James Hannell (1 December 1813 – 31 December 1876) was an auctioneer, publican, and Australian politician elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly,[1] the first mayor of Newcastle, and the first mayor of Wickham.
His mother Elizabeth Hannell arrived in Sydney in 1812 from Middlesex, England (Convict – 7 years).
His father James Walton of Lancashire, England, a private of the Coldstream Guards.
She was transported to Newcastle on the ship Princess Charlotte and arrived on 27 July 1820.
Elizabeth was granted permission to wed the district constable, and ticket of leave man, John Butler Hewson, on 28 May 1828.
Hewson became the foster father of the children, including Hannell, when they joined their mother in Newcastle.
He bought a licensed public house called the 'Ship Inn' on the corner of Hunter and Bolton Street, Newcastle.
[6] In 1857, Hannell was gazetted as a justice of the peace and attended the Newcastle bench.
[7] Hannell became Newcastle's member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
[8] Hannell organised concerts for the Newcastle Hospital, in which he took part as a comic singer.
[1] When the new hospital 'Wing' was completed it was named the 'Hannell Wing' in honour of Hannell and his son Clarence.
[1] Hannell died from pneumonia, on 31 December 1876, and was interred at the burial ground of Christ Church Cathedral.
6 October 1850 (BDM V18502927 35/1850) – d. 30 April 1884 (Unsure) – m. Edwin Alfred MITCHELL, 8) Florence Jane, b.