Joshua Black was an Irish Stonemason who came to Portland. He helped to build many significant buildings including what is now the Royal Hotel and Julia Street Creative Space as well as the Scotts Presbyterian Church.Portrait of a man against a blank brown and black background. He is in formal attire, with black jacket, high-collared white shirt and black cravat. His hair (black) is parted on the left and he has side burns descending past his cheekbones. Framed in a black frame with gilding.Front: (no inscriptions) Back: (no inscriptions) Conservation Centre, Melbourne - label.portrait, portraits, male, man, victorian, portland, buildings, builder

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. The house in the image is located at 82 Main Street Bacchus Marsh and as of 2024 is still occupied as a residence. The house was built in 1860 by William Watson for William Grant who leased the property to various tenants. From 1867 it was mainly leased to local doctors. The property stayed in possession of the Grant family for many years after this and was leased to many residents of Bacchus Marsh. The identity of the people in this 1883 photograph has not been established.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'. The photo shows a single-storey brick cottage with a shingled hip roof with two chimneys visible. The cottage has a verandah with an ornamental barge board and pillars and a picket fence. Standing on the footpath are two women and two young girls. On the verandah of the house stands another woman holding a baby. 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. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, houses bacchus marsh, william watson builder bacchus marsh