John Laughton (1815 - 1901)

Born 1815 in Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 14 Sep 1901 at about age 86 in Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

John was born in 1815 in Scotland. His father's name was Peter (2,3)

28 Sep 1901 Obituary published in the Richmond and Windsor Gazette:

The Late Mr. John Laughton.

[By an old friend.]

By the death of Mr John Laughton, of Laughtondale, Lower Hawkesbury, another of "the old familiar faces has passed out of sight. The writer was privileged, as he esteems it, to be intimately acquainted with the deceased, and a few appreciative remarks will be acceptable to the numerous readers of the Gazette. Mr Laughton was a native of Scotland, and had all the tenacity of convictions conspicuous in his countrymen. His principles of any class, religious, social, or political, were not held feebly or intermittently, but as a part of his nature vital to it.

As a lay preacher in the Wesleyan Church the greater part of his long life, Mr Laughton was highly intelligent and acceptable. He was a clear, sound theologian, and read books, deep and beyond the mental grasp of many of his compeers. Mr Laughton knew exactly what he believed and why he believed it, and the religious influence he wielded was widespread and helpful to his fellow men. He was faithful in the various church offices he filled, and a generous contributor to religious and charitable objects, as far as moderate means would permit.

Social reform had in him a warm advocate, and he stood by the temperance cause unflinchingly. In politics he was always for freedom. He was a freetrader, and upheld progressive aims generally.

Having lived for over half a century on the Lower Hawkesbury, Mr Laughton could tell some gruesome stories of the convict times when the unfortunates were cruelly dealt with as they laboured at Wiseman's Ferry to cut roads through solid rock, and build up an enduring highway on mountain sides of precipitous slope.

At 82 years of age he was "the old man eloquent," whose "tales of a grandfather" were really fascinating, not only with facts of ancient days, but enlivened with gleams of wit and humor. Had Mr Laughton written the experiences and observations of his life, an attractive book would have resulted. As a friend he was true as steel - one to be depended upon implicitly, and the hospitality of his home was hearty and generous.

A good man has completed a life of 86 years, lived in usefulness and kindliness, and leaving behind him a memory his family may be proud of, and an influence that will go on blessing the world to the end of time. The good old Patriarch leaves a large family of sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and the name of honest John Laughton is not likely to disappear from the Hawkesbury. May his virtues continue in his descendants (1)

Sources

• 1. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85857129
• 2. http://austcemindex.com/?cemid=768
• 3. NSW BDM Death 11925/1901 LAUGHTON JOHN PETER WISEMANS FERRY
• The Secret River Project- inspired by Kate Grenville's book, Secret River.