1902-1906 During this period, 'Bellfield' was known to have had three owners, a Mr Barrett, then a Mr Brand, then the firm Mitchell Bros. and White. C1907 Marshall White bought 'Bellfield' and succeeded in getting the government to improve the road up the valley. 1910 'Bellfield' opened as a guest house with a Mrs Matilda Thompson employed as manageressSundial peak in background overlooking housebuildings, houses, accommodation, bellfield

By 1950 Hotel Bellfield was owned by Mr and Mrs McMullin In June 1952 the staff quarters at the rear of the main building was destroyed by fire. As the staff accommodation comprised seven detached bungalows, similar to those in the photograph, it was possible to isolate the fire from spreading to the main building.Guest house with bus in foreground Wonderland Range in backgroundThe Rose series P 4894 copies Kodak Picture maker, Agfaaccommodation, guesthouses, bellfield

Bellfield opened as a guest house with a Mrs Matilda Thompson employed a manageressGuest House with guests in the front of the house and beside a car Cars parked in foreground Sundial peak in backgroundThe Rose Series P 4894structures, tents, bellfield

Information supplied with accommodation details Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide "Myrtle Bank" The Grampians Electric Light, Sewered, Hot and Cold Water Service, Asphalt, Tennis Court, Milk and Cream from our own farm, Motors meet all melbounre Trains, The Most Up-to-date house in the Grampians, Through Tickets issued by Govt. Tourist Bureau, Telephone : No. 1 Halls Gap Tariff: 12/ per day L 3/3/0 per week. Proprietress Mrs A. F WarrenGuest House and grounds with Tariff information and servicesQuality paper made in Germanyaccommodation, guesthouses, myrtlebank

She was a guest house called "Myrtlebank" and she was a very gracious old residence in a near perfect setting, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Grampian Mountains in Victoria. She was visited by thousands in her time, many of whom returned year after year to enjoy her hospitality. I first visited her 40 years ago and she won my heart from the moment I saw her. In those days, guest houses were in their prime - motels were unheard of. To this day, I can recall the delicious meals at "Myrtlebank" with pure country cream and home grown produce featuring largely. All the guests would gather in the enormous sitting rooms warmed by huge log fires in colder weather and , in the evenings, all sorts of games would be played, charades being first favourite with young and old alike. Several days a week a bus would pick up guests, along with those from other guest houses, and surrounding areas would be visited. Mostly, though, we walked - sometimes right across behind the Wonderland Range to Mount Victory. Now, "Myrtlebank" is no more. The site where she once stood is at the bottom of the Bellfield Lake, covered forever with fathoms of water. But I and many others will always remember and love her. Letter to paper with photograph of MyrtlebankSubmitted by Mrs O. Woolcock, Tottenham Vic who won $15 prize describing accomodation for guests at Myrtlebankaccommodation, guesthouses, myrtlebank

1875-1876 The residence of John and Catherine D/Alton built on site of present Colonial Motor Inn. 1900 Owned by Langley family, "Morningside" was now taking in paying guests. 1909 Leased by James and Grace D'Alton who continued to run a small guest house. Late 1920s a small building was erected to serve as PO and telephone exchange. C1980 Guest house closed. 1982 Morningside demolished.Weatherboard house, picket fence 5 people Alexandria and Laura Sheridan, Catherine D/Alton, Meg Sheridan, a man standing at fenceMorningside 1875-76 John D'Alton and 2nd wife Catherine Fulton nee (Denholm), her mother and Aunt Mrs Sheridan original front now the back of Colonial motel Rose'e Australasian Views. Vitorian Series. Photographed and published George Rose, 123 Chapel St Windsor, Victoriabuildings, morningside, people, d'alton

In 1900 'Morningside" was leased by the Langley family and was now taking in paying guests. The photo shows 'Morningside" with the Langley parents and two of their children in the foreground, left to right Arthur Geo. (b. 1886), Charles (b1853), his wife Alice Maria (b.1855, nee Freeman) and Lucy Myrtle (b. 1884), In 1909 "Morningside was leased by James and Grace D'Alton who continued to run a small guest house.Photo of a weatherboard house with four people standing in fron of it. Mountains can be seen in the background.Mr and Mrs Charles Langley with Walter or Arthur and Lucyaccommodation, morningside, people, langley

