Thomas Hungerford

Thomas Hungerford (6 September 1823 – 4 May 1904) was a pioneer pastoralist and politician in Australia. He was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

Early life

Hungerford was born near Cork to Captain Emanuel Hungerford and Catherine Loan(e). The family migrated to New South Wales in 1828, and his father settled on the Hunter River. Hungerford became a pastoralist, owning property near Walgett and inheriting his father's Hunter property in 1852. On 19 June 1852 he married Emma Hollingsworth Wood, with whom he had nine children; a second marriage to Catherine Mary Mallon produced six children.

Politics He first stood as a candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Upper Hunter at the election for The Upper Hunter, but was unsuccessful, finishing second behind Francis White with a margin of 342 votes (26.6%). however the by-election was overturned by the Election and Qualifications Committee on the basis that two polls were taken at Belltrees. A second by-election was held in August 1875, however Hungerford was defeated. but he resigned in 1880.

Later life Hungerford was ruined by the 1890s depression, and by 1900 had lost all his property. He died at Ashfield in 1904.

Legacy The town of Hungerford, Queensland was named after him.