LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF VAN DIEMEN'S LAND ==================================================================== ELECTIONS OF OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1851 ==================================================================== The Legislative Council was created as a nominee body in 1825, with six members, all government officials, appointed by the Governor. In 1828 the Council was enlarged to 15 members, still appointed but including non-official members. In 1851 the imperial Australian Colonies Government Act created a Council of 24 members, eight nominees and 16 elected by the voters. The first elections to the Council were held in October-November 1851. The franchise was restricted to white male British subjects over 21 who owned freehold property worth 100 pounds or more. Ex- convicts could not vote. The Council Extension Act of 1854 enlarged the Council from 16 elected members to 22, with six new members elected in March 1855. In 1856 Tasmania was granted full responsible government with a bicameral legislature. Naturally, all the members elected were white male British subjects who owned substantial property. Only three were born in Van Diemen's Land. All the others were born in Britain (mostly in England) or in British possessions (one each in the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and South Africa). BRIGHTON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 4 November 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Henry Butler 102 48.1 John WALKER 110 51.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 212 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Butler, see 1854 by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Walker (1799-1874): Elected 1851 Born: 2 February 1799, Scotland Career: To VDL 1822. Miller, brewer. Shipowner, landowner. Father of Robert Walker MLC. Resigned February 1854: see by-election Term ended 1856. Later career: see Hobart 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert W NUTT Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert William Nutt (1813-91): Elected 1851 Born: 1813, England Career: to VDL 1839. Barrister 1845. Resigned October 1853: see by-election Later career: see House of Assembly, Hobart Town 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- CAMPBELL TOWN ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 1 November 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William R Allison 77 35.6 Robert Q KERMODE 139 64.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 216 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Allison was an appointed MLC 1846, 1848-51. See House of Assembly, Campbell Town 1856. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Quayle Kermonde (1812-70): Elected 1851 Born: 1812, Isle of Man Career: To VDL 1827. Farmer Term ended 1856. Kermode contested Longford at the 1856 election. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CORNWALL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John W GLEADOW Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Ward Gleadow (1901-81): Elected 1851 Born: 1801, England Career: Barrister 1825. To VDL 1825. First lawyer in Launceston. Company director, landowner. Resigned 1855 Later career: see House of Assembly, Morven 1866. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CUMBERLAND ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 1 November 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas L Gellibrand 90 41.1 William S SHARLAND 129 58.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 219 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Gellibrand, see House of Assembly, Cumberland 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Stanley Sharland (1801-77): Elected 1851 Born: 1801, England Career: To VDL 1823. Surveyor, farmer. Appointed MLC 1838-51. Term ended 1856. Later career: see House of Assembly, New Norfolk 1861 -------------------------------------------------------------------- HOBART (2 members) ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 28 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas D CHAPMAN 892 39.0 John DUNN 853 37.3 Thomas Young 544 23.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 2,289 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Voters could cast two votes. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Daniel Chapman (1815-84): Elected 1851, 1856 Born: 1815, England Career: Joined East India Co 1829. To VDL 1841. Merchant and trader. Term ended 1856. Later career: see House of Assembly, Hobart Town 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Dunn (1820-60): Elected 1851 Born: 1820, England Career: Merchant, shipowner. Appointed MLC 1845-51. Brother pf James Dunn MLC. Resigned April 1855: see by-election Later career: Returned to England. MP 1859-60. -------------------------------------------------------------------- HUON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 1 November 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Abbott 35 22.7 Richard CLEBURNE 70 45.5 William Watchorn 49 31.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 154 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Cleburne (1799-1864): Elected 1851 Born: 1799, presumably England. Career: To VDL 1821. Merchant, landowner. Term ended 1856. Later career: see Huon 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCESTON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 28 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Adye Douglas 140 21.3 Richard DRY 516 78.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 656 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Douglas, see House of Assembly, Launceston 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Dry (1815-69): Elected 1851 Born: 20 September 1815, Elphin Farm Career: Farmer. Appointed MLC 1844-45, 1847-51. Resigned July 1855: see by-election Later career: see Tamar 1862 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker of the Legislative Council 1851-55 -------------------------------------------------------------------- LONGFORD ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 5 November 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph ARCHER 110 57.6 Edward Dumaresq 81 42.