James Simpson (Tasmanian)
Encyclopedia
James Simpson was born in England and arrived in Van Diemen's Land
(now Tasmania
) in April 1825 on board the 'Elizabeth'.
In March 1827 he was appointed police magistrate at Norfolk Plains and later at Campbelltown
. In 1832 he moved to Hobart
as commissioner of the Land Board. Dissatisfied with his prospects in Tasmania, Simpson joined the Port Phillip Association
and in February 1836 offered his resignation to Lieutenant-governor Arthur who reluctantly reported to the Colonial Office
that Simpson had 'been infected with the Port Phillip mania.'
Simpson arrived at Melbourne
in April 1836 in the barque 'Caledonia'. As a member of the Port Phillip Association
he had been allotted an are of land between the Werribee River
and Station Peak, but held this for only a short time.
On 1 June 1836 the leading settlers of Port Phillip
held the first public meeting at the township and by popular decision appointed Simpson as arbitrator in all disputes, except in matters relating to land with power to impose and collect fines.
In April 1837 Simpson was officially made a magistrate by William Lonsdale
and later police magistrate of Melbourne
a position he held for a year.
A succession of official positions followed: Chairman of the market commissioners(1841), warden of the district council of Bourke(1843), temporary sub-treasurer(1846), commissioner of Crown lands(1849), sheriff(1851). At the same time Simpson was in the forefront of the business and cultural life of the Melbourne community. He was vice-president of the first savings bank, president of the Mechanics' Institute, a director of the Bank of Australasia, managing director of the Steam Navigation Company and a first trustee of St Peter's Church.
Throughout the 1840s Simpson lived in Little Flinders Street, but later moved to a new house on Wellington Street East Melbourne. There he died of an abscess of the liver aged 65. He was buried in the Church of England
section of the Melbourne General Cemetery
.
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
(now Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
) in April 1825 on board the 'Elizabeth'.
In March 1827 he was appointed police magistrate at Norfolk Plains and later at Campbelltown
Campbelltown
Campbelltown can refer to:Places in Australia:*Towns/suburbs:**Campbelltown, New South Wales**Campbelltown, South Australia**Campbell Town, Tasmania*Government areas:**Electoral district of Campbelltown, state electoral district in New South Wales...
. In 1832 he moved to Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
as commissioner of the Land Board. Dissatisfied with his prospects in Tasmania, Simpson joined the Port Phillip Association
Port Phillip Association
The Port Phillip Association was formally formed in June 1835 to settle land in what would become Melbourne, which the association believed had been acquired by John Batman for the association from Wurundjeri elders after he had obtained their marks to a document, which came to be known as...
and in February 1836 offered his resignation to Lieutenant-governor Arthur who reluctantly reported to the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
that Simpson had 'been infected with the Port Phillip mania.'
Simpson arrived at Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in April 1836 in the barque 'Caledonia'. As a member of the Port Phillip Association
Port Phillip Association
The Port Phillip Association was formally formed in June 1835 to settle land in what would become Melbourne, which the association believed had been acquired by John Batman for the association from Wurundjeri elders after he had obtained their marks to a document, which came to be known as...
he had been allotted an are of land between the Werribee River
Werribee River
The Werribee River is located on the plain west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The headwaters of a tributary, the Lerderderg River, are north of Ballan near Daylesford and it flows across the basalt plain, through the suburb of Werribee to enter Port Phillip. A linear park follows the Werribee...
and Station Peak, but held this for only a short time.
On 1 June 1836 the leading settlers of Port Phillip
Port Phillip
Port Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
held the first public meeting at the township and by popular decision appointed Simpson as arbitrator in all disputes, except in matters relating to land with power to impose and collect fines.
In April 1837 Simpson was officially made a magistrate by William Lonsdale
William Lonsdale (colonist)
William Lonsdale supervised the founding of the official settlement at Port Phillip from 1836 and went on to serve under the Superintendent La Trobe from 1839 to 1854.-Early life:...
and later police magistrate of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
a position he held for a year.
A succession of official positions followed: Chairman of the market commissioners(1841), warden of the district council of Bourke(1843), temporary sub-treasurer(1846), commissioner of Crown lands(1849), sheriff(1851). At the same time Simpson was in the forefront of the business and cultural life of the Melbourne community. He was vice-president of the first savings bank, president of the Mechanics' Institute, a director of the Bank of Australasia, managing director of the Steam Navigation Company and a first trustee of St Peter's Church.
Throughout the 1840s Simpson lived in Little Flinders Street, but later moved to a new house on Wellington Street East Melbourne. There he died of an abscess of the liver aged 65. He was buried in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
section of the Melbourne General Cemetery
Melbourne General Cemetery
The Melbourne General Cemetery is a large necropolis located north of the city of Melbourne in the suburb of Carlton North.-History:...
.