FLEMING FAMILY

Joseph FLEMING Born c.1753 England, Died 1795 in Concord, NSW, Australia. It is also said that he was born on board a ship on the way to the USA. He married Mary Ann LAY on 8th July 1788 in White Colne, Essex, England, (ref D/P 243/1/4). Confirmed on 20.03.2009

Joseph Fleming so we have been told was a professional Soldier in the English Army. It has been said that he served with the 29th Regiment of Foot during the American War of Independence. This regiment served in America. There are reports that Joseph met his wife Mary Ann in the USA and that they married there. I have checked with the Essex records and have confirmation that they married in England. It is said that they both travelled to the USA. Their first born child, Eleanor was supposedly born in the USA c. 1781. This information is only surmised as there has been no proof found as yet except for the marriage, which was confirmed in writing.

When back in England and on the 3rd December, 1789 Joseph transferred to the New South Wales Corps. He was promoted to Sergeant in January 1790. They arrived on Australian soil, as part of the Third Fleet, on the ship “William and Ann” on the 28th August 1791, and history tells us that as the ship was berthed in Sydney a son was born to the Fleming's, he was called Henry, this is significant as he was to establish the Fleming blood line in this country. He was the first Australian born to be given grants of land in this country when he was only 5 years and 4 months old.

Joseph left the New South Wales Corps on the 26 November 1794 and was given grants of land at Concord, Sydney NSW. He died on his property not long after, in 1795 leaving a widow and three young children.

At the moment it is recorded on the Old Sydney Burial Ground records that Joseph was executed and buried on the 17th July 1794 which is not correct as Joseph left the NSW Corps on the 26th November of that year and was given grants of land and this is recorded in the Colonial Secretaries records. There was however a convict by the name of Joseph Fleming who was executed and buried on that day, so it seems that there has been a mix up in the people named Joseph Fleming. Joseph was mostly recorded as Flemming in the records. I have written to the history@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to get this corrected for our families and descendants. Dec. 2015

First Generation Australia.

Children of Joseph and Mary Fleming / Flemming...

1. Eleanor Fleming born c. 1781 in the USA. Died 10th April 1865 Wilberforce NSW. Eleanor married 31st December 1800 David BROWN 1772 – 10.02.1826 at St Johns, Parramatta, NSW. (V1800214 147A/1800 & V1800489 3A/1800)  Australia. Eleanor Brown and many other family burials recorded here.

2. Henry Fleming born 28.08.1791 – 11.12.1838 (Parish Parramatta, St John's, (Vol.Ref.V1791148 1A,) NSW Reg. year 1791) married 18.02.1810 Elizabeth Hall 02.04.1793 – 06.02.1834. Henry was Christened in NSW on 11th September 1791 at St. Phillips Church Sydney as per (Batch N° 7733414 LDS. Call N° 1126169.)

Walking through Pitt Town.

Strolling throughout this delightful village may take as long as it does in Windsor because its buildings are quite widely distributed, but the visitor will soon discover why A Country Practice used this village for so many shots.

Of particular interest are the former Maid of Australia Inn, a typical street corner inn located at 87 Bathurst Street which operated between the 1850s and 1890s. At 104 Bathurst Street are the remnants of the Blighton Arms which dates from the earliest years of the town. The original owner, Henry Fleming, lost his license in 1819 but re–opened in 1830 calling the building the Macquarie Arms.

3. Margaret Fleming born 1st December 1793 in Sydney, NSW. Christened 25th December 1793 St Phillips. Died 26th July 1813 Pitt Town and buried in Windsor, NSW. Lived with John Ryley from about 1810. John was a convict who came to Australia in 1801 on the ship Earl Conwallis from Portsmouth being sentenced to 7 years.

Mary Ann (Lay) Fleming later married Benjamin Jones in 1798 a pardoned convict. V1798332 3A/1798. Jones arrived by the Britannia in 1791. Benjamin was born 02.12.1772 in St Martins. Birmingham, England. Mary and Benjamin had 4 children:

1798 – 1875 Elizabeth Jones V1798497 4/1798
1799 – 1888 John Boraston Jones
1803 – 1886 James Jones V1803474 148/1803
1804 – 1816 Benjamin Jones V1804473 148/1804

The family moved to the Hawkesbury property of Henry Fleming. Jones and his family eventually moved to Van Diemen's Land in 1815 leaving Henry Fleming behind as trustee of the Jones estates. Mary (Lay. Fleming) Jones died 15th May 1838 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Click to go to cemetery

Mary's Plaque in St. Davids Cemetery in Hobart.


