James Fleay

The Inquirer and Commercial News, Wednesday 12 March 1856, p. 2.

The Devonshire will sail for the Cape of Good Hope and England either to-morrow or the following day; she takes several passengers — amongst them, Mr J. Taylor, Mr. H. and G. Monger, Mr J. Fleay, Mr. Wolley, and Mr Davey.

The Inquirer and Commercial News, Wednesday 25 February 1857, p. 2.

ARRIVED

On the 19th instant, the barque Lady Amherst, Reid, master, from London. Passengers — Mr Taylor, Mr and Mrs Chapman, Mr and Mrs Fleay, D. A. C. General Rennie, Rev. Mr Lynch, Mr Dissney, Mrs Grapel and 2 children. Intermediate —Misses A. & H. Taylor, and Masters, S. and J. Taylor, J. Kerr, wife and three children, W. Wood ley wife and four children, and J. Peak. 'Horses — Thorough-bred entire — Mr Steere. Cart Colt— Mr Taylor,

Parish Marriage record for James Fleay, aged 21, bachelor, farmer, of 41 Union Street East, father John Fleay, farmer, marrying Margaret Johnson, aged 20, spinster, of 49 Union Street East, father Edward Johnson, mariner, on 22 October 1856, at the parish church in the parish of Christ Church, in the county of Middlesex. [Christ Church, Spitalfields,] James signed his name; Margaret signed with her mark.

Western Australian Death registration index record for James Fleay, father John Fleay, mother Jane Cook, born Swan, died aged 63, No. 2783 of 1897.

Eastern Districts Chronicle, Saturday 27 November 1897, p 5.

Death of Mr. James Fleay, Sen.

The duty devolves upon us this week of having to record the death of one of our oldest and most esteemed settlers-Mr. James Fleay, sen.-who expired suddenly at his residence, Oakover, on Friday night last. Mr. Fleay had suffered from various causes of late years, and some few months back his medical advisers recommended a sea voyage, which the deceased gentleman took in company with Miss S. Fleay, his second daughter. Upon his return home the deceased seemed to have benefitted by the change, but a short time only elapsed when dangerous symptoms asserted them selves. He rallied considerably at intervals, and was able at times to superintend the farming operations conducted on the estate. Some days, however, he suffered acutely, and the complaints to which he was subjected were of so obstinate a nature as to baffle the skill of his medical attendants. As late as Friday morning Mr. Fleay assisted in the roping of a horse with his son Frank, but then complained of violent pains in the fore part of the head pains that he stated he had never experienced before. He subsequently attributed the pains to heavy reading of late. In the afternoon he sat down in the kitchen with his eldest daughter and the housemaid-the rest of the family being absent from home-for the purpose of partaking of afternoon tea. This he did, but on rising from his seat at about 5.30 o'clock he fell forward on the floor in an unconscious state, from which condition he never rallied. Dr. Davis was immediately summoned from York, but upon arrival at the homestead held out not the slightest hope for a recovery. Death occurred between 10 and 11 the same night. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, a lengthy procession of friends and relatives wending its way from the prettily-situated hospitable Oakover home to the cemetery at the Gilgerring church. The chief mourners were the six sons of the deceased (Messrs. John E., James, Frank, Walter W., Ernest, and Edwin), Mr. John Fleay (brother), and several nephews. The pall bearers were Messrs. C. Edwards, J.P., J. P Dempster. J.P., Jas. Draper, Jas. Broun, J. Hicks, and D. G. Lynch. During his life time the deceased gentleman was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a large number of brethren from the York Lodge attended in regalia for the purpose of according the mortal remains of their deceased brother a Masonic burial. The beautifully and eloquently-worded ceremony was recited by P.M. Bro. George Wansbrough, and was very impressively rendered. The church burial rites were performed by Canon Groser, of Beverley, and special and appropriate hymns were rendered for the occasion. Mrs. Groser presided at the organ, and as the body was conveyed from the sacred edifice played the Dead March in Saul.

The deceased gentleman was the oldest son of the late Mr. John Fleay, who arrived in Western Australia in the year 1831. He was born in '34, and three years later came over the hills with his father and mother, who predeceased him many years. In 1856, or at the age of 22, the deceased paid a visit to England, where he married, and after an absence from the colony of some twelve months, returned home with his bride, who died only a few months back. Mr. Fleay was a most desirable class of settler, and was a strong supporter of the Anglican Church, having occupied the position of Churchwarden for something like 23 years. He liberally supported the circuit, and his wise counsels in connection with church matters were ever valued. Four brothers survive him namely, Messrs. Charles, Waiter, William and John Fleay.