The property known as “Deloraine” consists of two parcels of land which were first purchased in the pursuance of the proclamation of September 16, 1858 and the original grant is now displayed in the formal dining room of “Deloraine”.
The original grantee was Edmund Curry whose descendants still reside in the district. The two lots were purchased for the sum of 15 pounds 10 shillings, however by October 2, 1867 both parcels were sold to Mr. Henry Bauer for the sum of 45 pounds sterling.
Following his death on November 30, 1872 the property was inherited by his widow Julia Bauer, who subsequently sold the property for 200 pounds. It may reasonable be asumed there was some building on the site at this stage due to the significant increase in price. It was presumably the western section of the now existing building. The house is built from local blue granite rock.
September 7, 1876, Julia Bauer officially sold the property to a Mr Jared Brown, who was a hotel keeper, interestingly Julia executed her mark by a cross on that document.
It has been confirmed, although not with documentary evidence, that Brown completed the building. He then mortgaged the property to the Australian Joint Stock Bank in June 1877.This could have been to complete the building as it is said that during that period of ownership it was used as an Inn.
Later he leased the house to a family called “Moses” who were tanners in the Tenterfield district it is said Jewish religious meetings were held in what is now the formal dining room on the eastern end of the building.
Brown died October 1, 1889 leaving Charles Alfred Lee (gentleman) and Thomas Peberdy (storekeeper) to be Executers and Trustees. Together with the bank as mortgagee they sold the property for 510 pounds to a Mr John Whitton who then left it in trust for his wife Catherine Whitton. Of note is the signature of J.F. Thomas Solicitor of Tenterfield (who later defended Breaker Morant in South Africa) which appear on the document drawn up for this transaction.
Catherine Whitton died March 13, 1918, and probate was granted May 8, 1918, to her daughter Amy Harriet Whitton. The property then stayed in the one family until 1985. Amy whitton lived in the home until her death in August 1963, along with her sister Helen Stewart and Mrs Stewarts daughter Miss Amy Elizabeth Stewart. During this time Mrs Helen Stewart apparently conducted a school from the room at the Eastern end.
After Amy Whittons death the building was left to her neice Miss Amy Stewart who is still remembered by local people as a delightful character. It is reported she drove a 1929 single seat Ford which she had purchased new. It was sold in the early 70’s complete with all original registration documents. It was in original condition with the exception of having new tyres (once), the leather hood replaced and a total mileage of 26,000 miles on the clock. It was a tragedy when at 89 years of age she was knocked over by a motorcycle and subsequently died.
Following Miss Stewarts death the building passed to her cousin Mr Walter John Sabine. It then went through a series of owners, being run as a B&B, Coffee house and at times a Restaurant, until its purchase in September 2004 to be re opened again as a B&B.
