Obituaries Australia

This week we have to record the death of Mrs. James Hicks, wife of Pastor Hicks, which sad event took place at her residence in Prospect on Wedneaday morning last. Mrs. Hicks was in her 69th year, and was a native of Ryde. Just 48 years ago she was married to Pastor Hicks, who up till about eight years ago was a resident of Ryde, since which time the old and highly respected couple have been residing at Prospect. For about six months the deceased had been under the care of several doctors, including Dr. Brown of Parramatta, and Dr. Lloyd of Hunter's Hill, for an inward growth and, though she bore up till the last, and was up to the time of her death able to get about, she was a greater sufferer than she ever allowed any of her people to know. Recently she was staying at her son, William's place at North Ryde, and it was there that she was attended to by Dr. Lloyd. About a fortnight ago she felt much better than usual and decided to go home to Prospect, where, however, she about a week ago began to get gradually worse, and finally, dropsy setting in, she expired on the morning above named. The funeral took place on Thursday, and was very largely attended to the Baptist cemetery here. Before completing the journey from Prospect to the cemetery the corpse was carried into the Baptist Chapel, where the funeral service was conducted by Pastor Young, who was assisted by Pastor James Spurway. Miss Gallard presided at the organ during the service, and the church was crowded. The "Dead March" was played by Mr. James Marshall, of Dundas. From the chapel to the cemetery the funeral was made still larger by the inclusion of many more district neighbours of the good old lady. Mrs. Hicks was a sister to Messrs. James, Andrew, and Henry Jupp, Mrs. Laver and Mrs. H. Goulding of this district. Besides her husband, Pastor Hicks, who is in his 78th year, she leaves behind to mourn their sad loss a family of 10 out of 16 children, they being Messrs. Jabez, John, William, Eleazar, Jonathan, Barzillai, James, and Joseph Hicks and Mrs. George Gallard and Mrs. Silas Gallard. With the exception of Mrs. Joseph Hicks, who lives at Prospect, all are resident in the district of Ryde and a better set of people it would be hard to find. They are all married and, what is more pleasing to say, in real good ways of living. With so many children and all married it follows that the deceased leaves behind also a number of grandchildren, in all about thirty-five.