William Jackson (New Zealand politician)

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 (1832-10-11)11 October 1832
Providence Green, Green Hammerton, Yorkshire, England
Died 29 September 1889(1889-09-29) (aged 56)
at sea
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Bridget Jackson
Relations John Jackson (brother)
Samuel Jackson (brother)
Children nil

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.

Early life

Jackson 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

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
18721875 5th Waikato Independent
18871889 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 on 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Major Jackson, M.H.R.". Observer. 9 (562). 5 October 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  2. Critchley 1998, pp. 5–8, 20.
  3. Critchley 1998, p. 4.
  4. Critchley 1998, pp. 5–6.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Critchley 1998, p. 6.
  6. "A Great Old Timer". Free Lance. XIV (684). 9 August 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  7. "Obituary". The New Zealand Herald. XLIII (13336). 16 November 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  8. 1 2 Critchley 1998, p. 7.
  9. Critchley 1998, pp. 7–8.
  10. "Major Jackson's Fate". Northern Advocate. 5 October 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  11. Critchley 1998, pp. 6–7.
  12. Wilson 1985, p. 208.
  13. 1 2 A. H. McLintock, 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

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
James McPherson
Member of Parliament for Waikato
1872–1876
Succeeded by
Frederick Whitaker
Preceded by
Edward Lake
Member of Parliament for Waipa
1887–1889
Succeeded by
John Bryce
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