William Jackson (11 October 1832 – 29 September 1889), generally known as Major Jackson, was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in the Waikato region of New Zealand.
William Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Waikato | |
| In office 1 March 1872 – 6 December 1875 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Waipa | |
| In office 26 September 1887 – 29 September 1889 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 October 1832 Providence Green, Green Hammerton, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 29 September 1889 (aged 56) at sea |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Bridget Jackson |
| Relations | John Jackson (brother) Samuel Jackson (brother) |
| Children | nil |
Early life
editJackson was born in 1832 in Providence Green, Green Hammerton, near Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.[1] He was the son of Samuel Jackson (1806–1858), a brewer and yeoman who owned and farmed his land, and Sarah Jackson (née Hughlings; 1807/08–1836), the daughter of a Welsh revenue collector. His mother died when he was four. He had three brothers and a sister; all but one of the brothers emigrated to New Zealand.[2]
His parents had married on 24 March 1828.[3] His oldest sibling was his sister Ann (30 April 1829 – 9 August 1859). She died three days after giving birth to her first child.[4] His eldest brother was Samuel, who studied law, was called to the bar in 1853, and emigrated to Auckland in 1856, where he became a prominent lawyer.[5][6] William himself was the third of the children; he was born on 11 October 1832 and baptised a month later on 12 November.[5] Thomas (2 December 1833 – 15 November 1906)[7] was the next sibling. He became a mariner and also emigrated to New Zealand.[8] His youngest brother, John (4 April 1835 – 7 October 1911), remained in England and became a prominent neurologist.[9]
He emigrated to Australia in 1857 to join the Victorian gold rush. Sometime later, he went to New Zealand to join two brothers who were already there.[1] His wife was Bridget.[5]
New Zealand
edit| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1872–1875 | 5th | Waikato | Independent | ||
| 1887–1889 | 10th | Waipa | Independent | ||
In New Zealand, Jackson first farmed in Mangatawhiri, then Rangiaohia, Kihikihi, and then Papakura.[1][10] When the Invasion of Waikato commenced, Jackson organised a local militia that became known as Jackson's Forest Rangers, and he was commissioned as Major Jackson.[11] When militia stole a Māori flag, his wife hid it under her dress, wearing it as a petticoat. In retaliation, Jackson's house was burned down twice.[5]
He represented the Waikato electorate from 1872 to 1875, when he retired. He then represented the Waipa electorate from 1887 to 1889, when he died.[12] As a politician, it is said that he was as vigorous as he had been as a militia leader.[13] During his times in parliament, he supported the Stafford and Atkinson Ministries.[13]
Jackson went missing during a voyage on the SS Rotorua en route from New Plymouth to Onehunga. He disappeared during the night of 29/30 September 1889, and it is assumed that he got sick, went on deck and fell over board.[1]
The Jacksons had no children.[8]
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d "Major Jackson, M.H.R." Observer. Vol. 9, no. 562. 5 October 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ Critchley 1998, pp. 5–8, 20.
- ^ Critchley 1998, p. 4.
- ^ Critchley 1998, pp. 5–6.
- ^ a b c d Critchley 1998, p. 6.
- ^ "A Great Old Timer". Free Lance. Vol. XIV, no. 684. 9 August 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Obituary". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLIII, no. 13336. 16 November 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
- ^ a b Critchley 1998, p. 7.
- ^ Critchley 1998, pp. 7–8.
- ^ "Major Jackson's Fate". Northern Advocate. 5 October 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ Critchley 1998, pp. 6–7.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 208.
- ^ a b McLintock, A. H., ed. (22 April 2009) [1966]. "Jackson, Captain William". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
References
edit- Critchley, Macdonald; Critchley, Eileen A. (1998). John Hughlings Jackson : Father of English Neurology (PDF). Oxford University Press. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.