Cudgegong Valley History Project

MR. MARTIN LAVERACK. Another of Mudgee district's eldest residents, in the person of Mr. M. Laverack, passed away at his residence, Gladstone-street, at 2 a.m. this morning (Monday) at the age of 70 years. The deceased had been a great sufferer for many years with rheumatic gout, and had suffered severely since the beginning of the present year. Heart failure was the immediate cause of death. The late Mr. Laverack was twice married, and six grown-up children are left by his first marriage - Sydney (Dubbo), Ernest (Tramway Department, Sydney), William (Piambong), Mrs. Chivers (wife of Rev. Chivers, Rylstone), and Emily and Florrie (Sydney): and four daughters to his second marriage - Edie and Nellie (nurses, Sydney), and Rhoda and Lilly (Mudgee). The late Mr. Laverack, when he first came to Mudgee, was a builder, and worked for the late Mr. James Atkinson, who was a big contractor with works in Church-street, where Mr. C. H. Tomkins' shop now stands. Mr. Laverack acted as foreman for Mr. Atkinson. One of his first works was to help in the putting in of the “Rouse” windows at the Mudgee Church of England. He also took part in the erection of the Mudgee Mechanics' Institute, the "Guardian" office, and the Commercial Bank, of which Hon. E. Kater was an official. This latter gentleman is now an M.L.C, a director of the Commercial Bank, and a big station owner. Mr. Kater, it will be remembered, was stuck up by bushrangers while conveying several thousand pounds from Mudgee to Sydney in a spring cart, which at that time was the mode of conveyance. Mr. Atkinson relinquished contracting and went in for station holding, buying Bungy-Boomah, Cudgegong, and Grattai (now Mr. W. L. Atkinson's) and Slasher's Flat (now Mrs. R. Atkinson's). Mr. Laverack took charge of Slasher's Flat, and held the position for over 20 years. He told us that often Mr. Atkinson advised him to strike out for himself, he being such a remarkable judge of sheep. The deceased remained with Mr. Atkinson till his own family began to grow up. He then took up land at Piambong, where he built up a fine sheep station. He lived at Piambong for over 20 years. His wool always commanded a high price, be the market never so weak, a fact which repaid him for the infinite trouble he took with classifying his sheep. He was a hard worker and lived at Piambong till some 12 months ago, when his failing health compelled him to come and reside in a house, he purchased in Gladstone-street, Mudgee. The deceased was a man of high, and generous character. His word was his bond. Oftentimes he would hold himself bound by his passed word, even though it meant a considerable loss to himself. The funeral is to leave deceased's residence at 2 o'clock to-morrow (Tuesday) for the Mudgee cemetery. Mr. F. Jones will have charge of the mortuary arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 1 July 1912, p. 3. Obituary Martin Laverack

In our note of the death of Mr. Martin Laverack, we mentioned that the deceased had built the Commercial Bank and the ‘Guardian’ office. As a matter of fact he did, but the Commercial Bank at that time was held in the premises now occupied by the Guardian. This was in the sixties. Forty years ago the Commercial Bank ceased operations in Mudgee because of the fact that the volume of banking business was not great, and there were three banks after it, viz., N.S.W., Commercial, and the old A.J.S. The late Mr. B. Stacy revived the bank in Mudgee some years later. This gentleman had made such a success of the Oriental Bank at Gulgong that he was requested to revive the Mudgee branch of the Commercial. Operations were started in premises; on the site of Mr. J. Bryant's butchers shop. The bank, by careful management, made rapid headway, and some time later, moved into the premises they now occupy. During the time the bank was situated in the 'Guardian' Office premises word got about that the bushrangers purposed sticking up the institution. A detachment of police, under Superintendent Orridge, of Bathurst, was posted in the building on the night fixed for the raid, but the outlaws evidently got wind of the warm reception awaiting them, and did not put in an appearance. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 4 July 1912, p. 23. Bank Building Correction Martin Laverack

Local Brevities The remains of the late Mr. Martin Laverack were interred in the C.E. portion of the Mudgee cemetery. All the relatives were present, with the exception of Mrs. Chivers and Mr. Ernie Laverack, who missed the train. The deceased's wish was that he should be buried as close to the late Mr. J. A. Atkinson as possible, because they had been such close friends during life. His request was complied with. The funeral cortege was a very long one. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 4 July 1912, p. 23. Funeral Martin Laverack

DEATHS. LAVERACK - July 9, 1938 at his residence 20 Quinn Street, Dubbo, Sidney James Laverack, beloved husband of Isabel Laverack, aged 73 years. Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 12 July 1938, p. 10. Death notice Sidney James Laverack

THE death occurred at Dubbo at the week-end of Mr. S. J. Laverack, a retired grazier, aged 73 years. Deceased was a member of a pioneer Mudgee family, and lived in this district, for very many years. He is survived by two sons and four daughters, to whom the deepest sympathy will be extended. The funeral took place to the Church of England portion of the Dubbo cemetery on Sunday. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 14 July 1938, p. 2. Obituary S J Laverack

