RICHARD FROGLEY OBITUARY
Molong Express 29-10-1921
It is with deep regret we record the death of a very old and highly esteemed resident of the Molong district, in the person of Mr Richard Frogley snr., which occurred on Sunday evening last at the residence of his daughter, Mrs E. Burgess of White Flat, at the ripe age of 88 years.
The deceased was born at Denchworth, Berkshire, England in 1833, later removing with other members of his family to Wantage, where his father was manager of an estate owned by Sir Wilby Rook.
Attention having been drawn to the advantages offered by the colonies, the Frogley family decided to emigrate to Australia, arriving in NSW in 1848, under arrangement to Mr Fitrzgerald, the then owner of Trunkey Station near Mudgee.
Some three years later, gold having been discovered in the vicinity, young Richard Frogley was one of the thousands who left their usual avocations in order to search for the precious metal. In turn he prospected on Big Oakey Creek, Sofala, Turon, Little Oakey Creek and Wattle Flat fields, meeting with fair success on several occasions.
From the goldfields he proceeded to Bathurst, then the main centre of western activities, where he took up a farm at Lagoon, Campbell’s River.
On 1 October 1857 he was married to Ellen Brown at All Saint’s Church of England at Bathurst by Rev. Robert Hanson Mayne.
After farming with varying success on the land at Lagoon he came to the Molong district some 47 years ago, taking up land at Garra and there proving his capacity in rural pursuits until 1893, when he retired to live in Orange with his wife, and spent the remaining years in ease and comfort to which his long and strenuous career upon the land had entitled him.
Some few months ago Mr and Mrs Frogley returned to the district to live with their daughter, Mrs E. Burgess, and it was at her residence, surrounded by his loved ones, that the sturdy old pioneer passed peacefully to the Great Beyond at the close of the Sabbath Day.
The late Richard Frogley leaves behind him too, as a heritage, his fine example of high resolve and unfailing endeavour, to wrest from the soil the wherewithal to provide the sustenance of mankind, and to meet and triumph over difficulties and disappointments inseparable from pioneering efforts in a new land.
Mr Frogley leaves behind his aged life’s partner and eight children: Messrs J. Frogley [Poggy, Wellington], A. Frogley [Suntop, Wellington], Bert and Richard [both of Parkes], Mesdames E. Burgess [White Flats], W. Burgess [Pinecliffe], A. Russell [Orange] and Ghillie [Orange], beside 31 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; while Mrs Giffin snr. of Manildra, now in her 95th year, is a sister.
To all these, the public of the town and district, will join in extending sympathy in their bereavement.
For further information see Manildra Memories folder at Manildra Library
