Mrs Matilda Ann Field, relict of the late John Alfred Field, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Clark, 32 Patten Avenue, Merrylands, on December 15, at the age of 78 years. Deceased, whose maiden name was Sutton, lived in Penrith for many years and left the district about seven or eight years ago. Her husband died in 1913. Surviving daughters and sons are: Grace (Mrs Clark, Merrylands), Will (Mayfield), Norman (St Marys), Ada (Mrs Aga, Mayfield), Hilton (Auburn), and Victor (Parramatta). Another daughter, Ruby, predeceased her. There are 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The funeral took place on December 17, proceeding to Penrith general cemetery, C of E portion. The service was conducted by Rev. W. Watts, of Merrylands.
Mr. Thomas Albert Field, of Lambridge, died at his residence on Wednesday, at the age of 81 years. Deceased was a native of the district, in which he lived all his life.
He leaves a wife and a large family. For over 30 years he was associated with the Salvation Army. The funeral took place on Thursday, the cortege being headed by the local Army. The interment was in Kingswood cemetery.
Lambridge has lost one of its oldest residents in the person of Mrs. Field, whose death took place at the residence of her son, Charles, at Lambridge, shortly after midnight on Tuesday last, at the age of 90 years. Deceased was a native of Parramatta, her maiden name being Higgs. As a girl she went to reside at Lambridge, and was married to Mr. Thomas Albert Field, who predeceased her several years ago. She was highly respected in the district. One daughter and three sons survive her, viz., Mrs George Bellingham (Lambridge), Messrs Thomas (Penrith), Ernest (Mt. Druitt), and Charles (Lambridge). Two sons and daughters predeceased her.
The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon, the interment being in the Church of England portion of Penrith General Cemetery. Rev. H.N. Powys and Rev. D.C. Hughes conducted the service.
(This obituary has been abridged to take out the irrelevant details of the funeral service)
DEATH OF MR. JOHN VENESS
Mr John Veness, of St. Marys, who died on Monday of last week, was the youngest son of the late John and Ann Veness, and was born at Cawdor, near Camden, September 22, 1857. He was married to Mina Jane Hawkey, daughter of the late Richard and Ann Hawkey, in March, 1885, at Camden Methodist Church by Rev. Orr. He carried on farming at Cawdor until 1904, when he purchased the property at Werrington now occupied by Mr Alf Walsh. Disposing of this, he made his home at Station Street, St. Marys, where he spent the remainder of his life.
His wife predeceased him six years ago. One son, Frank, of Menangle, and six daughters - Amy (Mrs J. McPhee, Springwood), Rita (Mrs W. Gibson, Werrington), Ida (St. Marys), Pearl (Mrs N. Field, St. Marys), Ruby (Mrs J. Adams, St. Marys),and Florence (Mrs W. Brear, Ryde) survive. One daughter, Elsie, died in childhood.
Deceased was closely associated with Methodism at Camden and later at St. Marys. He was a trustee for over 30 years of the local Methodist Church and was treasurer until just before his passing. With Mr A. Ferris, also of Camden, deceased made an intensive canvass of Camden district on foot and on horseback, securing promises of support for a scheme to establish a hospital at Camden. Their work enabled the hospital to be opened in rented premises, and, after carrying on for about four years the present Camden District Hospital was built to meet the increased demands. Deceased was connected with the Sons of Temperance Lodge at Camden and Penrith for sixty years. He was a member of L.O.L. No. 11, St. Marys, for many years.
The funeral took place on Thursday of last week, the interment being in the Methodist Section of Penrith general cemetery. The service was conducted by Rev. P.H. Curtis.
A very estimable resident of St. Marys, Mrs Mina Jane Veness, wife of Mr John Veness, passed to her rest at her home, "Carmona", Station Street, St. Marys, on Sunday, at the age of 71 years. Although deceased had not been in the best of health for the past six years, it was not until the last three months that she was forced to give up active work. Mrs Veness was born at Camden, being the daughter of Richard Hawkey. She was married to Mr John Veness, at Camden, on 25th March, 1885. Twenty- eight years ago Mr and Mrs Veness came to St. Marys to reside, and have played a very commendable and honourable part in the affairs of the community. Deceased was a faithful and constant supporter and active worker of the Methodist Church, and even within a week of her death was busy sewing for a bazaar. She was a member of L.O.L. 377, but owing to ill health had not been able to attend meetings for some time. She leaves to mourn her loss, as well as her sorrowing husband, the undermentioned son and daughters:- Frank (Menangle), Mrs McPhee (Springwood), Mrs Gibson (Werrington), Ida (St. Marys), Mrs Field (St. Marys), Mrs Adams (St. Marys), and Mrs Brear (Lakemba). Deceased was the first of a family of eleven, whose ages aggregate about 800 years, to pass away.
The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Monday. A service, conducted by Rev. A.E. Putland, was held at St. Marys Methodist Church, which was crowded. The interment was in the Methodist portion of Penrith general cemetery, Rev. A.E. Putland again conducting the service.
Among the many mourners was Rev. E.E. Hynes, Chairman of the Parramatta District of the Methodist Church, who is a nephew of deceased.
Camden News of 22 August 1901, reprinted in the Camden News of 7 March 1957
It is with feeling of the deepest regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Richard Hawkey, senr., of Menangle who expired somewhat suddenly at his late residence on Thursday night, 15th inst. The deceased gentleman who reached his sixty fifth year in March last, was born in Camelford, Cornwall, and arrived with his wife in this Colony in the ship Plantagenet, 1857, 44 years ago, and from that to the present time has resided in the Camden district. Was first employed by the late Mr. Hobb, storekeeper, of Camden, and afterwards worked for about 10 years with the late Mr. John Tickner, of Razorback. For the last 28 years Mr. Hawkey has been connected with the Camden Park Estate, of which time for fifteen years he held the onerous position of farm manager, and for the last nine or ten years has been one of the largest dairy farmers on the estate. The late Mr. Hawkey, who lost his wife and two daughters some years ago, leaves six daughters and five sons, and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. Hindes, of Camden, and a large number of friends followed to the place of interment. Much sympathy has been expressed for the various members of the family in their sad bereavment. The members of the Royal Order of Foresters, Camden branch, attending in mourning regalia. M.W. Chief Ranger, Bro. Stephen Kelloway, read the sad funeral rites at the grave.
Sighted, but source and date unknown - Matthew died 18/8/1897
About 5 pm on the 18th instant Mr Matthew Dorrough passed away quietly at the residence of his son, North Lismore. The deceased gentleman was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on January 12th, 1803, and at the time of death was over 94 years of age. He was married to Miss Martha Bogle in 1828, and lived near Strabane until 1841, when they decided to come to the Antipodes, landing in Sydney in February, 1842. They lived in the metropolis until the end of the following year, when with others, they decided to settle at Shellharbor, then known as Town's Estate, where they remained until 1857. Subsequently they settled at Dapto, where Mrs Dorrough's health failed, which compelled her husband to give up the farm, and make a home for himself and wife with one of their sons. Mrs Dorrough died in 1869, and her husband remained with the son until 1882, when they came to the Richmond, the old gentleman living here up to the time of his death. Mr Dorrough leaves behind him two sons, three daughters, 31 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren. It may be remarked that Mr Dorrough voted at the first election in Australia and exercised the franchise at the election in 1894. His remains were interred in the North Lismore cemetery last Thursday afternoon, the Rev. T.F. Potts officiating. A large number of relatives and aquaintances assembled to pay their last respects to an old resident, whose Christian life had always been worthy of emulation.