Growing tobacco at Morningside Halls Gap, Lorna (Topsy) Warren, Ronald Warren, Mrs Warren, Sheil (later Leighhead). One copy is a slide held in slide box No. 244.4 people in crop of tobacco Lorna Warren (Topsy), Ronald Warren, Mrs Warren, Sheila Warren (later Leighhead)Names of people in photographpeople, warren, misc industries, tobacco growing

Norval Guest-House Aginda and Wettenhall The original Norval The story of Norval begins in 1917 when it was built as a private residence for Mr and Mrs William Thompson. Mrs Thompson was a pioneer of the tourist business, having come from Ballarat to Hall's Gap in 1909 to manage Bellfield Guest-house According to Ida Stanton, in her history of Hall's Gap entitled "Bridging the Gap", Mr Thompson and his wife acquired the six roomed shearers quarters at "Hankelow", on land leased by the Wettenhall family, on the south side of Bellfield. Mr Thompson, she says, completely dismantled the quarters, carefully marking each board, then hired George McKeon to cart the material up to where the original Norval house stood. With great care, the rooms were rebuilt into a home for William and his wife Mathilda. Catherine Good, the daughter of Viola (nee Wettenhall) and niece of Dr Roland, in here "Recollections" entitled "Look to the Mountains - Viola's View 1887-1979", mentions Hankelow. Speaking of her days at Glen Holford, the Wettenhall home at Pomonal, Viola says "Verona and Francie Dennis, my cousins, and I went for one very exciting trip. Father (i.e Dr Roland's father) had bought 300 acres in the Gap to take sheep from Carr's Plains in time of drought, and had a little cottage there with one of the Glen Holford men and his wife in charge. It was called Hankelow. So we three set off over the Range from Glen Holford on foot and leading a pack horse with our night attire and no doubt sponge bags. "We stayed the night at Hankelow with Jim and Minnie. Minnie had been a housemaid at Glen Holford. I was very fond of her. It makes one laugh to think of the excitement of "roughing it"! Minnie gave us a lovely dinner with meringues, and cream, I remember, then early morning tea. After breakfast we were driven in the buggy to the foot of the Goat Rock (since renamed Mt Rosea) and off we went - walking in our long skirts and ankle boots. There was no track of any kind, nor blazed trail - we just made for the top. It was rather frightening at times because we couldn't see where the top was an it always seemed to get further and further away. The last mile was so terribly steep, with a lot of lose shale where you went up twelve inches and slipped back six. Now you motor to about a couple of miles from the top and then have a graded path. Anyway, we got there and back safely and were rewarded with a magnificent view" By a strange coincidence, Hankelow, the source of Norval Guest-house in times past (if the name can be applied to the property as a whole, which seems likely) is in fact also the source of our Wettenhall Campsite! Hankelow was named after a property owned by the Wettenhall family in England. In 1917 William and Mathilda retired to their newly built home (Norval) "to escape from the tourist business" However, so many people made requests to stay with them that they found it necessary to add several more rooms and sleepouts to their home. In this way, early in 1921, the guest-house began to take shape. Mr Thompson, a former librarian of the Mechanics Institute in Ballarat, named the house "Norval". The name "Norval" comes from a quotation from the play 'Douglas" by John Home. Written in the mid-16th century the play is set in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland. The story is of a boy who was parted from this mother during his early childhood, and was given to a shepherd who raised him. Some eighteen years later the mother by chance happens to meet here son, and not knowing his true identity, asks his name. He answers, "My name is Norval; and in the Grampian hills my father feeds his flocks." Perhaps it was simply because "Norval" was associated with the "Grampians" that it was chosen by Mr Thompson. He may also have been conscious of feeding "flocks" of tourists in his expanding, guest-house. Norval Guest-house prospered. It was known for its fine cooking and friendly atmosphere - a tradition which has carried through to the modern Norval! It closed between 1940 and 1949 because of the second world war. In 1949 it was decided to almost completely rebuild the house. Most of the old building (Hankelow plus) was demolished and rebuilt to a much larger and more modern plan. And then, on May 1, 1965, it was purchased by the Committee of Management of the Methodist and Presbyterian Conference Centres. At this time the guest-house was owned and operated by Marjorie and Lachland McLennan, Mrs McLennan being the daughter of William and Mathilda Thompson, the pioneers of the establishment. The McLennans had operated the Guest-house since about 1930.Photocopy 2 pages of article from book titled 'In the Making' title of article Norval guest House the original Norvalaccommodation, guesthouses, norval

