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City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Photograph, 1910 Mr W Harvey, 1910 Mr W Harvey, 1910
1910: Mr W. Harvey and Family of Cheltenham. In 'Moorabbin a Pictorial History1862 - 1994' by John Cribbon, William Harvey, is shown in the 1862 Rate Book, to be the owner occupier of a paling house in Argus Road valued at 15 Pound. This person may be related to the W Harvey in the photo.Photograph is black and white. In this photograph their is a father and mother, and their five children. The mother and the children are all dressed in their best dresses. The father is wearing a suit with a waistcoat and a white shirt that has a winged collar but no tie The mother and father are both sitting on separate chairs, mother to the left and the father on the right. The mother has the baby on her lap and the father has a small child on his lap. Three girls are in the middle of the mother and the father.Front of Mount :Yeoman Co 287 Chapel St. Prahran Victoria. Back of Mount : W. Harvey & family / pheteonham / about 1910mr w harvey, 1910, family of cheltenham, argus road, cheltenham, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin shire, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, dendy's special survey 1841, two acre village, cribbon john, dairy farmers, poultry farmers, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Feb 2009, February 2009
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’. 2 x A4 paper printed on 3 sides Issue 10 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in February 2009. The Victorian Bushfire tragedy around Marysville is still unfolding as this Newsletter is written. The first meeting for the year is February 22nd and subscriptions are due. An excerpt is transcribed from the City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter October 1962, “A Piece of History in Ormond” by an unknown eyewitness author, describing the original “Box Cottage” situated in Mr J. Reitman’s cement products factory at 306 Jasper Road, Ormond prior to demolition. The current Editor gives information obtained from further recent research . An Article by Tom Sheehy, past President and Historian, February 1979 “The Vineyards of Moorabbin”. The ‘Brighton Estate” began when Henry Moor brought Vine cuttings from Camden NSW 1848 and they were productive after 3 years. Many Vineyards then appeared from Port Phillip Bay to East Boundary Road and produced 2/3 of the annual Victorian grape crop. Disease or insect caused failure in1858 and the land reverted to market gardens. A coloured photocopied photo of Box Cottage 2005. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / FEBRUARY 2009 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, sheehy tom, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, vineyards, fruit growing, vine diseases, winemaking, grapes, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, dairy, port phillip bay, brighton estate, moor henry, cambden estate, reitman j., reitman w., cement, pottery, jasper road ormond, east boundary road brighton, dendy’s special survey 1851, point nepean road, south road brighton, thomas street brighton, north road brighton, county of bourke, box h., box william, bruton william, brighton brewery, parish of moorabbin, parish of prahran, markets, shingle roof, weather-board, downward mr., mckinnon -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Aug 2009, August 2009
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS.1 x A4 paper printed on both sides Issue 13 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in August 2009. Notice of next meeting August 30th , and thanking Gary McInnes, CMHS , for his talk ‘The Centenary of the Bentleigh Cricket Club’ and donation of the book to our library. Gary has offered to catalogue our collection of the ‘Standard News’ 1945 – 1984. CMHS member Lesley has audited the Index of the photograph Folios. Glen Eira Council has organised maintenance on ‘Box Cottage. Item of Interest is regarding ‘New Conditions of Employment’ Sydney 1852 CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / AUGUST 2009 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, dendy’s special survey 1851, bentleigh cricket club, mcinnes gary, standard news -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Apr 2010 pdf, April 2010
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS Local newspaper reports about the ‘discovery’ of Box Cottage’ 1977 3 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 16 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in April 2010.. Notice for the meeting on Anzac Day, Sunday 25th , 3 photocopied photographs taken by 2nd Lieutenant Vic Smith aboard the troopship “Port Sydney” coming home from WW1 in 1919. An article ‘Re-visiting some ‘Box Cottage’ Facts recounts the discovery of the ‘Cottage’ in a shed on the property purchased by Mr Laurie Lewis from the Reitman family in 1977. Thankfully Mr Lewis appreciated such a find and donated it to the City of Moorabbin, and together it was dismantled and re-constructed in Joyce Park, Ormond in 1988 – 100 yards from the original site. Excerpts from 3 articles in ‘The Moorabbin Standard’ and ‘Chadstone Progress’ Newspapers 1977 describing the newly discovered early settler cottage on the Lewis Timber Pty Ltd property in Jasper Road, Ormond. A photocopied photograph of the ‘Box Cottage’ June 1977 when used as a storage facility. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, lewis laurie, lewis grace, lewis timber pty. ltd., melbourne, moorabbin, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, smith vic, ss port sydney, world war one 1914 – 1918, soldiers, aif, reitman j., box john, box william, dendy henry, bullock drays, moorabbin roads board 1862, dendy’s special survey 1841, mclean n, box henry, joyce park ormond, city of moorabbin -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Jun 2010 pdf, June 2010
