Historical information
This wood traveling trunk was used by the LePage family when emigrating from Guernsey , Channel Isles, to Melbourne on SS Caliope 1852.
Nicholas LePage , a tailor, and wife Elizabeth arrived in Melbourne in 1852 with their son Frank Thomas and daughter Elizabeth. Joshua Holloway released land in his 'Two Acre Village' in Cheltenham 1851. Nicholas bought a LOT for 10pounds and began a market garden that was managed by successive generations.
The LePage family became involved with the Methodist Church , local friendly societies, sporting clubs and civic councils that endured.
Significance
'The LePages became one of the best known Moorabbin market gardening families, with a tradition of service to communal and civic affairs that is unmatched' John Cribbin, ' Moorabbin ,Pictorial History 1862-1994.' (City of Kingston)
Physical description
A handmade wood trunk with brass lock and hinges and Guernsey ( Channel Isles) Newspaper lining 1851
Inscriptions & markings
Top of lid; White Stencil BETSEY LEPAGE / PASSENGER TO MELBOURNE
Lining of box; Guernsey Newspaper 1851
Subjects
- henry dendy's special survey 1842,
- moorabbin shire,
- moorabbin roads board,
- dendy henry,
- were jb,
- holloway josiah,
- brighton,
- bentleigh,
- cheltenham,
- pioneers,
- market gardeners,
- early settlers,
- methodist church,
- two acre village cheltenham,
- charman stephen,
- bent thomas,
- daphne cottage,
- sons of temperance friendly society,
- mayors moorabbin council,
- lepage nicholas,
- lepage frank thomas,
- lepage everest,
- lepage frank wilbur,
- cheltenham co-operative society,
- cheltenham cream and butter factory
