John Box 1841 - 1914, the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children. Rebecca Anne b 1863 was in the first party from Australia to go to the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was known as 'Faith' because of her evangelical zeal. The Mission Post was invaded by the Boxers during the Rebellion 1900-01and she was moved to the safety of Shanghai by Nicholas Viloudakia, a Greek silk merchant whom she later married. Rebecca sent the bolt of hand embroidered silk material to her brother Alonzo for his marriage to Mary Closter. Mary Box nee Closter's Wedding Dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum . Martha Sheldrake died 1895 and John married Eleanor Rushall b1866 and they had 3 children. John was well respected in the community and was a Methodist lay preacher.John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. An oval shaped black and white photograph of John Box 1841 - 1913nilbox william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, boxer rebellion 1900, methodist chinese missionary, methodist china inland mission, shanghai china, silk merchants, mary box wedding dress

John Box 1841 - 1913, the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children. Rebecca Anne b 1863 was in the first party from Australia to go to the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was known as 'Faith' because of her evangelical zeal. The Mission Post was invaded by the Boxers during the Rebellion 1900-01and she was moved to the safety of Shanghai by Nicholas Viloudakia, a Greek silk merchant whom she later married. Rebecca sent the bolt of hand embroidered silk material to her brother Alonzo for his marriage to Mary Closter. Mary Box nee Closter's Wedding Dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum . Martha Sheldrake died 1895 and John married Eleanor Rushall b1866 and they had 3 children. John was well respected in the community and was a Methodist lay preacher. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. An oval black and white photograph of Martha Sheldrake the 1st wife of John Box 1841 -1913nilbox william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, boxer rebellion 1900, methodist chinese missionary, methodist china inland mission, shanghai china, silk merchants, mary box wedding dress

John Box 1841 - 1913 the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children who were all born in East Brighton ( now Ormond ). After Martha died 1895 John Box married Eleanor Rushall c1900 Eleanor (Nellie) Rushall b 1866 in Fitzroy daughter of George Rushall b 1823 in London and Mary Ann Jones b 1823 in Battersea, who arrived in Portland 1849 and later settled in Fitzroy. George was an Auctioneer and was elected to Council 1874 becoming Mayor of Fitzroy 1875 and the family enjoyed the benefits of their prosperity. She had singing lessons with Dame Nellie Melba. His business foundered during the 1892/93 Bank Crash. However Nellie is recorded as the owner of the 10 roomed Terminus Hotel in Williamstown a favoured watering hole for the sailors from the many ships that came to the port. Nellie had a daughter Lavilla who sadly died aged 1 year in 1898. Nellie is then recorded as a housekeeper to a medical doctor in Cockatoo and later working for John Box, in Brighton. She married John Box in 1900 and they had 3 children Nellie, Jack and Alexander. After John Box died 1913, Nellie rented a house on the family estate in Oakleigh. She raised 2 other children Ray and Thelma and received some income by caring for several welfare children. In her later years Nellie lived with each of her children who had inherited from the John Box Estate when they turned 21 years. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. Three black and white photographs of Eleanor Rushall the 2nd wife of John BoxA Nellie Rushall; B Mum ( Nana) C possibly 'Eleanor'* box william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, rushall george, fitzroy melbourne, terminus hotel williamstown, williamstown melbourne,

