Thomas Napier

Thomas Napier (1802–1881) was an Australian builder. Born on 11 July 1802 in Scotland. In 1832 Thomas Napier and John Brown, who worked together as carpenters and builders. left Marykirk (near Montrose) in Scotland and formed a business partnership. On arrival in Hobart Town they commenced work on the construction of several buildings. In 1836 Thomas married Jessie Paterson, who had arrived in Hobart Town earlier that year also from Scotland. Only two of their ten children survived into adulthood. In 1837 Thomas Napier sailed for the two-year-old settlement at Melbourne and at the first land sale in June 1837 purchased half an acre in Collins St for twenty pounds. In a subsequent sale a few months later he purchased land at the corner of Little Flinders St and Elizabeth St for his business partner John Brown who arrived in 1838. They continued their successful building business until 1843 when John Brown entered a partnership with James Stewart as a wine and spirit merchant. In 1845, he moved out to the Strathmore area, building a house on the top of the hill in Woodland Street, in the area now occupied by the Catholic Church and School. He called that house “Rosebank."