The Tumut and Adelong Times 2 Oct 1928
PASSING OF A PIONEER THE LATE MRS. J. ATKINSON On Tuesday, September 25, there passed away, at her residence, ''Ashfield Farm," Tumut Plains, Mrs. James Atkinson, at the age of 86. She was a daughter of David Clout, who came from Kent, England, and worked at Landsdowne Park, Goulburn. Her parents were cousins, and her mother was also a Clout. The deceased was one of a family of 12, two of whom are still alive, namely David Clout and William Clout, of Tumut. When 17 years of age, she arrived at Tumut on Cobb and Co.'s coach, and lived for a year or so with her sister, Mrs. George Howard. Three years later she married James Atkinson, whose father had the distinction of being the first musician who accompanied the singing in the slab Church of England building on the first town-site near the present Showground. The instrument used was a haut-boy or a bass-viol. Upon their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson came to Tumut Plains, and, buying a block of land from Mr. John Whitty, of Blowering, they built the present house, which is still in use after 66 years. One son, the only child, is Mr. J. A. V. Atkinson, who has always lived with his mother and has managed the farm. Before his birth, however, Mrs. Atkinson adopted Jane Hoad, the 4-days' old infant of her sister, Mrs. Hoad. who died through accidentally swallowing carbolic acid. Later on, four of Mr. W. Clout's children lived with her when their mother died. Then another sister, Mrs. Foord, died, and one of her children, Mrs. William Sturt sr., was received into the home which seemed open to befriend all the motherless children that needed her care. Nor was she satisfied in caring for her nieces ; she also brought up George Sturt jr, a; great nephew. A true "Mother in Israel," she has always been, and in her adopted daughter, Miss J. Hoad, she has had in return one who has been almost more, than a daughter to her. Mrs. Atkinson became a widow in 1893. From her earliest years, Mrs. Atkinson has been a sincere and loyal member and worker of the Church of England. She was a teacher in the Sunday School in the days of Rev. S. Fox, the first Rector of the Parish of All Saints. Later on, it generally fell to her lot to provide the produce stall at church bazaars. When a Sunday school was first suggested for Tumut Plains, at her invitation the first meeting to initiate the movement was held at her house. Her room was used for classes of various kinds. She was a most energetic and hardworking woman in every department of her busy life, whether as cook or needlewoman, or in the field where she helped with corn-pulling and husking, or with a hammer, for she was quite a handy carpenter. During the war she helped with sewing and knitting. Her last attendance at All Saints' Church was to hear the organ recital, but it was too tiring, and she was unable to go again. Three years ago she fell, shaking herself severely, and since that has needed a stick and has gradually grown weaker. Yet, her strength was wonderful to the last. On the Sunday week before her death she was pushed round the house in her chair and then taken for a short car drive. But she went to bed feeling weary and never rose from that bed again. It was a gradual sinking to rest — no pain, but consciousness left her. She was attended by Dr. Clouston, and the Rev. F. W. Rettie visited her to the last. She passed away calmly on Tuesday last. She had fretted for the loss of her grandson four months previously. He had been kind and attentive to her, and she missed him. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs Fuller and Burt, and a very large cortege of friends and relatives followed to the pioneers' cemetery, where her remains were placed beside those of her husband. The coffin was carried by Messrs J. Clout, W. Crampton, Bert McAlistor, Arthur McAlister (nephews) and A. Sturt and G. Sturt (grandnephews). Rev. F. W. Rettie read the burial service, and many beautiful wreaths and floral tokens were sent from those who desired to show their appreciation of the sterling character of the sturdy old pioneer, wife and mother. |
