No evidence has been found to indicate the drive to be anywhere other than its present location). The choice, either consciously or otherwise, was also a political one. It made a clear statement of the superiority of Close's position with respect to the ongoing conflict with the Government over his ownership of this strategic site. It established EC Close as the most important person in the district. Furthermore, the position of the house, in relation to the village that was surveyed next to the river and below the level of the house, is a clear statement of the social hierarchy which had Edward Close at the apex in a manner not dissimilar to a feudal fief. In a similar vein, Close provided a number of civic amenities from his land grant, not least of which were the building of St James's Church, hall and rectory, land for the cemetery and a parish school house. Close subdivided his landing the 1840s during a severe depression in the colony. In 1840, some 20 of the lots were put up for sale. In 1841, another 35 went under the hammer and another 9 in 1849. In 1849, he sold his house, Closebourne, to the new Anglican Bishop of Newcastle for the sum of 1,600 pounds. Upon its purchase by Bishop William Tyrrell in 1849, Closebourne House became known as Bishopscourt, a common colonial name for the home of the Bishop. Tyrrell was the first Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, consecrated in 1847 in England. On his arrival, he lived in St James's Rectory for two years until the Diocese bought Closebourne from Edward Close. There is no known record of alterations to the house during his tenure. He is known to have been a keen gardener and may have been responsible for the introduction of many fruit trees, flowers and other exotic garden flora. The occupation of Closebourne as Bishopscourt and Diocesan administration of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle was as follows:   In 1912, the residence of the Bishops of Newcastle was moved to the city itself. There is no clear picture of what happened to the house for the next ten years. During the First World War, the Diocese became active in the provision of schools and homes for children. The Children's Home Committee was established in 1918 under the direction of Bishop Reginald Stephen. It was decided at some point to put Bishopscourt to use as a home for disadvantaged children and 3,370 pounds was spent in alterations. By 1922, 31 boys and 4-10 were living at Bishopscourt, which had been renamed St Alban's Boys' Home, under the charge of two Sisters of the Community of the Holy Name.