Sir John Robertson (1816 - 1891)

Date of birth:

Tue 15 October 1816

Place of birth:

Bow, near London, England

Date of death:

Fri 08 May 1891

Place of death:

Watsons Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Parliamentary activity

Information about members' parliamentary service including their positions held and biography.

Positions
PositionStartEndPeriodNotes
Sydney Corporation Act Amendment Bill Committee No.38 Fri 14 May 1886Fri 14 May 18861 day
Member for Mudgee Wed 06 January 1886Fri 18 June 18865 months 13 days
Premier Tue 22 December 1885Thu 25 February 18862 months 4 days
Colonial Secretary Tue 22 December 1885Thu 25 February 18862 months 4 days
Member for Mudgee Fri 23 October 1885Tue 22 December 18852 months
Address of Condolence with Her Majesty the Queen Committee No.43 Tue 01 April 1884Tue 01 April 18841 day
Claim of Stephen Cole Committee No.36 Wed 20 February 1884Sat 01 November 18848 months 13 days
Hutchinson’s Estate Bill Committee No.11 Thu 25 October 1883Fri 16 November 188323 days
Member for Mudgee Mon 11 December 1882Wed 07 October 18852 years 9 months 27 days
Land in Macquarie street, Parramatta Committee No.8 Tue 03 October 1882Tue 21 November 18821 month 19 days
Member for Mudgee Fri 13 January 1882Thu 23 November 188210 months 11 days
Secretary for Lands Thu 29 December 1881Thu 04 January 18831 year 7 days
Acting Colonial Secretary Thu 29 December 1881Sat 19 August 18827 months 23 days
Minister of Public Instruction Sat 01 May 1880Thu 10 November 18811 year 6 months 10 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Council Wed 22 January 1879Sat 31 December 18812 years 11 months 10 daysLife Appointment under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 21 December 1878
Vice President of the Executive Council and Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council Sat 21 December 1878Thu 10 November 18812 years 10 months 21 days
Mudgee Turf Club Bill Committee No.20 Wed 20 November 1878Wed 26 February 18793 months 7 days
Standing Orders Committee No.3 Wed 11 September 1878Thu 24 July 187910 months 14 days
Library Committee No.2 Wed 11 September 1878Thu 24 July 187910 months 14 days
Refreshment Room No.4 Wed 11 September 1878Thu 24 July 187910 months 14 days
Library Committee No.4 Wed 30 January 1878Tue 21 May 18783 months 24 days
Standing Orders Committee No.5 Wed 30 January 1878Tue 21 May 18783 months 24 days
Refreshment Room No.6 Wed 30 January 1878Tue 21 May 18783 months 24 days
The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Wed 28 November 1877Wed 28 November 18771 day
Member for Mudgee Mon 05 November 1877Fri 13 December 18781 year 1 month 9 days
Member for East Macquarie Mon 05 November 1877Tue 22 January 18782 months 18 days
Member for West Sydney Mon 27 August 1877Fri 12 October 18771 month 16 days
Premier Fri 17 August 1877Mon 17 December 18774 months 1 day
Colonial Secretary Fri 17 August 1877Mon 17 December 18774 months 1 day
Conveyance of Lunatics from Sydney to Cooma Committee No.21 Fri 22 June 1877Thu 11 October 18773 months 20 days
Sydney Common Improvement Act Amendment Bill Committee No.15 Tue 06 February 1877Thu 22 February 187717 days
Standing Orders Committee No.3 Thu 14 December 1876Thu 11 October 18779 months 28 days
Refreshment Room No.4 Thu 14 December 1876Thu 11 October 18779 months 28 days
Library Committee No.2 Thu 14 December 1876Thu 11 October 18779 months 28 days
The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Tue 12 December 1876Tue 12 December 18761 day
Common Lodging Houses Committee No.18 Tue 14 March 1876Tue 01 August 18764 months 19 days
Bathurst Markets Amendment Bill Committee No.17 Tue 07 March 1876Fri 17 March 187611 days
Endowment to Municipal Council of Paddington Committee No.11 Tue 11 January 1876Wed 29 March 18762 months 19 days
