Obituaries Australia

Mr John Broughton, aged 92, a grand old pioneer, and the direct descendant of great pioneers who have helped to make history in the early Australian settlements, passed away on Saturday last, at the home of his duaghter, Mr. F. Clayton, Marengo Street, Young, where he had resided for over 40 years.

The name of Broughton is familiar to all students of early Australian history. Deceased's grandfather was first Commissioner-General in Australia, and came out with Governor Phillip in the First Fleet in 1788, and held various high positions in the Crown Colony, and was for a time Acting Governor of Tasmania and a man in whom Governor Phillip reposed the greatest confidence. His son, and the father of the Young pioneer, W. H. Broughton, was the owner of Broughtonsworth Station, Boorowa.

Deceased John Broughton was born at Appin, near Campbelltown, in 1832, and was educated at the King's School, Parramatta, and up to the time of his death was believed to the oldest living student. He married Miss Church, at the old St. Phillips' Church, in Sydney, and later came to reside at Cocketygedong, Urana. He next moved to Marengo Station, which he purchased from the Scarr family about 1864. Here he became widely known as an expert breeder of stock — sheep cattle and blood horses. About 1870 he came to Young to join the firm of F. A. Brock, commission agents, with whom he remained until the retirement of Mr Brock, when the business devolved solely upon himself, under the name of J. Broughton and Co. He had a high reputation for his integrity and business capacity. His interest in stock never waned. He was an exhibitor and prizetaker at the Young Foundation Show, and successive shows, and was in much demand at other shows as a judge of stock. On deceased's retirement from business it was carried on for some time by his son-in-law, C. G. Tuson. Right up to the time of his death he was district agent for the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Co. and a representative of this company came from Sydney to pay a last act of respect by attending his funeral.

Deceased's wife passed away in 1907, and since that time his daughter, Mrs Clayton, widow of the late James Clayton, has resided with him and attended to his needs in his old age. Other surviving members of the family are Mrs Kate Tuson (Turramurra), Mrs A. W. Moriarty (Goulburn), Mrs P. W. Bluett (Queanbeyan), John (northern inspector of the Bank of N.S.W.), and Ernest (manager of Avoca Station, Young). A daughter (Mary) and sou (Frank) predeceased him.

An interesting record of Broughton family geneology appeared in the Sydney 'Mail' in 1917, showing the photograph of numerous descendants of Commissionary General Wm. Broughton. Among them is that of the late Major General Sir W. T. Bridges, who was mortally wounded at Gallipoli, when in command of the First Australian Division. There is a distinct resemblance between this great soldier and Mr John Broughton, the son of deceased.

About 36 direct descendants served, some with distinction, in the Great War, and several of them made the supreme sacrifice.

The funeral, which was largely, attended, took place on Sunday to the Church of England portion of the cemetery, the Rev K. L. McKeown conducting the obsequies.
— Young 'Daily Witness.'