Description

Extended Data

Birth Place

London, England, UK

Biography

sketcher, pastoralist and politician, was born in London, son of John Weston, a surgeon. Having entered the wool trade, Weston sailed for Australia in the Adrian in 1823 and eventually settled in Van Diemen’s Land on a 2000-acre land grant. He married Ann Elphinstone Clark at Bothwell in June 1826; they had five sons and three daughters. A deeply religious man, Weston played an active role in the Church of England at Longford. Later he left the Anglican Church and helped found the Launceston Congregational Church with his friend John West, with whom he also founded the Anti-Transportation League. Its members later commissioned Robert Dowling to paint Weston’s portrait (QVMAG) in gratitude for his successful efforts. Weston was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 1856 and twice served short terms as premier. In the 1860s he went to live on a property he owned at Geelong, Victoria, subsequently moving to Melbourne. He died at St Kilda on 21 February 1888. His fifteen known drawings in pencil, pen-and-ink and wash (QVMAG), originally in a sketchbook, pay far more attention to topographical accuracy than to composition, perspective or balance. Most depict parts of the Longford district where Weston built his Regency-style villa Hythe in 1831. A number of the vistas incorporate large houses surrounded by trees: Cressy House 1840 and Hythe, Going towards Bishopsbourne (n.d.). Local landmarks, such as bridges, the punt at Longford, Ritchie’s Mill and the buildings in the main street of Perth (VDL) are also featured; one is titled Scene Describing Capture of a Prisoner in a Cave on the Banks of Jordan (c.1840). All are inscribed in Weston’s hand although an undated letter from his daughter, Ann Archer, suggests that Henry Mundy might have assisted with the brushwork. Writers: Staff Writer Date written: 1992 Last updated: 2011

Born

b. 1804

Summary

Elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly and twice served short terms as premier. His fifteen known drawings in pencil, pen-and-ink and wash originally in a sketchbook, depict parts of the Longford district where Weston lived and other vistas.

Gender

Male

Died

21 February 1888

Age at death

84