James Eather

Leanne Minny has now merged 2 James Eather profiles, which has created a problem of two different wives named Sarah, who have different parents and different birth dates. Perhaps Leanne can sort this out.

BDM NSW

Marriage 1863/2826 Richmond; Eather, James, to Eathe (sic), Sarah.

Death 1935/22482 Petersham; Eather, James, son of James and Mary A.

The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW) Thu 3 Oct 1935

DIED IN 97TH YEAR . LITHGOW, Thursday.

James Eather, a pioneer, of the Lithgow-Bowenfels district, has died, at the age of 96. He had held the licences of hotels at Bowenfels, Lithgow and Mudgee. He was a native of Richmond, and, as a young man, was a carrier trading between Sydney and the Hawkesbury.

Lithgow Mercury Thu 3 Oct 1935

The funeral of the late Mr. James Eather took place on Wednesday afternoon, interment being made in the Church of England portion of Bowenfels cemetery. The Rev. L. Daniels, who conducted a short service at Messrs. Matthews and Lemon's parlors, officiated at the graveside. Messrs. P. D. and S. Eather (nephews ) , P. Bryant (son-in-law) and P. Lynam (grandson) acted as pall-bearers.

...

Lithgow Mercury (NSW) Tue 3 Jan 1933

LITHGOW FOR LONGEVITY

MR. JAMES EATHER CELEBRATES HIS 94th BIRTHDAY "GOOD TO BE ALIVE"

Mr. James Eather, of Taverner's Hill, Lewisham, celebrated his 94th birthday on Thursday. He has lived the greater part of his long life in Lithgow and district, and is known to almost everybody.

He was born near Richmond, his father being also a native of the Windsor district. Schools in remote parts in those early days were unknown, so he received his instruction in reading and writing from his mother, and so well did she do the job that he is still able to write beautifully.

Mr. Eather's earliest recollections go back to the time when he crossed the Blue Mountains at the age of seven years in a waggon with his father, via Victoria Pass. "My father was the first man to drive a waggon down the Pass," he remarked, "and it was the first time I saw snow. It was June, and the cold was so severe that the load of brown sugar became frozen by the time Bathurst was reached, and crowbars had to be used to get it off."

Up to about 30 years ago Mr. Eather was the licensee of several hotels — the Royal Hotel at South Bowenfels, the Cosmopolitan Hotel at Lithgow, and the hotel at Rooty Hill; yet he himself is a teetotaller and non-smoker, and he attributes his long life to temperance in these things. His father was 89 years of age when he died.

His wife died about 12 years, ago, and of his family four daughters and one son are still living. The daughters in this district are Mrs. Wm. Bryant and Mrs. P. Bryant, of Blaxland Swamp. Nephews of the old man are Messrs. Percy, Stanley and Gordon Eather, of Lithgow, whilst Mrs. Barrett, of Calero-street is a niece.

Until shortly before the death of his son Ernest, at Blaxland Swamp, about five years ago, the veteran resided there, but since then he has lived in Sydney. In an interview he declared, "Yes, it's still good to be alive."

During various periods Mr. Eather devoted his energies to farming, and took great pride in his ploughing skill — he was able to defeat all-comers in ploughing competitions. Fond of horses, he followed country race meetings and kindred sport with great pleasure.

About three months ago he attended the golden wedding celebration of his brother, Mr. Charles Eather, of Carrama, who is 84 years of age, taking great interest in the event.