James Chandler named the suburb after his birthplace, Bexley which is in the south-east of London, England.

That year he was also granted 1,200 acres (490 ha) of land which stretched from what is now Bexley North to most of Rockdale and Kogarah.

The estate was heavily timbered and a track through the centre, used by timber-getters, is today called Forest Road.

Chandler was a well-respected citizen and became known locally as the Squire of Bexley, but his property attracted bushrangers, escaped convicts and other odd types.

[2] Lydham Hall, the oldest surviving residence in the area, stands on part of the original land grant of 1822.

A two-tier wagonette and hansom cab conveyed train travellers to their homes and in 1909 a steam tram ran between Bexley and Arncliffe.