Cudgegong Valley History Project

Death of an Old Resident. A very old resident in the person of Mrs. Woods, passed away at her son's (Mr. Robert Woods') residence, Flirtation Hill, on Tuesday morning, at the ripe old age of 78 years. Senile decay was the cause of death. De-ceased was the relict of the late Robert Woods, who for years was the stock inspector in this district. The late Mr. Wood it was, in company with late William Blackman, who captured Charlie Johnson, the bushranger. The Woods family is a large one, and includes nine sons and two daughters, besides numbers of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The sons are Messrs. Robert (Mudgee), Arthur and John (Wilbetree), Charlie (Cudgegong), Albert and Walter (Gulgong), Herbert (Port Macquarie), Edgar (Dubbo), and Henry (New Zealand); the surviving daughters are Mesdames Jas. Rayner (Limestone), and J. Hextell (Cudgegong). The funeral was held on Wednesday, the remains being interred in the Presbyterian portion of the general cemetery. In consequence of the absence of a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. F. J. Branch officiated at the grave (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 22 November 1906, p. 13).

Mr. Charles Wood, a highly respected resident of Cudgebegong died suddenly at his residence. He had not been in good health for some time but his death was not expected. He leaves a widow and six children. The deceased gentleman was a member of a well-known and highly respected district family. His father was stock inspector in the Mudgee district for many years, and lived at Cudgegong, Mr. Charles Wood married Miss Rayner, sister of Messrs. Robert Rayner (Mullamuddy), Archie Rayner (McDonald's Creek) and Henry Rayner (Cudgebegong). Messrs. Arthur Wood (Mudgee), Robert Woods (recently returned from active service), Walter Wood (Cudgegong) Herbert Wood (Sydney) and E. G. Wood are bers of the deceased. The funeral took place at Gulgong, and was largely attended. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 16 August 1917, p. 15. Obituary Charles Hope Wood

WILLIS - HEXTELL The wedding was celebrated in the Church of England, Cudgegong, on Wednesday last of William Willis, only son of Mr. Frederick Willis, of Rylstone district and Bertha Florence, daughter of Mr. Joseph Hextell of Cudgegong. The Rev. Mr. Thompson, of Rylstone, was the officiating clergyman. The bride was given away by her father. The wedding breakfast was held at the bride's parents residence Mudgee Guardian, Monday 29 April 1918, p. 2. Wedding Willis and Hextell

Deaths JOHN WILLIAM WOOD. The death occurred in the Mudgee District Hospital yesterday afternoon of John William Wood, a very highly respected and esteemed resident of Gulgong and Mudgee, at the age of 70 years. The deceased is survived by the following bers: Arthur (Mudgee), Robert (Mudgee), and Walter (Bathurst). The remains will be interred in the Methodist portion of the general cemetery tomorrow (Friday) morning. The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse will officiate at the graveside, and Mr. J. C. Swords has charge of the funeral arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 27 November 1919, p. 20. Obituary John William Wood

WEDDING. HEXTELL - SKINNER. A very pretty wedding was solemnised at St. John's Church, Cudgegong, on December 27, when the Rev. W. V. Thomson, of Rylstone, united in the holy bonds of matrimony Mr. Joseph Hextell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hextell, of Cudgegong, and Miss Hilda Maud Skinner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Skinner, of Cudgegong. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her bRother in-law, wore a beautiful gown of cream crepe-de-chene, with a shell pink train, trimmed with wreaths of orange blossoms and pearls, and wore the customary wreath and veil, and carried a bouquet of white roses and snowdrops. Miss Hextell acted as bridesmaid, while little Phyllis Morris, of Bexley, acted as train bearer. Mr. Cecil Hextell carried out the duties of best man and Mr. Perram played the Wedding March. The bridegroom's gift to the bride was an oak piano. The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a pair of gold sleeve links. After the ceremony a reception was held. Dancing was continued till midnight. Among the presents were several cheques. The bride's travelling dress was of navy blue, with hat to match. Their future home will be at 'Avonside,' Mudgee. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 16 February 1920, p. 2. Wedding Hextell and Skinner

