Cudgegong Valley History Project

Dropped Dead. Sad Episode at Rylstone. Mr. James Gately, of Dabee, Rylstone, one of the oldest residents of that district, dropped dead on Thursday last. The old gentleman was standing speaking to Mr. James Morrison. His horse, which was attached to a sulky, began to move off. Mr. Gately ran to stop the animal, and then got into the sulky. Just as he sat down Mr. Morrison heard a sigh and saw his friend fall forward. Medical assistance was secured, but life was found to be extinct. Only a few minutes before the sad occurrence the deceased had remarked to Mr. Morrison that he felt in splendid health. Deceased was a very old and respected resident, and the news of his death will come as a shock to many. To the sorrowing relatives we extend our sympathy. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 11 May 1914, p. 2. Death James Gately

THE LATE MR. GATELY. By the demise of Mr. James Gately, one of the oldest district identities, passed away. He came to this district in the employ of the late R. M. Fitzgerald's father, and had been in constant employment on the station for close on 40 years, being principally employed in charge of the station team and farming section. Kindly and generous he had no enemies, and was regarded by all who knew him as a kindly old man, ready to help and assist in any worthy object. He leaves a family of four daughters and four sons to mourn his loss, and his widow survives him. Deceased was 77 years of age. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 14 May 1914, p. 26. Obituary James Gately

Mr. James Gately. The sudden death of a well-known and highly-respected resident of the Rylstone district, in the person of Mr. James Gately, took place at his residence, Dabee, Rylstone, on May 6, at the age of 77 years. Deceased was born at Probus, Cornwall, England. He came to Australia in a sailing vessel in 1855 and resided at Dabee for the last 43 years. He leaves a widow, five sons and five daughters. Messrs. William, Mortimer, John, Herbert and George, and Mrs. Pryor, Mrs. Carroll (Sydney), Mrs. McHugh (Sydney), Mrs. Trimble (Stockinbingal), and Miss Valerie Gately. The remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery, at Rylstone. - R.I.P. Catholic Press, Thursday 21 May 1914 p. 30. Obituary James Gately

MRS. JAMES GATELY, RYLSTONE.

Quite a gloom was cast over the town of Rylstone on Tuesday morning, June 4, when the sad news spread that Mrs. Gately, of Dabee, Rylstone, had passed away. A native of Sofala and daughter of the late John Smeed, of the Two Mile - one of the oldfamilies - few were better known and respected. Deceased was a kind and good neighbor, and the wayfarer was never turned from her door without being the recipient of her bounty. Her family of five sous and five daughters are: Messrs. William,Mort, John, Herb, and George; Mrs. J. Pryor, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. McHugh, Mrs. Trumble and Miss Val Gately. The funeral took place on Wednesday, 6th ult., the Rev. Father Corbett reading the last prayers at the grave. The attendance of friends andmourners and of the general public was large - a final tribute to the memory and evidence of the respect in which the deceased had been held in her lifetime. - R.I.P. (Freeman's Journal Thursday 4 July 1918, p. 34)

DEATH OF MRS. JAMES GATELY.

On Tuesday, 4th inst., Mrs. James Gately, of Dabee, Rylstone, passed away, after a brief illness. It was known that Mrs. Gately was confined to her bed, but danger was not realised until the last hours of Monday. She was in her 67th year, andhad resided at Dabee with her family for 46 years, her son William being manager of the estate. A native of Sofala, and daughter of the late John Smeed, of the Two Mile - one of the old families - few were better known and respected. Generallyof good health, her oldest friends might well have predicted her life would have reached the allotted span. She was a kind and good neighbour, and the wayfarer was never turned from her door without being the recipient of her bounty. And as shelived, so the good woman died, loved and honoured by her family of five sons and five daughters who survive. They are: Messrs. William, James, John, Herb, and George Gately, Mrs. J. Pryor, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. MriTugh, Mrs. John Trimble and MissVera Gately. The funeral took place on Wednesday, 6th inst., the Rev. Father Corbett reading the last prayers at the grave. The attendance of friends and mourners and of the general public was large, a fine tribute to the memory and evidence ofthe respect in which the deceased had been hold in her life time. - R.I.P. (Catholic Press, Thursday 27 June 1918, p. 39)

Death of Mrs. J. Gately, Sen.

After a brief illness or just over a week, Mrs. James Gately, of Dabee, passed away on Tuesday morning. The deceased lady had been a frequent sufferer and her indisposition did not alarm her friends, but the acute nature of the attack on thevictim's lungs became manifest as it progressed, and the only daughter in attendance feared there would be no recovery, and despite all that constant medical attendance by Dr. Hansard and nursing could do, Mrs. Gately passed away early onTuesday morning. Deceased was a native of Sofala, and daughter of Mr. J. Smede, of the Two Mile. After the marriage with her late husband they came to Dabee in the employ of Mr. Fitzgerald some 46 years ago, and there they remained, trusted andhonored servants, until death parted them. Since her husband's death Mrs. Gately and her family of three members remained in the old home, discharging the duties of their position straight and upright in all things. The name of Gately has beenhanded down to a surviving family of live sons (William, Mort. John, Herb, and George) and five daughters (Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. J. J. Pryor, Mrs. McHugh, Mrs. Trimble, and Miss Vera Gately, all of whom were present on the last day of theirparent's illness. The deceased was interred in the Roman Catholic portion of the Rylstone General Cemetery, the Rev. Father Corbett officiating. The remains were followed to their last resting place by an enormous assemblage of friends of the family,testifying to the great respect in which the family was held. (Mudgee Guardian and North Western Representative, Thursday 13 June 1918, p. 21)

OBITUARY LATE MRS. H. T. C. GATELY Mrs. Harriett Terese Catherine Gately, of West Korora, died at the Coffs Harbour District Hospital on Thursday, January 24, after a brief illness, at the age of 70 years. She leaves a husband, Herbert Smeed, and was the mother of Fred (Gosford) and Roy (Korora). Another son, Walter, was, killed in action at El Alemain during World War II. Deceased came from Rylstone to Coffs Harbour in 1930 when her husband purchased a banana plantation and resided here since that date. Messrs. C. H. Everingham and Co., of Coffs Harbour, conducted the funeral at Coffs Harbour Cemetery on Saturday, after a service at St. Augustine's Catholic Church by the Rev. Father Mullins, who also officiated at the graveside. Coffs Harbour Advocate Friday 1 February 1952, p. 7. Obituary Harriett Terese Catherine Gately