Second Generation Australia.

1. Eleanor FLEMING married David Brown

David BROWN a 17 year old ex soldier of the 74th Regiment of Foot was born in Scotland round 1772. He arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 14th February 1792 on the "Pitt" transport ship. He was convicted in Glasgow in 1788 of house breaking and sentenced to transportation for life with 7 years of service. He received his first land grant of 30 acres At Wilberforce in 1798 and an Absolute Pardon 1799 for his work as a constable. David became a farmer and in this pursuit he became quite successful and helped meet the colony's desperate need to feed the growing population of Sydney Town. More info here under "Marriages of George McGinnis' Daughters".

In 1800 he married Eleanor FLEMING and they had 11 children and adopted Eleanor's sister Margaret's daughter, a baby named Margaret after her Mother.


Eleanor and David had:–

Isabella Brown born 1801 died 14.08.1883 Buried Wilberforce Cemetery. RR07.21 married in 1822 Paul Bushell. Isabella had a son William Brown whose father was Richard Rowe prior to meeting Paul.

Isabella's son William Brown married Sarah McGinnis, 08.10.1822 – 13/01/1902 sister of Mary and Phoebe. As David bought a farm for each of his children including his adopted daughter Margaret much of this family was put together using land records.


Mary Ann Brown born 28.04.1804 – 30.06.1829 No registration of Baptism ( V1807565 148/1807? ) m. 02.08.1819 (1) Thomas Griffith, m 1828 (2) William Waterford.

Joseph Robert Brown born 18.12.1806 died 24.01.1862 m 21.03.1825 Izette Lisson b. 1810 V18102245 1A/1810 to Thomas and Ann.

Ann Brown born 1807 died 15.08.1819 aged 12 years. Buried Wilberforce Cemetery. RR07.21

David Brown born 07.09.1810 died 08.11.1837 (V18102376 1A/1810) m 11.05.1828 Mary McGinnis

Eleanor Brown born 14.12.1812 died 7.12.1866 (V18123115 1A/1812) m 15.12.1829
Thomas Chaseling

Elizabeth Brown born 24.02.1815 died 12.01.1838 aged 23, (V18153654 1B/1815) had Christina Brown born 8.09.1835. Elizabeth m 17.10.1837 William Murray.

Sarah Brown b 05.09.1818 died 18.07.1894 m 08.07.1834 Robert Smith

Henry Brown born 23.06.1820 died 20.07.1881, m 28.06.1842 Eliza Maskey

William John Brown born 10.08.1821 died 1865 (V18218285 1C/1821 & V1821519 11/1821) m 19.02.1841 Sarah Wiseman

John Brown born 07.07.1824 died 03.10.1906, (V18248286 1C/1824 & V1824520 11/1824) m 29.07.1846 Sarah Kesia Winton born 1830 to James Winton and Mary Jane or Ann Lisson or Leeson. LDS. They had 13 children.

Eleanor and David also raised her deceased sister's daughter Margaret who married Thomas Phillips.


2. Henry FLEMING aged 18 married 18.02.1810 Elizabeth HALL (Parish Parramatta, ST John's (Volumn Reference V1810428 147A, NSW Registration Year 1810). On 1 May 1797 Henry Fleming, aged five years was ...."Granted thirty acres of land on the banks of the River Hawkesbury in the district of Mulgrave Place. Rent: one shilling per year commencing after five years". This was grant No 701, made by Governor Hunter. It is said that he was the youngest to receive a grant. Elizabeth Hall was the daughter of Mary (Smith) and George Hall, after whom Hall Street, Pitt Town was named. Henry and Elizabeth lived in Pitt Town for some years and then moved up to the Branch.

