Cudgegong Valley History Project

Some Fine Cattle. Crossing and Cox submitted to auction on Tuesday last, some of the best cattle seen in the Mudgee yards for some time. They were not large, but of prime quality, and sold up to £17 10s, that pen going to Mr. George Bryant, of Hill End. The other pens were secured by the local butchers. Two big working bullocks, owned by Mr. A. E. Tomkins, and brought from Bylong way, were submitted to auction, one selling at £15, while the other was withdrawn. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 14 August 1902, p. 10. George Bryant Bullocks

ON A HEALTH VISIT. Mr. Bryant, sen., father of Mr. Walter Bryant and Mesdames J. Douglas and W. Tait, is at present spending a holiday in town. Of late months his health has not been too good, and in order to be free from business worries he just recently sold his butchering business at Hill End. Old hands would enjoy a "yarn" with him, as he intimately knows the history of Mudgee and district for the past 50 years. He passed through Mudgee 65 years ago with his parents, en route to Hargraves, Mudgee then being a very small Mudgee indeed. Mr. Bryant can well remember the late John Dixon taking a team load of flour to Hargraves. Flour was very scarce there at the time, and the miners surrounded his team, all desirous of purchasing some. Mr. Dixon soon got rid of the load. He did not measure it, but ladled it out in pint and quart pots, and he would not sell it in big lots until every miner who so desired had purchased a quantity. Meeting with so much success it was only natural that he took more flour and other necessaries of life to Hargraves. Mr. Dixon afterwards started the firm of Dixon and Burrows, the latter being his son-in-law. Mr. Bryant could entertain one with similar reminiscences for hours. Wouldn't veteran James Cottee, of Redbank, and he have a grand old time talking of the old golden days? Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 1 October 1908, p. 17. George Bryant Sold business

IN MEMORIAM. The Late Mr. G. H. Bryant. The Rev. T. J. Curtis conducted a service at St. Paul's Church, Hill End, on last Sunday evening, in memory of the late George Henry Bryant. There was a large congregation. In the course of his sermon, which had for its text Rev. vii.9, Mr. Curtis said that the deceased was born in Sydney on May 9, 1837. From Bathurst, whither he had gone with his parents and the other members of his family, he removed to Hargraves, at that time a thriving mining centre, and commenced business. He was there married in 1860 to Mary Ann Petrie. To them were born three sons and four daughters, all of whom, in due time, successfully and happily married, and they all, with their mother, survive. In 1871, Mr. Bryant, with his wife and family, went to reside at Hill End, and continued there to the close of his life. “The Hill” was still famous for its large population of miners and great output of gold. Our deceased friend's prosperity in trade enabled him to amass a fair competency; but incomparably the best gift of God to him was a true, faithful, helpful, loving, Christian wife. Together they trod the upward path, lived the holy life, honored and served God themselves, and diligently trained their children in the heavenly way. A prominent colonial statesman once said that every child born in the land is worth at least £500 to the public estate; but the value of upright and pious parents cannot be reckoned in coin. According as we sow shall the harvest be. It is not surprising that, profiting by the precept and example of their home life, all those children, in their adult years, became honored, respected, useful and loved members of the community. Mr. Bryant had for years been afflicted with heart trouble, and in July last he became a confirmed invalid. His survival for so many months was, without doubt, attributable to his will power and abstemious habits, together with the long and constant care and nursing bestowed upon him by his wife and daughters. He was an eminently charitable, benevolent, respected, trusted, public-spirited man. It was, therefore but natural that he should have been chosen to hold several positions of influence and importance. Until ill-health compelled him to resign, he was President of the Hill End Hospital. During a long period, up to the end of his life, he was chairman of the local Public School Board, and ever manifested the keenest interest in the children. He was a Freemason and an Orangeman. In 1879 he was elected Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, No. 296, Hill End. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were members of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Hill End, and among its most zealous, energetic, and active workers, and he was for many years its hon. treasurer, and on its board of management. His religion was, however, of that vital character which is not content short of a loving, personal communion with God. Thus, from the very Valley of the Shadow of Death he could say to his dear ones: "I fear no evil - I am quite prepared to die." His prayer that his closing hours might be free from acute agony was answered, and in calm and peaceful quietude, his wife and daughters around him, a tender "goodbye " on his lips, and a look of unutterable love in his eyes, he fell asleep in Jesus, within a day of attaining his 72nd birthday. Our profound sympathies go out towards the mourners; but thank God for the Christian hope of heaven, and may it be their sweet and abiding consolation. I feel personally bereaved; for I knew Mr. Bryant well, and to know him was to love him. Unable to reach my friend's death bed, or to be present at his funeral, I most gratefully appreciate the Rev. Mr Baxter's visits to him, and his services in connection with the obsequies. The mortal remains of the departed were followed to their last resting place in the quiet little cemetery among the hills by a large concourse of people, and the whole of the local school children marched thither in procession. " A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour, rather than silver and gold." Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 27 May 1909, p. 13. George Bryant Obituary