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 191 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Archer (1795-1853): Elected 1851 Born: 17 May 1795, England Career: To VDL 1820. Farmer. Uncle of Basil Archer MHA, Frank Archer MHA, Joseph Archer MLC, Robert Archer MHA, William Archer MLC and MHA, William H D Archer MHA. Died 28 June 1853: see by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- MORVEN ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- James COX Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Sinclair was nominated but withdrew before polling day. -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Cox (1790-1866): Elected 1851 Born: 1 November 1790, England Career: To VDL 1814. Farmer, merchant, racehorse breeder. Appointed MLC 1829-34. Father of Jamws Cox MHA. Resigned July 1854: see by-election Died 16 March 1866 -------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW NORFOLK ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael FENTON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Fenton (1789-1874): Elected 1851 Born: 1879, Ireland Career: Military service British Army 1807-28. To Tas 1828. Large landowner. Appointed MLC 1840-45. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, New Norfolk 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker of the Legislative Council 1855-56 -------------------------------------------------------------------- OATLANDS ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry F ANSTEY 126 56.5 Charles Meredith 97 43.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 223 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Meredith was an appointed MLC 1855-56. See House of Assembly, Glamorgan 1856. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Frampton Anstey (1822-62): Elected 1851 Born: 1822, England Career: To VDL 1823. Farmer. Leading Catholic layman, Knight of St Gregory. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Oatlands 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- RICHMOND ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas G GREGSON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas George Gregson (1796-1874): Elected 1851 Born: 7 February 1796, England Career: To VDL 1821. Landowner, newspaper owner, sportsman, artist. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Richmond 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- SORELL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Askin MORRISON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Askin Morrison (1899-76): Elected 1851 Born: 1800, Ireland Career: To VDL 1829. Merchant, landowner, company director. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Sorell 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- WESTBURY ==================================================================== Nominations 21 October, polling 1 December 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Archer 67 22.0 William ARCHER 237 78.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 304 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Polling at Westbury was postponed because the electoral roll was not complete. It seems that the two Archers were not related. -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Archer (1820-74): Elected 1851 Born: 16 May 1820, Launceston Career: Architect, engineer, landowner. Nephew of Joseph Archer MLC for Longford. Resigned January 1855 Later career: see House of Assembly, Devon 1860 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ELECTIONS UNDER THE COUNCIL EXTENSION ACT ==================================================================== BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Nominations 8 March, polling 15 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr William CROOKE 270 66.0 J Curwen Walker 139 34.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 409 -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Crooke (1817-1901): Elected 1855 Born: 1817, presumably in England Career: Medical practitioner. To VDL 1839. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Franklin 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- CORNWALL ==================================================================== Nominations 21 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William A GARDNER Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Atkinson Gardner (1815-55): Elected 1855 Born: 22 June 1815, England Career: To VDL 1851. Large landowner. Died 22 June 1855: see by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- GLAMORGAN ==================================================================== Nominations 12 March, polling 19 March 1955 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Francis Cotton 1 09.1 Charles MEREDITH 10 90.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Meredith (1811-80): Elected 1855 Born: 29 May 1811, Wales Career: To VDL 1821. Farmer. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Glamorgan 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- HOBART ==================================================================== Nominations 7 March, polling 15 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Edward S P Bedford 476 40.0 Arthur PERRY 714 60.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 1,190 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Bedford, see House of Assembly, Hobart Town 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthur Perry (1815-55): Elected 1855 Born: 18 June 1815, England Career: Solicitor. To VDL 1838. Crown Solicitor. Died 24 November 1855: see by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCESTON ==================================================================== Nominations 14 March, polling 19 March 1955 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William S Button 226 36.1 Adye DOUGLAS 400 63.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 626 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Button, see Tamar 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Adye Douglas (1815-1906): Elected 1855 Born: 31 May 1815, England Career: Barrister 1838. To VDL 1839. Lawyer in Launceston. Launceston City Council. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Launceston 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- WELLINGTON ==================================================================== Nominations 21 March 1955 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- James GIBSON -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Gibson (1814-60): Elected 1855 Born: June 1814, Channel Islands. Career: Commercial agent. