William Nicholson (1816 - 1865)

Born 27 Feb 1816 in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Sarah Birkett (Fairclough) Twentyman — married 1839 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 10 Mar 1865 at age 49 in Saint Kilda, Colony of Victoria

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Preceded by Sir John O’Shanassy

William Nicholson 3rd Premier of Victoria 27 October 1859-26 November 1860

Succeeded by Richard Heales

Biography

William Nicholson is Notable.

William NICHOLSON was known primarily as a politician who was credited as the 'Father of the Secret Ballot'. As an independent, he served 1 term as Premier of Victoria in the Legislative Assembly.

'William NICHOLSON was born on 27 February 1816 and christened on 29 February 1816 in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England^[1], son of Miles Nicholson and Hannah Dalziel.

Sarah Birkett FAIRCLOUGH and William NICHOLSON were married in 1839 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England^[2]

Their children included:

John NICHOLSON 1840–1887

Joseph James NICHOLSON 1844–1885

Miles NICHOLSON 1845–1874

Isabella Jane NICHOLSON 1846–bef. 1865?

William Dalzell NICHOLSON 1849–1874

They migrated to Port Phillip in 1842 and started as a retail grocer in Melbourne. The business prospered and became W. Nicholson & Co., gradually extending its investments into farming and pastoral property. William was a foundation member of the Benefit Building Society in 1847 and the Bank of Victoria in 1852, he served both as a director. In November 1848 Nicholson was elected unopposed for the La Trobe Ward in the Melbourne City Council. In 1850 he became an alderman and was mayor for a year from November. He was elected a member of both the lower and then upper houses of the state of Victoria, serving as its premier 1850-1851. Nicholson is remembered for his association with the passing of the secret ballot in 1855-56 and, less distinctly, for the struggle to secure the Nicholson Land Act of 1860^[3].

He passed away on 10 March 1865 in Saint Kilda, Colony of Victoria, having been ill over a year^[4] and was buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery^[5].

Death Notice 10 Mar 1865^[6]

NICHOLSON.—On the 10th inst., at his residence, St. Kilda, the Hon. William Nicholson, aged forty-nine years.

Obituaries^[7][8].

Sources

1. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Name William Nicholson; Sex Male; Father's Name Miles Nicholson; Father's Sex Male; Mother's Name Hannah; Mother's Sex Female; Event Type Christening; Event Date 29 Feb 1816; Event Place Hensingham, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom; Event Place (Original) Hensingham, Cumberland, England. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7SX-8PX : 5 February 2023), William Nicholson, 1816.
2. ↑ England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005. Name William Nicholson; Event Type Marriage; Event Date 1839; Event Place Liverpool, Lancashire, England; Registration District Liverpool; Page 317; Volume 20; Affiliate Line Number 3; Registration Quarter Jul-Aug-Sep; Registration Year 1839; Possible Spouse Sarah Birkett Fairclough. "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DC1-C1C : 13 December 2014), William Nicholson, 1839; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1839, quarter 3, vol. 20, p. 317, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
3. ↑ Peter Cook, 'Nicholson, William (1816–1865)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/nicholson-william-4300/text6965, published first in hardcopy 1974, accessed online 3 July 2023.
4. ↑ Birth, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Online Registry. Event: deaths; Registration number 2645 / 1865; Family name: NICHOLSON; Given name(s) William; Mother's name Hannah DALZELL; Father's Name: Miles. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180573885/william-nicholson: accessed 03 July 2023), memorial page for Hon William Nicholson (27 Feb 1816–10 Mar 1865), Find a Grave Memorial ID 180573885, citing Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton North, Melbourne City, Victoria, Australia; Maintained by Tony M. (contributor 48299134).
6. ↑ Family Notices (1865, March 10). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved July 3, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5739372
7. ↑ DEATH OF TUE HON. WILLIAM NICHOLSON. (1865, March 10). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved July 3, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5739366
8. ↑ THE HON. WILLIAM NICHOLSON. (1865, March 13). The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), p. 1 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE BALLARAT STAR). Retrieved July 3, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112885320

• UK BMD marriage record S 1839 Liverpool vol20 p317

See also:

• Wikipedia : Wikipedia:William_Nicholson_(Australian_politician)
• Wikidata: Item Q3568845, en:Wikipedia