Wells' Cottage, 37 Gilbert Street (circa 1870s)

Whilst little is known about this history of this now much modified cottage, it was probably constructed during the 1870s for farmer Robert Wells. 

Robert Wells purchased Town Section 1055 from the original Crown Grant recipient William Hellier in 1866. Wells first seems to have occupied the cottage during the mid-1870s, with street directories listing him as residing at Mangorei in 1872-73; New Plymouth (no street is mentioned - although likely this location) in 1875-76; and in Gilbert Street from 1878-79 onwards.

Although Wells owned and occupied the property, the earliest surviving rates book for the property (covering the 1875-76 rating year), lists Joseph Murphy as the ratepayer, with the property valued at £18. The existence of a fire rate for the 1875-76 rating year indicates that a substantial structure (almost certainly the present cottage), was present on the section by this time.

A circa 1870s photograph shows several cottages near the site of the present dwelling, although it is unclear if 37 Gilbert Street is one of these - it is possibly hidden from view or yet to be constructed.

Whilst Wells owned the property until his death in 1916, the cottage is thought to have been rented out from the mid-1880s onwards, with Wells later residing at Huirangi before settling in Waitara West. He last appears as living in Gilbert Street in the 1885-86 edition of Wises Post Office Directory. 

The original cottage is the front east-west gable with projecting bay which is clearly visible in mid-twentieth century aerial images; both this cottage and neighbouring 35 Gilbert Street were originally very similar in style. The original portion of the cottage incorporates a twelve-light double hung sash window and also accomodates the front door.    

The cottage is currently clad in rusticated weatherboard - however this is unlikely to be original, and the cottage was probably clad in plain horizontal weatherboards.

Town Section 1055: Taranaki Land Deeds Index I1, page 482.