Cudgegong Valley History Project

MR. THOMAS MILLS

The death occurred yesterday, shortly after midday, of a very old and highly respected resident of the Mudgee district in the person of Mr Thomas Mills, of Lawson's Creek. The deceased enjoyed excellent health until some three weeks ago when, upon his 85th birthday, he had a seizure. Hopes of his recovery were held out for a time, but a second stroke supervened and the grand old gentleman gradually sank into a coma from which he did not rally. The deceased was born at Wilberforce, on the Hawkesbury River, where he spent his early life. Some 53 years ago he came to the Mudgee district in company with his brother, Reuben, who predeceased him by some 15 years. They were inseparable companions and entered into the work of transporting goods to and from Wallerawang by horse teams. The railway to Mudgee was then just commenced. Later, deceased took up land on Lawson's Creek and with his wife (nee Miss Phipps, of Galambine) resided there until the time of his death. He took a keen interest in public life and for years was an alderman of the old Cudgegong Municipal Council before its amalgamation with Meroo Shire. He was elected Mayor of the same council on several occasions. Deceased was also one of the oldest members of the M.U.I.O.O.F. in the Mudgee district. The late Mr Mills was a man of great strength of character. Kindly, unassuming and generous, he won a high place in the affections of his fellowmen. It could be said of him that he had not a single enemy in the district where he lived and labored for over half a century. His wide knowledge of land and stock was ever at the disposal of those who sought his advice, and his help was responsible for more than one man being placed on the high road to success. Many, indeed, will mourn his passing. Besides a sorrowing widow, he leaves the following children to mourn, viz., Messrs T. C. Mills and W. R. Mills ("Wilgowrah'' and "Yarragrin"), and Jack Mills ("Millroy"), Mesdames C. McLean (Melbourne), J. Vincent (Haberfield, Sydney), C. G. Madell and H. Campbell (Mudgee). The remains were laid to rest in the C. of E. portion of the Mudgee cemetery this afternoon after a short service at St. John's. Rev. L. C. S. Walker officiated. The funeral was a very large and representative one. Mr Barton had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 24 September 1936, p. 8. Thomas Mills Obituary

OBITUARY

THOMAS MILLS The death occurred at Mudgee last week of a very old and highly respected resident of that district in the person of Mr. Thomas Mills, of Lawson's Creek. The deceased enjoyed excellent health until some three weeks ago when, upon his 86th birthday he had a seizure. Hopes of his recovery were held out for a time, but a second stroke supervened and the grand old gentleman gradually sank into a coma from which he did not rally. The late Mr. Mills was a man of great strength of character. Kindly unassuming and generous, he won a high place in the affections of his fellowmen. It could be said of him that he had not a single enemy in the district where he lived and labored for over half a century. His wide knowledge of land and stock was over at the disposal of those who sought his advice, and his help was responsible for more than one man being placed on the high road to suc-cess. Many, indeed, will mourn his passing. Besides a sorrowing widow, he leaves the following children to mourn, viz., Messrs. T. C. Mills and W. R. Mills ('Wilgowrah" and "Yarragrin"), and Jack Mills ("Millroy"), Mesdames C. McLean (Melbourne), J. Vincent (Haberfield, Sydney) C. G. Madell and H. Campbell (Mudgee). The remains were laid to rest in the C. or E. portion of the Mudgee cemetery, after a short service at St. John's. Rev. L. C. S. Walker officiated. The funeral was a very large and representative one.

Gilgandra Weekly, Thursday 1 October 1936, p. 1. Thomas Mills Obituary

DEATHS Mrs. T. Mills BY the passing of Mrs. T. Mills, which sad event occurred on Tuesday evening last, the Mudgee district has lost one of its sturdiest and most lovable characters. Although she had been ailing for some considerable time, and only slight hopes were held out for her recovery, she never for a moment showed despondency. Right till the last her great courage was manifest. Deceased, who was in her 79th year, lived in the district all her life. With her husband, the late Thomas Mills, she went to the old home at Lawson's Creek over half a century ago, and there commenced a long reign of usefulness. First with her came the home life, and she proved a worthy partner to her industrious husband. A large family was reared, and the members were taught in the way that they should go. As the care of the family became less pressing, the late Mrs. Mills, with unbounded energy, entered into the religious and charitable life of the community. She associated herself with the various organisations of the Church of England, and over a long period of years she was foremost in practically every movement launched. The Mudgee Hospital had in her a warm and generous friend. She undertook, in her usual thorough manner, to raise funds in various ways, and the full extent of her gifts in kind to the institution will probably never be known. It was a work of love with her, and nothing gave her greater pleasure than this branch of charitable endeavor. It was, perhaps, in the dark hours of the great war that she performed her greatest and most enduring work. She regarded the boys in the trenches as members of her family, and labored unceasingly to provide comforts for them. The parcels that she was instrumental in having sent overseas bulked largely, and many a gallant lad, far from home and often in desperate circumstances, had reason to bless her. It was only at a recent meeting of the Mudgee Red Cross that Mr. F. , a digger, recalled the good deeds of this "lady bountiful," and spoke regretfully of her illness. In many other ways the late Mrs. Mills made herself helpful. Hospitable and kindly to a degree, she was a neighbor to be treasured, and everyone in trouble who came under her gentle influence was comforted. The whole community will miss her, and while life lasts a wide circle of devoted friends will cherish her memory. Her husband predeceased her some years ago, and she is survived by the. following sons and daughters:-Thomas, William and Jack (Lawson's Creek), Mrs. C. McLean (Melbourne), Mrs. H. J. Vincent (Haberfield), Mrs. C. G. Madell (Mudgee), and Mrs. A. Campbell (Mudgee). To the bereaved ones the deepest sympathy will be extended. Yesterday afternoon the Rev. A. G. Powell conducted an impressive service to St. John's Church of England, and later officiated at the graveside. The funeral was attended by old friends from far and near, and there was many a tear-dimmed eye during the sad service at the graveside. Mr. H. Barton was in charge of the arrangements (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 21 September 1939, page 2).

OBITUARY MR. T. C. MILLS A member of a very old district family, in the person of Mr. Thomas Charles Mills, passed away in the Mudgee District Hospital on Friday last. Deceased, who was the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mills, was born at Wilbetree 76 years ago, and soon afterwards his parents moved to 'Millroy', Lawson's Creek, where they continued to reside right till the time of their death. The late Mr. T. C. Mills followed farming and grazing pursuits during the whole of his long and useful life, in partnership with his ber, Mr. W. R. Mills. In his youth he was a noted cricketer and also took an active interest in district affairs, but of late years he was rarely to be seen away from home. However, right to the last he maintained a wide circle of friends who deeply mourn his passing. Deceased is survived by four sisters and two bers, viz: Amy (Mrs. Campbell, Sydney), Ada (Mrs. McLean, Melbourne), Hilda (Mrs. Vincent, Sydney), Grace (Mrs. Madell, Mudgee), Mr. W. R. Mills ('Wilgowrah,' Mudgee) and Mr. J. Mills ('Millroy', Mudgee). To them deepest sympathy is extended. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place to the Church of England portion of the general cemetery on Saturday, Rev. Canon Powell officiating and Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll conducting the arrangements (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 30 September 1954, page 5).