The suburb was originally part of Five Dock Farm and when subdivided in 1837, was called Feltham. Sir Arthur Renwick, a doctor, philanthropist and politician built his home here in 1890 and called it Abbotsford House in honour of Sir Walter Scott's home. Renwick sold his property in 1903 to Albert Grace, and in 1918 it became the site of a Nestlé chocolate factory, with the house used initially for chocolate production and later as their administrative offices. The factory was closed in 1991, after which the area was redeveloped as the medium-density Abbotsford Cove housing complex.[6]
Australian poet Henry Lawson did not die in Abbotsford house in 1922, as is sometimes claimed, but at the home of Mrs Isabella Byers at 437 Great North Road, recently demolished. Abbotsford House is now listed on the Register of the National Estate.[7]
Demographics
According to the 2021 census of the population, there were 5,431 residents in Abbotsford. 66.3% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were Italy 5.7%, England 3.2% and China 2.8%. 68.6% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Italian 8.2%, Mandarin 2.9%, Cantonese 2.3% and Greek 1.8%. The most common responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 37.9%, No Religion 29.7% and Anglican 8.1%.[8]
