could belong to either Phase 6 or Phase 7. A sandstock brick cesspit contained two waterlogged fills deposited after use of the cesspit ceased and was filled with deposits 8664 and 8663 and their 11 ceramics (Table 2.191). No material associated with the use of the cesspit remained. In the 1880s sealing deposits of clay and industrial gravels placed beneath the floorboards of House 11. The deposits in the front room sealing deposit (8560) contained 23 ceramics and the rear room had 12 ceramics (8513, 8515) (Tables 2.192, 2.193). The ceramics in both the front and rear room sealing deposits were commonly found in assemblages dating from at least the 1830s onwards, only a single banded ware item in the front room (#70811) suggested deposition after c.1860.

207

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House 13 contexts with 125 ceramics (176 sherds) associated with shed construction (8566, 8557), sealing the underfloor deposits in the front room (8580), the back room (8579) and the additional room at the rear of the house (8563), the occupation deposit in the shed (8527), the occupation deposit in the additional room at the rear of the house (8525), and in the repair/modification of the back room (8633). Ceramics relating to the construction of a shed in the rear yard were found in two contexts, the construction packing (8566) and a levelling fill (8557). The packing fill contained just five ceramics (Table 2.195) and the levelling fill featured 21 ceramics (Table 2.196). The ceramic types identified in the levelling fill are found in assemblages dating from the 1830s, with no basemarks present and the decorative types all featuring long periods of manufacture, including the two identified transfer-printed patterns ‘Fibre’ and ‘Willow’. In the 1880s sealing deposit placed beneath the floorboards were five ceramics in the front room (8580), 16 ceramics were in the rear room (8579), and a further ten ceramics in the additional rear room (8563) (Tables 2.197, 2.198, 2.199). These ceramics were not specifically indicative of the event occurring in the 1880s although in the two rear rooms the ceramics included semi-vitreous fine earthenware (c.1840+) and the transfer-printed ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern (c.1850+). An occupation deposit in the shed included 48 ceramics (8527). Overall these ceramics were from a domestic assemblage dating from the mid 19th century, as noted by the shapes, the 13 decorative types and the transfer-printed ‘Rousillon’ pattern (Table 2.200). These ceramics did not specifically relate to activities undertaken within a shed, except to suggest that food was sometimes consumed in there. The ceramics were also spread fairly consistently throughout the room (Table 2.201). An occupation deposit (8525) in the additional rear room had accumulated above the 1880s sealing fills 8563. It contained four ceramics (Table 2.202). Evidence of repairs or renovation to this rear room was seen with demolition/construction material (8633). It appears this repair or modification to the rear room also took place after the floorboards had been removed in the 1880s. There were 16 ceramics in this deposit and they date from mid 19th century (Table 2.204). House 15 had a single context in to Phase 7 with 16 ceramics (25 sherds). This context, 8798, was an 1880s underfloor sealing deposit in the rear room. Nothing about the 16 ceramics was necessarily point to an 1880s deposition, with no basemarks and the eight decorative types with long periods of manufacture (Table 2.205). House 17 was built c. 1867, considerably later than its neighbours. There were 99 ceramics (134 sherds) found in Phase 7 contexts associated with levelling fill (8876), construction (8900, 8875), plumbing (8856), yard surfaces (8785), underfloor deposits in the front room (8847) and rear room (8860), and sealing of the underfloor in the rear room (8818). The footings for House 17 were cut into sandy levelling fills and one of these fills, 8876, contained two ceramics (Table 2.207). Two construction-related contexts contained ceramics, context 8900 was a fill associated with the porch support and had seven ceramics (Table 2.208), and context 8795, the fill in the fireplace support within the rear room and had two ceramics (Table 2.209). Two ceramics were also recovered from a pipe trench fill (8856) that ran from the toilets in the rear yard under the existing footings of the house and on towards Stream Mill Street (Table 2.210). A tightly compacted yard surface was spread across the whole of the yard (8785) which included seven ceramics (Table 2.211). The nature of the deposit suggests that the items found here would have accumulated over an extended period of time, and as the house was not actually built until 1865 then the material in the yard will post-date this. The presence of a banded saucer, dating from c.1860, was the only ceramic that specifically dated from around this time. The relatively late construction of House 17 meant that any underfloor deposits had little time to accumulate before the underfloor cavities were sealed in the 1880s. Only one ceramic was found in the patches of underfloor accumulation in the front room (8847); however a more artefact-rich

208

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deposit was found in the eastern half of the rear room (8860), where 70 ceramic items were found. As we know this house was constructed c.1867 the accumulation of this deposit must post-dated this event (Table 2.212). The spread of this deposit was mostly in the eastern half of the room and other areas were disturbed by two concrete piles and modern service trenches (Table 2.214). The 1880s rear room sealing deposit had only eight ceramics (8818) all of which had long periods of manufacture (Table 2.215). House 19 featured 17 ceramics (17 sherds) in four Phase 7 contexts, associated with occupation (8874), yard surfaces (8805), and the sealing of the underfloor in both the front room (8834) and rear room (8815). The fireplace support in the rear room contained a deposit thought to be directly associated with the use of the fireplace as it was heavily littered with charcoal, as well as bone fragments and six ceramic items (8874) (Table 2.217). A well-trodden surface extended from the footings at the back of the house to an area of paving about 4.5m from the rear of the house and this paving had accumulated patches of deposit (8805) over and around the paving with four ceramics (Table 2.218). Again, like the previously discussed Houses 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17, the floorboards of House 19 were lifted in the 1880s and the vacant space below filled. The front room 1880s sealing deposit of industrial gravels (8834) had four ceramics (Table 2.219), and the rear room 1880s sealing deposit of industrial gravels (8815) had three ceramics (Table 2.220). Phase 8: 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways In 1901, all the houses on the southern side of Steam Mill Street were demolished and the NSW Fruit Exchange was constructed on the site. There were 14 contexts with ceramics belonging to Phase 8, with 89 ceramic items (122 sherds). The contexts containing ceramics associated with this phase were from demolition-related material, plumbing-related fills, fills in cuts for the footings of the Fruit Exchange building and post-demolition disturbance. A total of 36 ceramics were identified in seven demolition deposits associated with Houses 7, 9, 11, 13 and 17. House 7 had two deposits with eight ceramics (8606, 8591) (Table 2.222), House 9 had one deposit with five ceramics (8567) (Table 2.223), House 11 had one deposit with six ceramics (8505) (Table 2.224), House 13 had two deposits with two ceramics (8539, 8524) (Table 2.225), and House 17 had one deposit with 15 ceramics (8802) (Table 2.227). Overall these 36 ceramics featured long periods of manufacture and reflected the disturbed mixed nature of the deposits. Two plumbing-related contexts contained a few ceramics. A service trench with an iron water pipe on the southern side of the rear room footings of House 15 had a backfill with two ceramics (8754) (Table 2.226). Ceramics were also found in a trench with a salt-glazed pipe which ran parallel to Steam Mill Street and crossed the yards of all the houses and appeared to have been installed after the houses were no longer in use. The backfill in the trench (8517) contained five ceramics (Table 2.228). The seven ceramics in these two plumbing-related contexts generally dated from the c.1830s onwards. Remains of the footings of the Fruit Exchange building consisted of parallel north-south oriented machine-made brick footings and a number of backfills in the cuts for these footings contained ceramics. A total of 32 ceramics were found in four of the backfill contexts (8510, 8598, 8605, 8756), (Table 2.229). Fourteen ceramics relating to post-demolition disturbance were found in the fill (8787) of an elongated pit cut into the yard surfaces and the footing of the toilet in House 15 and also the yard surfaces of House 17 (Table 2.230). Because the cut crossed the boundary it is likely that it occurred after the houses became unoccupied.

209

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Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development There were eight contexts with ceramics in Phase 9 (8501, 8543, 8546, 8568, 8765, 8796, 8814, 8838), with 242 items (454 sherds). These contexts were associated with modern fills and disturbance, with many excavated by machine. The ceramics contained within these contexts reflected this disturbance (Tables 2.233, 2.234). 2.6 Area 971 The portion of Dickson’s Mill, Area 9, within the Darling Quarter development footprint was divided into Area 9 Mill Yard and Area 9 Mill pond. Area 9 Mill Yard was immediately north of the Area 9 Mill pond, and south of the main mill structures (Vol 1:35-36, Figure 2.14, 2.15; Figures 3.5.60, 3.5.66; Section 3.5.11.2). Area 9 was bordered to the west by Duncan Street and extended outside the development area in other directions. Part of Thomas Barker’s mill yard, mill pond and later industrial development were within Area 9. Thomas Barker purchased and renovated Copper and Levy’s mill in 1827 two years after its construction. He used it for the processing of grain, and in 1847 a portion of the mill was leased to John Walker for the milling of woollen textiles.72 The textile operation was taken over by Barker in 1852, when it was one of the two largest mills of its kind in NSW.73 The 1865 Sands Directory listing for the lot corresponding with Barker’s mill includes ‘Barker & Co., millers and Ebsworth OB., cloth factory’. Barker sold the grain mill to his nephews and the tweed mill to Ebsworth in 1868, but re-purchased the latter in 1870 following Ebsworth’s death. In 1870 Barker is the only listing in the Sands Directory for the property.74 The tweed factory housed the older portion of the mill, and burnt down in 1872.75 The textile mill resumed operation under the direction of John Vicars & Co until the early 1890s.76 Meanwhile, the grain mill continued as before, until the mill complex was sold again by Barker in 1879.77 The Percy Dove 1880 map labels the mill complex the ‘Sims & Co. City Flour Mills’ and ‘Vicar’s Tweed Manufactory’ (Vol 1:38, Figure 2.20). This is consistent with the Sands Directory listings from 1880 and 1885, when the mills occupied an unnumbered lot following No. 16 Duncan Street. The mill increasingly diversified toward the end of the 19th century, when the 1888 map lists the complex as ‘spice mills’. From 1893 to 1920, the Sands listings for Nos. 16-30 were generally for Harper R. & Co. Prop Ltd., Oriental Mills. Milling occurred well into the 20th century while development continued to alter the complex.78 The remnant mill buildings were redeveloped in 1986 along with the rest of the area. In 2002, the main mill structure was partially excavated by Casey & Lowe for the Cross City Tunnel project. The key historic developments in Area 9 were:

1825 construction of a grain mill by the Cooper and Levy firm.

1827 purchase and renovation of the mill by Thomas Barker.

1847 addition of a textile manufactory to the milling operation.

1860s and 1870s expansion of mill complex, including into Area 9 Mill Yard.

1872 textile manufactory (original mill building) destroyed by fire.

71

Background information regarding the history and excavation of Area 9 comes from Harrop:2009 and Cryerhall:2011. 72

Wayne Johnson and Roger Parris: A History of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, 2008, pp.24-25. 73

Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd 2006, Non-Indigenous Archaeological Report, Cross City Tunnel Route, Darling Harbour to Kings Cross, an unpublished report prepared for Baulderstone Hornibrook Bilfinger Berger, p.5. 74

Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd 2006, Appendix, pp. 17-18. 75

Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd 2006, p.6. 76

Wayne Johnson and Roger Parris: A History of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, 2008, p.25. 77

Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd 2006, p.6. 78

Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd 2006, p.6.

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1879 sale of mill by Barker and subsequent increasing diversification of milling operation.

1900-1901 demolition of primary structure in Area 9 Mill Yard and new construction.

1958 sale and subdivision of mill complex for new purposes.

1986 demolition and redevelopment for Segaworld complex. 2.6.1 Overview The ceramics from Area 9 came from contexts associated with Phases 4, 6, 7 and 9. There were 624 ceramics (1,147 sherds) recovered in Area 9 from 20 contexts. Sixteen of these contexts were from the Mill pond, with the remaining four contexts from the Mill Yard area. The 16 contexts from the Mill pond area contained 608 ceramics (1,120 sherds) or 97.4 per cent of the ceramic assemblage in Area 9. The four contexts in the Mill Yard area contained on 16 ceramics (27 sherds), just 2.6 per cent of Area 9 ceramics (Table 2.238).

Table 2.238: Ceramics in individual contexts in Area 9. Black = Contexts in Area 9 Mill pond; Red = Contexts in Area 9 Mill Yard

Context Items % Frags %

9201 396 63.5 758 66.1 9202 13 2.1 32 2.8 9203 13 2.1 15 1.3 9206 123 19.7 227 19.8 9212 4 0.6 4 0.3 9219 2 0.3 2 0.2 9221 1 0.2 2 0.2 9226 2 0.3 2 0.2 9228 1 0.2 2 0.2 9230 16 2.6 29 2.5 9241 2 0.3 2 0.2 9248 13 2.1 14 1.2 9249 16 2.6 21 1.8 9252 4 0.6 3 0.3 9255 1 0.2 2 0.2 9261 1 0.2 5 0.4 9401 10 1.6 15 1.3 9450 2 0.3 2 0.2 9470 3 0.5 7 0.6 9471 1 0.2 3 0.3

624 100 1147 99.9

There were seven fabric types in Area 9, with fine earthenware the largest with 415 items (66.5%) (Table 2.239). Most of the ceramics were manufactured in the United Kingdom, 482 items or over three-quarters of the assemblage (77.2%), (Table 2.240). The 16 ceramics of local Australian manufacture were eight basemarked stoneware bottles (#58556, #58557, #58559-#58561, #58613, #58614, #58616), self-slipped earthenware (#58724-#58726, #58732) and lead-glazed earthenware (#58727, #58729-#58731). There was a single Chinese item, a blue handpainted porcelain ginger jar (#58664), and the Japanese-made handpainted porcelain saucer (#72858). There were 12 items made in Scotland, transfer-printed patterns ‘Alma’ (#72893, #72894, #73205, #73216), ‘Sydenham’ (#72914), ‘Peacock’ (#72971, #73091), ‘Corsina’ (#72978, #73105, #73150, #73151) and ‘Chantilly’ (#73044/#73160), all attributed to the firm of John Thomson (and Sons), Glasgow. The 89 items identified as manufactured in the United Kingdom/Australia were all unmarked stonewares. Five items manufactured in either the United Kingdom/United States/Europe/Australia were unmarked yellow wares (#72818, #73106, #73220-#73222), with 14 items identified as United Kingdom/United States/Europe were all spongeware (#72847-#72857, #73023, #73057, #73196), and the four ceramics identified as manufactured in the United Kingdom/United States/France were annular (#72819, #72820, #73107) and mocha wares (#72821).

