Cudgegong Valley History Project

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

DEATHS. BRYANT - February 14, at St. Ronans Private Hospital, Manly, Mary Ann Bryant relict of late G. H. Bryant, Athol, Hill End, aged 66. Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 16 February 1911, p. 8. Mary Ann Bryant Death

A Shocking Accident A Well-known Townsman Crushed to Death Mr. Walter Bryant Killed Of late it has been our sad duty to chronicle the death of several of Mudgee’s most respected and most prominent townsmen, who had reached the vicinity of allotted span allowed to man. On Friday last, however, a death occurred which shook the community to its foundation by reason of its suddenness, the worth of the citizen who had been suddenly called away, and the dreadful circumstances surrounding the occurrence. The name of the citizen to whom the call came was Walter Bryant, one of Mudgee’s foremost citizens. It appears that the deceased, who was a leading butcher, was yarding some bullocks at his slaughter yards on Friday morning, about 11 o’clock, when one beast, a “rogue” broke away. Walter went after it, and the brute suddenly turned on him and charged. The horse tried to turn, but the bullock was too quick, and dashed her to the ground. The rider was flung into the air, and then fell beneath the horse, which came down with the whole weight of its body upon his head. The slaughterman, Mr. W. Paterson, was an eye-witness of the accident. He hastened to the side of the injured man, and at once saw that his head was fearfully crushed. Mr. Paterson made the unconscious man as comfortable as possible, and then, mounting a horse, and galloped into town for assistance. He picked Drs. Lester and Levis up at the hospital. The medical men immediately proceeded to the scene of the accident, and at once saw that the case was a critical one. The unconscious form was removed to the Bank Cottage Hospital, where the doctors decided to take one desperate chance of saving the life of the fearfully crushed man. An operation was performed, but it was of no avail, and the deceased died at 6.45 on Friday night, without having regained consciousness. The late Mr. Bryant was a native of Hargraves being born there 46 years ago. His parents were well known in that part of the State, having won the respect and esteem of the whole community. Walter spent his youth at Hill End, and, even at that time, was noted for his sunny disposition. When still a young man - he - in conjunction with his brother Albert - started in business as a butcher at Sunny Corner. It was at this place that his character began to take on that kindliness which so endeared him to those with whom he came into contact. For 20 years he remained in business at Sunny Corner, and then - some nine years back - came to Mudgee. For a short time he worked under the direction of his uncle, Mr. Douglas, late of Church-street, and now of Gulgong. He then decided to start a business of his own, and established the place in Market-street, which has made such remarkable progress under his management. Deceased was one of those happy natures, which at once attract and hold the respect of all honorable men. He was unobtrusively generous, and laid to his heart the old Masonic tenet for he was an enthusiastic Mason - “Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.” Whenever or wherever one happened upon him there was the same happy smile ever ready on his lips. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was time to sit up and listen, for he never spoke idly. His happy married life had printed contentment indelibly upon his face. And although was a sometimes sick man, he never allowed that to interfere with his spirit. As a matter of fact, the deceased had only just got thoroughly well from a very severe illness, which he contracted some months ago, and which, for a time, caused his relatives much anxiety. The night before the accident he attended the production of the “Sleeping Beauty” at the Town Hall, and was particularly light of heart. He was an earnest supporter of the Presbyterian faith, and took his religion into his business. He did not parade it, but allowed it to influence his every action. It might well be said of the late Walter Bryant, that he had “Lived well, laughed often, and loved much; he gained the respect of intelligent men; and the love of little children; he filled his niche and left the world better than he found it.” Our departed townsman was a member of the committee of the old Caledonian Society, and, of that committee was, unfortunately the first to be called away. He was for years a member of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, and was also an ornament and an ardent supporter of Masonic Lodge Edinburgh - St. John No. 38. He leaves a wife and the following children to mourn: Florence May, Albert George, Francis William, Ivy Vera, Harry Edward, Percy Douglas, Roland Jack, Victor Ernest, Norman Walter and Lily Mary. All are living at home, the eldest being a young man of some 20 years. Other mourners include two brothers viz., Albert and Jack (West Australia), four sisters viz., Mrs. Tait (Mudgee), Mrs. McKenzie and Mrs. Dove (Hill End), and Mrs. Hartcher (Albury), besides Mr. and Mrs. Frank Havenhand (Portland), parents of Mrs. Bryant. WREATHS The following friends of the family deposited wreaths and other tributes of respect upon the coffin:- Mr. And Mrs. Downs, Mrs. Tubbenhauer, Mr. and Mrs. Rayner, Mr. and Mrs, W. Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Orth, The Employees, Lodge Edinburgh-St. John, Mrs. W. E. Everett jun., Miss Cissie Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Redmond, Mr. C. J. Kirkness, Mr. and Mrs. McCully and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. Lowe, Mr. Adam Spies and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith and family, Mr. H. Smith, Mrs. G. Rope, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. McPherson, Mr. H. C. W. Kear and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mrrow, Mr. and Mrs. Petitt, Mr. H. Schipp. Mr. and Mrs. W.Hayes, Katie, Molly & Joe Schipp, Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson and family, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Milton sen., Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. F. Roth, Mr. and Mrs. R. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Cox, Mrs. J. Nelthorpe, Mr. and Mrs. V. D. Cox, Mrs. E. Caplin, Mrs. Bentzen, Mr. and Mrs. C. Gentle, Mr. and Mrs. P. Deane, Mr. and Mrs. F. Brewer and Mrs. G. Cooper. THE FUNERAL The remains of the late Mr. W. Bryant, were interred in the Presbyterian portion of the Mudgee Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. The funeral cortege was one of the largest ever seen in Mudgee, and proved beyond doubt the popularity of the deceased. The cortege was headed by the members of the Friendly Societies’ Association, followed by the members of the various benefit lodges, the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows predominating. Next came the Masonic fraternity in draped regalia. Altogether there were 200 people marching. The hearse was followed by about 140 vehicles. At the graveside the Rev. T. J. Curtis read the funeral service, while Wor. Bro. J. Wheeler conducted the burial service. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 30 September 1912 p. 2. Walter Bryant Obituary

DEATHS ARCHER, Elsie. - August 25, 1959, at a private hospital, Wahroonga, of 35 Nepean Avenue, Normanhurst, wife of the late Samuel Archer, (Ardbrim, Bambridge, County Down, Nth. Ireland), beloved mother of Essie, aged 80 years. Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 26 August 1959, p. 46. Elsie Archer Death

FUNERALS ARCHER. - The Relatives and Friends of the late Mrs. Elsie Archer, of 35 Nepean Avenue, Normanhurst are invited to attend her Funeral: to leave Ernest Andrew’s Chapels, corner Pacific Highway and Thomas Street, Chatswood, This Day after service commencing at 3 p.m. for the Presbyterian Lawn Cemetery, Northern Suburbs. Ernest Andrews, Chatswood. JA2834. JA2835. Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 26 August 1959, p. 46. Elsie Archer Funeral