Wattle House, residence of Samuel Jackson

Samuel Jackson (1807–1876) came to Port Phillip in 1835 as one of the original members of the John Pascoe Fawkner syndicate. Despite having no architectural training, he established a successful architectural practice and built many important pre-goldrush buildings in Melbourne.

In 1845 he built his own residence, Wattle House, at St Kilda. After marrying in 1852, he extended the house to the form seen in this painting. He returned to England permanently in 1862.

This work shows Wattle House, partly obscured by trees, with Samuel Jackson sitting on his front porch reading a newspaper. After a varied life as a school, brothel and backpackers, Wattle House still stands and is St Kilda's oldest surviving home. On the heritage register, it is in need of TLC and awaiting its next incarnation.