2 photographs (1 large black and white, 1 small sepia)Typed under large photograph: "Originally Mr Tommy Grants smithy in Maroondah Hwy. Built 1880." David Robert Kennedy took over the business from Ringwood's original blacksmith mr Tommy Grant in 1894.

This image is one of a series of photographs taken by Melbourne based photographers Stevenson and McNicoll who visited Bacchus Marsh and its nearby districts between September and November 1883. William Marshall opened his new premises in Main Street in June 1869. In the following November he opened a wheelwright shop adjacent to his smithy. Mr T. Carlton was the wheelwright. The Marshall Blacksmith building was located next to the ANA Hall in Main Street. It was demolished in 1910 to make way for a new building known as the Chambers Building. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the blacksmith played an essential role in the functioning of the whole community. Before the industrialisation of manufacturing, all metal objects, including farm implements, building requirements and domestic utensils were made by hand. As mechanisation of industry increased, the smith commonly performed the role of farrier in the times when horse power was pivotal to all aspects of society. Complementing this work, the forge was often allied with a wheelwright's shop. These premises also acted as a meeting place for the men of the town, where news was shared and friendships forged. Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. William Marshall opened his new premises in June 1869, and in the following November opened a wheelwright shop adjacent to his smithy. Mr T. Carlton was the wheelwright. The photograph shows a brick building with two gables and two large doors, indicating that a second workshop has been added to the original building. Parts of a picket fence and two cartwheels lean against the wall. Three men stand at the front, two wearing the distinctive farrier’s apron slit between the knees. The third man is wearing more formal clothing. Two of the men hold the reins of two horses. A picket fence runs along the front of a spare block at the side of the building. The deep gutter is straddled by two crossing points. Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. blacksmiths, shops bacchus marsh vic., william marshall 1839-1914

James Garland Colliver lived and worked in Linton between 1863 and 1875, when he moved to Donald. He was actively involved in Linton's business and community life. (See Colliver family file at LDHS.) This photograph may show two adjacent business premises on the east side of Sussex Street, north of Clyde Street: Edwin Ball or Ball Brothers, blacksmiths, and J.G. Colliver, "Machinist". The Ball and Colliver families were related and are understood to have worked collaboratively. A plan of Sussex Street drawn up in 1871 (in LDHS collection -Reg. no. 2013-25) shows an allotment on the east side owned by 'Colliver' next to a slightly larger allotment owned by 'Ball'.Original small, sepia photograph showing premises of "J G Colliver - Machinist" with workmen in front."J G Collivers shop about 100 years ago".j. g. colliver, wheelwright, carpenter, coachbuilder, workers