William Bickford Row
Encyclopedia
William Bickford Row was an English
-born Newfoundland merchant, lawyer and politician.
He was born in Torquay
, Devon
, the son of John Row. Row was involved in trade between England and Newfoundland as an agent for William Bickford until 1809 and then, in partnership with his brother, as an agent for John Hill and Company until that company became insolvent in 1811. In 1816, he set up his own store at St. John's
but, by 1818, he had become the agent in Newfoundland for William Vallance of Devon.
In 1826, Row entered practice as a lawyer. In 1834, he became the first treasurer for the Law Society of Newfoundland. He ran unsuccessfully in 1832 for the St John's seat in the Legislative Assembly in the first general election
held in Newfoundland. He was elected to represent Trinity in an 1834 by-election held after John Bingley Garland
was named to the Executive Council. Row was reelected for Fortune Bay in 1836 and 1837. In 1841, he was named to the Executive Council. He resigned his seat in 1855 after the Council was made responsible to the legislative assembly.
After he retired from politics, Row returned to England and died at Taunton
, Somerset
in 1865.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born Newfoundland merchant, lawyer and politician.
He was born in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, the son of John Row. Row was involved in trade between England and Newfoundland as an agent for William Bickford until 1809 and then, in partnership with his brother, as an agent for John Hill and Company until that company became insolvent in 1811. In 1816, he set up his own store at St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
but, by 1818, he had become the agent in Newfoundland for William Vallance of Devon.
In 1826, Row entered practice as a lawyer. In 1834, he became the first treasurer for the Law Society of Newfoundland. He ran unsuccessfully in 1832 for the St John's seat in the Legislative Assembly in the first general election
Newfoundland general election, 1832
The 1st Newfoundland general election came after many years of agitation against the British Parliament. Newfoundland was the last British colony in North America to gain representative government.-Results by party:-Member distribution:...
held in Newfoundland. He was elected to represent Trinity in an 1834 by-election held after John Bingley Garland
John Bingley Garland
John Bingley Garland , merchant, politician, became the first Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland in 1833....
was named to the Executive Council. Row was reelected for Fortune Bay in 1836 and 1837. In 1841, he was named to the Executive Council. He resigned his seat in 1855 after the Council was made responsible to the legislative assembly.
After he retired from politics, Row returned to England and died at Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
in 1865.