Sir James Spaight (1818 – 21 January 1892)[1][2][3] was an Irish Conservative politician.
James Spaight | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Limerick City | |
| In office 21 May 1858 – 5 May 1859 Serving with Francis William Russell | |
| Preceded by | George Gavin Francis William Russell |
| Succeeded by | George Gavin Francis William Russell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1818 |
| Died | 21 January 1892 (aged 73–74) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Alason Eckford
(m. 1850) |
| Parent(s) | Francis Spaight Agnes Patterson |
Family
editSpaight was the second son of Francis Spaight — the owner of the ill-fated Francis Spaight ship - and Agnes Paterson, daughter of James Campbell Paterson.[2] He married Elizabeth Alason Eckford, daughter of John Eckford, in 1850.[3]
He was the President of the Limerick Chamber from 1871–92, his father Francis was President from 1847–61.[4] He was the vice-president of the Limerick Protestant Young Mens Association.[5]
Political career
editHe was a subscriber and council member and then, in 1869, president of the Athenaeum. In 1853, he was High Sheriff of Limerick City and later, in 1856, 1877 and 1883, he was Mayor of Limerick.[2] From 1871 to his death, he was president of the Limerick Chamber of Commerce.[6] At some point, he was also a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for County Tipperary.[3]
Spaight was elected unopposed as MP for Limerick City at a by-election in May 1858 but lost the seat at the next general election in 1859. He attempted to regain the seat on multiple occasions — in 1865, 1874, 1879, 1880, 1883 and 1885 — but was each time unsuccessful.[7]
Recreation
editJames Spaight was the owner of a beautiful yacht named 'the Gossamer'. in 1846 he took a party of friends out on Lough Derg on Friday and returned back to Derry Castle at 10 o'clock. the yacht was powered by steam, and all the fires were quenched before the party disembarked. the yacht was found to be completely burned to the waterline the following morning.[8]
In 1846, James Spaight was made Commodore of Lough Derg Yacht Club.[9] Spaight was also an active freemason, serving as Provincial Grand Master of North Munster. [10]
James Spaight was owner of the 12 ton sailing yacht 'Gem' in 1847, and competed in Lough Derg Yacht Club.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "L" (part 3)
- ^ a b c d "Emigrants as ballast!" (PDF). Limerick City and County Council. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ^ a b c Burke, Bernard; Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1912). A genealogical and heraldic history of the landed gentry of Ireland. London: Harrison. p. 654.
- ^ Potter, Matthew (2015). Limerick's Merchants, Traders and Shakers. Limerick: Limerick Chamber. ISBN 9780953835416.
- ^ "Funeral of Sir James Spaight" (PDF). Limerick Chronicle. 23 January 1892. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- ^ "Past Presidents". Limerick Chamber. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ^ Walker, B.M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. ISBN 0901714127.
- ^ Nenagh Guardian, 'Was it malicious? We cannot say'24 June 1846,
- ^ Nenagh Guardian 27 June 1846,
- ^ https://www.pglnm.com/history
- ^ Nenagh Guardian, 7 Aug 1847