VAN DIEMEN'S LAND ==================================================================== LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ==================================================================== ELECTION OF OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1851 ==================================================================== Sources -------------------------------------------------------------------- Newspaper reports, Tasmanian Parliament website, Bennett and Bennett. The Tasmanian Parliament website gives biographical information only on members elected from the first election under responsible government, in 1856. I have no information on members who were elected to the Legislative Council between 1851 and 1856 but not elected to either house in 1856. Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Legislative Council of Van Diemen's Land was created in 1825 as an appointed and purely advisory body. Under the Australian Colonies Government Act of 1851, the Council was expanded to 24 members, eight appointed and 16 elected, and given limited legislative powers. Members of the Council were required to be male British subjects of 30 years of age, and to hold freehold property to the value of 2,000 pounds, or earning 100 pounds a year in rent. Former convicts were excluded from membership (and voting). In 1854 the Council passed an Extension Act allowing the election of additional members. Cornwall, Hobart Town and Launceston each elected an additional member, while newly created districts of Glamorgan and Wellington also elected members. The terms of the members of the Council expired in August 1856, prior to the first election of a bicameral Parliament under responsible government. APPOINTIVE MEMBERS ==================================================================== Hon Peter FRASER: Colonial Secretary Hon Dr Adam TURNBULL: Colonial Treasurer Valentine FLEMING: Attorney-General Francis V SMITH: Auditor-General W Race ALLISON Edward BISDEE John LEAKE Hon Richard G TALBOT VOTING BY CONSTITUENCY ==================================================================== BRIGHTON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 4 November -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Royal Oak Hotel, Pontville -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Henry Butler 102 47.7 John WALKER 112 52.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 214 02.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Butler, see House of Assembly 1856, Brighton. -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Walker (1799-1874): Elected 1851 Born: 2 February 1799, Scotland Career: To VDL 1822. Miller, brewer, landowner. Resigned February 1854: See by-election Later career: See Legislative Council 1856, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Town Advertiser, 7 November 1851 BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: The Domain, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert W NUTT Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert William Nutt (1813-91): Elected 1851 Born: 1813, England Career: To VDL 1839. Barrister. Resigned October 1853: See by-election Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Hobart Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Guardian, 22 October 1851 CAMPBELL TOWN ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 26 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: The Assembly Rooms, Campbell Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William R Allison 77 35.6 Robert Q KERMODE 139 64.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 216 14.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Allison, see House of Assembly 1856, Campbell Town. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Quayle Kermode (1812-70): Elected 1851 Born: 1812, Isle of Man Career: To VDL 1827. Farmer and landowner. Resigned December 1855: See by-election Later career: See Legislative Council 1856, Longford -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cornwall Chronicle, 1 November 1851 CORNWALL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Mulgrave Square, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John W GLEADOW Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Ward Gleadow (1801-81): Elected 1851 Born: 1801, England Career: To VDL 1825. Barrister. Resigned January 1855: See by-election Later career: See House of Assembly 1966, Morven -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Guardian, 25 October 1851 CUMBERLAND ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 4 November -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Wellington Square, Hamilton -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William S SHARLAND 129 58.9 Thomas L Gellibrand 90 41.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 219 08.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Gellibrand, see House of Assembly 1856, Cumberland -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Stanley Sharland (1801-77): Elected 1851 Born: 1801, England Career: To VDL 1823. Clerk, surveyor, farmer. Term expired August 1856 Later career: Contested Legislative Assembly 1856, Cumberland, defeated. See House of Assembly 1861, New Norfolk -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Courier, 12 November 1851 HOBART TOWN (2 members) ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 28 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Customs House, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas D CHAPMAN 892 39.0 James A DUNN 853 37.3 Thomas Young 544 23.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 2,289 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Daniel Chapman (1815-84): Elected 1851 Born: 1815, England Career: To VDL 1841. Trader and merchant. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Hobart Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Dunn: Elected 1851 Born: England, date unknown. Career: To VDL 1822. Merchant, shipowner. Brother of James A Dunn MHA. Resigned May 1855: See by-election Later career: Returned to Britain, MP 1859-60. Died 10 September 1860 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cornwall Chronicle, 29 October 1851 THE HUON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 24 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Franklin Hotel, Franklin -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Abbott 35 22.7 Richard J CLEBURNE 70 45.5 William Watchorn 49 31.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 154 06.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Cleburne (1799-1864): Elected 1851 Born: 1799, probably in England Career: To VDL 1821. Merchant, shipowner. Term expired August 1856 Later career: Contested Legislative Assembly 1856, Kingborough, defeated See Legislative Council 1857, Huon by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Guardian, 29 October 1851 LAUNCESTON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 24 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Johns Square, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Adye Douglas 140 21.3 Richard DRY 516 78.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 656 28.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Douglas, see 1855 by-election. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Dry (1815-69): Elected 1851 Born: 20 September 1815, Elphin Farm Career: Farmer. Appointive MLC 1844-45. Resigned July 1855: See by-election Later career: See Legislative Council 1862, Tamar -------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker of the Legislative Council 1851-55 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cornwall Chronicle, 25 October 1851 LONGFORD ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 31 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Crown Reserve, Longford -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph ARCHER 110 57.6 Edward Dumaresq 81 42.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 191 07.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Archer (1795-1853): Elected 1851 Born: 17 May 1795, England Career: To VDL 1820. Farmer and merchant. Died 28 June 1853: See by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Colonist, 6 November 1851 MORVEN ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 31 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Andrews Church, Evandale -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- James COX 137 100 John Sinclair - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 137 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Sinclair was nominated but withdrew before polling day. See 1854 by- election. -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Cox (1790-1866): Elected 1851 Born: 1 November 1790, England Career: To NSW 1806, to VDL 1814. Farmer and merchant. Appointive MLC 1829-34 Resigned July 1854: See by-election Died 16 March 1866 -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Tasmanian Colonist, 6 November 1851 NEW NORFOLK ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851, -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Arthur Square, New Norfolk -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael FENTON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Fenton (1789-1874): Elected 1851 Born: 1789, Ireland Career: Soldier, India. To VDL 1828. Farmer. Appointive MLC 1840-45, 1847-51 Term expired August 1856 Later Career: See Legislative Council 1856, New Norfolk -------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker of the Legislative Council 1855-56 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Colonist, 30 October 1851 OATLANDS ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 3 November 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Crown Reserve, Oatlands -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry F ANSTEY 125 56.6 Charles Meredith 96 43.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 221 06.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Meredith, see Glamorgan election 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Frampton Anstey (1822-62): Elected 1851 Born: 1822, England Career: To VDL 1823. Farmer. Appointive MLC 1851 Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Oatlands -------------------------------------------------------------------- Colonial Times, 7 November 1851 RICHMOND ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Church Street, Richmond -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas GREGSON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas George Gregson (1796-1874): Elected 1851 Born: 7 February 1796, England Career: To VDL 1821. Farmer. Leader of opposition to Governor Arthur. Father of Hon John C Gregson MHA -------------------------------------------------------------------- Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Richmond -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Guardian, 25 October 1851 SORELL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Parsonage Place, Sorrell -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Askin MORRISON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Askin Morrison (1800-76): Elected 1851 Born: 1800, Ireland Career: To VDL 1829. Farmer, merchant, trader. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Sorrell -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Guardian, 25 October 1851 WESTBURY ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 1 December 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Lonsdale Promenade, Westbury -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Archer 67 22.0 William ARCHER 237 78.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 304 28.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Archer (1820-74): Elected 1851 Born: 16 May 1820, Launceston Career: Architect and engineer. Resigned 16 January 1855: See by-election Later career: See House of Assembly 1860, Devon -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 10 December 1851 BY-ELECTIONS 1851-56 ==================================================================== BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Follwing the resignation of Robert W Nutt -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 November, polling 11 November 1853 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Murray Street, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr William Crooke 178 47.7 Dr Robert OFFICER 195 52.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 373 02.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Crooke, see Buckingham 1855 by-election. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Officer (1800-79): Elected 1853 by Born: 3 October 1800, Scotland Career: Educated University of Aberdeen. To VDL 22, Government medical officer. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Glenorchy -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 12 November 1853 LONGFORD ==================================================================== Following the death of Joseph Archer -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 August 1853 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Crown Reserve, Longford -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexander CLERKE Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexander Clerke (1804-77): Elected 1853 by Born: 1804, Ireland Career: To VDL 1828. Farmer and landowner. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1857, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 13 August 1853 BRIGHTON ==================================================================== 8 March 1854, following the resignation of John Walker -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations, 6 March, polling 8 March 1854 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Royal Oak Hotel, Pontville -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Henry BUTLER 103 69.6 James Whyte 45 30.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 148 19.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Whyte, see House of Assembly 1856, Pembroke -------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Butler (1821-85): Elected 1856 Born: 16 November 1821, England Career: Educated London hospitals. Eye specialist. To VDL 1849. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Brighton -------------------------------------------------------------------- MORVEN ==================================================================== Following the resignation of James Cox -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 August 1854 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Andrews Church, Evandale -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John SINCLAIR Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Sinclair (1798-1868): Elected 1854 by Career: To VDL 1822. Police officer, public servant, farmer. Resigned March 1855: See by-election Died 8 January 1868 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cornwall Chronicle, 12 August 1854 WESTBURY ==================================================================== Following the resignation of William Archer -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 17 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Andrews Church, Evandale -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas W FIELD Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas William Field (1817-81): Elected 1855 by Born: 24 July 1817, Launceston Career: Cattle and horse-breeder. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Westbury -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Mercury, 23 March 1855 BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Robert Q Kermode -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 8 March, polling 14 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Murray Street, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr William CROOKE 270 66.0 John C Walker 139 34.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 409 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Walker was an appointive MLC 1851-54. See Legislative Council 1856, -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Crooke (1817-1901): Elected 1855 Born: 1817, place unknown Career: To VDL 1839. Surgeon Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Franklin -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Mercury, 16 March 1855 CORNWALL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Mulgrave Square, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William A GARDNER Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Atkinson Gardner (1815-55): Elected 1855 Born: 22 June 1815, England Career: To VDL 1851.Landowner. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 22 March 1855 MORVEN ==================================================================== Following the resignation of John Sinclair -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 27 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Andrews Church, Evandale -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John H WEDGE Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Helder Wedge (1793-1872): Elected 1856 Born: 1793, England Career: To VDL 1824. Surveyor, farmer. One of the founders of Melbourne. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See Legislative Council 1856, Morven -------------------------------------------------------------------- HOBART TOWN ==================================================================== Following the resignation of John Dunn -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 May 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Customs House, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John LORD Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Lord (1814-90): Elected 1855 by Born: 20 May 1814, England Career: To VDL 1817. Farmer and landowner. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1864, Hobart Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- People's Advocate, 10 May 1855 LAUNCESTON ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Richard Dry -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 25 July, polling 29 July 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Johns Square, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Field 12 08.9 Ronald C GUNN 401 91.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 413 41.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ronald Campbell Gunn (1808-81): Elected 1855 Born: 4 April 1808, South Africa Career: Army officer, engineer. To VDL 1830. Convict superindentant. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Selby -------------------------------------------------------------------- CAMPBELL TOWN ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Robert Q Kermode -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 26 December 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: The Assembly Rooms, Campbell Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- W Race ALLISON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Race Allison (1812-65): Elected 1855 by Born: 1812, England Career: To VDL 1822. Farmer. Appointive MLC 1846-51 Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Campbell Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 27 December 1955 ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL MEMBERS 1855 ==================================================================== CORNWALL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Mulgrave Square, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William L GOODWIN Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Lushington Goodwin (1798-1862): Elected 1855 Born: 1798, England Career: To NSW 1831, VDL 1834. Ship's captain, newspaper editor and proprietor (owned Cornwall Chronicle). Launceston City Council. Appointive MLC 1846-51. Term expired August 1856 Died 5 August 1862 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 22 March 1855 GLAMORGAN ==================================================================== Nominations 12 March 1855, polling 19 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Riversdale -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Francis Cotton 19 25.7 Charles MEREDITH 55 74.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 74 24.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Meredith (1811-80): Elected 1855 Born: 1811, Wales Career: To VDL 1821. Farmer. Brother of John Meredith MHA. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Glamorgan -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 22 March 1855 HOBART TOWN ==================================================================== Nominations 7 March 1855, polling 14 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: New Market Place, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Edward S P Bedford 476 40.0 Arthur PERRY 714 60.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 1,190 10.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Bedford, see House of Assembly 1856, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthur Perry (1815-55): Elected 1855 Born: 1815, England. Career: Lawyer, London. To VDL 1838. Lawyer, public servant. Term expired August 1856 Died 24 November 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobarton Mercury, 16 March 1855 LAUNCESTON ==================================================================== Nominations 14 March, polling 20 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: St Johns Square, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William S Button 226 36.1 Adye DOUGLAS 400 63.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 626 13.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Button, see Legislative Council 1956, Tamar -------------------------------------------------------------------- Adye Douglas (1815-1906): Elected 1855 Born: 31 May 1815, England Career: To VDL 1839. Lawyer, farmer, banker Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Colonial Times, 24 March 1855 WELLINGTON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Unknown (probably Devonport) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- James A GIBSON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Alexander Gibson (1814-60): Elected 1855 Born: June 1814, Channel Islands Career: To VDL 1832. Commercial agent. Term expired August 1856 Later career: See House of Assembly 1856, Devon -------------------------------------------------------------------- No report of this election was published. Gibson was probably elected unopposed