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Photocopied Plan of ‘Two Acre Village c1853’ and notes about the Colonial City Morgue Melbourne c1888 7 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 17 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in June 2010. Notice of meeting June 17th and recent death of Mrs May Curtis,CMHS member. June 5th , Robina Naughton, CMHS, represented Box Cottage at the 'Fun4over50s' expo at Moorabbin Town Hall. Mr Laurie Lewis donated the 'original water pump' from the first Box Cottage and has provided a list of the commercial properties around Box Cottage c 1900, as he remembers. An application to Glen Eira City Council for a Public Toilet at Box Cottage for visitors and volunteers. A volunteer has joined CMHS following our enrolment with 'Volunteering Glen Eira'. State Library of Victoria has approved CMHS for the 'Vicnet' program where Box Cottage Museum can be promoted. Helen provides a précis, of 4 A4 pages, describing ‘The City Morgue in Colonial Melbourne’ printed in Provenance Journal No3 November 2004.CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / JUNE 2010 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, curtis may, graham street mckinnon, curtis geoff, moorabbin town hall, lewis laurie, lewis grace, lewis timber pty. ltd., melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, water pump, elster creek, volunteering glen eira, state library of victoria, vicnet, dendy henry, dendy’s special survey 1841, mclean n, box henry, joyce park ormond, city of moorabbin, box william, jasper road east brighton, melbourne city morgue, cooke simon, brown mwy andrew -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Award - Trophy, c.1880
Robert Keys,1818-87 b.Ireland, arrived Australia 1841 and joined parents on a farm in Brighton.Victoria. 1870 he commenced his own 15 acre 'fruit garden' in Keys Rd Moorabbin and in 1881-82 was awarded the 'Leader Cup', by the Leader Newspaper, as the Winner of the Brighton Horticultural Society 'Best Fruit Garden' competition. Robert Keys, early settler 1841, was a talented orchardist , Brighton Councillor 1860 and Moorabbin City Coucillor until his death 1887. Item donated by Keys Family c1985 The 1879 Schedule of Prizes booklet of the Brighton Historical Society ( MAV 00022),describes in detail this trophy, prize moneys and rules and regulations of the competition. The booklet, cat. no. 00022, is on display with this trophyThis item is significant because of its connection with the Keys Family who were early settlers in District of Brighton/ Moorabbin and were greatly involved in community activities. After the 1841 Dendy Special Survey allotments of land were sold or rented to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens, fruit farms ( orchards), vineyards, poultry farms in the area now known as Bentleigh, Cheltenham, Oakleigh. They were very proud of their fine produce and hence enthusiastically entered these 'Annual Exhibitions' by the Brighton Horticultural Society.The Sterling Silver goblet shaped Trophy. Base has engraved beaded rim with chevron type motif. Embossed ring midway up stem and fern leaves engraved on bowl of goblet engraved on bowl of goblet " Brighton Horticultural Society/ 1881-82/ Leader Cup/ Awarded To/ Robert Keys/ For Best Fruit Garden/ Brighton District." Hallmarked 'GU', Birmingham, UK. George Unite circa 1880keys robert, trophy, 1881, leader newspaper, leader cup, brighton, horticultural, silver cup, silver, moorabbin, brighton horticultural society -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Sewing Machine, Melber, Early 20th Century
Melber sewing machines were first sold in Australia in the late 1870s. The 'Box Cottage' Melber Treadle Sewing Machine was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster / Closter, wife of Alonzo Box , the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler The machine was bought in 1909, and is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The cottage has both the Receipt, cat 00004.1 and Guarantee, cat 00004.2, for the sewing machine. This machine was possibly built by Wertheim Pty Ltd Hugo Wertheim (1854 – 1919) arrived in Melbourne in 1875. He became a successful agent for sewing machines manufactured by his father’s cousin Joseph Wertheim in Frankfurt, Germany. Hugo married Joseph’s daughter Sophie Emilie and they settled in Richmond Melbourne Australia. Hugo made many trips back to the main factory in Germany and, with extensive advertising, established a thriving business for sewing machines, bicycles, pianos under various ‘brand names’ - Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin, Hapsburg. It has been said that Dame Nellie Melba preferred a Wertheim piano for her performances. In 1908 Hugo opened a large piano factory in Bendigo St Richmond, Victoria and his son Herbert maintained the business until 1935 The sewing machine was donated in 1985 by, a descendant of the Box family. The machine is complete, and in good condition. William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family. 'Melber'Treadle Sewing Machine that was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster/ Closter. It was bought in 1909, and it is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The Box Cottage Museum has both the Receipt, and Guarantee for the sewing machine. 'MELBER' stamped on sewing machine.dendys special survey, treadle sewing machine, box cottage, mary kloster, alonzo box, melber, wertheim hugo, wertheim sewing machine manufacturer, richmond melbourne victoria, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Tool - Chinese Market-Gardener's Watering-Cans
