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{{Short description|Australian politician}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
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| spouse = Sarah Wilkinson (1852)<br />Elizabeth Gregson (1856-1865)<br />Elizabeth Coverdale (1868-1882) |
| spouse = Sarah Wilkinson (1852)<br />Elizabeth Gregson (1856-1865)<br />Elizabeth Coverdale (1868-1882) |
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| children = James Wilkinson Whyte |
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| religion = [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] |
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'''James Whyte''' (30 March 1820 – 20 August 1882) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]]-born [[Australia]]n politician |
'''James Whyte''' (30 March 1820 – 20 August 1882) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]]-born [[Australia]]n politician notable for conducting multiple massacres of Aboriginal people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=University of Newcastle - Colonial Frontier Massacres in Australia, 1788-1930|url=https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/detail.php?r=513|last=Centre For 21st Century Humanities|date=|website=c21ch.newcastle.edu.au|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> He served as the sixth [[Premier of Tasmania]], from 20 January 1863 to 24 November 1866. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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James Whyte was born near [[Greenlaw]], [[Berwickshire]], in the [[Scottish Borders]], the son of George Whyte (died 1836), a captain in the yeomanry, and his wife Jessie (''née'' Walker). |
James Whyte was born near [[Greenlaw]], [[Berwickshire]], in the [[Scottish Borders]], the son of George Whyte (died 1836), a captain in the yeomanry, and his wife Jessie (''née'' Walker). |
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The family emigrated to [[Van Diemen's Land]] (now [[Tasmania]]) in 1832, and as a young man Whyte was a pioneer sheep-farmer in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]'s [[Western District (Victoria)|western district]] with his brothers, managing the 57,000 |
The family emigrated to [[Van Diemen's Land]] (now [[Tasmania]]) in 1832, and as a young man Whyte was a pioneer sheep-farmer in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]'s [[Western District (Victoria)|western district]] with his brothers, managing the approximately 57,000 acre Kononwotong sheep run near present-day [[Coleraine, Victoria]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12905317|title=CLAIMS TO LEASES OF CROWN LANDS BEYOND THE SETTLED DISTRICTS.|date=4 April 1849|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|accessdate=26 December 2018|issue=3706|location=New South Wales, Australia|volume=XXV|page=4|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> |
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In 1840, James, his brothers and their convict servants |
In 1840, James, his brothers and their convict servants perpetrated the [[Fighting Hills massacre]] - their party killing between 40-80 [[Jardwadjali]] Aboriginal people while recovering stolen sheep. The party suffered no deaths despite furious resistance by the Aboriginal people. One of the coloniser's party was speared. The Jardwajali people fled in a moment of confusion after one of the attackers died in friendly fire.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9025988|title=OBITUARY.|date=22 August 1882|newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]|accessdate=25 December 2018|issue=3909|location=Tasmania, Australia|volume=XLI|page=3|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Scars in the landscape : a register of massacre sites in western Victoria, 1803-1859|last=D.|first=Clark, Ian|date=1995|publisher=Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies|isbn=0855752815|location=Canberra|oclc=41539940}}</ref> |
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A month later stockmen from the Whyte brothers station were involved in another massacre of up to 60 Jardwadjali people, the [[Fighting Waterholes massacre]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clark, Ian D.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41539940|title=Scars in the landscape : a register of massacre sites in western Victoria, 1803-1859|date=1995|publisher=Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies|isbn=0-85575-281-5|location=Canberra|oclc=41539940}}</ref> |
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⚫ | His obituary later |
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⚫ | His obituary later understated these incident saying:<blockquote>"The difficulties with the savage aborigines were very great, and had to be overcome."<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9025988|title=OBITUARY.|date=22 August 1882|newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]|accessdate=25 December 2018|issue=3909|location=Tasmania, Australia|volume=XLI|page=3|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref></blockquote>In 1845, the Konongwootong sheep run was divided - James took 8,000 acres of land, and named the run Koroite.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/23446|title=VHD|website=vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au|access-date=2018-12-25}}</ref> |
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Whyte and his brothers are recognised as pioneers of Coleraine, Victoria with the Main Street named after them. |
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==Political career== |
==Political career== |
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==Other works== |
==Other works== |
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Whyte was an active and philanthropic [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] Christian, a fellow of the [[Royal Society of Tasmania]], and an original proprietor of the '' |
Whyte was an active and philanthropic [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] Christian, a fellow of the [[Royal Society of Tasmania]], and an original proprietor of the ''Tasmanian Daily News'' (incorporated with the ''[[The Mercury (Hobart)|Hobart Town Daily Mercury]]'' in 1858). He was married three times: |
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* (1) in January 1852 to Sarah Wilkinson (died in childbirth, November 1852); |
* (1) in January 1852 to Sarah Wilkinson (died in childbirth, November 1852); |
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* (2) in May 1857 to Elizabeth Gregson, elder daughter of [[Thomas Gregson]] (died 1865); |
* (2) in May 1857 to Elizabeth Gregson, elder daughter of [[Thomas Gregson]] (died 1865); |
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* (3) in June 1868 to Elizabeth Coverdale, daughter of Dr John Coverdale, superintendent of an orphanage at [[New Town, Tasmania|New Town]]. |
* (3) in June 1868 to Elizabeth Coverdale, daughter of Dr John Coverdale, superintendent of an orphanage at [[New Town, Tasmania|New Town]]. |
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Whyte died in [[Hobart]] in 1882, leaving one son, |
Whyte died in [[Hobart]] in 1882, leaving one son, James Wilkinson Whyte who later was the Tasmanian Recorder of Titles. |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 18:06, 8 June 2022
James Whyte | |
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6th Premier of Tasmania | |
In office 20 January 1863 – 24 November 1866 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Chapman |
Succeeded by | Sir Richard Dry |
Constituency | Pembroke |
Personal details | |
Born | Greenlaw, Scotland, UK | 30 March 1820
Died | 20 August 1882 Hobart, Tasmania | (aged 62)
Nationality | British |
Spouse(s) | Sarah Wilkinson (1852) Elizabeth Gregson (1856-1865) Elizabeth Coverdale (1868-1882) |
Children | James Wilkinson Whyte |
James Whyte (30 March 1820 – 20 August 1882) was a Scottish-born Australian politician notable for conducting multiple massacres of Aboriginal people.[1] He served as the sixth Premier of Tasmania, from 20 January 1863 to 24 November 1866.
