Historical information

James Jones was the son of Philip Jones, a Chairmaker, and Ann Jones who settled in East Brighton after the sale of land c1852 in the area of the Henry Dendy Special Survey of 1841. Mary Ann Moore was the daughter of Thomas Moore, a Gardener, and Sarah Harris who also settled in Brighton c1852. James and Mary Ann Jones settled and raised their family in East Brighton now Bentleigh. Mr John Herron resided at 4 Vickery St Bentleigh until 1989. Sadly Martha Jones born 1888 died in 1890 and James Jones had to purchase a plot at Brighton General Cemetery for her burial. Baby Ethel May was interred in 1893 and then Mary Ann in 1903 and James in 1940. Their stillborn baby was buried in the Wesleyan public grave in 1900

Significance

James Jones and Mary Ann Moore were born in Brighton c1857 and c 1859 into pioneer market gardener families in the area of the Dendy Special Survey of 1841. They married in 1883 and raised their family in East Brighton, now Bentleigh. Sadly infectious diseases took the lives of many infants throughout the Colony of Victoria due to the poor state of water supply and sewerage disposal and locally the swamps of the Elster Creek were a constant breeding ground. Martha Jones born 1888 died 1890 and was interred in Brighton General Cemetery in a family plot purchased by her father James Jones. In 1893 another daughter Ethel May died and was buried in the family plot. A stillborn baby was interred in the public grave of Brighton General Cemetery in May1900

Physical description

An original paper receipt No.4360 for payment on 22 May 1900 by James Jones to Brighton General Cemetery of 6 shillings
for the burial of a stillborn baby Jones in the Wesleyan section of the public graves. There is no fee for ‘re-opening the grave’ purchased by James Jones in 1890 and in which his daughters Martha 1890 and Ethel May 1893 were interred.

Inscriptions & markings

BRIGHTON GENERAL CEMETERY / No. 4360 (stamped) 22 May 1900 ( hand written) / Received of Mr Jas. Jones ( hand written) / the sum of 6 s being the following / charges in Wesleyan / Portion No. -- Compt. - Name of / Deceased ‘Stillborn child of Jas / & Mary Ann Jones’ (hand written)
Along left side “Brighton Leader” Print, Bay Street, North Brighton
This receipt is signed A Shimon man. Secretary