A cut glass and embossed sterling silver serving dish (known as an epergne) presented to Mrs. Mary Williams at a banquet held at Knuckey's California Gully Hotel in October 1889. The banquet was held to honour Mr. Richard Williams, who had been the Mine Manager of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines for the past 24 years. Mrs. Mary Williams (nee Thomas) was born in St. Austell, Cornwall in 1830. She migrated to Australia with her husband in two children in 1857, arriving on the 21st December on the 'Shakespeare'. The family lived in California Gully. Richard Williams was a mine manager, firstly for George Lansell and then for thirty seven years at the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines. Mary received the epergne at a presentation banquet for her husband in October 1889. She received the accolade as 'she was a kind and charitable lady, a genuine wife and a good mother'. Transcript of address presented to Mr. R. Williams, Mine Manager, Johnson’s Reef Gold Mines, Bendigo at a banquet held at Knuckey’s California Gully Hotel, California Gully, Bendigo. Description of presentation of epergne to Mrs. Mary Williams at the same function. “To Richard Williams, Esq., J.P., Fenton Gove, California Gully. Dear Sir, We, the undersigned, on behalf of the employees of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines Company, California Gully, Bendigo, desire to place on record the very high esteem which we have always entertained for you in your responsible position of General Manager of the above company for the past 24 years. During the whole of that time the relations which have existed between you and those under your supervision have been of the harmonious kind. You were ever ready to appreciate and acknowledge our efforts in carrying out your orders, thus making it a pleasure for us to possess your confidence and to give satisfaction to our employers. We trust that you may long continue to maintain the position which you now occupy, feeling assured that in the future, as in the past, you will render faithful service to the company whom your instructions represent, and that we, by our efforts in following your instructions may succeed in retaining the good feeling which has hitherto existed between us. In presenting you with this small token of our esteem, we sincerely trust that Mrs. Willliams and yourself may be long spared amongst us to continue in the good works in which you are so thoroughly appreciated by those with whom you are intimately connected. With every feeling of respect to yourself and family, we subscribe ourselves, George Roberts, Andrew Leahy, Robt. Thomas, Geo. Smith, John Holt, Henry Tonkin, and 220 others. The chairman then presented Mr. Williams with a very handsome diamond locket, manufactured at the establishment of Mr. J. Moody. The large gathering of employees that night showed a genuine feeling of gratitude for past kindness, and was a means of keeping up the kindly feelings which always ought to exist between employers and employees. Much what is said with regard to there being no gratitude among workmen was false, as gratitude will be shown where fair play is given, which could always be relied on from a large-hearted man like Mr. Williams, was received with loud applause”. ‘Banquet to a Mining Manager’ Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Tuesday 29 October 1889, page 3 The epergne comprises of a silver and mirrored glass base, a decorative silver centrepiece, a cut glass bowl with a conical base, and a small silver plaque. The silver centrepiece features two twining palm trees with a stag deer at the base. Epergne is from the Tui Mitchell Collection. Separate shield shaped silver coloured plaque.Presented to Mrs. R Williams By Her Friends As a slight token of esteem California Gully. October 28/89epergne, tui mitchell collection, richard williams, mary williams, california gully, knuckey's california gully hotel, johnson's reef gold mines

Bible belonging to the Williams family. The bible is bound in black leather with two metal edgings. 'The Holy Bible Illustrated' is written in gold gilt lettering on the front cover. The bible has a number of coloured plates depicting stories from the bible. In the middle is a register of births, marriages and deaths relating to the family of George Williams and Jessie Templeton.tui mitchell collection, george williams, jessie templeton

Birth certificate of George Williams on Dec 23, 1860 in Epsom, Victoria. George was the son of Richard Williams, miner, aged 30 and Mary Williams nee Thomas aged 30. The certificate is in several pieces.tui mitchell collection, george williams, richard williams, mary williams nee thomas

Family history of Andrew and Jacobina Templeton by Elizabeth.M.Boundy published in 1991 (ISBN 0646028340). The book tells the detailed story of a Victorian pioneer couple and their descendants. On the front cover is a black and white photo of Dunkeld c1870.tui mitchell collection, george williams, jessie templeton, elizabeth boundy, andrew and jacobina templeton, dunkeld

Original certificate of marriage between George Williams and Jessie Templeton in Dunkeld, Victoria on Jan 1, 1886. tui mitchell collection, george williams, jessie templeton, richard williams, mary williams nee thomas, william templeton, mary templeton nee kelly

Five small booklets about the history of Cobham in Kent, England published by Edwin Harris in 1909 and 1910. Titles include 'Cobham Park and Estate, 'Cobham Church and its Brasses', 'Cobham College', 'Cobham Hall' and 'The owners of Cobham Hall'. Each booklet consists of about 15 pages of information and advertisements for local businesses.tui mitchell collection, cobham hall, edwin harris

The bowl is decorated with a blue transfer print of a bird in reeds. The lid is decorated with the image of two birds sitting on a fence. On the underside of the bowl is the hallmark for Brown Westhead and Moore (BWM & Co) in Staffordshire, England about 1870. The pattern name is Canova. The object is reported to have been used at Greystanes House in Bendigo. The bowl is damaged. See condition report.tui mitchell collection, williams family, greystanes

The silver-plated cup with handle is inscribed 'Pam 10/11/21'. Pamela was a granddaughter of Richard and Mary Williams. It was reported that she used it when she attended Morongo School . The serviette ring is engraved with the initials MLR.tui mitchell collection, williams family, richard and mary williams

Single black and white photo of a woman standing at the front of a house possibly in Bendigo. The item was donated together with other items from the Williams Family tui mitchell collection, richard williams, williams family