I have just found out that an application to demolish the former home of one of Maitland's earliest settlers has been put forward to Maitland City Council. The home is located at 36 Banks Street East Maitland. According to information from the National Trust Property Guide (2004) the first purchaser of this lot was Henry Rae, a saddler, in 1833. He erected a small house and shed. Rae become insolvent in 1844 and the property passed into other hands. In December 1853 the property was purchased by John Eckford for 1,120 pounds which strongly indicates that the two storey residence as it now exists was erected by then. John Eckford was the eldest son of William Eckford, the pilot of Newcastle Harbour. He was born at Parramatta in 1801 and began farming in the Maitland area in 1818 being one of the first eleven people allowed to settle in the area. "Brush Farm" at Pitnacree (between Maitland and Morpeth) was the name of John's property. Other members of the Eckford family followed John to the Maitland area. In 1828 John married Eliza Duff, sister of Ann Duff who married Samuel Clift, and they had nine children. John died in 1884 and is buried in the Eckford vault in Glebe cemetery. The Banks Street property remained in the Eckford family until 1958 when it was sold to the St Vincent de Paul Society for 3000 pounds. The building operated as the Matthew Talbot Hostel for destitute men for 40 years. The SVdeP Society sold the building in 1997 and the then owners sold it in about 2004. Little restoration work on the building is noticeable but I have been told that the current owner did receive grants for some heritage work. The building dates from pre 1853 and is an important link to Maitland's early history and as such should be preserved. Objections to the application close on Tuesday January 8th. I have contacted some Eckford descendants that I know and asked them if they could write an objection to the council. Other Eckford descendants may also like to write to Maitland City Council to object to the demolishing of the Banks Street residence. Regards Judy -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.