Additions to Thompson's home as former paying guests of Mrs. Thompson wanted to continue enjoying her hospitality. Name Marjorie Law written in ink on back.Postcard showing main building & 3 'chalets'.accommodation, guesthouses, norval

Land owned by William & Matilda Thompson. They purchased some disused shearers' quarters, consisting of six rooms, and in 1917 moved the building onto their land to provide a home. Mrs. Thompson had only recently retired after being the manageress of "Bellfield" for seven years. They named their house "Norval". Norval. Front view of house with a man and woman on verandah (un-named). Chicken wire fence in foreground.buildings, houses, norval

During the period 1940-1970 'The Chalet' was run by Mrs. E. M. Dean. It was purchased in 1971 by Mr. & Mrs Ryan. 'The Chalet' continued as accommodation until 1998.Photo of advertising flyer for 'The Chalet', Halls Gap - The Grampians _ Excellent Accommodation - Comfortable Furnished Bungalows - Central Position. Mrs. E. M. Dean Proprietress. Tel: Halls Gap 27media, flyers, accommodation, the chalet

The Chalet' was owned at this time by Mrs. E. M. Dean. Photo shows what was called the 'back flat'. The building had 3 separate kitchens. There were also four 'bedroom' bungalows.Photo shows back of accommodation known as 'The Chalet' - snow on ground and roof.accommodation, chaletsthe chalet

Nov 17th, Miss Alice Osborne (teacher) Children Back Row small boy Tom Wood, Syd Monk, George D'Alton, 2 McDonalds, Will D'Alton, 2 Woods, Mrs Alice Osborne and J D'Alton Front Sandy McDonald, Wood, 2 McDonalds, @ D'Altons (Clare and Amy)House of D'Altons and school House Students and teach in photo3 large copies (one sepia) and 1 smaller copyeducation, schools, silver springs

Invoice for flex Wire and Pulley for school. Sent to Mrs. I. Warren, PO Box 30, Halls Gap. Paid on 22/5/33. Amount 2 12". See additional image for envelope.Invoice for work completed May 22, 1933 from Anthony & Co., Timber Merchants, Ironmongers, Grocers and Furniture Dealers sent to Halls Gap School Committee. original envelope.education, schools, halls gap

Kept by A H Barnes, 1922-1924 name changed to Grampians House kept by Miss Allison and Miss Porter 1924-1925 kept by Mrs Anderson Grampians House - The earliest record of Grampians House was recorded in 1918 when the property was known as "Killarney" listed in the Country, Hotel and Boarding House Guide and Tourists handbook. The listing notes it as being kept my Mr A H Barnes The property consisted of 29 acres, the house of 8 rooms, kitchen, bathroom, vestibule, front and side passages, with verandah on front and side of building, also 3 roomed cottage with bathroom, 5 chalets containing 7 bedrooms, storeroom,wash house, water and gas laid on throughout. 4 stall stables and feed house, buggy shed for three buggies, motor shed for 4 cars, cow shed, and yards and pens. Local resident Mrs E Watson who attended school in the nearby public hall remembers going to a side window of the house and being able to purchase biscuits, sweets and drinks. The 1922-24 Handbook the listing was changed to "Grampians House" kept by Misses Allison and Porter. The 1924-25 Handbook listed "Grampians House" being kept by Mrs Anderson.Photo of original building of 8 rooms Proprietor A H BarnesFuji Film Pictor Paperaccommodation, guesthouses, killarney, grampian hosue

