Daniel Bell WAKEFIELD [1659]

  General Notes:

Daniel was a Barrister, he emigrated to New Zealand and became a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1855.

Daniel Bell Wakefield (1798 - 8 January 1858) was a notable judge in New Zealand during the mid-19th century.
Wakefield was the second child of Edward Wakefield (1774-1854) and Susanna, née Crash (d. 1817).[1] As a child in England , Wakefield was thought to be rather 'slow' and showed little initiative at school. During his later school years he lived with Francis Place , one of the leading radical reformers of the era and a friend of his father. On leaving school he was apprenticed to learn book-keeping , conveyancing and practical farming, but soon disgraced himself and was sent to Amsterdam to work in a merchant's office.
Place described him as lazy, sulky and disagreeable and probably dishonest but was determined to persevere with Daniel out of respect for his father. It seems that his brothers, Edward Gibbon and Arthur were not particularly impressed with him either, they described him as a dull, ill-mannered fellow most notable for his sloth and indolence.
However, by 1824, he had discovered enough energy to elope with Selina Elizabeth de Burgh (perhaps encouraged by his brother Edward), much to the dismay of her parents who were not impressed by him. Selina however died four years later without issue, by which time, Wakefield's career prospects had been dealt a further blow by the trial, conviction and imprisonment of his brothers Edward and William for the abduction of a young girl.
Nonetheless, he tried to resurrect his career, studying law and entering Lincoln's Inn in 1827. He pursued political ambitions, although his brothers' reputations meant his attempt to become a Member of Parliament for the London borough of Lambeth was to be unsuccessful.
With his brothers, Wakefield then began to look for career opportunities in the English colonies. Edward had dealings in South Australia and involved Daniel. It seemed likely that he might be appointed the region's first judge but he was not appointed and with the other Wakefields withdrew from the South Australia Scheme.
In 1835 he married Anglela Attwood, daughter of Thomas Attwood MP and Elizabeth (Carless) in London.
By 1843, Wakefield was again embroiled in scandal. He had left his wife in disgrace after infecting her with an unpleasant social disease, and had substantial gambling debts. Edward once again assisted: this time Wakefield escaped to New Plymouth , New Zealand, under a false name , "Bowler". Later, he joined his brother William to do legal work in Wellington for New Zealand Company .
In 1847 he was appointed Crown Solicitor , a year later Standing Counsel for the Maori and then Attorney-General for the New Munster Province .[2] His wife rejoined him after a five-year separation, bringing their two children, Selina and Marcus. Tragically, Selina died a few months later, but in October 1849 their third child, Alice was born.
In 1853 brother Edward arrived in Wellington and began a vigorous campaign against Governor George Grey . Unfortunately, Wakefield was drawn into the dispute and maneuvered into a position when he had to resign as Attorney-General. Two years later, however, he was asked to become an acting judge and was sworn in as the first judge to be appointed in New Zealand from among those who had practised law in the country (he is also, so far, the only judge to have been appointed after entering the country under a false name). He retained this position until October 1857, when ill health forced him to resign.
He died in Wellington on 8 January 1858.
Ref: Wikipedia

He is buried in a family plot in Bolton St Cemetery Wellington.
The grave is one of four in the family plot, for brothers, Edward, William and Daniel Wakefield, and Daniel's daughter, Selina Elizabeth Wakefield.
Image of Grave Courtesy of Sth Australian Library

  Research Notes:

Image courtesy Hocken Library Dunedin NZ

  Other Records

1. Daniel Wakefield: Application for appointment as NZ Crown Solicitor appointed 1847, 15 Aug 1846.
Copy.
Wellington Terrace
August 15, 1846.

Sir
Mr Hanson having decided not to return to New Zealand a vacancy has taken place in the officers held by him, those of Crown Solicitor and Commissioner of the Court of Requests which officers having been accidentally combined in his person are, it is generally understood, to be severed and the Commissioner of the Court of Requests will not be allowed to practice privately in his profession.
Under these circumstances and provided your Excellency should see fit
Page 2
to accept of my professional services I beg leave to offer myself as a candidate for the office of Crown Solicitor.
I ought, perhaps, to observe that I am a barrister of 15 years standing and the only person of that rank in the profession in the place. I am, consequently in a position which necessarily, prevents me from deriving emolument arising from a portion of the practice of attorneys in the colony and therefore, I would fain hope, especially entitled to seek appointment to an office like that of Crown Solicitor.
I have the honour to be
Your Excellency's
Most Obedient
humble Servant
D Wakefield
Barrister at Law

