1874 - Samuel Bennett purchases the property

At the age of 59 Samuel was moving towards retirement. Since the break-up of the Hanson-Bennett partnership in July 1867, Samuel and Eliza had been living in the City, at Ashmore House in Kent Street North. As sole proprietor of the newspaper, Samuel had deemed it necessary to live closer to the business and they had moved there from their house at Newtown.

His eldest son Alfred, although just 22 at the time, was being groomed to take over the business. Alfred had the support of the Rev. William Ridley as Editor and Mr J H Davies, who had been installed as business manager; and Samuel was gradually loosening the reins. While he continued to reside in Kent St and to maintain a presence at the newspaper office, he threw himself into preparing his new home for their retirement.