William Jackson (New Zealand politician)

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]

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]

• 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.