Alexander Hamilton
Don Congregational Cemetery
Died 26th Oct 1888
Age 14 years
Son of Alexander and Martha Hamilton (Née Bonney)
Fatal Accident
A young lad, 14 years of age, named Alexander Hamilton, residing at East Don, met with an accident on Thursday, which terminated fatally. The boy had been to Formby with a young horse attached to a dray, and on the return journey seemed to have been thrown out. His cries attracted the attention of his brother Thomas, who found him lying against a log on the bush track between the main road and the house. The injured lad was conveyed home, but died in three hours afterwards, and before medical assistance could be procured. From appearances it seems as if the horse had bolted and capsized the vehicle, throwing the lad heavily to the ground.
The North West Post 27th October 1888
Inquest
An inquest was held yesterday touching the death of Alexander Hamilton, Jun., before the Coroner (W. S. Allanby, Esq.), and the following jury: F. G. Henderson (foreman), F. R. Duke, John Hardstaff, James Stephens, F. Marriot, H. A. Stephenson, and W. Innes. The jury, after viewing the body of deceased at his parents’ residence, Don Road, adjourned to the Sea View Hotel, Formby. On the way they examined the scene of the accident.
Martha Hamilton deposed that the body was that of her son Alexander. Witness sent deceased yesterday to the Don Company’s store for a bag of oats. He started about 3 o’clock with a horse and dray. He was then in his usual health. Witness next saw him about 5 p.m. Was called by her son, Thomas, and found deceased near the capsized dray. He was much hurt but was conscious. He told witness that he tried to get out of the dray but was frightened. Sent for Dr. Cookson, but he was away. Dr. Payne arrived some hours after, but the boy was then dead. Deceased told witness that the horse he was driving was attracted by other horses in the adjoining paddock, and turned off the road towards them. Deceased was used to driving, and the horse was very quiet. Deceased lived about three hours after the accident. His age was 14 years and 9 months.
To the Coroner: - Deceased was alone.
To the Foreman: - He had no reins.
To the juror: - Believed the dray fell on deceased.
Thomas Hamilton deposed that he resided with his parents. The deceased was his brother. Saw him just before the dray capsized. Witness was crossing through the bush when he heard a noise, which he thought was the horse and cart running away. Called out and went towards the place. The third call deceased answered faintly, and on coming closer witness found deceased resting on the log, and the dray capsized. Then called to his mother and brother-in-law, and they conveyed deceased home. The track or road from the main road is very rough, but deceased was in the habit of driving along it.
To the juror: - The horse was young and not tractable
To the Foreman: - The horse had on a previous occasion run away when an elder brother was driving. Deceased could speak when witness found him. Took the mare out of the dray and galloped away to find the doctor.
Dr. J. W. Payne deposed to being sent for on the previous night, and arrived at the residence of deceased about 8.30 p.m. Deceased was then dead, and had apparently died half an hour previously. Had made an examination of the body and found deceased had received an injury to the back of the neck, a fracture of one of the spines of the vertebra, two or three ribs broken and which perforated the lung, a wound in the left groin, and evidence of internal bleeding, in witness’ opinion, quite sufficient to cause death. Believed deceased was most likely thrown violently against some hard substance, and that the dray had not fallen on him.
The jury, without leaving their seats returned a verdict of accidental death, adding the following rider: - “The jury would like clearly to point out the very great danger of allowing youths of such tender age taking charge of horses known to be restive and unsafe, and especially in being allowed to drive without reins.”
The North West Post 27th October 1888
Alexander Hamilton
Don Congregational Cemetery
FUNERAL
The funeral of the late Alexander Hamilton will leave his late residence, Don Road, Devonport, at 3.30 p.m. today for the Don Cemetery.
The Advocate 22nd December 1910
The death occurred at Devonport yesterday morning of Mr. Alex. Hamilton at the good old age of 84 years. Deceased had been ailing for some time, so that his death was not unexpected. He was a resident of the town over 50 years ago, and was an old Employee of the Don Trading Co. He leaves a widow (to whom he had been married 51 years); three sons and three daughters, all married, with 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His funeral takes place at the Don cemetery this afternoon.
The Advocate 22nd December 1910
The funeral of the late Mr. Alexander Hamilton took place yesterday afternoon at the Don Congregational cemetery. The deceased had been practically an invalid for a considerable time past, and had been a resident of Devonport for fifty years
The North West Post 23rd December 1910
Martha Hamilton
Don Congregational Cemetery
DEATH
HAMILTON – On August 14, at her residence, Don Road, Devonport, Martha, relict of the late Alexander Hamilton, aged 93 years.
The Advocate 15th August 1929
FUNERAL
HAMILTON – The funeral of the late Martha Hamilton is appointed to leave her late residence, Don road, Devonport, at 3 p.m. to-morrow (Saturday), for the old Don cemetery. Friends please accept this intimation. Jeffrey, Undertaker
The Advocate 16th August 1929
Devonport
Old Resident’s Death
The death occurred last night at her residence, Don road, of Mrs. Martha Hamilton, who had reached the great age of 93 years. She was born in the Latrobe district, and pioneered in the Northwest in the early days, when hardships were many and she had many stirring recollections of the period when the foundations of the Northwest were being laid. She married the late Alexander Hamilton, and had a large family, of which six survive - William (Mildura), Thomas (Nietta), John (Devonport), Mrs. Radford and Mrs. J. Henigan (Devonport), and Mrs. Townsend (Victoria). Deceased, who resided at Devonport for 60 years, leaves 46 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The Advocate 15th August 1929
Lily Hamilton
Don Congregational Cemetery
Buried 30th April 1907
Age 10 weeks
Daughter of John Hamilton
Eleanor May Hamilton
Don Congregational Cemetery
Buried 24th Sept 1908
Age 3 yrs. 5 months.
Daughter of John and Hannah Hamilton (Née Phillips)
FUNERAL
The funeral of the daughter of Mr. John Hamilton will leave his residence, William Street, Devonport, at 3 o’clock This Afternoon, for the place of interment, the Don cemetery. H. Weller, Undertaker.
The North West Post 24th Sept 1908