Stanley Parsons
Stan Parsons was born in Lifton, Devonshire, England, to Amos and Ann Parsons, in 1850.
As a young man, he travelled to Australia, and settled in Schnapper Point, where his older brother, Preston, was already established.
In 1881, Stan married Sarah Ann Hartwell, and they had eight children, all born in Schnapper Point.
Stan’s brother Preston died in 1882, at the age of 48 years, leaving a widow Ellen, and a large family.
Mornington Standard , 28 Feb, 1903, p.2
Stan was a man of all work. He was granted a licence for a single stage carrier in 1876. Apart from general carrying work, another aspect of having the licence was to be employed by the Grand Hotel at the weekends, to run a shuttle service between the pier, for passengers from the bay steamers, and the hotel.
The Argus, 19 Sept, 1881, p.5
In the summer season, the paddle steamers would disembark hundreds of holiday makers at the pier, to visit the town, and picnic in the park.
Stanley Parsons was also employed by the Mornington Shire as a Drayman, doing labouring jobs with a horse and cart.
He was also appointed Dog Tax Collector for the Shire – a job for which he would have had some previous experience and knowledge.
He was Secretary of the Cricket Club for many years, and had also served as Treasurer.
Stanley Parsons died at 72 years of age, in 1922, and is buried in the Mornington cemetery.
Paddle Steamer at Mornington