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bc 53 8.5 cew 6 1.0

chinese porc 1 0.2

few 415 66.5 jap porc 1 0.2

stw 111 17.8 svfew 37 5.9

624 100

Table 2.240: Country of manufacture. Country Items

Aus 16 2.6

China 1 0.2 Jap 1 0.2 Scot 12 1.9 UK 482 77.2

UK/Aus 89 14.3 UK/USA/Eur/Aus 5 0.8 UK/USA/Europe 14 2.2 UK/USA/France 4 0.6

624 100


annu pearl 1 0.2 annular 2 0.3 bl flow 27 4.3 bl hp 1 0.2

blk flow 21 3.4 blktp 31 4.7

blktp pearl 1 0.2 bltp 168 26.9

bltp pearl 4 0.6 bristol gl 19 3.0

brntp 20 3.2 clobb 4 0.6

cream w 1 0.2 edge WW 2 0.3

gild 9 1.4 gilded, mou 1 0.2

glz mou 1 0.2 grnflow 3 0.5 grntp 30 4.8

hp 4 0.6 hp ww 1 0.2 lead gl 5 0.8 mocha 1 0.2

mou ww 1 0.2 pearl 5 0.8

ppl flow 1 0.2 ppl tp 49 7.9 redtp 2 0.3 salt gl 92 14.7 selfslip 4 0.6 sponge 14 2.2 sprigg 18 2.9

wgl 25 4.0 wgl mou 6 1.0

ww 44 7.1 ww gild 1 0.2

yellow ware 5 0.8

624 99.6

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There are 37 decorative types were identified within Area 9 (Table 2.241). Blue transfer print is the largest with 168 items or 26.9 per cent. Transfer printing was used on a multitude of shapes with man uses, transfer printing was found on 334 ceramics, slightly more than half the assemblage (53.5%) in a variety of colours (black, blue, brown, green, purple, red) and also finishes (clobbered, flow and pearlware). Basemarks were found 44 ceramics in three contexts (Table 2.242).

Table 2.242: Basemarked ceramics in Area 9. Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

9201 5855

6 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘(E.) FOWLER’ / ‘(POTTER)’ / ‘CAMPERDOWN’.

1863 1870 1

5855

7 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘T FIEL(D)’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

5855

8 btl salt gl

imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’ / ‘LONDON’.

1858 1956 1

5855

9 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

5856

0 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘T. FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850

1

5856

1 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘(T) FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

5859

1 ink btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LAMBETH’ / ‘LONDON’; H = 170mm.

1858 1956 1

5859

2 jar salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘WESTON & WESTALL’ / ‘SUPERIOR’ / ‘BRITISH TABLE SALT’; H = 133mm.

1880 1900 1

5859

9 jar bristol gl

imp mark remains on sh - a globe with ‘TRADE MARK’ above. Manufacturer unknown; ‘TRADE MARK’ used 1862+.

1862

1

5860

1 jar bristol gl

imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘POWELL’/’BRISTOL’; H = 138mm.

1835 1906 1

5860

2 jar bristol gl

imp mark on sh - a globe with ‘TRADE MARK’ above. Manufacturer unknown, however 'TRADE MARK’ used 1862+; H = 118mm.

1862

1

5860

3 jar bristol gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’.

1835 1858 1

5860

4 jar bristol gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’; H = 120mm.

1835 1858 1

5860

5 jar bristol gl

imp mark on sh - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’; H = 130mm.

1835 1858 1

7278

7 platter wgl

green tp mark on under-side of rim - ‘MORLEY (& ASHWORTH)’ / ‘HAN(LEY)’.

1859 1862 1

7280

3 plate ww

imp basemark - garter mark with ‘J RIDGWAY BATES (& CO)’ / ‘CAULDON’.

1856 1858 1

7280

4 plate ww

imp registration diamond on bs for 22 April 1853.

1853

1

7280

5 ewer ww

green tp basemark wih 2 entwined ‘C’ and ‘COPELAND’ below.

1851 1885 1

7286

8 saucer grntp

tp basemark - remains of a foliated scroll cartouche containing ‘R(hine)’.

1845

1

7294

1 plate bltp tp basemark remains - foliated scroll cartouche. 1845

1

7298

3 bowl bltp

tp basemark- circular mark with initials ‘P.B. & Co.’ framed by 2 leafy branches; initials those of Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem.

1862 1882 1

7298

4 bowl bltp

tp basemark - a circular mark with ‘ANTIQUE’ / ‘P(.B. & Co)’ framed by 2 leafy branches; initials those of Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem.

1862 1882 1

7299

3 breakfast cup bltp

tp basemark remains - an ornate foliated scroll cartouche with ‘Opaque’ remaining; pttn made by Minton and continued by their successors.

1830

1

7302 dish bltp tp basemark - ‘WARRENTED’ / ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ 1855 1860 1

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2 / ‘L.B & C’; H = 60mm; initials possibly those of Lockett, Baguley & Cooper, Staffordshire.

7302

4 plate ppl tp

tp basemark - ‘VINE’ on a ribbon with ‘E CHALLINOR’ below.

1842 1867 1

7303

6 plate ppl tp

registration diamond remains for December 1861.

1861

1

7305

6 plate blk flow

tp mark on underside of marley - a crown above ‘BERLIN’ / ‘P.B & H.’ in a circle, framed by 2 leafy branches;

1851 1862 1

7306

0 plate bl flow

tp basemark - ‘ROSE’ in an oval frame, with ‘(E C)HALLINOR TUNSTALL’ on a ribbon below.

1842 1867 1

7306

1 saucer bl flow

tp basemark - scroll cartouche with ‘CHUSA(N)’ / ‘D.P. & Co.’; initials belong to the Diamond Pottery Co.

1908 1935 1

7307

8 plate bltp registration diamond remains. 1861

1

7308


tp basemark - ‘Genevese’ in an ornate foliated scroll cartouche, with ‘Opaque China’ below; pttn made by Minton and continued by their successors.

1830

1

7308

2 bowl bltp

tp basemark - a crown above a circular mark with ‘ANTIQUE’ / ‘(P.B &) Co’ framed by 2 leafy branches; initials those of Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem.

1862 1882 1

9206 5861

3 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘(T) FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1830 1930 1

5861

4 btl salt gl imp mark on sh - ‘N DUNN’. 1842 1852 1

5861

6 btl salt gl

imp mark on sh - ‘WS’. Initials those of the ginger beer brewer William Starkey.

1838 1891 1

5861

8 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext body - ‘STEPHEN GREEN’ / ‘LAMBETH’.

1820 1858 1

5861

9 btl salt gl

imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LAMBETH’ / ‘LONDON’.

1858 1956 1

5862

5 btl bristol gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘PRICE’ / ‘BRISTOL’. 1850 1961 1

5862

6 jar bristol gl

imp oval mark on upper ext bd - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LA(MBETH) POTTERY’ / ‘(LONDO)N’.

1858 1956 1

5862

7 jar bristol gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘SINGER’ / ‘VAUXHALL’; mark is that of Alfred Singer, Vauxhall Pottery; H = 138mm.

1835 1865 1

7314

9 plate bltp

tp basemark - ‘Rhi(ne)’ within a foliated scroll cartouche.

1845

1

7315



1830

1

7315



1830

1

9228 7321

9 ewer ppl tp

tp basemark has scroll cartouche containing ‘BERLIN’ / ‘A. SHAW’; Anthony Shaw, Tunstall and Burslem.

1851 1882 1

44

Conjoins were found between three ceramics items in these contexts (Table 2.243). The three ceramics were from the backfill of the mill pond. Context 9201 were the artefacts collected during the machine excavation of the mill pond, and contexts 9230, 9206 and 9221 were from individual backfilling events in the mill pond, but are also the same as 9201. The conjoining ceramics are all essentially from 9201, with the different numbering occurring solely on whether they were part of

214

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the bulk machine excavation of the mill pond or part of the hand cleaning of the sections post-machine excavation. These conjoining items will be discussed within their relevant phasing.

Table 2.243: Conjoining ceramics in Area 9. Context Cat # Shape Decor Join Frags Items

9201 73035 plate ppl tp 9230/#73231 1 1 9230 73231

9201/#73035 1 0

9201 73044 ewer grnflow 9206/#73160 3 1 9206 73160

9201/#73044 1 0

9201 73045 cup grntp 9221/#73215 1 1 9221 73215

9201/#73045 1 0

3

2.6.2 Phase 4: 1820s to late 1830s Barker’s Mill and Lands In the mid 1820s Cooper and Levey established a mill on the harbour frontage between Liverpool and Bathurst Street, and by 1826 the firm had a large wharf at the harbour front, a steam engine and a five-storey grain store. In 1827 Thomas Barker purchased the milling business which he subsequently expanded to include land to the north (Area 8) with frontage on to Bathurst Street and Cockle Bay. During the late 1820s and 1830s Sydney’s population doubled resulting in urban expansion and increased commercial activity of the city having its effect on the eastern side of Darling Harbour. Barker’s mill and industrial processing businesses expanded during this time, with finger wharfs and other buildings evident in the historic plans. Within Area 6 a substantial ‘finger wharf’ projected out from the shoreline. The mill pond was located within Area 9, to the east of the later Duncan Street. The only context containing ceramics that was identified with Phase 4 was context 9241. This was identified as structural remains consisting of timber and brick flooring that was connected to the western side of the mill pond. The exact function for this flooring remains unknown at time of writing and consisted of a timber frame inlaid with sandstock bricks to form a floor or platform, with the gaps between the bricks packed with silty clay with inclusions of grit and sand. It is probable that the two ceramics from 9241 were from this packing material and they are tabled below (Table 2.244).

Table 2.244: Ceramics in Context 9241 (Phase 4). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

9241 73235 brntp few unid UK

1830

1 9241 73234 ww few plate UK

1830

1

2

2.6.3 Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development Reclamation at this part of Darling Harbour was largely completed by the late 1840s with new wharfage, workers’ housing, industries and shipping yards in existence. Reclamation provided more waterfront land with better wharfage access to deeper water for heavy industries and it provided land to sell for shipping-related businesses such as timber and coal yards, and also for workers’ housing. In 1847 Barker leased part of his grain processing mill to John Walker for the milling of woollen textiles, and then in 1852 Barker took over the operation and it became one of the two largest textile milling operations in NSW. The archaeological evidence for this phase of activity in Area 9 Mill Pond was dominated by a substantial drain associated with the mill pond. Sediments would have continued to accumulate within the pond throughout the 1840s and 1850s. The pond went out of use by the early 1860s and was backfilled initially with industrial waste. Similar fills were also noted to the west of the pond. A number of post-reclamation fills, dating between the early 1840s and early 1860s were also recorded in the area.

215

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Five contexts identified with Phase 6 contained ceramics, numbering 157 items in total. Context 9206 contained the majority of these ceramics, with the 123 items representing over three-quarters (78.3) of the total number identified with Phase 6 (Table 2.245).


9206 123 78.3 9248 13 8.3 9249 16 10.2 9252 4 2.5 9261 1 0.6

157 99.9

The build-up of sediments within the mill pond would have started almost immediately after its construction in the late 1820s. Two test trenches were excavated to examine both the sediment build-ups that occurred during the ponds use and also the backfilling deposits that occurred after it finished being used. Context 9249, containing 16 ceramics, represents the last sediment accumulation within the mill pond prior to it ceasing use and being backfilled (in the 1860s). The sediment consisted of dark clayey silt with frequent bands of fine whitish sand and silt and inclusions of organic material. The presence of the 16 ceramics within this deposit suggests contamination from the above backfilling deposit 9206 and these 16 items are tabled below (Table 2.246) (Figure 41).

Table 2.246: Ceramics in mill pond sediment 9249 (Phase 6). Context Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items


1830 1930 1

73252 blktp few unid UK Fibre 1830

1


1

73256

platter UK W3 1810

1

73254

unid UK

1830

1

73255

unid UK W3 1810

1


1835

1

73250 edge WW few plate UK

1800 1860 1

73253 grntp few plate UK Rhine 1845

1


1830 1930 1

58633

jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

58632

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

73248 wgl bc cup UK

1800

1

73249

saucer UK

1800

1

73247 ww few candle stk UK

1830

1

73246

unid UK

1830

1

16

The backfilling of the mill pond probably occurred in the late 1850s or early 1860s and there appeared to be two phases of backfilling. The initial backfilling was industrial waste 9206 and 9248, both of which contained ceramics. These two contexts overlay the last sediment accumulation 9249. Context 9206 was recorded in Test Trench 57 and was up to 600mm in depth. It consisted of bands of dark grey silt with industrial waste (cinders, coke and slag) and various artefacts (glass, ceramic, metal, sandstock brick and leather). Context 9248 was located along the western perimeter of the pond and in an area opened up in plan. Contexts 9206 and 9248 were part of the same backfilling event, assigned different numbers according to their recorded locations within the archaeological excavation. In context 9206 there were 123 ceramics and in context 9248 there were 13 ceramics. The ceramics in 9206 will be discussed in more detail whereas the 13 ceramics in 9248 are simply tabled below (Table 2.247, Figure 42).

216

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Figure 41: Group shot of the 16 ceramics found in the sediment accumulation 9249. Gallery2, 10cm scale).

Table 2.247: Ceramics in initial mill pond backfill 9248 (Phase 6).



1830

1

73244

UK W3 1810

1

73242

unid UK

1830

1


1830

1


1830 1930 1

58631

jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

58732 selfslip cew pot Aus

1790

1


1830 1920 1

73236 ww few cup UK

1830

1

73237

UK

1830

1

73238

jar UK

1830

1

73239

UK

1830

1

73240

UK

1830

1

13

Figure 42: Thirteen ceramics from the initial backfill 9248 of the mill pond. Gallery2, 10cm scale.

217

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Backfill 9206 contains the majority of Phase 6 ceramics, with the 123 items (78.3%). These 123 ceramic items (227 sherds) are similar to household domestic waste generally and date from the mid 19th century and later, as evident by the shapes, decorative types and the transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.248).

