George Nichols (Australian politician)

George Robert Nichols (27 September 1809 – 12 September 1857[1]), also known as Bob Nichols, was an Australian politician,[2] a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1848 and 1856. He was also a member of the inaugural New South Wales Legislative Assembly for one term from 1856 until his death.

Bob Nichols
Auditor-General of New South Wales
In office 6 June 1856 – 25 August 1856
Preceded by	Francis Merewether
Succeeded by	Terence Murray
Secretary for Lands and Works
In office 6 June 1856 – 25 August 1856
Preceded by	New ministerial title
Succeeded by	Terence Murray
Personal details
Born	George Robert Nichols 27 September 1809 Sydney, New South Wales
Died	12 September 1857 (aged 47) Sydney, New South Wales
Spouse(s)	Eliza Boggs (m. 1831; d. 1835) Susannah Eliza Barnes (m. 1837; d. 1846) Eliza Smith (m. 1854)
Relations	Esther Abrahams (grandmother)
Father	Isaac Nichols

Early life

Nichols was the second son of Isaac Nichols,[2] a former convict who became a successful Sydney businessman and the first postmaster in the colony, and Rosanna Abrahams, daughter of Esther Johnston (also known as Esther Abrahams or Esther Julian). Shortly before his father's death in 1819, Bob Nichols was sent to England for an education and returned to Sydney early in 1823.

On returning to Australia he worked as an articled clerk until he was admitted as the first native-born Australian solicitor on 1 July 1833.[2] Nichols founded the law firm Clayton Utz in February 1833.[3] During this period he was also a journalist and editor of William Wentworth's Australian newspaper. He was bankrupted in the financial crisis of 1842 but later returned to his legal practice. Nichols was a member of the Parramatta Regional Council, a trustee of Sydney Grammar School and a leading Freemason.

Among the pupils articled to Nichols were James Martin (afterwards Premier and Chief Justice of New South Wales) and Richard Dry (afterwards Premier of Tasmania). Nichols was conceded the privilege, enjoyed by no other practitioner of his grade, of appearing professionally in both the superior and inferior courts of the colony.[1]

Political career

In 1848, prior to the establishment of responsible self-government, Nichols was elected to the semi-elected unicameral Legislative Council. He represented the electorate of Northumberland Boroughs (including Morpeth, West Maitland and East Maitland) until the granting of responsible self-government in 1856. At the first election under the new constitution he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as one of the two members for Northumberland Boroughs and continued to represent the seat until his death on 12 September 1857. Throughout his parliamentary career he was a strong supporter of Wentworth and William Bland.

Nichols served as the Auditor General and as the Secretary for Lands and Works, the inaugural such roles in the first responsible self-government in New South Wales. He held these positions for 80 days in the government of Stuart Donaldson.[4]

Personal life

Nichols married Eliza Boggs on 23 March 1831 and they had son, also called George Robert (1830–1832),[5] and a daughter, Georgiana Eliza (1832–1921).[6] Eliza Boggs died on 16 February 1835 (aged 22).[7]

He married Susannah Eliza Barnes on 16 December 1837 and the had a son, Francis Stephen (1840–1893).[8] Susannah Eliza died on 12 November 1846 (aged 30).

Nichols married for a third time, this time to 18-year old Eliza Smith on 14 July 1854.[9]

Bob died from dropsy[2] on 12 September 1857 (aged 47).[10] and was survived by Eliza (who died on 21 July 1863, aged 27) and by two children.[2]

References

1. Mennell, Philip (1892). "Nichols, George Robert" . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
2. Walsh, G. P. (1974). "Nichols, George Robert (Bob) (1809–1857)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 10 July 2012 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
3. "Clayton Utz - celebrating 175 years of service". Clayton Utz. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
4. "Mr George Robert Nichols (1809–1857)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
5. "Family Notices". The Sydney Herald. 28 June 1832. p. 4. Retrieved 20 November 2020 – via Trove.
6. "Georgians Eliza Badcock". Nepean Times. 17 September 1921. p. 8. Retrieved 20 November 2020 – via Trove.
7. "Family Notices". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. 17 February 1835. p. 3. Retrieved 20 November 2020 – via Trove.
8. "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 June 1893. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2020 – via Trove.
9. Family history
10. "George Robert Nichols". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 September 1857. p. 5 – via Trove.