Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Miss Jane Elizabeth (Jean) Pearson and her sisters in 1952, 1952
Miss Jane Elizabeth (Jean) Pearson is second from the left. From c1927 - c1950 Miss Pearson had the cake and confectionery shop at 147 Union Road. It was later a milk bar, next to Henry Jamieson’s radio and electrical shop. Miss Pearson sold Farey’s cakes which were very popular and in a trellised-off section also served morning and afternoon teas. Her sisters often helped. Silversticks, white knights, licorice straps were among a wide selection of sweets to be bought for 1d. – or even ½d.
Jean was one of a large family born to John William Pearson and Agnes Yeaman. Jean was born at Riddell's Creek in c1884. She died in 1966. She had 3 brothers and a total of 6 sisters. Lillias Irene and Grace Stewart died in infancy or childhood, so the other sisters in the photo were (not necessarily in order): Ethel Agnes born in 1885, who married James Charles Robertson; Catherine Myra born in 1887, unmarried; May Dempster born 1891, unmarried; and Stella Christie born 1897, who married Cecil Hunt Aston in 1928.
Jean was in business as a confectioner at 3 High Street, Malvern in 1927; in Union Road 1941-1949 and resided (presumably in retirement) at 37 Mayston Street, Hawthorn in 1954. At the later address May and Catherine are also listed variously in 1954 and 1963. (Ref: electoral rolls).
The Hawthorn address was the 'family home' - address of John William Pearson who died in 1944, appointing Jean as his executrix. (Ref: Trove - The Argus 19 July 1944)
Black & white copy of a group of 5 smiling older women with a strong family resemblance against a weatherboard background.147 union road, (miss) jean pearson, surrey hills, milk bar, shops, confectionary shop, cake shop, tea rooms, (miss) jane elizabeth pearson, (miss) ethel agnes pearson, (mrs) ethel agnes robertson, (miss) catherine myra pearson, (miss) may dempster pearson, (miss) stella christie pearson, (mrs) stella christie aston, (mr) john william pearson, (miss) agnes yeaman, (mrs) agnes pearson