Henry and Elizabeth had:–

Joseph Fleming born 06.01.1811 died 23.09.1891 (1891/C2107) married age 20, on 29th April 1831 in Wilberforce to
1. Phoebe McGinnis age 19, (V1831182 73A/1831) 29.09.1811 – 24.03.1853
2. Mary Harriet Everitt 27.06.1858 (2863/1858) marriage lasted only 17 months.

Political Career
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/formermembers/memberBio1.aspx?m_id=220


George Fleming was born 00.09.1813 – 29.09.1879 m 17.09.1839 Margaret McGinnis in McDonald Valley NSW. (V18393139 74A/1839) 06.07.1813 – 07.10.1902, both aged 26. George and Margaret are buried in St. Judes Church Cemetery.

John Henry Fleming born 27.03.1816 Pitt Town NSW died 20 Aug 1894 Windsor, NSW, 14697/1894 m. 21.10.1840 Charlotte Dunstan in Wilberforce NSW. (V1840411 24B/1840) We have not found any children from this marriage. Charlotte died 13.06.1908. She is buried with husband John in the Wilberforce Cemetery NSW RR20.01   John was mixed up with the Myall Creek Massacre.

Mary Ann Fleming born 04.06.1817 – 06.04.1887 m. 26.08.1834 John Jurd McDonald River NSW. (V18341497 18/1834)

Elizabeth Fleming born 26.11.1820 – 20.07.1825. (V18205345 1B/1820) (V18256534 2B/1825) buried in Pit Town Old Cemetery , Old Pitt Town Road.

Margaret Fleming born 18.04.1823 – 12.09.1881 m. 29.09.1845 George Collins. d. 1885 (V1845288 30B/1845)

Elizabeth Fleming born 11.07.1825 – 27.04.1911 (V1825491 11/1825) m. 08.09.1847 William Smith Hall. (V1847325 78/1847)

Jane Fleming born 12.12.1830 – 28.03.1857 (1519/1856 )m. 30.06.1857 William Smith.

Henry Fleming was born on 3 Jan 1833 – died 29 Jan 1833 (V1833890 17/1833)

Frances Fleming born 21.01.1834 – 1896 10260/1896 m. 1855 Richard Ford Hawkesbury, NSW. (V1855599 43B/1855)

Henry and Elizabeth also raised Henry's deceased sister Margaret's son James. Even though James was registered as a Fleming it seems he went by his father's surname Reilly. It also seems he went to work at the mill at Bremer Mills with Joseph. Elizabeth passed away 2 weeks after Frances was born in 1834.


3. Margaret FLEMING and John Ryley. He was, according to the 1828 census a 50 year old, working as a Labourer in Pitt Town. He was also a convict, sentenced to 7 years to be served in the colony. As both children were registered under the name Fleming it suggests that perhaps Margaret did not marry John Ryley and maybe just was his partner. Surname also registered as Reilly. They had 2 children.

James Fleming born 26 November 1811 in New South Wales, Australia. V18112659 1A/1811. James was raised by his Uncle Henry and Aunt Elizabeth (Hall) Fleming. He died 25 August 1862.

Margaret Flemming² born 26 July 1813 in Windsor, New South Wales, Australia. V18133114 1A/1813 Raised by her Aunt and Uncle, Eleanor and David Brown. Margaret Flemming ² married 11.05.1828 Thomas Phillips. V18284289 3B/1828

Margaret Fleming died 26th July 1813 aged 21 years, due to complications from the birth of baby Margaret², it would seem. V18133046 2A/1813

Third Generation Australia.

Isabella's son William Brown married Sarah McGinnis, sister of Mary and Phoebe. They had..

19.01.1843 William Brown
25.06.1844 Isabella Brown
22.12.1846 Ann Brown
18.12.1848 George Brown
10.04.1850 Clara Brown
20.01.1853 David Charles Brown
06.05.1854 Phoebe Catherine Brown born in Wilberforce, NSW
20.06.1856 Sarah Jane Brown born in Windsor, NSW
14.07.1858 Paul Benjamin Brown born in Windsor, NSW
02.05.1861 Joseph Walter Brown born in Windsor, NSW
29.05.1863 Gertrude Maud Brown born in Windsor, NSW
01.02.1866 Alfred Ernest Brown


Joseph FLEMING and Phoebe McGINNIS had the following children...

