Major William Harvie CHRISTIE (1808 - 1873)

Date of Birth: 01/01/1808
Place of Birth: Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
Date of Death: 19/03/1873
Place of Death: Pyrmont, New South Wales, Australia

Parliamentary Service

Position	Start	End	Period	Notes
Member of the NSW Legislative Council	14 May 1852	29 Feb 1856	3yr(s) 9mth(s) 16day(s)	A Non-Elective Member of the first Legislative Council 1843 – 1856
Serjeant-at-Arms	1 Jan 1847	1 May 1852	5yr(s) 4mth(s) 1day(s)	Serjeant-at-Arms of the first Legislative Council
Postmaster-General	1 May 1852	1 Oct 1865	13yr(s) 5mth(s) 1day(s)

Community Activity

In1844 was one of the founders of the Australian Club.

Qualifications, occupations and interests

Army officer; public servant; parliamentary officer. Educated at Rugby School and the Military Academy, Woolwich, where he qualified for the artillery. At Sandhurst he received a first class certificate of the senior department. Migrated to New South Wales with his wife in 1835 and with his regiment was promoted Major on 9 November 1838. Wife later returned to England for the education of their eldest son at Sandhurst Military Academy. However, Ellen died in England before her return to Sydney and was buried in the churchyard at Alton in Hampshire. In 1840 he was appointed assistant police magistrate of Hyde Park Barracks and at a later time became visiting magistrate of the new gaol at Woolloomooloo. Member of the Immigration Board. From 1 January 1848 until 1 May 1852 was the Sergeant at Arms in the Legislative Council.

Military Service

Joined 80th regiment as an ensign and became lieutenant on 6 March 1827 and Captain on 24 May 1833. Left his army commission on medical advice in 1839.

Personal

Second son of Dr Thomas Christie, medical inspector-general of Ceylon, and his wife Mary Tolfrey. Married Ellen Harrison in Manchester, England, in 1845 and had issue, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Devout churchman with strong beliefs.

Additional Information

Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3. Papers in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.

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