The Marvelous Mrs Large.

   If I could be as quarter a woman as this I would be happy, yet I pale in her shadow, so I present to you the writings and obituary's of Mary Ann Large, taken from the Newspapers of the time.
Mrs large is the Mother of Marion Leathem of the Molong Express, enjoy.

See Image: http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/mrs-large-tumut-pioneer.html

1868 Saturday 8 August The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW: 1868 - 1931)

TESTIMONIAL TO MRS LARGE

On Sunday evening last a number of ladies and gentlemen assembled in the Richmond House school-room, TUMUT, lately occupied by Mrs Large, for the purpose of presenting that lady, prior to her departure for Wagga Wagga, with an address and a purse of sovereigns, in recognition to the esteem felt for her personal character, and the valued service in the cause of education she had rendered during her long residence in Tumut. 

Many of Mrs large’s former pupils were present on the occasion.

The Rev C J Byng presided, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to fill the chair on such an occasion, adding that he would willingly have vacated it in favor of an older resident, but no doubt the absence of such a gentle man could be traced to good and just grounds.

Their names appended to the address proved that their warmest sympathies were at the meeting.

The Rev. gentlemen then read a letter from the police magistrate, explaining the cause which prevented him from attending the meeting, and after adverting to the pleasure which Mrs Large must feel in seeing so many young folks present who had been brought up under her able tuition, proceeded to read the following address:-

“Dear Madam,

“We the undersigned residents in the district of TUMUT, having learned with unfeigned regret of your contemplated departure from us after a long and useful residence of 25 years, would desire to express in a substantial and useful form, our high appreciation of your worth as a friend, a neighbor, and as a teacher our patronage and children.

Many around you now, and in this district, can remember you from their childhood, and owe all the accomplishments and literary advantages they possess, and with which they adorn our community, to your careful wise kind culture.

“We can confidently recommend you to the support of all who study the welfare of the young, as one by nature and art admirably qualified to command their respect, win their love, and promote their interests.

“If the expression of our regard should, as we trust it will, secure for you in your future community what you have won here, we shall deem ourselves personally favored.

“In presenting you with this address, and in handing you the accompanying purse of sovereigns, we again express our regret at you departure, and wish you god speed in your new sphere of usefulness.

“We are, Madam,

“Your affectionate friends “and well-wishers.

(Here follow signatures)

The accompanying purse of sovereigns was then handed to Mrs Large,, who was evidently much affected by the expressions of esteem and desires for her future prosperity contained in the address, amidst the applause  of all present.

Dr large then read the following reply on behalf of Mrs large.

Mr Chairman, Ladies and gentlemen, “I regret that the task of returning thanks to you for the honor you have done Mrs large had fallen on my lot, feeling as I do my want of eloquence properly to express myself on her behalf.

In her name I thank you most cordially and sincerely for the sediments of esteem, and desire for the future welfare of herself and family you expressed.

Your recognition of her ability as a teacher, and of the educational benefits she conferred in that capacity during her long residence of 25 years in this district, must be most gratifying to her, and I feel assured that she will continue to manifest the same qualities that have gained your applause in the new spear where she will be shortly located.

When I look around and see of the rising generation who are, I feel assured, a credit to their parents, and a living instance of wheat can be done by strictly intelligent teaching, and discipline mildly yet firmly maintained, when I reflect that many of those who have been educated by Mrs Large are fitted to fill situations of trust and to rise in the world, I feel deeply thankful that her exertions have been recognised and appreciated by their parents and by those present.

My feelings of gratitude to you for the testimonial you have presented to the partner of my life are so indelibly imprinted on my heart that tie can never efface the impression.

At all times and in all places it will afford me the highest gratification to hear of the prosperity of Tumut and of the district, nor shall I ever forget the friends we now leave.

Again accept my tanks, ladies and gentlemen; feelings I was not aware I possessed chock my utterance and compel me to say farewell’

The CHAIRMAN, After Dr large had concluded, he said he firmly believe that the address was the part of the presentation Mr Large would most valued. The dross they have tendered would pass away, but kind words of sympathy, esteem, and love recorded would endure, and would pleasantly remind her and her children of the high estimation in which she will be ever held in the district

It would be a satisfaction to her pupils who were present to remember the presentation of that night, and he trusted that when they become men and woman, and attain to honorable situation sin society, as he hoped they would do, they would all recollect how much they had been indebted in youth to the kind and wise instructions of Mrs Large, he knew that she would ever study the best interests of the pupils in her charge, and in the name of all present he heartily wished God speed to her and her family.