Table 2.248: Ceramics in initial mill pond backfill 9206 (Phase 6). Context Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern From To Items

9206 annular svfew poe UK/USA/France

1840 1930 1

bl flow few ewer UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 1

Scot Alma 1830 1865 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

sugar bowl UK

1830 1930 2

wash basin UK

1830 1930 1

svfew poe UK

1840 1930 1

bl hp

chinese porc

ginger jar China

1790

1

blk flow few cup UK

1830 1930 1

ewer UK

1830 1930 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

svfew poe UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850 1930 1

blktp few breakfast cup UK Rhine 1845

1

childs mug UK

1830

1

jar lid UK

1840 1920 1

plate UK

1830

2

plate UK Brussels 1862 1880 1

9206 blktp few platter UK

1830

1

UK Rhine 1845

1

unid UK

1830

2


1

svfew cup UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

UK Rhine 1845

1

bltp few bowl UK Kulat 1862 1882 1

breakfast cup UK Genevese 1830

2

cup UK

1830

1


1

UK Fibre 1830

2

UK Rhine 1845

2

dish UK Albion 1858 1937 1


jar UK Rhine 1845

1


UK Canton Views 1827 1840 3


1

UK Rhine 1845

1

UK W3 1810

1

platter Scot Corsina 1816 1865 1

UK W3 1810

1


1

slop bowl UK Asiatic Pheasants 1850

1

svfew tureen/vegetable dish UK Kulat 1862 1882 1

bristol gl stw btl UK

1850 1961 1

jar UK

1858 1956 1

UK

1835 1865 1

brntp few cup UK

1830

1

ewer UK

1830

1

clobb few childs mug UK

1830

1

cup UK

1830

1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

plate-small UK

1850

1

gilded, mou bc orna UK

1850

1

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grnflow few ewer Scot Chantilly 1865 1884 0

svfew unid UK

1840 1930 1

grntp few cup UK

1830

1

UK Rhine 1845

1

ewer UK

1830

1

plate UK Canton Views 1827 1840 1


1

slop bowl UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

wash basin UK

1830

1

svfew cup UK

1840

1

ewer UK

1840

1


1790

1

ppl tp few breakfast cup UK

1830

2

ewer UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

UK Cable 1860

1

saucer UK

1830

1

toothbrush box UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew cup UK

1840

1


1830 1930 3

btl Aus

1830 1930 1

Aus

1838 1891 1

Aus

1842 1852 1

UK

1820 1858 1

UK

1858 1956 1

UK/Aus

1830 1930 6

ink btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

jar UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

9206 sponge few saucer UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 2

sugar bowl UK

1830 1920 1

unid UK

1830 1920 1

wgl bc breakfast cup UK

1800

1

cup UK

1800

3

plate-small UK

1800

1

svfew bowl UK

1840

1

wgl mou bc vase UK

1800

1

ww few bowl UK

1830

1

cup UK

1830

1

fish paste/meat paste

jar UK

1830

1

jar UK

1830

1

ointment/toothpaste jar UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

1

poe UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

wash basin UK

1830

1

ww gild few poe UK

1

yellow ware

bowl UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

123

There were 23 decorative types on these 123 ceramics, with blue transfer print (24) the most common. The range of decorative types from this backfill included annular (1), black flow (1), black transfer print (13), blue flow (8), blue handpainted Chinese porcelain (1), blue transfer print (24), bristol glaze (3), brown transfer print (2), clobbered (2), gilded bone china (2), gilded and moulded bone china (1), gilded whiteware (1), green flow (1), green transfer print (10), lead glaze (1), purple transfer print (9), salt glaze (16), spongeware (1), sprigged (4), white glazed – bone china (5) and

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_________________________________________________________________________________


semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1), white-glazed and moulded bone china (1), whiteware (11) and yellow ware (1). Transfer printing was the most commonly decorative technique, with the 73 items (59.3%), occurring in a range of colours (black, blue, brown, green and purple) and a number of finishes (clobbered and flow).

Fourteen transfer-printed patterns came from this backfill on 36 items (Table 2.248). These 14 patterns are common on Sydney historical excavations. The 14 patterns were in a variety of colours, black, blue, green and purple, as well as featuring the flow finish (black, blue and green). The ‘Rhine’ pattern was the most frequently found design, on eight items, followed by ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ (6), ‘Canton Views’ (4), ‘Fibre’ (3), ‘Albion’ (2), ‘Corsina’ (2), ‘Genevese’ (2), ‘Kulat’ (2), ‘Willow’ (2), ‘Alma’ (1), ‘Brussels’ (1), ‘Cable’ (1), ‘Chantilly’ (1) and ‘Eton College’ (1). The availability of some of the more popular transfer-printed patterns in more than one colour is seen with ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Canton Views’ and ‘Rhine’ patterns in at least two colours, with ‘Canton Views’ in blue and green, ‘Rhine’ in black, blue and green, and ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ in black, blue and green, as well as black flow. These patterns were found on food-related items, particularly those associated with its direct consumption (25), including plates (12), cups (8), breakfast cups (3), saucer (1) and slop bowl (1). The serving of food was associated with platters (3), dishes (1) and tureen/vegetable dish (1), with a ‘Kulat’ pattern bowl being used for serving or consumption. A blue transfer-printed ‘Rhine’ pattern jar was the only patterned item used for food storage. Two patterns were also found on items associated with personal hygiene, an ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ poe (#73195) and a ‘Chantilly’ ewer (#73160). Only one item with a pattern was not assigned a shape, a black transfer-printed ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern (#73181).

The presence of the same pattern in more than one colour and on a number of different shapes may perhaps also indicate the ability to mix colours within the same set if so desired; this is called a ‘complimentary’ set. For example, the ‘Canton Views’ pattern was found on plates, in both blue (3) and green (1), the ‘Rhine’ pattern included cups in black (2), blue (2) and green (1), and the ‘Asiatic Pheasants’ pattern included cups in black (1) and blue (1).

Overall the transfer-printed patterns suggest a deposit dating from the mid 19th century onwards, however the presence of four identified patterns dating from the 1860s, and in particular one dating from c.1865, indicates a backfilling event occurring at least after c.1865 (Phase 7). Four of the patterns dating from at the 1860s are: a black transfer-printed ‘Brussels’ pattern plate, attributed to Hope & Carter, Burslem (#73190), 1862 to 1880; a blue transfer-printed ‘Kulat’ pattern bowl (#73152) and tureen/vegetable dish (#73153), attributed to Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem, 1862 to 1882; a purple transfer-printed ‘Cable’ pattern plate, manufactured by many companies and made from c.1860+ (#73174), and a green flow transfer-printed ‘Chantilly’ pattern ewer, attributed to John Thomson & Sons, Glasgow (#73160), c.1865 to 1884 (Figure 43). The ‘Chantilly’ pattern ewer sherds conjoined with three sherds in context 9201 (#73044) (Table 2.243), a mill pond backfill dating later in Phase 7 (to be discussed within section on Phase 7). There were 11 basemarks were on the ceramics in backfill 9206 (Table 2.249). Eight of these basemarks were on stoneware items, manufactured either locally or in the United Kingdom, and three ginger beer bottles all locally made (Figures 44, 45, 46). In general the 11 basemarks date from the mid 19th century, with two of the items suggesting deposition occurred after 1858 (#58619, #58626).

220

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 43: Four identified patterns dating from the 1860s in mill pond backfill 9206: Top row, left to right: Brussels (#73190), Kulat (#73152). Bottom row, left to right: Kulat (#73153), Cable (#73174), Chantilly (#73160). Scale graduations 1cm.

Table 2.249: Basemarked ceramics in mill pond backfill 9206 (Phase 6).


9206 58613 ginger beer btl salt gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘(T) FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1830 1930 1

58614 ginger beer btl salt gl imp mark on sh - ‘N DUNN’. 1842 1852 1

58616 ginger beer btl salt gl

imp mark on sh - ‘WS’. Initials those of the ginger beer brewer William Starkey.

1838 1891 1

58618 btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext body - ‘STEPHEN GREEN’ / ‘LAMBETH’.

1820 1858 1

58619 btl salt gl

imp oval mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LAMBETH’ / ‘LONDON’.

1858 1956 1

58625 btl bristol gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘PRICE’ / ‘BRISTOL’. 1850 1961 1


imp oval mark on upper ext bd - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LA(MBETH) POTTERY’ / ‘(LONDO)N’.

1858 1956 1


imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘SINGER’ / ‘VAUXHALL’; mark is that of Alfred Singer, Vauxhall Pottery; H = 138mm.

1835 1865 1

73149 plate bltp

tp basemark - ‘Rhi(ne)’ within a foliated scroll cartouche.

1845

1



1830

1

221

_________________________________________________________________________________




1830

1

11

Figure 46: Ginger beer bottle with the impressed initials of William Starkey, a ginger beer

manufacturer (#58616). Scale graduations 1cm.

Context 9206, probably the interface between the upper and lower backfills, is dated to Phase 7. The conjoining sherds from a green flow ‘Chantilly’ pattern ewer in both context 9206 and 9201, coupled with identified transfer-printed patterns and basemarks support deposition in the 1860s.

Figure 44: Ginger beer bottle with the impressed mark of potter Thomas Field, Sydney (#58613). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 45: Ginger beer bottle with the impressed mark of N Dunn, a ginger beer manufacturer (#58614). Scale graduations 1cm.

222

_________________________________________________________________________________


Located to the west of the mill pond were the remains of a stone drain 9204. This was orientated east-west, heading in the direction of the harbour. The area between the drain and mill pond was truncated by modern services however the two features are related, with the drain interpreted as an overflow drain for the pond. The drain was a later addition to the pond, first indicated on an 1856 plan as a channel heading west from the western edge of the pond. It was probably constructed to deal with large volumes of water that could no longer be contained within the pond as sediment accumulated and its capacity to hold large volumes of water was reduced, such as after heavy rains. The silt fill contained within the drain, context 9252, contained just four ceramics and these are simply tabled below (Table 2.250), (Figure 47).

Table 2.250: Ceramics in overflow drain fill 9252 (Phase 6) Cat # Decoration Fabric Shape Country Pattern Country From To Items

73259 bltp few plate UK W3 UK 1810

1 73260 bltp few plate UK W3 UK 1810

1

58636 salt gl stw ink btl UK/Aus

UK/Aus 1830 1930 1 73258 ww few unid UK

UK 1830

1

4

Several levelling fills were recorded in the sections of Test Trench 71 and Test Trench 64, excavated north and south of the overflow drain 9204. Within Test Trench 64 were several recorded fills deposited after the construction of the drain. Context 9261, which abutted the drain, was a light brown sandy clay with orange clay mottles. This contained one ceramic item (5 sherds) from a fine earthenware blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern platter dating from c.1810+ (#73262).

Figure 47: Four ceramic items recovered in drain fill 9252. Left to right: Willow pattern plate (#73259), Willow pattern plate (#73260), stoneware ink bottle (#58636) and a whiteware unidentified body sherd (#73258). Scale graduations 1cm.

2.6.4 Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development By the 1860s Darling Harbour had been completely transformed by reclamation and wharf building and it had become the home for many industries such as foundries, flour mills, coal and timberyards, shipbuilding and a gasworks. Barker’s mill was redeveloped was now both a flour and tweed mill. By the 1880s Duncan Street was laid out and formed the western limit of Area 9 Mill

223

_________________________________________________________________________________


Pond. The mill pond was completely backfilled and becomes a part of a large open tenter yard associated with the textile mill. Within the Area 9 Mill Yard the majority of the structural elements recorded during the archaeological program were associated with Phase 7, relating specifically to the expansion of the mill complex. The archaeological evidence for Phase 7 involved large amounts of backfill over the mill pond. These fills differed from fills elsewhere on site as they had large quantities of artefacts interpreted as municipal waste, probably dumped as part of levelling and consolidation works within Barker’s land, particularly over the mill pond which would not have had a usable ground surface after the Phase 6 backfilling. There were ten Phase 7 contexts with 428 ceramic items. There were three contexts in the mill yard with six ceramics associated with the expansion of the mill complex (9450, 9470, 9471) (Table 2.252), (Figure 48). Context 9201 contained the overwhelming majority of these ceramics, with 396 items (92.5%) (Table 2.251). The remaining ceramics, as with 9201, came from six contexts associated with backfilling events containing large quantities of artefacts probably sourced from municipal rubbish dumping. These fills were brought into the area to be used for consolidation work required within Barker’s land, and in particular over the area which had been the mill pond. The excavation methodology involved the machine excavation of a large test trench (Test Trench 57) through the backfill, context 9201. Context 9201 represented the mix of backfilling deposits found in the pond, in the remaining six contexts were individual fills artefacts were collected during section cleaning to enable detailed sample recording. In these six contexts were 26 items: contexts 9212 (4), 9219 (2), 9221 (1), 9226 (2), 9228 (1) and 9230 (16) (Table 2.253).

Table 2.251: Phase 7 contexts containing ceramics, Area 9. Context Items %

9201 396 92.5 9212 4 0.9 9219 2 0.5 9221 1 0.2 9226 2 0.5 9228 1 0.2 9230 16 3.7 9450 2 0.5 9470 3 0.7 9471 1 0.2

428 100

Table 2.252: Contexts with ceramics from mill yard area (Phase 7), Area 9.


9450 58638 salt gl stw penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

73272 ww few soap dish UK

1830

1

9470 73275 bltp few platter UK W3 1810

1

73274

unid UK W3 1810

1


1800

1

9471 73276 bltp few plate UK Burmese 1834 1867 1

6

224

_________________________________________________________________________________


Figure 48: Six ceramics from the mill yard area, contexts 9450, 9470 and 9471. Top row, left to right (9450): stoneware penny ink bottle (#58638), whiteware soap dish (#73272). Middle row, left to right (9470): Willow pattern platter (#73275), Willow pattern unidentified body sherd (#73274), white-glazed bone china saucer (#73273). Bottom row (9471): Burmese pattern plate (#73276). Scale graduations 1cm.

Table 2.253: Mill pond backfills containing ceramics during cleaning of sections (Phase 7), Area 9.


