Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679. The Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1857 by James E. A. Gibbs and James Willcox and opened its London Office in 1859 at 135 Regent Street . By 1871 the Company's Chief Office for Europe was at 150 Cheapside, London, this office was later moved (post 1885) to 94 - 96 Wigmore Street, then 37 & 39 Moorgate Street (by 1891 to post 1907) and later 20 Fore Street, London . Right from the initial production the manufacturing of the Company's single thread, chain stitch machine was undertaken by Brown & Sharpe, Rhode Island and this continued up until 1948. A special hand crank mechanism was produced in England for the European market, but the general design of the Willcox & Gibbs remained essentially the same throughout its production. The only major improvement was in 1875 when the glass tension discs were replaced with an automatic tension device which ensured the machine could not get out of adjustment. In addition to the domestic hand and treadle machines the company produced a wide range of industrial models. The Company finally closed in 1973. This Willcox & Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America in the late 1860's but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base. The cloth plate has various American patent dates, four dating between 1857 & 1860 relating to J. E. A. Gibbs, three dating between 1860 & 1864 relating to Chas H. Willcox (son of James Willcox), the machine was also licensed under five other patents including the infamous Elias Howe patent of 1846. There are only two English patents one for J. E. A Gibbs and the other for James Willcox. In 1887 a W & G Sewing Machine sold in England for 6 pounds , with its box and bits, at a time when the average wage was less than 10/- shillings per week. The early settlers of Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient making their own clothes, tableware, bed coverings, furnishings and equipment. The women were skilled dressmakers and craft workers.Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679. A single thread, chain stitch Sewing Machine with a special hand crank mechanism produced in England for the European market, and the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. This Willcox & Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America c1870 but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base castingsewing machines, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton, gibbs james, willcox james, willcox henry, new york, america, dressmaking, mateial, machine makers, wrought iron work, telford england

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,

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

The large, early, manual, ‘Punch-Clock’, (also known as a Time Clock), used by the Shire of Moorabbin employees to “clock-on and off” each working day circa late 1800s early 1900s.This 'Punch-Clock' was used by employees of the Shire of Moorabbin circa 1880 - 1900 and was donated to the City of Moorabbin Historical Society by the now defunct Moorabbin City Council in 1984.The large manual, ‘Punch-Clock’, (also known as a Time Clock), used by the Shire of Moorabbin employees to “clock-on and off” each working day circa late 1800s early 1900s. The clock face is exposed and the internal mechanism is encased in a wooden cupboard with two glass framed side panels. Right side panel is a door that accesses the clock mechanism.Around Centre of Clock face " DEY TIME REGISTERS LTD"/ "HOWARD BROS./ made in USA/ 75 Queen Victoria St./ LONDON E.C."/ On Brass plate at base are Patent registrations moorabbin, clocks, wages, punch clock

In the 1820s perforated cardboard first became available. Then, with the invention of the printing press, designs such as sentimental or religious mottos were pre-printed on the card and a Victorian craze began as it provided a simpler and cheaper method of embroidering for the masses compared to the previously far more expensive linen embroidery. Over the following decades embroidering of punched-card grew enormously in popularity and a variety of articles from Christmas decorations to birthday cards, and in this case a Neele case to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden Jubilee in 1887. 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 used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Small cream coloured Punched-Cardboard needle case,with red satin lining and red cross-stitch decoration. The case contains four paper packets each containing sewing needles of a different gauge. Each packet of needles is 3 1/2 cms long and 1 cm wide. The size of the needles In red cot tonCross stitch on one side of the card needle case the word "NEEDLES" is embroidered, and on the other side the word "JUBILEE". Inside the needle case is four packets of different sized needles, by Wm Mattins1887, queen victorias golden jubilee, victorian punched card work, hand embroidery, different packets, different gauge sharp needles, wm shrimpton and sons, william mattins, abel morrals, copestakes, cross stitch

A bedpan is a receptacle used for the toileting of a bedridden patient in the home or in a hospital and are usually made of a metal, glass, or plastic . A bed pan can be used for both urinary and faecal discharge. This porcelain 'New Slipper' bed pan was used early 20thC.A white china bed-pan with handle at centre back 'The New Slipper'Inside back 'The New Slipper bed pan should be passed under the patient in front between the legs. If a flannel cap is made for the blade, fastened by string to the handle, considerable comfort will be affected." on base 'F Large"toilets, invalids, cummerford family, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, market gardeners

