OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Man with beard, c. 1870

DATE1860 to 1875

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONHastings-Western Port Historical Society

REG NO.P1108

HISTORY

This man is Captain Francis Stuart. He was a merchant captain of the sailing ship “Success” and arrived in Melbourne in 1852. He had in the past, traded with the East and brought mementoes from different parts of the world. After his crew deserted to join the gold rush, Captain and Mrs Stuart took up land in Tyabb. His wife was very musical. She was from Dublin, Ireland and was the daughter of Col Grogan and sister to George Grogan of the Imperial Forces. Their property and area was known as “Stuart’s Flat”. Their only daughter, Elma married George Cole of “Minto” at Merricks. George Cole’s father, Thomas Cornelius Cole gave “Minto” to Elma and George as a wedding present. The date on the title is 17 October, 1874. George Cole died as a young man and his place was taken by their son, a second T.C. Cole. This second T.C. Cole was the father of Phyllis Cole of “Larnoo”. Captain Stuart and his wife Elizabeth also had a son, George L.M. Stuart. He died in 1891. Captain Stuart was a member of the first Mt Eliza Roads Board (26 October, 1860). This was the first local government body. He was the second president of the Mornington Shire Council in 1873. The Council was formed in 1872. Elizabeth Stuart died in March, 1899. Both her and Captain Stuart are buried in the Tyabb Public Cemetery.

DESCRIPTION

This is a portrait of a man, taken from the waist up. He has a large moustache, bushy beard and receding hair line. His blue eyes are looking away from the camera. He is wearing a black coat and vest.

SUBJECTS

Men, Portraits, Ships

KEYWORDS

Cole, Elma, Cole, George, Cole, Phyllis, Cole, Thomas Cornelius, Grogan, Elizabeth, Mornington Shire Council, Mt Eliza Roads’ Board, Stuart, Elizabeth, Stuart, Elma, Stuart, Francis, Stuart, L.M, “Larnoo”, “Minto”, Merricks, “Success” (sailing ship)