MR NEWMAN seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.

THE CHAIRMAN having briefly expressed his acknowledgements, the proceedings terminated

The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW : 1868 - 1931) Tuesday 8 May 1888

Mrs Large

Concerning the death of Mrs. Large the following is abridged from tho Cootamundra papers: —

A few minutes before 1 o'clock on Thursday, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Cootamundra passed away in the person of Mrs. Large.

This sad event has been looked for almost constantly during the last month, or indeed, we might say during the last three months; during which the aged invalid has been a keen sufferer.

Up to within say two years ago, Mrs. Large was a wonderfully well-preserved fine looking old lady, and few supposed then that she had so nearly approached the allotted span; but about that time her fine constitution began to give way.

Mrs. Large was, conscious almost up to the hour of her death, though the power of speech had left her some time before, and after a prolonged struggle with the common enemy, this good mother and noble specimen of womanhood, fell in to the long sleep. The cause of her illness was ulceration of the stomach.

The deceased lady was 69 years of age, was a native of Belfast (Ireland); her maiden name was Wrixon, a well-known name in the old country, in  Victoria, and other Australian colonies ; and her father was an officer in the Dragoon Guards.

The present Attorney General of Victoria is a nephew of the deceased lady. She was the relic of Dr. Large, who came to Melbourne many years ago and practiced in that city as a physician.

Seeking for change of climate for the benefit of Dr. Large's health, tho family, afterwards settled in the Tumut district, where the head of the house followed his profession for twenty-five years.

They afterwards removed to Wagga; but it was found necessary, for the doctor's health, to return to the salubrious climate of Tumut, though at this time it became evident that his life was not to be prolonged, and twelve months after returning to Tumut he died.

Soon afterwards the widow and her family changed to Cootamundra, and soon established themselves in one of the neatest cottage homes in town; and the advent of the family to Cootamundra was heartily appreciated, as the daughters always made themselves of service in connection with the churches, Sunday schools, social gatherings, entertainments, and public and private enjoyments, besides the good they have done as teachers of music.

Deceased was the mother of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, nine of whom survive her. Mrs. J B. Elworthy is one of the daughters.] It may here be stated that during the illness of deceased old friends of the family came to see her from Wagga and Tumut.

Dr. Anderson was in constant attendance, while her pastor, the Rev. J. Auchinleck Ross, gave much comfort and consolation to the deceased during her prolonged illness by his ministrations.

We feel sure that no one knew Mrs. Large without admiring her; she was a fine, intelligent woman, with many good qualities of mind and heart, and we can safely say we shall not soon Look upon her like again.

The funeral took place on Saturday morning, and the remains were followed to the cemetery by a very large concourse of people.

The coffin, which was of polished cedar, was carried from the hearse to the grave by Messrs. Stephen White (Merribindinyah), E. V. Chilcott, T. McBeath, W. A. Byrne, M. Sawyer (Bethingra), J. J. Miller, J. Barnes, and E. Matthews, and the burial service of the Church of England was read by tho Rev. Mr. Ross.

The Sydney Morning Herald

LARGE -May 3, at her residence. Cootamundra, Marianne, relict of the late, William Large M.D., formerly of Tumut, age 69.

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel

May 1888

The Cootamundra Herald, speaking of the death of Mrs Large, wife of Dr Large, formerly of Wagga Wagga, says:-" Deceased was the mother of 12 children 5 sons and 7 daughters whom survive' her.

Mrs C. F. Smith, of Wollongong, her eldest daughter and   

Mrs Leathem a widow, now the proprietoress of the Molong Express, is a daughter.

While the other daughters are 

Mrs J B Elworthy of Gundagai Times.

Mrs Williamson, whose husband started the first evening newspaper"(the Star) in Wagga.

Mrs. Lowe, (whose husband also was connected with the press as an editor), and 

Miss Matilda and 

Miss Alice Large.

The sons are John Large

And Mr Thomas  Large, co-proprietor of the Southern cross,

Junee."


Link to Dr Large:
http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/obituarys-of-dr-william-large.html

Link to Large Children:
http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/large-childrens-birth-death-marriages.html

Link to Henry Vale & Marion Leathem Family:http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/henry-vale-marion-leathems-children.html