Old Identity of Sandon Passes On

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 11

Old Identity of Sandon Passes On

MBS. ISABELLA A’COURT.

The death of Mrs. A’Court at hor home in Sanson on Saturday evening at tho ago of 74 years marks tho sever-

ance of another link in tho chain of

personalities and memories dating back

right to tho beginning of settlement in tho Sanson district. Born at Bulls she accompanied her parents, the lato Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hammond, when in 1573 they acquired the Waitohi estato which was so well kuowu in days gone by for hospitality and good cheer. Mrs. A’Court was the eldest of a family consisting of nine daughters aud three sons, who, with their parents experienced. all the vicissitudes of pioneering life in what was then an isolated and unroaded wilderness in a stato of nature. On her marriage she continued to reside in the Sanson district, wlsere Mr.-A’Court was engaged in farming pursuits till the time of his death some 25 years ago. In the social life of .the district and especially in tho affairs of the Methodist Church they took a leading part and their door was always open to tho passing stranger. Thoy had in a largo measuro the wonderful faculty of being happy and of conveying happiness to others, aud many young men starting out on life’s highway had reason to bo grateful for the wise counsel and hospitality received at their hands. Mrs. A’Court had resided in retirement in Sanson for many years among a host of relatives and friends. She was one of tho first pupils of the Sanson school and always took a lively interest in tho affairs of the Old Boys’ Association, as well as iu all other social interests in the community. Old and young will miss her cheerful personality and tho fund of anecdote and story which made her such an interesting entertainer.. Mrs. A’Court is survived by two sons, Messrs. H. T. A’Court (Palmerston-North) and S. J. A’Court (Wellington), also Miss A’Court (Sanson). , She was predeceased by her daughters, Mrs. Bethuno and Miss Dorothy, and her son Harry, who died in 1918 of injuries received at tho battlo of tho Somme. There aro five grandchildren. Other near surviving relatives aro her sisters, Mesdames W. J. Phillips (Palmerstiyi North), H. V. Hammond (Wanganui), .A. D. Scott (Tangimoana), J. Didsbury (Alfredton), F. Purnell (Marton), and W. Scott (Oroua Downs) also a brother, Mr. W. S. Hammond (Marton). Tho funeral took place yesterday and was attended by a very largo gathering of relatives and friends. A short service was held in the old Wesleyan chapel, where the deceased lady had always worshipped since girlhood. The service at the church and afterwards at tho graveside was conducted by tho Rev. R. D. Fordyce in which ho was assistod by 'Rev. Vcalio (Wellington), and tho Rev. k. N. Scottcr (Palmerston North), two /ery old friends of tho family. The various speakers paid glowing tributes to the life and work of a worthy Christan citizen who had lived and laboured for the good of all. Tho pall-bearers were divided into three sections in the following order: At the house, six nephews; at the church, representatives of the Sanson Old Boys’ Association; and at the graveside a group of returned soldiers. Many and beautiful Were the floral, tributes which conveyed a mute yet fragrant testimony to the ' memory of mother, sister and friend. The hymn, “Jesu, Lover of My Soul,” was sung by the assembled mourners as the coffin was lowered to its last resting-place.