Obituaries Australia

The sudden death of Mr Thomas Stubbs, of Cattai, on the 10th inst, came as a shock to all who knew him, for right up to within a few minutes of his death the deceased was apparently in his usual health and spirits. But it was no secret to himself and those near and dear to him that he suffered from heart disease, so that the sudden snapping of the vital cord was only what might have been expected. This trouble had frequently manifested itself, and deceased had been attended by Dr Gibson. On the morning of his death he had walked from his own home to that of his son, Mr Amos Stubbs, a distance of a few hundred yards. Soon after arrival, weakness came over him, and in a very short time his life had ebbed away. The late Mr Stubbs was 68 years of age. In 1858 he married Miss Ellen Bride, of Cattai, and settled down to farming pursuits in that locality. Nine children were the issue of the marriage, and his widow and all the family survive him. The daughters number seven, five of whom are married, viz , Mrs Sorlie (Sydney), Mrs Mills (Parramatta) Mrs Stockwell (Erskinville), Mrs Painter (Parramatta), and Mrs Walsh (Parramatta); the single daughters are the Misses Bertha and Elsie Stubbs, who, with their brother, William, live at the old home, while Mr Amos Stubbs, the other son, lives nearby. The funeral took place on the Monday subsequent to death. The cortege, which was a very large one, consisting of over 30 vehicles and a large number of horsemen, proceeded, from the deceased's late residence to the Pitt Town Church of England. In the church a solemn service was held, the choir first singing the hymn, 'Hush, blessed are the dead.' Before the service concluded the rector, Rev. W. S. Newton, M.A., and the Rev R. Edgar (Presbyterian), addressed the mourners, both speaking affectionately of deceased as one with whom they had had a good deal of intercourse, and eloquently of his many noble traits of character. Then the mortal remains of one who was beloved by all, and whose descendants are highly respected members of our community, were conveyed to 'God's acre,' and tenderly and reverently committed to mother earth. Four nephews carried the remains to the grave; they were Messrs. Alfred, William, and Albert Stubbs, and Mr M. Horan. At the grave-side Revs W. S. Newton and R. Edgar again delivered touching addresses, referring to deceased's good and charitable life, and to the high tribute paid his memory by the large concourse of people present. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Thomas Collison, and the coffin was a beautiful cedar one with silver mountings.