Broughton House is a heritage-listed former residence, school and now nursing home at 43a Thomas Street, Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

[1] The block on which Broughton House now stands was part of two sixty acre farms, stretching from today's Isabella Street south to the River, that were granted to two seamen from HMS Sirius, Robert Webb (c. 1762–1799) and William Reid (c.

Huts were built for them, two acres of land cleared and they were granted food, seed, agricultural tools, livestock and medical attention.

The Reverend Samuel Marsden (1764–1838) was born in Yorkshire and arrived in the Colony of New South Wales as assistant to the Chaplain in March 1794.

[4][5][1] A few kilometres east along the banks of the Parramatta River (in today's Rydalmere), Hannibal H. Macarthur had Verge design a two-storey mansion, The Vineyard, in 1835.

[1] Pieter Laurentz Campbell became private secretary, aged seventeen, to Major General Sir Richard Bourke, Acting Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, in 1826.

[7] He purchased 15 acres 3 roods from Samuel Marsden's extensive grant named Newlands, district of Field of Mars, on 24 November 1837.

Building began shortly after, as is evidenced by artist Conrad Martens' "View of Parramatta from the grounds of H. H. Macarthur" dated 25 September 1837 which depicts the very substantial two-storey residence.

In February 1838 Campbell bought another seven acres from Marsden that adjoined his earlier purchase, extending to the north to present-day Victoria Road.

[7][1] In February 1839, as Campbell prepared to move to Sydney to assume the office of Acting Colonial Treasurer, the property was re-acquired by the Marsden family (the Rev.

Mr Campbell is a most vigilant & active Policy Magistrate and has kept the Town of Parramatta and its neighbourhood free from robberies and disturbances...".

Yet the Campbell residence, which was sketched in March 1839 by Conrad Martens, was located on the northern side of the river, almost opposite Experiment Farm.

During Woolls' stay at Newlands, he continued his extensive botanical studies including botany in the school curriculum, taking the boys regularly on field trips around the hills of Parramatta collecting samples of unknown specimens.

He lectured frequently on the botanical landscape and was recognised by the greatest of the British and European botanists, on whose recommendation Woolls was admitted in 1865, as a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, one of the most respected scientific organisations in Britain.

[1] In 1876, Thomas Kendall Bowden bought the property for 2,000 pounds (he was from a family of lawyers and Methodist Pioneers; his father was Mayor of Parramatta).

He died 31 October 1879: a Trustee, William Byrnes, was appointed to act on behalf of the widow Mary Elizabeth Bowden and the property was transferred.

[6][1] Broughton House is a two-storey Regency style stucco brick dwelling with faceted bays to three elevations.

It has curved bay sections and French doors opening to verandahs, a hip roof covered in slate, and an arched entry porch rising to a tower with a metal dome topped by a weather vane.

A panelled room leads off the hall with finely carved timber fireplace and coloured panes to the twelve-paned sash windows.

[19] Despite the reduction in extent of its grounds and later building infill and encroachment, some remnant plantings give an idea of the grandeur of the former Newlands/Broughton Hall/House in its heyday.

Large trees include two silky oaks (Grevillea robusta), a large lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia), golden Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa "Aurea Stricta", English oak (Quercus robur), Manchurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis), bottlebrush (Callistemon, likely C. salignus) and jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia).

The physical archaeological evidence within this area may include structural features, intact subfloor deposits, open deposits and scatters, ecological samples and individual artefacts which have potential to yield information about the life of Jane and Rev Thomas Marsden, relating to major historic themes including housing, persons, religion, cultural sites, land tenure, townships, agriculture and welfare.

It is the sole remaining home of a series of quality residences which faced south over the Parramatta River such as the Vineyard (Subiaco), Newlands (Athole), Pemberton Grange and Waddon Estate (Palmer Family).

[22] It is important for its close associations with the prominent Marsden family for whom it was built and with the King's School which used the house for boarding pupils between 1908 and 1965.

[23][24][1] Broughton House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 1 October 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

Broughton House reflects the social and economic status of the wealthier free settler who played an essential part in the establishment of New South Wales.

It is associated with important Marsden family and other prominent people such as Piter Campbell, William Woolls, Thomas Bowden, Percival Waddy and the Kings School.

[1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

Broughton House is the sole remaining home of a series of quality residences which faced south over the Parramatta River such as the Vineyard (Subiaco), Newlands (Athole), Pemberton Grange and Waddon Estate (Palmer Family).