John Lees

  General Notes:

Notes provided by Jenny Wellington

Personal History
Enlisted as a private in the 102nd Regiment of the New South Wales Corps on 18th September 1796 at Chatham, on the south bank of the Thames, thirty miles east of London. His name was included in a list of recruits raised by Lt. Col. Grose for two additional companies of the Corps. John Lees was a native of Stoke in Staffordshire when he enlisted at Chatham.

Arrived in Australia on board the "Ganges" on 2 June, 1797 and served with the Corps until about 8 May 1803. The Monthly Pay List to 24th April 1803 showed an entry in Captain Wilson's company under privates:

"John Lees 25th March to 24th April, 31 days, 14 shillings.
Disch. in 14 days. Pay in advance."1

On 26 February 1804 the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser reported that "a temporary residence on the Nepean belonging to John Lees, lately discharged from the New South Wales Corps and among the number that embraced the offer of becoming settlers, unfortunately took fire and was shortly consumed, together with every article of wearing apparel and its various other contents." It goes on to advise that John was issued with clothes from the stores.

John Lees was officially granted 90 acres of land in an area known as Birds Eye Corner, by Governor King on 4 June 1804.2
In June 1814 he gave 4 pounds to a subscription for a schoolhouse, a place of worship and a bridge.

In the 1814 muster, he is shown with a wife and seven children "Off the Stores", as well as a convict servant, Jarvis Marshall.

During his time as a private in the New South Wales Corp, John began to drink heavily, and continued to do so until about 1815. About this time he met the Rev. Samuel Leigh.

On 7th October 1817, Samuel Leigh opened a small Methodist Chapel which had been erected by John at Castlereagh. Contemporary documents show that this chapel was attached to John's home. At the same time he donated one acre of his land to the church, and agreed to sow and reap the produce, for the use of the preachers.

By 1820 it was evident that a larger chapel was required, and this was also built by John. A freestanding building on the other side of the creek from John's home.

After the initial years of struggle, John began to prosper, and gave freely to the Church. In 1821 he petitioned for a further 80 acre grant, which he called "Stoke" in recognition of this native place in Staffordshire. This grant became official in 1831, with details being published in the Sydney Gazette dated 15 September 1831. On 21 January 1825, he applied for a further grant of land, which resulted in a grant of 283 acres to the east of his 80 acre grant. This was shown as "Pankle" on the Castlereagh Parish Map, and became official in 1831.

On 23 February 1827 John and Mary moved to Sydney, living in a house in Castlereagh Street, until around 1829 when he had a stroke which paralysed him. They returned to Castlereagh.

Books published about John Lees:

"John Lees The Chapel Builder"
Merle Kavanagh ISBN 0 7316 0188 2

"The Story of a Remarkable Life. Pioneer, Soldier & Settler"
Rev S.C. Roberts, Penrith
Published by Nepean Times, Penrith.

"A Legion of Lees"
Merle Kavanagh ISBN 0 7316 2821 7

WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY TIFFANY RAE as a student with the UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY (NEPEAN) AUSTRALIA:

LEES, JOHN ( 1777-1836 ) Soldier, Landholder and farmer. I am unsure as to the exact date or place of birth as some of his background obscured this information. Several reasons explain the problem I had although I was able to ascertain out the year he was born from early parish burial records.
John Lees was recruited by Lieutenant Colonel Grose into one of the two additional companies Grose was establishing for the New South Wales corps back in England.
Lees was registered as a private in the 102nd regiment of the New South Wales corps.2 At the age of nineteen in 1796 he set sail on a convict ship, the Ganges from Portsmouth bound for Port Jackson Australia.3 Lees was listed on the Return of Pay list for the New South Wales corps foot, from 18 September 1796 to 24 June 1797, receiving seven pounds.4 This presumably covers his payment before and during his journey to Australia.
The Ganges arrived in New South Wales on 2 June 1797(5) and Lees served under Captain Rowley with whom he stayed under as a private until around 1804. Lees is listed on the Muster Rolls and Pay Lists for the 102nd foot by the Public Record Office (P.R.O.) in London from 1798-99. During 1798-1799.(6) Lees was paid on the 24th of every month.(7) These records are only the pay list records and provide no real insight into the duties undertaken or locations where the regiment were stationed. On December 25 however it does remark that Captain Rowley's section was detached but does not give detail of where to.
I was unable to find any documentation of when John Lees is discharged from the 102nd regiment but he does turn up in the General Muster of New South Wales in 1805. He settled in the Nepean district with a grant of 160 acres for his services in the army. During the same muster he is recorded to have purchased another 160 acres in the Field of Mars (now known as Marsfield).
Lees is not listed in the next muster in 1811 that includes Norfolk Island and Van Diemen's Land. He has either left the colony (N.S.W) for awhile or did not turn up to the muster that year. Both of these options are a possibility as he was not recorded at the next muster in 1814 and people often did not come to the musters for various reasons. He is however listed in the 1822 muster citing the area he lives in as Windsor, he may have by then sold his property in Marsfield.
Lees has quite a lot of correspondence with the Colonial Secretary from 1812 to 1825, now residing in the parish of Evan. On 12 September 1812 Lees is granted cattle from the government herds on credit. Throughout the Secretary' s correspondence Lees applies for grants of more cattle.
He is a signatory to many petitions in the district, reflecting his character. These include a petition for the mitigation of sentence on behalf of a convict John Clarke, and a petition to return the common near Castlereagh, that was given to Captain King, back for its original purpose.
Also a petition that public roads in the Evan district be surveyed. While all of this correspondence is not particularly exciting it reflects upon the type of man he was, motivated and willing enough to involve himself in public and individual's matter's concerning the area in which he lived. This is also illustrated by Lees inclusion on the jury list in the district of Windsor.
On 10 May 1820 Lees writes to the Governor asking for grants of land and cattle to expand his property holdings. While forever humble, he does not forget to remind his excellency of his years of servitude in the New South Wales corps.
He also mentions his family, documented here for the first time as having a wife and seven children. He also mentions that he still holds a part of the original grant given to him after being discharged from the army. From that request he receives another eighty acres.
On 17 January 1825 he lists four convicts in his employ, those being, Thomas Clarke, Thomas Woodbridge, John Hughes and Robert Deaken. He also receives another 400 acres as a result of a memorial to the Governor requesting land in 1825. In all documented memorials to the Governor, Lees is successful in gaining any grants requested for, building on his properties to form a quite impressive holding. While not incredibly wealthy, from the information gathered, he appears to make a relatively comfortable living to support his large family and employees.
Frustratingly, I was unable to re locate him until his death on 31 August 1836, making him 59 when he died. He was buried in Windsor.
By piecing together bits of information from the Archives it is impressive how much about John Lees' life I have actually come up with.




