James Hannell
James Hannell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Parramatta, Australia |
| Died | December 31, 1876 (aged 63) |
| Occupation(s) | Auctioneer, publican, politician |
| Known for | First mayor of Newcastle and Wickham; member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly |
James Hannell (1 December 1813 – 31 December 1876) was an auctioneer, publican, and politician in Australia. He served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and holds the distinction of being the inaugural mayor of both Newcastle and Wickham.
Early life
Born free on 1 December 1813 in Parramatta, Australia, Hannell was the eldest child of two former convicts. His mother, Elizabeth Hannell, had been transported to Sydney in 1812 from Middlesex, England, after receiving a seven-year sentence. His father, James Walton, originally from Lancashire, England, served as a private in the Coldstream Guards. Although initially registered under his father's surname 'Walton,' Hannell and his siblings eventually adopted their mother's maiden name.
Baptised at St. John's Church in Parramatta on 13 May 1814, Hannell was raised following his mother’s conviction for forgery in 1820 and her subsequent transportation to Newcastle. Elizabeth later remarried John Butler Hewson, a district constable and ticket-of-leave holder, who became the foster father to Hannell and his brothers when they joined her in Newcastle.
Hannell received his schooling at Christ Church School located in Newcastle.
On 12 March 1836, he wed Mary Ann Sophia Priest (born 1819), daughter of Edward Priest—a former convict who arrived in Newcastle in 1817. Together they had eleven children: Clarence Hewson, Stephena Mary, Emily Frances, Fanny Anne, two sons named James Edward (one of whom passed away in 1842), Mary Elizabeth, Florence Jane, Constance Myra, Arthur Hubert, and John Henry (who died in 1860).
Their family home was situated in an area called Smedmore—between Wickham and Maryville—which was later renamed Maryville after Hannell’s wife. Furthermore, Wickham’s principal street bears his name as Hannell Street.
Career
From 1833 to 1836, Hannell worked as a police constable before becoming Newcastle’s first licensed auctioneer in September 1839. He also acquired the 'Ship Inn,' a licensed tavern located at the intersection of Hunter and Bolton Streets in Newcastle.
His brother John Hannell managed the Wheat Sheaf Inn at Hexham near Newcastle and operated the Hunter River punt service beginning around 1862. Another brother, Jesse Hannell, served as Signal Master and was appointed the first lighthouse keeper at Nobbys Head Lighthouse.
In 1857, Hannell was named a justice of the peace and joined the Newcastle bench. He also fulfilled roles as churchwarden and trustee of Christ Church Cathedral. Instrumental in Newcastle’s incorporation process, he became its first mayor from 1859 to 1862 and held further mayoral terms during 1868–69 and again in 1871. Notably, he was mayor during the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit in 1868. Between 1859 and 1876, he represented City Ward on Newcastle Council and was appointed mayor of Wickham municipality in 1871, working alongside prominent local figures.
Hannell represented Newcastle in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly after winning City Ward in 1860 and securing re-election in 1864 before later representing Northumberland.
He championed various community efforts such as organising concerts to benefit Newcastle Hospital—which honored him and his son Clarence by naming its new 'Hannell Wing' after them. Additionally, he presided over the Newcastle Jockey Club; coordinated the inaugural regatta; led the Newcastle Regatta Committee for three decades; and served as president of the Newcastle Cricket Club. His contributions extended to co-founding the Newcastle Mechanics' School of Arts and acting as trustee for Newcastle National School (1858) as well as serving on the board of Newcastle Public School (1867).
Death
Hannell passed away due to pneumonia on 31 December 1876 and was interred in the burial grounds of Christ Church Cathedral. His gravestone is still situated close to the Warriors' Chapel.
He left behind his spouse Mary and nine of their eleven offspring: 1) Clarence Hewson (1836–1909) – wedded to Maria Phoebe TIGHE 2) Stephena Mary (1838–1927) – married to Henry ROUSE 3) James Edward* (1840–1842) 4) Emily Frances (1841–1906) – spouse of Thomas Albert CLACK 5) Fanny Anne (1844–1910) – married Joseph WOOD 6) James Edward (1847–1903) – married to Jane Danson RUSH 7) Mary Elizabeth (1850–1884) – wife of Edwin Alfred MITCHELL 8) Florence Jane (1853–1931) – married to John Aloysius CRAVEN 9) Constance Myra (1857–1928) – spouse of Rev. William Jenton JAMES 10) John Henry* (1858–1860) 11) Arthur Hubert (1862–1938) – married Sarah Jane BRIGGS
- Indicates death in infancy.
The value of Hannell's estate was assessed at less than £1000.
Notes
Data sourced from the NSW Births, Deaths, and Marriages registry.
External links
- For additional details on the Roberto's Family Tree, visit Roberto's Family Tree by Bob Suker.
- Location details for The Ship Inn: