The Tumut and Adelong Times 19 Jun 1903
DEATH OF Mrs. MADDEN. We published in our last issue the sorrowful news of the death of Mrs Madden, and promised later on to give a brief outline of the old lady's history. She was born at Shana Golden, Co. Limerick, on the 20th Dec., 1833. In 1839 she came out to this colony with her parents (Mr and Mrs John Madigan), and after spending 18 months at school in Sydney she came to this district, the mode of transit being by a bullock dray driven by late Mr. Thomas Heally, the journey taking 6 months from the time the teamster started from Tumut until he got back home again. At the age of 17 years the subject of our obituary notice was married to James Madden (the marriage certificate was shown to us by Mr. E. J. Madden, and it was signed by Father Maginness, and dated June 20, 1852). Mr and Mrs Madden first settled down at Tarrabandra, and after remaining there for two or three years sold out for the purpose of buying some property at Bombowlee, where they remained for a time, until the opening of the gold diggings rush in Victoria, which attracted Mr. Madden's attention, and during a term of 4½ years there he put together about £2000. He then came back to Tumut, and bought some town blocks, including the one on which he and his faithful wife ended their days, after a sojourn of 41 years in the old homestead. It may be mentioned here that it was the late Mr. J. Madden who built the old Queen's Arms Hotel, and also the store at one time conducted by Mr. Body. Deceased being frugal and careful, was able to provide well for her old age, and has left comfortable bequests for members of her family (three sons and one daughter). There were nine members, but five of them predeceased their parents. Peace be to the remains of the kindhearted and indulgent parent, who was universally respected in the district where she had resided for so many years. The funeral, which took place on Tuesday last, was very numerously attended, notwithstanding the fact that it was a cold, wet day. |