William Byrnes

William Byrnes (2 June 1809 – 25 October 1891) was an Australian politician.

He was born in Parramatta to James and Frances Byrnes; his father was a member of the New South Wales Corps. He was an apprentice saddler before pioneering steam ferries on the Parramatta River with his brother James. On 6 December 1834 he married Ann Oakes, daughter of MLC Francis Oakes and they had fourteen children.[1]

In the 1840s the brothers ran a flour mill, and they continued to run mills and stores thereafter.[1] Byrnes was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from August 1858 to May 1861 and from September 1861 until his death at Parramatta in October 1891.[2]

His brother James was a member of the NSW Parliament at various times between 1850 and 1872.[3] His nephew, Charles, James' youngest son was also a member of the Legislative Assembly between 1874 and 1882.[4]

  1. ^ a b Walsh, G P (1969). "Byrnes, William (1809–1891)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Mr William Byrnes (1809-1891)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Mr James Byrnes (1806-1886)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Mr Charles Byrnes (1835-1917)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 20 April 2019.