On Dec.25, 1940 Sylvia Vyanna Morgan passed away. Dorothy had married Roy Warren from Myrtlebank Guest House and Thomas had married Edna Kennedy. In 1942 Nina married Arthur Mangle and in 1946 built Mountain Grand Guest House opposite Grampian House. By 1950 Morgan decided to sell Grampian House and moved to Stawell. The new owners of Grampian House were Fredrick Charles Kingston, a successful bus company operator from Stawell and his daughter Ethel May Mathews who together with her husband Des built the adjoining famous Kookaburra Cafe in 1946. Fredrick had also built a bowling green next to the cafe. In the late 1950's Grampian House Guest House was leased to several people including Mr & Mrs. Hudousek, Paul Loren and people with surname Virtue. It was during this time that the front veranda and pergola were demolished and the house modernised. Nina Mangle and her two sons Arthur & Charles purchased the property and operated it as an overflow for Mountain Grand Guest House. Well known artist Neil Douglas operated a studio on the premises and Horsham identities Evan and Barbara Mackley housed a museum of furniture and artefacts on the site. Advertisement and photo of Grampian House. accommodation, guesthouses, accommodation, grampian house

The photo is of Halls Gap's first General Store, opened in 1921. The store comprised a substantial shop and residence close to today's (2009) Public Hall. The people in front of the building are the operators of the store, J. Hemley (third from right), R. Mair (fourth from right) and Mrs J. Hemley with baby (on left). The identity of the other people unknown.Photograph of a wooden (? log) building with a wooden picket fence at the front. Three people are standing in front of the building at the gate, there are a few people on the verandah of the building and a child riding past the front on a bicycle.buildings, shops

The people in the photo are: Mr & Mrs Gus Knight and Ray Knight (on the right). The names of the other three people are not known. The site of the house is where a later monument would stand (see inscription).Photo shows six people; three seated on a large log, two standing and one leaning on a tree stump; in front of a house."Mr & Mrs Gus Knight, Ray on right. -Where Monument will go. Ray just cut down tree - so it would not fall on house." written in biro on rear of photo. "Wannon" written in pencil on rear of photo.people, knight, buildings, tea rooms

The woman is Mrs. Ron Groves, formerly Dulcie Stevenson, Cheltenham.The photo shows a woman standing in front of road signs at a road junction. The visible signs read "17 Stawell" and "163 Melbourne" to the left and "Halls Gap 1" and "Dunkeld 49" to the right.people, tourists

C 1940. Mrs Jean Zumstein is second from the right (head in profile, laughing) She came out from Scotland in 1910 on the same ship as Mrs Sandford, the woman third from the right. The young girl standing at the front is Ronis (?) Sandford (Mrs Sandford's daughter).The photo shows eight adults and one child standing in front of a car.people, zumstein

From left to right the women are: Miss Vine (dark dress, draw cord at waist with pom-poms on end), Miss Hocking (dress with large spots), Mrs Thomson (light coloured dress with dark sash at waist) and Mrs Paddy Smith (light coloured blouse and dark skirt).The photo shows four women, standing in line from shortest to tallest, standing in front of bushes.people

A photo of the Grampians House listing in the "Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide"A photo of an entry in the "Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide". The entry is for Grampians House - Hall's Gap and shows a photo of a Tennis Party in front of a tennis court. the listing mentions various attractions in the Grampians. The entry lists the tariff as 12/- per day & �3/3/- per week, the Proprietress as Mrs S. V. Morgan and the telephone No. as "Hall's Gap 8"!accommodation, guesthouses, grampian house

Reproduced on p21 of 'Pioneers & Painters' Mrs. R. Thornton notifies that she has taken over the Kangaroo Ground Hotel from Mr. Walker, and the house will be made attractive for weekenders, the table, wines, and spirits being A1 quality" - Advertiser 7 July, 1922" Mrs Ruby C. Thornton sold her interest in the Kangaroo Ground Hotel in September 1928 and moved away after seven years in the district. This photo is therefore dated between July 1922 and 1928. Other newspaper articles identify Mrs Thornton's first name. The lady to the left of frame appears to be taking a photograph of the car in front of the hotel. This may be Mrs Ruby Thornton taking a picture of her car in front of her hotel. A young boy with others standing near their horse and buggy look on. The property was destroyed by fire at 1.45 am on Friday 8 August 1930. The licensee was Mr Hugh Crichton who had taken over from Ruby Thornton. He and his wife just managed to escape the fire with nothing but their night attire. The property was owned by Mr Bruce Donaldson of Ivanhoe and had been erected over 60 years earlier (according to the Advertiser). In older times it was a famous hostelry at which Cobb & Co.’s coaches had a changing station on the journey from Alexandria to Melbourne.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 120 format B&W negative Print 20 x 25 cm Print 9 x 12.5 cmshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground hotel, thornton, automobile, pioneers and painters, mrs ruby thornton, cobb and co, ford model t, horse drawn carriage, hotel

Photo shows Tom Scarce and pony that won 1st Prize over jumps, ridden by jockey Jimmy Johnson against his own horse in the same race (Diamond Creek Show). Tom remembered Mrs Thornton and Bert Frim(?) Built by William West, the hotel destroyed by fire Sunday, 15 March 1931This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg B&W Print 20 x25 cm B&W Print 9 x 14 cmPrint originally inscribed Kangaroo Ground hotel but crossed out and replaced with Research Hotel 1910 From Mr T. Scarse c/o Mrs T.M. Jones "Coolibah" Cherry Tree Rd Panton Hill M59bert frim, diamond creek show, hotels, jimmy johnson, jockey, mrs thornton, research (vic.), research hotel, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, tom scarce

Main Road looking north from Pitt Street. On the far left is Mrs Mary Ann Morris' house and shop and Hill's House. William Morris was the publican for the Eveyn Hotel which was on the opposite corner of Pitt Street and Main Road. Also believed to be the Scarce house at some stage, Mrs Emily Scarce was President of the Australian Women's National League. On the right is Webster's then the Commercial Bank of Australia branch, the Methodist Church just behind it on John Street. To the immediate right out of visibility is Watson's Eltham Hotel.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, scarce house, cba bank, gas lamp, hill's house, hostelry, john street, methodist church, pitt street, websters house, mrs morris shop

Mrs. Henry Hill (nee Georgina Reynolds of Research), mother of Arthur Ernest Hill (1891-1961). Taken outside the old Hill family home in Bridge Street, south side between Susan and Bolton Streets. Demolished many years prior to 1965. Georgina Reynolds (1864-1927) married Henry Hill (1862-1948) in 1884. Arthur Ernest Hill was married to Edna Hill. Edna Hill donated the postcard to the Shire of Eltham in 1965, four years after her husband Arthur Ernest Hill's death. At the time she did not know the identity of the others in the photo but it is possible that it is Henery Hill and baby Arthur Ernest Hill.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Sepia postcard 8.5 x 13.5 cmOn reverse of postcard: Mrs Henry Hill (nee Georgina Reynolds of Research) Mother of Arthur Ernest Hill. Identity of others not known to Mrs A.E. Hill, who states 'photo was taken outside the old Hill residence, Bridge St, (south side between Susan St. & Bolton St.) Demolished many years ago - 26.7.65 Also stamped - Shire of Elthamsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, georgina hill (nee reynolds), hill residence, bridge street, hill family, hill family home, houses, mrs henry hill, arthur ernest hill, henry hill

