Psalm and Hymn books were personally owned by Church attendees (if they could afford it) and contained passages and songs from the Bible, from which the words and music for any service would have been selected .On the front cover of this Psalms and Hymn Book is the engraving, in Latin, 'Gloria In Excelsis Deo' which translates into ‘Glory to God in the Highest.' These words also form the chorus for the Christmas Hymn 'Angels we have heard on high." This particular Psalm and Hymn book belonged to Samuel Amess. After purchasing a house and some land on William St, West Melbourne, Amess joined with other businessmen to establish the West Melbourne Presbyterian Church. The first weekly services started in 1864. Wealthy church attendees would donate a substantial amount to the parish, and this enabled them to have their own personal reserved pew for each service. Amess reserved pew 120. Samuel Amess was one of the owners of Churchill Island in the late nineteenth century. After purchasing the Island from JD McHaffie in 1872, the successful stonemason and builder turned Churchill Island into a summer retreat for his family. He built Amess House, and two further generations of the family owned this Island until its sale in 1929. This psalms and hymns book is one of the few items with a strong provenance that was owned by the former Mayor.Dark brown hardcover c250pp. Front cover separated. Owned by Samuel Amess. Embossed on front cover: "GLORIA IN EXELSIS DEO" "ET IN TERRA PAX" Inside front cover, handwritten: "Samuel Amess/West Melb Presbyterian Church/Pew No 120/1st August 1879"samuel amess, churchill island, presbyterian, psalms, hymns, west melbourne

This is an elegant chemise formerly owned by the grandmother of Mrs Janet Amess and dated approximately 1850. It is made of Limerick lace embroidered on to square net (which is now unprocurable) and it opens at the front. The chemise was an undergarment worn against the skin and underneath the corset therefore fine fabrics were favoured. Limerick lace originated in Ireland with tambour lace which was applied on to net using a very fine hook with chain stitch. A later development was run lace where the design was marked out on net using a needle with cotton thread. The design was then filled using darning and decorative stitches. The Limerick lace industry began in the Irish city of Limerick and blossomed in the first Golden Age of Irish lace making (1820 – 1860) before the onset of the depression and the Potato Famine. The handwritten note included with this garment clearly illustrates their ongoing interest and the value that the Amess ladies placed upon the history of lace garments.Churchill Island has a large lace collection, which was added to by three successive generations of the Amess family - Jane, Janet, and Unity. The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. Jane was wife of Samuel Amess, who was the first Samuel Amess to own Churchill Island. The examples of lace are notable for their variety, and provide respresentative examples of techniques from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries.Limerick lace, open at front. Square net.Packed with note"Real Limerick Lace undergarment" and two notes in Janet Amess' writing see 0036lace, churchill island, janet amess lace collection, limerick, square net, amess, garment, undergarment, clothing

Another delicate item, this bed jacket has been made with machine made cotton net which has seams joined with bobbin tape. The hand appliqued motifs on the back of the jacket are possibly Princess lace which is a type of tape lace made in Belgium in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There are two types of Princess lace, one is where the tape shapes are sewn on to net and the other is where the shapes are linked together to form a type of guipure lace. This could be an example of the former known as an applique lace. Unfortunately one of the cuffs has become detached. Packaged with note: "Limerick lace bed jacket Janet Amess 1860 from Kel Bright collection with separated cuff" Packaged with note: "Machined lace bed jacket. Janet Amess 1860The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women.Motifs hand sewn on to machined net; bobbin tape on seams (NGV) Princess machine lace machine made motifs hand-applied Packaged with note: "Machined lace bed jacket. Janet Amess 1860. From Kel Bright Collection with separated cuff".janet amess lace collection, lace, churchill island, janet, amess, bed, jacket, garment, clothing, hand, sewn, bobbin, machine

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This series provides an insight into the early days of Churchill Island as a Conservation site.Black and White photograph of a man restoring Amess BarnCatalogue number written on reverse in pencil. Handwritten in pencil on reverse '1980 Restoration Amess Barn'churchill island