Chinese market-gardener’s watering-cans on a wooden yoke. This item was authenticated by the Bendigo Historical Society, and is said to be quite rare. It consists of two large galvanized watering-cans each with a pouring spout, suspended by chains from a well-used wooden yoke. The cans would each have been filled with water, then carried a distance into the market garden and used to water crops. The cans and yoke alone are very heavy, one can only imagine how heavy they were when filled with water.As profits from the gold-fields petered out the Chinese immigrants, (nearly all single men), were forced to seek other occupations. Many moved into furniture building in the East Melbourne area, whilst others went into market gardening . A significant number of Chinese men, realising the potential of the sandy, fertile soil, with a good supply of water, in the Shire of Moorabbin, leased tracts of land in that area to establish a market garden and grow produce for the increasing population of MelbourneAfter the Dendy Special Survey in1841in Brighton, Victoria, the first sale of Crown Land, taking in the whole Shire of Moorabbin, occurred in 1852. These allotments of land were eagerly bought up - some by speculators - although many were either worked by the owner, or leased out as market gardens and "fruit gardens", (orchards). Chinese market-gardener’s watering-cans suspended by chains on a wooden yoke. This item was authenticated by the Bendigo Historical Society, and is said to be quite rare. It consists of two large galvanized watering-cans each with a pouring spout, suspended by chains from a well-used wooden yokebrighton, gardeners, bentleigh, orchards, vegetables, dendy henry, market gardens, chinese settlers, pioneers moorabbin, water wells, creeks -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Butter churn domestic, circa 1800s
Circa late 1800s. Wooden domestic butter-churn. This is a paddle churn, a barrel that contains a paddle, which is operated by a handle. The paddle churned the butter inside the container when the handle was turned. Early settlers had to be self sufficient, growing their own vegetables, making tools and clothing and usually had a house cow to produce their milk supply. An unsigned note states it was used by a Chinese market-gardener’s family. From the mid 1800s into the1900s, there were numbers of Chinese market gardeners working in Bentleigh, Moorabbin, Mc Kinnon, and Cheltenham in the Shire of Moorabbin. After the sale of land following 'Dendy's Special Survey' 1841 many Chinese settlers rented allotments and established market gardens in the area and sold their produce to the increasing population of Melbourne at the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne.Circa late 1800s. Wooden domestic butter-churn consisting of a wooden barrel with a lid and a crank that manually turned a paddle inside to separate the butter fat from the butter milk 'BUTTER CHURN' written in chalk undated, unsignedchinese, melbourne, brighton, moorabbin, butter, cows, milk, pioneers, dairy, settlers, fruit, bentleigh, markets, mckinnon, cheltenham, vegetables, dendy henry -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Tool - Farm Machinery, Horse-drawn Plough Potato Digger, c1900
Circa late 1800s early 1900s a horse-drawn plough, potato digger, is one example of the implements that were widely used by early market gardeners in the Shire of Moorabbin. The flat plate, seen to the right of the photo, dug down into the ground below the potatoes and "scooped" them up. Behind the plate, two driving chains on cogs, (these chains are missing from our exhibit), then "rocked' the dug potatoes to loosen the soil from the "spuds". The potatoes were then harvested by hand. Very large tracts of land in the Shire of Moorabbin were planted with potatoes. Harvesting commenced in October, into November and on into December. Potatoes were a necessary food staple. The market gardeners were always in a rush to be first to get their potatoes to market, and hence the best price. Some market gardeners were so keen to be the first to market, (and get the most money), that they dug their potatoes "green" (or new). The only downside of this practice was that these early potatoes had to be handled with extreme care as their skins were very loose, and came off easily - so decreasing their profits.As well as taking their produce to the Melbourne and St Kilda markets, they also sent produce off to Sydney markets. It is interesting to note that a group of Chinese market gardeners were the first to access the Sydney market. .Following the 'Dendy's Special Survey' 1841 and the Crown Land Sale of 1852, land allotments were sold to pioneer settlers who established market gardens in the area of Moorabbin Shire. During the 1850s gold-rush population boom the number of market gardeners increased significantly spreading throughout the Moorabbin Shire. Potatoes were considered a staple foodstuff, so crops were regularly sown throughout the whole Moorabbin area. Circa late 1800s early 1900s. A horse-drawn plough potato digger is an example of the machines used by early market gardeners in Moorabbin Shiremelbourne, sydney, markets, vegetables, potato, dendy henry, st kilda, market gardeners, gold rush, moorabin, chinese gardeners, ploughs -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Tool - Horse-drawn Metal Scoop Road-working
This medium sized metal, horse-drawn, road-working scoop, with timber shafts is an example of those used in Moorabbin Shire in the late 1800s, and up until the 1940s for road-works, building dams, market-gardening work and other similar earthworks in the shire. The Box Cottage museum example would have been drawn by one horse, with the worker walking and steering the horse and scoop from behind using the timber shafts. There were even bigger metal scoops that required two or more horses to drag the scoop through the soil.Following the Dendy Special Survey 1841 allotments were sold to pioneer settlers who established market gardens in the Moorabbin area. Roads and roadside dams were needed as they transported both their stock and garden produce to markets in St Kilda and Melbourne By1880 the Shire of Moorabbin was using horse-drawn, road-working shovels on the main thoroughfares of the district.A medium sized metal, horse-drawn, road-working scoop, with timber shafts. Used by Moorabbin Shire in the late 1800s, and early 1900s for road-works, and other similar work in the shiremelbourne, shovel, brighton, moorabbin, metal, gardens, roads, markets, mckinnon, cheltenham, horse drawn, scoop, dendy henry, st kilda -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Wedding Dress, Mary Box (nee Closter), circa 1918
