Cudgegong Valley History Project

DEATHS. MR WILLIAM BATTEN. The death of Mr. William Batten, which occurred at his daughter's (Mrs. E. H. Nash) residence, Lue-street, Rylstone, on Thursday night, removes one of the oldest pioneer residents of the district. Born at Parramatta in the year 1840, Mr. Batten and his ber John came to the Rylstone district with their parents in 1846. The two bers never parted. They both married and lived at Lue, where the ber John Batten, who is in his 77th year, still resides. The late Mr. William Batten was 80 years and 9 months old at the time of his death. His wife predeceased him by 12 years. The following family survive:— John Batten (Lue), William (Waverley), Mrs. E. H. Nash (Rylstone), Mrs. W. T. Brown (Lue) and Mrs. P. J. Costigan (Lue). The youngest son, Edward, made the supreme sacrifice at the war. The remains of the deceased gentleman were placed in St. Malachi's Catholic Church, Rylstone, on Saturday morning last, from whence the funeral started at 12.30. The remains were interred beside those of his late wife in the Catholic portion of the Rylstone cemetery. The Very Rev. Father Flanagan officiated, both in the church and at the grave. Mr. J. C. Swords, of Mudgee, conducted the funeral arrangements. The deceased was universally esteemed in the Rylstone, Lue, Mudgee and adjoining districts. He was a very capable man, and on many occasions wrote some interesting reminiscences for this paper (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Monday 14 March 1921, page 19).

OBITUARY MR. W. LEE BROWN, Mr. William Lee Brown, late of Mount Brace, Rylstone, died on Saturday, at his home in Middle Harbor Road, Lindfield, at the age of 71. Daily Telegraph, Monday 22 January 1923, p. 6. Obituary William Lee Brown

THE LATE MR. W. L. BROWN. The death occurred in Sydney on Friday of Mr. W. L. Brown, for many years resident of Rylstone, aged 72 years. Deceased died at his residence at Lindfield, where he had been residing for the past three or four years. He is survived by a wife and the following sons and daughters George, Rylstone; William, Lue: Charles, Adelaide, South Australia: Mesdames Arthur Lloyd, Gulargambone; and the Misses Janet and Alice Brown, Lindfield. Deceased was buried in Sydney yesterday, all the sons and daughters being present. He had been ailing for about six months. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 22 January 1923, p. 12. Obituary William Lee Brown

DEATHS BROWN. - June 19, 1939, Mary Ann, widow of the late William Lee Brown, of Lindfield (formerly of Rylstone), and dearly loved mother of George, Mary (Mrs. A. Lloyd, deceased), William, Flora (Mrs. P. H. Clarke), Janet, Charles, and Alice, aged 88 years. Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 20 June 1939, p. 10. Death Mary Ann Brown

Mainly About People Mudgee District Personalities THE following death notice appeared in Tuesday's “Herald,” June 19, 1939, Mary Ann, widow of the late William Lee Brown, of Lindfield, (formerly of Rylstone), and dearly loved mother of George, Mary (Mrs. A. Lloyd, deceased), William, Flora (Mrs. P. H. Clarke), Janet, Charles and Alice, aged 88 years. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 22 June 1939, p. 2. Obituary Mary Ann Brown

DEATHS: BROWN, Minnie, - November 9, 1956, at her residence, Cox Street, Mudgee (formerly of Lue), beloved wife of William Thomas, and loving mother of Henry (Rev Father Brown), Arthur and Meg (Mrs F Hughes), Bruce and Betty (Mrs P Miller), aged 69 years. Funeral Mudgee, Saturday. Requiescat in pace (Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, November 10, 1956).

OBITUARY: Mr. W. T. BROWN The death of Mr. William Thomas Brown late of 9 Cox Street, Mudgee, severs yet another link with the early days of the Rylstone and Mudgee Districts. He was born at Rylstone 86 years ago and was the son of William Lee and Mary Anne Brown of Mount Brace, Rylstone. He was born and reared on the land and was a keen judge of livestock, a noted horseman and served in the Australian Light Horse in the Reign of Queen Victoria. He was a man of keen intellect and although the early part of his life was spent before the advent of the motor car and mechanisation as it is known today, he was quick to appreciate the advantages that these things brought and was a great believer in modern methods in the agricultural and pastoral industries. In addition to his other interests he and his wife conducted a general store and Post Office for nearly thirty years at Lue, where their home was open house to everyone. His jovial personality made friends for him wherever he went. Requiem Mass was offered for him by his eldest son, Rev. Father H. Brown who also conducted the burial service before interment in the Mudgee Cemetery. The funeral was large and representative of all sections of the community and the procession at St. Mary's Catholic Church was led by six Monsignori and thirty three priests from all parts of the Bathurst Diocese, and the school children formed a guard of honor at the Church. Monsignor Sheehan, Vicar-General of the Bathurst Diocese, represented the Bishop, the Most Rev. A. R. Thomas. The late Mr. Brown was predeceased by his wife, who before her marriage, was Minnie Batten, daughter of William and Margaret Batten of "Glenangle", Lue. Members of his family are Harry (Rev. Fr. Brown, Gulargambone), Arthur (deceased), Margaret (Mrs. Frank Hughes, Erudgere), Bruce (Artarmon) and Bessie (Mrs. Noel Miller, Mudgee). He is survived by one sister, Miss Alice Brown (Neutral Bay) and one ber, Charles Ilford. Mudgee Guardian, Wednesday, 15 June 1966, p. 2. Obituary William Thomas Brown

Death Notice Mr W T Brown The death occurred in the Mudgee District Hospital on Saturday of William Thomas Brown of Cox Street Mudgee. Mr. Brown, whose wife Minnie predeceased him, was 86 years old. He is survived by five children Henry William, Arthur James, Margaret Mary, Bruce Edwin and Bessie Winifred. Requiem Mass was offered at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Mudgee before interment in the Mudgee Cemetery. The service was conducted by Mr Brown's son, the Rev. Father Brown, of Gulargambone. Funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll funeral directors of Mudgee, Gulgong and Dunedoo. Mudgee Guardian, Wednesday 8 June 1966 p. 2. Death notice William Thomas Brown

Headstone reads: In loving memory of My dear wife & our mother Minnie Brown Died 9th Nov 1956 Aged 69 years and our dear father William Thomas Brown Died 4th June 1966 Aged 86 years May they rest in peace

BROWN, Rev. Father H. W. (Harry). - November 10, 1971, at Mudgee hospital, late Parish Priest, of Gulargambone, loved eldest son of the late William Thomas and Minnie Brown, of Lue and Mudgee, loved ber of Arthur (deceased), Meg (Mrs. Hughes, Mudgee), Bruce (Artarmon), Bessie, (Mrs. Miller, Mudgee), and ber-in-law of Phil, Frank, Jean and Noel. Requiescat in pace. BROWN, Father Henry William, November 10, 1971, at Mudgee District Hospital. Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 11 November 1971, p. 42. Death notice Henry William Brown

SAYING FAREWELL TO FATHER BROWN

Two bishops, 75 priests, 50 nuns and hundreds of people from many centres took part in the Requiem Mass and funeral of Father Harry Brown in Mudgee on Friday. Fr. Brown aged 60, was a native of Rylstone, and was Parish Priest of Gulargambone. He had served in many centres in the Bathurst and Wilcannia-Forbes Dioceses. He died in the Mudgee Hospital on Wednesday. Fr. Brown was the first priest to have been ordained in St. Mary’s Church Mudgee. The scene inside and outside the Church on Friday was one of the most moving tributes given to a priest, “who was a man of his people”. Bishop D. Warren, of Wilcannia-Forbes was the chief concelebrant of the Requiem Mass, accompanied by forty-five priests. The 12 concelebrants at the altar were - Bishop A. Kennedy, Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane; Money. L. Goodacre, Vicar-General of the Bathurst Diocese; Money. Leonard, Sydney. Fathers M. Kennedy, Sydney; M. Weatherall, (Wollongong); W. Cantwell (Maitland); D. Carroll, (Brisbane); B. Weather (Wilcannia-Forbes); G. Kelly (Brisbane); Aub. Edwards (Vincentian Fathers) and Fr. A. F. Delaney (Parish Priest of Mudgee). Monsg. Goodacre told the overflow congregation that it was appropriate that Fr. Brown, a man proud of his priesthood but who “never allowed the Roman collar to segregate him from his people” should have such a company of friends, priests and people praying for him in this fine tribute of affection.