To his Excellency
Gov Gray
etc etc

. . . . . . . . . .
Not having yet received any intention from Mr Hanson of his intention to relinquish the offices he holds I am not at present in a position to do more than to state that I remain [?] prepared to consider how far [?] the separation of the two officers in the manner proposed by Mr Wakefield can be carried out to . . . . . as I am officially informed that Mr Hanson does not intend to return
Wellington \endash If such an arrangement can be advantageously effected and no other officiating [?] with which I am at present unimaginable [?] arise, I shall be happy to grant Mr Wakefield's wishes.
G Grey
August 18, 1846

Mr Simstone [?]
Agreement Mr Wakefield on the terms of his Excellency's . . . . .
H N [?] Aug 20/46

Mr Wakefield verbally acknowledged his Excellency
H N

2. Daniel Wakefield: Administration of his Estate, 1858, Wellington N.Z.
Daniel Wakefield died intestate.
This file includes correspondence with his widow Angela Wakefield from the Supreme Court of New Zealand, statements by his brother Edward G Wakefield. Documentation of testamentary expenses and the deceased's assets including an inventory marked "A" as follows:
"A"
Inventory of the personal estate and effects and credits of Daniel Wakefield who died at Wellington on the 8th day of January 1858.
1st - the sum of £360 in the Union Bank of Australia at Wellington.
2nd - furniture in house in Tinakori Road and Books value £80
3rd - leasehold premises on Wellington Terrace presently occupied by Mr Baring for which there are large arrears of rent due Landlord. Valued at £50.
4th - leasehold premises on Lambton key empty at death of deceased valued at £100.
5th - debt due by J Rugst [?] Chatham Islands £14
Amounting in whole to the sum of £500 sterling.
This is the paper listing referred to in the affidavit of Angela Wakefield sworn before me this 20th day of August 1858
Robert R Strang
Registrar.

3. Daniel Wakefield: Administration of his Estate Probate Bond, 1858, Wellington NZ.
Daniel Wakefield died intestate Wellington 8 January 1858.

In the Supreme Court of New Zealand
Southern District.
In the matter of Daniel Wakefield of Wellington deceased intestate.
I Angela Wakefield of Wellington swear that I am the relict of Daniel Wakefield of Wellington who died at Wellington on the 8th day of January last and that to the best of my knowledge information and belief the personal Estate Effects and Credits of the deceased are under the value of £500
I swear that to the best of my knowledge the deceased made no Will or other Testamentary writing regarding his means or Estate having died intestate, I swear that I will exhibit unto this Court a full true and perfect inventory of all the personal Estate Effects and Credits of the said deceased on or before the 20th day of August next and that I will file a true account of my Administrationship on or before the 12th day of May 1849.
Angela Wakefield.
Sworn at Wellington
this 20th day of May 1858
before me:
Robert R Strang
Register.

To ensure effect of the above a bond of £1000 between Angela Wakefield of Wellington, Edward Gibbon Wakefield of Wellington and Edward Jerningham Wakefield also of Wellington and Robert Roger Strang Register of the Supreme Court Wellington, was entered into.
It was witnessed by
Isabella Gilchrist Cook of Wellington and
Wilhelm Schmitt servant to E G Wakefield Wellinton

The researcher notes with interest the extremely shaky signature of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, evidence perhaps of the strokes he had suffered ?.

Daniel married Selina Elizabeth Lille de BURGH [12183] [MRIN: 4082], daughter of James Gorfrey Lille DEBURGH [12187] and Unknown, on 26 Jan 1824 in British Embassy Chapel Paris Seine France. (Selina Elizabeth Lille de BURGH [12183] was born about 1802 in West Drayton Hall MDX and died in 1828.)

Daniel next married Angela ATTWOOD [1660] [MRIN: 546], daughter of Thomas ATTWOOD [1687] and Elizabeth CARLESS [12186], on 1 Sep 1835 in St Margarets Westminster. (Angela ATTWOOD [1660] was born on 12 Nov 1812 in Hertford and died on 30 Nov 1874 in Cheshunt Hertford.)