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Devon 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have not located figures for this election. I presume Gibson was elected unopposed. BY-ELECTIONS 1851-56 ==================================================================== LONGFORD ==================================================================== Following the death of Joseph Archer -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 August 1853 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexander CLERKE -------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexander Clerke (1804-77): Elected 1853 by Born: 1804, Ireland Career: To VDL 1829. Farmer, landowner. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Launceston 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Robert W Nutt -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 November, polling 11 November 1853 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr William Crooke 178 47.7 Dr Robert OFFICER 195 52.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 373 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Crooke, see 1855 by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Officer (1800-79): Elected 1853 by Born: 3 October 1800, Scotland Career: Educated Aberdeen University. Sugeon. Arrived VDL 1822. Public servant, large landowner. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Glenorchy 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- BRIGHTON ==================================================================== Following the resignation of John Walker -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 6 March, polling 8 March 1854 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Henry BUTLER 103 69.6 James Whyte 45 30.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 148 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Whyte, see Pembroke 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Butler (1821-85): Elected 1854 by Born: 16 November 1821, England Career: Educated St George's and Westminster Hospitals, London. Eye specialist. To VDL 1849. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Brighton 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- MORVEN ==================================================================== Following the resignation of James Cox -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 August 1854 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John SINCLAIR Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Sinclair (1798-1868): Elected 1854 by Born: 1798, England Career: to NSW 1821, to VDL 1822. Police officdr, convict supervisor, landowner. Election declared void February 1855: see by-election Died 8 January 1869 -------------------------------------------------------------------- MORVEN ==================================================================== Following the disqualification of John Sinclair -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 27 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John H WEDGE Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Helder Wedge (1793-1872): Elected 1855 by Born 1793, England Career: To VDL 1824. Surveyor, farmer. Term ended 1856. Later career: see North Esk 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- WESTBURY ==================================================================== Following the resignation of William Archer -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 21 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas W FIELD Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas William Field (1817-81): Elected 1855 by Born: 27 July 1817, Launceston Career: Son of convict. Farmer and horsebreeder. Westbury Municipal Council. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Westbury 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- CORNWALL ==================================================================== Following the resignation of John W Gleadow -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 21 March 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William L GOODWIN Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Lushington Goodwin (1798-1862): Elected 1855 by Born: 1798, England Career: Sea captain. To VDL 1831. Newspaper publisher. Launceston City Council. Term ended 1856. Died 5 August 1862 -------------------------------------------------------------------- HOBART ==================================================================== Following the resignation of John Dunn -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 9 May 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John LORD Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Lord (1814-90): Elected 1855 by Born: 20 May 1814, England Career: To VDL 1817. Farmer, large landowner. Sheep and cattle breeder. -------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCESTON ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Richard Dry -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 26 July, polling 27 July 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Field 12 01.9 Ronald C GUNN 401 97.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 413 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ronald Campbell Gunn (1808-81): Elected 1855 by Born: 4 April 1808, South Africa Career: Military service British army. To VDL 1830. Prison supervisor. Private secretary to Governor. Term ended 1856. Later career: See House of Assembly, Selby 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- CORNWALL ==================================================================== Following the death of William A Gardner -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 12 July, polling 20 July 1855 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph BONNEY 140 60.3 James Dixon 92 39.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 232 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Bonney (1802-61): Elected 1855 by Born: 1802, England Career: To VDL 1818. Storekeeper, farmer. Term ended 1856. Died 11 April 1861 --------------------------------------------------------------------