William Henry Clayton

William Henry Clayton (17 November 1823 – 23 August 1877) was a Tasmanian-born colonial architect who practised initially in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and then in New Zealand. He was New Zealand's first (and only) Colonial Architect, serving in the position from 1869 up until his death. In this role, he and his office were responsible for the design of numerous government buildings.

Early life and education William was born on 17 November 1823, in a house called Wickford at Norfolk Plains, Van Diemen's Land, Colony of New South Wales, one of the 13 children of Mary (nee McLaughlan) and Henry Clayton. William's grandfather (who bore the same name) had been sentenced in 1802 to transportation for seven years to Australia for the possession of a purportedly stolen sheepskin. His wife Sarah and three-year-old Henry accompanied him on the convict ship Glatton which reached New South Wales in 1803.

At the age of 16 Henry received a land grant Van Diemen's Land, which enabled him to become a prosperous businessman by the time his son William was born. As well as land holdings, by the 1840s Henry also owned several flour mills and owned or chartered ships which he used to export flour from his mills to New Zealand and bring back cargo.

William was educated at the local exclusive Longford Hall Academy, where he won prizes in geography, French, Latin and mathematics. As Henry Clayton wanted his son to have the benefits of higher education, the family moved to England, departing on 28 March 1840 on the Adelaide. William furthered his education by being articled to a prominent architect, and received training in architecture, civil engineering and surveying. and the Launceston Mechanics' Institute (1842).

The Public Building in Launceston (1860), which was constructed of brick with richly-modelled freestone dressings and Italianate classical in style, was the most ambitious and lavish of his secular works. Subsequently, the partnership received the commission in 1865 to design Government House in Wellington. While Mason was involved in the selection of the site it was Clayton who eventually took the lead role with his design being preferred by the Premier, Frederick Weld. However, its construction was postponed when the government was unable to obtain the site that had been chosen for the building. By the late 1860s the gold boom was over in Otago and with work in Dunedin declining Mason and Clayton dissolved their partnership in 1868. While the economy was stagnant there was a large unfulfilled requirement throughout the country for public buildings.

Death

While on a visit to Dunedin in 1865, the horse that was pulling the carriage he was travelling on bolted. While jumping clear he broke two bones in his left ankle and dislocated his right ankle.

He was buried in block 116 plot 12 in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery the following day. His wife, Emily who was in England visiting their daughter Mary Vogel at the time of his death returned to New Zealand to settle her husband's estate. He hadn't updated his will (which was still held in Tasmania) since 1860 and so it made no mention of his youngest children and situation in New Zealand. It wasn't until the New Zealand Public Trustee was appointed in March 1878 to administer the will that process could be made on settling his affairs.

Works Among the buildings which Clayton personally designed, collaborated on or supervised the design of are: Building Image Completed Location Notes St Andrew's Kirk 100px 1850 36 St John Street, Launceston Designed in 1849 with construction starting that same year. Belltower, St Andrew's Anglican Church 1859 Westbury A belltower designed by Clayton was added in 1859 to the existing church. Chalmers Presbyterian Church 1860 Corner of Frederick and St John Streets, Launceston Launceston Mechanics' Institute 1860 Corner of St John and Cameron Streets, Launceston Designed in 1856, with the foundation stone laid in 1857. The building was demolished in 1971. Public Buildings Lisburn House 1863 15 Lisburn Avenue, Caversham, Dunedin Clayton designed this townhouse for the Fulton family. It features very steeply gabled roof with multiple rooflines and polychromatic brickwork. It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category I status in 1988. Dunedin Synagogue 1864 29 Moray Place; Tennyson Street, Dunedin Commissioned in 1863 this was Clayton's first major project in New Zealand. When Clayton became a partner of William Mason, he brought with him this commission. It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category I status in 2012. Oamaru Post Office All Saints' Church, Dunedin Excelsior Hotel 100px 1865 1–33 Dowling Street and 152, 158 Princes Street, Dunedin It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category II status in 1986. Government House, Wellington 1871 Russell Customhouse Foxton Post and Telegraph Office Burnham Industrial School Finnimore House 1873 Corner of Finnimore Terrace and Dransfield Road, Wellington This was designed and gifted by Clayton to his draughter Mary and her husband. Clayton House 1874 53 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington Clayton bought land from Maori at Pipitea Pa and built his own house, which he constructed of concrete, possibly making it the first concrete dwelling in Wellington. It also had hot and cold running water, another novelty. Following Clayton's death it was sold to Thomas Coldham Williams who transformed it into a grand mansion, complete with Italianate tower. In 1916 it became the home of Scots College and then Queen Margaret College from 1919 onwards. It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category II status in 1982. Premier House 100px 1875 260 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington The original privately owned house was purchased in 1865 to become the official residence of the nation's Premier. Clayton designed an addition which is substantially the two storied, late Victorian Italianate style timber building that is seen today. As prime minister Michael Joseph Savage didn't want to live in such grandeur the building was for a time used as a trainee dental clinic. After coming under threat of demolition it was saved and restored in 1990 and is today the official home of the prime minister of New Zealand. It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category I status in 1988. Naseby Courthouse Napier Courthouse Invercargill Post & Telegraph Office 1876 Invercargill tenderers for its construction were called in January 1875. The Telegraph Office moved into the upper floor of the eastern wing on the 15 July 1876. Rawene Courthouse Government Buildings, Wellington Havelock Post Office Lyttelton Post and Telegraph Office Timaru Courthouse 1878 14 North Street, Timaru Tenders for a new courthouse were called in 1876 and then again in March 1877. It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category I status in 2003. Chief Post Office, Christchurch The design was completed in January 1877 and the foundation stone was laid three months before Clayton's death. Dunedin North Post Office 1879 361 Great King Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin Designed by Clayton and completed following his death. As of 2019 it houses the H. D. Skinner Annex of Otago Museum. It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category II status in 2005. Akaroa Courthouse It was given Heritage New Zealand historic place Category I status in 1983.