Historical information

GRANT, Thomas (From Short Notes on Ringwood - RDHS)
Born 1854, died 1933, aged 79 years.
Thomas Grant, born in Burwood, Victoria, came to Ringwood in 1876. On land purchased from Mr. D. Gostick in Whitehorse Road, in the vicinity of the present Drive In Arcade, he built a blacksmith's and coach building shop. In 1880, he married Mary Ann French, of Mulgrave. There were four children, Andrew, Mary, (died in infancy) Thomas, and Margaret. Miss Margaret Grant is a well known resident of Mullum Road.

With the opening of the station in 1882, activities in the growing district tended to congregate in its vicinity, and, in 1883, Mr. Grant moved his “smith" to the corner of Adelaide Street. At the same time, he planted out an orchard on his land which ran from Ringwood Street, to Warrandyte Road, and north as far as Mullum Greek. Eventually, about 1910, he sold his business to the Reed Brothers, and retired to the comparatively lighter life of orchardist and market gardener.

In 1909, he sold 8 acres of his land to the Lilydale Council. This land, situated in Ringwood Street, behind the Town Hall, is known as the Ringwood Reserve.

Mr. & Mrs. Grant were foundation members of the Methodist Church. He was appointed a Trustee in 1879, and served until his death 54 years later. He was an enthusiastic member of many societies, and he held public office in civic affairs. His interests included the Progress Association, Cricket Club, and the Agricultural Society, at whose annual show, he was a regular exhibitor. He served as a Councillor in the Lilydale Shire, repres¬enting Ringwood, from 1889 to 1894, and was a Justice of the Peace.

Physical description

26278a Ledger belonging to First Blacksmith in Ringwood 1880s. Dark green cover with leather spine and corners. Dark coloured edges on pages. 542 pages, 320 used.

26278b Day book belonging to Thomas Grant, Blacksmith, Ringwood used 1929. Brown covered book with leather spine. First 95 pages torn out. Only two pages of remaining 76 used.

26278c Ledger with alphabetical index - Thomas Grant, Blacksmith, Ringwood - 1888. Green covered book with red spine and corners. Dark coloured edges on pages. 275 pages. Some unused.

26278d T. Grant Blacksmith Day Book. Green covered day book of T. Grant, Blacksmith and General Smithy, Ringwood 1883 . Red square on spine with Day book written on it. Day Book in ink hand written on front spine.

26278e Day book belonging to Thomas Grant, Blacksmith, Ringwood - 1879-1881. Green cover with brown spine and edges. Gold lettering on spine saying Day Book Pages all used.

26278f Collection of receipts, some blotting paper, some pages from the Journal of Architecture, a short story, and drawing with description of an Albert Sociable carriage.