What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?

[nbourkie]

In 1850s NSW, what sort of social ranking or occupation did one need to be titled an Esquire?
Curious as one of my ancestors was John Jay, Esq. in a marriage notice.

Thanks

[barryd]

Looks very English to me!

[cristeen]

I am guessing it would have a similar meaning as it did in the UK. My understanding is that an esquire did not have to 'work' for a living, income was from property, investments etc.

[iluleah]

Usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, Esquire historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight........... however............ lots of people reinvented themselves especially when they sailed to the other side of the world... so reality it means nothing at all, until you find the records that prove otherwise

[sparrett]

Usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, Esquire historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight........... however............ lots of people reinvented themselves especially when they sailed to the other side of the world... so reality it means nothing at all, until you find the records that prove otherwise

I agree.
As recently as the 1960's in Australia the abbreviation Esq after the man's name appeared on envelopes addressed to some of my adult male relatives.

It was merely a courtesy signifying "good standing" in the community.

Sue

[majm]

Yes, I agree, iluleah, It had no real meaning  except as a courtesy as Sue says.   

In the 1850s it may be a good indication that the male person was eligible to be enrolled to vote in NSW, so was a) a British subject and b) qualified as per the info here:
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/electoral-rolls-guide  generally as per this extract from that info:

1843
Men (over 21 and British subjects) owning freehold property to a value exceeding £200, or
Householders occupying a dwelling house with an annual value exceeding £20.
A man could vote in every electorate where he held the necessary property for at least six months.

1851
Property qualifications were reduced to men owning freehold property to a value exceeding £100
Householders occupying a dwelling house with an annual value exceeding £10, or a pastoral lease.

1856
Franchise qualifications were extended to include men receiving an annual salary of £100 and to those paying £40 per annum for board and lodging and £10 for lodging only.

1858
All adult males who had lived in the electorate for the preceding six months and who were British subjects by birth, or had been naturalised for five years and had resided in the Colony for three years
Holders of miners rights were allowed to vote in three Gold Fields electorates

Unable to vote:
Police, serving members of the armed forces, paupers, prisoners and persons of unsound mind were barred from voting.


JM

[majm]

Mrs John JAY’s mother :

Gleaned from a Book of submitted biographical information…

Caroline WALLWORK, born 31 August 1810, daughter of Robert BAYMAN, gentleman of Long Ditton SURREY and Sarah JENNINGS arrived Sydney 10 November 1843 per the vessel, Lord Petre.   Her husband was John WALLWORK, a soldier in the 99th regiment, and their marriage was 10 October 1834, Alverstoke, HAMPSHIRE.    Their children included:   
Frances Louisa, married KEARNS.
Robert Bayman
Caroline, 1840-1902, married John JAY 24 December 1859, Parramatta
Sarah Maria
Joseph Samuel
Sarah Jane, married THOMS
John William
Lettice Eliza, married DAVIS
William Thomas Richard
Mary Jane Perkins, married DONNELLY
Albert Edmund Chamney

Caroline WALLWORK died 15 March 1899, buried C of E, Grafton, NSW. 

Mrs John JAY’s father

Gleaned from same book…
John WALLWORK, 1809-1873
Soldier, farmer, school master of Baulkham Hills NSW
Born 12 June 1809, Bolton Lancashire, son of Joseph WALLWORK, a wine and spirit merchant and Martha AINSWORTH.   To Sydney 10 November 1843, per Lord Petre, with 99th regiment (enlisted 2 May 1831), discharged Sydney 1 July 1848, as a pay master’s sergeant.    He died 3 March 1873, Woodford Island, NSW, buried Grafton NSW. 

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28629278  SMH 13 Jan 1860. 


NSW Electoral Roll 1878  THE CLARENCE
John JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
Emanuel JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
John WALLWORK, Woodford Island, freehold

JM

[nbourkie]

Thank you for all the replies!

[nbourkie]

Mrs John JAY’s mother :

Gleaned from a Book of submitted biographical information…

Caroline WALLWORK, born 31 August 1810, daughter of Robert BAYMAN, gentleman of Long Ditton SURREY and Sarah JENNINGS arrived Sydney 10 November 1843 per the vessel, Lord Petre.   Her husband was John WALLWORK, a soldier in the 99th regiment, and their marriage was 10 October 1834, Alverstoke, HAMPSHIRE.    Their children included:   
Frances Louisa, married KEARNS.
Robert Bayman
Caroline, 1840-1902, married John JAY 24 December 1859, Parramatta
Sarah Maria
Joseph Samuel
Sarah Jane, married THOMS
John William
Lettice Eliza, married DAVIS
William Thomas Richard
Mary Jane Perkins, married DONNELLY
Albert Edmund Chamney

Caroline WALLWORK died 15 March 1899, buried C of E, Grafton, NSW. 

Mrs John JAY’s father

Gleaned from same book…
John WALLWORK, 1809-1873
Soldier, farmer, school master of Baulkham Hills NSW
Born 12 June 1809, Bolton Lancashire, son of Joseph WALLWORK, a wine and spirit merchant and Martha AINSWORTH.   To Sydney 10 November 1843, per Lord Petre, with 99th regiment (enlisted 2 May 1831), discharged Sydney 1 July 1848, as a pay master’s sergeant.    He died 3 March 1873, Woodford Island, NSW, buried Grafton NSW. 

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28629278  SMH 13 Jan 1860. 


NSW Electoral Roll 1878  THE CLARENCE
John JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
Emanuel JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
John WALLWORK, Woodford Island, freehold

JM

Thanks JM! Would I be able to get a link to this book?