Silk is a fascinating fabric and its existence dates back to antiquity. Several kinds of wild silk produced by caterpillars other than the mulberry silkworm, have been known and spun in China, South East Asia and Europe since ancient times. The major trade route between Asia and Europe was known as the Silk Road. Commercial silk is produced from the mulberry silkworm which produces two white filaments of thread held together by a glue-like substance called sericin which hardens on the cocoon in the air. These filaments are so fine that it takes anywhere from three to ten strands to make a useable silk thread. The molecular structure of the silk is such that the surface of the woven fabric has a sheen that reflects light to give a characteristic lustrous appearance. Silken fabric feels cool against the skin yet its structure is such that it holds body heat and mosquitoes and biting insects can’t sting through it. This luxurious silk stole would have been warm over an evening gown on a cold evening. At 269cm in length and 67cm wide it would be the ultimate in comfort and appears to be hand painted with chrysanthemum style flowers leading one to assume that the silk fabric is of Chinese origin, although it is unknown when the painting would have been done.Rectangular length of white silk with hand painted pink flowers and leaves.Packaged with note: "Hand painted silk stole from Janet Amess Collection".churchill island, silk, stole, jane, janet, amess

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade. This series of photographs show candid pictures taken by previous residents of the Island.Black and white photograph of the front of Amess House. Printed on card.Catalogue number written on reverse in pencil Handwritten in pencil on reverse 'c.1930's Front of Amess House' churchill island, amess house

Owned by Margaret Amess, youngest child of Samuel and Jane Amess. MA gave the cloth to Mary Clay, aunt of donor, who had been MA's maid prior to marriage. Owned by Margaret Amess, youngest child of Samuel and Jane Amess. MA gave the cloth to Mary Clay, aunt of donor, who had been MA's maid prior to marriage. Damask dining table cloth, off-white, stitched motifs throughout of leaves and sprays. Hand stitched hem.Inked black "M Amess" (ss smudged) in one corner.margaret amess, samuel amess, jane amess, "tynefield", churchill island, damask, farm, dining table cloth, hand stitched hem

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photographic collection dating from the nineteenth century to the present. This series of photos comes from an album entitled 'Aspects of Churchill Island'.Black and white photograph with white border showing Amess BarnCatalogue number written on reverse in pen/pencilchurchill island, landscape, amess

This is a fine cotton bed jacket decorated with beautiful whitework embroidery. Whitework is any type of embroidery where the threads worked are the same colour as the base fabric. It is usually worked on white linen but this could be worked on Hardanger fabric which is 22 thread count cotton. The embroidery is a combination of types but drawn thread work and Hardanger work can be clearly seen on this garment.The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women, see above.Bed Jacket with open frontPackaged with note: "Limerick lace bed jacket Janet Amess 1860 from Kel Bright collection with separated cuff".janet amess lace collection, lace, churchill island, janet, amess, bed, jacket, cuff, garment, clothing, princess, machine, bobbin

Margaret Amess was the youngest child of Samuel and Jane Amess, who first purchased Churchill Island in 1872. Margaret Amess was renowned for her china painting.Tea cup with gold border at rim and gold handle. Hand painted with three swallows by Margaret Amess."M.A./1909"tea cup, margaret amess, churchill island

Margaret Amess was the youngest child of Samuel and Jane Amess, who first purchased Churchill Island in 1872. Margaret Amess was renowned for her china painting.Saucer with gold rim and decoration, 2 swallows and 10 stylised birds. Hand-painted by Margaret Amess.saucer, margaret amess, churchill island

Margaret Amess was the youngest child of Samuel and Jane Amess, who first purchased Churchill Island in 1872. Margaret Amess was renowned for her china painting.Plate with gold border at rim and gold inner circle. 5 swallows and 3 stylised birds hand-painted by Margaret Amess.plate, margaret amess, churchill island

The names of the Amess women who owned the lace are: Jane Amess (nee Straughan) – donor Unity’s great grandmother (pet name Janet, but not used as it will confuse with Unity’s mother). Jane was the wife of Samuel Amess, first Samuel Amess to own Churchill Island. Frances Amess (nee Turnbull) – grandmother, married Robert Lisle Straughan Amess, 4th child of Samuel and Jane Janet Jickell (nee Amess) – mother, 2nd of two children of Robert and Francis, married James Jickell Unity Mary Bright (nee Jickell) was the donor, 2nd of two children of Robert and Francis. The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women, see above.Beaded necklacebeading, beaded, churchill island, janet amess lace collection, amess, lace

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade. This series of photographs show candid pictures taken by previous residents of the Island.Black and white photograph of Amess House, the Norfolk Pine, and the cannon. Taken from downhill on the main path looking up to the house.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse. Hand written in pen: 'Amess (crossed out) Jenkins Era/ Source - Historic Places 1999' 'Churchill Island/Main patch leading up to the house' Stamped on paper diagonally repeating on reverse: 'Kodak Professional Paper - Papier - Paper'churchill island, harry jenkins, cannon, amess house

