| John Watts | |
| Constituency Am: | Drayton and Toowoomba |
| Assembly: | Queensland Legislative |
| Term Start: | 2 May 1860 |
| Term End: | 26 July 1862 |
| Predecessor: | New seat |
| Successor: | William Henry Groom |
| Office1: | Member of the Queensland Legislative Council |
| Term Start1: | 8 April 1864 |
| Term End1: | 31 October 1864 |
| Constituency Am2: | Western Downs |
| Assembly2: | Queensland Legislative |
| Term Start2: | 2 November 1864 |
| Term End2: | 18 June 1867 |
| Predecessor2: | Thomas Moffatt |
| Successor2: | Robert Ramsay |
| Alongside2: | James Taylor |
| Birth Date: | 1821 2, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England |
| Death Place: | Wimborne, Dorset, England |
| Birthname: | John Watts |
| Nationality: | English Australian |
| Spouse: | Jane Lambie Nelson (m.1854 d.1863), Caroline Sophia (née Cochrane) (m.1868) |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
John Watts (27 February 1821 – 18 November 1902) was a member of both the Queensland Legislative Assembly and the Queensland Legislative Council.[1] Watts managed the Eton Vale station with Arthur Hodgson and later took it over.[2] During his time in Queensland Watts wrote an account of farming and pastoral life, and the difficulties associated with it, as experienced by the early pioneers of South-East Queensland.[3] He also commissioned an 18-carat gold swag necklace by Danish creator Christian Ludwig Qwist (1818-1877) who arrived in Australia circa 1852. The necklace, a fine example of silversmithing and craftsmanship. Watt's papers and necklace are held by the State Library of Queensland. The necklace is considered a treasure of the John Oxley Library. [4]
Watts was a member of the first Parliament of Queensland, representing the seat of Drayton and Toowoomba from 2 May 1860 till his resignation due to ill health on 26 July 1862. He was appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council on 8 April 1864 and resigned on 31 October 1864 due to having been elected as the member for Western Downs from 2 November 1864 till 18 June 1867.[1]
Watts returned to England in 1867 and died at Wimborne, Dorset in 1902.[1]
During his time in Queensland Watts commissioned an 18-carat gold swag necklace by Danish creator Christian Ludwig Qwist (1818-1877) who arrived in Australia circa 1852. The necklace features five openwork carved gold hinged pendants and is a fine example of silversmithing and craftsmanship. The necklace is held by the State Library of Queensland and is considered a treasure of the John Oxley Library.