August Rietmann 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878-1942 leased the Box Cottage in 1917 and raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006, and William 1920– 1997. August was a Monumental Mason / Potter / Sculptor and he was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to make the War Memorials for many towns post WW1. August purchased the property 1935,and established a pressed concrete business using the cottage as a workshop and storeroom After August died in 1951, William, his son, continued to work in the business from the site until the land was sold to Lewis Co. Ltd Timber Merchants in 1970. Rietman's Landscaping Ltd , managed by William's family, moved to Bay Road Highett 1953 and later to Carrum. The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The doors and window sashes, (made of red deal joinery timber), as well as the brass locks and fittings, are from the original cottage, and were imported from England. The fire-place bricks are from the original cottage, and are sun-dried, (not kiln fired), and are hand-made. Convict marks can be seen on two bricks. There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. These shingles were hand-split, and most likely made from locally collected timber The nails included in this display were used to fasten the shingles on the original cottage, and are also hand-made. The cottage was occupied by William Box and family from 1865 until 1914 when it was sold to August Rietman . The enamel nameplate, “Colonial”, on the wall of the cottage, was the name chosen for the original pioneer cottage by Mr August Rietman, when he purchased the property in around 1915, for 1200 Pounds approximately. In 1974 Mr Lewis, a timber specialist, found the dilapidated building on property he had recently purchased in Jasper Rd and suggested it be reconstructed and relocated. Moorabbin Council agreed and the cottage was rebuilt just about 250 metres from its original site. The cost of the rebuild was met by 'Victoria's 150th Committee, plus a small grant from the City of Moorabbin, and Mr Laurie Lewis donated much of the timber for the reconstruction. The re-constructed cottage plan has followed faithfully the original dimensions, and plan of the original pioneer cottage, and as many original items from that cottage’s long occupation have been incorporated. The photographs in Album 1 record the progress of the reconstruction from February 1984 to the First Public Open Day November 18th 1984After the death of Elisa Box in 1914 the house was leased to August Rietmann, a potter / sculptor who with his wife Fieda raised their family there 1917 - 1951. Stefanie Rennick nee Rietman lived at the house until she left to study teaching 1937. August's son, William Rietman and family managed Rietman's Landscaping Ltd after moving to Bay Road Highett 1953 and later to Carrum. The Lewis Timber Company Ltd purchased the land with The Cottage c1970. i) A laminated, black and white, photograph of August Rietmann and Family c1918 at Box Cottage, Ormond, Molly the house cow is in foreground ii) Colour photograph of Rietman's Landscaping Ltd. Bay Road Highett c 1990brighton, moorabbin, cottages, pioneers, ormond, colonial, mckinnon, dendy henry, box william, box elizabeth, reitman august, convicts lewis timber co. ltd., deam h, museums, box alonzo, smith a, rietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, mountford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, dendy, rietman agust, convicts, macrobertson, war memorial

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Henry Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The doors and window sashes, (made of red deal joinery timber), as well as the brass locks and fittings, are from the original cottage, and were imported from England.The fire-place bricks are from the original cottage, and are sun-dried, (not kiln fired), and are hand-made. Convict marks can be seen on two bricks.There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. These shingles were hand-split, and most likely made from locally collected timber The nails included in this display were used to fasten the shingles on the original cottage, and are also hand-made. The enamel nameplate, “Colonial”, on the wall of the cottage, was the name chosen for the original pioneer cottage when a later owner, Mr August Rietman and wife Frieda leased the property in around 1917. August purchased the property 1935 for 1200 Pounds approximately and resided there until 1953. In 1974 Mr Lewis, a timber specialist, found the dilapidated building on property he had recently purchased in Jasper Rd and suggested it be reconstructed and relocated. Moorabbin Council agreed and the Cottage was rebuilt just about 250 metres from its original site. The cost of the rebuild was met by 'Victoria's 150th Committee', plus a small grant from the City of Moorabbin, and Mr Laurie Lewis donated much of the timber for the reconstruction. Theses 4 iron nails were hand made by an early settler c1850, using iron, forge and anvil, for the construction of the original Box Cottage 4 hand made iron nails c1850 used in building the original pioneer cottage now known as Box Cottage Museumbox william, box elizabeth, brighton, henry dendy special survey 1841, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, box cottage museum, nails, building equuipment, forges, anvils, blacksmiths

This white enamel jug was used to store milk, by early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire A typical enamel milk jug used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900A white enamel jug with a lid and wire loop carrying handledairy, dairy farmers, milk, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, containers milk

This lady’s fine lawn cotton half petticoat is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's hand sewn fine lawn full length half petticoat with elasticised waist and a large band of hand made lace around hem. Ribbon is inserted through the lace.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, underwear

This lady’s hand sewn fine cotton nightdress is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's hand sewn fine cotton long sleeved nightdress with the bodice and cuffs decorated with handmade lace. clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh,, lacework

This lady’s fine cotton hand sewn chemise is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families .The Marriott family were pioneer market gardeners from 1850 to 1960's in the Moorabbin Brighton areaA lady's hand sewn fine cotton chemise with set in sleeves and concealed buttons along front bodice opening.The waist is elasticised and hand made lacework decorates the front and back with panels of pintucksclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework

This lady’s cotton 1/2 apron completely handsewn is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C A lady's cotton hand sewn half apron with 1 pocket and long ties. The cotton material has an alternating pattern of crosses and spotsunsigned Note attached " Every stitch by hand"clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh

This lady’s cotton bib apron, completely handsewn with lacework and embroidery is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C. A lady's fine white cotton, full length hostess Apron with a bib and long ties. The hem border is cut-work 10cm and the whole apron is decorated by hand embroidered floral designs. unsigned Note attached " Every stitch by handclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework

The early settlers were self reliant and made their own clothes. This detachable collar shows the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women A lady's silk chemise with short sleeves and an open V-line neck. The hem, neckline and cuffs are scalloped and over-sewn by hand .clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork

This lady’s cotton apron, is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C. A lady's white cotton half apron with long ties and 2 diagonal pockets The apron is machine sewn but the lace on the hem and pockets is hand sewnclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork

This baby's white cotton long nightgown, is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C.A baby's white cotton long nightgown with a band of smocking on yoke and lace around neck and cuffs clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh

The early settlers were self reliant and made their own clothes. This nightgown is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the womenThis nightgown is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of Moorabbin Shire c1900A lady's fine cotton sleeveless nightgown with ribbon ties and a 10cm band of broderie anglaise inserted between 18cm bands of fine net in yokeclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework

The early settlers were self reliant and made their own clothes. This collar shows the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the womenA lady's white cotton hand crocheted detachable dress collarclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, crochetwork

This offcut of hand made lace from a cotton nightdress is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C An offcut from a lady's cotton nightdress or petticoat. This piece of material has two bands of lace 10cm separated by 2 bands of 7 rows of fine pintucks .clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework

This lady’s white cotton combination petticoat , commonly called a 'teddy', is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C . Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's white cotton combination underwear with a buttoned crotch and hand worked decoration on bodice clothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This lady’s cotton 1/2 slip with a large lacework flounce and elastic insert at waist is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families Lady's white cotton 1/2 slip hand sewn with lacework flounce, and elastic insert at waist clothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This baby’s long cotton gown is an example of the dressmaking and lacework skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shirec1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A baby's long, fine white cotton christening dress with short sleeves, lace bodice ,and lace inserts on front panel. Pin tucks and lace form the lower part of gown and the cuffs and neckline have lace edgingclothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This chemise is an example of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families This lady’s white cotton chemise has short sleeves, and drawstring waist . The neckline has cut work and needlework flowers and the cuffs have lace edging. is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C clothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This lady’s cotton nightgown is an example of the dressmaking and lacework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's long white cotton nightdress with long sleeves , heart shaped neckline,and lace bodice.fastened with mother of pearl button. The cuffs have wide lace edging and ribbon insert lace midriff.clothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This is a hand worked lace panel for laying over a baby's dress for a Christening ceremony. It is an example of the dressmaking and lacework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shirec1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A hand-worked lace panel with collar and armholes that would be placed over another white baby's gown for a christening or special eventclothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, risstrom l, dairy farms, fruit orchard

This lady’s cotton combination drawers is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families Lady's white cotton combination drawers with buttoned crotchclothing, underwear combination, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This lady’s cotton full length petticoat is an example of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families Lady's fine lawn Full Length slip with hand embroidered floral design at centre front bodice and hem and on shoulder straps. The hem has a hand sewn scalloped edge .clothing, underwear combination, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This lady’s hand sewn cotton 1/2 petticoat with cut work is an example of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families Lady's white cotton 1/2 slip with cutwork front, hand sewn scalloped hem.clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, marshall d, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This lady’s cotton full length nightdress is an example of the dressmaking and lacework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the dressmaking and lacework skill of the women of these families Lady's white cotton, Full Length , V neck, sleeveless nightdress with lace shoulder straps and bodice. The bodice has pintucks and front bone buttons at opening.clothing, needlework, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, milne meryl, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This baby's white cotton Christening gown is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families Baby's long sleeved white cotton christening gown with 2cm bands of pintucks on yoke and long ties. Bone button fastens at napeclothing, needlework, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, milne meryl, dairy farms, fruit orchards