[1] At the time of European contact the Kelly's bush area was inhabited by the Wal Umedegal Clan who spoke the Guringai language.

On 28 January 1788 he wrote in his journal: "A few days after my arrival with the transports in Port Jackson, I set off with a six-oared boat and a small boat, intending to make as good a survey of the harbour as circumstances would admit: I took to my assistance Mr Bradley, the first lieutenant, Mr Keltie, the master, and a young gentleman of the quarter-deck (midshipman Henry Waterhouse)."

Hunter's meticulous chart shows 30 depth soundings around the peninsula bounded by the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers.

The prefabricated houses were advertised as "four splendid family residences, standing in their own grounds, of about 1 acres each", with "wood and water in abundance".

The historic development at Hunters Hill was consistently speculative, although some of the subdivisions were undertaken to provide residences for family members.

He originally came from Hamburg, Germany and his wife Ann (née O'Donnell) from Mooneenreave, County Leitrim, Ireland.

He and his wife owned cattle and ran a dairy and orchard and in the early 1880s he was also the lamp lighter of the Borough of Hunter's Hill.

At that time his son Hugh was the owner occupier of Alroy (34 Alexandra Street) and his married daughter Mary King (born 19.8.1867) and her children lived in Vienna.

It was for many years an orchard having a variety of trees bearing oranges, mandarins, lemons, plums, quinces, pomegranates and guavas.

It was for many years an orchard having a variety of trees bearing oranges, mandarins, lemons, plums, quinces, pomegranates and guavas.

The house retains its early Victorian style timber chimneypieces and in the front rooms are pretty circular ceiling roses, which is the only elaboration of the plasterwork.

It is evidence of the period 1861–1890 when Hunter's Hill first developed as a suburb and it stands on the earliest successful small lot subdivision in the village.

It is evidence of the period 1861–1890 when Hunter's Hill first developed as a suburb and it stands on the earliest successful small lot subdivision in the village.

[1][7] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The un-built upon land, once an orchard, is rare evidence of the reliance of suburban families in the 19th and early 20th century on home produce, and is a significant feature of the property.