# Patrick Leslie > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Patrick_Leslie > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Patrick_Leslie.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leslie > Source revision: 1347266437 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Australian politician}} {{for|the Scottish noble|Patrick Leslie, 1st Lord Lindores}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Patrick Leslie | honorific_suffix = '''{{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|JP}}''' | image = Queensland State Archives 3044 Portrait of Patrick Leslie 1877.png | caption = Patrick Leslie, 1877 | constituency_AM2 = [Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa](/source/Electoral_district_of_Moreton%2C_Wide_Bay%2C_Burnett_and_Maranoa) | assembly2 = New South Wales Legislative | term_start2 = 19 November 1857 | term_end2 = 19 December 1857 | predecessor2 = [Gordon Sandeman](/source/Gordon_Sandeman) | successor2 = Seat abolished | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1815|9|25}} | birth_place = [Warthill](/source/Meikle_Wartle), [Aberdeenshire](/source/Aberdeenshire), [Scotland](/source/Scotland) | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1881|8|12|1815|9|25}} | death_place = [Sydney](/source/Sydney), [Australia](/source/Australia) | resting_place = [St Thomas’ Anglican Church Cemetery](/source/St_Thomas_Rest_Park) | birth_name = Patrick Leslie | party = | other_party = | spouse = Catherine Macarthur (m.1840 d.1894) | known_for = | occupation = Pioneer, [Grazier](/source/Pastoral_farming), [Politician](/source/Politician) | relations = [Hannibal Macarthur](/source/Hannibal_Hawkins_Macarthur) (father-in-law) | alma_mater = }} '''Patrick Leslie''' (25 September 1815 – 12 August 1881) was a [Scottish](/source/Scotland) [settler](/source/settler) in [Australia](/source/Australia). Leslie and his two brothers (Walter and [George](/source/George_Farquhar_Leslie)) were the first to settle on the [Darling Downs](/source/Darling_Downs), and he was the first person to buy land in [Warwick](/source/Warwick%2C_Queensland). ==Early life== thumb|Patrick Leslie sculpture Partick Leslie was born in Warthill, also known as [Meikle Wartle](/source/Meikle_Wartle)Meikle Wartle is located at {{Coord|57.36|N|02.46|W|region:GB}} in [Aberdeenshire](/source/Aberdeenshire_(traditional)) on 25 September 1815. He was the second son of William and Jane Leslie. His father was the 8th Laird of Folla and 9th Laird of Warthill, JP, DL, 27th in line of descent from the 1st Baron of Balquhain.{{Cite web|url=http://members.cox.net/ghgraham/williamleslie1770.html |title=William Leslie 1770 |accessdate=2006-08-20 |author=George H. Graham |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519195546/http://members.cox.net/ghgraham/williamleslie1770.html |archivedate=19 May 2006 }} The Leslies were members of the [Church of Scotland](/source/Church_of_Scotland).{{cite AuDB |id2=leslie-patrick-2351 |title=Leslie, Patrick (1815–1881) |first=K G T |last=Waller |access-date=18 April 2019}} In December 1834, Leslie left London as a passenger aboard the convict transport ''Emma Eugenia'', arriving in [Sydney](/source/Sydney) in May 1835. By 1836 he was managing Collaroi, a property owned by his uncle, Walter Stevenson Davidson, in the Cassilis district of [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales). Later on he rented Dunheved farm at [Penrith](/source/Penrith%2C_New_South_Wales). Leslie was a poor manager however, and his activities drew criticism from his uncle, who was forced to sell the property to his relations, E. W. T. Hamilton and George Clive, by 1840. Leslie was left deeply in debt to Davidson as a result of this episode.{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/davidson-walter-stevenson-1960|title=Davidson, Walter Stevenson (1785 - 1869)|chapter=Walter Stevenson Davidson (1785–1869) |access-date=2006-08-22|publisher=[Melbourne University Press](/source/Melbourne_University_Press)|year=1966|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061221013448/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010274b.htm|archive-date=21 December 2006|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} When his brothers Walter and [George](/source/George_Farquhar_Leslie) arrived in the colony, Patrick decided to look for new land to the north. ==Activity on the Darling Downs== In 1840 Patrick Leslie started with stock from a [New England](/source/New_England_(New_South_Wales)) station, then the most northerly settled district in New South Wales, and [squatted](/source/Squattocracy) Toolburra and [Canning Downs](/source/Canning_Downs) (at {{Coord|28.226419|S|152.065747|E|region:AU|}}), the first stations on the [Condamine River](/source/Condamine_River), before the river had been identified as a tributary of the [Darling River](/source/Darling_River). Leslie met explorer [Allan Cunningham](/source/Allan_Cunningham_(botanist)) at the home of [Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur](/source/Hannibal_Hawkins_Macarthur) in Parramatta.{{Cite web|url=http://www.freestoness.qld.edu.au/school/history.htm |title=History of freestone |accessdate=2006-08-25 |publisher=Freestone Parents and Citizen’s Association 1988 |year=1988 |author=Olwyn Mauch |work=The History and Memories of Freestone 1827 - 1988 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819164026/http://freestoness.qld.edu.au/school/history.htm |archivedate=19 August 2006 }} In 1840 Leslie, accompanied by a convict named Peter Murphy, followed in the footsteps of the explorer. On the return trip to Sydney he marked a trail by cutting into the trees. This became known as "Leslie’s marked tree line". thumb|Plaque near Toolburra On his return to Sydney Leslie married Catherine (Kate), daughter of [Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur](/source/Hannibal_Hawkins_Macarthur), at [Parramatta](/source/Parramatta) on 9 September 1840. His best man at the wedding was [Stuart Donaldson](/source/Stuart_Donaldson). On 2 July 1840, the first head station was established by Walter Leslie at Toolburra. Walter and George Leslie then set about building a residence at Canning Downs. Although the three Leslie brothers claimed all the land to the head of the [Condamine River](/source/Condamine_River), including its tributaries, they were forced to give up most of the claim to new arrivals because of the requirement that all land claimed had to be adequately stocked. thumb In 1841 Leslie and his wife travelled from Sydney to [Brisbane](/source/Brisbane) aboard the [Hunter River Steam Navigation Company](/source/Australasian_Steam_Navigation_Company) steamer, ''Shamrock''. They were then counted as the first family to make the journey from Brisbane to the Darling Downs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.home.gil.com.au/~tmacey/history/pioneering.html |title=Pioneering the Darling Downs - the Leslies |accessdate=2006-08-26 |year=1910 |work=Jubilee History of Ipswich |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821163211/http://www.home.gil.com.au/~tmacey/history/pioneering.html |archivedate=21 August 2006 }} By 1841 the Leslies had sold their interest in 'Toolburra' and moved to 'Canning Downs' which was managed by George and Walter Leslie. When the Leslies first settled on Canning Downs, they had 6000 sheep, two teams of bullocks and drays, one team of horses and a dray, 10 saddle horses, and 22 convict employees. The task of building up the property during a time of depression proved too difficult and Patrick Leslie was ruined financially by 1844. In 1845 Leslie acquired 14 hectares of land in his father's name on the banks of [Breakfast Creek](/source/Breakfast_Creek), [Brisbane](/source/Brisbane) and built [Newstead House](/source/Newstead_House) ({{Coord|-27.4426|153.0462|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Newstead House}}),{{Cite web|url=http://parlpapers.sl.nsw.gov.au/display.cfm?parl_id=10700|title=Patrick Leslie (1815 - 1881)|accessdate=2006-08-20|publisher=State Library of New South Wales|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821142347/http://parlpapers.sl.nsw.gov.au/display.cfm?parl_id=10700|archive-date=21 August 2006|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} where he lived while pasturing flocks at Canning Downs. In 1846 he acquired 'Goomburra' on the Darling Downs. Newstead House was sold to his brother-in-law, [John Clements Wickham](/source/John_Clements_Wickham), the following year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au/history/history.htm |title=Newstead House - History and Virtual Tour |accessdate=2006-08-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005020653/http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au/history/history.htm |archivedate=5 October 2013 }}[[File:Lesliesculptures.jpg|thumb|right|The Leslie Sculptures, [Leslie Dam](/source/Leslie_Dam) near Warwick.]] In 1847 the [Government of New South Wales](/source/Government_of_New_South_Wales) asked Leslie to select a site for a town on Canning Downs station. It was to be known as Canningtown, the local Aborigines knew the area as Gooragooby, but the name [Warwick](/source/Warwick%2C_Queensland) was eventually chosen.{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/2005/02/17/1108500203807.html|title=Warwick|year=2004|publisher=[Sydney Morning Herald](/source/Sydney_Morning_Herald)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217042548/http://www.smh.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/2005/02/17/1108500203807.html|archive-date=17 February 2007|accessdate=2006-08-26|df=dmy-all}} At the first land sale in Warwick 1848 Patrick Leslie bought the first allotment. Today much of the water supply for city of Warwick is drawn from [Leslie Dam](/source/Leslie_Dam), and larger than life granite sculptures of and Patrick and Catherine Leslie are located in a park adjacent to the dam wall. In 1851, Leslie also bought nearby Gladfield Station.{{Cite web|url=http://www.clanleslie.org/Castles4.html|title=Castles Page 4|accessdate=2006-08-27|publisher=Clan Leslie Society of Australia and New Zealand|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820100206/http://www.clanleslie.org/Castles4.html|archivedate=20 August 2006|df=dmy-all}} In 1854 after selling Goomburra to [Robert Tooth](/source/Robert_Tooth), Leslie left Australia with his wife and son and returned to Britain. ==Politics== Leslie was elected as member of the [NSW Legislative Assembly](/source/NSW_Legislative_Assembly) for the seat of [Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa](/source/Electoral_district_of_Moreton%2C_Wide_Bay%2C_Burnett_and_Maranoa) from 19 November to 19 December 1857,{{Cite NSW Parliament |id=430 |name=Mr Patrick Leslie (1815-1881) |former=Yes |access-date=18 April 2019}} when the parliament was dissolved. Leslie did not contest the [1858 election](/source/Results_of_the_1858_New_South_Wales_colonial_election).