Obituaries Australia

Thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace, thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

On the 26th. ultimo there passed away at Upper Sackville Reach the 'grand old man' of the Hawkesbury District — Mr Tristram Dunstan. He was perhaps the oldest native resident of the Hawkesbury River, for he was born at Wilberforce and at the time of his death — his cheek the map of days outworn — he was in his 94th year.

Of no distemper, of no blast he died —
But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long;
Even wondered at because he dropped not sooner;
Fate seemed to wind him up for four score years,
Yet feebly ran he on ten winters more.
Till like a clock worn out with eating time,
The wheels of weary life stood still.

Those who attended the funeral of his wife, a little over twelve months ago, will remember the beautifully pathetic scene of the grey-haired and reverent old man who sat at the head of the grave whilst one dearer than all else on earth to him was laid to rest. There were no finer characters in the Hawkesbury District than Mr and Mrs Tristram Dunstan— and they rest from their labours now. The family from which the late Mr Dunstan sprang were remarkable for two things — their piety and their longevity. They were all good, wholesome, hearty christians, who never used their Religion as a stalking horse, but who rather allowed it to blushingly veil its sacred fires. He leaves a family of five sons and five daughters, and four sons are well-known Church of England clergymen, viz: — Venerable Archdeacon (Ephraim) Dunstan (Mudgee), Rev. Charles C. Dunstan (Bondi), Rev. Tristram Dunstan (Warracknabeal, Victoria), and Rev. William Dunstan (Forbes); the other son is Mr David C. Dunstan, who has been living at the old home for some little time. The daughters are Mrs Howell, wife of Venerable Archdeacon Howell, of Blayney; Mrs Stephenson (Sydney); Mrs Fred A. Stubbs (Ebenezer); and the Misses Rachel and Jane R. Dunstan, who lived with their father. Messrs. Benjamin Dunstan (Wilberforce) and James Dunstan (Pitt Town), both of whom are over 80 years of age, are brothers of the late Tristram Dunstan, whilst two of his sisters, Mrs Everingham and Mrs Fleming, lived to the respective ages of 83 and 89, and died, the first in 1907 and the latter in 1908.

The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, when the remains were laid to rest beside those of his wife in the cemetery of St. John's, Wilberforce. At this church deceased was a devout worshipper for many years. The chief mourners were: Ven. Archdeacon, Revs. Charles C., William, and Mr D. C. Dunstan; Mr and Mrs Fred A. Stubbs; Mrs Stephenson, the Misses R. and J. R. Dunstan; and Messrs Benjamin and James Dunstan. There was an enormous attendance at the funeral, and this is not to be wondered at for the late Mr Dunstan was beloved by all classes of the community. The service was conducted by Rev. W. S. Newton, M.A., rector of St. John's, assisted by Rev. Norman Jenkyn, rector of St Matthew's C.E., Windsor. At the conclusion of the service Rev. W. S. Newton paid an eloquent tribute to the exemplary character of the deceased. Mr J. W. Chandler, of Windsor, carried out the funeral arrangements.