Hannah Constable 1841-1861
Hannah Constable
Benjamin Constable 1806-1887
Hannah was eight years of age when she came from England with her parents Benjamin and Hannah Constable and six other children to Port Phillip in the frigate "Clifton" in 1849.
The Constable family moved from Brighton down to Mornington in 1860. They lived on the Esplanade, possibly near Shire Hall Beach as it was once known as Constables Beach. They then built on the Esplanade near King Street a red brick home called "Clifton Villa" after the ship they had come out on.
Hannah’s father Benjamin was a cabinet maker and Builder and, with Daniel Green, built a home for Dr. Barry further along towards Fisherman’s Beach once called "Clifden" "Garrycloyne" now called "Clyde Villa".
Jane Constable at the gate of the Mornington Post Office
Jane Constable 1843-1917
Hannah died at an early age in 1861 and was buried in the Moorooduc cemetery.
Her sister Jane became the manager and Post Master of the Electric Telegraph at Mornington from 1869 to 1875 when she was transferred to St. Kilda. Another sister Eleanor married Daniel Gorwood Green and stayed on in Mornington.
Clyde Villa, also known as Clifden and Garrycloyne
Dr Michael Barry commissioned Mornington carpenter Ben Constable to build Clifden in 1869. Dr Barry purchased this 4 acre 'sea frontage' block in 1866 from Mr Walter Clarke, and named the house “Clifden” after his birthplace in Ireland.
Dr Barry’s main residence was in Toorak and it is possible he never resided at Clifden as he sold it to Dr J Macgregor around 1869.
It was renamed "Garrycloyne" (meaning dale of beautiful trees) in 1901 by the Townshend family.
Artist Samuel P Townshend owned and occupied the property for over 40 years from the early 1900's.
In 1969 the Dade family purchased the property. Freya Dade, who was also an artist, rebuilt the stables at the back of the house and used them as her studio.
During the Dade’s ownership the house was extensively renovated and extended.
In 1983 it was again on the market for sale.
A description mentions the 'Gothic room' reputedly used as a surgery at one time.
The site was subdivided in the mid 1980's and two blocks to the east of the property were sold off.
The Canary Island palm in the front garden is reputed to date from 1870.