Historical information

In the words of the Donor, Betty Stone, "The wallet is one of a set of two items. They were designed, hand-sewn sewn and embroidered with raffia by my mother Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh.

Daisy Elvena Dale (born 27 October 1899) daughter of Ellis and Ann (nee Lees) Dale, of Latrigg, Wangoom, Warrnambool, married Raymond Welsh in 1922. A few years later – approximately 1928- Daisy made these two articles, which she used, particularly during the Depression years.

The important factor concerning these bags is that they were made with hand-woven cloth cut from a pair of trousers which her grandfather, William Dale brought with him when he left the family farm Back o-'the Low situated in Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England. He arrived in Australia

in 1852 and seven years later was operating a quarry on land purchased in Wangoom, Warrnambool known as The Dale Bluestone Quarries.

Dale forebears in Yorkshire were first recorded as "clothiers" ( ie weavers of cloth) in the Saddleworth parish records dated 1764; following generations also continued the tradition of producing hand woven cloth as a home industry. The cloth, from which these two bags were made, is evidence of a tradition begun by the Dale family in Saddleworth, Yorkshire more than two hundred and fifty years ago.

My mother, Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh (granddaughter of William Dale) always referred to the cloth, which is at least 160 years old, as a homespun hopsack.

Significance

The homespun hopsack fabric for the set of bags was part of the clothing brought from England to Australia, an example of emigrant luggage. It also represents a traditional home industry of 'clothiers'.
This item is associated with the families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch.

Physical description

Embroidered wallet (purse), rectangular, part of a set, the other part being a shopping bag Decorated with embroidered raffia flowers. The bags were made by Daisy Welsh (nee Dale) c. 1928 from homespun "hopsack' fabric of William Dale's trousers, brought to Australia in 1852. Part of the 'Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection'