Lawson's Cottage no.2 (circa 1896-1897 to 2020)

The eastern portions of Town Sections 1604 and 1629 were owned by Jonathan C. Adams between 1879 and late-1896 and remained vacant during his period of ownership; rate books for both 1894-95 and 1896-97 confirm no dwellings were present on the sections at the start of these rating years. In November 1896 the sections were purchased by Mrs Mary Lawson, the wife of John Lawson, and both this house and 107 Pendarves Street are thought to have been constructed soon after. 107 Pendarves Street became the Lawson’s home, whilst this house was rented-out. 

The whereabouts of NPBC rate books for 1897-99 are currently unknown, but the rear of the present dwelling can be seen in a photograph taken from nearby Fort Niger and published in a Supplement to the Auckland Weekly News in June 1898. The 1900-01 NPBC Rating book confirms that both houses had been constructed by the start of that rating year, with a house noted as being located on Part Section 1604 Lemon Street and also on Part 1629 Pendarves Street. Although the architect is currently unknown, based on the style of the dwellings, either Frank Messenger (most likely) or James Sanderson was probably responsible their design.

John Richard Lawson married Mrs Mary Carrick, a widow, in 1890, and before moving into New Plymouth it seems they were farmers residing at Lepperton, inland from Waitara. John fought in the Battle of Waireka during the First Taranaki War and remained in the militia as a lieutenant until his forced retirement upon reaching the age of 65 in 1900. On the morning of 22 September 1908, a boy driving cattle off the racecourse discovered John’s body hanging from a pine tree located between the Avenue Road (present Coronation Avenue), and the grandstand; it seems his health had been in decline since suffering a stroke earlier in the year. John was aged 74 years and is buried at nearby Te Hēnui Cemetery. Mary continued to occupy the house at 107 Pendarves Street until her death in July 1917, aged 56 years, and is also buried at Te Hēnui Cemetery.

Following Mary’s death, Part Town Section 1604 and house entered into the possession of A. E. Ricketts until July 1919, when it was conveyed to P. C. Sorensen. It is unclear if Sorensen resided at the house, but he only retained ownership until September 1921, when the property was purchased by E. M. Clark. It seems Clark may have rented out the house and isn’t listed in street directories as residing at this location. Clark was still the owner when the property title was issued under the Land Transfer Act in 1929.

The home is characteristic of mid 1890s New Plymouth villas, with the shape of the front gable window, and above roof profile notable features. 

The house was demolished in June 2020, after plans to move the house were abandoned due to its poor condition. (Taranaki Daily News 4 June 2020)

Town Section 1604, Taranaki Land Deeds Index I3 page 546, I5 Page 296, I5 Page 267, I5 Page 363 and I5 Page 264. 

Related items:

Fears For New Plymouth's History (Taranaki Daily News 13 April 2020)

Taranaki DEED49 Sheet 1 (Lot 2), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)