History

Pre-European Settlement

Long before Europeans arrived on Tasmania’s East Coast, the Paredarerme Aboriginal Clan lived and travelled throughout this area, utilising the vast natural resources of Great Oyster Bay.

In 1642 Abel Tasman, the Dutch explorer became the first European to sight Tasmania. He named his discovery Van Diemen’s Land, and as he sailed up the East Coast, he also named Schouten Island – a landmark that still frames the view across the bay from Swansea today.

Early Colonial Life

European settlement of Swansea (then called Waterloo Point) began around 1820 with the arrival of Welsh farmers. As the community grew, a Military Outpost was established on the site where the Golf Course now lies.

Driven by farming, shipping and whaling, the settlement prospered leading to the construction of many significant buildings that can still be seen around the village streets today.

Our Story – 182 years of hospitality:

The story of 1844 begins with William Champion - transported to Van Diemen’s Land in 1823 after being convicted of receiving stolen goods. 14 years later, as a free man William had built a successful life in Hobart as both a hat-maker and a publican.

In 1838 William began accumulating land adjacent to the Military Barracks in Swansea. The first plot of land was granted by the Crown with the yearly rent being “one peppercorn if the same shall be demanded”!

By 1844 a substantial building was complete and was gifted to his only daughter Esther and her new husband Frederick William Lewis on their marriage.

Opening as The Swansea Inn, and run by Esther & Frederick, the building was in the classic style of Georgian architecture – defined by symmetry, order and purpose. Its balanced two-storey façade, sash windows, central hallway, thick walls and hearth fires made it a welcoming sight on the East Coast.

A Character-Filled Past:

Over the past two centuries our beautiful building has worn many hats:

• Aunty takes over:

In 1848 Frederick had his publican’s license refused after an unfortunate incident. Esther’s Aunty Theresa (William’s sister) and Uncle Samuel Wellard stepped up to take on the License. Here they lived with their 13 children until Theresa’s death in 1855. At the time of her death the couple were running a thriving inn, but Samuel continued as licensee for only a short time following his wife’s death.

• The Lost Brewery & The Shipwreck

In 1850 plans were made to expand the Inn and develop an on-site brewery. The new wing was added to the Georgian façade. The new Brewer and his wife (Thomas and Mary-Ann Large), along with 6 children and all the paraphernalia to build the brewery joined the ship ‘Resolution’ in Hobart to make their way to Swansea. Tragically the vessel was shipwrecked during a storm after arriving off the coast at the end of the voyage. A great storm blew up in the bay, and the passengers could not disembark, and eventually all 6 children were lost to the sea. Today, you can visit the grave of the children at the cemetery on the beach.

The heart-broken parents returned to Hobart and the brewery was never fully realised. The Brewery wing that is now our residence stands testament to the Large’s 19th-century dream.

• The Grammar School:

By the 1860’s the Inn was sold to Alexander Graham and re-purposed into a private school for boys, this venture lasting a mere 5 years.

• The Doctors’ Surgery:

The late 1800’s saw local GP Dr Henry Lovatt living in and running his medical practice from the house. Dr Lovatt died suddenly in the house in 1885, after which Dr Arthur Naylor took on the house and the practice continuing to see patients from the former Inn. During this time the house was christened “Schouten House” a fitting name for a property overlooking the striking island across the bay.

• Sarah Mitchell & her Diaries

In the 1890’s the house was purchased by Sarah Mitchell, the spinster daughter of a prominent landowner (The Lisdillon Estate Mitchells). Sarah, a devout religious woman and a keen amateur artist owned the property for decades. She initially leased the house as a private residence to various tenants but eventually lived here herself. Sarah famously kept a diary from the age of 13 right up until her death at 92, she chronicled decades of East Coast life from right inside these walls!

• The Schoolboy Retreat

From the 1960’s and into the 1980’s, the property was owned by the Salesian Order as a Retreat and Summer Camp for the boys of Dominic (Savio) College in Hobart. Generations of students made memories here and swapped Ghost stories on coastal school trips.

• A 1990s Revival

After sitting quiet and somewhat neglected for a time, the property was purchased in the 1990s by renowned Tasmanian Chef Terry Fidler and his family. Plenty of sweat, care and long hours restored the Heritage details, and a thriving seafood restaurant beloved by locals and visitors alike was created. During this time, boutique accommodation was once again offered at Schouten house and the true spirit of the old Swansea Inn returned.

As the restaurant chapter ended, a series of passionate owners have continued to preserve the building’s history and welcome travellers into the guest accommodation.

The Chapter We’re Writing Today: Welcome to 1844:

Today, known simply as 1844, the building enters its newest incarnation