Dixson family personal papers and business records

DLMSF 44
DLMSQ 550
DLMSQ 551

fonds

1 July 1832-11 June 1925

Textual Records, Cartographic Materials

949444

0.76 metres of textual material (2 boxes and 1 outsize box)

Hugh Dixson (1), 1810-1880, tobacco manufacturer, was born in Edinburgh and arrived in Sydney in 1839 with his wife and infant son, opened a tobacco shop, and became the leading tobacco manufacturer. Only 5 of his 10 children survived. Hugh (2), 1841-1926; Robert 1843-1891; Craig 1850-1894; Thomas 1854-1932 and Isabella 1845-. In 1864, his eldest surviving son, Hugh (2) (Knighted in 1921), and Robert took over the business of Dixson and Sons, subsequently merged with the British Australasian Tobacco Company.

Hugh (2) and his wife, Emma Elizabeth, had 5 sons and 4 daughters. Hugh (3) died in 1904, William 1870-1952; May; Helen; Archibald, died 1912, Christian 1879-1972; Robert; Marion; and Thomas, died 1916. William, who was knighted in 1939, donated pictures for the Dixson Gallery in the Public Library of New South Wales, and bequeathed his collection of books and manuscripts to form the Dixson Library. The family had many philanthropical interests, including the Baptist Church, Medical Missions hospitals, the Y.M.C.A. and scouting.

DLMSF 44

Series 1: Personal papers, 1860-1918

A. Hugh Dixson papers
Item 1: Includes letter to J. D. Lang dated 10 April 1860, with Lang’s reply, and 3 miner’s rights, 1879-1881. Ms. and printed.

B. Sir Hugh Dixson papers
Items 2a-7: Letters patent, 21 September 1874-23 April 1896. Includes letters patent for bottle stoppers and cigar bunching machines, also envelope which originally contained the letters patent. Edward Waters, Thomas Andrew Walker, James Daniel Midson and Frederick William Schroeder are also named in the patent documents. Ms. and printed.
Item 7a: Leasehold conveyance of property at Enfield and Petersham, Walter Bradley to Christopher Newton, 4 July 1865.
Item 8: Illuminated address to Hugh Dixson on his return from Europe and America from the employees of the Conqueror Tobacco Works, 24 October 1885.
Item 9: Illuminated address to Hugh Dixson on his return from Europe from the employees of Dixson and Sons Ltd., 12 February 1900.
Item 10: Letters of introduction and passports, 29 March 1899-2 August 1907. Includes letters of introduction from the Chief Secretary of NSW, the Premier and Colonial Treasurer of NSW, and the Prime Minister of Australia, and passports issued by the governments of NSW and Australia. Ms., typescript and printed.
Item 11: Miscellaneous papers, 19 April 1879-25 June 1907. Includes miner’s rights, elector’s rights and letters. Ms. and printed.

C. Lady Emma Elizabeth Dixson papers
Item 12: Papers, 9 July 1908-14 March 1918. Includes letters from Lord Roberts and Lord Baden-Powell.

D. Hugh Dixson papers
Items 13-14: Letters patent, 3 July 1894 & 19 December 1895, for improvements in building constructions. Henry Wicks is also named.

Series 2: Business records, 1832-1925

A. Dixson and Sons Ltd, 1880-1902
Items 15-18: Trade marks, 12 August 1880-7 March 1882. Trade marks registered with the Registrar-General for Dixson and Sons.
Item 19: Certificate of Incorporation of Dixson and Sons Limited, 12 March 1902, issued under the New South Wales Industrial Arbitration Act, 1901.

DLMSQ 550-551

B. Strand Arcade 1832-1925
Comprises business and legal documents on the leasing of The Strand Arcade, 1 July 1832-11 June 1925 (abstracts of title, leases, surveyor's certificates, articles of partnership, wills, mostly prepared by Solictiors Hamilton and Russell, George Street, Sydney); plans of the Macdonald Estate, 1861; and correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 29 October 1890-1 March 1915.

