James Watson (Australian politician)

James Watson (17 December 1837 – 30 October 1907)[1] was an Australian politician, Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales 1878 to 1883.[2]

Watson was born at Portadown, in County Armagh, Ireland, and educated at the Church of England school in his native town.[2] He emigrated to the colony of New South Wales early in life, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, becoming a partner in the firm of John Frazer & Co., of Sydney.[2] He was returned to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the Lachlan district in December 1869, and subsequently represented Young from November 1880 to November 1882 and Gundagai from April 1884 to October 1885.[3] Watson was colonial treasurer in the Henry Parkes Administration from December 1878 to January 1883, and in February 1887 was called to the New South Wales Legislative Council.[2] Watson married, on 8 April 1871, Miss Margaret Salmon Ewan.[2]

In 1897 Watson became a director of the Australian Joint Stock Bank; he died in Glanworth, Queensland on 30 October 1907.[1]