The Beginning: 1840 and Major St. John

The Beginning: 1840 and Major St John
Some of the earliest records of Little Rockley are linked to the infamous Major Frederick Berkley St. John who was known for his temper and questionable moral choices.
 
“Major St. John an old Waterloo man, & very tyrannical”
Waugh, John 1909, Personal Reminiscences of John Waugh, Royal Historical Society Victoria, May 2019, <https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/collections-lounge/personal-reminiscences-of-john-waugh/>
 
The original land sale of lot 9 Prahran parish was not to Major St. John and it is unclear in the records when he came into possession of it.
 
Major St John was the police magistrate in Melbourne and denounced by John Fawkner in The Port Philip Patriot and St. John was accused of taking bribes. This resulted in St. John suing Fawkner for libel.
 
“Major St. John who it was said, would take a bribe of anything, from a dozen of eggs upwards, for this he was challenged by John Fawkner in his paper”
Waugh, John 1909, Personal Reminiscences of John Waugh, Royal Historical Society Victoria, May 2019, <https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/collections-lounge/personal-reminiscences-of-john-waugh/>
 
In 1849, St. John put the property up for sale by auction and he and his family left Melbourne after resigning his post. It has been rumoured that Fawkner’s accusations had an influence on that decision, but Fawkner and his press had made disparaging remarks about Major St. John since 1841 so it seems unlikely.
 
After Major St. John, the papers show the house being put up for lease or sale a few times. In 1851, you could buy horses here, in 1853 you could buy hay. There were estate sales of fine furniture and in 1878 it is advertised as the site of a school.