FUTURE EVENTS
Our next speaker evening is at 5 30pm on Tuesday 2 September 2025 at the Society's rooms - 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland.
TOPIC: Benjamin Lee: Did he serve at Waterloo? He will also discuss some of his descendants in the area around Maitland
Speakers: Tom McLean
Waterloo was a decisive battle and many veterans of the Napoleonic Wars settled in the Maitland District. One was Benjamin Lee of the 14th Light Dragoons who arrived in 1829 to supervise the Bolwarra Estate for Thomas Potter MacQueen. While many writers reported that Benjamin Lee was not at the Battle of Waterloo his son Charles Alfred Lee and others stated that he was there, and this view is supported by some independent evidence. Charles was a credible witness being the Member for Tenterfield for 28 years and a Minister for Public Works. Thomas Potter MacQueen purchased 80 acres on the Paterson River in 1834 and later called the property "The Pool's Farm. Several hundred acres were added in future years and subsequently his son, John Leonard Lee, obtained the property and erected the mansion "Leeholme".
Benjamin's and his family's numerous strong links to the Maitland District will be examined making the question important to local historians.
Tom McLean is the great, great, great grandson of Benjamin Lee and the grandson of (Trevor) Lance Lee - pictured in the hay loft of the barn at Bolwarra House that he owned. The Oakhampton woolwash was owned by Edward Cameron Lee, (his great, great grandfather) from 1861 to 1900 during which time it was renovated and managed by George McLean, his great grandfather.
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Speaker Evenings are held on the first Tuesday of the month (except January) at 5 30 pm.
(A small charge of $5 includes light refreshments provided before and after the speakers delivery.)
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Future Guest Speakers:
2025
7 October 2025 Paula Beavan, author. Her latest book is "Among the Grey Gums", an historical novel based in the Hunter Valley
4 November 2025 Max Lantry accompanied Barry Johnson: their post Vietnam experience in Australia.
2 December 2025 To be advised
2026
January No Speaker - holiday season
3 February 2026 Brian Walsh: His latest book "Gresford to Carrabola"
3 March 2026
7 April 2026
5 May 2026
2 June 2026
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