Alonzo Box, of Oakleigh ,a nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who resided in 'Box Cottage' 1865 - 1914, married Mary Closter (Kloster), of Oakleigh, on June 12th 1918. Alozo's elder sister, Rebecca, sent a bolt of Chinese hand-embroidered silk from which this wedding dress was made. Rebecca Viloudakia, nee Box, was a missionary in China, and married to a Greek Silk Merchant. Alonzo Box, the 9th child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box , enlisted in the Army and landed at Gallipoli 25/4/1918. He was evacuated to Egypt and then sent to the battlefields of France and Flanders before returning home to Melbourne in February 1918. Rebecca Box, the eldest child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box, was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890. During the Boxer Uprising 1900-1901 her Mission outpost was attacked but she escaped and was taken to Shanghai. She later married one of the rescue party Nicholas Viloudakia a Greek silk merchant .Australian Dress Register ID 573 12/5/2015 Following Henry Dendy's Special Survey 1841 pioneer settlers bought allotments of land in the area of Moorabbin Parish. Alonzo Box was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who bought the cottage on the 30acre allotment from an unknown pioneer settler in 1868 and resided there until Elizabeth's death in 1914. Alonzo Box served in the Army World War 1 1914- 1918 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca Box -Viloudakia was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was rescued during the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901 and taken to Shanghai by her future husband.A cream two piece wedding dress made from a bolt of hand embroidered Chinese silk for the marriage of Mary Closter and Alonzo Box on June 12th, 1918. The bolt of Chinese silk was sent by Alonzo’s older sister, Mrs Rebecca Viloudakia, a missionary in China, who was married to a Greek silk merchant. The machine sewn dress was made by a dressmaker in Dandenong, Victoria. The jacket is blouson, with a front opening and is gathered at the waist by a band enclosing a drawstring. The collar is a sailor style that forms a slight / high V-shape front neckline. Four vertical roses are separated by three bands of lacework. The back of the jacket is plain silk. The right front of the jacket has a panel of embroidered roses, band of lacework and a facing fold that encloses 4 fastening presses. There are crocheted bobbles on the front representing buttons. The left jacket front also has the panel of embroidered roses, lacework and matching fold for the 4 fastening studs. The full length inset sleeves are gathered to a cuff that fastens with silk covered buttons. The sleeves have floral embroidery down the outside centre line. The left sleeve has an extra detachable cuff with embroidery on the flounce that matches the bottom panel of the skirt. It is held in position around the wrist by 4 white metal press studs. The skirt sits above the ankle. It consists of 5 panels slightly gathered at the back waistline with a left side placket 21cm with hooks and eyes and press studs. The waistband is lined with petersham and has 6 whalebone inserts. The front of the skirt has small pleats to fit the 3 decorated panels to the waistline. The front has 3 bands of lacework around the lower part. 3 panels form the centre front each embroidered with a different floral pattern. The back of the skirt is plain with 3 bands of lacework rising from the hem, which is sewn with spoke work stitch. The long waist sash/belt is plain silk with embroidered ends and 3 silk balls with crocheted caps suspended on 3 crocheted silk chains. It has a rose knot with 2 metal press stud fasteners. There are a variety of floral designs embroidered on the material including ‘corner motifs’ on the 2nd inner front panel of skirt. brighton, moorabbin, silk, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, kloster mary, closter mary, oakleigh, dandenong, chinese silk merchant, boxer rebellion 1900-1901, box rebecca, methodist china inland mission, viloudakia nichols, anzac landings, world war 1, gallipoli -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Farm Machinery, Plough, single mull-board, c1900
Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneer market gardeners, in Moorabbin Shire, of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a single-mullboard plough which would have been pulled by horse. The long handle was used to lower the silver plate, (mullboard), to the chosen depth of soil. Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. An "Oliver" single mull-board plough in good condition with faded manufactures markings on shaftsPainted on shaft "MANF'D BY/OLIVER CHILLED PLOW WORKS/Southend Ind. USA/" Engraved on blade " 13 OLIVER"brighton, moorabbin, plough, dendy henry, east bentleigh, market gardens, horse drawn plough, plow, mullboard -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, girl's party dress c 1927, 1927
This child's green, silk, party dress was worn by Sylvia Marriott in 1927. The Marriott family were early settlers in the Moorabbin ShireMembers of the Marriott family arrived in Port Phillip in 1857. However it was John and Jane Marriott who in 1876, (after toiling hard since their arrival in1871, for very little gain), first leased, then purchased in 1882, 30 acres with a four-roomed house in East Boundary Road, in the area then called East Brighton. (Now known as East Bentleigh). The land they purchased had previously been a part of the 1841 Dendy Special Survey. Over the following years, John and his four sons with hard work and determination became prosperous vegetable growers and purchased further land in the area. Following John's retirement and subsequent death in 1903, the land was passed to his sons, and then onto the Marriott grandchildren. The family continued to remain very prosperous and successful vegetable growers and are one of many families steeped in the tradition of vegetable growing which significantly contributed to the prosperity of the Moorabbin ShireA home-sewn pale green silk party dress, worn to a wedding by four year old, Sylvia Marriott c 1927. The skirt of the dress has layers of ruffles. It has short cap sleeves. Decorative ribbons are attached at the shoulder continueing to the waist, then hang loosely over the skirt of the dress. Small pink and white ribbon rose buds have been applied at the neckline, waist and the edges of the sleeves .brighton, moorabbin, marriott, clothing, market gardeners, home, dressmaker, needlework, dendys special survey -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, girl's nightgown, c1900
