Arthur James Blomfield

While processing the photos from my Swallow Tail Pass ride, one particular grave in St Andrew's Anglican Church Cemetery at Tirrannaville caught my attention. It belonged to Arthur Blomfield, and something about the headstone piqued my curiosity.

Naturally, I decided to do a little digging.

My first stops were two of my go-to genealogy and historical research websites: Find a Grave and Trove. Between them, I was able to uncover the story behind Arthur Blomfield and the tragic circumstances that led to his untimely death.

This is from Find a Grave:

ARTHUR BLOMFIELD, a son of Thomas Valentine Blomfield, the first holder of what is now Coolamatong Station, was born at Dagworth, Maitland, in 1831. He came to Monaro in 1853 and took over the management of his father's property. In 1856 he married Annie, a daughter of Col. J. K Mackenzie, of the 4th Queen's Own Regiment, who is said to have at one time owned Dangelong Run, which was managed by his son, Alexander. In 1873 he sold his property to two young Englishmen, Messrs. Edward and Arthur Higgens, who in turn sold it to Mr. W. R. Hepburn. Following upon his disposal of Coolamatong, Mr. Blomfield acquired Murranumbla from Mr. William Rutherford. This he held until his death, which took place at Goulburn in 1887 at the age of 56, following upon a fall from his horse.
​
​Three sons and three unmarried daughters survive. His eldest. son, E. H., is Manager of the Commercial Bank at Werris Creek, the second, T.V., is Chief of the Dairy Branch of the Department of Public Health, and the remaining one, Hugh Mackenzie, is Cooma's well-known Inspector of Stock. In 1891, some four years after Mr. Arthur Blomfield's death, his property was disposed of by Messrs. Garratt and Blomfield (the latter one of his sons), Auctioneers of Cooma, for 14,500 pounds, and almost immediately resold at an advance to Messrs. Morrice Bros., of Marulan. The present owner of the station is Mr. W. Morrice.

This from Trove:

FATAL FALL FROM A HORSE.

On Thursday afternoon a magisterial inquiry was held at the courthouse by Mr. C. S. Alexander P.M., touching the death of Mr. Arthur Blomfield, who died from injuries received by being thrown from his horse on the previous day near the Cooma Hotel. The following evidence was adduced:--

Dr. Morton deposed that on Wednesday evening about half-past six he was sent for to see Mr. Blomfield, and went without delay to the Cooma Hotel, where he was lying; upon examination witness found that deceased was suffering from concussion and compression of the brain; witness also diagnosed a fracture at the back of the skull; considering the case almost a hopeless one, he sent for Dr. Ray to hold a consultation, the result of which was that he and Dr. Ray cut down where they believed the fractured bone to be, and discovered a fracture of the occipital bone with depression; Dr. Ray and witness both considered it a most critical case; the operation of trephining was deceased's only chance of life, and with the consent of Mr. Blomfield's relatives that operation was performed, but without avail; the cause of death was the injuries to the brain described; deceased never regained consciousness after witness saw him.

Andrew G. Finlay deposed to having viewed the body lying at the Cooma Hotel; it was that of Arthur Blomfield, grazier of Marranumbla, near Cooma; he was connected with witness' family, and was at his house on Wednesday afternoon, about five o'clock; when leaving witness' house he said he was going to Tirranna; had was then in good health; about half-past eight witness heard that he had met with an accident; he then went to the Cooma Hotel and remained there till half-past ten; Drs. Morton and Ray were at the hotel; left the hotel at half-past ten, and did not see the deceased alive again; deceased was about fifty-six years of age and leaves a widow and six children.

Benjamin Williams, labourer, living with the late Mr. Blomfield deposed that he came to Goulburn with some sheep for Mr. Blomfield; came to Goulburn on Tuesday night; witness was at the saleyards on Wednesday with Mr. Blomfield; about half-past five on Wednesday evening witness was at the Cooma Hotel, and Mr. Blomfield came to the hotel; he dismounted from his horse, and had some conversation with witness and another man; he gave witness instructions as to what work he was to do when he went back; witness saw that the horse he was riding was rather fresh, and advised him not to ride him; Mr. Blomfield however insisted on riding the horse; witness took hold of the horse's head to try to steady him until deceased had mounted; the horse became restive, and before Mr. Blomfield had his leg across, some one called out to witness to let the horse go, and he did so; the horse then swerved round, and Mr. Blomfield fell from the off side of the horse; he appeared to fall on the back of his head; witness and others immediately picked him up, and carried him into the hotel, and sent for the doctor; Dr. Morton came in about half-an-hour afterwards; deceased was unconscious when picked up; deceased fell on the hard metal road in front of the hotel.

To the police: Two or three others besides witness were present when the accident took place.

Philip Primmer, labourer in the employ of the late Mr. Blomfield, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.

The Police Magistrate found that the deceased, Arthur Blomfield, met his death by accidentally falling from his horse.

1887 'FATAL FALL FROM A HORSE.', Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 - 1907), 5 February, p. 4.

BUCKLEY'S CROSSING.
THE BLOMFIELD MEMORIAL
(From our own Correspondent.)
A meeting of gentlemen interested in the proposed memorial to the late Mr. Arthur Blomfield was held at Mr. J. H. Quill's Dalgety Store on Saturday last, the 28th May. It had been previously decided that a tablet, suitably inscribed, should be erected in Boloco Church, as a fitting tribute of the esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held by persons of all stations and denominations in the district. The meeting of the 28th May was called to make final arrangements as to cost and choice of the proposed memento, and after Mr. H. C. Merritt had been elected chairman, the hon. secretary (Mr. W. Crisp) stated that upwards of £35 had been subscribed, and that promises of some few pounds more had been made. Mr. Paul Garratt, of Matinumbla, who has shown the greatest interest in the movement, then produced designs, &c, And after considerable inspection and discussion the gentlemen present decided to procure from Sydney a very handsome tablet, at a cost of between £35 and £40. A suitable inscription having been chosen, Messrs. Garratt, J. Crisp, and G. F. Litchfield were elected a sub-committee to carry into effect the wishes of the subscribers, and arrange all the details of the matter. The meeting then terminated in the usual manner.

1887 'BUCKLEY'S CROSSING.', The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser (NSW : 1862 - 1931), 1 June, p. 3.