DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 61, 27 June 1874, Page 9

DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN.

Axthont Bradt, an old resident in Sydney, who had attained the ripe old age of 111 years, died at his residence, Upp-r Elizabeth street, on 23rd ultimo. The deceased was born in Oavan, Iraland, 'tx the year 1703, and was, consequently, in tho prime of life during that disturbed period of Ireland, 1798, and the Reign of Terror in France, ooinmenoing about the same year. By a spirit whioh actuated many of hii countrymen, he was led to take part in th* insurrection. He was taken, tried before Lord Norbury, and sentenoed t» transportation for life. Had it not been for a recommendation to mercy on th« part of Lord Norbury, his judge, he would have been condemned to suffer the extreme penalty of tbe law, as he had been condemned to death. He was sent out here in the ship " Three Bees," and landed in the year 1813. This ship, it may be mentioned, wai after arrival burnt in the harbor. Iv 1819, Br*dy made his eaospe iv a French ship, which landed him in France ; thence he made his way to Ireland. He wat again arrested iv Dublin, in the year 1826, and the second time tried before Lord Norbury, who again condemned, him to transportation for life. On landing here again, he was fortunate enough to meet with Dr Beaumont who took him as an assistant in tlia hospital. Here he held a comfortable and go»d position for some years. Dr Beaumont gave him a farm, but as his family (who were composed of five members) would not come out here he went to live with Father Therry, who was then Visiting Chaplain to the Hospital. Father Therry placed him iv oharge of the Devonshire street Burial Ground, which place he had oharge of for many years. When hs became too old to attend to the duties whioh were required of him as sexton at the burial ground, he was taken to St. Mary's, where he remained till it was bur at in 1865. He was the old man that had to ba carried out, as it will be remembered, of the burning building. Afterwards he was provided with a house, and taken charge of by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Convent until the time of bis death — on Tuesday morning. His memory and faculties remained unimpaired up to his death, though iiis speech was injured through the loss of his palate. His body was removed from hi* residence to St. Francis', where a Bequiem Mass was celebrated. The funeral was attended by a number of the Catholic clergy, and several friends of the deceased. The present sexton informs us that before he took charge of the burial ground, some twenty years ago, Brady seleoted his piece of ground and had it fenced in. This sexton alao informs us that some time since ha buried a man 112 years of age. This latter old man had twelve sons, and the only one whose whereabouts he knew of, was one living sotna 600 miles away. This son was acquainted with his father's death and the grave was kept open pending the arrival of the young man. During the day, the Sexton noticed an old grey-bearded man walking through the yard, and on enquiry found he was the dutiful son— an old grey-bearded man, eighty years of age. Thus within a few yeaiu two poor fellows, whose added ages make up 223 winters, have been put under the sod in the City Cemetery. ' Sydney Freeman's Journal.'