James Edmond Cumming

  Noted events in his life were:

• source. Mary-Ann Cook who writes:
James arrived in Australia with his first wife, Ellen on the ship Alfred. The ship arrived in Moreton Bay on 19 September, 1858
DEATH OF MR J E CUMMING. Many will regret to learn of the death of another old townsman, Mr J E Cumming, who expired at his residence, Elizabeth Farm, on Saturday last. Mr Cumming had been suffering rather seriously for a considerable time, a painful throat disease making it almost impossible for him to partake of nourishment lately. He had sought medical advice repeatedly, but without any good result, although some weeks ago he was confident that relief had been afforded him. However, a relapse took place, and he gradually sank. Mr Cumming, who was of a somewhat retired disposition, took no prominent part in public matters, but for many years he filled - and filled most acceptably - responsible positions as a teacher under the Educational Department. Until a year or two before the erection of the present Parramatta South Public School, Mr Cumming was headmaster of the non-vested National school, the work of which was then carried on at Linden House, Macquarie-street. Subsequently, he was appointed to Cundle town, on the Manning, but some years ago he retired from the service on a thoroughly well-earned pension. Mr Cumming was an earnest member of the St Andrew`s Presbyterian Church, and held the position of Sunday-school superintendent.
THE LATE MR J E CUMMING. The funeral of the late Mr Cumming took place at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Western road, and was largely attended. Mr Cumming having been a member of the Committee of Management of St Andrew`s, and also Superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years, it was decided at an informal meeting of the committee and session, at the close of the morning service that the members should act as pall bearers. A service was held at the deceased`s residence, Elizabeth Farm, at 2.30, and the cortege left at three o`clock, Messrs W Drew, D D Henderson, G Paul, J Finlayson, A N Hughes, and J Button, members of the committee, and Messrs R McDonald and J S Fraser, acting as pall-bearers. Many of those who followed in vehicles and on foot had been pupils of the deceased in days gone by. The route taken was via Harris, George, and Church-streets to the Western-road. A halt was made at St Andrew?s Church, whilst the scholars attending the Sunday-school were placed in position in front of the hearse. On reaching the Cemetery, where a large gathering had assembled, the children sang very sweetly, "There is a happy land, not far away." The service at the house and at the grave was conducted in a solemn and impressive manner by the Rev J W Inglis..
He was buried on 11th September 1892 at Mays Hill Cemetery, Parramatta.

James married Helena Maria Woodley, daughter of George Bowles Woodley and Helena Elmore Drew, in 1861. (Helena Maria Woodley was born on 31 Dec 1840 in Kings Plains, Bathurst, NSW Australia and died on 7 Oct 1923 in Parramatta, Sydney, NSW Australia.)