Mrs Georgina Hill (wife of Henry), nee Reynolds (of Research, Vic.) in cap [possibly misidentified by donor - see note below] with Mrs Isaac Hill and her children (left to right) Amelia Hill, (born 1853) Mrs Isaac Hill with baby Isaac (born 1860, Eltham) on her lap. Mary Jane Hill (born 1857, Eltham) seated on Mrs Henry Hill's lap and Bob Hill. The Hill family were early settlers of the Eltham area. Daguerreotype photo enclosed in a leather bound clam shell box with felt lining and gold trim. Donated by Mrs Ivy Edna Hill, 4/1 Bridge Street, Eltham, 4 June 1966 and includes copy of her note identifying the people. Daguerreotypes were one of the first forms of early photographs. They initially appeared in Europe in 1839 and were produced in large numbers to the early 1850s but were superseded by more modern and flexible forms of technology by 1860. The photo was usually formed on a thin copper plate with light sensitve silver iodide. They have a mirror-like appearance and the image itself was mirrored. They were usually inserted into a case or frame made of wood bound in leather or velvet and cost about one guinea in Australia, the equivalent of a week's wages. With the advent of the gold-rush and growing population came an increase in numbers of photographers both studio and travelling. The daguerreotype process was protected by patents and could only result in a single image from which no copies could be made. With new technology involving wet colloidion glass plate negatives and albumen paper prints of which multiple copies could be produced at significantly reduced cost, the dauguerreotype quickly fell out of favour. An accompanying note with the photo written by Edna Hill of 4/1 Bridge Street Eltham dated 4 June 1966 states: "Dear Mr Watson, I think the enclosed old time photograph will be of interest to you. It would have been taken about 1860. The two ladies are the wives of the original pioneers of the Hill family. The one in the cap was the wife of Henry Hill, the other of Isaac Hill. The children are those of Mrs Isaac Hill, and grandchildren to Henry Hill. The little girl on the left is Amelia, the baby Isaac, the second girl is Mary Jane, and the boy on the right is Bob Hill. They grew up tobe Uncles and Aunts of my late husband. I greatly appreciated a letter received a few months ago per Cr Pelling, from the Shillinglaw Cottage Committee. Yours sincerely, Edna Hill" Victorian birth registrations show Mary Jane Hill was born 1857 in Eltham (9879 / 1857) and Isaac Hill at Eltham in 1860 (1972/1860) NOTE: Mrs Isaac Hill was Ellen Fitzsimons (1834-1863), mother to Henry Hill. Mrs Georgina Hill, wife of Henry cannot be the lady in the cap as she was not born till 1864. Georgina Reynolds (1864-1927) married Henry Hill (1862-1948) in 1884. This lady has significant wrinkling of the face, especially around her mouth. It is possible that she is the mother of Mrs Isaac Hill (Ellen Fitzsimons) who was Isabella Fitzsimons (nee Ferguson).This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, hill family, research (vic.), women, amelia hill, bob hill, daguerreotype, early settlers, georgina hill (nee reynolds), isaac hill, mary jane hill, mrs henry hill, mrs isaac hill, ellen hill (nee fitzsimons), isabella fitzsimons (nee ferguson)

