Rebecca Frances Ashcroft (1854-1937)

Obituary
OLD COLONIST'S DEATH. Mrs. Rebecca Frances Dean, of Preddy's Road, Bexley, died at her home on Wednesday, January 20, aged 82 years, having resided at the one address for 18 years. Her husband died at Bexley in 1925, aged 74 years. She is survived by two sons and a daughter. Her eldest son is Inspector H. W. Dean, officer-in-charge of the Petersham police division, who was previously sergeant in charge of the Kogarah police for eight years. The other son, Mr. V. C. Dean, is a resident of Molong. The daughter is Mrs. F. Berridge, of Bexley, who before her marriage was a teacher at the South Hurstville School for six years. Ray Wallace Dean, another son, was killed in action in France in 1918. The late Mrs. Dean was born at Menangle in 1854, but when 19 years of age went to Cudal, where her father carried on pastoral pursuits. He was born near Appin, and was one of the earliest settlers on Macarthur's Cowpastures Estate. In 1875 the deceased married William Dean, one of the first free settlers under the old John Rob- ertson Land Act, and commenced married life at Manildra, formerly known as Flash Jack's Flat. The nearest neighbor was over ten miles away, on the track leading to the gold diggings in the Forbes district. After remain- ing there many years they sold their farm and took up another selection near Molong, where they lived for 25 years. On their retirement the old couple came to reside at Bexley, where both ended their days. — 'Hurstville Propellor.'

__SHOWFACTBOX__