9212 73211 brntp few plate UK

1830

1

73210

unid UK

1830

1

73212 grntp few plate UK

1830

1


1800

1

9219 73214 ppl tp svfew unid UK Cable 1860

1

73213 ww few cup UK

1830

1


1830

0

73216 ppl tp

Scot Alma 1830 1865 1


1830

1

73218 ppl tp

saucer UK Versailles 1850 1871 1

9228 73219 ppl tp few ewer UK Berlin 1851 1882 1


1830 1930 1

73233 blktp

wash basin

UK Marble 1830

1


1

73226

platter UK Eton College 1830

1

73228

svfew cup UK Forest 1840 1864 1

73227 bltp pearl few saucer UK

1800 1870 1

73224 brntp

plate UK Rhine 1845

1

58731 lead gl

unid Aus

1790

1

73231 ppl tp few plate UK

1830

0

73229

saucer UK

1830

1

73230

UK

1830

1

9230 73232 ppl tp svfew dish UK

1861

1


1830 1930 1

58629

UK/Aus

1

73220 yellow ware few bowl UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

73222

dish UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

73221

jar UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

26

225

_________________________________________________________________________________


These 26 ceramics date from the mid 19th century onwards, and have nine transfer-printed patterns within this timeframe. Two of the ceramics date from the 1860s, indicating the backfilling occurred after this date (Figure 49). These two items are a purple transfer-printed ‘Cable’ pattern unidentified body sherd, manufactured by many and dating from c.1860+ (#73214), and a purple transfer-printed semi-vitreous fine earthenware dish with a pattern registered in 1861 (#73232). The registration date of this unidentified pattern is known because the same pattern was also on a plate, in context 9201, which featured the remains of a registration diamond for December 1861 (#73036).

Figure 49: The two purple transfer-printed patterns dating from the 1860s. Left to right: Cable pattern unidentified body sherd (#73214) and a dish with an unknown pattern that was registered in 1861 (#73232). Scale graduations 1cm.

Two base sherds from a purple transfer-printed ewer found when cleaning the section of fill 9228 had a basemark with a scroll cartouche containing ‘BERLIN’ / ‘A. SHAW’ (#73219). This basemark belonged to Anthony Shaw, of Tunstall and Burslem, and dated c.1851 and 1882 (Figure 50).

Figure 50: Transfer-printed basemark featuring the pattern name Berlin and the manufacturer Anthony Shaw (#73219). Scale graduations 1cm.

226

_________________________________________________________________________________


There were conjoing sherds between contexts 9221 and 9201, and 9230 and 9201 (Table 2.253). This supports the contention that the cleaning numbers were the same as the overall fill. A sherd from a green transfer-printed cup in context 9221 (#73215), dating from 1830+, joined with a sherd from the same cup in context 9201 (#73045), and a sherd from a purple transfer-printed plate in context 9230 (#73231), also dating from c.1830+, joined with a sherd from the same plate in context 9201 (#73035). Most of the ceramics in Area 9 were found in context 9201 396 items (758 sherds) and they came from the mixed backfilling deposits contained in Test Trench 57. The artefacts from this context and from the cleaning of the sections identified above (Table 2.253) were probably sourced from municipal rubbish removal and these fills were brought into the area to be used as part of the consolidation work. Overall the ceramics in this context were typically items associated with household waste and generally dating from the mid 19th century. This date is seen with the shapes, decorative types, and transfer-printed patterns (Table 2.254). Table 2.254: Ceramics collected from machine excavated mill pond deposits, context 9201 (Phase 7), Area 9.


annu pearl few poe UK/USA/France

1820 1870 1 annular

unid UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1


1830 1930 4

UK Rose 1842 1867 1

poe UK

1830 1930 1

UK Whampoa 1834 1851 1

saucer UK

1830 1930 1

UK Chusan 1908 1935 1

unid UK

1830 1930 2

svfew ewer UK

1830 1930 1

jug UK

1840 1930 1

blk flow few bowl/jug UK

1830 1930 1

plate UK

1830 1930 1

UK Berlin 1851 1862 1

platter UK

1830 1930 1

slop bowl UK

1830 1930 1

tureen UK

1830 1930 2

wash basin UK

1830 1930 2

unid UK

1830 1930 3

svfew tureen UK

1840 1930 1

unid UK

1840 1930 2

blktp few cup UK

1830

1

UK Fibre 1830

1

dish UK

1830

1


1

ewer/jug Scot Sydenham 1830 1865 1

jar lid UK

1840 1920 1

plate UK

1830

2

UK Rhine 1845

1

toothbrush box UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

svfew cup UK

1840

1

dish UK

1840

1

blktp pearl few saucer UK

1800 1870 1

bltp few bowl UK Antique 1862 1882 8

breakfast cup UK

1830

2

UK Genevese 1830

5

cup UK

1830

2

UK Fibre 1830

1

UK Rhine 1845

3

bltp few cup UK Albion 1858 1937 7

dish UK W3 1810

4

227

_________________________________________________________________________________


UK W3 1855 1860 1

jug UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

7

UK

1861

1

UK Albion 1858 1937 11


1




1

UK Palestine 1838 1861 1

UK Rhine 1845

3

UK Royal Cottage 1827 1928 1

UK W3 1810

12

platter UK

1830

2

UK Albion 1858 1937 1


1

UK Gem 1851 1893 1

UK Rhine 1845

1

UK W3 1810

3

poe UK Kulat 1862 1882 1

saucer UK

1830

4

UK Fibre 1830

1

UK Forest 1828 1864 1

slop bowl UK

1830

2

UK Fibre 1830

1

UK Kulat 1862 1882 1

tureen UK W3 1810

4

unid UK

1830

2

UK Albion 1858 1937 1

UK

Continental Views

1833 1837 1

UK W3 1810

2

svfew cup UK Fibre 1840

1

slop bowl UK

1840

1


1800 1870 2

Scot Peacock 1860 1884 1

bristol gl stw btl UK/Aus

1835

1

jar UK/Aus

1835

5

UK

1835 1858 3

UK

1835 1906 1

UK

1862

2

jug UK/Aus

1835

1

cont UK/Aus

1835

1

brntp few cup UK

1830

1

UK Rhine 1845

1

plate UK

1830

4

poe UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

1

UK Rhine 1845

1

unid UK

1830

1

svfew cup UK Dulcamara 1862 1882 1

unid UK

1840

1

clobb svfew ewer UK

1840

1

jug UK

1840

1


1830 1860 1

gild bc cup UK

1850

1

plate-small UK

1850

1

saucer UK

1850

4

few poe UK

1850

1

glz mou svfew dish UK

1840

1

grnflow few ewer Scot Chantilly 1865 1884 1

plate UK Citron 1850

1

grntp few cup UK

1830

3

228

_________________________________________________________________________________


UK Rhine 1845

1

grntp few plate UK

1830

1


plate-small UK

1830

1

saucer UK

1830

2

UK Rhine 1845

1

slop bowl UK

1830

1

toothbrush box UK

1830

1

wash basin UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

2

hp bc saucer UK

1800

2

jap

porc saucer Jap

1850

1

hp ww few plate-small UK

1830

1

lead gl cew cont Aus

1790

1

wash basin UK

1790

1

mocha few bowl UK/USA/France

1830 1930 1 mou ww

jug UK

1830

1

pearl few bowl UK

1780 1870 1

poe UK

1780 1870 3

ppl flow few plate UK 13 1830 1930 1

ppl tp few breakfast cup UK

1830

3

cup UK

1830

2

UK Versailles 1850 1871 1

ewer UK

1830

1

jug UK

1830

1

plate UK

1830

2

UK

1861

1

Scot Alma 1830 1865 1

UK Brooklyn 1870 1880 1

UK Vine 1842 1867 1

saucer UK

1830

7

UK Cable 1860

1

UK Spangle 1842 1858 1

UK Versailles 1850 1871 1

teapot UK

1830

1

wash basin UK

1830

2

unid UK

1830

1

Scot Alma 1830 1865 1

svfew plate UK Cable 1860

1

unid UK

1840

1

UK Cable 1860

1

redtp few saucer UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

1


1830 1930 7

btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 40

Aus

1850

1

Aus

1850 1860 3

UK

1858 1956 1

Aus

1863 1870 1

jar UK

1880 1900 1

UK/Aus

1830 1930 2

ink btl UK/Aus

1830 1930 5

UK

1858 1956 1

penny ink UK/Aus

1830 1930 3


1790

3

sponge few cup UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 7

plate UK/USA/Europe

1840 1930 1


1840 1930 5

sprigg bc cup UK

1830 1920 6

plate-small UK

1830 1920 2

saucer UK

1830 1920 5

wgl bc breakfast cup UK

1800

1

229

_________________________________________________________________________________


cup UK

1800

5

saucer UK

1800

4

unid UK

1800

1

svfew cup UK

1840

1

wgl svfew platter UK

1859 1862 1

wgl mou bc cup UK

1800

1

milk/cream jug UK

1800

1

saucer UK

1800

1

svfew figurine UK

1840

1

unid UK

1840

1

ww few ewer UK

1851 1885 1

fish paste/meat paste

jar UK

1830

1

jar UK

1830

4

jug UK

1830

1

ointment/toothpaste

jar UK

1830

2

plate UK

1830

3

UK

1853

1

UK

1856 1858 1

poe UK

1830

4

saucer UK

1830

1

wash basin UK

1830

1

unid UK

1830

2

yellow ware

few dish UK/USA/Eur/Aus

1830

1

396

Thirty-three decorative types were on 396 ceramic items, with blue transfer print found on 111 items. The range of decorative types included: annular (1), annular pearlware (1), black flow (15), black transfer print (14), black transfer-printed pearlware (1), blue flow (13), blue transfer print (111), blue transfer-printed pearlware (3), bristol glaze (14), brown transfer print (12), clobbered (2), edgeware whiteware (1), gilded (7), glazed and moulded (1), green flow (2), green transfer print (16), hand painted – bone china (2) and Japanese porcelain (1), handpainted whiteware (1), lead glaze (2), mocha (1), moulded whiteware (1), pearlware (4), purple flow (1), purple transfer print (32), red transfer print (2), salt glaze (65), self slipped (3), spongeware (13), sprigged (13), white glazed – bone china (11) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (2), white-glazed and moulded – bone china (3) and semi-vitreous fine earthenware (2), whiteware (22) and yellow ware (1). Transfer printing was on 224 items (56.5%) and in a range of colours (black, blue, brown, green, purple and red) and a number of finishes (clobbered, flow and pearlware).

Table 2.255: Range of ceramic shapes in context 9201 (Phase 7), Area 9. Shape Items %

black bottle 7 1.8 bowl 10 2.5

bowl/jug 1 0.3 breakfast cup 11 2.8

btl 47 11.9 cont 2 0.5 cup 41 10.4 dish 17 4.3 ewer 5 1.3

ewer/jug 1 0.3 figurine 1 0.3

fish paste/meat paste jar

1 0.3

ink btl 6 1.5 jar 18 4.5

jar lid 1 0.3 jug 7 1.8

230

_________________________________________________________________________________


milk/cream jug 1 0.3 ointment/toothpaste

jar 2 0.5


plate-small 5 1.3 platter 11 2.8

poe 13 3.3 pot 3 0.8

saucer 48 12.1 slop bowl 7 1.8

teapot 1 0.3 toothbrush box 2 0.5

tureen 7 1.8 unid 29 7.3

wash basin 8 2.0

396 99.9

The ceramic shapes reflected both general household and commercial-related activities, relating to household maintenance (blacking bottles), household ornamentation (figurine), clerical (ink bottles, penny ink bottles), garden/yard (plant pots), personal hygiene (ewers, ointment/toothpaste jar, poes, toothbrush boxes, wash basins), and the serving (bowl/jug, dishes, jugs, platters, tureens), consumption (bowls, breakfast cups, cups, milk/cream jug, plates, small plates, saucers, slop bowls, teapot) and storage of food (bottles, containers, fish paste/meat paste jar, jars, jar lid) (Table 2.255). The most frequent shape were 80 plates (20.2%) of identified shapes. Items associated with the direct consumption of food were teaware and tableware, with 204 items (51.5%) of the assemblage (bowls, breakfast cups, cups, milk/cream jug, plates, small plates, saucers, slop bowls, teapot). Only 29 items (7.3%) were unidentified due to small sherd size. Among the 224 items with transfer printing a known pattern was identified on 114 items, with 31 individual patterns (Table 2.256). The 31 patterns were in a variety of colours, black, blue, brown, green and purple, as well as featuring flow finishes in black, blue and green. Many of the patterns are common on other Sydney historical excavations. These patterns include ‘Albion’, ‘Alma’, ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Cable’, ‘Chantilly’, ‘Fibre’, ‘Gem’, ‘Kulat’, ‘Palestine’, ‘Peacock’, ‘Rhine’ and ‘Spangle’. Six patterns were first manufactured in the 1860s, with the ‘Antique’ pattern dating 1862 to 1882 (8), the ‘Cable’ pattern from c.1860+ (3), the ‘Chantilly’ pattern c.1865 to 1884 (1), the ‘Dulcamara’ pattern 1862 to 1882 (1), the ‘Kulat’ pattern 1862 to 1882 (2), and the ‘Peacock’ pattern c.1860 to 1884 (1). The presence of two other patterns suggests a later date of deposition, with a ‘Brooklyn’ pattern plate dating 1870 to c.1880 (#72892), and a ‘Chusan’ pattern saucer dating 1908 to 1935 (#73061) (Figure 51). The ceramic patterns dating from the mid-19th and early 20th centuries supports the idea that the imported backfills used in the mill pond occurred during Phase 7.