A typical, white ,cotton, nightgown worn by girls c1900.. it was probably made by her mother who usually made all the clothes for the family. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners in the Moorabbin Shire had to be very self reliant and make their own clothes and utensils. Many early settlers came to rent and eventually buy land after the 1841 Dendy Special Survey in Brighton Victoria. These settlers developed market gardens and supplied the growing Melbourne population with produce . They had to make their own clothing and this is an example of their dressmaking craftsmanship.A white, cotton, girl's nightgown is typical of those worn c 1900clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, box elizabeth, market gardeners -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, baby's long dress pin-tucked, c1900
This long, white cotton pin-tucked baby's dress is an example of the clothing the women of pioneer settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire made for their familiesAfter the 1841 Dendy Special Survey of Brighton, Victoria, allotments of land were rented or sold to pioneer settlers. These settlers had to be self reliant and the women made most of the clothing for their families. This garment is one of the examples of the skills and craftsmanship of these women.A white, cotton, pin-tucked, long Baby's dress c 1900clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, pioneer settlers, craft working -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, pinafore crochet work, c1900
This white, cotton, baby's pinafore with hand crochet work is and example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A white cotton infant's pinafore, with hand crochet work around armholes, and lower edge of garment. Feather stitch embroidery, and pin-tucking on bodice. Waist ties.clothing, crochet work, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dendy special survey, brighton pioneers -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, lace collar, c1880
This heavy, detachable lace collar is an example of the dressmaking and needle work skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire c 1880 The Maggs family settled in the Brighton district in the late 1800,s. After the Dendy's Special Survey of the Brighton area in 1841 land allotments were rented or sold to pioneers who established market gardens, dairy farms, fruit gardens and vineyards. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these familiesThis heavy, lace collar is detachable and consists of hand crochet work.clothing, crochetwork, pioneers, early settlers, dendy henry, maggs geoff, brighton, bentleigh, moorabbin, market gardeners, craft working, dressmakers -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Kitchen equipment, water-dipper, c1920
Early settlers could only obtain clean water by sinking a well on their land. A pump was built to draw water for use by the family and this tin dipper would have been used for drinking water. The Lachlan Mackinnon family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireEarly settlers had to sink wells on their land and build water pumps in order to obtain water. This tin dipper would have been used for drinking at the water pump . In 1846 Lachlan and Charles Mackinnon bought 117 acres of land in the 'Dendy's Special Survey' from J.B.Were This area is now known as the suburb of 'McKinnon' and may have been named after them.A tin water-dipper for obtaining drinking water from water pumpmoorabbin, wells, water supply, pioneers, ormond, bentleigh, mckinnon, market gardeners, early settlers, kitchen equipment, water pumps, mackinnon jessie, mackinnon donald, mackinnon lachlan, mackinnon charles, mackinnon daniel -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book - Rites, Bible 1874, THE HOLY BIBLE, 1874
A Bible used by Mr James Jones, an early settler in Moorabbin Shire, from 1880 - 1940James Jones was the son of Philip Jones, a Chairmaker, and Ann Jones who settled in East Brighton after the sale of land c1852 in the area of the Henry Dendy Special Survey of 1841. Mary Ann Moore was the daughter of Thomas Moore, a Gardener, and Sarah Harris who also settled in Brighton c1852. James and Mary Ann Jones settled and raised their family in East Brighton now Bentleigh. Mr John Herron resided at 4 Vickery St Bentleigh until 1989.A Bible of Mr James Jones 1874Front cover THE HOLY BIBLE inside page THE/ HOLY BIBLE/ CONTAINING THE / OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS/ APPOINTED TO BE READ IN CHURCHES/ herron john, jones james. early settlers, pioneers, collins william, printers, publishers, bibles, church of england, prayer books, moorabbin, brighton, melbourne, glasgow, scotland -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Receipt, c1900
Mrs Martha Closter ( Kloster), of Oakleigh purchased the Melber Sewing Machine in 1909 and gave it to her daughter Mary when she and Alonzo Box married in 1918 and settled in Moorabbin Shire. This document was donated by a descendant of the Box family in 1985.William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her the 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the familyThe original paper Receipt of the Melber Company Sewing Machine, 154 Chapel Street Prahran on July 15th 1909. Mrs Closter purchased a ‘Melber Rotary Hook Sewing Machine , 4 drawers and attachment. No. 17469 costing 9 pounds, less due 7 shillings and 6 pence leaving the sum of 8 pounds 12 shillings and 6 pence Paid by Cash to Powell & Candy per ……… on 15/7/09 ( hand written ) MELBER SEWING MACHINES / 154 CHAPEL STREET, / Prahran / Mrs Closter July 15th 1909 ( handwritten) / Dr. to POWELL & CANDY, / IMPORTERS / New and Secondhand Machines for Cash and Easy Terms. / Repairs promptly executed Locks repaired. Keys fitted. Needles and Parts for all Machines. A stamp 25mm x 30mm is on left corner of document ‘ VICTORIA STAMP DUTY ‘ -at top and base - ‘1d ‘ - centrally victoria, melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, sewing, box elizabeth, box alonzo, closter mary, kentucky, early settlers, america, craftwork, sewing machines, melber company, u s a, prahran, kloster martha -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Guarantee, c1900