Diseases affecting Live Stock Committee No.7 Fri 26 November 1875Thu 13 July 18767 months 18 days
Library Committee No.2 Thu 18 November 1875Tue 22 August 18769 months 5 days
Refreshment Room No.4 Thu 18 November 1875Tue 22 August 18769 months 5 days
Standing Orders Committee No.3 Thu 18 November 1875Tue 22 August 18769 months 5 days
Diseases affecting Live Stock Committee No.19 Thu 15 July 1875Wed 11 August 187528 days
Australasia Coal Company’s Bill Committee No.16 Thu 10 June 1875Wed 07 July 187528 days
Removal of Public Money from Bank of New South Wales Committee No.14 Tue 11 May 1875Tue 22 June 18751 month 12 days
Letter addressed to M.M Rochefort and Grousset Committee No.12 Tue 04 May 1875Tue 01 June 187529 days
Petition of Messrs. Blomfield and Munford Committee No.9 Tue 20 April 1875Wed 11 August 18753 months 23 days
Refreshment Room No.5 Wed 31 March 1875Wed 11 August 18754 months 13 days
Library Committee No.3 Wed 31 March 1875Wed 11 August 18754 months 13 days
Standing Orders Committee No.4 Wed 31 March 1875Wed 11 August 18754 months 13 days
Member for West Sydney Tue 16 February 1875Fri 17 August 18772 years 6 months 2 days
Premier Tue 09 February 1875Wed 21 March 18772 years 1 month 13 days
Colonial Secretary Tue 09 February 1875Wed 21 March 18772 years 1 month 13 days
Member for West Sydney Wed 16 December 1874Tue 09 February 18751 month 25 days
Administration of the Land Law Committee No.9 Tue 17 November 1874Thu 26 November 187410 days
Waratah Coal Company’s Bill Committee No.6 Fri 06 November 1874Thu 12 November 18747 days
Letter addressed to M.M Rochefort and Grousset Committee No.5 Thu 05 November 1874Thu 26 November 187422 days
Library Committee No.2 Wed 04 November 1874Thu 26 November 187423 days
Refreshment Room No.4 Wed 04 November 1874Tue 17 November 187414 days
Drummond Copper Mining Company’s Incorporation Bill Committee No.31 Mon 18 May 1874Thu 25 June 18741 month 8 days
Wharf Accommodation, Sydney Harbour Committee No.30 Wed 29 April 1874Thu 25 June 18741 month 28 days
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts Incorporation Bill Committee No.29 Thu 19 March 1874Fri 27 March 18749 days
Bishopthorpe Estate Bill Committee No.20 Tue 02 December 1873Wed 17 December 187316 days
Sydney United Omnibus Company’s Tramways Bill Committee No.17 Wed 19 November 1873Thu 25 June 18747 months 7 days
Lee’s Partition and Sale Bill Committee No:16 Tue 18 November 1873Tue 25 November 18738 days
Payment of Duty on Tobacco Committee No.15 Tue 04 November 1873Fri 12 December 18731 month 9 daysChairman
Mineral Lease at Togo Committee No.10 Tue 07 October 1873Fri 01 May 18746 months 25 daysChairman
Administration of the Land Law Committee No.5 Fri 12 September 1873Wed 24 June 18749 months 13 days
Refreshment Room No.4 Wed 10 September 1873Thu 25 June 18749 months 16 days
Case of Senior Constable Tant Committee No.30 Fri 14 March 1873Fri 25 April 18731 month 12 days
Deniliquin and Moama Railway Bill Committee No.29 Wed 12 March 1873Fri 28 March 187317 days
Bowenfels Coal Mining and Cooper Smelting Company’s Railway Bill Committee No.23 Fri 07 February 1873Tue 11 February 18735 daysChairman
Telegraphic Communication Committee No.17 Tue 17 December 1872Thu 24 April 18734 months 8 daysChairman
Administration of the Land Law Committee No.16 Tue 17 December 1872Thu 24 April 18734 months 8 days
New South Wales Shale and Oil Company’s Bill Committee No.13 Tue 26 November 1872Wed 04 December 18729 daysChairman
Wharf Accommodation, Sydney Harbour Committee No.7 Wed 13 November 1872Thu 24 April 18735 months 12 days
The Civil Service Committee No.6 Tue 12 November 1872Wed 05 March 18733 months 22 days
Standing Orders Committee No.4 Wed 06 November 1872Fri 25 April 18735 months 20 days
Library Committee No.3 Wed 06 November 1872Fri 25 April 18735 months 20 days
Refreshment Room Committee No.5 Wed 06 November 1872Wed 05 March 18734 months
Administration of the Land Law Committee No.14 Fri 05 July 1872Tue 06 August 18721 month 2 days
St Andrew’s College Committee No.13 Tue 02 July 1872Tue 13 August 18721 month 12 days
St George’s Presbyterian Church Bill Committee No.12 Thu 27 June 1872Thu 04 July 18728 days
Sydney United Omnibus Company’s Incorporation Bill Committee No.11 Wed 26 June 1872Fri 28 June 18723 days
Standing Orders Committee No.4 Wed 12 June 1872Tue 13 August 18722 months 2 days
Refreshment Room No.5 Wed 12 June 1872Tue 13 August 18722 months 2 days
Library Committee No.3 Wed 12 June 1872Tue 13 August 18722 months 2 days
Opening Speech of the Administrator of the Government Committee No.1 Wed 01 May 1872Wed 01 May 18721 day
Member for West Sydney Thu 15 February 1872Sat 28 November 18742 years 9 months 14 days
The Civil Service Committee No.6 Tue 21 November 1871Thu 01 February 18722 months 12 days
Library Committee No.2 Wed 15 November 1871Thu 01 February 18722 months 18 days
Standing Orders Committee No.3 Wed 15 November 1871Thu 01 February 18722 months 18 days
Refreshment Room Committee No.4 Wed 15 November 1871Thu 01 February 18722 months 18 days
The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Tue 14 November 1871Tue 14 November 18711 day
Petition of James Twaddell Committee No.15 Wed 25 January 1871Thu 04 May 18713 months 10 days
Member for West Sydney Fri 30 December 1870Sat 03 February 18721 year 1 month 5 days
Colonial Secretary Fri 16 December 1870Mon 13 May 18721 year 4 months 28 days
Claims of Mr Spencer, of Gundagai Committee No.13 Fri 09 December 1870Thu 22 June 18716 months 14 days
Petition of John Fuller Foster Committee No.12 Fri 04 November 1870Wed 07 December 18701 month 4 days
Ham Common Resumption Bill Committee No.11 Fri 14 October 1870Wed 02 November 187020 days
Member for West Sydney Mon 22 August 1870Fri 16 December 18703 months 25 days
Secretary for Lands Sat 13 August 1870Thu 15 December 18704 months 3 days
Refreshment Room Committee No.4 Fri 12 August 1870Thu 22 June 187110 months 11 days
Library Committee No.2 Fri 12 August 1870Thu 22 June 187110 months 11 days
Standing Orders Committee No.3 Fri 12 August 1870Wed 22 March 18717 months 11 days
The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Thu 11 August 1870Thu 11 August 18701 day
Water Supply – Sydney and Suburbs Committee No.23 Fri 08 April 1870Tue 03 May 187026 days
Tolls on Government Bridges Committee No.19 Tue 22 March 1870Sat 07 May 18701 month 16 days
Mrs Mary Fogg Committee No.18 Tue 22 March 1870Fri 29 April 18701 month 8 days
Member for West Sydney Wed 02 March 1870Tue 16 August 18705 months 15 days
Member for West Sydney Thu 09 December 1869Tue 22 February 18702 months 14 days
Petition of Mrs Mary Fogg Committee No.14 Wed 27 October 1869Sat 13 November 186918 days
Library Committee No.2 Wed 29 September 1869Sat 13 November 18691 month 16 days
Refreshment Room Committee No.4 Wed 29 September 1869Sat 13 November 18691 month 16 days
Standing Orders Committee No.3 Wed 29 September 1869Sat 13 November 18691 month 16 days
The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Tue 28 September 1869Tue 28 September 18691 day
Rev. Denis McGuinn, late R.C.C at Carcour Committee No.13 Tue 09 February 1869Thu 11 March 18691 month 3 days
Training Ship “Vernon” Committee No.8 Tue 12 January 1869Thu 25 March 18692 months 14 days
Refreshment Room Committee No.6 Tue 15 December 1868Wed 24 March 18693 months 10 days
Standing Orders Committee No.5 Tue 15 December 1868Wed 24 March 18693 months 10 days
Library Committee No.3 Tue 15 December 1868Wed 03 February 18691 month 20 days
Alleged Conspiracy for purposes of Treason and Assassination Committee No.3 Tue 15 December 1868Wed 03 February 18691 month 20 days
