Cudgegong Valley History Project

The Great Call. Mr. John Rhodes. One of this district's best-known and most respected pioneers, in the person of Mr. John Rhodes, sen., of Limestone, was called to his long home on Thursday, October 2. The cause of death was senile decay. Deceased was 87 years of age. He landed in Australia in 1857, arriving in Melbourne in the old sailing ship "Lightning." Soon after arrival he caught the gold fever, and went to the diggings, but met with little success. Between 40 and 50 years ago he came to Mudgee district, and assisted in the laying out of Hargraves, Merrendee, Louisa, and other district centres. He then went in for general farming, and met with success, gradually improving his property till it was one of the best in the district. He was a careful, thorough, well-read, and obliging citizen, who will be much missed from the community. Deceased was a native of Bingley, Yorkshire, England. He is survived by a widow, 86 years of age, and the following children : - Edwin (Dunedoo), Mrs. Geo. Rayner, sen. (Mullamuddy), Mrs. E. G. Wood (Fairfield, Sydney), Mrs. G. Goag (New Lambton), Albert, John, and George (Limestone). Altogether, over 100 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren survive. He was married for 64 years. The remains were interred in the Methodist portion of the Cudgegong cemetery, Rev. Mr. Rolfe, of Rylstone, officiating at the graveside (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 9 October 1913, page 18).

OBITUARY Mrs. Betsy Rayner, widow of the late Mr. George Rayner, of Mullamuddy, died in Sydney on Wednesday night, aged 75 years. A large grown-up family, including Messrs. H. and T. Rayner, of Mudgee, is left to mourn. The body will be brought to Mudgee to-morrow (Friday), and the funeral will take place to the Church of England portion of the general cemetery at 3 o'clock. Mr. J. C. Swords has charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 16 August 1928, p. 31. Betsy Rayner Death

OBITUARY Mr. Edwin Rhodes THE death occurred on Sunday last at his home, "Hillview" Dunedoo of Mr. Edwin Rhodes at the age of 81. Mr. Rhodes was born at Bradford, England, in 1856. When he was two years of age his father, John Rhodes, came to Australia, and he, accompanied by his mother came to Australia in 1860, when four years of age. The Rhodes family came into the Mudgee district, and his father worked for some years at Guntawang and later took up land at Gulgamree, near Mudgee, which property is now held by Messrs. A. and G. Rhodes, brothers of deceased. Mr. Edwin Rhodes came to Dunedoo over forty years ago and took up the land now held by his son Frank at "Hillview." During his residence in Dunedoo district he proved himself to be a wonderful citizen and was respected by all. He was a fine member of the Methodist Church and was the oldest Methodist in the district. He was a member of the Manchester Unity Lodge for 44 years. A family of four are left to mourn, viz.: Lila (Mrs. J. J. Nott), Merrygoen: Frank, Dunedoo; Ethel (Mrs. Bell), Merrygoen; Amy (Mrs. Pine), Terrigal. His wife predeceased him, some ten years. The long cortege, led by members of the Manchester Unity Lodge after a service in the Methodist Church, proceeded to the Methodist portion of the Dunedoo cemetery, where the burial ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Smith and D.S. Bro. S. Yeo. Mr. R. S. Bayliss, of Gulgong, was in charge of the arrangements. We offer to the mourning relatives our sympathy in their bereavement. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 12 August 1937, p. 9. Edwin Rhodes Obituary

DEATH Mr. A. W. Rhodes THE death occurred in a Mudgee private hospital this morning of Mr. Albert William Rhodes, of Gulgamree, aged 71 years. Deceased, who had resided in the district all his life, was held in the highest esteem by all classes of the community. He followed farming and grazing pursuits over a great many years, and, like most of the Gulgamree men, was a keen supporter of manly sport. In the days when the Gulgamree cricketers were a strong force in the land, with the late Billy Cox and George Rayner as leaders, he was ever ready to take a hand, and always played the game as it should be played. Deceased is survived by a widow and three sons, viz., Lester, Wallace and Hubert, to whom the deepest sympathy will be extended. After a service in the Mudgee Methodist Church to-morrow (Friday) morning by the Rev. R. P. Gibarth, the funeral will leave for the Cudgegong cemetery, Messrs J. C. Swords and Son being in charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 23 June 1938, p. 5. Albert Rhodes Obituary

FUNERALS. GOAD. - The Friends of the late Mrs. SARAH JANE GOAD, (of 47 Regent-street, New Lambton) are kindly informed that her remains will be privately interred in the Methodist Cemetery, Sandgate, to-day (Wednesday). THOMAS MOORE. 777 Funeral Director. Newcastle Morning Herald, Wednesday 14 July 1948, p. 2. Sarah Goad Funeral