James Lewis

bronwynn said: "john cook was james lewis stepfather"

......

Marriage:

(as bronwyn has it) 1881/5105 Coonabarabran NSW; Lewis, James, to Digges, Janet L.

Death: 1939/3481 Gilgrandra; Lewis, James, son of William (??) and Elizabeth.

NOTE: Obituary and headstone has age for James as 94. This profile has age as 89, therefore was he actually born 5 years earlier in 1844?

Gilgrandra Weekly and Castlereagh Thu 16 Mar 1939

OBITUARY

Mr. James Lewis

Death took from our midst on Saturday afternoon one of the district's oldest and best known residents, in the person of Mr. James Lewis, of Breelong, who had reached the grand age of 94 years.

The old gentleman had not enjoyed the best of health for some years past, but in his various illnesses he displayed wonderful stamina and fighting-spirit, and would rally when it appeared all hope had gone. During the hot summer this year he spent considerable time in the cooler climate of Orange, and on his return had several attacks of sickness. That will to get better was displayed, in all his illnesses even in the last, and truly instanced the resources of the man.

On the Wednesday prior to his death he experienced a fall at his home at Breelong, occasioning, considerable bruising, and he was admitted to Chinnock private hospital for treatment. From the time of his admittance no hope was held out for his recovery and members of the family were summoned to his bed side, and were in constant attendance until the end came about 3.30 o'clock on Saturday. Despite his great age, deceased remained conscious almost to the last, and spoke to ones round his bedside a few minutes before he passed away. On the Saturday morning he even expressed the desire to be allowed to get up.

Born at Windsor, the late Mr. James Lewis came to this district about 70 years ago, when he was located at Mendooran, then known as Mt. Gramby, where he married Miss Janet Diggs (who survives) 58 years ago. As was characteristic of our early pioneers, deceased was not afraid of hard work, which eventually earned, for him considerable worldly wealth.

About 64 years ago, deceased came to the Breelong district, and he selected "Clear View" in September, 1890, and had resided there since. After the Breelong tragedy in July, 1900, "Happy Valley" was taken over. In addition to these properties he interested himself in town property, and at one period was the largest individual property owner in Gilgandra.

In addition to a widow, seven sons and one daughter are left to mourn his loss, viz.: James William, Thomas Henry, Ernest Clive (Sydney), Edward Stanley,. Harold Walter (Sydney), Albert Norman, Melville Carl, and Ivy (Mrs. A.H. Ross).

Two sons, Victor and Allan were killed during the Great-War.

The funeral, which was largely attended, left St. Ambrose's Church of England at 1.30 on Sunday after noon, the remains being laid to rest in the Church of England portion of the local cemetery. The services at the church and graveside .were conducted by Bro. George.