Obituaries Australia

With great regret we have to chronicle to death of one of the few remaining pioneers of the district – Mr. Joshua Bushell, of Zeredatha, Nangus. The late Mr. Bushell was a native of the Hawkesbury river, some 65 years of ago, born of stalwart parents, immured to hard work and all the privations incidental to the lives of the early settlers of the colony. For several years Mr. Bushell was engaged in sawing timber, in which he was assisted by his family; also in the sale of timber, having a large yard in Gundagai, where the only supplies of sawn timber in the early days could be obtained. Mr. Bushell some 25 years ago, selected land on the Native Dog Creek, near Nangus, styling his place Zeredatha. By his industry and perseverance he added acre by acre to his holdings, until he acquired a considerable and valuable estate, which a few months prior to his decease he sold to Mr. James Robinson (of Kimo) for £11,500 cash. With this amount, and some £4000 obtained from the sale of other properties, Mr. Bushell was prepared to end his days in peace, happiness, and comparative affluence. The direct cause of Mr. Bushell's death was cancer of the inner portion of the mouth, supposed to be caused by smoking a foul clay pipe. The best medical skill was brought to bear to alleviate the sufferings from the dire disease, but unsuccessfully. After a severe operation, performed in Sydney some three weeks ago by the most eminent of the faculty, Mr. Bushell gradually sank, and died from exhaustion last Tuesday morning, at 7 o'clock, surrounded by all the members of his sorrowing family. Mr. Bushell was always prominent in deeds of charity and good fellowship, was noted for his straight-forwardness, integrity, honesty, truthfulness and obliging manner. He was always ready to advise, and his pocket was always open to assist the worthy and deserving. He was the oldest Mason in the district, being the senior member of the Lodge Excelsior, Gundagai (formerly S.C., now N.S.W.) He was also one of the fathers of the Odd fellows' Lodge (Loyal Strangers' Friend Lodge, No. 80.) Mr. Bushell leaves a widow, also four sons and four daughters, to mourn their loss – all grown up to men's and women's estate. Shortly before his death Mr. Bushell purchased a fine property at Marrackville for £1700, where he breathed his last. In Mr. Bushell's death the district, has suffered a great and irreparable loss. We sincerety trust that our loss is his gain; and that the epitome of his life will lead to increased exertions to follow the path of honour, truthfulness, correctness and perseverance.