He moved to Van Diemen's Land in 1837 and for over 20 years practised as a solicitor.

In 1857 he was elected a member of the legislative council for Tamar and was colonial secretary in the Weston cabinet.

He held this office for five and a half years until his resignation in 1862.

[1] He was also an Australian cricketer, who played two games for Tasmania in 1851.

He has the distinction of having participated in the first ever first-class cricket match in Australia, and having bowled the first ever ball in a first class cricket match in Australia.