36 Facts About Henry Sewell

Henry Sewell was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-government, and is generally regarded as having been the country's first premier, having led the Sewell Ministry in 1856.

Henry Sewell later served as Colonial Treasurer, as Attorney-General, and twice as Minister of Justice.

Henry Sewell was born on 7 September 1807 in the town of Newport, on England's Isle of Wight.

Henry Sewell was educated at Hyde Abbey School near Winchester.

In 1840 Henry Sewell's father lost a staggering sum of money when a bank failed, and died shortly afterwards, leaving the family with a great deal of debt.

In 1844, Henry Sewell suffered from the untimely death of his wife Lucinda.

Henry Sewell put his sister in charge of his children and his mother and moved to London for better opportunities.

Henry Sewell remarried, probably on 23 January 1850, and made plans to emigrate with his new wife Elizabeth Kittoe to New Zealand, hoping for improved financial prospects in the colony.

Henry Sewell personally arrived in Lyttelton, the port of Christchurch on 2 February 1853, hoping to sort out what remained of the colony's problems.

Gradually, and despite conflict with provincial superintendent James FitzGerald, Henry Sewell managed to get the colony back onto a reasonable course.

Henry Sewell's diary, published in 1980 as the Henry Sewell Journal in two volumes, gives a unique insight into his life in the colony.

In late July 1853, Henry Sewell decided that he would stand for Parliament in the 1853 general election; the question was whether he should run in the Town of Christchurch or the Christchurch Country electorate.

Henry Sewell sought counsel from some friends, who recommended for him to stand in the rural electorate, but he did not want to oppose Guise Brittan, who had already declared his candidacy.

Whilst Brittan was unpopular with the constituency, Henry Sewell thought that it would be useful to have him in Parliament.

Henry Sewell talked to Brittan, who fully supported him standing in the town electorate, and Brittan pledged that he would get his brother-in-law, Charles Fooks, to canvas for him.

Henry Sewell discussed all the issues that Parliament should deal with, but finished by saying that he would not be available as a candidate, as Watts-Russell had been pledged the support of the constituency.

At this point, Henry Sewell thought that Brittan would not have a chance of getting elected, as he was most unpopular, and he refused to go canvassing.

Henry Sewell was proposed by John Hall, and seconded by postmaster and storekeeper Charles Wellington Bishop.

Whilst Henry Sewell's speech was well received, Fooks was laughed at and interrupted.

The final result was 61 votes to 34 for Henry Sewell, who was thus declared elected.

In terms of the political spectrum of the day, which ranged "centralists" against "provincialists", Henry Sewell adopted a moderate position, although he later became gradually more centralist.

Henry Sewell was asked by the Governor to form a government, now known as the Henry Sewell Ministry.

Henry Sewell was appointed to the Executive Council on 18 April 1856, and became Colonial Secretary on 7 May Dillon Bell became Colonial Treasurer, Frederick Whitaker became Attorney-General, and Henry Tancred from the Legislative Council became a minister without portfolio.

Henry Sewell's government was short-lived due to its strong centralist tendencies.

Stafford invited Henry Sewell to become Colonial Treasurer in the new government.

In late 1856, Henry Sewell stepped down as Treasurer and resigned his seat, but remained an unofficial member of the Executive Council, to return to England.

In 1859, when Henry Sewell returned to New Zealand, he became Treasurer , but stepped down again after only a month, leaving Richmond to resume the role.

Henry Sewell resigned towards the end of 1860 to become Registrar-General of Lands.

When fighting broke out with Maori in 1860 over land grievances, Henry Sewell attempted to promote negotiation and compromise.

Henry Sewell, who was a mild pacifist, believed that conflict with Maori could only properly be resolved by introducing a fair method of land purchase, one which did not involve coercion.

Henry Sewell later resigned from a post as Attorney-General over the government's land confiscation policies.

Later in his political career, Henry Sewell briefly held positions as Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Colonial Secretary.

Henry Sewell was defeated in 1866 for Lyttelton by Edward Hargreaves.

Henry Sewell served on the Legislative Council from 1861 to 1865.

In 1873, Henry Sewell retired from politics and returned to England shortly afterwards.

Henry Sewell died in Cambridge on 14 May 1879 and is buried in Waresley, Huntingdonshire.