Charles Cowper built Wivenhoe in 1837 and lived there for about 30 years.
During his residence at Wivenhoe he served as Premier of New South Wales five times between 1856 and 1870.

Cowper was born in 1807 in Lancashire in England and was the third son of William Cowper and Hannah Horner who migrated to New South Wales when Charles was only two years old.
His father was assistant colonial chaplain.
Charles was educated privately and at the age of 18 he entered the Commissariat Department of the Government of New South Wales.

In 1831 he married Eliza Sutton daughter of Daniel Sutton who lived in the village of Wivenhoe in Essex.
The couple had six children, two sons and four daughters.
In 1836 Cowper began building Wivenhoe at Camden on land that had originally been granted by the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, to his father.

Soon after the house was built the Cowpers planted a vineyard which was one of the earliest in the colony.
By 1850 the Wivenhoe wines were becoming celebrated with several very favourable mentions in the newspapers.
In 1856 one newspaper described the wines that were produced there.
These were Muscat, Riesling and red wine which they said was similar to Rhine Valley wines and Madeira which they thought was like Frontenac.
In 1858 Conrad Martens sketched of the house.
In 1866 Wivenhoe was advertised for sale and the property was described in the following terms:
This commodious family mansion contains the following accommodation.
On the ground floor a spacious hall 9 feet wide entered from a tastefully designed portico.
There is also a drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, library, butler’s pantry, store and a range of domestic offices such as kitchen, laundry, ironing room, scullery and servant’s room.
On the upper floor there are six bedrooms.
On the basement are the celebrated Wivenhoe Wine cellars extending under the whole of the main building.
The cellars are of immense strength and thickness 9 feet in height and were especially built for their present use being capable of storing a very large quantity of wine.

— The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 November 1864.

In 1870 Cowper became Agent-General for NSW which was a position situated in London.
He and Eliza sailed for England with their youngest daughter, Rose, early in 1871.
Charles Cowper's health deteriorated over the next few years and in 1875 he died in Kensington, London.
Lady Cowper and Rose returned to Sydney and both resided at Bowral for many years.
Lady Cowper died in 1884 and was buried at St Paul's Church near Wivenhoe.
Charles Cowper built Wivenhoe in 1837 and lived there for about 30 years. During his residence at Wivenhoe he served as Premier of New South Wales five times between 1856 and 1870.
Cowper was born in 1807 in Lancashire in England and was the third son of William Cowper and Hannah Horner who migrated to New South Wales when Charles was only two years old. His father was assistant colonial chaplain. Charles was educated privately and at the age of 18 he entered the Commissariat Department of the Government of New South Wales.
In 1831 he married Eliza Sutton daughter of Daniel Sutton who lived in the village of Wivenhoe in Essex. The couple had six children, two sons and four daughters. In 1836 Cowper began building Wivenhoe at Camden on land that had originally been granted by the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, to his father.
Soon after the house was built the Cowpers planted a vineyard which was one of the earliest in the colony. By 1850 the Wivenhoe wines were becoming celebrated with several very favourable mentions in the newspapers. In 1856 one newspaper described the wines that were produced there. These were Muscat, Riesling and red wine which they said was similar to Rhine Valley wines and Madeira which they thought was like Frontenac. In 1858 Conrad Martens sketched of the house. In 1866 Wivenhoe was advertised for sale and the property was described in the following terms:
This commodious family mansion contains the following accommodation. On the ground floor a spacious hall 9 feet wide entered from a tastefully designed portico. There is also a drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, library, butler’s pantry, store and a range of domestic offices such as kitchen, laundry, ironing room, scullery and servant’s room. On the upper floor there are six bedrooms. On the basement are the celebrated Wivenhoe Wine cellars extending under the whole of the main building. The cellars are of immense strength and thickness 9 feet in height and were especially built for their present use being capable of storing a very large quantity of wine.
— The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 November 1864.
In 1870 Cowper became Agent-General for NSW which was a position situated in London. He and Eliza sailed for England with their youngest daughter, Rose, early in 1871. Charles Cowper's health deteriorated over the next few years and in 1875 he died in Kensington, London. Lady Cowper and Rose returned to Sydney and both resided at Bowral for many years. Lady Cowper died in 1884 and was buried at St Paul's Church near Wivenhoe.
Wivenhoe, Narellan