In Memoriam HEXTELL - In sad but loving memory our dear father who departed this life 17th July, 1928, aged 74 years, ‘Could we have been there at the hour of your death, To have caught the last sight of your fleeting breath, Your last faint whisper we might have heard, And breathed In your ear one loving word. Only those who have suffered are able to tell The pain at the heart of not saying farewell.’ Inserted by his sorrowing daughter and son-in-law (Leila and Walter Pitt) - Cudgegong.

HEXTELL - In loving remembrance of our dearly beloved husband and father, Joseph Hextell, who departed this life 17th July, 1928, aged 74 years. ‘We who loved you sadly miss you, Though we know that God knew best, When he eased your pain and sufferings, And he laid you down to rest. No tongue can tell, no words can say , How much we miss you day by day. So good, so kind, while on this earth, We miss you most who knew your worth.’ Inserted by his sorrowing wife and son (Roy) - Cudgegong. Mudgee Guardian, Friday 19 July 1929, p. 7. In Memoriam Joseph Hextell

In Memoriam HEXTELL. - In ever loving memory of our dear husband and father, who departed this life, July 17, 1928, aged 74 years. 'What happy hours we once enjoyed, When we were all together; How sad and changed it all is now, Since you have gone forever.' Inserted, by his sorrowing wife and son, Roy, Cudgegong. Mudgee Guardian, Wednesday 16 July 1930, p. 3. In Memoriam Joseph Hextell

DEATH Mr. Robert Woods THE death occurred in Sydney on Thursday last of Mr. Robert Woods, one of the best known residents of Mudgee, aged 72 years. He had been indisposed for some time and his death was not unexpected. Deceased spent the best part of his long life in this district. He was connected with the staff of the road superintendent's office for a lengthy term, and afterwards followed various other pursuits. A born bushman, the spirit of adventure was always strong within him, and when the call went out for volunteers to hunt the Breelong murderers - Jimmy and Joe Governor - he was one of the first in the field. With others, he was never very far from the fugitives, and assisted materially in bringing about their capture. Some time after the war broke out he linked up with the Australian forces, although well past the military age. He served his country well, and returned to spend the rest of his days in Mudgee. He is survived by the following sons and daughters: Roley (Mudgee), Robert (Portland), Percy (Concord), Stanley (Bankstown), Mrs. B. Tilley (Dee Why), and Miss Amy (Sydney). Five bers and two sisters are also left to mourn - Albert and Arthur (Mudgee), Walter, Harry and Herbert (Sydney), Mrs. Hextel (Cudgegong), and Mrs. Rayner (Limestone). To the bereaved relatives the deepest sympathy of the whole district will be extended. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon to the Methodist portion of the Mudgee cemetery, the service at the graveside being conducted by Rev. P. H. Curtis, with the assistance of Rev. R. W. Wannan, the local returned soldiers' padre. A contingent of returned soldiers marched in the cortege as far as the bridge. At the graveside Mr. R. Hazel sounded the "Last Post." Messrs J. C. Swords and Son had charge of the funeral arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 3 June 1935, p. 4. Obituary Robert Wood

MRS. ANNIE RAYNER One of the fine old ladies of the Gulgamree-Limestone district, in the person of Mrs Annie Rayner died in the Mudgee Hospital on Monday at the great age of 86 years. Deceased was the widow of the late James Rayner, who pre-deceased her by 10 years. She was a gentle, kindly soul, and earned the love and respect of everyone in the community To the family of sons and daughters will go out the sincere sympathy of the whole district. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place to the Methodist portion of the Cudgegong cemetery on Tuesday, the Rev. Hunter, of Rylstone performing the last sad rites at the grave- side. Messrs. J. C. Swords and Son controlled the arrangements (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 7 January 1937, p. 1).