Thes two documents deal with the purchase and sale of land near Warrnambool by Thomas Simpson. The first document, called a Grant by Purchase, is dated 1852 and shows that Thomas Simpson purchased from the Crown, Allotment 146 (22 acres two roods) adjoining the property of Wollaston on the Merri River and the Mortlake Road, north of Warrnambool. The cost was 90 pounds. The second document is dated 1853 and shows that Thomas Simpson sold this Merri River allotment of 22 acres to Eliza Bromfield, in conjunction with her husband, John Davenport Bromfield, for the sum of 110 pounds. The property of Wollaston was owned by the Manifold family and in the 1850s was leased to William Simpson, the brother of Thomas who had an adjoining property called Wooramoota. John Davenport Bromfield was a Colac farmer who played a prominent part in the early history of that town. His brother James Astley Bromfield, an early chemist in Warrnambool is important in Warrnambool's history.These two items are of considerable significance because they are amongst the earliest legal documents we have connected to Warrnambool's history and because they concern three early pioneers of the district. They also have a connection to Wollaston, an important early property in the Warrnambool district..1 A piece of light parchment paper, stained with age and folded in three places. It contains printed and handwritten material, a copy of a signature and a white seal. .2 A piece of parchment paper folded in half and then folded again in two places. It contains ruled red lines, handwritten material in black ink and the remains of a red seal. The top of the first page has a cut-out fluted pattern.wollaston, john davenport bromfield, thomas simpson, eliza bromfield, george barber solicitor

This booklet was given to subscribers of the Warrnambool Standard as an almanac for the year 1875. It was the first of these Standard Almanacs and replaced the yearly diary which was previously printed in the newspaper. These Standard Almanacs were published yearly from 1875 to 1930 and contained information for the residents of Warrnambool and district on the year ahead – the names of local public officials, businesses, hotel keepers, school personnel, local organizations representatives etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it is the first of the yearly Warrnambool Standard Almanacs and contains much valuable information on Warrnambool and district for the year 1875. It is a very valuable research tool for those studying and writing Warrnambool’s history and is a rare copy. This copy appears to have belonged to George Barber, the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears that one or more members of his family went to live in the Maryborough area as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. This is a soft cover booklet of 80 pages plus many advertisements at the front and back. It has a buff-coloured cover with an ornamental border on the front cover and black lettering. The booklet contains a calendar and information on the people, organizations and businesses of Warrnambool and district in 1875. Some of the pages have been burnt at the bottom edges and there are several pages partly or wholly torn away. The pages have been annotated in many places, mostly in pencil but occasionally in ink. There are many names of the Barber family in the booklet. ‘Geo. Barber Esq. Warrnambool’(repeated many times) warrnambool standard newspaper, fairfax and laurie, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1875

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1883. These Standard almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about the businesses, government officials, schools, societies and organizations, harbour management, churches, banks etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it contains much valuable information on Warrnambool and district for the year 1883. It is a very valuable research tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. The copy is signed ‘G. Barber’ and probably this refers to the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough area as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. This is a soft cover booklet of 72 pages plus several pages of a gardener’s calendar and 20 pages of advertisements. The cover is yellow with black lettering and the spine is partly torn away. There is a fold-out page of the Western District’s railway and coach routes and the pages on the tourist’s guide to Warrnambool are printed in green. The booklet contains several black and white illustrations. There are several pages that are torn with parts of the pages missing. The front cover has the name of ‘G. Barber’ handwritten in black ink. ‘G. Barber’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1883, g barber solicitor

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1891. These Standard Almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about the businesses, government officials, harbour management, churches, banks, schools, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it contains much information about Warrnambool and district for the year 1891. It is an important resource tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. The name ‘Barber’ is on the front cover of this booklet and this appears to refer to George Barber, the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough district as this booklet came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. This is a soft cover booklet of 135 pages, plus pages at the back containing a gardener’s almanac and advertisements. The cover is pale green with black lettering and a decorative black and white border. The cover is a little frayed at the edges and the spine cover is partly torn away. The booklet contains a fold-out sheet with a map of Victorian railway routes and many sketches and illustrations. The name on the front cover is handwritten in pencil. ‘Barber’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1891

