On 15 June 1887 Elsie Bennet Mockett (1871-1887), fourth of eleven children of John Robert Burns Mockett and his wife Bennet Mockett nee Horn, died from typhoid fever at Avoca.
The Avoca Mail of 17 June 1882 reported her death:
It is again our painful duty to record another death from the dread scourge which has proved so swiftly severe and terribly fatal — typhoid fever — among the younger members of our small community. The victim in the present instance is Miss Elsie Bennett Mockett, the fourth daughter of Mrs Mockett, of the Victoria Hotel, Avoca, who so recently sustained the sad bereavement by which she lost her well known and widely esteemed husband. Miss Elsie, who was but 15 years of age, had only been ill a fortnight, and although the attack was very severe, she appeared so much better on Monday last that the spirits of the household were greatly cheered by the prospect of her ultimate recovery. The hopes thus formed were, however, utterly illusory, for the unfortunate girl became worse on Tuesday and her illness so intensified that she succumbed at 4 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon to the great grief of the family. In her case she was the recipient of the greatest care and ample medical treatment ; but both were unavailing. The deceased will be greatly missed, for she was an indefatigable worker and possessed a lively and cheerful disposition. The deepest sympathy is felt for Mrs Mockett who has passed through a fiery ordeal, for severe sickness has scourged the greater part of her numerous family, and left her bereft of husband and daughter. We fervently trust that her troubles are now over. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, the ceremony at the grave being performed by the Rev. J. A. Ball, in the presence of many sorrowing friends.
Elsie’s was one of seven burials that year in Avoca cemetery where cause of death was recorded as typhoid. The others were:
- Samuel Bostock, died April, age 22
- Alice Peterson, died May, age 22
- Donald Lamont, died May, aged 20
- Florence Whitley, died May, aged 16
- Rosa Pretty Blanchard, died May, aged 20
- Bridget Ward, died June, aged 49
Elsie’s father, John Robert Burns Mockett (1835-1887) had died in March that year. An obituary appeared in the Avoca Mail of 29 March 1887:
DEATH OF MR. JNO. R. MOCKETT.
The painful duty devolves upon us to-day of recording the demise of a very old and highly esteemed resident of Avoca - Mr. John Robert Mockett — the well known, the highly esteemed, and affable licensee of the Victoria Hotel. The deceased gentleman had long been an acute sufferer from epilepsy and paralysis which, at intervals, completely, prostrated him, and had more than once brought him to the verge of death. During the last year or two he has been the subject of frequent illness, but afterwards rallied and was enabled to get about a little. But these recurring attacks had greatly enfeebled his once fine constitution, and left their malign impress upon it. A few months ago the deceased was stricken with a more than usually severe attack which quite incapacitated him ; but by painstaking care and unremitting attention on the part of his wife and elder members of his family, he emerged safely from the crisis. From that period until Monday his health has been of a waning character. He was enabled to walk about on Saturday, and on the morning of his death took a little gentle exercise ; but the keen observer could not fail to detect that subtle influences of a menacing character were at work hastening the end that was so soon— and unexpectedly— to come. Ominous symptoms made their appearance on Monday afternoon, and the best medical attendance available was immediately procured. He was visited by Dr MacMahon. and Dr Robinson ; but they were unable to afford him more than temporary relief until death took place at about 7 o'clock in the evening— about four hours after the commencement of the attack— and released him from his sufferings.
The death of Mr Mockett will be mourned far and wide in this shire, as well as in the neighbouring districts. It is no panegyric — no idle eulogy of the dead— to say that his kind and benevolent disposition;— his genial, frank, open-hearted manner— made him a universal favourite. Mr John R Mockett had no enemies ; but troops of friends animated by the tenderest regard for him. He was intimately attached to Mr J. F. Paten, J.P., and the remark had become a popular saying that the two gentlemen were like brothers— such was the ardent and fraternal love existing between them. Of Mr Mockett's history it is almost sufficient to say that it was identical with that of Avoca, for the best years of his lifo have been spent in this district, of which he had been a resident for nearly thirty years, marrying and settling down in it until he became the father of a family of seven girls and four boys, the eldest a young lady of about 19 years, and the youngest, four years. Thirty years ago, or about that period, the deceased gentleman was associated with the firm of Morrison and Co., storekeepers, and at one time carried on business for that firm at the Avoca Lead. He afterwards engaged in the business of a hay and corn merchant in conjunction with Mr Ransom, and occupied premises situate where Mr Powers's stationer's shop now stands. He subsequently represented the firm of Messrs Lange and Thoneman, merchants of Melbourne, and who had a branch at Avoca, and afterwards he became landlord, and then proprietor, 16 or 17 years ago, of the Victoria Hotel, where he died. The deceased performed a fair share of public work, although not fond of public life. He was a Freemason and an Odd-fellow, and held the post of P.P.G.M. of the Talbot District, M.U. He was Vice-President of the Avoca Turf Club, and had acted in the capacity of Assistant Secretary to it in its palmy days when the late W. H. Bublert was its leading spirit. He had been a member of the School Board of Advice for years, and was until the other day one of the Trustees of the Racecourse. His funeral will take place at 4, o'clock on Thursday afternoon.
Elsie’s mother Bennet erected a marble angel at the grave of her daughter and husband John.
The memorial also has the names of:
- Mary Mockett, nee Daniels, John Mockett’s mother, who died 8 July 1887, a few weeks after her granddaughter Elsie
- Bennet Mockett nee Horn who died 1906, mother of Elsie and wife of John