Member for Clarence Mon 16 November 1868Mon 15 November 18691 year
Premier Tue 27 October 1868Wed 12 January 18701 year 2 months 17 days
Colonial Secretary Tue 27 October 1868Wed 12 January 18701 year 2 months 17 days
Address to Her Majesty in reference to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh Committee No.26 Mon 20 April 1868Mon 20 April 18681 day
Address to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh on his visit to the Colony Committee No.21 Thu 16 January 1868Thu 16 January 18681 day
Shipwrecks and Loss of Life on the Coast Committee No.10. Tue 03 September 1867Wed 18 December 18673 months 16 days
Claim of Mr Benjamin Richards to lease of “Yaraldool” Run Committee No.9 Tue 27 August 1867Thu 28 November 18673 months 2 days
St Andrew’s Cathedral Close Bill Committee No.8 Tue 02 July 1867Mon 27 April 18689 months 26 days
Alleged Irregularity in Registration of a Deed Committee No.17 Wed 31 October 1866Thu 08 November 18669 days
Presbyterian College Bill Committee No.18 Wed 31 October 1866Thu 08 November 18669 days
Exchange of Land Scots Church Sydney Legalizing Bill Committee No.15 Wed 10 October 1866Wed 31 October 186622 days
Member for Clarence Mon 27 August 1866Tue 27 October 18682 years 2 months 1 day
Secretary for Lands Mon 01 January 1866Sun 21 January 186621 days
Exchange of Land Scots Church, Sydney, Legalizing Bill Committee No.13 Fri 15 December 1865Fri 23 February 18662 months 9 days
Present State of the Colony Committee No.7 Tue 07 November 1865Tue 28 March 1865
Member for West Sydney Wed 18 October 1865Thu 04 January 18662 months 18 days
Fisheries Bill Committee No.9 Fri 24 March 1865Wed 03 May 18651 month 10 days
Claims of Tenants of the Crown Committee No.8 Tue 14 March 1865Fri 28 April 18651 month 15 days
St Patrick’s Church Land Trust Bill Committee No.3 Wed 08 March 1865Tue 14 March 18657 days
Member for West Sydney Sat 18 February 1865Tue 10 October 18657 months 23 days
Secretary for Lands Fri 03 February 1865Thu 19 October 18658 months 17 days
Member for West Sydney Thu 24 November 1864Fri 03 February 18652 months 11 days
Mineral Land selected by the Honourable Arthur Todd Holroyd Committee No.39 Fri 01 April 1864Thu 21 April 186421 days
Claims of Tenants of the Crown Committee No.35 Tue 15 March 1864Wed 20 April 18641 month 6 days
Sydney Water Reserves Committee No.31 Tue 01 December 1863Fri 11 December 186311 days
Reservations upon Runs in Tumut District Committee No.25 Tue 29 September 1863Fri 11 March 18645 months 12 days
Working of the Gold Fields Act Committee No.26 Tue 29 September 1863Wed 09 March 18645 months 10 days
Exchange of Land, Scots Church, Jamison street, Legalizing Bill Committee No.16 Fri 04 September 1863Fri 01 April 18646 months 29 days
Mr John Busby Committee No.18 Fri 04 September 1863Wed 24 February 18645 months 21 days
Presbyterian College Bill Committee No.15 Fri 04 September 1863Tue 06 October 18631 month 3 days
Cardiff Coal Company’s Incorporation Bill Committee No.17 Fri 04 September 1863Thu 10 September 18637 days
Robert Stewart Committee No.13 Fri 31 July 1863Fri 07 August 18638 days
The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Tue 23 June 1863Tue 23 June 18631 day
Sydney Water Reserves Committee No.40 Tue 21 October 1862Sat 20 December 18622 months
Mount Pleasant Tramroad Bill Committee No.36 Tue 07 October 1862Fri 17 October 186211 days
Mr William Sims Bell Committee No.34 Tue 30 September 1862Tue 02 December 18622 months 3 days
Morehead and Young’s Railway Bill Committee No.28 Tue 02 September 1862Wed 15 October 18621 month 14 days
Gibson’s Estate Bill Committee No.27 Tue 02 September 1862Thu 04 September 18623 days
Presbyterian College Bill Committee No.25 Tue 12 August 1862Tue 18 November 18623 months 7 days