{{cite NSW election |title=1858 Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa |year=1858 |district=MoretonWideBayBurnettandMaranoa |accessdate=12 June 2019}} ==New Zealand== Patrick Leslie and his family moved to [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand), arriving in Auckland on 20 October 1868. He purchased land in [Waikato](/source/Waikato), where he established a productive farm and sheep stud at ''Wartle'', just south of [Hamilton](/source/Hamilton%2C_New_Zealand), on New Zealand's North Island. He sold his New Zealand holdings due to failing health in 1879, returning to Australia in his retirement.{{Cite web|url=http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/newsletters/leslie/vol1no12.pdf |title=Downunder |accessdate=2006-08-21 |year=2001 |author=Barrie Leslie |work=The Newsletter Of The Australian & New Zealand Branch Of Clan Leslie Society |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040312034619/http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/newsletters/leslie/vol1no12.pdf |archivedate=12 March 2004 }} ==Retirement and death== In 1879 he retired to [Milsons Point](/source/Milsons_Point), Sydney, where he died on 12 August 1881 following a short illness. He was buried in plot 799 {{Cite web | title = Australian Cemeteries Website | url = http://www.australiancemeteries.com/nsw/nthsydney/stthomasgndata.htm | accessdate = 2011-08-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120320032635/http://www.australiancemeteries.com/nsw/nthsydney/stthomasgndata.htm | archive-date = 20 March 2012 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }} at [St Thomas’ Anglican Church Cemetery](/source/St_Thomas_Rest_Park) in West Street, [Crows Nest](/source/Crows_Nest%2C_New_South_Wales), Sydney. Leslie was survived by his wife, Catherine and four grandchildren. ==Legacy== thumb|Leslie centenary memorial gates, 2015 The Leslie brothers are memorialised by a set of gates to Leslie Park in [Warwick](/source/Warwick%2C_Queensland) on the corner of Fitzroy and Guy Streets. These gates were taken from the [Glengallan Homestead](/source/Glengallan_Homestead) and re-erected in the Park to commemorate the centenary of the Leslie brothers establishing [Canning Downs](/source/Canning_Downs) pastoral run.{{cite web|title=Patrick and George Leslie|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/settlement/display/96535-patrick-and-george-leslie|website=Monument Australia|accessdate=9 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111224902/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/settlement/display/96535-patrick-and-george-leslie|archive-date=11 January 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189032666 |title=Historic Gates. |newspaper=[Warwick Daily News](/source/Warwick_Daily_News) |location=Qld. |date=12 February 1941 |accessdate=9 October 2015 |page=2 |via=Trove |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712061116/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189032666 |url-status=live }} ==References== {{Reflist}} *[Favenc, Ernest](/source/Ernest_Favenc). 1908. ''The Explorers of Australia and their Life-work''. Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. ==External links== * [http://www.toowoomba.qld.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=385&Itemid=207 First Settler on the Darling Downs] at Toowoomba City Council * [http://gutenberg.net.au/pages/leslie.html Patrick Leslie] from ''The Explorers of Australia and their Life-work'' * [http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au/ Newstead House website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060820102347/http://www.clanleslie.org/3_Leslie_brothers.html#3%20brothers Clan Leslie Society] * [http://www.canningdowns.com.au/ Canning Downs] still exists today. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060902194804/http://www.library.uq.edu.au/fryer/hume/web/602.html Photograph of Canning Downs in 1894] * [http://search.digitalnz.org/records?custom_search=fdsa&facet_num_results=300&i%5bcategory%5d=Manuscripts&i%5bcreator%5d=Leslie%2C+Patrick%2C+d+1881&page=1 Collection of hand written letters] by Patrick Leslie to Sir Donald Maclean * [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183959420902061 Colonial Secretary's papers 1822-1877], [State Library of Queensland](/source/State_Library_of_Queensland)- includes digitised letters written by Leslie to the [Colonial Secretary of New South Wales](/source/Colonial_Secretary_of_New_South_Wales) {{s-start}} {{s-par|au-nsw-la}} {{s-bef|before= [Gordon Sandeman](/source/Gordon_Sandeman)}} {{s-ttl |title= Member for
[Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa](/source/Electoral_district_of_Moreton%2C_Wide_Bay%2C_Burnett_and_Maranoa)|years=Nov–Dec 1857}} {{s-aft|after=[William Tooth](/source/William_Tooth) |as=member for Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett,
Maranoa, Leichhardt and Port Curtis}} {{s-end}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Leslie, Patrick}} Category:Explorers of Australia Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Category:1815 births Category:1881 deaths Category:People from Garioch Category:People from Warwick, Queensland Category:19th-century Australian politicians Category:Squatting in Australia --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Patrick Leslie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leslie) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leslie?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.