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This photograph is believed to show the house of the descendants of Samuel Amess who was a significant owner in the history of the island.Black and White photograph of a house and gardens.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse. Written on reverse in pen 'Believed by donor Joyce Hurle to be "Tynefield", Elwood, owned by Margaret Amess'churchill island, photograph, tynefield, elwood, margaret amess

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This photograph is believed to show the house of the descendants of Samuel Amess who was a significant owner in the history of the island.Black and White photograph of a house and gardens.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse. Written on reverse in pen 'Believed by donor Joyce Hurle to be "Tynefield", Elwood, owned by Margaret Amess'churchill island, photograph, tynefield, elwood, margaret amess

These circles are just 7cm in diameter and are beautifully executed fine crochet work. In the late 1800s, well-bred ladies learned needlecrafts from a very early age and it is quite possible that these circles were made by a member of the Amess family.The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women.Small set of hand crochet circles in an abstract designcrochet, churchill island, janet amess lace collection, amess, lace

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade. This photograph is rumoured to be of the wedding of Margaret Amess to her husband.Sepia toned postcard with a wedding portrait printed on it, purportedly of Margaret Amess. Catalogue number in pencil on reverse. Printed on reverse 'POSTCARD/ CORRESPONDENCE/ADDRESS ONLY.' 'Richards & Co, Photo, Ballarat'margaret amess, churchill island, wedding portrait, postcard

One of a collection of 15 sheets with copies of Postcards printed onto A3 sheets from the Shirley Jones Collection.Copies of postcards. Cowes Pier; Churchill Island; People waiting on the Cowes Pier for the Steamer; The Cowes Pier; View of Churchill Island; Coastal scene at Cowes; Postcard with 4 scenes at Churchill Island - Amess Cottage, Moonah Trees, Historic Cannon; Kilcunda General Store."Cowes from the Pier" - "Waiting for the steamer on the Pier at Cowes P.I." - "The Pier at Cowes" - "Churchill Island from Phillip Island" - "Churchill Island, Amess Cottage, Moonah Trees, Historic Cannon" - "The General Store Kilcunda Vic"cowes pier phillip island, churchill island, amess house churchill island, moonah trees, kilcunda general store, shirley jones collection, thelma astbury

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid nineteenth century to the last decade. This photograph shows two members of Margaret Amess' household at Tynefield.Sepia photograph of a wedding portrait of a bride and groom standing in the apse of a cathedral.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse. Written in pen on reverse: 'Mary Clay (nee Hennebery) was maid to Margaret Amess at "Tynefield" Elwood until she married the gardener./ Mary was auntie to the donor Joyce Hurle. The two oil paintings donated by Joyce had originally been given to Mary by M Amess as had the supper cloth embroidered by MA and damask dining table cloth used by her.'margaret amess, churchill island, photograph, wedding portrait

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid nineteenth century to the last decade. This photograph shows two members of Margaret Amess' household at Tynefield.Sepia photograph of a wedding portrait of a bride and groom standing in the apse of a cathedral.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse. Written in pen on reverse: 'Mary Clay (nee Hennebery) was maid to Margaret Amess at "Tynefield" Elwood until she married the gardener./ Mary was auntie to the donor Joyce Hurle. The two oil paintings donated by Joyce had originally been given to Mary by M Amess as had the supper cloth embroidered by MA and damask dining table cloth used by her.'margaret amess, churchill island, photograph, wedding portrait

The practice of branding livestock for ownership identification has been used since at least the times of the ancient Egyptians. It was especially valuable when cattle or other domesticated animals were merged with other herds on common grazing land, or if they had strayed or been stolen, as it allowed them to be identified at a glance. The branding iron is heated in a fire, hot coals or by other means and pressed into the hide of the animal creating the brand mark. The word brand originates from the Germanic languages and means anything hot or burning. This brand was owned by Samuel Amess - who owned Churchill Island in the late nineteenth century - and was used on the farm to mark the herds of cattle he owned.Branding iron with initials SA for Samuel Amess. Surface rust, pitted surface. churchill island, samuel amess, branding iron, cattle

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large collection of photographs dating from the nineteenth century. This photograph shows Pat Baird (a volunteer from FOCIS) writing with a feather quill in the kitchen of Amess HousePhotograph of a woman in period dress sitting in the kitchen in Amess House and writing with a feather quill.catalogue number written on reverse in pencilchurchill island, photograph, pat baird, focis, amess house