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1899. These Standard Almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about businesses, government officials, banks, churches, schools, local landowners, harbour management, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it contains much valuable information about Warrnambool and district for the year 1899. It is a very important research tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. This copy has the name ‘Barber’ on the front cover and it appears it belonged to George Barber, the son of George Barber, the well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough district as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. This is a soft cover booklet of 84 pages, with additional pages of advertisements. The cover is buff-coloured with blue lettering and a blue border. Some of the advertisements are printed on pink and cream paper. The cover is a little stained. The booklet contains some black and white illustrations. The names on the front cover and on the first page are handwritten in black ink and pencil. Included amongst the pages are two loose newspaper cuttings (undated). ‘Barber 1899’ ‘Mrs G Barber’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1910. These Standard Almanacs were published annually from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about the businesses, government officials, large landowners, harbour management, banks, churches, schools, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it contains much valuable information about Warrnambool and district for the year 1910. It is a very important research tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. The copy is signed ‘G. Barber’ and was probably owned by George Barber, the son of George Barber, the well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough area as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. This is a soft cover booklet of 110 pages plus several pages of advertisements at the front and the back of the booklet. The cover has a white background with red and white decorations – a shield, scrolls, sun etc. The back cover has an advertisement for the Warrnambool business of Bruce and McClure and is partly torn away. The booklet shows some wear and staining. The inscription on the cover is handwritten in pencil. ‘G. Barber’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1910

These booklets were given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1923. Warrnambool Standard Almanacs were published from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about businesses, local government officials, harbour management, banks, schools, churches, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. These booklets are of high significance as they contain valuable information on Warrnambool and district for the year 1923. They are important research tools for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. Copy one is of particular significance because it was owned by the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. George Barber Senior died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough district as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. These are soft cover booklets of 107 pages with several pages of advertisements at the back and front of the booklets. The covers are cream-coloured with blue lettering on the front and an advertisement on the back. These covers are stained, with copy two more stained than copy one. The booklets contain several blue-coloured and black and white photographs and other illustrations. The inscription on copy one is handwritten in black ink. ‘G.Barber’ ‘To be kept’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1923

These booklets were given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1925. Warrnambool Standard Almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about businesses, government officials, banks, churches, harbour management, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. These booklets are of high significance as they contain mush valuable information about Warrnambool and district for the year 1925. They are important research tools for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. Copy One belonged to the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. George Barber, Senior died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to the Maryborough district as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. These are two soft cover booklets of 111 pages, plus several pages of advertisements at the front and back of the booklets. The covers are buff-coloured with brown lettering. The back cover of Copy Two has come apart and has been re-affixed with adhesive tape. The booklets contain a fold-out sheet of a map of Warrnambool, several photographs in blue and brown tonings and other illustrations. The inscription on Copy Two is handwritten in black ink. ‘Barber’ ‘Lowick’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1925

These booklets were given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1925. Warrnambool Standard Almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about businesses, government officials, banks, churches, harbour management, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. These booklets are of high significance as they contain mush valuable information about Warrnambool and district for the year 1925. They are important research tools for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. Copy One belonged to the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. George Barber, Senior died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to the Maryborough district as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. These are two soft cover booklets of 111 pages, plus several pages of advertisements at the front and back of the booklets. The covers are buff-coloured with brown lettering. The back cover of Copy Two has come apart and has been re-affixed with adhesive tape. The booklets contain a fold-out sheet of a map of Warrnambool, several photographs in blue and brown tonings and other illustrations. The inscription on Copy Two is handwritten in black ink. ‘Barber’ ‘Lowick’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac1925

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1887. These Standard almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about the businesses, government officials, schools, societies and organizations, harbour management, churches, banks etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it contains much valuable information on Warrnambool and district for the year 1887. It is a very important research tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. This copy has the name ‘Barber’ on the front cover and probably refers to George Barber, the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough district. This copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society. This is a soft cover booklet of 73 pages, plus several pages of advertisements. The section on the tourist’s guide to Warrnambool is printed in pink. There is a fold-out page with a map of the railway routes in Victoria. The cover is buff-coloured with black lettering and is slightly frayed. There is some scribble on the first page and the back cover. There are many black and white illustrations and several sketches of Warrnambool and district printed in pink. The name ‘Barber’ is handwritten in black ink on the front cover. ‘Barber’ ‘Miss Duff c/o Mrs Hyslop Farquar Lodge Lysle Street Ladysmith South Africa’warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac1887

