Obituaries Australia

James Smith, n.d.

image supplied by Neil Smith

That well known and highly respected resident of Pennant Hills, Mr. James Smith, died on Wednesday last. Mr. Smith had been suffering from senile decay and dropsy for the last couple of months; but previous to that led a fairly active life for his age. He was a native of this district, and was born within a short distance of the place where he has lived so long. He was 78 years and 8 months of age, and it can be imagined that he had witnessed some wonderful changes in the development of Pennant Hills. No man could have been thought more of by his neighbours than was Mr. Smith, who was kind-hearted and considerate to all around him. He was one of our largest "land kings," having owned some 600 acres of the pick of Pennant Hills, and a few days before his death he completed the purchase of another good property. He had planted out in orchard over 100 acres. It is over twelve months ago since he apportioned his vast estate between his family but nothing was done about the Bellamy property which he had recently purchased; Mr. C. E. Byrnes, the family solicitor, arriving just as the good old man breathed his last. He leaves a family of eight sons and daughters, Messrs. James, George, Thomas, Edwin, Alfred and Arthur Smith, Mrs. E. Gallard (of Ryde), Mrs. Joseph Harrison (Carlingford), and Mrs. R. W. Cowell (Ermington). The funeral took place at St. Paul's cemetery, Carlingford, on Thursday, and was very largely attended. The Rev. G. McIntosh officiated at the grave.