Mrs Martha Closter ( Kloster), of Oakleigh purchased the Melber Sewing Machine in 1909 and gave it to her daughter Mary when she and Alonzo Box married in 1918 and settled in Moorabbin Shire. This document was donated by a descendant of the Box family in 1985.William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family The original, hand written, Guarantee for the Melber Sewing Machine purchased by Mrs Martha Closter of Oakleigh in July 15th 1909 at Powell & Candy, Importers of Chapel Street, Prahran, Melbourne. MEMORANDUM / From / Powell & Candy/ IMPORTERS / ‘ July 19th 1909 ‘ ( hand written) / To M / The Melbourne Sewing Machine / Exchange, / 154 CHAPEL STREET, PRAHRAN / Guarantee ( hand written) / “ We hereby guarantee the Melber Rotary Hook / Drop Head Sewing Machine Sold by us to / Mrs Closter of Oakleigh, to be free from defects / in regard to material & workmanship & will / make good any defects not caused “be” / accident, rough usage or neglect at any time / within Five (5) years of date of purchase . viz. / July 15th 1909. / All parts to be submitted to us at our place / of business for inspection before any claim / is allowed. / Powell & Candy / per ……..” ( all hand written ) victoria, melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, sewing, box elizabeth, box alonzo, closter mary, oakleigh, kentucky, early settlers, america, craftwork, sewing machines, melber company, u s a, prahran, kloster martha -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Kitchen Equipment, Coolgardie Safe, c1900
The invention of the Coolgardie Safe is credited to Arthur Patrick McCormick, a contractor in Coolgardie, and later the Mayor of Narrogin. Coolgardie is in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. Gold was first discovered there in 1892; the townsite became a municipality in 1894, and by 1898 its population of 15,000 made it the third largest town in Western Australia after Perth and Fremantle. In the last decade of the 19th century, Coolgardie was the capital of the West Australian goldfields. Being 180 kilometres from the nearest civilisation, food supplies were initially scarce and expensive. As fresh food was a valuable commodity there was incentive to preserve it, and keep it out of reach of scavengers such as birds, dingos, dogs, ants, and flies. It was in an effort to do this, in the extreme heat of the Australian Interior, that McCormick came up with his design for the Coolgardie Safe. McCormick noticed that a wet bag placed over a bottle cooled its contents. He further noted that if this bottle was placed in a breeze, the bag would dry out more quickly, but the bottle would get colder. What McCormick had discovered was the principle of evaporation: ‘to change any liquid into a gaseous state requires energy. This energy is taken in the form of heat from its surroundings.’ Employing this principle, McCormick made a box for his provisions which he covered with a wet hessian bag. He then placed a tray on top, into which he poured water twice daily. He hung strips of flannel from the tray so that water would drip down onto the hessian bag, keeping it damp. As the water evaporated, the heat dissipated, keeping the food stored inside cool and fresh. The success of McCormick’s invention would not have worked without a steady supply of water. Fresh water was scarce in the eastern goldfields at this time but the demand for water from a steadily growing population encouraged innovation. The solution was to condense salt water. Heating salt water in tanks produced steam that was condensed in tall cylinders, cooled and then collected in catchment trays. By 1898 there were six companies supplying condensed water to the goldfields, the largest company producing 100,000 gallons of water a day. In the early 20th century, Coolgardie Safes were also manufactured commercially. These safes incorporated shelving and a door, had metal or wooden frames and hessian bodies. The feet of the safe were usually placed in a tray of water to keep ants away. (MAV website) The early settlers of Moorabbin Shire depended on this type of Food Safe to protect their food from flies and vermin as they established market gardens in the fertile area around the notorious Elster Creek A metal framed, 4 sided structure standing on 4 legs with 2 hinged doors on one side, a metal tray at base of food safe and a metal cover over top. Ridges on which to rest trays carrying food are inside safe. The Safe is enclosed by fly-wire mesh.'...IN.....GEELONG' A manufacturer's oval metal plate is embossed on one side of Safe but it is illegible.elster creek, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841, market gardens, infant mortality, disease, cemeteries, fruit, vegetables, pioneers, coolgardie safe, mccormick arthur patrick, dendy henry, vaccination, jones martha, jones ethel may -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Medical Health, vaccination notice, Martha Jones, c1888
