Henry May Crouch (c1849-1913)

Obituary
Death of Mr. H. M. Crouch. Parramatta learned with deep regret on the 2nd of January of the death, after only a few hours' illness, of our esteemed old resident, Mr. Henry May Crouch. Mr. Crouch was a native of Greenwich, but he had been a resident of Parramatta for 58 years. He arrived in Sydney in the steamer Ashburton, in the year 1854. He was bell-ringer at All Saints' Church for many years previous to his marriage. He joined the ranks of Volunteers (now the 18th Infantry} when a young man, only 28 years of age, and served in the Parramatta Company for a period of 21 years, retiring when holding the rank of Sergeant. He has been a resident of "May Cottage," Barrack Lane, Parramatta, for the past 34 years. His father, as old Parramattans may well remember, kept the only oil and color store in the historic borough in its early days. It was situated in Cheapside (later known as Fleay's Bnildings), upon the site of which has lately been erected up-to-dato premises. The front of tho old shop is, we understand, now forming one of the windows of T. H. Saunders' boot emporium. The news of Mr. Crouch's end will come as a surprise to many. It was due to a paralytic stroke, occurring in the early hours of last Sunday morning. He leaves a widow and four sons and three daughters to mourn his loss. Mr. H. M. Crouch's eldest son, Mr. H. Crouch's, jun., is a member of the well known firm of Messrs. Crouch and Baker, builders. The second son and his wife and two children are residents, of 'Palm Cottage,' Rosehill. Miss Crouch, eldest daughter of the deceased gentleman, has been for a number of years a well known parochial worker of St. John's, Paramatta, where the family have worshipped for years. Mr. Crouch was married in All Saints' Church, Paramatta North, his wife being a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Eades, of Pennant-street. The funeral moved to St. John's Church, from the deceased's late residence, yesterday (Friday) afternoon, at 2.30. The place of interment was the C. E. cemetery, Rookwood. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of William Metcalfe and Co.

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