James Hannell (1 December 1813 – 31 December 1876) was an auctioneer, publican, and Australian politician elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, the first Mayor of Newcastle, and the first Mayor of Wickham. Early life Hannell, was free-born in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, on 1 December 1813. He was the eldest son of two convicts. His mother Elizabeth Hannell arrived in Sydney in 1812 from Middlesex, England (Convict – 7 years). His father James Walton of Lancashire, England, a Private of the Coldstream Guards. Hannell was registered with NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages Register with his father's family name 'Walton,' as were his brothers John (b. 27 August 1815) and Jesse (b. 15 November 1817), however in life they used their mother's maiden name. Hannell was baptised on 13 May 1814 at St. John's Church, Parramatta. Hannell's mother was incarcerated in the Parramatta Female Factory. She was involved with other convicts (James Garland and James Stubbs) in a scam to obtain money from forged receipts and was convicted and sentenced in June 1820, to 'Life' in Newcastle. She was transported to Newcastle, on the ship, 'Princess Charlotte', and arrived on 27 July 1820. She had a daughter Mary Ann (b. 10 May 1821) with a convict called John White (died Nov.1828). Elizabeth was granted permission to wed the District Constable, and ticket of leave man, John Butler Hewson, on 28 May 1828. Hewson became the foster father of the children, including Hannell, when they joined their mother in Newcastle. Hannell was educated at Christ Church School, Newcastle. On 12 March 1836, Hannell married Mary Ann Sophia (b. 1819, Sydney), second daughter of Edward Priest (a former convict who arrived in Newcastle in 1817). Hannell and Mary had eleven children: Clarence Hewson, Stephena Mary, Emily Frances, Fanny Anne, James Edward, Mary Elizabeth, Florence Jane, Constance Myra, Arthur Hubert, James Edward (d. 1842), and John Henry (d. 1860). The area known as Smedmore, where the Hannell home was situated, became known as Maryville, in honour of Hannell's wife, Mary. The main street of Wickham is Hannell Street. Career Hannell was a Police Constable from 1833–1836. He became Newcastle's first licensed auctioneer in September 1839. He bought a licensed Public House called the 'Ship Inn' on the corner of Hunter and Bolton Street, Newcastle. Hannell's brother, John Hannell, became the licensee of the Wheat Sheaf Inn at