The loss of life from infectious diseases such as Typhoid in the pioneer settlements of Australia, was very high Hence the free, compulsory vaccination of infants within 6 months of their birth. This Notice To Parents was sent by the Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths in District of East Brighton , now known as Bentleigh. The notice states that all Public Vaccinators ‘ are supplied with Calf lymph. Parents can chose which Lymph they prefer”James Jones and Mary Ann Moore were born in Brighton c1857 and c 1859 into pioneer market gardener families in the area of the Dendy Special Survey of 1841. They married in 1883 and raised their family in East Brighton, now Bentleigh. Sadly infectious diseases took the lives of many infants throughout the Colony of Victoria due to the poor state of water supply and sewerage disposal and locally the swamps of the Elster Creek were a constant breeding ground. An original paper Notice To Parents for the Compulsory Vaccination Act , First Schedule, 13th August 1888 following the registration of the birth of Martha Jones to James and Mary Ann Jones in Brighton Victoria.A / COMPULSORY VACCINATION ACT – FIRST SCHEDULE / Section 17 / NOTICE TO PARENTS. Typed along left side “ (N.B. All Public Vaccinators are supplied with Calf Lymph. Parents can chose which Lymph they prefer)” This paper notice naming the child Martha Jones is signed and dated by the Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths of the District of East Brighton , W. Ward, on 13th August 1888, and gives the dates and times he will be in attendance ‘ at his residence’ for the said vaccination. vaccination, pioneers, early settlers, typhoid, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, fruit gardens, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, infectious diseases, water supply, elster creek, melbourne -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Photograph, 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh c 1950, 1950
Mr John Herron and his wife Isa Mary Herron purchased the house at 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh in 1950 from Miss M Marriott. Isa May (nee Kennedy) was the granddaughter of James Jones a very early settler in Moorabbin Shire and Miss M Marriott was a descendant of the early settler market gardeners Marriott family. Mr Herron lived there until 1989 and the house was demolished and turned into a carpark for the busy Shopping precinct of Centre Road, Bentleigh. The Marriott family were early settler market gardeners from 1878 in the area of Dendy’s 1841 Special Survey. Isa May Jones, the grand daughter of James Jones married John Herron in 1940. James was the son of Philip Jones , a chair-maker, who settled in the area of East Brighton, now Bentleigh, in 1852. John Herron immigrated to Australia in 1926.A black and white photograph of the house at 4 Vickery Street, Bentleigh purchased by Mr John Herron and his wife Isa May (nee Jones) in 1950 from Miss M. Marriott. * pioneers, early settlers, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, dairyman, dairy farmer, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, jones elizabeth ann, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, elster creek, melbourne, jones ethel may, herron isa mary, herron john, tram conductor, marriott m -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Document, Receipt 1950, c1950
Mr John Herron and his wife Isa Mary Herron purchased the house at 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh in 1950 from Miss M Marriott. He was a descendant of John James an early settler dairyman in Moorabbin Shire and Miss M Marriott was a descendant of the early settler market gardeners Marriott family. Mr Herron lived there until 1989 and the house was then demolished and turned into a carpark for the busy Shopping precinct of Centre Road, Bentleigh.The Marriott family were early settler market gardeners from 1878 in the area of Dendy’s 1841 Special Survey and John Herron was a descendant of Philip Jones , a chair-maker, who settled in the area of East Brighton, now Bentleigh, in 1852 An original paper receipt, dated 25/6/1950, for solicitors fees regarding the purchase of the house a 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh by Mr John Herron from Miss M Marriott. Melbourne 23-6- 1950/ Received from Mr. J. Herron / the Sum of – Sixteen Pounds / nineteen Shillings and three Pence / being costs & fees re Marriott / per letter 10/5/50 / £16.19.3 signed N Boothby Boothby / stamp in left corner dated 23/6/50 / along left side Cook & Heathcote Pty. Ltd., 404 Collins St., Melbournepioneers, early settlers, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, dairyman, dairy farmer, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, jones elizabeth ann, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, elster creek, melbourne, jones ethel may, herron isa mary, herron john, tram conductor, marriott m, cook and heathcote pty ltd -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Document, letter of costs 1950, c1950
Mr John Herron and his wife Isa Mary Herron purchased the house at 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh in 1950 from Miss M Marriott. He was a descendant of John James an early settler dairyman in Moorabbin Shire and Miss M Marriott was a descendant of the early settler market gardeners Marriott family. Mr Herron lived there until 1989 and the house was then demolished and turned into a carpark for the busy Shopping precinct of Centre Road, Bentleigh.The Marriott family were early settler market gardeners from 1878 in the area of Dendy’s 1841 Special Survey and John Herron was a descendant of Philip Jones , a chair-maker, who settled in the area of East Brighton, now Bentleigh, in 1852 An original letter, dated 10th May 1950, from solicitors Boothby and Boothby requesting settlement of costs involved with purchase of house at 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh by Mr John Herron from Miss M Marriott Attached is a Statement of Adjustments cat 00053.4 * Boothby & Boothby Imperial Chambers / Solicitors etc. 408 Collins Street/ B>B Boothby / N.B Boothby / - BBB/VP Melbourne C 10th May, 1950/ and at / Korumburra / Loch and / Poowong/ Telephone M 1275 ( 2 Lines )/ Mr. J. Herron, / 4 Vickery Street, / Bentleigh / re Marriott signed N Boothby solicitors, pioneers, early settlers, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, dairyman, dairy farmer, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, jones elizabeth ann, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, elster creek, melbourne, jones ethel may, herron isa mary, herron john, tram conductor, marriott m, boothby and boothby -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Document, statement of fees 1950, c1950
