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Cole (1836-1879), Reverend T. C.
'Cole (1836-1879), Reverend T. C.'  photo
Photo courtesy of billy teabag
Rose breeder   Listing last updated on 28 Mar 2024.
Brighton, Victoria
Australia
Reverend Thomas Cornelius Cole jnr. (c. 1836-1879)

1935. COOPER, John Butler, (Melbourne,) The History of Malvern From its First Settlement to a City’
pp122-3“Malvern had its village green and its village cricket club. The villagers, and some of the gentry, led by the Vicar, the Rev. Thomas Cornelius Cole, played the game together on the temporary reserve at the corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road. No true account of early Malvern, and of the days of the village, can overlook the vicar, distinctive in appearance with his reddish or sandy coloured beard. He usually rode a roan horse, and in summer wore a Chinese silk dustcoat. His parish extended to Oakleigh, and he was an overworked man.
His father was a nurseryman at Hawthorn. Through the father the son acquired a taste for horticulture. His rose garden was the envy of rosarians. .... From the vicar's rosary many beautiful blooms were awarded prizes at horticultural shows.
In addition to cultivating roses the Rev. T. C. Cole planted many choice shrubs in the church grounds. The surroundings of the fine church were beautified by the artistic groupings of the trees. The church garden appeared to harmonise with the church buildings. That this was so is to-day the opinion of some old people who remember the church garden when it was tended by the first vicar. The cutting down of trees, and shrubs of late years which ornamented the church ground has left the church buildings without the softening mantle of greenery, and, in a way, changed the atmosphere of the church around which so many spiritual memories were entwined.
An early resident of Malvern, Miss Rachel Box, assisted by her elder sister Lydia, kept a "Young Ladies' Seminary, Patronised by the Gentry" in Glenferrie Road. The "young ladies" nicknamed the elder sister "Lidonbox." Many years ago, Miss Rachel sent to us her memories of the first vicar of Malvern. In writing she said, 'The Rev. T. C. Cole's roses were the pride of old Malvern at St. George's vicarage. Twyford Nursery, Mr. Cole's father's nursery, is still in existence at Upper Hawthorn. Mr. Cole's natural taste ran there in preference to the church. The Rev. Mr. Cole preached "Do as I say—not as I do." I don't think he left any enemies. In spite of ten children, and "one lung" Mrs. Cole was the angel visitor of the old Malvern village. That name was given to a portion of Malvern road, commencing at Woodmason's Corner, and extending east for some distance, may be a mile. The late Dr. G. H. Fetherstone, used to allow Mr. Cole to visit my partially invalid father, at will , as Mr. Cole was not given to shoving the devil, and all his horns down his parishioners' throats.' ”
 
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