Cudgegong Valley History Project

Mrs. Robert Shearman, a very old and highly respected resident of Goolma, died in the Gulgong Hospital. A full report will appear next issue. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 22 June 1925, p. 3. Death Theresa Shearman

GOOLMA After a lingering illness of three months, Mrs. Robert Shearman, an old and very highly respected resident, died in the Gulgong Hospital. Deceased had only been admitted to the hospital a few days before her death. She is survived by a grown up family of daughters, who are well known throughout the district. Mrs. H. Skinner (Goolma), Mrs. J. Benson, Mrs. E. Deveigne, and Miss Nellie Shearman (Goolma), Mrs. T. Martin (Cobbora), and Mrs. J. Scifleet, of Binnaway. Wellington Times, Thursday 25 June 1925, p. 5. Obituary Theresa Shearman

Local News. The Late Mrs. Shearman. - As briefly reported in last issue Mrs. Shearman, wife of Mr. R. J. Shearman, of Goolma, passed away in the Gulgong Hospital on Saturday. Deceased, who had been ailing for some considerable time, was a member of the highly esteemed Skinner family, and had resided in the district practically all her life. In addition to a sorrowing husband, the following daughters are left to mourn: Mesdames T. Martin (Cobbora), A. Skinner (Goolma), J. Scifleet (Binnaway), J. Benson (Goolma), F. Devine (Goolma), and Miss N. Shearman (Goolma). To the bereaved ones the sympathy of the whole district is extended. The funeral took place in the Church of England portion of the Gulgong cemetery, and was largely attended. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 25 June 1925, p. 3. Obituary Theresa Shearman

DEATH OF MRS. ROBERT SHEARMAN. The death took place in the Gulgong Hospital on Saturday of Mrs. Robert Shearman, of Goolma. Deceased had not been enjoying good health for about five months, and after she had taken a bad turn at her home on Friday she was hurried to hospital, where death took place the following day. The late Mrs. Shearman had lived in the district for many years, and was highly esteemed by residents. The funeral took place at Gulgong on Friday, the remains being laid to rest in the Church of England portion of the general cemetery. The Rev. L. V. Caldwell officiated. Messrs. McGowen and Bayliss had charge of the funeral arrangements. A more detailed report will appear next issue. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 25 June 1925, p. 26. Death Theresa Shearman

DEATH Mrs. Ada M. Martin The death occurred at the Gulgong District Hospital on Sunday evening, August 15, of Mrs. Ada M. Martin, wife of Mr. Thomas L. Martin, of Cobbora. Deceased, who had been a patient in the institution on a number of occasions during recent years, was a native of the district, and was 58 years of age. A woman of kindly disposition, the late Mrs. Martin was held in high esteem by all those who knew her and she endeared herself to everyone in the district. Her husband and a grown-up family survive, namely; Harold, Cecil, Noel and Rose Martin, all of Cobbora. She is also survived by her father, Mr. R. Shearman, the grand old man of Goolma, and the following sisters: Mesdames A. Skinner, J. Benson, H. G. Honeysett (all of Goolma), Eric Talbot (Wollongong) and J. Scifleet (Binnaway). The funeral took place on Monday, interment to the Church of England portion of the Gulgong Cemetery, Rev. Howard W. Ellis officiating. Arrangements were carried out by Mr. D. Whale, Gulgong Motor Funerals. Our sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 26 August 1948, p. 10. Obituary Ada Martin

John William Benson

Obituary

Only 15 days separated the deaths of husband and wife, John William Benson and Theresa Ruby Benson recently. Mr. Benson of “Rock End”, Goolma, was 80 years when he died at the Mudgee District Hospital. His wife died in a Nursing Home at Parramatta at the age of 77 years. Mr. Benson was born at Mt. Hope and he was a school boy when he came with his parents, brothers and sisters to live at Goolma. On April 21, 1920, Mr. Benson married Theresa Ruby Shearman at St. Mark’s Church of England, Goolma. His bride was the fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shearman, who were among the earliest settlers in the Goolma area. They spent the first few years of their married life at Goolma and then left the district for a few years to work for the Nott family at “Twofourteen”, Merrygoen. They then returned to Goolma and finally to “Rock End” where they spent the rest of their 56 years of married life. Only a few weeks before their deaths, ill health caused them to be apart. The couple raised a family of four boys and one girl. The children are Ray (Westmead), Lorrie (Blacktown), Kevin (Goolma), Robert (Goolma). Their daughter, Dorothy, predeceased her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Benson are also survived by 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Mrs. Benson’s sister Nell (Mrs. Noy of Corrimal), and Mr. Benson’s sister Dominica (Mrs. Bryden, Dunedoo). Their funerals took place in the Gulgong Cemetery.