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

Early settlers had to daily maintain a fire in their kitchen hearth for cooking and heating purposes. Preservation of meat entailed curing by smoking in the kitchen hearth, hence domestic bellows were an important item of kitchen equipment. These domestic fire bellows were used to maintain the fire in the kitchen hearth for cooking,preserving and heating purposes by an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire.A small, domestic, fire bellows for maintaining a fire in the kitchen hearth for cooking and heating. brighton, moorabbin, cooking, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, kitchen equipment, bellows, meat, betleigh, fireplaces, farm equipment

Early settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant, producing their food making and maintaining their own equipment, clothing and utensils This Singer boot-makers sewing machine is an example of the skills and craftsmanship of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire.A black, Singer 29K2, treadle, boot-maker's sewing machine c1914' SINGER ' on body of machine / 'SINGER 29K2' on plate/ emblem plate on right shaft shows 'S entwined with a shuttle/ bobbin over a reel of cotton' ./ ‘Singer Manef.c Co’ on iron support framebrighton, moorabbin, pioneers, bentleigh, market gardeners, early settlers, farm equipment, sewing machine, singer manufacturing company, boot-makers, leatherwork

The mangle was used in the laundry at Key's, Exchange Hotel. This large, iron framed, manual, machine with 3 cylinders for rolling and pressing washed clothes was a prominent and necessary piece of equipment used by early settler women in Moorabbin Shire 1800 to mid 1900sThis large Mangle was used at The Exchange Hotel, Nepean Highway, Cheltenham , built in 19thC , now known as The Tudor Inn.A large, iron framed, manual, machine with 3 cylinders, for rolling and pressing washed clothes, connected by cogs manually operated by turning a side wheel with a large crank handle.On an oval plate at base of iron frame 'W. Summerscales / & Sons / Keighley Englandclothing, brighton, moorabbin, linen, washing machine, bentleigh, market gardeners, laundry equipment, mangle, early setters pioneers

Ansonia Clocks were made by a clock manufacturing business which started in Ansonia, Connecticut, in 1851 and which moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1878. An enormously successful business, it turned out thousands of clocks in a large number of styles.This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family of Miss Carol Green in Moorabbin Shire c 1887This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family of Miss Carol Green in Moorabbin Shire c 1887A small ANSONIA clock. c1887 with a winding key and pendulum and a hinged front glass door This Ansonia clock was restored by Mr Frank M. Gowan.c 1960damaged label on back : AWARD PARIS..... / SMALL SHAR..... / ANSONIA CLOCK / none genuine without ' ( symbol) ' / factories at ANSONIA Conn. Brook / Salesroom .....19 Cliff Street ....../ansonia clock company, connecticut, america, phelps anson, terry theodore, andrews franklin, brighton, moorabbin, furniture, pioneers, clocks, market gardeners, early settlers, green carol, gowan frank

Candles were the only source of light for pioneers after sunset and this enamel candlestick holder appears well used.A white enamelled, candlestick holder, with dark blue enamelled handle. A candle is in situ.No makers markbrighton, moorabbin, lights, pioneers, market gardeners, furnishings, candles, earlysettlers, metalwork

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 Melbourne. 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. His son Herbert maintained the business until the factory closed in 1935.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This sewing machine was one of many items they used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. A sewing machine was a necessary part of each home.A Wertheim hand–crank sewing machine c1880. The hand machine was operated by turning the handle. The hand machine could also be fitted to a stand with table and draws, the machine could then be used by hand or foot. 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 'WERTHEIM' across body of machinemelbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, germany, piano, pioneers, richmond, bentleigh, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, sewing machines, wertheim hugo, wertheim joseph

a) 1 common, clear glass ink bottle with 'burst-off' straight finished neck and a groove on two sides upon which a pen would rest. There are variations of this largely English-made style glass inkwell made in cup base moulds. Cursory grinding smoothed out the sharpness of the rim. b) 2 cylindrical, plain, pottery inkwells These three inkwells were commonly used in homes, schools and Churches by pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1880 -1900 2 cylindrical pottery inkwells and 1 square, clear glass inkwell with a distinctive groove on 2 sides to rest a pen c 1800 - 1900education, inkwells, pottery, glasswork, craftwork, moorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers

