Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Sunday 23 December 1804, page 2
DEATH ᴏꜰ
Mʀ. THOMAS SMYTH.
Between 10 and 11 in the forenoon of Wednesday last an express was received in town, stating the almost sudden death of Mr. Tʜᴏᴍᴀꜱ Sᴍʏᴛʜ, Provost Marshal. On Thursday morning the body of the deceased arrived in Sydney ; and by Hɪꜱ Exᴄᴇʟ-ʟᴇɴᴄʏ’ꜱ Order an Inquest assembled to enquire into the circumstances that occasioned the above Gentleman’s death ; Mr. Tʜᴏ-ᴍᴀꜱ Mᴏᴏʀᴇ appointed to act as Coroner.
At 11 in the forenoon the Inquest was
convened ; when from the most respectable and undoubted testimony it appeared the deceased had gone to the house of Mr. Wɪʟ-ʟɪᴀᴍ Bᴀᴋᴇʀ of Hawkesbury, storekeeper, on Sunday last, and appeared to enjoy a much
better state of health than he had for some months past ; but that between two and three on Tuesday afternoon he was seized suddenly with a convulsion, which rendered it neces-sary to call in the assistance of Tʜᴏᴍᴀꜱ Aʀɴᴅᴇʟʟ, Esq. Magistrate and Residentary Surgeon at the above Settlement, by whom he was attended accordingly ; that during his illness, which lasted until between the hours of twelve and one on Wednesday morning every possible attention was paid to him, as well by Mr. Arndell as by Mr. Ba-ker, and Family ; but that every appearance of life then disappeared.
Mr. Smyth’s death is much regretted, as he was universally respected for his humanity in acquitting himself of the duties of his office ; the generosity and benevolence of his heart ; the affability of his manners, and the placidity of his disposition.
The hour appointed for the interment was five on Wednesday evening ; which turned out rainy and unfavourable; but neverthe-less, the most respectful attention was shewn to the passing bier by all classes of inhabit-ants ; and notwithstanding the extreme bad-ness of the weather, the procession was con-ducted with a solemnity suited to the occa-sion, and to the general regret — moving in the following order :
Regimental Fugalman
Officer and Firing Party of fifty Soldiers
Full Band, playing the Dead March in Saul.
The Rev. Mr. Marsden
Supported by four of ⎫ THE ⎧ Eight of the Asso-
the Sydney Loyal ⎬ ⎨ tion to relieve
Association ⎭ BIER ⎩ alternately
Female Mourners
Male ditto
Officers of Police
Seamen belonging to His Majesty’s ships
Buffalo and Investigator
Royal Marines
Sydney Loyal Association New South Wales Corps
Officers,
Civil, Military and Naval | Hɪꜱ |
Two | Exᴄᴇʟ‐ | Governor’s Orderly Troopers | ʟᴇɴᴄʏ’ꜱ | Serjeant
| Carriage | One Trooper
About six o’clock the procession reached the burial ground ; and after the funeral obsequies were concluded, three rounds were fired over the grave by 50 of the New South Wales Corps, in token of the high respect due to the remains of a true Patriot, a loyal Subject, and a worthy Member of
Society.