Mr John Herron and his wife Isa Mary Herron purchased the house at 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh in 1950 from Miss M Marriott. He was a descendant of John James an early settler dairyman in Moorabbin Shire and Miss M Marriott was a descendant of the early settler market gardeners Marriott family. Mr Herron lived there until 1989 and the house was then demolished and turned into a carpark for the busy Shopping precinct of Centre Road, Bentleigh.The Marriott family were early settler market gardeners from 1878 in the area of Dendy’s 1841 Special Survey and John Herron was a descendant of Philip Jones , a chair-maker, who settled in the area of East Brighton, now Bentleigh, in 1852 An original, paper, Statement of Adjustments attached to previous item 00053.3 for purchase of the house at 4 Vickery Street, Bentleigh by Mr John Herron from Miss M Marriott in 1950 Heading - HERRON & ANOR. From MARRIOTT / Adjustment of Rates, Taxes, etc., as at 12th May 1950 / list of costs/ typed in left hand bottom corner – E. & O.E, / Melbourne, / 10th May 1950 pioneers, early settlers, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, dairyman, dairy farmer, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, jones elizabeth ann, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, elster creek, melbourne, jones ethel may, herron isa mary, herron john, tram conductor, marriott m, boothby b b, boothby n b, solicitors, land sales, house sales 1950, real estate -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Document, deposit receipt 1950, c1950
Mr John Herron and his wife Isa Mary Herron purchased the house at 4 Vickery Street Bentleigh in 1950 from Miss M Marriott. He was a descendant of John James an early settler dairyman in Moorabbin Shire and Miss M Marriott was a descendant of the early settler market gardeners Marriott family. Mr Herron lived there until 1989 and the house was then demolished and turned into a carpark for the busy Shopping precinct of Centre Road, Bentleigh.The Marriott family were early settler market gardeners from 1878 in the area of Dendy’s 1841 Special Survey and John Herron was a descendant of Philip Jones , a chair-maker, who settled in the area of East Brighton, now Bentleigh, in 1852An original paper statement of receipt issued by William Meldrum for £100 deposit paid on March 28th 1950 by Mr John Herron for purchase of the house at 4 Vickery Street BentleighBENTLEIGH ESTATE AGENCY TAXATION & INSURANCE / WILLIAM MELDRUM / ESTABLISHED / 1908 Incorporating W.H.Wood & Co., Next Railway Station,/ SWORN VALUER and GOVERNMENT / APPROVED VALUER 367 a Centre Road / Bentleigh / Telephone XU 1404 / Fellow of the Real Estate and Stock Institute of Victoria / Associate of the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants/ Fellow of the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers Stamp in left bottom VICTORIA STAMP DUTY 3d with signature initials / Letter dated 28th day of March 1950 and signed SP W Meldrum / C Raveand pioneers, early settlers, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, dairyman, dairy farmer, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, jones elizabeth ann, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, elster creek, melbourne, jones ethel may, herron isa mary, herron john, tram conductor, marriott m, solicitors, valuers, taxation, meldrum w, real estate -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Domestic object - Kitchen Equipment, household soap, c1900
Common soap was made from mixing animal fat with potash a form of the potassium based alkali present in plant and wood material. Early settlers, made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved from their daily work. They did not then have to rely on waiting for soap to be shipped from England and waste their goods or money in trade for soap. In making soap the first ingredient required was a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered to remove all meat tissues and cooking residue before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. To render, fats and waste cooking grease were placed in a large kettle with an equal amount of water. Then the kettle was placed over the open fire outdoors, because the smell from rendering the fats was too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water were boiled until all the fats had melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire was stopped and into the kettle was placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution was allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats had solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remained in water underneath the fat. In another large kettle or pot the fat was placed with an amount of lye solution ( known by experience ). This mixture was boiled until the soap was formed - 6-8 hours - a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue caused no noticeable "bite". The next day a brown jelly like slippery substance was in the kettle and this was 'soft soap' . To make hard soap, common salt was thrown in at the end of the boiling and a hard cake of soap formed in a layer at the top of the pot. But as salt was expensive most settlers used 'soft soap',. The soap could be scented with oils such as lavender for personal use. These 3 cakes of home-made soap are examples of the self sufficiency of the early settlers as they had to be self reliant ,growing food and making and mending their own farm equipment, tools and clothes while establishing their market gardens in Moorabbin Shire3 cakes of home-made, white hard household soap. 1 cake of soap eaten by a brush tailed possum when he entered the Cottage via the chimney 27/4/2014soap making, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841. kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, bentleigh