Alexander Watson of Scotland came to
Victoria in
1859 and became the Colonial Treasurer of
Vancouver Island from
1861-1866.
1 When Watson came to
Victoria he was the accountant for the Bank of British North America, but upon the dismissal
of
George Tomline Gordon, Watson was appointed to be the Colonial Treasurer of
Vancouver Island by
Douglas to replace
Gordon.
2 He was appointed with a salary of 500 pounds per year that was later increased to
600 pounds.
3 Edgar Fawcett described Watson as
clever but not very popular.
4 Newcastle was initially unpleased with the appointment of Watson as three other people hired
by
Douglas had
proved defaulters,
but as Watson had already quit his job at the bank to take the position,
Newcastle let him remain as Treasurer so as not to bring any hardship upon Watson.
5 Watson’s services were terminated with the union of
Vancouver Island and
British Columbia in
November 1866.
6 He later became the general inspector of the Bank of
British Columbia.
7Watson married Jessie McKenzie in
1863, who was the daughter of
Kenneth McKenzie of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Craigflower Farm. They later lived in California.
8