James Prendergast GCMG (1826 - 1921)

Born 10 Dec 1826 in London, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Jane (Hall) Prendergast — married 1852 in Chelsea, London, England

Died 27 Feb 1921 at age 94 in Wellington, New Zealand

Preceded by 2nd Chief Justice George Arney Preceded by 3rd Attorney-General Henry Sewell

James Prendergast 3rd Chief Justice of New Zealand Apr 1 1876 - May 25 1899 5th Attorney-General of New Zealand Oct 16 1865 - Sep 1 1876

Succeeded by 4th Chief Justice Robert Stout Succeeded by 1st Attorney-General Frederick Whitaker

Biography

James Prendergast GCMG is Notable.

Sir James Prendergast GCMG (10 December 1826 – 27 February 1921) was the third Chief Justice of New Zealand. Prendergast was the first Chief Justice to be appointed on the advice of a responsible New Zealand government, but is chiefly noted for his far-reaching decision in Wi Parata v The Bishop of Wellington in which he described the Treaty of Waitangi as "a simple nullity"

James was born in London 10th December 1826, and christened on the 3rd October 1827 in the parish of St. Bartholomew the Great, London; the third son of Michael Prendergast Q.C. and Caroline.^[1]

James Prendergast married Mary Jane Hall in 1852, in Chelsea, London. ^[2] Their address in 1859 was 7 Sergeant's Inn Fleet Street, London ^[3]

They had no children.

He passed away 27th February 1921, aged 94 years. ^{[4] [5]}

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JM49-MGZ : 6 December 2014, James Prendergast, 10 Dec 1826); citing ST BARTHOLOMEW THE GREAT,LONDON,LONDON,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 374,431.
2. ↑ England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005 vol:1A p:263
3. ↑ image in Find My Past / probate for father Michael's estate & property - England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019 : Administrations 1859 p: 187
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #176547165
5. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9V-LVZK : 8 August 2017), James Prendergast, 1921; citing Wellington, Wellington Probate Files [First Sequence], 1843-1939, record number 30510, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office; FamilySearch digital folder 100671196.

• N.Z. DEATHS - 1921/10225 - Prendergast James age 94 Years
• Obituary Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 47, Issue 143039, 28 February 1921, Page 5
• Obituary - Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 50, 28 February 1921, Page 6
• Online PDF Bench V Bar: Contempt of Court and the New Zealand Legal Profession in Gillon v: MacDonald (1878) by Grant Morris gives a very interesting insight into James Prendergast and the legal profession in NZ at the time.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Prendergast_(judge)
• https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1p29/prendergast-james