Table 2.256: Identified transfer-printed patterns in context 9201 (Phase 7), Area 9. Pattern Decoration Shape Country From To Items

Albion bltp dish UK 1858 1937 7

plate UK 1858 1937 11


unid UK 1858 1937 1

Alma ppl tp plate Scot 1830 1865 1

unid Scot 1830 1865 1

Antique bltp bowl UK 1862 1882 8 Asiatic Pheasants

plate UK 1850

1

Berlin blk flow plate UK 1851 1862 1 Brooklyn ppl tp plate UK 1870 1880 1

Cable ppl tp plate UK 1860

1

231

_________________________________________________________________________________


saucer UK 1860

1

unid UK 1860

1

Canton Views bltp plate UK 1827 1840 6

grntp plate UK 1827 1840 1

Chantilly grnflow ewer Scot 1865 1884 1 Chusan bl flow saucer UK 1908 1935 1 Citron grnflow plate UK 1850

1

Continental Views bltp unid UK 1833 1837 1 Corsina

plate Scot 1816 1865 1

Dulcamara brntp cup UK 1862 1882 1

Eton College blktp dish UK 1830

1

bltp plate UK 1830

1

platter UK 1830

1

Fibre blktp cup UK 1830

1

bltp cup UK 1830

2

saucer UK 1830

1

slop bowl UK 1830

1

Forest bltp saucer UK 1828 1864 1 Gem bltp platter UK 1851 1893 1

Genevese bltp breakfast cup UK 1830

5

Kulat bltp slop bowl UK 1862 1882 1

bltp poe UK 1862 1882 1

Palestine bltp plate UK 1838 1861 1 Peacock bltp pearl plate Scot 1860 1884 1

Rhine blktp plate UK 1845

1

bltp cup UK 1845

3

plate UK 1845

3

platter UK 1845

1

brntp cup UK 1845

1

saucer UK 1845

1

grntp cup UK 1845

1

saucer UK 1845

1

Rose bl flow plate UK 1842 1867 1 Royal Cottage bltp plate UK 1827 1928 1

Spangle ppl tp saucer UK 1842 1858 1 Sydenham blktp ewer/jug Scot 1830 1865 1

Versailles ppl tp cup UK 1850 1871 1

saucer UK 1850 1871 1

Vine ppl tp plate UK 1842 1867 1

W3 bltp dish UK 1810

4

UK 1855 1860 1

plate UK 1810

12

platter UK 1810

3

tureen UK 1810

4

unid UK 1810

2

Whampoa bl flow poe UK 1834 1851 1

114

The ever ubiquitous ‘Willow’ was the most common pattern (26), followed by ‘Albion’ (20), ‘Rhine’ (12), ‘Antique’ (8), ‘Canton Views’ (7), ‘Fibre’ (5), ‘Genevese’ (5), ‘Cable’ (3), ‘Eton College’ (3), ‘Alma’ (2), ‘Kulat’ (2) and ‘Versailles’ (2). The remaining 19 patterns were on a single item– ‘Asiatic Pheasants’, ‘Berlin’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Chantilly’, ‘Chusan’, ‘Citron’, ‘Continental Views’, ‘Corsina’, ‘Dulcamara’, ‘ Forest’, ‘Gem’, ‘Palestine’, ‘Peacock’, ‘Rose’, ‘Royal Cottage’, ‘Spangle’, ‘Sydenham’, ‘Vine’ and ‘Whampoa’ (Figure 52). These patterns were mainly on food-related items, particularly those used for its direct consumption (80), including bowls (8), breakfast cups (5), cups (10), plates (47), saucers (8) and slop bowls (2). Serving vessels with patterns were dishes (13), platters (7) and tureens (4). Four patterns were on personal hygiene items, an ewer (1), ewer/jug (1) and poes (2). Six unidentified shapes had recognised patterns, ‘Albion’, ‘Alma’, ‘Cable’, ‘Continental Views’ and ‘Willow’ patterns.

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Figure 51: Two later dating patterns from mill pond fill 9201. Left to right: Purple transfer-printed Brooklyn pattern plate, dating 1870 to c.1880 (#72892) and blue flow Chusan pattern saucer dating 1908 to 1935 (#73061). Scale graduations 1cm.

Figure 52: Ceramic patterns (31) recovered in the machine excavated mill pond deposit 9201, Gallery2, 10cm scale.

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The popularity of transfer print on food-related items, particularly those form used in its serving and consumption, is evident in this context. A number of patterns were on a range of shapes suggesting the purchase of dining sets. Examples of dinner sets include, 26 blue transfer-printed ‘Willow’ pattern items included dishes (5), plates (12), platters (3), tureens (4) and unidentified (2); the 12 blue transfer-printed ‘Albion’ pattern items included dishes (7), plates (11), platter (1) and unidentified (1); the 12 ‘Rhine’ pattern items, in a variety of colours, included plates (4), cups (5), platter (1) and saucers (2). The availability of some of the more popular transfer-printed patterns in more than one colour is seen with ‘Canton Views’ in blue (6 plates) and green (1 plate); ‘Eton College’ in black (1 dish) and blue (1 plate, 1 platter); ‘Fibre’ in black (1 cup) and blue (1 cup, 1 saucer, 1 slop bowl); and ‘Rhine’ in black (1 plate), blue (3 cups, 3 plates, 1 platter), brown (1 cup, 1 saucer) and green (1 cup, 1 saucer). Three ceramics items in 9201 had conjoining sherds with items recovered from mill pond backfill (Table 2.243). Three sherds from a green flow ‘Chantilly’ pattern ewer, attributed to John Thomson & Sons, Glasgow, and dating c.1865 to 1884 (#73044), joined with one sherd from the same ewer in context 9206 (#73160), the interface between the pond sediments and the backfills. Two other conjoining items were collected during the cleaning of the backfill sections for planning and are essentially part of the same assemblage as 9201. A sherd from a green transfer-printed cup in context 9221 (#73215), dating from 1830+, joined with a sherd from the same cup in context 9201 (#73045), and a sherd from a purple transfer-printed plate in context 9230 (#73231), also dating from c.1830+, joined with a sherd from the same plate in context 9201 (#73035). A number of basemarks were also identified on the ceramics recovered from context 9201, 32 in total (Table 2.257).

Table 2.257: Basemarked ceramics context 9201 (Phase 7). Context Cat # Shape Decoration Brief Description From To Items

9201 58556 ginger beer

btl salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘(E.) FOWLER’ / ‘(POTTER)’ / ‘CAMPERDOWN’.

1863 1870 1

58557

ginger beer btl

salt gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘T FIEL(D)’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

58558

ginger beer btl

salt gl imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’ / ‘LONDON’.

1858 1956 1

58559

ginger beer btl

salt gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘T FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1

58560

ginger beer btl

salt gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘T. FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850

1

58561

ginger beer btl

salt gl imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘(T) FIELD’ / ‘POTTER’ / ‘SYDNEY’.

1850 1860 1


imp mark on lower ext body - ‘DOULTON & Co’ / ‘LAMBETH’ / ‘LONDON’; H = 170mm.

1858 1956 1

58592 jar salt gl

imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘WESTON & WESTALL’ / ‘SUPERIOR’ / ‘BRITISH TABLE SALT’; H = 133mm.

1880 1900 1


imp mark remains on sh - a globe with ‘TRADE MARK’ above. Manufacturer unknown; ‘TRADE MARK’ used 1862+.

1862

1


imp oval mark on lower ext bd - ‘POWELL’/’BRISTOL’; H = 138mm.

1835 1906 1


imp mark on sh - a globe with ‘TRADE MARK’ above. Manufacturer unknown, however 'TRADE MARK’ used 1862+; H = 118mm.

1862

1


imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’.

1835 1858 1


imp mark on lower ext bd - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’; H = 120mm.

1835 1858 1


imp mark on sh - ‘DOULTON & WATTS’ / ‘LAMBETH POTTERY’; H = 130mm.

1835 1858 1

72787 platter wgl

green tp mark on under-side of rim - ‘MORLEY (& ASHWORTH)’ / ‘HAN(LEY)’.

1859 1862 1

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72803 plate ww

imp basemark - garter mark with ‘J RIDGWAY BATES (& CO)’ / ‘CAULDON’.

1856 1858 1

72804 plate ww

imp registration diamond on bs for 22 April 1853.

1853

1

72805 ewer ww

green tp basemark wih 2 entwined ‘C’ and ‘COPELAND’ below.

1851 1885 1

72868 saucer grntp

tp basemark - remains of a foliated scroll cartouche containing ‘R(hine)’.

1845

1

72941 plate bltp tp basemark remains - foliated scroll cartouche. 1845

1

72983 bowl bltp

tp basemark- circular mark with initials ‘P.B. & Co.’ framed by 2 leafy branches; initials those of Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem.

1862 1882 1

72984 bowl bltp

tp basemark - a circular mark with ‘ANTIQUE’ / ‘P(.B. & Co)’ framed by 2 leafy branches; initials those of Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem.

1862 1882 1


tp basemark remains - an ornate foliated scroll cartouche with ‘Opaque’ remaining; pttn made by Minton and continued by their successors.

1830

1

73022 dish bltp

tp basemark - ‘WARRENTED’ / ‘STAFFORDSHIRE’ / ‘L.B & C’; H = 60mm; initials possibly those of Lockett, Baguley & Cooper, Staffordshire.

1855 1860 1

73024 plate ppl tp

tp basemark - ‘VINE’ on a ribbon with ‘E CHALLINOR’ below.

1842 1867 1

73036 plate ppl tp

registration diamond remains for December 1861.

1861

1

73056 plate blk flow

tp mark on underside of marley - a crown above ‘BERLIN’ / ‘P.B & H.’ in a circle, framed by 2 leafy branches;

1851 1862 1

73060 plate bl flow

tp basemark - ‘ROSE’ in an oval frame, with ‘(E C)HALLINOR TUNSTALL’ on a ribbon below.

1842 1867 1

9201 73061 saucer bl flow tp basemark - scroll cartouche with ‘CHUSA(N)’ / ‘D.P. & Co.’; initials belong to the Diamond Pottery Co.

1908 1935 1

73078 plate bltp registration diamond remains. 1861

1



1830

1

73082 bowl bltp

tp basemark - a crown above a circular mark with ‘ANTIQUE’ / ‘(P.B &) Co’ framed by 2 leafy branches; initials those of Pinder, Bourne & Co, Burslem.

1862 1882 1

32

The majority of basemarks have beginning dates from the mid 19th century, either the 1850s or 1860s. There are however two basemarks that have later beginnings, one from the late 19th century and one from the 20th century. A salt-glazed stoneware jar with the name of the English salt merchants ‘WESTON & WESTALL’ impressed on its exterior, dates from the c.1880s to the early 1900s (#58592) (Figure 53), and a blue flow ‘Chusan’ pattern saucer features a basemark belonging to the Diamond Pottery Co, Hanley, dating between 1908 to 1935 (#73061) (Figure 51). The presence of the ‘Chusan’ pattern saucer may be a reflection of the machine excavation of context 9201, in Test Trench 57 and some contamination of the assemblage by later contexts may have occurred.

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Figure 53: Salt-glazed stoneware jar with the English salt merchants ‘WESTON & WESTALL’ impressed on its exterior (#58592), Gallery2, 10cm scale.

2.6.5 Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development Darling Harbour underwent redevelopment in the early 20th century when the State government resumed the land and there was investment in the development of the railways. The area continued to host various developments throughout the 20th century but these had largely been removed by the time of excavation, with late 20th-century construction evidenced by large concrete footings and piling, as well as some service trenches. Four contexts identified with Phase 9 contained ceramics, 37 items (64 sherds) (Table 2.258). These four contexts are for unstratified finds and are not discussed any further (Table 2.259).


9202 13 35.1 9203 13 35.1 9255 1 2.7 9401 10 27.0

37 99.9

Table 2.259: Unstratified ceramics (Phase 9).


9202 73086 bl flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

73085

unid UK

1830 1930 1

73087 blk flow few plate UK

1830 1930 1

73089 blktp few plate UK

1830

1

73088

saucer UK

1830

1


1830

1

73093

saucer UK Mycene 1853 1885 1

73092

tureen/vegetable UK Nice 1842 1844 1

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dish

73091

unid Scot Peacock 1816 1865 1

73094

wash basin UK 306 1830

1

73084 cream w few wash basin UK

1780 1900 1


1790

1

9202 73083 pearl few poe UK

1780 1870 1

9203 73100 blk flow few saucer UK 3 1830 1930 1

73105 bltp few dish Scot Corsina 1816 1865 1

73104


73103

tureen/vegetable

dish UK W3 1810

1

73102

unid UK W3 1810

1

73099 brntp few saucer UK

1830

1

73098

unid UK

1830

1

73097 hp few figurine UK

1830

1

73101 ppl tp few cup UK Chain 1862 1800 1


1830 1930 1

58608

UK/Aus

1830 1930 1

73095 wgl svfew cup UK

1840

1

73096 wgl svfew unid UK

1840

1


1


1830 1930 1

73263

unid UK

1830 1930 1


1830

1

73267

UK

1830

1

73269

plate UK W3 1810

1

73270

UK W3 1810

1

73271

UK 205 1830

1

73265

unid UK

1830

1

73268

UK W3 1810

1


1835

1

37

2.6.7 Conclusion A total of 624 ceramics (1,147 sherds) were recovered from Area 9, from 20 individual contexts and associated with Phases 4, 6, 7 and 9. The majority of these contexts (16) were from the area of the mill pond, with the remaining few (4) from the mill yard area. The mill pond contexts contained 608 ceramics (1,120 sherds), or 97.4 per cent of the Area 9 ceramic assemblage. In contrast, the mill yard area contexts contained only 16 items, or 2.6 per cent of the Area 9 ceramics. Phase 4: 1820s to late 1830s Barker’s Mill and Lands In the mid 1820s Cooper and Levey established a mill on the harbour frontage between Liverpool and Bathurst Street, and by 1826 the firm had a large wharf at the harbour front, a steam engine and a five-storey grain store. In 1827 Thomas Barker purchased the milling business which he subsequently expanded. The mill pond was located within Area 9, to the east of the later Duncan Street. Context 9241 was the only Phase 4 context with ceramics, a timber and brick flooring connected to the western side of the mill pond. Two ceramics were found in its packing material and these dated from c.1830+. Phase 6: 1840s to 1860s Residential and Industrial Development The main evidence for this phase of activity in Area 9 Mill Pond was a substantial drain associated with the mill pond. Sediments would have continued to accumulate within the mill pond throughout the 1840s and 1850s, prior to it going out of use in the early 1860s when it was backfilled, initially with industrial waste. Similar fills were also noted to the west of the pond. A number of post-reclamation fills, dating from early 1840s to early 1860s were also recorded. Five Phase 6 contexts had 157 ceramics; most of these ceramics were in contexts from within the mill pond sediments or backfills.