This collection of papers have come from the offices of William Ardlie a local solicitor. He was born in Moonee Ponds in 1843 and was admitted as an attorney and solicitor of the supreme Court in 1865. From 1867 to 1878 he was in partnership with George Barber and then continued to practise until his late eighties which made him the oldest practising lawyer in Australia. He was involved in local councils and organisations such as the Hospital and Anglican Church.He was associated with several large homes in Warrnambool including Wyton presently the home of Emmanual College Warrnambool. He died in 1933.His son E L Ardlie also practised as a solicitor from the same offices from 1893. A number of the invoices included relate to the Estate of James drought who was a local policeman and owner of a number of properties and operated in various trades such as George Ramsay manufacturer of stoves and chimneys, J Rogers plumber & gas fitter and Christian & Dodds who were carpenters and joiners. There are a number of documents which relate to the Chinese, many of whom operated market gardens along the Merri River. They were a familiar part of Warrnambool from around 1872 until around 1940. The names mentioned in these documents include Ah Foo,Charles Quing Bow, Andrew Quing Bow Ah Bing Ah Jing Ah Moon and Ah Seong. They were reknown for their supply of fresh vegetables to the people of the town. They leased land from John Moore. These documents are a cross section of the types of documents which were used and are still used in the operation of businesses. They provide a social snapshot of people and the business which they conducted with their solicitors in this case William and E L Ardlie who were a long standing legal firm in the district. Another interesting aspect of some of these documents is the leases signed by the Chinese market gardeners who played an important but often overlooked aspect of Warrnambool's aspect.A total of 27 documents which relate to William Ardlie Solicitors 001133.1Policy from The Victoria Insurance Company for office effects, 001133.1.2 Receipt for 11/1 for policy. 001133.2 Renewal Receipt from Messrs Hammond & Richards as agents for Victoria Insurance Co. 001133.3 Renewal Receipt from Messrs Hammond & Richards as agents for Victoria Insurance Co. 001133.4 General rates receipt . City of Warrnmbool. 001133.5 Water rates receipt . City of Warrnmbool. 001133.6 Camperdown Chronicle , Letter re overdue payment 001133.7 Camperdown Chronicle Statement 31/12/1948 001133.8 Transfer of land notice Ben Rogers Mepunga 001133.9 W H Philpott Account for rent Estate R P Thomas 001133.10 George Ramsay account for Mr Walters for stove setting. 001133.11 Archibald Macfarlane & Co account for Estate James Drought for advertising. 001133.12 Letter to E L Ardlie re deed of Keane family arrangements 21/10/1910 001133.13 Letter to E L Ardlie re charges of Keane Estate 14/12/1910 001133.14 Account to E L Ardlie from J Rogers re estate Mr Drought , repairs.1/08/1906 001133.15 Account to EL Ardlie from J Rogers re estate Mr Drought1/10/1907 001133.16 Account to William Ardlie from J Rogers re estate Mr Drought 01/07/1908 001133.17 Account to William Ardlie from J Rogers re estate Mr Drought 01/07/1908 001133.18 State Savings Bank Victoria passbook of Margaret Molan 1/02/1937 001133.19 Account to E L Ardlie from Christian & Dodds repairs to Droughts house 01/07/1905 001133.20 Account to E L Ardlie from Christian & Dodds for Estate of Drought for house repairs Darling St1/10/1905 001133.21 Estimate to A A Briggs from Christian & Dodds for Estate of Drought 06/04/1908 001133.22 Receipt to E L Ardlie from Christian & Dodds for Estate of Drought for house repairs 01/05/1906 001133.23 Lease Indenture 02/06/1922 between William Ardlie andAH Foo re Crown Allotment 144 Wangoom for 70 pounds. 001133.24 Agreement 18/06/1929 Messrs Quing Bow & Sons to Messrs Ah Bing Ah Jing Ah Moon and Ah Seong witnessed John Moore. 001133.25 Lease indenture made 18/06/1929 betweenWilliam Ardlie to messrs Ah Bing Ah Jing Ah Moon and Ah Seong. 001133.26 Agreement 18/06/1929 Messrs Quing Bow & Sons to Messrs Ah Bing Ah Jing Ah Moon and Ah Seong witnessed John Moore 001133.27.1 Notification to Creditor of issue of stay order farmers Debts adjustment Act 1935 to Ellen C McGinness and Estate of john McGinness 001133.27.2Note re monthly inst of interest Estate McGinness1942 001133.27.3 Estate of j A Bromfield re Estate of McGinness Arrears of Interest1943 001133.27.4 Letter to W Ardlie from The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd24/02/1944 re interest on J A Bromfield's trust re McGinness mortgage. 001133.27.5 Letter to W Ardlie from The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd 25/02/1944 re interest on J A Bromfield's trust re McGinness mortgage. 001133.27.6 William Ardlie to The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd re Bromfield & McGinness 24/02/1944 001133.27.7 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd to William Ardlie re receipts 16/03/1944 001133.27.8 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd to William Ardlie re Bromfield & McGinness18/03/1944 Unable to complete enquiries. 001133.27.9 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd to William Ardlie 27/03/1944 001133.27.10 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd to William Ardlie29/04/1944 001133.27.11 Estate Sarah Donaldson re accrued Interest 1933-1961 001133.28.1 Indenture between Emily Maria Briggs,Mary Jane Briggs, Frederick William Briggs, Fanny Alethea Briggs, James Alfred Briggs,Lucy Annie Briggs, Arthur Albert Briggs , and Mary Ann Briggs 001133.28.2 Letter re estate of Mary Ann Briggs 001133.1 No 590911 001133.1.2 Signed G Begley 001133.2 Hammond & Richards 43/5 Kepler St Warrnambool 001133.3 Hammond & Richards 43/5 Kepler St Warrnambool 03/03/1934 001133.4 W Ardlie 18/06/1929 Thomas Beattie collector 001133.5 W Ardlie 18/06/1929 Thomas Beattie collector 001133.6 Wm Ardlie signed W A Donald10/08/1949 001133.7 Wm Ardlie 31/12/1948 001133.8 Alexander Ben Rogers 26/05/1950 001133.9 Estate R P Thomas 28/061955. Phone 124 001133.10 .Mr Walters Drought A Ramsay 01/05/1906 001133.11 Estate of the late James Drought 24/05/1906 001133.12 W F Molesworth Re Thomas Keane. Phone 81. 21/10/1910 001133.13 W F Molesworth Phone 81 Thomas Keane14/12/1910 001133.14 E L Ardlie Joseph Rogers 13/08/1906 001133.15 E L Ardlie Joseph Rogers 01/10/1907 001133.16 E L Ardlie 01/07/1908 001133.17 Estate Late Mr Drought 01/07/1908 001133.18 Miss Margaret Molan 001133.29 L Ardlie 01/07/1905 001133.20 E L Ardlie 01/10/1905 001133.21 Mr A A Briggs Christian & Dodds 06/04/1908 001133.22 L Ardlie W Christian 01/05/1906 001133.23 Stamp duty 04/061926 Signed William Ardlie Est Conway Ah Foo 001133.24 Signed John Moore, Charles Quing Bow, Andrew Quing Bow, Ah Bing, Ah Jing, Ah Moon, Ah Seong. 001133.25 Signed William Ardlie, E H Conway, Ah Bing, Ah Jing, Ah Moon, Ah Seong, John Moore. 001133.26 Signed John Moore, Charles Quing Bow, Andrew Quing Bow, Ah Bing, Ah Jing, Ah Moon, Ah Seong. 001133.27.1 Ellen C McGinness and Estate of John McGinness James Dickson R R Macfarlane Richard Vincent McGinness, Abraham McGinness, John Ambrose McGinness 14/07/1936 001133.27.2 Note re monthly inst of interest Estate McGinness 1942 001133.27.3 J A Bromfield McGinness 001133.27.4 W Ardlie, The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd 24/02/1944 J A Bromfield's trust re McGinness mortgage. Syd Jackson 001133.27.5 W Ardlie ,The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd 25/02/1944 J A Bromfield's trust re McGinness mortgage.Syd Jackson 001133.27.6 William Ardlie The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd re Bromfield & McGinness 24/02/1944 001133.27.7 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd William Ardlie 16/03/1944 001133.27.8 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd William Ardlie Bromfield & McGinness 18/03/1944 001133.27.9 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd William Ardlie 27/03/1944 001133.27.10 The Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd William Ardlie 29/04/1944 001133.27.11 Estate Sarah Donaldson 1933-1961 001133.28.1 Miss Emily m Briggs to Mrs Mary Ann Briggs Assignment . Stamped William Ardlie Solicitor Warrnambool. warrnambool,, william ardlie, james drought, christian & dodds, chinese of warrnambool, james a bromfield

