See, John, 1844 – 1907

Sir John See (1845-1907), merchant, parliamentarian and Premier of NSW, was born at Huntingdonshire, England, son of Joseph See a farm labourer and his wife Mary Ann. The family arrived at Sydney in 1852 and took up land at Hinton in the Hunter district of NSW. See began farming in the Clarence district with his brother David in 1862 and in 1865 John See set up as a produce and commission agent in Sydney. See built a large home at Randwick where he was an alderman on the local municipal council (1877-1888). He was appointed a trustee of the Savings Bank of New South Wales in 1884.

John See was elected a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Grafton (1880-1904) and was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly (1904-1907). He was appointed Postmaster-General (1885), Colonial Treasurer (1891-1894) Colonial Secretary (1899-1901) and Premier of NSW and Colonial Secretary (1901-1904). [ref:ADB 11]