He was born 25 September 1820 (County Cork, Ireland) to Daniel Jervois and Susan (née Godson).

[2] He began his career by working in a lawyer's office in Sydney before becoming a storekeeper's assistant at Muswellbrook.

He arrived in Ipswich in 1852 and became manager of mercantile firm.

[4] He represented Ipswich in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, 19 June 1867 to 12 August 1870.

He was appointed police magistrate at Goondiwindi in 1872 and then at Roma in 1874.