BOUNDARY PLACE/DOLLAR COTTAGE

This building, located on the corner of North Parade and Melville Street, was built c. 1860.  The building has been known as 'Boundary Place' and 'Dollar Cottage.'  

JAMES AYRTON CLOSE

James Ayrton Close was born on the 9th day of September 1829, in Queenshead, Northowram, England.  His parents were John Tomas Close and Elizabeth Close nee Ayrton.

In 1850, he married Hannah Kitchen in Yorkshire, England.

They had four children in England: Sarah Elizabeth in 1851; John Thomas in 1853; William in 1856; and James Henry in 1858.  (ancestry 2016)

James worked as a linen draper while Hannah was a milliner.  (WikiTree n.d.)

James emigrated to Australia in 1858 aboard the Granton.  The family arrived at Port Adelaide on the 22nd day of November 1858.  (1875 General News) (WikiTree n.d.)

Following their arrival in the colony of South Australia, James and his family made their way to Strathalbyn.  He had a brother, William Close, living there.  Together with William, they ran the Old Angas Store.

In January 1859, James was granted a slaughtering licence. (1859 Strathalbyn)

In c. 1860, they built 'Boundary House' on Boundary Road (now known as North Parade).  (SA History 2016) (WikiTree n.d.)

The couple had three more children, all born in Strathalbyn: Walter in 1860; Mary Eliza Anna in 1863; and Helena in 1866.  (ancestry 2016)

Above: James Ayrton Close.  Image c/o ancestry.com.au

James also took up the occupation of auctioneer, and it was reported that he excelled in that profession.  He served as a Councillor and Chairman of the Strathalbyn District Council.  James was elected as the Mayor of the Strathalbyn Corporation on the 25th day of November 1869.  (1875 General News) (WikiTree n.d.)

He was acknowledged as the principal person responsible for the erection of the North Parade Bridge.  (1875 General News)

In c. 1868, James started to experience ill health which progressively became worse.  (1875 General News)

James died on Thursday, the 16th day of September 1875, in Strathalbyn, aged 46 years.  It was reported that he 'died calmly' in the arms of his eldest daughter.  (1875 General News) (ancestry 2016)

Above: Article from the Southern Argus, Thu 16 Sept 1875.  Image c/o Trove

His funeral took place on Friday, the 17th day of September 1875.  It was reported that it was the largest concourse of people ever gathered for a funeral at that time, and that a 'very large concourse of people' had gathered to witness his funeral.  The majority of businesses in Strathalbyn were closed and flags flown at half-mast.  (1875 General News)

REV. FREDERIC POOLE

The house was sold in the 1870s and was occupied by Reverend Frederic Slaney Poole.  (SA History 2016)

He was born on the 9th day of July 1845 in Maidstone, Kent, England.  (ancestry 2016)

Frederic emigrated to South Australia in 1867 aboard the St Vincent.  He served at Poonindie Mission, Robe, and Mount Gambier.

He left Australia in 1871 for England, but returned to Australia later that year and was appointed to Christ Church, Strathalbyn and served there from 1872 to 1874.

​He was a keen cricketer and was the Vice-{resident of the Strathalbyn Cricket Club in 1872.  (Wikipedia 2025)

Above: Reverend Poole.  Image c/o State Library of South Australia

Reverend Poole then served at St John's in Adelaide and then St Peter's in Ballarat, Victoria.  He returned to Adelaide by 1900 and died on the 28th day of June 1936 at his home in Prospect, aged 90 years (ancestry 2016) (Wikipedia 2025)

JESSE BRAY

Jesse Bray was born on the 26th day of June 1826, at Combe, Berkshire, England.  His parents were Daniel Bray and Charlotte Bray nee Jones.

