Thomas Bennett (Newfoundland politician)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bennett was a magistrate and political figure in Newfoundland.
Born in Shaftesbury
, Dorsetshire, England
, Bennett first worked for the British government in the Commissariat Department and moved to St. John's
, Newfoundland, in the early 1820s to work in his brother Charles
' mercantile business. Both brothers became important members of the business community and his brother later served as Premier of Newfoundland.
In 1828, Bennett married Hannah Hutchings.
He entered politics in 1832 running for House of Assembly
for Twillingate
and Fogo
. He became Speaker of the House of Assembly
in 1834 opposing William Carson
as a conservative supporter and remained as speaker until 1837 when he did not run for election. Bennett also held a number of appointed positions in the government after he chose not to run for further office. He was chosen for these appointments because the governor, Sir John Harvey
, wanted both brothers to be part of the newly formed government.
Bennett remained active in politics until he was appointed as a stipendiary magistrate, remaining in that post until his retirement in 1870. In 1870, after his brother Charles became Premier of Newfoundland, Thomas returned to England. He died in Shaftesbury at the age of 83.
Born in Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury is a town in Dorset, England, situated on the A30 road near the Wiltshire border 20 miles west of Salisbury. The town is built 718 feet above sea level on the side of a chalk and greensand hill, which is part of Cranborne Chase, the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset...
, Dorsetshire, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Bennett first worked for the British government in the Commissariat Department and moved to St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland, in the early 1820s to work in his brother Charles
Charles Fox Bennett
Charles James Fox Bennett was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to take Newfoundland into Canadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the island's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding...
' mercantile business. Both brothers became important members of the business community and his brother later served as Premier of Newfoundland.
In 1828, Bennett married Hannah Hutchings.
He entered politics in 1832 running for House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
for Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate is a town of 2,448 people located on the Twillingate Islands in Notre Dame Bay. It is located off the northeastern shore of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was incorporated on September 30, 1965. The town is about north of Lewisporte and...
and Fogo
Fogo, Newfoundland and Labrador
Fogo is an outport town on Fogo Island, Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:The largest community on the island, the town may also be the location of the island's first permanent settlement, which took place in the early 18th century, though it is unknown...
. He became Speaker of the House of Assembly
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador is the presiding officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.The current Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is Ross Wiseman, who was uncontested for the role following the 2011 General...
in 1834 opposing William Carson
William Carson
Sir William Carson , often called "The Great Reformer", was an important doctor and businessman in Newfoundland. Carson's primary contribution to Newfoundland was the application of modern agricultural principles....
as a conservative supporter and remained as speaker until 1837 when he did not run for election. Bennett also held a number of appointed positions in the government after he chose not to run for further office. He was chosen for these appointments because the governor, Sir John Harvey
John Harvey (governor)
Lieutenant-General Sir John Harvey, KCB KCH was a British Army officer and a Lieutenant Governor.He was commissioned into the 80th Foot in 1794 and served in several different locations, including France, Egypt, and India...
, wanted both brothers to be part of the newly formed government.
Bennett remained active in politics until he was appointed as a stipendiary magistrate, remaining in that post until his retirement in 1870. In 1870, after his brother Charles became Premier of Newfoundland, Thomas returned to England. He died in Shaftesbury at the age of 83.