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’. A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 6 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in April 2008. Notice of Dr G Whitehead talk , titled ‘Murder” on April 27th and Subscription fees due. Another excerpt from the CMHS August 1963,, by Tom Sheehy, President, ‘This is the News of the early twentieth century…’.The ‘Moorabbin News “ began in April 1900. Tommy Bent was elected to State Parliament, horse races at Epsom Course Cheltenham, and the development of Cheltenham as many businesses set up ‘opposite the Station’. ‘The Mechanics Institute and Temperance Hall and the Exchange Hotel faced one another in defiance’ CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / APRIL 2008 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, chelsea, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, sheehy tom, whitehead dr graham, box cottage museum, highett, bent thomas, moorabbin news cheltenham, epsom race course cheltenham, victoria, fletcher n, fiander mrs., puttick george, moorabbin co-operative society ltd., hay h., freeman j.w., montanjees m., royal oak hotel, rose m.a., matthews j.t., hewett h., cope and dow builders, market gardeners and fruit-growers association, proudman e.w., benjamin m.e., edwards t.a., solicitors, pharmacy, butchers, bootmakers, bakers, hairdressers, barbers, house painters, grocers, publicans, drapers, craftsmen, members of parliament, valuers, moule w.h., argus newspaper, coachbuilders, cheltenham railway station victoria, thompson w., post office