John GAGGIN [9998]

  General Notes:

In 1820 John Gaggin, Nephew of John Drennan, the Deputy Commissary, was employed at the Windsor Commissariat Store. John arrived aboard the "Globe" on 9th January, 1919. The population of Windsor was now 5385. The social life in Windsor reached an all time high about 1822. An interesting letter to the printer of the Sydney Gazette appeared on 5th April 1822 :-

"Sir, You talk of the prevailing Sydney gaiety, but allow me to give you a description of our grand doings here, and at Richmond. On Monday evening of the 11th ult., William Bell Esq. of Bellmont entertained a large party of Ladies and Gentlemen; The Windsor band attended; and the dance was led off to the tune of "Rivers, I am beyond your reach". On the Wednesday following, William Cox Esquire of Clarendon, invited a large party of his friends to celebrate the christening of his son, and closed the evening with a lively dance to the tune of "The Golden Fleece" or "The Merino Breed is Pure". On the Friday following, Windsor was the scene of barouches and four, crowded with Ladies, single-horse chaises and horses with out-riders, until a late hour of the day, passing to Clifton Cottage, the residence of Captain Brabyn, where a sumptous dinner was prepared; and in the evening a sprightly dance commenced, led off by Miss Brabyn, to the tune of "Speed the Plough", which was played by the Windsor band with animated glee. This entertainment was honoured with the company of several Officers of His Majesty's ship, Dauntless. The party did not break up until the splendid luminary of this lower world bade the bandsman repair to that labour which afford all the comforts of a friendly welcome and a country life. The visitors left Richmond and its neightbourhood with one general wish, that part of the country might be blessed the continued plenty and its inhabitants ever be rendered happy. Yours, &c. RECIFFOLAVAN (perhaps the signature makes more sense if read backwards)

In 1824 John had received a grant of 2000 acres at Luskintyre, parish of Stanhope, County of Durham, in the Hunter Valley, the cost of developement and stock, and drought conditions weighed heavily exacerbated by further land purchase.

The Sydney Herald Monday, 18 April 1831 Vol. 1 No 1 page 4.
Insolvents declared by the Supreme Court, April 6, . . . . . Gaggin . . . . .

John was insolvent and lost his land at Stanhope to his creditors. John then settled on his father-in-law, John Brabyn's property at Falbrook "Sydenham" and built a homestead, he settled his family there in Sept 1832.

On the 4 Mar 1831 John Brabyn executed a deed placing Sydenham in trust for his grandson Frederick Charles Gaggin, upon reaching his majority.

Drought and a savage recession struck in the early 1840's, driving John bankrupt for the second time in 1843. Sydenham was protected, held in trust for Frederick Charles Gaggin. This also ensured his daughter was protected from the elements of a harsh land and a husband who liked to gamble on the horses. After 1843 drought conditions began to ease and things improved.

In 1850 Frederick Charles Gaggin claimed his inheritance.

In 1851 John Gaggin was appointed Commissioner for Crown Lands for the Police Districts of Patrick Plains, Merton and Musswellbrook and was sitting on the Local Bench at Maitland Quarter Sessions.

John Gaggin the gambler, he persuaded his son in 1851, to advance him one hundred pounds borrowed against "Sydenham". He was living beyond his means.

In 1856 a Supreme Court Jury found against John Gaggin acting as a Magistrate, in a civil action for malicious arrest and imprisonment. The Court ordered the plaintiff three hundred pounds in damages. "Sydenham" was further mortaged to the total extent of eight hundred pounds.

Further more in 1857 certain irregularities in his accounting for public moneys came to light in respect of his position as Commissioner for the Sale of Crown Lands. Significant amounts of money were involved. John Gaggin's Commission as a Justice of the Peace was not renewed, and he was removed from the position of Commissioner for the Sale of Crown Lands.

In December 1857, notice of the sale of Sydenham was published.

On 22 September 1859 a death announcement appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald: "Early in August 1859 in Victoria, Mr John Gaggin late of the Hunter River. Deeply regretted by his family and a large circle of friends."
Searches of records in both NSW & Victoria were unable to confirm this event, and it was considered perhaps a device to "disappear". There was a suspicion he went to NZ.

  Other Records

1. Gaggin & Brabyn family history.
The Gaggin & Brabyn family pages 217 - 224 from the Life & Times of John Brabyn by Betty McGrath.

John had a relationship with Lucy FREEMAN [17631] [MRIN: 6360].

John next married Mary Louisa BRABYN [9999] [MRIN: 3064], daughter of Capt John BRABYN [14458] and Sarah ELLIOTT [14459], on 8 Oct 1822 in St Matthew Windsor NSW. (Mary Louisa BRABYN [9999] was born on 22 Sep 1803 in Paramatta Barracks George St Sydney NSW, baptised on 23 Feb 1806 in St John Paramatta NSW, died on 19 Sep 1884 in Singleton NSW and was buried on 21 Sep 1884 in Whittingham Cemetery NSW.)