West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 23 June 1898, page 2


DEMISE OF AN OLD COLONIST.

MR. RICHARD GALLOP, SENR.

On Tuesday last there died perhaps the oldest colonist of Western Australia, at the ripe old age of 88 years and nine months. Mr. Richard Gallop, senr., was

known to all old residents, and particularly to those of the earlier years in the history of this colony. The late Mr. Gallop was one of those who first set foot on Western Australian soil, and who had helped to convert the settlement then formed into one of the leading colonies of the Aus-tralian group. In September of the year when the Swan River Settlement was established-namely—1829—the late Mr. Gallop arrived, in company with his two younger brothers (James and Edward), in the ship Lotus. He was then a young man of 20 years, having been born on September 9,1809. After his arrival Mr. Gallop interested himself in different pursuits. Taking an interest in fruit-growing and viticulture, he, with his brother James, established the well-known Dalkeith Gardens, between Perth and Fremantle. On his marrying Miss Mar-garet Drew he established his orchard and residence, known as "Orange Grove," in Brisbane-street, whereon he resided for a

space of over 60 years. Always of a retiring disposition the deceased gentleman never entered public life, and his daughter, Mrs. H. Williams, says that "she never knew him to be out after dark." Very methodi-cal in his habits, and devoting himself almost entirely to his horticultural and viticultural pursuits, the late gentleman enjoyed the best of health, and was noted for his pleasant and kindly disposition. He possessed a large circle of friends, and was highly honoured and respected. He amassed considerable property, and at one time owned portion of the land upon which the Central Railway Station is now built. Up till the last five years the late Mr. Gallop devoted his time and energies to the improvement of and tending his orchard, but, becoming too aged and infirm to further do so, he disposed of a portion of it, reserving that part upon which his residence stands. The wife of one of his deceased sons, Mrs. John Gallop, and her children have resided with him during the past 14 years. For many years he could not be induced to leave the home he had built and had lived in for so long.

Mr. Gallop had a family of six children —four sons and two daughters. Two of them are still living, namely, Mrs. Harry Williams, of Perth, and Mr. Richard Gallop, of York. He leaves, also, 23 grand-children and seven great-grandchildren, one of whom, a little lad named Harry Fitzpatrick, attended the funeral which took place yesterday.

The remains were conveyed to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, and from thence to the Roman Catholic portion of the

Perth cemetery. Father O'Riordan was , the officiating priest. The chief mourners were Messrs. R. Gallop (son of the de-ceased), F. Gallop (nephew), H. Williams (son-in-law), Mrs. H. Williams (daughter), Mrs. White, and Miss Williams (grand-daughters). The pall bearers were Messrs. H. Strickland, sen., W. Strickland, sen., Walter Padbury, and J. C. Foster. The cortège which was an exceedingly long one, included many of the friends of the deceased and family, among those present being Capt. Campbell, Messrs. J. C. Chip-per, J. Arnold, B. Randford, and others. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. Donald J. Chipper.

We understand that the deceased gentle-man had amassed a considerable fortune from his many properties, and that he has left his grandchildren well provided for.