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The build-up of sediments within the mill pond would have started almost immediately after its construction in the late 1820s and the presence of some ceramics in the sediment suggests there it was contaminated artefacts from later backfilling deposits. The mill pond was backfilled in the late 1850s or early 1860s and there appeared to be two phases of backfilling. The initial phase was industrial waste with artefacts (9206 and 9248) which overlay the earlier sediment accumulation (9249). Contexts 9206 and 9248 were part of the same backfilling event, assigned different numbers due to their recorded locations. Context 9206 had 123 ceramics and context 9248 had 13 ceramics. The ceramics are commonly representative of household domestic waste dating from the mid 19th century, as noted by shapes, decorative types and transfer-printed patterns. In addition four patterns dated from the 1860s, and one dating from c.1865, indicating a backfilling event occurring at least after the mid-1860s. It is likely that 9206 represents the interface with the Phase 7 upper backfills. Located to the west of the mill pond were the remains of a stone drain (9204). The drain was a later addition to the pond, first indicated on an 1856 plan as a channel heading west from the western edge of the pond. The silt fill contained within the drain (9252) contained four ceramics. Cnt4xt 9261, a levelling fills recorded in a test trench contained a single ceramic. Phase 7: 1860s to 1900 Residential and Industrial Development By the 1860s Darling Harbour had been completely transformed by the process of reclamation and wharf building and it became home to foundries, flour mills, coal and timberyards, shipbuilding and a gasworks. Barker’s mill was redeveloped and now contained both flour and tweed mills. The 1880s Duncan Street was laid out and formed the western limit of Area 9 Mill Pond. The mill pond was completely backfilled and becomes a large open tenter yard. In Phase 7 there were ten contexts with 428 ceramic items and most were associated with the mill pond backfills which had large quantities of artefacts probably sourced from municipal rubbish removal. These fills were brought into the area to be used as part of the consolidation work required within Barker’s land, and in particular over the area of the mill pond. The excavation of a large test trench (Test Trench 57) through the backfill allowed for the collection of artefacts (9201). These artefacts were from the mix of backfills placed in the pond (9212, 9219, 9221, 9226, 9228, 9230). These were the same contexts as 9201 as confirmed by conjoins between the ceramics in these contexts. The transfer-printed patterns and basemarks dating from the mid-19th and into the early 20th century and supports a date within Phase 7. The presence of a basemark dating 1908 to 1935 (#73061) may also be a reflection of the mechanical excavation of context 9201. Phase 9: 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development The area continued to host various developments throughout the 20th century but these had largely been removed by the time of excavation, with late 20th-century construction evidenced by large concrete footings and piling, as well as some service trenches. Four contexts identified with Phase 9 contained 37 ceramic items were all unstratified finds.

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3.0 Evidence of Children on Site 3.1 Introduction Ceramic artefacts which indicate the presence of children within the archaeological record are usually related to children’s eating habits. Children’s toys, in the form of ceramic marbles, toy tea sets and dolls, were not catalogued within this general ceramic category, but were catalogued as part of the miscellaneous/small finds. 3.2 Children’s Tableware Twelve ceramics recovered from the site were associated with children and their meals, mugs (4), small plates (7) and a saucer (1). These were from 10 contexts in Areas 7, 8 and 9. 3.2.1 Area 7 A mug, two small plates and a saucer, were in three contexts in Area 7. One sherd from a fine earthenware mug, with a rim diameter of 70mm, was found in the fill (7947) of a service trench (7947) relating to Phase 8 (#59553). This rim/body sherd featured the remains of the blue transfer-printed pattern ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ on the exterior, with children playing the game (Figure 54). No manufacturer’s basemark was present, with the dating of the item conservatively put at c.1830+.

Figure 54: Blind Man’s Bluff pattern mug. Scale graduations 1cm.

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Eight sherds from a fine earthenware small plate were found in an extensive yard surface associated with Phase 7.1 (#70097). This plate had a scalloped rim edge with an embossed floral border covering the marley. The brown transfer-printed scene on the interior base features two men shaking hands outside a church, with a small girl behind them, with the scene surrounded by a triangular design at quarter intervals and the following text – ‘FRANKL(IN’S)’ / ‘MIXIM(S)’ / ‘Employ time well if’ / (‘thou meanest to gain’) / ‘(le)isure. One to day is’ / ‘(worth two to morrows)’ / ‘Since thou art not su(re of a)’ / ‘minute, throw not away an (hour)’. No manufacturer’s basemark was present and the plate was conservatively dated from c.1830+ (Figure 55). Benjamin Franklin began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack in 1733, under the guise of a man named Richard Saunders, and it included many maxims or proverbs that Franklin hoped would give people guidance in their day-to-day living by encouraging such virtues as temperance, frugality, industry, cleanliness, chastity, justice, moderation, order and humility.

Figure 55: Franklin’s Maxims pattern plate. 10cm scale.

240

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Eleven sherds from a fine earthenware small plate were recovered from the lower fill (8037) in a cesspit (8036) associated with the Phase 7.1 sandstone cottage (8098, #59869). This cesspit was backfilled during a later period of industrial activity and was heavily impacted by a modern machine trench and a 1980s pile. This plate had a scalloped rim edge with embossed floral sprays and foliated scrolls covering the marley. The black transfer-printed scene on the interior base features a family sitting around a table, comprising of three children and their mother and father, with ‘RENT FREE THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME’ beneath the scene. Again no manufacturer’s basemark was present and the plate is conservatively dated from c.1830+ (Figure 56).

Figure 56: Rent Free There Is No Place Like Home pattern plate. 10 cm scale.

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Eleven sherds from a small saucer (<135mm rim diameter) were recovered from the same lower cesspit fill (8037, #59868). This saucer also had a scalloped rim edge with embossed floral sprays and foliated scrolls covering the marley. The red transfer-printed scene on the interior base features two children, a boy and girl, in a garden with a large vase containing a leafy plant in the foreground. No manufacturer’s basemark was present and the saucer is conservatively dated from c.1830+ (Figure 57).

Figure 57: Red transfer-printed small saucer. 10cm scale.

242

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3.2.2 Area 8 Five small plates and a mug were found in six contexts in Area 8, associated with Houses 7, 9 and 13, the details of which are as follows: Eight sherds from a fine earthenware mug, with a rim diameter of 70mm, from yard modification fill (8647) associated with House 7, Phase 6 (#71864). This was one of a number of early yard modification fills that were probably deposited in quick succession to counter any unevenness or subsidence of reclamation fills. The rim and body sherds featured the remains of a black transfer-printed landscape containing a large house, trees, lake and sail boat on one exterior side of the mug and the following verse on the other side - ‘FLOWERS THAT NEVER FADE’ / ‘CHARITY’ / ‘Oh thank you dea(r ladies, for)’ / ‘trying to (cheer)’ / ‘A heart that can o(nly reply by a tear)’ / ‘(G)od reward you and y(ours for the)’ / ‘comforts you give,’ / ‘(And the prayers of an old ma(n be yours)’ / ‘(w)hile I live’. No manufacturer’s basemark was present, with the dating of the item conservatively dated from c.1830+ (Figs 58, 59).

Figure 58: Side view of Flowers That Never Fade: Charity pattern mug. 10cm scale.

Figure 59: Side view of Flowers That Never Fade: Charity pattern mug. 10cm scale.

243

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Two sherds from a fine earthenware small plate were recovered from the underfloor deposit (8700) in the rear room of House 7, Phase 6 (#72109). This rear room was identified as the kitchen because it had a fireplace and because of the nature of the underfloor deposit. The plate had two rim sherds with a scalloped rim edge and two rows of embossed daisy-like flower heads remaining on the marley. This decorative type is commonly associated with children’s ware and is a useful identification tool when the rest of the vessel is missing (no transfer-printed design). There was no manufacturer’s mark but it is date from c.1830+ (Figure 60).

Figure 60: Embossed plate. Scale graduations 1cm. Seven sherds from another fine earthenware small plate were found in the fill (8736) of a cesspit in the yard of House 7 (8717), Phase 7 (#72214). The plate featured rim/shoulder and body/base sherds with the rim diameter of 180mm. A red handpainted line is below the interior rim edge with embossed floral sprays on the marley. The purple transfer-printed scene on the interior base, with added green, blue, red and yellow hand painting, has the remains of two soldiers engaged in one-on-one combat exercise. This scene depicts rifle volunteers, a movement which started in the UK in 1859 as a response to the threat of a French invasion by Napoleon III, and is based on an illustrated drill book of the 1860s.79 There is no manufacturer’s mark but as the scene is based on a 1860s drill

book it must date after that period (Figure 61). Figure 61: Clobbered plate with rifle volunteers. Scale graduations 1cm.

79

Riley 1991:284

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Two small plates were also found in House 9 contexts. A rim sherd of a fine earthenware small plate was found in a Phase 6 yard modification fill (8694, #71953). This was one of three fills identified as localised events to level uneven reclamation fills in the area of the boundary between Houses 9 and 11. The rim sherd features a red handpainted line below the interior scalloped rim and the remains of embossed flower heads on the marley. There is no manufacturer’s mark and it is dated conservatively from c.1830+ (Figure 62).

Figure 62: Embossed and handpainted plate. Scale graduations 1cm.

Six sherds from another fine earthenware small plate were found in a Phase 7 fill (8737) of a cesspit in House 9 (8716, #72260). The plate featured rim/shoulder/body/base sherds with a scalloped rim edge and embossed floral sprays and foliated scrolls covering the marley. The brown transfer-printed scene remaining on the base features two figures attempting to pull a man away from a

door bearing the sign ‘THE CELE(BRATED)’ / ‘CREAM’ / ‘WHISKE(Y)’, with ‘PLEASE DON’T GO IN...’ remaining below scene. The scene suggests that this was a temperance movement child’s plate and with no manufacturer’s mark it is dated from c.1830s+ (Figure 63). Figure 63: Brown transfer-printed temperance movement plate, (10cm scale.

245

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A rim sherd of a fine earthenware small plate was found in the Phase 6 underfloor deposit (8630) in the rear room of House 13 (#71672). The rim sherd features a scalloped edge and an embossed row of flower heads bordered above and below by fine scalloped lines remaining on the marley. Again no manufacturer’s mark was present and it is date from c.1830+ (Figure 64).

Figure 64: Embossed plate. Scale graduations 1cm.

3.2.3 Area 9 Two children’s mugs were found in Phase 6 context 9206 in Area 9, in the top of the sediment/start of the initial backfilling of the mill pond. The first mug is a fine earthenware body sherd with the remains of a black transfer-printed scene on the exterior, with some added green hand painting, featuring children playing marbles (#73126). The manufacturer is unknown and the mug has been conservatively dated from c.1830+ (Figure 65).

Figure 65: Clobbered mug. Scale graduations 1cm.

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From the second mug is a fine earthenware rim/body sherd which has on the exterior body the remains of a black transfer-printed floral cartouche framing the remains of text, ‘If you.../’have your.../’done go if not s...’ (#73192). The full text of this reads ‘If you would have your business done, go; if not, send’, which is an American proverb attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who used it in an address ‘The way to wealth’.80 Again the manufacturer remains unknown and the mug has been conservatively dated from c.1830+ (Figure 66).

Figure 66: Black transfer-printed mug. Scale graduations 1cm.

Five of the above children’s ceramics feature moralising themes (Figs 55, 56, 58 & 59, 63, 66), rather than just ‘fun’ illustrations from such sources as nursery rhymes, caricatures or children’s stories. Only two of the ceramics, both mugs, feature scenes showing children playing, with one illustrating a group of children playing blind man’s bluff (Figure 54) and the other a group of children playing marbles (Figure 65). 3.2.4 Summary Although the 12 ceramics specifically attributable to usage by children is small their presence within is tangible evidence that families were part of the history of the site. This is particularly true of the items found in Area 8 that were identified with Houses 7 (underfloor deposit and cesspit fill), 9 (cesspit fill) and 13 (underfloor deposit), supporting the existence of a familial environment. The four pieces of children’s pottery in Area 7 were associated with the residents in the sandstone cottage within a semi-industrial environment but it does suggest that at least one child appears to have lived in this house.

80

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=nzxDAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&pg=PA50#v=onepage&q=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&f=false; http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EuvqPkAq2bkC&lpg=PA51&dq=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&pg=PA51#v=onepage&q=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&f=false

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=nzxDAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&pg=PA50#v=onepage&q=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&f=false

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=nzxDAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&pg=PA50#v=onepage&q=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&f=false

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EuvqPkAq2bkC&lpg=PA51&dq=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&pg=PA51#v=onepage&q=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&f=false

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EuvqPkAq2bkC&lpg=PA51&dq=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&pg=PA51#v=onepage&q=%22done%20go%20if%20not%22&f=false

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4.0 Summary

4.1 Overview The Darling Quarter development site is located within the Darling Harbour precinct, on the western edge of Sydney Central Business District. It is located on the eastern side of the harbour and is bound by Harbour Street to the east, Bathurst Street to the north, Liverpool Street/Chinese Gardens to the south and Tumbalong Park to the west. The Darling Quarter site was divided into 9 Areas based on historic lot boundaries, industries and streets:

Area 1 – Grose’s Wharf

Area 2 – William Orr Engineering Workshops

Area 3 – Anchor Flour Mills

Area 4 – PN Russell Foundry

Area 5 – PN Russell Railway Carriage Workshops and Boiler House

Area 6 – Barker’s Jetty, Brodie and Craig’s Timberyard

Area 7 – Brook’s Slaughter House, Murphy’s Wharfage, Soap and Candle Manufactory

Area 8 – Worker’s Housing

Area 9 – Barker’s Mill Yard and Pond The basement footprint of the new development impacted on 5 of these areas:

Area 5 – 1870s Boiler House associated with PN Russell foundry

Area 6 – 1820s Barker’s jetty and subsequent reclamation work

Area 7 – 1850s reclamation, Murphy’s wharfage and cottage

Area 8 – 1840s reclamation and workers housing

Area 9 – 1820s Barker’s mill yard and mill pond, and later industrial development The site study area was also divided into 10 main archaeological phases and the ceramics recovered

in each area were discussed according to this phasing within each area:

Phase 1 Natural Landscape

Phase 2 Aboriginal Occupation

Phase 3 1788 to 1820s Early Foreshore Activity and Property Boundaries

Phase 4 1820s to late 1830s Barker’s Mill and Lands

Phase 5 Late 1830s/Early 1840s Reclamation



Phase 8 1900s to 1920 Resumption and Railways

Phase 9 1920s to 1980s Railways and Commercial Development

Phase 10 1980s Demolition and Re-Development A total of 5,318 MIC ceramics (8791 sherds) were recovered from the Darling Quarter site (Table 2.1). Each area and its associated ceramic assemblage were discussed separately. The greatest number of ceramics were recovered in Area 8 (worker’s housing), numbering 2,831 items and representing just over half of the entire assemblage (53.2). Another area, Area 7, contained a further quarter of the assemblage (25.7), represented by 1,369 items. In contrast to these two, Area 5 only featured 69 ceramics, representing just 1.3 per cent of the total ceramic category of artefacts found on site. 4.3.1 Area 5

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Only 69 ceramics were recovered in Area 5 (99 sherds) from eight contexts (Table 2.5). Twenty-five of these items were from a general surface cleaning and unstratified finds (9101). The remaining ceramics were predominately found in fills relating to Phase 7.1, with one fill associated with Phase 7.2 and one to Phase 6. The ceramics in Area 5 are associated with Phases 6 and 7 and therefore generally relate to the mid 19th century and on through to the 1900s. The domination of imported wares, mostly from the United Kingdom, reflects this later phasing (Table 2.7). The 16 decorative types all feature long periods of manufacture and were available throughout much of the 19th century and well into the 20th century (Table 2.8). These decorative types are characteristic of the wide range of ceramic choices available within the marketplace as the 19th century progressed. The six identified patterns (Table 2.9), in transfer print (5) and white-glazed and moulded semi-vitreous fine earthenware (1), are all commonly found on other Sydney historical excavations and are generally indicative of deposits dating from the mid 19th century. The five basemarked ceramics identified in Area 5 are of Scottish, English and Australian manufacture (Table 2.11). Four of the basemarks were on stoneware bottles – three made in Glasgow, Scotland and one in Sydney, Australia – and all basemarks dated from at least the mid 19th century. 4.3.2 Area 6 There were 424 ceramics (681 sherds) found in Area 6, from 46 contexts (Table 2.12). The excavation of Area 6 was a combination of open-area excavation and test trenching, with much of the archaeology in the area recorded ‘in section’ within large test trenches. The ceramics recovered came from contexts identified with Phases 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The ceramics associated with Phase 4 (1820s-late 1830s) were mainly recovered from various levelling fills that occurred after the stone jetty had been constructed and were likely associated with the jetty’s use from the mid 1820s to 1840s (predating reclamation in the 1840s). The ceramic decorative types and identified patterns found supported a probable pre-1840s deposition (Table 2.18). Ten contexts in Phase 5 had ceramic items; these were substantial reclamation fills used to formally reclaim land from the harbour during the 1830s and 1840s. These reclamation fills were identified in three test trenches and the ceramics in all these fills generally fitted into this 1830s to 1840s period of reclamation (Tables 2.20-2.23). Evidence for extensive levelling and ground consolidation was recorded across Area 6 during Phase 6 (1840s-1860s), mostly in test trenches and sections. Distinct yard surfacing was also recorded across the area, as were two drainage or channel features associated with Barker’s mill and mill pond. Seven Phase 6 contexts contained 79 ceramics (Table 2.24). In three test trenches a layer represented the first yard surface after reclamation (1840s). Overall the ceramics date from the c.1830s onwards, with just three items specifically dating from the 1840s (Table 2.25). Two levelling fills with ceramics were date from the c.1830s (Table 2.27). Across much of the northern part of Area 6 was a compact bitumen and gravel yard surface (8289), with 23 ceramics dating from the c.1830s (Table 2.26). There were patches of late 19th-century yard surfaces surviving throughout Area 6 and in general these were over levelling fills sealing Phase 6 surfaces but also related to Phase 7 (1860s-1900). Three of the yard surfaces (8226, 8288, 8258) and three of the levelling fills (8230, 8239, 8291) contained ceramics. The ceramics from the three yard surfaces dated from the c.1830s and were not particularly indicative of a 1860s to 1900 deposition (Table 2.29). This was also true of the 14 ceramics found in the three levelling fills (Table 2.30).

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Five Phase 8 (1900-1920s) contexts had 45 ceramics and all were in 20th-century levelling fills. Overall the 45 ceramics contained in the five levelling fills were indicative of deposition generally occurring at least post-1860s (Table 2.32). Nine Phase 9 (1920s-1980s) contexts had 162 ceramic items (Table 2.33). These nine contexts related to the demolition and fills associated with the structures fronting Duncan Street and the east-west orientated building located on the southern boundary with Area 7, a rubbish pit, and the unstratified finds collected during clearance. The base of the rubbish pit was found during monitoring of machine excavation in the northwest part of Area 6 and it had 31 ceramics from a domestic refuse deposit (Table 2.35). The further 112 unstratified ceramics (Table 2.36) were collected during machining and initial clearance by hand (8201), as well as from contexts with no stratigraphic details and therefore the artefacts contained in them could not be phased (8316, 8318, 8370, 8434). 4.3.3 Area 7 There were 1,369 ceramics (2,507 sherds) from Area 7 in 98 contexts (Table 2.37). These ceramics are associated with Phases 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Only four ceramics were found in Phase 3 (1788-1820s), (Table 2.43). Phase 5 (1830s and 1840s) saw an intense period of reclamation over two phases. The first was represented archaeologically by a series of dumps and fills overlying the sands of the original foreshore, along with some early fencing, and was from an informal episode of reclamation. The second phase of reclamation included more extensive reclamation and development of the area, including the construction of formal wharfage. These two periods of reclamation were punctuated by the installation of a northern boundary fence and a brick drain. Thirteen reclamation fills had ceramics, and they are discussed as either early (Phase 5.1) or late fills (Phase 5.3). The bulk of the ceramics found in both the Phase 5.1 and Phase 5.3 reclamation fills had long periods of manufacture, with the majority being first produced in the 1830s, therefore generally fitting into the timeframe of 1830s and 1840s reclamation but unable to be used to specifically differentiate between the early and later reclamation episodes. Much of the residential and commercial development in Area 7 occurred during the 1840s to the 1860s (Phase 6). Phase 6 was characterized by a period of construction and development including levelling fills and ground preparation over the reclamation, the introduction of wharfage, the construction of a dwelling house or cottage on the southern boundary of the northern allotment, the construction of buildings on the northern boundary and the institution of fencing and drainage. There were 140 ceramic items found in 17 Phase 6 contexts (Table 2.50). Fourteen of the contexts were post-reclamation levelling fills, with the other three were fills were within a sandstone box drain (8080), a fireplace (8108), and the uppermost level of earlier reclamation relating to the re-establishment of the northern boundary fence (8246). The series of levelling fills were laid down across the site following the bulk reclamation of the 1840s (Phase 5). These levelling fills were all of a similar depth or thickness across the site and were introduced to facilitate the use of broad areas as navigable yard surfaces and as ground preparation for structures and paving. Overall the ceramics within these fills had long manufacturing date ranges from at least the mid 19th century (Table 2.54). Three salt-glazed stoneware bottles and one bristol-glazed stoneware jar featured manufacturing marks suggesting the levelling fills, if they occurred in one depositional episode, post-date 1866, towards the end of Phase 6 or the beginning of Phase 7 (Table 2.55). There were 12 transfer-printed patterns common to Sydney historical excavations in deposits dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.56). Three of the purple transfer-printed identified patterns had post-1860 dates, suggesting like the marked stonewares, that the levelling fills occurred towards the end of Phase 6 or the beginning of Phase 7. The three ceramics

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contained in the fill of a sandstone box drain (8080) also had very long manufacturing date ranges, from c.1810 to the 1930s. The remains of a possible fireplace base was found in the southeast corner of the western room of a sandstone cottage occupied during the 1850s, and a single salt-glazed stoneware bottle sherd was found in the packing (8108), dating between the c.1830s and 1930s. From the 1860s Area 7 was used extensively as stables, yards and industrial work areas. Evidence for occupation and use of the site were revealed surrounding the sandstone cottage and various outbuildings likely to be associated with the structure such as brick yard surfaces, a cesspit, wooden flooring and sheds, demolition layers and industrial fills. Test trenches on the northern boundary revealed yard surfaces, wooden structures including the remains of a slab wall, and artefact-rich dumps. Ceramics were found in 39 contexts identified as relating to Phase 7 (1860s-1900), with the total number of ceramics found numbering 779 items (Table 2.57). Phase 7 was further divided into three chronological sub-phases and the ceramics recovered were discussed within these sub-phases. Phase 7.1 was identified archaeologically as the occupation and demolition of the sandstone cottage, yard surfaces, occupation levels, cesspit and structures to the north of the cottage; sheds, wooden structures, yard surfaces and dumps adjacent to the northern boundary fence, and various other occupation, paving surfaces and demolition fills. Sixteen contexts containing a total of 387 ceramics were identified as belonging to this sub-phase (Table 2.58). The ceramics were all generally indicative of the types typically found in contexts dating from the mid 19th century onwards, and the three salt-glazed stoneware bottles featuring manufacturer marks all dated from the second half of the 19th century and well on into the 20th century (Table 2.61). The cottage also had a verandah and two artefact rich underfloor deposits (8043, 7987) with 147 ceramics dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.62). There were 20 transfer-printed patterns on 44 individual items (Table 2.63). The sandstone cottage, built in the 1840s, had occupation and use spanning many years, eventually ending with its remodelling and demolition in the 1860s to 1870s. By 1880 the cottage was remodelled and re-established as a large cart horse shed. The deposits under the verandah may include items from the period of reuse as a few of the patterns post-dated 1860. One pattern had a far later date and probably came from the time the building was a cart horse shed. A black transfer-printed ‘Ceres’ pattern plate, attributed to the Pilkington Tile & Pottery Co., Lancashire (#59677), was dated 1897 to 1904.81 A rectangular cesspit (8036), probably associated with the sandstone cottage and backfilled during a later period of industrial activity. The cesspit fill (8037) contained 28 ceramics from the mid 19th century (Table 2.66). Yard surfaces were located adjacent to the northern boundary fence (8262, 8293), and had 61 household-related ceramics (Table 2.69). The yard surface was interrupted by a dump (8239), located close to the boundary fence, and ther were 63 cermaics in the fill (8330) from a household-related assemblage dating from the mid 19th century, based on the decorative types, patterns and eight remnant basemarks (Tables 2.72-2.74). Phase 7.2 had one context with ceramics, a clay levelling fill (8233) that was directly beneath a sandstone structure built sometime between 1865 and 1880. This bedding fill was laid sometime prior to the construction of the building and the ceramics indicate that it was laid after 1845 (Table 2.78). The Phase 7.3 evidence for post-1880s activity included levelling fills, industrial fills, yard surfaces, service trenches, construction and demolition. The ceramics were from a number of industrial fills

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Erskine 2003:37

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(6), levelling fills (4), postholes (6), fills associated with a pit (3), and a deposit/accumulation (1). Analysis of these ceramics occurred within the five groupings and overall the ceramics fitted into the general Phase 7 period of deposition and not specifically post-1880s (Tables 2.79-2.90). In 13 contexts in Phase 8 (1900s-1920) were 232 ceramic items (Table 2.91). Three industrial fills were machine excavated, contexts 7902, 7903 and 8279. Fills 7902 and 7903 were in the south of the property and were comprised of several layers of industrial fills containing soot and ash, clinker, slag, bottle glass, ceramics and nails. No ceramics were in fill 7902 and just six in fill 7903. The six ceramics in fill 7903 were not particularly distinctive and did not indicate that they were exclusively related to a deposit dating after 1900 (Table 2.92). The industrial fill 8279 contained 98 ceramics and was located in the northern boundary area of Area 7, to the south of the northern boundary fence. Fill 8279 comprised of an extensive area of cindery industrial fill and featured a range of artefacts including oyster shells, glass, ceramic, crushed sandstone and sandstock bricks and was believed to represent a continuation of industrial fills 7902 and 7903. Overall the range of ceramics was generally representative of an assemblage dating from the mid 19th century onwards and the identified shapes reflected household domestic refuse (Table 2.93). Twelve transfer-printed patterns are commonly found on Sydney historical excavations dating from the mid 19th century and six of the patterns indicated that the deposit at least post-dated the 1860s (Table 2.94). A group of service trenches in the mid section of the property represented a late 19th to early 20th-century sewerage and drainage system. Trench 7945 contained fill 7947 which featured 33 ceramics and trench 7945 contained fill 7955 and contained just six ceramics. The ceramics identified in these fills were again indicative of an assemblage dating from the mid 19th century (Table 2.96, 2.97). One particular item of interest recovered here was a ‘Seaweed’ pattern plate (#59552), interesting in that it was the only example within the entire ceramics assemblage to feature a specific maritime association (Figure 32). A series of test trenches were excavated on the northern boundary (TT14, TT15, TT17). The fills within these trenches were assigned different context numbers and it was then noted which fills equated with fills in the other trenches. A total of 79 ceramics were recovered and were generally indicative of domestic refuse dating from around the mid 19th century (Tables 2.99-2.101). A rubbish pit fill (8360) contained a number of artefacts, of which just 10 were ceramic, and once again none of these could be seen as being necessarily indicative of a deposit relating specifically to Phase 8, with all the ceramics having long periods of manufacture and all commonly found in assemblages dating from at least the mid 19th century (Table 2.102). Much of the evidence for Phase 9 (1920s-1980s) was excavated by machine. Ceramics were found in seven contexts identified with this phase, numbering 77 items in total (Table 2.103). A number of contexts represented machine clearance and five of these contexts contained ceramics (7901, 7951, 7985, 8094, 8202). These cleaning levels were all characterized by industrial waste and pre-1980s demolition rubble and included such items as plastic, machine-made bricks and concrete. A total of 58 ceramics were recovered from these five cleaning contexts. The remaining two contexts were assigned to the unstratified finds collected during the machine clearance of the front (8089) and rear (8090). Only a few ceramics were found in each, with just three in 8089 and 16 in 8090. 4.3.4 Area 8 There were 2,831 ceramics (4,357 sherds) recovered in Area 8, from 140 individual contexts (Table 2.109). These ceramics came from contexts associated with Phases 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Overall the archaeological investigations in this area yielded considerable material remains primarily associated with the workers’ housing on the southern side of Steam Mill Street, between the 1840s and 1901 (Phases 6 and 7).

