WATTS-RUSSELL, JOHN CHARLES (1825-75) was the fourth son of Jesse Watts-Russell, of Ham Hall, Staffordshire, and Biggin House, Northamptonshire, who took the additional name of Watts on his marriage. After receiving the usual education in preparation for the army, he got his commission in the 17th Lancers, and was quartered chiefly in Ireland. In 1850 he married Miss Bradshaw, sold his commission and purchased orders for 500 acres of land in Canterbury. He was elected a member of the committee of settlers, and sailed with his wife in the S.S. George Seymour. He became a close friend of J. R. Godley, purchased a flock of sheep from the Deans brothers, and secured a block of 22,000 acres near Homebush. He was the first of the Canterbury settlers to go in for sheep-farming as distinct from agricultural farming.

Watts-Russell was elected to the council of the Society of Land Purchasers, but otherwise took little part in the politics of the province. He erected his house, Ilam, on land just beyond Riccarton, but lived in Lyttelton for the first year or two. Possessed of considerable means, he soon had extensive station properties, in the management of which he was associated with A. R. Creyke (q.v.). When the run system came into force he had 16,000 acres at Homebush allotted to him (1851). In 1854 he and Creyke had 2,524 sheep, and three years later the number was 6,630. Generally speaking, Watts-Russell left the management of the properties to Creyke. He only occasionally lived on them to alleviate his asthma. He was appointed a justice of the peace, and in 1854 was called to the Legislative Council in the first General Assembly. This position he resigned when he went abroad. Returning to the Colony by the Westminster from a visit to England (1858), he brought 20,000 bricks for his home at Ilam, a fine two-storeyed house on a brick foundation which is described by Lady Barker as 'the most charming place I have yet seen.' Here Watts-Russell dispensed hospitality on a lavish scale, with little desire for the hurly-burly of politics. The unvarying integrity of his private life was a fine example in the early days of the settlement. In all his relations he was inspired by a deep Christian spirit. In 1858 Watts-Russell was again called to the Legislative Council by the Stafford Government, and he continued a member for 10 years. In 1866 he sold most of his property, and left once more for England, his membership of the Council thus lapsing. When he returned in 1871, he still refrained from public life. He died on 2 Apr 1875.

Watts-Russell was a great lover of horseflesh, and was one of the committee that founded the Canterbury Jockey Club, of which he was chairman. He went to great pains to improve both land and stock. One unfortunate experience was his part in the introduction of rabbits into the province. He liberated some at Dalethorpe and sowed five acres in buckwheat for their benefit. In 1859 with H. Hirst he made an exploration of the West Coast sounds in a Maori boat. An ardent freemason, he helped to form the first lodge in Christchurch, and later he spent both energy and money in the establishment of the provincial grand lodge. He was himself the first provincial grandmaster.

Godley, Letters; Deans; Cant. O.N.; Acland; Chadwick; Jane Deans, Letters to My Grandchildren; The Press, 18 Oct 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 240

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