The last years of Allan Hughan's life.

In 1881 Allan would have been delighted to witness the marriage of his eldest daughter, Ruth Madeleine Hughan, to Francis Charles Holworthy, the son of Charles Wilmot Holworthy and his wife Mary Margaret. He had been baptised at St. Pancras, London, in 1837, and so was a good deal older than 20 year old Ruth by at least 24 years.
Phoebe Hughan, Allan's wife, had suffered some type of mental problem around about 1877-78, according to medical records taken in Sydney in 1889.There are no details concerning the episode- just the one remark stating that Phoebe had suffered "two previous attacks, the first one occurring some twelve years ago." This was about the time that Barcroft Boake left them to go back to Sydney...it will never be known whether this may have affected Phoebe adversely.
Allan Hughan and his family were not through with tragedy yet..on May 12, 1883, daughter Ruth passed away, not quite two years after her marriage, and aged only 22. Her father seemingly reacted to his grief in a familiar way... before long he was off on a field trip with his camera and supplies. This time, however, he did not came back. I can't find out exactly what he died from, but Allan Hughan died on November 16, 1883,at Tamoa in the district of Saint Vincent, New Caledonia. He was 46 years old, and left behind Phoebe, his 55 year old widow, and two daughters aged 16 (Minnie) and 12 (Aline).