Fleetwood Cottage is located in lower Carrington Street, and most likely dates back to the 1860s, making it amongst the oldest private residences in New Plymouth. The origin of the name "Fleetwood" is unknown.
The first entry in the Taranaki Land Deed Index for Town Section 1043 is a mortgage taken out by James Hill in June 1864, and it is possible that this mortgage relates to the construction of the original portion of the home. James Hill was the Sergeant at the Military Hospital on Marsland Hill.
James Davidson, New Plymouth's Mayor from 1879-1881, purchased Town Section 1043 from Hill in January 1878. Puke Ariki has an undated (c1880s) watercolour in its collection by Francis Arden, featuring Fleetwood Cottage, with the description, "Captain Davidson's residence."
The occupier in 1889 was Mr George Farquhar, and it was also owned by the Goodacre family for a number of years until they moved to their new home "Whareora", in Westown (c1905). Hal Goodacre was the owner of the Egmont Boot & Shoe Co. Ltd.
Mr Harry Fookes owned the house from 1923 to 1947, and while he lived here the house was known as "Caterham Lodge". Dr. D.N. Gibbs bought the house in 1948, after the death of Mr Fookes, and had the house altered to accommodate his medical practice.
The next owners were Alex and Margureite Brodie (Alex was the brother of the author John Brodie), followed by the Johansen family who lived here for 38 years.
Alan and Moya Terris bought the house in May 2012.
Related documents:
Taranaki Land Deed Index I3 Page 412
Taranaki Land Deed Index I5 Page 521 Part Town Section 1043 sold to Crown.
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