c1900 This large wooden double wash trough with 'Acme' clothes wringer came from the old 'Exchange Hotel' now known as The Tudor Inn, Nepean Highway, Cheltenham.The Exchange Hotel, Point Nepean Road, Cheltenham, (now The Tudor Inn Hotel Nepean Highway,) was built in the late 1800s. By 1915 it was a prominent meeting place for early settler families of Moorabbin Shire. The trough is typical of those used in large laundries c1900 The ACME wringers were used in most households until c1960 Wooden, double washing trough, on a wooden stand c1900moorabbin, cheltenham, brighton, nepean highway, exchange hotel, the tudor inn hotel, clothing, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, acme manufacturing company, glasgow.

Eduard Lehman, Zurich Switzerland patented a metal barrel shaped hand washing machine with a hand crank to operate a metal plunger in 1919. Such hand washing machines were used by settlers in Moorabbin Shire An 83 year old Visitor on site remembers using this type of washing machine. He had to push the agitator for 5 minutes. Prior to his mother buying the washer, all laundry was hand washed in troughs.Such hand washing machines greatly reduced the workload of the women of pioneer familes in Moorabbin ShireThis hand washing machine c1919 consists of a metal barrel, standing on 4 legs, and has a hand crank to operate a cone shaped metal agitator.THE / LEHMAN/ COMPRESSED AIR AND / VACUUM WASHING MACHINE / Pat. No. 50614/30lehman eduard, hand washing machines, laundry equipment, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham

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

This ACME portable clothes wringer could be attached to a wash trough or hand washing machine to remove excess water from the washing. It was much less cumbersome that the earlier Mangles used for this purposeMost homes of 20th C in City of Moorabbin would have had one of these ACME wringers . It greatly eased the washday burden of the women. The Exchange Hotel Nepean Highway Cheltenham was a well established meeting place for Moorabbin Shire settlers by 1915A metal clothes wringer with side hand crank and 2 rollers that could be attached by screw clamps to a wash trough or washing machine for removing excess water from washing. The pressure of 2 rollers was controlled by a screw on the top of machine that could be loosened or tightened according to the material being passed through.ACME 14 INCH / on hand crank is list of patents for Great Britain, USA, Aust. NZ, Germany, Belgium, Sweden moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, laundry equipment, washing, washing mangles, washing machines

Gold was discovered in Victoria c1850 and people came from all over the world to seek their fortune at Ballarat and Bendigo and surrounding gold fields. This large wooden rocking- box or cradle was used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as the miner put gravel into the top part and finer and heavier particles dropped through a screen, helped along by buckets of water. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. After many shovel loads of gravel were pushed through the rocker, the miner would then use his gold pan to sort out the heavy minerals to find gold. Most of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire left the area to try their luck at gold mining and there was a desperate shortage of workers to maintain the market gardens and supply food to the ever increasing population of Melbourne.This gold prospector's 'cradle' is hand made and typical of those used by many hopeful Moorabbin Shire pioneers as they abandoned their market gardens to try their luck at finding gold in the Ballarat and Bendigo minefields c1850This gold miner's rocker is very old, and very well-used. It is a large wooden rocking- box or cradle used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as gravel is put in the top part of the box so that finer and heavier particles drop through a screen.. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. i.e gold particles. The water passed through the shute at the base back into the creek or river.moorabbin, brighton, market gardens, pioneers, early settlers, fruit, vegetable, ballarat, bendigo, gold mining, gold prospedtors, gold rush, were j. b., irish immigrants, chinese immigrants, gold panning, gold digger

Rabbits were introduce to Australia by a settler in Geelong. Victoria. They spread widely and quickly and became a menace to farmers, graziers. Blacksmiths made various types of traps and various business were established to produce many different types of traps.typical rabbit trap made by a blacksmith in Moorabbin Shire c1930Steel rabbit trap c1930Defiance UK / C.Homes / GILPA / rabbits, vermin, early settlers, farmers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, traps, ,

