Cudgegong Valley History Project

The Late Mrs Bloodworth This lady who died on Sunday week in Sydney, aged 99, was a native of the colony and her connections and descendants are numerous. The thread of relationship touches the Bloodsworths of Merri Merri, the Lees of Bylong and Orange, the Howes of Rylstone, and the Gardiners of Wellington. Two of the oldest Mudgee residents, Messrs. John Bax and William Blackman, knew intimately many members of the family, and living at the same time as some of them are able to give interesting particulars of the life and times of the deceased nonagenarian, who, by the way, would have been a centenarian in August next. One of Mrs. Bloodsworth's daughters married Mr. Charles Howe, the proprietor of the 'Sydney Gazette' and 'Sydney Morning Herald,' whose father was one day fishing off Fort Denison when the boat capsized, and he was drowned, the body being speedily recovered. His little son Alfred who was in the boat with him, was kept afloat until picked up, by the wind getting under his pinafore, forming a life buoy. The widow carried on the papers, but on marrying a Mr. Watt, the eldest son, Robert Howe, succeeded to the proprietorship of the above papers. Alfred did not live long, for while at Port Macquarie the little fellow was paddling in the sea about up to his knees when a shovel nosed shark came up and caught him by the leg. His screams brought help in the person of a man servant who held on to the boy, but his leg was torn off, and the poor little fellow soon after died from the terrible injuries. Mr. Charles Howe married Miss Sally Bloodsworth, daughter of nonagenarian, and after carrying on the paper for awhile he left Sydney, settling at Antoney's Creek. He lived for some time near Mr. John Gardiner, who married another Miss Bloodsworth, some years afterwards removing to Gobolion near Wellington, where he still resides. Mr. George Bloodsworth, a son of the old lady, married a Miss Polly Gardiner, then of Blackheath (Antoney's Creek), and lived on the station on the Merri Merri. The station was known far and near as the most hospitable in the west, and no one ever received other than kind, courteous, and cordial treatment, and the good name sticks to it to this day. Mr. George Bloodsworth left for Queensland with cattle and while there died. The station has remained in possession of his sons George and Charlie, the latter of whom now resides at Rylstone on a fine property, long in the family. The widow of Mr. George Bloodsworth eventually came to reside in Mudgee, living in a cottage near the Terminus Hotel. She is now dead. Another daughter of the old lady just deceased married a Mr. Lee, and was the mother of James, John, and George Lee. Mr. John Lee lives at Bylong, Mr. James Lee at Larras Lake, and Mr. George Lee at Leeholm on the Bathurst side. Mrs. George Bloodworth's son George is now on the Merri Merri. The Charles Howe, who married a daughter of the old lady, is the father of the Howes of Rylstone, viz : Messrs Robert, George, Thomas James and Charles Howe, and Mrs. Highfield is a daughter. The mother of this family died some time ago in Rylstone. The family and connections are all highly esteemed, especially in the localities in which they reside (Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Friday 7 June 1895, page 4).

Death at Rylstone. The death occurred at Rylstone on September 22 of Maria Elizabeth, wife of Mr. R. T. Highfield, of that town, at the age of 70 years. Deceased was born in O'Connell-street, Sydney, and was the daughter of the late Robert Charles Howe, and grand-daughter of the late Robert Howe, first "Government Gazette" printer of New South Wales, and had resided in Rylstone for upwards of 50 years, where she was highly respected and esteemed for her many sterling qualities. She leaves a husband and family of seven to mourn her loss, they being Mrs. W. Flaxman (Chatswood), Mrs. W. Cox (Rylstone), Mr. W. R. Highfield (Hillgrove), Mrs. W. Kable (Marrickville), Mrs. C. H. Wilton (Mudgee), Mrs. H. Malvern (Havilah) and Mr. P. G. Highfield (Chatswood). The remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Rylstone cemetery, the Rev. Walker administering the last sad rites. A large concourse of relatives and friends were present at the graveside, amongst whom was Mr. E. Chase (Sydney), nephew of deceased. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved family. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 2 October 1913, p. 26. Obituary Maria Highfield

Death of Mrs. Robert Howe. Quite a gloom spread over the community last Friday as the sad news gained currency that Mrs. Robert Howe had died during the night. The deceased lady, who had attained her 74th year, attended to household duties up to the time of retiring, 10 p.m. on Thursday. The evening meal had been partaken of as usual. All seemed well when she closed her eyes in peaceful sleep, and Mr. Howe observed nothing wrong with his good partner. It was not until 1.30 that Mr. Howe was awakened by something - he is a very heavy sleeper, as a rule. His wife appeared to be in calm repose. He spoke to her, but there was no response. He called his son, Mr. C. Howe. It was not until then that the husband had his gravest fears. The son having dressed lost no time in calling Dr. Hansard, and on his way apprised his sister, Mrs. J. J. Grady, and Mr. Grady. The doctor pronounced life extinct. It was a stunning blow to all in the home in that silent hour of the dawn of another day. The late Mrs. Howe was a native of the district, and sister of Mr. John Mulholland. The deceased had previously consulted Dr. Hansard She leaves a husband, four sons, and three daughters - Messrs. William, George, Charles, Cecil, and Mesdames F. J. Dunn, Coombes (Enmore), and Mrs. J. J. Grady. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon in the Rylstone cemetery, a large number of district relatives and friends attending. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 1 March 1917, p. 13. Obituary Elizabeth Howe

Late Mrs. F. J. Dunn. The death of Mrs. F. J. Dunn, of Rylstone, which was reported in last issue, caused a wave of sorrow throughout the district, where she was highly respected. Deceased was a kind and considerate mother, and the example she set is creditably revealed in the exemplary family. She was a woman possessed of keen organising capacity, and performed much good in a quiet, helpful way for the St. James' Church of England, Rylstone. She was far-seeing, and her genial disposition, coupled with her rare business instinct, materially helped in creating a solid connection both in Rylstone and Kandos. Despite her illness, which compelled her to undergo an operation in Sydney, she was always bright and courageous, and owing to this fact, her end came as a great shock to the whole district. The funeral cortege, which left for the Church of England portion of the Rylstone cemetery on Monday, was large and representative. The Rev. W. V. Thomson officiated at the graveside. The late Mrs. Dunn is survived by a husband and the following sons and daughters, for whom deep sympathy is expressed: - Mr. F. H. Dunn (Rylstone); Mrs. D. Charles (Kandos), Mrs. Lloyd Bossley (Gulgong), Mrs. J. Southwick (Liverpool), and Miss Lurlie Dunn (Rylstone). Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 26 March 1925, p. 13. Obituary Ada Dunn