DLMSQ 550 - Strand Arcade, 1832-1896
1. Memorandum of agreement between Mr William Macdonald and Messrs Kirk and Son relative to a house and premises No. 7 Macdonald’s Buildings George Street Sydney, 1 July 1832.
2. Memorandum of agreement for lease between William Macdonald and Henry Falwasser re. the house and premises No. 5 Macdonald’s Buildings, George Street Sydney, 29 June 1833.
3. In the Supreme Court of NSW. In Equity. Order giving the trustees of the will of Sarah Jobbins the power to grant a lease for 30 years re. land in Pitt St Sydney to William Wood Cater and William Julian Dillon, 21 Aug 1888.
4. Lease. Henry Jobbins and Another to William W. Cater and Another, 25 Oct 1888.
5. Abstract of the title of Henry Jobbins and Jason Johnston of Sydney, Gentlemen, to land and premises situated in Pitt Street Sydney, 1890. Typescript.
6. Abstract of the title of the trustees of the will of William Macdonald deceased to land in George Street, 1890.
7. Lease. Henry Jobbins and Another to William W. Cater and Another, 1 Mar 1890.
8. Agreement for lease A. Burstal and F.A. Allchin Esqrs to Wm Wood Cater and Wm Julian Dillon, 3 Mar 1890.
9. Certificate of P. Sydney Nott, licensed surveyor, to Cater and Dillon for Nos. 410, 412 and 414, George Street, 28 May 1890.
10. Macdonald Estate. Supplemental abstract, registered 6 June 1890.
11. In the Supreme Court of NSW. In Equity. Petition for opinion, advice or direction re. land in George Street, Sydney, subject to the conditions of William Macdonald’s will, filed 14 June 1890. Copy, typescript.
12. In the Supreme Court of NSW. In equity. Order giving the Trustees of the will of William Macdonald authority to grant building leases, 17 June 1890. Copy.
13. Lease. Frederick Albert Allchin and Another to William Wood Cater and Another, land in George Street, 30 June 1890.
14. Assignment of leaseholds, William Wood Cater and Another to Hugh Dixson and others, 2 July 1890.
15. Assignment of 1/3rd interest in leases, William W. Cater and Another to Hugh Dixson and others, 2 July 1890. Attested copy.
16. In the Supreme Court of NSW. In Equity. Judge’s order giving the trustees of the will of Sarah Jobbins the power to grant a lease for 30 years to William Wood Cater and William Julian Dillon, 6 February 1890. Copy.
17. Abstract of the Title of William Wood Cater, William Julian Dillon, and Hugh Dixson of Sydney, Gentlemen, to Leasehold Land and Premises situate in Pitt and George Streets, Sydney, as to the land in Pitt Street, 1890. Typescript.
18. Abstract of the Title of William Wood Cater, William Julian Dillon, and Hugh Dixson of Sydney, Gentlemen, to Leasehold Land and Premises situate in Pitt and George Streets, Sydney, as to the land in George Street, 9 July 1890. Typescript.
19. Articles of Partnership of the Arcade Street Company, 12 March 1891.
20. Agreement for supply of hydraulic power between the Sydney and Suburban Hydraulic Power Co. Ltd. and the Arcade Street Co., 23 March 1891. Manuscript and printed.
21. Supplemental Abstract of Title of William Wood Cater and William Julian Dillon to land in Pitt Street Sydney, 1892.
22. Supplemental Abstract of Title of William Wood Cater and William Julian Dillon to land in the Parish of St James City of Sydney, George Street Lease, 1892.
23. Agreement between William Wood Cater, William Julian Dillon and Hugh Dixson and John Kent to purchase the leases in Pitt and George Streets for 50 years, 19 July 1892.
24. Supplemental Abstract of Title of W.W. Cater, W.J. Dillon and H. Dixson to leasehold premises known as ‘The Strand’, Recd 10 August 1892.
25. Surveyor’s Certificate of Dawson and Dawson, licensed surveyors, re. ‘The Strand’, 31 August 1892. Manuscript and typescript.
26. Mortgage of Leaseholds. W.W. Cater and others to The Australasian Investment Company Limited, 24 September – 24 October 1892.
27. Contract as to issue of paid up shares under 57th Section of The Companies Act. William Wood Cater and others and The Strand Company Limited, 6 October 1892.
28. Agreement to provide electrical equipment and power. A.H. Macarthur with The Strand Company Limited, 6 January 1893. Stephen Jaques & Stephen. Typescript.
29. Agreement. William Wood Cater, 1st part, William Julian Dillon, 2nd part and Hugh Dixson, 3rd part, 1893.
30. Assignment of Leaseholds. W.W. Cater, 1st part, W.J. Dillon, 2nd part, The Strand Company, 3rd part, John Kent, 4th part and Hugh Dixson, 5th part, 13 June 1893.
31. Assignment of Contracts. The Strand Company Ltd, 1st part, John Kent, 2nd part and Hugh Dixson, 3rd part, 13 June 1893.
32. Assignment of Policies. The Strand Company Ltd. to Hugh Dixson, 13 June 1893.
33. Notice of transfer of shares in the leasehold, of W.W. Cater, W.J. Dillon, Strand Co. Ltd. and John Kent to Hugh Dixson, 6 October 1893.
34. Release. Hugh Dixson to William H. Hoskings and others, 20 November 1896. Typescript.
35. Surrender of Lease. Hugh Dixson to Henry Jobbins and Another, 1 December 1896.
36. Lease. Henry Jobbins and Another to Hugh Dixson, 1 December 1896.
37. Reassignment of Leaseholds, The Australasian Investment Company Limited, to Hugh Dixson, 1 December 1896.
38. Mortgage of Leaseholds. Hugh Dixson to The Australasian Investment Company Limited, 1 December 1896.

