Thomas Laidlaw (23 September 1813 – 12 June 1876) was a Scottish-born Australian politician.
He was born at Melrose in Roxburghshire to merchant Alexander Laidlaw and Helen Cochrane. A banker, he migrated to New South Wales in 1839 and settled at Yass, where he became a partner in a general store. In 1841 he married Catherine Galvin, however she died the following year and they had no children. [1]
In 1859 he was elected unopposed to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Yass Plains, but immediately resigned as he realised his role as deputy postmaster at Yass, on a salary of £20 a year, was an office of profit under the crown which disqualified him from parliament. He resigned as postmaster and was re-elected unopposed. [2] He declined the position of Colonial Treasurer in the second Cowper ministry. He did not re-contest in 1860 and could not be persuaded to stand for parliament again. [1] He remained active in local politics, supporting the re-election of Robert Isaacs in 1866. He was nominated at the election in 1869, however this was without his consent as he supported the candidacy of Michael Fitzpatrick. [3]
In 1866 he sold his store, which had now expanded to include brewery and post office, and became a pastoralist. [4]
Laidlaw died at Yass on 12 June 1876[5]
(aged 62).
Thomas Laidlaw (23 September 1813 – 12 June 1876) was a Scottish-born Australian politician.
He was born at Melrose in Roxburghshire to merchant Alexander Laidlaw and Helen Cochrane. A banker, he migrated to New South Wales in 1839 and settled at Yass, where he became a partner in a general store. In 1841 he married Catherine Galvin, however she died the following year and they had no children. [1]
In 1859 he was elected unopposed to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Yass Plains, but immediately resigned as he realised his role as deputy postmaster at Yass, on a salary of £20 a year, was an office of profit under the crown which disqualified him from parliament. He resigned as postmaster and was re-elected unopposed. [2] He declined the position of Colonial Treasurer in the second Cowper ministry. He did not re-contest in 1860 and could not be persuaded to stand for parliament again. [1] He remained active in local politics, supporting the re-election of Robert Isaacs in 1866. He was nominated at the election in 1869, however this was without his consent as he supported the candidacy of Michael Fitzpatrick. [3]
In 1866 he sold his store, which had now expanded to include brewery and post office, and became a pastoralist. [4]
Laidlaw died at Yass on 12 June 1876[5]
(aged 62).