Alfred Graveley
Don Congregational Cemetery
FUNERAL
The funeral of the late Alfred Graveley will leave his son-in-law’s residence, “Symbister,” West Devonport, for the Don Cemetery at 3 p.m. TO-DAY.
H. Weller, Undertaker
The Advocate 21st November 1904
Death of a Centenarian
At about 5 o’clock on Saturday morning death claimed Mr. Alfred Gravely, who had he survived till February 3, would have reached 100 years. Deceased, then a widower, came to Tasmania 32 years ago to reside with his son-in-law, Hon J. Henry, then of Don, and he passed away at “Symbister”, Mr. Henry’s residence, Best Street, as stated. He enjoyed invariable good health, and possessed remarkable activity for one so old. He was a well known identity in Devonport, and he would be pointed out to a stranger with a suggestion to guess his age. Some would say 70, or a trifle more, and genuine surprise would be expressed on learning that the little old man, who carried his walking stick as if it was hardly necessary to assist his movements, was verging on the century. He was about town less than a fortnight back, and only a week ago complained, and took to his bed. He gradually sank and passed away very quietly.
Deceased underwent stirring experiences in other days. Twice was he shipwrecked, and being good conversationalist with a retentive memory he would relate how when holding on to a hulk of a vessel for his life he saw others, including women, dropping into the water to be torn to pieces by sharks. On that occasion the rescuing ship landed him at Rio de Janerio. The voyage to Australia occupied nine months from the old country, and he landed at Melbourne. Later he sailed for Don in the schooner Maggie, although this was over 30 years ago he wanted but two years of man’s allotted span and possibly thought that the end for him could not be for long. Yet he was destined to witness the wilderness around him converted into the most prosperous and populous agricultural areas in Australia. Deceased leaves two daughters in Tasmania – Mrs. John Henry and Mrs. Mitchell (Hobart).
The funeral takes place this afternoon.
The Advocate 21st November 1904
There passed away at Devonport on Saturday morning a gentleman who was perhaps, one of the best known and oldest figures about the town. Mr. Alfred Gravely, who, had he lived three months longer, would have reached the remarkable age of 100. Deceased was born at Storrington, near Brighton, England, of a Quaker family and made two attempts to reach Australia. On the first the vessel, the Royal Standard, was wrecked off Rio de Janerio, and he returned to England, but again left for Australia soon after in the ship Dover Castle, reaching Melbourne about 40 years ago. He remained there some time, and eventually came to Tasmania, taking up his residence with his son-in-law, the Hon. John Henry. Despite his great age, deceased was to be frequently seen about the town until a few weeks ago, when signs of failure began to manifest themselves. His intellect was remarkably clear, considerably better than that of many men not half his age, and he took a close and active interest in all matters about the town up to within, practically, an hour of his death, which occurred at “Symbister”. He suffered very little pain, and practically slept away. Among the other matters in which he interested himself was sport, in which he was a thorough believer. Of late his greatest ambition was to live until February, so that he might complete his century. His wife died about 6 years before he came to Australia. There was a large family, but Mrs. John Henry, of Devonport, and Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, of Hobart, are the only members remaining in Australia. The funeral took place at the Don yesterday, and the great respect in which the deceased was held was shown by the large gathering of friends, prominent among whom were a large number of old residents of the Don, where the deceased gentleman had passed so many years of his life. The pallbearers were Messrs. R. Ritchie, W. Shaw, H. Lillico and W. T. York. The Rev J. E. M. Roche conducted the service.
The North West Post 22 November 1904
There was a large and representative gathering at the funeral of the late Mr. Alfred Gravely yesterday afternoon, the interment taking place at Don. The principal mourners were the Hon. John Henry and his two sons, Messrs. J. H. and F. Henry, Mr. W. Henry being absent on the mainland. The pallbearers were Messrs. H. Lillico, Russell, Ritchie, W. Shaw, and W. T. York. The Anglican burial service was read by the Rev. J. E. M. Roche. Numerous floral tributes of sympathy were carried in the hearse and were afterwards placed in the last resting-place of the departed centenarian. The Don Co.’s wholesale and retail places of business were closed from 1 p.m. to allow the staff to attend the funeral.
The Advocate 22nd November 1904