JAMES JOSEPH HIGGINS, was born in Dublin in 1821 and, at age twenty, emigrated via Liverpool in 1841 with his wife Ellen and baby daughter Margarete, on board the 'Intrinsic'. They lived in Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, for some years, where their son James John Clarke Higgins was born in 1850. JAMES JOHN CLARKE HIGGINS moved to Brighton East when he married Ruth Simmonds in 1873. The couple lived on Jasper Rd near the corner of Centre Rd for the rest of their lives, and produced eight children HERBERT JOHN HIGGINS was the sixth child born in 1886, to James John Clarke Higgins and Ruth Simmonds, and grew up in Centre Rd, Brighton East, now Bentleigh. He was renting and working a property on Jasper Rd from the time he was married in 1913 to Victoria Matilda Long, daughter of Charles John Long and Annie Matilda Allnutt. Herbert John bought his property on Jasper Rd in 1921. [Metropolitan Board of works plan 3220, Municipality of Moorabbin, shows that in 1928, Higgins Rd was planned (and probably built soon after). Herbert was a dairyman and market gardener. He bred and milked cows and sold milk, cream, butter and eggs to the locals. He supplied hay/corn to be made into chaff to J L Smith’s produce store. He also leased land from other farmers in the area and helped work their land. c1950 he sold the property in lots, some privately, others to the Municipality. Some lots became part of Hodgson Reserve, Higgins Road, Bentleigh, and another lot, the Bentleigh Bowling Club. Herbert and Victoria, known as Queenie, had five children between 1914 and 1928. The youngest Dorothy, who remembered sitting in this pram and later using it to carry papers, wood, vegetable etc., lived on the property in Jasper Road until her passing in 2016. ( Ronald Alexander Higgins, descendant , Helen Stanley CMHS 2017) The family of Dorothy Higgins 1928-2016, were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire establishing a dairy farm c 1873 in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh)Wicker Perambulator, baby carriage, c. 1914, with a lined, painted wicker body, iron spring scrolled frame with leather straps and 4 steel wheels with rubber tyres. The push handle is broken and hood is missing. dairy farms, higgins james joseph, simmonds ruth, higgins dorothy, poultry farms, jasper road bentleigh, city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters, ashley r, neville f, blackman n, moorabbin city council, moorabbin roads board toll gates, pioneers moorabin cheltenham, bentleigh, highett

Ansonia Clocks were made by a clock manufacturing business which started in Ansonia, Connecticut, in 1851 and which moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1878. An enormously successful business, it turned out thousands of clocks in a large number of styles.This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family in Moorabbin Shire c1900This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family in Moorabbin Shire c1900A large ANSONIA clock. c1900 with a winding key and pendulum and a hinged front glass door with clip lock ANSONIAansonia clock company, connecticut, america, phelps anson, terry theodore, andrews franklin, brighton, moorabbin, furniture, pioneers, clocks, market gardeners, early settlers

A pram used by an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire c 1900A pram used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900A brown wicker perambulator c 1900 with a long handle, long tapering seat,3 steel wheels with rubber tyresNILperambulators, baby carriages, craftworker, wicker work, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin shire, ormond, mckinnon,

2 blue canvas Australia Post bags with brass eyelets used mid 20th Century to deliver mail to householders in the City of Moorabbin . Small bag has Australia Post Stamped on it and the large bag has no markings but has white rope threaded through the brass eyeletsAustralia Post Canvas Bags donated by Judy Clark the daughter of George Reed who lived and worked in the City of Moorabbin in 20th century 2 Blue canvas bags with brass eyeletsa) AUSTRALIA POST OFFICE 869 No 5 b) no marking ; white rope australia post, post offices, mail, bentleigh, moorabbin, mckinnon, ormond, cheltenham, highett, early settlers, reed george