Exchange of Land, Scots Church, Jamison-street, legalizing Bill Committee No.24 Tue 12 August 1862Fri 14 November 18623 months 3 days
Slaughter of Cattle under Cattle Disease Prevention Act Committee No.17 Tue 05 August 1862Tue 02 December 18623 months 28 days
Mr Andrew Lenehan Committee No.15 Tue 22 July 1862Wed 03 December 18624 months 12 days
Land Titles Declaration Bill Committee No.8 Tue 10 June 1862Tue 02 September 18622 months 24 days
Member for Shoalhaven Tue 07 January 1862Thu 10 November 18642 years 10 months 4 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Council Tue 03 September 1861Mon 30 December 18613 months 28 daysLife Appointment under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 24 June 1861
Member of the NSW Legislative Council Tue 03 September 1861Mon 30 December 18613 months 28 daysLife Appointment under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 24 June 1861
Representative of Government Tue 03 September 1861Fri 27 December 18613 months 25 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Council Wed 03 April 1861Mon 13 May 18611 month 11 daysFirst (Quinquennial) Appointments under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 2 April 1861.
Representative of Government Wed 03 April 1861Fri 10 May 18611 month 8 days
Sydney Revenues Improvement Bill Committee No.25 Fri 01 March 1861Sat 11 May 18612 months 11 daysChairman, appointed 8 March 1861
Wahgunyah Murray Bridge Company’s Bill Committee No.21 Tue 19 February 1861Sat 11 May 18612 months 23 days
State and Management of the Sydney Domain Committee No.20 Tue 19 February 1861Sat 11 May 18612 months 23 days
Unpaid Magistracy Committee No.17 Tue 12 February 1861Sat 11 May 18613 months
System of Tendering for Runs Committee No.15 Tue 05 February 1861Sat 11 May 18613 months 7 days
Shoalhaven Municipality – (Petition of Alex Berry, Esquire) Committee No.5 Thu 17 January 1861Sat 11 May 18613 months 25 days
Standing Orders Committee No.2 Tue 15 January 1861Sat 11 May 18613 months 27 days
Departure of the Governor General Committee No.4 Tue 15 January 1861Sat 11 May 18613 months 27 days
Governor General’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Fri 11 January 1861Fri 11 January 18611 day
Secretary for Lands Thu 10 January 1861Thu 15 October 18632 years 9 months 6 days
Member for Upper Hunter Mon 10 December 1860Thu 28 March 18613 months 19 days
Petition of Mr Alexander Berry Committee No.9 Fri 12 October 1860Fri 09 November 186029 days
Moreton Bay Immigration and Land Company’s Act Amendment Bill Committee No.10 Fri 12 October 1860Fri 09 November 186029 days
Federation of the Australian Colonies Committee No.5 Fri 28 September 1860Fri 09 November 18601 month 13 days
Standing Orders Committee No.2 Thu 27 September 1860Fri 09 November 18601 month 14 days
Library Committee No.3 Thu 27 September 1860Fri 09 November 18601 month 14 days
Governor General’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Tue 25 September 1860Tue 25 September 18601 day
Federation of the Australian Colonies Committee No.38 Tue 03 April 1860Wed 04 July 18603 months 2 days
Moreton Bay Immigration and Land Company’s Act Amendment Bill Committee No.39 Tue 03 April 1860Wed 04 July 18603 months 2 days
Member for Upper Hunter Mon 19 March 1860Sat 10 November 18607 months 23 days
Premier Fri 09 March 1860Wed 09 January 186110 months 1 day
Secretary for Lands Fri 09 March 1860Wed 09 January 186110 months 1 day
Maitland Pasturage Reserve Committee No.34 Thu 16 February 1860Wed 04 July 18604 months 19 days
Petition of Alexander Berry, Esquire, Committee No.30 Fri 03 February 1860Wed 04 July 18605 months 2 days
Cases of Charles Skerrett Committee No.32 Fri 03 February 1860Wed 04 July 18605 months 2 days
Petition of Mrs Frances Dr Courcy Committee No.25 Tue 18 October 1859Wed 04 July 18608 months 17 days
