William Jackson (New Zealand politician)

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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
Died29 September 1889(1889-09-29) (aged 56)
at sea
Political partyIndependent
SpouseBridget Jackson
RelationsJohn Jackson (brother)
Samuel Jackson (brother)
Childrennil

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[edit]

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[edit]

New Zealand Parliament
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]

  1. ^ a b c d "Major Jackson, M.H.R." Observer. Vol. 9, no. 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. ^ a b c d Critchley 1998, p. 6.
  6. ^ "A Great Old Timer". Free Lance. Vol. XIV, no. 684. 9 August 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Obituary". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLIII, no. 13336. 16 November 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  8. ^ a b 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. ^ 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]

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waikato
1872–1876 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waipa
1887–1889 		Succeeded by
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