John Charles Watts-Russell JP was a 19th-century New Zealand politician, a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council and a member of the Legislative Council.
19 Facts About John Watts-Russell
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John Watts-Russell was supposedly the wealthiest of the early settlers, and his homestead became the centre of entertainment in Christchurch.
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John Watts-Russell was a significant runholder and, together with a business partner, was responsible for building up the Canterbury sheep stock.
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John Watts-Russell's father was Jesse Watts-Russell, a wealthy landowner and Conservative MP for the rotten borough of Gatton, and his mother was Mary Watts.
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John Watts-Russell purchased a commission in the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons in 1845.
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John Watts-Russell was a chronic asthmatic and was hoping for improved health from the change in climate.
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John Watts-Russell sold his commission as lieutenant and purchased 500 acres of land in the colony.
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John Watts-Russell's name came up early and he chose land adjacent to the farm established by the Deans brothers in the early 1840s at Riccarton Bush.
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John Watts-Russell's wife was known for her charm and vivacity, and their home became one of the centres of entertainment in Christchurch.
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John Watts-Russell took an interest in sheep and horses when most other farmers concentrated on arable farming.
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John Watts-Russell bought the Dalethorpe run off the Deans brothers in 1851 and owned it until 1866.
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John Watts-Russell had named it Dalethorpe after a family property back in his native Staffordshire.
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In 1866, John Watts-Russell sold many of his properties and leased their homestead.
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John Watts-Russell was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council in 1854 and resigned in 1855.
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John Watts-Russell was again appointed by the first Stafford Ministry in 1858 and was a member for ten years.
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John Watts-Russell was the first Grand Master of the Freemasons in Canterbury.
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John Watts-Russell died after a short and severe illness on 2 April 1875 in Christchurch.
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John Watts-Russell is buried in the Upper Riccarton church graveyard.
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John Watts-Russell died on 7 October 1905 at Horsham, West Sussex.