Biography

Frederick Lakin and Emily Friend were married in Southwark Cathedral, London, in early May 1853. They sailed from the Thames on 11^th May 1853 on the barque 'Niagara' and arrived in Sydney on 27^th August 1853. Frederick had been a draper's assistant and entered this trade first in Sydney, then Melbourne, and eventually set up his own drapery business in Launceston in partnership with a Mr Potter. Their establishment was known as Lakin & Potter.

Frederick and Emily lived in High Street, Launceston, and their six sons all built their homes within half a mile of their parents' home. This home was later demolished. All six sons are said to have been born in Launceston and educated at the Launceston Church Grammar School.

Over the years the family's philanthropy has been seen on all sides of public and private life, and in its memory several memorials have been erected in St. John's Church; a stained-glass window featuring 'Peter walking on the water', a marble plaque and two brass plaques. The inscriptions are as follows:
Window:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF
THE LAKIN FAMILY
Marble plaque situated on an outside wall of the old Sunday School, Elizabeth Street:
ERECTED BY THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
OF ST. JOHN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
AS A TOKEN OF LOVE AND ESTEEM
TO THE MEMORY OF
GEORGE BABINGTON,
WHO WAS SUPERINTENDENT FOR 21 YEARS.
DIED DECEMBER 29TH 1888
AND
FREDERICK LAKIN
WHO WAS LIBRARIAN FOR 25 YEARS
DIED MARCH 9TH 1889.
THEY REST FROM THEIR LABOURS
AND THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM
Brass Plaque:
A.M.D.G.
IN MEMORY OF
HERMAN RUPP LAKIN 1863-1954
FOR MANY YEARS SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER
ALSO CHURCH TREASURER,
HIS BEQUEST ASSISTED IN THE RENOVATION
OF THIS ORGAN
Brass Plaque:
A.M.D.G.
IN MEMORY OF
LESLIE HAROLD LAKIN 1871-1948
AND HIS WIFE HILDA MAY LAKIN 1874-1957
FOR MANY YEARS ACTIVE WORKERS IN THIS CHURCH,
THE RENOVATION OF THIS ORGAN
WAS ASSISTED BY THEIR BEQUEST

Source