Mary Wade Family

MARRIED,
By the Rev. Alfred H. Stephen, at Christ Church, Sydney, on the 2nd instant, by special license, James Brooker, Esq., of Wollongong, to Elizabeth Willison, second daughter of the late William Willison Wood, Esq., of the city of Cork, Ireland.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 4 September 1852 p 8 Family Notices

ILLNESS OF MR. JAMES BROOKER

On Saturday forenoon last, Mr. James Brooker, of Fairy Meadow, was taken suddenly and seriously ill. It appears that while on his way into town in a dog-cart, his right side from the shoulder to the foot suddenly became paralysed.

Mrs. Allum, of Fairy Meadow (to whom Mr. Brooker had given a seat in the dog cart as he was coming along the road) noticed the whip fall out his hand, and a motion on the part of his body as if he were about to fall helplessly over the side of the vehicle.

She at once caught hold of him, and thus probably saved him from falling out of the cart on to the road. This occurred about midway between Fairy Creek and the Hospital. Mrs. Allum at once called for help, and Mr. Dennis Williams being just approaching the road from the lane leading to his residence, that gentleman hastened to the assistance of Mr. Brooker, whom he found quite unable either to speak or move.

With the assistance of others. Mr. Williams drove the vehicle with Mr. Brooker to the Freemasons' Hotel, where every attention was at once paid to him, and Dr. Thomas called in to his aid.

After some time, the patient's speech returned a little, and in the course of the afternoon he was removed to his home at Fairy Meadow. We are happy to learn that he had somewhat improved on Sunday and yesterday, though still quite, prostrated.

Very great sympathy is felt for Mr. Brooker and his family, he being one of the oldest residents of the district, being also very deservedly respected. He has also been very active and useful as a public man, more especially in connection with North Illawarra Municipal Council, of which he was Mayor for several years.

Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950) Tuesday 23 September 1879 p 2 Article

The death informant was his wife Elizabeth. The death was registered at Wollongong on the 26th of April 1880. Source: copy of death certificate.

Witnesses to the burial were G. W. Commins and John Williams.

Death of MR. JAMES BROOKER.

Many of our readers will remember that we recorded toward the latter part of last year that Mr. James Brooker, of Fairy Meadow, had been suddenly seized with a severe attack of paralysis. With careful treatment, however, he improved so much that in the course of a month or two he was enabled to move about with a little assistance and be driven in a buggy for some distances.

Thus he appeared to have a prospect of living for some time, until within the past few weeks something of the character of a relapse of the stroke completely prostrated him, and finally resulted in his death on Monday last.

His funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, a large number of individuals paying their last tribute of respect to the deceased by following his remains to the grave in the Congregational Cemetery.

The Rev. G. Charter officiated on the occasion, and in compliance with the dying request of the deceased, several members of the choir of the Congregational Church sang over the open grave that beautiful hymn, commencing —

" Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
0, Lamb of God, I come."

Mr. Brooker was 65 years of age, and had resided in this district since very young. Of late years he was best known to the public in connection with the North lllawarra Council, of which he was for several years an Alderman and more than once Mayor.

In the council, as with regard to other matters with which he had to do, he displayed very considerable intelligence and energy, and he was much respected. He leaves a widow and one son and two daughters to deplore their loss.

Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950) Friday 19 March 1880 p 2 Article