Early life
James Whyte was born near Greenlaw, Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders, the son of George Whyte (died 1836), a captain in the yeomanry, and his wife Jessie (née Walker).
The family emigrated to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in 1832, and as a young man Whyte was a pioneer sheep-farmer in Victoria's western district with his brothers, managing the approximately 57,000 acre Kononwotong sheep run near present-day Coleraine, Victoria.[2]
In 1840, James, his brothers and their convict servants perpetrated the Fighting Hills massacre - their party killing between 40-80 Jardwadjali Aboriginal people while recovering stolen sheep. The party suffered no deaths despite furious resistance by the Aboriginal people. One of the coloniser's party was speared. The Jardwajali people fled in a moment of confusion after one of the attackers died in friendly fire.[3][4]
A month later stockmen from the Whyte brothers station were involved in another massacre of up to 60 Jardwadjali people, the Fighting Waterholes massacre.[5]
His obituary later understated these incident saying:
"The difficulties with the savage aborigines were very great, and had to be overcome."[6]
In 1845, the Konongwootong sheep run was divided - James took 8,000 acres of land, and named the run Koroite.[7]
James later gained wealth from the discovery of gold at a property at Clunes, Victoria, in which he was a partner. It was developed into the Port Phillip Gold Mine. He returned to Tasmania in 1853.[6]
Whyte and his brothers are recognised as pioneers of Coleraine, Victoria with the Main Street named after them.
Political career
Having failed to win a seat in 1854, Whyte was elected to the Legislative Council for Pembroke in 1856. After serving briefly as a minister under the premiership of Thomas Gregson and serving as chairman of several council committees, he became premier and colonial secretary on 20 January 1863.[8] His government engaged in road and rail development, in public service reform, and in fiscal reform including an unpopular proposal for a property and income tax which was to cause its downfall in November 1866. In 1869-70 he was involved in framing laws to prevent the spread of scab disease in sheep, and was chief inspector of sheep from 1870 until 1882. He continued as an active member of committees until 1875, retiring from parliament in 1876.
Other works
Whyte was an active and philanthropic Presbyterian Christian, a fellow of the Royal Society of Tasmania, and an original proprietor of the Tasmanian Daily News (incorporated with the Hobart Town Daily Mercury in 1858). He was married three times:
- (1) in January 1852 to Sarah Wilkinson (died in childbirth, November 1852);
- (2) in May 1857 to Elizabeth Gregson, elder daughter of Thomas Gregson (died 1865);
- (3) in June 1868 to Elizabeth Coverdale, daughter of Dr John Coverdale, superintendent of an orphanage at New Town.
Whyte died in Hobart in 1882, leaving one son, James Wilkinson Whyte who later was the Tasmanian Recorder of Titles.
References
- Parliamentary Library profile
- Smith,Neil; 'Whyte, James (1820 - 1882)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, MUP, 1976, pp 395–396.
- Mennell, Philip (1892). . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
- ^ Centre For 21st Century Humanities. "University of Newcastle - Colonial Frontier Massacres in Australia, 1788-1930". c21ch.newcastle.edu.au. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "CLAIMS TO LEASES OF CROWN LANDS BEYOND THE SETTLED DISTRICTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. XXV, no. 3706. New South Wales, Australia. 4 April 1849. p. 4. Retrieved 26 December 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "OBITUARY". The Mercury. Vol. XLI, no. 3909. Tasmania, Australia. 22 August 1882. p. 3. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ D., Clark, Ian (1995). Scars in the landscape : a register of massacre sites in western Victoria, 1803-1859. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. ISBN 0855752815. OCLC 41539940.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Clark, Ian D. (1995). Scars in the landscape : a register of massacre sites in western Victoria, 1803-1859. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. ISBN 0-85575-281-5. OCLC 41539940.
- ^ a b "OBITUARY". The Mercury. Vol. XLI, no. 3909. Tasmania, Australia. 22 August 1882. p. 3. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "VHD". vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
- ^ Percival Serle (1949). "Whyte, James". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Angus & Robertson. Retrieved 14 September 2007.