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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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.
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