John Louis Harbroe, Elizabeth Louise's bachelor brother

John Louis was born on 4th April 1858, was educated at the High School, which more recently became the University, (although this is not the use now, because the University has been moved to Sandy Bay Road).

He entered the Government service on January 3, 1875 as a Clerk in the Land Titles office, but he was only there for 3 years when he was transferred to the Customs Department. Where 15 years later, on June 1, 1893, he was appointed Chief Clerk of Customs and Registrar of Shipping.

When the Customs Department was handed over to the Commonwealth Government on Federation, he was transferred to their Service, and rose to Sub – Collector of Customs.

he never married but there is little doubt that he intended at some stage, because he built “Louisville” in Park Street, New Town, not very far from “Woodlands” sometime before the turn of the century.

John Louis who was the Collector of Customs in Hobart at the time, built "Louisville" in 1903 as he intended to marry. But his marriage plans were cancelled when he discovered that his mother was a convict. He was ashamed of his origins - or so the family legend goes.

Actually he never resided at “Louisville”, because on the death of his last parent, he inherited the old “Woodlands” homestead, which stood on a large area of ground bounded by three streets the house being reached by an avenue leading from Park Street, and another from Swanston Street.

Several years later, he converted the old single story residence, into a large two story mansion, which is so well, and so very affectionately remembered by your Harold Robert and Gerald Gregory, who spent many lovely holidays there in their youth, and of course, you know Robert's home at 79 Tryon Road Lindfield was named after “Woodlands”.

John Louis added a second storey to "Woodlands" a few years after his father's George's death in 1881.

John Louis, lived at "Woodlands" until his death in 1918 and it was his niece, Louise Margaret (Dolly) Fisher, who had been his housekeeper, who lived in the house until 1936.

"As has been said, Jack Harbroe was a bachelor , and for some 18 years prior to his death, his niece Louise Margaret Fisher, a daughter of Alfred George Fisher and granddaughter of Mr. John Fisher of “Wellington Grange”, who was a spinster, kept house for him, and they entertained very largely, and lived on an elaborate scale. Upon his death, Uncle Jack, as he was known to we boys, left everything to Louise including of course “Woodlands” and “Louisville”. “The Aunt” as she was known to we boys resided on at “Woodlands” until 1936, when the old home was sold by her to the Church of England as a Girls Hostel. Several months ago, when in Hobart, I visited the place, but it is all greatly altered, although still quite recognizable from the front. The land has all been cut up and built on, while the house occupies only the ground it stands on. It is all so very different to the beautiful place I remember."

Your great great Uncle, John Louis Harbroe, (Uncle Jack to your father and your uncles) did not marry. But there is little doubt that he intended at some stage to do so, because he built “Louisville” in Park Street, New Town, not very far from “Woodlands” sometime before the turn of the century. Actually he even resided at “Louisville”, because on the death of his last parent, he inherited the old “Woodlands” homestead, which stood on a large area of ground bounded by three streets the house being reached by an avenue leading from Park Street, and another from Swanston Street. Several years later, he converted the old single story residence, ( a pencil drawing of which I gave your father and mother at the time of their wedding) into a large two story mansion, which is so well, and so very affectionately remembered by your father and your uncles, who spent many lovely holidays there, and of course, you know my home is named after “Woodlands”.

John Louis Harbroe was, as have stated, born at “Woodlands” in April 1859, and he was educated at the High School, which more recently was the University, although this is not the use now, because the University has been moved to Sandy Bay Road.

When the Customs Department was handed over to the Commonwealth Government on Federation, he was transferred to their Service, and rose to Sub – Collector of Customs. He died on February 19, 1918 at “Woodlands” after a long illness.

As has been said, Jack Harbroe was a bachelor , and for some 18 years prior to his death, his niece Louise Margaret Fisher, a daughter of Alfred George Fisher and granddaughter of Mr. John Fisher of “Wellington Grange”, who was a spinster, kept house for him, and they entertained very largely, and lived on an elaborate scale. Upon his death, Uncle Jack, as he was known to we boys, left everything to Louise including of course “Woodlands” and “Louisville”. “The Aunt” as she was known to we boys resided on at “Woodlands” until 1936, when the old home was sold by her to the Church of England as a Girls Hostel. Several months ago, when in Hobart, I visited the place, but it is all greatly altered, although still quite recognizable from the front. The land has all been cut up and built on, while the house occupies only the ground it stands on. It is all so very different to the beautiful place I remember.