DLMSQ 551 - Strand Arcade, 1904-1925
1. Assignment of leaseholds. Hugh Dixson to Dixson Trust Ltd., 28 March 1904.
2. Will and codicils of William Macdonald Matthews Esq., 9 Feb. 1914 - 31 Mar. 1916. Carbon copy.
3. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Miss Edith Evelyn Matthews, 5 Oct. 1914. Attested copy.
4. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade, Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Miss Elsie Macdonald Matthews, 5 Oct. 1914. Attested copy.
5. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade, Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Miss Frances Winifred Matthews, - now Mrs. Nott-Bower, 5 Oct. 1914.
6. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade, Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Miss Doris May Williams Matthews, 5 Oct. 1914. Attested copy.
7. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade, Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Miss Nora Constance Matthews, 5 Oct. 1914. Attested copy.
8. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade, Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Miss Mary Elizabeth Matthews, 5 Oct. 1914. Attested copy.
9. Conveyance of undivided share of The Strand Arcade, Sydney, New South Wales. William Macdonald Matthews Esq. to Francis William Macdonald Matthews Esq., 5 Oct. 1914.
10. Conveyance: F.A. Allchin & another, 1st part; F.A. Allchin & another, 2nd part; W.M. Matthews, 3rd part; A.E. Cooper & another, 4th part & E.C. & A.J. Hordern, 5th part, 1915. Copy draft.
11. Another copy.
12. Abstract of Title of The Trustees of the Will of William Macdonald deceased to land in George Street, Sydney, rec. 24 Nov. 1916.
12a. Another copy. pp. 6, 7, 19, 22-24 only.
13. (Supplemental) Abstract of Title of The Trustees of the Will of William Macdonald deceased to Land in George Street, Sydney, 1916.
14. Description of land in George Street (described in item 10) by Dobbie & Kenny, Surveyors, 8 June 1917.
15. Draft conveyance F.A. Allchin and others to Strand Freehold Limited, 1917.
15a. 1st and 2nd schedules of land in George Street as in item 15.
16. Conveyance. Frederick Albert Allchin & others to Strand Freehold Limited, 21 Mar. 1917. Also attached are certificates authenticating signatures of heirs of William Macdonald.
17. Another copy.
18. Abstract of the Title of Dixson Trust Limited to Leasehold land in George Street, known as part of The Strand Arcade, 1922.
18a. Another copy. pp. 5-9, 15-17 only.
19. Supplementary abstract of the Title of Strand Freehold Limited to part of The Strand Arcade, George Street, Sydney, 1922.
19a. Another copy. pp. 28, 29 only.
20. Conditions and terms of sale of part of Strand Arcade by Strand Freehold Limited to Solomon Burleigh, 20 Oct. 1922.
