The first photograph was taken prior to 1910. The location is at the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, East Brighton, (now known as Bentleigh). It is an early view of John L. and "Minnie" Smith's Hay and Corn Store, situated on the South West corner of those two roads. The first photo was taken prior to the introduction of electricity in the area. A gas lamp and horse "hitching post" can be seen "in shot". There are several loaded wagons waiting in line to have their hay milled to chaff. Farmers came from places as distant as Carrum to have their loads of hay milled into chaff. John Smith was born in 1860 in Point Nepean Road, Brighton, and Minnie was born in Patterson Road, Moorabbin, in a wattle and daub cottage with earthen floor and butter muslin over the windows. The couple married in 1884, Minnie was a devout Methodist and the family became very involved in the development of the local Methodist church. The couple had four children and during the 1890s Depression their first child died, they lost all their possessions, and John's family struggled to survive. Finally in the late 1890s JL Smith was able to rent a shed from Mr Henry Box on the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, and he later purchased that property. With the gradual improvement in the economy, and the development of the successful market gardening industry in the Shire of Moorabbin, JL Smith's produce store became quite prosperous. Over some years the little "shed" developed into a thriving Hay and Corn Store. JL Smith went on to become Moorabbin Shire President in 1914. He and his wife were active in assisting soldiers returning injured from the 1st WW, in the local Methodist Church and other early community projects. Smith was a typical example of the majority of the early settlers in the Shire of Moorabbin, being god-fearing and devoted to the idea of service to the community. The photographs demonstrate the primitive conditions and early development of what is now a bustling and well-recognised area of Bentleigh, (known as east Brighton before 1907). The photo shows a gas lamp in use before the introduction of electricity in 1916. The Smith's story is representative of the many early pioneering traders, who elected to "set up shop", who suffered the adversity of the 1890s depression, but who survived and made their living in the largely undeveloped area of East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) district. Two black and white early photographs both of the same location. The photos are of the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, Bentleigh. (Prior to 1907 this area was known as East Brighton.) Both photos show J.L Smith's General Merchant Produce store. "Steam Chaff Cutting and Corn Crushing Mills" and the surrounding area at differing stages. In the first photo taken prior to 1910, we can see there are several horse-drawn carts loaded with hay waiting to be milled, a gas lamp and a horse "hitching post". The store is just a single unadorned, shed. The later, second photo of the same area, shows improvements and the further development of that site. On the back of the photo "Hay and Corn Store -/ not later than 1910."/"Photographer /Victor C Smith,/ Phone Number XL1472"/hitching post, methodist church, smith minnie, moorabbin shire president, gas lamp, east brighton district, 1890s depression, wattle and daub cottage, centre road, jasper road, box henry, smith john l

Letter to members ('Dear Friend') of Eaglehawk East Methodist Church and Sunday School (Ex Primitive Methodist ), signed Wm Richards & F Wood (Hon Sec). Letter re Jubilee Fair and contributions. Dated 29/3/05)organization, church, bendigo churches

Tickets of membership for Anthony and Elizabeth Hall. Six from 1884, eight from 1885, eight from 1886, ten from 1887, seven from 1888, eight from 1889, three from 1890 and two from 1891. On all tickets the words First camp meeting held March 1807, first class formed. 1810church, history, primitive methodist

Reverend Alfred Madsen was a Methodist minister who was born in Maryborough in 1864 and died in 1930. He served in Ballarat and President and Secretary of the Primitive Methodist Conference before Union as well as Secretary of the United Methodist Church in 1916, and President of the Conference in 1917. He was minister of Mt. Erica Methodist Church in Prahran at the time of his death. He was Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Lodge.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev. Alfred MadsenRev A Madsenrev alfred madsen, primitive methodist, minister

Hugh Bourne and William Clowes were the founders of the Primitive Methodist Connexion.Black and white print on card featuring illustrated head and shoulder portraits of Hugh Bourne and William Clowes.Des & Eng By T.W. Huntbourne, clowes, primitive methodist connexion

www.myprimitivemethodists.org.ukWhite china with gold trim and green transfer prints and text. Teapot, registration number 13.1, has a serpent like spout. Teapot lid, registration number 13.2. Saucer, registration number 13.3. Plate, registration number 13.4.Teapot front: 'Primitive Methodist Jubliee Chapel Tunstall'; teapot back and teapot lid: 'William Clowes' 'Hugh Bourne'. primitive methodist, primitive methodist jubliee chapel tunstall

Wooden giving box covered with lacquered paper labels. "Please Help the Home Mission" hand written on the base. The labels read: Top: "Juvenile Auxiliary". Front: "Primitive Methodist Home and Foreign Missions". Side 1: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". Side 2: "Peace on Earth. Goodwill Towards Men".primitve methodist home & foreign missions

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Union. Scholars' examination junior division. This is to certify that Elizabeth Hall of Eaglehawk school passed the half-yearly examination in scripture lessons for May and June 1884, subject: Moses and Exodus. Signed by board of examiners and dated Melbourne August 24th, 1884bendigo, church, primitive methodist

A small black self patterned leatherette softcover book, The Primitive Methodist Hymnal with Supplement. The title is written at the top of the spine in gold lettering. There is an Index to the Hymns, and Index to the Authors and Translators, an Index to the First Lines of Verses, an Index of Scripture Texts followed by the Hymnal Supplement. 486 Pp. Supplement 150 Pp.non-fictionThis hymnal is compiled by A Committee appointed by the Conference of 1882. It is the fourth published for congregational worship in the Primitive Methodist community. religious books, hymnals, churches