William Smillie

William Smillie (c. 1810 – 11 Dec 1852) was an appointed member of the first Legislative Council of South Australia, serving from March 1840 to February 1851.

History

Smillie was a son of Matthew Smillie (c. 1781 – 12 March 1847), a solicitor of Leith, Scotland and his wife Elizabeth Corse Smillie, née Nairne (c. 1791 – 17 October 1861).[1] Smillie was a partner in his father's legal practice. He became fascinated with the newly founded colony of South Australia, and published a series of articles in the Stirling Advertiser, reprinted as a book The Great South Land in 1838.

He and his parents subsequently emigrated on the Indus, arriving in South Australia in January 1839. His father purchased three sections in the vicinity of Mount Barker, which he subdivided, establishing the township of Nairne[2] which he named in honour of his wife.[3] They established a home, "The Vallies" or "The Valleys" in the area. In 1840 Smillie was appointed advocate-general, which position until 1857 was linked to a seat on the Legislative Council, succeeding Robert Bernard.

Smillie was plagued with poor health. In 1849 he took three months' leave of absence in Tasmania, in the hope of some improvement. William Bartley acted in his absence.[4] His health further failing, in June 1851 Smillie took eighteen months' leave of absence, holidaying in St. Thomas in the West Indies, where he experienced some improvement.[5] Charles Mann (the first incumbent) acted in his absence for a month or two, followed by Richard Davies Hanson. He died in Paris, en route to Italy, and was buried in Scotland.

He was distinguished by his general amiableness and cultivated mind, and by the interest he took, not only in his professional duties, but in all that related to the well-being of the colony[1]

Family

William Smillie married Eliza Jane Farquharson ( – ) daughter of Robert Farquarson of Allargue, in 1844. their family included:

  • Jean Nairne Smillie (16 April 1846 – 29 February 1880)
  • Elizabeth Smillie (c. 1848 – 4 September 1869)
  • Matthew William Smillie (23 February 1850 – 23 October 1867) died in Aberdeen

Bibliography
  • Smillie, William The Great South Land 1838. This booklet has been made available in digital form by the National Library of Australia and may be downloaded here.
  • Hon. Wm. Smillie Mental Culture: An Introductory Discourse to the Adelaide Literary and Scientific Association and Mechanics' Institute. South Australian Magazine. Vol I, issue ?? 1842[6]
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References
  1. "The Late Hon. William Smillie". Adelaide Observer. XI (515). South Australia. 7 May 1853. p. 6. Retrieved 13 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "Family Notices". South Australian Register. XI (714). South Australia. 17 March 1847. p. 2. Retrieved 13 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Manning's Placenames of South Australia". State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  4. "Local News of the Week". South Australian Gazette And Mining Journal. IV (184). South Australia. 6 January 1849. p. 4. Retrieved 13 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "The Hon. W. Smillie, Esq". South Australian Register. XVI (1813). South Australia. 6 July 1852. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Advertising". South Australian Register. South Australia. 31 May 1843. p. 1. Retrieved 13 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia. The text of a lecture given by Smillie to the South Australian Literary and Scientific Association and Mechanics' Institute, 26 July 1842 at the Queen's Theatre.
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