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 | Providence Green, Green Hammerton, Yorkshire, England | 11 October 1832
Died | 29 September 1889 at sea | (aged 56)
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | 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.
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]
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]