Made in Australia by Middy's Used by a pioneer family in Moorabbin. Manufactured by Middy's: Arriving in Australia at age 19 by ship at Port Melbourne, Dutch immigrant Petrus Cornelis Nicolaas Middendorp (1891-1963) settled in Melbourne to apply his trade as a cigar maker for the British American Tobacco Co. Retiring from the cigar industry and following his work as an honorary orderly tending WW1 Australian casualties in Paris and Melbourne, Petrus began selling Dutch manufactured light globes, vacuum cleaners and other electrical products imported from Holland and England. Warehousing and sales of the goods were undertaken from 1928 by the ‘Middendorp Goods Supply Company’ initially located in Flinders Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, then moving to McKillop Street, followed by a basement store at 148 Queen Street. During the 1940s a manufacturing plant known as ‘Middendorp and Sons’ was established in the Melbourne suburb of Preston, where Petrus’ three teenage sons Peter, Nick and Hugh joined him. Peter and Hugh worked with a small team of staff to produce rubber plug tops, extension sockets, double adaptors and a small range of bakelite accessories, whilst Nick became the first sales rep calling on customers and construction sites. The products were sold under the brand name of ‘Middy’. A name change of the distribution business took place in the late 40s and Middendorp Electric Company Pty Ltd was officially registered in 1948. The manufacturing operation ceased during the late 50s due to the introduction and acceptance of plastic and injection moulding. However, the Middendorp family had positioned itself to further establish its electrical wholesale business with the first branch and Head Office opening in 1956, located at 520 Latrobe Street, Melbourne. By 1962 there were five trading branches, growing to 25 in 1986 and 101 by 2018 Australia wide. Middendorp Electric, more commonly known as Middy’s and readily identified by its trademark colour of Middy’s pink, has developed into the largest privately owned Electrical Wholesaler in Australia. In 2015 Middy’s acquired Mekolec lifts fire and electrical adding presence and sector expertise in Melbourne’s inner south. In Sep 2018 Middy's acquired Salmon Brothers Electrical, with 5 Branches in Sydney's Metro region and in 2019 they acquired Goulburn Electrical Wholesalers greatly adding to Middy's location coverage in NSW and providing Middy’s the ability to better service NSW contractors. Bakerlite electrical fittingMiddy - Made in Australiamiddy's, moorabbin pioneers, electrical, bakerlite

The cooking pots were used by Pioneer's of the City of Moorabbin.Black cast iron cooking boiler pots with lidsA. Kenrick & Sons/9 Galls / West Bromwichcooking, moorabbin, pioneers, cast iron pots

Kettle used by a pioneer family in the City of Moorabbin.Made by T & C Clarke & Sons.Cast iron kettle T & C Kelly & Sons - Englandcooking, cast iron pot, moorabbin, pioneers

This very heavy type of iron kettle was hung on a hinged swing-arm, known as a “crane”, in the kitchen fireplace. This type of kettle, with a tap was known as a “fountain”, gave ready access to boiling water. This meant that water could be kept hot all day by the fire, and the water topped up as necessary. The metal arm was swung out from the fire -place to access the hot water relatively safely.This "fountain" was used by one of the pioneer families in the City of Moorabbin.Cast Iron Tea Kitchen, comprising a kettle, with a lid, a hook attached to swivel handle and a brass tap attached to side of kettle. T & C Clark & Co 12 Galls imprinted on lid.T & C Clark & Co

Used by a pioneer family in the City of MoorabbinPressed sheet metal frying pan with folded/tube handle, riveted onto side. Flat bottomed, with edges that slant outward.cooking, frying pan, skillet, moorabbin, kitchen

This wood traveling trunk was used by the LePage family when emigrating from Guernsey , Channel Isles, to Melbourne on SS Caliope 1852. Nicholas LePage , a tailor, and wife Elizabeth arrived in Melbourne in 1852 with their son Frank Thomas and daughter Elizabeth. Joshua Holloway released land in his 'Two Acre Village' in Cheltenham 1851. Nicholas bought a LOT for 10pounds and began a market garden that was managed by successive generations. The LePage family became involved with the Methodist Church , local friendly societies, sporting clubs and civic councils that endured. 'The LePages became one of the best known Moorabbin market gardening families, with a tradition of service to communal and civic affairs that is unmatched' John Cribbin, ' Moorabbin ,Pictorial History 1862-1994.' (City of Kingston)A handmade wood trunk with brass lock and hinges and Guernsey ( Channel Isles) Newspaper lining 1851Top of lid; White Stencil BETSEY LEPAGE / PASSENGER TO MELBOURNE Lining of box; Guernsey Newspaper 1851 henry dendy's special survey 1842, moorabbin shire, moorabbin roads board, dendy henry, were jb, holloway josiah, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, methodist church, two acre village cheltenham, charman stephen, bent thomas, daphne cottage, sons of temperance friendly society, mayors moorabbin council, lepage nicholas, lepage frank thomas, lepage everest, lepage frank wilbur, cheltenham co-operative society, cheltenham cream and butter factory