James Wighton
1858-1928
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James Wighton by
Vivian Hill
Text copyright held by Vivian Hill. For more information see the
Copyright
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The early years of settlement in the Port Phillip District were boom
times followed by a Depression. This has been the Australian economic
pattern. The 1980s boom was followed by "the Depression we had to
have" according to the then Prime Minister. The 1880's, likewise,
were times of speculation and expansion. Michael Cannon's "The land
boomers" M.U.P. 1966 shone a searchlight on the dealings of those involved.
Matthew Davies solicitor, banker and financial speculator, originally from
Geelong, rose like "a dazzling rocket". James Wighton followed him
to Melbourne and with C.S. Price and Davies formed a legal practice.
Price, Wighton and the firm employees borrowed 40,000 pounds from a bank
under Davies' control. In the 1890's economic collapse Davies fell
like a spent rocket and dragged Wighton and Price down with him.
It is a tribute to Wighton's strength that he was able to return to Geelong, commence practice there and contribute to the wellbeing of that
society. He built up a successful legal firm originally as a sole practitioner
and later in partnership under the name of Wighton & McDonald.
The firm continues today.
Arrangement of material
The list below describes material held in the James Wighton archive
box, which is located at
340.099452 Wighto Hil/Jwi on the shelves in
the Geelong Lawyers' Collection within the Special Collection at the Waterfront
campus. The material has been arranged in date order.
| Date |
Title |
Item no. |
| 1923 |
Photograph of members of the Gordon Institute of Technology, including
J. Wighton |
JW1 |
| 16/1/1928 |
Obituary from Geelong Advertiser |
JW2 |
| 29/2/1928 |
Photocopy of will and probate notices |
JW3 |
| 1966 |
Extract from "The landboomers" by Michael Cannon |
JW4 |
| 1997 |
Cutting from Geelong Advertiser re Try Boys Brigade of which J. Wighton
was the first secretary |
JW5 |
|
Portrait |
JW6 |
Additional note:
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