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Included within Area 8 was a small area that was excavated separately, identified as the Children’s Theatre (Area 8CT), although its ceramics were included within the overall 2,831 items found in Area 8. The Children’s Theatre was located on the corner of the former Barker and Steam Mill Streets and the area was subject to various stages of development from the 1830s onward. Just 46 ceramics (53 sherds) were found 8CT and they belonged to Phases 6, 7, 9 and 10. These 46 ceramics (1.6%) were a small proportion of the ceramics found within Area 8 (Tables 2.115, 2.116, 2.117). The 46 ceramics were in 13 contexts, none of which were particularly useful in adding any real insights into the information already gleaned during excavation. None of the ceramics featured basemarks or conjoins, all were very small sherds, and the only identifiable pattern found was the ever ubiquitous ‘Willow’ pattern. The contexts in which the ceramics were found were from general cleaning (9001), modern machine fill (9002), levelling fill (9010), cesspit fills (9041, 9029, 9037, 9038), backfill in corridor (9044), bitumen footpath fill (9008), test pit fills (9015, 9017, 9018), and a demolition fill (9009). The main excavation of Area 8 featured ceramics from contexts associated with Phases 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with those from Phases 6 and 7 the most prevalent. By 1842 the land in this area was subdivided and ready for sale and development. In preparation for the sale a number of levelling fills were introduced across the area to counteract early subsidence that had occurred after initial reclamation fills were introduced. Two of the levelling fills contained ceramics (8645, 8650), numbering just four in total and dating from c.1830+ (Table 2.118), and these were the only ceramics recovered relating to Phase 5 (1830s and 1840s). Phase 6 (1840s-1860s) saw the construction of houses along the southern side of Steam Mill Street, numbers 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 19 (number 17 was built during Phase 7). There were 52 contexts with 1,838 ceramics, identified as pat of Phase 6. These were predominately from levelling fills, underfloor deposits, and yard surface modifications and fills. The ceramics and contexts are discussed by individual houses. Most of the rooms in the houses featured some level of disturbance from later 20th-century footings and piles which has impared out ability to undertake meaning spatial analysis of the underfloor deposits.82 Phase 7 (1860s-1900) saw the addition of rooms at the rear of Houses 13 and 19 as well as the construction, in 1865, of House 17. Toilets were built within the yards and plumbing was installed in the area, including water and sewerage pipes. In the 1880s much of the worst housing between Sussex Street and Darling Harbour was demolished in the hope of preventing the spread of disease, and although the houses on Steam Mill Street were spared, some modifications were made to seal the underfloor spaces. There were paving and other yard modifications during this period. A total of 49 contexts, with 611 ceramics, were found in Phase 7 and these contexts were predominately from levelling fills, yard surfaces, cesspit fills, underfloor deposits and underfloor sealing fills. These contexts were associated with Houses 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 and they were again discussed according to the individual house number they belonged to. Severe disturbance from modern services meant that any spatial analysis of the underfloor deposits for House 17 was redundant. In 1901, all the houses on the south side of Steam Mill Street were demolished and the NSW Fruit Exchange was constructed on the site. Just 14 contexts containing ceramics were identified as belonging to Phase 8 (1900s-1920), with the total number of ceramics found numbering 89 items. A total of 36 ceramics were identified in seven demolition deposits associated with Houses 7, 9, 11, 13 and 17. Overall these 36 ceramics featured long periods of manufacture and reflected the disturbed mixed nature of the deposits (Tables 2.222, 2.223, 2.224, 2.225, 2.227). Two plumbing-related contexts contained just a few ceramics (8754, 8517) and these seven items generally dated from the c.1830s onwards (Tables 2.226, 2.228). A total of 32 ceramics were also found in four of

82

A more detailed conclusion to Phases 6 and 7 can be found in the conclusion to Area 8, pp212-220

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the backfills in the cuts for the footings of the NSW Fruit Exchange building (8510, 8598, 8605, 8756), and these again reflected the mixed nature of the deposits with manufacture dates ranging from the 1790s onwards (Table 2.229). Fourteen ceramics relating to post-demolition disturbance were found in a pit fill (8787) and the mixed nature of the deposit was once again reflected in the ceramics, with dates ranging from the 1790s and on through to the 1930s (Table 2.230). Eight contexts containing ceramics were identified as belonging to Phase 9 (1920s-1980s), with the total number of ceramics found numbering 242 items. These contexts were associated with modern fills and disturbance, with many excavated by machine, and the ceramics contained within them reflected this disturbance (Tables 2.233, 2.234). 4.3.5 Area 9 A total of 624 ceramics (1,147 sherds) were recovered in 20 contexts in Area 9 (Table 2.238). The ceramics and contexts were associated with Phases 4, 6, 7 and 9. The majority of the contexts (16) were from the mill pond, with the remaining few (4) from the mill yard. The mill pond contexts had 608 ceramics (1,120 sherds), or 97.4 per cent of the area 9 ceramic assemblage. In contrast, the mill yard area contained only 16 ceramic items or.6 per cent of Area 9 ceramics. In the mid 1820s a mill was established on the harbour frontage between Liverpool and Bathurst Street, and by 1826 there was a large wharf at the harbour front, a steam engine and a five-storey grain store. In 1827 Thomas Barker purchased the milling business which he subsequently expanded. The mill pond was located within Area 9, to the east of the later Duncan Street. The only context identified with Phase 4 (1820s-late 1830s) that contained ceramics was context 9241, a timber and brick flooring connected to the western side of the mill pond. Two ceramics were found in its packing material and these dated from c.1830+. Five contexts in Phase 6 (1840s-1860s) contained 157 ceramics, most of these ceramics were from contexts from the mill pond sediments or pond backfills (Table 2.245). The build-up of sediments within the mill pond would have started almost immediately after its construction in the late 1820s and the presence of some ceramics in the sediment suggests there was contamination from above backfilling deposits. It is thought that the backfilling of the mill pond occurred in either the late 1850s or early 1860s and there appeared to be two phases of backfilling. The initial phase of backfilling consisted of industrial waste and artefacts (9206, 9248) which overlay the last sediment accumulation (9249). Contexts 9206 and 9248 were part of the same backfilling event, assigned different numbers. Context 9206 contained 123 ceramics and context 9248 had 13 ceramics (Tables 2.247, 2.248). The ceramics were from a household domestic waste and dated from the mid 19th century. There were four identified patterns from the 1860s, and one dating from c.1865, indicating a backfilling event occurring at least after the mid-1860s. It is likely that 9206 represented the interface with the upper backfills that were associated specifically with Phase 7 (1860s-1900). Located to the west of the mill pond were the remains of a stone drain (9204). The drain was a later addition to the pond, first indicated on an 1856 plan as a channel heading west from the western edge of the pond. The silt fill (9252) contained within the drain featured just four ceramics (Table 2.250). Ten contexts identified with Phase 7 (1860s-1900) contained ceramics, 428 items associated with the mill pond backfills and were were probably sourced from municipal rubbish removal (Table 2.251). The fills were excavated within a large test trench (Test Trench 57) machine-excavated thorugh through backfills (9201). These artefacts represented the mix of backfilling deposits found in the pond, with more artefacts then collected during cleaning of the sections and assigned individual fill numbers (9212, 9219, 9221, 9226, 9228, 9230). Within ceramics in 9201 were patterns and basemarks dating from the mid-19th and early 20th centuries supporting the backfilling of the mill pond Phase 7 (Tables 2.253-2.257). The presence of a basemark dating

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between 1908 to 1935 (#73061) may also be a reflection of the archaeological methodology used for context 9201, whereby the artefacts were collected during the machine excavation of the mixed backfilling deposits and some contamination of the assemblage may have occurred. Four contexts identified with Phase 9 (1920s-1980s) contained 37 ceramics and these were all unstratified (Table 2.259). 4.3.6 Children’s Ceramics Ceramic artefacts which indicate the presence of children within the archaeological record are usually related to children’s eating habits. Children’s toys, in the form of ceramic marbles, toy tea sets and dolls, were not catalogued within this general ceramic category, but were catalogued as part of the miscellaneous/small finds. Twelve ceramic items were found which indicate the presence of children, four mugs, seven plates and one saucer. These 12 items were recovered in 10 individual contexts within Areas 7, 8 and 9, and although the number was comparatively small their presence, particularly in Area 8, was evidence of families being part of the history of the site.

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5.0 Bibliography 5.1 Bibliography Allen, A.J. 1996. Allen’s Introduction to Later Chinese Porcelain. Allen’s Enterprises Ltd, New

Zealand. Boow, J. 1991. Early Australian Commercial Glass: Manufacturing Processes. Department of

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Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology and The La Trobe University Archaeology Program, Australia

Casey, M. 1999. Local Pottery and Dairying at the DMR Site, Brickfields, Sydney, New South Wales. Australasian Historical Archaeology 17:3-37.

Casey & Lowe. 2008. Non-Indigenous Archaeological Assessment: Darling Walk, Darling Harbour, unpublished report for Lend Lease Development.

Copeland, R. 1990. Spode’s Willow Pattern and Other Designs After the Chinese. Studio Vista, London.

Corcoran, A.M. 1993. Chinese Export Porcelain in Australia. MA thesis, University of Sydney, Sydney.

Coysh, A.W. 1970. Blue and White Transfer Ware 1780-1840. David & Charles, Devon. Coysh, A.W. 1972. Blue-Printed Earthenware 1800-1850. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc., Japan &

Vermont. Coysh, A.W. & R.K. Henrywood. 1982. Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880,

Volume I. Antique Collectors’ Club, Suffolk, United Kingdom. Coysh, A.W. & R.K. Henrywood. 1990. Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880,

Volume II. Antique Collectors’ Club, Suffolk, United Kingdom. Cryerhall, A., Hincks, M. and N. Harrop. 2010. Trench Report: Area 6: Darling Walk, Darling

Harbour, Sydney. Unpublished report for Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd. Cryerhall, A. 2011. Trench Report: Area 9 Mill Pond: Darling Walk, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Unpublished report for Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd. Dusting, A. 2009. Trench Report: Area 7: Darling Walk, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Unpublished

report for Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd. Erskine, N. 2003. Kingston Ceramics: A Dictionary of Ceramic Wares in the Norfolk Island Museum.

Norfolk Island Museum, Kingston. Evans, I. 1981. The Lithgow Pottery. The Flannel Flower Press, Glebe, Sydney. Ford, G. 1995. Australian Pottery: The First 100 Years. Salt Glaze Press, Wodonga, Victoria. Ford, G. 1998. Encyclopaedia of Australian Potter’s Marks (1st Edition). Salt Glaze Press, Wodonga,

Victoria. Frank, A. 1969. Chinese blue and white. Walker and Co, New York. Furniss, D.A, Wagner, J.R. & J. Wagner. 1999. Adams Ceramics: Staffordshire Potters and Pots,

1779-1998. Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Pennsylvania Godden, G.A. 1989 reprint. Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks. Barrie and

Jenkins, London. Godden, G.A. 1999. Godden’s Guide to Ironstone, Stone and Granite Wares. Antique Collectors’

Club Ltd, United Kingdom. Harrop, N. 2009. Trench Report: Area 5: Boiler House: Darling Walk, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Unpublished report for Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd. Hincks, M. Trench Report: Area 8: Worker’s Housing: Darling Walk, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Unpublished report for Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd. Kelly, H.E. 1999. Scottish Ceramics. Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Pennsylvania. Kovel, R. & T. Kovel. 1986. Kovel’s New Dictionary of Marks: Pottery and Porcelain, 1850 to the

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Majewski, T. and O’Brien, M.J. 1987. The Use and Misuse of 19th-Century English and American Ceramics in Archaeological Analysis. Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory 11:97-209.

Miller, G.L. 1980. Classification and Economic Scaling of 19th Century Ceramics. Historical Archaeology 14:1-40.

Miller, G.L. 1991. A Revised Set of CC Index Values for Classification and Economic Scaling of English Ceramics from 1787 to 1880. Historical Archaeology 25(1):1-25.

Miller, G.L. and Hunter, R. 2001. How Creamware Got the Blues: The Origins of China Glaze and Pearlware. In Hunter, R. (ed). Ceramics in America. Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee.

Macintosh, D. 1994 (3rd ed). Chinese Blue and White Porcelain. Antique Collectors’ Club, United Kingdom.

Neale, G. 2000. Millers Blue and White Pottery: A Collector’s Guide. Octopus Publishing Group, London.

Neale, G. 2005. Encyclopedia of British Transfer-Printed Pottery Patterns 1790-1930. Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, London.

Noel Hume, I. 2001. If These Pots Could Talk: Collecting 2,000 Years of British Household Pottery. Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee.

Riley, N. 1991. Gifts for Good Children: The History of Children’s China. Part 1, 1780-1890. Richard Dennis, Somerset, United Kingdom.

Schiffer, H., P. and N. 1975. Chinese Export Porcelain - standard patterns and forms, 1780-1880. Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Pennsylvania.

Slesin, M., Rozensztroch, D. & S. Cliff. 1997. Everyday Things: Kitchen Ceramics. Abbeville Publishing Group, New York.

Snyder, J.B. 1997. Romantic Staffordshire Ceramics. Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Pennsylvania. Tasker, J. 1989. Old New Zealand Bottles and Bygones. Heinemann Reed, Auckland. Wegars, P. (ed). 1993. Hidden Heritage: Historical Archaeology of the Overseas Chinese. Baywood

Publishing Company In, Amityville, New York. Wetherbee, J. 1996. White Ironstone: A Collector’s Guide. Antique Trader Books, Iowa. Willetts, W. and Lim, S.P. 1981. Nonya ware and Kitchen Ch’ing. Oxford University Press, Kuala

Lumpur. Williams, P. & M.R. Weber. 1986. Staffordshire II: Romantic Transfer Patterns. Cup Plates and Early

Victorian China. Fountain House East, Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Wilson, C.A. (ed). 2004. Eating with the Victorians. Sutton Publishing Ltd, Gloucestershire, Britain. Wilson, G. 1999. Ceramics and Tobacco Pipes Artefact Report. The Cumberland/Gloucester Streets

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Ceramics Report Darling Quarter Darling Harbour · Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour Area 9 – 1820s arkers mill yard and mill pond, and later industrial development Archaeological

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