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. Mary Ann Jones died at age 43years and was interred in January 1903

Physical description

3 Original documents associated with the death of Mary Ann Jones 18th January 1903.
1) An original paper receipt No. 4797 for payment on 19th January 1903 by James Jones to Brighton General Cemetery of £1 . 1s for the burial of Mary Ann Jones in a plot 4 feet x 8 feet, in the Wesleyan section portion 199 compartment G.
2 ) An original part- section of Form of Notification of Death from The Alfred Hospital Prahran with personal particulars and burial details , signed by the Undertaker.
3) An original Mourning Card

Inscriptions & markings

1) BRIGHTON GENERAL CEMETERY / 4797 ( stamped) / 19th Jan. 1903 (hand written) / Received from “Mr James Jones”(hand written) / the sum of £1 . 1s being the following / charges in Wesleyan (hand written) / Portion No, 199 compt.G Name of / Deceased ‘Mary Ann Jones”(hand written) / For re-opening grave interment ‘third’ £1 . 1s./ signed by S. P. Simmonds Secretary.
2) ‘Brighton’ (written over Melbourne) GENERAL CEMETERY FORM OF… / No. of Order____ Date of… / PARTICULARS / Signature of Undertaker J H Lear On back of notice are guides to the questions
3) In Loving Remembrance of / Mary Ann Jones / Dearly Loved Wife of James Jones / Died January 18th 1903 / Aged 43 Years / Poem - “One Less at Home “ / DEEPLY REGRETTED / Art Engraving Company, Royal Arcade, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne