Obituaries Australia

The news of the death of Mr. C. H. [Cornelius Hancock] Crofton, of Taree, came with painful suddenness to his many friends throughout the town and district on Wednesday last. About a week previously Mr. Crofton contracted a severe cold, which developed into bronchitis, and although the medical attendants (Drs. Gormley and Muscio) advised care, nothing of a serious nature was anticipated — the patient being cheerful almost up to the hour of death. At 3 p.m. on Tuesday he took a bad turn, and speaking to one of his daughters, said: "I am going on a long journey." At a quarter past 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning the end came peacefully and suddenly — failure of the heart's action being the immediate cause. Only about two minutes before he died he was conversing with his daughters. This was the deceased's first and last serious illness.

The late Mr. Crofton was born at Western-Super-Mare, Somersetshire, England, in the month of May, 1824, and was therefore in his 82nd year. At the early age of seven years he accompanied his parents (the late Chidley John Crofton and Mary Crofton) and his six brothers and sisters to New South Wales, arriving in Sydney in October, 1833. Deceased's father was for upwards of fifty years a local preacher of the Methodist Church, both in England and New South Wales. In the year 1839 he removed with his family to Maitland, where he died in 1867, beloved by all around him.

The late Mr. C. H. Crofton arrived on the Manning and settled at Taree about the year 1855, and had had an unbroken residence here of over 50 years. There were only four houses in Taree when he came, and for some few years he lived near where the public wharf now stands. Later on deceased erected the brick residence in which he resided for 45 years — up to the time of his death — and which is one of the few really original landmarks of the town. He afterwards built and personally conducted the brick store in Victoria-street, now occupied by Messrs. Wood, Bros. A brother and a sister of the deceased survive him, viz., Mr. Geo. Crofton, of East Maitland, and Mrs. White, of West Maitland. The sons and daughters are Mr. Fred. Crofton (Maclean), Mr. Charles Crofton (chief engineer of the s.s. City of Grafton), and Mr. John Crofton (Taree); Mrs. H. W. Flett (Taree), and the Misses Emily and Carrie Crofton (who reside at the old home).

His kindly face and cheery voice will be much missed in the town, also his familiar figure as a spectator at the cricket matches — the deceased being a keen follower of that game. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and believed in worship in the home also. Regularly every morning he would retire to his study and spend an hour in meditation and prayer. He was a kind and affectionate father, and "His children rise up to call him blessed."

By disposition he was quiet and reserved, and not given to boasting or show. His wife, who was formerly a Miss Barker, of Parramatta, died some few years ago. Mr. Crofton was a heavy loser by the failure of the Building Societies, in which he had invested some £3000.

The remains were interred in the Dawson Cemetery on Thursday afternoon last, when a very large concourse of mourners attended, evidencing the great respect in which the deceased gentleman was held by all sections of the community. The coffin was covered with wreaths. The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. B. Lane, who delivered a feeling address.

Mr. S. A. Levick was the undertaker.

We extend our sympathy to the bereaved.