00.00.1832 – 00.00.1835 Joseph V183246 162A/1832 V18351666 19/1835
00.00.1836 – 25.09.1914 Maria V1836123 162A/1836 died Windsor, NSW, 12047/1914 m. Prosper Tuckerman born (1833)
00.00.1838 – 00.00.0000 Letitia V1838154 162A/1838 m. Thomas Harrison. (c1838)
00.00.1842 – 00.00.1907 Catherine V18421094 26A/1842 died QLD, 1907/C2064 m. John Blaine. (c1842)
00.00.1844 – 00.00.1875 Caroline V18441558 28/1844 died QLD, 1875/C908 m. Scott Smith. (c1844)
00.00.1847 – 00.00.1900 Phoebe Josephine V18471303 32A/1847 1900/C276 m. William Fullerton. c1847
24.03.1853 – 24.03.1853 Still born son.


George FLEMING and Margaret McGINNES had 9 children:-

26.09.1840 – 07.12.1899 Elizabeth Hall Fleming (V1840994 24A/1840) m 15.09.1871 Richard Holland.
16.04.1842 – 01.07.1918 Louisa Ann Fleming (V18421087 26A/1842) m 1868 James Jurd.
10.10.1843 – 12.03.1907 Henry Alfred Fleming (V18431001 27A/1843) m 1871 Emma Jane Doust.
11.08.1845 – 28.12.1845 George Thomas Fleming Hawkesbury, NSW (V18451449 30A/1845)
13.10.1846 – 16.09.1916 Prosper John Fleming b. McDonald River, NSW. m. 08.12.1868 Margaret Daniel (V18461437 31A/1846) 19.12.1842 – 28.07.1934 Daughter of James and Mary (Riley)Daniel.
08.09.1848 – 20.06.1916 Joseph Walter Fleming (V18481351 33A/1848)
22.07.1851 – 12.01.1935 George John Fleming (1681/1935) m. 1866 Margaret Egan
12.07.1854 – 16.07.1909 John Henry Fleming (11012/1909) m 08.11.1877 Catherine Jane Decaux 24.08.1858.– 14.07.1926.
03.01.1857 – 24.06.1923 William Frederick Fleming (7711/1857 )


John Henry Fleming and Charlotte Dunstan born 19th October 1818 - Windsor Nsw. No children found as yet...

Mary Ann Fleming and John Jurd had the following children.....

John b. 1835 V1835979 19/1835 d. 1914 Wollombi, NSW, 2991/1914 m. Elizabeth Chapman, (c1835)
Daniel Richard b. 11.08.1837 d. 29.06.1896 Bundarra, NSW, 5828/1896 m.20.11.1859 Louisa Chapman
17.01.1/846 – 04.05.1921
Jane Elizabeth b. 03.08.1839 V18392015 162A/1839 d. 08.02.1879 m. 21.07.1857 John Walker
09.04.1836 – 19.08.1890
Eliza Frances b. 03.08.1842 d. 02.08.1915 m. 1862 Joseph Walker 08.01.1840 – 25.07.1933
Charlotte b. 1845 V18451448 30A/1845 d. 1917 St Albans, NSW, 8545/1917 m. Fernance, Charles
Henry Joseph b. 1848 V18481333 33A/1848 d. 1915 St Albans, NSW, 15749/1915 m. Emily May, (c1848)
Mary Ann b. 1850 V1850410 35/1850 d. 1936
Sarah Ann b. 1853 V18532591 39A/1853 d. 1937
Richard b. 1856 Macdonald River NSW, 5294/1856 d. 1942 Windsor, NSW, 30954/1942 m. Emma Butler.
William John b. 1859 Macdonald River NSW, 8650/1859 d. 1947

Margaret FLEMING² 27.07.1813 – 14.05.1838 married 1828 Thomas PHILLIPS 1805 – 08.05.1836. Their children..

