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J. C. H. James
J. C. H. James
Personal details
Born	James Francis John Charles Horsey James; 30 January 1841; Rome, Papal States
Died	3 February 1899 (aged 58); East Perth, Western Australia
Resting place	Church of England Cemetery
Nationality	British subject
Spouse	Rebecca James (née Clifton)
Children	Five sons, two daughters
Residence(s)	Romanleigh, East Perth
Alma mater	Rugby School; University of Oxford

James Francis John Charles Horsey James (30 January 1841 – 3 February 1899) was a public servant, magistrate, and sports administrator who served in various positions in the civil service of Western Australia in the latter half of the 19th century. Born in Rome, James was educated at Rugby School in Warwickshire, England, later studying law at Exeter College at the University of Oxford. Called to the bar in 1866 as a member of the Inner Temple, he practised law on the Oxford circuit before emigrating to Western Australia in 1875, having accepted the position of Commissioner of Titles for Western Australia.

James was also involved with the development of the sport of cricket in Western Australia, including the obtaining of land for what is now the WACA Ground and the foundation of the Western Australian Cricket Association.

Early life

James was born in Rome to The Reverend John H. James and his second wife, Theodosia Mary James (née Tennant)

He was the son of Rev. John H. James of Highfield, rector of Avington, Berkshire and his second wife Theodosia Mary Tennant, of 'Romansleigh' in North Devon. He was educated at Rugby School, Warwickshire between 1854 and 1860, and later at Oxford University where he was awarded his law degree in 1864. At Rugby he sat under Dr Frederick Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury and at Oxford played cricket in the first eleven of Exeter College.

Choosing law as his profession, he enrolled at the Inner Temple and was called to the bar in November 1866 where he practised on the Oxford circuit. In 1875 the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Earl Carnarvon offered James the position of Commissioner of Titles for Western Australia, with the task of implementing the Torrens title transfer of lands system at that colony. He accepted the offer becoming one of the last imperial appointments to colonial administrative positions made direct from the home government.

Western Australia

James arrived in Western Australia in July 1875 with the task of expanding and improving the Titles Office. He held the position until his death in 1899.

At times, James acted as Registrar of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, Registrar in bankruptcy, and Stipendiary Magistrate of Perth. He was gazetted as a Justice of the Peace for the colony in 1886 and Police Magistrate in June 1897. In June 1887 he was appointed as the fourth nominee member of the Western Australian Legislative Council during the absence of Sir John Forrest in London. He sat for two sessions and retired in February 1888. He also held positions of Resident Magistrate, Guildford from September 1887 for a time and again between about 1897 and 1898. He was acting Puisne Judge between February 1898 and January 1899.

Together with George Parker (brother of Stephen Henry Parker) and Josceline Amherst, James established the Western Australian Cricket Association in 1884, obtaining a 15-acre (61,000 m²) grant the following year on the foreshore at East Perth and the 'Association Ground'. He held the presidency of the Association from 1884 to 1899.

He married Rebecca Catherine Clifton, eldest daughter of Charles Hippuff Clifton at St George's Church in Perth on 16 September 1885. They had seven children, the youngest being actor and soldier M. E. Clifton James.

As well as having an avid interest in cricket, James was involved in a number of other sports and sporting associations including being a steward of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1887 to 1897. He was also president of the Swan River Mechanics' Institute from 1887 and was involved in the arts with an interest in amateur Shakespearean theatre as well as in music, painting and sculpture. Socially, he was a leading figure in the community.

After his father's death died in 1886, he inherited the family Gloucester and Devon estates. James built a grand English style residence in Guildford, Western Australia called Romansleigh, named after the Devon property. He was a member of the Carlton Club in London and Hurlingham and Royal Yacht Clubs of England.

James died at Romanleigh on 3 February 1899, after a short illness.

John James died in Perth on 3 February 1899 after a short illness and was buried at East Perth Cemeteries.

Illness and death

In January 1899, James became "alarmingly ill", and, having been pronounced to be suffering from "nervous exhaustion" by his doctors, ordered to rest. His condition having improved over a period of two weeks, he again took ill after a heat wave struck Perth in early February, and was seized with a fit of apoplexy on 3 February that ultimately caused his death.

Reputation

IN MEMORIAM.
J. C. H. JAMES, BORN 1841, DIED FEB-
RUARY 3RD, 1899.
Rome's son by birth, scholar, statesman, judge,
Yet kindly, courteous man, and versatile withal,
Rest peaecful thou from labour's toil and drudge,
Whilst mourners press around thy funeral pall,
As "Titles James" afar throughout our "golden" land,
Synonymous thy name with noble actions known.
To manly games and sport thou lent a helping hand;
In ways innumerable thy charity was shown.
Shine brilliant sun, as, standing by his tomb,
We weave our garland to the true and brave.
Green may his memory be, his deeds far fresher bloom
Than choicest flowerettes strewn upon his grave.

References

Kimberly, W.B. (compiler) (1897). History of West Australia. A Narrative of her Past. Together With Biographies of Her Leading Men. Melbourne: F.W. Niven. p.153
Black, David; Bolton, Geoffrey (2001). Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia, Volume One, 1870–1930 (Revised ed.). Parliament House: Parliament of Western Australia. ISBN 0730738140.
James, John Charles Horsey (1841-1899) at Australian Dictionary of Biography online edition

Category:1841 births Category:1899 deaths Category:Alumni of Exeter College, Oxford Category:Burials at East Perth Cemeteries Category:Cricket administrators Category:History of Western Australia Category:Judges of the Supreme Court of Western Australia Category:People educated at Rugby School Category:People of English descent Category:Public servants of Western Australia