Daniel Bell Wakefield
Encyclopedia
Daniel Bell Wakefield was a notable judge
in New Zealand
during the mid-19th century.
Wakefield was the second child of Edward Wakefield (1774-1854) and Susanna, née Crash (d. 1817).
As a child in England
, Wakefield was thought to be rather 'slow' and showed little initiative at school. During his later school years he lived with Francis Place
, one of the leading radical reformers of the era and a friend of his father. On leaving school he was apprenticed to learn book-keeping, conveyancing
and practical farming, but soon disgraced himself and was sent to Amsterdam
to work in a merchant's office.
Place described him as lazy, sulky and disagreeable and probably dishonest but was determined to persevere with Daniel out of respect for his father. It seems that his brothers, Edward Gibbon
and Arthur
were not particularly impressed with him either, they described him as a dull, ill-mannered fellow most notable for his sloth and indolence.
However, by 1824, he had discovered enough energy to elope with Selina Elizabeth de Burgh (perhaps encouraged by his brother Edward), much to the dismay of her parents who were not impressed by him. Selina however died four years later without issue, by which time, Wakefield's career prospects had been dealt a further blow by the trial, conviction and imprisonment of his brothers Edward and William
for the abduction of a young girl.
Nonetheless, he tried to resurrect his career, studying law and entering Lincoln's Inn in 1827. He pursued political ambitions, although his brothers' reputations meant his attempt to become a Member of Parliament
for the London
borough of Lambeth
was to be unsuccessful.
With his brothers, Wakefield then began to look for career opportunities in the English colonies. Edward had dealings in South Australia
and involved Daniel. It seemed likely that he might be appointed the region's first judge but he was not appointed and with the other Wakefields withdrew from the South Australia Scheme.
In 1835 he married Anglela Attwood, daughter of Thomas Attwood MP and Elizabeth (Carless) in London.
By 1843, Wakefield was again embroiled in scandal. He had left his wife in disgrace after infecting her with an unpleasant social disease, and had substantial gambling debts. Edward once again assisted: this time Wakefield escaped to New Plymouth
, New Zealand, under a false name
, "Bowler". Later, he joined his brother William to do legal work in Wellington
for New Zealand Company
.
In 1847 he was appointed Crown Solicitor, a year later Standing Counsel for the Māori and then Attorney-General for the New Munster Province]].
His wife rejoined him after a five-year separation, bringing their two children, Selina and Marcus. Tragically, Selina died a few months later, but in October 1849 their third child, Alice was born.
In 1853 brother Edward arrived in Wellington and began a vigorous campaign against Governor George Grey
. Unfortunately, Wakefield was drawn into the dispute and maneuvered into a position when he had to resign as Attorney-General. Two years later, however, he was asked to become an acting judge and was sworn in as the first judge to be appointed in New Zealand from among those who had practised law in the country (he is also, so far, the only judge to have been appointed after entering the country under a false name). He retained this position until October 1857, when ill health forced him to resign.
He died in Wellington on 8 January 1858.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
during the mid-19th century.
Wakefield was the second child of Edward Wakefield (1774-1854) and Susanna, née Crash (d. 1817).
As a child in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wakefield was thought to be rather 'slow' and showed little initiative at school. During his later school years he lived with Francis Place
Francis Place
Francis Place was an English social reformer.-Early career and influence:Born in the debtor's prison which his father oversaw near Drury Lane, Place was schooled for ten years before being apprenticed to a leather-breeches maker. At eighteen he was an independent journeyman, and in 1790 was...
, one of the leading radical reformers of the era and a friend of his father. On leaving school he was apprenticed to learn book-keeping, conveyancing
Conveyancing
In law, conveyancing is the transfer of legal title of property from one person to another, or the granting of an encumbrance such as a mortgage or a lien....
and practical farming, but soon disgraced himself and was sent to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
to work in a merchant's office.
Place described him as lazy, sulky and disagreeable and probably dishonest but was determined to persevere with Daniel out of respect for his father. It seems that his brothers, Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon Wakefield
Edward Gibbon Wakefield was a British politician, the driving force behind much of the early colonisation of South Australia, and later New Zealand....
and Arthur
Arthur Wakefield
Captain Arthur Wakefield served with the Royal Navy, before joining his brother, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, in founding the new settlement at Nelson, New Zealand.-Royal Navy:...
were not particularly impressed with him either, they described him as a dull, ill-mannered fellow most notable for his sloth and indolence.
However, by 1824, he had discovered enough energy to elope with Selina Elizabeth de Burgh (perhaps encouraged by his brother Edward), much to the dismay of her parents who were not impressed by him. Selina however died four years later without issue, by which time, Wakefield's career prospects had been dealt a further blow by the trial, conviction and imprisonment of his brothers Edward and William
William Wakefield
William Hayward Wakefield was an English colonel, the leader of the first colonizing expedition to New Zealand and one of the founders of Wellington. In 1826, he married Emily Sidney, a daughter of Sir John Sidney.-Early life:...
for the abduction of a young girl.
Nonetheless, he tried to resurrect his career, studying law and entering Lincoln's Inn in 1827. He pursued political ambitions, although his brothers' reputations meant his attempt to become a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
borough of Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
was to be unsuccessful.
With his brothers, Wakefield then began to look for career opportunities in the English colonies. Edward had dealings in South Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and involved Daniel. It seemed likely that he might be appointed the region's first judge but he was not appointed and with the other Wakefields withdrew from the South Australia Scheme.
In 1835 he married Anglela Attwood, daughter of Thomas Attwood MP and Elizabeth (Carless) in London.
By 1843, Wakefield was again embroiled in scandal. He had left his wife in disgrace after infecting her with an unpleasant social disease, and had substantial gambling debts. Edward once again assisted: this time Wakefield escaped to New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
, New Zealand, under a false name
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
, "Bowler". Later, he joined his brother William to do legal work in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
for New Zealand Company
New Zealand Company
The New Zealand Company originated in London in 1837 as the New Zealand Association with the aim of promoting the "systematic" colonisation of New Zealand. The association, and later the company, intended to follow the colonising principles of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who envisaged the creation of...
.
In 1847 he was appointed Crown Solicitor, a year later Standing Counsel for the Māori and then Attorney-General for the New Munster Province]].
His wife rejoined him after a five-year separation, bringing their two children, Selina and Marcus. Tragically, Selina died a few months later, but in October 1849 their third child, Alice was born.
In 1853 brother Edward arrived in Wellington and began a vigorous campaign against Governor George Grey
George Grey
George Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
. Unfortunately, Wakefield was drawn into the dispute and maneuvered into a position when he had to resign as Attorney-General. Two years later, however, he was asked to become an acting judge and was sworn in as the first judge to be appointed in New Zealand from among those who had practised law in the country (he is also, so far, the only judge to have been appointed after entering the country under a false name). He retained this position until October 1857, when ill health forced him to resign.
He died in Wellington on 8 January 1858.