Hexham, near Newcastle. He was a sportsman, and pilot of ships on the Hunter River. When the punt service was opened, around 1862, John was appointed to run it. Another of Hannell's brothers, Jesse Hannell, became Signal Master and the first lighthouse keeper at [Nobby's] Lighthouse. In 1857, Hannell was gazetted as a Justice of the Peace and attended the Newcastle bench. Hannell was a churchwarden and trustee of Christ Church Cathedral. Hannell was involved in the incorporation of Newcastle and became its first mayor in 1859–62, serving again in 1868–69 and 1871. He was Mayor in 1868 when the Duke of Edinburgh visited on 5 March. In 1859–64, 1866–71 and 1873–76 he represented city ward in the Newcastle Council. Hannell became Mayor of Wickham when it became a Municipality in 1871. He served alongside Peter Fleming, Charles Thomas, James Harrison Hubbard, Charles Upfold, and William Henry White. Hannell became Newcastle's Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He represented the City Ward in 1860, and was re-elected in 1864. He contested and won the Northumberland vote and was returned to Parliament. Hannell organised concerts for the Newcastle Hospital, in which he took part as a comic singer. When the new hospital 'Wing' was completed it was named the 'Hannell Wing' in honour of Hannell and his son Clarence. Hannell was President and judge of the Newcastle Jockey Club. He organised the first regatta and was President of the Newcastle Regatta Committee for thirty years. He was President of the Newcastle Cricket Club. He helped establish the Newcastle Mechanics' School of Arts. In 1858 was a trustee of the Newcastle National School. In 1867 he became a member of the Board of the Newcastle Public School. Death Hannell died from pneumonia, on 31 December 1876, and was interred at the burial ground of Christ Church Cathedral. His tombstone is still in the grounds, just outside the Warriors' Chapel. Hannell was survived by Mary and nine of their eleven children: 1) Clarence Hewson, b. 15 October 1836 (BDM V18361179 20/1836) – d. 3 April 1909 (BDM 2528/1909) – m. Maria Phoebe TIGHE, 2) Stephena Mary, b. 2 June 1838 (BDM V18381282 22/1838) – d. Sep. 1927 (BDM 12068/1927) – m. Henry ROUSE, 3) James Edward*, b. 30 June 1840 (BDM V18401483 24A/1840) – d. 3 December 1842 (BDM V18421155 26B/1842), 4) Emily Frances, b. 25 December 1841 (BDM V18411572 26A/1841)