Purple Vestments A cedar coffin on which was placed a silver chalice and a book of the gospels lay before the altar table, where the purple coloured vestments of the priests contrasted with the marble high altar, the white surplice and blue and white habits of the nuns. Students from St. Matthews College, Mudgee lined the streets as a guard of honour. The Mudgee police controlled the traffic and stood in salute as the cortege passed by, led by Fathers A. Horgan and G. Bucholtz and altar servers. Monsg. Goodacre said Fr. Brown loved the company of his people and “above all the company of his fellow priests.” He said he was known far and wide through the country parishes where he served for his generosity and geniality. There was a saying that “nothing was too good for Brownie because, he believed there was nothing too good for the many people he helped.” Fr. Brown as a young man left school and worked on his father’s property. It was not until later in his 20s when he made the decision to become a priest. Fr. Brown was ordained in Mudgee by Bishop Norton in 1938 and then worked in the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese before coming back to his home diocese. He went to Gilgandra, Rockley, Blayney, Gulgong and then back to Gilgandra. Fr. Brown was made parish priest of Gulargambone 7 years ago. Monsg. Goodacre said Fr. Brown loved the Mass, showed great consideration for his people, whom he served with great zeal. He would be shy and humbled by any praise. He was a priest who could make the best use of the colloquial. He would now be saying “cut it out, Goodacre, trying to make a bloody saint of me.” Monsg. Goodacre said Fr. Brown was known far and wide for his art unions and the wrist watches he raffled. He said he was known by many for the watches he gave away and for the many gifts he made to people he felt needed his help.

“Jazz It Up” Everything he did, he did it his own way, and he did it with enthusiasm. Monsg. Goodacre said, referring to one of his man projects, providing Hammond organs for the country convents. He wanted the sisters and the children to learn to play and appreciate the music and to help grace the sacred functions of the church. He used to say “jazz it up a bit, sister”. Monsg. Goodacre said the occasion should not be a sad one for people in the congregation. Despite failings that occur in all lives, as all try to live up to the Christian ideal “he had walked in the harmony of the house of God”, Monsg. Goodacre said, quoting the text of the psalm. Fr. Brown loved to hear music and singing and he said it was fitting that one of his best loved hymns, “Nearer My God To Thee” was the processional hymn of the Mass. Among other hymns sung during the Mass were “The Lord is My Shepherd”, “Where There is Charity and Love” and “The Song of Joy”. Monsg. Goodacre represented Bishop Thomas who is overseas. Rev. Fr. Delaney, Fr. O’Mahoney (Dubbo), Monsg. J. Leonard (Sydney) read the scripture readings and Fr. M. Kennedy (Sydney) read the Gospel. In the offertory procession during the Mass were representatives from the Gulargambone parish, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Britt, Mr. and Mrs. Brendan O’Brien and a friend of Fr. Brown’s student days, Mr. Greg Ritson of Sydney. Pall bearers were Messrs. Charles Campbell, Norman Maloney, Phillip Sporas, Chris Sporas, Greg Ritson, Bede Waterford. A message of sympathy was received from Bishop Leslie of Bathurst, on behalf of the Anglican Parishes of the Bathurst Diocese. Rector A. Reeder of the Mudgee St. John’s Anglican Church and Rev. V. Neideck, of the Mudgee Methodist Church, were among the clergy from Christian congregations. Sisters from convents of Perthville, Goulburn, Sydney, Mudgee, Gulgong, Dunedoo, West Bathurst, Gilgandra and Gulargambone took part in the Mass.

Obituary HUGHES, Margaret Mary (Meg), died peacefully at Caroline Chisholm Nursing Home Lane Cove on January 21st 1998. Late of Mudgee, devoted and loving wife of Frank (deceased), beloved sister of Harry, Arthur & Bruce & sister-in-law of Vincent (all deceased). Sadly missed by her sister Bessie, ber-in-law Noel and sisters-in-law Phil, Jean and Hazel, loving aunt of Bill (deceased), Tracey, Del, Chris, Colleen, Margaret, Bernadette, David, Lesley, Robert, Tony, Michael, Peter, Mark, Rosemary, Michael (deceased), Catherine and their partners. Dearly loved by her many grand and great-grand nephews and nieces. Aged 83 years. Our darling Meg R.I.P. Meg's family and friends are warmly invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of her soul at St Mary's Catholic Church, Church Street Mudgee on Saturday January 24th, 1998 commencing at 11.30am. Eastaugh & Carroll Funerals, Caring for your family. Mudgee Phone: 0263-722384. Mudgee Guardian Friday 23 January 1998 p. 30

Headstone reads: In loving memory of My dear wife & our mother Minnie Brown Died 9th Nov 1956 Aged 69 years and our dear father William Thomas Brown Died 4th June 1966 Aged 86 years May they rest in peace