On the Death of the Aboriginal Cricketer John Taylor 1847 1875

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this document contains names of people who have since passed away.

Farewell to all the games on earth,
Where honestly thou play'dst thy part,
Then let me sing the native worth
Of Jackey Taylor's cricket art.

The willow-bat he handled well,
And urged afar the flying ball ;
His bowls dead on the wicket fell"”
Best all-round player of them all.

We'll miss him at his wonted place,
When the next Wagga match is play'd ;
And see no more the Darkey's face
When friendly after-feast is laid.

Now sports he's in another land"”
Perchance a spirit fair and bright
As any of the chosen and"”
Among the happy sons of light.

Within the many-mansion'd hall
I feel there is a place for thee ;
Blackfellow of the white man's fall
Thou'lt rise as sure and fair as he.
June 29 1875
DEATH OF JOHNNY TAYLOR 1847-1875
THE following article and lines on the death of John Taylor,
a native of Gininderra, have been handed to us for publication,
and are taken from the Tumut and Adelong Times

"Taylor was brought up on the
station of Mr Davis, of Gininderra, in
the Queanbeyan district, where he remained
till he was thirteen years of age.
He then came to Tumut, and
entered the service of Mr E. G. Brown,
of Blowering , in whose employ he was
till within a month of his death.
He was well tended but, like all his race,
the moment sickness overtook him, his
physical energies became paralysed"”
he had no power, did not even "make
an effort to shake himself up," but
quietly lay down and died.
In a cattle muster, in a drafting-yard,
or in travelling with stock he was perfectly
at home, and his services always valuable.
Besides, he was thoroughly trustworthy "”so much so,
indeed, that Mr Brown has frequently given him
charge of a mob of cattle, and even empowered
him to sell.
In all athletic exercises he excelled ; few could beat
him in a foot-race, and he was the best
all-round cricketer in the district. His
funeral, which took place on Monday,
was attended by fifty or sixty respectable people,
not ashamed to pay the last tribute of respect to a
fellow being, though his skin was black. Not
the least affecting sight at the funeral
was the solitary representative of the
male aboriginals in the district following as chief mourner.
There was no deception about his grief ; he could
not hide it, and lacked the policy to feign it.
The Rev. Mr. Jones read the impressive funeral service.
We hope to see a move among the townspeople
to erect some simple memorial over his grave."

nsw.bd&m.
DEATHS
TAYLOR JOHN 387/1875 187500387 159AGE 28 YEARS DIED TUMUT