Cudgegong Valley History Project

OLD DISTRICT RESIDENT PASSES We report the death of William James Martin, who passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, 26th. October, at Mendooran. Born in the Mudgee district 75 years, ago, he later on settled in Tooraweenah, and - was one of the earliest settlers in that place, fighting many hard battles, during his life, in addition to rearing a family of seven daughters and one son, when wages were ruling at £1 -per week and found. He was a most conscientious old gentleman, one whose word was his bond. His remains were laid to rest in the Church of England portion of the Dubbo Cemetery by the side of his late wife, who predeceased him about 12 months ago (Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Friday 2 November 1928, page 5).

Sudden Collapse OLD PIONEER PASSES. MR WILLIAM J. MARTIN While laughing heartily during a talk with his. grandchildren soon after his tea on Oct. 26 Mr William James Martin, a western pioneer, suddenly collapsed and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs J. Maberley. Death was due to heart failure. The tragic unexpectedness of the sad event came as a great blow to Mr and Mrs Maberley and family. Post haste Dr Noel Solomons was sent for, but all he could do was. pronounce life extinct. Mr Martin had apparently been in good health, and was hale and hearty. On Friday he was in his usual good spirits and partook of a satisfactory tea. However, he seemed to have a premonition of his demise, as the day before he expired he remarked to his daughter: 'I will not be with you long; I am going to Dubbo to stay,' meaning, presumably, that he would join his wife, whose remains were interred in the Macquarie township some time ago. The late Mr Martin, a native of the Mudgee district, was 75 years of age. He married a Miss Rope, of Mudgee, many relatives of whom still reside in and around that town. For the last 25 years the deceased had resided in the Tooraweenah and Mendooran districts, in which he was well known and highly respected. Among the family who survive him are the following: Mrs C. Maberley (Mendooran), Mrs H. Cooper (Mendooran), Mrs A. Woods (Gilgandra), Mrs J. Neiland (Gilgandra), and Mrs C. Botfield (Gwabegar), for whom general sympathy will be felt. The body was taken to Dubbo on Sunday and buried alongside the grave of his wife (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 1 November 1928, page 34).