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Frederick Dirck Wittenoom (1821–1863)

We very much regret having this week to record the death on Wednesday last of Mr. F. D. [Frederick Dirck] Wittenoom, Sheriff of the Colony and Acting Colonial Treasurer, an event which will be deeply felt by a very large circle of friends and relatives, both here and in the mother country, and which certainly demands more than a mere passing notice at our hands.

The majority of our readers will hardly need to be reminded that the present object of our regret now was one of the very first comers to this settlement, having arrived with his father, our late lamented Colonial Chaplain, amongst the first batch of pioneers. At that time he was a mere boy, but as soon as circumstances would admit of it he entered the service of the Local Government in a subordinate capacity, and gradually advanced until be filled the office of Guardian of Juvenile Immigrants, which afforded fair scope for the development of that sound judgment and those business qualities which have distinguished him throughout his brief career. Mr. Wittenoom subsequently filled the office of Sheriff, an appointment which he held to the day of his death, in conjunction with that of Acting Colonial Treasurer, in both of which responsible and difficult positions he proved himself a most excellent public servant.

It was not only in the service of the Government, however, that Mr. Wittenoom was such an important and valuable member of the community. His worth was known and appreciated by many absentees from the colony, over whose interests he was appointed to watch, and it will indeed be even a harder matter to replace him in this more peculiarly private capacity than in his public position. But as his public and private business transactions bear the uniform impress of honor and impartiality it is difficult, as well as unnecessary to discriminate between them.

The illness which terminated in Mr. Wittenoom's death was of short duration, and his end was calm and somewhat sudden. The estimation in which he was held by all classes was manifested by an universal solicitude during the time he lay on his bed of sickness, and in the general deep feeling of regret when he was no more. He has departed in the prime of life, being only a little beyond forty years of age, unmarried, but still with a large number of near and dear relatives to mourn over their irreparable loss.

We had much pleasure yesterday in observing a Notice that the Public Offices were to be closed this morning during the time the funeral was taking place, and in hearing that His Excellency the Governor intended to be present at the sad ceremony.

Original publication

Citation details

'Wittenoom, Frederick Dirck (1821–1863)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/wittenoom-frederick-dirck-18165/text29731, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1821
England

Death

20 October, 1863 (aged ~ 42)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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