21. Requisitions on title Strand Arcade Freehold; 13 Nov. 1922.
22. Requisitions on title Strand Arcade Leasehold; 13 Nov. 1922.
23. Acknowledgement by Trustees of the Will of Adelaide Cooper deceased 23 Nov. 1922, in the application of E.C. & A.J. Hordern to bring under the provisions of the Real Property Act, certain land in Sydney.
24. Supplemental abstract of the Dixson Trust, 1922.
24a. Another copy pp. 1,2 only.
25. Opinion Re. Strand Arcade Title, 12 Dec. 1922.
26. Conveyance. Strand Freehold Ltd. to Solomon Burleigh. Draft, 1922.
27. Assignment of leaseholds. Hugh Dixson, 1st part; Dixson Trust Limited, 2nd part; The Strand Investment Company Ltd., 3rd part. 1922. Draft.
28. Rider A of agreement and undertaking of Strand Freehold Ltd. and Dixson Trust Ltd. with Solomon Burleigh and others, 1923 (Preliminary draft).
29, 30. Another 2 copies. Draft.
31, 32. Another 2 copies.
33. Agreement and undertaking. Strand Freehold Limited and Dixson Trust Limited with Solomon Burleigh & others. Copy/draft, 1923.
34. Agreement and undertaking. Strand Freehold Limited and Dixson Trust Limited with Solomon Burleigh & others. 13 Mar. 1923.
35. Memo of advice Re Strand Arcade. Re draft. Agreement, 19 July 1923.
36. Conveyance. Strand Freehold Ltd. to Abraham Victor Emanuel Burleigh, 1923. Draft.
37. Conveyance. Strand Freehold Ltd. to Harris Burleigh, 1923. Draft.
38. Conveyance. Strand Freehold Ltd. to Hannah Caroline Burleigh, 1923. Draft.
39. Agreement adopting contract for purchase. Dixson Trust Limited 1st part; Solomon Burleigh 2nd part; The Strand Investment Company Limited 3rd part, 1923. Draft.
40. Conveyance. Mary Elizabeth Hutt, First part; Francis William Macdonald Matthews, Second part and Strand Freehold Limited, Third part. 19 Nov. 1923. Also attached are certificates authenticating the signatures of Mary Elizabeth Hutt and Francis William Macdonald Matthews.
41. Deed of confirmation. Philip Fowke to Strand Freehold Limited, 16 Aug. 1924.
42. Conveyance. Francis William Macdonald Matthews to Strand Freehold Limited. 4 Oct. 1924. Also attached is certificated authenticating Matthews’ signature.
43. Memorandum of Mortgage. Solomon Burleigh with Strand Freehold Limited, 10 June 1925.
44. Memorandum of Mortgage. Abraham Victor Emanuel Burleigh with Strand Freehold Limited, 11 June 1925.
45. Memorandum of Mortgage. Harris Burleigh with Strand Freehold Limited, 11 June 1925.
46. Memorandum of Mortgage. Hannah Caroline Burleigh with Strand Freehold Limited, 11 June 1925.
47. Plan of the Macdonald Estate, George St. 1861.
48. Another copy.
49. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 29 Oct. 1890-1 March 1915.

Arranged in chronological order.

Contents list filed with collection -