Cudgegong Valley History Project

Headstone reads:
In Memoriam
Thomas Harris
Who died
January 18th 1879
Aged 89 years
Thou art gone to the grave
We no longer behold thee
Nor tread the rough path
Of the world by thy side
But the wide arms of mercy
And sinners may die
For the Sinless has died
Also
Patience Harris
Who died
June 6th 1882
Aged 82 years

Headstone reads:
In Memoriam
Thomas Harris
Who died
January 18th 1879
Aged 89 years
Thou art gone to the grave
We no longer behold thee
Nor tread the rough path
Of the world by thy side
But the wide arms of mercy
And sinners may die
For the Sinless has died
Also
Patience Harris
Who died
June 6th 1882
Aged 82 years

DEATH OE A PIONEER. Mr. William Keech, aged 86, passed away at his residence, Camboon, on Tuesday evening, 14th instant. Deceased was one of the pioneer settlers of Rylstone district, and was one of the most successful. He came from the Motherland. He was not afraid of hard work and long hours, and did things thoroughly. These qualities were the medium of his success. His motto might have been "Waste not, want not." Few, if any men, were more respected, and he leaves a family of sons and daughters who will honorably sustain and preserve the reputation of their parents. Mrs. Keech predeceased her husband by several years. To record all that might be written of the late Mr. Keech's life and connection with this district would run into columns. Suffice it to say that he was a moral, exemplary unit of this locality during the fifty odd years of his residence, and as he lived so he died. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, and was well attended, though the news of the passing had not reached far into the surrounding district. The remains were interred in the Methodist portion of the cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Drummond carrying out the service at the grave most impressively (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 23 April 1914, page 7).

The late William Keech came out to this country with the father of the well-known Dewey family, now deceased. Both were hardy pioneers, and knew how to hold money when they earned it. A coincidence was that both men, though they parted, when landing, eventually drifted to this district. (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 23 April 1914, page 7).

Sudden Death. MR EDWIN KEECH. The news was received in Mudgee last week of the death of Mr. Edwin Keech, formerly of Mudgee, and "Lilydale," Rylstone, and now of Sydney. The deceased, who was 67 of years of age, had been living in retirement for some years past, and had been in very indifferent health. Last week he paid a visit to Wiseman's Ferry, where his son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs. J. Olde reside. The deceased went to Wisemans Ferry with the intention of enjoying some fishing, and after walking some little distance he succumbed into a faint, and died shortly after. The deceased was born at Broombee and lived at Camboon, "Lilydale," Rylstone and Mudgee, and was one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of the Mudgee and Rylstone districts. For many years he successfully carried on farming operations in the Rylstone district, and was considered an efficient farmer and grazier. The deceased was married to Miss Charlotte Mogg, daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Mogg of Mudgee. Besides his widow he is survived by the following children: - Stanley (West Maitland), Vincent (Butta Bucca, Mudgee), James ("Gorn") (Tamworth), Mrs. J. Olde (Wiseman's Ferry), Leslie (Orange), Alice (Sydney). Mrs. Williams (Sydney), Ethel (Sydney), Maurice ("Lilydale," Rylstone, Percy "Lilydale," Rylstone), Marion and Gladys (Sydney). Two other sons Corporal Kenneth and Private Aubrey Keech, were killed in action. The deceased is also survived by the following bers and sisters: - Mrs. Cameron (Mudgee), Alfred (Lithgow), Mrs. Charles Mogg (Mudgee), William (Drayton, near Rylstone), Mrs. George White (Queensland), Arthur (Camboon), Alice (California), Thomas (Camboon), Mrs. George Brown (Mt. Brace, near Rylstone), Wesley (Lismore), Percy ("Loma," near Rylstone), Mrs. West (Sydney), Mrs. Allan Rose (Mittagong). The remains were interred in the Wiseman's Ferry cemetery on Thursday last (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Monday 23 May 1921, p. 8).