DEATHS Mrs. Tomkins MRS. Lilian Gertrude Tomkins, wife of Mr. G. M. Tomkins, of Mt. Frome, died in a private hospital in Mudgee on Friday night, aged 56 years. Deceased had been ailing for some time, and her passing was not unexpected. Deceased was a member of the old and highly respected Laverack family of Cullenbone, and spent practically the whole of her life in this district. She was a kindly, gentle lady, deeply devoted to her family, yet finding time to perform good deeds which endeared her to other members of the community. She will, indeed, be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to be numbered among her friends. To the sorrowing husband, and two sons, also the aged mother, the deepest sympathy will be extended. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place to the Church of England portion of the general cemetery on Sunday afternoon, the last sad rites at the graveside being performed by the Rev. A. G. Powell. Messrs. J. C. Swords and Son were in charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 30 October 1939, p. 2. Obituary Lilian Gertrude Tomkins

Mr. W. Laverack Mr. William Bolton Laverack was found dead near his home at Piambong on Saturday morning last. Deceased, who was a single man, aged 69 years, was the son of the late Martin Laverack, and spent practically all his life in the district. For many years he carried the mail between Mudgee and Piambong, and was a general favorite with the residents all of whom were deeply shocked at his sudden passing. The funeral took place to the Church of England portion of the general cemetery on Sunday afternoon, the Rev. A. G. Powell officiating at the graveside. The arrangements were carried out by Messrs. J. C. Swords and Son. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 12 July 1943, p. 3. Obituary William Laverack

DEATHS Mrs. Laverack A very fine old lady, in the person of Mrs. Sophia Hodgkins Laverack, died at her home in Gladstone Street yesterday morning at the advanced age of 86, years. Relict of the late Mr. Martin Laverack. of Piambong, deceased resided in the district for practically a lifetime, and was held in the highest regard by all classes of the community. Her passing will be deeply mourned by friends far and near, and sincere sympathy will go out to the bereaved family. After an impressive service in St. John's Church of England, the funeral took place this morning, the Rev. Canon Powell officiating. Arrangements were in the hands of Messrs J. C. Swords and Son. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 28 June 1945, p. 7. Obituary Sophia Hodgkins Laverack

DEATHS LAVERACK Ernest Albert - September 5 1948, at the Royal North Shore Hospital, beloved husband of Annie Laverack. Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 7 September 1948, p. 12. Death notice Ernest Albert Laverack

Funerals LAVERACK. - The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. Annie Laverack, of 15 Berry Rd, St. Leonards, are invited to attend the Funeral of her beloved Husband, Ernest Albert Laverack, formerly of NSW Tramways, North Sydney Depot; to leave Bruce Maurer's Chapel, 281-3 Pacific Highway, near West St, North Sydney, To-morrow (Tuesday), at 3 pm, for the Church of England Cemetery at Northern Suburbs. Bruce Maurer, North Sydney. XA1034 and XB1542. Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 6 September 1948, p. 10. Funeral notice Ernest Albert Laverack

DEATHS LAVERACK Emily - June 16, 1952 at Sacred Heart Hospice, aged 85 years Privately cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 17 June 1952, p. 16. Death notice Emily Laverack

Obituary Mrs. Edith Jane Endacott (nee Laverack) The death occurred in Sydney, on March 25th, 1974, of Mrs. Edith Jane Endacott, late of 135 Mount Street, Coogee, Sydney, at the age of 88 years. She was the widow of the late Major George Edward Endacott, (formerly of Yarrabin and Spring Flat). The late Mrs. Endacott was born in the Mudgee district and came of pioneering families, Laverack and Adams. Her Grandfather, the late Mr. Thomas Adams erected the Contingent Hotel (now demolished), and was licensee of the same for a number of years. Those were the times when the teams did the carrying in all directions out from Mudgee, which was then the railway terminus and it was quite the usual thing to see twenty teams or more camped at the old Contingent. The building which is now known as the Mudgee Museum was in earlier years, Dwane’s Hotel and the licensee was a relative of the late Mrs. Endacott. The deceased was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs Martin Laverick of Piambong and Gladstone Street, Mudgee and sister of Ernest, (Crow’s Nest, Sydney), Lilian (Mrs. G. Tomkins, Mount Frome), Ellen, (Mrs. A. Edwards, Mudgee), and Miss Rhoda Laverick, Mudgee. (All deceased). In her early years, the late Mrs. Endacott was a school teacher in the Mudgee and Dubbo districts and later trained as a nurse at The Coast Hospital, (now The Prince Henry Hospital), Little Bay, Sydney. She and her husband were married at St. John’s Church of England and made their home in Mudgee, where their first child was born, but later Military transfers took them to various parts of New South Wales. On the many occasions when the late Mrs. Endacott returned to Mudgee, she enjoyed visiting her relatives and renewing old friendships. She was devoted to all her family and a great inspiration to its members and to others with whom she came in contact - she will be sadly missed. She is survived by sons, Oswald, (Chelmer, Brisbane), Neil (Merrylands, Sydney), Eric (Ivanhoe, Melbourne), daughter, Edith, (Coogee, Sydney) and son Edward, Terry Hills, Sydney), eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was the aunt of the late Mr. Harold Tomkins, (Mount Frome), Mr. Colin Tomkins, (Mount Frome) and Mr. and Mrs. George Tomkins, Horatio Street, also the sister-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pitt, Mortimer Street. The funeral service was conducted at St. Nicholas Church of England, Coogee, Sydney by the Rector, Rev. E. O. Harding and her four sons acted as pall-bearers. Mudgee Guardian, Friday 24 May 1974, p. 3. Obituary Edith Jane Endacott