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James Holmes (1826–1907)

by William Mitchell

The fell messenger of Death has been visiting Windsor again, and one by one are passing away, one of the recent victims being my esteemed friend for many years, Mr James Holmes. While on a visit to Windsor a few weeks ago, I met him and had a few minutes pleasant talk on scenes of by-gone days, and he then seemed well and hearty, for one of his advanced age. My late friend has had a long life; and an honorable one too, as I feel sure all who knew him will readily admit. I had a good many business transactions with him, some of them many years ago. Amongst the many, both in Richmond, Windsor, and surrounding districts for a period of 40 years with whom I did business, none did I value more than my departed and esteemed friend, and it was always a pleasure to me to do business with him. Whatever he had done he was a strong believer in having it done well, and all I did for him was always to his entire satisfaction. He was a great lover, like myself, of a good horse and I never knew him to drive a bad one. He was just and upright in all his dealings, and while somewhat hasty and impulsive in his manner, he had at the same time a kind and most sympathetic disposition. He is a loss to Windsor where he had lived so long, and will be keenly missed. His familiar figure in the Windsor streets will be missed by all classes of the community both old and young. But such is life. We live in a world of change, and often disappointment, and we pass away as a tale that is told, and the place that knew us once sooner or later will know us no more for ever. So death is the common lot of all— none are exempt. The young die. The old must. To the sorrowing widow and bereaved family I offer my heartfelt sympathy, for the loss of a loving husband and kind and dutiful father.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

William Mitchell, 'Holmes, James (1826–1907)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/holmes-james-27421/text34856, accessed 8 October 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

7 May, 1826
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Death

29 August, 1907 (aged 81)
Windsor, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

pneumonia

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.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation