|
|
|
|
William Cargill
|
| |
|
| |
William Walter Cargill (27 August 1784 – 6 August 1860) was the founder of the Otago settlement in New Zealand, after serving as a officer in the British Army.
Cargill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1784. He joined the British Army in 1802 and served with distinction in India, Spain, and France. In 1813, he married Mary Ann Yates, who bore him seventeen children. Of these, two of his five sons became notable in public life: John, who followed in his fathers footsteps and became a politician, and Edward, a prominent businessman.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'William Cargill' Start a new discussion about 'William Cargill' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
William Walter Cargill (27 August 1784 – 6 August 1860) was the founder of the Otago settlement in New Zealand, after serving as a officer in the British Army.
Cargill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1784. He joined the British Army in 1802 and served with distinction in India, Spain, and France. In 1813, he married Mary Ann Yates, who bore him seventeen children. Of these, two of his five sons became notable in public life: John, who followed in his fathers footsteps and became a politician, and Edward, a prominent businessman. Family circumstances forced him to sell his commission in 1820, though he was later referred to as "Captain Cargill". After leaving the army, he became a wine merchant in Scotland.
On 24 November 1847, Cargill sailed for New Zealand on the ship John Wickliffe, arriving at what is now Port Chalmers, Otago on 23 March 1848. The Constitution Act 1852 granted the settler population self-government, and in 1853 Cargill was elected superintendent of the Otago Province. He then served as a Member of Parliament from 1855 until he retired in October 1859.
He died of a stroke on 6 August 1860, at his home "Hillside" in Dunedin, and is buried in Dunedin Southern Cemetery with his wife and three children.
Legacy
The city Invercargill bears his name: Inver comes from the Scots Gaelic word inbhir meaning a river's mouth.
External links
- 1966 Encyclopędia of New Zealand entry on William Cargill
-
|
| |
|
|
