John Leacock (1726-1835)
Founder of Leacock's Madeira Wine on the Isle of Madeira
He was the son of John and Mary (Knight) Leacock, of Newington. According to the company website, "John Leacock sailed to Madeira from the United Kingdom (after the death of his father) in 1741 and at the age of 15 became the youngest apprentice at the firm of Madeira merchants, Catanach and Murdoch, staying until his contract expired on 11 March 1749. During his apprenticeship, he had been in constant contact with an old-school friend, John Patient, residing at that time in Charlestown, South Carolina who suggested that they themselves should commence trading. Leacock agreed and this marks the birth of the now world famous company."