St Andrew’s College Bill Committee No.24 Fri 14 October 1859Wed 04 July 18608 months 21 days
Mount Keira Tramroad Bill Committee No.22 Thu 13 October 1859Wed 04 July 18608 months 22 days
Secretary for Lands Sat 01 October 1859Wed 26 October 185926 days
Pitt-street Tramway Bill Committee No.18 Thu 29 September 1859Wed 04 July 18609 months 6 days
Newcastle Wallsend Coal Company’s Railway Bill Committee No.14 Tue 20 September 1859Wed 04 July 18609 months 15 days
Claims of Mr David Morris and others Committee No.11 Tue 20 September 1859Wed 04 July 18609 months 15 days
Secondary Punishment Committee No.8 Wed 14 September 1859Wed 04 July 18609 months 21 days
Retrenchment in the Public Expenditure Committee No.7 Wed 14 September 1859Wed 04 July 18609 months 21 days
Governor General’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 Wed 31 August 1859Wed 31 August 18591 day
Member for Upper Hunter Fri 24 June 1859Thu 08 March 18608 months 14 days
Railway to Morpeth Committee No.7 Tue 21 December 1858Sat 09 April 18593 months 20 days
Extension of Railway to Windsor Committee No.6 Fri 17 December 1858Sat 09 April 18593 months 24 days
Railway to Morpeth Committee No.31 Tue 31 August 1858Fri 26 November 18582 months 28 days
Extension of Railway to Windsor Committee No.30 Fri 23 July 1858Fri 26 November 18584 months 4 days
Railway Accident Committee No.28 Wed 14 July 1858Fri 26 November 18584 months 13 days
Proposed Presbyterian College (petition) from the Reverend John Dunmore Lang Committee No.26 Tue 13 July 1858Fri 26 November 18584 months 14 days
Railway Services of Thomas Woore Esq. Committee No.24 Fri 02 July 1858Fri 26 November 18584 months 25 days
Seizure of Gold on board the ‘Ethereal’ and ‘May Nicholson’ Committee No.21 Tue 15 June 1858Fri 26 November 18585 months 12 days
Management of the Survey Department Committee No.15 Fri 30 April 1858Fri 26 November 18586 months 28 days
Scab and Catarrh in Sheep Committee No.14 Tue 27 April 1858Fri 26 November 18587 months
Retrenchment in the Public Expenditure Committee No.11 Tue 20 April 1858Fri 26 November 18587 months 7 days
Alluvial Lands of the Hunter Committee No.10 Fri 16 April 1858Fri 26 November 18587 months 11 days
Navigation of the Murray, & c. Committee No.8 Tue 13 April 1858Fri 26 November 18587 months 14 days
Member for Phillip, Brisbane and Bligh Mon 01 February 1858Mon 11 April 18591 year 2 months 11 days
Secretary for Lands and Public Works Wed 13 January 1858Fri 30 September 18591 year 8 months 18 days
Seizure of Gold Dust on board the “Ethereal” Committee No.18 Fri 04 December 1857Fri 18 December 185715 days
Standing Order Committee Wed 02 December 1857Fri 18 December 185717 days
Secondary Punishment Committee No.8 Fri 13 November 1857Fri 18 December 18571 month 6 days
Burwood Tramroad Continuation Act Amendment Bill Committee No.14 Tue 03 November 1857Fri 18 December 18571 month 16 days
Alluvial Lands of the Hunter Committee No.13 Fri 30 October 1857Fri 18 December 18571 month 19 daysChairman
Scab and Catarrh in Sheep Committee No.9 Fri 23 October 1857Fri 18 December 18571 month 26 days
Alluvial Lands of the Hunter Committee No.27 Fri 20 February 1857Wed 18 March 185727 days
Petition of Mr David Cross Committee No.24 Tue 09 December 1856Wed 18 March 18573 months 10 days
Administration of Justice and Conduct of Official Business in Country Districts Committee No.20 Tue 11 November 1856Wed 18 March 18574 months 8 days
Impounding Laws Committee No. 10 Fri 15 August 1856Wed 18 March 18577 months 4 days
Masters’ and Servants’ Acts Continuation Bill Committee No.8 Wed 13 August 1856Wed 18 March 18577 months 6 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly Fri 11 April 1856Fri 18 June 188630 years 2 months 8 days
Member for Phillip, Brisbane and Bligh Fri 11 April 1856Sat 19 December 18571 year 8 months 9 days
Biography

