Thomas Jackson (Bishop Designate)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jackson, born 1 September 1812, was the son of a Wesleyan clergyman. He was educated at St Saviour’s School, Southwark
, and St Mary’s Hall, Oxford
where he graduated BA in 1834 and MA in 1837. In 1844, at the early age of 32, he was appointed Principal of St John’s Training College for teachers at Battersea
. This college trained teachers for English Church schools and he retained this position until he was named as the Bishop Designate of Lyttelton. At the time it was envisaged that the principal town in the new settlement would be Lyttelton rather that of Christchurch
which did become the main locality. He was named in June 1850 and from that time until he sailed for New Zealand
in September of that same year he addressed many meetings on behalf of the Canterbury Association
who were promoting immigration. He did much to further the cause and his speeches on the subject were very well received.
A legal hitch was discovered some time before the first immigrant ships left England for Canterbury. The Letters Patent
appointing the Bishop of New Zealand Dr. George Selwyn (Bishop of Lichfield) had no clause providing for a resignation of part of the New Zealand Diocese which would have been needed if another person were to be appointed in Canterbury
. It was determined that the Diocese of Lyttelton should include all of the South Island whereas Dr. Selwyn wished to resign from only the Canterbury Settlement and Otago
. In view of this, Jackson undertook to go to New Zealand and discuss the matter with Selwyn and others. He had in his possession a document for Selwyn’s signature which would have Selwyn resigning the Sea of New Zealand. In the end, another document was signed by him in which he only resigned the Canterbury and Otago areas. There was some doubt about the legality of this document.
Jackson then proposed to return to England to have the matter regularised with the Archbishop of Canterbury
. It appears that he also wished to be consecrated Bishop
by the highest Church authority to ensure his position. He was then to return to Lyttelton and take up his post. He must have been a keen man for long ocean voyages as the trip each way was around one hundred days. It would appear that his wife, Elizabeth, who travelled out to New Zealand was much less keen. Two of their children also accompanied them. They travelled on the sailing ship “Castle Eden” which was the fifth ship chartered by the Canterbury Association for carrying emigrants. It arrived in Lyttelton in February 1851.
Jackson was only in Canterbury (New Zealand) about six weeks but he was very active in church matters, and travelled extensively during that time. A long report was written by Jackson to the Archbishop of Canterbury, (England) presumably on the homeward voyage. It is likely that he made notes at the time of his travels. This report was subsequently published. He had arrived back in England during September 1851 after visiting Sydney. When reading the report, it was fully obvious that he intended to return to Canterbury to take up his position. This was not to be. Jackson, despite his earlier good reputation, was not a popular man in Canterbury. He lost the support of the locals, and had some difficulties with the Canterbury Association. Because of the problems there had been moves against him and he never took up the bishopric to which he had been appointed. Apparently, the Archbishop of Canterbury persuaded Jackson to withdraw any claims he had to the post and thus, he stayed in England. A face-saving announcement was made claiming that Jackson’s wife was unable to undertake another long voyage because of sickness. A rector’s position was found for him at St Mary’s, Stoke
, in England
where he developed a reputation as preacher. He died in 1886.
Thomas Jackson has sometimes been referred to as the Bishop Designate of Canterbury but this is not strictly correct. His title was the Bishop Designate of Lyttelton. Therefore, his title was, and is, unique. The first Bishop actually appointed to Christchurch was Bishop Harper.
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
, and St Mary’s Hall, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
where he graduated BA in 1834 and MA in 1837. In 1844, at the early age of 32, he was appointed Principal of St John’s Training College for teachers at Battersea
Battersea
Battersea is an area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is an inner-city district of South London, situated on the south side of the River Thames, 2.9 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Battersea spans from Fairfield in the west to Queenstown in the east...
. This college trained teachers for English Church schools and he retained this position until he was named as the Bishop Designate of Lyttelton. At the time it was envisaged that the principal town in the new settlement would be Lyttelton rather that of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
which did become the main locality. He was named in June 1850 and from that time until he sailed for New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in September of that same year he addressed many meetings on behalf of the Canterbury Association
Canterbury Association
The Canterbury Association was formed in order to establish a colony in what is now the Canterbury Region in the South Island of New Zealand.- Formation of the Association :...
who were promoting immigration. He did much to further the cause and his speeches on the subject were very well received.
A legal hitch was discovered some time before the first immigrant ships left England for Canterbury. The Letters Patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
appointing the Bishop of New Zealand Dr. George Selwyn (Bishop of Lichfield) had no clause providing for a resignation of part of the New Zealand Diocese which would have been needed if another person were to be appointed in Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
. It was determined that the Diocese of Lyttelton should include all of the South Island whereas Dr. Selwyn wished to resign from only the Canterbury Settlement and Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
. In view of this, Jackson undertook to go to New Zealand and discuss the matter with Selwyn and others. He had in his possession a document for Selwyn’s signature which would have Selwyn resigning the Sea of New Zealand. In the end, another document was signed by him in which he only resigned the Canterbury and Otago areas. There was some doubt about the legality of this document.
Jackson then proposed to return to England to have the matter regularised with the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
. It appears that he also wished to be consecrated Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
by the highest Church authority to ensure his position. He was then to return to Lyttelton and take up his post. He must have been a keen man for long ocean voyages as the trip each way was around one hundred days. It would appear that his wife, Elizabeth, who travelled out to New Zealand was much less keen. Two of their children also accompanied them. They travelled on the sailing ship “Castle Eden” which was the fifth ship chartered by the Canterbury Association for carrying emigrants. It arrived in Lyttelton in February 1851.
Jackson was only in Canterbury (New Zealand) about six weeks but he was very active in church matters, and travelled extensively during that time. A long report was written by Jackson to the Archbishop of Canterbury, (England) presumably on the homeward voyage. It is likely that he made notes at the time of his travels. This report was subsequently published. He had arrived back in England during September 1851 after visiting Sydney. When reading the report, it was fully obvious that he intended to return to Canterbury to take up his position. This was not to be. Jackson, despite his earlier good reputation, was not a popular man in Canterbury. He lost the support of the locals, and had some difficulties with the Canterbury Association. Because of the problems there had been moves against him and he never took up the bishopric to which he had been appointed. Apparently, the Archbishop of Canterbury persuaded Jackson to withdraw any claims he had to the post and thus, he stayed in England. A face-saving announcement was made claiming that Jackson’s wife was unable to undertake another long voyage because of sickness. A rector’s position was found for him at St Mary’s, Stoke
Stoke
-United Kingdom:*Stoke is one of the most common place names in the United Kingdom and in historical documents.Originally from the Old English 'stoc' meaning 'place', it came to be used in two special senses, i) a religious place and ii) a secondary settlement It can refer to any of the following...
, in 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...
where he developed a reputation as preacher. He died in 1886.
Thomas Jackson has sometimes been referred to as the Bishop Designate of Canterbury but this is not strictly correct. His title was the Bishop Designate of Lyttelton. Therefore, his title was, and is, unique. The first Bishop actually appointed to Christchurch was Bishop Harper.