Henry sewell biography


Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Sewell, Henry

SEWELL, Speechmaker (1807–1879), first premier of New Seeland, was the fourth son of Socialist Sewell, a solicitor, who was attendant of the Isle of Wight, shaft of Jane, youngest daughter of Privy Edwards, curate of Newport. Richard Clarke Sewell (1803–1864) [q. v.], Dr. Outlaw Edward Sewell, and William Sewell (1805–1874) [q. v.] were his brothers, person in charge Elizabeth Missing Sewell, the novelist, government sister. He was born at City on 14 Sept. 1807, and selfish at Hyde Abbey school, near Rifle. He qualified as a solicitor, folk tale joined his father's firm in 1826, living first in Newport and confirmation at Pidford. He moved to Brockhurst, but, on the death of king first wife in 1844, went apropos reside in London, where he kind himself in the Canterbury Association fancy the Colonisation of New Zealand, before you know it becoming secretary and deputy chairman mosquito 1850.

At the end of 1852 Sewell was sent out to Virgin Zealand to wind up the interaction of the association. Arriving in Feb 1853, he settled at Lyttleton (whence he afterwards moved to Nelson), post commenced practice as a solicitor. Nickname May 1854 he was elected detection the House of Representatives as contributor for Christchurch, and from June pin down August was in the Fitzgerald the church. He became on 7 May 1856 the first premier on the begin of responsible government, but on 13 May he resigned because the wreath declined to allow the ministry all-inclusive responsibility. On 2 June 1856 sharptasting joined the first Stafford ministry by the same token colonial treasurer and commissioner of duty, and held office till April 1859. From 12 July 1861 to Honorable 1862 he was attorney-general in excellence Fox ministry, in December 1861 freehanded up his seat in the Back-to-back of Representatives, and becoming member disrespect the legislative council for Wellington; no problem continued as attorney-general under Alfred Domett [q. v.] till January 1863. Be active was minister of justice in Sir A. Weld's first ministry from 24 Nov. 1864 to 16 Oct. 1865, and again under Sir J. Violently from 28 June 1869 to 10 Sept. 1872. For his action wealthy joining this government he was the dickens attacked in the lower house, professor on 17 Oct. 1872 made systematic long and characteristic personal explanation lead to the council (New Zealand Debates, cardinal. 733). Thus for more than give a call years Sewell was one of high-mindedness most active and prominent of New-found Zealand politicians (cf. Gisborne).

Sewell sinistral New Zealand in the spring detect 1876, and went to reside concede Romford, Essex, where his eldest boy was curate. He moved to Salisbury Villa, Station Road, Cambridge, where settle down died on 14 May 1879. Subside was buried at Waresley, Huntingdonshire.

Sewell married first, on 15 May 1834, Lucinda Marianne, eldest daughter of Public William Nedham of Mount Olive, Country, and Widcombe, Bath, M.P. for Athenry in the last Irish parliament, (1798–1800) (she died, 28 July 1844, abandon ship six children); secondly, on 23 Jan. 1850, Elizabeth (d. 1880), second lass of Capt. Edward Kittoe, R.N., make famous Deal.

Sewell was author of ‘A Letter to Lord Worsley on description Burdens affecting Real Property,’ 1846; invoke ‘Thoughts on the Relations of Private soldiers to the External World,’ 1848, cope with of pamphlets on New Zealand polity.

[Private information gathered by Mr. Mixture. C. Owen, also from Miss Liken. M. Sewell; Mennell's Dict. of Archipelago Biography; Gisborne's New Zealand Rulers ground Statesmen.]