Butleigh

Butleigh, 1754 Hamilton Highway, Murgheboluc was a small farm located on the eastern side of the Barwon River Valley overlooking Bruce's Creek. It was established by Samuel Morris junior, a Welshman who migrated with his parents, Samuel and Ann Morris in 1853 and purchased the land from the Crown. A small house was built comprising two parts, a vernacular timber wing subsequently altered and extended and a bluestone wing with a gracious verandah accessed by French doors which faced the extensive view to the west. Samuel Morris junior became Engineer for the Shire of Bannockburn as well as fulfilling other minor public and community roles. He probably designed both early sections of Butleigh, both the vernacular timber service wing and the rather more pretentious stone wing with its verandah and French doors opening towards the garden and the view. Samuel Morris junior married Catherine McGill of Geelong in 1871 and they had two daughters, Edith and Olive. Samuel died in 1911. Butleigh passed on to the neighbouring Morgan family. William Morgan and his wife Elizabeth had arrived in Australia in 1841. Edward Morgan and his wife Frances conducted a mixed farm and a horse stud at Butleigh. The property remained with the Morgan family until the end of the twentieth century. The original buildings are reasonably intact with a fair degree of integrity and are in fair condition. The relocation of an Interwar bungalow has compromised the interpretation of the site. There are important mature plantings which compliment the original buildings.

How is it Significant?

Butleigh, Hamilton Highway, Murgheboluc is of historical and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire.

Why is it Significant?

Butleigh, 1754 Hamilton Highway, Murgheboluc is of historical significance for its occupation by the extended Morris family and subsequently the Morgan family. It has particular significance as the home of Samuel Morris, Bannockburn Engineer. It is representative of the modest riverside farms established in the shire from the 1850s, a pattern of freehold settlement in contrast to the broad-acre occupation of the land by squatters. Butleigh is of architectural significance as a representative example of the humble vernacular dwellings, in this case with an extra stone wing with some architectural pretension, which accommodated often very large families on small farms. Its deliberately elevated situation and surrounding plantings add to the significance of the place.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Homestead building