Draft:William Hart (businessman)

William Hart (1830–1910) born in Throwbridge, Wiltshire, England, arrived in Australia at the age of 24. He became well known in the NSW province of Parramatta as a builder and timber merchant. He founded the firm Hart, Hitchcock and Co (originally started as Hart and Sons). He purchased land subdivided in 1880s as the Toongabbie Estate - 2nd Subdivision is located in Western Sydney.

He possibly had a hand in the organisation and construction of his son William Hart Junior’s villa, "Castrella", located at 127 Wentworth Avenue, Wentworthville, NSW in late Victorian style. This building is characteristic of a typical two-storey suburban Italianate residence complex and is protected by NSW heritage laws.

His grandson William Ewart Hart (from his son William (Henry) Hart or William Hart Jnr.) became a famous Australian aviator.

Hart Drive, also called Cumberland Highway in Western Sydney is named after this family.

History
Hart was well respected for his quality construction work in the community. Mr Hart assisted in the planning and construction of the largest and best buildings in the district at the time. For example, having a hand in the construction of the biggest and most expensive Methodist Church in NSW (built in Parramatta).

Marriage and Family
Mr Hart was married to Elizabeth Daniels (approx 1828-1896) in 1852 in Melksham, Wiltshire, England, prior to arriving in Australia. Hart married twice.

Hart had children (7 ) including five sons and two daughters. His first son became a doctor, Dr Hart (from the Parramatta Medical Institute). His other three sons Joseph, George and William worked in the "Hart and Sons" firm. (This firm was later called Hart Hitchcock & Co.).

His son William Hart became father to his grandson William Ewart Hart, the famous Australian aviator.

The family was well known in the community including William Hart’s descendants holidays were reported on 8 July 1916 when they were caught in a snow storm.