John Watts (Australian politician)

John Watts
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Drayton and Toowoomba
In office
2 May 1860 – 26 July 1862
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byWilliam Henry Groom
Member of the Queensland Legislative Council
In office
8 April 1864 – 31 October 1864
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Western Downs
In office
2 November 1864 – 18 June 1867
Serving with James Taylor
Preceded byThomas Moffatt
Succeeded byRobert Ramsay
Personal details
Born
John Watts

(1821-02-27)27 February 1821
Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England
Died18 November 1902(1902-11-18) (aged 81)
Wimborne, Dorset, England
NationalityEnglish Australian
Spouse(s)Jane Lambie Nelson (m.1854 d.1863), Caroline Sophia (née Cochrane) (m.1868)
OccupationFarmer

John Watts (27 February 1821 – 18 November 1902) was a member of both the Queensland Legislative Assembly and the Queensland Legislative Council.[1] Watts managed the Eton Vale station with Arthur Hodgson and later took it over.[2] During his time in Queensland Watts wrote an account of farming and pastoral life, and the difficulties associated with it, as experienced by the early pioneers of South-East Queensland.[3] He also commissioned an 18-carat gold swag necklace by Danish creator Christian Ludwig Qwist (1818-1877) who arrived in Australia circa 1852. The necklace, a fine example of silversmithing and craftsmanship. Watt's papers and necklace are held by the State Library of Queensland. The necklace is considered a treasure of the John Oxley Library. [4]

Politics

Watts was a member of the first Parliament of Queensland, representing the seat of Drayton and Toowoomba from 2 May 1860 till his resignation due to ill health on 26 July 1862. He was appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council on 8 April 1864 and resigned on 31 October 1864 due to having been elected as the member for Western Downs from 2 November 1864 till 18 June 1867.[1]

Later life

Watts returned to England in 1867 and died at Wimborne, Dorset in 1902.[1]

Legacy

During his time in Queensland Watts commissioned an 18-carat gold swag necklace by Danish creator Christian Ludwig Qwist (1818-1877) who arrived in Australia circa 1852. The necklace features five openwork carved gold hinged pendants and is a fine example of silversmithing and craftsmanship. The necklace is held by the State Library of Queensland and is considered a treasure of the John Oxley Library. [4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  2. ^ French, Maurice (2010). "Squatters and Separation: A Synoptic Overview" (PDF). Queensland History Journal. 20 (13): 804–819. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  3. ^ "5823 John Watts Typescript 1901". State Library of Queensland OneSearch Catalogue. 1901. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b "John Watts Necklace ca. 1866 - 1869: treasure collection of the John Oxley Library | State Library Of Queensland". www.slq.qld.gov.au. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
Parliament of Queensland
New seat Member for Drayton and Toowoomba
1860–1862
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Western Downs
1864–1867
Served alongside: James Taylor
Succeeded by