OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Portrait of man, c. 1880

DATE1881 to 1891

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONHastings-Western Port Historical Society

REG NO.P1106

HISTORY

This man is David Mairs, born in North Ireland in 1822 to Thomas and Mary Mairs. He left Glasgow on May 8, 1849 and arrived at Port Phillip on September 8, 1849. After a time in the gold fields, he purchased a property in the Pentland Hills near Ballan in Victoria. He selected land at Bittern where he built a house and gradually acquired neighbouring properties. He was a member of the first Roads Board. On formation of the Shire of Flinders and Kangerong, he became one of the first Councillors and held that position for twenty-five years. He was also a Justice of the Peace. His wife was Sarah Jane Taylor. Sarah died on December 24, 1901 and David on July 4, 1902, aged 80 years. Two children of the couple, Sarah Jane and David, died of diphtheria in 1865 and another son, Jarvis, died as a baby. Their eldest son, Thomas, died aged twenty-five years. Three surviving sons were, John, David and William.

DESCRIPTION

This is a portrait of a grey-haired man, taken from the chest up. He has a grey moustache and beard and he is looking away from the camera. He has a dark coloured coat, white shirt and a black bow tie. His image is in an oval shape part of white printing can be seen at the top and bottom of the border.

SUBJECTS

Councillors, Local government, Men, Parliamentary representatives, Portraits

KEYWORDS

Family, Mairs, Mairs, David, Mairs, Sarah Jane, Shire of Flinders, Taylor, Sarah Jane