James Coombes (1840-1927)

Biography
He arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on on the Victoria with his parents.

Obituary
MR. JAMES COOMBES. On 12th inst. there passed away to the Great Beyond an old and highly respected resident of the Forbes River in the person of Mr. James Coombes. The deceased was born at Blackwall, England, 87 years ago on 10th October last. With his late patents he landed at Newcastle 78 years ago, after the long sailing ship voyage. of those days from England. The family went. from there to New England for a time, engaging in rural pursuits. Later the family came and settled on the Forbes River. This would be about the year 18659. The late Mr. Coombes was married at Yarrowitch, 60 years ago, to Miss R. Lennon. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Septimus Hungerford, who is now living in retirement in Sydney, he having to travel from Armidale to that centre on horseback. Of the union there were nine children, viz.. Mesdames Buttsworth (Fassifern), Kirby, Burke and Connelly (Sydney), A. Henry (Ellenborough), and Messrs. J. E., Charles W. (Hastings River), Albert (Bulga), and John (Forbes River). Messrs. John and William Coombes, of the Forbes River, are brothers of the deceased, and Mrs. E. Hollis, Kindee, is a sister. Three brothers predeceased him, and two sisters were killed in childhood through a log rolling on them. The deceased was an expert amongst stock, both as a stockman and a drover, and his services were much sought after in his younger days. For a number of years he was head stockman on Yarrowitch and Moorabach stations, and for a number of' years was bead drover for Yarras station. The deceased was of a pleasant disposition, plain spoken, upright, honest and most obliging. The writer well remembers, being in a difficulty whilst droving cattle from the Hastings to New England when the late Mr. Coombes came along. He grasped the situation and at once offered or rather forced his services to be accepted. And when the job was completed he refused remuneration in any shape or form, saying " when I see a friend in trouble it is a privilege to assist him out of it." Such an action is hard to 'forget. The interment took place on the old homestead, and was attended by a large and representative gathering of relatives and friends. The Rev. W. H. Evans officiated at the graveside.

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