Francis Abigail

Francis Abigail (16 January 1840 – 23 July 1921) was politician and manufacturer from New South Wales, Australia.

Early life Francis Abigail was the son of Hannah Coney and William Abigail. In 1860, he immigrated to Sydney and was married the following year.

Politics and public service He served as a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for West Sydney from 1880 to June 1891. He served as Secretary for Mines in the fourth ministry of Sir Henry Parkes from 20 January 1887 to 10 January 1889.

Criminal conviction In July 1887 he was elected to the board of the Australian Banking Co, subsequently becoming chairman of directors and the company was placed in liquidation on 10 November 1891. In October 1892 he was charged, along with 6 others, with falsely representing the affairs of the bank, and was found not guilty. He was released from prison in June 1895 after serving 2 years 6 months and 29 days.

Later life He attempted to return to politics, standing as an independent candidate at the 1901 NSW Senate election, but polled 7,164 votes. well short of the 70,000 needed for election.

Abigail died at Ashfield on .