William Smillie (c. 1810 – 11 Dec 1852) was an appointed member of the first

Legislative Council of South Australia The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of South Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the House of Assembly. It sits in Parli ...

, serving from March 1840 to February 1851.

History

Smillie was a son of Matthew Smillie (c. 1781 – 12 March 1847), a solicitor of

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, Scotland and his wife Elizabeth Corse Smillie, née Nairne (c. 1791 – 17 October 1861). 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 which he named in honour of his wife. 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. His health further failing, in June 1851 Smillie took eighteen months' leave of absence, holidaying in St. Thomas in the

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, where he experienced some improvement. Charles Mann (the first incumbent) acted in his absence for a month or two, followed by

Richard Davies Hanson Sir Richard Davies Hanson (6 December 1805 – 4 March 1876), was the fourth Premier of South Australia, from 30 September 1857 until 8 May 1860, and was a Chief Judge from 20 November 1861 until 4 March 1876 on the Supreme Court of South Austr ...

. 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

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

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Bibliography

*Smillie, William ''The Great South Land'' 1838. *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 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smillie, William 1808 births 1852 deaths 19th-century Australian lawyers Members of the South Australian Legislative Council 19th-century Australian politicians