Cudgegong Valley History Project

ILFORD. From our own correspondent. Word has just been received here of the death of Mrs. William Harris, of the Ilford Retreat, Fairfield. Deceased was an old and highly esteemed resident of this locality for many years (Lithgow Mercury, Friday 4 February 1898, p. 4).

DEATH. HARRIS, April 20th, 1902. At Huffslea, Millie, William Harris, late of Ilford Retreat, Fairfield. Aged 75 years. Methodist, Saturday 17 May 1902, p. 6. Death notice William Harris

Rylstone Mems.

(From our Correspondent.) Deaths - The passing away of Mr. Abel White is to be recorded. A resident of the district for 50 years, he has watched the growth of Rylstone from its earliest days. He resided at Rockville for a great number of years, prior to selling it to Mr. George McQuiggan. Latterly he has resided at Olinda, and the last two years of his life was spent at 'Wang. He was a brother of Mrs. Thomas Clarke of Mudgee, Mrs. J. W. Hardwick of Rylstone, Mrs. Wilmott, and the late Mrs. Thomas Nevell. A brother of his, Mr. Jethro White of Coonabarabran, died some years ago. He leaves a large family behind him. Four sons - George, Hedley, William, and Oscar, and eight daughters - Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Willis, Mrs. Rohl, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Palotte, Mrs. Allanson; all living except another who died in W.A.

Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 8 March 1906, p. 16. Abel White Obituary

DEATHS. HARRIS. - Samuel Harris, late of Ilford House, Ilford, beloved husband of Mrs. Harris, and father of Stan, Charles, Clarice, Vera, Ralph, Edna, Thelma and Ruby, aged 80 years. Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 11 November 1940, p. 7. Death notice, Samuel Harris

DEATH An Ilford Pioneer The death occurred at his residence, 14 Icely Road, Orange, on Saturday afternoon, of Mr. Samuel Harris, J.P., at the age of 80 years, he being one of the old pioneers of the West. Mr. Harris was born at Ilford, in the Rylstone district, in June, 1860, and spent his boyhood there. When a young man he went on a droving trip to the Moree district, and settled there. He owned a number of extensive grazing properties over a period of years, including the well-known "Balarang" and "Iolanthe" stations. About 40 years ago he returned to his birthplace and purchased, from his father, the family's old home, known as "Ilford House," which was named after Ilford, Essex (Eng.), from where the family had immigrated to Australia. He remained on this property until 1916, when he retired from active life, and, after spending a few years in Sydney, went to Orange, where he had resided for the past 15 years. There were few men who knew the country in north-western N.S.W. and lower Queensland as it was in the 80's and 90's than Mr. Sam Harris. He was keenly interested until his retirement in local government affairs, and was a member of the first Rylstone Shire Council, continuing in that capacity for many years, and occupying successively the positions of vice-president and president. He gave unstinted support to any organisation for fostering the interests of the man on the land, and was for years president of the Garah branch of the Farmers and Settlers Association. He was known to his associates as a man of the strictest integrity, whose word was his bond, and who was noted for his fair and straight dealings. Mr. Harris is survived by a widow who, at the age of 79, has shared the many hardships with him, and a family of eight children - Stan, Sydney, Charlie (Gundagai), Clarice (Mrs. Piper, Sydney), Vera (Mrs. L. A. C. Thomas, West Guyong), Ralph (Mudgee), Edna (Mrs. McGuire (Orange), Thelma (Mrs. C. G. Manwaring, Orange), and Ruby (Mrs. R. Drew, Narromine); also 24 grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 14 November 1940, p. 2. Obituary, Samuel Harris

DEATHS HARRIS.-August 13, at Orange, Eva Jane, relict of the late Samuel Harris and beloved mother of Stan, Charlie, Clarice, Vera, Ralph, Edna, Thelma, and Ruby (late of Ilford House, Ilford). Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 16 August 1944, p. 14. Death notice, Eva Jane Harris.

Deaths Harris, Charles Victor. - February 23, 1961, of 13 Austen Crescent, Belfield, dearly loved husband of Vera Harris, loved father of Claude, Doris, Vera, Ralph, Nancy, Thelma, Patricia and Neville, aged 73 years. At rest. Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 24 February 1961, p. 28. Death notice, Charles Victor Harris