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Mr James BYRNES (1806 - 1886)
- Date of Birth: 15/01/1806
- Place of Birth: Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland
- Date of Death: 17/09/1886
- Place of Death: Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
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Parliamentary Service
| Position | Start | End | Period | Parliament | Notes |
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| Member of the NSW Legislative Council | 1 Mar 1850 | 30 Jun 1851 | 1yr(s) 3mth(s) 30day(s) | | An Elective Member of the first Legislative Council 1843 - 1856 for the County of Cumberland |
| Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly | 16 Jun 1857 | 26 Mar 1861 | 3yr(s) 9mth(s) 11day(s) |  | |
| Member of the NSW Legislative Council | 13 May 1861 | 13 May 1861 | 1day(s) | | Did not take his seat. First (Quinquennial) Appointments under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 10 May 1861. |
| Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly | 24 Nov 1864 | 3 Feb 1872 | 7yr(s) 2mth(s) 11day(s) | | |
| Member for Cumberland (South Riding) | 16 Jun 1857 | 19 Dec 1857 | 6mth(s) 4day(s) | 1st (1856 - 1857) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 19 Jan 1858 | 11 Apr 1859 | 1yr(s) 2mth(s) 24day(s) | 2nd (1858 - 1859) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 18 Jun 1859 | 10 Nov 1860 | 1yr(s) 4mth(s) 24day(s) | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 8 Dec 1860 | 26 Mar 1861 | 3mth(s) 19day(s) | 4th (1860 - 1864) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 24 Nov 1864 | 22 Jan 1866 | 1yr(s) 1mth(s) 30day(s) | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 31 Jan 1866 | 15 Nov 1869 | 3yr(s) 9mth(s) 16day(s) | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 17 Dec 1869 | 20 Dec 1870 | 1yr(s) 4day(s) | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
| Member for Parramatta | 2 Jan 1871 | 3 Feb 1872 | 1yr(s) 1mth(s) 2day(s) | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
| Secretary for Public Works | 22 Jan 1866 | 26 Oct 1868 | 2yr(s) 9mth(s) 5day(s) | | |
| Secretary for Public Works | 16 Dec 1870 | 13 May 1872 | 1yr(s) 4mth(s) 28day(s) | | |
| Kiama Steam Navigation Company’s Bill Committee No.27 | 13 Jul 1858 | 26 Nov 1858 | 4mths 14days | 2nd (1858 - 1859) | |
| Governor General’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 | 9 Dec 1858 | 9 Dec 1858 | 1day | 2nd (1858 - 1859) | |
| Retrenchment in the Public Expenditure Committee No.7 | 14 Sep 1859 | 4 Jul 1860 | 9mths 21days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Condition of the Working Classes of the Metropolis Committee No.19 | 30 Sep 1859 | 4 Jul 1860 | 9mths 5days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Mount Keira Tramroad Bill Committee No.22 | 12 Oct 1859 | 4 Jul 1860 | 8mths 23days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Wesley College Bill Committee No.21 | 12 Oct 1859 | 4 Jul 1860 | 8mths 23days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | Chairman |
| St Andrew’s College Bill Committee No.24 | 14 Oct 1859 | 4 Jul 1860 | 8mths 21days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Petition of Mrs Frances Dr Courcy Committee No.25 | 18 Oct 1859 | 9 Nov 1860 | 1yr 23days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Petition of Alexander Berry, Esquire, Committee No.30 | 3 Feb 1860 | 4 Jul 1860 | 5mths 2days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Tanners and Curriers’ Bill Committee No.37 | 29 Feb 1860 | 4 Jul 1860 | 4mths 6days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | Chairman |
| Petition of Mr Alexander Berry Committee No.9 | 12 Oct 1860 | 9 Nov 1860 | 29days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Business of Tanners and Curriers Committee No.12 | 19 Oct 1860 | 9 Nov 1860 | 22days | 3rd (1859 - 1860) | |
