Artist is not known. Comments recorded at the time of purchase are that it is possibly by 'Plimer'. Andrew Plimer, 1763-1837 and his brother Nathaniel Plimer, 1757-1828, were notable British miniaturist portrait painters.William Henry Bacchus was one of the first British colonists to arrive in the Waddawurrung and Wurundjeri first nations peoples country 55 kilometers west of Melbourne in 1838. He established a large sheep property and built a notable large Georgian style home which still stands in the town of Bacchus Marsh today. From shortly after his arrival the area became known to the colonists as Bacchus's Marsh, and was later officiaslly named 'Bacchus Marsh' in his memory.Small framed painting of William Henry Bacchus. On the reverse is a label which reads: Captain William Henry Bacchus who arrived in the district of Bacchus Marsh early in 1838, was born in Suffolk, England, 1782, and died at Bacchus Marsh on 26 February 1849. His remains were interred in the graveyard of Holy Trinity Church which during his lifetime he had richly endowed with a gift of land. He was a Captain of the 2nd Royal Surrey Militia and formerly Captain of the 18th Light Dragoons.bacchus family, william henry bacchus 1782-1849

This ring belonged to Captain William Henry Bacchus who was one of the first British colonists to establish a farming property on Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung First Nations people lands 55 kilometers west of Melbourne. The land occupied by Bacchus in 1838 came to be known by the early colonists as Bacchus’s Marsh before later changing officially to Bacchus Marsh. The ring is believed to have been made to commemorate the death of Captain Bacchus’s father Wm (William) Bacchus in Somerset, England in 1788.This ring has significance because it is an object associated with a significant historical person in the history of the region of Bacchus Marsh. It is a rare, probably unique example of an 18th century mourning ring connected to the local community. It also has aesthetic value as an object and is in excellent condition.Gold ring with blue and black coloured inlay. Contains writing on the outsideWM Bacchus Esq OB: 10th JUNE 1788 Æ: 38 bacchus family, rings, william henry bacchus 1782-1849