Photo of the grave of Charles and his little brother Arthur Charles who died aged 4 in August 1878, courtesy of Find a Grave website.
By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
CHARLES William Cunningham was born at Emu Plains in March 1876 to parents Thomas Alexander & Martha Cunningham (Lucas). Thomas married Martha in Penrith in 1873. Charles’s grandparents Edward & Elizabeth Cunningham (Henning/Edgar) came as assisted immigrants on the “Elizabeth” in August 1841 with baby daughter Jane Elizabeth born in 1840. Edward was aged 26 and a labourer and Roman Catholic, Elizabeth aged 20 and a servant and a Protestant. Both could read and write. They moved to the Goulburn district where they held a freehold at Tarlo River and a leasehold at Reedy Creek. It was on Saturday the 29th of August in 1896 that their grandson Charles died peacefully at Hawkesbury Agricultural College Hospital after a brief illness. His parents were both present at the time of his death. He was a student at the Agricultural college for around 20 months and one of the best footballers and all-round athletes in the colony. A first-class musician, Charles was ever ready to use his talent in connection with religious, charitable and social functions and a general favourite everywhere, happy to use his clear bass voice in singing with the church choir as well as being their organist. He was also President of the Christian Union at the Hawkesbury College, Secretary of the Wesleyan Sunday School at Camdenville in the Newtown circuit as well as their organist. Great gloom came over the Hawkesbury Agricultural College by the death of Charles. He was taken sick from work and the Doctor sent for. On the Doctor’s arrival and after a careful diagnosis, the cause of the trouble was inflammation of the lungs that continued for some time and pleurisy set in. Both these illnesses were fought bravely by Charles and by Dr’s Helsham and Gibson, but after these were bought under control, Charles’s heart failed and proved too much for medical skill. Both Doctors were in constant attendance but the end came Sunday morning about 8 o’clock. Charlie (as he was known to all) was a general favourite all through the College and town, especially among his fellow students. The faces of the students at different stages of his sickness was reported to show in what esteem Charles was held. When the result was considered serious, the whole place was plunged into grief, but when it was reported, as it was on several occasions, that Charles was better, there was a cheerful aspect everywhere. On Friday morning he was very low and everyone appeared to be discussing his case in a sorrowful manner, but on Friday evening a change, apparently for the better, so most of his friends had good hopes until Saturday evening when he took ill again and never rallied. Charlie was looked upon as one of the strongest among the whole of the students and was foremost in almost every movement. His kind genial manner won friends everywhere. He was the best athlete in the College, if not the district, and would be missed in all sports and gatherings. Much sympathy was expressed towards his parents in their sad bereavement. They were constantly by his side and the shock was a terrible one to them. Charlie was educated at Newington College and was one of the first students at the Agricultural college. He was considered a very clever young man and had just completed his term and had entered on the last session for his diploma with the feeling that he would have carried it off with honour. He had just passed his twentieth birthday. The funeral took place on the Monday. The Principal of the college was greatly moved by the death of’ such a prominent student. All the students, staff and other friends assembled at the College Hospital and a short service was held by Mr Glasson. Reverend Dr Cameron also delivered a touching and appropriate address to those around. At about noon a start was made for Emu Plains Cemetery, the College students in the charge of Mr Brooks and Mr Musson marched four deep in front of the hearse with about 85 vehicles following. When the procession reached the Wesleyan Cemetery at Londonderry there was another crowd and
the students opened out and the hearse passed between them then Reverend J Tarn conducted the service according to the rites of the Wesleyan Church. A number of the town friends then turned homewards and among those remaining were the relatives of Charles, the Principal and college students. Then on the road towards Penrith several other friends and relatives of the family joined in until there were about 40 vehicles and the funeral carried on to St Paul’s Emu Plains Church of England cemetery. On turning the corner opposite, Mr Lucas, Charlie’s uncle from Emu Plains and another party on foot joined in, including two cadet students from Newington college along with some relatives and friends. Messrs A&N Price of Richmond and Penrith had charge of the funeral arrangements. Charles’s body was enclosed in a polished cedar coffin with silver mountings. Charlie’s parents were deeply affected as were a large number of the students and the Principal Mr Thompson. Among the large number of lovely wreaths sent in, was one from the Principal, students at the College, the Hawksbury football club, the science master, English master as well as one from Newington College and Penrith, St Marys, Richmond and Sydney friends. Charles’s father Thomas died in 1927 at Marrickville aged 82. His occupation was that of a retired grazier. His mother Martha died in 1943 and both are buried in the Methodist section of the Emu Plains cemetery. Photo of the grave of Charles and his little brother Arthur Charles who died aged 4 in August 1878, courtesy of Find a Grave website.
Sources: Nepean Times, New South Wales, Cemetery, Military, and Church Record Transcripts, 1816-1982, Ancestry website, Family Search (Mormon website), New South Wales Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists 1828-1896, Electoral Roll 1842-1864.