On the 6th day of December 1848, he married Priscilla Elizabeth Norris in England.  (ancestry 2016)

Jesse and his family departed Liverpool on the 1st day of June 1858 aboard The Frenchman.  They were among 416 passengers aboard the ship from England, Scotland, and Ireland.  (1858 Arrival of The Frenchman)

After 112 days at sea, they arrived at Port Adelaide on Monday the 20th day of September 1858.  During the voyage, 4 births and 7 deaths occurred.  (1858 Arrival of the Frenchman)

Above: Article from the South Australian Register, Wed 22 Sept 1858.  Image c/o Trove

In June 1867, Jesse was arrested in Melbourne on a warrant for suspected sheepstealing.  He was brought to Mount Barker to appear before the Magistrate.  (Strathalbyn 1867)

In January 1871, Jesse was seriously injured while assisting with loading wool at the Tramway Station at Strathalbyn.  He was in the act of fixing the twitch with one foot on the wheel when a bale of wool fell on him, resulting in the fracture of his thigh.  (General News 2026)

Above: Item from the Southern Argus, Sat 14 Jan 1871.  Image c/o Trove

Jesse died on the 28th day of October 1914 at Langhorne Creek, South Australia, aged 88 years.

Jesse is buried at the Strathalbyn Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

BETTY WESTWOOD

During the mid 1900s, the building was also occupied by Betty Westwood, who was known as 'The Tree Lady'.  (SA History 2016)

Betty Rutherford Westwood was born on the 17th day of June 1917, at Adelaide, South Australia.  (ancestry 2016)

In 1939, she commenced work at the Royal Adelaide Hospital as a nurse.  She later became a staff and theatre sister.  (ancestry 2016)

Betty was attached to the 2/4 Australian General Hospital and saw service at Morotai and Labuan Island near Borneo.  (ancestry 2016) (Nash 2023)

Following the war, Betty spent 2 years in England as a nurse.  She had returned to Australia by 1948 and was working at Geelong Grammar as a matron.  She returned to England in  October 1949 and then returned to Australia by 1954.  (ancestry 2016) (SA History 2016)

Above: Betty Westwood and other RSL Sisters at the Cross of Remembrance, ANZAC Day, c. 1950.  Image c/o State Library of South Australia

Following her return to Australia, Betty served as a matron of the preparatory school boarding house at St Peter's College. (SA History 2016)

She retired in 1980 after 26 years of service.  (ancestry 2016)

Betty earned her nickname due to her tireless work to protect the natural heritage of the Strathalbyn district.  She is believed to be responsible for planting of about 250,000 trees.  (Nash 2023)

Betty died on the 26th day of August 2004, at Strathalbyn, aged 87 years.

She is buried at the Enfield Cemetery, South Australia.  (ancestry 2016)

References.

1. 1858 'ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCHMAN, EMIGRANT SHIP.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 22 September, p. 2. , viewed 30 Jul 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49779821
2. 1859 'STRATHALBYN.', The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), 13 January, p. 3. , viewed 29 Jul 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article787690
3. 1875 'General News.', Southern Argus (Port Elliot, SA : 1866 - 1960), 23 September, p. 3. , viewed 30 Jul 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96882448
4. ancestry. (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. In Ancestry.com.au. https://www.ancestry.com.au/ [Accessed 28 Jul 2026]
5. General News (2026). Nla.Gov.Au. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/9481420?searchTerm=jesse%20bray%20%2B%20strathalbyn [Accessed 28 Jul 2026]
6. Nash, T. (2023, February 2). Local butcher’s name re-emerges on restored building. The Southern Argus. https://www.southernargus.com.au/local-butchers-name-re-emerges-on-restored-building/ [Accessed 28 Jul 2026]
7. STRATHALBYN, JUNE 19. - South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1867) - 22 Jun 1867. (2026). Trove. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91260634?searchTerm=jesse%20bray%20%2B%20strathalbyn [Accessed 28 Jul 2026]
8. South Australia History Festival, Theatrical Historical Tour of 'Old Strathalbyn', 2016
9. WikiTree.com (no date) WikiTree.com. Available at: https://www.wikitree.com (Accessed: July 29, 2026).