FEATHERSTON, ISAAC EARL (1813-76) was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 21 Mar 1813, the fourth son of Thomas Featherston, of Blackdean, Weardale, and of Cotfield House, county Durham. Delicate in health from infancy, he went to a private school in Tamworth and then to Italy, partly for his education, but mainly for his health. Returning to Edinburgh, he graduated M.D. in 1836. Three years later he married Bethia Campbell (who died on 16 Mar 1864), daughter of A. Scott (Edinburgh).

Still anxious about his health, Featherston decided to emigrate to New Zealand. He applied for a surgeoncy in the New Zealand Company's ships, and in Dec 1840, sailed for Wellington as surgeon-superintendent of the Olympus on her first voyage. Though he entered at once upon the practice of his profession, Featherston was not to remain long outside the vortex of public affairs. He does not appear to have taken any position in the community until the demand for self-government crystallised in the formation of the Settlers' Constitutional Association. He was not in any of the abortive Legislative Councils or the town board. Jerningham Wakefield, writing in 1844, does not mention him, and he is rarely mentioned in the press of the decade 1840-50. But he was himself contributing to the press, and on the formation of the Constitutional Association he at once took a leading position publicly. In 1851 he was presented with a service of plate by the Company's land purchasers for the part he took in getting their claims considered by the Government.

When the new constitution came into force (1853) Featherston was elected Superintendent without opposition. The story of his Superintendency is that of Wellington province from 1853 to 1871, and is embodied in the records - at times dignified and more often stormy - of the Provincial Council. Jerningham Wakefield (q.v.) led the opposition in an embittered political struggle, culminating in a series of constitutional crises. Featherston was four times elected Superintendent. He was a member of Parliament continuously from 1853 to 1870. He first represented Wanganui and Rangitikei (1853-55), and was returned with Clifford and Fitzherbert in 1855 for Wellington City, which he represented until retiring at the end of 1870. Each time he was at the head of the poll. A fine testimonial to Featherston's constructive work and his whole-souled devotion to the interests of the province is embodied in Fitzherbert's panegyric at the abolition of the province. Nor was Featherston allowed to restrict his services to his own province even if he had wished to do so. In the interests of the province he went to Australia and concluded a mail steamer agreement by which New Zealand and Australia became linked with England through Panama. A few years later (1869) he was sent to Australia on behalf of the General Government to persuade General Chute to assume the responsibility of keeping the Imperial troops in New Zealand until further reference to the British Government. Then he was sent to England (with Sir Francis Bell) to urge the retention of the troops in the Colony. In that they failed, but they succeeded in persuading the British Government to guarantee a loan of one million for roading native districts as a measure of security against further wars. When the Hauhau rising was at its worst Featherston put Wellington under a heavy debt to him. Though never robust in health and often suffering intensely, he took the field repeatedly with the troops. The Native levies refused to move without him. By his great influence over them and his unwavering personal courage he inspired the soldiers of both races in the most depressing hours. While he was meeting the Hauhau partisans in the Wairarapa alone and singlehanded, and daring them to open hostilities, he sent a mailman to Wellington to bring up arms for the local volunteers. When Chute was preparing for his march to New Plymouth behind the mountain, the Native friendlies refused to go until Featherston, who was scarcely able to sit his horse, cheerfully undertook the arduous adventure. Of this service General Chute wrote in a dispatch: 'I now consider it my imperative duty to recommend this officer in the highest terms for the distinctive decoration of the New Zealand Cross, in recognition of his meritorious and intrepid services during the period referred to, and more particularly at the storming and capture of that formidable pa, Otapawa, where Dr Featherston so exposed himself in the service of the Queen and country as to become, as it were, a target for the enemy's fire, thus by his noble example stimulating and encouraging the Native allies.'

Though Featherston coveted the New Zealand Cross (which was eventually awarded to him), he declined a knighthood, and always refrained from accepting cabinet office. He did on one occasion (Jul-Aug 1861) join Fox for a few weeks to meet an emergency, and again he was in the executive without portfolio in Fox's last ministry (1869-71). He was M.H.R. for Wanganui and Rangitikei (1853-55), and for City of Wellington (1855-70).

Featherston had no sooner returned from his mission to England in 1871 than he was offered the post of Agent-general, which he accepted, to the general regret of the people of Wellington. He died in London on 21 Jun 1876. His services were inadequately commemorated by a vote of £3,000 granted to his family and the naming of a street in Wellington and a small town in the Wairarapa. Several institutions, such as the Savings Bank and the Mechanics Institute, owed their beginnings to him. He saw his beloved provincial institutions doomed, but was spared by a few months witnessing their final extinction. Gisborne says: 'Like most men with strong wills, he was naturally autocratic, but he had sense enough to see that in a democratic country he must have public opinion on his side. Accordingly, he was despotic through, and not in spite of, the people. But he was no vulgar demagogue. He was a refined and highly educated gentleman, somewhat reserved in his general manner, and not at all given to hunting for popularity. His influence over men was almost magnetic, and his party was ever faithful and devoted. Another characteristic feature about him was his thorough unselfishness, in the lower sense of the term; there was nothing mean or mercenary about him. He was fond of power, but his sole aim was to use it for what he thought was the public good; and in that cause the object of his life was to spend and be spent.'

N.Z.P.D., pass.; Wellington P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Saunders (p); Gorton; Carter; Ward (p); Cowan, ii; Whitmore; Gisborne (p); Rusden; Gudgeon (p); Wakelin; Wellington Almanac, 1877 (P); Independent, 13 Mar 1866; Otago Daily Times, 31 Jul 1876; N.Z. Times, 27 Jun 1876 (p), 21 Sep 1876; Evening Post, 27 Aug 1929 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 138

🌳 Further sources