| Church of England Synod Bill Committee No.12 | 25 Apr 1865 | 9 May 1865 | 15days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Sydney Sewerage Committee No.17 | 16 May 1865 | 21 Jun 1865 | 1mth 6days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Disease in Fruit Trees Committee No.6 | 31 Oct 1865 | 7 Apr 1866 | 5mths 8days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| William Goodin Committee No.11 | 21 Nov 1865 | 22 Dec 1865 | 1mth 2days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Disease in Fruit Trees Committee No.5 | 31 Jul 1866 | 13 Sep 1866 | 1mth 14days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Railway from Echuca to Deniliquin Committee No.10 | 21 Sep 1866 | 20 Dec 1866 | 2mths 30days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company’s Incorporation Bill Committee No.21 | 22 Nov 1866 | 29 Nov 1866 | 8days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Railway from Echuca to Deniliquin Committee No.6 | 2 Jul 1867 | 27 Apr 1868 | 9mths 26days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Hartley Vale Colliery Railway Bill Committee No.12 | 25 Sep 1867 | 8 Oct 1867 | 14days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Petition of Thomas Larkin Committee No.13 | 27 Sep 1867 | 21 Apr 1868 | 6mths 26days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Claims of Mr Bartholomew Rush Committee No.17 | 22 Nov 1867 | 1 Apr 1868 | 4mths 11days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Removal of Mr Samuel Charles from the Commission of the Peace Committee No.12 | 27 Jan 1869 | 23 Mar 1869 | 1mth 25days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Robert’s Trust Bill Committee No.7 | 5 Oct 1869 | 13 Nov 1869 | 1mth 9days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| Claims of Mr Bartholomew Rush Committee No.8 | 8 Oct 1869 | 13 Nov 1869 | 1mth 6days | 5th (1865 - 1869) | |
| The Bank of New South Wales Bill of 1870 Committee No.15 | 2 Mar 1870 | 15 Mar 1870 | 14days | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
| Tolls on Government Bridges Committee No.19 | 22 Mar 1870 | 7 May 1870 | 1mth 16days | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
| Claims of Mr Bartholomew Rush Committee No.7 | 25 Aug 1870 | 23 Sep 1870 | 30days | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
| Coal Staithes at Newcastle Committee No.14 | 25 Jan 1871 | 13 Jun 1871 | 4mths 20days | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
| Parramatta Gas Company’s Incorporation Bill Committee No.8 | 7 Dec 1871 | 14 Dec 1871 | 8days | 6th (1870 - 1872) | Chairman |
| Circular Quay Committee No.10 | 23 Jan 1872 | 1 Feb 1872 | 10days | 6th (1870 - 1872) | |
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Community Activity
Commissioned as a Justice of the Peace. A leading Methodist layman. Played a role in the erection of the first Methodist Church in Parramatta. Sunday school teacher and circuit steward in Parramatta. President of Parramatta Hospital Board from 1869 to 1873 and was associated with the Parramatta Benevolent Society.
Qualifications, occupations and interests
First employment was as an apprentice carpenter. At a later time became a successful builder. In the 1830's was a pioneer of steam ferry transport on the Parramatta River with his brother William (member of the Legislative Council from 1858-1861 and 1861-1891). They built a steam flour mill in 1840-1841 and later wool and cloth mills. In 1862, they employed around 50 people. Also jointly owned the largest store in Parramatta. Manufacturer; storekeeper; company director. Director of the Illawarra Steam Navigation Company and of Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Company. Trustee of the Parramatta Savings Bank and a Valuer with the Public Works Department in 1875 to 1886.
Local Government Activity
Alderman of Parramatta and its Mayor between 1862-1866.
Personal
Son of James Byrnes and his wife Frances Morehouse. Arrived in New South Wales with his family in July 1808. Volunteered for garrison duty and was attached to the New South Wales Corps and later the 73rd Regiment. James (Jr) had little education. Married (1) Ruth Barber in 1826 at Parramatta and had issue, 5 sons and 1 daughter. Married (2) Ann Harris at Mudgee on 30 September 1852 and had issue, 1 daughter. Wesleyan Methodist.
Additional Information
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3
Personal papers in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales: James Byrnes - papers, 1866 - 1870 (MLMSS 1366)
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