Mary Melling

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Beth Taylor on 9th February 2026

During the voyage, Mary became pregnant to Dr Colin McLachlan, the ship’s surgeon. After her arrival in Sydney, Mary was one of the few women convicts not directed from the ship to the Female Factory at Parramatta. She was assigned to Thomas Smart, a shoemaker and gave birth to a daughter on the 13th of January 1815 in Sydney. Child born to Dr Colin Mclachlan and Mary Melling: • Elizabeth Ann LEEK born 13/01/1815 Sydney, marr 1840 James Spratt, died c1879 Sydney Mary married James Leek (c1779-1858) on the 23rd of May 1815 at St John’s Anglican Church at Parramatta. The groom was literate and could sign his name, however the bride signed with a X. James, a carpenter, reached the Colony in 1812 as a convict on the Guildford (1). He had been tried at the Old Bailey in 1808 apparently was a soldier, and was quartered with John and Mary Brown who kept a public house at Old Pye street, Westminter, London. John Brown’s coat went missing and Leek was accused of pawning the coat. James’ defence: “I wish to know whether I was the man that pledged the article at the shop.” Judgement was respited for four days and then he received a sentence of transportation for 7 years. In 1814 James was working in the government Lumber Yard in Sydney and by the time of the wedding James was a free man, having completed his full term. Children born to James and Mary Leek: • William LEEK born 12/01/1817 Sydney, died ? • Mary Ann LEEK born Sydney 14/03/1819 Sydney, marr ? to Mr Williams, died 06/06/1857 Sydney • Jane LEEK born 10/05/1821 Sydney, marr Sydney 1838 to John Knobbs, died c1861 Sydney • Kitty LEEK born 27/10/1823 Sydney, marr Sydney 25/12/1845 to Daniel Sweeney, died c1879 Parramatta • Margaret LEEK born 14/01/1827 Sydney, marr Sydney 1844 to James Collins, died ? • William John LEEK born 09/05/1830 Sydney, marr Sydney 1854 to Elizabeth Mary Malone, died ? Mary was a witness at the wedding of fellow Broxbornebury passenger Ann Wilson to William Hilliard on the 2nd of August 1815. Mary became a free woman in July 1820 at the expiration of her 7 year term. She would have been issued a Certificate of Freedom to prove her legal status, however the NSW State Records (Archives) does not hold a copy of the original document. James Leek of was on list of persons in 1820, for whom grants of land had been handed over to the Surveyor General for delivery. The land was 50 acres at Airds near Campbelltown, promised by Governor Macquarie. There is no record that the couple ever lived on the land. James was self-employed with his own carpentry business in 1824 and took as assigned convict to assist him. They lived in Clarence Street in 1825. Nothing more is known about the family until the marriage on Christmas Day 1845 of daughter Kitty to Daniel Sweeney. The newspaper published details that the Leek’s were residing in Castlereagh Street and also in 1847: “NOTICE to the Public-I hereby caution the public against giving credit to my son, William John Leek, as I will not be answerable for any debts he may contract, he being now 23 years of age. N.B. This is the second advertisement since February 28, 1849. MARY LEEK. Castlereagh-street North.” Notes from the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on tbeth3370@gmail.com for further info

46

Heather Stevens on 29th April 2023

Mary Melling, aged 20 years, servant, was tried at Quarter Sessions, Lancaster on 19 July 1813, and sentenced to 7 years transportation. She was transported on the Broxbornebury. Mary Melling married James Leek on 23 May 1815 at St Philips Church of England, Sydney. The register recorded that James Leek was a bachelor, resident of Sydney, carpenter, who signed the register. Mary Melling, aged 26 years, spinster, resident of Sydney, marked the register with a cross. They were married by banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain. Witnesses were William Hilliard and Esther Jones. They had children, baptised at St Philip's Church of England, Sydney: William b. 1817, Mary Ann b.1819, Jane b.1821, Kitty b.1823, Margaret b.1827, William John b.1830. In the 1825 General Muster Mary was listed as Mary "Milling", (Broxbornebury 1814), Free by Servitude, residence Sydney, "Wife of James Leek". Her husband James Leek, (7 years, Guildford 1812), Free by Servitude, Householder, was listed, living in Clarence Street Sydney, with daughters Elizabeth 11, Mary Ann 7, Jane 5. Her husband James Leek died on 10 August 1858 and was buried in Camperdown Cemetery. Mary Leek died on 30 September 1865 at Woolloomooloo, New South Wales. Death notice, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 October 1865: "On the 30th September, at her late residence, Mrs. Mary Leek of 154, Palmer-street, Woolloomooloo, an old and much respected colonist, aged 71 years, relict of the late James Leek, much regretted by all who knew her. Funeral notice, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2 October 1865: "FUNERAL.—The Friends of the late Mrs. MARY LEEK, relict of the late Mr. James Leek, are respectfully invited to attend her Funeral, to move from her late residence, No. 154, Palmer-street, near Stanley-street, THIS (Monday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock". She was buried in Camperdown Cemetery on 2 October 1865, the burial register of St Stephen's Newtown recording her age 71, and abode Palmer Street.

48

jennifer burgess on 28th July 2022

Mary married James Leek 1815.