Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), Saturday 18 May 1918, page 4


OBITUARY.

MRS. R. FRASER.

(From our Own Correspondent.)

Strathkellar, Wednesday.

The many friends of the late Mrs. Fraser, until lately, resident at Muddy Creek, will learn with regret of her sud- den death, which took place at the resi- dence of her daughter, Mrs. Taylor, of Strathkellar, early on Tuesday morning. The old lady, who for some time past, has been in delicate health, was upset by the severe thunderstorm on Sunday night, but by Monday afternoon seemed to have quite recovered from the shock. However, about four o'clock on Tues-day morning, she was seized with a heart attack, to which she succumbed before

the doctor, who was called by telephone,

arrived. The late Mrs. Fraser was one of the oldest residents of the Hamilton district. Born in Norfolk, England, on 31st January, 1845, she arrived in Port-land in 1852, having sailed to Australia in the vessel Marmion, which for some time was stranded in Portland Bay, the crew having deserted to go to the gold diggings. Shortly after arriving in Victoria, Mr. and Mrs. Mason, with their daughter Jane (afterwards Mrs. Fraser) went to reside in the Balmoral district, but after a number of years, moved to Mason's caves, near Hamilton. In 1865 the late Mrs. Fraser was mar-ried to Mr. Robert Fraser, of Glencoe, Hamilton, who 18 years ago, bought the farm Seesford, at Muddy Creek, which, until a couple of months ago, belonged to Mr. Fraser. For the last two months

the old couple had lived with their daughter, Mrs. Taylor, at Strathkellar. The late Mrs. Fraser had a family of six girls and five boys, six of whom, (three sons and three daughters), are left to mourn the loss of a good mother. Mr. Fraser, who is in failing health, survives his wife, and the greatest sympathy is felt for the old gentleman in his sad bereavement. Mrs. Fraser was of a kindly disposition, and had en-deared herself to a large number of friends. With the death of Mrs. Fraser the district has lost one of its pioneers, who by their grit and indomitable spirit, have made Australia the fair land it is. Year by year the early settlers are passing away, and their noble work seems to lie almost unrecognised. All honour to the hardy pioneers who " blazed the track" for us. Mrs. Fraser was truly one of these.