John Leighton

341

Maureen Withey on 25th September 2020

The Assizes at York were finished at the Crown End on Friday se'nnight, where the following persons have been tried, viz. William Peal, John Leighton, Randal Dalpain, alias William Fenton, and Richard Wilkinson for sheep-stealing; Carlisle Journal, 20 March 1802. York Assizes ended on Saturday sen’night, when the following prisoners received sentence of death : John Leighton, of Upsal, miller, ... Star (London) 23 March 1802. --------------------------------------------------

54

Phil Hands on 2nd April 2017

Tried and convicted at the York Assizes on 6th March 1802, sentenced to transportation for life. Left England on 4th December 1803. Ship:- the 'Coromandel I' sailed with 200 male convicts on board, ther were no reported deaths during the voyage. Arrived on 7th May 1804. He was in a defacto relationship with convict Ann Lloyd ('Experiment I' 1804) that produced 4 children between 1805-1814, Mary 1805, David 1806, Joseph 1808 & Catherine 1814. He bought several acres of land at Millers Point in 1814 and erected one of the first windmills on Observatory Hill there soon after. By the 1820s there were three mills operating on the point, all of which are believed to have been operated by Leighton. The first, erected in 1814, was located near Bettington Street on the high ground near on on the corner of Rodens Lane. Houses now occupy the site of this mill. The second mill was built to the west of Merriman Street on land granted to Joseph Underwood in 1817 for the purpose of erecting a windmill. Located in the southern corner of Clyne Reserve, it was demolished prior to 1842 to make way for a residence to be built on the site. Another mill was built to its south near Merriman Street on land that has now been reclaimed and removed to make way for the Millers Point wharves. John was known as 'Jack the Miller', and inspired the names "Jack the Miller's Point', (and later 'Millers Point'). The local people who had lived here for thousands of years called it Coodyee. John, who was said to be too fond of 'spirituous liquors' died on Died 22nd June 1826, after a fall whilst intoxicated. Sydney Gazette Saturday 24th June 1826 p. 3 A Coroner's Inquest was held on Thursday last, on the body of Mr. Leighton, the proprietor of a flour mill in Cockle-bay, who came by his death in consequence of a fall, of upward of 20 feet, from a ladder whilst in a state of intoxication. Verdict, accidental death. The Australian (Sydney) Saturday 24th June 1826 p. 3 Another Inquest was held yesterday, on the body of a Mr. Leighton, who resided in the vicinity of Cockle Bay - from the evidence adduced on the Inquest, it appeared that the deceased had some few minutes prior to his being found dead, left his house and proceeded towards a mill in the neighbourhood, which he tenanted - at this time he was evidently in a state of intoxication, but was notwithstanding capable of pursuing his ordinary business. In a few minutes after retiring the deceased was discovered in the interior of the building, extended bleeding and lifeless, along the ground floor. From the position of a ladder which stood near the unfortunate man, it was thought that he must have fallen from it on his head, as this part exhibited a bruised appearance. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.