Community activity

President Local Branch Irish (National) League from 1864 until 1865. Prominent in Victoria Club. Freemason.

Honours Received

Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1877.

Personal information

Son of James Robertson, watchmaker and later pastoralist, and his wife Anna Maria Ripley. Married on 9 May 1839 to Margaret Erma (Madge) Davies and had issue, 3 sons and 6 daughters. Presbyterian.

Qualifications, occupations and interests

Pastoralist and landed proprietor. Arrived in New South Wales with his family in January 1822; his father, a friend of Governor Brisbane, worked as superintendent of government clocks, watchmaker and silversmith, and was later on land in Hunter River district. Educated at Reverend J. D. Lang's primary school (first student enrolled), and under J. Gilchrist and W. T. Cape. Visited England, Scotland, France 1833, working his passage; visited South America on way back. Joined father on land 1835, becoming station manager and minor explorer of North-West districts. Had 320 acre farm on Hunter River; and became a squatter, in 1840 holding Arrowmine, 20,000 acres. Bankrupted in 1843. Continued as pastoralist and agricultural proprietor, although by 1857 held pastoral leases only in settled districts (14,200 acres in counties Durham and Brisbane); farmed land himself and leased land to tenant farmers; with Robert Towns (q. v.) took up and stocked stations on Gulf of Carpentaria 1865. Bankrupt 1870, discharged same year. On retiring from politics with precarious finances 1886, received grant of £10,000 for past services. Led squatter protest against Governor Gipps' attempt to restrict expansion beyond boundaries of location in North-West in 1838; supported squatter claims against Gipps' regulations 1844, but rejected squatter claims to security of tenure and other privileges; identified with land policy of free selection before survey in both settled and unsettled districts; leader of radicals in New South Wales Parliament in conflicts of late 1850s and early 1860s, entering Cowper's ministry on own terms 1858. Opposed Federation.

Additional information

Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6
Personal papers in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales: Sir
John Robertson - papers, 1858 - 1889 (DLMSF 29, DLMSQ 588)
David Clune and Ken Turner (Editors), The Premiers of New South Wales: Volume 1
- 1856 - 1901, The Federation Press, Sydney, 2006 [Chapter 5: "Robertson,
John", by Trevor McMinn, p. 81]

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