The passing of Mr Thomas Christian

8 February 1923 The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate

The passing of Mr Thomas Christian removes one of the oldest pioneers of Batlow and other districts surrounding us.

This fine old man reached the shores of this land when it was sparsely populated, away back in 1861,leaving his national heath of Norway when a young man.

He landed at Melbourne, and wandered into N.S.W. after a short period, following the general occupations that meant hard toil, such as fencing, and was for many years a teamster.

He also took part in the removal of snags, from the Murrumbidgee River in order that that stream would become navigable at greater length.

He took on road contracts and other pursuits in various parts of the Southern State, and was brush fencing at Coolac many years ago.

It was at Coolac that he met and married Miss Lucy Glasscock, eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Joshua Glasscock, who survives him. This was on the 13th August, 1875.

There were, ten children to the union, nine of whom are living and one dead.

The surviving family are:- Sons, Messrs Dan, William and Robert, of Batlow, George of Adelong, John of Crookwell; daughters, Mrs Chinsen of Sydney, Mrs Butts of Goulburn, Mrs H. Cottam of Batlow, and Miss Annie of Batlow.

After his marriage the late Mr. Christian settled, for a time with his wife in Gundagai, and took up land at Eurobin, Gocup and was for a time in partnership with Mr W. Glasscock, of Greendale, Coolac, and finally, about 41 years ago, went to Batlow, where he spent the remainder of his days.

9 February 1923 The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser

Continued..

The old home of the Christians is a familiar landmark on the road to Batlow just past the Cow and Calf Rock.

It nestles in a green valley sloping from the road, and there may be seen the only wheat field in Batlow.

By dint of bard work, the old pioneer prospered through the strenuous years, when Batlow was a lone out-post of civilisation, right on to the present time, when he had the pleasure of seeing the miracle of the Batlow railway.

He was of the type that fast is passing away, and more is the pity; that type of man whose home was ever open to welcome the friend who cared to call, as well as the stranger who happened along.

The true bush hospitality would be always found there - a shining oasis in the desert of selfishness.

There are not many living in the vicinity who have not at some time broken of the hospitable bread of the Christians, and by this alone will the kindly old man he entitled to consideration in the Better Land.

Honesty was an out-standing characteristic of the late Mr. Christian; and his was an interesting personality; for, having seen much of men and their ways, his outlook on life embraced a cheery optimism and quaint philosophy, the later being the outcome of great experience and no little reading.

Stout hearted to the last, he walked about his home until the call came, when he sat in his favourite chair and found the journey's end.

Eighty-five years had passed over his head, fraught with usefulness and achievement.

His remains were interred in the Church of Eng-land portion of the Batlow cemetery, Rev. J. M. Thomas (Adelong) officiating, the undertaking being in the hands of Mr Jas. Elphick, of Tumut.

Many beautiful wreaths were laid on the coffin, which was preceded to the grave by brothers and sisters of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, of which society Mr. Christian was a member for half a century.

'After life's fever he sleeps well.'