NOTES FOR JOHN LEES

RECRUITMENT
John Lees was subsisted for seventy eight days from 8 October to 24 December 1796 at a rate of eight pennies per day. A subsistence allowance is chiefly a British term that is an advance paid to an employee to reimburse expenses, or paid before their pay begins.

1 Public Record Office, London. War Office, 1789-1796
Musters Rolls and Pay Lists,
A.O. New South Wales
Veteran Company No. Reel 417.
2 Ibid.
3 Convict Guide
A.O. New South Wales, p. 23.
4 Public Record Office, London. War Office, 1789-1796
Musters Rolls and Pay Lists,
A.O. New South Wales No. Reel 417.
5 Convict Guide
A.O. New South Wales, p. 23.
6 Public Record Office, London. War Office, 1789-1796
Musters Rolls and Pay Lists,
A.O. New South Wales No. Reel 417.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 Public Record Office, London. War Office, 1789-1796
Musters Rolls and Pay Lists,
A.O. New South Wales No. Reel 417.
11 Ibid.
12 Baxter, C.J. (Editor)
Musters of N.S.W. and Norfolk Island 1805-1806
(GRR COD 509).
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid.
18 Ibid.
19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
21 Baxter, C.J. (Editor)
General Land and Stock Muster 1822.
A.O. N.S.W.
22 Colonial Secretary's' Correspondence (C.S.C.)
Index 1788-1825
A.O. N.S.W., sz758, Reel 6038, p.315.
23 Ibid.
24 Ibid.
4/1824B, No. 453
Fiche 3091
pp. 677-8
25 Ibid.
4/1854
Fiche 3184, p. 47.
26 Ibid.
4/5782
Reel 6017, pp. 299-301.
27 Ibid.
4/1843a, No. 500a. Fiche 3142, p.277.
28 Colonial Secretary's' Correspondence (C.S.C.)
Index 1788-1825
4/1775
Reel 6060, p. 188.
29 Ibid.
4/1824b, 453
Fiche 3024, pp. 677-678.
30 Ibid.
31 Ibid.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid.
4/1843a, No. 459
Fiche 3141, p. 53.
34 Ibid.
4/3514
Reel 6014, p. 71.
35 A.O. N.S.W. No. 5002
Early Parish Records.
1
· His wage alternated between one pound eleven shillings and one pound ten shillings every second month.
· The position of private was the lowest rank in the corps and the Lieutenant by comparison received ten pounds on average each month. The section remains at the same level of pay at that time and remains detached until the end of the reel on 24 July 1799.(11)
· His acreage in Field Mars was primarily used for grazing with 146 of the 160 acres documented as being under pasture.(15) Lees was cultivating eight acres of wheat and six of maize.(16) He had two bushels of wheat and forty bushels of maize on hand at the time of the muster.(17)
· He also had seven male and seven female hogs grazing on the property at the time.(18)
· Although a modest property, he is listed as employing one convict and seven free men at that time.(19) He is also listed as the sole proprietor, without government assistance and has a wife and one child at this time.(20)


