Obituaries Australia

Edward Pearson, n.d.

photo provided by family

We regret having to record the sudden death, from heart disease, of Mr. Edward Chas. Pearson, one of the pioneer residents of this district, and whose name will be with thousands of people located here as familiar as a household word. It appears that the deceased went out for a ride over the run on Saturday, and on his return complained of feeling unwell, and retired to rest, and early in the morning following expired quite suddenly. The deceased gentleman was the son of the late Mr. John Pearson formerly of Hampshire (England), and came with his family to this colony 50 years ago, and was educated at King's School, Parramatta. He arrived in this district about 28 years ago, and was for some years manager of Pomingalarna Station, then owned by Mr. John Church. After that Mr. Pearson married, and lived for some time at Flowerdale, then the homestead of the Wagga station, which at one time pretty well included what is now the site of the town of Wagga. Subsequently Mr. Pearson bought the Sandy Creek Station, and settled there about 23 years ago. The deceased gentleman's brothers are Messrs Stephen and Robert Pearson. The former has been manager of the Commercial Bank, Parramatta, for years, and is now on a holiday trip to Europe; and Mr. Robert Pearson is now, and has been for many years, manager of that institution at Yass. The deceased gentleman, after the death of his first wife, married Mrs. Best, the relict of the late Robert Best. One of his sisters is Mrs. Myles, the widow of the late Laurence Myles, a very successful tobacco planter upon the Hunter River. A second sister, Mrs. F. A. Tompson, wife of our late respected townsman, one of the earliest pioneers of this district, is still amongst us, and a third sister of the deceased, Mrs. E. H. Tompson, wife of our late Clerk of Petty Sessions, is also with us; as also are a great number of respected descendants. The deceased has left a widow and only one child, the wife of Mr. J. R. R. Ross, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, at Junee Junction. The Messrs. Best and their relatives, connected with the late Mr. Pearson, are engaged in pastoral pursuits in the district, and are well known and highly respected. By the death of Mr. Pearson a worthy colonist is lost to the country. The deceased gentleman had thoroughly earned a very high reputation for strict probity—a keen sense of honour distinguishing all his dealings with his fellow man and a kindly, genial disposition. Above all things, his word was his bond, a sufficiently uncommon attribute in these degenerate days; and with so many good and admirable qualities it is no wonder that he should have easily obtained the regard and esteem of the extensive circle of acquaintances and friends to whom his sudden death, at the age of 62 years, will be a matter of sincere regret, and who will sympathise with those nearer and dearer ones whom the deceased gentleman has left to mourn their loss.

The funeral took place yesterday, the remains being followed to their last resting place by a great number of persons, the cortege including over 40 vehicles, a number following on horseback, and others on foot, Among those present were noticed Messrs. J. Gormly, M.P., E. B Tompson, H. B. Fitzhardinge, S. Hawkins, F. C. Hogg, P. Moran, J. Kudd, W. Rand, F. Best, R. Best, J. McKay, C Corthorn, T. S. Bellair, J. Cox, G. Cox, C. J. Tompson, E.H. Tompson, and a great many leading citizens, who could not be distinguished in the throng. The Venerable Archdeacon Pownall conducted the funeral service in an impressive manner.