James H. Watson (c. 1845 – December 29, 1908) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

-born merchant and political figure in

Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...

. He represented Trinity Bay in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1874 to 1882 and from 1893 to 1894. He was born in

Torquay Torquay ( ) is a seaside town in Devon, England, part of the unitary authority area of Torbay. It lies south of the county town of Exeter and east-north-east of Plymouth, on the north of Tor Bay, adjoining the neighbouring town of Paignton ...

and came to Newfoundland in 1869 where he entered business with his brother

Ellis Ellis is a surname of Welsh and English origin. Retrieved 21 January 2014 An independent French origin of the surname is said to derive from the phrase fleur-de-lis. Surname A * Abe Ellis (Stargate), a fictional character in the TV series ' ...

Hant's Harbour Hant's Harbour ( NST) is an incorporated town located on the east side of Trinity Bay on the Bay de Verde Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It has a population of 318 according to the 2021 Canadian census. Geogra ...

. He was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1882. Watson set up business at

L'Anse-au-Loup L'Anse-au-Loup is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town had a population of 692 in the Canada 2021 Census, up from 558 in 2016. In the Canada 2006 Census, there were 593 inhabitants. Common Surnames are Barney, Be ...

in 1890. He served as assistant clerk for the assembly from 1892 to 1893. He was elected again in 1893 and unseated by petition in 1894. In 1894, Watson was named a customs inspector at St. John's. He returned to England in 1904 and later died at Torquay in 1908.

References

* Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly 1840s births 1908 deaths English emigrants to pre-Confederation Newfoundland Newfoundland Colony people {{Newfoundland-politician-stub