The Plough Inn

Jerrys Plains

William Simpson arrived on the Speke in 1826, having been tried in Nottingham and sentenced to transportation for life. He was assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton.

In 1829 William Simpson married Ellen Partridge at Merton.

He received a Ticket of Leave in 1835 and in 1842 was employed as a Storekeeper at Jerry's Plains. In 1844 he was granted a Hawker's Licence

He was granted a new publican's licence for the Plough Inn in April 1849.

William and Ellen Simpson were accused of stealing the belongings of Henry Jackson in August 1854. Their good characters were vouched for by some of the notable people of the district including Edmond Doyle, Alfred Levien and Thomas Giles and after lengthy proceedings, they were found not guilty. Select here to read about the trial in the Maitland Mercury

Ellen became ill two months after the trial ended and after eight weeks illness, she passed away on 19 December 1854 aged 47. William lived on for another four years. He died suddenly on the 22nd of January 1858 leaving a family of eight children. He was 51 years old.

John Saunders

John Saunders was granted a publican's licence in 1859 and 1860. The Inn was advertised for lease in February 1861. There was no application for publican's licence in April 1861 and John Saunders was calling for debts to be paid in June

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