CASTLEREAGH METHODIST CHURCH - CASTLEREAGH ROAD

The original Methodist Church at Castlereagh is believed to be the first Methodist place of worship built in Australia. This first place of worship was a slab building attached to John Lee's home. Later he built a weatherboard chapel - opened in October 1817 - and give it to the Methodist Church. Lees was a former member of the N.S.W. Corps and had led a life "highlighted by drink and gambling", until recovery from a snakebite precipitated his reform.
The present church was built in 1847 for £450. The old chapel became the Wesleyan Common School until the State Education System was instituted and a school built opposite the church. The church was on the Penrith Methodist Circuit.
In the later part of the nineteenth century the population of the Castlereagh region declined and there were no local trust members to maintain the church. As a result, the building became dilapidated until, in 1894, a trust was reorganised and the church was repaired and improved at a cost of £70.
In 1984 a permanent conservation order was placed on the church building. The church, church hall, and adjoining cemetery are already classified by the National Trust.

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC NOTICE.
Sydney, Saturday, 12th Sept. 1812.
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR having furnished the ACTING PRINCIPAL COMMISSARY
with a List of those Persons to whom he has been pleased to extend the Indulgence of drawing a certain Portion of Cattle from the Government Herds, on Credit, Notice is hereby given, that such of the following Persons as have executed the necessary Bonds are to attend on Mr. Jamieson, Superintendant of Government Stock, at the Stock-Yard at Parramatta, on Fix this textThursday, the 1st of October next, to receive the said;
... (names)
And such of the following Persons as have executed the necessary Bonds are to attend in like manner, at the Government Stock-Yard, at the Seven Hills, on Thursday, the 8th of October, to receive the Cattle assigned to them ; viz.
John Lees.... (other names)
1812 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 12 September, p. 1. , viewed 08 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article628540


WATERLOO SUBSCRIPTION.
__
At a MEETING of the CLERGYMEN, MAGISTRATES and principal INHABITANTS of the several Districts of the Hawkesbury, held at Windsor the 19th of February, 1816, in Pursuance of an Advertisement in the Sydney Gazette of the 3rd ultimo; WILLIAM COX, Esq. being called to the Chair, it was unanimously resolved to subscribe to the RELIEF of the noble SUFFERERS under the gallant DUKE of WELLINGTON, on the 18th of June last; and also to request His Excellency the GOVERNOR to be pleased to transmit the same to England by His Majesty's Brig Emu, now on the eve of sailing.
The Districts of the Hawkesbury being so wide and extensive, it was Resolved, that the Magistrates should go round their respective Districts, with some of the principal Inhabitants, in order to collect from the Absentees; when the following Persons voluntarily offered their Services on this Occasion; viz. Mr Richard Fitzgerald, Mr Wm. Baker, and Mr. John Howe, for the District of
Windsor; Mr. Fitz and Mr. Thorley, for the District of Richmond; Mr. Arndell, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Paul Bushel, Mr. Andrew Johnston, and Mr. Edward Reynolds, for Wilberforce, Caddie, and Portland Head; Mr. Gilberthorpe and Mr. George Hall for the District of Pitt Town; and Mr. Charles Hadley and Mr. Pierce Collett, for the District of Castlereagh.
It was also Resolved, that the Subscriptions should be paid into the Hands of Mr. Fitzgerald, as Treasurer, at Windsor; and that a Deputation of James Mileham, Esq. and Mr. Richard Fitzgerald, should wait on HIS EXCELLENCY with the Subscriptions so collected.
WILLIAM COX, Chairman._
Castlereagh District
John Lees 18 s.

Name:Richard Lees
Province:New South Wales
Title:General muster
Year(s):1822

Lees, John, came free, ship- Ganges, Land holder Windsor.
Lees, Richard 17, BC (Born Colony)
Lees, John 14 BC
Lees, Esther 12 BC
Lees, Timothy 6 BC
Lees Sarah, 4 BC
Lees Cornelius 1 BC
(noted as children of John Lees) Mary Lees nee Stevens is noted under her maiden name elsewhere in the muster.
Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

1825 General Muster
Lees, John, came Free Ganges 1797 Land Holder Castelereagh and Evan.
Lees, Richard BC, 20. employed by John Colletts C + Evans
Lees, Esther, 14 BC
Lees, Timothy 10 BC
Lees, Sarah 8
Lees Cornelius 4
Esther, Timothy, Sarah and Cornelius are all noted as children of John Lees. Richard is not noted as a child of John Lees, probably because he is employed and no longer a child.
Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

Name:John Lees
Death Date:1836
Death Place:New South Wales
Registration Year:1836
Registration Place:Castlereagh, New South Wales
Volume Number:V1836668 20
Ancestry.com. Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

John married Mary Stevens on 20 Nov 1808 in St Phillips Church, Sydney, NSW, Australia.³⁶³ (Mary Stevens was born in 1778 in Somerset, England ³⁶⁵ and died on 26 Jul 1839 in Nepean River, New South Wales, Australia ³⁶⁶.)