George Leabon

Level 54

Phil Hands on 31st March 2017

George, a bootmaker by trade, was tried and convicted along with 2 accomplacies at the Suffolk Assizes on 24th March 1828 for house breaking, they were all sentenced to hang, although this was commuted to transportation for life. Left England on 22nd August 1828. Ship:- the 'Royal George' sailed with 160 male convicts on board of which 2 died during the voyage. Arrived on 24th December 1828. Ships Indent:- Age 24, Reads & writes, protestant, single, shoemaker, 5ft 4ins, dark ruddy complexion, black to grey hair, brown eyes, dark mole on left of chin. Suffolk Chronicle: 15th December 1827 DARING ROBBERY - TWENTY GUINEAS REWARD WHEREAS, Three or Four persons in disguise entered the dwelling house of Mr. PHILIP HICKS of Wetherden, between the hours of Eleven and two, on Friday Evening the 7th, or Saturday morning the 8th of December, 1827, and after stopping about two hours they took away with them 6 silver tea spoons, 1 table spoon and a large silver tobacco box all marked P.H., capped silver watch, maker Thomas Moor, Ipswich and marked I.S. on both cases, with plain gold seal, gold key, metal key, and steel chain; a watch time-piece, maker Robert Hyland, No. 12,477; 1 pocket pistol, maker Lock; 1 horse pistol, 2 light coloured great coats, a new hat, sundry table and other linen, 7 silk handkerchiefs, counterpanes, copper teakettle, several notes of land memorandums, &c. Three persons were seen to go over Haughley Green, in the direction of Bacton, about 3 o'clock on the Saturday morning; one made a half turn when he was passed and another had a bundle at his back. Whoever will give information of the Offenders to the said Mr. Philip Hicks, or to Mr. Sellsby Hunt, Auctioneer, Woolpit, shall upon conviction, receive the above Reward; and if not convicted, all reasonable expenses will be paid. The three responsible for the crime that provoked this reward notice, in spite of clearly being guilty, were nevertheless advised by the judge at their trial to give themselves a chance by fighting the case. They persisted with their plea of guilty and were given the 'full black cap treatment' by way of death sentence. They still didn't hang. Instead, James Peachey, George Leabon & William Alexander of Bacton were transported to New South Wales in August 1828. On arrival, George was assigned to William Hayes at Eastern Creek. In 1836 he was granted a ticket of leave in the Parramatta district. Married Elizabeth Burnham (daughter of convicts Edward Burnham, 'Royal Admiral' 1800 and Mary Sherring, 'Aeolus' 1809) on 1st December 1837 at Parramatta, they had 11 children between 1840-1863. In 1844 George received a conditional pardon. January 1871 he purchased by auction 164 acres of the Church and School estate, the land fronted Blacktown Road. George died 24th March 1877 at age 73. Elizabeth died 21st July 1891 at age 68.

Level 1

Carol Merrick on 17th July 2012

George was born in Bacton Town, Suffolk in 1804 Transportation Description of George Leabon: Age 24, Reads & writes, protestant, single, shoemaker, 5'4", dark ruddy complexion, black to grey hair, brown eyes, dark mole on left of chin. Assigned to William Hayes at Eastern Creek. Ticket of Leave: 1836 Parramatta District. Conditional Pardon: 1844 Married Elizabeth Burnham (daughter of Edward Burnham and Mary Sherring, both convicts) on 1/12/1837 at Parramatta. Elizabeth was 14yrs old and George was 33yrs old. Witnesses of the marriage were: Bridget Wright and Francis Metcalf.

Leabons Lane at Seven Hills was named after the family and in April 2012, Leabon Walkway - which was part of George’s land - was also named in their honour.

Leabons Lane Seven Hills NSW is named after him.