Believed to be Mrs Jane Bailey (nee Matthews) (d. 1904) and her grand-daughter Ruby Jane Bertha Smart (1890-1903) in front of the Smart family cottage in Bridge Street, Eltham, c.1903 Located on the north side of Bridge Street at the intersection with Bolton Street, facing Bolton Street (now part of present day Brisbane Street and occupied by the Kitchen Design Centre). Ruby Jane Bertha Smart born abt 1890 died in 1903 in Eltham. Her brother Alfred Francis Smart was born abt 1887 and died 1966 in Mont Albert, Vic. (Accessed via Ancestry.com) Show's an original early settler's cottage in Bridge Street. The cottage was built by Mrs Mary Jane Smart's parents, Edwin Bailey and Jane (nee Matthews). Mary Jane Smart was born in the cottage. She married an Englishman, Alexander Wilson Smart who disappeared to Western Australia in the early 1900s in search of gold. He ultimately married again in W.A., committing bigamy and then committed murder and was hung in 1911. This photo was taken c.1903 not long before both Mrs Bailey and her grand daughter both passed away. Jane Bailey died 2 Dec. 1904 and Mary Jane Smart and Ruby Jane Bertha Smart died July 1903 are all buried in Eltham Cemetery. SMART'S HOME AT ELTHAM. HIS WIFE AND SONS. In a little bush cottage surrounded by tall gum trees, through which appear glimpses of a willow fringed creek, of road ways hedged by masses of snowy flowering hawthorn, of growing crops and vividly green grazing paddocks, lives Mrs. Smart, the lawful wife of the man who is now in the hands of the police of Western Australia on suspicion of having committed a dreadful crime. Here, about half a mile out of the picturesque village of Eltham, she was born, and has lived her whole life — about 50 years. Smart himself lived here till the time when many years ago, the "lure of gold" got into his blood and he cleared out to Western Australia, to follow the digging rushes, gradually becom ing more and more estranged, till at length all communication ceased and be became lost to his wife and children. "I did not want him to go away," said Mrs. Smart, "because I had heard of so many men who had forgotten their homes in the excite ment of gold seeking, and of many others who died unknown and uncared for. But he would go, and when I saw his mind was set on it I placed no obstacles in his way. My parents built and lived in this cottage, where I was born, and they died in it. When I grew up I met my husband, a young Englishman, and married him. His name is Alexander, not Alfred, and his age is 52. We were very happy here, and although we were not well off we were comfortable, for he was a steady, sober, industrious man and had constant employment. He was just a manual worker, but could turn his hand to anything. We had five children, but one died. Four sons grew up in this little cottage. Thus three generations lived in it, somewhat unusual in an Australian bush home, I think. My eldest son is married and has a family; one is in Western Australia— not with his father— another is away working for him self, and one (indicating a young man by her side) has always stuck to his mother. He is my sole support, and he is as good to me now as his father once was. Yes, his father was a good, home-loving man in our younger days. He was fond of his children and was highly respected in these parts.' "It is fifteen years since my husband went away first. He had then been work ing for the Metropolitan Board of Works, and was engaged in the tunnel under the Yarra near Queen's-bridge when it col-lapsed. After he went to the West he sent me money regularly and wrote constantly. He came home three times — twice for a week or two at a time, the third time, eight years ago, when the Eitham railway was nearing completion. I induced him to stay till the railway opened, and he re-mained with me several months. I tried to get him to leave the West and settle down in his home, but he would not; he seemed restless and anxious to be off. One day when we were in Collingwood together he left me, saying he wanted to see what boats were going West. I implored him not to go away, and he said he would see. However, he returned to me soon after wards and said he had taken his ticket and would go by the next boat, and he went. For a year he wrote at irregular intervals, and then his letters ceased and I heard no more of him. For seven years I have not known whether he was alive or dead. Before that time my two sons in Western Australian used to see him some times, though they did not live with him; they used to tell me in their letters that he was well. It was a hard blow to be forgotten by him, but as my sons grew up I became more reconciled, and now I seem to look back at my life with him as some thing that happened a long time ago and is only a memory. Of his life and doings in Western Australia I know nothing. The last time I heard of him he was working in a foundry at Midland Junction. He was at Cue working on the railway when it opened there, and he caught the fever, but all that time he sent me money. When he returned the first time he took our eldest son with him, and the other boy followed later. They did not stay with him, how ever, and as far as I know they did not know how he lived." 'Mrs. Smart is a quiet, toil worn woman who has the respect of everyone who knows her.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Original print 10.5 x 16.5 cmFor postcard print: Inscribed on envelope: "Return to Mrs H. Butherway, 22 Bridge St, Eltham." Also "Photo Mrs Clark Hampton (nee Smart), original Smart's house - Bridge Street, 95 years ago." Also "Right - Mrs Clark's grandmother Mrs J Smart Left - Her daughter Ruby dies soon after photo taken. Brother Alf Smart died about 6 years ago." Inscribed on back of photo "247 Vincent St, Leederville" It is believed that this inscription may be somewhat mixed up.sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, bridge street, alexander wilson smart, bigamy, bush cottage, early settlers, houses, jane bailey (nee matthews), mary jane smart (nee bailey), murder, ruby jane bertha smart, smart family home, smart home