Historical information

Woman, three children and a dog posing in front of fence of Headmaster's house, at Eltham State School, Dalton Street. Date unknown. The building still stands.

Reproduced p66 of Pioneers & Painters

Could be Mrs Jane Elizabeth Brown (nee Staines) and three children of her large family who left the Headmaster's residence when John Brown (Headmaster 1889-1906) died (on the job) in 1906. John and Jane had ten children eight girls and two boys. Their two sons both died in the 1914-1918 War; George Stewart Brown (1885-1916) and John Leonard Brown (1887-1918). The young girl may be Elsie Maria Brown (1889-1917) which would date the photo around 1902.

Wall Bros operated at St Kilda from around 1889 to 1903.

John Brown died 23 Sept 1906 after a short severe illness at age 55 and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery (Evelyn Observer 28 Sep 1906 p2). The book "We did open a school in Little Eltham" incorrectly states his date of death as 16/12/1906.

Title
The Evelyn Observer. (1906, September 28). Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), p. 2 (MORNING.)

Url
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61129880

Description
It is with sincere regret we record the death of Mr. John Brown, State school teacher, Eltham, which sad event took place at his residence, "Pine Brae," on Sunday night last, 23rd inst. after a severe illness of some few weeks' duration. The deceased gentleman was highly respected, and always took a lively and active interest in promoting the progress and prosperity of the district, and his loss will be much felt, He was only 55 years of age, and leaves a wife and large family to mourn their loss, and much sympathy is felt for them. The remains of the deceased were interred in the Box Hill cemetery on Wednesday afternoon last.

Significance

This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.'
It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.

Physical description

Digital image
4 x 5 inch B&W Neg
Sepia photo
B&W print

Inscriptions & markings

Sepia photo reverse:
Miss Tonkinson
Used Pioneers and Painters p66
Could be Miss Brown and part of her family who left the Headmaster's residence when John Brown (Headmaster 1889-1906) died (on the job) in 1906. Then 2 sons both died in the 1914-1918 War
Between 1888 and prior to 1906.
Also Wall Bros. St Kilda stamp

B&W print:
66 and 9 7/16" x 5 5/8" deep (for publication on p66 of Pioneers & Painters)

Subjects