Obituary, Mrs. D. Crampton, Sr.

The Tumut Advocate and Farmers & Settlers' Adviser

14 January 1908

On Tuesday last, between 11 and 12 p.m., there passed away, at her residence in Newtown, one of the first pioneers of Tumut, in the person of Mrs. D. Crampton, wife of Mr. D. Crampton sr, now resident at Lacmalac, the cause of death being senile decay and septic neuralgia of the heart, caused by lifting a log 3 years ago. Dr Mason during that period treated her intermittently, and her kindhearted sons and daughter (Mrs. G. Le Fevre, of Tumut Plains) did all that was possible to minister to her wants and brighten the declining years of her life. In her early years, she was a hard-working, industrious woman, a kind friend and truly desirable neighbor, with an honesty of purpose greatly to be admired.

She was born in 1835, and was therefore 78 years of age at the time of her death. She came to Tumut with her father and mother (Mr. and Mrs. Drew) and a sister (Mrs. Dunn) in 1852, and the following year she married Mr. D. Crampton, who was with the party journeying from Syndey here. Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald was the celebrant, and the wedding breakfast was held in the Woolpack Hotel, which was an antiquated structure then, compared with what it is now.

They made Batlow (then known as Reedy Flat) their first abode, where rich alluvial workings were opened up at the time. Mr. Crampton combined running a small store and butchery there, and what with that and mining be did so well that when a lull occurred at Batlow he was able to come to Tumut and, in partnership with a Mr. Murphy (better known as " Protestant Murphy"), started a butchering business in premises lately pulled down by Mr. C. W. M. Vernon to permit of his erecting his present substantial and cumfortable residence. And it is worthy of note that it was in the same old building that Tom Castro (claimant for the Tichborne Estates) opened later, what he termed the London butchery. This in passing.

A gold rush broke out later at Tumbarumba and Mr. Crampton took over 100 head of sheep and readily disposed of them at £1 per head. He rejoined his partner and followed up butchering in Tumut for some time, until discoveries of gold in other parts (Turon, &c.) attracted his attention, and he left his wife and family in Tumut to try his luck, chiefly confining himself to mining ever since. We deeply spmpathise with the members of the family over the sad bereavement that has fallen upon them, and we are sure our readers will endorse our sentiments, for the family are all deeply respected here.

Deceased leaves behind her a sorrowing husband and six sons, viz: Mr. D. Crampton (Tumut Plains), Mr. E. Crampton (Lobbs Hole), Messrs Henry, Sid and Charles Crampton (Tumut), Mr. Fred Crampton (Gilmore); and three daughters: viz: Mrs. Geo. Le Fevere (Tumut Plains), Mrs. McCorquodale (Sydney) and Mrs. George Gray (Adelong), to mourn their irreparable loss. The funeral took place on Wednesday last at 4 p.m., when a large cortege of sympathising mourners paid their last tribute of respect to the departed.

At the request of her sister, Mrs. Dunn, and in compliance with the wish of the deceased the remains were interred in the   Church of England portion of the new cemetery. Mr. H. W. Hoad very creditably carried out the duties of   undertaker. Rev. W. D. Kennedy officiated at the grave.

Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,

Though sorrow and darkness encompass the tomb ;

The Saviour has passed through the portal before thee

And the lamp of His love is the light through the gloom.

Believe and fear not! in the blackest cloud A sunbeam hides; and from the deepest pang

Some hidden mercy may a God declare!