Abstract: Commission to Investigate Charges Against John S.
Leighton, Registrar of Deeds, Carleton County,
1894
The particulars of this commission involve small time money lending in late nineteenth
century New Brunswick. And, although the report is only ten pages is length, the details of the
situation are relatively complicated.
The overview of the circumstances surrounding the Commission's inquiry, however, are
more easily understood. In the Spring of 1892, Robert Sherrard
loaned John Leighton Sr., the
Registrar of Deeds for Carleton County, $217.00. At some later date, Sherrard became
convinced that he would not be repaid by Leighton, and after sufficient agitation a Commission
was struck to examine the financial deal and the actions of a public official. Then Solicitor
General, A. S. White,
was charged with hearing the case.
White found Mr. Sherrard to be less than an ideal witness, noting "that he is a man who
has reached the age when memory of recent occurrences is apt to fail". Ultimately, the Solicitor
General found that Sherrard's charges were unproven and that Mr. Leighton should be
exonerated of all wrongdoing.
h.c.
Commissioner:
A. S.
White.