24.06.1829 – 00.00.1886 Jane Eleanor Phillips in Pitt Town, NSW who married 1846 James Walmsley 20.05.1818 – 03.02.1905 son of Edward b: 1782 and Sarah (Walker) Walmsley b: 1796 both from Drumchay, Fermanagh, Ireland
21.06.1831 – Isabella Phillips in Pitt Town, NSW married Edward Wansley b 10.08.1829
00.00.1833 – Daniel Phillips in NSW
00.00.1835 – Lydia Phillips in NSW, Australia


Fourth Generation Australia.

Henry Alfred FLEMING (born Sydney 10.10.1843,) married at Taree in NSW 05.07.1871 2540/1871 Emma Jane DOUST (born 6.4.1852, Pelican Bay, Manning River, NSW), daughter of Sarah (nee PRIEST & Ebenezer DOUST) V18521371 51/1852. Can only find 1 child at this stage.

02.05.1872 – 02.02.1957 Henry Clifford was born at Tinonee in NSW (Place of Registration Manning River,Registration Year 1872, NSW Registration Number 12625) married Milicent Violet Irene Toussaint in Colombo 1885 or 95. Henry died in Perth WA. (FLEMING Henry Clifford 85 years 1957 Killarney W.A.)



Prosper John FLEMING, m 08.12.1868 Margaret DANIEL b. 09.12.1842 – 28.07.1934 daughter of James Daniel b. 1794 and Mary Riley 1799 – 1892 who married 18 October 1830.

Prosper John and Margaret Fleming had 6 Children:
Prosper James b 1869 – 26/07/1961 12680/1869 MacDonald River, m 1913 Mary Elizabeth Rowling.
Frederick George born 11.06.1871 d. 1959   12124/1871 MacDonald River 22417/1959 m. Alice Grills.
Albert Henry born 1873   12558/1873 m. Violet McIntosh
Ada May born 1875 Armidale died 1960 6944/1875 3506/1900 13805/1960 m. 1900 William F Baker
Cora Jane born 21.12.1881 – 09.11.1983   23900/1881 ARMIDALE, NSW, Australia. m 09.06.1922 Arthur Litton Gray.
George J W born 1883     27825/1883


Fifth Generation Australia.

Henry Clifford Fleming and Milicent Violet Irene (Toussaint) Fleming had the following children..

George (Bupsey) m. Gladys ELLIOT
Rita m. Maxime MONNIER
Grace Ethel Marguerite (Gem) b. 1900 Colombo d. 1976 aged 76 Perth WA. m. James Francis Henry Toussaint b 16 Sept. 1901 son of James Frederick Toussaint and Constance Koch.
09.05.1904 – 27.04.1980 Zenobia Millicent Fleming b. Bangalore India, d. Osborne Park WA Australia. (Zin) married William Patrick FANDERLINDEN
Leslie Milford (Tommy) Has son Henry Clifford.
(Chippy). Drowned in India aged 14.
Blossom Minneth Hyacinth (Cockie) m. Kenneth (Joc) Anderson author of Wildlife and Big Game Hunting Books in Southern India.
Vera Lillian May (Curly) m. 08.06.1932 Frederick Isaac Deadman in Bangalore.


Cora Jane FLEMING married George Sisera Layton in 1901 and then Arthur Litton GRAY on 09.06.1922.

Cora and George Layton had 2 children

1901 Jessie Irene Layton d. 1983 30425/1901
1904 Arthur Theo Layton d. 31.03.1949. 30894/1904

Cora and Arthur GRAY had 3 children:-

29.11.1921 – 19.04.2005 Eric Gordon Gray
25.03.1923 – 13.01.2011 Francis Gordon Gray
26.05.1926 – 10.02.1981 Athol Conrad Gray

More information on the family and the connections.

Shooting of Joseph Fleming. The Joseph married to Pheobe McGinnis.

There was an instance where an Aboriginal woman potentially could have been sentenced to transportation. Mary Ann, the woman involved, appeared in the Supreme Court of NSW in 1839 to answer a charge of being present at, and aiding and abetting in the shooting of Joseph Fleming with the intent to murder him. Her co–defendants, four white male bushrangers, were all found guilty and sentenced to be transported to Norfolk Island for the terms of their natural lives.

Some family newspaper clippings..

Many Family Burials here

Some information on the Fleming and other connected family...

And more here.